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Pelican Press

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  1. Pelican Press
    Hope turns to regret among Syrians returning home from Turkey Hope turns to regret among Syrians returning home from Turkey By Birsen Altayli and Karam Al-Masri ISTANBUL/ALEPPO (Reuters) – Ahmed al-Sheikh’s excitement at returning to his homeland from neighbouring Turkey after the fall of Bashar al-Assad has turned to bitter disappointment at the grim living conditions in Syria after some 13 years of war. Sheikh is one of 35,000 Syrians who left Turkey for Syria full of hope in the first three weeks after Assad was toppled on Dec. 8, giving up the right to come back to Turkey after signing a voluntary return document. Trusted news and daily delights, right in your inbox See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. Turkey’s refugee association says many, like him, are now disillusioned by the reality of life in a war-ravaged country. “I was shocked by the catastrophic situation, which was beyond my expectations,” said Sheikh, 35, speaking in his home after returning to Aleppo, eight years after he fled to Turkey. He said that water and electricity are frequently cut off and internet communication is almost non-existent. Migrant returns are a key element of burgeoning ties between Syria and NATO-member Turkey, which is emerging as a power broker able to wield influence economically and diplomatically. Syria’s transitional President Ahmed al-Sharaa visited Ankara on Tuesday, discussing an expected rapid expansion of economic ties. The presence of nearly 3 million Syrians in Turkey has become a sensitive political issue. Many have faced bouts of anti-migrant sentiment that made them feel like unwanted guests, and some rushed to the border after rebels forced Assad out. “Most of the refugees were initially excited about returning after the fall of the Assad regime, but this excitement faded over time,” said Kadri Gungorur, social ******** director of the Refugees Association in Turkey, citing complaints such as the lack of education and health services. “Some families feel regret and want to return,” he said. “When they compare the living conditions in Turkey with Syria, we can accept that Turkey offers them more opportunities.” BID TO SUPPORT VOLUNTARY RETURNS Sheikh was among those enthused by the rebels’ victory, dreaming of rebuilding his bombed Aleppo home. He vowed to go back as soon as Assad fell, despite friends’ efforts to dissuade him. Now he is dismayed by the comparatively poor living conditions and scarcity of job and education opportunities. “I started thinking about returning to Turkey because my life was stable there, and my children were in school. My living conditions were stable,” he said. “But I can’t go back now because I signed a voluntary return document.” Due to such negative experiences, Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced at the end of 2024 a scheme designed to enable migrants to better plan their return home. The scheme entitles the heads of Syrian migrant families to visit Syria three times between January and June this year, according to an Interior Ministry document. Between Assad’s fall and late January, 81,576 Syrians had entered Syria, indicating a slight fall in the daily rate of returns from December to some 1,600 a day, Yerlikaya said. It was unclear how many of those returning in January had signed the voluntary return document. During a visit to Turkey last week, the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi expressed support for Turkey’s refugee response and voluntary returns. He praised the policy of what he called “go-and-see visits”, saying they were “a best practice, as it allows refugees to assess conditions for themselves and can pave the way for sustainable returns to Syria”. ‘PERHAPS IN THE FUTURE’ Some Syrians are more inclined to wait and see. Syrian chemist Jafer, 27, came to Turkey 12 years ago and will not consider returning with his wife and three children until conditions improve. “My children are currently well-adjusted in Turkey, which makes staying here more likely since they have adapted to life, language, and education in Turkey,” he said. “Some people will return, but the lack of basic necessities prevents them from doing so. They think about returning, but not now, perhaps in the future.” It is an option no longer open to Sheikh. He was forced out of Aleppo in late 2016 when Assad forces, with the support of Russian air strikes, seized control of the eastern part of the city from rebels. He went on to build a stable life for his wife and four children in Turkey. He has opened a mobile phone repair shop in Aleppo, but his plan to fix his house there is on hold. “I don’t know if the project will succeed here in the country or if it will fail. If it fails, I will have lost everything I earned during my time in Turkey.” (Reporting by Birsen Altayli and Karam Al-Masri; Editing by Daren Butler and Aidan Lewis) Source link #Hope #turns #regret #among #Syrians #returning #home #Turkey Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
  2. Pelican Press
    Shuhei Yoshida Shares How Ken Kutaragi Came Up With The Name PlayStation Shuhei Yoshida Shares How Ken Kutaragi Came Up With The Name PlayStation z2g1d 20h ago (Edited 1d 19h ago ) ps5 was the last disc console. I’m 95% confident in that. the ps6 will have an optional drive you can buy for more money on top of the console. Sony wins either way. Thats two products to sell, each with their own respective markup. even if you consider that consoles are usually sold for a loss at launch, not having a disc drive would reduce the loss. it would be a missed opportunity from a business perspective if they didn’t do that. They could produce the console for cheaper, and make more money. also, physical disc sales are plummeting. Sony offered its (then) next gen ps5 with a disc-less option to warm you up. then the next flagship console, the ps5 pro had no disc drive but an option to buy an external one. Based on these facts, I am absolutely confident the ps6 will NOT have a disc drive. Source link #Shuhei #Yoshida #Shares #Ken #Kutaragi #PlayStation Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
  3. Pelican Press
    OpenAI is steps closer to designing the iPhone of AI with Jony Ive OpenAI is steps closer to designing the iPhone of AI with Jony Ive OpenAI may be looking to pivot into the hardware space and may be looking to collaborate with the best in the business to make that shift. While no solid intentions are in place, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman recently spoke with Nikkei Asia, stating he would like to have his company work together with the former Apple Design Chief, Jony Ive, known for making some of the industry’s favorite hardware looks. “We hope to do it in partnership with Jony Ive,” Altman said. Altman added that together, OpenAI and Jony Ive could bring forth next-gen AI hardware that could usher in the largest tech disruption since the introduction of the original iPhone in 2007. While the CEO didn’t have further details to share about the company’s plans to develop hardware, reports indicate that the brand “OpenAI” surfaced at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), in a listing associating the brand with headphones, goggles, glasses, remotes, laptop and phone cases, smartwatches, smart jewelry virtual and augmented reality headsets “for AI-assisted interaction, simulation, and training,” according to Techcrunch. The Information reported that the company is also building out a robotics team, reportedly with the aim of testing humanoid robots. Its team lead, Caitlin Kalinowski left Meta’s AR glasses division to join OpenAI last November. BGR also noted that SoftBank’s recent investment in OpenAI can be compared to how SoftBank chief, Masayoshi Son asked for Japan exclusivity of the iPhone when it first launched. Speculations of OpenAI developing an AI-focused smartphone alongside Jony Ive have persisted since 2023, with details indicating the device might be like an iPhone with a voice-activated AI, providing a “more natural and intuitive experience,” according to Windows Central. Ive confirmed to the New York Times last year that he was working with OpenAI on a project that could compete with Apple and Samsung in the mobile industry. The tech designer stated that the project was already attracting investors ready to offer upwards of $1 billion. He described the device as something that would “use AI to create a computing experience that is less socially disruptive than the iPhone.” BGR also noted prior rumors that indicated Altman and Ive met with the SoftBank chief last year. With OpenAI and SoftBank having now signed an investment deal, more pieces could be coming together. Source link #OpenAI #steps #closer #designing #iPhone #Jony #Ive Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]
  4. Pelican Press
