Pelican Press

Chip tech provider Arm narrows full-year forecast, stock plunges Chip tech provider Arm narrows full-year forecast, stock plunges By Max A. Cherney SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) -Chip tech provider Arm Holdings said on Wednesday it will no longer meet the top end of its previous full-year guidance, but slightly topped Wall Street’s current-quarter expectations. Arm shares slumped about 6% in extended trading after the report. Since Arm went public in 2023, it has more than tripled its market value as investors bet it would see a significant share of the artificial intelligence ***** that propelled Nvidia to become the world’s most valuable company. But Arm does not typically enjoy growth spurts in ***** times because it makes money more indirectly from AI than chip sellers, by steadily raising licensing fees for its technology and royalties for each chip other companies sell. For the full year, Arm narrowed its revenue guidance to a range of $3.94 billion to $4.04 billion from $3.8 billion to $4.1 billion. The company also narrowed its adjusted earnings per share guidance for the full year. Investors were expecting Arm to raise its full-year outlook with the adoption of its chip designs for AI servers, and with increased use of its higher royalty rate Armv9 design for smartphones, Summit Insights Group analyst Kinngai Chan said. CEO Rene Haas said the company’s narrowed full-year guidance was the result of being close to the end of the fiscal year. The prior guidance had not changed for some time, he said. “You kind of know where you’re going to land the plane as you’re getting that close,” Haas said in an interview. The chip technology provider’s latest Armv9 technology is used in the chips that power Apple’s latest generation of iPhones. Unlike prior versions of the designs, the company has structured deals for the v9 technology to allow Arm to increase prices. Haas said the rates could rise with each new iteration of a device. FOURTH-QUARTER REVENUE SLIGHTLY TOPS EXPECTATIONS For the current fiscal fourth quarter, Arm forecast revenue in a range between $1.18 billion and $1.28 billion, with a midpoint of $1.23 billion, compared with an average analyst estimate of $1.22 billion, according to LSEG data. Arm’s third-quarter revenue rose 19% to $983 million, compared with analyst estimates of $946.7 million. The *** chip designer reported third-quarter earnings of 39 cents per share, adjusted for stock-based compensation among other items. Analysts expected earnings of 34 cents a share. The company’s designs power nearly every smartphone in the world, and the company has attempted to make headway in data centers and other markets. Chips with Arm technology generate $200 billion a year of revenue for the many chipmakers that sell them, according to research from TD Cowen. Story Continues But in recent years, low-profile Arm has attempted to alter its position in the chip market by raising prices and moving to potentially compete with its biggest customers, Reuters reported last month. In December, Arm failed at one attempt to secure higher royalty rates from Qualcomm in a Delaware court after a week-long trial. During Qualcomm’s conference call after it reported results on Wednesday, CEO Cristiano Amon said Arm had withdrawn its notice that Qualcomm breached its license agreement, which Arm sent in October. Amon also said Arm had no current plans to terminate its architectural license. Last month, President Donald Trump’s administration announced a $500-billion AI infrastructure venture called Stargate that includes data centers and related technologies. Backers include Arm-majority owner SoftBank, Oracle and Arm itself, which is a “technology partner.” Arm’s inclusion in the project, while rivals and Advanced Micro Devices that use the x86 technology to make chips were not announced as involved, is a sign of the company’s importance, Haas said. “Arm is a technology partner and no mention of either of the x86 candidates,” Haas said. (Max A. Cherney in San Francisco and Juby Babu in Mexico City; Editing by Rod Nickel) Source link #Chip #tech #provider #Arm #narrows #fullyear #forecast #stock #plunges Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Reports: Lakers add center Mark Williams from Hornets for Dalton Knecht, picks – nba.com Reports: Lakers add center Mark Williams from Hornets for Dalton Knecht, picks – nba.com Reports: Lakers add center Mark Williams from Hornets for Dalton Knecht, picks nba.comLakers acquire Mark Williams, send Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish, draft picks to Hornets: Sources The AthleticLakers Rumors: Organization Not Concerned About Mark Williams’ Injury History LakersNation.comLakers land Mark Williams in trade with Hornets to give LeBron James, Luka Doncic their center, per report CBS SportsLakers’ massive Mark Williams mistake will repeat old Anthony Davis problems Lakeshow Life Source link #Reports #Lakers #add #center #Mark #Williams #Hornets #Dalton #Knecht #picks #nba.com Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Toro tweaks WA uranium-vanadium pit design ahead of scoping study Toro tweaks WA uranium-vanadium pit design ahead of scoping study Toro Energy has tweaked the planned pit design at its Lake Maitland uranium and vanadium project near Wiluna in Western Australia. After recently updating its resource, the company is pushing full steam ahead with plans to complete a scoping study update aimed at justifying the deposit as a standalone mining operation. Four months ago, and due to rapidly improving market conditions for both commodities, the company lowered the resource’s cut off grades to re-estimate the Lake Maitland deposit, without necessarily diluting its future profitability. As a result, the total inventory of uranium increased by 12 per cent to 29.6 million pounds (mlbs) grading 403 parts per million (ppm) and its vanadium resource increased by an impressive 74pc to 31.4mlbs running at 285ppm. Toro’s broader Wiluna project, including its Centipede-Millipede and Lake Way deposits, has also benefitted with its total uranium resources increasing by 17pc to 73.6mlbs and vanadium stocks rising by 31 per cent to 89.3mlbs. With the new pit optimisation complete, Toro Energy is now moving on to the next critical phase of its scoping study update – mine scheduling. Financial models are being updated to include all the latest data and will be reworked to allow for adjusted input cost assumptions based on the Consumer Price Index. The updated study aims to de-risk the project by sharpening up the economics and shining a light on the best commercial production pathway to minimise its upfront capital costs. Toro has engaged West Perth-based SRK Consulting to oversee the full scope of the study, which is its first major update in more than three years. It expects to hand down the study scope in the next two months. The company is also keeping a close eye on the domestic political winds. Western *********** and federal elections are on the horizon – WA goes to the polls on March 8 – the major political parties have been hanging out their shingles and spruiking increasingly polarised energy policies. Labor’s strong margin means it is expect to hang onto government in WA this time round and maintain its a long-standing objection to uranium development in the State. The federal *********** Labor Party has an equally long-standing concern over uranium extraction in Australia. The federal election is lining up to be a closer-run race. Should the Liberal Party edge ahead in the final tally, Liberal leader Peter Dutton has promised to increase the government’s focus on growing domestic nuclear energy. A change in federal leadership may well fire a starting gun for companies such as Toro, which have sat patiently in the wings for many years with big uranium projects waiting on development approval. Toro’s next few months are likely to be full of news. Punters, always on the lookout for an opportunity to trade, will no doubt keep keen eyes on any ASX and political developments. Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: *****@*****.tld Source link #Toro #tweaks #uraniumvanadium #pit #design #ahead #scoping #study Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Ayesha Curry’s store in Oakland closes permanently due to safety concerns Ayesha Curry’s store in Oakland closes permanently due to safety concerns Ayesha Curry’s home goods store and cafe, Sweet July, in Oakland, California, is permanently closing its doors due to safety concerns. Curry’s company — which also sells clothing and jewelry — announced the news on Instagram on Saturday (February 1). “In order to prioritize the safety of our patrons and staff, we have made the difficult decision to close our Sweet July cafe and store in Oakland,” the account shared. “We have loved being a part of Oakland and are grateful for the community that has opened their arms and embraced us. It has been an honor to serve you.” The business noted that while the Oakland store is closing, “Sweet July has exciting new ventures on the horizon.” The store will remain open until Sunday, February 9. The Independent has contacted Sweet July and Curry for comment. While Sweet July did not elaborate on the safety concerns it was addressing, the Oakland store did experience a break-in in 2022. However, no arrests were made. Last year, several retail stores in Oakland closed due to concerns about security. In January 2024, an In-N-Out Burger in Oakland said it was forced to close its doors due to “ongoing crime issues” in the city. “Despite taking repeated steps to create safer conditions, our Customers and Associates are regularly victimized by car break-ins, property damage, theft, and armed robberies,” Chief Operating Officer Denny Warnick said in a statement to The Independent at the time. Ayesha Curry first launched her brand, Sweet July, in 2021 (Getty Images for Girls Write Now) In September 2023, Target announced that it was closing nine of its stores nationwide, including one in Oakland, due to “theft and organized retail crime” that was “threatening the safety” of the business’s team and customers. Curry — who shares four children with husband Stephen Curry — first opened the Oakland store in 2021. According to Sweety July’s official website, the flagship store aimed to look “beyond retail to create an experience and a beautiful gathering place for the community that inspired it.” The store also has a cafe, which serves Curry’s signature bread pudding. Along with Sweet July, Curry also runs Sweet July Skin, selling a range of skincare products like cleanser, toner, and face oil. Despite recent store closures, Oakland did see a drop in violent crimes in 2024. According to the Oakland Police Department’s end-of-year crime report, there were 81 murders in the city in 2024, a 32 percent decline from 2023, which witnessed 119 murders. There was also a decrease in homicides in the city, with a total of 86 in 2024 down from 126 in 2023. Source link #Ayesha #Currys #store #Oakland #closes #permanently #due #safety #concerns Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

stocks, news, data and earnings stocks, news, data and earnings China stocks and currency face a tough 2025 regardless of tariffs, Capital Economics says Stocks in China and the renminbi face “a tough year regardless of how trade tensions play out,” according to Thomas Mathews, head of Asia Pacific markets at Capital Economics. Higher tariffs, or elevated tariffs that remain where they are, leave plenty of room for “China’s markets to deteriorate,” according to the firm, a London-based researcher. “But tariffs are, in our view, only one reason to be downbeat,” Mathews wrote Wednesday. China’s tepid economy ought to keep down bond yields, and the central bank is more likely “to let the currency weaken.” Meanwhile, stock market investors may be too optimistic about the effect of government measures to boost the economy and too confident about the ability of companies in China to “generate sustained growth in earnings per share,” Mathews said, arguing that “despite a recent pick-up, EPS are still lower than they were ten years ago. And the economic backdrop of that decade was much rosier than we think the next one will be.” — Scott Schnipper European markets: Here are the opening calls European markets are expected to open higher Thursday. The U.K.’s FTSE 100 index is expected to open 53 points higher at 8,672, Germany’s DAX up 92 points at 21,640, France’s CAC up 26 points at 7,905 and Italy’s FTSE MIB 70 points higher at 36,772, according to data from IG. Earnings are set to come from ING, ArcelorMittal, Carlsberg, AstraZeneca, Ørsted, Vinci, L’Oreal, Siemens Healthineers, Telenor, Societe Generale and Maersk. The bank of England is set to deliver its latest monetary policy decision Thursday, with the central bank widely expected to implement its first interest rate cut of the year. — Holly Ellyatt Source link #stocks #news #data #earnings Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Jimmy Butler heading to Warriors, agrees to extension: Sources – The Athletic Jimmy Butler heading to Warriors, agrees to extension: Sources – The Athletic Jimmy Butler heading to Warriors, agrees to extension: Sources The AthleticWinners, Losers from four-team blockbuster trade sending Jimmy Butler to Warriors NBC SportsNBA trade deadline: Fantasy basketball implications of Jimmy Butler to the Warriors Yahoo SportsWarriors extend Butler despite reports Steph Curry, Kerr had concerns SFGATESteph Curry Reacts to Major Warriors’ Jimmy Butler Trade Sports Illustrated Source link #Jimmy #Butler #heading #Warriors #agrees #extension #Sources #Athletic Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Alleged synagogue arsonists targeted by fellow inmates Alleged synagogue arsonists targeted by fellow inmates Two men accused of plastering swastikas across the walls of a synagogue before attempting to set it on fire were allegedly motivated by hate. Adam Moule, 33, and Leon Emmanuel Sofilas, 37, were arrested almost two weeks after the January 11 attack on Newtown Synagogue, in Sydney’s inner west. The pair were denied bail in Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday with a magistrate deeming the ongoing threat to the community was unacceptable. However Magistrate Greg Grogin heard it is the alleged offenders who are now at risk, with both being subjected to threats in custody, and Sofilas nicknamed “Nazi” by other inmates after word spread he is a white supremacist. Sofilas’ lawyer Steve Mav told the court his client had twice been violently attacked by large groups of men leaving him heavily traumatised. “The inmates somehow got word … that this man is a white supremacist,” Mr Mav told the court. “His nickname by some of the inmates is ‘Nazi’.” In denying bail, Mr Grogin described the alleged offences as “abhorrent” and said they were of great concern to the court and no-doubt the community. “It is said that this offence was a hate-motivated crime,” the magistrate said. Both men have extensive criminal histories, including violence and breaches of bail and domestic violence orders, the court was told. Mr Grogin noted the attack on the synagogue appeared to have been planned ahead of time, having been carried out between 4am and 5am, “under the cloak of darkness”. An exterior wall of the synagogue was spray-painted with 10 red swastikas and the building briefly set alight, echoing a spate of similar anti-Semitic incidents and spurring a major crackdown by authorities to track down those responsible. The men allegedly bundled together sticks and branches which they unsuccessfully attempted to light using a clear accelerant, the court was told. Following the attack, police shared CCTV of the incident showing two hooded figures who they believed to be involved, with one riding a mountain bike and the other a motorised scooter. NSW Police prosecutor Peter Boctor told the court Moule and Sofilas had been recognised by police from previous interactions and the case against them is a strong one. He added the offences were “committed with the motivation of a hatred of a particular group of people”. Moule’s lawyer Jenni Bridges argued he was vulnerable in custody, adding that his father had recently died while he was in custody and that he was unable to attend the ********. “He is an Indigenous man with significant mental health issues,” she said. Moule was arrested at a property on January 21, several hundred metres from Newtown Synagogue and was briefly treated in hospital before being charged with arson and property damage-related offences, as well as possessing suspected stolen bank cards and having a cannabis plant. Sofilas was arrested at an hotel in inner-city Pyrmont about 1pm on January 23, during which officers used a Taser to apprehend him and he was treated by paramedics before being taken to a local police station. Mr Mav told the court Sofilas was tasered 11 times during the arrest, however the court was told police facts make no mention of that. He is facing charges of arson and property damage, as well as knowingly displaying a Nazi symbol in public, to which the court was told he intends to plead not guilty. The matter is due to return to court on April 3. Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636 13YARN 13 92 76 Source link #Alleged #synagogue #arsonists #targeted #fellow #inmates Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

