Pelican Press

Honor MagicBook Pro 14 beats the new MacBook Air in one striking way Honor MagicBook Pro 14 beats the new MacBook Air in one striking way Table of Contents Table of Contents Flagship specs that you can customize The most unique laptop color More laptops need to be colorful Although its name may suggest otherwise, Mobile World Congress (MWC) is not just a show for mobile devices. The business side touches every facet of the consumer technology industry, and many of the biggest companies unveil new products for the European and wider global markets. The latest edition — MWC Barcelona 2025 — did oversee a return to form, with more mobile devices launched than in recent years, but one of the non-mobile devices that stood out for me was the Honor MagicBook Pro 14. Why? Inside and out, it packs a big punch and won’t break the bank, but it does so in one of the most unique colorways I’ve seen on a laptop. Here are the key features, the color in question, and why it’s even more unique than the new Apple MacBook Air. Flagship specs that you can customize Nirave Gondhia / Digital Trends The Honor MagicBook Pro 14 costs the equivalent of $800, and you get a lot of choices for that price. It comes with a choice of two processors — the Intel Core Ultra 5 225H or Core Ultra 9 285H — and 1TB of storage. It comes with 16, 24, or 32GB of RAM depending on the processor and weighs just under 3 pounds. Then there’s the choice of display, with the same 14.6-inch OLED display found across the touchscreen and non-touchscreen versions of the laptop. Whichever you choose, you’ll get a panel with excellent color accuracy that covers the entire DCI-P3 color space, a 120Hz refresh rate, and a peak brightness of 700 nits. Nirave Gondhia / Digital Trends There are also two USB 3.2 Type-C ports and two USB-A ports. The former support data speeds up to 10 Gbit/s and can be used to charge the device, but they are both on the left side of the machine next to the headphone jack and HDMI 2.1 port. On the other side, the two USB-C ports support data speeds of up to 5 Gbit/s, while there is also a full-HD webcam, a fingerprint sensor integrated into the power button, two speakers, and three microphones. The package is powered by a 92Wh battery that should deliver up to 12 hours of battery life but likely won’t match the new MacBook Air’s record 18-hour battery life. The Honor MagicBook Pro 14 isn’t the slimmest or lightest, but it is one of the most unique and striking laptops in one key way. The most unique laptop color Nirave Gondhia / Digital Trends The majority of technology looks boring. Most smartphone makers offer devices in a small subset of the color spectrum, and while some phone makers also offer colorful choices, laptops, in particular, haven’t really followed. Apple chose to take a step in this direction this week with the launch of the new MacBook Air, which swaps out the Space Gray model in favor of a lovely Sky Blue, but that’s still a version of a standardized color. Honor chose the new MagicBook Pro 14 to debut a beautiful light green colorway that is one of the most striking. We’ve seen green in laptops before, but these have often been much darker hues that look almost ****** — I’ve never seen a company adopt such a light hue. Of course, light green won’t be for everyone, so there’s also a shiny white version that isn’t anywhere near as unique. More laptops need to be colorful Nirave Gondhia / Digital Trends When Apple replaced Space Gray with Sky Blue in its new MacBook Air lineup, I was shocked. The company makes a range of beautiful and colorful iMacs, which are designed to be statement pieces in the home, but it hasn’t strayed from its core color values in the laptop space. Many have waited for Apple to bring its iMac colors to more of its lineup, but even when doing so, the company has stuck to a core color choice. Yes, the new Sky Blue is absolutely stunning, but it’s not as out-there as bringing the yellow, purple, or pink iMac colors to the MacBook Air. I hope that we see Apple launch more colorful laptops in the future, but until we do, the Honor MagicBook Pro 14 will remain one of the most unique color choices that you can buy. I also hope that more companies engage with color choices as laptops can be quite homogeneous, and I would love to see more colorful choices. Source link #Honor #MagicBook #Pro #beats #MacBook #Air #striking Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Jobs report February 2025: Jobs report February 2025: Job growth was weaker than expected in February as the Trump administration began to slash the federal workforce. Nonfarm payrolls increased by a seasonally adjusted 151,000 on the month, better than the downwardly revised 125,000 in January but less than the 170,000 consensus forecast from Dow Jones, the Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday. The unemployment rate edged higher to 4.1%. The report comes amid efforts from Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency to pare down the federal government, starting with buyout incentives and including mass firings that have impacted multiple departments. Though the reductions likely won’t be felt fully until coming months, the efforts are beginning to show. Federal government employment declined by 10,000 in February though government payrolls overall increased by 11,000, the BLS said. Health care led the way in job creation, adding 52,000 jobs, about in line with its 12-month average. Other sectors posting gains included financial activities (21,000), transportation and warehousing (18,000) and social assistance (11,000). On wages, average hourly earnings increased 0.3%, as expected, though the annual increase of 4% was a bit softer than the 4.2% forecast. Stock market futures moved higher following the report while Treasury yields were lower. This is breaking news. Please refresh for updates. Source link #Jobs #report #February Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

The best video game villains of all time, ranked The best video game villains of all time, ranked Table of Contents Table of Contents 7. Dr. Wily 6. Bowser 5. Ganon/Ganondorf 4. Vaas 3. Albert Wesker 2. Sephiroth 1. Senator Armstrong We always establish some level of connection with our player character in games, but it is usually the villain who gets the most time in the spotlight. In many series, it is the villain who remains the constant while the hero changes, building up a rivalry that extends beyond the game itself. What makes a good villain can be a lot of things. They can be especially hard boss fights, have sympathetic goals and motivations, or are just so comically evil that we just love to see them on screen. We’ve been thwarting some villains since the NES generation, while others are more modern. No doubt we will find even more fantastic villains in upcoming video games, but for now, this is our ranking of the best video game villains of all time. 7. Dr. Wily Capcom Dr. Wily deserves a spot on this list for being one of the first recurring villains on the NES. Each Mega Man game featured a unique cast of robot masters to fight, but the same mad scientist was always behind them going rogue. In the end, we always bested his robots, stormed his castle, and captured him (except for that one time when Mega Man was fed up with it all and tried to ******* him). It was always world domination with Wily, and only because his partner got all the glory for their work in robotics. Neither his motivation or goals changed much from game to game, but fighting him at the end was always a treat with all the powers you’d coallected. 6. Bowser Nintendo Okay, calm down everyone. Yes, Bowser is only number 6 on the list, but we have to be honest with ourselves here. How good of a villain is Bowser, really? He’s iconic, no doubt, but he’s just a cartoon villain at the end of the day. He either wants to kidnap Peach, take over the Kingdom, or just get rid of Mario with rare exceptions. The only game to give him some depth was Super Mario RPG, but he wasn’t even the villain in that game. Bowser is fun to fight and is so well-established that we don’t want to see him go away forever, but at this point, he’s basically Mario’s friend most of the time. 5. Ganon/Ganondorf Nintendo Meanwhile, Ganon is never friendly or funny even in the slightest. This is arguably Nintendo’s strongest long-running villain who only seems to get better with every game he’s in. Ganon began as just a weird pig-monster not all that different from Bowser in the grand scheme of things, but has evolved in amazing ways across the Zelda games. Ganondorf was a menacing figure who succeeded in turning Hyrule into a wasteland, but there are plenty of other instances where Ganon has essentially won and all you can do is try and save what’s left. Ganon still gets just slivers of screentime, but they’re used to convey his power and instill fear and intimidation. Mechanically, facing off with Ganon in his various forms is always the highlight of the game. 4. Vaas Ubisoft All it took was one trailer for fans to become fully invested in Vaas. That single line that bookended the trailer of “did I ever tell you what the definition of insanity is?” showcased just how dangerous and unstable this guy is. But a villain being fully insane isn’t good. Like the Joker, Vaas is insane but has his own moral code. The problem is that code is impossible to decipher so we can never be sure how he will react to anything. We just wish Vaas was the real villain of Far Cry 3 and the game hadn’t dragged on after his final confrontation. 