Pelican Press

Ukraine’s future in sharp focus as leaders meet after Trump-Putin call – National Ukraine’s future in sharp focus as leaders meet after Trump-Putin call – National The future of Ukraine is the top item on the agenda at the Munich Security Conference following a phone call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin this week, when they pledged to work together to end the three-year-old Russia-Ukraine conflict. U.S. Vice President JD Vance hammered home the U.S. demand that the NATO alliance step up defence spending on Friday, ahead of a security meeting in Europe at a time of intense concern and uncertainty over the Trump administration’s foreign policy. Vance is expected to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy later Friday for talks that many observers, particularly in Europe, hope will shed at least some light on Trump’s ideas for a negotiated settlement to the war. Vance started his day in Munich meeting separately with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, ******* President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and British foreign secretary David Lammy. Story continues below advertisement He used the engagements to reiterate the Republican Trump administration’s call for NATO members to spend more on defence. Currently, 23 of NATO’s 32 member nations are hitting the Western military alliance’s target of spending two per cent of the nation’s GDP on defence. “NATO is a very important military alliance, of course, that we’re the most significant part of,” Vance told Rutte. “But we want to make sure that NATO is actually built for the future, and we think a big part of that is ensuring that NATO does a little bit more burden sharing in Europe, so the United States can focus on some of our challenges in East Asia.” Rutte said he agreed that Europe needs to step up. “We have to grow up in that sense and spend much more,” he said. Trump, who upended years of steadfast U.S. support for Ukraine during his call with Putin on Wednesday, has been vague about his specific intentions — other than suggesting that a deal will likely result in Ukraine being forced to cede territory that Russia has seized since it annexed Crimea in 2014. Story continues below advertisement “The Ukraine war has to end,” Trump told reporters Thursday. “Young people are being killed at levels that nobody’s seen since World War II. And it’s a ridiculous war.” Get daily National news Get the day’s top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Trump’s musings have left Europeans in a quandary, wondering how — or even if — they can maintain the post-WWII security that NATO afforded them or fill the gap in the billions of dollars of security assistance that the Democratic Biden administration provided to Ukraine since Russia’s February 2022 invasion. Trump has been highly skeptical of that aid and is expected to cut or otherwise limit it as negotiations get underway in the coming days. 2:06 U.S., Russia say Ukraine will be involved in peace talks Both Trump and U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth this week undercut Ukraine’s hopes of becoming part of NATO, which the alliance said less than a year ago was “irreversible,” or of getting back its territory captured by Russia, which currently occupies close to 20 per cent including Crimea. Story continues below advertisement “I don’t see any way that a country in Russia’s position could allow … them to join NATO,” Trump said Thursday. “I don’t see that happening.” But British Prime Minister Keir Starmer told Zelenskyy on Friday that Ukraine must be allowed to join NATO. Trump in recent days said he wants to reach an agreement with Ukraine to gain access to the country’s rare earth materials as a condition for continuing U.S. support for Ukraine’s defence against Russia. He confirmed earlier this week that aides were working toward striking such a deal. Asked Friday if a deal might be completed in Munich, Vance responded, “We’ll see.” 1:48 Ukraine peace talks don’t necessarily begin and end with NATO membership: Rutte Trending Now Mini Ritz crackers are being pulled off shelves in Canada. Here’s why Teddi Mellencamp reveals she has ‘multiple’ brain tumours, will undergo surgery Vance, in an interview with the Wall Street Journal, said that the U.S. would hit Moscow with sanctions and potentially military action if Putin won’t agree to a peace deal with Ukraine that guarantees Kyiv’s long-term independence. Story continues below advertisement The warning that military options “remain on the table” was striking language from a Trump administration that’s repeatedly underscored a desire to quickly end the war. Zelenskyy won’t accept agreements made without Ukraine. The U.S. reassurances may have somewhat allayed Zelenskyy’s fears, although they will not replace any lost military or economic support that President Joe Biden’s administration had provided. The Ukrainian leader conceded Thursday that it was “not very pleasant” that Trump spoke first to Putin. But he said the main issue was to “not allow everything to go according to Putin’s plan.” “We cannot accept it, as an independent country, any agreements (made) without us,” Zelenskyy said as he visited a nuclear power plant in western Ukraine. 2:00 US warns Ukraine NATO membership “unrealistic objective” of peace talks The track Trump is taking also has rocked Europe, much as his dismissive comments about France and Germany did during his first term. Story continues below advertisement French Deputy Foreign Minister Benjamin Haddad described Europe as being at a turning point, with the ground shifting rapidly under its feet, and said Europe must wean itself off its reliance on the United States for its security. He warned that handing a victory to Russia in Ukraine could have repercussions in Asia, too. “I think we’re not sufficiently grasping the extent to which our world is changing. Both our competitors and our allies are busy accelerating,” Haddad told broadcaster France Info on Thursday. More on Canada More videos &copy 2025 The ********* Press Source link #Ukraines #future #sharp #focus #leaders #meet #TrumpPutin #call #National Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

US infant mortality rises in states with abortion bans, study finds US infant mortality rises in states with abortion bans, study finds Getty Images The overturning of Roe v Wade in 2022 has polarised communities in the United States Infant mortality rates have increased in US states which have enacted abortion bans following the landmark ruling overturning the nationwide right for women to access the procedure, a new study has found. According to researchers, there were an estimated 478 infant deaths across 14 states with bans or heavy restrictions after six weeks of pregnancy – which they say would not have occurred had they not been not in place. Alison Gemmill, co-leader of the study, said “restrictive abortion policies” could be “reversing decades of progress” in reducing infant deaths across the US. In its 2022 ruling, the US Supreme Court reversed its 50-year-old Roe v Wade decision which had protected a woman’s constitutional right to terminate a pregnancy up until the point of foetal viability, around the 24th week. The study, published this week by researchers from the John Hopkin’s Bloomberg School of Public Health, found an increase in mortality rates for babies born with congenital issues, as well as among groups where death rates already were higher than average. This included ****** infants, as well as for babies whose parents were unmarried, younger, did not attend college, and for those living in southern states. As of January 2025, 17 states have outlawed nearly all abortions, though some have narrow exceptions for cases of *****, ******* or the health of the mother. States with a total ban include Idaho, Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas and West Virginia. Florida, Georgia, Iowa and South Carolina ban the procedure after six weeks of pregnancy. Meanwhile, there are bans in place in Nebraska and North Carolina for procedures after 12 weeks, while it is 18 weeks in Utah. Congenital malformations In the states which opted to enact the new laws, infant mortality rates increased to 6.26 per 1,000 live births, compared with an expected rate of 5.93 per 1,000 – a relative increase of 5.6%. The study also found an increase in the number of infant deaths from congenital anomalies, rising from an expected 1.24 per 1,000 live births to 1.37 per 1,000 – a relative increase of 10.87%. Mortality from other causes rose to 4.89 per 1,000 from an expected 4.69, a 4.23% increase. Among non-Hispanic ****** infants, there were 11.81 deaths per 1,000 live births after the bans, compared to an expected rate of 10.66 per 1,000, an increase of nearly 11%. According to the research, the increase in infant mortality due to congenital malformations was consistent with women being denied abortions for non-viable pregnancies – where a pregnancy cannot possibly result in a liveborn baby. But the increase due to non-congenital causes “is less straightforward”, researchers say. The study also found the ban may be disproportionately impacting disadvantaged populations who are already at a higher risk of infant mortality as well as delays in receiving medical care. Separate research from John Hopkin’s Bloomberg School of Public Health found that abortion bans were also linked to increased fertility rates. Following the overturning of Roe v Wade, which returned control over the procedure back to individual states, researchers found that