    Alphabet shares fall 7% on revenue miss, heightened AI investments Alphabet shares fall 7% on revenue miss, heightened AI investments CEO of Alphabet and Google Sundar Pichai in Warsaw, Poland on March 29, 2022. Mateusz Wlodarczyk | Nurphoto | Getty Images Alphabet shares dropped more than 7% premarket Wednesday after the search giant fell short of Wall Street’s fourth-quarter revenue expectations and announced big spending plans for its ongoing artificial intelligence buildout. The company topped earnings estimates by 2 cents per share. Revenues came in at $96.47 billion, behind the $96.56 billion expected by LSEG. Alphabet’s revenues grew 12% overall from a year ago, while its YouTube advertising business, search business and services segment slowed year over year. Alphabet also said it plans to spend $75 billion on capital expenditures as it builds out its AI offerings and races against megacap rivals to build out data centers and new infrastructure. The figure was much higher than the $58.84 billion expected by Wall Street analysts, according to FactSet. Finance chief Anat Ashkenazi said the higher expenses will help “support the growth of our business across Google Services, Google Cloud and Google DeepMind.” She also said the spending will go toward “technical infrastructure, primarily for servers, followed by data centers and networking.” Read more CNBC reporting on AI The company expects capital expenditures to range between $16 billion and $18 billion. That was higher than the $14.3 billion estimate from FactSet. JPMorgan analyst Doug Anmuth highlighted costs, capex and cloud revenue as the “culprits” for the stock’s post-earnings performance. Bernstein’s Mark Shmulik also noted that this is the third quarter that the stock move connects to Google’s cloud segment. “If digital ad growth is akin to a long drive competition, then Google would be sitting comfortably here with strong Search and YouTube bombs down the fairway,” Shmulik said. “But as the game shifts to the AI putting green, there’s little room for error with a slight cloud miss, a whopping CAPEX guide up to $75B for 2025, and lack of actionable operating leverage commentary leaves Google 3- putting for bogey,” he added. Source link #Alphabet #shares #fall #revenue #heightened #investments Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
  5. Pelican Press
    NYT Mini Crossword today: puzzle answers for Wednesday, February 5 NYT Mini Crossword today: puzzle answers for Wednesday, February 5 Love crossword puzzles but don’t have all day to sit and solve a full-sized puzzle in your daily newspaper? That’s what The Mini is for! A bite-sized version of the New York Times’ well-known crossword puzzle, The Mini is a quick and easy way to test your crossword skills daily in a lot less time (the average puzzle takes most players just over a minute to solve). While The Mini is smaller and simpler than a normal crossword, it isn’t always easy. Tripping up on one clue can be the difference between a personal best completion time and an embarrassing solve attempt. Just like our Wordle hints and Connections hints, we’re here to help with The Mini today if you’re stuck and need a little help. Please enable Javascript to view this content Below are the answers for the NYT Mini crossword today. NYT Mini Crossword answers today New York Times Across Facebook’s parent company – META Full-length skirts … and a morning hour read backward – MAXIS Written with pen – ININK N.B.A. team that nearly renamed itself the Swamp Dragons in the 1990s – NETS “___ a Wonderful Life” – ITS Down French modernist painter … and a morning hour read backward – MANET What lighted signs mark in theaters – EXITS Altoids containers – TINS Pose a question – ASK Short skirt – MINI Source link #NYT #Mini #Crossword #today #puzzle #answers #Wednesday #February Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
  6. Pelican Press
    AMD CEO confirms the RX 9070 series will arrive in early March — Promises 4K mainstream gaming AMD CEO confirms the RX 9070 series will arrive in early March — Promises 4K mainstream gaming It is now official that AMD’s long-anticipated RDNA 4 series will hit shelves early next month, as confirmed by Dr. Lisa Su during AMD’s recent Q4 24 earnings call. RDNA 4 will debut with the RX 9070 series, including the RX 9070 XT and RX 9070 non-XT, which are expected to be followed by budget models later. This confirmation ties in with rumors of a looming RDNA 4 launch event by the end of this month, where we’re likely to hear more about performance and pricing. “ Our focus with this generation is to address the highest volume portion of the enthusiast gaming market with our new RDNA 4 architecture. RDNA 4 delivers significantly better ray tracing performance and adds support for AI powered upscaling technology that will bring high quality 4K gaming to mainstream players when the first Radeon 9070-series GPUs go on ***** in early March” – Dr. Lisa Su Team Red’s Q4 financials appear largely positive, with substantial gains in net revenue year-over-year in the datacenter and client markets. The gaming segment seems to have taken a large hit, primarily due to lackluster Radeon discrete GPU and console chip sales. Dr. Lisa Su addressed the disappointing performance of the gaming segment, asserting that next-gen Radeon RX 9000 GPUs will target the “highest volume portion” of the market; referring to the mid-range segment. AMD made it clear a couple of months back that it has no plans to compete with Nvidia in the high-end space with RDNA 4. Instead, the goal of this generation is to penetrate the budget market, mirroring a strategy similar to RDNA 1. For starters, AMD has pinned a lot of emphasis on ML-driven upscaling to match or even beat Nvidia’s DLSS with FSR 4. Not much has been shared about the frame generation counterpart of FSR 4, so it’ll be interesting to see how it holds up versus Nvidia’s MFG (Multi Frame Gen) technology. Nonetheless, AMD is marketing the RX 9070 series as 4K-capable, likely when combined with upscaling which should give the RTX 5070 series a run for its money. “…when the first Radeon 9070 series GPUs go on ***** in early March.” Dr. Lisa Su (Earnings Call Transcript) Nvidia will charge $749 for 16GB of VRAM on the RTX 5070 Ti, provided you can get one at MSRP. Both the RX 9070 XT and its non-XT counterpart are rumored to offer 16GB of VRAM, with the latter reportedly within 5% of the RTX 4080 in raster performance. In its marketing material at CES, AMD confirmed the existence of an RX 9060 series. Dr. Lisa Su’s statement exclusively mentions the RX 9070 series, hence it is reasonable to infer that budget models will arrive later, possibly in time for Computex in May. Get Tom’s Hardware’s best news and in-depth reviews, straight to your inbox. Source link #AMD #CEO #confirms #series #arrive #early #March #Promises #mainstream #gaming Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
  7. Pelican Press
    JPMorgan upgrades this asset management stock, calls for a 20% gain ahead JPMorgan upgrades this asset management stock, calls for a 20% gain ahead Janus Henderson is becoming a standout name in the asset management business, according to JPMorgan. Analyst Kenneth Worthington upgraded the stock to overweight from neutral following the company’s fourth-quarter earnings release late last month. Worthington also raised his price target on the stock to $53 from $44, indicating 20.5% upside potential from Tuesday’s close. Janus Henderson on Jan. 31 posted fourth-quarter earnings and revenue that beat expectations, driven in part by its fixed in come business. Worthington cited his confidence in CEO Ali Dibadj’s initiatives to upgrade and refocus the firm to increase its market share and take advantage of its strong balance sheet as catalysts for the upgrade. “We see Janus as the turnaround story in traditional asset management,” Worthington wrote in a note. “The difference between Janus and peers that are pursuing a similar strategy is that Janus’s core business has better performance and [management] is being more innovative around growth priorities,” Worthington added. The firm is on a path for sustainable organic growth, and its recent results show that it is able to win more businesses, the analyst noted. “While we still envision a ******* of heightened flows risk and a long road ahead in the transformation journey, we acknowledge the early progress in the strategic initiatives and we have increasing confidence in the management team’s ability for continued successful execution,” Worthington said. Worthington’s rating puts him in the ********* of those covering the stock. LSEG data shows that nine of 10 analysts who cover Janus Henderson have a hold rating on it. The average analyst price target signals upside of 9%. Shares added around 1% Wednesday before the bell. Over the last 12 months, the stock has surged 47.4%. Source link #JPMorgan #upgrades #asset #management #stock #calls #gain #ahead Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
  8. Pelican Press
    AMD trims delivery time for MI350 AMD trims delivery time for MI350 AMD has shortened the delivery time of its Instinct MI350 series to midyear, marking the debut of the company’s first rack-scale AI accelerator for the data center. On Tuesday, the chipmaker provided the update on its next-generation AI GPU and reported a 24% year-over-year increase in revenue for the fourth quarter to $7.7 billion. Slightly more than half of that revenue, $3.9 billion, came from sales of its Instinct GPUs and EPYC CPUs. Revenue from the data center hardware rose 69% in the quarter ended in December. “We were very pleased with how we finished 2024, in terms of the data center GPU business,” AMD CEO Lisa Su said during an earnings call with Wall Street analysts. “Going into 2025 … we’re actually very happy with the progress that we’re making on both the hardware roadmaps and the software roadmaps.” AMD had scheduled production shipments of the Instinct MI350 for later in the year. However, testing the chip for design specifications and functions went faster than anticipated, Su said. AMD will send chip samples to key customers in the current quarter. The MI350 features AMD’s CDNA 4 microarchitecture, designed for high-performance computing and AI workloads in the data centers of cloud providers and large enterprises, such as pharmaceutical companies, financial institutions and retail giants. AMD claims the GPU has 35 times the performance of Instinct chips built on