3. Albert Wesker Capcom Even before we knew he was a traitor, there was something about Wesker’s face that made us want to punch it. Those sunglasses, slicked-back hair, and smug attitude almost gave away his evil side. As the main antagonist of the Resident Evil series up until 5, Wesker was a physical and intellectual force that no one character could overcome. He had grand plans to pull the strings on a global scale with various viruses and weaved a massive web of conspiracy that was satisfying to untangle. It isn’t often that you get to actually fight Wesker, and there is the rediculous boulder punching moment right at the end, but shooting him with RPGs in a volcano was very cathartic. 2. Sephiroth Square Enix There are some differences between the OG Final Fantasy 7 and the new remakes in terms of how Sephiroth is portrayed, but that gets kind of complicated with those technically being sequels, so we’re just going to bundle it all together. Competition was still high for picking a Final Fantasy villain, but there’s a reason Sephiroth is the one everyone remembers. What made him so terrifying in the first game was how long it took to actually see him. For the first several hours you only hear his name and see his path of destruction. His figure is just as imposing as the buildup lead you to believe, and you get to see what pushed him over the edge into villainy. Like the best villains, Sephiroth believes he is doing the right thing. 1. Senator Armstrong Konami Metal Gear and Kojima games have been predicting the future for decades, but it might never be more on the nose than Metal Gear Rising’s Senator Armstrong. This corrupt politician speaks exactly like one in the real world, spouting about how the strong should be free to do as they please and that “they’ll make America great again.” He fights for a philosophy of might makes right and is a fierce nationalist who wants to spark a new revolution. That’s scary enough, but it only becomes more terrifying in hindsight as this video game villain’s evil plan seems to be coming to life right before our eyes. At least in the game you get an awesome fight with a sick soundtrack. Source link #video #game #villains #time #ranked Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Microsoft 365 apps help keep your files safe with OneDrive backup Microsoft 365 apps help keep your files safe with OneDrive backup Microsoft 365 apps will encourage users to back up their files to OneDrive, as announced in a new Message Center entry, to improve data security. Microsoft will display a prompt across Word, Excel, and PowerPoint in the following months to prevent data loss and ensure users can access their important files seamlessly. Microsoft will begin showing these prompts in mid-March 2025, encouraging users to sign up for the OneDrive Known Folder Move (KFM). The public preview will last until early April 2025 but will generally be available by May 2025. What is KFM? It’s a feature in OneDrive that lets you sync and back up your important local folders, such as Desktop or Documents. Afterward, you can easily access your files across various devices. Microsoft also mentioned the advantages of enrolling in KFM, such as Copilot support, access from any device, easy collaboration, increased security and compliance, backup, access to AutoSave, and Version History. Nevertheless, only “eligible” users will see the prompt, and no action will be required on their part. The feature will be enabled automatically, and if an IT administrator blocks KFM, the message will not be displayed. When you know how to sync files and folders to OneDrive, you won’t have to worry about losing your files. But it’s good to hear that you can choose whether or not to enroll in KFM and that it’s not an obligation. Unlike last year, when Microsoft forced file backups to OneDrive without user permission, this time, it’s optional. Ultimately, each company decides what’s best for them and sees if signing up is beneficial. Source link #Microsoft #apps #files #safe #OneDrive #backup Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Bitcoin reserve: Why has Trump set up a US crypto stockpile? – BBC.com Bitcoin reserve: Why has Trump set up a US crypto stockpile? – BBC.com Bitcoin reserve: Why has Trump set up a US crypto stockpile? BBC.comBitcoin is flat even after Trump officially establishes U.S. bitcoin reserve CNBCFact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Establishes the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and U.S. Digital Asset Stockpile The White HouseTrump Signs Order to Create a ‘Crypto Reserve’ The New York Times Source link #Bitcoin #reserve #Trump #set #crypto #stockpile #BBC.com Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

OpenAI showing a ‘very dangerous mentality’ regarding safety, expert warns OpenAI showing a ‘very dangerous mentality’ regarding safety, expert warns An AI expert has accused OpenAI of rewriting its history and being overly dismissive of safety concerns. Former OpenAI policy researcher Miles Brundage criticized the company’s recent safety and alignment document published this week. The document describes OpenAI as striving for artificial general intelligence (AGI) in many small steps, rather than making “one giant leap,” saying that the process of iterative deployment will allow it to catch safety issues and examine the potential for misuse of AI at each stage. Among the many criticisms of AI technology like ChatGPT, experts are concerned that chatbots will give inaccurate information regarding health and safety (like the infamous issue with Google’s AI search feature which instructed people to eat rocks) and that they could be used for political manipulation, misinformation, and scams. OpenAI in particular has attracted criticism for lack of transparency in how it develops its AI models, which can contain sensitive personal data. The release of the OpenAI document this week seems to be a response to these concerns, and the document implies that the development of the previous GPT-2 model was “discontinuous” and that it was not initially released due to “concerns about malicious applications⁠,” but now the company will be moving toward a principle of iterative development instead. But Brundage contends that the document is altering the narrative and is not an accurate depiction of the history of AI development at OpenAI. “OpenAI’s release of GPT-2, which I was involved in, was 100% consistent + foreshadowed OpenAI’s current philosophy of iterative deployment,” Brundage wrote on X. “The model was released incrementally, with lessons shared at each step. Many security experts at the time thanked us for this caution.” Brundage also criticized the company’s apparent approach to risk based on this document, writing that, “It feels as if there is a burden of proof being set up in this section where concerns are alarmist + you need overwhelming evidence of imminent dangers to act on them – otherwise, just keep shipping. That is a very dangerous mentality for advanced AI systems.” This comes at a time when OpenAI is under increasing scrutiny with accusations that it prioritizes “shiny products” over safety. Source link #OpenAI #showing #dangerous #mentality #safety #expert #warns Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Steampunch Review | TheXboxHub Steampunch Review | TheXboxHub Review – The odd trap may see Steampunch err on the side of challenging, but this is a platformer that is about as simple as you can get. Source link #Steampunch #Review #TheXboxHub Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Noel Clarke tells court he is ‘victim of unlawful conspiracy’ Noel Clarke tells court he is ‘victim of unlawful conspiracy’ Noel Clarke has told the High Court he is the victim of an “unlawful conspiracy” involving The Guardian and a large number of other individuals after allegations of ********* inappropriate behaviour were made against him. In written submissions, Mr Clarke’s legal team said allegations that the award-winning actor, writer, producer and director was a “serial abuser of women” were false. It added that the “conspirators'” intention was to cause him “irreparable” financial and reputational damage. The Guardian has said told the court that it will be defending its journalism as being both true and in the public interest, and described the conspiracy claim as a “wild allegation”. The allegations against Mr Clarke were published in a series of articles in the Guardian in 2021 and 2022. He is now suing Guardian News and Media (GNM). He says that the articles were untrue and that The Guardian “played the role of judge, jury and executioner” of his career and reputation. The articles featured claims from a number of women in the film and TV industry who reportedly accused him of groping and ********* inappropriate behaviour, over a number of years. Mr Clarke, who is best known for his work in the films Kidulthood, Adulthood and Brotherhood, vehemently denies the allegations. He is expected to start giving evidence later today. In its written submissions, The Guardian said that it will be defending the case, and that the trial will hear from 16 women who it says will give tell the court about Mr Clarke’s conduct first-hand. It says they will give evidence of harassment, unwanted ******* conduct and ******* assault. The trial is scheduled to last for six weeks. Source link #Noel #Clarke #tells #court #victim #unlawful #conspiracy Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Meerup bushfire: Emergency warning issued after blaze breaches containment lines Meerup bushfire: Emergency warning issued after blaze breaches containment lines A bushfire emergency warning has been issued for the South West town of Meerup after a blaze escaped containment lines. The Department of Fire and Emergency has warned residents bounded by the emergency alert to act immediately to survive as there is a threat to lives and homes. The blaze was upgraded to an emergency warning just after 9pm on Friday when the fire escaped containment lines on Summertime 4WD track. The bushfire is moving in a northerly direction with a possible threat to properties to the south of Northcliffe. The fire is not contained or controlled. The warning is in place for people south of Double Bridge Road, west of Windy Harbour Road, north of Summertime 4WD track, and east of Ladhams Road. If the way is clear, people are urged to leave now for a safe place and leave in a northerly direction along Windy Harbour Road. A temporary evacuation centre has been opened at the Manjimup Sports Pavilion on Arnott Street. People who can’t leave must shelter before the fire arrives in a room that has running water and a clear exit to easily escape. Windy Harbour Road is closed south of Ladhams Road, south of Chesapeake Road and at Windy Harbour townsite. Summertime track is also shut as well as numerous roads between the Southwest Highway, Windy Harbour Road, and south of Middleton Road. About 190 emergency services personnel are responding to the fire with firefighters working to strengthen containment lines. Source link #Meerup #bushfire #Emergency #warning #issued #blaze #breaches #containment #lines Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Destiny 2 Guardian Games 2025 Adds New Boss Rush Mode, Rushdown Destiny 2 Guardian Games 2025 Adds New Boss Rush Mode, Rushdown Since 2020, Destiny 2 has pit the three Guardian classes against each other in the Guardian Games to determine whether the Titans, the Warlocks, or the Hunters will reign supreme for a year. On March 11, the 2025 Guardian Games will begin with a few changes. Guardian Games Nightfalls and Focused Activities have been dropped from this year’s event. In their place is a new boss rush mode called Rushdown, which looks like it will test even the most seasoned Destiny 2 players. Bungie has shared the details for this year’s Guardian Games, including the way that Rushdown will work. Rushdown will assemble bosses from the campaigns, the seasonal story missions, and the exotic missions in battles that will get exponentially more difficult for players. Each run through Rushdown will feature five boss encounters, all of which must be completed before time expires. Time gets added to the clock with each boss that goes down, and teams that finish more quickly have a better chance of earning higher quality rewards. Rushdown includes warm-up, standard, and expert modes, but only the last two will include combatants with modifiers while also letting players receive revive tokens. However, players will get a higher score if they use fewer revive tokens. All three modes will be open for standard matchmaking, class-based matchmaking, and private fireteam matches. Players will be judged by how many bosses they defeated and by their overall score. The new Arc Trace riffle from this year’s Guardian Games. It just wouldn’t be a Guardian Games without a new weapon. This year’s addition to the armory is called Keraunios. It’s a powerful new Arc Trace rifle that features jolting impact, recycled energy, and rolling storm. Last year’s addition, the Allstar Vector Skimmer, will be available again during this year’s Guardian Games. Players will receive a temporary version of the weapon for the duration of the event. But if players want to permanently add it to their collection, they will need to complete a drop-in quest. Players who finish three encounters in any of the Rushdown modes will be guaranteed to receive a Guardians Games weapon during that run. The five scoring thresholds are bronze, silver, gold, platinum, and diamond. Naturally, players who reach the higher tiers in standard or expert will get better rewards. And players who achieve high scores in expert mode will also get the chance to pick up fully Masterworked Guardian Games weapons. In order for players to help their preferred faction to win the overall Guardian Games, they have to team up with members of the same class and fight in PvP and other activities to earn medallions. Once the medallions are in hand, players need to bring them to the podium to count them among the total points for their class. There will be winning classes on every day of the event, but only one faction will be named the victor when the Guardian Games close after three weeks of competition. Outside of this event, Bungie recently announced a brand-new, limited-time PvP mode called Heavy Metal that will arrive during Heresy Act 3. This will finally give players their chance to pilot a Brig. There’s also a Rite of the Nine event that’s geared for both Destiny 2 veterans and newcomers. Source link #Destiny #Guardian #Games #Adds #Boss #Rush #Mode #Rushdown Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

The M3 MacBook Air is gone for good — but the M2 is a survivor worth considering The M3 MacBook Air is gone for good — but the M2 is a survivor worth considering With the introduction of the new M4 MacBook Air, it’s time to say goodbye to some of the older models. This time, both the M3 and the M2 MacBook Air will disappear from Apple Store shelves. Unlike the M3, however, the M2 isn’t being discontinued completely — it will still be available at certain retailers. This gives people a chance to get an amazing laptop (the laptop I’m writing on right now) at a really good price. TechRadar has already spotted certain M2 MacBook Air configurations on Amazon selling for as low as $699. That’s 30% off MSRP and 30% less than the new M4 model. If you’re unsure which model is best for you — I can vouch for the M2. If you’re a typical laptop user like myself who doesn’t do much more than browsing, word processing, video streaming, and some light programming, the M2 provides great performance and battery life. If you’re not on a tight budget, the M4 will stay performant for longer and the new lower price is a great deal in my opinion — but there’s no need to stretch your budget to accommodate the M4 if you’d prefer not to. As for the M3 MacBook Air’s untimely disappearance — this could be down to the general problems Apple encountered with this chip. From a user’s perspective, it performs well and there are no problems with the devices it powers, but industry experts believe that Apple had trouble with the first-generation 3nm technology