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ASX Runners of the Week: XPON, Locksley, DY6 Metals & Arizona ASX Runners of the Week: XPON, Locksley, DY6 Metals & Arizona We shouldn’t have been surprised to see a modicum of profit-taking this week after last week’s efforts, which saw the United States broad-ranging S&P 500 stock market index go up for nine days in a row to post its longest daily winning streak in 20 years, coupled with the ASX 200 index ending a 12-day winning streak. US economic data added a fresh twist to market jitters for the week, with first-quarter GDP dipping by 0.3 per cent – a headline drop that at first glance looked like a red flag. Scratch beneath the surface and a different story emerges. This wasn’t about an economy slowing down – it was about businesses going into overdrive, racing to import a flood of goods before new US President Donald Trump’s trade tariffs kick in. The result was a 50.9 per cent surge in imports that technically dragged GDP lower, thanks to how the number crunchers calculate growth. Amazingly, for all the hand wringing and wailing that came off the back of Trump’s ‘liberation day’ blockbuster tariff announcement at the start of last month, the key *********** index closed out the week at 8231. This was 285 points or 3.4 per cent higher than its close prior to the fateful announcement and the S&P is, by and large, unchanged. With a rollercoaster week came yet more glory for gold, which hit a high price of $3438 an ounce on Wednesday on the back of a resumption of hostilities between Pakistan and India – two nuclear powers with age-old claims on the disputed state of Kashmir. XPON TECHNOLOGIES GROUP LTD (ASX: XPN) up 400% (0.6c – 3.0c) This week’s Bulls N’ Bears ASX Runner of the Week is artificial intelligence and technology solutions provider XPON Technologies Group, which saw its share price rocket on Monday after it announced a binding agreement to snap up leading *********** digital marketing outfit Alpha Digital Design Consultants. XPON’s acquisition of Alpha Digital, a long-term channel partner with a crack team of 25 digital marketing specialists, is a savvy attempt to supercharge its revenue growth. The deal is set to bring in an additional $4.6 million in revenue and a $0.7M EBITDA based on last year’s financials – plus a cool $1M cash in the bank. XPON’s share price screamed up 400 per cent on Monday from a Friday close of 0.6 cents to an intraday high of 3c. Punters piled in, with trading volumes lighting up the ASX boards as investors bet big on this AI-meets-marketing mashup. XPON says Alpha isn’t just a bolt-on, like-for-like addition, it’s a turbo boost for XPON’s journey to positive cash flow and profitability. Management says Alpha Digital’s expertise in performance marketing, SEO and analytics meshes well with XPON’s AI-powered solutions. The combo promises juicy revenue synergies, offering clients a one-stop shop for integrated technologies and marketing wizardry. The deal will see Alpha Digital keep its branding and operate independently, ensuring its market mojo stays intact while it taps into XPON’s tech muscle. XPON’s share price went ballistic on Monday to scream up 400 per cent from a Friday close of 0.6 cents to an intraday high of 3c. Punters piled in, with trading volumes lighting up the ASX boards as investors bet big on this AI-meets-marketing mashup. With digital marketing hotter than a summer barbie and AI driving the next wave of innovation, XPON’s move positions it to gobble up market share. If the company can harness those synergies and keep the cash flowing, this acquisition could be the spark that lights its fire for years to come. LOCKSLEY RESOURCES LTD (ASX: LKY) up 160% (2.2c – 5.7c) Taking home the Runners silver medal this week is critical minerals explorer Locksley Resources, which saw its share price erupt on Thursday after the company dropped a strategic update on its Mojave project in California. Locksley’s Mojave project is in prime real estate for critical minerals, as it sits just 1.4 kilometres northeast of Mountain Pass – the globally significant and only US rare earths mine. Locksley’s share price went ballistic on the news to skyrocket 159 per cent to a high of 5.7c on Thursday from a close of 2.2c last week. A jaw-dropping 187 million shares traded hands – more than the company’s entire 147 million shares on issue – making it the ASX’s wildest ride this week. The company has formally lodged drilling permits with the US Bureau of Land Management. Trump’s executive order pushing for home-grown critical minerals seems to have positioned Lockyer’s project to become a serious domestic lithium supplier. A critical minerals ***** is well underway in the US, as the nation attempts to quickly counter China’s rare earths stranglehold, and the markets can smell blood. Rock chips from Mojave’s Desert antimony mine are already screaming with grades up to 46 per cent antimony and 1022 grams per tonne (g/t) silver. Its nearby El Campo prospect is dishing out 12.1 per cent total rare earth oxides (TREO), including 3.19 per cent all-important neodymium-praseodymium elements. Locksley’s timing couldn’t be better. The bureau has also given a thumbs-up to ASX-listed Dateline Resources’ nearby Colosseum project to explore and extract gold and rare earth elements – which Trump then touted in a weekly update on his Truth Social network. The developments signal that Mojave is open for business. With the US government desperate to secure a supply of rare earths and antimony, Locksley’s Mojave project is like a shiny new toy in a critical minerals candy store. If the drill rigs hit the jackpot, this could be the kind of project that gives investors a fabled ****** swan event. Camera IconLocksley Resources has applied for drilling permits at its Mojave critical metals project in the United States, near Dateline Resources’ Colosseum project and the US’s only rare earths mine, the globally renowned Mountain Pass. Credit: File DY6 METALS LTD (ASX: DY6) up 109% (6.7c – 14c) Stepping up to the Runners podium for the second time in as many weeks is rare earth elements and heavy minerals exploration company DY6 Metals. This week’s feeding frenzy continued following the company’s earlier bombshell revelation that historical drilling at its Tundulu rare earths project in Malawi had uncovered some seriously spicy gallium grades. Gallium is now a red-hot critical mineral. The share price volatility, however, was not for the faint hearted, dropping almost 65 per cent from last week’s highs of 18.5 cent at one point before regaining its composure. The headline numbers included 74 metres grading 93.3g/t gallium oxide with 1.56 per cent TREO from 72m, and 53m at 72.8g/t gallium with 1.02 per cent TREO. The results pushed the stock’s price up 340 per cent to a peak of 18.5c in a single hour last week, before the fun police at the ASX stepped in with a screeching halt to demand more paperwork. The gallium find is especially timely. China, which controls 94 per cent of global supply, is tightening its export controls while global demand is soaring for the semiconductor-critical metal. Intriguingly, DY6’s gallium mineralisation shows up in surface saprolite and deeper fresh rock, with the system still open at depth. Only 40 per cent of the 91.5 square kilometre project has been drill-tested. Following the juicy findings, the company will shortly kick off metallurgical test work on a bulk sample to determine the prospect’s economic viability. With fresh gallium in the mix, Tundulu’s rare earth basket could now deliver a whole lot more bang for buck. Arizona Lithium (ASX: AZL) up 85% (0.07c – 1.3c) Taking out the final spot and prize for the most curious share price run this week is Arizona Lithium. Extreme volumes of nearly 205 million shares were traded across the week, while equally big licks were being mopped up on the US-based OTC market. Although the company hasn’t released any news, it does hold an intriguing land package, the Big Sandy lithium project, which is just a stone’s throw from….you guessed it, the Mountain Pass rare earths mine. Big Sandy’s claim to fame is a massive sedimentary lithium deposit, which contains an indicated resource of 14.6 million tonnes grading 1940 parts per million for 150,900 tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent. Adding to the inventory, the deposit also holds 17.9Mt in the inferred category for a further 169,900t lithium carbonate equivalent. Whether Arizona’s share price run is on the back of its lithium or simply a piece of good, old-fashioned nearology is anyone’s guess. Until the reason behind the move becomes public knowledge, harsher critics might suggest everyone is getting on board because… everyone is getting on board. For now, the party is in full swing and the champagne corks are flying. Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: *****@*****.tld Source link #ASX #Runners #Week #XPON #Locksley #DY6 #Metals #Arizona Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Intel Arrow Lake processors bottleneck PCIe 5.0 NVMe SSDs by 16%, limiting peak speeds to 12GB/s instead of 14GB/s Intel Arrow Lake processors bottleneck PCIe 5.0 NVMe SSDs by 16%, limiting peak speeds to 12GB/s instead of 14GB/s When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: Tom’s Hardware Latency issues surrounding Intel’s Core 200S series CPUs affect M.2 storage ports on LGA 1851 motherboards, leading to reduced performance. The SSD review reports that Arrow Lake CPUs have a bottleneck on the PCIe lanes dedicated to motherboard M.2 slots, causing a (roughly) 2GB/s bandwidth reduction compared to previous-gen motherboards when using the fastest and Best SSDs available. The storage-focused review outlet initially discovered the flaw during testing when a 14GB/s-capable PCIe 5.0 SSD only achieved 12GB/s in an Arrow-Lake-based test rig. After reaching out to board makers and Intel, it was found that the issue is Arrow Lake-specific. The review outlet has been unable to confirm any Z890 motherboards operating PCIe 5.0 SSDs at speeds beyond 14GB/s, whereas previous-gen Z790 boards have no problem hitting the maximum speeds. The review outlet demonstrated the aforementioned issues with a Samsung 9100 Pro and Micron 4600 SSD paired to two systems running a Z890 (Arrow Lake) and a Z790 (Raptor Lake) motherboard. With the Z890 motherboard, the Samsung and Micron SSDs peaked at 12.3GB/s in the board’s primary and secondary M.2 slots. Both SSDs reached speeds of up to 14.3GB/s on the Z790 motherboard. Furthermore, the review outlet tested both SSDs on an Asus Hyper M.2 add-in PCIe card and found both drives could achieve 14.3GB/s as well, confirming the issue only affects bandwidth on the physical M.2 slots on Z890 motherboards. Although sequential read/write performance improved, random performance remained behind the levels observed on older Z790 motherboards, indicating the latency issue persists even when bypassing the M.2 slot. Further analysis confirmed that such performance limitations were not isolated to any specific motherboard maker. Asus and ASRock replicated the results independently and explained that the issue originates from the latency introduced by the I/O Extender component in Intel’s new multi-chip processor layout. This bizarre performance issue is allegedly a problem with Intel’s interconnect on its latest Arrow Lake-based processors, resulting in unusual latency behavior among the chip’s PCIe lanes. Intel’s Core Ultra 200S-series processors for desktops feature 24 PCIe lanes: 16 PCIe 5.0 lanes for add-in graphics cards, four PCIe 5.0 lanes for SSD, and four PCIe 4.0 lanes for SSD. The first 16 PCIe lanes are controlled directly by the SoC tile of Intel’s Arrow Lake-S CPUs. However, PCIe lanes 21 through 24 are routed through the I/O Extender tile, which adds latency and lowers peak bandwidth. “Intel can confirm that the PCIe lanes 21 to 24 PCI Gen5 root port on Intel Core Ultra 200S series processors may exhibit increased latencies compared to the PCIe lanes 1 to 16 Gen5 root ports, owing to a longer die-to-die data path,” a statement by Intel published by SSDReview reads. “However, any variations are contingent upon the specific workload and the capabilities of the PCIe endpoint device.” This is now the second major performance-related issue affecting Arrow Lake processors. Intel’s transition from a monolithic die design to a chiplet-style architecture with Arrow Lake has been widely known to affect gaming performance compared to previous generations of Intel processors. For instance, we’ve found that Intel’s previous generation Core i9-13900K and i9-14900K flagships are significantly faster than the Core Ultra 9 285K gaming workload on average (based on our review of the Core Ultra 9 chip). Intel has provided a firmware update(s) since our review to help alleviate gaming performance, but even with these updates, the chips still struggle to compete against previous-gen Raptor Lake predecessors in gaming scenarios. Now that NVMe-based storage drives are having similar issues, it appears Intel’s firmware development team has more work to do to rectify Arrow Lake’s performance regressions, primarily caused by the architecture’s switch to a chiplet-style design. It doesn’t appear that Intel can fix these issues with firmware, so we’ll likely have to wait for Intel’s next-generation parts before these issues get fixed. 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 #Intel #Arrow #Lake #processors #bottleneck #PCIe #NVMe #SSDs #limiting #peak #speeds #12GBs #14GBs Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

NBA playoffs: Anthony Edwards returns against Warriors after going down with ankle sprain in Game 2 – Yahoo Sports NBA playoffs: Anthony Edwards returns against Warriors after going down with ankle sprain in Game 2 – Yahoo Sports NBA playoffs: Anthony Edwards returns against Warriors after going down with ankle sprain in Game 2 Yahoo SportsView Full Coverage on Google News Source link #NBA #playoffs #Anthony #Edwards #returns #Warriors #ankle #sprain #Game #Yahoo #Sports Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

West *********** first-round pick Cody Angove to debut for GWS Giants in clash with Geelong Cats West *********** first-round pick Cody Angove to debut for GWS Giants in clash with Geelong Cats Another day, another West *********** debutant! Cody Angove will play his first game for Greater Western Sydney against Geelong on Sunday, the fourth WA draftee to earn an AFL debut already this season. The Giants confirmed the exciting news on Friday, with fellow WA product Stephen Coniglio making the announcement. Coniglio lined up the first-year players at training and asked each to take a set shot, with Angove the last in line. When his turn came, the former captain declared: “If you can kick it, you’re going to play your first game this week.” The 18-year-old slotted the high-pressure goal and was swarmed by teammates. “Code’s since your first day in the club, you’ve looked like an AFL player,” Coniglio said. “You’ve done more than enough work to deserve your opportunity, just go and enjoy it, mate.” Angove was an unexpected first-round pick in last year’s draft, taken with pick 24. He revealed to The West *********** at the time that he had “cried for 10-15 minutes” after hearing his name called out. “It was probably the most unexpected thing that’s ever happened to me in my life,” Angove said back in November. “I didn’t even have my mum