the CDNA 3 architecture. AMD is on track to deliver the MI400, the successor to the MI350, as planned in 2026, Su said. The MI400’s CDNA microarchitecture is a rack-scale product that tightly integrates networking, CPU and GPU capabilities at the silicon level. AMD’s software platform for optimizing workloads on its Instinct AI accelerators is called Radeon Open Compute, or ROCm. It consists of programming models, tools, compilers, libraries and runtimes. ROCm lacks the maturity of rival Nvidia’s software stack, which is led by its Compute Unified Device Architecture, or CUDA, a parallel computing platform and programming model. In 2024, Nvidia dominated the AI and accelerated computing data center market with $43.6 billion in sales. Cloud providers and hyperscalers use Nvidia’s high-powered, expensive GPUs to train foundation models. These models have been growing as developers work to make them capable of reasoning instead of just creating content such as text, images or videos. Last week, the ******** company DeepSeek released an open source reasoning model trained on low-end Nvidia GPUs. The company’s research paper described the techniques for creating a high-performing model on less-expensive hardware. If DeepSeek’s claims are verified, the AI market for AMD chips could widen, according to David Nicholson, chief research officer for The Futurum Group. AMD’s current chips compete with Nvidia’s H100 GPUs, a generation behind the company’s latest architecture, Blackwell. “This is a wake-up call,” Nicholson said of DeepSeek. “It will give people the air cover to make decisions [on AMD] that were considered too risky a month ago.” Su believed DeepSeek’s achievement was positive for AMD because models that are less expensive to train and fine-tune would make the technology available to more enterprises, not just the largest. “We think innovation on the models and the algorithms is good for AI adoption,” she said. For the current quarter, AMD forecasts revenue of $7.1 billion, plus or minus $300 million, about a 30% increase from last year. The company expects strong growth in its data center and client businesses. Its client business includes its Ryzen mobile and desktop CPUs, the primary drivers of a 58% increase in client segment revenue of $2.3 billion in the fourth quarter. Antone Gonsalves is an editor at large for Informa TechTarget, reporting on industry trends critical to enterprise tech buyers. He has worked in tech journalism for 25 years and is based in San Francisco. Have a news tip? Please drop him an email. Source link #AMD #trims #delivery #time #MI350 Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
  9. Pelican Press
    Madden May Return To Nintendo With Switch 2, EA CEO Hints Madden May Return To Nintendo With Switch 2, EA CEO Hints Are you ready for some football on Switch 2? After skipping the entire Switch generation, EA CEO Andrew Wilson has hinted that the Madden NFL series could return to Nintendo for the upcoming console. The last time an entry in the sports franchise released on a Nintendo platform was Madden NFL 13 on Wii and Wii U in 2012. Wilson was found name-dropping the Madden and EA Sports FC franchises for Switch 2 during an earnings call earlier this week. “… Any time a new console comes into the marketplace, that’s of a benefit to us,” said Wilson. “It gives us the ability to access and acquire new players. Typically, we’ve had franchises perform very well on Nintendo platforms. Certainly, our expectation is that products like [EA Sports] FC and Madden and others might find real energy on the platform as they have done in the past.” You need a javascript enabled browser to watch videos. EA Sports Madden 25 | Official Launch 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 JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031Year202520242023202220212020201920182017201620152014201320122011201020092008200720062005200420032002200120001999199819971996199519941993199219911990198919881987198619851984198319821981198019791978197719761975197419731972197119701969196819671966196519641963196219611960195919581957195619551954195319521951195019491948194719461945194419431942194119401939193819371936193519341933193219311930192919281927192619251924192319221921192019191918191719161915191419131912191119101909190819071906190519041903190219011900 By clicking ‘enter’, you agree to GameSpot’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy enter The EA Sports FC franchise–formerly bearing the FIFA title–has been a mainstay on Switch. The latest release was EA Sports FC 25 this past September. However, the soccer games released on Switch have been heavily criticized. Meanwhile, Madden has been a complete no-show. Overall, EA has been selective with support for Switch, with games like My Sims: Cozy Bundle, It Takes Two, and Apex Legends coming to the console over the years. Looking ahead, EA just teased the next entry in the Battlefield series while also introducing the community-testing program Battlefield Labs. There’s been no mention of a Switch 2 release for it, though. Nintendo finally unveiled Switch 2 last month, showing off magnetic Joy-Cons and an apparently new Mario Kart game. A more in-depth look at the upcoming hybrid system is set for April with a Nintendo Direct. Source link #Madden #Return #Nintendo #Switch #CEO #Hints Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
  10. Pelican Press
    Trump Tariffs Live Updates: USPS Does A U-Turn And Says It Will Continue Accepting Packages From China – Forbes Trump Tariffs Live Updates: USPS Does A U-Turn And Says It Will Continue Accepting Packages From China – Forbes Trump Tariffs Live Updates: USPS Does A U-Turn And Says It Will Continue Accepting Packages From China ForbesUS Postal Service restores delivery of incoming parcels from China and Hong Kong after briefly suspending them CNNUSPS says it will resume accepting inbound packages from China, Hong Kong CNBCU.S. Postal Service Reverses Decision to Halt Parcel Service From China The New York TimesUS Postal Service Reverses Decision to Halt China Shipments Bloomberg Source link #Trump #Tariffs #Live #Updates #USPS #UTurn #Continue #Accepting #Packages #China #Forbes Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
  11. Pelican Press
    ‘My daughter’s death was every parent’s worst nightmare’ ‘My daughter’s death was every parent’s worst nightmare’ Catherine Morrison BBC News NI LOGUE FAMILY Brenda Logue, 17, was shopping with her mum when they were caught up in the Omagh bomb The death of a 17-year-old girl in the Omagh bombing “defined her family’s existence,” a public inquiry has heard. Brenda Logue was shopping with her mother in the County Tyrone town when the pair were caught up in the explosion in August 1998. The Real IRA bomb killed 29 people, including a woman who was pregnant with twins. Mary Logue’s words about her beloved daughter were read to the inquiry on her behalf because she died from ******* last November. ‘Like a scene from a disaster movie’ She had prepared a statement before she died and it was read to the inquiry by her son, Cathal Logue. Mary’s statement said the day began like “any normal Saturday” and she was with Brenda in a town centre shop when the Real IRA bomb detonated. “The last thing I remember of Brenda was her ponytail swishing as she walked out of the door,” she wrote. “The blast threw me back into a wall and I would be knocked unconscious, or so I was told. “When I came around I knew in my heart she was gone. But I got up and went to look for her, it was like a scene from a disaster movie. “I won’t go into detail but the things I saw that day are the things that haunt my dreams – the sounds, the screams.” Brenda was a talented Gaelic footballer and fought – and won – the right for girls at her school to wear trousers. Mrs Logue did not set foot in the middle of Omagh town centre again after the bombing. When she was diagnosed with *******, she said her consultants were “baffled” when she replied it was not the worst news she had ever received. “Losing a child is every parent’s worst nightmare and I have lived with that nightmare every day for the last 26 years.” Brenda’s exam results arrived two days after her death – she had been planning to study leisure and tourism at college. ‘Denied all of her hopes and her dreams of her bright future’Marlow family Jolene Marlow. 