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Ukrainian villagers visit ruined homes in Russian-controlled Donetsk Ukrainian villagers visit ruined homes in Russian-controlled Donetsk STORY: :: Some residents from this Soviet-era village in eastern Ukraine hope for compensation from the Russians in charge :: Thousands have fled Pisky since conflict with Russia first emerged in eastern Ukraine in 2014 :: Pisky, Russian-controlled Ukraine :: Maria Seryogova, Former Pisky Resident “It’s horrible, it’s the first time in 11 years that I am here. It’s scary to look at all this. I don’t believe that it will all be restored, it’s easier just to take it all down and rebuild anew. But there is hope that we won’t be left alone, that we will be helped. There were a lot of residents and now all of them do not have a place to live, some now have children or grandchildren.” “Everyone wants to come back. So, we take photos and film videos, even of these ruins. People cry, but they want to take a look what is going on here.” :: Yekaterina Tkachenko, Former Pisky Resident “I don’t think there will be peace agreement. How can they agree, what they can agree on, there is so much destruction, I don’t know who will fix it, who will take it on themselves.” Seryogova and others who once lived here hope they can claim some kind of compensation from the Russians in charge, and have returned to snap photos of the rubble to back up their claims. While Russian President Vladimir Putin sent thousands of troops over the border into Ukraine at the start of the war three years ago on Monday, the conflict in eastern Ukraine began much earlier, in 2014. Pisky was the site of some of the most severe fighting of the conflict’s early years and has changed hands several times. Once home to a couple thousand residents, its population dwindled to about a dozen amidst the raging battles. In August 2022, the Russian army and Moscow-backed forces captured Pisky. Now, no residents are left. Source link #Ukrainian #villagers #visit #ruined #homes #Russiancontrolled #Donetsk Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Devin Williams gets candid about Yankees’ new beard policy and its free agency implications – New York Post Devin Williams gets candid about Yankees’ new beard policy and its free agency implications – New York Post Devin Williams gets candid about Yankees’ new beard policy and its free agency implications New York Post ‘It was time’: Yanks welcome new facial-hair rule ESPNSimpsons star ‘vindicated’ after major policy change YahooMLB players torn on Yankees’ monumental shift on facial hair: ‘It was kind of cool’ USA TODAY Source link #Devin #Williams #candid #Yankees #beard #policy #free #agency #implications #York #Post Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

I’ll back Ukraine in talks with Trump, Starmer tells Zelensky I’ll back Ukraine in talks with Trump, Starmer tells Zelensky Damian Grammaticas Political correspondent Tom Symonds News correspondent Reuters Sir Keir Starmer will discuss the importance of Ukraine’s sovereignty in talks with Donald Trump next week, he said in a call with the country’s president. The *** prime minister reiterated the ***’s “ironclad support” for Kyiv when he spoke to Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday. The two leaders held their second telephone conversation in four days following US President Trump’s decision to re-open relations with Russia and seek an end to the war in Ukraine. About 2,000 people marched to the Russian embassy in west London ahead of the third anniversary of Vladimir Putin’s full-scale invasion. According to a Downing Street spokesperson the prime minister also said “Ukraine must be at the heart of any negotiations to end the war” and it could be sure of “the ***’s commitment to securing a just and enduring peace to bring an end to Russia’s ******** war”. Giving details about the phone call, Downing Street said Sir Keir and Zelensky “agreed that this was a significant moment for the future of Ukraine and European security at large”. Sir Keir also told Zelensky “that safeguarding Ukraine’s sovereignty was essential to deter future aggression from Russia”. The prime minister added “he would be progressing these important discussions in the coming days and weeks, including with Trump whilst visiting Washington DC next week”. In a separate call on Saturday Sir Keir spoke with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and they agreed Europe “must step up for the good of collective European security”, Downing Street said. Sir Keir’s meeting with Trump on Thursday comes after a week which saw a flurry of summits and phone calls as European leaders scrambled to work out how to approach the US president’s sudden thawing of relations with Russia. Ahead of visits to the White House by Sir Keir and French President Emmanuel Macron, Trump said the pair “haven’t done anything” to end the war in Ukraine. He also said Zelensky had “no cards” in peace negotiations and that he did not think “he’s very important to be in meetings”. On Monday, European leaders held a hastily-arranged summit in Paris – a day before US-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia, and amid fears that Ukraine and Europe could be excluded from peace negotiations. On Tuesday, Trump called Zelensky a “dictator” and said he should “never have started” the war, despite Russia invading Ukraine. Zelensky responded by saying the US president was “living in a disinformation space” created by Russia. PA Media Protesters marched from outside the Ukrainian embassy to the Russian embassy in west London PA Media The protest marks the three years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine Reuters On Saturday, people took to the streets of London in response to the US position on Ukraine, marching from outside the Ukrainian embassy to the Russian embassy. Margaret Owen, 93, accused Trump of “appeasement”, saying she remembered the Munich Agreement in which western powers signed a deal with Hitler in the years before the Second World War. “It’s outrageous. We can’t let the world be dictated to by these two impossible people,” she said of Trump and Putin. The chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, Emily Thornberry was among the marchers and argued for a less aggressive approach. The Labour MP said: “We want to influence the US president and we agree there must be peace. Why shout at him. “You’d get a short term buzz from shouting at Trump but if you want to influence him, let’s try and influence him.” “Ukraine needs to be at the table, you can’t decide the future of Ukraine without Ukraine there and you can’t just capitulate to Putin. “They have to be invited into this process by the Americans and Russians.” Ukrainian Oleksandra Udovenko, who is from Kyiv but is studying in the ***, said: “I’m here to protect my country’s interests, my country’s independence, and my country’s choice and my country’s right to be independent of any empire in this world.” Source link #Ill #Ukraine #talks #Trump #Starmer #tells #Zelensky Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

French ex-surgeon faces hundreds of child abuse charges French ex-surgeon faces hundreds of child abuse charges A former surgeon is going on trial in France for the ***** and ******* abuse of 299 victims over a ******* spanning more than three decades Source link #French #exsurgeon #faces #hundreds #child #abuse #charges Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Todd Howard Can Give Us Elden Ring 2 if the Game Focuses More on One Weapon Class Todd Howard Can Give Us Elden Ring 2 if the Game Focuses More on One Weapon Class Despite the recent hype around the Fallout franchise, all thanks to the Amazon TV show, its future still remains uncertain, and gamers still hope for an announcement soon. While we still don’t have an official reveal, Bethesda’s Todd Howard has confirmed that Fallout 5 will be on the developer’s to-do list once Elder Scrolls 6 is wrapped up. Fallout is one of Bethesda’s most popular franchises. (Image via Bethesda Game Studios) Considering all of the criticism Bethesda has dealt with in recent years, it’s going to be quite interesting to see how Howard and his team approach the next Fallout game. We don’t know how the title is going to shape up, but if the developer is looking to deliver another revolutionary RPG, it must delve deeper into one specific weapon