Pelican Press

Memes spread conspiracy theories by uniting online groups, shows new research Memes spread conspiracy theories by uniting online groups, shows new research New research study from the University of Bath about the role of memes in online conspiracy theorist communities: Memes give conspiracy theorists a simple, sharable format to spread collective, harmful beliefs. Credit: University of Bath A new study finds a sinister side to memes, pointing to their role in strengthening online communities of conspiracy theorists. Shared photos and videos that reinforce a “conspiracist worldview” have a role in building a sense of tribalism and collective opinion within online conspiracy theorist communities, according to researchers from the University of Bath’s School of Management. The study breaks new ground by analyzing the cultural role of memes in online conspiracy communities, published in the journal Social Media + Society. Ph.D. researcher Emily Godwin, from Bath’s Institute for Digital Security and Behavior (IDSB), said, “We see from this study that memes play a significant role in reinforcing the culture of online conspiracy theorist communities. Members gravitate towards memes that validate their ‘conspiracist worldview,’ and these memes become an important part of their storytelling. Their simple, shareable format then enables the rapid spread of harmful beliefs.” Using data from Reddit, a widely used discussion platform and a hotspot for conspiracy theories, the researchers analyzed 544 memes across two interconnected subreddits about COVID-19 between 2020 and 2022: r/NoNewNormal (r/NNN), which was banned by Reddit in September 2021; and r/CoronavirusCirclejerk (r/CvCj). Memes were found to fall into three broad themes within the online conspiracy theory community: “deception” by authorities and conspirators; “delusion” among the public; and “superiority” of conspiracy believers who see themselves as committed to “free thinking.” The researchers compiled a list of the top recurring meme themes and characters, many recognizable from mainstream social media: “NPC Wojak” is at number 1 (a gray expressionless “non-player character” who depicts a lack of agency), Drakeposting at number six (featuring Drake from his 2015 Hotline Bling music video to depict approval and disapproval), and “Distracted Boyfriend” at number 10 (featuring a man walking with his girlfriend and turning back to look at another woman to depict choosing one option while being tempted by or drawn to another). Godwin, who is in the final year of her Ph.D. on the communication of conspiracy theories online, and a Senior Research Associate at the University of Bristol, said, “The broad themes create an overarching framework of understanding that guides members through conversations about collective concerns. Because of this, they act as a balm to disagreements that crop up, reducing the potential for fracture over minor differences. This cohesion allows dangerous ideologies to take root and flourish.” Dr. Brit Davidson, Associate Professor of Analytics at IDSB and co-author, said, “The humor of memes, typically based on the ridicule and mockery of hypocritical elites and the public, is likely a key driver in attracting new members to these groups, including people who may be unaware of the full context and impact of misinformation.” The researchers say more research into the changing landscape of digital expression is crucial to understand how memes are tools not only for cultural spread and inventiveness but also for the stability of conspiracy theorist communities. They say future research could consider how emojis, hashtags, online rituals, and community-specific jargon play a similar role. More information: Emily Godwin et al. Internet Memes as Stabilizers of Conspiracy Culture: A Cognitive Anthropological Analysis, Social Media + Society (2025). DOI: 10.1177/20563051241306421. journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/20563051241306421 Provided by University of Bath Citation: Memes spread conspiracy theories by uniting online groups, shows new research (2025, January 27) retrieved 27 January 2025 from This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only. Source link #Memes #spread #conspiracy #theories #uniting #online #groups #shows #research Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Case of bird flu confirmed in farm worker Case of bird flu confirmed in farm worker David Gregory-Kumar Correspondent for science, environment & rural affairs Getty Images At the site of the Shropshire farm outbreak, the killing and disposal of a million egg-laying birds continues A person working on a farm has contracted the human version of avian flu. The *** Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said the individual “had close and prolonged contact with a large number of infected birds”, but would not say where the farm was. The person was “currently well and was admitted to a High Consequence Infectious Disease unit,” it said. It also said the risk to the wider public “continues to be very low” and that bird-to-human transmission of this kind was rare. UKHSA routinely swabs people who have been in close contact with infected birds and, after confirming the transmission, said there was no evidence that the person had passed it on to anyone else. Nevertheless, it said it had traced everyone the person had been in contact with and offered them antiviral treatment. *** Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss said: “While avian influenza is highly contagious in birds, this is a very rare event and is very specific to the circumstances on this premises.” She also said the farm had been thoroughly cleaned and that it was “a reminder that stringent biosecurity is essential when keeping animals”. Since 2021 there have only been seven cases of humans contracting bird flu, and there has never been an instance of bird flu being passed from human to human in Europe or the ***. Andrew Gwynne, Minister for Public Health and Prevention, said the government had recently added the H5 vaccine, which protects against avian influenza, to its stockpile of vaccines as a precaution. County in bird flu lockdown The announcement came soon after the decision to place the whole of Shropshire into an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ), following an outbreak of bird flu at a farm in the county. This means anyone who has birds in Shropshire must house their animals. This applies whether or not you have just one or two chickens in a back garden right up to large commercial flocks. Alongside this move, the rest of England has also seen new bird flu measures put in place, though these are not as strong as those in Shropshire. It means everyone with birds must now follow enhanced biosecurity measures. Including; Cleansing and disinfecting footwear and clothing.Disinfecting housing on a continuous basis.Minimising contact with wild birds.Keeping birds away from ponds and lakes. At the site of the Shropshire outbreak, the killing and disposal of a million egg-laying birds at a farm just outside Wem continues. In a statement, the Griffiths family, who run the farm, told the BBC the outbreak was “devastating news”. Overall levels of bird flu have not reached the peak of recent years, but anyone with birds is asked to remain vigilant. There is no risk to the public from eating poultry or eggs, but if more commercial egg-laying flocks are impacted, it could affect the price of eggs in the shops. Source link #Case #bird #flu #confirmed #farm #worker Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Fubo raises prices on all English-language plans Fubo raises prices on all English-language plans In the latest riveting episode of Everything Costs More, Fubo raised the prices of all of its English-language plans by $5 for new customers. The hike includes Fubo’s Essential plan, which only launched in early December. In a statement to The Streamable (which first reported the news), Fubo blamed the fee hikes on increased programming costs. “The regular prices of the English-language plans have increased $5 due to rising costs from our programming partners,” a spokesperson wrote. “We only make adjustments when necessary, and we’re committed to keeping Fubo competitive while ensuring our subscribers have access to the channels, features and live events they enjoy.” The changes now put Fubo’s cheapest plan (the aforementioned Essential bundle) at $85 monthly, slightly more than YouTube TV’s $83. The latter raised its fees by $10 per month in early December — up from the $35 monthly price it debuted with in 2017. In addition to Fubo’s $85 Essential plan, the streamer offers a Pro plan that technically costs the same. But its angle is that, unlike Essentials, it includes regional sports networks, which add mandatory fees of up to $16 per month to the base price. Essentials gives you the option of skipping the RSNs and their fees if you aren’t worried about losing many of your local teams’ games. (Yes, live-streaming TV is often now as much of a confusing mess as traditional cable.) Fubo Elite, which now costs $95 monthly (plus RSN fees), includes 78 extra channels — like The Cooking Channel, NBA TV and MLB TV. Fubo also offers a $33 Spanish-language Latino plan with networks such as ESPN Deportes, Cine Latino and Nat Geo Mundo. It was the only subscription tier spared from the price hikes. Although Fubo is arguably the best live TV service for sports, it has some significant missing pieces compared to rivals like YouTube TV. Notable omissions are channels from Warner Bros. Discovery (CNN, ****, TBS, HGTV, Discovery, Food Network and more), A&E and AMC. To ease the blow (very briefly), Fubo is offering savings to new subscribers on their first month of service. New signups get $25 off their first month of the Essential plan and $20 off Elite or Pro. Meanwhile, you can save $8 on the Latino plan. Just remember that the full prices will kick in after that single discounted month. Earlier this month, Fubo and Disney agreed to merge the streaming service with Hulu + Live TV. If the deal gets shareholder and regulatory approval, it will create a new entity (under the Fubo brand) to manage both