here because I didn’t think (I would go). I watched it, not for me, but to watch my friends go. To watch Bo (Allan) and hopefully Hamish (Davis). “It was unbelievable. I think I cried for 10-15 minutes. Just absolute shock, excitement and joy. Just so many emotions.” Since arriving in New South Wales, the former forward has impressed as a dashing winger with his mix of speed and endurance, including in the club’s pre-season practice match. Camera IconClaremont player Cody Angove was picked up by GWS in the first round on AFL draft night. Credit: Kelsey Reid/The West *********** Angove has pushed hard for an AFL debut since and finally earned his opportunity following a brilliant 18-disposal, three-goal performance in the VFL last week, as well as injuries to WA duo Darcy Jones (knee) and Toby Bedford (eye). Jones is expected to be a test for the club’s clash with Fremantle next week. Angove’s inclusion means half of the state’s eight players taken in the national draft last year have earned a senior call-up, following Hamish Davis (West Coast), Bo Allan (West Coast) and Hugh Boxshall (St Kilda). Small forward Will Hayes (Collingwood) continues to push his case for a debut in a stacked Pies line-up, named as an emergency in the win over the Dockers on Thursday night. Source link #West #*********** #firstround #pick #Cody #Angove #debut #GWS #Giants #clash #Geelong #Cats Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Right-Wing Pundit Torches Donald Trump’s U.K. Deal With 1 Brutal Word Right-Wing Pundit Torches Donald Trump’s U.K. Deal With 1 Brutal Word Conservative radio host and pundit Erick Erickson slammed President Donald Trump’s newly-announced trade agreement with the United Kingdom as “shitty.” “It’s actually a pretty shitty deal” for Americans, he wrote on social media. Trump on Thursday hailed the accord ― that’s been condemned by many top economists and which will, in effect, triple taxes that Americans pay on imports from the U.K. ― and said it was “a full and comprehensive one that will cement the relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom for many years to come.” But Erickson vehemently disagreed. “First, they told us the 10% tariff was just a baseline for negotiations to get to free trade deals,” he wrote on X, the Elon Musk-owned platform formerly known as Twitter. “Now we’re being told the 10% tariff is for keeps. That’s just a tax on the American people,” he added. In a later post, Erickson said the “dirty little secret” is that “many of the suddenly loud pro-tariff voices don’t like them, but want to be seen as team members and are mad at the rest of us for not joining them in lying.” Erickson also shared conservative economist Joel Griffith’s rebuking of the deal. Griffith suggested on X: “Tripling our tariffs to 10% on *** imports is hardly a win for the American people— and it’s hardly reciprocal, at > 5x the ***’s level.” “This so-called trade deal is a multi-billion $ tax hike. And nationalizing (socializing) British Steel at Trump’s behest is hardly free market,” he added. Related… Source link #RightWing #Pundit #Torches #Donald #Trumps #U.K #Deal #Brutal #Word Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Europe stocks set to as investors look ahead to U.S.-China trade talks Europe stocks set to as investors look ahead to U.S.-China trade talks European stock market futures point to a positive start after the U.K. and U.S. confirmed a trade agreement, and investors look ahead to the U.S.-China trade negotiations set to begin this weekend. The pan-European Stoxx Europe 600 index is expected to open higher by 0.3%, according to futures data from FactSet. The U.K.’s FTSE 100 is also set to rise by 0.3%, while Germany’s DAX and France’s CAC 40 may open higher by 0.2%. Investors will be digesting earnings updates from ******* lender Commerzbank and Italy’s Mediobanca, both acquisition targets for UniCredit. Portugal’s utility company EDP is also revealing its quarterly results after a major power outage earlier this month. On Thursday, most major European indexes closed higher. However, the U.K.’s FTSE 100 bucked the trend to tumble 0.32% after snapping its record winning streak on Wednesday. Asia-Pacific markets were mixed Friday as investors parsed China’s April trade data. China’s exports surged in April even as businesses bore the brunt of U.S. tariffs that kicked into higher gear last month, while imports narrowed declines as Beijing stepped up stimulus. On Wall Street, futures tied to the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 52 points, or 0.1%. Nasdaq 100 futures slipped 0.08%, while S&P 500 futures were off about 0.1%. Source link #Europe #stocks #set #investors #ahead #U.S.China #trade #talks Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

First Afrikaners granted refugee status due to arrive in U.S. – NPR First Afrikaners granted refugee status due to arrive in U.S. – NPR First Afrikaners granted refugee status due to arrive in U.S. NPRTrump Officials Seek to Bring First White Afrikaner Refugees to U.S. Next Week The New York TimesTrump officials seek to bring first white South African refugees to US next week, NYT reports ReutersTrump Taps Refugee Fund To Welcome White South Africans Within Days The LeverAmid Near-Total Asylum Ban, Trump Welcomes White South Africans Truthout Source link #Afrikaners #granted #refugee #status #due #arrive #U.S #NPR Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘Allahu Akbar, Takbir’: Teen terror suspect’s cries before being shot dead by police, moments after murdering elderly couple ‘Allahu Akbar, Takbir’: Teen terror suspect’s cries before being shot dead by police, moments after murdering elderly couple The last words of a teen terror suspect before he was shot dead by police after murdering an elderly couple in their home have been detailed in a coroner’s findings. Source link #Allahu #Akbar #Takbir #Teen #terror #suspects #cries #shot #dead #police #moments #murdering #elderly #couple Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘Deeply Concerning’ Hard Drive Belonging to Madeleine McCann Abduction Suspect Suggests She’s Dead: Report ‘Deeply Concerning’ Hard Drive Belonging to Madeleine McCann Abduction Suspect Suggests She’s Dead: Report Madeleine McCann vanished in 2007 at the age of 3 Christian Brueckner, a convicted *******, has long been the primary suspect A 2016 search of Brueckner’s home includes a hard drive that indicates Madeleine is dead, say police A hard drive police discovered at Christian Brueckner’s home allegedly includes evidence police say indicates that Madeleine McCann is dead, according to an investigative report by a British newspaper set to air on Channel 4 in the *** this week. The Sun reported this week that its investigative update is set to air on the network on Wednesday, May 7, which includes new information about a hard drive that contains photographs authorities believe indicates that Madeleine, who went missing in 2007, is dead. According to the newspaper, authorities searched the property in 2016. PEOPLE recently looked back at the 2007 abduction and ******* case surrounding the missing 3-year-old British girl. No one has ever been charged in her disappearance, though ******* authorities have said Brueckner, 48, the primary suspect. Madeleine, who would’ve turned 22 next week, is believed to have been taken from her family’s vacation apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal, on May 3, 2007. Madeleine, who was just days shy of celebrating her 4th birthday at the time of her disappearance, had been left alone at the family’s vacation apartment with her twin 2-year-old siblings while their parents Kate and Gerry McCann dined at a nearby restaurant. The McCanns were initially