Pelican Press

Trump has purged the Kennedy Center’s board, which in turn made him its chair – why does that matter? Trump has purged the Kennedy Center’s board, which in turn made him its chair – why does that matter? President Donald Trump dismissed half the appointed trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts’ board on Feb. 12, 2025. The remaining board members, most of whom he had recently appointed, then voted to make Trump the center’s chair. The board also fired Deborah Rutter, who had served as the center’s president since 2014 and already planned to step down seven months later. The board replaced Rutter with Richard Grenell, who served in the first Trump administration. The Conversation U.S. asked E. Andrew Taylor, an arts management scholar, to explain how the Kennedy Center operates and sum up the significance of Trump’s unprecedented interference with its operations. Why is the government involved in the Kennedy Center? The Kennedy Center, a unique cultural enterprise located along the Potomac River in Washington, has a complex ownership and operating structure. The campus includes three large performance halls, two midsize theaters and many smaller venues and public spaces that host musical, theatrical and dance performances, lectures, exhibits and other special events. In form and function, it looks a lot like other major metropolitan performing arts centers, such as New York City’s Lincoln Center. But its structure is different. The Kennedy Center is part of the federal government. Officially, it’s a bureau under the Smithsonian Institution. It was originally conceived during the Eisenhower administration and later championed by President John F. Kennedy. It was named after JFK following his assassination. The center opened in 1971, with a world premiere of composer Leonard Bernstein’s “Mass.” President Richard M. Nixon did not attend after the FBI warned him of possible anti-war messages encoded in the Latin text that might be designed to embarrass him. The center’s current mission statement captures its purpose and goals: “As the nation’s cultural center, and a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy, we are a leader for the arts across America and around the world, reaching and connecting with artists, inspiring and educating communities. We welcome all to create, experience, learn about, and engage with the arts.” Why does the Kennedy Center have a nonprofit board? From the start, the Kennedy Center was planned as a public-private effort. Government funding covers the maintenance, upkeep, security and restoration of the building and grounds. Private funds, largely derived from ticket sales, individual donors, foundations and corporations, cover the performances, productions and other programs. Those private funds cover more than three-quarters of the Kennedy Center’s budget. Its 2023 annual report explained that its US$286 million in revenue included $152 million from ticket sales, services and fees, $85 million from donations and $45 million from the federal government, with the rest derived from income from its endowment and other sources. In accordance with this public-private mix of revenue, the center’s governance has always been a hybrid, with the structure of a nonprofit board but with political appointees. The Kennedy Center’s board is authorized by its legislation to solicit and accept private donations, enter into contracts, maintain its halls and grounds, and appoint and oversee professional leadership. For the most part, it has the same responsibilities as any nonprofit board. There’s a big exception, however. While most nonprofit boards recruit, elect and develop their own membership, the Kennedy Center board consists of government appointees. About two dozen trustees serve by virtue of their government office, such as the librarian of Congress, the secretary of state, the mayor of Washington and the speaker and the ********* leader of the U.S. House of Representatives. Up to 36 more are appointed by the president, each serving staggered six-year terms so that they don’t all expire at the same time. Is the board supposed to be nonpartisan? The six-year terms reflect a goal of establishing a largely nonpartisan governing board, since presidents usually appoint board members aligned with their own party. Until now, that balance has been the norm. But that outcome wasn’t mandated when Congress passed legislation establishing the Kennedy Center. Having a politically balanced board has historically helped the Kennedy Center raise money and attract world-class artists. For example, the 2025 season, as of mid-February, will or has included Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, jazz pianist Kenny Barron, soprano Renée Fleming, author David Sedaris, comedian Sarah Silverman and touring productions of “Parade” and “Les Misérables.” Its in-house productions are often classic works, such as “La Bohème” and Beethoven’s symphonies. Many of the center’s theatrical productions have gone on to Broadway and national tours, including “42nd Street,” “Noises Off” and revivals of “The King and I,” “Annie” and “Spamalot.” I’m concerned that many longtime or potential future donors may not want to contribute to a cause that has suddenly become subject to partisan leadership. Many artists and creative partners have already begun to sever their ties to the Kennedy Center or cancel upcoming shows at its venues out of an aversion to the board’s dramatic political turn. Some performances and tours tied to the center have been called off for other reasons that haven’t yet been made public. Members of the public may balk at attending events at a politically charged venue, especially with so many other performing arts options in and around Washington, reducing ticket sales. What does the Kennedy Center chair do? Board chairs are in charge of the governing board, expending considerable energy, attention, effort, political muscle and often personal wealth to ensure that the organization can thrive. The Kennedy Center’s prior chairs have not been figureheads. Rather, they have been actively engaged in fundraising, strategic planning and public advocacy. The legislation that chartered the center requires that its chair and secretary “shall be well qualified by experience and training to perform the duties of their respective offices.” Trump has admitted that he’s never seen a show at the Kennedy Center. He has no prior relevant arts board leadership experience. And he is constrained from serving on a nonprofit board in the state of New York after admitting to the misuse of charitable funds by the now-dissolved Donald J. Trump Foundation. David Rubenstein, the board chair ousted by this upheaval, has given the Kennedy Center at least US$111 million, making him the center’s biggest donor ever. The philanthropist spearheaded fundraising for its first major expansion, securing significant support from private corporations and foundations. Former Kennedy Center Chair David Rubenstein speaks at an event at the performing arts venue in 2022. AP Photo/Kevin WolfHas anything like this happened before? No U.S. president has served as a member of the Kennedy Center board before, let alone its chair. Presidents do often appoint their friends and allies to government boards and commissions, and often remove appointees of previous administrations. President Joe Biden, for example, removed Sean Spicer – a former Trump press secretary and White House communications director – from the Naval Academy advisory board. But that board is leading a strictly governmental body, not a public-private hybrid so dependent on private funding. And the speed and scale of this purge are unprecedented. What are the potential consequences? All big, multi-venue metropolitan performing arts centers are extraordinarily complex and difficult to manage. The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is particularly so. It hosts approximately 2,200 performances that draw more than 2 million visitors each year, with an in-house symphony and opera company. It produces the Kennedy Center Honors, which celebrate exceptional American artists with an annual gala, performance and television broadcast, and the Mark Twain Prize, which honors one accomplished American comedic actor, author or performer each year. It’s also a national hub for arts education that serves 2.1 million students and teachers across all 50 states, doubling as an open campus: It offers daily free performances of everything from classical chamber music and ballet to jazz and rock bands. Even under the best possible conditions, this is a lot to handle. Successful arts nonprofits benefit from a governing board whose members have expertise in the arts, business and philanthropy, are loyal to the mission above themselves, and rigorously follow the law. Beyond those basics, ideal conditions also include having enthusiastic audiences, passionate donors, eager and exceptional artistic collaborators, and creative and administrative teams that are supported and empowered to do their difficult work. With Trump’s takeover of the Kennedy Center board, this national cultural center has now, essentially, turned into a branch of the White House. In my view, that’s a disturbing turn of events in a nation that celebrates free and creative expression. It’s also disruptive to a complex, mission-driven enterprise that demands care, loyalty and obedience from its governing board. