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Soul Reaver 1&2 Remastered Getting Physical Releases On Switch, PS5 This Summer Soul Reaver 1&2 Remastered Getting Physical Releases On Switch, PS5 This Summer The cult-favorite Legacy of Kain series finally returned after a long slumber with Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1&2 Remastered last year. The collection launched digitally on console and PC back in December 2024, but soon fans will be able to add it to their shelves with the upcoming Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1&2 Remastered PS5 and Nintendo Switch physical editions launching June 13. Preorders for the standard and Deluxe Editions are available now at Amazon. $35 – $40 | Releases June 13 Both physical editions of Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1&2 Remastered are surprisingly affordable. The standard edition is just $35, while the Deluxe Edition is just $50 and packed with extra collectibles. Here’s everything included in the Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1&2 Remastered Deluxe Edition: Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1&2 Remastered base game (PS5 or Switch) Exclusive Steelbook Case The Art of Nosgoth Art Book Official Soundtrack CD Collector’s Box Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1&2 Remastered – Deluxe Edition That’s a solid package for just $50, but if you only want the game and don’t need all those extras, you can grab the standard PS5 and Nintendo Switch editions for just $35. Preorders for all versions are live at Amazon, although the PS5 standard edition is currently unavailable. It should be available again soon, so keep checking the links. All other versions are in stock. Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1&2 Remastered Physical Edition Preorders Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1&2 Remastered includes enhanced versions of Soul Reaver and Soul Reaver 2, which originally launched on the PS1 and PS2 respectively. These games follow Raziel, a vampire-turned-wraith on a quest for revenge against his maker, the eponymous Kain, across the fantasy realm of Nosgoth. Both games feature all-new graphics–with the option to swap back to the original PS1 and PS2 graphics on the fly–gameplay tweaks, and in-game galleries full of art and behind-the-scenes materials. While the physical editions are only available for PS5 and Nintendo Switch, you can also grab the digital version on all consoles and PC. PC players can even save if they grab the game at GOG, where it’s currently discounted to $22.49 (was $30). Soul Reaver 1&2 Remastered is part of a recent revitalization for the broader Legacy of Kain series that includes a new Soul Reaver prequel graphic novel and an upcoming tabletop RPG and lore encyclopedia. Hopefully, that means we’ll see a new single-player entry in the series soon. Either way now is a great time to be a Legacy of Kain fan. Even better, it’s also a great time to get into the series if you’re new to the games, too, as most of which have been re-released on modern platforms. The Soul Reaver duology only represents one chunk of the overarching Legacy of Kain timeline. The franchise started with Legacy of Kain: Blood Omen, which follows Kain’s transformation into a vampire, and its events serve as the basis for the rest of the series and are even revisited–and reframed–by Soul Reaver’s time-hopping plot. It was followed up with Blood Omen 2, and while it’s largely disconnected from the events of Soul Reaver, it furthers Kain’s characterization and Nosgoth’s history. Both games are available on the PlayStation Store and on PC via GOG and Steam. The storyline capped off with Legacy of Kain: Defiance, which directly follows the events of Soul Reaver 1 and 2, and features both Raziel and Kain as playable characters. Fair warning that it ends on a cliffhanger–which is part of why fans have been pining for a new game in the series–but it at least offers some closure on the events of the Soul Reaver arc and is worth grabbing after completing the remastered collection. Legacy of Kain: Defiance is only available on PC (unless you get your hands on a used PS2 copy), but it’s currently discounted to less than $1 at GOG (normally $7). Legacy of Kain PC Game Deals Source link #Soul #Reaver #Remastered #Physical #Releases #Switch #PS5 #Summer Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Trump pardons former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich Trump pardons former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich speaks with attendees during a Serbs for Trump 2024 event at RWB Milwaukee bar during the Republican National Convention, July 17, 2024, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Armando L. Sanchez | Chicago Tribune | Getty Images President Donald Trump on Monday issued a full pardon to former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich. Blagojevich, 68, who was a Democrat while in office had served eight years in prison on charges stemming from his effort to sell Barack Obama’s Senate seat after Obama won the 2008 presidential election. “It’s my pleasure,” Trump said during remarks in the Oval Office, adding, “I think he’s a very fine person this should they’ve happened to him.” Trump commuted Blagojevich’s 14-year sentence in 2020. Axios first reported on Trump’s plans to pardon Blagojevich. Blagojevich was convicted in 2009 of lying to an FBI agent. Jurors deadlocked on other counts. At his 2011 retrial, he was found guilty on all counts, after government recordings revealed his attempts to sell Obama’s seat. He was also convicted of shaking down a children’s hospital executive for campaign contributions and holding up a bill involving the horse-racing industry in exchange for campaign contributions. In between the trials, he was a contestant on Trump’s reality TV show “The Celebrity Apprentice” in 2010. Blagojevich was impeached and expelled from office in January 2009 after he refused to resign after his arrest the previous year on a litany of corruption charges. Blagojevich’s longtime lawyer Shelly Sorosky on Monday called the possibility of a pardon something that’s been “on the radar” for some time. Sorosky went on to describe Blagojevich and Trump having a “good, friendly relationship.” NBC News was unable to contact Blagojevich for comment on Monday. For years, Blagojevich’s name was synonymous with corruption in Illinois, after FBI recordings revealed his musings about trading government actions for personal benefit. In 2019, Illinois’ Republican Congressional delegation sent Trump a letter asking him not to commute the former governor’s sentence, saying it sent a wrong message. Trump, in his first term, commuted his term anyway. “It’s important that we take a strong stand against pay-to-play politics, especially in Illinois where four of our last eight Governors have gone to federal prison for public corruption,” they wrote. “Commuting the sentence of Rod Blagojevich, who has a clear and documented record of egregious corruption, sets a dangerous precedent and goes against the trust voters place in elected officials.” Source link #Trump #pardons #Illinois #Gov #Rod #Blagojevich Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Fanatical’s Bundlefest 2025 Kicks Off With An Awesome Capcom PC Game Bundle Fanatical’s Bundlefest 2025 Kicks Off With An Awesome Capcom PC Game Bundle Surprise! Fanatical just kicked off Bundlefest 2025 event, which sees a new bundle deal launch each day of the week from February 10 through 14, and the first offering is a doozy. Monday’s bundle is the Build Your Own Capcom Bundle, which lets you customize your own selection of classic Capcom-published PC titles at big discounts–check out more details about the bundle below. The next bundle launches on Tuesday, February 11, and we’ll be updating this post throughout the week as more new bundles drop. Fanatical Bundlefest 2025: Quick Look Like other Fanatical deals, all games purchased in these bundle deals are delivered as official keys. Most are Steam keys, but other launchers like the Epic Games Store may also be included. Also, while Bundlefest highlights Fanatical’s newest deals, plenty of other bundles are also available at Fanatical’s online store if you’re looking to save even more. Build Your Own Capcom Bundle – Bundlefest 2025 The Build Your Own Capcom Bundle lets you pick from a list of 21 Capcom games, each one available for $6.50 or less. Almost all the major Capcom series are here, though don’t expect many new titles. The picks mostly include HD remasters and collections of classic entries in series like Ace Attorney, Mega Man, ****** May Cry, Street Fighter, Resident Evil, and more. One of the only major omissions is the Monster Hunter series–likely because Fanatical recently ran a separate Monster Hunter Bundle that is unfortunately no longer available. The pricing structure is like Fanatical’s other build-your-own bundle deals, with the price per key dropping as you add more games to your bundle. The savings aren’t as high as most Fanatical bundle deals, but you’re still getting big discounts on most titles. The deal starts at $13 for two games ($6.50 per key), three games for 19 ($6.33 per key), and four games for $25 ($6.25 per key). There’s no limit to how many games you can add, meaning you can grab all 21 games for $131.25 if you want. Capcom Beat ’em Up Bundle Dead Rising 4 – Frank’s Big Package ****** May Cry 4 Special Edition ****** May Cry 5 + Vergil DmC: ****** May Cry Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles Marvel vs. Capcom Infinite – Definitive Edition Mega Man 11 Mega Man X Legacy Collection Mega Man X Legacy Collection 2 Mega Man Zero/ZX Legacy Collection Onimusha: Warlords Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy Resident Evil & Resident Evil 0 Double Pack Resident Evil 2 Remake Resident Evil 3 Remake Resident Evil 4 (2005) & Resident Evil 5 Gold Edition Double Pack Resident Evil 7 Biohazard Street Fighter: 30th Anniversary Collection Street Fighter V: Championship Edition Source link #Fanaticals #Bundlefest #Kicks #Awesome #Capcom #Game #Bundle Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Trump says ‘all hell is going to break out’ if ****** doesn’t release hostages by Saturday at noon – CNN Trump says ‘all hell is going to break out’ if ****** doesn’t release hostages by Saturday at noon – CNN Trump says ‘all hell is going to break out’ if ****** doesn’t release hostages by Saturday at noon CNNView Full Coverage on Google News Source link #Trump #hell #break #****** #doesnt #release #hostages #Saturday #noon #CNN Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Why do kindness influencers get criticised? Why do kindness influencers get criticised? Suzanne Bearne Technology Reporter Samuel Weidenhofer Samuel Weidenhofer’s acts of kindness started with hugs and roses Growing up, Samuel Weidenhofer struggled with his mental health after losing his aunt to suicide when he was nine, experiencing a speech impediment, and being bullied. The trauma of it all made him want to end his own life, he says. When he was 17, he says he decided to turn to social media to spread a positive message. “It started with simple things like giving people hugs in public and giving out roses and flowers and things that would make people smile,” says Weidenhofer, now 21, and living in Melbourne, Australia. The difference was Weidenhofer filmed these acts and shared them across his social media accounts. The content spiralled and four years later, on Instagram alone he has amassed 1.7 million followers, where he can be seen surprising a person with a serious illness with money or a visit from a celebrity such as Jake Paul or Kristen Bell. “I hope my videos inspire someone just a little bit,” he says. Kindness content creators, or influencers as they’re often called, are increasing in numbers on social media. Their approaches differ but a common tactic is to secretly film someone being given money, or tickets to a gig or sports match, or perhaps a free haircut. “Kindness is cool,” says Zachery Dereniowski, 31, in the bio of his Instagram account where he has 5.7 million followers. Mr Dereniowski’s videos often involve him telling a stranger that he is hungry and asking for food. When the person helps him out, he rewards the person with a gift, such as a laptop, or money. “I suppose I want to really emphasise that every single person you come across has a story… and often the people who have the least give the most,” says Mr Dereniowski, who lives in Windsor, near Toronto in Canada, and started the account after giving free hugs to strangers. Patrick Glaz Participants in Zachery Dereniowski’s videos can receive cash or valuable products Like many influencers, the kindness creators make money from adverts and sponsorship from the brands they work with. For example they might do a deal that involves giving away a particular brand’s product. The videos of kindness content creators attract millions of views. Why are they so popular? Saoirse Cleary, creative strategy director at marketing agency MG Empower, says they incorporate many of the elements that both social media algorithms and audiences favour: strong hooks, engaging captions, heartfelt narratives, and authentic, unscripted moments. “Audiences are captivated by raw, real interactions with everyday people, offering an emotional connection from the comfort of their own screens. People increasingly seek positivity, authenticity, and emotional resonance in their online experiences, especially in spaces often saturated with entertainment-driven content.” Saoirse Cleary The ‘authenticity’ of kindness content appeals to audiences says Saoirse Cleary On the face of it the acts seem well meaning, so why do they attract criticism? “”While these influencers may be genuinely generous… the generosity can sometimes feel performative, as it often serves as a way to attract more views, engagement, and ultimately financial reward, rather than purely altruistic motives,” says Ms Cleary. Others go further, questing whether focussing on one, usually vulnerable person, is the right way to help out. “I find the typical set up of many of the scenes quite disturbing,” says Hilda Burke, a psychotherapist, accredited with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. She explains that the videos often involve someone