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WA election 2025: Basil Zempilas and John Carey go head-to-head in fiery exchange on live TV WA election 2025: Basil Zempilas and John Carey go head-to-head in fiery exchange on live TV Basil Zempilas and Housing Minister John Carey have gone head-to-head in a fiery exchange on live TV. Appearing on 7NEWS’ WA election panel, the Perth Lord Mayor and minister faced off over the 2023 closure of Ruah’s Safe Night Space. The City of Perth closed the East Perth women’s shelter. It later re-opened on James Street in Northbridge. Mr Carey claimed the move had damaged Basil’s reputation among women, with them no longer seeing him as an “appealing politician”. Mr Zempilas hit back, claiming Mr Carey “should be embarrased” for “twisting and weaponising” the narrative around Ruah’s closure. “It was closed at one location to re-open at another and the way that was twisted and weaponised against me, I think Mr Carey should be embarrased by that,” Mr Zempilas said. Mr Carey said Ruah’s Northbridge site was funded by the State Government and said it had not been backed by Mr Zempilas. “Basil has re-written history … the location of where Ruah is now is funded by the State and we backed its location and Basil campaiged against it,” he said. Source link #election #Basil #Zempilas #John #Carey #headtohead #fiery #exchange #live Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

After a rocky beta, Tripwire has delayed Killing Floor 3 indefinitely After a rocky beta, Tripwire has delayed Killing Floor 3 indefinitely Killing Floor 3 has been delayed to an “undecided date” later in 2025, but that might not be the worst news in the world. The Tripwire Interactive team announced the update via social media earlier today, saying they “missed the mark” with the game and need time to rework it. “We’re working together on a timeline to address many of the common issues players had during the beta, including performance/stability, UI/UX, lighting, and weapon feel,” the team writes in a post on BlueSky. Fans eagerly awaited the beta, but shortly after it launched players began to notice something amiss. The Killing Floor subreddit is full of disappointed posts from players, and a poll of the subreddit showed roughly a third of players who say they no longer have any intention of buying the game. Please enable Javascript to view this content An update regarding Killing Floor 3For information about the status of your pre-order, please refer to the Killing Floor 3 FAQ: ow.ly/7E9t50VcHmj — Killing Floor 3 (@killingfloor3.com) 2025-03-07T15:36:36.836Z Players said the game felt like a mobile title rather than the successor to a celebrated franchise, with glitchy collisions, a proposed battle pass, and quicktime events. They also said the interface felt boilerplate, like it could have been pulled from any mobile game, rather than a natural implementation like the shop menu in Killing Floor 2. More complaints were leveled against the graphics and the lighting, with players citing other titles that make better use of Unreal Engine 5 to achieve clearer results. All in all, the beta was not well-received. Tripwire Interactive gave no date for when the game would be available, but the team’s message hinted at what it hopes to accomplish by the time the full version comes available. Tripwire Interactive Players held particular ire for the in-game system that restricted specific classes to specific characters, and Tripwire has stated it already has an update planned post-release that will allow players to select classes and characters independently. Unlike most delays, the fanbase welcomed the announcement with an almost palpable sense of relief. Long-time fans of the Killing Floor franchise — originally released as an Unreal Tournament 2004 mod in 2005 — said they would prefer to wait for a more polished version of the game. Source link #rocky #beta #Tripwire #delayed #Killing #Floor #indefinitely Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

United Airlines makes superfast internet in the sky a reality United Airlines makes superfast internet in the sky a reality In January, United Airlines announced that it would accelerate the implementation of Starlink across its fleet. At that time, the airline’s Vice President of Digital Technology, Grant Milstead, described it as enabling a “living room in the sky experience.” Recent information indicates how much better internet connections will be on one of the world’s largest airlines. According to TechRadar, planes equipped with Starlink can provide internet speeds of up to 250 Mbps, 50 times faster than the current internet speeds available on flights. As a result, passengers can expect quicker access to their favorite streaming services, faster media downloads to their devices, and improved productivity for those who need to work while in the air. Through its agreement with SpaceX, United aims to have Starlink installed across its fleet of 1,000 airplanes before the end of the year. The first plane with Starlink installed is officially operational, with others expected to follow soon. Two notable aspects of the United-Starlink deal should excite travelers. First, United plans to offer Starlink service for free to anyone who is a MileagePlus member, in contrast to its current (and slower) service, which isn’t free. Joining the basic United MileagePlus program is complimentary. You can sign up on the United Airlines website and earn and redeem miles. Second, installing Starlink on aircraft seems straightforward due to the few necessary hardware components. As a result, United’s aim to have Starlink equipped on its entire fleet within nine months sounds reasonable. The system consists of a satellite antenna, two wireless access points, a power unit, and a power button in the cockpit. Except for the pilot button, the installation process is quite similar to installing Starlink systems in homes. We expect United to begin advertising which of its plans has Starlink onboard when ticket purchases are made. Naturally, it should be heavily advertised once you enter a plane. Many airlines worldwide are already offering Starlink on many of its planes or plan to do so. This includes Hawaiian Airlines, Air France, and Qatar Airways, among others. Source link #United #Airlines #superfast #internet #sky #reality Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

‘We’re sitting here waiting for [it] to explode’ ‘We’re sitting here waiting for [it] to explode’ The wildfire risk to Texans is getting ******* and *******, according to Newsweek. “We’re sitting here waiting for the ticking time bomb to explode,” said Steven Haynes, assistant professor of practice, finance, and managerial economics at the University of Texas. He expects there to be “rich fuel sources scattered by high winds” followed by “a wildfire that’s going to be very difficult to contain.” What’s happening? The only state subject to more wildfires than Texas is California. Texas even leads California in acreage burned. Despite this, the Lone Star State is showing much less ability to deal with the upcoming season, according to experts. While California enjoys a professional statewide firefighting force for large-scale threats, Texas depends on a patchwork of local volunteers for its fires. Regardless, real estate data from Redfin shows that more than 30,000 people moved into fire-prone areas in Texas in 2024. Looming threats of fire are resulting in skyrocketing insurance rates or the withdrawal of coverage altogether. Insurance challenges are exacerbated by lax building codes that make Texas homes more likely to catch fire. Reports have suggested that insurance changes could spark a housing crisis worse than 2008’s. Why are Texas wildfires important? Wildfires are an obvious and direct threat to human habitation, but the damage doesn’t stop there. Wildlife habitats are destroyed by these catastrophes. The animals that survive are flung into unfamiliar habitats, often wounded and poorly-equipped to fend for themselves. Watch now: Giant snails invading New York City? Wildfires also emit massive amounts of pollution. 2023 ********* wildfires actually made the country’s air quality worse than America’s, despite the vast difference in population. Combined with human-made pollution, these gases further exacerbate the extreme heat waves that cause increased wildfires in the first place. What’s being done about Texas wildfires? To combat these challenges, Daryl Fairweather, chief economist at Redfin, suggested the state deploy measures to encourage building homes in fire-resilient areas. New insurance regulations could help too. “This means that regulations are working to protect consumers but are not so burdensome that insurers leave Texas altogether,” she said. “There need to be enough insurers willing to operate in Texas, such that insurers are competing for customers, and not the other way around.” Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don’t miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Source link #sitting #waiting #explode Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

The new MacBook Air has got a small, but significant keyboard update The new MacBook Air has got a small, but significant keyboard update This week, Apple introduced three new products: a fresh MacBook Air, iPad Air, and iPad. One thing each of these devices has in common is that they basically look the same as the models they are replacing—except for one tiny detail on the new MacBook. As iCulture’s noted first, the new laptop addresses a design flaw that Apple has had for the past 26 years. Since the launch of the PowerBook G3 ‘Lombard’ in 1999, the mute key on every Apple laptop has featured a speaker icon. However, this design does not clearly indicate that the button can both mute and unmute the computer’s audio. With the introduction of the new MacBook Air, the keyboard now displays a speaker icon with a strike-through, clearly signaling its full function. For those keeping score at home, the button in question is the F10 key. The new mute button iCulture The 2025 MacBook Air has introduced several notable updates, focusing mainly on performance. A key highlight is the addition of the new M4 chip, which enhances processing power and efficiency. Apple continues to offer the popular 13-inch and 15-inch screen size options, catering to various user preferences for portability and display size. A new “Sky Blue” color has been added to the lineup, providing an additional aesthetic choice alongside the familiar Midnight, Starlight, and Silver finishes. Furthermore, Apple has upgraded the built-in webcam to a 12MP Center Stage camera, which improves video call quality. Apple has lowered the starting price for the 13-inch model to $999, down from $1,099 for the previous generation. We’re unsure why the mute key icon was changed 26 years ago, and we are equally puzzled about why Apple has finally decided to change it back. Apple’s attention to detail on certain products is always impressive, even if it takes over a quarter of a century to come to light. Regardless, this is a fun little story! The new Apple products are available to pre-order now. They all go on the market on Wednesday, March 12. Source link #MacBook #Air #small #significant #keyboard #update Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Balatro’s Solo Dev Reveals The Stress Behind His Success in ‘The Balatro Timeline’ Balatro’s Solo Dev Reveals The Stress Behind His Success in ‘The Balatro Timeline’ Recently, the solo developer behind Balatro, one of 2024’s most highly awarded games, opened up about his journey in a blog post. In an article dubbed ‘The Balatro Timeline’, LocalThunk took a deep dive into the end-to-end history of what it took to make