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Microsoft finally retires Skype after 22 years of service Microsoft finally retires Skype after 22 years of service Following the announcement in late February, Microsoft is finally closing the chapter on Skype. Existing users have been asked to switch to Microsoft Teams, and a data migration window will remain open until January 2026. Microsoft says this decision aligns with its strategy to streamline its communication services and focus primarily on Microsoft Teams. Genesis The first public beta for Skype went live in August 2003 and enabled users to call from one PC to another, which was revolutionary at the time. The service further evolved in the following years, with the launch of SkypeOut for traditional landline calls and the introduction of video chatting. This helped grow the platform to 40 million registered users by late 2005. After it was acquired by eBay, which strategically envisaged integrating Skype and its online marketplace, Skype boasted over 405 million registered users by 2008. Ultimately, these plans didn’t unfold as anticipated, and eBay divested Skype to a group of investors for $1.9 billion in 2009, citing miscalculated consumer demand for the service. During this phase, Skype began breaking into the mobile ecosystem, launching its first client for iOS and Android in 2009. It eventually reached a milestone of 27 million simultaneous online users across mobile and desktop. By 2010, Skype was teeming with 660 million registered users globally. Microsoft Acquisition and Downfall In 2011, Microsoft acquired Skype for $8.5 billion and integrated it into its core Windows, Xbox, and Outlook services. This propelled Skype to acquire 40% of the international call market share by 2014, yet this peak was fleeting. The following years brought in a surge of competition by the likes of WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord, Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams. After the pandemic-driven ***** subsided, Skype’s daily active user count hovered around 36 million, while Teams was able to grab almost 300 million, and that difference is quite telling. It only got worse as Microsoft poured most of its resources into Teams, overshadowing the once-eminent Skype, which had already been losing ground in the market, leading to its eventual retirement today, on May 5th, 2025. How does this impact existing users? Microsoft explains this change is part of an effort to streamline its services, focusing on Teams as its primary communication platform. They highlight that Team offers similar core functionalities to Skype, such as one-on-one calls, group calls, messaging, and file sharing, with additions such as hosting meetings, managing calendars, and community features. So, if you’ve been part of the Skype ecosystem, Microsoft recommends transitioning to Teams, where your data will be automatically ported within minutes. If you choose not to migrate, you can also export your data. Microsoft is set to delete all Skype user data by January 2026, so it’s best to act now. If you wish to transfer your Skype credentials, contacts, and chats to Microsoft Teams, visit the official Skype website and proceed with the ‘Start using Teams’ option. 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 #Microsoft #finally #retires #Skype #years #service Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘Rich valuation’: ASX slumps during Monday’s trading ‘Rich valuation’: ASX slumps during Monday’s trading Australia’s sharemarket has snapped a seven day win streak on the back of a major bank and oil deal. Source link #Rich #valuation #ASX #slumps #Mondays #trading Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Quantum computers don’t always need more qubits – just add chaos Quantum computers don’t always need more qubits – just add chaos Illustration of a chip containing quantum bits, or qubits Pete Hansen/Shutterstock The effort to build truly useful quantum computers often comes down to making them ******* by adding qubits, the quantum bits that are the basic building blocks of these devices. But creating quantum chaos inside them could have the same effect – and let quantum computers perform some tasks that seem too big for them to handle. Creating true quantum randomness – which is distinct from quantum chaos, and can be a useful resource in quantum technologies… Source link #Quantum #computers #dont #qubits #add #chaos Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

High-flying conservative at summit of ******* politics High-flying conservative at summit of ******* politics Friedrich Merz is set to become Germany’s next chancellor on Tuesday, fulfilling a decades-long dream of rising to the summit of ******* politics. His conservative bloc will govern in coalition with the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD), taking the reins less than three months after February’s parliamentary elections. It’s a personal triumph for the 69-year-old Merz, a keen amateur pilot who staged an emphatic comeback in recent years after once being largely written off from the ******* political stage. A qualified lawyer and economy policy expert, Merz grew up in the Sauerland region of West Germany and entered politics as a member of the European Parliament in 1989. Having climbed through the ranks of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), he tangled with former chancellor Angela Merkel for the party leadership at the turn of the millennium. His proposals for a radically simplified taxation system, famously outlined on a beer mat, made him a household name in Germany, but he was pushed out after losing the power struggle with Merkel. During Merkel’s 16 years as chancellor, the father-of-three built his personal wealth as a legal consultant and an executive at investment giant BlackRock. And when his rival announced in 2018 that she would retire following the next elections, Merz tenaciously fought his way back into the limelight, eventually winning the party leadership. Merz is credited with rebuilding the CDU after it lost power to the Social Democrats of Olaf Scholz in 2021. He also sought to mend ties with the CDU’s Bavaria-only sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU), partly by taking a tougher line on migration policy. In the weeks leading up to February’s election, Merz was widely criticized for accepting support from the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) to push through non-binding proposals on a migration crackdown in parliament. But he emerged from the dispute unscathed despite mass protests across the country and his bloc secured a clear victory in the election to Germany’s lower house, or Bundestag, finishing on 28.5%. Merz has formed a successful partnership with SPD co-leader Lars Klingbeil, overcoming a contentious election campaign to emerge with a coalition agreement in April that has since been approved by the three parties. The pair, along with the Greens, rushed through a landmark constitutional reform in March to allow for a hike in spending on defence alongside a massive €500 billion ($567 billion) package for infrastructure and climate protection measures. The new ******* government takes office at a time of stunning developments on the international stage, with US President Donald Trump’s administration pursuing a rapprochement with Moscow and seemingly intent on starting a global trade conflict. Leading Germany through the shockwaves is sure to be a career-defining challenge for Merz, who has never held a government post despite his long political journey. Source link #Highflying #conservative #summit #******* #politics Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trent Alexander-Arnold: Right-back leaves Liverpool a modern great but some fans will be hurt Trent Alexander-Arnold: Right-back leaves Liverpool a modern great but some fans will be hurt It will also be a time of churn off the pitch at the Bernabeu, with legendary coach Carlo Ancelotti expected to leave at the end of the season. Why leave the stability and success of Liverpool for a time of transition at Real Madrid? The answer is simple. The lure of Real Madrid is almost always irresistible. In 2023, Bellingham was being courted by every major club in Europe before deciding on Real. As he put it at the time: “When Real Madrid knock on the door, the whole house shakes.” The biggest indicator as to where Alexander-Arnold’s future lay came when Real Madrid lodged a £20m bid in the January transfer window. Those with long knowledge of Real’s