Latest news with #UCS
Tom's Guide
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
Death Stranding 2 is the most beautiful game I've ever played — and it's everything I'd hope for in a sequel
Platforms: PlayStation 5Price: $69 / £69 / AU$125Release Date: June 26, 2025 (June 24 Early Access)Genre: Action-Adventure Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is a our second taste of Hideo Kojima's independence, and marks his first original title on the PS5. It takes up after the rather polarizing Death Stranding, which would go on to sell over 20M copies since its 2019 release across a variety of platforms, including PS4, PC, and even iOS devices. Its sequel keeps the same package-delivery gameplay structure of the original, but is underpinned by a story that's as breathtaking as it is action-packed. Sam Porter Bridges (Norman Reedus) is thrust back into the tides, put on a mission that sees him once more reconnecting a broken and isolated society using the chiral network. With the UCS (United Cities of America) in his rear-view, it's now time Sam sets his sights elsewhere. For that, we'll need the help of a sophisticated submersible called the DHV Magellan and new "Plate Gates," essentially giant wormholes connecting two distant places — in this case, Mexico and Australia. While this might be the second official title by Kojima Productions, this isn't Kojima's first rodeo. Elements of Metal Gear Solid ring throughout, with plenty of combat beats, stealth, and structure-building playing key parts in this exciting return-to-form. Here's why Death Stranding 2 is not only totally electrifying but already my favorite game of the year. Death Stranding 2 kicks off 11 months in the wake of its predecessor. Sam Porter Bridges is a father now, tending to the little baby Lou, the BB (Bridge Baby) who got you safely through the first game. You're holed up in Mexico, living a life of solitude that's punctuated by Lou's cheerful, bubbly laughter. All seems well in the world — Sam's world at least. But this happy-go-lucky, fatherly time doesn't last for long. Upon being thrust back into the world-connecting mix by Fragile (Léa Seydoux), who tasks you with bringing some areas of interest online in Mexico, your whole world no sooner falls apart. Lou's untimely and unfortunate passing following a random attack on your shelter leaves you devastated and heartbroken. You're once more totally alone. Some hope still remains, as Lou's supposed return as a BT (Beached Thing) in his old pod gives you slight solace. It's nowhere near the same, though, not as things used to be in those unforgettable 11 months of pure, unadulterated togetherness. A month passes and your mind remains in shambles. Depression and sadness have taken its toll, but Fragile's return with a whole new directive sparks hope. A new quest, led on a tar-gliding ship called the DHV Magellan might just be the thing that gives you the strength to carry on. It's here where we truly begin our journey, flowing neatly on through the Plate Gate into the sprawling open outback of Australia. And, it's here where even more exciting mysteries are just waiting to be uncovered. Kojima's brand-name narrative riddles are still ever-present, but the real meat of the story doesn't take several hours of cutscenes to sift through and get going this time around. Questions abound on the nature of several story threads, all of which you're left to ponder while traversing the Australian outback aided by a slew of new tools and friends that make the journey far more rewarding. The cast of astounding new characters includes the mysterious Tomorrow (Elli fanning) and Neil Vana (Luca Marinelli), to the bubbly Rainy (Shioli Kutsuna), and plenty more. Each have an interesting story to tell beyond the nature of the overriding narrative, making them feel as alive as ever. Of course, the return of Higgs (Troy Baker) ensures this mission is fraught with systematic impediments, made manifest in his legion of ghost mechs — not to mention the hordes of BTs and enemy encampments that litter the environment. Nothing Sam can't handle. Unlike its predecessor, Death Stranding 2 is all about the action. Combat, both stealth-based and in-their-face, is a pivotal part of your experience, and a slew of cool new toys makes this a total delight. These include an 80-round machine gun, bola stun gun, silenced machine pistol, and chiral cannon, to name just a few. One of my favorites, a weapon that was sorely lacking from the original, is the sniper rifle. It shoots tranquilizer