17, was buried on the day that her A-level results came out, confirming her university place to study physiotherapy The inquiry also heard from the mother of 17-year-old bomb victim Jolene Marlow. Bridie Marlow said she had always “secretly dreaded” her daughter leaving home to study in Belfast in case the Troubles flared up again. But in a terrible twist of fate, she was instead killed in her home town of Omagh. Bridie Marlow’s statement, read on her behalf to the inquiry, said her daughter was denied the chance to accomplish her life’s full potential. An academic child, she sat her Eleven Plus exam at only 10 years of age and was a year younger than most of her classmates in Loreto Convent in Omagh. She was also a talented gaelic football player who played for Macartan Ladies GFC. Just a week before the Omagh bomb, she had been a key player in the team which won their first ever county final. Jolene had been planning to study physiotherapy at university in Belfast. “Little did we know then that our home town of Omagh where Jolene had attended school, had a part-time job, was learning to drive, socialised and shopped, would be the actual place where she would be denied all of her hopes and her dreams of her bright future,” Bridie’s statement said. Inquiry chairman Lord Turnbull said the inquiry had heard “so many times” the heartbreak of a mother whose child was killed in the bombing. He said Jolene was on the cusp of a new exciting life, with so much ahead of her. Wedding days began with a visit to dad’s graveMcCrory family Bryan McCrory’s daughter said all their family events have been overshadowed by his “immeasurable loss” Bryan McCrory, 54, was described by his family as a “gentle giant” whose loss is impossible to convey. His daughter, Louise McCrory, described him as an unassuming, good-natured, quiet and much-loved man. Her statement was read to the inquiry, and then a selection of photographs of Bryan at different family events was displayed. His daughter said since the 1998 bombing family occasions had been “overshadowed” by his “immeasurable loss”. She said he missed the big events, but also small day to day things, “the simple enjoyment of just being together, eating family dinners, or even something as simple as having a cup of tea”. Each of his children began their wedding days with a visit to his grave. He was a keen photographer and was in Omagh on the day of the bombing to get some photos developed whilst picking up a prescription. “My dad Bryan McCrory was not just a name on a list or an image in a collage of beautiful faces that were lost that day,” Ms McCrory said. “He was a loving husband, and an amazing father, brother, uncle, colleague, neighbour and a good friend to many.” She said he was “beyond patient” and she could not recall him ever raising his voice to them. Who carried out the Omagh bombing? Three days after the 1998 attack, the Real IRA released a statement claiming responsibility for the explosion. It apologised to “civilian” victims and said its targets had been commercial. Almost 27 years on, no-one has been convicted of carrying out the murders by a criminal court. In 2009, the judge in that case ruled four of the men – Michael McKevitt, Liam Campbell, Colm Murphy and Seamus Daly were all liable for the Omagh bomb. The four men were ordered to pay a total of £1.6m in damages to the relatives, but appeals against the ruling delayed the compensation process. A fifth man, Seamus McKenna, was acquitted in the civil action and later died in a roofing accident in 2013. The public inquiry After years of campaigning by relatives, the public inquiry was set to up examine if the Real IRA attack could have been prevented by *** authorities. This phase of the inquiry is in its second week and is continuing to hear powerful individual testimonies from relatives who lost loved ones in the explosion. Taking place at Strule Arts Centre in Omagh, the phase will last four weeks and will also hear evidence from first responders. Timeline of events The bombers planned and launched the attack from the Republic of Ireland and the Irish government has promised to co-operate with the inquiry. However, the victims’ relatives wanted the Irish government to order its own separate public inquiry. Dublin previously indicated there was no new evidence to merit such a move. Source link #daughters #death #parents #worst #nightmare Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
  12. Pelican Press
    Medabots Survivor brings the classic role-playing franchise to the bullet heaven genre Medabots Survivor brings the classic role-playing franchise to the bullet heaven genre Medabot Survivors offers fans of the robot role-playing series new bullet heaven action But it’s currenly only in Japan on iOS and Android Medabots will be familiar to those of us who grew up in the aftermath of Pokemon’s huge success If you’ve been glancing through some of the top releases around the world then we’ve got another one for you to lament over not being available. Medabot Survivors is currently set to launch on February 10th, bringing the hit role-playing franchise to mobile once more, but unfortunately (say it with me) only in Japan. That’s as spotted by the folks over at Gematsu. Medabots will likely be briefly familiar to some of you, in the aftermath of Pokemon’s success there was a big push to bring virtually anything Japanese that had merchandising potential over to the West. Most of us are likely familiar with Digimon (and some would say it even outclasses Pokemon), but Medabots was one of those franchises that never quite caught on. But back in its native Japan, Medabots has proven to be a major powerhouse of a franchise. Perhaps not quite world-beating, but definitely more popular than it ever was over here. Little surprise then that the Survivors-like genre is its next step, although for now you happy few Medabots fans won’t be getting your mitts on it as it remains Japan-only. Surviving survivors While it may be called Survivors-like the genre has existed for far longer than the flagship release Vampire Survivors. However, I think the release of Medabot Survivors is not just a boon for fans, but also interesting to look at as we see this genre slowly spread like wildfire all around the globe. Having been made vaguely familiar with how it all works over in Japan as well I can assure you there are plenty of great releases that, unfortunately, we may never see. Hopefully, if Medabot Survivors turns out to be a crowd-pleaser though we might get our mitts on it someday. In the meantime, if you want to take a look at upcoming releases, you can play right now, why not check out our latest entry in Ahead of the Game as Catherine Dellosa explores the world of Cat Restaurant? Source link #Medabots #Survivor #brings #classic #roleplaying #franchise #bullet #heaven #genre Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
  13. Pelican Press
    Teladoc Health to acquire Catapult Health in $65 million deal Teladoc Health to acquire Catapult Health in $65 million deal Pavlo Gonchar | Lightrocket | Getty Images Teladoc Health on Wednesday announced it will acquire the preventative care company Catapult Health in an all-cash deal for $65 million. Catapult offers an at-home wellness exam that allows members to check their blood pressure, collect a blood sample, log other screening information and meet virtually with a nurse practitioner. Teladoc, a virtual care platform, said the acquisition will help it improve its ability to detect health conditions early. The company said Catapult will operate within its integrated care segment after the deal closes. At JPMorgan’s health-care conference in January, Teladoc said it is actively working to grow membership and use of services within its integrated care segment. “Catapult Health’s capabilities will help advance our strategy in meaningful ways — from giving more members access to convenient and impactful wellness and preventative care, to unlocking greater value for our customers,” Teladoc CEO Chuck Divita said in a statement. Catapult generated around $30 million in trailing twelve-month revenue as of the third quarter of 2024, Teladoc said. The deal is expected to close in the first quarter of this year. Teladoc’s acquisition of Catapult comes after a tumultuous ******* for the company. When Teladoc acquired Livongo in 2020, the companies had a combined enterprise value of $37 billion. The stock has tumbled since then, and Teladoc’s market cap now sits under $2 billion. In April, Teladoc announced the sudden departure of Jason Gorevic, who joined as CEO in 2009 and steered the company through the Livongo deal and the Covid-19 pandemic. Divita took over as chief executive in June and pledged to position the company for “long-term, sustainable success.” Teladoc did not immediately respond to CNBC’s request for comment. Source link #Teladoc #Health #acquire #Catapult #Health #million #deal Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]
  14. Pelican Press
    3 Reasons Bulls Will Win on Super Micro Computer Stock 3 Reasons Bulls Will Win on Super Micro Computer Stock Momentum investors are often sentiment-driven, as they must not only recognize when a stock’s trend has peaked or bottomed but also gauge when market sentiment has reached extreme optimism or pessimism. With that in mind, shares of Super Micro Computer (NASDAQ:) now represent one of the best risk-to-reward ratios in the technology sector for the United States, not only due to their extremely low price relative to previous highs but also because of their valuation multiples compared to where the company’s product and service demand is potentially headed in the coming months. Themes in the artificial intelligence space, particularly for names like NVIDIA (NASDAQ:) and others, have been challenged by the new claims coming out of ******** company DeepSeek. However, it is clear thus far that no concrete evidence points to these claims being a reality, so the longer-term industry growth is relatively intact. Here are the three main reasons Super Micro Computer’s discount won’t last long. 1. Not the First Rodeo for Super Micro Computer In a competitive industry like technology, it is not uncommon to see companies fall victim to accounting scandals, especially when it comes to revenue. In order to meet financial goals and accurately manage tight demand schedules, some companies may choose to undertake their own ways of revenue recognition in accounting terms. While this might be considered a negative, it hasn’t been done before, so investors have a history to look back on and know that it isn’t always fraudulent. Super Micro Computer faced similar accusations in 2018 and 2020, coming out of them unscathed and better than before. Knowing this, today’s allegations, which have brought the stock down to a dismal 20% of its 52-week high, might not have the long-lasting impact that most of the market is predicting they will. But that’s not the only reason to believe that Super Micro Computer stock might recover from this horrendous fall. 2. Tapped to All Tail Winds in Technology Despite the recent scandals involving ******** technology, one thing remains true. Demand for data centers and hardware to host these new artificial intelligence models for training will also help Super Micro Computer’s main customers surge. That being said, as NVIDIA, Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ:), and other such chipmakers see their orders come through in this growing industry, chances are that Super Micro Computer’s billings will follow suit. Even with their own way of revenue recognition, the company is still posting revenue growth that seems to be okay with Wall Street analysts. This is why there is a consensus earnings per share (EPS) forecast for up to $1.13 a share for the third quarter of 2025, meaning a net growth rate of as much as 23% from today’s $0.92 level. If analysts, who undertake a lot of the financial analysis work, saw a discrepancy in Super Micro Computer stock numbers, this forecast would have probably been changed long ago. More than that, it seems like the market is still willing to pay a steep premium for this stock over the semiconductor industry’s average valuation. At a 102.9x price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio, Super Micro Computer stock trades well above the industry’s 40.6x average valuation. Some investors might call this expensive, while seasoned traders understand that the market always pays a premium for the stocks it expects will outperform in the near future. 