transfer strategy were assured they would not make such a move, with its likelihood of rejection, without being confident a free transfer would be completed in the summer. Liverpool did turn the offer down, not only wanting to keep Alexander-Arnold but also hoping to buy time for a change of heart. Two months later, he met head coach Arne Slot to inform him he would not be signing a new contract. While there was always a quiet confidence behind the scenes at Anfield that Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk would sign new deals, there was never the same sense of assurance about Alexander-Arnold. This has been, at times, a difficult season for Alexander-Arnold with injuries and the constant speculation – and latterly assumption – that he was on his way out. It all seemed to come to head in the 2-2 draw against Manchester United at Anfield in January. After Real Madrid’s bid became public knowledge, Alexander-Arnold delivered a nightmare performance in what looked like a fog of confusion, playing a poor pass that led to Lisandro Martinez’s goal for United before getting caught out badly for Amad Diallo’s late equaliser. He was then given a yellow card and replaced by Conor Bradley with four minutes left, having looked lost and distracted throughout, while suddenly feeling the sound of Anfield’s frustration aimed in his direction. Source link #Trent #AlexanderArnold #Rightback #leaves #Liverpool #modern #great #fans #hurt Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Perth Glory captains Adam Taggart and Isobel Dalton claim men’s and women’s Most Glorious Player awards Perth Glory captains Adam Taggart and Isobel Dalton claim men’s and women’s Most Glorious Player awards Perth Glory captain Adam Taggart has further etched his name into club folklore as he became the fifth player in history to claim back-to-back Most Glorious Player awards. And there was similar joy for women’s captain Isobel Dalton who claimed the women’s Most Glorious Player gong at the club’s end of season awards at the Heath Ledger State Theatre on Monday night. Despite Perth’s poor A-League Men’s season, Taggart continued to cement his status as a club great as he scored 10 goals in 25 games and earned a Socceroos recall under new boss Tony Popovic. Taggart follows in the footsteps of Bobby Despotovski, Sam Kerr, Diego Castro and Bruno Fornaroli to have won the club’s highest individual honour two years running. He also won the men’s members’ player of the year and golden boot awards. Dalton meanwhile overcame a mid-season hamstring injury to play 19 games and win the club’s top individual A-League Women’s award in her second season at the club. Men’s midfield duo Nicholas Pennington and Luke Amos both took home awards in their first seasons at the club, with Pennington named players’ player of the year and Amos winning goal of the season for his stunning thunderbolt against Brisbane Roar at home. Camera IconIsobel Dalton won the women’s Most Glorious Player Award. Credit: Matt King/Getty Images Meanwhile, QPR-bound teenage star Jaylan Pearman was rewarded for a superb debut season with the club’s DT38 young player of the year award after scoring four goals in 12 games from midfield. There was double delight for another Perth local in 20 year-old Tijan McKenna, who took out the women’s young player and players’ player of the Year trophies Fellow West *********** midfielder Georgia Cassidy received the members’ player of the year award and the women’s golden boot went to New Zealand international forward Kelli Brown. The women’s goal of the year was awarded Ella Abdul Massih for her superb, injury-time free-kick which sealed a dramatic, last-gasp victory over Brisbane Roar at the Sam Kerr Football Centre. Perth Glory’s 2024-25 award winners Men’s Most Glorious Player: Adam Taggart Women’s Most Glorious Player: Isobel Dalton Men’s players’ player of the year: Nicholas Pennington Women’s players’ player of the year: Tijan McKenna Men’s members’ player of the year: Adam Taggart Women’s members’ player of the year: Georgia Cassidy Camera IconJaylan Pearman won the men’s young player of the year award. Credit: James Worsfold/Getty Images Men’s young player of the year: Jaylan Pearman Women’s young player of the year: Tijan McKenna Men’s golden boot: Adam Taggart Women’s golden boot: Kelli Brown Men’s goal of the year: Luke Amos Women’s goal of the year: Ella Abdul-Massih Source link #Perth #Glory #captains #Adam #Taggart #Isobel #Dalton #claim #mens #womens #Glorious #Player #awards Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Buffett succession, US trade deals, Fed meeting: 3 Things Buffett succession, US trade deals, Fed meeting: 3 Things 00:00 Speaker A Let’s get to the three things that you need to know today. 00:03 Speaker B First up, famed investor Warren Buffett announcing he will step down from the helm of Berkshire Hathaway after six decades on the job. The so-called Oracle of Omaha made the announcement at the company’s annual shareholder meeting. He’ll be succeeded by longtime Berkshire employee Greg Abel, who was confirmed today by the company’s board. Buffett delivered massive gains for Berkshire shareholders, outperforming the S&P 500 every year on average by more than double. 00:40 Speaker A Plus, President Trump signaling progress on trade, suggesting the administration could see deals made as soon as this week, without specifying which countries. The president’s comments to reporters come after he sat down with NBC News and said he was willing to lower tariffs on China. Meanwhile, the president announced plans to impose a 100% tariff on films produced overseas, sending shares of media companies lower. 01:09 Speaker B And the Federal Reserve will kick off its FOMC meeting in Washington this week. The central bank largely expected to keep rates on hold as traders dial back bets for cuts. But this decision comes as President Trump renews his calls for the central bank to lower rates, while maintaining his position that he has no intention of firing Jerome Powell. Source link #Buffett #succession #trade #deals #Fed #meeting Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Trump set to raise millions from crypto and memecoin this month Trump set to raise millions from crypto and memecoin this month Jonathan Raa | Nurphoto | Getty Images President Donald Trump has two crypto-focused dinners on the calendar this month — one aimed at deep-pocketed political donors, the other at meme coin millionaires. Both are poised to help him rake in millions. The first, a $1.5 million-per-plate fundraiser set for Monday, is among the most expensive ticketed dinners in presidential history. The second, on May 22, offers access to Trump’s inner circle not for cash — but for holders of the $TRUMP token. This is breaking news. Please refresh for updates. Source link #Trump #set #raise #millions #crypto #memecoin #month Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Skechers to be acquired by 3G Capital in take-private deal, shares soar 25% Skechers to be acquired by 3G Capital in take-private deal, shares soar 25% The entrance of the Sketchers retail store at the Barton Creek Square Mall on July 16, 2024 in Austin, Texas. Brandon Bell | Getty Images Footwear giant Skechers has agreed to be acquired by private equity firm 3G Capital, the companies announced on Monday. The firm will pay $63 per share in cash for Skechers, a 30% premium to the company’s current valuation on the public markets. Once the deal is closed, Skechers will become a privately held company. “With a proven track-record, Skechers is entering its next chapter in partnership with the global investment firm 3G Capital,” Skechers’ CEO Robert Greenberg said in a news release. “Given their remarkable history of facilitating the success of some of the most iconic global consumer businesses, we believe this partnership will support our talented team as they execute their expertise to meet the needs of our consumers and customers while enabling the Company’s long-term growth.” Greenberg will stay on as Skechers’ CEO and continue enacting the company’s strategy after the acquisition is completed. This is breaking news. Please refresh for updates. Source link #Skechers #acquired #Capital #takeprivate #deal #shares #soar Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Skechers to be acquired by 3G Capital in take-private deal, shares soar 25% – CNBC Skechers to be acquired by 3G Capital in take-private deal, shares soar 25% – CNBC Skechers to be acquired by 3G Capital in take-private deal, shares soar 25% CNBCFootwear brand Skechers to be taken private in $9 billion deal Yahoo Finance3G Capital to Buy Skechers Footwear Brand for $63 a Share Bloomberg.com3G Capital to buy shoe brand Skechers in nearly $10bn deal Financial TimesSkechers Agrees to Be Acquired by 3G Capital Business Wire Source link #Skechers #acquired #Capital #takeprivate #deal #shares #soar #CNBC Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

