Pelican Press

General Motors: Can It Survive Tariffs and Loss of EV Mandates? General Motors: Can It Survive Tariffs and Loss of EV Mandates? General Motors (NYSE:) stock had a stellar 2024, rising nearly 50%. The company was outperforming all its peers like Ford Motor (NYSE:) and Stellantis NV (NYSE:) in the auto/tires/trucks sector firing on all pistons, but shares are down 9.2% year-to-date (YTD). Fears of the negative impacts of Trump’s tariffs and executive orders continue to plague the stock. The levying of 25% and imports is expected to drive up new car prices by an additional $1,000 to $9,000, further stifling demand. The executive orders aimed at revoking Biden’s “EV mandates” and the potential for new automotive tariffs in April are also of concern for investors, asking them to ponder what kind of impact it will have on General Motors business moving forward. The Last Quarter of Stellar Results? General Motors has been on a run of solid performance, but investors fear that it may be coming to an end. The company reported fourth-quarter earnings of $1.92 per share, beating consensus estimates by 7 cents. Revenues grew 11% YoY to $47.7 billion, beating $44.98 billion consensus estimates by just over $2.7 billion. Adjusted earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) rose 42.8% YoY to $2.5 billion. Automotive operating cash flow rose 1.6% YoY to $4.76 billion. The company took a $5 billion charge for restructuring, impairment on certain interests in China and $500 million in charges regarding its decision to terminate funds for the Cruise Robotaxi division. General Motors Still Issued Upside Guidance Assuming No Tariff Impacts The company provided upside guidance again for the full year 2025, forecasting $11.00 to $12.00 in earnings per share versus $10.86 consensus estimates. Adjusted EBIT is expected to be between $13.7 billion and $15.7 billion. However, the guidance does not take into consideration the potential impact of tariffs, which caused shares to gap down the following day by 9%. CEO Mary Barra also confirmed that their 2025 estimates assumed no negative impacts from outsourced imports and regulations on EVs. However, she did comment, “We are prepared to mitigate the impact from tariffs but will not spend large amounts of capital without a clear objective.” Barra added, “It remains to be seen how things will evolve…and whatever happens on this front, we have a very broad and deep portfolio of ICE vehicles and EVs that are both growing market share and will be agile and execute as efficiently as possible.” The Potential Impact of Trump’s Tariffs and Executive Orders On the bright side, General Motors is an American Big 3 automaker, and Trump’s policies are aimed at protecting American manufacturers. However, General Motors imports up to 20% of its parts from China and up to 29% of its parts from Mexico. Both of these are subject to tariffs of 25% for ******** and at least an additional 10% for ******** imports. Additionally, the EV tax credit suspension will likely impact demand for General Motors’s EVs. GM Stock is in a Head and Shoulders Pattern The head and shoulders pattern is a bearish reversal formation with three peaks—a left shoulder, a higher head, and a right shoulder—connected by a horizontal neckline. A breakdown occurs when the price drops below the neckline after the right shoulder, while a reversal is signaled if the price climbs back above the right shoulder’s peak. GM formed a bearish head and shoulders pattern, with its head peaking at $61.24. The right shoulder peaked at $55.21. GM fell below its daily anchored VWAP support at $49.99 to the $46.24 fib after the Q4 earnings release. GM is attempting to rally back above the neckline at $48.37 to prevent the breakdown from following through. The daily RSI is also attempting to rise at the 43-band. Fibonacci (Fib) pullback support levels are $46.24, $43.80, $42.27 and $40.72. GM stock’s average consensus price target is 23.54% higher at $59.71, and its highest analyst price target sits at $96.00. It has 10 analysts’ Buy ratings, 3 Sell and 7 Hold Ratings. The stock has a 2.61% short interest. Actionable Options Strategies: Bullish investors can consider using cash-secured puts at the Fib pullback support levels to buy the dip. If assigned the shares, then writing covered calls at upside Fib levels executes a wheel strategy for income in addition to the 0.99% dividend. Original Post Source link #General #Motors #Survive #Tariffs #Loss #Mandates Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Iwai’s blistering LPGA Thailand start, Ruffels in mix Iwai’s blistering LPGA Thailand start, Ruffels in mix Australia’s Gabriela Ruffels made a strong start but Japan’s Akai Iwai stole the show in the opening round of the LPGA Tour’s tournament in Pattaya, Thailand. Playing on a sponsor’s invitation, Iwai shot a flawless 10-under 62 with 10 birdies to lead by three shots from Sweden’s Maja Stark with Thailand’s Moriya Jutanugarn a further shot back. Ruffels was six under through her first 10 hopes at Siam Country Club’s Pattaya Old Course before two bogeys left her with a 68 and a share of seventh place on the leaderboard. Steph Kyriacou was one stroke further back in a share of 15th while the only other ***********, Grace Kim, was well back after a 74. The 22-year-old Iwai is a six-time winner on the Japan tour. She equalled the 18-hole record set by countrywoman Yuka Saso in 2022 and American Jessica Korda in 2018. -with The AP Source link #Iwais #blistering #LPGA #Thailand #start #Ruffels #mix Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

The Thing: Remastered physical editions announced for PS5, Switch The Thing: Remastered physical editions announced for PS5, Switch Nightdive Studios will release a physical edition of The Thing: Remastered for PlayStation 5 and Switch on June 25, the developer announced. Pre-orders are available now at various retailers, including Atari, Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop, GAME, Target, Walmart, and more. Source link #Remastered #physical #editions #announced #PS5 #Switch Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