rounds from a distance, but at the cost of drawing tons of attention, making you an instant target the moment it's fired. You do have to go out of your way to get this weapon, and it's not effective against the more menacing foes you'll be facing in Death Stranding 2: BTs, or "Beached Things." It's against these ghost-like creatures where Kojima's brand-name stealth comes into play. It dually blends the action-stealth you might know of Metal Gear Solid with the more terrifying aspects of Silent Hill, and works wonders, as getting caught by BTs can lead to a tough boss encounters, which can prove challenging in your first few hours. Luckily, stealth isn't a major requirement, but be sure to pack a grenade pistol (or two) if you're charting BT territory. But it's not just you making this trek through the grand outback. You'll find, thanks to the ever-growing chiral network that you're helping to put in place, a plethora of other players' tools and structures beginning to pockmark the map. Ropes, ladders, bridges, even weapons can all be found in the wild — so long as that particular area is connected to the network. Likes are the bleeding heart of this world. Exchanging likes is a way of broadening your connection with other players, many of which you'll find in the new SSS (Social Strand Service). Don't hesitate to make social contracts with those you know (and don't know) — they might just be your saving grace. If you're lucky, other players will directly assist you with a new feature called aid requests. This lets you drop down a beacon of need — say, a weapon's cache on the doorstep of an enemy encampment. Or, better still, you can even drop a request for that very encampment to be wiped out. There's this cathartic release you get every time you boot up Death Stranding 2 again and get a mass amount of likes from all the tools you've left behind and structures you've built. There's really nothing quite like it and it serves to give those hours of rebuilding roads, railways, putting up zip-lines, and leaving behind vehicles immense amount of purpose. Thus, whatever you do, don't play offline. Of course, this is still fundamentally the same gameplay loop as Death Stranding, which some might call "walking sim-esque." You're still a glorified delivery service worker trudging through the bleakness with packages strapped to your back — and that might not be for everyone. But, if there's one thing I can say, it's that Death Stranding 2 is one of the most beautiful games I've ever played. I've used camera mode in this game more than I ever have in all my life. The new day/night cycle coupled with the gorgeous backdrops make it prime fodder for unimaginable photography, the likes of which I'm nowhere near as capable at mastering as others. And, while it might bear a similar gameplay loop as its predecessor, at least there are plenty of quality of life improvements. These include much simpler menu navigation where you don't have to hold "X" to exit with your luggage, weapons instantly switching to the desired ammo type depending on the enemy encounter, and cargo management being an absolute breeze with its own d-pad quick button. Add to that major gameplay changes, like APAS enhancements that let you beef up Sam's abilities and mining facilities, some connected to full monorail systems, and many of the issues that plagued the original are long forgotten. Oh, and zip-lines can curve now! Death Stranding 2 is a once-in-a-lifetime achievement. It's genuinely hard to put to words the gravity and emotions that swell throughout this game. Not just in terms of its narrative, but also in how the themes are represented so eloquently in its gameplay loop. It's also one of the very few experiences that actually brought tears to my eyes in its closing moments. Say what you will about the "walking sim" aspect of its general gameplay, put the story and its characters have purpose. They have feeling and mean something to you in the end. When those credits roll — you're left with unfettered sorrow and happiness all the same. Even if the first game left you feeling dissatisfied, stick with this one. There's so much to love in its asynchronous strand multiplayer elements, fluid stealth-combat, and meditative adventure. At its heart is a message that's totally poignant and ripe for our times, something we should all take to heart even in our bleakest moments. It's that we're never truly alone, and even in those small windows of seemingly helpless isolation, you should (and must) keep on keeping on.
