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Pelican Press

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  1. Investigation of burned-out Air Busan plane to begin Investigation of burned-out Air Busan plane to begin Passengers evacuated from an Air Busan plane that was engulfed in flames this week at a South Korean airport will have their checked baggage returned to them, after authorities deemed the jet safe for a full investigation. All 169 passengers and seven crew members were evacuated from the Airbus A321ceo using emergency slides after the fire broke out on Tuesday, with only a few minor injuries, Air Busan said. The fire, which began as the single-aisle jet was preparing for departure to Hong Kong, was first detected by a flight attendant in an overhead luggage bin in the rear left-hand side of the plane, an Air Busan spokesperson told Reuters. Authorities on Friday conducted a risk assessment of the plane, which still had a large amount of fuel and oxygen onboard. The burned-out jet remains on the tarmac at Gimhae International Airport in the southern city of Busan. The transport ministry on Friday said the 16,280kg of jet fuel do not need to be offloaded, and other hazardous materials such as oxygen tanks will be secured. The plane will be covered by a canopy to protect it during the inspection, which will begin on Monday. Baggage in the cargo hold was removed on Friday, the ministry said. The incident came a month after the deadliest air disaster on South Korean soil, when a Jeju Air plane crashed on Muan Airport’s runway as it made an emergency belly landing, killing all but two of the 181 people on board. Air Busan’s single-aisle 17-year-old plane has burnt out holes along the length of the fuselage roof. Its wings and engines were not burned, a transport ministry statement said. South Korea’s Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board is leading the investigation, and was joined on Thursday by representatives of France’s BEA air accident investigation agency. France is the state of design for Airbus planes. Budget airline Air Busan is part of South Korea’s Asiana Airlines, which in December was acquired by Korean Air. Source link #Investigation #burnedout #Air #Busan #plane Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]
  2. Pokemon TCG Scarlet & Violet’s Prismatic Evolutions Set Are Selling like Toilet Paper During the Pandemic Pokemon TCG Scarlet & Violet’s Prismatic Evolutions Set Are Selling like Toilet Paper During the Pandemic The Pokémon Company just started the new year with a bang by releasing Pokemon TCG Scarlet & Violet’s 11th expansion Primsatic Evolutions. The set is centered around Eeveelutions, immediately giving the set several chase cards. However, why is it so hard to get Prismatic Evolutions products anyway? They have Elite Trainer Boxes (ETBs), Booster Bundles, Poster Collections, Binder Collections, and Accessory Pouch Collections, all containing unique items and accessories, with each product containing booster packs. So, why are they always sold out? The Prismatic Evolutions Chase Cards Image via The Pokémon Company One of the reasons why Prismatic Evolutions is selling like hotcakes is because of the chase cards. It is all about the cards. In this set, players seek the coveted 161/131 Special Art Rare Umbreon Ex. As Pokemon TCG fans may already know, the Special Art Rare Umbreon VMAX from Evolving Skies is one of the most expensive cards in Pokemon TCG. The Sword & Shield Evolving Skies set skyrocketed in price, and even a single unopened and sealed Evolving Skies booster pack is more expensive than PSA 10 chase cards on other sets. The same trend followed with Prismatic Evolutions, and people camped near Walmart stores to wait for a restock. Smaller content creators visit these retailers almost five or six times a day to create pack-opening videos. There is insufficient supply to satisfy the massive demand for the set, which has become a more worrisome trend over the last few sets. The Pokémon TCG Pocket Effect Image via The Pokémon Company While it is hard to pinpoint exactly one thing that made the Prismatic Evolutions, a few significant events led up to this point. For one, the Pokemon TCG Pocket mobile game had one of the most successful launches ever. They have reportedly made over $200 million in revenue over the first two months it was released. That’s a massive number for a digital card-collecting game. However, the success might have transferred to the physical Pokemon TCG sets because every expansion after Pokemon TCG Pocket was a massive success. The Surging Sparks Special Illustration Rare Pikachu catapulted in price so fast it was unprecedented. You can also look back at the 151 sets that brought back all the Kanto Pokemons, bringing nostalgia to lifelong Pokemon fans and Genwunners. It is looking like every other future Pokemon TCG set will become a massive hit, and there will always be a shortage unless The Pokemon Company does something about it. Fans can still wait for the Ultra-Premium Collection if it ever becomes available. Prima Games is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more about our Affiliate Policy Source link #Pokemon #TCG #Scarlet #Violets #Prismatic #Evolutions #Set #Selling #Toilet #Paper #Pandemic Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
  3. ASML: Strengths and Upside Remain Despite DeepSeek Worries ASML: Strengths and Upside Remain Despite DeepSeek Worries One of the chip industry giants just posted financial results that helped assuage the fears of many when it comes to AI investing. That company is ASML (NASDAQ:), a Dutch equipment manufacturer vital to the semiconductor industry. Shares of ASML dropped nearly 6% on Jan. 27 after news surrounding the ******** company DeepSeek became widely publicized. A report that the firm built an open-source AI model, rivaling ChatGPT, for just $6 million sent many chip stocks plummeting. By the Jan. 29 close, ASML had recovered around half of that loss. Below, I’ll detail the important news from ASML’s earnings. I’ll provide an updated outlook on the stock and break down how ASML’s results affect the broader semiconductor industry. I’ll also share why ASML executives see DeepSeek’s accomplishment as an opportunity rather than a risk. ASML: AI Drives Strong Demand for Lithography Equipment ASML has achieved over $275 billion in market capitalization through its stranglehold on advanced lithography equipment. This equipment is essential to chip makers like Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing NYSE: TSM. It enables them to produce the world’s most advanced chips. When it comes to the most advanced lithography equipment, ASML has a near monopoly. As such, demand for ASML’s extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography machines is a leading indicator of demand for AI chips. ASML delivered both strong backward-looking and forward-looking results. In the fourth quarter, the company beat estimates on both sales and adjusted earnings per share (EPS) by nearly 3%. For the full 2024 year, sales notched up slightly from 2023. However, among the most important revelations from the report came in the company’s net bookings. Net bookings represent orders the company has received, an indicator of future revenue. Companies like ASML can’t actually recognize these orders as revenue until they deliver the equipment. Net bookings increased by a staggering 169% from Q3 to nearly 7.1 billion euros. This was around double the figure analysts expected. Even more interesting was the company’s net bookings for EUV machines, the most advanced equipment it makes. EUV bookings came in at 3 billion euros, which is more than many expected. The company said that AI continues to drive demand for its equipment. ASML still maintains a massive 36 billion in bookings. One analyst estimated on the earnings call that this means 2025 is fully booked and 2026 is 30% to 40% booked. Key Takeaways for ASML and AI-Chip Industry There are some important takeaways