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The top gift to give this season? Travel— if you can figure out how The top gift to give this season? Travel— if you can figure out how Forget the headphones, the fuzzy slippers and the espresso machine that cranks out a cold brew. Globally, three out of four Gen Zs and millennials said that rather than a physical gift, they want a fun experience or trip this holiday season, according to an Amex Trendex survey. Gift givers are listening too. Half of consumers said they plan to buy a travel experience for someone this year, according to Accenture’s 18th Annual Holiday Shopping Survey published Thursday. But giving the gift of “travel” may be easier said than done. Chief among buyers’ complaints are needing to book exact dates (34%) and lacking details needed to book on behalf of another (29%), according to Accenture’s survey of more than 6,050 consumers across 10 countries. “Complex booking processes, coupled with the sheer number of choices and decisions travelers are faced with, could lead to lost revenue,” states Accenture’s report. To tell — or to surprise? Those skittish about locking in travel dates for another person can bypass the problem by surprising the gift recipient with the idea of the trip — and leaving the planning for later. One poster on Reddit said, “My brother & I surprised our mom with a trip to Italy for her 65th. We got her a Rick Steves Italy travel book, a travel purse and printed a little ‘plane ticket.’ … When she opened the gift [we] explained we would be going with her … on a date TBD but convenient for us all.” But for those who want to preserve the element of surprise, another Redditor explained how to use a simple ruse to extract available dates from the recipient — the poster’s father and his wife. Yet some caution against surprising anyone with a trip — and instead recommend planning with them and announcing later than you’re paying for all, or most of, the trip. Cards and certificates Still too complicated? Consider buying a gift voucher from an airline, hotel, cruise line or travel agency. Many companies sell gift cards directly from their websites, allowing buyers to choose physical or virtual cards — the latter ideal for last-minute shoppers — that the recipient can redeem at a later date. ********* Airlines lets buyers purchase multiple cards to be mailed to different addresses. Delta Air Lines allows buyers to personalize gift cards with photos and is shipping gift cards for free through Dec. 13. Marriott gift cards range from $25 to $2,000, and buyers can select a date for the company to email recipients their gifts. Hilton Honors members can buy or transfer points to others, which can be redeemed for free hotel stays, rental cars or rides on Lyft. Independent hotels brands, including Naumi and Mandarin Oriental, also sell gift cards. Royal Caribbean sells gift cards that can be redeemed for a cruise booking, but not pre-cruise purchases such as shore excursions, beverage packages and internet. However, these “will be available in the near future,” according to its website. Intrepid Travel, which specializes in sustainable tours for small groups, lets gift buyers purchase specific tours for another person. Road Scholar, a U.S. not-for-profit that plans educational trips for older travelers, sells gift certificates, starting from $50. Other websites offer gift cards that aren’t tied to specific brands, but reviews are mixed on some of those companies. With any voucher or gift certificate, buyers should check the fine print for restrictions. For example, Finnair gift cards expire in one year, while Airbnb gift cards aren’t available in every region. Buying an ‘experience’ Rather than offsetting costs of a trip, buying a travel “experience” is a way to upgrade someone’s vacation plans — while tapping into a key trend in travel today. If you’re buying for someone who has already scheduled a trip in 2025, ask where they are staying and look at the hotel’s website. Como Hotels and Resorts sells “gift experiences” in seven countries, from night snorkeling in the Maldives ($128) to truffle hunting in Tuscany ($324). The luxury Four Seasons hotel brand also sells gift cards that can be redeemed for spa treatments, meals and experiences, such as golfing in Costa Rica or chocolate-tasting in Istanbul — and you don’t need to be a guest of the hotel to redeem it. Sleuthing for travel dates and a hotel name can open opportunities to work directly with the hotel too, to schedule airport transfers, a special dinner or to have a bottle of Champagne delivered to the room. Travelers headed to Hawaii over Spring Break may not spring for a helicopter tour, but these can be purchased on their behalf on websites like Viator and Klook. For those with no plans, an experience closer to home may be a better option. A cousin studying in Paris may enjoy a macaron-making class, and a nephew who just started college may enjoy a haunted pub crawl in Austin, Texas. As for grandparents who may want to choose their own adventure, the website GetYourGuide sells gift cards for more than 60,000 tours and attractions worldwide. “They’re aren’t any restrictions,” the company’s website reads. “Just select an amount and let the giftee pick their perfect experience.” Source link #top #gift #give #season #Travel #figure Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

