Pelican Press

Xbox Buyout Won’t Stop Sony Bundling PS5 with Call of Duty Xbox Buyout Won’t Stop Sony Bundling PS5 with Call of Duty ****** Ops 6 bundle reportedly on the way. Sony is reportedly set to offer an official PS5 console bundle containing a digital copy of Call of Duty: ****** Ops 6 in the near future. That’s despite the series being owned by a rival hardware manufacturer. Source link #Xbox #Buyout #Wont #Stop #Sony #Bundling #PS5 #Call #Duty Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Investigations ongoing over alleged terror plot, says minister Investigations ongoing over alleged terror plot, says minister André Rhoden-Paul BBC News BBC Armed police descended on suspects across the country on Saturday Searches are continuing at a number of addresses after five men were arrested on Saturday over an alleged terror plot in the ***. Home Office minister Dan Jarvis said hundreds of officers were carrying out forensic investigations and collecting evidence at different sites across the country during a Commons statement on Tuesday. The men, who are Iranian nationals, are suspected of plotting to target a specific premises, Jarvis told MPs – though said he could not disclose where. He described the arrests as “some of the largest counter-state threats and counter-terrorism actions that we have seen in recent times”. He told the Commons: “What now follows is an incredibly complex set of investigations involving hundreds more officers carrying out forensic searches, collecting vital evidence across different sites across the country, and securing witness statements backed up by the continued efforts of our security and intelligence agencies. “This is careful, painstaking work.” The arrests were carried out in west London, Swindon, Rochdale, Stockport and Manchester. Witnesses saw armed officers descend on some of the suspects and drag them away. Military personnel supported the raids, it is understood. Police have been granted extra time to question four of the men, while a fifth has been released on bail. While Jarvis said he could not disclose which site was allegedly being targeted, he added: “Police officers have been in contact with the affected site to make them aware and provide relevant security advice and support.” The five arrests took place on the same day as three more Iranian men were arrested as part of a separate counter-terrorism investigation. All three are from London and were arrested under section 27 of the National Security Act 2023, which authorises police to detain those suspected of “foreign power threat activity”. Jarvis told the Commons the trio are the first Iranians to be held under the 2023 law, and said carrying out both sets of raids on one day required “intensive” planning. ‘Serious challenge from state threats’ Last October, Sir Ken McCallum, director general of MI5, said there had been a sharp rise in state-linked threats to the *** – including 20 linked to Iran since January 2022 which had posed “potentially lethal threats to British citizens and *** residents”. Referencing those remarks, Jarvis told MPs he could not comment on the details of this week’s cases or potential motivations, but said the operations came against a backdrop of “serious, growing and complex challenge from state threats”. Last month, Jarvis said the Iranian state would be placed on an “enhanced tier” of the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme, which is expected to launch in July and will require any individuals working for the Iranian regime in the *** to register with authorities or face jail. Speaking on Tuesday, Jarvis added: “Let me be clear, anyone in the *** who works for the Iranian state must declare it or they will be committing a serious criminal offence.” Conservative shadow Home Office minister Matt Vickers called on the government to “be as transparent as possible” to avoid a possible “vacuum of information”. He said the two separate investigations into Iranian nationals “raise serious questions” and urged the government to reveal their immigration status. Liberal Democrat home affairs spokeswoman Lisa Smart asked ministers to “look closely” at whether sanctioned individuals linked to the Iranian regime have assets in the ***. Source link #Investigations #ongoing #alleged #terror #plot #minister Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump shifts tariff goals from trade deals Trump shifts tariff goals from trade deals U.S. President Donald Trump meets with ********* Prime Minister Mark Carney (not pictured) in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 6, 2025. Leah Millis | Reuters “The Art of the Deal” author President Donald Trump said in a surprising comment Tuesday that the United States does not need to “sign deals” with trade partners, despite top White House officials claiming for weeks that such deals are the administration’s top priority. “Everyone says, ‘when, when, when are you going to sign deals?'” Trump grumbled during a White House meeting with ********* Prime Minister Mark Carney. “We don’t have to sign deals, they have to sign deals with us. They want a piece of our market. We don’t want a piece of their market,” Trump said. After weeks of touting how many countries were asking for bilateral trade talks with the United States, the president and his team have yet to announce any formal agreements or frameworks. “I wish they’d … stop asking, how many deals are you signing this week?” said Trump, clearly frustrated at the mounting pressure on the White House to show progress on trade talks. “Because one day we’ll come and we’ll give you 100 deals,” he said. Read more CNBC politics coverage Trump’s effort to deprioritize trade deals Tuesday marked a turn away from what his Treasury Secretary told CNBC the day before. The U.S. is “very close to some deals,” Scott Bessent said on “Money Movers.” Trump himself said Sunday on Air Force One that there “could very well be” trade deals rolled out this week. “At the end, I’m setting the deal,” he told reporters en route to Washington. Speaking last week during a NewsNation town hall, Trump also said that his administration has “potential deals” with India, South Korea and Japan. He also said last week that negotiations with India were “coming along great” and the U.S. will “likely have a deal with India.” On Tuesday, however, Trump blamed top aides like Bessent and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick for overpromising trade deals. “I think my people haven’t made it clear, we will sign some deals,” said Trump. “But much ******* than that is we’re going to put down the price that people are going to have to pay to shop in the United States. Think of us as a super luxury store, a store that has the goods.” U.S. markets moved lower Tuesday afternoon after Trump made the comments about deals. Investors and business leaders are desperately hoping the Trump administration can negotiate a series of bilateral agreements with major U.S. trading partners like Japan, South Korea and India before the full brunt of the tariff induced trade slowdown hits the U.S. economy. But so far, the Trump administration has not provided any details about any specific deals. Instead, nearly every day, top aides publicly claim that several deals are “close” and could be announced within days. Source link #Trump #shifts #tariff #goals #trade #deals Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

U.S. trade deals could come this week after tariff talks: Trump official – National U.S. trade deals could come this week after tariff talks: Trump official – National U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Tuesday said the Trump administration could announce trade agreements with some of the United States’ largest trade partners as early as this week, but gave no details on which countries were involved. He said the administration was negotiating with 17 major trading partners, but had not yet engaged with China, the world’s second-largest economy after the United States. He said many trading partners have made very good offers and Trump officials were in the process of “re-negotiating” those now. “I expect that we can see a substantial reduction of the tariffs that we are being charged, as well as non-tariff barriers, currency manipulation and subsidies, both labor and capital investment,” he told the House Appropriations Committee. U.S. President Donald Trump and his top officials have engaged in a flurry of meetings with trading partners since the president on April 2 imposed a 10% tariff on most countries, along with higher tariff rates for many trading partners that were then suspended for 90 days. The U.S. president has also imposed 25% tariffs on autos, steel and aluminum, 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico, and 145% tariffs on China. Story continues below advertisement China responded by boosting its tariffs on U.S. goods to 125%. A top European Union official on Tuesday said the 27-nation bloc was readying countermeasures if no trade deal was reached with Washington, adding that it was being contacted by other countries seeking to forge closer trade ties with the EU. 2:11 Business Matters: U.S.-China trade war forces nations to choose sides, hedge bets Bessent said about 97% or 98% of the U.S. trade deficit was with about 15 countries, most of which were major trading partners, and discussions were proceeding well with many. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. “I would be surprised if we don’t have more than 80 or 90% of those wrapped by the end of the year, and that may be much sooner,” he said. “I would think that perhaps as early as this week we will be announcing trade deals with some of our largest trading partners.” Bessent faced questions from House Democrats over Trump’s tariff policies, including Representative Mark Pocan from Wisconsin, who repeatedly pressed Bessent on who paid the tariffs and for speaking at investor conferences instead of focussing on the impact on small business owners. Story continues below advertisement “Right now, we are getting screwed right and left because of the indiscriminate use of tariffs. That’s the reality for Main Street,” Pocan said. Bessent countered that he had met with over 50 small lenders. He also pushed back against questions about a possible U.S. recession, saying the data did not show a downturn and predicting that Commerce Department data showing a contraction in the first quarter would likely be revised upward. Trending Now Carney tells Trump that Canada ‘never for *****’ during White House meeting Prince Louis’ antics steal the show again, as he appears to tease his brother 1:56 Trump shifts his tone on tariffs, again, amid global market turmoil The Commerce Department reported last week that GDP decreased at a 0.3% annualized rate last quarter, the first contraction reported in three years. Trump and top officials, keeping a close eye on negative sentiment in financial markets, have been predicting a trade deal announcement for weeks. On Sunday, Trump told reporters some trade deals could come this week, but gave no details. Story continues below advertisement Wall Street’s main indexes declined on Tuesday as investors tried to navigate the uncertainty surrounding tariffs, while awaiting the Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision this week. Administration officials have suggested that India and Japan could be the first countries to sign a trade agreement to lower the tariff rates Trump has threatened. Trump told the NewsNation television network last week that he had “potential” trade deals with India, South Korea and Japan. Bessent’s comments on the lack of negotiations with China came after Trump on Sunday said that he had no plans to speak with ******** President Xi Jinping this week, but U.S. officials were speaking with ******** officials about “different things.” In an interview with NBC News broadcast on Sunday, Trump acknowledged that he had been “very tough with China,” essentially cutting off trade between the world’s top two economies, but said Beijing now wanted to reach an agreement. “They want to make a deal. They want to make a deal very badly. We’ll see how that all turns out, but it’s got to be a fair deal,” he said at the time. More on World More videos Source link #U.S #trade #deals #week #tariff #talks #Trump #official #National Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

