Pelican Press

Everything we know about Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 Everything we know about Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 Table of Contents Table of Contents Release date Platforms Trailers Gameplay Preorder After a long hiatus, the first signs of life in years for the Tony Hawk games came with 2020’s Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2. This remake of the first two skateboarding games not only brought the games to modern consoles with updated visuals, but also tightened up the controls and brought in mechanics from later games like reverts, spine transfers, and manuals. We all assumed that Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 was the next upcoming video game from the studio, only to learn the team was put on other projects and the game was canceled. Now, the game is back and grinding its way to a platform near you sooner than you might think. If you have time before GTA 6 and Borderlands 4 drop later this year, check out everything we know about Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4. Release date Activision Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 will kickflip into action on July 11, 2025. However, anyone who preorders either the Digital Deluxe or Collector’s Edition will get three days early access and can start playing on July 8. More details on preorders are below! Platforms Activision Yes, it is 2025 but Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 isn’t leaving out last-generation consoles. This title will be playable on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, and PC. It will also be included with Game Pass Ultimate on day one. Please enable Javascript to view this content Trailers The reveal trailer opens with the main man Tony Hawk skitching off a car to gain speed as Ace of Spades begins blaring. We cut to multiple shots of familiar and new settings as skaters grind, flip, and ride through the environments. We also get to see some fantastic comparisons of how this remake looks compared to the original game. We don’t see the new UI in Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4, but the lighting, models, and textures all blow the original out of the water. The trailer ends with a special look at a waterpark level before revealing the release date. What isn’t clear is if the structure of the games has changed. The third game used a more standard mission structure like the first two, while 4 let players explore levels without a time limit and talk to characters to get challenges and goals to complete. There is also a dedicated trailer for the Digital Deluxe edition that shows off the cosmetics you can get with this version. The most notable ones here are the Doom Slayer and Revenant characters, besides some other create-a-skater items. Gameplay Activision Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 is a skating game, so no surprises here. The series has always been far more arcade-y than other skate sims, and we see that will remain the case here. It will feature legacy maps, songs, and skaters, but we don’t know exactly what won’t be returning just yet. We would guess that all the tracks will be back, but perhaps not all the real skaters and licensed songs. We do have a list of confirmed skaters, but we are not sure if that is the full roster or if others are yet to be revealed or are being saved for us to discover in the game. Besides the new levels, there will also be some new tricks to pull off. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 will feature 8 player online multiplayer as well. Preorder Activision With this announcement, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 preorders have gone live. You can preorder the base game, Digital Deluxe edition, or Collector’s edition. Let’s break each of those down: Standard Edition – $50 The base game The Foundry Demo in June Wireframe Tony Shader Digital Deluxe – $70 Everything in the previous version Three days early access Doom Slayer and Revenant skater Unmaykr Hoverboard Bonus music Doom skate decks Doom create-a-skater apparel Collector’s Edition – $130 Everything in the Digital Deluxe Edition Full-size birdhouse skateboard deck with printed Tony Hawk autograph Source link #Tony #Hawks #Pro #Skater Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Hong Kong company to sell Panama Canal ports amid US pressure – BBC.com Hong Kong company to sell Panama Canal ports amid US pressure – BBC.com Hong Kong company to sell Panama Canal ports amid US pressure BBC.comUS firm agrees to buy Panama Canal ports at center of Trump fury CNNBlackRock Will Buy Panama Canal Ports from CK Hutchison The New York TimesAfter Trump threats, Hong Kong firm to sell stake in Panama Canal ports The Washington PostTourist Detained Indefinitely by ICE Despite Return Ticket The Daily Beast Source link #Hong #Kong #company #sell #Panama #Canal #ports #pressure #BBC.com Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Knights in Tight Spaces Review Ye Olde Tactics | Console Creatures Knights in Tight Spaces Review Ye Olde Tactics | Console Creatures Console Creatures writes Knights in Tight Spaces is fantastic, taking the formula created by its predecessor and building on it meaningfully. Source link #Knights #Tight #Spaces #Review #Olde #Tactics #Console #Creatures Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Breaking down possible ripple effects of Trump tariffs on consumers Breaking down possible ripple effects of Trump tariffs on consumers Breaking down possible ripple effects of Trump tariffs on consumers – CBS News Watch CBS News A brewing trade war is bound to have a ripple effect beyond just the stock market. Kelly O’Grady explains. Be the first to know Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not Now Turn On Source link #Breaking #ripple #effects #Trump #tariffs #consumers Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Toyota aims for consistent return on equity, finance executive says Toyota aims for consistent return on equity, finance executive says TOKYO (Reuters) – Toyota Motor is increasingly focusing on return on equity as a performance measure, talking internally about raising ROE to 20% as one guideline, a senior finance executive at the Japanese automaker said during an interview on Monday. While cautioning that ROE is not a perfect measure, the executive emphasised consistency over time-bound targets, adding that Toyota was not looking to formally commit to achieving a specific level by a certain date. “What’s important isn’t just reaching a certain percentage by a specific time, but maintaining it consistently,” said Masahiro Yamamoto, chief officer of