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Xbox Game Studios boss says multiplatform approach is ‘good for players and developers’ Xbox Game Studios boss says multiplatform approach is ‘good for players and developers’ Xbox Game Studios head Craig Duncan has labeled Microsoft’s multiplatform strategy a win-win approach for players and developers. Multiple former Xbox exclusives have been released for PS5 and/or Switch over the past year, including Sea of Thieves, a game which Duncan oversaw the launch of during his previous role as boss of developer Rare. During the latest official Xbox podcast, which is viewable below, he was asked what he thinks the Xbox community should take away from Microsoft’s multiplatform approach. “Yeah, I think it’s good for gamers, I think it’s good for our studios,” Duncan said. “Our studios make amazing games, and we want to give those games the chance to reach the broadest audience possible.” Xbox announced last February plans to bring a wave of games to PlayStation and Switch, starting with Pentiment, Hi-Fi Rush, Sea of Thieves and Grounded. Later, Microsoft announced Doom: The Dark Ages for Xbox Series X/S, PC and PS5, and confirmed that a PS5 version of its Indiana Jones game will be released this spring. Forza Horizon 5 will also be released for PS5 this spring, Microsoft said in January. And this month, Xbox revealed plans to bring Age of Mythology: Retold and Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition to Sony’s console this year too. “I just think it’s good for gamers, it’s good to have our games reach more places,” Duncan said. “Everyone that makes a game wants it to reach as many players as possible, so I love that we can give that opportunity,” he added. Last November, Microsoft’s gaming CEO Phil Spencer reiterated that the company won’t rule out any first-party Xbox game potentially coming to other platforms in the future. It was recently claimed that Hellblade 2 could be one of the next Xbox exclusives coming to PS5. During the official Xbox podcast, Duncan also confirmed that Fable’s release has been delayed to 2026. Source link #Xbox #Game #Studios #boss #multiplatform #approach #good #players #developers Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

American loses *** appeal to become legally non-binary American loses *** appeal to become legally non-binary An American who wanted to be formally recognised as non-binary in the *** has been told by the Court of Appeal their gender identity does not legally exist in this country. Ryan Castellucci previously lost a High Court challenge to have their gender recorded as non-binary on a gender recognition certificate – a document which changes someone’s legal sex – after moving to the *** in 2019. They had obtained legal recognition as non-binary in California in 2021, and were issued an American passport in 2022 listing their sex as ‘X’. Dismissing the appeal, Lord Justice Singh said the issue was “potentially controversial” and was “better suited to resolution in Parliament than the courts”. At an earlier hearing, the court heard how Castellucci, a cyber security expert from California, uses the title “Mx” and refers to themselves using they/them pronouns. While they have undergone surgery and hormone treatment, they told the court they continue to use the name Ryan as it is considered unisex in the US. Castellucci described the experience of trying to obtain legal documents listing them as non-binary as an “ordeal” and the court heard they worried about possible difficulties related to their gender identity when applying for British citizenship. They also raised concerns about how their gender identity would be reflected on their death certificate, when their US documents state they are non-binary. Lord Justice Singh, sitting with Dame Victoria Sharp and Sir Andrew McFarlane, said that only 11 countries worldwide, as well as some US states including California, recognise non-binary gender in law. Non-binary is an umbrella term for those those who do not identify as exclusively male or female. In a judgment published on Tuesday, Lord Justice Singh said: “The concept of ‘gender’ in the Gender Recognition Act (GRA), when referred to in the context of the domestic law route, is confined to two genders.” He added that, at an earlier appeal in 2023, the government said “no changes were currently needed and more research and consultation would be needed before any changes were contemplated”. He continued: “There is no general consensus, either in the Council of Europe or more generally around the world, in favour of recognising non-binary status. “Furthermore, this is an area of social policy which is highly sensitive and potentially controversial, thereby being better suited to resolution in Parliament rather than in the courts. “This is not only for reasons of democratic legitimacy but also for reasons of institutional competence.” Anna Dews, associate solicitor at Leigh Day, the firm which represented Castellucci, said they were considering appealing the ruling. She said: “Ryan’s only registered gender is non-binary. Despite Parliament legislating for the *** to recognise foreign-acquired genders, the courts have so far ruled that non-binary foreign genders do not count. “Ryan considers that there cannot be true gender equality without recognition of the fact that not all genders are binary.” Source link #American #loses #appeal #legally #nonbinary Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Connected workspace apps improve collaboration management Connected workspace apps improve collaboration management alotofpeople – stock.adobe.com By Published: 25 Feb 2025 Unified communications platforms that combine messaging, calling and meetings have become the norm in the modern enterprise. But UC doesn’t always support the need for content, project and non-real-time collaboration. To meet these needs, enter the connected workspace. What is a connected workspace? A connected workspace is a platform that provides a single location for employees to collaborate and accomplish their work. Connected workspace apps can vary quite a bit in features and functionalities, but they share several common characteristics, including the following: Centralized knowledge. These apps provide a place to store data, documents and other business information that serves as a single source of truth. Project and task management. A connected workspace enables companies to manage projects, tasks, workflows, resources and reporting. Content collaboration and management. Connected workspace platforms enable users to create and edit content iteratively on a common canvas across workgroups and team members. Connected workspace vendors and tools Connected workspace providers fall into four primary categories: Task and project management. In this category, examples include Adobe, Airtable, Asana, Monday.com, Smartsheet and Wrike. These providers typically started with project and task management but have grown their features to include contextual collaboration, AI and automation, third-party integrations and other advanced capabilities. Team workspace. Providers such as Coda, Linear and Notion began as data repositories or collaborative note apps — in some cases, replacing the enterprise wiki with a more collaborative and extensible offering. These vendors, too, are rapidly adding new capabilities, such as AI, workflow