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: E. Andrew Taylor, American University Read more: E. Andrew Taylor directs American University’s Arts Management Program. Some of its alumni and students have worked as staff and fellows for The Kennedy Center. Source link #Trump #purged #Kennedy #Centers #board #turn #chair #matter Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Europe must 'step up' on Ukraine, says Starmer – BBC.com Europe must 'step up' on Ukraine, says Starmer – BBC.com Europe must ‘step up’ on Ukraine, says Starmer BBC.comKeir Starmer Offers to Send U.K. Troops to Ukraine as Part of Peace Deal The New York TimesUK politics live: Starmer warns *** faces ‘generational’ threat to security as PM to meet Trump in Washington The IndependentUK offers Ukraine peacekeeping troops as European resolve hardens ReutersUK ‘ready’ to put troops in Ukraine to support Russia peace deal, PM says ABC News Source link #Europe #039step #up039 #Ukraine #Starmer #BBC.com Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Liquid Swords The Next Studio To Hold Layoffs Liquid Swords The Next Studio To Hold Layoffs Liquid Swords, the video game studio founded by Avalanche Studios founder Christofer Sunberg, has announced its plans to hold layoffs at the company. The announcement was made via a post on the studio’s website. According to the announcement, the decision was made after an “evaluation of Liquid Swords’ financial situation and the present challenges of the video game industry.” It was added that the moves are being done to “ensure the studio’s long-term sustainability”. RELATED: EXCLUSIVE: 10:10 Games Employees Offered No Severance, Layoffs Happened While On Holiday, And More “I promised our employees and shareholders success and to build a studio redefining game development with a small, expert-driven team and a sustainable work model,” Sunberg said. “While we achieved much of this, shifting market conditions prevented us from succeeding within our timeframe. As a result, we must part ways with talented individuals who have been instrumental in our journey. This is incredibly difficult, but we remain committed to our vision and will continue to work on our IP and first game with a dedicated team.” There was no mention of the number of people being let go nor how many people remain with the company. Insider Gaming has reached out to Liquid Swords for clarification after this round of layoffs. Sundberg added that the studio “remains focused” on its vision of “simplifying the game development process to create exceptional gaming experiences for players.” Liquid Swords is currently working on its first game, which is described as “a narrative-driven, open-world, hardboiled AAA revenge story” that is developed in Unreal Engine 5. No other details on the game are known. In 2025, there have been nearly 1,000 estimated jobs lost due to layoffs a cross 30 companies. For more Insider Gaming, read our full preview of Chernobylite 2. And don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter SUBSCRIBE to our newsletter to receive the latest news and exclusive leaks every week! No Spam. Source link #Liquid #Swords #Studio #Hold #Layoffs Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Secretlab’s Titan Evo gaming chair discounted for Presidents’ Day Secretlab’s Titan Evo gaming chair discounted for Presidents’ Day Today’s deal features one of the most iconic gaming chair brands, Secretlab, which happens to be running Presidents’ Day deals to coincide with the national holiday. So if you’re considering upgrading or replacing your PC chair with one of the best gaming chairs, this deal might be a great option for saving some money. You can buy directly from Secretlab, where their Titan Evo Stealth Gaming Chair is reduced to $519 from the original $549 list price. The Presidents’ Day deals also cover other chairs and desks in the Secretlab lineup, so have a little browse if you feel our highlighted deal isn’t the right color scheme for you. Also, if you subscribe to Secretlab’s mailing list, you can receive a $20 discount on Secretlab accessories on your first purchase. Secretlab’s Titan Evo series of chairs have been out since 2022 and we had the opportunity to review the Secretlab Titan Evo then. We noted then that the Titan Evo was a luxurious spacious seat with highly adjustable lumbar support and armrests, with comfortable armrests and neck pillows included. Secretlab’s Titan Evo gaming chair is designed and built for gamers and PC users who spend a long time sitting at their computer. A sculpted pebble seat base padded with cold-cure foam offers comfort for your *****, and Secretlab’s L-ADAPT lumbar support system helps support your lower back and spine. Other features of the chair include 4D Armrests with magnetic hot-swappable armrest toppers for either heat relief or pillowy support. A magnetic memory foam head pillow that you can simply snap on and adjust for individual comfort. Plus, a reinforced aluminum wheelbase with extra-large polyurethane casters that should hopefully be quieter and cause less wear on your flooring. Secretlab’s Titan Evo chairs also come with a 5-year extended warranty, which offers some peace of mind for an expensive purchase such as this. Source link #Secretlabs #Titan #Evo #gaming #chair #discounted #Presidents #Day Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Six Nations: Scotland call up Price, Redpath & McCann Six Nations: Scotland call up Price, Redpath & McCann Forwards: Ewan Ashman, Jamie Bhatti, Gregor Brown, Dave Cherry, Luke Crosbie, Rory Darge, Jack Dempsey, Matt Fagerson, Zander Fagerson, Euan Ferrie, Grant Gilchrist, Jonny Gray, Patrick Harrison, Cameron Henderson, Will Hurd, Ewan Johnson, Jack Mann, D’Arcy Rae, Jamie Ritchie, Pierre Schoeman, Sam Skinner, Rory Sutherland, Marshall Sykes. Backs: Fergus Burke, Jamie Dobie, Darcy Graham, George Horne, Rory Hutchinson, Huw Jones, Tom Jordan, Blair Kinghorn, Ross McCann, Stafford McDowall, Ali Price, Cameron Redpath, Arron Reed, Finn Russell, Kyle Rowe, Ollie Smith, Duhan van der Merwe, Ben White. Source link #Nations #Scotland #call #Price #Redpath #McCann Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Unlikely Alliance: How a President and a Freedom Fighter Came Together to Save America’s Soul Unlikely Alliance: How a President and a Freedom Fighter Came Together to Save America’s Soul WASHINGTON – Brian Kilmeade is best known as a co-host on “Fox and Friends.” He also hosts a radio show and is a prolific writer and history buff. Those two loves come together in his book about the story of two American greats from the Civil War era – Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. “I thought, what about how they interacted together and how they made the country better? And the incredible obstacles they had to overcome to do what they did?” Kilmeade explained. That idea resulted in The President & the Freedom Fighter: Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglass, and Their Battle to Save America’s Soul. Kilmeade tells the little-known story of how these two American heroes moved from fierce disagreement to friendship and along the way changed the course of history. Both men had to overcome huge adversity, especially Douglass who was born a slave. “Born a slave and literally sold and then after one failed escape [Douglass] finally gets out and was able to live his life and remarkably within seven years is writing a biography and becomes one of the most respected intellects and speakers in the world.” Lincoln was born into abject poverty. His parents were illiterate. “And then you have Lincoln who was basically a self-taught guy,” explained Kilmeade. “They had a lot of similarities. They had a thirst for education. They were going to find a way out, somehow, some way. They were going to barter, do work for a book, just a chance to read and learn about a story. They were buried in the ****** and great thinkers their entire lives.” Despite their similarities though, there were also deep differences, most notably, how to approach the most pressing issue of the day – slavery. Kilmeade writes about how Lincoln wanted to abolish slavery but thought doing it too quickly would devastate the country. “There’s no doubt about it, Lincoln evolved. He was not really exposed that much to slavery. Only one percent of slaves were in the North, the rest were in the South.” After the United States won its independence, the South built an economy dependent on slavery. Southerners felt an attack on that would destroy their economy and way of life. The North saw slavery as morally wrong and wanted freedom, although not necessarily equality. “The minute Lincoln gets elected and seven states leave before he gets to the White House, Frederick Douglass is like, ‘Okay, Emancipation Proclamation, free the slaves, let us fight.'” But President Lincoln wasn’t ready to move that fast. He knew the North wasn’t ready and risked losing half of his army by rushing the process. “Frederick Douglass had a newspaper that he started – ‘You let me down. You’re going halfway, this is not what you promised’ and in [Lincoln’s] inaugural, in an effort to get us reunified, he said, ‘Keep your slaves, we’ll work it out. Just come back.’ And [the South) said no. And Frederick Douglass celebrated that. Lincoln knew we were in for war. They thought it would be 90 days and it was four years and it cost between 600-700,000 lives which is just unthinkable.” Through time, the men came to respect one another and even form a friendship. “It was timing and people would be pushing [Lincoln] to do it. He’s like, ‘I’m not ready,” said Kilmeade. “Then he realized, ‘We need a big win. After that big win, I’m not only going to come out with the Emancipation Proclamation, I’m going to allow African Americans to fight for their freedom.'” Kilmeade writes about the first meeting Lincoln and Douglass were able to have. “Douglass realized this guy that was frustrating him for the longest time, that he saw so much promise in, was the honest great man he always thought he was. He saw authenticity, kindness, and greatness.” So is there a lesson in this story for Americans today? “They wanted to make America better,” he answered. “So they studied the Founding Fathers, they studied where we came from, and they said, Okay, my country is imperfect so let’s make it better, right? Let’s not disparage it. Let’s do it in a way, you know, call it out but make it better.” It’s the grand democratic experiment, and together, Lincoln and Douglass did make it better. Not only that, together their grit and determination helped the United States begin to live up to its ideals. Source link #Alliance #President #Freedom #Fighter #Save #Americas #Soul Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

The best Presidents’ Day deals on Apple, Samsung, Dyson, Peacock and more The best Presidents’ Day deals on Apple, Samsung, Dyson, Peacock and more Apparently President’s Day was created to honor George Washington’s birthday. But now on a Monday in February we celebrate every US president by shopping for deals. Nixon, Taft, Coolidge, Polk, Johnson, Hoover and all those other guys — they’d be quite proud of us. In our searches we found quite a few deals on the tech we recommend, including $100 off Apple’s new iPad mini and a streaming deal for a year of Peacock for $30. Our top pick for the best Bluetooth tracker, the Chipolo One, is on ***** and Engadget readers can get an additional 10 percent off (with the code ENGADGET10), plus ThermoWorks’ flagship instant-read thermometer is down to a near record-low price. Here are the best President’s Day tech deals from this week that you can shop right now. Spotlight President’s Day deal Apple Apple’s smallest tablet was updated in October and got a new A17 Pro chip, which Engadget’s Nathan Ingraham found to be plenty fast for anything you’d want to do with the mini — casual browsing, couch binging, game playing and email checking. He gave it an overall score of 83 in our official review and particularly enjoyed it as a Balatro machine. It’s also our favorite (partly because it’s the only) small iPad on our list of the best iPads. $499 at Amazon The best President’s Day tech deals Apple 2024 MacBook Pro M4 for $1,400 at Amazon ($199 off with coupon): Apple’s latest Pro-model laptop is down to $1,400 at Amazon with a discount and an on-page coupon. The 14-inch MacBook Pro has 16GB of memory and 512GB SSD storage and both the Space ****** and Silver colorways are on *****. Engadget’s Devindra Hardawar gave the computer a 92 in his review and it’s currently Engadget’s pick for the best MacBook for creatives. It has a fast M4 chip, long battery life, bright display and Sharp 12MP Center Stage webcam. Apple Studio Display with tilt-adjustable stand for $1,300 at Amazon ($300 off): We appreciated the excellent build quality of Apple’s pricey display in our official review, but noted that it’s probably only for Apple diehards. Both the standard glass model and the nano-textured glass option are on *****. The Studio Display made our list of the best monitors and has built-in speakers, a 12MP camera, three USB-C ports and a screen with 5K resolution — but a max refresh rate of 60Hz and single-zone backlighting. Apple Pencil (USB-C) for $69 at Walmart ($10 off): Apple sells too many versions of the Apple Pencil. So we made a guide. The USB-C model works with all current-generation iPads, including the M2 iPad Air, the M4 iPad Pro, the new iPad mini and the 10th generation iPad. It’ll also work with a few older tablets too. Just note that this one attahced magnetically but doesn’t recharge that way, like the other Apple Pencils. And it doesn’t have pressure sensitivity. Also at Amazon and Target. Peacock Peacock Premium (one-year) at Peacock for $30 ($50 off): Here’s one from our new streaming deals guide: A year of Peacock’s streaming service is $30 if you use the code WINTERSAVINGS at checkout. The code is valid through February 18 and saves you 60 percent off the usual $80 annual fee. Though it’s called “Premium” it’s actually the ad-supported tier (Premium Plus is the ad-free plan but it’s not discounted and goes for $140 yearly). Peacock is one of our picks for the best streaming services and has some great original content, including Poker Face, a Twisted Metal adaptation and Mrs. Davis. ThermoWorks Thermapen One for $79 ($30 off): This Engadget exclusive deal brings one of our favorite grilling gadgets down to a near record-low price. It displays temperatures super quickly on its easy-to-read display, and the latest model has a brighter display and improved accuracy when compared to the previous version of the thermometer. It also has an IP67 rating, so it’ll stay protected against accidental spills. Chipolo One (4-pack) for $67.50 ($32 off): Use the code ENGADGET10 at checkout to get an additional 10 percent off all Chipolo devices right now. That brings a four-pack of our favorite Bluetooth trackers down to $67.50, or roughly $17 per tracker. Chipolo devices work with Android and iOS, and in our testing, we found them to have the loudest ring and the speediest left-behind alerts, so it’s unlikely you’ll get too far before being alerted that you left some belongings behind. KitchenAid Artisan Series 5 quart tilt head stand mixer for $350 at Amazon ($100 off): One of our top picks for kitchen tech is, unsurprisingly, KitchenAid’s famed stand mixer. It’s not only powerful, the seemingly endless array of available attachments make it a true kitchen multitasker. KitchenAid is hosting a larger ***** for President’s Day on its own website, and many of the brand’s countertop appliances are currently up to $100 off. Dyson V12 vaccuum for $499 at Dyson ($150 off): Now through President’s Day, the Dyson V12 Detect Slim stick vacuum is $150 off. This is the lighter sibling to the V15 model we picked as the best cordless vac in our guide. This one includes the Fluffy Optic cleaner head that won us over in our testing. It’s a hard-floor brush head with a laser “blade” that clearly shows you the tiniest bits of dust so you can be sure to ***** them up. The Gen5 Outsize Absolute is also on ***** for $150 off. It’s down to $899. That model is the largest cordless vac and has up to 140 minutes of run time. iRobot Roomba Combo 10 Max for $789 at Wellbots ($610 off with code): Wellbots has a few iRobot vacuums on ***** for President’s Day, including the new Roomba Combo 10 Max and its Autowash Dock, which can empty and cleans the vac. Right now it’s on ***** for $789 if you use the code ENGAD410 at checkout. That’ll take a full $610 off the hefty $1,399 MSRP. That’s even cheaper than the last time it was on *****. Not only does the robot itself mop and vacuum, the dock can hold 60 days worth of dust and seven days worth of dirty mop water. For a slightly cheaper combo robo vac, Wellbots is also discounting the Roomba Combo j5 for $239 instead of the full $529 with the code ENGAD210. Photo by Billy Steele/Engadget Samsung LS60D Music Frame for $150 at Woot ($250 off): You might be familiar with Samsung’s Frame TV — the sets that mimic works of art when you’re not watching television. The Music Frame furthers that home-theater-as-decor aesthetic by hiding Dolby Atmos audio equipment behind what looks like a regular picture frame. This one doesn’t have a screen, instead you’ll insert your own photo or art behind the glass. Inside are two woofers, two tweeters and two mid-range drivers. The speaker array is capable of Dolby Atmos audio and it leverages Samsung’s SpaceFit tech to calibrate the sound to the room. We checked it out at CES 2024 and were impressed with how robust the music sounded. Fitbit Charge 6 Fitness Tracker for $116 at Amazon ($44 off): Our current top pick for a fitness tracker is back on *****. It went as low as $100 for ****** Friday, but this is the lowest price we’ve seen this year. Our favorite fitness tracker is the successor to our previous top pick, the Charge 5. This new generation has a more accurate heart rate monitor and the ability to pair with exercise machines via Bluetooth. Plus there’s now a physical side button for navigation in addition to the touchscreen. Ring Battery Video Doorbell for $60 at Amazon ($40 off): Another Amazon security device company, Ring, is also having a ***** right now. The discount matches the record-low price for the Ring Video Doorbell. This battery-powered model doesn’t need to be wired into your home, so you can put it near any door. The removable battery is rechargeable via USB-C and will likely need a refill every couple months. You’ll need a Ring subscription to access all the features, like person and package alerts