Pelican Press

Resolute Mining: Call on gold chief Terry Holohan’s future looming Resolute Mining: Call on gold chief Terry Holohan’s future looming An announcement on the future of Resolute Mining boss Terry Holohan is looming, after the gold chief took time off to recover from his shock detention in Mali in November. Source link #Resolute #Mining #Call #gold #chief #Terry #Holohans #future #looming Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Nvidia RTX 5090 and 5080 GPU launch was frustrating and chaotic, leaving many PC gamers disappointed – exactly as the rumors predicted Nvidia RTX 5090 and 5080 GPU launch was frustrating and chaotic, leaving many PC gamers disappointed – exactly as the rumors predicted Nvidia’s RTX 5080 and 5090 launch was just as the rumor mill forecast Stock was light and sold out very quickly indeed There were queues, an inevitable clamor for next-gen GPUs, and even chaotic scenes at one Japanese retailer Nvidia’s RTX 5080 and 5090 graphics cards sold out in very quick fashion, just as the rumors predicted, on launch day yesterday – and there was a fair bit of chaos and clamor surrounding the release of these first Blackwell GPUs. At the time of writing, the day after launch, everything remains sold out at the big US and *** retailers I’ve just taken a scout round, at least in terms of standalone graphics cards. Even the seriously pricey third-party RTX 5080 models at the premium end of the spectrum sold out in the blink of an eye. Yes, the only option to get a Blackwell GPU currently is to buy a full PC with one of the boards in it, where you’re obviously paying a lot of money for a high-end machine with a big markup. As for the clamor, there were big lines at some retail stores in the US, with folks queuing for their shot at an RTX 5090 days before launch. As VideoCardz reports, there were somewhat chaotic scenes in Japan where, at a shop called PC Koubou, would-be Nvidia GPU buyers ended up scaling the fence of a kindergarten next door (in an effort to get in and purchase a GPU, presumably). That was one of the stores in Japan where a lottery system was implemented to try and make buying a Blackwell GPU a fair process, but clearly, it went awry here. All in all, there are accusations of Nvidia making the RTX 5000 a ‘paper launch’ meaning that there was only a very small amount of inventory available on release day. Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. As VideoCardz points out, theorizing on Reddit – which we should be particularly careful around – suggests that there were only 250 units of the RTX 5090 at Micro Centers in the US, and just 2,400 or so of the RTX 5080. Certainly, the flagship GPU was predicted to be vanishingly thin on the ground anyway, going by the rumors, but the RTX 5080 was expected to achieve somewhat better stock levels than this rough tally from Reddit suggests. (Image credit: Future) Analysis: Do not feed the scalpers As mentioned, the only real shot you have currently of getting a Blackwell GPU is buying a full PC, inevitably a very expensive premium model that’s going to run you a few grand. You could, in theory, then replace the RTX 5000 GPU with your own (that you’re upgrading from), and sell the PC second-hand (as nearly new), but that’s potentially a lot of hassle and headaches, so most people won’t consider that option (I certainly wouldn’t). The other choice, which again, isn’t really any kind of choice, is to buy an RTX 5090 or 5080 on an auction site from a scalper who has seriously jacked up the price. Don’t do this – do not feed the price gougers, whatever you do, please. It’s interesting to see on the likes of eBay that there are a good many more reasonably priced Blackwell listings which are made just to trap bots, and clearly state that they are only a photo of the GPU in the description. (As well as those trying to sell their in-place pre-orders, of course). Just the usual chaos around the launch of a thin-on-the-ground new generation of GPUs, then. I’d suggest, for now, that you just try to be patient. (Don’t feed the scalpers, did I say that already? Just imagine the collective sweating going on if those listings don’t shift, and they have to keep dropping and dropping prices). Keep your eyes peeled on our live blogs where TechRadar is still maintaining a watch on all the major retailers – for RTX 5090 graphics cards, and also RTX 5080 GPUs – and we’ll alert you there if any stock comes back in. But for now, the chances of buying an RTX 5090 or 5080 still seem very remote to say the least. Of course, the attention will soon turn to the launch of RTX 5070 models next month, and how stock will shake out there. And after that, the eyes of gamers will be fixed on what AMD’s doing with RDNA 4 in March. As we know that some RX 9070 graphics cards are already at retailers, hopefully Team Red should have a much better next-gen launch for stock levels than we witnessed with Nvidia yesterday. You might also like… Source link #Nvidia #RTX #GPU #launch #frustrating #chaotic #leaving #gamers #disappointed #rumors #predicted Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Bitcoin: Resilient Rebound From $100K Positions Crypto for Breakout Toward ATH Bitcoin: Resilient Rebound From $100K Positions Crypto for Breakout Toward ATH Bitcoin’s rebound from $100,000 signals building momentum toward previous all-time high levels. The Fed’s stance and Trump’s tariff policies will drive Bitcoin’s next moves. With support at $102,000–$103,500, Bitcoin’s outlook suggests further upside if it holds these levels. Are you looking for actionable trade ideas to navigate the current market volatility? Unlock access to InvestingPro’s AI-selected stock winners using this link. After dropping briefly below the $100,000 mark at the beginning of the week, staged a swift rebound back above that level. The crypto’s resilience shone through as it regained ground, hovering around the $101,000 mark by midweek. The ’s latest take on cryptos helped fuel the positive momentum, pushing Bitcoin toward $106,000. From a technical standpoint, Bitcoin’s ability to remain within the second segment of its ascending channel, which began in September, is a positive sign—indicating that there’s still room for growth if momentum can be sustained. Buyers Stepped in to Capitalize on Early-Week Dip The early drop in Bitcoin’s price can be attributed to several factors, including the launch of DeepSeek, which put downward pressure on tech stocks and spilled over into the crypto market. Yet, buyers swiftly took advantage of Bitcoin’s dip below $100,000, pushing it back toward the $101,000 zone. The Federal Reserve’s decision to leave interest rates unchanged had little impact on the cryptocurrency markets, as the move had already been priced in. However, the Fed’s Chair, Jerome Powell, made waves with his comment that banks could hold Bitcoin, provided risks were properly managed—a comment that was warmly received by the market. Additionally, the European Central Bank () added to the positive sentiment with its rate cut, although ECB President Christine Lagarde’s comments rejecting Bitcoin as a reserve asset did slightly dampen enthusiasm. On a global scale, geopolitical factors—like former U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff policies—are also beginning to pose risks for Bitcoin. As the cryptocurrency becomes more integrated into the global financial system, any uncertainty around tariffs could weigh on risk appetite. However, with tariff details set to be clarified in February, market participants might adjust their positions, which could fuel increased volatility for Bitcoin. Despite these concerns, investor appetite for Bitcoin remains intact, as evidenced by the recent influx of funds into Bitcoin ETFs, signaling continued optimism in the market. The Fed Will Remain the Key Driver for Bitcoin Looking ahead, the Federal Reserve’s policy decisions are likely to continue driving Bitcoin’s market trajectory. Historically, the ’s stance on interest rates has influenced Bitcoin’s broader direction, and this trend is expected to persist. As the Fed signals a cautious approach to rate cuts, political pressure from Trump could add another layer of complexity to market sentiment. The outcome of this tension will be crucial, with inflation data becoming a key focus. If inflation readings soften, the central bank might adopt a more dovish stance, which could help Bitcoin. On the other hand, high interest rates would continue to make the dollar attractive, pressuring Bitcoin. If the Trump-Fed conflict escalates, it could trigger volatility across risk assets, including Bitcoin. Bitcoin’s Technical Outlook: A Crucial Support Zone Bitcoin’s technical outlook remains cautiously optimistic. The cryptocurrency is still holding above the $104,000 threshold at the close of the week. The key support zone lies between $102,000 and $103,500. If this level holds, Bitcoin could make another attempt at reaching the upper boundary of its ascending channel. Looking at the daily chart, the Stochastic RSI is turning higher from the oversold region, signaling potential for continued upward movement. A strong rally could take Bitcoin to test the $108,000 level, with the possibility of pushing toward $112,000. However, if Bitcoin closes below $102,000, the recovery momentum will weaken, and a drop to the $99,000 region could follow. A failure to hold that level would open the door for further declines. *** Disclaimer: This article is written for informational purposes only. It is not intended to encourage the purchase of assets in any way, nor does it constitute a solicitation, offer, recommendation or suggestion to invest. I would like to remind you that all assets are evaluated from multiple perspectives and are highly risky, so any investment decision and the associated risk belongs to the investor. We also do not provide any investment advisory services. Source link #Bitcoin #Resilient #Rebound #100K #Positions #Crypto #Breakout #ATH Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Edison ‘walking synagogue’ gets OK to expand on Route 27 Edison ‘walking synagogue’ gets OK to expand on Route 27 EDISON – The township Zoning Board of Adjustment has approved the expansion of an Orthodox Jewish synagogue along Route 27 where most worshipers walk to services. The application from Congregation Ahavath Yisrael was unanimously approved by the board on Jan. 28. The synagogue had site plan approval and variances in the general business zone. In addition to a new lobby and sanctuary, the synagogue will add kitchen space to keep food warm. The synagogue has a refrigerator, but no oven. The Congregation Ahavath Yisrael is looking to expand their synagogue to 1587 Route 27 in Edison. The synagogue also sought variances for the lot width where 100 feet is required and 75 feet exists, front yard setback where 30 feet is required and 10 feet exists, side yard setback where 15 feet is required and 5.2 feet exists, and rear yard setback where 25 feet is required and 20.65 feet exists. Warren Fink, the synagogue’s attorney, said the 5,572-square-foot addition is needed because the congregation is growing, with 51 full-time members and 23 associate members. Fink said Congregation Ahavath Yisrael is a “walking synagogue” and driving is strictly forbidden on the Jewish Sabbath and Jewish holidays, so just about everyone will walk to services. ****** R’Gedaliah Jaffe, who has served as a synagogue’s religious leader since 2008, said the synagogue, which as been at Route 27 location