services. At least the initial promise is that the two services will continue to operate independently. Disney will own 70 percent of the new company, while Fubo will have 30 percent. The two products currently boast a combined six million subscribers. Source link #Fubo #raises #prices #Englishlanguage #plans Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Nvidia RTX 5070 vs. RTX 4090: an early spec look Nvidia RTX 5070 vs. RTX 4090: an early spec look Nvidia Table of Contents Table of Contents Pricing and availability Specs Performance Wait and see Nvidia made some stark claims with the announcement of its RTX 50-series GPUs. It promised double the performance with the best graphics card Nvidia has ever released, the RTX 5090, and it said outright that the more modest RTX 5070 could equal the performance of the last-generation king, the RTX 4090. That seems dubious, even with the hype surrounding the new hardware. We can’t officially confirm or deny such claims until the embargo lifts on reviews for these new cards, but for now, let’s consider how the RTX 5070 lines up with the 4090, to give us an idea about what to expect. Pricing and availability The Nvidia RTX 4090 debuted in October 2022 with an at-the-time eye-watering price tag of $1,600. It’s remained at around that level ever since, with some shortages spiking the price over $2,000 at times, depending on the version. As of late January 2025, however, the card is sold out almost everywhere, with only overpriced versions around $2,500 still available new, and second-hand versions selling for around $1,600. Get your weekly teardown of the tech behind PC gaming The RTX 5070 is set to go on ***** some time in February — though more likely toward the end of the month than the start. Nvidia’s suggested retail price for the card is $550. That’s $50 less than the RTX 4070 Super debuted at, but depending on stock and early interest, prices for the card may be higher in the short term after release. Specs Jacob ****** / Digital Trends Nvidia RTX 5070 Nvidia RTX 4090 CUDA Cores 6,144 16,384 RT Cores Unknown quantity, 4th generation 128, 3rd generation Tensor Cores Unknown quantity, 5th generation 512, 4th generation Maximum clock 2.51GHz 2.5GHz Memory size 12GB GDDR7 24GB GDDR6X Memory bus 192-bit 384-bit Memory speed 28Gbps 21Gbps Memory bandwidth 672GBps 1,008GBps TBP 250W 450W On paper at least, it seems almost comical that Nvidia claims the RTX 5070 can match the RTX 4090’s performance. It has a third less memory bandwidth, half the physical memory, and barely a third of the CUDA core count with comparable boost clock speeds. That’s because Nvidia’s claims are largely based around the enhanced support for AI-driven upscaling using the latest generation of Tensor cores. Nvidia’s new RTX 50-series supports multi frame generation, which can construct up to three AI-generated frames around a single GPU-rendered frame. The RTX 4090, on the other hand, is restricted to just single AI frame as part of its support for DLSS 3. That does give its fps a big boost in compatible games, but potentially leaves the last-generation kingpin behind in raw numbers — even if there are concerns over the viability of such high numbers of AI constructed frames. Putting aside our sceptic’s hat for a second, though, it’s fair to say that the RTX 5070 uses substantially less power than the RTX 4090, therefore outputting far less heat in turn. That will make it far better suited to small form-factor gaming PCs — especially if its new architecture, process node, and indeed, DLSS 4 support, can help it close the performance gap with the 4090. Performance Until we can test the RTX 5070 ourselves, we can’t say for sure just how good this next-generation card is or how it stacks up against the RTX 4090. We can use Nvidia’s slides and claims to give us a rough ballpark, but with the DLSS-heavy marketing, we should be aware of the upscaling involved to reach some of these numbers. Nvidia Nvidia’s graphs do tell us more than they might initially appear to, though. While the big claims of double the performance of the RTX 4070 would put the RTX 5070 in the realm of the RTX 4090, we should instead focus on the left two results on the above graph. In Horizon Forbidden West and Resident Evil, where DLSS 3 and no DLSS were used, respectively, we see much more modest performance improvements from one generation to the next. In reality, the RTX 5070 may be less than 20% faster than the RTX 4070. If that’s the case, it would take a huge uplift from DLSS 4 and multi-frame generation to even approach 4090 performance, let alone match it. We’ll have to wait and see for real-world testing to settle this performance debate, but at first glance, it seems very unlikely the 5070 can match the 4090 in most games. Even then, it’d be with heavy multi-frame generation, which can introduce latency issues and visual artifacts which are unlikely to be to everyone’s tastes. Wait and see We only have a month or so to wait to see just how good the RTX 5070 really is. It’s likely to be faster than the RTX 4070 and the new DLSS features make it far more capable in select scenarios. It’s not likely to measure up to the RTX 4090, though. If you’re using that last-generation king card already, beware the FOMO of a new generation. You’re likely still sitting on one of the fastest graphics cards in the world, and it will do for quite some time. Source link #Nvidia #RTX #RTX #early #spec Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Behind the Colombia Blowup: Mapping Trump’s Rapid-Escalation Tactics Behind the Colombia Blowup: Mapping Trump’s Rapid-Escalation Tactics In the end it took only about 12 hours for President Trump’s first head-to-head confrontation with one of the United States’ closest allies in Latin America, a blowup over Columbia’s rejection of U.S. military flights to return ******** immigrants, to result in a complete retreat by the target of Mr. Trump’s threats. It wasn’t much of a contest. Colombia depends on the United States for more than a quarter of its exports. And while the specifics of the dispute will probably be quickly forgotten, the rapid-fire threat by Mr. Trump to impose crushing tariffs, and the quick surrender by President Gustavo Petro, are likely to encourage Mr. Trump as he contemplates how to make use of the same weapon against new targets. There is no mystery about who he has in mind: Denmark, whose prime minister told him Greenland was not for ***** during a heated, expletive-filled conversation almost two weeks ago, and Panama, where Secretary of State Marco Rubio is supposed to land in a few days to demand it return control of the Panama Canal to the United States — the country that built it, 120 years ago. Welcome to the age of what Fred Kempe, the president of the Atlantic Council, a Washington think tank, characterized as the era of “more mercantilism, less free trade and more big-power swagger.” The Sunday diplomatic debacle with Colombia had elements of all three. But it was also instructive about how foreign-policy decision-making in the Trump White House happens: There were no policy papers, or Situation Room meetings to weigh options, or talk of a quiet mission to de-escalate tensions with an ally whose cooperation America needs on a variety of problems. That would be how a dispute over returning Colombians, deported because they were in the United States illegally, would be resolved in an ordinary presidency, whether the president was a Democrat or Republican. In this case, perhaps there wasn’t much need for internal debate: Colombia is not China, or Russia, or even North Korea and Iran, all countries that have ways to strike back at the United States or its interests. So it was an easy target — and a relatively cost-free place for Mr. Trump to make a point about how he envisions the use of American power. There was no such process in this case — and no time for such a process. It unfolded first on social media, with an angry post by Mr. Petro declaring that he would not allow the United States to land military aircraft in his country bearing shackled Colombian returnees. “I cannot make migrants stay in a country that does not want them,” Mr. Petro wrote, “but if that country sends them back, it should be with dignity and respect for them and for our country.” Mr. Trump shot back on Truth Social — where he puts pronouncements before they are released by the White House press office (which catches up by citing the Truth Social posts) — demanding that Mr. Petro get out of his way or watch his economy be crushed. He vowed to impose 25 percent tariffs on Colombian exports right away, which would obviously affect the crude oil, coal and coffee industries. The tariffs would double if Mr. Petro didn’t fold on the issue within a week, Mr. Trump said. For good measure he called the Colombian president a “socialist,” which Mr. Petro would freely admit. What happened next was fascinating: Mr. Petro briefly fought back, announcing his own tariffs on American imports and accusing Mr. Trump of trying to topple his democratically elected government. “You don’t like our freedom, fine,” Mr. Petro wrote. “I do not shake hands with white enslavers.” There was a lot of history here, of course. One hundred twenty-two years ago, the United States supported a Panamanian revolution against Colombia, knowing it would speed the way to building the canal. It is an era Mr. Trump keeps talking about wistfully. Presumably, Mr. Petro looked at his chances of coming out on top of this conflict and decided it was zero. And he quickly decided his best course was to get out of Mr. Trump’s way. The military flights could resume, his foreign ministry announced. There were more words about demanding that the passengers be treated with dignity, but clearly that was not enforceable. The United States suspended the tariff increases before they happened, and Mr. Rubio said that visa restrictions on Colombian leadership would remain until the planes actually landed. So when the day was over, not much had changed. Mr. Petro had turned away some flights, Mr. Trump had threatened retaliation, Mr. Petro had folded, and the status quo had largely resumed. But to anyone trying to figure out