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‘Complete and utter shock’ after abrupt resignations of two Atlantic premiers ‘Complete and utter shock’ after abrupt resignations of two Atlantic premiers The surprising resignation of two well-liked Atlantic premiers has left some political experts shaking their heads in disbelief — and marvelling at the mounting demands on anyone running a province. Andrew Furey said Tuesday he would step down as premier of Newfoundland and Labrador as soon as the Liberals choose a new leader; Dennis King resigned as premier of Prince Edward Island on Friday at noon. Furey’s resignation in particular was a “complete and utter shock,” said Alex Marland, a political science professor at Acadia University. “The thing that is a commonality — and that is a little perplexing — is the abruptness of both resignations,” Marland said in an interview Wednesday. “Usually, when leaders leave, they don’t want to leave … and when they do step down, it’s usually because they’re behind in the polls. And that’s not the case in both of these premiers.” Two Atlantic provinces and the federal Liberal party are looking for new leaders as the country faces threats of punishing tariffs and annexation from United States President Donald Trump, said Jörg Broschek, a political science professor at Wilfrid Laurier University. Story continues below advertisement “This is not the stability we would actually need,” he said in an interview. During their resignation announcements, Furey and King told reporters about leading their provinces through crises and Trump’s threats to impose 25 per cent tariffs on ********* goods. The duties are set to take effect next week, though a White House official said the tariff plans could change through negotiations. 2:02 Why did Dennis King resign as P.E.I. premier? Trump has also threatened to use “economic force” to make Canada the 51st state — words Furey has said ********* citizens and leaders should take very seriously. 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. King, a Progressive Conservative, stepped down after six years in power. Education Minister Rob Lantz was chosen as the new party leader and sworn in as premier on Friday. Lantz told reporters he had no intention of running as the party’s permanent leader. Story continues below advertisement Furey, a Liberal, announced his resignation after almost five years on the job. As of November, both premiers enjoyed healthy public approval: Narrative Research polls that month suggested 59 per cent of Islanders were satisfied with King’s government and 56 per cent of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians felt the same about Furey’s leadership. Both premiers faced a punishing series of calamities during their tenure, including the COVID-19 pandemic and numerous environmental emergencies, including post-tropical storm Fiona, which destroyed about 100 homes in southwestern Newfoundland and left tens of thousands of Islanders without power for more than a week. More on Politics More videos And there may still be chaos ahead: P.E.I.’s potato farmers would be hit hard by Trump’s tariffs, as would Newfoundland and Labrador’s fish harvesters. But Marland said it may not be the crises that are burning out premiers, but rather the context in which they unfold. “The difference is the intensity that comes with interconnected media now,” he said. “The intensity of the crises, and the frequency (don’t) really give you time to come up for air. The media cycle is different. It’s not about just filing things once a day, it’s about all the time.” Premiers face near-constant attacks from the public and opposition parties, in increasingly polarized societies, Marland added. Broschek wondered if a lack of coordination between the federal and provincial governments too often leave premiers to shoulder massive burdens on their own, including Trump. Story continues below advertisement “I can totally see the pressure on our premiers and all politicians,” he said. “There’s so much more weight on individual premiers, those who are at the forefront, than there would be if we had a much more institutionalized system.” Some political scientists have long called for national policy frameworks that would help guide provinces through major problems, and help them work together toward common goals, Broschek said. He pointed to the current “Team Canada” response to Trump as an example of incoherence. So far, provinces seem to be on the hook to lead Team Canada, he said. But when “Team Canada” phrasing has been used in the past — during negotiations of the Canada-European Union trade agreement, for example — Ottawa led the way, he said. “It’s highly ambiguous, and it’s only ambiguous because we don’t have the institutions that actually clarify who’s doing what in what situation,” he said, adding, “I would say we need to institutionalize Team Canada.” This report by The ********* Press was first published Feb. 26, 2025. &copy 2025 The ********* Press Source link #Complete #utter #shock #abrupt #resignations #Atlantic #premiers Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Qatar Airways’ stake in Virgin Australia approved Qatar Airways’ stake in Virgin Australia approved Qatar Airways’ acquisition of a 25 per cent stake in Virgin Australia has been approved by the federal government subject to conditions. Treasurer Jim Chalmers announced the approval on Thursday, saying the proposal would deliver more flights for Australians, create *********** jobs and strengthen competition in the aviation sector. “My decision aligns with the advice of the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) that this proposal is consistent with the national interest,” he said in a statement. The government approval followed cross-government consultation by Treasury, engaging the aviation industry, unions and other relevant stakeholders. It follows the draft determination by the *********** Competition and Consumer Commission to allow the airlines to engage in co-operative conduct under an integrated alliance for five years, leading to 28 new weekly return services between Doha and Perth, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. Mr Chalmers said he had approved the proposal subject to legally enforceable conditions to ensure *********** representation on Virgin’s board and protection of its customer data. “The CEOs of Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways have written to me with assurances that this investment will create employment benefits and job growth opportunities for Australians,” he said. The proposal is expected to provide a long-term pathway for Virgin Australia to operate its own long-haul flights. Source link #Qatar #Airways #stake #Virgin #Australia #approved Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

“Aren’t You A Federal Employee?” “Aren’t You A Federal Employee?” Jimmy Kimmel railed against President Donald Trump and Elon Musk‘s recent government layoffs on Live, but he also took aim at Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, who seemed to forget she is also technically a federal employee. “Because there isn’t enough dumb happening, we have the Klan mom Marjorie Taylor Greene, who doesn’t seem to think federal workers have any value at all,” Kimmel began during Tuesday’s (Feb. 25) broadcast. Kimmel aired a clip of Rep. Greene ranting against federal employees during a hearing. “Those are not real jobs producing federal revenue, those jobs are paid for by the American tax people,” she says in the clip. “Federal employees do not deserve their jobs. Federal employees do not deserve their paychecks.” Amidst her impassioned speech against her fellow government colleagues, Greene appeared to forget one key thing, which Kimmel was sure to point out. “Aren’t you a federal employee? You’re a congressperson,” he reminded her. He then quipped, “Let me tell you something, I can’t believe Kermit The Frog goes out with her.” Kimmel spent much of his opening monologue Tuesday criticizing Musk and Trump for the mass layoffs they’ve been implementing across the government sector through Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency. “These federal workers are as confused as Elon’s kids were when they realized their father named them after a phone number,” Kimmel joked. He then pointed out that Musk has “no official authority to fire anyone.” “He’s not an elected official, he wasn’t appointed, he wasn’t confirmed. Who knew you could fire people at a place you don’t even work? I might try it at Chipotle to see what will happen,” he said. Jimmy Kimmel Live! airs on weeknights at 11:35/10:35c on ABC. Source link #Arent #Federal #Employee Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump plan to freeze funding stymies Biden-era energy rebates for consumers Trump plan to freeze funding stymies Biden-era energy rebates for consumers Westend61 | Westend61 | Getty Images Some states have stopped disbursing funds to consumers via Biden-era rebate programs tied to home energy efficiency, due to a Trump administration freeze on federal funding enacted in January. The Inflation Reduction Act, passed in 2022, had earmarked $8.8 billion of federal funds for consumers through two home energy rebate programs, to be administered by states, territories and the District of Columbia. Arizona, Colorado, Georgia and Rhode Island — which are in various phases of rollout — have paused or delayed their fledgling programs, citing Trump administration policy. The White House on Jan. 27 put a freeze on the disbursement of federal funds that conflict with President Trump’s agenda — including initiatives related to green energy and climate change — as a reason for halting the disbursement of rebate funds to consumers. That fate of that freeze is still up in the air. A federal judge issued an order Tuesday that continued to block the policy, for example. However, it appears agencies had been withholding funding in some cases in defiance of earlier court rulings, according to ProPublica reporting. In any event, the freeze — or the threat of it — appears to be impacting state rebate programs. “Coloradans who would receive the Home Energy Rebate savings are still locked out by the Trump administration in the dead of winter,” Ari Rosenblum, a spokesperson for the Colorado Energy Office, said in an e-mailed statement. The U.S. Department of Energy and the White House didn’t return a request for comment from CNBC on the funding freeze. In some states, rebates are ‘currently