Pelican Press

ADL report finds Steam is ‘rife’ with ******* posts and images ADL report finds Steam is ‘rife’ with ******* posts and images Valve’s Steam store is more than just a place to buy computer games online. It’s an active community of gamers. Unfortunately, a sizable portion of those gamers are posting an “unprecedented” amount of hateful, ******* and anti-Semetic content on the gaming site’s cyber social gathering place Steam Community, according to a report from the Anti-Defamation League. The organization found 1.83 million unique pieces of “extremist or hateful content” from 1.5 million unique users in 73,824 groups. The content included “explicitly anti-Semitic symbols” and “tens of thousands of instances” of users showing support for foreign ********** groups. The online gaming community even included an alarming number of “copypastas,” more than half of which were variations of ***** swastikas. ADL The report also found a “significant number” of Steam avatars with hateful symbols. Investigators uncovered 827,758 users with extremist or *******-signaling avatar images including the cartoon character Pepe the Frog in ***** regalia or adorned with stereotypical tropes and looks, swastikas, the white supremacist skull or “siege” mask and the ***** Eagle. Another 15,129 avatars contained images of flags, emblems or logos of ********** groups, the majority of which referred to the jihadist group ISIS. The ADL even uncovered images that “glorify violent extremists” and violent hate *******. The report found references to and stills from tragedies like the 2019 Christchurch, New Zealand ********* and the stabbing of five people in Eskisehir, Turkey committed by an 18 year old wearing neo-***** imagery. Even the “Collections” and “Mods” community on the gamer gathering site contained hundreds of mods that contained hateful imagery. An unidentified user named after the Christchurch shooter Brian Tarrant took the Valve physics sandbox game Garry’s Mod and made the “*********** S**poster collection.” The user recreated Tarrant’s body armor look and posted screenshots implying the character is ******** Muslims just as Tarrant did in 2019. ADL Other users utilized the Garry’s Mod game to create maps that also celebrated tragedies like the Columbine High School ********* and the Tops supermarket white supremacist ********* in Buffalo. The maps inspired even more ******* comments and reactions such as “make synagogue next” and “remember labs, subscribe to PewDiePie,” a chilling reference to a comment Tarrant made on a livestream just before he committed his *********. The ADL accused Valve, Steam’s owner, of not taking enough action to remove or curb the use of these images in its communities. The report claims Valve has a “highly permissive approach to content policy” and only took action “in rare notable cases.” “Steam has selectively removed extremist content, largely based around extremist groups publicized in reporting or in response to government pressure,” the ADL report says. “However, this has been largely ad hoc, with Valve failing to systematically address the issue of extremism and hate on the platform.” We’ve reached out to Valve for a comment on the ADL’s report. Source link #ADL #report #finds #Steam #rife #******* #posts #images Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Plumes of pollution from big factories can make it snow Plumes of pollution from big factories can make it snow Factory aerosols can transform the clouds above Getty Images/iStockphoto Plumes of pollution from large factories can trigger snowfall and leave holes in clouds that stretch over large areas, satellite images have revealed. It has long been known that tiny particles of pollutants like soot, known as aerosol pollution, can affect clouds in many ways. Water vapour can condense on pollutant particles, triggering cloud formation, and pollutants can also alter the properties of existing clouds. While studying these effects, Velle Toll at the University of Tartu in Estonia noticed that there were sometimes holes in clouds downwind of major pollution sources. He and his colleagues have now analysed thousands of satellite images of North America and Eurasia and found 67 places where this effect can be seen, during the correct atmospheric conditions. Weather radar confirmed that these events were causing snowfall. In the biggest instance the team found, up to 15 millimetres of snow fell over a 2200-square-kilometre (850-square-mile) area. This happens because pollutant particles cause supercooled water droplets in clouds to freeze around them, producing ice crystals that grow into snowflakes, says Toll. “And if we have water coming out of the cloud as snow, then we end up with less clouds.” In the absence of any particles, water droplets in clouds can stay liquid even when the air is as cold as -40°C (-40°F). This satellite image shows reduced cloud cover downwind of a copper smelter in Canada Velle Toll The 67 pollution sources the team found are mostly oil refineries and factories producing metals, cement or fertilisers. But surprisingly, the researchers occasionally saw a similar effect near four nuclear power stations that don’t produce any aerosol emissions. This might be because the warm air rising from these power stations is lifting up aerosol pollution from elsewhere, but the team hasn’t confirmed this. “We don’t have a definite explanation for that,” says Toll. In theory, the aerosol effect could be used to deliberately trigger snowfall, but it would only work where clouds of supercooled liquid water droplets are already present, says Toll. Topics: Source link #Plumes #pollution #big #factories #snow Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Sundheim’s D1 Capital adds new stakes in GE Healthcare, Bank of America Sundheim’s D1 Capital adds new stakes in GE Healthcare, Bank of America Hedge Fund investor Daniel Sundheim trimmed many of his top positions in the third quarter, but added some new stakes in blue-chip companies, according to securities filings. Sundheim’s D1 Capital added positions in GE Healthcare Technologies and Bank of America during the third quarter, a filing Thursday showed. Both stocks are now among the fund’s 10 largest positions. The filing shows D1’s positions as of the end of September, and it is not known if the portfolio has since changed. As of Thursday afternoon, shares of Bank of America are up 16% in the fourth quarter. Outside of those new positions and buying more shares of XPO Logistics , D1 Capital was mostly selling its top holdings. The hedge fund sold 22% of its biggest holding, Instacart , and 46% of its stake in ********** maker Philip Morris . D1 also closed out several large holdings in GE Vernova , Pfizer and Nu Holdings , among others. Smaller new positions included Meta Platforms , which it had previously sold during the second quarter, and Starbucks . Sundheim, a veteran of Viking Global Investors, started D1 Capital in 2017. He is also a board member at Instacart. D1 Capital managed about $19 billion as of the end of last year. Quarterly hedge fund filings show only positions in U.S.-traded equities and select derivatives. The extent of other holdings for D1 Capital is unclear. Source link #Sundheims #Capital #adds #stakes #Healthcare #Bank #America Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Elon Musk’s DOGE is hiring. Here’s the kind of person he’s looking for. Elon Musk’s DOGE is hiring. Here’s the kind of person he’s looking for. The new Department of Government Efficiency, a group created by President-elect Donald Trump with the task of identifying ways to cut federal spending and headed by billionaires Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, is already taking resumes. The request for job applicants was posted Thursday by the new X account for DOGE, which despite its heady mission isn’t an official government department. In his statement on Tuesday announcing the effort, Trump described Musk and Ramaswamy’s role as providing “advice and guidance from outside of government.” It’s unclear where the funding for DOGE will come from or the size of its budget, as well as whether Musk, the world’s richest person, and Ramaswamy, who has an estimated net worth of $1 billion, will be paid for their efforts. The Trump campaign didn’t respond to a request for information. In the meantime, DOGE is starting to hire, according to the post on X, the social media service (formerly known as Twitter) owned by Musk. The account already has 1.2 million followers on the platform. What qualifications is DOGE looking for? The post didn’t disclose the specific educational or career experience it is looking for in applicants. Instead, it described the kind of person they want to hire: “We need super high-IQ small-government revolutionaries willing to work 80+ hours per week on unglamorous cost-cutting.” It added that it doesn’t want “more part-time idea generators.” How can people apply for a DOGE job? The post said that interested applicants should send a direct message, or DM, to the account with their CV, although the DOGE account wasn’t open to messages when the job notice was first posted. “Off to a great start. ‘DM this account with an application’,” one person pointed out. “DMs not open.” Even after the DOGE account opened to direct messages, not all X users could send their resumes because only verified accounts or accounts followed by DOGE are able to DM the account. The DOGE account currently doesn’t follow any other X users, and verification on the platform costs $84 a year. Only the “top 1% of applicants” will be reviewed by Musk and Ramaswamy, the DOGE account added. The post didn’t specify how it will rank applicants. What does a DOGE job pay? The post didn’t specify the salary range or benefits. What kind of response is the post receiving? A mix of pointed questions, humor as well as support from fans of Musk and Trump. “Anything over 40 hours will be paid overtime right?” one person posted on X in response to the job post. Others posted *******-in-cheek “qualifications,” with one person writing, “I’d love to join here’s my resume: – B+ in Science – JV soccer team (2 years) – Can eat >10 Oreos in one sitting – Owner of several Dogecoins – Can burp the alphabet – Can run fast (top 25% of class).” Another touted his “104 IQ (4 points above highest score possible).” Valentina Gomez, a *********** politician who posted a video of herself burning books in February, responded, “But I’m ready to cut & make a dent on that outstanding budget. TSI, IRS, ATF are the first to go.” Aimee Picchi Aimee Picchi is the associate managing editor for CBS MoneyWatch, where she covers business and personal finance. She previously worked at Bloomberg News and has written for national news outlets including USA Today and Consumer Reports. Source link #Elon #Musks #DOGE #hiring #Heres #kind #person #hes Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Billie Jean King Cup 2024: Emma Raducanu back as Great Britain take on Germany Billie Jean King Cup 2024: Emma Raducanu back as Great Britain take on Germany If Raducanu is picked against Germany as expected, she will be tasked with putting her team ahead