Latest news with #teamwork
New York Times
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Escaping Trouble With a Blowpipe and a Plan
I doubt I've met anyone who is wholly immune to the charms of a story that features scenes of synchronized derring-do and impeccable teamwork. In our discordant world where time often seems out of joint, it's reassuring to see plucky individuals band together to surmount outrageous odds. Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream, a stealth-adventure game, caters to the basic pleasure of seeing a carefully considered plan snap together. Owing to a personal matter, the game's main character, Hanna, has taken it upon herself to bring down a powerful politician who presides over her native city of Eriksholm. Assisting in her vendetta are Alva, the head of a gang that Hanna and her brother used to run with, and Sebastian, a tough and loyal friend. When we're introduced to Hanna, she has just recovered from a serious illness. The hours of the day give way to the next when an insistent knocking on the door is followed by a police officer barging into the apartment. Casting a quick glance around the small room, the officer asks Hanna where her brother is; after she says she doesn't know, he insists that she come to the station. When Hanna walks behind a folding screen under the pretext of retrieving her bag, a clicking sound arouses the officer's suspicion. She has used a vent along the wall to give him the slip. It doesn't take long for Hanna to realize she is a target for the police, who have stationed officers around the city's transportation hubs. Eventually, she makes her way to Alva in a more rundown area of town filled with shacklike structures crowned by corrugated metal roofs. There, Hanna retrieves her trusty blowpipe, enabling her to shoot sleeping darts into unsuspecting guards. She must be careful, though, to hide any slumbering working stiffs lest they attract their colleagues' attention. Sebastian then helps them secure safe passage into the ritzy areas of the city. Naturally, Alva and Sebastian also have their own abilities that players will have to strategically cycle through. Alva can climb up pipes to reach rooftops and other elevated areas; she can also use a slingshot to knock out lights and distract guards. Sebastian can swim and put guards to sleep with a chokehold. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
South China Morning Post
13 hours ago
- Automotive
- South China Morning Post
Japan's corporate boot camps enlist military discipline to drill soft skills
Japanese companies are once again sending fresh recruits to boot camps run by the military in a bid to instil teamwork, discipline and basic social skills that many believe were lost during the pandemic-era shift to online learning and remote work. The 'enlistment experience' programmes, operated by Japan 's Self-Defence Forces (SDF), simulate aspects of military life – from dawn roll-calls and mess hall etiquette to marching drills and group exercises – and are seeing a revival after plummeting during the Covid-19 pandemic. Between 2015 and the start of the pandemic, the Ground – as the land warfare branch of Japan's military is – organised between 1,200 and 1,700 such sessions annually, according to the Ground Staff Office. That number fell to about 100 during the height of the health crisis, but has since rebounded to nearly 400 a year, the Asahi newspaper reported. The Air and Maritime branches of Japan's military have also resumed their versions of the programme, though they do not track corporate participation. New recruits practise squad drills during a Self-Defence Forces 'enlistment experience' session, where synchronised movement and following orders are key training elements. Photo: Japan Self-Defence Force Companies that have embraced the scheme say the goal is not to militarise employees, but to address a widening soft-skills gap among young people who missed out on in-person socialisation during critical formative years. Nissan Motor Kyushu, a car manufacturer based in Kanda, Fukuoka prefecture, has sent new employees to SDF training for the past two years.