considered suspects in their daughter’s disappearance after forensic tests revealed traces of Madeleine’s blood in a car they rented 25 days after her disappearance. However, more than a decade later, police zeroed in on Brueckner and named him a primary suspect in the case. ******* authorities previously said they have evidence that connects Brueckner, a convicted *******, to McCann’s *******. Brueckner is currently serving a sentence for a ***** conviction. Braunschweig Public Prosecutor’s Office prosecutor Hans Christian Wolters, who was leading the investigation into Brueckner, said during a 2020 CNN interview that authorities “actually have findings that suggest that he is Madeleine McCann’s *********.” However, Wolters lamented that investigators had “insufficient evidence to convict” Brueckner of McCann’s kidnapping and *******. By 2022, ******* and Portuguese authorities announced they had an “official” suspect but did not clarify whether it was Brueckner. Related: Where Is Madeleine McCann’s Suspected Killer Now? What to Know About Christian Brueckner’s Life as He Serves Time for a Different Crime Metropolitan Police/AFP/Getty Madeleine McCann Now, the new Sun investigative report says that authorities have continued searching Brueckner’s property for clues, discovering his deceased dog, and a wallet containing six USB sticks and two memory cards buried underneath the animal. One hard drive was described by police as “deeply concerning,” according to the Times of London. ******* police allegedly told The Sun that during the search, they found more clues — including writings by Brueckner describing the kidnapping of young children. Police also said they discovered photographs depicting child abuse, along with more than 75 children’s swimsuits and toys. Related: 17 Years After Madeleine McCann’s Disappearance, Questions Remain Unanswered: 5 Things to Know Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE’s free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. Brueckner has a history of ******* abuse, including against children, PEOPLE previously reported. The ******* national had first been charged with committing ******* offenses against children in 1993 and was later extradited from Portugal to Germany in 2017, where he spent 17 months in prison for ********* abusing a child. He later was sentenced to seven years in prison for raping a 72-year-old woman in 2005. He is expected to be released from prison in September 2025. If you or someone you know has been ********* assaulted, please contact the National ******* Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org. Read the original article on People Source link #Deeply #Hard #Drive #Belonging #Madeleine #McCann #Abduction #Suspect #Suggests #Shes #Dead #Report Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Live Updates: Leo XIV to Celebrate First Mass as Pope Live Updates: Leo XIV to Celebrate First Mass as Pope Robert Francis Prevost, the Chicago-born cardinal selected on Thursday as the new pope, is descended from Creole people of color from New Orleans. The pope’s maternal grandparents, both of whom are described as ****** or ******** in various historical records, lived in the city’s Seventh Ward, an area that is traditionally Catholic and a melting pot of people with African, Caribbean and European roots. The grandparents, Joseph Martinez and Louise Baquié, eventually moved to Chicago in the early 20th century and had a daughter: Mildred Martinez, the pope’s mother. The discovery means that Leo XIV, as the pope will be known, is not only breaking ground as the first U.S.-born pontiff. He also comes from a family that reflects the many threads that make up the complicated and rich fabric of the American story. The pope’s background was unearthed Thursday by a New Orleans genealogist, Jari C. Honora, and confirmed to The New York Times by the pope’s older brother, John Prevost, 71, who lives in the Chicago suburbs. “This discovery is just an additional reminder of how interwoven we are as Americans,” Mr. Honora said in a text message late Thursday. “I hope that it will highlight the long history of ****** Catholics, both free and enslaved, in this country, which includes the Holy Father’s family.” It’s unclear whether the new pope has ever addressed his Creole ancestry in public, and his brother said that the family did not identify as ******. The announcement of his election in Rome focused on his early life in Chicago and decades of service in Peru. Mr. Honora, who works at the Historic New Orleans Collection, a museum in the French Quarter, began investigating the pope’s background because of his French-sounding name, Prevost, but quickly found connections to the South instead. His trail of evidence linking Leo to New Orleans includes the grandparents’ marriage certificate from their Seventh Ward wedding in 1887, a photo of the Martinez family grave marker in Chicago, and an electronic birth record of Mildred Martinez that shows she was born in Chicago in 1912. The birth record lists Joseph Martinez and “Louis Baquiex” as Mildred’s parents. The father’s birthplace is listed as the Dominican Republic; the mother’s, New Orleans. Mr. Honora also found records from the 1900 Census that list Mr. Martinez as “******,” his place of birth as “Hayti,” and his occupation as “cigar maker.” Mr. Martinez’s details appear on the sixth line of a page of the census that Mr. Honora shared with The Times. “Both Joseph Norval Martinez and Louise Baquié were people of color, no doubt about it,” Mr. Honora said. Joseph Martinez’s exact place of birth remains a bit of a mystery — Mr. Honora also found an 1870 Census record that says the pope’s maternal grandfather was born in Louisiana. But he said it was not uncommon for people to change their responses on officials records. Joseph Martinez and Louise Baquié married at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in New Orleans. Until it was destroyed by a hurricane in 1915, the church building was on Annette Street in the city’s Seventh Ward, a historic center of Afro-Creole culture. Creoles, also known as “Creole people of color,” have a history almost as old as Louisiana. While the word Creole can refer to people of European descent who were born in the Americas, it commonly describes mixed-race people of color. Many Louisiana Creoles were known in the 18th and 19th centuries as “gens de couleur libres,” or free people of color. Many were well educated, French-speaking and Roman Catholic. Over the decades, they established a foothold in business, the building trades and the arts, particularly music, with significant contributions to the development of jazz. They continue to be an important strand in the city’s famously heterogeneous culture. The revelation of the new pope’s heritage is a tremendous moment for the history of Louisiana Creoles, said Lolita Villavasso Cherrie, a co-founder with Mr. Honora of The Creole Genealogical and Historical Association. “I hate to say it, but we feel, many of us, that our history was hidden from us,” said Ms. Villavasso Cherrie, 79, a retired teacher. In part, she said, that’s because many Creoles have been able to “pass” as white over the years. It was only with the advent of the internet, she said, that many people began to research their family history and became aware of their Creole roots. She noted that a significant number of Louisiana Creoles migrated to the Chicago area in the 20th century. John Prevost, the pope’s brother, said that their paternal grandparents were from France, and that his father had been born in the United States. He said he and his brothers didn’t discuss their Creole roots. “It was never an issue,” John Prevost said. What all of this means, when it comes to the pope’s