3. Lots of Upside, Very Little Downside Risk The third and final reason investors should consider Super Micro Computer stock for a potential turnaround is the risk-to-reward ratio at today’s prices. The low price in relation to 52-week highs makes it an attractive proposition in itself, but so is the fact that it has bottomed since late 2024. If the news had not already been priced in, the stock would have gone much lower than its $17.25 bottom in October 2024. Knowing this is the setup today, Citigroup analysts felt comfortable reiterating their Buy rating on the company while keeping a valuation of up to $175 a share, calling for a net rally of as much as 53.1% from today’s discount. As another gauge to consider, investors can look at the recent media mentions for Super Micro Computer stock over the past month. These mentions grew from 31 to the start of January 2025 and rose to a high of 128 for the first week of February 2025. This might signal that many willing buyers might be searching for answers, and now investors have three of them today. Original Post Source link #Reasons #Bulls #Win #Super #Micro #Computer #Stock Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]
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    Rohit Sharma bristles at scrutiny over his lean run Rohit Sharma bristles at scrutiny over his lean run India captain Rohit Sharma has bristled at scrutiny of his lean run with the bat on the eve of the first of three ODIs against England in Nagpur. Rohit elected to sit out India’s fifth and final Test against Australia last month, having amassed a meagre 164 runs in his previous 15 innings in the format at an average of less than 11. When asked if he was confident he could stop the rot as India begin their preparations for the Champions Trophy which starts later this month, Rohit said: “What kind of a question is that? “This is a different format, a different time. As usual, as cricketers we know there will be ups and downs and I have faced a lot in my career. This is nothing new to me. “We know every day is a fresh day, every series is a fresh series. I’m looking forward to the challenge, not looking at what has happened in the past. “Clearly, you don’t, so there is no reason for me to look behind too much. It’s important I focus on what is coming up, it’s as simple as that. Try and start the series on a high, let’s see what happens.” India have added Varun Chakravarthy to their squad after the mystery spinner captured the player-of-the-series award for taking 14 wickets in the 4-1 T20 win over Jos Buttler’s side. But paceman Jasprit Bumrah will miss Thursday’s opener and the second ODI in Cuttack on Sunday because of a back injury sustained in Australia while fears are building he could be sidelined for longer. It was hoped the International Cricket Council’s men’s cricketer and Test cricketer of the year would be fit to play in the third ODI in Ahmedabad next Wednesday and he has been included in India’s provisional Champions Trophy squad although his availability rests on the results of a scan. “Jasprit, we’re waiting on some update about his scan which is due to happen in the next few days,” Rohit added. “Once we get that scan, we’ll get more clarity on where he stands.” Source link #Rohit #Sharma #bristles #scrutiny #lean #run Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
  16. Pelican Press
    This Steam hack has saved me a ton of money on PC games This Steam hack has saved me a ton of money on PC games Table of Contents Table of Contents The hack An odd recommendation engine I have a massive Steam library, and like most PC gamers I know, I’m always looking to add to it. Will I actually play the games? Maybe. Will I complete all of them? Certainly not. But I’m caught in a negative feedback loop of picking up new games constantly for pennies on the dollar, and Steam is feeding my addiction more than ever before. How? With Steam bundles. Steam bundles aren’t anything new, but I’ve seen a stark uptick in them over the last several months. They mostly revolve around similarly styled indie titles, offering a small discount of around 10% if you buy two or three games in bulk. That’s not why I’ve taken advantage of Steam bundles so often over the past several months, though. The hack Jacob ****** / Digital Trends Here’s what’s great about Steam bundles — you don’t need to buy every game in the bundle. Or, at the very least, you don’t need to re-buy every game. Steam takes into account games you already own when you look at a bundle, and you’ll get a discounted price on top of the games you already own. Get your weekly teardown of the tech behind PC gaming Let me give you an example. Last night, I picked up the Castlevania Dominus Collection for a bit of vampire castle-crawling on an upcoming trip I’m taking. The game is on ***** at the time of writing for 20% off, knocking the $25 list price down to $20. I picked up the collection for $18, however. The Dominus x Dead Cell bundle includes Dead Cells, the Return to Castlevania DLC for the game, and the Dominus Collection. I already owned Dead Cells and its DLC, so I got a straight discount on the Dominus Collection. It’s only $2 here, but wait, it gets better. You’ll often find games that are a part of several different bundles, allowing you to double dip on discounts. A great example of that is Selaco. If you’re unfamiliar, Selaco is a first-person shooter in early access that’s built on the original Doom engine. No, it doesn’t play like Doom, but it has that undeniable retro feel that I’ve yet to see perfectly replicated in the deluge of “boomer shooters” available on Steam. This one game is in three different bundles. You can pick it up bundled with Echo Point Nova, Mullet Madjack, and the recent Fallen Aces. I picked up one game, and suddenly, I was able to get discounts on a handful of other related games. You don’t need to buy the game through Steam, either. As long as the game is in your library, you’ll get the discount. Combine that with third-party key sellers and a revolving door of deals on games, and you can save quick a bit of money. An odd recommendation engine Jacob ****** / Digital Trends The bundles on Steam have turned me onto new games, too. I never would’ve found out about Echo Point Nova had it not been for the Selaco bundle, and I would’ve completely missed one of the most inventive first-person shooters I’ve played in the past decade. Maybe I would’ve discovered the game on my own, and I might’ve even bought it. But being pushed to consider a new game and getting a solid discount on top of it? That seals the deal quickly. I’ve found bundles more consistently with indie games, but some larger titles get bundled up, as well. For instance, there’s a bundle with Metaphor: ReFantazio and Persona 5 Royal, which you can, again, get on a discount when you own either game. Both of these games are on ***** at the time of writing, too, which is factored into the overall discount you get. That’s an inexpensive way to pick up one of the best games of 2024. The main downside is that there isn’t an easy way to see what bundles are available on Steam. Sometimes they’re listed alongside a game included in a particular bundle, but other times they aren’t. For instance, you can find the Mullet Madjack and Fallen Aces bundle with Selaco, but not the Echo Point Nova one. You can just search “bundle” on Steam, but that returns thousands of irrelevant results. I wouldn’t recommend it. If you want to keep an eye on bundles, here’s what’s worked best for me. I liberally add games to my Steam wishlist, even if I’m only remotely interested in playing some of them. The wishlist on Steam shows you the lowest price available for a particular game, so if that game is part of a bundle when you can get a discount based on your current Steam library, you’ll see that lower price. That’s how I found out about the discount on the Castlevania Dominus Collection in the first place. Bundles for PC games aren’t anything new, and Steam itself has been doing them for years. However, there’s been a clear uptick in bundles for high-quality games, particularly focused on similar publishers and developers. For instance, developer Motion Twin has a bundle where you can pick up its new Windblown game at a discount if you already own Dead Cells (the developer’s first game). These odds and ends add up quickly, and they’ve built my Steam library massively in the past few months. Source link #Steam #hack #saved #ton #money #games Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]
