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Pelican Press

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  1. Pelican Press
    Upside-down U.S flag hung at Yosemite National Park by workers protesting job cuts Upside-down U.S flag hung at Yosemite National Park by workers protesting job cuts An American flag was hung upside down from El Capitan in Yosemite National Park on Saturday in protest of the Trump administration’s cuts to the federal workforce, which included thousands of National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service workers. A group of workers at California national park positioned the U.S. flag on Saturday near the Horsetail Fall, an area where crowds of nature enthusiasts and photographers typically gather to witness Yosemite’s annual firefall. The upside-down flag – or “distress flag” – is meant to also bring attention to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum‘s orders that potentially open federal lands and waters to drilling and mining interests, the group of park staffers told San Francisco Chronicle, who first reported on the protest. An upside-down U.S. flag seen at Yosemite National Park. Brittany Colt/@brittanycolt (www.brittanycolt.com) On the first day of his new term in office, President Trump declared a national energy emergency and pledged to “drill, baby, drill” the country’s natural resources. Environment advocates like the Natural Resources Defense Council, a group that helped pass the 1972 Clean Water Act, say they’re worried the Trump administration’s energy and climate policies could “lead to profound harms to public lands and waters across the country.” Yosemite National Park employees who were fired also say that they worry the cuts will affect not only the ******** of wildlife but also visitors’ experience. “You’d be amazed with how many diapers I pick up off the side of the road. Beer bottles, toilet paper, all the stuff so you don’t have to see. You get to see the park in its true natural beauty,” Olek Chmura told the Associated Press. Another worker, Brian Gibbs, who lost his job earlier this month penned an emotional public letter, saying he was “absolutely heartbroken and completely devastated” to lose his dream job at Effigy Mounds National Monument in Iowa. The firings impacted about 5% of the park service’s 20,000 employees. After facing outcry, the Trump administration said it plans to restore at least 50 jobs and hire more seasonal workers, the Associated Press reported. ClimateWatch: Climate Change News & Features More More Source link #Upsidedown #U.S #flag #hung #Yosemite #National #Park #workers #protesting #job #cuts Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
  2. Pelican Press
    Football fraudster Medi Abalimba back in prison after US arrest Football fraudster Medi Abalimba back in prison after US arrest Derbyshire Police Medi Abalimba posed as a Premier League footballer to defraud his victims A scammer dubbed the Football Fraudster, who featured in a Netflix documentary, is back behind bars after he left the *** illegally. Medi Abalimba posed as a Premier League footballer and persuaded his victims, including Thierry Henry’s ex-wife and Love Island contestant Georgia Steel to pay for stays in luxury hotels, helicopter trips and travel to different parts of the world, Derbyshire Police said. He was jailed for four years and two months in 2021 before he was released, but then fled the *** early in 2023, breaching the conditions of his licence. An investigation found he was in the US and he was extradited back to the *** where he was recalled to prison and would remain until October 2026, police said. Abalimba was a former professional footballer and had stints with Derby County, Oldham Athletic, Southend United, Fulham and Crystal Palace and had trials with Manchester City, Manchester United and Liverpool as a youngster. He once commanded a fee of £1m but failed to progress and masqueraded as France youth international Gael Kakuta to commit 12 counts of fraud in 2014, which led to him being jailed for four years. The 35-year-old then committed further offences on his release and was given a four year and two month prison sentence in 2021 for 15 counts of fraud, one count of possession of articles which could be used in fraud and one count of possession of an identity document with improper information. He was then featured in a Netflix documentary in 2023 called The Football Fraudster, which heard from Claire Merry, who used be married to Thierry Henry, as well as Love Island star Georgia Steel on how he had duped them. ‘Life of deception’ He disappeared while on release under licence and PC Sarah Baker, who works for Derbyshire Police’s international liaison office, was tasked with tracking him down. She worked with authorities in a number of countries around the world and it emerged he had changed his name to Michi Jordan and was travelling on a new passport. Alalimba, who has previously lived in Derby, was then arrested in an operation which involved Homeland Security in the US and police forces across the globe. PC Baker said: “Given his extensive offending there was a real concern that, armed with a new name, he could begin targeting new victims. “However, the USA takes seriously foreign nationals who have not declared their criminal convictions, and he was quickly located and arrested by US authorities.” She added: “Abalimba lives a life filled with deception and even after serving prison sentences, his fraudulent activities have continued. “It has been a lengthy process to track him down and ensure he is brought back to the *** but I am pleased that we have now managed to achieve this thanks to work with a number of international law enforcement agencies. “I’m grateful to all those who have helped with tracking him down and ensuring that he is once again behind bars and cannot cause further misery to unsuspecting victims.” Source link #Football #fraudster #Medi #Abalimba #prison #arrest Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]
  3. Pelican Press
    Fellowship Demo Is Basically WoW Dungeons Minus The MMO Fluff And Monthly Subscription Fellowship Demo Is Basically WoW Dungeons Minus The MMO Fluff And Monthly Subscription An upcoming game currently featured as part of Steam Next Fest, Fellowship, takes the endgame dungeons of MMOs like World of Warcraft or Final Fantasy 14 and turns them into a standalone game–no monthly subscription fee required. Described as a “multiplayer online dungeon adventure” by developer Chief Rebel, Fellowship looks to more specifically capture the feeling of WoW’s Mythic+ difficulty-scaling dungeon system and turn it into a game all its own. Dungeon parties consist of four players: a tank, healer, and two damage dealers. Players can choose from several different heroes in each role, all of which embody classic fantasy archetypes like warrior, paladin, monk, mage, barbarian, and druid. Just like in WoW’s Mythic+ system, players will have a limited amount of time to slay a dungeon’s bosses as well as clear out a certain percentage of enemies. Higher difficulty dungeons will have additional modifiers, but will reward better loot upon a successful run, thus enabling players to push even higher difficulty dungeons in the future. Anyone who has run a WoW dungeon in the last decade will feel right at home. However, what’s impressive about Fellowship is how it’s taken WoW’s Mythic+ system but distilled it down to its core, without 20 years of outdated UI elements, need for player-made add-ons to play optimally, or lengthy grinding to level-up new characters. Its interface is clean and customizable and enemy attacks are easy to read and react to. Many of the add-ons players need to download in WoW in order to play well, like a threat meter, a way to track party interrupts, or a detailed dungeon map so players can plan effective routes, are baked into Fellowship by default. That makes it far easier for players who may have always been interested in playing WoW’s dungeon-heavy endgame, but found the entire thing too confusing and unapproachable, to jump in and understand what’s happening at a glance. Whether there is a huge audience for a standalone MMO endgame experience minus the whole MMO part is still an open question, but Fellowship looks like it has a lot of the essential pieces in place. Fellowship’s open Steam Next Fest playtest will run from February 24 through March 3, with six different heroes for players to choose from. It does not currently have a release date. If you’re looking for other new games to try, check out our list of the best Steam Next Fest demos. Source link #Fellowship #Demo #Basically #WoW #Dungeons #MMO #Fluff #Monthly #Subscription Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]
  4. Pelican Press
    MotoGP world champ to miss season opener in Thailand MotoGP world champ to miss season opener in Thailand MotoGP champion Jorge Martin will miss the season’s first Grand Prix in Thailand after suffering a fracture to his left foot and a triple fracture to his left hand, his Aprilia Racing team has reported. Martin is set to undergo surgery on his left hand on Tuesday to stabilise the fractures, and recovery time will be assessed after the operation. “Jorge Martin suffered a complex fracture of the radius, some carpal bones on the left side and an ipsilateral calcaneal fracture during a training session,” Aprilia said in a statement. “After a surgical consultation, it was decided to proceed with surgery, which will take place tomorrow at the Dexeus Clinic in Barcelona.” Martin had surgery this month after breaking his right hand and foot in a ****** ****** in Sepang, Malaysia. According to Spanish media reports, the 27-year-old was due to receive medical clearance to compete at Thailand’s Chang International Circuit from Friday before suffering the accident while training at the Menargues karting circuit in Spain. Aprilia said test rider Lorenzo Savadori will replace Martin in Thailand. Source link #MotoGP #world #champ #season #opener #Thailand Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
