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Split Fiction Release Date—Platforms, Editions, and Price Split Fiction Release Date—Platforms, Editions, and Price Split Fiction is the spiritual successor to It Takes Two, and people are hyped. Hazelight Studios has cracked the co-op formula, and Split Fiction’s release can’t come soon enough for those seeking a tandem adventure. I constantly advocate gaming needing more co-op games. The genre isn’t as dead as people think it is has plenty of titles supporting local and online co-op. You need to check the biggest co-op games coming in 2025 to see this. Split Fiction is likely to be the standard-bearer for the genre moving forward. Director Josef Fares looks to keep the art of co-op alive and further the genre wherever possible. Split Fiction Release Date The dynamic duo. Credit to Hazelight Studios Hazelight Studios is launching Split Fiction on March 6. The Game Awards 2024 hosted an incredible ceremony celebrating all things gaming. Amongst the awards were a large volume of game announcements and trailers. Hazelight Studios director Josef Fares announced the much-anticipated follow-up to It Takes Two—Split Fiction. It doesn’t have any Early Access or ways to sample the action early. You and I have to wait patiently until March 6 to see what new ideas and innovations come up. Split Fiction Platforms It’s a pure next-gen launch for Split Fiction debuting on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC. I’m shocked Split Fiction is skipping last-gen formats, to be honest. It Takes Two launched on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC at launch—offering a Switch port one year later. Whereas Split Fiction is sticking to the most recent generation, and that’s it. I’d argue a Switch 2 release could happen in the future. Nintendo’s newest console is rumored to be a lot more powerful, so don’t be surprised if the Switch 2 eventually gives Split Fiction a new lease of life. Split Fiction Editions & Price Split Fiction has an established recommended retail price of $49.99 or £39.99 for the Standard Editon—the only version of Split Fiction. Physical and digital editions of Split Fiction exist. An interesting note is the Standard Edition is the only way to play Split Fiction. There is no Deluxe Edition, Unbelievable Mega Ultra Deluxe Edition, or a Collector’s Edition. This is good news for players unwilling or unable to splash out on constant expensive upgrades. I’ve a huge fan of Hazelight Studios from the A Way Out days. How much are you looking forward to Split Fiction? Does EA have another bonafide success on its hands? Check out Split Fiction gameplay to wet your whistle in the meantime. SUBSCRIBE to our newsletter to receive the latest news and exclusive leaks every week! No Spam. Source link #Split #Fiction #Release #DatePlatforms #Editions #Price Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Vance warns EU against AI overregulation at summit in Paris Vance warns EU against AI overregulation at summit in Paris Paris, France — Vice President JD Vance, in his first international address, warned European Union countries against overregulation and said the Trump administration wants artificial intelligence to remain free from ideological bias. “The Trump administration is troubled by reports that some foreign governments are considering tightening the screws on U.S. tech companies with international footprints,” Vance said while speaking to world leaders and tech executives at the Artificial Intelligence Action summit in Paris, France. “Now, America cannot and will not accept that, and we think it’s a terrible mistake — not just for the United States of America — but for your own countries.” Vance said the U.S. wants to ensure that the internet is a safe place, but suggested the European Union’s Digital Services Act had gone too far, enacting “massive regulations” and “policing so-called misinformation.” “It is one thing to prevent a predator from preying on a child on the internet, and it is something quite different to prevent a grown man or woman from accessing an opinion that the government thinks is misinformation,” Vance said. The Digital Services Act seeks to hold platforms more accountable for protecting European users from harmful or ******** content on their sites and imposes fines on violators. Last July, the EU found that the social media platform X, owned by Department of Government Effficiency head and Trump ally Elon Musk, did not comply with the act’s transparency or accountability requirements. Vance told leaders, including European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, that excessive regulation of the AI sector could “kill a transformative industry just as it’s taking off” and the Trump administration will make it a priority to promote pro-growth AI policies. “I’d like to see that deregulatory flavor making its way into a lot of the conversations at this conference,” Vance said. Vance promoted America-first AI policies during his address, echoing a push by French President Emmanuel Macron for the EU to embrace a deregulatory environment to encourage more AI development on the continent. Macron said Monday that France generates enough clean electric power to build artificial intelligence centers, which require massive amounts of energy. “I have a good friend on the other part of the ocean saying ‘drill, baby, drill,'” Macron said, in reference to President Trump and his push for fossil fuel energy. “Here, there is no need to ‘drill, baby, drill.’ It is just ‘plug, baby, plug.'” Though the intent of the summit, which Macron is co-hosting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was to establish standards for more sustainable AI in the public interest, it has been overshadowed by the race between global powers to become the dominant country in the sector. Major American tech CEOs Google’s Sundar Pichai and OpenAI’s Sam Altman are attending the summit, as well as world leaders, including ******** Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing. Vance said the Trump administration would ensure that the U.S. continues to be the partner of choice for foreign countries and businesses in developing AI. While the vice president did not mention China — or its new AI company DeepSeek — he put “hostile foreign adversaries” who have “weaponized A.I. software to rewrite history, surveil users, and censor speech” on notice. “I want to be clear: this administration will block such efforts, full stop,” Vance said. “We will safeguard American A.I. and chip technologies from theft and misuse, work with our allies and partners to strengthen and extend these protections and close pathways to advert areas attaining A.I. capabilities that threaten all of our people.” He extended the warning to allies as well. “I would also remind our international friends here today that partnering with such regimes, it never pays off in the long term. From CCTV to 5G equipment, we’re all familiar with cheap tech in the marketplace that’s been heavily subsidized and exported by authoritarian regimes,” Mr. Vance said. More Olivia Rinaldi Olivia Rinaldi is a White House reporter at CBS News. She covered President Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign and was previously an associate producer for “CBS Evening News with Norah O’Donnell” and a broadcast associate for “Face the Nation.” She is based in Washington, D.C. Source link #Vance #warns #overregulation #summit #Paris Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Steve Bannon pleads guilty in border wall fraud case, avoids jail time – ABC News Steve Bannon pleads guilty in border wall fraud case, avoids jail time – ABC News Steve Bannon pleads guilty in border wall fraud case, avoids jail time ABC NewsView Full Coverage on Google News Source link #Steve #Bannon #pleads #guilty #border #wall #fraud #case #avoids #jail #time #ABC #News Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Todd Howard Should Consider Replicating an Immersive Feature from Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 for Elder Scrolls 6 Todd Howard Should Consider Replicating an Immersive Feature from Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 for Elder Scrolls 6 Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is already one of the best games of 2025 and could be a Game of The Year contender this year. Warhorse Studios has made big changes from the first title and it has been received with praise by critics and fans. One of these new features in particular has caught our eye, and we hope Todd Howard’s too. It’s rare for a sequel to deliver this well. | Image Credit: Warhorse Studios The loadout system in KCD 2 has made changing builds as easy as the click of a button, and it’s really something we need to see in current and upcoming RPG titles. And the best studio that can benefit from this is Bethesda Game Studios with its upcoming Elder Scrolls 6. Todd Howard and Bethesda better be paying attention There have been a lot of good games lately and we want one from Bethesda too. | Image Credit: Bethesda Game Studios Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 has quickly become one of the most-played single-player games on Steam. The game recouped its development costs within the first day and has quickly shot up the SteamDB charts surpassing 256,000 concurrent players. The game has proved that gamers still want big, immersive, detail-rich RPGs. And if anyone should take notes, it’s Bethesda. Need every RPG from now on to use the loadout system that Kingdom Come 2 has. Being able to swap between entirely different builds at the press of a button is such a quality of life feature, I got a combat outfit, stealth/exploration one and a speech “noble” outfit! pic.twitter.com/7OOjd64qov — Synth Potato (@SynthPotato) February 10, 2025 The RPG genre has seen a lot of big titles in recent years with big names like Baldur’s Gate 3, Elden Ring, and Cyberpunk 2077 making waves and setting new standards. So with Bethesda working on The Elder Scrolls 6, Todd Howard and his team have a lot to learn from all the good games, and the loadout feature from KCD 2 is on top of our list. It lets you swap between entire sets of gear at the press of a button. This loadout feature makes it easy to change between different playstyles without manually changing every individual piece of equipment. It’s very good that we can instantly switch from a heavy combat loadout to stealth or even for roleplaying dialogue-heavy scenes. The loadout feature removes the need to micromanage inventories, and makes the whole game smoother, albeit while taking away a little bit of the realism. Skyrim‘s inventory and storage management system was fine but the gear system could definitely use an upgrade like this. The Elder Scrolls 6 has a lot of good and bad recent games to learn from Todd Howard on the Lex Fridman Podcast. | Image Credit: @lexfridman/YouTube Bethesda’s gear systems have remained largely unchanged for years, with Skyrim relying on a static inventory system where players must manually equip each item. Skyrim allowed players to save a few favorite items but we feel it lacked a true loadout feature that made it easy to switch between different playstyles. And what better way to improve than Elder Scrolls 6? The studio itself needs to move on from its current way of doing things and look at the success of recent titles. One of the biggest criticisms of Starfield was how outdated and immersion-breaking its mechanics felt. The game was filled with loading screens, copy-pasted locations, and lifeless NPC interactions, making it feel like an RPG stuck in the past. Bethesda cannot afford to let Elder Scrolls 6 suffer from the same issues. Players want to be immersed in a living, breathing world where every decision feels meaningful. And you might not think so but a fluid gear system could play a role in achieving that. So will a lot of other things but that’s for us to anticipate and Bethesda to do. Source link #Todd #Howard #Replicating #Immersive #Feature #Kingdom #Deliverance #Elder #Scrolls Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Steve Bannon pleads guilty in “We Build the Wall” donor fraud case in New York Steve Bannon pleads guilty in “We Build the Wall” donor fraud case in New York Steve Bannon pleaded guilty to a state charge on Tuesday for his role in a plot to defraud donors to a nonprofit devoted to building a wall on the country’s southern border. Bannon won’t serve time behind bars under the plea agreement, which was laid out during a hearing in a New York courtroom on Tuesday. In exchange for pleading guilty to one count of scheming to defraud in the first degree, he received a sentence of conditional discharge for three years. The sentence means he can’t serve as the director of any nonprofit in New York or raise money for charities with assets in the state. He was also forbidden from using donor data stemming from the scheme. The plea brings to an end a matter that began during President Trump’s first administration, just as Mr. Trump has vowed again to beef up border barriers in the early days of his new presidency. Bannon was charged in September 2022 for his role in an organization that raised millions for an effort to privately build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. Bannon and the group, which was called We Build the Wall, were accused of defrauding donors of $15 million in donations, though Bannon’s lawyer said Tuesday he didn’t personally pocket any of the money. Bannon attended the hearing in his usual courtroom attire, a brown jacket and untucked ****** button-down shirt, over gray jeans. He was charged with two counts of money laundering in the second degree, two counts of conspiracy in the fourth degree, a scheme to defraud in the first degree and conspiracy in the fifth degree. Under the plea agreement, Bannon entered a guilty plea to just the first degree scheme to defraud charge. Bannon also waived his right to appeal the case. Bannon was indicted on federal charges in a similar case in August 2020. That case came to an abrupt halt when Bannon was pardoned by Mr. Trump in the final hours of his first term in office. Mr. Trump’s pardon authority extends to federal matters, meaning he is not able to pardon Bannon in this case, which is in a New York State court. Bannon served four months in a federal prison in 2024, after he was found guilty in 2022 of contempt of Congress for refusing to comply with a subpoena to appear before the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Bannon has decried all the cases against him, claiming they were driven by political animus. The charges against him in New York were brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, whose office last year obtained the only criminal conviction