  17. Pelican Press
    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]
  18. Pelican Press
    Teladoc Health to acquire Catapult Health in $65 million deal Teladoc Health to acquire Catapult Health in $65 million deal Pavlo Gonchar | Lightrocket | Getty Images Teladoc Health on Wednesday announced it will acquire the preventative care company Catapult Health in an all-cash deal for $65 million. Catapult offers an at-home wellness exam that allows members to check their blood pressure, collect a blood sample, log other screening information and meet virtually with a nurse practitioner. Teladoc, a virtual care platform, said the acquisition will help it improve its ability to detect health conditions early. The company said Catapult will operate within its integrated care segment after the deal closes. At JPMorgan’s health-care conference in January, Teladoc said it is actively working to grow membership and use of services within its integrated care segment. “Catapult Health’s capabilities will help advance our strategy in meaningful ways — from giving more members access to convenient and impactful wellness and preventative care, to unlocking greater value for our customers,” Teladoc CEO Chuck Divita said in a statement. Catapult generated around $30 million in trailing twelve-month revenue as of the third quarter of 2024, Teladoc said. The deal is expected to close in the first quarter of this year. Teladoc’s acquisition of Catapult comes after a tumultuous ******* for the company. When Teladoc acquired Livongo in 2020, the companies had a combined enterprise value of $37 billion. The stock has tumbled since then, and Teladoc’s market cap now sits under $2 billion. In April, Teladoc announced the sudden departure of Jason Gorevic, who joined as CEO in 2009 and steered the company through the Livongo deal and the Covid-19 pandemic. Divita took over as chief executive in June and pledged to position the company for “long-term, sustainable success.” Teladoc did not immediately respond to CNBC’s request for comment. Source link #Teladoc #Health #acquire #Catapult #Health #million #deal Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]
  19. Pelican Press
    2 High-Yield Consumer Staples Stocks Ready to Deliver Big Returns 2 High-Yield Consumer Staples Stocks Ready to Deliver Big Returns Tyson Foods (NYSE:) and Clorox Company (NYSE:) are two high-yielding consumer staples stocks on track for robust total returns this year and over the coming few. Trading near long-term lows and the low ends of trading ranges, these stocks are near historically low valuations and pay similarly high yields above 3% in early 2025. The value-to-yield ratio is attractive enough, but today’s outlook for share price rebound and total returns is the story. Total returns are the net amount investors gain, including dividend distribution and share price increases, which could count in the high double-digits by the end of 2026. The reason is simple. These stocks are high-yielding values and blue-chip companies positioning for renewed, long-term success. While post-pandemic normalization has impacted their businesses over the past two years, normalization was completed in 2024, and sustained growth is forecast. In both cases, divestiture and acquisitions are also in play, improving margin, earnings quality, cash flow, and the capital return outlook. 1. Tyson Foods and Clorox CQ4 Results Highlight Improving Earnings Quality Tyson Foods and Clorox’s CQ4 2024 results align with consumer staple industry trends, including strength across many categories and price points, outperformance, and broader margins. While Clorox’s business remained in contraction, its end markets are normalizing, and growth is forecast for 2025. On the other hand, Tyson grew its business by 2.3%, with notable strengths in the primary beef, pork, and chicken segments. Margin news is good across the board. Each produced margin strength tied to market conditions and improved operational efficiency, leading to better-than-expected earnings. The critical takeaway is that earnings and cash flow are sufficient to maintain healthy financial positions while paying dividends today, and the guidance is for improvement. Both increased their guidance relative to prior forecasts, setting the bar above consensus estimates. Tyson forecasts flat-to-slightly higher revenue in 2025, 3% to 5% organic for Clorox, with earnings growing slightly faster. Clorox is forecasting its gross margin to expand by 125 to 150 basis points, while Tyson anticipates a 15% increase in adjusted operating margin at the midpoint. 2. Analysts Mark the Bottom for Consumer Staples Like Tyson and Clorox The analysts’ responses to the CQ4 earnings releases are mixed, including some price target increases and decreases, but are otherwise bullish for the market. The consensus sentiment reported by MarketBeat is holding firm, and the consensus price targets are rising. Clorox is still pegged at Reduce, but a shift is noticeable in the data; several upgrades have been issued since mid-2024, suggesting this stock is also a Hold, potentially a Buy. Regarding the stock price targets, neither has increased significantly since last year but rose incrementally for the 12 preceding the reports. Consensus targets assume mid-single-digit increases from the post-release price points with the potential for a move into the high-end ranges. Technical action is iffy. Following the guidance updates, the markets are pulling back and may revert to lower prices before rebounding. The opportunity is to build a position in these stocks while they trend at low levels, collect dividends, and create leverage for when the rebound begins. The critical targets for Tyson are near $54.50 and $51.50, and for Clorox, near $140 and $135, which are also attractive entry points for investors. Among the risks are the institutions. The institutions bought these stocks in 2024 but reverted to selling at the end of the year. The activity in January 2025 was bearish, with the selling dollar volume significantly more significant than the buying dollar volume, creating a headwind for the market. Original Post Source link #HighYield #Consumer #Staples #Stocks #Ready #Deliver #Big #Returns Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
  20. Pelican Press
    I’m 63 and only have $850K saved. Is that enough to retire or do I need to consider part-time consulting work? I’m 63 and only have $850K saved. Is that enough to retire or do I need to consider part-time consulting work? I’m 63 and only have $850K saved. Is that enough to retire or do I need to consider part-time consulting work? If you have $850,000 saved and are planning to retire at 63, you need to think carefully about whether you have enough money to cover all of your expenses. When you run the numbers, you may decide that it makes sense to do some consulting work if it’s available to you — especially if you can bring in that income to delay claiming Social Security and increase your future monthly benefits. If you opt to work part-time, you definitely won’t be alone in doing so. Research from T. Rowe Price found that 20% of retirees are working either full or part-time, and another 7% are looking for work. Almost half (48%) are working for financial reasons, while 45% are motivated by the social and emotional benefits of having a job. So, should you join the ranks of the un-retired, or will your $850,000 be enough? There’s no question that $850,000 is a good amount of money and more than many people have. In fact, Vanguard’s 2024 How America Saves report says the median balance in defined contribution plans of those aged 55 to 64 is $87,571. Unfortunately, although you have a pretty substantial amount saved, it’s not going to produce as much income as you might think. That’s because you need to limit the amount you take out of your account each year to a safe withdrawal rate. A popular guideline says withdrawing 4% from your balanced portfolio in the first year of retirement and adjusting for inflation each year thereafter means there’s a high likelihood that your nest egg will last 30 years. However, Morningstar analysts now recommend a 3.7% withdrawal rate to ensure your money lasts. With $850,000 saved, that would leave you with an income of $31,450. Even if you add Social Security benefits to this, that’s probably not enough for you to live comfortably on. Doing some consulting work could help supplement that income. Your consulting paycheck would also allow you to draw less from savings, and depending on how much you work and how much you are paid, perhaps even keep growing your nest egg for a while instead of starting to deplete it. Story Continues Read more: Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they’re banking on instead There’s another benefit to consulting as well. If you can earn enough to delay claiming your Social Security benefits, you will increase the amount of your monthly payments in the future. While you become eligible for Social Security at 62, that’s before your full retirement age (FRA). FRA is 67 for anyone born in 1960 or later. As a result, if you claim benefits before 67, you will shrink your monthly payments for life. Claiming at 63 with an FRA of 67 would result in a 25% reduction in your standard benefit, which gives you a lot less money to live on. If consulting allows you to put off your benefits claim, you won’t have to take that hit. In fact, you could potentially put off your claim even beyond FRA and earn delayed retirement credits that raise your benefit amount for each month you wait until age 70. Now, you should be aware that if you work while collecting Social Security and are under FRA, there’s a limit to how much you can earn before you start to temporarily forfeit part of your benefits. They are withheld until you reach FRA. However, if you’re working to delay Social Security and don’t claim your checks, this won’t affect you. Ultimately, consulting can be a great way to ease into retirement, keep your skills sharp, preserve your savings, and grow your retirement income. If you can find good consulting opportunities that pay you a fair rate, you should strongly consider taking them — especially with only $850K saved. The effort you put into consulting now can make a big impact on your future financial security, and you’ll be very happy you did the work while you could. This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. Source link #850K #saved #retire #parttime #consulting #work Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
