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Halo Theory Reveals Why Humanity’s Staunchest Enemy That Makes The Covenant Look Like Grunts Will Never Return Halo Theory Reveals Why Humanity’s Staunchest Enemy That Makes The Covenant Look Like Grunts Will Never Return In the Halo universe, the Forerunners were an ancient and highly advanced race that was responsible for shaping the entire galaxy and its structural foundations. The Forerunners had the Mantle of Responsibility, an idea that established their role as the protectors of other weaker species. The Forerunners left their mark in the Halo universe. (Image via Microsoft) However, the Forerunners’ downfall came due to a war with the Flood. This event led to the activation of the Halo Array, which ended up wiping out all life in the galaxy, including themselves. Given the fact that they had the technology to reestablish themselves through reseeding, many wonder why they didn’t choose to do so. However, there’s a pretty clear reason behind this. Forerunners gave up on the Mantle after the Flood war Forerunners’ beliefs were shattered, and they chose to leave. (Image via Microsoft) Halo fans have always been told that the Forerunner civilization was built upon the belief that they were the true inheritors of the Mantle of Responsibility. It wasn’t just any kind of cultural thing; this ideology was engraved into their identity. For Forerunners, the Mantle was the ultimate truth and something that helped them justify their rule. However, when the Flood arrived on the scene, everything that the Forerunners believed in shattered. Not only did the parasite prove to be a deadly threat, but it also contradicted everything that the Forerunners did. The Flood brought the harsh truth that the Mantle was never really meant for the Forerunners. The Halo Array was Forerunners’ last measure to strike back against the Flood. It brought mass extermination, which was something against the principles of protection. The remaining Forerunners could only relive the horrors of their failures. They couldn’t put an end to the Flood without going for a full genocide and proved themselves to be unworthy of the Mantle. After realizing that everything that the civilization worshipped was a lie and that their leadership was a failure, all the remaining Forerunners went into exile instead of reseeding. If they had chosen to rise again, it would have meant another attempt at claiming a responsibility that they failed terribly the first time. The remaining Forerunners decided to take a departure and allow humanity to take the role that they felt was for them. For Forerunners, the best way to pay for their sins was to vanish and let another species take the Mantle of Responsibility. New Halo game announcement could happen in 2025 There might be a new Halo game reveal this year. (Image via Microsoft) A few months ago, Xbox’s Halo team, 343 Industries, underwent a massive change. Firstly, the studio announced that it’s renaming to Halo Studios, confirming that its sole focus is still the FPS franchise. Alongside the studio’s name change, it was also confirmed that Halo is moving from Slipspace Engine to Epic Games’ Unreal Engine 5 for all future entries. Now, it looks like Halo Studios is ready for another game. Reputable industry insider Rebs Gaming has posted a video on YouTube talking about a new Xbox LinkedIn post that links Halo Studio’s expanded playtesting setup. According to the post, the Project Foundry Team’s work on Unreal explorations included a playtest where various artists and designers played maps similar to those in active production. It’s the mention of maps in production that makes Rebs Gaming think that a Halo announcement could be coming soon. If a new Halo game is truly on the cards for a reveal this year, it would mean that it might be released in 2026 or 2027, or later, depending on the scope. When might Microsoft reveal the game? Well, it’s likely that it could happen at Xbox’s annual Summer Game Fest showcase, which is set to happen in June. With that said, why do you think Forerunners chose not to reseed themselves in Halo? Let us know in the comments below. Source link #Halo #Theory #Reveals #Humanitys #Staunchest #Enemy #Covenant #Grunts #Return Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Kako's pressure a feature as Bombers beat Cats in AFL Kako's pressure a feature as Bombers beat Cats in AFL New Essendon player Isaac Koko impressed as much with his defensive pressure as he did by kicking four goals in the pre-season win over Geelong. Source link #Kako039s #pressure #feature #Bombers #beat #Cats #AFL Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Delta Force: ****** Hawk Down Preview – Authenticity or Military Propaganda? – MonsterVine Delta Force: ****** Hawk Down Preview – Authenticity or Military Propaganda? – MonsterVine chb7073d ago Started out playing solo last night, got my **** kicked repeatedly. The reason it’s virtually impossible to beat solo is because you can die in 1-3 hits and enemies can spawn in all directions. You need at least one other human player to watch corner X while you watch corner Y, to heal you when you’re downed, to handle snipers while you clear buildings, etc. I matched with one other skilled player and we managed to nearly beat mission 3 (fight through the market and reach the first downed ****** Hawk), but we eventually got overrun at the ****** site (just like Gordon and Shughart, RIP). Overall, though, I was pretty impressed by Team *****’s effort. The tactics, intensity, realism, grittiness, unforgiving difficulty… somehow it all works. They did steal footage, music and dialogue directly from the movie which I found hilarous (even if Columbia Pictures doesn’t). Source link #Delta #Force #****** #Hawk #Preview #Authenticity #Military #Propaganda #MonsterVine Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Kevin O’Leary Says People Waste $15K A Year On ‘Stupid Stuff’ Like Buying Lunch At Work — ‘It Costs You 99 Cents To Make A Sandwich’ Kevin O’Leary Says People Waste $15K A Year On ‘Stupid Stuff’ Like Buying Lunch At Work — ‘It Costs You 99 Cents To Make A Sandwich’ “You go to work, you spend $15 on a sandwich—what are you, an ******?” Shark Tank’s Kevin O’Leary shared some brutally direct financial advice with his viewers in a September TikTok video. Known as “Mr. Wonderful” for his sharp business insights, O’Leary took aim at two everyday habits—your pricey lunch breaks and coffee-shop splurges—that quietly drain thousands from your wallet each year. O’Leary argued that making coffee at home costs around $0.20 per cup, compared to the $5.50 many people regularly spend at coffee shops. And then there’s lunch—another major culprit. “It costs you 99 cents to make a sandwich at home,” O’Leary said. Yet, according to an October 2023 survey from ResumeBuilder.com, a whopping 71% of office workers buy lunch at least three times a week, with nearly half spending $20 or more per meal. Don’t Miss: O’Leary said that many individuals, especially those starting their careers in metropolitan areas with an annual salary of around $60,000, waste $15,000 each year on “stupid stuff.” While a few coffees and sandwiches might not seem significant daily, O’Leary points out that these costs accumulate substantially over time. For example, buying lunch three times a week at $20 per meal sets you back $60 weekly. Over a year, that’s roughly $3,120. Add a daily coffee habit at around $5 each day, and you’re spending another $1,300 annually. But what if you’re the typical city worker who grabs lunch daily and a few coffees to keep going? Suddenly, you’re easily hitting the $15,000 mark O’Leary warned about. Trending: Commercial real estate has historically outperformed the stock market, and this platform allows individuals to invest in commercial real