in the three-match tie before Katie Boulter plays in the second singles match. It has been a winning formula. Raducanu and Boulter won three of their four singles matches as GB beat France in April’s qualifier. Boulter, ranked 24th in the world, is the nation’s leading player, with Harriet Dart, Heather Watson and doubles specialist Olivia Nicholls completing the team in Spain. Raducanu, though, has not played since 21 September when she retired from her Korea Open quarter-final against Daria Kasatkina, but on Thursday she insisted she was ready. “I’m in a place where I feel good and confident to give it my all if I’m to be on the match court,” said Raducanu, who is “in discussions” about bringing Naomi Osaka’s former fitness trainer Yutaka Nakamura into her team. “I’ve been training in the last three weeks on it, properly building up and last week I was throwing myself around the court. It’s feeling good. “I’m happy to be in this position especially because it did take longer than we think. I feel really fit.” Raducanu has played just 33 matches this year after returning from the wrist and ankle surgeries which ruled her out of most of last season. There have been moments of encouragement on her climb back into the world’s top 60, but plenty of patience has also been required. As she recovered from the foot problem, Raducanu used the time away from the match court to “detach”. She spent quality time with her grandma who lives in China, brushed up her skills on the piano and read a stack of books. The mind is rested. But will the body be sharp? “Sharpness is something which comes with matches and although I haven’t played in a while, it will be good to find out,” said Raducanu, who lamented not playing enough matches before her painful US Open first-round exit in August. “On the practice court and practice points, I feel sharp and pretty good. “I don’t feel too far behind even though the second half of the season I have been a lot lighter on tournaments.” Source link #Billie #Jean #King #Cup #Emma #Raducanu #Great #Britain #Germany Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Keanu Reeves’ BRZRKR Comics And New Novel Are B2G1 Free At Amazon Keanu Reeves’ BRZRKR Comics And New Novel Are B2G1 Free At Amazon You’d expect a comic book series headlined by Keanu Reeves to be pretty chill, but in the case of BRZRKR, you’d be very wrong. Created by Reeves, Matt Kindt, and Ron Garney, BRZRKR tells the story of B, an immortal warrior with a ****** wish who has been cursed to ****** in a war with no end. If you’re interested in checking out BRZRKR, a Deluxe Limited Edition hardcover collecting the first 12 issues released last month. BRZKR’s Deluxe Limited Edition is currently discounted by over $20 and eligible for Amazon’s B2G1 Free Book *****. Multiple BRZRKR trade paperbacks are buy two, get one free, too. And since it fits the Keanu Reeves theme, it’s worth noting that The Book of Elsewhere, which Reeves co-authored with China Miéville, is up for grabs in the *****. The Book of Elsewhere was published in July. B2G1 Free BRZRKR Comics & Keanu Reeves’ New Novel BRZRKR The 400-page hardcover collection includes the entire run of BRZRKR so far. The story follows B–who bears a striking resemblance to Reeves on a high-protein diet–throwing himself into ******** missions on behalf of the US government. As you’d expect, the art gets incredibly gory, and Garney’s illustrations hold nothing back as B gets stabbed, shot, burned, and blown up in each mission. Self-preservation is for mortals, after all. Here’s the official pitch for BRZRKR from publisher ***** Studios: “The man known only as B is half-mortal and half-****, cursed and compelled to *********, even at the sacrifice of his sanity,” the official synopsis for the series reads. “But after wandering the world for centuries, B may have finally found a refuge–working for the US government to ****** the battles too violent and too dangerous for anyone else. In exchange, B will be granted the one thing he desires–the truth about his endless blood-soaked existence and how to end it.” Source link #Keanu #Reeves #BRZRKR #Comics #B2G1 #Free #Amazon Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Cbus takes ‘complete responsibility’ for payout mess Cbus takes ‘complete responsibility’ for payout mess The chairman of Cbus Super, which has been pinged by the corporate regulator for disability and ****** payment delays, has personally apologised for the debacle. Wayne Swan, a former federal Labor treasurer, blamed the issue, which affected more than 10,000 insurance claims, on an offshore third-party operator tasked with processing the payouts. “But we are ultimately responsible for that, and we accept that responsibility,” he told Nine’s Today show on Friday. “We’re sorry it happened and we’re determined to ensure it never happens again.” Mr Swan added, “I do accept complete responsibility for it”. At a Senate hearing in Canberra on Thursday, Cbus chief executive Kristian **** said the fund had resolved more than 6000 claims. Those members and their beneficiaries had so far received $755 million in benefits, he added. “I do want to again say sorry for the impact that the delays in processing of insurance claims have had on our members and their families,” he told the hearing. “Many of our members hold high-risk jobs where injuries and ****** are more common. “We know that delays in processing claims can add to their distress at a difficult time.” Mr Swan confirmed those affected would also receive compensation. The *********** Securities and Investments Commission on Tuesday announced it was taking Cbus to the Federal Court over allegations it ******* to pay more than 10,000 claims in less than 90 days. It also alleged more than 6000 claims had been delayed more than 12 months by late 2022 – more than half the fund’s claims at that time. The corporate regulator is seeking penalties, adverse publicity orders and compliance matter orders through court. Cbus, which is linked with unions including the CFMEU, manages $94 billion in assets, according to its website. Source link #Cbus #takes #complete #responsibility #payout #mess Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Fan-Favorite GOG Launches Game Preservation Program for Classic Titles Fan-Favorite GOG Launches Game Preservation Program for Classic Titles For the longest time, you could only find me using Steam. I wouldn’t touch another digital storefront or launcher if I could help it, but GOG inevitably won me over. Now, I have a growing library of classic titles, such as ***** Empire, The Suffering, and World in Conflict—all classics in their own right. Well, it turns out their offerings continue to improve. GOG is launching its game preservation program to ensure titles like Fallout and Resident Evil remain available and functional for players years after release. As of this writing, the program features 100 unique titles, with an average rating of 4.2 out of 5, and more than 500 game improvements implemented by the restoration team at GOG. Some of the titles in the program include: Theme Hospital Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines SWAT 4 Empire Earth Fallout: New Vegas Diablo + Hellfire System Shock 2 Dungeon Leeper 2 MYST Heroes of Might and Magic III Complete Jagged Alliance Dragon Age: Origins Demonicon The GOG Preservation Program ensures classic games remain playable on modern systems, even after their developers stopped supporting them. By maintaining these iconic titles, GOG helps you protect and relive the memories that shaped you, DRM-free and with dedicated tech support. In a world of rapid technological change, we see the urgent need to save video games from vanishing. The GOG Preservation Program is committed to keeping beloved classics alive and playable for future generations. Our goal is for all games, whether recent or classic, to eventually become part of the Preservation Program. For a game to qualify for the Program, our team must run it through many quality tests. If these tests fail, our team updates and improves the game until it matches our quality standards. Only then, we stamp the game with our Preservation Program and grant it Good Old Game status. There is a long backlog of classic games available on GOG that may already qualify for the program, but our team has not been able to confirm that yet. We aim to support as many games as possible, but it’s not always entirely up to us. To this end, GOG recently launched the Resident Evil bundle, featuring the first three classic survival horror titles in a single, functional package that allows modern gaming computers to run and play smoothly. But that’s not the end of the road for the preservation program, as the team intends to add hundreds more titles to the program by the end of 2025, but not before thorough quality assurance checks clear each game. What classic gaming titles would you like to see in the GOG Preservation Program? Let us know in the comments below, or visit our community forum to discuss retro gaming in all its glory! Speaking of getting your hands on classic games, don’t forget to score your free titles from Prime Gaming for the month of November! Subscribe to our newsletter to receive the latest news and exclusive leaks every week! No Spam. Source link #FanFavorite #GOG #Launches #Game #Preservation #Program #Classic #Titles Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

******** GPU unicorn Moore Threads inches closer to IPO: Report ******** GPU unicorn Moore Threads inches closer to IPO: Report Moore Threads, a ******** GPU developer that is also focusing on AI, is progressing toward a potential IPO after restructuring as a ******-stock entity and increasing its capital base to ¥330 million ($45.6 million), reports the South China Morning Post. Despite being on the U.S. Entity List, the company has garnered substantial private and government funding to advance China’s AI and GPU capabilities. In preparation for a public listing, Moore Threads shifted from a limited-liability company to a ******-stock status in late October, raising its capital from $3.32 million to $45.6 million. This restructuring, often a step toward an IPO, signals a likely move to enter the public market, which would align strategy of Moore Threads with other domestic players like Biren Technology and Enflame, also preparing for listings. Moore Threads was founded in 2020 by Zhang Jianzhong, who previously led Nvidia’s China operations. So far, the company has introduced three generations of microarchitectures designed both for gaming and AI workloads. Moore Threads has benefited greatly from China’s push toward technological independence as it got plenty of money from state-linked investors. Since its inception, the company has raised $800 million from notable investors, including ByteDance, Tencent, and state-backed Beijing Zhongguancun Science City Innovation Development, highlighting strong support from both private and public sectors. The company has positioned itself as a top GPU and AI-accelerator developer in China and became pretty well known, yet officially its focus was on gaming (probably to fly below the U.S. government’s radar). Still, Moore