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Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. goes multiplatform with crossplay and more Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. goes multiplatform with crossplay and more Sunday’s Virtua Fighter Spring Direct revealed a load of new information about upcoming games, including the as-yet-untitled Virtua Fighter 6 and Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. The biggest news? R.E.V.O. is coming to Xbox Series, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch 2, with full cross-play support and rollback netcode, although the team stayed quiet on exactly when it will release. According to Siji Aoki, the lead for legacy Virtua Fighter projects, “I know we’ve kept you waiting, but our Steam release, Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O., is finally coming to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch 2!” This is something fans have requested since the game first launched. “To make your gameplay experience even smoother, the rollback functionality used in the Steam version will be supported on all platforms.” In addition to the announcement that Virtua Fighter 5 is coming to more platforms, the team also teased more information about Virtua Fighter 6 and revealed the return of beloved character Wolf Hawkfield, redesigned with a bushy, Ganondorf-like beard and covered in tats. As Hawkfield strolled onto the stage, the in-game announcer referred to his return from a “controversial retirement.” “In previous Virtua Fighter games, the backstories and motivations of the characters weren’t well known,” says new Virtua Fighter Project Producer Riichiro Yamada. “This is one of the major differences between the previous games and our new game. Playing the new game will give you a much better sense of who the characters are, including their backstories and personalities.” A behind-the-scenes look says the new Virtua Fighter project will borrow Ryu Ga Gatoku Studio’s narrative prowess to flesh out the characters you know and love, including their origin stories. The studio is known for the Yakuza series, and the character designs for both new and returning characters will reflect elements of their backgrounds. The Direct gave no clear release date for either game, but it demonstrated that both are well into development. It’s a tease, but all fans can do for now is be patient until more information (and hopefully a release date) is revealed. Source link #Virtua #Fighter #R.E.V.O #multiplatform #crossplay Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Postecoglou urges Spurs to ‘make impact’ by Europa win Postecoglou urges Spurs to ‘make impact’ by Europa win Tottenham Hotspur are a club haunted by failure. The stadium may be new but it sits on the old White Hart Lane site and the ghosts remain. In the quieter moments the club’s *********** manager Ange Postecoglou has walked the corridors and studied the photos of past glories: Bill Nicholson’s 1961 double-winners, Keith Burkinshaw’s 1984 Uefa Cup winners, Terry Venables’ 1991 FA Cup winners. The most recent winners’ photos date back to 2008, and that was the unheralded Football League Cup, a minor trinket for a club of Tottenham’s resources and ambition. Ever since Spurs have blown it whenever they get close to silverware, “Spursy” has become shorthand for throwing away winning positions. Postecoglou wants to change that perception, and he has urged his players to “make an impact” by winning the Europa League next week. Beat Manchester United in Bilbao on May 21 (0500 May 22 AEST) and there will be new photographs on the wall. With Tottenham 17th after losing 20 of their 36 Premier League games, on course for their worst finish since being relegated in 1977, Postecoglou knows success may not save his job. But it will mean he made an impact. It will be the club’s biggest cup win since that 1991 FA Cup triumph under Venables, like Postecoglou a former Socceroos boss. Referencing the recent Papal conclave Postecoglou said: “I could have been sitting here fifth last year, fifth this year – maybe people wouldn’t be waiting for the white smoke to see if it’s my last one – but they’d still be saying, ‘you know Ange, that’s great but it’s all been done before. Until this club wins something, you haven’t made an impact’. “I knew throughout my tenure last year, that’s what I was going to be judged on. so now we have an opportunity to do that. “For me personally, great, it’s another trophy I can reminisce in my old age about, but more importantly it’s what it means for the club. “When you look at the historical backdrop of this club, and what it’s been through in the last 20-odd years, I feel it could be a turning point in terms of the way the club is perceived, but also more how it perceives itself, which I think is the biggest thing. “That’s the hurdle this club has to overcome because it’ll always be there. Until you actually do it, then you are fair game for people to say ‘you’ve always fluffed it on the big stage.’ “Irrespective of what the opposition say, or what anyone else says, what you’ve got to try and do is break that cycle. Whatever motivation you need to do that, you tap into. “I often say to the players that at the end of your careers, what you want to be able to do is go back to the clubs you served and know you’ve made an impact. “The photos I see up on the walls at the stadium are all of Bill Nicholson, the 1984 winning team. A lot of them are in ******-and-white. Can we get this group up on that wall?” Source link #Postecoglou #urges #Spurs #impact #Europa #win Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Asus reveals AMD B850 motherboard with custom 600W GPU slot and concealed connectors Asus reveals AMD B850 motherboard with custom 600W GPU slot and concealed connectors Asus has revealed the TUF Gaming B850-BTF WiFi W on social media. The ATX motherboard, powered by the AMD B850 chipset, can house some of the best CPUs. Part of the “Back To (the) Future” (BTF) product lineup, the B850-BTF WiFi W features hidden connectors while also carrying Asus’ proprietary graphics card high-power slot. Equipped with the AM5 slot, the TUF Gaming B850-BTF WiFi W supports all recent AMD Ryzen processors, including Ryzen 7000 (Raphael), Ryzen 8000 (Phoenix), and Ryzen 9000 (Granite Ridge) parts. Flaunting a robust 14+2+1-phase power subsystem with 80A power stages and an eight-layered PCB, the motherboard can handle your entry-level 35W chips to the 170W flagships. The TUF Gaming B850-BTF WiFi W’s appeal is the hidden connectors at the opposite end of the PCB. That means all your cables go to the back where they’re concealed for a much cleaner look and easier cable management. Of course, that means you’ll also have to pick up a special BTF-certified case for the TUF Gaming B850-BTF WiFi W. However, that shouldn’t be an issue since the BTF ecosystem has grown substantially since its inception, and nowadays, you can find excellent case options from major manufacturers, such as Corsair, Silverstone, Cooler Master, or Thermaltake. You may like Armed with four DDR5 memory slots, the TUF Gaming B850-BTF WiFi W can support up to 256GB of memory thanks to the recent introduction of 64GB memory modules. The motherboard is built to handle memory speeds over DDR5-8000, although with the lack of full CUDIMM support, your mileage will depend on your processor. Meanwhile, there’s the standard AMD EXPO (AMD Extended Profiles for Overclocking) support as well as AEMP (Asus Enhanced Memory Profile) for memory kits that lack EXPO profiles. Image 1 of 3 (Image credit: Asus) (Image credit: Asus) (Image credit: Asus) Expansion comes in the form of one PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, one PCIe 4.0 x16 slot, and one PCIe 4.0 x1 slot. Being a BTF-branded motherboard, the TUF Gaming B850-BTF WiFi W’s primary expansion slot features Asus’ custom graphics card high-power slot. Don’t let the design fool you; you still need to connect a 12V-2×6 power cable, but instead of going straight to the graphics card, it connects to the back of the motherboard. The graphics card high-power slot is a double-edged sword. It reduces cable clutter and, to a point, minimizes the possibility of a 16-pin meltdown. On the negative side, you’re trapped inside the BTF ecosystem since only Asus BTF graphics cards are compatible with the TUF Gaming B850-BTF WiFi W, limiting your options. For storage, you receive three M.2 slots, one of which is PCIe 5.0 and the remaining PCIe 4.0. If you’re still a SATA person, the motherboard also comes with four SATA III connectors. There is RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 support, but it varies depending on your processor. Get Tom’s Hardware’s best news and in-depth reviews, straight to your inbox. The TUF Gaming B850-BTF WiFi W offers 2.5-Gigabit Ethernet networking, Wi-Fi 7, and Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity. Some other features include a quick-release PCIe slot removal mechanism, a latch, and a switch to install M.2 SSDs without tools or screws, and pluggable Wi-Fi antennas. Asus didn’t share the pricing or the availability date for the TUF Gaming B850-BTF WiFi W. The company only invites consumers to check the motherboard out at Computex 2025. Follow Tom’s Hardware on Google News to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button. Source link #Asus #reveals #AMD #B850 #motherboard #custom #600W #GPU #slot #concealed #connectors Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

What’s hotter than a fire-breathing ******? This Doom-themed pizza What’s hotter than a fire-breathing ******? This Doom-themed pizza Xbox has partnered with Prince St. Pizza to offer a limited-time Doom-inspired pie baked “in brimstone and fury,” and in addition to being delicious, it provides a free skin and one month of Xbox Game Pass for hungry gamers. Anyone who purchases the Hellfire Pepperoni (yes, that’s the actual name of the pizza) will receive the timed-exclusive Doom Slayer Skin. As for the pizza itself, make sure you have a drink handy. It’ll make your mouth as hot as if you were breathing in hellfire yourself, with smoked mozzarella, pepperoni, fresh habaneros, a drizzle of hot honey, and Prince St. Pizza’s special spicy marinara. Fans of spicy food will find themselves right at home with this dish, but it’s only available between May 12 and June 15 at any Prince St. Pizza location. Unfortunately, the chain isn’t as widespread as we’d like — you can only find locations in New York, Miami, California, and Toronto. ID Software “We were fired up to collaborate with DOOM: The Dark Ages,” says CEO of Prince St. Pizza Lawrence Longo. “It’s one of the most iconic video game franchises of all time — intense, over-the-top, and totally unapologetic — with a fanbase that continues to show up. That energy inspired us to bring the heat with bold flavor, big attitude, and a little chaos — in the best way possible. We had a blast dreaming up a pizza worthy of the DOOM universe and we think fans are going to love what we cooked up.” In addition to the in-game bonuses, the pie comes in a limited-edition box and fans can go on the Prince St. Pizza website to get limited-edition Doom: The Dark Ages x Prince St. Pizza t-shirts. Doom: The Dark Ages is a prequel to Doom 2016 and Doom Eternal that maintains the same frenetic energy as the previous titles. It releases on May 15 on Xbox Series, PlayStation 5, PC, and Xbox Game Pass. Source link #Whats #hotter #firebreathing #****** #Doomthemed #pizza Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

