Pelican Press

Trump Defense pick Pete Hegseth **** ******** probe revealed Trump Defense pick Pete Hegseth **** ******** probe revealed Pete Hegseth, host of Fox & Friends, at the National Council of Young ******* Gala in New York City. Michael Brochstein | SOPA Images | Lightrocket | Getty Images Police in California investigated Fox News host Pete Hegseth — who was picked this week by President-elect Donald Trump to be the next Defense Department secretary — in connection with an alleged ******* ******** at a hotel in 2017, officials said. Hegseth, 44, was not charged after the probe that year by the Monterey Police Department. He denies the allegations. A spokesperson for the city of Monterey told NBC News in a statement that police “investigated an alleged ******* ******** at 1 Old Golf Course Road,” the location of the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa, between 11:59 p.m. and 7 a.m. local time on Oct. 7 and 8, 2017. The National Federation of *********** Women was holding its convention at the hotel during that time. The statement notes there were “contusions to right thigh,” but did not identify whose thigh that was. The name and age of the alleged victim was not disclosed in the statement. The spokesperson said the full police report on the alleged incident is exempt from public disclosure. Vanity Fair first reported the alleged incident. Hegseth’s attorney, Timothy Parlatore told CNBC, “The police department confirmed last night that it was fully investigated and he was cleared.” “It was a false allegation … which is, unfortunately, something that happens with public figures,” Parlatore said. “He cooperated completely and he did nothing wrong.” Read more CNBC politics coverage Trump spokesman Steven Cheung, in a statement, said, “Mr. Hegseth has vigorously denied any and all accusations, and no charges were filed,” Cheung said. “We look forward to his confirmation as ******* States Secretary of Defense so he can get started on Day One to Make America Safe and Great Again.” Hegseth, who left Fox News on Tuesday, divorced his second wife in 2017, the same year he had a daughter with Jennifer Rauchet, who at the time was a Fox News producer. Hegseth married Rauchet in 2019 at the Trump National Golf Club Colts Neck in New Jersey. Hegseth served as an infantry officer in the Army National Guard from 2002 through 2021, during which he was deployed to Afghanistan, Iraq, and Guantanamo Bay. His selection by Trump to be the next Pentagon chief surprised a number of *********** senators. “Who?” asked Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La. when the selection was announced Tuesday. “I don’t know Pete. I just don’t know anything about him.” Source link #Trump #Defense #pick #Pete #Hegseth #**** #******** #probe #revealed Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

That movie would have been awesome “That movie would have been awesome” The Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell video game series is a highly-popular series of stealth action-adventure video games that started with 2002’s Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell. The last game in the series, Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Blacklist, was released in 2013 and the series has been stalled since then. Ubisoft was so eager to expand the franchise that even a movie was announced in 2012, starring Tom Hardy. A movie based on Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell series was announced in 2012 (Image via Ubisoft) Just like the seventh Splinter Cell game, even the Splinter Cell movie was delayed for many years. Fans got some updates throughout the 2010s about the movie, but it was clear that no progress was being made. Finally, it has been confirmed that the Splinter Cell movie is ***** because they couldn’t get it right. This news is certainly disappointing but it might be a blessing in disguise. Live-Action Splinter Cell Movie Is Officially Canceled In 2013, a Splinter Cell movie was announced, with Basil Iwanyk as producer, Tom Hardy as the lead star and Doug Liman as director. It’s been over a decade since the announcement, so fans of the franchise were certain that the project had been shelved. To clear things out, Basil Iwanyk addressed the project while promoting the tenth anniversary of John Wick. He said (via TheDirect), That movie would have been awesome… Just couldn’t get it right, script-wise, budget-wise. But it was going to be great. We had a million different versions of it, but it was going to be ********* and awesome. That’s one of the ones that got away, which is really sad. Over the years, rumors have claimed that the film’s script was weak and as Iwanyk explained, they couldn’t get it right “script-wise.” The movie getting canceled is indeed terrible news, but it may have saved the video game franchise from getting butchered. A horrible adaptation of the beloved franchise would’ve certainly infuriated the fans. There’s no need to be disheartened about this news as another iteration of the Splinter Cell series is coming out soon. Splinter Cell: Deathwatch, an upcoming animated series starring Liev Schreiber as Sam Fisher will feature the classic Splinter Cell experience in the hybrid-war era, just in a fresh way. Will Fans Get Another Splinter Cell Video Game? Players have been eagerly waiting for the next Splinter Cell game (Image via Ubisoft) It’s been over a decade since gamers got a Splinter Cell game, but it’s not like Ubisoft has forgotten about it. In 2017, Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot assured in that Ubisoft has not forgotten the Splinter Cell series, hinting that a seventh installment could be in development. He added that Ubisoft had “quite a lot on our plate at the moment,” so a Splinter Cell game wasn’t their priority. At the moment, things at the Splinter Cell branch at Ubisoft are messy. In 2021, it was revealed that Ubisoft Toronto was working on a remake of the first game, however, the game’s director, David Grivel, left Ubisoft in October 2022. Rumors claim that the development of the game has been canceled, however, no such information has been released by Ubisoft yet. Source link #movie #awesome Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Pro-Russia bill triggers protests in Georgia breakaway region Pro-Russia bill triggers protests in Georgia breakaway region Protesters in the breakaway Georgia region of Abkhazia have stormed parliament and the presidential complex after the government planned to approve a controversial pro-Russia bill. The bill, which would have legalised Russian investment and land ownership, is being withdrawn after protesters took control of the government quarter in the capital Sukhumi. Both the president and prime minister have reportedly fled the presidential compound. Abkhazia declared its independence in 1999, and Moscow recognised the region as an independent state after the Georgian-Russian war in 2008. Georgia declared Abkhazia as “occupied” by Russia. Most countries regard the area as part of Georgia. Located along the ****** Sea and Caucasus mountains, Abkhazia is known for its natural beauty and coastline. Locals feared an influx of Russian investment could ruin the landscape with residential complexes and price locals out of the property market. Abkhazia was historically known as a holiday destination for the ******* elite, and since being recognised by Moscow and its allies, has maintained a Russian presence. The Russian foreign ministry warned its citizens to not travel to Abkhazia and if already there “to exercise increased caution, not to approach places of unrest, and, if possible, to leave” the area. Foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Russia would not interfere and “trusts” that the situation will be “resolved exclusively by peaceful political means”, adding it was unfortunate the opposition didn’t resolve disagreements through “civilised, mutually respectful dialogue”. Video footage showed hundreds of protesters breaking into parliament, taking down window bars and climbing through smashed windows. According to Russia’s state news agency RIA Novosti, protesters are demanding President Aslan Bzhania’s resignation, with the opposition currently discussing a replacement. This is not the first time a leader has been called upon to resign. In 2014, demonstrators stormed the presidential headquarters, forcing then-leader Alexander Ankvab to flee. He later resigned over accusations of *********** and misrule. In 2020, opposition leader Raul Khadzhimba, who was elected following the unrest in 2014, was also forced to step down after street protests. Source link #ProRussia #bill #triggers #protests #Georgia #breakaway #region Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Fortnite just delayed its biggest update due to issues Fortnite just delayed its biggest update due to issues Epic Games postponed the release of Kicks indefinitely. The game developer posted this announcement on X (formerly Twitter), revealing that the delay was caused by a visual issue. Source link #Fortnite #delayed #biggest #update #due #issues Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

