Three fights in nine seconds as USA beats Canada in 4 Nations Face-Off
Three fights in nine seconds as USA beats Canada in 4 Nations Face-Off
Three fights break out in the first nine seconds of the United States v Canada 4 Nations Face-Off game, shortly after the American national anthem was met with boos from the crowd.
The US defeated Canada 3-1 to earn a spot in the tournament final. Canada will also reach the final if they beat Finland in their final game.
READ MORE: Three fights in first nine seconds as US beat Canada
Available to *** users only.
Source link
#fights #seconds #USA #beats #Canada #Nations #FaceOff
Pelican News
View the full article at [Hidden Content]
OpenAI rejects $97.4bn Musk bid and says company is not for ***** | OpenAI
OpenAI rejects $97.4bn Musk bid and says company is not for ***** | OpenAI
OpenAI on Friday rejected a $97.4bn bid from a consortium led by billionaire Elon Musk for the ChatGPT maker, saying the startup is not for *****.
The unsolicited approach is Musk’s latest attempt to block the startup he co-founded with CEO Sam Altman – but later left – from becoming a for-profit firm, as it looks to secure more capital and stay ahead in the AI race.
“OpenAI is not for *****, and the board has unanimously rejected Mr Musk’s latest attempt to disrupt his competition. Any potential reorganization of OpenAI will strengthen our nonprofit and its mission to ensure AGI benefits all of humanity,” OpenAI said on X, quoting its chair Bret Taylor, on behalf of its board.
On Tuesday, Altman told news website Axios that OpenAI was not for *****. He had rebuffed the offer on Monday with a “no thank you” on X, prompting Musk to retort: “Swindler.”
The consortium led by Musk, including his AI startup xAI, would withdraw its bid for OpenAI’s non-profit arm if it drops plans to become a for-profit entity, the billionaire’s lawyers said in a court filing on Wednesday.
“Two days ago, you filed a pleading in court adding new material conditions to the proposal. As a result of that filing, it is now apparent that your clients’ much publicized ‘bid’ is in fact not a bid at all,” the OpenAI board said, according to a letter signed by William Savitt, a lawyer representing the company, sent to Musk’s lawyer Marc Toberoff on Friday.
Other investors in the consortium include Valor Equity Partners, Baron Capital and Hollywood power broker Ari Emanuel.
Altman and Musk have been at loggerheads for years.
After Musk’s departure in 2019, OpenAI created a for-profit arm that has drawn billions of dollars in funding, sparking allegations from Musk that the startup breached its original mission by putting profit ahead of the larger public good.
Musk sued Altman, OpenAI, and its biggest backer Microsoft in August last year for the alleged breach of contract.
In November, Musk asked a US district judge for a preliminary injunction to block OpenAI from moving to a for-profit structure.
Source link
#OpenAI #rejects #97.4bn #Musk #bid #company #***** #OpenAI
Pelican News
View the full article at [Hidden Content]
‘I’m not trying to move them all over to Xbox anymore’: Phil Spencer explains Xbox’s PS5 release strategy
‘I’m not trying to move them all over to Xbox anymore’: Phil Spencer explains Xbox’s PS5 release strategy
Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer has shed more light on the company’s decision to release more Xbox games on PS5.
In an interview with the XboxEra podcast, Spencer was asked about comments he made during an FTC hearing in 2023, in which he claimed that every time an Xbox-owned studio sold a game on the PS5 store, Sony‘s 30% cut was being used towards deals to block other third-party games from coming to Xbox.
Now that Xbox is releasing numerous games on PS5, Spencer was asked if he was now less focused about Sony’s 30% cut, and more focused on the 70% cut Xbox takes on each of its games sold on PS5.
Spencer replied that this was the case, and that trying to get PS5 owners to move to Xbox – instead of just selling games directly to them – was no longer a viable strategy.
“It’s maybe not what I was going to say on stand at the time but yeah, I would love to make all of the money for all the games that we ship right now,” Spencer told Xbox Era.
“Obviously we make more on our own platform, it’s one of the reasons that investing in our own platform is important.
“But there are people – whether it’s their libraries are on PlayStation or Nintendo, whether it’s that they like the controller better, they just like the games that are there – and I don’t want to then look at that and say ‘well, there’s no way that we should be able to build a business there, find fans of our franchises there.
“I’m not trying to move them all over to Xbox anymore. We’re all so invested in where our games are, let’s just allow more people to play. And yes, the 70% that we make on games on other platforms is helpful to us being able to build great portfolios, like we showed at Developer Direct, and I hope this will continue to show through the rest of the year.”
Elsewhere in the interview, Spencer was asked why Xbox’s recent Developer Direct showed PlayStation logos for the games it was showing, rather than using the strategy Nintendo and PlayStation usually implement for their presentations where they only show their logos during game announcements, and it’s later revealed they’re coming to other systems too.
Spencer replied that he feels transparency is important, and that if one of the games it features in a Developer Direct is coming to another platform, it won’t hide that fact in an attempt to suggest Xbox is the only option.
“I just want to be transparent with people,” Spencer replied. “If we’re shipping on Nintendo Switch we’re going to put that, if we’re shipping on PlayStation, if we’re on Steam, people should know the storefronts where they can get our games.”
Stressing that he still feels Xbox is the best platform to play Xbox games on, he added: “I want people to be able to experience our Xbox community, and our games and everything we have to offer on every screen we can, and obviously not every screen is equal.
“There’s certain things we can’t do on the other closed platforms that we can do on open platforms, clouds, but games should be the thing that we’re focused on. This strategy that we have allows us to do big games, while also supporting our native platform from the hardware to the platform and services that we have, and that’s going to be our approach.
“And I know it’s not what everybody else is doing, but I just believe games should be the thing that’s at the forefront. Maybe it’s because of how I’ve grown up in this industry, I came building games, but I think the games are the things that I see growing in their strength on what we’re doing, and it’s because more people can play. So yeah, just trying to be open and transparent with people.”
Source link
#move #Xbox #anymore #Phil #Spencer #explains #Xboxs #PS5 #release #strategy
Pelican News
View the full article at [Hidden Content]
For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]
Lavrov, Rubio discuss removal of ‘barriers’ set by previous US administration, Russia says
Lavrov, Rubio discuss removal of ‘barriers’ set by previous US administration, Russia says
MOSCOW (Reuters) -Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed the situation in Ukraine on Saturday, as well as the removal of “unilateral barriers” set by the previous U.S. administration, Moscow said.
U.S. and Russian officials are to start talks in the coming days on ending Moscow’s war in Ukraine after U.S. President Donald Trump shocked European allies by calling Russian President Vladimir Putin and declaring an immediate start to the talks.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Friday that his country was not invited to the talks in Saudi Arabia and that Kyiv would not engage with Russia before consulting with strategic partners.
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.
Lavrov and Rubio, in a call initiated by the U.S., agreed to maintain contacts to resolve problems in bilateral relations, “in the interests of removing the unilateral barriers to mutually beneficial trade, economic and investment cooperation inherited from the previous administration,” Russia’s foreign ministry said in a statement.
It was not immediately clear what barriers were discussed.
The U.S. under then-President Joe Biden and Kyiv’s allies around the world imposed waves of sanctions on Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine three years ago, aimed at weakening the Russian economy and limiting the Kremlin’s war efforts.
The U.S. State Department said Rubio reaffirmed in the call Trump’s commitment to finding an end to the conflict in Ukraine.
“In addition, they discussed the opportunity to potentially work together on a number of other bilateral issues,” it said in a statement, without providing further detail.
Russia said Lavrov and Rubio “expressed their mutual willingness to interact on pressing international issues, including the settlement around Ukraine, the situation around Palestine and in general in the Middle East in general”.
They agreed to work on restoring “mutually respectful interstate dialogue” in line with the tone set by the presidents, the ministry said.
Trump and Putin spoke for over an hour on Wednesday, the first known direct contact between U.S. and Russian presidents since Putin had a call with Biden shortly before ordering tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine in February 2022.
The Russian foreign ministry said Lavrov and Rubio also discussed how to quickly improve “the conditions for the functioning of Russian diplomatic missions” in the U.S.
Experts will meet soon “to agree on specific steps to mutually remove obstacles to the work of Russian and U.S. missions abroad,” the ministry said.
(Reporting by Reuters in Moscow; Additional reporting by Lidia Kelly and Humeyra Pamuk; Writing by Lidia Kelly in Melbourne; Editing by Gareth Jones, Alistair Bell and William Mallard)
Source link
#Lavrov #Rubio #discuss #removal #barriers #set #previous #administration #Russia
Pelican News
View the full article at [Hidden Content]
GTA6’s PC release date is early 2026, Corsair Gaming believes
GTA6’s PC release date is early 2026, Corsair Gaming believes
Computer peripherals firm Corsair Gaming has said it believes GTA 6 will release for PC early next year, following its consoles debut.
