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Elon Musk says a ‘massive cyberattack’ is to blame for X being down Elon Musk says a ‘massive cyberattack’ is to blame for X being down Perhaps like the loser of the proposed cage fight between Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg that’s never, ever happening, X has been down and out for much of Monday. Down Detector saw a spike in outage reports from users between around 5:30 AM and 6:30AM ET. There were two more prolonged spikes, denoting more significant outages, later in the morning. Team Engadget has not been able to view tweets on X for the most part, save for a few brief moments when the service showed signed of life. The platform’s owner, Elon Musk, claimed that there was a “massive cyberattack against X” with either a “large, coordinated group and/or a country” behind the claimed assault. Musk didn’t provide any evidence, but experts told NBC News that his assertions were plausible. “It’s difficult to be certain, but given the pattern of three observed outages, a denial service attack targeting X’s infrastructure can’t be ruled out,” Isik Mater, director of research at NetBlocks, which tracks internet connectivity around the world, told the outlet. “It’s certainly one of the longest X/Twitter outages in our records.” This isn’t the first time that Musk has blamed a major attack for X’s technical issues. He did the same thing last year when when he held a livestreamed audio chat with President Donald Trump last year and the broadcast wasn’t working. Source link #Elon #Musk #massive #cyberattack #blame Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

European Parliament to establish Western Balkans office in Albania | News European Parliament to establish Western Balkans office in Albania | News In the context of heightened geopolitical tensions and renewed momentum behind EU enlargement, Parliament’s new office in Tirana will serve as a key contact point between the European Parliament and national parliaments, civil society, and local partners in the Western Balkans. The office will promote Parliament’s positions and activities, particularly in relation to EU accession, and will support democracy and institutional reforms in the region. It will also assist with the preparation and follow-up of official visits by MEPs, while reinforcing cooperation with other EU actors on the ground, and with international and civil society organisations. The European Parliament has consistently supported the Western Balkans’ European perspective, recognising its strategic importance for regional stability and the wider European project. The establishment of the antenna office reflects the EU’s broader strategy of deepening engagement with candidate countries. The vital need to strengthen the EU’s partnerships in the Western Balkans has become all the more clear given the current geopolitical challenges, not least Russia’s war in Ukraine. The establishment of an EP antenna office in Tirana underscores Parliament’s strong commitment to supporting countries of the Western Balkans on their path towards EU membership, while fostering stability, democracy, and closer ties between the EU and its neighbours. Background Currently, Parliament has three operational antenna offices: in New York, for relations with the United Nations; in Jakarta, for relations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations; and in Addis Ababa, for relations with the African Union. The move to open two additional antenna offices (in Albania and Moldova) follows an earlier decision by Parliament’s Bureau to establish offices in Kyiv, Ukraine, and in Panama, to deal with relations with Latin America and the Caribbean. Source link #European #Parliament #establish #Western #Balkans #office #Albania #News Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Tesla shares plunge 14%, head for worst day in five years Tesla shares plunge 14%, head for worst day in five years People gather in a protest outside a Tesla dealership in Lisbon against Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk on March 9, 2025. Patricia De Melo Moreira | Afp | Getty Images Tesla’s selloff on Wall Street intensified on Monday, with shares of the electric vehicle maker plunging 14% and heading for their worst day on the market since September 2020. On Friday, Tesla wrapped up a seventh straight week of losses, its longest losing streak since debuting on the Nasdaq in 2010. The stock has fallen every week since CEO Elon Musk went to Washington, D.C., to take on a major role in the second Trump White House. Since peaking at $479.86 on Dec. 17, Tesla shares have lost over 50% of their value, wiping out over $800 billion in market cap. Tesla led a broader slump in U.S. equities, with the Nasdaq tumbling 4.4%, which would be its steepest decline since 2022. The downdraft in Tesla’s stock on Monday was tied to uncertainty surrounding President Donald Trump’s plans on tariffs. Canada and Mexico are key markets for automotive suppliers, and increased tariffs, with the potential for a trade war, will likely impact production and lead to higher prices. Tesla is also dealing with brand erosion due to Musk’s incendiary political rhetoric and his extensive work with the Trump administration, where he’s leading up the so-called Department of Government Efficiency. Musk, the world’s wealthiest person, has become the public face of the administration’s effort to dramatically shrink the federal government’s workforce, spending and capacity. Meanwhile, Musk has used his social network X to level accusations against judges whose decisions he didn’t like and promoted false Kremlin talking points about Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Activists and former Musk fans have protested at Tesla facilities throughout the U.S., and Tesla vehicles and facilities have been the apparent targets of vandalism and arson attempts. Repeated arson attempts and instances of vandalism occurred at a Tesla store and service center in Loveland, Colorado, most recently on March 7, police told CNBC. Ben Kallo, an analyst at Baird, told CNBC’s “Squawk on the Street” on Monday that recent reports of vandalism could hurt demand. “When people’s cars are in jeopardy of being keyed or set on fire out there, even people who support Musk or are indifferent Musk might think twice about buying a Tesla,” Kallo said. Analysts at Bank of America’s wrote in a report on Monday that Tesla new vehicle sales plummeted by about 50% in Europe in January from a year earlier, partly owing to growing distaste for the brand. The firm also noted that some prospective customers are waiting for the new version of the Model Y. Tesla’s Model Y, which is a small SUV, remained the best-selling battery electric vehicle globally in January. It was followed by China’s Geely Geome, which surpassed the Tesla Model 3 sedan for the month. Global sales of electric vehicles, including fully electric and plug-in hybrid models, increased 21% in January from a year ago, even as Tesla’s sales declined. The growth was driven by demand in Europe, according to Bank of America. — CNBC’s Jesse Pound contributed to this report. WATCH: Baird’s Ben Kallo on Tesla Source link #Tesla #shares #plunge #worst #day #years Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Tesla shares plunge 14%, head for worst day in five years Tesla shares plunge 14%, head for worst day in five years People gather in a protest outside a Tesla dealership in Lisbon against Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk on March 9, 2025. Patricia De Melo Moreira | Afp | Getty Images Tesla’s selloff on Wall Street intensified on Monday, with shares of the electric vehicle maker plunging 14% and heading for their worst day on the market since September 2020. On Friday, Tesla wrapped up a seventh straight week of losses, its longest losing streak since debuting on the Nasdaq in 2010. The stock has fallen every week since CEO Elon Musk went to Washington, D.C., to take on a major role in the second Trump White House. Since peaking at $479.86 on Dec. 17, Tesla shares have lost over 50% of their value, wiping out over $800 billion in market cap. Tesla led a broader slump in U.S. equities, with the Nasdaq tumbling 4.4%, which would be its steepest decline since 2022. The downdraft in Tesla’s stock on Monday was tied to uncertainty surrounding President Donald Trump’s plans on tariffs. Canada and Mexico are key markets for automotive suppliers, and increased tariffs, with the potential for a trade war, will likely impact production and lead to higher prices. Tesla is also dealing with brand erosion due to Musk’s incendiary political rhetoric and his extensive work with the Trump administration, where he’s leading up the so-called Department of Government Efficiency. Musk, the world’s wealthiest person, has become the public face of the administration’s effort to dramatically shrink the federal government’s workforce, spending and capacity. Meanwhile, Musk has used his social network X to level accusations against judges whose decisions he didn’t like and promoted false Kremlin talking points about Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Activists and former Musk fans have protested at Tesla facilities throughout the U.S., and Tesla vehicles and facilities have been the apparent targets of vandalism and arson attempts. Repeated arson attempts and instances of vandalism occurred at a Tesla store and service center in Loveland, Colorado, most recently on March 7, police told CNBC. Ben Kallo, an analyst at Baird, told CNBC’s “Squawk on the Street” on Monday that recent reports of vandalism could hurt demand. “When people’s cars are in jeopardy of being keyed or set on fire out there, even people who support Musk or are indifferent Musk might think twice about buying a Tesla,” Kallo said. Analysts at Bank of America’s