and extended event history. Apple Apple Music (6 months) for $3 at Apple ($60 off): Normally an Apple Music subscription is $11 per month after a 30-day free trial. And when you buy a new Apple device, you usually get a three-month trial. But if you somehow haven’t yet signed up for the service, this promotion applies to you. The deal will run through February 27 and is open only to people who are entirely new Apple Music — current and previous customers are not eligible, nor are those who qualify for the free trial that comes with a new device. You’ll need to redeem the offer through an iPhone, iPad or Mac. Apple Music made our guide to the best music streaming services for its lossless streaming quality, ease of use with Apple devices and emphasis on using DJ curation over AI and algorithm playlists. Note that the subscription will automatically renew unless you cancel. NordPass Premium (27 months) for $35 at Nord ($46 off): One of our favorite password managers for cross-platform availability is having a *****. NordPass Premium is currently available for $35 for 27 months. At full price, two years would cost you $81, and this deal throws in three months for free. NordPass also offers a free tier, but the Premium plan keeps you logged in when you switch devices while also helping you analyze your passwords to improve their strength. EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra for $5,299 at EcoFlow ($797 off): The whole-home backup battery and inverter from EcoFlow is on ***** for a Valentine’s Day/President’s Day ***** at the manufacturer’s site. Mill food recycler for $874 at Mill ($125 off): A President’s Day ***** from Mill, the kitchen food recycling company, will run until Monday, February 17 and will give you $125 off a new food recycling bin. If you’ve explored the different options for composting food and have decided to give a machine a try, Mill could be a good one to check out. The machine dries and grinds food scraps, reducing odors and bulk while creating grounds that you can add to your garden. Expired Presidents’ Day tech deals Apple AirPods Pro 2 for $169 ($90 off): Everyone’s favorite buds (seriously, people buy a lot of these things) fell to a record low of $154 for ****** Friday, but this is the best price we’ve seen this year. They’re a little older at this point, debuting in 2022, but they’re still our favorite wireless earbuds for iPhone. Engadget’s Billy Steele gave them a score of 88 in his review when the buds first came out, citing the fantastic sound and amazing transparency mode. Apple AirPods 4 for $100 at Amazon ($29 off): Apple’s newest wireless earbuds came out in September and last week, they hit their lowest price yet. That price is still going strong, so you can still pick them up at a discount. Engadget’s Billy Steele gave them a review score of 88, saying they sounded clearer and more balanced than most open-back earbuds. Plus you get all the Apple-perks like fast pairing and device switching with other Apple gadgets, hands-free Siri and Find My tracking. Also at Target and Best Buy. There’s also a noise-canceling version on ***** for $149. Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (16 GB) for $135 at Amazon ($25 off): Our choice for best premium ereader. is the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition that goes for $200 and isn’t discounted. The standard Paperwhite, on ***** here, is basically the same machine, minus a few (inessential) perks like auto-adjusting front lights, extra storage and wireless charging. This is the lowest price we’ve tracked this year (it went about $5 lower for ****** Friday) on a very lovely e-reader with remarkably fast page turns, a super crisp display and a great battery life. Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition (32 GB) for $230 at Amazon ($50 off): Engadget’s Valentina Palladino found a lot to like about the Kindle Colorsoft in her review including quick page turns, the fairly accurate (if a bit cold) color technology and the pinch to zoom feature, which was especially nice for reading comics. If you’re just looking to read ****** and white text, you can save yourself a bit of money and go with the Paperwhite — text on the Colorsoft is not as crisp. 8BitDo Pro 2 controller for $39 at Amazon ($12 off): The ****** version of one of our picks for the best Switch controllers is down to a record-low price. The programmable controller is compatible with the Switch, Apple devices, Android devices, Windows PC, Steam Deck and Raspberry Pi. Blink Mini 2 (2-pack) for $38 at Amazon ($32 off): The Blink Mini 2 security camera sell for $40 each at full price, so this deal gets you two for less than the MSRP for one. The small security cameras have two way talk and listen, capture live video in 1080p and have infrared sensors for ****** and white images at night. You’ll need a Blink Subscription Plan if you want to save clips to the cloud, but if you also buy a Sync Module 2, you can save clips from your Blink Mini cameras to a flash drive. Blink Video Doorbell and Sync Module 2 for $35 ($35 off): Here’s a bundle that combines the Video Doorbell with a Sync Module 2, the device that allows you to store footage from your Blink cameras and doorbells locally. The doorbell offers 1080p daytime footage and infrared night video plus two-way audio. You can use it wired or on batteries that should last two years before needing to be replaced. The Blink subscription plan is required if you want person detection and the ability to store clips in the cloud. Samsung Evo Select (1TB) microSD card for $70 at Amazon ($10 off): The Evo Select is the budget pick in our guide to the best microSD cards: It’s not the fastest model we tested, but it’ll serve as a way to add storage for your Nintendo Switch or Android tablet. This deal matches the all-time low for the extra-spacious 1TB model. Also at Samsung and B&H. iRobot Roomba Vac Essential (Q0120) for $119 at Amazon ($130 off): The top pick in our guide to the best budget robot vacuums has hit a new low price. It can’t map paths in your home, instead it randomly traverses a room until it’s covered the area. But it has good suction and cleans well, plus it’s easy to set up and control through Roomba’s mobile app. Also at Best Buy and Target. LG B4 OLED TV (48″) for $600 at Best Buy ($200 off): This ties the lowest price we’ve seen for the 48-inch LG B4, which is the entry-level model in LG’s 2024 OLED lineup. While it’s not as bright or color-rich as some higher-end alternatives, it still offers the essential perks of any good OLED TV: superb contrast with deep ****** tones, clear motion, wide viewing angles and the like. It’s also a nice value for gaming, as it has four HDMI 2.1 ports that support refresh rates up to 120Hz. It’s just better off in a darker room, and this particular model is relatively small. Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice. Source link #Presidents #Day #deals #Apple #Samsung #Dyson #Peacock Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

******** AI model DeepSeek is being integrated into smart TVs — Skyworth G7F Pro understands local dialects and generates multimedia content ******** AI model DeepSeek is being integrated into smart TVs — Skyworth G7F Pro understands local dialects and generates multimedia content ******** appliance manufacturer Skyworth (machine translated) announced it’s releasing a new smart TV equipped with DeepSeek. The ********-developed LLM DeepSeek made waves when it was introduced because of its relatively low cost of training. It has reached the point that AI chip maker Nvidia lost over half a trillion dollars in market value because people thought companies would no longer buy its overpowered chips to train the next generation of AI. These advancements have led many companies to incorporate DeepSeek into their products; this includes Microsoft, which said that its Snapdragon X Copilot+ PCs will soon get local DeepSeek R-1 support. Likewise, Skyworth is integrating DeepSeek into its next generation of smart TVs. Skyworth said that its Kukai AI OS will get access to the DeepSeek R-1 Inference open-source model, which will allow it to support dialect recognition and fuzzy semantic understanding. This means users can talk to their TVs in their local dialects, which is quite important in China, given that it has around seven to ten main language groups, each with several dialects. The TV’s fuzzy semantic understanding will also help the TV recognize context and consider vagueness and ambiguity when processing language data. In addition, the Skyworth G7F Pro’s AI is designed for various scenarios. The company said it can generate ambient music and support interactive painting for entertainment, serve as an “AI oral spanning partner,” create picture books for education, and create travel plans for the entire family, including itinerary bookings and schedule reminders. It’s unclear if the TV needs to be connected to the internet for its AI model to access these functions. However, given that DeepSeek is relatively lightweight, it’s not impossible for a smart TV to run it locally if it has a chip with an embedded NPU with enough power to handle it. But even if the AI functions are handled off the device and on a server, it wouldn’t be taxing for the company as you could run DeepSeek relatively affordably, as a UCLA-Berkley research team has