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New Research Reveals Mars’ Red Colour Linked to Ancient Water Presence New Research Reveals Mars’ Red Colour Linked to Ancient Water Presence Mars has long been recognised for its striking red hue, a defining characteristic that has earned it the title of the ‘Red Planet.’ For years, the prevailing explanation pointed to iron oxide—commonly known as rust—forming in the planet’s dust. This process, scientists believed, took place over billions of years as iron minerals were ground down and distributed by Martian winds. New findings now indicate that Mars’ red colour may hold deeper implications, particularly in understanding the role of water in shaping the planet’s history. New Findings on Martian Dust According to a study published in Nature, researchers attempted to recreate Martian dust by using various types of iron oxides in laboratory settings. The team, led by Adomas Valantinas, a postdoctoral researcher at Brown University, analysed the dust using techniques employed by orbiting spacecraft. As per reports, their research revealed that the best match for Mars’ distinctive dust is a combination of basaltic volcanic rock and ferrihydrite, an iron oxide that forms in water-rich environments. Water’s Role in Mars’ Red Colour As per data collected from NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter and ground observations from rovers such as Curiosity, Pathfinder, and Opportunity, the presence of ferrihydrite suggests that Mars’ rusting process occurred earlier than previously believed. Ferrihydrite remains stable in the planet’s current conditions, indicating that its formation took place during a ******* when liquid water was still present on the surface. Implications for Future Research As per reports, Colin Wilson, project scientist for the European Space Agency’s Trace Gas Orbiter and Mars Express, has stated that upcoming missions, including ESA’s Rosalind Franklin rover and the NASA-ESA Mars Sample Return, are expected to provide further insights. Samples collected by NASA’s Perseverance rover may allow for precise measurements of ferrihydrite content, offering a clearer picture of Mars’ climate history and the possibility of past life on the planet. For details of the latest launches and news from Samsung, Xiaomi, Realme, OnePlus, Oppo and other companies at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, visit our MWC 2025 hub. Source link #Research #Reveals #Mars #Red #Colour #Linked #Ancient #Water #Presence Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘Parent-Free Zones’? US Court Rules School Had Right to Hide Child’s Gender Identity from Parents ‘Parent-Free Zones’? US Court Rules School Had Right to Hide Child’s Gender Identity from Parents Massachusetts parents of a middle school student are hoping to take their case against their child’s school district to the U.S. Supreme Court. That comes after a federal court ruled they do not have a constitutional right to be informed that their daughter changed her gender identity and name while at school. The court essentially ruled that her school had a right to hide that information from the parents. The 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a lower court’s decision to dismiss a lawsuit by parents, Stephen Foote and Marissa Silvestri, who challenged the Baird Middle School’s policy of concealing a child’s gender identity and other information from them. The parents had written the school and told them their daughter was gender-confused and under professional care and that no one was to communicate with her about it, the Daily Signal reports. However, the child told school officials that she considered herself “genderqueer” and said she did not want her parents to know about it. According to the lawsuit, teachers and other school employees began referring to the 11-year-old girl by a different name and gender identity of the child’s choosing at school. Meanwhile, they used the child’s given name and gender identity when communicating with the parents. They also asked the young girl if her parents were providing her with “appropriate care,” and if she was comfortable discussing issues with the counselor chosen by her parents. Much of these conversations took place by text, behind closed doors, and in online chat rooms without her parents’ consent. The parents filed a federal lawsuit in 2022 against the school alleging that the school violated their due process rights under the U.S. Constitution’s 14th Amendment. A three-judge panel ruled last week that while parents have a fundamental right to be informed about significant aspects of their child’s life and direct them, those rights are limited. It added that the nondisclosure policy adopted by the Ludlow School Committee did “not restrict parental rights in a way courts have recognized as a violation of the guarantees of substantive due process.” “As per our understanding of Supreme Court precedent, our pluralistic society assigns those curricular and administrative decisions to the expertise of school officials, charged with the responsibility of educating children,” the panel wrote. Vernadette Ramirez Broyles, president and General Counsel for the Child & Parental Rights Campaign, represented the parents in this case. She is considering asking the Supreme Court to intervene because the 1st Circuit Court “wrongly apprehended the fundamental parental right at issue.” “Effectively, parents are losing the ability to direct the upbringing of their child, if they choose to send their children to schools they pay for with their taxes,” she said. “That cannot possibly be the standard for the children of the 1st Circuit. We must petition the United States Supreme Court to reverse this.” Sarah Parshall Perry, a senior legal fellow with the Heritage Foundation, says the court “got much of the legal analysis right until the very end of its opinion, when things went very, very wrong.” “The court accurately determined that school confidentiality policies function like exercises of ‘legislative’ (rather than ‘executive’) governmental authority,” she explained. “By (correctly) determining that the policy was ‘legislative’ in nature, the court noted that the parents had to show that the government school had interfered with a ‘fundamental right’: here, the right to direct the care, upbringing, health, and education of their minor child. This, too, was the correct analysis.” However, the court determined that the school did not infringe on their parental rights because the gender nondisclosure policy was administrative in nature. “In other words, the parents’ right to direct the upbringing of their child and direct government officials to respect their right to take care of their child’s mental and emotional health was akin to, to school officials, a dress code or some other purely administrative rule,” Perry explained. She added, “In this jaw-droppingly cavalier discourse, the court seems to be saying: Public schools are parent-free zones. And by the way, maybe you should just pay closer attention to what your child is doing.” How It All Began According to the lawsuit, this all began in the 2020-21 school year, when the school’s librarian gave sixth-grade students an assignment to create biographic videos about themselves. Students were told they needed to include their pronouns in their video. In the months that followed, the student’s school Google account started receiving “unsolicited LGBTQ-themed video suggestions” on her school-issued computer. After watching the clips, the student began to question whether she “might be attracted to girls” and whether she “has ‘gender identity’ issues.” Shortly afterward, the student sent an email to teachers and officials telling them that she was “genderqueer” and announced a name change. She also told them she was comfortable being addressed by pronouns “she/her he/him they/them fa/faerae/aer ve/ver xe/xem ze/zir,” but not “it/its.” “I am telling you this because I feel like I can trust you,” the email said. “I have added a link so you can look at how to say them. Please only use the ones I have listed and not the other ones. I do not like them. Thank you.” Following that email, teachers began calling the student by her chosen name, the school librarian, who identifies as “non-binary,” reportedly spoke to the student about her gender identity in a one-on-one meeting and provided her with LGBT materials. Additionally, the school counselor asked her privately which bathroom she preferred to use. The 11-year-old’s parents only learned about what was taking place at the school after a teacher inadvertently slipped up and told the parents she was being called a different name while at school. ***Please sign up for CBN Newsletters and download the CBN News app to ensure you keep receiving the latest news.