being identified as “in need”. They are then asked for a favour. It might be spare money for a bus fare or help with something. She argues the participant is being “lured” into valuing the needs of someone else, who appears richer, more highly than their own. Only if they do that are they rewarded. “I wonder what happens to those who don’t play the game?,” asks Ms Burke. The influencers defend themselves by arguing that using social media this way is an effective strategy. “I can raise more money, so I can help more people if I post it online,” says Mr Weidenhofer. And how about filming people without their consent? “If you are doing a video where you’re giving a hug to someone, if you tell them beforehand, it just takes away that authenticity,” says Mr Weidenhofer. But he adds that these days he avoids filming people without consent as it was making him “feel weird”. Sometimes large amounts of money are given to vulnerable people, which they might not be in a position to manage. Mr Dereniowski realised that this might be an issue when he raised $240,000 overnight for a father and son who were living in their car. After that, more thought goes into longer term help. “We’ve started setting up financial advisors. We’ve started getting these people jobs. We’ve helped allocate the funds properly to pay off their debt, their car, helping them get a home and [pay their] rent,” he says. If you have been affected by any of the details in this story, you can get help and support from the BBC Action Line. More Technology of Business Source link #kindness #influencers #criticised Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

*********** Wool Innovation chair defends marketing millions ahead of meetings with industry groups this week *********** Wool Innovation chair defends marketing millions ahead of meetings with industry groups this week *********** Wool Innovation chair Jock Laurie has pre-emptively defended the organisation’s multi-million-dollar marketing budget ahead of strategic planning meetings with industry groups this week. Source link #*********** #Wool #Innovation #chair #defends #marketing #millions #ahead #meetings #industry #groups #week Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump’s Supreme Court Immunity Ruling Just Came Back to Bite Him Trump’s Supreme Court Immunity Ruling Just Came Back to Bite Him The Supreme Court’s decision to expand the definition of presidential immunity may have just caused a hiccup for Donald Trump’s administration. A federal judge ruled Monday that Trump’s FBI must disclose records from its Mar-a-Lago case file, complying with a FOIA request by Business Insider’s Jason Leopold. U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell decided that the Supreme Court’s decision—combined with his return to the White House and its executive privileges—has insulated Trump enough from further criminal prosecution to allow the release of documents. “With the far dampened possibility of any criminal investigation to gather evidence about a president’s conduct and of any public enforcement proceeding against a president, the [Supreme Court’s] decision … has left a FOIA request as a critical tool for the American public to keep apprised of a president’s conduct,” Howell ruled. Howell also ordered the FBI to provide a timetable of release for files pertaining to Leopold’s request, with a mandatory update required by February 20. The FBI had used Glomar arguments to retain the privacy of the Mar-a-Lago case files, falling back on its typical refusal to “confirm or deny” a criminal investigation in order to safeguard ongoing investigations. But the decimation of any future case against Trump on the details of the case has completely undermined that argument, according to the judge. “In these circumstances, defendants’ Glomar arguments crumble with no more weight than dust and just as little persuasiveness,” Howell wrote. “As plaintiff pointedly highlights, as to President Trump, ‘there is a reasonable argument that [he] is immune from prosecution for flushing his own records down the toilet while in office.’” In a footnote, Howell torched the high court’s decision to grant Trump such sweeping protections, likening their actions to enablers of the fascist regime of Nazi Germany. “Of course, while the Supreme Court has provided a protective and presumptive immunity cloak for a president’s conduct, that cloak is not so large to extend to those who aid, abet and execute criminal acts on behalf of a criminally immune president,” Howell wrote. “The excuse offered after World War II by enablers of the fascist Nazi regime of ‘just following orders’ has long been rejected in this country’s jurisprudence.” Source link #Trumps #Supreme #Court #Immunity #Ruling #Bite Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Justice Department to drop federal corruption case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams – CNN Justice Department to drop federal corruption case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams – CNN Justice Department to drop federal corruption case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams CNNJustice Dept. Seeks Dismissal of Federal Corruption Case Against Adams The New York TimesDOJ moves to dismiss federal charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams Fox NewsTop Justice Department official orders prosecutors to drop charges against New York Mayor Eric Adams The Associated PressFeds move to toss NYC Mayor Eric Adams’ historic bribery case in stunning victory for embattled Dem New York Post Source link #Justice #Department #drop #federal #corruption #case #York #City #Mayor #Eric #Adams #CNN Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Judge blocks Trump administration from cutting research funding after 22 states sue Judge blocks Trump administration from cutting research funding after 22 states sue A federal judge temporarily halted the Trump administration’s radical changes to how the National Institutes of Health pays for biomedical research, putting on hold a plan to slash research funding paid out by the federal government. Twenty-two state attorneys general filed a lawsuit Monday against the plan, which would limit how it pays out universities and research institutes for “indirect costs.” The lawsuit, which lists both the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Health and Human Services as defendants, said the effect of the indirect rate changes announced Friday would be “immediate and devastating.” NIH announced Friday that it would limit indirect funding for research projects to 15%, dramatically slashing how much funding the federal government would provide to research agencies for things like equipment, maintenance, utilities and support staff. Previously, such rates varied and were negotiated by each institution with the government. The new policy took effect Monday for all new NIH grants and any new expenses on existing grants. The lawsuit, filed Monday in U.S. District Court in Massachusetts and led by attorneys general in Massachusetts, Illinois and Michigan, claims that NIH violated the Administrative Procedure Act, which governs the process of how federal agencies develop