proven. Get Tom’s Hardware’s best news and in-depth reviews, straight to your inbox. Source link #******** #model #DeepSeek #integrated #smart #TVs #Skyworth #G7F #Pro #understands #local #dialects #generates #multimedia #content Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Rhys Bellinge: Obstetrician allegedly speeding at 130km/h when he crashed and killed 24yo Rhys Bellinge: Obstetrician allegedly speeding at 130km/h when he crashed and killed 24yo The prosecutor said the ‘excessive speed’ caused Dr Bellinge’s Jaguar to hit a curb and lose control, causing the car to travel onto the wrong side of the road and ****** into a rideshare vehicle. Source link #Rhys #Bellinge #Obstetrician #allegedly #speeding #130kmh #crashed #killed #24yo Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Ivory Coast rains revive cocoa farmers’ hopes for healthy mid-crop Ivory Coast rains revive cocoa farmers’ hopes for healthy mid-crop Cocoa pods are pictured at a farm in Sinfra, Ivory Coast April 29, 2023. Luc Gnago | Reuters Strong rains across Ivory Coast’s central regions are expected to strengthen cocoa trees and improve growing conditions for the April-to-September mid-crop, farmers said on Monday. Ivory Coast, the world’s top producer of the main ingredient in chocolate, is in the dry season that runs from mid-November to March when rains are scarce. Farmers had been worried that the hot weather would delay the start of the mid-crop season and tighten bean supply before the country’s central regions received above-average rains last week. Farmers said they were now happy because the moisture was expected to help young pods to survive. They added that another rain was needed before the end of the month to improve the yield of cocoa trees. “Trees will do better. Many cocoa trees had become weak due to lack of water,” said Etienne Brou, who farms near the central region of Yamoussoukro, where 18.2 millimetres (mm) of rain felllast week, 11.3 mm above the five-year average. Similar comments were made in the central region of Bongouanou, where rainfall was above average, and in the west-central region of Daloa, where rains were below average but farmers said the moisture level was sufficient to help cocoa trees. Farmers from the western region of Soubre and the southern region of Divo, where rains were below average, and farmers from the southern region of Agboville and the eastern region of Abengourou, where rains were above average, said growing conditions remained good with plenty of cherelles turning into small pods. Farmers in those regions added that if rains became regular from March, the mid-crop would be as abundant as last season. “If we have good rains from March onwards, we’ll have enough beans for the mid-crop,” said Kouassi Kouame, who farms near Soubre, where 1.2 mm of rain fell last week, 7.2 mm below the average. The weekly average temperature across Ivory Coast last week ranged from 27.8 to 33.2 degrees Celsius. Source link #Ivory #Coast #rains #revive #cocoa #farmers #hopes #healthy #midcrop Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Protesters demonstrate outside Tesla showrooms in US – Ars Technica Protesters demonstrate outside Tesla showrooms in US – Ars Technica Protesters demonstrate outside Tesla showrooms in US Ars TechnicaThe anti-Musk protest movement is expected to ramp up with Congress on recess The Associated PressProtesters target Tesla showrooms in US over Elon Musk’s government cost-cutting The GuardianProtesters march outside Lyndhurst Tesla Cleveland 19 News‘Hurting Tesla is stopping Musk’: Protests outside Bay Area showrooms seek to dissuade buyers San Francisco Chronicle Source link #Protesters #demonstrate #Tesla #showrooms #Ars #Technica Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Manchester United: The mounting problems facing Ruben Amorim Manchester United: The mounting problems facing Ruben Amorim During the early weeks of Amorim’s reign, the former Sporting boss bemoaned the lack of time he had been to spend with his players on the training ground. However with a less packed schedule with qualification for the Europa League knockout stages assured and a Carabao Cup exit at Tottenham’s hands, Amorim has been able to spend more time on the training ground. But a “free week” before Sunday’s trip to Tottenham proved anything but productive. Between the 2-1 win against Leicester City in the FA Cup on 7 February and Sunday’s loss to Spurs, United lost six players. Diallo, Kobbie Mainoo, Manuel Ugarte and Toby Collyer were ruled out of the trip through injury, while Leny Yoro and Christian Eriksen fell ill. Their absences added to the long-term casualties of Luke Shaw, Mason Mount, Lisandro Martinez and Jonny Evans. It meant Amorim was forced to name an inexperienced bench against Spurs of with Victor Lindelof joined by Elyh Harrison, Harry Amass, Tyler Fredricson, Jack Fletcher, Jack Moorhouse, Chido Obi, Ayden Heaven and Sekou Kone. Sweden defender Lindelof was the only one of those to have previously played for the first team. Source link #Manchester #United #mounting #problems #facing #Ruben #Amorim Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Climate risk main reason premiums are rising: insurers Climate risk main reason premiums are rising: insurers Breaking up big companies is no silver bullet to keep insurance premiums affordable, the sector says. Source link #Climate #risk #main #reason #premiums #rising #insurers Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Pope Francis’ hospital treatment changed to fight ‘complex clinical’ condition, ******** says Pope Francis’ hospital treatment changed to fight ‘complex clinical’ condition, ******** says Pope Francis has a “polymicrobial infection” of his respiratory tract that will require his hospital treatment to be changed, the ******** said Monday, with tests indicating a “complex clinical picture” for one of the oldest popes in the church’s history. The test results implied a further change in treatment requiring “adequate hospitalization” for the 88-year-old pontiff – who has long been plagued by a string of lung-related medical struggles. “The results of the tests carried out in recent days and today have demonstrated a polymicrobial infection of the respiratory tract that has led to a further change in therapy,” the ******** said in a statement. “All the tests carried out to date are indicative of a complex clinical picture that will require adequate hospitalization.” Polymicrobial infections are acute and chronic diseases that can be caused by a combination of viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites, according to the US National Insititutes of Health. Earlier Monday, Francis slept well, read some newspapers and ate breakfast, according to ******** spokesperson, Matteo Bruni. The pope was checked into a hospital in Rome last week for “diagnostic tests” relating to a respiratory tract infection, the ******** added. They later confirmed he was in Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic in the Italian capital – and had canceled his meetings for the next three days, including his general audience scheduled Wednesday. He did not lead the weekly Angelus prayer on Sunday – only the second time that this has happened in his almost 12-year-long papacy. Doctors had prescribed “complete rest” for the pope, who had engaged in an intense round of meetings and public events until his hospitalization. When he was younger, the Argentinian leader endured severe pneumonia and had part of one lung removed. More recently, he suffered two falls in recent months and has been seen using a wheelchair to help alleviate his restricted mobility. Francis also has diverticulitis, a common condition that can cause the inflammation or infection of the colon. In 2021, he had surgery to remove part of his colon. CNN’s Ben Tinker contributed reporting. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Source link #Pope #Francis #hospital #treatment #changed #fight #complex #clinical #condition #******** Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Assassin’s Creed Shadows Art Director’s Response to Game’s DEI Controversy Doesn’t Exactly Instill Confidence Assassin’s Creed Shadows Art Director’s Response to Game’s DEI Controversy Doesn’t Exactly Instill Confidence Assassin’s Creed Shadows, which takes players to an open-world feudal Japan, is likely one of the most eagerly awaited video games of 2025. In addition to the game’s setting, which fans have long demanded, Shadows features a lot of other intriguing hooks that have drawn players in, especially its dual characters, Naoe and Yasuke. Assassin’s Creed Shadows will be released on March 20, 2025. | Credit: Ubisoft. With the two characters, each of whom has distinct roles to play during the conflict-filled Azuchi-Momoyama *******, players will have a great deal of leeway in how they finish the story. Despite all the anticipation and hype, the game is also heavily criticized for its alleged DEI-heavy implications. Even the reply from the art director of the game couldn’t actually defend all these allegations. Assassin’s Creed Shadows art director gave a reply to the ‘DEI-heavy’ allegations Yasuke’s inclusion in the game is the main reason for all the heat. | Credit: Ubisoft. In an interview with Eurogamer, Assassin’s Creed Shadow‘s art director Thierry Dansereau talked about the