Toyota’s Accounting Group. ROE is a ratio that measures a company’s profitability relative to its shareholders’ equity. Toyota’s ROE reached 15.6% for April-December 2024, in line with the 15.8% for the 2023 fiscal year. The metric has increased from 9.0% in fiscal 2022 and 11.5% in the financial year before that. Toyota has long been working to improve its profit margin by reducing the cost it takes to produce its vehicles, thereby lowering the break-even point for its consolidated sales volume. Speaking before the U.S. imposed 25% tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada on Tuesday, Yamamoto said Toyota – which has assembly plants in both targeted countries – would provide information about the impact of tariffs once it was able to. Last month, Toyota said a nearly $14 billion factory in North Carolina – its 11th U.S. manufacturing plant – was ready to begin production, with battery shipments for electrified vehicles including hybrids starting in April. (Reporting by Daniel Leussink; Editing by Christopher Cushing) Source link #Toyota #aims #consistent #return #equity #finance #executive Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Chimps and bonobos relieve social tension by rubbing their genitals Chimps and bonobos relieve social tension by rubbing their genitals Male chimpanzees sometimes make ******* contact in stressful times Jake Brooker/ Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage Trust Some chimpanzees seem to use ******* behaviour like ******** rubbing to manage stressful situations, which shows they aren’t as different from hypersexual bonobos – our other closest living ape relatives – or, indeed, people as we thought. Jake Brooker at Durham University, ***, and his colleagues have investigated the ******* behaviour of non-human primates at the Lola ya Bonobo Sanctuary in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage Trust in Zambia. Both sanctuaries include a mix of wild and captive-born apes that can roam and forage freely within them. The researchers observed 53 bonobos (Pan paniscus) across three groups at Lola ya Bonobo and 75 chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) across two groups at Chimfunshi in the course of feeding events that involved a swing distributing a limited supply of peanuts over a particular area. “Bonobos and chimpanzees both live in very complex social structures with very rich social interactions that they have to navigate on a daily basis,” says team member Zanna Clay, also at Durham University. Anticipating such feeding events can be stressful because of competition over who gets to the food first. The researchers observed 107 instances of ******** contact in the bonobos and 201 in the chimpanzees in the 5 minutes before 45 feeding events across the five groups. “This is either putting a hand or foot onto another primate’s anogenital region and it also might involve the genitals touching each other, like the ******** rubbing behaviour that bonobos are very famous for,” says Brooker. The study also revealed differences between the species: “We found the frequency of sex in these situations was more common in female bonobos with other females, whereas it was more common among males in chimps,” says Clay. That may be linked to the fact that bonobos live in matriarchal groups, while chimpanzees live in patriarchal ones, she says. “Using sex as a social tool to navigate all sorts of social problems has given bonobos a bit of a reputation as a sort of sexy, hippie ape,” says Clay. “This work shows us that the differences between the two species are maybe not as big as was previously assumed. Chimpanzees, although they’re known to be aggressive and violent, actually have a really rich repertoire of behaviours that they use to manage their social lives.” “Chimps have definitely drawn the PR short straw by comparison to bonobos,” says Matilda Brindle at the University of Oxford. The chimps use sex in a way that goes beyond reproduction and although it is different from sexuality in humans, we also don’t just have sex for reproduction, says Clay. For instance, stress reduction has been given as a reason people have sex. Kit Opie at the University of Bristol, ***, wonders whether the same level of behaviour would be seen in wild settings rather than sanctuaries. The work may also shed light on our last common ancestor, which lived some 5 million to 7 million years ago, before humans diverged from chimps and bonobos, he says. “Given that all three species use ******* behaviours to navigate social relationships, the common ancestor we share likely did too,” says Brindle. Topics: Source link #Chimps #bonobos #relieve #social #tension #rubbing #genitals Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Ubisoft Connect is down, locking players out of their games Ubisoft Connect is down, locking players out of their games Ubisoft’s online PC launcher, Ubisoft Connect, is currently experiencing connectivity issues that prevent players from accessing their games. The official Ubisoft Support team has acknowledged the issue but has not given a timeframe for when the service will be back online. We’re aware of issues affecting connectivity in multiple games and are working towards resolving this ASAP. — Ubisoft Support (@UbisoftSupport) March 4, 2025 Issues with Ubisoft Connect began earlier in the day shortly after Rainbow Six Siege underwent scheduled maintenance. When the servers came back online, many players were either unable to connect to the game at all or were stuck in limbo between rounds. Less than half an hour later, however, the issue became more widespread as Ubisoft Connect itself went down. This has resulted in players not being able to log in to their Ubisoft Connect accounts at all to access their library of games. The Ubisoft Support account on X released a statement stating that “We’re aware of issues affecting connectivity in multiple games and are working towards resolving this ASAP.” There is no word yet on when the servers will be back online, but updates should be posted on the official X account as they arrive. The issue appears to be stemming from the Ubisoft client itself rather than the games since users can still log in on the website. Some have even gone so far as to delete and reinstall Ubisoft Connect with no success. Please enable Javascript to view this content This outage comes just weeks after the PSN went down for nearly 24 hours in February, also locking players out of their game libraries. Being a digital-only platform, Ubisoft Connect being down means players cannot access any purchased games, regardless of whether or not they are online games. It isn’t likely that this