2 dead after 2 small planes collide midair in Arizona, officials say 2 dead after 2 small planes collide midair in Arizona, officials say Two people are dead after two small aircraft collided in midair at an Arizona airport Wednesday, authorities said. A Cessna 172S and Lancair 360 MK II collided at 8:28 a.m. near the Marana Regional Airport, just northwest of Tucson, according to preliminary information from the National Transportation Safety Board. The single-engine planes “collided while upwind of runway 12,” one of two runways at the airport. The Cessna landed, and the Lancair crashed and burned near the other runway, the NTSB said. The Marana Police Department confirmed two deaths from the incident. Two people were on each plane, the Town of Marana said in a news release. The operator of the Cessna – AeroGuard, a commercial flight training school – said its two pilots were not injured, the Associated Press reported. The airport is closed while the investigation is ongoing, the town said. “On behalf of the Town of Marana and the Marana Regional Airport, our hearts go out to all the individuals and families impacted by this event,” airport Superintendent Galen Beem said. “We are grateful for the swift response from the Marana Police Department and Northwest Fire District.” “We are deeply saddened by the two fatalities from this tragic accident,” Matt Panichas, a spokesperson for AeroGuard, said in a statement to AP. The Federal Aviation Administration called the airport an “uncontrolled field,” which does not have an operating air traffic control tower. Pilots often will use a Common Traffic Advisory Frequency to announce their position to other pilots who are in the airport vicinity. Pilots operating in uncontrolled fields are still required to comply with all federal aviation regulations. An NTSB investigator is expected to arrive Thursday morning to document the scene and examine the aircraft. The FAA is also responding. The incident follows a recent string of aviation incidents beginning with the January 29 midair collision at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, which killed 67 people when a military helicopter and an American Airlines regional jet collided. Since then, four other aviation incidents have drawn attention to air safety, including the ****** of a medevac plane in Philadelphia; a plane that crashed near Nome, Alaska, killing 10 people; a private plane that ran off the runway in Scottsdale, Arizona, killing the pilot on board; and more recently, a Delta Air Lines regional jet that rolled over on the runway on arrival in Toronto. Even with the past month of aviation incidents, January’s preliminary data from the NTSB shows there was a record low number of airplane accidents nationwide among private and commercial flights. Before the January 29 collision, the last major fatal airplane accident involving a US carrier was in 2009, involving a flight operated by Colgan Air. However, smaller planes are statistically more likely to experience incidents. The aircraft are not as heavily regulated as those operating under Part 121 rules, the set of FAA rules followed by major air carriers. Private and general aviation aircraft follow different, less strict FAA rules but are still inspected and maintained. There’s also just a larger number of the smaller planes. The National Air and Space Museum estimates there are more than 340,000 general aviation aircraft around the world and US pilots operate 204,000 of them. This is a developing story and will be updated. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Source link #dead #small #planes #collide #midair #Arizona #officials Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Germany votes Sunday for a new government that will shape Europe's response to an assertive Trump – The Associated Press Germany votes Sunday for a new government that will shape Europe's response to an assertive Trump – The Associated Press Germany votes Sunday for a new government that will shape Europe’s response to an assertive Trump The Associated PressAll eyes on far-right AfD in ******* election rocked by violence and US interference The GuardianGerman elections chart course for a lonely Europe: podcast ReutersGerman election: Scholz, Merz face off in final debate DW (English)Trump’s February surprise roils ******* Elections Responsible Statecraft Source link #Germany #votes #Sunday #government #shape #Europe039s #response #assertive #Trump #Press Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Norovirus hospital cases reach highest level ever in England Norovirus hospital cases reach highest level ever in England There are a record number of patients in hospital with Norovirus in England. Data from NHS England showed 1,160 patients a day were in hospital with the vomiting bug on average last week – double the level at the same ******* last year. It comes after a 22% rise on the week before, pushing it to the highest level since records began in 2012. It means more than 1% of beds are occupied by patients ill with the bug. But Norovirus puts added pressure on hospitals because of the need to isolate and clean infected wards – nearly 300 empty beds a day were taken out of action because of this. Flu cases continue to fall, however, with just over 1,700 beds occupied by patients with the virus. NHS England medical director Prof Sir Stephen Powis said: “It is concerning to see the number of patients with Norovirus hit an all-time high and there is no let up for hospital staff who are working tirelessly to treat more than a thousand patients each day with the horrible bug, on top of other winter viruses. “To help stop the spread of Norovirus, it is important to remember to wash your hands frequently with soap and water and avoid mixing with other people until you have not had symptoms for two days.” Most healthy people recover from Norovirus in a few days, but it can cause serious problems in vulnerable people and young children. One problem is that it spreads very easily – with just a few viral particles needed to infect someone – for example through close contact with someone who has the virus, or by eating food prepared by someone with it. It can also stick around on surfaces so it is thought likely some of the cases will be patients who have caught it in hospital. Source link #Norovirus #hospital #cases #reach #highest #level #England Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

West Coast Eagles call on members to vote for current or original song ahead of 2025 season West Coast Eagles call on members to vote for current or original song ahead of 2025 season West Coast could be on the verge of ditching the widely-panned current version of the club song after calling on members to vote on their preferred tune this week. Eagles fans and neutral supporters alike have slammed the Birds of Tokyo version since it was introduced in 2020, calling for the club to bring back the original “We’re Flying High” song. And it appears the chorus has grown too loud for West Coast to ignore. In an exclusive email to club members on Wednesday, the Eagles asked them to vote for their preferred version of the song. “We’ve heard lots of noise, so what do you think?” the email read. “Do you like the new song, or do you prefer the previous version? Or really don’t have an opinion?” The week-long poll, which is set to end at 5pm on Wednesday, February 26, then prompts members to vote for one of two options; the 2020 version (current) or the 90s-2019 version (previous). The current anthem was released in early 2020, composed and produced by Ian Berney, with