automation, and task and project management. Additional examples include digital whiteboard apps from providers such as Miro and Mural that provide a collaborative work environment. Office productivity suites. Leading vendors in this space include Microsoft with its Loop application, Google with Workspace and Zoho with its project management and note-taking apps. These work management apps provide a fuller workspace orientation experience. Communications and collaboration. Vendors in this category include Slack and Zoom. Slack complements channels and direct messages with its canvas collaborative work surface, enabling teams to create, organize and share knowledge and resources. Meanwhile, Zoom Docs provides a collaborative document creation capability that can be tied to chats and meetings. How do organizations use connected workspaces? The use cases for connected workspaces vary based on the needs of an organization and the initial driver for adoption. Typically, adoption happens in one of two ways: Individual workgroups obtain a connected workspace app for a specific use case, such as collaborative document creation and management. As usage grows, companies move to enterprise-wide adoption. Other collaboration vendors, such as office suite providers or UC platforms, introduce collaborative workspace capabilities to provide added value to their offerings. Connected workspace adoption trends In a recent study, Metrigy researched 157 companies and found 58% of participants had already adopted a connected workspace app, while another 28.6% planned to adopt one in the future. In these apps, project management is the most widely used feature with 69.1% using it, followed by content collaboration (61%) and resource management (54.4%). See how companies are using connected workspace applications. Evaluating connected workspace apps Connected workspace apps are applicable for companies of all sizes across a range of horizontal and vertical functions. Their ability to centralize work and integrate collaboration, workflows, projects and tasks make them well suited as an alternative to standalone files and project management platforms. When adopting connected workspace apps, Metrigy found that successful companies do the following: Standardize on a single platform to improve manageability. Deploy connected workspace apps on a companywide basis to ensure every employee can take advantage of their benefits. Use the connected workspace platform to act as a single source of truth for organizational data to avoid islands of data storage. Ensure project management teams are fully utilizing the platforms. Have a connected workspace owner for the company. This person is responsible for operations management, security, compliance, and end-user training and adoption programs. Irwin Lazar is president and principal analyst at Metrigy, where he leads coverage on the digital workplace. His research focus includes unified communications, VoIP, video conferencing and team collaboration. Dig Deeper on Team collaboration software Source link #Connected #workspace #apps #improve #collaboration #management Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

****** Ops And Give Us a Sequel To Their 2nd Most Underrated Game After Reach ****** Ops And Give Us a Sequel To Their 2nd Most Underrated Game After Reach We all can agree that Halo is, quite possibly, the biggest name in the entirety of sci-fi gaming and is instantly recognizable to gamers. Whether you’re someone who grew up with the iconic Halo 3 LAN parties or started a bit late with 343’s entries, it can’t be denied that the franchise brings an incredible single-player experience. The franchise is still making waves in the gaming industry. (Image via Microsoft) Over the years, we’ve been blessed with a number of iconic Halo games. Sure, some of them might not have hit the mark, but they played a critical role in elevating the franchise. However, what’s truly disappointing is that Halo didn’t follow up on one of its most underrated games: Halo 3: ODST. Halo 3: ODST deserves a full-blown sequel Halo fans would love an ODST sequel. (Image via Microsoft) Back in 2008, ex-Bungie community and PR director Brian Jarrard and writer Luke Smith sat down with Eurogamer and opened up about Halo 3: Retcon, which later came to be known as Halo 3: ODST. The Bungie employees talked about the studio’s approach to the project and how long it’s been under development. While talking about the project, Jarrard opened up about the central figures of the game, Orbital Drop Shock Troopers (ODST). These elite soldiers in the Halo verse are somewhere between ordinary marines and legendary Spartans such as Master Chief. While they lack augmentations and advanced armor, they make up for their skills in combat. The ODSTs are the guys who are in between the Master Chief level and the regular marine level. They don’t have the augmentation of a Spartan or the super-reflexes and armour. The UNSC didn’t just rely on Spartans to fight against the Covenant; they also used ODSTs in crucial battles, who fought in the worst kind of conditions, with no backup. While the game gave us a look at a small-scale experience on Earth, the ODSTs were also deployed on Mars, defending humans from Covenant assaults. It’s not just Mars; ODSTs were also present on Halo installations 04 and 05, where they had to witness the nightmare of the Flood. These soldiers also had to go through the fall of Reach and were part of the forces that made the last stand against the enemies. Even though they aren’t super-soldiers, gamers found ODSTs an incredible addition to the lore, which allowed the game to be a success. Microsoft must consider a move like Call of Duty: ****** Ops and give the underrated ODST title a full sequel. We could see ODSTs fighting on other planets and installments. Whether it brings new characters or focuses on old ones, such as Buck, another ODST game could help the franchise regain its lost ground. Let’s hope the developers consider the potential of this sequel. Is there any new Halo project in the works? A Combat Evolved remake will be interesting. (Image via Microsoft) Throughout 2024, we constantly heard rumors suggesting that 343 Industries might be working on a Combat Evolved remake. These rumors were confirmed when the studio rebranded itself to Halo Studios and revealed that its next game will be completely built in Unreal Engine 5. Since then, all the rumors have continued to grow, and there’s a chance that the remake could also be released on PlayStation 5 consoles right alongside Xbox. It’s supposed to begin a series of remakes of the beloved original trilogy. However, Microsoft still hasn’t made any official announcements on what the next mainline game in the franchise could be or when it might be released. There’s a chance that Halo 7 could be in development as a sequel to Infinite. With that said, do you think Halo 3: ODST deserves a sequel? Let us know in the comments below. Source link #****** #Ops #Give #Sequel #2nd #Underrated #Game #Reach Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Venice contract revoked just hours before fiery hearing Venice contract revoked just hours before fiery hearing A contract with the team chosen for the Venice Biennale was formally terminated four hours before a Senate hearing questioning the move. Source link #Venice #contract #revoked #hours #fiery #hearing Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Streamer Finishes All 7 FromSoftware Soulslike Games in a Row Without Taking Damage or Leveling Up Streamer Finishes All 7 FromSoftware Soulslike Games in a Row Without Taking Damage or Leveling Up thorstein8h ago(Edited 8h ago) “…known as Nico, who completed ******’s Souls, the Dark Souls trilogy, Bloodborne, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, and Elden Ring in sequence” Those games aren’t Soulslike. WTAF? Words have meanings. ReplyAgree 0Disagree 0 ▼–+ SPAMInappropriate Source link #Streamer #Finishes #FromSoftware #Soulslike #Games #Row #Damage #Leveling Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Micron unveils DDR5-9200 memory: 1γ process technology with EUV Micron unveils DDR5-9200 memory: 1γ process technology with EUV Micron introduced its 16Gb DDR5 devices made on its new 1γ (1-gamma) fabrication process that uses EUV lithography, a first for Micron, today on March 25. The new IC not only delivers higher performance than its predecessor, but it also consumes less power and is poised to be cheaper to make. The company also said that its 1γ manufacturing technology (6th Generation 10nm-class node) will eventually be adopted for other DRAM products. DDR5 at 9200 MT/s Micron’s lead 1γ product is the company’s 16Gb (2GB) DDR5 IC that is rated for a 9200 MT/s data transfer rate at an industry-standard voltage of 1.1V. Compared to its predecessor — a 16Gb DDR5 IC made on 1β fabrication process — the new device consumes 20% less power and features a 30% higher bit density, which may translate into a comparable decrease in production cost once the new chips achieve yields comparable to that of 1β 16Gb DRAM devices. (Image credit: Micron) While Micron rates its latest 16Gb DDR5 ICs at 9200 MT/s, this speed bin is significantly higher than anything in the latest edition of the DDR5 specification. The company stresses that the chip can run at JEDEC-compliant speed grades just fine, and the higher speed bin will enable some future proofing and compatibility with next-generation CPUs. Micron also suggests that CUDIMMs or CXL-based memory modules could leverage higher-than-JEDEC speeds. DIMMs for enthusiasts will also likely adopt the new DRAMs for their post-10,000 MT/s modules. Micron is currently sampling its 16Gb DDR5 ICs made on 1γ technology and products on their base (i.e., chips and modules) with laptop and server manufacturers and expects their qualifications to be completed in one or two quarters. That means we should see Micron’s latest memory devices in retail products starting mid-2025. The company expects all types of memory modules — for desktops, laptops, and servers — to adopt its new memory chips. Considering the fact that Micron’s 1γ-based DRAMs offer a combination of valuable qualities for all market segments — enhanced performance for desktops as well as lower power consumption for notebooks and servers — we indeed expect the firm’s latest 16 Gb DDR5 ICs to become quite popular when they hit the market. (Image credit: Micron) Over time, Micron will use its 1γ fabrication technology to make other types of memory products, including GDDR7, LPDDR5X (at up to 9600 MT/s), and data center-grade products, so the node will become a workhorse for the company. 1γ manufacturing technology Micron’s 1γ manufacturing process is the company’s first technology to adopt extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUV), something that other leading memory makers adopted years ago. It’s been a while in coming and looks to offer significant benefits relative to existing product lines. (Image credit: Micron) Micron did not disclose how many EUV layers the new production node uses, but we can speculate that the company uses EUV for critical layers that would otherwise require the usage of multi-patterning, which lengthens production cycles and can affect yields. Micron does say that 1γ uses EUV in conjunction with multi-patterning DUV techniques. Also, Micron’s 1γ DRAM process technology adopts next-generation high-K metal gate technology and an all-new back-end-of-line (BEOL) circuitry. “ In addition to EUV adoption in 1γ, we have introduced our next generation high-K metal gate CMOS and advanced back-end-of-line processes, which together enable the 9200 MT/s [data transfer rate], a 15% performance improvement over 1β DRAM […] while reducing power by about 20% over 1β,” said Shigeru Shiratake, senior vice president of DRAM Technology Development at Micron. For now, Micron produces its 1γ DRAMs at its fabs in Japan, where the company’s first EUV tool was installed in 2024. As the company ramps up production of 1γ memory, it will add more EUV systems to its fabs in Japan and Taiwan. Get Tom’s Hardware’s best news and in-depth reviews, straight to your inbox. Source link #Micron #unveils #DDR59200 #memory #1γ #process #technology #EUV Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

21 federal tech workers resign rather than help Musk ‘dismantle critical public services’ – PBS NewsHour 21 federal tech workers resign rather than help Musk ‘dismantle critical public services’ – PBS NewsHour 21 federal tech workers resign rather than help Musk ‘dismantle critical public services’ PBS NewsHourFederal technology staffers resign rather than help Musk and DOGE The Associated PressService Staffers Resign After DOGE Takeover—Citing Refusal To ‘Dismantle Critical Public Services’ Forbes21 Civil Servants Resign From DOGE, Refusing to Implement Elon Musk’s Changes The New York TimesLive updates: The latest on Trump’s presidency, DOGE agenda and House GOP budget | CNN Politics CNN Source link #federal #tech #workers #resign #Musk #dismantle #critical #public #services #PBS #NewsHour Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Alberta’s infrastructure minister resigns over procurement concerns Alberta’s infrastructure minister resigns over procurement concerns Descrease article font size Increase article font size Alberta Minister of Infrastructure Peter Guthrie has resigned from his seat at the cabinet table, citing concerns over “the Government of Alberta’s procurement practices across all departments.” In a letter to his constituents posted on social media, Guthrie announced his resignation from cabinet, but said he will remain a private member of the government caucus, where he can “hold cabinet accountable with honesty and integrity.” Alberta’s Minister of Infrastructure, Peter Guthrie, announced his resignation from cabinet in a letter to constituents posted on social media. X/@PeterGuthrie99 Guthrie said that as minister of infrastructure, he had “line of sight” into the provincial government’s procurement practices and “inconsistencies” and claimed he recommended improvements that could have prevented some of the issues that have developed into the scandal, and allegations of corruption now facing the UCP government. Story continues below advertisement 2:00 Danielle Smith, Adriana LaGrange deny allegations of AHS government interference His resignation comes almost two weeks after the former head of Alberta Health Services, Athana Mentzelopoulos, filed a wrongful dismissal lawsuit against the province. Get weekly health news Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday. In the lawsuit, she alleges she was fired after looking into high-level government interference and questionable multi-million-dollar