from ASML’s results. They show that, at least for now, investment in AI chipmaking remains strong. This rings particularly true when looking at the company’s much higher-than-expected EUV bookings. Fabricators need these specific machines to make the most advanced AI chips. Overall, the strong bookings of these machines are a positive indicator for AI-driven parts of the semiconductor industry. However, the net bookings likely don’t reflect changes in ASML customers’ long-term capital spending due to DeepSeek. ASML’s Chief Executive Officer indirectly addressed the implications of DeepSeek in an interview with CNBC. He said, “A lower cost of AI could mean more applications. More applications mean more demand over time. We see that as an opportunity for more chips demand.” Overall, the CEO spun the potential democratization of AI through lower cost as driving higher volumes for its equipment. This feels like a fair take from the executive. However, if the industry sees it can make capable AI apps without the most advanced chips, demand for lower-cost ASML competitors could rise. ASML still completely dominates its market, but it isn’t the only player in lithography. Canon recently shipped its first nanoimprint lithography machine, which it hopes can rival ASML’s EUV machines. Manufacturers can use Canon’s machines to make chips using the 5-nanometer process. However, that’s still less advanced than the 4-nanometer NVIDIA (NASDAQ:) H800 chips DeepSeek apparently used to build its model. Overall, Canon has yet to pose a legitimate threat to ASML. ASML: Still a Dominant Chip Name With Upside ASML still looks like it is on firm footing. To me, the implications of DeepSeek are currently neutral for the stock. Given the strong results and outlook, there could be significant upside in ASML shares as the AI revolution pushes forward and continues to evolve. Wall Street analysts’ price targets tracked by MarketBeat see implied upside in ASML shares of over 30% as of the Jan. 29 market close. Original Post Source link #ASML #Strengths #Upside #Remain #DeepSeek #Worries Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]
  4. Turbo Overkill for PS5, Xbox Series, PS4, Xbox One, and Switch now available Turbo Overkill for PS5, Xbox Series, PS4, Xbox One, and Switch now available Early access game Turbo Overkill has debuted their final episode, which will have its first part made available very soon. The irreverent sci-fi FPS has you play as action hero Johnny Turbo, who has a chainsaw leg that lets you kick enemies into giblets. This new trailer also announces the 1.0 version of the game, which will be available on July 18, which is planned for the PlayStation 4 & 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC platforms. Source link #Turbo #Overkill #PS5 #Xbox #Series #PS4 #Xbox #Switch Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
  5. Why Meta Platforms Stock Is Poised for Another 20%+ Gain in 2025 Why Meta Platforms Stock Is Poised for Another 20%+ Gain in 2025 Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:) uptrend will continue because the business is evolving into an enduring, blue-chip consumer technology leader akin to Apple (NASDAQ:). Among the highlights from the Q4 report is the growing momentum with the Ray-Ban smart glasses. CEO Mark Zuckerburg says that 2025 will be a pivotal year, indicating whether this product will continue to sell millions of units annually or ramp to the hundred-million mark as the trends suggest. The takeaway is that this company can capitalize on technological trends with or without smart glasses; the success of smart glasses will only be another reason to own the stock. Another critical detail is the advancement of Meta’s AI technology, including its AI assistant. Meta’s AI assistant is gaining traction and is the most used globally. Its leadership position will likely increase as the year progresses due to its inclusion in the Ray-Ban smart glasses platform and upcoming improvements, including customization to allow personalized AI experiences. Meta Tops Q4 and 2024 Forecasts: Issues Solid Guidance Meta Platforms had a strong Q4 and F2024 due to AI’s impact on its core businesses. AI insights and capabilities drove revenue up by another 20.6%, outpacing MarketBeat’s reported consensus by $1.4 billion or nearly 300 basis points despite the high bar set by analysts. This is the 6th quarter of sustained, double-digit growth with a CAGR in the low 20% range, with strength driven by increased users, impressions, and revenue per ad. Daily Active People are up 5% across the Family of Apps, with impressions up 6% and revenue per ad 14%, providing significant leverage to results and earnings quality. The margin news is also robust. The company’s AI investments are driving profitable growth and improving earnings quality. The GAAP operating margin improved by 700 basis points yearly, resulting in a 48% increase in net earnings. The $8.02 in GAAP EPS is up slightly more than 50%, aided by share repurchases. It outpaced consensus by nearly 1900 basis points and is backed up by an outlook for sustained, high-level growth in 2025. Meta’s CFO refrained from giving full-year guidance, but the outlook is for strong full-year growth, led by a solid 12% gain in Q1. The company forecasts Q1 revenue to run near 12% at the midpoint, aligning with the analysts’ forecasts but likely cautious, given the trends. Results will likely reach the high-end range or better, which is good for at least another 300 basis points of growth. Meta’s Cash Flow Is a Reason to Expect Higher Stock Prices Meta Platform’s cash flow is also improving. The company reported $13.15 billion and $52.10 billion in quarterly and yearly free cash flow, up 15% and 21%, respectively. The FCF allowed the company to build its cash pile, increase its investments, and return capital to shareholders while driving a significant increase in shareholder equity. Highlights include nearly $78 billion in cash, a net cash position relative to long-term debt, low leverage, a 20% increase in total assets, and a 22% gain in equity. The company didn’t repurchase shares in Q4 but has ample capacity; the share count is down 0.5% at the end of F2024. The analysts cheered the news, citing the company’s success with core operations and progress in AI. MarketBeat tracked over a dozen revisions within the first 24 hours of the report, all including an increase in price target and one upgrade from Hold to Buy. The consensus of fresh revisions is that this stock is a Buy and can rise 18% or more by the year’s end. The consensus average is near $801, 23% higher than the pre-release target, with high-end targets adding 10%. Meta Platforms stock is already at all-time high levels with no clear indication of resistance, so a move to the $800 level or higher is likely. Original Post Source link #Meta #Platforms #Stock #Poised #Gain Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]
  6. Swiss pharma giant Novartis posts better-than-expected fourth-quarter sales – CNBC Swiss pharma giant Novartis posts better-than-expected fourth-quarter sales – CNBC Swiss pharma giant Novartis posts better-than-expected fourth-quarter sales CNBCNovartis beats consensus on Q4 earnings Yahoo FinanceNovartis handily beats Q4 earnings consensus MSNNovartis (NVS) to Release Earnings on Friday MarketBeat Source link #Swiss #pharma #giant #Novartis #posts #betterthanexpected #fourthquarter #sales #CNBC Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