since 2006, offers prayer services, classes with about 10 to 15 people and occasionally weeknight social events. The synagogue does not have a school. He said typically 15 people attend morning, afternoon and evening prayer services. More: Here’s why the Edison council hasn’t increased controversial speaking time limit − yet Jaffe said most members live within walking distance of the synagogue and those who live a little further will drive before sundown on the Sabbath and park in the synagogue’s nine parking spaces. He said there are prayers for about an hour on Friday afternoon and in the morning there are about 40 to 75 people at the main prayer service at 9 a.m. “Everybody walks, nobody’s driving on the Sabbath,” the ****** said. On Saturday nights, after the Sabbath is over, people walk or drive home, he said. “There are enough parking spots because the people who live close by will walk to the synagogue and the ones who live a little bit further will drive, but there has always been adequate parking,” said Jaffe, adding the new plan calls for 11 parking spaces which will be adequate. More: Edison goes to court to collect $300K in construction code fines from resident He said the Jewish holidays will follow the exact same model as the Sabbath where it is strictly forbidden to operate a vehicle, so people with either walk or drive to the synagogue before the observances, leave their cars in the parking lot and drive home afterward. He said Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are large services in which there may some parking on the street. The project engineer said the driveway for the synagogue is being moved from the intersection of Route 27 and Campbell Avenue to the other end of the parking lot, further down Campbell Avenue. Two handicapped accessible spaces also are proposed. Email: *****@*****.tld Suzanne Russell is a breaking news reporter for MyCentralJersey.com covering crime, courts and other mayhem. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today. This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Edison Orthodox Jewish synagogue gets OK to expand on Route 27 Source link #Edison #walking #synagogue #expand #Route Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

How To Get Assists in Marvel Rivals How To Get Assists in Marvel Rivals We rarely want Assists in a game, but sometimes, challenges ask for them. Marvel Rivals encourages Assists as part of its team-orientated gameplay, and they’re harder to land than contemporary shooters. This is where we make our triumphant superhero landing. A game of Marvel Rivals usually has one of many elements: Eliminations, team-ups, last-second plays, and Assists. I think most of us keep one eye on our Kills and hope our KD isn’t letting the team down. While you are rewarded for Assists, I personally love the feeling of getting the decisive blow. Certain Marvel Rivals challenges say otherwise, and the mechanic works differently here. So let’s run you through Assists, how they work, and how to get them. What is an Assist in Marvel Rivals? I helped. Credit to NetEase An Assist in Marvel Rivals is where you don’t eliminate an opponent, but you help your teammate to do so. Yes, in Call of Duty, Overwatch, and most online shooters, you get an Assist for damaging an opponent, but not getting the final kill—hence, you’re assisting. But it’s slightly different in Marvel Rivals. How To Get An Assist in Marvel Rivals You need to provide healing or a gameplay-modifying buff to a teammate and have them eliminate an enemy to score an Assist in Marel Rivals. In Marvel Rivals, an Assist comes from boosting your ally with a stat-enhancing benefit. Take Luna Snow, for instance, if she uses her Light & Dark Ice Primary Attack, she can use the healing version of the attack, fire the projectiles at a teammate, and provide healing. Many Strategists fall into the same of operating and behaving too. Rocket Raccoon’s Repair Mode is another one as it helps allies with healing spheres. It’s not just healing as I said, and Assist can be from a buff. If we stick with everyone’s favorite trash panda, Rocket Raccoon also has a C.Y.A. ability. This launches a local amplifier and gives allies a damage boost to teammates in the vicinity. If one of your squad gets a kill while under the influence of the C.Y.A ability, you get an Assist. Either heal someone as they get a kill, or boost your partner’s damage as they get a kill, and you’re rewarded with an Assist as a token of appreciation for your hard work. How To Quickly Get 100 Assists in Marvel Rivals The best way to get Assists in Marvel Rivals is going into Practice Vs. AI, choosing an effective Strategist character, focusing on healing your teammates, and waiting for them to get kills. Playing against computer opposition has a layer of predictability about it. This is why I’d choose Practice Vs. AI over Casual or Ranked matches against real people. Also, my hero pick is Rocket Raccoon. We’ve already discussed why he’s so good, and his Repair Mode ability is invaluable. Here’s a quick rundown of the method: Set up a Practice Vs. AI match. Choose Rocket Raccoon. Get close to your teammates—ideally where there are as many as possible. Use Repair Mode to fire spheres at your teammates. Wait for them to get kills. Even if you die, get back into the action and start healing ASAP. Marvel Rivals asks players to “Secure 100 Assists in Quick Match, Competitive, or Practice Vs. AI.” It’s likely future objectives want something similar. Knowing how to secure Assists is important, and now you know! What’s your playstyle in Marvel Rivals? Do you go for kills? Or are you the dreamy support ally we all dream of? How to Trigger Recursive Destruction and what is Supermaster V? are just some of our other Marvel Rivals guides. SUBSCRIBE to our newsletter to receive the latest news and exclusive leaks every week! No Spam. Source link #Assists #Marvel #Rivals Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

A New Zealand mountain is granted personhood, recognizing it as sacred for Māori – The Associated Press A New Zealand mountain is granted personhood, recognizing it as sacred for Māori – The Associated Press A New Zealand mountain is granted personhood, recognizing it as sacred for Māori The Associated PressNew Zealand mountain gets same legal rights as a person BBC.comTaranaki Mounga: New Zealand mountain granted same legal rights as a person The GuardianNew Zealand Mountain Named a ‘Person’ with ‘Rights’ and ‘Responsibilities’ National ReviewTaranaki Maunga becomes a legal person as treaty settlement passes into law RNZ Source link #Zealand #mountain #granted #personhood #recognizing #sacred #Māori #Press Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

****** releases names of three male hostages to be freed on Saturday ****** releases names of three male hostages to be freed on Saturday The ************ armed group ****** has released the names of three hostages it says it will free on Saturday under the ceasefire deal with Israel. They are Israelis Ofer Kalderon, 53, and Yarden Bibas, 34, and American-Israeli Keith Siegel, 65. Mr Bibas is the father of Kfir, the youngest hostage who was 10 months old when he was kidnapped by ******. His wife Shiri and their other son Ariel were also captured. The Israeli prime minister’s office said Israel had received the list of hostages. Israel will release another batch of ************ prisoners in return. It will mark the fourth such exchange of hostages for prisoners since the ceasefire came into effect on 19 January. Some 251 hostages were taken by ****** when it attacked Israel on 7 October 2023, killing about 1,200 people. The attack triggered a war which has devastated Gaza. Israel’s 15-month military offensive killed 47,460 Palestinians in the territory, according to Gaza’s ******-run health ministry. Source link #****** #releases #names #male #hostages #freed #Saturday Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Rain dampens day three between Aussies and Sri Lanka Rain dampens day three between Aussies and Sri Lanka AUSTRALIA V SRI LANKA Day three of the first Warne-Muralitharan Trophy Test match in Galle, Sri Lanka SCORE: Australia 6-654 dec, Sri Lanka 5-136 SUMMARY: Australia made a bright start after two dominant days, with Mitch Starc (2-13) dismissing strike weapon Kamindu Mendis (15) down the leg side and captain Dhananjaya de Silva (22) stumped off Matt Kuhnemann (2-48). Dinesh Chandimal (63no) provided resistance for the hosts at the same ground where he scored 206no on Australia’s last tour. Rain washed out the final two sessions to deny the tourists the chance to hunt more wickets, or the hosts the chance to stage an unlikely fightback. THE MOMENT: De Silva’s dismissal was the most senseless of the match to date. The Sri Lankan captain charged down the wicket to attack Kuhnemann but completely missed the left-arm off-spinner’s length ball and was stumped by a clinical Carey. At the non-striker’s end, former captain Chandimal was none too happy. THE PLAYER: Chandimal was the only Sri Lankan batter to go on with things, providing some much-needed positive intent for the previously helpless hosts. He wore a bouncer from Starc on his hip and needed medical attention before raising his bat for a 31st Test half-century before lunch. THE STAT: Enforcing the follow-on may be the tourists’ clearest path to victory but Australia has been the losing team on three of the four occasions in Test history when a side ordering the follow-on has lost. Source link #Rain #dampens #day #Aussies #Sri #Lanka Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump won’t visit Washington DC plane ****** site because it’s ‘the water’ Trump won’t visit Washington DC plane ****** site because it’s ‘the water’ Donald Trump responded sarcastically to questions about whether he would be visiting the site of the deadly ****** over the Potomac River in Washington D.C., asking reporters at the White House: “You want me to go swimming?” The president said on Thursday he would be meeting with some of the families of victims of the tragedy, which occurred at Ronald Reagan Airport Wednesday night. All 67 people involved in the ****** are presumed dead, authorities said previously. When asked about his plans to visit the ****** site, he replied: “I have a plan to visit, not the site. Because you tell me, what’s the site? The water? You want me to go swimming?” Social media users were quick to condemn the “callous” comments. The president said on Thursday he would be meeting with some of the families of victims of the tragedy, but did not specify when (Getty Images) “67 people die under his watch, and he makes a joke? Callous, heartless, completely lacking in empathy on full display because so many other Americans are like this and see no problem with it,” one user wrote in response to the clip. “We are such a profoundly unserious country sometimes,” added another. The president’s remarks came as he signed an executive order following up on remarks he made earlier in the day at a press conference, in which he laid the blame for the ****** on Joe Biden and diversity (DEI) programs. The order is titled “Immediate Assessment of Aviation Safety.” “We want the most competent people,” Trump said. “We don’t care what race they are. We want the most competent people, especially in those positions.” He added: “You’re talking about extremely complex things, and if they don’t have a great brain, a great power of the brain, they’re not going to be very good at what they do