Pelican Press

Santorini Update: Note to Customers & Friends Santorini Update: Note to Customers & Friends Dear friends, Over the past few days, seismic activity north of Santorini has been perceptible on the island as well. Locals and those who live and work here are accustomed to such natural events and remain optimistic that the phenomenon will subside soon. While a small number of locals have temporarily left the island, many others remain, and life continues with care and awareness. Many businesses, including ours, are open, and visitors continue to enjoy the island’s beauty. Local authorities have taken precautionary measures, and scientists are closely monitoring the situation to ensure safety. We sincerely appreciate the messages of concern and support from our friends around the world—they mean a great deal to us. We want to reassure you that we are here, working, and continuing to serve our e-shop customers worldwide as always. With cautious optimism, we look forward to a rewarding summer season and the opportunity to welcome visitors to our beloved Santorini. Thank you for your support and trust, The Santorini.net Team Source link #Santorini #Update #Note #Customers #Friends Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

UBS says China trade war will worsen. Beware these tariff-sensitive stocks UBS says China trade war will worsen. Beware these tariff-sensitive stocks UBS warns that the trade war with China could escalate from current levels, despite President Donald Trump’s temporary pause on U.S. tariff threats against Mexico and Canada, As of Tuesday, the U.S. levied a 10% tariff on all ******** goods, but Trump has previously threatened tariffs as high as 60% against China, UBS global equity strategist Andrew Garthwaite said. “We think tariff talk on China may rise beyond the 10% tariffs, maybe once a TikTok ***** is complete,” the strategist wrote in a note on Tuesday. In the midst of the tariff uncertainty, Garthwaite advises investors to stay overweight defensive names. When modeling for an aggressive tariff scenario, technology and consumer stocks underperform the market, he added. Heightened trade tensions could also stoke “nationalistic buying” in China — when consumers shift to domestic brands at the expense of U.S. consumer brands, he added. “If we get more of a global trade war, then the winners will likely be those companies who source locally versus those who export,” said Garthwaite. With this in mind, here are some of the companies UBS believes are most at risk if U.S.-China trade relations deteriorate further, or new conflicts erupt with Canada, Mexico or the European Union: Consumer-centered companies make up the majority of the companies on the list of tariff-sensitive stocks. Athletic apparel maker Nike and Coach and Kate Spade owner Tapestry are among the names most at risk from rising tariffs. Tapestry shares are 15% higher Thursday on the back of strong Coach sales during the holiday, leaving the stock trading above the average analyst’s price target, implying that a pullback may be ahead. But Tapestry said it doesn’t expect an additional 10% tariff on goods from China to hurt its results. UBS holds a neutral rating on Tapestry. Athletic apparel company Nike was one of the stocks hit the most before Trump offered a reprieve on goods from Mexico. China tariffs will affect both supplies and demand for Nike goods. Nike relies not just on imports from China, such as fabrics; the country is also one of its biggest consumer markets. Nike shares have slipped more than 1% to start the year. NKE TPR YTD mountain Nike and Tapestry shares in 2025 Discount retailer Dollar Tree was one of the companies UBS called most vulnerable to high tariffs. ******** imports account for a significant portion of the company’s sales. Around two-thirds of analysts covering Dollar Tree rate the stock a hold. Meanwhile, the consensus price target implies shares will gain 21% from Wednesday’s close. DLTR 1Y mountain Dollar Tree shares over the last 12 months UBS also identified auto stocks as names that will be hard hit by higher China tariffs. Shares of motorcycle maker Harley-Davidson have sold off more than 4% over the last five days, reaching a new 52-week low on Wednesday on disappointing fourth-quarter results. Analysts are on the sidelines. Of 15 analysts covering Harley, nine rate it a hold. But the average price target is $35, or 33% above the stock’s close on Wednesday. Shares of Rivian are also down more than 3% to kick off 2025, underperforming the broader market. Tariffs could dent demand for Rivian in China, which already has a robust domestic EV market. UBS has neutral ratings on both Harley-Davidson and Rivian. RIVN YTD mountain Rivian stock in 2025 —CNBC’s Michael Bloom and Christina Cheddar-Berk contributed to this report. Source link #UBS #China #trade #war #worsen #Beware #tariffsensitive #stocks Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Steam will label early access games that haven’t been updated in a year Steam will label early access games that haven’t been updated in a year When you click on an early access game on Steam, you might see a new note that could give an idea whether its developer has already abandoned the project. As SteamDB first reported, Steam has started adding notes on games’ official pages if they haven’t been updated in a while. Steam’s early access program allows you to purchase work-in-progress titles to play on your PC. Each participating title has an information box, where developers answer questions, such as how long they expect the game to be in early access. That’s where you can find the new warning, which tells you when a title was last updated. Not every game has a note that tells you when its last update was rolled out, though. Valve told PCGamer that it will only add the notice for an early access game if it hasn’t been updated for a year. Specifically, the note will show up if it’s been 12 months since a new build has been added to the game’s default branch in Steamworks, or if it’s been 12 months since the developer has notified players about an “update type event,” which includes major updates, regular updates and patch notes. In the end, it’s still up to you whether you want to download and play a game that hasn’t had a recent update. But the warning could help you avoid projects that are pretty much dead if you don’t want to waste your time and money on games that may never be fully released. Source link #Steam #label #early #access #games #havent #updated #year Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

New device can scan your face in 3D from hundreds of metres away New device can scan your face in 3D from hundreds of metres away A new imaging device can capture 3D scans of human faces from hundreds of metres away Aongus McCarthy, Heriot-Watt University From 325 metres away, your eyes can probably distinguish a person’s head from their body – and not much else. But a new laser-based device can create a three-dimensional model of their face. Aongus McCarthy at Heriot-Watt University in Scotland and his colleagues built a device that can create detailed three-dimensional images, including ridges and indentations as small as 1 millimetre deep, from hundreds of metres away. It uses an imaging technique called lidar, emitting pulses of laser light that collide with objects then reflect back into the device. Based on how long each pulse takes to return, lidar can determine an object’s shape. To get to this level of detail, the team had to carefully calibrate and align many different components, says McCarthy, such as the tiny parts that direct the laser pulses inside of the device. To enable it to distinguish single particles of light, the researchers used a light-detecting sensor based on an incredibly thin piece of superconducting wire, a component that is not common in lidar. Filtering out sunlight that could enter the detector and degrade the image was another challenge. The researchers tested their lidar system on a roof near their lab by taking detailed three-dimensional images of a team-member’s head from 45 and 325 metres away. On a smaller scale, they captured Lego figurines from a distance of 32 metres. The imaging system could scan Lego characters from 32 metres away Aongus McCarthy, Heriot-Watt University In another test, they imaged a segment of a communication tower that was a kilometre away. “That was a very tough test – because of the bright background, we had no control over what we could put in the scene [that we were imaging],” says McCarthy. Feihu Xu at University of Science and Technology of China, whose team previously used lidar for imaging from 200 kilometres away, says that McCarthy and his colleagues achieved “remarkable results” when it comes to the depth resolution of their device. “It is the best so far,” he says. And lidar is only becoming more relevant for modern technology, says Vivek Goyal at Boston University in Massachusetts. He says that being able to create detailed three-dimensional maps of their surroundings will be crucial for autonomous vehicles and even some robots – but the new device will have to be made smaller and more compact before it can be used for this purpose. Topics: Source link #device #scan #face #hundreds #metres Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