*** Source link #ParentFree #Zones #Court #Rules #School #Hide #Childs #Gender #Identity #Parents Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Samsung Galaxy S25 series phones are on ***** for record-low prices Samsung Galaxy S25 series phones are on ***** for record-low prices Samsung Galaxy S25 smartphones are on ***** for record-low prices, making this a great time to upgrade. The standard S25 , which is a discount of $100. The slightly-beefier S25+ instead of $1,000. Finally, the S25 Ultra from $1,300. All of these deals are available via Amazon. This is Samsung’s latest and greatest smartphone line, having just released back in January. We appreciated the base S25 , calling out the solid build quality and incredible battery life. The processor is also noticeably more powerful than This makes the whole Gemini AI experience smoother, if that’s something you’re into. SAMSUNG The camera system is fantastic, though virtually unchanged from the S24. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as Samsung phones offer a top-tier experience for shutterbugs. The S25 and its cousins are tangibly thinner, which is nice, and the 2X AMOLED screen is plenty bright, at 2,600 nits. The S25 Ultra is pricier, but did make our list of the . The 6.9-inch screen is glorious, with an anti-reflective Gorilla Armor 2 panel, and the new 50MP ultra-wide camera sensor is useful. It does have some extra horsepower, but it seems to be used primarily . If you want the speediest AI around, go for the Ultra. If you just want a great smartphone, consider the S25 or the S25+. Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice. Source link #Samsung #Galaxy #S25 #series #phones #***** #recordlow #prices Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Tim Cook just teased the M4 MacBook Air, and it’s coming this week Tim Cook just teased the M4 MacBook Air, and it’s coming this week Apple CEO Tim Cook just posted a teaser to X with the caption “This week.” and a six-second video showing the words “There’s something in the AIR.” We’ve been expecting the M4 MacBook Air announcement for a couple of weeks now, and with the iPhone 16e reveal out of the way, it looks like this is the week. This week. pic.twitter.com/uXqQaGNkSk — Tim Cook (@tim_cook) March 3, 2025 This announcement is right on time, coming in the same month as the M3 MacBook Air did last year. We’ve also known the device was coming since December when the macOS Sequoia 15.2 update accidentally referenced two 2025 MacBook Air models. Industry experts such as Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman aren’t expecting any major upgrades or design changes this time — which is becoming a rather common pattern with MacBooks in recent years. This also means we’re expecting two models in the same sizes as last year: 13.6-inch and 15.3-inch. There have been rumors reported by 9to5Mac that the M4 MacBook Air will be able to run two external displays as well as its own — so we’ll finally find out if this is true or not. As for the chip, the standard MacBook Air practice is to only offer the base chip (no Pro, Max, or Ultra) because the product is aimed at consumers with light workloads and a lower budget. All in all, we’re not expecting any surprises with this announcement. M3 MacBook Air owners likely won’t feel the need to upgrade, though M2 or M1 owners might. I am an M2 Air user myself, so I’ll be waiting to see whether they can tempt me or not. Source link #Tim #Cook #teased #MacBook #Air #coming #week Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

NASA’s IM-2 Mission Brings Ice Mining, Mobile Robots, and More on Moon NASA’s IM-2 Mission Brings Ice Mining, Mobile Robots, and More on Moon NASA is preparing to send advanced technologies to the Moon through Intuitive Machines’ second lunar delivery under the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative. The mission, part of the Artemis programme, aims to establish a sustainable human presence on the Moon. A range of scientific instruments and communication systems will be tested on the lunar surface. The launch window for Intuitive Machines’ second CLPS mission, IM-2, is scheduled to open on 26 February from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. The Nova-C class lander will carry key technology payloads, including a drill, mass spectrometer, a cellular network, and a drone for terrain exploration. Lunar South Pole Exploration As reported, the landing site for IM-2 has been selected based on data from NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. Located in the South Pole region, the site offers a relatively flat terrain, meeting the criteria for a safe landing. The area is of particular interest due to its potential for in-situ resource utilisation, which could support future lunar missions. Demonstration of New Technologies According to NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate, the Polar Resources Ice Mining Experiment-1 (PRIME-1) will be tested as part of the mission. PRIME-1 includes a drill and a mass spectrometer designed to search for water ice and other resources beneath the lunar surface. Data gathered from this experiment will assist in future space exploration efforts by providing insight into potential resource extraction for fuel and oxygen production. Mobile Robotics on the Moon Two technology demonstrations will be deployed near the lander under NASA’s Tipping Point initiative. Intuitive Machines has developed a small drone, named Grace, which will conduct high-resolution surveys of the lunar terrain. The drone is designed to navigate steep inclines, craters, and other challenging obstacles, helping scientists study permanently shadowed regions that cannot be accessed by traditional rovers. Lunar Surface Communication System A communication system developed by Nokia Bell Labs will be tested to establish a lunar cellular network. The system will enable communication between the lander, a Lunar Outpost rover, and the Grace drone. It will be the first demonstration of cellular-based connectivity on the Moon, with potential applications for future crewed missions and robotic exploration. Collaboration for Lunar Exploration NASA is working alongside several U.S. companies to deliver scientific and technological advancements to the lunar surface. The Space Technology Mission Directorate has integrated multiple research and development efforts to support future Moon missions. The combination of CLPS and Tipping Point initiatives aims to advance exploration capabilities, benefiting NASA and the broader space industry. For details of the latest launches and news from Samsung, Xiaomi, Realme, OnePlus, Oppo and other companies at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, visit our MWC 2025 hub. Source link #NASAs #IM2 #Mission #Brings #Ice #Mining #Mobile #Robots #Moon Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

USAID official put on leave for memos saying funding cut will “result in preventable death” USAID official put on leave for memos saying funding cut will “result in preventable death” A USAID deputy administrator has been put on leave after issuing memos that said that the organization had failed to implement humanitarian assistance due to “political leadership” at USAID, the Department of State and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). He wrote it will “will no doubt result in preventable death, destabilization, and threats to national security on a massive scale,” two sources familiar with the situation told CBS News. Nick Enrich, the acting assistant administrator for USAID Global Health, issued two memos to the Bureau of Global Health on Friday, one that laid out how the Bureau for Global Health had carried out its terminations, while the other had critiques of Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s temporary waiver and the overall pause on foreign assistance. A source familiar with Enrich being put on leave told CBS News that “I’ve seen the full memo and Nick was put on leave for trying to do his job and then documenting what is happening.” Enrich cited DOGE in particular as creating “intentional and/or unintentional obstacles that have wholly prevented implementation” of lifesaving humanitarian assistance. The memo said this is the result of several actions, including refusal to pay for assistance activities conducted or goods and services rendered, DOGE blocking and restricting access to USAID payment systems, the “ever-changing guidance as to what qualifies as ‘livesaving,'” and most recently, the “sweeping terminations.” The memo lays out a timeline of how the administration’s impact on waivers has hurt USAID’s effort for humanitarian assistance. It notes that the Bureau for Global Health got approval to conduct activities to respond to an Ebola outbreak in Uganda, but USAID was never able to draw down the funds and did not receive any funds as of the issuing of the memo on Feb. 28. Former United States Agency for International Development (USAID) employees terminated after the Trump administration dismantled the agency collect their personal belongings at the USAID headquarters on February 27, 2025 in Washington, D.C. Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images The memo also says that as of Feb. 8, the Bureau for Global Health was told by the Secretary of State that there are “tranches” of awards identified for termination, including of awards that were previously given waivers. While Enrich was reviewing the awards slated for termination, he writes that DOGE adviser Jeremy Lewin emailed him telling him to stop and that it is “delaying the timeline processing of these termination notices.” The memos are the latest in a series of developments for USAID, the government organization that provides humanitarian assistance around the world. The organization, founded in 1961, has been the target of the Trump administration and the Elon Musk-helmed DOGE. Thousands of USAID workers were placed on leave or terminated as of Feb. 23. The chaos surrounding USAID has caused disruptions to the supply chain and services for a variety of global life-saving causes have faltered. Musk posted on social media over the weekend that funding for Edesia, a Rhode Island-based company that makes a lifesaving paste for severely malnourished infants, had been restored and the company’s payments should resume this week. Aaron Navarro Aaron Navarro is a CBS News digital reporter covering the 2024 elections. He was previously an associate producer for the CBS News political unit in the 2021 and 2022 election cycles. Source link #USAID #official #put #leave #memos #funding #cut #result #preventable #death Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

France floats proposal for a month-long Ukraine ceasefire – National France floats proposal for a month-long Ukraine ceasefire – National Britain said on Monday there were several possible proposals on the table for a possible Ukraine ceasefire, after France floated a proposal for a month-long initial truce that could pave the way for peace talks. European countries, led by Britain and France, are looking at options for a peace proposal including Ukraine after last week’s Oval Office rupture between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. “There are clearly a number of options on the table,” Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s spokesman said. “I’m just not getting into a running commentary on the options.” White House national security adviser Mike Waltz, when asked about the weekend activities of Europe rallying around Zelenskyy, told reporters: “So, we welcome Europe stepping up for Europe, but they have to also invest in the capabilities to do so.” France, Britain and potentially other European countries have offered to send troops to Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire, but say they would want support from the U.S., a proposal referred to as a “backstop.” Story continues below advertisement Zelenskyy says a ceasefire must come with explicit security guarantees from the West to ensure Russia, which invaded Ukraine three years ago and holds about 20% of its territory, does not attack again. Trump has refused to give any such guarantees. Starmer hosted a summit of European leaders in London on Sunday and said European leaders had agreed to draw up a Ukraine peace plan to present to the United States. 1:49 Trump hosts Starmer for Ukraine peace deal talks In an interview given on his way to the summit, French President Emmanuel Macron raised the possibility of a one-month ceasefire, although so far there has been no public endorsement from other allies. “Such a truce on air, sea and energy infrastructure would allow us to determine whether Russian President Vladimir Putin is acting in good faith when he commits to a truce,” French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said of Macron’s proposal. Story continues below advertisement “And that’s when real peace negotiations could start.” Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. European ground troops would only be deployed to Ukraine in a second phase, Macron said in the interview published in Le Figaro. Zelenskyy, asked if he was aware of the plan mentioned by Macron, told reporters in London: “I’m aware of everything.” European countries are adjusting to what some leaders describe as the biggest policy reversal since World War Two from Washington, especially after Friday’s bust-up when Zelenskiy left the White House abruptly after a dressing down in front of cameras by Trump and Vice President JD Vance. 2:19 Ukraine war intensifies amid Trump-Zelenskyy clash The Ukrainian leader had been in Washington to sign a deal to give the United States access to Ukrainian minerals, but left without signing it. Story continues below advertisement Speaking to Fox News, Waltz said Zelenskyy should apologize. “What we need to hear from President Zelenskyy is that he has regret for what happened, he’s ready to sign this minerals deal and that he’s ready to engage in peace talks,” he said. “I don’t think that’s too much to ask. We’ll see what happens in the next 48 hours, but we are certainly looking to move forward in a positive way.” MERZ SAYS OVAL OFFICE CLASH ‘NOT SPONTANEOUS’ Trending Now Oscars 2025 winners list: ‘Anora’ wins 5 awards, including best picture U.S. tariffs on Canada still coming Tuesday, but it may not be 25%: Lutnick Friedrich Merz, the conservative due to become Germany’s chancellor after winning the largest share of the vote in an election a week ago, suggested Friday’s Oval Office argument was a trap set in advance for the Ukrainian leader. “It was not a spontaneous reaction to interventions by Zelenskyy, but obviously a manufactured escalation,” he said. Story continues below advertisement “We must now show that we are in a position to act independently in Europe,” he said. Privately, European officials have been fuming at what they saw as a betrayal of Ukraine, which had previously enjoyed staunch support from the United States since Russia’s invasion. One senior official declared in the aftermath of the blow-up: “Donald Trump has to choose if he wants to call himself a leader of the free world, or leader of an extortion gang. The latter is not interesting for Europe.” 3:04 Trudeau pledges $5B in seized Russian assets for Ukraine on war anniversary But Europeans are also still working hard to keep the U.S. on side. Peter Mandelson, Britain’s ambassador to the United States, said Ukrainian-U.S. relations needed to be reset, as Trump’s initiative to end the war was “the only show in town.” Trump spoke by phone with Putin last month and then announced negotiations to end the war would begin quickly blindsiding the EU and Zelenskyy. Story continues below advertisement European leaders agreed they must spend more on defense to show Trump the continent can protect itself. The European Union is due to hold an emergency summit on Thursday. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she will inform member states on Tuesday about plans to strengthen the European defense industry and the EU’s military capabilities. “We need a massive surge in defense, without any question. We want lasting peace, but lasting peace can only be built on strength, and strength begins with strengthening ourselves.” Russia has openly gloated over Friday’s clash between Trump and Zelenskyy, praising Trump for altering U.S. policy and denouncing Zelenskyy for challenging Trump’s proposals. “We see that the collective West has partially begun to lose its collectivity, and a fragmentation of the collective West has begun,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. “There remains a group of countries that rather constitutes the party of war, which declares its readiness to further support Ukraine in terms of supporting the war and ensuring the continuation of hostilities.” (Additional reporting by Sarah Young, Richard Lough, Makini Brice, Dmitry Antonov, Guy Faulconbridge, Doina Chiacu, Steve Holland and Angelo Amante; Writing by Ingrid Melander; Editing by Mark Heinrich and Peter Graff) More on World More videos Source link #France #floats #proposal #monthlong #Ukraine #ceasefire #National Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Spider-Man X Magic: The Gathering Trading Card Set Is Available To Preorder Spider-Man X Magic: The Gathering Trading Card Set Is Available To Preorder Spider-Man is swinging his way into Magic: The Gathering this September, and preorders are now open at Amazon for the upcoming expansion. This exciting crossover features a $70 bundle with booster packs and everything you need to start playing and a Scene Box for Spidey fans who are more interested in displaying the stunning box. You can also preorder the Play Booster Box and the very expensive Collector Boosters. Single Collector Boosters and the Collector Booster Box have already sold out at Amazon, but they will likely be restocked. Here’s a look at the Magic: The Gathering x Spider-Man preorders ahead of their September 26 release. We’ll update this article with stock updates as more preorders go live. The Spider-Man MTG set arrives just a few months after the highly anticipated Final Fantasy