and bad things will happen.” Trump made the comments before any investigative findings into the ******, and offered no specifics or evidence for his claims. When pressed after his earlier remarks about why he believed DEI was responsible for the ******, he responded that it “could have been.” He said he reached his conclusion because “I have common sense.” Recovery operations were underway on Thursday. All 67 people involved in the ****** are presumed dead, authorities said previously (REUTERS) Trump also said he would be meeting with some of the families of the victims from the D.C. collision, but did not specify when. “I will be meeting with some people that were very badly hurt with their family members, obviously, but I’ll be meeting with some of the families, yeah,” he said. As of Thursday afternoon, more than 40 bodies were recovered from the Potomac River, CNN reported citing sources with knowledge of official operations. Dive operations were concluded for the day due to daylight, conditions on the water and the belief that most of the victims that can be reached without removing parts of the aircraft from the water have already been recovered, a law enforcement source told the outlet. Source link #Trump #wont #visit #Washington #plane #****** #site #water Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

American and father of youngest hostages among those due for release from Gaza Saturday – CNN American and father of youngest hostages among those due for release from Gaza Saturday – CNN American and father of youngest hostages among those due for release from Gaza Saturday CNNTears of joy as five Thai hostages held in Gaza are freed BBC.comNetanyahu furious about chaotic handover of Israeli hostages from ****** Fox NewsMiddle East crisis live: ****** names three Israeli hostages to be released on Saturday The Guardian Source link #American #father #youngest #hostages #among #due #release #Gaza #Saturday #CNN Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Prosecutors add two new victims to Sean Combs case Prosecutors add two new victims to Sean Combs case Prosecutors in New York have expanded their case against rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs, accusing him of coercing two additional women into commercial sex acts, and of dangling a person over an apartment balcony. Combs has been in jail since September after an initial indictment charged him with racketeering, sex trafficking by force, and transportation to engage in prostitution. On Thursday, the indictment was updated to add two more victims, although no new charges were added to the case. The musician, 55, has strenuously denied all the accusations against him, including the federal criminal case and more than 30 separate civil lawsuits. In response to the superseding indictment, his lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, said the prosecution’s case “remains flawed. “The government has added the ridiculous theory that two of Mr Combs’s former girlfriends were not girlfriends at all, but were prostitutes. Mr Combs is as committed as ever to fighting these charges and winning at trial.” The original indictment identified only one victim, named in court documents as “Victim-1”, whose accusations aligned closely to those of Cassandra Ventura – the singer who sued Combs for ***** and sex trafficking in 2023. In the new filing, prosecutors allege that Combs “used force, threats of force, and coercion, to cause victims, including but not limited to three female victims” to engage in commercial sex acts. The document moves the alleged start date of Combs’ sex trafficking offences back to 2004, four years earlier than previously stated. It also expands the list of narcotics that the musician allegedly used to keep his victims “obedient and silent” – adding methamphetamine and psychedelic mushrooms to the previously cited ********, oxycodone and ketamine. The accusation that Combs dangled a woman from a balcony mirrors an accusation made in a civil lawsuit filed by fashion designer Bryana “Bana” Bongolan last December. The updates signal that federal prosecutors are widening their case against Combs as his trial date in May approaches. A footnote to the superseding indictment notes that their investigation is ongoing and that further updates will be filed “as promptly as possible” ahead of the trial. Combs’ legal team has previously dismissed the charges as “baseless” and accused the government of conducting a “witch hunt.” Source link #Prosecutors #add #victims #Sean #Combs #case Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Microsoft Has Now Beaten Expectations for 8 Times in a Row Microsoft Has Now Beaten Expectations for 8 Times in a Row Microsoft (NASDAQ:) reported adjusted EPS of $3.23 for calendar Q4 2024, which beat street expectations of $3.15. Microsoft has now beaten earnings expectations for the last 8 straight quarters. Earnings results came in 2.5% above street expectations, which was below the 8-quarter average of 5.9%. While the growth rate remained consistent at 10%, which was also a slowdown from the 17% average over the last 8 quarters. Sales came in $69.632 billion in Q4, which also beat street expectations of $68.870 billion. MSFT has also beaten sales expectations for the last 8 quarters straight. Sales results came in 1.1% above expectations, which was slightly below the 8-quarter average of 1.9%. While the growth rate slowed to 12%, which is also slightly below the 8 quarter average of 13%. As I type this, the stock is trading down about 5% and testing the bottom of the triangle that I mentioned on LinkedIn yesterday. It was a decent quarter for Microsoft, but nothing too exciting given the huge run up already in the stock price. Forward guidance was lowered a little as well. Right now, the stock trades on a forward PE of about 30x on expected growth of 10% in EPS and 12.5% in sales, and a dividend yield of about 0.80%. A PE to growth (or PEG ratio) of about 3 isn’t much to get excited about. You’d need to see either a lower stock price, or an increase in the expected growth rate. Microsoft is a fabulous company that deserves inclusion as a core holding. But in regards to putting new money to work here, there isn’t much margin of safety in my opinion. In terms of the technicals. Watch if price can hold the lower trend line in the triangle. If it fails, it could fall back into the $380-$385 area again. And if for some reason it fails there as well, I’ll be watching the $360 area. I’d consider adding to positions there if price ever got back there. Barring a decline in the broader market () it seems unlikely that price would pull back that far. But anything is possible. Source link #Microsoft #Beaten #Expectations #Times #Row Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Volunteers in Paterson face new obstacles counting homeless people, including ICE raids Volunteers in Paterson face new obstacles counting homeless people, including ICE raids PATERSON — A minivan carrying volunteers to count the number of homeless people in the city came to a stop on Broadway on Wednesday when the driver spied a woman sleeping on church steps using her red winter coat as a blanket. Chris Breit, a longtime social service advocate in Paterson, asked the woman if she was willing to participate in the survey. But the woman refused. Breit then asked if she needed any help. In response, the woman rolled down her sock to reveal a bleeding, festering wound. “I fall a lot,” she said, explaining her injury. “The scabs won’t heal.” Story continues below photo gallery. But the woman declined medical treatment, and after becoming agitated, she quickly gathered her few belongings and left. “The poor woman is in so much distress,” Breit said. “That’s going to stay with me.” The encounter reflected the difficulties in gathering meaningful data on homelessness. The woman on the church steps won’t be one of those counted in Paterson’s 2025 total. Homeless count volunteers mistaken for ICE officials Last year, the results of the one-day count found that Paterson’s unhoused population had increased by 66% over 2023, growing from 248 to 411. But homeless advocates say this year’s number may go down — not because there are fewer unhoused people in Paterson, but due to other factors. Some volunteer counters on Wednesday met people who feared that those doing the homeless survey were immigration enforcement officials looking to carry out the deportation crackdown imposed under President Donald Trump. Also, last year’s homeless count was bolstered by a new strategy: sending counters to the city-run warming center. But this year, the city moved its warming center to a new location, on the outskirts of Paterson, and it has been frequented by far fewer homeless people even on the coldest days. Volunteer Sue Brunetti helps a community member fill out a survey at Eva’s Village. Last January, 90 people filled out homeless surveys at Paterson’s previous warming center, said Richard Williams, executive director at St. Paul’s Community Development Corporation, one of the nonprofits working on the count. At the new warming center, the counters found just 12 people taking shelter, a reduction that may also have stemmed from the warmer temperatures Wednesday. “There are some barriers that may impact how effectively we do this, but we’re still going to give this our best effort,” Williams said of the homeless count. “In years prior, it was easier to locate individuals in hot spots.” The count in Paterson is part of a statewide annual initiative sponsored by Monarch Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency. Last year, the New Jersey homeless count increased by 23%. Counting people at free lunch sites, food pantries One strategy Williams relies on in Paterson is to count individuals at places where they willingly convene: free lunch sites and food pantries. At noon, the afternoon shift of homeless count volunteers arrived at Eva’s Village community kitchen, where lunch was being served. The cafeteria serves about 30 pounds of food on a busy day. In addition to the promise of a warm meal, Eva’s draws a crowd for its other giveaways, such as free coats. On Wednesday, there also were various social program representatives at the lunchroom with information on their programs. The community kitchen at Eva’s Village, where volunteers went to administer homeless count surveys. “It’s important to bring as many resources as possible,” said Antoinette Blake, director of housing and outreach. “Even though we want to count them, we want to make sure that the one time we have everyone indoors we can meet as many needs as possible.” Sherry Herring, 60, a four-month shelter resident, was among those who filled out a count survey at Eva’s. Four months ago, Herring said, she’d finally had enough of the cold nights and “dope-sick” mornings that came with using drugs on the streets, so she checked into Eva’s Village. Next month, Herring will move into a new apartment that the organization arranged for her. “I was missing something in my life,” Herring said about the years she was on drugs. “I had to get sober.” Herring’s friend at the shelter, Yolanda Claudio, 54, said she has never touched drugs in her life. She ended up in a shelter after losing a Section 8 housing voucher. Claudio noted a recent attempt by Paterson officials to impose fines and jail time on people who camp out on public streets. She said the politicians who wish to criminalize homelessness don’t understand the reasons that push people into the