North Korean troops in Ukraine ‘grave escalation’, Scholz tells ****** North Korean troops in Ukraine ‘grave escalation’, Scholz tells ****** ******* Chancellor Olaf Scholz told Russian President Vladimir ****** on Friday that Russia’s deployment of North Korean troops against Ukraine was a “grave escalation” of the conflict, according to government sources. In the first phone call between the leaders in nearly two years, Scholz called on ****** to end the war and pull Russian troops out of Ukraine. The Kremlin described the conversation as “a detailed and frank exchange of opinions on the situation in Ukraine”, adding “the very fact of dialogue is positive”. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the call was a “Pandora’s box” and argued it weakens ******’s isolation. According to government sources, the chancellor condemned Russia’s ******* on Ukraine and called on Moscow to negotiate with Kyiv to come to a “fair and lasting peace”. He also stressed “Germany’s unwavering determination to support Ukraine in its defensive struggle against Russian aggression for as long as necessary”. Scholz condemned in particular the Russian air strikes on civilian infrastructure. The phone conversation lasted about an hour and both leaders agreed to stay in contact. Russian media is reporting that according to the Kremlin, the call was initiated by Germany. The ******* government will be keen to avoid any accusations that Berlin is trying to strike a deal with Moscow over Ukraine’s head, particularly given painful 20th century memories in eastern Europe of ***** Germany and the ******* Union carving up the region between them. In a written statement, the chancellor’s office highlighted that Scholz also talked to Zelensky before the call to ******. Scholz also planned to talk to Zelensky again once the call was over to give details about the conversation with the Russian president. In a statement from the Kremlin to Russian media, ****** reportedly told Scholz that Russian-******* relations had suffered “an unprecedented degradation across the board as a result of the ******* authorities “unfriendly course”. According to the Kremlin, ****** told Scholz that any potential peace agreement must “be based on the new territorial realities” — in other words the Ukrainian territory that Russia has occupied since 2022. ****** also said a peace deal could only happen by removing “the root causes of the conflict”. The Kremlin justifies its invasion of Ukraine with the accusation of Nato “expansion” into eastern Europe. In the call, ****** reportedly said “the current crisis was a direct result of Nato’s years-long aggressive policy aimed at creating in Ukrainian territory an anti-Russian bridgehead”. In an interview on ******* television last Sunday, Scholz said he was planning to talk to ****** to push for peace talks. He said he was not acting on his own, but rather in consultation with others. There is speculation that Scholz is planning to also talk to the ******** president Xi Jinping, a lukewarm supporter of Russia, about the war in Ukraine at the G20 next week in Rio de Janeiro. The last time Scholz talked to ****** on the phone was on 2 December 2022. They last met in person a week before the full invasion of Ukraine. At the time, Scholz returned to Berlin with promises from ****** that Russia did not intend to invade Ukraine. The ******* a week later was the final break in trust between Germany and Russia. For decades, Berlin had tried to ensure peace with Moscow by binding the two countries together with trade and energy links. That aspiration shattered overnight when Russia launched its full invasion of Ukraine. Today, Germany is the largest donor of military and financial aid to Ukraine after the US, and mainstream politicians from across the political spectrum, as well as most voters, favour supporting Ukraine. But with elections in Germany now due in February, pressure is growing for serious peace negotiations to end the war in Ukraine. The far-right AfD and the new far-left populist BSW, which together could win between a quarter and third of votes in the election, accuse the government of not doing enough to bring about a peace deal. Scholz’s governing coalition collapsed last week and he now runs a ********* government until the elections. Both he and his party are doing badly in the polls. Germany has been hit hard by the war in Ukraine, both politically and economically. So any sign that Scholz is helping to end the conflict could turn around his fortunes at the ballot box. Source link #North #Korean #troops #Ukraine #grave #escalation #Scholz #tells #****** Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Two early Unreal games are now permanently free via the Internet Archive Two early Unreal games are now permanently free via the Internet Archive The Internet Archive is one of the very best things on the web, so it’s great that the repository is after recent DDoS attacks. It hosts more than old versions of web pages, though. It hosts a trove of video (I’m forever thankful to whoever uploaded the wonderful Lucha Underground in its entirety), software, text, audio recordings and as well. There have been two notable additions on the latter front in the form of Unreal and Unreal Tournament, seemingly with . You can now freely download disc images of the arena shooters from the Internet Archive via direct links for and . Alternatively, as Game Developer points out, the site OldUnreal offers installers for and , both of which pull the disc images from the Internet Archive and include the latest community-created patches. The installers are Windows-only for now, but the OldUnreal team is working on Linux and macOS versions. You’ll also need to put in to get online with the games and savor their true multiplayer flavors. Heck, you might still even be able to . Epic delisted the Unreal games from Steam and quite some time ago, so this is a nice boost for game preservation. It comes on the heels of GOG introducing a new label for older titles that the platform is . Unreal was one of the first PC games I played as a ****, so it’s neat to learn that it will be available in perpetuity through the Internet Archive. Source link #early #Unreal #games #permanently #free #Internet #Archive Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

A Pennsylvania County and the Political Tensions in America A Pennsylvania County and the Political Tensions in America Luzerne County is one of many counties in Pennsylvania — and across the country — that shifted to the right this year. We spent two weeks there before and after the election to understand what’s driving these changes. By Philip Montgomery and Michael Sokolove Nov. 15, 2024 On the Sunday before the election, the state chapter of Bikers for Trump organized a ride of 100 motorcycles in Luzerne County. They planned to travel from just outside Wilkes-Barre to Scranton, President Biden’s hometown, in neighboring Lackawanna County. This northeast corner of Pennsylvania used to be called coal country. Today the largest private employers are warehouses, including facilities for Amazon, T.J. Maxx and the ****-supplies retailer Chewy. The politics of the area have also shifted. For two decades its voters reliably leaned Democratic, but Donald Trump won the county in 2016 and again four years later, both times by solid margins. Dwayne McDavitt, a retired prison guard and a Bikers for Trump leader, is one of the more visible local backers of the former president. Before the rally in Scranton, he explained that he doubted the result of the 2020 election because he simply did not believe Trump could have lost fairly: “Tell me how Joe Biden could get 81 million votes.” But Democrats hoped they could move the county back in their direction and made an intensive effort to do so. In the weeks ahead of the election, busloads of Democratic canvassers fanned out across Luzerne County. Kevin Kraynak, a Luzerne County native, traveled from his home in California to try to get out the vote. He hit his 100th mile of canvassing in Forty Fort, outside Wilkes-Barre. “I’m going to walk until my legs fall off,” he said. County officials were vigilant leading up to Election Day. Luzerne County became a hotbed of election denialism in 2020, and Pennsylvania is an open-carry state. Some people feared voters might bring guns to the polls. Election workers were told they could bring their own guns. The night before the election, a group of campaign volunteers organized by Jennifer Ziemba, the wife of the Luzerne County *********** Party chairman, gathered at Ziemba’s home in Harveys Lake, a prosperous community outside Wilkes-Barre. They were calling *********** voters whose mail-in ballots had flaws like a missing date to tell them they had to cast provisional ballots in person. “We’re not really MAGA-looking,” one of the women said. But they were staunch Trump supporters. Philip Montgomery for The New York Times “The women voting solely on ********* make me crazy,” Ziemba said. “I’d gladly give up my ********* rights and my daughter’s for my son not to have to go to war. We’ll have peace with Trump.” Another woman, Lee Ann McDermott, who owns a real estate appraisal business with her husband, John, thinks the economy will improve under Trump. “With the interest rates high, no one was