racial identity, touches on some of the thorniest questions in U.S. society, but also reflects the rich diversity of the American experience. “We are all just a few degrees (or less than a few degrees) removed from each other,” said Mr. Honora, the genealogist. Julie Bosman contributed reporting from Chicago. Susan C. Beachy contributed research. Source link #Live #Updates #Leo #XIV #Celebrate #Mass #Pope Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Peru celebrates celebrates Pope Leo XIV as one of their own – BBC Peru celebrates celebrates Pope Leo XIV as one of their own – BBC Peru celebrates celebrates Pope Leo XIV as one of their own BBCMay 8, 2025 Leo XIV elected as first American pope CNNUnearthed comments from new pope alarm LGBTQ+ Catholics The GuardianWho is Robert Prevost, the new Pope Leo XIV and first American pope? BBCFrom Chicago’s south suburbs to helping choose the next pope Chicago Sun-Times Source link #Peru #celebrates #celebrates #Pope #Leo #XIV #BBC Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Vivo’s X Fold 5 Specifications Leaked; Said to Get 6,000mAh Battery, Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC Vivo’s X Fold 5 Specifications Leaked; Said to Get 6,000mAh Battery, Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC Vivo introduced the X Fold 3 in March last year, and the brand now appears to be preparing its successor. Contrary to expectations, the next model will reportedly be called Vivo X Fold 5. As per a report, the company may skip the Vivo X Fold 4 moniker due to tetraphobia—the cultural avoidance of the number four. The purported Vivo X Fold 5 is tipped to feature an 8.03-inch internal screen, like the existing model. It is said to run on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset and could carry a 6,000mAh battery. Vivo X Fold 5 Specifications (Expected) XpertPick, in collaboration with tipster Yogesh Brar (@heyitsyogesh), has leaked details about Vivo’s next foldable smartphone. The Vivo X Fold 3 successor will reportedly be called Vivo X Fold 5. The leak suggests an internal 8.03-inch foldable AMOLED screen with 2K+ resolution and 120Hz refresh rate for the phone. On the outside, the phone is said to feature a 6.53-inch LTPO OLED display with 120Hz refresh rate, The Vivo X Fold 5 is said to be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset paired with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. For reference, last year’s Vivo X Fold 3 Pro has the same chipset, whereas the Vivo X Fold 3 runs on Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC. For optics, the Vivo X Fold 5 is said to boast a triple rear camera unit comprising a 50-megapixel Sony IMX921 primary sensor, a 50-megapixel ultra-wide lens with autofocus, and a 50-megapixel Sony IMX882 periscope telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. It is tipped to include two 32-megapixel sensors on the inner and outer screens for selfies and video chats. The rumoured Vivo X Fold 5 will reportedly feature a side-mounted fingerprint scanner and a three-stage Alert Slider. It could offer some AI-driven features and an IP rating, though the exact rating is unknown at this moment. The Vivo X Fold 5 is expected to house a 6,000mAh battery with support for 90W wired and 30W wireless charging. This could position it as the foldable phone with the highest battery capacity currently available. Vivo has packed a 5,500mAh battery on the X Fold 3 with support for 80W wired charging. The Vivo X Fold 5 could measure 4.3mm in unfolded form and 9.33mm when folded. Source link #Vivos #Fold #Specifications #Leaked #6000mAh #Battery #Snapdragon #Gen #SoC Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Truist Championship: Rory McIlroy five shots off leader Keith Mitchell in Philadelphia Truist Championship: Rory McIlroy five shots off leader Keith Mitchell in Philadelphia Rory McIlroy admitted he felt “a little rusty” after he began his warm-up for next week’s US PGA Championship by finishing five shots behind round one leader Keith Mitchell at the Truist Championship in Philadelphia. McIlroy – last year’s winner and a four-time champion at the event – recorded six birdies and two bogeys to card a four-under-par 66 at the Wissahickon Golf Course. The 36-year-old, who completed a career Grand Slam with his thrilling win over Justin Rose at last month’s Masters, ended the day tied in 25th alongside nine other players. “I was a little rusty out there, just hadn’t played in a week and I hadn’t really done a ton of practice,” said McIlroy. “I drove the ball pretty well. I certainly can tidy a few things up, but overall a decent day.” All four of McIlroy’s victories in this event, formerly known as Wells Fargo, were won at Quail Hollow, which hosts next week’s US PGA. McIlroy said this week he has “nothing but positive vibes” as he approaches the second major of the year, having ended his long wait for a first title at Augusta National, and fifth major overall. He finished tied 12th at last month’s Zurich Classic in his first outing since the Masters. American Mitchell tops the leaderboard having posted a nine-under-par 61 – one stroke ahead of compatriot Denny McCarthy. Mitchell parred the first five holes but got better as the day wore on with a run of four straight birdies coming towards the end of his round. Ireland’s Shane Lowry is at six under, while Aaron Rai of England is at five under par. Source link #Truist #Championship #Rory #McIlroy #shots #leader #Keith #Mitchell #Philadelphia Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Greens relish powerful position despite losing leader Greens relish powerful position despite losing leader The Greens are pondering who will take the reins of the minor party after losing their leader at the election, but will hold a powerful position in the Senate. Source link #Greens #relish #powerful #position #losing #leader Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

2025 Toyota Yaris price and specs 2025 Toyota Yaris price and specs The Toyota Yaris has received some minor updates for 2025, focused largely on safety technology. This has coincided with price increases of between $60 and $490. All Yaris variants now feature a low-speed acoustic vehicle alert system to warn other road users of their presence when they are running in electric mode. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Camera IconYaris ZR Credit: CarExpert With its introduction to the base Ascent Sport, all Yaris variants now feature Toyota’s parking support brake function, which applies the brakes if the system detects a crossing vehicle, object or pedestrian while you’re reversing. Front and rear parking sensors are also standard across the range. But not all the specification changes relate to safety technology. The mid-range SX, for example, upgrades from 15-inch alloy wheels to the same 16-inch alloys as seen on the flagship ZR. Finally, all Yaris variants now use R1234yf refrigerant for their air-conditioning systems. The Yaris is the slowest-selling vehicle in its VFACTS segment (mainstream light passenger cars), which is quite an anomaly for a Toyota. There are a couple of caveats, however. Camera IconSupplied Credit: CarExpert Its VFACTS segment contains just four models – the others being the Suzuki Swift, Mazda 2 and MG 3 – with lower-volume vehicles like the Skoda Fabia and Volkswagen Polo sitting in a separate Light Cars over $30,000 segment. To the end of April, Toyota has delivered 980 Yaris hatchbacks this year, including the high-performance three-door GR Yaris hot hatch. The related Yaris Cross light SUV, which has received a similar round of updates, sells in much greater volumes. Toyota has delivered 3849 examples thus far this year. PricingDrivetrains and