in American history of a former or future president. In that case, Mr. Trump was found guilty of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in a matter dating back to his first campaign for president, in 2016. The case, which Mr. Trump has appealed, promises to put Bragg and his office at the center of heightened scrutiny as Mr. Trump and his senior Justice Department leadership vow to investigate those who investigated him. It’s a cause with wide support among the president’s most fervent supporters, including Bannon. Graham Kates Graham Kates is an investigative reporter covering criminal justice, privacy issues and information security for CBS News Digital. Contact Graham at *****@*****.tld or *****@*****.tld Source link #Steve #Bannon #pleads #guilty #Build #Wall #donor #fraud #case #York Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Qatar Open: Coco Gauff loses to Marta Kostyuk in Doha Qatar Open: Coco Gauff loses to Marta Kostyuk in Doha World number three Coco Gauff lost in 73 minutes to Marta Kostyuk in the second round of the Qatar Open. The Ukrainian, the world number 21, fought back from 3-1 down in the second set to wrap up a 6-2 7-5 victory at the WTA 1,000 event in Doha. It is a second successive defeat for Gauff, who received a bye in the first round and was playing for the first time since she lost to Paula Badosa in the quarter-finals of the *********** Open last month. The 2023 US Open champion was undone by seven double faults and 39 unforced errors while she managed just eight winners. Gauff had won her last 17 matches against opponents ranked outside the top 20 before facing Kostyuk. The 22-year-old will now face the winner of an all-Polish tie between Magda Linette and Magdalena Frech. Elsewhere, former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina claimed a 6-2 6-4 win against American Peyton Stearns, while Jasmine Paolini – last year’s Wimbledon and French Open runner-up – defeated Caroline Garcia 6-3 6-4. Linda Noskova won 6-2 6-3 against Kazakhstan’s Yulia Putintseva to set up a last-16 meeting with three-time defending champion Iga Swiatek. Source link #Qatar #Open #Coco #Gauff #loses #Marta #Kostyuk #Doha Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

State of Play returns tomorrow, February 12 State of Play returns tomorrow, February 12 Watch February 12 on YouTube and Twitch for news and updates on great games coming to PS5. Source link #State #Play #returns #tomorrow #February Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘Keep your hands off our Social Security,’ lawmakers warn amid DOGE budget cuts ‘Keep your hands off our Social Security,’ lawmakers warn amid DOGE budget cuts Richard Stephen | Istock | Getty Images The Department of Government Efficiency, led by billionaire Elon Musk, has moved quickly to curb government spending at federal agencies including the U.S. Agency for International Development and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. At a Monday rally outside the Social Security Administration’s Maryland headquarters, certain lawmakers and advocates warned that the federal agency responsible for benefits for 72.5 million Americans could be among DOGE’s next targets. “Keep your hands off our Social Security, because this has nothing, nothing to do with government efficiency,” Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., said at the rally. Under Musk’s leadership, DOGE has launched plans to shut down the U.S. Agency for International Development while also telling staffers at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to stop work until further notice. The next target may be the Department of Education, Van Hollen said, followed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and then the Social Security Administration. More from Personal Finance: How Musk’s access to Treasury system may impact Social Security Here’s the average tax refund so far this year A new bill would cap credit card interest rates at 10% Social Security is one of the “most important social programs of our lifetime,” with Americans working for years to qualify for benefits, said Sen. Angela Alsobrooks, D-Md. “It is America’s promise to us when we paid into Social Security,” Alsobrooks said. “And yet this is under attack even today.” During his campaign, President Donald Trump repeatedly promised that he would not touch Social Security benefits. He reiterated that promise last week, according to reports, while at the same time pointing to benefit fraud allegedly perpetrated by ******** immigrants. “The president remains committed to his promise not to touch [Social Security],” while also doubling down on his promise to end taxation of benefits, a White House official said in an emailed statement to CNBC. “Any work from DOGE is to find fraud, which they’ve successfully done.” Massive budget cuts make Social Security a target Because DOGE has been tasked with executing massive spending cuts, experts say it will be difficult to avoid Social Security. “When you’re tasked with cutting $2 trillion and 70% of the federal budget is comprised of Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and defense, then you know that they’re going to continue to go after this,” said Rep. John Larson, D-Conn., during a Sunday town hall with constituents. “We’re going to resist them.” Lawmakers in red states may also push back, given how their constituents may negatively react to any changes, Larson said. The Social Security Administration has “historically struggled to provide essential services in a timely manner,” a group of Democratic senators recently said in a letter to the Office of Personnel Management, with long waits to reach the agency by phone and for determinations on disability benefits. According to the latest projections from the Social Security Trustees, the trust fund used to pay retirement benefits is projected to be depleted around 2033 if no legislative action is taken to address the issue. If Congress doesn’t act by 2033, the fund’s reserves will become depleted and continuing program income will be sufficient to pay 79% of scheduled benefits. To be sure, any attempts by the Trump administration to make changes may be met with litigation. A federal judge has temporarily stopped Musk and other DOGE team members from accessing Treasury Department systems and data, which had prompted worries that sensitive information involving Social Security numbers and tax information may be compromised. The Trump administration has filed a motion to vacate a restraining order prohibiting DOGE access to Treasury payment systems. Musk has called for the judge in that case to be impeached. New moves ‘put people’s data at risk,’ expert says While DOGE has access to the Treasury Department system, the concern is they may also have access to Social Security Administration data including Social Security numbers, direct deposit accounts and personal addresses, said Kathleen Romig, director of Social Security and disability policy at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities and a former Social Security Administration employee. In a statement to members of Congress last week, the Treasury Department sought to reassure lawmakers that DOGE will have “read-only” access to data. “Treasury is committed to safeguarding the integrity and security of the system, given the implications of any compromise or disruption to the U.S. economy,” a Treasury official wrote in a letter to members of Congress. “The Fiscal Service is confident those protections are robust and effective.” The White House did not respond to CNBC’s request for further comment. Nevertheless, Romig said there is the potential for new processes to put people’s data at risk “in major and very scary ways.” “SSA has never had a data breach, and that’s because they have it so incredibly secure,” Romig said. But with reports of DOGE using external servers and temporary employees without security clearances, that could put that sensitive information at risk, she said. Other prospective budget cuts could also negatively impact Social Security, Romig said. For example, if DOGE’s plans to cut federal leases impact the agency, that may leave Social Security beneficiaries without access to field offices, she said. Moreover, efforts to cut federal employees may hurt the agency as it already faces staffing issues. Source link #hands #Social #Security #lawmakers #warn #DOGE #budget #cuts Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Former Trump aide Steve Bannon pleads guilty in New York Former Trump aide Steve Bannon pleads guilty in New York Steve Bannon, former advisor to U.S. President Donald Trump, arrives for a hearing at Manhattan Criminal Court on February 11, 2025 in New York City. Michael M. Santiago | Getty Images Steve Bannon, a former top White House aide to President Donald Trump, pleaded guilty Tuesday in New York in connection with the defrauding of Trump supporters who contributed more than $15 million to a purported effort to build a wall on the U.S. border with Mexico. Bannon, 71, was sentenced to three years of conditional discharge after pleading guilty, meaning he will not serve any time in prison. Manhattan Supreme Court Judge April Newbauer also barred Bannon from serving as an officer or director of a charity or any charitable organization in New York state, and from engaging in fundraising, and from not-for-profit groups in the state. Bannon pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree scheme to defraud. He originally was charged in 2022 with six criminal counts. The guilty plea came three weeks before the scheduled start of Bannon’s trial in the case. Bannon briefly served as a senior White House advisor in Trump’s first term as president, before being fired in April 2017. This is breaking news. Please refresh for updates. Source link #Trump #aide #Steve #Bannon #pleads #guilty #York Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Duke freshman sensation Cooper Flagg is ahead of schedule — on and off the court Duke freshman sensation Cooper Flagg is ahead of schedule — on and off the court DURHAM, N.C. — It’s 45 minutes after a January blowout at Cameron Indoor Stadium when Cooper Flagg comes walking into the gameday hospitality area for Duke basketball players’ families. No one makes much of a fuss. There’s a game of Pop-A-Shot over here and a pingpong table over there. Tables are filled by moms and dads, brothers and sisters. On this night, the hosts have again toyed with some poor visitors for the better part of two hours, penning another ACC victory in the long stalk to March. The Blue Devils have rolled for the better part of this season behind a triumvirate of freshman lottery picks, including one who can seemingly do things no one else can. Not at this level, at least. That’s Flagg, and here he is, head ducked, peering out from under the hood of a brown sweatshirt, looking like a 6-foot-9, 205-pound monk, one who is about to get some bad news. “We’re telling all your secrets,” says Kelly Flagg, Cooper’s mom, glancing over her left shoulder. Expressionless, Flagg pushes aside the hammy joke and pulls out a chair to sit at a nearby table. He plops down next to his older brother, Hunter, and chats with his grandfather Dan Bowman. Grandpa is wearing a shirt logoed CAA — Creative Artists Agency — the mega-firm that counts Flagg among a basketball clientele that includes Chris Paul, Donovan Mitchell and Paul George. Kelly and Ralph Flagg let Cooper be, returning to the conversation. Mom has a tendency to dominate chats like this, cutting in like an 18-wheeler changing lanes with no signal. Cooper is said to get his basketball moxie from her. His height and guarded disposition, meanwhile, come from dad, 6-foot-9 Ralph. This is all part of an origin story that’s been told and retold in recent years, the story that’s led everyone here, to this moment. As she does when matters of Cooper’s booming fame are discussed, Kelly lowers her voice to share this part. She leans in to explain that everyone agrees it’s probably a bad idea for Cooper to have a girlfriend in what will (very likely) be his only year as a college student. “I think that’s smart,” she adds. “It’s safe to not have any feelings.” Such are the concessions of Flagg’s fast track. The bullet train from Maine schoolboy to mainstream superstar; the catch-him-if-you-can college experience; the reality that what’s coming next might be unlike anything anyone could’ve ever imagined. It’s been a ride powered by prodigious talent, an endless work ethic and the family’s total dedication to get Flagg where he’s going. Cooper has been considered the best current American-born NBA prospect for a while now, a status cemented during last summer’s performance against LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Team USA at a pre-Olympic training camp in Las Vegas. He likely would’ve been the No. 1 pick in last year’s draft, let alone this year’s draft, if not for the NBA’s minimum age requirement rules. It was long ago accepted that he would likely be the best freshman in college basketball this season. But this? Flagg’s season has morphed into something else. The daily buzz surrounding him has grown to a point that nearly distracts from something that probably needs to be said out loud — that all the makings are there for Young Cooper Flagg to pen one of the great individual seasons in college basketball history. Think about it. Since freshman NCAA eligibility was first enacted in 1972-73, only two freshmen, Durant and Zion Williamson, have earned unanimous men’s National Player of the Year honors. Anthony Davis barely missed out on unanimous NPOY honors, but became one of four freshmen ever named Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four while leading a team to the national championship. The others: Pervis Ellison, Carmelo Anthony and Tyus Jones. No freshman ever, meanwhile, has led his team in every major statistical category and played in the NCAA Tournament. (Ben Simmons led LSU in points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks, but never danced.) Flagg? He could do it. All of it. Everything. He is the odds-on favorite to win every National Player of the Year award. He is leading Duke in points (19.5), rebounds (7.7), assists (4.0) and blocks (1.3) per game, while barely ranking behind teammate Maliq Brown in steals (1.5). He has the No. 4-ranked Blue Devils steaming toward a possible national championship run. “When you look at some of our special guys,” says Duke coach Jon Scheyer, “Paolo (Banchero) was Paolo. Zion was Zion. Jayson (Tatum) is Jayson. I think he’s proven — he’s Cooper. That to me is the marking of a great player. At this point, he’s up there with any of them, but obviously he’s got a long way to go.” Even though it hasn’t taken very long