Birds of Tokyo and Karnivool singer Ian Kenny on lyrics, and featuring a didgeridoo and clapsticks. Camera IconWest Coast have asked fans to vote on which version of their club song they prefer. Credit: Kelsey Reid/The West *********** Calls for the original version to return were re-ignited clash year, when the club brought it back at Optus Stadium during the AFL’s Retro Round. It comes after West Coast received widespread praise for ditching the “inflatable Eagle” ahead of the 2024 season. The Eagles reverted to pre-game banners for home games for the first time since moving to Optus Stadium in 2018. That move followed a report by The West *********** in May 2023 that an exclusive poll had revealed 94 per cent of the public wanted the tradition to return. Bringing back the banner was one of the first decisions made by new chief executive Don Pyke, who replaced long-serving CEO Trevor Nisbett prior to the 2024 season. While reverting to the traditional banner was well-received, fans immediately called for the club song to follow suit. Pyke told The West *********** that the prospect of reinstating the club’s original song was being “considered and discussed”. The original verse of “We’re the Eagles” was written by musician Kevin Peek and debuted at the club’s 1987 launch. Some verses were added later by Ken Walther, who also composed the Fremantle song. Source link #West #Coast #Eagles #call #members #vote #current #original #song #ahead #season Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Pokémon Presents has been announced for next week Pokémon Presents has been announced for next week The Pokémon Company has announced its annual Pokemon Presents presentation to celebrate Pokémon Day. The stream, which will include information about upcoming video game projects as well as other news, will air on February 27 at 2 PM UTC/GMT, 6 AM PT, and 9 AM ET. The Pokémon Company hasn’t revealed any specifc information about what is going to be shown at the event, or how long it is planned to last, but with Pokémon Legends Z-A planned for release later this year, it’s likely that the company will show off the first new footage of the game since it was first announced last February. Set for release on the original Nintendo Switch console, it will be the second Pokémon Legends game following Pokémon Legends Arceus. Pokémon Legends Z-A will see players revisit the Kalos region and Lumoise City. It’s currently unknown if a Nintendo Switch 2 version of the game is planned. The yearly Pokémon Presents streams also provide updates on the various Pokemon spin-off games such as Pokemon Unite and Pokemon Go. This weekend, Pokémon fans from across the world will descend on London for the Pokémon European International Championships or EUIC. The event, which will take place from London’s Excell Center, is one of the final stops on the road to the Pokemon World Championships, this year emanating from Anaheim, California. Source link #Pokémon #Presents #announced #week Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Charges against Liam Payne’s friend dropped Charges against Liam Payne’s friend dropped Manslaughter charges against a friend of Liam Payne and two members of staff at the hotel where the singer died have been dropped. Rogelio “Roger” Nores and two workers from the hotel in Buenos Aires were charged in December, two months after the One Direction star’s death. On Wednesday, appeal court judges reversed the earlier decision to charge all three. However, two other men accused of selling Payne ******** before his death remain in prison and have been told they still face prosecution and a probable trial. Payne died last October after falling from a balcony at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in the Argentine capital. Following the announcement that charges against Mr Nores had been dropped, the businessman told Rolling Stone: “Glad this is finally over. I’m happy I’m now going to be able to travel to the *** and say goodbye to my friend.” His lawyer Rafael Cuneo Libarona said he was “happy to have reversed the decision”. He added: “We have always maintained that Rogelio Nores was not responsible for Liam Payne’s death. “He was only his friend and had no duty or legal obligation to ensure his safety.” Mr Cuneo Libarona, the brother of Argentina’s justice minister, had rebutted claims from the prosecution that Mr Nores had failed in his duty of care towards the singer. The three appeal court judges published their ruling, first obtained by Rolling Stone, eight days after a hearing at Argentina’s National Criminal and Correctional Court. The two hotel workers who will also no longer face charges are Gilda Martin, its head of security, and Esteban Grassi, the chief receptionist who made an emergency call just before Payne died. All three men would have faced possible prison sentences of between one and five years if convicted, although they were told they could be eligible for suspended sentences. Prosecutors have the option of appealing against the decision to overturn the charges, but have not yet indicated whether they will do so. The two men who still face charges are waiter Braian Nahuel Paiz and suspended hotel worker Ezequiel David Pereyra, who are accused of supplying drugs to Payne. They could face prison sentences of between four and 15 years if found guilty. Mr Nores’s alleged role as a manager and representative of Payne, a position he had denied holding, was said to have been an important element of the decision to prosecute the businessman. In an indictment ruling in December, Judge Laura Bruniard accused Mr Nores of “failing in his duty of care, assistance and help” towards the singer. Mr Nores previously said in a statement: “I never abandoned Liam, I went to his hotel three times that day and left 40 minutes before this happened. “There were over 15 people at the hotel lobby chatting and joking with him when I left. I could have never imagined something like this would happen.” He added: “I wasn’t Liam’s manager. He was just my very dear friend.” Source link #Charges #Liam #Paynes #friend #dropped Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