ongoing controversy regarding the potential forced DEI culture of the game. Dansereau has been a legendary figure for the Assassin’s Creed franchise as he has been with this series since Brotherhood. He was also the art director of Revelations, Syndicate, Odyssey, and even expansions for Assassin’s Creed 3 and ****** Flag. However, on any previous occasions, the game never went through such critical controversy as Shadows. Dansereau did reply to all these criticisms but wasn’t that much confident in his words: It’s good that our game has visibility. Of course, we’re making creative choices. It’s a video game in the end, so we want to make the best experience as possible for our players. Yasuke, the historical figure Ubisoft selected as one of Shadows‘ two protagonists, has been the focus of the great majority of online controversy. The game portrays Yasuke, an African man who traveled to and resided in Japan during the time ******* of Shadows, as a formidable samurai. Yasuke’s inclusion, according to fans, was a purposeful addition of “DEI” (diversity, equity, and inclusion) at the expense of historical authenticity. In contrast, Ubisoft has stated that the inclusion of Yasuke as a co-protagonist, along with Japanese shinobi Naoe, was a deliberate decision that would enable players to “discover Japan through [Yasuke]’s eyes, the eyes of a foreigner.” The response from the art director didn’t answer the question properly Will Ubisoft eventually cut off Yasuke from the game? | Credit: Ubisoft. It was a perfect time for Dansereau to cut all the crap with a strong reply, but that actually didn’t happen. Skipping the actual part for the sake of the “visibility” doesn’t do the job. Dansereau failed to convince these people by assuring them that no harm would be done to the historical accuracy despite the inclusion of Yasuke. It would have been a lot easier to make this statement as Yasuke was a real historical figure and his inclusion will give a different touch on how people will perceive the then Japanese culture in the game. The art director also talked about providing the “best experience” but didn’t go into detail about how they are going to provide that. There will be some pressure on Ubisoft to minimize Yasuke’s involvement in order to please these violent crowds and the most ardent game critics. These critics appear to be the most outspoken, and some people think that if they can just be convinced to agree, everything will work out fine. Even though Yasuke cannot be removed, trying to come to a consensus with these people will only boost their confidence and keep them singing. When Shadows launches in March, their songs will be just as loud, so Ubisoft needs to take advantage of this delay to rally support and drown out the clamor. Source link #Assassins #Creed #Shadows #Art #Directors #Response #Games #DEI #Controversy #Doesnt #Instill #Confidence Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Apple Maps could soon get one of Google Maps’ worst features – and I may have to move elsewhere Apple Maps could soon get one of Google Maps’ worst features – and I may have to move elsewhere Apple is apparently considering inserting ads into its Apple Maps app This would mirror a move taken by Google Maps and similar rivals It could result in a much worse user experience Apple Maps was a buggy mess when it first launched, but in the years since it has become a genuine rival to Google Maps, and arguably outperforms it in some areas. But there are murmurings that it could soon adopt one of Google Maps’ worst features, and it’s made me worried for its future. That’s because Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman believes Apple is considering inserting adverts into the Apple Maps app. This could mean that certain places get pushed to the top of search results within the app, an example being a local Wendy’s topping the list when you search for ‘fries,’ merely because it paid to be advertised this way. Apple Maps wouldn’t be the first Apple app to come with built-in ads. The Stocks, News and App Store apps already contain adverts, and the company is pushing further into the commercials business with its expanding sports coverage. It’s also not the first time that Apple has looked at inserting ads into Apple Maps. Gurman reported back in 2022 that the firm was looking at ways to integrate advertising into its navigation app, although little came of this. Now, it looks like Apple is returning to the idea in a more serious way. Degrading your search results (Image credit: Shutterstock) A move like this sticks in the craw for a number of reasons. As an Apple user, I’m already paying a premium for hardware, so being served ads on top of that feels like I’m being nickel-and-dimed. As well as that, Apple is one of the most valuable and profitable companies in the world – does it really need to be degrading the user experience in order to squeeze even more money into its coffers? I take some small comfort knowing that Apple is far more committed to user privacy than Google is. Apple takes certain steps to protect the information of people using the Maps app, such as assigning you a random identifier that only lasts for the duration of your session, making it impossible for Apple or a hacker to get a complete picture of any one person’s journeys. That makes me feel Apple would at least handle user privacy more stringently if it were to bring ads to Apple Maps. But it doesn’t overcome my main problem with seeing ads in a mapping app. Apps like this aren’t just used for route planning – they’re used to find attractions and restaurants in your nearby area. You might want to find the best eatery near you, but if certain locations are being promoted to the top of the pile because they paid for the privilege, you could be pushed towards an inferior location and miss somewhere better that didn’t slip Apple a few shiny greenbacks. In other words, the playing field is being skewed away from the genuinely best results and towards those with the deepest pockets. Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. If I use an app like Apple Maps to find local attractions, I don’t want my screen to be crowded with questionable options when something better might end up being pushed out of sight. And while I’m assuming that Apple will respect user privacy based on its past behavior, that’s not a guarantee that the company will be quite so scrupulous when serious money is on the line. I guess the good news is that I’ve become so accustomed to ignoring ads that I’ve already conditioned myself to scroll right past them in search results. But if Apple handles this move poorly, I might have to start looking for an alternative app. You might also like Source link #Apple #Maps #Google #Maps #worst #features #move Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Pope will remain hospitalized as doctors treat a complex respiratory tract infection, the ******** says – The Associated Press Pope will remain hospitalized as doctors treat a complex respiratory tract infection, the ******** says – The Associated Press Pope will remain hospitalized as doctors treat a complex respiratory tract infection, the ******** says The Associated PressPope Francis health condition: ******** say Pope dey face tough health situation BBC.comDoctors change pope’s treatment to tackle ‘complex’ situation, ******** says ReutersPope Francis Will Remain in Hospital for ‘Complex’ Clinical Issue The New York TimesHospitalized with respiratory infection, pope improving, ******** says USCCB Source link #Pope #remain #hospitalized #doctors #treat #complex #respiratory #tract #infection #******** #Press Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Annabell Fuller: England golfer’s Saudi finish fuelling new ambitions for 2025 Annabell Fuller: England golfer’s Saudi finish fuelling new ambitions for 2025 “I was probably just as happy with that as I would have been if I’d won the tournament,” Fuller said. “I so badly wanted to go to Saudi because it is one of our biggest events.” The Roehampton golfer, who turned pro a year ago after attending the University of Florida, returned to Saudi Arabia a different player from the rookie of 12 months ago. “I saw that if you made the cut in Saudi you would get $10,000, which is basically what I got for coming sixth in Morocco,” Fuller said. “So my little goal was to make the cut and that would be a stepping stone forwards again. And then, obviously, I did a little bit better than that.” Fuller opened with rounds of 66 and 68 and in the final round battled back from early dropped shots to card a 71 that left her 11 under par, five shots behind the winner and in third place on her own. She collected more than £205,000 which she agreed amounts to a life-changing sum. “That’s one way of putting it,” Fuller said. “I still haven’t comprehended what happened, but I changed a couple of my flights to upgrade a little bit. The whole outlook of this year has changed now. I’ve got different goals in mind than I had a week ago. “Now I’ve got the same amount of points after two events than I got in 22 events last year.” Twelve months ago Fuller told BBC Sport she would give her professional career an initial three years and see how much of her father’s money she would end up spending. “In one week, effectively I’ve built up my next three years without needing my dad,” Fuller smiled. “I