Pelican Press

Atari and Polybius Creator Are Reimagining The Rare Arcade Game I, Robot Atari and Polybius Creator Are Reimagining The Rare Arcade Game I, Robot Atari and Jeff Minter have announced that they are working together to create a reimagining of I, Robot — no, not the movie. I, Robot is an Atari title from 1984 notable both for being one of the first arcade games with 3D polygonal graphics rendered in real-time and for being quite rare, as it was a financial and critical disappointment at the time of its release. Jeff Minter and Atari are giving I, Robot a psychedelic overhaul, although it retains the same core gameplay loop of players needing to flip the color of tiles in a 3D space while avoiding being destroyed by a giant eye watching them. Jeff Minter is known for being an innovative game designer behind titles like Tempest 2000 and Attack of the Mutant Camels. He also developed a real version of Polybius, the legendary urban-myth arcade game. Atari studio Digital Eclipse profiled him for their interactive documentary Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story, while Atari at large let him revive, reimagine, and release Akka Arrh, a game which Atari had canceled in the 1980s. Games like Akka Arrh and I, Robot are part of a larger initiative by Atari to revive its classic titles. Last year, Lunar Lander and Yars were reimagined with brand-new games, while this year Breakout, Fatal Run, and I, Robot are all getting that treatment. I, Robot will be released for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and Atari VCS in Spring 2025. Source link #Atari #Polybius #Creator #Reimagining #Rare #Arcade #Game #Robot Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

From Powder to Prayer: This Man Spreads Faith and Fellowship with Snowsports and Donuts From Powder to Prayer: This Man Spreads Faith and Fellowship with Snowsports and Donuts In the snowy hills of southwestern Pennsylvania, ministry is breaking free from tradition, embracing the thrill of snow sports while transforming lives. Josh Knipple, a youth minister and ski shop professional, is using his passion for skiing and snowboarding to spread faith as part of Snowboarders and Skiers for Christ (SFC). For Josh, the mountains are more than just a playground—they’re a sanctuary. “You have that peace when you’re out here on the mountain—you get away from the noise of life, get away from busyness,” Josh says. “A lot of days, I’ll come out here and spend time in prayer, just ride up the lift.” Each snowfall calls Josh and his family of six to the slopes, where they turn the mountains into both a place of fellowship and adventure. Balancing the demands of raising four children, serving as a youth minister, writing children’s books, and working at a ski shop, Josh sees each role as an opportunity to shine as a beacon of light on every mountain he conquers. But for him, this isn’t just about adventure—it’s a calling. “What do you think Jesus did? He spent time with people. He built relationships with them, ate with them, drank with them… that’s ministry,” Josh explains. Christian ministries reaching out to the snow sports community are part of a growing movement. While exact numbers are hard to pin down, it’s estimated that nearly 150 such ministries operate across the U.S. Skiers and Snowboarders for Christ (SFC) alone shares the gospel in seven countries. Josh serves the SFC mission on the slopes near his hometown in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Now closer to home, he focuses his efforts in Southwest Pennsylvania, particularly on Laurel Mountain. There, Josh’s approach is simple: faith and donuts. Each Tuesday, before heading to the mountain, Josh stocks up on a dozen sweet treats. “It’s like I said, who doesn’t like a donut?” he laughs. The donuts are more than just a snack—they’re a tool to connect with strangers, break the ice, and build relationships on the mountain. He sees them as a chance to love others and share the transformative power of faith. “Build relationships, share Jesus—the best way to say it is to be myself and allow people to see how Jesus has changed my heart… and let them know He can do that for them,” Josh says. The snow sports culture isn’t always easygoing. Beneath the surface, many struggle with substance abuse and mental health crises, searching for meaning. “The main mission of SFC is building relationships with people, pointing them to Jesus, and eventually bridging them back to a local church,” Josh explains. “Because we know that salvation isn’t the endpoint—coming to know Jesus is the beginning.” For Josh, connecting those on the mountain to a local church comes naturally. He facilitates an outreach program from the basement of his father’s church in downtown Johnstown. Each week, 20-30 volunteers from multiple churches come together to serve their community. “They’re shelving food, clothing… pretty much every need somebody could have,” Josh says. “We have showers in the building—people can come in and get showers if they need to.” Dorothy Blough, a Johnstown resident, is one of the many who benefit from the program. “It helps me a lot, you know… I have a heart condition, and the weather is bad—I can’t even come out… so I’m fortunate I’m here,” she says. In a world constantly seeking the next thrill, Josh Knipple carves a distinct path—showing that freedom isn’t just a downhill run; it’s found in a life transformed by faith. “It reminds me that everyone has their own trail, their own path that they have to take,” Josh reflects. “Some people want to go woods, some want to go steep, some just want to cruise. There’s nothing wrong with any of those.” Josh finds his lift in serving others. Whether it’s through simple conversation, a shared prayer, or a donut offered with a smile, he believes even the smallest act of kindness can build a bond and light the way for others. “That’s what ministry is—it’s building relationships,” Josh says. “Whether it’s with the homeless, here on the mountain, or here at a church, it’s getting to know people by their name, one-on-one—building that personal relationship with them.” Through snow-covered slopes and heartfelt connections, Josh is proving that faith can thrive in the most unexpected places—and that sometimes, all it takes is a donut and a smile to change a life. ***Please sign up for CBN Newsletters and download the CBN News app to ensure you keep receiving the latest news from a distinctly Christian perspective.*** Source link #Powder #Prayer #Man #Spreads #Faith #Fellowship #Snowsports #Donuts Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Titanfall 2 Was Primarily Aimed at Players Who Didn’t Want to “deal with the stress of the competitive game” Titanfall 2 Was Primarily Aimed at Players Who Didn’t Want to “deal with the stress of the competitive game” Everyone who was upset about Titanfall‘s lack of a story-based solo mode in the first game became thrilled about the sequel. Titanfall 2 got a single-player campaign thanks to Respawn Entertainment. There was only a multiplayer mode in the original one, and even the story-based campaign had to be played in online competitive matches. Titanfall 2 was released in 2016. | Credit: Respawn Entertainment. On October 28, 2016, the sequel was released for PC, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4, giving players the single-player experience that many had hoped for. And this decision was taken considering that not everyone is very fond of the competitive stress. Why did Respawn add a single-player campaign in Titanfall 2? Titanfall 2 didn’t commit the mistake of its predecessor. | Credit: Respawn Entertainment. There can be the slightest of competitiveness in multiplayer games, and that small amount can lead to extreme competitive stress. For instance, even in a PvE mission in Destiny, you will ultimately be curious about your damage or total kills. Players are always under more pressure to compete for the scorecard at the end. The same was true for Titanfall as well. Therefore, in Titanfall 2, switching to a single-player campaign made sure that this argument was entirely eliminated. Talking about this, the game’s producer Drew McCoy explained the reason for adding a single-player campaign mode in Titanfall 2 (via GameSpot, in 2016): For us, single-player was a chance for us to expand on the universe we established in the first game. It was something that we as developers wanted to do. But we also wanted to bring more people to the party–those people who don’t always want to go online and deal with the stress of the competitive game. Titanfall too had a story-driven campaign, but that was