iQOO Neo 10R Roundup: Launch Date, Expected Price in India, Features, Specifications iQOO Neo 10R Roundup: Launch Date, Expected Price in India, Features, Specifications iQOO Neo 10R will be launched in India in the coming weeks, and the company’s latest handset in its Neo series will arrive with a high-end processor and support for fast charging. Next month, the Vivo sub-brand is expected to unveil the iQOO Neo 10R with a Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 processor, along with a 1.5K OLED screen and a 6,400mAh battery that can be charged at 80W. The company has also revealed one of the colourways of the upcoming handset. Let’s discuss the expected price in India, specifications, and features of the iQOO Neo 10R. iQOO Neo 10R India Launch Details The company has already confirmed that the upcoming iQOO Neo 10R will be launched in India on March 11. If iQOO decides to unveil the device at a live event, smartphone enthusiasts should be able to tune in to the live event via the company’s YouTube channel. You can also follow Gadgets 360 on X (formerly Twitter) and keep an eye on our website for details about the smartphone’s price, specifications, and other details that will be announced when the phone is launched. iQOO Neo 10R Expected Price in India and ***** Date The price of the iQOO Neo 10R in India is expected to be announced when the company launches the smartphone in India on March 11. However, the purported price of the iQOO Neo 10R has already leaked. The company is expected to keep the iQOO Neo 10R price in India under Rs. 30,000, according to a tipster. iQOO Neo 10R Expected Features and Specifications While the launch of the iQOO Neo 10R in India is scheduled to take place in the coming weeks, the company has already revealed some of the smartphone’s details. Read on to know more about the upcoming iQOO Neo 10R: Design The iQOO Neo 10R will be available in a dual-tone design, according to the company. Last year, the iQOO Neo 9 Pro was also launched with a similar design, with a vegan leather finish. The smartphone maker has also revealed that the iQOO Neo 10R will be available in a Raging Blue colourway in India, but it could also be sold in other colour variants that might be announced when the phone is launched. iQOO Neo 10R will sport a dual tone design on its rear panel Photo Credit: iQOO Display Thanks to recent leaks, it seems like the iQOO Neo 10R will be equipped with a 6.78-inch 1.5K TCL C8 OLED screen. The display will have a 144Hz refresh rate, which is another indicator that the handset will be geared towards gaming enthusiasts. Performance and OS We can expect the iQOO Neo 10R to run on Android 15, with Vivo’s FuntouchOS 15 skin on top. It is confirmed to feature a Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, which is a chipset built on TSMC’s 4nm process technology. iQOO says the handset scores over 1.7 million points on the AnTuTu benchmark test. It could be equipped with up to 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. Cameras iQOO has yet to reveal the camera specifications of the upcoming smartphone, but recent leaks indicate that the iQOO Neo 10R will be equipped with a 50-megapixel primary camera with a Sony LYT-600 sensor. It is also tipped to feature an 8-megapixel ultrawide camera. On the front, it could sport a 16-megapixel selfie camera. Battery According to previous reports, the iQOO Neo 10R will be equipped with a 6,400mAh battery, along with support for 80W charging. We’re beginning to see many smartphones launch with ******* batteries in recent months, and the battery on the iQOO Neo 10R is likely to surpass even the company’s flagship iQOO 13 model, which has a 6,000mAh battery. Source link #iQOO #Neo #10R #Roundup #Launch #Date #Expected #Price #India #Features #Specifications Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump administration wants bill to establish new air traffic control system Trump administration wants bill to establish new air traffic control system The Trump administration hopes to upgrade and replace the nation’s entire air traffic control system, with President Trump saying Thursday morning that he’ll work with Congress on a bill to that end. Billionaire Elon Musk, a special government employee in charge of the newly-created Department of Government Efficiency task force, said Wednesday that his DOGE team will work to make “rapid safety upgrades to the air traffic control system.” On Capitol Hill Thursday morning, Mr. Trump suggested Congress should fund a completely new air traffic control system, in the wake of last week’s Blackhawk helicopter-commercial plane midair collision near Ronald Reagan National Airport that killed 67. The president said he and congressional leaders will sit down and “do a great computerized system for our control towers, brand new,” rather than trying to improve the current system. “I’m going to be speaking to John (Thune) and to Mike (Johnson) and to Chuck (Schumer) and to everybody,” Mr. Trump said. “We have to get together and just as a single bill just pass, where we get the best control system.” The president suggested the current air traffic control system is a patchwork of technology and companies, and instead, just one or two companies and one set of equipment should function throughout. “So we’re gonna have the best system and a lot of money, but it’s not that much money, and it’ll happen fast, and it’ll be done by total professionals, and when it’s done, you’re not going to have accidents,” he added. “They’re virtually not possible to have.” It’s not clear how much an overhaul like that would cost, or what it would feasibly look like. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy also said this week the the administration is going to make sure the U.S. has the most innovative, technologically advanced air traffic control system. That’s the mission of the Federal Aviation Administration, Duffy said. As CBS News has previously reported, less than 10% of the nation’s airport terminal towers have enough air traffic controllers to meet a set of standards set by a working group that included the Federal Aviation Administration and the controllers’ union, according to a CBS News analysis of FAA data. Kris Van Cleave contributed to this report. Kathryn Watson Kathryn Watson is a politics reporter for CBS News Digital, based in Washington, D.C. Source link #Trump #administration #bill #establish #air #traffic #control #system Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Neil Druckmann Doesn’t Have a Lot of Fans, but His ‘Uncharted 4’ Story Deserves Due Credit Despite What You Think Neil Druckmann Doesn’t Have a Lot of Fans, but His ‘Uncharted 4’ Story Deserves Due Credit Despite What You Think Neil Druckmann is one of the most well-known and celebrated figures in the gaming and entertainment industry. But that doesn’t mean he has been free of controversy. A lot of fans have criticized him for a lot of things from the direction of The Last of Us Part 2, to his personal comments. Image Credit: Gage Skidmore, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons One of the most debated aspects of his career is his work on Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End, which he took over after Amy Hennig’s departure. While Hennig had a different version in mind, the version we eventually got from Druckmann is arguably better in a lot of ways. And it has nothing to do with Hennig’s design being bad. Neil Druckmann made a lot of crucial changes to Uncharted 4, and they worked The game turned out to be completely different, and it worked. | Image Credit: Naughty Dog Amy Hennig had spent years developing Uncharted 4 before she left the studio. According to Nolan North, the voice of Nathan Drake, the studio scrapped nearly seven months of work, recasting key roles and reworking major story elements. This included changing the direction of Sam Drake, who was supposed to be more of an antagonist rather than a long-lost brother in need of help. One of the biggest changes we think was the complete rewrite of the game after Hennig’s departure. According to Nathan Drake’s voice actor, Nolan North, the team had already spent seven months working on Hennig’s version before it was scrapped. So they ended up recasting key roles, including Todd Stashwick as Sam and Alan Tudyk as Rafe, and replacing them with Troy Baker and Warren Kole, respectively. #VideoGame Character of the Day Nadine Ross — #Uncharted #TheLostLegacy “Fair warning — last person who betrayed me ended up dead.” pic.twitter.com/usoSX0B1TH — Ace Sedai — Broadway Era (@ace_sedai) July 31, 2024 Hennig’s version of Uncharted 4 also lacked two key elements: the flashback sequences of Nathan’s childhood and the introduction of Nadine Ross. The childhood flashbacks helped with Nathan and Sam’s relationship, but Nadine’s inclusion was more controversial. That’s because she was played by Laura Bailey, a white actress voicing a ****** South African character. Do you think studios could pull that off today? Druckmann’s controversies don’t take away his success Love him or hate him, he did good. | Image Credit: Naughty Dog Despite the major rewrites, Hennig herself has stated that Uncharted 4’s “DNA and the core story were all there” when she left (via VG247). Many of the chapter beats remained the same, and the overall direction of Nathan’s final adventure didn’t change dramatically. Some players have even said that even knowing Hennig’s version, the one we actually got is still better. Comment byu/rangerfanforever from discussion inuncharted So even though Druckmann isn’t on the community’s good side for the most part, you can’t deny Uncharted 4‘s story was pretty darn good. He has been criticized more than needed for the story of The Last of Us Part 2. And his public statements and social media presence have led to backlash. But we have to separate fiction from reality. Looking back, it’s fair to wonder how different Uncharted 4 would have been had Hennig remained at the helm. Would Sam as an antagonist have added more depth to the story, or would it have felt too similar to the other twist betrayals in the series? At the end of the day, Uncharted 4 and the series itself is one the most celebrated and beloved in gaming. Hennig’s