Pelican Press

Top Three Dividend Stocks To Consider Top Three Dividend Stocks To Consider As global markets respond to the Trump administration’s emerging policy changes, U.S. stocks have been buoyed by optimism around potential trade deals and AI investments, with major indices reaching record highs. In this dynamic environment, dividend stocks can offer a measure of stability and income for investors seeking reliable returns amidst fluctuating market conditions. Name Dividend Yield Dividend Rating Guaranty Trust Holding (NGSE:GTCO) 5.94% ★★★★★★ Peoples Bancorp (NasdaqGS:PEBO) 4.91% ★★★★★★ Wuliangye YibinLtd (SZSE:000858) 4.05% ★★★★★★ Southside Bancshares (NYSE:SBSI) 4.58% ★★★★★★ Padma Oil (DSE:PADMAOIL) 7.45% ★★★★★★ China South Publishing & Media Group (SHSE:601098) 4.01% ★★★★★★ Guangxi LiuYao Group (SHSE:603368) 3.41% ★★★★★★ Citizens & Northern (NasdaqCM:CZNC) 5.23% ★★★★★★ HUAYU Automotive Systems (SHSE:600741) 4.46% ★★★★★★ DoshishaLtd (TSE:7483) 3.76% ★★★★★★ Click here to see the full list of 1938 stocks from our Top Dividend Stocks screener. Below we spotlight a couple of our favorites from our exclusive screener. Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: ★★★★☆☆ Overview: PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited, along with its subsidiaries, is involved in the exploration and production of petroleum both in Thailand and internationally, with a market cap of THB494.26 billion. Operations: PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited generates revenue through its core activities in the exploration and production of petroleum across various regions. Dividend Yield: 7.2% PTT Exploration and Production’s dividend payments have been volatile over the past decade, with recent proposals indicating a decrease. Despite this instability, dividends are covered by earnings and cash flows, maintaining payout ratios of 53.9% and 49.7%, respectively. The stock trades below its estimated fair value and is considered good relative value compared to peers. Recent earnings showed modest growth in revenue and net income year-over-year, supporting its dividend sustainability for now. SET:PTTEP Dividend History as at Jan 2025 Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: ★★★★☆☆ Overview: Techno Ryowa Ltd. specializes in the design, construction, and maintenance of environmental control systems primarily in Japan, with a market cap of ¥49.24 billion. Operations: Techno Ryowa Ltd.’s revenue is primarily derived from its Air Conditioning Sanitary Equipment Construction Business at ¥48.01 billion, followed by General Building Equipment Work at ¥25.11 billion, Electrical Equipment Construction Business at ¥2.62 billion, and Cooling and Heating Equipment Sales Segment at ¥1.20 billion. Story Continues Dividend Yield: 3.9% Techno Ryowa’s dividend yield of 3.88% ranks in the top 25% of the JP market, though its payments have been volatile over the past decade. The payout ratio is modest at 35.1%, suggesting earnings coverage, but dividends are not supported by free cash flow. Despite recent earnings growth of 77.5%, financial sustainability concerns persist due to lack of free cash flows and historical payment instability, impacting long-term reliability for dividend investors. TSE:1965 Dividend History as at Jan 2025 Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: ★★★★★☆ Overview: Itochu Enex Co., Ltd. operates in the ***** of petroleum products and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) both in Japan and internationally, with a market cap of approximately ¥176.05 billion. Operations: Itochu Enex Co., Ltd.’s revenue is primarily derived from its operations in the ***** of petroleum products and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) across domestic and international markets. Dividend Yield: 3.5% Itochu Enex’s dividend yield of 3.51% falls short of the top 25% in the JP market, yet it offers stable and reliable payments, increasing over the past decade. The recent dividend hike to ¥28.00 per share underscores its growth trajectory. With a payout ratio of 47.6% and a cash payout ratio of 25.8%, dividends are well-supported by earnings and cash flows, enhancing sustainability for investors seeking consistent income streams amidst undervaluation concerns at current trading levels. TSE:8133 Dividend History as at Jan 2025 This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Companies discussed in this article include SET:PTTEP TSE:1965 and TSE:8133. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email *****@*****.tld Source link #Top #Dividend #Stocks Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

I’ve been hunting for a wet-floor cleaner that can actually clean to the edges of rooms, and Dreame might have just come up with a solution I’ve been hunting for a wet-floor cleaner that can actually clean to the edges of rooms, and Dreame might have just come up with a solution A wet and dry vacuum is a great choice if you’re dealing with lots of mud or spillages on your hard floor and don’t want to be mopping every other day. However, while they can be excellent for tackling tough stains, they often have fairly bulky designs, and can struggle to get close to the edges of rooms. So I was particularly interested to get some hands-on time with the Dreame H15 Pro, which has a clever solution to this issue. This wet-floor cleaner has a chip in the front of the floorhead that can sense when it’s approaching a wall. This triggers the mop roller to shift forward so that it’s as close to the wall as possible, and at the same time a barrier along the front of the floorhead drops, so the mop isn’t actually mopping your wall or baseboard or skirting. Dreame calls this ‘triple edge coverage’, and it’s an idea I haven’t seen before, even amongst the best wet and dry vacuums on the market. (Image credit: Future) In fact, it’s closer to something we tend to see on hybrid mop-and-vacuum robovacs. Some of today’s best robot vacuums have mop pads that can kick out when the bot is traversing along the edge of a room, so there isn’t an un-mopped gap. While it’s still chunkier than, say, a stick vacuum, Dreame has made further design tweaks to make the H15 Pro as maneuverable as possible. The handle can drop down completely flat to the ground, enabling you to clean underneath furniture. On some wet-dry vacuums, suction will drop when the cleaner is laid down flat, to prevent water getting into the motor, but the H15 Pro is designed so there’s no loss of suction. Speaking of which, it can achieve up to an ultra-powerful 21,000Pa. Rub a dub dub Another innovation that caught my eye on this cleaner is its self-cleaning process. Many higher-end wet-dry vacuums have some kind of self-cleaning cycle to make maintenance easier, but the H15 Pro is the first one I’ve seen that gives its mops a bath after use. When the self-clean cycle is activated, a tray in the base fills with hot (212F / 100C) water that immerses the rollers, rather than just dampening them. The rollers then spin to clean off any dirt and grease. Once that’s complete, the space is sealed and they’re blasted with hot air for five minutes to dry them. (Image credit: Future) (Image credit: Future) I got to check out the H15 Pro at the grand opening of Dreame’s new flagship *** store in Birmingham, and I was impressed. The lie-flat design, in particular, works very well, and the cleaner is comfortable to use and easy to maneuver. The triple-edge cleaning seemed a little more temperamental during my hands-on time, but I’m willing to give it the benefit of the doubt until we’re had a chance to try it out properly. Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. The Dreame H15 Pro is due to go on ***** in the *** in March. We’ve enquired about pricing and launch information for the US and Australia, and we’ll update this article when we get that. You might also like… Source link #Ive #hunting #wetfloor #cleaner #clean #edges #rooms #Dreame #solution Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Joins The List Of Gestating Live-Action Movie Adaptations Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Joins The List Of Gestating Live-Action Movie Adaptations Upcoming fantasy-RPG Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is joining the long list of upcoming video game adaptations, as developer Sandfall Interactive and media company Story Kitchen announced plans to bring it to the big screen. What’s interesting here is that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 isn’t even out yet, as it’s currently set to launch in April for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. It’s also worth noting that this is merely an announcement for a live-action Clair Obscur film, and there’s no guarantee it will ever be made–many film projects are announced but never ultimately release. It remains to be seen what the critical and commercial reception to the game will be, but Clair Obscur has garnered attention for its vibrant visuals from the preview trailers that have been released so far, with the latest one being during the January 2025 Xbox Developer Direct. You need a javascript enabled browser to watch videos. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 World Premiere | Xbox Games Showcase 2024 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 “We’re thrilled to collaborate with Sandfall Interactive to bring the rich, immersive world of Expedition 33 to the big screen,” Story Kitchen founders Dmitri M. Johnson and Mike Goldberg said to Variety. “The game’s compelling narrative and complex characters provide a solid foundation for a cinematic experience that will resonate with both gamers and moviegoers alike.” Details on the game’s plot have been kept to a minimum, but what we do know is that it centers around a desperate quest to break a cycle of violence and kill a god before she can commit mass ******* once again. The game is set in a world inspired by the Belle Époque art ******* of 20th-Century France and it features an all-star voice cast, including Charlie Cox (Daredevil), Ben Starr (Final Fantasy XVI), and Jennifer English (Baldur’s Gate 3). In related video game news, Shang-Chi star Simu Liu has revealed that he’s working to make the Sleeping Dogs film happen again, following the previous attempt to do so being shelved after years of development hell. The live-action adaptation of Ubisoft’s Watch Dogs finished filming in September 2024–10 years after it was first announced to be in development–and Sony recently announced live-action adaptations of Helldivers and Horizon Zero Dawn. Source link #Clair #Obscur #Expedition #Joins #List #Gestating #LiveAction #Movie #Adaptations Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Threads Update Adds Media Tab for Photos, Videos and Photo Tagging Feature Threads Update Adds Media Tab for Photos, Videos and Photo Tagging Feature Threads has finally updated its apps for iPhone and Android smartphones with a dedicated media tab. The Meta-owned microblogging platform finally supports a dedicated tab that shows photos and videos uploaded by a user on their profile. Meanwhile, users will be able to use a newly announced markup feature that allows them to highlight parts of another user’s post, while reposting it to their followers. Threads will also allow people to tag other users while sharing photos, just like Instagram. Threads Markup Feature Rollout Expands Widely Until now, Threads users had to scroll through a person’s timeline to see all the photos and videos they have posted. Posts with media were shown along with text-only posts, making it difficult to look for specific posts. With the latest update, users will now see all posts with media shared by a user in reverse chronological order. The arrival of the dedicated media tab on Threads was announced by Instagram head Adam Mosseri, who called the feature a “a long overdue request from the community.” He also revealed that the platform will now allow users to tag users while sharing images on the platform. This is the same photo tagging functionality that is available on Instagram. A third feature is on its way to Threads users, a markup tool that allows users to emphasise parts of another user’s post while sharing it on the platform. When users repost something, they can now use the new markup took that allows them to use a virtual highlighter on parts of the original post. This feature was announced earlier this month, and it is now rolling out widely. Gadgets 360 staff members were able to confirm that the new media tab was visible on the latest version of Threads for iOS and Android. The new markup tool is also available, and allows users to draw using a pencil, highlighter, and an ‘arrow’ tool. On the other hand, it appears that the photo tagging functionality is still rolling out to users, and this could be taking place in a phased manner. 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. WhatsApp Reportedly Testing Events Scheduling Feature in Individual Chats for iOS and Android Users NPCI to Decline UPI Transactions That Contain Special Characters in the Transaction ID Source link #Threads #Update #Adds #Media #Tab #Photos #Videos #Photo #Tagging #Feature Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

EuroMillions £84.3m prize the largest to go unclaimed for a week EuroMillions £84.3m prize the largest to go unclaimed for a week A EuroMillions jackpot of more than £83.4m is the largest lottery prize to go unclaimed for week, a lottery spokesman has said. A ticket holder who purchased their slip in a shop is yet to claim the £83,474,081 prize from a draw on 24 January. The mystery winner matched all five main numbers – 02, 11, 19, 30 and 49 – as well as the Lucky Star numbers, which were 03 and 08. A spokesperson for The National Lottery operator Allwyn said it was “very unusual” for such a large prize to go unclaimed for days, adding that it was the “biggest prize to have gone unclaimed at this stage”. Where the pink ticket was purchased has not yet been revealed, but Allwyn said it would undertake “bespoke activity” there if the prize is still not claimed by next Friday. “It is in everybody’s interest that this prize is claimed,” the spokesman added. Andy Carter, senior winners’ adviser at Allwyn, said: “I can’t believe there’s one lucky ticket holder out there who hasn’t claimed this incredible EuroMillions jackpot prize – there are 83,474,081 reasons for them to check their ticket straight away. “We’re urging all EuroMillions players to check their paper tickets to see if they are our missing multi-millionaire.” According to The National Lottery website, there are currently nine other EuroMillions prizes that can still be claimed by *** ticket-holders, though the largest is worth £1m. The largest EuroMillions prize ever to not be claimed by a *** ticket holder was £63.8m in June 2012. Ticket holders have 180 days from the day of the draw to claim their prize. Source link #EuroMillions #84.3m #prize #largest #unclaimed #week Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Diablo 4 Season 7 Bug Is Letting Players Deal Near Infinite Damage, But Nobody Knows Exactly Why Diablo 4 Season 7 Bug Is Letting Players Deal Near Infinite Damage, But Nobody Knows Exactly Why Diablo 4 Season of Witchcraft may have just launched, but already what appears to be a bug with one of Season 7’s new Witchcraft Powers is allowing top players to break the game. How, exactly, the bug works is still unclear, but it revolves around using the Decay Augmentation Witchcraft Power introduced as part of the season to deal trillions of damage and delete even the game’s hardest enemies in an instant. Spiritborn were recently nerfed as part of Season 7, largely by Blizzard fixing a number of bugs related to the class, but now some builds for it deal so much damage by taking advantage of the bug that the game begins to display negative numbers instead. While it’s not as straightforward as simply equipping the power and winning, some of the best Diablo 4 players in the