Rockstar Games’ parent company Take-Two recently hinted at a PC release for Grand Theft Auto 6, even though the game hasn’t officially been announced for the platform.
Now, speaking in its latest financial results, Corsair Gaming’s financa VP, Ronald van Veen, had this to say: “Yeah, GTA 6 is probably the one everyone is talking about. And we’ll get a glimpse of that, I think, later on in the year for console. My understanding now it’s going to come out in the fall for console, and then early 2026 for PC.”
Grand Theft Auto games have historically been released for consoles first before making their way to PC at a later date. Therefore, it’s anticipated that GTA 6 will come to PC following its PS5 and Xbox Series X/S release this fall.
Earlier this week, Take-Two boss Strauss Zelnick discussed the growing importance of the PC gaming business, and the publisher’s strategy for releasing titles for the platform.
“So with Civilization 7 it’s available on console and PC and Switch right away,” he said of Firaxis’ recently released game. “With regard to others in our lineup, we don’t always go across all platforms simultaneously. Historically, Rockstar has started with some platforms and then historically moved to other platforms.”
“We have seen PC become a much more and more important part of what used to be a console business, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see that trend continue,” he added. “Of course, there will be a new console generation [too].”
According to research firm DFC Intelligence, Grand Theft Auto 6 could generate more than $1 billion from pre-orders alone, which would likely be by far the biggest launch of 2025 in all of entertainment.
Source link
#GTA6s #release #date #early #Corsair #Gaming #believes
Pelican News
View the full article at [Hidden Content]
Top Wall Street analysts are optimistic about the potential of these 3 stocks
Top Wall Street analysts are optimistic about the potential of these 3 stocks
Inflation worries, tariffs under the Trump administration and earnings season could continue to keep the stock market volatile and rattle investor sentiment.
Investors looking for attractive stock picks should focus on the ability of a company to navigate ongoing uncertainties and deliver strong returns over the long term. To this end, recommendations of top Wall Street analysts can help people make the right investment decisions, as they are based on in-depth analysis and thorough research.
With that in mind, here are three stocks favored by the Street’s top pros, according to TipRanks, a platform that ranks analysts based on their past performance.
Pinterest
This week’s first stock pick is image sharing and social media platform Pinterest (PINS). The company impressed investors with its solid fourth-quarter results and highlighted that it marked its first billion-dollar revenue quarter. Moreover, Pinterest’s global monthly active users grew 11% year over year to 553 million.
Following the Q4 print, Evercore analyst Mark Mahaney reiterated a buy rating on PINS stock and raised the price target to $50 from $43, noting the spike in the stock following better-than-feared results.
Mahaney observed that the sentiment heading into Q4 results was very low for Pinterest, especially around the Q1 2025 revenue outlook, given that the company faced significantly tougher comparisons. However, Pinterest not only surpassed the Street’s Q4 revenue and EBITDA estimates by 1% and 6%, respectively, but issued a top-line growth outlook that indicated an only one percentage point deceleration (excluding forex) on a 10 percentage point tougher comparison, noted the analyst.
Additionally, Mahaney highlighted that after Q1 2025, Pinterest will see structurally easier comparisons for the balance of the year. The analyst also pointed out that unlike other ad companies he covers, Pinterest doesn’t have significant political exposure. Consequently, this implies that there is a possibility of PINS delivering consistent revenue growth acceleration through FY25, which Mahaney believes would be a key catalyst for the stock.
“Longer term, it appears PINS is seeing a snowballing impact of multiple product cycles that should power mid to-high teens % Revenue growth (ex-FX) for the foreseeable future,” said Mahaney.
Mahaney ranks No. 24 among more than 9,300 analysts tracked by TipRanks. His ratings have been profitable 64% of the time, delivering an average return of 29.1%. See Pinterest Hedge Fund Activity on TipRanks.
Monday.com
We move to workplace management software provider Monday.com (MNDY). The company recently reported better-than-expected fourth-quarter results. Monday.com attributed its performance to product innovation and its focus on go-to-market execution. Management is optimistic about driving further demand by leveraging artificial intelligence (AI).
In reaction to the Q4 results, JPMorgan analyst Pinjalim Bora reaffirmed a buy rating on MNDY stock and increased the price target to $400 from $350. The analyst noted the company’s solid performance, saying that it surpassed the consensus estimates for key metrics in Q4 2024, following a muted performance in the previous quarter.
The analyst noted that the company’s 2025 revenue outlook of over 26% growth at the mid-point in constant currency surpassed the firm’s expectations and perhaps all buy-side expectations. Bora thinks that demand in the U.S. remains healthy and bounced back from a decline in September, while the demand in Europe continues to be uneven, though it has stabilized relative to November.
Bora thinks that MNDY offers a unique opportunity over the medium term, as it transitions from a collaborative work management platform into a multi-product story. The analyst noted that MNDY has “a solid opportunity to play a central role around Agentic AI workflow around its customers over time.”
Overall, Bora thinks that Monday.com stands out compared to its rivals, thanks to strong execution in a choppy macro environment. The analyst views MNDY as a multi-year compounder, offering a lot of value to long-term investors.
Bora ranks No. 541 among more than 9,300 analysts tracked by TipRanks. The analyst’s ratings have been successful 64% of the time, delivering an average return of 15.2%. See Monday.com Stock Charts on TipRanks.
Amazon
E-commerce and cloud computing giant Amazon (AMZN) is this week’s third pick. The company delivered better-than-anticipated results for the fourth quarter of 2024. However, it issued disappointing guidance for the first quarter of 2025, citing forex headwinds.
In reaction to the Q4 earnings report, Mizuho analyst James Lee reiterated a buy rating on AMZN stock with a price target of $285. The analyst contended that while Amazon issued a subdued outlook and announced a huge increase in capital expenditure, its margins surpassed expectations and the cloud business AWS (Amazon Web Services) fared better than its peers.
Commenting on the elevated capex, Lee stated that management seems very comfortable with the significant rise in investments. This is because they see signs of robust demand and expect a rapid decline in computing costs due to a shift to custom ASICs (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit) and AI model training innovations, which should fuel an acceleration in AI adoption.
Meanwhile, Lee expects Amazon’s retail business to benefit from its redesigned inbound network, expanding local delivery centers and robotic automation.
“Despite a soft start to 2025, we believe AMZN’s structural story remains unchanged,” said Lee. AMZN stock remains a top pick for Mizuho.
Lee ranks No. 191 among more than 9,300 analysts tracked by TipRanks. His ratings have been profitable 63% of the time, delivering an average return of 15.5%. See Amazon Ownership Structure on TipRanks.
Source link
#Top #Wall #Street #analysts #optimistic #potential #stocks
Pelican News
View the full article at [Hidden Content]
Hideki Kamiya says the reaction to his Game Awards reveal made him cry
Hideki Kamiya says the reaction to his Game Awards reveal made him cry
Okami director Hideki Kamiya has said that the fan reaction to the sequel’s announcement made him cry.
The director, who announced a sequel to the cult classic Okami at The Game Awards in December, revealed that he often watches fan-recorded reactions to the announcement.
“Even now, I look up the YouTube reactions to the announcements and looking at the people reacting to the video, and I find myself crying with the fans,” Kamiya told IGN. “And I’m just so happy to see that, oh, people are so happy to see this game come true.”
Kamiya left PlatinumGames in October 2023, saying he made the decision after “a lot of consideration based on my own beliefs” and suggested that he would continue to make games.
“Being there live within the audience and hearing people react there, and not only that, but also seeing people reacting on social channels after, there are so many people waiting for this title. And I was very surprised and happier than I thought I would be to hear people so looking forward to this game.”
Little is known about the sequel to Okami, other than it is being developed b y new studio Clovers, made up of Platinum veterans, and in collaboration with Capcom, the owners of the Okami license.
Kamiya recently said that he doesn’t want players to play the Wii version of the game, which was developed by US-based studio Ready at Dawn.
