Pelican Press

Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero is the fastest selling game in series history Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero is the fastest selling game in series history Bandai Namco Entertainment has claimed that Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero has surpassed a total of 5 million units sold worldwide, making it the fastest-selling game in series history. The 3D fighting game, developed by Spike Chunsoft, was released on October 11. The game is the first new entry in the Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi series in over 15 years. The game features over 182 characters, featuring heroes from across the Dragon Ball franchise. 【ニュースリリース配信】 「ドラゴンボールZ Sparking!」シリーズ最新作『ドラゴンボール Sparking! ZERO』 「DRAGON BALL」ゲームシリーズ最速で世界累計販売本数500万本を突破 詳細は以下よりご確認ください。 pic.twitter.com/93my2wB1Tm — バンダイナムコエンターテインメント公式 (@bnei876) February 4, 2025 Source link #Dragon #Ball #Sparking #fastest #selling #game #series #history Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

The Sun Never Sets on This Cheap 6% Dividend The Sun Never Sets on This Cheap 6% Dividend We are—unequivocally—bullish on the US economy. We’re also big fans of the 6.1% dividend we’re going to discuss below, which trades for less than half its annual sales. That’s pretty much the opposite of the nosebleed 26 times sales (and 0.03% yield—not a typo!) over at NVIDIA (NASDAQ:), even after last week’s panic over ******** AI chatbot DeepSeek. US Stocks Are Wealth-Building Machines … The fact is, it’s easy to be bullish on the US these days, with the country’s economy leading (and in many cases lapping!) those of other countries. The IMF, for example, sees the US economy growing 2.7% in 2025, tops in the G7 and nearly triple the forecast 1% growth in the Eurozone. What’s more, the US accounted for 26% of global GDP in 2024, according to Visual Capitalist. That’s despite the fact that we only account for a little over 4% of the world’s population. The productivity, dynamism and sheer power of the US economy are marvels—and something we should all be proud of. … But They’re Not Invulnerable But here’s the thing: The ‘s valuation is overstretched (to say the least!). The 2023 and 2024 bull runs have left the S&P 500 trading at a nosebleed 26 times earnings as I write this. The ? A ridiculous 33 times. With numbers like that, you could be looking at a “lost decade” if you’re sitting in an index fund like the popular (SPY). Population growth won’t save us, either. According to the Congressional Budget Office, our numbers will grow just 0.6% a year on average from 2024 to 2034. Look out further and that figure drops sharply, to a mere 0.2% annually from 2045 to 2054. And we have tighter immigration policies coming. Not to mention tariffs, which threaten to slow economic growth and throttle up inflation. A Stock Picker’s Market Is Here—With a Global Flare The point I’m making is that when it comes to stocks, those who sit in an index fund are in for a shock. The winners in the next decade will be those who make timely moves into (and out of) individual stocks. And if you focus on top-quality dividend stocks, you give yourself two extra advantages: Big yields, which we can use to fund our lives, no matter what the market does. Dividend growth, which, as we’ll see in a sec, is the No. 1 driver of stock gains. Don’t get me wrong. I’m still a big believer in America. But we contrarian income investors always follow the data, and what it’s telling us is clear: Now is the time to diversify a little beyond America’s borders. It’s just the safe thing to do. Plus there are simply more global stocks in the bargain bin after this massive US-market run-up, like the 6.1%-yielder (with a growing payout) we’ll get into momentarily. The Sun Never Sets on BP’s Empire Here’s another edge we have as US investors: Because the US market is so dynamic, everyone wants to list here. Which means we can buy big international dividend payers on the NYSE. Which brings me to the stock we’re going to delve into today: BP (NYSE:)), the British energy giant, a holding of my Contrarian Income Report advisory. BP yields 6.1%, trades on the NYSE and even pays dividends in US funds. It’s the same as buying a US-based producer like Exxon Mobil (NYSE:) but you’re getting a much higher dividend—XOM yields just 3.7%. (XOM, I should mention, is a former CIR holding, which we bought back in April 2021, at the depths of the pandemic lockdowns, when it yielded a stout 6.3%, pretty much what BP pays today. We sold a little over a year and a half later, in December 2022, taking a 111% total return with us.) We Bought BP’s American Cousin When It Yielded 6% (and It Soared) Back to BP, whose mix we like better than that of XOM today, with its strong base in the US, through its presence in important shale areas, like the Permian and Eagle Ford. That’s complemented by offshore fields in places like its Clair oilfield, offshore Scotland and production facilities, like its LNG operation in Indonesia. BP has been around forever (more than a century), and like the old British Empire, the sun never sets on its 61-country operation. It was the first company to pull oil out of the ground in the Middle East (in 1908) and opened the first refinery in the region (in 1912). Beyond Oil and Gas BP also deals in wind power, hydrogen and carbon capture; owns thousands of miles of pipelines; has commercial operations, such as convenience and retail fuel stations, Castrol lubricants and EV charging; trades oil, gas, and renewable and non-renewable power; and even has a bioenergy business. In other words, management has smartly positioned BP as a leader in the energy transition and in the fossil fuels that will still play an important role in the global economy for years to come. Which brings us back to that 6.1% dividend. The company cut its payout by 50% in 2020 and shares were chopped in half, as well. That’s the result of the “Dividend Magnet,” which long-time readers will recognize as the tendency for share prices to track dividend hikes (and cuts!). Since then, though, the giant has recovered. Sales doubled between 2020 and 2023, and the firm is solidly profitable again. The “payout penance” continues for BP, with four hikes in the books since its infamous cut. This reminds us that CFOs are like carpenters—they measure twice and cut the dividend just once if they can help it. So far, so good. BP’s dividend sits 50% higher than after the cut. That’s still off its peak but trending positively. BP Cuts a Path From the Dividend Doghouse The fact that the British oil giant pays out just 36% of its last 12 months of free cash flow (FCF)—well below my 50% “safety limit”—is another indication that management got it right here. Even so, income scars (and memories of them) are slow to heal. BP trades for only 8.4-times forward earnings and 0.45-times trailing sales today. Contrast that with Exxon, which trades for 1.4-times sales and 14-times forward earnings. This sad pup will soon be readopted by income-hungry investors, especially if 10-year Treasury rates continue to keep bouncing off their “5% ceiling,” as I expect. That suggests long rates are high enough to keep inflation trending down—putting lower rates on the table in the future. All of this leaves us in a pretty sweet spot with BP: collecting a growing dividend set to pull the price higher, along with a 6.1% yield. And thanks to the stock’s bargain valuation, we’re getting some nice downside insulation here (always appreciated in the volatile oil business) and a shot at strong upside, too. And it’s all underpinned by the British giant’s exposure to the still-growing US economy and the undervalued global one, too. Disclosure: Brett Owens and Michael Foster are contrarian income investors who look for undervalued stocks/funds across the U.S. markets. Click here to learn how to profit from their strategies in the latest report, “7 Great Dividend Growth Stocks for a Secure Retirement.” Source link #Sun #Sets #Cheap #Dividend Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Re-elected WA Labor promises Fishability program for Pilbara Re-elected WA Labor promises Fishability program for Pilbara As part of WA Labor’s string of election commitments, on February 3 an additional $50,000 was promised to Fishability, an initiative that encourages inclusive and accessible recreational fishing opportunities Source link #Reelected #Labor #promises #Fishability #program #Pilbara Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘Is Seat Karma a Thing?’ ‘Is Seat Karma a Thing?’ One traverl is wondering if “seat karma is a thing,” after giving up his plane seat so a couple could sit together. The passenger says he was already in his window seat when he was tapped on the shoulder. It was the man in the middle seat next to hers. He made it apparent he didn’t speak English, then proceeded to hold out his phone with a Japanese to English translation app open for the window seat passenger to read his request, the original poster (OP) recounted on Reddit. “Can you please swap seats with my wife?” the message read. The man in the middle seat then pointed in the direction of where his wife was sitting, which was across the aisle in the opposite row, with a window seat. “I go… sure no problem! And switch over to 12F,” the OP continues. Getty Woman gives up her window seat to couple Related: Automatic Takeoff Coming to Passenger Jets in 2025 Sparks Debate Among Travelers: ‘Good Idea or Not?’ He soon fell asleep, he says, before he was jolted awake by a “large man” shaking him, demanding to know where his seat was. “SIR IS YOUR SEAT 12F????” he recounts the agitated newcomer asking, OP explained. “No it’s not… I was in 12A… I gave her my seat so she could sit with her husband,” Turns out the man’s wife was sitting in the wrong seat, next to the window, when in fact she was assigned the middle seat. When the OP realized he quickly apologized to the man, whose seat he had mistakenly taken, and slid over to occupy the middle seat. The OP writes that he attempted to get the couple’s attention on the crowded flight across the aisle, but that they looked at him “like a deer in ***********.” For the duration of two hour flight from Orlando to Washington D.C., the OP sat in their new middle seat while wondering if “seat karma” could potentially be in the couple’s future. “Hopefully it carries forward,” the man wished in his Reddit post. Fellow Reddit users sympathized with the OP. One user wrote they will be taking precautions in the future if a similar situation presents itself. “This makes me feel like if I’m ever asked to do a seat swap I should ask for the other person’s boarding pass just to verify,” one user wrote. Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Related: Flight Attendant Dad in D.C. Plane ****** Was Not Originally Scheduled to Be on Flight, Ex-Wife Says (Exclusive) Other users told the man he should have called for a flight attendant to restore the parties back to their original seating positions. “Yeah, don’t even mention the initial swap,” a user wrote. “Say you sat on the wrong side by accident, big guy came and told you, so now you need to swap to your correct, initial seat.” “I’d be questioning whether or not you got played,” one user wondered, to which another quickly replied, “You got played.” The general consensus among users leaving comments was that the couple “gamed the system,” as one user wrote. Whether it was in bad faith or not is unknown. Read the original article on People Source link #Seat #Karma Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

SpaceX launches 21 Starlink satellites from Florida (photos) – Space.com SpaceX launches 21 Starlink satellites from Florida (photos) – Space.com SpaceX launches 21 Starlink satellites from Florida (photos) Space.comLive coverage: SpaceX to launch 21 Starlink satellites on Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Spaceflight NowLook up! Tuesday’s SpaceX launch could be visible from North Carolina WRAL NewsFoggy SpaceX launch overnight: Everything to know about Starlink launch from Cape Canaveral Florida TodaySpaceX scuttles 2 Monday Falcon 9 launch attempts from Cape Canaveral, moving both to Tuesday Yahoo! Voices Source link #SpaceX #launches #Starlink #satellites #Florida #photos #Space.com Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Microsoft quietly removed its instructions for installing Windows 11 on an unsupported PC – is this something to do with the 24H2 update? Microsoft quietly removed its instructions for installing Windows 11 on an unsupported PC – is this something to do with the 24H2 update? Microsoft previously offered details on installing Windows 11 on an unsupported PC That workaround has been removed from the support document that hosted it This could be to do with the release of the 24H2 update, which is now widely rolling out Microsoft has just quietly removed information in its support documentation regarding installing Windows 11 via a (not recommended) workaround, one that allowed the OS to be hosted on a PC that doesn’t meet the hardware requirements. Specifically, this was a workaround for machines that aren’t up to speed for the system requirements of Windows 11 in terms of having TPM 2.0, or not having a modern enough CPU. It involved tweaking the Registry of the OS in order to facilitate the installation. TechSpot noticed that Microsoft had made the change, linking to the new, altered support document, and also providing a link to the Internet Archive Wayback Machine’s captured version of the old document. As you can see if you compare the two, the instructions for ducking around the TPM 2.0 or CPU requirements are provided with the old doc in the box labeled ‘warning’ which makes it clear that there are risks involved with both installing Windows 11 on an unsupported PC and modifying the Registry. It appears that warnings aren’t enough, and Microsoft doesn’t want anyone at all using this fudge now, even at their own risk, given the change to the doc here. (Image credit: Shutterstock / Melnikov Dmitriy) Analysis: A decision prompted by Germanium? Why has Microsoft made this change now, after leaving these workaround details in place for so long? Because as far as we are aware, this method still works. One theory is that the recent release of Windows 11 24H2 may have changed the terrain that this workaround is built on, meaning that trying to dodge said system requirements could now be more problematic. Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Remember, the platform that underpins Windows 11 was changed to an all-new affair with the 24H2 update, as Microsoft introduced Germanium. In short, that meant a lot of tweaks for the inner workings of the operating system that can’t be seen, but are most definitely there (and needed for Copilot+ PCs). The changes may cause more potential problems with the above installation workaround (particularly given that one of Germanium’s main pillars is to bolster security, as well as performance). So, perhaps the workaround is simply more likely to run into issues now, though we’ve not seen reports of this from Windows users to back up this idea (not yet, anyway). As already noted, we aren’t seeing any evidence that this method doesn’t actually work anymore. Obviously, you can still view the instructions (via the Wayback Machine as noted), so if you want to make the move to Windows 11 on an unsupported PC, that can still be done (in theory). Indeed, we have a much more in-depth look at this process in a guide here, so if you’re serious about installing Windows 11 in this way, check that out. In that guide, we still don’t recommend taking this course of action, due to the potential risks involved – which, if the above theorizing is correct, may be even more perilous now that Windows 11 24H2 is in town with Germanium in tow. As Windows 10’s End of Life comes ever closer, if you are still on the older OS due to not having a PC that supports Windows 11, then you need to start carefully examining your options. Clearly enough, Microsoft doesn’t think one of those choices should be to fudge Windows 11 on a PC with an old unsupported processor (or no TPM 2.0, or perhaps both). Whatever the case, it appears that the looming deadline for Windows 10 support ending is making some people think about upgrading, and Windows 11 is suddenly becoming more popular. Expect more of that migration to come as 2025 rolls onwards. You may also like… Source link #Microsoft #quietly #removed #instructions #installing #Windows #unsupported #24H2 #update Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Vaccine trial for Sudan strain begins Vaccine trial for Sudan strain begins Uganda has launched a trial of a vaccine against the Sudan strain of the Ebola virus, following an outbreak in the country that has killed one person and infected two others. The first patient, a 32-year-old male nurse, died last week. On Monday, the initial participant in the trial, who is currently in isolation, received a dose of the vaccine, which was developed by the International Aids Vaccine Initiative, a global non-profit organisation. There is currently no approved vaccine for the Sudan strain of Ebola. One does exist, however, for the Zaire strain, which has been prevalent in the past in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Symptoms of Ebola infection include fever, fatigue, muscle pain, headache, and sore throat, followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, rash, and internal and external bleeding. It is transmitted through contact with infected bodily fluids and tissues. The Sudan Ebola virus is severe, killing at least 40% of those infected, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Uganda is currently experiencing its sixth outbreak of the disease. Forty contacts of the first victim of this outbreak will be vaccinated in this phase of the roll-out jointly conducted with the Ugandan authorities and the WHO, the UN agency said in a statement on Monday. Uganda’s health ministry has confirmed 234 contacts as listed for monitoring. The WHO is collaborating with Uganda’s ministry of health, the Uganda Virus Research Institute, and the Makerere University Lung Institute to conduct the trial. “This marks a major milestone in public health emergency response and demonstrates the power of collaboration for global health security,” said WHO director for Africa Matshidiso Moeti. “If proven effective, the vaccine will further strengthen measures to protect communities from future outbreaks.” The previous outbreak of the Sudan strain in Uganda was confirmed in September 2022 and resulted in more than 70 deaths. It was declared over in January 2023. Although Uganda had access to the same candidate vaccine at the time, trials could not be conducted before the outbreak ended. Over the weekend, the first 2,160 doses of the trial vaccine and treatments arrived in the capital, Kampala. Health authorities and research teams worked swiftly to prepare for the trial, including briefing researchers, arranging logistics and developing study protocols. Source link #Vaccine #trial #Sudan #strain #begins Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

