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S&P 500 futures tick higher as investors look ahead to more earnings, inflation data: Live updates – CNBC S&P 500 futures tick higher as investors look ahead to more earnings, inflation data: Live updates – CNBC S&P 500 futures tick higher as investors look ahead to more earnings, inflation data: Live updates CNBCCPI Report: Inflation Rose Unexpectedly in January The New York TimesCNBC Daily Open: Hotter-than-expected inflation stokes U.S. policy concerns CNBCStock Market Today: Indexes Fade Late As Nasdaq Closes Just Above Significant Level (Live Coverage) Investor’s Business Daily‘Hard to find anything good’: CNN’s Matt Egan explains why inflation jumped in January CNN Source link #SampP #futures #tick #higher #investors #ahead #earnings #inflation #data #Live #updates #CNBC Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds – Announce Trailer Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds – Announce Trailer Race across land, sea, air, space, and time in Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds! Warp through Travel Rings into new dimensions where something new awaits around every twist and turn. Speed to victory solo or as a team in a variety of offline and online modes and compete against players from around the world. Build the ultimate machine to match your racing style, unlock special skills to gain the upper hand, and unleash power-up items for the win! Source link #Sonic #Racing #CrossWorlds #Announce #Trailer Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Aussie shares push further into record territory Aussie shares push further into record territory The local share market has pushed further into record territory amid potential peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, even as rising US inflation cast doubt on the prospect of more rate cuts this year. Shortly after noon AEDT on Thursday the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was up 24.2 points, or 0.28 per cent, to 8,559.5. At 11.49am the ASX200 reached as high as 8,575.2 – breaking its previous intraday record of 8,566.9, set on January 31. The ASX200 also set an all-time closing high on Wednesday. US government statistics released overnight showed that monthly headline inflation rose 0.5 per cent in January, much higher than expected and the biggest jump since August 2023. This brought the annual rate of inflation to 3.0 per cent, from 2.9 per cent previously. “The January CPI print was much hotter than expected and will likely make for a very uncomfortable reading for the Federal Reserve,” said Seema Shah, chief global strategist at Principal Asset Management. The future market’s implied odds that the Fed would have left rates on hold by the end of July rose to 56.7 per cent after the readout, from 40.9 per cent a day before, according to CME FedWatch. Meanwhile US President Donald Trump and Russia President Vladimir Putin held a 90-minute phone call where they agreed that negotiations to end the war in Ukraine should begin immediately. “As we both agreed, we want to stop the millions of deaths taking place in the War with Russia/Ukraine,” Mr Trump posted on social media. “We agreed to work together, very closely, including visiting each other’s nations.” Five of the ASX’s 11 sectors were higher at midday and six were lower. Utilities was the biggest mover, dropping 1.7 per cent as AGL fell 5.8 per cent, a day after releasing its half-year earnings. In the financial sector, IAG had plunged 10.4 per cent to a three-month low of $7.995 after the insurance giant posted better-than-expected earnings but a lower-than-expected dividend. Suncorp was down five per cent and QBE had fallen 1.4 per cent. Shares in the ASX itself were up 7.1 per cent to $67.71 after the market operator posted an underlying half-year profit of $253.7 million, up 10.1 per cent from a year ago. In the consumer discretionary sector, Temple & Webster had soared 14.3 per cent to an all-time high of $16.32 after the furniture e-retailer reported that its first-half profit had more than doubled to $9 million, as sales rose 23.6 per cent to $313.7 million. “Temple & Webster has again delivered a record half, with strong performance against all key metrics, against a challenging macro and consumer backdrop,” said CEO Mark Coulter. Domain Holdings had climbed 11 per cent to $3.03 after the property website delivered $33.1 million in half-year profit, up 28.3 per cent from a year ago. In the heavyweight mining sector, BHP was up 2.4 per cent, Fortescue had climbed 2.1 per cent and Rio Tinto had advanced 1.7 per cent. Three of the four big retail banks were higher, with ANZ up 1.2 per cent, Westpac climbing 1.5 per cent and NAB adding 0.7 per cent. CBA was the outlier, basically flat at $166.05 – near its all-time high. The *********** dollar meanwhile was buying 62.82 US cents, from 62.93 US cents at 5pm on Wednesday. Source link #Aussie #shares #push #record #territory Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

They left their corporate jobs and built a hotel in the surfing capital of the Philippines. Island life is busy, too. They left their corporate jobs and built a hotel in the surfing capital of the Philippines. Island life is busy, too. Heidi Ganaden and her husband left their big-city corporate jobs to open a hotel on an island. The couple moved from Manila, the capital city of the Philippines, to Siargao, also known as the country’s surfing capital. One pandemic and a category 5 typhoon later, they’ve finally settled into their new lives. Heidi Ganaden and her husband never thought they’d run a hotel by the beach in Siargao, an island known as the surfing capital of the Philippines. The two of them were working corporate jobs and living in Manila, the capital city. She was in the telecommunications industry, while he was a landscape architect. As avid surfers, the couple enjoyed hanging out by the beach but weren’t too familiar with Siargao; Ganaden had visited once before in 2005, while her husband had never been there before. The island is one of more than 7,000 that make up the Philippines. Heidi Ganaden and her husband moved from Manila, the capital city of the Philippines, to Siargao to open a hotel.Lubihan Siargao. But a quick weekend trip in 2018 — it’s only a two-hour flight from Manila — to visit some friends who were trying to set up a business there left them with a favorable impression of the island. Not long after they got back to Manila, they received a call from their friends in Siargao about a plot of land by the beach that was available for lease. “We thought, OK, maybe we can try and look at it. Maybe we can just put up a small shack so that we can go to Siargao, and we’ll have a place where we can stay,” Ganaden, 46, told Business Insider. They initially wanted to build a home they could live in whenever they visited the island to surf.Lubihan Siargao. When they went to view the plot of land, they realized it was in a central location that was popular with tourists. New establishments, like restaurants, were also popping up all around the area. They also noticed that more and more people were visiting Siargao, and they decided it might be a better idea to build accommodations instead. “We actually didn’t have the idea for a hotel initially. It was really an accident,” she said. “We were