and issue new regulations. It also claims that the administration ignored the will of Congress, which has included a provision designed to prevent changes to indirect cost rates since 2018 and after President Donald Trump’s first administration tried to alter the process. Angel Kelley, a U.S. district judge, granted the attorneys generals’ request for a temporary restraining order, ordering the agencies not to take any steps to implement, apply, or enforce the new policy. Kelley set an in-person hearing for Feb. 21. Every state with a Democrat serving as the attorney general is part of the lawsuit. “This agency action will result in layoffs, suspension of clinical trials, disruption of ongoing research programs, and laboratory closures,” the lawsuit says. “NIH’s extraordinary attempt to disrupt all existing and future grants not only poses an immediate threat to the nation’s research infrastructure, but will also have a long-lasting impact on its research capabilities and its ability to provide life-saving breakthroughs in scientific research.” The National Institutes of Health directed an NBC News request for comment to the Department of Health and Human Services, which did not provide a comment for publication. Scientists have described the cuts to indirect costs as draconian and something that would almost certainly stymie research efforts on diseases and for basic science that could lead to new discoveries. “This is going to have a bad effect on research. If you don’t want research to happen, you can accomplish it this way,” said Michael Eisen, a professor and biologist at the University of California, Berkeley. Limiting indirect costs would likely shift the burden of funding research away from the federal government and toward universities and individual research institutions, and many have said they don’t have the funding to support it. In a news release, the University of California system said NIH is the largest funder of its research and spent $2.6 billion on the system’s research during the last academic year. NIH’s changes would cut hundreds of millions from the University of California budget annually. “This imprudent action will result in immediate broad reductions of personnel and services, including impacts on education, training, delivery of care to patients, basic research, and clinical trials,” said Theresa Maldonado, the University of California system’s vice president for research and innovation. “It will be disruptive for a prolonged *******, permanently damaging time-sensitive work in both basic and clinical research.” Proponents of the NIH shift have described indirect costs as out-of-control overhead costs. In a Friday post on X, Katie Miller, an appointee to the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, wrote: “President Trump is doing away with Liberal DEI Deans’ slush fund. This cuts just Harvard’s outrageous price gouging by ~$250M/ year.” Source link #Judge #blocks #Trump #administration #cutting #research #funding #states #sue Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Justice Dept. Seeks Dismissal of Federal Corruption Case Against Adams – The New York Times Justice Dept. Seeks Dismissal of Federal Corruption Case Against Adams – The New York Times Justice Dept. Seeks Dismissal of Federal Corruption Case Against Adams The New York TimesDOJ moves to dismiss federal charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams Fox NewsFeds move to toss NYC Mayor Eric Adams’ historic bribery case in stunning victory for embattled Dem New York Post Top Justice Department official orders prosecutors to drop charges against New York Mayor Eric Adams YahooJustice Department to drop federal corruption case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams CNN Source link #Justice #Dept #Seeks #Dismissal #Federal #Corruption #Case #Adams #York #Times Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

NINJA GAIDEN 2 ****** – PS5 Review | Thumb Culture NINJA GAIDEN 2 ****** – PS5 Review | Thumb Culture biomarvel|4m ago|Review|0| ▼ Info Add Alt Source Wow, KOEI TECMO, First Dynasty Warriors and now a stealth drop for NINJA GAIDEN 2 ******. It returns with a new engine and newer, better visuals. Once again, step into the tabi (shoes) of Ryu Hayabusa. NINJA GAIDEN 2 ****** PS5 thumbculture.co.*** Read Full Story >> [Hidden Content] thumbculture.co.*** Source link #NINJA #GAIDEN #****** #PS5 #Review #Thumb #Culture Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

PM backs pub campaign and ‘Farage deal for the birds’ PM backs pub campaign and ‘Farage deal for the birds’ A range of stories feature on the front of Tuesday’s newspapers including Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch who – in an interview with the Daily Telegraph – dismissed the idea of an election pact with Reform *** as “for the birds”. Catching the eye on the front is an image of the King and Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner on a visit together in Cornwall. King Charles and Angela Rayner also appear on the front of the Times, as the prime minister follows in the background as the monarch gave a guided tour of his environmentally friendly, sustainable housing project in Cornwall. The lead story centres on Britain not re-joining the European Union to retaliate against Donald Trump’s steel tariffs. The Guardian says Sir Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner’s visit to Cornwall with king Charles “raises eyebrows”. Meanwhile, the lead story centres on MPs who are considering scraping the requirement for a high court judge to decide on assisted dying cases, with an expert panel to scrutinise decisions instead. There are concerns this could be a watering down of the safeguards contained in the legislation. In other news, dressed in a red outfit on the red carpet Taylor Swift is pictured on the side of Tuesday’s edition of the Sun after she watched the Kansas City Chiefs slump to a Super Bowl defeat. The paper asks if the singer can “shake it off” in what it describes as a “bad year” for her. The tabloid also carries a story about Labour’s new health minister who reportedly said it is okay for people to identify as a llama. Taylor Swift also features on the front of the Daily Mirror next to an image of Donald Trump – the first US sitting president to attend a Super Bowl. As its lead, the tabloid says Sir Keir Starmer is backing a Mirror campaign to save Britain’s pubs. At the top of Tuesday’s Metro is an image of London’s iconic brutalist Trellick Tower – which stands tall and proud on the edges of north-west London. The paper says flats in the building are selling for £1m. The Metro’s lead story is an interview with solicitor Elsa Baudart who tells the paper about her anger and “sadness” that police are not prosecuting a man who spied on her through a changing room vent in Putney. The *** fears its steel industry faces a fatal blow from Donald Trump’s latest tariff announcements, according to the front of the i newspaper. Business and trade union leaders have urged the government to step in and protect the already struggling industry, the paper says. Five-year-old Bert Church is pictured on the front of the Daily Express as he protested with his farmer mother Hazel and father Tom, both 44, in London on Monday, alongside thousands of others demonstrating against the Chancellor’s changes to inheritance tax on farms. Finally, the Daily Star returns to what it calls “psycho scumbag chatbots” saying an expert has told the paper they are “very likely” to wipe out entire populations. Source link #backs #pub #campaign #Farage #deal #birds Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