U.S. to Downgrade ************ Affairs Office in Jerusalem, Officials Say U.S. to Downgrade ************ Affairs Office in Jerusalem, Officials Say In recent years, an office within the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem had a direct line of communication with Washington. That was meant to signal that the United States saw ************ issues as important, and considered the Israeli-occupied West Bank and the Gaza Strip to be separate from Israel. Now, the new U.S. ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, has decided to shut down this direct channel, according to U.S. officials who spoke condition of anonymity to discuss private deliberations. The decision will effectively end the special status of the Office of ************ Affairs at the embassy, which had been sending cables to Washington without being required to get them approved first by embassy leaders. The cables went to U.S. agencies working on foreign policy and national security. The office, which is in the old Jerusalem consulate building and not in the embassy, is responsible for maintaining contact with senior ************ officials and reporting on ************ issues. The move is one of Mr. Huckabee’s most significant decisions since arriving in Israel in April. Lourdes Lamela, the acting head of the Office of ************ Affairs, was recently informed of the ambassador’s decision after Mr. Huckabee consulted with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the officials said. After the State Department was asked for comment for this article on Tuesday morning, the department spokesperson, Tammy Bruce, said at an afternoon news conference that Mr. Rubio had decided “to merge the responsibilities” of the ************ Affairs office “fully” into the embassy. She added that Mr. Huckabee would oversee the merger in the coming weeks. For decades, under Republican and Democratic presidents, the State Department maintained an embassy in Tel Aviv because the United States did not formally recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. But the department also operated an American consulate in Jerusalem, where the U.S. government has had a diplomatic mission since the Ottoman era. The first Trump administration recognized Jerusalem as the Israeli capital and moved the U.S. embassy there. It shut down consulate operations in Jerusalem. The work on ************ issues was then subsumed into the new embassy, and the division was renamed the ************ Affairs Unit, though it stayed in the old building. The United States has long advocated for the establishment of a ************ state alongside Israel. While the Biden administration did not re-establish the consulate, it changed the name of the ************ Affairs Unit to the Office of ************ Affairs in 2022 and restored its unique mechanism for reporting directly to Washington. The head of the office had the authority to approve cables written by the staff and send them along to the United States, without getting clearance from the top embassy officials who had to approve other cable traffic. Diplomats who worked in that office took care to calibrate the language and topics they included in cables because they did not want senior officials to revoke the power to use that direct channel. “While we used the separate authority to report on key issues, we had to be careful how we phrased it to avoid losing our independence,” said Mike Casey, a diplomat who worked on Gaza issues in the ************ Affairs office from 2021 until he resigned last year. The political sensitivity of cable traffic between Jerusalem and Washington surged after the Israel-Gaza war began in October 2023. Mr. Casey said that top embassy officials told most diplomats there to stop writing cables except for short daily updates, but the ************ Affairs office retained its special authority, and the handful of diplomats there continued to write and send cables. Recently, Mr. Huckabee has also told embassy staff that he would like to meet with senior ************ officials in Ramallah, the administrative headquarters of the ************ Authority. This is a responsibility usually handled by the head of the Office of ************ Affairs, the officials said. The U.S. ambassador in Israel traditionally does not meet with ************ leaders in Ramallah, reinforcing that the United States views the ************ Authority distinctly from Israel. In a text message, Hussein al-Sheikh, a senior ************ official, said he would not comment until the Ramallah-based ************ leadership learns officially about the details of the decision. Hady Amr, who served as the U.S. special representative for ************ affairs under the Biden administration, said that shutting down the direct line between the Office of ************ Affairs and Washington would undermine the ability of diplomats to offer “direct and unvarnished” reporting. “Closing this channel will further diminish the credibility and thus the ability of U.S. diplomats to engage the ************ people just at the time we need it most,” he said. Mahmoud Abbas, president of the ************ Authority, has largely avoided confrontation with the current Trump administration over its policies and statements on the Israeli-************ conflict, in contrast to his more combative approach during Mr. Trump’s first administration. At the time, he boycotted U.S. officials. Mr. Abbas was furious with Mr. Trump for relocating the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, cutting off aid to Palestinians, and closing the official ************ representative office in Washington. Last week, Mr. Huckabee hinted that he would close the direct reporting channel between the Office of ************ Affairs and the U.S. State Department. “Certainly there needs to be a unity and a unified command when it comes to how things run at the embassy,” Mr. Huckabee told reporters at a Jewish News Syndicate conference. Some former officials at the embassy said Mr. Huckabee’s decision suggested the United States could support Israeli annexation of the West Bank, territory that the Palestinians hope will be part of a future ************ state. “It’s a small step that’s indicative of increasingly alarming trends in U.S. policy toward Palestinians, including the possibility of supporting Israeli annexation of the West Bank,” said Ibrahim Dalalsha, a former high-level staff member at the consulate in Jerusalem. In 2017, before Mr. Huckabee became ambassador, he said that Israel had “title deed” to the West Bank and he took issue with the terms “West Bank” and “settlement.” “There is no such thing as a West Bank,” Mr. Huckabee said. “There’s no such thing as a settlement — they are communities, they’re neighborhoods, they’re cities. There’s no such thing as an occupation,” he added. Last week, he told Ben Shapiro, the conservative commentator, that annexation was not a decision for the United States, but he suggested that it would eventually take place. Still, Mr. Huckabee told members of the U.S. Senate in March that his policies would not be implemented in the Middle East, but rather those of Mr. Trump. In February, Mr. Trump told a news conference with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel that the United States was discussing Israeli annexation of the West Bank with representatives of the Israeli government. At the time, he said “people do like the idea” but clarified the administration had not taken a position on it yet. Mr. Trump added that an announcement on annexation would probably be coming within the following four weeks, but no announcement was made. Michael Crowley contributed reporting. Source link #U.S #Downgrade #************ #Affairs #Office #Jerusalem #Officials Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

If we save the sea, we save our world: Attenborough If we save the sea, we save our world: Attenborough David Attenborough has issued a rallying cry to protect the oceans in a film released to coincide with his 99th birthday. The new documentary, Ocean with David Attenborough, includes dramatic footage of the devastation fishing practices such as bottom trawling wreak on the seabed and its wildlife as well as highlighting the wonder of natural habitats – from kelp forests to coral reefs – and the need to protect them. In one sequence the camera follows a bottom trawl – where nets are dragged with a metal beam across the seabed to catch fish – as it travels over the ocean floor, destroying the habitat, stirring up silt and scooping up species. It also shows before and after footage of scallop dredging off Scotland’s Isle of Arran to highlight the damage it causes, with Attenborough warning that bottom trawling is still allowed in marine protected areas worldwide, and subsidised by governments. Elsewhere the film documents the damage being done to coral reefs by climate change warming the oceans and causing mass bleaching events, followed by a growth of algae on the corals which kills them off. It also shows factory ships catching krill – a key food source for Antarctic wildlife from penguins to whales – on an industrial scale for fish farming, health supplements and **** food. And local Liberian fishermen are dwarfed by the industrial trawlers off the coast of west Africa, threatening their livelihoods, as Attenborough warns wealthy countries are sending vessels to catch fish in “modern colonialism at sea”. But in a documentary released in cinemas ahead of a major United Nations ocean conference in France in June, Attenborough also offers a message of hope that, given the chance, the oceans can recover and provide food, store carbon dioxide in seabeds, kelp and seagrass, and allow wildlife to thrive. The film includes footage of kelp forests off California where fishing has been fully prevented, which have recovered to healthy ecosystems and boosting lobster populations that spill over into the wider sea where catches have increased, and the world’s largest marine protected area off Hawaii. Attenborough points to the reversal of fortunes for the world’s whales after an international whaling ban was secured and sites where coral recovers after bleaching where fishing is banned, as fish eat off the algae and allow the ecosystem to regrow. “The ocean can recover faster than we thought possible,” he says in the film. “If we just let nature take its course, the sea will save itself.” And he concludes: “If we save the sea, we save our world.” Source link #save #sea #save #world #Attenborough Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

