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The Opener: Greene, Doubleheader, Dodgers, Diamondbacks – MLB Trade Rumors The Opener: Greene, Doubleheader, Dodgers, Diamondbacks – MLB Trade Rumors The Opener: Greene, Doubleheader, Dodgers, Diamondbacks MLB Trade RumorsReds’ Greene hurts groin, exits after 3 innings ESPNReds’ relievers step up as Greene (groin injury) awaits MRI exam MLB.comReds Win a Game, Lose an Ace Yahoo SportsReds suffer another big loss in Atlanta as ace Hunter Greene exits with injury Cincinnati Enquirer Source link #Opener #Greene #Doubleheader #Dodgers #Diamondbacks #MLB #Trade #Rumors Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

RTX 5060 reviews are reportedly in jeopardy — Nvidia allegedly withholding pre-release drivers from reviewers RTX 5060 reviews are reportedly in jeopardy — Nvidia allegedly withholding pre-release drivers from reviewers Reports from multiple independent reviewers and publications suggest that Nvidia is barring access to pre-release drivers for the upcoming budget-oriented RTX 5060. Apparently, Nvidia is dropping drivers for RTX 5060 GPUs with the retail embargo. Igor’s Lab, HardwareLuxx, and Hardware Unboxed have all posted about the issue on their websites or on social media. Without the drivers, proper day-one reviews from tech publications will be impossible, and the drivers will drop as many reviewers travel to Computex in Taipei. Nvidia typically optimized pre-release drivers as part of the review kit. Nvidia typically releases the public-facing enablement drivers for a new GPU on the day of its retail launch. If proper drivers aren’t installed, the system may either fail to detect the GPU or the results obtained from benchmarking the card will be unreliable at best. Nvidia didn’t send RTX 5060 Ti 8GB models to reviewers, leading them to acquire retail units at their own expense. As expected, that GPU struggles at 4K, at 1440p, and even at 1080p in a handful of titles compared to its 16GB sibling. The RTX 5060 and its 8GB may face similar woes, but that’s at least somewhat counteracted by its cheaper price point. It’s conceivable that internal software issues may be causing driver delays, if you want to give Nvidia the benefit of the doubt. Can confirm! For us this has the implications, that we will be not able to tests the RTX 5060 on May 19th, because almost the whole team will be at Computex. This also means no testing for the Computex week. Not only bad for us, but above all for consumers. [Hidden Content] 8, 2025 The RTX 5060 is set to hit shelves on May 19th, exactly one day before Computex kicks off. This leaves reviewers with virtually no time for independent testing, so day-one impressions will largely be based on Nvidia’s first-party metrics and the few reviewers who aren’t traveling. Ironically, potential RTX 5060 supply constraints at launch might be a blessing in disguise this time around, giving buyers just enough time to see independent reviews before jumping the gun. On paper, the RTX 5060 offers 25% more CUDA cores (3,840) than the RTX 4060, suggesting a noticeable performance uplift. At its suggested $299 MSRP, the RTX 5060 might be a decent pick as long as you’re aware of its limitations. Further down the stack, Nvidia is reportedly preparing an RTX 5050, but based on early specifications, don’t expect it to perform any miracles. At the same time, rumors allege AMD is also scheduling its budget RX 9060 XT series for Computex, reigniting the company’s rivalry on the low end of the hardware stack. 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. Get Tom’s Hardware’s best news and in-depth reviews, straight to your inbox. Source link #RTX #reviews #reportedly #jeopardy #Nvidia #allegedly #withholding #prerelease #drivers #reviewers Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Discover Greece Through Its Wines: Beyond Santorini Discover Greece Through Its Wines: Beyond Santorini When we think of Santorini, images of sun-drenched vineyards and crisp, mineral-rich Assyrtiko often come to mind. While Santorini’s wines are undeniably world-class, Greek wine culture goes far beyond our beloved island. That’s why we’ve created a special category in our Eshop dedicated to Other Greek Wines; to introduce you to the incredible diversity of wines from across Greece. Why Explore Other Greek Wines? Santorini is a magnet for wine lovers. If you’re one of them, you likely appreciate wines with character, quality, and a sense of place. So, why limit yourself to just one island when Greece offers so much more? From the lush vineyards of Northern Greece to the sunlit slopes of the islands, each region brings its unique touch to the country’s winemaking tradition. A Selection of Top Greek Wines Our Other Greek Wines category brings together white, red, and rosé wines from renowned regions such as Nemea, Naoussa, Evia, Samos, and beyond. Whether you’re looking for a bold Xinomavro, a fruity Agiorgitiko, or a floral Moschofilero, you’ll find a carefully curated selection that represents the best of Greek viticulture. Perfect Pairings and Occasions These wines aren’t just for collectors or connoisseurs. They’re versatile, food-friendly, and perfect for any gathering. Imagine pairing a crisp white from Evia with a seafood dish, or enjoying a robust red from the Peloponnese with a hearty meat stew. Exploring these wines adds depth and excitement to your wine-tasting journey. Discover New Favorites By branching out and trying other Greek wines, you’re not just expanding your palate – you’re experiencing Greece in a new way. Each bottle tells a story of its land, its people, and centuries of tradition. Whether you’re a loyal fan of Santorini wines or simply curious to try something new, our collection is here to inspire your next glass. Visit our Other Greek Wines category at Santorini.net and take your taste buds on a journey through Greece’s finest wine regions. Who knows? You might just discover a new favorite! If you’re looking for something specific or unique, don’t hesitate to email us at e*****@*****.tld – we’ll do our best to find it for you! Source link #Discover #Greece #Wines #Santorini Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Israeli forces close Unrwa-run schools in East Jerusalem Israeli forces close Unrwa-run schools in East Jerusalem Armed Israeli security forces have forced the closure of three schools run by the UN agency for ************ refugees (Unrwa) in Israeli-annexed East Jerusalem. Hundreds of ************ students were sent home from the schools in Shuafat refugee camp just after classes began on Thursday morning. The ************ Authority, which runs most of the towns and cities in the occupied West Bank, said the move was a “violation of children’s right to education”. An Israeli ban on Unrwa took effect earlier this year and Israel accuses the agency of being infiltrated by ******. Unrwa denies this claim and insists on its impartiality. Videos showed girls in uniform hugging each other outside one school in Shuafat following the arrival of Israeli forces outside. A closure order fixed to the wall of the school read: “It will be prohibited to operate educational institutions, or employ teachers, teaching staff or any other staff, and it will be forbidden to accommodate students or allow the entry of students into this institution”. Unrwa said that more than 550 pupils aged six to 15 were present and that one of its staff members was detained, in what its director in the occupied West Bank called “a traumatising experience for young children who are at immediate risk of losing their access to education”. The agency said that Israeli police were also deployed at three other schools in East Jerusalem, forcing them to send students home too. Last year, Israel’s parliament passed laws forbidding contact between Israeli officials and Unrwa, as well as banning activity by the agency in Israeli territory. Israel captured East Jerusalem, along with the rest of the West Bank, in the 1967 Middle East war. It effectively annexed East Jerusalem in 1980 in a move not recognised by most of the international community, and sees the whole city as its capital. Palestinians see East Jerusalem as the capital of their hoped-for future state. Approximately 