ExxonMobil: Production Offset Prices, Capital Return Safe in 2025 ExxonMobil: Production Offset Prices, Capital Return Safe in 2025 Exxon Mobil’s (NYSE:) 2025 Q1 results prove the company’s resilience in uncertain markets. The last few years of positioning, cost-cutting, and leaning into technology-driven efficiency paid off with better-than-expected profitability and an outlook for sustainable capital return. The capital return is critical because it is industry-leading, reduces the share count quarterly, and competitors are cutting theirs. Chevron (NYSE:) and BP (NYSE:) announced cuts to their share repurchase plans that average more than 40%. That is a significant headwind for sentiment, and it is also undercutting market support. ExxonMobil Reaffirms Capital Return for 2025, but Risks Exist On the other hand, ExxonMobil affirmed its outlook for $20 billion in capital return this year. That comes after $9.1 billion of return in Q1, including dividends and share repurchases. The dividend is significant enough on its own, yielding about 3.75% in early May, and there is an expectation for the distribution to grow annually. ExxonMobil is a Dividend Aristocrat with 26 consecutive annual increases, paying roughly 50% of its 2025 earnings forecast, growing its yield at a sustainable low-single-digit pace. Regarding the share repurchases, ExxonMobil spent more on buybacks than on dividends. The bad news is that the share count is up YOY, but there is a mitigating factor: the share impact of the accretive and growth-driving Pioneer acquisition. The good news is that shares are down by nearly 1% sequentially at the end of Q1 and are expected to continue falling as the year progresses. Other bad news is that there is a risk that the capital return will be reduced next year. The company’s capital return in Q1 exceeded the free cash flow (FCF), negatively impacting the balance sheet. ExxonMobil’s balance sheet is healthy despite the negative impact. Although cash, current, and total assets are down by a low single-digit amount, debt and liabilities are also down, leaving equity flat. The company can sustain this pace of cash burn for a few more quarters, but not much longer without something changing. Exxon’s Stock Price Outlook: Range-Bound With a Chance of Lower Prices Exxon’s analysts’ trends align with an outlook for range-bound trading with a firm Moderate Buy rating and bullish bias offset by price target reductions. The price target reductions in Q2 put this stock at or slightly below the mid-point of its trading range, but there is a risk. The risk is that the analysts will continue to lower targets as Q2 progresses and into the end of the year, pressuring the consensus target lower and the market to set new lows, potentially. That risk increases if the outlook for capital return cuts increases. XOM stock could fall to $90 or lower in that scenario. ExxonMobil Stock Price is Steady After Reporting Mixed Q1 Results ExxonMobil’s Q1 was mixed. Revenue was flat compared to the prior year and slightly below the analyst’s consensus despite a significant decline in oil prices. The average price of fell about 10% in Q1, impacting margin, cash flow, and profitability in three of four segments. The saving grace is a 20% increase in production to offset the difference. The upstream segment is the standout, growing earnings by more than 19% on increased production and the Pioneer acquisition, which is credited with most of the growth. Due to the comps to last year and the outlook for production growth, the upstream segment should continue performing well this year and next. ExxonMobil anticipates launching 10 new projects this year. Regarding earnings, Exxon’s $1.76 in adjusted revenue is down compared to the prior, impacted by crude prices, refinery margin, and growth investments, but $0.03 ahead of forecasts despite the top-line weakness. Original Post Source link #ExxonMobil #Production #Offset #Prices #Capital #Return #Safe Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

*** Experiencing a ‘Remarkable Spiritual Shift’ *** Experiencing a ‘Remarkable Spiritual Shift’ For decades, the United Kingdom has been seen as a tough place to reach people with the gospel. In recent months, though, evangelists are seeing a change – not only are people wanting to hear the good news, but Christians are also helping spread it. Many say the spiritual shift that’s happening is both real and remarkable. A group called the King’s Army marched near Buckingham Palace recently, proclaiming Jesus is Lord over England. Founder Scott McNamara says they literally felt a change in the atmosphere. “We heard this shock wave. It was like someone described it like a crack in the spirit. And after that, we did this march outside Buckingham Palace and a couple of other things, and it’s been incredible. Every day we’re getting people enlisted to be part of King’s Army, like 20 to 30, enlist per week, people reaching out from all over England saying, I want to be part of this movement,” McNamara said. ***Please sign up for CBN Newsletters and download the CBN News app to ensure you receive the latest news from a distinctly Christian perspective.*** After ministering in the streets of London for ten years, evangelist Stephen Johnson tells CBN News he’s never seen people more willing to hear the gospel. “I started an outreach initiative in my home area of London, and the first time we did it, a couple of people just walked into the church afterwards, just wanting to talk. That doesn’t really happen in England. We’ve just seen this kind of thing happen again and again, and something has shifted in people’s hearts,” Johnson told us. A major difference is that even the younger generation is responding. “It’s quite normal to be mocked and ridiculed and heckled. Now we’re seeing young people actually come to us for conversations in the street and actually wanting serious conversations. And something has radically changed in people’s hearts,” Johnson said. Johnson sees people searching for answers to the world’s problems, and what used to be hard is now easy. “If you can turn up on the streets with a bunch of flyers, stop someone and say, ‘What do you know about Jesus? Or are you interested in spiritual things?’ Just start a conversation. It is not difficult. And for England of all places, that’s a remarkable shift,” Johnson said. McNamara, who pioneered a ministry called Jesus at the Door in 2014 to help Christians share the gospel, says the Lord recently gave him a global mandate. “He said I’m raising up an army for the end times, call it The King’s Army. I’m going to push back darkness in these end times. So, the vision for King’s Army is really to establish these corps, these regiments in pockets all around the world to start fires all around the world where Christians can come and be trained and together shoulder to shoulder, they can raise the standard and push back the darkness,” McNamara said. He believes revival will happen. “When the church wakes up, revival comes, and then there will be another, a great third awakening. So this Great Commission, this mission that we’ve been given to go and take back what the ******’s stolen, has been given to the church. And the church is waking up to this, and it’s beautiful to see,” McNamara said. Source link #Experiencing #Remarkable #Spiritual #Shift Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Family’s tribute to ‘loving boy’ killed in Bill Quay fire Family’s tribute to ‘loving boy’ killed in Bill Quay fire Handout Layton Carr, 14, died after a fire broke out in an industrial estate in Gateshead The family of 14-year-old Layton Carr, who died at the scene of a fire at a former industrial estate, have described him as “our bright and beautiful boy”. A blaze broke out at a building on Fairfield Industrial Park in the Bill Quay area of Gateshead on Friday evening. Eleven boys and three girls, aged between 11 and 14, were arrested on suspicion of manslaughter, and police have confirmed two more boys, aged 12, were also arrested. All 16 children have been released on bail. In a tribute, Layton’s family said: “Layton was your typical 14-year-old