Threads’s second-generation Chunxiao architecture supports FP16 and INT8 data formats that are not required for graphics processing in addition to FP32, which is used for graphics. The company’s 3rd Generation Quyuan GPU architecture already supports FP64, FP32, TF32, FP16, BF16, and INT8 data formats used for AI and HPC workloads and can scale to clusters containing up to 10,000 GPUs. As a result of the dual-use nature of Moore Threads GPUs, U.S. sanctions in October 2022 placed Moore Threads into the Entity List (along with Biren Technology, another China-based developer of compute GPUs), blocking it from using ********* technologies, including multinational foundries, such as TSMC, to produce chips. Get Tom’s Hardware’s best news and in-depth reviews, straight to your inbox. Source link #******** #GPU #unicorn #Moore #Threads #inches #closer #IPO #Report Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

3 Solar Stocks at Bargain Prices: Big Opportunities Ahead 3 Solar Stocks at Bargain Prices: Big Opportunities Ahead After the sell-off in solar energy stocks following the U.S. presidential election, investors might be interested in buying dips in these names, but not yet. Two trends need to happen before these solar stocks take off; when they do, three names stand out. Wall Street analysts see double-digit upside potential in these names, backed by earnings growth and price discounts. After the ******* States presidential election results were released for the entire market to see, certain stocks behaved in ways that let all investors know where the next opportunity set might be. While the bulk of the bullish price action centered around the industrial and manufacturing sectors, other stocks experienced sharp sell-offs. These sell-offs might seem like an undeniable opportunity today, such as those in the renewable energy sector, solar stocks to be specific. However, investors should still be weary of buying these recent dips as other fundamental and “******* picture” factors at play could pose a potential headwind that needs to be taken care of first. Such a headwind is the price of refusing to break out on the news or the still being high enough to keep energy prices from rising. As long as these two don’t cooperate, renewable energy sources won’t be as attractive when sitting next to cheap gas and oil. Still, when they turn, investors should watch for First Solar (NASDAQ:), Nextracker (NASDAQ:), and Enphase Energy (NASDAQ:) under that scenario. Fresh Analyst Upside for First Solar Stock Analyst ratings should be taken with a grain of salt, as they typically aren’t willing to back a losing stock to avoid being on the wrong side of history and hurting or risking their careers simultaneously. Knowing how careful analysts are when making their ratings and valuations, today’s view of First Solar stock should mean all the more. Particularly the reiterated Buy rating from those at Guggenheim, this time placing a $335 a share valuation on First Solar stock, implying there is a net upside of up to 72.3% inherent in the stock from where it trades today. Considering that the stock now trades at only 63% of its 52-week high, the emphasis is on analyst willingness to remain bullish on the name. To justify these bold views for the future of First Solar stock, these same analysts have forecasted up to $5.5 in earnings per share (EPS) for the company in the next 12 months. These projections call for a near doubling in profits compared to today’s $2.91 EPS, which should give investors a chance to double their money through an ensuing rally as well. As it turns out, analysts weren’t the only ones willing to take an optimistic view of the stock. Those at BNP Paribas recently boosted their holdings in the solar company by as much as 0.9%, bringing their net position to a high of $434.9 million today, or 1.6% ownership in the company. Institutional interest coming in the days after the election could mean a shift in sentiment for solar stocks. Nextracker Bears Are Fleeing Their Positions While not much, the 5% decline in short interest for Nextracker stock over the past month serves as additional evidence for investors to consider that maybe some bullish momentum is starting to build up in the sector. This is especially the case considering the stock’s recent price action. After giving up an additional 9% in the past five days and trading down to 64% of its 52-week high, a trend that should have attracted more short sellers to push the downside momentum. Given that the opposite happened, investors need to take this as a sign that new buyers may be willing to come into the space for the coming quarters. Over the past 12 months, investors have seen up to $1.8 billion of institutional capital enter the company, another factor that should be kept front and center when considering a potential new buy in Nextracker stock. Even though the stock’s price has fallen to bearish levels, the market is still willing to pay a premium for the stock, knowing that this is one bet that could pay off well when oil and the dollar begin to move accordingly. By trading at a price-to-book (P/B) multiple of 4.6x today, Nextracker commands a premium over the energy sector’s average 3.6x P/B today. Enphase Energy Stock Trading at the Biggest Discount While peers trade at roughly 40% off their yearly highs, Enphase stock offers investors the widest discount to its highs from the group. By trading at only 47% of its 52-week highs, investors should be both aware and careful of this discount. The ***** starts to fade as the recent price targets set by analysts at J.P. Morgan Chase are taken into account. A reiterated Overweight rating came along with a $120 price target on this solar stock. The stock would have to rally by as much as 80% from where it trades today to prove these new valuations right. Knowing that these targets are within reality, Baillie Gifford decided to boost their position in Enphase stock by 0.9% as of November 2024. While it may not seem like much on a percentage basis, the group now holds up to $716.9 million worth of the stock today, or 4.7% ownership in the company. The biggest discount in Enphase Energy stock could quickly become the biggest upside potential for investors to consider under the right circumstances. Original Post Source link #Solar #Stocks #Bargain #Prices #Big #Opportunities #Ahead Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Annual UFO report finds 21 cases of more than 700 received need more analysis Annual UFO report finds 21 cases of more than 700 received need more analysis The Pentagon office investigating reports of unidentified anomalous phenomena, the government’s term for UFOs, received 21 reports last year that contain enough data for the intelligence community to continue actively investigating. The majority of the reports the office received described orbs, lights, cylinders, but about 4% fell into the category of “other” and included unique descriptions like “green fireball,” “a jelly fish with [multicolored] flashing lights” or a “silver rocket approximately six feet long.” “There are interesting cases that with my physics and engineering background and time in the [intelligence community], I do not understand, and I don’t know anybody else understands them,” Dr. Jon Kosloski, director, All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) told reporters during a briefing on the unclassified version of the annual report mandated by Congress. Kosloski said the office has found “no evidence of extraterrestrial beings, activity, or technologies,” and he said none of the cases point to foreign adversaries or breakthrough technologies. In total, the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office received 757 reports of UAP between May 1, 2023 and June 1, 2024. Of the 757 received, 485 occurred during that time *******, while 272 occurred outside of the reporting ******* but were not included in previous reports. The office resolved 49 of the cases by identifying the object as various types of balloons, birds or drones, and it expects to resolve 243 others by identifying them as one of those objects, as well. Another 444 didn’t have enough data to keep investigating, so the office will go into the its active archive to see if other data can be found. Twenty-one merit further analysis, and these cases Kosloski found interesting because they correspond with the typical shapes the office receives reports on, like orbs, triangles, and cylinders, and at least “one of those cases has been happening for an extended ******* of time.” Kosloski acknowledged that even though investigators have not identified any of the cases as breakthrough technologies, the office can’t rule it out. “We’re open to that as an explanation for it, but we’re just not attributing breakthrough technology as the explanation to it,” Kosloski said. “An open mind works both ways. So if we don’t understand what it is, we can’t say that it is or it is not breakthrough technology.” The AARO expects to soon release the second volume of the U.S. Government Involvement with Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena detailing the government’s investigatory efforts from November 2023 to April 2024. The first volume released earlier this year looked at efforts from 1945 to 2023. Eleanor Watson Eleanor Watson is a CBS News multi-platform reporter and producer covering the Pentagon. Source link #Annual #UFO #report #finds #cases #received #analysis Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Hezbollah should abandon arms to end ******* war, Lebanese ********** party head says Hezbollah should abandon arms to end ******* war, Lebanese ********** party head says By Maya Gebeily and Timour Azhari MAARAB, Lebanon (Reuters) – The head of Lebanon’s largest ********** party said Iran-backed Hezbollah should relinquish its weapons as quickly as possible to end its year-long war with ******* and spare Lebanon further ****** and destruction. Samir Geagea, Hezbollah’s fiercest political opponent in Lebanon, spoke to Reuters on Thursday at his mountain home and party headquarters in Maarab, north of Beirut, as ******* carried out waves of strikes on areas Hezbollah holds sway. “With the destruction of all of Hezbollah’s infrastructure and its warehouses, a big part of Lebanon is also being destroyed. That’s the price,” he said. Hezbollah’s critics in Lebanon, such as Geagea, say it unilaterally pulled Lebanon into a new war after it began ******* at ******* in solidarity with ************ group ****** following the Oct. 7 2023 ******* on ******* that sparked the war in Gaza. Hezbollah says it is defending Lebanon from ******** aggression and has vowed to keep fighting, saying it will not lay down its arms or allow ******* to achieve political gains on the back of the war. The intense pressure of *******’s military campaign, which has escalated and expanded since late September to include ground incursions into southern Lebanon, presented an opportunity to get the country back on track, Geagea said. “If the challenges and the prices paid are so big, then we can take advantage of them to get the situation back to normal,” he said, calling on Hezbollah and the