built around the already existing multiplayer setting. But with Titanfall 2, things were completely different as far as the single-player campaign was concerned. However, this transition was never easy and the company was “almost ready to admit defeat.” McCoy also stated that the single-player campaign was neither the “checkbox” the company wanted to mark off, nor was a “market-driven development.” How was the single-player campaign of Titanfall 2? Titanfall 2 didn’t have a paltry and generic single-player experience. | Credit: Respawn Entertainment. The dynamic interaction between the pilot and the titan, as well as parkour, appeared to be the campaign’s primary aspects. With its fluid, open-ended sections, Titanfall 2‘s single-player had a tone, very different from many military shooters. In other words, Titanfall 2 was more than just linear scenes and “Follow” objective markers associated with different AI characters. The narrative followed Jack Cooper, a rifleman in the Frontier Militia, as he traversed the rocky crags of an overgrown canyon, crashed on an alien planet, and took control of a deceased squadmate’s Titan. It’s as expected in certain respects. You can use your own robot Titan while shooting objects and wall-running through gaps. However, it also featured a lot of surprises, such as dialogue options, a slower tempo that frequently prioritized platforming and puzzles over shooting, and even a respectable sense of humor (the protagonist once took a tool from a robot wearing a digitally animated happy face on his chest, which soon devolved into a pitiful frown). Source link #Titanfall #Primarily #Aimed #Players #Didnt #deal #stress #competitive #game Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Mozer injury adds to Broncos hooking selection intrigue Mozer injury adds to Broncos hooking selection intrigue A shoulder injury to Brisbane young gun Blake Mozer is set to rule him out of the first NRL round and has added further mystique to the keenly contested race for the hooking role. Broncos head of performance Dave Ballard said 20-year-old Mozer suffered the injury last week. He trained on Monday at ******-half but a scan revealed an issue, the nature of which the club did not go into detail about “He’ll begin a rehab program this week and will be involved in non-contact sessions for at least a month. We don’t expect him to be available for round one,” Ballard said. In the best-case scenario, Mozer would be touch and go for the away round-two clash with Canberra on March 15 and unavailable for Brisbane’s opening away clash with Sydney Roosters on March 6. Mozer, who now won’t play Sunday’s trial against Gold Coast or the following week in the clash with Canterbury, was one of four Broncos rakes in the frame for the No.9 and No.14 jersey against the Roosters. Cory Paix has jumped from being surplus to requirements in 2024, when he did not play any NRL, to right in the running to play round one. Unfortunately the 25-year-old has a lower leg *******. He was seen in rehab on Monday at training and the Broncos have taken the cautious approach to leave him out of this week’s squad with the hope that he lines up against the Bulldogs when coach Michael Maguire unveils close to his top 17.. Tyson Smoothy, who played off the bench in the 2023 grand final, has been named to start against the Titans as he did last week against Burleigh. The 26-year-old, linked to a Super League move at the end of the season, is unlikely to make the Broncos side in round one. Incumbent Broncos No.9 Billy Walters has been selected to play five-eighth against the Titans. The 31-year-old previously played in the halves at Wests Tigers under Maguire. The Broncos are without suspended No.6 Ezra Mam, while captain and half Adam Reynolds is still not ready to play after neck surgery. Veteran playmaker Ben Hunt is being kept in cotton wool until the Bulldogs trial. Walters has spent time at Broncos pre-season training in the halves in attack and defence. He has also joined the playmakers in short kicking drills, but is expected to be one of the ******-halves named against the Roosters. Source link #Mozer #injury #adds #Broncos #hooking #selection #intrigue Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Avowed Early Access Launch Times Revealed Avowed Early Access Launch Times Revealed Microsoft’s next big game, the RPG Avowed from developer Obsidian, launches on February 18. But the Premium Edition unlocks a full five days earlier, beginning February 13. Obsidian has now posted the official unlock times for Avowed’s early-access *******, which begins at 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET on February 13. This works out to 6 PM in London and 7 PM in Paris. For people on the other side of the world, Avowed arrives at 3 AM in Tokyo, 5 AM in Sydney, and 7 AM in Auckland on Friday, February 14. You can see all the unlock times below. Avowed early access unlock times Thursday, February 13 10 AM PT 12 PM CT 1 PM ET 3 PM BRT 6 PM GMT 7 PM CET Friday, February 14 3 AM JST 5 AM AEDT 7 AM NZDT Avowed is almost here. Avowed is included with Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass, but early access is not. For that, players have to buy the $90 Avowed Premium Edition. Alternatively, Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass members can buy an upgrade add-on for $22.50 that offers early access and other bonuses. Microsoft offers a 14-day PC Game Pass trial for $1, so anyone taking advantage of that offer could play Avowed for only $1. Microsoft is known to remove this special deal ahead of the launch of a high-profile game, but that hasn’t happened yet. There is no $1 trial for Game Pass Ultimate, however. Avowed is Obsidian’s first new release since 2022’s Pentiment. It’s not Obsidian’s only in-development project, either, as the studio is also making The Outer Worlds 2, which is planned for release this year. In other news, Avowed’s game director has warned fans to expect some “jank” when the game launches. Source link #Avowed #Early #Access #Launch #Times #Revealed Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Here’s what privatization of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac may mean for your mortgage Here’s what privatization of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac may mean for your mortgage People walk by a sign for Freddie Mac headquarters on July 14, 2008 in McLean, Virginia. AFP Photo/Paul J. Richards (Photo credit should read PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP via Getty Images) Paul J. Richards | Afp | Getty Images Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac — the two giant mortgage finance firms controlled by the federal government for nearly 17 years — could be sold off into the private sector. During President Donald Trump’s first term, the White House attempted to release the Federal National Mortgage Association, known as Fannie Mae, and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, known as Freddie Mac, into the private market. It didn’t materialize because of the complexity, according to experts. While Trump hasn’t talked about the idea to sell off the government’s shares into the private market, the topic is bubbling up now in Trump’s second term. It could lead to higher mortgage rates and risk for investors, experts warn. In January, the Federal Housing Finance Agency and the Treasury Department agreed to amend the senior preferred stock purchase agreements between the Treasury and and Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, each government-sponsored enterprises, to ensure their eventual release from conservatorship. What problem are we trying to fix? Mark Zandi chief economist at Moody’s Analytics Experts are torn about how the release of the GSEs will be handled, when it will happen and if the government will continue to somewhat oversee the mortgage giants after-the-fact. Ultimately, the release from the government-backing for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s will come down to what Trump prioritizes during his second term. And even then, there could be drawbacks, experts say. “It really ultimately depends on what President Trump wants to do or not do,” said Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics. “Even then though, I think they’ll be repelled from actually getting it done because the economics will become apparent that this makes no sense,” Zandi added. Here’s what to know. What the release could mean for homebuyers, investors The potential impact will depend on the extent of the government’s support after Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are