More budget cuts planned for Penn State’s commonwealth campuses as part of 2026-27 allocations More budget cuts planned for Penn State’s commonwealth campuses as part of 2026-27 allocations Penn State’s budget allocations for the fiscal year 2026-27 shows funding for commonwealth campuses will be cut by about 7%, or about $25 million, the university announced earlier this week. In its third year of a revamped, data-driven budget model, Penn State released budget allocations for 2026-27 this week. These are initial allocations for education and general funds based on tuition and state funding projects, the news release states. Additional funds for annual salary increase and faculty promotions will be allocated to unit budgets. Sara Thorndike, senior vice president for finance and business/treasurer and chief financial officer for Penn State, said in release the allocations were “driven by the University’s wider efforts to maintain a balanced budget, while focusing on strategic priorities, enhancing the student educational experience, and supporting those areas of the institution where additional investment is needed to meet student demand and realize opportunities for growth.” Penn State’s 20 commonwealth campuses will receive an aggregate allocation of $314.9 million for the fiscal year 2026-27, which includes $30 million in provost subvention, or operating subsidies. The allocation reflects an aggregate decrease of $25 million (7.3%). Margo DelliCarpini, vice president for Commonwealth Campuses and executive chancellor, stressed the importance of the campuses to Penn State’s identity and reaching students across the state. Still, she said they need to “reimagine” the campus system. “In higher education, student expectations, demographics, and the delivery of education in general have changed drastically since our 20-plus campus model took shape in the middle of the 20th century,” DelliCarpini said in the release. “The complex work to reimagine our campus ecosystem for the future — which has been underway for more than a year — is essential and continuing with many contributors from across Penn State.” Individual campus budgets won’t be finalized until later this year, after subvention is allocated. The release states the subvention decisions will be informed by the Future State process and an additional review and conversation between the Office of the Provost and Office of the Vice President for Commonwealth Campuses. The budget model also includes $50 million in presidential strategic funds (intended to support priorities, like enrollment management or new programs, for example), but it has not yet been decided how these funds will be used. The majority of commonwealth campuses have seen a steep decline in enrollment over the last 10 years, with eight campuses experiencing decreases of at least 30% over that time *******. Amid a budget crisis, the university announced plans last year to significantly cut the commonwealth campuses’ central budget for fiscal year 2025-26. The university then rolled out a buyout program at the commonwealth campuses last spring in which 383 Penn State commonwealth campus employees opted to participate. Story Continues With that, the university implemented a new shared regional administrative model for the commonwealth campuses. Additionally the university continues to look at more shared service opportunities, similar to the “optimized service teams” the university instituted in the summer at commonwealth campuses. Penn State leadership has not given a direct answer on if campus closures are in the future. Most academic colleges at University Park will see a “modest increase” in allocations for fiscal year 2026-27, the release states. The allocation shows an overall aggregate increase of 3.6%. Allocations for the central administrative and student support units also show an aggregate increase of $1.8 million, but most administrative and student support units will remain unchanged from 2025-26, the release states. “Our goal is to land in a place where we’re not seeing large fluctuations every year, and our budgets are balanced and appropriately sized to support our students’ success and our research mission,” said Tracy Langkilde, interim executive vice president and provost. The University Park academic colleges will receive $10 million in provost subvention. The college showing the largest funding increase is Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications with a $3.3 million, or 14.97%, increase, followed by Information Sciences & Technology ($4 million, 12.40% increase). International Affairs will see a $409,876 decrease (minus-16.63%) and Penn State Dickinson Law’s allocation decreased by $2.29 million (minus-12.08%). The release states conversations and budget planning will be ongoing throughout the spring as all unit budgets are constructed and finalized. Penn State’s final 2026-27 budget – which will include tuition and fee schedules – will be presented to the board of trustees for approval in July. The 2025-26 operating budget and tuition schedules will go into effect July 1 and were previously approved by the trustees last year July. More details on the allocations can be found on Penn State’s budget website, budgetandfinance.psu.edu/budget-allocations. Source link #budget #cuts #planned #Penn #States #commonwealth #campuses #part #allocations Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Amazon Set to Release Long-Delayed Alexa Generative AI Revamp Amazon Set to Release Long-Delayed Alexa Generative AI Revamp Amazon is set to release its long-awaited – and delayed – Alexa generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) voice service, said three people familiar with the matter, and has scheduled a press event for later this month to preview it. Once released, it would mark the most significant upgrade to the product since its initial introduction accelerated a wave of digital assistants more than a decade ago. Amazon on Wednesday sent press invites to an event to be held on February 26 in New York featuring the head of its devices and services team, Panos Panay. A spokesperson said the event is Alexa-focused, while declining to elaborate. The new generative AI-powered Alexa represents at once a huge opportunity for Amazon, which counts more than half a billion Alexa-enabled devices in the market, and a tremendous risk. Amazon is hoping the revamp, designed to be able to converse with users, can convert some of its hundreds of millions of users into paying customers in an effort to generate a return for the unprofitable business. The AI service will be able to respond to multiple prompts in sequence and, company executives have said, even act as an “agent” on behalf of users by taking actions for them without their direct involvement. That contrasts with the current iteration, which generally handles only a single request at a time. Executives have scheduled a meeting, known as a “Go/No-go,” for February 14. There they will make a final decision on