Balatro, which was released in February 2024 to an overwhelmingly positive reception. LocalThunk explained about the very origins of Balatro – which was first named ‘Joker Poker’ – in this timeline walkthrough. He also gives readers a transparent insight into the toll that creating the game had on his mental and physical health, which is something many gamers never realise. ‘My Sleep and my Heart are Getting Worse’ In The Balatro Timeline, LocalThunk tracks back through three years of development history, going back to December 2021, when the first concept of what would become known as Balatro surfaced. It was being pieced together alongside a full-time IT job, and back then, LocalThunk couldn’t ever imagine it becoming as successful as it has. The full account of this stunning development journey is a wonder to read, and it paints a clear picture of just how impactful these things can be on developers – especially solo developers. LocalThunk explained that his mental and physical health were put to the test during the creation of Balatro, with the situation becoming much worse as the launch got closer and the attention around Balatro started ramping up fast. For instance, it was noted that in August 2023, just six months before the launch of Balatro: This is when my sleep and heart started having issues. I really struggled with my physical and mental health from this time onward all the way up to launch. This was entirely because of the stress around dealing with the public, players, and the pressure to get everything done before February 2024. By October 2023, things were getting much worse for LocalThunk: My sleep and my heart are getting worse. Every few nights I need to sleep sitting upright on the couch because sleeping while lying down kept getting interrupted by my heart. I stupidly thought that I couldn’t handle going to the doctor while dealing with all the dev and business stuff swirling around at the time. I felt totally overwhelmed. Everything from signing with a publisher to hiring lawyers to hammer out contracts is detailed in The Balatro Timeline. It’s an account of the highs and lows of solo development, but fortunately, it ends on a jubilant note. LocalThunk revealed that he made $600,000 in just a couple of hours on Steam alone, and on launch day, he sat down to celebrate with a bottle of champagne and some burgers. Nice. For more Insider Gaming coverage, check out the news that Battlefield 6’s leaks make it look like Battlefield 4 is back SUBSCRIBE to our newsletter to receive the latest news and exclusive leaks every week! No Spam. Source link #Balatros #Solo #Dev #Reveals #Stress #Success #Balatro #Timeline Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

South Korea’s impeached president Yoon released from detention South Korea’s impeached president Yoon released from detention South Korea’s impeached president has been released from detention after a court in Seoul overturned his arrest on technical grounds. Yoon Suk Yeol walked free on Saturday to cheers from his supporters – but still faces trial on insurrection charges after his failed attempt to impose martial law in December. He was arrested in January in a dawn raid at the presidential palace after a tense fortnight where he had resisted being taken in and there were clashes between his security detail and police. But he walked free on Saturday after 52 days in custody. “I bow my head in gratitude to the people of this nation,” he said in a statement distributed by his lawyers following his release. After waving to supporters outside the centre, he was driven in an official convoy back to the presidential compound in Seoul, where he was greeted by more supporters. More than 50,000 protesters staged rallies in his support in the capital on Saturday, while there was also a slightly smaller counter-protest, Yonhap reported. Mr Yoon’s lawyers secured his release after arguing it was ******** to hold him in custody. The courts agreed, based on a number of legal technicalities, although the prosecutors described the ruling as “unjust”. He is due to stand trial later this year for the attempt to put the democratic country under martial law. It only lasted six hours – but polarised the nation. If convicted he could face life in prison or even the death penalty. Although currently suspended from office, Mr Yoon is still South Korea’s president in name. He also faces a separate Constitutional Court ruling which will decide on whether to uphold his impeachment and formally strip him from office. The judges’ decision is expected in the coming days. Despite the court cases, Mr Yoon’s supporters have rallied around him – and authorities are bracing themselves for unrest. Source link #South #Koreas #impeached #president #Yoon #released #detention Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Venus Vacation Prism – Dead or Alive Xtreme Reveals Dating Simulation Gameplay Aplenty Venus Vacation Prism – Dead or Alive Xtreme Reveals Dating Simulation Gameplay Aplenty PapaBop42d ago (Edited 42d ago ) Stellar Blade is a proper action rpg though, this game has probably so niche an appeal it just isn’t worth localising. Those who are interested will still be able to get it if it works similar to the last Venus Vacation. Source link #Venus #Vacation #Prism #Dead #Alive #Xtreme #Reveals #Dating #Simulation #Gameplay #Aplenty Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

AMD ramps up gaming performance with new X3D CPUs, and they’re almost here AMD ramps up gaming performance with new X3D CPUs, and they’re almost here If you’re waiting for a chance to upgrade your gaming rig, you don’t have to wait much longer. AMD announced that the Ryzen 9 9950X3D and the Ryzen 9 9900X3D will hit store shelves on March 12 for $699 and $599, respectively. First unveiled at CES 2025, these two processors promise huge gains in performance for gamers wanting the best frame rates and visuals they can possibly get. AMD describes the Ryzen 9 9950X3D as the “ultimate 16-core desktop CPU,” and while there might be a bit of hyperbole involved, this is an undeniably powerful piece of hardware. Its 16 cores give it 32 Threads, and it comes with a base clock speed of 4.3GHz that can boost up to 5.7GHz. It also sports a 144MB cache and uses an admittedly high 170W TDP. The world’s best processor for gaming and content creation is almost here. ​ Available starting March 12th​ Ryzen 9 9950X3D – $699​ Ryzen 9 9900X3D – $599​ A huge thank you to our incredible community of gamers, creators, and innovators for your continued support. Together,… pic.twitter.com/ino6ZNMvi6 — Jack Huynh (@JackMHuynh) March 7, 2025 Get your weekly teardown of the tech behind PC gaming The Ryzen 9 9900X3D is slightly less powerful, but still nothing to scoff at. With 12 cores and 24 Threads, this CPU is more than capable of handling most anything you throw at it, but make no mistake: it’s designed with gaming in mind. With a base clock speed of 4.4 GHz and a max speed of 5.5GHz, you’ll get great performance with a more reasonable 120W TDP. If the prices feel familiar, it’s because AMD hasn’t changed a thing from the last-generation equivalents of these two cards. It’s still on the higher-end compared to other cards on the market, but these offer an alternative to the hard-to-find 9800X3D. Opting for a non-X3D card will save money, but comes with a significant gaming performance hit. If either of these processors sounds like the missing link in your ideal gaming rig, keep your eyes peeled: they’ll be available for purchase in less than a week. Source link #AMD #ramps #gaming #performance #X3D #CPUs #theyre Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Goodyear Tire transformation plan is moving company into the future Goodyear Tire transformation plan is moving company into the future A Goodyear blimp flies Goodyear AKRON, Ohio — Does the Goodyear blimp sell tires? That was one question veteran auto executive Mark Stewart had when he started as CEO of Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. a little more than a year ago, seeking to lead a transformation plan for the quintessential American company. For a century, Goodyear Tire has used more than 300 helium-filled airships to tout its brand. Stewart wanted to ensure consumers connected the blimps to the company’s products and services, which it has increasingly done as Goodyear celebrates the 100-year anniversary of its first blimp, called Pilgrim, in 1925. “The answer is yes it can, and yes it does,” Stewart told CNBC during an interview at the company’s headquarters. “It really is about using one of our most powerful marketing icon pieces, the blimp, both here as well as in Europe, to in fact sell tires.” The blimp question was an easy one to answer compared with the rest of the challenges Stewart, who has become known for transformation plans, has tackled since joining the company in January 2024. Goodyear CEO Mark Stewart speaks as Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Ontario Premier Doug Ford look on during an announcement at the Goodyear Canada Inc tire production plant in Napanee, Ontario, Canada August 12, 2024. Cole Burston | Reuters Much like automakers and related suppliers, Goodyear’s business is rapidly changing with new technologies, increased competition from low-cost countries such as China and investor skepticism on whether a legacy company can transform itself to be more efficient, profitable and competitive. Goodyear’s answer, which was prompted by activist investor Elliott Investment Management revealing a stake in the company in 2023, is “Goodyear Forward” — a two-year transformation plan that ends in December. The plan includes doubling operating income margin to 10%, enacting top-line and cost reductions of $1.5 billion, and bringing in gross proceeds of $2 billion in business asset sales. It’s also reducing its debt load by $1.5 billion, net of approximately $1.1 billion for restructuring. To assist, the company is investing in and deploying artificial intelligence technologies and 3D-printing for things such as tread teeth, as well as using simulation to speed development and production of its products. Roughly halfway through the initial plan, Stewart said Goodyear is ahead of schedule for its benchmarks, including upping the cuts by $200 million. But investors remain skeptical amid geopolitical uncertainty such as tariffs and a disbelief in the longevity, or “stickiness” in tire terminology, of the changes. Pilgrim, Goodyear’s first branded public relations airship, took its first flight June 3, 1925. Goodyear Stewart believes Goodyear is at a “show me” ******* with investors, which he plans to continue to deliver on as the company has reported five consecutive quarters of margin growth and its best retail performance in more than 20 years. “We’re continuing to execute, and I think we’re doing a better job of communicating in terms of our single and double hit wins as we go through the Goodyear Forward, and structurally changing the business,” said Stewart, whose father worked at an Alabama plant for Goodyear’s recently sold Dunlop brand. “It’s continuing to stack those up.” Shares of Goodyear received a 17% boost after the company reported its 2024 and fourth-quarter results. But shares of the company are down 30.3% since the plan’s announcement, and 33.4% since Stewart became CEO. A spokesperson for Elliott, which has taken board seats at companies including Southwest Airlines and eBay, declined to comment on Goodyear. Goodyear reached a cooperation agreement with Elliott, which FactSet reports retains a roughly 9% stake in the company, that included adding three directors to its board. Stewart succeeded Goodyear CEO Richard Kramer, who retired after 14 years leading the company. Goodyear blimps What started out