circumstances. “They don’t know the story behind homelessness,” Claudio said. “It’s a different thing for different people.” Hearing these stories of hardship can sometimes take a toll on the volunteers conducting surveys. Sue Brunetti, who has participated in the Point-in-Time count for the past five years, said that sometimes the people she surveyed would plead with her for help. “I’m a little teary-eyed,” Brunetti said. “I don’t have the resources, so I don’t know what to do or say.” Afraid to visit food pantry because of deportation raids Another complication that volunteers faced that day was the widespread fear as a result of the recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions in Newark and Paterson. Ruth Gerardino, the shift’s only Spanish-speaking volunteer, said a few people refused to speak to her. “One guy was taking the survey and someone else told him, ‘Don’t take that survey, because this is for ICE to come and get you.’” Leslie Pujols, community health worker for the CUMAC food pantry, which set up an information table inside Eva’s Village to connect local residents to such benefits as SNAP, also noticed the fear of ICE. “People right now are afraid to stand on our line,” Pujols said. “We have clients that are afraid to come to the food pantry because they’re going to be deported.” After two hours on Wednesday afternoon, the crowd inside the community kitchen at Eva’s thinned. So the volunteers packed into a minivan and began traveling to other “hot spots,” including alleyways and abandoned buildings where the homeless are known to seek shelter. Those who filled out homeless surveys at Eva’s Village in Paterson were given articles of clothing like hats and socks, along with sandwiches. While driving, the volunteers shared their observations of the day. They said they were surprised to learn that many who eat at the community kitchen have homes and jobs but still struggle to make ends meet. Those people weren’t eligible to participate in the survey, but it gave the volunteers perspective on what it means to be the “working poor.” “They’re working. They’re doing everything they need to do,” said Arti Kakkar, the county’s director of human services, who was at Eva’s Village earlier that day. While tent encampments in downtown Paterson have gotten much attention, many unhoused people find shelter in less conspicuous places that can also be dangerous. That’s how Breit came upon the woman sleeping on the church steps. She was among several who refused to participate in the survey. When the van of volunteers returned to St. Paul’s Church to turn in the surveys, Christine Wolfe, the Point-in-Time volunteer coordinator, said the final shift of volunteers, accompanied by plainclothes police officers, would search at night along the railroad tracks, where some homeless people are known to go. Wolfe, whose eyes were slightly bloodshot after many hours of work, had been dispatching teams of volunteers to conduct counts since the previous evening. “It’s only one day out of the year, so it’s not too bad,” Wolfe said. This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Paterson NJ volunteers face new obstacles counting homeless people Source link #Volunteers #Paterson #face #obstacles #counting #homeless #people #including #ICE #raids Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Pokémon Go will host a special raid day event for Hoopa Unbound soon Pokémon Go will host a special raid day event for Hoopa Unbound soon Hoopa Unbound Raid Day to take place on February 15th Boost your rewards by purchasing a $5 event ticket Lots of freebies to collect as well Hoopa Unbound is making a return to Pokémon Go in the form of five-star raids for a limited time. On Saturday, February 15th, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. local time, you’ll have more chances to battle this powerful Psychic- and Dark-type. It’s a good chance to add the Pokémon to your lineup while also taking advantage of all the extra raid rewards. During the event, Hoopa Unbound will appear more frequently in raids, making it easier to encounter and challenge. You can also collect up to five additional free Raid Passes from spinning Gym Photo Discs, bringing your total for the day to seven. If you prefer to raid remotely, the Remote Raid Pass limit will increase to 20 between February 14th and 15th. And if you’re looking to maximise your rewards, a $5 event ticket (or local equivalent) unlocks additional bonuses. With the ticket, you’ll receive eight more Raid Passes, allowing for up to 15 total for the day. You’ll also have an increased chance of Rare Candy XL from raid rewards, along with 50% more XP and double Stardust from raids. These bonuses are only available during the event hours, and the ticket can be purchased in the shop until 4:00 pm local time on February 15th. You also have the option to gift a ticket to friends at Great Friends level or higher. And for some more freebies, you can redeem these Pokémon Go codes! Finally, if you plan to participate in multiple raids, the Hoopa Unbound Raid Day Ultra Ticket Box offers even more value. Available for $4.99 in the Pokémon Go Web Store, this bundle includes the event ticket plus a bonus Premium Battle Pass. You can also check out what February’s Eggs-pedition Access holds in store for you in our dedicated article. Download Pokémon Go now for free by clicking on your preferred link below. Source link #Pokémon #host #special #raid #day #event #Hoopa #Unbound Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Nvidia: What Will It Take to Stop the Slide? Nvidia: What Will It Take to Stop the Slide? NVIDIA (NASDAQ:) stock returned to its lows of the week on January 30. Down more than 16% for the week, the question on many investors’ minds is what will it take to stop the slide? The most recent news causing NVDA stock to slide comes from rumblings that the Trump administration may impose export restrictions on the company’s chips to China. This is in response to DeepSeek, an open-source large language model (LLM) that China reportedly developed for approximately $6 million. To put that in context, Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:) recently announced plans to spend $65 billion to upgrade its AI infrastructure in 2025 alone. And with the AI sector still in the buildout stage, a hefty amount of that $65 billion would be spent on hardware in the form of GPUs from NVIDIA. Investors Sell the News, But the Question Is Why? Investors sold heavily on the news, and the knee-jerk explanation was that companies would curb spending on AI infrastructure and start using the less-expensive open-source model. There are several reasons to debate that. First, since DeepSeek hit the scene, many analysts have already pointed to the limitations and biases embedded in DeepSeek. They also note that it’s likely that the ******** LLM used a significant amount of NVIDIA GPUs in its creation. If that were the case, the NVDA stock rally would surely have held. Instead, the more likely reason for the price action is that investors saw an opportunity to do what they’ve wanted to do for some time with many technology stocks. That is, take a little profit and drive the stock price lower. In other words, never let a crisis (even a manufactured one) go to waste. NVIDIA still trades at over 44x forward earnings and has a price-to-sales ratio of over 49x. There’s no question that even with this pullback, investors continue to pay a premium to own the stock. Why NVIDIA GPUs Will Remain in Demand However, there are times when a stock is worthy of its premium price tag. And that appears to be the case with NVDA stock. The company launched its Blackwell chip and reports excess demand despite being at 100% capacity. Critics will say that the existence of low-cost LLMs will drive that demand curve lower, but that may not be a good bet. Palantir Technologies (NASDAQ:) CEO Alex Karp has frequently commented about the benefit of his company’s proprietary LLM, which makes AI more than “just a toy.” Corporations realize that and are starting the process of developing more advanced versions of AI models. This quest for innovation is the real driver for AI spending, not in maintaining the status quo. To do that, the industry will continue to need hardware. And NVIDIA remains the clear leader in that area. Analysts to the Rescue It’s important to note that NVIDIA stock continues to be under pressure despite the fact that analysts are brushing aside the DeepSeek news. Since Monday, January 27, Cantor Fitzgerald and Morgan Stanley have reiterated their Overweight ratings on the stock. Tigress Financial upgraded NVDA from a Buy to a Strong Buy and raised its price target from $170 to $220. The NVDA Chart Signals Choppy Price Action Traders can’t help but notice that NVDA stock recently slipped below its 200-day simple moving average (SMA). Technical analysis isn’t a perfect indicator, but this is almost always a bearish indicator that suggests the long-term direction of the stock has changed. The stock first dipped below the 200-day SMA on January 24 but recovered at the start of the next week. It’s also important to note that this most recent dip is happening on lighter volume, which may indicate a lack of conviction. The Relative Strength Indicator (RSI) is also moving into an Oversold range of around 38. If the stock continues to go lower, how low could it go? The charts suggest that if the breach of the 200-day moving average holds, the stock could reach its September 2024 low of around $103. Investors should expect price action to be choppy before the company’s earnings report in February. It’s unlikely that institutional investors will want to plant their flag in one camp or another. However, this could work to the benefit of retail investors who are convinced to buy this dip. Original Post Source link #Nvidia #Stop #Slide Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Top Malaysian Films Censored at Home Despite Government Praise Top Malaysian Films Censored at Home Despite Government Praise The Malaysian authorities quietly presented the director Amanda Nell Eu with an ultimatum: They would submit her film “Tiger Stripes” to the 2024 Academy Awards only if scenes they deemed inappropriate were cut for local audiences. “Tiger Stripes,” which follows a rebellious girl who gets her *******, was riding high after winning the grand prize at the 2023 Cannes Critics’ Week. It needed a theatrical run in Malaysia of at least seven days to become eligible for the Oscars. So Eu agreed, reluctantly, but publicly denounced the domestic version. Eu, 39, said in a recent interview that her film is about a young girl’s fight for the freedom to express herself, and that the cuts for the domestic release destroyed its essence. “That joy, that beauty of the film, was gone,” she said over coffee and cigarettes in Kuala Lumpur, the capital. Her experience points to an awkward paradox: Even as the Malaysian government lauds local films that win praise and prizes abroad, some of the most-celebrated ones are either not shown in domestic theaters or are heavily censored. Domestic and foreign movies screened in Malaysia are subject to review by the Film Censorship Board, which sometimes demands significant cuts or changes, especially to scenes related to topics it considers sensitive, such as race, religion and sexuality. Last year, the board’s rules were expanded. Among other changes, movies shown at embassies, festivals and other venues were placed under the same restrictions as