in a central spot, and we thought it would be a waste to just offer it for a long-term lease, so we ended up with a small hotel.” Trading city life for island living By the end of the year, the couple had signed a 15-year lease and started clearing out the land. They preferred to keep the amount they spent on the lease private. They broke ground in 2019. That same year, Ganaden and her husband decided to quit their jobs to focus on the project. “We thought it was now or never,” Ganaden said. “We had no idea what we were doing, but we did it anyway because we were invested in it. We wanted to make it work.” It was difficult to find raw materials and skilled construction workers on the developing island.Lubihan Siargao. The construction of their hotel took place in phases, and they hired some 15 contractors to help out. Ganaden estimates that they spent about 20 million Philippine pesos, or about $340,000, on the construction of the hotel. The building process was fraught with challenges. Even though the island was developing, it was difficult to find raw materials and skilled construction workers, Ganaden said. “Imagine a whole island where everybody was building with just two hardware stores,” she said. To meet their project timelines, the couple decided to use prefabricated materials. Everything was brought over to Siargao from Manila — even the contractors they hired. The couple brought in construction materials and even their contractors from Manila.Lubihan Siargao. “We had to bring them in and house them because for prefabricated material, there’s a required skillset for it,” Ganaden said. They named the hotel “Lubihan,” a term in the local dialect that refers to the coconut grove that once grew over the land. The entire property spans just over 4,000 square feet and has 13 guest rooms and one staff room. “Since my husband is a landscape architect, he was able to make everything work. Even with the 14 rooms, we have a very nice common garden and a lounge area at the back,” Ganaden said. Different room types have different nightly rates.Lubihan Siargao. Nightly rates vary across the different room types. “We can go as low as about 3,000 pesos all the way to as high as 5,000 pesos,” she added. One challenge after another The couple’s hotel journey hasn’t been easy. When early 2020 rolled around, they faced a major setback: the pandemic. Like much of the world, Siargao — and the Philippines — went into lockdown. The pandemic and even a typhoon were among the obstacles the couple faced while trying to get their hotel off the ground.Lubihan Siargao. The couple was able to rent out a few of their completed rooms to travelers who were stuck on the island, and they dedicated their time to finishing the rest of the hotel. But just as tourism in Siargao started to recover from the effects of the pandemic, a natural disaster struck. In December 2021, Super Typhoon Rai — a category 5 storm — swept through parts of the Philippines, including Siargao, uprooting trees, wrecking buildings, and leaving destruction in its wake. Lubihan was no exception. Strong winds and torrential rain devastated the whole island, including the hotel.Lubihan Siargao. “Our entire roof was peeled off like a sardine can, the majority of our glass doors broke and were dislodged by the strong wind. It was a disaster,” Ganaden said. All their staff members lost their homes. “We had no power for months, no phone signal for months too,” she said, adding that the island was almost cut off entirely from the rest of the world due to the damage sustained by the island’s transport infrastructure. But with grit and determination, and help from their community, the couple was able to rebuild the damaged parts of the hotel and their lives. “It was months of recovery — emotionally, mentally and physically,” Ganaden said. They were new to the business That aside, running a hotel with no hospitality background came with its own set of challenges. “We are learning as we go, in terms of how to operate and what’s needed by the hotel,” Ganaden said. “For example, the kind of fittings that would last longer, or the kind of linens that would make laundry easier, things like that.” “I think if you have a background in hospitality, you’d know these kinds of things. But since this is our first time, we’re doing trial and error on a whole lot of things,” she added. They have six full-time staff members, including an operations officer who lives on-site. Ganaden and her husband often spend their afternoons surfing.Mary Dizon. Ganaden’s daily routine starts with dropping off her seven-year-old daughter at school. Then, she scans through the hotel’s reservations for the day and stops by the hotel to check in on things. “Then, it’s island life after that. In our neighborhood, we have a CrossFit gym right next to us. And of course, if the tides are OK, we go out to surf,” Ganaden said, adding that she pops back into the hotel after to keep an eye on things. Island life is busy, too In 2019, Siargao was voted as the best island in the world by Condé Nast Travelers. Since then, tourism on the island has been on the rise. In 2024, Siargao was also included among Lonely Planet‘s top seven tourist destinations in Southeast Asia. The island saw a total of 529,822 foreign tourist and domestic traveler arrivals in 2023, per the latest data available from the Philippines Department of Tourism. This is an increase from 181,188 foreign and domestic traveler arrivals five years earlier in 2018. Siargao may be developing, but the island still retains its untouched feel that many similar beach destinations — like Bali and Hawaii — have lost due to over-tourism. It’s a far cry from the corporate life that Ganaden was used to back in Manila, but her days are still busy. “We do also have meetings, especially with other business owners that we collaborate with, but they’re very informal. All in flip-flops or barefoot by the beach, drinking a ********* — so that’s how our meetings are now,” she said. It’s very different from the corporate life that she was used to.Lubihan Siargao. She says that her background working in an office taught her to be disciplined, which, in turn, helped her greatly in managing the hotel business. One thing she really appreciates about life in Siargao is the tight community on the island. “Even if you live in a village in Manila, you probably will not know your neighbor. In Siargao, everybody just talks to each other, which is very, very nice,” she said. She loves the tight community on the island.Lubihan Siargao. That said, she does occasionally miss city-living and the convenience that comes with it. “We don’t have a fast food chain on the island. It’s both good and bad, because sometimes you have cravings for a burger,” Ganaden said. The infrastructure on Siargao has also improved tremendously in recent years, she said, adding that fiber internet was only properly rolled out on the island the year before. Prior to that, businesses like hers relied on Starlink for connectivity. “A lot of remote workers want to live here, but they can’t because of the internet,” she said. “When we started having Starlink all over the island, a lot of them started coming in and working from here.” These days, Ganaden goes back to Manila with her family at least once every quarter. “On the island, we all have this unwritten rule that you need an island break,” she said. “We go back to Manila to decompress — because our hustle is on the island — and then we come back again.” Looking back on their journey, Ganaden says that it was a big leap for them to go from working in the city to running a business on an island with no experience. “We were scared, but we knew that because of the discipline we had in corporate jobs, we’d be able to survive and find a way to make it work,” she said. “I told my husband I know that if I’m pushed to the wall, I will find a way to climb over that wall or break that wall.” “That’s how I am, so I was pretty confident about going into the entire thing scared,” she said. Have you recently relocated to a new country and found or renovated your dream home? If you have a story to share, contact this reporter at *****@*****.tld. Read the original article on Business Insider Source link #left #corporate #jobs #built #hotel #surfing #capital #Philippines #Island #life #busy Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