unavailable’ Consumers are eligible for up to $8,000 of Home Efficiency Rebates and up to $14,000 of Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates, per federal law. The rebates defray the cost of retrofitting homes and upgrading appliances to be more energy efficient. Such tweaks aim to cut consumers’ utility bills while also reducing planet-warming carbon emissions. California, the District of Columbia, Maine, Michigan, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina and Wisconsin had also launched phases of their rebate programs in recent months, according to data on an archived federal website. All states and territories (except for South Dakota) had applied for the federal rebate funding and the U.S. Department of Energy had approved funding for each of them. More from Personal Finance: Gold is hot — but a classic Warren Buffett rule suggests caution What upcoming budget negotiations may mean for Social Security How Trump, DOGE job cuts may affect the economy The Arizona Governor’s Office of Resiliency said its Home Energy Rebates programs would be paused until federal funds are freed up. “Due to the current federal Executive Orders, memorandums from the White House Office of Management and Budget, and communications from the U.S. Department of Energy, funding for all Efficiency Arizona programs is currently unavailable,” it said in an announcement Friday. Rhode Island paused new applications as of Jan. 27 due to “current uncertainty” with Inflation Reduction Act funding and executive orders, according to its Office of Energy Resources. The Georgia Environmental Finance Authority launched a pilot program for the rebates in fall 2024. That program is ongoing, a spokesperson confirmed Monday. However, the timeline for a full program launch initially planned for 2025 “is delayed until we receive more information from the U.S. Department of Energy,” the Georgia spokesperson explained in an e-mail. However, not all states have pressed the pause button: It appears Maine is still moving forward, for example. “The program remains open to those who are eligible,” Afton Vigue, a spokesperson for the Maine Governor’s Energy Office, said in an e-mail. The status of rebates in the eight other states and districts to have launched their programs is unclear. Their respective energy departments or governor’s offices didn’t return requests for comment. ‘Signs of an interest’ While the Trump administration on Jan. 29 rescinded its memo ordering a freeze on federal grants and loans — two days after its initial release — the White House said the freeze nonetheless remained in full force. Democratic attorneys general in 22 states and the District of Columbia filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, claiming the freeze is unlawful. The White House has claimed it is necessary to ensure spending aligns with Trump’s presidential agenda. David Terry, president of the National Association of State Energy Officials, said he is optimistic the rebate funding will be released to states soon. “For these two particular programs, I do not think [the freeze] will stymie the programs,” Terry said. “I see signs of an interest in moving them forward and working with the states to implement them.” Source link #Trump #plan #freeze #funding #stymies #Bidenera #energy #rebates #consumers Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

White House bars AP, Reuters and other media from covering Trump cabinet meeting – Reuters White House bars AP, Reuters and other media from covering Trump cabinet meeting – Reuters White House bars AP, Reuters and other media from covering Trump cabinet meeting ReutersWhite House Moves to Pick the Pool Reporters Who Cover Trump The New York TimesWHCA head: Public ‘can no longer trust’ pool reports under White House control The HillThe White House says it ‘will determine’ which news outlets cover Trump, rotating traditional ones The Associated Press Source link #White #House #bars #Reuters #media #covering #Trump #cabinet #meeting #Reuters Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Heat pumps and EVs – how to fight climate change from home Heat pumps and EVs – how to fight climate change from home Getty Images 80% of our cars should be electric by 2040, the Climate Change Committee says Households will need to make significant changes to their lifestyles to help the *** reach net zero by 2050, says the government’s independent climate advisers. In its latest advice, known as the carbon budget, the Climate Change Committee (CCC) says by 2040, 80% of cars should be electric and one in two homes have a heat pump. Here are some of the ways it says you can cut greenhouse gas emissions: Heat pumps Decarbonising home heating will be essential if the country is going to reach its legally binding net zero target by 2050. Our homes are the second biggest source of the ***’s greenhouse gas emissions after transport, and 80% of those emissions are from gas boilers. The proportion has been increasing as the country generates more electricity from low-carbon technologies like renewables and nuclear. The CCC is backing heat pumps as the main replacement for gas boilers and rules out using hydrogen. It says only about 60,000 *** homes installed a heat pump in 2023. It wants that figure to be 450,000 by 2030 and 1.5 million by 2035. However, it recognises that is going to be difficult. A key problem is heat pumps are typically more expensive than gas boilers, even after the government’s £7,500 grant. And because they heat water to a lower temperature than boilers, they work better in well-insulated homes with larger radiators or underfloor heating. The committee says the government needs to consider schemes to help lower income households cover at least some of the costs of these changes. The hope is that as boilers break down, consumers will replace them with heat pumps. The report doesn’t recommend a ban on new boilers but says by 2035 all new heating systems should be low carbon. Getty Images The CCC says about 60,000 *** homes installed a heat pump in 2023 Electric vehicles A quarter of *** emissions come from transport – excluding aviation – making it another priority for carbon cuts. But the CCC is less worried about how these will be achieved. That is because it believes continuing reductions in the cost of batteries and other technologies mean electric cars and vans (EVs) could be cheaper to buy than petrol and diesel vehicles as soon as next year. This is significantly cheaper when you take into account running costs. It believes we will naturally choose them when we’re looking for a new car. In 2023, 16% of new cars were fully electric – the government says that will be 55% by 2027 and 95% by 2030. The CCC says government will need to support the rollout of the charging network, and that the cost of charging needs to fall and payment be simplified. It expects the switchover will become increasingly rapid, partly because it believes it will become more difficult to buy petrol and diesel, as it is expected there will be fewer petrol stations by 2040. Getty Images The CCC estimates we’ll be eating 25% less meat and 20% less dairy by 2040 Our food We are going to need to change our diets, the CCC says. That is because agriculture is the fourth highest emitting sector in the *** economy and nearly two-thirds (63%) of those emissions are from livestock. However, the CCC is careful not recommend restrictions on what we eat. Instead, it anticipates the current slow drift towards more plant-based foods will continue in the years to come. By 2040 it estimates we will be eating 25% less meat and 20% less dairy. Meat products will initially be replaced by existing alternative protein products like plant-based burgers, but in later years it expects us to start eating more “alternative proteins”. These include oils and meat grown from animal cells in bio-reactors – fermentation tanks like you might see in a brewery. The first product using these cultivated meats for animal consumption went on ***** earlier this month. Our changing diets will mean cattle and sheep numbers will need to fall by 27% as a result, it says. That will allow a shift towards woodland creation, the restoration of the country’s peatlands and allow more land to be used to grow energy crops. *** farmers will need to be supported during this transition, it advises, and the government will need to be careful to ensure that low-carbon *** food is not just replaced by higher-carbon products imported from abroad. Getty Images The committee predicts *** residents will be taking a total of 402 million flights a year by 2050 Flying Aviation is currently the sixth biggest source of *** emissions, but by 2040 the CCC reckons it will be the biggest. In the past the committee has advised government there should be no expansion of *** airports without a clear plan to cut emissions from the sector. The government is expected to announce its support for a new runway at Gatwick on Thursday, so is likely to be relieved the CCC has dropped that recommendation from this latest carbon budget. But it says the aviation industry will need to pick up the tab for the costs of decarbonising the sector. That is going to require technological innovation – more efficient jets and electric planes – and the increasing use of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF). SAF is made from plant products or by combining captured CO2 with hydrogen. Just 1% of jet fuel is currently SAF, but the CCC expects that to rise to 17% by 2040. Any emissions the industry cannot eliminate will need to be offset by what the CCC calls “engineered removals”. That means using technologies to take CO2 out of the atmosphere and store it permanently underground. All of which is going to be expensive and will drive up ticket prices. The CCC expects those higher prices will slow down the increase in passenger numbers in years to come. However, it still expects a 28% increase in passenger numbers by 2050 – with *** residents taking a total of 402 million flights a year. It has a warning though. If all that new tech doesn’t cut emissions as much as the industry is expecting, the government may need to impose limits on flight numbers. Source link #Heat #pumps #EVs #fight #climate #change #home Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Golden toilet theft surveillance video released after *** man convicted – National Golden toilet theft surveillance video released after *** man convicted – National It was not your typical smash-and-grab burglary and the booty was precious: a toilet worth more than its weight in gold. Surveillance footage has now been released by the Thames Valley Police that captures the moment of the heist, of the one-of-a-kind 18-carat gold toilet that was swiped in under five minutes from Blenheim Palace, the sprawling English country mansion where British wartime leader Winston Churchill was born, in the predawn hours of Sept. 14, 2019, a prosecutor told jurors Monday. Lawyer Julian Christopher said in his opening statement in Oxford Crown Court that it was an “audacious raid.” One of three men on trial in the case of the purloined potty was involved in stealing it and the other two helped to sell the spoils. The toilet has never been recovered but is believed to have been cut up and sold. Story continues below advertisement The satirical work, titled “America” by Italian conceptual artist Maurizio Cattelan, poked fun at excessive wealth. It weighed just over 215 pounds (98 kilograms) and was insured for 4.8 million pounds (USD$6 million). The value of the gold at the time was 2.8 million (USD$3.5 million). The piece had previously been on display at The Guggenheim Museum in New York. The museum had offered the work to U.S. President Donald Trump during his first term in office after he had asked to borrow a Van Gogh painting. 