as a new emerging aeronautics business for Goodyear in 1910 has grown into a cultural icon as the company’s Goodyear blimps have flown over major sporting events and historical landmarks. The first Goodyear blimp, called Pilgrim, took flight in 1925 from a hangar the company continues to use near Akron, Ohio. Goodyear has built more than 300 blimps, also known as airships, including over 200 for the U.S. Navy to patrol oceans during World War II. There have been five major generation changes of the blimps, according to Gerald Hissem, a chief pilot who has flown Goodyear blimps for 27 years. “The technology really has advanced,” he told CNBC during a tour of the company’s hangar in Ohio. “It’s totally different flying.” Today’s airship debuted in 2014 and feature a “fly-by-wire” system that eliminate many physical parts, according to Hissem. They were designed by Zeppelin Luftschifftechnik GmbH in Germany to Goodyear’s specifications, followed by a joint team constructing them in the U.S. The blimps are powered by three four-cylinder engines — left, right and back — that are each capable of 200 horsepower. They can travel at speeds of up to 73 miles per hour. Other blimp facts include: Airship bases: Pompano Beach, Florida; Carson, California; Suffield, Ohio; and Essen, Germany. Names: America, Columbia, Defender, Eagle, Enterprise, Europa, Mayflower, Pilgrim, Rainbow, Ranger, Reliance, Resolute, Spirit of Akron, Spirit of Goodyear, Volunteer. Longest flight? In March 1957, an airship called Snow Bird went 11 consecutive days in flight. It flew from Weymouth, Massachusetts, to Europe, Africa and Key West, Florida, without refueling or landing. Want to ride? Goodyear’s current blimps have a bathroom, room for two pilots and typically six to eight passengers. To be a blimp passenger is by invitation only, but the company also donates “ride certificates,” largely for nonprofit causes. ‘Forward’ progress Goodyear is well on its way to achieving its plan, but its success is not guaranteed. In addition to achieving its own targets, it’s unclear how changing regulations such as President Donald Trump’s tariffs will impact the tire company’s business. Stewart, prior to the implementation and then delay of 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico for automakers and suppliers, declined to go into detail on Goodyear’s preparation and potential contingency plans for such tariffs on North American operations as well as other countries. “We’re running all the scenarios with that right now,” Stewart said. “And bottom line is we’ll continue to add projects into Goodyear Forward to keep marching on our journey.” Goodyear has built up an international business from its humble beginnings 127 years ago in Akron, Ohio. The company employs about 68,000 people and manufactures its products in 53 facilities in 20 countries, with major operations in North and South America, Asia-Pacific and Europe. Its manufacturing operations in the Americas, which represented roughly half of its tire sales in 2024, include making tires in eight plants in the U.S., two plants in both Canada and Mexico and a plant each in Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Peru. Stock Chart IconStock chart icon Goodyear’s stock in 2025. The Goodyear Forward plan reaches across the operations, aiming to achieve the goals through a mix of cost cutting, headcount reductions and making the business more efficient through new processes and technologies. In addition to those targets, Stewart also has set priorities to re-establish focus on its retail business, increase fleet business, including telematics, and ink high-profile business deals such as Goodyear’s first launch in decades on a Ferrari sports car. “Goodyear Forward is just getting embedded into our DNA,” Stewart said. “What’s next for us is we are going to get aggressive about growth in retail and service. We are getting aggressive in growth in the high-end [tires].” Evolving business Tires — Goodyear’s main business — seem simple. Rubber is made into different shapes and treads, put on wheels and then put on a vehicle. They’re literally where the rubber meets the road. But the process, material chemistry and production of tires continue to evolve. Goodyear has expanded its top-tier products to include massive tires for off-road vehicles such as the Jeep Wrangler and Ford Bronco, as well as the Tesla Cybertruck and large SUVs that feature 22-inch or 24-inch wheels such as the Cadillac Escalade. Such businesses are highly profitable for the company, which is investing an unspecified amount into a facility in Oklahoma to expand production by 10 million units annually and modernize the plant. A Goodyear employee works at a machine inside the company’s racing tire production facility at its headquarters in Akron, Ohio on Feb. 27, 2025. Michael Wayland / CNBC “We will ensure we’re running at the optimal level of output and efficiency, and we’re running the products that will yield the highest opportunities for profitability this year,” Stewart said last month on the company’s quarterly call. In Asia–Pacific, where its newest plants are located, the company has been able to capitalize faster on such business. It increased its segment operating income by 37% last year to $277 million, with an operating margin of 11.4% — a juxtaposition from Western automakers with escalading problems in the region, specifically China. While its Asia–Pacific business is a tailwind at the moment, products from competitors and nearby nations are not. Similarly to how ******** automakers have expanded outside their own country, tire manufacturers such as Sumitomo and Yokohama have been increasingly exporting products. Tires from that region have undercut Goodyear, as companies rushed to purchase them ahead of potential tariffs. Low-end imports outperformed the U.S. industry last year and grew 11%, CFO Christina Zamarro said during the company’s quarterly earnings call. Racing tires displayed inside the factory floors of Goodyear’s headquarters in Akron, Ohio on Feb. 27, 2025. Michael Wayland / CNBC The company said low-cost imported tires are largely sourced from Southeast Asia, including from a number of countries that are either not subject to antidumping or countervailing duty tariffs. “As we look at the top line this past year, we’ve seen growth in the low-end imports impacting the consumer replacement industry in the U.S., Europe, as well Brazil,” Stewart told investors. “The inflows at the low-end of the market over the last two years are unprecedented.” Goodyear’s the last major U.S. tire company: Its largest competitors globally are France-based Michelin; Bridgestone Corp., which is a subsidiary of a Japanese-based company; and *******-based Continental. From wooden floors to tireless testing At Goodyear’s headquarters, three floors of a historic building for the company that was built in 1916 continue to produce racing tires, most notably for NHRA professional classes and the top three series for NASCAR. The processes in this facility are traditional, with a lot of human interaction compared to newer plants with more automation like the company has at facilities in Luxembourg and China, and is expanding to the U.S. Down the road from the factory, which features wood floors similar to those in the factory in Detroit where Henry Ford started building the Model T in 1900s, is a different Goodyear. Goodyear’s VI-grade DiM250 Dynamic Driving Simulator in Akron, Ohio. Goodyear Walking into the nondescript building in the shadow of the headquarters is a glimpse into the future Stewart wants for the company. In the building is Goodyear’s simulation machine, a multimillion investment that promises to cut research and development costs and time, while improving product profits. To be clear, no actual tires are used in the simulator and the “vehicle” cockpits — a hatchback and a pickup truck — are held up by hydraulics, surround by 270 degrees of screens. “The goal is to be able to evaluate and test tire designs and theories virtually before ever having to spend the money to build a mold or build the tire,” said Patrick Renz, a senior engineer at Goodyear. “We’re really using this now to win [automaker business].” Goodyear has worked with many of the major automakers on such virtual development, including Ferrari, according to Renz. He said the earlier in the development Goodyear can work with a company, the more impactful the virtual testing can be. Concept tires displayed at Goodyear’s “Innovation Center” at its headquarters in Akron, Ohio on Feb. 27, 2025. Mahesh Kavaturu, Goodyear senior director of global performance and simulation technology, said such simulations, as well as AI, aim to transform Goodyear’s processes. “We actually have a lot of capabilities on physical tire testing, and now we are getting into artificial intelligence, machine learning,” he told CNBC in the company’s “Innovation Center” that includes conceptual and unique products made by the company such as airless tires. “In Goodyear, [AI] is not a buzz word.” On Wall Street, hype is building for Goodyear, but many investors remain on the sidelines waiting to see if the company’s recent efforts under Goodyear Forward can be ingrained in the company as much as its blimps. Goodyear’s stock is rated overweight with a target price of $11.47 a share, according to nine analysts compiled by FactSet. “The company has reported inconsistent levels of profit growth over the past several years. But, we believe that an inflection point developed with the reporting of fourth quarter 2024 results, which were much better than we expected,” Argus analyst Bill Selesky said in a Feb. 14 investor note upgrading Goodyear to buy. Source link #Goodyear #Tire #transformation #plan #moving #company #future Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Best Buy’s Apple Sales Event: This weekend’s best deals Best Buy’s Apple Sales Event: This weekend’s best deals Table of Contents Table of Contents Apple AirPods Pro 2 — $170 $250 32% off Apple AirPods Max — $480 $550 13% off Apple iPhone 14 Plus (128GB) — $630 $730 14% off Apple 13-inch iPad Pro M4 (512GB) — $1,299 $1,499 13% off Apple 14-inch MacBook Pro M4 (16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,499 $1,599 6% off Apple fans, here’s your chance at rare discounts on the brand’s devices: Best Buy just launched a huge Apple Sales Event. With iPhone deals, iPad deals, MacBook deals, AirPods deals, and more up for grabs, you better hurry in choosing what to purchase because we think stocks are already flying off the shelves. You can take a look at everything that’s available in Best Buy’s Apple Sales Event through the link below, but we’ve also rounded up our favorite offers to help you make a quick decision. It’s important that you don’t take up too much time in selecting where to spend your money, as every second wasted is one step closer to missing out on the offer you’ve got your eyes on. Apple AirPods Pro 2 — $170 $250 32% off Zeke Jones / Digital Trends The Apple AirPods Pro 2 have been updated to include USB-C and MagSafe for charging options, while maintaining their excellent active noise cancellation, impressive sound and call quality, and long battery life of up to 6 hours on a single charge with ANC enabled and a total of 30 hours with their charging case. The wireless earbuds are available with a 32% discount, for savings of $80. Apple AirPods Max — $480 $550 13% off Caleb Denison / Digital Trends The Apple AirPods Max also received an update for USB-C charging, while also adding personalized spatial audio for music. It remains the ultimate over-ear listening experience for Apple enthusiasts, with active noise cancellation to prevent disturbances and a battery that can last up to 20 hours from a full charge. The wireless headphones are 13% off, which translates to $70 in savings. Apple iPhone 14 Plus (128GB) — $630 $730 14% off Apple / Apple The Apple iPhone 14 Plus is two generations behind the latest models of the smartphone, but it remains a worthwhile purchase to this day, especially with the 14% discount that results in a $100 price reduction. The device features a 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR display, a battery that can last up to 26 hours, a dual camera-system, and quick performance with the A15 Bionic hip. Apple 13-inch iPad Pro M4 (512GB) — $1,299 $1,499 13% off Nadeem Sarwar / Digital Trends The Apple iPad Pro M4 stands out with its 13-inch Ultra Retina XDR display with OLED technology, for impressive brightness and exceptional color accuracy, and Apple’s M4 chip that will support Apple Intelligence. The device also works with the Apple Pencil Pro and the Magic Keyboard, for additional input options. The tablet’s 13-inch model with 512GB for storage is 13% off, for a discount of $200. Apple 14-inch MacBook Pro M4 (16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,499 $1,599 6% off Chris Hagan / Digital Trends The Apple MacBook Pro M4 is another device that’s built for Apple Intelligence, with the M4 chip providing all the power and speed that you’ll need from this laptop. Its battery can last up to 24 hours on a single charge, and its Liquid Retina XDR display is simply gorgeous. The 14-inch model of the Apple MacBook Pro M4 with 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD is 6% off right now, giving you the chance at $100 in savings. Source link #Buys #Apple #Sales #Event #weekends #deals Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