National Post
2 days ago
- Sport
- National Post
Bichette leads way as Blue Jays drop Yanks for record 11th consecutive home win
Article content 'Winning helps. I mean it's something that we all had a goal of, but once you start seeing the wins come across the board, it becomes easier. Article content 'And having a bunch teammates that are willing to do whatever it takes to win makes it easier as well. So it's been a great group.' Article content The all-for-one, one-for-all chorus that is driving the narrative for these 59-41 Jays may cause cynics to roll their eyes, but with wins in 17 of their last 21 games — and now four in a row since the all-star break — there's something real about the vibes. Article content Witness the reaction to Davis Schneider, two batters after Bichette in the fifth. He fought Rodon through an epic 15-pitch at-bat that eventually resulted in an out, but it certainly softened the Yankees starter. As Schneider was being celebrated in the Jays dugout, a pair of Yankees errors helped the Jays to two more runs. Article content Put the ball in play 🤷♂️ — Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) July 22, 2025 Article content Article content Witness the festive atmosphere all night as fans from field level to the 500s revelled in what felt like a huge win. Article content And witness the celebration as closer Jeff Hoffman recorded his 24th save on his bobblehead night, no less, as the vocal crowd erupted in approval. Article content 'I think some of it is personalities,' manager John Schneider said of the clubhouse mentality. 'Some of it is we've shown to be resilient. We've shown to just move on to the next thing, whether it's in game or after a game. They're pretty well-versed in just saying 'OK, what's important right now?' Article content 'It's nice that they're a very stable group.' Article content For further insight into what's happening with his team, Schneider was asked if he was surprised that these upstart and highly entertaining Jays have a better record than the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers. Article content The manager didn't flinch before his profound response. Article content 'It's baseball,' Schneider said. 'Teams on paper are teams on paper. There's certain things that aren't objectively qualified, but we've always had a lot of trust in the group. It's funny how it works out. There's still 63 games (62 after Monday's win) and a lot can happen. (But) it kind of shows what guys are made of and they believe they can play with anyone and they should. Article content 'This is where we had hoped to be, where we are really competitive in a tough division.' Article content It's also brought the Jays back to a place Bichette remembers when he first took note of the Jays back in 2015, the year before he was drafted by Canada's team. Article content 'I remember they were a super fun team to watch with a lot of great hitters,' Bichette said. 'They made splashes at the deadline. The atmosphere in the stadium was always super attractive. Article content
UAE Moments
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- UAE Moments
♐ Sagittarius Daily Horoscope for July 21, 2025
The vibe today is curious, spontaneous, and just a little chaotic—aka, totally your thing. The Moon slides into Aquarius, charging up your social battery and pulling you out of any funk. Expect unexpected connections, lightbulb moments, and a craving for something new. You're in full explorer mode—of ideas, people, and maybe even travel plans. Keep your phone charged and your mind open, because the universe might just drop a plot twist you didn't see coming. 💼 Career & Ambitions: Teamwork makes the dream work today. Bouncing ideas off others could lead to a breakthrough, especially if you're working on something techy or creative. Step out of routine—try a new approach or brainstorm with someone outside your usual circle. 💖 Love & Relationships: Flirt alert! Your playful energy is magnetic right now, and people are picking up on it. If you're single, a spontaneous conversation could spark a surprising connection. Coupled up? Do something offbeat with your partner—ditch the dinner date and go stargazing or try a weird museum. 💪 Body & Wellness: You're buzzing with nervous energy—channel it into movement! Dance, cycle, or try something unconventional like aerial yoga or even roller skating. Just get your body moving and have fun with it. 🧠 Mental Health Check: You may feel mentally scattered, but that's just your brain working overtime on cool ideas. Don't try to control it all—jot things down, then organize later. Give yourself permission to dream big and weird today.
South China Morning Post
3 days ago
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Feature of the week: Cameron Keung's poem ‘The Beautiful Game'
Do you have something to share? Send us your poetry, stories, school events and other reports using this form . With every kick, a story unfolds, In the rhythm of football, a legacy moulds. A flick, a pass, a brilliant run, In this beautiful game, each battle is won. Legends are born on these hallowed fields, With every tackle and triumph, new destinies revealed. Yet the game is more than glory; it's struggle and strife, It teaches us of teamwork, of courage in life. When the final whistle blows, win or lose, we stand tall, For it's more than a game; it's a lesson for all. In the spirit of competition, we find respect and grace, In every pass and every shot, we embrace the chase. So let the world keep turning, let the matches unfold, In the heart of every player, a story yet untold.