the “street readiness” of Alexa’s generative AI revamp, according to the people and an internal planning document seen by Reuters. Alexa’s revamp carries with it all the challenges inherent in now-familiar generative AI chatbots from OpenAI, Alphabet and others including the possibility of fabricated answers, known as hallucinations. With access to Alexa available in cars, televisions, thermostats and mobile phones, it could become an essential daily tool for scheduling and even shopping. Initially, Amazon plans to roll out the new Alexa service to a limited number of users and will not charge for it, the people said, though it has considered a $5 (roughly Rs. 437) to $10 (roughly Rs. 875) monthly fee. The company will also continue to offer what it is calling “Classic Alexa,” the version broadly available today for free. One of the people said Amazon has discontinued adding new offerings to Classic Alexa. Bezos’ Vision While Apple’s Siri voice assistant preceded Alexa’s 2014 release by three years, the Amazon service supercharged the acceptance of voice assistants. But for many people, Alexa is now used for little more than kitchen timers and weather updates due to its lack of significant overhauls in the last few years. Alexa is the brainchild of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, who envisioned a service that would resemble the voice-activated computers on TV’s “Star Trek.” The hope was that once perfected, users would turn to the voice assistant for hundreds of everyday tasks like turning on lights, preheating the oven, accessing the internet, playing music, writing emails and summoning taxis. “Someday in the future – that might be years or decades away – it could answer everything that you would ever ask it,” Amazon’s then-chief of devices, Dave Limp, said nearly a decade ago. With those weighty expectations, the move to upgrade Alexa has suffered delays over concerns around the quality and speed of its responses, people familiar with the matter have told Reuters. Amazon dubbed the new service “Banyan” internally, as well as “Remarkable Alexa,” though it was not immediately clear if the Seattle company planned on using either as a new product name. In a January Financial Times interview, Amazon executive Rohit Prasad acknowledged some of the obstacles in developing what is effectively an entirely new service, including the work to eliminate hallucinations. Analysts at Bank of America estimate Amazon could generate $600 million (roughly Rs. 5,251 crore) annually if 10 percent of active users, which it estimates at around 100 million devices, pay $5 (roughly Rs. 437) per month for the service. Customer Preferences The new Alexa is designed to remember customer preferences to help make music or restaurant recommendations and allow users to give multiple prompts in a single session, so that, say, one could later modify a hamburger order before it is sent out for delivery, the people said. It will be compatible with existing Alexa devices, said the people. Amazon will rely, at least in part, on AI software from startup Anthropic – in which it has invested $8 billion (roughly Rs. 70,023 crore) – to underpin the AI in Alexa, people familiar with the matter told Reuters. In September 2023, Amazon demonstrated an early version of the souped-up Alexa, but concerns over quality caused Amazon to repeatedly push back its launch date and that rendition was never released to the public. © Thomson Reuters 2025 (This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Source link #Amazon #Set #Release #LongDelayed #Alexa #Generative #Revamp Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Pelicans trading Brandon Ingram to Raptors for Kelly Olynyk, Bruce Brown: Source – The Athletic Pelicans trading Brandon Ingram to Raptors for Kelly Olynyk, Bruce Brown: Source – The Athletic Pelicans trading Brandon Ingram to Raptors for Kelly Olynyk, Bruce Brown: Source The AthleticSources: Raptors acquire Ingram in trade with Pels ESPNBrandon Ingram trade: Pelicans send former All-Star to Raptors for Bruce Brown, Kelly Olynyk, picks CBS SportsNBA Trade Deadline Latest: Kevin Durant, Jimmy Butler, Brandon Ingram and more Marc Stein | Substack2025 NBA trade deadline tracker: All the latest news, rumors, deals in one place NBC Sports Source link #Pelicans #trading #Brandon #Ingram #Raptors #Kelly #Olynyk #Bruce #Brown #Source #Athletic Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

ASUS’s Zenfone 12 Ultra leans heavily into AI ASUS’s Zenfone 12 Ultra leans heavily into AI The Zenfone 12 Ultra, announced today, is ASUS’s latest flagship smartphone, and much like its competitors, it leans hard into AI. Thanks to a Snapdragon 8 Elite, the Zenfone 12 Ultra can perform AI tasks offline and online through the cloud, including transcribing audio, summarizing articles and documents and providing real-time interpretation on calls for supported languages. It can also use Circle to Search much like other Android phones. The onboard AI is powered by Meta’s Llama 3 8B language model, which works without an internet connection. The Zenfone 12 Ultra’s FHD+ AMOLED display measures 6.78 inches and has a standard refresh rate of up to 120Hz under normal operation, and up to 144Hz while gaming. A rear tri-camera system handles photo and video and consists of a 50-megapixel Sony Lytia 700 sensor with a six-axis gimbal stabilizer, a 32MP telephoto lens and a 12MP ultrawide lens with a field of view of 120 degrees. There’s also a 32MP RGBW front camera for selfies. AI software enhancements can ensure people or pets stay at the center of videos, and can apply bokeh effects to portraits and enhance voice clarity while recording videos. A standout with this new Zenfone is its 5,500mAh battery, which promises more than 26 hours of use. It’s also Qi 1.3 compatible. Additionally, the smartphone supports eSIMs, making connecting to the internet effortless. WiFi 7 support will let users take advantage of high-speed networks if available. The Zenfone 12 Ultra retails for €1,099.99, and there’s a limited-time launch offer of €999.99 in Europe from February 6 to 28. It comes in three colorways: Sage Green, Ebony ****** and Sakura White. US and *** launch dates haven’t been announced yet. Source link #ASUSs #Zenfone #Ultra #leans #heavily Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Phoenix held by bottom-club Roar as finals hopes dim Phoenix held by bottom-club Roar as finals hopes dim Wellington have missed a chance at home to push emphatically towards the top six after a 1-1 draw with A-League Men cellar-dwellers Brisbane. The Phoenix remain in 10th position and five points behind sixth-placed Macarthur. Wellington centre-back Isaac Hughes was unmarked and headed home in the 61st minute after a trademark curling corner by Hideki Ishige. Roar captain Jay O’Shea hit the inside of the left post minutes later with a super strike that rebounded across the face of goal as the visitors refused to relent. Two of the Roar’s best attacking talents combined to draw level in the 72nd minute. Keegan Jelacic came off the bench to thread a sublime pass through for Henry *****, who mesmerised the Phoenix defence before scoring his 16th ALM goal. Both sides produced late bursts but were unable to score. The Phoenix have won just one of their five previous games and none of their previous three at home. The only points the Roar have picked up this season are on the road, with two draws and a solitary win over Sydney FC. The Roar started full of running. Ben Halloran had an early shot blocked after good lead-up from Samuel Klein. Klein then had a great chance in the eighth minute after a cross by Louis Zabala, but headed over the bar. An errant Roar back pass almost gifted striker Kosta Barbarouses a goal, but his shot was saved by Macklin Freke. A magnificent strike by Ishige across his body and while at full pace after a cross from the right by Corban Piper was disallowed by VAR. Ishige was offside by a toe and just ahead of Roar defender Walid Shour. The VAR decision was mulled over for three minutes with the final call of no-goal displeasing the Wellington faithful, who made up most of the 9084 fans. The hosts upped the ante before half-time with Piper and Ishige dangerous. Referee Jack Morgan was called on by VAR again when Ishige was brought down by Shour in the box, but no penalty was awarded as the sides went in to half-time with nothing to show on the scoreboard. Veteran Tim Payne came off the bench for Wellington after a month out with a foot injury and almost provided Barbarouses with a late winner with a class cross. Source link #Phoenix #held #bottomclub #Roar #finals #hopes #dim Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Millions may be eligible for $6,000 in data breach settlement Millions may be eligible for $6,000 in data breach settlement Millions of Americans may be eligible for up to $6,000 from a major data breach settlement —but they must act fast, as the deadline is this Monday, Newsweek reports. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., a global insurance brokerage and risk management firm, agreed to a $21 million settlement after hackers stole sensitive data in a data breach between June 3 and September 26, 2020. Even more alarming, the firm notified affected Americans almost a year after the data breach. Those affected had no idea their Social Security numbers, personal identifying information, personal health information, usernames, passwords, medical information, biometric information, and credit card information were taken. You are eligible for a claim if you were with the firm between June and September of 2020. However, you must prove you suffered monetary damages from the data breach to be eligible for the compensation. You can file the claim on the settlement website, ajgdatasettlement.com, by Monday, February 10. Alternatively, you can mail out your claim, and as long as it has a postmark by February 10 or earlier, it should be accepted. Additionally, ensure you supply proof of identity and any documents that prove you suffered financial losses or expenses because of the breach. For example, you can provide documents such as bank statements, receipts for identity theft protection services, or bills. Christopher E. Roberts, class action attorney at Butsch Roberts & Associates LLC, told Newsweek: “This settlement is significant for two primary reasons. First, this settlement further highlights how prevalent data breaches are and continue to be. Data breach class actions are one of the largest, if not the largest, types of class action cases that are currently being filed. Second, this settlement further highlights the importance of companies developing appropriate safeguards to safeguard consumers’ data… even large companies, even one of the world’s largest insurance brokerages, can be susceptible to data breaches.” The compensation is a maximum of $6,000, including credit monitoring and identity theft insurance, but the amount can vary depending on the number of people who submit valid claims. It may not be the worst data breach in history, but it shows how these types of attacks continue to happen and put our data at risk. Source link #Millions #eligible #data #breach #settlement Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Do referees favor the Kansas City Chiefs? Some say yes, NFL says that's "ridiculous" – KOMO News Do referees favor the Kansas City Chiefs? Some say yes, NFL says that's "ridiculous" – KOMO News Do referees favor the Kansas City Chiefs? Some say yes, NFL says that’s “ridiculous” KOMO NewsBills fans across the country planning to boycott Super Bowl WIVB.com – News 4Clark Hunt laughs at “excuses” about the refs that other teams make for Chiefs’ success NBC SportsMark Ingram believes Chiefs get ’50/50′ calls, laments infamous no-call that cost his Saints in bid for Super Bowl Yahoo SportsMad Dog fumes at Goodell, NFL over Chiefs favoritism comments ESPN Source link #referees #favor #Kansas #City #Chiefs #NFL #that039s #quotridiculousquot #KOMO #News Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Residents fear Magee will create ‘Derry Holylands’ Residents fear Magee will create ‘Derry Holylands’ BBC Patrick Gill said the HMOs should be spread out Residents living near Ulster University’s Magee campus have called on the council to cap the number of houses in multiple occupation (HMO) approved in the area. This comes after a report exploring the expansion of student numbers at the Londonderry campus was published last year. The group, Concerned Residents Around Magee (CRAM), said most approved HMOs were concentrated near the campus and were disproportionate with the rest of the city. A Derry City and Strabane District council spokesperson said new planning policies will put safeguards in place to ensure proposals for HMOs are suitable and appropriate. The report said the increase to 10,000 students by 2032 would help address regional imbalance and be “transformative” for the region. However, it noted the quantity of privately rented accommodation and purpose-built student accommodation must be increased. What are HMOs? A house in multiple occupation is a property rented out by at least three people who share facilities like the bathroom and kitchen, also referred to as a “house share”. The tenants must be from more than one household for it be an HMO. All HMOs must be licensed by their local council unless a temporary exemption notice is in effect. Belfast City Council’s NIHMO unit administers the regulation of HMOs on behalf of each of Northern Ireland’s 11 councils. Kathleen Feeney said she has noticed a change in the area Kathleen Feeney who lives in a terraced street, a five minute walk from the campus, said she feels as if “the street as [she has] known for forty years is disappearing”. “There are less families here now. More HMOs have sprung up and I feel that the atmosphere has changed,” she said. “We don’t always know our neighbours; it can be noisy at night and the worst thing is the traffic and congestion.” “If the houses next door to me became HMOs, I would consider leaving the area, even though it would break my heart,” she said. According to the HMO licence register, there are currently 212 HMO properties in Derry overall. Of that total, more than 200 are in the BT48 (Cityside) postcode. There are seven in the BT47 (Waterside) postcode. CRAM are calling for an immediate cap of 10% on HMOs in streets neighbouring the university and then a long term cap once the council’s local development plan is adopted. ‘Neighbours are disappearing’ Patrick Gill, a Park Avenue resident for 74 years, feels an oversaturation of HMOs weakens the sense of community. “Local neighbours are disappearing,” he said. “Expansion is good for the city but where people are going to live must be considered.” Mr Gill said people were “worried about the area becoming another Holylands”. “The HMOs need to be spread out or there won’t be any long-term residents left,” he added. He also said the number of HMOs led to a lack of parking. Students’ view Ciara Fitzpatrick and Leah Coffey said students like to be close to the university Argyle Street is directly opposite the campus and most homes there are student HMOs. Leah Coffey, from Fermanagh, and Ciara Fitzpatrick, from County Meath, are final year nursing students and have lived on Argyle Street for the past two years. Leah said the street’s proximity to the university was an obvious draw for students but highlighted there is a need for more accommodation. “We had to be so quick in looking and securing a house. If you leave it too late, it gets difficult to find anywhere,” she said. “I’d say it is hard for residents with some students as it can be noisy. “But I do think there should be better student facilities although we are in a city and its hard with space too,” she added. ‘Balance and compromise’ People Before Profit councillor Shaun Harkin said there is a balance to be found A meeting is due to be held for residents on Thursday at the university chaired by Stephen Kelly of the Magee taskforce. People Before Profit Cllr Shaun Harkin grew up in an area which has seen a rising number of HMOs and said “balance” was needed. “Residents are not against HMOs or university expansion – they actually welcome it – what they are concerned about is a quick change of