  5. Pelican Press
    Obsidian Wants to Develop Pillars of Eternity Tactics After Avowed Obsidian Wants to Develop Pillars of Eternity Tactics After Avowed In a new live stream, Josh Sawyer discussed the possibility of a Pillars of Eternity Tactics game and the challenges it could pose. Source link #Obsidian #Develop #Pillars #Eternity #Tactics #Avowed Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
  6. Pelican Press
    Thieves targeting freight trains in California and Arizona deserts make off with $2M worth of Nikes Thieves targeting freight trains in California and Arizona deserts make off with $2M worth of Nikes LOS ANGELES (AP) — Thieves have targeted freight trains running through the deserts of California and Arizona in a string of audacious heists resulting in the theft of more than $2 million worth of new Nike sneakers, including many that haven’t hit the retail market yet, according to officials and court documents. During a Jan. 13 robbery in Perrin, Arizona, suspects cut an air brake hose on a BNSF freight train and made off with more than 1,900 pairs of unreleased Nikes worth more than $440,000, according to a criminal complaint filed in federal court in Phoenix. Many of the shoes were Nigel Sylvester x Air Jordan 4s, which won’t be available to the public until March 14 and are expected to retail at $225 per pair, the complaint states. Authorities are investigating at least 10 heists targeting BNSF trains in remote areas of the Mojave Desert since last March, the Los Angeles Times reported Sunday. All but one resulted in the theft of Nike sneakers, according to investigators. 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. Eleven people charged in the Jan. 13 burglary have pleaded not guilty and were all ordered detained until trial, with Arizona magistrate judges concluding the defendants posed a risk of fleeing from authorities. All 11 defendants are charged with possessing or receiving goods stolen from interstate shipment. Ten of the 11 are Mexicans who were in the United States illegally. Another defendant is a ******** citizen who was in asylum proceedings in the United States, authorities said in court records. Thieves typically scout merchandise on rail lines that parallel Interstate 40 by boarding slow-moving trains, such as when they are changing tracks and opening containers, said Keith Lewis, vice president of operations at Verisk’s CargoNet and a deputy sheriff in Arizona. Lewis told the Times that the thieves are sometimes tipped off to valuable shipments by associates working at warehouses or trucking companies. The suspects are aided by accomplices in “follow vehicles,” which track the rail cars. The loot is tossed off the train after it comes to a halt — either for a scheduled stop or because an air hose has been cut, according to Brynna Cooke, a Homeland Security Investigations special agent cited in affidavits filed in federal court. Thefts from cargo trains cost the nation’s six largest freight railroads more than $100 million last year because of a combination of the value of the stolen goods and the cost of repairs to railcars the thieves damaged, and the problem is getting worse in recent years as the thefts have become more organized and sophisticated. The Association of American Railroads trade group estimates that the number of thefts jumped roughly 40% last year to 65,000 nationwide. The railroads have invested millions in measures to help prevent such thefts, but it’s not like they can easily restrict access to the more than 140,000 miles of track they operate across the country. It crosses remote, rural areas and cuts through the heart of many cities carrying millions of shipments of everything from bulk commodities like coal and grain to raw materials like rock. Automobiles and metal shipping containers filled with nearly every kind of product imaginable that’s imported or exported also are transported. The rail trade group said additional federal enforcement and tougher penalties are needed to deter the thefts, which are a chronic problem. The railroads estimate that only about 1 out of every 10 theft attempts result in an arrest, and many of the people who are arrested are repeat offenders. One railroad even reported arresting the same individual five times in a single day. BNSF and the other major freight railroad that hauls goods across the western United States, Union Pacific, didn’t immediately respond to inquiries from The Associated Press about the thefts, but the problem is something the entire industry is dealing with. BNSF said in a statement to the Times that its internal police force shares information with local law enforcement and prosecutors as appropriate. The company said its crews are instructed not to confront thieves, but to report the incidents instead. But the crews rarely encounter them, it said, because the trains are so long and the thieves take care to evade detection. The suspects in the Jan. 13 heist were caught with the help of tracking devices that were inside some of the boxes, the complaint says. In another case, a BNSF train came to an emergency stop near Hackberry, Arizona, on Nov. 20 after it started losing air, according to a complaint filed in the Phoenix federal court. Sheriff’s deputies in Mohave County stopped a white panel van seen leaving the area and found about 180 pairs of then-unreleased Air Jordan 11 Retro Legend Blue sneakers valued at $41,400, the complaint states. The driver pleaded not guilty to possessing or receiving goods stolen from interstate shipment. Investigators also recovered a combined total of $346,200 worth of then-unreleased Nike Air Jordans following two BNSF train burglaries in April and June, according to documents obtained by the Times. Two other cases in which BNSF freight trains were burglarized near Kingman and Seligman, Arizona, last year resulted in the theft of $612,000 worth of Nikes and eight arrests, according to federal criminal complaints. In 2022, thieves raided cargo containers aboard trains nearing downtown Los Angeles for months, taking packages belonging to people across the U.S. and leaving the tracks blanketed with discarded boxes. The audacious thefts prompted authorities and freight companies to step up security in the area. Source link #Thieves #targeting #freight #trains #California #Arizona #deserts #worth #Nikes Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]
  7. Pelican Press
    Apple AirTag 4-Pack Discounted Below Amazon’s ****** Friday Price Apple AirTag 4-Pack Discounted Below Amazon’s ****** Friday Price Amazon has a stellar limited-time deal on Apple AirTags. Apple fans can save $32 on a bundle that includes four AirTags. The $68 deal price is actually a couple bucks less than Amazon’s ***** price during ****** Friday 2024, so it’s undoubtedly a great time to buy AirTags. AirTags may not be the most exciting products in the Apple catalog, but there’s no denying their utility. Whether you use them to track luggage, keys, or even your car, AirTags are a great way to ensure your valuables never go missing. They’re also perfect for students heading back to school–as plopping one in a backpack means you’ll never lose track of your schoolwork or books ever again. 4-Pack for $68 (was $100) | Singles for $23 (was $29) The AirTag bundle is always the more economical way to buy Apple’s electronic trackers. At its full $100 price, you pay $25 per AirTag instead of $30. With Amazon’s deal, though, the savings are amplified. The $32 discount on the 4-pack of AirTags breaks down to $17 per AirTag, which is six bucks less than you’d pay per AirTag at the moment. Amazon is selling single AirTags for $23. While AirTags are fairly standard location trackers, these are undoubtedly the go-to trackers for Apple users. For one, they’re incredibly easy to set up–a single tap can connect them to your iPhone and get them ready for use. They also support Ultra-Wideband technology, which offers precise coordinates and enhanced tracking skills. Each AirTag has a built-in speaker that can help you pinpoint their location as well as several welcome privacy features. Communication with Apple’s “Find My” tracking service is anonymous and encrypted. Apple’s AirTags only work with iOS, so you’ll need an iPhone or iPad to make use of them. If you’re an Android user interested in picking up similar tracking devices, Amazon also has great deals on Life360’s popular Tile Mate Bluetooth trackers. You can snag a Tile Mate 4-Pack for $56 (was $80) or 2-Pack for $32 (was $45). If you’re specifically looking for a tracker for your wallet, the Tile Mate Slim Wallet Finder is on ***** for $21 (was $30). Tile Mate devices work with iOS and Android. Bluetooth Tracker Deals at Amazon Source link #Apple #AirTag #4Pack #Discounted #Amazons #****** #Friday #Price Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]
  8. Pelican Press
    Fake Video of Trump Sucking Musk’s Toes Plays at HUD Headquarters Fake Video of Trump Sucking Musk’s Toes Plays at HUD Headquarters A fake video depicting President Trump sucking on the toes of the tech billionaire Elon Musk played on monitors in the headquarters of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The video appeared to be generated by artificial intelligence. Source link #Fake #Video #Trump #Sucking #Musks #Toes #Plays #HUD #Headquarters Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
  9. Pelican Press