the number of births per 1,000 reproductive-aged females in affected states rose by 1.7%, or 22,180. The estimated differences in fertility were largest in states with among the “worst maternal and child health outcomes”, the research suggested. Source link #infant #mortality #rises #states #abortion #bans #study #finds Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Honkai Star Rail to introduce new characters Tribbie and Mydei later this month Honkai Star Rail to introduce new characters Tribbie and Mydei later this month The new characters are set to arrive on February 26th Yunli and Huohu will also return via the Warp event There will be several events for you to enjoy Honkai Star Rail fans, get February 26th written in your diaries because that’s when the 3.1 update arrives. It’s called – take a deep breath – Light Slips the Gate, Shadow Greets the Throne and will see you continuing the Flame-Chase Journey while welcoming two new characters, Tribbie and Mydei. We’ll start with Tribbie because I happened to write her name first. She is a five-star Quantum character who can put a special zone around enemies that causes them to take more damage. Not only that but whenever a foe is attacked, Tribbie deals extra damage to whoever has the highest HP at the time. She can also kick off follow-up attacks frequently, hopefully leading to swifter battles. The second addition to Honkai Star Rail’s ever-growing roster is Mydei, a five-star Imaginary character. Boasting oodles – it’s time that word made a comeback – of HP, she can consume some of it to enter an enhanced form. In this state, she automatically strikes enemies that turn for some tasty bonus damage. All aboard for the big Honkai Star Rail update As with any big Star Rail update, it’s not only new characters we have to look forward to. The limited five-star Yunli and Huohu will return via the Warp event. So, if you’ve wanted another chance to add them to your collection, you don’t have long to wait. You can also look forward to the Day and Night System, which sees battles switch between the two, bringing special boosts and additional effects when transitioning from one to the other. Finally, you can participate in The Awooo Firm event, which sees you managing the chimera squad in Okhema. Honkai Star Rail is available on the App Store and Google Play, where it’s free-to-play with in-app purchases. You can download it for your preferred platform using the buttons below. Source link #Honkai #Star #Rail #introduce #characters #Tribbie #Mydei #month Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Presidents’ Day Dell Deals — XPS, G16, Alienware, monitors Presidents’ Day Dell Deals — XPS, G16, Alienware, monitors Table of Contents Table of Contents Dell S2425HS Monitor — $110 $140 21% off Dell 27 USB-C Monitor — $220 $260 15% off Inspiron 15 Laptop — $250 $380 34% off Dell G16 Gaming Laptop — $1,000 $1,300 23% off Dell Latitude 5540 Laptop — $1,259 $2,046 38% off Dell XPS Desktop — $1,300 $1,700 24% off Dell XPS 14 Laptop — $1,700 $2,000 15% off Dell XPS 16 OLED Laptop — $2,550 $3,050 16% off Presidents’ Day is a nice three-day reprieve from work, and it’s also a nice excuse to do some shopping. And Dell is certainly ready, with business laptops, monitors, and more discounted on their website and across Amazon. We’ve picked out our favorite deals, largely from the best Dell products out there — and products we’ve personally reviewed or have hands-on experiences with. Here, we present that list to you so you can get some of the best laptop deals and monitor deals around. Remember that as these deals are coming out around the Presidents’ Day holiday (though not all of them have explicit “Presidents’ Day” markings) they very well might end soon, so plan your purchases accordingly. Dell S2425HS Monitor — $110 $140 21% off Dell This sleek monitor with a modern look has integrated speakers, a 100Hz refresh rate, and a 4-star TÜV Rheinland eye comfort rating. The 24-inch Dell S2425HS is a great second monitor for your home office or second study. You won’t find many monitor deals with a price lower than the starting price of $140 that this one sports, much less the reduced $110. Dell 27 USB-C Monitor — $220 $260 15% off Dell Dell’s USB-C monitors make switching between a laptop and your desktop snappy, are easy on the eyes, and look great on your desk. In fact, a monitor in this series is being used in the creation of this very article. Get one for yourself at a price point cheaper than this writer paid while it is just $220. Inspiron 15 Laptop — $250 $380 34% off Dell Sometimes you need a powerful laptop that you can take with you and do complex computations, coding, and gaming on the fly. Other times you need a laptop that works, isn’t so expensive that it getting stolen or having your café coffee spilled on it will ruin your day completely. This affordable Dell laptop is in the second category, and even includes a nice numpad if you’re using Excel or working with numbers. You’ll enjoy its 120Hz, anti-glare screen, too, as you watch video and read your homework, etc. It’s hard to find laptops with a full keyboard at this price. Dell G16 Gaming Laptop — $1,000 $1,300 23% off Dell Dell’s G16 gaming laptop is one of the best gaming laptops you can buy from Dell outside of their Alienware gaming-specific sub-brand, and this is especially true if you prioritize value. For just $1,000 you can get an RTX 4060 laptop GPU, 16GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD, and way more power than you’ll need for Balatro or any other game you might find yourself wanting to play on a laptop. Dell Latitude 5540 Laptop — $1,259 $2,046 38% off Dell Considered to be the best Dell laptops for business, the Dell Latitude 5540 is praised for its all day battery life (around 11 hours), mid-point pricing, and security features like automatic dimming when you look away and notifications in case of an onlooker taking a peek at the screen in the coffee shop. With a savings of more than $780, this is a great time to pick one up. Dell XPS Desktop — $1,300 $1,700 24% off Jacob ****** / Digital Trends / Digital Trends The Dell XPS Desktop is a solid choice of desktop for those that want a pre-built desktop computer — it has a solid design, isn’t bedecked in awkwardly bright RGB lights, and has easily accessible ports. Before purchasing this, be sure to check out our Dell XPS Desktop 8960 review, but keep in mind that some of the components are different on the configuration being sold. The version being sold for just $1,300 today has an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Ti graphics card, 32GB of RAM, and 1TB of storage. Still, you’ll have a very similar experience in regards to the overall review, which praises the machine’s minimal bloatware and performance. Dell XPS 14 Laptop — $1,700 $2,000 15% off Luke Larsen / Digital Trends The Dell XPS line of laptops is known for their unique and comfy keyboards, sleek designs, and overall hardcore power. Whether it outright said or not, it is obvious they are gunning to be MacBook alternatives for those of us not deeply embedded into the Apple ecosystem. And, well, the Dell XPS 14 is no different, becoming one of the last XPS laptops ever. Our Dell XPS 14 review features a laptop nearly identical to the one on ***** here, though it talks a bit more about the OLED screen version. The bottom line: Get this laptop for a super powerful notebook PC with a premium keyboard, all at just $1,700 while this deal lasts. Dell XPS 16 OLED Laptop — $2,550 $3,050 16% off Mark Coppock / Digital Trends Dell’s XPS 16 is the top of the line in the classic and soon to be retired Dell XPS line of laptops. The configuration on ***** for 16% off features an RTX 4060 GPU, 32GB of RAM, 1TB of SSD storage and an anti-reflect, anti-smudge UHD+ OLED touchscreen. Check out our Dell XPS 16 review to see the finer details or our comparison of the Dell XPS 14 vs Dell XPS 16 to see which version you should ultimately nab up. Source link #Presidents #Day #Dell #Deals #XPS #G16 #Alienware #monitors Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Apple could roll out AI features for iPhones in China as early as May Apple could roll out AI features for iPhones in China as early as May Apple’s artificial intelligence features for iPhones could be available in China as early as May, according to Bloomberg. The company reportedly established several teams in China and the US to make that happen, and it’s also teaming up with local companies for its generative AI needs in the country. Joe Tsai, Alibaba Group’s Chairman, recently confirmed that Apple will use his company’s generative AI technology for ******** iPhones during an event. Tsai didn’t say when Apple intends to roll out the AI features that use Alibaba’s tech, but The Information previously reported that the companies had already submitted them for approval to the country’s regulators. Bloomberg says Apple will use Alibaba’s technology for its on-device AI models, specifically as a layer on top that can censor certain materials and information for the ******** government. Alibaba will be able to ask Apple to make updates to its AI models if China’s government asks, and Apple will apparently disable outdated AI features on a user’s phone until they update their device to remove any content that’s been prohibited. These will only apply for iPhones meant for ***** within China and not for devices purchased elsewhere. However, Apple Intelligence will not work in the country even on devices meant for ***** in other regions once the user changes their location to mainland