class. Fallout 5 must focus on enhancing melee weapons There’s absolutely no denying the fact that the Fallout franchise has always given us a number of lethal weapons. However, long-time fans of the franchise know that Bethesda hasn’t really dived deep into the melee weapons. Sure, we’ve been treated with power fits, sledgehammers, and heck, even electrified batons, but would anyone pick them over guns? In recent years, we’ve seen tons of new titles on the scene, and one of them is Elden Ring. One of the best parts about the game is its focus on delivering tons of melee weapons such as katanas, colossal weapons, and whatnot. That’s not all, Elden Ring features a much better melee system that feels weighty and quite tactical. On the other hand, melee in the post-apocalyptic franchise often feels lackluster and basic. There’s a clear need for Fallout 5 to take a risk by pushing the melee weapons to the forefront of the experience and learning from its rivals. Fallout 5 can learn from Elden Ring‘s weapon diversity and bring new things such as chains, swords, rebar clubs, and many other things, all loaded with unique movements. We could see the game improving the overall combat mechanics by adding charged attacks and special abilities. Wouldn’t it be cool to use a sledgehammer to wreck the entire ground? Most of the weapons seen in Elden Ring are a reflection of the in-game lore, and it’s something that Bethesda needs to adopt. Fallout 5 should bring weapons that are tied to certain factions, such as Brotherhood energy blades, Enclave plasma-fused batons, and even Raider gauntlets. We could even see special quests that push players to opt for melee fights against Super Mutants, Deathclaws, and other enemies. Just like Elden Ring, Bethesda needs to bring more melee options in Fallout 5 that are based on all the wacky science that the franchise is known for. It’s something that can completely shake up the post-apocalyptic franchise and make it basically an Elden Ring 2. Tired of waiting for Fallout 5? Try Fallout 76 Fallout 5 is still years away from release. (Image via Bethesda Game Studios) As Bethesda has already stated, development on Fallout 5 won’t kick off until the developer is done with Elder Scrolls 6. This means that the next entry won’t hit the shelves before 2030 at the earliest. If you’re someone who is itching for some post-apocalyptic experience, Fallout 76 can keep you satisfied. At one point, Fallout 76 was considered to be one of the worst titles developed by Bethesda. However, in the last six years, the game has managed to make a comeback against all odds. Bethesda has constantly brought free updates and improvements to the game, which has led to peak player counts in recent years. As of now, it seems like Bethesda has no plans to end the game’s ongoing support, which means that Fallout 76 could continue to survive with new additions up until the release of Fallout 5. However, this doesn’t mean that Bethesda shouldn’t make a new Fallout game its priority. Fallout 76 is slowly but surely showing its age, and it has never really appealed to the core fans of the franchise, who love the single-player experience. Let’s hope Howard and his team can get some extra hands on deck for a Fallout spin-off, remaster or remake. With that said, do you think Fallout 5 needs to enhance the overall melee system with more weapons? Let us know in the comments below. Source link #Todd #Howard #Give #Elden #Ring #Game #Focuses #Weapon #Class Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Costco opening 6 new US stores next month, plus another in April: Here’s when and where Costco opening 6 new US stores next month, plus another in April: Here’s when and where Costco will surpass 900 locations worldwide with the opening of several new warehouses in early March. Back in December, the Issaquah, Washington-based retailer announced plans to open 29 new locations during its 2025 fiscal year, which runs until Aug. 31, 2025. Six of those are opening next month in the U.S. Costco currently operates 897 warehouses – 617 of which are in the U.S. and Puerto Rico – and with the opening of those six new U.S. locations will amass 903 locations. In addition to the 617 Costco warehouses in the U.S., the company has locations in Canada (109), Mexico (41), Japan (36) the U.K. (29), Korea (19), Australia (15), Taiwan (14), China (7), Spain (5), France (2) and one each in Iceland, New Zealand and Sweden. Ryu Kawane works at Costco store in Meiwa, Gunma Prefecture, Japan, on May 28, 2024. Costco announced six new stores opening March 2025. Here are the locations and scheduled opening dates: Opening dates are on the Costco website, except for the Genesee County, Michigan, location, for which the opening date was reported by several local media outlets. Costco said its company policy is not to share specific opening dates because they are subject to change due to construction schedules, city requirements, and other issues, in a statement to USA TODAY. Costco also added three new locations to open in the weeks ahead: Stuart, Florida (April 2025) Minami Alps, Japan (April 2025) Ardeer, Australia (2025) Customers shop at a Costco Wholesale store on January 31, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. As it expands, Costco is seeing an increase in net sales, up 8.2% to $113.55 billion for the first 22 weeks of its fiscal year, which began Sept. 2, 2024. Comparable sales in the U.S. rose 6.6% during that *******, which included the holiday shopping season. Comparable U.S. sales rose 9.2% in the four-week ******* ending Feb. 2, the company announced earlier this month. When Costco reports its second quarter 2025 earnings on March 6, analysts polled by S&P Global Market Intelligence are expecting revenue up more than 7% to $63 billion and net income of more than $1.8 billion, an increase of 4.5% over the same ******* a year ago. The price of an annual Costco membership is $65 for U.S. and Canada Gold Star memberships; executive memberships are $130 (comes with an annual 2% in rewards, up to $1,250, and services discounts). Costco raised membership prices in September 2024 for the first time since 2017. Story Continues Source link #Costco #opening #stores #month #April #Heres Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘The Monkey’ Seeing & Doing $13.5M-$14M, 2nd Best Debut Ever For Neon; ‘Captain America: Brave New World’ No. 1 $28M+ – Box Office – Deadline ‘The Monkey’ Seeing & Doing $13.5M-$14M, 2nd Best Debut Ever For Neon; ‘Captain America: Brave New World’ No. 1 $28M+ – Box Office – Deadline ‘The Monkey’ Seeing & Doing $13.5M-$14M, 2nd Best Debut Ever For Neon; ‘Captain America: Brave New World’ No. 1 $28M+ – Box Office DeadlineThe Monkey review – fear is the key in a terrifyingly brilliant toy story The GuardianLike Us, Theo James Is Freaked Out by the Toy in ‘The Monkey’ The New York TimesOsgood Perkins on Making ‘The Monkey’ With Guts Cannons, Gallons of Blood and a Personal Touch Variety‘The Monkey’ Horror Movie Review: Good Kills, But No Soul Vulture Source link #Monkey #amp #13.5M14M #2nd #Debut #Neon #Captain #America #Brave #World #28M #Box #Office #Deadline Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