Associated Press
06-06-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Deep Isolation Joins International WISARD Initiative to Build Integrated Waste Solutions for a Sustainable Nuclear Future
BERKELEY, Calif., June 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Deep Isolation, a leading innovator in nuclear waste disposal technology, today announced its participation in the newly launched WISARD (Waste Integration for Small and Advanced Reactor Designs), a three-year international project spearheaded by the Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA). The initiative aims to develop integrated approaches to radioactive waste management for the next generation of nuclear power systems. WISARD brings together public and private stakeholders from across the nuclear lifecycle to drive innovation in how reactor design influences waste strategies across four critical areas: treatment and recycling, storage, transportation, and final disposal. Deep Isolation will contribute technical expertise and data to help inform how integrated management strategies can enhance safety and reduce costs across these four areas. 'We welcome Deep Isolation's support and participation in the WISARD project,' said Rebecca Tadesse, Head of the NEA Division of Radioactive Waste Management and Decommissioning. 'Their knowledge and expertise in integrated waste management and canister solutions will contribute to the success of the project.' Deep Isolation's Universal Canister System (UCS) is a triple-purpose canister designed for safe storage, transportation, and deep geologic disposal. It is compatible with both mined and borehole repositories and supports a range of advanced reactor waste streams, enabling flexibility in future waste disposition pathways. 'Deep Isolation is delighted to collaborate with NEA on this ambitious initiative,' said Chris Parker, Chief Commercialization Officer at Deep Isolation. 'The world needs advanced nuclear to meet rising energy demands and address climate change, but the deployment must be matched with thoughtful, efficient strategies for managing the waste. WISARD provides a vital platform to align public and private sector efforts around these long-term solutions.' Deep Isolation's participation in WISARD builds on recent research presented at the 2025 Waste Management Symposia (WMS). The company's paper Opportunities and Barriers for Optimizing Costs Across the Back End of the Advanced Nuclear Fuel Cycle underscores the importance of WISARD's work to integrate waste management into deployment strategies for small and advanced reactors right from the outset — and demonstrates strong demand across the nuclear industry for innovative products, like the UCS, that can reduce costs and uncertainty for the industry across storage, transportation, and disposal. Additional studies presented at WMS, including Progress on the Development of the Universal Canister System for Advanced Reactor Waste Forms and Economic Case for Universal Canister System in Dry Storage, Transportation, and Disposal, underscore the value of Deep Isolation's UCS in enabling practical, long-term, cost-optimized waste strategies for advanced reactor technologies. To read NEA's press release: About Deep Isolation Named as one of Goldman Sachs' Top 30 Startups in carbon capture, hydrogen power, and nuclear energy, Deep Isolation is the first company commercializing nuclear waste disposal in deep boreholes. It offers a uniquely tailored solution to help countries complete the necessary steps to dispose of their waste inventories. With 87 patents issued to date, it leverages proven drilling practices to safely isolate waste deep underground in horizontal, vertical, or slanted borehole repositories. Deep Isolation's Universal Canister System (UCS) was developed through a three-year project funded by the U.S. Department of Energy's Advanced Research Projects Agency -Energy (ARPA-E), and is engineered to support integrated management of spent fuel and high-level waste from advanced reactors across storage, transportation and eventual disposal. For more information, visit For media inquiries, please contact: [email protected] About the NEA The Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) is an intergovernmental agency under the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). It facilitates cooperation among countries with advanced nuclear technology infrastructures to seek excellence in nuclear safety, technology, science, environment and law. The NEA currently consists of 34 member countries representing 80% of the world's installed nuclear electricity generating capacity. About WISARD WISARD (Waste Integration for Small and Advanced Reactor Designs) is a three-year joint project launched by the NEA in May 2025. It brings together international stakeholders from across the nuclear energy lifecycle to evaluate how design decisions in advanced reactor systems influence backend waste management strategies. The project focuses on integrating considerations for storage, treatment and recycling, transportation, and disposal from the earliest stages of reactor development to promote sustainable and cost-effective solutions.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Deep Isolation Joins International WISARD Initiative to Build Integrated Waste Solutions for a Sustainable Nuclear Future