released, according to Andy Winkler, director of housing and infrastructure projects at the Bipartisan Policy Center. The Trump administration’s ability to navigate logistical, legal and economic hurdles will also be a factor, experts say. But “a lot could go wrong,” said Susan Wachter, professor of real estate and professor of finance at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. If not done well, mortgage rates could potentially climb higher, experts say. Zandi believes “it’s just a question of how much higher” rates would be. It’s not something you can do with one signature on one agreement. Susan Wachter professor of real estate and professor of finance at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania If you invest in mortgage-backed securities or in Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac’s secured debt, the end of the conservatorship could bring on more risk, Zandi said. “Therefore you will demand a higher interest rate to compensate for that risk, and therefore mortgage rates will be higher as well,” Zandi said. Of course, higher rates means higher borrowing costs for mortgages. While more people bought their homes in all-cash payments in 2024, most Americans still rely on mortgages to buy properties. According to a report by the National Association of Realtors, about 26% of homebuyers in the U.S. paid all-cash in 2024, a new high for the segment. To compare, the last record increase was 22% in 2022, up 9% from 2021, per data provided to CNBC. However, roughly 74% of buyers financed their home purchase in 2024, NAR found. That’s down from 80% a year prior. In Zandi’s view, any release scenario could affect all parties involved – except potentially Fannie and Freddie shareholders. “They’re going to make money on the shares they own … That’s why they’re pushing for it,” he said. Why Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are essential Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac buy existing home loans from mortgage lenders. The companies either keep or sell the loans as mortgage-backed securities to investors, creating a system where mortgage lenders have enough capital to continue offering loans. “The 30-year fixed rate mortgage might not exist without them,” said Bipartisan Policy Center’s Winkler. The two companies support around 70% of the mortgage market and remain vital to the housing system in the U.S., according to NAR. The two were created by Congress in order to make homeownership accessible and make the 30-year fixed rate mortgage “the bread and butter” of the U.S., Zandi said. More from Personal Finance: Wholesale egg prices have ‘blown way past’ record highs 2025 could be a renter’s market — but it won’t last Here’s the average tax refund so far this year Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have been under a conservatorship with the FHFA since 2008, after the mortgage giants nearly collapsed during the financial crisis. The agreement was done to help the two government-sponsored enterprises recover from the housing market ******. The Department of the Treasury has financially supported the two companies through senior preferred stock purchase agreements, or SPSPAs, helping them remain solvent. The mortgages that were being created leading up to the financial crisis were complex, risky, and untraced, Wachter said. The risk was able to build up overtime. To be sure, such risky loans were coming from the private sector’s private label mortgage-backed securities, she said. When the market imploded, causing trillions of dollars worth of lending to evaporate within a year, the GSEs were caught in the crossfires. “The private-label mortgage-backed securities, risky loans, brought on the crisis, but every mortgage player was hit,” Wachter said. With Fannie and Freddie being the two largest mortgage institutions, the government intervened and bailed the enterprises in 2008 to avoid further damage to the housing market. Fannie and Freddie became explicitly backed by the government and steps were taken to de-risk them as well as limit the exposure to taxpayers under the conservatorship, Winkler said. Under government control, the GSEs don’t operate as fully private companies: they have limited ability to retain profits, strict oversight and a primary goal to maintain the housing market stable over maximizing profits, he said. What are the odds of the conservatorship ending? While Trump himself has yet to mention the conservatorship, others are talking about it. Scott Turner, the new secretary of Housing and Urban Development, mentioned in an interview published on Feb. 5 with the Wall Street Journal that making the effort to release Fannie and Freddie would be a priority. Pershing Square CEO Bill Ackman posted on X in December that “a successful emergence from Fannie and Freddie should generate $300 billion of additional profits to the government” while removing about $8 trillion of liabilities from the government’s balance sheet. Even if the administration prioritizes the conservatorship, the process itself could take years to complete, experts say. “It’s not something you can do with one signature on one agreement,” Wachter said. The process involves multiple parties, including the Treasury, the Department of Justice, FHFA and shareholders in the private sector. However, if “based on the economics of it all, there should be no chance that they get released administratively,” Zandi said. “It doesn’t make any economic sense.” “A release is a lose-lose for taxpayers, homebuyers, the housing market, the economy, everybody is worse off than the status quo.” Zandi said. “What problem are we trying to fix?” Source link #Heres #privatization #Fannie #Mae #Freddie #Mac #mortgage Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Here’s how much snow fell in Salina and Kansas overnight Here’s how much snow fell in Salina and Kansas overnight While not the 6 to 8 inches that was forecasted, Salinans still woke up to a blanket of snow on the ground Wednesday, with at least 2 inches falling overnight. Just after 10 a.m. Wednesday, the National Weather Service snowfall report showed 2 inches in the middle of Salina. South of the city saw a little more snow, with 3 inches reported near Smolan. As indicated from the winter storm warning issued the day before, the weather system produced more snow further north, with places like Clay Center and Randolph each receiving 4 inches of snow. Around 2 inches of snow accumulated in Salina Wednesday. Elsewhere in Saline County reports of snow were as high as 3 inches. Highest snow totals in western Kansas Most of the Sunflower State lined up with Salina, seeing on average around 2 to 3 inches. Farther west in Kansas snow totals did get higher, with Hays and Scott City reporting 5 inches and the highest total coming from Sharon Springs, where there were 7 inches reported. Bitter cold wind chills still a concern While much of the snow has stopped falling, temperatures and wind chills in the area are still expected to be an issue for central Kansas. At 10:45 a.m. Wednesday, temperatures at the Salina Regional Airport were reported at 12 degrees with -5 wind chill. This article originally appeared on Salina Journal: Salina snow accumulation totals not as high as predicted Source link #Heres #snow #fell #Salina #Kansas #overnight Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Intel Xeon Granite Rapids-W CPU specs allegedly leaked — up to 128 PCIe 5.0 lanes and eight-channel memory support Intel Xeon Granite Rapids-W CPU specs allegedly leaked — up to 128 PCIe 5.0 lanes and eight-channel memory support Intel is working on two workstation platforms based on its Xeon W ‘Granite Rapids-W’ processors aimed at ‘mainstream’ and ‘expert’ workstations, according to Jaykihn, a hardware leaker who tends to have access to Intel’s plans. The platforms will feature different numbers of general-purpose high-performance cores, memory subsystems, and the number of PCIe lanes but will be based on the Intel W890 chipset. Intel’s Xeon W ‘GNR-W’ processors will likely belong to the Xeon W-2600 and Xeon W-3600-series products unless Intel changes its nomenclature. Intel’s Xeon W-2600 CPUs will target ‘mainstream’ workstations and feature a quad-channel DDR5 memory controller as well as up to 80 PCIe 5.0 lanes, whereas the Xeon W-3600 CPUs will aim high-end ‘expert’ workstations and will get an eight-channel DDR5 memory subsystem as well as up to 128 PCIe 5.0 lanes. The number of PCIe 5.0 lanes supported by the Xeon W-3600 ‘expert’ platform will differentiate the high-end desktop Xeon W9 CPU from the Xeon 6 R1S, aimed at specialized