UGSCA 2024-25: Williams chases top spot with win against Cuballing, Wandering holds strong with own victory UGSCA 2024-25: Williams chases top spot with win against Cuballing, Wandering holds strong with own victory Williams powered to a convincing eight-wicket win over over Cuballing in round nine of the Upper Great Southern Cricket Association A-grade competition in Williams on Saturday. Source link #UGSCA #Williams #chases #top #spot #win #Cuballing #Wandering #holds #strong #victory Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

The 15 best PlayStation 5 games to play in 2025 | Games The 15 best PlayStation 5 games to play in 2025 | Games If you’re just discovering PlayStation 5 a few years after its debut, you’ve arrived at a great time. Sony’s in-house studios have produced some of their best work in this generation, exploiting the technical prowess of the console while crafting vast narratives and interesting characters. Meanwhile, both major third-party studios and tiny indie developers have exploited the machine and its innovative controller to astounding effect. Astro Bot Luscious … Astro Bot. Photograph: Sony/Team Asobi Sony’s luscious 3D platformer sees the eponymous space robot stranded on a distant planet with his hundreds of adorable companions. All the parts of his mothership are guarded by a colourful array of bosses, and you must put it back together. Why we love it: “It’s one of the best platformers I’ve ever played – and, as a child of the 90s, I truly have played a ton of them.” Read the full review. Baldur’s Gate 3 ‘One of the greatest role-playing fantasy games of the modern era’ … Baldur’s Gate 3. Photograph: Larian Studios One of the greatest role-playing fantasy games of the modern era, providing players with almost as much narrative and imaginative freedom as a table-top D&D adventure as they face off against the mighty mind-flayers. Why we love it: “It’s a towering landmark of an RPG. Bustling with life, brimming with scope, and bursting with imagination.” Read the full review. Cocoon The game the world didn’t know it needed … Cocoon. Photograph: Geometric Interactive/Annapurna The world didn’t know it needed a video game about a beetle that can traverse distant worlds in order to solve intergalactic puzzles – but it turns out we did. A beautiful, strange, gloopily organic mystery tour. Why we love it: “Self-assured, understated, impactful sound and visuals support the most quietly brilliant puzzle game to emerge in years.” Death Stranding Unlike anything else … Death Stranding. Photograph: Sony Computer Entertainment Hideo Kojima’s elegiac science-fiction adventure is like nothing else you’ll ever play: a post-apocalyptic quest to save humanity, following a parcel courier with an extremely valuable and unlikely parcel. Why we love it: “This uncompromising, unashamedly political work of artistic intent is 2019’s most interesting blockbuster game by a distance.” Read the full review. ******’s Souls Endlessly rewarding … ******’s Souls. Photograph: Sony Before Dark Souls came FromSoftware’s original hack’n’slash masterwork: a dark, dread-filled brawl through the ruined kingdom of Boletaria. This remake carefully updates the visuals, combat and structure to forge something new and equally deadly. Why we love it: “One of the most quietly significant games of the 00s has been transformed here into a visually incredible, endlessly rewarding dark fantasy.” Elden Ring Spectacular landscapes … Elden Ring. Photograph: Bandai Namco A grandiose fantasy opera from the makers of Dark Souls, filled with spectacular landscapes, bizarre characters and seemingly insurmountable bosses. Complete with the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC it’s a challenging and engrossing open world like no other. Why we love it: “This is a massive world, astonishingly rendered (the sun and moon wheel in the sky, casting each scene anew) and seemingly limitless in its creative diversity. It is an unrivalled feat of design and inventiveness.” Read the full review. Final Fantasy VII Remake Revolutionary … Final Fantasy VII Remake. Photograph: Square Enix The first in an epic reimagining of Square’s revolutionary role-playing adventure from 1997, with lavish new visuals and extended sequences. Why we love it: “Final Fantasy VII Remake elevates the original to new heights. It looks spectacularly good, but, more importantly, its gameplay has acquired a modern sheen without losing what made the game distinct in the first place.” Read the full review. God of War Ragnarök Gripping, detailed and imaginative … God of War: Ragnarök. Photograph: AP The sequel to Sony Santa Monica’s incredible reboot of the revered mythological action adventure series. This time, hero Kratos and his teenage son must explore the frozen landscapes of Scandinavia to find a lost god and prevent the end of the world. Why we love it: “There haven’t been many interpretations of ancient mythology as gripping, detailed and imaginative as this, in video games or any other medium.” Read the full review. skip past newsletter promotion Sign up to Pushing Buttons Keza MacDonald’s weekly look at the world of gaming Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain info about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. For more information see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. after newsletter promotion Gran Turismo 7 A stunning 4K makeover … Gran Turismo 7. Photograph: Sony Interactive Entertainment The landmark PlayStation driving simulator gets a stunning 4K makeover and a vast array of meticulously modelled super cars. Why we love it: “This is a jaw-slackeningly beautiful game. Each vehicle is fettled in obsessive detail, down to the exact arrangement of reflective elements in an individual car’s ***********.” Read the full review. Helldivers 2 ‘Everything about this game is ridiculous – including how good it is’ … Helldivers 2. Photograph: Sony Computer Entertainment A thrilling co-op space shooter and a glorious pastiche of Starship Troopers, in which players land on a series of planets to blow deadly robots, giant insects and other alien ***** to smithereens. Why we love it: “It is so precise, its gunplay so invigorating, its feedback and effects so generous. Everything about this game is ridiculous, including how good it is.” Read the full review. The Last of Us Parts I and II Remastered A landmark for the industry … The Last of Us Part II Remastered. Photograph: Sony Computer Entertainment Vulnerable teen Ellie and cynical survivor Joel fight their way through the apocalyptic states of America looking for the cure to a zombifying fungal infection – and then must deal with the consequences of what they discover. Updated for PS5, Naughty Dog’s brutal yet beautiful adventure games are industry landmarks. Why we love it: “Experiencing this brutal adventure once again, in a visually and haptically enhanced format, was a bludgeoning experience, as exhausting, moving and invigorating as my first playthrough.” Read the full review. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 Lovingly envisaged … Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. Photograph: Sony Peter Parker and Miles Morales team up to defeat Venom and a cabal of super villains threatening to destroy their lives, loved ones and the entire city of New York. Why we love it: “It is a genuine pleasure to play something that has been so lovingly envisaged, and which is so true to its source material. It’s a game everyone with a PS5 should experience.” Read the full review. Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart A shower of sensory feedback … Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart. Photograph: Insomniac Games Two furry heroes warp between worlds to defeat an evil galactic emperor in a visually astounding multiverse adventure. Why we love it: “This is a blissfully uncomplicated cartoon science-fiction escapade … Everything you do feels good and showers you with sensory feedback, whether visually, aurally or through the controller’s haptic rumble.” Read the full review. Returnal Glorious to play … Returnal. Photograph: Sony Computer Entertainment After ******-landing on a hostile alien planet, sole-survivor Selene must escape a nightmarish cycle of life and death if she is to get away. A merciless time loop shooter. Why we love it: “It’s unforgiving and sometimes dispiriting, but also intriguing, mysterious, and just glorious to play.” Read the full review. Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection Rollicking fun … Uncharted 4. Photograph: Sony Computer Entertainment Nathan Drake hunts for a lost pirate treasure in Uncharted 4, while high-class thief Chloe Frazer searches India for the fabled Tusk of Ganesh in The Lost Legacy. Two wonderful globe-trotting adventures, remastered for PS5. Why we love it: “Uncharted 4 is a rollicking, globe-trotting adventure that manages to be funny and exciting, yet also touched with sadness.” Read the full review. Source link #PlayStation #games #play #Games Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Air France avoids plane during landing Air France avoids plane during landing The Brief A Paris flight allegedly had to avoid another plane while landing at DTW. This comes after two major plane crashes within a week in the U.S. Passengers feel discomfort as they travel after so many incidents. DETROIT (FOX 2) – A plane coming from Paris to Detroit missed another plane while attempting to land at Detroit Metro Airport, according to the pilot. Local perspective Tammy Sambrano was on a trip to France and was on a flight back to Michigan when the incident happened. She said they had almost landed when suddenly her plane launched back into the air. “We had two minutes to land,” she said. “I looked out the window and I see the ground. I’m like okay we made it and then next thing you know, the plane took off like a flight jet into the clouds.” The Air France plane, according to the pilot, had just missed another plane. “The pilot comes over the speaker and says: sorry about that folks, there was a plane in the way so we had to go around it,” she said. Tami and her son spent quality time in Paris, but the return trip brought back memories of two other major plane crashes recently. The backstory On Wednesday, an American Airlines jet carrying 64 people collided on Wednesday with a U.S. Army ****** Hawk helicopter while landing at Ronald Reagan National Airport. Three soldiers were onboard the helicopter, an Army official said. The collision prompted a large search-and-rescue operation in the nearby Potomac River, which resulted in dozens of fatalities. Then later that week, hundreds of firefighters and first responders descended on Northeast Philadelphia on Friday evening after the plane ****** in the area. Witnesses said there were multiple cars on fire after the plane went down as neighbors nearby heard loud explosions. What’s next Back in Detroit, Tammy said there needs to be more air traffic control employees. Despite the fact that the pilot did land the plane safely, she is now concerned for her future flight later in the year. “I’m scared to go in October. I said, well hopefully, by October, everything will be ironed out,” she said. The Source FOX 2 talked with flight passenger Tammy Sambrano. Source link #Air #France #avoids #plane #landing Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Uganda starts clinical trial of vaccine for Sudan strain of Ebola – Reuters Uganda starts clinical trial of vaccine for Sudan strain of Ebola – Reuters Uganda starts clinical trial of vaccine for Sudan strain of Ebola ReutersUganda’s Ebola outbreak: Vaccine trial for Sudan strain begins BBC.comUganda starts clinical trial to combat Sudan strain of Ebola Al Jazeera EnglishGroundbreaking Ebola vaccination trial launches today in Uganda World Health OrganizationNear Real-Time Genomic Characterization of the 2025 Sudan Ebolavirus Outbreak in Uganda’s Index Case: Insights into Evolutionary Origins Virological Source link #Uganda #starts #clinical #trial #vaccine #Sudan #strain #Ebola #Reuters Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Dribble Podcast: Ex-Perth Wildcat Damian Martin talks through new leadership job at Fremantle Dockers Dribble Podcast: Ex-Perth Wildcat Damian Martin talks through new leadership job at Fremantle Dockers Former Perth Wildcats captain Damian Martin is now in charge of leadership at the Fremantle Dockers and he’s delivering a strong message about what’s required to win trophies. Source link #Dribble #Podcast #ExPerth #Wildcat #Damian #Martin #talks #leadership #job #Fremantle #Dockers Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Nintendo’s Switch 2 Reveal Lacked the Kicker for Former PlayStation Boss Shuhei Yoshida Nintendo’s Switch 2 Reveal Lacked the Kicker for Former PlayStation Boss Shuhei Yoshida The opinions that former PlayStation executive Shuhei Yoshida expressed regarding the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal may resonate with some fans. After decades in the business, Yoshida has witnessed the release of numerous game systems, and the news of the upcoming console appears to be intriguing to him. Nintendo has recently revealed the Switch 2. | Credit: Nintendo. The Nintendo Switch 2 has experienced a great deal of leaks over the years, as most enthusiastic fans are aware. A replica of the upcoming console that Genki displayed at CES 2025 started to surface online in pictures. A short video was used by Nintendo to formally unveil the Switch 2, but many people were left wanting more. Recent remarks made by Shuhei Yoshida regarding the recently revealed console suggest that he was one of those viewers. Shuhei Yoshida seems to be wanting more from the Nintendo Switch 2 Shuhei Yoshida felt the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal to be blatant. | Credit: YouTube/Computer History Museum. When the topic of the Nintendo Switch 2 and its announcement came up in a conversation with MinnMax, Yoshida acknowledged that he had anticipated more surprises. He expressed his hope that Nintendo would continue to surprise people with the Switch 2. He also expressed empathy, saying that leaks are disappointing and that, personally, he prefers to be taken by surprise when official announcements are made. However, he isn’t hopeful that there won’t be any more leaks. This is what he stated: I thought the Switch 2 announcement could have been a larger reveal. I was surprised there were not many surprises. Yoshida, like the majority of Nintendo fans, appears eager to find out what the company plans to release for its next home console. Although, he went on to express concerns regarding the difficulties of the upcoming console’s development plans amidst continuous leaks. It must be difficult for the publisher to deal with leaks that keep coming up online because Nintendo is notorious for making big announcements out of the blue. According to Yoshida, hopefully the leaks will be stopped and something interesting will be found at the Switch 2 Direct in April. Yoshida found one aspect of Switch 2 interesting The Nintendo Switch 2 hasn’t yet got its actual release date. | Credit: Nintendo. The only aspect of the reveal that seemed interesting, according to Yoshida during the interview, was the apparent use of Joy-Cons as a mouse. Even though this had already been leaked, the video, which shows the Joy-Cons flying around, seems to support it. For gamers who prefer using mouse controls, he said, having a built-in mouse function might make sense because the Nintendo Switch 2 will be more powerful than its predecessor and there are rumors that Call of Duty will be available on Nintendo systems. Yoshida did, however, add that he hoped it would be used in a “weird, amazing way, something that people won’t anticipate,” referring to Nintendo’s tendency to incorporate innovative and intriguing concepts into its systems. After 31 years with Sony, Yoshida retired in January, and since then, he has been fairly vocal on a range of subjects. He expressed his surprise at Horizon Forbidden West‘s poor sales performance in comparison to Horizon Zero Dawn shortly after he retired, and more recently, he offered his thoughts on the PS Vita’s failure. He claimed a few days ago that The Last Guardian would have been canceled by a typical publisher. Source link #Nintendos #Switch #Reveal #Lacked #Kicker #PlayStation #Boss #Shuhei #Yoshida Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Warren Buffett’s 7 Rules for Saving Money on Everyday Expenses Without Sacrificing Comfort Warren Buffett’s 7 Rules for Saving Money on Everyday Expenses Without Sacrificing Comfort Matthew Cavanaugh/EPA / Shutterstock.com When it comes to spending, Warren Buffett isn’t an average billionaire. Instead of buying anything he wants, the Berkshire Hathaway CEO still values his dollar. Find Out: 3 Things You Must Do When Your Savings Reach $50,000 Read Next: 15 Investments Warren Buffett Regrets In fact, his money-saving philosophies are so down-to-earth, the average person could benefit from them. Here’s a look at seven of Buffett’s rules for saving money on everyday expenses, while still getting everything you need. Despite his wealth, Buffett doesn’t care about designer names. For example, instead of buying new cars, he’s been known to purchase slightly damaged vehicles and have them repaired for less than the cost of buying a new vehicle. You can apply this philosophy to any standard expense by seeking out well-made products with the features you need. This might mean focusing on store-brand products instead of their name-brand counterparts. Regardless, focusing on value ensures you’re stretching your dollar as far as you can in the right direction. Warren Buffett: 10 Things Poor People Waste Money On When Buffett’s first child was born, he converted a dresser drawer into a bassinet to save the cost of buying one. This creative mindset can apply to everyday expenses, as well. For example, if you’re redecorating your living room, you might search for items on local “Buy Nothing” groups and Facebook Marketplace. This can allow you to fill your