the M3 uses. The company moved onto the M4 and second-generation 3nm tech quickly and could want to stop producing base M3 chips sooner rather than later. Source link #MacBook #Air #good #survivor #worth Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Jonas Mekas, Master of Avant-Garde Film, Shows His Tender Side Jonas Mekas, Master of Avant-Garde Film, Shows His Tender Side One bit of footage shows issues of Film Culture magazine, which Mekas started in 1954 with his brother Adolfas, rolling from a printing press. Several of Mekas’s segments show the buzz of activity at the Film-Makers’ Cooperative, which he co-founded in 1961 to distribute little-known movies. Mekas was also the first full-time film critic for The Village Voice and helped found Anthology Film Archives, in addition to directing films including “Guns of the Trees,” a feature about the lives of two New York City couples, and “Reminiscences of a Journey to Lithuania,” about his eventual return. A diary segment from the early 1990s shows Allen Ginsberg at a dinner party at the Manhattan loft where Mekas lived for decades before moving to Brooklyn. Ginsberg rhythmically taps a table as he intones: “I’m alone in the sky / Where there’s nothing to lose / The sun’s not eternal / That’s why there’s the blues.” In another segment, Mekas theorizes that Andy Warhol used a camera to mask his withdrawn nature. “A shy person is not able to connect 100 percent,” Mekas says gazing into his own lens, adding that a camera is then “the chain that keeps you attached to the people around you.” Davison said that the diarylike segments, in which Mekas spoke to the camera and shot footage as he walked around New York, are among the most revealing parts of his archive because “he was so open and vulnerable” in them. “It’s almost like no one knew him as well as the camera knew him,” she said. In one moment of openness, Mekas recalls that he and his brother were “full of doubts about civilization” by the time they got to the United States. “We loved you, world, but you did lousy things to us,” he says. Elsewhere in the film, he speaks about the first time he did “not feel alone in America.” Referring to Lithuania, he adds: “There was a moment when I forgot my home.” In a 1990 segment, Mekas speaks about his days as a “displaced person” as he walks through the Lower East Side of Manhattan, noting that he had lived there and across the East River in Williamsburg after arriving in New York. “There is a point somewhere where you don’t know anymore where your home really is,” Mekas says, turning the camera toward the river. “I think my real home is cinema.” Source link #Jonas #Mekas #Master #AvantGarde #Film #Shows #Tender #Side Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Winter storm to dump more snow across US on Friday; warnings abound Winter storm to dump more snow across US on Friday; warnings abound Another winter storm blasted states across the western and central U.S. with heavy snow Friday as part of Texas and the Northeast contended with persistently high winds. The National Weather Service issued winter storm warnings from Utah, Wyoming and Colorado to Nebraska and Iowa, which have seen multiple feet of snow fall at high elevations this week. Weather experts warned the snow could make roads slick and reduce visibility, making travel in some areas “very difficult to impossible.” Strong winds threatened to knock down tree limbs and disrupt power service, the weather service said. The storm comes after the Plains and Midwest regions experienced blizzard-like conditions from a massive storm that marched across the country earlier this week, unloading a barrage of dangerous weather and leading to at least five deaths. Forecasters expect the new storm to drop up to a foot of snow on portions of the Wasatch, Teton and Rocky mountains through Friday before shifting east, bringing snow to the Appalachians on Saturday. AccuWeather warned the wintry weather could snarl traffic and cause delays at airports, though the storm was not expected to drop heavy snow in any major cities. From Maryland to Maine, forecasters issued wind advisories and asked people to move inside any objects that could be blown away by powerful winds. Gusts up to 55 mph were forecast in New York, Connecticut, Vermont and Maine, the weather service said. Jim Wilcox removes snow from the sidewalk on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, along 9th Street in Ames. Iowa. In southeast Texas, the high winds mixed with drought conditions and low humidity, elevating the risk of wildfires. Officials issued red flag warning across multiple counties in the area and urged people to refrain from burning anything outdoors. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Storm to dump more snow across US on Friday; warnings abound Source link #Winter #storm #dump #snow #Friday #warnings #abound Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Crossovers With Other IPs Pose One Major Problem for Marvel Rivals That Fortnite Never Had to Face Crossovers With Other IPs Pose One Major Problem for Marvel Rivals That Fortnite Never Had to Face Marvel Rivals has been the talk of the town for a while now, and considering their steady growth, it won’t be a surprise to see them excel more in the genre of hero shooter games. As of February 2025, the game has reached more than a whopping 40 million players, averaging more than 200,000 players daily. Marvel Rivals has a plethora of characters in their game already | Image Credits: NetEase Games With Marvel Rivals’ newly gained popularity, NetEase Games, the developer of the game, is now planning the possibility of collaborating with other media franchises, and fans are not really happy about that. Let’s delve deeper into how crossovers with other intellectual properties (IPs) can actually be bad for Marvel Rivals. Marvel Rivals’ collaboration might cost the game its identity Marvel Rivals was released back in December of 2024, and the game became a massive hit right after its release. Although there are millions of other hero shooter games in the market currently, Rivals came out on top to dominate over all of them. The only reason that was possible is that the game is directly connected to a big media franchise already, and that franchise is Marvel. Fortnite has an identity of collaborating with other media | Image Credits: Epic Games From its witty comics to its mind-altering movies, the whole Marvel franchise is a huge sensation. It is currently in the top ten highest-grossing media franchises in the world, and with a 60% hold over adults aged between 18-44, it’s no wonder anything connected to Marvel will become popular as well. Hence, the early success of Marvel Rivals. Although the game is basking in its achievement, NetEase is opting for more with their idea of collaborating with other media, and it just seems like a bad idea for Rivals. The game already has a plethora of movies, comics, TV shows, and even other games to take inspiration from, and the inclusion of other IPs in their game will completely ruin the identity that they have established through their title. The game is based on already existing Marvel characters, and collaborating with other media characters will weaken the personality of the title. In contrast, Fortnite does not have this issue because its original concept is not tied to a specific set of pre-existing characters. Instead, Fortnite thrives on being a crossover-friendly platform, where characters from different franchises are introduced as skins rather than integral story elements. Marvel already has a lot of inspiration for NetEase Games Marvel Rivals does not need to collaborate with other media | Image Credits: NetEase Games The need for Marvel Rivals to collaborate with other IPs just feels unnecessary. NetEase has already introduced more than 30 characters in their game, and they have not even scratched the surface for the amount of maps, heroes, villains, and skins they can add while being in their own universe. Fortnite, on the other hand, is a game whose whole identity is crossovers from different media, whether it be for the benefit of their game or promotion of other media. While it is still unclear whether NetEase will go for the collaboration route or not, one thing we are sure of is that crossovers with other media is something that Marvel Rivals does not need, at least for now. Though it would be kinda cool to see DC and Marvel characters going head to head with each other. Source link #Crossovers #IPs #Pose #Major #Problem #Marvel #Rivals #Fortnite #Face Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Nvidia