National banana prices, economic output hit by floods National banana prices, economic output hit by floods Australia’s sluggish economic growth has taken another hit, with the Queensland floods estimated to cut March quarter output by 0.1 per cent. Source link #National #banana #prices #economic #output #hit #floods Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Microsoft sort of brings back Menu key after Copilot backlash Microsoft sort of brings back Menu key after Copilot backlash After backlash over removing the Menu key, Microsoft is possibly bringing it back in a later build—partially—to Windows keyboards, restoring some of its lost functionality, as PhantomOfEarth mentions on X (via XDA Developers). This is possible because users can remap the Copilot key to serve the same purpose. Microsoft might allow you to remap the Copilot key to open content menus, restoring the Menu key’s original functionality. In October, Microsoft introduced limited remapping of the Copilot key, but it only worked for MSIX-packaged and signed apps, offering little flexibility. Now, Microsoft could expand its functionality to provide more freedom to what the key can do for users. You could have one of the best laptops on the market, and the number of apps you could assign the Copilot key was restricted. Why was the Menu key so popular? Because it was very helpful in situations where you couldn’t use your mouse since it would bring up the same options a right-click would. It’s the same key you would see on Surface devices. So far, Microsoft has not officially announced when or if Widows users will enjoy this freedom. This possibility was found by a well-known leaker, but there is the possibility of Microsoft changing its mind and removing it altogether. Hopefully, that won’t happen, and it’ll be released sometime before the year is out, so accessing the options the Menu key gave us is easier. Who knows, maybe Microsoft will let users do more and more things as time goes by. We’ll see what happens. Source link #Microsoft #sort #brings #Menu #key #Copilot #backlash Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Meta can turn your thoughts into words typed on a screen if you don’t mind lugging a machine the size of a room around Meta can turn your thoughts into words typed on a screen if you don’t mind lugging a machine the size of a room around Meta is testing a machine that decodes brain signals into words typed into a computer. The brain-typing system is up to 80% accurate but nowhere near practical. The machine is a half-ton, costs $2 million, needs a shielded room, and even slight head movements disrupt the signal. Meta is showing off a machine capable of turning your thoughts into words typed on a screen, but don’t expect to write your Instagram captions telepathically any time soon. The device weighs about half a ton, costs $2 million, and is about as portable as a refrigerator. So, unless you were planning to lug around a lab-grade magnetoencephalography (MEG) scanner, you won’t be sending mind texts anytime soon. And that’s before even considering how you can’t even slightly move your head when using it. Still, what Meta has done is impressive. Their AI and neuroscience teams have trained a system that can analyze brain activity and determine what keys someone is pressing – purely based on thought. There are no implanted electrodes, no sci-fi headbands, just a deep neural network deciphering brainwaves from the outside. The research, detailed in a pair of newly released papers, reveals that the system is up to 80% accurate at identifying letters from brain activity, allowing it to reconstruct complete sentences from a typist’s thoughts. While typing out phrases, a volunteer sits inside a MEG scanner, which looks a bit like a giant hair dryer. The scanner picks up magnetic signals from neurons firing in the brain, and an AI model, aptly named Brain2Qwerty, gets to work learning which signals correspond to which keys. After enough training, it can predict the letters a person is typing. The results weren’t perfect, but could reach accuracy levels of up to 80%. Brain typing (Image credit: Meta) Telepathic typing has some real limits for now. The scanner needs to be in a specially shielded room to block out Earth’s magnetic field, which is a trillion times stronger than what’s in your head. Plus, the slightest head tilt scrambles the signal. But there’s more to it than just another Meta-branded product. The research could really boost brain science and, eventually, medical care for brain injuries and illnesses. “To explore how the brain transforms thoughts into intricate sequences of motor actions, we used AI to help interpret the MEG signals while participants typed sentences. By taking 1,000 snapshots of the brain every second, we can pinpoint the precise moment where thoughts are turned into words, syllables, and even individual letters,” Meta explained in a blog post. “Our study shows that the brain generates a sequence of representations that start from the most abstract level of representations—the meaning of a sentence—and progressively transform them into a myriad of actions, such as the actual finger movement on the keyboard.” Despite its limitations, the non-invasive aspect of Meta’s research makes for a much less scary approach than cramming a computer chip right in your brain as companies like Neuralink are testing. Most people wouldn’t sign up for elective brain surgery. Even though a product isn’t the stated goal of the research, historical points demonstrate that giant, lab-bound machines don’t have to stay that way. A tiny smartphone does what a building-size computer couldn’t in the 1950s. Perhaps today’s brain scanner is tomorrow’s wearable. You might also like Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Source link #Meta #turn #thoughts #words #typed #screen #dont #mind #lugging #machine #size #room Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Increasing numbers of Democrats want their party to oppose Trump — CBS News poll analysis Increasing numbers of Democrats want their party to oppose Trump — CBS News poll analysis As often happens early in a presidential term, much of the focus has been on the new Trump administration, which started with net positive reviews — but how do Americans think the parties in Congress should be reacting? The nation’s rank-and-file Democrats are increasingly looking for more opposition to President Trump from their congressional delegation. Ahead of the inauguration, a slight majority of Democrats thought their congressional representatives ought to seek common ground. Today, a few weeks into the term, those sentiments are lower, and more Democrats want their party in Congress to oppose Mr. Trump as much