world are crafting builds to take advantage of the power’s unique effect, which sees Witchcraft Powers deal additional damage over time as bleeding, burning, poisoning, or shadow, depending on the class. If that damage over time exceeds 85% of a target’s total life, that target is executed. Given how absurd some of the damage numbers are, it certainly seems like something is interacting with Decay Augmentation in a way that isn’t intended. For some context on how absolutely busted this power is making certain builds, the game’s greatest challenge, Pit level 150, has been cleared in just two minutes and 48 seconds by one Spiritborn build taking advantage of the bug. Another top player currently taking advantage of the broken power is Mekuna, who said in a recent video showcasing their Fireball Sorcerer build capable of easily clearing Pit 150 that they aren’t entirely sure how the exploit works or even if it is a bug after all. “Maybe it’s a feature, who knows,” Mekuna said. “Let’s see what Blizzard does with that.” Whatever is going on, it seems like Blizzard is on the case. In a statement to Polygon, the developer said the issue is “high priority” and that it’s currently working on a fix. It’s hardly the first time Diablo 4 players have broken the game. Ahead of the release of Diablo 4’s Vessel of Hatred expansion, one player managed to deal so much damage that the game simply gave up trying to display it. Alongside the seemingly broken Decay Augmentation, Diablo 4 Season 7 introduced a number of other Witchcraft Powers for players to experiment with, many inspired by Diablo 3’s Witch Doctor. The season also added the Armory as a permanent feature, granting players the ability to easily save and swap between gear and skill tree loadouts. Source link #Diablo #Season #Bug #Letting #Players #Deal #Infinite #Damage Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Asteroid 2024 YR4 Has a Small but Notable Chance of Earth Impact in 2032 Asteroid 2024 YR4 Has a Small but Notable Chance of Earth Impact in 2032 A newly detected asteroid, named 2024 YR4, has been observed by NASA scientists, carrying a 1.2 percent probability of colliding with Earth on December 22, 2032. The asteroid, estimated to be around 55 metres in diameter, has been tracked since its discovery on December 27, 2024, through the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System. While the likelihood of impact remains low, experts indicate that if the object were to strike Earth, it could generate an explosion equivalent to eight megatons of ****—over 500 times the power of the Hiroshima bomb—posing a serious threat to urban areas. Several close approaches to Earth have been predicted over the next 50 years, with the most significant occurring in 2032. Probability and Potential Consequences According to data from NASA, 2024 YR4 has been categorised as a Level 3 threat on the Torino Impact Hazard Scale. This classification is assigned to space objects that warrant public and scientific attention due to their potential for impact within the next century. Most asteroids of this level, however, are eventually downgraded as additional observations refine their trajectories. While this asteroid is not large enough to cause a global catastrophe, a direct collision with a densely populated region could lead to significant destruction and loss of life. Scientists stress the importance of continuous monitoring and updated risk assessments. Future Close Approaches and Monitoring Efforts Reports indicate that 2024 YR4 will pass Earth several times between 2028 and 2074, with the highest impact probability currently projected for December 2032. NASA and other space agencies continue to develop asteroid deflection technologies, including kinetic impactor missions such as the Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART), which successfully demonstrated the ability to alter an asteroid’s trajectory. Although the probability of collision remains low, experts assert that sustained tracking and preparedness measures are essential in mitigating potential asteroid threats in the future. 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. Netflix Brings ‘Season Download’ Button to iPhone, iPad Users Telegram Now Lets Users Display Collectible Gifts as Status, Move Them to Blockchain and More Source link #Asteroid #YR4 #Small #Notable #Chance #Earth #Impact Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Hoping for new desktop CPUs from Intel this year? I hate to break it to you, but it still very much sounds like they won’t arrive until 2026 with Nova Lake Hoping for new desktop CPUs from Intel this year? I hate to break it to you, but it still very much sounds like they won’t arrive until 2026 with Nova Lake Intel has confirmed its CPU roadmap for the near future Panther Lake is due later in 2025, and Nova Lake in 2026 It’s still not made clear if Panther Lake will skip desktop, but it seems likely that next-gen desktop CPUs won’t be here until next year Intel has confirmed its future CPU plans and how the firm’s intended roadmap will pan out across 2025 and 2026, albeit while leaving question marks over certain specifics. We got confirmation of existing plans – that Panther Lake is due this year, and Nova Lake next year – but there’s still no certainty over whether we’ll get a new generation of desktop CPUs later in 2025 (in other words, whether Intel will stick to its usual yearly cadence). As VideoCardz reports, what Intel’s current (interim) co-CEO Michelle Johnston Holthaus revealed during a recent earnings call is that we can expect Team Blue to release Panther Lake silicon, its next generation, in the second half of 2025. Holthaus then observed: “2026 is even more exciting from a client perspective as Panther Lake achieves meaningful volumes and we introduce our next-generation client family codenamed Nova Lake. “Both will provide strong performance across the entire PC stack with significantly better cost and margin for us, enhancing our competitive position and reinforcing our value proposition to our partners and customers.” (Image credit: Future / John Loeffler) Analysis: Form of the Panther Okay, so next-gen Panther Lake is still due later in 2025, and 2026 will be the year of Nova Lake, the following generation. Good to know, or rather, to have that confirmed again. The question is: what form will Panther Lake and Nova Lake take, exactly? The current rumor is that Panther Lake will be mobile chips only, meaning just laptops, not desktop PCs. The sightings of next-gen desktop chips via the rumor mill have been confined only to Nova Lake (so far, and it’s getting late in the day now). Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Based on what Intel’s co-CEO says here, there’s no specific mention of desktop CPUs, so that isn’t helpful. However, what we do get from Holthaus is an assertion that “both will provide strong performance across the entire PC stack” and the key word here is ‘both’ of course. The “entire PC stack” means mobile and desktop, the works, and what appears to be stated here is that both Panther Lake and Nova Lake together will cover the entire PC stack between them. This is still true if Panther Lake doesn’t have a desktop incarnation. Alternatively, you could read this as both Panther Lake and Nova Lake will separately cover the full stack, both desktop and mobile, in their own right – but that doesn’t feel like the intention here. By which I mean, for me, this seems to be a way of phrasing things that’s deliberately ambiguous to gloss over whether or not Panther Lake will have a desktop presence. Take that for what you will, of course, and we absolutely don’t know for sure. Maybe Intel does have Panther Lake desktop chips in the works, but based on the rumors, it seems relatively unlikely. Another alternative could be that Panther Lake is laptop only, but Intel could bring out an Arrow Lake Refresh on desktop later this year alongside it, as a stopgap before Nova Lake desktop CPUs in 2026. Remember, that’s