What’s New in Title Update 1.0.4? What’s New in Title Update 1.0.4? Recently, Ubisoft laid out an ambitious roadmap for Assassin’s Creed: Shadows, and players are eagerly awaiting the promised updates that will further enhance their journey through feudal Japan. The good news? The first of May’s big updates is finally here. Title Update 1.0.4 is not just about fixing bugs; it’s a serious refinement, bringing the already impressive game to a whole new level of polish. Think of it like a skilled samurai sharpening their katana; these updates don’t just cut through issues; they elevate the experience. If you’ve been waiting for smoother gameplay, new content, and some essential quality-of-life improvements, this patch will feel like a breath of fresh air. Title Update 1.0.4 Patch Notes: All fixes & improvements Ubisoft’s focus for Title Update 1.0.4 was a balanced mix of bug fixes, stability improvements, and a few key gameplay refinements. It has worked hard to smooth out several rough edges, addressing some of the most frustrating issues that players have encountered. Let’s break down the General Fixes: Players no longer get redirected to the wrong board when trying to complete “Complete Yasuke’s Personal Journey.” This issue has been fixed, saving time and frustration. Another major issue that is fixed: accessing the trinket in the forge. Now, players can fully access and use all available items. For customization lovers, they can now apply visual changes to weapons without glitches. Various minor AI glitches and audio hiccups have been addressed, improving immersion overall. Hideout: Addressed the missing NPC and crashing issue. Now, let’s dive into the Open-World Fixes: The biggest change: No more objects flying around or getting destroyed near altars and religious buildings. Now everything stays firmly in place. Deer Spawning: It wasn’t the Bambi experience you expected. Too many deer were spawning on the main roads, creating chaotic scenes. It’s now been toned down. Merchants now offer a more diverse inventory without duplicates, improving the shopping experience. Quest fixes are as follows: Several quests, including “Astray” and “Fight of the Kakushiba Ikki,” had progression issues. All that’s been addressed now for smoother questlines Some NPCs were behaving oddly, like Tokubei attacking anyone in sight or enemies fighting each other in Against the Koga-ryu. Those little quirks have now been fixed. Time to get into juicy Stealth and Combat fixes: Issues with abilities like Ground Assassination and Guaranteed Assassination have been ironed out, improving stealth gameplay. The Igan Sunset Tanto perk, which slowed down time on Escape Strikes, was getting a little carried away, so Ubisoft has adjusted it to prevent endless slow-motion. Meanwhile, other combat skills and abilities, like Snake Bite and Crescent Strike, are now functioning as intended. Some Visuals and UI fixes were also implemented: A host of animation glitches and rendering issues have been patched up for smoother visuals. From tutorial mishaps to HUD problems, issues have been resolved to keep your screen clean and functional. Photo Mode is also getting some love, with visual issues like lingering effects and Codex Orbs being cleared up. Now, some Platform-specific fixes: PC: There’s now a better VRAM usage display and more accurate performance metrics. Additionally, the issue with ultra-wide settings has been fixed. Steam Deck: Players no longer have that jarring FPS drop during the intro animation. MacOS: Minor tweaks for Mac resolution options and the PS5 Controller light issues. Xbox: Added back the Balanced mode in Performance options. New features & content in the May 2025 Update Shadows just got a whole lot fun and immersive. | Image Credit: Ubisoft While bug fixes and performance improvements are crucial, the standout feature of this update is the introduction of fresh content. The new free story pack, The Works of Luis Frois, is a welcome addition, expanding the game’s narrative with a brand-new quest. To unlock the quest, you’ll need to complete “The Path He Walks” on Yasuke’s Board, providing a fun incentive for players to continue progressing in the game’s rich storyline. In addition to the new story content, Ubisoft has answered the call for more lore with the addition of character bios in the Codex. Yes, players’ prayers have been heard, as now they can keep track of all the important allies and foes they meet throughout their journey. The Codex update serves as a great tool for those looking to dive deeper into the game’s story, providing a bit more context for the characters you encounter, especially when you’re following the intricate web of relationships in Assassin’s Creed: Shadows. Player reactions to Title Update 1.0.4 so far Your quest board finally knows where it’s going. | Image Credit: Ubisoft Overall, the general consensus on the update has been fairly positive, as various important things, like Shrines and Deer overload, have been fixed. What players are most excited about is the inclusion of the Codex. This was a highly requested feature and has been met with great enthusiasm. Additionally, the improvements to quest progression and combat mechanics have been appreciated, especially fixes to NPC behavior where characters weren’t spawning or moving as they should. However, not everything, and not everyone, is happy just yet. Some players are still frustrated by unresolved issues. The biggest complaint continues to be the lack of a multi-sell feature. Ubisoft has acknowledged this and stated that the feature is in the works and will be added soon. Another persistent issue is the inventory’s “new” bug, which haunts some players. This has led to players asking for a “Mark All as Read” feature for the Codex, which many feel would be a simple yet valuable quality-of-life upgrade. While these issues are still on the table, it’s clear that Ubisoft has taken some important steps in the right direction with this update, making Assassin’s Creed Shadows a smoother, more enjoyable game overall. In the end, Title Update 1.0.4 for Assassin’s Creed: Shadows brings a whole lot to the table. Ubisoft has clearly been listening to the community, from crucial bug fixes to new story content and gameplay improvements. While some issues remain (looking at you, inventory management), this update is a solid first step toward polishing a game that’s already packed with potential. If you haven’t updated yet, now’s the time to jump back into the game. And who knows? Maybe the next update will finally tackle those lingering player requests. Source link #Whats #Title #Update #1.0.4 Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Watch Mark Carney tell Trump Canada will not be 51st state: “There are some places that are never for *****” Watch Mark Carney tell Trump Canada will not be 51st state: “There are some places that are never for *****” President Trump and Canada’s new Prime Minister Mark Carney met on Tuesday in the Oval Office, where Carney told Mr. Trump that Canada is not for *****, and never will be. Video of their meeting, which can be watched in the video player above, shows the two leaders talking about real estate, with Mr. Trump saying he’s “a real estate developer at heart.” The conversation comes after Mr. Trump previously said he would talk to Carney about making Canada the United States’ 51st state. “When you get rid of that artificially drawn line … when you look at that beautiful formation when it’s together, I’m a very artistic person, but when I looked at that … I said, ‘That’s the way it was meant to be,'” Mr. Trump told reporters. Mr. Trump also said they wouldn’t be discussing the U.S. acquiring Canada unless “somebody wants to discuss it,” but said it would be a “wonderful marriage.” Carney then said: “As you know from real estate, there are some places that are never for *****. We’re sitting in one right now, Buckingham Palace that you visited, as well. And having met with the owners of Canada over the course of the campaign the last several months, it’s not for *****, it won’t be for *****, ever.” President Donald Trump meets with ********* Prime Minister Mark Carney in the Oval Office at the White House on May 6, 2025 in Washington, D.C. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images Tuesday was the first time Mr. Trump and Carney met since Carney’s Liberal Party won last week’s election. While Mr. Trump said he wanted to annex Canada, he also said he didn’t expect it to get to the point of military force, noting: “I just don’t see it.” He didn’t say that about Greenland. “Something could happen with Greenland, I’ll be honest,” Mr. Trump told NBC News’ “Meet the Press.” Kaia Hubbard and Kathryn Watson contributed to this report. Sarah ****** Baldwin Sarah ****** Baldwin is a deputy managing editor of CBSNews.com. She helps lead national and breaking news coverage and shapes editorial workflows. Source link #Watch #Mark #Carney #Trump #Canada #51st #state #places #***** Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Cardinal tarnished by secret ******** pact emerges as front-runner to be Pope Cardinal tarnished by secret ******** pact emerges as front-runner to be Pope An Italian cardinal once tainted by a secret deal with China over the appointment of Catholic bishops has emerged as the favourite to be elected pope. Pietro Parolin, 70, is a seasoned diplomat who served under Pope Francis as secretary of state – effectively the prime minister of the ******** City State. The odds of him being elected as the successor to the late pope when 133 cardinals enter the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday at the start of the conclave are now at 9/4, according to British bookmaker William Hill. Cardinal Parolin has moved ahead of the previous favourite, ********* cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, despite some in the Catholic Church being highly critical of the confidential accord that he negotiated with China’s authoritarian regime. Catholics in