    Market risks are rising, and it might be time to sell the rallies Market risks are rising, and it might be time to sell the rallies Legendary investor Warren Buffett is sitting on a record $334 billion in cash , but he hasn’t said why his cash position is so large. Hedge fund manager Steve Cohen recently said that the Trump administration’s tariffs and large-scale budget cuts by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency could be bad for the economy and stock market. When the best investor and one of the top traders in the world both appear cautious, maybe it’s time to pay attention. In his annual letter to shareholders, Buffett has not offered any explicit reason for Berkshire Hathaway ‘s record cash hoard. But you don’t have to be storied financier Bernard Baruch to figure out that stashing cash is not the most bullish of signs. Warning signs The bear case has been made for some time now, as investors who previously urged caution pointed to a number of warning signs that are flashing in the market: Lofty valuations Deteriorating market breadth Highly concentrated returns in just a handful of mega-cap stocks Irrational exuberance over the promise of artificial intelligence Uncertainty over monetary and fiscal policies Worries about trade relations and geopolitical risk Looming issues around government funding Continued increases in federal deficits and the national debt It’s a common saying that the stock market climbs a “wall of worry” and that overt pessimism is a contrary indicator. But aside from Buffett and Cohen, individual investors and self-directed traders have been pouring money into equities at a relatively brisk pace of late. This suggests that the public is still quite bullish on the prospects for U.S. stocks. Prudent pruning and diversification As I wrote in December, taking some chips off the table would not be unwise. Pruning one’s portfolio, especially after two years of sizable gains, is a prudent thing to do. I also suggested earlier this year that tactical traders might want to swap some U.S. indexes for their European counterparts. Despite concerns about the European Union’s economy, its relationship with the U.S. and the ongoing geopolitical risks related to Ukraine, European markets continue to outperform the S & P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite . Indeed, the Stoxx Europe 600 index is up nearly 9% in 2025, while the S & P 500 has an advance of more than 2%. .STOXX .SPX YTD line The Stoxx Europe 600 vs. the S & P 500 in 2025 Domestic political concerns may also soon have an impact on U.S. financial markets. A few House Republicans have been getting an earful from constituents concerned about Elon Musk’s attempted overhaul of various federal agencies, NBC News reported . There are economic risks to mass firings and furloughs. Assuming there is a limit to the buyouts offered to a swath of federal employees, jobless claims could jump. The overall employment situation could make it appear the U.S. economy is tilting toward recession while consumers are also increasingly worried about inflation. A stagflation scenario – that is, a combination of high inflation and stagnant economic growth –is most certainly not priced into markets even though the possibility has been raised by some economists. In short, it may be a time for caution when it comes to buying the dip as investors have been taught to do. Rather than buying the dip, it might simply be time to sell the rallies. — CNBC contributor Ron Insana is CEO of iFi.AI, an artificial intelligence fintech firm. Source link #Market #risks #rising #time #sell #rallies Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
  10. Pelican Press
    Dauntless Being Shutdown By Phoenix Labs In May Dauntless Being Shutdown By Phoenix Labs In May Phoenix Labs is officially shutting down its free-to-play action RPG Dauntless this spring. In a post on Steam and social media, the studio kept the announcement pretty short and sweet. “Dauntless is shutting down on May 29, 2025,” the announcement reads. “Dauntless will receive no additional content or updates. The game will no longer be available to play on May 29, 2025.” They closed the social media post, specifically, saying, “Thanks to all for being a part of the Dauntless journey.” Dauntless’ shutdown comes nearly six years after it first launched in September 2019 for PC, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4. The game had since been released on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. READ MORE: Microsoft CEO Says Company Will Train New AI On A “Catalog Of Games” The movealso comes during a tumultuous time for Phoenix Labs as a studio. In January, Insider Gaming learned that roughly 50 people were let go at the company. There was a belief among those let go at the time that Phoenix Labs as a whole was set to be closed. As of writing, parent company Forte has yet to make an announcement on the status of the studio. Insider Gaming has reached out, however, to attempt to get clarity on the situation. At its peak, Phoenix Labs said that Dauntless had seen over 6 million players. What do you make of the Dauntless shutdown by Phoenix Labs? Let us know down below, and join more discussions in the official Insider Gaming Forums. For more Insider Gaming, read about what Steam players would like Valve to add to the client moving forward. And don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter. SUBSCRIBE to our newsletter to receive the latest news and exclusive leaks every week! No Spam. Source link #Dauntless #Shutdown #Phoenix #Labs Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
  11. Pelican Press
    Here’s how to qualify for the retirement savings contributions credit Here’s how to qualify for the retirement savings contributions credit Westend61 | Westend61 | Getty Images There’s a lesser-known tax break for low- to moderate-income Americans who save for retirement. However, most eligible taxpayers don’t claim it, experts say. The retirement savings contributions credit, or saver’s credit, helps offset funds added to an individual retirement account, 401(k) plan or another workplace plan. The tax break is worth up to $1,000 per filer. It’s not too late if you didn’t make a qualifying contribution last year. There’s still time to make IRA deposits before April 15 to claim the credit on 2024 returns. However, “the saver’s credit is a well-kept secret,” Catherine Collinson, CEO and president of Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies said in a February report. More from Personal Finance: Here’s why Trump tariffs may raise your car insurance premiums Don’t wait to file your taxes this season, experts say. Here’s why As tariffs ramp up, here’s an investment option to protect against inflation Only about half of U.S. workers know about the saver’s credit, according to a survey from Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies, which polled more than 10,000 U.S. adults in September and October. That percentage drops to 44% among taxpayers with a household income of less than $50,000. Awareness of the credit is very low across the board. Emerson Sprick Associate director for the Bipartisan Policy Center’s Economic Policy Program “Awareness of the credit is very low across the board,” but it’s even lower among taxpayers who could qualify to use it, said Emerson Sprick, associate director for the Bipartisan Policy Center’s Economic Policy Program. To that point, roughly 5.8% of returns claimed the saver’s credit in 2022, according to a the most recent IRS data. The average credit value that year was $194, according to a Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies analysis. How the saver’s credit works The saver’s credit can offset as much as 50% of retirement contributions up to $2,000 for single filers or $4,000 for married couples filing jointly, for maximum credits of $1,000 or $2,000, respectively. The credit provides a dollar-for-dollar reduction of levies owed, which could reduce your tax bill or boost your refund. But the tax break is not “refundable,” which means there’s no benefit with $0 tax liability, Sprick explained. “The way it’s calculated is fairly complex,” he said. There are income phase-outs to claim 50%, 20% or 10% of your contribution, depending on your filing status and adjusted gross income. You can use an IRS tool to see if you’re eligible. For 2024, your adjusted gross income can’t exceed $23,000 for single filers or $46,000 for married couples for the 50% credit. The percentages drop to 20% and 10%, respectively, as earnings increase, with a complete phase-out above $38,250 for individuals or $76,500 for joint filers. Credit will soon be replaced Because of the credit’s design and workers’ lack of awareness, “the uptake of this is really low,” Sprick said. That’s part of the motivation for the “saver’s match” enacted via Secure 2.0, which will replace the saver’s credit in 2027 and deposit money directly into taxpayers accounts, he said. “Everyone hopes that it’s going to be easier,” Sprick said. But “there are a lot of logistics that remain to be worked out.” Source link #Heres #qualify #retirement #savings #contributions #credit Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
  12. Pelican Press