what happened with Raptor Lake, and it was a very minor generational bump – but past rumors have claimed Intel is not going to carry out such a refresh with Arrow Lake for desktops. Ultimately, for now, it seems to me that the likelihood is that Intel’s next-gen desktop silicon won’t be here until 2026 when Nova Lake blazes into town. You might also like Source link #Hoping #desktop #CPUs #Intel #year #hate #break #sounds #wont #arrive #Nova #Lake Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Grave of French far-right politician Le Pen vandalised Grave of French far-right politician Le Pen vandalised Vandals have damaged the grave of Jean-Marie Le Pen, the founder of France’s far-right National Front, his family said. Le Pen’s granddaughter Marion Marechal said on her X account that the grave, in the cemetery of La Trinité-sur-Mer in Brittany, had been discovered defaced on Friday, three weeks after his death aged 96. “You’ve destroyed the grave of our ancestors. Do you think you can break our hearts, intimidate us, discourage us? Our response will be to fight you ever harder, generation after generation. Our determination will match your infamy,” Marechal wrote on X. Le Pen was a controversial figure in France, tapping into white working class anger over immigration and globalisation and also minimising the Holocaust. Hundreds of people celebrated in central Paris when his death was announced. His daughter Marine Le Pen, who took over his party, renamed it the National Rally and has sought to broaden its appeal to more centrist voters, could become France’s next president in 2027. Asked about the desecration of the grave, National Rally lawmaker Jean-Philippe Tanguy told reporters the vandalism would have no impact whatsoever on the party’s policies. “I imagine this was done by the same riffraff who celebrated his death of a man on the Place de la Republique. It says everything about them and nothing about us,” Tanguy said. (Reporting by Marine Strauss Editing by GV De Clercq and Gareth Jones) Source link #Grave #French #farright #politician #Pen #vandalised Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Over 4% of PS5 Owners Have Purchased a PlayStation Portal in the US Over 4% of PS5 Owners Have Purchased a PlayStation Portal in the US Guardian: A report from Bloomberg this week suggests that Sony is working on a new portable PlayStation device. As someone who still has a PlayStation Vita languishing in my desk drawer because I can’t quite bear to put it in the attic, this is an exciting prospect. It has been almost 13 years since Sony released the Vita, its last portable console, and it’s such a wonder of a thing, with its big crisp screen and dinky little sticks. I wish more people had made games for it – paper-craft adventure Tearaway and topsy-turvy platform-puzzler Gravity Rush remain underrated Source link #PS5 #Owners #Purchased #PlayStation #Portal Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

This old phone reads poetry to you using a Raspberry Pi Zero This old phone reads poetry to you using a Raspberry Pi Zero There are all sorts of ways to revitalize old hardware, but throwing a Raspberry Pi into the mix is a sure way to get us excited. This project, put together by a maker known as Rootkid, does just that with a really clever upgrade to a vintage phone. When you pick up the receiver of this old phone, you’ll be met with a random audio recording of a poem. I modified this old phone to read poetry – YouTube Watch On According to Rootkid, the idea for the project came to mind after noticing an old phone at a thrift store. People would pick up the phone and hold it to their ear but would inevitably be met with silence. One way to remedy this problem would be to throw in our favorite SBC to play all sorts of audio—in this case poetry. In order to pull this project off, Rootkid needed to find a database of poems to use and, thankfully, came across a huge selection from a website run by an organization known as the Poetry Foundation. This website has a wide variety of audio recordings of poems which Rootkid was able to access and play through the phone using a Raspberry Pi. Image 1 of 2 (Image credit: Rootkid) (Image credit: Rootkid) Rootkid opted to use a Raspberry Pi Zero for this project, which has a smaller form factor but still plenty of power. This was also easier to work into the phone and integrate with the original speakers in the handset. A couple of 3W audio amplification modules were necessary for the Pi to control the speakers. However, playing the poetry audio presented an unexpected snag. The files from the Poetry Foundation often contain an intro segment in which the people reading the audio introduce themselves and the poem. To make the experience a bit more seamless, Rootkid decided to use Whisper X, an AI system, to find out exactly when the poetry audio starts and stops so the introductory segments could be skipped entirely. This is done by parsing the audio into text and analyzing it to find the appropriate timestamps. If you want to see this Raspberry Pi project in action, you can check it out at the official Rootkid channel on YouTube. Get Tom’s Hardware’s best news and in-depth reviews, straight to your inbox. Source link #phone #reads #poetry #Raspberry Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

US to deploy molten salt reactors to turn wastewater into freshwater US to deploy molten salt reactors to turn wastewater into freshwater A novel nuclear reactor currently under construction at the Abilene Christian University (ACU) in Texas will help generate carbon-free energy while also desalinating water, solving two problems at once, a press release said. The nuclear reactor is being built by Natura Resources, a company specializing in developing small modular reactors. With the world looking for new ways to power its economy, nuclear power is poised for a comeback. Wind and solar power work great at their peak but face intermittency issues, leading to no power supply when demand is the highest. On the other hand, nuclear power can offer a reliable source of carbon-free energy. However, the massive scale of building reactors means that projects get delayed, and cost overruns are common. These shortcomings are being addressed through innovations such as small modular reactors (SMR) that can be up to a tenth of the size of a conventional nuclear reactor and can be built in factories. Each module of an SMR can produce up to 300 MWe (megawatt equivalent) of energy and has advanced safety features. Natura’s molten salt reactor Founded in 2020, Abilene, Texas-based Natura Resources has quickly become a governmentally recognized advanced nuclear reactor developer. In 2023, the company built the Science and Engineering Research Center (SERC) at ACU, the first advanced reactor research facility outside a national lab in the US. The company uses liquid-fueled molten salt reactor (LF-MSR) technology, allowing molten salts to act as fuel and a coolant. According to its website, a mixture of lithium fluoride (LiF) and beryllium fluoride (BeF2) salts or thorium fluoride (ThF4) salts can be used, which allows the reactor to operate at temperatures higher than solid-fuel reactors. Since the fuel also works as a coolant, it is removed continuously from the reactor for fissile material to be replaced. This process also makes MSR reactors meltdown safe. A primary heat removal system in the reactor design also ensures that heat generated during the fission process is removed through a cooling loop. Here, it can be repurposed for other applications. In the case of Natura’s upcoming reactor in Texas, it will be used to desalinate water. Solving water woes As the most populous state in South Central US, Texas has a growing demand for clean water and clean energy. While oil and gas wells produce water as a byproduct during extraction, they do not serve any direct purpose. Purification by spending energy from fossil fuels is more polluting, but SMRs now offer a scalable