The best hero shooters on PC The best hero shooters on PC The best PC games come in all genres, but there’s no doubt that FPS games on PC are especially popular. Counter-Strike 2 alone is constantly at the top of Steam’s most played games list, overtaking even the most popular MMORPGs and free games. Within the larger FPS genre, hero shooters are especially beloved. These games combine some RPG elements by giving each character some unique traits and abilities to spice up the normal gunplay. While Overwatch popularized the genre almost a decade ago, tons of excellent hero shooters have come out since that refined and tweaked the formula in fantastic ways. Plus, with most being cross-platform games, you can even play against console players. These are the best hero shooters you can play today on PC. Don’t forget that there are plenty of upcoming PC games that might be the next big hero shooter. Get your weekly teardown of the tech behind PC gaming Source link #hero #shooters Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Swiss police rescue two dogs kidnapped for $1.8m ransom Swiss police rescue two dogs kidnapped for $1.8m ransom Swiss police say they had solved a kidnapping involving two dogs and a demand for ransom of a million Swiss francs. Zurich police said that two Bolonka dogs were stolen from the home of a 59-year-old man in Schlieren near Zurich last week, while the dog owner was away. When the man returned, the dogs were gone and he found a letter demanding a million Swiss francs ($A1.806 million) to release the small dogs. Instead of paying the ransom, the man, who was not identified by name in line with Swiss privacy rules, called the police. In the course of the investigation, police on Thursday arrested a 30-year-old Norwegian man at Zurich Airport who police said was strongly suspected of being involved in the theft. Following further leads and cross-European co-operation, police in Poland then detained a 38-year-old suspect and discovered the kidnapped Bolonkas, which they returned safely to their owner on Friday. Swiss police said the Norwegian man is in custody in Switzerland and authorities in Poland are further investigating the Polish suspect. A Bolonka is a toy breed of dogs bred in Russia and sold for up to a couple of thousand dollars. Source link #Swiss #police #rescue #dogs #kidnapped #1.8m #ransom Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

How to run a class and lecture in The Sims 4 Businesses and Hobbies How to run a class and lecture in The Sims 4 Businesses and Hobbies Table of Contents Table of Contents How to run a lecture in The Sims 4 Businesses and Hobbies How to run a class in The Sims 4 Businesses and Hobbies One of the more exciting features to come with The Sims 4 Businesses and Hobbies Expansion Pack is the ability to lead a lecture or a class. While you can leisurely run a lecture for Sims to boost their skills, running a class can earn you some money if you have a small business. Running a class or a lecture isn’t as simple as you’d think, and there are some prerequisites to complete before you can teach other Sims certain skills. While the latest burglar update was nice, this new Expansion Pack has a lot to offer when it comes to learning new hobbies. We’ll give you the run down on how to run a class and a lecture in The Sims 4 Businesses and Hobbies. How to run a lecture in The Sims 4 Businesses and Hobbies First thing to note with lectures is that they don’t require you to have a small business, only classes do. Lectures are also free, so you’re not earning money from them. Despite that, they’re good for teaching other Sims your best skills. Step 1: Purchase the Sharing is Caring Hobby Whiteboard for 630 Simoleons. You’ll find it in the Small Business category of Buy Mode. EA Step 2: When you place it down, you’ll notice a grey square marking the area in front of it. If your lecture requires you to use objects, this is the area in which you have to place them. If you’re lecturing a Sim on the pottery skill and you’ve placed the pottery wheel outside of that square, it won’t work. According to our research, here are all the skill lectures that require objects for them to work: Acting: x3 mirrors or microphones Baking: x1 fridge, x3 ovens, x3 counters Bowling: x1 bowling lane Charisma: x3 mirrors Comedy: x3 microphones Cooking: x1 fridge, 3 counters Cross-stitch: x1 cross-stitch kit Dancing: x1 stereo or dance floor DJ Mixing: x3 DJ booths Fabrication: x3 fabricators or candle-making stations Fishing: x1 pond that allows fishing Fitness: x3 workout machines/objects Flower Arranging: x3 flower arranging tables Gardening: x3 garden plants Gemology: x3 gemology tables Gourmet Cooking: x1 fridge, x3 counters Guitar: x3 guitars Handiness: x3 woodworking benches Herbalism: x3 stoves/grills Knitting: x3 yarn baskets Logic: x3 chess tables, microscopes, telescopes, or children’s science tables Media Production: x3 mix master music stations Medium: x3 séance tables Mischief: x3 computers Mixology: x3 bars Nectar Making: 3 nectar makers Painting: x3 easels or digital sketchpads Piano: x3 pianos Pipe Organ: x3 pipe organs Pottery: x3 pottery wheels Programming: x3 computers Research & Debate: x3 debate podiums or research archive machines Robotics: x3 robotics workstations Rocket Science: x1 unfinished rocketship Singing: x3 microphones Tattooing: x3 tattoo tables or digital sketchpads Video Gaming: x3 computers, video game consoles, or arcade machines Violin: x3 violins Wellness: x3 massages tables/chairs, meditation stools, or yoga mats Writing: x3 computers Step 3: Once you have the right objects set up for your lecture (if they require any), you now have to ensure that your Sim is at the correct skill level to teach. Each lecture will require your Sim to be at skill level three or five. If you check each option when interacting with the whiteboard, it’ll tell you which skill level it requires. EA Step 4: Finally, you can start your lecture, and other Sims can interact with the whiteboard to listen to the lecture. As they participate, that specific skill level will grow. If you do own a small business, an easy way to have your employees automatically give lectures is to give them the lecture task. EA How to run a class in The Sims 4 Businesses and Hobbies To preface this, you can only run classes if you own a small business. It also has to be done on your small business lot when your shop is open as has customers. Step 1: Purchase the Sharing is Caring Hobby Whiteboard for 630 Simoleons. You’ll find it in the Small Business category of Buy Mode. EA Step 2: After placing it down and interacting with it, you’ll notice many different class options. Depending on how high your skill is, you can charge a lot more per attendee. At the earliest levels you can teach a class, it’ll be 120 Simoleons, but at max skill it should be around 360. As a reminder, to teach certain classes you’ll need objects in the nearby area. In Buy Mode, you should see the white board’s area boxed out, telling you where those objects need to be to work. Check the list above in the previous section to find out which classes require specific objects. EA Step 3: You can only start your class once you’ve opened up shop. Select the white board and start up your class. As customers walk inside, some of them should be interested in your class. During a class, a timed event will begin where you can engage in various activities during the class. Mainly, you’ll want to lecture for 45 minutes, but there are others like mentoring students or discussing skill techniques. Fulfilling these tasks will make your classes successful and more appealing to your customers. EA Source link #run #class #lecture #Sims #Businesses #Hobbies Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

The new Asus ROG Flow Z13 is a solid step sideways The new Asus ROG Flow Z13 is a solid step sideways Asus ROG Flow Z13 2025 MSRP $2,300.00 “The 2025 Asus ROG Flow Z13 is incredibly fast for creators and just really fast for gamers.” Pros Solid build quality Cohesive gaming aesthetic Excellent productivity and creative performance Solid tablet gaming performance Outstanding IPS display Very good keyboard Cons Expensive Slightly thick and heavy Gaming performance not an upgrade Table of Contents Table of Contents Specs and configurations Design Keyboard and touchpad Webcam and connectivity Thermals Performance Gaming Battery life Display and audio A step sideways, but still the best gaming tablet Asus makes the most powerful gaming tablet around — perhaps, the only hardcore gaming tablet you can buy. It’s a completely different animal from most detachable tablet 2-in-1 laptops, which tend to be focused on productivity work and media consumption. As I discovered with the 2024 Flow Z13, this tablet is aimed at running modern titles at playable frame rates. The thing is, while the CPU got a significant upgrade, the GPU options are now limited to just one, the integrated AMD Radeon 8060S graphics compared to the highest-end option of the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060. In my testing, that makes the Flow Z13 a faster machine for everything but gaming, which is at best a step sideways in performance. Specs and configurations Asus ROG Flow Z13 Dimensions 11.81 x 8.03 x 0.59 inches (tablet only) Weight 2.65 pounds (tablet only) 0.85 pounds (keyboard) 3.50 pounds (tablet + keyboard) Processor AMD Ryzen AI MAX 390 AMD Ryzen AI MAX+ 395 Graphics Radeon 8060S graphics RAM 32GB LPDDR5X-8000 64GB LPDDR5X-8000 128GB LPDDR5X-8000 Display 13.4-inch 16:10 QHD+ (2560 x 1600), 180Hz Storage 1TB PCIe SSD Touch Yes Ports 2 x USB4 1 x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 1 x HDMI 2.1 1 x 3.5mm audio 1 x microSD card reader Wireless Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 Webcam 5MP front-facing camera with IR 13MP rear-facing Operating system Windows 11 Battery 70 watt-hour Price $2,100+ There are three versions of the 2025 ROG Flow Z13 currently listed on the Asus web store. The base model is $2,100, coming with an AMD Ryzen AI MAX 390 