What will happen when Sir Keir Starmer visits US President Donald Trump? What will happen when Sir Keir Starmer visits US President Donald Trump? Laura KuenssbergPresenter, Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg•@bbclaurakBBC The next seven days really matter. “The most negative thing would be a gruesome sell-out of Ukraine and we get slapped with tariffs,” says a source involved in working out the best moves for No 10 as Sir Keir Starmer prepares to head to the White House to meet President Donald Trump. “The better version is Trump returns to a bit more robust behaviour with the Russians, Britain gets patted on the back for making a move on defence spending and we avoid all the tariffs – a Trumpportunity.” With Whitehall-style understatement, a different official predicts the PM “has a really big decision to make about what to say to Trump in private” – remember, just this week the president accused Sir Keir of “doing nothing” to try and stop the Ukraine conflict. So what options does Sir Keir have? EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock Sir Keir Starmer defended Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as a “democratically elected leader” after President Donald Trump called Zelensky a “dictator” A decision on defence spending is the big focus. The drumbeat of demands for the *** to boost spending was getting louder even before Trump moved into the White House. The government hasn’t yet committed to when it will hit its target of spending 2.5% of the size of the economy, let alone if it will go a lot further as military leaders, NATO, Trump, and now even the Liberal Democrats are calling for. A senior government source says the PM is “pushing the system” to get to a stronger position on spending, but in recent days it’s suggested the Treasury’s still asking about the spending consequences. The dilemma is obvious: public money is tight as a drum, and Downing Street doesn’t want to take cash from the NHS or other priorities at home. But a Treasury source acknowledged “the world is changing”, and sources describe a “phenomenal” opportunity to take the European lead and please Trump with cash promises. A Trump backer warns against anything lukewarm: “a proper commitment, not just a road map, or a path – be more specific, say yes we’ll hit it by this date and throw in some more”. “He’s going to have to do 3 or 3% plus,” one Whitehall insider suggests, “so the choice is, does it do it now, for the right reasons, make a virtue of it, or does he end up getting browbeaten into it by Trump?” I’m told that there is no final decision on what to say – and crucial meetings are planned between ministers, officials and military advisers at the start of next week to decide. What next for Ukraine? Ukraine is, clearly, central to the talks, and the question looms over what happens if Trump gets the ceasefire he wants. In the last week *** and French military planners have been working on options, all of which are at an early stage. One idea is a “reassurance” force of perhaps 20,000 or 30,000 *** and French troops could be deployed after a ceasefire around Ukrainian infrastructure, ports, nuclear power stations, even in some of the key cities. The model of a joint ***-French force already exists – the Combined Joint Expeditionary Force, a deal signed by the two countries several years ago. Another source suggests the best option for a monitoring force would be under the badge of the UN, if the Russians could be persuaded to accept that, with Ukraine’s stepping up training and support for Ukraine inside the country. These options in broad terms, given a public airing by Keir Starmer this week, aren’t new, one adviser says, and have been suggested in private for a long time. Another source in government says the plan for 30,000 troops is “not yet an actual thing” – there’s no detailed blueprint. But European leaders know they have to prove to Trump they are serious about contributing to a lasting peace, rather than leaving it to the United States. Reuters US President Donald Trump recently criticised the EU for being “very unfair to us” I’m told when Macron, Trump and Zelensky met in the margins of the fanciest international get together of recent times, the reopening of Notre Dame, Trump said that he’d get Russia to the table, Zelensky said that he would go to the negotiating table, and Macron promised he’d make sure Europe played a real part. It’s worth noting that Trump said “that’s great, I’m all for that”, when asked earlier this week about the idea of European troops being deployed was mentioned. ‘We know who the goodies are’ But as the talks approach, uncertainty about the US’ true view is the fundamental, and some in government are nervous. Does Trump really believe that Zelensky is a “dictator” – or, as Trump’s Ukraine envoy suggested yesterday, a “courageous leader”? Does Trump want the “sugar rush” of a quick deal that might favour Russia asks one former defence minister, more than achieving something long-term? A Trump backer said it is “obscene” to suggest that the President is a Putin sympathiser, pointing to his previous decisions to approve the ***** of Javelin missiles to Ukraine. In No 10, “we don’t think there is a cut and run”, a senior source says. In private, US figures have reassured the *** that the United States is not about to turn its back on Ukraine. In Brussels last week the US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth made headlines when he signalled the US would reduce its support for Ukraine – but a source in the room during the private talks after his controversial public remarks told me Hegseth said “we know who the goodies are and who the baddies are”. There is though anxiety in government that Trump might be tempted to just force a deal to end the conflict, then Russia could “just reload then go again”, according to another source. But there is a shaky faith – perhaps more accurately a fervent hope – that whatever the president’s public remarks, that the US will try to involve Ukraine in the talks, does think the peace has to be a deal that lasts, with a force that looks credible, potentially with some form of American support. Emmanuel Macron, and then Sir Keir, will try to persuade Trump that a deal with security guarantees for Ukraine is the only true victory for the White House. Remember why all this matters so much back home. What Trump decides to do about the conflict has an effect not just on the security of our continent but our prosperity too: the Ukraine war has shaken our economy through the effect it’s had on energy bills. US Gov Donald Trump spoke with Keir Starmer last week in what appeared to have been an unexpected call from the US president There is also, of course, the simple and awful human cost of lives lost – Ukrainians and Russians – hundreds of thousands of casualties, with terrible suffering on the edge of Europe. Thousands of families in the *** opened their homes to Ukrainian refugees at the start of the war. The former defence minister notes: “Sometimes when there is all this noise, we have to still find a way to keep supporting them. Who knows when it is going to end, the only thing we know is they are still being attacked.” As the war’s three-year anniversary approaches you can expect to hear this message from government too. And of course what happens matters enormously to the fortunes of this government. Sir Keir might have a huge majority, but he has battled to retain political momentum and his popularity has plunged since taking office. He may even want to bring other things to the famous Resolute desk beyond defence and Ukraine: Trump is, a senior government source says, notoriously unpredictable and may swerve off topic. A source familiar with Trump’s thinking suggests the PM could turn Trump’s freewheeling style to his advantage by putting other issues on the table – an offer to buy more American Liquid Natural Gas perhaps, revising the deal on the Chagos Islands, a tougher position on China, or a discussion about tech regulation perhaps, with Apple in a huff with the *** government. Starmer might not have chosen – few prime ministers do – to have to confront complicated foreign policy tangles early in office. But one Whitehall observer notes “kudos to No 10 for handling Trump” so far, not reacting to his every outburst. And Brexit, ironically, helps Sir Keir the Remainer carve out a separate role to the rest of Europe. Working with Trump might be like handling a live firework. But the international jeopardy does present opportunities for the PM, as one former senior official suggests. If “you don’t have much of a compelling agenda, your social policy is looking hard, your economic policy is looking hard, you can see why he might think, do you know, the air miles are starting to look pretty attractive”. This week presents Sir Keir with all sorts of dangers, but also, a chance to lead. BBC InDepth is the home on the website and app for the best analysis, with fresh perspectives that challenge assumptions and deep reporting on the biggest issues of the day. And we showcase thought-provoking content from across BBC Sounds and iPlayer too. You can send us your feedback on the InDepth section by clicking on the button below. Source link #happen #Sir #Keir #Starmer #visits #President #Donald #Trump Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Biggest investment in Medicare in more than 40 years Biggest investment in Medicare in more than 40 years Australians will have access to an extra 18 million bulk-billed general practitioner visits a year as part of a major election pledge from the federal government. The