the residential character of the area,” he said. “They don’t want something to develop quickly like the Holylands that would utterly transform it.” Paddy Gray, professor emeritus of housing at Ulster University, co-authored a report into the Holylands in Belfast. He said there were accommodation models that worked for both residents and students in other university cities. Prof Gray said the view of residents are important in finding “an acceptable balance”. “Students can bring a lot of money into areas too, especially for small businesses,” he added. ‘Sustainable growth’ A council spokesperson said some restrictions have been proposed in terms of the number of rooms permitted in an HMO property and a minimum square feet size of the property. There are also guidelines around ensuring that HMOs do not impact the character of the local area. They added that a taskforce, including political representatives and statutory agencies, has also been established, for residents to discuss issues. At a planning committee meeting on 22 January, members agreed that all applications for HMOs, where they would lead to more than 10% in a street, will be brought to the committee for consideration. A spokesperson for Ulster University said “student accommodation in the city needs to grow alongside and support the sustainable growth in student numbers”. The spokesperson said the university worked with its neighbours in North Belfast and will do the same in Derry. Source link #Residents #fear #Magee #create #Derry #Holylands Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

ABC’s integrity on the line in Gaza advocate case: boss ABC’s integrity on the line in Gaza advocate case: boss The ABC’s managing director has admitted the public broadcaster’s integrity will be impacted by whether it wins or loses a hotly contested lawsuit by a radio host sacked for sharing a post critical of Israel. Antoinette Lattouf was hired as a casual presenter for the Mornings show on ABC Radio Sydney over five days in December 2023. But the 41-year-old was dismissed after three days on air after sharing a Human Rights Watch post on Instagram saying Israel had used starvation as a “weapon of war” in Gaza. Outgoing ABC boss David Anderson stepped back into the witness box during an unfair dismissal hearing in the Federal Court on Thursday. “Would you accept that the ABC’s actions in its dealings with Ms Lattouf have in fact undermined its reputation for independence and integrity?” asked the journalist’s barrister Oshie Fagir. “No, I don’t believe it’s undermined its reputation for independence,” Mr Anderson said. “I think the outcome of this trial will determine whether or not it’s affected the ABC’s integrity.” Earlier during questioning, the managing director said Lattouf should not have been hired for live talkback radio. “I believe that was a mistake, yes,” he said. He told the court he was concerned someone could have called up Lattouf to discuss the Gaza conflict while she was on air and that it may be difficult to comply with the public broadcaster’s obligations of impartiality. After the ABC received a co-ordinated campaign of complaints directed through a WhatsApp group, Mr Anderson ordered chief content officer Chris Oliver-Taylor to investigate the 41-year-old. Lattouf alleges this WhatsApp group was titled Lawyers for Israel. “The thrust of each and everyone of these (complaint) emails were that Ms Lattouf’s criticisms of Israel were anti-Semitic?” Mr Fagir asked. “Yes,” Mr Anderson replied. While Mr Oliver-Taylor’s team found Lattouf had not breached any of the ABC’s policies, Mr Anderson personally googled her and browsed her Instagram account. He forwarded some screenshots onto Mr Oliver-Taylor, telling him the ABC had an “Antoinette issue” as her social media feeds contained “anti-Semitic hatred”. On Thursday, he told the court he abhorred racial hatred of any kind. However, he denied being personally offended by the things written on Lattouf’s socials, instead saying he was “challenged” by the comments. Measures were taken to prevent her discussing the Israel-Gaza conflict on air or post about the topic online, he told the court. After her third shift, she was let go for allegedly breaching this direction by sharing the Human Rights Watch post. She denies being given any such order. The broadcaster’s boss admitted her dismissal was “abnormal” because she had not been given a chance to defend her actions. Mr Anderson had always wanted Lattouf out of the organisation, Mr Fagir suggested. ‘You were not about to interrogate any decision to take her off air because that is exactly what you wanted?” he asked. “That is not correct,” Mr Anderson said. Former ABC Radio Sydney acting manager Ronald “Mark” Spurway told the court the decision to take Lattouf off air came completely out of the blue, hours after he had complimented her on her work. “That was a complete shock to you, correct?” asked Lattouf’s barrister Philip Boncardo. “I was surprised,” Mr Spurway said. He organised to pay Lattouf for the final two shifts she had been asked not to perform after her dismissal. Mr Spurway said he did it because it was the right thing to do, denying he was spurred into action because she had sued the ABC in the Fair Work Commission at the time. The hearing continues Friday. Source link #ABCs #integrity #line #Gaza #advocate #case #boss Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

UnitedHealth raises concerns over Bill Ackman’s post on X with SEC UnitedHealth raises concerns over Bill Ackman’s post on X with SEC (Reuters) – UnitedHealth has reached out to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission about billionaire investor Bill Ackman’s now-deleted post on social media platform X that said he would take a short position in the healthcare conglomerate. WHY IT’S IMPORTANT “If I still shorted stocks, I would short United Healthcare,” Ackman said in his post, referring to the company’s health insurance unit. The investor also said the company’s profits are likely overstated due to its coverage decisions. MARKET REACTION UnitedHealth’s shares fell about 1.5% in afternoon trade after Ackman’s post. KEY QUOTE “Any claims that health insurers, which typically have low- to mid-single digit margins, can somehow over-earn are grossly uninformed about the structure and strong regulatory oversight of the sector,” a UnitedHealth spokesperson said. The SEC declined to comment. (Reporting by Christy Santhosh in Bengaluru) Source link #UnitedHealth #raises #concerns #Bill #Ackmans #post #SEC Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Nvidia Shield TV gets its first widely-available update in two years – what’s new – 9to5Google Nvidia Shield TV gets its first widely-available update in two years – what’s new – 9to5Google Nvidia Shield TV gets its first widely-available update in two years – what’s new 9to5GoogleNVIDIA SHIELD TV Gets Huge Upgrade 9.2 With New Stuff, Tons of Bug Fixes Droid LifeNVIDIA SHIELD Experience 9.2 adds loads of new enhancements Android HeadlinesUnlock the Ultimate Experience: NVIDIA SHIELD TV’s Game-Changing Upgrade 9.2 Kuhinje-****.si Source link #Nvidia #Shield #widelyavailable #update #years #whats #9to5Google Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Allrounder Marcus Stoinis retires from ODI cricket Allrounder Marcus Stoinis retires from ODI cricket Marcus Stoinis has announced his immediate retirement from One Day International Cricket, leaving Australia to make another change to their Champions Trophy squad. The 35-year-old allrounder played 74 ODIs for Australia but had only been selected once since playing in the victorious 2023 World Cup campaign in India. Stoinis was named in the preliminary squad to play two ODIs against Sri Lanka in Colombo and the Champions Trophy in Pakistan. But on Thursday he announced his decision to retire from the format in order to focus on Twenty20 International cricket. Stoinis remains a highly rated T20 player, most recently earning selection in the Big Bash League’s team of the tournament for helping the Melbourne Stars back to the finals. “This wasn’t an easy decision, but I believe it’s the right time for me to step away from ODIs and fully focus on the next chapter of my career,” Stoinis said. “I’ll be cheering the boys on in Pakistan.” Stoinis played his last ODI against Pakistan last November and retires with a batting average of 26.69, including an unbeaten 146 against New Zealand in 2017. He took 48 ODI wickets at an average of 43.12. Australia is now likely to make yet another change to its squad for the Champions Trophy that begins in Pakistan later this month. Mitch Marsh has already been ruled out with a back injury and pacemen Pat Cummins (ankle) and Josh Hazlewood (side) also look unlikely to recover from their own fitness concerns. Australia have until February 12 to finalise their replacements for a campaign that begins against England on February 22. Spencer Johnson and Jake Fraser-McGurk are favoured as options to earn call-ups, with Steve Smith likely to assume the captaincy in the absence of Cummins and Marsh. Source link #Allrounder #Marcus #Stoinis #retires #ODI #cricket Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