estate with as little as $5,000 offering a 12% target yield with a bonus 1% return boost today! Now imagine taking that same $15,000 and putting it into the stock market instead. Historically, the S&P 500 has averaged around a 10% return annually. Invest that $15,000 each year for 10 years, and you’d end up with over $260,000 thanks to compound interest. Over 20 years, that figure balloons to nearly $860,000. Talk about turning lunch money into life-changing cash. This spending reality hits harder when we consider that according to a Bankrate survey earlier this month, only 41% of U.S. adults could comfortably cover a $1,000 emergency expense. This is a drop from last year when 44% said they could cover the expense from their savings. And yet, workers continue to casually blow their budgets on conveniences that add little long-term value. Story Continues See Also: Can you guess how many retire with a $5,000,000 nest egg? The percentage may shock you. O’Leary might be blunt, but his message is clear: “Stop spending money on crap you don’t need!” Those daily coffees and overpriced sandwiches seem harmless enough individually, but added together, they form an expensive habit that sabotages financial stability. So next time you’re tempted by the sandwich shop or café around the corner, remember O’Leary’s tough-love question: “What are you, an ******?” It might just save you thousands. Of course, O’Leary’s style isn’t for everyone—maybe the thought of skipping your morning coffee makes you cringe, or packing lunch daily feels unrealistic. That’s totally fine. Talking with a financial advisor can help you find a happy middle ground. They’ll work with you to identify small, manageable changes, so you can still enjoy your latte guilt-free while keeping your financial goals right on track. Read Next: Up Next: Transform your trading with Benzinga Edge’s one-of-a-kind market trade ideas and tools. Click now to access unique insights that can set you ahead in today’s competitive market. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? This article Kevin O’Leary Says People Waste $15K A Year On ‘Stupid Stuff’ Like Buying Lunch At Work — ‘It Costs You 99 Cents To Make A Sandwich’ originally appeared on Benzinga.com © 2025 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Source link #Kevin #OLeary #People #Waste #15K #Year #Stupid #Stuff #Buying #Lunch #Work #Costs #Cents #Sandwich Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Overwatch 2 Is Primed for a Fallout Crossover but Bethesda and Blizzard Need to Say Yes Overwatch 2 Is Primed for a Fallout Crossover but Bethesda and Blizzard Need to Say Yes Blizzard Entertainment’s Overwatch 2 has had quite a troubled history since its initial launch back in October 4, 2022 for both PC and consoles. The game has since had a swarm of negative reviews, and a declining player base – despite Blizzard’s best ‘efforts’ to revitalize the game. A lot of factors could be attributed to the decline here, but one thing remains certain – Blizzard must act before it is too late. One of the easiest ways to bring back its player base (and potentially attract new players in the process) would be to announce a crossover/collab. Fallout could be the perfect candidate for this, but only if both publishers agree to work together. Fan shares intricate Overwatch 2 x Fallout collab concept Overwatch 2 x Fallout could be the next big thing | Image Credit: Blizzard Entertainment As detailed in a popular post on the r/Overwatch subreddit by user u/ILawl1898, Overwatch 2 would be a perfect candidate for a Fallout collab. After all, many of its characters fit the aesthetic of the Fallout series like a glove. McCree for example, would be a perfect fit for a Ghoul skin inspired by the Fallout TV series, taking on the likeness and mannerisms of Cooper Howard strikingly well. Another great example would be bringing the power armor as a skin for Reinhardt, who already moves around in a huge mechanical suit. These are just two of the many examples shared with the community, which are actually quite well-made. One could say that these fit uncannily well, and the only thing that would be a part of the missing puzzle here would be a Soldier 76 skin with the Vault Dweller aesthetic. Fallout 76 could also stand to benefit from the crossover | image Credit: Bethesda Studios The crossover can be purely cosmetic in nature, and would be easy to incorporate since neither games have a PvE mode. The only thing preventing the deal from going through though, is the cooperation between both Activision Blizzard and Bethesda Studios. Both companies don’t have a lot to lose from this particular collaboration though, and it should only serve to benefit both parties in the process. Overwatch 2 is no stranger to collaboration events, and neither is Fallout (at least via Fallout 76, in the form of content from the Fallout TV series). And so, the whole process shouldn’t take a whole lot of effort. Being a part of Xbox, both parties can benefit greatly here without much hassle Both games are part of the Xbox library | Image Credit: Blizzard Entertainment Activision Blizzard and Bethesda Studios are both part of the Xbox brand currently, added to Microsoft’s roster of video game companies in October 2023 and March 2021, respectively. This strategic move was likely enforced as a way for Xbox to widen its core player base and appeal (and simultaneously support these studios in the process). Either way, the move has been quite successful for both parties, and with Xbox directly funding the development of mainline titles, these publishers can simply focus on doing what they do best – making more quality games. As such, given how closely knit the entire Xbox portfolio is currently, it would make perfect sense for Overwatch 2 and Fallout to team up. Both teams can easily share resources, and technicalities shouldn’t really be an issue thanks to them both being part of the Xbox brand now. Furthermore, crossover events like these rarely go wrong, and there is a good chance that a Fallout x Overwatch 2 collab will boost player counts and sales numbers for both the parties. Source link #Overwatch #Primed #Fallout #Crossover #Bethesda #Blizzard Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

White House pushes back on report claiming some canceled DOGE contracts won't save taxpayers money – Fox News White House pushes back on report claiming some canceled DOGE contracts won't save taxpayers money – Fox News White House pushes back on report claiming some canceled DOGE contracts won’t save taxpayers money Fox NewsDOGE claims $65B in total estimated savings as ‘Agency Efficiency Leaderboard’ is launched Fox BusinessWhat is DOGE dividend check? Who qualifies for the $5,000 stimulus check? What to know NorthJersey.comDOGE’s Only Public Ledger Is Riddled With Mistakes The New York Times Source link #White #House #pushes #report #claiming #canceled #DOGE #contracts #won039t #save #taxpayers #money #Fox #News Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Seven planets align in *** skies this week for last time until 2040 Seven planets align in *** skies this week for last time until 2040 Maddie Molloy BBC Climate & Science Dr Robert Massey of the Royal Astronomical Society gives Science Correspondent Pallab Ghosh tips on how to spot them Skywatchers are in for a treat this week as seven planets – Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Venus, Neptune, Mercury, and Saturn will all be briefly visible in the evening sky. This phenomenon, known as a ‘planetary parade’ is a rare sight, and it will be the last time seven planets can be seen simultaneously so well until 2040. The best chance to see as many planets as possible will be just after sunset on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Four of the planets – Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, and