might reveal its most popular GPU in a matter of days Nvidia might reveal its most popular GPU in a matter of days Although Nvidia has recently released a few GPUs that belong on every ranking of the best graphics cards, the launch has been rough all around, with limited stock and high pricing. Hope is on the horizon, though, as a well-known leaker just revealed that Nvidia might be about to unveil three new GPUs: The RTX 5060 Ti 16GB and 8GB as well as the RTX 5060 non-Ti. The scoop comes from MEGAsizeGPU on X (Twitter). According to the leaker, Nvidia will announce the RTX 5060 family of graphics cards in about 10 days. The cards will then land on the shelves around a month later. So far, all of this aligns with previous leaks, so I’m inclined to believe it — but, as always, don’t take it at face value. These estimates might still change. Previous leaks indicate that the RTX 5060 will run on the GB206 GPU, but the RTX 5060 Ti is still a bit of an enigma. It could be bumped up to the GB205, but it might also share the same chip as the non-Ti version. However, one thing has been talked about at length: The VRAM capacity, which is why there are three cards included in the announcement and not three. Nvidia is said to, once again, be using 16GB and 8GB variants for the Ti GPU. This didn’t work out as well as many had hoped in the RTX 40-series, but the extra bandwidth gained from the switch to GDDR7 might just be enough to make both versions relevant. We’ll have to wait and see here. Meanwhile, the RTX 5060 is said to retain the same 8GB memory capacity as its predecessor. That’s a shame, as new AAA games often require more than 8GB VRAM to run smoothly at high settings. Historically, the xx60 graphics card has been the most popular one for Nvidia in every generation, topping the Steam Hardware Charts month after month. If Nvidia can provide ample stock for this graphics card, AMD’s upcoming RX 9060 XT might have a serious competitor; if not, gamers will remain frustrated just as they’ve been over the past couple of months. Source link #Nvidia #reveal #popular #GPU #matter #days Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Wall Street’s top stocks by analysts Friday Wall Street’s top stocks by analysts Friday Here are Friday’s biggest calls on Wall Street: JPMorgan downgrades Macy’s to neutral from overweight JPMorgan lowered its price target to $14 per share from $19 on Macy’s following earnings on Thursday. “Downgrade to Neutral lowering our Dec ’25 price target to $14.” TD Cowen upgrades Tesla to buy from hold The firm upgraded the stock following a change in analyst coverage and said investors should buy the dip. “We’re also Buy-rated on Tesla post the recent pullback and ahead of potentially consequential catalysts this year.” TD Cowen names General Motors a top pick The firm named GM a new top idea and said it has “ample” growth levers. ” GM isn’t your typical ‘legacy’ automaker because of its: (1) Majority of earnings from Truck Franchise; (2) Unique (Top Pick) EV accretion setup; (3) Ample growth levers, strong execution.” Rosenblatt initiates Coinbase as buy Rosenblatt said the stock is a beneficiary of the Trump administration’s embrace of bitcoin. “In our view, COIN is the clear blue chip in the sector and should be a beneficiary of multiple positive tailwinds.” TD Cowen upgrades Dayforce to buy from hold The firm said it sees a compelling entry point for the human resources software company. “We upgrade DAY to Buy as we see recent underperformance in shares & underappreciated FCF margin expansion yielding an attractive entry point.” Wedbush reiterates Tesla as outperform Wedbush added the stock to its top picks list. “This is a gut check moment for the Tesla bulls (including ourselves) after this massive selloff in Tesla shares with fears mounting. The bears own the Tesla narrative in the near-term as lackluster sales numbers from Europe, China, and the US in January/ February along with Musk protests/brand worries have created many concerns.” Baird upgrades JPMorgan Chase to neutral from underperform and Bank of America to outperform from neutral The firm said the risk/reward is getting more attractive for several banking giants. “Risk/reward improving after this week’s weakness – upgrading BAC and HBAN to Outperform, JPM to Neutral. From our perspective, recent weakness in the bank group has resulted in an opportunity to get more constructive.” RBC initiates Vertiv as outperform RBC said the infrastructure company is a data center beneficiary. “We are initiating coverage on the near-pureplay datacenter power/thermal solutions provider Vertiv with an Outperform rating and $121 price target.” Wedbush upgrades Logitech to outperform from neutral Wedbush said the computer products company “new vision is sound.” “We are upgrading shares of LOGI to OUTPERFORM from NEUTRAL after management clarified at its recent Analyst and Investor Day that it has significant organic growth runway ahead with gaming tailwinds and by expanding its addressable market into new end markets…” Morgan Stanley upgrades Steel Dynamics to overweight from equal weight Morgan Stanley said the company is in the midst of a “multiyear investment cycle.” “Upgrade STLD to OW as completion of capex cycle increases FCF and paves the way for higher cash returns. UBS upgrades Jazz Pharmaceuticals to buy from neutral UBS said the biopharma company has an attractive pipeline. “Improved business outlook + pipeline catalyst driving re-rating potential. We upgrade JAZZ to a Buy (from Neutral).” Bank of America reiterates Broadcom as buy The firm said the stock remains a top pick and “AI leader” following earnings on Thursday. “We reiterate our Buy rating on top pick Broadcom following a reassuring quarter/ outlook including: 1) beating Q4/Q1 consensus AI expectations by ~10% each, 2) reaffirming $60-$90bn CY27 served addressable opportunity across 3 existing AI customers…” Bank of America adds Synchrony to the US1 list Bank of America said the financial services company has a return profile that’s “attractive.” “With credit stabilizing and potentially improving, we think investors will appreciate SYF’s attractive business model and ROE potential.” Jefferies upgrades Wayfair to buy from hold Jefferies said in its upgrade of Wayfair that the stock trades at a discount. “With top-tier market share gains, a new paid loyalty program, compelling B2B traction, and underrated physical retail expansion, we have fresh optimism for EBITDA growth above the Street.” UBS reiterates Nvidia as buy UBS said it’s standing by the stock ahead of its AI [GTC] Conference later this month. “The UBS Tech Team remains positive longer term on AI drivers, but investors are currently less assured than they were through the past two years. We await confirmation catalysts ( Nvidia GTC 18 March, Computex 20 May) to possibly support sentiment.” Deutsche Bank upgrades Old Dominion to buy from hold Deutsche said the shipping company has a strengthening financial position. “When it comes to generating robust financial returns and operating efficiency, it doesn’t get much better than ODFL in the Transportation sector in our view.” Evercore ISI upgrades Hawaiian Electric to outperform from in line The firm says investor sentiment is improving around the utility company. “HE is now better positioned than when it previously traded at a comparable valuation versus peers.” Goldman Sachs reiterates Costco as buy Goldman said it’s standing by Costco following earnings on Thursday. “We think the stock will likely be down on the perceived miss, but in our view, the business is as strong as ever given February’s top line.” Deutsche Bank initiates FedEx as buy The firm said the company still delivers “significant shareholder value.” “We are initiating on FDX with a BUY rating and a target price of $337, which represent 36% upside to Tuesday’s close.” Bernstein reiterates Netflix as outperform Bernstein said Netflix’s Anime genre has a large total addressable market and well positioned for growth. “Anime is an important genre for Netflix, and the total number of anime titles has steadily risen over the years.” Guggenheim upgrades Array Technologies to buy from neutral The firm upgraded the solar tech company following a series of meetings with management. “We are upgrading our recommendation for ARRY from Neutral to Buy, and establishing a $10 price target. Bank of America upgrades Zscaler to buy from neutral Bank of America said the IT security cloud company is showing plenty of growth drivers. “We believe that Zscaler is positioned to gain share in the market’s