China. Tsai said during an event that Apple talked to several companies in the region for its AI needs, including DeepSeek. While Alibaba will be its primary AI partner in China, Bloomberg says Apple will also work with Baidu for certain features like Visual Intelligence, which lets users find information online by scanning items on their phone. For AI features that need additional power and have to be processed through external servers, Apple will likely have to work with a local partner, as well. As Bloomberg notes, bringing Apple Intelligence to ******** iPhones is a critical goal for the company. China is Apple’s second biggest market, but the company’s sales are on the decline as customers turn to local brands that offer AI features on their devices. In the last three months of 2024, Apple’s sales in the country dropped by 11.1 percent, putting Apple in third place in the country’s smartphone market after Huawei and Xiaomi. If you buy something through a link in this article, we may earn commission. Source link #Apple #roll #features #iPhones #China #early Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Meet the man who single-handedly tracks every spaceflight mission ever Meet the man who single-handedly tracks every spaceflight mission ever Jonathan McDowell with some of his extensive space archive MAX ALEXANDER Jonathan McDowell has been a load-bearing part of the world’s spaceflight knowledge for more than four decades. His monthly newsletter on the industry – Jonathan’s Space Report – details all upcoming launches and has become an essential resource for everyone from keen amateurs to space professionals, while his library of space industry information and ephemera, which occupies around 90 square metres, is one of the most extensive private collections on the subject in the world. But now, McDowell is retiring and searching for a new home for this trove. He spoke… Source link #Meet #man #singlehandedly #tracks #spaceflight #mission Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

SEBI Said to be Seeking Greater Access to Social Media Records SEBI Said to be Seeking Greater Access to Social Media Records India’s markets regulator is seeking broader powers from the government to remove unauthorised financial advice from social media platforms such as WhatsApp and Telegram, and to access their call records for investigations into market violations, a government source and a document reviewed by Reuters showed. This is the second time since 2022 that the Securities and Exchange Board of India has sought such powers, with approval from the government still pending. The request comes as the regulator has intensified investigations into market violations and clamped down on unregulated financial advice circulating on social media. Social media companies have also not complied with the government’s request for access to their call data records, and groups and channels, despite an earlier meeting with the regulator, SEBI has said. In its latest letter sent last week, SEBI said companies such as Meta Platforms’ WhatsApp have denied the regulator access to its social media group chats as the current information technology law does not identify the capital markets watchdog as an ‘authorised agency.’ The regulator sought powers to “take down any messages, information, links and groups on social media channels if the content violated the securities regulations,” the letter showed. It also sought powers to access calls or message data records communicated through digital or social media platforms. Such powers are currently vested with other law enforcement agencies such as the Tax Department, Department of Revenue Intelligence and Enforcement Directorate, but not with the regulators. “SEBI finds itself limited while investigating serious market violations due to the absence of power to access equivalent of call data records,” according to the letter sent on February 3. The letter and its contents have not been previously reported. SEBI, the finance ministry and Meta Platforms did not respond to emails seeking comment. In a revised statement emailed to Reuters on Friday, Telegram said it is in regular touch with various departments of SEBI and processes all valid requests for content moderation, which are submitted with requisite documentation. “Telegram is fully cooperating with the concerned authorities to process their requests around content moderation or blocking groups or channels, after performing the necessary legal checks, as per the guidelines of the IT Act 2000,” it said. “However, Telegram cannot provide access to call data due to the structural design of its technical architecture.” The revised statement removed reference made in a previous statement issued on Thursday that said “Telegram has not denied access to SEBI”, without elaborating. There are several ongoing investigations pertaining to market manipulations such as front-running and insider trading, which require the regulator to access records of these social media groups, said the government official who has direct knowledge of the matter. WhatsApp groups and Telegram channels have become popular among market participants, with financial influencers sharing trading tips on specific stocks and other securities in return for money. Earlier Request In August 2022, SEBI Chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch made a similar request, asking the government for more powers to access the exchange of information among alleged suspects involved in offences such as insider trading through digital resources. The government did not grant those powers but convened a meeting of its different departments, including SEBI, with representatives from Meta, to direct them to provide all relevant information regarding ongoing investigations. The government is examining SEBI’s new request, but the official said that such powers are typically only granted for serious crimes, and any decision to grant these powers would require a broader policy decision for all regulators. Developed countries such as those in Europe and the US do not grant direct authority to their securities regulators to remove social media posts. However, they have the capacity to penalise individuals engaged in ******** activities, such as fraud and misleading advertising. © Thomson Reuters 2025 (This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Source link #SEBI #Seeking #Greater #Access #Social #Media #Records Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Here’s what to do if you receive this tax form Here’s what to do if you receive this tax form Artistgndphotography | E+ | Getty Images As millions of Americans gather paperwork to file their returns, many could see a tax form for business payments “for the first time ever,” according to the National Taxpayer Advocate. For 2024, if you had more than $5,000 in business transactions from apps like PayPal or Venmo, along with online marketplaces like eBay, you could receive Form 1099-K, which reports that income to the IRS. The 2024 reporting threshold is down from the 2023 limit of more than 200 payments worth above $20,000. For 2025, the threshold drops to more than $2,500 no matter the number of transactions, and a limit above $600 applies to calendar year 2026 and beyond, according to IRS guidance released in November. More from Personal Finance: Your tax return could be ‘flagged for audit’ without these key forms Here’s the inflation breakdown for January 2025 — in one chart 1 in 3 Americans have ‘layoff anxiety’ — here’s how to combat it Congress enacted the $600 reporting threshold via the American Rescue Plan of 2021, but the IRS has delayed the threshold change amid bipartisan scrutiny from lawmakers and complaints from the tax community. The IRS in 2023 unveiled phased-in limits to “avoid problems for taxpayers, tax professionals and others,” former IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel said in a statement at the time. How to report Form 1099-K on your return While the 1099-K reporting threshold is lower for 2024, “there are no changes in what counts as income,” said April Walker, lead manager for tax practice and ethics with the American Institute of CPAs. “This is just a reporting mechanism.” This season, you could receive Form 1099-K after selling items, such as vehicles, furniture, clothing or concert tickets via payment apps. You could also see the form for services paid via such platforms. However, “personal payments” between family and friends shouldn’t be reported via Form 1099-K, according to the IRS. If you made a profit selling an item — meaning the sales price is more than what you originally paid — you need to report that gain on Form 8949 and Schedule D. You can’t deduct items sold at a loss, but you should “zero out” the gross income at the top of Schedule 1 so you don’t owe taxes on the reported income, according to the IRS. The same strategy applies if you receive Form 1099-K for personal payments. But if you’re subtracting these payments on Schedule 1, you should keep records, such as receipts, to prove the income isn’t taxable, Walker said. Source link #Heres #receive #tax #form Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Back to school for 16-year-old Irish soccer hero Back to school for 16-year-old Irish soccer hero Sixteen-year-old Michael ******* didn’t have much time to celebrate his historic goal for Shamrock Rovers. The Irish teenager had school in the morning. *******’s second-half goal on Thursday night gave the Hoops a 1-0 victory at Norwegian club Molde in the first leg of their UEFA Conference League playoff. At 16 years, 197 days, he became the youngest-ever scorer in the competition but after a flight back to Dublin, he packed his bag for classes and returned to schoolwork on Friday morning. His mother, Sandie *******, posted on X: “And back to school he goes…” with a picture of the teenager headed off to class. Rovers said ******* had become the youngest scorer in any European club competition, but Nii Lamptey was 16 years, 100 days when he netted for Anderlecht in a UEFA Cup game in 1991. The second leg is next Thursday at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin. *******, an Under-17 international for Ireland who had a trial with Manchester City, joined Rovers in January from St Patrick’s Athletic, where he had become the Saints’ youngest-ever starter at 15 years 9 months. Rovers coach Stephen Bradley said ******* “just lives, breathes and sleeps football.” A little less sleep Friday morning, though. Source link #school #16yearold #Irish #soccer #hero Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