contracts. Documents from Alberta Health Services also show a private surgical company at the heart of the scandal was billing taxpayers more than twice as much per procedure as it would cost in a public hospital. Premier Danielle Smith and Health Minister Adriana LaGrange have denied any wrongdoing and LaGrange has said the dismissal of Mentzelopoulos wasn’t linked to the former CEO’s investigation. The allegations have not been proven in court, and statements of defence have yet to be filed. Story continues below advertisement The NDP Opposition has been calling for a judicial-led public inquiry to get to the bottom of the allegations, which the premier has so far resisted. …More to come. &copy 2025 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc. Source link #Albertas #infrastructure #minister #resigns #procurement #concerns Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Alberta’s infrastructure minister resigns over procurement concerns Alberta’s infrastructure minister resigns over procurement concerns Descrease article font size Increase article font size Alberta Minister of Infrastructure Peter Guthrie has resigned from his seat at the cabinet table, citing concerns over “the Government of Alberta’s procurement practices across all departments.” In a letter to his constituents posted on social media, Guthrie announced his resignation from cabinet, but said he will remain a private member of the government caucus, where he can “hold cabinet accountable with honesty and integrity.” Alberta’s Minister of Infrastructure, Peter Guthrie, announced his resignation from cabinet in a letter to constituents posted on social media. X/@PeterGuthrie99 Guthrie said that as minister of infrastructure, he had “line of sight” into the provincial government’s procurement practices and “inconsistencies” and claimed he recommended improvements that could have prevented some of the issues that have developed into the scandal, and allegations of corruption now facing the UCP government. Story continues below advertisement 2:00 Danielle Smith, Adriana LaGrange deny allegations of AHS government interference His resignation comes almost two weeks after the former head of Alberta Health Services, Athana Mentzelopoulos, filed a wrongful dismissal lawsuit against the province. Get weekly health news Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday. In the lawsuit, she alleges she was fired after looking into high-level government interference and questionable multi-million-dollar contracts. Documents from Alberta Health Services also show a private surgical company at the heart of the scandal was billing taxpayers more than twice as much per procedure as it would cost in a public hospital. Premier Danielle Smith and Health Minister Adriana LaGrange have denied any wrongdoing and LaGrange has said the dismissal of Mentzelopoulos wasn’t linked to the former CEO’s investigation. The allegations have not been proven in court, and statements of defence have yet to be filed. Story continues below advertisement The NDP Opposition has been calling for a judicial-led public inquiry to get to the bottom of the allegations, which the premier has so far resisted. …More to come. &copy 2025 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc. Source link #Albertas #infrastructure #minister #resigns #procurement #concerns Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Is the Gothic 1 Remake a Gothic Revival or a Gothic Ruin? | TheSixthAxis Is the Gothic 1 Remake a Gothic Revival or a Gothic Ruin? | TheSixthAxis TSA go hands on with Gothic 1 Remake: Nyra’s Prologue, a demo in Steam Next Fest, to see how this remake is shaping up. Source link #Gothic #Remake #Gothic #Revival #Gothic #Ruin #TheSixthAxis Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Europe caught off guard as US sides with Russia at UN Europe caught off guard as US sides with Russia at UN A dramatic day of high stakes diplomacy at the United Nations has exposed growing cracks in the transatlantic alliance since President Donald Trump returned to the global stage and massively shifted US foreign policy. When Russia invaded Ukraine three years ago, Europe had no stronger partner than the United States. But this week, in the halls of the General Assembly and at the Security Council, the US worked against its closest allies and sided with Russia, Belarus and North Korea to pass resolutions on the conflict in Ukraine. To mark the third anniversary of Moscow’s invasion, Ukraine sought a symbolic General Assembly resolution that would require the 193-member body to reaffirm Kyiv’s territorial integrity and call for Russia to withdraw its forces in line with the UN charter. That resolution did pass on Monday, but with less support than in past years. Many members abstained to avoid a tricky tension created by the US. Washington’s diplomats had urged other countries to vote against the measure and to instead support their “forward looking resolution” that was only three short paragraphs. It took a neutral stance on the war, without blaming Russia, and called for a swift end with a lasting peace to follow. Washington not only introduced their measure in the General Assembly where every nation’s vote is equal, but also in the more powerful Security Council. Resolutions there are legally binding – though sometimes hard to enforce – and there had never been council action on Ukraine because of Russia’s veto power as a permanent member. The move caught Europe off guard. One European diplomat told the BBC that the US behaved like a bully and did not take into account their stance on their continent’s security. Another who sits on the Security Council, Slovenia’s ambassador Samuel Zbogar, told the BBC that Europe is struggling to adjust to the 180-degree change in the US position – and the speed at which Washington is moving. He said the European Union will need to do some reflecting at the body’s council meeting next week. “Leaders will have to develop a plan on how the EU can actively be involved in finding peace, rather than reacting to what others are doing. It’s up to us now in Europe to come forward,” he told the BBC. There were plenty of reactions in the halls of UN headquarters in New York, as European leaders worked to reconcile with the latest US position. Watch: US votes against UN resolution condemning Russia aggression against Ukraine The ***’s ambassador, Dame Barbara Woodward, and French UN Ambassador Nicolas De Riviere attempted to have the Security Council vote postponed, arguing that council members needed more time to consider the text and negotiate. Interestingly, the ******** were willing to give more time for discussions, but the US and Russia, who are usually on opposite sides of issues on the council, both were against postponement. European members of the council then tried to introduce amendments, as they had successfully done earlier in the General Assembly resolution which led to the US abstaining on its own resolution. In the Security Council, the US threatened to block the proposed amendments to name Russia as the aggressor, reaffirm Ukraine’s borders and call for a just peace. They said that it detracted from what Washington was trying to achieve and pursued a war of words rather than an end to the conflict. In the end, the US didn’t have to use its veto because Russia voted to block the amended language. The US’s neutral resolution