  7. Donkey Kong Country Returns HD Review – Less Fun Than a Barrel of Monkeys – MonsterVine Donkey Kong Country Returns HD Review – Less Fun Than a Barrel of Monkeys – MonsterVine WTMG’s Leo Faria: “It’s still a good game. It did not wow me, and I honestly think there are much better games in a similar vein out there (and for a fraction of the price), but Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is a decent remaster of a well-put platformer. I just don’t think that, just like many other recent Switch outings, it justifies its really steep pricetag. You are able to purchase a used copy of Tropical Freeze, a discounted digital copy of Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair, and even a month of Nintendo’s Online service in order to play the SNES originals, for the same asking fee. It’s a bit lackluster in terms of polish and additional content. With that being said, if you are a big fan of Donkey Kong, or just want to play a well-crafted 2.5D platformer on-the-go, you could do a lot worse.” Source link #Donkey #Kong #Country #Returns #Review #Fun #Barrel #Monkeys #MonsterVine Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
  8. Premier League predictions: Chris Sutton v Squid guitarist Anton Pearson Premier League predictions: Chris Sutton v Squid guitarist Anton Pearson I would be so disappointed if Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran moves to Saudi Arabia. Duran is 21, and coming into his prime. He could go there and earn all the money in the world but he would be leaving the best league there is, just as he has started making a splash in it. It is his prerogative but, as a career move, I think it’s the wrong one. This situation, with Arsenal making an offer for Ollie Watkins too, must be very annoying for Villa boss Unai Emery. He has worked hard to get the club into the Champions League, and with two good strikers he can rotate them. It has worked really well, but seemingly won’t be an option for much longer. Villa have other problems too. They are short of options at centre-half and Emery had to play a midfielder, Boubacar Kamara, there against Celtic on Wednesday night. There are some things to be positive about, however. Morgan Rogers was absolutely superb against Celtic and is an exciting talent. But while Villa have got goals in them, I am just not sure they will keep Wolves out. Villa have not won any of their past six games straight after a Champions League tie, and I don’t see this week being any different. Wolves are on a horrible run of four successive league defeats, with 10 goals conceded and just one scored, so even a draw would be a boost for Vitor Pereira’s side. Pereira must also be worried about losing his main goalscorer, Matheus Cunha, before the transfer window shuts on Monday. I am not sure whether Cunha will stay, but I think Wolves will get a point here. Sutton’s prediction: 2-2 Anton’s prediction: Celtic will have tired Villa out but they have still got enough about them to win this. 0-2 Source link #Premier #League #predictions #Chris #Sutton #Squid #guitarist #Anton #Pearson Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
  9. *********** Election 2025: Greens senator David Shoebridge urges action over AI deepfakes *********** Election 2025: Greens senator David Shoebridge urges action over AI deepfakes Greens senator David Shoebridge has urged Labor to put in “essential guard rails” to safeguard *********** voters against AI-generated deepfake content ahead of the next election. Australia’s election tsar has also urged voters to be sceptical of what they see online as political campaign ramp up before this year’s federal election, slated either on or before May 17. With parliament resuming next Tuesday, Senator Shoebridge accused the government of delaying action. Interim recommendations released in October as part of a Senate committee examining the adoption of AI had recommended the implementation of voluntary codes for the watermarking and credentialling of AI-generated content on digital platforms, with the guidelines to be implemented before this year’s election. Camera IconAustralian Greens senator David Shoebridge said the government had delayed acting on the dangers of AI-generated deepfakes, and its impact to derail this year’s federal election. NewsWire/ Martin Ollman Credit: News Corp Australia “It’s extraordinary that the government has been on notice about the risks here for more than a year and almost nothing to stop the deepfakes being used to steal the election. They haven’t even required that political AI deepfakes be labelled,” he said. “Without clear laws we could see deepfakes falsely ‘prove’ a politician took bribes or worked for a foreign government. “We need to act quickly to prevent this because by the time the truth comes out, the damage is well and truly done.” While the Greens are set to give notice of its Broadcasting Services and Other Legislation Amendment (Political Deepfake Blackout) Bill 2025, it will likely not be debated in the next, and last, sitting fortnight before the election. “With an election just months away there is still time to put in some essential guard rails, but for this to happen we need the government to join us in making it happen,” he said. Camera IconActing Electoral Commissioner Jeff Pope urged voters to exercise ‘scepticism’ of over what they ‘see hear or read’. NewsWire / Martin Ollman Credit: News Corp Australia On Friday, Australia Electoral Commission’s acting commissioner Jeff Pope urged voters to have a “healthy degree of scepticism when it comes to what they see, hear or read”. The regulator will also expand its Stop and Consider advertising campaign and increase its presence on digital and social media platform. “People might come across false of misleading information about the process, including AI-generated content,” he said. “Research with voters last year found many are at risk of electoral process information that isn’t correct. “The reality is anyone can be affected.” “Australia has one of the most trusted electoral systems in the world. We all have a responsibility to protect it.” However, Mr Pope believed misleading information was being spread by domestic actors, and not a result of foreign interference. “Our experience would indicate that we’re doing this to ourselves which is one of the sad things about how some of this plays out … it’s right across all elements of society,” he said. “We’re seeing sovereign citizens and conspiracy theorists and keyboard warriors who don’t want to reveal their identity but they do want to stir the pot.” Source link #*********** #Election #Greens #senator #David #Shoebridge #urges #action #deepfakes Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
  10. Congo’s defeated foreign mercenaries head home with ‘big relief’ Congo’s defeated foreign mercenaries head home with ‘big relief’ By Edwin Waita and Hereward Holland GOMA, Democratic Republic of Congo (Reuters) – Nearly 300 foreign mercenaries hired by the Democratic Republic of Congo government to counter a swift offensive by Rwandan-backed M23 rebels in the east have surrendered and were on their way home on Wednesday. Goma, the largest city in eastern Congo, was captured by M23 earlier this week, cornering the mercenaries, remnants of Congo’s army and its allied militias against Lake Kivu and the Rwandan border. Trusted news and daily delights, right in your inbox See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. With nowhere else to retreat to, they handed themselves over to United Nations peacekeeping troops in Goma, who then arranged for their transit home through neighbouring Rwanda. “We are just relieved because we can go finally home … it’s a big relief,” said one, identifying himself as a Romanian who had been in Goma for about two years. “Goma is devastated because of the war between the Rwandans and the Congolese,” he told Reuters as he crossed the border to Rwanda, declining to give his name. Rwanda denies backing the rebels but says it has taken what it calls defensive measures, and accuses Congo of fighting alongside perpetrators of the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Hired to bolster Congo’s underpaid and disorganised army, the mercenaries operated high-tech military drones that had long been effectively grounded by Rwandan air defences, according to an analysis by the International Crisis Group. Congo employed the services of Agemira RDC, a subsidiary of a Bulgarian-based parent company, for logistics, as well as Congo Protection, led by a former member of the French Foreign