server applications. Both platforms will be based on Intel’s W890 chipset, which uses eight PCIe 4.0 lanes to connect to CPUs and supports 24 PCIe 4.0 lanes to enable platform connectivity. The new Xeon W ‘Granite Rapids-W’ CPUs will feature the company’s latest high-performance cores used in Xeon 6 6700P and Xeon 6 6900P processors, though the number of cores will differ for Xeon W-2600 and Xeon W-3600 CPUs. The exact number of cores featured by these products remains to be seen. Keeping in mind that Intel has silicon that packs up to 128 high-performance cores, the company can offer something with a very high core count to better compete against AMD’s Ryzen Threadripper CPUs, but since we are talking about workstations, it needs to have a balance between core count, frequency, and power consumption. The leak about Intel’s Xeon W ‘Granite Rapids W’ comes days after InstLatX64 discovered Intel’s official mentions of Granite Rapids-W, Granite Rapids-E, and Granite Rapids-D processors. Considering that Intel has officially mentioned the new CPUs, expect them to hit the market sooner rather than later. Still, it remains to be seen when the company refreshed its workstation lineup with Sapphire Rapids-W Refresh CPUs only in the third quarter of last year. Get Tom’s Hardware’s best news and in-depth reviews, straight to your inbox. Source link #Intel #Xeon #Granite #RapidsW #CPU #specs #allegedly #leaked #PCIe #lanes #eightchannel #memory #support Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Despite Ungodly Setbacks, Todd Howard’s Starfield Broke a Cosmic Record That Even Fallout and Elder Scrolls Couldn’t Despite Ungodly Setbacks, Todd Howard’s Starfield Broke a Cosmic Record That Even Fallout and Elder Scrolls Couldn’t When Starfield debuted all the way back in 2023, Bethesda welcomed longtime fans to a brand-new IP after 25 years and yet another open-world RPG filled with hours of content. The game was supposed to be Todd Howard’s biggest project to date, and he promised that it would be revolutionary. Starfield is still making waves in the gaming community. (Image via Microsoft) Unfortunately, Starfield was nothing but a mess. Not only did the game receive criticism from both fans and critics alike, but Bethesda’s attempt to save the game with post-launch additions only added fuel to the fire. You might think that Starfield is a lost cause, but the game has broken a record for Bethesda that even Fallout and Elder Scrolls couldn’t. Starfield allowed Bethesda to reach new heights It’s fair to say that Starfield is one of the most controversial things to ever come out of Bethesda. While the game initially had positive reviews, gamers soon realized its inherent flaws. It’s a space exploration game but everything feels shallow. Seriously, Starfield is one of the most painful games to grind out there, and when you factor in the endless loading screens, things get even worse. Despite the title’s flaws, it has set new heights for Bethesda and Todd Howard. At the end of 2023, Starfield dropped a roadmap for the future, revealing everything that will be coming to the game. These updates brought tons of new things, such as ways to travel, difficulty options, city maps, story expansion, and much more. Bethesda also revealed some player stats to round up the game’s launch year, and they were shocking. According to the studio, 13 million players adventured into Starfield in its launch year, with 22,284,331 days played or an average of 40 hours of playtime. These figures make Starfield one of the best and most successful launches in Bethesda’s history, surpassing Elder Scrolls and Fallout by a long shot. However, the game probably managed to hit these numbers thanks to its availability on Xbox Game Pass. On the surface, the sci-fi game might feel like a flop, but it was truly a success story for Todd Howard and his team. Even though the studio is working on the Elder Scrolls 6 right now, rumors suggest that major updates are on the way for Starfield, which could push these numbers even higher if Bethesda manages to fix the core issues of the title. Starfield developer believes gamers are tired of long games Ex-Bethesda developer believes that modern-day games are too long. (Image via Microsoft) The majority of gamers enjoy an endless number of things to do in video games, as proven by Starfield. However, there’s a section of the player base that demands a shorter experience. While chatting with Kiwi Talkz, former Starfield developer Shen chimed in on long games and provided his take on the matter. According to Shen, gamers are getting tired of long games that are filled with dozens of hours of content. Even though titles such as Skyrim managed to set a trend for the evergreen side of gaming, the industry has reached a point where long games feel like a “tall order”. Shen suggests that the majority of the players don’t complete games that are more than 10 hours long, and according to him, completion is necessary for engagement. Shen has also noted that the long-game trend has led to a resurgence in shorter games. He highlighted Mouthwashing‘s success and stated how crucial short duration is to the game. According to the ex-Bethesda developer, the indie horror’s runtime was a major reason why it succeeded against all odds. With that said, do you think Bethesda did a good job with Starfield? Let us know in the comments below. Source link #Ungodly #Setbacks #Todd #Howards #Starfield #Broke #Cosmic #Record #Fallout #Elder #Scrolls #Couldnt Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Trump reciprocal tariffs could come by Thursday, White House says Trump reciprocal tariffs could come by Thursday, White House says U.S. President Donald Trump looks on, as he signs executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, U.S., Feb. 10, 2025. Kevin Lamarque | Reuters President Donald Trump could announce his reciprocal tariff plan before he meets with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, the White House said Wednesday. “I do believe it will come before the prime minister’s visit tomorrow,” press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters at the White House when asked about Trump’s forthcoming announcement. She added, “I will let the president discuss the details on the reciprocal tariff front, but this is something he believes strongly in.” Trump said Sunday that he planned to slap reciprocal tariffs on “every country” that imposes import duties on the U.S. “Very simply it’s if they charge us, we charge them,” he said on Air Force One, NBC News reported. This is breaking news. Please refresh for updates. Source link #Trump #reciprocal #tariffs #Thursday #White #House Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Overwatch 2’s Round-Based Stadium Mode Looks To Reinvent Blizzard’s Shooter In A Big Way Overwatch 2’s Round-Based Stadium Mode Looks To Reinvent Blizzard’s Shooter In A Big Way Blizzard has big plans for Overwatch 2 in 2025, and one of them is a new mode that is unlike anything the game has seen before. Called Stadium, the mode is a competitive, round-based, third-person game mode where players upgrade their chosen hero over the course of a match using currency. Revealed as part of Blizzard’s recent Overwatch 2 Spotlight livestream, Stadium is intended to join Quick Play and Competitive as a new, third pillar of Overwatch 2 when it arrives as part of Season 16 later this year. The mode will only be playable as a ranked game mode with role ******, and matches will play out in a “best of seven” format. Overwatch’s normal Control, Push, and Clash game modes will be featured in Stadium, and players will still be using Overwatch’s colorful cast of heroes. That, however, is where the Overwatch 2 players may be accustomed to ends and in many ways a whole new game emerges. Overwatch 2’s Stadium mode will be played from a third-person perspective. Stadium will be the first game mode in Overwatch 2 to support a third-person camera, something recent hero shooter Marvel Rivals has used to great success. Players will, however, have the option to still play in first-person should they choose. The mode will feature a pre-round “buy” phase, where players can spend currency earned each round to purchase ability upgrades and stat-boosting items, MOBA-style. Items can do everything from granting players simple stat boosts like more health and faster movement speed all the way to granting attacks life-stealing or reducing the duration of negative effects. Hero abilities can be augmented with currency too, granting them additional effects that can dramatically change the way a hero is played. Players will earn