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    Microsoft is cracking down on unsupported Windows 11 installs Microsoft is cracking down on unsupported Windows 11 installs A support document showing users how to install Windows 11 on unsupported PCs was deleted sometime in the past two months. Its disappearance, noticed by Neowin, echoes Microsoft’s recent “year of the Windows 11 PC refresh” rhetoric, encouraging (or forcing) users to buy new PCs that meet Windows 11 hardware requirements. When Windows 11 launched in 2021, Microsoft announced that it was adding TPM 2.0 as a hardware requirement — a move that was met with plenty of resistance. To soften the blow, Microsoft also published a support document detailing how users could edit their registry key values to bypass the TPM 2.0 check. It had always been laden with warnings, making it clear that users who used the workaround did so at their own risk, but now, by deleting the document, it appears that Microsoft doesn’t endorse the registry key trick at all anymore. Meanwhile, the requirement itself is still controversial and with support for Windows 10 coming to an end this year, Microsoft had to clarify that this would not lead to any changes to the Windows 11 hardware criteria. Once support ends, there will likely be a large number of people who will continue to use Windows 10 on older PCs. Without critical security updates, these machines will become vulnerable to viruses and malware, and unfortunately, this could lead to a much higher risk of older users falling victim to cybercrime. If you still want to try the TPM 2.0 bypass trick, you can access the old support article with the Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine. It’s not clear whether the trick has been disabled or if Microsoft just wants to stop advertising it, but it’s worth a try. Source link #Microsoft #cracking #unsupported #Windows #installs Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
  22. Pelican Press
    Japan’s First Space Launch of 2025 Sends Michibiki 6 Navigation Satellite into Orbit Japan’s First Space Launch of 2025 Sends Michibiki 6 Navigation Satellite into Orbit Japan successfully launched a navigation satellite on Sunday, marking the country’s first space mission of 2025. The H3 rocket lifted off from Tanegashima Space Center at 3:30 a.m. EST carrying the Michibiki 6 satellite. The launch vehicle, developed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, placed the 4,900-kilogram spacecraft into a geostationary transfer orbit 29 minutes after liftoff. The satellite is set to enhance Japan’s Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS), which has been operational since November 2018. Michibiki 6 to Strengthen Japan’s Navigation System According to space.com, Michibiki 6 is expected to improve satellite-based navigation services in Japan and nearby regions. As said in a statement by Japan officials, the QZSS, designed to work alongside the United States’ Global Positioning System (GPS), enhances positioning accuracy, particularly in urban and mountainous areas where GPS signals may be obstructed. The system’s expansion aims to provide better location services across Asia-Oceania, reinforcing Japan’s capabilities in satellite positioning. H3 Rocket Gains Momentum After Initial Failure The H3 rocket used for this mission is Japan’s next-generation launch vehicle, intended to replace the aging H-2A series. This was the fifth flight of the H3, which initially failed during its maiden launch in March 2023, resulting in the loss of an Earth observation satellite. Since then, all subsequent missions have been completed without issue. Japan’s Expanding Space Initiatives Japan has been steadily advancing its space program, focusing on satellite navigation, communications, and deep-space exploration. Future launches are expected to strengthen the nation’s technological presence in space, with plans to expand collaborations in both commercial and scientific ventures. For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who’sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube. Tecno Pova 7 Series Design Teaser Shows Triple Rear Camera Setup; Could Launch Soon India Reviewing Crypto Position Due to Global Changes, Economic Affairs Secretary Says Source link #Japans #Space #Launch #Sends #Michibiki #Navigation #Satellite #Orbit Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]
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    Two Grand Canyon-size valleys on the far side of the moon formed within 10 minutes, scientists say – CNN Two Grand Canyon-size valleys on the far side of the moon formed within 10 minutes, scientists say – CNN Two Grand Canyon-size valleys on the far side of the moon formed within 10 minutes, scientists say CNNAsteroid impact on Moon carved massive canyons within minutes ScienceGrand Canyons on the Moon Were Made in a Matter of Minutes The New York TimesAsteroid impact on moon blasted two grand canyons in 10 minutes Yahoo! Voices Source link #Grand #Canyonsize #valleys #side #moon #formed #minutes #scientists #CNN Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
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    Call of Duty Leaving Behind One Major Platform Since Advanced Warfare Was Purely an “Activision decision” Call of Duty Leaving Behind One Major Platform Since Advanced Warfare Was Purely an “Activision decision” The Call of Duty franchise has been a massive success since its debut back in 2003. This first-person shooter series has taken the world by storm and its latest installment, Call of Duty: ****** Ops 6 has sold more than 500 million copies worldwide. Amid BO6’s dominance, speculations are growing in the gaming industry about the franchise’s future on Nintendo consoles. Call of Duty has the largest player base in the world | Image Credits: Activision According to a ten-year agreement between Microsoft and Nintendo, Activision will be porting the whole of Call of Duty series to the upcoming Nintendo handheld console. However, while the next-generation handheld is getting the franchise, one older Nintendo system was notably left behind. Activision stopped porting Call of Duty to Wii U after 2013 Activision stopped porting CoD to handheld consoles | Image Credits: Activision Since the release of the Nintendo Wii U back in 2012, Activision has been porting its old CoD games to the handheld console. This was first implemented through their 2007 release, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare and continued till the release of Call of Duty: Ghosts in 2013. The 2014 title Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare was not ported to the Wii U. In an interview with Eurogamer, Michael Condrey, the co-founder of Sledgehammer, Condrey stated that the decision to abandon the Wii U was made by Activision. Sledgehammer serves as the primary developer of CoD games. We’re not developing a Wii U version, that was a business decision made by Activision to focus us on Xbox One, PS4 and PC. Another studio is doing current-gen. The Wii U wasn’t on the business key plan. So that was off our radar, but I know the company’s not doing it. He also confirmed this statement on his X (formerly Twitter) reply saying that the decision was made by Activision. @1422644 no, no WiiU. That was an Activision decision. We are focused on XboxOne, PS4, and PC. — Michael Condrey (@MichaelCondrey) August 20, 2014 In another interview between Eurogamer Italy and Activision publishing head, Eric Hirshberg, he stated that they analyzed which platform is appropriate for each game and that Wii U was not an appropriate option for Advanced Warfare. All I can say is we analyse each game and the platforms we think are appropriate for each game each time. It’s a judgement call each time. This is the judgement we made. It was evident that Activision’s decision was influenced by the Wii U’s struggles at that time. The console suffered from low sales, a weak lineup of games, little to no third-party support, and poor marketing all of which contributed to the downfall of the Wii U. By choosing not to port Call of Duty titles to the Wii U, Activision had effectively backed out from bringing AAA games to handheld consoles and rather focused instead on PC, Playstation, and Xbox. However, while the publishing company had stopped porting Call of Duty games to handheld consoles, they continued to publish other titles for the Wii U such as the Angry Birds or The Amazing Spiderman series. Activision regrets skipping CoD on Switch Nintendo Switch 2 might see the AAA titles return | Image Credits: Activision After the Wii U failure, Nintendo bounced back with the world’s best handheld console in 2017, the Nintendo Switch which became a massive hit selling more than 146 million units worldwide. Despite taking the world by storm, Call of Duty titles were not ported to Switch. Bobby Kotick, the CEO of Activision later revealed that he had the chance of bringing CoD to Nintendo but he chose against that and later regretted his decision. During Microsoft’s court case against the US Federal Trade Commission, he said. When I saw the prototypes for Switch, I was concerned because they were trying to accomplish a lot with a console that also had a portable capability. I didn’t think it was going to be wildly successful. Now that Activision and Microsoft are working together, the president of Microsoft, Bradford Smith highlighted that he aims to bring popular Activision titles to Switch to reach a wider audience as per a 2022 interview with CNBC. We’d like to bring the other popular titles that Activision Blizzard has and ensure that they continue to be available on PlayStation, that they become available on Nintendo. While Call of Duty titles will not be ported to the current Nintendo Switch, they will certainly make their way to Nintendo Switch 2. Source link #Call #Duty #Leaving #Major #Platform #Advanced #Warfare #Purely #Activision #decision Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