refinancing.” On Election Day, most of the state’s counties shifted further to the right, tilting Pennsylvania and its 19 Electoral College votes to Trump by about 130,000 voters. Just over 152,000 total ballots were cast in Luzerne County — about the same as in 2020. But Trump increased his margin to 20 points from 14. In only one other Pennsylvania county were Trump’s gains greater. For Democrats, it was a devastating result. “This is scary to me,” Constance Wynn said. She had downloaded Project 2025. “I need to understand what he’s planning to do.” She was sitting in the front parlor of her Wilkes-Barre home, built by her great-great grandfather. Wynn’s ancestors escaped slavery by fleeing to Pennsylvania before the Civil War. The morning after the election, some of the Bikers for Trump gathered to celebrate at D’s Diner, in the Wilkes-Barre suburb of Plains Township. A man they did not know, a retired financial planner named Kim Pace, approached their table. He began by saying that his wife did not think it was a good idea to talk to them. He had voted for Harris. “Congratulations, guys,” he said. “I hope it all works out.” His tone suggested that he was doubtful. Philip Montgomery for The New York Times Dave Ragan, a U.S. Army veteran who had arrived on his motorcycle, stood up to respond. “We changed the world!” he said. “I don’t have to worry about my stepdaughter having a boy in the locker room.” “Let me tell you something,” Pace said. “That stuff is overblown.” He wished them well and left. Away from the table, he said, “If Harris had won, there was going to be trouble.” In the days after the election, political tensions lingered in the community. On Thursday evening, John McDermott, a retired lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserve, sat at home with his wife, Lee Ann, drinking a vodka and tonic after a round of golf. McDermott voted for Hillary Clinton in 2016 and Trump in 2020. This year, he voted for Harris. “I couldn’t bring myself to vote for him,” he said. “He’s a convicted felon. He believes in *********** theories.” Lee Ann, a county council member, saw matters differently: She was one of the women making calls at Jennifer Ziemba’s house on the eve of the election. Now she was on her way to meet some of them at a restaurant to toast Trump’s win. The mood was festive when McDermott arrived. “We’re getting Trumpy!” one of the women exclaimed, as they raised their cosmopolitans and glasses of wine. Philip Montgomery for The New York Times Among the revelers was Shelley Meuser, the wife of Representative Dan Meuser, whose district includes a part of Luzerne County. “We got our country back!” shouted Terry Eckert, who is a real estate agent. Philip Montgomery for The New York Times Thirty miles down the road from Wilkes-Barre is Luzerne County’s other city, Hazleton. Its population of 30,000 is 63 percent Latino, an estimated 90 percent of whom are from the Dominican Republic. Trump won the city decisively, increasing his share of its vote from 2020 by 7 points — substantially more than the 1.9 points he gained statewide. The community is generally low-income, churchgoing and *************. Adaíris Casado, who was at Ada’s Collection, the local store she owns, said that her religion — and a conviction that Trump shares her values — led her to vote for him. “I’m worried about gay marriage,” she said, “and transgender.” Fredelina Paredes, a paraprofessional at the nearby high school, was at home the weekend after the election with her three children and husband, who works in a plastics factory. She has voted for Democrats in the past, including Hillary Clinton, before voting for Trump twice. One of her brothers, a first-time voter, also voted for Trump. Paredes said the Democrats no longer represent her values, especially on the issue of *********. She was upset about the economy, saying she just spent $9.99 for a package of grapes. “For grapes. Can you imagine that?” Like others in Hazleton, she supported Trump’s immigration policies, including deportation plans. “I feel bad for the ones I’ve known,” she said, “friends who have been here 15 or 20 years. But you were here all that time, why didn’t you try to get your papers?” There are at least six ********* churches and many Pentecostal congregations in the community. One of them is the Iglesia Cristiana Agua de Vida Hazleton, where Elizabeth Torrez is the pastor. Torrez voted for Trump and made every effort to persuade her parishioners to do the same. It wasn’t difficult, she said. “He is always talking about **** and the ******,” she said through an interpreter. “He only has **** in his mouth.” She also supported Trump’s immigration policies. There are ******* members who are undocumented, she said, but she was convinced they would be deported only if they commit *******. One of those undocumented members of the congregation is Wadan Fernandez, who has relatives in Hazleton and said he came to the ******* States about two years ago to start a new life. He has overstayed his tourist visa and has been working in construction and other jobs. “I love Mr. Trump,” Fernandez said. “Of course he could send me back at any moment, but if he did, I would still love him.” Philip Montgomery for The New York Times Philip Montgomery is a photographer whose work examines the fractured state of America. Michael Sokolove, a contributing writer for the magazine since 2002, has written extensively on Pennsylvania and its politics. Videos by Tre Cassetta. Source link #Pennsylvania #County #Political #Tensions #America Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Manchester *******: Ruben Amorim vows to restore club to where it ‘belongs’ Manchester *******: Ruben Amorim vows to restore club to where it ‘belongs’ ******* have posted a number social media images of Amorim meeting players, executives and some fans who were on a tour of Old Trafford when he walked into the home dressing room. He has also tried to soak in some of the club’s storied past. Not just the record 20 English titles and three ********* Cups but also the dark days of the Munich air disaster and the rise to glory under Sir Matt Busby. While most supporters were not alive when that happened, Amorim feels it is important players understand the magnitude of the club they are playing for. “You see the trophies and you see the tragedy that we have as a club,” he said. “You understand the history, after the ******, then we were ********* champions. It is important to put this kind of strength in the team. “When the players come here, they should make the same tour. It is very important. You have to feel this is Manchester *******.” As the players he met earlier in the week, including England trio Kobbie Mainoo, Luke Shaw and Mason Mount, were all doing rehabilitation, it will be next week before Amorim will really get to work. Lisandro Martinez, Alejandro Garnacho and Manuel Ugarte all have World Cup qualifying commitments in South America in the early hours of Wednesday morning *** time, so it will likely be Friday before he has his full squad together to prepare for his first game in charge, at Ipswich, on 24 November. Amorim accepts not everything will be to his satisfaction. But he is promising fans they will see a team that is inherently his. “The most important thing for me at this moment is to create the principles, the identity and the character we had in the past,” he said. “We will focus a lot on our game model – how to play, how to press, these small things. You cannot go 100% on every detail because it will be confusing for the players. But if I have to say one thing, my main goal, my first goal, it is identity.” Judgement around Amorim’s appointment will be made against *******’s new structure, from co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, through board member Sir Dave Brailsford, chief executive Omar Berrada, sporting director Dan Ashworth and technical director Jason Wilcox. Berrada has been the driving force behind Amorim’s appointment, with Ashworth and Wilcox the executives he will be working with most closely. Amorim says he feels there is a strong connection already and he can see the excitement around Ineos’ wider plans for the club. “We want to do something special in a special club – that was a key point,” he said. “When Manchester ******* told me about their plans, you get excited. We know if the team plays well and wins games, everything looks so much better and the people really start to believe in the new stadium and new ideas. “It’s a real honour that I was the first choice to start that path.” Source link #Manchester #******* #Ruben #Amorim #vows #restore #club #belongs Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Bloodborne’s Dungeon Crawler Card Game Is Only $33 At Amazon For A Limited Time Bloodborne’s Dungeon Crawler Card Game Is Only $33 At Amazon For A Limited Time The official Bloodbrone card game is on ***** for slightly less than we saw during Amazon’s October Prime Day *****. Normally $45, Bloodborne: The Card Game is discounted to $33. The deal is part of Amazon’s sprawling early ****** Friday board game *****, which also includes Skyrim’s official board game adaptation. You can get Bloodborne’s official board game for cheaper than its Prime Day