outage will be as severe, but it is still a major inconvenience for players who invested in Ubisoft Connect and are now unable to play their games. Source link #Ubisoft #Connect #locking #players #games Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Tariffs trigger stock sell-off, possible price hikes Tariffs trigger stock sell-off, possible price hikes U.S. President Donald Trump takes a question from a reporter before boarding Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House on Feb. 28, 2025 in Washington, D.C. Andrew Harnik | Getty Images News | Getty Images U.S. President Donald Trump’s 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico, and an additional 10% on China, are officially in place, proving that he wasn’t brandishing them merely as a negotiating tactic, as many had thought — and hoped. Canada and China have since announced retaliatory tariffs, while Mexico said its response will come Sunday. Geopolitical trade and international relations may be fractured by the U.S., but it could be domestic consumers and the economy that hurt the most. Business leaders in shipping and retail — two industries that serve as bellwethers of the economy — expressed concerns that the tariffs could raise prices, even within days. Over in markets, investors were likewise spooked. All major U.S. benchmarks slumped. Gains made by the S&P 500 as it rode the victory wave of Trump’s victory on Election Day have now vanished. Tech stocks have been battered since Trump’s inauguration in January. The tax on imported goods from other countries is starting to look like one on stocks too. What you need to know today Compromise on tariffs?U.S. President Donald Trump’s 25% tariffs on goods imported from Canada and Mexico, as well as an additional 10% levy on China, kicked in midnight on Tuesday. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said Tuesday that Trump will “probably” announce tariff compromise deals with Canada and Mexico as soon as Wednesday. However, Lutnick appeared to rule out the possibility that Trump would lift the tariffs entirely. Price increases likely, businesses sayTrump’s tariffs could push up prices in days, business leaders said. “The short-term effect of any tariff clearly is inflation,” said Charles van der Steene, president of North America for shipping giant Maersk, while Target CEO Brian Cornell told CNBC on Tuesday “the consumer will likely see price increases over the next couple of days.” This is causing fears of “stagflation” in the U.S. economy, in which prices rise but growth slows. Markets slump on tariff fearsInvestors sold off U.S. stocks Tuesday, spooked by the tariffs’ effects on the economy. The S&P 500 lost 1.22%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 1.55% and the Nasdaq Composite retreated 0.35%. Europe’s Stoxx 600 index fell 2.14%, its biggest daily loss since August. The Stoxx 600 basket of automotive stocks — one of the sectors expected to be most affected by the new duties — fell 5.7%. ‘Trump bump’ election gains wiped outThe “Trump bump” in markets has disappeared. After tumbling on Tuesday, the S&P 500 closed at 5,778.15, below the 5,782.76 level on Election Day, Nov. 5. This means the index has lost its post-election gains. The Russell 2000 index of small caps, which jumped 5.84% on Nov. 6, is down about 8%. Meanwhile, technology stocks have slumped more than 7% since Trump took office in January. [PRO] Look to Europe for equity: analystsEurope is the place to be for equity investors, according to analysts who flagged rising valuations and political risk in the U.S. market as drawbacks when compared to Europe’s more stable geopolitical environment. Europe’s market and economy also offer several other advantages over that of the U.S. And finally… Tariffs, geopolitical uncertainty and economic concerns are influencing FX markets, analysts say. Peter Dazeley | Getty Images News | Getty Images These safe-haven currencies hold allure over the U.S. dollar amid Trump regime volatility, analysts say Geopolitical developments from just this month have seen U.S. tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China come into effect, U.S. President Donald Trump’s reported pause on military aid to Ukraine, softer economic data out of the U.S., and European leaders committing to ramp up defense spending. David Roche, a strategist at Quantum Strategy, said such events could see the greenback dethroned as the FX market’s safe haven. Jane Foley, head of FX strategy at Rabobank London, told CNBC via email on Tuesday that she was expecting the British pound and the Japanese yen to be winners in the current environment. Dominic Schnider, head of global FX and commodity at UBS Global Wealth Management, said “investors may shift more significantly toward higher-yielding currencies” such as the *********** dollar and British pound. Source link #Tariffs #trigger #stock #selloff #price #hikes Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Apple might launch a new Mac Studio, but there’s a surprising twist Apple might launch a new Mac Studio, but there’s a surprising twist Apple may soon release a new Mac Studio along with the new MacBook Airs, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman on X. This could set it apart from the Mac Pro, which is expected to skip M3 Ultra and jump straight to M4 Ultra. Gurman stated, “It’s not an ‘Air’ — but the new Mac Studio, codenamed J575, appears to be imminent. It could be announced as early as this week along with the new MacBook Airs. There are signs these will come with an M4 Max but that its new Ultra chip will actually be an M3 Ultra.” It’s not an “Air” — but the new Mac Studio, codenamed J575, appears to be imminent. It could be announced as early as this week along with the new MacBook Airs. There are signs these will come with an M4 Max but that its new Ultra chip will actually be an M3 Ultra. — Mark Gurman (@markgurman) March 4, 2025 While the Mac Studio is expected to include the M4 Max, Gurman suggests its Ultra chip will actually be an M3 Ultra. The M1 Ultra was released in 2022, and the M2 Ultra in 2023, so an M3 Ultra version is expected to arrive soon. Why the difference in processors? Gurman explains this by saying, “With an M3 Ultra going into the Mac Studio, Apple could differentiate from the Mac Pro, which could then get the M4 Ultra. Right now, the Mac Studio and Mac Pro oddly both have the M2 Ultra and same overall performance.” The anticipation grows for the upcoming release of the new Mac Studio and Mac Pro, which currently both use the M2 Ultra chip. Even if the Mac Studio got the M3 Ultra, it would still mean improved performance, but the latest model sounds more