crossover. Check out our Magic: The Gathering x Final Fantasy preorder guide to secure some cool bundles ahead of the set’s June launch. Magic fans can also preorder the upcoming Tarkir: Dragonstorm set, which is slated to release in April. $70 Stock up on cards and accessories with the Magic: The Gathering x Spider-Man Bundle. Here’s what you’ll find inside: 9 booster packs (14 cards each) 30 Basic Lands 1 alternate-art promo card 2 reference cards 1 spindown die 1 card-storage box That makes this a great way to pick up new cards and gear needed to start playing. $209.70 Magic: The Gathering’s Spider-Man Play Booster Box includes 30 packs. At $209.70, you’re paying $7 per pack, which is the MSRP for Magic boosters. Here’s the breakdown of the card types you’ll pull in each 14-card pack: 6–7 Commons 3 Uncommons 1 Wildcard of any rarity 1 Rare or Mythic Rare 1 Traditional foil card of any rarity 1 Basic Land 0–1 MAR 1 non-foil double-sided token $42 Spidey’s Spectacular Showdown Scene Box comes with three booster packs, six art cards with a display easel, and six traditional foil borderless scene cards featuring the following: Grasping Tentacles Venom, Deadly Devourer Green Goblin, Nemesis Doc Ock, Evil Inventor Sensational Spider-Man Pumpkin Bombs $38 Magic: The Gathering Collector Booster Packs are geared more toward enthusiast collectors, but these expensive boosters typically include some very cool foil cards. The $38 Collector Booster features 15 cards and an art card or traditional foil double-sided token: 5 Traditional Foil Commons 4 Traditional Foil Uncommons 1 Traditional Foil Basic Land 1 Traditional Foil Rare or Mythic Rare 2 Non-foil Booster Fun Rare or Mythic Rare cards 1 MAR card 1 Traditional foil Booster Fun Rare or Mythic Rare $455 Want to snag a bunch of Collector Booster Packs in a single swoop? This Collector Booster Box gets you 12 packs–making it an easy (though expensive) way to stock up on Magic: The Gathering’s Spider-Man foil cards. Source link #SpiderMan #Magic #Gathering #Trading #Card #Set #Preorder Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Sophie Evans ********* Richard Jones jailed for life Sophie Evans ********* Richard Jones jailed for life Family photo Sophie Evans had just returned home from dropping her children off at school when she was murdered by her boyfriend’s father A man has been jailed for life for the ******* of his son’s partner after falsely claiming she had scammed him. Sophie Evans’ body was found lying face down and naked on the kitchen floor of a house in Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, on 5 July 2024, after she was attacked and strangled. Richard Jones, 50, from Burry Port, Carmarthenshire, was found guilty of ******* at Swansea Crown Court in January. Jones was sentenced to life in prison and must serve a minimum of 20 years. Jones falsely claimed Ms Evans was “scamming” him out of the deeds for his mother’s house. He visited her home shortly after she returned from taking her children to school, killed her and left the house. At his trial, Jones admitted manslaughter with diminished responsibility but denied *******, saying he believed he was being financially taken advantage of by the victim and his son. “Having heard all the evidence, including evidence from two psychiatrists, the jury rejected that claim [and] convicted him of *******,” senior crown prosecutor Abul Hussain said in a statement following the sentencing. “The evidence presented to the jury demonstrated that Richard Jones bore full responsibility for his callous actions.” Doorbell footage shows Richard Jones leaving moments after the ******* At the trial, the jury saw an exchange between Jones and his former partner, Tracey Thompson, in which he called his son, Jamie Davies, and Ms Evans “scamming thieves” and said he had “taken care of the problem”. Consultant psychiatrist Dr Dilum Jayawickrama, who interviewed the defendant, said Jones was “100% certain in his beliefs” he had been scammed. The court heard Jones told officers he had been taken to a solicitor’s office by Ms Evans to sign forms, leading him to believe he had signed over the deeds to his mother’s house. David Elias, defending Jones, said his client’s thoughts about being scammed were “falsely held beliefs” caused by a delusional disorder. Mike Jones, prosecuting, said Jones “was not experiencing significant emotional distress” at the time of the ******* and showed “callous indifference” to what he did to his victim. Mr Jones also told the jury the defendant had “by his own admission, a historic short fuse”, and on the day of the incident “had lost his temper, attacked Sophie and strangled her, causing her death”. Dyfed-Powys Police Richard Jones admitted manslaughter with diminished responsibility but denied ******* During Monday’s hearing, Kerry Quinlan, Ms Evans’ sister, read a victim statement on behalf of the family and said her death had “changed our family forever”. “She was the rock of our family and the best mum,” she said, describing her ******* as a “cruel, senseless act”. She added Ms Evans’ two daughters “cry to sleep every night asking for their mum, but they will never be able to see her again”. A personal statement from Jamie Davies, Ms Evans’ partner, was also read to the court where he described her as “the most beautiful person I could ask for”. “What Richard did is truly unforgivable,” he said. Judge Geraint Walters previously said the only sentence the courts could pass was life imprisonment, describing it as a “frenzied attack on a woman in a towel in her own home”. “The duration of the attack was short but it was frenzied and the force you used meant Sophie must have realised her life was in danger,” he said. “You left the property not making any calls to see if her life could have been saved. “But instead you left the property calmly and went about your daily business of ordering a new bank card and buying pastries at a bakery. You didn’t for a moment think about her. She laid dead for hours.” A 999 caller described how her former partner admitted he had murdered Sophie Evans Source link #Sophie #Evans #********* #Richard #Jones #jailed #life Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Twisted Metal’s Canceled Live-Service Game Would Have Featured A Big Change For The Series Twisted Metal’s Canceled Live-Service Game Would Have Featured A Big Change For The Series The original Twisted Metal helped set the tone for PS1 when it was released in 1995, but it’s been absent from Sony’s consoles since the Twisted Metal reboot in 2012. However, there was an unannounced Twisted Metal live-service game, which could have revived the series had it not been canceled. Now, one of the developers from that lost Twisted Metal game has shared some details about what could have been. UI Programmer Hugo Silva posted a handful of screenshots from the Twisted Metal live-service game on his site. Unfortunately, the images are blurred with a note stating that they are under a non-disclosure agreement. Unsurprisingly, vehicular combat played a huge role in the game. But the screenshots also include images of third-person shooter gameplay. So clearly the action was meant to spill out of the vehicles as well, which would have been a departure for the franchise. The Twisted Metal live-service game was in development at Firesprite, one of the many developers under Sony’s PlayStation Studios banner. It appears that Twisted Metal was still very early in development before its cancelation, but the decision to walk away from it came before last year’s disastrous Concord launch that forced Sony to rethink its commitment to live-service games. It’s unclear if Sony has any plans to revisit Twisted Metal games in the future, even though the property has some newfound popularity thanks to the live-action TV series on Peacock. The streamer recently shared a teaser for Twisted Metal Season 2, which will once again feature Anthony Mackie as John Doe, Stephanie Beatriz as Quiet, Will Arnett as the voice of Sweet Tooth, and former AEW World champion Joe Seanoa–aka Samoa Joe–as the on-set actor portraying Sweet Tooth. Barry’s Anthony Carrigan is also joining the cast as Calypso, and the series will return to Peacock later this year. Source link #Twisted #Metals #Canceled #LiveService #Game #Featured #Big #Change #Series Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Smith hoping Australia turn it on against Indian spin Smith hoping Australia turn it on against Indian spin White ball cricket is often about the powerplay at the start of an innings, and the death overs at the end, but *********** captain Steve Smith believes it is the overs in the middle that will decide the World Cup semi-final against India. Australia go into the Dubai lair dry pitches and migrant fans have turned into a home-from-home for India, with Rohit Sharma’s team seeking to snare them in a web of spin. India used four tweakers in their last match against New Zealand, the quartet taking nine wickets, five going to the recalled Varun