currency by killing enemies and earning assists, as well as a percentage of the damage and healing they do over the course of a round. There will also be a bounty system, where those who take out well-performing players on the enemy team will be rewarded with a currency payout. At launch, only 14 heroes in Overwatch 2’s roster will be playable in Stadium mode “to ensure balance and competitive play,” according to Blizzard. More heroes will be added to the mode over time. A look at the pre-round item shop where players can customize their hero with items and abilities. Based on what Blizzard has described and shown, it sounds as if Overwatch 2 is taking the pre-round buying phases of games like Counter-Strike and Valorant, mashing it together with the third-person gameplay and MOBA-inspired item shop seen in Valve’s still-in-the-works Deadlock, and then combining it all with Overwatch to form a new game-within-a-game. Whether or not the new mode catches on remains to be seen, but Stadium isn’t the only major addition coming to Overwatch 2 in 2025. Blizzard additionally revealed loot boxes (originally removed when Overwatch went free-to-play and transitioned into Overwatch 2) will be returning as part of Season 15 on February 18. The season will also introduce a new gameplay system in the form of Perks, where players will be able to choose between ability-altering bonuses over the course of a match. New heroes are coming too, with Blizzard giving fans a first look at the crossbow-wielding Freya and the monk-like Aqua. Source link #Overwatch #RoundBased #Stadium #Mode #Reinvent #Blizzards #Shooter #Big Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump reciprocal tariffs could come by Thursday, White House says Trump reciprocal tariffs could come by Thursday, White House says U.S. President Donald Trump looks on, as he signs executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, U.S., Feb. 10, 2025. Kevin Lamarque | Reuters President Donald Trump could announce his reciprocal tariff plan before he meets with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, the White House said Wednesday. “I do believe it will come before the prime minister’s visit tomorrow,” press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters at the White House when asked about Trump’s forthcoming announcement. She added, “I will let the president discuss the details on the reciprocal tariff front, but this is something he believes strongly in.” This is breaking news. Please refresh for updates. Source link #Trump #reciprocal #tariffs #Thursday #White #House Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Opinion | Is This a Constitutional Crisis? – The New York Times Opinion | Is This a Constitutional Crisis? – The New York Times Opinion | Is This a Constitutional Crisis? The New York TimesTrump tried massive cuts to health research; the swift legal response shows that courts aren’t holding back CNNWhite House says judges balking at Trump’s actions are provoking a ‘constitutional crisis’ Yahoo Source link #Opinion #Constitutional #Crisis #York #Times Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Marvel Rivals’ Rocket Racoon Seems to Have Inspired Pacifist Runs as Fortnite Player Secures Victory without Firing a Single Bullet Marvel Rivals’ Rocket Racoon Seems to Have Inspired Pacifist Runs as Fortnite Player Secures Victory without Firing a Single Bullet Battle royale games like Fortnite are designed around combat and fighting till you are the final survivor. But every now and then, players challenge the norms with unconventional strategies. One of the most popular of these is the Pacifist. And this goes for a lot of different games because we’ve even seen a Marvel Rivals player pull it off and that game isn’t even half a year old. The Pacifist accolade is the hardest in the game. | Image Credit: Epic Games Coming back to Fortnite though, Reddit user u/Mammoth-Owl9002 recently shared their own victory royale where they dealt zero damage and had no kills. It’s one of the hardest challenges to pull off in the game and immediately got other players talking. Underneath all the boring metas and the “staleness” of games, there are always playing and trying out challenges like this to make it more fun. Even a Marvel Rivals player has done the Pacifist challenge NoDamageRocket is already trending and viral in the community. | Image Credit: NetEase Games The rise of pacifist victories in competitive games isn’t limited to Fortnite. A Marvel Rivals Twitch streamer dinglederg reached Grandmaster 3 rank without dealing a single point of damage, relying solely on Rocket Raccoon’s healing and support abilities. Dinglederg even roleplayed as Rocket during their climb to Grandmaster. If you haven’t checked out some of the crazy stuff players are doing, it’s very cool. A Rocket Raccoon player shared that they hit GM while doing ZERO damage pic.twitter.com/fIYTHtG25p — Marvel Rivals Intel (@RivalsAssembled) January 19, 2025 The Fortnite accolade system rewards players for completing unique challenges, and the Pacifist and True Pacifist accolades are two of the hardest, if not the hardest ones to get. While a standard Pacifist accolade requires winning a match without eliminations or kills, the True Pacifist accolade requires you to do no damage at all. That also counts grenade tactics to push enemies out of the zone. Over the years, a lot of strategies have been used across different games to do challenges like this. In Fortnite, some players attempt to trap opponents in the storm or rely on healing items to outlast enemies. Interestingly, some Reddit users pointed out that Mammoth-Owl9002 may not have received the highest-level accolade, raising questions about whether building damage might have factored in. Comment byu/Mammoth-Owl9002 from discussion inFortNiteBR There are 171 different Accolades in Fortnite. And while a lot of them are easy and obtainable in most matches, some like Against the World (winning a Squads match solo) or There’s No Time (winning without reloading a weapon), are incredibly difficult. You often have to play in super unorthodox ways to get them. Challenges like this keep the game fun for a lot of players And in games like this, it’s also insanely fun and challenging. | Image Credit: Epic Games In Marvel Rivals, a Pacifist challenge is possible with Rocket Raccoon because his healing and damage are separate. Other healers heal with their basic attacks which also do damage, but Rocket has a separate heal attack which makes it possible to reach high ranks without dealing direct damage. But this is different in a battle royale game like Fortnite where damage and kills directly impact survival. A pacifist run in games like this requires a lot more luck, patience, and strategic movement than just supporting teammates. Pacifist runs may seem like a gimmick, but they often require immense patience and strategic planning. In Fortnite, you need smart positioning, efficient use of healing items, and knowledge of storm movement to survive without dealing damage. Source link #Marvel #Rivals #Rocket #Racoon #Inspired #Pacifist #Runs #Fortnite #Player #Secures #Victory #Firing #Single #Bullet Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Fifty countries affected by USAID freeze, says WHO chief Fifty countries affected by USAID freeze, says WHO chief Getty Images Programmes to tackle ****, polio, mpox and bird flu have been affected by the freeze on tens of billions of dollars of overseas aid from the US, says the head of the World Health Organization (WHO). US President Donald Trump has taken steps to close the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), arguing that its spending is “totally unexplainable”. However, WHO chief Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has urged the Trump administration to consider resuming aid funding until other solutions can be found. **** treatments and other services have been disrupted in 50 countries, he said at a briefing on Wednesday. Speaking publicly for the first time about the freeze on US aid funding, at a virtual press conference in Geneva, Dr Tedros said: “There are actions that the US government is taking… which we’re concerned are having a serious impact on global health.” In particular he pointed to the suspension of PEPFAR, the President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief, which he said had halted **** treatment, testing and prevention services in 50 countries. He added that a reprieve for life-saving services had not stopped the disruption. “Clinics are shuttered and health workers have been put on leave,” Dr Tedros said. Experts in