original vision had its merits, but the final version delivered a more polished and emotionally balanced story. What are your thoughts on how Uncharted 4 ended up? Source link #Neil #Druckmann #Doesnt #Lot #Fans #Uncharted #Story #Deserves #Due #Credit Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Jalibert back at No.10 for France in England clash Jalibert back at No.10 for France in England clash With Romain Ntamack suspended, Matthieu Jalibert has been recalled as five eighth for France in the Six Nations clash with England. Source link #Jalibert #No.10 #France #England #clash Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Path of Exile's Legacy of Phrecia Event Should Become a PoE 2 League Path of Exile's Legacy of Phrecia Event Should Become a PoE 2 League Path of Exile is soon launching the Legacy of Phrecia event, and PoE 2 would greatly benefit from turning it into a League later on. Source link #Path #Exile039s #Legacy #Phrecia #Event #PoE #League Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Honeywell confirms plans to split into 3 companies Honeywell confirms plans to split into 3 companies Honeywell International (HON) stock is in focus after the company confirmed plans to split its businesses into three companies: Honeywell Automation, Honeywell Aerospace, and Advanced Materials. The split comes after pressure from activist investor Elliott Management. Seana Smith and Brad Smith break down the change and what it means for investors. To watch more expert insights and analysis on the latest market action, check out more Morning Brief here. This post was written by Naomi Buchanan. Source link #Honeywell #confirms #plans #split #companies Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

PGA Tour Pro Golf brings championship-level play to mobile, out now on Apple Arcade PGA Tour Pro Golf brings championship-level play to mobile, out now on Apple Arcade PGA Tour Pro Golf brings iconic courses and golf simulation to Apple Arcade Upgrade your gear, compete with other golfers and more! It’s all about golf with PGA Tour Pro Golf, out now on Apple Arcade When it comes to worldwide golfing competitions the PGA Tour is widely regarded as the most prestigious for good reason. And now, you golfing fans out there can finally take top-level championship play into the palm of your hand as PGA Tour Pro Golf comes to Apple Arcade. While it’s easy to outline how it simulates real-world golfing and its various conditions, I’m sure more of you are intrigued by how PGA Tour Pro Golf will recreate some of the most iconic courses for the sport. Recreations of everything from the Pebble Beach Golf Links to Firestone Country Club and Latrobe Country Club are included, with even more courses on the way! So while you won’t be able to enjoy the feeling of the sun on your face you can recreate everything from real-time head-to-head play with other golfers, daily and multi-day tournaments and the ability to enhance your play with upgradeable gear, clubs and other equipment. Tee off I really don’t like golf, but at the same time I can understand the appeal and I’m sure that while it will never be a credible replacement for the real thing PGA Tour Pro Golf will offer an enticing new way to play for fans out there. I’m not necessarily sure how the idea of upgradeable gear will be received by golf purists of course as I think when it comes to any sporting simulator the less “gameified” aspects there are the more well-liked it is. After all in real life, I’m not sure how much of a tangible improvement a new club can really give. Meanwhile, if you want to enhance your sporting repertoire why not check out our ranking of the top 25 best sports games for iOS and Android? I can’t promise it’ll get you fit, but they’re certainly fun! Source link #PGA #Tour #Pro #Golf #brings #championshiplevel #play #mobile #Apple #Arcade Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

First winter storm of many forces water rescues, knocks out power and creates dangerous travel conditions – CNN First winter storm of many forces water rescues, knocks out power and creates dangerous travel conditions – CNN First winter storm of many forces water rescues, knocks out power and creates dangerous travel conditions CNNFrozen frenzy: Nearly nonstop winter storms to hit the same parts of the US for days to come CNNMidwest, Northeast: Next Storm To Bring More Snow The Weather ChannelDaily Weather Update from FOX Weather: First of back-to-back winter storms wreaks havoc on Northeast commute Fox Weather Source link #winter #storm #forces #water #rescues #knocks #power #creates #dangerous #travel #conditions #CNN Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Apple’s M5 chip is rumored to be in mass production – but we’re still waiting for M4 MacBook Airs Apple’s M5 chip is rumored to be in mass production – but we’re still waiting for M4 MacBook Airs Apple is believed to be stepping up the production of its M5 chipset It’s currently slated for later this year or early 2026 It’s reported to stick with the TSMC 3nm process, with Apple yet to make a move to TSMC 2nm, which offers even greater power efficiency We’re still awaiting Apple’s rumored M4 Ultra chip to be unveiled and complete the M4 family later this year (plus M4-powered MacBook Airs are rumored to launch soon) – but it looks like the Cupertino company is already looking at what lies ahead for its future devices. According to South Korean media outlet ET News (reported by MacRumors), Apple’s M5 chipset is already under mass production and could arrive as early as this year. These reports arrive amid speculation from Mark Gurman (who is known for his reliable Apple leaks) regarding the M4 Ultra chip, which is expected to outdo the M4 Max’s 16-core CPU and 40-core GPU. The new rumors also suggest that the M5 base model is currently the main focus during mass production, with the premium models such as the M5 Pro and M5 Max set for later. Apple is reported to stick with the use of TSMC 3nm (nanometer process technology) which allows for good power efficiency and performance with smaller transistors, as seen in current M4 chips – Apple supposedly won’t be using TSMC 2nm yet. While we’ve yet to see what the M5 chipset will have to offer, we are even seeing rumors that hint that the M6 MacBook Pro (expected for 2026) could feature the biggest redesign yet, with an OLED screen – and of course, a much faster chip with the M6, but let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves. (Image credit: Apple) Apple, please take gaming even more seriously this time around… Now, I’m not suggesting that Apple hasn’t already made an attempt to appeal to gamers (especially with the recent M4 chips) and the ever-growing library of AAA games that are now compatible with Mac hardware – but I really want the M5 chipset and future processors to better cater toward gamers. This isn’t just by providing stronger chips alone, and continuing to improve macOS’ ability to handle games, but there is one way that Apple could win over new gamers – and that is with handheld gaming PCs. Seeing how powerful the M series of chips have been for Macs, it’s undeniable how much of a powerhouse this would be if stacked up against the current handheld gaming devices we already have like the MSI Claw 8 AI+ or the Asus ROG Ally X. Apple clearly has experience in handheld gaming, with the M4 iPad Pro able to run AAA games, plus modern iPhone games are getting increasingly ambitious. The iPad Pro is arguably the closest we’ve got to a Apple handheld gaming console or PC so far, and it would be even better if it ran macOS instead of iPadOS – as it would give us access to Steam and multiple other desktop games. Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. While there would be a lot to be done on the part of game developers in terms of porting games to Mac devices at launch (something Apple has been working hard to make easier, to be fair), I think the Cupertino company could steal the spotlight with ease. I guess it’s just a matter of whether it wants it enough… You may also like… Source link #Apples #chip #rumored #mass #production #waiting #MacBook #Airs Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

All Smite 2 relics and when to pick them All Smite 2 relics and when to pick them Table of Contents Table of Contents Purification Beads Blink Rune Aegis of Acceleration Phantom Shell Sundering Arc A lot has changed between Smite and Smite 2, but many of the original game’s Relics are back in some form or another in the spruced-up sequel. These active items provide you with extremely useful abilities on long cooldowns — and when used at just the right time, they can turn the tide of an entire match. Here are all of the Relics currently available in Smite 2 alongside some use cases to give you an idea of what types of situations they might be most helpful. Purification Beads Purification Beads makes you CC immune for 2 seconds. Cooldown: 150 seconds Here are some use cases for Purification Beads: Ares uses his ultimate ability, which grabs everyone nearby and pulls them to him. Since you’ll be stunned for a moment afterward, his teammates are likely to dump their ultimate abilities on you, too, and you’ll probably die. Use Purification Beads right as his chains attach to you to avoid this ability and live to see another day. Fenrir uses his ultimate ability, which lets him grab you in his mouth and drag you out of position. Since he’s almost certainly taking you somewhere he and his team can pummel you, immediately pop your Purification Beads when he grabs you, allowing you to escape back toward safety. Medusa uses her ultimate ability, which deals huge damage and stuns you. This could be devastating — but not for you, as you use your Purification Beads