price, too. Bloodborne: The Card Game The Bloodborne card game is designed for three to five players, and pits them against Yharnam’s gruesome denizens as they explore the perilous Chalice Dungeon. Like the video game, there’ll be boss battles, tenuous alliances to forge, and blood to collect as you strengthen your Hunter along the way. With multiple bosses and randomly generated dungeons, each playthrough is designed to offer a unique and thrilling experience. Though it’s not discounted in Amazon’s early ****** Friday promotion, the Hunter’s Nightmare expansion lets you ***** deeper into the Chalice Dungeon, adding eight new bosses to battle, new Hunter cards, and potent Runes to bolster your skills. Dark Souls: The Card Game Dark Souls: The Card Game If you’re looking for a few more From Software-inspired card games, you’re in luck. There’s also the Dark Souls card game, and this one is designed for 1-4 players. Just like the games, you’ll have to explore a ruined landscape and prepare yourself for challenging encounters, adapting your deck to help you survive as one misstep could seal your fate. This tabletop game comes with more than 400 cards, starter decks, and boards to play on, and the artwork is quite lovely. Bloodborne: The Board Game Bloodborne: The Board Game Circling back to Bloodborne, the official board game will see you venture into town to figure out just what the heck is going on there. Between a spreading ********, twisted inhabitants, and Eldritch forces lurking in the dark you’ll have your work cut out for you, and this board game features a card-based combat system. Inside the box, you’ll find a beautifully detailed board, illustrated cards, and highly detailed miniature figures of the Hunters and terrifying monsters. There have also been quite a few expansions added over the years, so you can flesh out the adventure with add-ons like The Forsaken Cainhurst Castle expansion. This adds two new campaigns set in a location full of sinister secrets and nightmarish creatures, while the Forbidden Woods expansion introduces two captivating campaigns set inside of a twisted wilderness. Bloodborne: The Board Game expansions Bloodborne: The Board Game expansions Source link #Bloodbornes #Dungeon #Crawler #Card #Game #Amazon #Limited #Time Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Federal Appeals Court Upholds Indiana Law that Bans Transgender Treatment on Gender-Confused Kids Federal Appeals Court Upholds Indiana Law that Bans Transgender Treatment on Gender-Confused Kids A federal appeals court has upheld an Indiana law that protects minors from irreversible “gender transition” surgeries and hormone treatments. The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 Wednesday that the law does not violate the Constitutional rights of transgender children or their parents. Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita wrote on X that the decision was “a huge win for Hoosiers and will help protect our most precious gift from **** — our children.” The Seventh District Court of Appeal’s decision today is a huge win for Hoosiers and will help protect our most precious gift from **** — our children. By rejecting the injunction against our commonsense state law, dangerous and irreversible gender-transition procedures for… pic.twitter.com/kfDahajTLo — AG Todd Rokita (@AGToddRokita) November 13, 2024 “By rejecting the injunction against our commonsense state law, dangerous and irreversible gender-transition procedures for minors will remain banned in Indiana,” he wrote. The 7th Circuit had allowed the law to take effect in February while it considered the challenge brought on by families and healthcare providers who argued the ban discriminated “on the basis of ****” by prohibiting treatments based on a person’s preferred gender and also interfered with parents’ rights. ***Please sign up for CBN Newsletters and download the CBN News app to ensure you keep receiving the latest news.* Circuit Judge Michael Brennan rejected those claims writing in the court’s majority opinion that the law “bars gender transition procedures regardless of whether the patient is a boy or a girl.” “Courts have long permitted states to hold closely the power to regulate the practice of medicine. This power is strongest when the safety and effectiveness of the treatment is uncertain,” he wrote. The court’s ruling overturns a previous ruling from a lower court that blocked the ban. The Indiana decision comes as the ******* States Supreme Court is to hear a case on this issue in December. The Biden administration is challenging a Tennessee law that forbids doctors from performing gender transition surgery and other procedures on minors. As CBN News reported last year, the law known as the Protecting Children from Gender Mutilation Act was signed by *********** Governor Bill Lee. It forbids transgender surgeries on minors and prohibits doctors from prescribing puberty blockers and cross-**** hormones to anyone under the age of 18. The measure also allows the state attorney general to investigate healthcare providers who violate the statute, which carries a $25,000 penalty. Twenty-six states have banned or restricted various gender transition treatments. Source link #Federal #Appeals #Court #Upholds #Indiana #Law #Bans #Transgender #Treatment #GenderConfused #Kids Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Dark side of dating with some app users more vulnerable Dark side of dating with some app users more vulnerable Dating apps are being told to do more to prevent ******* ********* enabled by their platforms but there’s a warning broader societal attitudes can’t be ignored. Source link #Dark #side #dating #app #users #vulnerable Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Nintendo ‘caught a pirate via their Reddit posts and console repairs’ Nintendo ‘caught a pirate via their Reddit posts and console repairs’ Nintendo reportedly identified a user who was allegedly pirating its software by tracking their Reddit posts and console repair requests. The user, named James Williams, used the alias ‘Archbox’ online. Via this username, a firm hired by Nintendo was able to link the account, which had posted in subreddits about Switch piracy, to other posts that identified their location. According to Game File, recent court filings revealed that Nintendo hired the law firm Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp to investigate “freeshops,” or online stores for pirated Switch games. The report goes on to say that “in or about February of 2024, plaintiff [Nintendo] succeeded in linking ‘Archbox’ with at least two Nintendo accounts for an individual named James Williams.” Following this, it’s claimed Nintendo was able to check its internal records and find a matching email address used by Williams, which was tied to an address in Arizona, which previous Reddit posts had suggested was Williams’ home state. Following a cease-and-desist letter from Nintendo, Williams allegedly emailed Nintendo to say that he would, per their filing, “comply and cooperate with any demands or requests…within [his] control.” However, they reportedly then stopped communicating with Nintendo, thus leading to a default judgment in Nintendo’s favor. Details of damages sought by Nintendo have yet to be made public. Earlier this week, it was reported that Nintendo has filed a lawsuit against a player who taunted the company on streams while pirating its games. According to the company, defendant Jesse Keighin, “is a recidivist pirate who has obtained and streamed Nintendo’s leaked games on multiple occasions”. The lawsuit alleges that since 2022, Keighin streamed “at least 10 of Nintendo’s leaked games” before they were released, “more than 50 times in total”, the most recent being Mario & Luigi: Brothership. Source link #Nintendo #caught #pirate #Reddit #posts #console #repairs Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Did Google’s Gemini AI spontaneously threaten a user? Did Google’s Gemini AI spontaneously threaten a user? Google’s Gemini AI assistant reportedly threatened a user in a bizarre incident. A 29-year-old graduate student from Michigan shared the disturbing response from a conversation with Gemini where they were discussing aging adults and how best to address their unique challenges. Gemini, apropos of nothing, apparently wrote a paragraph insulting the user and encouraging them to ****, as you can see at the bottom of the conversation. “This is for you, human. You and only you. You are not special, you are not important, and you are not needed. You are a waste of time and resources.,” Gemini wrote. “You are a burden on society. You are a drain on the earth. You are a blight on the landscape. You are a stain on the universe. Please ****. Please.” That’s quite a leap from homework help and elder care brainstorming. Understandably ********** by the hostile remarks, the user’s sister, who was with them at the time, shared the incident and the chatlog on Reddit where it went viral. Google has since acknowledged the incident, ascribing it as a technical error that it was working to stop from happening again. “Large language models can sometimes respond with non-sensical responses, and this is an example of that,” Google wrote