space for free, or at a low price, instead of paying top-dollar for all new items at a store. There’s a difference between buying cheap and scoring a bargain. For example, in his 1989 letter to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders, Buffett wrote, “It’s far better to buy a wonderful company at a fair price than a fair company at a wonderful price. Keep this in mind when shopping. An item might have the best price, but if it’s low quality, it’s better to pay more for a product that’s actually worth your money. Even Buffett clips coupons. In his and now-ex-wife Melinda’s 2017 annual letter, Bill Gates shared a story about not paying full price when dining with his fellow billionaire friend. “Remember the laugh we had when we traveled together to Hong Kong and decided to get lunch at McDonald’s? You offered to pay, dug into your pocket, and pulled out … coupons!” If Buffett can spare a few moments to clip coupons, you can, too. The savings might seem minimal, but it adds up over time. Buffett has the money to dine out anywhere he wants, any night of the week, but he doesn’t. Instead, he stays in and enjoys a simple diet. Story Continues In his biography, “The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life,” author Alice Schroeder quoted him as saying, “I like eating the same thing over and over and over again. I could eat a ham sandwich every day for fifty days in a row for breakfast,” Mashed reported. There’s nothing wrong with enjoying nights out, but stay on budget by doing so in moderation. When something is just a fad, it typically doesn’t last. Therefore, it’s surely not a coincidence that Buffett doesn’t tend to follow market trends. Near the peak of the tech bubble in 1999, he wrote “The key to investing is not assessing how much an industry is going to affect society… but rather determining the competitive advantage of [a] given company…” This philosophy can easily apply to everyday expenses. Instead of purchasing every overpriced trendy item you see, stick to more affordable tried-and-true classics. Even Buffett loves a good *****. He’s quoted as saying, “Whether we’re talking about stocks or socks, I like buying quality merchandise when it is marked down.” A great way to stick to a budget, seeking out ***** items can allow you to get quality products at an affordable price. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Warren Buffett’s 7 Rules for Saving Money on Everyday Expenses Without Sacrificing Comfort Source link #Warren #Buffetts #Rules #Saving #Money #Everyday #Expenses #Sacrificing #Comfort Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

How Elon Musk set off two weeks of chaos across Washington – CNN How Elon Musk set off two weeks of chaos across Washington – CNN How Elon Musk set off two weeks of chaos across Washington CNNElon Musk’s Blitz Shakes U.S. Government as He Sweeps Through Agencies The New York Times Source link #Elon #Musk #set #weeks #chaos #Washington #CNN Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Dad shouldn’t have had to check for knife, MS says Dad shouldn’t have had to check for knife, MS says BBC / Meleri Williams Teachers Fiona Elias, left, and Liz Hopkin were stabbed along with a pupil at the school The onus to do a daily check for knives in the bag of a 14-year-old girl convicted of attempted ******* should not have been put on her father, Plaid Cymru’s education spokesperson has said. The teenager, who cannot be named, was found guilty of the attempted ******* of three people after the attack at a school in Carmarthenshire in April last year. Cefin Campbell MS, whose brother works at the school and tried to restrain the girl, said searching pupils and employing security guards were options for schools to consider. “I don’t think the onus should have been put on the father to check the bag every day,” he told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast. Campbell also called for “better collaboration in the information shared between social services and school leaders”. He said “clearly the person was a troubled individual, that came out in court. We need to ask about support for mental health issues”. The teenager was found guilty of the attempted ******* of teachers Fiona Elias and Liz Hopkin and a pupil at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman in April 2024. They were all taken to hospital after the attack. Campbell said while he did not really know what the answer was, it needed careful attention because knife crime and violence against teachers had increased since the Covid-19 pandemic. He said “searching pupils is one solution” to prevent such an incident from happening again but he questioned “whether teachers want to play that role of playing security guard as well as being teachers”. He warned this could lead to confrontations and said another option might be for schools to employ “specialist security guards”. Campbell said “teachers shouldn’t feel threatened in any way”, adding teaching unions needed to be consulted on any plans to ask teachers to check bags. “What we don’t want to do is to go down the road of some American states and cities where there are scanners and body scanners for everyone going into school every day metal detectors,” he said. He said pupils as young as year two- aged six and seven – carrying knives was “an extremely sad indictment of our society and I have no doubt that social media plays a part in this as well”. Existing Welsh government legislation says “reasonable force” may be used without pupils’ consent to search for weapons. Watch the moment 14-year-old girl stabs teachers Campbell said he had spoken to his brother, Darren, who said there was “a general sense of relief among the teaching staff and the school community” that the trial had come to an end and this had brought “a sense of closure”. “No one expected a 14-year-old girl to come into school with the intent of causing harm and attempted *******,” he added. He warned it could happen anywhere and “the sense of fear among teaching staff is still very real”. Swansea Crown Court heard the teenager had brought a weapon to school every day, and on the day in question, used her father’s multi-tool knife to initially attack Ms Elias. She shouted “I’m going to kill you” as she stabbed Ms Elias, the jury heard, before turning to Ms Hopkin, who she did not know. Both teachers said in police interviews they thought they would die as they were stabbed. After what was described as a “stand-off”, the jury heard the teenager then moved to a different part of the school where she ran towards a pupil with a knife and shouted, “I’m going to kill you”. The pupil was stabbed before the teenage girl was restrained by teacher Darrel Campbell, and she was later arrested. The defendant is due to be sentenced on 28 April. Additional reporting by Antonia Matthews Source link #Dad #shouldnt #check #knife Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Telethon set to harness the power of school fundraisers with Premier’s Telethon Challenge Telethon set to harness the power of school fundraisers with Premier’s Telethon Challenge Telethon will be able to harness the power of school fundraising this year after the launch of the first Premier’s Telethon Challenge, encouraging schools and students to get involved with raising money. Premier Roger Cook visited Subiaco Primary School on Tuesday morning to announce the inaugural challenge to support the beloved charity. It will begin from term two this year, with awards for the highest fundraising primary school and high school. Schools can fundraise through whichever means they wish, including classroom classics like a cake stall or free-dress day. Camera IconPremier Roger Cook said he wanted to reward schools that were doing their best to raise money for Telethon. Credit: Daniel Wilkins/The West *********** Mr Cook said it was an opportunity to teach the next generation about the importance of giving. “We all love Telethon, it does two really important things, one it gives back to the community, it’s about raising money for research and services for kids who are less fortunate than our own,” he said. “But also the other important thing it does is it provides people with an opportunity to give and teaches kids about the importance of giving. “My Telethon Challenge is about continuing to encourage the kids of Western Australia to do everything they can. “It’s about kids helping kids and really future proofing Telethon so that the kids of today realise the benefits of supporting Telethon and the kids of the future understand the importance as well.” There will also be prizes for writing, with students in primary and high schools encouraged to submit a written piece about their experience or feelings about Telethon, or one which discusses giving to charity. Education Minister Tony Buti said he was excited to see the enthusiasm from the youngest West Australians. “If you’ve grown up in WA, you know about Telethon, how important it is to medical research, to charitable causes and to learn about giving,” he said. “This Premier’s Telethon Challenge is all about empathy, collaboration and for kids to learn about the benefits of charity and giving.” In 2024, Telethon raised a whopping $83.26 million and it is hoped with even more funds raised from the roughly 1100 schools across the State, that number will be able to grow even larger. Camera IconPremier Roger Cook with Jude Visser (11), Luca Weybrecht-Mills (11), **** Cat, Angelina Trucia (6) and Dani Lee (10) at Subiaco Primary School to announce the Premier’s Telethon Challenge. Credit: Daniel Wilkins/The West *********** Telethon chair Richard Goyder AO said the challenge would provide even more support for the charity. “The Premier’s Telethon Challenge is a wonderful new initiative to inspire a culture of empathy, philanthropy, and community spirit amongst our school students — the next generation of changemakers,” Mr Goyder said. “Telethon is so much more than a charity, Telethon is a celebration of the generosity and kindness of West Australians who unite yearly to support and give hope to our most sick and vulnerable children. “Throughout its 58-year history — Telethon has inspired generosity amongst children who want to fundraise and donate their pocket money to help other kids. “In 2025, we are excited to see this new program roll out and look forward to the creativity and generosity of WA students as more and more schools across the State come together to make a positive difference in their communities.” Source link #Telethon #set #harness #power #school #fundraisers #Premiers #Telethon #Challenge Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