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. One of the defendants, Michael Jones, cased the palace twice in the weeks leading up to the theft — once before the toilet went on display at Blenheim Palace and up close and personal once it was installed and fully functional as an exhibit, Christopher said. Visitors to the exhibition could book a three-minute appointment to use the toilet. 1:08 Thieves steal $5M gold toilet from Britain’s Blenheim Palace Both times, Jones took photos of the window that was later smashed to break into the palace. The second time he also took photos from inside the bathroom, including a photo of the lock on the toilet door. Story continues below advertisement “There can be no doubt that he was carrying out reconnaissance for the burglary that was to take place that night,” Christopher said. “That would be enough to make him guilty of count one of burglary.” But Jones was also probably among the group of five men who crashed through the wooden gates of the palace before dawn the next morning in two stolen vehicles, Christopher said. They tore across a field in an Isuzu truck and VW Golf and pulled up to the front steps, where they smashed the window Jones had photographed. More on World More videos They made quick work of breaking down the toilet door and removed the golden throne from the plumbing, leaving water gushing from the pipes that caused considerable damage to the 18th-century building, a UNESCO World Heritage site filled with valuable art and furniture that draws thousands of visitors each year. Jones was in cahoots with James Sheen, a builder he worked for who was part of both the burglary and the effort to sell the gold, Christopher said. Sheen, 40, previously pleaded guilty to burglary, conspiracy and transferring criminal property. Sheen then worked to broker a deal with Fred Doe and Bora Guccuk to cash in on the haul. In a series of text messages, he referred to the loot as a “car,” but Christopher said he was actually talking about the gold. “I’ll link up with ya, I got something right up your path,” Sheen told Doe in one message. Story continues below advertisement “I can sell that car for you in two seconds … so come and see me tomorrow,” Doe said in a reply. Doe, 36, and Guccuk, 41, are charged with one count of conspiracy to transfer criminal property. All the defendants have pleaded not guilty. &copy 2025 The ********* Press Source link #Golden #toilet #theft #surveillance #video #released #man #convicted #National Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Ukraine mineral deal: Donald Trump, Volodymyr Zelensky agreement reached, boosting security in war-end move Ukraine mineral deal: Donald Trump, Volodymyr Zelensky agreement reached, boosting security in war-end move US President Donald Trump and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky will meet on Friday to sign a “very big” deal that will grant the United States access to minerals in the European nation, recouping costs from aid given during Russian war. “We’ve been able to make a deal where we’re going to get our money back and we’re going to get a lot of money in the future,” Mr Trump told reporters on Wednesday. Mr Trump confirmed Mr Zelensky is travelling to the White House where the two will “be signing an agreement, which will be a very big agreement.” The US president said his administration is working with both Ukraine and Russia, saying the deal will see the nations “stop killing people.” In a major boost to security in Ukraine, the mineral deal means the United States will be in the country, offering a form of protection. “We will be on the land and that way there is going to be automatic security because nobody is going to be messing around with our people when we are there,” Mr Trump said. Mr Trump did not detail specifics on what this meant for Ukraine protections, saying he was “not going to make security guarantees,” adding: “We’re going to have Europe do that, because it’s in… you know, we’re talking about Europe is their next door neighbour.” The Republican president said Russian President Vladimir Putin would now need to make “concessions”, however, praised the leader as “a very smart guy”. Continuing his narrative around being a leader of peace through strength, Mr Trump said: “If I didn’t get elected he would have continued to have gone through Ukraine.” “A lot of people would have been killed … I want to see it come to an end.” Following Mr Trump’s comments, the Ukraine Government formally backed the mineral deal, with the formality of Mr Zelensky signing the agreement being one of the final steps to be completed. The deal is part of a broader effort to end the war with Russia and will lay the groundwork for long-term co-operation between Ukraine and the US, Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna told Reuters. “This agreement signifies our commitment to lasting peace and strong partnership, as well as the US desire to participate in Ukraine’s reconstruction,” she said in a written statement. – With Reuters Source link #Ukraine #mineral #deal #Donald #Trump #Volodymyr #Zelensky #agreement #reached #boosting #security #warend #move Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Prototype RTX 50-series power connector designed to prevent melting with current overload alarm, per-pin sensing Prototype RTX 50-series power connector designed to prevent melting with current overload alarm, per-pin sensing With the resurgence of the connector meltdown scare, users who were lucky enough to snag an RTX 50 GPU at launch have been worried their card is next on the chopping block. A detailed analysis of Nvidia’s connector design this generation shows several blind spots and obvious design setbacks versus the previous iterations. As shared by UNIKO’s Hardware, a user at Bilibili has engineered a PCB, attached to their 16-pin connector that reads per-pin current values and even incorporates an alarm for safety. The 16-pin connector, better known as 12VHPWR or 12V-2×6 (the most recent iteration) features four sense pins, six current pins (+12V), and six ground pins. In theory, all six 12V pins should be able to supply 575W of power (RTX 5090 TGP), however, internal cable cuts and/or improper cable seating can lead to uneven current distribution and melted connectors. User “Wing King” posted images of a 12V-2×6 connector prototype on Bilibili, capable of reading current across each pin. While the card is still unable to balance the current, the design supposedly includes an alarm that goes off if too much current is being drawn by a single pin. A quick look at the SMDs shows that the user has attached six R002 (0.002 Ohms) shunt resistors across each 12V cable. The inclusion of a USB port at the backside of the PCB means the readings are also accessible through software. Technically, you could connect this directly to your PC — or, if you’re feeling crafty, consider a small Arduino or Raspberry Pi project. Image 1 of 3 (Image credit: Bilibili) In electronics, shunt resistors are used to measure the current flowing through a circuit. Ideally, each of the six 12V pins should have its own shunt resistor. With the RTX 30 series, Nvidia included three shunt resistors, which, while adequate, is not ideal. The updated design internally ties all the pins across a single shunt resistor. This makes it impossible for the GPU to determine if a certain pin is drawing too much current. Worst case scenario: A single-pin carries all 575W, minus 75W from the PCIe slot (42A) which exceeds the rated limit of 9.5A by a factor of more than 4x. This project and the associated software are likely undergoing further development but the creator plans to eventually make them open source. Even with the complete design and source code available, building this device from scratch will be a hard undertaking, unless we’re talking about enthusiasts. That said, we may see third-party cables spring up with the same implementation in the future. Get Tom’s Hardware’s best news and in-depth reviews, straight to your inbox. Source link #Prototype #RTX #50series #power #connector #designed #prevent #melting #current #overload #alarm #perpin #sensing Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