election date has yet to be announced but Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has promised a re-elected Labor government would spend $8.5 billion expanding bulk billing and training GPs and nurses. “I want every *********** to know they only need their Medicare card, not their credit card, to receive the health care they need,” he is expected to tell reporters on Sunday in Launceston. “This is a policy that lifts up our entire nation and ensures no one is held back and no one is left behind.” Fewer GP clinics have been taking on bulk-billed patients as they struggle to keep up with rising operational costs and increasing service complexity. Australia’s bulk-billing rate plummeted to 20.7 per cent at the start of 2025, down from 35.7 per cent two years earlier, according to data released by health care directory Cleanbill in January. The proposed cash injection would be the biggest investment in Medicare since its creation 40 years ago, the government said. Also in deep election mode, Mark Butler’s gloves are off, with the health minister taking a well-aimed swing at federal Opposition Leader and former health minister Peter Dutton. “Australia’s doctors voted Peter Dutton the worst health minister in Medicare history for a reason,” he said in a statement, referring to a 2015 poll in *********** Doctor Magazine. “Peter Dutton tried to end bulk billing with a GP tax and then started a six-year freeze to Medicare rebates that froze GP incomes and stripped billions out of Medicare.” The coalition is expected to defend Mr Dutton’s record, claiming a 1.5 per cent increase in bulk billing rates during his term as health minister in 2013 and a more than 10 per cent fall in rates since Labor took office in 2022. The federal election must be held on a Saturday on or before May 17. Source link #Biggest #investment #Medicare #years Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

5 Things To Know About Your 401(k) To Avoid a Retirement Disaster, According to Jaspreet Singh 5 Things To Know About Your 401(k) To Avoid a Retirement Disaster, According to Jaspreet Singh Jaspreet Singh / Jaspreet Singh The most common type of retirement savings account is a 401(k) plan. However, in a recent study by Beyond Finances, 43% of the Americans surveyed didn’t know much about 401(k) plan at all. Learn More: 3 Things Retirees Should Sell To Build Their Retirement Savings Try This: 8 Common Mistakes Retirees Make With Their Social Security Checks Because of this, Jaspreet Singh, personal finance expert and host of the ********* Mindset YouTube channel, is out to spread awareness. In a recent video, he broke down five things the average American needs to know about a 401(k) plan. Singh explained that a prospective retiree’s 401(k) allows for a deferral of taxes, but “it does not let you avoid taxes.” There are two types of 401(k) plans, each with a different tax advantage, he continued. Discover More: 4 Reasons All Retirees Should Have a Safety Deposit Box If you have a Roth 401(k) plan, you’ll contribute money you’ve already paid taxes on. When you withdraw your funds in retirement, you won’t need to pay taxes. The opposite is valid for a traditional 401(k) plan. Here, money is taken from your paycheck and added to the 401(k) plan before taxation. You then must pay taxes on your withdrawals in retirement. Whether you should choose a Roth or traditional 401(k) plan depends on your preference. Many who think they will have a lower tax bracket in retirement opt for a conventional 401(k) plan. Even if you know how the IRS taxes 401(k) plan, you might not know about the fees. An expense ratio is the fee associated with a 401(k) plan and can cost you a lot if you ignore it. “The fee you’re paying isn’t a one-time fee you pay today,” Singh said. “It’s a fee you pay on every dollar you invest and every dollar of profit you make every year that your money is invested in your fund.” An expense ratio is your fund’s total yearly expenses, including distribution, management and other fees, boiled down to a small percentage you must pay. Singh explained that even though percentages like 0.07% and 0.85% might not seem very different, the latter will cost you hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars more throughout your 401(k) plan. One popular reason many employees use a 401(k) plan is because of employer matches. A 401(k) plan match is when the employer augments the employee’s contribution to the fund, often by 100%. This is free money for the employee, but it doesn’t come without strings attached. Singh pointed out that you may need to stay with your company for a while before you can keep your employer match. Story Continues “If you have to be at the company for five years to get that money, you want to understand that and not potentially lose it without knowing you’re going to lose it,” Singh said. Singh wasn’t always a big fan of 401(k) plan because of the limitations on investment options. In individual retirement funds, you can make your own investment decisions. However, with 401(k) plan, your employer may give you a few options for funds you can invest in or choose for you. While these limits discourage some, Singh thinks not having complete control is not a bad thing for everyone. “Your 401(k) plan is a great place to start investing,” Singh said. “It’s not where you want to stop investing. This is your beginning-to-invest fund.” While a 401(k) plan is a great financial tool for saving for retirement, it is not the only one. Singh suggested understanding all the options to make the best decision for your future. Singh explained, “The three asset classes that have built more wealth than anything else in the United States over the last century are stocks, real estate, and businesses.” Even if you invest in a 401(k) plan, it’s also essential to invest in other areas. Putting money into one of Singh’s suggested areas can also help you build wealth and fund your retirement. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 5 Things To Know About Your 401(k) To Avoid a Retirement Disaster, According to Jaspreet Singh Source link #401k #Avoid #Retirement #Disaster #Jaspreet #Singh Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Security News This Week: $1.4 Billion Stolen From ByBit in Biggest Crypto Theft Ever – WIRED Security News This Week: $1.4 Billion Stolen From ByBit in Biggest Crypto Theft Ever – WIRED Security News This Week: $1.4 Billion Stolen From ByBit in Biggest Crypto Theft Ever WIREDBig Day for Crypto Goes South in a Hurry After a Giant Hack The New York Times’Worst hack in history’ as $1.5bn in cryptocurrency stolen Sky NewsHackers steal $1.5 billion from exchange Bybit in biggest-ever crypto heist CNBCCryptocurrency exchange says it was victim of $1.5 billion hack The Associated Press Source link #Security #News #Week #Billion #Stolen #ByBit #Biggest #Crypto #Theft #WIRED Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

2TB PCIe 4.0 SSD is $99 at Newegg and comes with a free 32GB flash drive 2TB PCIe 4.0 SSD is $99 at Newegg and comes with a free 32GB flash drive Today, Newegg offers the TeamGroup MP44L M.2 2TB SSD at one of its best prices. Typically, it costs around $139, but right now, it’s discounted to just $99, putting the price at around 4 cents per GB. The purchase also includes a free 32GB USB flash drive, but it’s marked as a limited offer, so it’s unclear how long it will be available. We had the opportunity to review the 2TB edition of the TeamGroup MP44L SSD in 2022 and loved our experience overall, giving it a final rating of 4 out of 5 stars. The drive is power efficient, runs cool, and has performance that stands out against other SSDs in its class. The TeamGroup MP44L has various capacities, but this offer applies to the 2TB edition. All drives in this line feature an M.2 2280 form factor and are built around the Phison E21T controller. The 2TB model can reach read/write speeds as high as 4800/4400 MB/s. This SSD is compatible with PCIe 4.0 x4 interfaces, which isn’t the latest protocol, but it is still useful for most users. It’s supported by Newegg’s 30-day return policy and a 5-year manufacturer’s warranty from TeamGroup, which voids if the drive reaches 1200 TBW. Check out the TeamGroup MP44L 2TB SSD product page at Newegg for more details and purchase options. Source link #2TB #PCIe #SSD #Newegg #free #32GB #flash #drive Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