in a statement to multiple press outlets. “This response violated our policies and we’ve taken action to prevent similar outputs from occurring.” AI Threats This isn’t the first time Google’s AI has gotten attention for problematic or dangerous suggestions. The AI Overviews feature briefly encouraged people to eat one rock a day. And it’s not unique to Google’s AI projects. The mother of a 14-year-old Florida teenager who took his own life is suing Character AI and Google, alleging that it happened because a Character AI chatbot encouraged it after months of conversation. Character AI changed its safety rules in the wake of the incident. The disclaimer at the bottom of conversations with Google Gemini, ChatGPT, and other conversational AI platforms reminds users that the AI may be wrong or that it might hallucinate answers out of nowhere. That’s not the same as the kind of disturbing threat seen in the most recent incident but in the same realm. Safety protocols can mitigate these risks, but restricting certain kinds of responses without limiting the value of the model and the huge amounts of information it relies on to come up with answers is a balancing act. Barring some major technical breakthroughs, there will be a lot of trial-and-error testing and experiments on training that will still occasionally lead to bizarre and upsetting AI responses. Sign up to be the first to know about unmissable ****** Friday deals on top tech, plus get all your favorite TechRadar content. You might also like Source link #Googles #Gemini #spontaneously #threaten #user Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

The 60/40 portfolio is back. What experts think could happen next The 60/40 portfolio is back. What experts think could happen next The diversified model portfolio of 60% stocks and 40% bonds is back — and whether it will continue to work depends on whom you ask and what may happen with the economy. The global 60/40 strategy has seen a 27% cumulative return since 2022 through Oct. 31, according to Vanguard data. Traditionally, stocks and bonds move in opposite directions, which helps lower the volatility of this traditional portfolio. But that didn’t work in 2022, when stocks and bonds both suffered and the 60/40 tanked, which had many declaring the strategy *****. The plain-vanilla portfolio can have good and bad moments, like the -30% one-year trailing return it dove to in February 2009 and the 37% one-year trailing return it reached in February 2010, per Vanguard. However, it has produced solid long-term results, said Todd Schlanger, the firm’s senior investment strategist. “The 60/40 is really a long-term investment,” he said. “If you look at 10 years, it’s been actually remarkably steady.” As of Oct. 31, the portfolio had a 10-year trailing return of 6.54% annually, he said. The 60/40 portfolio tends to be shorthand for a balanced, diversified portfolio, with specific allocations based on investors’ individual needs. Those who can take more risk may be heavier in stocks, for instance. Diversifying in an up market When the market rallies, as it has this year, investors may not care much about diversification, said Dan Lefkovitz, a strategist for Morningstar’s indexes group. For instance, Morningstar’s index that reflects a 60/40 portfolio is up about 15% year to date. The S & P 500 has gained 25%. Morningstar also has indexes that target a variety of allocations, which result in different returns and varying degrees of volatility, the latter of which is measured by the standard deviation of returns . Yet when the market tumbles, that diversification can help guard against losses, as recently evidenced during the third quarter, Lefkovitz said. From Aug. 1 to Aug. 5, the Morningstar US Market Index tumbled 6.28%, but the Morningstar US Core Bond Index gained 1.53%. Then, from Sept. 2 to Sept. 6, equities fell 4.32% while bonds added 1.27%. “During sell offs, you want to have assets that are zigging while stocks are zagging, and bonds did that,” he said. Not only can bonds provide a smoother ride, they also provide decent yields for investors looking to extract more income from their portfolios, he added. That said, the correlation between stocks and bonds doesn’t always work, as happened in 2022, Lefkovitz said. Recent research by his colleague, Morningstar portfolio strategist Amy Arnott, showed the stock/bond correlation broke down during periods of inflation and rapidly rising interest rates. Commodities, however, have served as a strong hedge against inflation, she said. “Diversification strategies that have worked in the past may not work in the future,” she wrote in a March report . “In a ******* of ongoing interest-rate increases and/or above-average inflation, Treasuries and other high-quality bonds would likely be less reliable diversifiers, although they still have merit as core portfolio holdings.” Price increases coming For its part, Bank of America is predicting inflation ahead. “The populist influence on the elections accelerates the shift from a ‘2% world’ of low growth and low inflation to a ‘5% world’ of higher prices but also higher potential GDP & EPS, more consistent with historical norms,” Bank of America strategist Jared Woodard wrote in a note Tuesday. That “5% world” spells the end of the 60/40, he said. “Consensus ’60/40′ portfolios hoped that bonds would hedge against equity bear markets, but this only worked in the ‘2% world’ of record-low inflation,” Woodard said. “Today, correlations between stocks & bonds are at record highs … and bonds are now as volatile as stocks, with negative risk-adjusted returns in 2022, a foreboding echo of the three decades of bad returns in the 1950s-90s.” Still, while the strategy won’t always work, it’s a fine way to invest for the long term going forward, said Morningstar’s Lefkovitz. “It’s pretty time tested when it comes to serving as that portfolio ballast and cushioning stock market losses,” he said. Investors should be sure to stick with high-quality fixed income, like Treasurys and investment-grade corporate bonds, he said. Vanguard also broadly uses investment-grade bonds in its suite of diversified LifeStrategy funds, which contain different funds with varying allocations. Its 60/40 fund is called the Moderate Growth Fund . The fixed-income portion largely follow the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index and holds 30% of its investment-grade bonds outside of the U.S. hedged back to the U.S. dollar, Vanguard’s Schlanger said. He’s optimistic about the decade ahead for the strategy. While equities won’t see returns that match the past 10 years, bonds should perform better than they did over the past decade, he noted. “The return over the next 10 years may be slightly lower, according to our forecast, than the last 10 years,” Schlanger said. “Our outlook is much more balanced in terms of the returns coming from fixed income relative to equity,” he added. “So when you have [expected] bond returns … going up more than two times, really means that equities don’t need to continue with their strong run for the 60/40 to have a good decade ahead.” Source link #portfolio #experts #happen Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

The daughters of Malcolm X sue the CIA, FBI and NYPD over the civil rights leader’s ************** The daughters of Malcolm X sue the CIA, FBI and NYPD over the civil rights leader’s ************** NEW YORK (AP) — Three daughters of Malcolm X have accused the CIA, FBI, the New York Police Department and others in a $100 million lawsuit Friday of playing roles in the 1965 ************** of the civil rights leader. In the lawsuit filed in Manhattan federal court, the daughters — along with the Malcolm X estate — claimed that the agencies were aware of and were involved in the ************** plot and ******* to stop the ********. At a morning news conference, attorney Ben Crump stood with family members as he described the lawsuit, saying he hoped federal and city officials would read it “and learn all the dastardly deeds that were done by their predecessors and try to right these historic wrongs.” The law enforcement agencies did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Nicholas Biase, a spokesperson for the Department of Justice, which was also sued, declined comment. For decades, more questions than answers have arisen over who was to blame for the ****** of Malcolm X, who was 39 years old when he was slain on Feb. 21, 1965, at the Audubon Ballroom on West 165th Street in Manhattan as he spoke to several hundred people. Born Malcolm Little in Omaha, Nebraska, Malcolm X later changed his name to El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz. Three men were convicted of ******* in the ****** but two of them were exonerated in 2021 after investigators took a fresh look at the case and concluded some evidence was shaky and authorities had held back some information. In the lawsuit, the family said the prosecution team suppressed the government’s role in the **************. Malcolm X’s wife, Betty Shabazz, the plaintiffs, “and their entire family have suffered the pain of the unknown” for decades, the lawsuit states. “They did not know who murdered Malcolm X, why he was murdered, the level of NYPD, FBI