Lebanese state to swiftly implement local accords and international resolutions disbanding armed factions outside the control of the state. “That is the shortest way to end the war. It’s the least costly way for Lebanon and for the Lebanese people,” he said. Faltering diplomatic efforts on a ceasefire have centred on ******* Nations Resolution 1701, which brought an end to Hezbollah’s last deadly conflict with ******* in 2006. ******* has insisted that this time around, it wants to keep carrying out strikes against Hezbollah threats even if a truce is agreed. Geagea said he was opposed to granting ******* that option but said Lebanon had little power to stop it, especially if an excuse remained in the form of Hezbollah’s armed presence. ‘ARMS RACE’ Lebanon’s population is a mosaic of more than a dozen religious sects, with political representation divided along sectarian lines. Religious divisions fuelled the 1975-1990 civil war, which left some 150,000 people ***** and drew in neighbouring states. Geagea’s party, the Lebanese Forces, was one of the main warring factions during the civil war and aligned itself with *******, including when *******’s 1982 invasion of Lebanon reached Beirut, and its leader, Bashir Gemayel, was elected president. Gemayel was assassinated before he could assume office, and Geagea said he saw no parallels with that ******* today. The Lebanese Forces relinquished its weapons in line with the Taef Accord, which ended the civil war and called on all militias to disband. Hezbollah did not, saying it needed them to ****** *******’s continued occupation of southern Lebanon. But the group refused to disarm when ******** troops withdrew in 2000, citing ongoing threats. Despite his decades-old opposition to Hezbollah, Geagea, 72, said he opposed the Lebanese army forcefully disarming the group. He said he does “not see the possibility of any civil war” breaking out and said that his party “categorically” did not want one to start. Still, he noted that the mass displacement of mostly Shi’ite ******* Lebanese into Sunni and **********-majority areas could spark “problems here or there” in a country that was already suffering an economic crisis before the war. They include thousands who have fled into areas that are strongholds of Geagea’s party. In Beirut, Lebanese Forces flags were put up overnight in neighbourhoods where the group has strong support, but no clashes have been reported. More than 1.2 million people have fled heavy ******** strikes on Lebanon’s south, eastern Bekaa valley and Beirut’s southern suburbs. In recent weeks, ******** troops carrying out incursions into southern Lebanon have laced entire villages with explosives and detonated them, leaving border towns in ruins. Hezbollah says it has managed to keep ******** troops at bay by preventing them from holding any ground in south Lebanon. But Geagea disputed that reading, saying *******’s “new military doctrine” was to enter areas, carry out operations, and leave, and that the war’s next phase could see villages deeper into Lebanon being hit. He said *******’s military and economic strength would always give it an advantage over Hezbollah, even if the group re-armed. “Do you have the ability to enter this arms race?” he said. (Reporting by Maya Gebeily and Timour Azhari in Maarab; Editing by Alex Richardson) Source link #Hezbollah #abandon #arms #******* #war #Lebanese #********** #party Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Avowed’s new release date has been confirmed Avowed’s new release date has been confirmed Microsoft has announced the new release date for Avowed. Obsidian‘s first-person fantasy RPG will be released on February 18, in both standard and premium editions. The Premium Edition includes up to five days early access, two skin packs and a digital art book and soundtrack. The game will also be available on Xbox Game Pass. Game Pass subscribers who want the Premium Edition bonuses can pay $25 to receive them. Avowed launches on February 18, 2025. Pre-order today for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox app, [Hidden Content], and Steam, or play it on day one with Game Pass. Buy the Premium Edition and get up to 5 days early access, 2 Premium Skin Packs, and Access to Avowed Digital Artbook and… pic.twitter.com/E4sTBNKERQ — Avowed (@AvowedtheGame) November 14, 2024 Source link #Avoweds #release #date #confirmed Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Powell says the Fed doesn’t need to be ‘in a hurry’ to reduce interest rates Powell says the Fed doesn’t need to be ‘in a hurry’ to reduce interest rates Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said Thursday that strong U.S. economic growth will allow policymakers to take their time in deciding how far and how fast to lower interest rates. “The economy is not sending any signals that we need to be in a hurry to lower rates,” Powell said in remarks for a speech to business leaders in Dallas. “The strength we are currently seeing in the economy gives us the ability to approach our decisions carefully.” (Watch Powell’s remarkets live here.) In an upbeat assessment of current conditions, the central bank leader called domestic growth “by far the best of any major economy in the world.” Specifically, he said the labor market is holding up well despite disappointing job growth in October largely that he attributed to storm damage in the Southeast and labor strikes. Nonfarm payrolls increased by just 12,000 for the *******. Powell noted that the unemployment rate has been rising but has flattened out in recent months and ******** low by historical standards. On the question of inflation, he cited progress that has been “broad based,” noting that Fed officials expect it to continue to drift back towards the central bank’s 2% goal. Inflation data this week, though, showed a slight uptick in both consumer and producer prices, with 12-month rates pulling further away from the Fed mandate. Still, Powell said the two indexes are indicating inflation by the Fed’s preferred measure at 2.3% in October, or 2.8% excluding food and energy. “Inflation is running much closer to our 2 percent longer-run goal, but it is not there yet. We are committed to finishing the job,” said Powell, who noted that getting there could be “on a sometimes-bumpy path.” The remarks come a week after the Federal Open Market Committee lowered the central bank’s benchmark borrowing rate by a quarter percentage point, pushing it down into a range between 4.5%-4.75%. That followed a half-point cut in September. Powell has called the moves a recalibration of monetary policy that no longer needs to be focused primarily on stomping out inflation and now has a balanced aim at sustaining the labor market as well. Markets largely expect the Fed to continue with another quarter-point cut in December and then a few more in 2025. However, Powell was noncommittal when it came to providing his own forecast. The Fed is seeking to guide its key rate down to a neutral setting that neither boosts nor inhibits growth, but is not sure what the end point will be. “We are confident that with an appropriate recalibration of our policy stance, strength in the economy and the labor market can be maintained, with inflation moving sustainably down to 2 percent,” he said. “We are moving policy over time to a more neutral setting. But the path for getting there is not preset.” The Fed also has been allowing proceeds from its bond holdings to roll off its mammoth balance sheet each month. There have been no indications of when that process might end. Source link #Powell #Fed #doesnt #hurry #reduce #interest #rates Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

2,000-year-old Roman Road Unearthed under London’s Old Kent Road 2,000-year-old Roman Road Unearthed under London’s Old Kent Road A section of a nearly 2,000-year-old road running from the ancient Roman port at Dover through London to the West Midlands has been found under Old Kent Road in south-east London! Considered one of Britain’s most important Roman roads, the accidental discovery happened as a result of Southwark’s heating network’s expansion by the local council and a utilities company. Answering Archaeological Questions: A Road of Historical Proportions Archaeological work is now underway to corroborate the claim that this is the first physical proof that sections of the old road have survived directly beneath its contemporaneous counterpart. Veolia utilities envisage bringing low-carbon heating to 3,000 more council homes along Old Kent Road, part of Britain’s larger plans to expand the network and reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and switch to cleaner resources. “In the planning for this project, we’d expected to solve this question but the extent of survival of the road is remarkable. We hope this project will answer some other archaeological questions in the borough,” explained Southwark Council’s inhouse archaeology officer, Dr. Chris Constable, to BBC. The road was identified by a group of archaeologists from the Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA), with Dr. Constable providing valuable advice and support. This 276-mile (444 km) route was built soon after the Roman invasion of Britain in 43 AD and was then used by visiting emperors. Evidence of Hadrian using this route is available from 122 AD, when he decreed the building of the infamous 73-mile (117.5 km) Hadrian wall separating England and Scotland. Essentially, tourists, locals, lorry drivers, you name it, are following the same routes once used by the likes of Hadrian! Map of Watling Street running from Dover, South East England to Wroxeter, North Wales. (LlywelynII/CC BY-SA 4.0) Archaeologists roughly located the old Watling Street due to the straight nature of many Roman roads, despite no supporting archaeological evidence. They found this section lying south of the junction of Old Kent Road and Ilderton Road, measuring 19×5 feet (5.8×1.4 m). Incidentally, among the most influential and famous literary characters to walk Watling Street were the pilgrims of Geoffrey Chaucer’s ‘Canterbury Tales’ in the Middle Ages. “Whereas the Romans built aqueducts to transport water to cities, Veolia and Southwark Council are utilizing a district heating network to provide low carbon heat to homes in the borough. We are delighted to have played a part in this find which is an incredible example of where old meets modern technology!”, chimed John Abraham, Chief Operating Officer – Industrial, Water & Energy for ***, Ireland and Nordics at Veolia. What’s Been Lost to Time: Layers and Layers With distinct layers and a solid foundation of sealed gravel with two layers of chalk, the road was topped with a second, distinctive layer of compacted sand and gravel. The original road was probably at the same level as the modern road, but this has been lost over time. Dave Taylor, MOLA project manager, was quoted by The Jerusalem Post, saying that, “It’s amazing this section of road has survived for almost 2,000 years. There has been so much activity here over the past few hundred years, from sewers to power cables, tramlines and of course the building of the modern road, so we’re really excited to find such a substantial chunk of Roman material remaining.” Following the Great ***** of London in 1666, a major conflagration that caused excessive damage inside the old Roman city wall, the London portion of Watling Street was rediscovered as a result of Christopher Wren’s rebuilding of St Mary-le-Bow in 1671–73. The road ran straight from the bridgehead on the Thames to Newgate on the London Wall. It passed over Ludgate Hill and the Fleet, dividing into Watling Street and the ******’s Highway west to Silchester, reports The Independent. “I’m pleased this project has answered our questions over the course of the Roman road south of the Cantium Retail Park where a section was excavated in the early 1990s, south of the line of the modern road. In the planning for this project, we’d expected to solve this question but the extent of survival of the road is remarkable,” concluded Dr. Constable. Top image: Visible distinct layers revealed a solid foundation of compacted gravel, sealed with two layers of chalk. Source: MOLA/Southwark Council By Sahir Pandey Source link #2000yearold #Roman #Road #Unearthed #Londons #Kent #Road Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