appealing. There is no official information on how many cores the M3 Ultra chip will have, but it will likely exceed the M2 Ultra’s 24-core CPU (16 performance, eight efficiency). Source link #Apple #launch #Mac #Studio #surprising #twist Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Registration for new Beta Program at PlayStation starts today Registration for new Beta Program at PlayStation starts today Be a part of delivering the very best experiences from PlayStation through the Beta Program at PlayStation. Source link #Registration #Beta #Program #PlayStation #starts #today Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Genetically altered mouse to pave way for resurrection of wolly mammoth? – Hindustan Times Genetically altered mouse to pave way for resurrection of wolly mammoth? – Hindustan Times Genetically altered mouse to pave way for resurrection of wolly mammoth? Hindustan TimesScientists created a ‘woolly mouse’ with mammoth traits. Is it a step toward bringing back the extinct giant? CNNMice experiment as step to create mammoth-like elephants BBC.com Source link #Genetically #altered #mouse #pave #resurrection #wolly #mammoth #Hindustan #Times Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

The hardest levels in video game history The hardest levels in video game history Table of Contents Table of Contents Alien “Auto”topsy part 3 The Dam level Tutorial Turbo Tunnel The Kid Mile-High Club Blighttown Sometimes an entire video game can be hard, othertimes there are hard bosses, but then there are games where there’s just one level that cranks up the challenge to unrealistic levels. It is natural for a game to get more difficult as you get further along, but sometimes that curve isn’t as smooth as it should be. Or, in some cases, the game decides to change up the gameplay for a level. Whatever the reason, some levels have stood the test of time as being way too difficult for their own good. Even in the cases where the levels are technically fair, they still demand a level of perfection from the player to be considered fun. Here are the hardest levels in video game history we hope to never play again. Alien “Auto”topsy part 3 Radical Entertainment It pains us to put a level from a game as great as The Simpsons Hit & Run on this list, but the final level just has every ingredient you need for a terrible level. The goal of this stage is to collect barrels of nuclear waste and deliver them to the UFO to blow it up. You’re in a fast but not very responsive car, which is made worse by the fact that if you collide with almost anything while carrying a barrel, it explodes and you have to start over. Oh, and how about putting the mission on a timer? Yeah, you have a time limit on everything in this level, adding stress that only makes crashing more likely. If you don’t know the ideal routes to take and get very lucky with traffic and controlling your car, it is next to impossible. This final level is the main reason most players have never beaten this otherwise amazing game. The Dam level Digital eclipse Even if you’ve never played it yourself, odds are you know about The Dam level from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles game for NES. We won’t pretend the other levels are easy, but they’re 2D beat-’em-up style stages that at least control well and are straightforward. The Dam is none of those things. You are forced to learn the new swimming controls in tight corridors where you can’t touch the sides, have to dodge electric traps, and have no map to find your way. And, you guessed it, this level is on a timer. Even just one of those things would make this level too hard, but forcing you to deal with all of them at once is just cruel. Tutorial Reflections Interactive Does a tutorial technically count as a level? In the case of Driver it does because this is the only part of the game a ton of players ever saw. A tutorial is meant to be the part of the game where you learn the controls and basic mechanics. Driver treats it like a final exam. You’re thrown into a parking garage with 60 seconds to pull off a set of driving maneuvers. You get no time to think, no explanation of the controls, much less how to do the things you’re being asked, and no way to skip it. If you can’t figure out how to do every objective before the time runs out, sorry, game over. Turbo Tunnel Rare Right up there with the Dam level, Battletoads‘ Turbo Tunnel might be the most infamous challenging level in video game history. That reputation is 100% earned as well. For those unaware, the first stages of Battletoads are brawlers where you fight enemies and do some basic platforming. That all changes when you hit the third level and are suddenly in an auto-scrolling hoverbike section. You need to move up and down or jump to avoid incoming walls, but the slippery controls and speed you’re moving at require almost clairvoyant levels of responses to succeed. The time between the warning of an upcoming wall and you smashing your face into it is mere seconds. Playing with a partner only makes it worse, too, since only one of you needs to die for the game to reset. The Kid Team Meat Even the easy stages of Super Meat Boy aren’t a walk in the park. The fact that the game hides its most challenging stages as secret levels is at least a small mercy for those who just want to beat the main game. The Kid is technically three levels, but you can take your pick on which is the most difficult. Each one boils down to navigating a maze of spikes with precisely one spot you can touch between them at key points. If you hold your jump too long, not long enough, or use your double jump at the wrong moment, it’s over. The first requires you to fall and climb through a spiked maze, the second ride elevators while dodging spikes, and the last sends waves of spikes at you as you try to rush through tunnels. These levels demand almost pixel-perfect execution, and many have poured hundreds of attempts into them without coming close to the end. Mile-High Club Activision This is technically an extra level to the original Modern Warfare 4, and is only notorious for how difficult it is on the Veteran difficulty level, but it still earns a spot on the list. This is, surprise, another timed mission where you need to raid an airplane full of enemies to try and rescue the VIP in time. The narrow aisles make avoiding damage impossible even if the timer weren’t so strict as to make pausing even for a few seconds an automatic loss. The only way to pass, especially on Veteran, is to know exactly where each enemy is, where to throw your flashbangs, and get very lucky on top of it all. Then, once you make it to the end, you have to nail that last shot to save the VIP or else start it all again. Blighttown FromSoftware Legends of Blighttown will be told for years. This isn’t just a poison swamp area but one of the cruelest levels in Souls history. Yes, there is poison all over, but you are navigating this level vertically on thin, spindly planks that wrap around and dead-end in a confusing layout. There’s only one bonfire around halfway down, but only if you happen to see it and are able to get to it before the mosquitoes or lizard people knock you off a ledge. Oh, and did we forget to mention the blowdart enemies that inflict Toxic – the most lethal status effect in the game? Source link #hardest #levels #video #game #history Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

