Pelican Press

Pope Leo XIV’s first Mass as pontiff Pope Leo XIV’s first Mass as pontiff Newly elected Pope Leo XIV has lead his first Mass as pontiff, in the ********’s Sistine Chapel. The Pope was joined by cardinals for prayers and hymns, the morning after his identity was revealed to the world on the ******** balcony overlooking St Peter’s Square. Pope Leo spoke in Latin, English and Italian, calling on the Church to do more work where there is “lack of faith” and asked cardinals to “announce the good news, to announce the Gospel”. Source link #Pope #Leo #XIVs #Mass #pontiff Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Maro Itoje: British and Irish Lions captain on maturing into captain role Maro Itoje: British and Irish Lions captain on maturing into captain role One of the most keenly discussed positional dilemmas before the announcement was fly-half, with Scotland 10 Finn Russell and England duo Fin Smith and Marcus Smith eventually being picked ahead of Ireland’s first-choice stand-off Sam Prendergast, England veteran George Ford and Racing 92’s three-time tourist Owen Farrell. Head coach Andy Farrell said Marcus Smith’s ability to play at full-back was key. Smith sees himself primarily as a fly-half, but after starting eight successive matches at 10 for England earlier this season he was shifted to a full-back role that he first occupied at points during the 2023 Rugby World Cup. “To go with three specialists in that type of position, you are tying yourself a little in knots, compared to if one or two of those could play in different positions,” said Andy Farrell of his fly-half options. “It isn’t just what happens on a Wednesday night [midweek fixture] on tour, but how you train the next day in preparation for a Test match or whatever. It is a balance. “If Marcus is a 10/15 or a 15/10, he is not competing with a Sam Prendergast, who is a great player, or George Ford, who is in great form. “They [Prendergast and Ford] are competing with Finn Russell and Fin Smith. “Some guys at their clubs wish they weren’t versatile because they are probably not nailing down a position, but when it comes to tours like this and World Cups they are worth their weight in gold.” Source link #Maro #Itoje #British #Irish #Lions #captain #maturing #captain #role Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Bam Margera is officially returning to Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 Bam Margera is officially returning to Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 Skater and Jackass star Bam Margera has officially been added to the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4. “BAM. IS. BACK. We’re stoked to announce Bam Margera’s return to THPS 3+4 as a Secret Skater in game,” publisher Activision announced on its social media accounts. Bam Margera, known for his roles in Jackass, Viva La Bam and the Tony Hawk series, was seemingly missing from the THPS 3 + 4 roster when it was announced earlier this year. It was later claimed that Margera would be added to the remake, after Tony Hawk himself allegedly demanded his inclusion. “Well, here’s what happened,” The Live Club co-host Roger Bagley claimed. “The game was already done. Tony called up Activision and was like ‘hey, we’re putting Bam in the thing’, and they were like ‘hey, we can’t’. “He goes ‘no, you’re gonna do it’, and basically made them fly Bam back out there to get body-scanned and everything else, and get him back in the game.” “So this might be news that’s not out there yet, though?” co-host Chris Roberts then asked. “Probably,” Bagley replied. Margera has faced a string of health and legal issues in recent years. Due to issues related to substance abuse, he was fired from Jackass Forever, after which he was issued with a restraining order from Jackass director Jeff Tremaine. Tremaine had previously fought for years to include Margera in the reunion film. It was believed that this was the likely reason Margera was seemingly missing from the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 remake announcement, but shortly after the game’s announcement an image was then posted online showing Bargera reuniting with Hawk at his skate park, giving fans a slight hope that he may be in there after all. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 will be released on July 11, 2025, although the more expensive Digital Deluxe and Collector’s Editions of the game will offer three days of early access, starting on July 8. Featuring cross-platform online multiplayer, the game will be available for Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch and PC via Battle.net, Windows and Steam. It’ll also launch on day one on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. Source link #Bam #Margera #officially #returning #Tony #Hawks #Pro #Skater Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Bloomin’ Brands Stock Drops on Weak Guidance and Demand Concerns Bloomin’ Brands Stock Drops on Weak Guidance and Demand Concerns In a month when most stocks have been down, Bloomin’ Brands (NASDAQ:) has been a standout performer. The stock was up over 17% heading into its first-quarter earnings on May 7. But weak guidance for the current quarter overshadowed a double beat, and BLMN stock fell 4.4%. Bloomin’ Brands is the parent company of popular national chains such as Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Bonefish Grill, and Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar. That allows the company to participate in both the casual, upscale casual, and fine dining segments of the industry. The popularity of these national chains is reflected in the company’s quarterly revenue and earnings, both of which beat expectations. However, the numbers were lower year-over-year (YOY). Bloomin’ Brands’ chief executive officer (CEO), Mike Spanos, stated that the company’s performance was also lagging the industry. Plus, data from ****** Box, an AI-driven restaurant experience and performance platform, indicated the company was losing market share. A Search for Improved Quality and Consistency According to Spanos, the fundamental issue facing the company is inconsistency in the areas of ingredient quality and consistency of customer experience. The CEO says the company will release the details of its strategic plan at a later date, but it did reveal plans to cut back on the menu at each of its chain restaurants. This entails removing items with low sales mix, low satisfaction scores, or that the company said didn’t travel well. In the case of Outback, it includes reducing the number of seasonal promotions and limited-time offers (LTOs) that required incremental training. The Core Issue Is Demand for Bloomin’ Brands Like many retailers, Bloomin’ Brands is taking steps to control the controllables. However, it can’t control demand. Spanos acknowledged that the company is seeing softness with customers with household incomes under $100,000. And uncertainty surrounding demand is causing the lower guidance. That’s where things get tricky for investors. Bloomin’ Brands is trying to execute a value-oriented strategy that is likely to weigh on earnings in the short term. Lower earnings are one thing. The company, however, is also forecasting comparable sales to fall between 1.5% to 2.5% in the current quarter and for EPS between 22 and 27 cents per share. Even at the high point, the number would be nearly 50% lower on a YOY basis. If investors are looking for any glimmer of hope, the company is maintaining its full-year guidance, at least for now. The Fundamentals Are Not Appetizing Value-oriented investors might look at the issues surrounding Bloomin’ Brands and believe that those issues are common with all retail stocks. That may be true. So if you look at the company’s price-to-earnings (P/E) of around 4.3x and its high-yield