China are split into two camps – those who are members of an underground church that is loyal to Rome and the Pope, and those who belong to a state-sanctioned church that refuses to accept the authority of the pontiff. Under the deal, struck in 2018 and since renewed several times, ******** officials were given some input into bishops who are appointed by the ********. Critics said the agreement sold out those Catholics who are loyal to Rome and represented a capitulation to Beijing. But that has not stopped the cardinal from moving to the front of the pack as cardinals from around the world prepare to vote in the first round of the conclave on Wednesday afternoon. “If I had to put all my money on red, it’s Parolin, Parolin, Parolin. I am pretty certain that he will win,” a ******** insider told The Telegraph. “He is attractive because everybody knows him. Everyone has encountered him as a gentle, friendly, balanced, agreeable diplomatic person who knows his way around the ********, who has handled things for 10 years. He is reliable and he is not too aggressively Right and not too aggressively Left. “If he becomes pope there will be no trouble, no problems, no crisis. He is not going to be a charismatic pope, he will be very dry and diplomatic. But people are looking for safety – we had surprises and charisma for 12 years (under Francis). People want to see the ******** repaired. They want order to be restored.” A cardinal who is a member of the Curia, the Holy See’s governing body, said: “Parolin is looking like he has the best hand to play. He’s not a divisive candidate and he is picking up votes. The Americans have faith in him. And as a moderate, he can reassure the conservatives on preserving the traditions of the Church. He can also guarantee to the progressives that he won’t roll back Francis’s initiatives,” he told La Stampa newspaper. “He is seen as a ‘first among equals’ rather than someone who wants to be in command on his own.” The conclave is notoriously hard to predict – particularly this time around. Not only is it the largest conclave in history, in terms of the number of cardinals who are eligible to vote, they also represent huge geographical diversity, coming from more than 70 countries. Of the 133 cardinal electors, 108 were appointed by Pope Francis. Many had not met each other before they were summoned to Rome for his ******** and the conclave. Adding to the unpredictability is the fact that there are two other ****** marks against Cardinal Parolin. He was involved – but not charged – in a disastrous ******** project to buy a former Harrods showroom in London and turn it into luxury flats, a botched deal that resulted in the loss of tens of millions of pounds. And he has been accused of withholding incriminating Church records relating to Catholic clergy who ********* abused children. The American watchdog Bishop Accountability claims that requests for information about priests who were accused of ******* abuse went through his office and were frequently blocked. “It can be fairly said that no Church official in the world has played as pivotal a role in withholding information about sex crimes from civil authorities than Cardinal Parolin,” said Anne Barrett Doyle, co-director of the watchdog. But to his supporters, Cardinal Parolin is a consummate statesman who would help heal the divisions created by Francis’ often unpredictable style of governance and his confusing declarations on issues such as blessings for same sex couples and the role of gay people in the Church. His election would return the papacy to Italy after nearly 50 years and three consecutive foreign popes: the Polish John Paul II, the ******* Pope Benedict XVI and the Argentinian Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday at the age of 88. Cardinals on Tuesday held their 12th and final meeting ahead of the conclave. They discussed the reforms launched by Pope Francis, the battle against clergy sex abuse, transparency in the ********’s finances and divisions within the Catholic Church. During the meeting, Pope Francis’ fisherman’s ring and his official seal were destroyed in one of the final rites of the transition from his pontificate to the next. Just before the cardinals enter the Sistine Chapel, the ******** will jam all telecommunications devices, the governorate of the city state announced. Cardinals are forbidden from using mobile phones, tablets or any other form of communication during the conclave, which is held behind closed doors. Any breach of the rules results in immediate excommunication. The use of telecommunications will resume once a new pope is elected with the words “Habemus papam” – Latin for “we have a pope”. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Source link #Cardinal #tarnished #secret #******** #pact #emerges #frontrunner #Pope Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Smoke Billows in Port Sudan as Fighting Continues for a Third Day Smoke Billows in Port Sudan as Fighting Continues for a Third Day new video loaded: Smoke Billows in Port Sudan as Fighting Continues for a Third Day Thick columns of smoke could be seen Tuesday in Port Sudan, the eastern Sudanese city where the Sudanese paramilitary group known as Rapid Support Forces was accused of attacking a fuel depot with drones. Recent episodes in Africa Show more videos from Africa Source link #Smoke #Billows #Port #Sudan #Fighting #Continues #Day Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump shifts tariff goals from trade deals Trump shifts tariff goals from trade deals U.S. President Donald Trump meets with ********* Prime Minister Mark Carney (not pictured) in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 6, 2025. Leah Millis | Reuters “The Art of the Deal” author President Donald Trump said in a surprising comment Tuesday that the United States does not need to “sign deals” with trade partners, despite top White House officials claiming for weeks that such deals are the administration’s top priority. “Everyone says, ‘when, when, when are you going to sign deals?'” Trump grumbled during a White House meeting with ********* Prime Minister Mark Carney. “We don’t have to sign deals, they have to sign deals with us. They want a piece of our market. We don’t want a piece of their market,” Trump said. After weeks of touting how many countries were asking for bilateral trade talks with the United States, the president and his team have yet to announce any formal agreements or frameworks. “I wish they’d … stop asking, how many deals are you signing this week?” said Trump, clearly frustrated at the mounting pressure on the White House to show progress on trade talks. “Because one day we’ll come and we’ll give you 100 deals,” he said. Read more CNBC politics coverage Trump’s effort to deprioritize trade deals Tuesday marked a turn away from what his Treasury Secretary told CNBC the day before. The U.S. is “very close to some deals,” Scott Bessent said on “Money Movers.” Trump himself said Sunday on Air Force One that there “could very well be” trade deals rolled out this week. “At the end, I’m setting the deal,” he told reporters en route to Washington. Speaking last week during a NewsNation town hall, Trump also said that his administration has “potential deals” with India, South Korea and Japan. He also said last week that negotiations with India were “coming along great” and the U.S. will “likely have a deal with India.” On Tuesday, however, Trump blamed top aides like Bessent and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick for overpromising trade deals. “I think my people haven’t made it clear, we will sign some deals,” said Trump. “But much ******* than that is we’re going to put down the price that people are going to have to pay to shop in the United States. Think of us as a super luxury store, a store that has the goods.” U.S. markets moved lower Tuesday afternoon after Trump made the comments about deals. Investors and business leaders are desperately hoping the Trump administration can negotiate a series of bilateral agreements with major U.S. trading partners like Japan, South Korea and India before the full brunt of the tariff induced trade slowdown hits the U.S. economy. But so far, the Trump administration has not provided any details about any specific deals. Instead, nearly every day, top aides publicly claim that several deals are “close” and could be announced within days. Source link #Trump #shifts #tariff #goals #trade #deals Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Supreme Court clears way for Trump administration to enforce transgender military ban for now Supreme Court clears way for Trump administration to enforce transgender military ban for now Washington — The Supreme Court on Tuesday said it will allow the Trump administration to implement its policy barring transgender people from serving in the military while legal proceedings move forward. The high court agreed to pause a lower court order that had blocked the administration from implementing its ban nationwide. The Justice Department sought emergency relief from the Supreme Court after a federal appeals court left in place that district court’s injunction. Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson said they would deny the administration’s request. The policy stems from an executive order President Trump signed in January that targeted active-duty and prospective service members with gender dysphoria. The measure said the military’s “high standards for troop readiness, lethality, cohesion, honesty, humility, uniformity and integrity” are inconsistent with the “medical, surgical and mental health constraints on individuals with gender dysphoria.” Mr. Trump’s directive said the “adoption of a gender identity inconsistent with an individual’s sex conflicts with a soldier’s commitment to an honorable, truthful, and disciplined lifestyle, even in one’s personal life. A man’s assertion that he is a woman, and his requirement that others honor this falsehood, is not consistent with the humility and selflessness required of a service member.” The president banned transgender people from serving in the military during his first term, and the Supreme Court allowed it to take effect in 2019. But former President Joe Biden revoked that policy when he took office in 2021. Following Mr. Trump’s new executive order, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth directed the Pentagon to pause new accessions for people with a history of gender dysphoria and halt gender-affirming medical procedures. The Defense Department then issued a new policy in February that disqualified people with gender dysphoria from military service unless they obtained a waiver. The branches had to start identifying and separating transgender service members by March 26. There are more than 1.2 million active-duty members of the military, according to the Defense Department. Between January 2016 and May 2021, roughly 1,892 service members received gender-affirming care from the Pentagon, according to the Congressional Research Service. A defense official said that as of Dec. 9, there were about 4,200 troops who had been diagnosed with gender dysphoria. The Pentagon spent roughly $52 million on medical care to treat gender dysphoria between 2015 and 2024, according to a Defense Department memo. The Trump administration’s ban led to legal challenges filed in Washington, D.C., and Tacoma, Washington. The case before the Supreme Court stems from the lawsuit brought in Tacoma on behalf of seven transgender service members, one transgender person who wants to join the military and an advocacy group. The plaintiffs argued the policy unconstitutionally discriminated against them based on sex and transgender status. A federal district court judge agreed in March to block implementation of the ban and required the Trump administration to reinstate the policy put in place by Biden. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit then declined to grant the Trump administration emergency relief and allow the administration to enforce the ban while litigation proceeds. The Justice Department had argued in a Supreme Court filing that Mr. Trump’s policy draws classifications not based on transgender status and sex, but by medical condition, gender dysphoria. Solicitor General John Sauer wrote that the political branches have the authority to decide the composition of the armed forces, which the Pentagon exercised when it decided to exclude transgender people from military service. “f the separation of powers means anything, the government obviously suffers irreparable harm when an unelected judge usurps the role of the political branches in operating the nation’s armed forces,” Sauer wrote. He argued that the district court’s injunction forces the military to maintain a policy — issued under the Biden administration — that the Pentagon found to be inconsistent with the interests of national security. But lawyers for the transgender service members said that allowing the Trump administration to enforce the ban would upend the status quo because it would clear the way for the government to start discharging thousands of transgender service members, ending their careers and hollowing out military units. “The record is clear and indubitable: equal service by openly transgender servicemembers has improved our military’s readiness, lethality, and unit cohesion, while discharging transgender servicemembers from our Armed Forces would harm all three, as well as the public fisc,” referring to public finances, they wrote in a filing. The transgender members of the armed forces said that the ban is awash with animus toward transgender people and noted that while the Supreme Court allowed an earlier iteration to take effect during the first Trump administration, this policy is much broader as it would force the expulsion of every transgender service member. “The ban was issued for the openly discriminatory purpose of expressing governmental disapproval of transgender people — even in their personal lives — and rendering them unequal to others,” they wrote. Melissa Quinn Melissa Quinn is a politics reporter for CBSNews.com. She has written for outlets including the Washington Examiner, Daily Signal and Alexandria Times. Melissa covers U.S. politics, with a focus on the Supreme Court and federal courts. Source link #Supreme #Court #clears #Trump #administration #enforce #transgender #military #ban Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

These ********-made products could soon be hard to find in the U.S. These ********-made products could soon be hard to find in the U.S. Shipments of ******** goods to the U.S. are plunging, auguring potential supply-chain disruptions that could empty store shelves as early as this summer, some experts have warned. As U.S. tariffs of up to 145% on ******** imports take hold, supplies of a broad range of products could start to dwindle later this summer as back-to-school and holiday spending heat up. Experts warn that the sharp decline in trade activity could lead to COVID-19 pandemic-like shortages of products, including goods assembled in the U.S. or elsewhere that use materials or inputs from China. Many American retailers rushed to build up their inventories ahead of President Trump’s sweeping levies, leading to a recent spike in imports. Imports have since slowed, with a number of retailers foregoing orders on apparel, baby goods and other items that would typically be headed toward U.S. ports. “Once this pull-forward effect fades, U.S. companies could face inventory shortfalls and restocking challenges, especially for back-to-school and holiday goods,” analysts with investment bank TD Cowen wrote in a research note that assessed the impact of tariffs on supply chains. “Companies and products with high exposure to China and its manufacturing are most at risk of shortages,” they added. The types of goods whose supplies were pulled forward as companies stocked up include computers, cars, cell phones and electric storage batteries, according to the financial firm. The financial firm cited data from the Port of Los Angeles, which along with the Port of Long Beach receives roughly 40% of all imports from Asia. Following the pre-tariff spike in imports, container bookings from China to the U.S. have gone down by as much as 60%, according to Flexport, a supply chain management company. So-called “blank sailings,” or canceled voyages to the Port of Los Angeles rose to 17 in May, from just six in the month of April, TD Cowen found. What does the U.S. import from China? There is a wide range of goods that U.S.-based sellers import from China and that are most at risk of becoming scarce because of the trade war. “Among them, toys stand out as particularly vulnerable, raising concerns about potential shortages during the critical holiday season,” TD Cowen analysts noted. Here are some products from China that could soon be hard to come by in the U.S. as a result of tariffs, according to TD Cowen’s analysis. Down feathers: The U.S. imports $1.9 billion in down feathers from China. That amounts to 77% of the country’s total imported supply of down. Down is commonly used for insulation in comforters and outerwear. Toys, games and sports equipment: More than $30 billion in toys, games and sports equipment sold in the U.S. is imported from China. That accounts for just over 73% of the country’s total imports in the category. The trade war could spell shortages in children’s toys come Christmastime, experts, as well as President Trump, have warned. Textile art: The U.S. imports $8.6 billion in textile art from China. That accounts for over half of all the textile art the country imports from abroad. Footwear: The U.S. is highly reliant on China for shoes. It imports $9.8 billion’s worth, or 36% of footwear sold stateside. Sportswear giant Adidas for one, has warned that it expects to raise prices for U.S. customers because of tariffs. Cutlery: Dinner utensils manufactured in China could also start becoming scarce. The U.S. imports $3.1 billion in cutlery and metal tools from the country. Glassware: Almost 30% of U.S. imports of glassware and other products made of glass comes from China. Furniture and bedding: $18.5 billion’s worth of furniture and bedding comes from China. That’s 28% of all U.S. imports in the category. Apparel: $17.3 billion’s worth of apparel is imported from China. That includes knit or crocheted clothing (almost $10 billion) and not-knit apparel ($7.3 billion). Beyond higher costs for consumer goods, businesses in a range of industries could face other tariff-related challenges, TD Cowen found. For example, the U.S. imports $124 billion in electric machinery; $82 billion in nuclear reactors, boilers and other machinery; $12 billion in goods made of iron or steel; and $19.3 billion in plastics from China each year, according to data from the International Trade Administration. The rise of “Barstool Conservatism” Student loan borrower shares her story as collections resume for those in default Appeals court hears arguments on detained students from Tufts, Columbia Source link #Chinesemade #products #hard #find #U.S Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Comcast SpinCo chooses corporate name Versant Comcast SpinCo chooses corporate name Versant Comcast’s spinoff of the majority of its NBCUniversal cable network portfolio will be named Versant, the company said Tuesday, ending a months-long process to select a new corporate moniker. The new company chose Versant (pronounced like the root of the word conversant) to emphasize its versatility and its familiarity with multiple subjects, according to Chief Executive Officer Mark Lazarus, who spoke in an interview. Versant, which had been called SpinCo until a permanent name was chosen, will own cable networks including USA, CNBC, MSNBC, Oxygen, E!, SYFY and Golf Channel. It will also house digital assets Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes, GolfNow, GolfPass and SportsEngine. The rest of Comcast’s NBCUniversal portfolio, including the broadcast network, Peacock streaming service, Universal Studios, the theme parks and Bravo, will remain with Comcast. The new name itself isn’t meant to be consumer-facing. Lazarus wants Versant to be viewed as a house of brands, with each individual asset interacting with users rather than the corporate holding entity. “We’re going to focus on the individual brands that we have, not the corporate name,” Lazarus said. “This is a holding company name. It’s going to be used for business-to-business purposes.” Versant is on track to be spun out from Comcast before the end of 2025, Lazarus confirmed. The assets held by the new company generated about $7 billion in revenue last year. The company’s emphasis on versatility is notable given the rapidly changing media ecosystem. Lazarus will need to build a Wall Street growth narrative for investors once the company starts trading publicly. That will include making acquisitions to build on the company’s core. Some of those transactions may step outside pure media plays, he said. Lazarus cited Golf Channel’s acquisition of GolfNow, a tee-time reservation company, as an example of how the brands can move beyond linear TV and streaming to build profitable businesses. “Most people don’t know that GolfNow is even part of our company,” Lazarus said. “We are not going to be purely a collection of linear and digital media assets.” Mark Lazarus at the NBCUniversal Upfront presentation from Radio City Music Hall in New York City on Monday, May 13, 2024. Charles Sykes | NBCUniversal | Getty Images For a brand such as CNBC, that may include acquiring personal finance or fintech platforms, Lazarus said. For MSNBC, Lazarus said he’s already had some preliminary conversations about potentially buying podcasts that cater to Democrats. He noted if he were to make such an acquisition, the plan wouldn’t be to put that programming on air for MSNBC, but to have it operate as a