What are stock buybacks? Everything you need to know. What are stock buybacks? Everything you need to know. 00:00 Jared Blikre Lots of bullishness in the market today with the latest tariff détente, but here’s another bid on stocks that has reasserted in recent weeks, as we climbed out of earnings season, and that is stock buybacks. I’m Jared Blikre, host of Stocks to Stocks in Translation, and today we’re going to take a closer look at companies buying back their own stock. Now, let’s talk cash. What do companies do when they’ve got extra dough sitting around? A big slice of that goes to buybacks. That’s right. Companies shopping for their own stock makes up about 40% of their spending. And another chunk, about 30%, goods goes to good old fashioned CapEx. That’s capital expenditures, building factories, upgrading tech, basically growing the business. Then shareholders, they get a nice 25% slice directly through dividends, and the leftover 5%, that goes to debt paydowns, M&A deals, stashing cash for rainy days. Now, here is the headline. 2024 was an absolute blowout year for buybacks. Companies in the S&P 500 executed a record $943 billion in repurchases. That’s up almost 20% from the year prior. Total shareholder returns, and that is buybacks plus dividends, it hit a juicy record of over $1.5 trillion. So, who is leading the spending spree? Big tech, of course. Tech giants shelled out over a quarter, about 27% of all buybacks, spending a cool $253 billion. Big banks and finance, they weren’t shy either, coming in next with nearly $175 billion. Even sleepy consumer staples companies practically doubled their buybacks in a single year. Now, zooming in, some of these buybacks are very concentrated at the top. The top 20 largest companies alone made up nearly half of all repurchases. King of the Hill, King Apple, spending over $104 billion last year. And for context, Apple has spent $700, $716 billion on buybacks over the last decade. Meta and Nvidia, they also dialed up their programs with Nvidia more than tripling spending. So, it seems that going big might be the new normal. But why buybacks? Two words: Earnings Engineering. Companies love buybacks because they shrink share counts and fewer shares outstanding, that boosts earnings per share, EPS, making the numbers look great. It’s also handy if you’re paying your team in stock, because buybacks offset that dilution. Last year, about 12% of the S&P 500 companies reduced their share counts meaningfully. Now, here’s a twist. Companies cannot always buy back their own stock. Most have to pause around buybacks around earnings season. And this creates what’s called the buyback blackout window. Typically, 75% of S&P 500 companies sit on the sidelines during peak earnings week, removing a critical market support support right when volatility tends to spike. Now, the chart shows the increasing number of companies emerging out of that window right now. But keep an eye on the VIX when the next season is approaching. Oh, and speaking of policy twists, remember that 1% buyback tax that was thrown into the inflation Reduction Act of 2023. Congress is debating bumping it up to 4%. So that could also shake up next year’s buyback schedule as well. Source link #stock #buybacks Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

TLOU Episode 6 Takes Us Back To What Broke Joel And Ellie’s Relationship TLOU Episode 6 Takes Us Back To What Broke Joel And Ellie’s Relationship It’s hard to believe that Season 2 of HBO’s The Last of Us is almost over, but we’re over the halfway mark with only two episodes left. Season 3 has already been greenlit, but fans have been theorizing on where the story will cut off. As teased in a preview video for Episode 6, next week’s episode takes a step back to two years earlier as viewers will learn what caused the rift between Joel and Ellie. This story contains spoilers for The Last of Us Season 2. At the end of last night’s episode, Ellie (Bella Ramsey) confronts Nora (Tati Gabrielle)–one of the WLF members who was there when Abby (Kaitlyn Dever) killed Joel (Pedro Pascal)–and tries to get information out of her about Abby’s whereabouts. The scene slightly recreates the moment from the game where Ellie gives Nora the choice of making it quick or “making it so much worse.” That’s when Nora realizes that Ellie is the one who couldn’t be infected from Abby’s father’s notes. She tries to tell Ellie that Joel ruined everything by saving her. Ellie replies with a simple, “I know.” The episode ends with Ellie back in her bedroom, living with Joel as he walks through the door, greeting his adoptive daughter. The trailer for next week’s episode adapts Ellie’s birthday scene, but also with her learning the truth about what truly happened in that hospital. The complete playthrough of the birthday scene takes about 30 minutes and is one of the more heartwarming scenes of the game, giving both Joel and Ellie a bonding moment that doesn’t involve trying to survive. With Episode 6 also dealing with Ellie learning the truth, it’s unclear how both scenes will be spliced into the episode while still moving the story forward. Fans of the game will also notice that at the end of the trailer, both Ellie and Joel are carrying what appear to be sniper rifles, which could be hinting at another scene in the game as well. New episodes of The Last of Us air Sundays at 6 PM PT / 9 PM ET on HBO and Max. Source link #TLOU #Episode #Takes #Broke #Joel #Ellies #Relationship Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Gamakay TK75HE V2 review: serious analog performance for the price – but its software isn’t the easiest to use Gamakay TK75HE V2 review: serious analog performance for the price – but its software isn’t the easiest to use Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test. Gamakay TK75HE V2: two-minute review The Gamakay TK75HE V2 is a wired keyboard with Hall effect analog switches that provide snappy and precise inputs, and feature multiple actuation adjustments to tailor key response to your exact preferences. It sports a minimal aesthetic, which, combined with its compact form, makes it conducive to use in any setting. This aspect is somewhat hampered, however, by the short USB cable, which might fail to reach your PC depending on your setup. Still, the overall build quality of the TK75HE V2 is impressive, on a level-pegging with some of the best gaming keyboards. The plastic chassis is light yet reassuringly solid, and, although it’s thick at the rear, this tapers off towards the front. The PBT keycaps feel as premium as you could wish for, too. You may like The two-stage folding feet provide plenty of tilt for getting an ergonomic typing position, although I still found the TK75HE V2 uncomfortable to type with for extended periods, owing to the lack of wrist support needed to offset its elevated height. A screen is integrated in the bottom right corner of the TK75HE V2, although this is very limited in scope, with actuation adjustments, for instance, missing from its menu. For settings such as these, you’ll need to use the Gamakay Driver. This PC app allows you make all the usual keyboard customizations, with various rebind options available, alongside macro creation and RGB adjustments. Tweaks for the analog switches are plentiful and accompanied by a handy visualizer to see key response in real time. However, this visualizer lacks some useful feedback indicators, and has a tendency to lag significantly when making multiple inputs rapidly. What’s more, the app window can’t be resized, and a few explanations lack clarity, while others were cut off from the GUI, which was frustrating. Thankfully, the tool is usable enough, and the analog adjustments it can make provide a meaningful difference to performance. To game with, the TK75HE V2 is certainly responsive, although I can’t say its 8K polling rate makes much difference in this regard, relative to lower-polling keyboards. Key presses with the linear Mercury switches installed on my TK75HE V2 were less damped than I was expecting – certainly less so than the ultra-soft tactile Pegasus switches I tried in the mechanical TK75 V2, for instance – but I still found them satisfying to use, whether I was gaming or typing. The latter was also helped by the shallow, short-traveling Cherry profile keycaps, which makes the TK75HE V2 suited to productivity tasks. However, it really needs a wrist rest to make long sessions comfortable. The TK75HE V2 has a low price for an analog keyboard, undercutting many of its big name rivals by a huge margin, such as the SteelSeries Apex Pro. However, that keyboard has some of the best analog switches I’ve tried, and offers exceptional gaming performance overall. But the TK75HE V2 isn’t that far behind in this regard, which makes it a great entry point for those looking to get their fingers on some analog switches. The mechanical TK75 V2 is slightly cheaper but not by much, although this would be a better alternative for those who prefer soft and silent key presses. (Image credit: Future) Gamakay TK75HE V2 8K Polling Rate RT Accuracy Hall Effect keyboard (******) at Amazon for $89.99 Gamakay TK75HE V2 review: price and availability $109.99 / £85 / AU$176 Available now in two colorways Cheaper than many analog boards The TK75HE V2 costs $109.99 / £85 / AU$176 and is available now in two colorways: ****** and white. It can be configured with two stock switch types: Phoenix, which is silent; or Mercury, which is linear. Additionally, it comes with a USB cable and a keycap puller for hot-swapping purposes. The TK75HE V2 is more expensive than its mechanical counterpart, the TK75 V2, which has an exquisite typing feel with much more dampening, although this could be due to the tactile Pegasus switches I experienced in that board. However, since it doesn’t use analog switches, there aren’t any actuation adjustments. If you’re looking for pure analog performance, the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL is hard to beat. It’s one of the best keyboards with analog switches in my view, offering incredible precision and responsiveness, but it’s considerably more expensive than the TK75HE V2. Value score: 5 / 5 Gamakay TK75HE V2 review: specs Swipe to scroll horizontally Layout 75% Switch Analog (Hall-effect magnetic) Programmable keys Yes Dimensions 12.8 x 5.4 x 1.1 inches / 325 x 136 x 28mm RGB or backlighting Yes (customizable) (Image credit: Future) Gamakay TK75HE V2 review: design and features Minimal looks Premium feel Versatile but unrefined software The TK75HE V2 has a rather understated appearance, although this is buoyed somewhat by the bright RGB lighting, which is even more pronounced in the white variant. But overall its minimal aesthetic should fit in well with most setups. Build quality is also admirable, with the plastic chassis feeling durable yet pleasingly light at the same time. It has a thick depth at the back, but this narrows out at the front, which helps to keep things compact. This narrowing also improves usability, since the TK75HE V2 doesn’t come with a wrist rest. It does come with a USB cable, but this is disappointingly short and may prove unfeasible for certain setups. The PBT keycaps feel premium to the touch, with a very subtle texture that doesn’t encroach on their smoothness. It’s slightly inconvenient, however, that the FN shortcuts aren’t labelled on the keys themselves, so you’ll have to refer to the included manual to see what they are. The volume wheel is well notched to allow for smooth yet controlled jogging, although its click function is a little too stiff for my liking – but this is a minor grievance. A small screen is also nestled in the bottom right corner, controllable via the volume knob, although I found little use for it since its functionality is quite limited. You can view the runtime and date, as well as CPU usage and temperature – although these latter two failed to take readings, and there’s nothing in the manual to explain how to set this up. (Image credit: Future) Rounding out the interface’s capabilities are RGB lighting adjustments and Mac and Windows modes. You can also display your own drawings, but for this you’ll need to download the Gamakay Driver PC app. This app also contains many other typical gaming keyboard customizations. There are various rebinding options with multiple layers available, although sadly system shortcuts and commands seem to be absent: you can only remap keys to other keys, key combinations with modifiers, or macros you’ve created. There are also numerous adjustments for the analog switches, though, including independent actuation point sliders for presses and releases. There are also various modes to toggle and configure, such as multi-input, continuous trigger, and others. Overall, the Gamakay Driver provides an impressive selection of customizations, although some analog-based functions are missing, such as controller emulation. What’s more, the software isn’t without its faults. Firstly, the app window can’t be resized, which, in my experience at least, can result in cut-offs. There were also certain sections where text explanations weren’t fully rendered. What’s more, certain explanations were hard to understand, and some occasional odd word choices didn’t help matters either: for example, a button used to select multiple keys for customizing simultaneously is labelled “drag”. Design & features score: 3.5 / 5 Gamakay TK75HE V2 review: performance Satisfying feedback Not as damped as other keyboards Controlled analog switches The TK75HE V2 is very capable when it comes to gaming. Its keys are very responsive, although I can’t say the 8K polling rate provided a noticeable improvement in this regard over other boards. The unit I had came preinstalled with Gamakay’s Mercury switches, which are said to have a linear profile. Their impact might deter some gamers, as they lack the dampening of some of the best mechanical keyboards: they’re more clicky and louder, but there’s still enough cushioning to make them satisfying to use. What’s more, they feel a little heavier than other analog switches I’ve tried, which works in their favor as their resistance is progressive, feeling lighter at the top but getting heavier as they near the end of their travel. This makes for controlled presses, and is especially useful when trying to hit certain actuation points. It also means that quickfire presses are easy to execute, which is especially useful when using the Rapid Tap feature – one of the key selling points of analog switches. The mild indentation of the Cherry profile keys was something I welcomed too, as they allow for a secure positioning while still being amenable to gliding over the board. (Image credit: Future) This aspect also makes the bottom row readily accessible, as does the subtle concaving of the layout in general. The space bar is pleasingly low too, as it meant I could hit it with the tip of my thumb rather than the edge. However, one small gripe I have is with the feet, which aren’t stable enough to handle even small shuffles back and forth. This may prove frustrating to those who frequently adjust the position of their keyboard. Typing performance is also good, with those Mercury switches providing plenty of feedback and bounce, while being controlled at the same time. This allowed for fast and accurate typing – although the drawback is the relatively loud noise they generate. I found the layout a little cramped at first, but I got used to it quickly. The angle provided by the feet does improve the ergonomics, but I still experienced some discomfort after only a short *******; the TK75HE V2 is another keyboard that requires additional wrist support and yet sadly doesn’t come with any. Performance score: 4 / 5 Should I buy the Gamakay TK75HE V2? Swipe to scroll horizontally Gamakay TK75HE V2 Scorecard Attributes Notes Rating Value You’ll struggle to find many analog keyboards cheaper than this, and its performance and build are impressive for price. 