as she’s winding up the attack and let her know you’re not getting turned to stone today. Blink Rune Blink Rune teleports you to a targeted location up to 5.6m away. It can be used in or out of combat, and even while using another ability. Cooldown: 240 seconds Here are some use cases for Blink Rune: You’ve dealt significant damage to an enemy who is now running too far ahead for you to hit them with a final ability. You see a window of opportunity and blink forward to catch up with them, use an ability, and they’re now dead. You’ve found yourself out of position and enemies are closing in on you. You blink forward to put some distance between you and certain death. Ymir has blocked you with one of his pesky walls and is closing in to breathe his cold breath on you. However, you blink through the wall at just the right moment to save yourself from an unnecessary death. Aegis of Acceleration Aegis of Acceleration makes you invulnerable to damage and healing for 1.5 seconds. It also prevents you from taking action (except movement) during that time. Each instance of damage you take during those 1.5 seconds grants you 7% movement speed for 6 seconds up to 3 times. Cooldown: 140 seconds Here are some use cases for Aegis of Acceleration You’re almost to safety with basically no health to spare. An enemy is using an ability to finish you off, but you pop Aegis of Acceleration at just the right moment and nullify the damage. You’ve found yourself right in the middle of Vulcan’s massive area-of-effect ultimate ability and have mere moments to react. You use Aegis of Acceleration right before impact to block the huge damage you would otherwise receive. Chaac is about to slam his ultimate ability on top of you, which would deal huge damage and leave you silenced temporarily. You pop Aegis of Acceleration to avoid the damage and silence altogether. Phantom Shell Phantom Shell shields yourself and any allies in a 5.6m radius for 100 health + 15 per level for 4 seconds. Those same allies take 20% + 1% per level reduced damage from basic attacks and can pass through other players and player-made barriers for the duration. Cooldown: 120 seconds Here are some use cases for Phantom Shell: You’re playing a Support character, meaning one your primary goals is to help your teammates survive. You see one of them being chased by an enemy who seems poised to finish them off. You rush in at the last moment and pop your Phantom Shell, shielding them from fatal damage like the hero you are. You’re about to make a risky play diving a tower to get a kill. Maybe you succeed, but you’re now taking huge damage from the tower’s attacks. You use Phantom Shell to survive those blasts unscathed so you can safely return to base. Odin traps you or your allies inside his ring of spears via his ultimate ability. You pop Phantom Shell to grant you all the ability to walk through the wall and avoid the onslaught of damage that was likely coming your way. Sundering Arc Sundering Arc instantly deals 175 + 25 per level true damage to Jungle Monsters and Jungle Bosses. It deals 500 damage at level 13 and above. In addition, it deals 25 + 4 true damage 3 times over 2 seconds to enemy gods. Cooldown: 120 seconds Here are some use cases for Sundering Arc: You’re a Support who needs to quickly clear a jungle camp for your partner in the duo lane so they can get their buff and get into the thick of things. You pop Sundering Arc on the camp mobs and see a staggering amount of their health disappear. Finishing the camp off is now a cakewalk. You’re chasing down a god who is nearly dead, but you’re out of mana and need to hit them one last time for the kill. Sundering Arc comes in clutch and deals just enough damage to get the job done. You’re working on slaying the Fire Giant or Gold Fury and see the enemy team approaching. To keep them from stealing your Jungle Boss kill, you use Sundering Arc and finish it off. Source link #Smite #relics #pick Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Amandaland the mother of all comedies, say critics Amandaland the mother of all comedies, say critics Paul Glynn Entertainment reporter BBC Lucy Punch is “deliciously desperate” as Amanda, one critic said Amandaland, the new BBC series which is a spin-off from the popular sitcom Motherland, has received a rapturous response from critics. The show sees Lucy Punch reprise her role as Amanda, the overbearing and competitive mother who was a viewer favourite in the original series. The Independent said the new spin-off “will make you howl with laughter”, adding that English actress Punch “has never been better”. The Telegraph described it as being “both hilarious and heartfelt”, adding that lead actress Punch and co-star Dame Joanna Lumley “make a dream comic double act”. In the show, the recently divorced Amanda must navigate parenting teenagers in her new surroundings, after having downsized, swapping Waitrose in Chiswick for Tesco Metro in South Harlesden in the process. “Spin-offs are always a risk, but Lucy Punch’s Amanda was a sure bet,” wrote the Guardian’s Chitra Ramaswamy in a four-star review. “Sorry, team Liz, but she was the best character in Motherland: the ideal [writer] Sharon-Horgan-sharpened instrument for impaling the worst excesses, blind spots and hypocrisies of the posh, white, west London middle classes.” She added: “There’s lots to love… When the writing is this good, it fizzes with the hysterical energy of perimenopause.” Ramaswamy singled out one line of dialogue where Amanda reflects: “I’m actually glad I took the kids out of private school. They’ve got way more chance of getting into Oxbridge from a bog-standard state.” ‘Ab Fab levels of relish’ The “narcissism-powered dynamic” between Amanda and her increasingly good-hearted mother, Felicity, is, the critic noted, “played with Ab Fab levels of relish by Joanna Lumley”. The long-suffering Anne (Philippa Dunne) also returns for the spin-off, and there are new characters, such as Amanda’s downstairs neighbour Mal (Samuel Anderson), celebrity chef Della Fry (Derry Girls actress Siobhan McSweeney) and her uber liberal wife Fi (Rochenda Sandall). Absolutely Fabulous star Dame Joanna Lumley plays Amanda’s own mother, Felicity Sanderson The new show was created and written by the same team that came up with Bafta-winning comedy series Motherland; Holly Walsh, Helen Serafinowicz and Barunka O’Shaughnessy, with Horgan credited as creator. Motherland was reportedly axed after its 2022 Christmas special. For its follow-up, the Independent’s Charlotte O’Sullivan noted: “Arguably, lessons have been learnt. “Where the final festive episode [of Motherland] was bracingly bleak, Amandaland (written by roughly the same team, plus Horrible Histories’s Laurence Rickard) has a cosier, more romcom-ish vibe.” In her four-star review, O’Sullivan said the story of “Punch’s posh alpha mum, is clever, jolly and hard to resist”. “Even in Motherland, Amanda had angst,” she said. “In the new show, as you’d expect, there’s more time to explore her loneliness and self-doubt. What is Amanda good for? The answer is frequently absolutely nothing. But we root for this absurd and vulnerable woman all the same.” “Richard Curtis [the Notting Hill and Love Actually director] minimised the realities of gentrification to an outrageous degree,” she continued. “Amandaland, by contrast, seems deliberately designed to get us talking about what happens to a deprived area when the middle classes move in.” The show is a spin-off from the sitcom Motherland, created by Sharon Horgan The Telegraph’s Anita Singh awarded the series five stars, labelling it as “a treat” from both the writers and its stars. She added that Punch “excels at physical comedy and is hilarious as she tries to style out her reduced circumstances”. “The script is deft and the writers nail the various stages of parenting teenagers: helping them through first love, carting them home in disgrace when they’ve got drunk and thrown up on themselves, and realising that you can’t help them with their maths homework any more because you don’t understand it.” ‘A modern Mrs Bucket’ The Times’ Carol Midgley noted how Spin-off series “can easily disappoint, as Joey, a feeble offshoot of Friends, showed. “But I just knew that Amandaland, offspring of the mighty Motherland, would be glorious… and it is.” She compared the “deliciously desperate” new show, and its leading woman, to being like “a Hyacinth Bucket for 2025”. “Keeping Up Appearances was so joyous because it mocked the absurdity of prideful status-seeking,” she noted of the Patricia Routledge-starring 1990s BBC sitcom. “Amanda is Hyacinth for the new age (imagine if Hyacinth had had social media!).” “Punch carries most of the heavy lifting with ease,” she wrote, “and the result is not only a spin-off that punches above its weight: it is lovely, life-affirming escapism.” Samuel Anderson as Mal alongside Amanda There was another five-star rating from Christopher Stevens in the Daily Mail. “Amanda’s an awful woman, of course,” he said, “a backstabbing snob who treats her children as accessories and turns every encounter with her ‘mum chums’ at the school gates into a blood sport.” He also praised Dame Joanna, saying she “gathers up the laughs and sweeps them into her handbag like an aristocratic shoplifter on a spree”. Tilly Pearce of the Radio Times awarded four stars, writing: “Spin-off shows can often be a bit of a tricky tightrope. To be successful, they need to find balance with the old and new, which is kind of apt, given Amanda’s situation. “Thankfully, Amandaland manages to achieve this in spades, providing a fresh twist on the familiar humour with a new gang, new location, and new phase of motherhood to deal with.” Source link #Amandaland #mother #comedies #critics Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Capcom Fighting Collection 2 is a celebration of early 2000s brawlers Capcom Fighting Collection 2 is a celebration of early 2000s brawlers Fighting games fans thought it would never happen. But then the first came out last fall with remasters for some of the most important titles from the mid to late 90s (plus one from the 2000s) — all in the same package. We’re talking about absolute classics like X-Men: Children of the Atom, Marvel Super Heroes and most importantly, Marvel vs. Capcom 2. But the goodness doesn’t stop there because in a few months, another anthology is due out — — which features an arguably even stronger lineup of brawlers from the early 2000s. And after getting the chance to preview the game prior to its official release on May 16, this assemblage is both a tribute to fighting game history and a great way to waste time smashing buttons. Capcom/SNK Before we get in too deep, I should mention that only three out of the eight total titles were playable during my demo (Capcom vs SNK 2: Mark of the Millenium 2001, Street Fighter Alpha 3 Upper and Project Justice). Regardless, here is the complete lineup of games in Capcom Fighting Collection 2: Capcom vs. SNK: Millennium Fight 2000 PRO Capcom vs SNK 2: Mark of the Millennium 2001 Capcom Fighting Evolution Street Fighter Alpha 3 Upper Power Stone Power Stone 2 Project Justice Plasma Sword: Nightmare of Bilstein The original marquee cards are just one of the many extras included for each game in the Capcom Fighting Collection 2. (Capcom/SNK) Now I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t have a ton of experience with SFA3U or Project Justice compared to some of the other titles in this collection, but even with the latter featuring what looks like crude graphics by modern standards, it’s clear there’s an interesting fighting game beneath those big blocky polygons. Plus, thanks to a huge catalog of extras like classic instruction cards and move lists, it was easy to pick up the basics while getting additional context into the game’s development. I can’t wait to play more. Meanwhile, Street Fighter Alpha 3 Upper represents a version of the game that was hard to get outside of Japan and features a complete roster, including the six characters that were only available in certain home console releases. Notably, there’s also a fix for the glitch that allowed easy infinites when using the V-ISM mechanic, which is an oft-cited reason why the game didn’t catch on (especially in the West) as it upset balance and allowed people to abuse custom combos. Capcom/SNK But without a doubt, the crown jewel of the entire collection is Capcom vs SNK 2, which, in my opinion, is one of the top 10 fighting games of all time. From its funky character select screen with those iconic diamond tiles to an incredible soundtrack filled with bangers like the songs for the , and stages, it’s got more style and personality than it knows what to do with. Seriously, put those tracks on and if you aren’t instantly bobbing your head to the beat, you might be dead inside. CvS2 also offers more polished takes on the ratio system from its predecessor and the ISMs from SFA3 with the Groove system that gives you a wealth of playstyles for every character. So even though I only had 30 minutes to play, I couldn’t help but grin every time I got to unleash a custom combo using A-Groove Ken or troll the CPU with The controls are tight, the graphics are super crisp and the game plays just as well as I remember. Better, even, considering today’s controllers and arcade sticks are more precise than anything we had 20+ years ago. Capcom/SNK While I didn’t have a chance to test it, it’s also important to note that the collection is adding online multiplayer with rollback netcode to every game. This should be a huge upgrade when compared to alternative solutions such as apps like Fightcade, which often aren’t as stutter-free as proper in-game matchmaking (as evidenced by some of the hiccups in the clip above). My one small complaint is that while I appreciate little details like having a bunch of visual treatments that make the game look better when played on modern LCDs compared to old-school CRTs, I wish they came with more descriptive labels instead of simply being listed as Filter A, B, C, etc. But perhaps most importantly, by putting all these games in one place, it’s so much easier for people to access titles like CvS2, which have been hard to find since its original release back in 2001. Honestly, I’d pay $40 just to have a modern version of CvS2 and Power Stone 2 that I can play without dusting off a PS2 or Dreamcast (the latter of which I don’t even own). So to get both of those alongside six other titles with tons of original art, improved training modes, a couple of bonus songs and a limited edition comic book (only for physical copies, though) feels like a truly excellent value. Sure, these games might just be rereleases, but for those with fond memories of early 2000s fighting games, it feels like this is all over again. The is available for pre-order now with official sales starting on May 16 for $40. Source link #Capcom #Fighting #Collection #celebration #early #2000s #brawlers Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Avowed Game Director May Have Revealed a Broken Build Ahead of Release Avowed Game Director May Have Revealed a Broken Build Ahead of Release With just twelve days remaining until Avowed launches on Xbox Series X|S and PC, game director Carrie Patel sat down with MinnMax’s Ben Hanson for a rapid-fire interview that covered everything from combat mechanics to potential “broken” builds. And let’s just say, some of her answers might have inadvertently given away more than intended. Carrie Patel spills the beans… or drops the maces? | Image Credit: Obsidian Entertainment In a delightful exchange filled with “oh goodness” moments and genuine enthusiasm, Patel’s responses not only showcased her deep knowledge of Obsidian Entertainment’s upcoming RPG but also hinted at some potentially game-breaking character builds that players might want to take note of. Breaking down Avowed’s potentially overpowered builds The combat system in Avowed has been one of its most intriguing aspects since its reveal. Unlike many modern RPGs that lock players into rigid class structures, Obsidian’s approach favors flexibility and experimentation, allowing players to mix and match different combat styles and weapon combinations. During her chat with MinnMax, Patel’s enthusiasm for the game’s combat mechanics was infectious. When asked about any particularly broken builds in the game, her initial response was amusingly straightforward: Dual wield maces. But when clarified that the question meant “broken good,” she revealed what might be the secret to creating an unstoppable character: Put a lot of points into Dexterity and you will be very fast at everything which feels fantastic! This casual revelation about the dexterity stat (action, attack, and reload speed) might just be the key to dominating the Living Lands. It’s worth noting that, unlike many modern RPGs, Avowed doesn’t feature enemy-level scaling, making such powerful builds even more impactful throughout the game. Think about it—there’s nothing quite like returning to that early-game boss who made your life hell, only to absolutely demolish them with your now-overpowered character. By ditching the modern trend of enemies that magically bulk up alongside you, Avowed lets you earn your power fantasy the old-fashioned way. No artificial difficulty spikes, just pure, unadulterated character progression. A worthy successor to the Pillars legacy? Squad goals, Eora edition. No romance drama included! | Image Credit: Obsidian Entertainment Avowed‘s journey from announcement to release hasn’t been without its hurdles. The recent delay into 2025 raised some eyebrows, but if Patel’s confidence is anything to go by, the extra development time has been put to good use. The game’s “open zone” (not “open world”) structure, similar in scope to The Outer Worlds, promises to deliver a focused yet expansive experience. While some fans might have initially worried about Avowed’s departure from the isometric view of its Pillars of Eternity predecessors, Obsidian‘s confidence in the game’s direction is evident. When asked about what Pillars fans want most from Avowed, Patel’s response was both simple and assured: I think they want to see the world they got to know over two games in a big immersive space around them that they can explore. And when pressed on whether they’d accomplished that mission? Without hesitation: Mission accomplished. This confidence extends to comparisons with other genre titans. When asked if she wanted people to compare the game to Skyrim, Patel’s response was delightfully ambitious: I want people to start comparing other games to this game! With six companions (four main ones) to interact with, a rich world filled with familiar faces from previous Pillars games, and the promise of meaningful character progression, Avowed seems set to carve out its own identity in the action RPG space. And while the absence of romance options might naturally disappoint some, it’s clear that Obsidian is focusing on creating a tight, thoughtfully designed experience that stays true to its vision. What do you think about these potential “broken” builds? Will you be maxing out dexterity when you jump into Avowed, or do you have another strategy in mind? Let us know in the comments below! Source link #Avowed #Game #Director #Revealed #Broken #Build #Ahead #Release Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Steve Coogan uses The Trip to avoid lengthier driving ban Steve Coogan uses The Trip to avoid lengthier driving ban Paul Glynn Culture reporter