230,000 Israeli settlers currently live in East Jerusalem alongside 390,000 Palestinians. Most of the international community considers the settlements built there and elsewhere in the West Bank to be ******** under international law – a position supported by an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) last year – although Israel disputes this. Source link #Israeli #forces #close #Unrwarun #schools #East #Jerusalem Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Dorfromantik, the cosy strategy puzzler, is set to arrive on mobile Dorfromantik, the cosy strategy puzzler, is set to arrive on mobile Dorfromantik is set to arrive on mobile It offers a cosy strategic tile-matching experience Create sprawling villages, dark forests and lush farmland While puzzlers are usually abstract or stylised, it seems as if an increasing number are making a move towards a mixture of strategy. Of course, that’s not to say that the upcoming Dorfromantik isn’t stylish. Far from it, in fact, and with its cosy atmosphere, it’ll no doubt be a hit when it arrives on mobile. So, what’s Dorfromantik about? Well, in this tile-matching puzzler, your job is to connect pieces of the same type edge to edge. Connect enough of them and you’ll get bonuses, encouraging you to build picturesque towns, villages and farmland in between forests and rivers, all of which go towards creating an eventual sprawling world. There’s plenty of moving elements on each piece too to keep things visually interesting, and the colour palette offers a gorgeous swathe of autumnal colours to enjoy. And with the mobile adaptation, developer Toukana Interactive have stated their intent to refresh and streamline many mechanics to make it even better for mobile players. Romantikism If Dorfromantik has you feeling a sense of déjà vu, then you’re not mistaken, as it bears many similarities to the upcoming Kingdomino. Of course, these are both different in terms of scale and scope, but it’s not hard to see where they’re alike, especially considering that both have their origins on the tabletop. At the same time, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as the tile-matching format is one which many players enjoy. And seeing this translated into a strategy format is likely going to be a winner for many. Speaking of which, though, are you looking to put your brain to the test? Want to find out just how good you are at solving puzzles? Well then, why not dig into our list of the top 25 best puzzle games on iOS and Android (yes, 25) to see what else we have in store for your puzzle fanatics out there. Source link #Dorfromantik #cosy #strategy #puzzler #set #arrive #mobile Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Ukraine, Russia accuse each other of violating truce Ukraine, Russia accuse each other of violating truce Ukraine’s foreign minister says Russia has repeatedly violated its own three-day ceasefire hours after it began and has called the initiative a “farce” while the Kremlin says Ukriane has continued fighting. There was, though, a drop-off in combat activity after the ceasefire announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin came into force in the early hours of Thursday, with a respite in the drone and missile attacks that had rattled Ukrainian cities earlier this week. “Predictably, Putin’s ‘Parade ceasefire’ proves to be a farce,” Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said on X, referring to the truce which coincides with a May 9 parade on Moscow’s Red Square to commemorate the end of World War II. “Russian forces continue to attack across the entire frontline,” Sybiha wrote. “From midnight to midday, Russia committed 734 ceasefire violations and 63 assault operations, 23 of which are still ongoing.” He said Ukraine was notifying the United States and European countries about Russia’s actions. The Russian defence ministry said that Ukraine, in turn, had carried out 488 attacks on Russian targets and twice tried to break through the border in the Kursk region. Vladimir Saldo, the Russian-installed governor of Ukraine’s Kherson region, said a woman had been killed by a blow from Ukrainian shell fragments just outside her house near the Dnieper river. Strikes on Ukrainian airfields and Russian forces’ capture of the village of Troitske in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region occurred before the ceasefire began, Russia said. Reuters could not independently confirm the battlefield reports. Ukraine has not committed to abide by the ceasefire, calling it a ruse by Putin to create the impression he wants to end the war, which began when Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Putin says he is committed to achieving peace. Reuters journalists with a Ukrainian drone unit near the front in eastern Ukraine said a small Russian infantry raiding party had tried to advance on Thursday but been stopped by drones piloted by members of the unit. Ukrainian soldiers observed the clash on a live feed streamed onto monitors in their bunker. “The infantry are still coming,” said one of the soldiers in the unit, a 33-year-old who identified himself by his callsign “Mikha”. A second person in the same unit, who identified himself as Nazar, said in the six hours since the Russian ceasefire started, there had been three Russian strikes on his section of the front. Asked if the ceasefire was holding, he said: “The facts speak for themselves.” A Ukrainian military spokesman said Russia had continued assaults in several areas on the eastern front and prosecutors said two people had been wounded along with the 55-year-old woman killed by bombs fired at the northern Sumy region. As of 3pm in Kyiv, Ukrainian officials had shared no reports of Russian long-range missiles or drones in Ukraine’s airspace since the Kremlin-sponsored ceasefire kicked in at midnight. The Russian ceasefire falls on the 80th anniversary of the World War II defeat of Nazi Germany, for which Putin is hosting ******** President Xi Jinping and other leaders ahead of a military parade on Red Square on May 9. Ukraine, like western Europe, marks the anniversary on May 8. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy marked the day by taking a rare walk in central Kyiv to pay his respects to fallen Ukrainian soldiers at a vast mound of Ukrainian flags planted on a grassy verge on the central square. There was no sign of his security detail in the selfie video he filmed as he passed pedestrians on the city’s main drag, at one point pausing to say “hi” as cars tooted their horns and deriding Friday’s planned pomp-filled ceremony in Moscow. Ukraine launched drone attacks on Moscow this week, which had forced the closure of airports in the Russian capital and the grounding of airliners. Zelenskiy said on Wednesday that his country stood by its offer to observe a 30-day ceasefire in the war with Russia to give diplomacy a chance but that Russia had not responded. Source link #Ukraine #Russia #accuse #violating #truce Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