Legion, for training, said Henry-Pacifique Mayala from Kivu Security Tracker (KST), which maps unrest in eastern Congo. With almost no coordination between the two military contractors, or other actors on the ground, the mercenaries’ role made the conflict even worse, Mayala said. LONG HISTORY OF MERCENARIES IN CONGO Their record adds to a long history of Congo hosting hired guns whose efforts often ended in failure. Some older Congolese remember the use of mercenaries in the 1960s, including a group led by “Mad Mike” Hoare, who supported the failed attempt of the mineral-rich southern state of Katanga to secede from Kinshasa. Before crossing the border, one of the mercenaries was upbraided by M23 spokesperson ****** Ngoma in front of a gaggle of journalists, telling him he should not “have come for adventures in Congo,” according to a video shared by Rwanda’s New Times newspaper. “We have a very rich country. But with greedy leaders. They recruited you, you receive $8,000 per month and you are fed, while (Congolese soldiers) receive less than $100,” Ngoma said. Asked where he trained, the mercenary said it was with the French Foreign Legion, a unit of the French army that accepts volunteers from around the world. France’s foreign and defence ministries did not immediately respond to requests for comment. At the border crossing between Goma and its Rwandan twin city of Gisenyi, Reuters reporters saw dozens of burly men, many bearded, some in fatigues, lining up to be patted down by police and have their luggage examined by sniffer dogs. One man wore a shirt emblazoned with “REGIMENT ETRANGER DES PARACHUTISTES”, the French Foreign Legion’s parachute regiment, which successfully fought in Zaire, Congo’s former name, in 1978 to rescue European and local hostages held by a rebel group. Rwanda’s army said it took in over 280 Romanian mercenaries on Wednesday and would transport them to the capital Kigali. The men boarded the buses in silence. (Additional reporting by Estelle Shirbon and Hereward Holland; writing by Hereward Holland; editing by Mark Heinrich) Source link #Congos #defeated #foreign #mercenaries #home #big #relief Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
  11. Forza Horizon 5 Is the Next Xbox Exclusive Coming to PS5, Will Launch This Spring Forza Horizon 5 Is the Next Xbox Exclusive Coming to PS5, Will Launch This Spring Forza Horizon 5, the acclaimed racing title that launched as an Xbox and PC exclusive in 2021, is coming to PS5. PlayStation users will be able to dip into the game’s expansive open-world setting starting Spring 2025, developer Playground Games announced Thursday. Forza Horizon 5 joins a string of first-party Microsoft titles that have made their way to PS5 since the company shifted to a multi-platform strategy last year. Forza Horizon 5 Set for PS5 Launch The PlayStation 5 port of Forza Horizon 5 will be developed Panic Button in collaboration with Turn 10 Studios and Playground Games. The game will arrive on PS5 feature-complete, with the same content as Xbox and PC versions of the game, including nearly 900 cars and over 40 thematic game updates. Playground Games confirmed PS5 players will be able to buy previously released Car Packs and the game’s two expansions — Hot Wheels and Rally Adventure. “We are excited to see the Forza Horizon 5 community grow with new players on PS5, and we can’t wait to see the creativity and skill these new creators, builders, and racers will bring to our vibrant community.” the developer said in the official announcement. Forza Horizon 5 is now available to wishlist on the PlayStation Store. The game will support cross-play across PC, PS5 and Xbox Series S/X, Playground confirmed. A confirmed release date for Spring 2025 window along with pre-order details will be announced later. Playground also announced it was working on a new free content update for Forza Horizon 5, called Horizon Realms, for all platforms. “Realms will give players the chance to explore a curated collection of some of the community’s favorite previously released Evolving Worlds, alongside some other surprises,” the developer said. Forza Horizon 5 released November 9, 2021, across PC, Xbox One and Xbox Series S/X. The racing title, set in an expansive open world based on Mexico, was a critical and commercial success, winning in three categories at The Game Awards 2021. The game’s PS5 announcement comes after Xbox chief Phil Spencer said last week that no Xbox exclusive title was off-limits on the question of launching on rival platforms. “What we find is we’re able to drive a better business that allows us to invest in great game lineup like you saw (at Xbox Developer Direct). And that’s our strategy. Our strategy is to allow our games to be available,” Spencer said in an interview last weekend. Microsoft has continued to release its first-party games on PS5 and Nintendo Switch and is set to launch Bethesda’s Indiana Jones and the Great Circle and Doom: The Dark Ages on PS5 in 2025. Source link #Forza #Horizon #Xbox #Exclusive #Coming #PS5 #Launch #Spring Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
  12. Swiss pharma giant Novartis posts better-than-expected fourth-quarter sales – CNBC Swiss pharma giant Novartis posts better-than-expected fourth-quarter sales – CNBC Swiss pharma giant Novartis posts better-than-expected fourth-quarter sales CNBCNovartis Sees Profit Gaining Despite Copycats for Top Drug BloombergNovartis beats consensus on Q4 earnings Yahoo FinanceNovartis (NVS) to Release Earnings on Friday MarketBeat Source link #Swiss #pharma #giant #Novartis #posts #betterthanexpected #fourthquarter #sales #CNBC Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
  13. Six Nations 2025: Warren Gatland’s Wales aim for lift in France Six Nations 2025: Warren Gatland’s Wales aim for lift in France Gatland looked a broken man at times during the latter stages of 2024 but has been publicly defiant before this latest campaign. Pre-tournament comments have included how he believes Wales can win the tournament, how he is building “a siege mentality” and how people should write his side off “at their peril”. He has also tried to heap pressure on France by stating he hopes Wales “can catch them cold” and highlighted the pressure his opposite number Fabien Galthie faces to defeat Wales comfortably. In 2019, Gatland said if Wales beat France they would go on to win the Six Nations – exactly what happened. Six years ago, you believed those swaggering sentiments. He also had the tools at his disposal to back up his actions with words. Now it feels the Gatland soundbites are the right things to say but you wonder whether he believes them himself. Speculation is rife this will be his final tournament, whatever might happen over the next two months. Gatland has accepted change is likely if signs of improvement are not shown during the Six Nations. The 61-year-old has spoken himself about whether he needs the pressure and whether he could just retire to his beach house in New Zealand and reflect on his memorable achievements in the game. Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) chief executive Abi Tierney said Gatland’s position had been “on the line” as a review into the ********** autumn campaign commenced earlier this season. He was given the green light to continue with another detailed assessment planned after Wales finish the tournament at home to England in mid-March. There have been changes to Gatland’s staff. As well as scrum consultant Jones coming in, attack coach Alex King has left with Rob Howley taking over those responsibilities. How much that can influence events remains to be seen. Source link #Nations #Warren #Gatlands #Wales #aim #lift #France Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