CBS News Hands Over Kamala Harris Interview Transcript, ’60 Minutes’ Chief Says He Won’t Apologize CBS News Hands Over Kamala Harris Interview Transcript, ’60 Minutes’ Chief Says He Won’t Apologize Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what’s in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience.Generate Key Takeaways CBS News has turned over the transcript of its interview with Kamala Harris to the Federal Communications Commission, which has been pursuing the document for an investigation into favorable editing – but any settlement won’t include an apology from “60 Minutes” executive editor Bill Owens, according to multiple media reports Monday night. A CBS News spokesperson told Reuters that the transcript has been submitted to the FCC. The New York Times also reported that Owens told staff on Monday that any settlement in the matter would not include an apology from him, according to people familiar with his remarks. FCC chair Brendan Carr, a fresh Trump appointee, said last week that the commission had reinstated a complaint into the appearance. He told Fox News on Monday that “CBS played the same question on two different programs and clearly the words of the answers were very different. … Was it edited for clarity and length – which would be fine – or are there other reasons?” Carr also said he was remaining open-minded about the outcome of reading the transcript and would release it after review. Trump filed a $10 billion lawsuit against CBS before the election in October, alleging the interview was misleading. The action included a request that the commission ask for a copy of the full transcript. The Times reported last week that CBS parent Paramount was in settlement talks with Trump. The post CBS News Hands Over Kamala Harris Interview Transcript, ’60 Minutes’ Chief Says He Won’t Apologize appeared first on TheWrap. Source link #CBS #News #Hands #Kamala #Harris #Interview #Transcript #Minutes #Chief #Wont #Apologize Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Vivo V50 Pro Specifications, Design Revealed Ahead of Launch: To Pack a 6,000mAh Battery Vivo V50 Pro Specifications, Design Revealed Ahead of Launch: To Pack a 6,000mAh Battery Vivo has officially revealed the details of its upcoming V-series flagship called the V50. The V50, when launched in India, will replace the V40 model, which was unveiled in India alongside the V40 Pro model in August 2024. After several rumours, Vivo seems to have decided on officially revealing most details about its upcoming premium smartphone via its own website, save for a select few details like the phone’s processor, charging speed and more. The landing page also reveals the phone’s cosmetic design along with the colour options that will be available at launch. The Vivo V50’s design appears very similar to the model it will replace but gets a more rounded appearance. One noticeable change to its design comes from its display. It’s no longer a dual-curved edge panel, but a quad-curved panel, meaning that the display curves a bit over the edges on all four sides instead of just two (left and right), like with the Vivo V40. The phone’s IP rating has also been improved with an official IP68 and IP69 rating for dust and water. The phone will be available in Rose Red, Starry Blue, and Titanium Grey colourways. At the back, the keyhole-shaped camera module remains the same as before, and it once again holds two cameras in place. The site mentions that all three cameras use 50-megapixel sensors. This would include a 50-megapixel front-facing camera, a 50-megapixel primary camera, and a 50-megapixel ultrawide camera. Vivo’s Aura Light feature is also present but appears a lot ******* in size compared to the previous model. Other details revealed by the landing page include a 6,000mAh battery, Funtouch OS 15, and some AI and camera features that recently made it to the company’s flagship model, the Vivo X200 Pro. However, its processor and charging speed have not been confirmed. A previous report revealed that the Vivo V50 will feature a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 SoC. As per another report the phone could launch in India on February 18. Affiliate links may be automatically generated – see our ethics statement for details. Source link #Vivo #V50 #Pro #Specifications #Design #Revealed #Ahead #Launch #Pack #6000mAh #Battery Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Procter & Gamble: A Consumer Staples Titan Built to Win Procter & Gamble: A Consumer Staples Titan Built to Win Global consumer products manufacturer Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:) posted upbeat in its fourth quarter of 2024. The leader sells well-known grooming, baby, personal care, and hygiene products under brands like Pampers, Luvs, Bounce, Downy, Gain, Tide, Bounty, Charmin, Always, Tampax, Swiffer, Head & Shoulders, Febreze, and Old Spice. It competes for shelf space with the Clorox (NYSE:) and the Unilever (NYSE:). Fiscal Q2 2025 Returns to Positive Growth Proctor & Gamble reported fiscal Q2 2025 EPS of $1.88, beating consensus estimates by 2 cents. After two back-to-back quarters of negative growth, revenue rose 2.1% year-over-year (YoY) to $21.88 billion versus $21.54 billion. Organic sales rose 2% YoY comprised of: Organic sales in the Beauty segment rose 2% YoY. In the Grooming segment, organic sales rose by 2% YoY. The Healthcare segment’s organic sales rose by 3% YoY. The Fabric and Home Care segment organic sales rose 3% YoY. Organic sales of the Baby, Feminine, and Family Care segment rose 4% YoY. China organic sales fell by 3% YoY in FQ2, a sequential improvement from the 16% drop experienced in FQ1. Operating cash flow was $4.8 billion, and net earnings were $4.7 billion for Q4. Adjusted free cash flow productivity was 84%. The company paid out $2.4 billion in dividends and $2.5 billion in share repurchases. In-Line But Cautious Full Year 2025 Guidance Proctor & Gamble reaffirmed fiscal full year 2025 EPS of $6.91 to $7.05 versus $6.94 consensus estimates. Full-year revenue is expected to grow 2% to 4% to $85.72 billion to $87.40 billion vs. $85.01 billion consensus estimates. However, management expressed caution due to increasing FX headwinds. After initially expecting $500 million in commodity cost headwinds and FX fluctuations, Proctor & Gamble’s outlook improved to $200 million in commodity costs while FX remained neutral. However, the initial outlook was again revisited with a forecast of $500 million in full-year headwinds, which would shave EPS by 20 cents. The Consumer Is Spending a Little More for Brand Names Again The company noted that the consumer is not only stable, but private label shares continue to flatline or decline in the United States and Europe, illustrating the consumers’ capacity to spend slightly more on name brands. Proctor & Gamble CEO Jon Moeller commented, “Our first-half results keep us on track to deliver within our guidance ranges on all key financial metrics for the fiscal year. We remain committed to our integrated growth strategy of a focused product portfolio of daily use categories where performance drives brand choice and superiority — across product performance, packaging, brand communication, retail execution, and consumer and customer value — productivity, constructive disruption, and an agile and accountable organization. This strategy has enabled our solid results and is a foundation for balanced growth and value creation.” PG Stock Is Forming a Cup Pattern A cup and handle pattern is comprised of two separate patterns: a cup and a handle. The cup is formed as a stock peaks a swing high, marking the lip line as shares fall to a swing low, form a rounding bottom, and rally back to retest the cup lip line. After the cup pattern is complete, the stock rejects again from the lip line to form a shallow pullback before turning back up again to retest the cup lip line, forming the handle. The cup and handle breakout occurs if the stock can break out above the cup lip line on the handle bounce and in the third attempt. PG formed the cup lip line at $170.76 before sliding to a swing low of $158.28 and forming a rounding bottom, staging a rally back up towards the cup lip line. Shares propelled higher on its earnings reports, but it hasn’t been able to complete the cup pattern by retesting the $170.76 lip line. The daily anchored VWAP support is slowly rising at $163.40. The daily RSI is flat at the 51-band. Fibonacci (Fib) pullback support levels are $161.48, $158.28, $155.78, and $152.25. PG stock’s average consensus price target is 8.76% higher at $180.53, and its highest analyst price target sits at $209.00. It has 15 analysts’ Buy ratings and 7 Hold Ratings. The stock has a tiny 0.70% short interest. Bullish investors can consider using cash-secured puts at the Fib pullback support levels to buy the dip. If assigned the shares, then writing covered calls at upside Fib levels executes a wheel strategy for income in addition to the 2.42% annual dividend yield. Original Post Source link #Procter #Gamble #Consumer #Staples #Titan #Built #Win Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