5 / 5 Design and features The TK75HE V2 is minimal and inoffensive. It’s also well built, although the software, while versatile, isn’t as refined as others. 3.5 / 5 Performance The analog switches are certainly responsive, and it’s great for both gaming and typing – although wrist support is sorely needed. 4 / 5 Overall The TK75HE V2 is an impressive keyboard considering its relatively low price tag. The software provides useful customizations, although it’s not the best engineered. If you’re looking for a budget analog keyboard, this should certainly be a contender. 4 / 5 Buy it if… Don’t buy it if… Gamakay TK75HE V2 review: also consider Swipe to scroll horizontally Header Cell – Column 0 Gamakay TK75HE V2 SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 Gamakay TK75 V2 Layout 75% TKL 75% Switch Analog (Hall-effect magnetic) Analog (Hall-effect magnetic) Mechanical Programmable keys Yes Yes Yes Dimensions 12.8 x 5.4 x 1.1 inches / 325 x 136 x 28mm 14.5 x 5.5 x 1.5 inches (approx.) / 368.3 x 139.7 x 38.1mm 12.8 x 5.4 x 1.1 inches / 325 x 136 x 28mm RGB or backlighting Yes (customizable) Yes (customizable) Yes (customizable) How I tested the Gamakay TK75HE V2 Tested for a few days Used for gaming and working Plentiful keyboard experience I tested the TK75HE V2 for a few days, during which time I used it for gaming and working on both Windows 10 and 11 machines. I played Counter-Strike 2, which is a great test for any peripheral due the premium it places on fast and accurate inputs. It’s especially useful when testing analog switches, since counter-strafing can put Rapid Trigger features through their paces. I have been PC gaming for over a decade, and during that time I have used a great deal of keyboards. I have also reviewed numerous examples, including those with analog switches and other Gamakay models. Gamakay TK75HE V2 8K Polling Rate RT Accuracy Hall Effect keyboard: Price Comparison Source link #Gamakay #TK75HE #review #analog #performance #price #software #isnt #easiest Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

stocks, news, data and earnings stocks, news, data and earnings European stocks close higher European stocks closed higher Monday following news that the U.S. and China had reached an agreement to cut tariffs. The Stoxx 600 climbed 1.1% with mining stocks rallying nearly 5% to lead the gains. The U.K.’s FTSE 100 was 0.6% higher as France’s CAC 40 moved up 1.4% and Germany’s DAX climbed 0.2%. — Ryan Browne U.S. stocks open higher Stocks opened higher on Monday, with investor appetite for risk assets growing following a cooling of trade tensions between the U.S. and China. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 975 points, or 2.3%. The Nasdaq Composite popped 3.7%, while the S&P 500 added 2.7%. — Brian Evans Pharma stocks drop after Trump announces drug pricing plans Packages of weight loss drugs Wegovy, Ozempic and Mounjaro. Picture Alliance | Getty Images The Stoxx Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology index had dropped 2.75% by 1:54 p.m. in London, making it one of the worst-performing sectors in Europe on Monday. The moves came in the wake of U.S. President Donald Trump announcing he would sign an executive order on Monday morning to immediately slash prescription drug prices in America. “Prescription Drug and Pharmaceutical prices will be REDUCED, almost immediately, by 30% to 80%. They will rise throughout the World in order to equalize and, for the first time in many years, bring FAIRNESS TO AMERICA!” he said in a post on his Truth Social platform. European pharma stocks fell with giants Novo Nordisk down 3%, GSK down 1.9%, AstraZeneca down 3.8% and Roche down 3.6%. Novo’s stock also edged lower after a trial found that Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro was a more effective weight loss drug than Novo Nordisk’s blockbuster treatment Wegovy. The results of the trial, which were funded by Eli Lilly, were presented at a conference in Malaga, Spain, the BBC reported on Monday. — Chloe Taylor Bessent says he expects to meet with China again in ‘next few weeks’ US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (L) and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer speak to the media after talks between seniors US and ******** officials on tariffs at the residence of the permanent Swiss ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva on May 11, 2025. Valentin Flauraud | Afp | Getty Images U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Monday said he expects to continue talks with China in the near-term to iron out a more concrete trade agreement. “I would imagine in the next few weeks we will be meeting again to get rolling on a more fulsome agreement,” Bessent told CNBC’s “Squawk Box” on Monday. — Brian Evans UniCredit CEO says bank will not be pressured into M&A as questions hang over BPM, Commerzbank bids The CEO of UniCredit told CNBC on Monday that the bank was still weighing its options regarding takeover bids for fellow Italian lender Banco BPM and Germany’s Commerzbank, but would not be swayed by expectations. “We have a base case, standalone base case, that I think is unbeatable in the next three years from a distribution standpoint and from an EPS growth standpoint. So we’re not going to affect that negatively for anything, and much less on M&A pushed by the pressure that always builds up when you get [to] this point,” Andrea Orcel told CNBC’s “Europe Early Edition.” “At this point, I think we are in control. On BPM we are reviewing the situation, post the value-destructive deal on Anima and the demands of the golden power, and we haven’t made up our mind yet,” he said. UniCredit first made an all-share takeover offer for Banco BPM last November, a move formally rejected by its smaller rival last month. Orcel has previously said the deal could be withdrawn if BPM shareholders agreed to pay a higher price in their own takeover bid for fund manager Anima, action they approved in February. UniCredit has also criticized the prescriptions placed on the deal by Italian authorities. Discussing UniCredit’s concurrent takeover interest in Commerzbank, Orcel told CNBC: “We’re exactly where we thought we would be.” “We’ve always kept Commerzbank informed from the beginning… We asked for all the authorization. We almost got them all, and we said that at that point we would pause and with patience, wait to engage with a new government and with Commerzbank in a constructive discussion.” “If a deal is possible, we will pursue, if it’s not possible, we will reassess where we are.” — Jenni Reid UniCredit shares jump to 2011 high after first-quarter profit beat Shares of UniCredit were up 3.5% at 10:00 a.m. in London, trading at their highest level since May 2011 after the Italian lender posted higher-than-expected first quarter net profit. JPMorgan analysts led by Delphine Lee highlighted the bank’s stronger revenues, particularly in fees and trading, and said they expected low single-digit earnings per share (EPS) consensus upgrades as a result. Stock Chart IconStock chart icon UniCredit share price. Shipping giant Maersk rises 13% on U.S.-China deal to cut tariffs AP Moller Maersk shares shot up 13% on Monday after the U.S. and China agreed to temporarily suspend most tariffs on each other’s goods. The share price of the shipping giant had declined by about 4.6% this year, ahead of the news that suggested a major thawing of trade tensions between the world’s two largest economies. Other stocks in the Stoxx Europe 600 rising more than 5% include Danish electronics manufacturer GN Store Nord, footwear maker Puma, building materials firm Arkema and mining giant Glencore. — Ganesh Rao U.S. and China suspend most tariffs in dramatic thawing of tensions U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer address the media after trade talks with China in Geneva, Switzerland, May 11, 2025. Martial Trezzini | Via Reuters The U.S. and China on Monday agreed to suspend most tariffs on each other’s goods in a move that shows a major thawing of trade tensions between the world’s two largest economies. The trade agreement means that “reciprocal” tariffs between both countries will be cut from 125% to 10%. The U.S.’ 20% duties on ******** imports relating to fentanyl will remain in place, meaning total tariffs on China stand at 30%. “We had very productive talks and I believe that the venue, here in Lake Geneva, added great equanimity to what was a very positive process,” U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a news conference. Read more here. — Sam Meredith UniCredit beats estimates for the 12th consecutive quarter UniCredit beat profit expectations in the first quarter of 2025, marking the 12th consecutive time the bank has topped estimates. The Italian lender reported net profit of 2.77 billion euros ($3.11 billion), against the median analyst forecast of 2.34 billion euros, according to LSEG data. The bank also raised its full-year net profit guidance to 9.3 billion euros, which could take its return on tangible equity to more than 17%. UniCredit had previously expected net profit and RoTE to be “broadly in line” with the previous financial year. — Ganesh Rao Bitcoin falls, but remains above $100,000 threshold Bitcoin slid on Monday, but continued to hold steady above the $100,000 threshold. The cryptocurrency was down 0.42% to $103,859.94 as of 11.39 a.m. Singapore time. The latest move is a reversal from its fast gains in the last week, which pushed investors to forecast that it will soon hit its which happened at the end of January. Stock Chart IconStock chart icon Bitcoin prices Spot gold sinks as investors cheer progress in U.S.-China trade talks Spot gold plunged Monday as investors cheered early signs of progress in trade talks between the U.S. and China. As at 9.20 a.m. Singapore time, the bullion was trading 1.85% lower at $3,262.29 per ounce. Stock Chart IconStock chart icon Spot gold The latest moves in the precious metal — which is a traditional hedge against political and financial instability — is a reversal from the 2.6% gain it notched the week before as investors sought refuge in it. — Amala Balakrishner European markets: Here are the opening calls European markets are expected to start the new trading week on a positive note. The U.K.’s FTSE 100 index is expected to open 35 points higher at 8,586, Germany’s DAX up 192 points at 23,688, France’s CAC 70 points higher at 7,785 and Italy’s FTSE MIB 366 points higher at 39,139, according to data from IG. Earnings come from Unicredit on Monday. — Holly Ellyatt Source link #stocks #news #data #earnings Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Perplexity wrapping talks to raise $500 million at $14 billion valuation Perplexity wrapping talks to raise $500 million at $14 billion valuation Perplexity AI is in late-stage talks to raise $500 million at a $14 billion valuation, a source familiar with the situation confirmed to CNBC. Accel, the Palo Alto-based venture capital firm, will lead the round, according to the source, who spoke anonymously because the round is not yet finalized. The Wall Street Journal first reported on the late-stage numbers. The funding is on the lower end of Perplexity’s planned raise, which CNBC reported in March. During those early-stage talks, Perplexity was looking to raise between $500 million and $1 billion in funding at an $18 billion post-money valuation, per a source familiar. The artificial intelligence search engine company competes against the likes of Google and Microsoft-backed OpenAI. Its valuation in December was $9 billion, triple its $3 billion valuation in June 2024. Perplexity has just under $100 million in annual recurring revenue, or ARR, the source told CNBC in March. Perplexity has been in the middle of the generative AI ***** that began in late 2022 with the launch of OpenAI’s ChatGPT, and it’s betting big on its upcoming AI agent web browser, called Comet. But Perplexity faces increasing competition in the AI search market. In March, Anthropic launched its web search product, allowing its chatbot Claude to display real-time search results to a subset of users. Last fall, OpenAI launched a search feature within ChatGPT, its viral chatbot, that positioned it to better compete with Perplexity, as well as leading search engines such as Google and Microsoft’s Bing. Google has released AI Overviews within its search product as well, though it sparked controversy over high-profile errors soon after its release. This is breaking news. Please refresh for updates. Source link #Perplexity #wrapping #talks #raise #million #billion #valuation Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