Source link
#Hideki #Kamiya #reaction #Game #Awards #reveal #cry
Pelican News
View the full article at [Hidden Content]
This Solar-Powered Reactor Sucks CO2 From the Air and Turns It Into Fuel – Gizmodo
This Solar-Powered Reactor Sucks CO2 From the Air and Turns It Into Fuel – Gizmodo
This Solar-Powered Reactor Sucks CO2 From the Air and Turns It Into Fuel GizmodoDirect air capture of CO2 for solar fuel production in flow – Nature Energy Nature.comSolar-powered device captures carbon dioxide from air to make sustainable fuel University of Cambridge newsScientists Reveal “Artificial Leaf” That Turns Carbon Into Sustainable Fuels FuturismCambridge scientists turn pollution into fuel in climate breakthrough The Independent
Source link
#SolarPowered #Reactor #Sucks #CO2 #Air #Turns #Fuel #Gizmodo
Pelican News
View the full article at [Hidden Content]
Epic Seven is celebrating Valentine’s Day with a brand new hero
Epic Seven is celebrating Valentine’s Day with a brand new hero
Tori is the latest hero to join the squad
She is a 5-Star Fire Elemental Thief
Valentine’s Day events will be held until March 13th
Smilegate has just released a new Valentine’s Day event in Epic Seven, bringing the new limited Hero, alongside a special side story and events filled with rewards to the hit mobile RPG. Running until March 13th, the Sweet Chocolate Scandal! event follows Tori’s story as a former model trying to balance work, streaming, and her lingering dreams of returning to the spotlight.
The newest hero to join Epic Seven’s roster is Tori, who is also the protagonist of the new side story. Titled Sweet Chocolate Scandal!, you will see Tori work part-time at a convenience store, where mistakenly ordering chocolates led to a series of catastrophic events.
In terms of gameplay, Tori is a 5-Star Fire Elemental Thief with a skillset focused on damage and survivability. Her second skill, Delusional Runway, ensures that buffs applied to her cannot be dispelled, letting her maintain a consistent advantage in battle.
She also triggers Cascade at the start of each turn, increasing her damage output based on the number of buffs she has. Her third skill, Heart Over Grace, grants all allies an Attack and Speed boost for three turns, making her a strong addition to any team. You can recruit Tori through her limited-time banner until March 13th.
Alongside her release, Epic Seven is hosting several Valentine’s Day events with opportunities to earn rewards. You can take advantage of up to 77 free summons available for a month. A 7-Day Check-In event also provides rewards, including a Valentine’s Day Artifact, a 5-Star Hero Summon Ticket, and Epic Artifact Charms.
Finally, completing daily missions will net you event currency, which can be traded for additional items, with bonus rewards based on how much currency you spend. You can also redeem these Epic Seven codes to win some more freebies!
Celebrate the season of love by downloading Epic Seven now for free on your preferred link below.
Source link
#Epic #celebrating #Valentines #Day #brand #hero
Pelican News
View the full article at [Hidden Content]
Peter Rossdeutscher picked to lead Commonwealth’s Industry Innovation and Science Australia advisory board
Peter Rossdeutscher picked to lead Commonwealth’s Industry Innovation and Science Australia advisory board
A Perth tech mentor has been picked to lead a board advising the Federal Government on research, innovation and science.
Source link
#Peter #Rossdeutscher #picked #lead #Commonwealths #Industry #Innovation #Science #Australia #advisory #board
Pelican News
View the full article at [Hidden Content]
Nintendo Switch 2: Marvel Rivals devs ‘open’ to port
Nintendo Switch 2: Marvel Rivals devs ‘open’ to port
A Marvel Rivals producer has said that the team is open to bringing the game to Nintendo Switch 2, and that developer NetEase is “working on some (Switch 2) development kits.”
Released last year, Marvel Rivals has been a breakout hit on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series and PC. The hero shooter, developed by Netease, sees players battle in Overwatch-style gameplay, playing as Marvel heroes.
Now, following the reveal of the Nintendo Switch 2, fans have speculated whether or not the game would come to the handheld platform, especially in the wake of the popularity of the Nintendo Switch version of Overwatch.
At the DICE Summit in Las Vegas, IGN asked NetEase about the possibility of the game being ported to the new system.
“We’re already in contact with Nintendo and working on some development kits,” said Marvel Rivals producer Weicong Wu.
“And whenever we find that we could provide great performance for our game on Switch 2, we’re open to that. The reason why we didn’t launch it onto the Switch, it was the first generation of that device they cannot provide a great experience for our gameplay. So if it could achieve that goal, we’re open to that.”
At the time of publishing, few games have been confirmed for Nintendo’s next platform. A new Mario Kart game was shown off during the console’s reveal, but nothing is known about the game’s title, or any other details.
Some third-party developers have announced that their games will be coming to the “next Nintendo platform,” but developers have seemingly been hesitant to explicitly confirm titles for Switch 2.
Nintendo will reveal more details on Nintendo Switch 2 in a Nintendo Direct planned for early April.
Source link
#Nintendo #Switch #Marvel #Rivals #devs #open #port
Pelican News
View the full article at [Hidden Content]
Top Wall Street analysts are optimistic about the potential of these 3 stocks
Top Wall Street analysts are optimistic about the potential of these 3 stocks
Inflation worries, tariffs under the Trump administration and earnings season could continue to keep the stock market volatile and rattle investor sentiment.
Investors looking for attractive stock picks should focus on the ability of a company to navigate ongoing uncertainties and deliver strong returns over the long term. To this end, recommendations of top Wall Street analysts can help people make the right investment decisions, as they are based on in-depth analysis and thorough research.
With that in mind, here are three stocks favored by the Street’s top pros, according to TipRanks, a platform that ranks analysts based on their past performance.
Pinterest
This week’s first stock pick is image sharing and social media platform Pinterest (PINS). The company impressed investors with its solid fourth-quarter results and highlighted that it marked its first billion-dollar revenue quarter. Moreover, Pinterest’s global monthly active users grew 11% year over year to 553 million.
Following the Q4 print, Evercore analyst Mark Mahaney reiterated a buy rating on PINS stock and raised the price target to $50 from $43, noting the spike in the stock following better-than-feared results.
Mahaney observed that the sentiment heading into Q4 results was very low for Pinterest, especially around the Q1 2025 revenue outlook, given that the company faced significantly tougher comparisons. However, Pinterest not only surpassed the Street’s Q4 revenue and EBITDA estimates by 1% and 6%, respectively, but issued a top-line growth outlook that indicated an only one percentage point deceleration (excluding forex) on a 10 percentage point tougher comparison, noted the analyst.
Additionally, Mahaney highlighted that after Q1 2025, Pinterest will see structurally easier comparisons for the balance of the year. The analyst also pointed out that unlike other ad companies he covers, Pinterest doesn’t have significant political exposure. Consequently, this implies that there is a possibility of PINS delivering consistent revenue growth acceleration through FY25, which Mahaney believes would be a key catalyst for the stock.
“Longer term, it appears PINS is seeing a snowballing impact of multiple product cycles that should power mid to-high teens % Revenue growth (ex-FX) for the foreseeable future,” said Mahaney.
Mahaney ranks No. 24 among more than 9,300 analysts tracked by TipRanks. His ratings have been profitable 64% of the time, delivering an average return of 29.1%. See Pinterest Hedge Fund Activity on TipRanks.
Monday.com
We move to workplace management software provider Monday.com (MNDY). The company recently reported better-than-expected fourth-quarter results. Monday.com attributed its performance to product innovation and its focus on go-to-market execution. Management is optimistic about driving further demand by leveraging artificial intelligence (AI).
In reaction to the Q4 results, JPMorgan analyst Pinjalim Bora reaffirmed a buy rating on MNDY stock and increased the price target to $400 from $350. The analyst noted the company’s solid performance, saying that it surpassed the consensus estimates for key metrics in Q4 2024, following a muted performance in the previous quarter.
The analyst noted that the company’s 2025 revenue outlook of over 26% growth at the mid-point in constant currency surpassed the firm’s expectations and perhaps all buy-side expectations. Bora thinks that demand in the U.S. remains healthy and bounced back from a decline in September, while the demand in Europe continues to be uneven, though it has stabilized relative to November.
Bora thinks that MNDY offers a unique opportunity over the medium term, as it transitions from a collaborative work management platform into a multi-product story. The analyst noted that MNDY has “a solid opportunity to play a central role around Agentic AI workflow around its customers over time.”
Overall, Bora thinks that Monday.com stands out compared to its rivals, thanks to strong execution in a choppy macro environment. The analyst views MNDY as a multi-year compounder, offering a lot of value to long-term investors.
Bora ranks No. 541 among more than 9,300 analysts tracked by TipRanks. The analyst’s ratings have been successful 64% of the time, delivering an average return of 15.2%. See Monday.com Stock Charts on TipRanks.
Amazon
E-commerce and cloud computing giant Amazon (AMZN) is this week’s third pick. The company delivered better-than-anticipated results for the fourth quarter of 2024. However, it issued disappointing guidance for the first quarter of 2025, citing forex headwinds.