OpenAI Questions Rationale of Elon Musk’s Bid to Control the Company – The New York Times OpenAI Questions Rationale of Elon Musk’s Bid to Control the Company – The New York Times OpenAI Questions Rationale of Elon Musk’s Bid to Control the Company The New York TimesElon Musk’s A.I.-Fuelled War on Human Agency The New YorkerOpenAI says Musk’s takeover bid contradicts his lawsuit against it ReutersRead the full letter of intent Elon Musk’s lawyer sent to OpenAI this week FortuneThe Musk-Altman Feud Is Kendrick-Drake…But With a Lot More Impact on Our Lives Hollywood Reporter Source link #OpenAI #Questions #Rationale #Elon #Musks #Bid #Control #Company #York #Times Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Big changes needed to connect cars to the power grid Big changes needed to connect cars to the power grid More than half of all Australians would like their car to double as a battery that could feed power back into the grid but big changes will be needed to make the process easier. Early hurdles for using vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology include the high price of ***-direction chargers, persistent software issues and a complicated installation process. Motoring body the NRMA issued the warnings on Thursday in early findings from a study of V2G technology conducted with the University of Technology Sydney and iMove Co-operative Research Centre. They come a day after the *********** Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) issued a V2G roadmap that estimated 2.6 million households could be using the technology by 2040 to support the energy grid and save money. Approved for use in Australia in 2024, vehicle-to-grid technology will allow motorists to plug their electric cars into ***-directional chargers. These chargers can be used to feed power into a vehicle’s battery or take power from it to feed into the national grid during times of high demand, potentially earning motorists money. The NRMA-led study interviewed five early V2G adopters and found they were making about $1000 a year feeding energy into the grid from their vehicles, including one driver who made more than $500 in two hours. The study also identified significant challenges to installing and using V2G technology including a lack of information about the technology, compatibility and software issues with ***-directional chargers and the high cost of purchasing the equipment. The only ***-directional charger approved for use in Australia costs $11,000. The V2G users, based in NSW and South Australia, had to manually control the energy flowing from their vehicles – something UTS Institute of Sustainable Futures research director Dr Scott Dwyer said would be important to address to achieve wide adoption. “The experiences of this first wave of users have allowed us to identify the main barriers and enablers of the V2G customer journey,” he said. “That will help smooth out and speed up V2G adoption for more Australians.” A survey of 1300 drivers conducted by the NRMA also found more than half wanted to install V2G technology soon and more than four in five parked vehicles at home at least three days a week during peak solar hours. NRMA chief strategy officer Vivian Miles said the opportunity to put renewable energy into the power grid and allow drivers to make money from their vehicles should not be passed over. “With Australia’s wholesale energy market so volatile, ***-directional charging could revolutionise how we view and use our cars,” she said. “If V2G technology becomes accessible for more EV drivers, these vehicles will be able to add energy back into the grid when it’s most needed.” While the study only interviewed Nissan Leaf drivers able to use the current CHAdeMO charger approved for use in Australia, more equipment is expected to be approved later this year. ARENA’s V2G road map found that with the right settings – including installation rebates and dynamic energy tariffs – 2.6 million *********** households could use the technology by 2040. Source link #Big #needed #connect #cars #power #grid Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump allows foreign bribery and ‘corruption’ in suspicious DOJ plan Trump allows foreign bribery and ‘corruption’ in suspicious DOJ plan The Trump administration loses early court clashes and announces it will not enforce a bipartisan, longstanding law against foreign corrupt practices and bribery. MSNBC Chief Legal Correspondent Ari Melber reports. (The Beat’s YouTube playlist: Ari: / arimelber Beat merch: www.msnbc.com/Beat5) Source link #Trump #foreign #bribery #corruption #suspicious #DOJ #plan Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

US stock futures creep higher as markets digest hot CPI reading – Investing.com US stock futures creep higher as markets digest hot CPI reading – Investing.com US stock futures creep higher as markets digest hot CPI reading Investing.comStocks making the biggest moves after hours: Reddit, Robinhood, Dutch Bros, MGM Resorts and more CNBCStock market today: Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq futures sink as hot inflation data spooks markets Yahoo FinanceStock Market Today: Indexes Fade Late As Nasdaq Closes Just Above Significant Level (Live Coverage) Investor’s Business Daily Source link #stock #futures #creep #higher #markets #digest #hot #CPI #reading #Investing.com Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Socceroos dream driving Botic’s breakout Socceroos dream driving Botic’s breakout All Noah Botic has ever wanted is to be a Socceroo. But now that dream is growing ever closer, it’s the last thing he wants to think about. The Western United striker sits second in the A-League Men golden boot, with eight goals, including five in his past four games, and four assists, his best season to date. It’s form that could thrust him into contention for a maiden Socceroos call-up as early as March’s World Cup qualifiers, while he looms as a potential answer to Australia’s ongoing search for the next long-term No.9. But the 23-year-old, mentored by United coach and Socceroos great John Aloisi, is keeping his feet firmly on the ground. “I’m been dreaming of it since I was 10 years old. I’ve always said to my parents I’m going to play for the Socceroos one day,” Botic told AAP. “But the moment it’s the last thing that