migration to cloud-based security solutions. Its scalable, purpose-built software platform also enables it to move into new security markets.” Bank of America upgrades Leonardo DRS to buy from neutral The firm said the defense contractor has plenty of growth opportunities and U.S. Navy exposure. “We think the renewed emphasis on shipbuilding, coupled with continued strong defense tech modernization spend globally, is incrementally positive for DRS.” Deutsche Bank initiates Union Pacific as buy The firm said it’s bullish on the railroad company. ” UNP had the best operating margin (40.1%) and highest returns on invested capital (15.8%) among its peer group this past year.” Stifel reiterates Microsoft as buy Stifel lowered its price target to $475 per share from $515 but said it’s sticking with the stock after a series of meetings with investor relations. “With most of MSFT’s segments performing well at scale, given investor sentiment and near singular focus on capex intensity the meetings served to reinforce our belief.” Source link #Wall #Streets #top #stocks #analysts #Friday Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Bitcoin Drops After Trump Executive Order Disappoints Market – Bloomberg Bitcoin Drops After Trump Executive Order Disappoints Market – Bloomberg Bitcoin Drops After Trump Executive Order Disappoints Market BloombergBitcoin is flat even after Trump officially establishes U.S. bitcoin reserve CNBCFact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Establishes the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and U.S. Digital Asset Stockpile The White HouseTrump Signs Order to Create a ‘Crypto Reserve’ The New York Times Source link #Bitcoin #Drops #Trump #Executive #Order #Disappoints #Market #Bloomberg Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Splitgate 2: Hands-On Impressions – There and Back Again | TNS Splitgate 2: Hands-On Impressions – There and Back Again | TNS TNS: After getting some hands-on time with Splitgate 2, my enthusiasm for this portal-shooting FPS has grown as much as the new multi-team maps. Source link #Splitgate #HandsOn #Impressions #TNS Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Mandurah house fire: Family ‘left with nothing’ as arson squad investigate Dudley Park house fire Mandurah house fire: Family ‘left with nothing’ as arson squad investigate Dudley Park house fire Residents inside the Dias Pass home managed to escape uninjured after the property caught fire about 6.40am on Friday. Source link #Mandurah #house #fire #Family #left #arson #squad #investigate #Dudley #Park #house #fire Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

This Samsung 144Hz gaming monitor is $400 off right now This Samsung 144Hz gaming monitor is $400 off right now You’re not getting the most out of your gaming PC if you’re stuck on an old display. If you still haven’t made an upgrade, now’s the perfect time to do so with this offer from Samsung monitor deals for the 43-inch Samsung Odyssey Neo G7 smart gaming monitor. From its original price of $1,000, it’s down to only $600 following a $400 discount. The bargain will only be available for a limited time, but we’re not sure until when, so we highly recommend completing your purchase for this gaming monitor as soon as possible. If you want to go even *******, consider this monitor’s big brother, the OLED Samsung G8, which currently has an incredible deal. Why you should buy the 43-inch Samsung Odyssey Neo G7 smart gaming monitor The 43-inch Samsung Odyssey Neo G7 smart gaming monitor is a step down from the Samsung Odyssey Neo G8 that’s featured in our list of the best gaming monitors, but it’s still a pretty solid screen for gamers — especially if you can get it with this discount. It also offers 4K Ultra HD resolution for sharp details and vivid colors, and Samsung’s Quantum Matrix technology for impressive brightness and contrast. It’s also a smart monitor, which means you can access streaming services directly on the device whenever you want to take a break from gaming. A monitor’s refresh rate is how often the images on the screen are updated, while its response time is how quickly image transitions are shown, as explained by our computer monitor buying guide. For the 43-inch Samsung Odyssey Neo G7 smart gaming monitor, it comes with a 144Hz refresh rate and a 1ms response time, which are excellent specifications for playing the best PC games as you’ll enjoy smooth and lag-free gameplay. You can get huge savings when buying from monitor deals if you’re patient enough to wait for amazing offers — like this one from Samsung for the 43-inch Samsung Odyssey Neo G7 smart gaming monitor. A $400 discount slashes its price from $1,000 to just $600, which is a steal when you consider the display’s features. We’re not sure when the price of the 43-inch Samsung Odyssey Neo G7 smart gaming monitor goes back to normal though, so you should hurry with your transaction if you want to secure the display before that happens. Source link #Samsung #144Hz #gaming #monitor Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

This Samsung 144Hz gaming monitor is $400 off right now This Samsung 144Hz gaming monitor is $400 off right now You’re not getting the most out of your gaming PC if you’re stuck on an old display. If you still haven’t made an upgrade, now’s the perfect time to do so with this offer from Samsung monitor deals for the 43-inch Samsung Odyssey Neo G7 smart gaming monitor. From its original price of $1,000, it’s down to only $600 following a $400 discount. The bargain will only be available for a limited time, but we’re not sure until when, so we highly recommend completing your purchase for this gaming monitor as soon as possible. If you want to go even *******, consider this monitor’s big brother, the OLED Samsung G8, which currently has an incredible deal. Why you should buy the 43-inch Samsung Odyssey Neo G7 smart gaming monitor The 43-inch Samsung Odyssey Neo G7 smart gaming monitor is a step down from the Samsung Odyssey Neo G8 that’s featured in our list of the best gaming monitors, but it’s still a pretty solid screen for gamers — especially if you can get it with this discount. It also offers 4K Ultra HD resolution for sharp details and vivid colors, and Samsung’s Quantum Matrix technology for impressive brightness and contrast. It’s also a smart monitor, which means you can access streaming services directly on the device whenever you want to take a break from gaming. A monitor’s refresh rate is how often the images on the screen are updated, while its response time is how quickly image transitions are shown, as explained by our computer monitor buying guide. For the 43-inch Samsung Odyssey Neo G7 smart gaming monitor, it comes with a 144Hz refresh rate and a 1ms response time, which are excellent specifications for playing the best PC games as you’ll enjoy smooth and lag-free gameplay. You can get huge savings when buying from monitor deals if you’re patient enough to wait for amazing offers — like this one from Samsung for the 43-inch Samsung Odyssey Neo G7 smart gaming monitor. A $400 discount slashes its price from $1,000 to just $600, which is a steal when you consider the display’s features. We’re not sure when the price of the 43-inch Samsung Odyssey Neo G7 smart gaming monitor goes back to normal though, so you should hurry with your transaction if you want to secure the display before that happens. Source link #Samsung #144Hz #gaming #monitor Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