dividend of over 7%, you might think BLMN stock offers good value. The problem is that other metrics don’t back up the company’s strength. For example: The company’s price-to-sales (P/S) ratio of 0.17 is 39.4% lower than the company’s trailing-twelve-month (TTM) average. The price-to-book (P/B) ratio of 4.97% is 16.7% lower than the company’s TTM average. The return on invested capital (ROIC) of 6.99% is 28.7% lower than the company’s TTM average. The debt-to-equity ratio of 7.66 is 83.7% higher than its TTM average. There are other examples, but you get the idea. The company is looking unattractive in many ways that are important to value-conscious investors. And if those fundamentals don’t improve and earnings remain under pressure, investors should be concerned about the safety of that dividend, which the company has already cut from 24 cents to 15 cents in the prior quarter. Analysts Are Bullish, But There Are Better Short-Term Options The Bloomin’ Brands analyst forecast on MarketBeat gives the stock a consensus Reduce rating with a $13.85 price target, suggesting an 84% increase in the stock price. However, the stock has failed to climb above its 50-day simple moving average (SMA) in the two weeks leading up to earnings. That trend is unlikely to change with weak guidance for the current quarter. Plus, short interest has been increasing in the last month and sits at over 10% of the BLMN stock float. That said, BLMN stock is worth watching. If consumers get relief through interest rate cuts, lower inflation, or both, the stock may be more appealing in the second half of the year. Original Post Source link #Bloomin #Brands #Stock #Drops #Weak #Guidance #Demand #Concerns Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

New Pope vows to bring light to world's 'dark nights' New Pope vows to bring light to world's 'dark nights' Leo XIV has pledged to help the Catholic Church be an “ark of salvation” as he celebrated his first mass as pontiff and as history’s first US pope. Source link #Pope #vows #bring #light #world039s #039dark #nights039 Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Global sea levels are rising faster and faster. It spells catastrophe for coastal towns and cities Global sea levels are rising faster and faster. It spells catastrophe for coastal towns and cities For around 2,000 years, global sea levels varied little. That changed in the 20th century. They started rising and have not stopped since — and the pace is accelerating. Scientists are scrambling to understand what this means for the future just as President Trump strips back agencies tasked with monitoring the oceans. Since 1993, satellites have kept careful watch over the world’s oceans, allowing scientists a clear view of how they are behaving. What they have revealed is alarming. Sea level rise was unexpectedly high last year, according to a recent NASA analysis of satellite data. More concerning, however, is the longer-term trend. The rate of annual sea level rise has more than doubled over the past 30 years, resulting in the global sea level increasing 4 inches since 1993. “It’s like we’re putting our foot on the gas pedal,” said Benjamin Hamlington, a research scientist in the Sea Level and Ice Group at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. While other climate signals fluctuate, global sea level has a “persistent rise,” he told CNN. It spells trouble for the future. Scientists have a good idea how much average sea level will rise by 2050 — around 6 inches globally, and as much as 10 to 12 inches in the US. Past 2050, however, things get very fuzzy. “We have such a huge range of uncertainty,” said Dirk Notz, head of sea ice at the University of Hamburg. “The numbers are just getting higher and higher and higher very quickly.” The world could easily see an extra 3 feet of sea level rise by 2100, he told CNN; it could also take hundreds of years to reach that level. Scientists simply don’t know enough yet to project what will happen. What scientists are crystal clear about is the reason for the rise: human-caused global warming. Oceans absorb roughly 90% of the excess heat primarily produced by burning fossil fuels, and as water heats up it expands. Heat in the oceans and atmosphere is also driving melting of the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets, which together hold enough fresh water to raise global sea levels by around 213 feet. Melting ice sheets have driven roughly two-thirds of longer-term sea level rise, although last year — the planet’s hottest on record — the two factors flipped, making ocean warming the main driver. Melting icebergs crowd the Ilulissat Icefjord on July 15, 2024 near Ilulissat, Greenland. – Sean Gallup/Getty Images It’s likely that an increase of about 3 feet is already locked in, Notz said, because “we have pushed the system too hard.” The big question is, how quickly will it happen? Ice sheets are the biggest uncertainty, as it’s not clear how fast they’ll react as the world heats up — whether they’ll melt steadily or reach a tipping point and rapidly collapse. From studying things like ice cores and sediments, scientists know sudden and dramatic melting happened thousands of years ago, Notz said, but it’s still unclear how processes may unfold over the next decades and centuries. Antarctica is “the elephant in the room,” he said. Alarming changes are unfolding on this vast icy continent, which holds enough water to raise levels by 190 feet. Notz describes the ice sheet as an “awakening giant:” It takes a long time to wake up but once awake, “it’s very, very difficult to put it back to sleep.” Sea ice floats in the Antarctic Peninsula region, on November 4, 2017, above Antarctica. Scientists are concerned the West Antarctic Ice Sheet may be in a state of irreversible decline directly contributing to rising sea levels. – Mario Tama/Getty Images It will take time for scientists to unravel what the future holds for the ice sheets and what that means for sea level rise. “There’ll be big uncertainties that persist for decades,” said Robert Nicholls, professor of climate adaptation at the University of East Anglia. Where is most vulnerable? The ocean is not flat like a bathtub and there are big variations in the way sea level rise is experienced. Some parts of the world see higher levels because of a tangle of factors, including regional currents, erosion and land shifts — some due to natural processes such as tectonic plate movements, others to human activities including fossil fuel and groundwater extraction. Flood waters inundate a neighborhood on June 13, 2024, in Hallandale Beach, Florida. – Joe Raedle/Getty Images A family travel by boat to their home after it flooded during Hurricane Ida on August 31, 2021 in Barataria, Louisiana. – Brandon Bell/Getty Images The US coastlines are tracking above global average and toward the upper end of climate model projections, NASA’s Hamlington said. The Gulf Coast, where land is sinking in large part due to the extraction of oil, gas and groundwater, is a hotspot. Louisiana is particularly vulnerable as climate change-driven sea level rise meets fast-sinking land. The state has one of the highest rates of land loss in the world, with some areas experiencing relative sea level rise nearly four times the global rate. Outside the United States, low-lying Pacific island nations bear the brunt of sea level rise, which already poses a threat to their existence. Over the next three decades, islands such as Tuvalu, Kiribati and Fiji will experience at least 6 inches of sea level rise even if the world reduces planet-heating pollution, according to NASA. What are the impacts? The world’s coastal communities were built with an understanding of where high tides normally reach. “Now we’re shifting that normal” and even tiny shifts can cause big