2 Virginia Beach police officers killed in shooting after traffic stop 2 Virginia Beach police officers killed in shooting after traffic stop Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what’s in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience.Generate Key Takeaways VIRGINIA BEACH — Two city police officers died after a shooting during a traffic stop late Friday night, authorities said. The second officer died Saturday morning, according to an email from Jody Saunders, a spokesperson for the police department. Very little information has been released, including any details about the shooting or who is believed to have fired. The incident began as a traffic stop around 11:30 p.m. Friday near the intersection of Lynnhaven Parkway and Wendfield Drive, Saunders said. “As you can imagine, our officers and detectives are working diligently to piece together the details” of the shooting, Saunders said. There is not believed to be an ongoing threat, Saunders said. “We are unable to share much information at this time as this is still very much an active investigation… We ask for your patience and understanding as we work to put the pieces of this tragic event together, make notifications, and grieve the loss of two of our own,” the Virginia Beach Police Department posted on X Saturday morning. A press conference is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. with Police Chief Paul Neudigate, Mayor Bobby Dyer and other city officials. ___ This is a developing story. Check back throughout the day for updates. Source link #Virginia #Beach #police #officers #killed #shooting #traffic #stop Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

China carries big risks for investors, money manager suggests China carries big risks for investors, money manager suggests Investors may want to reduce their exposure to the world’s largest emerging market. Perth Tolle, who’s the founder of Life + Liberty Indexes, warns China’s capitalism model is unsustainable. “I think the thinking used to be that their capitalism would lead to democracy,” she told CNBC’s “ETF Edge” this week. “Economic freedom is a necessary, but not sufficient precondition for personal freedom.” She runs the Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF — which is up more than 43% since its first day of trading on May 23, 2019. So far this year, Tolle’s ETF is up 9%, while the iShares China Large-Cap ETF, which tracks the country’s biggest stocks, is up 19%. The fund has never invested in China, according to Tolle. Zoom In IconArrows pointing outwards Tolle spent part of her childhood in Beijing. When she started at Fidelity Investments as a private wealth advisor in 2004, Tolle noted all of her clients wanted exposure to China’s market. “I didn’t want to personally be investing in China at that point, but everyone else did,” she said. “Then, I had clients from Russia who said, ‘I don’t want to invest in Russia because it’s like funding terrorism.’ And, look how prescient that is today. So, my own experience and those of some of my clients led me to this idea in the end.” She prefers emerging economies that prioritize freedom. “Without that, the economy is going to be constrained,” she added. Zoom In IconArrows pointing outwards ETF investor Tom Lydon, who is the former VettaFi head, also sees China as a risky investment. “If you look at emerging markets… by not being in China from a performance standpoint, it’s provided less volatility and better performance,” Lydon said. Source link #China #carries #big #risks #investors #money #manager #suggests Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Microsoft’s New Majorana 1 Processor Could Transform Quantum Computing – WIRED Microsoft’s New Majorana 1 Processor Could Transform Quantum Computing – WIRED Microsoft’s New Majorana 1 Processor Could Transform Quantum Computing WIREDMicrosoft Says It Has Created a New State of Matter to Power Quantum Computers The New York TimesThis Chip Could Be the Massive Breakthrough We’ve Been Waiting for in Quantum Computing Yahoo Source link #Microsofts #Majorana #Processor #Transform #Quantum #Computing #WIRED Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Five major airlines are suing the U.S. government over a rule that punished them for damaging passengers’ wheelchairs Five major airlines are suing the U.S. government over a rule that punished them for damaging passengers’ wheelchairs Airlines filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Transportation, claiming parts of a 2024 rule to protect wheelchair users on airplanes are regulatory “overreach.” The rule set a strict fine for airlines that damaged or lost mobility aids. According to the DOT, airlines mishandled more than 11,500 wheelchairs and scooters in 2023. Several major airlines are challenging a Department of Transportation rule that gives protections to wheelchair users on flights. Five carriers—American, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest and United Airlines—and lobbying group Airlines for America (A4A) filed a lawsuit with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit on Tuesday, arguing parts of a DOT mandate issued by the Biden administration last year were “unlawful.” The rule established standards for airlines on accommodating passengers with wheelchairs, including penalties for airlines that lose or damage mobility aids and improvements on how to board wheelchair users on aircrafts. DOT claimed its mandate provided the largest expansion of rights for passengers who use wheelchairs since 2008. The rule states that any damage to or delay in returning a wheelchair is an automatic violation of the Air Carrier Access Act, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability. Airlines claimed parts of the rule are an overreach, particularly in how it defines discrimination. The petitioners argue an instance of a properly stored wheelchair being damaged by extreme turbulence or being unable to accommodate a wheelchair in cargo are not acts of discrimination. “Progress has been made in four key areas aimed at improving the travel experience for passengers with mobility aids—reducing instances of wheelchair mishandling, advancing employee training and education programs, forming passenger accessibility advisory groups and supporting research for onboard accessibility solutions,” an A4A spokesperson told Fortune in a statement. The group said it was not challenging the entire rule. “It’s important to note that while we have always been supportive of a wheelchair rule as reflected in our comments, certain provisions of the final rule go beyond the DOT’s statutory authority, violate the Administrative Procedure Act and represent regulatory overreach by the Biden Administration,” the statement continued. Most of the airlines declined requests for comment, referring to A4A’s statement instead. JetBlue and the DOT did not respond to Fortune’s requests for comment. Airlines’ history of mishandling wheelchairs About 5.5 million Americans are wheelchair users, but airlines mishandled 11,527 wheelchairs and scooters in 2023, according to DOT data. The Biden-era rule imposed a steep fine of up to $124,000 for airlines that violated the guidelines. “We’re really trying to make clear that just like a number of other passenger protections required by rule and by law, taking proper care of wheelchairs and the passengers to use them is fundamental and is required,” then-Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg told reporters when the rule was proposed last February. “And there are consequences for airlines that don’t do that.” In October, the DOT penalized American Airlines $50 million after an investigation found the carrier between 2019 and 2023 had repeatedly mishandled wheelchairs or delayed returning them to passengers, as well as injured passengers as a result of “unsafe physical assistance.” A 2023 video cited by the DOT shows an airline worker sending a wheelchair down a ramp while unloading baggage, causing it to ****** and flip over. Samantha ***** Durán, a disability advocate who worked with Buttigieg in creating the rule, said many airlines are still not acting in the interest of their disabled customers. In 2017, Durán’s wheelchair was damaged during a flight after it was placed in a cargo hold. “Airlines have disregarded our mobility aids, spoken about our disabilities like they’re a burden, and put profits over our basic safety,” Durán said on social media Thursday in response to the airlines’ lawsuit. “We deserve better.” This story was originally featured on Fortune.com Source link #major #airlines #suing #U.S #government #rule #punished #damaging #passengers #wheelchairs Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