wrote in a report on Monday that Tesla new vehicle sales plummeted by about 50% in Europe in January from a year earlier, partly owing to growing distaste for the brand. The firm also noted that some prospective customers are waiting for the new version of the Model Y. Tesla’s Model Y, which is a small SUV, remained the best-selling battery electric vehicle globally in January. It was followed by China’s Geely Geome, which surpassed the Tesla Model 3 sedan for the month. Global sales of electric vehicles, including fully electric and plug-in hybrid models, increased 21% in January from a year ago, even as Tesla’s sales declined. The growth was driven by demand in Europe, according to Bank of America. — CNBC’s Jesse Pound contributed to this report. WATCH: Baird’s Ben Kallo on Tesla Source link #Tesla #shares #plunge #worst #day #years Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Morgan Moses agrees to sign with Patriots – NBC Sports Morgan Moses agrees to sign with Patriots – NBC Sports Morgan Moses agrees to sign with Patriots NBC Sports2025 NFL free agency: Patriots signing veteran tackle Morgan Moses to bolster offensive line, per report CBS SportsCommanders reportedly examining potential reunion to bolster offensive line Riggo’s RagPatriots Finally Get Line Help, Reportedly Plucking Veteran From Jets NESNPatriots free agency tracker and grades: Veteran OT Morgan Moses, ex-Lions Carlton Davis signing 3-year deals Boston Herald Source link #Morgan #Moses #agrees #sign #Patriots #NBC #Sports Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

European Parliament to establish Eastern Partnership office in Moldova | News European Parliament to establish Eastern Partnership office in Moldova | News In the context of heightened geopolitical tensions and renewed momentum behind EU enlargement, the new European Parliament antenna office in Chisinau will serve as key contact point between the European Parliament and national parliaments, civil society, and local partners in the Eastern Partnership region. The office will promote Parliament’s positions and activities, and support democracy and institutional reforms in the region. It will assist with the preparation and follow-up of official visits of MEPs, while reinforcing cooperation with other EU actors on the ground, international organisations, and civil society. This decision comes as MEPs are set to vote on 11 March 2025 on a new €1.9 billion Reform and Growth Facility for Moldova, to accelerate the country’s socio-economic reforms, strengthen its resilience, and advance its EU integration through grants and low-interest loans. The establishment of a European Parliament antenna office in Chisinau underscores Parliament’s strong support for the Eastern Partnership region, while fostering stability, democracy, and closer ties between the EU and its neighbours. Background Currently, Parliament has three operational antenna offices in New York for relations with the United Nations, in Jakarta for relations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and in Addis Ababa for relations with the African Union. The move to open two additional antenna offices (in Moldova and Albania) follows an earlier decision by Parliament’s Bureau to establish offices in Kyiv, Ukraine, and in Panama to deal with relations with Latin America and the Caribbean. Source link #European #Parliament #establish #Eastern #Partnership #office #Moldova #News Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

New Street Fighter: The Animated Series Blu-Ray Features Commentaries With Popular Fighting Game Content Creators New Street Fighter: The Animated Series Blu-Ray Features Commentaries With Popular Fighting Game Content Creators Fans of ’90s animation and arcade fighting games can soon add another Blu-ray to their collection with the upcoming Street Fighter: The Animated Series Blu-ray. The $40 Blu-ray includes the entire series and a selection of bonus content. Preorders are available now ahead of its May 27 release date. We’ve checked the calendar, and yes, that is a Tuesday. $40 | Releases May 27 Street Fighter: The Animated Series Blu-ray features all 26 episodes of the original series in their original standard definition presentation and 4:3 aspect ratio. Each episode has an optional commentary track hosted by Fighting Game YouTubers like Matt McMuscles, Maximillian Dood, Justin Wong, Brady, Arin “Egoraptor” Hanson, Alexis Le, Lythero, and Guile Win Quote. See the full list of bonus features below. Street Fighter: The Animated Series Blu-ray Special Features: Commentary tracks for each episode hosted by Matt McMuscles with FGC guest stars Brady, Maximillian Dood, Justin Wong, Arin “Egoraptor” Hanson, Alexis Le, Lythero, and Guile Win Quote. Street Fighter: The Animated Series intro storyboards Art gallery Street Fighter meme compilation video Game-inspired menus Street Fighter: The Animated Series was surprisingly faithful to the source material, and despite being a family-friendly Saturday Morning cartoon, it still features plenty of action. The show takes a GI Joe-inspired approach to its storyline. With M. Bison’s Shadaloo crime syndicate threatening the world, Guile puts together a team of elite world warriors like Chun-Li, Blanka, Ryu, and more to take him down. Of course, the series was also designed to be something of a toy commercial, but it’s still a fun relic from a bygone age of entertainment. To flesh out your Street Fighter Blu-ray collection, you can pick up a couple of films based on the long-running fighting game franchise. The 1994 live-action movie starring Raul Julia as M. Bison and Jean-Claude Van Damme as Guile is still the best of the bunch thanks to its many quotable lines. You can pick it up in either a standard Blu-ray format for $10.33 (was $15) or in a premium Steelbook Edition that’s on ***** for $25 (was $35), and is perfect for displaying alongside your painting of M. Bison Crossing the Alps. There’s also a new 4K remaster of Street Fighter 2: The Animated Movie that’s on ***** for $26.37 (was $35), which has been seen as a massive influence on the series thanks to its stylistic action and groundbreaking animation. More Street Fighter Blu-rays Source link #Street #Fighter #Animated #Series #BluRay #Features #Commentaries #Popular #Fighting #Game #Content #Creators Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Noel Clarke says life ‘smashed’ by misconduct allegations Noel Clarke says life ‘smashed’ by misconduct allegations Actor and producer Noel Clarke has accused the publisher of the Guardian of having “smashed my life for years” as he gave evidence at his High Court libel trial. The star of Doctor Who and Kidulthood began his testimony on Monday. The 49-year-old is suing Guardian News and Media (GNM) for libel over a series of articles from 2021 and 2022 that included allegations of ********* inappropriate behaviour. Clarke denies the allegations, while GNM is defending its reporting as being both true and in the public interest. Asked about his alleged inappropriate ******* behaviour towards an actress who appeared in a film he was involved with, he became quite emotional and tearful, telling the Guardian’s barrister Gavin Millar KC: “They have smashed my life for years with this rubbish. You know what you’re doing. You make me sick, I would not do this.” Mr Millar asked Mr Clarke about an allegation that while working on Doctor Who, he made an inappropriate ******* suggestion to a female costume assistant. He replied: “I don’t remember that incident, I don’t remember the woman in question. So I say it didn’t happen.” Mr Millar asked: “It didn’t happen or you don’t remember it?” Mr Clarke replied: “It didn’t happen.” He was also asked about his interactions with a woman whom he worked with in the run-up to a particular project, where it was alleged that he physically pushed his body against her in a ******* way, and groped her. Mr Clarke responded saying that he had subsequently had messages from the woman over the years, adding that this proves that her allegations were absolute nonsense. He said: “I’m sitting here having sworn on the ******, and I’m telling you she’s lying.” He is due to continue giving evidence until Wednesday. The case is scheduled to last six weeks. Source link #Noel #Clarke #life #smashed #misconduct #allegations Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Super Mario Bros. Scenes Now Available On Nintendo Alarmo Super Mario Bros. Scenes Now Available On Nintendo Alarmo There’s a hot new machine from Nintendo that everybody’s talking about that just received a major update, and you know we don’t mean the Switch 2. Yes, Nintendo’s motion-activated alarm clock got a free update recently that adds scenes from the original NES Super Mario Bros. to the proceedings. According to the social media post announcing the move, you can receive these new scenes by connecting your Alarmo to the internet and linking it to your Nintendo Account. These scenes are the first from a retro Nintendo game, as the rest of those with scenes featured are all on the Switch. Those games include Super Mario Odyssey, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Splatoon 3, Pikmin 4, and Ring Fit Adventure. Connecting your Nintendo account will also give you access to scenes from Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Retailing for $100, the Alarmo is a motion-activated alarm clock with sleep tracking features. It offers a variety of alarms, including “Gentle,” which keeps the tone at one set volume, and “Steady,” which makes the alarm increasingly louder. The Alarmo does not interact with other Nintendo devices and is not a limited-time or limited-edition product, unlike some other Nintendo devices from over the years. In other Nintendo news, the company the much-anticipated Switch 2 back in January. A Nintendo Direct that will presumably answer many questions about the new console, such as when it will be released, will be held on April 2. Source link #Super #Mario #Bros #Scenes #Nintendo #Alarmo Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

