Latest news with #Planner
Scoop
20-05-2025
- Climate
- Scoop
Winter 2025: Keep Your Inner Olympian In Check As Colder Weather Arrives
Press Release – NZTA Colder temperatures are already being felt across the South Island, increasing the chance of weather conditions impacting the state highway network, explains Mark Pinner, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) System Manager. While professional athletes are in training across the world ahead of the next Winter Olympics, to be held in Italy during early 2026, New Zealand drivers are being reminded not to race on the roads this winter. Colder temperatures are already being felt across the South Island, increasing the chance of weather conditions impacting the state highway network, explains Mark Pinner, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) System Manager. 'Large parts of the state highway network across the central and lower South Island are at high elevations, which means they're the first to get frosts, snow or ice. While our contractors are constantly monitoring weather forecasts and patrolling the network, it'ss crucial that everyone plays their part. We saw snow on the Lindis Pass a few weeks ago, and we had a light snowfall around Burke's Pass and Tekapo this week. 'Inland areas across the region will also experience frosts and icy roads when temperatures drop in the winter months. By reducing your speed and increasing your following distance you will significantly reduce the likelihood of a crash occurring. Use your headlights to be seen and avoid sudden braking or turning to reduce the risk of losing control.' NZTA, along with our maintenance contractors, works closely with MetService, who provide a specialised forecasting to predict and monitor road conditions. This includes a network of weather stations that provide critical data such as temperature, wind speed, rainfall, and road surface temperatures to inform both immediate responses and long-term planning. Where possible, contractors will proactively apply grit or Calcium Magnesium Acetate (a de-icer) to reduce the impact of snow and ice. However, it pays for drivers to take extra care in winter, as conditions can change rapidly. 'When following a grit truck it's important to remember that the road ahead won't be gritted, and may well be slippery. Drivers should also watch out for shaded areas – these take longer to warm up and dry out, so could still be slippery even hours after the rest of the road is fine. 'At times roads may need to be closed, to keep both road users and roadworkers safe. We may look to close the road as poor conditions are coming in, to ensure that people don't get caught out. If you're travelling over the winter months it pays to be prepared – packing warm clothes, snacks and water will ensure you have provisions should the weather turn.' Road users travelling across the country can find the latest information about the state highway network on the NZTA Journey Planner.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Yahoo
London Victoria Station trains disrupted during Bank Holiday weekend
Trains running to and from Victoria station will be disrupted over the early May bank holiday weekend, Network Rail has confirmed. The weekend will see no Southeastern Railway services using the station between Saturday, May 3, and Sunday, May 4. The disruption comes as a result of works at Battersea including track renewals, re-signalling, maintenance, and structures work. Platforms 1-8 at Victoria station will be closed as a result. Services that typically run through Victoria will instead be diverted via London Bridge or London Cannon Street. Gatwick Express services will also operate on a reduced timetable, along with reduced Southern services to Brighton. READ MORE: All the London Underground stations and lines that will be closed in May 2025 READ MORE: The creepy abandoned plane graveyard just outside London that's actually pretty eerie Network Rail said it typically carries out engineering works on bank holiday weekends as it causes the least amount of disruption for travellers. It acknowledged that there was never a convenient time to close parts of the railway but fewer passengers used trains on bank holidays than on normal weekdays. Engineering works are reportedly planned by Network Rail up to five years in advance. Timetable changes are also planned alongside freight companies. The infrastructure manager added that it needs to obtain access to work sites from land owners. It said it needed to ensure the right equipment and materials were in place for such works. Passengers are advised to plan their travel across the bank holiday weekend beforehand. Individuals can use the Network Rail Journey Planner to do so, with important information and useful travel advice relating to journeys showing with warning symbols. Have a story you want to share? Email Looking for more from MyLondon? Subscribe to our daily newsletters here for the latest and greatest updates from across London.