  14. More rain in the forecast for Southern California More rain in the forecast for Southern California LOS ANGELES (KTLA) – A massive cold front churning off the Pacific Northwest is expected to bring more rain to Southern California next week. The incoming precipitation is forecast from Tuesday to Thursday next week, though the predicted rainfall amounts – a quarter of an inch to an inch, potentially more at higher elevations – won’t be quite as heavy as the rain experienced last weekend. “The last system was a really cold low-pressure system, and because it was cold, it brought a thunderstorm and convective shower that brought the higher rate of rainfall, which matters for triggering the debris flows,” National Weather Service Meteorologist Lisa Phillips told the L.A. Times. “Because this system is warmer, that is probably not going to be as much of an issue.” (National Weather Service) That weather event left many unprepared Southern California motorists in the mountains stranded in the snow, prompted a flash flood warning for parts of Malibu and the Palisades as well as the full closure of Topanga Canyon Boulevard from Pacific Coast Highway to Grand View Drive because of mud and debris flows. Warmer temps are forecast starting Friday through Sunday, though north of Santa Barbara, residents may experience some light showers, NWS said. Satellite-radar composite of the storm system over the northern Pacific Ocean on Jan. 30, 2025. (KTLA) As for next week’s forecast, weather service officials said there is still a range of outcomes where rainfall amounts and timing are concerned, though there is “at least some risk of moderate to heavy totals and intensities.” Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. Source link #rain #forecast #Southern #California Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
  15. Novartis (NOVN) earnings Q4, full-year FY24 Novartis (NOVN) earnings Q4, full-year FY24 An office building designed by Frank O. Gehry at the Novartis AG headquarters campus in Basel, Switzerland. Bloomberg | Getty Images Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis on Friday reported better-than-expected sales in the fourth quarter, but falling short of its own guidance over the full-year stretch. Fourth-quarter net sales rose 16% on a constant currency basis to $13.2 billion, compared to the $12.795 billion estimated by analysts in an LSEG poll. Quarterly adjusted core operating income came in at $4.86 billion versus the $4.23 billion expected. For 2024, net sales rose 12% on a constant currency basis to $50.32 billion, versus $50.47 billion forecasted. Full-year core operating income increased 22% to $19.5 billion versus the $17.02 billion forecasted. Novartis had raised its 2024 earnings guidance for the third consecutive quarter in October, saying it expected full-year net sales and core operating income to both grow by “high teens” percentages versus the “mid- to high teens” previously forecast. CEO Vas Narasimhan said the results marked a positive early signal since implementing a strategic overhaul of the business in 2023. “In our first full year as a pure-play innovative medicines company, Novartis delivered one of the strongest financial performances in our history, growing sales 12% cc (constant currencies) and core operating income 22% cc,” Narasimhan said in a statement accompanying the results. “With the momentum we are seeing in the business, we expect to continue our strong sales growth with margin expansion in 2025 and we remain on track to deliver on our mid-term guidance,” he said. Looking ahead, Narasimhan said the company was focused on advancing its development pipeline, including more than 30 assets “with the potential to drive differentiated growth over the long term.” The company also outlined its guidance for 2025, forecasting net sales will grow by “mid- to high single digits” and core operating income will increase by “high single to low double-digits.” This is a breaking news story and will be updated shortly. Source link #Novartis #NOVN #earnings #fullyear #FY24 Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
  16. Samsung’s Chip Division Underwhelms in Costly AI Memory Race – Yahoo Finance Samsung’s Chip Division Underwhelms in Costly AI Memory Race – Yahoo Finance Samsung’s Chip Division Underwhelms in Costly AI Memory Race Yahoo FinanceSamsung flags chip slowdown as profit drops sharply from previous quarter CNBCSamsung’s Chip Profit Misses on Costly AI Memory Catchup Race BloombergSamsung Electronics posts 129.85% jump in Q4 operating profit MintSamsung warns of slow AI chip sales in Q1, hurt by US restrictions on China Reuters Source link #Samsungs #Chip #Division #Underwhelms #Costly #Memory #Race #Yahoo #Finance Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
  17. Six Nations 2025: Pundit predictions on potential winners, star players and Lions bolters Six Nations 2025: Pundit predictions on potential winners, star players and Lions bolters In November, England suffered narrow defeats by Australia and New Zealand, having led those matches heading into the closing stages. They last won the Six Nations in 2020 and head to Dublin to face champions Ireland on Saturday before hosting France at home. Former England wing Ugo Monye told BBC Sport: “England are at a stage now that they need to deliver a title. With the player pool, domestic game and finances, they have to do it. “It is time that the team get a lot closer to their potential.” The loss of captain Sione Tuipulotu for the championship because of injury was a major blow for Scotland, who host Italy on Saturday. Former Scotland international Johnnie Beattie told BBC Sport: “This is the best Scottish side I’ve seen. It is the best-coached side and in terms of talent the best since they won the last Five Nations in 1999. However, other sides have a greater depth of talent. “Tuipulotu has been our brightest spark over the last three years with the way he challenges the gainline physically and brings Huw Jones on to the ball with short passes. “It will be a huge opportunity for Stafford McDowall, who operated at a high level in the autumn. He knows his role as it is similar to how Glasgow play. “Success for Scotland would be a top-three finish.” Source link #Nations #Pundit #predictions #potential #winners #star #players #Lions #bolters Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
  18. Floreat’s ‘starving ballerina’ couple handed lengthy jail terms as judge blasts couple as parental ‘failures’ Floreat’s ‘starving ballerina’ couple handed lengthy jail terms as judge blasts couple as parental ‘failures’ A judge has blasted the Floreat couple who told ‘a cascading series of lies’ to everyone who raised concerns about their emaciated daughter – and the Education Department. WARNING: CONFRONTING IMAGES Source link #Floreats #starving #ballerina #couple #handed #lengthy #jail #terms #judge #blasts #couple #parental #failures Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
  19. Cops failed to assess Mark Bombara before Jennifer, Gretl Petelczyc murders: WA Police Cops failed to assess Mark Bombara before Jennifer, Gretl Petelczyc murders: WA Police Eight police officers will face disciplinary action after an internal review uncovered serious failures in risk assessment in the lead up to coward killer Mark Bombara’s rampage in a leafy Perth suburb. Bombara shot and killed Jennifer and Gretl Petelczyc at their family home in the Perth suburb of Floreat before turning the gun on himself in May last year. At the time, he was searching for his wife Rowena and daughter Ariel, who were friends of the Petelczycs, and who had earlier warned the police of Bombara’s deteriorating health. Bombara was also licensed firearms holder at the time of the murders. An internal report into the tragedy, released on Friday, found the police had failed to properly assess the risk Bombara posed. “A total of eight officers were found to have not performed their duty in accordance with to policy and procedures to varying degrees of serious,” WA Police Commissioner Col Branch said. “Internal disciplinary actions have been finalised for all eight officers.” Camera IconBombara murdered Jennifer Petelczyc, 59, and her daughter Gretl, 18 at Floreat in Perth in May 2024. Supplied Credit: Supplied