    Tuesday Briefing: The Ukraine War’s 3rd Anniversary Tuesday Briefing: The Ukraine War’s 3rd Anniversary Uncertainty on the Ukraine war’s anniversary President Trump met with President Emmanuel Macron of France at the White House yesterday at a head-spinning time for Western alliances. It was the third anniversary of the war in Ukraine, and peace talks with Russia have sidelined Kyiv and European leaders. Here’s the latest. Trump told reporters while sitting next to the French president that the fighting could be over “within weeks,” and he suggested that he may visit Moscow as soon as this spring. He refused to call President Vladimir Putin of Russia a dictator. The U.S. opposed a European effort at the U.N. to condemn Russia and call for it to immediately withdraw from Ukraine. The Trump administration introduced its own resolution, which softened the language and called only for an end to the war, essentially siding with Moscow over longtime allies. Analysis: Zelensky has mostly played weak hands wisely during the war, but his approach to Trump has resulted in hostility. Is his strategy ultimately harming Ukraine? ****** official expressed doubts about Oct. 7 Mousa Abu Marzouk, the head of ******’s foreign relations office, told The Times that he wouldn’t have supported the Oct. 7, 2023, attack if he had known of the devastation Israel would wreak on Gaza. The Israeli offensive in the enclave has killed thousands of Palestinians and reduced it to rubble. It’s unclear to what extent Abu Marzouk’s views on Oct. 7 are shared by other ****** leaders, who have tended to take a harder line, or if he shared them in an attempt to influence negotiations with Israel. What’s next: The truce between ****** and Israel is set to end Sunday, but both sides have yet to begin negotiating an extension. Steve Witkoff, Trump’s ******** envoy, said he would return to the region tomorrow to push for a new truce. While a brief extension of the cease-fire is possible, the likelihood of a long-term deal seems remote. Here’s what could lie ahead. North Koreans face ‘forced labor’ at sea, report said Some North Koreans are assigned by their government to work on board ******** tuna ships in the Indian Ocean. Their earnings go straight to Kim Jong-un’s regime, according to a report published yesterday by the Environmental Justice Foundation. The report described “forced labor” conditions in which workers went years without setting foot on land, and were often cut off from their families. Context: The U.N. bans member states from hiring North Korean workers because it says Kim uses them to raise funds for a nuclear weapons program. But last year more than 100,000 North Koreans were reported to be still working in 40 countries. MORE TOP NEWS Across the West, voters are lurching to the right. Yet, in Denmark, the governing Social Democrats have pursued bold progressive policies since 2019, cruising to re-election in 2022. One issue sets them apart from their progressive counterparts in Europe: A far more restrictive stance on immigration. Lives lived: Roberta Flack, the singer and pianist whose blend of soul, jazz and folk made her one of the most popular artists of the 1970s, died at 88. Get to know her essential songs. CONVERSATION STARTERS The lie of the perfect beach Many resorts around the world are embracing landscapes in their more natural states, instead of the social-media-perfect beaches of fine white sand and unobstructed ocean views. Most of those magical vistas are very much the work of humans, anyway. Preserving native vegetation aids a healthy ecosystem, strengthens natural defenses against climate change and provides habitats to native species. It also transforms ideas about what kind of tropical beach is worthy of a week’s vacation. Read more here. RECOMMENDATIONS Source link #Tuesday #Briefing #Ukraine #Wars #3rd #Anniversary Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]
  13. Pelican Press
    The Official Farscape Sequel Comics Are Returning With These New Omnibus Editions The Official Farscape Sequel Comics Are Returning With These New Omnibus Editions The Jim Henson Company’s cult-classic sci-fi TV series Farscape ended after just four seasons and a miniseries, but the franchise continued with a number of official graphic novel runs that will soon be collected into two big omnibus editions launching later this year. The Farscape Omnibus Book One and Book Two. Both massive 600-page volumes are available to preorder for $60 each at Amazon, and reserving your order now locks in its preorder price guarantee, meaning you won’t be charged until the books ship, and if either is discounted ahead of launch you’ll be charged the lower price. If you’re looking to add the TV show to your collection, you’ll also find Farscape: The Complete Series Blu-ray on ***** for $135.12 (was $220). $60 | Releases March 18 The first Farscape Omnibus launches on March 18. It serves as a continuation of the sci-fi series, with the Moya crew facing a new threat after the events of the miniseries episodes that originally wrapped up its TV run. You’ll also get to see John Crichton and Aeryn Sun’s reunion. Here’s a look at which comics are included in this massive omnibus: Farscape #1-4 Farscape: Strange Detractors #1-4 Farscape: Gone and Back #1-4 Farscape Vol. 2 #1-4 Farscape: D’Argo’s Lament #1-4 Farscape: D’Argo’s Trial #1-4 Farscape: D’Argo’s Trial #1-4 $60 | Releases April 22 The second omnibus arrives a month after the first on April 22. Along with second half of the popular Farscape comic book story, you’ll also get the comic spin-off that tells a new story about Scorpius, one of the show’s most iconic villains. Here’s a look at what’s inside: Farscape: Red Sky at Morning #1-4 Farscape Compulsions #1-4 Farscape: The War for the Uncharted Territories #1-12 Farscape: Scorpius: Let Sleeping Dogs Lie #1-4 Farscape: Scorpius: Glorious Basterds #1-4 Farscape: Backyard Barbeque Source link #Official #Farscape #Sequel #Comics #Returning #Omnibus #Editions Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
  14. Pelican Press
    Inside the new therapies promising to finally beat autoimmune disease Inside the new therapies promising to finally beat autoimmune disease Pere Santamaria was 15 when he developed myasthenia gravis. This autoimmune condition causes extreme muscle weakness and can sometimes lead to breathing difficulties. In Santamaria’s case, it affected the ocular muscles controlling his vision, making him see double. “It had a tremendous effect on me personally,” he says. “I was becoming an adolescent, and all of a sudden I couldn’t play sports and I couldn’t live a normal life. I had to take very high doses of corticosteroids, which made me swell up like a balloon.” Worse, these drugs only dampen down the body’s general immune response, rather than addressing the causes of autoimmunity, meaning Santamaria had no expectation that taking them would ever cure his condition. As the years passed, Santamaria developed additional autoimmune conditions – and a determination to learn more about them. “I just wanted to understand the diseases and mechanisms, with the hope I could eventually help others,” he says. He has now made progress towards that goal. Working as an immunologist at the University of Calgary in Canada, Santamaria is at the forefront of a push to develop new therapies to reprogram the immune system and encourage the human body to end its destructive war against its own tissues. As those therapies move into clinical trials, there are promising signs. Indeed, some are so effective that a single dose has, in a few cases, left people symptom-free for years. So is the end of autoimmune conditions now in sight? Innate and adaptive immune systems Our bodies have several lines of defence against pathogens. … Source link #therapies #promising #finally #beat #autoimmune #disease Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
  15. Pelican Press
    Microsoft’s ad-supported version of Office only saves to OneDrive Microsoft’s ad-supported version of Office only saves to OneDrive Earlier this week, Microsoft broke from a long tradition of only offering paid versions of the native Microsoft Office app (web having been free for some time) and silently introduced a free, ad-supported version of Microsoft Office exclusively for Windows 11 users. This was first spotted by Beebom, which tested it on Windows 11 machines and VMs (My testing on Windows 10 quickly revealed it to be business as usual on older versions of Windows. Go figure.) Even so, it’s nifty and arguably even intelligent of Microsoft to build in a “Skip for now” button leading into a free version of Microsoft Office allowing Word, Excel, and PowerPoint to be used for free. The ads that support this use come in the form of the combination of a persistent ad banner onscreen, as well as a muted 15-second video ad playing every few hours. However, there are still lots of caveats to your use of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint here. The greatest immediate caveat is that you can’t save files locally and must instead save them to OneDrive, which means you don’t have any support to edit local files. It’s 2025, Microsoft — LibreOffice and Google Docs have existed way too long for you to be inconveniencing your free users like this. A number of other problems also exist, though, greatly limiting the formatting and decorative options available to Microsoft’s free users. Beebom painstakingly listed over 30 missing features in its original coverage. So, while I complimented Microsoft’s prudence in having a free tier of its local Office applications available…there are some real glaring issues with the omissions here. Even locking in just on Microsoft Word, the removal of key formatting options like line spacing, text wrapping, headers, footers, bookmarks, and even proper date & time fields is truly egregious. You can’t even hyphenate anymore! While Beebom observes that the applications are still able to be used, their phrasing here is “most of the basic and some of the key features are available”, but that honestly might be an understatement. Because let’s be very realistic about this. If you are willing to go through the trouble of using a free version of Microsoft Office instead of any number of truly-free alternatives that have been widely available to you for the past decade or more, you’re doing it because maintaining compatibility with existing workflows and spaces reliant on Office is your priority. But with so many key formatting options locked behind a paywall, you really might as well not be using Microsoft Office at all at this point, and instead be hedging your bets with exporting files from LibreOffice or Google Drive. If Microsoft is already insistent on monetizing its free users via advertisements, the least they could do is provide a usable version of Microsoft Office in exchange. The extensive list of cut doesn’t make Microsoft look any less stingy to the users of Windows 11, which already has plenty of ads. Get Tom’s Hardware’s best news and in-depth reviews, straight to your inbox. Source link #Microsofts #adsupported #version #Office #saves #OneDrive Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
  16. Pelican Press