I’m thinking about. “Because you won’t make the team if you’re not mainly focusing on club football, which I am at the moment. And these things just come with time. “I’m just taking it game by game as much as I can.” It’s working. Botic is high on confidence and scoring from everywhere, in a dynamic front two alongside Japanese veteran Hiroshi Ibusuki. Hard work on his aerial game has paid off with four headers while he has grown in stature under Aloisi, who considers him a future Socceroo. “The main reason I actually decided to come to Western was to learn off John, because I knew he could give me a lot of advice and I could learn a lot off him,” Botic said. “The experience that he had over his career, playing in Europe, especially at a young age as well, he was the right choice for me.” Overseas offers have already come for Botic, who dreams of making it in Europe. He’s already had a taste, joining ******* club Hoffenheim as a teenager – a steeling experience he will draw upon before making his next move. “The end goal is to always go back and play overseas in Europe,” Botic said. “When I did go over, I feel like it was a bit too soon. “I know I’ve got to make the right decision for the right club for me and not just go to a club that’s got a big name. “If I do end up going over, in the next couple of years, that’s to a club where I’m gonna fit in well with their style, which I do here (at United) – because I love to attack and press forward as high as possible and get those opportunities on goal. “But at the moment, I’m solely focused on Western to do the best that I can for the team to hopefully make the playoffs, and if not come first, hopefully get another trophy for the club and hopefully win another championship.” Next up, he’ll tackle third-placed Western’s high-stakes clash with leaders Auckland FC at Ironbark Fields on Saturday, after scoring in a shock 4-0 win last time out. “Hopefully we can get another win against Auckland,” he said. “And another goal for myself, another header, would just top it off.” Source link #Socceroos #dream #driving #Botics #breakout Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Exclusive-JPMorgan CEO Dimon derides in-office work pushback, demands efficiency Exclusive-JPMorgan CEO Dimon derides in-office work pushback, demands efficiency (This story contains offensive language in paragraph 3) By Isla Binnie NEW YORK (Reuters) – JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon scorned calls from some employees to soften the bank’s five-day return-to-office policy in an animated town hall meeting on Wednesday, according to a recording reviewed by Reuters. Employees at the largest U.S. bank have complained on internal message boards and chats about losing hybrid working arrangements, and one group launched an online petition urging Dimon to reconsider. When asked about the in-person work policy during the staff meeting, he said: “Don’t waste time on it. I don’t care how many people sign that ******** petition,” he said, drawing some laughter. JPMorgan declined to comment. Instead, Dimon demanded more efficiency and stressed that employees have a choice whether to work at JPMorgan. The CEO told them not to be mad at him, and said that it was a free country. The rollback of remote working policies has prompted groans from some workers as COVID-19 lockdowns receded. JPMorgan’s call for more workers to come back brought a deluge of complaints, many from back-office workers. Some employees sought advice from the Communications Workers of America on how they might set up a labor union, a rare thing in the U.S. finance sector, CWA campaign lead Nick Wiener said. About 950 people had signed the petition against the five-day policy by Wednesday evening. JPMorgan has more than 317,000 employees worldwide. Dimon, who has run the lender for 19 years, said some staff did not pay attention during Zoom meetings, which reduced their efficiency and creativity. JPMorgan’s profits surged to a record in 2024 and its share price roughly doubled in the past five years. The strong performance prompted some workers to question why they needed to spend more time in the office. In-office requirements will not be left up to managers, Dimon said. “There is no chance that I will leave it up to managers,” he said. “Zero chance. The abuse that took place is extraordinary.” Dimon’s view is shared by many Wall Street leaders and President Donald Trump, who demanded the end of remote work arrangements in the federal government. Dimon has asked all the bank’s departments to show 10% gains in efficiency, which would entail 10% cuts in reports, meetings, documents and training sessions. During the town hall, Dimon recounted a story about a wealth management matter that required 14 committee approvals. “I feel like firing 14 chairmen of committees, I can’t stand it anymore,” he said. “I’m sorry. It’s my fault. I’m the boss.” Story Continues He also cited performance reviews for the bank’s operating committee that could stretch to six pages. “Because of legal and risk, they have to look at it, the regulators might say, there could be litigation around it, so you have to be careful,” Dimon said. “I get the thing, I throw it in the ********** garbage can.” Dimon was also asked about hiring. The bank is working to keep headcount flat, and “we continue to invest in hiring new professionals where appropriate and currently have 14,000 open positions,” a company spokesperson said in a statement. (Reporting by Isla Binnie, additional reporting by Tatiana Bautzer and Nupur Anand in New York, editing by Lananh Nguyen, Megan Davies and Gerry Doyle) Source link #ExclusiveJPMorgan #CEO #Dimon #derides #inoffice #work #pushback #demands #efficiency Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Gaza: Confusion and mistrust hang over efforts to save ceasefire – BBC.com Gaza: Confusion and mistrust hang over efforts to save ceasefire – BBC.com Gaza: Confusion and mistrust hang over efforts to save ceasefire BBC.comLIVE: Israel issues more war threats; Egypt, Qatar scramble to rescue deal Al Jazeera EnglishFeb. 12: After meeting Abdullah, Trump acknowledges Jordan would prefer Gazans stay in Strip The Times of IsraelMiddle East crisis: ****** says it rejects US and Israeli ‘threats’ over Gaza ceasefire – as it happened The GuardianIsrael-****** ceasefire on fragile ground CBS News Source link #Gaza #Confusion #mistrust #hang #efforts #save #ceasefire #BBC.com Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Bryson DeChambeau teases new challenge after hole-in-one over his house went viral Bryson DeChambeau teases new challenge after hole-in-one over his house went viral After his chase for a hole-in-one hit over his house went viral, LIV star Bryson DeChambeau has hinted at something even ******* to come. Source link #Bryson #DeChambeau #teases #challenge #holeinone #house #viral Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Scientists Simulated a Quantum Apocalypse. Then the Universe Disappeared. Scientists Simulated a Quantum Apocalypse. Then the Universe Disappeared. “Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links.” The universe could end not with a bang, but a whimper known as “false vacuum decay.” In a new study, scientists leveraged the power of a quantum computer to study the cosmic bubbles that would form if the universe transitioned to a true ground state. While death by this kind of quantum shenanigans is unlikely, the study is a powerful example of how quantum computers can help scientists probe questions previously thought impossible to study. American poet Robert Frost famously pondered what version of the end times would be the most preferable: fire or ice. However, the world of quantum mechanics considers an even stranger and all-around more terrifying ending—a quantum process known as “false vacuum decay.” First proposed by theoretical physicist Sidney Coleman in 1977, this idea suggests that the universe may be trapped in a false vacuum, meaning that it appears to be stable, but could transition to a true vacuum state at any time. This transition would fundamentally alter the structure of the universe, forming cosmic bubbles that alter the universe as they grow larger. Essentially, our known universe would disappear. Considering the existential threat of “false vacuum decay,” a team of international scientists—led by experts at the University of Leeds in the U.K.