Chakravarthy. They may field the same four-pronged attack on Tuesday (2000 AEDT) even though five of the 12 wickets fell to pace when the same wicket was used for the India-Pakistan game on February 23. Australia’s spin options look light by comparison which puts the emphasis on a batting line-up that has so far made 465 runs for six wickets at more than nine-an-over. But that was in Pakistan, in different conditions. For geo-political reasons all India’s game are being played in Dubai. “The whole square block is pretty dry,” said Smith. “There’s going to be some spin looking at the surface. “Having spoken to the groundsman, (it’s) a dry surface (which has) had a lot of traffic. “I think for us the game’s probably won and lost how we play the spin, particularly in the middle overs, the way we get through there. It’s going to be a challenge. “There’s different ways we can attack the game, whether we want to bat or bowl first tomorrow, but playing the spinners in the middle overs is going to be crucial for us to have success in this game.” Australia have lost Matt Short, who bowled seven overs for 21 against Afghanistan besides opening the batting, so may draft replacement Cooper Connolly straight into the XI. But Smith raised another possibility. Agreeing Australia may play two front-line spinners he said: “We’ve got Tanveer Sangha in our squad who’s got some quality skill. But he added: “Glenn Maxwell is probably better than a part-timer, Travis Head’s done well when the conditions suit, Marnus (Labuschagne, who took 2-41 against England) can bowl some overs. So, we’ve got a lot of part-time options that could certainly play a role on here and a couple of front-liners as well.” And what about Smith’s own leggies’, he was asked. That raised a quizzical look. “Me to bowl? I hope not.” Smith added the team had enjoyed a their time in Dubai having in flown in on Saturday, gambling on an Indian win against New Zealand. If the ****** Caps had won they would have had to head back to Lahore. “We guessed right in the end. It was ideal to be here and have a couple of days’ preparation. Had we stayed and waited for last night’s result we would have had to have flown here today (Monday) and play tomorrow, not get a chance to train on the surface or get used to the conditions. “We had a little reset and a chance to have a couple of days outside of a pretty strict bubble in Pakistan with the security and stuff. It’s been nice to just have a couple of days chill here, a bit of training. A couple of guys have played some golf and wandered around. “We’re well prepared and looking forward to it. We feel like we’re playing nicely. Two good teams going at it. It should be a good contest.” Source link #Smith #hoping #Australia #turn #Indian #spin Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Cache is Returning to Counter-Strike, Once Valve Approves It Cache is Returning to Counter-Strike, Once Valve Approves It The fan favorite map Cache is returning to Counter-Strike after its creator remade it for CS2, but Valve has to officially approve it before players can hop back in. After more than half a decade, finally, Cache is back. FMPONE Completes the Cache Remake for CS2 Shawn “FMPONE” Snelling, one of Cache’s original creators and a celebrate community map maker for Counter-Strike, has officially returned. FMPONE confirmed the return of Cache on X (formerly known as Twitter) today, including a couple of screenshots and a link to the official file on the Steam Community workshop. However, the link currently doesn’t work. FMPONE says this is because “has to approve it first,” expressing his hopes that the approval process will be quick. A number of pro players and creators are celebrating the imminent return of the map already, including North America-based streamer Erik “fl0m” Flom, who implored Valve to “wake up” and approve the map. It’s been more than five years since Cache was featured in the Active Duty map pool; the official rotation of balanced maps used in competitive play and tournaments. Cache’s last Major appearance was IEM Katowice 2019, before it was replaced by Vertigo before the start of the StarLadder Berlin Major later that year. Cache has been host to a number of viral moments, including the famous 1v2 falling/no-scope AWP shot clutch from Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyljev. It also was the site of an infamous mishap from streamer xQc which considered by many to be the worst Counter-Strike highlight ever. While Cache will likely be playable very soon, don’t expect to see it at the upcoming BLAST.tv Austin Major. It may be some time before it re-enters the Active Duty map pool, especially considering the pool just underwent a change with the arrival of another remade classic, Train. Are you excited to play Cache once again? Let us know on the Insider Gaming forum. For more Insider Gaming esports, check out what Splitgate 2’s CEO has to say about the game’s esports future SUBSCRIBE to our newsletter to receive the latest news and exclusive leaks every week! No Spam. Source link #Cache #Returning #CounterStrike #Valve #Approves Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Youngkin grants clemency to a fired Virginia police sergeant who shot and killed an unarmed man Youngkin grants clemency to a fired Virginia police sergeant who shot and killed an unarmed man RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin has granted clemency to a former police sergeant who shot and killed an unarmed man accused of stealing sunglasses. Wesley Shifflett, 36, was sentenced to three years in prison on Friday after he was convicted of recklessly handling a firearm during the Feb. 22, 2023, shooting of Timothy McCree Johnson. The jury acquitted him of involuntary manslaughter. Youngkin’s executive action late Sunday means Shifflett will serve no further time behind bars, but his felony conviction will remain. Trusted news and daily delights, right in your inbox See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. “I am convinced that the court’s sentence of incarceration is unjust and violates the cornerstone of our justice system — that similarly situated individuals receive proportionate sentences,” Youngkin, a Republican, said Sunday. In his statement, Youngkin referred to sentencing guidelines recommending no incarceration for Shifflett that were put forward by a probation and parole officer, which is a routine practice in felony criminal sentencings. Steve Descano, the Democratic commonwealth’s attorney for Fairfax County whose office prosecuted the case, said in a statement that he was outraged by the governor’s decision. “Glenn Youngkin has spent the last four years honing his Trump impersonation, and now he’s following in his footsteps by commuting sentences just to score political points,” Descano said. “This is an insult to all Virginians who value an untainted justice system.” Johnson’s mother, Melissa Johnson, is expected to join Descano at a news conference later Monday to address Youngkin’s action. During the trial, prosecutors argued that Shifflett, then a sergeant with Fairfax County police, acted recklessly when he shot and killed Johnson after a short foot chase outside Tysons Corner Center. Shifflett and his team at the police department received a report from security guards that Johnson had stolen sunglasses from a Nordstrom department store. After identifying Johnson, Shifflett and another officer chased him into a densely wooded area near the mall, where Shifflett fired twice at the man. Shifflett testified that he shot Johnson, who was 37 years old, in self-defense after he saw Johnson reach into his waistband after falling. The dimly lit bodycam video played during his trial shows Shifflett yelling “Get on the ground,” and then firing two shots at Johnson two seconds later. After the shots were fired, Shifflett immediately shouted, “Stop reaching,” and told other officers that he saw Johnson putting his hand in his waistband. During the trial, Shifflett testified that his “motor functions were operating more quickly than I could verbalize.” Body-camera video from officers that night showed people gathered around Johnson while he cried, “Hurry.” Soon after, Johnson can be heard saying, “I’m not reaching for nothing. I don’t have nothing.” The legal battle leading to Shifflett’s clemency came with twists and turns. Following the shooting, the police department fired Shifflett. Initially, a grand jury declined to indict him, but Descano’s office received court approval for a special grand jury to reinvestigate. The second panel indicted Shifflett last October. After his conviction, Shifflett’s attorneys filed a motion for Bellows to set aside the verdict. In a January court memo, Bellows denied Shifflett’s request, writing that there was “sufficient evidence in the record for the jury to find the defendant guilty of this offense.” ___ Olivia Diaz is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. ___ Source link #Youngkin #grants #clemency #fired #Virginia #police #sergeant #shot #killed #unarmed #man Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘Let’s do it, Phil!’: Hideki Kamiya says he’d still ‘love to make’ Scalebound one day ‘Let’s do it, Phil!’: Hideki Kamiya says he’d still ‘love to make’ Scalebound one day Former PlatinumGames co-founder Hideki Kamiya says he still wants to make Scalebound one day. The Bayonetta, ****** May Cry and Okami director left Platinum a year and a half ago and is currently working on a sequel to Okami with his new studio, Clovers Inc. However, a new tweet posted by the official Clovers Inc account on X suggested that Kamiya still doesn’t have the cancelled Xbox game Scalebound out of his head yet. The action RPG started development at Platinum in 2013 with Kamiya as director, and was to be released on Xbox and PC with Microsoft Studios publishing. However, in 2017, Microsoft announced that the game had been cancelled. Clovers’ latest tweet shows Kamiya and other staff crowded round a monitor, as they watch YouTube videos of early Scalebound footage. “Noticed some excitement around Kamiya’s desk,” the tweet reads. “He was reminiscing about the development of Scalebound while watching YouTube videos. It never made it to release, but even now, he still feels proud of it.” In the video, Kamiya is seen explaining to his colleagues that the protagonist has headphones and a smartphone, despite being in a fantasy world with dragons. “Just like an isekai reincarnation,” one developer comments, referring to a sub-genre of manga and anime in which a character is transported to another world in a fish-out-of-water scenario. “Yeah, exactly,” Kamiya replies. “That’s the big trend right now. The tweet also quotes Kamiya as saying “I’d love to make it again someday,” though the video doesn’t show this. Kamiya then retweeted the video with the message “let’s do it, Phil”, addressing current Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer. Platinum and Xbox leadership have been continually asked about Scalebound since its cancellation, but speculation was renewed in early 2022 when Kamiya said he’d like to open discussions with Microsoft over the possibility of officially reviving the project. At that time, Kamiya had also said “Phil, let’s do it”, and later told VGC: “No, it’s not a joke, I’m totally serious about it.” In late September, Spencer was asked by Japanese publication Game Watch if a revived Scalebound was possible, but he reportedly said with a smile that “there’s currently nothing to say about Scalebound”. Source link #Lets #Phil #Hideki #Kamiya #hed #love #Scalebound #day Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Stocks that are ‘more insulated’ from Trump’s tariffs than their peers, according to Morgan Stanley Stocks that are ‘more insulated’ from Trump’s tariffs than their peers, according to Morgan Stanley Morgan Stanley found some stocks that could have some cushion from the Trump administrations upcoming tariffs. Levies on imports from Canada, China and Mexico are are set to take effect on Tuesday. Though Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Sunday suggested the duties on ******** and ********* products could be lower than the 25% first announced last month, the uncertainty has weighed on the market. The S & P 500 lost more than 1% in February. Moving forward, Morgan Stanley equity strategist Michael Wilson views tariffs as “more of a rotational driver than an index-centric one, though broader reaching tariffs (outside of China) with higher tariff rates could have a beta impact if they are sustained for an extended ******* of time.” Against this backdrop, Morgan Stanley sifted the market to find value stocks that could still see growth and are “more insulated” under the new tariff regime, thanks to their pricing power and overall market share. Here’s a look at some of the names that made Morgan Stanley’s list. Ulta Beauty made the list. The stock company has pulled back more than 16% in 2025. That said, analysts polled by FactSet’s average price target implies more than 28% upside for the stock moving forward. Morgan Stanley also upgraded Ulta in January, with analyst Simeon Gutman noting: “ULTA remains a strong, durable business in a dynamic and attractive category. As the Beauty industry continues to grow, ULTA’s top-line should follow.” ULTA YTD mountain Ulta Beauty stock. Apparel company Levi Strauss also made the cut. Shares have ticked up more than 3% in 2025. Levi in January reported better-than-expected results for the fourth quarter, though it also issued lackluster guidance. The company said it expects a strengthening U.S. dollar to be a headwind to sales moving forward. Morgan Stanley has an equal weight rating on the stock, but the FactSet consensus price target on Levi Strauss implies nearly 20% upside. Barclays analyst Paul Kearney earlier in the year initiated the stock with an overweight rating , noting: “While there are risks to LEVI that are both external and internal, we believe there is opportunity going forward, namely addressing share loss in men’s bottoms, improving operational capabilities and assortment optimization as the company further invests behind [direct to consumer], and building agility into the merchandising organization for tops.” LEVI YTD mountain Levi Strauss stock. Other names on the list include discount retailer Dollar General and gym chain Planet Fitness . Source link #Stocks #insulated #Trumps #tariffs #peers #Morgan #Stanley Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Not even an earthquake could shake the sparkle inside the Vanity Fair Oscar party – CNN Not even an earthquake could shake the sparkle inside the Vanity Fair Oscar party – CNN Not even an earthquake could shake the sparkle inside the Vanity Fair Oscar party CNNSydney Sweeney shimmers in a pink crystal-embroidered gown on Vanity Fair Oscar Party 2025 red carpet Page SixAll the Celebrity Looks From the 2025 Oscars After-Parties Yahoo EntertainmentOlivia Wilde Goes Nearly Naked (but Avoids Baring Her Nipples) in Sheer Dress at 2025 Vanity Fair Oscar Party PEOPLE Source link #earthquake #shake #sparkle #Vanity #Fair #Oscar #party #CNN Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

JR East Train Simulator Series 185 DLC Released JR East Train Simulator Series 185 DLC Released Ongakukan released a brand-new DLC for its Japan-focused JR East Train Simulator, the glorious Series 185 that was semi-recently retired. Source link #East #Train #Simulator #Series #DLC #Released Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Israel-****** standoff puts Gaza ceasefire in peril Israel-****** standoff puts Gaza ceasefire in peril Lyse Doucet Chief International Correspondent Reuters Israel blocked food and fuel from entering Gaza after the ceasefire’s first phase expired on Saturday night The testing second stage of Gaza’s ceasefire was always in doubt; now it seems to be dead at the moment it was meant to start. Concern is mounting that war will return to this ravaged territory, deepening the profound suffering of Palestinians and threatening the lives of the remaining hostages held by ******. Israel, backed by the United States, says there is a new deal now, after the agreement’s first phase ended on Saturday. And it has halted all humanitarian aid to Gaza until ****** accepts this new version too. “A flagrant violation,” was Cairo’s strongly worded response. Egypt as well as Qatar, the two Arab mediators in this process along with the US, have also accused Israel of violating international humanitarian law by “using food as a weapon of war”. Under the terms of the agreement, 600 trucks carrying vital humanitarian aid are meant to enter Gaza daily – and huge numbers crossed through the 42 days of the first phase. There has also been a loud chorus of criticism from other Arab states, as well as humanitarian leaders. UN Secretary General António Guterres, who has arrived in Cairo for Tuesday’s emergency Arab summit on rebuilding Gaza, called for the “immediate” resumption of assistance. He urged “all parties to make every effort to prevent a return to hostilities”. Reuters On Monday, a ******** was held in Israel for Itzik Elgarat, a hostage whose body was handed over by ****** last week Under the agreement, which came into effect on 19 January, this is the week when Israel should be pulling its troops from the Philadelphi corridor along the Egypt-Gaza border and negotiations should intensify to end the war, return all the remaining hostages, and release more ************ prisoners in exchange. But Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, says US envoy Steve Witkoff has come up with a new plan. Witkoff has not yet announced his proposal, but Netanyahu said the first stage of the ceasefire would be extended for another 50 days, to cover the Islamic holy month of Ramadan and the Jewish holiday of Passover, and to continue negotiations. ******, in exchange, would immediately release half of the remaining hostages, according to Netanyahu. Israel says 59 are still