    Apple vows $US500b investment in US amid tariff threats Apple vows $US500b investment in US amid tariff threats Apple has announced plans to invest more than $US500 billion in the United States over the next four years, including plans to hire 20,000 people and build a new server factory in Texas. The move comes just days after President Donald Trump said Apple CEO Tim Cook promised him that the tech giant’s manufacturing would shift from Mexico to the US Trump noted the company was doing so to avoid paying tariffs. That pledge, coupled with Monday’s investment commitment, came as Trump continues to threaten to impose tariffs that could drive up the cost of iPhones made in China. “We are bullish on the future of American innovation, and we’re proud to build on our long-standing US investments with this $US500 billion ($A787 billion) commitment to our country’s future,” Cook said in a company blog post. Apple outlined several concrete moves in its announcement, the most significant of which is the construction of a new factory in Houston — slated to open in 2026 — that will produce servers to power Apple Intelligence, its suite of AI features. The company claims this factory will create “thousands of jobs”. The announcement is similar to one Apple made in early 2018 — during the first Trump administration — that promised to create 20,000 new jobs as part of a $US350 billion spend in the US. Trump was also mulling a tariff then that could have affected iPhones at the time, but he didn’t end up targeting those devices during his first administration. Source link #Apple #vows #US500b #investment #tariff #threats Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
  17. Pelican Press
    Stephen King’s Graveyard Shift Releases On 4K Blu-Ray This Week – Save 30% At Amazon Stephen King’s Graveyard Shift Releases On 4K Blu-Ray This Week – Save 30% At Amazon Collectors of Stephen King adaptations can add one of the author’s lesser-known stories to their shelves this week. Graveyard Shift, the 1990 horror movie adapted from a short story King penned in 1970, releases on 4K Blu-ray and standard 1080p Blu-ray on February 25. Amazon is offering a 30% discount on both editions, so fans can order Graveyard Shift on 4K Blu-ray for $31.49 (was $45) or just $21 (was $30) on Blu-ray. King fans will be happy to learn this new “special edition” is packed with bonus features, including interviews with the cast and crew, new audio commentary, and other exclusive content. $31.49 (was $45) | Releases February 25 The 4K edition also comes with the standard Blu-ray disc, the film’s bonus features are spread across both discs. If you don’t need the 4K format, the film is also available as a standard Blu-ray. Graveyard Shift, the short story, originally appeared in Cavalier Magazine in 1970 before being included in King’s excellent story collection, Night Shift, in 1978. Set in a small town in Maine, it focuses on an abandoned textile mill that has just reopened. However, it’s quickly plagued by a series of mysterious deaths, with workers being killed in the middle of the night. The story and adaptation employ similar themes and plot devices as other King tales from that time. The workers discover a haunting subterranean system of tunnels underneath the factory–and what lurks inside could be the culprit for their coworkers’ deaths. If you’re interested in reading the short story first, you can pick up a trade paperback copy of Night Shift for $10.49 (was $18). Graveyard Shift Bonus Features Here’s a look at the bonus features that come Graveyard Shift. Note that the 4K edition comes with both lists below, whereas the standard Blu-ray edition is specifically the content on Disc 2. Disc 1 – 4K Blu-ray: New 4K scan of original camera negative Dolby Vision & HDR10 New audio commentary by film historians Howard S. Berger and Marc Edward Heuck 5.1 surround and lossless 2.0 audio Optional English subtitles Disc 2 – Blu-ray: New HD Master built from the 4K scan of original camera negative New audio commentary by film historians Howard S. Berger and Marc Edward Heuck Interview with director Ralph S. Singleton Interview with actor Stephen Macht Interview with actress Kelly Wolf Interview with actor Robert Alan Beuth Theatrical trailer 5.1 surround and lossless 2.0 audio Optional English subtitles Graveyard Shift received negative reviews when it released in 1990. It probably didn’t help that expectations for movies based on Stephen King stories were fairly high due to recent successes, including The Running Man and **** Sematary, both of which released in 1989. And not long before those hits a King adaptation became a massive critical and commercial success. The 1987 coming-of-age film Stand by Me (adapted from the novella The Body) remains one of the most beloved King movies today. It was directed by Rob Reiner and nominated for the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay. Graveyard Shift was also quickly overshadowed by the TV miniseries adaptation of It and the theatrical debut of Misery, both of which released roughly a month after Graveyard Shift. Like Stand By Me, Misery was directed by Rob Reiner. Bolstered by brilliant performances from stars Kathy Bates and James Caan, Misery is widely regarded as one of the best movies adapted from King’s work. Bates won the Oscar for Best Actress for her portrayal of Annie Wilkes. If you’re a big Stephen King fan, though, even the “bad” adaptations have some memorable moments and often contain some fun callbacks to his other work. It’s been 35 years since Graveyard Shift released in theaters, so it’ll be interesting to see if contemporary King fans arrive at the same consensus as viewers did back then. Stand By Me and The Running Man Steelbook Editions And if you’re interested in watching more Stephen King movies, we’ve put together a list of 4K Blu-ray editions of some of his films below. Many of the movies listed below are steeply discounted, including Limited Edition Steelbook versions of the aforementioned Stand By Me and The Running Man. For even more reading, check out The Gwendy Trilogy that’s on ***** for $15.39 (was $22), or preorder the upcoming Never Flinch novel or The End of the World As We Know It short story anthology. More Stephen King 4K Blu-Ray Deals If you want to read some of Stephen King’s work, the newly released omnibus edition of The Gwendy Trilogy is on ***** for only $15.39 (was $22) at Amazon. You can also preorder a hardcover edition of Stephen King’s next novel, Never Flinch, at Amazon for $22.40 (was $32) ahead of its May 27 release. Fans of King’s doorstopper of a novel The Stand may be interested in the upcoming anthology The End of the World as We Know It: New Tales of Stephen King’s The Stand. The 800-page short story collection will be published on August 19. set in the same world Source link #Stephen #Kings #Graveyard #Shift #Releases #BluRay #Week #Save #Amazon Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]
  18. Pelican Press
    Georgia bill to veto government rules isn’t the same as DOGE. But Democrats are still upset Georgia bill to veto government rules isn’t the same as DOGE. But Democrats are still upset ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia’s Senate voted 33-21 on Monday to pass a bill that would give legislators a veto over significant regulations imposed by the executive branch, a move that has hampered safety efforts and environmental protections in other states. The bill is a priority of Lt. Gov Burt Jones, a Republican who is considering a run for governor in 2026. Jones on Monday again likened the bill to Elon Musk’s effort to cut federal government spending and regulation, called the Department of Government Efficiency. But some supporters have backed away from the DOGE branding as an outcry against Musk’s efforts has increased in recent weeks. “This bill is in the spirit of DOGE but functionally is it very different,” said the bill’s sponsor, Republican Sen. Greg Dolezal of ********. 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. Democrats, eager to oppose what’s happening in Washington, said they’re alarmed that the use of that name could lead to layoffs and service cuts of the kind Musk is attempting, even though the bill focuses on limiting rules imposed by state agencies. Lawmakers often pass laws but leave it up to agencies to make rules implementing the laws. “The real question today is are we going to allow cuts to the very programs that thousands of Georgians across our state rely upon in the names of rollbacks,” said Senate ********* Whip Kim Jackson, a Stone Mountain Democrat. The measure moves to the House for more debate. Although Republicans have controlled Georgia’s legislature and governor’s office for more than 20 years, supporters of Senate Bill 28 say lawmakers need to check rulemaking by the executive branch. Dolezal said the measure would give lawmakers “a seat at the table to ensure that the administrative state is not doing things that are unintended or that are making things onerous for our citizens.” But opponents say the bill is infused with anti-government animus. “One person’s red tape is another person’s due process,” said Sen. Josh McLaurin, a Sandy Springs Democrat. “And when you take an axe to all regulations, irrespective of what’s in them, and you put political pressure on the agencies not to issue regulations that are in effect, you might be taking away some of your voters’ due process A version of the bill calling for an analysis of the impact of new laws on small businesses passed the Senate in 2024 but did not become law. This year’s version goes further, saying any rule that would have more than $1 million of economic impact over five years would be automatically halted until lawmakers approved it. That $1 million ceiling works out to less than 2 cents per year for all 10.7 million Georgians over five years. Similar measures restricting the enactment of expensive rules forced Kansas to abandon attempts to update its fire safety code last year. In Wisconsin, that state’s law killed efforts to develop standards to limit PFAS chemicals in groundwater. Earlier in Wisconsin, the law also killed an effort to limit nitrate contamination in groundwater. Bill Davis, senior legal analyst for the Rivers Alliance of