Mars – will be visible to the naked eye. Saturn will be harder to see because it will be low in the horizon. You will need a telescope to spot the other two planets – Uranus and Neptune. Getty Images How an artist imagines the planets in our solar system lined up in a row – of course it isn’t quite that straightforward A good view of the horizon and clear skies will offer the best chance of spotting them all. However, the window to see all seven planets will be very brief. Dr Edward Bloomer, astronomer at the Royal Observatory Greenwich said: “There’s a rare opportunity to have seven planets in essentially a convenient place for you to look for them.” As the sun sets, Saturn and Mercury will also be setting, making them particularly difficult to see. “You really only have a few minutes after sunset to catch them before they drop below the horizon. After that, you’ll still be able to see Venus, Jupiter, and Mars clearly for a much longer time,” Dr Bloomer added. The planets in our solar system orbit the Sun within roughly the same flat plane as the Earth. As they orbit at different speeds and distances from the Sun, there are moments when they appear to line up from Earth’s perspective creating a spectacular visual display, although the planets remain separated by vast distances in space. Getty Images We’ve had stunning views of the planets already this year, like this one in January, where you can see Mars on the left, Jupiter in the middle, and Saturn and Venus on the right—but this week offers the best chance of seeing them all Venus and Jupiter will be the easiest to spot due to their brightness, while Mars will have a distinct reddish hue. “Uranus is technically visible with the naked eye, but you’d need perfect eyesight and ideal conditions,” Dr Bloomer explains. To improve your chances of seeing as many planets as possible, Dr Bloomer advises heading to a location with a clear view of the horizon and minimal light pollution. “If you just pop out of your kitchen into your back garden, you will take time to adjust to the light levels. Give it a bit of time – your eyes take about half an hour to fully adjust,” said Dr Bloomer. “Avoid looking at your phone, get comfortable, and ensure you have an unobstructed view of the horizon.” While this is an exciting opportunity, Dr Bloomer encourages people to make a habit of gazing at the night sky. “See how things change,” he said, adding that observing the heavens is “a chance to witness the ongoing mechanics of the solar system at work.” Will the skies be clear enough to see them? Whilst the weather is still rather unsettled currently, clearer and calmer conditions are expected to develop later in the week. Tuesday evening will start with clear spells, but cloud and rain will move in from the west later. On Wednesday night, skies will be generally cloudier with showery rain at times. By Thursday, expect a drier, clearer view of the night sky. Earlier in the evening is best, as mist and fog patches may develop further into the night. For Friday high pressure is expected to dominate, keeping dry conditions for most with clear spells. Soon after sunset is most favoured as mist and fog patches may develop later. Additional reporting by Sarah Keith-Lucas of BBC Weather Source link #planets #align #skies #week #time Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Yosemite Staff Hang Upside-Down US Flag to Protest Terminations Yosemite Staff Hang Upside-Down US Flag to Protest Terminations Staff members at Yosemite National Park hung an upside-down US flag on the side of the El Capitan summit on Saturday, February 22, to protest the firing of staff numbers at the park by the Trump administration. The San Francisco Chronicle reported that the upside-down US flag, traditionally seen as a symbol of distress, was hung to protest multiple full-time staff members having received termination emails on February 14. This footage was captured by Anand K Sankaran, who said that the flag was hung just before firefall, a phenomenon where sunlight shines on a sliver of water, making it appear molten orange. Credit: Anand K Sankaran via Storyful Video Transcript I did not. OK, there’s, there’s 2 buttons over there. OK, there’s there’s over there. OK, there’s there’s 2 buttons. I. you can do. OK, there’s 2, there’s 2 buttons over there. I did not make. Source link #Yosemite #Staff #Hang #UpsideDown #Flag #Protest #Terminations Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Fluffy Sailors Review A Swashbuckling Good Time Fluffy Sailors Review A Swashbuckling Good Time The Fluffy Sailors Demo a charming action-roguelite developed and published by Skaldery Games is available on Steam Next Fest HERE. The full version will be released in March 2025. Fluffy Sailors is a great little Rogue Lite full of charm. Source link #Fluffy #Sailors #Review #Swashbuckling #Good #Time Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Nasdaq touches over one-month low after weak consumer sentiment data – Reuters Nasdaq touches over one-month low after weak consumer sentiment data – Reuters Nasdaq touches over one-month low after weak consumer sentiment data ReutersNasdaq, S&P 500 Moving Lower For Fourth Straight Session NasdaqDow Jones Today: Stock Futures Holding Steady After Three Days of Big Declines; Bitcoin Slides Below $90,000 InvestopediaStock Market Today: Dow down, S&P 500, Nasdaq drop on tariff fears, weak consumer confidence; bitcoin below $90K MarketWatchS&P 500 falls for a fourth day after weak consumer confidence, Nvidia leads Nasdaq lower: Live updates CNBC Source link #Nasdaq #touches #onemonth #weak #consumer #sentiment #data #Reuters Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Paramount+ adds 50 classic MTV Unplugged episodes Paramount+ adds 50 classic MTV Unplugged episodes If you’re a music fan of a certain age, there’s a good chance MTV Unplugged has special place in your heart. With the first episode airing in 1989, over the decades the series has produced some of the most memorable live performances in history. Who could forget Nirvana’s set, recorded less than a year before Kurt Cobain would tragically take his own life in 1994, or when Alice in Chains played one of its final shows with former lead vocalist Layne Staley. There are too many memorable episodes to count, and now you can watch more than 50 of them, including the two I just mentioned, on Paramount+. 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. As Paramount notes, many of the episodes haven’t been available to watch in more than 20 years. From that perspective, the most interesting release is Oasis’ (in)famous 1996 set. For the uninitiated, it’s an episode that almost didn’t happen. In the days leading up to the performance, the story goes that lead singer Liam Gallagher complained of a sore throat. On the day the band was scheduled to tape the episode, he showed up an hour before “absolutely sh**faced,” according to his brother Noel, who went on to sing the entire set on his own. Despite its place in music history, before today it was nearly impossible to find a high-quality video of the performance. On YouTube, for instance, you can find a bootleg recording or two, but as you can imagine, the fidelity isn’t there. This isn’t the first the Paramount+ has dug into the MTV archives to expand its catalog. Earlier this year, the streamer had an entire special program around Eric Clapton’s 1992 set. If you want to check out the performances for yourself, Paramount+ offers a seven-day free trial. If you buy something through a link in this article, we may earn commission. Source link #Paramount #adds #classic #MTV #Unplugged #episodes Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Putin offers Russian and Ukrainian rare minerals to US Putin offers Russian and Ukrainian rare minerals to US Ros Atkins