Scoop
29-04-2025
- Climate
- Scoop
Slip Closes SH1 Mangamuka Gorge
Press Release – NZTA As heavy rain continues to lash the region, people are asked to delay unnecessary travel where possible and, if they must travel, to expect the unexpected and remain Highway 1 is closed through the Mangamuka Gorge due to a slip. Contractors had been monitoring movement on the hillside following recent heavy rain and the slip was expected. The road will remain closed overnight and an update provided tomorrow morning. Those who need to travel can detour via State Highway 10. This slip follows another, nearby, that closed the road on Sunday, and has since been cleared. As heavy rain continues to lash the region, people are asked to delay unnecessary travel where possible and, if they must travel, to expect the unexpected and remain alert. Motorists should slow down and maintain a greater following distance between their vehicle and the one in front. Be aware of branches and other debris they may not be able to see under the surface of flood waters. We also ask that people be mindful of contractors who could be out clearing hazards off the road, and drive slowly through work sites. Visit the Journey Planner website for the latest travel information, including any road closures: NZTA thanks everyone in advance for their patience and driving with care.
Business Standard
28-04-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Spearsoft Unveils Next-Gen AI-Powered Comprehensive Testing and AI Products for SMBs, Launches Globally
PNN New Delhi [India], April 28: Spearsoft has announced the global launch of its next-generation AI-powered platforms, purpose-built to address the operational complexities of small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). This comprehensive suite of intelligent automation tools is engineered to optimize software development lifecycles, streamline talent acquisition, and enhance customer engagement--positioning SMBs for accelerated digital transformation and competitive differentiation. Enabling Intelligent Automation, Scalable QA, and Data-Driven Decision-Making Across Business Functions Reimagining Business Workflows with AI-Native Architecture At the core of Spearsoft's innovation lies a portfolio of AI-native applications designed to operationalize intelligence at scale. These platforms leverage cutting-edge technologies-- including generative AI, natural language processing (NLP), and machine learning--to automate critical business functions, reduce overhead, and enable data-driven agility. AI-Powered QA Automation Framework Spearsoft's automated testing suite transforms quality assurance by enabling test case generation and execution through natural language commands. Leveraging large language models (LLMs), the platform facilitates end-to-end test orchestration, accelerates test coverage, and ensures scalability without compromising product integrity. This empowers engineering teams to compress release cycles and drive continuous delivery with confidence. EVA - GenAI Powered Platform: A transformative enterprise platform designed to enhance operational efficiency through five advanced AI-powered modules. EVA-Recruit optimizes talent acquisition, while the Compliance Checker ensures regulatory adherence with precision insights. The Planner enables seamless scheduling through natural language, and PCPR proactively manages risks to keep projects on track. Prattle unlocks the power of unstructured data using RAG methodology--making EVA the future of intelligent enterprise innovation. Agentic AI Ecosystem for Cross-Functional Automation Spearsoft introduces a suite of AI agents and domain-specific assistants designed to augment human capabilities across business verticals. These agents harness deep learning and conversational AI to deliver autonomous task execution, contextual insights, and real-time decision support. Key components of this agentic AI ecosystem include: * LeadMagnet - An AI-driven demand generation engine that automates email sequencing, behavioural segmentation, and hyper-personalised outreach to optimise conversion funnels. * Spearbot - A multimodal conversational AI assistant, voice-enabled to facilitate natural language interactions, customer support automation, and seamless omnichannel engagement. * Smartkart - An AI-powered platform leveraging real-time behavioral analytics to deliver personalized recommendations, driving cross-sell/upsell and boosting engagement and retention. * Healthmate - A healthcare intelligence platform that delivers AI-enabled diagnostics, risk stratification, and personalised care pathways--powering preventive and precision medicine. * Claimify- An intelligent insurance assistant that automates claims triage, performs anomaly detection for fraud mitigation, and delivers predictive analytics to enhance operational efficiency and increase claims success rate. Executive Perspectives: Powering the Future of SMBs with AI Srinivas Goli, MD & Co-Founder of Spearsoft, emphasises: "Our agentic AI platforms are designed not just to support business operations, but to supercharge them--enabling SMBs to achieve 10x efficiency, agility, and growth. By automating core functions and embedding intelligence into everyday workflows, we're giving small and mid-sized enterprises the power to operate like tech giants--without the overhead." Praveen Puram, CEO & Co-Founder, says: "With our AI-powered testing architecture, we're not just automating QA--we're rearchitecting how SMBs approach product development. Our platform ensures faster time- to-market, reduced technical debt, and consistent product excellence