In reaction to the Q4 earnings report, Mizuho analyst James Lee reiterated a buy rating on AMZN stock with a price target of $285. The analyst contended that while Amazon issued a subdued outlook and announced a huge increase in capital expenditure, its margins surpassed expectations and the cloud business AWS (Amazon Web Services) fared better than its peers.
Commenting on the elevated capex, Lee stated that management seems very comfortable with the significant rise in investments. This is because they see signs of robust demand and expect a rapid decline in computing costs due to a shift to custom ASICs (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit) and AI model training innovations, which should fuel an acceleration in AI adoption.
Meanwhile, Lee expects Amazon’s retail business to benefit from its redesigned inbound network, expanding local delivery centers and robotic automation.
“Despite a soft start to 2025, we believe AMZN’s structural story remains unchanged,” said Lee. AMZN stock remains a top pick for Mizuho.
Lee ranks No. 191 among more than 9,300 analysts tracked by TipRanks. His ratings have been profitable 63% of the time, delivering an average return of 15.5%. See Amazon Ownership Structure on TipRanks.
Source link
#Top #Wall #Street #analysts #optimistic #potential #stocks
Pelican News
View the full article at [Hidden Content]
2 Monster Stocks to Buy Before They Soar 150% and 630%, According to Certain Wall Street Analysts
2 Monster Stocks to Buy Before They Soar 150% and 630%, According to Certain Wall Street Analysts
Tesla (NASDAQ: TTD) and The Trade Desk (NASDAQ: TSLA) generated monster shareholder returns of 555% and 163%, respectively, over the past five years. And certain Wall Street analysts think that momentum will carry into the future, as detailed below:
Analysts led by Tasha Keeney at Ark Invest have set Tesla with a 2029 target of $2,600 per share. That forecast implies 630% upside from its current share price of $356.
Matthew Cost at Morgan Stanley has set The Trade Desk with a 12-month bull-case target of $200 per share. That forecast implies 150% upside from its current share price of $80.
Here’s what investors should know about these monster stocks.
Despite losing market share in the U.S. and China, Tesla retained its leadership position in electric car sales in 2024. But the company struggled with weak demand throughout the year, driven by increased competition and high interest rates. And price cuts meant to lure potential buyers cut deeply into profitability, which led to a series of disappointing financial results.
In the fourth quarter, total revenue increased 2% to $26 billion, reflecting strong growth in the energy business offset by a decline in automotive sales. Meanwhile, operating margin contracted 2 percentage points, and non-GAAP net income increased just 3% to $0.73 per diluted share. Also noteworthy, Tesla reported an annual decline in vehicle deliveries for the first time in company history.
However, CEO Elon Musk shared good news on the fourth-quarter earnings call: This June, Tesla will begin offering autonomous ride-sharing (robotaxi) services in Austin, and other U.S. cities will follow shortly thereafter. “I expect us to be operating unsupervised activity with our internal fleet in several cities by the end of the year,” Musk told analysts.
Importantly, Ark Invest’s target of $2,600 per share assumes total revenue will reach $1.2 trillion by 2029, and that robotaxis will account for about $750 billion of that figure. But that implies annual revenue growth of 65% in the next four years. Even if Tesla has a booming robotaxi business by then, that estimate seems too optimistic when the entire ride-sharing market was worth less than $50 billion last year.
That said, demand for ride-sharing services could increase rapidly in the future as robotaxis reduce costs. For instance, Ark Invest estimates the addressable market will be $10 trillion by 2030. Assuming that estimate is correct, Tesla’s robotaxi revenue could theoretically hit $750 billion with less than 10% market penetration. But I am still very skeptical about the timeline.
Story Continues
Wall Street expects Tesla’s adjusted earnings to grow at 22% annually through 2026. That makes the current valuation of 147 times adjusted earnings look absurdly expensive. There is only one way that multiple looks sensible in hindsight: Earnings growth must accelerate substantially as Tesla monetizes robotaxis and robotics.
Investors that lack confidence in that narrative should avoid the stock. However, investors that believe Tesla can disrupt the mobility industry should own a position. Now is as good a time as any to buy a few shares, though I doubt the stock will return 630% by 2029.
The Trade Desk specializes in digital advertising. Its demand-side platform (DSP) helps ad agencies and brands automate, optimize, and measure data-driven ad campaigns across digital channels. It was among the first ad tech companies to add artificial intelligence to its software, and CEO Jeff Green says it still has “the most advanced data-driven decision-making platform” in the industry.
The Trade Desk competes giants like Alphabet and Meta Platforms, but its independence is an important advantage. Specifically, The Trade Desk does not own ad inventory, which eliminates the conflict of interest inherent to many competitors. For example, Alphabet has a clear incentive to steer media-buyers toward advertising inventory on Google Search and YouTube.
Additionally, because The Trade Desk does not compete with publishers (companies that sell ad inventory), those publishers willingly share data. That means The Trade Desk can offer clients measurement capabilities not available on competing platforms. For instance, the company has partner with many the largest retailers, such that it has “the industry’s richest retail data environment,” according to Jeff Green.
The Trade Desk delivered disappointing financial results in the fourth quarter, missing its revenue guidance for the first time in 33 quarters. Specifically, revenue increased 22% to $741 million, well short of the forecasted $756 million, and non-GAAP earnings increased 44% to $0.59 per diluted share.
Jeff Green attributed the revenue shortfall to a “series of small execution missteps,” and he detailed changes the company has made to correct the problems. That includes reorganizing to improve efficiency, building relationships directly with brands rather than working exclusively with ad agencies, and shifting product development to small weekly updates rather than larger but less frequent releases.
Importantly, Morgan Stanley’s bull-case target of $200 per share assumes revenue grows at 29% annually through 2027. That is plausible given that ad tech spending is projected to increase at 22% annually through 2030. But investors would also need to afford The Trade Desk a much higher price-to-sales multiple, which makes the $200-per-share target a long shot at best.
However, The Trade Desk is still an attractive investment. The stock currently trades at 44 times forward earnings, a substantial discount to the two-year average of 57 times forward earnings. Investors with a time horizon of at least three to five years should feel comfortable buying a position today.
Ever feel like you missed the boat in buying the most successful stocks? Then you’ll want to hear this.
On rare occasions, our expert team of analysts issues a “Double Down” stock recommendation for companies that they think are about to pop. If you’re worried you’ve already missed your chance to invest, now is the best time to buy before it’s too late. And the numbers speak for themselves:
Nvidia: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2009, you’d have $360,040!*
Apple: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2008, you’d have $46,374!*
Netflix: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2004, you’d have $570,894!*
Right now, we’re issuing “Double Down” alerts for three incredible companies, and there may not be another chance like this anytime soon.