BERKELEY, Calif., June 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Deep Isolation, a leading innovator in nuclear waste disposal technology, today announced its participation in the newly launched WISARD (Waste Integration for Small and Advanced Reactor Designs), a three-year international project spearheaded by the Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA). The initiative aims to develop integrated approaches to radioactive waste management for the next generation of nuclear power systems. WISARD brings together public and private stakeholders from across the nuclear lifecycle to drive innovation in how reactor design influences waste strategies across four critical areas: treatment and recycling, storage, transportation, and final disposal. Deep Isolation will contribute technical expertise and data to help inform how integrated management strategies can enhance safety and reduce costs across these four areas. 'We welcome Deep Isolation's support and participation in the WISARD project,' said Rebecca Tadesse, Head of the NEA Division of Radioactive Waste Management and Decommissioning. 'Their knowledge and expertise in integrated waste management and canister solutions will contribute to the success of the project.' Deep Isolation's Universal Canister System (UCS) is a triple-purpose canister designed for safe storage, transportation, and deep geologic disposal. It is compatible with both mined and borehole repositories and supports a range of advanced reactor waste streams, enabling flexibility in future waste disposition pathways. 'Deep Isolation is delighted to collaborate with NEA on this ambitious initiative,' said Chris Parker, Chief Commercialization Officer at Deep Isolation. 'The world needs advanced nuclear to meet rising energy demands and address climate change, but the deployment must be matched with thoughtful, efficient strategies for managing the waste. WISARD provides a vital platform to align public and private sector efforts around these long-term solutions.' Deep Isolation's participation in WISARD builds on recent research presented at the 2025 Waste Management Symposia (WMS). The company's paper Opportunities and Barriers for Optimizing Costs Across the Back End of the Advanced Nuclear Fuel Cycle underscores the importance of WISARD's work to integrate waste management into deployment strategies for small and advanced reactors right from the outset — and demonstrates strong demand across the nuclear industry for innovative products, like the UCS, that can reduce costs and uncertainty for the industry across storage, transportation, and disposal. Additional studies presented at WMS, including Progress on the Development of the Universal Canister System for Advanced Reactor Waste Forms and Economic Case for Universal Canister System in Dry Storage, Transportation, and Disposal, underscore the value of Deep Isolation's UCS in enabling practical, long-term, cost-optimized waste strategies for advanced reactor technologies. To read NEA's press release: About Deep Isolation Named as one of Goldman Sachs' Top 30 Startups in carbon capture, hydrogen power, and nuclear energy, Deep Isolation is the first company commercializing nuclear waste disposal in deep boreholes. It offers a uniquely tailored solution to help countries complete the necessary steps to dispose of their waste inventories. With 87 patents issued to date, it leverages proven drilling practices to safely isolate waste deep underground in horizontal, vertical, or slanted borehole repositories. Deep Isolation's Universal Canister System (UCS) was developed through a three-year project funded by the U.S. Department of Energy's Advanced Research Projects Agency -Energy (ARPA-E), and is engineered to support integrated management of spent fuel and high-level waste from advanced reactors across storage, transportation and eventual disposal. For more information, visit For media inquiries, please contact: media@ About the NEA The Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) is an intergovernmental agency under the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). It facilitates cooperation among countries with advanced nuclear technology infrastructures to seek excellence in nuclear safety, technology, science, environment and law. The NEA currently consists of 34 member countries representing 80% of the world's installed nuclear electricity generating capacity. About WISARD WISARD (Waste Integration for Small and Advanced Reactor Designs) is a three-year joint project launched by the NEA in May 2025. It brings together international stakeholders from across the nuclear energy lifecycle to evaluate how design decisions in advanced reactor systems influence backend waste management strategies. The project focuses on integrating considerations for storage, treatment and recycling, transportation, and disposal from the earliest stages of reactor development to promote sustainable and cost-effective in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
AI Chips Update - VAST Data and Cisco Unite for Scalable AI Solutions