JD Vance Torn to Shreds in Hilarious Ohio Newspaper Op-Ed JD Vance Torn to Shreds in Hilarious Ohio Newspaper Op-Ed Vice President JD Vance’s hometown paper is not impressed by his first few weeks in a “nondescript role as an appendage in the Trump-Musk administration,” the Ohio Capital Journal wrote in a seething op-ed Tuesday, tearing Vance apart as a “lapdog vice-president.” Clearly infuriated by her fellow statesmen, reporter Marilou Johanek listed Vance’s notable accolades as vice president so far, among them being rebuked by the Pope and outraging NATO allies. “The last thing the world needs now is a U.S. vice-president trashing eighty years of foreign policy with America’s closest and most enduring friends,” Johanek wrote, referring to Vance’s meeting with the leader of Germany’s far-right nationalist AfD party, which ******* courts have ruled is a threat to democracy. The Ohio native then slammed European leaders for “hiding behind ugly Soviet-era words like ‘misinformation’ and ‘disinformation’” in a tone-deaf speech that will likely further strain U.S.-Europe relations. “Vance, the shameless election denier in service to an authoritarian regime lawlessly dismantling a democratic republic, had the towering audacity and historical blindness to lecture his European audience on democracy,” Johanek wrote. The author of Hillbilly Elegy, a memoir about growing up poor in Appalachia, Vance credits much of his identity—both political and personal—to his Rust Belt roots. He ran on the promise of bringing jobs and prosperity back to Middle America, but clearly hasn’t made the region very proud. Vance was one of the least popular vice presidential picks in history, according to polls. “Vance has been doing us proud by attacking friends, embracing enemies, insulting humanitarians, drawing papal ire, and pontificating laughably on what makes a man a man. Seriously, what is wrong with J.D.?” Johanek concluded, asking what most of the country is wondering, too. Read the full op-ed here. Source link #Vance #Torn #Shreds #Hilarious #Ohio #Newspaper #OpEd Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

The Trump administration sets the stage for large-scale federal worker layoffs in a new memo – The Associated Press The Trump administration sets the stage for large-scale federal worker layoffs in a new memo – The Associated Press The Trump administration sets the stage for large-scale federal worker layoffs in a new memo The Associated PressTrump memo tells federal agencies how to conduct mass layoffs CNNFederal agencies told to submit “reorganization plans,” prepare for mass firings CBS NewsTrump administration orders more layoffs as Musk meets with cabinet ReutersTrump admin to direct agency heads to prep for ‘large-scale reductions in force,’ reorganization by March 13 Fox News Source link #Trump #administration #sets #stage #largescale #federal #worker #layoffs #memo #Press Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Why This Could Be 2025’s Biggest Multiplayer Hit Why This Could Be 2025’s Biggest Multiplayer Hit Arrowhead Game Studios’ Helldivers 2 was released in February 2024 and quickly became a worldwide sensation. Its unique concept, combined with its exciting co-op gameplay made it one of the most popular games in the world. However, it slowly started to lose its charm as the game became boring and repetitive. Helldivers 2 was one of the most popular co-op games of 2024 (Image via Arrowhead Game Studios) A series of bad decisions was enough to put Helldivers 2 on its last breath, but Arrowhead Game Studios managed to turn things around in the second half of 2024. With the release of the Omens of Tyranny update, the studio was able to revive the game’s hype once again. As for its future, it’s safe to say that the studio has enough content planned that might crown Helldivers 2 as 2025’s biggest multiplayer hit. Helldivers 2‘s future is looking bright Arrowhead Game Studios’ Helldivers 2, which won the Best Multiplayer Game Award at the Game Awards 2024, has made a strong comeback, especially after the release of the Omens of Tyranny update. The update created a lot of anticipation among the players as it kicked off the invasion of the Illuminate, the game’s third enemy faction. Helldivers 2 has the potential to be one of the biggest games in 2025 because the studio plans to roll out even more Illuminate units that will test players to their limits. Plus, players should expect to see some more collaborations this year. Arrowhead Game Studios once made the mistake of not listening to the fans, so it’s safe to say that it won’t be making that mistake again any time soon. The indie studio heavily focuses on players’ feedback to shape the game, which is one of the main reasons why the game is better than most of its rivals. On top of this, its welcoming community convinces many new players to try out the game. Arrowhead Game Studios saved Helldivers 2 from dying Helldivers 2 has made a strong comeback (Image via Arrowhead Game Studios) In 2024, Helldivers 2 was doing fairly well despite Arrowhead rolling out some unnecessary nerfs. That still didn’t kill the game’s hype as much as the PSN account linking policy did. Sony tried to force PC players to create a PSN account in order to continue playing the game but this completely backfired as the game’s Steam page was bombarded with negative reviews. By July 2024, the game had lost 90% of its player base on Steam and as a result, Arrowhead announced a 60-day plan to save the game. The studio has focused on player feedback, rolling out various balancing updates and buffs to improve the game. Thanks to the developers’ efforts, Helldivers 2 is now once again maintaining a high active player count. Last month, during Sony’s CES 2025 press conference, Asad Qizilbash, head of PlayStation Productions, revealed that the studio has partnered with Sony Pictures to develop a movie based on Helldivers 2, which is another reason why Helldivers 2 could be a hit this year. The movie will play a key role in popularising the game among a wider audience, but the movie must feature one of the most iconic battles in the game’s history, otherwise the community will riot. Source link #2025s #Biggest #Multiplayer #Hit Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Formula 1: Key figures barred from FIA meeting after refusing to sign NDA in dispute with Mohammed Ben Sulayem Formula 1: Key figures barred from FIA meeting after refusing to sign NDA in dispute with Mohammed Ben Sulayem FIA statutes dictate members of the world motorsport council “may attend any meeting” and “have the right to vote”. Reid and Richards both refused to comment when approached by BBC Sport. An FIA spokesperson said: “As is routine in all organisations, including the BBC, the FIA implements procedures including non-disclosure agreements to ensure confidential relationships between all parties, to safeguard personal information, and to protect our regulatory interests. “Unauthorised disclosure of confidential information undermines our ability to fully fulfil our mission and adversely impacts our capabilities to generate revenues to support our member clubs in our shared objective of growing motorsport participation, increasing accessibility, and cultivating innovation. “The steps we have taken to preserve confidentiality have been overwhelmingly supported by a super majority of WMSC members.” Emirati Ben Sulayem has been the subject of a series of controversies since he took office in December 2021, including around his views on women, his approach to F1, changes to the statutes reducing accountability, the dismissal of a number of senior figures and rule changes regarding F1 drivers’ public behaviour. The FIA is also the subject of legal action from Susie Wolff, the head of the all-female F1 Academy series and wife of Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff, after a compliance inquiry into the Wolffs was launched and then rescinded in the space of two days in 2023. Reid was a key member of Ben Sulayem’s presidential team but the Scot, a former rally co-driver, has fallen out of favour with the FIA president. Ben Sulayem has, increasingly, in recent months complained about what he perceives as a bias against him by the British media, and Reid appears to have been lumped in with this in his mind. Richards also supported Ben Sulayem in the election in 2021, but was vocal in his opposition to the statute changes introduced last December. Ben Sulayem is running for re-election at the end of his first term in December this year. No-one has yet put themselves forward to stand against him. FIA insiders have speculated Ben Sulayem’s actions on the NDA could be founded in fears that negative stories may appear in the media, or because he is planning further changes to the statutes at this June’s general assembly that would make it difficult for anyone to stand against him in the election. Source link #Formula #Key #figures #barred #FIA #meeting #refusing #sign #NDA #dispute #Mohammed #Ben #Sulayem Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Buy this tax software stock after earnings, analysts say. It pays a dividend Buy this tax software stock after earnings, analysts say. It pays a dividend Tax software juggernaut Intuit is on Wall Street’s radar after the company issued a strong quarterly report – and the stock happens to be a dividend payer. Intuit, the maker of TurboTax and QuickBooks, posted adjusted earnings of $3.32 per share on $3.96 billion of revenue in its fiscal second quarter. The results surpassed the profit of $2.58 per share and revenue of $3.83 billion analysts polled by LSEG had estimated. The stock, which has a dividend yield of 0.7%, popped nearly 12% on Wednesday, giving Silicon Valley-based Intuit a market value of $161 billion. Shares have had a rocky 12 months, however, down more than 6%. Intuit is well-liked on the Street, with 23 of 32 analysts rating it a buy or strong buy, with consensus price targets suggesting 15% upside from current levels, according to LSEG. Small business strength Analysts were largely upbeat on the results – and on Intuit sticking with its conservative forecast for the current fiscal year ending July 31. Intuit sees adjusted earnings ranging from $19.16 to $19.36 per share and revenue in a range of $18.16 billion to $18.347 billion. Analysts polled by FactSet anticipated earnings of $19.29 per share and revenue of $18.28 billion. “Despite the strong Q2 results, management kept the FY25 targets for both the top- and bottom-line results unchanged, yielding a conservative target for 2H25,” said Morgan Stanley analyst Keith Weiss in a report out Wednesday. “With ~25% upside to our unchanged $730 price target and increased conviction in the potential for positive EPS revisions, we move to [overweight] on the shares.” INTU 1Y mountain Intuit shares over the past 12 months In particular, the analyst highlighted Intuit’s strength in its small business segment, which saw 19% revenue growth year over year in the second quarter, compared to the fiscal year 2025 target of 16% to 17%. “Intuit is seeing strength in solutions targeting higher-end mid-market customers – in particular its QuickBooks Online Advanced and Intuit Enterprise Suite offerings, which saw 40% [year-over-year] revenue growth in the quarter,” Weiss said. Another factor in Intuit’s favor is that it’s cheap relative to its peers, he added, noting that the stock trades at 24-times calendar-year earnings per share. “After historically