the next moves on the part of the Trump administration, there were a lot of indicators in this blowup about where things may be headed. Start with Denmark, whose prime minister, Mette Frederiksen, had a fraught, aggressive conversation with Mr. Trump just five days before he was inaugurated. Having heard his threat that he might use military or economic coercion to get his way on Greenland and the Panama Canal, she opened with ideas about how the United States could expand its existing military presence in Greenland — there is a Space Force base there — and help exploit its considerable mineral resources. Mr. Trump wasn’t interested in cooperation; he wanted control, perhaps ownership, and seemed happy to encourage a movement in Greenland to seek independence from Denmark to get there. It was a remarkable exchange. Denmark is, after all, a NATO ally, and over the past month Mr. Trump has talked about using all the elements of American power — economic and military — to reach the goal of forcing it to surrender territory. If ever there was an example of how Mr. Trump is uninterested in maintaining the post-World War II “rules-based order” and replacing it with superpower politics, this was it. Denmark “would have been eager to negotiate with the Americans on basing rights, resource development, Arctic security coordination and whatever else the Trump Administration wanted,” Ian Bremmer, who heads the Eurasia Group consultancy, wrote on Monday morning. “It’s now more likely that Greenland will vote for independence in an upcoming referendum, creating its own security deal with the Americans, critically undermining U.S. relations with Denmark and, with it, the Nordic Bloc.” And then there is Panama, getting ready to receive Mr. Rubio. Usually a secretary of state’s first visit is all about reaffirming alliances and looking forward to years of cooperation. Mr. Rubio’s arrival will probably include some of that — and a demand that the Panama Canal Treaty be scrapped and the arrangement go back to what Theodore Roosevelt had in mind in 1903: American control. Source link #Colombia #Blowup #Mapping #Trumps #RapidEscalation #Tactics Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

AMD’s new integrated graphics are almost 70% faster than an RTX 4070 AMD’s new integrated graphics are almost 70% faster than an RTX 4070 AMD’s new integrated graphics look mighty powerful. According to AMD’s marketing materials, the upcoming Ryzen AI Max+ 395 chip with Radeon 8060S integrated graphics is upwards of 68.1% faster than a laptop RTX 4070, which is currently our pick for the best graphics card for laptops. You can see the results below. AMD tested the Radeon 8060S in a variety of games at 1080p with the High graphics preset. In most games, the margins are tight. However, you can see some significant leads for AMD in titles like Cyberpunk 2077, Baulder’s Gate 3, Hitman 3, and especially Borderlands 3, where that 68.1% increase comes from, as highlighted by Notebookcheck. AMD Those are impressive results, but there are a few important elements of this data to highlight. First, AMD is focused on highly portable mobile machines running a “similar TDP and form factor.” The ROG Flow Z13 only comes with an RTX 4070 through its ACRNM edition, which features a larger metal casing compared to the standard Flow Z13. The machine also runs the RTX 4070 at 65 watts, while the GPU is capable of running at up to 115W Total Graphics Power (TGP). Despite the drop in power, it looks like AMD is coming out ahead in efficiency. The Ryzen AI Max+ 395 can run at up to 120W, but it’s important to remember that it includes a CPU with 16 Zen 5 alongside a GPU with 40 Compute Units (CUs). For context, the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370, which you’ll find in laptops like the Asus ZenBook S 16, tops out at 16 CUs. That’s a huge bump in the graphics capabilities of the Ryzen AI Max+ 395. Get your weekly teardown of the tech behind PC gaming Clearly, vendors are on board with the graphics capabilities of this chip. Asus is ditching the discrete GPU for its 2025 Flow Z13 and instead relying solely on the Ryzen AI Max+ 395. HP is also leveraging the new CPU in its ZBook Ultra 14 G1a, which is set to launch this year. No other models have been announced yet, though we expect to see more laptops packing this Strix Halo chip as we get further into the year. Source link #AMDs #integrated #graphics #faster #RTX Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Phil Spencer Praising “Nintendo and their innovation” Is All the Proof I Need to Confirm a Major Xbox Exclusive’s Switch 2 Release Phil Spencer Praising “Nintendo and their innovation” Is All the Proof I Need to Confirm a Major Xbox Exclusive’s Switch 2 Release In recent years, Xbox has shown a noticeable shift in its approach to gaming. The company has fully moved away from exclusivity and has instead focused on making its games available across as many platforms as possible. Phil Spencer has been at the forefront of this change. The company is looking to change its approach to gaming. | Image Credit: Microsoft In recent interviews, he has emphasized that the company’s mission is to bring games to all players, regardless of the platform they use. So when I heard him praising Nintendo, I couldn’t help but wonder: Could this be the sign that one of Xbox’s major exclusives, Halo, might make its way to Switch 2? Is Spencer’s praise for Nintendo signaling ******* moves for Xbox? The franchise has been at the core of the console. | Image Credit: Bungie Halo has been the heart and soul of Xbox ever since the original console launched. It helped define the brand and played a huge part in the console’s success, even if the franchise hasn’t been as front-and-center in the gaming conversation lately. But here’s the thing: the company’s recent shift towards making its games available everywhere has made me wonder if it might be next in line to become a non-exclusive title. Spencer has been vocal about supporting all platforms, and his recent comments on the Gamertag Radio podcast about Nintendo and its upcoming hybrid device only add fuel to that fire. He said: You know, Nintendo and their innovation, like what they mean in this industry, I just always applaud the moves […] really looking forward to supporting them with games that we have. This statement got me thinking. If these two goliaths are collaborating, this wouldn’t just be about putting smaller titles. And what’s the most prestigious franchise in its catalog: Halo. Since Spencer is talking about supporting Nintendo, it should be one of the games on that list. If Xbox is serious about making its games available to everyone, the hybrid console is the perfect platform. Just imagine the hype it will create when players learn that Halo is coming to the console. It will instantly increase the worth of the console and breathe new life into the franchise. It’s almost poetic when you think about it, the same title that helped establish Xbox in the console market could now help it again as the company shifts its focus to platform accessibility. Halo isn’t just a game, it’s a brand-defining symbol for the company, and giving it a new platform could mark a full-circle moment in the company’s evolution. The Switch 2’s performance holds the key to future With the recent praise from Spencer, there is a possibility for the game to jump ship. | Image Credit: Bungie What makes this idea even more plausible is the performance of the Switch 2. We’ve been hearing rumors that many studios are excited about releasing their new AAA titles on the handheld. Why? Because this time, the handheld is finally powerful enough to run them. If Halo were to be announced for the upcoming hybrid console, it would be a great deal for both companies. Not only would this introduce the franchise to a broader audience, but it would also solidify the handheld as a versatile console. This might be a bit of wishful thinking on my part, but after hearing Spencer’s praise for Nintendo and its innovation, I’m more convinced than ever that it’s a possibility. With the console’s power and Nintendo’s ever-growing track record for delivering great gaming experiences, there’s no reason why Halo shouldn’t be on the list of titles making the jump. In the end, if the game does end up on the upcoming hybrid console, I think it will be a huge win for gamers. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see, but I’m definitely keeping my fingers crossed. Source link #Phil #Spencer #Praising #Nintendo #innovation #Proof #Confirm #Major #Xbox #Exclusives #Switch #Release Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Israel says eight hostages due to be freed in first phase of Gaza deal are dead – BBC.com Israel says eight hostages due to be freed in first phase of Gaza deal are dead – BBC.com Israel says eight hostages due to be freed in first phase of Gaza deal are dead BBC.comWhite House Statement on Hostage Release The White HouseIsrael Welcomes the Return of the Women Who Warned of a Raid From Gaza The New York TimesHamas: Eight hostages to be released from Gaza are dead Yahoo! Voices Source link #Israel #hostages #due #freed #phase #Gaza #deal #dead #BBC.com Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth on PC Now Highest Concurrent Single-Player FF Game on Steam Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth on PC Now Highest Concurrent Single-Player FF Game on Steam PS Store Staff: “We’ve announced the 2024 annual download rankings for PlayStation®Store! We’ll be introducing four rankings in total: PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, PlayStation®VR2, and free-to-play titles. We’ve also included the annual rankings for the United States and Canada, so be sure to check them out as well. The number one spot on the PS5’s 2024 annual download ranking is the second of the remake project trilogy, “FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH,” in which you escape the Mako city of Midgar and travel through a vast world! In second place was “Dragon Quest III: And into the Legend…”, and in third place was “Dragon’s Dogma 2.” Source link #Final #Fantasy #Rebirth #Highest #Concurrent #SinglePlayer #Game #Steam Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Apple turns its AI on by default in latest software update Apple turns its AI on by default in latest software update Tim Cook, chief executive officer of Apple Inc., greets customers during the first day of in-store sales of Apple’s latest products at Apple’s Fifth Avenue store in New York, US, on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. Victor J. Blue | Bloomberg | Getty Images Apple on Monday released a software update for iPhones, iPads and Macs that turns Apple Intelligence on by default for users with supported devices. The updates, iOS 18.3, iPadOS 18.3 and macOS Sequoia 15.3, also disable AI summaries for news apps, which have gained a reputation for twisting news push notifications to display inaccurate facts. The release is a milestone in the rollout of Apple Intelligence, the company’s suite of artificial intelligence features. Apple Intelligence is a critical product for Apple as it seeks to distinguish its products from competitors with an AI system integrated into iPhones and its other products. While Apple Intelligence is already featured in the company’s marketing for the latest iPhones, the rollout has been deliberate and limited. Apple says that is to allow it to test new features and make sure it has enough server capacity. The entire Apple Intelligence suite is still officially in beta, and it’s only available in a handful of English-speaking countries. Apple’s move to turn Apple Intelligence on by default is a step towards a more complete rollout of the feature. Previously, users with supported iPhones — models that were released in 2024 as well as 2023 “Pro” level models — were prompted to turn on Apple Intelligence when setting up their phone, a process that included downloading AI models from the internet and some installation. With the latest updates, Apple Intelligence will be turned on by default when the latest software update is installed, expanding the number of users who are exposed to the software. Apple Intelligence is marketed as being able to rewrite text, generate images and summarize long emails and message threads. “For users new or upgrading to iOS 18.3, Apple Intelligence will be enabled automatically during iPhone onboarding,” Apple said in the developer release notes for the update. Users will have to navigate to the Apple Intelligence page in the Settings app to turn it off, according to Apple. The latest software update also includes one of the most notable example so far of Apple rolling back an AI feature after it generated controversy and subpar results. Apple joins Google and Microsoft as companies that were forced to roll back new AI features after it generated harmful content or “hallucinations” that weren’t based in reality. Apple Intelligence can take stacks of notifications and simplify them into a three-sentence notification. However, the BBC and other news outlets discovered in December that the feature can twist news headlines into inaccurate information. Earlier this month, Apple’s system conflated notifications from BBC’s sports app to say that “Brazilian tennis player, Rafael Nadal, comes out as gay.” Nadal is Spanish and is married to Maria Francisca Perello. The latest update disables Apple Intelligence for news and entertainment apps. Apple Intelligence also has been updated to show any notifications generated by its AI in italics, signifying which notifications are created by generative AI and which were pushed by the app itself. “We’re pleased that Apple has listened to our concerns and is pausing the summarization feature for news,” a BBC spokesperson told CNBC. Apple told CNBC earlier this month that its notification summaries for news apps would return in a future update. WATCH: Apple’s superficial problem is there’s not enough demand, says Jim Cramer Source link #Apple #turns #default #latest #software #update Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Grant Shapps calls Navy submarine name change ‘woke nonsense’ Grant Shapps calls Navy submarine name change ‘woke nonsense’ The Royal Navy has announced it is changing the name of a new submarine from HMS Agincourt to HMS Achilles, in a move branded “woke nonsense” by former Defence Secretary Grant Shapps. It follows reports of concern within the Ministry of Defence that the original name for the vessel – which is being built in Barrow, Cumbria – may have offended the French. Agincourt refers to a battle England won against France in 1415, as part of the Hundred Years’ War. On Sunday, the Royal Navy said the submarine would instead be named HMS Achilles and that the change had been under discussion for more than a year. A spokesperson said Achilles was particularly appropriate as the world prepares to mark the 80th anniversaries of Victory in Europe and Victory over Japan days – both of which take place this year. A previous vessel named HMS Achilles received battle honours during World War Two. Another ship with the name took part in the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, when the Royal Navy defeated a French and Spanish fleet. Gavin Williamson, a Conservative former defence secretary, first announced the name Agincourt in 2018 for the under-construction vessel, the seventh of the Astute Class submarines to be commissioned. There had previously been suggestions it could be named Ajax. A Navy statement said the name change had been under discussion for more than a year and “was proposed by the Royal Navy Ships Names and Badging committee and approved by His Majesty the King”. But the switch has caused controversy, not least because the announcement came shortly before the Sun newspaper was due to publish a story on internal debates over its planned name. In a post on X, Shapps said “renaming HMS Agincourt is nothing short of sacrilege”. He said the original name signified a defining moment in British history. “Under Labour, woke nonsense is being put ahead of tradition and our Armed Forces’ proud heritage,” the former Conservative MP said. There has been no public comment from French authorities. Changing the name of Royal Navy vessels is relatively rare but not without precedent. In 1939, a Royal Navy corvette due to be named HMS ****** became HMS Heartsease just before it was launched. All of the Navy’s Astute Class submarines bear a name beginning with the letter A: HMS Astute, Ambush, Artful, Audacious and Anson are all in active service. Alongside HMS Achilles, HMS Agamemnon is also under construction. Source link #Grant #Shapps #calls #Navy #submarine #change #woke #nonsense Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Sky: Children of the Light kicks off Lunar New Year celebrations with the return of Days of Fortune Sky: Children of the Light kicks off Lunar New Year celebrations with the return of Days of Fortune Sky: Children of the Light is set to celebrate the Lunar New Year with a new event Days of Fortune makes a return with a sky-soaring new minigame Meet previous additions and nab memorable keepsakes It would seem to me that, given how dreary January can be, there’s been a rush to adopt a new holiday to celebrate early in the year. And what better option than the festive, fun and vibrant Lunar New Year? An important event in the ******** (and many other’s) calendar, hit mobile MMO Sky: Children of the Light is celebrating it too! Days of Fortune, Sky: Children of the Light’s Lunar New Year celebration, is back! Lasting from January 27th to February 9th, there’s plenty to enjoy. How about the new Days of Fortune minigame which transports you high into the air to soar through it on a glider? Collect glowing lanterns and create a formation of light to gain Event Ticket Lights in the process. As you might expect there’s plenty in the way of musical fun to experience too, such as with the return of the fan-favorite stone dragon and other additions including the new Dragon Dance music sheet. And even when the Days of Fortune ends there’ll be plenty of keepsakes you can nab during the event to remember it by, such as themed outfits, accessories, capes and props. Fortune be with you Of course, it’s also not really surprising that Lunar New Year has become increasingly popular. Otherwise known as ******** New Year, it’s incredibly popular across the Pacific and overshadows Christmas on the yearly calendar. Of course, for many top releases, it offers another way to draw fans in with some top rewards. Meanwhil,e if you want to see other top independent releases like Sky: Children of the Light but don’t know where to start don’t hesitate to check in on some of our lists for more info. For example, you can dig into our list of the top 20 best indie mobile games for our top picks! Source link #Sky #Children #Light #kicks #Lunar #Year #celebrations #return #Days #Fortune Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Microsoft just added a secret file sharing feature to Windows 11 Microsoft just added a secret file sharing feature to Windows 11 Another secret feature has been spotted in one of the latest Windows 11 Insider preview builds. Discovered by X user phantomofearth and reported by Tom’s Hardware, it appears that Microsoft is trying out a ‘Drag Tray’ for sharing files. When you pick up a file and drag it toward the top of the screen, a tray will drop down with different sharing options. The feature was found in Build 22635.4805 but it’s not included in Microsoft’s release notes, which means there’s no saying if or when it will make it to the general release of Windows 11. Anything that makes sharing files easier is a welcome feature, however, so fingers crossed that Microsoft gets it working well and decides to push it to everyone. To try the Drag Tray out for yourself in the latest Beta CU, run vivetool /enable /id:45624564,53397005 and reboot. (as usual, you’ll need to enable 48433719 if this doesn’t work.) — phantomofearth (@phantomofearth) January 25, 2025 The design of the Drag Tray, which you can see in action in phantomofearth’s X post, has been likened to smartphone sharing menus. As well as displaying all of your sharing options, it’s also big and easy to spot, making it accessible for people who are used to the big icon-based operating systems of