Getty Images Steve Coogan won the Bafta TV Award for best male performance in a comedy role in 2011, for his part in series one of The Trip Steve Coogan has been banned for driving for two months instead of six, after telling the judge that a lengthier ban would impact the filming of his popular TV comedy series The Trip. The actor and comedian was caught going at 97mph, well over the 70mph speed limit, while travelling in a Range Rover on the M6 in Staffordshire in July last year. In a letter to Birmingham Magistrates’ Court, the 59-year-old urged the court not to disqualify him as he already had six points on his licence and was required to drive while filming a forthcoming series of the The Trip alongside co-star Rob Brydon. His request for five penalty points to be imposed instead of six – which would have led to a six-month ban meaning “the production would likely be unable to proceed”, he argued – was granted after he pleaded guilty to the offence on 30 January. Coogan noted that the past penalty points on his licence would be due to expire in August 2025 and that he had stuck to speed limits since the incident. He also reportedly expressed frustration it had taken almost six months for the prosecution to be brought. The court ultimately decided to ban him from driving for two months instead of six, meaning the TV show can be made as planned. He was also ordered to pay a £2,500 fine, plus £90 costs and a £1,000 victim surcharge. ‘Requires me to drive’ Coogan’s letter to the court read: “I have a series of important film commitments scheduled for 2025, many of which involve driving as a central component of the work. “I am due to appear in a well-established TV series called The Trip which as the title suggests requires me to drive. “This starts filming towards the end of June 2025 and if I were unable to drive, the production would likely be unable to proceed.” The Trip is a largely improvised comedy show directed by Michael Winterbottom, which stars Coogan and Brydon as fictionalised versions of themselves, dealing with life while taking foodie trips around the ***, Italy, Spain and Greece. Coogan won the Bafta TV Award for best male performance in a comedy role in 2011 for his part in The Trip, which bagged best sitcom the same year. The star previously argued for a shorter driving ban in 2019, noting how an an extended disqualification would mean he could not film the new series of Alan Partridge. Source link #Steve #Coogan #Trip #avoid #lengthier #driving #ban Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Keep Driving Review – Game Rant Keep Driving Review – Game Rant Game Rant Writes “Keep Driving is equal parts charming, compelling, inventive, and emotionally evocative, making it one of 2025’s early masterpieces.” Source link #Driving #Review #Game #Rant Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to meet with leaders on Capitol Hill Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to meet with leaders on Capitol Hill Washington — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is meeting Thursday with congressional leaders on Capitol Hill, days after a meeting with President Trump that prompted widespread shock with the announcement of plans for the United States to “take over” the Gaza Strip. Mr. Trump’s comments during a joint press conference with Netanyahu where he outlined a new vision for Gaza, saying the U.S. would “own it,” sent diplomatic shockwaves around the world. House Speaker Mike Johnson, who is hosting Netanyahu Thursday at the Capitol, defended Mr. Trump’s Gaza proposal. Johnson said Wednesday that the announcement “was greeted by surprise by many, but cheer by I think people all around the world.” “He’s taking bold decisive action to try to ensure the peace of that region,” Johnson said at a news conference, adding that “we’ve got to stand unequivocally” with Israel. Netanyahu, who praised Mr. Trump for having unconventional ideas, is also meeting Thursday with Senate Majority Leader John Thune. Thune told reporters Wednesday in response to Mr. Trump’s announcement that the president “wants to bring a more peaceful and secure Middle East, and he’s putting some ideas out there.” Thune reiterated his support for Israel earlier in the week, saying at the Senate GOP weekly news conference that “Israel is our closest ally in the Middle East,” while criticizing Democrats for boycotting Netanyahu’s remarks at the Capitol in the past — and blocking a measure to sanction the International Criminal Court over the decision to seek the arrests of top Israeli officials, including Netanyahu, over alleged war crimes. “Republicans are here and ready when the Democrats decide it’s time to actually work in the interest of, in defending America’s greatest ally in the Middle East, Israel. Republicans have been consistent in doing that for the last year through the war with ******, Democrats have not,” Thune said. “We are ready to go to work and ensure that our allies’ interests all around the world are protected, and we hope at some point to have the Democrats join us in that effort.” Netanyahu also met with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon on Wednesday. The Israeli prime minister’s visit to Washington comes amid a fragile ceasefire between Israel and ****** that was negotiated in the final days of the Biden administration after a nearly 16-month Israeli assault on ****** prompted by its terrorist attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. Cristina Corujo contributed to this report. Kaia Hubbard Kaia Hubbard is a politics reporter for CBS News Digital, based in Washington, D.C. Source link #Israeli #Prime #Minister #Benjamin #Netanyahu #meet #leaders #Capitol #Hill Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

2025 Fiat Grande Panda review: Quick drive 2025 Fiat Grande Panda review: Quick drive Fiat has reincarnated one of its most loved models and the result is the new Grande Panda, a stylish yet affordable compact crossover. Source link #Fiat #Grande #Panda #review #Quick #drive Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

NYT Crossword: answers for Thursday, February 6 NYT Crossword: answers for Thursday, February 6 The New York Times crossword puzzle can be tough, even if it isn’t the Sunday issue! If you’re stuck, we’re here to help you out with today’s clues and answers. Source link #NYT #Crossword #answers #Thursday #February Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Canada Post lays off managers amid ‘critical financial situation’ – National Canada Post lays off managers amid ‘critical financial situation’ – National Descrease article font size Increase article font size Canada Post has laid off dozens of managers as the national postal service says it is facing a “critical financial situation.” “As Canada Post continues to respond to the significant financial and operational challenges it faces, the corporation conducted layoffs earlier this week of almost 50 management employees as part of a corporate-wide restructuring,” the Crown corporation told Global News in an email on Thursday. The company said about half of the impacted employees were located in Ottawa and the rest were in Toronto and other parts of the country. “These decisions are never easy, but they reflect the critical financial situation the corporation is currently facing,” Canada Post said. The Crown corporation added that it also eliminated 20 per cent of its senior roles last month, completing a “restructuring of its senior executive.” Story continues below advertisement “The layoffs will not impact service to Canadians,” it said. 0:43 Canada Post raises stamp prices amid mounting financial losses The cash-strapped company got a financial lifeline from the federal government last month to the tune of up to $1.034 billion in repayable funding through the 2025-26 fiscal year. Trending Now RCMP reveals new video of migrant interception at Canada-U.S. border ‘These situations are dynamic’: 1 dead, 9 detained in separate border incursions in Alberta Get daily National news Get the day’s top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Without that short-term financing, the company said in its 2023 annual report that it would completely deplete its cash reserves by the second quarter of 2025. The layoffs and federal funding come after a month-long strike and another year of losses for the Crown corporation. In November, Canada Post reported a loss before tax of $315 million in the third quarter of 2024 amid a decline in parcel revenue and volumes. Canada Post’s Q3 revenue from parcels dipped by 5.8 per cent and volumes declined by six million pieces, or 9.6 per cent, compared with the same time last year. Story continues below advertisement More than 55,000 Canada Post workers went on strike on Nov. 15, 2024, halting mail and parcel services across the country during the busy holiday shopping season. Postal workers returned to the job on Dec. 17 after they were ordered by the Canada Industrial Relations Board to end the strike. More on Canada More videos &copy 2025 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc. Source link #Canada #Post #lays #managers #critical #financial #situation #National Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Insiders Pull the Trigger on 2 Dividend Stocks With Double-Digit Upside Insiders Pull the Trigger on 2 Dividend Stocks With Double-Digit Upside Finding the best stocks for your investment portfolio isn’t about mastering some hidden trick – it’s about understanding the game. Just like in Kenny Rogers’ The Gambler, where “every hand’s a winner, and every hand’s a loser,” success depends on how you play the cards you’re dealt. A gambler reads faces; an investor reads the market’s signals. Leverage the power of TipRanks’ Smart Score, a data-driven