then ultimately passed, breaking through three years of Security Council paralysis on the topic of Ukraine because of Russia’s veto power. Just months ago, it would have seemed unthinkable that the first resolution adopted regarding the conflict would be one with such limited language – let alone that a resolution like this would be proposed by the US, condoned by Russia and passed without the full support of Europe’s five council members. But the US hailed the development, the first action by the council to call for an end to the war. Others were not so celebratory. Richard Gowan, UN Director of the Crisis Group, said after three years of deepening animosity between Russia and the US at the UN, the sight of the two powers coordinating to embarrass Europe was pretty stunning. He said while everyone expected President Trump to be disruptive at the UN, this went beyond most people’s expectations. “The US lobbying against the European-Ukrainian resolution was very crude. US officials were reportedly threatening to cut aid to non-compliant states. This has left a ****** taste among many UN members,” Mr Gowan said. Source link #Europe #caught #guard #sides #Russia Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Rise Of The Golden Idol DLC Release Date May Be Hidden In Plain Sight Rise Of The Golden Idol DLC Release Date May Be Hidden In Plain Sight Following its launch back in October, The Rise of the Golden Idol is set to add some additional chapters to its tale of ******* and mystery in the first expansion, called The Sins of New Wells. Developer Color Gray has teased a March release window for the upcoming DLC, but it seems the actual release date might have also been slyly revealed. In the style of the game, a teaser post on The Rise of the Golden Idol’s Steam page had shed some slightly redacted light on what players can expect from The Sins of New Wells. The post confirms the expansion will contain four new cases, a new character named Cliff Savea, and more of the dangerous magic from the fictional world of Lemuria. A new case file lands on your desk from the Police Commissioner. You take a sip of your rapidly cooling coffee, and pick it up. It looks like you might need to dig around in the post to fill in the blanks. — The RISE of the Golden Idol (@ColorGray7) February 25, 2025 However, the final lines of the post directs readers to “find more clues” on the game’s official BlueSky and X profiles, which feature a series of cryptic posts dating back to February 6. While the posts reveal a few more names, scenes, and items, it seems like eagle-eyed fans may be able to sus out The Sins of New Wells’s exact release date from all of the information provided. One of the most recent posts includes both “March” and “4,” which may indicate an imminent launch date. The Rise of the Golden Idol is a point-and-click mystery puzzle game where players analyze ******* scenes to figure out what really happened. GameSpot’s 9/10 review called it a “a worthy successor to one of 2022’s best games, putting a fresh spin on its singular concept with another collection of challenging and inventive puzzles.” The Sins of New Wells, the first expansion for The Rise Of The Golden Idol, is set to launch in March for $6 on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PC, Nintendo Switch, and mobile devices. Source link #Rise #Golden #Idol #DLC #Release #Date #Hidden #Plain #Sight Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

British couple in their 70s arrested, detained by Taliban in Afghanistan – National British couple in their 70s arrested, detained by Taliban in Afghanistan – National A British couple in their 70s, who run education and training programs in Afghanistan, have been detained by the Taliban, although the couple’s children say they don’t know why their parents were arrested. Peter Reynolds, 79, and his wife Barbie, 75, were taken from their home on Feb. 1, in the Nayak area of central Bamiyan province, along with another foreigner and an Afghan, reports The Associated Press. Their four adult children say their parents run Rebuild Consultants, an organization that provides training and education for government agencies, education organizations, businesses and nongovernmental groups. The Sunday Times, which first reported the story, said one project was for mothers and children. The Taliban has severely restricted women’s education and activities. In a letter to the Taliban, their children wrote: “Our parents have consistently expressed their commitment to Afghanistan, stating that they would rather sacrifice their lives than become part of ransom negotiations or be traded. Story continues below advertisement “We trust that this is not your intention, as we are instructed to respect their wishes to remain with you.” According to the BBC, the couple have been running their programs for 18 years and their work had apparently been approved by the local authorities, despite the Taliban banning education for girls over the age of 12 and not allowing women to work. 2:05 Taliban bans Afghan women from praying aloud, reciting Qur’an in each other’s presence Previous Video Next Video “They were just trying to help the country they loved,” Sarah Entwistle, the couple’s eldest daughter, told The Sunday Times. Get daily National news Get the day’s top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Entwistle told the BBC that she and her siblings were in contact with their parents for three days after their arrest, but became increasingly alarmed after they lost contact. “Our parents have always sought to honour the Taliban, so we wanted to give them the opportunity to explain their reasons for this detention,” Entwistle told Times Radio. “However, after more than three weeks of silence, we can no longer wait.” Trending Now Hunter Schafer ‘shocked’ her passport gender changed after Trump order Tax season 2025: What Canadians need to know before filing Story continues below advertisement In the letter to the Taliban, the siblings issued a plea for their return, arguing that their parents have always respected their place as foreigners in the country. “They have always been open about their presence and their work, diligently respecting and obeying the laws as they change,” their children wrote. “They have chosen Afghanistan as their home, rather than with family in England, and they wish to spend the rest of their lives in Afghanistan. “We kindly ask for the release of our father and mother so they can return to their work in teaching, training and serving Afghanistan, which you have previously supported.” On Monday, the Taliban told the BBC it plans to release the Reynolds “as soon as possible.” In a statement, Taliban official Abdul Mateen Qani said: “A series of considerations is being taken into account, and after evaluation, we will endeavour to release them as soon as possible.” The Taliban did not give a reason for their arrest. 