WWE 2K25: Full match list revealed for WWE 2K25 Showcase mode WWE 2K25: Full match list revealed for WWE 2K25 Showcase mode 2K has announced the full list of matches to be included in the upcoming WWE 2K25 Showcase mode. The mode, which sees players compete in a series of matches while attempting to complete objectives, returns in WWE 2K25. Named The Bloodline’s Dynasty, the mode will focus on the extended Anoaʻi family which includes the likes of Roman Reigns, The Rock, and Umaga. The WWE 2K25 showcase features three sets of matches; Relive History, Change History and Create History. As the names would suggest, the Relive History mode allows players to compete in matches with the goal being to complete them as they really happened. The opposite is true for Change History, which will see the player attempt to overturn famous losses for the Samoan Dynasty. The last of the three is Create History, which sees players take on fantasy matches that span different eras of WWE. The full list of matches can be found below. Competing in these matches and completing objectives as you do so will unlock extra WWE superstars, arenas, outfits, and more. WWE 2K25 Showcase Mode Match List Relive History: Yokozuna w/Mr. Fuji vs. Hulk Hogan – King of the Ring ‘93 Rocky Maivia vs Hunter Hearst Helmsley – Thursday RAW Thursday 2/13/97 The Usos vs The New Day w/Big E – Hell in a Cell ‘17 Solo Sikoa vs Carmelo Hayes w/Trick Williams – NXT 2.0 9/13/22 Nia Jax vs Lyra Valkyria – King and Queen of the Ring ‘24 Change History: The Headshrinkers vs Steiner Bros – WrestleMania IX Rikishi vs ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin – No Mercy 2000 Umaga w/Armando Estrada vs John Cena – New Year’s Revolution 2007 Tamina vs Natalya vs Carmella vs Charlotte Flair vs Becky ****** – Money in the Bank ‘17 Naomi vs Bayley – Super ShowDown ‘20 Roman Reigns vs Seth Rollins – Royal Rumble ‘22 Create History: ‘High Chief’ Peter Maivia vs George ‘The Animal’ Steele 3 Minute Warning vs AOP w/Paul Ellering The Wild Samoans vs The Dudley Boyz The OG Bloodline vs Solo’s Bloodline WarGames The Islanders vs The Street Profits Source link #WWE #2K25 #Full #match #list #revealed #WWE #2K25 #Showcase #mode Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Palantir stock drops after report Trump administration is eyeing large defense budget cuts – Yahoo Finance Palantir stock drops after report Trump administration is eyeing large defense budget cuts – Yahoo Finance Palantir stock drops after report Trump administration is eyeing large defense budget cuts Yahoo FinanceTrump administration orders Pentagon to plan for sweeping budget cuts The Washington PostPalantir plunges after CEO Karp changes share sales plan, Pentagon budget cut report CNBCWhat We Know About Pentagon Cuts—As Hegseth Directs Sweeping Reductions Forbes Source link #Palantir #stock #drops #report #Trump #administration #eyeing #large #defense #budget #cuts #Yahoo #Finance Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Moment man vandalises ancient Incan artefact in Peru Moment man vandalises ancient Incan artefact in Peru Footage released by Peruvian police shows a man attacking a famous Incan artefact in Cusco, with what they described as a metallic object. According to the city’s culture ministry, the incident caused ‘irreversible damage’ to the 12-Angle Stone, which was once part of an ancient palace. A suspect was later detained and authorities said they believed the person behind the attack was intoxicated. The stone is a popular tourist attraction and a symbol of the advanced stonework of the Inca civilisation. Source link #Moment #man #vandalises #ancient #Incan #artefact #Peru Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

GrandChase has released a Uno(S), a Retribution attribute ranger with numerous rewards up for grabs GrandChase has released a Uno(S), a Retribution attribute ranger with numerous rewards up for grabs Uno(S), the Blood Avenger is now available If you pre-registered, you can earn a tonne of rewards You can also participate in several events A couple of weeks ago, KOG Games opened pre-registration for a new hero in GrandChase Mobile. Today, Uno(S) has been released along with several events designed to support your progression. There are loads of rewards up for grabs as well, so be sure to get your hands on all of them. Known as the Blood Avenger, Uno is driven by an intense desire to hunt Sieghart, the last Highlander. Equipped with his sword, Blood Wolf, he’s a Retribution attribute ranger who excels at dealing damage, especially against Life attribute enemies. His abilities apply stackable debuffs and trigger random extra attacks, making him a strong DPS option in PvE content. If you participated in the Pre-Registration Event, you can now claim rewards by logging in and entering your coupon code. The rewards include the Uno(S) GrandTale Avatar Select Ticket, Uno(S) Exclusive Equipment, and a GrandChase Merch Set Lottery Ticket. The merch set includes an acrylic stand, diorama set, photo cards, and stickers. Check the System Mail tab in your mailbox after redeeming the code to receive these items. Alongside Uno’s release, several events are running to help you experience his character story and enhance his strength. To see how Uno(S) fares against the rest of the lineup, be sure to check out our GrandChase tier list to get an idea! In addition, the Uno(S) Character Story event allows you to learn more about his background and motivations, while the Uno(S) Login Event rewards you simply for logging in during the event *******. And to top it off, the Uno(S) Special Summon Event gives you a chance to summon him directly, making it easier to add him to your roster. Add Uno(S) to your squad now by downloading GrandChase on your preferred link below. It is free-to-play with in-app purchases. Visit the official website for more information. Source link #GrandChase #released #UnoS #Retribution #attribute #ranger #numerous #rewards #grabs Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Charges against Liam Payne’s friend dropped Charges against Liam Payne’s friend dropped Manslaughter charges against a friend of Liam Payne and two members of staff at the hotel where the singer died have been dropped. Rogelio “Roger” Nores and two workers from the hotel in Buenos Aires were charged in December, two months after the One Direction star’s death. On Wednesday, appeal court judges reversed the earlier decision to charge all three. However, two other men accused of selling Payne ******** before his death remain in prison and have been told they still face prosecution and a probable trial. Payne died last October after falling from a balcony at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in the Argentine capital. Following the announcement that charges against Mr Nores had been dropped, the businessman told Rolling Stone: “Glad this is finally over. I’m happy I’m now going to be able to travel to the *** and say goodbye to my friend.” His lawyer Rafael Cuneo Libarona said he was “happy to have reversed the decision”. He added: “We have always maintained that Rogelio Nores was not responsible for Liam Payne’s death. “He was only his friend and had no duty or legal obligation to ensure his safety.” Mr Cuneo Libarona, the brother of Argentina’s justice minister, had rebutted claims from the prosecution that Mr Nores had failed in his duty of care towards the singer. The three appeal court judges published their ruling, first obtained by Rolling Stone, eight days after a hearing at Argentina’s National Criminal and Correctional Court. The two