global health have warned of the spread of disease, as well as delays to the development of vaccines and new treatments as a result of the cuts. Trump has argued that USAID is “incompetent and corrupt”. He recently announced huge cuts to the agency’s 10,000-strong workforce and the immediate suspension of almost all of its aid programmes. The agency spends about $40bn (£32bn) – about 0.6% of total US yearly government spending – on humanitarian aid, much of which goes towards health programmes. The vast majority of USAID money is spent in Asia, sub-Saharan Africa and Europe, where it is primarily used for humanitarian efforts in Ukraine. Elon Musk, the tech billionaire who is working on the White House’s effort to shrink the size of the federal government, has previously claimed that the aid agency is “a criminal organisation”. Neither Trump nor Musk have provided clear evidence to support their claims. As well as the freeze on USAID, President Trump has taken steps to withdraw the United States from the WHO. Under the Biden administration the US was the largest funder of the UN’s health agency and in 2023 it contributed almost one-fifth of the agency’s budget. Dr Tedros said Trump’s decision was affecting collaboration between countries on global health threats. He also said the US had reduced its reporting of bird flu cases in humans. The WHO says it has employed emergency measures similar to those used during the Covid pandemic to fill the gaps where there are shortages – in life-saving antiretroviral medication, for example, which is used to treat people living with ****. Meg Doherty, director of global ****, hepatitis and *********-transmitted infection (STI) programmes at the WHO, said efforts were being made to co-ordinate the sharing of vital supplies of medicines between countries. However, she said a better, long-term solution was needed: “We have been seeking support from country to country for sharing, but this is a short-term approach.” Source link #Fifty #countries #affected #USAID #freeze #chief Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Nintendo Switch 2 Playing It Safe May Not Matter if It Doesn’t Nail The Specs Nintendo Switch 2 Playing It Safe May Not Matter if It Doesn’t Nail The Specs Number1TailzFan1d 2h ago New article says it’s comparable to an RTX 2050 mobile.. No wonder Nintendo doesn’t want us talking about specs and comparing. But, at least there will be good looking first party titles. The specs are pretty low end though, even current consoles are more mid level compared to a decent PC and they’ve been out a little while now. Nintendo needs to bring the goods with the games.. Too bad they don’t have classic Rare devs anymore, they brought a lot to the table during the N64 days. Source link #Nintendo #Switch #Playing #Safe #Matter #Doesnt #Nail #Specs Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Prince William gets behind camera on London Screen Academy visit Prince William gets behind camera on London Screen Academy visit The Prince of Wales was behind a film camera, being rolled along tracks, gradually closing in on a journalist, inch by inch. It was not a reporter’s fever dream, but a movie scene on the roof of the London Screen Academy in north London, where Prince William is test-driving the state of the art facilities in a sixth form academy dedicated to teaching film and TV skills. He checked out the costume department too, where he saw a steampunk outfit with a lot of holes, hooks and tartan. “I might wear it on a Saturday night out,” he said to the students showing him round. Prince William is president of Bafta, the British film and television industry body, and has spoken about the importance of widening doors to a notoriously who-you-know industry. The London Screen Academy, with 900 students, exists to widen those doors, offering practical skills in movies and televisions, all for free, alongside learning English and maths A-levels. Although there might be a successful TV and film industry in the ***, access to jobs is still too often limited to “white, middle class” youngsters, the school’s co-founder and movie producer, Tim Bevan, told the prince. Bevan, is co-chairman of Working Title Films and has seen students moving from the school on to some of his recent films, including the forthcoming Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy and Blitz. He said the industry was “doing very well, but there was not “a broad enough cross-section of people working within it”. “We wanted to provide the opportunity for people from diverse backgrounds, from not so much privilege,” he said. Prince William, who was commended by a student for his camera skills – “very smooth, nice pan, did a good job”, seemed impressed by the energy and opportunities offered by the academy. He said he wanted it to encourage young people from families who might have seen the film and TV industry as being an “elite environment”. “It feels a lot of people don’t know that they can be in the film industry,” said Prince William, adding it was “distant from reality” for many. The prince was shown the make-up department, looking rather tentatively around a room filled with wigs, bright lights, and various levels of unusual make-up. He held out a hand to try out prosthetic skin, of the type used in zombie films, and said the post-apocalyptic TV series The Last of Us had been “quite full on”. It was a relaxed and lively visit, no ties in sight, with the prince getting to take part in the final scene, in a mini-movie based on the idea of a London where music is banned. “Silence means security,” said one of the fictional posters, as the prince glided past for the camera shot. Among the student film crew was Kendra Nwogu, aged 18, from Essex, who never thought that she would get these kind of skills, thinking that working in the movies was “not a realistic job” and must involve a “magic gateway”. She found about the London Screen Academy by googling, and now she is part of a course that will give her practical links to the film industry. “I can have lessons about film. I can learn about cameras. I can learn about sound. I can learn about lighting. And anyone can do it,” she said, as she marshalled the filmmaking by the royal visitor. It is about bridging the gap to make things seem possible. For Prince William it was a rare chance to be behind the camera after a lifetime in front of its unforgiving gaze. “Action,” shouted a student as his camera moved and clapperboard snapped. And the point of a place like this is to achieve action in real life, as well as on the screen. Source link #Prince #William #camera #London #Screen #Academy #visit Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Way of the Hunter: Wild America brings open-world hunting to iOS and Android, coming soon Way of the Hunter: Wild America brings open-world hunting to iOS and Android, coming soon Way of the Hunter: Wild America brings THQ Nordic’s recent hunting simulator to mobile Releasing soon on iOS and Android it’s being handled by Handy Games Way of the Hunter features an open expanse of terrain and realistically-simulated animals to track and hunt The hunting sub-genre of shooters is an odd one. I think it’s safe to say that this is aimed at a peculiar niche of fans who enjoy hunting in the Americas, and who sometimes just want to sit down and play. But if you’ve been curious about trying it for yourself then maybe the upcoming Way of the Hunter: Wild America Will draw you in. Way of the Hunter: Wild America brings the mobile version of THQ Nordic’s recent PC and console release to both iOS and Android. Using a variety of authentic hunting weapons ranging from rifles to bows and more, you’ll track and take down all manner of Pacific Northwest wildlife. And don’t worry, because there’s plenty of space to explore and stalk your prey. 55 square miles are open to you, with various other features including simulated natural behaviour from the various animals you’ll encounter, the new Hunter Sense and more. Scouting for bucks While the hunting genre may be a very narrow one I think that Way of the Hunter coming to mobile is sure to grab some fans. After all, nowadays the dads and uncles who regularly go out hunting probably don’t have a console or PC lying around to play, but most if not all will have a tablet or smartphone. Whether or not that really grasps a wider audience is anyone’s guess. But I’d say that THQ Nordic’s take definitely seems to have taken pains to smooth out the more tedious aspects of hunting, something this port will hopefully reflect. In the meantime if you want to say Ahead of the Game with even more top upcoming