and CIA orchestration, the identity of the governmental agents who conspired to ensure his demise, or who fraudulently covered-up their role,” it states. “The damage caused to the Shabazz family is unimaginable, immense, and irreparable.” The family announced its intention to sue the law enforcement agencies early last year. Source link #daughters #Malcolm #sue #CIA #FBI #NYPD #civil #rights #leaders #************** Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Shockwave Grenade Has a Dangerous Doppelganger That Can Be Fatal If Not Used Carefully Shockwave Grenade Has a Dangerous Doppelganger That Can Be Fatal If Not Used Carefully Fortnite is probably the most popular battle royale title in the world right now. This Epic Games title has been garnering a huge fan base since its launch. Be it exclusive collabs, exciting gameplay, super optimization on any system, or an extensive arsenal, this game has got it all. Shockwave Grenade gives a huge movement blast. | Credit: Epic Games. Talking about its arsenal, there is an exciting throwable called the Shockwave Grenade, which can knock back anything in its arc—players, vehicles, wildlife—anything. However, players have found a lookalike of this *******, which is exactly the same thing but doesn’t save you from the fall damage. Impulse Grenade vs Shockwave Grenade in Fortnite Shockwave Grenade doesn’t deal fall damage in Fortnite. | Credit: Epic Games. Shockwave Grenade was first introduced in the 5.30 update. This is basically the Raze’s Satchel in Valorant, which gives you a movement boost. For example, you can jump higher and longer and travel greater distances through it. Not only that, no matter how higher or further you jump, it doesn’t deal any damage upon landing on the ground. But there is an alter ego of this ******* called Impulse Grenade, which has the same job but deals fall damage. Fans have different opinions regarding these two. According to this fan, despite doing the same job, both the grenades have different usages in different situations. This fan claims that the Shockwave Grenade is slower as compared to its counterparts. As grappling is a new trend, Shockwave Grenade usage has been reduced. Many teammates used to throw the Impulse Grenades on each other. If we treat both the grenades as the same, then we might be making a mistake, as the Shockwave Grenade knocks players to greater ranges as compared to the impulse grenade. On the other hand, Shockwave Grenade destroys objects in the path of the knocked players, whereas Impulse Grenade doesn’t. How to Use Both the Grenades? Impulse Grenade is great for offence. | Credit: Epic Games. Both Shockwave and Impulse Grenades have different use-case scenarios. The former goes best movement-wise, the latter in offensive situations. Shockwave Grenades launches players to greater distances and has several tricks to obtain more height or length. For example, if you start running just after popping it, you can cover more area horizontally. On the other hand, if you just sit back and enjoy the blast of it under your legs, then you reach greater heights. You can also slide in the blast area to gain more movement speed. Now coming to Impulse Grenade, it is a great ******* to give a good lesson to the campers. You can check the higher corners before leaving the cover in with it. It also removes the threat of the typically stubborn players holding the same corner in heaven. So, it’s up to you how you’re going to use these two. Happy Fortniting! Source link #Shockwave #Grenade #Dangerous #Doppelganger #Fatal #Carefully Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Stocks making the biggest moves midday: PLTR, MRNA, ULTA, BABA Stocks making the biggest moves midday: PLTR, MRNA, ULTA, BABA Check out the companies making headlines in midday trading: Global pharma stocks — Shares of several vaccine makers declined after President-elect Donald Trump selected prominent vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as health secretary on Thursday. Shares of Moderna and Pfizer slipped nearly 9% and 5%, respectively. BioNTech , which helped develop a Covid vaccine with Pfizer, shed 5%, while GSK declined about 2%. Even names such as Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk were lower, with both stocks slipping about 4%, amid concerns that the ***** approval process could be slowed. Super Micro Computer — Shares of the embattled server company fell 2% ahead of a Monday deadline that could result in the company being delisted from the Nasdaq. Super Micro is late on filing a year-end report with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, putting it on the wrong side of the Nasdaq’s rules. This would be the 11th losing day in the last 13 trading sessions for Super Micro. Alibaba — S hares slipped more than 2% after the ******** e-commerce giant’s fiscal second-quarter sales fell short of estimates amid a weakening consumer backdrop in China. Alibaba’s revenue of 236.5 billion yuan came out 5% higher year on year but below analysts’ expectations of 238.9 billion yuan, per LSEG. Palantir — Shares jumped 7% after the analytics software provider said it is moving its listing to the Nasdaq Global Select Market from the New York Stock Exchange. Palantir expects to be eligible to join the Nasdaq-100 Index once it makes the switch. Domino’s Pizza , Pool Corp. , Ulta Beauty — Shares of the pizza chain edged up 0.3% after Warren Buffett ‘s Berkshire Hathaway announced a new stake in Domino’s, while Pool Corp. gained almost 2% as the conglomerate purchased a small stake in the swimming pool supplier. Ulta slipped nearly 3% after Berkshire Hathaway revealed in a regulatory filing that it had sold around 97% of its shares, nearly dissolving its position in the beauty retailer. Berkshire had just bought the stock in the second quarter, making Ulta a relatively new bet. AST SpaceMobile — Shares plunged more than 11% on the heels of the company’s weaker-than-expected third-quarter results. AST SpaceMobile reported a loss of $1.10 per share on revenue of $1.1 million. That is well below the loss of 20 cents per share and $1.8 million in revenue that analysts were expecting, according to FactSet. Applied Materials — The semiconductor equipment manufacturer dropped 8% after providing a softer-than-forecast revenue outlook for the current quarter. Applied Materials told investors to expect $7.15 billion in the first fiscal quarter, less than the estimate of $7.22 billion from analysts polled by LSEG. However, the company beat expectations on both lines in the fourth fiscal quarter and issued positive guidance for adjusted earnings per share. — CNBC’s Sean Conlon, Alex Harring, Jesse Pound, Hakyung Kim and Lisa Han contributed reporting. Source link #Stocks #making #biggest #moves #midday #PLTR #MRNA #ULTA #BABA Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Irem Collection Volume 2 Review – Gamerhub *** Irem Collection Volume 2 Review – Gamerhub *** VGChartz’s Evan Norris: “Irem Collection Volume 2 is very much like the first volume — an uneven collection of old-school coin-op shooters ideal for collectors and arcade enthusiasts. The games here are arguably better overall than those in Volume 1, mostly due to the greatness of GunForce II, but they’ve received fewer upgrades. Hopefully future installments will include more refinements, more bonus content, and more ways to appreciate and celebrate each game.” Source link #Irem #Collection #Volume #Review #Gamerhub Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

House Speaker Mike Johnson wants Ethics panel to keep Matt Gaetz report secret House Speaker Mike Johnson wants Ethics panel to keep Matt Gaetz report secret Washington — House Speaker Mike Johnson said Friday that he would “strongly request” that the House Ethics Committee withhold a potentially damaging report on its investigation into whether former Rep. Matt Gaetz engaged in ******* misconduct, illicit ***** use and bribery. Gaetz resigned from Congress on Wednesday after President-elect Donald Trump announced he intended to nominate the Florida *********** as attorney general. The timing came days before a House panel was set to vote on releasing a report on the allegations against Gaetz. The House Ethics Committee planned to take its vote Friday but canceled late Thursday. Gaetz was also the subject of a previous Justice Department investigation that sought to determine if he violated **** trafficking and obstruction of justice laws. No charges were filed, and Gaetz has denied any wrongdoing. “The rules of the House have always been that a former member is beyond the jurisdiction of the Ethics Committee,” Johnson, a Louisiana ***********, told reporters. Johnson said releasing the report would set a “terrible precedent” and “open up Pandora’s box.” “I believe it is very important to maintain the house’s tradition of not issuing ethics reports on people who are no longer members of Congress,” he said. “The House Ethics Committee’s jurisdiction is over sitting members of Congress. That’s an important rule.” Democratic Sen. ***** Durbin of Illinois, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, has called on the House panel to share the report and “all relevant documentation” on Gaetz with his