chipset, 32GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD, and a 13.4-inch QHD+ IPS display (the only option). Upgrading to a Ryzen AI MAX+ 395 chipset adds $200 to the price, and the high-end configuration with a whopping 128GB of RAM costs $2,800. That’s expensive, especially compared to the Microsoft Surface Pro 11 that starts at $1,000. But, you’re getting a ton of performance that other tablets simply cannot match. Design Mark Coppock / Digital Trends If you’re looking for a tablet because you want a thin and light device that you can easily take on the road for productivity work, then the ROG Flow Z13 isn’t the best choice. It’s considerably thicker at 0.59 inches and heavier at 2.65 inches than the leading Windows tablet, Microsoft’s Surface Pro 11 that’s 0.37 inches thick and weighs just 1.97 points. Add in the detachable keyboard, which is heavier in the newest model, and you’ll definitely feel like you’re carrying something around. Of course, if you’re looking for a gaming machine, then it’s quite light and highly portable. And of course, that’s exactly what this is supposed to be. Mark Coppock / Digital Trends Aesthetically, this is an ROG gaming laptop through and through. It’s an all-****** slate, with bold lines and aggressive venting along the top that’s obviously functional — a lot hot hot air escapes in the direction. In back, you’ll find a bunch of ROG design cues, along with a very Surface Pro-like fold-out kickstand that works great and has a notch cut out to reveal the most gaming touch Asus built into the ROG Flow Z13. Specifically, that’s a window cutout revealing an RGB-lit view into some of the guts inside. The lighting is controllable and you won’t see the effect when you’re using the tablet — but your lan party friends will see it. Mark Coppock / Digital Trends It’s built solidly enough, as well as all other premium laptops I’ve used, using high-density aluminum that receives two anodizing coats and has a soft-touch anti-fingerprint finish. It’s sealed up tight, which is a departure from larger gaming laptops that often some offer upgradable components. Keyboard and touchpad Mark Coppock / Digital Trends The detachable keyboard has been upgraded a bit, with larger keycaps, and it features single-zone RGB lighting that’s customizable using the ROG Armory Crate app. The layout is fine, with separate arrow keys, and the switches are deep and responsive. It should please most gamers who don’t want to carry a mechanical keyboard around with them. The keyboard props up at a comfortable angle, as with the Surface Pro 11 Type Cover, and that gives it the same kind of slight bounce when you’re mashing keys. The touchpad is also a little larger in this version, and it’s large enough to be comfortable — which is sometimes unusual with detachable keyboards. It’s a good-enough mechanical version with slightly loud and harsh button clicks. The display is touch- and pen-enabled, and the pen is a $50 option. Webcam and connectivity There are two cameras, a front-facing 5MP version with an infrared camera for Windows 11 Hello facial recognition, and a 13MP rear-facing camera for taking pictures and video. Both have decent images. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ chipset has a very fast Neural Processing Unit (NPU) running at 50 tera operations per second (TOPS), exceeding the Microsoft Copilot+ PC requirement of 40 TOPS for on-device AI processing. That gives you plenty of headroom for using today’s AI features and heading into the future. Mark Coppock / Digital Trends Connectivity is changed up this time around. The last version used an Intel chipset and so had Thunderbolt 4. This generation is AMD, and so it’s USB4. That’s just as fast. There’s also an HDMI 2.1 port this time, to go with the USB-A port and 3.5mm audio port. The microSD card reader is welcome. The larger change is that Asus has dropped the ROG XG Mobile proprietary interface, with the new ROG XG Mobile that connects via Thunderbolt 5. Here, you’d use a USB4 port instead. The XG Mobile is an external GPU enclosure that packs an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 laptop GPU inside. That’s the accessory that enables the ROG Flow Z13 to be a pretty fast portable gaming tablet and an incredibly fast desktop gaming machine. The 2025 XG Mobile is smaller and lighter than the previous model, which was a pretty hefty unit. I don’t have pricing for the accessory, but it will likely be upwards of $2,000, so it will be attractive to the most hardcore gamers. Thermals Mark Coppock / Digital Trends With a very high-performance AMD Ryzen AI MAX 390 or MAX+ 395 chipset inside, both of which run at a default TDP of 55 watts and can run at up to 120 watts, there’s a need for a serious thermal solution. That’s what Asus built, taking advantage of the slate format — no hinges to work around — to build in larger fans and a wider vapor chamber. And, air flow is better than with traditional laptops, given that the unit stands upright and so can ***** an and expel a lot of air a lot more easily. The 2025 model incorporates a new airflow channel to keep the display cooler, an issue I noticed at times using the previous generation. The vapor chamber is constructed of a mix of stainless steel and copper to reduce weight while still boosting cooling. The stainless steel portion serves as a heat sink, while the copper portion conducts heat away from the internal components. The ROG Flow Z13 uses second-generation Arc Flow fans that are incredibly thin and pack in 71 blade for improve performance without generating additional noise. Mark Coppock / Digital Trends In use, the fans spun up but weren’t as loud and harsh as with many other gaming laptops I’ve used. 2025 ROG Flow Z13 certainly seems quieter than the previous model I reviewed. Performance Mark Coppock / Digital Trends There’s a choice between the Ryzen AI MAX 390 and MAX+ 395 chipsets. The former has 12 CPU cores and 24 threads and runs at up to 5 GHz, while the latter has 16 CPU cores and 32 threads and runs slightly faster an 5.1 GHz. I reviewed with the Ryzen AI MAX+ 395. As we’ll see, it’s a very fast chipset that churns through CPU-intensive tasks. Looking at the 2025 model versus its predecessor, the AMD chipset provides a distinct advantage for highly demanding productivity tasks. It’s faster in both single-core and multi-core tasks, and it’s one of the few laptops that even pretends to compete with the MacBook Pro 16 with the new M4 Max chipset. In fact, it actually beat the MacBook Pro 16 in our Handbrake test that encodes a 420MB video to H.265. Unlike its predecessor, the 2025 ROG Flow Z13 uses AMD integrated graphics, specifically the Radeon 8060S. The AI MAX 390 has 32 GPU cores, while the MAX+ 395 has 40 GPU cores. In our benchmarks, the AMD graphics perform most like an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 discrete GPU, which is what was offered in the previous ROG Flow Z13 generation. We’ll talk more about that in the gaming section below. Unfortunately, the ROG Flow Z13 wouldn’t complete the Pugetbench Premiere Pro benchmark that we use to rate a laptop’s performance with intensive video editing and encoding tasks. I suspect that the 2025 model would perform similarly to the previous model, which would make it a fast enough solution for moderately demanding video editors. I spent a few hours trying to get the benchmark to run, and I believe it was an issue with the benchmark and not the laptop. Regardless, this is by far the fasted tablet around for anyone who wants to get work done on the road. And paired with the XG Mobile and the RTX 5090, and it will be one of the faster stationary system for video editing as well. That I can guarantee. Geekbench 6 (single/multi) Handbrake (seconds) Cinebench R24 (single/multi/GPU) Asus ROG Flow Z13 (Ryzen AI MAX+ 395 / Radeon 8060S) 2,993 / 20,659 36 121 / 1,568 / NA Asus ROG Flow Z13 (Core i9-13900H / RTX 4060) 1,873 / 13,175 71 117 / 916 / 8,873 Microsoft Surface Pro 11 (Snapdragon X Elite / Adreno) 1,170 / 6,518 N/A 124 / 841 / NA Dell XPS 14 (Core Ultra 7 165H / RTX 4050) 2,344 / 12,818 Bal: 84 101 / 681 / 5,738 Apple MacBook Pro 16 (M4 Max 16/40) 3,600 / 25,332 48 179 / 2,072 / 16,463 HP Omen Transcend 14 (Core Ultra 7 155H / RTX 4060) N/A N/A 101 / 907 / 8,962 Alienware m16 R2 (Core Ultra 7 155H / RTX 4070) 2,366 / 12,707 N/A 103 / 1,040 / 10,884 Asus ROG Strix 18 (Core i9-14900HX / RTX 4090) 2,946 / 17,622 N/A Bal: 124 / 1,533 / 22,067 Gaming Mark Coppock / Digital Trends While the 2025 ROG Flow Z13 is a significant uptick in performance for everything but gaming, the question becomes: how is it as a gaming laptop? In short, the integrated Radeon 8060S graphics are close to the same performance as the RTX 3060, meaning the 2025 model is a sideways step and certainly not an advance. The display runs at a faster 180Hz, compare to the previous generation’s 165Hz and it now supports AMD’s FreeSync technology, so if you connect the XG Mobile with the RTX 5090, you’ll have a better chance at tear-free gaming. By itself, the tablet’s refresh rate vastly exceeds its performance capabilities. Starting with 3DMark’s Time Spy test, the ROG Flow Z13 scored 10,352, compared to the 2024 model’s 12,159. That’s a 17% drop, which isn’t great. However, the Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 with an AMD Ryzen AI HX 370 and an RTX 4070 scored just 10,743, while the Acer Swift X 14 with a Core Ultra 7 155H and an RTX 4070 scored 9,545. By this synthetic benchmark, the 2025 ROG Flow Z13 is a very good performer, even if it drops off a bit from the previous generation that was clearly impressive. Switch to some real-life gaming benchmarks, we’ll start with Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. In 1200p and ultra high graphics mode, the 2025 ROG Flow Z13 hit 86 frames per second (FPS), compared to the 2024 model’s 117 FPS, another drop off. The Asus ROG Strix G17 with an AMD Ryzen 9 7845HX and RTX 4060 hit 102 FPS, and the HP Omen 16 with a Ryzen 9 7940HS and RTX 4070 managed 103 FPS. This wasn’t a strong title for the 2025 ROG Flow Z13. In Red Dead Redemption 2 at 1200p and Ultra graphics, the 2025 ROG Flow Z13 ran at 96 FPS, compared to the 2024 model at 78 FPS. The ROG Strix G17 hit 78 FPS. That makes the newest tablet quite a bit stronger. And in Cyberpunk 2077 at 1200p and ultra graphics with FSR 2.1 on auto, the 2025 ROG Flow Z13 hit 67 FPS, compared to the previous generation’s 88 FPS. So, ultimately, the 2025 ROG Flow Z13 is around the same speed as the 2024 model, and depending on the title might be a bit faster or a bit slower. It’s a very competent 1200p gaming tablet across the board, able to sustain 60 FPS or better in most modern games, and it will play older or less demanding titles at 1440p. Battery life Mark Coppock / Digital Trends With such powerful components inside and a high-resolution, high-refresh rate display, you shouldn’t really expect great battery life. There’s a 70 watt-hour battery inside, which is considerably larger than the 56 watt-hour version of the previous generation, but seriously. You’ll really want to take the very large power brick along with you if you plan to be away from your office for any significant ******* of time. I saw just 7.5 hours of video looping and less than an hour of running through out demanding Cinebench R24 test. That’s slightly more than the previous generation, but not enough to change my mind. It’s another area where this is definitely a gaming tablet and not a productivity tablet, given that the Microsoft Surface Pro 11 lasts for more than twice as long in the same tasks. Display and audio Mark Coppock / Digital Trends The 2025 ROG Flow Z13 has a 13.4-inch 16:10 QHD+ (2560 x 1400) IPS display running at 180Hz. That makes it fast