on… the fight for Ukraine’s critical minerals Russian President Vladimir Putin said he is open to offering the US access to rare minerals, including from Russian-occupied Ukraine. This comes after US President Donald Trump has repeatedly pushed for Ukraine to give up some of its minerals in exchange for support, in a deal which is currently being finalised, according to a Ukrainian minister. In a state TV interview on Monday, Putin said he was ready to “offer” resources to American partners in joint projects, including mining in Russia’s “new territories” – a reference to parts of eastern Ukraine that Russia has occupied since launching a full-scale invasion three years ago. The proposal could also see the two countries collaborating on aluminium extraction and supply to the US to stabilise prices, he added. In his televised interview, Putin countered Trump’s push to access Ukraine’s mineral deposits, saying they were ready to work with “foreign partners” including companies on mining minerals. Putin said a potential US-Ukraine deal on rare minerals was not a concern and that Russia “undoubtedly have, I want to emphasise, significantly more resources of this kind than Ukraine”. “As for the new territories, it’s the same. We are ready to attract foreign partners to the so-called new, to our historical territories, which have returned to the Russian Federation,” he added. He also suggested that Russia and the US could collaborate on aluminium production in Krasnoyarsk, in Siberia, where one Russian aluminium maker, Rusal, has its largest smelters. The televised comments followed a cabinet meeting on Russia’s natural resources. On Tuesday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists the proposal opened up “quite broad prospects”, adding that the US needed rare earth minerals and Russia had “a lot of them”. Offering the US access to minerals is an eye-catching move by Putin, given how much pride the Kremlin has taken in keeping Russia’s natural wealth in Russian hands. In 2023 Putin accused the West, particularly the US, of trying to “dismember” Russia to gain access to its natural resources. Putin’s intervention comes as Ukraine has been facing growing pressure from the Trump administration to sign a deal for access to its mineral deposits. Kyiv estimates that about 5% of the world’s critical raw materials are in Ukraine. However, some of the mineral deposits have been seized by Russia in the three years since its invasion of Ukraine. Trump said earlier this month that the US military and economic aid to Ukraine amounted to about $500bn (£396bn), and he wants the US to have access to Ukrainian minerals of that value. Zelenzky has disputed that figure and is also said to want any deal to include security guarantees. On Monday Ukraine’s deputy prime minister for European and Euro-Atlantic integration, Olga Stefanishyna, said negotiations on such a deal “have been very constructive, with nearly all key details finalised”. Similarly – albeit in a different approach to the US – the European Union has also proposed a partnership with Ukraine that would give it access to minerals in what the the European Commissioner for industrial strategy, Stéphane Séjourné, called a “win-win”. Source link #Putin #offers #Russian #Ukrainian #rare #minerals Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Fable Delayed To 2026 Fable Delayed To 2026 Microsoft and Playground Games have announced that the new Fable game has been delayed to 2026. This update from the head of Xbox Games Studios, Craig Duncan, on the official Xbox podcast. This story is still developing… Source link #Fable #Delayed Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Court rules claims ‘not real’ Court rules claims ‘not real’ A South African court has dismissed claims of a white genocide in the country as “clearly imagined” and “not real” at a time when such reports are being pushed by US President Donald Trump and his adviser Elon Musk. The ruling came as the court blocked a wealthy benefactor’s donation to white supremacist group Boerelegioen. Grantland Michael Bray wanted to bequeath $2.1m ( £1.7m) to the group to help it “further its messages of racial hatred and separation”. But the court ruled this request was invalid, vague and “contrary to public policy”. Trump has referred to the “large-scale killing of farmers” in South Africa, while Musk has condemned what he said were “racist ownership laws” and previously condemned the “genocide of white people”. Despite vowing to crack down on immigration, Trump has said that white South African farmers would be allowed to settle in the US as refugees because of the persecution he said they faced. Musk was born and grew up in South Africa before moving to the US. The court action was brought by Mr Gray’s four siblings, who are also trustees and beneficiaries of the family trust. In it, they claimed that their brother had become “obsessed with the idea of an impending genocide of white people in South Africa” in the last 10 years of his life. He died in March 2022. Mr Gray, who was left paralysed following an accident at the age of 26 while doing military service, had also become paranoid as he believed that the supposed “genocide” would occur soon. “That idea was further fuelled by his already present racism and the online content that he was exposed to,” judge Rosheni Allie summarised in a 15 February ruling that has just come to light. Mr Gray first met members of the Boerelegioen in 2020 and allegedly gave them about $326,000 (£258,000) in gold coins to help fund their cause and gain membership of the racist group. The Boerelegioen describes itself as a “civil defence movement that enables citizens to resist the promised slaughter of whites in RSA [Republic of South Africa] as well as the theft of their property.” He subsequently made the organisation a beneficiary to his estate, specifying that a portion of the money go towards the various training programmes the group ran. But because there were three entities all bearing the Boerelegioen name, the court found that Mr Gray’s bequest made was “vague concerning which entity was the intended beneficiary” of his will. “The only expression of the [Mr Gray’s] intention that is evident is the intention for the funds to be used for ‘training’ as well as [his] own assertions that he wanted the funds used to benefit an organisation which he deemed to be one which will exterminate every ****** person in South Africa and will be used to defend or ward off a white genocide, which is clearly imagined and not real,” judge Allie said. On the public policy issue, Mr Gray’s siblings contended that Boerelegioen wanted to use the funds to “further… its messages of racial hatred and separation”. Boerelegioen says it is simply provided security and training services to communities and did not exclude anyone on the basis or race, gender or religion. Judge Allie ruled in favour of the siblings and ordered Boerelegioen to pay the costs in the court case. Earlier this month, Trump signed an executive order freezing financial aid to the country over a new law allowing for land seizures by the South African government under certain circumstances. The status of white South African farmers has long been a rallying cry on the right and far-right of American politics. But despite numerous claims in the past of the systematic targeting of the country’s white Afrikaner ********* group, local crime statistics figures paint a different picture. South Africa does not release crime figures based on race but the latest figures revealed that 6,953 people were murdered in the country between October and December 2024. Of these, 12 were killed in farm attacks. Of the 12, one was a farmer, while five were farm dwellers and four were employees, who are likely to have been ******. In contrast, 961 women were murdered