GTA 6 Trailer Hit Almost A Half-Billion Views Right Away GTA 6 Trailer Hit Almost A Half-Billion Views Right Away Grand Theft Auto 6’s new trailer reached 475 million views since its release on Tuesday, Rockstar Games has confirmed. The company confirmed this to The Hollywood Reporter, saying it’s the biggest debut for a trailer for anything ever, surpassing the 365 million views that Deadpool & Wolverine clocked in its first 24 hours. As of May 8, the GTA 6 trailer on Rockstar’s YouTube page alone had more than 86 million views, but the 475 million tally counts views across networks and platforms. GTA 6 is one of the most-anticipated games of all time, and it’s expected to sell 40 million copies in its first year. The game was originally due to launch in Fall 2025 before being delayed to 2026. The new trailer used the song “Hot Together” by The Pointer Sisters, and like Tom Petty’s “Love Is A Long Road” before it, streams of the song are way, way up. Spotify said streams of the song increased by 182,000% since the trailer debut, compared to a surge of 37,000 for the Petty song back in 2023. Who else raced to listen to these tracks from the Grand Theft Auto VI trailers? Check them out on Grand Theft Audio Radio on Spotify. pic.twitter.com/WAzOm5dsAs — Spotify News (@SpotifyNews) May 7, 2025 GTA 6 launches on May 26, 2026 for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. That’s a while to wait, so in the meantime, you can check out more than 150 new GTA 6 images in the gallery below. Beyond main characters Jason and Lucia, GTA 6’s story features a big cast of supporting characters. And in terms of places you’ll visit, GTA 6 takes players to Vice City itself, along with the surrounding areas, like a park filled with wildlife. Source link #GTA #Trailer #Hit #HalfBillion #Views Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride Returns to Santorini The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride Returns to Santorini Get ready to witness a parade of style, classic motorcycles, and a heartfelt cause as The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride returns to Santorini for the eighth time! On Sunday, May 18th, 2025, locals and visitors alike will gather to experience this global event that blends vintage elegance with community spirit. A Global Ride with a Purpose The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride (DGR) was first held in 2010 in Australia and has since grown into an international phenomenon. Taking place simultaneously in more than 1,000 cities across 109 countries, the ride raises awareness for men’s health issues, particularly prostate ******* research, while encouraging donations from participants and supporters. Santorini first joined the DGR in 2016, and this year, it’s back with more enthusiasm than ever! Joining Santorini in this year’s edition are 13 other Greek cities, including Athens, Thessaloniki, Corfu, Heraklion, and more. The Route and the Atmosphere This year’s ride will begin and end at Ftelos Brewery in Karterados, with stops in Pyrgos, Kamari, and Fira (Mitropolis). The meeting point is set for 4:30 pm, with the parade wrapping up around 8:00 pm, followed by a lively party with live music. A Spectacle for All While participation as a rider requires formal attire and a vintage or classic motorcycle, visitors are more than welcome to join as spectators. It’s a unique opportunity to see the island’s streets filled with classic motorcycles and stylishly dressed riders, creating a vintage atmosphere that’s both charming and inspiring. The event is also a great way to support men’s health awareness, even if you’re just cheering from the sidelines! A Community Celebration The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride is not just about the bikes and the attire – it’s about bringing people together for a noble cause. After the ride, Ftelos Brewery will host a celebration filled with good music, great company, and a sense of community purpose. Source link #Distinguished #Gentlemans #Ride #Returns #Santorini Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Bank of America double upgrades this little-known eye care stock Bank of America double upgrades this little-known eye care stock National Vision is looking to a strong second half of the year, according to Bank of America. Analyst Robert Ohmes double upgraded shares to buy from underperform on Wednesday, citing “multiple signs” that the eyewear company’s strategic initiatives improving results. Ohmes’ new price target of $22 per share, up from $13, implies the stock might soar 41% compared to Wednesday’s close. National VIsion benefited from better pricing and employee recruitment in its latest quarter, according to Ohmes. Customer traffic turned positive last quarter and appears to be continuing. Among the catalysts: “New advertising, a widening selection of $99+ eyeglass frames (including Ted Baker, GX by Gwen Stefani and a Ray Ban pilot) and the rollout of a new [customer relations management software] system that will support improved marketing,” Ohmes wrote in the 7-page report. Moreover, the company is “well positioned” to withstand the effect of higher tariffs, the analyst said. National Vision guided toward a headwind of $10 million to $15 million in additional product costs for 2025. Wall Street analysts estimate National Vision’s 2025 revenue will total $1.93 billion, FactSet says. “Importantly, less than 10% of EYE’s [cost of goods sold] is exposed to China and pricing actions that began in 4Q have supported increased ticket without degradation in conversion or net promoter scores, implying room to mitigate tariffs,” Ohmes said. —CNBC’s Michael Bloom contributed to this report. Source link #Bank #America #double #upgrades #littleknown #eye #care #stock Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Bitcoin approaches $100K mark: Chart of the Day Bitcoin approaches $100K mark: Chart of the Day 00:00 Speaker A It’s time now for Chart of the Day. Let’s send it over to Brad Smith for a look at Bitcoin nearing the $100,000 mark, hey Brad? 00:07 Brad Smith Yeah, long time viewer of Chart of the Day, first time charter here. So, let’s take a look first at that key level, which is 100,000. And yeah, we we’re able to break through that earlier on in the year. A lot of the fervor coming off of the election, and then, as you heard some of the announcements from the incoming administration, and then, uh once President Trump was inaugurated and took office, retook office, it was about, okay, will these things be followed through on? What will this Bitcoin strategic reserve look like? What is it in activity? Are they purchasers of Bitcoin? And how does that add to the balance sheet as well? All of these things considered, we’ve been waiting for more clarity on some of those at the same time that we’ve been seeing this derisking of assets that’s taken place both in equity markets and in the crypto landscape as well. And so, one of the things that I was tracking here was specifically, while we’re trying to get back to that 100,000 mark, is this fear and greed index. And this comes from CoinMarketCap, and it essentially kind of looks at the price momentum, volatility, derivatives market, and market composition, and assesses all of this data to really get a sense of where we are in this fear and greed mindset here, and how that is actually correlating with where the price is. And what’s interesting is we typically, when we’re looking at a greed or fear level and reading right now as we are in this kind of mid 50s, mid to high 50s level, you don’t typically see the price of Bitcoin up near $100,000 or in an uptrend. And so this is one of the first times that we’ve actually been or, excuse me, this is one of the first times that we’ve actually been in this downtrend and then ultimately trying to break out of that downtrend, and seeing fear and greed still sitting within what would normally be a healthy level for that fear and greed index. Because if you’re taking a look at this multicolored line, yeah, we’ve seen that actually peak above 80, at some points get into the 90s when we were still in this range of 60 to 80k. And so all this considered, this is perhaps one of the first times that we’ll see Bitcoin top or get to 100,000 without needing to be at an excessive fear or greed index level. And that is something that I think that’s worth watching going forward from here. And whether or not the other altcoins see any type, any type of flows into that space as well here, Maddie. 