DA asks court to withdraw resentencing motion, calls self-defense claims ‘lies’ DA asks court to withdraw resentencing motion, calls self-defense claims ‘lies’ Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said Monday he’s asking the court to withdraw the previous district attorney’s motion for resentencing for Lyle and Erik Menendez, calling the brothers’ claims of self-defense part of a litany of “lies.” “We are prepared to go forward” with the hearing regarding their resentencing case, Hochman said at a news conference Monday. “However, we are asking the court to withdraw the previous district attorney’s motion for resentencing, because we believe there are legitimate reasons and the interests of justice justifies that withdrawal.” A resentencing hearing is set for March 20 and 21 for the brothers, who are serving life without the possibility of parole. PHOTO: In these booking photos taken Oct. 10, 2024, Erik and Lyle Menendez are shown. (CRDC) MORE: Menendez brothers’ cousin calls DA ‘hostile,’ ‘patronizing,’ asks for his removal from case The request to withdraw the resentencing motion is “based on the current state of the record and the Menendez brothers’ current and continual failure to show full insight and accept full responsibility,” Hochman said in a statement. “If they were to finally come forward and unequivocally and sincerely admit and completely accept responsibility for their lies of self-defense and the attempted suborning of perjury they engaged in, then the Court should weigh such new insight into the analysis of rehabilitation and resentencing — as will the People.” Hochman said his decision comes after reviewing trial transcripts from both trials, prison records and videotaped trial testimony, as well as meeting with Menendez family members, defense attorneys and past prosecutors. Hochman stressed the premeditation, noting the brothers drove to San Diego days before the murders to buy guns with a fake ID and on the night of the murders, they planned an alibi and went to buy movie tickets, he said. PHOTO: Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman talks about the resentencing of Erik and Lyle Menendez for the murders of their parents during a news conference in downtown Los Angeles, Jan. 3, 2025. (Damian Dovarganes/AP, FILE) MORE: Menendez brothers timeline: From the 1989 murders to their new fight for freedom After Jose and Kitty Menendez were fatally shot, the brothers allegedly shot them in the kneecaps to allegedly try to make the slayings look like a gang shooting, Hochman said. The brothers “also had the presence of mind to pick up all the shotgun shells” to try to hide their fingerprints, and then they ditched their bloody clothes and the weapons, Hochman said. Hochman said the brothers told 20 lies and admitted to four; he said 16 lies remain “unacknowledged.” Hochman stressed the brothers changed their story multiple times. The brothers initially proclaimed their innocence and said the murders may have been ****** hits. PHOTO: Erik Menendez, left, and is brother Lyle, in front of their Beverly Hills home on Nov. 30, 1989. (Los Angeles Times via Getty Images, FILE) The truth about the brothers being responsible came after Erik Menendez confessed to his therapist and that confession tape was turned over to the police. “They convinced, not just the media, not just the police, but their family and their friends that they were 100% innocent of these crimes, until eventually these tapes came out,” Hochman said. The “next iteration of the story” was when Lyle Menendez allegedly asked his girlfriend to claim Jose Menendez drugged and ****** her, Hochman said. The brothers later said Erik Menendez was ****** by their father and Lyle Menendez was ****** by their mother, he said. At trial, the brothers claimed self-defense, saying they suffered sex abuse from their father and believe their parents were going to kill them. But Hochman said Monday that “the self-defense defense was a fabrication.” Self defense wasn’t mention in the confession to the therapist, according to Hochman. “What Erik said is that [his father] was a controlling, dominating force, and that is the reason,” Hochman said. “He said the mother would be a witness to the crime, so she had to die, [and she] was so ********** because the father had an affair … [and] the mother could not live without the father.” PHOTO: Erik Menendez with his attorney Leslie Abramson and his brother Lyle Menendez in Los Angeles, March 9, 1994. (Ted Soqui/Sygma via Getty Images, FILE) The “brothers have never come clean and admitted that they lied about their self-defense as well as suborned perjury and attempted to suborn perjury by their friends for the lies, among others, of their father violently raping Lyle’s girlfriend, their mother poisoning the family, and their attempt to get a handgun the day before the murders,” the DA said in a statement. At Monday’s news conference, Hochman frequently referenced California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s 2022 decision to deny parole to Robert F. Kennedy’s killer, Sirhan Sirhan, citing that case as the precedent the judge should consider with the Menendez brothers. Although Sirhan — like the Menendez brothers — spent decades in prison rehabilitating himself, including achieving degrees and participating in prison programs, and he had letters of support, Newsom denied Sirhan parole because he “failed to exhibit insight and completely accept responsibility for his ******* of Kennedy,” making him “an unreasonable risk of danger to the community,” Hochman said. The court needs to “analyze whether the Menendez brothers’ lack of full insight and lack of complete responsibility for their murders overcomes … the other factors justifying a resentencing like the Menendez’ length of time in prison, their age at the time of the murders, their upbringing and any ******* abuse they experienced, their extensive rehabilitation efforts in prison including getting educational degrees and involvement in community and prison programs, any supportive letters from prison officials and victim family members, their health, and the low prison risk score,” Hochman said. In October, then-LA County District Attorney George Gascón announced he supported resentencing for the brothers. Gascón recommended their sentences of life without the possibility of parole be removed, and said they should instead be sentenced for *******, which would be a sentence of 50 years to life. Because both brothers were under 26 at the time of the crimes, they would be eligible for parole immediately with the new sentence. PHOTO: Erik Menendez and his brother Lyle (R) listen during a pre-trial hearing, Dec. 29, 1992, in Los Angeles after the two pleaded innocent in the August 1989 shotgun deaths of their parents, Jose and Mary Louise Menendez. (Vince Bucci/AFP via Getty Images) MORE: Menendez brothers’ cousin ‘gasped in relief’ to learn Newsom is addressing clemency request The DA’s office said its resentencing recommendations take into account many factors, including rehabilitation in prison and abuse or trauma that contributed to the crime. Gascón praised the work Lyle and Erik Menendez did behind bars to rehabilitate themselves and help other inmates. Weeks after Gascón’s announcement, he lost his race for reelection to Hochman. When Hochman came into office on Dec. 3, he promised to review all the facts before reaching his own decision. Hochman’s announcement on Monday comes days after one of the brothers’ cousins, Tamara Goodell, slammed the DA in a letter to the U.S. Attorney’s Office Civil Rights Division. Goodell accused Hochman of being “hostile, dismissive and patronizing” during two meetings in January with family members who want the brothers released. She said the “lack of compassion was palpable, and the family left feeling not only ignored but further intimidated and revictimized.”Goodell wants Hochman removed and the case turned over to the attorney general’s office. PHOTO: Joan Andersen VanderMolen, center, speaks to the media surrounded by family members of Erik and Lyle Menendez during a news conference after a hearing in Los Angeles, Nov. 25, 2024. (Damian Dovarganes/AP, FILE) MORE: Menendez brothers case: DA asks court to deny their petition for new trial This case dates back to 1989, when Lyle Menendez, then 21, and Erik Menendez, then 18, shot and killed their parents, Kitty and Jose Menendez, in the family’s Beverly Hills home. Their first trial ended in a mistrial. Lyle and Erik Menendez were convicted in 1996 following their second trial. The brothers were sentenced to two consecutive life prison terms without the possibility of parole. Besides resentencing, the brothers have been pursuing two other paths to freedom. MORE: Menendez brothers: Newsom orders parole board to investigate whether they’d pose ‘unreasonable risk’ to public if released One is their habeas corpus petition, which they filed in 2023 for a review of two new pieces of evidence not presented at trial: a letter Erik Menendez wrote to his cousin eight months before the murders detailing his alleged abuse from his father, and allegations from a former boy band member who revealed in 2023 that he was ****** by Jose Menendez. Hochman announced in February that he’s asked the court to deny the habeas corpus petition, arguing the new evidence isn’t credible or admissible. The third path to freedom is through the brothers’ request for clemency, which has been submitted to Newsom. On Feb. 26, Newsom announced that he’s ordering the parole board to conduct a 90-day “comprehensive risk assessment” investigation into whether the brothers pose “an unreasonable risk