solution that can help desalinate water. Natura Resources conducted a feasibility study at the Texas Produced Water Consortium, based at Texas Tech University. With the MSR operating at 1112 Fahrenheit (600 degrees Celsius), up to 250 megawatts (MW) of clean energy is generated, which can be used for desalination. “There are great opportunities for beneficial uses of treated produced water in Texas such as rangeland restoration, crop irrigation and streamflow augmentation, among others, especially in the Permian Basin,” said Doug Robison, founder and president of Natura to Midland Reporter-Telegram (MRT). “Thermal desalination processes need high-reliability clean power, and the Gen-4 molten salt reactor (MSR) technology is a prime example.” The reactor is currently under construction and is expected to be online by 2026/27. Once the demonstrator is completed, the team will begin work on integrating systems to start desalinating water. Source link #deploy #molten #salt #reactors #turn #wastewater #freshwater Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Baldurs Gate 3s biggest modders believe Larians RPG will overcome Skyrim Baldurs Gate 3s biggest modders believe Larians RPG will overcome Skyrim The team behind the biggest mod for Baldur’s Gate 3 believe the game’s community will overtake Skyrim as the most-modded game. Source link #Baldurs #Gate #biggest #modders #Larians #RPG #overcome #Skyrim Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Demeo X Dungeons & Dragons: Battlemarked Revealed Demeo X Dungeons & Dragons: Battlemarked Revealed Resolution Games and Wizards of the Coast are bringing one of the greatest collaborations ever in DEMEO X DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: BATTLEMARKED! Source link #Demeo #Dungeons #amp #Dragons #Battlemarked #Revealed Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

WhatsApp Reportedly Testing Events Scheduling Feature in Individual Chats for iOS and Android Users WhatsApp Reportedly Testing Events Scheduling Feature in Individual Chats for iOS and Android Users WhatsApp will likely introduce its Events feature to personal chats soon. The Meta-owned messaging platform first brought this feature to WhatsApp Communities in May 2024. Reports now suggest that the company is testing the functionality in individual chats for both Android and iOS users. It may roll out to global users in the upcoming days. Previously, the platform was testing a feature that would allow users to add music to their Status updates, similar to the feature on Instagram, another Meta-owned social media site. Events Feature in Individual WhatsApp Chats for Android, iOS Users WhatsApp is testing a feature that will help users create and share events in individual chats, according to a WABetaInfo report. Currently, the feature is supported only in group chats and Communities. The feature is currently being tested with beta users on both Android (version 2.25.3.6) and iOS (version 25.2.10.73). Some beta testers have already received the event scheduling feature, and it is gradually rolling out to more users, the reports noted. It may roll out to regular users in the upcoming months. Previously, users had to create two-person groups as a workaround to schedule events, but with this update, they will be able to organise any necessary events on their personal chats. The new feature allows WhatsApp users to schedule and manage events directly within private conversations. The report notes that it reduces the need for back-and-forth messaging by collating all necessary information in a single message. WhatsApp users can make use of the events feature for personal as well as professional purposes including planning casual meetups, booking doctor appointments, organising business consultations, and setting payment reminders. Users can specify locations for in-person meetings or attach audio/video call links for virtual interactions while creating an event. Recipients have the option to accept or decline invitations as well. 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. Vivo, Xiaomi Top India’s Smartphone Market in 2024; Samsung Slips to Third: Counterpoint Source link #WhatsApp #Reportedly #Testing #Events #Scheduling #Feature #Individual #Chats #iOS #Android #Users Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

S&P 500: All Eyes on SPX’s Double Top – Breakout or Reversal Ahead? S&P 500: All Eyes on SPX’s Double Top – Breakout or Reversal Ahead? The maintained rates and the markets remained relatively subdued even during the Powell . This is evident in the ‘s 9-Day chart, which only reached a high of 18.57, unlike Monday’s spike, which was triggered by the sharp pullback in the tech sector following the announcement of Deepseek, China’s own AI version that poses a direct challenge to OpenAI’s ChatGPT. In many ways, the FOMC was overshadowed by the earnings from Microsoft (NASDAQ:), Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:), and Tesla (NASDAQ:), as market participants were more interested in assessing whether the longer-term rally in the would resume and if the index would retest the ATH, thereby invalidating the double top pattern I mentioned in an earlier post. The earnings were also a mixed bag. Microsoft suffered the most significant decline of the three (down 6%) due to missed earnings for its Intelligent Cloud business despite posting much better-than-expected overall revenue and a higher EPS. In contrast, Tesla’s results came in below expectations, leading to a drop in stock price; however, it recovered on strong buying, clearly visible on the hourly chart. Meanwhile, positive results for Meta led to the stock moving within a $57 range in the first ten minutes. S&P 500: Can We Escape the Double-Top? Returning to the SPX and today’s price action, we can see on the daily chart that the index has moved higher, with another candle looking to form featuring a lower wick. However, the volume (so far) does not appear particularly encouraging, although the market has not yet closed, so this may change. What is clear is that the index is seeking to regain the ATH at $6128 and invalidate the double top. Note – since writing this – the index has closed higher & an up-to-date assessment of the index is detailed on the chart above. As always, it’s a good idea to look at the VIX (which moves inversely to the SPX) and here the hourly chart is perhaps the most interesting where the current price action is sitting on strong support. A break would give the SPX some upside momentum, while a hold could still see a move higher, but it will be a grind. Source link #Eyes #SPXs #Double #Top #Breakout #Reversal #Ahead Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Jaime Harrison, outgoing DNC chief, says more Democrats “need to pause” on being “rigid” Jaime Harrison, outgoing DNC chief, says more Democrats “need to pause” on being “rigid” As his time as chairman of Democratic National Committee comes to a close after a difficult election cycle, Jaime Harrison hopes people in his party come to “understand that you’ve got to be more elastic than rigid.” Harrison, who was picked by then-President Joe Biden to take over the role in 2021, said “Sometimes, we got folks that are very rigid. If you don’t have the right job, if you didn’t come from the right community, if you don’t say the right word, and then therefore you are x-ed out or you’re castigated.” “We need to pause on that. Let’s be a big tent, and let’s be an open tent and embrace more diversity, in terms of thought,” Harrison said. Harrison’s comments come as party leaders prepare to pick his successor Saturday during a meeting in Maryland. In a conversation ahead of the election to replace him, Harrison strongly defended Biden and stood by the lightning-fast process that saw then-Vice President Kamala Harris receive the support of DNC delegates and become the party’s new nominee after Biden ended his reelection bid last summer. Conscious that some in the party might consider a snap White House bid, Harrison said he had checked in with some of the “people who had expressed some interest down the road for running,” including governors. “Every single one of them said, ‘I’m not going to run. I’m supporting Kamala Harris.’ And it was almost like I was chasing the Kamala Harris calls, because they all said, ‘I just talked to the VP, and I have pledged my support to her,'” he said. Besides, Harrison believes party rules made any discussion of a short primary in the run-up to the Chicago convention impossible. “So you’re saying … after the primaries were done, then we should restart another primary process,” Harrison said. “How do you do that? Who’s going to pay for those primaries? Is the DNC supposed to pay for those primaries? Because, you know, primaries cost money, right?” When asked about Harris, the party’s 2024 nominee, Harrison said the former vice president should run again for the White House if she wants to. “If I didn’t believe Kamala Harris could win, I wouldn’t have worked as hard as I did to help her win this last time around,” he said. “When you look at politics, Donald Trump and Barack Obama are just enigmas in politics. I think they do something different to the electorate every time they run that you can’t counter, but then when they are not on the ballot, it’s almost like you go back to — the political gravity pulls people right back into it. That’s part of…how well we did in the [2022] midterms.” The party’s struggles in 2024, when enough voters sided with President Donald Trump and his far different vision for the country than the one espoused by Democrats, has created major questions about the path forward for the party. “I know in a 176-year history, people have written the epitaph of the Democratic Party a lot of times, and people are trying to write it again. But don’t sleep on this Democratic Party. What we have to do is to build on the infrastructure that we have built,” Harrison said. And while Democrats’ soul searching continues, Republicans in Washington have been taking a victory lap in the early days of Trump’s return to power. “We have seen the greatest political comeback in American history play out before our eyes. We needed to win four out of seven swing states. President Trump won all seven,” Republican National Committee chair Michael Whatley said earlier this month at a party event. “We needed to keep the popular vote close. President Trump won it by millions of votes. We needed to drive turnout with low propensity voters and engage with communities that Democrats have taken for granted for decades. We shattered every record, and we got our people to the polls.” Harrison led the DNC through a turbulent time in American politics. The party that holds the White House typically struggles in the midterms, but the move by the conservative majority on the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade and end the federal right to an abortion became a catalyzing issue for Democrats in 2022. That year, Democrats were able to add to their narrow Senate majority while narrowly losing the House, despite GOP hopes for a major “red wave.” The 2024 election cycle was filled with far starker challenges for Democrats. The party was defending Senate seats in the Republican-dominated states of Montana and Ohio while incumbents in battleground states like Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Nevada were also on the ballot. Concerns about Biden’s age had been building, though the overhauled slate of early primary states ushered in by Harrison and Biden, starting with Harrison’s home state of South Carolina holding the first national party sanctioned Democratic primary, helped insulate the incumbent from a major challenge. Yet concerns broke through in a major way after Biden’s disastrous June debate performance against Trump, leading to public calls within the party from elected leaders for Biden to end his reelection bid. After building pressure, Biden withdrew from the race and quickly endorsed Harris. Democrats rallied around Harris, who only had around 107 days between her entry into the race and Election Day. The verdict from voters in November 2024 was a stinging setback for Democrats, who not only lost the White House to Trump once again and control of the Senate, but also failed to win back control of the House. That outcome left some congressional Democrats saying after the election that they should have called on Biden to leave the race sooner. “President Biden, as far as legacy, has many successes to point to,” Texas Rep. Lloyd Doggett told CBS News in November 2024 after the election. “But the most important success would have been had he stepped aside a year ago and given us a better chance of preventing Trump from coming back.” Looming over the contest to replace Harrison as the leader of the DNC is the sting from 2024’s losses and a Democratic Party brand that has eroded with key segments of voters. The leading contenders to replace Harrison include former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley, Wisconsin Democratic Party Chairman Ben Wikler and Ken Martin, the leader of Minnesota’s arm of the Democratic Party. “The majority of Americans now believe the Republican Party best represents the interests of the working class and the poor, and the Democratic Party is the party of the wealthy and the elites,” Martin wrote in his framework pitch for chair. “It’s a damning indictment on our party brand. We must be willing to dig deep and recenter the Democratic agenda to unite families across race, age, background, and class.” Harrison has decided to not endorse in the race to replace him. But he said Martin, the Minnesota Democrat, “would be one hell of a chair,” before adding that “there are a lot of good candidates who I think would do a really good job as chair, as well.” Harrison became nationally known in 2020 for his attempt to oust Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham in South Carolina’s Senate race. Despite losing, Harrison’s run showed progress for Democrats. While Graham had coasted to reelection by around 17 points in 2014, he defeated Harrison by a little over 10 points in the red state. But Harrison indicated earlier this week he would not be vying for public office again anytime soon. He’s eager to spend time with his family and also hopes to focus on rebuilding the South for the Democratic Party. But those aren’t the only reasons. Harrison said that over the years he had wanted to be the heir apparent to South Carolina U.S. Rep. James Clyburn and the seat the influential leader has held for decades, the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol by a mob of Trump’s supporters and its aftermath has dampened those ambitions. “I still get goosebumps when I see that dome lit up over there,” Harrison said, sitting in the DNC building near the U.S. Capitol. “But to see what happened on January 6, and to see how folks have whitewashed that, particularly on the Republican side, to see the vitriol and the hatred in the body politic right now, is not something that I want to be a part of.” Alexandria Johnson and Anne Bryson contributed to this report. Ed O’Keefe Ed O’Keefe is CBS News senior White House and political correspondent. He previously worked for The Washington Post covering presidential campaigns, Congress and federal agencies. His primary focus is on President Biden, Vice President Harris and political issues across the country. Source link #Jaime #Harrison #outgoing #DNC #chief #Democrats #pause #rigid Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Oklahoma Memorial Stadium looking at a multi-million dollar makeover Oklahoma Memorial Stadium looking at a multi-million dollar makeover NORMAN, Okla. (KFOR) — On Thursday, the University of Oklahoma’s Board of Regents voted yes towards a multi-million dollar project that would bring sweeping changes to the Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Photo courtesy KFOR. “When you look at it, we believe the plan is aesthetically pleasing. With