04:42 Speaker A P Source link #Bitcoin #approaches #100K #mark #Chart #Day Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Schedule 1 Patch Notes Introduce A New Feature Useful To All Players Schedule 1 Patch Notes Introduce A New Feature Useful To All Players The solo developer behind Schedule 1 has released the drug-dealing simulator’s latest patch notes. Version 0.3.5 introduces a purchasable jukebox as well as the new storage unit property. If you’re hyper efficient like me, making as many of the Schedule 1 recipes as quickly as possible, you’ll have encountered a lack of storage multiple times in your playthrough. You can only squeeze a finite number of shelves into your normal property, after all. The storage unit property will be located at the north end of the overpass next to the casino, and costs $5,000 to purchase from Ray’s Realty. This makes it an easy get for anyone in the early few hours of the game, since it’s one of the cheapest properties to own. Buy the Schedule 1 storage unit from Ray’s Realty The storage unit, called Stash and Dash, allows for one worker and one loading bay, meaning you can have important ingredients or materials delivered to it. It’s a limited space, but in the early game it’s got plenty of room for several grow setups, and more shelves–perfect to stash all of your Schedule 1 money on, if you so desire. Another addition is the jukebox, which you can buy for $1,500 from Bleuball’s Boutique. Handily, this is right next to Ray’s Realty, so you can buy both of the new features without the need for a trek across town. The jukebox adds the 19 tracks from the soundtrack, as well as eight brand-new tracks, all composed by Kaesul. The jukebox plays a total of 27 tracks by Kaesul In addition, developer Tyler comments in the patch notes that he’s fixed some bugs around loading docks not showing at the barn or the docks warehouse, and a random $100 online balance appearing during a fresh save. Individual save files have been consolidated into larger save files to reduce the amount of time it takes to save, and to work better alongside Steam Cloud Sync. The next steps for Schedule 1 include replacing employee beds with lockers to save space, adding filters to item slots so that you can decide which items belong in which slots, and the ability to transfer employees between properties–something we’ve been longing for since hiring our first botanist. Source link #Schedule #Patch #Notes #Introduce #Feature #Players Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Trump to unveil United Kingdom trade deal, first since 'reciprocal' tariff pause – CNBC Trump to unveil United Kingdom trade deal, first since 'reciprocal' tariff pause – CNBC Trump to unveil United Kingdom trade deal, first since ‘reciprocal’ tariff pause CNBCTrump to announce trade deal with *** as tariffs continue to spark economic uncertainty CNNTrump Administration to Announce Trade Deal With Britain The New York TimesTrump Tariffs: Live News on US, *** Trade Deal Announcements, Market Reaction Bloomberg.comThe Daily Money: The US has its first trade deal USA Today Source link #Trump #unveil #United #Kingdom #trade #deal #039reciprocal039 #tariff #pause #CNBC Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

EA Is Not Worried About Global Economic Turmoil Impacting Its Games EA Is Not Worried About Global Economic Turmoil Impacting Its Games Electronic Arts CEO Andrew Wilson has commented on what impact, if any, there might be on the video game industry due to growing concerns about the global economy due to tariffs and other factors. As part of EA’s latest investor briefing, Wilson said he’s personally witnessed many “twists and turns in the macro environment” in his 25 years with EA. In that time, he’s learned that EA and its core franchises have remained “incredibly resilient through macro-challenging times.” The reason for this, Wilson said, is that he believes “entertainment is a fundamental human need.” “At this point in time, our form of entertainment is the first form of entertainment for much of the global population, and that grows every year as our industry continues to grow, and we represent incredible value,” he said. Wilson went on to say video games, despite growing costs, represent “incredible value” relative to other things that people can spend money on. “While we are always prudent and pragmatic and thoughtful as we navigate macro uncertainty, we do believe that if we continue to deliver incredible entertainment experiences, we continue to invest behind our biggest franchises that remember, aren’t just about entertainment, but are also about connection,” he said. “This is where people spend their best time with their best friends where they connect with them every day to enjoy their best moments of the day that even in a world where we may not be immune from a meaningful macroeconomic downtime, we do believe that we will be resilient and we do believe that we can grow over the course of time through that.” Wilson also pushed back against the idea that EA might raise game prices to $80, following Nintendo and Xbox. He said the business today is very different from what it was a decade ago when core revenue streams came from selling discs on shelves. That’s still part of EA’s business, but it’s significantly smaller. Today, EA has multiple other revenue streams, including microtransaction-based free-to-play games and more expensive deluxe editions for games that help offset growing production costs. “Our objective is always to deliver incredible quality and exponential value for our player base. And what we’ve discovered over the course of time is whether we can marry quality and value together our business is strong, resilient and continues to grow,” he said. To be sure, EA is making much more money these days from microtransactions and live-service elements than full-game sales. For the past three months, EA made $437 million form full-game sales and $1.458 billion from live service. For the full fiscal year, EA made $2 billion from full-game sales and $5.461 billion from live service. Not everyone would agree that EA is getting the “quality-to-value” equation correct, though, as EA’s games–and its sports titles in particular–are often criticized for their ubiquitous microtransactions. EA also just recently released the first paid season pass, and people quickly voiced their concerns about it. EA has a number of big games in development, including Battlefield 6. With GTA 6 now delayed to 2026, some believe EA might release the game this fall, but nothing is confirmed yet. The game will be revealed properly at some point this summer. Source link #Worried #Global #Economic #Turmoil #Impacting #Games Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Constance Marten defends parenting in cross-examination by partner Gordon Constance Marten defends parenting in cross-examination by partner Gordon Constance Marten has heavily criticised her “biological family” in an extraordinary cross-examination carried out by her partner and fellow defendant Mark Gordon during their retrial at the Old Bailey. Gordon, who is not legally trained, led the questioning after a judge allowed it. He is now representing himself in the case and is not using barristers. The couple stand accused of manslaughter by gross negligence over the death of their fifth child, Victoria, whose body was found in a Brighton shed in March 2023. They both deny that charge and causing or allowing the death of a child. They were previously found guilty of concealing Victoria’s birth and preventing the course of justice by not reporting her death, but the jury could not come to a verdict on the outstanding charges. A retrial began in March. Under questioning by Gordon in court on Thursday, Marten described how “all hell broke loose” with her family when she returned from Peru pregnant with her first child in 2017. She also said she had become “very fearful” after their car “exploded” in January 2023. She said 15 previous vehicles had also malfunctioned in mysterious circumstances, and that they had found a GPS tracker on at least one of them. “After I spoke out about a family member of mine… about eight years ago. I feel that this person doesn’t want me alive,” she said. The jury heard that the couple had been living in a tent in Wales before the birth of their first child. “The only reason we ended up in Wales was because of this person who I am convinced was behind the explosion of the car,” Marten said. She said her family had hired two firms of private detectives and she felt it was “like a cat and mouse game”. She said she believed some of her relatives saw her as an embarrassment and that “some people from privilege think they are above the rules”. “You are up against these people who will stop at nothing, and have endless resources and connections, and I don’t think I can get away from them,” she told the court. Marten said that the police manhunt that began after their car caught fire following Victoria’s birth meant that people started recognising them, so they decided to go and sleep in a tent on the South Downs. “It was just a pitstop for a few days to get away from prying eyes,” she said. In response to