Learn more »
*Stock Advisor returns as of February 3, 2025
Randi Zuckerberg, a former director of market development and spokeswoman for Facebook and sister to Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Trevor Jennewine has positions in Tesla and The Trade Desk. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Meta Platforms, Tesla, and The Trade Desk. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
2 Monster Stocks to Buy Before They Soar 150% and 630%, According to Certain Wall Street Analysts was originally published by The Motley Fool
Source link
#Monster #Stocks #Buy #Soar #Wall #Street #Analysts
Pelican News
View the full article at [Hidden Content]
For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]
Stocks to play EV-maker BYD’s new driver-assist rollout
Stocks to play EV-maker BYD’s new driver-assist rollout
As electric car giant BYD gets serious about driver-assistance systems, analysts expect its suppliers can benefit. Shares of the Hong Kong-listed automaker hit a record high in the past week after the company launched a driver-assistance system for a range of its cars, including one of its low-cost models priced below 70,000 yuan (roughly $9,600). BYD also said it’s integrating DeepSeek’s artificial intelligence capabilities. Companies that sell parts for BYD’s new driver-assist system “are likely to enjoy solid growth ahead,” Nomura analysts said in a note Tuesday. “Meanwhile, we believe more [car manufacturers] will have to accelerate their smart driving functions upgrade in order to catch up with peers, and this may result in increasing demand for smart driving-related components in the entire auto market,” the analysts said. Their picks include the automaker’s Hong Kong-listed subsidiary BYD Electronics , which makes autonomous driving components, Hong Kong-traded chipmaker Horizon Robotics and lidar developer Hesai Tech , listed in the U.S. Lidar is short for light detection and ranging. In driver-assist systems, a lidar sensor uses lasers to create a 3D map of a car’s surroundings. Driver-assist features have increasingly become a selling point for automakers in China’s competitive electric car market. Tesla , whose Full Self-Driving has yet to get China’s approval, saw its shares tumble on Tuesday following the news of BYD’s driver-assist rollout. China’s efforts to build tech self-reliance and U.S. restrictions have supported the development of a homegrown ecosystem. BYD’s driver-assist announcements Monday were focused on the China market, rather than the automaker’s export business. Beijing-based Horizon Robotics is one of BYD’s major chips suppliers. BYD’s founder and chairman Wang Chuanfu said at a Horizon Robotics event last year that the future of electric cars would rely on semiconductors. Goldman Sachs analyst Allen Chang on Monday raised his price target on Horizon Robotics to 6.95 Hong Kong dollars (89 cents), up from 6.10 HKD previously, based on expectations of higher earnings. The firm rates the stock a buy. “With another push by major car [manufacturers] to bring smart driving to lower-priced cars, we are positive on the ability of Horizon Robotics, as one of the leading smart driving chip providers in China, to obtain more design-wins with its Journey 6 new chipset series,” the report said. Chang expects the Journey 6 series to grow from 3% of the chip company’s revenue this year to 40% in 2027. Shares have already soared more than 60% year to date as of Thursday’s close at 5.88 HKD. In a separate note Monday, Goldman analyst Verena Jeng raised her price target on buy-rated BYD Electronics to 58.46 HKD, up from 51.02 HKD previously. The stock has gained more than 30% so far this year to 56 HKD as of Thursday’s close. The Goldman report noted expectations that more than 3 million BYD cars will adopt advanced driver-assist this year, and pointed out that since the systems are pricier than, say an automotive speaker, that will increase how much revenue BYD Electronics can generate per car. BYD’s “Dipilot” driver-assist system uses different components depending on price point. The most basic one uses Horizon Robotics’ chipset along with Nvidia ‘s Orin, while more advanced versions only use other Nvidia chips, according to Nomura’s research. The driver-assist versions that support driving on city streets use lidar from companies such as Hesai, Nomura pointed out. While Hesai is contesting U.S. government allegations that it supports the ******** military, Goldman Sachs analysts in mid-January upgraded the U.S.-listed stock to a buy from neutral, citing the company’s new product cycle, according to FactSet. The analysts raised their price target on Hesai to $18.40 from $5.50. — CNBC’s Michael Bloom contributed to this report.
Source link
#Stocks #play #EVmaker #BYDs #driverassist #rollout
Pelican News
View the full article at [Hidden Content]
Putin Has Long Wanted More Power in Europe. Trump Could Grant It. – The New York Times
Putin Has Long Wanted More Power in Europe. Trump Could Grant It. – The New York Times
Putin Has Long Wanted More Power in Europe. Trump Could Grant It. The New York TimesRussia-US Negotiations Open the Next Phase Of Restructuring the World Geopolitical FuturesMy Take | Our brave new world is looking like the old one of great powers South China Morning PostTrump is opening the door to Putin’s wildest ambitions The *********** Financial ReviewEurope’s future, brought to you by Putin and Trump POLITICO Europe
Source link
#Putin #Long #Wanted #Power #Europe #Trump #Grant #York #Times
Pelican News
View the full article at [Hidden Content]
Atlantic Beach homeless camp cleared out after safety concerns raised
Atlantic Beach homeless camp cleared out after safety concerns raised
Police are cracking down on homeless camps in Atlantic Beach after neighbors raised safety concerns.
The Atlantic Beach Police Department said it received a number of complaints this past year about camping and littering at Dutton Island Preserve.
This week the area was cleared out.
>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<
Some Atlantic Beach residents said they are worried for the homeless people who don’t have anywhere else to go, but others are relieved and said they feel safer.
In the 12 years resident Andrew Clark has lived in Atlantic Beach, he said it’s gotten worse.
“A lot worse,” Clark said. “We never had any homeless problems until about three to four years ago.”
A problem that Clark said has gotten so bad that he is worried for the safety of his family.
“We’ve got a 12-year-old daughter, and she used to be able to play in the woods behind our house, but now we don’t let her by herself,” Clark said.
[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]
He lives a few blocks away from Dutton Island Preserve on Atlantic Beach, and he said he calls police about it often.
“A couple of them ride around – they’ve got machetes hanging off their belt,” Clark said.
Because of the ******** camping, Atlantic Beach Police Department officers and the city’s public works department teamed up with the Sulzbacher Center and the JSO Blight Team to clean up the waste at the park.
Now, it’s almost empty – but some lingers – with some clothes and glass on the ground.
“We don’t want to look like California; we don’t want to look like Los Angeles, with these huge homeless encampments,” Jacksonville City Councilmember Rory Diamond said.
He represents the district and is happy police are enforcing the new state laws that prohibit people from sleeping on public property.
[SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]
“Just imagine, you’ve got little kids running around here and then they come across a homeless camp like this – it’s just not okay for a neighborhood,” Diamond said.
As for Clark, he said he’s worried the camps will return.
“They’re like coyotes,” Clark said. “You take where they’re going to hide, and they just move somewhere else.”
Officials said the new state laws require the homeless to move when directed by police, and if they do not, they could be arrested. Also, municipalities must offer a place to stay or could be sued by residents.
The Atlantic Beach Police Department said it has not issued citations for its side of the Dutton Island Preserve.
Police department officials said they hope more people can enjoy the park now that it’s cleaner.
Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
Source link
#Atlantic #Beach #homeless #camp #cleared #safety #concerns #raised
Pelican News
View the full article at [Hidden Content]
'No durable peace' in Ukraine if Europe not in talks – minister – BBC.com
'No durable peace' in Ukraine if Europe not in talks – minister – BBC.com
‘No durable peace’ in Ukraine if Europe not in talks – minister BBC.comEurope scrambles to respond as US and Russia prepare for Ukraine peace talks Financial TimesEmmanuel Macron calls ’emergency meeting’ for European leaders to discuss Trump: report Fox NewsUK hopes to be a bridge between Europe and Trump’s US, minister says The GuardianEuropean leaders to hold emergency summit on Ukraine as Trump pushes for war’s end CNN
Source link
#039No #durable #peace039 #Ukraine #Europe #talks #minister #BBC.com
Pelican News
View the full article at [Hidden Content]
Hurry up and buy Nvidia and others ahead of earnings, Morgan Stanley says
Hurry up and buy Nvidia and others ahead of earnings, Morgan Stanley says
Analysts at Morgan Stanley said there’s still plenty of overweight-rated stocks to buy ahead of earnings as the reporting season wraps up. The firm says it’s sticking with stocks like Nvidia heading into quarterly reports. Other stocks Morgan Stanley likes include: EQT , Arista Networks and Tuya. Arista Networks Analyst Meta Marshall is standing by shares of the networking stock ahead of earnings on Tuesday. “[The] company has beaten revenue by ~300-400bps over the last 3-4 years, about in line with buyside expectations into the quarter,” she wrote. Still, Marshall said the fourth-quarter results are not likely to move the needle. “Further multiple expansion” is on hold until the company shows a meaningful amount of new customers, she added. The company does, however, having an underappreciated opportunity in the data center space. “Our checks were incrementally more positive on networking this quarter, with data center an area of focus and expectations of gradual improvement throughout the year,” she said. Arista shares are up 61% over the last year. EQT Buy any dip in shares of the hydrocarbon exploration company, according to analyst Devin McDermott. “The pullback creates an attractive entry point, with valuations now more compelling,” he wrote in a recent note. EQT remains a top pick at the firm ahead of earnings on Wednesday. The stock has risen more than 60% over the past 12 months, and is already up 16% year to date. McDermott said the stock’s recent choppiness is due to concerns around DeepSeek’s AI model, which has the potential to lessen power demand. The firm acknowledged that those concerns may persist, but says it still sees a buying opportunity. “Rising power consumption is a source of longer-term gas demand upside, but LNG [liquified natural gas] is a much larger near-term growth driver,” he wrote. “We continue to prefer gas over oil exposure within E & Ps and recommend buying the gas pullback,” he went on to say. Tuya Tuya shares are up a whopping 66% this year, but the firm says the China internet of things and AI company has plenty more room to run. The firm reiterated its overweight rating in a recent note clients, saying there is “strong revenue growth momentum” that’s likely to continue. However, analyst Yang Liu said there’s a “mismatch between fundamentals and share price,” urging investors to remain calm. “We think it leaves significant room for the share price to catch up with value,” she added. The firm acknowledged some tariff risk, but says there’s too many other positive catalysts to ignore right now. Liu also raised her price target to $3 from $2.30 with fourth-quarter earnings on deck on Feb. 26, which is the same day Nvidia reports its results. “The robust top-line growth is likely to be sustained by strong overseas IoT demand and Tuya’s market share gains,” she in her quarterly preview. Nvidia “While sentiment has worsened around potential longer term risks, near term business continues to firm, Blackwell supply visibility continues to build, customer desire to spend is clearly on display. … .We believe that NVIDIA should trade at a premium given its higher probability of upward revisions in the near term.” EQT “We continue to prefer gas over oil exposure within E & Ps and recommend buying the gas pullback. … .The pullback creates an attractive entry point, with valuations now more compelling. … .Rising power consumption is a source of longer-term gas demand upside, but LNG [liquified natural gas] is a much larger near-term growth driver.” Arista “Company has beaten revenue by ~300-400bps over the last 3-4 years, about inline with buyside expectations into the quarter. … .Further multiple expansion likely requires news of additional material customers or advancement on paused trials. … .Our checks were incrementally more positive on networking this quarter, with data center an area of focus and expectations of gradual improvement throughout the year.” Tuya “We reiterate our OW rating & raise our PT to factor in sustained strong revenue growth driven by overseas IoT & good cost control. … .The robust top-line growth is likely to be sustained by strong overseas IoT demand & Tuya’s market share gains. … .Strong revenue growth momentum to be sustained. … .Mismatch between fundamentals & share price. … .We think it leaves significant room for the share price to catch up with value.”