sustaining a significant premium against its peer group, increasing concern on the durability of growth in the Consumer Tax business has weighed heavily on the multiple over the past year,” Weiss said. Credit Karma Credit Karma, Intuit’s personal finance business, also caught the Street’s attention, with the business seeing revenue reach $511 million, up 36% from the same ******* a year ago. That compares to a 29% increase in the first quarter that ended in October. “The results suggest that Q1 strength was not short lived and driven by ongoing strength in the core personal loans and credit card lines, but also the emerging offerings such as auto insurance,” wrote Bank of America analyst Brad Sills in a Tuesday note. He reiterated his buy rating on Intuit, but dialed back his price target to $740 from $780, citing “multiple compression across the group and lower [free cash flow] (from an admittedly high level).” Sills was optimistic on TurboTax, noting a “bullish tone on traction with growth initiatives undertaken this year for the TurboTax Live and Full Service.” Efforts to streamline the filing process could boost customer satisfaction in TurboTax Live, the analyst added. For the full-service business, efforts to advertise in the fall – as opposed to January – could address some of the issues that prevented better traction in the past two tax seasons, Sills added. Indeed, while many taxpayers start thinking about the filing season in January – when they start receiving the documents necessary to prepare their returns – plenty of filers with more elaborate returns go on extension and wind up waiting until October. Revenue focus Goldman Sachs analyst Kash Rangan stuck with his buy rating in a Tuesday note, but raised his price target to $860 from $800 on the back of the quarterly results — far above the Street consensus of $714, according to FactSet data. He noted that Intuit is in the early stages of a shift that will see it focus on growth in revenue per customer. “This will be driven by [total addressable market] expansion, cross-sell and up-sell of new higher priced online services, and international growth,” Rangan said, noting that smal-l to mid-sized businesses’ appetite for digital services is “increasingly favorable.” “While the macro environment may slow growth expectations in the near term, the critical nature of Intuit’s offerings and the company’s shift to a more recurring/subscription revenue model lend themselves to a more predictable growth cycle despite a harder spending backdrop,” Rangan said. Source link #Buy #tax #software #stock #earnings #analysts #pays #dividend Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

BP to slash spending on net zero ventures as it focuses on oil and gas again BP to slash spending on net zero ventures as it focuses on oil and gas again British energy company BP confirmed Wednesday that it would slash spending on green ventures and increase its oil and gas production, a change in direction that it hopes will bolster its flagging share price but has been met with incredulity from climate action campaigners. In a statement titled “Reset BP,” the company said it will be cutting spending on its net zero transition business plans by about $5 billion per year. Future spending will be significantly lower, totaling between $1.5 billion and $2 billion per year. By contrast, BP said it would increase its investments in oil and gas production by about 20% to $10 billion. CEO Murray Auchincloss said that the company is focusing its spending on BP’s “highest-returning businesses to drive growth” and that it will be “very selective” in its investments in renewables. Story continues below advertisement “This is a reset BP, with an unwavering focus on growing long-term shareholder value,” he said. The strategy represents a pullback from the company’s much-vaunted plan five years ago, under then CEO Bernard Looney, to shrink oil and gas production in favor of net zero businesses. Auchincloss told investors after the release of the update that the company’s faith in the green energy transition was “misplaced” and that the company went “too far, too fast” in recent years. Demand for oil and gas, he added, will be “needed for decades to come.” 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. However, he said renewables still pose a “significant opportunity” and confirmed that the company still wants to meet net zero carbon emissions by 2050. “Global carbon emissions need to be reduced, and as well as looking for more energy, countries, companies and customers are looking for lower carbon products and services to support their own decarbonization objectives,” he said. 2:06 Will Alberta’s renewable energy changes help or hinder development? The update is clearly aimed at bolstering investor support in light of the company’s flagging share price. Story continues below advertisement So far, the update doesn’t appear to have appealed to investors, and the company’s share price was down 1.4% in mid-afternoon Wednesday trading. Related News Trump wants Keystone XL pipeline built ‘now’ — but is there industry appetite? However, the retreat may represent some profit-taking on the part of investors following a rally in recent weeks on speculation that the company was about to change tack. The company’s stock underperformance against its peers over the past few years such as Shell, ExxonMobil and Chevron, has stoked market speculation that BP may move its share listing to New York from London, or even make it a takeover target. The influential U.S. hedge fund Elliott Management recently took a nearly 5% stake in BP, and it is believed that it has sought to push BP back towards fossil fuels to boost profit. Auchincloss has already spun off BP’s offshore wind business in a joint venture while he’s looking to offload its onshore wind arm. The group has also been slashing costs in the face of tougher trading. Recently, it announced it would cut more than 5% of its workforce. BP’s change of strategy is facing sharp criticism from environmental campaigners, who had previously warmed to the company’s insistence that the future was green. “This move by oil giant BP clearly demonstrates why super-rich corporations and individuals, chasing short-term profit for themselves and shareholders, cannot be trusted with fixing the climate crisis or leading the transition to renewable energy we so badly need,” said Matilda Borgström, U.K. campaigner at climate action group 350.org. Story continues below advertisement “Pumping money into more oil and gas increases the risk of climate impacts for us all, flies in the face of legal climate targets, and with the renewables sector growing exponentially is a big risk to the shareholders that BP is so keen to please,” she added. 7:40 Renewable energy advocates react to new Alberta rules &copy 2025 The ********* Press Source link #slash #spending #net #ventures #focuses #oil #gas Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Dragon Age Can Have Its Own MMO Too, But Like Elder Scrolls Online, It Should Explore An Independent Timeline Dragon Age Can Have Its Own MMO Too, But Like Elder Scrolls Online, It Should Explore An Independent Timeline The Dragon Age franchise is in a very precarious state right now – especially after the huge disappointment that was Dragon Age: The Veilguard. After reportedly missing Electronic Arts’ sales expectations, Veilguard had most of its dev team laid off, and BioWare remains a shell of what it used to be. Electronic Arts has however, mentioned that Dragon Age needs live-service elements to be successful, which is true to a degree, when we look into the success of other single-player titles turned live service RPGs such as Final Fantasy XIV and the Elder Scrolls Online. Assuming that EA does not give up on the franchise and let it rot in limbo, they could still attempt a comeback by releasing an MMO spin off of the Dragon Age series. A Dragon Age MMO could work, but it needs to be unique and free from the shackles of its existing backdrop A Dragon Age MMO could work, but only if EA puts in the effort | Image Credit: BioWare Given EA’s inclination toward live-service titles, a Dragon Age MMO could be a good candidate for the otherwise failing franchise. The title would have to incorporate much of the mainline series’ charm and world building, with a focus on cooperative multiplayer and RPG elements. However, one fatal mistake to avoid in this case would be to directly add the MMO as part of the ongoing overall lore and world of the the Dragon Age series – and instead choosing to release the game as a standalone adventure, very loosely associated with the events of the mainline titles. TES Online takes place in a gray part of the overall Elder Scrolls timeline | Image Credit: Bethesda Studios This would be very similar to what the Elder Scrolls Online does. Instead of sticking to (and possibly botching up) an already well established timeline, Elder Scrolls Online has players explore the ******* of the Interregnum, which is locked in constant turmoil with barely any records, posing as a blank slate of sorts. This allowed Zenimax Online Studios to craft a unique world all of its own, without being bound to the shackles of the already pre-existing Elder Scrolls universe. This also gives writers more freedom to dictate the story on their terms, without trampling on beloved characters and already established events, which could prove to be quite disastrous. Regardless, regaining player trust will prove to be quite difficult EA and BioWare need to earn back player trust | Image Credit: BioWare No matter how good a Dragon Age MMO may turn out to be, it still must complete one major trial – regaining the trust of its player base. After all, Dragon Age: The Veilguard was an utter disappointment and financial failure, and was shunned by a vast majority of its players – including long-time Dragon Age fans who came back expecting a return to form. BioWare (or whatever is left of it) and Electronic Arts need to cater to the player base and listen to player feedback carefully before undertaking a project of this magnitude. Naturally, this would involve going back to the drawing board, and figuring out what makes Dragon Age click, and removing any unnecessary additions that detract from the true, vanilla experience. This will most certainly be a difficult process, but assuming that EA remains transparent about the whole matter, and genuinely invested in delivering a proper Dragon Age game – with no ridiculous sales targets to go along with it, it could very likely work. If anything, a Dragon Age MMO would be a breath of fresh air for the franchise, and might just be what it really needs to reinvigorate itself. Source link #Dragon #Age #MMO #Elder #Scrolls #Online #Explore #Independent #Timeline Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Collie PhD student awarded scholarship for her research on treating ******* at UWA Collie PhD student awarded scholarship for her research on treating ******* at UWA A PhD student from Collie has been awarded a scholarship for her research on treating ******* Source link #Collie #PhD #student #awarded #scholarship #research #treating #******* #UWA Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