to get here. Flagg turned 18 in December. He should be a senior in high school. Instead he’s one of one in college basketball. His only competition for NPOY is 22-year-old Johni Broome from Auburn. Flagg’s multimillion-dollar sponsorship deals with New Balance, Gatorade and Fanatics dwarf the NIL contracts of other college stars. His fellow teammates, soon-to-be lottery picks Kon Knueppel and Khaman Maluach, don’t have anything approaching his name recognition. Maluach isn’t embarrassed to say that he’s regularly asked by fellow Duke students to take pictures — of them with Flagg. It’s all enough to make you wonder: What’s it like being Cooper Flagg? “It’s going really fast,” Flagg says later. “Ever since freshman year (of high school), each year from then on has just gone quicker and quicker. “This season, everything has been even …” He snaps his fingers, “faster. … “It’s crazy, if you stop to think about it.” At 6:02 p.m. on a Tuesday, three hours before a matchup with Miami, early arriving fans trickled into Duke’s on-campus team store across from Cameron Indoor. There, they were met with some unfortunate news, relayed via a makeshift paper sign in the back of the store: COOPER FLAGG JERSEYS ONLINE ONLY. The store manager had an explanation: a damn stampede a few days earlier. Flagg put 42 points — an ACC single-game freshman record — on visiting Notre Dame, sending fans out of Cameron, across the adjoining courtyard, and into the store. There they stripped every available Flagg jersey off every single rack. The hangers were practically still spinning. The manager could only shake his head. He said they’d be restocked for the next home game. Another 10,000 Flagg jerseys are on rush order. “Ten thousand?” a passerby spat back. “Surely that’s a joke.” “Maybe,” the manager replied. Two hours later and 70 miles west of campus, Ralph, Hunter and Dan were plotting their next move. One night, two games, two brothers. Split time. Ace Flagg — Cooper’s twin, who did not skip a grade — is spending his senior year of high school at Greensboro Day School before heading to the University of Maine on a basketball scholarship. A decade or so ago, Ralph and Kelly dreamed of both boys earning scholarships to Maine, where Kelly played in the late 1990s. That’s not how things played out. Instead, Kelly is in Durham watching pregame warmups at Duke, while Ralph, Hunter, and Dan are crammed into the fourth row of a crummy set of plastic bleachers, snacking on stale popcorn in a nondescript high school gym. In an alternate universe, Cooper would be playing out his final high school season right alongside Ace, scoring God knows how many points in settings like these. Ralph can only laugh at the idea. “He’d be so bored with it.” The trio waited as long as they could before cutting out early in the fourth quarter and racing to Durham. The drive was basically a family portrait of recent years. The Flaggs sold their longtime home in Maine in the fall of 2023 to move to Florida, where Cooper and Ace attended powerhouse Montverde Academy. After Cooper reclassified and enrolled at Duke, Ace transferred to Greensboro Day and their parents rented a home in Greensboro — which was then furnished as part of one Cooper’s NIL deals. Of all the pressure the Duke freshman carries, perhaps the hardest to weigh is that of setting the course for a family following his lead. The Flaggs’ lease in Greensboro ends June 1, a few weeks before the NBA Draft. They’ll go wherever the game takes them after that. “It’s sort of a hurry-up-and-wait kind of thing,” Kelly says. But about that house. Despite being so close to his parents — closer than any other player on Duke’s roster, in fact — Cooper rarely goes “home.” During fall break, when most of his teammates scattered to spend time with family, Cooper opted to stay on campus. He told Kelly that Scheyer was hosting a Halloween barbecue for the players who stuck around Durham. “Oh, really?” Kelly responded. “Who else is still on campus?” Only two others, Cooper answered: Khaman Maluach and Tyrese Proctor. Wait a second, Kelly thought. “So you … the kid from Africa … and the kid from Australia?” Exactly. “My mom heart was a little bit bruised about (Cooper not coming home),” Kelly said, “but then I was also super happy and proud of the fact that he loves it here, and he’s having the best time being a college kid. I think, because it’s a short opportunity, he’s trying to get the most out of it.” It’s a long view of a short opportunity, one that hints at a larger question: Just how authentic is Cooper’s college experience? On one hand, he takes classes. Four of ’em — an 8:30 a.m. writing course, a health & nutrition seminar, sports business, and musical history course on the origins of hip-hop. On the other, when it’s time for group projects, he does not give out his personal phone number. Instead, he has a second phone for school/NIL purposes. On one hand, in Durham, he can attend a 4:45 showing of “Mufasa: The Lion King” with Maluach and fellow freshmen Darren Harris and Patrick Ngongba, wearing ****** Ugg slippers with a navy blanket draped over his head. On the other hand, he’s been recognized in airports since he was 16, signed thousands of autographs and knows when fellow students are angling their phones to snap secret photos of him. While Flagg bought snacks before that movie, a middle-aged moviegoer walked away giddily through the lobby, voice-texting, “I just saw Cooper Flagg …” But perhaps most telling — of his youth, and his dominance — is what Flagg does between the white lines. He’ll regularly spin past two defenders and score off-balance, with his off hand, the kind of touch reserved for the NBA’s finest finishers. Then he winks at Scheyer as he jogs back down the court. In a win at Wake Forest, Flagg hit graduate forward Mason Gillis for a late-game 3 as Duke assistant coach Jai Lucas covered his head on the sideline, dismayed by Duke’s offensive flow. At the next timeout, Flagg made a beeline for Lucas in the huddle. “Jai, don’t have a panic attack! We’ve got you. Don’t worry.” “And he really does have you,” Scheyer says. To Gillis, the team’s 24-year-old elder statesman, moments like that emphasize the reality fans often forget about Cooper. “He doesn’t know s—. He’s 17 years old,” Gillis says. “That’s what makes him him, though. He should be jovial. He should be outgoing and have fun in everything he does, because so many people are going to put pressure on him, stress him out, say you need to be doing this. He needs to never lose his 17-year-old self, because his 17-year-old self loves the game.” That doesn’t mean Flagg has carte blanche. The opposite, actually. During the recruiting process, Kelly and Ralph made one thing clear to Scheyer above all else: no special treatment. So when Flagg was noticeably passive early in a game against NC State, Scheyer let it rip in one of Duke’s first timeouts. “Told him he’s being soft,” Scheyer says. “I used some different language, some different words.” Leaving the huddle, Scheyer looked up and happened to make eye contact with Kelly — who was standing a few rows behind her son, nodding in agreement with Scheyer’s assessment. Flagg subsequently scored 23 of his game-high 28 points in the second half — erasing a 13-point deficit, Duke’s second-largest this season. Later, after media members filtered out of the postgame locker room, you could’ve found Cooper towel-fighting his teammates like 12-year-olds at sleepaway camp. “It’s your last chance to be a kid. Even though college sports now has taken on a professional sports type of feel — with the NIL and guys getting paid — it’s still your last chance to actually be a teenager,” says Duke assistant Chris Carrawell. “Go to class with people your age. Parties. You hang out, have a good time. It seems like it’s still, before you reach that professional level, the most pure. Still. And I think that’s why you come.” The other reason? To start learning the things you’re told you’ll understand when you’re older. How to lose. How to lead. How to grin. How to bear it. After going a sterling 33-0 in his final season of high school ball, Flagg began his college career on the opposite end of the spectrum: with failure. Or, at least that’s how Duke’s early-season loss to Kentucky was digested by much of the basketball world. Cooper scored 26 points and gobbled 11 rebounds in his first marquee, ********** game. He also turned the ball over twice in the final minute, including with 26 seconds left in a tie game. “Everyone was killing him,” Carrawell says. “His first big game, everybody watching, he had 26 (points) and 11 (rebounds) — but the turnover, that’s all anybody talked about.” Still: At 17, Cooper was the only Duke player to speak to reporters after that game. Scheyer didn’t prod him to attend the news conference; Cooper understood it as one of his responsibilities. “That’s part of growing up,” Scheyer said. “He’s really hard on himself, and unfortunately, I think in order to be great, you have to be that way somewhat.” It remains one of two days since he got to campus — the other being after Duke lost to Kansas in Las Vegas — that people around him say he wasn’t completely himself. Last weekend, after headlining a 16-game winning stretch spanning from late November through early February, Flagg and the Blue Devils stumbled, or slipped, at Clemson. All eyes were on the Duke star and all they saw was a struggle — four points scored over the game’s first 33 minutes. Flagg looked gassed, but in a flutter, pumped in 14 points in the final six minutes of desperation time. His team had a chance to tie or take the lead late, but Flagg, playing through a cramping calf and an illness, slipped on a wet spot on the floor and tumbled to a turnover. Duke lost and Flagg, with a bloody bottom lip, said afterward, simply, “No excuses. I’ve got to be able to play through it.” This is what makes Flagg the player that he is and the prospect that pro teams believe him to be. And over the last month, his other on-court attributes — if they weren’t already maxed out — have all caught up. His highlights have become the soundtrack to this season. ESPN interrupts other live games with whatever Flagg moment is potentially going viral. @Cooper_Flagg pic.twitter.com/K0cqvzuWtY — Duke Men’s Basketball (@DukeMBB) January 8, 2025 The full court steal-and-slam vs. Pittsburgh. The behind-the-back crossover vs. NC State. A December coup d’état against unanimous No. 1 Auburn. Blitzing rival North Carolina with 21 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, three steals and two blocked shots. “Generational,” Wake Forest coach Steve Forbes called him recently. “I’ve coached against some great players in my career. He’d be one of them. Got a list of Kevin Durant or Derrick Rose or … Kawhi Leonard … (Flagg) is on that level.” Such praise, and Flagg’s name milling alongside mega-watt stars, has become commonplace. Yet everyone knows we are nowhere close to the crescendo of the Cooper Flagg hype train. That’s still coming. So, as every national spotlight simultaneously turns toward this teenager, an unspoken rule has emerged on Duke’s campus: Let the young man have his peace, and the little time he has left. Because if it weren’t for what’s coming, he’d hold onto this as long as he could. “S—,” Cooper says, “I want to come back next year.” Cooper Flagg could become the third freshman to earn unanimous men’s National Player of the Year honors. (Lance King / Getty Images) It’s an early morning in Durham. Cold and quiet. A few early risers scurry past Krzyzewskiville, the matrix of student-occupied tents pitched in the expanse in front of Cameron. As you’d expect, despite Mike Krzyzewski’s 42-year tenure ending three years ago, Duke basketball is still inextricably tied to college basketball’s all-time winningest coach. At 77, he’s still a hero to today’s students, in part because in his latter years, Krzyzewski extended his coaching career by entrusting the program to a series of seismic freshmen. He summoned action heroes to Durham: Jabari Parker, Jahlil Okafor, Marvin Bagley III, RJ Barrett, Williamson, Banchero, so on. Today, Krzyzewski occupies a sixth-floor office in the Schwartz-Butters Athletic Center, a building conjoined with Cameron. If he looks out his window, he can see the latest Duke freshman — maybe the best of the best — walking along with his shoulders hunched up, blocking a relentless headwind. Flagg strolls past the sleeping students. He looks comfortable, like someone who’s happy to be where his feet are, even if he’s barely unpacked his bags. At this point, Flagg has been in college longer than the time he has remaining in school. Similarly, he’s been widely famous longer than he can remember being normal. That’s some heavy air to breathe and Flagg does so in his own way. He doesn’t understand his broad appeal. Right now, he just wants a breakfast sandwich. In the Cragg Family Lounge, an area that doubles as a meal space for the Blue Devils during the week, Chef Sam and Chef Vee, the team cooks, scoot around the kitchen, emerging with a bacon, egg and cheese sandwich. They hand Flagg a paper plate and he settles in to talk, his first one-on-one interview since the season began. Flagg will go along with such an exercise because the program asked him to, but he isn’t about to crack open and let the yolk run out. Straight, big-picture questions draw half-swings that trail off into rudderless, one or two sentence answers. Then he heaves a big shoulder shrug. Each is harder to decipher than the last. Are those shoulders being pushed down or pushing everything up? Flagg brushes a tuft of hair off his forehead. Has he made any non-basketball friends? “I’ve met a good amount of people.” Shrug. Is this how he imagined college basketball? “I always wanted to play in college at the highest level and compete for a national championship. That sort of thing is what I dreamed about.” Shrug. Is there anything people should know about you? “Nope.” Shrug. “Not that I can think of.” Asked to ruminate on this or think about that, Flagg subscribes to a path of least assistance. His developmental years have included numerous media training sessions. He currently has a NASA-grade public relations machine behind him. There’s no need for him to be raw or vulnerable or revealing or publicly proactive. No one around Flagg blinked when he deleted his X account three games into this season, saying that he wanted to avoid the site’s “toxicity.” He doesn’t post anything for his 900,000-plus followers on Instagram because, well, he doesn’t need to. Flagg is a public figure only when he has to be. Maybe this is why one of the few questions he expands on is if he feels more like a college player or a professional athlete. “I still feel like a kid,” Flagg