impacts, Hamlington said. Already, coastal flooding is increasing, even in the absence of big storms or heavy rainfall. High tide flooding is now happening two to three times more often since 1990 along most US Atlantic and Gulf coastlines, said William Sweet, an oceanographer at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Sea level rise also contributes to coastal erosion, chokes sewage systems and causes salty water to seep into underground freshwater supplies. Rising seas won’t be felt equally. In some places, 6 inches might mean more frequent flooding during high tides; in others, it could lead to constant inundation, with water covering streets and coastal land for months at a time. The difference depends on a range of factors, including land shifts. The world can adapt to slow sea level rise, Notz said: “We might have to relocate cities; you might have to move people around,” but there are ways to build and prepare. This is already happening. “Entire villages in Fiji have been formally relocated,” said Fijian activist George Nacewa, from climate group 350.org, “the incoming tides are flooding our roads and inundating our crops.” However, if the pace accelerates rapidly, “it will be very, very difficult to adapt to, because things unfold too quickly,” he said. As ever, it will be the most vulnerable who feel the biggest impacts, he added. Residents wade through the flooded streets in Fiji’s capital city of Suva on December 16, 2020, ahead of super Cyclone Yasa. – Leon Lord/AFP/Getty Images Seawater floods past a sea wall into the community of Veivatuloa Village, Fiji, July 16, 2022. – Loren Elliott/Reuters Many parts of the world aren’t well prepared. Sea level rise is an “underappreciated” problem as “it’s hard to grasp the implications” of even a few inches of rise, the University of East Anglia’s Nicholls said. Humans still have control over how fast sea level rises over the next decades and centuries by cutting emissions, Notz noted. Global levels of planet-heating pollution, however, continue to tick up and the Trump administration is racing to undo climate policies, including slashing Earth science research at NASA, sweeping staff cuts at NOAA and withdrawing the US from global climate action. “One of the big concerns with the current US administration is that they won’t renew satellites,” Nicholls said. This would take eyes off the oceans at a crucial time. What the world chooses to do is an ethical issue, said Notz. “The kind of sea level rise that we have to deal with is so much smaller compared to what future generations have to face,” he said; the real catastrophe will come further down the road when those who have caused the problem are no longer around. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Source link #Global #sea #levels #rising #faster #faster #spells #catastrophe #coastal #towns #cities Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Pokémon TCG Pocket unveils new Wonder Pick Event and accessories Pokémon TCG Pocket unveils new Wonder Pick Event and accessories Pokémon TCG Pocket’s latest Wonder Pick event is here Featured this time around are Cosmog and Lycanroc New accessories are also on offer, including a Solgaleo playmat and Sparkling Sky backdrop As we head towards the weekend, some of you are probably waiting to see what your favourite releases have in store. And if you’re a fan of Pokémon TCG Pocket, you’re in luck! Because a new Wonder Pick event is out to offer not just new cards – well, existing cards with a Chansey sticker – but also accessories you can unlock via shop tickets earned from event missions. Card-wise, we have Cosmog and Lycanroc featuring that familiar sticker in the corner. However, there are definitely some surprises in store with a hefty selection of new accessories to pick from. By earning shop tickets in event missions, you’ll be able to unlock everything from a Solgaleo playmat to a cover, and even a Lillie Icon and Sparkling Sky backdrop. Wondrous Wonder Picking is probably one of the few ways at the moment to acquire cards you really want in Pokémon TCG Pocket. Even though it’s in a roundabout way. But with the issues in Pokémon TCG Pocket’s trading feature not set to be resolved until autumn at the latest, you could be waiting a while until there are alternative ways to mix and match. At the same time, with Wonder Pick events offering plenty of bonus rewards such as the aforementioned accessories, there are likely plenty of you excited to see them make a return. The missions, as always, aren’t too difficult, either, so your main barrier is time, so check in sooner rather than later before this event wraps up! But there’s also a whole lot more options out there on mobile if you find yourself in need of a break from the daily grind for new cards. Why not check out our latest list of the top five new mobile games to try this week and find something new and interesting? Source link #Pokémon #TCG #Pocket #unveils #Pick #Event #accessories Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Best Build Plates for 3D Printers Best Build Plates for 3D Printers The build plate is at the literal foundation of your 3D printer, and it can determine the success or failure of your prints more than any other feature. A single greasy fingerprint can be all it takes to turn a delicate model into a pile of spaghetti. And yet, we take the stock build plates that ship with our printers for granted, especially if we paid high dollar for the 3D printer itself. Stock Build Plates Before we dive into aftermarket print surfaces, a word on stock plates. Every modern 3D printer we’ve reviewed since 2024 has come with a very usable build plate. Textured PEI flex plates have become somewhat standard, and that’s a good thing. If you’re buying a printer today, you may be quite happy with your stock plate. You may only need this list if your build surface has been scratched, worn down, or otherwise damaged. 3D printing has been constantly evolving, with new technologies emerging every year. My first printer had a rudimentary glass build plate held down with binder clips, but now I have a plate with my own logo embedded right in the center. There’s a buffet of build plate options out there: flexible, coated, textured, dual-sided, and optimized for specific filaments and print styles. But not all build surfaces are created equal. Here are the best third-party build surfaces you can buy for your 3D printer to get that first layer buttery smooth. Best Build Plates for 3D Printers at a glance 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. Swipe to scroll horizontally Best Build Plates Where to Buy Price Range Best Overall Tyson Flex Plate System Tyson Build Plates $50 – $120 Best All Temperature Grip BIQU CryoGrip Pro “Glacier” BIQU, Amazon $14 – $43 Best Cold Grip BIQU CryoGrip Pro “Frostbite” BIQU, Amazon $14 – $43 Best for PLA SliceWorx Dipped PEI SliceWorx.com $20 – $70 Best for Every Size / Hard to Find Sizes WhamBam PEI WhamBam $7 – $200 Best Holographic Effects Holographic Build Plates Amazon $10 – $28 Best for Custom Patterns Custom Textured PEI Plate Ember Prototypes $49 and up Best Build Plates For 3D Printers You Can Buy Today Tyson Flex Plate System (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware) 1. Tyson Flex Plate System Specifications Sizes: Limited Range (Bambu, Prusa, Qidi) Where to Buy: Tyson Build Plates Price Range: $50–$120 Works with: All Filament Barrier Needed: No Bed Temperature range: 50 to 230°C Clean up: Clean with soap & water, alcohol, acetone, or industrial degreaser Reasons to buy + Everything sticks, including PETG, ABS and Nylon + Can be customized + Extremely durable + Glossy finish + American Made Reasons to avoid – Pricey – Limited size range Tyson Build Plates are a revolution in 3D printing build surfaces. The T-95 plate is