US measles outbreak claims two lives US measles outbreak claims two lives A rapidly spreading outbreak of measles in Texas has killed two people, US Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy, Jr, said on Wednesday. They are the first mortalities from measles in the US in nearly a decade. One of those victims was an unvaccinated child who died in a Texas hospital after testing positive for measles, according to the state’s health department. Secretary Kennedy, who was speaking at the first cabinet meeting for President Donald Trump’s current term, did not give any information on the other victim and the BBC was not able to confirm the death. The Texas Department of State Health Services reported on Tuesday that it was aware of 124 cases diagnosed since the outbreak began in early January, up from 90 cases on Friday. Almost all cases – 101 – were in patients 17 and younger. The US declared measles “eliminated” in 2000, but the country has seen outbreaks in recent years amid a rise in anti-vaccine sentiment. The last US measles death was in 2015, according to the Infectious Diseases Society of America. The current outbreak is centred in north-western Texas, with measles also recently found across the state’s border in New Mexico, as well as Alaska, California, Georgia, New Jersey, New York City and Rhode Island, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Currently, there are nine cases reported in New Mexico, four of whom are children. Kennedy, a past vaccine sceptic, said that measles outbreaks are common and there have been four measles outbreaks so far in the US this year. The CDC defines an outbreak as three or more related cases. He also said his department is monitoring the current outbreak closely. A measles infection can have particularly devastating complications for pregnant women and young children, including pneumonia, neurological impairment, hearing loss and death. Survivors are at risk of developing a degenerative brain and nervous system disease known as subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE). There were 285 cases of measles reported in the US for all of last year, the highest number since 1,274 in 2019. So far, 18 people in the current outbreak have had to go to hospital, according to the Texas health department. Kennedy said altogether 20 people are in hospital to quarantine. Five people in Texas who were infected had been vaccinated, the department also said. New Mexico’s congressional delegation has pushed Kennedy to urgently address the current outbreak, urging him in a letter on Monday to “launch a vaccination promotion campaign” and rehire recently fired federal health workers, among other measures. “Just last Friday, two dozen employees at the CDC charged with training public laboratory staffers and supporting outbreak response efforts were fired,” the state’s two Senators and three House members, all Democrats, wrote. “Those firings will worsen outbreaks and ultimately threaten the health of all Americans in the face of the next public health emergency.” Meanwhile, areas affected by the outbreak are hosting free vaccination clinics, with the city of Lubbock, where the child victim died, holding hours-long clinics each day this week. The Texas outbreak is believed to have started in a rural Mennonite community with low vaccination rates, according to CBS News, the BBC’s US partner, and local media. Most US children receive two immunization shots to protect against the illness, which together are 97% effective in protecting against measles, according to the CDC. Vaccination rates in Texas are 94.3%, according to the CDC, which is below the 95% level that the Infectious Diseases Society of America says is needed to also protect those who are not immunized, commonly called “herd immunity”. “Measles was rare in the United States, but outbreaks are occurring in areas where vaccination rates have fallen,” the American Academy of Pediatrics said in a statement. “Most children who get measles are not up to date on recommended vaccines or are not old enough to get measles vaccine.” Source link #measles #outbreak #claims #lives Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

"Avowed" Review \\ paulsemel "Avowed" Review \\ paulsemel This epic fantasy open world, action-oriented, role-playing game is like a lighter version of “Skyrim,” but it’s not “Skyrim Lite.” Source link #quotAvowedquot #Review #paulsemel Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

BBC criticised by 500 media figures for pulling Gaza documentary BBC criticised by 500 media figures for pulling Gaza documentary Gary Lineker, Anita Rani, Riz Ahmed and Miriam Margolyes are among more than 500 media figures who have criticised the BBC’s decision to pull a documentary about children’s lives in Gaza. The BBC has said it removed Gaza: How to Survive a War Zone from iPlayer while it carried out “further due diligence” after discovering its 13-year-old narrator was the son of a ****** official. The open letter, published by Artists for Palestine ***, criticised what the signatories said was a “racist” and “dehumanising” campaign targeting the documentary. It called on the BBC to “reject attempts to have the documentary permanently removed or subjected to undue disavowals”. The corporation said it had not been informed of the teenager’s family connection in advance by the film’s production company. The BBC’s board is expected to discuss the film on Thursday. The letter, sent to director-general Tim Davie, BBC board chair Samir Shah, chief content officer Charlotte Moore, and CEO of BBC News Deborah Turness, said the film offered an “all-too-rare perspective on the lived experiences of ************ children”. It reads: “Beneath this political football are children who are in the most dire circumstances of their young lives. This is what must remain at the heart of this discussion. “As programme-makers, we are extremely alarmed by the intervention of partisan political actors on this issue, and what this means for the future of broadcasting in this country.” The letter’s other signatories include directors Ken Loach and Mike Leigh, actors Khalid Abdalla and Ruth Negga, musician Nitin Sawhney and Sara Agha, who presented the BBC documentary series The Holy Land And Us: Our Untold Stories. A BBC spokesperson said: “Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone features important stories we think should be told – those of the experiences of children in Gaza. “There have been continuing questions raised about the programme and in the light of these, we are conducting further due diligence with the production company. The programme will not be available on iPlayer while this is taking place.” Source link #BBC #criticised #media #figures #pulling #Gaza #documentary Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Shadow of Mordor’s innovative Nemesis system is locked behind a patent until 2036 Shadow of Mordor’s innovative Nemesis system is locked behind a patent until 2036 Warner Bros Discovery recently shut down a trio of game studios, including the well-regarded Monolith Productions. This has put one of the coolest game mechanics of the 2010s in limbo. Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor’s excellent Nemesis system is locked behind a patent owned by Warner Bros all the way until 2036, according to reporting by Eurogamer. The Nemesis system was featured in both 2014’s Shadow of Mordor and the follow-up Middle-earth: Shadow of War. Simply put, it’s a gameplay mechanic in which enemies remember previous encounters with the protagonist. These antagonists, typically orcs in the LOTR games, would use these humiliating memories to fuel their thirst for revenge as they rose through the ranks. This mechanic also worked both ways, so enemies would remember besting you in a previous encounter. It was the best part of those two titles and Monolith had planned on bringing back the mechanic for a now-cancelled Wonder Woman game. Now the system is lying unused, locked behind a patent vault in David Zaslav’s mega-yacht or whatever. Gigantic multinational corporations are awesome! To view this content, you’ll need to update your privacy settings. Please click here and view the “Content and social-media partners” setting to do so. *Monolith makes the awesome Nemesis system for Shadow of Mordor, everyone loves it* *WB patents it, making it pretty much impossible for other devs to use it* *WB shuts down Monolith* RIP the Nemesis system, I guess! pic.twitter.com/z2KVkT97tV — Cade Onder (@Cade_Onder) February 25, 2025 Warner Bros Discovery patented the system in 2016, which you can read right here. The patent is active until 2036, so long as the company keeps up with the associated fees. It’s worth noting that in the nine years since patenting the system, it’s only been used in a single game. That’s Shadow of War, which came out in 2017 and was already in development when Warner Bros went ahead with the patent. It remains to be seen if Warner Bros Discovery will do anything with the Nemesis system. It had nine years of heavy game development to make use of it across its entire IP portfolio, but didn’t. In that time *******, plenty of Batman games and Hogwarts Legacy all came out. Those would have surely benefited from the unique mechanic. Oh well. WB will still focus some resources on game development, but the company’s efforts will be primarily spent on four franchises. These include Harry Potter, Mortal Kombat, the DC universe and Game of Thrones. Three of those four seem like good fits for the Nemesis system to me. Source link #Shadow #Mordors #innovative #Nemesis #system #locked #patent Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