GTA 6 Release May Not Be the End for GTA Online GTA 6 Release May Not Be the End for GTA Online After hearing Take-Two CEO’s recent comments on supporting “legacy titles”, GTA Online may have a chance at survival even after GTA 6 arrives. During an interview with IGN, Strauss Zelnick, Take-Two’s CEO, was recently asked why players should keep investing in GTA Online in 2025 when an improved and enhanced version could arrive with GTA 6. Zelnick didn’t mention GTA Online or an online version of GTA 6 specifically; however, his answer provides some hope to the massive community. Zelnick stated that his statements are theoretic, as he can’t mention a particular project (GTA 6 Online) “when an announcement hasn’t been made.” However, he added that Take-Two is known for its support properties if the community is still involved with the games. As an example, he explained that 2K released NBA 2K Online in China in 2012, and soon after, a new version called NBA 2K Online 2 was released in China in 2017. However, even after the latest version arrived, the company didn’t sunset the first online game, and they are both still available in the market. The CEO concluded, stating, “We’ve shown a willingness to support legacy titles when a community wants to be engaged with them.” GTA Online is one of the most popular multiplayer games, bringing in over 150,000 players daily on Steam alone. The online version of GTA 5 has been available for more than 10 years now, and players have gathered a considerable amount of wealth and assets in the game by investing a lot of time and sometimes a lot of real-world money. Take-Two and Rockstar have earned a lot through GTA Online, and with a community so big, there might be a chance that the game survives even after GTA 6 arrives. In other news, the GTA 6 publisher is ‘not worried’ about the game influencing violence in the real world. Also, Take-Two’s CEO recently spoke about GTA 6 not coming to PC at launch. Do you want GTA Online to survive even after GTA 6 releases? Let us know in the comments or on our new community forum! For more information from Insider Gaming, read about Ubisoft promising ‘big plans’ for Rainbow Six Siege’s 10th anniversary. Don’t forget to sign up for our weekly newsletter. SUBSCRIBE to our newsletter to receive the latest news and exclusive leaks every week! No Spam. Source link #GTA #Release #GTA #Online Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Physicists Discover Singularities-Free ****** Holes Using Pure Gravity Physicists Discover Singularities-Free ****** Holes Using Pure Gravity A breakthrough in theoretical physics has led to a fresh understanding of ****** hole formation, suggesting they can emerge purely from gravitational effects without requiring exotic matter. This advancement challenges long-standing notions derived from General Relativity, where singularities are predicted to exist at the core of ****** holes, causing the breakdown of physical laws. Researchers from the Institute of Cosmos Sciences of the University of Barcelona (ICCUB) have put forth a mathematical framework demonstrating that an infinite series of higher-order gravitational corrections can eliminate singularities, paving the way for the existence of regular ****** holes. New Model Challenges Previous Assumptions According to the study published in Physics Letters B, traditional models relied on exotic matter—hypothetical substances with negative energy density—to counteract singularities. However, this new research establishes that modifications to Einstein’s equations, as predicted by quantum gravity, suffice to generate ****** holes without singularities. The findings indicate that pure gravity alone can achieve this phenomenon, streamlining the theoretical framework required to explain ****** hole formation. In an interview with Physics Letters B, Pablo A. Cano, a researcher from the Department of Quantum Physics and Astrophysics at ICCUB, stated, to phys.org that the beauty of the construction is that it is based only on modifications of the Einstein equations predicted naturally by quantum gravity. No other components are needed. Application to Higher-Dimensional Space-Time The research primarily applies to space-time dimensions of five or more due to technical simplifications in the calculations. Despite this, scientists believe similar conclusions would hold in four-dimensional space-time, aligning with the physical universe as currently understood. Robie Hennigar, a researcher at ICCUB, explained to phys.org, that most scientists agree that the singularities of general relativity must ultimately be resolved, although very little is known about how this process might be achieved. He further stated that their work provides the first mechanism to achieve this in a robust way, albeit under certain symmetry assumptions. Implications for Astrophysics and Thermodynamics Beyond addressing singularities, the study also evaluates the thermodynamic properties of these ****** holes, confirming that they adhere to the first law of thermodynamics. The robustness of this theoretical model strengthens its potential applicability to real astrophysical scenarios. Plans are in place to further examine the implications in four-dimensional space-time, assess stability, and explore potential observational signatures of these regular ****** holes. Hennigar further added that it is not yet clear how nature prevents the formation of singularities in the universe, but they are hoping that their model will help them gain a better understanding of this process. Ongoing research continues to investigate the fate of matter falling into these singularity-free ****** holes, with expectations of significant findings in the near future. Source link #Physicists #Discover #SingularitiesFree #****** #Holes #Pure #Gravity Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

1Password vs. NordPass: which password manager is best in 2025? 1Password vs. NordPass: which password manager is best in 2025? Table of Contents Table of Contents Specs Tiers and pricing Features Support Privacy and security Which password manager is right for you? 1Password and NordPass are among the most popular and best password managers available. Both offer significant improvements over the built-in solutions you get from Microsoft, Apple, and Google, making it hard to choose between them. I’ve reviewed the latest versions of 1Password and NordPass in 2025 and can share some insights into the differences and compare prices to help you discover which offers the best value for you. Specs 1Password NordPass Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android Devices Unlimited Unlimited Support Email 24/7 Live Chat Free version? No Yes Tiers and pricing 1Password and NordPass annual subscription prices appear side-by-side in a split-screen. Digital Trends If you’re looking for the best deal on a long-term password manager, NordPass offers one and two-year subscriptions and new subscribers get three bonus months for free. A $35 two-year Premium subscription has an average monthly cost of $1. A Family plan costs $67 but provides even more savings with an average cost of $3 per month and supports up to six accounts. Shorter-term annual plans increase NordPass costs to $25 for one person ($2/mo.) and $44 for families ($4/mo.). However, prices increase at the end of the first term and there are no bonus months. An individual subscription renews at $36 annually ($3/mo.) and a family plan costs $72 each year ($6/mo.). While those aren’t outrageous prices, it’s a significant jump that’s somewhat hidden in NordPass terms of service. 