hotel workers who will also no longer face charges are Gilda Martin, its head of security, and Esteban Grassi, the chief receptionist who made an emergency call just before Payne died. All three men would have faced possible prison sentences of between one and five years if convicted, although they were told they could be eligible for suspended sentences. Prosecutors have the option of appealing against the decision to overturn the charges, but have not yet indicated whether they will do so. The two men who still face charges are waiter Braian Nahuel Paiz and suspended hotel worker Ezequiel David Pereyra, who are accused of supplying drugs to Payne. They could face prison sentences of between four and 15 years if found guilty. Mr Nores’s alleged role as a manager and representative of Payne, a position he had denied holding, was said to have been an important element of the decision to prosecute the businessman. In an indictment ruling in December, Judge Laura Bruniard accused Mr Nores of “failing in his duty of care, assistance and help” towards the singer. Mr Nores previously said in a statement: “I never abandoned Liam, I went to his hotel three times that day and left 40 minutes before this happened. “There were over 15 people at the hotel lobby chatting and joking with him when I left. I could have never imagined something like this would happen.” He added: “I wasn’t Liam’s manager. He was just my very dear friend.” Source link #Charges #Liam #Paynes #friend #dropped Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Marvel Rivals has passed 40 million players, as NetEase reports net revenue of $2.9 billion Marvel Rivals has passed 40 million players, as NetEase reports net revenue of $2.9 billion Marvel Rivals has now surpassed 40 million players, NetEase has announced. Announced during NetEase‘s financial results on Thursday, the company said the hero shooter topped Steam‘s global top sellers charts in December, and saw 10 million registered users in its opening three days across all platforms. The game returned to the top of the chart in January following the game’s season 1 update. Elsewhere in its financial results, NetEase announced that games and related services net revenues were RMB21.2 billion (US$2.9 billion) for the three months ended December 31, an increase of 1.5% compared with the same quarter of 2023. NetEase announced the results days after it laid off several developers, including the game’s director. Earlier this week, NetEase’s California-based game director Thaddeus Sasser claimed that an unspecified number of Marvel Rivals’ American developers had been let go, including himself. In a statement to VGC, NetEase said that it “recently made the difficult decision to adjust Marvel Rivals’ development team structure for organizational reasons and to optimize development efficiency for the game.” When Marvel Rivals released its first season last month, the game saw 644,269 players play the game concurrently, launching it to number 14 in Steam‘s all-time highest concurrent player counts. This is higher than other popular titles like Apex Legends, Path of Exile 2, Helldivers 2, and GTA 5. These results arrive as it’s believed NetEase could be pulling out of its development efforts in North America. Last month, it was confirmed NetEase had split from Vancouver-based Worlds Untold, the studio it founded with Mass Effect writer Mac Walters in 2023, as well as Seattle-based Jar of Sparks, the studio founded in 2022 by Xbox veteran Jerry Hook. Source link #Marvel #Rivals #passed #million #players #NetEase #reports #net #revenue #billion Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Boyanup saleyards replacement plan receives $6m Nationals WA pledge, back by federal counterparts Boyanup saleyards replacement plan receives $6m Nationals WA pledge, back by federal counterparts The Boyanup saleyards could be on the move if the Nationals WA form government next month with a $6 million package to create an agribusiness precinct in the South West. Source link #Boyanup #saleyards #replacement #plan #receives #Nationals #pledge #federal #counterparts Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Goddess of Victory Nikke x Neon Genesis Evangelion collab returns for a second part, available now Goddess of Victory Nikke x Neon Genesis Evangelion collab returns for a second part, available now Goddess of Victory: Nikke’s fan-fave collab with landmark anime series Neon Genesis Evangelion returns New skins, a new 3D event map and returning characters are all available now Experience a new storyline set in the Evangelion universe itself! It shouldn’t be surprising that, after a hugely successful collaboration during the summer of last year, Goddess of Victory: Nikke is once more teaming up with the landmark anime series Neon Genesis Evangelion. This newest collab sees new story events, skins and more, as well as some returning characters you may’ve missed out the first time around! Little surprise that there’s also a new trailer to enjoy to celebrate the launch, featuring the iconic theme A Cruel Angel’s Thesis from the series. Neon Genesis Evangelion, which was critically acclaimed for its strange and cerebral take on the mecha genre, has been a favourite both in Japan and globally; so I won’t insult your intelligence by reciting a canned synopsis. Instead, let me tell you what’s coming with this newest event that’s now available! Asuka: WILLE, Rei Ayanami and Sakura will all appear in a new storyline now set in the Evangelion universe itself. You’ll also be able to enjoy a multitude of new skins (including free ones), a 3D event map and a brand-new minigame to boot. Da da da da, dadadadadadadada Neon Genesis Evangelion is one of those series which, ironically is so well-beloved despite being perceived as a critique of anime culture at large when it first aired. But perhaps it’s that curious mix of typical anime tropes with a larger and more grandiose storyline that attracts so many fans. Either way, this latest collab promises to offer both returning content from the previous entry, not to mention a whole host of fresh additions to boot! Jumping into Goddess of Victory: Nikke for the first time? Or just need some additional pointers? Be sure to check out our combination Goddess of Victory: Nikke tier list and reroll guide for beginner players to help you start off strong! Source link #Goddess #Victory #Nikke #Neon #Genesis #Evangelion #collab #returns #part Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