as possible. Liberal Democrats are the most likely to want opposition. In January, that view was more confined to the “very” liberal than it is now. Today, it includes most Democrats who identify as liberals, and moderate Democrats are more split over whether to find common ground. Yet, they also express comparably a bit less confidence in their leaders’ ability to do so effectively than they did just before Mr. Trump took office. Today, just over half have at least some confidence — but not a lot — and half have not much confidence or none. Meanwhile, Mr. Trump’s actions in these early weeks have been met with robust support from nation’s Republicans. But in principle, this doesn’t mean they wouldn’t want to see some pushback from congressional Republicans when the delegation disagrees with him. In fact, most do think things should work this way. However, a sizable 4 in 10 rank-and-file Republicans would have their congressional delegation support whatever Mr. Trump wants — a view largely boosted by those Republicans who identify as part of the MAGA movement. This CBS News/YouGov survey was conducted with a nationally representative sample of 2,175 U.S. adults interviewed between Feb. 5-7, 2025. The sample was weighted to be representative of adults nationwide according to gender, age, race, and education, based on the U.S. Census American Community Survey and Current Population Survey, as well as 2024 presidential vote. The margin of error is ±2.5 points. Toplines More Anthony Salvanto Anthony Salvanto, Ph.D., is CBS News’ executive director of elections and surveys. He oversees the CBS News Poll and all surveys across topics and heads the CBS News Decision Desk that estimates outcomes on election nights Source link #Increasing #numbers #Democrats #party #oppose #Trump #CBS #News #poll #analysis Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

How to rethink unruly passengers to get ahead at work How to rethink unruly passengers to get ahead at work Plane etiquette seems so simple — be spatially aware, don’t bother other passengers and follow the instructions of the air crew. But campaigns and crackdown efforts to quell disruptive behavior suggest it persists. At first glance, a new book — “How to Avoid Strangers on Airplanes: Survival Guide for the Frequent Business Traveler” — seems to be another attempt to rein in irritating flyers. However, author Brandon Blewett, a frequent business traveler, said there is much to learn from these passengers. Blewett, head of corporate development for a Virginia-based company, said he wrote the book after seeing parallels between difficulties in his business travel and professional life. He started by making a list of annoying travel habits, which quickly became too long, he said. “I realized I could not write about 25 habits,” said Blewett. Plus, he didn’t want the book to be “a rant about the annoying things that we see when we’re on planes or in airports”. So he whittled it down to six — each with thoughts on how travelers can use these situations to progress in their own careers. 1. ‘Gate Lice’ “Gate Lice” are passengers who swarm the boarding area before their call time, ignoring boarding zones and blocking gates, he wrote. Jobs have these people too, he said. “People block our paths to board even when it’s our turn,” he wrote. “Other times people outrank us and land seats on flights headed towards career destinations we thought were ours.” Look for ways around these people, said Blewett. His recommendation? The pivot. Blewett said he learned that early in his career. After graduating from law school during the Great Recession, he took a job as a car valet — a far cry from his goal of becoming a sports agent, he wrote. “Given the bleak post-juris doctorate job outlook, I pivoted to a one-year MBA program,” he wrote. “The school also boasted robust relationships with the firms where I sought tax roles.” He later landed a role at a tax firm, he said. “What seems like a dead-end might just be a pivot waiting to happen,” he wrote. 2. The ‘Backpack Wrecking Crew’ Airplane etiquette dictates that flyers wear their backpacks on their front rather than their back to prevent inadvertently hitting others, a situation Blewett calls an “Airbus Assault.” But, he said, business travelers should prepare for “smacks” — be it on plane or in their professions — and can use them to become more resilient. Blewett told CNBC he hopes his book encourages people to “look around to see what you can learn” from annoying passengers. Source: Brandon Blewett He lists several smacks during this career, from making less money than many of his law school peers to getting passed over for a promotion. “It took three hard smacks to get me in the door at KPMG, into deals, and into a practice where I could actually obtain useful skills for my long-term career,” he wrote. 3. The ‘Conference Call’ bully These passengers are in “Boeing Boardroom Meetings,” conducting conference calls at a high-decibel level, often refusing to end their calls and stow away their devices, said Blewett. These are the same people that have the hardest time accepting weather delays. Difficult people are everywhere, Blewett wrote in the book, whether it’s in your office or on your flight. The best way to handle them, he said, is with “wit, grit, and humility.” He mentions Dolly Parton’s infamous interview with Barbara Walters, in which Walters asked if she was a hillbilly. “She let her work and wit speak speak for themselves. Humor? Check. Self-deprecation? All day. And when none of that worked, she gritted her teeth and kept moving forward,” he wrote. 4. The ‘Overhead Tetris Flunkee’ These passengers often participate in what Blewett refers to as “Bin Shoehorning” — ignoring space constraints in overhead compartments and cramming in bags that don’t fit. Often, they don’t even try to close the door, choosing instead to sit down and pass the burden to air crew to find out. That can lead to “salmoning,” which occurs when flight attendants move bulky bags behind a person’s seat, forcing the passenger to go against the flow of departing flyers at the end of the flight. Such behavior often results from passengers who are “running on empty, acting out of pure exhaustion,” Blewett wrote. Professionals, too, engage in bin-stuffing when they force career goals that are not a good fit. Blewett said he made that mistake but eventually realized that making partner wasn’t his calling. “It took some time to accept this reality — not as long as trying to find your ride at LAX arrivals, but long enough,” he wrote. “Eventually, I took my bag out of the overhead when I knew the bin wasn’t going to close.” 5. Bad behavers This category of traveler is regarded as the most disruptive, he said. It refers to passengers who irritate others, from grabbing the back of the seat when they get up, to drinking too much, said Blewett. People are far less inclined to help these passengers, wrote Blewett. And in business, help from your network can make a huge difference. “Willingness to be a good seat neighbor, meant that my network, my cabin of passengers, was willing to help me where I needed to go,” according to Blewett. 