those in theaters. Neither the Film Censorship Board nor the Film Development Corporation, a federal agency that oversees Malaysia’s film industry, responded to inquiries. Both report to the government of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who leads a coalition that is under pressure from conservative Malay political forces. Malaysia’s ethnic Malay majority, mostly *******, accounts for more than half the country’s population, and there are sizable non-******* ******** and Indian minorities. Khoo Gaik Cheng, an expert on Malaysian cinema, attributed escalating film censorship in Malaysia partly to efforts by some politicians to link Islam with ethnic Malay identity. “It’s never not connected to ethnic-slash-religious identity, and it’s always ******* because they’re the loudest bloc,” she said. The threats to filmmakers are not hypothetical. The director and producer of “Mentega Terbang” (“Butterfly” in English), a 2021 indie film about a ******* girl who is curious about other religions, were charged with blasphemy last year and could be imprisoned for up to a year if convicted. The possibility of censorship helps explain why some star filmmakers, like Eu, look abroad for funding and to international festivals for exposure — and why local moviegoers often don’t expect to see provocative films on the big screen. On a recent evening at a Kuala Lumpur theater, three friends discussed the Malaysian films they had seen on YouTube, Netflix and other platforms. “Stuff that pushes buttons won’t be in cinemas,” said one of the friends, David Soh, a musician. One of the films they discussed was “Pendatang” (“Immigrants”), a dystopian, Cantonese-language movie about racial tensions in Malaysia. Its director, Ng Ken Kin, said in an interview that it was financed entirely by crowdfunding. Not everyone in the industry is overly concerned. Amir Muhammad, a veteran director whose 2006 movie “Lelaki Komunis Terakhir” (The Last **********”) was among the first Malaysian films banned at home, said he saw censorship as an “occupational hazard” and a creative challenge. “If you just want to hit your head against the wall, it’s quite naïve,” he said. Some films have thrived in Malaysia even after heavy censorship. “Snow in Midsummer” (2023), about racial riots in Kuala Lumpur in the 1960s, became a sensation even after it was released with multiple cuts. Amir said the censorship made some audiences even more curious to see it. The censors have not always been heavy-handed. Amir said that Malaysia’s submission for the 2025 Academy Awards, “Abang Adik” (roughly “older brother, younger sibling” in English), a critically acclaimed film that includes undocumented people dealing with police harassment and features a transgender character, was released uncut. Raihan Halim, the director of “La Luna” (2023), a rom-com about a lingerie shop in a conservative Malaysian village, said the cuts to his film did not compromise its integrity. One example: The audio in a lovemaking scene was altered slightly to make the sex less obvious. But the authorities have clamped down on others, including “Tiger Stripes,” which was screened in Malaysia without its original, exuberant ending. Private screenings of “Maryam Pagi Ke Malam” (“Maryam From Morning to Night”), a 2023 film that was shown at overseas festivals, were stopped, people in the industry said privately, requesting anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue. The director of that film, which is about a Malay woman who wants to marry a younger man from Sierra Leone, did not respond to an interview request. The director and producer of “Mentega Terbang,” Khairi Anwar and Tan Meng Kheng, expect to get a ruling on their blasphemy charges from Malaysia’s High Court in February. Their film, shot over six days with a budget of $1,000, was never meant for Malaysian theaters. But interest grew after it was screened at film festivals in Indonesia and later uploaded to Viu, a streaming platform. And the threat was not just legal. As the accusation that “Mentega Terbang” insulted Islam spread on social media, the director and producer received death threats. Anwar’s car was splashed with acid, and his friend Tan’s work as a drama teacher fell off as some clients kept their distance. Some in the film industry have urged the two men to apologize, they say, but they have refused. They deny that “Mentega Terbang” was intended to insult Islam. “If we apologize for the film, it feels like we’re ashamed of the film,” Tan said, sitting at a conference table with Anwar at the film studio where his friend works. “And honestly, I’m still very proud of the film that we made. I feel like it’s so really, truly Malaysian.” Source link #Top #Malaysian #Films #Censored #Home #Government #Praise Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Microsoft Stock Breaks Trend, But It Doesn’t Matter—Here’s Why Microsoft Stock Breaks Trend, But It Doesn’t Matter—Here’s Why Microsoft’s (NASDAQ:) stock price plunged more than 6% following its FQ2 earnings report and broke the uptrend, but it doesn’t matter. The results were strong, and the long-term opportunity offsets the weak guidance. The critical detail in the report is the accelerating growth of AI services. The acceleration underpinned its cloud segment even as Azure’s growth slowed and affirmed the long-term AI outlook. That includes a services ***** that is ******* and longer-lasting than the infrastructure ***** underway. The forecast for AI services industry growth is robust and continues to rise, expecting a 36% CAGR over the next seven years or longer. Microsoft Outperforms in Q2: Guidance Is Weak But Relative to a High Bar Microsoft had a solid quarter, producing a double-digit revenue growth and a substantial margin. The company’s $69.6 billion net revenue is up more than 12% compared to last year on strength in all significant segments. Regarding products versus services, product sales fell 14% and were offset by a robust 22% increase in services. More Personal Computing is the only weak spot on a segment basis, and its business is flat. Productivity and Business Processes grew by 14%, led by a 19% increase in Intelligent Computing. IC gains were driven by a 21% increase in Microsoft Cloud revenue, including a substantial 31% increase in Azure. The margin news is also strong, including improved gross and operating results. Operating income grew by a leveraged 17%, leaving GAAP earnings at $3.23 or $0.13 above MarketBeat’s reported consensus. GAAP earnings are up only 10% compared to the 12.2% top-line advance, but they are impacted by increased investment expected to sustain growth long-term. Investment plans include a 50% annual data center spending increase to strengthen the company’s cloud position and foster the AI services business. The guidance news is why the stock price fell. The company reiterated its previously stated outlook, adding the impact of new FX headwinds. Microsoft expects currency conversion to cut about 2% off the top line and impact the margin. The takeaway, however, is that FQ3 results include another quarter of double-digit top-line growth, strong margin, and substantial cash flow despite increased investment. Cash flow in Q2 was sufficient to sustain the capital return outlook and drive balance sheet improvements, including reduced debt, total liability, and a 12.75% increase in shareholder equity. Analyst Sentiment Remains Firm: Microsoft to Hit $500 The analysts’ positive response to Microsoft’s results and guidance update will help support its stock price over time. MarketBeat tracked a single price target reduction offset by numerous reiterated ratings and targets. They, including the price target reduction, peg the stock at Moderate Buy and forecast a move to the $500 level or higher by year’s end, aligning with the broader trends. The broader analysts’ trends include increasing coverage and a price target that is up 20% in 12 months, indicating a 25% stock price increase in 2025. Microsoft’s valuation is a concern but offset by the long-term outlook. Its 34x earnings multiple aligns with the most successful tech companies today, which are a highly-valued group, but it is more than a 50% premium to the with slowing growth in the forecast. However, despite the slowing, revenue is expected to sustain a low-double-digit CAGR through 2025, and earnings to grow slightly faster. In this scenario, the company’s price multiple falls below the broad market average by 2030, suggesting a value relative to the outlook. The technical action following the release is concerning, but a primary trend line was broken. The break in trend could lead to a reversal in the action, but in this case, a deep decline is unlikely. The more likely scenario is that Microsoft’s price trend switched from up to sideways and will continue to move within the established range. The low end of the range is near $400, and the high is near $460. The bias is to the upside, but it may take a quarter or two before the next uptrend begins and a new high is set. Original Post Source link #Microsoft #Stock #Breaks #Trend #Doesnt #MatterHeres Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector review – we’re putting together a crew | Games Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector review – we’re putting together a crew | Games It’s good to be back in this far-flung future world. Like the game that preceded it, Citizen Sleeper 2 is packed with evocative portrayals of everyday life in outer space, from farmers tending zero-G crops in an asteroid greenhouse to water miners rising up against the cartel that controls them, everyone eking out a meagre existence in crumbling space stations left to rot by a long-dead mega corporation. Once again you’re cast as a Sleeper, a robot with a digitised human mind shorn of the memories of the person it was copied from. In the first game you were on the run from the firm that made you, attempting to wean your robot off its reliance on a stabilising drug. In the sequel you play a different Sleeper who has successfully managed to ditch Stabilizer, but at the cost of being enslaved to a gang boss called Laine. Whereas before the action was confined to a single space station, Erlin’s Eye, the second game roves much more widely across a sector of space called the Belt. Your explosive escape from Laine sees you hot-footing it from station to station, with a timer signalling how close on your tail the gang lord is. In this opening section it’s a race against time to gather enough fuel and supplies for the next leg of your journey, all the while searching for a way to sever the mysterious link Laine seems to have with your body. Each destination offers a visual backdrop of wherever you happen to be visiting, whether it’s a long-abandoned space border crossing or a populated asteroid, but mostly you’ll be reading text descriptions of what’s going on and clicking through conversations. As in the previous game you have five dice that are rolled at the start of each day (or “cycle”), and these can be plugged into various activities at each location, with higher numbers delivering a higher chance of success. The second game roves much more widely through different locations … Citizen Sleeper 2. Photograph: Jump Over The Age But now, the dice can break. On timed, high-stakes missions, failure accumulates stress, which in turn can damage your dice. If a die’s energy reaches zero, it’s broken, unable to be used until it’s repaired. If all five dice break on normal difficulty, your character gains a permanent glitch: a die that always gives an 80% chance of failure. You’re joined on these contracts by up to two crew members. Like in Mass Effect 2, you can gather crew for your ship, The Rig, and each comes with two dice that are attuned to their specialities. You can also use a “push” once per cycle, increasing the number on your lowest die at the cost of raising your stress. All of this makes contracts wonderfully tense and involving, as you decide how far to push your luck at the risk of outright failure. And failure stalks Citizen Sleeper 2: whereas many games promise power fantasies, here each day is a valiant struggle (at least at first). Some missions are locked off if you don’t get to them in time. It’s a game that encourages repeat plays, to see how things might have turned out differently. Citizen Sleeper 2 is around twice as big as the first game, with many more locations to visit. But this does mean it feels a little stretched thin compared with the previous title. Rather than getting to know one place intimately, we instead have a scattering of space stations with a handful of activities in each. The crew also feel underused: it’s a shame there isn’t a way to upgrade their abilities or integrate them more into gameplay. Yet the characters are also the game’s greatest strength, and throughout they are expertly drawn, both literally (with comic book artist Guillaume Singelin once again providing some gorgeous portraits) and in terms of their compelling and heartfelt backstories. Despite its bleakness, the world of Citizen Sleeper 2 is full of compassion, and it’s a joy to return to the universe Gareth Damian Martin has created. Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector is out on 31 January Source link #Citizen #Sleeper #Starward #Vector #review #putting #crew #Games Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Ali Hazelwood’s Best Romance Books Recommendations Ali Hazelwood’s Best Romance Books Recommendations While I read and enjoy books with varying levels of spice — and I do not believe that every romance novel needs to include explicit scenes — I must admit that I have a soft spot for books in which the characters’ emotional and physical intimacy mirror each other. Sex scenes can highlight character growth, heighten romantic tension and advance the plot. And, above all, they’re fun. Here is a list of some of my favorite steamy novels. It includes old favorites and soon-to-be-released gems — books that contain just one or two sex scenes and books in which the ***** is the plot, books where the spice starts early and ones where the slow burn will make you tear your hair out. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did! By Sherry Thomas I first read this book in 2015, when I was a wee grad student. Ten years later, whenever someone asks me to recommend a romance set in the STEM field, this is still the first one I mention. Eva is a material scientist on tenure track; after a one-night stand with Bennett, a cardiothoracic surgeon, she agrees to be his fake girlfriend and help him reconcile with his estranged parents. Thomas’s prose is beautiful, and the characters are complex and endlessly fascinated with each other. The back-and-forth between them feels so charged, it’s nearly as hot as the actual sex. Barnes & Noble | Amazon By Danielle Allen This book not only has the best banter I’ve ever had the pleasure to read, it also has a perfect opening line. Aaliyah is ready to find “The One” — and, after lying to her family about her nonexistent boyfriend, she has just seven weeks to do it. So she gets on dating apps and decides to conduct all her first dates at the local bar. Enter Ahmad, the bartender. It’s a slow burn: Aaliyah and Ahmad become friends first, which leads to a healthy dose of pining that makes their happy ending even more satisfying. I highly recommend the audiobook; the narrator, Wesleigh Siobhan, is a master at conveying both humor and ******* tension. Local bookstores | Barnes & Noble | Amazon By Ivy Owens Gigi gets stranded at an airport with her childhood crush, Alec, and the two end up sharing a hotel room (among other things) in this entertaining novel, which mixes a celebrity romance (Alec is an actor) with a suspenseful thriller (Gigi is a journalist investigating an important story). The pair’s chemistry is instant: I’ve rarely encountered characters who are so combustible together, with plentiful spice that evolves in tandem with their emotional relationship. Local bookstores | Barnes & Noble | Amazon By Adriana Herrera This book is the future of the Omegaverse (I’ll give those of you unfamiliar with this erotic paranormal subgenre a moment to do some Googling). In this Sapphic polyamorous novella, the plot and the spice are one and the same: Melina gets stranded in a mountain lodge with two women who provide her with many orgasms during a difficult time. Sex-fest aside, the way the three women’s personalities fit together is what makes the story memorable. Local bookstores | Barnes & Noble | Amazon By Jo Segura Full disclosure: I loved this book by the queen of adventure rom-coms so much, I blurbed it. Miri, an archaeologist, is leading an expedition through the Brazilian rainforest to find the Lost City of the Moon. Rafa, who joins the crew as a photographer, wants to sabotage it. Not only is this book packed with action and archaeological lore, but Miri is impossible not to root for. Plus, there’s something special — and especially hot — about two people who fall for each other while their lives are on the line. Local bookstores | Barnes & Noble | Amazon By Shirlene Obuobi Another recent favorite I blurbed! This is only Obuobi’s second book, but she is already building a reputation for her stunning prose, emotionally resonant characters and powerful explorations of relationship dynamics. After a birthday party gone wrong, Jo, a cardiologist, resolves to give up her unrequited lifelong crush on her childhood best friend. Instead, she focuses her attention on Mal, who may be the best fictional man ever created. An important part of the story is Jo’s **********, and when she enlists Mal to help her lose it, pure romance magic happens. Local bookstores | Barnes & Noble | Amazon By Naina Kumar After years of estrangement, Meena goes to Texas to finally ask her husband, Nikhil, for a divorce — only to find herself stranded with him because of a hurricane. This heartwarming and sexy novel is a beautiful, sometimes angsty examination of how a love story can be rekindled when one least expects it, and of the ways people evolve within relationships. The sex scenes come with lots of baggage, which makes them deeply emotional. Local bookstores | Barnes & Noble | Amazon By Nisha Sharma While this “Twelfth Night” retelling is the final installment in a trilogy (and my favorite of the bunch), it can be read as a stand-alone. Veera and Deepak are friends who’ve been harboring romantic feelings for each other for a long time. Once they become stuck in a fake marriage, the yearning intensifies, and watching them fail miserably to keep their hands off each other and guard their hearts is an absolute treat. Local bookstores | Barnes & Noble | Amazon By Dani Francis For the last year or so, I’ve been craving dystopian romance, and this book (which I blurbed) delivers. When Wren, a psychic rebel fighter in an authoritarian realm, is forced to join an elite military training program, she decides to use this opportunity to defeat the regime from the inside. But the longer she and her commanding officer, Cross, spend together, the more undeniable the attraction between them becomes. The only downside to this book is that it doesn’t come out until May; once it does, you can join me in impatiently waiting for the trilogy’s next installment. Local bookstores | Barnes & Noble | Amazon (available May 6) By Denise Williams After Sybil loses a winning lottery ticket in a steamy one-night stand, Kieran returns it to her, and the gesture is captured in a viral video, which boosts his struggling bakery’s fortunes. The pair decide to fake date — just for a few months, to keep the sales going, of course. Williams always writes likable characters who lust wholeheartedly for each other, and this perfectly sweet and spicy novel is no exception. Local bookstores | Barnes & Noble | Amazon (available March 25) By Rosie Danan Devin, a washed-up actor and former star of a paranormal detective show, wakes up in the woods, naked … and transformed into a werewolf. The only person who can guide him through this ordeal is Alex, a former fan of his show, whom he once offended. As a semiprofessional fangirl, I felt like this book was written specifically for me. It also has quite a bit of negotiated kink, which made me absolutely feral. Local bookstores | Barnes & Noble | Amazon (available March 11) By Kimberly Lemming A biologist ****** lands on a planet with her newly acquired **** lion, meets two sex aliens, and the three of them fall in love. With me so far? The truth is that no summary can ever do justice to the all-consuming experience that is reading a Kimberly Lemming rom-com. Her books are all hilarious, unhinged, heart-wrenching and fantastically heavy on the spice, while incorporating several fun and creative alien biology elements. This one is scorching hot, full of joy and unmissable. Local bookstores | Barnes & Noble | Amazon (available Feb. 18) By C.S. Pacat This is the first book in a trilogy and, fair warning, things get dark. The series is full of intrigue, betrayal, battles and people who do terrible things — and somehow, this makes the relationship that blossoms between the two leads even sweeter. Prince Damen is captured in the war between two rival kingdoms and becomes a prisoner of Prince Laurent, who has no idea who he is — or that Damen killed Laurent’s brother. The constant tension between hate and love makes this book, and the rest of the series, unputdownable. Local bookstores | Barnes & Noble | Amazon By Mazey Eddings Opal wins the lottery and buys a farm in North Carolina. When she gets there, she finds Pepper, who insists that she is the property’s rightful owner. Cohabitation and fireworks ensue. This Sapphic rom-com is a perfect example of how explosive a well-executed opposites-attract trope can be. It’s a beautiful character driven story, at once cozy and deeply introspective, with plenty of spice and flashes of Eddings’s whip-smart humor. Local bookstores | Barnes & Noble | Amazon Source link #Ali #Hazelwoods #Romance #Books #Recommendations Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Weigh-In Results | UFC Saudi Arabia – UFC Weigh-In Results | UFC Saudi Arabia – UFC Weigh-In Results | UFC Saudi Arabia UFCIsrael Adesanya Worried Fans With Social Media Post Ahead Of UFC Saudi Arabia ForbesUFC Fight Night 250 weigh-in results: Adesanya vs. Imavov card official with one miss on prelims MMA JunkieExpert picks, best bets: How can Adesanya win vs. Imavov at UFC Fight Night ESPNUFC Saudi Arabia weigh-in results: Israel Adesanya, Nassourdine Imavov official for main event, 1 fighter misses MMA Fighting Source link #WeighIn #Results #UFC #Saudi #Arabia #UFC Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Is This Seat Taken? is a quirky matchmaker where you determine who sits where Is This Seat Taken? is a quirky matchmaker where you determine who sits where Is This Seat Taken? is a logic puzzler coming soon to PC, Android, and iOS Experience all puzzles through the eyes of budding actor, Nat Organise a crowded