to the public” if they’re granted clemency and released. “There’s no guarantee of outcome here,” Newsom said. “But this process simply provides more transparency … as well as provides us more due diligence before I make any determination for clemency.” Menendez brothers case: DA asks court to withdraw resentencing motion, calls self-defense claims ‘lies’ originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Source link #asks #court #withdraw #resentencing #motion #calls #selfdefense #claims #lies Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Overwatch 2 Wants You to Grind the Game But Loves to Hold Back Rewards For the Time You Spent Overwatch 2 Wants You to Grind the Game But Loves to Hold Back Rewards For the Time You Spent Grinding for rewards is a standard expectation in multiplayer games, we do it all the time. But it seems like players are sick of how Activision Blizzard handles Overwatch 2‘s Competitive Points. Introduced in Season 9, Blizzard implemented a 3,000 Competitive Point cap per season, and fans haven’t loved the decision. The competitive point restriction just makes no sense. | Image Credit: Blizzard Entertainment As a result, the reward system feels less like an incentive and more like an artificial barrier meant to keep players in the game longer. With Overwatch 2 struggling to retain players, it’s things like these that make us delete a game out of sheer annoyance. And that’s not what Blizzard wants right now. Overwatch 2 players don’t care for the restrictions The system is not for player enjoyment at all. | Image Credit: Blizzard Entertainment The Competitive Points system has seen multiple changes over the years, but the current cap makes unlocking multiple weapon variants an unreasonable grind. The cap on Competitive Points was first introduced in Overwatch 2’s Season 9, and we’ve really just hated it ever since. It’s just designed for player retention and not satisfaction. Why did they add a competitive point rewards cap? I thought they wanted people to play competitive. Doesn’t make sense as to why they nerf playing comp. — Overwatch Anonymous (@OWAnonymous_) May 27, 2024 One of the biggest issues with the system is how long it takes to earn Competitive Points. Each competitive win grants 10 points, and a 50% win rate means an average of 5 points per game. With weapon variants costing 3,000 points, it will take you around 600 games per season to unlock just one. That’s without counting any additional bonuses. One player on Reddit calculated that it takes roughly 257 games to earn a single weapon variant. Without the seasonal bonus bar, the requirement jumps to 600 games, making it virtually impossible for casual players to unlock more than one per season. Instead of rewarding time and dedication, Blizzard’s system forces players to stretch their grind across multiple seasons. Comment byu/yourfavesapphic from discussion inOverwatch Comment byu/yourfavesapphic from discussion inOverwatch If you’re someone who plays Competitive regularly, hitting the CP cap will probably feel more like a penalty than an achievement. Players like Reddit user u/yourfavesapphic have expressed frustration over the system, arguing that anyone willing to put in the grind should be able to earn as many skins as they can. Blizzard needs to prioritize players right now There’s competition on the streets now, and this just won’t do. | Image Credit: Blizzard Entertainment Overwatch 2’s handling of CP is just one of many issues players have taken with the game’s monetization and reward structure. Since transitioning to a free-to-play model, Blizzard has relied heavily on expensive skins and collaborations to drive revenue. We still get occasional offers for free unlockable cosmetics through events, but most skins are locked behind a premium. And speaking of collaborations, Season 15 is set to bring another Le Sserafim collaboration event, introducing new skins based on the popular K-pop group. Once again we have to note that while these collaborations generate short-term interest, they don’t address the core issues. And there’s no space for more problems because there’s competition now. Despite its issues, Overwatch 2 has been making attempts to reinvigorate its player base. Season 15 gave us the new Stadium mode which also came with the new Perks system. There’s a lot of new pressure on Blizzard now because of Marvel Rivals‘ breakout success in the last few months. A lot of us don’t have any hope for the game but the developers have all the room to surprise players. Source link #Overwatch #Grind #Game #Loves #Hold #Rewards #Time #Spent Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

2025 NFL free agency live updates: Tracking latest signings, trades, rumors on Aaron Rodgers, Sam Darnold – CBS Sports 2025 NFL free agency live updates: Tracking latest signings, trades, rumors on Aaron Rodgers, Sam Darnold – CBS Sports 2025 NFL free agency live updates: Tracking latest signings, trades, rumors on Aaron Rodgers, Sam Darnold CBS SportsTracking NFL free agency: Live updates on every signing, trade, cut and rumor ESPNWhy Khalil Mack Returned to the Chargers in Free Agency Chargers.comDK Metcalf reportedly joining Steelers in trade from Seahawks, will sign $150M contract Yahoo SportsWhat is the NFL’s legal tampering *******? Explaining the process before free agency begins USA TODAY Source link #NFL #free #agency #live #updates #Tracking #latest #signings #trades #rumors #Aaron #Rodgers #Sam #Darnold #CBS #Sports Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

The Last Of Us Showrunner Hints At Big Changes To The Story For Season 2 The Last Of Us Showrunner Hints At Big Changes To The Story For Season 2 The Last of Us Season 2 is almost here, and the showrunners Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann are assuring fans that they have plenty of surprises in store. Season 1 of the show expanded certain elements of the story and switched things around to make it more palatable for television. Season 2 will be no different. While we know some of the story of The Last of Us Part 2 will be used, the game’s playtime is at a minimum of 25 hours–double that of the first game–so there’s a lot of story to spread out. Talking to ScreenRant, Mazin said he’s confident with the changes made and lots of swerves to surprise even the hardcore fans. “There are things where we think, ‘We love this, but it’s worth expanding on or changing to fit the new medium,’ and there are things that we think actually wouldn’t translate well,” he said. “I think you probably should expect the unexpected. We won’t always do the things you think we’re going to do. Sometimes we do the things you thought we were going to do in a different way, at a different time.” The showrunner had previously said that to expand the story, they’re making drastic changes to the game’s original timeline in a way that works better for television. “We certainly are going to mess around with time the way it was in the source material…we messed around in ways that we felt were appropriate for the show,” Mazin said. “When I say ‘messed around,’ I mean scientifically determined in a narrative way what we thought would be most impactful.” Mazin added by asking fans for their trust and that they wouldn’t be disappointed with the changes. “By the time we get to the end of the season, I think you’ll be happy,” he said. HBO’s The Last of Us became a colossal hit, earning 24 Emmy nominations and taking home eight. The success of the show was felt immediately, even having star Pedro Pascal twerk with Clickers on Saturday Night Live commercials. The Last of Us Season 2 premieres on Max on April 13. Source link #Showrunner #Hints #Big #Story #Season Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Rubio says Ukraine partial ceasefire plan ‘has promise’ ahead of talks in Saudi Arabia Rubio says Ukraine partial ceasefire plan ‘has promise’ ahead of talks in Saudi Arabia Reuters Marco Rubio said he hoped the pause in US aid to Ukraine could be “resolved” but that Tuesday’s talks “would be key to that”. America’s top diplomat has said that he sees promise in Ukraine’s proposal for a partial ceasefire to end the three-year war with Russia, ahead of talks in Saudi Arabia between US and Ukrainian officials. “I’m not saying that alone is enough but it’s the kind of concession you would need to see in order to end the conflict,” US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Monday. Kyiv is expected to propose an aerial and naval truce with Russia during the negotiations on Tuesday, a Ukrainian official told AFP. Russia has previously rejected the idea of a temporary ceasefire, saying it was an attempt to buy time and prevent Ukraine’s military collapse. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky landed in Saudi Arabia on Monday to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, although he is not expected to play any formal role in the talks between his country and the US. The Ukrainian team will be represented by Zelensky’s head of office Andriy Yermak, the country’s national security adviser and several foreign and defence ministers. Rubio will represent the US delegation alongside National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff. Before arriving in Jeddah on Monday, Rubio said that it was important to “establish clearly Ukraine’s intentions” for a peace deal and that the country would “have to be prepared to do difficult things like the Russians are going to have to do difficult things to end this”. “I’m not going to set any conditions on what they have to or need to do,” he added. “We want to listen to see how far they’re willing to go, and compare that to what the Russians want, and then see how far apart we truly are.” He said that both sides needed to realise that “there’s no military solution” to the conflict and it can only be resolved through “diplomatic means”. It comes as Donald Trump steps up pressure on Zelensky to agree to a ceasefire with Moscow, without any promises of US security guarantees. The talks mark the first official meeting since Zelensky’s visit to the White House descended into acrimony last month. Following the meeting, the US paused military aid and intelligence sharing for Kyiv in an apparent bid to get Zelensky to the negotiating table. Rubio said that he hoped the pause in aid could be “resolved” but that the negotiations on Tuesday “would be key to that”. The suspension “came about because we felt that they [Ukraine] were not committed to any sort of peace process”, he said, and “if that changes, obviously our posture can change”. “The President is going to use whatever tools he has at his disposal to try to get both sides to that table so this war will end,” he added. Reuters Zelensky met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman on Monday but is not expected to play any formal role in Tuesday’s talks with the US Earlier on Monday, Trump special envoy Steve Witkoff said he expected “substantial progress” during the negotiations. Asked whether he thought Zelensky would return to the US to sign a minerals deal later in the week, he told Fox News: “I am really hopeful. All the signs are very, very positive.” Zelensky has previously said he is willing to sign a minerals deal with the US, which would establish a joint fund from the ***** of Ukrainian minerals. Witkoff said that among the issues to be discussed in Saudi Arabia were security protocols for the Ukrainians and territorial issues. He said the US administration had never shut off intelligence sharing for anything defensive that Ukraine needed, while on Sunday Trump told Fox News that he had “just about” lifted the intelligence sharing pause on Ukraine. *** Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also spoke to Trump ahead of the talks, Downing Street said. “The Prime Minister said he hoped there would be a positive outcome to the talks that would enable US aid and intelligence-sharing to be restarted,” the spokeswoman said. Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and currently holds around a fifth of Ukraine’s territory, including Crimea which it annexed in 2014. Source link #Rubio #Ukraine #partial #ceasefire #plan #promise #ahead #talks #Saudi #Arabia Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Rocket League Season 18 Adds A Futuristic New Arena On March 14 Rocket League Season 18 Adds A Futuristic New Arena On March 14 Developer Psyonix has announced a futuristic theme for Rocket League Season 18, with this new season kicking off on March 14. The season brings a new battle pass, a high-tech new arena, more Mutators, and another way to report toxic players. Season 18 features free and premium tiers in the battle pass, and one of the highlights is the Dodge Charger Daytona ***** Pack car body in the paid tiers. This new car body is unlocked instantly for all players who purchase the premium pass. Other items in the premium pass include the modern Azura car body and accessories, such as the Space Tower Antenna, Spaceship Topper, and the Waypoint Trail. Beyond just cosmetics, Season 18 also features a new arena for players to experience. The brand new Futura Garden arena includes a design with towering, futuristic architecture. You can get a first look at Futura Garden in the trailer above. The season adds additional Mutators to give players new ways to play in Exhibition mode and private matches. Season 18 includes the following new Mutation options: Jumps: Take to the skies by increasing the number of jumps you can do at once! Do a double-jump, triple-jump, octuple-jump… Or, turn jumps off entirely and keep the competition ground level. ⁠ Number of ******: Why have just one soccar ball when you could have six? Choose between having one, two, four, or six ****** in play.⁠ Ball Gravity: Alter the ball’s gravitational pull and let the mayhem ensue. Options include low, high, super, and good ol’ fashioned default.⁠ Dodge Timer: Change the time allowed between dodges. Dial things up to unlimited and avoid ANY obstacle!⁠ Possession Score: Shake up the game by allowing players to score points just for staying in control of the ball.⁠ Demolish Score: Bring on the destruction! Allow players to score up to three points for each demolition. Normal Goal Score: Go for the goal like never before. Increase the points earned for each successful shot in the back of the net! Aerial Goal Score: Look out below! Increase how much you can score for each successful airborne shot. Assist Score: Teamwork is the key to victory. Allow players to earn up to three points for each assist. Enforce Territories: Get back on your side! This mutator enables the Split Shot wall, dividing teams across each half of the field. Players will be demolished if they touch the ground on the opponents’ side. To help combat toxicity, Rocket League is expanding player reporting to include voice reporting. ⁠Voice reporting means in addition to being able to block, mute, and report other players, there will be an option to submit audio evidence when reporting suspected violations of the game’s community rules. The developer also teases the Season 18 competitive rewards will be disco-themed items, including items like the Disco Ball Boost and Disco Party Goal Explosion. Rocket league Season 18 runs from March 14 to June 18, and more details about the season can be found on the official Rocket League blog post. Source link #Rocket #League #Season #Adds #Futuristic #Arena #March Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Gardner’s Giants remain midgets against Mumbai Gardner’s Giants remain midgets against Mumbai Despite an impressive personal performance in the field Ash Gardner’s Gujarat Giants have lost their sixth match in six outings against Mumbai Indians to end their prospects of direct entry into the Women’s Premier League final. Chasing 180 to win Giants found Mumbai’s multi-national attack too hard to handle and lost by nine runs. New Zealand leg-spinner Amelia Kerr took 3-34, West Indies’ Hayley Matthews 3-38, including Beth Mooney for seven, and South African pacer Shabnim Ismail 2-17 in her four overs including Gardner for a duck and Phoebe Litchfield for 22. Victory for Mumbai, or even a tie, in the final match of the group stage against last-placed Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Tuesday will put them in Saturday’s final, pitching Giants against Meg Lanning’s Delhi Capitals in Thursday’s eliminator. Gardner put Mumbai, playing at their Brabourne stadium home, in to bat after winning the toss and led by example. She took 1-27 off her four overs, Giants’ best figures, dismissing the dangerous Englishwoman Nat Sciver-Brunt caught and bowled for a 31-ball 38. Gardner also ran out Kerr (five) with a superb direct hit, and caught Amanjot Kaur (27 off 15) to limit a late flurry. Harmanpreet Kaur top-scored for Mumbai with 54 off 33 before being caught in the deep by Litchfield. Giants needed to knock off the runs in 18 overs to go top of the table and, said Gardner, approached the target with that uppermost, pushing the required rate to ten-an-hour. But wickets fell as they attempted to swing the bat and by the 11th over they were 5-70 and well behind the clock. Bharti Fulmali, with a 25-ball 61, kept them in the match but in the end it was too much, Giants being all out off the last ball. Gardner was left to hope that, if Giants meet Indians again, be it in the eliminator or the final, they would finally “change that tune”. Source link #Gardners #Giants #remain #midgets #Mumbai Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

The Starfield Updates Are a Malignant Stain on Todd Howard and Bethesda, Both Could Do Better The Starfield Updates Are a Malignant Stain on Todd Howard and Bethesda, Both Could Do Better 2022’s Starfield is one of Bethesda’s most popular video games, however, it’s hard to say if it’s as good as other Bethesda hits. Since its release, the studio has rolled out constant updates in hopes that it would uplift the game’s reputation, but it seems like it is still widely hated among gamers all over the world. Not even a DLC was able to save Starfield, as it is still widely hated by the gaming community (Image via Bethesda Game Studios) This problem was recently pointed out on the latest episode of the Xbox Two Podcast. Recently, Bethesda rolled out an update that all the mods created through the Verified Creators program will no longer block achievements. Finally, the studio added a highly requested feature in the game, but it seems like it is not doing much to improve the overall game. Making mods achievement-friendly in Starfield doesn’t solve the actual problem In a recent episode of the Xbox Two Podcast, Rand al Thor 19 and Jez had a conversation about the direction Bethesda is heading in with Starfield. Jez pointed out that the studio is rolling out various updates but is doing nothing to improve the base game, They’ve done updates where it’s like, ‘Oh, here’s the latest cool mod that someone made,’ but it’s like I don’t want mods… I want you to fix the base game or add more stuff to the base game. Bethesda did expand the game with Shattered Space, the first major expansion pack for the game, however, it received “mixed or average” reviews from critics. It’s clear that fans are not happy with Bethesda’s approach, as the DLC was a disappointment for many players. As for mods, Bethesda rolled out an update in November that made mods achievement-friendly. This move was praised by the player base because many avoided playing with mods because they prioritized achievements. Mods will now allow players to enhance their overall experience and improve all the poor aspects of the game, such as the NPCs, something that Bethesda should’ve done. Bethesda is not addressing the obvious problems Starfield requires a complete overhaul or an update that fixes issues that have been in the game since day one (Image via Bethesda Game Studios) Shattered Space DLC was bombarded with poor reviews primarily because Bethesda made some false promises. Players expected that the studio would fix all of the core issues that ruined the base game. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen, and the new content that was added wasn’t worth the year-long wait and the $30 price tag. Many have suggested that Bethesda should rely on AI to improve the NPCs in future video games. Starfield‘s NPCs are widely criticized for ruining the game’s immersive experience. It has been confirmed by Bethesda boss Todd Howard that the studio has started working on the next Elder Scrolls and Fallout video games, so it must not repeat the mistakes it made with Starfield. Source link #Starfield #Updates #Malignant #Stain #Todd #Howard #Bethesda Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