—used a quantum machine called an annealer to simulate the creation of these cosmic bubbles as they formed. While this study pushes forward our understanding of quantum dynamics, it simultaneously served as a case study for research uses of emerging quantum computers. The results of the study were published in the journal Nature Physics. “We’re talking about a process by which the universe would completely change its structure,” Zlatko Papic, the lead author of the study from the University of Leeds, said in a press statement. “The fundamental constants could instantaneously change and the world as we know it would collapse like a house of cards. What we really need are controlled experiments to observe this process and determine its time scales.” Although scientists knew about false vacuum decay, they didn’t quite understand its mechanism. To answer this question, they turned to a 5564-bit quantum computer constructed by D-Wave Quantum Inc. (headquartered in both the U.S. and Canada). The team explains that the bubbles behave similarly to bubbles that form in water vapor, cooled beyond their dew point. With the help of the quantum annealer, scientists were able to observe the behavior of these bubbles and how they form, interact, and grow over time in a one-dimensional model. “This phenomenon is comparable to a rollercoaster that has several valleys along its trajectory but only one ‘true’ lowest state, at ground level,” Jean-Yves Desaules, a co-author of the study, said in a press statement. “If that is indeed the case, quantum mechanics would allow the universe to eventually tunnel to the lowest energy state or the ‘true’ vacuum and that process would result in a cataclysmic global event.” Luckily, this change wouldn’t occur overnight, and would likely take untold millions of years—if it could actually happen at all. So, while Frost’s foreboding vision of the end times is way more likely than death by any kind of a universal quantum shenanigans, the ability to simulate the cosmic bubbles formed from “false vacuum decay” offers a brief, powerful glimpse of what quantum computers can do in the world of research. “We are trying to develop systems where we can carry out simple experiments to study these sorts of things,” Papic said in a press statement. “The time scales for these processes happening in the universe are huge, but using the annealer allows us to observe them in real time, so we can actually see what’s happening.” You Might Also Like Source link #Scientists #Simulated #Quantum #Apocalypse #Universe #Disappeared Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Trump upends US policy on Ukraine, says he and Putin have agreed to begin talks on ending the war – The Associated Press Trump upends US policy on Ukraine, says he and Putin have agreed to begin talks on ending the war – The Associated Press Trump upends US policy on Ukraine, says he and Putin have agreed to begin talks on ending the war The Associated PressTrump Says Call With Putin Is Beginning of Ukraine Peace Negotiations The New York TimesTrump announces first meeting with Putin in Saudi Arabia POLITICO EuropeTrump Says He and Putin Agreed to Begin Talks on Ending Ukraine War The Wall Street JournalTrump says Russia agrees to ‘immediately’ begin negotiations to end war in Ukraine Fox News Source link #Trump #upends #policy #Ukraine #Putin #agreed #talks #war #Press Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Pharma companies must file compliance strategy, Health News, ET HealthWorld Pharma companies must file compliance strategy, Health News, ET HealthWorld New Delhi: Drugmakers that want to extend the timeline for implementation of Schedule M must carry out a gap analysis and file an application with the drug regulator, detailing their strategy to comply with the revised manufacturing standards. Small and medium manufacturers with turnover of less than ₹250 crore may seek extension of the timeline by submitting a plan of upgradation within three months from now, the drug regulatory authority said in a notification issued on Tuesday. “These companies will have to comply with the revised Schedule M requirements as per the plan submitted by them,” a senior official told ET. As per the notification, a company’s director, proprietor or partner will have to submit a gap analysis and give an undertaking to initiate upgradation within three months from the date of the application. The submission should also justify the time ******* they seek to comply with the requirements. As reported by ET, Tuesday’s notification gave small drug companies time until December 31 this year to adhere to the revised Schedule M. The application should be submitted to the Central Licence Approving Authority online, it said. The drug rules will be amended to provide the extension of time for another year. The revised Schedule M-which outlines tighter quality norms for manufacturing-was notified in January last year. While units with annual turnover of more than ₹250 crore had to comply from July 1, 2023, the implementation date for MSMEs was January 1 this year. However, MSMEs sought more time to make the necessary changes in their manufacturing processes. The ministry then issued a draft notification, proposing to extend the deadline for the MSMEs. In this regard, it had invited public comments by January 11. “The feedback was compiled, and the final draft was sent to the legal affairs department for vetting,” a person cited above told ET. The country’s pharma lobby groups had been seeking a two-year extension to the deadline, saying much time is needed for improving infrastructure, increasing manpower and training. Federation of Pharma Entrepreneurs (FOPE) wrote to the drug controller, seeking an extension of the notification implementation. Published On Feb 13, 2025 at 06:46 AM IST Join the community of 2M+ industry professionals Subscribe to our newsletter to get latest insights & analysis. Download ETHealthworld App Get Realtime updates Save your favourite articles Scan to download App Source link #Pharma #companies #file #compliance #strategy #Health #News #HealthWorld Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