This Surprising Drink Could Help Reduce Heart Disease Risk, According to Dietitians This Surprising Drink Could Help Reduce Heart Disease Risk, According to Dietitians Reviewed by Dietitian Kelli McGrane, M.S., RD Getty Images. EatingWell design. If you can’t start your day without a cup of coffee, you aren’t alone! Nearly 75% of U.S. adults drink at least one cup of coffee every day. Luckily, that cup of joe isn’t just giving you a much-needed energy boost—it might also help protect your heart. One study found that enjoying 3 cups of coffee, or 200 to 300 milligrams of caffeine, daily was associated with at least a 40% lower risk of developing multiple heart-related conditions. While more research is needed, this is potentially good news for coffee drinkers, when you consider that heart disease remains the No. 1 cause of death for both men and women in the U.S. Brew yourself a cup and read on to find out why coffee may be good for your heart. Why Coffee May Reduce Heart Disease Risk Coffee and heart disease have a complicated relationship history. Caffeine is a stimulant, meaning it revs your central nervous system and can increase your heart rate. Because of this, it’s long been thought to be bad for your heart. However, research tells a different story. Moderate coffee intake appears to actually be beneficial for heart health, especially when paired with a heart-healthy diet. It Can Help Lower Inflammation When you think of antioxidant-rich foods, coffee probably isn’t at the top of your list. Yet, your morning brew is actually packed with these anti-inflammatory compounds. “Coffee contains specific antioxidants like chlorogenic acids and caffeic acid, which are shown to help reduce inflammation in our bodies,” says ****** Konegni, a registered dietitian and owner of Radish Nutrition LLC. While some inflammation is necessary, lowering levels of chronic inflammation is important for overall heart health. What’s more, Lisa Andrews, M.Ed., RD, LD, says that coffee’s antioxidant content may also help protect against diabetes—another important risk factor for heart disease. It May Decrease Blood Pressure Ever get jittery after drinking coffee? Thanks to its caffeine content, coffee can temporarily increase your heart rate, making your heart feel like it’s racing. However, research shows that these short-lived increases don’t necessarily translate to chronically elevated blood pressure levels—especially in people who are regular coffee drinkers. One study found that adults who regularly enjoyed 3 to 4 cups of coffee daily had lower blood pressure levels compared to non-coffee drinkers or those who consumed more than 4 cups per day. Coffee’s high antioxidant content may be to thank for at least some of its blood pressure-lowering benefits. According to Konegni, antioxidants in coffee can “boost the elasticity of our blood vessels, which helps improve circulation and manage blood pressure where needed.” Still, keep in mind that only moderate coffee intake has been shown to be beneficial, and individual responses to caffeine may vary. It’s important to talk with a health care professional if you have concerns about how coffee could affect your blood pressure. It May Help You Stay Hydrated Coffee is commonly believed to be dehydrating, but that’s not necessarily the case. While the caffeine in coffee is a diuretic (meaning it encourages ****** output), the diuretic effect from the caffeine in a standard serving of coffee is mild—especially if you already have a tolerance for caffeine. Staying hydrated is important for heart health. Not only does being adequately hydrated reduce how hard your heart has to work to pump blood throughout your body, but being dehydrated might also increase blood pressure. While we don’t recommend relying solely on coffee to meet your hydration goals—that cup or two in the morning could get you a little closer. Other Ways to Reduce Your Risk While coffee may have benefits for your heart, preventing heart disease is dependent on other healthy habits, too. Eat More Seafood: Patricia Kolesa, M.S., RDN, founder of Dietitian Dish LLC, recommends eating more seafood, especially fish. In addition to being high in protein, fish is generally lower in saturated **** and rich in omega-3 fatty acids—essential fats that many adults don’t get enough of. “Focus on seafood varieties high in omega-3 fatty acids, like salmon, mackerel, sardines, anchovies and herring,” says Kolesa. “Omega 3s help with cell communication in the body, which can support a healthy heart.” The American Heart Association recommends eating at least two 3-ounce servings of fish per week. Get Adequate Sleep: Needing an extra cup (or two) of coffee to get through the day? It may be time to assess your sleep habits. Not only does adequate sleep ward off the 3 p.m. slump, but it’s also good for your heart. Fuel Up with Good Fats: “Most Americans do not consume enough heart-healthy fats, which is greatly beneficial in reducing risk of heart disease and inflammation,” says Konegni. She notes that foods like olive oil, nuts, seeds, fatty fish and avocado are good sources of healthy fats that can easily be incorporated throughout the day. Eat More Fiber: In addition to supporting gut health, fiber has also been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends eating 22 to 34 grams of fiber per day, depending on age and sex. To boost your fiber intake, Andrews recommends eating a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, beans and lentils. Stay Active: Like any other muscle in your body, regular exercise can make your heart stronger. The American Heart Association recommends aiming for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week. While it might sound like a lot, you can break down this goal into smaller, more approachable increments, like 20 minutes a day or two 10-minute sessions per day. Another benefit of moving more throughout the day? Regular physical activity can help lower stress levels, a key risk factor for heart disease. The Bottom Line Coffee drinkers, rejoice! Your favorite beverage for putting a pep in your step may also lower your risk of heart disease. The sweet spot for optimal benefits appears to be between 2 and 3 cups of coffee daily, ideally enjoyed in the morning versus the afternoon. Just try to keep sugary or high-**** creamers to a minimum. Of course, no one food—or beverage—can keep heart disease at bay. For optimal health, pair your morning brew with good sleep habits, regular physical activity and an overall heart-healthy diet. Read the original article on EATINGWELL Source link #Surprising #Drink #Reduce #Heart #Disease #Risk #Dietitians Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Treasury Secretary Bessent says there’s no Trump ‘put,’ but their policies should boost market Treasury Secretary Bessent says there’s no Trump ‘put,’ but their policies should boost market Investors looking for President Donald Trump to use policy to stop the stock market from falling are likely to be disappointed, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Friday. Though stocks initially popped when Trump was elected last November, the market has given up all of its gains since then. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is off about 2% since the inauguration in volatile trading that has seen markets surge and swoon depending on the headlines of the day. There’s been some talk of a “Trump put” in which the president might try to intervene to support the market, but Bessent rejected that notion during an interview on CNBC’s “Squawk Box.” “There’s no put,” he said. “The Trump call on the upside is, if we have good policies, then the markets will go up.” Puts and calls are terms used in the options market. A put gives the holder the option to buy at a predetermined level while a call allows the holder to sell at the level. In policy parlance, a put would imply that Trump would try to stop market selling at some point. During his first term in office, Trump watched the stock market closely and used it as a barometer to judge his economic performance. In recent days, Bessent has said the administration is looking less at stock prices and more at bond yields as a measure that inflation pressures are easing and the market outlook is better calibrated toward the administration’s views. The 10-year Treasury yield has plunged lately, down more than half a percentage point from its mid-January peak. “Did the Biden administration succeed? The American people weren’t buying it just because the market was up,” Bessent said. “They voted out the Democrats.” Don’t miss these insights from CNBC PRO Source link #Treasury #Secretary #Bessent #Trump #put #policies #boost #market Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Chipmakers fall post earnings despite topping estimates Chipmakers fall post earnings despite topping estimates Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang gives a keynote address at CES 2025, an annual consumer electronics trade show, in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. Jan. 6, 2025. Steve Marcus | Reuters More than two years into the generative artificial intelligence *****, Wall Street is setting an increasingly high bar for chipmakers. When it comes to earnings reports — most recently from Marvell Technology — good isn’t good enough. That’s because investors previously poured into the companies making the infrastructure and devices at the heart of the AI economy, bidding the stocks up to historically high levels. They’re demanding results. Marvell shares plummeted 20% on Thursday, their steepest slump since 2001, after guidance fell short of some elevated estimates. The company’s revenue forecast as