New free-to-play Steam games: Here’s how to play them New free-to-play Steam games: Here’s how to play them If you do a quick search for free-to-play games on Steam, you get over 6,700 matches — but that’s not enough free games for Valve. The company adds more and more free titles all the time, and this month we’ve got yet another fresh batch. Covering genres such as multiplayer, horror, first-person combat, open-world adventure, and 3D platformers, Steam has added well over 20 games since the start of May. Here are some of the best-looking ones: Hamster Hustle: a multiplayer tag game where you play as ridiculously colored hamsters running around an elaborate cage. The hamsters also dance. Steam Tankazooka: a 2D platformer about a broken tank that has to use its barrel gun to propel itself up and forward over obstacles. Steam FALARMA – Open World: a pixel art open-world exploration game with missions, side quests, and regular content updates. Steam Triage: a point-and-click adventure/narrative game where you play as a doctor in a small town suffering from a strange outbreak of illness. Steam Sirocco: an early access MOBA that focuses on battleship warfare with 5v5 gameplay. Steam Banshee: a first-person horror game about escaping from a house where all the doors are locked and a murderous banshee is chasing after you. Steam Nanika Game Online: an item-matching, tetris-style game with online multiplayer gameplay. It has a simple style, cute pixel art, and a Japanese name that sort of translates to “Something Game Online.” Steam If you want to try out any of these games, simply head to the links or throw the name into Steam’s search bar. Not every free game is available across all platforms, so make sure to check the icons above the “Play Game” button. Many titles are Windows-only, but some will also play on macOS and/or SteamOS and Linux. You can also check the system requirements toward the bottom of the page, though you should be able to play these simple games on just about any setup. If none of these titles interest you, use the filters and top-seller/top-rated tabs available on Steam’s search page to check out thousands of other free-to-play games. There’s also an “Under $5” section where you can view the games with the tiniest price tags. Source link #freetoplay #Steam #games #Heres #play Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Go-to migraine drug actually does nothing to relieve vertigo symptoms Go-to migraine drug actually does nothing to relieve vertigo symptoms The drug rizatriptan is often recommended for different types of migraines Aleksandr Zubkov/Getty Images A medication commonly prescribed for migraines actually seems to do little to ease vestibular ones, which cause vertigo, along with more typical symptoms like headache and sensitivity to light. This is despite the drug, called rizatriptan, sometimes being recommended for these sorts of migraines. Research on vestibular migraine treatment has been largely inconsistent, showing mixed results for a range of drugs, says Jeffrey Staab at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. A few newer medications like galcanezumab might reduce how often such attacks occur, but, until now, no randomised trial had tested whether migraine drugs relieve vestibular symptoms during an episode itself. To address that gap, Staab and his colleagues recruited 134 adults with vestibular migraine who were told to take either 10 milligrams of rizatriptan or a placebo at the onset of vestibular symptoms, such as balance problems or the sensation of spinning, during a total of 307 moderate-to-severe episodes. They then rated their symptoms on a scale from 0 to 3 at multiple points in time until the episode resolved. One hour after taking the medication – when rizatriptan reaches its peak concentration in the bloodstream – it was no more effective than a placebo for relieving any symptoms, despite the drug often being credited for its fast action. People in both groups were also just as likely to turn to a backup medication after the required 1-hour wait. After 24 hours, rizatriptan appeared to provide slightly better relief for sensitivity to motion, light and sound, but not for vertigo. Participants also reported marginally higher scores for physical well-being – such as their energy levels and ability to carry out daily tasks – compared with the placebo, but with no difference in mental well-being or side-effect acceptance. Rizatriptan belongs to a class of drugs called triptans, which are generally effective for treating migraine headaches, but may not work for vestibular symptoms, says Staab. The findings suggest that the brain pathways involved in vestibular migraines – the vestibular systems, which are “quite primitive” from an evolutionary perspective – lack sensitivity to triptans, for reasons yet to be explored, says Peter Goadsby at King’s College London. But vestibular migraines shouldn’t be classified as a separate condition from other migraines, he says, rather, their symptoms represent “small twists” in migraine pathology that warrant their own targeted treatment strategy. “It says to fellow clinicians that you need to ask about these symptoms,” says Goadsby. “And if you treat someone with vestibular migraine – for example, with a triptan – you need to be prepared for it not to work, and to understand that this doesn’t mean the patient is being difficult or unreasonable.” Topics: Source link #Goto #migraine #drug #relieve #vertigo #symptoms Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

5 percent of 10th- and 12th-graders say they’ve used nicotine pouches – The Washington Post 5 percent of 10th- and 12th-graders say they’ve used nicotine pouches – The Washington Post 5 percent of 10th- and 12th-graders say they’ve used nicotine pouches The Washington PostShifting nicotine product preferences observed in US high school students Medical XpressHuge dangers of popular vaping alternative as Gen Z ‘move over to nicotine pouches’ LADbibleNicotine Pouch Use Doubles Among U.S. High Schoolers Northeast Mississippi Daily JournalPopular nicotine pouches pack a powerful punch. What to know about health risks NBC4 Washington Source link #percent #10th #12thgraders #theyve #nicotine #pouches #Washington #Post Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Justice Department’s Todd Blanche appointed acting Librarian of Congress Justice Department’s Todd Blanche appointed acting Librarian of Congress The Department of Justice’s second-in-command can add “librarian” to his résumé. Todd Blanche has been appointed acting Librarian of Congress, the Justice Department confirmed Monday. Blanche is President Trump’s former personal criminal attorney. It is unclear if the career lawyer has previously done work involving the Dewey Decimal System (or the Library of Congress Classification system). Two other Justice Department officials have also added Library of Congress positions to their portfolios. Associate Deputy Attorney General Paul Perkins has been assigned acting register of copyrights, and Blanche’s deputy chief of staff Brian Nieves was appointed acting deputy librarian of Congress. The three lawyers now lead the largest library in the world, housing millions of books, films, audio recordings, photographs, manuscripts and other documents. The library serves as Congress’s primary main research arm, and the nation’s copyright office. Perkins is replacing Shira Perlmutter, who took over as register of copyrights in October 2020, during the first Trump administration. Last week, Perlmutter and her office issued a lengthy report expressing concerns about the use of copyrighted material by artificial intelligence programs. Blanche served as lead attorney during Mr. Trump’s 2024 New York criminal trial, in which a unanimous jury found Mr. Trump guilty of 34 felony charges of falsifying business records. Mr. Trump has denied the allegations and appealed his conviction. Blanche’s appointment comes after the firing May 8 of Carla Hayden, who had been librarian of Congress since 2016. She was the first woman and first ****** person to hold the position. Hayden told CBS News in a 2020 interview that the job held great meaning to her. “Personally, being a person of color, it means so much because people who look like me were forbidden by law to learn to read,” Hayden told CBS News in an interview in 2020. “That means so much that here is a person of color leading the world’s largest library.” The library is an agency of the legislative branch, and Democrats have argued Mr. Trump does not have the authority to fire its top official. New York Rep. Joe Morelle, the top Democrat on the Committee on House Administration, has requested an inspector general review Hayden’s firing. Senate ********* Leader Chuck Schumer called for the “position of Librarian of Congress” to be “appointed by a congressional commission” and “not by presidents that treat federal appointments like reality TV prizes.” Weijia Jiang Weijia Jiang is the senior White House correspondent for CBS News based in Washington, D.C. Jiang has covered the White House beat since 2018including the transitions between presidential administrations. In 2023, Jiang won an Emmy Award for her contributions to “CBS Mornings.” Source link #Justice #Departments #Todd #Blanche #appointed #acting #Librarian #Congress Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Fallout TV Show Star Reveals How Long The Show Could Run For Fallout TV Show Star Reveals How Long The Show Could Run For How many seasons of Amazon’s Fallout TV show will there be? The network hasn’t said yet, but one of the show’s actors, Aaron Moten (Maximus), has said he’s been told it could be potentially six seasons. Speaking at Comic **** Liverpool, Moten said when he signed on to star on the show, he was told what “the end point” would be, and that hasn’t changed. This would be a “Season 5, Season 6 type of end point,” Moten said. “We’ve always known that we’re going to take our time with the development of the characters,” he explained (via TheGamer). It’s not immediately clear if Moten is talking about the endpoint of Fallout in general or potentially for his character. In any event, it sounds like there could be a lot more Fallout coming. Nothing is ever guaranteed in Hollywood, though, so we’ll have to wait and see how it all plays out. Fallout Season 1 debuted in April 2024, and unlike HBO’s The Last of Us, every episode arrived right away. Season 2 recently wrapped production, but there is no word yet as to when it might debut. Season 2 brings back Moten as Maximus, Ella Purnell as Lucy, and Walton Goggins as The Ghoul. Macaulay Culkin is joining the show for Season 2, while Kumail Nanjiani is reportedly coming aboard for the sophomore season as well. For more, check out GameSpot’s Fallout TV show review. We also have an explainer for the ending of Season 1. As for the Fallout game series, it’s rumored that a Fallout 3 remaster is in the works, with Fallout 5 coming sometime in the future as well. Source link #Fallout #Show #Star #Reveals #Long #Show #Run Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Duterte elected mayor from ICC prison Duterte elected mayor from ICC prison Getty Images Rodrigo Duterte giving a speech before his arrest in March Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who is detained at The Hague over his drug war that killed thousands, has been elected mayor of his family’s stronghold, according to early, partial results. Two of his most loyal aides – long-time assistant Christopher “*****” Go and Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, the one-time police chief in charge of enforcing his drug war – have been re-elected to the country’s senate. But the midterm election, dominated by a spectacular feud between the Duterte and Marcos dynasties, has also thrown up some unexpected results. The fate of Duterte’s daughter, Vice-President Sara Duterte, remains in the balance as counting continues. Sara Duterte – who is widely expected to run for president in 2028 – is facing the prospect of a ban from politics should a jury made up of the country’s senate vote to impeach her. It meant the midterms – which saw 18,000 seats contested, from local officials to governors and senators – became a proxy war between her supporters and her one-time ally, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. Candidates supporting either dynasty went head-to-head, with Duterte’s camp seeking the nine senate votes she needs