theatre, wedding reception, and a packed bus Figuring out where to sit isn’t always easy, but Is This Seat Taken? turns that everyday challenge into a lighthearted puzzle adventure. Developed by Poti Poti Studios, this upcoming logic puzzler is heading to Steam, Google Play, and the App Store soon. A public demo will be available on PC, but mobile users will have to wait for the full release. Is This Seat Taken? is quite literally about reading the room. Whether you’re organising a crowded movie theatre, a wedding reception, or a packed bus, your job is to arrange people based on their preferences. Some are picky about their surroundings, while others are just trying to enjoy the ride. A party guest with a sensitive nose won’t be thrilled to sit next to someone wearing too much cologne. A sleepy traveller won’t appreciate loud music playing nearby. Each level introduces new seating dilemmas, challenging you to find the perfect arrangement. You’ll experience this puzzle adventure through the eyes of Nat, an aspiring actor who sees a shape like themself on the big screen for the first time. Inspired to seek out their hero, Nat embarks on a global journey of self-discovery, encountering all sorts of people along the way. While you wait, check out this list of the best strategy games to play on iOS right now! The puzzles are designed to be relaxing and approachable, with no timers or leaderboards. Instead of racing against the clock, you’ll take your time, observing each scenario and making thoughtful decisions. As you progress, you’ll unlock new environments, from banquets to taxis, with even more personality-packed seating puzzles to solve. A PC demo for Is This Seay Taken? will take place on February 10th. No news about the same for mobile, but we should know more soon. Until then, you can visit the official website for more information. Source link #Seat #quirky #matchmaker #determine #sits Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle fulfilled all my Nazi-punching fantasies | Games Indiana Jones and the Great Circle fulfilled all my Nazi-punching fantasies | Games I have played many games that have great openings. Final Fantasy VII puts you in the middle of a raid. Mass Effect 2 introduces you to a world, then immediately destroys it. Sonic the Hedgehog bombards you with impossibly fast objects hurtling through a world of colourful danger. I have never played a game in my life that starts by telling you not to be a Nazi. But that’s what greeted me when I played Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. Before a single artefact was raided, before a whip was cracked, before you even see lead actor Troy Baker doing his best Harrison Ford impression in next generation graphics (amazing!), comes this warning: The story and contents of this game are not intended to and should not be construed in any way to condone, glorify or endorse the beliefs, ideologies, events, actions, persons or behaviour of the Nazi and fascist regimes … It’s difficult to see how anyone could possibly construe the fascists in this game as something worthy of imitation. Quite apart from their moral repugnancy, they are super dumb. Whether in ******** City or in Thailand, they are terrible fighters, and so deaf you can crawl right past them. They make very bad decisions in what is, according to some well written dialogue, clearly a toxic workplace environment where their young male insecurity is weaponised by a few charismatic older leaders who don’t care about them. Who would want to join that system? The game’s comically, brilliantly detestable uber-villain, Herr Voss. Photograph: Bethesda But then, in the middle of playing this, the Trump cult retook the US. A load of real Nazis were immediately released from jail, because they were fashing for Donald. And the world’s richest man apparently sieg-heiled live on stage in front of a televised audience of millions, and is actively promoting far right parties in Germany and the ***. This was on day one! Across the globe, dumb young men suckled on Joe Rogan’s raw milk lapped it up. I was so happy escaping into the virtual world of Indiana Jones. It’s crazy that a game featuring Hitler and Mussolini on their rise to power feels comforting, but here at least it is entirely permitted – indeed encouraged – to punch the Nazis. The more I played the game, the more it became about getting one over them, as I lured them one by one into a corner and punched the hell out of them. The joy of creeping through an encampment of fash and nicking stuff from their safes right under their noses was only matched by the euphoria I felt shoving one of them off the edge of a battleship stuck at the top of a Himalayan mountain. Actually, I had so much fun knocking Nazis out with candlesticks that the rest of the game became a bit of a drag. Maybe I’ve played too much Uncharted and Tomb Raider, but I no longer find it exciting to wander around caves looking for ropes to swing off while solving puzzles. That’s the boring side of archaeology. That is why nobody wanted to be one, before Indiana Jones added Nazi-punching to the job description. The archaeological sections feel as if they take for ever (though I am sure Elon Musk completes them in minutes, having paid someone else to do it for him). ‘I no longer find it exciting to wander around caves’ … Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. Photograph: Bethesda I also keep getting stuck halfway through opening doors, thanks to the clunky controls. I am at an age where I get bored by any kind of mundane activity in games. Turning keys in locks, searching for objects, eating food … I’d do away with all of it. I want locked doors to fly open and every object within to magically fly into my infinite-sized backpack and stomach. I have spent nearly 30 years as a dad searching rooms for things that are lost. I want a break from that. 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 Thankfully there’s a LOT of action. One part where you go from sliding down a mountain in the Himalayas to running around Shanghai under bomber attack before flying your own plane out of there is the most fun section of a game I can remember. It was so immersive that the day after I completed it, I felt the same sadness I feel when I finish binge-watching a brilliant TV series. There are still people out there who think video games have nothing to do with real life. Well, I have just spent three weeks surrounded by fascists hellbent on world domination. The only thing that told me I was in a game rather than real life was that I was personally able to stop them. With my fists. Source link #Indiana #Jones #Great #Circle #fulfilled #Nazipunching #fantasies #Games Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘No Other Land’ Documentary Is an Eye-Opener on West Bank ‘No Other Land’ Documentary Is an Eye-Opener on West Bank “No Other Land,” an audacious and devastating film, was also 2024’s most decorated documentary. It won dozens of awards from critics, juries and audiences on several continents; most of the major international film festivals programmed it; and, now it’s an Oscar nominee for best documentary feature. Its subject — the Israeli-************ conflict — couldn’t be more consequential, and its approach, which includes a directorial team of two Israelis and two Palestinians, feels genuinely daring and bold. Yet ultimately the story of “No Other Land” (in theaters and on demand) is two-pronged and goes beyond the conflict. First there’s the story the film tells, one about loss and power and grief and suffering. The ************ directors, Basel Adra and Hamdan Ballal, are activists and journalists living in or near Masafer Yatta, in the occupied West Bank. They have for years been witnesses to the demolition of residents’ homes, conducted by Israeli forces, which claim the area is needed for a live-fire military training ground. The filmmakers explain that they began recording to create a visual record of what was happening, including the fact that many families had moved into underground caves with whatever they could salvage. “No Other Land” takes its title from the cry of a woman, who asks where they are supposed to go — the homes have often been in families for generations, and they have no other land. The film captures this destruction between 2019 and 2023 and in archival footage from Adra’s family. “No Other Land” also shows the growing, sometimes tense friendship between Adra and an Israeli journalist, Yuval Abraham, who arrives in Masafer Yatta with the cinematographer Rachel Szor to report at the start of this *******. (They form the Israeli half of the directorial team.) What they witness then and in subsequent years is harrowing, especially since it happens over and over again. Alongside the repeated demolitions, friction points emerge in Adra and Abraham’s relationship — for instance, Abraham can travel freely around the country, while Adra cannot — and this strain starts to build a lucid picture of frustration for both men. Then there’s the story about “No Other Land.” A documentary like this would typically find a distributor after a successful festival run, especially given that it won both the top documentary award and the audience award at the Berlin International Film Festival in 2024, indicating wide interest. But along with a handful of other highly praised documentaries about contentious events with political implications (including “Union” and “The Last Republican”), “No Other Land was unable to find a distributor in the United States, and producers eventually opted to self-distribute. In the very recent past, such a movie would often find a home with a major streamer, like Max or Netflix. It’s a shift that raises a number of questions about the future of documentaries that aren’t biographical portraits of musicians or true-crime stories, the genres seemingly most favored by distributors these days. The development might also indicate what big companies believe audiences want to see — and, as we know from our culture of sequels and reboots, that often turns into a self-fulfilling prophecy. Perhaps, though, the story of “No Other Land” indicates there’s room in the documentary market for a thoughtful, mission-driven distributor to step in. There may not be an enormous amount of profit in giving audiences a way to see films that face grim reality, or that challenge viewers to pay attention, instead of packaging well-worn headlines for entertainment purposes. But that doesn’t mean nobody wants them — and it doesn’t mean it’s not work worth doing. Source link #Land #Documentary #EyeOpener #West #Bank Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Sara Sharif family court judges named after appeal Sara Sharif family court judges named after appeal Daniel Sandford and Helena Wilkinson BBC News Handout Sara Sharif suffered unimaginable cruelty at the hands of her father and step-mother, culminating in her ******* in 2023 Three judges who oversaw Family Court hearings involving Sara Sharif in the years before she was murdered can be named for the first time following a legal appeal. Sara’s father Urfan Sharif, 43, and stepmother Beinash Batool, 30, have been jailed for life for her ******* in Woking, Surrey in 2023. Following their convictions, the media were able to publish details from previous Family Court hearings relating to Sara’s care before her death. However, a High Court ruling prevented the media from naming the three judges involved in the case, including Judge Alison Raeside – who sat on most of the