RFK ‘s plan to make America healthy again? Round up people with mental health conditions in camps RFK ‘s plan to make America healthy again? Round up people with mental health conditions in camps Robert F. Kennedy‘s “make America healthy again” motto is meant to convey that he is sincerely interested in helping Americans avoid getting sick in the first place. During his Senate confirmation hearing for Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary, all Kennedy and his newfound Republican supporters could talk about was how in love he is with “prevention.” “We should be moving to value-based care, which includes prevention,” Kennedy confidently declared. The committee chair, Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Ida., described Kennedy as “passionate” about “preventing and managing chronic disease, improving health outcomes, and reducing health costs.” It should have always been self-evident that Kennedy is not pro-prevention, since he built his career as a vaccine denialist. Yet much of the press seems to have been snookered. So it’s especially noteworthy that Kennedy kicked off his new role with a broad attack on drugs people use to prevent depression, diabetes, and other such conditions. On Thursday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order that echoes Kennedy’s lie that he wants to “make America healthy again.” HHS is ordered to “assess the prevalence of and threat posed by the prescription of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, stimulants, and weight-loss drugs.” But it’s clear from the context that no good faith assessment is intended, as the order repeatedly cites a preordained conclusion that there is an “over-utilization of medication” and an “over-reliance on medication and treatments.” Kennedy has long had it out for these drugs, and repeatedly argues that the only prevention most people need is better willpower. Kennedy occasionally tosses a red herring about “environmental” causes of illness, but mostly he frames the issue as a matter of personal failing, focusing on people’s diets and exercise habits as the “root causes” of nearly all illnesses. He regards anti-depressants as an “addictive drug,” falsely claiming people have “a much worse time getting off of SSRIs than they have getting off of heroin.” Want more Amanda Marcotte on politics? Subscribe to her newsletter Standing Room Only. Instead of letting people have drugs that keep them healthy, Kennedy’s “solution” looks very much like punishing them for perceived personal failures by putting people into labor camps, which he euphemistically calls “wellness farms.” As Mother Jones reported in July, people would be relegated to these “farms,” where they would be denied their prescription medications. They would also be barred from having cell phones, computers, or other means to contact the outside world. They would be put to work full-time, presumably for little or no pay, growing organic food. He claims this process would “reparent” supposedly broken people, again framing mental health issues as not a medical issue, but a personal failure. The racism underlying this vision of labor camps isn’t just vibes, either. Kennedy has explicitly argued that ****** kids need to “get reparented,” ideally in a “rural area” where they are denied most contact with family and friends. “Treating” ****** youth by making them do unpaid agricultural work isn’t exactly subtle, as far as racist fantasies go. This is why it’s so frustrating to see mainstream journalists, as Reuters did Friday, blithely argue there’s a “clash” between Kennedy’s “long to-do list” and Trump’s alleged eagerness to cut back on federal spending. When it comes to Trump’s fascist inclinations to “purify” a country he repeatedly describes as having “bad genes” and “poison” in its “blood,” price is no object. Trump has been bragging about his plans to create a concentration camp in Guantanamo Bay for immigrants he wishes to purge. While money is being illegally slashed from research, foreign aid, and regulatory agencies, Trump openly seeks to boost funding and other resources to his plan to deport millions of immigrants, both documented and undocumented. Trump is hyper-focused on the racial “purity” aspects of his fascistic vision, but Kennedy’s contempt for people he views as physically unfit fits well with the larger MAGA agenda. Fascism is always an ideology based on the belief that modern society has become weak and degenerate, and that the cure is purging certain people. Along with racialized minorities, fascists typically target ****** people, so-called cosmopolitans who have feminist or socially liberal views, and people with disabilities. Kennedy doesn’t even bother to hide his dehumanizing view of those he deems “unhealthy,” a group he estimates is over half of Americans. “A healthy person has a thousand dreams,” he declared during his hearing. “A sick person has only one,” he added, reducing those with diabetes or depression to people who have no lives. He didn’t call people with imperfect health the “Untermenschen,” but the implication lingered throughout the hearing, as he repeatedly framed them as ignorant, lazy, and parasitical. As Rebecca Traister pointed out in New York Tuesday, “The administration has even added an ‘A’ to its DEIA code, indicating ‘abilities’ for extra-eugenicist oomph.” Kennedy’s ugly attitudes keep getting sane-washed by the press as merely an interest in “promoting” healthy eating, which is nonsense on every level, starting with his belief that beef tallow is somehow better for your heart than olive oil. But it’s also important to put his views in the larger context of what is increasingly looking like an all-out assault by the Trump administration on the lives of people they view as “weak” members of society. Over the weekend, tech billionaire and shadow president Elon Musk launched a full-blown attack on Social Security. He and his “Department of Government Efficiency” are demanding access to the private records of all Americans held by Social Security offices. Musk claims Social Security is “the biggest fraud in history,” and is pushing false claims that millions of people are drawing checks illegally. This is both obviously false and has been repeatedly debunked, but Musk persists, making it unavoidable that this is a lie instead of mere confusion. The purpose of the lie isn’t too hard to suss out, either. Musk is building up a pretext to stop payment on checks that many elderly people need to survive. Characterizing their identities as “waste” and “fraud” works like Kennedy’s disparagement of disabled people: It dehumanizes anyone fascists view as sapping the “strength” of American society. This goes hand-in-hand with Musk’s obsession with raising birth rates and his fixation on the neo-Nazi “Great Replacement” theory. It’s like Musk took a bunch of ketamine, watched nothing but Leni Riefenstahl film reels of blonde musclemen marching in parades to illustrate Aryan fitness, and mistook that for a reality he could will into being. There’s no need to take Kennedy’s banal chatter about “healthy food” at face value, and not just because every American is educated in the concept of a “balanced diet” from well before they can eat solid food. Scratch the surface even a millimeter, and it’s evident Kennedy has a hostile, even eliminationist attitude towards anyone he has decided doesn’t meet his esoteric standard of physical fitness. The food gambit is so that, when health care is taken from people, he can say it’s their own fault for not taking his “advice” on how unpaid farm labor is the cure for bipolar disorder. It’s fascist rhetoric rebranded as “wellness.” Source link #RFK #plan #America #healthy #people #mental #health #conditions #camps Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