In a significant development in the AI infrastructure sector, VAST Data and Cisco have expanded their strategic partnership to offer a comprehensive AI infrastructure solution. This collaboration integrates VAST's AI Operating System with Cisco's UCS and Nexus platforms, providing a unified and scalable infrastructure for enterprise AI applications. The joint solution aims to simplify and accelerate the deployment of AI systems by unifying data pipelines and automating infrastructure management, while ensuring security and operational agility across all environments. This turnkey platform, designed for data-intensive AI systems, demonstrates the companies' shared vision of advancing enterprise AI adoption through a secure, accessible, and scalable approach. Elsewhere in the market, was a standout up 14.8% and closing at $71.92. Two days ago, Credo provided earnings guidance for 2026 with expected revenue growth over 85%, following strong 2025 financial results. In the meantime, trailed, down 2.8% to finish the session at NT$45.95. UMC's strategic advances in the 22-nanometer segment could drive potential market gains. Explore our detailed narrative to understand how UMC's innovations might benefit your portfolio. Don't miss our Market Insights article, "AI Enters the 'Show Me The Money' Phase," which explores AI chip sector investments and opportunities—get in fast! closed at $141.22 up 2.8%. On Monday, 2 June 2025, NVIDIA announced a strategic integration with Illumio to enhance cyber resilience for critical infrastructure using the BlueField platform. settled at $117.31 up 2.3%. This week, the company announced its EPYC processors will be integrated across Rubrik's data security platform, enhancing enterprise cloud solutions and sustainability efforts. closed at $148.94 up 1.6%. Qualcomm remains in discussions about acquiring Alphawave IP Group, with a decision deadline extended to 5 June 2025, which is in 1 day. Jump into our full catalog of 52 AI Chip Stocks, which includes ON Semiconductor, Analog Devices and Realtek Semiconductor, here. Ready For A Different Approach? Outshine the giants: these 26 early-stage AI stocks could fund your retirement. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Sources: Simply Wall St "VAST Data and Cisco Expand Partnership to Deliver Turnkey, Scalable Infrastructure for Enterprise AI" from VAST Data on GlobeNewswire (published 03 June 2025) Companies discussed in this article include NasdaqGS:CRDO NasdaqGS:NVDA NasdaqGS:AMD NasdaqGS:QCOM and TWSE:2303. This article was originally published by Simply Wall St. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Hi Dubai
22-05-2025
- Business
- Hi Dubai
Emirates Extrusion Factory Joins Forces with UCS to Launch UAE's First Zero-Waste Green Curtain Wall System
Exclusive partnership unveiled at 'Make it in the Emirates' positions EEF as the sole manufacturer of UCS's zero-waste façade system, reinforcing UAE's leadership in sustainable, locally manufactured building solutions. In a landmark move for sustainable construction in the UAE, Emirates Extrusion Factory (EEF), a wholly owned subsidiary of Dubai Investments, and UCS Green Solutions Building and Construction Materials Trading (UCS), a forward-thinking supplier of innovative façade and cladding solutions, have signed an exclusive Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to manufacture and promote the region's first Green Curtain Wall System with Zero Material Wastage. The strategic alliance was formalized during the 'Make it in the Emirates' forum, and was signed by Sreekumar Brahmanandan, General Manager, Emirates Extrusion Factory, and Ebrahim Mohammad Abdallah, Managing Director, UCS Green Solutions Building and Construction Materials Trading. Under the agreement, EEF will act as the exclusive manufacturer of the pioneering product developed by UCS – a façade solution engineered with precision to eliminate material waste during installation. The partnership not only aligns with national sustainability goals but also sets a new benchmark in the regional construction industry. This exclusive partnership marks a transformative milestone not just for Emirates Extrusion, but for the UAE's construction industry as a whole, said Sreekumar Brahmanandan, General Manager and Board Director of Emirates Extrusion Factory. As a wholly owned subsidiary of Dubai Investments, we are proud to champion local manufacturing and pioneer sustainable innovation. Being the sole manufacturer of UCS's zero-waste curtain wall system reflects our commitment to reshaping how buildings are designed, built, and experienced—where performance meets purpose. This collaboration is more than a product launch; it's a bold step toward reducing environmental impact and reinforcing the UAE's position as a regional leader in sustainable development. The Green Curtain Wall System represents a significant leap in façade technology—seamlessly blending aesthetics with environmental performance to meet the growing demand for greener infrastructure across the region. Its zero-waste design reflects a broader shift toward circular manufacturing, where efficiency, innovation, and impact converge. More than just a product, it exemplifies how local partnerships can drive high-impact, scalable solutions aligned with the UAE's long-term sustainability vision. At UCS, we believe true innovation lies in solving real-world challenges — and material waste in construction is one of the most pressing. This zero-waste curtain wall system is not just a technical advancement, it's a statement of intent for the industry, said Ebrahim Mohammad Abdallah, Managing Director of UCS Green Solutions Building and Construction Materials Trading. Partnering with Emirates Extrusion Factory allows us to scale this innovation through local manufacturing, making sustainable construction more accessible and impactful. This collaboration aligns with the UAE's long-term industrial and environmental goals, including Operation 300bn and the Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative. With the construction sector under increasing pressure to reduce its environmental footprint, the zero-waste curtain wall system presents a scalable solution for developers and architects looking to balance sustainability with structural excellence. News Source: Publicis Groupe