UC Berkeley professor emeritus killed in Oakland hit-and-run ****** UC Berkeley professor emeritus killed in Oakland hit-and-run ****** OAKLAND, Calif. – A UC Berkeley professor emeritus was killed in a deadly hit-and-run ****** in Oakland on Monday. The coroner has identified the victim as 77-year-old Michael Burawoy. He taught sociology at Cal. Police said he was in the crosswalk at Grand Avenue and Park View Terrace at around 7:15 p.m. when he was hit by an SUV. The driver fled the scene of the ******, officials said. The Oakland Police Department did not provide any details about the suspect. They said they hope anyone with information about the ****** will contact them. One person commented on social media that this news was sad and shocking and that Burawoy had been an important and inspiring figure on campus dating back to the anti-apartheid movement of the 1980s. KTVU’s Henry Lee contributed to this story. Source link #Berkeley #professor #emeritus #killed #Oakland #hitandrun #****** Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Famous Streamer “Exposes” Marvel Rivals’ Strategy to Keep You Hooked to the Game Famous Streamer “Exposes” Marvel Rivals’ Strategy to Keep You Hooked to the Game Marvel Rivals has quickly become one of the biggest live service titles ever made since its launch in December 2024. NetEase Games really succeeded in bringing the Marvel IP into a hero shooter format in an ultimate formula of fun. But there seem to be some cracks in the formula, at least according to popular streamer Nickmercs. Nickmercs tells us what the “problem” is. | Image Credit: NetEase Games Twitch streamer Nickmercs went on a rant during one of his recent livestreams where he accused NetEase Games of manipulating matchmaking to artificially balance player performance. The system he describes is one that already exists and is often used. It is likely that NetEase uses Engagement Optimized Matchmaking for Marvel Rivals. Nickmercs has a theory about Marvel Rivals‘ matchmaking How true is this if every game does it? Image Credit: NetEase Games During a live stream on February 4, 2025, Nickmercs accused Marvel Rivals of intentionally creating an uneven matchmaking experience to maximize player retention. He alleged that after winning several games in a row, the system “flags” a player’s account and places them on teams with weaker players. A lot of us probably relate to this but is it true? “Don’t defend Marvel Rivals devs, it’s the truth… it’s by design to keep you on the game longer, they want you to continue climbing” Nickmercs says Marvel Rivals will feed you wins/losses to keep you playing pic.twitter.com/TJkSjuBxw6 — Jake Lucky (@JakeSucky) February 4, 2025 According to him, this cycle is “by design” to keep players engaged longer, rather than rewarding pure skill. His words have had mixed reactions as a lot of people relate with him and admit to facing the same things. But on the other hand, isn’t this just how every online game is? We have played these games before! Nickmercs’ theory isn’t entirely new. Engagement-based matchmaking (EOMM) is something that’s been in various multiplayer games. Unlike traditional skill-based matchmaking (SBMM), which pairs players of similar skill, EOMM is designed to maximize player retention. Some believe developers intentionally place skilled players in difficult matchups to balance engagement levels across the player base. NetEase may be using EOMM in Marvel Rivals after all The studio has already done research on it. | Image Credit: NetEase Games Interestingly, NetEase Games has previously published research on its matchmaking system and it does explain the engagement-based matchmaking theory. The studio’s document titled OptMatch: Optimized Matchmaking via Modeling the High-Order Interactions on the Arena contains an algorithm designed to balance player satisfaction. So you can blame your losses on this. It suggests that factors beyond just skill, such as playstyle compatibility and engagement metrics, are considered in matchmaking. This implies that while the system may not be outright “rigged,” it is optimized to keep players invested by ensuring they don’t win or lose too frequently. I’ve got hours into ranked, and it 100% is the truth. I mostly solo que, and you can definitely see this. It’s a business, and they grade the games’ success on playtime, but it comes at the cost of the players’ state of mind. Companies need to find a better route. Things take… — Kreeped (@Kreeped) February 5, 2025 Many gamers believe that engagement-based matchmaking isn’t just about balancing matches, it’s about keeping players addicted. The idea is that if players experience a mix of wins and losses, they will keep playing to “prove themselves” or chase a win streak. But in the end, we should just focus on improving rather than blaming matchmaking for our losses. The main goal of Marvel Rivals is so that we the players can have fun, so let’s do just that. Source link #Famous #Streamer #Exposes #Marvel #Rivals #Strategy #Hooked #Game Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Inside the Trump-Musk Relationship – The New York Times Inside the Trump-Musk Relationship – The New York Times JB: One of the earliest headlines involving Trump and Musk that I can remember is from 2017, during Trump’s first term, when Musk quit the White House advisory councils he had been part of over Trump’s decision to pull out of the Paris climate accord. How well did the two men actually know each other before 2024? JS: They had no relationship. It was very superficial. Musk thought Trump was kind of an ******. He sort of had a contempt for him. He was critical of him publicly, and he supported Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida for president. But last year, he began telling friends he wanted to support Trump secretly, and he shared his ideas at dinners with some of the wealthiest people in the world. He began to suggest on social media that he thought it essential that Biden be defeated, although he maintained publicly he wouldn’t donate to either presidential candidate. He’d also, for the last few years, been engaging in secret political spending on cultural issues, but he didn’t want his name attached to it. His adviser on political spending was Stephen Miller, one of Trump’s closest aides. But the moment when he decided to go all in was when Trump was shot in the ear in Butler, Pa. And from that moment, he escalated and escalated his support. At that time, did Trump and his advisers anticipate Musk playing the role he is now? No, absolutely not. Of course not. Who could expect this? With Elon Musk, things accelerate so quickly. He went from publicly criticizing Trump to considering it his entire mission in life to get him elected. When that’s your mind-set, it moves very quickly into proposing that he’ll slash government spending himself. He seeded this idea with Trump. Trump doesn’t think about the fine details of trimming government spending. He added $8 trillion to the national debt in his first term, and he gave exactly zero thought to that during the campaign. He was focused on winning. But