to avoid impeachment. But an unofficial tally of 68% of the vote suggests it is unclear which way it has gone. Marcos Jr’s endorsements appear to not have worked as predicted by opinion polls – only one of his candidates, broadcaster Erwin Tulfo, made the top five in the unofficial count. The rest of the top five was made up of the two Duterte aides and two independents while there is a tight race for the rest of the winning circle of 12. Instead, the seats appear to have gone to independents. The vice-president, meanwhile, remains widely popular despite her political troubles, and the president will be leaving office in 2028. Getty Images Ronald dela Rosa (L) and Christopher Go (R) campaign with Duterte’s youngest daughter, Veronica (Centre). Results so far show the Duterte’s have managed to retain their powerbase in the south of the country – just two months after the 80-year-old populist leader was arrested at Manila Airport and flown to the Netherlands on the same day to face the International Criminal Court. It was his arrest – approved by Marcos Jr – which pushed the rivalry between his daughter and the current president to boiling point, a few weeks after the president’s allies in the House of Representatives voted to impeach Vice-President Duterte. The older Duterte was widely expected to win as mayor, given the family has held the post since the mid-1980s. Duterte himself led Davao, a sprawling southern metropolis, for two decades before he was elected president in 2016. There, he showcased his drug war that he credited for the city’s success, and won him the support of millions far beyond its borders. His youngest son, Sebastian, the incumbent mayor, was elected vice-mayor, meaning he can discharge his father’s duties in his absence. Another Duterte son, Paolo, was re-elected as congressman. His grandchildren won local posts. Duterte’s name remained on the ballot as he has not been convicted of any crime. He beat the scion of a smaller rival political family. Maintaining a political base in Davao city in the south is crucial for the Dutertes – it is where they get the most voter support. A Duterte campaign poster with pastor Apollo Quiboloy is displayed in Manila The election was not just a battle between the two families, however. Monday’s vote saw long queues under temperatures of 33C (91F) and sporadic reports of violence and vote machines malfunctioning. Like past elections, song-and-dance, showbusiness-style campaigns played out on stage and on social media, underscoring the country’s personality and celebrity politics that sometimes overshadow more pressing issues such as corruption, high cost of living and creaking infrastructure. Source link #Duterte #elected #mayor #ICC #prison Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

All Lightsabers in Fortnite and how to get them All Lightsabers in Fortnite and how to get them Fortnite unleashed its much-anticipated Chapter 6 Galactic Battle season, featuring an electrifying Star Wars-themed crossover that has fans abuzz with excitement. Epic Games has transformed the battle royale island, pitting the iron-fisted First Order, under the command of Emperor Palpatine, against a band of heroic rebels. The latest season rolls out an exciting Battle Pass packed with iconic skins, including Poe Dameron, General Grievous, and a unique twist on Wookies. New map locations, such as Vader Samurai’s Solitude and the First Order Base, draw players deeper into the Star Wars universe, while the ability to pilot X-Wings and TIE Fighters unleashes exhilarating aerial dogfights in the skies. The loot pool, as well, has undergone a significant transformation, introducing iconic blasters such as the Mythic F-11D and Chewbacca’s Wookiee Bowcaster, elevating the galactic combat experience beyond traditional weaponry. However, one legendary weapon’s comeback has been highly popular, as Lightsabers make a triumphant return. Here’s how to get them all. How to get Lightsabers in Fortnite Galactic Battle season Epic Games To get your hands on a Lightsaber in Fortnite, the easiest method is to engage in training sessions with hologram NPCs like Rey, Emperor Palpatine, Mace Windu, or Darth Maul. Once the initial storm circle has closed, players will find holograms appearing at various locations, indicated by lightsaber icons on the map—blue for Rey, red for Palpatine and Maul, and purple for Windu. Engaging with these characters initiates a cinematic moment, pulling players into a rift where they emerge wielding a lightsaber and a distinctive Force ability. Rey typically roams the vicinity of the Resistance Base or Rebel Outpost, whereas Palpatine is usually spotted lurking around the First Order Base. Players have the option to take on Darth Vader at Vader’s Samurai Solitude, a frosty locale nestled in the southwestern corner of the map. Taking down Vader and his formidable samurai guards opens the door for players to engage in conversation with him, rewarding them with his iconic lightsaber and a powerful Force ability following an intense rift sequence. In a final twist, players have the opportunity to snag lightsabers from fallen enemies. However, this approach comes with a catch: it lacks the accompanying Force abilities, which diminishes their overall effectiveness in combat. Epic Games Lightsabers serve as legendary close-combat weapons, inflicting 40 damage with each swing. Players can execute a combo of two swings (40 damage each), three spin attacks (20 damage each), and a powerful slam that delivers a whopping 150 damage. These features not only allow players to block blaster shots but also enhance sprint speed and introduce the ability to perform a Force Jump, granting a double jump without the risk of fall damage. Every lightsaber variant is intricately linked to a unique character and their corresponding Force ability, which can be unleashed by hitting the shoot button while in a defensive stance. Here’s an in-depth rundown of lightsabers and the unique powers they wield: The Jedi Padawan Lightsaber in blue, acquired from Rey’s hologram, offers a unique ability: Force Push. This power unleashes a shockwave that can knock back foes and obliterate structures, though it doesn’t deal direct damage and has a cooldown of 15 seconds. Sith Apprentice Lightsaber (Red) – Acquired through a chilling encounter with Emperor Palpatine’s hologram. Unleashing Force Lightning delivers a staggering 30 damage per second, boasting impressive range while effectively disabling starfighters, all on an 18-second cooldown. Unlock Darth Vader’s iconic red lightsaber by taking down the Sith Lord himself. Unleashes Force Saber Throw, launching the lightsaber to deal 70 damage with a brief 2-second cooldown. Mace Windu’s iconic purple lightsaber can be acquired through his hologram, which unleashes Force Pull, drawing objects and players nearer with a powerful grip. Darth Maul’s iconic red lightsaber can be acquired from his hologram and unleashes Force Throw, allowing players to launch objects as deadly projectiles, wreaking havoc on enemies and structures alike. The introduction of these lightsabers and abilities, which will be accessible until June 7, 2025, elevates the strategic depth of gameplay, giving players the chance to choose between the Light and Dark Side in Fortnite’s exciting Star Wars-themed season. Source link #Lightsabers #Fortnite Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Carlo Ancelotti appointed Brazil manager: Can he fix the Selecao? Carlo Ancelotti appointed Brazil manager: Can he fix the Selecao? In over a century of international football, Brazil’s football federation has largely shied away from trusting foreign managers with its top job. Only three non-Brazilians have ever led the side, and they coached just seven games in all. Uruguayan Ramon Platero was the first in 1925 and managed four games, Joreca from Portugal managed two games in 1944, with Argentine Filpo Nunez the last foreign appointment, managing a single game in 1965. It has been a similar story in Brazil’s domestic league, Serie A. The sense had always been that only a Brazilian could truly understand what it means to play football there. This culture changed soon after Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus, who was linked in recent reports, external as another candidate for the Brazil job, took over in 2019 at Flamengo. His arrival initially came amid doubts that a pragmatic European system could bring success. Jesus went on to lead Flamengo to the league title as well as the Copa Libertadores, with the Rio de Janeiro club experiencing one of their most successful seasons ever. His team won 43 of their 57 games before Jesus left in July 2020. Since then there has been a domestic shift and acceptance of foreign coaching in the country – and this is now translating to the international stage. “This is an important wall coming down,” Vickery told BBC Sport. “Especially as it now seems that Ancelotti wants to do the job from Europe which is going to be very controversial.” Ancelotti will be the first true European titan at the helm, with a decorated trophy cabinet that includes five Champions League titles and domestic trophy success in Italy, England, France, Spain and Germany. Source link #Carlo #Ancelotti #appointed #Brazil #manager #fix #Selecao Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Longlegs 4K Steelbook Edition Preorders Are Steeply Discounted At Amazon Longlegs 4K Steelbook Edition Preorders Are Steeply Discounted At Amazon One of the most memorable and disturbing horror films of 2024 will be reissued with an appropriately unsettling steelbook case next month. Preorders for the 4K Blu-ray Steelbook Edition of Longlegs opened last month for $50; if you were waiting to see if the price dropped, your patience has been rewarded. Amazon and Walmart have slashed the price of the upcoming release to $33. Once you place your preorder for Longlegs Steelbook Edition, you’ll be eligible for any additional discounts offered between now and its June 24 launch. You won’t be charged for your preorder until Amazon/Walmart ships your Blu-ray next month. $33 (was $50) | Releases June 24 This 4K Blu-ray comes with a creepy steelbook featuring Nicolas Cage’s character on the cover. The interior art features an overhead view of a desk with a smattering of papers and other knickknacks from the film. Longlegs Steelbook Edition also comes with exclusive bonus features not found on last year’s 4K release. Here’s a full list of the bonus content for the upcoming release: Longlegs Steelbook Edition Special Features Audio Commentary with Osgood Perkins (Director/Writer) On-set interviews with Perkins, Maika Monroe, Alicia Witt, and Blair Underwood Never-before-seen featurettes Osgood Perkins and Theo James in conversation Meeting Longlegs: Maika Monroe’s heartbeat Clues and evidence The Rorschach Test Andres Arochi’s on-set diary Fire Fire Fire, Hiss Teasers and trailers Additional content Longlegs 4K Steelbook If you don’t want to wait until June and don’t mind missing out on a few special features, the standard 4K edition is available for $24.49, while the 1080p Blu-ray edition is $18.29. Longlegs follows FBI Agent Lee Harker as she is tasked with tracking down a serial killer. However, things take an even darker turn when she begins discovering strange clues that point her toward something of occult origins. What follows is a tense chase to stop the killer before they strike again, and performances from Maiki Monroe and Nicolas Cage make it a chilling story that’ll stick with you long after the credits roll. The film pulled in nearly $130 million during its theatrical run and is sitting with generally favorable reviews on Metacritic (GameSpot’s sister site), largely thanks to an unsettling performance from Nicolas Cage. Source link #Longlegs #Steelbook #Edition #Preorders #Steeply #Discounted #Amazon Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Iowa’s GOP Rep. ****** Feenstra plans to announce run for governor this week, sources say Iowa’s GOP Rep. ****** Feenstra plans to announce run for governor this week, sources say Iowa Republican Rep. ****** Feenstra plans to announce a run for governor as soon as this week, two sources told CBS News, setting the stage for what could become a politically tense primary contest in the GOP. The state will have an open race for governor next year due to Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds’ announcement last month that she would not seek another term. The entry of Feenstra, who has represented Iowa’s 4th Congressional District since 2021, could set up a possible high-profile Republican primary that may come to include Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird—widely regarded within GOP circles as President Trump’s preferred choice, if she decides to jump into the fray. Meanwhile, on the Democratic side, Iowa state auditor Rob Sand entered the race for governor Monday morning. A Democrat has not won the Iowa governor’s office since 2006, giving the left long odds at being able to break the GOP’s widening winning streak in the politically important Midwestern state. Feenstra’s expected campaign and Sand’s bid mark the first major moves towards the office on both sides and in turn make them the leading candidates in their respective party primaries at this early point. Other potential GOP candidates are Mike Bousselot, a state senator; Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig; state representative Bobby Kaufmann; and Iowa House Speaker Pat Grassley. The Iowa race could be one of the most closely watched gubernatorial races in the state and nationally next year. Iowa is a training ground for operatives and presidential hopefuls looking to 2028. Unlike many other states, governors in Iowa are not term-limited which can restrict the ability of ambitious candidates to try to win an open seat statewide. That means next year will offer a relatively rare opportunity for Iowa politicians. A spokesperson for Feenstra did not respond to requests for comment. More from CBS News Jennifer Jacobs Jennifer Jacobs is a senior White House reporter at CBS News. Source link #Iowas #GOP #Rep #****** #Feenstra #plans #announce #run #governor #week #sources Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Wall Street gains following US-China tariff truce Wall Street gains following US-China tariff truce The S&P 500 has hit its highest since early March as a crucial US-China agreement to slash tariffs put investors worldwide at ease after weeks of uncertainty around the future of global trade. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 2.51 per cent to an over one-month peak at 9.45am while the Nasdaq Composite gained 3.34 per cent to its highest in more than two months. The S&P 500 advanced 2.53 per cent, surpassing its 200-day moving average for the first time since late March. The US will cut extra tariffs it imposed on ******** imports in April this year to 30 per cent from 145 per cent and ******** duties on US imports will fall to 10 per cent from 125 per cent, the two countries’ governments said on Monday. The new measures are effective for 90 days. Most megacaps jumped, with Nvidia rising 4.0 per cent and Tesla adding 4.7 per cent. An index of semiconductor stocks also leapt 5.9 per cent to an over two-month high. Apple shares rose 4.9 per cent after a report said the company was considering raising the prices of its northern hemisphere autumn iPhone lineup. The stock was last up 6.2 per cent. “The market has to re-calibrate to what things look like before ‘Liberation Day’ and that looks like a very constructive growing economy,” said Thomas Hayes, chairman at Great Hill Capital LLC. US President Donald Trump’s April 2 tariff announcements, dubbed “Liberation Day,” had raised fears of a global recession and forced many businesses to put big spending decisions on hold. Since then, however, upbeat earnings reports, Trump’s softening stance on tariffs and a US-*** limited trade agreement have helped both the S&P 500 and the tech-heavy Nasdaq erase all losses incurred following April 2. The blue-chip Dow has recouped nearly all its declines too. Wall Street’s “fear gauge,” the CBOE Volatility Index, retreated to 19.19 on Monday – a level last observed before the tariff turmoil in April. All 11 S&P 500 sub-sectors were trading in positive territory on the day, with consumer discretionary leading gains with a 5.2 per cent jump. Crude oil prices also surged close to 4.0 per cent after the US-China announcement, lifting shares of top producers Chevron and Exxon Mobil more than 2.0 per cent each. “You (will) have a bunch of forced buyers that are going to be in the market playing catch up,” said Great Hill Capital’s Hayes. Retail giant Walmart, network equipment maker Cisco and farm equipment maker Deere are among the prominent companies set to report results this week. Several Federal Reserve officials including chair Jerome Powell are also slated to make public remarks over the week. Traders expect the Fed to deliver two 25-basis-point rate cuts by the end of 2025, compared with three cuts seen at the start of May, according to data compiled by LSEG. Advancing issues outnumbered decliners by a 4.83-to-1 ratio on the NYSE and by a 4.34-to-1 ratio on the Nasdaq. The S&P 500 posted 12 new 52-week highs and two new low while the Nasdaq Composite recorded 63 new highs and 14 new lows. Source link #Wall #Street #gains #USChina #tariff #truce Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Grid Expedition offers roguelike dungeon-crawling action Grid Expedition offers roguelike dungeon-crawling action Grid Expedition is a grid-based strategy RPG Take on a mysterious underground city and its host of monsters Upgrade and level-up your party as you go Dungeon crawling has always been a favourite of gaming, from the humble pen and paper RPG to multiplayer mobile hits like Dark and Darker. And while Grid Expedition from zebraup doesn’t reinvent the wheel, it does promise a fun and engaging roguelike dungeon-crawling experience. As you might expect from the name, Grid Expedition focuses on a simple grid-based battling format. You play as the titular adventurer Grid (yes, really) and his companions as they uncover a mysterious, abandoned underground city. You’ll face off against a whole manual’s worth of monsters as you explore. When the battles get started, however, you’ll zoom into the aforementioned grid-based battlefield where you move around and aim to get into the right place to take down your enemies. As you slay enemies, you can grab gold for upgrades, or head across discarded weapons to up your damage potential, all while dodging obstacles and the vicious monsters themselves. Beasty boys Naturally, Grid Expedition promises plenty of additional content to explore. You’ll need to manage your individual team members, their abilities and HP, while coping with monsters that have distinct attack patterns and powers. You’ll also be able to upgrade your party both with standard RPG progression and by finding Goddess Statues, which grant you rewards. Ultimately, Grid Expedition comes packed with as much as you’d want or expect from an RPG. But whether or not it’s for you depends on whether you gel with the distinct grid-based battles. So jump into Grid Expedition on iOS and Android to see if it’s for you! Or, if you need your RPG itch scratched further, why not check out our list of the top 25 best RPGs for iOS and Android. Featuring some top selections that we’ve handpicked, from hardcore dungeon crawlers to casual explorers! Source link #Grid #Expedition #offers #roguelike #dungeoncrawling #action Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Lenovo’s new Legion costs less than Razer’s Blade, with an excellent screen, performance, and build quality Lenovo’s new Legion costs less than Razer’s Blade, with an excellent screen, performance, and build quality Why you can trust Tom’s Hardware Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test. Dropping thousands of dollars on one of the best gaming laptops might make you pause – and it should. But Lenovo goes a long way to be worthy of that money with its Legion Pro 7i Gen 10 ($3,204 as tested). This 16-inch beast packs an Intel Core Ultra 9 HX processor and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 graphics card, all topped off with a stunning OLED display. Add excellent build quality and eye-catching RGB lighting, and it has serious appeal. Naturally, no laptop is perfect, and there are a few drawbacks to weigh before forking over your next mortgage payment. Design of the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 10 Lenovo’s eclipse ****** chassis makes a bold statement – this Legion laptop is built to command attention. The rear shelf has a distinctly industrial, almost military-inspired vibe with massive hexagonal air vents lined with striking RGB lighting. If this machine is in the room, it’s impossible to ignore. Lenovo Legion Pro 7i (Gen 10) (******) at Lenovo USA for $2,909.99 Image 1 of 2 (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware) (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware) The lighting is divided into four zones – the front and rear edges, the keyboard, and the Legion lettering on the lid – and is all customizable through the Legion Space app. The front zone is comprised of 10 LEDs, the rear ups the ante with 18, and every key on the keyboard can be individually tweaked. You may like (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware) In the app, you can highlight specific LEDs within each zone to create custom sub-zones, then apply different lighting effects – spiral rainbow, rainbow wave, color change, color pulse, wave, smooth, raining, and solid – while adjusting their speed and direction. Brightness is the only setting that applies across all zones. I could have spent hours fine-tuning my setup and creating profiles for every situation. (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware) Build quality is a real strength for this laptop. When many competitors opt for plastic on some of the chassis, Lenovo uses all aluminum, and it feels top-notch, especially when most gaming laptops use some plastic. The chassis is solid with no flex and the lid is impressively sturdy, showing only minimal give despite its size. Measuring 14.33 x 10.86 x 1.04 inches and weighing 6 pounds, the Legion has a slightly larger footprint than the Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 (13.94 x 10.55 x 0.90 inches, 6.28 pounds) and the Gigabyte Aorus Master 16 (14.06 x 10.0 x 1.18 inches, 5.51 pounds). It’s particularly bulkier than the Razer Blade 16 (13.98 x 9.86 x 0.69 inches, 4.72 pounds). The Legion offers a solid array of ports, including a Thunderbolt 4, a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, three USB Type-A ports (one Gen 2, two Gen 1), a 3.5 mm audio jack, an HDMI 2.1 output, and a 2.5 Gbps Ethernet jack. On the wireless side, it supports Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4. While it covers the essentials, the absence of Thunderbolt 5 is noticeable, especially since some competing flagship gaming laptops have started to include it. Image 1 of 2 (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware) (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware) Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 10 Specifications Swipe to scroll horizontally CPU Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX Graphics Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 (16GB GDDR7, 175 W maximum graphics power, 1,500 MHz boost clock) Memory 32GB DDR5-6400 (2x 16GB) Storage 2x 1TB SSD Display 16-inch, 2560 x 1600, 16:10, OLED, 240 Hz Networking Intel Wi-Fi 7 BE200, Bluetooth 5.4 Ports 1x Thunderbolt 4, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C (140 W power delivery, DisplayPort 2.1), 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, 1x 3.5 mm audio jack, 1x HDMI 2.1 output, 1x 2.5 Gbps Ethernet Camera 1440p Battery 99.99 WHr Power Adapter 400 W (proprietary connector) Operating System Windows 11 Home Dimensions (WxDxH) 14.33 x 10.86 x 1.04 inches (364 x 276 x 27 mm) Weight 6 pounds (2.72 kg) Price (as configured) $3,204 Today’s best Lenovo Legion Pro 7i (Gen 10) deals Gaming and Graphics on the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 10 Our Legion review unit features an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 GPU (175 W maximum graphics power), and 32GB of memory. Playing Crysis Remastered at 2560 x 1600 with everything set to Very High or “Can it run Crysis?” settings, I saw framerates in the mid-90s in jungles and 100 to 125 frames per second in open scenes. The game was smooth and stutter-free. We’re stacking the Legion up against three 16-inch gaming laptops: the Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 (Core Ultra 9 275HX, RTX 5080, 175 W, $3,299 as tested), the Gigabyte Aorus Master 16 (Core Ultra 9 275HX, RTX 5080 175 W, $3,099 as tested), and the Razer Blade 16 (AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370, RTX 5090 160 W, $4,499.99 as tested). While the Razer commands a higher price with its RTX 5090, its GPU is actually rated for lower power than the RTX 5080s in the other models and Razer unusually pairs it with a 28 W CPU. Image 1 of 6 (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware) (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware) (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware) (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware) (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware) (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware) In Shadow of the Tomb Raider (Highest detail preset), the Legion hit 163 FPS at 1080p, landing in last place behind the Gigabyte (185 FPS) and Asus (177 FPS). While the Razer edged it out at 166 FPS, its RTX 5090 truly shined at 1440p, pulling ahead with 162 FPS. The Legion, on the other hand, managed only 101 FPS at 1440p, trailing the Asus (112 FPS) and Gigabyte (114 FPS). The Legion fell behind in Cyberpunk 2077 (Ray Tracing Ultra preset), managing 30 FPS at 1080p and 50 FPS at 1440p. Among the RTX 5080 laptops, the Gigabyte was the top performer, hitting 62 FPS at 1080p and 38 FPS at 1440p. The Razer’s RTX 5090 led the pack with 66 FPS at 1080p and 43 FPS at 1440p. The Legion did slightly better