2:12 ********* Dave Lavery recounts his 77 days as a prisoner of the Taliban Previous Video Next Video More on World More videos &copy 2025 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc. Source link #British #couple #70s #arrested #detained #Taliban #Afghanistan #National Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Helldivers 2 Hive Mind Theory Reveals True Galactic Scale of the Terminid Threat Helldivers 2 Hive Mind Theory Reveals True Galactic Scale of the Terminid Threat The Helldivers 2 players recently came across some brand new Terminid enemies, which confirms that mutations are taking place within the faction. It’s been a while since Terminids have carried out a proper invasion attempt and now, it seems like they are ready to take their revenge against Super Earth for destroying the supercolony on Meridia. Terminid units might just be biological drones (Image via Arrowhead Game Studios) Terminid units are often seen as mindless insects who have no set end goals. However, there is one particular theory that claims that each Terminid unit in Helldivers 2 is not an individual creature, but it is a biological drone that is controlled by a galaxy-wide hive mind. Each battle against these bugs does not weaken the faction as the hive mind studies every attack and deploys more units to take over Super Earth because it perceives Helldivers as foreign pathogens. The Terminid faction in Helldivers 2 might be more than just mindless bugs On the surface level, the Terminid threat seems like a parasite that is constantly evolving. Super Earth strongly believes that taking down the Queens and nests would put an end to the faction but what if these Terminids are a small extension of a much larger hive mind? This hive mind could be a planet-sized intelligence, an ancient consciousness that has been growing for millions of years. Each Terminid unit could be its biological drone that the entity deploys to understand Super Earth’s strategies. The hive mind, like a parasite, wishes to consume Super Earth as it perceives them as an infection. Each major attack helps it to understand Helldivers’ weaknesses, which then allows them to deploy smarter, deadlier enemies. The latest Predator Strain might not be due to random mutations because someone might be studying the attacks. The end goal of the hive mind is to consume all organic life. The scale of this attack is much larger than one would expect New Terminid enemies have appeared on the battlefield (Image via Arrowhead Game Studios) If this theory is true, players might be underestimating the scale of the attack that this hive mind is carrying out. Super Earth’s constant efforts to destroy queens, supercolonies, or nests are not doing much as the bugs are just puppets that are helping the parasitic life form. Completely exterminating the bugs is the only thing that can slow down this attack. To some extent, it makes sense because the Predator Strain is full of enemies who understand Helldivers’ strategy. It’s almost as if these units were designed and trained specifically to take down Super Earth’s soldiers because this can’t be a result of a random mutation. Leaks suggest that the Terminid faction is not planning to stop any time soon, so players must step up their game. The Helldivers 2 lore has become much more intense, especially after the addition of the Illuminate. Arrowhead Game Studios has turned up the difficulty and the game has been testing players to their limits. The community is expecting Arrowhead to explore much more of the Helldivers universe due to its vast nature, so this hive mind could be a great starting point. Source link #Helldivers #Hive #Mind #Theory #Reveals #True #Galactic #Scale #Terminid #Threat Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

De Minaur shocked by Cilic but O'Connell progresses De Minaur shocked by Cilic but O'Connell progresses Marin Cilic has spoiled the prospect of an Aussie showdown in Dubai by beating Alex de Minaur but Chris O’Connell has joined Alexei Popyrin in the last 16. Source link #Minaur #shocked #Cilic #O039Connell #progresses Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Reignbreaker Preview – God Kill The Queen – MonsterVine Reignbreaker Preview – God Kill The Queen – MonsterVine MonsterVine: “With a unique javelin system, intense action, and a mysterious world to uncover, Reignbreaker is shaping up to be a must-play for roguelike fans. Heres what we think so far.” Source link #Reignbreaker #Preview #God #Kill #Queen #MonsterVine Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Israel looks to extend phase one of Gaza truce as long-term deal proves elusive – Reuters Israel looks to extend phase one of Gaza truce as long-term deal proves elusive – Reuters Israel looks to extend phase one of Gaza truce as long-term deal proves elusive ReutersAs the clock ticks down on the Gaza ceasefire, Israel prepares for more war CNNGaza Cease-Fire Could End in Days, With No Extension Agreed. What Happens Next? The New York TimesU.S. Backs Gaza Cease-fire Extension as Netanyahu Looks for More Fronts to Set Ablaze HaaretzIsrael ‘wants to extend first phase of Gaza ceasefire deal’ as talks stall The Guardian Source link #Israel #extend #phase #Gaza #truce #longterm #deal #proves #elusive #Reuters Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

8BitDo’s New Ultimate 2 Controller Sounds Very Impressive, And It’s Available Now 8BitDo’s New Ultimate 2 Controller Sounds Very Impressive, And It’s Available Now 8BitDo has unveiled the Ultimate 2 Wireless Controller for PC and Android, and the new pro-style gamepad is already ready to ship. The Ultimate 2 costs $60 and is available in three colors: white, ******, or purple. Orders placed on launch day (February 25) can arrive as soon as tomorrow with Amazon Prime. 8BitDo’s Ultimate 2 is a sequel to its flagship Ultimate Controller and the manufacturer’s most feature-rich controller yet. 8BitDo Ultimate 2 Controller at Amazon: While we haven’t tested the Ultimate 2 yet, the original is our top pick in our best PC controllers list, so we’re looking forward to trying the updated version of what was already a fantastic controller. $60 Key Features Low latency (1ms) 2.4GHz wireless connection on PC Bluetooth on Android TMR electromagnetic analog sticks Hall Effect triggers with adjustable stop point 2 remappable back triggers 2 extra remappable shoulder buttons RGB lighting rings 1,000Hz polling rate for 2.4GHz and wired 6-axis motion controls Rumble Turbo button 1,000mAh battery Available in white, ******, and purple Includes matching USB-C charging dock Customize with 8BitDo Ultimate Software V2 Remap inputs Set up three custom profiles Set up dead zones Adjust motion control sensitivity Adjust stick sensitivity Adjust trigger sensitivity Adjust rumble intensity Adjust lighting effects The Ultimate 2 Controller features several notable enhancements. 8BitDo improved its 2.4GHz wireless tech and gave it the name “8Speed.” When synced wirelessly via the included USB-C dongle, the Ultimate 2 reportedly offers near-seamless input recognition with 1ms latency. The Ultimate 2 also has a polling rate of 1,000Hz when using 2.4GHz wireless or USB-C wired connections. To be clear, the original Ultimate offered a stable and fast wireless connection, but it sounds like the new model will be even better in this regard. It’s also the first Ultimate Controller to use a USB-C dongle instead of USB-A. On Android, the Ultimate 2 syncs via Bluetooth. 8BitDo replaced the Hall Effect sticks found on many of its controllers with TMR sticks. Like Hall Effect sticks, TMR technology uses electromagnets to provide a smoother feel with more accurate, precise movements. Electromagnetic controls also mitigate the risk of analog stick drift. Though similar overall, TMR technology is typically viewed as an improvement compared to Hall Effect tech. The new analog sticks are accompanied by customizable RGB lighting rings. 