says. “This is the only way I’ve ever known college. That’s how I see it. I really wouldn’t know how kids felt before, and if this feels different, if this feels more like being a professional. I mean, it’s the same thing for kids in high school, too, getting paid a lot of money. I don’t know. I feel pretty normal.” Everything else is anything but. Flagg’s face will appear in every possible commercial CBS produces to pump and prime the NCAA Tournament. New Balance is preparing a campaign that will run from the middle of February through the NCAA Tournament. He’s already appeared on billboards in Atlanta and Dallas, been splashed on the walls of Raleigh-Durham International Airport. More are coming. As Naveen Lokesh, the New Balance Head of Basketball Global Sports Marketing, puts it, Flagg has “an authentic shared story” that appeals across the landscape. Again, he shrugs. Flagg isn’t the first one with so much thrust upon him. If anything, he’s simply the latest, especially at Duke. But all who see this particular player understand his place in all of this — at Duke, in college basketball, in history — and acknowledge that he’s different. “I just told him, before this year started, that everyone knows he’s the best player, (and) just for him to carry that and embrace that every single day,” says Banchero, 22, the last Duke freshman selected No. 1 in the draft. “That’s one of the big things that I know Coach K definitely looked for, but also Coach Scheyer. They want their best players to be the leaders. (Flagg) has been doing that.” Talk to anyone around Flagg and they’ll tell you that he’s still toying around the edges of what he can do on the court. He’s tested his control, deferred to teammates at times to keep the locker room intact, and taken over at other times, inhaling all the oxygen and reminding everyone that this one year sojourn has a singular goal that has nothing to do with New Balance or viral moments or shaking Adam Silver’s hand. “He’s literally here to win a national championship,” Kelly says. “That’s all he’s thinking about.” Which is why all of this could end up being something we haven’t seen. To put it in Duke parlance, if Flagg continues on his current road, and all the dominoes fall in order — from the wins to the awards to the potential postseason legacy — he could basically deliver Christian Laettner’s college career in the span of nine months. Sacrilegious? Sure. But it’s starting to feel awfully shortsighted to doubt such things. It’s worth considering that no one-and-done Duke freshman has ever had his jersey retired. That type of honor would require something no one has seen before. And that might just be possible. Flagg, from where he’s sitting, wouldn’t dare think that far ahead or imagine such things. That’s all too big and life has already gone too fast. Finishing breakfast, he walks over to the far end of the lounge and thanks Chef Sam and Chef Vee. He bends over to give each a hug. Then, saying a quick goodbye, Cooper Flagg dips out the door. He has to get across campus for class. He’s ahead of schedule, but time is tight. (Illustration: Eamonn Dalton / The Athletic; photos: Lance King, Jared C. Tilton / Getty Images) Source link #Duke #freshman #sensation #Cooper #Flagg #ahead #schedule #court Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Elden Ring Nightreign Playtest Invites Are Going Out Elden Ring Nightreign Playtest Invites Are Going Out Check your inbox, because an Elden Ring Nightreign email might be waiting for you. Bandai Namco is now sending out invite codes for the action-RPG’s closed beta. The event will have five different sessions from February 14-16. GameSpot can confirm that Elden Ring Nightreign network test codes have already been emailed out to players who signed up for the beta last month. Along with your platform choice and specific code, Bandai Namco has reconfirmed the following times, too: Session 1: 3 to 6 AM PT / 6 to 9 AM ET February 14 Session 2: 7 to 10 PM PT / 10 PM to 1 AM ET February 14 Session 3: 11 AM to 2 PM PT / 2 to 5 PM ET February 15 Session 4: 3 to 6 AM PT / 6 to 9 AM ET February 16 Session 5: 7 to 10 PM PT / 10 PM to 1 AM ET February 16 A GameSpot employee received their Elden Ring Nightreign playtest code with the schedule reconfirmed for the closed beta. A couple of weeks ago, eBay users were trying to scalp their Elden Ring Nightreign invites, even though they didn’t even have the codes yet. The prices ranged from $5 to $300, though it didn’t look like people were biting at that time. The Elden Ring Nightreign test will see players journeying into Limveld and is only available on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. However, the full game is also coming to PC, PS4, and Xbox One. It’s unknown if some of the Dark Souls enemies might pop up in the closed beta. The co-op survival game features roguelike mechanics and sees three players teaming up to ultimately take down the Nightlord. While it isn’t a live-service game, Elden Ring Nightreign will borrow mechanics from those experiences. The action-RPG is set to launch sometime this year. Source link #Elden #Ring #Nightreign #Playtest #Invites Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

The Nvidia vs AMD GPU fight could be about to get really interesting with ‘aggressive’ Radeon RX 9000 pricing amidst RTX 5090 stock woes The Nvidia vs AMD GPU fight could be about to get really interesting with ‘aggressive’ Radeon RX 9000 pricing amidst RTX 5090 stock woes A new rumor suggests that AMD is preparing to launch its Radeon RX 9000 series of flagship graphics cards with an “aggressive” price to compete with arch rival Nvidia. As Wccftech reports, while AMD has yet to reveal its price plans for its upcoming RDNA 4 graphics cards, a leaker posting on IT Home suggests that Team Red won’t be messing around, and could price the Radeon RX 9000 GPUs low enough as to cause Team Green some real headaches. The rumor also suggests this pricing could even impact sales of the older Radeon RX 7800 XT. The cost of war AMD launched the Radeon RX 7800 XT in 2023 for $499.99 (about £380/AU$725), so the leaker’s comments suggest that the new Radeon RX 9070 series of GPUs will launch for around $500 – $600. This will put them in direct competition with the upcoming GeForce RTX 5070 and 5070 Ti from Nvidia, which will launch this month for $549 (£549 / AU$1,509) and $749 (£749 / AU$1,109), respectively. A new leak suggests the 5070 Ti could launch on February 20. It’s expected that AMD’s upcoming RX 9070 XT will match the RTX 5070 Ti when it comes to performance – if that proves correct, and it costs significantly less, then Nvidia could finally have a real fight on its hands. It’s no secret that AMD’s GPUs are a lot less popular than Nvidia’s (you only need to look at the most recent Steam Hardware Survey to see just how much Team Green dominates the graphics card market for gamers), but the company has a unique opportunity right now to take a decent chunk of the market from Nvidia. Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Hype is steadily building for AMD’s upcoming GPUs, and benchmark results that are apparently early leaks are promising. If AMD nails the price, it could be in with a real shot to make Nvidia’s life a bit more difficult. Nvidia’s launch of the RTX 5080 and RTX 5090 offers another opportunity for AMD to win over customers. Not because those are bad GPUs – far from it – but because since their launch, they’ve been all-but impossible to get hold of, as stock sold out fast. Of course, that’s great news for Nvidia, but it means AMD could tempt frustrated PC gamers to pick up one of its new GPUs rather than waiting for more stock of Nvidia’s cards to appear. We’ll have to wait and see whether or not AMD manages to take advantage of these opportunities. You might also like… Source link #Nvidia #AMD #GPU #fight #interesting #aggressive #Radeon #pricing #RTX #stock #woes Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

3 Reasons to Love This Underperforming Chipmaker 3 Reasons to Love This Underperforming Chipmaker Shares of tech giant have been stuck in a holding pattern for months, but recent signs point to a shift in momentum. After a largely sideways trend since July, the stock has gained 10% since December. Despite this, it remains well below its all-time high from last June, presenting a compelling opportunity for investors looking to position themselves ahead of the next leg higher. The semiconductor industry remains one of the most attractive spaces in the market, with AI, 5G, and automotive technology serving as major catalysts for growth. Qualcomm’s recent earnings report, which featured a record revenue print and bullish guidance, suggests the company is well-positioned to capitalize on these trends. Combine that with a fresh wave of analyst support, and it becomes clear why this underperforming chipmaker might be gearing up for a breakout. Record Revenue Prints Qualcomm delivered an impressive earnings report last week, beating expectations across the board. The company posted record-breaking revenue while exceeding EPS forecasts, reinforcing its ability to maintain profitability despite macroeconomic uncertainty. Management’s forward guidance was equally strong, signaling confidence in sustained growth throughout 2025. CEO Cristiano Amon highlighted Qualcomm’s growing presence in AI-driven mobile computing, 5G expansion, and automotive chip production. These segments are expected to drive long-term revenue growth, particularly as demand for AI-powered devices and advanced connectivity solutions continues to surge. Despite challenges from pricing pressures and global supply chain constraints, Qualcomm’s performance has remained resilient, positioning it as a leader in these high-growth markets. Exciting Analyst Updates Wall Street analysts are beginning to take notice of Qualcomm’s improving fundamentals. Last week, Benchmark reiterated its Buy rating with a $240 price target, which represents a 42% upside from the stock’s current price. Piper Sandler also maintained its Overweight rating, citing Qualcomm’s dominant position in AI-powered mobile chip technology as a key advantage. Rosenblatt Securities also joined the bullish camp, reaffirming its Buy rating and pointing to Qualcomm’s leadership in 5G and automotive chip production as long-term growth drivers. These endorsements suggest that Qualcomm’s recent underperformance is unlikely to last. With multiple analysts forecasting strong upside potential, the stock could be positioned for a breakout as market sentiment shifts in its favor. Potential Risks To Consider However, not all analysts are fully convinced that Qualcomm is a buy at current levels. Evercore ISI and Cantor Fitzgerald both rated the stock as Neutral last week, citing concerns over valuation and margin sustainability. While Qualcomm has consistently delivered strong financial results, questions remain about its ability to maintain this momentum in an increasingly competitive semiconductor market. Competition from and {{8274|Advanced Micro Devices}) is another factor that could weigh on Qualcomm’s growth prospects. Both companies are aggressively expanding their AI-focused product offerings, creating a more challenging landscape. However, Qualcomm’s unique positioning in mobile, automotive, and connectivity chips helps differentiate it from these rivals, mitigating some of the competitive risks. Attractive Technical Setup From a technical standpoint, Qualcomm’s stock appears to be building strength. The RSI sits at 51, indicating bullish momentum with plenty of room to run before the stock reaches overbought levels. The recent 10% rally since December suggests that buyers are beginning to step in, creating a strong foundation for further upside. With shares still well below their all-time highs, investors have a compelling entry point before the stock potentially makes a move higher. For those looking to gain exposure to a high-quality semiconductor company with a strong long-term outlook, Qualcomm offers an attractive risk-reward setup. If the broader chip sector continues to perform well and analysts’ bullish projections materialize, the stock could be trading well above $200 in the coming months. Original Post Source link #Reasons #Love #Underperforming #Chipmaker Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump threatens ********* cars with tariffs up to 100% – National Trump threatens ********* cars with tariffs up to 100% – National As Canada braces for 25 per cent U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum, U.S. President Donald Trump says he is considering an additional tariff on *********-made cars, which could be as high as 50 to 100 per cent. In an interview with Fox News on Monday, Trump said Canada “stole” the automobile industry from the United States. “If you look at Canada, Canada has a very big car industry. They stole it from us. They stole it because our people were asleep at the wheel,” Trump said. He added, “If we don’t make a deal with Canada, we’re going to put a big tariff on cars. Could be a 50 or 100 per cent because we don’t want their cars. We want to make the cars in Detroit.” 1:30 ‘The effects will be devastating’: Projected tariffs, layoffs spark calls for worker support The automobile manufacturing sector and its supply chain in Canada and the United States have been deeply integrated since the 1960s. Story continues below advertisement In 1965, former prime minister Lester B. Pearson and former U.S. president Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Canada–United States Automotive Products Agreement, commonly known as the Auto Pact. Get daily National news Get the day’s top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. The agreement removed tariffs on cars and car parts between the two countries. This was in effect until 1994, when the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) went into effect, extending free trade to all sectors, not just car manufacturing. In 2018, NAFTA was replaced by the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), which is up for re-negotiation in 2026. Trump on Monday signed a pair of presidential proclamations imposing 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminum, with no exceptions or exemptions. Trending Now What Trump’s steel, aluminum tariff threats could mean for Canada ‘Cold, callous’: Ex-Ontario fire captain who murdered wife handed life sentence “It’s a big deal. This is the beginning of making America rich again,” Trump said as he signed the orders in the Oval Office. 2:19 Trump’s tariff threats deal familiar pain to steel companies The Trump administration said the move was meant to shore up the U.S. steel and aluminum industries and to protect America’s economic and national security. Story continues below advertisement Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Ottawa will work to convince Trump that his steel and aluminum tariffs will hurt both countries. A senior government source told Global News on Tuesday that Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc is heading to Washington, D.C. later in the day and will meet with Howard Lutnick, Trump’s pick to run the U.S. Commerce Department, on Wednesday. With a file from The ********* Press and Global’s Bryan Mullan. More on Canada More videos &copy 2025 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc. Source link #Trump #threatens #********* #cars #tariffs #National Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Monroe police arrest two in road rage incident involving gunfire on Interstate 75 Monroe police arrest two in road rage incident involving gunfire on Interstate 75 ERIE TOWNSHIP — Monroe police responded to a road rage incident involving gunfire on Interstate 75 at 1:58 p.m. Feb. 9, a news release said. The occupants of a silver Tahoe fired a handgun at a white Dodge Ram, which then pursued the Tahoe at a high speed. Officers later located the Tahoe at the intersection of I-75 and East Front Street, where it pulled over at East Elm Avenue. The 63-year-old man who was driving and his passenger, a 58-year-old woman, were taken into custody. Two loaded handguns were recovered from the vehicle. The Tahoe and Ram contained child passengers, but nobody was injured, police said. More news: Man charged in 2023 Monroe ******* sentenced to 40 years behind bars Erie Township Police Department responded to conduct the investigation, as the incident began within its jurisdiction. The woman in the Tahoe admitted to the shooting, police said, and was then taken to Monroe County Jail. Charges of assault with intent to ******* are being sought. The names of those involved were not released. — Contact reporter Connor Veenstra at *****@*****.tld. This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Road rage with gunfire on I-75 in Erie Township results in 2 arrests Source link #Monroe #police #arrest #road #rage #incident #involving #gunfire #Interstate Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