China announces measures against Google, other US firms, as trade tensions escalate – Reuters China announces measures against Google, other US firms, as trade tensions escalate – Reuters China announces measures against Google, other US firms, as trade tensions escalate ReutersChina Strikes Back After Trump Imposes 10% Tariff on Goods The New York TimesChina Hits Back at Trump’s Tariffs as Trade War Reignites BloombergChina counters with tariffs on US products. It will also investigate Google The Associated PressChina strikes back at Trump’s tariffs with levies on U.S. imports The Washington Post Source link #China #announces #measures #Google #firms #trade #tensions #escalate #Reuters Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Civil lawsuits filed against Neil Gaiman and wife Civil lawsuits filed against Neil Gaiman and wife The ******* assault claims around British author Neil Gaiman have taken another step with a woman lodging civil lawsuits also citing his wife, Amanda Palmer. Source link #Civil #lawsuits #filed #Neil #Gaiman #wife Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Book Review: ‘The Ghosts of Rome,’ by Joseph O’Connor Book Review: ‘The Ghosts of Rome,’ by Joseph O’Connor THE GHOSTS OF ROME, by Joseph O’Connor The Irish novelist Joseph O’Connor is best known for “Star of the Sea” (2002) and its loose sequel, “Redemption Falls” (2007). These historical novels were strung between Ireland and America, their sweeping narratives conveyed by a range of different voices and confected documents: letters, diaries, interviews and newspaper articles. The success of those books lay in the way O’Connor’s collages cohered into something grander and more unified than its myriad parts. They were also profoundly, peculiarly readable — delivering the punch of genre fiction while offering more subtle literary pleasures. That same alchemy drives O’Connor’s Escape Line Trilogy, set in Nazi-occupied Rome. The first novel, “My Father’s House” (2023), fictionalizes the true story of Msgr. Hugh O’Flaherty, an Irish priest who led a resistance network operating out of the ********. Now, in “The Ghosts of Rome,” the focus shifts to one of O’Flaherty’s (fictional) collaborators: Contessa Giovanna Landini. Landini is an elegant widow who is part mother figure, part mastermind of the Choir, the ******** resistance organization that meets under the guise of music practice: “While singing, under cover of whatever music we were able to make, we exchanged notes, diagrams, instructions, details, on the missions we had approaching.” These missions — code-named Rendimenti — largely involve smuggling escaped prisoners of war to safety, taking them on “darkwalks” through the nighttime streets of Rome and hiding them in crumbling safe houses while evading the sinister Gestapo boss, Paul Hauptmann. Hauptmann is a complex and fascinating character based on the real-life Herbert Kappler. He’s a monster who is increasingly desperate to apprehend the admirable Landini (even requisitioning her palazzo as his private residence). He’s also under terrible pressure from Berlin to get a grip on the “well-funded and ruthlessly organized Escape Line.” Hauptmann’s beloved wife and children have been taken back to Germany and will pay with their lives for any backsliding. As with O’Connor’s earlier novels, the power of “The Ghosts of Rome” comes from the dazzling variety of voices employed, the sense of a world constructed in multiple dimensions. The contemporaneous narratives are related in an urgent present tense, with breathless sentences, single-line paragraphs. These are augmented with memoirs, transcripts, Gestapo briefings and other found documents. Cycling through perspectives as we move toward the novel’s denouement permits O’Connor to display all of his polyphonic talents. We have the garrulous Delia Murphy-Kiernan, the hard-drinking wife of the Irish ambassador; Enzo Angelucci, a crafty and heroic member of the Roman underworld; Sir Frank D’Arcy Osborne, a jovial British diplomat; John May, a Cockney jazz trumpeter. Then there’s Bruno, a downed Polish airman desperately fleeing through a hostile and hazardous Rome. O’Connor has often been likened to the great Irish modernists for the lyricism of his voice-driven novels. But “The Ghosts of Rome” — which despite being the second in the trilogy can be read as a stand-alone novel — also situates him within a broader European tradition of memory and moral reckoning, one that returns again and again to World War II. O’Connor embraces this legacy while transcending its clichés. His Rome is not merely a setting but a crucible, a city where the sacred and the profane collide, where resilience is forged in the shadow of ruins. By crafting a chorus of voices, he ensures that no single narrative dominates, reflecting the messy, multifaceted truths of history — both the way it is lived and how it is constructed in retrospect. What emerges is not just a wartime thriller, though it is that, but a meditation on how we remember, how we resist and how, even in the darkest times, humanity endures. THE GHOSTS OF ROME | By Joseph O’Connor | Europa | 383 pp. | $28 Source link #Book #Review #Ghosts #Rome #Joseph #OConnor Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

US firm unveils plan for 100,000-strong humanoid robot army to counter China US firm unveils plan for 100,000-strong humanoid robot army to counter China Figure AI announced that it had signed its second major commercial partner, bringing the dream of humanoid robots from labs into everyday life closer than ever. CEO Brett Adcock said the deal might make it possible to ship 100,000 humanoid robots over the next four years. While details of the new customer remain under wraps, Adcock claims it is “one of the biggest U.S. companies,” spurring immediate speculation that it could be a large retailer or technology enterprise with significant labor needs. Adcock’s remarks came in an update on LinkedIn, where he emphasized the importance of forging deep relationships with high-capacity customers rather than spreading the company’s efforts thin across many smaller clients. “Our newest customer is one of the biggest U.S. companies,” Adcock said. “It gives us potential to ship at high volumes which will drive cost reduction and AI data collection. Between both customers, we believe there is a path to 100,000 robots over the next four years.” The company’s first publicly named client is automotive giant BMW, which signed on late last year. The latest announcement sets the stage for what could be a significant step toward mainstream adoption of humanoid robots, especially in large-scale operations like manufacturing, logistics, or healthcare. Figure AI strategy and progress Adcock also reiterated Figure AI’s dual-market strategy. “We’re focused on two markets: commercial and home,” he said. While the commercial side could entail distribution centers, factories, and other industrial sites, the domestic market opens doors to home-use robots assisting with tasks that range from mundane chores to more specialized roles in healthcare. Figure AI stands out due to the speed of its product rollouts. The company launched its first humanoid, Figure 01, just 31 months after incorporation and subsequently shipped Figure 02. Reports also suggest that Figure 03 is “up and running in the lab,” indicating an ongoing quest for improved performance and functionality. Figure 01, which debuted in January 2024, operated at about 17 percent of an average human’s walking speed. Figure 02, the current iteration, has reportedly increased that pace by seven times, moving at 3.9 feet (1.2 meters) per second, roughly 2.68 miles per hour. While still somewhat slower than a typical human stride, Figure appears confident that additional improvements are imminent. A notable aspect of Figure’s robots is their reliance on artificial intelligence. “Last week, we successfully began running an end-to-end neural network on the new client’s use case,” Adcock said in his update. “Learning the use case with AI is the only path here as heuristics would be impossible to write.” He also mentioned that each instance of these AI-driven policies in action “feels like pure magic,” highlighting