Gordon asking if she intended to cause the baby harm, Marten replied: “No, of course not.” When asked if the baby was always a priority, she said “absolutely” and that was why they had wanted to keep her for longer as opposed to having her taken away by social services. “She was a big baby. Healthy. Strong,” she said. Marten has told the jury Victoria died in the tent after a couple of days, after she fell asleep over her. In response to Gordon’s questions on this, she said: “I just blacked out. I flopped forward with my forehead on the floor. I guess that could have happened anywhere.” In the weeks following, she said the couple went on sleeping in the tent, moving around every few days. They carried their dead daughter’s body with them in a Lidl bag. Marten and Gordon’s other children have been removed by social services. In her testimony on Thursday, Marten also said that the time with her children before they were taken away had been the “happiest days of our lives”. “Mark is very hands-on with the kids,” she said. The trial continues. Source link #Constance #Marten #defends #parenting #crossexamination #partner #Gordon Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Federal election 2025: Factional kerfuffle breaks out in the wake of Labor’s landslide win Federal election 2025: Factional kerfuffle breaks out in the wake of Labor’s landslide win A factional kerfuffle has broken out in the wake of Labor’s landslide election win as States, left and right battle it out for coveted positions in Anthony Albanese’s ministry. Source link #Federal #election #Factional #kerfuffle #breaks #wake #Labors #landslide #win Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

NYT Strands hints and answers for Friday, May 9 (game #432) NYT Strands hints and answers for Friday, May 9 (game #432) Looking for a different day? A new NYT Strands puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing ‘today’s game’ while others are playing ‘yesterday’s’. If you’re looking for Thursday’s puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Thursday, May 8 (game #431). Strands is the NYT’s latest word game after the likes of Wordle, Spelling Bee and Connections – and it’s great fun. It can be difficult, though, so read on for my Strands hints. Want more word-based fun? Then check out my NYT Connections today and Quordle today pages for hints and answers for those games, and Marc’s Wordle today page for the original viral word game. SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Strands today is below, so don’t read on if you don’t want to know the answers. You may like NYT Strands today (game #432) – hint #1 – today’s theme What is the theme of today’s NYT Strands? • Today’s NYT Strands theme is… Outsiders NYT Strands today (game #432) – hint #2 – clue words Play any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system. LORE TRAIL CRAMP COOL GRIT RENTAL NYT Strands today (game #432) – hint #3 – spangram letters How many letters are in today’s spangram? • Spangram has 11 letters NYT Strands today (game #432) – hint #4 – spangram position What are two sides of the board that today’s spangram touches? First side: left, 5th row Last side: right, 5th row Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON’T WANT TO SEE THEM. Today’s best Get Better At Wordle deals NYT Strands today (game #432) – the answers (Image credit: New York Times) The answers to today’s Strands, game #432, are… BACKPACK TENT GRILL COOLER LANTERN THERMOS SPANGRAM: CAMPING GEAR My rating: Easy My score: 1 hint Am I overthinking this or is today’s spangram in the shape of a TENT? Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Camping is something that I have a love-hate relationship with. I have always liked the idea of it, communing with nature, bonhomie around the campfire, stripping life back to its essentials. However, I’ve always found the reality uncomfortable and cold. This is no doubt down to my lack of organizational skills, hardyness and equipment – and man do you need a lot of equipment, and not just a GRILL, a THERMOS and a LANTERN. When I was younger it gave me independence and freedom to misbehave. Now that I’m older and less resilient, I prefer concrete and the great indoors. How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below. Yesterday’s NYT Strands answers (Thursday, May 8, game #431) GAUDY SNAZZY EXTRAVAGANT DELUXE ORNATE LAVISH SPANGRAM: OOH SHINY What is NYT Strands? Strands is the NYT’s not-so-new-any-more word game, following Wordle and Connections. It’s now a fully fledged member of the NYT’s games stable that has been running for a year and which can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile. I’ve got a full guide to how to play NYT Strands, complete with tips for solving it, so check that out if you’re struggling to beat it each day. Source link #NYT #Strands #hints #answers #Friday #game Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

The Midnight Walk Review – A Late-Night Treat The Midnight Walk Review – A Late-Night Treat “Cozy” and “horror” seem like words with opposing definitions, but developer MoonHood Studio has repeatedly marketed its debut game, The Midnight Walk, as a cozy horror game. I understand where the studio is coming from; despite jump scares and chase sequences, the Tim Burton-esque art style is nostalgic, reminding me of watching Corpse Bride or The Nightmare Before Christmas as a kid. That said, cozy and horror are both genres that describe a game’s aesthetics rather than its mechanics, and while The Midnight Walk’s visuals, story, and soundtrack are compelling, its mechanics are less exciting. Still, that core paradox of “cozy horror” and its accompanying style was plenty to motivate me to see the game’s satisfying end. In The Midnight Walk, you play in first person as The Burned One, a creature whose face we never see, but whose hands are dark, shriveled, and scarred. The titular journey is a trek that The Burned One and their adorable, flaming companion Potboy embark on together, helping people along the way. It feels like playing through an old children’s book, both in its whimsical tone and because of the narrator who guides the player through the story. In the land of The Midnight Walk, the sun disappeared a long time ago, so most creatures have only ever known the darkness and the cold. It’s only natural, then, that your main tool for solving problems is fire. Using matches, a match-flinging firearm, and the flickering flame on Potboy’s head, you light candles to see, stay warm in the cold, and lure monsters out of your path. The game also includes a button to shut your eyes, which allows you to listen more closely to your surroundings and interact with glowing eyes on doors or certain enemies. I appreciate how the themes of light and warmth extend from the plot to your character’s abilities. Generally speaking, however, the gameplay is nothing special. The linear, story-focused experience combines simple stealth and puzzle-solving. There are a few standout moments and mechanics, like a puzzle that has you close your eyes when monsters chase to turn them into statues, but it was mostly a vehicle to get me from one interesting area to another. Lighting candles and sneaking past monsters is never unresponsive or boring, just uninteresting: it’s been done before. That said, the game’s quick five to seven hour length keeps this from being a major detractor. The reasons to play The Midnight Walk are its art and music. The visual aesthetic, achieved through hand-crafted models scanned into a digital format, is similar to something you’d find in a stop-motion film. Characters have round heads, long, skinny limbs, and exaggerated facial features that make them so ugly they somehow loop around to being cute. Potboy is the perfect example of this, with an adorably jagged smile. Across the board, characters are charming, off-putting, and unique, from a village of disembodied heads to a walking house named Housy. While I knew about the game’s visuals through a few screenshots beforehand, I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of The Midnight Walk’s soundtrack. Instead of matching the dark, Halloween vibe the rest of the game has, the score emphasizes the adventure’s earnest tone, often