alongside 273 children. Source link #Court #rules #claims #real Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Iridescence is a new visual novel about mythology Iridescence is a new visual novel about mythology Iridescence is a newly-released visual novel from Neonight It sees you guiding a strange girl named Ayasal back to the sea It’s a mythology-infused story with plenty of twists and turns to enjoy The visual novel genre has a surprisingly strong presence on mobile. While it’s often written off as otaku wish fulfilment or fuel for comedy on other platforms the interactive nature of visual novels seems to fit very well on smartphones. So if you’re a fan and looking for a new entry to enjoy, maybe today’s subject Iridescence is what you’re searching for? The setup is that you are living on a serene Mediterranean Island when you meet a mysterious girl called Ayasal. Who is she, and why is she here? If you guessed mermaid well you’re likely correct, but either way your job is to help this enigmatic figure find her way back to the sea. Gameplay-wise if you’ve played a visual novel you know what to expect, and with plenty of hand-drawn art, collectibles to uncover, trophies to acquire and more there’s plenty to be had in Iridescence. Talking lobsters ahoy Yes, Iridescence is one of those excellent little releases that’s very straightforward to discuss. Although the only sticking point I can imagine for most of you is that it doesn’t do quite enough to break out of the cutesy anime art style that visual novels are mostly known for. But for a team of indie developers, Iridescence looks to be a well-put-together release. With plenty of original gameplay and art to enjoy, whether or not you’re a devout visual novel player this could still very much be worth a look. Meanwhile, if you’re looking for another series of visual novels that breaks the mould a bit why not take a look at the Methods series? This episodic release offers a more stylised approach to its art and an intriguing thriller storyline for those of you who find wonder and whimsy a bit childish. Source link #Iridescence #visual #mythology Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Rangers: Barry Ferguson promises energy and desire from Ibrox side Rangers: Barry Ferguson promises energy and desire from Ibrox side Ferguson has been out of coaching for three years since leaving part-timers Alloa Athletic, and admitted he was “surprised I got the call”. He had most recently being working as a Rangers club ambassador and had no thoughts about returning to front-line football, but said: “It only took five mins to agree to become interim manager. “Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I have no issue with that. I would rather be judged come the end of the season, but I know I will be judged game by game. “This is the nature of the beast here at Glasgow Rangers.” Ferguson “can’t wait to be on the touchline” at Rugby Park on Wednesday but admits he has not had much time with his players to prepare for a visit to a venue where they lost in October. “I’ve only had one training session but I’m not going to use that as an excuse,” he added. “We’ve not filled them with too much info because it’s too short notice, but they understand the way we’re going to go. “I expect them to win games of football and give me everything they’ve got. They fully understand my expectations of them.” Source link #Rangers #Barry #Ferguson #promises #energy #desire #Ibrox #side Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Philips Hue Sync now available on LG smart TVs, eliminating the need for a control box Philips Hue Sync now available on LG smart TVs, eliminating the need for a control box The Philips Hue Sync app is now available for many LG televisions, allowing synchronization between smart lights and TV screens. This eliminates the need for one of those , as everything gets handled through the app. For the uninitiated, Philips Hue smart lights dynamically adjust color and brightness to match the content playing on-screen. The app, along with an associated Hue lighting system, works with content from set-top boxes, streaming sticks, platforms like Netflix and, of course, gaming consoles. You haven’t really played Balatro . 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. The Philips Hue Sync TV app supports multiple image formats, including 8K, 4K, HDR 10 and Dolby Vision. It uses a “proprietary syncing algorithm” to create “the ultimate surround lighting experience.” It’s available worldwide for compatible LG smart TVs right now. Just make sure the TV is running webOS 24 or later. There’s a major caveat here. This is one expensive app. It costs around $130 (depending on where you live) and that only covers a single TV. However, folks can opt for a monthly subscription of $3 that can handle up to three televisions. That’s a bit more palatable. Source link #Philips #Hue #Sync #smart #TVs #eliminating #control #box Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Is Balatro Coming To Xbox Game Pass? Is Balatro Coming To Xbox Game Pass? Microsoft continues to bring a wealth of old and new titles to Xbox Game Pass, and Balatro continues to be the talk of the town over a year after its release. Here’s the latest update on the roguelike card game being introduced to a hungry public. Balatro sucked me in within minutes of playing. It’s the kind of game that is instantly accessible but takes a long time to master. The concept of juggling Jokers and collecting cards is overwhelming at first. But it gets easier as time goes and Balatro’s core gameplay loop feeds on your time like a leech. It’s won countless Game of the Year awards and sold over 5 million copies. If you’ve not had the chance to play Balatro yet, let’s see if you can through Xbox Game Pass. Can You Play Balatro on Xbox Game Pass? We’re all friends here. Credit to LocalThunk Balatro is now available to play on Xbox Game Pass if you have a valid subscription to the game offering service. The February 24 Friends of Jimbo update added more content and cosmetic Joker designs. The update added Bugsnax, Assassin’s Creed, Slay the Princess, Fallout, Critical Role, Rust, Dead by Daylight, and Sid Meier’s Civilization 7 variations to choose from. But, it also shocked everyone by shadow-dropping Balatro as an instant addition to the Xbox Game Pass catalog. That means if you have Game Pass, you can go and download Balatro for free this instant! How to Play Balatro on Game Pass Make sure you have an active Xbox Game Pass Subscription, search for Balatro on the Xbox Store, download it, and play Balatro. Here’s a quick guide to playing Balatro through Microsoft’s Game Pass platform: Log in to your Microsoft account. Check to see if you have a valid Game Pass membership. If not, head to the Join Xbox Game page and subscribe to one of the plans. Head to the Xbox Store once your membership is live. Search for Balatro. Click to acquire the game through Game Pass on its official page. Download the title. Once this process is complete, you can now play Balatro! I cannot recommend Balatro enough. It’s easy to play and very much a pick-up-and-play type of game. Have you only seen Balatro through social media clips? Or are you a Balatro expert? Let us know your best score and round performance! The Best Balatro seeds go a long way to achieving this. If you’re scared to enter Balatro for the first time, don’t be. Here’s a ton of explainer guides to help you out: How to unlock the Throwback Joker, how to beat The Plant Boss Blind, How to unlock the Hit The Road Joker, How to unlock the Plasma Deck, what the Blank Voucher does, and what -1 Ante -1 Hand each round means. SUBSCRIBE to our newsletter to receive the latest news and exclusive leaks every week! No Spam. Source link #Balatro #Coming #Xbox #Game #Pass Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Hims & Hers shares plunge 28% on concerns over weight loss business, margins Hims & Hers shares plunge 28% on concerns over weight loss business, margins The Hims app arranged on a smartphone in New York, US, on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025. Gabby Jones | Bloomberg | Getty Images Shares of Hims & Hers Health fell 28% on Tuesday, a day after the telehealth company released fourth-quarter results that disappointed on gross margin and sparked concerns about the future of its weight loss business. Hims & Hers reported $481 million in revenue for the quarter, up 95% from $246.6 million during the same ******* last year. Net income climbed to $26.01 million, or 11 cents per share, from $1.25 million, or 1 cent per share, a year prior. But the company’s gross margin, or the profit left after accounting for the cost of goods sold, was 77%, disappointing analysts who were expecting 78.4%, according to StreetAccount. In the company’s quarterly call with investors on Monday, CFO Yemi Okupe said the scaling of the company’s GLP-1 offering and its strategic pricing options were to blame. Hims & Hers in May started prescribing compounded semaglutide, the active ingredient in Novo Nordisk’s GLP-1 weight loss medications Ozempic and Wegovy. Compounded drugs can be produced when brand-name treatments are in shortage, but the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Friday that the shortage of semaglutide injection products has been resolved. As a result, Hims & Hers said Monday it will likely stop offering compounded semaglutide on its platform after its first quarter, though some consumers may still be able to access personalized doses if clinically applicable. The GLP-1 offering generated more than $225 million in revenue for the company in 2024. “We will have to start notifying customers in the coming month or two that they will need to start looking for alternative options on the commercial dosing,” Hims & Hers CEO Andrew Dudum said on the call. Going forward, the company said its weight loss offerings will primarily consist of its oral medications and the injectable medication liraglutide, which it plans to introduce on its platform this year. Analysts at Morgan Stanley said in a note Tuesday the company’s report was “a lot to digest.” They maintained their equal weight rating on the stock and said they were surprised by the magnitude of the company’s 2025 guidance. Hims & Hers said it expects between $2.3 billion to $2.4 billion in revenue this year. The company added that it expects its weight loss offerings to generate at least $725 million in revenue, excluding contributions from compounded semaglutide. “We remain positive on the long-term opportunity, highlighting the company’s attractive platform and solid track record that differentiate it relative to digital health and DTC comps,” the Morgan Stanley analysts said. Bank of America analysts said that while the company might have some success transitioning patients to its other weight loss offerings like its oral medications, it will face a “significant execution risk” as supply of brand-name GLP-1s increases. Additionally, the analysts said Hims & Hers’ competitors will likely shift marketing dollars back to other products for conditions like erectile dysfunction and hair loss, which could put pressure on its advertising costs. They reiterated their underperform rating on the stock. “Overall, we do not see upside to 2025 revenue guidance and think the beat and raise story is likely over in the near-term,” the Bank of America analysts wrote in a note Tuesday. Citi analysts meanwhile said they think Hims & Hers revenue guidance is “aspirational,” as it would require “significant acceleration” in the use of its other weight loss products. They said they are less confident about the success of these offerings. Even so, the analysts increased their price target on the stock to $27 from $25. “We await a more compelling entry point and more details on growth ex-GLP-1s before we become more constructive,” they wrote in a Monday note. –CNBC’s Michael Bloom contributed to this report Source link #Hims #shares #plunge #concerns #weight #loss #business #margins Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Kid-Friendly Recipes – The New York Times Kid-Friendly Recipes – The New York Times Here’s a mostly complete list of what my children, ages 5 and 7, eat for dinner: Plain pasta (spaghetti and farfalle only), rice and beans (any kind but lima), chicken (roasted thighs, nuggets), salmon, avocado rolls, hot dogs, pizza, slices of steak. They do eat some green vegetables, but they don’t do tacos, meatballs, dumplings, baked saucy dishes or, really, sauce of any kind. Soup, as an entire category, is a no. My older kid is the far more adventurous of the two, and you can count on her to actually taste new things, though I still can’t convince her to try lasagna. (Lasagna!) I know I’m opening the door here for some unsolicited parenting advice, and that I’ll receive at least one email from someone whose children absolutely love brussels sprouts. It comes with the territory whenever you bring up kids and food. But I’ve been asked a few times lately what mine eat, and the hopefully reassuring reality is that they don’t eat everything under the sun, even though their mom is the Food editor at The New York Times. My professional life hasn’t instilled in them a love of capers or a yearning for minestrone (at least not yet). Last week I got an email from a reader named Elly asking for fast meals “with a ****** toward kid-friendly.” No problem, Elly! The five recipes below are dishes that my own children like, with simple modifications. A tip if you’re just getting started cooking for kids: It really helps to have a few basics down, which make it easy to get dinner on the table — things like seared boneless chicken thighs, microwave salmon, baked sweet potatoes and lemony steamed broccoli. And if you aren’t cooking for kids, I think you’ll still find something to make below — these are great recipes for anyone at any age. Thoughts? Suggestions? Email me at *****@*****.tld. I’m here! And a bonus: My mom just made these chewy sugar cookies with my kids. An A+ recipe. 1. Mojo Chicken With Pineapple I got two beautiful Hawaiian pineapples as a Christmas gift this year (an amazing present, better than pears!) and I used half of one to make this excellent dinner from Ali Slagle. I left the jalapeño out of the marinade, but sliced up a pepper for my husband and me to add to our chicken at the table. One kid ate the broiled fruit and loved it; the other would have sooner perished. 2. Sesame Salmon Bowls Such a great recipe from Kay Chun, with a simple and smart cooking technique. Customize the veggies for each person at the table, if you like, and omit the vinegar from the rice for picky kids. View this recipe. 