For the NHL’s lost generation of Olympians, 4 Nations Face-Off is a reminder of what could have been For the NHL’s lost generation of Olympians, 4 Nations Face-Off is a reminder of what could have been It hurt then. It hurts a little more now. Then, he was 21 years old, at the top of his game and the top of the world. The words “acetabular labrum” weren’t in his vocabulary, and COVID-19 didn’t even exist. There was nothing but 40-goal seasons ahead, and he’d be pulling that Team Canada sweater — and that gold medal, too — over his head soon enough. Time and talent were on his side. So yeah, it stung when Tyler Seguin was left off the 2014 Olympic team. It had come down to the wire, and his red-hot start to his first season with the Dallas Stars, his fourth season in the NHL, wasn’t quite enough to get him in. But he was genuinely happy for his buddy Jamie Benn, who did make that ********* roster that went on to win gold in Sochi, Russia. “I was able to live vicariously through him, and that took the edge off a lot,” Seguin said. GO DEEPER It’s a new beginning for the NHL and ‘best-on-best’ hockey Because Seguin’s turn was coming. He was sure of it. When you’re young, you’re always sure of it. Doubt and regret don’t dwell in the mind of a 21-year-old superstar professional athlete. He had won the Stanley Cup as an 18-year-old rookie and returned to the Final two years later. Everything seemed to come easy back then. “At that time, you’re still confident in yourself that you’re going to stay healthy and stay elite and be at the top of the league,” Seguin said. “You think you have another chance. Then all of a sudden, it’s 2025 and you realize you don’t have another chance.” Seguin has enjoyed a hell of an NHL career. He’s 12 games shy of 1,000. He’s scored 360 goals, posted 808 points and played in 133 playoff games and six All-Star games. His name is etched in silver on the game’s most hallowed prize. But there will always be a gap in that resume. He’ll never be an Olympian. He knows that now. “Is there bitterness?” he asks himself. “You’d have to ask me again in 10 years. I’m still bitter about not making the World Juniors, that’s always bothered me. As far as the Olympics, I don’t know, you’ll have to ask me when I retire. But man, what an experience it would have been.” Seguin is part of a lost generation of Olympians in the NHL whose careers peaked between 2015 and 2024. They missed out on the 2018 Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea, because of a dispute between the NHL, IOC and IIHF, and the 2022 Games in Beijing because of the pandemic. With the 4 Nations Face-Off starting this week in Montreal and Boston, it’s pretty clear who’s on the radar for the 2026 games in Italy — and whose Olympic hopes have been dashed forever. And it’s quite a list. Thanks to injury and/or circumstance, Steven Stamkos never played for Canada in the Olympics. Neither did Brent Burns, Ryan O’Reilly, Taylor Hall, Claude Giroux or Mark Scheifele. Anders Lee never suited up for the United States, nor did Mikael Backlund for Sweden. Giroux put up 102 points during the 2017-18 season — he would have been a lock for Team Canada in Pyeongchang. O’Reilly was in the midst of his fourth straight top-five Selke Trophy season in 2021-22, less than three years removed from a Conn Smythe. He would have made Team Canada in Beijing. Stamkos should be a three-time Olympian, but a broken leg cost him Sochi, the NHL robbed him of Pyeongchang, the pandemic took Beijing from him, and Father Time very well might keep him out of Milano Cortina. These are some of the best and most accomplished players of their era. Many of them have worn their nation’s colors for the World Championships, or the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. But none of them played on the world’s biggest stage. And it’s likely none of them ever will. “If it doesn’t happen, it just wasn’t meant to be,” Stamkos said. “I had three years where I would have went. One year injury, two years didn’t get to go. It could be a lot different story, but that’s how life goes, right? It is what it is.” Without NHL players participating, the Olympic Athletes from Russia defeated Germany to win gold in men’s hockey at the 2018 Olympics in South Korea. (Harry How / Getty Images) It’s a fluke more than anything, an odd quirk of bad timing. And none of these players needed an Olympics to validate his illustrious NHL career. But it’s one of those things that gnaws at the back of a player’s mind, that leaves a hole in a resume and in a hockey soul. Sidney Crosby still would be one of the greatest hockey players of all time if he hadn’t played for Team Canada in Vancouver in 2010, but the golden goal he scored against the United States elevated him to an even higher echelon in the game’s history. Carey Price never won the Stanley Cup in Montreal, but his performance in Sochi gave him a champion’s aura and reputation. Not going to the Olympics doesn’t hurt a legacy. But going to the Olympics can cement one. “Playing in the driveway as a kid, you’re pretending to win the Stanley Cup,” O’Reilly said. “The journey of that and how hard it is to do that, that’s why it matters the most. The Olympics is such a short tournament, so it’s different. But it’s truly best on best. That’s what makes it special. I don’t know if I ever thought I’d have the opportunity to do it, but being in that situation, being close but not getting in, it’s disappointing. It’s a bummer.” GO DEEPER The 4 Nations Face-Off can’t have any trades, obviously … but what if it did? It’s not just about legacy, either. The very idea of being an Olympic athlete conjures up something unique in the sports world — living in a quaint alpine village, checking out the ski jumping and the luge, mingling with elite athletes from all over the world. Summer hockey in the Toronto Maple Leafs’ rink against Team Europe and Team North America simply can’t measure up. “To be an Olympian is something so cool and different,” O’Reilly said. “I’ve been lucky enough to still play a lot of international games. I got to be a part of the World Cup (in 2016), which was cool. Still, it’s not the same. You hear the stories of guys just being in the village and getting to experience that, going to other events, it’s something that is just so cool. It’s not even the hockey and representing your country — it’s just being an Olympian. That’s something special. It would have been nice to have the opportunity to try, at least.” Same goes for the 4 Nations Face-Off. Like that 2016 World Cup, it should be fun, yes, but it doesn’t involve Czechia, Slovakia, Denmark, Switzerland, Germany, Latvia and, of course, Russia. The tournament should be exciting and the hockey should be of high quality, but for the players, it’s as much an audition for the 2026 Olympics as anything else. That’s the one that counts. And make no mistake, NHL players have their eyes set squarely on Milano Cortina. Olympic results with NHL participation Year Host Gold Silver Bronze 1998 Nagano Czech Republic Russia Finland 2002 Salt Lake City Canada United States Russia 2006 Turin Sweden Finland Czech Republic 2010 Vancouver Canada United States Finland 2014 Sochi Canada Sweden Finland 2026 Milan Cortina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen suited up for all three of Denmark’s games in the IIHF qualification tournament last September just to make sure his country would make the Olympics, so he could finally realize his own dream of becoming an Olympian at 36 years old. He was 8 years old when he watched NHL players participating in the Games for the first time in Nagano, Japan, and that instilled in him two lifelong goals — to be an NHLer and to be an Olympian. The first dream came quickly. The second is three decades in the making. “In Denmark, we didn’t really watch the NHL as much growing up,” Andersen said. “But I remember watching the ’98 Olympics on TV because they were in Japan, and the time zone was better for us. It was really cool and it made me want to do that.” For NHL players, the 2018 Games in South Korea were the real missed opportunity, the one that engenders the most frustration with the league’s decision-making. Gary Bettman and the owners are always wary of shutting down their league for three weeks in the middle of the season — during the one month where they have no football or baseball competition, at that — but the players have been steadfast in their insistence on returning to the Olympics. The 2018 decision was a bitter pill for the players to ********. There’s not nearly as much regret about the 2022 Games in Beijing, which were played under severe COVID restrictions and lacked the usual Olympic feel and flair. “I know some of the guys who went, and they were obviously happy to be there, but they knew that it wasn’t the real experience,” Andersen said. Goaltender Frederik Andersen has played in international tournaments, such as the World Championships, with his native Denmark — but never the Olympics. He should get the chance in 2026. (Martin Rose / Getty Images) Andersen is a pending unrestricted free agent and is turning 36 in the fall, but he’ll play for Denmark whether he has an NHL job or not. Other players won’t be so lucky. Team Canada is simply too good, too deep, for aging veterans like Seguin and Hall, O’Reilly and Burns to make. Stamkos is still holding out hope that he can prove worthy of consideration next year, but getting left off the 4 Nations roster after a slow start doesn’t bode well for the 35-year-old future Hall of Famer. “Who knows what could happen until it actually goes off next year?” he said. For the others in this lost generation, wearing their country’s colors on the sporting world’s grandest stage will remain a regret, a what-if, a dream unfulfilled. “I don’t think it’s something I think about, but it’s something I have thought about,” Seguin said. “It pops in my head from time to time. It’s something that I’ll look back on once my career’s done and it’s just kind of unfortunate. I think it’ll be harder as the years go on.” GO DEEPER Team USA opted for speed and skill over grit and it’s made them 4 Nations favorites If nothing else, the lost Olympians hope they can serve as a reminder to the hockey world to never let this happen again. “It’s your dream to be in the NHL, but above that is representing Canada at a best-on-best tournament, and I was never able to do that,” Hall said. “There’s a whole generation of guys that weren’t able to. Hopefully, they don’t make that mistake again, because we belong at the Olympics. Hockey fans deserve to see best on best. It’s good for the game and good for everybody.” — The Athletic’s Joe Smith contributed to this story. (Top photo: Jonathan Nackstrand / AFP via Getty Images) Source link #NHLs #lost #generation #Olympians #Nations #FaceOff #reminder Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

WHO struggles with U.S. bird flu communication after Trump exit – National WHO struggles with U.S. bird flu communication after Trump exit – National Descrease article font size Increase article font size A World Health Organization spokesperson said on Tuesday that communication on bird flu had become challenging since United States President Donald Trump announced a withdrawal from the United Nations health agency. Asked about communication received by the WHO from Washington on the H5N1 outbreak, Christian Lindmeier told a press briefing in Geneva: “Communication is a challenge indeed. The traditional ways of contact have been cut.” He declined to elaborate. A U.S. outbreak of the H5N1 virus has infected nearly 70 people, mostly farm workers, since April 2024. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported for the first time last week that a second strain of bird flu was found in dairy cattle in Nevada, a discovery that ramped up concerns about the U.S. outbreak. 2:17 Health Matters: U.S. dairy cows infected by a new type of bird flu Trending Now Trump imposes 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports Trump’s invasion threats violate international law: ********* ambassador Under WHO rules known as the International Health Regulations (IHR), countries have binding obligations to communicate on public health events that have the potential to cross borders. These include advising the WHO immediately of a health emergency and measures on trade and travel. Story continues below advertisement Other countries have privately voiced concern at the idea that the United States would stop communicating about emerging viruses that could become the next pandemic. “If such a big country does not report anymore, what message does it send?” said a Western diplomat in Geneva. Argentina has also said it plans to withdraw from the WHO, citing “deep differences” regarding the agency’s management of health issues, notably the COVID-19 pandemic. More on Health More videos Source link #struggles #U.S #bird #flu #communication #Trump #exit #National Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