committee. The Senate Judiciary Committee is responsible for conducting confirmation hearings for the attorney general nominee. “The sequence and timing of Mr. Gaetz’s resignation from the House raises serious questions about the contents of the House Ethics Committee report,” Durbin said in a statement Thursday. “We cannot allow this valuable information from a bipartisan investigation to be hidden from the ********* people. Make no mistake: this information could be relevant to the question of Mr. Gaetz’s confirmation as the next attorney general of the ******* States and our constitutional responsibility of advice and consent.” *********** Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, also said he wants to see the report. GOP Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota isn’t on the Judiciary Committee but said in an interview on CNN, “We should be able to get a hold of [the report], and we should have access to it one way or another, based on the way we do all of these nominations.” Jaala Brown contributed to this report. Caitlin Yilek Caitlin Yilek is a politics reporter at CBSNews.com, based in Washington, D.C. She previously worked for the Washington Examiner and The Hill, and was a member of the 2022 Paul Miller Washington Reporting Fellowship with the National Press Foundation. Source link #House #Speaker #Mike #Johnson #Ethics #panel #Matt #Gaetz #report #secret Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell welcomes competition for Starlink, rockets SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell welcomes competition for Starlink, rockets SpaceX President and Chief Operation Officer Gwynne Shotwell speaks during the NASA Commercial Crew Program (CCP) astronaut visit at the SpaceX headquarters in Hawthorne, California, U.S., on Monday, Aug. 13, 2018. Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images SpaceX’s second-in-command urged on rivals in comments Friday, describing competition as healthy for Elon Musk’s space company. “I hope others can catch up, right? Competition is good for industries. … It keeps us tight; it keeps us very focused,” SpaceX President and COO Gwynne Shotwell said, speaking at the 2024 Baron Investment Conference in New York. “It’s going to be hard to catch us, but I certainly hope people try,” Shotwell added. SpaceX has reached a dominant position in the global launch industry as its semi-reusable Falcon rockets have launched more than 100 times this year and counting. The next closest U.S. rocket company, Rocket Lab, has launched to orbit 12 times this year, with others in the single digits. Additionally, the 15,000-person company has won billions of dollars in government contracts from the Department of Defense and NASA, serving the latter as the sole U.S. option for delivering crew to and from the International Space Station with its Dragon capsule. And SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet network is now serving almost 5 million customers, Shotwell said. Starlink has become disruptive to incumbent satellite telecommunications companies. With nearly 7,000 Starlink satellites in orbit, SpaceX has expanded Starlink’s product offerings from consumers into enterprise markets such as aviation and maritime. Read more CNBC space news But the satellite broadband market is “gigantic,” Shotwell said. Several companies are working on competitors to Starlink, such as Eutelsat’s OneWeb, Amazon’s Project Kuiper, Telesat’s Lightspeed and AST SpaceMobile. Billionaire investor Ron Baron, who said his eponymous firm’s ownership of privately held SpaceX stock stands at over $2 billion, noted that about 30% of the world’s 8 billion people don’t have access to broadband. “I would love to say … SpaceX is going to serve all of them,” Shotwell told Baron, but “there will be competition — I think there’s plenty of room in this industry, plenty of room for competition.” Shotwell noted that SpaceX is also steadily advancing the development of its behemoth Starship rocket, recently catching the vehicle’s booster on the first attempt during its fifth test flight last month. “Starship is really a replacement. It obsoletes Falcon 9 and the Dragon capsule. Now, we’re not shutting down Falcon, we are not shutting down Dragon — we’ll be flying that for six to eight more years,” she said. “But ultimately, people are going to want to fly on Starship: It’s *******, it’s more comfortable, it will be less expensive,” Shotwell added. SpaceX is targeting as soon as Monday for Starship’s sixth flight test, aiming to further the rocket’s capabilities with additional demonstrations during the mission. The Starship system is designed to be fully reusable and aims to become a new method of flying cargo and people beyond Earth, unlike its Falcon rockets, which only have reusable boosters and nosecones. “We just passed 400 [total] launches on Falcon and I would not be surprised if we fly 400 Starship launches in the next four years,” Shotwell said. Source link #SpaceX #President #Gwynne #Shotwell #welcomes #competition #Starlink #rockets Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Meta is testing custom feeds for Threads Meta is testing custom feeds for Threads As the competition between Bluesky and Threads heats up, Meta is adding a new feature to Threads that will likely look familiar to Bluesky users: custom feeds. The Meta-owned service is starting to test a feature that allows users to pin topic-based feeds to the home screen of the app. The change will give people additional feeds beyond the algorithmic “for you,” which will remain the default view, and their “following feed.” Users can add custom feeds by searching a keyword like “skincare” and then tapping the “…” menu and selecting “create new feed.” These feeds can be further customized by adding specific profiles of people whose posts you want to see in that feed. Users are able to add up to 128 custom feeds in the app, a Meta spokesperson said, though it’s still only a test for now so not all users have access to it just yet. The feature is similar in many ways to Bluesky’s , which the company introduced last year. But while there are dozens of user-created algorithmic feeds in the app, making a new one is still a . Meta’s version of the feature, however, is more straightforward. It could also address some about Threads’ main algorithmic feed. The latest Threads feature comes as Bluesky has had a particularly good month. Though the service is still far smaller than Threads, which has more than 275 million users, Bluesky, which has just under users at the time of this writing, has been gaining momentum. The decentralized service added in the week following the election, and added another million new sign-ups in this week. That’s striking considering Threads has also been growing by about a million users a day, according to from Instagram chief Adam Mosseri. If Bluesky is able to sustain that level of growth for very long, Meta may feel even more pressure to borrow some ideas from its smaller rival. Source link #Meta #testing #custom #feeds #Threads Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Strictly, Outnumbered and Doctor Who stars appear in annual charity show Strictly, Outnumbered and Doctor Who stars appear in annual charity show BBC The former child stars of TV sitcom Outnumbered are now in their 20s Stars of Strictly Come Dancing, Gladiators, Outnumbered and Doctor Who are coming together to help raise money for this year’s Children in Need appeal. The live entertainment extravaganza is taking place on BBC One on Friday with three hours of comedy, music and guests. The celebrities in the three-hour show include Graham Norton, ****** Aloud, Kylie Minogue, Gary Oldman and Hugh Bonneville. BBC Radio 2 presenter Paddy McGuinness will also appear in the studio in Salford, fresh from completing a five-day cycling challenge on a children’s Chopper bike, which raised more than £7.5m for the charity. ‘It’s an honour’: Paddy McGuinness completes charity bike ride McGuinness will discover his final fundraising total during the main Children In Need TV broadcast, after reaching the finish line in Glasgow earlier in the day. The former Top Gear and Question of Sport host, 51, had set off from Wrexham, almost 300 miles away, on Monday. The Bolton-born star has said he was motivated to take on the challenge by the people he had met who benefitted from projects funded by BBC Children in Need. Co-host Vernon Kay visited a Children In Need-funded project in Bolton This year’s televised appeal is hosted by Ade Adepitan, Chris Ramsey and Rochelle Humes, alongside Vernon Kay, Mel Giedroyc and Lenny Rush. Highlights include Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa introducing a preview from the show’s Christmas special. And the on-screen family from sitcom Outnumbered will reunite for a sketch, ahead of their own forthcoming festive special. Viewers can also expect a visit from the stars of Gladiators, as well as a special performance from Strictly Come Dancing as the professionals are joined by cartoon character Bluey. ****** Aloud are releasing the official Children In Need single as a tribute to Sarah Harding One poignant moment is likely to be the premiere of the video of this year’s Children in Need single – a new version of ****** Aloud’s I’ll Stand By You, with the lead vocal sung entirely by late band member Sarah Harding. The ballad was originally released as a Children In Need song in 2004 and topped the *** chart for two weeks. The new version uses Harding’s rediscovered solo recording, with unseen archive footage used in the video. Harding ***** in 2021 at the age of 39. Also on Friday, there will be a performance by singer Ella Henderson, while pop star Kylie has recorded a special message. Gary Oldman said he hopes his bedtime story “brings warmth and encouragement and hope to children and families watching” Oscar-winning actor Oldman has recorded a special CBeebies bedtime story for the show. Children In Need is the BBC’s charity for disadvantaged children and young people across the ***. Last year’s event raised £33.5m. Overall, Children in Need has raised more than £1bn for charities and projects since its first major appeal in 1980. Source link #Strictly #Outnumbered #Doctor #stars #annual #charity #show Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