The investigation delivered three broad findings. “Officers did not correctly assess the risk and therefore the available powers under the restraining orders act and the firearms act were not exercised appropriately,” Commissioner Branch said. “A correct risk assessment would have provided sufficient grounds to issue a police order to Mark Bombara – and that power would have then extended to seizing lawful firearms.” Second, Commissioner Branch said insufficient action was taken by police to explore whether Bombara was a fit and proper person to hold a firearms license based on medical grounds, despite police being told of his deteriorating medical condition by his family. Camera IconPolice attend the Floreat home in May. 7News Credit: Channel 7 And third, “insufficient action was taken by police to identify and investigate alleged firearms offences, which included a report of an unsecured firearm,” the commissioner said. Ariel Bombara, speaking after the commissioner, said she was baffled by how the police could miss so many red flags. “This was the perfect storm of apathy and compassion fatigue from officers combined with shoddy systems, outdated policies and insufficient training and support that resulted in a lethal outcome,” she said. “Jenny and Gretl should not have been murdered.” The report lists 18 recommendations to improve how the WA Police acts on domestic violence matters, 11 of which have been completed. Camera IconAriel Bombara has blasted the response of the police to the behaviour of her father. Pool via ABC News Credit: NCA NewsWire Recommendation 5 proposed a new data platform for licensed firearms holders “to improve disclosure processes and the sharing of risk-related medical information between WA Police and the Department of Health. Recommendation 6, now complete, pushes the police to undertake “daily intelligence searches” to identify risk and to triage any police interactions with firearms licence holders. The state government has also acted to tighten gun laws in the wake of the tragedy. Bombara used a handgun and ammunition he owned under a collectors license and the changes entrench stricter requirements to gain a collectors license. For an individual to obtain or retain a licence, potential licensees must be a student of arms, meaning they will need to show they have had a prolonged and genuine interest in the study, preservation or collection of firearms, and be a member of an approved society of firearm collectors, the amendment states. The collection of handguns is only be allowed when an individual can prove the significant historical value, with a certificate of authenticity, of a firearm that was manufactured more than 50 years prior to the date of application. The measures also prohibit the collection of live ammunition for any firearm listed against a collectors licence. The reforms also give the police new powers to seize firearms without a warrant following a domestic violence report. The murders sparked outrage across Australia and served as a jarring reminder of the catastrophic brutality of domestic violence. Gretl attended St Hilda’s Anglican School for Girls before studying at the University of Western Australia Ms Petelczyc was a widow after losing her husband Jon in 2019. Domestic Violence helplines Source link #Cops #failed #assess #Mark #Bombara #Jennifer #Gretl #Petelczyc #murders #Police Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
  20. Apple Shares Rise After Positive Sales Outlook Signals iPhone Recovery Apple Shares Rise After Positive Sales Outlook Signals iPhone Recovery Apple executives on Thursday forecast relatively strong sales growth, a sign the company will recover from a dip in iPhone sales as it rolls out artificial intelligence features. The forecast comes after Apple delivered a slight drop in iPhone revenues for the holiday shopping quarter and lagged Wall Street estimates, hampered by a lack in some markets of Artificial Intelligence (AI) features meant to be the chief selling point of its latest devices. Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook said those features will reach more users in Europe this spring, and shares rose 3.14 percent in post-market trade. Apple has approached AI more cautiously than many of its peers, eschewing the huge data center spending of rivals such as Microsoft and instead envisioning AI as features meant to help sell its latest hardware. That approach paid off earlier this week when China’s DeepSeek unveiled free AI technology that sparked fears of price wars, sank stocks of some of Apple’s competitors and sent shares of the iPhone maker up slightly. Despite the AI rollout stumbles, Apple’s overall sales and profits were boosted by stronger-than-expected sales in its fiscal first quarter of iPads and Macs, where new chips helped persuade customers to upgrade. And Chief Financial Officer Kevan Parekh gave a rosier outlook for the current fiscal second quarter, saying the company expects sales to rise in the low- to mid-single digit range, after accounting for a negative 2.5 percentage point impact from a strong dollar. “The guidance management provided on the call exceeded expectations, as the iPhone gains momentum and Apple gets past a tough quarter in China,” said Gil Luria, managing director at D.A. Davidson. In the just-ended quarter, iPhone sales dropped slightly to $69.14 billion (roughly Rs. 5,99,024 crore), compared with the $71.03 billion (roughly Rs. 6,15,229 crore) that analysts were expecting, according to LSEG data. Greater China sales dropped to $18.51 billion (roughly Rs. 1,60,367 crore), compared with $20.82 billion (roughly Rs. 1,80,381 crore) a year earlier and below the $21.33 billion (roughly Rs. 1,84,793 crore) that a Visible Alpha survey of five analysts expected. Total sales of $124.30 billion (roughly Rs. 10,76,978 crore) for the fiscal first quarter ended December 28 inched past Wall Street’s target of $124.12 billion (roughly Rs. 10,75,320 crore), according to LSEG, while earnings per share of $2.40 comfortably beat the consensus target of $2.35 (roughly Rs. 203) The iPhone maker has positioned AI as a set of new capabilities and features such as drafting emails and transcribing phone calls, but the company is rolling the features out over time and has not yet secured a local partner in China to release them. In an interview, Apple CEO Tim Cook said AI features, called Apple Intelligence, are driving sales of the company’s new devices. “We saw that in markets where we have rolled out Apple Intelligence, the year-over-year performance on the iPhone 16 family was stronger than those where Apple Intelligence was not available,” Cook said. While Cook said Apple Intelligence is coming in new languages such as French and ******* in April, he said there is no timeline for when it will become available in China. “We continue to work with the regulators and will release it as soon as we can,” Cook said. Cook told Reuters that about half of Apple’s 11 percent decline in China revenues was attributable to changes in how much inventory the company’s resellers held. Mac sales during the last quarter benefited from a new lineup of Mac Minis, iMacs and MacBook Pros with a new M4 chip. Apple Intelligence features are more widely available on Apple’s Macs and iPads because their larger size means they have more powerful chips. “The silicon makes it perfect for running AI workloads, and so I assume that that’s a very key compelling reason for people to upgrade,” Cook said. Apple’s Mac and iPad sales hit $8.99 billion (roughly Rs. 77,891 crore) and $8.09 billion (roughly Rs. 70,094 crore) respectively, above estimates of $7.96 billion (roughly Rs. 68,965 crore) and $7.32 billion (roughly Rs. 63,414 crore), according to LSEG data. Apple said its services business, which includes iCloud storage and its streaming music and video services, hit $26.34 billion (roughly Rs. 2,28,190 crore) in sales, up 13.9 percent from the previous year and above estimates of $26.09 billion (roughly Rs. 2,25,985 crore), according to LSEG data. “While the company’s cautious approach to AI rollout has drawn criticism, robust services growth and ecosystem expansion are providing crucial momentum to help ease its continued iPhone struggles in China,” said Emarketer analyst Jacob Bourne. The firm’s wearables segment, which includes the Apple Watch and AirPods lines, had $11.75 billion (roughly Rs. 1,01,794 crore) in sales, compared with analyst expectations of $12.01 billion (roughly Rs. 104 crore), according to LSEG data. © Thomson Reuters 2025 (This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Source link #Apple #Shares #Rise #Positive #Sales #Outlook #Signals #iPhone #Recovery Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