Efficiency Toyota Australia axed petrol-only versions of the Yaris in 2024, leaving its smallest hatchback as a hybrid-only proposition. Camera IconSupplied Credit: CarExpertDimensionsCamera IconSupplied Credit: CarExpertServicing and Warranty The Toyota Yaris is backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. Toyota offers capped-price servicing for the first five years or 75,000km, whichever comes first. Servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000km, with each visit costing $250. Safety The Toyota Yaris has a five-star safety rating from ANCAP, based on testing conducted in 2020. Camera IconSupplied Credit: CarExpert The following safety equipment is standard across the range: Autonomous emergency brakingAdaptive cruise controlFront and rear parking support brakeLane trace assistSpeed sign recognitionReversing cameraFront and rear parking sensors8 x airbags The ZR gains: Blind-spot monitoringRear cross-traffic alertSafe exit assistStandard Equipment There are three members of the Yaris range. Camera IconZR Credit: CarExpertCamera IconSupplied Credit: CarExpertCamera IconSupplied Credit: CarExpertCamera IconSupplied Credit: CarExpert The base Ascent Sport comes standard with the following equipment: 15-inch steel wheels in 185/60R15 tyresSpace-saver spareHalogen *********** with LED daytime running lightsAutomatic high-beamCloth upholstery60/40 split/fold rear seatsUrethane steering wheelTilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment4.2-inch instrument cluster screen8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment systemWireless Apple CarPlay and Android AutoDAB+ digital radioSix-speaker sound system2 x USB-C outletsClimate controlKeyless entry and start The SX adds: 16-inch alloy wheels in 185/55R16 tyres (NEW)LED *********** and tail lightsRear privacy glassEmbedded, cloud-based satellite navigation7.0-inch digital instrument clusterSatin silver interior trimSoft-touch instrument panelLeather-accented steering wheel and shifter The ZR adds: Rear spoilerDark chrome grilleBlack mirror capsHead-up displayFront sports seatsFront centre console box with lightPiano ****** trimRed dash and door inserts All grades feature a one-year complimentary Toyota Connected Services subscription, allowing you to view the vehicle’s status and location via a smartphone app. Also included in this suite are SOS emergency call and automatic collision notification functions. Colours Glacier White is the standard exterior paint finish. Premium paint is a $575 option, with two-tone paint treatments costing $775. The following colours are available: Glacier WhiteFrosted WhiteStunning SilverEbonyAtomic RushCoral RoseBronx BronzeMassive Grey The last three are available with a ****** roof on the ZR. MORE: Everything Toyota Yaris Source link #Toyota #Yaris #price #specs Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Tesla’s India head resigns as company prepares for country launch, Bloomberg News reports Tesla’s India head resigns as company prepares for country launch, Bloomberg News reports (Reuters) -Tesla’s country head for India has resigned after nine years at the company and ahead of the U.S. EV maker’s planned entry into the world’s third-largest car market, Bloomberg News reported on Thursday, citing people familiar with the matter. Tesla’s China teams will oversee the Elon Musk-led firm’s India operations, with no immediate successor named, the report said, citing unnamed sources. Prashanth Menon is also stepping down as the chairman of Tesla India’s board, the report said. Tesla, which has for years planned an India market entry, did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. India is working on a trade deal with the U.S. that includes lower auto tariffs, a potential win for Tesla, which has secured showroom locations to begin selling imported cars in the country this year. The company has posted close to two dozen mid-level jobs in India, including store, service and customer relationship managers, signaling progress in its plans to launch in the country. (Reporting by Mrinmay Dey and Kashish Tandon in Bengaluru; Editing by Nivedita Bhattacharjee and Savio D’Souza) Source link #Teslas #India #resigns #company #prepares #country #launch #Bloomberg #News #reports Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Trump admin moves to oust 1,000 trans people from the military after Supreme Court ruling – Axios Trump admin moves to oust 1,000 trans people from the military after Supreme Court ruling – Axios Trump admin moves to oust 1,000 trans people from the military after Supreme Court ruling AxiosUS to begin immediate removal of up to 1,000 trans military members The GuardianUp to 1,000 transgender troops are being moved out of the military in new Pentagon order NBC NewsStatement by Chief Pentagon Spokesman and Senior Advisor, Sean Parnell, on Implementing Po U.S. Department of Defense (.gov)Exclusive: US military to start kicking out transgender troops next month, memo says Reuters Source link #Trump #admin #moves #oust #trans #people #military #Supreme #Court #ruling #Axios Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Two-strikes rule to slam brakes on dodgy taxi drivers Two-strikes rule to slam brakes on dodgy taxi drivers Taxi drivers could lose their accreditation if caught repeatedly gouging and mistreating passengers under a state government crackdown. Source link #Twostrikes #rule #slam #brakes #dodgy #taxi #drivers Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

He was ready to pay $750,000 for his new house. Then the appraisal came in. He was ready to pay $750,000 for his new house. Then the appraisal came in. During the pandemic, it was more common for home buyers to skip the appraisal contingency. In March, the National Association of Realtors saw a fall in the share of buyers skipping an appraisal contingency to 19% from 24% the previous month. – Getty Images/iStock Patrick Haley never thought he would be arguing to pay more for a house than it was supposedly worth. Haley, who works in home-construction technology, was in the process of relocating from Texas to North Carolina a few weeks ago when he found his dream home in Charlotte. The $750,000, four-bedroom home spanned 2,700 square feet and backed into a state park. Haley wanted to be close to family, so he didn’t mind the steep price tag, part of which would be covered with proceeds from the ***** of a previous home he had sold in San Antonio. What he did mind was the appraisal gap. The property appraiser, sent by the lender he was working with, had determined the market value of the home he wanted to buy was just $698,000 — $52,000 less than what he had agreed to pay the seller. That wouldn’t work for Haley. Lenders need to know the value of a home as a safeguard to ensure that they don’t overextend loans for more than they are worth. And with the appraised value being lower than the asking price, that left Haley with a gap. He could only take out a mortgage for $698,000, and as the asking price was $52,000 more, he would need to pay the remainder out of his own pocket. “I also disagreed with that appraisal,” Haley told MarketWatch. The property’s proximity to a state park made it unique. Not many properties like that came up for ***** often, he said, so there were no comparable sales on which to base the home’s value. Haley’s experience shows how tricky the home-appraisal process can be at a time when home sales have stalled, partially due to a lack of homes on the market. At the same time, since the market has become less competitive, more buyers are finding they have more time to spend on the appraisal process to make sure they are getting a fair price. In March, the National Association of Realtors saw a fall in the