made from a thick Tempered 1095 spring steel with a proprietary coating that is truly universal. The plate can handle everything from PLA to PEEK, and the only limits are from the machine you put it on. We tested this plate on the Qidi Tech Plus 4 and ran PLA, PETG, TPU, ASA, and Nylon without glue stick or any adhesion aid. Prints pop off easily and release on their own when allowed to cool. The bottom of the print is smooth and glass-like. For an extra charge, the plate can bear your logo or an etched pattern that will transfer to the bottom of the print. BIQU CryoGrip Pro “Glacier” (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware) 2. BIQU CryoGrip Pro “Glacier” Specifications Sizes: Most consumer printers Where to Buy: BIQU, Amazon Price Range: $14–$43 Works with: All materials under 300°C nozzle temp Barrier Needed: No Bed Temperature range: 45 to 110°C Clean up: Clean with soap & water or alcohol Reasons to buy + Much stickier than PEI + Can run PLA and PETG cooler + Scratch resistant Reasons to avoid – Prints can be difficult to remove Glacier is one of BIQU’s two new cold plates, which rely on texture and Arctic Fairy Dust to hold down prints with minium heat. Ok, we’re kidding about the fairy dust, but there’s definitely some magic to the “porous oleophobic polymer coating” used on the top surface. Glacier plates have superior holding powers and defy dirt and grease from ordinary handling, and are scratch resistant. They work for every material without a need for gluestick, even TPU. Because the Glacier is a cold plate, it will continue to hold at room temperature, which is nice if you’re worried about power outages. Most prints come off with a flex after it’s cooled a bit, but smaller things – like flexi animals – may need light persuasion. If you still have problems, 10 minutes in the freezer will help. BIQU CryoGrip Pro “Frostbite” (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware) 3. BIQU CryoGrip Pro “Frostbite” Specifications Sizes: Most consumer printers Where to Buy: BIQU, Amazon Price Range: $14–$43 Works with: PLA and PETG only Barrier Needed: No Bed Temperature range: 30-70°C Clean up: Clean with soap and water only Reasons to buy + Everything sticks, including PETG, ABS and Nylon + Can be customized + Extremely durable + Glossy finish + American Made Reasons to avoid – Pricey – Limited size range Frostbite is the other new cold plate from BIQU, and could have been called “Rottweiler” considering how well it holds on to prints. It has a courser texture than Glacier, and holds prints at low temperatures. The plate is almost TOO sticky, but if you’ve ever had just one segment of a 3-day print pop off, you’ll appreciate the holding power of this plate. Frostbite plates defy dirt and grease from ordinary handling, and are also scratch resistant. Because the Frostbite is a cold plate, it will continue to hold at room temperature, which is nice if you’re worried about power outages. Prints need more than a little flex to pop off this plate, and definitely need to cool down before you even try. If you still have problems, 10 minutes in the freezer will help. SliceWorx Dipped PEI (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware) 4. SliceWorx Dipped PEI Specifications Sizes: Common Where to Buy: SliceWorx Price Range: $20 – $70 Works with: PLA and PETG Barrier Needed: No Bed Temperature range: 60 to 80°C Clean up: Clean with water Reasons to buy + Comes in most current printer sizes + Sticks like crazy Reasons to avoid – Sticks like crazy – Only good for low temperature material Like Oreos dipped in chocolate, SliceWorx had a brilliant idea: what if we dip a PEI Flex plate in…rubber? Ok, it’s not rubber, and they aren’t saying what the “high quality polymer” actually is, but rubber is pretty close. The coated surface of SliceWorx’s dipped plates is pure genius for those of us hooked on tiny articulated prints with a high failure rate. Like the FrostBite plate from BQ, these dipped wonders are strictly for cool filaments like PLA and PETG. They need to be cooled a bit before flexing to remove your prints. WhamBam PEI (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware) 5. WhamBam PEI Specifications Sizes: Nearly Every Printer Where to Buy: WhamBam Price Range: $7 – $200 Works with: Most Barrier Needed: Yes for PETG, PC, ASA Bed Temperature range: 60 to 130°C Clean up: Clean with IPA and Scotchbrite pad Reasons to buy + Excellent Replacement plate + Comes in every size imaginable + Pops off with a flex after cooling Wham Bam PEI flex plates are no longer “revolutionary” after manufactures adopted PEI sheets for themselves. But their commitment to quality ensures that when you need a better build plate, Wham Bam has you covered with every size imaginable. It’s line of PEI plates are known for consistent quality and come in both a smooth sheet that gives a shiny surface, or a baked on textured plated. Holographic Build Plates (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware) 6. Holographic Build Plates Specifications Sizes: Common Where to Buy: Amazon Price Range: $10 – $28 Works with: PLA Barrier Needed: Not Recommended Bed Temperature range: 50 to 65°C Clean up: Clean with Soap and water Reasons to buy + Awesome sparkle effect on bottom of prints Reasons to avoid – Damages easily – Wears quickly – Can’t use glue stick A holographic build plate has a specialized surface that leaves a shimmering “holographic” pattern on the bottom of the print. The plate has an ultra fine textured surfaces that diffracts light and can be transferred to the PLA print. The holographic sticker is easily scratched, so great care should be taken when removing prints. The effect is also spoiled by finger oils and glue stick, so you’ll need to keep the plates super clean and additive free, which is why PLA is the go-to filament for these special effects plates. The plates do not have any special gripping powers, so you’ll need to have a well tuned printer, and slow your speed for the best chances. Custom Textured PEI Plate (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware) 7. Custom Textured PEI Plate Specifications Sizes: Common Where to Buy: Ember Prototypes Price Range: $49 and up Works with: Most Filament Barrier Needed: No Bed Temperature range: 60 to 110°C Clean up: Clean with soap and water or alcohol Reasons to buy + Custom logo prints on your models + Works like regular textured PEI Flex plate Reasons to avoid – Can wear down – Non-refundable Ember Prototypes knocked our socks off when it introduced custom PEI plates that bore whatever artwork you wanted to show off on your prints or the printer itself. The plates are not laser cut, but rather uses a proprietary coating that leaves a raised image on the plate that can transfer to the bottom of your print. While they have some generic artwork available, the best plates are the ones where you supply the art. I had one made up with a hexagon pattern and my logo in the center, which is a little hit or miss as to what will end up on the finished print. Because these are bespoke plates, theres’s no refunds, so double-check your artwork before sending it over. Best Build Plates for 3D Printers: How We Test How we test the best build plates for 3D printers We test all the build plates we recommend. Our favorite test model for build plate adhesions is the humble “Mini Cute Octopus” by McGybeer – one in each corner – run at default speeds for the printer. We used a Bambu Lab P1P, A1, A1 Mini, QIDI Plus 4 and MK4s, all capable of running at an average speed of 200mm/s. It’s eight tiny tentacles each have 5 sections, meaning there’s 40 individual sections, some as small as 6x11mm. I tested each printer’s stock plate – many of which failed without the help of glue stick – before switching to the aftermarket plate. Each plate had a few weeks