Source link
#Hurry #buy #Nvidia #ahead #earnings #Morgan #Stanley
Pelican News
View the full article at [Hidden Content]
Trump thinks defense spending could be halved, but the Pentagon’s costliest weapons program is ‘relatively affordable,’ analyst says
Trump thinks defense spending could be halved, but the Pentagon’s costliest weapons program is ‘relatively affordable,’ analyst says
President Donald Trump suggested Thursday that the Pentagon’s budget could be cut in half if the US, China, and Russia can reach some kind of deal. While the F-35 has taken flak as the most expensive acquisition program, an analyst said it looks “relatively affordable” for the capabilities that it brings.
President Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s DOGE team look to slash defense spending, but a Wall Street analyst thinks the Pentagon’s most expensive weapons program delivers plenty of bang for the buck.
That would be Lockheed Martin’s F-35 stealth fighter, which has previously drawn Musk’s scorn as being inferior to drones. After including the expenses to develop, manufacture, operate, and maintain its eventual fleet of F-35s over the fighter’s total service life, the Defense Department estimates the program will cost $1.8 trillion.
Last week, Trump signaled that DOGE will soon take on the Pentagon and its $850 billion budget. And then on Thursday, he dropped a bombshell, suggesting that spending could be halved if the US, China, and Russia can reach some kind of deal.
“When we straighten it all out, then one of the first meetings I want to have is with President Xi of China and President Putin of Russia, and I want to say let’s cut our military budget in half. And we can do that, and I think we’ll be able to do that,” he said.
Top defense stocks like Lockheed, Northrop Grumman, and RTX sold off after the comments. Meanwhile, defense officials are reportedly offering up sacrificial lambs to avoid even steeper cuts.
The Pentagon first awarded Lockheed the F-35 contract in 2001, and the program has been a perennial punching bag owing to cost overruns, delays, and its enormous price tag.
In a note on Wednesday, analysts at JPMorgan acknowledged concerns about potential cuts to the program, but maintained it’s a critical capability for the US and its allies.
“For all the criticism, however, F-35 still delivers significant capability in a relatively affordable way and this is why it continues to do well in international competitions,” they wrote. “Unmanned capabilities merit continued investment but they are far from capable of replacing F-35 and may not be for some time.”
Hundreds of F-35s are already in use in the US military and among top allies around the world. Over its production cycle, the Pentagon plans to buy about 2,400 F-35s for the Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps, to replace aging, non-stealth fighters.
In addition to its stealth, the Pentagon has also touted the F-35’s electronic warfare and intelligence-gathering features as well as its role as the “quarterback” of the battlespace, collecting data and dispersing it to other warfighters.
Given the F-35’s superior capabilities, JPMorgan said the Pentagon should continue buying upgraded versions of the fighter, adding that even if the US slows its procurement, purchases by allies can keep the overall production rate steady to avoid an uptick in unit costs.
Indeed, Trump also said on Thursday that the US is increasing weapons sales to India and is paving the way to eventually provide the F-35.
To be sure, there’s plenty of room for improvement at the Pentagon. But even more than cutting costs, Musk and DOGE could reform DoD by making it more efficient and introducing new technology, former Navy Secretary Richard Danzig said in a recent Washington Post op-ed.
“Musk is the great master, not at inventing these technologies but at something equally important, and rarer: applying technology to solve old problems in new ways,” he wrote.
This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
Source link
#Trump #thinks #defense #spending #halved #Pentagons #costliest #weapons #program #affordable #analyst
Pelican News
View the full article at [Hidden Content]
For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]
Dems are losing the online information battle to Trump and Musk – POLITICO
Dems are losing the online information battle to Trump and Musk – POLITICO
Dems are losing the online information battle to Trump and Musk POLITICOIn Musk’s Global Powerplay, Everything And Everywhere’s A Conflict ForbesHow to understand Elon Musk Financial Times
Source link
#Dems #losing #online #information #battle #Trump #Musk #POLITICO
Pelican News
View the full article at [Hidden Content]
Trump tours Boeing plane to highlight aircraft maker’s delay in delivering a new Air Force One – New York Post
Trump tours Boeing plane to highlight aircraft maker’s delay in delivering a new Air Force One – New York Post
Trump tours Boeing plane to highlight aircraft maker’s delay in delivering a new Air Force One New York Post View Full Coverage on Google News
Source link
#Trump #tours #Boeing #plane #highlight #aircraft #makers #delay #delivering #Air #Force #York #Post
Pelican News
View the full article at [Hidden Content]
After Navalny: Russian opposition is weaker than ever
After Navalny: Russian opposition is weaker than ever
Sarah Rainsford
Eastern Europe correspondent
BBC
A year after Alexei Navalny’s suspicious death in a Russian prison, his supporters have been helping choose a headstone for his grave in Moscow.
“It will be a place of hope and strength for all those who dream of the wonderful Russia of the future,” says the opposition politician’s widow, Yulia Navalnaya, quoting one of his best-known phrases.
Revealing her shortlist of designs in a video last week, she hoped the grave would become somewhere that those who oppose Vladimir Putin go “to remember they are not alone”.
Navalnaya now lives abroad, facing arrest if she were to return to Russia.
Her words capture just how far ambitions have shrunk.
Getty Images
For years, Alexei Navalny was the leading opposition figure challenging Vladimir Putin
For years, Alexei Navalny was Vladimir Putin’s biggest political rival: charismatic and courageous. Today, even his lawyers have been jailed as “extremists” and a huge number of supporters have fled Russia for safety. Those who’ve stayed are mostly scared into silence.
Now Vladimir Putin, far from being defeated by a ruinous war on Ukraine, looks like dictating the terms of a peace deal there alongside Donald Trump.
So did Russia’s democratic opposition and its dream of change die in an Arctic prison yard with Alexei Navalny?
Squeezing Russia’s democratic life
Ksenia Fadeeva was serving a nine-year sentence when the TV in her cell announced that Navalny was dead. He had collapsed in prison on his daily walk.
Getty Images
Russia’s prison service claimed Alexei Navalny collapsed and died while out for a walk at IK-3, a remote penal colony in the Arctic Circle
“I was in a stupor; I couldn’t even speak,” the activist remembers. “It was a nightmare.”
Ksenia was a political prisoner herself, labelled an “extremist” for her previous links to Navalny. She managed his HQ in her Siberian hometown, Tomsk, when Navalny tried to run against Putin in the 2018 presidential elections. He was blocked.
Back then, Ksenia showed me how her car had been coated in paint and had its tyres slashed. On another day the door of her flat was sealed shut with foam glue, trapping her inside.
The young activist shrugged all this off. It came with the territory.
Reuters
Ksenia Fadeeva, once a political prisoner herself, was labelled an ‘extremist’ for her ties to Alexei Navalny
At that point, Putin had been squeezing the democratic life out of Russia for close to two decades. He’d moved from controlling the media to rigging elections and punishing protest. Then came poisoning and political assassination.
This month also marks 10 years since Boris Nemtsov, another powerful voice of opposition, was killed. He was shot in the back close to the red walls of the Kremlin.
Russia had annexed Crimea illegally the previous year and Putin’s approval rating was still riding a wave of toxic nationalism. Critics like Nemtsov were publicly slurred as traitors.
The politician’s lifeless body, sprawled beneath fairy lights in the colours of the Russian flag, marked the start of a dark new era.
Opposition criminalised and exported
Navalny did his best to breathe new life into Russia’s beleaguered opposition.