releases why not check out our latest article on just that subject? Catherine Dellosa digs into the isekai cat-girl collector Hellic to see whether this upcoming release is worth a go. Source link #Hunter #Wild #America #brings #openworld #hunting #iOS #Android #coming Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Man charged in Fremantle Magistrates Court for wearing knuckle busters, he says ‘they are fashion’ Man charged in Fremantle Magistrates Court for wearing knuckle busters, he says ‘they are fashion’ A man caught wearing knuckle dusters as he walked through Fremantle last month told police the weapons were his choice for fashion, not fighting. Source link #Man #charged #Fremantle #Magistrates #Court #wearing #knuckle #busters #fashion Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Blizzard Injects More MOBA Energy Into Overwatch 2 With New Perks System Blizzard Injects More MOBA Energy Into Overwatch 2 With New Perks System Overwatch 2 is set for a big shake-up with the launch of Season 15 on February 18, with Blizzard introducing a new Perk system that will see players augmenting their heroes’ existing abilities in powerful, and potentially game-changing, ways. As detailed by Blizzard during its Overwatch 2 Spotlight livestream, Perks will come in both Major and Minor versions. Over the course of a match, players will earn XP and eventually be able to select between two Major and two Minor Perk options to augment their playstyle. Minor Perks will come fairly early in a match and will boost specific abilities, but not change how they fundamentally function, Blizzard said. Major Perks will change how a hero functions in a significant way. Major Perks, however, are another story. Blizzard said these Perks are about adding new abilities or shifting a hero’s core gameplay loop, and described obtaining it as “a big moment” that can “totally change how you approach an engagement.” It gave an example of a Major Perk for Reaper giving him a secondary fire option that can deal good damage at mid range, or the return of Hanzo’s Scatter Arrows as a Major Perk option for that hero. Perks are per hero, so swapping to a different one in the middle of a match will require players to earn the Perks again, even if they had already earned Perks on a previous hero. However, swapping back to a hero that had their Perks unlocked already won’t require players to earn them again. Though Perks sound similar to the scrapped talent system that was meant to play a big role in Overwatch 2’s now-canceled PvE Hero Missions, lead game designer Alec Dawson in an Xbox Wire blog post said the idea behind Perks has existed since early last year and came together more fully in the last six months. He said the team went through various stages of trial and error before landing on the current incarnation of the system. Originally, players received specific Perks automatically over time, and while they did provide a power boost, they didn’t change the core gameplay or give players options. That led to Blizzard landing on the current system where players get to choose how to build their hero over the course of a match. “Every decision–whether it was deciding how powerful perks should be, creating trade-offs, or ensuring balance across heroes–was made to keep the core Overwatch DNA intact,” Dawson said. “We spent a lot of time debating scenarios where ‘less is more,’ striking the delicate balance of giving players fun Perks without making things chaotic or unfair.” Overwatch has always had an element of hero-based MOBA games like DOTA 2 or League of Legends, and the Perk system seems to go further into that territory. In fact, Overwatch 2’s new Perk system doesn’t sound all that different from how talents work in Blizzard’s own MOBA Heroes of the Storm. In that game (which even features numerous playable Overwatch heroes), players level up their characters over the course of a match and get to choose between talents that augment their abilities in significant ways or grant them new ones entirely. Having players make important decisions about their hero in the middle of a match could potentially be a problem, so Blizzard designed two ways for players to select Perks mid-game. One method allows players to hold down Alt on PC (or Up on the D-pad for console players) and then left/right click (or left/right bumper on console) to choose between Perks, while the other allows for Perk selection with a single button press. “Muscle memory and familiarity will build over time, but these options ensure you won’t feel overwhelmed in those clutch, intense moments,” Dawson said. Perks are just one way Blizzard is mixing things up with Overwatch 2 in 2025. Blizzard is also bringing back loot boxes, a feature from the original Overwatch that was removed as part of the free-to-play transition into Overwatch 2, as part of Season 15. It’s additionally introducing a wild new round-based, third-person game mode called Stadium that looks to draw inspiration from games like Valve’s still-not-technically-out Deadlock and even Counter-Strike. Source link #Blizzard #Injects #MOBA #Energy #Overwatch #Perks #System Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

CVS CEO defends PBMs, accuses drugmakers of ‘monopolistic’ practices CVS CEO defends PBMs, accuses drugmakers of ‘monopolistic’ practices David Joyner, a longtime CVS executive, speaks during a Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing in Washington, D.C., on May 10, 2023. Al Drago | Bloomberg | Getty Images CVS Health CEO David Joyner on Wednesday defended controversial pharmacy middlemen like his company’s Caremark unit, which are widely accused of inflating prescription medication prices, and instead accused manufacturers of “monopolistic tendencies” that keep drug costs high in the U.S. Joyner, who stepped into the role in October, spent much of his opening remarks on the company’s fourth-quarter earnings call discussing so-called pharmacy benefit managers, or PBMs. It was atypical for CVS’ quarterly call to begin that way, but comes at a time when lawmakers on both sides of the aisle and President Donald Trump have signaled interest in cracking down on PBMs. CVS owns Caremark, one of the nation’s three largest PBMs that collectively administer roughly 80% of prescriptions in the U.S. Those middlemen negotiate rebates with drug manufacturers on behalf of insurers, create lists of medications known as formularies that are covered by insurance and reimburse pharmacies for prescriptions. But lawmakers and drugmakers alike argue that PBMs overcharge the plans they negotiate rebates for, underpay pharmacies and fail to pass on savings from those discounts to patients. Joyner acknowledged that rising health-care costs in the U.S. are pressuring patients, employers and the federal government. He blamed factors such as increased patient utilization of services, rising health-care provider costs, labor shortages and “dramatic price hikes” for branded drugs. But he said PBMs like Caremark are “one of the most powerful forces helping to offset rising health care costs,” claiming that they are the only part of the drug supply chain solely focused on lowering costs. “Our work is a critical counterbalance to the monopolistic tendencies of drug manufacturers,” Joyner said. “This is why PBMs are needed and why manufacturers fight so hard to limit our capabilities.” He alleged that branded manufacturers added $21 billion in annual gross drug spending in the first three weeks of January through their price hikes, but did not cite where the figure is from. Joyner added that multiple economists have estimated that PBMs generate net value for the U.S. health-care system, more than $100 billion a year. “No one has demonstrated more success than the PBMs of driving down drug prices,” he said. However, the pharmaceutical industry and lawmakers argue that PBMs and insurers pocket those savings from negotiated rebates and discounts rather than passing them to patients. In a statement on Wednesday, PhRMA, the nation’s largest lobbying group for the pharmaceutical industry said PBMs are “under intense, well-deserved scrutiny.” “Bipartisan state attorneys general, policymakers in both Congress and state legislatures and the FTC are all investigating these health care conglomerates,” a PhRMA spokesperson said. “They’ve all come to the same conclusion: PBMs are driving up costs and reducing access at the expense of patients, employers, and our health care system.” Source link #CVS #CEO #defends #PBMs #accuses #drugmakers #monopolistic #practices Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