LA district attorney says he won’t support resentencing the Menendez brothers because they lied LA district attorney says he won’t support resentencing the Menendez brothers because they lied LOS ANGELES (AP) — The district attorney of Los Angeles County said Monday that he does not support the resentencing of Lyle and Erik Menendez because the brothers have repeatedly lied about why they killed their parents at their Beverly Hills home in 1989. District Attorney Nathan Hochman told reporters his decision hinged on whether the brothers’ had exhibited “insight and complete responsibility” into lies told during their trial, including their original claim that they did not kill their parents. He said their repeated argument that they killed their parents in self-defense does not match the facts of the case that showed premeditated steps to plan the killings and make it look like a gang hit. “They have lied to everyone for the last 30 years,” Hochman said. Trusted news and daily delights, right in your inbox See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. Hochman compared the Menendez case to that of Sirhan Sirhan, who shot and killed U.S. Sen. Robert F. Kennedy in 1968. He noted that, like the Menendez brothers, Sirhan had many letters of support and was determined to be a low-risk inmate. However, Gov. Gavin Newsom blocked his parole in 2022, saying he still poses an unreasonable threat to the public. Hochman called it an “instructive case” because the Menendez brothers also “fell short” of taking full responsibility for their crimes. The county’s top prosecutor said he would support resentencing in the future if the brothers “finally come clean with the court, with the public, with the DA’s office, with their own family members and acknowledge all these lies.” A resentencing hearing has been scheduled for later in March and Hochman said the court may move forward with it. Hochman, who took office in December, said last month that he opposed a new trial for the Menendez brothers. The siblings were convicted in 1996 and sentenced to life in prison without parole. In October, then-District Attorney George Gascón recommended the brothers be resentenced to 50 years to life, which would make them immediately eligible for parole. Hochman called his predecessor’s recommendation a “desperate political move.” The brothers, who are now in their 50s, were found guilty in the murders of their entertainment executive father Jose Menendez and mother Kitty Menendez. They began their bid for freedom in recent years after new evidence of their father’s ******* abuse emerged, and they have the support of most of their extended family. Family members didn’t immediately comment Monday after Hochman’s news conference. Newsom last month ordered the state parole board to investigate whether the brothers would pose a risk to the public if they are released. The brothers have another pathway to freedom. They have also submitted a clemency plea to Newsom, who has said he would not make a decision until Hochman reviewed the case. Hochman rejected arguments by a relative of the brothers that he is biased against them. Tamara Goodall, a cousin of the siblings, has asked that he be removed from the case. “I will follow the facts and the law wherever they take us,” Hochman said. Source link #district #attorney #wont #support #resentencing #Menendez #brothers #lied Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

PS5 Pro’s PSSR Will Get An Upgrade In 2026 PS5 Pro’s PSSR Will Get An Upgrade In 2026 Last week AMD launched FSR 4 alongside its first RDNA 4-equipped desktop GPUs. It’s a drastic improvement over previous versions of the tech suite, introducing AI-powered upscaling that is only possible thanks to dedicated hardware on the new cards. It’s an advancement that Sony’s Mark Cerny is saying will come to PS5, albeit not until 2026. Speaking to Digital Foundry, Cerny was full of praise for AMD’s FSR 4 release, saying that the upscaler surpasses the work Sony has done with its PS5 Pro-exclusive solution, PSSR. “And results are excellent, it’s a more advanced approach that can exceed the crispness of PSSR,” Cerny explained. “I’m very proud of the work of the joint team!” Cerny says that FSR 4 will need to be backported to the PS5 Pro, essentially through a new version of PSSR that takes into account all the advancements AMD has made. Cerny says that for the most part the information the upscaler requires from a game will stay the same, which will make implementation by developers easier, but that it isn’t as easy as supporting FSR 4 natively. This is due to the PS5 Pro having an entirely different architecture than RDNA 4, and thus not one that can support it fully like AMD’s latest GPUs. “RDNA 4 and the hardware in PS5 Pro are completely separate designs, which is why I speak in terms of ‘reimplementation’ on PS5 Pro when I talk about the new upscaling network used in FSR 4,” Cerny continued. “I’m definitely looking forward to a future with co-developed hardware features for machine learning that will dramatically increase the interoperability.” FSR 4 doesn’t have the same performance gains as its previous iteration, in part due to the additional overhead required for the vastly improved results. Cerny, however, believes the PS5 Pro can still support these image improvements despite the much weaker hardware in the PS5 Pro, without requiring major re-architecture. “That is what we are targeting, and we believe we can achieve it,” Cerny added. Sony and AMD continue to collaborate on Project Amethyst, with its first major milestone coming with the release of PSSR. Cerny believes there’s a lot more to come by working closely with AMD, especially when it comes to machine learning and ray tracing enhancements for future console hardware. “All I can say is stay tuned! There’s a lot of opportunity with our Amethyst collaboration, and we know that ray tracing is a huge part of the graphics future,” concluded Cerny. Source link #PS5 #Pros #PSSR #Upgrade Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Plenary opening: “Parliament steadfast in support of the people of Belarus” | News Plenary opening: “Parliament steadfast in support of the people of Belarus” | News International Women’s Day Previewing the European Parliament’s marking of International Women’s Day, President Metsola said that Parliament will “welcome the national leader of Belarus Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, along with other brave women from Ukraine and Belarus who are standing up for liberty.” “This week will also serve to re-affirm this House’s steadfast support for the people of Belarus in their struggle for freedom, including political prisoners,” President Metsola said, adding that Parliament would again be marking the international day of solidarity with the people of Belarus by giving MEPs the opportunity to sign postcards addressed to the 1,250 political prisoners that are unfairly imprisoned by the Lukashenka regime. “We know their names, we see their struggle and we stand with them.” 35th anniversary of the assertion of state continuity by Baltic countries “These anniversaries remind us again of the sacrifice of so many for the liberty that we enjoy today, and underscore our determination never to allow another generation of Europeans to be lost behind an iron curtain,” President Metsola said, marking the 35th anniversary of the assertion of state continuity by Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania – enshrining their independence de jure under international law throughout the ******** occupations and annexations of the 20th century. Tempi railway accident anniversary On the occasion of the second anniversary of the Tempi railway accident in Greece, President Metsola expressed Parliament’s condolences to the victims and their loved ones. “The House remembers them and honours them,” she said. Changes to the agenda TUESDAY The following report is added to the votes on Tuesday: Mr Dainius ŽALIMAS on the request for waiver of the immunity of Adam Bielan. The order of debates in the afternoon will be reverted as follows: The debate on the presentation of the proposal on Critical Medicines Act as the second point. The debate on the presentation of the proposal on a new common approach on returns as the third point. WEDNESDAY A Commission statement on secessionist threats in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the recent escalation is added to the agenda as the last point in the afternoon. As a consequence, the session will be extended until 23.00. Corrigenda Under Rule 251(4) of the EP Rules of Procedure, several corrigenda will be deemed approved unless a request is made by a political group or Members reaching at least the low threshold for them to put to the vote. You can find the relevant list on the plenary website. Source link #Plenary #opening #Parliament #steadfast #support #people #Belarus #News Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Romanian far-right populist Calin Georgescu appeals against poll ban Romanian far-right populist Calin Georgescu appeals against poll ban Romanian far-right populist Calin Georgescu has appealed against the country’s Central Electoral Bureau (BEC) decision to bar him from participating in May’s presidential election. Constitutional court judges will meet on Tuesday afternoon to discuss Georgescu’s appeal, and a final ruling should be issued by Wednesday evening. The BEC rejected his candidacy on Sunday after a 10-4 vote, saying it did not “meet the conditions of legality”, as Georgescu “violated the very obligation to defend democracy”. Last year, the court annulled November’s first round of the vote – in which Georgescu came first – after intelligence revealed Russia had been involved in 800 TikTok accounts backing him. In his appeal, Georgescu said that the “BEC exceeded its legal powers”. He also argued that the constitutional court’s decision on the November election should have no bearing on his candidacy for the upcoming vote in May. In a social media post, Georgescu also called the ban a “direct blow to the heart of democracy worldwide”. The electoral bureau’s decision sparked unrest in Bucharest on Sunday evening. Clashes broke out between police and Georgescu supporters who had gathered in their thousands outside the offices of the BEC. The BBC saw at least one car turned over, and the windows of neighbouring bars smashed. At least four people were detained. More protests are expected on Monday and beyond. Georgescu put out a video on social media thanking the Romanian people but adding that “we should not give birth to violence or other forms of this kind compared to how it was last night. We are moving forward with great confidence for the future of this country”. George Simion, an ally of Georgescu and the leader of the far-right opposition Alliance for Uniting Romanians (AUR), parliament’s second-largest party, said on Monday that Romania was “the midst of a coup d’état”. In a video on Sunday night, George Simion called for “those who committed the coup to be skinned in public for what they did… Whether you like Calin Georgescu or not, he is the man Romanians voted for”. The Romanian prosecutor general has opened a case against Simion for instigation of violence, and on Monday he rowed back on the comments, saying he was using a “metaphor”. On 26 February, Georgescu was detained for questioning on his way to register as a candidate in the May election, prompting tens of thousands of Romanians to march on Bucharest’s streets in protest. Georgescu – a fierce EU and Nato critic – came out of almost nowhere last year to lead the first round two weeks ago amid allegations of Russian interference. He has since seen some support from the Trump administration. Last month, US Vice-President JD Vance accused Romania of annulling the elections based on the “flimsy suspicions” of Romanian intelligence and pressure from its neighbours. And Trump adviser Elon Musk posted on X, saying: “How can a judge end democracy in Romania?” Source link #Romanian #farright #populist #Calin #Georgescu #appeals #poll #ban Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Split Fiction crosses massive sales milestone in just 48 hours Split Fiction crosses massive sales milestone in just 48 hours EA has announced that Hazelight’s latest co-op adventure has crossed a huge sales milestone. Split Fiction, the latest game directed by Josef Fares, has sold over 2 million copies in 48 hours, according to EA. The game, which is played entirely in co-op, follows two writers as they play through levels based on stories that they have attempted to get published. It’s worth noting that every copy of the game allows the player to share the game with someone else for free. This means that it’s possible that the total number of players who have played the game may be closer to 4 million. “Split Fiction is visually streets ahead of its predecessor It Takes Two, but mechanically the two games are very similar,” reads VGC’s 4-star Split Fiction review. “The game is occasionally in danger of verging into repetitive territory with its constant shifting between two main environments, but its healthy selection of varied side-stories and its constantly changing mechanics ensure its gameplay remains engaging and entertaining throughout, even if the same can’t always be said for its story.” Ahead of the game’s release, VGC spoke to the game’s director about the game’s anti-AI message and what he thinks of the advancement in technology. Speaking to VGC, Fares said that he believes advancements in AI could have a ******* impact on the world than the internet. “We need to adapt to it,” Fares said when asked about the risk of AI in development. “If it’s part of the industry we should see how to implement it to see how we get better games. I can understand the fact that some people could lose their jobs but that goes for every new technology. “Bad stuff and good stuff will come out of it. You can’t just close your eyes. I believe AI will have a ******* impact on the world than the internet had, eventually. It’s a long time until you can use it in an actual development, at least not at our place, maybe others can do it.” Source link #Split #Fiction #crosses #massive #sales #milestone #hours Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Wall Street can’t stop talking about how ‘cheap’ Nvidia is now Wall Street can’t stop talking about how ‘cheap’ Nvidia is now Artificial intelligence darling Nvidia has become less expensive recently, and investors are taking note. “Nvidia’s forward PE is now 41% lower than it was on the day ChatGPT was launched on Nov. 30th, 2022,” Ben Reitzes, head of technology research at Melius Research, wrote in a Monday note to clients. “Of course, in FY25 its net income was up 788% vs. FY23 (ended 1/23) and revenues are up 384% since then too. Just doesn’t feel right, does it?” Over the last three years, Nvidia shares have surged about 370%, bolstered by a ***** in AI infrastructure spending. The stock’s forward price-to-earnings ratio currently sits at roughly 24, lower than its forward P/E of nearly 40 on March 10, 2022, according to FactSet. In the past month, however, the stock has fallen around 20%. NVDA 1M mountain NVDA, 1-month That move lower in recent weeks comes after Nvidia plummeted about 17% in late January after ******** startup DeepSeek raised investor concerns around AI spending and U.S. dominance in the space. Reitzes pointed out that a similar trajectory occurred with megacap technology name Apple , noting that its forward multiple went from 33 times back in 2007 when it announced the iPhone, and then dwindled to 15 times by the end of 2008. “The mobile trend didn’t end then – and Apple now trades at 31x earnings on much larger numbers (benefiting from its durable installed base and huge services business),” he wrote. “If Nvidia duplicates its own version of this industry stewardship, we could look back at this ******* of uncertainty and have a good chuckle.” Others like Adam Parker of Trivariate Research hold a similar view. He said that Nvidia’s valuation has gotten “more compelling” even with the chip giant’s sales appearing more certain. “NVDA is high beta, and that is one of the reasons we grew cautious on the Mag 7 a month ago. But, the stock is down almost 25% from earlier this year and is trading at relatively low multiples vs. its own history on price-to-forward earnings (now 24x) and on enterprise value-to-forecasted sales,” the chief executive wrote in a Sunday note. “At the same time, the sales outlook for calendar year 2025 now looks more achievable than investors feared a few weeks ago.” Similarly, Morgan Stanley analyst Joseph Moore reiterated Nvidia as his top pick this week, citing AI investment as a catalyst for more growth ahead in the semis space. The company has an overweight rating on the stock. “Overall commentary across our AI/compute names was very reassuring,” Moore wrote in a Sunday note. “In the wake of potential export controls and innovation from DeepSeek, the companies continue to see significant AI investment from hyperscalers.” They join most analysts on Wall Street who are bullish on Nvidia. Out of the 63 analysts in total covering the chipmaker, 57 have a strong buy or buy rating, per LSEG. Additionally, Nvidia’s consensus price target of roughly $172 implies more than 60% upside from current levels. Source link #Wall #Street #stop #talking #cheap #Nvidia Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Potential government shutdown approaches as March 14 deadline looms. Here’s what to know. Potential government shutdown approaches as March 14 deadline looms. Here’s what to know. Washington — Congress is staring down a deadline to fund the government by the end of the week, as the familiar threat of a shutdown looms over Washington. Lawmakers have until the end of the day on Friday, March 14, to fund the government. But it remains to be seen whether House Republicans will be able to muster the near-unanimous GOP support they’ll need to pass the short-term funding bill, known as a continuing resolution. Here’s what to know about the funding fight: What is a government shutdown, exactly? A government shutdown occurs when Congress fails to approve funding or funding extensions for federal agencies and programs, resulting in a funding gap that prompts federal agencies to shut down projects and activities. During a shutdown, agencies halt non-essential functions until Congress approves funding and the president signs it into law. Essential services, like air traffic control and law enforcement, continue during a shutdown, but workers go without pay until funding is passed. Shutdowns can also disrupt processing of government benefits, loans and applications and shutter national parks. Both Democrats and Republicans have used funding deadlines to their advantage in recent decades, leveraging the threat of a government shutdown to pass spending bills with their priorities attached. But lawmakers generally have strong incentives to avoid shutdowns, since they can be economically and politically costly. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimated that the last funding lapse caused a permanent loss of about $3 billion. How does Congress fund the government? Article I of the Constitution gives Congress the power to approve any money spent by the federal government. Bills to approve that spending must originate in the House, pass the Senate and be signed by the president before departments and agencies can use the funds. Congress is tasked annually with approving spending bills before the beginning of the fiscal year on Oct. 1. Under the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974, the president is supposed to submit a budget to Congress by the first Monday of February, outlining how much the executive branch needs for the coming year. The House and Senate budget committees then go on to pass a budget resolution by the middle of April, before the House begins considering the 12 individual appropriations bills drafted by subcommittees to fund different areas of the government, to be concluded by the end of June. In recent decades, Congress has hardly ever stuck to that timeline. Instead, lawmakers opt almost every year for continuing resolutions that extend funding before ultimately adopting massive bills, known as omnibus packages, in lieu of the 12 appropriations bills to get the new funding over the finish line. Tucked within those omnibus packages are often policies or programs that wouldn’t pass if they were taken up in isolation, making them appealing to some lawmakers. Currently, Congress is still working on the funding process that was meant to be resolved by October of last year. Lawmakers passed a funding patch just ahead of the deadline in late September, giving themselves three more months to reach an agreement on new government funding and pass appropriations bills. Then in December, Congress approved another extension, setting up the March 14 deadline. What needs to happen this week to prevent a shutdown? To fund the government and avert a shutdown, both the House and Senate need to pass a stopgap measure, known as a continuing resolution, extending funding. The measure would then go to President Trump for his signature. House Republicans unveiled a continuing resolution over the weekend, which would extend government funding through September. The stopgap measure would increase defense spending, along with additional funding for veterans’ health care, while decreasing non-defense spending below 2024 levels. The bill also includes more funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The resolution first goes to the House Rules Committee, before a vote on the floor as soon as Tuesday. Republicans, who have a razor-thin majority in the House, are working to shore up support on the measure, with opposition expected from House Democrats. Already at least one Republican, Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, has pledged to oppose the continuing resolution. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson speaks to reporters after a news conference following a House Republican caucus meeting at the U.S. Capitol on February 25, 2025 in Washington, DC. Andrew Harnik / Getty Images If the House is unable to find the necessary support for the six-month continuing resolution, lawmakers would likely move to a shorter-term funding measure that would give appropriators more time to flesh out new spending bills. Democrats have signaled in recent days that they prefer the latter approach, which would likely find wide bipartisan margins in both chambers, while frustrating conservatives. Many Democrats have reservations about the six-month stopgap measure, warning that it would give the Trump administration and Department of Government Efficiency even more latitude to carry out cost-slashing efforts. That’s because a continuing resolution, unlike regular appropriations bills, lacks a congressional statement of direction on how funds are to be spent by a department or agency. Democrats have also expressed frustration with the spending reductions in the continuing resolution. But Democrats generally aren’t inclined to let the government shut down, and House Republicans — expected to leave town after the stopgap measure passes — are exerting pressure to avoid a shutdown. Should the House find enough support to approve the six-month stopgap measure, it would then go to the Senate. But the upper chamber poses its own hurdles. Republicans have a 53-seat majority in the Senate, but 60 votes are necessary to propel the bill to passage, meaning support from Democrats will be needed. Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky has also pledged to oppose the measure, making support from at least eight Democrats necessary to pass the measure and send it to the president’s desk. When was the last government shutdown? Since the current budget process was enacted in 1976, Congress has prompted 20 funding gaps lasting at least one full day, according to the Congressional Research Service. Many of those funding lapses were short lived and didn’t prompt a shutdown, while a handful have been lengthy funding fights with major political significance and impact. In 2013, a feud over the Affordable Care Act prompted a shutdown. And disagreements over immigration prompted two shutdowns in 2018 — the second of which marked the most recent government shutdown, and the longest on record. When was the longest government shutdown? The longest shutdown in U.S. history started in 2018 and lasted 34 days. The shutdown occurred over an impasse on funding for Mr. Trump’s border wall during his first term. But as the fight stretched into the new year, the president signed a bill to reopen the government without his demands being met. Before the 2018-2019 shutdown, a 1995-1996 shutdown held the record for the longest, at 21 days. The dispute concerned disagreement over spending cuts between President Bill Clinton and then-House Speaker Newt Gingrich. Kaia Hubbard Kaia Hubbard is a politics reporter for CBS News Digital, based in Washington, D.C. Source link #Potential #government #shutdown #approaches #March #deadline #looms #Heres Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Sir Jim Ratcliffe interview: Man Utd co-owner says some players are ‘not good enough’ and ‘overpaid’ Sir Jim Ratcliffe interview: Man Utd co-owner says some players are ‘not good enough’ and ‘overpaid’ When Ratcliffe and Ineos joined the Old Trafford hierarchy, many fans welcomed the arrival of a boyhood fan and billionaire to help restore the club’s former glories. However, a year on, the relationship with some supporters has soured. A mid-season rise in some ticket prices affecting under-16s and pensioners, and hundreds of redundancies are among the moves taken by the club which have attracted criticism, with cost-cutting measures including the removal of free lunches for staff. Ratcliffe admitted he knew moving into the club would have challenges, “but the scale of it is probably slightly *******” than he expected. “I don’t enjoy reading the newspaper very much these days I have to say,” he added. “I know it’s unpopular, and this ******* of change is uncomfortable for people, and some of the decisions we have to make are unpleasant. But they are necessary to put Manchester United back on to a stable footing. If people want to see Manchester United winning trophies again then we have do all this stuff.” And he revealed just how stark the financial situation at the club had been: “Manchester United would have run out of cash by the end of this year – by the end of 2025 – after having me put $300m (£232.72m) in and if we buy no new players in the summer. “We are in the process of change and it’s an uncomfortable ******* and disruptive and I do feel sympathy with the fans. “The simple answer is the club runs out of money at Christmas if we don’t do those things.” He said costs had risen and the club had been spending more than it earned for seven seasons. “If you spend more than you earn eventually that’s the road to ruin,” he said. It was suggested to Ratcliffe that the club’s level of debt and serving that debt – in the last financial year £37m was paid in interest – was a more pressing issue for fans. “Interest is one of the costs but it isn’t the biggest cost in this club,” he said. “And the club needs to get its house back into order so it’s on a good financial footing for the future. “Most clubs in the *** – most companies – have debt of some form. But if the club is really profitable, which I think it will be in years to come, then you can do the reverse. You can start paying down the debt. That’s where I think Manchester United should be. “Ultimately, if you look at running the club the size of Manchester United with an income of about £650m you spend a part of that £650m on operating the club and part of it on the squad. “Where do you want to spend the money? Do you want to spend it on operating the club, or do you want to spend it on the squad? Because if you spend it on the squad you get better results. And at the end of the day what’s Manchester United here for if it’s not to win trophies and silverware? What we want to do is invest in the best players in the world if we can, rather than spend it on, I’m afraid, free lunches. “My only interest here is returning Manchester United back to greatness again.” Source link #Sir #Jim #Ratcliffe #interview #Man #Utd #coowner #players #good #overpaid Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]