showcasing a single clarinet or saxophone playing a simple melody to underline the emotional weight of the journey. While neither of the main characters can speak, the music communicates their emotions better than words could. The final portion of each chapter has Potboy reignite some long-dead flame, and the musical swell associated with that action does a lot to inform the player of its importance. Out of darkness, there is flame; out of silence, there is music. The Midnight Walk is a rare case of a book best judged by its cover. If its aesthetic speaks to you, you’ll have a pleasant, spooky journey alongside Potboy. If it doesn’t, its simple gameplay is unlikely to grab your attention tightly enough to make up for it. Regardless, its execution of this style is commendable, and as the score soared in the final moments of my playthrough, I knew it was a walk I was glad to have taken. Source link #Midnight #Walk #Review #LateNight #Treat Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Another Top Comedian Rules Out Working In Trump’s America Over ‘Locked Up’ Fears Another Top Comedian Rules Out Working In Trump’s America Over ‘Locked Up’ Fears Don’t expect to see top British stand-up comedian Stewart Lee performing in the United States anytime soon, because of his fear that his past gags could be used against him amid the Trump White House’s targeting of dissenters. “I wouldn’t work in the States at the moment,” Lee told Channel 4 News’ Krishnan Guru-Murthy in a lengthy interview released this week. “I’d worry about them going them through my jokes and ending up spending two days locked up without my heart medication,” he said, adding: “I just worry about it.” The admission came after Lee revealed he’d recently turned down an offer to perform his new show, titled “Stewart Lee Vs. The Man-Wulf,” for a week at a venue in Chicago. “It’s not something I’d normally do anyway,” he acknowledged, before lightheartedly quipping: “At the moment, I’d have to take a huge set of American cityscape and two full-sized werewolf costumes. I’d have to get those through American customs at the moment…” Guru-Murthy had earlier asked Lee if he really believed his recent characterization of what’s happening in America right now under Trump as fascism. “Oh yeah, I call it what is it. Absolutely,” Lee replied. “People are ******-footing around this idea. People are being deported wrongly from the States to an El Salvador jail without due process. What’s that?” “Trump is doing deals for resources with dictators,” he added. “It absolutely is that, and we have to call it that, and we have to act in the way that we should have done more quickly in the ’30s.” Watch the full interview here: Last month, award-winning *********** comedian Alice Fraser told HuffPost she’d canceled an upcoming trip to New York, during which she’d hoped to boost her new book, partly because she feared she may be targeted by officials over her jokes about Trump. Related… Source link #Top #Comedian #Rules #Working #Trumps #America #Locked #Fears Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Quordle hints and answers for Friday, May 9 (game #1201) Quordle hints and answers for Friday, May 9 (game #1201) Looking for a different day? A new Quordle puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing ‘today’s game’ while others are playing ‘yesterday’s’. If you’re looking for Thursday’s puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Thursday, May 8 (game #1200). Quordle was one of the original Wordle alternatives and is still going strong now more than 1,100 games later. It offers a genuine challenge, though, so read on if you need some Quordle hints today – or scroll down further for the answers. Enjoy playing word games? You can also check out my NYT Connections today and NYT Strands today pages for hints and answers for those puzzles, while Marc’s Wordle today column covers the original viral word game. SPOILER WARNING: Information about Quordle today is below, so don’t read on if you don’t want to know the answers. You may like Quordle today (game #1201) – hint #1 – Vowels How many different vowels are in Quordle today? • The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 5*. * Note that by vowel we mean the five standard vowels (A, E, I, O, U), not Y (which is sometimes counted as a vowel too). Quordle today (game #1201) – hint #2 – repeated letters Do any of today’s Quordle answers contain repeated letters? • The number of Quordle answers containing a repeated letter today is 0. Quordle today (game #1201) – hint #3 – uncommon letters Do the letters Q, Z, X or J appear in Quordle today? • No. None of Q, Z, X or J appear among today’s Quordle answers. Quordle today (game #1201) – hint #4 – starting letters (1) Do any of today’s Quordle puzzles start with the same letter? • The number of today’s Quordle answers starting with the same letter is 0. If you just want to know the answers at this stage, simply scroll down. If you’re not ready yet then here’s one more clue to make things a lot easier: Quordle today (game #1201) – hint #5 – starting letters (2) What letters do today’s Quordle answers start with? • M • C • N • S Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON’T WANT TO SEE THEM. Today’s best Get Better At Wordle deals Quordle today (game #1201) – the answers (Image credit: Merriam-Webster) The answers to today’s Quordle, game #1201, are… Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Sports coaches always talk about “fine margins” being the difference between victory and defeat. Although this round wasn’t really a defeat, guessing SNAIL instead of SLAIN is the finest of margins in the game of Quordle. It’s okay, though – I think I can bounce back and learn from this. “Trust the process” as the coaches say. Meanwhile, I managed to guess four correct words after six guesses in today’s Daily Sequence. That’s something I’ve not managed to do in ages. How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below. Daily Sequence today (game #1201) – the answers (Image credit: Merriam-Webster) The answers to today’s Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1201, are… Quordle answers: The past 20 Quordle #1200, Thursday, 8 May: ELUDE, GREET, POPPY, ELITE Quordle #1199, Wednesday, 7 May: QUOTH, TRUNK, BESET, NAIVE Quordle #1198, Tuesday, 6 May: UNITE, SOGGY, FILET, PORCH Quordle #1197, Monday, 5 May: WREAK, COWER, STEAD, ****** Quordle #1196, Sunday, 4 May: PINCH, SMOKE, SCARY, CANNY Quordle #1195, Saturday, 3 May: PLUSH, VERGE, WROTE, CONDO Quordle #1194, Friday, 2 May: CAUSE, RISEN, MACAW, SMELT Quordle #1193, Thursday, 1 May: IDIOM, EXILE, SPOOF, DRAPE Quordle #1192, Wednesday, 30 April: BATON, TORSO, ANNEX, DROWN Quordle #1191, Tuesday, 29 April: HOVER, HENCE, OCTAL, COPSE Quordle #1190, Monday, 28 April: JAUNT, ALLOW, FRUIT, BURNT Quordle #1189, Sunday, 27 April: PRIOR, YOUTH, CREDO, CHIDE Quordle #1188, Saturday, 26 April: LINGO, LOCUS, THROW, CLICK Quordle #1187, Friday, 25 April: SHALT, WRATH, MAMBO, HUMPH Quordle #1186, Thursday, 24 April: CHOKE, COLOR, FRAME, CAIRN Quordle #1185, Wednesday, 23 April: VALET, PUPAL, CREEP, DRIFT Quordle #1184, Tuesday, 22 April: POUTY, CHEST, BROOM, TEPEE Quordle #1183, Monday, 21 April: SHARD, PRINT, SUMAC, LEACH Quordle #1182, Sunday, 20 April: DINER, HORDE, SHONE, FUGUE Quordle #1181, Saturday, 19 April: GRADE, LAUGH, RAINY, EXULT Source link #Quordle #hints #answers #Friday #game Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Shopify (SHOP) earnings Q1 2025 Shopify (SHOP) earnings Q1 2025 The logo of Shopify is seen outside its headquarters in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, September 28, 2018. Chris Wattie | Reuters Shares of Shopify dipped more than 5% in early trading on Thursday after the company posted mixed first-quarter results and issued soft guidance for the current *******. Here’s how the company did: Revenue: $2.36 billion vs. $2.33 billion expected by LSEGEarnings per share: 39 cents adjusted vs. 26 cents expected by LSEG For the second quarter, Shopify said it expects gross profit to grow at a high-teens percentage rate, while analysts had forecast a rate of 20.1%, according to StreetAccount. The company forecast revenue to expand at a mid-twenties percentage rate compared