smartphones. Technically, macOS does file sharing in a similar way, except it’s delivered through a normal desktop-style “double click and choose from a drop-down menu” interface. Another change related to accessibility is the addition of some instructions to the Windows Snap menu, a feature that lets users tile their windows in a variety of combinations. The menu now says “Choose where to move this window” to ensure that even new users know what is happening when they purposefully (or accidentally) trigger the menu to appear. It’s unclear whether this was added based on user feedback or not. There are probably mixed opinions out there about companies like Microsoft making their desktop operating systems more and more like mobile operating systems. It’s likely the right move in terms of attracting more users — but then again, there are certain functions best suited for desktop and others that shine on mobile. At the very least, any extreme changes in the smartphone OS direction should be optional. Maybe one day we’ll be faced with a prompt to choose whether we want the “desktop-style” OS or the “mobile-style” OS when we set up a new PC. Anyway, there’s no word yet on whether the Drag Tray will make it past the test phase, but phantomofearth did share how to download it if you want to try it out for yourself. Source link #Microsoft #added #secret #file #sharing #feature #Windows Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Defensive health care sector beating market and one name is breaking out, according to the charts Defensive health care sector beating market and one name is breaking out, according to the charts The top performing S & P 500 sector so far year-to-date is health care, up approximately 6% versus 2% for the S & P 500 Index. Relative momentum is improved for the sector not only from a short-term perspective, but also an intermediate-term perspective, supporting more outperformance for the balance of Q1. With this in mind, we highlight a compelling intermediate-term breakout in DaVita (DVA) . A helpful tool for visualizing sector rotation is in a Relative Rotation Graph. In a 12-week RRG of Sector SPDR ETFs versus the S & P 500, healthcare (XLV) has an upturn, meaning it has improved momentum relative to the market. It has also begun to turn rightward, indicating outperformance. The RRG has an inherent clockwise rotation, meaning that healthcare should continue to outperform the SPX in the weeks ahead assuming this holds true. DVA has a trading range breakout that marks a resumption of its long-term uptrend. The breakout is associated with renewed intermediate-term momentum per a new weekly MACD ‘buy’ signal. An upside objective can be derived by a Fibonacci extension of roughly $193. Former resistance in the $166-$168 zone is now initial support. A quick reversal below that level would support reducing new long positions. For longer-term positions, more important support to watch is at the rising 200-day moving average near $149. In its ratio versus the S & P 500 Index, DVA reversed a secular downtrend last year with a breakout above the monthly cloud model. This suggests that DVA now has bullish long-term prospects versus the S & P 500. Similar to its setup in absolute terms, DVA is pushing out of an intermediate-term trading range versus the S & P 500, supporting outperformance over that timeframe as well. —Katie Stockton with Will Tamplin Access research from Fairlead Strategies for free here . DISCLOSURES: (None) All opinions expressed by the CNBC Pro contributors are solely their opinions and do not reflect the opinions of CNBC, NBC UNIVERSAL, their parent company or affiliates, and may have been previously disseminated by them on television, radio, internet or another medium. THE ABOVE CONTENT IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY . THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSITUTE FINANCIAL, INVESTMENT, TAX OR LEGAL ADVICE OR A RECOMMENDATION TO BUY ANY SECURITY OR OTHER FINANCIAL ASSET. THE CONTENT IS GENERAL IN NATURE AND DOES NOT REFLECT ANY INDIVIDUAL’S UNIQUE PERSONAL CIRCUMSTANCES. THE ABOVE CONTENT MIGHT NOT BE SUITABLE FOR YOUR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES. BEFORE MAKING ANY FINANCIAL DECISIONS, YOU SHOULD STRONGLY CONSIDER SEEKING ADVICE FROM YOUR OWN FINANCIAL OR INVESTMENT ADVISOR. Click here for the full disclaimer. Fairlead Strategies Disclaimer: This communication has been prepared by Fairlead Strategies LLC (“Fairlead Strategies”) for informational purposes only. This material is for illustration and discussion purposes and not intended to be, nor construed as, financial, legal, tax or investment advice. You should consult appropriate advisors concerning such matters. This material presents information through the date indicated, reflecting the author’s current expectations, and is subject to revision by the author, though the author is under no obligation to do so. This material may contain commentary on broad-based indices, market conditions, different types of securities, and cryptocurrencies, using the discipline of technical analysis, which evaluates the demand and supply based on market pricing. The views expressed herein are solely those of the author. This material should not be construed as a recommendation, or advice or an offer or solicitation with respect to the purchase or ***** of any investment. The information is not intended to provide a basis on which you could make an investment decision on any particular security or its issuer. This document is intended for CNBC Pro subscribers only and is not for distribution to the general public. Certain information has been provided by and/or is based on third party sources and, although such information is believed to be reliable, no representation is made with respect to the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of such information. This information may be subject to change without notice. Fairlead Strategies undertakes no obligation to maintain or update this material based on subsequent information and events or to provide you with any additional or supplemental information or any update to or correction of the information contained herein. Fairlead Strategies, its officers, employees, affiliates and partners shall not be liable to any person in any way whatsoever for any losses, costs, or claims for your reliance on this material. Nothing herein is, or shall be relied on as, a promise or representation as to future performance. PAST PERFORMANCE IS NOT INDICATIVE OF FUTURE RESULTS. Opinions expressed in this material may differ or be contrary to opinions expressed, or actions taken, by Fairlead Strategies or its affiliates, or their respective officers, directors, or employees. In addition, any opinions and assumptions expressed herein are made as of the date of this communication and are subject to change and/or withdrawal without notice. Fairlead Strategies or its affiliates may have positions in financial instruments mentioned, may have acquired such positions at prices no longer available, and may have interests different from or adverse to your interests or inconsistent with the advice herein. Any investments made are made under the same terms as nonaffiliated investors and do not constitute a controlling interest. No liability is accepted by Fairlead Strategies, its officers, employees, affiliates, or partners for any losses that may arise from any use of the information contained herein. Any financial instruments mentioned herein are speculative in nature and may involve risk to principal and interest. Any prices or levels shown are either historical or purely indicative. This material does not take into account the particular investment objectives or financial circumstances, objectives or needs of any specific investor, and are not intended as recommendations of particular securities, investment products, or other financial products or strategies to particular clients. Securities, investment products, other financial products or strategies discussed herein may not be suitable for all investors. The recipient of this information must make its own independent decisions regarding any securities, investment products or other financial products mentioned herein. The material should not be provided to any person in a jurisdiction where its provision or use would be contrary to local laws, rules, or regulations. This material is not to be reproduced or redistributed absent the written consent of Fairlead Strategies. Source link #Defensive #health #care #sector #beating #market #breaking #charts Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Tokyo Xtreme Racer plays surprisingly well on Steam Deck | Traxion Tokyo Xtreme Racer plays surprisingly well on Steam Deck | Traxion Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is out on Steam and Epic Games. With a “Mostly Positive” reception, the game peaked at 31.6K concurrent players, making it the 26th most popular game on the Steam Deck (52nd overall). We’ve already tested its individual settings, recommending the optimal settings for different PCs. Source link #Tokyo #Xtreme #Racer #plays #surprisingly #Steam #Deck #Traxion Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