Musk takes it very seriously. So it moved really fast. How aware is Trump of what Musk is doing, and how much control does he have over Musk? Musk is effectively unaccountable. He tells Trump what he’s doing, but it’s not like Trump wants to have a detailed conversation about what Musk is up to at the Office of Personnel Management. Trump, at a very high level, knows what Musk is doing. They talk all the time, but Musk doesn’t report to anyone in a regularized or detailed way. He’s very close to Stephen Miller. He’s close to Russell Vought. He’s really a lone ranger, and he’s running very, very fast. And so far, so long as Trump has given him this broad blessing, that’s it. Source link #TrumpMusk #Relationship #York #Times Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Ukraine’s allies warn Europe against returning to Russian gas Ukraine’s allies warn Europe against returning to Russian gas A chimney and pipes at the BKM Nonprofit Fotav Zrt power plant in Budapest, Hungary, on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images Ukraine’s closest allies have warned against the European Union reopening Russian gas pipelines as part of a potential peace settlement, with one Baltic nation describing the prospect as “not a good solution in any way.” It comes shortly after the Financial Times reported that EU officials were considering whether to restore gas flows from Russia to Europe as part of a settlement to end the Kremlin’s years-long Ukraine war. The report, which was published on Jan. 30 and cited unnamed sources familiar with discussions, said the idea had been endorsed by some EU officials as one way of lowering regional energy costs. Estonia, a NATO member which shares a 294-kilometer (183 miles) border with Russia, is among those calling on the 27-nation bloc not to reopen Russian gas pipelines. The Eastern European country said the EU must not allow itself to become dependent on Russian energy as part of a Ukraine peace settlement, noting that restoring gas flows would be inconsistent with the bloc’s goal of phasing out Russian fossil fuel imports by 2027. “We have seen in history that Russia has used energy as a weapon. Russia has repeatedly demonstrated this — and so, going back is not a good solution in any way,” Kadri Elias-Hindoalla, director of Estonia’s foreign affairs’ sanctions and strategic goods department, told CNBC via video call. In this pool photograph distributed by Russian state owned agency Sputnik, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting regarding the situation in the Kursk region, in his residence in Novo-Ogaryovo outside Moscow, on August 12, 2024. Gavriil Grigorov | Afp | Getty Images Europe should have learned its lesson when Russian forces invaded Georgia in 2008, Estonia’s Elias-Hindoalla said, adding that the Ukraine war has since reaffirmed the importance of finding alternative suppliers and improving the bloc’s energy independence. “Our position is very clear: We should maximize sanctions and limit Russia’s energy imports as much as possible,” Elias-Hindoalla said. The foreign ministries of Russia and Ukraine did not respond when contacted by CNBC for comment. For its part, the European Commission said it is “not making any links” between the reopening of Russian gas and Ukraine peace talks. The European Commission is the EU’s executive arm. “Whenever we have such talks, when that moment comes, it will be with Ukraine and we do not confirm any links reported in the article … about any links between the transit of gas through Ukraine and any peace talks,” EU spokesperson Paula Pinho said in a press briefing on Thursday. The EU’s plan, Pinho said, remains to stick to the gradual phasing out of Russian gas. The bloc adopted a 15th package of sanctions against Russia late last year, seeking to further weaken Russia’s military and industrial capabilities. ‘One of the worst ideas in the history of the world’ Lithuania, which was occupied by the Soviet Union until 1990, has said that securing an end to the fighting in Ukraine must take place with Kyiv’s full involvement. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy underlined this message in an interview with The Associated Press earlier this month, warning it would be “very dangerous” to exclude Kyiv from talks between the U.S. and Russia about how to end the invasion. Speaking during a virtual appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, U.S. President Donald Trump said on Jan. 23 that he would like to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin “soon” to find a way to end the Ukraine war. Former Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said the prospect of peace through dependence on Russian gas was “demonstrably one of the worst ideas in the history of the world.” “The suggestion to reinstate this disastrous policy is nothing more than spitting on the graves of its innocent victims,” Landsbergis said in social media post on Jan. 30. Even in the event of an end to the Ukraine war, Lithuania’s President Gitanas Nausėda has warned that his country’s geographical position could make it vulnerable to a broader conflict. The country of 2.8 million borders Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave to the west and Moscow’s ally of Belarus to the east. Europe’s gas supply shift Russian gas exports to Europe via Ukraine came to halt at the start of 2025, marking the end of Moscow’s decades-long dominance over the region’s energy markets. Ukraine’s Zelenskyy said at the time that the end of Russian gas transit through his country to Europe represented “one of Moscow’s biggest defeats” and called on the U.S. to supply more gas to the region. Russia, meanwhile, warned that EU countries would likely suffer the most from the supply shift. Moscow is still able to send gas via the TurkStream pipeline, which links Russia with Hungary, Serbia and Turkey. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky delivers a speech during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos on January 21, 2025. Fabrice Coffrini | Afp | Getty Images Poland, a staunch Ukraine ally and another European country that shares a border with Russia’s Kaliningrad, has also urged EU countries not to reopen Russian gas flows. “I can only hope that European leaders will learn lessons from Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and that they will push through a decision to never restore the pumping of gas through this pipeline,” Polish President Andrzej Duda said in an interview with the BBC last month. His comments referred to the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline, which connects Russia and northern Germany via the Baltic Sea. Source link #Ukraines #allies #warn #Europe #returning #Russian #gas Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Mexico deploys the first of 10,000 National Guard troops to US border after Trump's tariff threat – The Associated Press Mexico deploys the first of 10,000 National Guard troops to US border after Trump's tariff threat – The Associated Press Mexico deploys the first of 10,000 National Guard troops to US border after Trump’s tariff threat The Associated PressMexican border cities are in limbo as tariff threats spark fears of a recession The HillTrump agrees to pause tariffs on Canada and Mexico after they pledge to boost border enforcement The Associated PressMexico deploys 10,000 troops to border amid US President Donald Trump’s tariff threat Hindustan Times Source link #Mexico #deploys #National #Guard #troops #border #Trump039s #tariff #threat #Press Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Marcus Stoinis: Veteran West Aussie retires from one-day international cricket on eve of Champions Trophy Marcus Stoinis: Veteran West Aussie retires from one-day international cricket on eve of Champions Trophy West Australia all-rounder Marcus Stoinis has announced his shock retirement from one-day international cricket just two weeks out from a Champions Trophy he was expected to play. Source link #Marcus #Stoinis #Veteran #West #Aussie #retires #oneday #international #cricket #eve #Champions #Trophy Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]