separate business unit using the cable network as a marketing funnel. Versant will not launch its own streaming service, Lazarus said. It will instead rely on brands to develop their own digital strategies. About 20% of the company’s revenue is already digital in nature, Lazarus said. Versant is also likely to return money to shareholders via a dividend, CNBC reported in November. One strategy the company isn’t likely to pursue is to acquire a group of cable networks. Lazarus said he has little interest in accumulating more debt attached to low-growth assets. If a cable network also had associated businesses that had better growth prospects, that could be more appealing on a case-by-case basis, he said. Versant is also unlikely to acquire TV station groups in the current regulatory environment, Lazarus said. Federal Communications Commission Brendan Carr told CNBC’s Sara Eisen Monday that national news media companies including NBC are “exercising more and more control” on local TV stations, which he said was not “a good thing for the country.” Selecting Versant Comcast relied on marketing employees from each of SpinCo’s brands to help decide on a name. Meetings began in late December, according to people familiar with the process. After a few weeks, the company had more than 1,000 potential names. Employees were told to focus on names that drew upon New York, cable TV or passing references to 30 Rockefeller Center, NBCUniversal’s headquarters, said the people. The names were then filtered for legal and trademark infringement issues and other potential problems, such as a word’s definition in various languages. Comcast also hired three marketing agencies to help generate names and cull the list. Lawyers passed through just 43 of the initial names, Lazarus said. That list was shortened to about a dozen finalists, which were then each presented to the deciding committee. Lazarus and his marketing team chose Versant in the past few weeks. The word means “a region of land sloping in one general direction,” according to some references. Lazarus joked that an uphill slope reminded him of “a rising stock price.” Disclosure: Comcast is the parent company of NBCUniversal, which owns CNBC. Versant would become the new parent company of CNBC under the proposed spinoff. Source link #Comcast #SpinCo #chooses #corporate #Versant Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Second GTA 6 Trailer Drops, Take-Two’s Stock Holds Steady Second GTA 6 Trailer Drops, Take-Two’s Stock Holds Steady Rockstar Games surprised the gaming world today with the unexpected release of Grand Theft Auto VI’s second trailer, coming shortly after announcing a significant delay to the game’s launch. Meanwhile, parent company Take-Two Interactive (NASDAQ:) is showing resilience in the market despite recent volatility related to the delay announcement of the game. GTA 6 Trailer 2: What You Need to Know The gaming community received an unexpected treat today as Rockstar Games released the second official trailer for Grand Theft Auto VI without any prior announcement. This release comes at an interesting time, arriving just after announcing a big delay to the game, pushing the launch from fall 2025 to May 26, 2026. The trailer, captured on PlayStation 5, provides fans with a more detailed look at what to expect from the highly anticipated title. Set in the fictional state of Leonida (inspired by Florida) and centered around Vice City, the trailer expands on the narrative of protagonists Jason Duval and Lucia Caminos. According to the official description, when an easy score goes wrong, they find themselves forced to rely on each other more than ever if they want to make it out alive. The trailer showcases the pair engaging in various activities including heists, bar-hopping, underground fighting, and evading law enforcement. Industry observers note the trailer features neon-soaked visuals and a gritty tone that suggests Rockstar is once again pushing the boundaries of open-world storytelling. The game is initially launching on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, with a PC release expected to follow later. How is Take-Two’s Stock Holding Up? Despite the recently announced delay of its flagship title, Take-Two Interactive’s stock is showing resilience in today’s trading session. As of 10:10 AM EST, TTWO shares are trading at $225.96, up $0.63 or 0.28% from the previous close. The stock experienced a dip following the announcement of GTA 6’s delay last week, but investors appear to be regaining confidence in the company’s long-term prospects. Take-Two has significantly outperformed the broader market this year, with a year-to-date return of 22.72% compared to the S&P 500’s decline of 4.71%. The stock’s performance over longer timeframes is equally impressive, showing a one-year return of 52.29% and a three-year return of 97.70%. From a financial metrics perspective, Take-Two currently has a market capitalization of approximately $39.87 billion. The company is currently unprofitable with a negative profit margin of 67.07% and trailing twelve-month revenue of $5.45 billion. Analysts remain optimistic about the company’s future, with an average price target of $223.96, roughly in line with current trading levels. The Grand Theft Auto franchise remains Take-Two’s most valuable asset, with previous entries breaking entertainment industry sales records. Despite the delay, market watchers expect GTA 6 to be a major catalyst for the company’s financial performance when it eventually launches next year. *** Neither the author, Tim Fries, nor this website, The Tokenist, provide financial advice. Please consult our website policy prior to making financial decisions. This article was originally published on The Tokenist. Check out The Tokenist’s free newsletter, Five Minute Finance, for weekly analysis of the biggest trends in finance and technology. Source link #GTA #Trailer #Drops #TakeTwos #Stock #Holds #Steady Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Palantir Posts Strong Earnings and Lifts Guidance — So Why Is Stock Down 9%? Palantir Posts Strong Earnings and Lifts Guidance — So Why Is Stock Down 9%? Palantir was the top stock on the S&P 500 last year, returning 341%, and its up 64% this year. While most AI and big tech stocks have fallen back this year as markets have corrected, Palantir Technologies (NASDAQ:) has been able to defy gravity. Palantir was the top performing stock on the S&P 500 last year, returning 341% in 2024. The year before, the stock price jumped 167%. This year, while other AI high-fliers like NVIDIA (NASDAQ:) and Broadcom (NASDAQ:) are in negative territory, Palantir has continued to surge, rising another 65% and making it, once again, the top stock on the S&P 500. Its ridiculously astronomical valuation has been able to defy gravity, trading at 651 times earnings. That’s typically not sustainable even for the greatest growth companies – which leads us to Palantir’s first quarter earnings, reported Monday after the market closed. 42% of Revenue From U.S. Government Palantir, which provides software for institutional clients that helps them gather data and develop AI models, posted robust first quarter results. Revenue soared 39% year-over-year and 7% from the previous quarter to $884 million. That was better than the $863 million that analysts expected. Net income rose 24% to $214 million, while earnings doubled to 8 cents per share from 4 cents per share the same quarter a year ago. On an adjusted basis, earnings were 13 cents per share, which was in line with analysts’ expectations. Palantir’s customers are mostly corporations and the government, but the latter has been driving the bus. Palantir has been a major beneficiary of government contracts. In the first quarter, about 42% of its revenue came from the U.S. government, as it generated $373 million from the government – a 45% increase year-over-year. U.S. commercial revenue was also strong, rising 71% to $255 million. It was also the company’s highest quarter of U.S. commercial total contract value of $810 million, a 183% increase. Overall, U.S. revenue climbed 55% in the quarter to $673 million. The firm closed 139 deals of at least $1 million, 51 deals of at least $5 million, and 31 deals of at least $10 million. Further, its customer count grew 39% year-over-year and 8% from the previous quarter. Guidance Is Raised, Yet Stock Price Drops The strong Q1 was punctuated by a rosy outlook, as Palantir raised its guidance for the full year. Just one quarter in, it boosted its revenue expectations to a range of $3.890 billion to $3.902 billion, up from $3.741 billion to $3.757 billion. That would be a 36% increase for the full year. In addition, it is lifting its U.S. commercial revenue guidance to in excess of $1.178 billion, representing a growth rate of at least 68%. The previous guidance was $1.079 billion. Palantir also increased its adjusted income from operations guidance to between $1.711 billion and $1.723 billion. That’s up significantly from the previous guidance of $1.551 billion to $1.567 billion. It expects net income in each quarter. Finally, it raised its adjusted free cash flow guidance to between $1.6 billion and $1.8 billion, up from $1.5 billion to $1.7 billion. This type of optimism is usually a recipe for a stock market rally, but that was not the case on Tuesday, as Palantir opened 9% lower at around $112 per share. So why was it down? Too Hot To Handle? Even more confounding is the fact that several analysts raised Palantir’s price target after earnings. Deutsche Bank increased it by $30 per share, Wedbush by $20 per share, and Morgan Stanley by $8 to name a few. It really comes down to Palantir’s valuation. Three years of ridiculous, meteoric growth has pushed its P/E ratio to 651, which is 72% higher than what it was at the start of the year when it was at 378 – which is also ridiculously high. Analysts, overall, don’t see this as sustainable, as eventually earnings will settle. It has a median price target of $96 per share, which would be down about 13% from the current price. Today’s selloff is likely an acknowledgement by investors that this could be the top for a while, given the high valuation, and they are cashing out. Long term, Palantir is a fantastic opportunity, but things need to cool down a bit. Original Post Source link #Palantir #Posts #Strong #Earnings #Lifts #Guidance #Stock Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Rodney Hinton Jr., whose son was shot dead by police, denied bond in killing of sheriff’s deputy after disturbance in court – CNN Rodney Hinton Jr., whose son was shot dead by police, denied bond in killing of sheriff’s deputy after disturbance in court – CNN Rodney Hinton Jr., whose son was shot dead by police, denied bond in killing of sheriff’s deputy after disturbance in court CNNChaos at hearing for Ohio father accused of fatally striking deputy with car after son killed by police NBC NewsFather Whose Son Was Shot by Police Hits Deputy With