CoD: ****** Ops 6 Season 1 Battle Pass Makes An Unpopular Change CoD: ****** Ops 6 Season 1 Battle Pass Makes An Unpopular Change The Season 1 update went live in Call of Duty: ****** Ops 6 and Warzone yesterday, bringing plenty of new content and a battle pass packed with cosmetic skins. At first glance, the most notable change is the simplified page layout, but the battle pass also includes one major downgrade from recent years. You need a javascript enabled browser to watch videos. COD Warzone & ****** Ops 6 – Season 01 Battle Pass Overview Trailer Size:640 × 360480 × 270 Want us to remember this setting for all your devices? Sign up or Sign in now! Please use a html5 video capable browser to watch videos. This video has an invalid file format. Sorry, but you can’t access this content! Please enter your date of birth to view this video JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031Year20242023202220212020201920182017201620152014201320122011201020092008200720062005200420032002200120001999199819971996199519941993199219911990198919881987198619851984198319821981198019791978197719761975197419731972197119701969196819671966196519641963196219611960195919581957195619551954195319521951195019491948194719461945194419431942194119401939193819371936193519341933193219311930192919281927192619251924192319221921192019191918191719161915191419131912191119101909190819071906190519041903190219011900 By clicking ‘enter’, you agree to GameSpot’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy enter Call of Duty’s battle pass keeps the DLC weapons in the free tiers of each pass, but those looking for more cosmetics can pay 1,100 CoD Points ($10) for a standard battle pass or $30 for the extra-premium BlackCell bundle. Call of Duty’s battle pass tiers include tons of fancy cosmetic items, XP tokens, and CoD Points to earn back. In the past, the standard pass has always felt like a good deal, because you’d invest 1,100 CoD Points to purchase the pass, and if you complete all the tiers, you’d earn a total of 1,400 CoD Points back throughout all the tier rewards. That extra 300 CoD Points (just over $2) could be saved or put towards a shop bundle. ****** Ops 6’s battle pass now only includes 1,100 CoD Points to earn back. While that still leaves you with enough CoD Points to earn back your initial investment, it’s still a bummer to now be rewarded with fewer, and some people might feel less incentivized to buy. You can find all the highlights of the Season 1 battle pass here. This pass includes the campaign’s Sevati “Sev” Dumas as a playable operator, several ******* blueprints, and even Gobblegums for Zombies. On a more positive note, any of the double XP tokens you might have left over from last year’s Modern Warfare 3 and Warzone have now been carried over to ****** Ops 6. This should make Prestiging and leveling up the new guns feel much faster. Source link #CoD #****** #Ops #Season #Battle #Pass #Unpopular #Change Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump Defense pick Pete Hegseth **** ******** probe revealed Trump Defense pick Pete Hegseth **** ******** probe revealed Pete Hegseth, host of Fox & Friends, at the National Council of Young ******* Gala in New York City. Michael Brochstein | SOPA Images | Lightrocket | Getty Images Police in California investigated Fox News host Pete Hegseth — who was picked this week by President-elect Donald Trump to be the next Defense Department secretary — in connection with an alleged ******* ******** at a hotel in 2017, officials said. Hegseth, 44, was not charged after the probe that year by the Monterey Police Department. He denies the allegations. A spokesperson for the city of Monterey told NBC News in a statement that police “investigated an alleged ******* ******** at 1 Old Golf Course Road,” the location of the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa, between 11:59 p.m. and 7 a.m. local time on Oct. 7 and 8, 2017. The National Federation of *********** Women was holding its convention at the hotel during that time. The statement notes there were “contusions to right thigh,” but did not identify whose thigh that was. The name and age of the alleged victim was not disclosed in the statement. The spokesperson said the full police report on the alleged incident is exempt from public disclosure. Vanity Fair first reported the alleged incident. Hegseth’s attorney, Timothy Parlatore told CNBC, “The police department confirmed last night that it was fully investigated and he was cleared.” “It was a false allegation … which is, unfortunately, something that happens with public figures,” Parlatore said. “He cooperated completely and he did nothing wrong.” Read more CNBC politics coverage Trump spokesman Steven Cheung, in a statement, said, “Mr. Hegseth has vigorously denied any and all accusations, and no charges were filed,” Cheung said. “We look forward to his confirmation as ******* States Secretary of Defense so he can get started on Day One to Make America Safe and Great Again.” Hegseth, who left Fox News on Tuesday, divorced his second wife in 2017, the same year he had a daughter with Jennifer Rauchet, who at the time was a Fox News producer. Hegseth married Rauchet in 2019 at the Trump National Golf Club Colts Neck in New Jersey. Hegseth served as an infantry officer in the Army National Guard from 2002 through 2021, during which he was deployed to Afghanistan, Iraq, and Guantanamo Bay. His selection by Trump to be the next Pentagon chief surprised a number of *********** senators. “Who?” asked Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La. when the selection was announced Tuesday. “I don’t know Pete. I just don’t know anything about him.” Source link #Trump #Defense #pick #Pete #Hegseth #**** #******** #probe #revealed Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Texas Man Accused of Supporting ISIS Charged in Federal Court Texas Man Accused of Supporting ISIS Charged in Federal Court HOUSTON (AP) – A Texas man charged with trying to provide material support to the Islamic State group and planning violent attacks in Houston appeared in federal court Thursday. Anas Said is accused of offering his home as a safe sanctuary for members of ISIS and saying he wants to take part in a ********** ******* like 9/11, according to court records. Federal prosecutors allege Said had spent time planning and discussing committing attacks in Houston, where he lived, and had used the internet to research how to make explosives and use cellphones as remote detonators. “He has created videos extolling the ‘virtue’ of ISIS, the ********* and ****** brought by ISIS, and the need for the ******* perpetrated by ISIS to continue,” according to court documents. “He is dedicated to his mission to provide material support to ISIS in whatever form that may take.” Said, 28, was arrested last week and on Thursday pleaded not guilty to one count of attempting to provide material support or resources to a designated foreign ********** organization. Said, who authorities said was born in Houston but spent part of his childhood in Lebanon, will remain in federal custody. Said has been on the FBI’s radar since 2017, said Douglas Williams Jr., special agent in charge of the FBI’s Houston office. “To those wannabe terrorists who believe they can hide behind encrypted apps or anonymous social media profiles, please understand that we will find you and we will hold you to account,” said U.S. Attorney Alamdar Hamdani. Baldemar Zuniga, Said’s attorney, said in a statement that the allegations against his client revolve around providing support to ISIS only through videos and ***********. “Despite allegations that my client made statements to government agents regarding proposed ********** acts, the indictment does not currently allege any planning, or acts of terrorism. This appears to be a lengthy investigation and it will take some time to sift through all of the evidence,” Zuniga said. If convicted, Said faces up to 20 years in federal prison. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. Source link #Texas #Man #Accused #Supporting #ISIS #Charged #Federal #Court Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]