3 U.S. women found dead in Belize hotel, police investigating – National 3 U.S. women found dead in Belize hotel, police investigating – National Three American women were found dead in a hotel room at a beach resort in Belize, police said Monday, adding that officials were investigating the deaths as possible drug overdoses. Belize police identified the women as Kaoutar Naqqad, 23, Imane Mallah, 24, and Wafae El Arar, 26, of Revere, Mass., who were staying at the Royal Kahal Beach Resort. According to police, housing staff attempted to contact them a number of times on Feb. 21 after surveillance footage showed them entering their rooms on the evening of Feb. 20 and not exiting the room again. After staff received no response by the morning of Feb. 22, they used a master key to enter and police say the women were found motionless. “The bodies exhibited no signs of injuries,” Belize Police Commissioner Chester Williams said. “Police also saw inside the room what appeared to be vomiting beside each female.” Story continues below advertisement The cause of their deaths remained unconfirmed, but first responders said the women were found with froth on their mouths, suggesting a possible drug overdose. Police also say they will be testing to determine if carbon monoxide poisoning was a factor. Police also report there were no signs of forced entry or visible injuries and officers found snacks, liquids, vapes and other electronic devices in the women’s room. Belize authorities said they are still investigating but Patrick M. Keefe Jr., mayor of Revere, told Boston 25 News that he has concerns about the “lack of transparency in this investigation.” “The information we have received thus far from the Belizean authorities leaves our grieving community with too many questions. These are daughters, friends, and contributors to our city,” Keefe said. “I have heard widespread concern from the families and community members about the lack of transparency in this investigation, and the media narrative painted by Belizean authorities.” 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. Keefe also said he’s “deeply saddened” to learn of the deaths of Naqqad, El Arar and Mallah. “Three young women who were valued members of the Revere community,” Keefe wrote in the statement. “On behalf of the entire city of Revere, I extend my condolences to their families and loved ones during this time of unimaginable loss.” 1:29 Hearing held in case of Alberta woman accused of kidnapping her son and taking him to Belize Keefe noted that he has reached out to local politicians to help get to the bottom of what led to the deaths of the three women. Story continues below advertisement “We will exhaust all avenues, both domestic and abroad, to ensure a proper and fair analysis of this case,” Keefe said. “I have been in contact with members of our federal delegation, including Senator Ed Markey and Whip Katherine Clark, and we will be working lockstep to bring answers to these families and their communities.” The City of Revere shared a Facebook post extending its “heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the three local women who tragically and unexpectedly passed away in Belize.” The Facebook post also included GoFundMe links for each family. More on World More videos El Arar’s family referred to her as a “bright, kind, and loving soul who touched the hearts of everyone she met.” “We ask for your support to help cover ******** expenses and ease the financial burden during this difficult time. Any contribution, big or small, will be deeply appreciated by all of us,” El Arar’s family wrote. El Arar’s GoFundMe post has raised more than $28,000 of its goal of $35,000 from 658 donations as of Wednesday afternoon. Naqqad’s family said her death has “deeply impacted all who knew her” and asked for donations to help “cover the ******** burial and transportation expenses to bring her back home to the United States.” Naqqad’s GoFundMe post has raised over $25,000 of its goal of $35,000 from 511 donations as of Wednesday afternoon. Story continues below advertisement 1:43 Belize police say discovery of Markham woman and her American boyfriend being treated as ********* investigation “With a heavy heart, I share the tragic loss of my beloved daughter, Imane, who passed away in a heartbreaking accident. No parent should ever have to endure such pain, and the grief is overwhelming,” Mallah’s father wrote on her GoFundMe page. He said he is raising money to “honor Imane’s memory and cover the expenses related to her passing, including ******** and memorial costs.” Mallah’s GoFundMe post has surpassed the goal of $35,000 from 730 donations as of Wednesday afternoon. A vigil was held at a community mosque in Revere for the three women on Tuesday, where hundreds of people gathered to pay their respects to the families. The investigation in Belize is ongoing. —With files from The Associated Press &copy 2025 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc. Source link #U.S #women #dead #Belize #hotel #police #investigating #National Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Assassin’s Creed Shadows Leaking Isn’t Good For Anybody Assassin’s Creed Shadows Leaking Isn’t Good For Anybody Profchaos1d 21h ago (Edited 1d 21h ago ) Why did Ubisoft think it was a good idea to press such a old version of the game to disc apparently this is a significantly dated build. It seems like this was the game that was originally planned to release. It’s like they are doing everything in their power to sabotage themselves and blame others lately. Despite what many think there’s still a huge portion of PlayStation players who don’t have their consoles connected to the internet including military personal and players in countries outside of the US and *** I know some rural players in Australia where the internet barely works. They did the same.tbing with outlaws making the physical version pointless. Source link #Assassins #Creed #Shadows #Leaking #Isnt #Good Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

7 genuinely useful Alexa Plus features that might make it my go-to AI assistant 7 genuinely useful Alexa Plus features that might make it my go-to AI assistant It’s finally here; Alexa Plus has a name, an imminent rollout schedule, and a price tag of $19.99 (or free as part of an Amazon Prime membership.) Sure, we don’t have any information on an international rollout, but having a tangible Alexa Plus service is enough good news for one day. There were few surprises in the demonstration; we’ve known since 2023 what Amazon ideally wanted its upskilled voice assistant to look like, and by and large, that’s what was delivered, albeit later than initially hoped. We covered all the biggest news in our Alexa Plus live blog and summarized the key features and pricing information, but there’s plenty that wasn’t covered in depth at the event to unpack. Thankfully, Amazon has released a blog with all of the key features and functionalities in Alexa Plus, which outlines some more specific and quality-of-life adjustments that could make the subscription service all the more worth it. Many of the newly announced AI tools are on a par with other AI assistants; however, Alexa has one major feather in its cap. While much of its competition centers around your phone or laptop as the main interface, Alexa is housed around your home. As someone trying to use their phone less, not more, this puts Alexa as my personal front-runner as an AI assistant. I use Alexa daily to help me manage my household, and let me tell you, some of the incoming features are a must-have. Here are the features I’m most excited for. Personalization was a key theme of the day, with various demonstrations showing how Alexa Plus will be able to curate media to your personal needs. That comes in various forms, with Amazon’s blog post highlighting a few. For me, the most exciting change is to Daily News briefings. Amazon says Alexa Plus can deliver personalized news briefings based on your interests, so if you chose tech, for example, you might get TechRadar’s daily headlines served to you while you get ready in the morning. Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Elsewhere, Alexa is improving its personalization with music suggestions, building recommendations based on your mood, environment, and contextual information it knows about your preferences. This extends beyond voice control, too. For You, widgets can be set up to track specific topics in real-time, whether that’s freshly released tickets to see your favorite artists or deal alerts for a product you’ve been pining for. 2. Improved search capabilities Across the board, natural language processing improves Alexa Plus’ ability to find exactly what you’re looking for. Want to listen to a podcast, but specifically one that’s under 20 minutes? Alexa Plus can help. Trying to find a specific song, but you can’t remember anything except a few details and lyrics? Alexa Plus will bring the tunes. Sure, that’s cool, but you know what’s even cooler? You’ll be able to ask Alexa Plus to find specific scenes in media and play them, meaning you’ll never reach for that fast-forward button again when the time comes to re-watch your favorite movie action sequence. 3. Topic tracking I’ve alluded to it already in this article, but Alexa will actually be able to track and notify you with news on specific subjects. Whether that’s a live sports match or an artist you like who is prone to stealth-dropping albums and concerts. This feature is powered by what Amazon calls Experts, a collection of trusted sources – including TechRadar – which it collects information from to keep you informed. Apologies in advance if that means you have to hear more from me than you’d like. 4. Smoother smart home control Generally, Alexa Plus offers some fantastic conversational upgrades, but nowhere will this be more crucial than in the smart home of tomorrow. Amazon talked a lot about how the new subscription service means “No more Alexa-speak,” which basically means no more repeatedly attempting to prompt Alexa on something you know it can do – or just you think it should be able to do – to figure out the exact right way of asking for it. Device control is one of the most significant issues I have with standard Alexa, wherein the assistant will regularly decide it no longer likes the name I’ve given my devices. Similarly, it’s frustrating that until now, simple commands like “Move Netflix to the Fire TV” when changing between rooms don’t work; all those woes are history, it seems. 