with a year earlier. Wall Street had forecast roughly 22% growth. Shopify sells software for merchants who run online businesses as well as services such as advertising and payment processing tools. Many of Shopify’s merchants are small- to medium-sized businesses, giving it some exposure to President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs on ******** imports, which total 145%. As part of Trump’s tariffs, the president last week closed a trade loophole favorable to many online businesses that allowed shipments from China under $800 to enter the U.S. duty-free. On a call with investors, Shopify President Harley Finkelstein said the expiration of de minimis isn’t expected to have a “meaningful impact” on Shopify in the near term. Roughly 1% of its gross merchandise volume is related to imports from China that were subject to the exemption, he said. The company hasn’t seen “broad based price increases” among sellers yet, Finkelstein said. He added that consumers who purchase from Shopify businesses skew higher income, with more than half of buyers in the U.S. having incomes above $100,000. “We believe this helps insulate our merchants from some of the potential swings in pricing or other market factors, as higher income consumers tend to be less price sensitive,” Finkelstein said. “We acknowledge the uncertainty ahead and are actively monitoring our data to help us support our merchants and adapt to whatever changes may arise.” Earlier this year, Shopify also added a “buy local” tool to its site, allowing shoppers to filter products to items sold by merchants in their country. E-commerce companies are bracing for the impact of Trump’s tariffs. Amazon earlier this month issued light operating income guidance for the second quarter, highlighting “tariff and trade policies” as a factor weighing on its outlook. Etsy, meanwhile, said last week it’s staying “nimble” to the tariff uncertainty, while the company’s finance chief Lanny Baker noted that the company’s “direct tariff exposure appears to be relatively low.” GMV, a key metric that measures the total volume of goods sold on the platform, was $74.75 billion during the first quarter. That fell just short of consensus estimates for $74.8 billion, according to StreetAccount. Revenue for the quarter was up about 27% to $2.36 billion, beating analysts’ projected $2.33 billion. Subscription solutions revenue came in at $620 million during the quarter, which was lighter than the $621.5 million forecast by Wall Street. Stock Chart IconStock chart icon Shopify stock chart Source link #Shopify #SHOP #earnings Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Handheld Console With Xbox Brand Leaked Image Seemingly Confirms 2025 Release Window Handheld Console With Xbox Brand Leaked Image Seemingly Confirms 2025 Release Window Ever since the rumors of an Xbox handheld started spreading on the internet, it has become a hot topic of discussion in the gaming community. They were obviously rumors that were to be taken with a grain of salt, but now the case seems the opposite, and the Xbox-branded handheld is all but officially confirmed by the companies themselves. The next hardware from Xbox is not a next-generation console or a mid-gen refresh similar to the PlayStation 5 Pro. Reports popped up earlier this year indicating a partnership between Xbox and Asus to create a brand new handheld device, and now, images have leaked of the new Asus ROG Ally 2 with an Xbox button. Xbox handheld is real, and it has leaked An X user by the name of Huang514 posted some images of two different Asus ROG Ally 2, and the ****** variant is supposed to be the Xbox-branded version. These images confirm that the previously rumored Xbox handheld codenamed “Kennan” is indeed real and is set to arrive sometime later this year. ROG Ally 2 RC73XA ****** 20V 5A 100W RC73YA White 20V 3.25A 65W pic.twitter.com/dq3CP2SbA9 — Huang514613 (@94G8LA) May 7, 2025 According to VideoCardz, the specifications of the ****** variant of the ROG Ally 2, which is the Xbox-branded one, are superior to the white model as it sports a Ryzen Z2 Extreme processor with 8 cores and a 64-gigabyte memory capacity. The website 91mobiles first noticed entries for the device at the Indonesian certification office, which led to it being discovered and leaked to the public on X. While it’s good to finally get visual confirmation of the Xbox handheld’s existence, the official account of Xbox did tease the collaboration on X very recently. Seems like they couldn’t keep their tracks clean after all. But once it’s officially confirmed, it could stand as a potential threat to the PlayStation Portal, and handhelds could be the area where Xbox ultimately dominates over PlayStation. The handheld, paired with Xbox’s very own Game Pass service, could do wonders in increasing its sales. The Xbox handheld could be a real competitor against the Nintendo Switch 2 The Xbox-branded handheld could rival the Nintendo Switch 2 | Image Credits: Xbox Nintendo still dominates the handheld console market with the Switch 2 releasing later this year, but competition can get fierce if Microsoft and Asus decide to drop the Xbox-branded handheld around the same time. Xbox has already followed suit with Nintendo’s greedy scheme in raising their game and console prices, starting at the end of this year. Fortunately, the recent titles have escaped this price hike, with Expedition 33 costing much less and selling very well too. But it sets a dangerous precedent for Xbox games releasing in the future. If Microsoft plays its cards right and sets a competitive price point for the new Xbox handheld device, the odds could turn against Nintendo, with the former dominating the handheld console market. Steam’s rumored integration with the new Xbox handheld device could also favor the latter in beating Nintendo at its own game. Unless Microsoft decides to shoot itself in the foot by putting an unreasonable price tag on its new handheld, which is entirely possible due to the recent price hikes, then it’s safe to say that Xbox has a fighting chance against Nintendo. So, what do you think about the leaked Xbox-branded handheld images? Do you find the prospect of Xbox finally entering the handheld console market exciting? Or do you think Xbox is starting a losing battle against Nintendo? Let us know your thoughts and opinions on the situation in the comment section below. Source link #Handheld #Console #Xbox #Brand #Leaked #Image #Seemingly #Confirms #Release #Window Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Shopify (SHOP) earnings Q1 2025 Shopify (SHOP) earnings Q1 2025 The logo of Shopify is seen outside its headquarters in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, September 28, 2018. Chris Wattie | Reuters Shares of Shopify dipped more than 5% in early trading on Thursday after the company posted mixed first-quarter results and issued soft guidance for the current *******. Here’s how the company did: Revenue: $2.36 billion vs. $2.33 billion expected by LSEG Earnings per share: 39 cents adjusted vs. 26 cents expected by LSEG For the second quarter, Shopify said it expects gross profit to grow at a high-teens percentage rate, while analysts had forecast a rate of 20.1%, according to StreetAccount. The company forecast revenue to expand at a mid-twenties percentage rate compared with a year earlier. Wall Street had forecast roughly 22% growth. Shopify sells software for merchants who run online businesses as well as services such as advertising and payment processing tools. Many of Shopify’s merchants are small- to medium-sized businesses, giving it some exposure to President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs on ******** imports, which total 145%. As part of Trump’s tariffs, the president last week closed a trade loophole favorable to many online businesses that allowed shipments from China under $800 to enter the U.S. duty-free. On a call with investors, Shopify President Harley Finkelstein said the expiration of de minimis isn’t expected to have a “meaningful impact” on Shopify in the near term. Roughly 1% of its gross merchandise volume is related to imports from China that were subject to the exemption, he said. The company hasn’t seen “broad based price