8BitDo Ultimate 2 Controller Gallery The Ultimate 2 is the first controller in the series to feature four extra buttons. 8BitDo essentially combined the designs of the original Ultimate with the Ultimate 2C, the manufacturer’s latest budget wireless controller. It has two remappable back triggers (like the Ultimate) as well as two extra shoulder buttons (like the Ultimate 2C). 8BitDo also added another common pro-style customization feature to the Ultimate 2: trigger locks. The Hall Effect analog sticks can instantly convert to linear buttons by flicking the switches on the back. In addition to the physical modifications, the Ultimate 2 supports 8BitDo’s proprietary app on PC and Android. With Ultimate Software V2, you can create up to three profiles and make adjustments to stick, trigger, and motion control sensitivity, modify rumble intensity, and program analog stick dead zones. Like 8BitDo’s other premium controllers in its flagship series, the Ultimate 2 comes with a matching USB-C charging dock with a compartment to store the USB dongle. While it’s unclear how much game time you can get from a full charge, the Ultimate 2’s battery is substantially larger than the original’s battery. The Ultimate 2 has a 1,000mAh battery, whereas the Ultimate and Ultimate Bluetooth for Switch each have 480mAh batteries. The original Ultimate and Ultimate Bluetooth offered 15 and 22 hours of battery life, respectively, so the new model may offer a marked improvement to those already solid figures. The downside to the Ultimate 2 is that it’s limited to PC and Android at the moment. The original Ultimate 2.4GHz Controller eventually became compatible with Apple devices, so it’s possible that will happen down the line with the sequel, too. 8BitDo typically releases Nintendo Switch versions of its Ultimate Controllers, so we may get a sequel to the Ultimate Bluetooth for Switch, which is our pick for the best Nintendo Switch controller designed by a third-party. Source link #8BitDos #Ultimate #Controller #Sounds #Impressive Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘Draconian’ methods outdated as Pettit eyes off third GFL coaching flag ‘Draconian’ methods outdated as Pettit eyes off third GFL coaching flag Railways have been a dominant force under Rhett Pettit. Source link #Draconian #methods #outdated #Pettit #eyes #GFL #coaching #flag Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

If You Thought Elden Ring’s White Mask Varre Was Annoying, Skyrim Has an Unkillable NPC That Taunts You To Lick His Father’s Boots If You Thought Elden Ring’s White Mask Varre Was Annoying, Skyrim Has an Unkillable NPC That Taunts You To Lick His Father’s Boots As perfect as it might seem to be, every video game out there has its own fair share of characters that will sometimes just annoy the player to wit’s end. And as much as players hate the White Mask Varre in Hidetaka Miyazaki’s Elden Ring, it can’t be more annoying than this one NPC in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. White Mask Varre calls the player Maidenless as soon as the game starts | FromSoftware Imagine going on about your day in your favorite RPG game when you suddenly start getting nagged about licking someone’s boot. Even worse, when you realize it’s an NPC that you simply cannot kill. Skyrim and one of its most annoying NPCs Nelkir is one of the most annoying Skyrim NPCs | u/Pickinanameainteasy on Reddit Reach Dragonsreach in Skyrim, and you will find a child NPC called Nelkir that will go on and on about you wanting to lick his father’s boot. Something, which anybody can assume, must not be the player’s primary objective in the first place. While it is annoying, it is also more interesting to see at the same time how a simple NPC can ruin the player’s day with a simple dialogue. Unfortunately, being a child character, Nelkir can’t be gotten rid of unless you are a PC player, at which point custom mods come into play. The player can also shout him to death, a mechanic that many console players can’t thank Bethesda enough for. Many might believe White Mask Varre from Elden Ring, in all honesty, is a more annoying character, given the fact that he calls you maidenless as soon as you step onto The Lands Between. However, at least you can get rid of him as soon as the game starts and won’t have to rely on mods or a shouting mechanic. Elden Ring and its tendency to add the most annoying characters ever Elden Ring has a few of the most annoying characters | FromSoftware Hidetaka Miyazaki is already known for throwing players into a fit of rage with punishing level designs, and annoying characters like the White Mask Varre are just the cherry on top. Remember Patches? A known face from previous FromSoftware titles that has always betrayed you whenever given the chance to. Everyone hates patches, and he is just another addition to the list of NPCs in Elden Ring that really make you question why even boot up your PC or console in the first place. Skyrim is undoubtedly a more vast game than Elden Ring, with thousands of dedicated mods enhancing the experience for longer than a decade. Both of these evergreen titles have their own fair share of annoying enemies that the player can’t stand for more than a minute, and it might be what Todd Howard and Mr. Miyazaki have in common after this pretty direct Dark Souls reference found in Fallout 4. Source link #Thought #Elden #Rings #White #Mask #Varre #Annoying #Skyrim #Unkillable #NPC #Taunts #Lick #Fathers #Boots Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Supreme Court rules against drivers in a case advocates say could make civil-rights claims harder Supreme Court rules against drivers in a case advocates say could make civil-rights claims harder WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court said Tuesday that people who win early rulings in civil rights cases won’t necessarily be able to recover their legal fees, a finding that both conservative and liberal groups had argued could make it harder to fight for people’s rights in court. The high court ruled 7-2 against Virginia drivers who sued after their licenses were suspended under a law they argued was unconstitutional. The drivers won an early court order blocking enforcement of the law, but then Virginia repealed the measure and the case ended before the judge reached a final determination. Most of the time, each side pays its own legal costs in court. But plaintiffs who win civil rights cases can get the losing side to pay their legal fees under an exception to the law aimed at making it easier for people to press those claims in court. 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. In the Virginia case, the state petitioned to the justices after an appeals court found it should pay the drivers’ attorneys’ fees. The state argued that because the drivers had won a preliminary injunction rather than a final court determination, it shouldn’t have to cover their legal fees. Advocacy groups ranging from the American Civil Liberties Union to the Second Amendment-supporting Firearms Policy Coalition had weighed in on the side of the drivers. They said many cases are determined at the preliminary injunction stage and fewer people would be willing to challenge the government in court if they might have to bear the burden of potentially hefty legal fees even if they make a persuasive case. But the Supreme Court found that winning at an early stage isn’t enough, since the outcome can change after a trial plaintiffs must win on the merits to recoup their legal fees. The concern that governments could derail a case by changing a law if they lose at the preliminary injunction stage are only speculative, and apply to only a small number of cases, the majority found. The opinion was written by Chief Justice John Roberts, and joined by his five fellow conservatives as well as a liberal-leaning justice, Elena Kagan. Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented. Source link #Supreme #Court #rules #drivers #case #advocates #civilrights #claims #harder Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Fable delayed to 2026 Fable delayed to 2026 Publisher Xbox Game Studios and developers Playground Games and Eidos Montreal have delayed Fable from its previously planned 2025 release window to 2026. Source link #Fable #delayed Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Nvidia’s typical ‘beat and raise’ earnings announcement may not be enough to keep lifting the stock Nvidia’s typical ‘beat and raise’ earnings announcement may not be enough to keep lifting the stock It’s normally music to investors’ ears: A company exceeded Wall Street forecasts for earnings and raised their outlook for the next quarter’s performance. But after Nvidia ‘s monster gains and strong earnings reports in recent years, the so-called beat-and-raise may no longer be enough on its face to satisfy growth-hungry traders. “The beat and raise for NVDA is becoming clockwork at this point,” Cantor analyst C.J. Muse wrote to clients this week. “The problem with this consistency… the bar has now been reset and standard beats/ raises are no longer being rewarded.” Analysts and investors are gearing up for the chipmaker’s earnings report after the bell on Wednesday. Given the stock’s size with a market cap above $3 trillion and recent leadership in the bull market, the reaction to the report is expected to drive movement in the broader market. There’s good news and bad news. The good is that Nvidia is widely expected to surpass consensus forecasts set by analysts, as it has for the past several quarters amid the artificial intelligence *****. The bad news: The company can once again hike expectations for future earnings, but it might not be by as much as investors would like. In this vein, Cantor’s Muse said to expect a solid beat for the quarter. However, he said to plan for “only a very modest raise” on forward guidance that meets consensus forecasts. Soft guidance? Raymond James’ Srini Pajjuri, meanwhile, said clients shouldn’t be surprised if Nvidia offers “soft” guidance for the next few quarters. That’s due to constraints in the supply of its chips, which the analyst said can lead to some weakness. The firm’s base case for the fiscal first quarter is for revenue to come in-line with consensus forecasts at $42 billion. If the stock takes a leg down on the back of earnings, Pajjuri said to see it as a buying opportunity. This is especially true given the upcoming GPU Technology Conference held by Nvidia in March, he said, as it can be a positive catalyst for shares. While Melius Research analyst Ben Reitzes said the sales outlook for the fiscal second quarter of 2026 seem “great,” he also noted a “bumpy” path in Nvidia’s transition to Blackwell chips. Like Pajjuri, he pointed to supply snafus. Because of that, he also said to expect guidance that is more in line than usual for at least the next quarter. Nvidia has said it likes to post an outlook quarter by quarter, but Reitzes recalled that the company had shares expectations for longer-term growth at this time last year. With this in mind, he would like to see clarity on where Nvidia revenue is going for the next several quarters to ease concerns among some investors that growth is cooling. “With investors more jittery, the guidance may need to include some multi-quarter commentary as well to soothe near-term concerns,” he said. On the other hand, UBS analyst Timothy Arcuri has reason for optimism on future performance. Arcuri doesn’t expect Nvidia’s first-quarter revenue guidance to match the firm’s estimate of around $47 billion. But when the quarterly actually ends, he said the company may end up being able to meet this figure if revenue tied to the Blackwell chip takes off. NVDA 1Y mountain Nvidia, 1-year More broadly, analysts see the report coming at an important moment for the stock. After two banner years for gains, the stock has dropped nearly 5% in 2025 as concerns tied to AI infrastructure spending and competition have worried market participants. Yet Wall Street expects the retail investor favorite and crown jewel of today’s stock market to rebound higher. The average analyst polled by LSEG has a buy rating with a price target implying more than 36% in upside. Source link #Nvidias #typical #beat #raise #earnings #announcement #lifting #stock Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

E. coli concerns prompt cheese recall in several ********* provinces – National E. coli concerns prompt cheese recall in several ********* provinces – National Descrease article font size Increase article font size Some cheeses are being recalled in several ********* provinces over concerns about potential E. coli contamination. The ********* Food Inspection Agency issued the recall alert on Friday for Morbier de Scey and Raclette de Scey cheeses. The affected products were sold in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Quebec and possibly other provinces and territories. The recall includes cheeses by the brand Jean Perrin and others that may have been sold by various retailers “with or without a label that may not bear the same brand, product name or best before date,” the CFIA said. “The affected products are being recalled from the marketplace due to possible pathogenic E. coli contamination,” the agency said. Jean Perrin’s Raclette de Scey cheese is being recall over E. coli concerns. Photo courtesy: ********* Food Inspection Agency So far, no illnesses have been reported related to the recalled cheeses. Trending Now Trump says tariffs on Canada, Mexico ‘on time’ for March 4 deadline Tax season 2025: What Canadians need to know before filing Story continues below advertisement The CFIA said a food safety investigation is being conducted that could lead to other products being pulled off shelves. Get weekly health news Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday. The agency is advising Canadians not to consume the recalled products and to discard or return them to the location where they were bought. E. coli infections are caused by E. coli bacteria, which can be spread through contact with infected people or animals, or contaminated surfaces, foods or liquids, according to Health Canada. Food contaminated with E. coli may not look or smell spoiled but can still make you sick, the CFIA says. Symptoms of E. coli illness include nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, watery or bloody diarrhea and in severe cases, seizures or strokes, kidney damage and even death. More on Health More videos &copy 2025 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc. Source link #coli #concerns #prompt #cheese #recall #********* #provinces #National Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]