WA Election 2025: Labor MP Paul Lilburne resorts to name-calling opponent WA Election 2025: Labor MP Paul Lilburne resorts to name-calling opponent The Carine MP — who party insiders concede is likely to lose his seat — has taken to social media to lash out at the commitments of his opponent, Liberal candidate Liam Staltari. Source link #Election #Labor #Paul #Lilburne #resorts #namecalling #opponent Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Hartford man arrested after series of alleged road rage incidents, manhunt in Southington Hartford man arrested after series of alleged road rage incidents, manhunt in Southington HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — A Hartford man faces several charges following a series of alleged road rage incidents on Interstate 84 and a manhunt in Southington on Tuesday. Caught on camera: Road rage suspect damages woman’s car on Interstate 84 in Southbury State police said Robert Misericordia, 27, turned himself in on Wednesday on an active arrest warrant stemming from multiple alleged road rage incidents on Interstate 84 in Waterbury. When troopers found his vehicle on a ****-de-sac in Prospect, he allegedly hit a state police cruiser in an attempt to flee. Misericordia’s vehicle was later found abandoned at a rest area in Southington. State police said Misericordia admitted to his involvement in this series of incidents and is cooperating with the investigation. He faces multiple charges, including first-degree threatening, interfering with an officer/resisting, reckless driving and first-degree threatening. He’s being held on a $150,000 bond and is due in court on Thursday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com. Source link #Hartford #man #arrested #series #alleged #road #rage #incidents #manhunt #Southington Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Federal judge lets Trump’s ‘buyout’ plan for federal employees proceed – CNN Federal judge lets Trump’s ‘buyout’ plan for federal employees proceed – CNN Federal judge lets Trump’s ‘buyout’ plan for federal employees proceed CNNJudge clears way for President Trump’s plan to downsize federal workforce with deferred resignation program Pittsburgh Post-GazetteTrump’s Resignation Program for Federal Workers Can Move Forward, Judge Rules The New York Times Source link #Federal #judge #lets #Trumps #buyout #plan #federal #employees #proceed #CNN Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Sydney Fish Market reportedly confronting $8m loss, insolvency Sydney Fish Market reportedly confronting $8m loss, insolvency The largest fish market in the southern hemisphere is reportedly close to financial collapse. The Sydney Fish Market (SFM) is confronting an $8m loss for 2023-24, according to The Sydney Morning Herald, and the company has allegedly brought in insolvency experts. The financial breakdown comes as the legendary auction site and retail zone prepares to move from its traditional home in Pyrmont to a new $836m space on the other side of Blackwattle Bay. The SFM is a private company jointly held by the Catchers Trust of NSW, which represents the state’s commercial fishermen, and the Sydney Fish Market Tenants and Merchants, which represents the market’s sellers. The company posted a $6.3m loss for 2022-23 and auditors have allegedly expressed concerns it will not be able to meet increased cleaning and operational costs at the new building. Camera IconThe Sydney Fish Market was established in 1966. NewsWire / Nikki Short Credit: News Corp Australia The company’s financial statements for 2023-24 have not yet been published, three months after the reporting deadline. In a statement released to The Sydney Morning Herald, the company denied trading while insolvent and said it remained viable. “We have no reason to believe this will change in the foreseeable future,” the statement said. “It is taking longer than anticipated to finalise our financial results due to extenuating circumstances related to the once-in-a-generation transition to the new Sydney Fish Market. “We are finalising the accounts with the appropriate level of due diligence, and these will be lodged this quarter. “Presently, our priority remains on ensuring a seamless transition to the new, iconic Sydney Fish Market facility on Blackwattle Bay.” Camera IconTenants have expressed concerns about the structure of the new building. Supplied Credit: Supplied NewsWire contacted the Catchers Trust separately, but the body refused to comment on the matter. “Our director at this stage would not like to engage,” a spokeswoman said. “We’d like to thank you for your time and inquiry” Infrastructure NSW has been contacted for comment. Retailers at the market have flagged serious concerns with the new building, which is under construction and expected to be completed later this year, warning of additional costs to run a market over several levels and insufficient power to keep their produce refrigerated. The original cost of the new shopping, dining and produce precinct was pegged at $250m. The state government is footing the bill for the build. Source link #Sydney #Fish #Market #reportedly #confronting #loss #insolvency Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

GOP hardliners threaten revolt over Johnson plan to implement Trump agenda GOP hardliners threaten revolt over Johnson plan to implement Trump agenda Speaker Mike Johnson’s budget plan is in trouble as multiple GOP hardliners seek last-minute changes that could risk support from the party’s centrist middle — jeopardizing leadership’s plans to kickstart President Donald Trump’s agenda in Congress. Just hours after the House GOP’s compromise plan was released, fiscal hawks in the chamber lined up to call for steeper cuts beyond the current reduction target of $1.5 trillion over a decade. But the size of those cuts is already difficult for some GOP centrists to ********, with Republicans, including Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska, still unwilling to say whether they support cuts of that size. House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington, a Republican from Texas, is projecting confidence. Yet given the backlash from GOP hardliners, it’s not clear if the plan will clear a key committee vote Thursday, let alone a floor vote by month’s end. “As of right now the votes are not there,” Rep. Andy Ogles, a Tennessee Republican and member of the House Freedom Caucus, told CNN when asked what level of cuts it would take to win his vote. “As it stands, I think it falls short … but it’s work in progress, and we’ll keep working on it.” Rep. Ralph Norman, a South Carolina Republican who sits on the House Budget Committee that will vote on the measure Thursday, declined to say if he would support it and said he wants to guarantee that the final bill will include policy such as work requirements for Medicaid, as well as an anti-red tape bill called the REINS Act. Three other members of that panel — Rep. Chip Roy of Texas, Tom McClintock of California and Andrew Clyde of Georgia — would not answer when asked how they’d vote on Thursday. A fourth member, Rep. Ben Cline of Virginia, said he is a “lean yes.” “You’ll find out tomorrow,” Clyde said when asked Wednesday how he would vote on Thursday. Some signaled that conservatives could make changes to the measure during Thursday’s markup, though they declined to offer details. Rep. Scott Perry, a Pennsylvania Republican and member of the House Freedom Caucus who does not sit on