West Texas Rehab collects $1.5M from annual telethon West Texas Rehab collects $1.5M from annual telethon Saturday night saw the return of the West Texas Rehabilitation Center’s annual telethon. Sisters Kendra (left) and Krista Slaubaugh perform in their band Tigerlily Gold at Saturday’s West Texas Rehab Telethon. This was the 55th telethon and auction, held at the Abilene Convention Center and broadcast around the state and beyond. Returning to host the event was Charlie Chase. Rehab client Oakley Connor sits in her mother’s lap during an interview segment at the West Texas Rehab Telethon in the Abilene Convention Center Saturday. A mix of familiar and new musical acts performed for viewers and the audience in the auditorium. Connie Low (left) and Jane Fisher staff the phone bank during the West Texas Rehab Telethon at the Abilene Convention Center Saturday. Abilene’s own Aaron Watson, Tigirlily Gold, Red Steagall, Jake Hooker and Aeriel Hutchins appeared each hour, entertaining and asking viewers to support the Rehab in its mission. Charlie Chase and Red Steagall ask viewers to donate during Saturday’s West Texas Rehab Telethon. By the end of the night, the rehab raised nearly $1.5 million, benefitting the 850 daily patients served by the rehab’s three West Texas locations, which provide services at no charge to clients. More: Closed railroad crossings part of a larger renovation of them in Abilene More: A ghost of a chance: Haunted Texas hotel in Ballinger up for ***** This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: West Texas Rehab collects $1.5M from annual telethon Source link #West #Texas #Rehab #collects #1.5M #annual #telethon Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Displaced Palestinians Reunite With Loved Ones in Northern Gaza Displaced Palestinians Reunite With Loved Ones in Northern Gaza new video loaded: Displaced Palestinians Reunite With Loved Ones in Northern Gaza Recent episodes in Latest Video Whether it’s reporting on conflicts abroad and political divisions at home, or covering the latest style trends and scientific developments, Times Video journalists provide a revealing and unforgettable view of the world. Whether it’s reporting on conflicts abroad and political divisions at home, or covering the latest style trends and scientific developments, Times Video journalists provide a revealing and unforgettable view of the world. Show more videos from Latest Video Source link #Displaced #Palestinians #Reunite #Loved #Northern #Gaza Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

The Complete List of Ninja Gaiden 2 ****** Achievements The Complete List of Ninja Gaiden 2 ****** Achievements · · January 27, 2025 Folks, don’t hate me, but I’ve never played Ninja Gaiden. Not a single entry in the long-running series, unfortunately. But with the surprise launch of Ninja Gaiden 2 ******, I intend to rectify that problem, thanks to the power of Xbox Game Pass. Now, I likely won’t shoot for 100% completion, but you might. To help, here’s a look at the complete list of Ninja Gaiden 2 ****** achievements on PC and Xbox! Ninja Gaiden 2 ****** Achievements List There are 38 achievements in Ninja Gaiden 2 ******, ranging from completing specific campaign chapters to utilizing unique techniques while dealing with enemies. You’ll unlock most during gameplay without seeking specific challenges or ordeals. Related: Phil Spencer Suggests Starfield Could be Coming to PlayStation 5 Afterall Achievement Description Master of the Secret Arts Obtain all achievements Like the Wind Obtain the scroll of The Reverse Wind Technique and perform the technique. The Blue Gale Obtain the scroll of The Furious Wind Technique and perform the technique. Cast No Shadow Obtain the scroll of The Technique of Shadowless Footsteps and perform the technique. Like a ******** Obtain the scroll of The Flying ******** Technique and perform the technique. Need Not a Ladder Obtain the scroll of The Flying Bird Technique and perform the technique. Certain Death Obtain the scroll of The Obliteration Technique and perform the technique. Strong Heart Obtain the scroll of The Ultimate Technique and perform the technique. The Last Rites Obtain the scroll of The Technique of Ultimate Guidance and performance the technique. Cool and Calm Obtain the scroll of The Counter Attack Technique and perform the technique. Running Through Obtain the scroll of The Technique of Unrivaled Soaring and perform the technique. Passing the Void Obtain the scroll of The Technique of the Invisible Path and perform the technique. Izuna Drop Obtain the scroll of The Izuna Drop Technique and perform the technique. Throat Cutting Wind Obtain the scroll of The Guillotine Throw Technique and perform the technique. Fiery Roar Obtain the scroll of The Art of the Inferno and perform the Ninpo. Ruthless Vacuum Wave Obtain the scroll of The Art of the Wind Blades and perform the Ninpo. Flame Phoenix Blessings Obtain the scroll of The Art of the Flame Phoenix and perform the Ninpo. Unstable Gravity Obtain the scroll of The Art of the Piercing Void and perform the Ninpo. Sky City Tokyo Complete Chapter 1 A Captive Goddess Complete Chapter 4 The Lycanthropes’ Castle Complete Chapter 7 Submit, or Die! Complete Chapter 10 The Temple of Sacrifice Complete Chapter 13 Trial of the Acolyte Clear Hero Play Style or Path of the Acolyte Awakening of the Warrior Clear the game on Path of the Warrior Beginning of Mentoring Clear the game on the Path of the Mentor Step Towards Ninja Mastery Clear the game on Path of the Master Ninja Mark of the Ninja Earn Master Ninka rank in all chapters on Chapter Challenge Difficulty Acolyte Mark of the Warrior Earn Master Ninka rank in all chapters on Chapter Challenge Difficulty Warrior Mark of the Mentor Earn Master Ninka rank in all chapters on Chapter Challenge Difficulty Mentor Mark of the Master Ninja Earn Master Ninka rank in all chapters on Chapter Challenge Difficulty Master Ninja Crystal Skull Obtain all Crystal Skulls Chain of 100 Slashes Achieve a 100-hit combo with any weapon Dragon Ninja Defeat 1,000 enemies with Hayabusa Kunoichi Defeat 1,000 enemies with Ayane Dragon Shrine Maiden Defeat 1,000 enemies with Momiji Fiend Hunter Defeat 1,000 enemies with Rachel The Power of Two Clear all Tag Missions What do you think of Ninja Gaiden 2 ****** so far? Let us know in the comments, or start a thread on the official Insider Gaming community forum! Keen on other new releases? Check out our official review of Sniper Elite Resistance! SUBSCRIBE to our newsletter to receive the latest news and exclusive leaks every week! No Spam. Source link #Complete #List #Ninja #Gaiden #****** #Achievements Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

How U.S. efforts to keep China from Nvidia’s fastest chips may have backfired How U.S. efforts to keep China from Nvidia’s fastest chips may have backfired DeepSeek’s rattling of the artificial intelligence market has been several years in the making, with analysts viewing the ******** company’s shocking advance in the field as an unintended consequence of U.S. trade policy. Starting under the Biden administration in 2022, the U.S. has imposed export controls to keep China from accessing high-performance semiconductors, primarily from Nvidia . The intention was to keep a technological edge in artificial intelligence and supercomputer-related technologies. In response, China started creating its own, cheaper chips that came to fruition with DeepSeek, which recently drew attention for its ability to replicate AI functions at a much cheaper cost. Though the U.S. in 2023 tightened policy further in response to the modified chips, that didn’t stop DeepSeek from moving forward. Commentary over the past several days from industry leaders sent U.S. markets into a tailspin Monday on fears that disruption from DeepSeek could upend a central Wall Street theme that’s relied on Nvidia and related companies to power the market since late 2022 whn ChatGPT debuted. China innovation “Investors are concerned that rather than impede China’s progress in AI, the U.S. restrictions have engendered innovation that has enabled the development of a model that prioritizes efficiency,” JPMorgan Chase analyst Sandeep Deshpande said in a Monday note. The implications could be significant, but ultimately not all negative for the state of AI in the U.S. and how future developments affect industries. Investors could find buying opportunities in beaten-down companies, while the rise of more cost-efficient technologies opens up the market in other technology, such as notebooks and smartphones. But more immediately, investors are re-examining the valuation of Nvidia, which trades at 32 times its next 12 months estimated earnings, and whose shares tumbled as much as 18% Monday. NVDA 1D line Nvidia shares on Monday “What makes Monday’s tech selloff so jarring is that the valuations of many of these AI and tech companies offer no margin of error,” said David Bahnsen, chief investment officer at Bahnsen Group. “Excessive valuation always becomes a problem, eventually, but fundamental news becomes a heightened problem when it is combined with excessive valuation.” The road ahead Key to the road ahead will be the extent to which China becomes a ******* player in the AI market and how that plays out not only for Nvidia, but also other companies that are developing their own products and others that are counting on generating the massive amounts of energy required to power the technology. “Attempts to limit China’s access to U.S. technology, in this case chips and chip equipment, have very likely incentivized China to develop on their own, and become more independent of U.S. capabilities in the process,” Bahnsen said. “China may not only go away as a customer, but may become the #1 competitor as well.” If nothing else, the latest developments raise more questions about being able to make money from AI, a critical point that has proven largely elusive so far. Investors could be unwilling to approve additional capital expenditures for AI unless monetization improves. Also, the U.S. may have to look at its own policies that have sought to manage the spread of AI over industries and around the globe. President Donald Trump has been an outspoken advocate of AI, with close adviser Elon Musk a developer in the field with his xAI product. “Trump/Musk likely recognize the risk of further restrictions is to force China to innovate faster,” Jefferies analysts said in a note. “Therefore, we think it likely Trump will relax the AI Diffusion policy .” Source link #U.S #efforts #China #Nvidias #fastest #chips #backfired Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Todd Howard Needs Tom Hardy to Play the Most Important Brotherhood of Steel Character in Fallout Season 2 Todd Howard Needs Tom Hardy to Play the Most Important Brotherhood of Steel Character in Fallout Season 2 Let’s be honest here, no one in their wildest dreams could’ve ever predicted the success Amazon Prime’s Fallout TV show would go on to have. Seriously, it’s quite shocking how well it’s made and respected the source material. Filming has already started for Fallout Season 2, and fans can’t wait. A still from Fallout series (Image via Amazon Prime) What could we expect to see in Fallout Season 2? Well, no one knows for sure, as Amazon and Bethesda have done a good job keeping things under wraps. However, if Todd Howard doesn’t cast Tom Hardy to play one of the best characters we could see in the upcoming Fallout season, the show might be a huge flop. Fallout Season 2 needs Tom Hardy as Maxon to succeed Fallout Season 2 needs new characters to spice up things. (Image via Amazon) Considering how Fallout Season 1 ended, it’s quite clear that the next season will be heading into the iconic New Vegas location. While the show has included a number of Fallout easter eggs and references, it even has its own set of characters. However, with the show moving to a location gamers love, it’s time to bring some of the franchise’s best characters, and at the top of that list is none other than Arthur Maxon, leader of Brotherhood of Steel. We first see Maxon as a child in Bethesda’s Fallout 3. However, he manages to rise to prominence in Fallout 3 and ends up becoming the leader of the East Coast chapter of the Brotherhood of Steel. As he’s a part of the Maxon dynasty, he carries the legacy of Roger Maxon, who founded the group back in the day. Maxon is one person that you don’t want to mess around with. He’s strict with the Brotherhood’s core values and gets rid of mutants and synths. One might say that he’s an authoritarian, but with his strategic skills, he managed to establish the Brotherhood’s dominance in the entirety of Common Wealth. Considering the hype and love behind the Fallout series, it would be a massive mistake not to introduce him to Fallout Season 2. Who’s the best person to bring his complex nature to big screens? Obviously, Tom Hardy! Throughout his career, Hardy has established a reputation for playing characters who are demanding and morally complex. Thanks to this charisma and acting skills, there’s no one else who can do justice to Maxon’s nature on big screens. Heck, the actor even looks like Maxon! Fallout Season 2 needs another monster race Fallout universe is filled with interesting monsters. (Image via Amazon Prime) The addition of Ghouls, including a very cool and gunslinger ghoul, was quite epic in Fallout Season 1. However, what about the other race that was crafted due to the apocalypse? Super Mutants. Super Mutants are green giants, or even blue people, that are as unique and interesting as the human beings they once were. The West Coast super mutants were born from pre-war experiments that were aimed at birthing super soldiers and are mostly the remains of The Master’s Family—the faction that aims to turn everyone into one of them. In the first Fallout game, the super mutants are stopped by the Vault Dweller. All the ones we find today are a blend of those who retained their intelligence trying to make up for their crimes and whose brains took a permanent hit due to mutations and are a part of mutant raiders. Let’s hope Howard and his team can consider even bringing these fan-favorite monsters in Fallout Season 2. With that said, is there any other character you’d love to see in Fallout Season 2? Let us know in the comments below. Source link #Todd #Howard #Tom #Hardy #Play #Important #Brotherhood #Steel #Character #Fallout #Season Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump’s Colombia Tariff Threat Startled Companies Trying to Rely Less on China Trump’s Colombia Tariff Threat Startled Companies Trying to Rely Less on China Before Sunday, Colombia was quietly emerging as a refuge for multinational brands seeking a stable place to make their products in a time of geopolitical and environmental upheaval. President Trump’s threats to increase tariffs on imports from China was forcing companies to diminish their dependence on factories in that country. Businesses were setting up plants closer to the United States — a trend known as nearshoring. Mexico had become a popular destination, but Mr. Trump’s vow to impose tariffs on ******** imports was adding risk to that strategy, too. Colombia, by contrast, appeared safely removed from Mr. Trump’s focus. Since 2018, some $7.6 billion in foreign investment has been committed to more than 300 projects in Colombia connected to nearshoring, according to ProColombia, a government trade bureau. American companies make up more than 40 percent of all foreign investment — the largest single source. “Nearshoring is not just a passing fad,” said Todd Fagley, chief executive of MedSource Labs, a medical equipment company based in Chanhassen, Minn., that set up a factory in Colombia three years ago. “The world is only going to get more difficult to maneuver,” he added. But Mr. Fagley was not anticipating the events of Sunday afternoon. President Trump, enraged by the refusal of his Colombian counterpart to accept incoming American military flights loaded with deported immigrants, declared that he was slapping 25 percent tariffs on all imports from Colombia. Hours later, the White House declared victory, announcing in a statement that the Colombian government had agreed to “the unrestricted acceptance of all ******** aliens from Colombia.” The tariffs would be “held in reserve,” the statement added. For the moment, commerce would presumably carry on unhindered. But the episode underscored the growing complexities of international trade as Mr. Trump wields the threat of tariffs as a primary instrument of policy. Mr. Fagley, 54, the MedSource co-founder, had already become accustomed to the volatile refashioning of the global supply chain. A competitive triathlete with an Iron Man under his belt, he is not one for sitting around waiting to see what happens next. Since founding his company in 2002 using a $75,000 second mortgage on his wife’s home, he has frequently pivoted to points around the globe in response to changing circumstances. Initially, MedSource relied almost exclusively on factories in China. On his first trip there in the early 2000s, Mr. Fagley learned that he could procure emergency medical kits used by paramedics for roughly one-tenth the price in the United States. As MedSource expanded into other products, it came to depend on two dozen factories in China for roughly 95 percent of its production. In 2014, MedSource developed a new type of intravenous tube, entrusting a partner factory in the ******** province of Jiangsu to manufacture it. A few months later, while at a trade fair, Mr. Fagley was horrified to spot prototypes for his new product displayed by another ******** company. Shaken by what seemed a brazen theft of intellectual property, Mr. Fagley moved production of the new device to India. Two years later, he purchased a factory near Bloomington, Ind., to expand his array of intravenous products. He savored the marketing possibilities of making his goods in the United States, but the financial results were another matter. “We lost money every year,” he said, blaming higher American wages and the costs of complying with domestic regulations. He eventually shut the plant and moved its production to India. All the while, events conspired to increase his desire to become less reliant on China. Mr. Trump’s first term brought tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars’ worth of ******** imports. President Joseph R. Biden Jr. advanced that policy. Then, the pandemic emerged in China, halting production of key MedSource products. When ******** factories resumed production in late 2020, a surge of factory orders overwhelmed the shipping industry, sending prices soaring. MedSource frequently transported parts from ******** factories to a plant in Minnesota where it assembled them into finished products. Before the pandemic, shipping a container from Shanghai to Minneapolis cost an average $4,000. By early 2021, that same journey was running up to 10 times as much. “This was not a sustainable future,” Mr. Fagley said. “People were realizing the vulnerabilities of the supply chain.” As he and his team figured out how to react, they settled on the need to move some factory orders closer to the United States. Mr. Fagley assumed Mexico would be a good option. His team visited Costa Rica, but the labor force was too small. They considered the Dominican Republic. Then, a Lebanese partner of MedSource introduced the company to Elias Daffach Saker, an aspiring entrepreneur born and raised in Cartagena. Mr. Daffach’s grandfather had arrived in the city, a place of glittering skyscrapers towering over Spanish colonial-era forts on a peninsula jutting into the Caribbean, from his native Syria in the 1930s to try farming. Mr. Daffach, 55, had worked in the family restaurant business and then in sales for a company that was making syringes. He spoke English fluently, having studied at a community college in Ohio. In May 2021, he flew to Minneapolis to meet Mr. Fagley. Colombia did not immediately appear to be the solution to the problem of leaning too heavily on China. In the American popular imagination, the country conjured associations with coffee and armed conflict more than industry. But Mr. Daffach pitched MedSource on an updated iteration: Colombia was a country of 52 million people where, despite continued outbreaks of armed hostilities in some areas, development has been advancing. Cartagena had one of the largest container ports in South America, including connections to Jacksonville, Fla., where MedSource had a distribution center. The journey could be completed in only a week, compared to four weeks from China to the East Coast. The city was also a petroleum industry hub centered on a large refinery. That meant it held stocks of a key material derived from petroleum — plastics. MedSource soon forged a joint venture company, with Mr. Daffach in charge. Production started at a leased factory in 2022, beginning with disposable sheets for gurneys used in ambulances. The following year, the company moved into its own space in a free-trade zone. The costs of making goods at the Colombia plant were generally within 10 percent of those in China, Mr. Fagley said. Previously, that gap was untenable. But the world’s experience in running out of key items during the pandemic — medical masks, medicines, ventilators — has changed