PlayStation State of Play Announced For February 12 PlayStation State of Play Announced For February 12 · · February 11, 2025 Sony has officially announced its next PlayStation State of Play event. Confirming recent rumors, the show will take place on Wednesday, February 12 at 5pm ET/11pm CET. In its announcement on the PlayStation Blog, the company says that the show will be over 40 minutes long, and will feature “news and updates on great games coming to PS5.” “The show celebrates a creative and unique selection of exciting games from studios around the world,” Sony said with no other details being given regarding what games will appear. But aside from the small tease from Sony, Insider Gaming’s Grant Taylor-Hill said on the latest episode of Insider Gaming Weekly that a brand new game from a brand new studio will be shown during the event as well. PODCAST: GTA 6 Still On Track For 2025: Insider Gaming Weekly Podcast As far as what else to expect, it’s unclear. With plans for more Xbox games to come to the PlayStation 5, the show could see another announcement of the next Xbox game to come to PlayStation. Halo and Gears of War are two of the ******* names making the rounds online, though there is nothing to confirm those being the next games to come. Two games that could also be shown are Ghost of Yotei and Death Stranding 2 as both are scheduled to release in 2025. Like always, Insider Gaming will have full coverage of the show as it airs, including every announcement you need to know. What are you hoping to see from the PlayStation State of Play on Friday? Let us know down below, and join more discussions in the official Insider Gaming forums. For more Insider Gaming, find out what game soon-to-be former president of Insomniac Games Ted Price pitched to PlayStation that was never approved and check out what Balatro developer LocalThunk said about the game’s next major update. And don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter SUBSCRIBE to our newsletter to receive the latest news and exclusive leaks every week! No Spam. Source link #PlayStation #State #Play #Announced #February Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Saint John and Calgary are the ********* cities that would be hit hardest by U.S. tariffs: report Saint John and Calgary are the ********* cities that would be hit hardest by U.S. tariffs: report Calgary, Saint John, N.B. and Windsor, Ont. are the ********* cities that would be hit the hardest by U.S. tariffs, says new research by the ********* Chamber of Commerce. Using Statistics Canada trade data, the organization came up with a “U.S. Tariff Exposure Index” to look at the potential impact of threatened American tariffs on 41 ********* cities. The research looked at Statistics Canada export data in light of U.S. President Donald Trump’s initial threat to impose 25 per cent across-the-board tariffs on all goods entering the U.S. from Canada and Mexico. Trump delayed those levies until at least March 4 in response to border security commitments from both countries. 4:35 Trump announces 25% tariffs on foreign steel, aluminum Previous Video Next Video Story continues below advertisement On Monday Trump signed executive orders to impose 25 per cent tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports into the United States, including from Canada. Cities like Hamilton, Ont., and Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. may be hit hardest by those specific tariffs, with their large steel industries. But the chamber looked at the potential impact of the across the board tariffs, concluding cities that export the most goods to the U.S. as a share of their local economies will feel the most pain. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. The researchers said Saint John is the most vulnerable. It’s home to the largest crude oil refinery in Canada — it can process over 320,000 barrels daily and more than 80 per cent of that oil is exported south of the border. The Chamber of Commerce report said seafood and forestry products are New Brunswick’s other top exports to the U.S. 1:56 New Brunswick hits back at U.S. tariffs Previous Video Next Video Story continues below advertisement Calgary is the second most vulnerable city because it also exports crude oil and natural gas to the U.S., the researchers say. Beef is another one of its major exports that would be exposed in a trade war, the report said. The report said cities in Southwestern Ontario are exposed because they’re home to Canada’s automotive and parts manufacturing sector. The researchers concluded that Hamilton — home to Canada’s steel industry — would take an economic hit, as would Saguenay and Trois-Rivières, home to Quebec’s top aluminum and forestry producers. Trending Now Trump’s invasion threats violate international law: ********* ambassador Trudeau says Canada will push back on ‘unacceptable’ U.S. tariffs The report says the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region is responsible for about a third of Canada’s aluminum production, and around 85 per cent of it is exported to the U.S. “President Trump’s proposed tariffs will have significant consequences for the global economy — but for some of Canada’s cities, the threat is far more local and personal,” said Stephen Tapp, chief economist at the ********* Chamber of Commerce. “With this analysis, Canadians, businesses and policy makers have more evidence to inform ongoing discussions about how Canada can best respond to the monumental challenge brought by unnecessary and unjustified U.S. tariffs.” 2:26 Ontario will ‘react hard’ if Trump goes through with 25% aluminum and steel tariffs, Ford warns Previous Video Next Video Story continues below advertisement Some ********* cities have less to fear from tariffs, the report said. They include cities on Canada’s coasts, like Victoria and Halifax, that export more to Asia or Europe. The researchers say Sudbury, Ont., is also less vulnerable because its exports of nickel and copper are “reaching other international markets beyond the United States.” “The looming tariff threat is still very real: we have to remain vigilant and brace for impact,” said Candace Laing, president and CEO of the ********* Chamber of Commerce. “Already we’ve heard from members across Canada how the threat of tariffs is disrupting local businesses and economies. This new data further emphasizes that this is not a game we want to play when so many livelihoods depend on a stable relationship with the U.S.” More on Money More videos &copy 2025 The ********* Press Source link #Saint #John #Calgary #********* #cities #hit #hardest #U.S #tariffs #report Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Federal judge extends buyout pause; Local leaders share job resources Federal judge extends buyout pause; Local leaders share job resources WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — A federal judge extended the deadline for government employees to accept a deferred resignation offer while he weighs arguments over the Trump Administration’s push to shrink the federal workforce. The Office of Personnel Management offered all federal employees, except military members and U.S. Postal Service workers, the opportunity to resign from their positions with full pay and benefits through September. Employees received emails with the subject line “Fork in the Road,” suggesting they leave federal positions in the face of changes to the workforce. The offer is part of President Donald Trump’s push to trim spending and the scope of the federal workforce. The White House said that 60,000 workers have offered to resign so far. PREVIOUS COVERAGE | Judge to decide lawfulness of federal worker buyout offer Worker unions and Democratic lawmakers charge that the offer is unlawful, vague and misleading. In a lawsuit against the offer, Attorney General from 21 states asked the federal government for clarity on the offer’s legality. Federal labor unions urge their workers not to resign. During a Federal District Court hearing yesterday afternoon, Judge George O’Toole extended an emergency restraining order against the administration’s offer until he issues a ruling in the suit. “We continue to believe this program violates the law, and we will continue to aggressively defend our members’ rights,” said Everett Kelley, National President of the American Federation of Government Employees. Local leaders across the DMV are sharing resources for people impacted by the shrinking government workforce. Mayor Bowser declares snow emergency ahead of winter storm Fairfax County Supervisor Pat Herrity (Springfield) wrote in a message to constituents that many in the county are federal employees and should be treated with gratitude for their service. He lauded the effort to reduce the size of the federal government. “The federal government, much like the Fairfax County government, has been pursuing agendas beyond its scope and created bureaucracies that do not serve our citizens well,” he wrote. He shared the county government’s resources for people transitioning from federal work in the county. Fairfax County Economic Development Authority maintains a site to facilitate workforce growth in the region, featuring job openings in the area. Fairfax County offers career development services, including resume writing, interview preparation, and job training assistance. He also shared that the Fairfax County Human Services Coordinated Services Planning helpline is (703) 222-0880, which people can call if they need assistance with food, shelter, health, and in some cases, legal assistance. 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 DC News Now | Washington, DC. Source link #Federal #judge #extends #buyout #pause #Local #leaders #share #job #resources Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

For women’s college basketball coaches, motherhood is no longer something to keep quiet For women’s college basketball coaches, motherhood is no longer something to keep quiet Arizona coach Adia Barnes had never given a more important halftime speech. The Wildcats were in their first national title game in 2021, and they trailed at the half by five to familiar foe Stanford. It was Barnes’ fifth season with the program and the furthest Arizona had ever advanced in the postseason. Barnes rushed back to the locker room, hoping to use every second of the halftime window — she needed to address her team … but she also had to pump for her 6-month-old daughter Capri. She hadn’t had time during the busy pregame, and now Barnes needed to relieve some pressure to ensure that she didn’t leak on the sideline (on national TV, no less) during the second half. So she quickly pumped, and then threw a breastfeeding cover over her chest as she talked to her players. As the Wildcats returned to the court, Barnes lagged behind, storing her milk in the locker room fridge before joining them. Barnes still isn’t sure who, but someone told ESPN that she had pumped during halftime, and it was discussed on the TV broadcast. “I was upset after the game. I was like, who would tell (someone) that?” Barnes said. “I never wanted anybody to know. … I was always doing it on the DL. I didn’t want people to think that hinders my ability to do my job. “I wouldn’t ever want someone to think, she’s not focused on the game.” Barnes had spent the entire season covertly pumping or feeding Capri before or right after games. Now, after the biggest game of the year, this part of her life had gone very public, being picked up by national outlets like People, Glamour and The Today Show. Women in various career fields reached out to Barnes, telling her she was an inspiration, and Barnes spoke publicly about the importance of representing mothers. This is powerful from Adia Barnes @espnW pic.twitter.com/Bih5hKaVPc — ESPN (@espn) April 5, 2021 That summer, on the recruiting trail, coaches approached Barnes with questions about parenthood, breastfeeding, pumping, finding the balance between coaching and family. Barnes hadn’t received these questions after having her son Matteo, with husband and Arizona assistant Salvo Coppa in June 2015. She had been private about the pregnancy and breastfeeding journey with Matteo — as she had intended to be with Capri. By the end of that summer, Barnes was no longer upset. She saw what the moment meant to others. “I saw that it helped other women,” Barnes said. “If it helps people, that’s good. And it made me feel like, ‘Why did I feel so bad about that? Why was I so upset and hiding all the time?’ ” Barnes said she wasn’t public about her pregnancies partly because she hadn’t seen other coaches sharing — or even going through the same experience. Historically, that has been true. In 2008, when Maryland coach Brenda Frese was pregnant with twins, she didn’t know any other female coaches she could reach out to at the time. “I don’t remember having anyone out there I could look up to or model,” Frese said. While there have always been head coaches who are mothers in the college game, there hasn’t always been coverage, in print media or television, of those stories. As the sport has grown its audience (and media following) and as more female coaches have been hired, that has started to change. Through the years, women coaches have quietly supported each other. Former Tennessee coach Pat Summitt famously gave birth to her son while on a recruiting trip. She later made a point to encourage women to stay in coaching after becoming mothers, including now-LSU coach Kim Mulkey, who was a Louisiana Tech assistant while pregnant in the early 1990s. Mulkey now gives baby gifts to pregnant coaches to show support. Before tipoff, Coach Mulkey gives Coach Caldwell a gift for baby Caldwell. #LadyVols pic.twitter.com/w8Zz8NeEpP — Rylee Robinson (@ryleerobinsontv) January 9, 2025 The rising visibility of women’s basketball through increased media exposure allowed these stories to become better known. Additionally, more women have been hired as head coaches at prominent programs over the past 40 years. In 1990, among the coaches leading year-end top-25 teams, 13 were men and 12 were women. Since 2000, women have made up at least 60 percent of those roles. According to WeCoach, women coached 68 percent of all Division I women’s college basketball teams last season. Four years after Barnes’ breastfeeding story, the impact continues to be felt by other soon-to-be moms in women’s college basketball. Oklahoma State coach Jacie Hoyt was intentional when she announced her pregnancy last summer before hitting the recruiting trail. She didn’t want to hide anything from recruits, but she also wanted to talk with coaches on the trail who had gone through it. “That was probably the best thing that I did, because I just got to sit in those gyms and seek out other women who have had kids and are still coaching, and that was so good for me,” Hoyt said. “I got a lot of insight through that.” In December, Hoyt gave birth to her daughter Harlow, and five weeks later, Tennessee coach Kim Caldwell, who’s in her first year as Lady Vols coach, welcomed her son Conor. Both coaches, who are first-time mothers, said they remembered Barnes’ Final Four appearance as a meaningful display of motherhood and coaching — not that it made it look easy, but just that it was out in the open. In their own pregnancies and early motherhood journeys, Calwell and Hoyt said they have made it a point to be candid so that other coaches can see them as a resource, too. pic.twitter.com/xgnvaEUYGA — Lady Vols Basketball (@LadyVol_Hoops) January 24, 2025 “I think at first my whole mindset was: Lay low, lay low; don’t talk about it; don’t draw attention to it,” Caldwell said of her pregnancy. “Now I see what the ******* picture is for up-and-coming moms in this (profession).” Florida State coach Brooke Wyckoff, who founded Moms In Coaching — a program aimed at retaining moms in Division I coaching — calls this the “Adia Effect.” She knew Barnes’ experience in the Final Four could have a positive ripple effect in women’s college basketball. Said Wyckoff: “I don’t think there’s ever been somebody on a ******* stage to do something like that. … All the eyeballs were on it, and she was doing it in-game.” Early in her pregnancy, Caldwell relied on advice from Division II coaches she knew from her days coaching Glenville State. Colleagues she had seen through their pregnancies had recommendations for everything: streamlining her schedule once her son arrived, saving time by buying an electric pump even if it’s not covered by insurance, using a night nurse when not on the road, trying to keep her blood pressure down while pregnant, instituting breathing techniques on the sideline and in practice. Caldwell said she listened and surprised herself by keeping her blood pressure in a healthy range through her pregnancy (“Maybe I’m not coaching hard enough,” she joked with her doctor). Where Caldwell struggled was determining her timeline to return to coaching after giving birth in the middle of her first season. She had to reconcile advice she received with her own assumptions. Caldwell had Conor on Jan. 20, just three days before an absolute gauntlet for the Lady Vols that included four top-10 programs. She knew she wouldn’t have an answer until she felt ready. “It’s incredibly hard because you’re going to have guilt either way — you’re either leaving your son or you’re leaving your team,” Caldwell said. “When you’re a new mom and you haven’t experienced what it’s like to have a child yet, the idea of leaving your team is a little more daunting than the idea of leaving your child, because you just don’t know that love or that feeling yet. And when you have players who you ask to push through injuries and ask to push through discomfort and ask to push through all these things, then in your head, you’re thinking, well, I need to do the same. I need to be there for them.” Caldwell returned to practice four days after Conor’s birth and was back on the sideline after seven days to coach against South Carolina. (She said she’ll take her full parental leave this offseason.) When she took the court, Tennessee fans gave one of their loudest ovations of the season. South Carolina coach Dawn Staley commended Caldwell after the game, saying, “Women have the strength of 10 men. No doubt about it.” Just 18 days after her return, Caldwell led the Lady Vols to an upset victory against UConn. Hoyt could relate to Caldwell, when she saw how natural Caldwell looked back on the sideline. The month before, she had been recovering from a C-section because Harlow had been breech. In the late stages of her pregnancy, the doctors disallowed her from flying, forcing her to miss two road games, which Hoyt said was “pure torture.” That feeling solidified her intention to return as quickly as she could. “It wasn’t about the job so much as: How can I be the best version of myself for my daughter and this program?” Hoyt said. “I think a lot of people were kind of critical of me coming back so soon, but they don’t understand how good that actually was for me, mentally and emotionally.” Hoyt returned for the start of the Big 12 season 10 days after Harlow’s birth. That tension and pressure of when and how to return, Hoyt and Caldwell know, is a reality of being a coach and mother. But the rest of the season remains, and with it, every road game and recruiting trip brings continual challenges. Hoyt plans to bring Harlow on all road trips, which is eased by the fact that, as a university employee, her husband can travel with her. Caldwell said she doesn’t plan for Conor to travel with her this season; her husband and her mom — who moved to Tennessee — will be with her son at home during Tennessee’s remaining road games and the postseason. Even with twin boys who are almost 17, Frese understands what Hoyt and Caldwell are going through. In 2008, the morning after Frese delivered her sons, she was reading about the Terrapins win over Duke in The Washington Post. Maryland forward Laura Harper was quoted as saying she knew her coach wouldn’t miss senior night … six days later. “I just remember sobbing and thinking, how am I going to get to senior day?” Frese said. “But it takes a village. I was able to get there. … You have to have an incredible village. And that’s on the home front, as well as at your job.” With the postseason hitting right after Frese’s return, she brought her in-laws and husband to the ACC tournament and to the Spokane Regional that postseason to help care for the twins. Childcare support is essential, many coaches say, to do this demanding job. USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb successfully negotiated with the Trojans that if she had a second child, the university would cover expenses for her husband or a caretaker and her children to travel with her for work-related trips. When Gottlieb had her first child — a son, Jordan — at Cal in May 2017, she brought Jordan and a nanny on work trips, but she footed the bill. She estimates she spent $30,000 each season to cover flights, room expenses and food. She didn’t want to miss that time with Jordan for her job and she didn’t want to miss crucial moments with Cal’s program to spend time with her family. She believed she could do both with the right amount of support. Reese saw her big sisters earn 2 big road wins in the Pac. Teach em’ young! pic.twitter.com/maqTFOF4Iv — Lindsay Gottlieb (@CoachLindsayG) January 23, 2023 “This isn’t like any other job. A professor doesn’t really have to travel, or maybe they can skip that one conference. If I skip seeing a recruit, the success of my program is set back for years. Travel is worked into my job in a way that it’s probably not with anyone else,” Gottlieb said. “In my mind, I was like, don’t coaches get weird things written to the contracts all the time, like country club memberships or bonuses that other people don’t get?” She had her daughter Reese a month before the 2022 season. Gottlieb didn’t miss a single game — and neither did Reese. Gottlieb said she hopes other coaches can work this into their contracts because she knows that — like speaking about parenting and coaching publicly as Barnes and others have done — it not only helps normalize their experiences, but it could also help more moms stay in coaching or on the head coaching path. She also thinks college programs could look to professional sports leagues to help ensure soon-to-be mothers stay in the profession. Gottlieb cited the WNBA’s 2020 CBA, which reimburses players for family planning benefits, including fertility treatments and egg freezing, as well as the NBA’s childcare options during games for staff members’ children. “We have lifestyle jobs, and so if you want to keep women in the profession and have them not feel like they have to choose either coaching or parenting, trying to make things as easy as possible,” Gottlieb said. “Everything can evolve. … You can do both.” (Illustration: Will Tullos / The Athletic; Photos of Kim Caldwell, Adia Barnes and Jacie Hoyt: Jeffrey Brown / Getty Images, Johnnie Izquierdo / Getty Images, Jacob Snow / Getty Images) Source link #womens #college #basketball #coaches #motherhood #longer #quiet Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Bird flu outbreak shuts down live poultry markets in New York – National Bird flu outbreak shuts down live poultry markets in New York – National By Susan Heavey and Tom Polansek Reuters Posted February 11, 2025 9:56 am Updated February 11, 2025 9:57 am 1 min read Descrease article font size Increase article font size Authorities in New York state have temporarily closed all live poultry markets in New York City and three suburban counties after detecting bird flu at seven markets within the past week, according to a notice on Friday. The virus has wiped out more than 156 million chickens, turkeys and other birds nationwide since an outbreak in poultry began in 2022. Losses of laying hens have slashed egg supplies, sending prices soaring and prompting restaurants to raise prices. Bird flu has also infected about two-thirds of the dairy herds in California, the biggest milk-producing state, and nearly 70 people since April. In New York state, the five-day closure of live poultry markets in New York City and three counties—Westchester, Suffolk and Nassau—will allow them to be cleaned and disinfected to help prevent spread of the disease, New York Governor Kathy Hochul said in a statement. Story continues below advertisement 1:57 Screening for bird flu in Canada as U.S. cases soar Trending Now Vietnam bartender arrested over tourist deaths linked to tainted alcohol Trump’s invasion threats violate international law: ********* ambassador Authorities found avian flu at poultry markets in Queens, the Bronx, and Brooklyn since January 31, according to the statement. Get weekly health news Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday. “I have directed our state agencies to use all available resources to ensure we are taking every measure necessary to keep the risk to the public low,” Hochul said. Wild birds often carry the virus during migration periods and can transmit it to poultry through direct contact or through contaminated ****** or feathers. To contain the virus, poultry are culled when even one bird in a flock tests positive. The U.S. Department of Agriculture for the first time this week confirmed a second strain of bird flu in U.S. dairy cattle, a discovery that ramped up concerns about its spread. More on Health More videos Source link #Bird #flu #outbreak #shuts #live #poultry #markets #York #National Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Assassin’s Creed Shadows Side-Quests Will Feature Flashbacks for Yasuke and Naoe Assassin’s Creed Shadows Side-Quests Will Feature Flashbacks for Yasuke and Naoe Assassin’s Creed Shadows creative director recently revealed what players should expect from the game’s side quests, and it seems we might get some flashback sequences for Yasuke and Naoe. Assassin’s Creed Shadows creative director Jonathan Dumont recently spoke about the game’s world, dual-protagonist system, side-quests and more during an interview with Screenrant. When asked about the content of the side-quests, Dumont explained three different types, “objective board or bandits”, “relationship-oriented”, and ones that are “hidden behind a couple of meditation mechanics”. The Assassin’s Creed Shadows side-quests that are hidden behind these meditation mechanics are the ones that let you “experience the past” of Naoe and Yasuke. At the start of the game, players will not know who these characters are exactly, but with the help of these flashbacks, they will understand why they are here. The objective board or bandits side-quests in Assassin’s Creed Shadows will be familiar to players. You need to hunt targets across the world, and they each have different abilities and values. It will be interesting to hunt ninjas and samurais this time around. On the other hand, the relationship ones help players build bonds with different characters, recruit them, and explore romantic options. In other news, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is receiving a prequel manga. Also, the game has the largest file size in the franchise’s history. What are your thoughts on Assassin’s Creed Shadows side-quests? Let us know in the comments or on our new community forum! For more information from Insider Gaming, read about Marvel Rivals cancelling mid-season rank resets after backlash. Don’t forget to sign up for our weekly newsletter. SUBSCRIBE to our newsletter to receive the latest news and exclusive leaks every week! No Spam. Source link #Assassins #Creed #Shadows #SideQuests #Feature #Flashbacks #Yasuke #Naoe Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Quantum computers have finally arrived, but will they ever be useful? Quantum computers have finally arrived, but will they ever be useful? The race is on to build a useful quantum computer There has never been a better time to be in the quantum computing business. “Some 10 years ago, it was not obvious that quantum computing was more than an interesting lab experiment. Since then, an entire globalised ecosystem has emerged,” says Laurent Prost at French quantum computing start-up Alice & Bob, one of hundreds of firms in the sector. Krysta Svore at Microsoft puts it even more succinctly: “Quantum computers are working.” But working on what? Practical uses for quantum computers remain limited, with no sign yet of the long-promised ability… Source link #Quantum #computers #finally #arrived Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