How to gameshare on Xbox Series X How to gameshare on Xbox Series X This is a good week for strategy game fans subscribed to Xbox Game Pass because November’s first new additions to the service all fall within that genre. Two of them are real-time strategy game classics from Blizzard Entertainment, and the other is a strategic take on an arcade classic. If you’re playing on a console, these additions may not mean as much to you, but for Game Pass subscribers with access to a PC, these recently added strategy game games are well worth your time. StarCraft: Remastered StarCraft Remastered Announcement The original StarCraft is a monumental release for Blizzard Entertainment. It gave the studio a third pillar franchise alongside Warcraft and Diablo, was one of the first major esports games, and set a standard that most RTS games after it have tried to follow. In 2017, Blizzard released StarCraft: Remastered, updating the classics’ visuals, audio, and online features; that’s the version of StarCraft that has come to Xbox Game Pass. While there are more approachable RTS games nowadays, PC gamers should check out the original StarCraft if they’ve never played it before to better understand the foundational building blocks of the RTS genre. Source link #gameshare #Xbox #Series Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Homebuilder deal activity is surging, fueled by major ********* buyers Homebuilder deal activity is surging, fueled by major ********* buyers Exceptionally strong housing demand in the U.S. has large homebuilders in the driver’s seat and smaller builders ripe for takeover. The buyers are both domestic and *********. M&A activity in the single-family homebuilder space is having a record year in terms of dollar volume, and close to a record in the number of deals, according to Margaret Whelan, founder of Whelan Advisory and one of the biggest investment bankers in the builder space. “The big guys want to get *******. They want to get into more markets, more price points, more types of product, and as they’re doing that, they’re finding the most efficient way is through acquisitions,” she said. There have been a total of 19 homebuilder deals so far this year. Whelan says she alone has four more set to close by year end, and there could be more from others. The average number of deals across the industry over the last five years was 12 per year. The surge is the result of still-growing housing demand that reignited at the start of the pandemic thanks to record low mortgage rates and sudden new migration. But mortgage rates also caused a historic housing shortage. Homes were flying off the shelves in the first two years of the pandemic, when rates were low, but when interest rates rose, homeowners stopped selling so they wouldn’t have to trade a low mortgage rate for a higher one. That dynamic, sometimes called the mortgage rate lock-in effect, has exacerbated the housing shortage. Construction of a KB Home single family housing development is shown in Menifee, California, U.S., September 4, 2024. Mike Blake | Reuters The nation’s large homebuilders benefited from all of it, especially since they’ve been buying down mortgage rates to get customers in the door. Five years ago, builders accounted for 1 in 6 homes for *****. Now they make up 1 out of every 3, according to industry counts. The biggest builders have also gone from a 30% market share five years ago to 50% today. Public builders have clear advantages over smaller private builders. “Public builders have a lower cost of debt (less expensive to borrow) than private builders and generally don’t need to borrow to buy a large company,” wrote Danielle Nguyen, vice president of research with John Burns Research and Consulting. And it’s not just public builders in the U.S. Whelan said half of the deals she has done this year are with ********* buyers. “From their perspective, they have much lower growth at home than they have here, and they have much lower cost of capital. And because their capital is so cheap, they can afford to pay more, so an M&A process tends to be very competitive,” said Whelan. Some of the biggest builder deals this year involved ********* companies like Sekisui House, which purchased MDC Holdings. “The deal of the year was Sekisui buying MDC, which made them a top five builder. I expect Sumitomo Forestry and Daiwa House to follow suit, acquiring other big builders who are not gaining market share and having difficulty competing,” said John Burns, founder of John Burns Research and Consulting. Whelan said the ********* are particularly adept at value engineering the homebuilding process, in part through reverse engineering building plans to remove any waste. They often “build” the home first in 3-D imaging, reducing waste by as much as 20% to 30%, and use factories where they pre-cut all of the wood that’s going into the house, such as the trusses, frames, and wall panels, she said. “I think what we would love to see is that they would bring some of the efficiencies that they have at home in Japan that would make housing more affordable, more cost-effective. They’ve done it successfully in the U.S. auto industry,” Whelan said. Homebuilder M&A will likely continue into next year, as deals have a long lag time. The new Trump administration could also provide a boost. President-elect Donald Trump has promised to open up more federal land for homebuilding. He could also put pressure on state and local governments to loosen zoning regulations that have inhibited more growth. He has also, however, promised mass deportations, which could hit the builder workforce hard. Right now the highest costs for homebuilders are land and labor. Source link #Homebuilder #deal #activity #surging #fueled #major #********* #buyers Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