6. The ‘Eager Exiter’ The “Eager Exiter” is present on almost every flight, Blewett said. They are the flyers who stand up the moment the seatbelt sign turns off, he said. But rushing doesn’t get you to a destination much sooner, he said. He recounted a story of a passenger who asked travelers if he could cut the security line to get to his boarding gate faster. “In his rush to get through, he forgot to take the electronics out of his pocket, setting off the detectors,” he wrote. “Ironically, we wound up clearing security at the same time.” Blewett said this was similar to his career journey, which included getting a law degree yet ending up in another profession. “The journey itself was kind of fun — in retrospect, of course,” he wrote. “There’s a lot to be grateful for, and looking back, I can see why each step mattered.” Source link #rethink #unruly #passengers #ahead #work Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Justice Department tells prosecutors to drop case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams Justice Department tells prosecutors to drop case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams CBS News 24/7 Live Washington — The Department of Justice told federal prosecutors in New York to drop their corruption case against New York Mayor Eric Adams. Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove on Monday sent a memo instructing prosecutors in the Southern District of New York to abandon the charges. The stunning decision comes after department lawyers met with Adams’ attorneys and Manhattan federal prosecutors in late January, where senior officials discussed dropping the charges against the embattled mayor. In September, Adams was indicted on five counts including bribery, conspiracy and campaign finance violations. He pleaded not guilty to all charges. The mayor’s trial is scheduled to begin in April. The decision to drop the charges will still need to be formally submitted by prosecutors and approved by the judge overseeing the case. This is a breaking news story and will be updated. Jacob Rosen Jake Rosen is a reporter covering the Department of Justice. He was previously a campaign digital reporter covering President Trump’s 2024 campaign and also served as an associate producer for “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan,” where he worked with Brennan for two years on the broadcast. Rosen has been a producer for several CBS News podcasts, including “The Takeout,” “The Debrief” and “Agent of Betrayal: The Double Life of Robert Hanssen.” Source link #Justice #Department #tells #prosecutors #drop #case #York #City #Mayor #Eric #Adams Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

'Back to plastic': Trump wages war on paper straws 'Back to plastic': Trump wages war on paper straws President Donald Trump is realising his long-held aim of having plastic straws returned, despite their contribution to pollution. Source link #039Back #plastic039 #Trump #wages #war #paper #straws Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Security guard stabs customer at west Charlotte bar, witnesses say Security guard stabs customer at west Charlotte bar, witnesses say Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what’s in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience.Generate Key Takeaways Security guard stabs customer at west Charlotte bar, witnesses say A security guard stabbed a customer at Woodshed Bar overnight Sunday in west Charlotte, witnesses said. The bar is on Queen City Drive near Billy Graham Parkway. ALSO READ: CMPD investigating shooting in west Charlotte Just after 1 a.m., MEDIC confirmed one person was transported to Atrium CMC with serious injuries. Court paperwork and a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department police report confirmed officers arrested Christopher Harris. He is currently being held at the Mecklenburg County jail under no bond. Multiple witnesses said the victim and Harris got into an argument that got physical. They said the fight was broken up and Harris was taken outside. Witnesses said Harris got back inside and stabbed the victim two to three times. Timothy Lee, Woodshed’s owner, said he has reached out to the victim to offer any support he can provide. “He was a patron here,” Lee said. “He is welcome here and in good standing with the bar, again, it’s an unfortunate incident. But we are, me, my staff, everyone, our concern is for the safety and well-being of that individual and our thoughts and prayers are with him.” Lee also said he does not hire armed security so Harris should not hav had a weapon. He said Harris’ only responsibility was to wand people and maybe conduct the occasional pat down to keep weapons like a knife out. Check wsoctv.com for updates. WATCH BELOW: New video shows police with wanted ******* suspect hours before killing was discovered Source link #Security #guard #stabs #customer #west #Charlotte #bar #witnesses Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

How to rethink unruly passengers to get ahead at work How to rethink unruly passengers to get ahead at work Plane etiquette seems so simple — be spatially aware, don’t bother other passengers and follow the instructions of the air crew. But campaigns and crackdown efforts to quell disruptive behavior suggest it persists. At first glance, a new book — “How to Avoid Strangers on Airplanes: Survival Guide for the Frequent Business Traveler” — seems to be another attempt to rein in irritating flyers. However, author Brandon Blewett, a frequent business traveler, said there is much to learn from these passengers. Blewett, head of corporate development for a Virginia-based company, said he wrote the book after seeing parallels between difficulties in his business travel and professional life. He started by making a list of annoying travel habits, which quickly became too long, he said. “I realized I could not write about 25 habits,” said Blewett. Plus, he didn’t want the book to be “a rant about the annoying things that we see when we’re on planes or in airports”. So he whittled it down to six — each with thoughts on how travelers can use these situations to progress in their own careers. 1. ‘Gate Lice’ “Gate Lice” are passengers who swarm the boarding area before their call time, ignoring boarding zones and blocking gates, he wrote. Jobs have these people too, he said. “People block our paths to board even when it’s our turn,” he wrote. “Other times people outrank us and land seats on flights headed towards career destinations we thought were ours.” Look for ways around these people, said Blewett. His recommendation? The pivot. Blewett said he learned that early in his career. After graduating from law school during the Great Recession, he took a job as a car valet — a far cry from his goal of becoming a sports agent, he wrote. “Given the bleak post-juris doctorate job outlook, I pivoted to a one-year MBA program,” he wrote. “The school also boasted robust relationships with the firms where I sought tax roles.” He later landed a role at a tax firm, he said. “What seems like a dead-end might just be a pivot waiting to happen,” he wrote. 