AMD’s latest GPUs may have an unexpected motherboard problem AMD’s latest GPUs may have an unexpected motherboard problem Component companies are constantly upgrading their protocols and AMD is no different. The brand, known for its graphics cards, is transitioning its latest 9000 series GPUs to the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) firmware standard. This means shifting away from the pre-boot BIOS setup that has been the customary way of performing various system tasks for many years. PC World noted that many computer enthusiasts may believe that UEFI and pre-boot BIOS are interchangeable. However, AMD detailed in support documentation that it is moving forward with UEFI as its sole firmware standard for graphics cards including the Radeon RX 9070 and 9070 XT, for several reasons. These include improved security, interoperability for different interfaces, swift firmware updates, support for large hard drives, support for new PC hardware, Windows Secure Boot compatibility, as well as faster shutdown, startup, sleep, and resume times. Though AMD is secure in its decision, some PC users could find themselves in a sticky situation, especially if they are still running Windows 10 and have a computer with an older motherboard. PC World noted that most computers that are at least 10 years old should have motherboards that support UEFI. Even so, many Windows 10 users seem content to ride the legacy OS support wave until well after October 14, 2025, when Microsoft is set to end support for the system. Get your weekly teardown of the tech behind PC gaming The publication noted that stats conducted by the gaming platform Steam indicate over 40% of users are operating PCs running Windows 10, which could put them at risk of having their computer hardware incompatible with Windows 11. There’s no way of testing whether a PC motherboard is up to standard with UEFI or is BIOS per Steam’s statistics. This may be AMD’s effort to help promote the push to Windows 11. However, the publications noted that users can employ a workaround by upgrading their PC motherboards and continuing to run Windows 10. However, down-with-the-ship users can expect more efforts to urge them to abandon the legacy software. Notably, Microsoft has indicated that it plans to charge a fee for Extended Security Updates (ESU) to those who maintain Windows 10 beyond the end-of-service date. Source link #AMDs #latest #GPUs #unexpected #motherboard #problem Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

China sticks to growth target, defying tariff pressure China sticks to growth target, defying tariff pressure China has kept its economic growth target for this year unchanged at roughly 5 per cent, committing more fiscal resources than last year to fend off deflationary pressures and mitigate the impact of rising US trade tariffs. The target was included in a government document prepared for the annual meeting of the National People’s Congress (NPC), China’s rubber-stamp parliament. Premier Li Qiang will deliver a speech at the NPC later on Wednesday, detailing China’s policies for the rest of the year. An escalating trade war with US President Donald Trump’s administration is threatening to crimp China’s economic jewel, its sprawling industrial complex, at a time when persistently sluggish household demand and the unravelling of the debt-laden property sector are leaving the economy increasingly vulnerable. Trump has also dangled tariffs at a long list of countries, including some which would consider themselves staunch US allies, threatening a decades-old global trade order that Beijing has built its economic model around. Pressure has been building on ******** officials to introduce policies that put more money into consumers’ pockets and reduce the world’s second-largest economy’s reliance on exports and investment for growth. China also aims for a budget deficit of 4 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2025, up from 3 per cent in 2024, showed the report, which promised a “special action plan” to stimulate consumption. Beijing plans to issue 1.3 trillion yuan ($A286 billion) in special treasury bonds this year, up from 1 trillion in 2024. Local governments will be allowed to issue 4.4 trillion yuan in special debt, up from 3.9 trillion. From the central government’s special debt funds, 300 billion yuan will support a recently-expanded consumer subsidy scheme for electric vehicles, appliances and other goods. Economists have been urging Beijing to engineer a long-term restructuring of resource allocation in the economy with more profound measures that reimagine its taxation, land and financial systems to weave a stronger social safety net. Beijing also plans to use 500 billion yuan of the special debt funds to re-capitalise major state banks and 200 billion yuan on supporting manufacturing equipment upgrades. China’s 5 per cent growth rate last year, which the government only reached with a late stimulus push, was among the world’s fastest, but it was hardly felt at street level. While China runs a trillion dollar annual trade surplus, many of its people are complaining of unstable jobs and incomes as their employers cut prices – and business costs – to stay competitive in external markets. ******** producers, facing weak demand at home and harsher conditions in the United States, where they sell more than $US400 billion ($A638 billion) worth of goods annually, have no choice but to rush to alternative export markets all at the same time. They fear this would intensify price wars, squeeze their profitability, and raise the risk that politicians in those new markets will feel compelled to ****** higher trade barriers against ******** goods to protect domestic industries. Since Trump took office in January, his administration has so far added an extra 20 percentage points on existing import tariffs for ******** goods, with the latest 10-point increment having kicked in on Tuesday. China on Tuesday retaliated against the fresh US tariffs. Source link #China #sticks #growth #target #defying #tariff #pressure Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