of regular printing in addition to the test prints. The Octopus models will be given to children (for free) at 3D printing festivals when they visit my table, so there is no plastic wasted. Best Build Plates for 3D Printers: FAQs (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware) FAQs for the best build plates for 3D printers What’s the best build plate surface to print on? A clean one! Many first layer issues can be fixed by washing your build plate with hot soapy water, then drying the plate with a lint free cloth. Preheating the bed and using a little “purple” washable glue stick can also help give some extra stick for your models. What’s the best build plate surface for PLA? Textured PEI is one of the best all around surfaces, very affordable and generally works well for easy going PLA. What’s the best build plate for PETG? PETG is known to bond with just about anything, but a good clean, smooth PEI works best. And it never hurts to add a little glue stick for insurance. What’s the best build plate for ABS? We highly recommend the Tyson Build plate, a specialized high temperature plate that works for all filaments and absolutely excels at high temperatures. MORE: Best 3D Printers MORE: Best Resin 3D Printers MORE: Best Budget 3D Printers MORE: Best Filaments for 3D Printing MORE: How to Buy the Right 3D Printer Round up of today’s best deals Source link #Build #Plates #Printers Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

India and Pakistan: The first drone war between nuclear-armed neighbours – BBC India and Pakistan: The first drone war between nuclear-armed neighbours – BBC India and Pakistan: The first drone war between nuclear-armed neighbours BBCExclusive: Pakistan’s ********-made jet brought down two Indian fighter aircraft, US officials say ReutersBlackouts, sirens & Pakistan’s failed drone attacks: 10 things that happened in the last 36 hours Times of IndiaLive Updates: India-Pakistan Conflict Intensifies Into Most Expansive in Decades The New York TimesIndia-Pakistan: IPL cricket suspended for a week after a night of blackouts and escalating tensions BBC Source link #India #Pakistan #drone #war #nucleararmed #neighbours #BBC Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Nvidia RTX 5090 can crack an 8-digit passcode in just 3 hours Nvidia RTX 5090 can crack an 8-digit passcode in just 3 hours The RTX 5090 is not only good for gaming and AI — it also excels at password cracking. Hive Systems updated its password cracking benchmark suite with 12 RTX 5090 graphics cards — Nvidia’s fastest and best graphics card for gaming currently, and found all twelve cards working together can break simple eight-character passwords in under 15 minutes. Hive Systems is in its 5th year of benchmarking password cracking times on GPUs; the last update they made was in 2024, featuring the RTX 4090. Rather than cracking an actual password itself, the outlet cracks hashes, which are scrambled versions of reproducible text generated by software. Hashes are a popular method for securing customer passwords against hackers by storing customer passwords as hashes on servers. When hackers go to steal a password database from a company’s server that is secured with hashing, all they will see are hashes of the passwords they represent rather than the actual passwords themselves. (Image credit: Hive Systems) Cracking passwords with this method involves making a list of all possible combinations of characters to make a password, then matching them to a stolen database featuring password hashes. Graphics cards are particularly good at this methodology due to highly parallelized computing capabilities. With 12 RTX 5090s, Hive Systems found Nvidia’s latest flagship can crack the hash equivalent of eight-character passwords featuring numbers only in just 15 minutes. Passwords comprised of eight lower-case letters, the dozen RTX 5090s were able to crack in 3 weeks. On the other end of the spectrum, passwords taking advantage of numbers, upper and lowercase letters would take 12 RTX 5090s 62 years to crack, and 164 years to crack with symbols added into the mix. For a generation-on-generation perspective, a single RTX 5090 can crack a numerical-only password hash with eight characters in three hours. A single RTX 4090 can accomplish the same task in four hours, representing a 33% performance improvement for the RTX 5090 over the RTX 4090 in this specific scenario. Get Tom’s Hardware’s best news and in-depth reviews, straight to your inbox. However, as the password complexity increases, the RTX 5090 becomes faster and faster in comparison. Moving up to a hash representing an eight-character password made up of numbers, upper and lowercase letters combined with symbols, the RTX 5090 is allegedly twice as fast as the RTX 4090. But cracking a password that complex would take the RTX 5090 a millennium to accomplish. Hive Systems’ research demonstrates the dangers of low complexity passwords and how adding just a bit of complexity in the form of symbols, capitalized letters, and numbers can make a huge difference for security. The good news is that cracking hashes in the way Hive Systems demonstrates requires hackers to have a stolen database of password hashes in the first place. Without this, hackers can’t brute-force hack password hashes. Source link #Nvidia #RTX #crack #8digit #passcode #hours Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Newscast Newscast Adam, Alex, James and Dharshini discuss a jam-packed news week. Source link #Newscast Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

India and Pakistan: The first drone war between nuclear-armed neighbours – BBC India and Pakistan: The first drone war between nuclear-armed neighbours – BBC India and Pakistan: The first drone war between nuclear-armed neighbours BBCIndia-Pakistan: IPL cricket suspended for a week after a night of blackouts and escalating tensions BBCBlackouts, sirens & Pakistan’s failed drone attacks: 10 things that happened in the last 36 hours Times of IndiaIndia-Pakistan Live: Tensions surge as both sides trade attack claims Al JazeeraIndia and Pakistan trade attacks amid risk of war between nuclear states NPR Source link #India #Pakistan #drone #war #nucleararmed #neighbours #BBC Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Tash Peterson and partner Jack Higgs declare bankruptcy in dramatic Instagram video Tash Peterson and partner Jack Higgs declare bankruptcy in dramatic Instagram video In a dramatic announcement on Instagram the animal rights activist and her partner Jack Higgs kissed their passports goodbye as the couple declared bankruptcy. Source link #Tash #Peterson #partner #Jack #Higgs #declare #bankruptcy #dramatic #Instagram #video Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Intel releases new patch for CPUs affected by instability issues – but wait, weren’t we done with this already? Intel releases new patch for CPUs affected by instability issues – but wait, weren’t we done with this already? Intel has deployed a new patch for 14th-gen and 13th-gen chips This is another fix for the long-running episode around instability problems So it seems we weren’t done with fixes for those issues after all, but the new patch is admittedly addressing a niche scenario Intel has released another update for its processors in the long-running saga of instability issues with its 14th-gen and 13th-gen chips. VideoCardz pointed out that Intel’s announced the deployment of a new microcode patch (excitingly named ‘0x12F’) for those Raptor Lake and Raptor Lake Refresh CPUs. This is a supplement to a previous patch (equally catchily dubbed ‘0x12B’) which was rolled out back in September 2024. You may like In a press release, Intel says: “This new microcode further improves system conditions that can potentially contribute to Vmin Shift Instability on Intel Core 13th and 14th Gen desktop-powered systems.” In other words, it’s smoothing out further issues relating to elevated voltages that were the main cause of the various crashing nastiness (and chip degradation) with those processors. Intel further adds that it has released this patch after an investigation into a “limited number of reports” of wonkiness with PCs that are “continuously running for multiple days” in a state of low activity (with just light workloads ticking away). Intel suggests all affected 14th-gen and 13th-gen chip owners install their latest BIOS update – the next release will contain this patch when it’s provided by their motherboard manufacturer – and promises that it doesn’t slow down performance on the host PC. At least going by Intel’s own internal testing, anyway. Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. (Image credit: Future / John Loeffler) Analysis: A surprise addition But wait a minute, wasn’t this whole elevated voltage bug already cured? Well, officially, it was. In October 2024, after the last patch before this new one, Intel said the stability problems were fully fixed – but apparently they weren’t. Not quite. Okay, so to be fair to Intel, this is a niche situation. Not that many folks leave their PC on for days running some kind of light workload constantly, and so this is something that the average user is (presumably) not going to encounter. That said, maybe you do at least leave your PC on for multiple days at a time – even if it’s mostly not doing anything – and as such, it’ll seem prudent to apply the patch anyway. Besides, there could be other minor side effects stemming from whatever issues this new release fixes up, so I’d recommend – as Intel does – that everyone apply the patch as a matter of course. Hopefully, as Intel claims, there won’t be any performance impact from installing this patch. But if you’re concerned about that possibility, just wait for independent testing of the microcode update – which will happen soon enough – to confirm that your PC won’t be slowed down by this. This latest installment in the instability saga does make you wonder if there might yet be further patches deployed by Intel in the future, too. You might also like Source link #Intel #releases #patch #CPUs #affected #instability #issues #wait #werent Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

IAG orders 71 long-haul jets split between Airbus and Boeing IAG orders 71 long-haul jets split between Airbus and Boeing Passenger aircraft, operated by British Airways Plc, at Heathrow Airport Terminal 5. Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images British Airways owner IAG on Friday unveiled plans to buy 71 long-haul aircraft from Airbus and Boeing, sharing a major fleet expansion across the Atlantic a day after Britain and the U.S. announced a trade deal. The airline group announced a new order for 32 Boeing 787-10 aircraft for British Airways, and 21 Airbus A330-900neo aircraft. It also disclosed for the first time options exercised in March for six Airbus A350-900s, as well as six Airbus A350-1000s and six Boeing 777-9s. That gives a total of 33 Airbus jets and 38 Boeing planes. Hailing a trade deal between the two countries on Thursday, the United States said that Britain would buy $10 billion of Boeing jets. Industry sources also told Reuters that IAG would buy about 30 jets from Airbus, including A330neos and A350s. IAG, whose airlines also include Iberia and Aer Lingus, said the Airbus A330-900neo aircraft would be powered by Rolls-Royce engines and British Airways’ Boeing 787-10 aircraft would be powered by General Electric engines. Rolls-Royce is the sole engine provider for the A330neo but competes with GE Aerospace for the 787, where it has lost significant market share to its U.S. rival. IAG announced the order after it reported better than expected first-quarter profit. CEO Luis Gallego told journalists that the company had been working on the new plane deal “for a long time”. Analysts said the order was likely part of a longer-term strategy for the group, given most airlines won’t receive current orders until the early 2030s. “Airlines need to think in multi-year timeframes: they will have planes that will be reaching the end of their lives and will need replacing. Boeing and Airbus are sold out for years,” said Bernstein’s Alex Irving. List prices for the A330-900neo and 787-10 are about $374 million and $397 million, respectively, based on January 2025 U.S. dollar terms, but airlines typically negotiate big discounts to official prices. IAG did not give the details of its discount. IAG also said that British Airways had secured options to buy up to 10 additional Boeing 787s, and that the group had purchase rights for up to 13 more A330-900neos under its agreement with Airbus. The order adds to an already large backlog of Boeing planes slated for *** purchasers — 149 in total, according to Boeing’s published backlog. Planemakers have been wrestling with supply chain snags and other challenges that have delayed deliveries. Boeing is trying to ramp up production of its strongest-selling 737 MAX jet to a rate of 38 per month this year, after a difficult 2024 when output slumped due to a broad quality crisis that led to the replacement of its CEO. IAG, one of the industry’s most influential aircraft buyers, is closely watched by rivals, especially as global trade tensions spotlight major aircraft deals. Bloomberg News on Thursday reported that IAG was poised to order 30 Boeing 787s and could secure options for further purchases. Source link #IAG #orders #longhaul #jets #split #Airbus #Boeing Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

KitchenAid’s new juicer and food chopper will eliminate the tangle of cords in your cupboards KitchenAid’s new juicer and food chopper will eliminate the tangle of cords in your cupboards KitchenAid has launched a new citrus juicer and mini food chopper They’re the latest additions to the cordless KitchenAid Go series All KitchenAid Go appliances can be used with the same swappable battery KitchenAid has launched two new cordless appliances to make your kitchen less cluttered: a citrus juicer and a mini chopper. The pair are part of the KitchenAid Go system, which is a set of handheld appliances that all use the same rechargeable battery. You only need to buy the battery with your first KitchenAid Go product, making all your other appliances considerably cheaper. The KitchenAid Go series also includes a cordless hand mixer, portable blender, hand blender, and even a tiny handheld vacuum for clearing up crumbs and flour – it might not earn a place in our roundup of the best cordless vacuums for whole-house cleaning, but it’s very handy for quickly tidying your kitchen counters. You may like The new citrus juicer is a compact alternative to the stylish Smeg CJF01, and despite its small size is capable of handling anything from limes to grapefruit. It has an auto-reverse motor to help squeeze out every last drop of juice more effectively than you could could by hand. (Image credit: KitchenAid) It has a BPA-free glass bowl with a fine pouring spout with a control tap to minimize mess, and the bowl is dishwasher safe too, for easy cleanup. It will be interesting to see how it compares to the best juicers we’ve tested from other brands. The KitchenAid Go citrus juicer has a list price of $99.99 / £139 / AU$159 when bought without the battery pack, and is currently reduced to $79.99 in the US or AU$129 in Australia when bought directly through KitchenAid. If you need the battery as well, the list price increases to $129.99 / £208 / AU$228. (Image credit: KitchenAid) The KitchenAid Go Top Down Chopper is designed for small tasks like chopping nuts, onions, and herbs. Unlike the original Cordless Food Chopper the new appliance has blades in the top, which means you can prep and store food in the same bowl – just remove the motor and blade unit, and replace it with the airtight lid supplied. Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. The Top Down Chopper is listed at $69.99 / £99.99 / AU$129 without the battery, but is reduced to $59.99 in the US and $109 in Australia at KitchenAid’s online store. It costs $99.99 / £168 / AU$198 when bought with the battery. I’m hoping to test it soon to see whether it can earn a place in our roundup of the best food processors. You might also like Source link #KitchenAids #juicer #food #chopper #eliminate #tangle #cords #cupboards Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Treasury Secretary Bessent Blasts Senate for Blocking GENIUS Stablecoin Bill – Decrypt Treasury Secretary Bessent Blasts Senate for Blocking GENIUS Stablecoin Bill – Decrypt Treasury Secretary Bessent Blasts Senate for Blocking GENIUS Stablecoin Bill DecryptEveryone’s claiming victory after Senate’s crypto meltdown AxiosSenate Democrats block first-of-its-kind bill regulating cryptocurrency amid concerns over Trump’s crypto dealings CNNStablecoins are back in focus as Senate Democrats reject legislation approving their use NBC NewsDemocrats vote to reject Senate crypto bill Politico Source link #Treasury #Secretary #Bessent #Blasts #Senate #Blocking #GENIUS #Stablecoin #Bill #Decrypt Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

ChatGPT may be preparing to offer weekly or lifetime subscriptions for your AI fix ChatGPT may be preparing to offer weekly or lifetime subscriptions for your AI fix Signs of new ChatGPT subscriptions have been spotted For now the options are hidden away in app code Monthly subscriptions are the only options currently available OpenAI has to pay for its melting GPUs somehow, and it seems the ChatGPT developer is exploring new subscription options to encourage more people to start paying for AI text, coding, and image generation. As spotted by tipster @M1Astra, the latest ChatGPT app builds include mentions of weekly, annual, and lifetime subscriptions, alongside the current monthly one. The team at Android Authority found the same references in the latest ChatGPT app for Android. The decision-makers at ChatGPT could change their minds before any of this goes live of course, and we’ve heard nothing official about this yet. But it makes sense that OpenAI would want to offer subscribers more flexibility to encourage extra sign-ups. You may like There is a key piece of information missing here: how much these subscriptions would cost. Right now, you can either pay $20 (about £15 / AU$31) each month for a Plus subscription, or $200 (about £150 / AU$312) a month for ChatGPT Pro. Would you sign up? OpenAI is considering Lifetime and Weekly subscriptions for ChatGPT – found in latest ChatGPT build! pic.twitter.com/LpAN1vgWinMay 8, 2025 Of these new subscription options, the weekly deal seems the most appealing. It would help you quickly complete a project or generate an image gallery before having to go back to the usage restrictions of the free tier. A lifetime subscription would be a real surprise – it’s not something we tend to see much of elsewhere with high-profile software and services, and it’s difficult to calculate the ongoing costs of AI processing and hardware across the decades to come. What we do know is that running AI models is a very, very expensive business, and so far OpenAI has spent a lot more money on ChatGPT than it’s made back. Getting more people to part with their cash is one way of fixing that. Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. We’ve also seen upgrades to the shopping capabilities of ChatGPT in recent days, which is another potential money-spinner: ChatGPT guides you towards the perfect coffee maker, and gets a cut of the purchase price in return. You might also like Source link #ChatGPT #preparing #offer #weekly #lifetime #subscriptions #fix Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Suaalii knocked out in Waratahs’ Super derby with Reds Suaalii knocked out in Waratahs’ Super derby with Reds Code-hopping superstar Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii has been escorted from the field on a medicab after being knocked out in the first half of the NSW Waratahs’ Super Rugby Pacific derby with the Queensland Reds in Sydney. Suaalii was wiped out after copping an accidental knee to the jaw from teammate Andrew Kellaway as the pair collided in a tackle. Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt was watching on at Allianz Stadium as the fullback was treated for several minutes before being taken from the field. Rubbing insult to injury, the friendly fire mishap happened with Queensland on a penalty advantage. The Reds scored 30 seconds later through hooker Richie Asiata to level the match up at 14-14 moments before the halftime break. Source link #Suaalii #knocked #Waratahs #Super #derby #Reds Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Google Messages is officially rolling out its long-awaited ‘Delete for everyone’ option, but it comes with a slight catch Google Messages is officially rolling out its long-awaited ‘Delete for everyone’ option, but it comes with a slight catch Google Messages has started rolling out its ‘Delete for everyone’ feature It was first spotted in February, and now users are starting to gain access to the long-awaited messaging function The feature is being rolled out slowly, but users have noticed some setbacks Embarrassing texts are the worst, we’ve all been there, but Google has plans to crush that feeling and is starting to roll out a ‘Delete for everyone’ option in Google Messages for Android – just a few months after initial rumors. The new unsend function will soon have two different options, the first being ‘Delete for me’, which is already part of Google Messages’ ecosystem, and the second being its upcoming ‘Delete for everyone’ button that, as its name suggests, will remove messages from the view of other contacts. A handful of users have started to notice the new ‘Delete for everyone’ option in Google Messages already, but not everyone has it yet, implying that it’s being rolled out gradually. One user with access posted a screenshot to Reddit showing what the new function will look like once it’s rolled out widely. You may like RCS message delete is also rolling out to beta people. from r/GoogleMessages We first heard of Google’s plans to introduce an unsend button back in February when Android Authority shared an APK teardown, and the site’s writers managed to get it working in March. A feature like this has been a long time coming for Google Messages, but even when it does roll out it’ll come with some slight drawbacks. So far, ‘Delete for everyone’ is limited to large group chats When it comes to unsending texts, Google Messages is behind the likes of WhatsApp and iMessage, which have offered the ability to delete messages for everyone in a chat for quite some time. It’s good to see that Google is catching up, but there are still two catches you should note. As discussed in our previous reports, it’s likely that Google will stick with its 15-minute window for its ‘Delete for everyone’ feature, meaning that if you want to remove a text from a conversation, you’ll have to act rather swiftly. But that’s not the only issue that users have noticed. Although the Reddit post above gives an insight to how Google Messages’ new unsend feature will look, the user also draws our attention to the feature only being accessible in larger group chats. For them, ‘Delete for everyone’ only works in a group chat with 12 members, and they have yet to find a 1:1 chat that allows them to delete messages for everyone. Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. As it stands this new function has a lot of limitations, but because it’s only in the very early stages of roll out we’re hoping that Google will amend these once it’s widely available to all Google Messages users. You might also like Source link #Google #Messages #officially #rolling #longawaited #Delete #option #slight #catch Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