A master of social media and of the anti-corruption agenda, he had real appeal, especially to a younger crowd.
But in 2020 he was poisoned with a Novichok nerve agent and almost died.
Getty Images
Alexei had survived poisoning attempts and years in some of Russia’s toughest prisons after exposing corruption at nearly every level of government
“I knew they could put you in prison, break up protests with batons, invent criminal charges. But poisoning with a chemical weapon?” Ksenia Fadeeva remembers her shock at the attack. “I thought there were some brakes on the system, but I was wrong.”
When Navalny returned from treatment abroad, he was arrested at the airport.
He would never walk free.
In that environment, the lack of overt opposition within Russia is hardly surprising.
“I don’t think there is any country in the world where many would risk years in prison for speaking out,” Vladimir Kara-Murza, a prominent activist, wrote to me once from his own jail cell.
Sentenced to 25 years for condemning Russian war crimes in Ukraine, Kara-Murza smarted at criticism of Russians for failing to stand up to Putin more firmly and failing to stop the full-scale invasion.
Navalny was already in jail. A spattering of anti-war protests was quickly stamped out.
“Inside Russia, it’s not a matter of there being no one with the charisma of Navalny,” Tatiana Stanovaya, senior fellow at the Carnegie Russia-Eurasia Centre says, explaining the lack of any new leader since his death.
“We’re talking about the complete criminalisation of opposition.”
Getty Images
Since his release from prison, Vladimir Kara-Murza (pictured) has travelled widely, arguing that a democratic Russia is key to global peace
Last August, Vladimir Kara-Murza and Ksenia Fadeeva were taken from their cells and forcibly deported as part of a giant exchange of prisoners.
The Kremlin was exporting dissent.
By then, Navalny was dead.
Ksenia believes that had he lived, even from abroad Navalny could have made a difference. “Things would have been different if they’d let Navalny out in a swap. His voice would have been loud, the opposition would have had more influence”, she says.
“In today’s tough conditions, I don’t know where you find another leader like Navalny.”
In a holding pattern
His team haven’t stopped working in exile. One half lobbies Western governments for more effective sanctions, the others try to smash through the wall of Russian propaganda with exposés of Putin’s entourage.
Their latest film targets a powerful ally of Putin, Igor Sechin, arguing that Putin is only pretending to “make Russia great” while he and his cronies plunder the country’s wealth.
Getty Images
Navalny brought new energy to Russia’s opposition, using social media and an anti-corruption message to connect with younger people
Such investigations used to spark real-life protests. Now those viewers still inside Russia can only watch via VPN and most dare not post comments.
“You can get a criminal charge now, just for lifting a finger,” Ksenia Fadeeva points out, although the latest film was seen almost two million times in 10 days.
Ksenia is sure most of that audience is in Russia.
“People haven’t changed their views, they’re still there. They definitely read and follow and watch,” she says. “But they can’t protest. They’re just surviving.”
That’s a word I hear often from activists: they describe Russian opposition forces in a kind of holding pattern.
“We can stick to our basic pro-democracy values and try to keep people safe for the future Russia,” Anastasia Burakova argues, and her own “Ark” project tries to do just that.
“But nobody knows how to successfully finish this dictatorship.”
Failing to convince
But is there actually demand for that?
“Imagine asking: ‘Do you support Vladimir Putin or do you want to go to jail for 15 years,'” says Ksenia Fadeeva, mocking the value of conducting polling in an authoritarian regime.
Others believe researchers do still have ways to take the social pulse, and they confirm that it’s not set racing by Yulia Navalnaya and co.
Reuters
Yulia Navalnaya hopes her late husband’s grave will become a place where those who oppose Vladimir Putin can gather and “remember they are not alone”
Navalny’s widow has moral authority but nowhere near his political skills.
“All these… liberal figures have extremely low approval ratings,” says academic Tatiana Stanovaya. Instead, she detects a consolidation of support for the Kremlin which she links to a surge in Ukrainian drone strikes on Russia.
“People see that we are very vulnerable and they have to choose the strongest player to rely on,” the analyst explains. “It’s not because they like Putin or consider him a positive hero. It’s because he can protect Russia in a very hostile environment.”
No matter that Putin created that environment himself by going to war.
It helps that Donald Trump now appears to be siding with Moscow: the US president once said he “understood” Russia’s veto on Ukraine joining Nato. He now seems to have conceded that major condition, even before any peace talks.
“I think the war has further entrenched anti-Western sentiment,” Dr ***** McGlynn of King’s College suggests. “I also don’t really see evidence there’s even a strong ********* of Russians who are desirous of a liberal, Western-allied type of democracy.”
“I think the liberals… ultimately failed to convince.”
There’s a whole lot wrapped up in that line, including the economic pain and massive corruption Russians experienced as the USSR fell apart. It all helped make democracy a dirty word.
Getty Images
Putin has dominated Russia’s political landscape for decades, using strategic tactics, military actions, and controversial policies to maintain control
For years, state TV has also been shouting into every living room that critics of Russia are its enemies, and Western agents.
“The Kremlin plays on a real fear, ingrained in Russian minds, that the West has been trying to ruin Russia, weaken and divide it,” Tatiana Stanovaya argues.
“There is good soil for the Kremlin to work on.”
Divided dissent
Opposition forces are also deeply divided.
Fierce rivalries and personality clashes that go back many years have intensified in exile and now frequently erupt into vicious and very public fights.
“We can debate after democracy in Russia begins, but for now we have the same goal and the same enemy: he’s in the Kremlin,” Anastasia Burakova voices the frustration of many that such scrapping is a dangerous distraction.
That division is part of why ***** McGlynn thinks Russia’s exiled activists might better be called “dissidents” than a political opposition.
“Politics is about practicality, otherwise you are a philosopher,” she argues – and challenging those in power is impossible in Russia right now.
Reuters
Experts say the chances of Russia moving from Putinism to a liberal democracy seem more unlikely than ever
Anastasia Shevchenko agrees. But just surviving Putinism isn’t good enough for her. “I hate when people still talk about the ‘beautiful Russia of the future’,” the Russian activist quoted Alexei Navalny, when we met in a Kyiv coffee shop last month.
“You can’t be happy next to destroyed cities where so many people were killed.”
Other opposition figures insist on referring to “Putin’s war”, to suggest that most Russians are against the invasion – which infuriates Ukrainians.
“I think to claim that it’s one man’s war when you have 600,000 troops there and over three million in the defence industry, not including all the propagandists, is not convincing,” ***** McGlynn is firm.
Other ways to help
But Anastasia Shevchenko struggles to focus on anything else. Whilst change within Russia remains “very far away”, she sees Ukraine is in trouble now and she can help.
Anastasia Shevchenko acts as a telephone exchange, allowing Ukrainian soldiers held captive in Russia to call their family
She’s become a one-woman telephone exchange for Ukrainian soldiers held captive in Russia: prisoners of war, who can’t call Ukrainian numbers from Russian jails, dial Anastasia’s Russian mobile. She gets their mother or wife on another line and places the phones together so they can talk.
“If you can help Ukraine, you should do that,” she believes. “But we Russians are focused only on Russia and I don’t understand it.”
Still readjusting to life out of prison, and out of her country, Ksenia Fadeeva has shifted her own focus from politics to human rights for now, helping political prisoners.
“I still believe Russia has every chance of becoming a normal, free, peaceful European country,” Ksenia Fadeeva insists. “But the regime is far harsher now, more authoritarian.”
Anastasia Shevchenko agrees, though she remembers the collapse of the USSR and concedes that history is unpredictable.
“You never know what happens. Things can change quickly. So you have to be ready.”
But ready for what?
Spectre of nationalism
The idea of Russia leaping from Putinism to liberal democracy looks less likely than ever.
***** McGlynn sees no prospect at all, unless the vision that led to the invasion of Ukraine – “this imperial, chauvinist vision of Russia” – is defeated.
Getty Images
In November last year, several thousand people marched in central Berlin, led by prominent Russian opposition figures, to protest against Putin’s war in Ukraine and call for democracy in Russia
“I think that’s where we will see real opposition,” she thinks. “From disgruntled nationalists,” especially in a country with tens of thousands of war veterans and all their trauma.
“What will the authorities ‘sell’ to the people then? What idea?,” Ksenia Fadeeva wonders, when the war is finally over.
All agree the political repression will remain intense. As the analyst Tatiana Stanovaya puts it: “The state, especially the repressive apparatus, do not have the skills to retreat.”
On Sunday, Navalny’s supporters plan memorials from Argentina to Australia to mark the anniversary of his death. In Moscow, some will visit his graveside. A few may dare to chant for change. But most of all, those who still cling to the dream of a democratic Russia will be checking who else is still out there. Still waiting.