being held captive and “up to 24” are believed to be alive. On Monday ****** denounced this sudden shift as a “a blatant attempt [by Israel] to evade the agreement and avoid entering into negotiations for the second phase”. The group regards the hostages as its most important leverage and will make every effort to hold on to them until this current confrontation ends on terms it is willing to accept. A day earlier, Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty emphasised: “There is no alternative to the faithful and full implementation by all parties of what was signed last January.” Reuters Two Palestinians were reportedly killed by the Israeli military in southern Gaza on Monday Israeli media have published reports of an Egyptian proposal for ****** to release three living hostages and the remains of three others in exchange for a two-week extension of the ceasefire and an Israeli pullout from the Philadelphi corridor, as well as the main north-south Salah-al-Din road. But an Arab diplomat with knowledge of the talks said they had not resumed yet in Cairo, although “technical teams are in constant discussion”. There was always going to be a dangerous standoff at this point. Prime Minister Netanyahu’s primary aim has always been to “destroy” ******’s military strength and political grip. Their highly choreographed ceremonies and show of force during the hostage releases has angered Israelis and underlined that, while it has been significantly weakened, ****** is still very much in charge in Gaza. Arab diplomatic sources say that while ****** has accepted it will not be involved in running Gaza once this war ends, it will not dismantle what is left of its sway. That is unacceptable to Israel, and to its most important ally, the US. EPA Hostages’ families are urging Israel’s government to make a deal that would bring home all of those still held in Gaza On Sunday, the US National Security Council gave its full support for Israel’s “next step”. It put the blame firmly on ******, saying the group had “indicated it’s no longer interested in a negotiated ceasefire”. In a video address, Prime Minister Netanyahu described President Donald Trump as “the greatest friend that Israel has ever had in the White House”. But Israeli media say Washington is also putting pressure on the Israeli leader not to restart the fighting. That kind of arm twisting is widely acknowledged to have pushed the ceasefire deal over the line even before the Trump team entered the White House on 20 January. Pressure also mounts from Israelis increasingly anxious to see all the hostages come home. On Sunday night, hundreds of protesters broke down police barriers outside the prime minister’s residence in Jerusalem. The US president, praised by his supporters as “the world’s best peacemaker”, could again shape the parameters of war or peace. In the meantime, both sides are readying to resume the fight while they weigh their options for winning a peace on their terms. Source link #IsraelHamas #standoff #puts #Gaza #ceasefire #peril Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

A South African woman goes on trial charged with kidnapping and selling her daughter A South African woman goes on trial charged with kidnapping and selling her daughter CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — A South African woman went on trial Monday charged with kidnapping and selling her young daughter in a case that gained national attention. Kelly Smith is charged alongside her partner and another man over the disappearance of her daughter Joshlin more than a year ago. Joshlin, who was 6 when she disappeared, is still missing following a nationwide police hunt. Smith — whose full name is Racquel Chantel Smith — was charged with kidnapping and human trafficking. Prosecutors alleged she organized the abduction of her daughter in return for payment with the help of her partner Jacquin Appollis and friend Steveno van Rhyn. Trusted news and daily delights, right in your inbox See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. All three defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges as the trial opened in a sports hall in the small coastal town of Saldanha Bay. The trial was moved to the hall to give members of the community an opportunity to attend. Smith won sympathy across South Africa in the early days of Joshlin’s disappearance and neighbors joined together to help police search for the child in sand dunes near the impoverished settlement of shacks and small houses where they lived. Smith claimed she left Joshlin with Appollis on the day she went missing in February 2024 and hadn’t seen her again. The case took a shocking twist when police took Smith in for questioning and later arrested her. Another woman who was arrested was not charged and is reportedly due to testify as a state witness. Prosecutors said in the indictment that Smith had been planning to sell Joshlin and her two other children since August 2023. Only Joshlin went missing. They also alleged that Smith and Joshlin were seen getting into a white vehicle with a bag of clothes the day the girl was reported missing. The case has provoked anger in the community. Crowds gathered outside the sports hall, chanting “We want Joshlin back,” according to local media reports. Judge Nathan Erasmus said the three defendants could face life in prison if they are found guilty. ___ AP Africa news: Source link #South #African #woman #trial #charged #kidnapping #selling #daughter Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Monster Hunter Wilds patch to fix major story progression bug on March 4 Monster Hunter Wilds patch to fix major story progression bug on March 4 Capcom will address a game-breaking Monster Hunter Wilds bug in a title update scheduled for release this Tuesday. The bug in question, which can make forward progress in the story impossible, centres on a vital NPC not appearing where they’re supposed to in a number of instances. “A patch addressing known progression blockers will deploy tomorrow morning,” Capcom said on Monday. It will go live on all platforms at 12am PT / 3am ET / 8am GMT on March 4, “with fixes for issues with the Ingredient Center, Grill a Meal and story progression in Chapter 5-2 ‘A World Turned Upside Down’.” Capcom previously said it was aware of an issue stopping some players from unlocking the Grill a Meal and Ingredient Center features, despite them having met the progress criteria following the game’s release last Friday for PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC. Once the update is released, any online sessions will be discontinued and players will need to download it in order to continue playing online, Capcom added. Monster Hunter Wilds has been well received by critics, earning scores of 90 (consoles) and 88 (PC) on review aggregation site Metacritic. VGC’s five-star Monster Hunter Wilds review called it “a victory lap for Capcom’s golden age”. The game appears to be selling strongly too, based on early PC data. Over the weekend, it became only the eighth title in Steam’s history to surpass one million concurrent players. Its peak of 1,384,608 concurrent players is the fifth-highest in Steam history, bettering the likes of Elden Ring, Cyberpunk 2077 and Dota 2. Capcom has confirmed that one of the key producers responsible for the Monster Hunter series, Ryozo Tsujimoto, is being promoted to oversee all of the company’s development divisions beginning in April. Source link #Monster #Hunter #Wilds #patch #fix #major #story #progression #bug #March Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump should 'stew in his own juice' during congressional address, Pelosi advises Dems – Fox News Trump should 'stew in his own juice' during congressional address, Pelosi advises Dems – Fox News Trump should ‘stew in his own juice’ during congressional address, Pelosi advises Dems Fox NewsTrump’s ‘State of the Union’ address: Where lawmakers, guests and everyone else will sit USA TODAYWATCH LIVE: Trump makes investment announcement as he prepares speech to Congress PBS NewsHour Source link #Trump #039stew #juice039 #congressional #address #Pelosi #advises #Dems #Fox #News Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Upcoming Overwatch 2 Season 18 Hero Is Already in the Middle of a Brewing International Controversy Upcoming Overwatch 2 Season 18 Hero Is Already in the Middle of a Brewing International Controversy A few weeks ago, Blizzard gave us a look at some massive new updates coming to Overwatch 2. This was crucial since the game was losing out against its biggest competitor in the hero-shooter genre, Marvel Rivals. While these announcements haven’t solved all issues with the game, they’ve reignited the interest in the community. Overwatch 2‘s next hero is Aqua. (Image via Blizzard Entertainment) In these announcements, Blizzard also gave us a look at one of the upcoming heroes: Aqua. The ******** hero uses water to turn the tides of the match and will be coming to the hero-shooter in Season 