Wisconsin, said his state’s law, which applies when compliance spending is $10 million or more over two years, has made agencies “gun shy” about even proposing new rules. While government agencies have traditionally considered the costs and benefits of new rules, Davis said the law ignores projected benefits, forcing agencies to only consider their costs. “It can really, really shut things thing down,” Davis said in a phone interview Monday. Although Georgia’s measure would grab power from the executive branch, a spokesperson for Republican Gov. Brian Kemp declined to comment Monday. Versions of the law passed in Florida and Kansas, motivated by Republican-majority legislatures that wanted to check Democratic governors. Wisconsin and Indiana passed versions of the bill despite Republicans controlling the legislature and governor’s office. The measure, called the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny, or REINS Act, in Congress and other states, is being pushed nationwide by Americans for Prosperity and other conservative groups. Georgia legislators can already object to the enactment of legislation, but Dolezal’s bill would allow a single legislator to hold up any rule with an impact under $1 million. It would also require agencies to review all existing rules every four years and allow public comment unless they cut their number of rules by 10% during that time. To keep existing rules, agencies would have to go through the new adoption process, meaning any rule with new or continuing compliance costs would be frozen awaiting legislative approval. Source link #Georgia #bill #veto #government #rules #isnt #DOGE #Democrats #upset Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
  19. Pelican Press
    New Report Blows ‘PC vs Console’ Debate Wide Open With an Alarming Playtime Disparity New Report Blows ‘PC vs Console’ Debate Wide Open With an Alarming Playtime Disparity The PC vs console debate has been there for ages, with each camp having their own distinct advantages and disadvantages. While consoles offer a more streamlined gaming experience, PCs make up for it by being a lot more customizable – offering ways to enjoy the game beyond conventional hardware limitations. Admittedly, ports across both platforms are rather similar in the modern era. The debate still rises, and as per a recent report, neither side is truly winning the battle. PC gamers are spending a lot less time on video games Gaming has seen a decline in recent years | Image Credit: Ubisoft As per a recent report from Midia Research, a large percentage of both PC and console gamers spend less than 10 hours a week actually playing through games. In reality, this number is even lower when we take into consideration averages and majorities. PC gamers in particular, spend less than 5 hours a week on video games, and this number represents a two-third majority on the market. Consoles also follow a similar trend, with two-thirds spending less than 5 hours on average per week as well. A number of factors can be held responsible for this new trend. Of particular importance would be the fact that video games are of a much grander scope than they used to be before. After all, games these days are both technical and cinematic showpieces. As games get more and more complex, players find it increasingly difficult to keep up with them as they grow older and accumulate more responsibilities with the coming of age. What used to be a casual 30 minute run has now turned out to be a 50-hour long blockbuster RPG. Games keep getting more and more complex | Image Credit: Square Enix This could perhaps be attributed to the mobile gaming market’s continued thriving. After all, mobile games are designed to be played in short bursts, which helps retain player volume in the long run. More and more players accumulate games that they do not finish, and live service helps mitigate that to a certain extent. Additionally, games also demand a lot more attention than they used to, competing with other media such as movies, music, and books. This can also be linked as to why gaming services such as Game Pass are stagnating, as well as the general slump associated with the industry as of late. The industry needs to cut back on development times, and have a long hard look at its current predicament. Making more quality games with modest budgets should be encouraged, over yearly refreshes that do little to innovate the medium. PCs are more general hybrid machines, which means they can do a lot more PCs are capable of a lot more | Image Credit: Xbox Game Studios Another point of contention here is the fact that PCs, while capable of gaming, can do a lot more. One does not simply buy or assemble a PC for gaming only – it is a multipurpose tool. Therein lies the beauty of PC gaming – it’s a lot more flexible, and PCs are not just restricted to games. You can multitask, and more importantly, tweak a game to your heart’s content. Squeezing every bit of performance out of an ancient or weaker system is kind of an engaging challenge, and the great modularity of PC (thanks to an almost endless assortment of configs) is what makes it so great and accessible. Source link #Report #Blows #Console #Debate #Wide #Open #Alarming #Playtime #Disparity Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
  20. Pelican Press
    Trump says tariffs on Canada and Mexico ‘will go forward’ Trump says tariffs on Canada and Mexico ‘will go forward’ U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks during a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron in the East Room at the White House on Feb. 24, 2025 in Washington, DC. Tasos Katopodis | Getty Images President Donald Trump said Monday that sweeping U.S. tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico “will go forward” when a month-long delay on their implementation expires next week. “The tariffs are going forward on time, on schedule,” Trump said when asked at a White House press conference if the postponed tariffs on the two U.S. trading partners would soon go back into effect. The president claimed that the U.S. has “been taken advantage of” by foreign nations on “just about everything,” and reiterated his plan to impose so-called reciprocal tariffs. “So the tariffs will go forward, yes, and we’re going to make up a lot of territory,” Trump said. This is breaking news. Please refresh for updates. Source link #Trump #tariffs #Canada #Mexico Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
  21. Pelican Press
    Assassins Creed Shadows Physical Copies Sold Early, Leaked Gameplay & Videos Surface Online Assassins Creed Shadows Physical Copies Sold Early, Leaked Gameplay & Videos Surface Online Some physical copies of Assassin’s Creed Shadows appear to have been sold early, resulting in leaked gameplay footage emerging online. Source link #Assassins #Creed #Shadows #Physical #Copies #Sold #Early #Leaked #Gameplay #amp #Videos #Surface #Online Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
  22. Pelican Press
    Cal-Maine Foods Stock: Worth Buying as Egg Prices Rise? Cal-Maine Foods Stock: Worth Buying as Egg Prices Rise? It is no newsflash that the price of eggs has skyrocketed in recent months — certainly, every trip to the supermarket is a stark reminder. In January alone, the price of eggs rose 15.2%, the highest increase since June 2015, according to the latest Consumer Price Index. And over the past 12 months, the price of eggs has jumped 53%, according to the CPI. The primary reason is an outbreak of bird flu that has decimated the hen population, which, in turn, has led to fewer eggs being produced, and higher prices for those eggs. The nation’s largest producer of eggs, Cal-Maine Foods (NASDAQ:), saw huge revenue gains over the past year, as it was able to meet customer demand. “Our team did an outstanding job in managing our production as well as making outside purchases in order to meet the needs of our valued customers,” Cal-Maine President and CEO Sherman Miller said. “We were fortunate to have the ability to leverage our significant scale and benefit from recent acquisitions, which have helped support our production capacity in this challenging supply environment.” Overall, the company sold 329.8 million cartons of eggs for the quarter ended November 29, 14% more than the same quarter a year ago. The net average selling price per dozen rose 58% to $2.74. That led to an 82% year-over-year increase in to $955 million. Net income jumped to $219 million, or $4.47 per diluted share, up from $17.0 million, or 35 cents per share, for the same fiscal quarter a year ago. When to expect egg prices to drop Cal-Maine stock rose about 87% in 2024 and over the past 12 months it has gained roughly 59%, currently trading at $91 per share. However, it is down about 11% year-to-date and 14% over the past month, as the bird flu outbreak continues. The big issue for Cal-Maine is if it can continue to meet demand in this challenging market. The company has invested in its production operations through acquisitions and expanding its cage-free capacity. “Without question, we have recently faced significant challenges within our Company and the entire egg industry due to the ongoing outbreaks of HPAI,” Miller said. “While we recognize and address these risks, we are steadfast in our efforts to effectively manage our operations and promote responsible and sustainable production. We remain focused on optimizing the aspects of our business that we can control and continue to extend our leadership role in supporting the nation’s food supply.” Also, experts predict that the price of eggs will gradually come down in 2025. The USDA projects the average price for a dozen eggs to fall from $4.80 in Q1 to $2.50 in Q2. In Q3, prices will fall even further to about $2.10, followed by projections of $2.35 per dozen in Q4. So, prices should start to normalize. However, these projections remain fluid, depending upon the continued impact of the bird flu on populations. Can Cal-Maine stock keep rising? Cal-Maine stock is extremely cheap, with a P/E ratio of 7. But the question is, will it have the type of earnings power and revenue generation it saw in 2024? It is very difficult to know, given the unpredictability of the bird flu. The two analysts that cover it have a median price target of $98 per share, which would be about a 7% increase. That may not be a bad return in 2025, as the overall market should be more volatile. The stock probably won’t see the type of returns it saw last year, but it has been a steady stock over the years, with a 10-year average return of 9.4%. It is also a market leader and very cheap right now. However, it may be a good idea to wait a month or so until the next earnings report comes out. Original Post Source link #CalMaine #Foods #Stock #Worth #Buying #Egg #Prices #Rise Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]