iPhone 16e Features a Binned Version of Apple’s A18 Chipset With Fewer Cores iPhone 16e Features a Binned Version of Apple’s A18 Chipset With Fewer Cores iPhone 16e was launched by Apple on Wednesday as the latest entry-level model and the spiritual successor to the iPhone SE (2022). While the phone carries similar specifications as the flagship iPhone 16 series, including the same 48-megapixel primary camera, inclusion of Apple Intelligence features, and an A18 SoC, the latter’s architecture is different from its iPhone 16 counterpart. It is said to be a binned version of the A18 chipset which might potentially affect the device’s performance. Binned A18 Pro SoC on the iPhone 16e First spotted by 9to5Mac, Apple’s latest affordable iPhone model uses a binned version of the iPhone 16’s A18 chipset. A look at the technical specifications of the iPhone 16e reveals that it uses a hexa-core CPU and a quad-core GPU, and while the standard model’s SoC has the same CPU, its GPU count is five. The GPU gap is further increased when compared with the A18 Pro chipset found on the iPhone 16 Pro models. It retains the same CPU core count but has a hexa-core GPU architecture. With this change, the CPU performance is expected to be the same, potential repercussions when carrying out graphic-intensive tasks, such as playing 3D games, are speculated. However, Apple is yet to reveal if this change has any impact on the iPhone 16e’s performance. This move is said to be a result of a process known as chip binning. Notably, it is a quality stage during a chip’s fabrication process where the higher performing SoCs are kept for the premium devices, whilst the less than optimal chipsets are used in other devices with a fewer number of cores in action. Despite using a binned version of Apple’s A18 SoC, the iPhone 16e still comes with support for Apple Intelligence — the Cupertino-based technology company’s artificial intelligence (AI) suite for the iPhone, iPad, and other devices. Thus, it suggests that the phone might have 8GB of RAM, which is the base requirement for accessing the AI features. Source link #iPhone #16e #Features #Binned #Version #Apples #A18 #Chipset #Cores Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Alibaba (BABA) earnings Q3 2024 Alibaba (BABA) earnings Q3 2024 Signage at the Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. offices in Beijing, China, on Wednesday, March 29, 2023. Alibaba’s overhaul could serve as a template for a restructuring of China Tech itself: a shake-up that achieves Beijings aim of carving up the countrys tech titans while unlocking potentially billions of dollars in pent-up shareholder value. Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images ******** e-commerce titan Alibaba on Thursday beat expectations on the top and bottom line in its December quarter, citing ongoing strength in its Cloud Intelligence unit. Alibaba said net income hit 48.945 billion yuan ($6.72 billion) in the quarter ended Dec. 31, compared with an LSEG forecast of 40.6 billion yuan. Revenue came in at 280.154 billion yuan, versus analyst expectations of 279.34 billion yuan. The company’s stock has surged by around 50% on both the New York and Hong Kong exchanges in the year to date. “This quarter’s results demonstrated substantial progress in our ‘user first, AI-driven’ strategies and the re-accelerated growth of our core businesses,” said Alibaba CEO Eddie Wu in a statement accompanying the results. “Our Cloud revenue growth reignited to double digits at 13%, with AI-related product revenue achieving triple-digit growth for the sixth consecutive quarter. Looking ahead, revenue growth at Cloud Intelligence Group driven by AI will continue to accelerate.” This breaking news story is being updated. Source link #Alibaba #BABA #earnings Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

RTX 5090 and 5080 GPU stock woes could be eased as Nvidia launches ‘priority access’ scheme to help genuine buyers and leave scalpers in the cold RTX 5090 and 5080 GPU stock woes could be eased as Nvidia launches ‘priority access’ scheme to help genuine buyers and leave scalpers in the cold Nvidia’s making an effort to stop scalpers buying RTX 5090 and 5080 GPUs The ‘Verified Priority Access’ program is returning, albeit only in the US Buyers must have created an Nvidia account on or before January 30, 2025, to be offered a purchase opportunity The RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 launch has been a rather sorry episode for Nvidia, due to demand far exceeding supply, on top of issues with scalpers – but fortunately, Team Green is taking action to give genuine buyers a better chance of getting one of these high-end GPUs at their recommended prices. As spotted by Wccftech, Nvidia has brought back its Verified Priority Access program, a scheme that allows a limited number of gamers (or indeed creators) in the US to purchase the RTX 5090 or RTX 5080 at MSRP by completing a form to indicate their interest. The only stipulation is that people need to have an Nvidia account (that was created on or before January 30, 2025), and note that this only offers the chance to purchase Nvidia’s own Founders Edition versions of the graphics cards. You may remember that Nvidia introduced this scheme with the RTX 4090 and eventually the RTX 4080 too, after these GPUs were launched. Considering the still very limited supply of high-end Blackwell GPUs, this will likely prove highly beneficial for would-be buyers. It’s a struggle to find anything near MSRP at all, and third-party RTX 5090 and 5080 graphics cards (meaning GPUs not from Nvidia) which can be found on ***** cost far more than their recommended pricing. Of course, this scheme won’t help you buy such a third-party board, only a Founders Edition GPU. While this priority access scheme is not going to completely turn the tide of the battle against scalpers, it’ll surely help in that fight. If a scalper doesn’t already have a pre-existing Nvidia account, they’ll be out of luck, as creating a new one to get onto the scheme won’t work (due to the mentioned January 30 deadline). This is similar to Valve’s move with the Steam Deck, where the initial pre-orders were limited to those with a Steam account that had been created in the previous year (and had made a purchase). Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. While Nvidia’s priority access scheme is only in the US for now, hopefully it’ll be expanded beyond that to other regions in the future. (Image credit: Future) Nvidia should keep this priority access scheme going forward Nvidia’s GPUs are always highly sought after upon launch, seemingly regardless of how well any new GPUs are received by gamers, and we’re seeing that again with Blackwell graphics cards. This inevitably introduces two main problems in terms of scalping and inflated prices – with the end result being that very few gamers are lucky enough to snag a new card, and they end up paying far too much for that privilege. The Verified Priority Access scheme gives gamers a better chance of buying a powerhouse GPU, and what’s more, they get it at a fair price – the MSRP, in fact. So in my opinion, this must be part of Team Green’s sales strategy going forward (at least while stock woes persist). Scalpers may still find ways to manipulate the system, especially if accounts were made before the January 30 deadline. However, there is no guarantee that those who fill in a form will get a chance to purchase, and Nvidia is ‘verifying’ any applicants to hopefully weed out any dubious would-be buyers. Plus each account is still limited to one purchase only. As I’ve stated, this isn’t going to benefit all potential buyers as there are caveats involved (notably that the scheme is restricted to US buyers only), but it’s definitely a step in the right direction. You may also like… Source link #RTX #GPU #stock #woes #eased #Nvidia #launches #priority #access #scheme #genuine #buyers #leave #scalpers #cold Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

DF Direct: Crysis 4's uncertain future is a grim portend for the industry DF Direct: Crysis 4's uncertain future is a grim portend for the industry Crysis 4 is “on hold” and Crytek is facing layoffs – so what does that mean for the company that was once Germany’s biggest games dev + the industry as a whole? Source link #Direct #Crysis #4039s #uncertain #future #grim #portend #industry Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Hosts Pakistan suffer big Champions Trophy injury blow Hosts Pakistan suffer big Champions Trophy injury blow Defending champions Pakistan have suffered a big blow with opening batter Fakhar Zaman was ruled out of the Champions Trophy due to an oblique injury. Fakhar was injured in the first over of the opening game in Karachi on Wednesday when he ran after the ball and fell awkwardly in the outfield. He batted in visible discomfort for 24 runs off 41 ****** until he was clean-bowled by New Zealand off-spinner Michael Bracewell. Pakistan lost by 60 runs. Fakhar was ruled out of the tournament on Thursday with Imam-ul-Haq approved to come in as his replacement. It is the second major injury blow to Pakistan’s title defence in their first major tournament as host in 29 years. Saim Ayub broke his ankle during a Test in South Africa. Fakhar, Babar Azam and Faheem Ashraf were the only survivors of the Pakistan team which won the last Champions Trophy in England in 2017. He scored a match-winning 114 against India in the final. Left-handed opener Imam hasn’t played international cricket since 2023 but has nine centuries in 72 one-day internationals. Pakistan left for Dubai on Thursday to play India on Sunday. Source link #Hosts #Pakistan #suffer #big #Champions #Trophy #injury #blow Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Thief Simulator VR Steals the Show with Over 300,000 Sales on Meta Quest Thief Simulator VR Steals the Show with Over 300,000 Sales on Meta Quest 3R Games has revealed that Thief Simulator VR has performed very well, surpassing 300,000 sales on Meta Quest alone. Source link #Thief #Simulator #Steals #Show #Sales #Meta #Quest Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

James Webb Space Telescope Captures Sagittarius A Emitting Continuous Flares in Milky Way’s Core James Webb Space Telescope Captures Sagittarius A Emitting Continuous Flares in Milky Way’s Core The supermassive ****** hole at the centre of the Milky Way has been observed emitting continuous flares, as revealed by recent astronomical observations. The activity, detected using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), has been noted to occur across various timescales, with both short-lived and prolonged bursts being recorded. The findings contribute to the ongoing study of ****** holes and their interactions with surrounding matter, highlighting a level of variability that had not been fully understood before. Flares Detected Across Multiple Observations According to a study published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, the JWST’s Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam) was utilised to examine Sgr A* over multiple eight-to-ten-hour sessions, accumulating a total of two days’ worth of data over the past year. Researchers noted that flares occurred with varying intensity, with some lasting mere seconds, while others persisted for extended periods. The accretion disk surrounding the ****** hole was seen generating significant bursts up to six times per day, accompanied by smaller sub-flares. As per reports, the flares are an expected phenomenon in supermassive ****** holes, though the unpredictable nature of Sgr A*’s activity sets it apart. Potential Causes Behind Flare Activity The mechanisms responsible for the flaring remain under investigation, with researchers considering multiple possible explanations. The study suggests that shorter, faint flares could be caused by minor disruptions within the accretion disk, akin to small ripples on a river’s surface. In contrast, brighter and more extended flares are believed to result from more substantial disturbances, possibly involving magnetic reconnection events, where charged particles accelerate to near-light speeds and release intense radiation bursts. The phenomenon was compared to solar flares, explaining that while the sun’s surface experiences magnetic activity, the processes occurring near ****** holes are significantly more extreme. The NIRCam’s ability to observe two different infrared wavelengths allowed for further insights into the behaviour of these flares, with researchers noting a slight delay in the brightness of longer-wavelength emissions compared to shorter-wavelength events. Future Observations Planned A proposal has been submitted to conduct a continuous 24-hour observation of Sgr A* using the JWST to gain deeper insights into the flare activity. Researchers believe this extended observation ******* could reduce interference from background noise, allowing for a clearer analysis of potential patterns in the emissions. Source link #James #Webb #Space #Telescope #Captures #Sagittarius #Emitting #Continuous #Flares #Milky #Ways #Core Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]