After Putin call, Trump says negotiations to end Ukraine war will start ‘immediately’ – CNN After Putin call, Trump says negotiations to end Ukraine war will start ‘immediately’ – CNN After Putin call, Trump says negotiations to end Ukraine war will start ‘immediately’ CNNDonald Trump and Putin agree to negotiate for peace in Ukraine after prisoner swap Hindustan TimesTrump says Russia agrees to ‘immediately’ begin negotiations to end war in Ukraine Fox NewsPutin invited Trump to Moscow to discuss Ukraine, Kremlin says Reuters.com Source link #Putin #call #Trump #negotiations #Ukraine #war #start #immediately #CNN Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

FAU-G: Domination adds new movement option and more in latest update ahead of 2025 release FAU-G: Domination adds new movement option and more in latest update ahead of 2025 release FAU-G: Domination, the upcoming Indian-made multiplayer shooter, has seen new tweaks During its closed beta, the folks at Nazara Publishing and Dot9 Games have collected a lot of feedback New changes include additional map visuals and the introduction of sliding Fans of upcoming Indian-made multiplayer shooter FAU-G: Domination who have been following it closely will be excited to learn that we’ve had more news about upcoming changes. Ahead of its 2025 release date, the folks at Dot9 Games and Nazara Publishing have been gathering feedback on improving FAU-G, something they’ve done with numerous small tweaks and the introduction of sliding! While it may seem relatively minor, I’m sure many of you will be excited to learn that the slide option is now available as part of FAU-G’s movement system. As small as it is, if there’s anything I think we’ve learned from seeing how major franchises like Call of Duty changed by introducing it, it’s that even a slight addition like this can drastically change up gameplay. Meanwhile, Domination matches are being tweaked internally to slow down the pace. Masti, one of the core maps of the beta is also getting a rework to hopefully provide more intense and closer-range firefights. Finally, new lighting and high-res visuals for maps are sure to bring FAU-G further up to snuff with modern releases. Sliiide to the left FAU-G: Domination and Indus are two releases I cite as potential game-changers when it comes to Indian mobile development. While India is not short on players, it does seem to suffer from a lack of attention for domestic projects, something I think these two projects have a chance to rectify. Of course, shooters of both kinds are equally as difficult to get right, so it’s a risky proposal that could still pay off massively. But if you need something to occupy you ahead of the projected 2025 release date for FAU-G: Domination, and you’re on iOS, why not dig into our list of the top 15 best shooters for iPhone to see what’s on top? Source link #FAUG #Domination #adds #movement #option #latest #update #ahead #release Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Half of French territory in Indian Ocean burnt by wildfire Half of French territory in Indian Ocean burnt by wildfire TERRES AUSTRALES ET ANTARCTIQUES FRANCAISES The Indian Ocean island does not have any permanent residents but there is a scientific research station For nearly a month the French territory of Amsterdam Island in the southern Indian Ocean has been engulfed in flames. Located about halfway between Australia, Antarctica and Madagascar, the island has seen burning across more than 55% of its 54 sq km area. Amsterdam Island doesn’t have a permanent population but researchers have been stationed there since the 1980s. Since the fires broke out, 31 people have been evacuated to Réunion Island, closer to Madagascar. And last week French authorities launched a mission to control the wildfires and assess their impact. TERRES AUSTRALES ET ANTARCTIQUES FRANCAISES The fire is believed to have begun near this observatory. The most recent blaze was discovered on15 January by a scientist researching the atmosphere. According to a report from the Laboratory for Climate and Environmental Sciences (LCES), it broke out near the Pointe Bénédicte observatory which monitors greenhouse gases, mercury, and aerosols in the atmosphere. Despite residents’ best efforts, the fire spread towards the research base at Martin-de-Viviès. They were evacuated early the following day by a lobster fishing boat, the Austral, which was cruising nearby. Rémi Chazot, a computer scientist who was based on the island, told Le Monde newspaper the group was “incredibly lucky” that the boat was in the area. “This boat should have left a week earlier, but it had not caught its lobster quota. Otherwise, things would have gotten complicated.” Copernicus Observation Programme A satellite image of the island with the orange sections showing areas affected by the fire The evacuees have since been transferred to Reunion, another French territory. The fire spread across Amsterdam Island due to dry conditions and strong winds. The island does not have a river and winds can reach up to 40 km/h (24 mph). It is thought to have partly spread via the island’s network of peat bogs. Although the full scale of the damage has not yet been assessed, satellite imagery has shown the island’s solar panels have been affected by the fire as well as its food and communication lines. Conservationists have also expressed concern about the impact on wildlife. Due to its unusual climate, the island is rich in biodiversity, serving as a breeding site for southern elephant and sub- Antarctic fur seals. It is home to several albatross species including the Amsterdam Albatross, which breed exclusively on the island, and 84% of the world’s yellow-nosed albatross population. A colony of Southern rockhopper penguin also live on the island. TERRES AUSTRALES ET ANTARCTIQUES FRANCAISES The Amsterdam albatross exclusively breeds in an area on the south west of the island Due to its remoteness and subsequent lack of pollution, the island is also used to research changes in the atmosphere and how this affects climate. The evacuation is the first time atmospheric research has been suspended on the island for 45 years. “It will take time and money to return to normal and this pause will mean quite a lack of data acquisition for our research”, said Marc Delotte, the director of the LCES’s mission to the Amsterdam Islands. “This is, of course, not a good news for such a unique location.” On the 7 February a reconnaissance mission set sail aboard a French navy vessel. According to France’s Southern and Antarctic Territories department, the mission is made up of four firefighters from Reunion and seven technical staff, one of whom is a doctor. Rather than putting out the fire entirely, the mission intends to secure the settlement. They’ll also aim to uncover the cause of the fire and how it spread, as well as re-establish the island’s energy and water mains. Source link #French #territory #Indian #Ocean #burnt #wildfire Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Apple finally lets you move your digital purchases to another account Apple finally lets you move your digital purchases to another account In surprising news, Apple has actually done something that could save you money. The company is now allowing users to migrate purchases from one Apple Account to another. Transfers can include items such as movies, books, music apps and more. The only catch: You can only move purchases from your secondary account, the one you use for Media and Purchases, to your primary account, the one signed in to iCloud and most other features. Before starting a migration, check that you are signed in to both accounts on your device and that the secondary account isn’t part of Family Sharing or Purchase Sharing. Then, make sure you have two-factor authentication on for both accounts and that they are both linked to the same country and region. You’ll also need to spend any remaining balance and not have any rentals or pre-orders. Then, transfer your things by going to the Media and Purchases tab and scrolling to Migrate Purchases. Follow the steps on your screen and then, once the migration is complete, log out of your secondary account on all devices. As a heads up, you’ll no longer be able to use that other account for purchases. Users based in the US can now migrate their purchases. However, the new feature isn’t available globally yet, as users in the European Union, *** and India can’t access it. If you buy something through a link in this article, we may earn commission. Source link #Apple #finally #lets #move #digital #purchases #account Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]