OPM revises probationary employees guidance, says it was not directing agencies to fire feds – Federal News Network OPM revises probationary employees guidance, says it was not directing agencies to fire feds – Federal News Network OPM revises probationary employees guidance, says it was not directing agencies to fire feds Federal News NetworkGovernment watchdog wants thousands of federal workers to be reinstated The Associated Press Source link #OPM #revises #probationary #employees #guidance #directing #agencies #fire #feds #Federal #News #Network Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Ukraine ready to make a deal after Trump pauses U.S. aid Ukraine ready to make a deal after Trump pauses U.S. aid Ukraine ready to make a deal after Trump pauses U.S. aid – CBS News Watch CBS News Ukrainian President Zelenskyy says he regrets his Oval Office argument with President Trump and wants to make things right. It came hours after President Trump turned up the pressure on Zelenskyy to make peace with Russia by cutting off U.S. military aid. Imtiaz Tyab has details. Be the first to know Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not Now Turn On Source link #Ukraine #ready #deal #Trump #pauses #U.S #aid Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

‘I never had music for ****** girls’ ‘I never had music for ****** girls’ Riyah Collins BBC Newsbeat Reuben Bastienne “I just wanna talk about girls.” Cat Burns couldn’t be clearer about what’s on her mind in her new track. Called – you guessed it – Girls! she says it marks a shift from her more “serious” records and is her shot at writing music she didn’t have access to growing up. “I feel like I never had a song like that for me,” she says. “Especially for all the ****** girls.” She says she’s leaning into a new era where she feels increasingly confident celebrating her sexuality. The singer, 24, has enjoyed in meteoric rise in the past few years. Her single Go, first released in 2020, became a viral hit on TikTok in 2023 – rising to number 2 in the charts, and propelling Burns on to a Brits Critics’ Choice award nomination later that year. She tells BBC Newsbeat having songs like that is “super important”, especially growing up and figuring out who you are. “It’s nice to know that people like you exist and exist freely,” she says. “And I think the ‘fun-ness’ of the song can show people who aren’t lesbian or ****** or *** or whatever that we are just normal human beings who like just so happen to like the same sex.” Reuben Bastienne In the past year, the charts have been dominated more than once by ****** women writing openly about gay relationships. Chappell Roan’s Good Luck, *****! tells the story of being in love with a woman struggling to come to terms with their sexuality and spent 16 weeks in the *** top 10. And after Billie Eilish claimed she was “outed” by Variety magazine in 2023, she followed up with her album Hit Me Hard and Soft, including the single Lunch which explored her desire for women. Billboard described the track, which peaked at number two in the *** chart, as “a glorious ****** awakening”. Before that though, there’s been slim pickings for mainstream pop songs that celebrate authentic lesbian relationships. Take, for example, Katy Perry’s 2008 debut I Kissed A Girl. It’s “a brilliant pop song”, Cat says, but doesn’t go any deeper than the first stage of exploring sexuality. “I think it’s always good when we make room and allow space for lesbian and ****** artists to to speak about it whilst we’re further into our journey,” she says. “Where it’s less curiosity and trying… and it’s and it’s more like: ‘No, I’m into it now and really delving to my experience as a ****** woman’.” ‘We’re not a monolith’ And the more voices that add to that, the better, Cat says. “The more representation and more space for different types of ****** artist, it can just help paint a more vivid picture of what the community’s actually like and who exists within that community. “Having people like Reneé Rapp and Chappell Roan and, hopefully, someone like myself, we’re starting to show people that we’re not a monolith and we vary across the spectrum.” Cat, who’s previously spoken about her ADHD and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnoses, says she “falls into so many different groups” and wants to celebrate differences. “I just want to continue to show people that we’re just not all one way,” she says. “What you know of something might not always be true.” As for why it seems more artists are getting comfortable writing about their sexuality, Cat credits social media as well as other artists that have gone before. “Social media has allowed more ****** artists to be ****** loudly,” she says. “Safety-wise, before it was harder. There’s so many icons that have paved the way. “I’m really happy that I was able to make a song like Girls!, for it to be received the way it has been and for me to be so able to be open about what it’s about.” With more artists loudly celebrating the LGBT community, Cat says the fan base now has the opportunity to be loud back in their support. “The LGBTQ + community, we’re a very hard fan base,” she says. “We love our favourite artists down and will do forever. “We champion and love loads of straight artists, which is great. “Bur I think it’s nice that, in the last five to 10 years, we’re now getting ****** artists being able to be championed and loved by our own community.” Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays – or listen back here. Source link #music #****** #girls Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Equity markets grind lower amid tariff uncertainty Equity markets grind lower amid tariff uncertainty A trade war between the US and its biggest trading partners has begun, sending jitters through markets as impacts and retaliatory measures unfold. Source link #Equity #markets #grind #tariff #uncertainty Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Wednesday’s big stock stories: What’s likely to move the market in the next trading session Wednesday’s big stock stories: What’s likely to move the market in the next trading session The major averages slid for a second consecutive day as President Trump’s tariffs on Canada and Mexico went into effect. Here’s what CNBC is watching Wednesday. Source link #Wednesdays #big #stock #stories #Whats #move #market #trading #session Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Federal investigation into