1Password’s longest subscription lasts one year. The average monthly cost for an Individual plan is $3 and a five-person Families plan costs $5. Like NordPass, long-term subscriptions are paid in advance, so you’ll pay $36 for one person and $60 for families. It’s a good idea to try before you buy and NordPass makes that easy. NordPass Free includes a 30-day trial of an individual account and keeps working on one device with basic autofill features when the trial ends. 1Password offers a free 14-day trial on individual and family plans, which is probably sufficient to determine whether it meets your needs. There are better free password managers if you‘re looking for more than your operating system and browser provide but don’t want to pay for that upgrade. Features 1Password showed a helpful tutorial when I installed the browser extension. Digital Trends 1Password is easy to get started with. It guided me through installation and launched a brief tutorial to show me how to use the app on each device. The browser extension might be all you need and provides access to most features, but I installed the app so I could use biometrics to unlock the 1Password vault on my PC. The NordPass browser extension has nearly all the features of the desktop app. Digital Trends NordPass has a standalone browser extension making the desktop app optional. Installation is simple and I soon had my passwords imported and synced across multiple devices. I quickly found the biometrics option in settings and was ready to go. NordPass autofill worked as expected. Digital Trends Autofill and cross-platform syncing are basic requirements of password managers and 1Password and NordPass handle these tasks seamlessly. With face identification and fingerprint readers, I never have to remember my credentials for any website or app. 1Password and NordPass stored and filled logins reliably on all my devices. Each monitors password strength and alerts me to online breaches that require login updates. 1Password and NordPass are evenly matched in many ways but there are differences. 1Password lets me limit shared logins with links that expire and are only accessible once. Digital Trends 1Password has fantastic password-sharing features. I can set an expiration time from one hour to 30 days, limit viewing to only once, and specify emails of 1Password users that are allowed access. I can also create a link to share with people who don’t use 1Password, a rare feature matched only by Keeper. NordPass has similar sharing features, but recipients must have a NordPass account to open shared links. The good news is that it offers more control over access levels, letting me specify whether the recipient can edit, share, or only use the login. Support NordPass travel support portal is available 24 hours a day, every day. Digital Trends NordPass has an edge when it comes to support since it offers 24/7 live chat. I found response times were quick and the answers were helpful. It’s great to get timely assistance the moment you need it. 1Password has an AI chatbot that’s always available and it does a pretty good job of solving common problems and answering simple questions. In 2025, a human is still better and can provide personal assistance if you have account issues. I found 1Password’s email support to be quick, only taking about an hour in my test, but you could wait up to a day for a reply. Live chat is a rare feature for password managers but NordPass is joined by Keeper and LastPass with 24/7 live support. Privacy and security 1Password and NordPass offer excellent security and strong encryption. Neither has suffered breaches, so you can trust your logins will be safe on their servers. Hackers are clever and use sophisticated techniques and advanced technology. In the event of a security breach, 1Password uses AES-256 and NordPass uses ChaCha20. Both are recognized as strong encryption methods that are too expensive to crack. Which password manager is right for you? There’s a reason 1Password and NordPass rise to the top of the list of the best password managers. It’s hard to go wrong with either option. I prefer 1Password’s easy sharing features that let anyone access logins without needing an account. However, if you only want to share with family members, a NordPass Family account gives you more control over link sharing. 1Password is so easy to use and trouble-free that I don’t anticipate needing email support. If I do, it’s fairly quick. On the other hand, NordPass offers live chat so I get instant answers if a rare issue arises. The initial prices of NordPass two-year plans look inviting, but there are big increases when it comes time to renew. In the long-term, prices are nearly identical to 1Password. The biggest differences are in the family plans. 1Password supports five accounts for $60 and NordPass allows six members for $72. Overall, I prefer 1Password but it’s close enough that you could find NordPass features that suit your needs better. Source link #1Password #NordPass #password #manager Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Intel: Silicon Valley’s Sleeping Giant’s Comeback in Focus Intel: Silicon Valley’s Sleeping Giant’s Comeback in Focus Intel’s (NASDAQ:) stock price has jumped in recent trading sessions, accompanied by an increase in trading volume. The stock, currently trading around $24.62, has climbed by almost 10% in a single day and an impressive 27% over the past week. This strong upward momentum, combined with the rise in trading volume, has focused investor attention on Intel and its potential for the near future, prompting investors to consider whether this spark of life is simply a brief rally or the start of a broader resurgence for the chipmaking giant. Washington’s Windfall? Government Policy Fuels Optimism One key catalyst for Intel’s stock price rise is commentary from U.S. Vice President Vance. In public statements, Vice President Vance has strongly advocated for the onshoring of semiconductor manufacturing, particularly for advanced chips crucial for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and national security. Market participants are interpreting these statements as a signal that the current administration may be considering policies specifically designed to strengthen domestic chip production. Potential policy mechanisms include increased tariffs on foreign-made semiconductors, direct subsidies for U.S. manufacturers, or both. Intel, with its substantial manufacturing footprint within the United States, is uniquely positioned to benefit from such a policy shift. The company has been proactively investing in U.S.-based manufacturing facilities as part of its IDM 2.0 strategy. Therefore, any government action incentivizing domestic production could provide a significant tailwind for Intel, enhancing its competitive position and driving increased revenue and profitability in the long term. These signals from Washington, D.C., are a significant factor in the recent investor enthusiasm surrounding Intel. TSMC Tango? Joint Venture Rumors Spark Intel Excitement Persistent but unconfirmed rumours of a potential joint venture with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE:) are adding further fuel to Intel’s stock rally. While no official announcement has been made, market speculation is building around the possibility of a U.S.-backed partnership to bolster Intel’s foundry business. Such a joint venture could offer substantial strategic advantages to Intel. TSMC is the undisputed leader in the semiconductor sector, particularly at the most advanced process nodes. Partnering with TSMC could provide Intel with access to invaluable manufacturing expertise and cutting-edge technologies, accelerating its efforts to regain process leadership. Moreover, a joint entity, potentially viewed as a more definitively “American” manufacturing operation, might be even better positioned to secure and leverage the significant funding available through the U.S. CHIPS Act. While these joint venture scenarios remain speculative, the mere possibility of such a powerful alliance appears to be significantly contributing to the renewed investor optimism surrounding Intel and its potential turnaround. Rallying on Hope, Grounded in Reality Intel Corporation presents a high-risk, high-reward scenario for investors. The recent surge in stock price and trading volume reflects growing optimism for a potential turnaround. However, this optimism should be tempered by caution. Intel’s latest earnings report, while exceeding immediate guidance, revealed continued financial pressures, including negative full-year earnings per share (EPS) and declining gross margins. Furthermore, analyst sentiment remains cautiously neutral, with a consensus Reduce rating and a modest average price target. Intel’s Long Road to Recovery To fully appreciate the significance of Intel’s recent stock surge, it is crucial to understand the context of the company’s challenges in recent years. Intel, once the undisputed king of the semiconductor industry, has seen its dominance erode due to a confluence of factors. The company has lost considerable market share in its core Central Processing Unit (CPU) business to rivals like Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ:). Furthermore, Intel has faced intense competition in the rapidly growing Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) and AI accelerator markets, primarily from NVIDIA (NASDAQ:). Perhaps most critically, Intel has struggled to maintain its historical lead in advanced semiconductor manufacturing process technology, falling behind TSMC and Samsung. These challenges have translated into periods of financial underperformance, reflected in recent negative earnings reports and declining profitability metrics. In response to these pressures, Intel embarked on a significant strategic shift under its IDM 2.0 strategy. This ambitious plan aims to revitalize Intel’s manufacturing capabilities, expand its newly formed Intel Foundry Services (IFS) to become a major player in contract chip manufacturing, and ultimately regain overall semiconductor leadership. The recent stock rally can be viewed, in part, as a market reaction to perceived progress in this extensive and complex turnaround effort. Investing in Intel: Proceed With Caution? For investors, navigating the current situation with Intel stock requires a balanced and measured approach. The “bull case” for Intel centers on the potential for significant government support, the speculative upside of a transformative TSMC joint venture, and