18. While gamers appreciate his addition to the roster, some aren’t happy with Aqua’s ethnicity and believe he should have been a *********. Did Blizzard drop the ball with Aqua in Overwatch 2? Blizzard failed to bring more geographic diversity in Overwatch 2. (Image via Blizzard Entertainment) Let’s be honest, one of the best things about Overwatch 2 is that it has a diverse roster of powerful heroes. The characters we love to play with come from a number of countries, including nations that haven’t been represented by other titles developed by North American and European developers. With the announcement that Aqua will be coming to Overwatch 2, gamers are happy that Blizzard is increasing the geographic diversity in the game. However, on the official subreddit for the hero-shooter, user TrigaoTauro believes that the title still has a ways to go, and the upcoming hero should have been from the Philippines. According to the player, Overwatch 2 already has Mei from China in the game. Another hero from the same country, especially one with aquatic abilities, doesn’t feel right. They believe that such a fun addition to the game should have finally represented the Philippines. Considering the country’s connection to water, it’s fair to say that Blizzard has dropped the ball. The developer should have made Aqua a ********* hero, which would have added to the incredible lore of the hero-shooter. Comment byu/TrigoTauro from discussion inoverwatch2 Comment byu/TrigoTauro from discussion inoverwatch2 Comment byu/TrigoTauro from discussion inoverwatch2 Comment byu/TrigoTauro from discussion inoverwatch2 Let’s hope Blizzard can listen to the community and bring a new hero to the game in the future that finally represents the Philippines. Is Overwatch 2 back from the dead? Season 15 brought tons of new things to the hero-shooter. (Image via Blizzard Entertainment) If you’ve forgotten already, back when Overwatch 2 released Season 6 and added Illari to the roster, the game also debuted on Steam. Right on its arrival, it was review-bombed by players, and the hero-shooter became the lowest-rated title on Valve’s platform. However, Overwatch 2 is making waves again. The hero-shooter’s rating on Steam is improving, and after the release of the latest season, its most recent reviews are now Mixed. Even the overall reviews have moved up from Overwhelmingly Negative to Mostly Negative. Why is Overwatch 2 gaining traction? Well, with the release of Season 15, it seems like Blizzard has finally woken up. We got the return of Loot Boxes, new game-changing Perks, and a proper roadmap for the future of the game, which plans to add a brand-new mode, new heroes, and new maps. That’s not all, though; the hero-shooter has also made its way back to China. Most of the negative reviews for Overwatch 2 were mainly from these players. It’s great to see that after years of struggle, Overwatch 2 is finally gaining traction in the gaming community. If Blizzard listens to its player base and continues to bring impactful updates, its hero-shooter will outshine Marvel Rivals in no time. With that said, do you think Aqua should have been a ********* in Overwatch 2? Let us know in the comments below. Source link #Upcoming #Overwatch #Season #Hero #Middle #Brewing #International #Controversy Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Lenovo showcases a USB-C connected AI Stick with a 32 TOPS NPU on board Lenovo showcases a USB-C connected AI Stick with a 32 TOPS NPU on board Lenovo has taken the wraps off the Lenovo AI Stick at MWC 2025 in Barcelona. The idea behind the product is right there in the name, and this time, the ‘AI’ isn’t gratuitous. This USB-C Thunderbolt connected stick conceals a 32 TOPS NPU to enable those local AI-accelerated goodies Microsoft and its PC making partners are trying to convince you are the best thing since sliced bread. However, Lenovo’s thumb-stick-sized device is flagged as a “proof of concept” for now. Perhaps because the Lenovo AI Stick is a concept, we don’t have many tech specs for the product. All we know from the specifications point of view is that the concept device includes an NPU that can deliver 32 TOPS. It also connects to the PC “via a USB-C Thunderbolt port,” according to the official PR from Lenovo. Lastly, Lenovo suggests that the NPU will run faster if the AI Stick is powered with its adapter (connector on the side), which makes us wonder about USB-C-powered performance and the power requirements of this device. It would be interesting to know who made this add-on NPU, but Lenovo isn’t forthcoming with that detail. The major PC and device maker indicates that the AI Stick will deliver AI features, such as local Large Language Models (LLM) and AI-enhanced graphics apps, on the devices it connects with. Moreover, it is compatible with Lenovo’s AI Now suite, which needs Windows 11 and an x86 CPU to run. Image 1 of 3 (Image credit: Lenovo) (Image credit: Lenovo) (Image credit: Lenovo) So, if you fancy a little bit of NPU-accelerated local LLM fun, but your current PC doesn’t have such hardware, Lenovo’s AI Stick may be a good solution. It may appeal to those with a modern powerful processor without an NPU or a slower NPU (Hi, Arrow Lake). But remember, the Microsoft Copilot requirement is 40+ TOPS for wider AI feature support, so this stick isn’t even up to that level. Last but certainly not least, Lenovo also thinks the AI Stick might be of interest to those who already have NPUs or even discrete GPUs in their systems as it can “save GPU occupancy and reduce thermals for normal AI PCs.” Lenovo has an expansive range of wares at MWC this week. Earlier today, we published two detailed articles stuffed full of Lenovo devices. The first zoomed in on the range of new ThinkPads on show, as well as a Yoga device featuring an RTX 5070. The second pondered concept designs like a solar-powered Yoga PC, the ThinkBook Codename Flip with extending screen (which we have seen a few times before), a 3D-screen laptop, and some other concepts leveraging AI smarts. Get Tom’s Hardware’s best news and in-depth reviews, straight to your inbox. Source link #Lenovo #showcases #USBC #connected #Stick #TOPS #NPU #board Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

India cricket: Rohit Sharma says Champions Trophy venue not an advantage India cricket: Rohit Sharma says Champions Trophy venue not an advantage Captain Rohit Sharma has rejected suggestions that India playing all of their matches in Dubai gives them an advantage in the Champions Trophy. India, who face Australia in Tuesday’s semi-final, refused to play in Pakistan because of political tensions between the two countries and came into the tournament knowing all of their games would be played in the United Arab Emirates. By contrast other teams have had to deal with the differing conditions in Lahore, Karachi, Rawalpindi as well as Dubai. While India won all three of their group games to reach the semi-finals, Rohit does not think his team have benefited from playing each game at the same venue. “The three matches we played, the nature of the surface was the same. But in all three games, the pitch has behaved differently,” he said. “There are four or five surfaces that are being used. So, every surface has a different nature. We don’t know which wicket will be played. The pitches look the same, but when you play on it, it’s played in a different way. “So, you can’t go thinking that we played like this yesterday, and today we’ll play like this. Every time, because of the different pitches, the pitch is giving you different challenges as a batsman. “We don’t know which pitch is going to be played in the semi-final. But whatever happens, we have to adapt and see what is happening. We will play on that. “This is not our home, this is Dubai. So, we don’t play so many matches here. This is new for us too.” India, who have won eight of the nine ODIs they have played in Dubai, take on Australia in the last four on Tuesday with the winners facing either New Zealand or South Africa in Sunday’s final. Australia’s last ODI in Dubai was a 20-run win over Pakistan in 2019 and New Zealand played there against India on Sunday, but South Africa have not competed in an ODI in Dubai since losing to Pakistan in 2013. Should India win, the final will be held in Dubai but an Australia victory would see the showpiece match take place in Lahore. There will be live ball-by-ball radio coverage of the Champions Trophy semi-finals, alongside a full live text commentary with clips, on the BBC Sport website and app. Source link #India #cricket #Rohit #Sharma #Champions #Trophy #venue #advantage Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Cats and Seek: Dino Park Review | TheXboxHub Cats and Seek: Dino Park Review | TheXboxHub Review – Cats and Seek: Dino Park is well put together. A fan of cosy gaming, hidden object hunting, or cats, it’ll be well worth your time. Source link #Cats #Seek #Dino #Park #Review #TheXboxHub Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]