3. Vegan Coconut-Ginger ****** Beans Another great Ali recipe, this ******* pot of beans gets a punch of flavor from ginger and uses canned ****** beans for busy-parents ease. (Another legume option my kids love: dal.) 4. Pasta With Brown Butter and Parmesan When I’m really feeling kindly toward my kids I go the extra mile to make their butter-and-cheese pasta a little nicer than the usual drained pasta tossed with a pat of butter. This recipe from Ali is perfect for that. View this recipe. Source link #KidFriendly #Recipes #York #Times Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Don’t count Intel out as a long-term AI play Don’t count Intel out as a long-term AI play Intel (INTC) is in focus amid ongoing recovery efforts. Investors have toyed with the idea of a possible acquisition or split of businesses to revive the legacy chipmaker, which has struggled to keep up as names like Nvidia (NVDA) and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) have capitalized on the artificial intelligence (AI) *****. Creative Strategies CEO and principal analyst Ben Bajarin joins Morning Brief co-hosts Seana Smith and Brad Smith to discuss Intel’s position as an AI player and the challenges and concerns the company faces. “There’s two things going on that we should be really focused on,” Bajarin says regarding Intel. “One: What are their technology differentiators from a foundry standpoint? … We know that Intel Foundry has a lot of very good core [intellectual property] IP that they’ve been developing, and that should be worth something.” Secondly, Bajarin also suggests focusing on what Intel is “doing with underlying manufacturing technology — things like PowerVia, innovations in backside power, what they’re doing in transistors in design.” He adds, “We need to think about that the same way that we think about what TSMC (TSM) brings to the table that differentiates their customers to go and compete and design products.” The analyst adds, “The [computer processing unit] CPU is still highly relevant to AI infrastructure; it’s one of the most critical parts to reduce latency [and] to manage the orchestration layer. ” He adds that he thinks investors can “get really caught up” in more advanced chips and “forget” that “there’s actually a really nice upswing for design CPUs that are built from the ground up for AI, and we don’t have those yet.” While Bajarin believes Intel has “a lot of opportunity”, he worries that investors may lose patience as “it’s a long story.” To watch more expert insights and analysis on the latest market action, check out more Morning Brief here. This post was written by Naomi Buchanan. Source link #Dont #count #Intel #longterm #play Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

******** CPU maker Zhaoxin rolls out DeepSeek support to all processors — entire product lineup now runs DeepSeek LLMs natively ******** CPU maker Zhaoxin rolls out DeepSeek support to all processors — entire product lineup now runs DeepSeek LLMs natively DeepSeek’s rollout into the ******** consumer market continues, as Zhaoxin has announced its adoption of the DeepSeek-R1 LLM across its hardware lineup. Zhaoxin, one of the few ******** companies licensed to work with the x86 instruction set, boasts that its processors and OEM systems can natively run the 1.5B, 7B, 14B, 32B, 70B, and 671B parameter models released by DeepSeek so far. Zhaoxin’s press release mainly highlights two chips: its KaiXian KX-7000/8 consumer processor and Kaisheng KH-40000/32 64-core server processor. The KX-7000/8 is an 8-core model running at 3.7GHz with 32MB of L3 cache. Zhaoxin advertises that the chip can natively run DeepSeek-R1-7 B when paired with an unnamed ******** GPU. Integrations with word processors and the VSCode interface allow AI-assisted writing, spreadsheets, and programming. This unnamed AI accelerator card is undoubtedly a major contributor to the AI performance touted here. When recently tested against the 7-year-old Intel i3-8100 quad-core chip, the KX-7000/8 could win out in multi-core benchmarks but was handily beaten in single-core workloads, putting up CPU-Z single-core results of 335.9 points vs. the i3-8100’s 422.2. Zhaoxin’s enterprise-grade KH-40000 family is also featured heavily, with the KH-40000/16 and /32 chips being tested for their AI performance. As part of an OEM AI workstation, the KH-40000/16 successfully deployed up to the 32B model of Deepseek-R1. The Lianhe Donghai XRS302 server workstation, a fully ********-made server, was fitted with four ******** AI accelerator add-in cards to supplement the 16-core, 2.2GHz server processor. As the Donghai XRS302 does not ship complete, we do not know more details, such as the GPUs or RAM used for these tests. Finally, Zhaoxin’s flagship KH-40000/32, a 32-core chip designed for use in dual-CPU servers, was able to deploy Deepseek’s 70B model and run its 671B model without a GPU (translation loses some nuance; it seems the 70B was a more comfortable deployment, while the 671B model just managed to run). Zhaoxin’s claims above are difficult to judge accurately, thanks to the language barrier and the company’s incredibly vague parameters for LLM performance beyond screenshots. Whether DeepSeek-R1 running on Zhaoxin CPUs speaks more to the success of DeepSeek’s software or Zhaoxin hardware remains to be seen. DeepSeek continues to be a breakout moment for the ******** tech market, with more hardware companies rushing to integrate it with their products. Even smart TVs recently got DeepSeek integration. After taking Nvidia and OpenAI stock to the cleaners, DeepSeek, and the ******** hardware field will likely try to keep up the momentum in the coming weeks to prove the capability of the ******** tech sector’s capability. Get Tom’s Hardware’s best news and in-depth reviews, straight to your inbox. Source link #******** #CPU #maker #Zhaoxin #rolls #DeepSeek #support #processors #entire #product #lineup #runs #DeepSeek #LLMs #natively Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Valorant’s New Agent 28 Is More Than Likely to Power Creep Duelists Into Irrelevance Valorant’s New Agent 28 Is More Than Likely to Power Creep Duelists Into Irrelevance Just when you thought Valorant’s duelist meta couldn’t get any more chaotic, Riot Games drops a bombshell that has pros “sweating profusely” in disbelief. The competitive scene’s reaction to their latest teaser video looks like a mixture of Christmas morning excitement and the dawning horror of realizing what this means for their carefully practiced strategies. From newest agent to old news in record time. | Image Credit: Riot Games With Tejo barely settled into the roster after his January debut, players were expecting a breather before the next agent reveal. Instead, Riot has been quietly preparing to unleash what might be the most disruptive duelist yet—one that has pro players making some truly wild comparisons. The reactions from the Masters Bangkok participants who got an early peek at Agent 28 suggest we’re not just getting another entry fragger—we’re potentially witnessing the birth of a meta-destroying monster. And if history has taught us anything, it’s that when pros start throwing around terms like “broken” before an agent even drops, they’re usually onto something. When pros call an agent “broken” before release, believe them Riot’s strategy of revealing new agents to pros before the public always generates hype, but the reactions to Valorant‘s upcoming Agent 28 are on another level entirely. The recently released “Pros React to the Newest Duelist” video feels less like a teaser and more like a warning: a sneak peak at the newest Duelist your first look of the new Agent is during the Showmatch at the #VALORANTMasters Bangkok Grand Finals pic.twitter.com/EBYoutzvrR — VALORANT (@VALORANT) February 24, 2025 The comparisons being thrown around should raise eyebrows for anyone who’s spent time grinding ranked. DRX’s Hyunmin didn’t ****** words when he described the agent as “like Jett, Yoru, and Reyna combined,” with his teammate Beyn adding it’s “like a fruit salad” of abilities. Let that sink in—an agent combining the mobility of Jett, the trickery of Yoru, and the self-sufficiency of Reyna. If that doesn’t sound like power creep incarnate, we don’t know what does. Sentinels’ Zekken seemed almost gleeful about the chaos to come: “I think it’s going to be really annoying to play against—which is why they’re going to be so fun for me to play.” When even the pros are admitting an agent will be frustrating to face, you know we’re in for a wild ride. Perhaps most telling was Vitality’s Sayf, who offered this ominous prediction: Good luck to the people holding sites. The people with the utility and the guy holding the smokes. It doesn’t matter anymore, guys. The game’s over. If