  23. Pelican Press
    10 things Dan Bongino, Trump's FBI No. 2 pick, has said in the last year – Axios 10 things Dan Bongino, Trump's FBI No. 2 pick, has said in the last year – Axios 10 things Dan Bongino, Trump’s FBI No. 2 pick, has said in the last year AxiosPodcaster and ex-Secret Service agent Dan Bongino will be FBI deputy director, Trump says CNNTrump Announces Dan Bongino, a Right-Wing Commentator, as FBI Deputy Director The New York Times Source link #Dan #Bongino #Trump039s #FBI #pick #year #Axios Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
  24. Pelican Press
    Monster Hunter Wilds review: thrilling action RPG is shockingly chill Monster Hunter Wilds review: thrilling action RPG is shockingly chill Monster Hunter Wilds MSRP $70.00 “Monster Hunter Wilds balances spectacle and familiar routine to create the ultimate chill out game.” Pros Richly detailed biomes Excellent monster designs More strategic combat Spectacular production value Deep endgame Cons Limp story Poor onboarding Table of Contents Table of Contents Slaying in the wilds ******* story Surprisingly chill Mother nature’s fury is raging. Lightning strikes down around me as I clash with an enormous monster, one roaring at a decibel level that can’t be good for my little Palico companion. I leap into the sky with my insect glaive and propel myself onto the beast’s back. It thrashes violently as I jab my blade between its wings. After a few hits, I crack its thick hide. I jab my weapon into its open wound and spin it like a drill. I don’t know what’s louder: the pained screams of a dying monster or my steel ripping into its flesh. All I do know is that I hardly have a care in the world at this moment. I don’t think anyone could classify Monster Hunter Wilds as a “cozy game” with a straight face, but games that aim to relax players rarely offer moments of Zen like this. The latest entry in Capcom’s hack-and-slash action RPG once again tasks players with cutting down hulking monsters and turning their body parts into silly little hats. It should be the recipe for a relentless blockbuster full of tense clashes and edge-of-your-seat thrills. While it does deliver those moments, there’s an indescribable tranquility to it all that’s only achieved once you become one with its lush world. The screeching, the storms, the larger-than-life battles — it’s just the natural order, and you are but a modest insect living your life from the comfort of a tree branch. Once it gets its claws in, it’s hard to escape Monster Hunter Wilds’ grasp. It balances high-octane spectacle with the kind of meditative RPG progression hooks that live service games dream of. It’s a successful evolution from Monster Hunter World, though one that still can’t quite find the best way to introduce new players to its intimidating world. Slaying in the wilds Even though it tells a new story, Monster Hunter Wilds’ gameplay picks up where World left off. It once again throws players into a series of detailed biomes and gives players the freedom to explore it at their leisure and go on monster hunts to earn valuable gear crafting resources. Each area, from its sandy deserts to its poisonous Oilwell Basin, is a living place that never feels static. The compact maps are rich with flora and fauna that make each area feel like a thriving ecosystem built on sensible, natural hierarchies. There’s a greater emphasis on emergent moments this time around too, as dynamic weather means a vicious lightning storm can pop up at a moment’s notice. These aren’t mechanical maps built to house one big monster or two; they feel like busy, living spaces. Of course, the big monsters are still important. Wilds fills its biomes with a wider range of critters that feel like they belong in each environment. When I head to the jungle, I meet Monster Hunter 2’s Congalala, a farting ape hiding out in between the trees. While old favorites are peppered in, all of the new creatures especially show just how thoughtful the Monster Hunter team is at inventing new beasts. The desert is home to Balahara, a giant sand worm that burrows around me whenever I try to fight it. It’s clear that I’m a stranger in its home and that I’ll need to learn the ins and outs of how it navigates the dunes to beat it. Capcom Observation has always been the key to victory in Monster Hunter and that philosophy returns in full force here. It’s still a core part of battles, as creatures don’t have health bars that telegraph how close they are to death. Instead, I can tell how far along a fight is based on my foe’s body language, as it staggers the more I have it on the ropes. I need to pay attention to my surroundings just as much this time, too. Now armed with a multi-purpose Hook Slinger, I can use my new tool to snag blowgun ammo from a distance or trigger environmental traps. Fights aren’t always just about relentless offense; I can enact deeper strategies by luring monsters into a vine trap or right underneath a precariously placed boulder. It adds a bit of Bugs Bunny mischief to the usual action loop. That’s not to say that there’s less slashing. Wilds only builds on the series’ combat by adding new tricks. I still need to wail on monsters as aggressively as I can while avoiding massive attacks. What’s slightly different about that flow is a greater emphasis on weak points. Once I attack a body part enough, it’ll become an open wound that I can loosely target by holding down my left trigger while attacking. When I have the cut in my sights, I can press R1 to perform a devastating Focus Strike. Battles feel like more of a dance than ever as a result, as I’m constantly hitting the right steps to open a wound and closing off a sequence with a violent flourish. It gives each battle a series of small climaxes en route to the big kill. It’s a game about learning and adapting to nature at every turn. There are 14 weapon classes to choose from this time, from basic swords to an oversized tuba that grants buffs to other hunters. Each one has its own distinct quirks that makes no two weapons feel exactly the same. When I want to do some mindless slashing, I break out my Dual Blades and rapidly hack away, carefully timing out my focus strikes to unleash a whirlwind slash across my prey’s entire body. When I want to get a bit more complex, I break out a Switch Axe, which is two weapons in one. Wilds does a better job at encouraging players to experiment too, as they can now carry a second weapon into battle that can be equipped on the fly while riding on their mount. While I ignored that feature early on, I soon found it useful to strategically swap tools mid-battle to evolve alongside a grounded enemy that begins to move more erratically as its health drains. Finding the right weapon can be intimidating. I’ve never really settled on a “main” weapon in previous games, but Wilds makes one small change in its onboarding that goes a long way. When I begin my journey, a character asks me to describe my playstyle. I tell her that I like an offense-heavy strategy with lots of unpredictable movement. She recommends I start with the Insect Glaive, which instantly feels like it was built for me. I grow to love its versatility as I can wallop enemies up close, ping them with my beetles from afar, and hop onto their backs using my tricky aerial maneuvers. It’s small considerations like this that help me better understand my place in Monster Hunter’s world. It’s a game about learning and adapting to nature at every turn. ******* story All of these systems get put to good use in Monster Hunter Wilds’ story, which tells the tale of an expedition team in pursuit of the fearsome White Wraith. It’s a concise and convenient way to introduce players to each biome, its key monsters, and each character that will later become a go-to quest-giver. Perhaps inspired by the series’ film adaptation in 2020, Capcom goes all in on spectacle this time. It’s a big budget production with thrilling cinematics that show oversized monsters clashing like kaiju. Monster Hunter Wilds doesn’t truly begin until its “end credits” roll. Godzilla films are at the top of my mind while playing through it, though not in the way you might expect. While there’s a connection to be made in the way monsters are presented, it’s the way Wilds tries and struggles to weave in human storytelling that brings those movies to mind. The tale tries to focus on the inhabitants of its world, moving players from tribe to tribe in its initial chapters and digging into their customs. It’s all in service of a story about how humans fit into nature and coexist with it — a somewhat laughable idea for a game about executing hundreds of animals just to turn them into boots. That idea never quite pays off as its NPCs feel lifeless next to Wilds’ intricately animated monsters, who show more personality when they’re just milling around. It’s not unlike Hollywood’s recent Godzilla flicks, which shine when the big guy is on screen and sag when the A-list stars come to cash in their paychecks. Capcom That’s ultimately not much of a problem, because that story isn’t exactly the focus. It’s treated more like a prelude that introduces the basics of Monster Hunter in a digestible narrative built for modern audiences. The initial