promising early signs from new product lines. These factors, combined with what some consider a reasonable current stock valuation, present a compelling investment thesis for some. However, the “bear case” remains substantial. Intel faces significant execution risks in its turnaround efforts, intense competitive pressures across all its major markets, and ongoing financial challenges reflected in negative profitability metrics. Furthermore, the prevailing analyst sentiment remains cautious, suggesting that the recent stock surge may be premature. Ultimately, whether Intel represents a compelling investment opportunity at this juncture remains an open question. The recent stock “spark” is undeniably intriguing, but a sustained and validated turnaround will require demonstrable progress in manufacturing leadership, successful strategic partnerships, and tangible improvements in financial performance. For now, a prudent approach for investors is to closely monitor Intel’s progress, track key metrics, and remain cautiously optimistic, recognizing that the semiconductor giant’s path to full revival is still unfolding and filled with uncertainty. Is the giant truly waking up? The market and time will ultimately reveal the answer. Original Post Source link #Intel #Silicon #Valleys #Sleeping #Giants #Comeback #Focus Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Arm is reportedly developing its own in-house chip Arm is reportedly developing its own in-house chip Chip designer Arm plans to unveil its own processor this year with Meta as the launch customer, The Financial Times reported. The chip would be a CPU designed for servers in data centers and would have the potential to be customized for clients. Manufacturing would be outsourced to a contract fab plant like TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.) and the first in-house chip could be revealed as early as this summer, according to the FT’s sources. Last month, Arm parent Softbank announced the Stargate project, a partnership with OpenAI to build up to $500 billion worth of AI infrastructure. Arm, along with Microsoft and NVIDIA, is a key technology partner for the project. Arm’s chip could now play a role in that project, and also in Jony Ive’s mysterious AI-powered personal device, reportedly being developed in collaboration with OpenAI’s Sam Altman, according to the report. Arm’s designs power nearly every smartphone and mobile device in the world, along with Apple Mac and Qualcomm-powered Windows PCs. They generally use less power for the same level of compute as Intel and AMD chips, so they’ve become desirable for data farms that power AI applications as well. 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. The move would put Arm in direct competition with many of its own customers like NVIDIA, which manufacturers its own Arm-based server CPUs. To date, Arm has never made its own chips — instead, it licenses its technology and patents to major companies like Apple. Those companies then customize the designs for their own needs and use a contract manufacturer like TSMC or Samsung to build the chips. ***-based Arm is currently embroiled in a testy legal battle with Qualcomm over licensing terms. Meanwhile, parent SoftBank is reportedly close to purchasing Ampere, a server chip designer. That deal will be “central to Arm’s own chipmaking project,” according to FT’s inside sources. If you buy something through a link in this article, we may earn commission. Source link #Arm #reportedly #developing #inhouse #chip Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Federal layoffs start with huge number of probationary workers and warnings of ******* cuts on way Federal layoffs start with huge number of probationary workers and warnings of ******* cuts on way Washington — The Trump administration on Thursday intensified its sweeping efforts to shrink the size of the federal workforce, the nation’s largest employer, by ordering agencies to lay off nearly all probationary employees who hadn’t yet gained civil service protection – potentially affecting hundreds of thousands of workers. In addition, workers at some agencies were warned that large workplace cuts would be coming. The decision on probationary workers, who generally have less than a year on the job, came from the Office of Personnel Management, which serves as a human resources department for the federal government. The notification was confirmed by a person familiar with the matter, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to discuss it publicly. Even workers in the personnel office itself weren’t immune: Dozens of probationary employees at OPM were told on a Thursday afternoon group call that they were being dismissed and then instructed to leave the building within a half-hour, according to another person who likewise spoke on condition of anonymity. It’s expected to be the first step in sweeping layoffs. President Trump signed an executive order Tuesday that told agency leaders to plan for “large-scale reductions in force.” Elon Musk, to whom the president has given wide leeway to slash government spending with his Department of Government Efficiency, called Thursday for the elimination of whole agencies. “I think we do need to delete entire agencies as opposed to leave a lot of them behind,” Musk said via a videocall to the World Governments Summit in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. “If we don’t remove the roots of the weed, then it’s easy for the weed to grow back.” Everett Kelley, the president of the American Federation of Government Employees representing federal workers, said the administration “abused” the probation status of workers “to conduct a politically driven mass firing spree, targeting employees not because of performance, but because they were hired before Trump took office.” Thursday’s order was an expansion of previous directions from OPM, which told agencies earlier this week that probationary employees should be fired if they weren’t meeting high standards. It’s not clear how many workers are currently in a probationary *******. According to government data maintained by OPM, as of March 2024, 220,000 workers had less than a year on the job – the most recent data available. The firing of probationary employees began earlier this week and has included the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Department of Education workers. At least 39 were fired from the Education Department on Wednesday, according to a union that represents agency workers, including civil rights workers, special education specialists and student aid officials. The layoffs also hit Department of Veterans Affairs researchers working on ******* treatment, opioid addiction, prosthetics and burn pit exposure, Sen. Patty Murray, a Washington state Democrat, said Thursday. Murray said in a statement that she heard from VA researchers in her state who were told to stop their research immediately, “not because their work isn’t desperately needed, but because Trump and Elon have decided to fire these researchers on a whim.” Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, a group that defends government workers, said the Agriculture Department’s Food Safety and Inspection Service would be hit especially hard by laying off probationary employees because it has trouble recruiting inspectors required to be present at all times at most slaughterhouses. The civilian federal workforce , not including military personnel and postal workers, is made up of about 2.4 million people. While about 20% of the workers are in Washington D.C. and the neighboring states of Maryland and Virginia, more than 80% live outside the Capitol region. Layoffs are unlikely to yield significant deficit savings. When the Congressional Budget Office looked at the issue, it found the government spent $271 billion annually compensating civilian federal workers, with about 60% of that total going to workers employed by the departments of Defense, Homeland Security and Veterans Affairs. The government could, in theory, cut all those workers and still run a deficit of over $1 trillion that would continue to grow as tax revenues are needed to keep up with the growing costs of Social Security and Medicare. Elaine Kamarck, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, said firing employees on probation is flawed because it targets younger workers. “Baby Boomers are retiring right and left, so actually the people you want to keep are probably most of the people who are right now on probation,” said Kamarck, who worked in former President Bill Clinton’s Democratic administration when about 426,000 federal jobs were cut over more than eight years in a deliberative effort aimed at reinventing government. “They’re younger and presumably have better skills, and that’s who you want.” Mr, Trump’s initial attempt to downsize the workforce was the deferred resignation program, commonly described as a “buyout,: which offered to pay people until Sept. 30 if they agreed to quit. The White House said 75,000 people signed up, and a federal judge cleared a legal roadblock for the program Wednesday. However, the number of workers who took the offer was less than the administration’s target, and Mr. Trump has made it clear he would take further steps. Employees at the National Science Foundation and Housing and Urban Development Department were told this week that large reductions, in some cases a halving of the workforce, would be coming, according to a person familiar with the situation who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss it. The