The Xbox Handheld Console Can Theoretically Pay Off the 1 Cursed Series S Policy for Pushing Away ****** Myth: Wukong The Xbox Handheld Console Can Theoretically Pay Off the 1 Cursed Series S Policy for Pushing Away ****** Myth: Wukong There’s no doubt that handheld consoles once had a bad reputation and were commonly thought of as lesser than their home console counterparts. However, in the past two generations, the Steam Deck and Switch have brought the spotlight to the handheld market, proving that even these small machines can deliver high-quality AAA experiences. Microsoft is planning to release the enter the handheld market. (Image via Microsoft) Even Microsoft now wants a piece of that pie as it’s currently experimenting with Xbox handheld prototypes. However, while a reveal still looks to be years away, an Xbox console in the handheld space might finally pay Microsoft’s strategy of forcing developers to adapt their games for Series S, which ultimately even pushed away ****** Myth Wukong. Xbox Handheld Might Benefit From Microsoft’s Series S Policy The handheld console is years away from release. (Image via Microsoft) Hints at an Xbox handheld console have been floating around for a long while; they first showed up after a 2023 *****, and industry insiders have said that prototypes have been in the works since March 2024. Concept arts of chrome-plated and bulky modular pieces has been shown online, but it seems pointless speculation up until now. While chatting with Bloomberg, Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer revealed Xbox is working on handheld consoles. The official said that he had demanded his team to craft not just a handheld but also a complete vision of how Xbox could stand up in the handheld gaming market. While Microsoft continues to prototype on this front, the first Xbox handheld won’t hit the market in the near future. It’s highly likely that the handheld won’t be a part of the next generation of consoles, which Microsoft expects to start off in 2025, having said as much in some legal hearings related to its Activision-Blizzard acquisition. It’s still not known what the console and its hardware could look like. However, if the Xbox handheld console comes with a power that matches the capabilities of the Series S, it would truly be groundbreaking. Obviously, it would bring the console’s quality gaming on the go, giving players the power of a home console and the convenience of portability. Spencer and his team have already set a precedent by forcing Series S compatibility for gaming developers. While most developers have brought their games to the console, a few in the space, such as Game Science, outright ignored the console because ****** Myth Wukong simply struggled to run on the hardware. Even though we might not see all our favorite AAA titles on the Xbox handheld, most developers wouldn’t find it hard to optimize them as they’re well-adjusted to Series S’ hardware and ecosystem. Microsoft is Open to Even More Acquisitions in the Gaming Sphere Microsoft hasn’t given up on acquisitions after the Activision Blizzard fiasco. (Image via Microsoft) You’ll be shocked to know that the Activision-Blizzard acquisition cost Microsoft a total of $75.4 billion. It was the largest gaming acquisition ever and the biggest deal of its type in the entire industry. However, the tech-giant isn’t done yet. In the same interview, Spencer stated that Microsoft has full intentions of being in the market for more acquisitions. According to him, all potential future acquisitions would depend upon finding “teams and technology” that are capable of allowing Microsoft to do what it is trying in the gaming landscape. Microsoft isn’t planning to make any sudden moves right now, and Spencer suggests that mega deals comparable to the Activision Blizzard acquisition won’t happen for a good while. That’s because the company is still integrating its latest acquisition with Xbox and other services. Microsoft’s efforts to integrate its latest purchases have resulted in massive layoffs over the course of 2024. The company is also looking to diversify its game-making operations by getting involved with China. Spencer also opened up about the potential of collaborating with ******** Studios. With that said, are you excited about an Xbox handheld? Let us know in the comments below. Source link #Xbox #Handheld #Console #Theoretically #Pay #Cursed #Series #Policy #Pushing #****** #Myth #Wukong Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Rapid-***** update on all 33 portfolio stocks in November meeting 2024 Rapid-***** update on all 33 portfolio stocks in November meeting 2024 Here’s a rapid-***** update on all the stocks in Jim Cramer’s Charitable Trust, the portfolio we use for the CNBC Investing Club. During the November Monthly Meeting on Thursday, Jim looked at how Donald Trump’s return to the White House could impact each company — good, bad or not much at all. Apple : If U.S.-China tensions rise over President-elect Trump’s proposed tariffs, it will create an overhang for the tech stock. Investors need clarity around these trade talks. China is Apple’s second-largest market and the company has seen a slowdown in iPhone demand in the region. While Apple’s expansion into emerging markets like India may offset that weakness eventually, it will take time to materialize. Abbott Laboratories : The fate of Abbott Labs’ legal ****** involving its ********** infant formula improved greatly after securing a big win in Missouri state court on Nov. 1 . Trump’s return to the White House improves it further, and it could make the lawyers in outstanding cases versus the company more likely to settle. Once the dark legal cloud is gone, the stock will be free to go much higher. Advanced Micro Devices : The chipmaker could be in the crosshairs of Trump’s tougher stance on China. As the Biden administration’s export controls on AI chips reminded us, semiconductors are geopolitical tools. It’s not clear how much AMD would suffer if there were more restrictions from Trump or the ********, but it’s one reason why the stock has struggled lately. As an aside, AMD’s layoffs were tough but necessary as part of its sharper focus on AI. Amazon : The e-commerce giant is an ironic beneficiary of incoming administration, given it drew so much criticism from Trump during his first term. This time around, Trump’s tariff proposals on ******** imports could help Amazon in its competition against low-price online sellers Temu and Shein. It’s worth noting, Amazon on Wednesday debuted a discount storefront of its own. Broadcom : The semiconductor and software firm is in a good spot if Trump brings about a friendlier M & A environment, as many expect, given that CEO Hock Tan is a serial dealmaker with a strong track record of success. Its most recent sizable deal, the blockbuster acquisition of VMWare, closed roughly a year ago, which is practically lifetime for Tan. Best Buy : Our recent trim of Best Buy wasn’t due to its tariff risk — it was about locking in profits to give us room to buy more in case of disappointing sales ahead. But now that Trump won, tariffs are a more significant concern for investors. We’ll also see what the company says at its upcoming earnings report on the holiday shopping season. Don’t lose sight of its 4% dividend yield. BlackRock : Don’t be deterred by this stock’s roughly $1,000 share price, Jim said. Yes, it’s pricier than fellow financial Club holdings Morgan Stanley and Wells Fargo. But remember buying fractional shares of BlackRock are an option. With a 2% annual dividend yield and a consistent growth model, the stock actually isn’t that expensive. And if asset values go up under Trump, that’s good news for BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager. Costco : Tariff risk is a question for all retailers, but Costco is a relative winner because of its membership model and its emphasis on volume, not price. Costco makes money from membership dues and passes on pretty much everything that it can to the customer. Salesforce : Not a Trump stock, but it wasn’t a Kamala Harris stock either. The most important thing for Salesforce is Agentforce, its new suite of chatbot tools to help salespeople and customer service agents. The stock has been red hot ever since Agentforce was debuted at the company’s big Dreamforce conference in September. CrowdStrike : This stock is a buy on the next dip, according to Jim. The cybersecurity company is a beneficiary of increased geopolitical conflict under another Trump presidency. This means more cyber terrorism, increasing demand for CrowdStrike’s offerings. Plus, shares are still catching up from a brutal sell-off in July. Coterra Energy: Jim labeled this is our best stock for Trump’s policies and temperament. Trump will very likely reverse Biden’s restrictions on liquified natural gas export terminals while providing that industry easier permits and more clarity in general. That’s great news for Coterra. Its two bolt-on acquisitions announced Wednesday were smart and adds to our conviction in holding on. DuPont : Another beneficiary of an easier M & A climate. There’s been speculation about DuPont outright selling its attractive water business , instead of going through with a traditional spin-off. Reservations that DuPont may have had about doing so under Biden are likely gone now. Danaher : China has remained a thorn in the company’s side, even as its bioprocessing business in other parts of the world is in the midst of a turnaround. We thought that challenge was priced into the stock, but the market’s reaction to its earnings report in late October says otherwise. We need to see tangible signs that announced stimulus measures in China are leading to orders. Potentially heightened U.S.