O’Keefe’s death is officially over Federal investigation into O’Keefe’s death is officially over The federal investigation of Karen Read, and John O’Keefe’s death is officially over. A federal investigation into the state’s handling of the Read investigation has concluded, said special prosecutor Hank Brennan during a hearing Tuesday that is part of pre-trial motions before Read’s second trial. No federal charges have been filed stemming from the investigation. Read, a Mansfield woman, is accused of killing her Boston police officer boyfriend, Braintree native O’Keefe, in 2022. Brennan said prosecutors were notified by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Massachusetts that the federal investigation into O’Keefe’s death has ended and they could inform the court of such. “It is closed. It is over,” he said. Brennan shared that information while arguing that the defense should be sanctioned for misrepresenting the status of the investigation during a February hearing. Federal authorities have never commented publicly on the investigation and attorneys were not permitted to discuss it during Read’s first trial. Karen Read case: Will prosecutors be allowed to bring in their dog bite witness? What happened in Karen Read’s first trial Prosecutors called more than 65 witnesses in testimony of the first trial that started April 29, 2024. The defense’s list of witnesses was much shorter. Read did not testify in her own defense. Cannone declared a mistrial in the case in July after jurors returned multiple times stating they could not reach a verdict. This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Karen Read federal investigation: ‘It is closed. It is over.’ Source link #Federal #investigation #OKeefes #death #officially Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Government watchdog wants thousands of federal workers to be reinstated – The Associated Press Government watchdog wants thousands of federal workers to be reinstated – The Associated Press Government watchdog wants thousands of federal workers to be reinstated The Associated PressWhite House now says firing probationary workers up to agencies Axios Source link #Government #watchdog #thousands #federal #workers #reinstated #Press Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump’s cuts to foreign food aid are affecting U.S. farmers, rural economies Trump’s cuts to foreign food aid are affecting U.S. farmers, rural economies Trump’s cuts to foreign food aid are affecting U.S. farmers, rural economies – CBS News Watch CBS News President Trump’s policies in the early days of his second term are creating uncertainty across the country. Cuts he’s making in foreign food aid could have a major impact in America’s heartland, where much of the food is grown. Nikole Killion and Skyler Henry report. Be the first to know Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not Now Turn On Source link #Trumps #cuts #foreign #food #aid #affecting #U.S #farmers #rural #economies Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘Vance’s slur’ and ‘Entry level hosting’ ‘Vance’s slur’ and ‘Entry level hosting’ The Daily Star decries remarks by US Vice-President JD Vance about a potential peacekeeping force in Ukraine. The US politician said a stake in Ukraine’s economy was a “better security guarantee than 20,000 troops from some random country that hasn’t fought a war in 30 or 40 years”. Both the *** and France have said they would be willing to put troops on the ground. The paper calls Vance’s remarks a “vile slur on Brit heroes”, but he has insisted he did not “even mention the *** or France”. The fallout from Vance’s remarks is also seized upon by the Daily Express, which says veterans have branded the vice-president a “clown”. It says they have accused Vance of “dishonouring the 636 British heroes who lost their lives fighting alongside the US in Iraq and Afghanistan”. The Daily Mirror headline says Vance “pours scorn on the heroes of our armed forces”, noting the remarks came as plans for Britain’s VE Day celebrations were unveiled. “Disgrace,” it pronounces. US President Donald Trump’s tariffs have sparked fears of “serious damage to the global economy”, the Financial Times reports. It says markets fell sharply after the 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico came into effect, with the US also imposing an extra 10% levy on goods from China. The Daily Telegraph says Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has made an 11th-hour attempt to “make things right” with Trump after their Oval Office row on Friday. *** Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer helped the Ukrainian president “******** his pride”, it says. Elsewhere on its front, King Charles III is pictured perched on a seat on a Royal Navy warship – becoming the first monarch to visit such a vessel at sea in almost 40 years. The *** is “scrambling” to save a Ukraine peace deal as “Zelensky grovels to Trump”, the I paper writes. It says Ukraine’s president has offered an olive branch to Trump, insisting he wants a rapid truce. It also includes a segment on the creation of a woolly mouse, which it calls the “first step to genetically engineering mammoth-like elephants”. Zelensky’s proposed peace plan to end the war in Ukraine leads the Guardian. It quotes him as saying he is “ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible” and work under Trump’s “strong leadership”. The paper also carries a report which found 9% of women who died at the hands of men in the *** over the past 15 years were killed by their sons. The Daily Mail also picks up on Zelensky’s “olive branch”. It says he described the White House clash with Trump as “regrettable” and said he “really valued” the US’s support. The paper, along with several others, runs a photograph of the Duchess of Sussex. Her TV rebrand is critiqued as “Entry level hosting for people who need a recipe for ice cubes”. Britain is “pressing” Trump to reverse his decision to suspend arms shipments to Ukraine, the Times reports. It says Zelensky has expressed his gratitude to the US in a “carefully worded statement” and indicated he was ready to sign a mineral rights deal with the country. Football pundit Jermaine Jenas and his wife Ellie Penfold have split up after a 16-year relationship, the Sun reports. She said on Instagram the couple had decided to “part ways”. It comes months after Jenas, who presented The One Show and appeared on Match of the Day for the BBC, was sacked by the corporation following complaints about workplace conduct. Source link #Vances #slur #Entry #level #hosting Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