in Far Cry 6 (Ultra preset), achieving 117 FPS at 1080p and trailing only the Gigabyte (120 FPS), though its 1440p result of 98 FPS left something to be desired next to the Asus (103 FPS) and the Gigabyte (113 FPS). The Razer slipped behind since this game is more CPU-limited. In Red Dead Redemption 2 (Medium preset), the Legion’s 109 FPS at 1080p easily trounced the Razer (94 FPS). Those were the only two laptops to complete the test at that resolution due to RTX 50-series driver issues at the time of review. At 1440p, its 67 FPS fell between the Asus (77 FPS) and the Gigabyte (54 FPS). Last, the Legion trailed in Borderlands 3 (at the game’s “Badass” preset), its 136 FPS at 1080p not getting anywhere close to the Asus (156 FPS) or Gigabyte (172 FPS). The Legion’s gaming performance slightly lagged behind the Asus and Gigabyte despite all three using the same CPU and GPU wattage. That said, even the Asus and Gigabyte showed variations, suggesting multiple factors – cooling efficiency, drivers, and software optimizations – play a role in final performance. Since we test laptops in their default configurations, our results reflect what users can expect out of the box. However, since these numbers were lower than we’d hoped, we tried performance mode. Enabling performance mode in the Legion Space app led to noticeable gains. At 1080p, frame rates jumped from 163 to 205 FPS in Shadow of the Tomb Raider, from 109 to 126 FPS in Red Dead Redemption 2, and from 136 to 178 FPS in Borderlands 3, which would put it far ahead of the competition. Given the potential for such improvements, opting for performance mode might be worth the increased fan noise. To stress-test gaming laptops, we run the Metro Exodus benchmark 15 times at RTX settings to simulate half an hour of gaming. The Legion achieved 113 FPS across all runs, with deviations of less than two FPS between runs indicating consistent thermal performance. During the test, the P-cores on the Legion’s Core Ultra 9 275HX processor ran at an average frequency of 4.46 GHz and temperature of 71 degrees C while the E-cores averaged 2.04 GHz and 64 degrees C. The GeForce RTX 5080 had an average boost clock of 1.6 GHz and temperature of 63 C. Productivity Performance on the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 10 We tested the Legion with a Core Ultra 9 275HX processor, 32GB of RAM, and two 1TB PCI Express 4.0 SSDs (non-RAID). Image 1 of 3 (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware) (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware) (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware) In the Geekbench 6 CPU test, the Legion led single-core scores with 3,103 points, edging out the Asus (3,017 points) and the Gigabyte (2,049 points). Its 19,597-point score in multi-core testing was also the highest, narrowly beating the Asus (19,597 points) and dominating the Razer (16,025 points). The Legion also produced the highest score in our 25 GB file transfer test, averaging 2,030 MBps. The Asus was second-fastest, with 1,841 MBps, while the Gigabyte trailed with 665 MBps. The Legion narrowly missed the top score in our Handbrake video transcoding test, completing it in 2 minutes and 21 seconds versus the Gigabyte’s 2 minutes and 17 seconds. The Razer’s 28 W AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 CPU wasn’t competitive here, taking 3 minutes and 5 seconds. Display on the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 10 The Legion’s OLED display is a true joy for gaming, streaming, and everything else. Its exceptionally vibrant color, sharp detail, and brilliant brightness evoke the same kind of longing you get eyeing high-end TVs in an electronics store. One look, and you’ll know it’s a screen you won’t want to go without. I found Foundation on Apple TV breathtaking with its deep, inky ****** space scenes, warm, glowing desert landscapes, and intricately detailed character outfits. Gaming is just as immersive – the jungles in Crysis Remastered appear even more vibrant and alive than I recall. The 2560 x 1600 resolution strikes a balance – it’s crisper than 1080p but more manageable than 4K for gaming performance. The screen also boasts a 240 Hz refresh rate and Nvidia G-Sync for the smoothest possible visuals. The only potential drawback? Its glossy finish, which can show dust and distracting reflections in bright environments. (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware) The Legion and Razer stand out as the only two OLED-equipped contenders, offering comparable color reproduction – 138.9% of DCI-P3 for the Legion and 144.6% for the Razer. Where the Legion truly shines is in brightness, hitting an impressive 465 nits compared to the Razer’s 372 nits. It’s even brighter than the IPS panels on the Asus and Gigabyte. Keyboard and Touchpad on the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 10 The Legion’s keyboard is eminently usable for gaming and productivity, delivering a crisp, non-mushy feel. The tactile response tells my fingers exactly when a key is pressed or released. I typically make a few errors in typing tests, but on MonkeyType, I hit 116 words per minute without missing a stroke. (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware) The number pad’s usability is somewhat inhibited by small keys, but the rest of the keyboard has a standard layout. The typeface looks the part of a gaming laptop without going overboard. I appreciate the “O” key being the Legion logo. Although our unit isn’t so equipped, Lenovo offers switchable WASD keycaps for a unique look. (It’s a $25 option.) The per-key RGB backlighting is bright and laser sharp; numerous lighting patterns can be set in the Legion Space app. The Legion’s touchpad also works well, offering a large surface and satisfying clicks. Touching the pad with my palm while gaming caused no unintended clicks or movement. Audio on the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 10 Although the Legion’s sound quality isn’t groundbreaking, it delivers an audio experience that should satisfy most users, particularly for gaming. Four strategically positioned speakers – two firing upwards near the display hinges and two beneath the palm rest – offer a surprisingly convincing sense of surround sound. Playing Crysis Remastered, I could tell when bullets were hitting to my left or right. The sound is short on bass, though, preventing explosions from sounding dangerous or exciting. The sound is less well-adapted for music playback. While volume isn’t an issue – the laptop gets about as loud as a budget Bluetooth speaker – the speakers struggle with frequency separation. Vocals don’t stand out and the overall range feels constrained. Tweaking settings in the Nahimic app can help. For music, disabling the Voices boost seemed to lift some of the midrange muddiness, and reducing the default bass boost from +4 dB to +2 dB opened the mix a little. Still, the changes weren’t drastic, and most users will likely get by just fine sticking to the default settings. My reference music included the album Atlas by Jason Ross and “To Love Again” by Blonde Maze. Upgradeability of the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 10 Accessing the Legion’s innards requires removing 10 Phillips-head screws. Carefully note their length, as the four along the front edge are shorter than the others. I used a plastic pry tool to pop the clips around the sides first, then the front. (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware) The massive 99 WHr battery is replaceable. A large ****** heatsink must be removed to access the two M.2 drives, the M.2 wireless card, and the two SODIMM slots, a tedious process because of the many tiny Phillips-head screws securing it. Still, the Legion is about as upgradeable as gaming laptops get. (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware) Battery Life on the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 10 Our battery life test consists of simulated web browsing, streaming video over Wi-Fi, and running OpenGL tests, all with the screen brightness set to 150 nits. The Legion’s time of 4 hours and 37 minutes was dead last behind the Gigabyte (5 hours and 2 minutes) and well behind the Asus (6 hours and 30 minutes) and Razer (7 hours and 21 minutes). Given this Lenovo has the highest capacity battery available in a laptop (99 WHr), it’s not doing a particularly good job of power management. (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware) Heat on the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 10 The Legion’s cooling system consists of two large fans that vent directly out the back, plus a small auxiliary fan in the chassis center. The fan noise is impressively unobtrusive; I could still pick up subtle in-game audio with the speakers set to 30% volume. For lighter tasks, the laptop stays nearly silent and never gets more than mildly warm. During the Metro Exodus stress test, we measured surface temperatures of 93 degrees Fahrenheit between the keyboard G and H keys, 63 F on the touchpad, and a maximum temperature of 96 F on the laptop’s underside. Webcam on the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 10 Lenovo deserves praise for its excellent 1440p webcam, which delivers a sharply detailed and well-lit picture. While there’s no sliding privacy shutter, there’s a webcam kill switch on the laptop’s right edge. When this switch is activated, the webcam isn’t even recognized by the laptop. The laptop has neither an infrared sensor nor a fingerprint reader for Windows Hello which is a huge miss when many apps (and Windows itself) can use biometric logins. Software and Warranty on the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 10 Lenovo includes plenty of software on the Legion – some good, some not so good. The Vantage app is the same one you’ll find on other Lenovo laptops, offering system updates, battery charge settings, a security advisor, and support access. Another app, Legion Space, serves as a central game library and offers settings for Nvidia Optimus, performance modes, and lighting settings. Lastly, the Nahmic app provides audio settings. Unfortunately, ads are pervasive on this laptop. The Lenovo Subscription Marketplace app is one big ad, and the Lenovo Now app is even worse, essentially a wizard that walks you through different entertainment service offerings. Ads also exist in the Vantage app, with a tile on the main screen offering security subscriptions and several items on the side menu advertising Lenovo’s Smart Performance and Smart Lock services. Legion Space isn’t exempt either, offering different game deals on its main screen – and this one just happens to start automatically with Windows, so you see it right when you log in. While some of the apps can be removed, you’ll miss out on many settings if you remove Vantage and Space, so there is no way to have a truly ad-free experience. Lenovo backs the Legion with a one-year warranty. Three years would have been better at this price. Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 10 Configurations The Legion Pro 7i was available as a configurable model on Lenovo’s website and from Best Buy at the time of this review. All models include a Core Ultra 9 275HX CPU and the 16-inch OLED display. For $2,619, the base model includes a GeForce RTX 5070 Ti (12GB) graphics card, 32GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD, while our model steps up to an RTX 5080 (16GB) and adds a second 1TB SSD for $3,204 (discounted from $3,559 at the time of this review). Further available upgrades include an RTX 5090 (24GB), 64GB of RAM, and a PCI Express 5.0 SSD. Bottom Line The Legion Pro 7i Gen 10 is an outstanding 16-inch gaming laptop, meeting the demanding performance needs in this class while surpassing expectations with its stunning OLED screen and premium metal chassis. Its drawbacks – a lack of biometric features, middling battery life, and ads in the included software – are relatively minor in the grand scheme of things. One note on the performance: Out of the box it’s fine, but to really compete with the likes of other RTX 50-series laptops, you’ll want to turn on Lenovo’s performance mode. What sets the Legion apart is its well-rounded appeal. Unlike the Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 and the Gigabyte Aorus Master 16, it features a metal build, while the Razer Blade 16, though all-metal, comes at a significantly higher price. Moreover, the Legion offers the most extensive RGB customization we’ve seen. Aside from battery life, it doubles as an excellent daily-use machine, thanks to its comfortable keyboard and quiet fans. It’s a formidable contender. Lenovo Legion Pro 7i (Gen 10): Price Comparison Source link #Lenovos #Legion #costs #Razers #Blade #excellent #screen #performance #build #quality Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