lad, a cheeky, happy lad. Despite his cheeky side Layton had an absolute heart of gold and would do anything for anyone.” His family, who also released a picture of the teenager, said “he was loved by all that met him, and it showed”. “He was a family boy that loved his mam and sisters more than anything in the world,” they said. “Layton, we love you more than any words can ever explain. You will be missed more than you’ll ever know. Our bright and beautiful boy.” Flowers have been left outside the former industrial estate Firefighters were called to the blaze just after 19:50 BST, where crews were met with “a severe fire within a section of one of the buildings”. “As a result of the fire, sadly a person we believe to be 14-year-old Layton Carr was found deceased by our firefighters,” a spokesperson for Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service said. Among those paying tribute were friends and staff at Hebburn Comprehensive School. Headteacher David Thompson said: “Our school community is heartbroken. “Layton was a valued and much-loved member of Year 9 and he will be greatly missed by everyone. “We extend our sincere condolences to Layton’s family and loved ones at this incredibly difficult time. “As a school, we will rally together to support one another through this tragedy.” Source link #Familys #tribute #loving #boy #killed #Bill #Quay #fire Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Nvidia RTX Pro 6000 Blackwell appears online with an eye-watering price tag of over $11,000 Nvidia RTX Pro 6000 Blackwell appears online with an eye-watering price tag of over $11,000 Nvidia’s upcoming RTX Pro 6000 Blackwell workstation GPU has started appearing in more online listings, particularly in Japan and Europe. According to Twitter/X user @jisakuhibi, a Japanese retailer has listed the GPU for ¥1,630,600, which is approximately $11,326. We also spotted the GPU at ***-based online retailer Scan, which is accepting pre-orders for a PNY-branded RTX Pro 6000 graphics card at £7,859.99 (around $10,433). Notably, the Scan listing currently displays an image of an RTX 5000 Founders Edition card, likely serving as a placeholder.​ Last month the RTX Pro 6000 Blackwell was spotted on a US-based IT retailer for enterprise customers, just days after the official announcement at GTC. The retailer had listed the GPU at $8,565, which is about a 26% increase over the previous-generation RTX 6000 Ada. The RTX Pro 6000 GPU primarily targets professionals working in high-performance computing, AI development, data science, content creation, and engineering visualization. It’s designed for workstation users who need extreme levels of GPU acceleration for tasks such as complex simulations, large-scale AI model training, real-time ray tracing, and advanced 3D rendering. Based on the GB202 chip, the RTX Pro 6000 workstation-class GPU features 24,064 CUDA cores spread across 188 streaming multiprocessors with 128 CUDA cores each. With a boost clock speed of 2,617MHz, the GPU comes with a massive 96GB of GDDR7 memory. For comparison, the RTX 5090, which is currently the most powerful consumer-grade GPU from Nvidia, also uses the GB202 chip but with a reduced core count of 21,760 CUDA cores, a peak clock of 2,410MHz, and 32GB of GDDR7 memory. Just last week, the RTX Pro 6000 Blackwell was spotted in a leaked benchmark listing where the GPU scored 368,219 points in Geekbench’s OpenCL benchmark, trailing the RTX 5090’s 376,858. While the performance gap is quite narrow, it’s surprising given the Pro GPU’s superior hardware including the massive 96GB memory. However, as a pre-release product with early drivers, its full potential likely hasn’t been realized yet. Power limitations and restricted memory access due to unfinished software further explain the current performance shortfall. While raw specifications of the RTX Pro 6000 Blackwell are impressive, buying one, especially at these sky-high prices, seems impractical for typical enthusiasts. The GPU is clearly going to end up being a niche solution for enterprise and specialized professional workloads. Potential buyers will likely need to weigh whether the incremental performance gains and expansive memory can justify the steep premium over previous-gen models and consumer-grade alternatives like the RTX 5090. Get Tom’s Hardware’s best news and in-depth reviews, straight to your inbox. Source link #Nvidia #RTX #Pro #Blackwell #appears #online #eyewatering #price #tag Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Immunotherapy helps certain ******* patients avoid surgery: ‘We hope this is the future’ – CNN Immunotherapy helps certain ******* patients avoid surgery: ‘We hope this is the future’ – CNN Immunotherapy helps certain ******* patients avoid surgery: ‘We hope this is the future’ CNNMedicine Spares ******* Patients From Grisly Surgeries and Harsh Therapies The New York TimesA New Immune Treatment May Work Against Several ******* Types Time MagazineImmunotherapy drug capable of eliminating tumors in some early stage cancers: Study ABC NewsAlternative ******* treatment could replace chemo and surgery, study suggests Fox News Source link #Immunotherapy #helps #******* #patients #avoid #surgery #hope #future #CNN Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Aura Edition review: a blue-chip convertible Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Aura Edition review: a blue-chip convertible Why you can trust Tom’s Hardware Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test. For a laptop to stand out among the best ultrabooks, it usually needs a fun color, a wacky new feature, or a great price. With the Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Aura Edition ($1,499.99 as tested), there’s a fun color, but also something that’s pretty rare: just being a really solid laptop in most respects. Yes, it’s blue, and it looks pretty cool. But once you get past that, you find strong build quality, an excellent OLED display, a high-end webcam, and pretty decent battery life. It even comes with a color-matched stylus. If you’re looking for a convertible 2-in-1, Lenovo’s high-end option is well worth a look. There are improvements to be made, including streamlining the software offerings and making it easier to upgrade, but all in all, this system is strong. Design of the Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 The Yoga 9i 2-in-1 is solidly built, but definitely a little funky looking. There are some ideas that clash, which might make this system a bit divisive. The system comes in a very cool “cosmic” blue color, which doesn’t quite look the same under any two lights. Think if Apple’s “midnight” colorway was having a bit more fun. Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Aura Edition (Blue) at Lenovo USA for $1,511.99 Image 1 of 4 (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware) (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware) (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware) (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware) The lid is a matte navy with a shiny Lenovo logo and flat edges. The bottom of the chassis is the same shade of blue, but it’s shiny and has rounded edges. When it’s closed, it kind of looks like someone stacked two different tablets on top of each other. It makes more sense open, when the rounded corners sit comfortably against your wrists while you type. Lenovo’s laptop rotates around its hinge, which doubles as a soundbar. This allows you to use it as a standard clamshell, fold it back to a tablet, or place it on your desk like a tent and focus on just the screen. Image 1 of 2 (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware) (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware) There are two Thunderbolt 4 USB Type-C ports and a single USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 2 port on the left side, while the laptop’s right flank houses a headphone jack, a USB-C port, and the power button. Lenovo’s 2-in-1 measures 12.44 x 8.66 x 0.65 inches and weighs 2.91 pounds. That’s slightly larger and heavier than Lenovo’s clamshell, the Yoga Slim 9i, at 12.32 x 8.01 x 0.57 inches and 2.76 pounds. But it’s lighter than the competing HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14, which is 2.98 pounds, even though it’s slightly smaller and slimmer. Apple’s 14-inch MacBook Pro is heavier (3.4 pounds) but is slimmer than the Yoga as well. Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Aura Edition Specifications Swipe to scroll horizontally CPU Intel Core Ultra 7 258V Graphics Intel Arc 140V (integrated) Memory 32GB LPDDR5X-8533 Storage 1TB SSD PCIe 4 NVMe SSD Display 14-inch, 2880 x 1800, OLED, touch, 120 Hz adaptive refresh, HDR True ****** 1000 Networking Intel Wi-Fi 7 BE201, Bluetooth 5.4 Ports 2x Thunderbolt 4 (USB Type-C), USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, USB 4 Type-C, 3.5 mm headphone jack Camera 5MP, IR, privacy shutter Battery 75 WHr Power Adapter 65W Operating System Windows 11 Home Dimensions (WxDxH) 12.44 x 8.66 x 0.65 inches (315.98 x 219.96 x 16.51 mm) Weight 2.91 pounds (1.32 kg) Price (as configured) $1,499.99 (previously $1,749.99) Today’s best Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Aura Edition deals Productivity Performance on the Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Our Yoga 9i 2-in-1 review unit came packed with an Intel Core Ultra 7 258V, a generous 32GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD. For most people, that’s plenty for browsing the web, sending emails, writing up documents, and even doing some photo editing. Image 1 of 4 (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware) (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware) (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware) (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware) On Geekbench 6, a synthetic benchmark that measures overall performance, the 9i 2-in-1 achieved a single-core score of 2,751 and a multi-core score of 11,059, putting it just ahead of — but largely on par with — the Yoga Slim 9i with the same CPU. It’s also ahead of the HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14w with the same processor. But Apple’s M4 in the MacBook Pro blew the Yoga 9i away, with a single-core score of 3,807 and a multi-core score of 15,114. On our file transfer test, the Yoga 9i copied 25GB of files at a rate of 1,447.57 MBps, beating out the clamshell Yoga Slim and the MacBook Pro. Only the OmniBook Ultra Flip was faster at 1,702.45 MBps. The convertible Yoga lost its advantage in Handbrake, converting a 4K video to 1080p in 6 minutes and 36 seconds, similar to the OmniBook. But the MacBook Pro was far speedier at 4:27. To stress test laptops, we run Cinebench 2024 ten times, using the stressful rendering test to push the systems to their limits. The Yoga 9i achieved an average score of 599.63, starting slow but peaking at 601.51 and staying largely steady. During the stress test, the CPU’s performance cores ran at an average of 3.24 GHz while the efficiency cores ran at 3.65 GHz. The processor measured 69.65 degrees Celsius. Display on the Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Lenovo put a beautiful display on the Yoga 9i 2-in-1. The 14-inch, 2880 x 1800, OLED touch screen is bright and extremely colorful. It offers 120 Hz adaptive refresh, too, which makes writing with the stylus feel snappy in apps that support it. The trailer for Marvel’s Thunderbolts* looked great, with blue misty skies standing out behind the new ****** Widow as she falls off a building, and red lasers popping in an otherwise dark scene. (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware) The screen covers 210.6% of the sRGB color gamut by volume, and 149.2% of the more challenging DCI-P3 space. That’s a significant margin over the MacBook Pro and the HP OmniBook Flip Ultra. At 421 nits, the Yoga 9i 2-in-1’s panel is also quite bright, but the MacBook Pro’s Mini-LED screen was more luminous at an astounding 556.6 nits. Keyboard, Touchpad, and Stylus on the Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 The keyboard on the Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 is surprisingly clicky. It’s not a mechanical keyboard, but the feedback is satisfying if you like a little bit of spring in your typing. (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware) What I don’t like about the keyboard is the extra row on the right side of the layout, with dedicated keys for adjusting the power mode, switching between different audio presets, and toggling blue light protection on the display. The fourth key in that row is user-programmable, designed to open an application or file, a website, run a shortcut, or type a text macro. Below all of those is the fingerprint reader, which looks like a key, but is not. My problem with these keys is that having them there shifted my expectation of where the keyboard ends, even though I’m a touch typist who doesn’t look down much. It took me a surprisingly long time to get used to it, and I accidentally changed settings several times throughout my review process. The touchpad is nice, large, and responsive. It still has a physical click, but I think a premium “Aura Edition” PC should move to haptic feedback for a more high-end feel. (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware) I appreciate that the stylus, the Yoga Pen, is color-matched to the laptop. It charges over USB Type-C, so you can use the same adapter that came with the laptop to plug it in. With a flat magnetic side, you can stick it to the laptop’s lid when you aren’t using it. Lenovo claims up to 4,096 degrees of pressure sensitivity. The stylus is comfortable enough and sized like a pen. There are two barrel buttons that you can customize in the Lenovo Pen Settings app. I’d like to see an eraser at the end similar to Microsoft’s Surface Slim Pen. Audio on the Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 The Yoga 9i 2-in-1 has four speakers: a pair of 2W tweeters and twin 2W woofers that fire through a rotating sound bar and the bottom of the notebook. Linkin Park’s “Up From the Bottom” sounded pretty good on the system, with the speakers pushing clear vocals and snappy drums. The guitars were a bit lost in the mix, but going into the Dolby Access software and switching the intelligent equalizer to “Detailed” helped a lot there. There’s basically no bass, though. I noticed a little bit of the wrist rest pulsing when I had music loud, but not enough to distract me from work. I’ve felt far worse. Upgradeability of the Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 At first glance, it looks like there are four Torx T5 screws holding the bottom of the laptop in place. But if you try to remove those, you won’t get very far. That’s because an additional two tiny Phillips-head screws are beneath the laptop’s rear rubber foot. Because you could break this foot by peeling it off, we consider this unrepairable for most people, though we were able to peel it up enough to get to the screws. You can buy a replacement rubber foot directly from Lenovo, but at $20.87, it’s a pretty expensive strip of rubber. (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware) The battery and SSD are the main user-replaceable parts. The SSD is an M.2 2242 component. While they aren’t as common as a standard M.2 2280, there are more options than there were just a few years ago. Perhaps the biggest issue here is getting the laptop back together. It took a significant amount of time to get this computer’s base back on with the ****** holes aligned, and I’ve disassembled an awful lot of laptops. Avoid opening it if you can. Battery Life on the Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 If you’re looking for a long-lasting PC, the Yoga 9i 2-in-1 should last far more than a workday. On our battery test, which has the screen set to 150 nits, laptops browse the web, run light OpenGL tests, and stream video. The Yoga 9i 2-in-1 ran for 12 hours and 47 minutes. (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware) That’s an increase of an hour and 44 minutes over the clamshell Yoga Slim 9i (with the same size battery but a higher resolution display), and 45 minutes longer than the HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14. The MacBook Pro blew the rest of the group out of the water at 18:31. Heat on the Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 We took skin temperatures on the Yoga 9i 2-in-1 while running our Cinebench R24 stress test to get an idea of how hot to the touch the system could get under a heavy load. The center of the keyboard reached 95 degrees Fahrenheit, while the touchpad was a cooler 84.5 F. The hottest point on the bottom of the system measured 100 F flat. Webcam on the Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Lenovo’s 5MP webcam performed admirably in my testing. In a challenging situation at my desk with a bright foreground near an open window and a dark background behind me, the camera found balance, accurately capturing my green shirt, blue eyes, and details like a small scratch on