enough to avoid tear-free gaming, and high-resolution enough to support 144op gaming and make for a great work machine. And the image was bright and colorful during my testing. When I used my colorimeter to evaluate the display, I was pleasantly surprised. First, it’s incredibly bright at 533 nits, one of the brighter displays we’ve tested and rivaling the Apple MacBook Pro 16 mini-LED panel. It’s way above our threshold of 300 nits, and means you’ll enjoy an incredibly bright gaming experience. Contrast was also very good for IPS at 1,270:1, beating our 1,000:1 benchmark. It doesn’t have the inky brightness of OLED and its HDR performance won’t be as good, but it’s still excellent. Colors were unusually wide for IPS, coming in at 100% sRGB, 90% AdobeRGB, and 97% DCI-P3, well above the IPS averages of 100%, 75%, and 75%, respectively. And the color accuracy was excellent at a DeltaE of 0.97 (less than 1.0 is as good as it gets). This is a great display for every user. Gamers, productivity users, creators, and media consumers will all find something to like. Audio is provided by two side-firing speakers, and it’s fine. You’ll want some headphones or an external speaker when gaming or streaming. A step sideways, but still the best gaming tablet Yes, the 2025 ROG Flow Z13 doesn’t take a huge step forward in terms of gaming performance. Perhaps Asus will optimize the drivers and the Radeon graphics will get faster, but for now, you’re not going to see better gaming than the 2024 model. But that’s okay, because the portable gaming performance is still the best you’ll find in a tablet. And the ability to add a crazy-fast RTX 5090 when you’re stationary is an intriguing — if expensive — option for hardcore gamers. And if you want a tablet that will churn through demanding productivity and creative tasks, then the ROG Flow Z13 has you covered there, as well. Source link #Asus #ROG #Flow #Z13 #solid #step #sideways Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Best Assault Rifles in Helldivers 2: All ARs Ranked Best Assault Rifles in Helldivers 2: All ARs Ranked When Super Earth calls, Helldivers answer—armed with whatever democracy-spreading tools Arrowhead Game Studios has deemed worthy of our cause. Among these instruments of liberty in Helldivers 2, Assault Rifles stand as the reliable workhorses of any mission. Patriotism: Best served with high caliber. | Image Credit: PlayStation/YouTube With seven distinct options now available in the armory, choosing the right AR can mean the difference between a successful extraction and becoming bug food. Each offers its own unique approach to freedom delivery, from the standard-issue Liberator to specialized variants that veterans swear by. Top Assault Rifles in Helldivers 2 Armory Before we dive into our rankings, remember that even the “worst” assault rifle in Helldivers 2 is still capable of spreading democracy with reasonable efficiency. The only “meta” in this game are the freedom-hating aliens we lay to waste along the way. That said, some ARs clearly deliver liberty with more authority than others. Let’s break down all seven options from least to most effective: 7. AR-23C Liberator Concussive Image Credit: PlayStation/YouTube Trading damage for crowd control, this variant sadly misses the mark in most combat scenarios. Its stagger effect briefly halts charging enemies, but the reduced damage output means they stay alive longer than ideal. Found on page 1 of the Steeled Veterans premium warbond for 20 medals, it’s outclassed by options that follow the “dead enemy can’t attack” philosophy that Command so enthusiastically endorses. 6. AR-23 Liberator Image Credit: PlayStation/YouTube The standard-issue rifle that’s introduced countless recruits to the art of spreading managed democracy. With decent accuracy, moderate damage, and a respectable 45-round magazine, it handles lower difficulties with respectable efficiency. Available by default to all Helldivers, it’s perfectly adequate but unexciting—it gets the job done, but nobody’s writing home about it. 5. StA-52 Assault Rifle Image Credit: Arrowhead Game Studios This Killzone crossover weapon offers a larger 56-round magazine and higher fire rate (790 RPM) than the standard Liberator, making it initially appealing. Available in the Super Store for 615 Super Credits, its sluggish reload and ugly iron sights hold it back from greatness. It’s reliable but unremarkable—the democracy-spreading equivalent of a participation medal. 4. AR-23P Liberator Penetrator Image Credit: PlayStation/YouTube Medium armor penetration makes this variant shine against Automatons, trading some damage per shot for the ability to punch through tougher enemies. Found on page 6 of the Helldivers Mobilize Warbond for 40 medals, the Penetrator excels when those Devastators come stomping around. Against the bugs and the squids, however, you might want something with more raw stopping power. 3. BR-14 Adjudicator Image Credit: PlayStation/YouTube Originally classified as a marksman rifle before Arrowhead realized what they had created, the Adjudicator delivers high damage per shot with medium armor penetration. Its stopping power makes short work of armored targets that would shrug off lesser weapons. Available on page 1 of the Democratic Detonation Premium Warbond for 20 medals, this battle rifle is best used in semi-auto mode to manage its substantial recoil and conserve ammo. It’s particularly effective against Automatons, though its hunger for ammunition means every shot must count. 2. AR-61 Tenderizer Image Credit: PlayStation/YouTube With the highest damage per bullet (95) in its class, the Tenderizer lives up to its name by softening up enemies with remarkable efficiency. Its adjustable fire rate (from 600 to 850 RPM) and clear scope with multiple zoom options gives it versatility that other rifles can only dream of. Found on page 1 of the Polar Patriots premium warbond for 20 medals, it’s only held back from the top spot by its lack of medium armor penetration. 1. AR-23A Liberator Carbine Image Credit: PlayStation/YouTube Sometimes, the best defense is an overwhelming offense, and nothing embodies this philosophy better than the Liberator Carbine. With an astounding fire rate of 920 RPM and the highest potential DPS in its class, this weapon turns enemies into liberty-embracing corpses faster than any other assault rifle. Available on page 1 of the Viper Commandos premium warbond for 20 medals, the Carbine excels in close-quarters combat where precision matters less than sheer volume of fire. When democracy needs spreading quickly, this is your weapon of choice. What’s your go-to assault rifle for defending Super Earth’s values? Let us know in the comments below! Source link #Assault #Rifles #Helldivers #ARs #Ranked Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

****** weather brings an entire industry to its breaking point: ‘Devastating damage’ ****** weather brings an entire industry to its breaking point: ‘Devastating damage’ Extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and severe around the world, from record-breaking rainfall causing floods to widespread heatwaves. In the U.K., insurance companies are paying record amounts on claims because of these climate-related disasters, making it a challenge to keep up with the surging costs. What’s happening? As reported by The Guardian, weather-related damage in the U.K. was so bad in 2024 that insurance payouts beat the previous 2022 record by a whopping £77 million ($97 million), according to the Association of British Insurers (ABI). The amount paid on these claims reached £585 million ($738 million). Insurers are blaming the consistently terrible weather. From strong winds to frozen pipes and floods, the U.K. counted about 12 major storms during the season, which is the most since 2015-2016. Why is this surge in insurance payouts important? With weather-related damage claims on the rise, insurance premiums are going up — especially in high-risk regions — ultimately costing homeowners and businesses more to protect their property. For example, in the U.K., insurance customers saw their premiums jump by about £55 ($70) in 2024 than the year before. While extreme weather has always been around, scientists agree that human-driven climate change is making it worse by increasing the intensity and frequency of storms, heatwaves, floods, and other extreme weather (like the wildfires in California, for example). The rising costs of these disasters aren’t just hitting insurance companies — it’s also affecting government funds, businesses, and everyday homeowners, increasing costs for everyone. Watch now: How bad is a gas stove for your home’s indoor air quality?What is being done about weather-related damages? Governments, insurers, and climate advocates are pushing for steps to prevent excess damages and protect people’s homes and properties. For instance, U.K. officials have increased funding for flood defense, although insurers believe the government should earmark even more funding. On a larger scale, initiatives like reforestation projects, improved drainage systems, and investment in renewable energy aim to address the root causes of climate change. Innovations like flood-safe homes and fire-resistant homes are great examples of how we can adapt to extreme weather events to keep people and property safer. However, individuals can take action by reducing their carbon footprint and advocating for climate policies. Knowing more about critical climate issues is the first step to being part of the solution. “Our latest data serves as a blunt reminder of the devastating damage that adverse weather can cause to people’s homes and businesses,” said Mark Shepherd, head of general insurance policy at the ABI, according to The Guardian. “Insurers are braced for these sorts of events at any time — but prevention is always better than cure.” Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don’t miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Source link #****** #weather #brings #entire #industry #breaking #point #Devastating #damage Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘Yellowstone’ Actress Barret Swatek Is Auctioning Her $65 Million Valued Maui Estate. She Has A History Of High Priced Real Estate Deals ‘Yellowstone’ Actress Barret Swatek Is Auctioning Her $65 Million Valued Maui Estate. She Has A History Of High Priced Real Estate Deals ‘Yellowstone’ Actress Barret Swatek Is Auctioning Her $65 Million Valued Maui Estate. She Has A History Of High Priced Real Estate Deals Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. Actress Barret Swatek is known for associating with well-heeled characters when playing Victoria Jenkins on “Yellowstone.” However, in real life, the actress also associates with some financial power players. In fact, she is one, herself. She and her husband, retired hedge-fund manager Adam Weiss, are putting their plush Maui home up for auction, having initially listed it for $65 million, $20 million more than they paid for it in 2021, according to The Wall Street Journal. Don’t Miss: The reason for the speedy departure from their laid-back tropical home was the birth of their daughter, Dixon, last year and Swatek’s desire to raise her in Swatek’s home state of Alabama, closer to Swatek’s parents and Weiss’s two daughters from a previous marriage. “We just feel like we’re too far from them and from Barret’s family, and I think the baby kind of changed the equation on that,” Weiss, a co-founder of Scout Capital Management, told the Journal. Maui’s real estate market has traditionally attracted plenty of high-net-worth buyers able to afford the eight-bedroom, 21,700-square-foot beachfront property located on Keawakapu Beach on the island’s west coast. However, after