order the president signed Tuesday stipulated that government functions not required by law would be prioritized for cuts and hiring will be restricted. With exceptions for functions such as public safety, only one employee can be added for every four who leave. In addition, new hires would generally need approval from a representative of the DOGE, expanding the influence of Musk’s team. Mr. Trump has praised Musk’s work to slash federal spending. The Republican president has also been sharply critical of federal workers, especially those who want to keep working remotely, though his administration is simultaneously working to cut federal office space and ordering the termination of worksite leases throughout the government. “Nobody is gonna work from home,” Mr. Trump said Monday. “They are gonna be going out, they’re gonna play tennis, they’re gonna play golf, they’re gonna do a lot of things. They’re not working.” Source link #Federal #layoffs #start #huge #number #probationary #workers #warnings #******* #cuts Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Whale swallows kayaker and spits him out — and it's all captured on video: "I thought I was dead" – CBS News Whale swallows kayaker and spits him out — and it's all captured on video: "I thought I was dead" – CBS News Whale swallows kayaker and spits him out — and it’s all captured on video: “I thought I was dead” CBS NewsA humpback whale briefly swallows kayaker in Chilean Patagonia — and it’s all captured on camera The Associated PressVideo shows whale gulping up kayaker: ‘I thought I had died’ The Washington PostFather captures moment son was swallowed by humpback whale CNN’I thought I was dead’: Kayaker gets swallowed by humpback whale in dramatic moment caught on camera Fox News Source link #Whale #swallows #kayaker #spits #it039s #captured #video #quotI #thought #deadquot #CBS #News Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

How to fast travel in Avowed How to fast travel in Avowed When Avowed was first revealed, it drew a lot of comparisons to a game like Skyrim. While there are some similarities, such as playing in third-person or unlocking new abilities, the Living Lands are not nearly as expansive as that other open-world game. You will need plenty of tips and tricks to survive, but getting around is one of the first problems you will want to overcome. Quests will take you back and forth across the zones, so fast travel will make your life much easier. Here’s how to unlock and use fast travel. Obsidian How to fast travel Fast travel can be done as soon as you unlock your first fast travel point. These can be either fast travel beacons, which are purple icons on your map, or campsites. All you need to do is approach one to unlock it as a new fast travel point. Step 1: Once you have found a fast travel point, pause the game and go to your map screen. Step 2: Highlight either a beacon or campsite that you wish to travel to. Step 3: Confirm your selection and you will be whisked away to that location. There are some areas and moments during the game, mainly in dungeons, where fast travel is disabled. Otherwise, you can utilize it whenever you wish. When traveling to campsites, you also have the option to travel to the campsite, restore your HP, talk to companions, and do other tasks there, but return to your original location when leaving camp instead of moving to that campsite location. This is handy if you want to talk to do some quick upgrades or get new dialogue without having to travel back to wherever you currently are. Source link #fast #travel #Avowed Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

A growing digital ad market is benefiting tech, from Meta to Reddit A growing digital ad market is benefiting tech, from Meta to Reddit Jaque Silva | Nurphoto | Getty Images The digital advertising market is doing so well that even Reddit is getting a cut of the spoils. Reddit on Wednesday reported fourth-quarter revenue of $428 million, which was up 71% from the previous year and represents the fastest growth rate for any quarter since 2022. Although Reddit’s shares tumbled on weaker-than-expected user numbers, the company’s growing sales indicate a particularly healthy digital ad market, said Jeremy Goldman, a senior director at Emarketer. Investors typically look to the financial performance of tech giants like Meta, Alphabet and Amazon for a view of the ad market’s overall health, Goldman said. That Reddit’s sales grew significantly alongside the ******* players shows that advertisers feel optimistic enough to “diversify to a platform that’s more nascent, like Reddit, and say ‘We’re willing to throw some dollars at this thing that don’t really understand,'” Goldman said. Media and advertising executives told CNBC in December that they were optimistic about the market and said that ad spending increased in the fourth quarter. That sentiment seemed to be reflected by online ad tech companies’ latest quarterly earnings reports, said Gil Luria, head of tech research at investment banking firm D.A. Davidson. He added that “animal spirits are high” following the U.S. presidential election. For its fourth quarter results, Meta said sales were $48.39 billion, up 21% from the prior year. Microsoft said its fiscal second-quarter search and news advertising revenue soared 21% year over year, although it doesn’t provide specific sales numbers. Amazon said its online advertising business grew 18% year-over-year to $17.29 billion in the fourth-quarter earnings, and for its fourth-quarter results, Alphabet said its Google advertising sales grew 11% year over year to $72.46 billion while YouTube’s ad revenue rose 14% to $10.47 billion. “Advertisers feel like consumers are susceptible to advertising and are investing in that,” Luria said. Zoom In IconArrows pointing outwards Luria noted that while Google is the dominant online advertising business, it’s losing some market share as its core search engine is increasingly challenged by other companies investing in artificial intelligence and related services like ChatGPT. “They are the biggest digital advertising platform by quite a bit of margin, but a lot of that is based on search, and their search franchise is continuously being eroded,” Luria said. “It’s being eroded by Amazon, being eroded by Meta, being eroded by the AI players.” Fortunately for Alphabet, YouTube is still booming, Luria said. YouTube is “becoming such an important media destination that the momentum there is greater than what you would just see from the advertising growth,” said Luria. He noted that some creators have migrated to YouTube amid the TikTok ban. The uncertainty over TikTok’s future in the U.S. has yet to impact advertisers who are still running campaigns on the ByteDance-owned platform, said Kate Scott-Dawkins, the global president of business intelligence of media investment firm GroupM. If TikTok eventually does get banned in the U.S., Scott-Dawkins said she expects Meta and Alphabet would inherit much of those ad dollars but noted Snap, Pinterest and others could also pick up scraps. Snap and Pinterest also reported their fourth quarter results last week. Pinterest said its sales jumped 18% year over year to $1.15 billion while Snap reported $1.56 billion in revenue for the *******, marking a 14% increase from the previous year. But not every digital advertising player had good results for the quarter. Despite ad tech company The Trade Desk on Wednesday reporting a 22% year over year increase in fourth-quarter sales to $741 million, that figure came in below Wall Street estimates, which sent shares tanking. CEO Jeff Green attributed the miss to “a series of small execution missteps” during an analyst call. Although companies are pumping money into digital ad platforms, there’s a chance that high inflation, tariffs and weaker economies outside of the U.S. put pressure on the ad market, experts said. High tariffs and new trade policies could result in ********-linked retailers like Temu and Shien slowing down their massive digital advertising campaigns with giants like Meta and Alphabet, Luria said. But even if those ********-linked retailers curb spending, it’s likely other advertisers take their place, Luria said. It’s possible that AI startups like OpenAI, Anthropic and others could eventually become major ad spenders, Scott-Dawkins said. It’d be similar to how older tech companies like Airbnb and TikTok once grew their users via Facebook and Google. OpenAI debuted a Super Bowl commercial last week, which could be an indicator of more ad spending to come, she said. Watch: I’d buy Amazon over Meta, says Hightower’s Stephanie Link Source link #growing #digital #market #benefiting #tech #Meta #Reddit Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Nasim Bokhari obituary: chef who served friendship with food and stories Nasim Bokhari obituary: chef who served friendship with food and stories Shalimar is the name of one of Asia’s most famous gardens. It’s also an Arabic word for “beautiful and strong”. Thirdly, it was the name Nasim Bokhari gave the Indian restaurant he opened in Perth in 1978. Source link #Nasim #Bokhari #obituary #chef #served #friendship #food #stories Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