the calculus. The value of greater resiliency was amplified in late 2023 as Houthi rebels in Yemen began firing missiles at ships in the Red Sea in solidarity with Palestinians under Israeli assault in Gaza. That effectively closed the Suez Canal, a vital artery for shipping between Europe and Asia. The same year, a drought in Central America dropped water levels in the Panama Canal, forcing its overseers to restrict ships that could pass through. As Mr. Fagley stood inside the factory one morning this month, surveying the floor from a mezzanine, three dozen women hovered over whirring sewing machines, stitching ribbons of synthetic fabric into medical gear that had previously been made in China. Some affixed handles to the sides of stretchers that would be purchased by the U.S. military. Others sewed disposable sheets. Mariselis Pajaro, 41, was part of a team making cuffs to prevent contamination during blood pressure exams. Before she joined the factory three years ago, Ms. Pajaro sustained her family on part-time sewing jobs, earning perhaps $100 a month. She lived on a dirt lane in the town of Turbana. Rats, snakes and mosquitoes bearing dengue fever frequently penetrated the rotting boards of her wooden house. Rain seeped through the rusting metal sheets of her roof. Every storm left her anxious that her home would collapse. At the factory, she was earning three times as much. Her daughter, 21, and son, 20, both worked at the plant, too. Their collective wages had allowed them to build a brick house a block away. They bought a motorbike, turning the commute to work — a predawn trudge to a town plaza, then a 40-minute bus ride — into a 20-minute straight shot on their own wheels. “I never had the experience of a stable income before,” Ms. Pajaro said. “I feel so much more secure.” As Mr. Fagley and Mr. Daffach mulled how quickly to expand, they were taking heed of the local availability of needed supplies. Their largest supplier of fabric, a factory in Bogotá, was drawing nearly all of its raw materials from within Colombia, limiting the potential for delays. Mr. Daffach was planning to begin making medical gowns later this year. An American customer wanted four million per year. Mr. Daffach preferred to start with one million to ensure that he could satisfy quality standards. The company was planning to add a second story to its factory, but first wanted clarity about available tax incentives. On a recent afternoon, Mr. Fagley and Mr. Daffach visited Cartagena’s mayor, Dumek Turbay, in the colonial customs house that serves as city hall, seeking his help in navigating the bureaucracy. Mr. Turbay noted that Cartagena’s port had begun as an entry point for the Spanish, who arrived seeking to extract valuable commodities. It grew as an entry point for enslaved people brought from Africa. Today, he added, the same port was a central piece of plans to develop wealth for local people. “It’s an opportunity,” Mr. Turbay said. Later, Mr. Fagley and Mr. Daffach toured the largest container terminal at the port. They were briefed on the port’s intentions to expand. They took reassurance from a map put before them: dotted lines linking Cartagena to ports along the East Coast of the United States. Here was a corridor that avoided both the Panama and the Suez canals, one free and clear from whatever came next in the American relationship with China. “It’s as secure as you can get in an insecure world,” Mr. Fagley said. Yet less than two weeks later, Mr. Trump complicated that assertion, offering a reminder that — under his tenure — anything related to trade comes accompanied by uncertainty. By then, Mr. Fagley was at a trade show in Dubai, meeting with potential partners from the United States and around the world. “What matters most to us are the patients we serve and the security of the U.S. supply chain for critical medical devices,” Mr. Fagley said by text late Sunday, adding that the company “remains flexible in its strategy.” Source link #Trumps #Colombia #Tariff #Threat #Startled #Companies #Rely #China Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

People Can Fly Assisting With Gears Of War: E-Day Development People Can Fly Assisting With Gears Of War: E-Day Development Video game development is extremely hard. So much can go wrong. With that in mind, Obsidian Entertainment is the gold standard that nails the RPGs it’s known for while also delivering experimental games that people love. They may be one of the most underrated teams in gaming right now. Source link #People #Fly #Assisting #Gears #War #EDay #Development Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Sweden seizes vessel after new cable breach in Baltic Sea – The Washington Post Sweden seizes vessel after new cable breach in Baltic Sea – The Washington Post Sweden seizes vessel after new cable breach in Baltic Sea The Washington PostShips, sea drones and AI: How NATO is hardening its defense of critical Baltic undersea cables CNNSweden Suspects ‘Gross Sabotage’ After Damage to Cable Under the Baltic Sea The New York TimesA Bulgarian shipping company denies its vessel sabotaged a Baltic Sea cable The Associated Press Source link #Sweden #seizes #vessel #cable #breach #Baltic #Sea #Washington #Post Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Bringing Sony/Xbox Games To All Consoles May Help Grow The Industry, Says Dev Bringing Sony/Xbox Games To All Consoles May Help Grow The Industry, Says Dev There was a point in time when it would have been unthinkable for Xbox-exclusive titles like Halo or Gears of War to ever make the leap to PlayStation 5. But the recent cross-platform push by Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer may make those rumors into a reality. Now, Thomas Mahler–the creative director of Moon Studios and director of Ori and the Blind Forest and Ori and the Will of the Wisps–has endorsed Spencer’s approach and suggested that it may be what’s best for the video game industry. In a lengthy post on X, Mahler argued that it no longer makes sense for Xbox and PlayStation consoles to compete when the hardware is so similar and the user base is “stuck attracting the same 100-150 [million] players for over two decades now.” He argues that the key to growth is to make it easier for players to get their desired games regardless of which console they buy… with the exception of Nintendo, which doesn’t have to play by anyone else’s rules. Mahler added that “rooting for one huge corporation to sell more boxes over another strikes me as fantastically senseless… We should all just share in the love for games!” For now, Spencer’s platform agnostic position has not been adopted by Sony, but Mahler suggested that the PlayStation maker has already bent towards that reality by bringing its exclusive titles to PC, including the recently announced Rise of the Ronin port. “We’ll see how long Sony will keep limiting their software sales to one platform,” wrote Mahler. “There’s a reason why they’re already releasing some games on PC now. It’s money. They can probably ignore Xbox for now, since Xbox Series hasn’t sold all that well, but that might change if Xbox makes a great console again. If they end up with a better machine than whatever the next PlayStation is and if players adopt that, Sony’s platform-exclusive strategy is history.” Some of the most prominent cross-platform titles that are confirmed to be coming to PlayStation 5 from Xbox-affiliated studios include Indiana Jones and the Great Circle and Doom: The Dark Ages. Microsoft also owns Activision, which released 2024’s best-selling game across all consoles in the US, Call of Duty: ****** Ops 6. The upcoming launch of Nintendo’s Switch 2 may also help the industry grow this year, and Spencer has already pledged that Microsoft will support the new console as well. Source link #Bringing #SonyXbox #Games #Consoles #Grow #Industry #Dev Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

GTA Vice City: Next-Gen Edition Mod Looks Amazing, But Might Not Be Around Long GTA Vice City: Next-Gen Edition Mod Looks Amazing, But Might Not Be Around Long A modding group has released a mod that brings GTA: Vice City content into the GTA 4 engine, despite efforts from publisher Take-Two Interactive to stop them. This project by Revolution Team, called GTA Vice City Nextgen Edition, ported missions, cutscenes, and the world from Vice City into GTA 4’s engine and initially required players to own a copy of GTA 4. The development team said its YouTube channel was taken offline by Take-Two. That led to the creation of a new channel that houses a launch trailer for the mod, as well as a decision to rework the mod’s requirement. Originally, the mod required GTA 4 to play–something that was done to “show respect to the publisher.” Now, that requirement has been dropped, and the mod can be downloaded and played as a standalone game. As always, though, you should be careful about what you download online. “Our team’s channel was deleted by Take-Two Interactive two days before the project’s release. A lot of time and effort was invested into its development, including hundreds of hours of streaming,” Revolution Team’s statement reads on an updated teaser trailer. “[The teaser] gained over 100,000 views in less than a day. Unfortunately, it’s absolutely impossible to restore it. We were forced to create a new channel, but it’s unlikely that this trailer will reach the people who were truly waiting for it. Nevertheless, we’re sharing the result of almost two years of hard work.” Just last week, a mod known as Liberty City Preservation Project was taken down after Rockstar contacted its creators. “This isn’t a DMCA, rather a friendly takedown, mutually agreed upon by all parties involved. There is no negativity between us and Rockstar Games/Take-Two Interactive,” the Liberty City Preservation Project said. Meanwhile, GTA 6 is still set to release this year. A parody game called Grand Taking Ages is also set to launch this year. After initially having its PSN listing removed, the developer said it made changes, and a store page on Steam is now available. Source link #GTA #Vice #City #NextGen #Edition #Mod #Amazing #Long Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]