Car, Killing Him The New York TimesMan accused of driving into deputy, killing him to be held without bond; disturbance briefly pauses hearing WCPO 9 CincinnatiDeputy dead after being struck by father of man shot by police May 1. What we know Cincinnati Enquirer Source link #Rodney #Hinton #son #shot #dead #police #denied #bond #killing #sheriffs #deputy #disturbance #court #CNN Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Get This Fun Swashbuckling Game And 7 Others For Just $12 At Humble This Month Get This Fun Swashbuckling Game And 7 Others For Just $12 At Humble This Month The May 2025 lineup of PC games for Humble Choice subscribers has been revealed, and this month, you can look forward to an action game that feels like it came straight out of the PS2 era, spine-tingling horror, and a fantastic game starring a motley crew of pirates. In case you’ve missed out on it, Humble Choice is a $12 monthly subscription service that offers a monthly batch of PC games that are yours to keep forever, even if you decide to cancel your membership. There are other perks to this membership as well, including exclusive discounts at the Humble store and access to the Humble Vault–an additional rotating library of games that’s only available to members. Humble Choice May 2025 Games The Thaumarturge: Deluxe Edition Amnesia: The Bunker Evil West Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes Star Wars: Bounty Hunter Ultros Corpse Keeper One of the big highlights here is Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew, a delightful blend of stealth and strategy, infused with a swashbuckling spirit. A genuine treat for anyone who enjoys stealth and meticulously planning their next move, the game was sadly the final title developed by Mimimi, as the studio shut down several weeks later. It’s a genuinely fun gem of a game, and it was one of GameSpot’s personal faves in 2023. A few of the other interesting games available this month include the superb horror game Amnesia: The Bunker, trippy metroidvania Ultros, and the action-packed Evil West. It won’t blow your socks off, but Evil West is still an enjoyable Western romp full of steampunk influences, thrilling combat, and plenty of supernatural goons to explosively punch into a puddle of blood and organs. As a reminder, all these games are available at no additional to Humble Choice members as part of their $12/month subscription. You can sign up now and gain immediate access to them all, and they’re yours to download and keep forever. You’ll also get all the other membership perks, including the Humble Vault–which is a rotating library of even more games exclusive to members–and special Humble Store discounts. Additionally, 5% of every Humble Choice membership is donated to charity, and proceeds this month will go to Comic Relief USA’s Red Nose Day. You can also check out a few more bundle deals at Humble, including this collection of every XCOM game on PC for just $10. Humble Game Bundle Deals Source link #Fun #Swashbuckling #Game #Humble #Month Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

***-India deal secured as Trump tariffs everywhere ***-India deal secured as Trump tariffs everywhere It has long been the great prize for Britain’s post-EU trade freedom – a deal with what is now the world’s most populous country. India has agreed its most generous free trade agreement with the ***, which is at the same time Britain’s biggest post-Brexit trade deal. It means a big boost for key *** exports such as whisky and cars which will see very high tariffs or taxes on imports slashed. This is not a normal deal taking two way trade down to zero tariffs. India is a highly protectionist economy. So, while 99% of tariffs on India’s exports to the *** will be eradicated, 85% of British exports will not be tariffed going to India. But because British exports are so much higher value than Indian exports of clothing, footwear, and food, this should be worth £15bn extra for British exports and £10bn for India by 2040. This could change, though. For example, 88,000 cheaper Indian cars will now be able to be imported tariff free. The *** government sees this as a win-win which helps exporters, creates jobs, and means lower prices for consumers. This is all part of, in Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds words, making the *** the “most connected market in the world” – with a Brexit reset, a deal with the US, “pragmatism” on China, and new deals with India, and soon the Gulf. But there is also a much ******* picture here. This is the worlds fifth and sixth biggest economies doing a much closer deal to increase trade at a time when the top two – the US and China – are involved in a brutal trade war, and the Trump administration is tariffing everywhere. This may be one of the reasons why this elusive deal, coveted by many previous governments, has finally got over the line. It also turns the page on decades of missed economic opportunities, given the strong historic connections between the two nations. Source link #UKIndia #deal #secured #Trump #tariffs Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

This Charming Metroid- And Zelda-Inspired Game Is Getting A Physical Release This Charming Metroid- And Zelda-Inspired Game Is Getting A Physical Release One of last year’s best and most inventive metroidvanias is getting a physical release this summer. Crypt Custodian, one of the few games in the genre played from a top-down perspective, is slated to launch on August 29 for Nintendo Switch and PS5. It originally launched as a $20 digital-only title for all three console platforms and PC, but like many physical releases these days, Crypt Custodian is skipping Xbox. Fans can preorder Crypt Custodian’s physical edition at Amazon or Walmart. $30 for PS5 | $35 for Switch | Releases August 29 This simple release gets you the base game on your platform of choice. There are no preorder bonuses or extra content included, but you do get a boxed copy of the game to add to your collection. The PS5 version costs $30, while the Nintendo Switch edition goes for $35. Crypt Custodian is the latest game from Kyle Thompson, the same developer behind two other excellent metroidvanias, Islets and Sheepo. While it continues the metroidvania gameplay design of those previous games, Crypt Custodian changes up the perspective to a top-down presentation akin to Hyper Light Drifter and classic Zelda games rather than a side-scroller. Players take the role of Pluto, a deceased cat who is now a janitor in the afterlife. The game features a varied, interconnected world to explore that’s filled with upgrades to collect, secrets to uncover, and bosses to take down. Along the way, players will also complete side quests for the other lost souls stuck in limbo. If you’re looking for physical editions of other recent indie metroidvanias, the psychedelic side-scroller Ultros is also getting a physical Switch release on August 28, and preorders are available now. A physical PS5 version of Ultros already launched and is available now, including a Deluxe Edition that includes three art cards, magnets, a digital artbook, digital soundtrack, and more. It’s worth noting that the Switch versions of Crypt Custodian and Ultros will also be playable on the new Switch 2 launching June 5 via backward compatability. Source link #Charming #Metroid #ZeldaInspired #Game #Physical #Release Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

The Millennium Problems: What 7 fiendishly hard puzzles tell us about the nature of mathematics The Millennium Problems: What 7 fiendishly hard puzzles tell us about the nature of mathematics How times have changed since the year 2000. In that year, there were a billion fewer people living on the planet. The International Space Station hadn’t yet housed any resident astronauts. Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston were in love and got married. And on 24 May that year, a group of mathematicians took to a stage in Paris to set some problems. They used acetate sheets and an overhead projector in their presentation, but this was no high-school maths challenge. These were the seven Millennium Problems, the hardest mathematical puzzles then known. The exercise was organised by the Clay Mathematics Institute, a US-based non-profit foundation that promised anyone who could solve one would have their grit rewarded with a $1 million prize. Twenty-five years later, how have mathematicians got on? At first blush, the answer seems to be: not brilliantly. Only one of the challenges has been solved, which might make you wonder whether the maths world has lost its mojo. Delve below the surface, though, and the story of the Millennium Problems can teach us a lot about the state of modern mathematics and what progress really means in this most abstract of disciplines. Plus, there is reason to believe progress on these puzzles could soon become much more exciting, as machine learning begins to make its mark. “I’ll be very intrigued to see whether the way… Source link #Millennium #Problems #fiendishly #hard #puzzles #nature #mathematics Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Major Destiny 2 Reveals – Metroidvania Exploration, Star Wars Lightsabers, New Multi-Year Fate Saga Major Destiny 2 Reveals – Metroidvania Exploration, Star Wars Lightsabers, New Multi-Year Fate Saga Bungie today pushed forward an array of new details regarding Destiny 2 and what players can expect to discover in the game over the next year. The scope and range of topics touched upon was extensive, though it’s clear that many of the more comprehensive details will arrive in other formats in the coming weeks and months. Even so, there’s a lot to unpack from what was shared. Much of the stream focused on The Edge of Fate, the upcoming expansion to the game set to arrive on July 15. The Edge of Fate takes players to a new destination – a planetoid floating through the Oort Cloud at the edge of the solar system – called Kepler. Here, players navigate a Metroidvania-inspired destination of mysteries and secrets, fueled by new powers granted through dark matter. Kepler will feature multiple world tiers of challenge that unlock over time as you play. Mysteries and puzzles might be solved one way in an early tier, only to change as you acquire new abilities and power in later tiers. Kepler will also bring an array of new specific powers. The premier ability is one called Matter Spark, which allows players to use a special pad to transform into a ball of bouncing arc energy and then zip about the environment, jumping, electrocuting enemies, squeezing through tight spaces, and rolling along ramps for distant leaps. In visuals, it was very reminiscent of Samus Aran’s morph ball feature from the Metroid games. Players also gain other new abilities on Kepler, like a Relocator Cannon that allows for teleportation through the space, and Matter Morph, which allows players to use Strand energy to reshape the environment, creating bridges, revealing