New pope celebrated for his "Creole of color roots" – Axios New pope celebrated for his "Creole of color roots" – Axios New pope celebrated for his “Creole of color roots” AxiosNew pope appears to have reposted critical social media posts about Trump and Vance CNNPope Leo XIV, First American Pontiff, Will Face a Fractured American Church The New York TimesRobert Prevost of the United States is named Pope Leo XIV AP NewsAn American Pope Will Try to Unify a Divided Church WSJ Source link #pope #celebrated #quotCreole #color #rootsquot #Axios Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Stuart MacGill: Former Australia cricketer avoids jail over drug deal Stuart MacGill: Former Australia cricketer avoids jail over drug deal Former Australia cricketer Stuart MacGill has avoided jail after being found guilty of taking part in the supply of ********. The 54-year-old was given a 22-month intensive corrections order and 495 hours of community service on Friday. MacGill pleaded not guilty but had admitted to the use of ******** and to introducing his brother-in-law to his drug dealer, *********** broadcaster ABC reported. Prosecutors said that the pair later made a deal for 330,000 *********** dollars (£159,000) worth of ******** but MacGill maintained that his involvement was limited to the introduction in Sydney in April 2021. A police investigation began after MacGill claimed he had been abducted and beaten in April 2021. MacGill sustained minor injuries in the incident but didn’t require medical care, police said. A group of men were arrested one month later in connection with the abduction of MacGill, who told police he had been driven to a remote site where he was assaulted and threatened at gunpoint. Spinner MacGill, who played 44 Test matches for Australia between 1998 and 2008, was charged with taking part in the supply of a large commercial quantity of a prohibited drug in September 2023. Source link #Stuart #MacGill #Australia #cricketer #avoids #jail #drug #deal Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

'Moronic' men guilty of felling famous British tree 'Moronic' men guilty of felling famous British tree Two men have been convicted of cutting down the beloved Sycamore Gap tree in northern England in an act of unexplained vandalism that caused widespread outrage. Source link #039Moronic039 #men #guilty #felling #famous #British #tree Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

San Francisco man bought 1 small Costco product last April — then sold it for a $600 profit 11 months later San Francisco man bought 1 small Costco product last April — then sold it for a $600 profit 11 months later Everyone knows Costco is a great place to stock up — whether you’re in the mood for a giant cheesecake or a kayak you didn’t plan to buy. But did you know the warehouse giant could also be a surprising stop for investors? Just ask personal finance influencer Humphrey Yang. In April 2024, Yang purchased a one-ounce gold bar from Costco for $2,359.99. This past March, he walked into a gold dealership in San Francisco and filmed the moment he sold it for cash. “Right now, we’re paying $2,955.42 [per ounce],” an employee told him. With the spot price for an ounce of gold hovering around $3,020 at the time, Yang agreed to the deal — noting the price was reasonable given dealers typically buy slightly below market value. Moments later, Yang walked out with a stack of bills and a simple takeaway. “That was surprisingly easy,” he said. “$2,955 — that means I made a profit of $596 over the past 11 months or so.” The exact amount was $595.43. Gold prices have been surging recently. Since Yang sold his gold bar, the price has increased to approximately $3,300 per ounce. Goldman Sachs has raised its year-end forecast for gold from $3,300 to $3,700 — with a projected range of $3,650 to $3,950 — according to multiple news outlets. Gold has long served as a store of value — and that hasn’t changed. Unlike fiat currencies, the glittering metal can’t be printed at will by central banks, making it a powerful hedge against inflation and monetary instability. It’s also long been viewed as the ultimate safe haven. Gold isn’t tied to any one country, currency or economy, and in times of economic turmoil or geopolitical uncertainty, investors tend to pile in — driving up its value. That may help explain why, while markets are getting whipsawed by tariff uncertainty and global tensions, gold has emerged as a bright spot. Over the past 12 months, the price of the precious metal has surged by more than 40%. Read more: BlackRock CEO Larry Fink has an important message for the next wave of American retirees — here’s how he says you can best weather the US retirement crisis Story Continues Ray Dalio, founder of the world’s largest hedge fund, Bridgewater Associates, recently highlighted gold’s role in a resilient portfolio. “People don’t have, typically, an adequate amount of gold in their portfolio,” Dalio told CNBC in February. “When bad times come, gold is a very effective diversifier.” Fortunately, investors today have more options than ever to gain exposure to gold. You can buy gold bullion — many online platforms offer a wide selection of gold and silver bars and coins — own shares of gold mining companies, invest in gold ETFs and even tap into potential tax advantages through a gold IRA. Gold isn’t the only asset investors turn to during inflationary times. Real estate has also proven to be a powerful hedge. When inflation rises, property values often increase as well, reflecting the higher costs of materials, labor and land. At the same time, rental income tends to go up, providing landlords with a revenue stream that adjusts for inflation. Over the past five years, the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price NSA Index has jumped by more than 50%, reflecting strong demand and limited housing supply. Of course, high home prices can make buying a home more challenging, especially with mortgage rates still elevated. And being a landlord isn’t exactly hands-off work — managing tenants, maintenance and repairs can quickly eat into your time (and returns). The good news? You don’t need to buy a property outright — or deal with leaky faucets — to invest in real estate today. Crowdfunding platforms, for example, allow everyday investors to own shares in rental properties without the large down payments or management headaches traditionally associated with real estate ownership. Alternatively, real estate investment trusts (REITs) provide another avenue for those looking to gain exposure to this asset class. This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. Source link #San #Francisco #man #bought #small #Costco #product #April #sold #profit #months Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Indian and Pakistan troops swap intense artillery fire overnight – AP News Indian and Pakistan troops swap intense artillery fire overnight – AP News Indian and Pakistan troops swap intense artillery fire overnight AP NewsNDTV Exclusive: Woman Dead, Daughter Screaming – J&K’s Uri Faces Pak Firing NDTV”We Will Rise Again”: J&K Man Whose House Was Destroyed In Pak Shelling NDTVVillagers tell BBC they survived shelling in Indian-administered Kashmir BBC1971 wasn’t half as terrifying for shell-shocked Poonch Times of India Source link #Indian #Pakistan #troops #swap #intense #artillery #fire #overnight #News Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]