my face and the seams in my shirt. (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware) I’d have no problem using this webcam both for work meetings and chatting with family or friends. There’s a privacy shutter to cover the webcam. You can also use Windows Hello for facial recognition in addition to the fingerprint scanner on the keyboard. Using the camera makes more sense for this, in case you pick up the system in tablet mode. Software and Warranty on the Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Lenovo puts a fair amount of software on the Yoga 9i, some of which provides useful features and others that detract from its premium nature. Vantage is still the most useful application here, serving as a single stop for serial numbers, warranty information, device and power settings, and the ability to contact customer service. There are some pushes in here for third-party services, like Norton Antivirus. Intel Unison is still here, despite the fact that Intel is shutting it down. The app, which provides some of the “Aura Edition” features, like sharing photos from either an Android smartphone or iPhone, will “retain service” on Lenovo’s Aura laptops while it stops working for others in June. A new app, Smart Connect, requires installation, but it feels like a backup to Unison designed to “effortlessly pair all your devices within your ecosystem” and “connect Motorola and Lenovo phones, tablets, and PCs.” Lenovo owns Motorola. There’s also an app to control stylus settings, and Lenovo Now, which pushes subscriptions and partner apps. There’s also a link to a “subscription marketplace” in the Start menu. Lenovo sells the Yoga 9i 2-in-1 with a 1-year warranty. Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Configurations We tested a $1,499.99 version of the Yoga 9i 2-in-1 with an Intel Core Ultra 7 258V, 32GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD, and a 2880 x 1800 OLED touchscreen. At the moment, this configuration is only at Best Buy. When we started testing, this laptop was ($1,749.99), but Lenovo reps suggested the lower price should be the standard going forward. Lenovo’s website isn’t yet selling the laptop, but its spec sheet options include a 4K display and a lesser Core Ultra 7 256V processor. Bottom Line The Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 is a well-built 2-in-1 with a gorgeous display, a great webcam, and (for a Windows ultrabook) pretty solid battery life. If you’re looking for a convertible notebook that includes a pen, you should seriously consider it. Lenovo’s aesthetics here might be divisive, but I think most people will be able to see past the mishmash of design choices. (Those who can’t should take a look at the HP OmniBook Flip 14). My other biggest complaint — how difficult this system is to open and close — won’t apply to most people, but those who tinker and repair should be aware. A $1,499 price tag puts the Yoga 9i firmly in premium territory, but I appreciate that it comes with 32GB of RAM, which should keep this system relevant for a while. The 14-inch MacBook Pro, a great laptop that is not convertible, starts at $1,599 with 16GB of RAM, so this is a bargain, assuming it stays at this price. The Yoga 9i 2-in-1 debuted at $1,749.99. If you’re looking for a premium 2-in-1 that’s thin, light, and has a beautiful OLED screen, the Yoga 9i 2-in-1 checks those boxes and then some. Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Aura Edition: Price Comparison Source link #Lenovo #Yoga #2in1 #Aura #Edition #review #bluechip #convertible Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

‘I’m giving my fish smoking business away to benefit Colonsay’ ‘I’m giving my fish smoking business away to benefit Colonsay’ Richard Irvine Richard Irvine has been running a smokehouse on Colonsay for nearly three years A man who built a fish smoking business in the Inner Hebrides wants to give it away in a bid to help regenerate the local population. Richard Irvine, 65, founded and runs the Colonsay Smokery but is looking to hand over the business to a family which is looking to stay on the island long-term. The smokehouse, which has been operational for two-and-a-half years, will exchange hands for no fee – although Mr Irvine may retain a share to keep the business running if the new owners changed their minds. He hopes the offer may help to address the island’s ageing population and help boost the number of pupils in the local school. Richard Irvine At the moment Mr Irvine splits his time between Colonsay and his home in Midlothian, after falling in love with the island in the 1980s. He brought his wife to the island for their honeymoon and the couple have returned every year since. The former brand consultant took early retirement and made plans to build a house on the island, but soon became involved in setting up a fish smoking business. Now Colonsay Smokery supplies smoked salmon to the shop, local restaurants as well as locations off the island. Colonsay lies to the west of Jura and Islay and to the south of Mull and has a population of approximately 120 people. The small island also has an island store, a bookshop and a gallery. Getty Images Colonsay is west of Jura and Islay and south of Mull Richard said he felt this was his chance to give back to the island that he loves. He told BBC Scotland News: “I’ve taught myself a new skill and I seem to be doing quite well at it but the plan has always been to get the business up-and-running. “Once I’ve got the money that I put in back, I want to give it away to try and entice a young couple to relocate to the island. “The population is dwindling on the island. We need younger people to staff the ambulance service, the fire service and actually to just become the next generation to run the community. “If I was 30 years younger it might be the kind of thing I’d like to do. It’s a wonderful lifestyle, it’s a beautiful place to live.” Like many Scottish islands, the island is struggling with depopulation with retirees making up a large proportion of the residents. Ideal candidate Richard said the ideal candidate would be someone with “entrepreneurial spirit” and an interest in food. He said it would be ideal for a couple, where one person can work remotely, or a family to help boost the currently school roll, which currently only consists of four pupils. Affordable housing was recently built on the island but Richard said a lack of opportunity was another roadblock to luring younger people to the island. He hopes the new owner of Colonsay Smokery will be able to expand the business and expand its online presence. Richard Irvine The process of smoking salmon takes five days and includes fileting and curing the fish in salt, before it is dried, smoked and left to mature. It is then sliced and packed before being sold. Richard will mentor prospective owners for three months, and may retain a “golden share” – this means he would retain decision-making powers and could prevent a new owner from selling the business. “I’m not sure whether I’ll do it,” he said. “It’ll all be a matter of trust, but what I don’t want is to hand this over and in six months for them to sell up. I want to keep this for the island.” Other than that Mr Irvine wants to completely hand over the reins. He hopes this will allow him to spend more time enjoying the island, while he looks for his next project. Source link #giving #fish #smoking #business #benefit #Colonsay Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Fremantle star Hayden Young set to have surgery on his injured hamstring, could miss rest of the season Fremantle star Hayden Young set to have surgery on his injured hamstring, could miss rest of the season Fremantle star Hayden Young is set to have surgery on his injured hamstring and could miss the rest of the season. Source link #Fremantle #star #Hayden #Young #set #surgery #injured #hamstring #rest #season Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