the budget panel, suggested that changes could come during the makeup on Thursday though he wouldn’t offer more details. “There’s always room for improvement,” Perry said. “We’re not done yet.” The backlash from GOP hardliners is sharp despite weeks of behind-the-scenes negotiations between Johnson, his leadership team and the right flank of the conference. Rep. Eric Burlison of Missouri called the spending cuts target “pathetic” and said he believes there are at least a half dozen Republicans who agree and would oppose the plan on the floor. That number — given Johnson’s razor-thin margins — is enough to tank the bill. Rep. Eli Crane, an Arizona Republican and one of his Freedom Caucus counterparts, added: “I’m not happy with the number of cuts.” And another, Rep. Andy Biggs, also of Arizona, told CNN: “I’m still studying it. I bet you can’t tell what the real numbers are any more than I can.” But Republican allies of leadership believe the budget measure will pass and that it represents a true compromise in the conference. “The fact that there are some pain points on both ends of the conference, I think, shows that we’re over target,” said Rep. Dusty Johnson of South Dakota, who has been part of the negotiations. He said, “I think we’re going to work through the legitimate concerns people are raising, and I think we are really well-positioned for success.” The budget plan requires Republicans to cut at least $1.5 trillion in mandatory spending, with a goal of $2 trillion. But many conservatives say they want to see a specific target of $2 trillion, saying otherwise that extra half-trillion in cuts won’t happen. Achieving that level of cuts will likely require Republicans to find savings in Medicaid, which has made some centrist-leaning Republicans uneasy. And some are frustrated that ultraconservatives demanded changes to the previous measure, which Speaker Johnson had outlined to GOP lawmakers earlier in the year. Bacon said he would “keep my powder dry” on how he’ll vote on the resolution but said he preferred Johnson’s earlier budget plan, which had more modest cuts. “I think the speaker had a better plan,” he said, referring to Johnson’s initial proposal of roughly $1 trillion in cuts. “I wish they would listen to him, the majority leader and the whip and the chairman. They’re all saying the same thing. But we had a couple wise guys who know better than all the leadership,” Bacon told CNN with a laugh. Bacon added that he believes Trump doesn’t want to “undermine Medicaid” and believes GOP leadership will abide by that. Rep. Nick LaLota, a New York Republican who met with Johnson earlier Wednesday, told CNN that Republicans need to proceed with caution when it comes to steep cuts to Medicaid and other programs. “We have to be careful,” LaLota said. “I mean, the president has said he doesn’t want to cut Medicaid, and now it’s up to us in the House and the Senate to figure out how to actually put pen to paper on these important issues.” CNN’s Annie Grayer, Haley Talbot, Jenna Monnin and Sarah Davis contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Source link #GOP #hardliners #threaten #revolt #Johnson #plan #implement #Trump #agenda Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

GTA producer says new game Mindseye ‘pushes cinematic adventure to the next level’ GTA producer says new game Mindseye ‘pushes cinematic adventure to the next level’ Grand Theft Auto producer Leslie Benzies premiered new footage of his narrative action game MindsEye during PlayStation’s State of Play on Wednesday. Developed by Benzies’ Build A Rocket Boy and published by IOI Partners, MindsEye is described as “a story-driven, action-adventure thriller, set in a fictional near future Americana” and featuring “best-in-class cinematics, high-octane driving, and explosive combat”. The game is set in Redrock, a “fictional desert metropolis in the not-too-distant future,” and follows Jacob Diaz, who is equipped with a mysterious neural implant, the MindsEye, that has left him with disjointed flashbacks of his time in the service. “As Jacob fights to uncover the truth, he is drawn into a world where AI, high-tech experimentation, and unchecked military power impact every step of his journey,” BARB says. “Players will engage in third-person shooter encounters, facing enemies that coordinate attacks, flush them from cover, and swarm with overwhelming force. Success depends on quick thinking, tactical positioning, and using the environment and a companion drone to gain the upper hand. “Whether on foot, behind the wheel, or in the air, MindsEye keeps players on edge in a world which is constantly under threat.” During a visit to Build A Rocket Boy in 2023, the studio told VGC that MindsEye would only be available in Everywhere, the open world game platform it’s been building for several years. After further grilling, we were told that the plan was to release it in different themed chapters – the first would focus on single-player gameplay, and the second may be more multiplayer-focused. Director Leslie Benzies said in a new statement: “I’ve dedicated my entire career to crafting captivating interactive entertainment to delight players. With MindsEye, we’ve pushed cinematic adventure to the next level – building characters and a world that feels truly alive. “We can’t wait for players to step in and feel the immersive realism and tireless effort poured into every moment of the game.” Source link #GTA #producer #game #Mindseye #pushes #cinematic #adventure #level Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Elon Musk’s DOGE has taken over Trump’s Education Department Elon Musk’s DOGE has taken over Trump’s Education Department Elon Musk speaks next to President Donald Trump, not pictured, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., Feb. 11, 2025. Kevin Lamarque | Reuters Staffers from Elon Musk’s secretive government slashing effort, DOGE, have pushed the highest-ranking officials at the Department of Education — even those recently appointed by President Donald Trump — out of their own offices, rearranged the furniture and set up white noise machines to muffle their voices, employees at the agency said. Deprived of her office, acting Education Secretary Denise Carter was spotted last week sitting outside the main leadership suite, one staffer said. Meanwhile, acting Under Secretary James Bergeron held off moving into his office, sources told CNBC, because DOGE staffers were occupying it. “They took over the top real estate; they made themselves at home,” an official told CNBC. “It was that attitude of, ‘We can do whatever we want.'” A view of the U.S. Department of Education building in Washington, D.C., U.S., Feb. 1, 2025. Annabelle Gordon | Reuters Sources for this story were granted anonymity because they feared retribution if they were named. Having taken over the VIP offices on the seventh floor of the agency’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., representatives of the task force known as the Department of Government Efficiency then went looking for office equipment around the building to “move into their compound,” an Education Department staffer told CNBC. Asked about the working arrangements and office space, deputy assistant secretary for communications Madi Biedermann told CNBC, “The DOGE employees are federal employees. They have