5. Improvements to Routines Along a similar vein, Amazon has announced some much, much needed features for Alexa Plus when it comes to automations. Alexa Routines are a great starting position for newbies and those with minimal devices, but they rely heavily on the phone interface and offer little customization or conditional programming. Now, Amazon says Alexa Plus will not only allow you to create new Routines by voice, but the blog posts suggest you’ll be able to build in conditional logic. For instance, if you’re going on holiday for the week and need the lights to turn on at varying intervals to make it look like you’re home, you can tell Alexa Plus, and it will deliver. You can even ask for daily outfit recommendations based on the weather, which I’ll be using almost every day, so I stop sweating from stupidly wearing a heavy coat when it’s actually moderately warm outside. These can also be personalized to a specific user, thanks to Vision ID and voice recognition technology. (Image credit: Future) 6. Household management Thanks to a litany of third-party service integrations, Alexa Plus looks fit to take on some of the best AI assistants by offering agentic capabilities. Whether that’s by booking a restaurant reservation, ordering a cab for a family member, or scheduling an appointment for household repairs, these hands-free interactions could free up hours of time spent on life admin. That’s especially true for the grocery shopping feature, which is compatible with Amazon Fresh and other grocery delivery services. This feature won’t be ready at release but will be sometime in the future. You’ll be able to list everything from full recipes to scenarios like “We’ve got two guests coming on Friday, and one is a vegetarian,” following which Alexa will populate a shopping basket with your preferred retailer. 7. Image analysis This isn’t something I’d asked for, but I’m really excited to see how it pans out for Alexa Plus; the cameras built into your Echo Show devices just got a whole lot more useful thanks to its image analysis abilities. If, for example, a plant in your home is wilting and you can’t figure out why, you can ask Alexa Plus to identify the plant, research it, and give suggestions for its care. Pretty neat. There’s plenty more coming to Alexa Plus to make it an exciting proposition, though its $19.99 monthly subscription fee (which, as a reminder, is more expensive than the $14.99 monthly Amazon Prime membership, which will include Alexa Plus…) does feel disproportionate nonetheless. There are also some features inexplicably rolling out as Alexa Plus exclusive, where I see no reason for them not to be on the standard, free tier. For instance, the ability to send announcements to specific devices does not feel like something that necessitates AI and is something people have been asking for for a long time. The same goes for moving media from room to room. It should just work. While Amazon, I’m sure, is keen to recoup some of its $25bn smart home losses, feature-stuffing a subscription plan just isn’t the way to engender long-term users to step up to a new subscription, nor do these small quality-of-life fixes really serve to add much value to this curiously positioned subscription service. A better message would be that “Alexa is better for everyone, but if you want the version that can really make your life better, then there’s Alexa Plus.” You might also like…. Source link #genuinely #Alexa #features #goto #assistant Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Trump proposes offering $5 million “gold card” to wealthy immigrants. Here’s how it would work. Trump proposes offering $5 million “gold card” to wealthy immigrants. Here’s how it would work. President Trump to host first Cabinet meeting of current term President Trump to host first Cabinet meeting of current term 02:49 President Trump on Tuesday unveiled a new pathway to residency: a “gold card” aimed at wealthy foreigners willing to pay millions for the right to live in the U.S. That term is a play on the green card, more officially known as a permanent residency card, which allows non-citizens to live and work permanently in the U.S. Green cards are most frequently awarded to foreigners who marry U.S. citizens or to those who receive one through their employer, with the latter process taking an average of three years to complete, according to the Cato Institute. The new program comes as the Trump administration moves to change the country’s rules for who can legally live, work and gain citizenship in the U.S. That includes tightening restrictions on many types of immigration in the U.S. and pushing to end birthright citizenship, the constitutionally protected right to citizenship to anyone born on U.S. soil. The U.S. already opens the door to wealthy non-U.S. citizens who want residency through what is known as an EB-5 visa. But that program, launched in 1990, has long been cited for potential abuses, including one prominent case from almost a decade ago that involved owners of a Vermont ski resort embezzling millions from foreign investors who hoped to score visas through the program. Yet both the new gold card and the EB-5 program have a common goal: Attracting foreign capital by allowing rich non-citizens to ante up in exchange for a U.S. residency visa. “It’s going to be a route to citizenship, and wealthy people will be coming into our country by buying this card, they’ll be wealthy, and they’ll be successful and they’ll be spending a lot of money and paying a lot of taxes and employing a lot of people,” Mr. Trump said on Tuesday. Here’s what to know about the gold card plan. What is Trump’s gold card? The gold card will offer a new route for rich non-U.S. citizens to gain a valid visa to live and work in the U.S., according to Mr. Trump, who spoke Tuesday about the new visa with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick from the Oval Office. The cost of each new visa will be $5 million, Mr. Trump said. “We’re going to be putting a price on that card of about $5 million, and that’s going to give you green card privileges, plus,” the president added. Green cards allow recipients to live permanently in the U.S. and work for whomever they choose. By comparison, some immigrants, such as those on H-1B visas, are locked into working for the employer that sponsored their visa. Green card holders can also travel in and out of the U.S. without restriction, and are able to start the process to become a U.S. citizen. When will the gold card be available? Lutnick said the gold cards would be available starting in about two weeks. Will the gold card replace the EB-5 visa? Yes, with Lutnick on Tuesday describing the EB-5 program as “full of nonsense, make believe and fraud.” “So the President said, rather than having this sort of ridiculous EB-5 program, we’re going to end the EB-5 program,” Lutnick said in joining Mr. Trump to outline the gold card program from the Oval Office. “We’re going to replace it with the Trump Gold Card, which is really a Green Card Gold.” One major difference between the gold card and the EB-5 visa — the cost, with the latter requiring applicants to invest about $1 million in the U.S., typically by putting the money into a business. But the EB-5 visa also comes with a host of other requirements, such as documenting that the investment will create or preserve 10 permanent full-time jobs for U.S. workers. How much money could the gold card raise for the U.S.? Mr. Trump suggested that the the U.S. could “sell maybe a million of these cards, maybe more than that.” At $5 million each, selling 1 million gold cards could raise $5 trillion, he said. “And if you sell 10 million of the cards, that’s a total of $50 trillion,” Mr. Trump added. “We have $35 trillion in debt. That’ll be nice, so we’ll see.” Typically, the number of annual applicants for EB-5 visas is far lower than what Mr. Trump projects for the gold card. About 8,000 people obtained investor visas in the 12-month ******* ending Sept. 30, 2022, according to the Homeland Security Department’s most recent Yearbook of Immigration Statistics. If roughly 8,000 people received gold cards each year, the U.S. would raise about $40 billion annually through the program. The U.S. is a top immigration destination for rich investors, according to Henley & Partners, a company that provides immigration advisory services. The group estimated that the U.S. had the second-biggest net influx of millionaires in 2024, following the United Arab Emirates, at about 3,800 foreign millionaires moving stateside last year. Who could qualify for a gold card? Aside from having $5 million to pay the U.S. government, gold card applicants would also have to meet other criteria, Lutnick said. “They’ll have to go through vetting, of course, we’re going to make sure they’re wonderful world class global citizens,” he said, without providing details. Asked by reporters if Russian oligarchs could qualify for the visa, Mr. Trump responded, “Possibly.” He added, “Hey, I know some Russian oligarchs that are very nice people. It’s possible. They’re not as wealthy as they used to be. I think they could afford — I think they could afford $5 million.” Do other nations offer gold cards? Yes, investor visas are common around the world. More than 100 countries offer “golden visas” to wealthy individuals, including the U.S., United Kingdom, Spain, Greece, Malta, Australia, Canada and Italy, according to Henley & Partners. Does the gold card need congressional approval? Congress determines qualifications for citizenship, but Mr. Trump said gold cards would not require congressional approval. Changes at the U.S.-Mexico border under Trump’s new immigration policies 04:34 “We have it all worked out from the legal standpoint. It’s totally legal to do,” Mr. Trump said. “It’s somewhat like a green card, but at a higher level of sophistication — it’s a road to citizenship for people, and essentially people of wealth or people of great talent, where people of wealth pay for those people of talent to get in, meaning companies will pay for people to get in and to have long, long term status in the country.” The Associated Press contributed to this report. Aimee Picchi Aimee Picchi is the associate managing editor for CBS MoneyWatch, where she covers business and personal finance. She previously worked at Bloomberg News and has written for national news outlets including USA Today and Consumer Reports. Source link #Trump #proposes #offering #million #gold #card #wealthy #immigrants #Heres #work Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]