hearings. Mr Justice Williams, who made the High Court order, said there had been a “real risk” of harm to the judges from a “virtual ****** mob”. Media organisations, including the BBC, successfully appealed, arguing that judges must expect “their decision-making to be the subject of public scrutiny”. The most senior civil judge in England and Wales, Sir Geoffrey Vos, Master of the Rolls, found in favour of the media saying “the whole idea of anonymising the judge was, I have to say, misguided”. Now the judges can be named, we can report that Judge Alison Raeside sat on the earliest hearings involving Sara, the last one, and most of the hearings in between. The court was involved with the family before Sara was even born, and the first time her name is mentioned was on 17 January 2013. She was six days old. Surrey County Council was seeking an interim care order – it wanted Sara and two of her siblings to be temporarily taken into foster care until a final decision was made. The hearing was before Judge Raeside, sitting as a family judge at Guildford County Court. Police Sara was living with her father Urfan Sharif and step-mother Beinash Batool when she was murdered, aged 10 She was told there were concerns that Sara and her siblings were “not adequately supervised”, and that two of them had “unexplained injuries”. The judge was also told that Urfan Sharif had subjected Sara’s mother Olga Sharif to domestic abuse. Social workers had asked for the children to be taken into care. They said concerns about the family dated back to May 2010 – almost three years before Sara was born – when one of the siblings had been found alone in a local shop. Judge Raeside heard that as far back as November 2010, there had been allegations that Urfan Sharif had beaten Olga Sharif and Sara’s older siblings, though she decided not to press charges. Police had then been called to the home on three occasions in 2011 and 2012 after complaints of further domestic abuse. Judge Raeside decided against a care order and made an interim supervision order instead, saying that Sara and her siblings could stay with their parents under the supervision of Surrey County Council Children’s Services while further assessments were prepared. The final hearing was delayed to 19 September 2013 and on that day Judge Raeside again decided the children should stay with their parents under supervision. By this time social workers had changed their recommendation to a “supervision order”. Just over a year later, in November 2014, the case was back before the Family Court after one of Sara’s siblings said Olga had bitten them. Olga Sharif had been charged with assault and Surrey council made an urgent application for the children to be taken into foster care. The emergency hearing was heard by Judge Peter Nathan, but the next day the case was before Judge Raeside again. She decided that Sara and one of her siblings could return to live with Urfan Sharif. The sibling who had been bitten was placed into foster care. At a hearing the following year, Judge Raeside was told that Surrey council was still extremely concerned at the risk of harm to Sara. One of her siblings had said that Urfan Sharif had punched them and slapped them with a belt on the bottom. On the second day of the three-day hearing Olga Sharif announced she was separating from Urfan Sharif because of domestic violence. She said that in the past Urfan Sharif had poured a flammable liquid on her and tried to set it alight. On other occasions she said Urfan Sharif had held a knife to her throat and tried to strangle her with a belt. She said home life with Urfan Sharif was like living in a prison. She moved into a women’s refuge and the children moved with her. In July 2015, another judge, Judge Sally Williams, had Sara and her sibling taken into temporary foster care after reports that Urfan Sharif had been secretly seeing them while they were still at the refuge. That September, Judge Raeside agreed an interim care order that meant Sara and her sibling stayed for a while in foster care. But in November, she ordered that the children could live with their mother Olga Sharif, with Urfan Sharif getting supervised access. For the next few years the family courts were not involved with the family, and on 1 February 2019 Judge Raeside was promoted. She was appointed as the designated family judge for Surrey. But a few months after that the family were back in front of her again. By now Urfan Sharif had a new wife Beinash Batool. He was asking the court to sanction arrangements for Sara and her sibling to live with them with Olga Sharif getting some supervised contact. The court was told Olga Sharif had already agreed to this. Judge Raeside heard that Sara and her sibling had complained that Olga had mistreated them, and they had already started living with their father and stepmother. Sara had apparently said her mother had slapped her and pulled her hair, and had tried to burn her with a lighter and drown her in the bath. It had been Urfan Sharif who first raised the allegations. A social worker who was asked to prepare a report for the court also recommended that Sara and her sibling should live with their father and step-mother with supervised contact with Olga Sharif. On 9 July 2019, Judge Raeside, who by now had been involved in hearings involving the family for more than six and a half years, agreed that Sara and her sibling should live with their father Urfan Sharif and stepmother Beinash Batool – the two people who would kill her five years later – “it is ordered that the children do live with the father and Ms Batool”, she said. They were both convicted in December 2024 of murdering Sara Sharif. The judge who ordered the anonymity of the judges said that if anything it was the system rather than individuals that should be held up to public scrutiny. In a judgment Mr Justice Williams said: “In this case the evidence suggests that social workers, guardians, lawyers and judiciary acted within the parameters that law and social work practice set for them. “Certainly to my reasonably well-trained eye there is nothing (save the benefit of hindsight) which indicates that the decisions reached in 2013, 2015 or 2019 were unusual or unexpected.” “Based on what was known at the time and applying the law at the time I don’t see the judge or anyone else having any real alternative option.” Source link #Sara #Sharif #family #court #judges #named #appeal Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Get Motivated With a Streak Get Motivated With a Streak The writer David Sedaris walks 21,000 steps every day. The filmmaker John Wilson has journaled daily since 2007. And Jerry Seinfeld reportedly maintains his productivity by writing jokes every single day. I have my own example — for the past eight years, I’ve run at least one mile a day. Here’s the thing: I don’t enjoy it. I’m not a good runner. And I hate the outdoors. So why do I keep doing it? I’m on a streak. Anyone who’s ever found themselves marching around their bedroom to reach 10,000 steps, or frantically completing a Duolingo language exercise to stay on the leaderboard, will be familiar with the mantra “Don’t break the streak!” Streaks can motivate us, help us build good habits and aid us in reaching our goals. If you’re looking for a way to stick to a New Year’s resolution beyond January, a streak could help. Why Do Streaks Help Us Meet Our Goals? Streaks work for two reasons: what behavioral economists call loss aversion and potential gain, said Dr. Katy Milkman, a behavioral scientist at the University of Pennsylvania. Let’s start with gains: A streak can be profoundly motivating for people, Dr. Milkman said, “because there’s something bright and shiny that they can reach for. There’s a prize, in a sense, that’s making you more motivated to get a thing done.” Loss aversion, Dr. Milkman said, is the idea that the pain of losing something can be more extreme than the pleasure of gaining the same thing. So once you’re on a streak, research has suggested, the fear of losing it can be stronger than the motivating power of simply gaining another day. These dual motivators can keep us on track to reach our goals. Plus, being able to cross something off your to-do list every day can add meaning to your life. That’s clear to Alysa Beckner and Jackson Grover, who live in London and Los Angeles, respectively. The friends met in college and soon started sending each other a Snapchat message every day. They never stopped: The pair has been exchanging daily selfies, life updates and photos of celebrities they spot in the wild for nearly eight years. In a way, Ms. Beckner and Mr. Grover’s streak has kept them in touch and deepened their friendship. And by automating the decision-making, they made it easier to stay connected. How to Make a Streak Work for You To turn a streak into a habit, you should make it easy to repeat the behavior, said Dr. Wendy Wood, who taught psychology and business at the University of Southern California and is the author of “Good Habits, Bad Habits.” “Get yourself to repeat something often enough — and in the same context — and ultimately it might become automatic,” Dr. Wood added. Here are a few more ways to reinforce your streak. Pick something you enjoy. Lauren LoGrasso, a podcaster in Los Angeles, has meditated almost every morning since January 2018, missing only a handful of days. “I am the least consistent person in the world except for this,” she said, “because it really makes my life that much better.” If you pick something that adds value to your life, something you wouldn’t mind doing on a weekend or a vacation, you may be more likely to stick with it. Take advantage of technology and gamification. Carol Sable Wade, who lives in Minneapolis, has a streak of more than 2,000 days on the language-learning app Duolingo, where she’s in the rarefied Diamond League, a leaderboard listing the most committed users. Gamification is a powerful tool: Finding an app with a game structure that appeals to you can help you keep going. Treat yourself with compassion. Maybe you are reluctant to start a streak for fear that you’ll miss a day, perhaps for illness or an emergency, and the whole thing will be ruined. But give yourself some grace, said Dr. Emiliana Simon-Thomas, science director of the Greater Good Science Center at University of California-Berkeley. One popular strategy is to allow yourself to miss one day of a streak occasionally, but never two in a row. By giving yourself that one-day allowance, you can continue the streak. “Making progress on a regular basis is a huge motivator,” Dr. Simon-Thomas said — but “regular” doesn’t have to mean daily. Consider what else you gain. One of the reasons I stick with my running streak is that, in addition to the health benefits, it also helps me procrastinate less and develop more self-discipline in other areas. If you’re interested in starting a streak, look for the less-obvious perks. The writer and podcaster Gretchen Rubin has a streak of visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art daily since the Covid pandemic abated (although she has missed days for travel or illness). “There’s so much research, and everyday experience, emphasizing the value of novelty to our happiness,” said Ms. Rubin, who often writes about happiness. “But I think that the pleasure of doing the same thing every day shouldn’t be overlooked. There’s a beauty and comfort in repetition.” Source link #Motivated #Streak Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]