been sworn in, have the necessary background checks and clearances, and are focused on making the Department more cost-efficient, effective, and accountable to the taxpayers.” Trump has repeatedly stated his intention to dismantle the Department of Education. As an agency authorized by Congress, the department cannot be eliminated without congressional approval. But in the meantime, Musk and his DOGE team can slowly starve it. A White House spokesperson did not respond to questions from CNBC about the workflow at the Education Department. Trump’s nominee to lead the Department of Education, Linda McMahon, will have her confirmation hearing Thursday. Education Department officials described tension between the DOGE team and department leadership — including Republicans who arrived at the department to help implement a conservative education agenda. Asked about the workplace dynamics, Biedermann said the DOGE staffers “are working in collaboration with Department staff. There is nothing inappropriate or nefarious going on.” According to employees, however, the DOGE teams appear to be competing with one another to get a very big headline on budget cuts. On Monday, that headline was indeed very big: “$881 million” worth of contracts with the Education Department had been canceled, according to the DOGE social media account. This competitive element of the DOGE cost-cutting effort is likely due in part to the rules that govern the DOGE staffers’ employment. Most DOGE workers are designated as “special government employees,” a category that insulates them from some federal disclosure requirements. But in exchange, the status limits the total number of days they can work per year to 130. The way the DOGE teams appear to be operating, they have about four months to make all the cuts they can. After that, the agencies will be left to deal with the fallout. DOGE’s shifting demands Day to day, the DOGE team members have been “secretive,” a current staffer said. “They didn’t make conversation.” Some employees said they feel they need to physically stay out of the way of DOGE staffers, and one official described the overall vibe from the team as “intimidating.” Constantly shifting demands from DOGE employees about how much funding they need to cut have left employees confused and afraid, two employees told CNBC. What’s more, they said, the demands of DOGE teams appear to be arbitrary, and not rooted in any political or policy goals. In many cases, the DOGE teams don’t tell department staffers which contracts they need to cancel, employees said. Instead, staffers are given a figure, typically in person rather than in writing, and told to cut that much money from programs, sources report. Other times they were given a percentage of funding and told to cut that much. One employee recalled a demand by DOGE employees to slash around 80% of the funding for websites and services that support federal student loan applications. Around 17 million families apply for college aid each year using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, according to higher education expert Mark Kantrowitz. Source link #Elon #Musks #DOGE #Trumps #Education #Department Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Xbox’s Metal Gear Solid Delta replaces Ape Escape monkeys with another surprise cameo Xbox’s Metal Gear Solid Delta replaces Ape Escape monkeys with another surprise cameo Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater won’t feature the original’s Ape Escape mini-game on Xbox, it’s been confirmed, likely due to licensing issues with PlayStation. Konami recently published a new trailer for the game which confirmed the remake’s release date. The trailer also teased the return of the Snake vs Monkey mode from the original PlayStation 2 game. This mini-game features characters from PlayStation‘s Ape Escape franchise. However, it’s now been confirmed that not all versions of the game will feature this crossover. In the Xbox version of the remake, it looks like the apes will instead be replaced by another cameo character: Bomberman, which is owned by MGS publisher Konami, rather than PlayStation. “The special game ‘Snake vs Monkey’ to capture the Pipo Monkeys is back for PS5 and Steam!” reads a description for the trailer. “A different special game will be implemented for the Xbox version! Please wait for further details.” The end of the trailer clearly shows the silhouette of Bomberman. It’s unclear if the mode will be the same as the Snake vs Monkey minigame. Last year, VGC went hands-on with the first 90 minutes of Metal Gear Solid Delta, and came away impressed with what was shown. “If Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater is a temperature check for the return of the franchise, then so far it’s doing an incredible job,” we wrote. “It feels great to play, it looks excellent, and it retains all the campy nonsense that makes Metal Gear so beloved. “It’s like Konami sat down and asked ‘what doesn’t hold up about MGS 3,’ and laser-targeted those things while leaving the things that made it so unique alone. We couldn’t be more confident about Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater as a package, and we’re desperate to play more.” Source link #Xboxs #Metal #Gear #Solid #Delta #replaces #Ape #Escape #monkeys #surprise #cameo Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Justice Department sues N.Y. over law giving licenses to immigrants – Times Union Justice Department sues N.Y. over law giving licenses to immigrants – Times Union Justice Department sues N.Y. over law giving licenses to immigrants Times Union Bondi Announces Lawsuit Against New York Over Immigration The New York TimesAG Bondi says she is suing New York over immigration laws The Washington PostTrump Administration Sues New York Officials, Revokes Funding Over Immigration The Wall Street JournalAttorney General Pam Bondi announces legal action against N.Y. Gov. Hochul, AG James Spectrum News NY1 Source link #Justice #Department #sues #N.Y #law #giving #licenses #immigrants #Times #Union Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Here’s a new look at Supermassive’s sci-fi horror game Directive 8020 Here’s a new look at Supermassive’s sci-fi horror game Directive 8020 Dark Pictures studio Supermassive Games has debuted a cinematic trailer for its horror sci-fi game Directive 8020, and confirmed its release date. Releasing on October 2, 2025, Directive 8020 will be available for PC via Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Debuted during Sony’s State of Play on Wednesday, the game’s new trailer teases the dangers onboard the spaceship Cassiopeia, as well as new characters, environments, potential death scenes, and an alien threat. Will Doyle, creative director at Supermassive Games, said in a statement: “The team at Supermassive Games has worked tirelessly to craft a narrative experience that melds sci-fi exploration with spine-chilling horror, where every choice could lead to a disastrous death. ​ “Today we’re unveiling some new layers to our story, exploring fragile alliances, unseen threats, and the limits of human resilience when faced with our deepest fears. We’re venturing into uncharted territory: the unsettling abyss of space.” Source link #Heres #Supermassives #scifi #horror #game #Directive Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]