2 Virginia police officers 'killed in the line of duty' in traffic stop shooting – USA TODAY 2 Virginia police officers 'killed in the line of duty' in traffic stop shooting – USA TODAY 2 Virginia police officers ‘killed in the line of duty’ in traffic stop shooting USA TODAYVBPD: Two officers dead after traffic stop Friday night WAVY.com2 Virginia Beach police officers killed in shooting Friday night 13newsnow.com WVEC2 Virginia Beach police officers shot and killed during traffic stop CBS News2 police officers killed in Virginia Beach were ‘shot in the line of duty,’ officials say CBS 6 News Richmond WTVR Source link #Virginia #police #officers #039killed #line #duty039 #traffic #stop #shooting #USA #TODAY Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘Have to be stained a lot…’ ‘Have to be stained a lot…’ Scientists have issued a warning about a striking but alarming sight that’s occurring in Alaskan rivers. What’s happening? Green Matters detailed that at least 75 rivers in the state have started turning orange, a phenomenon that is even visible from space. ********* photographer Taylor Roades has been documenting the startling scenes and recently posted he will be exhibiting his work under the title “Alaska’s Rust Rivers” at the Anchorage Museum in March. Brett Poulin — an environmental toxicologist at the University of California, Davis, and co-author of a study on the problem published in the Communications Earth & Environment journal — noted that the rivers “have to be stained a lot” to be seen at such a distance. Researchers said this was happening because of toxic metals entering rivers from melting permafrost — defined as ground that has been frozen for more than two years. Levels of zinc, nickel, copper, iron, and cadmium in rivers are increasing, with these metals once trapped in soil but now entering waterways because of rising global temperatures leading to increased ice melt. The U.S. Geological Survey, cited by Green Matters, pointed out that the mildly acidic water pH level caused by these metals is equivalent to lemon juice or vinegar. Watch now: How bad is a gas stove for your home’s indoor air quality?Why are the orange rivers concerning? Scientists are concerned that acidic water levels, and the toxicity of the metals, could negatively impact both marine and land ecosystems. Notably, it’s suggested that the degradation of water quality could harm spawning fish, which could later strike a blow to the U.S. fishing industry. On top of that, it’s feared that if we don’t make changes to slow the rate of rising temperatures — which is exacerbated by the production of human-caused pollution — more permafrost could melt in the coming years, releasing further toxic materials into water sources. Rising sea levels and increased soil erosion are additional worries following melting permafrost. What can be done to avoid rivers turning orange? It sounds like a colossal task, but we can all take steps to prevent permafrost melt by reducing our production of planet-warming pollution, which traps heat in the atmosphere and encourages thermometers to rise. Starting small, you could switch off electric devices at night to stop needless power usage. The electricity grid, while increasingly supported by wind and solar energy, still relies on burning dirty fuels to create energy. Stepping up slightly, you and your family could switch to one plant-based meal a week. According to Earth Day, doing so could prevent the equivalent pollution of taking your car off the road for over a month. Major actions include ditching your gas-guzzling car for an electric version or investing in sustainable domestic energy technology, like solar panels. Both of these changes could save you money in the long run, too. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don’t miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Source link #stained #lot.. Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Leaked Details Indicate Next-Gen Xbox Controller May Feature Capabilities Similar To DualSense Leaked Details Indicate Next-Gen Xbox Controller May Feature Capabilities Similar To DualSense The next-gen Xbox controller may offer features similar to those available on the PS5’s DualSense controller, according to a new rumor. Source link #Leaked #Details #NextGen #Xbox #Controller #Feature #Capabilities #Similar #DualSense Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Creative industries are among the ***’s crown jewels – and AI is out to steal them | John Naughton Creative industries are among the ***’s crown jewels – and AI is out to steal them | John Naughton There are decades when nothing happens (as Lenin is – wrongly – supposed to have said) and weeks when decades happen. We’ve just lived through a few weeks like that. We’ve known for decades that some American tech companies were problematic for democracy because they were fragmenting the public sphere and fostering polarisation. They were a worrying nuisance, to be sure, but not central to the polity. And then, suddenly, those corporations were inextricably bound into government, and their narrow sectional interests became the national interest of the US. Which means that any foreign government with ideas about regulating, say, hate speech on X, may have to deal with the intemperate wrath of Donald Trump or the more coherent abuse of JD Vance. The panic that this has induced in Europe is a sight to behold. Everywhere you look, political leaders are frantically trying to find ways of “aligning” with the new regime in Washington. Here in the ***, the Starmer team has been dutifully doing its obeisance bit. First off, it decided to rename Rishi Sunak’s AI Safety Institute as the AI Security Institute, thereby “shifting the ***’s focus on artificial intelligence towards security cooperation rather than a ‘woke’ emphasis on safety concerns”, as the Financial Times put it. But, in a way, that’s just a rebranding exercise – sending a virtue signal to Washington. Coming down the line, though, is something much more consequential; namely, pressure to amend the ***’s copyright laws to make it easier for predominantly American tech companies to train their AI models on other people’s creative work without permission, acknowledgment or payment. This stems from recommendation 24 of the AI Opportunities Action Plan, a hymn sheet written for the prime minister by a fashionable tech bro with extensive interests (declared, naturally) in the tech industry. I am told by a senior civil servant that this screed now has the status of holy writ within Whitehall. To which my response was, I’m ashamed to say, unprintable in a family newspaper. The recommendation in question calls for “reform of the *** text and data-mining regime”. This is based on a breathtaking assertion that: “The current uncertainty around intellectual property (IP) is hindering innovation and undermining our broader ambitions for AI, as well as the growth of our creative industries.” As I pointed out a few weeks ago, representatives of these industries were mightily ******* off by this piece of gaslighting. No such uncertainty exists, they say. “*** copyright law does not allow text and data mining for commercial purposes without a licence,” says the Creative Rights in AI Coalition. “The only uncertainty is around who has been using the ***’s creative crown jewels as training material without permission and how they got hold of it.” The aim of public policy should be building a copyright regime that respects creative workers As an engineer who has sometimes thought of IP law as a rabbit hole masquerading as a profession, I am in no position to assess the rights and wrongs of this disagreement. But I have academic colleagues who are, and last week they published a landmark briefing paper, concluding: “The unregulated use of generative AI in the *** economy will not necessarily lead to economic growth, and risks damaging the ***’s thriving creative sector.” And it is a thriving sector. In fact, it’s one of the really distinctive assets of this country. The report says that the creative industries contributed