was on the flight back that I had booked and I saw Charley Hull sitting up front in business. “And it was a weird, surreal feeling that that’s going to be my life now too. It was cool, I kind of got giggles about it.” Surviving on the Ladies European Tour is far from easy. Three-time LET winner Meghan MacLaren illustrated the point on a recent post on X, where she detailed her January outgoings. They included tour membership fees of nearly £700, almost £2,000 in flights, management fees of £2,688 as well as indoor practice fees, an *********** visa costing £214 and gym and physio costs. In all, the 30-year-old forked out £6,551.85 for the month. Another English pro, Eddie Pepperell estimates he pays £5,000 a tournament in costs, sitting at the back of planes to and from events. And unless a player has generous sponsors, the only way of recouping such outlays is by performing on the golf course. Only those at the very top of the leading tours are spared what can be a hard, uncertain life. This is a useful context in which to view Fuller’s achievement because it was self generated. “It’s a tiny, tiny mindset change, but knowing I had earned my spot into Saudi instead of getting an invite was, I think, a really big difference,” Fuller said. “My coach texted me and said ‘go show them that you are meant to be there’. Now I believe in myself a little bit more.” Fuller took inspiration from the performance of her friend and fellow Englishwoman Cara Gainer, who won the Moroccan tournament earlier this month. “I looked up to her and how she organises herself and she is very driven,” Fuller said. “Seeing her win, I knew I wasn’t far off that week.” Fuller says she reaped the benefits of returning to Florida for practice after Christmas and her new caddie Herman has helped her mindset on the golf course. “We get on really, really well,” she said. “We’ve been getting to know each other and chatting loads and I know it sounds silly but I was in a good mood and felt happy.” Fuller’s main goal this year was to improve from 66th on the LET’s Order of Merit, which yielded around £73,000 last year, and reach the top 30. But now flights are not the only thing to have been upgraded. “With a couple more good weeks I could make the LET top 10 which would take me into the final stage of LPGA Q School and maybe I can automatically qualify for some of the majors,” Fuller said. “Instead of going through qualifying, my goal now is to be high enough on the ranking to get automatically into the AIG Women’s Open (at Royal Porthcawl from 30 July-3 August), so that would be quite special.” Fuller is still in search of a first tour win, but now feels that is within her compass. As she proved last week, this young Englishwoman has come a long way in her first 12 months on tour since emerging from LET Tour School. “It’s completely different,” she reflected. “Now I’m a bit more experienced travelling-wise and I have my own routines. “A year ago it almost came out of nothing and I almost wasn’t prepared for it. Whereas now, I’ve accepted this is my life.” Source link #Annabell #Fuller #England #golfers #Saudi #finish #fuelling #ambitions Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

One In-Game Weapon in Assassin’s Creed Shadows Makes Even the Giant Samurai Yasuke Blend Well with Stealth Gameplay One In-Game Weapon in Assassin’s Creed Shadows Makes Even the Giant Samurai Yasuke Blend Well with Stealth Gameplay Assassin’s Creed is one of the most beloved franchises in gaming history. But for a franchise built around stealth, we’ve seen less and less of that in recent years. But guess what? For all its failures and faults, Ubisoft is trying new things. Assassin’s Creed Mirage was a step in the right direction and Assassin’s Creed Shadows is going to be the studio’s leap of faith. AC Shadows has a lot of promise, but the studio hasn’t delivered recently. | Image Credit: Ubisoft Now putting all the drama aside, and there’s a lot of it, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is taking a bold step with its dual protagonist system. We’re gonna get the long-awaited return to pure assassin gameplay with Naoe, but we’re also gonna get the brawler and action-oriented Yasuke. But what if we want to play Yasuke stealthily? Well, you can. Sort of. Don’t expect to be the typical assassin with Yasuke in Assassin’s Creed Shadows You can still be stealthy with the giant warrior man. It’ll just be harder. | Image Credit: Ubisoft Unlike any protagonist we’ve seen before in the Assassin’s Creed series, Yasuke will not have any assassin-like abilities as he is not an assassin, and Ubisoft has made it clear that he never will be. Associate game director Simon Lemay-Comtois previously confirmed to GamesRadar+ that Yasuke won’t have classic abilities like Eagle Vision, and his combat style is entirely different from the other protagonist, Naoe. And it might just work out. This design choice makes it so that we’ll have different approaches to every situation in the game. Yasuke’s role as an outsider in Feudal Japan also plays into his identity because his journey and ours will be about adapting to his surroundings rather than following the creed of the Assassins. This also already sets him apart from the franchise’s norm. However, Ubisoft has assured us fans that Yasuke is not entirely incapable of stealth. According to Creative Director Jonathan Dumont’s interview with Geek Culture, Yasuke will still have tools like his bow that let him take out enemies quietly from a distance. So his lack of tools like smoke bombs or hidden blades can still be made up for, albeit with limitations. In the case of Yasuke, I think we really wanted a character that was combat-oriented. Even though, if it means taking away some of the stealth things, he can still stealth a little bit with his bow and arrows. You’ll be surprised how much you can hide and snipe people with him. So while you certainly can’t expect to go around scaling rooftops or vanishing into crowds like Naoe, players who prefer a more tactical approach can still be somewhat stealthy. This is where the dual protagonist approach will find a chance to shine. Because Naoe represents the return to full assassin gameplay that we’ve waited so long for. Ubisoft has to get the dual protagonist approach right Because there’s a lot riding on it. | Image Credit: Ubisoft The clear separation of Yasuke and Naoe’s abilities is going to be one of Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ most important features. Ubisoft has confirmed that their weapons, armor, and skill trees are completely separate. We can expect to see different missions that suit one character or the other, and missions that suit both and let us plan out our style of execution. There has been a lot of drama and controversies weighing the game down before it’s even out. Despite this, Assassin’s Creed Shadows appears to offer the most engaging stealth experience in years. We’ve seen multiple previews and showcases over the last few months and while there are still negatives, the positives are very promising. Yasuke may not be an assassin, but that doesn’t mean he can’t take advantage of stealth mechanics. If you find yourself wanting to goof around and try to play stealth on an unconventional “hard mode” with Yasuke, there will probably be a lot of challenges, and fun, to find. Will you be playing Assassin’s Creed Shadows? Let us know in the comments! Source link #InGame #Weapon #Assassins #Creed #Shadows #Giant #Samurai #Yasuke #Blend #Stealth #Gameplay Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

New laws to make inciting racial hatred criminal to be introduced to NSW parliament on Tuesday New laws to make inciting racial hatred criminal to be introduced to NSW parliament on Tuesday The measures aim to curb racial hatred and enforce harsher punishments for racist acts, including individuals facing up to two years in prison. Source link #laws #inciting #racial #hatred #criminal #introduced #NSW #parliament #Tuesday Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Warzone Terminator Crossover Goes Wrong With The Operator Skin Being 'Pay-To-Win' Material Warzone Terminator Crossover Goes Wrong With The Operator Skin Being 'Pay-To-Win' Material The all-new ****** Ops 6 Terminator bundle features a pay-to-win operator skin that’s ruining the experience in Warzone. Source link #Warzone #Terminator #Crossover #Wrong #Operator #Skin #039PayToWin039 #Material Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump begins firings of FAA air traffic control staff just weeks after fatal DC plane ****** Trump begins firings of FAA air traffic control staff just weeks after fatal DC plane ****** WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration has begun firing several hundred Federal Aviation Administration employees, upending staff on a busy air travel weekend and just weeks after a January fatal mid-air collision at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Probationary workers were targeted in late night emails Friday notifying them they had been fired, David Spero, president of the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists union, said in a statement. The impacted workers include personnel hired for FAA radar, landing and navigational aid maintenance, one air traffic controller told the Associated Press. The air traffic controller was not authorized