-China tensions are something to watch here. Disney : The entertainment giant posted better-than-expected quarterly earnings Thursday and issued upbeat earnings guidance for the next three fiscal years, which Jim said suggests “the old Disney is back.” Shares are up more than 7% Thursday. As for the Trump impact, Disney’s theme park in Shanghai should be able to stay above the fray even if tensions mount. Dover : This stock is among the few portfolio names not in the crosshairs of a tariff-toting president. Instead, Jim said Dover will keep benefitting from its exposure to key megatrends like data center buildouts. Sales for the company’s thermal connectors and heat exchangers will increase as more of these facilities are constructed to meet AI computing needs. Eaton : Like fellow industrial Dover, Eaton’s ties to megatrends should keep the stock on track despite the incoming administration. The electrical equipment supplier also wins from more data center construction on the back of AI adoption. GE Healthcare : The maker of MRI and CT machines is in the same leaky China boat as Danaher. In recent days, its former parent company, known now as GE Aerospace , sold its last big chunk of GEHC stock, which has pressured shares. But big picture, it’s positive that the GE Aerospace has nothing left to sell. Alphabet : If Trump takes steps to help realize Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s autonomous vehicles ambitions, that should by extension be good for Alphabet’s robotaxi company Waymo , Vice President-elect JD Vance is no fan of Google . But Vance’s fiercest criticism was dished out before he was the VP pick. Now is certainly a different time. Home Depot : Sure, the home-improvement retailer imports a lot of goods from overseas including China. But the reason we’ve looked past that — and bought more stock as recently as Tuesday — is Home Depot can absorb them better than competitors due to its scale, taking market share along the way. Plus, the rate-cut cycle is the real reason we own it, and that matters more than Trump’s victory. Honeywell : We’re more upbeat on this stock after activist investor Elliott Investment Management decided to take a $5 billion-plus stake in the conglomerate earlier this week. Jim encouraged management to follow Elliott’s recommendation of splitting its aerospace and automation divisions. We’ve long argued that Honeywell’s portfolio needed reshaping to focus on more profitable segments. Plus, a friendlier M & A environment under Trump could help these businesses. Linde : This stock isn’t in the Trump crosshairs either. As history has shown, Linde is a consistent operator that’s been able to deliver beats on the top and bottom lines regardless of the macro and industrial environment. Just look at its recent solid quarterly earnings report on Oct. 31. Eli Lilly : It ******** to be seen what role, if any, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will have in Trump’s administration. But it’s a fluid, if not fraught, situation that we need to monitor because Kennedy has been critical of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs and the profits they’re generating for their makers. Still, we don’t want to sell Lilly since its main GLP-1 called tirzepatide , sold as Mounjaro for diabetes and Zepbound for obesity, may go on to be the best-selling ***** in history. Meta Platforms : In the past, Trump has been critical of co-founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg. But in a recent podcast interview, the President-elect said he likes Zuckerberg better now. Taking him at face value seems like the right move. He doesn’t need to inflame tensions with a company that has tried to move away from politics and have solid relationships across the board. Morgan Stanley : This stock stands to benefit from the surge in Wall Street dealmaking as well, allowing its crucial investment banking business to rake in more revenues. In fact, Jim forecasted a “wave of mergers that might be the most intense we have ever seen” under Trump, which could lead to more gains for Morgan Stanley than any other bank stock — except for M & A rival Goldman Sachs . Microsoft : Unlike Big Tech peers Apple and Meta, another Trump presidency shouldn’t have big ramifications for the software and cloud giant. The stock has run higher since his decisive win last week. While the Financial Times reported Thursday that the FTC is looking into its cloud unit, the changeover in the White House minimizes the potential impact. Nvidia : The geopolitical risk weighing on AMD also extends to Nvidia, but you might not know it by looking at the latter’s stock chart. Why? It could be because Nvidia’s China exposure as a percentage to its book of business is small and any chips it can no longer sell into China will probably be gobbled up by other customers. Nextracker : Shares are down around 15% since Election Day as investors ***** that Trump could end subsidies for solar installations, which no doubt complicates the story here. At the same time, Nextracker did just report a terrific quarter . Plus, Nextracker is rolling out its first solar-tracking product made fully in the U.S., which Trump should like. Palo Alto Networks : Investors should expect this stock to trade higher in the next four years. Global tensions means more cyber attacks. Unlike CrowdStrike, it would take a sizable move lower for us to add to our position again. We still think Palo Alto is a great stock. Starbucks : Jim said the Trump administration’s policies may force new CEO Brian Niccol to get creative with its China operations. Starbucks could do a spin-off of its ******** stores, a strategy once employed by Yum Brands . In 2016, it separated its operations in the country to create Yum China . Niccol led Yum-owned Taco Bell during that time. Constellation Brands : The ******** ***** importer has been punished on fears about what Trump’s tariff and immigration proposals could do to its business. The immigration component is admittedly a risk to watch, but the stock is trading at a cheap valuation. And the potential that the entire ***** industry could turn the corner may more than offset Trump concerns. Stanley ****** & Decker: This stock is one of the most at-risk portfolio names under the incoming administration. Stanley ****** & Decker has numerous imports from China, which are at the mercy of the proposed tariff increases. Management said Tuesday a 60% tariff rate on imports from China could result in a $200 million headwind to operating income. Still, we’re sticking with the toolmaker for now. At the very least, it pays to wait with its great 3.75% dividend yield. TJX Companies : Compared to other retailers, the parent of TJ Maxx, Marshalls and HomeGoods has less direct tariff risk. That is because TJX buys merchandise from other retailers and manufacturers, which will have paid the import levy already. It’s a case of losing less than peers. Wells Fargo : Shares have hit record highs on a post-election rally and expectations of lower borrowing costs. Despite its recent gains, we are remaining long on the financial stock and not selling entirely. Wells Fargo has a key catalyst coming its way : The removal of the firm’s $1.95 trillion asset cap. If investors get out now, they might miss a big move higher down the line. (See here for the complete portfolio page for Jim Cramer’s Charitable Trust.) As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust’s portfolio. If Jim has talked about a stock on CNBC TV, he waits 72 hours after issuing the trade alert before executing the trade. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB. NO SPECIFIC OUTCOME OR PROFIT IS GUARANTEED. Source link #Rapidfire #update #portfolio #stocks #November #meeting Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Ford government inks $100M deal with Elon Musk’s Starlink system Ford government inks $100M deal with Elon Musk’s Starlink system The Ford government has signed a deal worth roughly $100 million with Elon Musk’s Starlink company to provide high-speed internet to parts of northern and rural Ontario. On Thursday, the province announced Starlink had won a competitive bidding process to run a satellite-based internet program for roughly 15,000 households and businesses beginning in June 2025. “Our government is pleased to work with Starlink to offer a highly advanced satellite internet service that will help people living and working in the hardest to reach areas of the province access high-speed internet,” Kinga Surma, Minister of Infrastructure, said in a statement. “Our government knows how essential it is to have access to online services and supports, which is why we are using all viable options and technologies, including fibre, fixed wireless and satellite to ensure every community across the province has access by the end of 2025.” Story continues below advertisement Surma also said the value of the deal was roughly $100 million, with registrations for the program set to begin in the spring. Get daily National news Get the day’s top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Starlink uses low-orbiting satellites to deliver fast internet in places where traditional connections are ******* to install and maintain. It is run and engineered by SpaceX, which also oversees Musk’s rocket program. Infrastructure Ontario said the deal included a requirement that Starlink engage with Indigenous communities which could be served by the program. The engagement should also, where possible, create local economic opportunities, training and jobs. More on Canada More videos Starlink has already demonstrated the technology in northern Ontario, through a rollout to the Pikangikum First Nation in 2020. The award of the significant contract to Musk’s internet business comes as the entrepreneur prepares to take a key role in Donald Trump’s second presidency, in charge of a department responsible for finding government waste. Musk took centre stage during the election campaign, advising Trump, promoting his content on his social media platform X and appearing with him. Trending Now Canada Post: No agreement so far as work stoppage deadline nears Still trying to see Taylor Swift in Toronto? Last-minute tickets priced as high as $33K SpaceX — which is in charge of the Starlink program — won after a “robust and transparent and competitive and fair technical and financial evaluation of multiple qualified parties,” said Michael Lindsay, CEO of Infrastructure Ontario. The Trump administration Musk is set to be a part of has promised to introduce fees on all foreign imports, including those from Ontario. Story continues below advertisement During the campaign, Trump threatened to levy blanket tariffs of 10 per cent or more on all goods coming into the U.S., with even heavier trade restrictions placed on ******** goods. He also said he would look to renegotiate the Canada-******* States-Mexico Agreement, NAFTA’s replacement. The trade pact is up for renegotiation in 2026. Ontario Premier Doug Ford has dismissed the threat, suggesting he doesn’t think tariffs on products from the province are likely. “He tried that last time and that didn’t last too long — it lasted about four weeks,” Ford said the day after Trump won the U.S. election. — with files from The ********* Press &copy 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc. Source link #Ford #government #inks #100M #deal #Elon #Musks #Starlink #system Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Police probe new allegations into paedophile head teacher Police probe new allegations into paedophile head teacher North Wales Police Neil Foden was jailed for 17 years in July Police are investigating two new grooming and ******* ****** cases involving paedophile head teacher Neil Foden. North Wales Police said the allegations related to victims who were “children at the time of the offence”. Foden was jailed for 17 years in July after ********* abusing four ****** over a four-year *******. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said police had not been in contact regarding any new allegations. Foden was head teacher at Ysgol Friars in Bangor, Gwynedd, and strategic head teacher at Ysgol Dyffryn Nantlle in Penygroes. Former Ysgol Friars staff member Ana, not her real name, said she was worried facts related to the case were not being shared with authorities and “secrets” were “casting a shadow” over the school’s future. “There are people there (at the school) who have information… and the feeling I have is that they won’t come forward,” she said. Ana worked at the school for 20 years and Newyddion S4C has spoken to several current and former staff members who shared her feelings. The North Wales Safeguarding Board is carrying out a child practice review to see what lessons can be learned. But there are concerns the review is limited and there are calls for a public inquiry and independent review of the county council’s processes. Ana questioned how much detail the panel had been given about how the school was run. Brian Jones, the school’s newly appointed chair of governors, said the child practice review team had visited the school on “several occasions” and staff had been given the “opportunity to share concerns or information that may be of use to them”. ******* ******** head teacher gives ‘no comment’ interview Ana said the culture Foden created at Ysgol Friars was “suppressive, toxic, fearsome and bullying”. She said there were “many things that have happened at the school that needed to come out” and “there are some members of staff who know more than they are saying”. After the ******* came to light, Ana claimed there was not enough support for teachers and other school staff. The morning after Foden’s arrest, she said there was a special staff meeting. “We were sent straight back to work after receiving the news and were expected to carry on, when in reality all we wanted was to get together and discuss what we had just heard. “It was a horrible situation.” She said a counsellor was available, but said some found it difficult to ask for help and requests for appointments were not anonymous. It is understood at least 10 teachers are on long-term absence from Ysgol Friars, with sources claiming there had been an average of 18 absences a day since October. Mr Jones said: “155 individuals work at Ysgol Friars, and naturally each has been affected as a result of Neil Foden’s horrific *******.” He said the new governing body was “committed to doing their very best for the ******** of the school’s pupils and staff”. Ana also criticised the council, Cyngor Gwynedd, for not taking control of the school after Foden was accused, saying it should have reacted “a lot sooner”. Recognising the difficulties faced by pupils and staff, the council said its education department had been working with the teaching staff, support staff and school governors to “restore and stabilise the situation for the benefit of all the school’s pupils”. Ana says the school she used to work at needs a “clean slate” During Foden’s trial, the court heard colleagues saw him go to his car with one of his victims and hug her. A former pupil who claimed Foden groomed her for five years said teachers and other school staff saw her get into his car alone several times. Ana said many in the school were aware some ****** got “a lot of attention” from Foden. “We knew as members of staff we were not supposed to carry children in our cars, so why was it different for Foden, and why didn’t anyone question that?” Ana said she felt able to speak about how Ysgol Friars was run after leaving the school. She said: “Every day, I think about those young ****** Foden abused.” Foden left the school in September 2023, but she said “secrets cast a shadow over the school”. “I would say that many senior staff have been moulded into how Foden wanted them to behave. “This is ******* than Foden himself. He made sure he was surrounded by people who weren’t going to question him.” She said the school needed a “clean slate”. Mr Jones said he could not comment on matters relating to staff, but “any allegation” brought to the board’s attention would be dealt with in accordance with its policies. The conclusion of the children’s practice review, chaired by Jan Pickles, is due next spring and will be presented to the Welsh government, but there are concerns about the communication processes and “timeliness” of responses. The Child Protection Panel said the review team would make direct contact with individuals should they need to meet or discuss anything further. But some within the school community said they were worried about confidentiality and general awareness of the review process, with parents not given a direct line of communication with the North Wales Safeguarding Board. A letter from the school in July said information should be sent to the head teacher or a member of staff “in whom you trust”. There has been no further correspondence with parents. Some said they were “surprised” and felt information should be sent directly to the panel. David Healey, interim head of Ysgol Friars, pictured in 2014 The school does not currently have a permanent head teacher, with David Healey, who was deputy under Foden, in interim charge since September 2023. Mr Jones said the post had been advertised three times but so far it had “not been possible to make a permanent appointment” and arrangements to appoint a head teacher on a temporary basis were under way. The council said recruiting a permanent head teacher had been “challenging” and a new approach was needed. Mr Healy is understood to have applied for the permanent post, but was not successful. The council said a formal “recovery plan” was to be implemented, saying it had “proactive steps in place” to review internal processes, including a barrister investigating events in 2019 referenced in the trial. “We can ensure that we will not for a moment forget about the most important ones in this whole situation – the ****** who should have been safe in their school, and that is why we are going through these processes and arrangements,” it said. Source link #Police #probe #allegations #paedophile #teacher Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate Review – Hades In a Half-Shell – MonsterVine Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate Review – Hades In a Half-Shell – MonsterVine “It’s the year of the Ninja Turtles, with not one, not two, but three TMNT games coming out in 2024. The second of those titles is Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate, which has just arrived on Switch courtesy of Super Evil Megacorp. Splintered Fate is the first Turtles roguelite, and it features 4-player local and online play. We’ve spent some time in co-op in order to bring you these detailed impressions,” says Co-Optimus. Source link #Teenage #Mutant #Ninja #Turtles #Splintered #Fate #Review #Hades #HalfShell #MonsterVine Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump picking Matt Gaetz for AG puts House ****, ***** probe in focus Trump picking Matt Gaetz for AG puts House ****, ***** probe in focus Multiple *********** senators gave a chilly reception to President-elect Donald Trump’s selection of Matt Gaetz for U.S. attorney general, putting the former Florida congressman’s odds of being confirmed by the Senate in question. The surprise announcement Wednesday, and Gaetz’s swift resignation from Congress, also drew attention to a House Ethics Committee probe into allegations that Gaetz engaged in ******* misconduct, illicit ***** use and other wrongdoing. Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, a *********** on the judiciary panel that will decide whether to advance Gaetz’s nomination to the full Senate, said Thursday morning that he “absolutely” wants to see the Ethics report. “I think there should not be any limitation on the Senate Judiciary committee’s investigation, including whatever the House Ethics Committee is generated,” Cornyn told reporters on Capitol Hill. He added that while “it’s ********** to count votes,” there are “a lot of questions.” Gaetz had previously been embroiled in a federal investigation into whether he was involved in the **** trafficking of a 17-year-old girl. That probe, which ended last year without charges being filed, was conducted by the Department of Justice — the agency Gaetz would lead if he were confirmed as attorney general. Gaetz has denied all of the allegations against him. In September, he declared he would stop cooperating with the House panel, while sharing a letter in which he vehemently denied having “******* activity with any individual under 18.” On Thursday, an attorney for the woman who alleges she had a ******* relationship with Gaetz when she was a minor, said the Ethics panel should release the report. “Mr. Gaetz’s likely nomination as Attorney General is a perverse development in a truly dark series of events. We would support the House Ethics Committee immediately releasing their report,” John Clune, a partner at Hutchinson ****** and Cook, wrote on X. “She was a high school student and there were witnesses,” the lawyer added. A lawyer for Gaetz did not immediately respond to CNBC’s request for comment. Calls for the committee to release its report have become more pressing given the unusual sequence of events surrounding Trump’s announcement. Trump’s selection of Gaetz and the lawmaker’s decision to abruptly resign from Congress the same day, came just two days before the panel was set to vote on releasing its report on the **** and ***** probe, Punchbowl News reported Wednesday, citing sources. Gaetz’s resignation effectively ends the Ethics Committee probe, because the panel’s reach is limited to members of the House. Chairman Michael Guest, R-Miss., told reporters Wednesday that if Gaetz were to step down in order to seek the attorney general role, “then the Ethics Committee loses jurisdiction at that point.” The Ethics panel was slated to meet Thursday behind closed doors, a source familiar with the situation told NBC. It was unclear whether the committee would discuss Gaetz or vote on the report during that confidential meeting. Read more CNBC politics coverage Several Senate Republicans reacted with bewilderment and skepticism Wednesday about Gaetz being chosen to lead the Justice Department. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said she was “shocked” by the decision and predicted that there will be “a lot of questions asked” if his nomination proceeds. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, said she did not believe Gaetz was “a serious nomination for the attorney general.” Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., another member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said, “I’m all about counting votes, and I would probably think he’s got some work cut out for him.” Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, said of Gaetz’s expected nomination: “He’s got his work cut out for him.” But others appeared ready to back Gaetz’s bid. Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, the judiciary panel’s ranking ***********, said in a press release Thursday afternoon that, “Generally speaking, I vote for confirmation regardless of party or personal feelings because that is my Constitutional role as a Senator.” “I will do the same for President Trump’s nominees,” Graham said in the statement, which was sent in an email with the subject line, “Elections Have Consequences.” Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., said Thursday on MSNBC’s “Andrea Mitchell Reports” that “there’s no problem with me. I want to see President Trump’s Cabinet appointed quickly.” Hagerty said “there has been no one better at channeling the ********* public’s frustration with the weaponization of the Department of Justice than Matt Gaetz.” When Republicans take control of the Senate in January, they are projected to have a slim majority of two or three seats. Assuming all Senate Democrats vote against Gaetz’s nomination, Trump can only afford a few GOP defections before he would lose the simple majority required to confirm his pick for AG. Trump has demanded that the next Senate *********** leader agree to send senators home for at least 10 days in order to pave the way for Trump to make “recess appointments,” which would allow him to install Cabinet members and bypass individual confirmation votes altogether. Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., after being selected to replace retiring Sen. Mitch McConnell as majority leader, said Wednesday that Republicans will “explore all options” to make sure Trump’s nominees move forward quickly. Source link #Trump #picking #Matt #Gaetz #puts #House #**** #***** #probe #focus Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘Miracle Man’ Gives Away Cash in Colorado After Dying and Being Prayed Back to Life ‘Miracle Man’ Gives Away Cash in Colorado After Dying and Being Prayed Back to Life A treasure hunt is taking place across the state of Colorado thanks to a man on a mission to give thousands of dollars away to bless others. “The Miracle Man” is keeping his identity anonymous as he gives away lumps of cash to his more than 100,000 followers on social media. Each day, he picks a different town to hide his stash of cash and gives clues on his Instagram page showing recognizable locations as to where to find it. Sometimes it is in Boulder, Denver, Colorado Springs, or a smaller town in between. Once the clues are posted, people immediately go out and treasure hunt. “I just put it towards bill, groceries – whatever,” one gentleman told ABC News. The man leaving stashes of cash around Colorado only started his Instagram account in early August and it has quickly grown. But that’s not the only reason he’s called “Miracle Man”. In 2013, he had a fatal heart ******* and was pronounced ***** for 15 minutes before waking up in the ICU. What happened during the time that he was ***** is a remarkable testimony to the power of prayer – someone prayed him back to life. “The guy that found me prayed over my body and asked **** if there was a mission for him, to bring him back, if not take him, and then I came back,” the “Miracle Man” told KDVR, a local Fox News affiliate. He later told ABC News that while he was *****, he got a visit from his older brother, who had ***** a few years earlier. “He put his arm around me, like around my shoulder, and he said, ‘You have a lot to look forward to, enjoy your life,'” he told the outlet. He says **** also told him to simply spread light to others. Now, he’s on a mission to honor what he calls his second life. “It can be taken away from you so quickly. Why not go down sharing what I’ve got,” he said. “Anytime you’ve been given a second life, that life is no longer about yourself, it’s about what you can do to do your part, to be better, to make the community a better place,” he also shared. The “Miracle Man” has given away more than $20,000 of his own personal money in the last four months. “It brings people together who may unlikely come together. It’s every walk of life: young, old, kids, families, partners. Bring them all together to get outside and stay active,” he said. ***Please sign up for CBN Newsletters and download the CBN News app to ensure you keep receiving the latest news from a distinctly ********** perspective.*** Source link #Miracle #Man #Cash #Colorado #Dying #Prayed #Life Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

The 25 best Nintendo Switch games in 2024 The 25 best Nintendo Switch games in 2024 Multiplayer: Y | Year released: 2019 I was on the fence about Astral Chain from the day the first trailer came out until a good few hours into my playthrough. It all felt a little too generic, almost a paint-by-numbers rendition of an action game. I needn’t have been so worried, as it’s one of the more original titles to come from PlatinumGames, the developer behind the Bayonetta series, in recent years. In a future where the world is under constant ******* from creatures that exist on another plane of existence, you play as an officer in a special force that deals with this threat. The game’s gimmick is that you can tame these creatures to become Legions that you use in combat. Encounters play out with you controlling both your character and the Legion simultaneously to deal with waves of mobs and larger, more challenging enemies. As well as for combat, you’ll use your Legion(s) to solve ******* and traverse environments. Astral Chain sticks closely to a loop of detective work, platforming puzzles and combat — a little too closely, if I’m being critical — with the game split into cases that serve as chapters. The story starts off well enough but quickly devolves into a mashup of various anime tropes, including twists and arcs ripped straight from some very famous shows and films. However, the minute-to-minute gameplay is enough to keep you engaged through the 20-hour or so main campaign and into the fairly significant end-game content. Does Astral Chain reach the heights of Nier: Automata? No, not at all, but its combat and environments can often surpass that game, which all-told is probably my favorite of this generation. Often available for under $50 these days, it’s well worth your time. Source link #Nintendo #Switch #games Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘Big Short’ investor Michael Burry reshuffles portfolio, adds hedges on China holdings ‘Big Short’ investor Michael Burry reshuffles portfolio, adds hedges on China holdings Michael Burry, best known for calling the subprime mortgage crisis, made a slew of changes in his portfolio last quarter including what appears to be a hedge on his sizable bet on ******** internet stocks. Burry, who now manages hedge fund Scion Asset Management, boosted his stakes in a few ******** internet companies’ ADRs, according to a regulatory filing. The trader added to his Alibaba bet by 29% to a stake worth more than $21 million, making it his largest position at the end of September. The widely followed investor also doubled his stake in JD.com , pushing it to become Scion’s second biggest holding, worth $20 million. Burry also increased his stake in ******** search engine Baidu by 67% to a bet worth $13.2 million at the end of the third quarter. While loading up on these ADRs, Burry took a significant amount of put options against these names, likely as some sort of hedge. Investors profit from puts when the underlying securities fall in prices. But when paired with long holdings, they can be used to offset any short-term losses expected in the shares. As of the end of September, Burry owned millions dollars worth of put contracts against Alibaba, JD.com and Baidu, with unknown value, strike price, or expiry, according to the filing. ******** equities got a boost in September after the government signaled a flood of stimulus measures in a bid to revive growth and avoid continued stagnation in the world’s second-largest economy. However, many stocks gave up some of those gains as officials have yet to announce much concrete fiscal support. Burry shot to fame by ******** against mortgage-backed securities before the 2008 global financial crisis . Burry was depicted in Michael Lewis’ book ” The Big Short ” and the subsequent Oscar-winning movie of the same name. Outside of these ******** companies, Burry added to his bets on payment processing company Shift4 Payments , ********* Coastal Insurance Corp as well as managed care firm Molina Healthcare . Money managers with more than $100 million in assets are required to disclose long positions with the Securities and Exchange Commission 45 days after a quarter ends. Active traders such as Burry could have already changed their positions by the time filings come out. Source link #Big #Short #investor #Michael #Burry #reshuffles #portfolio #adds #hedges #China #holdings Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Your Modern Warfare 3 Double XP Tokens Are Now In Call Of Duty: ****** Ops 6 Your Modern Warfare 3 Double XP Tokens Are Now In Call Of Duty: ****** Ops 6 Call of Duty: ****** Ops 6 hasn’t even been out a month yet, and it’s already smashing engagement records. But if you need to get an edge in progression, veteran Call of Duty fans just got some good news. The double XP tokens from last year’s Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3–as well as the tokens from Modern Warfare 2 and Warzone–have now been carried over to ****** Ops 6 as part of the Season 1 update that went live today. Double XP tokens can be equipped by players to help them quickly increase their experience as well as unlock weapons and equipment. The tokens are available to use in ****** Ops 6’s multiplayer and zombie modes. Because the game hasn’t been out for very long, there’s only been a single Double XP weekend to date, but there will likely be more in the future. In the meantime, ****** Ops 6 Season 1 has given players the chance to buy Gobblegums with real money. One of the main attractions this season is the BlackCell bundle, which introduces Goliath, an impressive new operator who stands out from the pack. Among other new ******* options, the bundle features the debut of a Boiling Point ******** rifle that looks like it’s dripping with ***** even when not in use. In a more lighthearted touch, Peter Stormare’s The Replacer is also a playable operator in this bundle. So far, ****** Ops 6 doesn’t appear to have been hurt at all by coming to Game Pass on day one. Fans seem as excited as ever to ***** into it. But before you download the ****** Ops 6 Season 1 update, you should know that it has a massive file size. So make sure that you have room for it. Source link #Modern #Warfare #Double #Tokens #Call #Duty #****** #Ops Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]