approximately £124.6bn, or 5.7%, to the ***’s economy in 2022, and that for decades it has been growing faster than the wider economy (not that this would be difficult). “Through world-famous brands and production capabilities,” the report continues, “the impact of these industries on Britain’s cultural reach and soft power is immeasurable.” Just to take one sub-sector of the industry, the *** video games industry is the largest in Europe. There are three morals to this story. The first is that the stakes here are high: get it wrong and we kiss goodbye to one of “global” Britain’s most vibrant industries. The aim of public policy should be building a copyright regime that respects creative workers and engenders the confidence that AI can be fairly deployed to the benefit of all rather than just tech corporations. It’s not just about “growth”, in other words. The second is that any changes to *** IP law in response to the arrival of AI need to be carefully researched and thought through, and not implemented on the whims of tech bros or of ministers anxious to “align” the *** with the oligarchs now running the show in Washington. The third comes from watching Elon Musk’s goons mess with complex systems that they don’t think they need to understand: never entrust a delicate clock to a monkey. Even if he is as rich as Croesus. skip past newsletter promotion Analysis and opinion on the week’s news and culture brought to you by the best Observer writers Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain info about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. For more information see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. after newsletter promotion What I’ve been reading The man who would be king Trump As Sovereign Decisionist is a perceptive guide by Nathan Gardels to how the world has suddenly changed. Technical support Tim O’Reilly’s The End of Programming As We Know It is a really knowledgable summary of AI and software development. Computer says yes The most thoughtful essay I’ve come across on the potential upsides of AI by a real expert is Machines of Loving Grace by Dario Amodei. Source link #Creative #industries #among #UKs #crown #jewels #steal #John #Naughton Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

The No. 1 solo travel destination 2025 The No. 1 solo travel destination 2025 Solo travel continues to trend. A new report from Kensington, a private guided luxury travel service, ranked the top countries to for a solo trip in 2025. For this ranking, Kensington took into account findings from “affluent” travelers based on 2024 data and two external surveys conducted with Opinium Research and Dig Insight. “Solo travelers are increasingly choosing destinations with deep cultural significance and unique landscapes balanced with independence and seamless, personalized service,” Matt Cammaert, Senior Vice President of Marketing, told Travel + Leisure. The survey found that 76% of respondents are extremely to somewhat open to traveling by themselves internationally in the next three years. India is the No. 1 solo travel destination for 2025 India is the top destination for those looking to adventure alone. “From the vibrant streets of Jaipur to the tranquil backwaters of Kerala, India’s diversity ensures that every traveler finds something extraordinary,” Anit Singh, Kensington’s destination expert for the Indian subcontinent, told Travel + Leisure. India Tuul & Bruno Morandi | The Image Bank | Getty Images The country is home to one of the modern-day Seven Wonders of the World, the Taj Mahal. The marble mausoleum in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. According to the report, India offers travelers “an alluring depth of history and culture that many travelers dream of for decades.” The top 10 solo travel destinations 2025IndiaItalyJapanEgyptThailandAustraliaSpainIcelandFranceNew Zealand Italy ranked as the No. 2 solo travel destination. Though Italy is always a popular locale, a solo traveler going to the European country “is likely fulfilling a unique personal dream,” the report states. “And is looking for experiences and places that are outside the mainstream.” This is consistent with the trend reports from Expedia and Booking.com, which showed vacationers are skipping fancy trips to major global destinations for quieter excursions in lesser-known and far less crowded places. About 63% of travelers said they will likely visit an off-the-beaten-track destination on their next trip, according to Expedia‘s “Unpack 25” travel trend report. Italy Alexander Spatari | Moment | Getty Images The country is home to many famous monuments, including the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Colosseum, and the Duomo di Milano. Want to earn some extra money on the side? Take CNBC’s new online course How to Start a Side Hustle to learn tips to get started and strategies for success from top side hustle experts. Pre-register now and use coupon code EARLYBIRD for an introductory discount of 30% off $97 (+taxes and fees) through April 1, 2025. Plus, sign up for CNBC Make It’s newsletter to get tips and tricks for success at work, with money and in life. Source link #solo #travel #destination Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Marshall, Minnesota man recounts Delta Air Lines ****** – FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul Marshall, Minnesota man recounts Delta Air Lines ****** – FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul Marshall, Minnesota man recounts Delta Air Lines ****** FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. PaulTwo on Flight 4819, including Twin Cities woman, sue Delta over ****** landing in Toronto Star TribuneDelta faces first lawsuits in Toronto plane ****** Yahoo Source link #Marshall #Minnesota #man #recounts #Delta #Air #Lines #****** #FOX #MinneapolisSt #Paul Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Ex-Political Candidate Listens to Voice of God, Does Unthinkable For Former Foe After Loss Ex-Political Candidate Listens to Voice of God, Does Unthinkable For Former Foe After Loss A former congressional candidate and campaign manager has shown that compassion, empathy, and truth should be the gold standard — even in the oft-times cutthroat world of politics. Listen to the latest episode of “Quick Start” Bunni Pounds, founder and president of Christians Engaged, told CBN News Christians must always remember Jesus’ call — even when it comes to navigating politics. “The first commandment is to love Jesus with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves,” she said. “We do not cease to be Christ followers if we get involved in politics and government.” While Pounds said some might scoff at or worry about entering into the political realm — a place she has personally worked for quite some time — she noted a consistent prayer walk and relationship with Jesus can help Christians “see great impact” in such arenas. Pounds isn’t just talking the talk, either. She has consistently walked this walk. When she ran for Texas’ 5th Congressional District in 2018, she found herself in a precarious place. “I lost a race by 2,700 votes out of 43,000 votes,” she said. “It was really close. But my opponent, during the Republican runoff, his consultants had floated all of his invoices. So, if you could imagine — his TV, his mail, his radio ads, his consulting fees, all had been not billed.” Pounds said she was out-raising him despite her loss to Rep. Lance Gooden (R-Texas). And her inability to win amid her well-managed campaign left her frustrated. “When I finished the campaign, I paid off all my bills — and I couldn’t win,” Pounds said. “So, the injustice of that was digging at my heart. Well, a year later, I heard the Lord say, ‘You’re not going to get through this if you don’t do something drastic to impact your heart.’” She knew she had to listen to God’s promptings. “I called [my former opponent], had lunch with him, and asked him if I could help pay off the rest of his 50,000 of the debt that he had from our runoff — and he graciously accepted,” Pounds said. “And we did a huge party, and I fundraised towards that, and we all paid for it. All of our campaign staff, consultants — we all laid our offenses, bitterness and unforgiveness down at the feet of Jesus and walked out of there completely free.” Now, Gooden and Pounds are friends and she said he became the first member of Congress