share of buyers skipping an appraisal contingency to 19% from 24% the previous month. An appraisal contingency is a clause that allows the buyer to back out of a deal if the property is appraised at less than the price they agreed to pay the seller. In other words, it’s a way for buyers to avoid overpaying for a house. During the pandemic, it was more common for buyers to skip the appraisal contingency to expedite the process of buying a home. But in general, waiving the appraisal contingency is not a good idea, real-estate experts told MarketWatch. “For cash buyers, it is the buyer’s decision,” Lawrence Yun, chief economist at the NAR, told MarketWatch. Nevertheless, an appraisal contingency is “generally advisable unless the property is clearly considered underpriced or multiple offers are expected.” In most cases, such as Haley’s, the lenders require an appraisal before they can originate a loan. “Most appraisals are at the lender’s request to ensure the loan amount given is not too much,” Yun said. They will require the buyer to pay the cost of the appraisal, which can be between $300 and $500, according to an analysis by LendingTree TREE, a comparison-shopping site. An appraiser looks at various aspects of a home to gauge its value. These can include the condition the home is in, the square footage and recent home sales in the neighborhood. Appraisals can be a sensitive process for sellers to navigate. Homeowners who are selling have particularly strong feelings about appraisals that come in lower than they expect. “Homeowners are very often very emotional, and what they think moves the needle doesn’t move the needle at all,” Megan Judd, an Orlando, Fla.-based home appraiser and owner of Metropolis Appraisal Services, told MarketWatch. Judd, who’s been appraising homes for over 30 years, says the length of time an appraisal takes depends on the property. If she’s evaluating a home that is newly constructed and fairly straightforward, such as a tract home, she would take an hour to do research before she gets to the house, 45 minutes to look through it, 45 minutes to drive around the neighborhood and take photos of comparable properties, and then three to four hours to type the appraisal report out. “And that’s a very simple one,” Judd said. “I tend to spend a workday and a half, maybe 10 to 12 hours on a complex property — such as if it’s a lakefront property … or anything out of the ordinary.” The appraisal gap is slightly more common among small homes. Roughly 9% of homes in the closing process were appraised below the contract-sales price, according to a report by Cotality that looked at home sales in June 2024, the latest month for which data were available. Nearly a tenth of starter homes were appraised below the contract-***** price, the report said, versus 7.1% of more expensive homes. The fact that the appraisal gap is higher among starter homes could reflect “a higher risk of overpayment by inexperienced first-time home buyers,” the company said. Back in North Carolina, the homeowners who were selling their home to Haley were also facing the possibility of their home being undervalued. Haley, who was a repeat buyer, was not pleased with the number the appraiser came up with, and didn’t think they had done a very thorough job. The person from the appraisal company “never set foot in the home,” Haley said, and didn’t stray farther than 20 feet from where their car was parked outside. He theoretically had two choices at this point: Either walk away from the home and start looking for another, or get another lender and hope for the home to be appraised at a higher price. But giving up wasn’t in the cards. Haley needed the appraisal to get the mortgage. He wasn’t in a rush, since the home was being sold off-market by the owners, whom he knew through a family member. He was told to try a different lender, so he went to a local one. After Haley switched from a national mortgage lender to a local lender that did its own appraisal, the difference was day and night. “Everyone wants my business, so they probably told me what I wanted to hear,” he said, “but at the same time, they were really helpful” in terms of explaining what they said was their different approach to valuing homes like the one he sought to buy. One way in which this new appraisal differed: The appraiser sent by the local lender looked at homes sold in the neighborhood over a longer ******* of time since there were few comparable transactions in recent years, rather than looking at homes sold recently in the surrounding areas, some of which were pretty far away. “I don’t think a home in that neighborhood has sold for the last five years,” Haley said, “so there was no direct comparison.” The lender ended up appraising Haley’s dream home for $785,000 — $100,000 more than what the national lender had estimated — which meant he could get a conventional mortgage to cover the price of the home. Haley is currently under contract for the property. “We were able to come up with what I thought was a more just appraisal,” Haley said. What personal-finance issues would you like to see covered in MarketWatch? We would like to hear from readers about their financial decisions and money-related questions. You can fill out or write to us at . A reporter may be in touch to learn more. MarketWatch will not attribute your answers to you by name without your permission. Source link #ready #pay #house #appraisal Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Trump fires Librarian of Congress – The Hill Trump fires Librarian of Congress – The Hill Trump fires Librarian of Congress The HillLibrarian of Congress Carla Hayden is fired by Trump PoliticoTrump Administration Fires Librarian of Congress The New York TimesPresident Trump fires Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden NPRTrump fires head of the Library of Congress, Carla Hayden USA Today Source link #Trump #fires #Librarian #Congress #Hill Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Western Force legend Matt Hodgson welcomes arrival of Perth Bears but says they need to embrace local market Western Force legend Matt Hodgson welcomes arrival of Perth Bears but says they need to embrace local market Western Force legend Matt Hodgson says Perth Bears’ success in the local market will partly depend on their ability to embrace the ‘WA way’. Source link #Western #Force #legend #Matt #Hodgson #welcomes #arrival #Perth #Bears #embrace #local #market Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Does the Switch 2 have a weak launch line-up? Does the Switch 2 have a weak launch line-up? The launch titles for the Switch 2 were recently announced, including those that will be available from Day 1 on the console. The Switch 2’s launch line-up features a mix of brand-new titles exclusive to the Switch 2 and re-releases of popular titles from the Xbox Series X|S and PS5. With the Switch 2 launching on June 5, in just under a month’s time, what titles have been confirmed to be available at release, and what titles will you need to wait a little longer for? The following titles have been confirmed to be available at launch on the Switch 2: Mario Kart World (NEW) Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour (NEW) Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition (Re-Release) Split Fiction (Re-Release) The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Switch 2 Edition) (Re-Release) The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (Switch 2 Edition) (Re-Release) Hitman World of Assassination Signature Edition (Re-Release) Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster (NEW) Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut (NEW) Deltarune Chapters 1, 2, 3, and 4 (Re-Release) SONIC X SHADOW