BBC InDepth is the home on the website and app for the best analysis, with fresh perspectives that challenge assumptions and deep reporting on the biggest issues of the day. And we showcase thought-provoking content from across BBC Sounds and iPlayer too. You can send us your feedback on the InDepth section by clicking on the button below.
Source link
#Navalny #Russian #opposition #weaker
Pelican News
View the full article at [Hidden Content]
For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]
Tears of Themis is bringing Dunhuang culture to life in the Ballad of the Dunes event
Tears of Themis is bringing Dunhuang culture to life in the Ballad of the Dunes event
Tears of Themis has collaborated with Culture & Tourism in Gansu Province, China
Content inspired by the Silk Road will be featured throughout the event
New limited MR cards introduced
Tears of Themis has launched a special collaboration event called Ballad of the Dunes, in partnership with Culture & Tourism in Gansu Province, China. Drawing inspiration from the Silk Road and Dunhuang’s cultural heritage, this limited-time event introduces new MR cards and an exclusive Namecard, immersing you in a story set against a backdrop of ancient history.
Tears of Themis’ Ballad of the Dunes event runs from February 13th to 20th, letting you earn Camel Bells, S-Chips, and other rewards by completing tasks. Camel Bells can be used to flip cells and unlock various prizes, including the Ballad of the Dunes MR cards.
With four rounds to complete, you can choose one of the new MR cards as your final reward each time. Once you’ve flipped 100 cells, you’ll also receive the Celebration Dunes Namecard. The new MR cards showcase the four male leads in designs inspired by Dunhuang’s artistic traditions.
Luke’s “In the Footsteps of Silk,” Artem’s “Serenade of the Soul,” Vyn’s “Reverberation Through Time,” and Marius’ “Void of Creation” feature motifs from Silk Road history, including flying apsaras and the pipa played behind the back, an iconic image from Dunhuang murals. Even their Private Messages carry forward the storytelling with several cultural exchanges between characters.
Before you go on, redeem these Tears of Themis codes to get yourself some freebies!
The Silk Road, established during the Western Han Dynasty, was a key route for trade and cultural exchange between East and West. Gansu Province, home to Dunhuang, remains a significant cultural site, preserving historical artifacts and traditions. Tears of Themis has highlighted Dunhuang’s artistic legacy beautifully through this collaboration.
Explore the rich culture surrounding the Silk Road by downloading Tears of Themis now for free on your preferred link below. Visit the official website for more information.
Source link
#Tears #Themis #bringing #Dunhuang #culture #life #Ballad #Dunes #event
Pelican News
View the full article at [Hidden Content]
‘I believe in my guide runner more than myself’ says blind Indian athlete
‘I believe in my guide runner more than myself’ says blind Indian athlete
BBC
Rakshitha was the first blind Indian woman to compete in the 1500m in the Paralympics
“When I was growing up, everyone in my village would say: ‘She is blind, she is a waste’,” says Rakshitha Raju. Now, aged 24, she is one of India’s top middle distance para athletes. “It makes me so proud,” she says.
Rakshitha was born blind in a remote village in southern India and had lost both her parents by the age of 10. She was raised by her grandmother who is hearing and speech impaired.
“Both of us are disabled, so my grandma understood me,” she says.
When Rakshitha was about 13, the sports teacher at her school took her aside and told her she had the potential to be a great athlete.
“I wondered: ‘How? I am blind, so how do I run on a track I can’t see?'” she recalls.
Her teacher explained that visually impaired runners can have a guide, who runs alongside them. The athletes are joined by a tether – a short strap with a loop on both ends for each of them to hold on to.
Visual impairments can vary between athletes, so in some events competitors wear masks over their eyes to ensure fairness
For a while, other pupils acted as guide runners for Rakshitha. Then in 2016, when she was 15, she competed in the National Games, where a man called Rahul Balakrishna spotted her.
A middle-distance runner, Rahul had previously competed in the 1500m himself. He had been introduced to para athletics by a coach at the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) a few years earlier, while recovering from an injury.
There was a shortage of guides and coaches and Rahul decided to take on both roles. The government pays him a salary for the coaching side of his work, but it does not pay guide runners.
However, if a visually impaired runner wins an international competition, their guide also gets a medal – something Rahul had not achieved in his own running career. “I felt proud that I could do this for myself and my country,” he says.
Rahul and Rakshitha have been training together for about eight years
He invested his own time and money to support Rakshitha, helping her move to Bangalore in 2018 so she could have access to better training facilities.
When they are running “it’s the small things that matter”, says Rahul. “When they are approaching a curve, the guide has to alert the athlete or when a competitor is overtaking, he has to tell the athlete so they can put in a little more effort.”
Competition rules mean they can’t hold hands – they can only be connected by the tether, and the guide-runner is not allowed to push, pull or otherwise propel the visually impaired athlete.
Over time, the pair have built up a strong bond and now “I believe in my guide runner more than myself”, says Rakshitha.
They won gold medals at the 2018 and 2023 Asian Games, returning to a resounding welcome in Rakshitha’s village. She smiles as she describes how the people who used to taunt her organised a procession for her, cheering and waving flags.
Rakshitha’s grandmother (second from left) joined Rakshitha (third from left) and Rahul (right) for the parade through their village
Rakshitha became the first blind Indian woman to qualify for the 1500m in the Paralympics and she competed with Rahul in Paris in 2024.
They missed out on a medal in France, but India’s only other visually impaired female athlete to qualify for Paris, sprinter Simran Sharma, did make it to the podium, bringing home a bronze.
Simran is partially sighted and when she started running, she ran alone.
But in 2021, when Simran competed in the Tokyo Paralympics, she strayed out of her lane and realised that she would need a guide if she wanted to carry on running.
But the search proved challenging. “It can’t be any athlete. You need someone whose technique matches yours and who runs as fast as you do,” she explains.
Getty Images
Simran (r) with her guide runner Abhay (l) competing in the 100m at the Paralympic Games in Paris
Simran finally spotted a young athlete called Abhay Kumar, who was training at the same place as her. The 18-year-old was between competitions and guiding Simran was an opportunity for him to get experience at international events.
“They sent me videos and after watching them I thought: ‘I am a fast learner, this is going to be easy’,” he says. “But when I ran for the first time, it turned out to be very difficult.” Every movement has to be synchronised.
Simran and Abhay did not have time to practice together for long before their first international competition – the 2024 World Para Athletics Championships in Japan – just a few weeks after they met.
Their first race, the 100m, ended in disaster.
Simran and Abhay practise every stage of the race to make sure they are synchronised
“Neither of us knew the rules properly,” says Simran. Abhay “thought he had to stop to let me cross the line first, so he stopped completely”. They were disqualified as he should have kept going and crossed the line just behind her.
But by the time they got to the 200m race, they knew what they were doing and struck gold. Simran became the World Champion in the T12 category.
Riding on that high, they went to the Paralympics in Paris. They came fourth in the 100m, but won bronze in the 200m race and Simran became the first Indian woman with a visual impairment to win a Paralympic medal.
Getty Images
Simran and Abhay (front) came third in the 200m in Paris
But Simran is worried how long Abhay will stay as her guide. He has his own career to think of too.
Although guide runners get a medal when a pair wins, the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) says it cannot support guides with salaries, cash prizes or offer a long-term career path.
“All we can do is support short-term needs like their food, accommodation, transport and training facilities,” says the PCI’s national athletics coach Mr Satyanarayana, who goes by one name.
Both Rakshitha and Simran now have sponsorship deals which help fund their training. They pay their guides themselves and give them a share of any prize money they win. But Rahul and Abhay would like more support from the state and want to be allowed to apply for public sector jobs reserved for sportsmen and women – like the athletes they work with.
Despite the uncertainty around her future with Abhay, Simran is already looking ahead to the next Paralympic Games in Los Angeles. “I won’t rest till I change the colour of this medal,” she says, hoping that next time she will win gold.
Rakshitha is hoping for a medal next time too, with Rahul at her side. “She must win a medal,” he says. “There are many like her in villages. They don’t know about sports and the possibilities. Rakshitha would be a role model for them.”
The BBC Indian Sportswoman Of The Year (ISWOTY) Award is back with its fifth edition to celebrate and honour the remarkable achievements of women athletes in India. Find out about the nominees – the winner will be announced on 17 February.
Source link
#guide #runner #blind #Indian #athlete
Pelican News
View the full article at [Hidden Content]
For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]
Privacy Notice: We utilize cookies to optimize your browsing experience and analyze website traffic. By consenting, you acknowledge and agree to our Cookie Policy, ensuring your privacy preferences are respected.