secrets, and opening doors. The Edge of Fate storyline is the opening salvo to a new multi-year saga from the Destiny team which they’ve dubbed the Fate Saga. As The Edge of Fate gets going, players are finally going to get more details about the mysterious entities called The Nine – a group of godlike extradimensional beings that are each individually connected to one of the major bodies in the solar system (eight planets and the Sun). We’ll see returning characters like Ikora Rey play a major role, but also new characters, including a bespectacled new character named Lodi. On a broader level, the Fate Saga appears to be deal strongly with the idea that The Nine have their own motivations that have often manipulated the Guardians to a particular fate, and the new storyline questions how much the Guardians are able to alter that fate, if at all. As a lead-up to the new expansion, Bungie is launching a new prologue chapter called the Rite of the Nine, and it begins today. The new event includes access to three dungeons, each at three different tiers of difficulty, aiming to be inviting to all player skill levels. The Rite of the Nine includes exclusive rewards, including a new title. And it also serves to reintroduce the Emissary – a prior character from earlier storylines that we still know very little about. While we learned a good bit about the expansion, we also got a peek in today’s stream into more substantial changes coming to the core game of Destiny 2. The longtime use of “The Director” as a front page to play is being overhauled. Starting with The Edge of Fate, players will be invited to “Open Portal” to jump into a streamlined menu selection of activities, dominated by different ops split into Solo, Fireteam, Pinnacle and Crucible ops. The overall focus for changes is on providing increased player agency, so these different ops allow for dramatic levels of activity customization, including 50 new modifiers to tweak the gameplay. As an example, we heard about a grapple modifier that gives environment navigation a feeling more akin to being Spider-Man. For those who want a more curated experience, there are also Quickplay selections; most activities also allow for a fireteam finder. Gear is also changing, including a dramatic reinvention of equipment being dubbed Armor 3.0, which includes set bonuses for armor, and the ability to fully tweak armor perks as soon as an item is acquired. Gear tiers are another major change, which see acquired gear coming in at one of five distinct tiers of quality; players who acquire a Tier 5 weapon (which are the hardest to get) will have a special shader treatment and other features that make them unmistakable as the best in a given class. We also received a scattering of other info drops about what’s on the way. Some of the most important is the soon-to-arrive new Crucible mode called Heavy Metal, which pits tanks against mech-style brigs in large-scale battles; engage with this activity and you can earn the new Griffin combat vehicle, which can be equipped into your Sparrow slot. We learned of a new permanent feature of the Tower called the Shooting Range, where players can test out their builds against a variety of enemy types. Players were also shown new holofoil treatments that will come on weapons, including a slick ocean wave effect that will be available with Solstice weapons later this summer. We also learned that the new raid will launch only days after The Edge of Fate reaches players; expect to try for that world-first title on July 19. Of all the announcements, the most surprising was the reveal of 2025’s second expansion, which we’ll learn more about through a dedicated reveal in September. Renegades is described as a full-on in-lore Destiny expansion that moves the core story forward. But it’s also described as a direct homage to the universe of Star Wars, and appears (among other things) to include direct mashing-together crossover elements between the two sci-fi/fantasy properties, including Guardians wielding lightsabers. It’s safe to say that longtime Destiny fans may have strong opinions about such a direct melding of the two popular universes. Regardless, it’s clear that Bungie has robust plans for what’s to follow, as we also learned that the Fate Saga will continue into 2026 with additional expansions titled Shattered Cycle and The Alchemist. There’s plenty more detail to discover through an in-depth viewing of the event; you can check out Bungie’s full recap, or you can watch an archive of the lengthy reveal event below. Source link #Major #Destiny #Reveals #Metroidvania #Exploration #Star #Wars #Lightsabers #MultiYear #Fate #Saga Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Geologic hydrogen: A clean energy source may be lurking beneath mountain ranges Geologic hydrogen: A clean energy source may be lurking beneath mountain ranges Is there hydrogen to be found beneath the Grisons mountains in Switzerland? Thomas Stoiber / Alamy Mountain ranges could be a potential source of clean energy in the form of as-yet untapped hydrogen. While previous research has suggested this “geologic” hydrogen could be found underground, researchers have only recently turned to mountains as a possible store. “Certain minerals react with water and can generate hydrogen like a free green energy source,” says Frank Zwaan at the Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences in Germany. There are vast amounts of such minerals on Earth, but they are mainly found deep below the surface in a layer known as the mantle, he says, where they don’t come into contact with water. But during the formation and uplift of mountain ranges, some mantle rock can be brought close to the surface, where it can react with water in a process called serpentinisation. To get an idea of the potential for hydrogen formation, Zwaan and his colleagues modelled the uplift process, looking at how much mantle material reaches areas where there are optimum temperatures and enough circulating water for this to occur. Their results support the idea that large quantities of hydrogen could be generated under mountain ranges. Serpentinisation also occurs at mid-ocean ridges – some think it drove the origin of life – but hydrogen formed there is unlikely to be trapped, says Zwaan. That is because the temperature is lower than 122°C (252°F), and any trapped hydrogen will be “eaten” by bacteria, but under mountains it is possible to drill down to where the temperature is higher. “Nothing wants to live there, so it’s perfect for the hydrogen to be preserved,” Zwaan told a meeting of the European Geosciences Union in Vienna last week. “And there might even be another option, to drill into what you can call the hydrogen kitchen – the area where the hydrogen is generated.” The model results are supported by early findings from studies of some mountain ranges. For instance, Gianreto Manatschal at the University of Strasbourg, France, has confirmed there is hydrogen production under the Grisons area of the Alps in Switzerland. But how much there is remains to be seen, he told the meeting. “Our research is just at the very beginning,” he said. There is also hydrogen seeping up from below the northern Pyrenees, reported Alexandra Robert at the University of Toulouse, France. This research, too, is at an early stage. Topics: energy and fuels/ hydrogen power Source link #Geologic #hydrogen #clean #energy #source #lurking #beneath #mountain #ranges Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Why This Autonomous Vehicle Stock Is on the Move Why This Autonomous Vehicle Stock Is on the Move Pony Ai Inc (NASDAQ:), a manufacturer of autonomous vehicles, inked a deal with Uber (NYSE:) on Tuesday to deploy its robotaxis on the Uber rideshare platform. The news sent the stock of this ******** company soaring, as the price jumped about 4% to just over $10 per share. The partnership with Uber will officially launch later this year in a key market in the Middle East, officials said. From there, the plan is to deploy the autonomous Pony.ai robotaxis in additional international markets. How it works is, when a rider requests a pickup on the Uber app, they can opt for a ride from a Pony.ai autonomous vehicle if it is available in their area. Initially, during the pilot phase, the vehicles will have a safety operator onboard. Eventually, after the full commercial launch, it will be completely autonomous with no safety operator. “At Pony.ai, our vision is to develop autonomous driving technology that is not only safe and reliable but also scalable, transforming daily transportation,” James Peng, co-founder and CEO of Pony.ai. “Partnering with Uber accelerates our shared mission to make autonomous mobility a real, everyday experience for more consumers around the world. By combining our proven autonomous systems, with Uber’s unparalleled ride-hailing platform, we’re poised to set a new standard for the commercialization of driverless services, starting in the Middle East before expanding to new markets.” Analysts See Big Upside Last month, Pony.ai rolled out its new robotaxi lineup with its seventh-generation autonomous driving system. The new driving system facilitates the mass production of its robotaxis on a “more scalable and cost-effective basis.” This advancement aligns with the strategic goals of Uber, allowing it to more quickly and safely integrate the autonomous vehicles onto its platform. “Our partnership with Pony.ai is another meaningful step towards introducing the benefits of autonomous mobility to the world,” Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO of Uber, said. “As the leading on-demand platform of its kind, spanning mobility, delivery, and freight, Uber is uniquely positioned to help accelerate the commercialization of this exciting technology.” In April, Pony.ai struck a partnership with Tencent Cloud and Smart Industries Group to make its autonomous driving vehicles available on Tencent’s WeChat app. It will also be integrated into Tencent’s Weixin “Mobility Services” platform and its digital mapping tool, Tencent Maps, among other uses. Pony.ai stock went public last November and it is down about 32% since then, trading at around $10.30 per share. The company is not yet profitable, but the outlook, based on the potential of these key partnerships, should be brighter. The company reports first quarter earnings on May 20 so investors should tune in for that for more visibility. But analysts see big upside for Pony.ai stock, with a median price target of $20 per share. That suggests close to 100% return over the next 12 months. Original Post Source link #Autonomous #Vehicle #Stock #Move Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Business Secretary: ***-India deal 'great news for the ***' Business Secretary: ***-India deal 'great news for the ***' Business Secretary: ***-India deal ‘great news for the ***’ Source link #Business #Secretary #UKIndia #deal #039great #news #UK039 Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]