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    HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 Review: A Sleek 2-in-1 Powerhouse HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 Review: A Sleek 2-in-1 Powerhouse The HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14, when launched, was one of the first laptops to get the new Intel Core Ultra 7 series 2 processors. The new chipset promises even better efficiency compared to series 1, and that’s something a lot of people look for in a slim ultrabook. However, the OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 also doubles as a tablet, since it features a 360-degree hinge and a touch-supported display. HP’s convertible offering is among a handful of 2-in-1s available in the market with the new Intel Core Ultra series 2 chipsets. It’s not cheap though, as the base variant starts at Rs. 1,81,999. The unit that we received for review, which packs the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V chipset, retails at Rs. 1,89,999. Is this 2-in-1 worth the money? Read our review to find out. HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 Design At first glance, there’s nothing visibly special about the OmniBook Ultra Flip 14. The laptop is slim, made out of aluminium, and has a matte finish that does like to hold on to fingerprints and smudges. The laptop is sleek and features a matte finish However, if you look closely, you’ll see that the rear edges are angled and house the USB Type-C ports. Yes, there are no USB Type-A ports on the laptop. There’s a third USB Type-C port on the right side and a 3.5mm audio port on the right. The bottom houses a large intake vent and bottom-firing speakers It is to be noted that you can only charge the laptop using the Type-C ports on the right side. You also can’t plug anything thick into the angled USB Type-C ports, as the display comes in the way. The hinge, which is of the 360-degree type, seemed very durable throughout the review. It was also quite smooth in function. The angled corners house the USB Type-C ports The OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 gets a metal HP logo on top, an OmniBook moniker on the outside of the right hinge, and a Polystudio engraving on the left side. On the bottom, you’ll find a large intake mesh and some rubber feet. The laptop weighs 1.34kg and is only 14.9 mm thick. HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 Display The Ultra Flip 14, as the name suggests, has a 14-inch 2.8K resolution OLED panel that is multitouch enabled and offers a 120Hz refresh rate. It is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5 and supports HDR as well. HP also claims that the panel delivers a 0.2ms response time and up to 500 nits of brightness in HDR mode. The display has a reflective coating, which makes it difficult to read outdoors The OLED panel is excellent for watching movies and especially HDR content. You get deep ******* and vivid colour reproduction. The display also gets quite bright indoors, although I’d recommend not using the laptop outdoors owing to the glossy panel. It’s an excellent-looking display with deep ******* and vivid colours The touch response on the panel is great though, and you can easily use it as a tablet. However, I preferred using it in tent mode as using it as a tablet gets uncomfortable very soon due to the weight. The panel also supports a stylus input and you get the HP Rechargeable MPP 2.0 Tilt Pen in the box. HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 Keyboard, Touchpad, speakers, and webcam The keyboard on the laptop is great for typing. The function row is a lighter shade of grey compared to the rest of the keyboard, and the Power button is a light blue in colour with an embedded fingerprint scanner. There’s good spacing between the keys, the backlight is good enough, and there’s decent travel. However, I’d have preferred if the arrow keys were a bit *******. The laptop has a large trackpad and a fingerprint scanner HP has equipped the Ultra Flip 14 with a large touchpad that works great and supports multitouch gestures. The haptic feedback is also quite good but can be a bit strong. The speakers aren’t that strong though, but are good enough for indoor use. You get dual bottom-firing speakers, which offer clear audio and are loud but lack in the low end. The laptop has a 9-megapixel IR web camera that comes with a physical shutter. The quality is good, with enough details and mostly accurate colours in good lighting conditions. It’s better than a lot of other laptop web cameras. However, low-light performance leaves something to be desired. HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 Software As this is a Copilot+ PC, you do get a couple of AI features, but Microsoft’s marquee Recall feature was nowhere to be found. The laptop runs Windows 11 Home and you get a bunch of HP software baked in such as Poly Camera Pro, AI Companion, HP Smart, McAfee LiveSafe, and HP Omen. The HP AI Companion is for those who deal with a lot of PDFs at work While most of the apps that I mentioned above weren’t really that useful, you can make use of the AI Companion app to search through PDFs, if that’s something you do a lot. The laptop features a powerful Intel NPU, but there are not just enough AI features to put it through its paces. You can use the Copilot chatbot and there’s also a bunch of AI tools available in Paint that can be helpful. The Poly Camera Pro app can also come in handy during video calls or streaming as it offers Auto Framing, backgrounds, watermarks, Spotlight, and a bunch of camera filters. There’s also Windows Studio Effects that can enhance your video calling experience. HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 Performance Our review unit came with the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V chipset paired with 32GB RAM, 1TB storage, and the Intel Arc 140V integrated GPU. The laptop performed quite well in day-to-day usage that involved using Chrome with a bunch of tabs open, video streaming on YouTube or Netflix, running apps such as Slack, and a lot of typing. The Intel Core Ultra series 2 chips are highly efficient I ran a bunch of benchmarks on the laptop to see how it performed against the Series 1 Intel Core Ultra chips and you can see the improvements, especially in GPU performance. Benchmark HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 Dell Latitude 7450 2-in-1 Samsung Galaxy Book4 Pro 360 Geekbench 6 Single 2,744 2,339 2,380 Geekbench 6 Multi 10,957 9630 12571 PCMark 10 7,008 6127 6640 3DMark Night raid 29,096 19,557 25,726 3DMark Steel Nomad Light 2,622 1,696 1,721 Cinebench R23 Single 1,733 1,683 1752 Cinebench R23 Multi 6,608 9,024 10,961 Geekbench AI (NPU) 28676 (Quantized) N/A N/A The integrated GPU is also good enough to run games such as Forza Horizon 4, which delivered about 40-50fps on the laptop. I never ran into any major issues or lag while using the laptop, and the cooling system managed the heat well during heavy tasks such as gaming and video editing. HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 Battery Battery life on the OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 was impressive, to say the least. I was able to consistently get 9-10 hours of usage (a full work day) out of the laptop, with about 30 percent battery still left. The new Intel Core Ultra Series 2 chipsets are definitely more efficient than before, while not sacrificing too much on performance. HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 Verdict Time for the verdict, and I’d like to say that the HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 is definitely on the expensive side, and that’s something holding me back from recommending it to users. However, if the price isn’t an issue, and it should see a drop soon, then this 2-in-1 laptop from HP is a good buy. The OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 has an excellent OLED display, good performance, especially in gaming, great battery life, and is portable. While it does miss out on some basics such as a USB Type-A port, it’s not so bad. If you’re a creator looking for a 2-in-1 with an excellent screen and good battery life, this is a really good choice. Source link #OmniBook #Ultra #Flip #Review #Sleek #2in1 #Powerhouse Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

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