increases” among sellers yet, Finkelstein said. He added that consumers who purchase from Shopify businesses skew higher income, with more than half of buyers in the U.S. having incomes above $100,000. “We believe this helps insulate our merchants from some of the potential swings in pricing or other market factors, as higher income consumers tend to be less price sensitive,” Finkelstein said. “We acknowledge the uncertainty ahead and are actively monitoring our data to help us support our merchants and adapt to whatever changes may arise.” Earlier this year, Shopify also added a “buy local” tool to its site, allowing shoppers to filter products to items sold by merchants in their country. E-commerce companies are bracing for the impact of Trump’s tariffs. Amazon earlier this month issued light operating income guidance for the second quarter, highlighting “tariff and trade policies” as a factor weighing on its outlook. Etsy, meanwhile, said last week it’s staying “nimble” to the tariff uncertainty, while the company’s finance chief Lanny Baker noted that the company’s “direct tariff exposure appears to be relatively low.” GMV, a key metric that measures the total volume of goods sold on the platform, was $74.75 billion during the first quarter. That fell just short of consensus estimates for $74.8 billion, according to StreetAccount. Revenue for the quarter was up about 27% to $2.36 billion, beating analysts’ projected $2.33 billion. Subscription solutions revenue came in at $620 million during the quarter, which was lighter than the $621.5 million forecast by Wall Street. Stock Chart IconStock chart icon Shopify stock chart Source link #Shopify #SHOP #earnings Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Putin and Xi Present a United Front as They Face an Unpredictable Trump – The New York Times Putin and Xi Present a United Front as They Face an Unpredictable Trump – The New York Times Putin and Xi Present a United Front as They Face an Unpredictable Trump The New York TimesChina’s Xi stands with Putin against ‘international bullying’ in Moscow meeting The Washington PostChina’s Xi hails ‘stable and resilient’ Russia ties as he shows solidarity with Putin in Moscow CNNChina’s Xi Jinping likens ‘US hegemony’ to ‘fascist forces’ ahead of Vladimir Putin summit Financial TimesChina’s Xi arrives in Moscow in show of support for Putin after Ukrainian drones target capital Reuters Source link #Putin #Present #United #Front #Face #Unpredictable #Trump #York #Times Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Pay day banking outages hit 1.2m people, banks reveal Pay day banking outages hit 1.2m people, banks reveal Graham Fraser Technology Reporter Getty Images About 1.2m people in the *** were affected by banking outages that happened on what was pay day for many earlier this year. The details have emerged in letters from Lloyds, TSB, Nationwide and HSBC to Dame Meg Hillier, the chair of the Commons Treasury Committee, which is looking into the incident that occurred on Friday, 28 February. HSBC also revealed that customers had to wait two hours on average that day to reach its online customer service team. Its standard target wait time is five minutes. In their correspondence, the banks said they had paid compensation to affected customers and also outlined what they were doing to try to prevent similar problems in the future. Pay day problems Lloyds Banking Group customers faced the biggest impact from the February outages. Ron van Kemenade, the bank’s group chief operating officer, said around 700,000 people who are customers of Lloyds, Halifax, Bank of Scotland and MBNA were affected as they couldn’t log into their accounts on a first attempt. However Mr van Kemenade argued it did not amount to an outage, as there were five million successful logins during the ******* of disruption. Nonetheless, the bank said it was improving its log-in infrastructure and monitoring systems following the incident. The letters from the banks revealed about 250,000 TSB customers, 196,255 from Nationwide and 60,000 from HSBC also faced disruption on that morning. The banks have paid out over £114,000 in compensation to customers so far, with Nationwide (£84,341) paying the most. All the banks said there was no evidence of an increase in fraudulent activity during the disruption, and said there was also no indication that outages were more prevalent at some times – such as pay days – than at other periods. Fine and failing infrastructure The pay day outage was far from the only IT problem the banking sector has experienced. In March, it emerged that nine major banks and building societies operating in the *** accumulated at least 803 hours – the equivalent of 33 days – of tech outages in the past two years. The Treasury Committee – which has been investigating the impact of banking IT failures – compelled Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds, Nationwide, Santander, NatWest, Danske Bank, Bank of Ireland and Allied Irish Bank to provide the data. The report also said Barclays could now face compensation payments of £12.5m following an outage there that affected customers on pay day in January. Experts including Patrick Burgess of BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT, and Shilpa Doreswamy, a director with GFT, a company committed to the digital transformation of the financial sector, have stated that the recent outages reveal the problems banks have with ageing infrastructure and failing IT systems. Source link #Pay #day #banking #outages #hit #1.2m #people #banks #reveal Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

StanChart analyst apologizes $120K bitcoin price call ‘too low’ StanChart analyst apologizes $120K bitcoin price call ‘too low’ Vcg | Visual China Group | Getty Images A Standard Chartered analyst who predicted bitcoin hitting $120,000 by the second quarter now says his price call is “too low.” “I apologise that my USD120k Q2 target may be too low,” Geoffrey Kendrick, head of digital assets at Standard Chartered, said in a tongue-in-cheek comment shared with clients via email Thursday. Last month, Kendrick wrote a note saying that he expects bitcoin to reach an all-time high of around $120,000 in the second quarter of 2025 on the back of a “strategic asset reallocation away from US assets” and “accumulation by ‘whales’ (major holders).” “We expect these supportive factors to push BTC to a fresh all-time high around USD 120,000 in Q2,” Kendrick said at the time. “We see gains continuing through the summer, taking BTC-USD towards our year-end forecast of 200,000.” On Thursday, Kendrick said his $120,000 bitcoin price call now “looks very achievable” and that this may even be too low a target. “The dominant story for Bitcoin has changed again,” the Standard Chartered analyst said. “It was correlation to risk assets … It then became a way to position for strategic asset reallocation out of US assets.” “It is now all about flows. And flows are coming in many forms,” he added. His comments come as bitcoin once again approaches the $100,000 level. The price of the cryptocurrency was last seen trading up by more than 3% at $99,293.54, according to Coin Metrics. Earlier, it rose as high as $99,897.00. In recent years, analysts have picked up on a pattern that shows bitcoin trading in a similar way to risk assets such as U.S. technology stocks — the rationale being that increased inflows of more institutional capital into bitcoin makes it more prone to the same market risks equity markets face. Kendrick — who has long held a bullish position on the cryptocurrency — said that U.S. spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds have seen $5.3 billion of inflows in the past three weeks, suggesting more institutional money is piling in. He pointed to several examples of large investors allocating part of their portfolios to bitcoin, including software firm MicroStrategy ramping up bitcoin purchases, the Abu Dhbai sovereign wealth fund holding BlackRock’s IBIT bitcoin ETF, and the Swiss National Bank buying shares of MicroStrategy. MicroStrategy is widely considered a proxy for bitcoin. Source link #StanChart #analyst #apologizes #120K #bitcoin #price #call Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]