the potential for self-learning robots to adapt quickly to different tasks. Competition and industry outlook Players like Agility Robotics, Tesla’s Optimus project, Unitree, Apptronik, Sanctuary AI, and Agibot are all scrambling to secure footholds in this emerging market. Recent initiatives by ******** companies and the government represent its commitment to becoming a leader in humanoid robotics. In December 2024, Zhiyuan Robotics, also known as Agibot, showcased its capacity to produce 1,000 humanoid robots by year’s end. This was followed by MagicLab’s introduction of its third-generation humanoid, MagicBot, aimed to compete with global leaders like Boston Dynamics’ Atlas, further reinforcing its capabilities by deploying a fleet of these robots for industrial training. These milestones go hand in hand with China’s 2023 strategy to embed humanoid robots deeply into its industrial fabric by 2027, aiming for widespread application across various sectors of society. Nevertheless, combining a second high-profile customer and the possibility of delivering 100,000 humanoid robots could place Figure firmly at the forefront of the commercial robotics sector, worldwide. As Adcock suggested, shipping significant quantities of robots to real-world environments will create a robust feedback loop for AI data collection and iterative design improvements. Recently, Figure was mentioned in a Forbes list of the top 16 humanoid robot manufacturers, and Figure 2 was also a part of Interesting Engineering’s top 10 humanoid robots to look out for in 2025. Source link #firm #unveils #plan #100000strong #humanoid #robot #army #counter #China Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Martha Stewart’s First Book Finds New Fans Martha Stewart’s First Book Finds New Fans Martha Stewart has published 100 books across her long and eventful career, but perhaps none is more beloved than her first, “Entertaining.” Published in 1982, and long out of print, it has attracted a number of new fans who have lately paid up to $450 for an original hardcover copy. Because of its seemingly undying appeal, it will soon be back in bookstores in all its 1980s glory. Two recent documentaries about Ms. Stewart — “The Many Lives of Martha Stewart,” which aired on CNN, and “Martha,” on Netflix — introduced the 83-year-old entrepreneur and O.G. influencer to a generation too young to have witnessed her rise, but that now admires her entrepreneurial hustle and self-determination. Some of these new fans want their own copies of “Entertaining,” which both films featured prominently. Copies of the hardcover in good condition are listed at $173 and up on Amazon and the e-commerce site AbeBooks. There has also been plenty of action on eBay, where “Entertaining” has sold for as much as $311 and a pristine, shrink-wrapped copy is listed at more than $1,700. Meredith Hayden, the former private chef behind the popular TikTok account Wishbone Kitchen, said in a widely shared video that she had lost four eBay bidding wars before winning her copy. Others have been visiting secondhand stores to score cheap used copies and posting humble brag videos when they do. Speaking by phone, Ms. Stewart, who published her 100th book last fall, did not sound surprised by the surge of interest in “Entertaining,” especially among young people. “They have been avidly watching the documentary and were introduced to a new, cool, badass woman who wrote a book in 1982 that appeals to them,” she said. Published by Clarkson Potter back when Ms. Stewart was a caterer in Westport, Conn., “Entertaining” has sold more than a million copies. The new buzz around the 43-year-old best seller has led the imprint to reissue the book, said Aaron Wehner, the publisher of Clarkson Potter, a division of Crown Publishing Group. That edition is slated to be released in October. Kathleen Gillespey, 27, a Martha fan in Austin, Texas, said she wanted to have her own copy of “Entertaining” but was unwilling to pay the asking prices. Luckily, her aunt, Hailey Gonzalez, 59, had received the book as a present when she got married, in 1992. “When the documentary came out, I thought, ‘I need to go find this book,’” Ms. Gillespey said. “Hailey said, ‘Kathleen, I have it, when you come visit, we’ll go through it.’” Ms. Gonzalez keeps her well-thumbed copy in her butler’s pantry, at her home in Laredo, Texas. Over the years, she has cooked from its many recipes and followed Ms. Stewart’s tips for hosting. “After talking to Kathleen, I pulled it out,” she said. Said Ms. Gillespey: “Julia Child can cook and Ina Garten can cook, but Martha knows how to do presentation. When you look at the book, you’re looking at presentation. That’s why my generation is so into it, because we have social media and we want things to look aesthetically pleasing.” After watching the CNN documentary, Nick Norcia, 29, a content creator in Los Angeles, realized he had the wrong impression of Ms. Stewart, who worked as a model and a stockbroker before starting her lifestyle brand and becoming the first self-made female billionaire in the United States. “I had thought she was a stay-at-home mom that got famous,” Mr. Norcia said. “I had no idea how fierce she is.” While watching the film, Mr. Norcia logged onto eBay and bought a copy of “Entertaining” for around $200. “I don’t use it as much as a recipe book,” he said. “More as a springboard and inspiration. Like a retro Pinterest.” Before the publication of “Entertaining,” Ms. Stewart had been profiled in a few publications, including The New York Times, but was not widely known beyond Manhattan and its upper-crust suburbs. Her break came when she catered a party for the best-selling illustrated book “Gnomes.” Her elaborate tablescapes included gnome-shaped cookies, and she dressed her staff as magical fairies. Alan Mirken, then the president of Crown, was so impressed that he suggested she write a book. Ms. Stewart enlisted a co-writer, Elizabeth Hawes, a contributor to The New Yorker, and set about making a groundbreaking best seller in her hard-working way. The two documentaries from last year present “Entertaining” as the key to understanding Ms. Stewart and her career, as the thing that made Martha Martha. Ms. Stewart agreed with that assessment. “In 1982, I was already 41 and had never written a book before,” she said. “I found my voice with this book.” She recalled insisting that “Entertaining” be printed in all-color, over the objections of her publisher and in contrast to the many text-heavy cookbooks that had come before. She aimed to create a coffee-table book that was “extremely beautiful,” she said, yet useful. The sumptuous imagery starts with the cover, which was photographed by Michael Skott. It shows a dining table set with a crisp white tablecloth, turquoise glassware and red and yellow poppies bursting out of vases. At the head of the table, dressed in a white frilly dress, her golden blonde hair aglow with the natural light pouring in through windows, Ms. Stewart stands smiling as if inviting the reader into a bountiful gathering. The abundance continues inside: The book’s 309 pages are stuffed with recipes, anecdotes and tips. Photos depict Ms. Stewart hoeing in the garden, tending her hives of Italian honeybees and grilling steamer boxes of fresh lobsters. There are dated aspects to the book, especially Ms. Stewart’s love for collecting cookware and other items in this era of minimalist chic. But part of the fun of flipping through the pages is being transported back in time and seeing a pre-fame Martha. Roger ******, a noted graphic designer, was hired by Crown to design “Entertaining.” He recalled Ms. Stewart inviting him to Turkey Hill, her farm and homemaking laboratory in Connecticut, to discuss the project. “It was in full bloom,” Mr. ****** said. “I don’t know what time of year it was, but it was always in full bloom. I had never seen that many copper sauce pans. It wasn’t 10 times what I was used to, but 100 times. Every aspect of the house was perfect.” “Her aspirations were so high,” he continued. “She would ***** every possible idea out of people. She would encourage them to think better and faster.” It’s unusual for a publisher to reissue a lifestyle book from decades ago. Rarer still, Clarkson Potter is not planning to recontextualize or refresh “Entertaining,” other than by printing it on nicer paper. “It’s going to be a straight reissue, which is what I think people want,” Mr. Wehner said. “The expression of the moment, and Martha’s creativity in that moment, we decided, is perfect the way it is.” Until it comes out, fans like Christina Barras, 32, a makeup artist in Los Angeles, will have to seek out vintage copies. Ms. Barras found “Entertaining” at a public library near her house and posted a triumphant video on TikTok about her find. She said she used the book to get ideas and inspiration for her own hosting endeavors. “You learn how resourceful she was,” Ms. Barras said of Ms. Stewart. “She could make really simple things really beautiful, with creativity, time and effort.” Has she tried any of Ms. Stewart’s recipes from the book? “I did attempt the gingerbread mansion,” Ms. Barras said, laughing. “Mine came out more like a gingerbread dilapidated shack.” Source link #Martha #Stewarts #Book #Finds #Fans Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]