He let snakes bite him hundreds of times. Now his blood might save lives – National He let snakes bite him hundreds of times. Now his blood might save lives – National Tim Friede has been bitten by snakes hundreds of times — often on purpose. Now scientists are studying his blood in hopes of creating a better treatment for snake bites. Friede has long had a fascination with reptiles and other venomous creatures. He used to milk scorpions’ and spiders’ venom as a hobby and kept dozens of snakes at his Wisconsin home. Hoping to protect himself from snake bites — and out of what he calls “simple curiosity” — he began injecting himself with small doses of snake venom and then slowly increased the amount to try to build up tolerance. He would then let snakes bite him. “At first, it was very scary,” Friede said. “But the more you do it, the better you get at it, the more calm you become with it.” While no doctor or emergency medical technician — or anyone, really — would ever suggest this is a remotely good idea, experts say his method tracks how the body works. When the immune system is exposed to the toxins in snake venom, it develops antibodies that can neutralize the poison. If it’s a small amount of venom the body can react before it’s overwhelmed. And if it’s venom the body has seen before, it can react more quickly and handle larger exposures. Story continues below advertisement Friede has withstood snakebites and injections for nearly two decades and still has a refrigerator full of venom. In videos posted to his YouTube channel, he shows off swollen fang marks on his arms from ****** mamba, taipan and water cobra bites. In this photo provided by Centivax, Tim Friede, center, stands in a lab in South San Francisco, Calif., in 2023, that is using his blood to prepare an antivenom to the bites of various snakes. Centivax via AP “I wanted to push the limits as close to death as possible to where I’m just basically teetering right there and then back off of it,” he said. Get weekly health news Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday. But Friede also wanted to help. He emailed every scientist he could find, asking them to study the tolerance he’d built up. And there is a need: Around 110,000 people die from snakebite every year, according to the World Health Organization. And making antivenom is expensive and difficult. It is often created by injecting large mammals like horses with venom and collecting the antibodies they produce. These antivenoms are usually only effective against specific snake species, and can sometimes produce bad reactions due to their nonhuman origins. Story continues below advertisement When Columbia University’s Peter Kwong heard of Friede, he said, “Oh, wow, this is very unusual. We had a very special individual with amazing antibodies that he created over 18 years.” Trending Now Plane crashes into Los Angeles-area neighbourhood, killing 2 people and a dog Trump ‘delighted’ by his influence on Canada’s election: U.S. journalist In a study published Friday in the journal Cell, Kwong and collaborators shared what they were able to do with Friede’s unique blood: They identified two antibodies that neutralize venom from many different snake species with the aim of someday producing a treatment that could offer broad protection. It’s very early research — the antivenom was only tested in mice, and researchers are still years away from human trials. And while their experimental treatment shows promise against the group of snakes that include mambas and cobras, it’s not effective against vipers, which include snakes like rattlers. 0:41 How many people die of snake bites? “Despite the promise, there is much work to do,” said Nicholas Casewell, a snakebite researcher at Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine in an email. Casewell was not involved with the new study. Story continues below advertisement Friede’s journey has not been without its missteps. Among them: He said after one bad snake bite he had to cut off part of his finger. And some particularly ****** cobra bites sent him to the hospital. Friede is now employed by Centivax, a company trying to develop the treatment and that helped pay for the study. He’s excited that his 18-year odyssey could one day save lives from snakebite, but his message to those inspired to follow in his footsteps is simple: “Don’t do it,” he said. More on Health More videos &copy 2025 The ********* Press Source link #snakes #bite #hundreds #times #blood #save #lives #National Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Thousands of machinists union members go on strike at jet engine maker Pratt & Whitney Thousands of machinists union members go on strike at jet engine maker Pratt & Whitney EAST HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — About 3,000 labor union members went on strike early Monday at jet engine maker Pratt & Whitney in Connecticut, as negotiations over wages, retirement benefits and job security broke down. Members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers were picketing at manufacturing locations in East Hartford and Middletown, after about 77% of nearly 2,100 union members voted to approve their first strike since 2001, union officials said. Their contract expired late Sunday. “Pratt and Whitney is a powerhouse in military and commercial aerospace products because our membership makes it so,” David Sullivan, the union’s eastern territory vice president, said in a statement. ”This offer does not address the membership concerns, and the membership made their decision — we will continue to fight for a fair contract.” The company, a subsidiary of Arlington, Virginia-based RTX Corp., called its latest wage and retirement proposal competitive, and said its workforce is among the most highly compensated in the region and industry. “Our message to union leaders throughout this thoughtful process has been simple: higher pay, better retirement savings, more days off and more flexibility,” the company said in a statement. “We have no immediate plans to resume negotiations at this time and we have contingency plans in place to maintain operations and to meet our customer commitments.” The company said its latest contract proposal included an immediate 4% wage increase, followed by a 3.5% increase in 2026 and a 3% increase in 2027. It also included a $5,000 contract ratification bonus and enhanced pension and 401k plan benefits. Pratt & Whitney makes engines for commercial and military jets, including the GTF line for Airbus commercial jets and the F135 for the military’s F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft fleet. Source link #Thousands #machinists #union #members #strike #jet #engine #maker #Pratt #Whitney Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Hogwarts Legacy 2 Enemy Wish List Hogwarts Legacy 2 Enemy Wish List Hogwarts Legacy has remained in first place on the *** retail charts, according to GfK data for the week ending April 19, 2025. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, following the release of the PS5 version, came in second place. Astro Bot dropped one spot to third place, while Monster Hunter Wilds remained in fourth place. Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate is up one spot to fifth place and EA Sports FC 25 is up six spots to sixth place. Source link #Hogwarts #Legacy #Enemy #List Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Incoming ******* chancellor Merz vows reforms and investments Incoming ******* chancellor Merz vows reforms and investments Friedrich Merz, leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), signs the coalition contract between the CDU, the CDU’S Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU), and the ******* Social Democrats (SPD) on May 05, 2025 in Berlin, Germany. Maja Hitij | Getty Images News | Getty Images Incoming ******* Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Monday vowed reforms and new investments as the country’s centrist parties signed a coalition agreement and announced additional members of the cabinet. “Tomorrow you will get … a government that is determined to move Germany forwards with reforms and investment,” Merz said Monday ahead of the agreement being signed according to a CNBC translation. Merz is part of the center-right Christian Democratic Union which, alongside its sister party the Christian Social Union, secured the largest shares of votes in February’s election. The center-left Social Democratic Party is also part of the new ruling coalition, having placed third in the election. After weeks of negotiations the party leaders first presented their coalition agreement in early April before securing sign-offs from within their parties. On Monday the over 140-page deal, titled “Responsibility for Germany” was then ceremoniously signed. Bavaria’s State Premier and Leader of the conservative Christian Social Union (CSU) Markus Soeder holds the coalition deal to form the country’s new government on May 5, 2025 in Berlin. Odd Andersen | Afp | Getty Images The deal covers the incoming governments plans and goals for the country, including changes to tax laws for individuals as well as