2. The ‘Backpack Wrecking Crew’ Airplane etiquette dictates that flyers wear their backpacks on their front rather than their back to prevent inadvertently hitting others, a situation Blewett calls an “Airbus Assault.” But, he said, business travelers should prepare for “smacks” — be it on plane or in their professions — and can use them to become more resilient. Blewett told CNBC he hopes his book encourages people to “look around to see what you can learn” from annoying passengers. Source: Brandon Blewett He lists several smacks during this career, from making less money than many of his law school peers to getting passed over for a promotion. “It took three hard smacks to get me in the door at KPMG, into deals, and into a practice where I could actually obtain useful skills for my long-term career,” he wrote. 3. The ‘Conference Call’ bully These passengers are in “Boeing Boardroom Meetings,” conducting conference calls at a high-decibel level, often refusing to end their calls and stow away their devices, said Blewett. These are the same people that have the hardest time accepting weather delays. Difficult people are everywhere, Blewett wrote in the book, whether it’s in your office or on your flight. The best way to handle them, he said, is with “wit, grit, and humility.” He mentions Dolly Parton’s infamous interview with Barbara Walters, in which Walters asked if she was a hillbilly. “She let her work and wit speak speak for themselves. Humor? Check. Self-deprecation? All day. And when none of that worked, she gritted her teeth and kept moving forward,” he wrote. 4. The ‘Overhead Tetris Flunkee’ These passengers often participate in what Blewett refers to as “Bin Shoehorning” — ignoring space constraints in overhead compartments and cramming in bags that don’t fit. Often, they don’t even try to close the door, choosing instead to sit down and pass the burden to air crew to find out. That can lead to “salmoning,” which occurs when flight attendants move bulky bags behind a person’s seat, forcing the passenger to go against the flow of departing flyers at the end of the flight. Such behavior often results from passengers who are “running on empty, acting out of pure exhaustion,” Blewett wrote. Professionals, too, engage in bin-stuffing when they force career goals that are not a good fit. Blewett said he made that mistake but eventually realized that making partner wasn’t his calling. “It took some time to accept this reality — not as long as trying to find your ride at LAX arrivals, but long enough,” he wrote. “Eventually, I took my bag out of the overhead when I knew the bin wasn’t going to close.” 5. Bad behavers This category of traveler is regarded as the most disruptive, he said. It refers to passengers who irritate others, from grabbing the back of the seat when they get up, to drinking too much, said Blewett. People are far less inclined to help these passengers, wrote Blewett. And in business, help from your network can make a huge difference. “Willingness to be a good seat neighbor, meant that my network, my cabin of passengers, was willing to help me where I needed to go,” according to Blewett. 6. The ‘Eager Exiter’ The “Eager Exiter” is present on almost every flight, Blewett said. They are the flyers who stand up the moment the seatbelt sign turns off, he said. But rushing doesn’t get you to a destination much sooner, he said. He recounted a story of a passenger who asked travelers if he could cut the security line to get to his boarding gate faster. “In his rush to get through, he forgot to take the electronics out of his pocket, setting off the detectors,” he wrote. “Ironically, we wound up clearing security at the same time.” Blewett said this was similar to his career journey, which included getting a law degree yet ending up in another profession. “The journey itself was kind of fun — in retrospect, of course,” he wrote. “There’s a lot to be grateful for, and looking back, I can see why each step mattered.” Source link #rethink #unruly #passengers #ahead #work Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Trump tariffs on steel and aluminum imports Trump tariffs on steel and aluminum imports A view of the city skyline of Lujiazui Shanghai Center in Pudong, Shanghai, China, on March 13, 2024. Cfoto | Future Publishing | Getty Images Asia-Pacific markets were set to open higher Tuesday, tracking gains on Wall Street that appeared to look past U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff campaign. Trump on Monday signed an order imposing 25% tariffs on imports of steel and aluminum into the U.S. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 traded 0.24% higher. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index futures were at 21,576, slightly stronger than the HSI’s last close of 21,521.98. Japan markets were closed for a holiday. Investors will also be keeping an eye on Singapore markets after the benchmark Straits Times Index hit an all-time intraday high of 3,910.12 on Monday. Overnight in the U.S., the three major averages closed higher as major tech names outperformed. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 167.01 points, or 0.38%, led by a 4.8% gain in McDonald’s. The 30-stock index closed at 44,470.41. The S&P 500 gained 0.67% to end at 6,066.44, and the Nasdaq Composite climbed 0.98% to 19,714.27. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell is also slated speak before Congress later in the day. —CNBC’s Pia Singh and Brian Evans contributed to this report. Source link #Trump #tariffs #steel #aluminum #imports Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Donald Trump to hit US steel and aluminium imports with 25% tariffs – Financial Times Donald Trump to hit US steel and aluminium imports with 25% tariffs – Financial Times Donald Trump to hit US steel and aluminium imports with 25% tariffs Financial TimesTrump imposes 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum CNNTrump announces steel and aluminium import tariffs BBC.comTrump raises tariffs on aluminum steel imports in latest trade war salvo ReutersAlbanese Says Trump Will Consider Australia Tariff Exemption Bloomberg Source link #Donald #Trump #hit #steel #aluminium #imports #tariffs #Financial #Times Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Drop in immunisation rates hits vaccine-maker's revenue Drop in immunisation rates hits vaccine-maker's revenue Sales of CSL’s flu vaccines were down by double digits in the first half amid a fall in immunisation rates since the COVID-19 pandemic. Source link #Drop #immunisation #rates #hits #vaccinemaker039s #revenue Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Driver ‘Terrified’ After Fireworks Launched Toward Her Car Driver ‘Terrified’ After Fireworks Launched Toward Her Car Washington cops say a woman driving down a street was bombarded with fireworks shot from a pickup truck. The driver says she has no idea why she was targeted. She also says she and others on the road that night could have been seriously hurt. Police are now investigating whether the same truck was involved in another prior fireworks attack last year. Inside Edition’s Steven Fabian has more. Source link #Driver #Terrified #Fireworks #Launched #Car Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]