whisper-listing the home for $65 million late last year, they have decided to forgo the traditional listing process and put the home up for auction, commencing April 10 and ending April 22. Though Weiss declined to disclose a target price, Chad Roffers, CEO of Concierge Auctions, the company handling the auction, said he expected bids to start between $17.5 million and $35 million. Trending: CEO of Integris gathered a team of senior investment managers who have $34.22 billion in combined owned and managed assets in the West Coast — here’s how to invest in their private credit fund that targets 12% annual interest rate. After buying the home, the couple began an extensive renovation, adding a bar off the kitchen and converting a media room into a library. In the primary suite, an office became a dressing room. Most of the furnishings are included in the ***** price. Despite living in paradise, the call of sweet home Alabama was too loud for Swatak to ignore. Story Continues “I’ve really cherished how I grew up,” Swatek said. “When I came back from school, my brothers and I would hop on a horse bareback and ride for the afternoon.” Swatek and Weiss have a history of buying and selling high-priced real estate. In 2022, they sold their Malibu home for $70.4 million, after initially listing it for $99.5 million. Former supermodel Cindy Crawford and husband, Rande *******, previously owned that home. See Also: This Jeff Bezos-backed startup will allow you to become a landlord in just 10 minutes, with minimum investments as low as $100. Weiss co-founded Scout Capital in 1999 with James Crichton and closed its doors in 2014 after both partners decided they wanted to pursue different things. The company had roughly $5 billion under management when it shuttered, and in a letter to investors, the firm said it planned to return 95% of its clients’ money. In 2015 Weiss returned to asset management as the Chief Investment Officer/Limited Partner of Stillwater Investment Management LP, a Palo Alto, California-based hedge fund. Besides “Yellowstone,” Swatek has starred in “Lethal Weapon 4,” “The 40-Year-Old Virgin,” and “7th Heaven.” Prior to landing her break, she studied with the famed Upright Citizens Brigade, an improv troupe whose alums include Amy Poehler and Will Arnett, Read Next: This article ‘Yellowstone’ Actress Barret Swatek Is Auctioning Her $65 Million Valued Maui Estate. She Has A History Of High Priced Real Estate Deals originally appeared on Benzinga.com Source link #Yellowstone #Actress #Barret #Swatek #Auctioning #Million #Valued #Maui #Estate #History #High #Priced #Real #Estate #Deals Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Rapper Offset announces Russia gig despite label’s boycott Rapper Offset announces Russia gig despite label’s boycott Riyah Collins BBC Newsbeat Getty Images Offset is best known as one third of US rap trio Migos Offset has announced he’ll be playing an arena gig in Russia next month. The US-based rapper is set to perform at Moscow’s MTC Live Hall on 18 April, confirming the show on his Instagram. Real name Kiari Cephus, Offset is signed to Motown Records, owned by Universal Music Group (UMG), one of a number of labels which announced it was suspending operations in Russia after it launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. BBC Newsbeat has contacted UMG and Offset’s representatives for comment. Days after the Russian invasion, UMG released a statement saying it was “suspending all operations in Russia and closing our offices there”. “We urge an end to the violence in Ukraine as soon as possible,” a spokesperson said. “We are adhering to international sanctions and, along with our employees and artists, have been working with groups from a range of countries to support humanitarian relief efforts to bring urgent aid to refugees in the region.” A number of other labels and promoters, including Live Nation, Warner Music Group and Sony Music took similar action. Many artists, including Green Day, Louis Tomlinson and Yungblud have cancelled planned gigs since the war started. However some have resumed shows there, most recently rapper DaBaby – signed to Interscope, also part of UMG – who posted updates on his Instagram from his Moscow gig last week. Some Russian musicians were also “blacklisted” over their anti-war views. Getty Images The rapper was married to Cardi B until 2023 and they have two children together Offset found fame as part of rap trio Migos with tracks like Stir Fry and Bad and Boujee, and has been releasing solo music since 2017. Last year he completed his first solo headlining tour, following the release of his 2023 album Set It Off. The site selling tickets for his Moscow gig describes Offset, who used to be married to Cardi B, as “a showman who turns a concert into a theatrical performance”. It goes on to say the rapper is “leaving the past behind and striving to become better – more confident, aware, and full of energy”. The gig has not been confirmed by his label Motown Records and is not listed on his official website, but has been listed on a bespoke site for the event shared by Offset as well as the venue’s site. Tickets are priced between 5,000 – 45,000 Russian roubles – about £40 – £400. Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays – or listen back here. Source link #Rapper #Offset #announces #Russia #gig #labels #boycott Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

First Ever Dark Souls Boss to Use Flawless AI Adaptive Learning Was a Nightmare to Design, Went Beyond Schedule Because the Artist Was “Obsessed with… Attention to detail” First Ever Dark Souls Boss to Use Flawless AI Adaptive Learning Was a Nightmare to Design, Went Beyond Schedule Because the Artist Was “Obsessed with… Attention to detail” There is no universe out there where Midir’s name won’t come up when people start talking about the best Dark Souls bosses ever. Sure, he was one of the toughest guys to beat back in the day, but his pioneering design and AI gave FromSoftware the wings the studio did not know it needed. Hidetaka Miyazaki created Midir, one of Dark Souls’ hardest bosses | Image via GameInformer Hidetaka Miyazaki and his bosses have always been iconic, becoming a staple in the gaming world. From his first-ever ******’s Souls to his latest venture of Elden Ring, hundreds of enemies have given players the time of their lives, and Midir is one of the better among them. Why Midir’s boss fight in Dark Souls 3 was revolutionary Darkeater Midir in Dark Souls 3 | FromSoftware Introduced in Dark Souls 3’s The Ringed City DLC, Midir is easily one of the most iconic bosses ever introduced by Hidetaka Miyazaki. His dragon-inspired design beats that even of Bayle and Placidusax, and his boss fight was so insanely difficult yet well-crafted that it gives players goosebumps even today. Talking about how the designing process for Midir made Dark Souls 3 go over its development schedule, the designers of the game, in an interview via CG World Japan (Translated by TheArkHound on Tumblr), revealed the following: The short answer is that I was obsessed with my attention to detail. I wanted to put my skills to the limit, so I carved each scale one-by-one using Zbrush. If you use a duplicating tool, it will break the flow of the scale and it will no longer look convincing. I wanted to prove the limit of details that I could express on the creature by controlling each part one by one. The designer, responsible for the 3D graphics of the game, essentially revealed how his obsession with details ultimately pushed him to draw Midir’s design with extreme precision. This included drawing each scale of the dragon’s body individually instead of using additional tools, which helped bring the boss to life, but ultimately put the game over schedule. How Midir changed everything for future FromSoftware bosses Midir changed the future course of bosses that came after Dark Souls | FromSoftware What made Midir stand out from the rest of the bosses at the time was his ability to adapt to the player. The more you lost to the dreaded boss, the harder the fight would become, thanks to his AI model that learns from the player and their moves. Most of the bosses, especially in Soulsborne games, just stuck to a few move sets that allowed players to learn attack patterns and eventually overcome the level in a short ******* of time. Unfortunately, Midir pioneered the process of the boss adapting to the players’ moves and making sure to give a tough battle for as long as possible. It is a more common practice today, but this one boss introduced as the Dark Souls trilogy was coming to the end truly changed everything. Of course, many players hated it at the time, some of them still do today, but without Midir, games like Sekiro and Elden Ring might have been way simpler than what we have today. Source link #Dark #Souls #Boss #Flawless #Adaptive #Learning #Nightmare #Design #Schedule #Artist #Obsessed #Attention #detail Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

WA election 2025: WAEC under fire after booths run out of ballot papers, with claims voters told to head home WA election 2025: WAEC under fire after booths run out of ballot papers, with claims voters told to head home The WA Electoral Commission has come under fire after polling booths ran out of ballot papers, with reports election officials were ticking off people’s names despite not even voting. Punters at various polling booths in Perth — including Gooseberry Hill Primary School and Kalamunda Primary School — were forced to vote at alternative locations after booths ran out of ballot papers as early as 4.30pm. Ballot paper shortages created mass delays and long queues, with one booth — located at St Jermone’s Primary School — forced to stay open an hour later to ensure everyone in the ****** could cast their vote. WA Liberal Senator Michaelia Cash said she had received reports of election officials telling punters they would mark off their names and could head home without voting. “I heard reports from polling booths in the northern suburbs whereby they’ve run out of ballot papers,” she told 7NEWS. “People have been there and have said (to voters), ‘we will tick you off so you don’t get fined, however, go home, you won’t be voting.’ “I don’t care who you are voting for … (the WAEC has) one job; you know the date, you know when (the election) is occurring and you know how many people cast a ballot last time.” A WAEC spokesperson said the commission had seen a “longer-than-expected” queues today but said “no-one was refused the opportunity to vote”. “We have seen strong voter turnout today at polling places across Western Australia,” the spokesperson said. “While early voting continues to be very popular, many people chose to cast their vote today and we’ve received some reports of longer-than-expected queues at some polling places. “At this time the Commission is only aware of the incident at the Cockburn polling place. “No-one was refused the opportunity to vote.” Planning Minister John Carey said he was “concerned” by the way the WAEC had organised the election. “I was getting complaints in relation to how sites were selected, locations advertised a wrong address, people walking away because lines were too long,” he said. “(The WAEC is) an independent body, but I’m concerned by the way they have managed some of the aspects of the organisation (of the election).” WAEC commissioner Robert Kennedy said the commission would provide more information when they could. “While we will provide more information when we can, the focus is now on counting votes,” he said. “Today’s strong turnout clearly shows the strength of our democracy with people turning up to have their say and make a difference.” Source link #election #WAEC #fire #booths #run #ballot #papers #claims #voters #told #home Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