well as its results for the latest quarter were all ahead of the average analyst estimate, according to LSEG, but Wall Street wanted more after the stock soared 83% in 2024. “While Marvell reported a small beat and raise, the guide was definitively below buyside expectations,” analysts at Cantor wrote in a report following the results. Nvidia suffered a similar fate in late February, with its stock dropping 8.5% the day after the leader in AI processors reported earnings and revenue that sailed past estimates. Shares of Advanced Micro Devices fell more than 6% earlier in February after beating expectations. The one troubling number for AMD was a miss in its data center business. Optical supplier Credo Technology plummeted 14% after earnings on Wednesday and another 10% during Thursday’s session despite triple-digit revenue growth and upbeat guidance. The VanEck Semiconductor ETF is down nearly 6% this week following last week’s 7% decline. The ETF, whose leading components are Nvidia, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. and Broadcom, soared 72% in 2023 and nearly 39% last year. The challenge on Wall Street for chipmakers underscores the pressure they’re under as the AI buildout stretches into its fourth calendar year. Tariffs from the Trump administration and chip export controls have added to investor concerns. However, not all companies in the space are getting the same treatment. Broadcom shares lost 6% during Thursday’s session in the lead-up to quarterly earnings, but the stock popped 12% after hours on better-than-expected results, including strong infrastructure and semiconductor revenue. Don’t miss these insights from CNBC PRO Source link #Chipmakers #fall #post #earnings #topping #estimates Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Pentagon DEI purge includes war heroes, historic military events among others: AP Pentagon DEI purge includes war heroes, historic military events among others: AP Washington — References to a World War II Medal of Honor recipient, the Enola Gay aircraft that dropped an atomic bomb on Japan and the first women to pass Marine infantry training are among the tens of thousands of photos and online posts marked for deletion as the Defense Department works to purge diversity, equity and inclusion content, according to a database obtained by The Associated Press. The database, which was confirmed by U.S. officials and published by AP, includes more than 26,000 images that have been flagged for removal across every military branch. But the eventual total could be much higher. One official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to provide details that have not been made public, said the purge could delete as many as 100,000 images or posts in total, when considering social media pages and other websites that are also being culled for DEI content. The official said it’s not clear if the database has been finalized. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had given the military until Wednesday to remove content that highlights diversity efforts in its ranks following President Trump’s executive order ending those programs across the federal government. The vast majority of the Pentagon purge targets women and minorities, including notable milestones made in the military. And it also removes a large number of posts that mention various commemorative months – such as those for ****** and Hispanic people and women. But a review of the database also underscores the confusion that has swirled among agencies about what to remove following Mr. Trump’s order. In some cases, photos seemed to be flagged for removal simply because their file included the word “gay,” including service members with that last name and an image of the B-29 aircraft Enola Gay, which dropped the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan, during World War II. Several photos of an Army Corps of Engineers dredging project in California were marked for deletion, apparently because a local engineer in the photo had the last name Gay. And a photo of Army Corps biologists was on the list, seemingly because it mentioned they were recording data about fish – including their weight, size, hatchery and gender. In addition, some photos of the Tuskegee Airmen, the nation’s first ****** military pilots who served in a segregated WWII unit, were listed on the database, but those may be protected due to historical content. The Air Force briefly removed new recruit training courses that included videos of the Tuskegee Airmen soon after the president’s order. That drew the White House’s ire over “malicious compliance,” and the Air Force quickly reversed the removal. Many of the images listed in the database already have been removed. Others were still visible Thursday, and it’s not clear if they will be taken down at some point or be allowed to stay, including images with historical significance such as those of the Tuskegee Airmen. Asked about the database, Pentagon spokesman John Ullyot said in a statement, “We are pleased by the rapid compliance across the Department with the directive removing DEI content from all platforms. In the rare cases that content is removed that is out of the clearly outlined scope of the directive, we instruct components accordingly.” He noted that Hegseth has declared that “DEI is dead” and that efforts to put one group ahead of another through DEI programs erodes camaraderie and threatens mission execution. In some cases, the removal was partial. The main page in a post titled “Women’s History Month: All-female crew supports warfighters” was removed. But at least one of the photos in that collection about an all-female C-17 crew could still be accessed. A shot from the Army Corps of Engineers titled “Engineering pioneer remembered during ****** History Month” was deleted. Other photos flagged in the database but still visible Thursday included images of the World War II Women Air Service Pilots and one of U.S. Air Force Col. Jeannie Leavitt, the country’s first female fighter pilot. Also still visible was an image of then-Pfc. Christina Fuentes Montenegro becoming one of the first three women to graduate from the Marine Corps’ Infantry Training Battalion and an image of Marine Corps World War II Medal of Honor recipient Pfc. Harold Gonsalves. It was unclear why some other images were removed, such as a Marine Corps photo titled “Deadlift contenders raise the bar pound by pound” or a National Guard website image called “Minnesota brothers reunite in Kuwait.” The database of the 26,000 images was created to conform with federal archival laws, so if the services are queried in the future, they can show how they are complying with the law, the U.S. official said. But it may be difficult to ensure the content was archived because the responsibility to ensure each image was preserved was the responsibility of each individual unit. In many cases, workers are taking screenshots of the pages marked for removal, but it would be difficult to restore them if that decision was made, according to another official, who like the others spoke on the condition of anonymity to provide additional details that were not public. A Marine Corps official said every one of its images in the database “either has been taken down or will be taken down.” The Marines are moving on the directive as fast as possible, but as with the rest of the military, very few civilian or contractor employees at the Pentagon can perform content removal, the official said. In the Marine Corps, just one defense civilian is available to do the work. The Marine Corps estimates that person has identified at least 10,000 images for removal – and that does not count more than 1,600 social media sites that have not yet been addressed. Many of those social media sites were military base or unit support groups created years ago and left idle. No one still has the administrative privileges to go in and change the content. The Marine official said the service is going through each site and getting new administrative privileges so it can make the changes. On Feb. 26, the Pentagon ordered all the military services to spend countless hours poring over years of website postings, photos, news articles and videos to remove any mentions that “promote diversity, equity and inclusion.” If they couldn’t do that by Wednesday, they were told to “temporarily remove from public display” all content published during the Biden administration’s four years in office. Source link #Pentagon #DEI #purge #includes #war #heroes #historic #military #events #among Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]