businesses, migration policy and a new model for voluntary military service. The CDU-CSU/SPD coalition had already realized a major shift in Germany’s fiscal policy before officially taking office. The package includes changes to the country’s long-standing debt rules that will allow for higher defense spending, as well as a 500-billion-euro ($567.5 billion) infrastructure and climate fund. Additional ministers were also announced Monday, completing the incoming cabinet. Key roles include Lars Klingbeil as finance minister, Katherina Reiche as economy minister, Johann Wadephul as foreign minister and Boris Pistorius staying on as defense minister. Klingbeil will also become vice-chancellor in the new government. He and Merz will be the key figures and decision makers, Holger Schmieding, chief economist at Berenberg, said in a note Monday. “In the new government, Merz and the undisputed leader of the SPD, new finance minister Lars Klingbeil, will be calling the shots. What these two leaders agree will likely get done, with some occasional sniping from Bavarian CSU boss Markus Söder,” he said. “Both Merz and Klingbeil know that their government needs to succeed to stem the rise of the right-wing AfD so that the AfD does not get close to power at the next election in early 2029.” The far-right AfD, or Alternative fuer Deutschland, had won the second largest number of votes in this year’s election. CDU Chairman and candidate for Chancellor Friedrich Merz (M), CSU Chairman Markus Söder (l), SPD Chairman Lars Klingbeil, designated Federal Minister of Finance and Vice Chancellor, and SPD Chairwoman Saskia Esken stand after the signing of the coalition agreement between the CDU, CSU and SPD together with other party officials and designated ministers. Photo by Michael Kappeler/picture alliance via Getty Images Later on Monday, outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz will officially be dismissed from office. Merz on Tuesday is then expected to be voted into office by Germany’s parliament. If he is confirmed as the new chancellor, he will be sworn in formally by ******* President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, followed by the ministers in the new cabinet. Germany’s 2025 election took place several months earlier than originally scheduled after the previous governing coalition fell apart over disagreements about the budget, fiscal and economic policies. The tensions saw outgoing Chancellor Scholz, who is part of the SPD, sack former finance minister Christian Lindner — which in turn saw his Free Democratic Party exit the coalition. Source link #Incoming #******* #chancellor #Merz #vows #reforms #investments Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Incoming ******* chancellor Merz vows reforms and investments Incoming ******* chancellor Merz vows reforms and investments Friedrich Merz, leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), signs the coalition contract between the CDU, the CDU’S Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU), and the ******* Social Democrats (SPD) on May 05, 2025 in Berlin, Germany. Maja Hitij | Getty Images News | Getty Images Incoming ******* Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Monday vowed reforms and new investments as the country’s centrist parties signed a coalition agreement and announced additional members of the cabinet. “Tomorrow you will get … a government that is determined to move Germany forwards with reforms and investment,” Merz said Monday ahead of the agreement being signed according to a CNBC translation. Merz is part of the center-right Christian Democratic Union which, alongside its sister party the Christian Social Union, secured the largest shares of votes in February’s election. The center-left Social Democratic Party is also part of the new ruling coalition, having placed third in the election. After weeks of negotiations the party leaders first presented their coalition agreement in early April before securing sign-offs from within their parties. On Monday the over 140-page deal, titled “Responsibility for Germany” was then ceremoniously signed. Bavaria’s State Premier and Leader of the conservative Christian Social Union (CSU) Markus Soeder holds the coalition deal to form the country’s new government on May 5, 2025 in Berlin. Odd Andersen | Afp | Getty Images The deal covers the incoming governments plans and goals for the country, including changes to tax laws for individuals as well as businesses, migration policy and a new model for voluntary military service. The CDU-CSU/SPD coalition had already realized a major shift in Germany’s fiscal policy before officially taking office. The package includes changes to the country’s long-standing debt rules that will allow for higher defense spending, as well as a 500-billion-euro ($567.5 billion) infrastructure and climate fund. Additional ministers were also announced Monday, completing the incoming cabinet. Key roles include Lars Klingbeil as finance minister, Katherina Reiche as economy minister, Johann Wadephul as foreign minister and Boris Pistorius staying on as defense minister. Klingbeil will also become vice-chancellor in the new government. He and Merz will be the key figures and decision makers, Holger Schmieding, chief economist at Berenberg, said in a note Monday. “In the new government, Merz and the undisputed leader of the SPD, new finance minister Lars Klingbeil, will be calling the shots. What these two leaders agree will likely get done, with some occasional sniping from Bavarian CSU boss Markus Söder,” he said. “Both Merz and Klingbeil know that their government needs to succeed to stem the rise of the right-wing AfD so that the AfD does not get close to power at the next election in early 2029.” The far-right AfD, or Alternative fuer Deutschland, had won the second largest number of votes in this year’s election. CDU Chairman and candidate for Chancellor Friedrich Merz (M), CSU Chairman Markus Söder (l), SPD Chairman Lars Klingbeil, designated Federal Minister of Finance and Vice Chancellor, and SPD Chairwoman Saskia Esken stand after the signing of the coalition agreement between the CDU, CSU and SPD together with other party officials and designated ministers. Photo by Michael Kappeler/picture alliance via Getty Images Later on Monday, outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz will officially be dismissed from office. Merz on Tuesday is then expected to be voted into office by Germany’s parliament. If he is confirmed as the new chancellor, he will be sworn in formally by ******* President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, followed by the ministers in the new cabinet. Germany’s 2025 election took place several months earlier than originally scheduled after the previous governing coalition fell apart over disagreements about the budget, fiscal and economic policies. The tensions saw outgoing Chancellor Scholz, who is part of the SPD, sack former finance minister Christian Lindner — which in turn saw his Free Democratic Party exit the coalition. Source link #Incoming #******* #chancellor #Merz #vows #reforms #investments Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Review – KIBORG (PC) | WayTooManyGames Review – KIBORG (PC) | WayTooManyGames WTMG’s Leo Faria: “I think this is the best way to sum up KIBORG: a neat premise that just ended up feeling like a mixed bag. For every admittedly interesting aspect, such as its visuals, ultraviolence and combat, there’s something else that brings it down a handful of notches, such as the awful voice acting, difficulty spikes, and bugs. With that being said, considering how flooded and overly saturated the roguelike/lite market is nowadays, KIBORG does manage to stand out, even if by just a little bit. It’s not terrible, it’s also far from being amazing, but it’s certainly not entirely fogettable.” Source link #Review #KIBORG #WayTooManyGames Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Elden Ring Nightreign DLC Character Wish List Elden Ring Nightreign DLC Character Wish List As the gaming industry enters a packed May 2025, players across PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and VR platforms can expect a wave of high-profile releases. From the long awaited Elden Ring: Nightreign to the heavy-metal carnage of DOOM: The Dark Ages, this month is stacked with AAA sequels, creative indies, and genre-defining reboots. Here are the most anticipated games to watch this May. Source link #Elden #Ring #Nightreign #DLC #Character #List Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]