  21. A food bank netted a huge haul of 13,000 fresh salmon. The catch? The fish were still alive A food bank netted a huge haul of 13,000 fresh salmon. The catch? The fish were still alive AUBURN, N.Y. (AP) — A New York food bank was offered a huge donation of fresh fish this month — but it came with a catch. LocalCoho, a soon-to-close salmon farm in the small upstate city of Auburn, wanted to give 40,000 pounds (18,100 kilograms) of coho salmon to the Food Bank of Central New York, a mother lode of high-quality protein that could feed thousands of families. But the fish were still alive and swimming in the farm’s giant indoor tanks. The organizations would need to figure out how to get some 13,000 salmon from the water and then have them processed into frozen fillets for distribution to regional food pantries. Trusted news and daily delights, right in your inbox See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. And they’d need to do it fast, before the business closed for good. LocalCoho is ceasing operations this Friday. Thanks to dozens of food pantry volunteers willing to help staffers scoop up the salmon, the team was able to empty the tanks in a matter of weeks and cold pack tons of fish for shipment to a processor. “The fact that we only had weeks to execute this really ratcheted up the intensity and the anxiety a little bit,” said Brian McManus, the food bank’s chief operations officer. “I knew that we had the will. I knew we had the expertise.” Tackling food waste has been a daunting challenge for years both in the U.S. and around the world. More than one-third of the food produced in the U.S. is never eaten and much of it ends up in landfills. On a recent day, workers waded through knee-deep water teeming with salmon to fill their nets. Christina Hudson Kohler was among the volunteers who donned waterproof overalls and gloves to grab the fish-laden nets and empty their contents into cold storage containers. “It’s a little bit different,” Kohler said during a break. “In the past, my volunteer work with the food bank has been sorting carrots or peppers, or gleaning out in the field.” LocalCoho is a startup that had been piloting a sustainable salmon farming system employing recirculated water. Its facility west of Syracuse had been supplying coho salmon to wholesalers and retailers, including high-end Manhattan sushi restaurants, with the goal of building regional farms across the country. But company officials said they could not raise enough capital to expand and become profitable. Thus, they decided to wrap things up at the end of January. With a shutdown looming, farm manager Adam Kramarsyck said they didn’t want the fish to go to waste or end up as biofuel. That’s when they reached out to see if the fish could be donated as food. “It’s ‘lemonade out of lemons,’ I guess is the phrase,” Kramarsyck said. LocalCoho can process about 600 fish a week by hand. But there was less than a month to clear the tanks of many times that number of fish. Enter the food bank. McManus was excited by the offer to land so many fish — and nervous about the challenge. But while the Syracuse-based operation knew how to distribute canned or frozen seafood, they’re not set up to handle fresh fish. How could they turn thousands of fish into frozen fillets in a tight time frame? Kramarsyck said it took “tons and tons of logistics.” The food bank enlisted 42 volunteers to help out. A local business with refrigerated trucks, Brown Carbonic, offered to ship the fish for free to a processor an hour away in Rochester. And LocalCoho staff pitched in to get the job done in time. “A lot of companies going out of business would just be like, ‘Take what you can get, we’ll do the best we can.’ I mean, they’re working extra hard,” said Andrew Katzer, the food bank’s director of procurement. The salmon was being processed and quick-frozen. It will be distributed soon among 243 food pantries, as well as soup kitchens, shelters and other institutions in the food bank’s network. All told, the catch is expected to yield more than 26,000 servings of hard-to-source protein for the hungry. “Protein, animal protein is very, very desirable. We know that people need it for nourishment and it’s difficult to get. And so this is going to make a very large impact,” said McManus. “I don’t anticipate this being here very long,” he added. “We’ve had salmon before, but not like this.” Source link #food #bank #netted #huge #haul #fresh #salmon #catch #fish #alive Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
  22. North Korean Troops in Russia Taken off Front Lines – The New York Times North Korean Troops in Russia Taken off Front Lines – The New York Times North Korean Troops in Russia Taken off Front Lines The New York TimesSuicidal tendencies and ’80s battlefield tactics: How North Korean soldiers are operating in Russia’s war on Ukraine CNN InternationalNorth Koreans ‘blow themselves up with grenades rather than risk capture’, say Ukraine soldiers Sky NewsAbout 1,000 North Koreans killed fighting Ukraine in Kursk, officials say BBC.comNorth Koreans are ‘disciplined’, armed with high-quality ammo, says Ukraine Al Jazeera English Source link #North #Korean #Troops #Russia #Front #Lines #York #Times Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
  23. The best of Paris Haute Couture Week The best of Paris Haute Couture Week Annabel Rackham Culture reporter Getty Images Lily-Rose Depp, Dua Lipa, Marion Cotillard were on the front row for the Chanel Haute Couture show Brands including Dior, Chanel and Armani Privé showcased their new collections at a high-profile Haute Couture Week in Paris, with their shows attracting a host of global celebrities. Chanel’s show was unsurprisingly star-studded, with Dua Lipa, Lily-Rose Depp and Kylie Jenner dressed in signature styles from the fashion house’s archives. Blackpink’s Jennie Kim was among the other A-list onlookers at the Grand Palais. Getty Images Over on the runway, the offering was a perfect spring palette of creams and pinks, with plenty of nods to classic Chanel tweed. The show was a celebration of the fashion house’s 110 years in haute couture, using huge ramps that aerially displayed the double C motif of the brand. Created by Chanel’s in-house team of designers (new creative director Matthieu Blazy won’t be exhibiting his first collection until later this year), it took inspiration from Coco Chanel’s 1980s colour palette. Getty Images Pastels and tweed were on the agenda at the Chanel haute couture show Megan’s space queen Megan Thee Stallion had one of the week’s most eye-catching looks, a retrofuturistic fusion she described as “primitive space Cleopatra”. Her outfit was made from cascading silver chains, which WWD said were inspired by “payals”, a type of ankle jewellery traditionally worn to ward off evil spirits. Designer Gaurav Gupta said the US rapper’s outfit “embodies the spirit of tribal India”. Getty Images Megan Thee Stallion described her look as “primitive space Cleopatra” Dior’s fairytale fantasy At Christian Dior’s show, Anya Taylor-Joy and Jenna Ortega opted for gothic but daring looks. Getty ImagesGetty Images Artistic vision and craftsmanship are what separate haute couture from high fashion, and both were on display on the Christian Dior runway. Maria Grazia Chiuri’s collection