chapters play out like a straightforward boss rush, as I jump from hunt to hunt with some cutscenes to stitch them together. If nothing else, it shows off how much more fluid Wilds is than its predecessors. I’m not just selecting a mission, loading into a world, getting introduced to a new monster with a brief video, and then loading out when the hunt is over. I go straight from story setup to exploration to battle with no loading between them. Monsters I won’t actually fight until much later weave in and out of the story. It’s just another way in which Wilds feels more alive. Monster Hunter Wilds doesn’t truly begin until its “end credits” roll. That’s where it gets into a more familiar flow as I’m completing quests and loose hunts to raise my hunter rank, unlock high level story missions, and create better gear from more powerful foes. The main story feels a little stapled onto that flow, as if it only exists as an on-ramp to win over what it sees as a “modern audience” that might find the full RPG grind too intimidating. Though the structure is a little odd, I imagine it will successfully win some new fans. If you simply want to play Monster Hunter as a manageable narrative game, you can drop off after the credits and get your fill of thrills minus the post-game complication. Surprisingly chill I imagine that nothing I’ve said so far sounds too relaxing, but Wilds is deceptively laid back — something that’s sure to be a bit divisive. Capcom doesn’t make its series less complicated, but it does aim to smooth off some edges to make sure players are headed in the right direction. I mean that literally. The biggest addition is the Seikret, the Chocobo-like mount that players explore on. With the press of a button, the creature will automatically run to the selected waypoint. If you use that feature to navigate the initial story, you’ll hit the end credits within 15 hours. That feature can be a gift and a curse. On the downside, it does take some depth out of Monster Hunter. Missions no longer require players to look around for monster tracks or sleuth out where a critter might be. Little prep work is needed at all. I can simply pick a mission or set a waypoint, jump on my Seikret, and go straight where I need to go (contending with just a bit of AI pathfinding confusion along the way). When used, it turns Monster Hunter’s exploration into Pokémon Snap. I’m just guided through an on-rails tour of the environment and I can pluck items with my hook as I pass by them. What begins as an inscrutable UI mess evolves into the ultimate chill out game. It can instill bad habits in players too, as auto-exploration will mean that players will never learn where to mine for key materials like rocks and bones. That pairs with Monster Hunter’s historically awful onboarding process. There may be less friction when it comes to getting around, but Wilds barely explains the intricacies of weapons, how to make basic tools, or virtually anything outside of taking down a monster and carving it up. I was still scratching my head trying to figure out how to perform actions like capturing 20 hours in, and I’ve played quite a bit of Monster Hunter Rise. If anyone tells you that this is an approachable entry point in the series, they are either too deep into the series to make that judgement call or flat out lying to you. There’s a lot of criticisms I can lob Wilds’ way when I sit back and think about it, but many of them melt away when I’m actually playing. When it’s just me and my Insect Glaive chopping up monsters, I’m in a trance. I barely make a sound when playing. Hours go by as I jump from hunt to hunt, gradually improving my gear at every turn. I spend one chunk of time just wandering around the desert trying to catch bugs with my net, dodging fights altogether. Some of my fiercest battles happen on my PlayStation Portal while I’m watching TV in the background. What begins as an inscrutable UI mess evolves into the ultimate chill out game thanks to progression that’s easy to latch onto with time. That’s not to say that it’s not a deep action RPG like its predecessors. The endgame is still enormous, with lots of gear to chase and increasingly complex fights that switch up familiar monsters. Players can craft gear for their Palico companion, upgrade armor with spheres, gather ingredients for stat-boosting meals, complete weapon trees, customize each of their pop-up bases, and rack up accomplishments that they can proudly put on their profile. There’s a whole digital life to be lived out in the wilds, and the goal is to conquer it so thoroughly that it becomes mundane. Capcom Your most powerful asset in Monster Hunter Wilds isn’t a Gunlance; it’s routine. The developers at Capcom understand that “repetitive” doesn’t have to be a dirty word in games. The joy of Monster Hunter comes when all that complexity becomes second nature. It’s that moment when a once challenging hunt turns into a daily expedition that you talk over with your friends. Once I reached that state of Zen during the endgame, I no longer felt like a small visitor trying to survive a brutal world. I had become an average animal in a wider ecosystem, carrying out my daily tasks on instinct just like any Doshaguma. That’s what it means to truly coexist with nature: It is to reach a point where the unfamiliar becomes common, where what was once threatening becomes comforting. Some won’t be able to find their footing even with more streamlined gameplay and scamper away. Others will treat its central story as a short safari and leave once they’ve scored their trophies. But those who seek to truly understand and respect this beautiful world will find a new home in Monster Hunter Wilds. Monster Hunter Wilds was tested on PS5 Pro. Source link #Monster #Hunter #Wilds #review #thrilling #action #RPG #shockingly #chill Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
  25. Pelican Press
    Tax refunds averaging $2,169 might affect these consumer stocks Tax refunds averaging $2,169 might affect these consumer stocks Tax season is underway, and the heftiest refunds – which could affect certain consumer stocks – are still to come. The latest data from the Internal Revenue Service shows the average refund weighed in at $2,169 in the week ending Feb. 14 , reflecting a 32.4% decline year over year. That dramatic downturn is a short-term blip, however. “A significant portion of this [year-over-year] discrepancy is due to the IRS not paying out Earned Income Tax Credits or the Additional Child Tax Credit until after mid-February,” although they were reflected in the year-ago data, wrote Vincent Caintic, analyst at BTIG, in a report on Sunday. “We’re missing an entire week’s worth of EITC and ACTC in the comparison,” Caintic added, noting that he expects a recovery in refunds when those credits are paid out. Low to moderate income filers may be eligible for the earned income tax credit, and what they end up receiving will depend on their adjusted gross income and the number of qualifying children. In the 2024 tax year, the maximum amount for filers with two qualifying children is $6,960, according to the IRS. Meanwhile, the additional child tax credit is a refundable credit —meaning that if it exceeds the amount of income taxes owed, the filer gets the difference back as a refund. It’s worth up to $1,700 for each qualifying child. The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 requires that the IRS delay refunds for returns that claim the EITC or the ACTC, generally holding them back until mid-to late February to prevent fraud. Sensitive to refund timing Several consumer-focused stocks are especially sensitive to the timing of tax refunds, and they could see some shake-ups in the near term if there are any disruptions, according to Mizuho analyst David Bellinger. He highlighted AutoZone , O’Reilly Automotive and Five Below as a few of the tocks with “a greater mix of lower income customers and [that are] more exposed to the timing of tax refund disbursements.” AutoZone shares are up 23% in the past 12 months, and 23 of 30 analysts rate it a buy or strong buy, according to LSEG. Consensus price targets call for more than 7% upside. “An aggressive push into the $90B+ U.S. commercial auto parts market (~5% market share) is not slowing, and remains in the early innings,” Bellinger said in a Friday report. He rates both AutoZone and O’Reilly outperform. Bellinger and his team are less upbeat about Five Below, rating it neutral and noting that the discount store chain “is now at a crossroads.” A pullback from lower-income consumers and slumping store productivity levels seem to be weighing on Five Below, and implementation of new tariffs could bring further complexity. “We see much potential in the model, yet any significant changes under a transitioning senior management team will likely take considerable time to materialize,” he said. Of 24 analysts covering Five Below, nine rate it the equivalent of buy, according to LSEG. Consensus price targets call for nearly 35% upside, but shares are off more than 54% in the past 12 months. Consumer finance plays on refunds Bank of America analysts led by Mihir Bhatia last week highlighted a handful of consumer finance companies that are sensitive to refunds. “Higher refunds should be a tailwind for consumers, particularly lower income consumers who use tax refunds for debt paydown and big-ticket purchases,” he said in a report last Thursday. In particular, he and his team called out Synchrony Financial , Bread Financial and Capital One as having the most exposure to customers who will likely use their refunds to clear debts and make down payments on costly items. Bank of America gives buy ratings to all three, which have had strong performances over the past year. Both Synchrony and Bread are up more than 50% in the past 12 months, while Capital One has surged nearly 49% in same *******. Source link #Tax #refunds #averaging #affect #consumer #stocks Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

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