tool to help you uncover top performing stocks and make informed investment decisions. Monitor your stock picks and compare them to top Wall Street Analysts’ recommendations with Your Smart Portfolio Few signals are clearer than insider trading activity. The insiders are the corporate officers with responsibility for ensuring that their company brings in a profitable return – think C-suite residents and Boards of Directors. They know what’s happening behind the scenes, and they use that knowledge to inform their own trading. To keep the playing field level, Federal regulators require that these officers make their inside trading moves public. When you watch insider trades, just remember that they’ll sell for any number of reasons – but they’ll only buy when they are sure the stock will go up. This makes insider trades a valuable signal for investors. And when those trades are combined with other favorable factors in a stock, such as high dividend yields or solid upside potential, the result is a brightly flashing neon signal that this is a stock deserving of your closer attention. A dip into the TipRanks database has brought two such stocks to our attention. Each offers a dividend return along with a double-digit upside potential – and each has seen a recent insider buy of $1 million or more. Let’s take a closer look. Sunrise Realty Trust (SUNS) The first stock on our list, Sunrise Realty Trust, is a real estate investment trust, a REIT. Sunrise is new to the public trading markets, but not new to the business. The company was formed as an independent, publicly traded entity in July of last year, through a spin-off separation transaction initiated by the parent company AFC Gamma. AFC Gamma was already a REIT, with business activities in both the cannabis and commercial real estate sectors. The firm chose to retain its cannabis business while spinning off the commercial real estate side as Sunrise Realty Trust. The result is a new REIT with a focus on commercial real estate, CRE, in the Southeast of the US. The company has several properties in its portfolio, all located in desirable urban markets in Florida and Texas. Sunrise acts as an institutional lender, originating and funding loans on these properties. The company has focused its lending activities on a narrow niche, mainly upscale and/or luxury residential projects, hotels, and commercial spaces. The company has chosen the Southeast as its area of activity due to the region’s expanding demographic and economic profile. Story Continues Shares in Sunrise started trading on the NASDAQ on July 10, and since then the company has paid out two common stock dividends. The first, paid out on October 15, was for 21 cents per common share (a partial quarter cash dividend); the second, paid out on January 15, was for 42 cents. The January payment gives an annualized rate of $1.68 per common share and a forward yield of 14%. Turning to the insiders, we find that Sunrise Executive Chairman Leonard Tannenbaum made a hefty purchase of SUNS shares during the final week of January. He picked up one million shares, paying $12 million for the tranche of stock. Tannenbaum’s holding in this newly public REIT totals over $35.5 million. Sunrise has caught the attention of Alliance Global analyst Gaurav Mehta, who particularly likes the company’s potential for expansion and its forward dividend yield. “Our Buy rating is based on a strong loan pipeline that provides an opportunity to grow, no legacy loans with issues, a focus on southern US with above-average employment and population growth, and an attractive common dividend yield of 14%,” Mehta noted. That Buy rating is supported by a $14.50 price target, implying a one-year upside potential of 22%. Factoring in the dividend yield, the stock’s potential one-year return could reach as high as 36%. (To watch Mehta’s track record, click here) SUNS is still a bit under the radar, and only has 2 recent analyst reviews. They both agree, however, that it’s a stock to buy, making the consensus view a Moderate Buy. The shares are selling for $11.87 and their $14.75 average price target indicates room for a 24% upside over the next 12 months. (See SUNS stock forecast) Ally Financial (ALLY) Next up is a Detroit-based bank holding company, Ally Financial. Ally’s services to customers include automotive loan financing, online banking, vehicle insurance, corporate banking, and mortgage loans. The company is invested in its hometown, and its headquarters are located in one of Detroit’s premier modern skyscrapers, the Ally Detroit Center, overlooking the city’s financial district. Ally has been in business since 1919. Until 2010, the company was known as GMAC, General Motors Acceptance Corporation, and acted as the customer financing arm of automotive giant GM. The company remains a major name in automotive financing, and in the full year 2024, Ally originated $39.2 billion worth of volume in consumer auto loans. The company has $192 billion in total assets and boasts approximately 11 million customers. In recent months, Ally has moved to focus on its core business of banking services and auto financing and, to that end, has divested itself of its credit card business. Last month, the company reached an agreement with CardWorks, Inc., under which Ally will sell off its credit card portfolio, which includes $2.3 billion in credit card receivables with 1.3 million active cardholders. The transaction is expected to close later this year. Ally pays out a regular common share dividend and made its last declaration on January 17. That declaration was for a 30-cent payout, scheduled for February 14. The company has held the dividend at this level for 13 quarters; the $1.20 annualized common share payment gives a forward yield of 3.1%. The company’s most recent insider buy came from CEO Michael George Rhodes, who bought 25,634 shares during the last week in January. Rhodes paid over $1 million for this purchase. Turning to Ally’s financial position, we find that the company has recently reported its results for Q4 and full-year 2024. For the fourth quarter, Ally reported revenues of $2.1 billion, up 5% year-over-year and $80 million better than had been expected. The company’s bottom line came to 78 cents per share by non-GAAP measures, beating the forecast by 21 cents. For the full year, Ally’s revenues were $8.2 billion, and the non-GAAP EPS came to $2.35. Investors should also note that Ally reported a strong position against potential losses. The company calculated its Q4 core return on tangible common equity (core ROTCE) as 11.3%, and the corresponding figure for the full year as 8.5%. The company managed this even as Q4 net interest margin (NIM) registered a year-over-year gain of just 11 basis points, reaching 3.3%. The company reports that the modest gain was driven by “lower funding costs,” a factor that should improve for Ally in the long term with completion of the card business exit. These are key points for Citi analyst Keith Horowitz, who covers Ally. The 5-star analyst has looked under the hood of this Detroit bank and writes, “While exiting the card business poses headwind to NIM (disclosed ~20bps on full-year basis), mid-teens ROTCE target remains intact and mgmt. sees it as achievable with high-3s NIM, in tandem with sub-2% auto losses and expense discipline. We see ~4% NIM in ’26 through deposit repricing (4Q beta was better than our estimate at ~36%) and fixed-rate asset repricing with origination yields expected to improve off 4Q seasonal low of 9.6% (mgmt. guided to high-9s to 10% in near term). We continue to expect large upside in the name over the med-term on underlying trends driving ROTCE towards mid-teens target in ’26.” For the long haul, Horowitz describes ALLY as a “‘Show me’ story starting to deliver,” and rates the stock as a Buy. He complements the upbeat rating with a $55 price target that points toward a one-year upside potential of 44%. (To watch Horowitz’s track record, click here) Overall, there are 17 recent analyst reviews for Ally, and their breakdown – 9 to Buy, 7 to Hold, and 1 to Sell – gives the stock its Moderate Buy consensus rating. ALLY shares are trading for $38.18, and their $44.86 average target price implies a 17.5% upside in the next 12 months. (See ALLY stock forecast) To find good ideas for stocks trading at attractive valuations, visit TipRanks’ Best Stocks to Buy, a tool that unites all of TipRanks’ equity insights. Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the featured analysts. The content is intended to be used for informational purposes only. It is very important to do your own analysis before making any investment. Source link #Insiders #Pull #Trigger #Dividend #Stocks #DoubleDigit #Upside Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Acer Swift 14 AI (AMD) review Acer Swift 14 AI (AMD) review Acer Swift AI 14 (AMD) MSRP $1,200.00 “The Acer Swift 14 AI focuses more on performance than battery life, contrary to many newer 14-inch laptops. But, it manages to do well with both.” Pros Fast productivity performance Very good battery life Quality IPS display Solid build quality Attractive ***** price Cons A little thick Touchpad is only mechanical Table of Contents Table of Contents Specs and configuration Design Keyboard and touchpad Connectivity and webcam Performance Battery life Display and audio Faster and still long-lasting Sometimes, I get two laptops to review that are similar in design and differ mostly in the chipsets that power them. I reviewed the Acer Swift 14 AI built around the Intel Lunar Lake chipset and lauded it for its great battery life, and now Acer has sent me the AMD version that promises faster performance from the AMD Ryzen AI 9 chipset. They’re not identical, but they’re close to the same price and roughly the same size. Choosing between them comes down to which is more important to you: battery life or performance. The AMD version of the Swift 14 AI is going to please those who want the faster machine, while still offering surprisingly good longevity. Get your weekly teardown of the tech behind PC gaming Specs and configuration Acer Swift 14 AI Dimensions 12.3 x 8.8 x 0.67-0.74 inches Weight 3.0 pounds Display 14.0-inch 16:10 FHD+ (1920 x 1200) IPS, 60Hz CPU AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 GPU Radeon Graphics 880M Memory 16GB 32GB Storage 1TB M.2 NVMe SSD Ports 2 x USB4 2 x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 1 x HDMI 2.1 1 x 3.5mm headphone jack Camera 1440p Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetoth 5.4 Battery 75 watt-hour Operating system Windows 11 Price $1,000+ Acer offers two versions of the Swift 14 AI. Both are built around the AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 chipset and a 14.0-inch FHD+ (1920 x 1200) IPS display. For $1,200 (currently on ***** for $1,000), there’s 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD. Upgrading to 32GB of RAM brings the price to $1,300. That places the Swift 14 AI just on the edge of premium territory today. You can get some good laptops for less than $1,000, particularly those built around the Qualcomm Snapdragon X. Depending on sales, you can also get other laptops with the same AMD chipsets for around the same price, such as the HP OmniBook Ultra 14 that’s currently $900 on ***** with a 512GB SSD but a higher-res 2.2K IPS display. Design Mark Coppock / Digital Trends It’s rare that I review a laptop today that doesn’t share the same kind of minimalist design. The Swift 14 AI has an all-metal silver chassis with no bling. It’s attractive enough, with a sweeping edge along the side of the chassis with a blockier rear edge, but it won’t stand out. It’s not the best-looking laptop I’ve reviewed, but I won’t fault its aesthetic. The OmniBook Ultra 14 looks better, as does the MacBook Air M3, but it’s not a dealbreaker. The Swift 14 AI is solidly built as well. There’s just a little bending in the lid under a lot of pressure, but that’s true of the MacBook Air as well. The keyboard deck and chassis are robust, and I worry about the laptop falling apart. In terms of its size, the display bezels are thin enough that the laptop’s width and depth are okay. Acer borrowed the reverse notch housing the webcam and other electronics from Lenovo, which helps keep the top bezel as thin as possible. The AMD version is thicker than the Intel version, probably to provide more airflow given the hotter-running chipset. At 3.0 pounds, the Swift 14 AI is about average among 14-inch laptops. Keyboard and touchpad Mark Coppock / Digital Trends The AMD version’s keyboard is slightly different from the Intel version’s. This one is a standard island keyboard, but the keycaps are slightly smaller and there’s more spacing in between keys. I liked the other one better, in part due to the switches that were lighter and snappier than this one. It’s okay, but I’d rank it a few rungs behind the best, such as Apple’s Magic Keyboard and the keyboard HP uses on its OmniBook lineup. The touchpad is a mechanical version and it works fine. Its button clicks are confident and reasonably quiet. It has an unusual LED symbol in the upper-right quadrant that’s supposed to light up when AI features are enabled, but I didn’t see it in action. The display is touch-enabled, which I prefer. Connectivity and webcam There’s plenty of connectivity, with a mix of modern and legacy ports. This is an AMD laptop, so there’s USB4 rather than Intel’s Thunderbolt 4 standard, but that’s fine. You’ll get most of the same benefits. Wireless connectivity is fully up-to-date. The webcam is higher resolution than the new standard of 1080p, coming in at 1440p, and backed by a very fast Neural Processing Unit (NPU) that runs at 45 tera operations per second (TOPS) and exceeds the Microsoft Copilot+ requirement of 40 TOPS. That’s where the Ryzen AI 9 gets its name, and the Swift 14 AI fully supports all current AI features with faster and more efficient on-device processing. Those features remain of questionable value, in my opinion, but if that’s important to you, the Swift 14 AI has you covered. Performance Mark Coppock / Digital Trends The Ryzen AI 9 365 is a 10-core/20-thread chipset running at a default 28 watts and ramping up to 54 watts TDP. It’s aimed at multicore performance, using an AMD Zen 5 architecture that has all performance cores. Generally, those cores aren’t as fast individually as more recent chipsets like the Qualcomm Snapdragon X and Intel Core Ultra Series 2. But, their multicore performance tends to be very good. This is exactly what you’ll find in the comparison group. The Acer Swift AI 14 is very fast in each of our multi-core benchmarks, including the Handbrake test that shows off CPU performance. But, it doesn’t stand out in its single-core performance. The Radeon 880M integrated graphics are slower than the graphics on almost every competitive chipset. The Acer Swift AI 14 is a fast laptop that will make the most demanding productivity users happy. Gamers and creators will want to look elsewhere, which is the case with every laptop that doesn’t have a discrete GPU. Cinebench R24 (single/multi) Geekbench 6 (single/multi) Handbrake (seconds) 3DMark Wild Life Extreme Acer Swift 14 AI (Ryzen AI 9 365 / Radeon 880M) 110 / 877 2795 / 14351 56 5669 Acer Swift 14 AI (Core Ultra 7 258V / Intel Arc 140V) 121 / 525 2755 / 11138 92 5294 HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 (Core Ultra 7 258V / Intel Arc 140V) 116 / 598 2483 / 10725 99 7573 HP Spectre x360 14 (Core Ultra 7 155H / Intel Arc) 102 / 485 2176 / 11980 93 N/A Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition (Core Ultra 7 258V / Intel Arc 140V) 109 / 630 2485 / 10569 88 5217 Asus Zenbook S 14 (Core Ultra 7 258V / Intel Arc 140V) 112 / 452 2738 / 10734 113 7514 HP OmniBook X (Snapdragon X Elite / Adreno) 101 / 749 2377 / 13490 N/A 6165 MacBook Air (M3) 141 / 601 3102 / 12078 109 8098 Battery life Mark Coppock / Digital Trends The Ryzen AI 9 chipset is aimed more at performance than efficiency, although AMD’s laptop chipsets have always been relatively efficient. But, the AMD version of the Swift AI 14 has a larger battery than the Lunar Lake version at 75 watt-hours compared to 65 watt-hours. And, both of the laptops I reviewed had FHD+ IPS displays. So, Acer did some work to balance the AMD version’s longevity against its higher performance. And, indeed, the Swift 14 AI did well this time around. It managed over 14 hours and our web browsing test and 18.5 hours in our video looping test. That’s much better than previous-generation AMD and Intel chipsets and is competitive with the new round of Windows laptops generally. These results are good enough to likely provide all-day battery life running typical productivity tasks. Web browsing Video Cinebench R24 Acer Swift 14 AI (Ryzen AI 9 365) 14 hours, 6 minutes 18 hours, 36 minutes Acer Swift 14 AI (Core Ultra 7 258V) 17 hours, 22 minutes 24 hours, 10 minutes 2 hours, 7 minutes HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 (Core Ultra 7 258V) 11 hours, 5 minutes 15 hours, 46 minutes 2 hours, 14 minutes Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition (Core Ultra 7 258V) 14 hours, 16 minutes 17 hours, 31 minutes 2 hours, 15 minutes Asus Zenbook S 14 (Core Ultra 7 258V) 16 hours, 47 minutes 18 hours, 35 minutes 3 hours, 33 minutes Microsoft Surface Laptop (Snapdragon X Elite X1E-80-100) 14 hours, 21 minutes 22 hours, 39 minutes N/A HP Omnibook X (Snapdragon X Elite X1E-78-100) 13 hours, 37 minutes 22 hours, 4 minutes 1 hour, 52 minutes Apple MacBook Air (Apple M3) 19 hours, 38 minutes 19 hours, 39 minutes 3 hours, 27 minutes Display and audio Mark Coppock / Digital Trends There’s just one display option with the Swift 14 AI, a 14.0-inch 16:10 FHD+ (1920 x 1200) IPS panel running at 60Hz. I like sharp text, so the resolution is a little low for me, but most users will find it to be good enough. The refresh rate is becoming a bit pedestrian when 120Hz and faster displays are becoming more common, but again, it likely won’t matter all that much to anyone looking for a productivity laptop. For such a user, this display is pretty good. According to my colorimeter, this is a pretty high-quality IPS panel. It’s very bright at 445 nits and the contrast is excellent at 1,700:1. Our standards have been nits and 1,000:1, but most laptop displays today are much better. Colors are more average at 100% of sRGB, 76% of AdobeRGB, and 77% of DCI-P3. Some IPS displays are better, but that’s less common, and for the best colors, OLED is the best option. Color accuracy was good at a DeltaE of 1.58 (less than 2.0 is good for productivity use). This is a good display that all but creators will enjoy. Audio is okay, with dual speakers that put out audio that’s loud enough and good enough for system sounds and YouTube video. You’ll want headphones for anything else. Faster and still long-lasting The Intel version of the Swift 14 AI has better battery life, in keeping with the primary focus of the Lunar Lake chipset. But, the AMD version is significantly faster and it still gets great battery life. For anyone who wants to split the difference, this version of the Swift 14 AI is a great choice. It’s well-built, reasonably attractive, and doesn’t have any major flaws that stand out against the competition. If you get it on *****, then it’s a solid choice among the 14-inch laptop competition. At its list price, it’s not quite as much of a bargain, but it’s still easy enough to recommend. Source link #Acer #Swift #AMD #review Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]