This iBuyPower gaming PC with RTX 4060 is under $1,000 — for now This iBuyPower gaming PC with RTX 4060 is under $1,000 — for now Gaming PC deals worth buying still usually cost more than $1,000 after the discounts, but here’s an offer from Best Buy that’s available for a more affordable price. The iBuyPower Trace 7 Mesh, which is originally sold for $1,300, is down to just $900 following a $400 discount. We’re not sure how much time is remaining before this bargain ends, so if you’re interested in this gaming desktop, you need to push forward with your purchase immediately if you want to secure the savings. Why you should buy the iBuyPower Trace 7 Mesh gaming PC The iBuyPower Trace 7 Mesh is a relatively affordable gaming PC, but it doesn’t sacrifice much in terms of performance. It runs on the AMD Ryzen 7 5700 processor and the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060, which is in our list of the best graphics cards as our recommendation for 1080p gaming. It has 16GB of RAM, which is the best place to start for a gaming PC, according to our guide on how much RAM do you need. With these components, you won’t have trouble playing the best PC games, though you’ll have to go with medium settings for the more demanding titles. With a 1TB SSD, there’s plenty of storage space for your games and other apps on the iBuyPower Trace 7 Mesh gaming PC, and it comes with Windows 11 Home pre-loaded so you won’t have to deal with installing an operating system. The gaming desktop also comes with a tower air fan and RGB fans for cooling purposes, as well as a gaming keyboard and a gaming mouse so your setup will only require a gaming monitor to get going. If you want to stick to a tight budget in upgrading your gaming PC, you may want to set your sights on the iBuyPower Trace 7 Mesh. It’s on ***** from Best Buy at $400 off, bringing its price down from $1,300 to only $900. You won’t always get the chance to buy a gaming desktop with these specifications for less than $1,000, so you have to hurry if you don’t want to miss out on this offer. Add the iBuyPower Trace 7 Mesh gaming PC to your cart and proceed with the checkout process today, as tomorrow may already be too late to enjoy the discount. Source link #iBuyPower #gaming #RTX Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Should you free Ilora in Avowed? Should you free Ilora in Avowed? Avowed is a game that loves to give the player tons of choices. You can read up on all the best tips and tricks for which abilities to get, how to fast travel, and switch to third-person, but no one can tell you how to role-play. The first choice that the game hits you with during the tutorial section is whether or not you should trust a free a prisoner named Ilora. On one hand, she claims to have a boat and will help you reach Paradis. On the other, she clearly has a bone to pick with Aedyrans and could easily betray you. If you’re uncertain on how to proceed with this early choice, we’ll clue you in on how it all plays out. Should you free Ilora? Obsidian Yes, you should choose to be kind to Ilora and take the time to find the cell key and release her. Not only will she join you as a temporary companion for the rest of the tutorial, but she will keep her word on helping you reach Paradis. There’s no risk of betrayal so long as you don’t provoke or abandon her. Once you arrive, she will go on her way but that isn’t the last time helping her will benefit you. Without spoiling when or where, there is a side quest you can take that will have you bumping into her once again. If you’ve played nice with her, she will vouch for you and make the quest go much smoother. Not all characters in Avowed deserve your mercy, but Ilora at least is one you should trust. She doesn’t play a big role in the game, but there are only positives to gain from setting her free. Source link #free #Ilora #Avowed Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Sen. Richard Blumenthal demanding answers about possible $400 million State Department purchase of Tesla Cybertrucks Sen. Richard Blumenthal demanding answers about possible $400 million State Department purchase of Tesla Cybertrucks Sen. Richard Blumenthal, the ranking member on the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio Thursday night demanding answers and documents relating to the State Department’s possible purchase of $400 million worth of armored Tesla Cybertrucks from the company run by Elon Musk. “Mr. Musk’s dual roles pose conflicts of interest so obvious that they hardly require explanation,” the Connecticut Democrat wrote in the letter obtained by CBS News. “The State Department’s intent to purchase armored Cybertrucks suggests the conflicts of interest inherent in Mr. Musk’s installation of his cronies throughout the government are not being adequately managed and, in fact, are increasing by the minute. “In the 15 months since it was released, the Cybertruck has been widely derided and subject to at least six separate recalls. Indeed, Tesla has reportedly had “disastrous” sales numbers for the Cybertruck. It hardly seems like the type of reliable vehicle the State Department would choose for this contract absent a heavy thumb on the scale.” Blumenthal asked for a response by Feb 21. Last week, he opened a preliminary inquiry into Musk and his companies. Musk, the world’s wealthiest person, who is also CEO of SpaceX and X (formerly Twitter), has enormous government contracts and was a huge contributor to Mr. Trump’s campaign. He heads the newly-created Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, which, while not an official government agency, is aggressively pursuing ways to cut the federal budget. Musk’s team has gone into computer systems in numerous agencies looking for what he calls waste, fraud and abuse. Numerous lawsuits have been filed challenging his authority to do that. In October, GM Defense completed its first Suburban Shield — a heavy-duty armored version of the suburban for the State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS). The program is intended to provide armored SUVs to DSS and more than a dozen other federal agencies, according to GM Defense. GM won the 10-year, up to $300 million dollar contract in November 2023. Kris Van Cleave Emmy Award-winning journalist Kris Van Cleave is the senior transportation correspondent for CBS News based in Phoenix, Arizona, where he also serves as a national correspondent reporting for all CBS News broadcasts and platforms. Source link #Sen #Richard #Blumenthal #demanding #answers #million #State #Department #purchase #Tesla #Cybertrucks Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

New York governor rejects Louisiana’s extradition request for doctor in abortion pill case New York governor rejects Louisiana’s extradition request for doctor in abortion pill case New York Gov. Kathy Hochul rejected a request to extradite a doctor who was charged with prescribing abortion pills online to a Louisiana resident last month. “I will not be signing an extradition order that came from the governor of Louisiana, not now, not ever,” Hochul said at a news conference Thursday after her office received the order for the abortion provider, Dr. Margaret Carpenter. Source link #York #governor #rejects #Louisianas #extradition #request #doctor #abortion #pill #case Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Arm is reportedly developing its own in-house chip Arm is reportedly developing its own in-house chip Chip designer Arm plans to unveil its own processor this year with Meta as the launch customer, The Financial Times reported. The chip would be a CPU designed for servers in data centers and would have the potential to be customized for clients. Manufacturing would be outsourced to a contract fab plant like TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.) and the first in-house chip could be revealed as early as this summer, according to the FT‘s sources. Last month, Arm parent Softbank announced the Stargate project, a partnership with OpenAI to build up to $500 billion worth of AI infrastructure. Arm, along with Microsoft and NVIDIA, is a key technology partner for the project. Arm’s chip could now play a role in that project, and also in Jony Ive’s mysterious AI-powered personal device, reportedly being developed in collaboration with OpenAI’s Sam Altman, according to the report. Arm’s designs power nearly every smartphone and mobile device in the world, along with Apple Mac and Qualcomm-powered Windows PCs. They generally use less power for the same level of compute as Intel and AMD chips, so they’ve become desirable for data farms that power AI applications as well. The move would put Arm in direct competition with many of its own customers like NVIDIA, which manufacturers its own Arm-based server CPUs. To date, Arm has never made its own chips — instead, it licenses its technology and patents to major companies like Apple. Those companies then customize the designs for their own needs and use a contract manufacturer like TSMC or Samsung to build the chips. ***-based Arm is currently embroiled in a testy legal battle with Qualcomm over licensing terms. Meanwhile, parent SoftBank is reportedly close to purchasing Ampere, a server chip designer. That deal will be “central to Arm’s own chipmaking project,” according to FT‘s inside sources. If you buy something through a link in this article, we may earn commission. Source link #Arm #reportedly #developing #inhouse #chip Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Adam Copeland set to star in AEW Grand Slam Australia at Brisbane Entertainment Centre Adam Copeland set to star in AEW Grand Slam Australia at Brisbane Entertainment Centre Professional wrestling and acts taps into the ‘creative space’ that AEW star Adam Copeland thrives on. Source link #Adam #Copeland #set #star #AEW #Grand #Slam #Australia #Brisbane #Entertainment #Centre Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]