I make $62K/year as a freelancer and haven’t filed taxes in 5 years — can I fix this without going to jail? I make $62K/year as a freelancer and haven’t filed taxes in 5 years — can I fix this without going to jail? I’m 43, make about $62,000/year, and haven’t filed taxes in 5 years because it’s such a stressful chore for freelancers — can I fix this without going to jail? I can assume you’re laying awake at night wondering if you’ll end up in jail for not paying your taxes — and if it’s too late to fix it. One could argue that the stress of not paying your taxes (and the potential consequences) can be much more stressful than the chore of actually doing one’s taxes. But you wouldn’t be alone. Sixty-four percent of Americans say that tax season introduced a level of stress to their lives, per a NextDoor survey from 2024. Not filing your taxes can come with some serious consequences. For one thing, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will start charging penalties that accumulate over time. Penalties include both a “failure to file” penalty (5% of your unpaid tax amount each month) and “failure to pay” penalty (0.5%) — or a flat 5% for both penalties. Each penalty is up to a total of 25% of the tax due. On top of this, interest accumulates on whatever amount is withstanding starting from the tax deadline. As of the first quarter of 2025, the rate stands at 7%. Interest accrues on the entire amount, from the amount of taxes you owe, to penalties and unpaid interest. That starts to add up — and fast. As time passes, your tax debt will grow. If you don’t file your taxes, the IRS could prepare your tax return for you, which is called a substitute for return (SFR). This isn’t ideal, since it probably won’t include any tax credits or deductions you’re eligible for, which means you could end up paying more tax. With an SFR, you can either accept it or choose to refile your tax returns — along with any tax credits and deductions available to you. But, if you ignore it, the IRS could issue a notice of deficiency and start the debt collection process. The agency can garnish your wages and retirement accounts. It can take money from your bank accounts or even seize your property and sell it. Any future federal tax refunds or state income tax refunds that you’re due may also be seized and applied to your federal tax liability. The IRS may file a Notice of Federal Tax Lien, which would be a part of public records and affect your ability to get credit. Story Continues These are not the only consequences of not filing. If you don’t report self-employment income, you won’t receive credits toward Social Security retirement. It also means you may not be able to get a loan, since you won’t have a tax return to prove your income level. You would face criminal prosecution, with the possibility of fines and jail time, if you’re believed to have intentionally committed tax evasion or tax fraud, but this is very unlikely. Read more: Jamie Dimon issues a warning about the US stock market — says prices are ‘kind of inflated.’ Crashproof your portfolio with these 3 rock-solid strategies In 2023, 64 million Americans performed freelance work, which is 38% of the U.S. workforce, according to an Upwork study. Freelancers are considered sole proprietors or gig workers, and need to report any income and losses via Schedule C (Form 1040). A traditional employee gets a single W-2 form to file their taxes, which makes filing taxes relatively straightforward. But a freelancer who works with multiple clients on multiple projects will end up with numerous 1099 forms and possible 1099-K forms (if they receive payments through online services such as PayPal or Venmo). You can start to fix your tax situation by gathering all your documents, including the last return you filed, any letters or notices from the IRS and any tax documents you’ve received. You’ll also want to document your income and business expenses. It’s best to be proactive. If you contact the IRS, you may be able to work out a payment plan, but you will need to file all your required returns first. You may also request the IRS to delay the collection process. If your financial situation is extremely bad and you’re eligible, you can apply for an offer in compromise to pay less than you owe. You may also consider applying for a personal loan to pay your tax debt if it makes financial sense for you. Since you’re dealing with five years of back taxes, you may want to consider the help of a tax professional who specializes in working with self-employed workers. An enrolled tax agent may cost a bit of money upfront, but could help to resolve back taxes and negotiate a solution with the IRS. Once you have filed your back taxes and perhaps worked out a payment plan with the IRS, you’ll want to make every effort to stay compliant going forward. Self-employed workers pay federal and possibly state income taxes, as well as a 15.3% self-employment tax, which covers Social Security and Medicare. But self-employed workers can also claim business-related deductions, including phone and Internet service, computer equipment, office expenses and business-related travel. Freelancers who work from home may also be eligible for the home office deduction. Once you have sorted out your income sources, expenses, deductions and credits from the past five years, you can create a document or spreadsheet — or use a software program — to keep track of those categories going forward. For example, you can create a document to track your clients, assignments and income for the year. An accounting software program could be a worthwhile investment to make this process easier. While freelancers file annually like everyone else, they’re also required to make quarterly payments throughout the tax year. By keeping detailed records of her income and expenses — and by setting money aside for tax payments — you will be better prepared come tax time. This could also help you estimate how much you’ll owe in the upcoming tax season, which could significantly reduce your stress. If you want to further reduce your stress — or don’t want the hassle of crunching the numbers — you could also work with a bookkeeper or use accounting software to help manage your finances. This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. Source link #62Kyear #freelancer #havent #filed #taxes #years #fix #jail Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Pony-sized dinosaur revealed 52 years after discovery on Isle of Skye Pony-sized dinosaur revealed 52 years after discovery on Isle of Skye Neil Hanna Dr Elsa Panciroli said the hard work to recover the fossil was worthwhile The fossil of a pony-sized dinosaur has been revealed for the first time – more than 50 years after it was first spotted in a sea cliff on Skye. Experts had assessed the location as too difficult to carry out an excavation, and it was not until 2018 before the fossil was recovered. Palaeontologist Dr Elsa Panciroli was helped by a local tour boat company to reach the site and remove it. Analysis has now revealed it to be 166 million years old – and the most complete dinosaur skeleton found in Scotland so far. Maija Karala The dinosaur was from 166 million years ago in the Middle Jurassic Dr Elsa Panciroli The fossil was extracted in 2018 Parts of the fossil were first spotted at Elgol in 1973. At the time it was Scotland’s first recorded dinosaur. Dr Panciroli, a Nerc Independent Research Fellow at National Museums Scotland, and colleagues were helped by the crew of local tour company, Bella Jane Boat Trips, to access the location. After the fossil was removed it was taken to a lab to be studied. Experts identified the dinosaur’s spine, ribs and a hip bones. Researchers believe it was eight years old when it died and dated from a time called the Middle Jurassic. They suggest it was an ornithopod, a group of plant-eating dinosaurs that include Iguanodons. Dr Panciroli said: “This was a really challenging extraction, in fact we’d previously felt was too difficult to collect the fossil, but I thought it was really important to study it. “I was able to persuade the team to give it a try. “It took a lot of hard work from a lot of people, but we did it.” The research has been published in Earth and Environmental Science Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Dr Stig Walsh, from National Museums Scotland, described the fossil as a “wonderful addition” to a growing set of Jurassic finds from Skye Other recent Jurassic discoveries include adult and juvenile mammals of the shrew-like Krusatodon. Also, the largest Jurassic pterosaur fossil, Dearc sgiathanach – a 170-million-year-old winged reptile. Prof Susie Maidment, of the Natural History Museum and the University of Birmingham, said: “The Elgol dinosaur was a challenge to collect, and has proven perhaps an even ******* challenge to identify. “Recent research on the fossils of Elgol has revealed a diverse ecosystem of extraordinarily preserved Middle Jurassic animals, and I’m sure there are more exciting discoveries to come.” Source link #Ponysized #dinosaur #revealed #years #discovery #Isle #Skye Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Opposition leader Shane Love romps to victory against Merome Beard Opposition leader Shane Love romps to victory against Merome Beard Opposition leader Shane Love has fought off a challenge from former Nationals colleague Merome Beard to win the new seat of Mid West. Source link #Opposition #leader #Shane #Love #romps #victory #Merome #Beard Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Minute’s silence held in Cumbria and across *** Minute’s silence held in Cumbria and across *** BBC Poppy Atkinson was described by her family as a “force of nature” Grassroots football clubs and youth teams are to hold a minute’s silence this weekend in memory of a 10-year-old girl who was fatally struck by a car on a sports pitch. Poppy Atkinson was attending a football training session at Kendal Rugby Club in Cumbria on Wednesday evening when she died in the incident. A 40-year-old man from Lancaster, who was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, has been released, but Cumbria police say investigations are continuing. Dozens of clubs from across the country have paid tribute to Poppy and pledged to remember her ahead of their games, as part of a social media campaign started by South Shields-based Team Grassroots. Poppy was at a football training session when she was fatally injured after being struck by a vehicle A number of county associations, including Essex County Girls Football League, Sussex County FA and Notts County FA, are also backing the campaign and are encouraging their members to observe a minute’s silence. Poppy’s family say she wanted to be a professional footballer, and messages of condolence have been sent from some of the Lionnesses, including Barrow’s Georgia Stanway, and Manchester United football club. At the time, police said there was “no indication to suggest that this incident was a deliberate act”. An eight-year-old girl, also from Kendal, was taken to hospital for treatment following the incident, but her injuries were not life-threatening. James Pattison, CEO of Westmorland County FA, said: “We fully support the minute’s silence for Poppy Atkinson this weekend, and have asked it is held before all of our County Cup semi-finals happening over the weekend.” “As a County FA, we have been working closely with all of our member clubs to provide support and advice where necessary, and will continue to do so, following the tragic events of Wednesday evening.” Source link #Minutes #silence #held #Cumbria Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]