*********** economy grows by 1.3 per cent year-on-year, national accounts data reveals *********** economy grows by 1.3 per cent year-on-year, national accounts data reveals Australia’s economy is strengthening, with a key metric rising for the first time in nearly two years, fresh figures show. Source link #*********** #economy #grows #cent #yearonyear #national #accounts #data #reveals Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Analysis-Starbucks’s China comeback relies on right partner, brewing back the vibe Analysis-Starbucks’s China comeback relies on right partner, brewing back the vibe By Casey Hall SHANGHAI (Reuters) – As Starbucks tries to revive its faltering business in China, analysts say strategic partnerships and returning to its roots as a place where customers come for a coffee “experience” offer the best bet to beat intense competition and deflationary woes. The coffee giant is already under pressure globally with declining sales and earnings, but problems in its second-biggest market after the U.S. have been compounded by a weakened economy and consumers unwilling to spend amid a prolonged confidence-shattering property market downturn. That has seen Starbucks lose its market leader crown in China to local chain Luckin – its domestic revenue surpassed that of its U.S. rival in 2023. Others such as Cotti and even KFC’s K Coffee have also grown quickly, offering prices less than Starbucks’ 27 yuan ($3.70) Americanos in China as part of a bruising price war that analysts say the U.S. company should resist entering. Instead, Yaling Jiang, founder of research and strategy consultancy ApertureChina, and others say a strategic partnership provides the strongest chance of Starbucks brewing its way back to success in the world’s second-biggest economy. “The best case scenario is that they can find a team like Centurium Capital behind Luckin Coffee,” Jiang said. “When the top decisions are made locally, they may be able to match consumers’ expectations better at China speed.” Jason Yu, general manager at CTR Market Research, concurred, noting that a good local partner could provide “some advantages in real estate, government relations and land.” That path is already in Starbucks’ sight. In November it said that it was exploring a strategic partnership in China, possibly following in the footsteps of McDonald’s which sold a majority stake in its China and Hong Kong operations to investors including Citic, a tie-up that has largely been seen as successful. Reuters reported last week that KKR & Co, Fountainvest Partners and PAG are among buyout firms interested in acquiring a stake in Starbucks’ China business, with ******** companies, including state-owned conglomerate China Resources Holdings and food delivery giant Meituan also in the mix. The company declined to comment for this story. TURNAROUND For Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol, who took the top job at the coffee chain in August, a successful turnaround in China would no doubt provide strong impetus in revitalising its depressed global business. The coffee chain’s revenue slumped sharply in the latest quarter, and the company announced 1,100 job cuts as it revamps operations to shore up weak sales which in China alone fell for the fourth straight quarter. Its net revenue in China was around $3 billion in fiscal year 2024, accounting for one-fifth of global revenues. Story Continues Starbucks’s market share in China has declined from 34% in 2019 to 14% in 2024, according to data from Euromonitor International, a market research provider. It’s a precipitous fall for the U.S. company, whose entry into China in 1999 opened the door to coffee culture in a predominantly tea-drinking nation. “If Starbucks doesn’t make any strategic changes, in five years, they’ll be even less relevant and won’t even be considered a contender for the number one spot in China,” Jiang said. Those changes, analysts say, must include the Seattle-based company stepping up product innovation and shoring up its traditional strength of being the coffee chain of choice for customers to meet and spend time. Luckin now has over 20,000 franchise stores across China, well ahead of the 7,596 stores operated by Starbucks, but its focus is take-away and delivery. BACK TO BASICS Getting back to being a “people business that serves coffee” rather than a coffee business that serves people helps engender goodwill, said Jessica Gleeson, a former Starbucks China executive who now advises global businesses on the China market. “So mobile ordering 100% makes sense, delivery 100% makes sense,” Gleeson added, but “Starbucks needs to regain focus on playing its own game” rather than trying to compete with Luckin’s transactional business model of providing cheaper coffee to customers. That aligns with Niccol’s “Back to Starbucks” plan, which in large part is an effort to return to the coffee chain’s roots as a place to commune, relax and enjoy coffee; the condiment bars, which were ditched during the pandemic, are back and baristas will return to hand-writing customers’ names on their cups using Sharpies. The global revival drive also includes rolling out a simpler menu, ceramic cups, refills and cutting wait times at the cafes to under four minutes. In China, rather than simplifying the menu, Starbucks’s problems are often blamed on a lack of product innovation and “newness”, with tea still a big draw for consumers. It has made efforts in recent months to increase the number of China-centric drinks with flavour profiles favoured by local consumers. A positive change Gleeson and Jiang attribute in large part to Molly Liu, former head of Starbucks China’s digital division, taking the reins of the China business last September. Right now, the chain’s limited time offers include a 36 yuan Jasmine tea mousse cake and a white peach frappuccino priced from 38 yuan. However, Zak Dychtwald, founder of Shanghai-based consultancy Young China Group, says more needs to be done. “That’s not leading the market, that’s barely keeping up with it,” he said, adding that Starbucks should introduce new products into the market more quickly. In the longer term, however, the rise of Luckin could even turn out to be positive for Starbucks, Gleeson said. “I think Starbucks should say, ‘They have 20,000 locations, good for them’… And thank them for creating all these new transactional coffee drinkers, because that increases the size of the future experiential coffee market.” ($1 = 7.2899 ******** yuan renminbi) (Reporting by Casey Hall; Editing by Brenda Goh and Shri Navaratnam) Source link #AnalysisStarbuckss #China #comeback #relies #partner #brewing #vibe Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]