How Kingsland Drinks is raising a glass to industrial gains from Wi-Fi How Kingsland Drinks is raising a glass to industrial gains from Wi-Fi There are many ways in to characterise the city of Manchester, but looking to more traditional aspects, two stand out: water and bricks. The former is due to frequent rain, and the latter to the city’s expansion in the early 19th century that saw the rapid growth of its cotton industry, creating new, global networks of manufacturing and trade. And even as the city transforms into the IT hub that it is now known for – hosting global tech giants – these 19th century brick factories and warehouses are still in productive use for office space, boutique hotels and manufacturing – like with Kingsland Drinks. As the premier independent *** supplier of bulk wine and spirits, the company’s bonded warehouse faces obstacles to the running of the wireless networks its operations depend on – namely, those traditional Mancunian obstacles of water and brick. Kingsland Drinks offers services such as contract packing, bottling, distribution, product creation, flavour development and catering to retailers and brands. It has evolved into an employee-owned business with more than 400 staff members. Its wine and spirits production began in 1955, and the company lays claim to having pioneered many of the most significant changes in the wine industry: the first to pack bulk wine shipped in flexi-tanks, the first to bottle in screwcap, and the first to introduce environmentally friendly lightweight glass bottles. To fulfil its requirements, the company has seven automated production lines with extensive capability operating 24/7. The production environment has a high reliance on the IT infrastructure to monitor and manage the movement of stock within the large facility. An IT environment offering high levels of reliability and responsiveness is critical to supporting current operations as well as furthering company growth. The site is a testament to the general principle of IT networks that, while they are important, you don’t want to see them or know that they’re there – they just need to work, and that is a challenge for Kingsland Drinks. While the company is celebrating its 70th anniversary in wine and spirits production, its history with manufacturing on its current site goes back 60 years before that. Parts of the production facility is housed in buildings that date back to 1895 and are constructed of thick brickwork containing iron. In addition, the site has been battered by the Manchester rain since then, with certain parts of roofing and paintwork showing the effects. None of this makes it any easier to rely on more than 100 wireless local-area network (WLAN) access points positioned very high near the rooves in massive buildings. Addressing lost time Robust Wi-Fi across the bottling and packing zones across the site is essential to fundamental business operations. Three years ago, the company installed a Wi-Fi infrastructure to complement a new SAP business system. The intention was that all forklift drivers loading and unloading palettes of goods across the site would have a handheld scanner to move stock around by scanning it in from one location to another. Yet due to several factors, the WLAN was failing and, despite being only three years old, the infrastructure was poorly designed and not fit for purpose. There were dead spots where the Wi-Fi signal was too weak or too unstable to maintain wireless connectivity to support the inventory application and there were frequent IT helpdesk requests. Speaking to Computer Weekly, Kingsland Drinks IT manager Brian Polkinghorne says that the ineffective WLAN was hurting productivity and costing the company money. “The issue was specific to our business. The Wi-Fi failed us. As a result, forklift drivers had to dismount to find a PC and enter information manually. That cost us a crazy amount of time in manhours just moving stock about the site.” Somewhat modestly, Polkinghorne believes that what Kingsland Drinks does and how it does it is not “high tech”, adding: “Our forklift drivers run around with an RF [radio-frequency] gun, which is Wi-Fi connected. We are still on Wi-Fi 5 because it wasn’t necessary to go Wi-Fi 6, as we’re only sending kilobits of information at a time. “[The RF] guns are basically running Android eight or nine. So, they’re ‘dumb’, which is why we take it up a step and let the Wi-Fi do the management of the device as well, rather than let the devices do it themselves. We have Wi- Fi 5 [in the bottling, packaging and loading yard areas of the site], but we do have Wi-Fi 6 in the offices.” The initial Wi-Fi deployment started with around 40 access points just before Polkinghorne joined the company, and he almost immediately added another 20 to that. Yet despite saturating the wireless footprint more, the company still had dark spots and places where people dropped from the network. One of the benefits of the SAP business systems is that it’s designed to always know where all stock is, hence the need for all the forklift truck drivers with an RF gun to get on Wi-Fi. Whether unassuming or modest, Polkinghorne has a clear recognition of the responsibility on his shoulders to make the wireless network as productive as possible, even if he describes one of his key goals as “shutting up everyone out there from complaining”. The SAP system went live in February 2020 but then, recalls Polkinghorne, came all the complaints. “Basically, what was happening is [on-site staff] were scanning and they were getting logged out, then they’d have to go into the office, sign into a PC and input what they’d moved. And they were doing that dozens of times a day. The time lost on that was ridiculous.” A refresh on reliability A new solution was clearly needed. While Polkinghorne and his team had an idea as to what was necessary, it also engaged business-aligned managed service provider Holker IT for its opinion on what a better WLAN architecture would look like. Holker has two main facets of business: one is being heavily focused on manufacturing, while the second is in education – essentially, connecting big spaces that have lots of people and lots of different technologies. One member of the Holker team had previously worked with Polkinghorne, and so the company was asked to give its recommendation on the Kingsland Drinks upgrade and offer a different perspective from other suppliers who were potentially considered for the refresh. Before it offered any quotes, Holker managing director Matthew Metcalfe and technical director Paul Taylor visited Kingsland Drinks to understand how it worked. They spent a week with the team, walking around to understand what the wireless problems were, why those problems were occurring and what this meant in terms of production. “One of our key responsibilities is to solve problems,” says Metcalfe. “And [Kingsland Drinks] clearly has a problem that needed solving.” Remembering how Holker assessed the technical requirements for the job at hand, Metcalfe notes that things were “simple”, and sometimes that is what a job really needs. “For the guys from the office spaces, [they need] Wi-Fi 6… but in the production areas, in the factory and all the way around, when they’re driving around with stack of trucks, they don’t need speed. What they need is for the guns need to be 100% reliable. “The guns are old technology themselves. [The staff are] moving from one location to the other very quickly in an environment that changes constantly. One minute you have four trucks [in a loading bay], then you’ve got three trucks and then 10 trucks.” All of this potentially affects signal strength, and so a more dynamic solution was needed. Having assessed what technologies would best fit the bill, Holker proposed a solution based on Allied Telesis wireless technology – particularly the deployment of its Channel Blanket solution. The technology is designed to meet the requirements of Wi-Fi high performance and always-on access, to overcome network challenges such co-channel interference, and to give the ability for user devices to roam between access points. In short, it allows user devices to connect wirelessly to online resources and applications from anywhere. Moreover, it is designed for real-world environments where access point radio signal patterns are hard-to-predict polygons influenced by factors such furniture – including trucks fully laden with wine and spirits bottles – and the material of building walls, such as iron-infused bricks dating back from the Victorian era. Most Wi-Fi deployments work on a multi-channel basis where Wi-Fi 5 or Wi-Fi 6 access points operate on a range of fixed channels, with manual channel planning to avoid co-channel and adjacent channel interference between access points whose radio signals overlap. As for roaming, as a device – such as an RF gun – moves from one access points to another, it must disconnect and reconnect to the network. In dynamic environments, such as that described by Metcalfe at Kingsland Drinks, loss of connectivity is a likely problem. The Channel Blanket solution offers a single-channel wireless architecture to create a single footprint of wireless coverage with reduced interference and increased connectivity. Holker knew what technological road to go down. Yet another key element of the solution for Holker, and subsequently for Polkinghorne and Kingsland Drinks, was cost and management. Metcalfe says: “You’ve got to remember, it’s going to be handed back to the IT team to do day-to-day management. Kingsland Drinks wanted [the solution] controlled from a on-premise controller, which suited us well. “The benefit of the Channel Blanket is that you can just flood it. You can put 10 access points in and it just covers the space because it’s single channel. You don’t have the same worries of putting two access points and one dropping off and reconnecting to the other.” The deployment was a lot more than two points. The factory now has 128 points running on one big service set identifier (SSID) for a network covering the inside of the factory and outside loading bays, where the arrival and departure of trucks can affect signal strength. Lessons learnt Kingsland Drinks had what looked like a straightforward solution to implement. However, deployment was not so straightforward. Kingsland Drinks is essentially a 24/7 operation, so closing production lines at a time that best-suited IT to install new access points and technologies was just not feasible. However, the company’s year has three windows of down time: Easter, the August Bank Holiday and Christmas. Deployment of the technology took three months, but Metcalfe emphasises that it wasn’t a straight three months – instead, it meant working around these key periods: “We broke it down. We had to work with production. If you have a line running, you can only take that line down for a *******, so that’s why it took us long. “We said we’re going to put all the access points up this week, and then we come back and do cables the week after. But we did it in sections – so, we did a warehouse section at a time and then built from it.” Like with any deployment of any technology, there were teething problems. For example, the length of cable runs to Wi-Fi cabinets located on the factory floors which, in some cases, extended to well over 100m and so involved installing more cabinets. And cliché as it may be for Manchester, the weather was among the issues faced during the varying technology implementation windows. “[The temperature] ranged from -10 to 40+,” Metcalfe adds. “We had to do a lot of network reconfiguration. When we started delving into the actual configurations and switches, the infrastructure was different to what we were told – we were finding VLANs for this, VLANs for that, etc.” Metcalfe says his team learnt a lot from the installation and subsequent operation. The company had to change some of its original specs while in operation, such as cabinets not in positions as per original plans and objects that were not wired to where they were expected to have been. But the biggest lessons were not directly related to technology. “It’s a big job. It’s not just a piece of Cat 5 cable. It’s fibre, it’s switches, it’s small form-factor pluggable modules. We learnt a lot. From a business point of view, we learnt to work with the production managers, which was key because an IT department’s job is the tech, but for a production manager, their job is the job. And when we realised we were better engaging with the production managers to get stuff done and worked with them to understand our complications, we sped up progress. “The first [time] we met the production managers, we didn’t talk about wireless, we asked them what their problems were. They said, ‘Well, I can’t scan it. The gun doesn’t go off.’ So, we said, ‘We can fix that’. We worked with the production managers to resolve their issues rather than talk about technologies.” Holker’s work is very much ongoing, and the next phases of engagement will involve expanding the core infrastructure such as expanded fibre runs, edge switching, and whether the core switches may need to be upgraded. Core switching and fibre runs are planned for the August shutdown *******, with the main switchover for the core network likely taking place over the Christmas shutdown. Has Polkinghorne succeeded in his mission to end complaints? He believes that, in operation, the Channel Blanket concept is running how it was explained and demonstrated before the company installed it. “You can fly between all these [access points] and it doesn’t drop the signal,” he says. “And that’s perfect. With the Channel Blanket solution out there, you lose a bit of bandwidth, but you gain the connectivity. That’s exactly what we wanted.” Crucially, the firm’s productivity gains have been significant. Polkinghorne calculates that they’ve gained a day a month for every single forklift truck driver who now does not have to leave the production lines and manually input information, and that given the Allied Telesis technology has been in place for 18 months, the gains so far have probably paid for the entire system. Going forward, Kingsland Drinks will stick with Allied Telesis for the core wireless technology including switching and access points, as well as with management solutions for procedures such as migrations and diagnostics. It is also looking at new wireless devices. Fundamentally though, Polkinghorne says that the company is not looking at changing its SAP business system as it – like the new wireless infrastructure – is doing what it is needed to do. “At the moment, we have hand scanners and we’re looking at pushing people out there with tablets so they can load, and they couldn’t do that before,” says Polkinghorne. “We’re looking at truck-mounted devices, but we’re not looking at the Amazon driverless truck thing – I don’t think our site would be suitable for that. “But it’s all within the bounds of what it should have been in the first place. And we can only do it now because the WLAN is working properly. What [senior management] is happy about is that we’re not losing all that time anymore. And that’s put a big smile on all everyone’s face.” Source link #Kingsland #Drinks #raising #glass #industrial #gains #WiFi Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]