to support her latest book, “Jesus and Politics: One Woman’s Walk with God in a Mudslinging Profession.” “I think is a testimony of God’s grace,” she said. And Pounds hasn’t stopped there. After transitioning from political consulting into full-time ministry, she found herself encouraging Christians to pray for elected officials “regardless of party.” And then she had a strange dream that led her to take action. “I had this dream I was standing before [then-]Congressman Beto O’Rourke, telling him that God loves him, loves his family, sees his servant heart towards people, and that he wants him to know Him more,” Pounds said. “Well, you know, I’m from the persuasion of the Republican Party, right? That’s where I’ve done all my consulting. And he’s not.” Three months later, Pounds met O’Rourke as he was running for Texas governor — a moment she called a “divine setup.” “I’ll tell you this: I’ve never felt the presence of God like I did when I prayed for … Beto O’Rourke that day,” she said of her encounter with the Democrat. “And we started texting and we became friends. And … I don’t know how deeply that affected him, but I tell you, it changed my life.” While remaining committed to speaking and living out truth, Pounds found herself learning important lessons about not demonizing others or creating “caricatures.” Ultimately, she said Christians must find ways to point people toward Jesus. And this is what Pounds is now doing through her organization Christians Engaged, a group equipping Christian voters and encouraging them to be faith-forward at the polls. Find out more about her journey in “Jesus and Politics: One Woman’s Walk with God in a Mudslinging Profession.” Source link #ExPolitical #Candidate #Listens #Voice #God #Unthinkable #Foe #Loss Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Overwatch 2 Is Indeed Facing Pressure From Marvel Rivals but Director Claims “a lot of it is internal” Too Overwatch 2 Is Indeed Facing Pressure From Marvel Rivals but Director Claims “a lot of it is internal” Too Overwatch 2 is a first-person hero shooter game that was released back in August of 2023. Although the game’s predecessor was a huge success when it was released and was among the top FPS games in the industry, Overwatch 2 failed to garner a reception similar to it. Overwatch 2 is losing players significantly after the release of Marvel Rivals | Image Credits: Blizzard Entertainment It has been facing some issues for some time now and after the release of its competition, Marvel Rivals, Overwatch 2 has been losing a significant number of players every day. Although the game had over 35 million players during its initial release, the current daily average of Overwatch 2 is not more than 25,000 players. In a recent livestream, the director of Overwatch 2, Aaron Keller revealed a lot of changes and improvements that they are bringing into their game in the new season. Why was Overwatch 2 pressurized into bringing these? Let’s delve deeper. Blizzard was pressured into revamping Overwatch 2 Marvel Rivals took the world by storm when it was released | Image Credits: NetEase Games Fans of Overwatch 2 have been frustrated with the game ever since its launch, mainly because Blizzard Entertainment failed to deliver on their promises of new modes and features to the game. The company announced plans to add a PvE mode but that was scrapped the same year of its release, so the developers could focus more on the PvP. Despite significant backlash from players, Blizzard took minimal steps to redeem itself to their players. In December of 2024, NetEase Games launched their game Marvel Rivals on all major gaming platforms and it became an instant hit in the gaming industry. The game became so popular that more than 100,000 players are playing the game right now. NetEase Games delivered on its promises and made Marvel Rivals their best work yet. After the release of Marvel Rivals, many Overwatch players shifted to the new hero shooter, which caused Blizzard to lose its player base rapidly. This success of Marvel Rivals, sort of coerced Blizzard to bring out new modes and features in the game to keep the game relevant. In a recent interview with GamesRadar, Overwatch 2 director Aaron Keller was asked if their team was feeling pressured by the success of Marvel Rivals. He admitted that they were indeed feeling the pressure but not only from the competition but also from internal expectations. There is pressure on the Overwatch team, and a lot of it is internal. It’s [asking] how do we make the best possible game that we can? And we’ve been feeling it for a while. In the same interview, he also mentioned that the upcoming changes in seasons 15 and 16 were in the works for some time now, suggesting that the team was actively working on enhancing the game even before Marvel Rivals was launched. The game faces backlash from the players, amid competition Players are unbothered by Blizzard on reviving the game | Image Credits: Blizzard Entertainment The new features from Blizzard will be released on February 18 and it includes the addition of a perk system and the return of lootboxes. While these new updates are exciting, most fans of the game are unbothered by it and are calling it a desperate move to bring Overwatch 2 back to relevancy. Comment byu/Turbostrider27 from discussion inOverwatch In recent months, Blizzard has been quite generous to their player base, showering them with better skins in the game’s battle pass and also reintroducing the highly requested 6v6 which was removed. These steps were taken as a reaction to the increasing popularity of Marvel Rivals and fans of Overwatch 2 are frustrated, believing that Blizzard only started listening to the community after noticing a decline in their player base. Whether the inclusion of the new features will be enough to regain the interest of lost players is yet to be seen, but one thing is certain Blizzard is under pressure from its external competition as well as from internal pressure. As the next seasons roll out, Overwatch 2‘s future will depend on how well Blizzard addresses player feedback and adjusts according to its community. Source link #Overwatch #Facing #Pressure #Marvel #Rivals #Director #Claims #lot #internal Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

University Of Florida Researchers Said They Found An ‘Abundance’ Of Alligators In A Very Surprising Place University Of Florida Researchers Said They Found An ‘Abundance’ Of Alligators In A Very Surprising Place It sounds like a whopper that your gampy would tell, but this one is totally real: There are alligators living in the sewers in Gainesville. A recent study conducted by the University of Florida found that the sewer systems designed to hold stormwater are home to a lot more than rain runoff. “It’s like something out of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” Alan Ivory, a Ph.D. student at the University of Florida, who led the study told the New York Times. “The abundance of animals down there was surprising.” The American alligator, also known by its scientific name, Alligator mississippiensis, was among seven types of reptiles found in the storm sewage systems. There were plenty of other critters turning the sewers into a home, too. The team used motion-activated trail cameras to monitor the animal activity around stormwater drains over the course of two months. They found that there were 35 different animal species, including armadillos, snakes, frogs, lizards, ******, raccoons, and 12 species of birds, all using the sewers either by choice or seemingly by accident after being swept in by rain. The animals all appear to be using the sewers as they learn to live in “human-modified environments”, according to the study, which was published in the journal Urban Naturalist. The alligators and their three dozen other kinds of animal friends use the sewers under the Florida city to travel around the urban environment in peace reportedly. The clever critters have apparently learned that the sewers are safer than busy roads. According to the researchers, the gators were seen using the sewers to get from pond to pond far from humans. Maybe they haven’t heard that gator bites don’t actually contain any gator bits. Read the original article on Southern Living Source link #University #Florida #Researchers #Abundance #Alligators #Surprising #Place Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]