at scale." Jennifer Baker, Strategic Advisor, stated: "With my extensive background in intelligent automation, digital strategy, and customer experience transformation, I'm excited to contribute to Spearsoft's AI and Quality Engineering (QE) initiatives. My guidance will help us strengthen capabilities, elevate delivery excellence, and scale innovative solutions that address the ever-evolving needs of our clients and partners." Pabba Chandrakamal, Marketing Head at Spearsoft, says: "Our agentic AI platforms are Game Changers for SMBs, providing them with advanced technologies to gain a competitive edge. We believe every business, regardless of size, deserves access to intelligent automation and AI, and Spearsoft is leading this transformation through innovative QA testing and agentic AI-driven solutions." About Spearsoft With over 25 years of industry experience, we are a global leader in software testing, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity. Leveraging our deep expertise in AI-driven personalization, custom model development, and sector-specific insights--alongside robust testing services-- we deliver reliable, secure, and high-performance solutions. Our comprehensive testing approach drives significant cost efficiency, with the potential for up to 10x improvement through AI-driven automation. We provide personalized AI solutions that align with business objectives, ensuring seamless AI integration within testing processes. Our solutions are built on deep industry knowledge, enabling the deployment of cutting-edge technologies that support scalable, reliable growth. To know more, visit: Contact Chandrakamal Pabba, Marketing Head Spearsoft Email: Pckamal@ (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
Euronews
15-04-2025
- Euronews
Facial recognition and phone-based boarding passes: Why the future of flying could be paperless
ADVERTISEMENT If a ground-breaking proposal comes to pass, you may soon be saying bon voyage to boarding passes. In one of the most significant shake-ups to air travel in decades, the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has announced plans to eliminate paper boarding passes and check-in as we know it. Instead, passengers could use a digital travel credential - stored on their smartphones - to move through airports using facial recognition. A digital ID to pilot the future of travel Developed by the ICAO, the UN agency that sets global aviation standards, the digital credential would be used alongside facial recognition to replace physical documents throughout the airport, from bag drop to the boarding gate. Travellers would download a 'journey pass' that updates automatically if any changes occur, such as a flight delay or cancellation. Trials of these novel solutions are already taking off. Countries such as Finland have already launched a DTC pilot programme, while airports have experimented with the use of this emerging technology. Singapore's Changi has expanded its biometric lanes, and in 2019, Amsterdam 's Schiphol introduced facial recognition technology for boarding on select flights. Airlines have also begun to embrace digitalisation. As soon as November this year, Ryanair has announced plans to scrap paper boarding passes. Why now? The plan comes as airlines and airports seek to streamline operations and reduce costs, especially as global travel continues its post-pandemic rebound. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the number of air passengers is expected to double to eight billion by 2040. That surge will place pressure on airports to process passengers more efficiently. Digital IDs are seen as a key solution to that growing challenge. Related Could your next trip be planned by a virtual travel agent? announces new AI Trip Planner What would a single-ticket booking system mean for your next European train adventure? But there's another motivator: security. The ICAO says the new system could help crack down on identity fraud and human trafficking by providing a more robust way to verify who's flying. By relying on biometric data , which is unique to each person, the system promises greater accuracy than paper-based documentation can provide on its own. Privacy, please Valérie Viale, director of product management for travel technology company Amadeus, told The Times that these changes could be the most consequential since the adoption of e-ticketing in the early 2000s. 'The industry has now decided it's time to upgrade to modern systems that are more like what Amazon would use,' she said. If the plans develop as the ICAO envisions, boarding passes are only the beginning. Even passports could become a thing of the past in the future. ADVERTISEMENT Related Delayed flight? It could soon be harder for you to claim compensation from airlines Toronto plane crash is 2025's latest: Is flying still the safest form of transport? Despite digitalisation being a boon to traveller convenience, not everyone is on board. Critics have voiced concerns about privacy , surveillance and data breaches. Others have decried the lack of transparency around the technologies being deployed. For its part, Amadeus has sought to reassure travellers. The company has said that its newly developed system will wipe passenger data within 15 seconds of contact with any 'touchpoint,' such as baggage drop or pre-security checks. And the ICAO insists that developing a digital travel credential remains optional for every nation. That means you can keep your passport and boarding passes on hand for now. But don't be surprised if your smartphone or face soon becomes your ticket to fly. ADVERTISEMENT