the pattern holds true from previous releases like Tejo and Vyse, we’re likely looking at another agent that will dominate the meta before inevitably receiving the nerf hammer. The question isn’t if Agent 28 will be overpowered—it’s for how long. The crystal-clear signs of Valorant‘s approaching meta shift When “stand by” means “prepare for meta destruction.” | Image Credit: Riot Games While we don’t have the full ability kit yet, the breadcrumbs Riot Games has been dropping paint an interesting picture of what’s to come when Agent 28 is officially revealed on March 2nd during the Masters Bangkok Grand Finals. The agent appears to have crystal-themed abilities, with teasers showing prismatic shards and colorful light effects. The “Prismatic Pathways” player card in the current battle pass is likely a deliberate hint at the agent’s movement mechanics. And from what we can gather, this female duelist (as hinted by Tejo’s new voice line about making “an introduction”) will feature some form of disruptive movement ability—possibly a dash that transforms the user into a sphere of light while blinding opponents in her path. This fits perfectly with the pros’ reactions about her being “fully disruptive” and the comments about Sentinels being in trouble. If she can bypass traditional defensive setups with ease, we might see a fundamental shift in how teams approach site holds. Wild guess: blink/teleport instead of dash so won’t trigger traps, damage bases grenade that can be used to destroy traps and smokes like CS2? Or something to do with wall — celine (@celine5412430) February 24, 2025 The timing is particularly interesting with the recent Patch 10.03 changes to slow effects. The update made all slows consistently affect dashes across all agents—perhaps a preemptive balance adjustment for Agent 28’s “absolutely broken, please nerf”-level mobility? What’s clear is that Riot is deliberately pushing the boundaries with each new agent. Whether this is healthy for the game’s competitive integrity or just a way to keep things fresh is debatable, but one thing’s certain—the duelist meta we know today won’t be the same after Sunday. Are you excited for Agent 28’s reveal, or concerned about another potentially overpowered agent joining the roster? Share your predictions in the comments below! Source link #Valorants #Agent #Power #Creep #Duelists #Irrelevance Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Israelis Gird for Release of Bodies of Captives From Gaza Israelis Gird for Release of Bodies of Captives From Gaza Israelis waited anxiously on Wednesday for the expected release of the bodies of four hostages by ****** the following day as part of the cease-fire deal in Gaza. Israelis and Palestinians have been gripped by emotional homecomings during the truce, which began in late January. As part of the deal’s first phase, ****** committed to returning 25 Israelis held hostage in Gaza and the remains of eight others in exchange for 1,500 ************ prisoners jailed by Israel. For the past few weeks, Israelis have watched tearful parents and siblings embrace their freed loved ones, many of whom had scarcely been heard from since they were kidnapped by ****** and its allies during the Oct. 7, 2023, assault on southern Israel. Palestinians have greeted released prisoners, some of whom spent decades in Israeli jails for militant attacks. Many others were detained indefinitely without charges. The scenes anticipated on Thursday in Israel are likely to be much more somber. “Tomorrow is going to be a difficult day for Israel. It will be a harrowing day, a day of grief,” Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, said in a short statement Wednesday. The Israeli government has said that more than 30 of the hostages in Gaza are presumed dead, their remains still held by ************ militants. Some hostages were killed during the Oct. 7 attack and brought dead into Gaza; others died in Israeli airstrikes; and some were executed by their captors, among other fates, according to the Israeli military. ****** said on Wednesday night that it would turn over the bodies of Shiri Bibas and her two young children, as well the remains of an elderly Israeli man. The Israeli government confirmed that it had received the list of names. Ms. Bibas, 32 at the time, was kidnapped alongside her two redheaded children — Ariel, 4, and Kfir, who was not yet nine months old. In November 2023, ****** said all three had been killed in an Israeli airstrike. Israeli officials have expressed concern for their fate but have not confirmed their deaths. Ms. Bibas’s husband, Yarden, was abducted separately and taken, wounded, to the Gaza Strip. He was freed as part of the cease-fire earlier this month in a highly choreographed ****** release ceremony. For Israelis and others, the family’s ordeal was emblematic of the cruelty of the 2023 ****** attack that ignited the war in Gaza. ****** said the fourth dead hostage to be returned is Oded Lifshitz, 84, who was abducted alongside his wife, Yocheved Lifshitz, during the ****** attack. Like the Bibas family, he was kidnapped from Nir Oz, an Israeli community near the Gaza Strip. Mr. Lifshitz, a retired journalist, was a volunteer who ferried Gazans who had received Israeli entry permits for medical treatment to hospitals. ****** released Ms. Lifshitz in late October 2023 for “humanitarian reasons” but kept her husband in captivity. The bodies of the Israeli hostages will be ferried by the International Committee of the Red Cross to Israeli forces. They will then be brought back to Israel for forensic testing to verify their identity and, if possible, establish the cause of death, which could take time. Under the terms of the agreement, in exchange for the four bodies, Israel will release Gazan prisoners, including women and minors who have not been accused of participating in the Oct. 7 attacks. ****** is expected to release six living Israeli hostages on Saturday. The following week, it will send back the remains of four more Israeli hostages, which will round out the list that the two sides agreed upon under the terms of the cease-fire deal. They will be exchanged for ************ prisoners. Assuming the releases go forward as planned, dozens of living hostages and more than 30 others presumed dead by Israel will remain in Gaza by early March. ****** abducted more than 250 people — mostly civilians — during the October 2023 attack. Israel and ****** agreed that the initial phase of the deal would last six weeks, during which they would negotiate the next step. The first phase is set to end on March 2, but talks to extend the agreement into a second phase have yet to begin, according to the Qatari government, which has been brokering the truce alongside Egypt and the United States. Analysts say it is far from clear that both sides will reach an agreement on the second phase, which is supposed to end the war, free the remaining living hostages and ensure a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. Israeli leaders have said they will not countenance anything short of the end of ******’s rule and the demilitarization of Gaza. ****** has shown little appetite to take apart its military wing or send its Gaza leaders into exile. Source link #Israelis #Gird #Release #Bodies #Captives #Gaza Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Dating Simulator Venus Vacation Prism Dead or Alive Xtreme Shows Yom Collaboration and More Dating Simulator Venus Vacation Prism Dead or Alive Xtreme Shows Yom Collaboration and More Koei Tecmo released a new trailer, screenshots, a new key artwork and detail about the upcoming dating sim Venus Vacation Prism Dead or Alive Xtreme. Source link #Dating #Simulator #Venus #Vacation #Prism #Dead #Alive #Xtreme #Shows #Yom #Collaboration Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]