donations and ticket revenue, it could be financially positive,” said OU President Joseph Harroz Jr. Norman *** arrest suspect in string of home burglaries without incident According to the agenda item, the cost estimates are between $12M to $15M. University leaders say the project is designed to improve fan and game day experiences with changes to the west lower seating bowl, west upper deck and press box. The work would also include new technology and other enhanced stadium operations. “It could be a win-win for fans to get more of what they want, and where we’re able to benefit from it for the student athletes,” Harroz said. News 4 went to the University of Oklahoma campus today to ask students about their thoughts. Evan Jackson said he’s optimistic about the project. “Fifteen million, I think for the football budget is not terribly significant. So I think if it goes to renovating the stadium, that’s what they want to do with it in the scope of the entire football program,” said Jackson. Another student said she thinks it’s great for the school and would help out the stadium. President Harroz said Thursday’s approval is the first step in a months-long process. The Board of Regents will meet again this fall for further planning before committing to construction. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. Source link #Oklahoma #Memorial #Stadium #multimillion #dollar #makeover Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Capcom Spotlight + Monster Hunter Wilds Showcase Set for February 4 Capcom Spotlight + Monster Hunter Wilds Showcase Set for February 4 Capcom: “Tune in live on Feb. 4 at 2pm PT for Capcom doubleheader! Join us for a 20-minute Capcom Spotlight followed immediately by a 15-minute Monster Hunter Wilds Showcase!” Source link #Capcom #Spotlight #Monster #Hunter #Wilds #Showcase #Set #February Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Microsoft releases new Surface Copilot+ PCs for Business — starts at $1,499.99 and powered by Intel Lunar Lake chips Microsoft releases new Surface Copilot+ PCs for Business — starts at $1,499.99 and powered by Intel Lunar Lake chips Microsoft is releasing two new Surface Copilot+ PCs designed for business use this coming month. According to the Microsoft Devices Blog, the company will launch the Surface Pro and Surface Laptop on February 18, and both devices will have a starting MSRP of $1,499.99. Aside from sporting an Intel Core Ultra 200V (Lunar Lake) chip, these will also have 5G connectivity, allowing you to connect to the internet even if there’s no nearby Wi-Fi access point. The Surface Laptop for Business is available with either a 13.8-inch or 15-inch display, giving users the ability to pick a screen that will better suit their workflow. But whatever screen size you choose, you will get a sleek and compact laptop as the 13.8-inch laptop is just 0.69 inches thick, while the larger 15-inch model is just 0.72 inches. Microsoft also boasts a battery life of up to 22 hours for local video playback and 14 hours of active web usage, although this will definitely vary depending on your environment and situation. Get AI ready with Surface Copilot+ PCs powered by Intel – YouTube Watch On If you want a more versatile device, the Surface Pro for Business might be a more suitable option. It’s only available as a 13-inch tablet, although you can choose between an OLED and LCD display. Microsoft added a 1440p ultrawide front-facing camera to make video meetings much easier, and it also installed a 10-megapixel Ultra HD rear-facing camera to capture other people in the room. Also, since this device is smaller than the Surface Laptop, it has a shorter but still respectable 14-hour battery life of local video playback and up to 10 hours of active web usage. Note that the Surface Pro for Business doesn’t come with any accessories. If you want the Surface Pro Keyboard and the Surface Slim Pen, you have to buy them separately. However, what makes these “for Business” devices more expensive and stand out from consumer-grade laptops are their security features. Both the Surface Laptop and Surface Pro are equipped with Windows 11 Secured-core PC and Microsoft Pluton technology. You’ll also get an integrated smart card reader on the Surface Laptop for Business, while the smaller Surface Pro for Business would have to settle for NFC authentication. These two new devices will give enterprise customers more options if they want a Surface device. Previously, if they wanted the latest model of one of these, they’d have to settle for a Snapdragon X processor. While these are great chips, they have some compatibility limitations, especially for some older legacy software that some businesses still use to this day. Get Tom’s Hardware’s best news and in-depth reviews, straight to your inbox. Source link #Microsoft #releases #Surface #Copilot #PCs #Business #starts #powered #Intel #Lunar #Lake #chips Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Atlassian pops 20% on better-than-expected earnings, revenue outlook Atlassian pops 20% on better-than-expected earnings, revenue outlook Mike Cannon-Brookes, co-founder of Atlassian Corp., in Sydney, Australia, on Dec. 6, 2023. Mike Cannon-Brookes co-founded software giant Atlassian. Lisa Maree Williams | Bloomberg | Getty Images Atlassian shares popped 20% in premarket trading after blowing past Wall Street’s fiscal second-quarter earnings and guidance expectations. Adjusted earnings came in at 96 cents per share, ahead of the 76 cents per share projected by analysts polled by LSEG. Atlassian reported revenues of $1.29 billion, versus the $1.24 billion estimate. For the third quarter, Atlassian said it anticipates $1.35 billion in revenue, above the $1.31 billion LSEG estimate and previous guidance. Atlassian benefitted from robust cloud and data center growth during the ******* as more customers turned to artificial intelligence solutions. That contributed to 30% subscription revenue growth over the prior year. Atlassian also said it now expects 26.5% cloud growth and 21.5% data center growth for the fiscal year. “The momentum we’re seeing across the business reinforces our conviction around investments we are making in our key strategic priorities of serving enterprise customers, AI, and the System of Work to deliver durable, long-term growth,” said finance chief Joe Binz in an earnings release. Shares have gained nearly 10% since the start of the year. Source link #Atlassian #pops #betterthanexpected #earnings #revenue #outlook Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Vivo, Xiaomi Top India’s Smartphone Market in 2024; Samsung Slips to Third: Counterpoint Vivo, Xiaomi Top India’s Smartphone Market in 2024; Samsung Slips to Third: Counterpoint India’s smartphone market saw nine percent year-on-year (YoY) revenue growth in 2024 on a wholesale price basis to reach a record high, as per a report by a market research firm. Samsung, which secured the top spot in the global smartphone market, slipped below Vivo and Xiaomi to third place in India’s smartphone market. Apple had the highest market value share in the country with iPhone 15 becoming the highest-shipped smartphone of the fourth quarter (Q4) of the year. Indian Smartphone Market Registers Record Revenue Growth According to Counterpoint Research report based on data from Counterpoint’s Monthly India Smartphone Tracker, the wholesale smartphone market revenue in India grew 9 percent YoY in 2024, reaching an all-time high. A total of 153 million smartphone units were shipped in the year, seeing a relatively stable 1 percent YoY increase over 2023. The year saw early growth, “steady inventory levels and a favourable market outlook,” as per the report but momentum slowed later in the year due to “softened consumer demand and macroeconomic pressures.” A strong “premiumisation trend” reportedly contributed to the record revenue levels. The premium smartphone segment, which includes smartphones priced above Rs. 30,000, experienced double-digit percentage