to talk to the media and spoke on condition of anonymity. Trusted news and daily delights, right in your inbox See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. Spero said messages began arriving after 7 p.m. on Friday and continued late into the night. More might be notified over the long weekend or barred from entering FAA buildings on Tuesday, he said. The employees were fired “without cause nor based on performance or conduct,” Spero said, and the emails were “from an ‘exec order’ Microsoft email address” — not a government email address. The firings hit the FAA when it faces a shortfall in controllers. Federal officials have been raising concerns about an overtaxed and understaffed air traffic control system for years, especially after a series of close calls between planes at U.S. airports. Among the reasons they have cited for staffing shortages are uncompetitive pay, long shifts, intensive training and mandatory retirements. In the Jan. 29 fatal ****** between a U.S. Army ****** Hawk helicopter and American Airlines passenger jet, which is still under investigation, one controller was handing both commercial airline and helicopter traffic at the busy airport. Just days before the collision, President Donald Trump had already fired all the members of the Aviation Security Advisory Committee, a panel mandated by Congress after the 1988 PanAm 103 bombing over Lockerbie, Scotland. The committee is charged with examining safety issues at airlines and airports. One FAA employee who was fired over the weekend suggested he was targeted for his views on Tesla and X, formerly Twitter, not as part of a general probationary-level sweep. Both are owned by Elon Musk, who is leading Trump’s effort to cut the federal government. Charles Spitzer-Stadtlander posted on LinkedIn that he was fired just after midnight Saturday, days after he started getting harassing messages on Facebook. “The official DOGE Facebook page started harassing me on my personal Facebook account after I criticized Tesla and Twitter,” Spitzer-Stadtlander wrote. “Less than a week later, I was fired, despite my position allegedly being exempted due to national security.” He added: “When DOGE fired me, they turned off my computer and wiped all of my files without warning.” Spitzer-Stadtlander said he was supposed to be exempted from the probationary firings because the FAA office he worked in focused on national security threats such as attacks on the national airspace by drones. The Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The firings were first reported by CNN. —- Associated Press writer Ellen Knickmeyer contributed from Washington. Source link #Trump #begins #firings #FAA #air #traffic #control #staff #weeks #fatal #plane #****** Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Traders Sell Bonds, Buy Defense Stocks as European Leaders Meet – Bloomberg Traders Sell Bonds, Buy Defense Stocks as European Leaders Meet – Bloomberg Traders Sell Bonds, Buy Defense Stocks as European Leaders Meet BloombergEuropean shares break record highs on Ukraine peace hopes ReutersEuropeans plan for troops to back Ukraine ceasefire — but want U.S. support The Washington PostEuropean defense stocks lift markets higher; Best day for BAE Systems since 2022 CNBC Source link #Traders #Sell #Bonds #Buy #Defense #Stocks #European #Leaders #Meet #Bloomberg Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

MediaTek Dimensity 6400 Released as Refreshed Dimensity 6300 Chipset: Specifications MediaTek Dimensity 6400 Released as Refreshed Dimensity 6300 Chipset: Specifications MediaTek Dimensity 6400 was recently launched as the company’s latest chipset for affordable smartphones. It is a rebranded version of the company’s Dimensity 6300 processor from 2024, with slightly faster performance cores. Readers might also recall that last year’s chip was also a rebadged version of the older Dimensity 6100+ model that arrived in 2023. The newly announced Dimensity 6400 is built on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company’s (TSMC) 6nm process technology and also supports up to 108-megapixel cameras, a 120Hz Full-HD display, along with 5G connectivity. MediaTek Dimensity 6400 Specifications The new Dimensity 6400 is an octa-core 6nm chipset that comprises two Arm Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.5GHz and six Cortex-A55 cores clocked at 2GHz. The core configuration matches both the Dimensity 6300 and Dimensity 6100+ chipsets that had slightly slower performance cores clocked at 2.4GHz and 2.2GHz, respectively. It is also equipped with the same Arm Mali-G57 MC2 GPU and supports LPDDR4x RAM and UFS 2.2 storage. Like its predecessors, the MediaTek Dimensity 6400 supports up to Full-HD AMOLED displays (1,080×2,520 pixels) displays with up to 120Hz refresh rate. It also supports up to 108-megapixel cameras, according to the chipmaker. MediaTek says that the Dimensity 6400 is equipped with a 3GPP Release-16 compliant 5G modem (up to 3.3Gbps peak download speed) that offers 5G (SA/ NSA), 4G LTE, 3G and 2G connectivity. The chipset also supports Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.2, and dual-band GPS connectivity. Smartphone enthusiasts won’t have to wait long to see the Dimensity 6400 debut on a smartphone. Realme P3x 5G will be launched in India on February 18 — that’s tomorrow — with a 6,000mAh battery that can be charged at 45W. The handset is also confirmed to arrive with IP68+IP69 ratings for dust and water resistance. For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who’sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube. Dubai’s Crypto Regulator Alerts Investors on New Memecoins Flooding Market Source link #MediaTek #Dimensity #Released #Refreshed #Dimensity #Chipset #Specifications Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Meta plans globe-spanning sub-sea internet cable Meta plans globe-spanning sub-sea internet cable Meta has announced plans to build a 50,000km (31,000 mile) subsea cable across the world. The tech giant said Project Waterworth – connecting the US, India, South Africa, Brazil and other regions – will be the world’s longest underwater cable project when completed. Meta, which owns Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, has sought to extend its presence in technology beyond social media, including in artificial intelligence (AI) and the infrastructure that supports it. It said its new cable project would provide “industry-leading connectivity” to five major continents and help support its AI projects. “This project will enable greater economic co-operation, facilitate digital inclusion, and open opportunities for technological development in these regions,” Meta said in a blog post. The cable would be the longest to date that uses a 24 fibre-pair system, giving it a higher capacity, according to the firm. Subsea cables have become increasingly important as they provide the means to power a variety of digital services and transfer data worldwide at speed. One regularly-cited statistic suggests more than 95% of the world’s internet traffic is transferred through undersea cables. Telecommunications market research firm TeleGeography says there are currently more than 600 publicly-known subsea cable systems worldwide. This includes the 2Africa cable, backed by Meta and mobile network operators such as Orange, Vodafone and China Mobile, which links three continents and spans 45,000km. And the tech firms that serve as major providers of web services have invested huge sums in cable infrastructure. Google said in 2024 it would build the first subsea cable connecting Africa and Australia, and announced a $1bn investment to boost connectivity to Japan with two new subsea cables in the Pacific Ocean. Telecoms and technology analyst Paolo Pescatore told the BBC that Meta “has shown a strong desire to own more of the connectivity slice”. “This is a further demonstration as it seeks to leapfrog rivals in providing users with an unique experience by tightly integrating hardware, software, platform and its growing aspirations in connectivity,” he said. “Ultimately these moves, while welcome from an investment perspective, will raise further eyebrows among regulators and other key stakeholders given increasing dominance of big tech.” The rising importance of subsea cables has increased concerns over their vulnerability to attacks or accidents. Following a spate of severed cables, experts have said undersea communications infrastructure is a growing arena for geopolitical tensions and conflict. Nato launched a mission in January to increase surveillance of ships in the Baltic Sea after damage to critical undersea cables last year. A *** parliamentary committee recently issued a call for evidence about the ***’s resilience in the face of potential disruption. This said pointed to growing concern over “Russian and ******** capabilities to hold undersea infrastructure at risk – particularly during periods of heightened tension or conflict”. Meta said in its blog post announcing Project Waterworth it would lay its cable system up to 7,000 meters deep and “use enhanced burial techniques in high-risk fault areas, such as shallow waters near the coast, to avoid damage from ship anchors and other hazards”. Source link #Meta #plans #globespanning #subsea #internet #cable Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]