was said to draw inspiration from Alice in Wonderland, with much of the designs looking like they belonged to the fantasy world. Getty Images Dior’s impressive catwalk looks were inspired by Alice in Wonderland The show was described by many as dramatic – with dresses that more closely resembled lampshades, complete with delightful feathers, tassels and tulle. Chiuri said the collection was a result of her recent research into historical fashion. Valentino’s jesters get serious Also borrowing from history was Valentino’s haute couture show, which was one of the most anticipated events of the week. Away from the from springtime pastels and prints, Alessandro Michele’s debut couture collection was full of clashing colours and harlequin print fit for a court jester. Getty Images Valentino’s creative designs left little to the imagination, with historical fashion one of the central themes Michele, whose prominence grew after a stint designing for Gucci, is known for his love of accessories – whether hats, bows or out-there embroidery. The stand-out design was a chiffon ballgown that reportedly took the fashion house 54 days to make. Getty Images To add to the spectacle, half of the models were over 50. “Time provides grace and it multiplies beauty,” Michele said of the decision. Armani still on top at 90 Age was also no barrier for 90-year-old Giorgio Armani, who walked the runway in a ****** velvet tuxedo to celebrate the 20 year anniversary of his haute couture atelier Armani Privé. Getty Images Giorgio Armani walked the runway with a model during the Armani Privé Haute Couture show The show’s main guest was Oscar best actress nominee Demi Moore, who collected her Golden Globe award in a dress by the designer last month. Armani’s show followed on from the feeling of the fantastical that’s been present across much of this week, with embellishments aplenty. Trouser suits were donned with sequins, while glittery beanies and diamond-encrusted clutch bags were also a highlight. Armani said the collection was for “a modern woman who has travelled widely and internalised her experiences”. Getty Images Armani Privé’s show was all about accessories and embellishment, with jewel-encrusted bags and beanie hats Source link #Paris #Haute #Couture #Week Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]
  24. Prince Andrew in touch with Jeffrey Epstein for longer than previously claimed, according to emails Prince Andrew in touch with Jeffrey Epstein for longer than previously claimed, according to emails Prince Andrew told Jeffrey Epstein they would ‘play some more soon’ months after he claimed to have cut ties with the convicted paedophile. The Duke of York claimed in a now-infamous interview with Newsnight that he had ended contact with Epstein in December 2010, after they were pictured walking in New York’s Central Park together following the latter’s release from prison. But according to Bloomberg, emails filed in a London court show that he was in contact until at least late February 2011, when the Duke wrote: “Keep in close touch and we’ll play some more soon.” The discussions recorded on email included conversations on the day that the infamous 2001 photograph of Prince Andrew, Ghislaine Maxwell and a 17-year-old Virgina Giuffre was published. In 2014, Ms Giuffre alleged that she was sex trafficked to the Prince by Epstein and Maxwell. Epstein took his own life in 2019 inside a New York correctional facility while waiting to face Federal sex trafficking charges. After Epstein’s death Maxwell, who helped the disgraced billionaire recruit young women and underage girls, was arrested. In 2022 she was convicted of five Federal charges, including one of sex trafficking of a minor. She was sentenced to 20 years in prison and is facing a second criminal trial for lying under oath. The Duke of York agreed to what is believed to be a $25.7m settlement with Ms Giuffre in 2022 after she sued him for sex assault without any admission of wrongdoing. Camera IconPrince Andrew pictured with a 17-year-old Virginia Giuffre (centre) and Ghislaine Maxwell, right, in 2001. Credit: Supplied/ unknown It was the latest chapter in a spectacular fall from grace for the *** royal, who had resigned from his public roles in 2020 before his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, stripped him of his military affiliations and charitable patronages in 2022. At the Queen’s ******** later that year, the Prince was prohibited from wearing his military uniform. According to Bloomberg, the emails revealed in London this week were part of a filing by the Financial Conduct Authority, which is defending an appeal by Jes Staley, the former boss of Barclays bank. Staley was fined $3.6 million and banned from holding a senior management position in financial services in 2023 for making misleading statements about his relationship with Epstein. According to the FCA, Staley assured the regulator in 2018 that he did not have a “close relationship” with Epstein. But emails came to light in which Staley referred to the disgraced billionaire as one of his “deepest” and “most cherished” friends. Source link #Prince #Andrew #touch #Jeffrey #Epstein #longer #previously #claimed #emails Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
  25. ‘Obsolete’ muscle that wiggles ears actually activates while listening ‘Obsolete’ muscle that wiggles ears actually activates while listening Some people can wiggle their ears using ancient muscles Shutterstock A “useless” muscle that allows some people to wiggle their ears actually activates when we strain to hear something. Our ape ancestors lost the ability to pivot their ears when they diverged from monkeys millions of years ago, but some of the muscles and brain neurons that underpin this trait remain in humans today. Many scientists have assumed that these so-called auricular muscles are obsolete, even if they do enable ear wiggling. But in 2020, Daniel Strauss at Saarland University in Germany and his colleagues found that they actually become activated in response to hearing sounds from different directions, prompting them to wonder whether this also happens when people are concentrating on listening. To explore this, the researchers got 20 people with typical hearing, all aged between 22 and 37, to take three hearing tests of varying difficulty. They all involved focusing on a 5-minute audiobook clip narrated by a female voice while skin sensors measured electrical activity in their auricular muscles. In an easy test, the researchers quietly played a podcast hosted by a male voice at the same time as the audiobook. In a medium-difficulty task, they added a quiet clip of a female voice, similar to the one in the audiobook, to the set-up. In the hardest test, both background clips were made louder. The researchers found that the largest auricular muscle, the superior auricular muscle, became most activated during the difficult test. “It’s pretty amazing to see this nearly forgotten muscle working so hard during effortful listening,” says Strauss. The team didn’t assess if activation of this muscle assisted the participants’ ability to focus on the main audiobook, but measuring its activity could provide an objective way to assess listening effort. This could help develop better hearing aids, which aim to minimise listening strain, says Strauss. But first, larger studies involving people of different ages and with a range of hearing abilities need to verify the results, says Yusuf Cakmak at the University of Otago in New Zealand. The team also didn’t account for eye movements or facial expressions, which can affect the activity of auricular muscles, he says. Strauss hopes to address some of these points in the future. “More studies are needed to gain a deeper understanding of this ‘neural fossil’ in our brain and how to make use of it,” he says. Topics: Source link #Obsolete #muscle #wiggles #ears #activates #listening Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

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