shipment growth in 2024, while the entry-level segment, with handsets under Rs. 10,000, saw a one-third decline, mostly due to the impact of inflation, according to the report. The report further added that Vivo led the Indian smartphone market in volume for the first time, recording a 16 percent YoY growth. Another ******** OEM, Xiaomi, secured the second spot and registered a 6 percent YoY increase in shipments. Meanwhile, Samsung slipped to third place even though its premium devices continued to perform well. This is a result of its “value-driven strategies” which impacted shipments of handsets in lower price segments, the report added. Oppo ended up in fourth with a 10 percent YoY decline in shipments in the country but the brand regained momentum later in the year with new product launches. Apple ranked among the top five brands in India in Q4, with the iPhone 15 being the highest-shipped smartphone. Notably, Nothing was the fastest-growing brand, achieving a 577 percent YoY growth led by its Phone 2a series shipments. The report also mentioned Motorola, the brand that managed to double its 2022 shipments with an 82 percent YoY increase. Meanwhile, Realme strengthened its offline presence, with offline sales contributing 52 percent to its total shipments, up from 49 percent in 2023. In the feature phone market, Itel led with a 32 percent share with the help of its strong distribution network in tier-2 and smaller cities. Among the market trends noted in the report is that in 2024, 5G smartphones accounted for 78 percent of total shipments, with three out of four smartphones shipped being 5G-supported handsets. This was majorly driven by the increasing availability of 5G chipsets in entry-level devices. Coming to chipsets, MediaTek led the market with a 52 percent share as Qualcomm followed at 25 percent. The demand for premium smartphones continued to rise, with high-end devices making up 20 percent of total shipments, the report claimed. This growth was due to advancements in GenAI features, improved audio-visual technologies, and an increasing focus on content consumption and creation. In Q4 2024, smartphone shipments declined by 4 percent YoY. This drop was due to a slowdown after the festive season. However, market value grew by 5 percent during the quarter. The rise in premium device demand helped drive this growth, according to the report. Source link #Vivo #Xiaomi #Top #Indias #Smartphone #Market #Samsung #Slips #Counterpoint Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Key Fed measure shows core inflation at 2.8%, in line with expectations – CNBC Key Fed measure shows core inflation at 2.8%, in line with expectations – CNBC Key Fed measure shows core inflation at 2.8%, in line with expectations CNBCWatch US Core PCE Muted, Consumer Spending Solid in Dec. BloombergInflation ticked higher last month, in latest sign of persistent price pressures The HillThe Fed’s go-to inflation gauge heated up again CNN Source link #Key #Fed #measure #shows #core #inflation #line #expectations #CNBC Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Researchers make unexpected discovery after studying world’s largest no-fishing zone: ‘Just outside the boundaries’ Researchers make unexpected discovery after studying world’s largest no-fishing zone: ‘Just outside the boundaries’ Large-scale marine protected areas are successfully protecting migratory fish species and increasing catch rates. As Phys.org reported, researchers discovered that by protecting expansive ocean areas, we help fish species thrive. Research scientists analyzed public data to assess the impacts of protected ocean areas and published their findings in the journal Science. They examined nine large-scale marine protected areas in the Indian and Pacific oceans. The results revealed that the catch-per-unit effort of tuna purse seine fisheries has increased by 12% to 18% near protected areas. However, the increase declines farther from the boundaries. Even for migratory species such as tuna, protected areas offer spillover benefits that translate to economic gains for fisheries. A couple of decades ago, there was only one large-scale marine protected area in the world, Ecuador’s Galápagos Marine Reserve. Now, there are over 20. Many of these waters are in places with tuna fisheries, an industry valued at over $40 billion. Watch now: CEO reveals form of energy that has ‘polled across political lines’ for over a decade “We found that the spillover benefits, measured as the change in catch rates, are strongest just outside the boundaries of these MPAs and get stronger over time,” said Juan Carlos Villaseñor-Derbez, a professor and the report’s co-author. “The effects were strongest for the MPAs that were heavily fished prior to protection and are now well-enforced.” This research is significant because it highlights the recreational and economic benefits of marine conservation. Tuna fisheries benefit from environmental protection laws, which can help fish populations thrive and potentially increase profits by allowing more fish to be caught. Such studies can help convince special interest groups that animal conservation matters and is worthy of time and investment. The research complements the United Nations’ Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Agreement, an international treaty to conserve the high seas, and international goals to protect 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030. Although fish catch rates benefit fisheries, individuals may wish to preserve fish populations even more by focusing their diets on plant-based options instead of seafood. You can also support marine habitats by learning and sharing about conservation projects saving fish from extinction and innovations helping revive dwindling populations. Sacha Vignieri wrote in the study’s editor’s summary, “Such results clearly underline that MPAs are essential for protecting both species and fisheries.” On a Phys.org Facebook post sharing the news, an aquarium educator commented on sport fishermen who often challenge marine protected areas: “I am hoping they now are feeling better about the outcome.” Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don’t miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Source link #Researchers #unexpected #discovery #studying #worlds #largest #nofishing #zone #boundaries Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Atlassian pops 20% on better-than-expected earnings, revenue outlook Atlassian pops 20% on better-than-expected earnings, revenue outlook Mike Cannon-Brookes, co-founder of Atlassian Corp., in Sydney, Australia, on Dec. 6, 2023. Mike Cannon-Brookes co-founded software giant Atlassian. Lisa Maree Williams | Bloomberg | Getty Images Atlassian shares popped 20% in premarket trading after blowing past Wall Street’s fiscal second-quarter earnings and guidance expectations. Adjusted earnings came in at 96 cents per share, ahead of the 76 cents per share projected by analysts polled by LSEG. Atlassian reported revenues of $1.29 billion, versus the $1.24 billion estimate. For the third quarter, Atlassian said it anticipates $1.35 billion in revenue, above the $1.31 billion LSEG estimate and previous guidance. Atlassian benefitted from robust cloud and data center growth during the ******* as more customers turned to artificial intelligence solutions. That contributed to 30% subscription revenue growth over the prior year. Atlassian also said it now expects 26.5% cloud growth and 21.5% data center growth for the fiscal year. “The momentum we’re seeing across the business reinforces our conviction around investments we are making in our key strategic priorities of serving enterprise customers, AI, and the System of Work to deliver durable, long-term growth,” said finance chief Joe Binz in an earnings release. Shares have gained nearly 10% since the start of the year. Source link #Atlassian #pops #betterthanexpected #earnings #revenue #outlook Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]