GENERATIONS (Re-Release) Fortnite (Re-Release) Civilization VII (Re-Release) Survival Kids (NEW) Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess (Re-Release) Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S (Re-Release) Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma (NEW) Fast Fusion (NEW) Nobunaga’s Ambition: Awakening Complete Edition (NEW) Street Fighter 6 Standard Edition (Re-Release) Street Fighter 6 Years 1-2 Fighter Edition (Re-Release) Arcade Archives 2 RIDGE RACER (Re-Release) Hogwarts Legacy (Re-Release) In addition to this launch line-up, games on the Nintendo eShop are reportedly fully backward compatible, however only a very small number have been confirmed to have been tested beyond the capability to launch. This in theory adds up to 10,000 games available to Switch 2 on launch, however it remains to be seen just how viable this will be. The Switch 2 is already a bit of a hard-sell at its current price tag, does this line up do enough to seal the deal? For me, no. The only real console-seller here is Mario Kart World and it’s not really done enough by itself to convince me it’s worth getting on the Switch 2 ecosystem so early in — I am more interested in Donkey Kong, but that releases 2 weeks after launch. There’s also nothing on the re-release side that is strong enough to draw me in either. Overall, I think it’s a rather weak line-up. What Smash Jump thinks I asked some of the Smash Jump team to give me their thoughts on the Switch 2 line-up: As someone who grew up with Nintendo but as of right now is only a fan in some of their franchises, the launch releases just aren’t as exciting to me. The only new game exclusive they have that is of interest to me right now is the Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut and that is only a limited exclusive, so I would rather wait it out then splurge on a new console for it. I’ll probably be holding off on Switch 2 until either Fire Emblem, Pokémon, or Zelda games are released exclusively to the console. The upgrade packs aren’t enough for me personally. I am picking up a Switch 2. While Mario Kart World looks great, Breath of the Wild is what I am excited to play. I originally played it on launch, but the performance upgrade to me is how I want to experience it. I love smooth frame rates and seeing the best Zelda game receive it was an instant buy for me! The Switch 2 has quite the interesting launch lineup. Of course there’s the big system seller in Mario Kart World, but there’s also a plethora of third-party titles releasing on launch day, including Street Fighter 6, Civ VII, and Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma. On top of all these titles, the Switch 2 will also inherit most of the original Switch’s library, which is a massive advantage for the system compared to most other console launches. While this lineup is heavily reliant on third-party titles, it is far better than what the original Switch had to offer. There’s a lot more games for players to enjoy, and a lot more reasons to buy the Switch 2 at launch compared to its predecessor. I agree with Rowan and Jeremy, although I don’t think it is a weak launch. The Switch 2 has an interesting and varied line-up, but not amazing. Third-party re-releases like Cyberpunk, Hogwarts Legacy, Street Fighter 6, and Split Fiction will test the graphical and performance capabilities of the Switch 2 from Day 1. I am eagerly waiting to see how the Switch 2 hardware will run those. Nonetheless, I won’t be buying the Switch 2 at launch. Mario Kart World will absolutely be a heavy hitter, but it’s not my type of game. A new Animal Crossing, 3D Mario, and Zelda may sway me to get the Switch 2 eventually, although I suspect Nintendo does not want to over-crowd its first few months. Patience will once again be key, and I know Nintendo will pull me back in…eventually. Do you think the Switch 2 has a strong or a weak line-up? What Switch 2 Day 1 games are you most looking forward to? Let us know in the comments and on our social media! Ben Newton Contributor Ben is a big nerd, and has been gaming for as long as he can remember. His earliest memories being of playing DOOM with his Dad in the late 90’s and he has recently been enjoying rediscovering all of the games he couldn’t afford as a kid. His passion for gaming is shared with a passion for writing that he hopes to share by contributing to Smash Jump. Source link #Switch #weak #launch #lineup Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

In-N-Out Burger is about to open 7 new locations. See the list In-N-Out Burger is about to open 7 new locations. See the list The closest In-N-Out to you may be getting even closer. The beloved SoCal-based burger chain is continuing to expand not only its out-of-state footprint but also in the Golden State, too — Southern California included. In-N-Out’s Grand Openings page lists three new soon-to-be-open SoCal locations: Monrovia: 560 West Huntington Drive Sylmar: 13864 Foothill Boulevard A location in Modesto (3401 Oakdale Road) is the fourth In-N-Out set to open soon in California. Out-of-state locations that will open their doors in the near future include Brighton, Colorado; Ridgefield, Washington and Surprise, Arizona. Brighton, CO – 3860 Eagle Blvd. Ridgefield, WA – 5801 Pioneer Canyon Dr No official opening dates for any of the locations were disclosed by In-N-Out. In-N-Out Burger was founded in 1948 by Harry and Esther Snyder in Baldwin Park, California, as the first drive-thru hamburger stand in the state. Known for its simple menu and low prices, the chain expanded slowly across the western U.S. while staying privately owned. After the deaths of the founders and their son Rich Snyder, leadership eventually passed to granddaughter Lynsi Snyder, who now owns the company. The burger chain, which does not franchise its restaurants, currently keeps its operations centered in the west, with most of their locations in California, Arizona and Nevada. In-N-Out’s rapid growth has seen them open locations in Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, Utah and Texas, the latter of which is the furthest east they have expanded to date. But not for long. In-N-Out will also be in New Mexico and Tennessee in the coming years, the company says. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. Source link #InNOut #Burger #open #locations #list Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Timberwolves rout Warriors, without Steph Curry, 117-93 to tie series 1-1: Takeaways – The New York Times Timberwolves rout Warriors, without Steph Curry, 117-93 to tie series 1-1: Takeaways – The New York Times Timberwolves rout Warriors, without Steph Curry, 117-93 to tie series 1-1: Takeaways The New York TimesBest moments from Wolves’ series-evening win over Warriors ESPNLive updates: Julius Randle dropped 24 points as Wolves beat Warriors 117-93 Star TribuneThree best NBA player props, odds for Warriors vs. Timberwolves on Thursday: Use Buddy Hield in 3-pointer bets CBS SportsJonathan Kuminga, Trayce Jackson-Davis Bright Spots in Warriors’ Game 2 Loss to Timberwolves NBA Source link #Timberwolves #rout #Warriors #Steph #Curry #tie #series #Takeaways #York #Times Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Ransberg Pty Ltd fined $580,000 four years after employer’s leg amputated after being crushed by 2000kg gate Ransberg Pty Ltd fined $580,000 four years after employer’s leg amputated after being crushed by 2000kg gate The court was told the employer was emptying a large waste pit in December 2020 when the gate — weighing about two tonnes — came crashing down. Source link #Ransberg #Pty #fined #years #employers #leg #amputated #crushed #2000kg #gate Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]