The Actress Anamaria Vartolomei Brings a Fearless Streak to Her Roles The Actress Anamaria Vartolomei Brings a Fearless Streak to Her Roles Anamaria Vartolomei began her film career when she was 12 opposite Isabelle Huppert in a film about a controversial photographer and her daughter. And in the past few years, Vartolomei, now 26, has blazed through a slate so ambitious that it resembles one of Huppert’s typically prolific runs — each film different from the last. The Romanian-born actress’s recent rise began with a heartbreaking starring role in “Happening” as a French university student in the 1960s who seeks an abortion. It won the Golden Lion for best film at the 2021 Venice Film Festival — where the director ***** Joon Ho was the head of the jury. ***** cast Vartolomei in the dystopian film “Mickey 17” as a shrewd shipmate of Robert Pattinson’s repeatedly replicated drone. By the time “Mickey 17” came out earlier this year, she’d projected a mesmerizing mystique in the French blockbuster “The Count of Monte Cristo.” Her fearless streak was also recently on display in “Being Maria,” in which she plays the actress Maria Schneider, star of “Last Tango in Paris,” and “The Empire,” a loopy intergalactic yarn set in rural France. Her latest movie, “Adam’s Interest,” opens the Critics’ Week showcase at the Cannes Film Festival, which runs through May 24. Vartolomei plays a mother who risks losing custody of her child after he is hospitalized. In a video interview — seated beneath a wall of pictures featuring “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” “Breathless” and “Scarface” — she explained why the film’s raw realism appealed to her and how it was achieved. The following conversation has been edited and condensed. In your career, you tend to choose characters who have limited power or autonomy. But they do what they can with what they have. Yeah, I love this. It speaks to me personally, and I think it speaks to everyone in a way. I mean, freedom belongs to us, but it’s hard to admit that we have power over it. Sometimes we feel like we depend on others’ perspectives regarding our freedom. You think about pleasing others, and you forget what you really want. I like characters that know they want something, but they don’t really know how to obtain it. They finally find a way because if they find their truth, they will find peace. What drew you to “Adam’s Interest”? I loved the construction of the script, and I felt it was very raw and real. It was nice for me after doing “Monte Cristo” and “Mickey 17.” But I told my agent, I don’t even know how I’m going to portray this woman because I don’t have kids. I was sort of afraid of it, but I was very moved by her obsession. I asked myself during the whole shooting experience: I don’t even know who is clinging to whom — the kid to his mom or the mom to her kid. The movie seems to fit into a French tradition of social dramas, like the Dardenne brothers. Do you have a particular appreciation for this genre? Yeah, I do like it, because cinema to me is the expression of life, and sometimes you can make it political just when you talk about reality. I like the Dardennes, but also [the Romanian filmmaker] Cristian Mungiu. I love these movies because you go back to your life, but the movie still lives with you after seeing it. “Adam’s Interest” is interesting for what it says about motherhood in society. Sometimes you may forget yourself because you give everything to your children. You have to heal yourself, too, in order to be a good mother. But you have to admit that you have the right to ask for help. I wanted to make her somebody that disappeared behind her child. Somebody who’s the girl next door, the mother next door. The director, Laura Wandel, was good at getting inside the perspectives of children in “Playground.” What was it like shooting “Adam’s Interest” with her? It’s intense, the way you follow the character, and this tension grows during the movie. You discover things as the characters discover them. Each time she opens a door, a new movie could be created, because you never know what’s behind it. It’s almost like a documentary. I felt so moved in the theater, physically. I like this physical experience for the people who will see it. And it was a very nice and interesting collaboration, together with Léa [Drucker, who also stars]. We were this trio, hand in hand. Did you shoot in an actual hospital? It was a functional hospital. We had an area that was dedicated to shooting, but we could hear people from other sections. That was so helpful for building the characters, because you felt right inside the subject: It felt real. Actually, I received the script two weeks before starting shooting. I just wanted to be surprised by what happens, because this woman is so vulnerable that I also wanted to be [vulnerable] and step into an unknown world. Source link #Actress #Anamaria #Vartolomei #Brings #Fearless #Streak #Roles Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Foreign student asylum claims hit record high in 2024, set to grow in 2025 – National Foreign student asylum claims hit record high in 2024, set to grow in 2025 – National International students filed a record 20,245 asylum claims last year, with 2025 on track to surpass that number, according to federal immigration data obtained by Global News. The claims are rising, even as Ottawa cuts the number of study permits it issues, with Prime Minister Mark Carney pledging like his predecessor Justin Trudeau to return ********* immigration to “sustainable levels.” The newly released figures also suggest that 2025 could see an even greater number of claims by foreign students. In the first three months of the year, international students filed 5,500 asylum claims, a 22 per cent increase from the same ******* last year. 2:08 ********* universities, colleges face cash crunch because of student visa cap The data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada show the number of international students seeking asylum last year was nearly double the 2023 figures and six times higher than in 2019. Story continues below advertisement Immigration lawyers say the numbers will keep trending upwards, as the federal government restricts previously available pathways to permanent residence, and as the backlog for adjudicating cases continues to balloon. “The government has closed a lot of doors for international students to apply for permanent residence through regular streams,” said Toronto-based immigration and refugee lawyer Chantal Desloges. “As a result, it’s funneling people to look for other solutions.” 1:58 Rise in asylum seekers to Canada as migrants’ protected status set to expire in U.S. Pressure grows to ‘dial back’ levels During his first news conference as prime minister, Carney repeated his pledge to cap the total number of temporary workers and international students to less than five per cent of the ********* population by the end of 2027, down from seven per cent. Story continues below advertisement “This will help ease strains on housing, on public infrastructure and social services,” said Carney on May 2. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. The prime minister is set to unveil his cabinet — and potentially a new immigration minister — on Tuesday. 2:21 Debate over asylum seekers heats up at Quebec’s National Assembly Warren Creates, a certified immigration specialist and lawyer in Ottawa, says Carney, like Trudeau, is under a great deal of political pressure to “dial back” immigration levels. “They realized they had to do something to slow it down, to reduce the numbers, even though there would be ill effects — ill effects on the people, their families, and their employers,” he told Global News. “We do have a crisis in health care. We have another crisis in housing. Have refugees created that? No. Have they exacerbated it a bit? Probably.” Story continues below advertisement 2:06 B.C. university layoffs blamed on feds international student cap Last year, Ottawa slashed the number of international study permits by 40 per cent to around 360,000. It also limited eligible work hours for foreign students and tightened the rules around work permits available to their spouses. Those changes were part of a series of measures announced to cool what the previous immigration minister, Marc Miller, described as an “overheated” system, and in a bid to crack down on so-called “diploma mills.” Trending Now Inmate suffers bungled execution after firing squad misses target in South Carolina Junior hockey player’s sex assault sentence a ‘wake up call’ to young men, advocate says “There are certain sectors of our economy that really have taken advantage of international students,” said Desloges. “You have batches of students who have gone through the system, have a diploma that’s really not worth anything,” she said. “Now they’re either not eligible for work permits or even if they have worked for a little while, they’re still not going to be able to translate that into getting permanent residence in Canada.” Story continues below advertisement In a statement, a spokesperson for Immigration, Citizenship and Refugees Canada said that study permits are typically issued for the length of a study program — often spanning multiple years — suggesting that the effects of the government’s cuts to international student admissions have yet to take full effect. “When considering the total number of study permits issued before measures were introduced to stabilize international student numbers, the proportion of permit holders claiming asylum remains small,” the statement reads. Where were claims highest? The post-secondary institutions with the highest number of international students filing asylum claims in 2024 were: Conestoga College: 720 claims Seneca College of Applied Arts and Technology: 650 claims Université du Québec à Chicoutimi: 500 claims Niagara College Canada: 495 claims Collège Ellis – Trois-Rivières campus: 475 claims Global News reached out to the institutions for comment. Story continues below advertisement The Université du Québec à Chicoutimi called the situation worrisome, but said it’s one it has no control over. “We are not in a position to know the intentions of international students when they are admitted to the university. We select them on the basis of their academic record,” the university said in a statement in French. Niagara College said it’s open to working with the federal government on supporting “Canada’s objectives under the refugee program” but adds Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada doesn’t notify the school when a claim is made. More on Politics More videos Individuals seeking asylum in Canada must demonstrate that they face a well-founded fear of persecution if they were to be returned to their country of origin. Each claim is assessed on its own merits, with acceptance rates varying significantly from one country of alleged persecution to another. Claimants already face a lengthy wait for their case to be heard, with the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada working through a crushing backlog of more than 281,000 cases. While there may be concerns about the integrity of the asylum system, Desloges says there are also legitimate claims being made by foreign students. “Suppose someone, maybe six years ago, came to Canada as an international student from Ukraine. Right now, the situation is completely different,” she said. Story continues below advertisement “It doesn’t mean that it’s a fake claim, just because they came as an international student.” &copy 2025 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc. Source link #Foreign #student #asylum #claims #hit #record #high #set #grow #National Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Another major news sends MicroStrategy stock surging Another major news sends MicroStrategy stock surging On May 12, MicroStrategy (Nasdaq: MSTR) founder and executive chairman Michael Saylor announced that the firm acquired 13,390 Bitcoin for approximately $1.34 billion during May 5-11. MicroStrategy, now known as Strategy, made the Bitcoin acquisition with proceeds from the ***** of Common A (MSTR) and 8% Series A Perpetual Strike Preferred (STRK) stocks. The latest announcement comes within a few hours of the U.S. and China striking a landmark trade deal and slashing tariff rates on each other. The company’s stock soared to $423.8 in pre-market hours in the wake of these announcements. The stock has surged more than 10% over the last seven days. Strategy that began acquiring Bitcoin in 2020 is the world’s largest corporate holder of the world’s largest cryptocurrency. In fact, Bitcoin is the firm’s “primary treasury reserve asset.” The firm’s founder, Saylor, is well-known for his bullish outlook on Bitcoin, predicting that the coin will hit $13 million by 2045. As of May 11, the firm holds 568,840 BTC acquired for $39.4 billion that is worth $59 billion at the time of writing. In fact, it has bought over 40,000 BTC during the current quarter. Strategy’s aggressive Bitcoin acquisition has inspired several companies, such as Metaplanet, Semler Scientific, etc., to add BTC to their balance sheets. As per Kraken’s price feed, Bitcoin was trading at $104,014 at press time, up 10% a week. The asset is nearly 5% lower than its all-time high (ATH) of $108,786 that it hit on Jan. 20. Source link #major #news #sends #MicroStrategy #stock #surging Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]