The best Christmas gifts in 2024 that cover everyone on your holiday list The best Christmas gifts in 2024 that cover everyone on your holiday list This time of year has a lot of merry and bright things to be excited about, but it can be stressful if you’re stumped on what to get your mom, dad, best friend, coworker or kids’ teacher as a holiday gift. Whether you enjoy or dread buying gifts for people, it’s safe to say we all want to give our loved ones things they will enjoy and appreciate. But there’s a lot of noise, junk and bad deals disguised as good deals to sift through as we get closer and closer to the holidays. Allow us at Engadget to help you through it. Here, you’ll find all of our holiday gift guides collected in one place, so you can more easily find the best Christmas gifts you need this year. Are you looking for white elephant gift ideas? Are you struggling to come up with a good gift for the father figure in your life? Are you just looking for a good board game to pick up for your own family? We’ve got you covered with gift ideas for all of those scenarios and more. We’ll update this post as more of our gift guides hit the internet, so check back for even more gift ideas throughout the season. Table of contents Best white elephant gift ideas According to legend, the King of Siam would give a white elephant to courtiers who had upset them. The recipient had no choice but to simply thank the king for such an opulent gift, knowing that they likely could not afford the upkeep for such an animal. It would inevitably lead them to financial ruin. This story is almost certainly untrue, but it has led to a modern holiday staple: the white elephant gift exchange. These gift ideas will not only get you a few chuckles, but will also make your recipient feel (slightly) burdened. Read more: The best white elephant gift ideas Best board game gifts We could all use more time away from screens of all types and sizes, and board games are a fun way to do that and bond with friends and family. You can find plenty of unique sets out there now, from word puzzles to whodunnits to calming playthroughs that showcase the beauty of the little things in life. From games with giant monsters to those with haunted mansions, we’re sure at least one of our suggestions will be a hit with you and your loved ones. Read more: The best board games to gift this season Best gifts under $50 We wouldn’t blame you if you try to do all of your tech shopping around the holidays. That’s when you can typically get the best sales, both on relatively affordable gear and (more importantly) on big-ticket items. But it would be wrong to think that only the most expensive tech is worth gifting. Since we at Engadget test a plethora of gadgets every year, we know that there are some hidden (and not so hidden) tech gems at lower price ranges — you just have to know where to find them. Read more: The best gifts under $50 that make great stocking stuffers Best gifts for gamers This year may not go down as one of the best years in gaming like 2023 did, but that doesn’t mean there weren’t a lot of great new releases. Between titles like Astro **** and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, there were plenty of games to keep even the most dedicated of gamers busy in 2024. And if you’re shopping for one, especially as a non-gamer, it can be tricky to navigate what’s worth buying. We’ve got you covered with these recommendations. Read more: The best gifts for gamers Best retro gaming gifts A million new video games seem to come out every week, but for some of us, nothing beats the classics. If you know someone who is way into retro gaming but don’t feel like hunting through eBay and local shops for gear to add to their collection, we’re here to help. We’ve rounded up a few of our favorite gift ideas for the nostalgic gamer in your life, from video upscalers for old consoles to retro-themed books and artwork. Read more: The best retro gaming gifts for the holidays Best gifts for coffee lovers When it comes to making a great cup at home, coffee nerds are constantly learning and love to try new things. Whether the person you’re shopping for is a newly indoctrinated pour over lover or obsessive over every brewing parameter, we’ve compiled a list of the best gear for coffee geeks that you can get this holiday season. Read more: The best gifts for coffee lovers Best cooking gifts There are few things more rewarding than making good food for your friends and family. But after a while, it’s easy to get bored with the same tried and true recipes. And what better way to inject some fun into your favorite home chef’s routine than with a brand-new kitchen gadget? To help you find the right gift for the cook in your life, we’ve put together a list of our favorite kitchen gadgets across a wide range of prices and categories. Read more: The best cooking gifts Best tech toys for kids We’re all having a bit of a budget crunch this year, but the good news is that when it’s time to bestow presents on the young ones (or young at heart), you don’t have to break the bank. Our list of our favorite tech, science and design toys is stacked with items under $100, with plenty of reuse packed in so the fun can extend far beyond the holiday season. Read more: The best tech toys for kids Best gadgets for your pets In Engadget’s Slack rooms, our pets are high on the list of stuff we chat about — just behind work-adjacent tech stuff, insane current events, video games and food. We’ve bought plenty of high- and low-tech stuff to keep our furry friends fed, occupied, safe and happy and we’ve put together the best of what we tried here. Perhaps you’re shopping for your own very good boy or girl, or maybe you have a dutiful **** parent on your list — either way, the gadgets gathered here will make great gifts, according to the enthusiastic tail wags (or aloof meows) of our own fur *******. Read more: The best gadgets for your pets Best travel gifts Since the dawn of humanity, we have traveled. We’ve come a long way from on-foot journeys laden with animal hide satchels. But the goal of good travel gear is the same: Get you and your necessities to a destination in the highest level of comfort available. If you know someone who is always catching a flight, rides the train to work or is bravely embarking on a cruise, some new tech may just help them out. Read more: The best travel gifts Best gifts for remote workers There’s a pretty good chance you know at least one person who works remotely in some fashion. While the WFH life has its perks — nobody likes a long commute — it comes with its own set of challenges, from lacking pro-level equipment to dealing with household disturbances. If you’re looking to give a gift to someone who spends much of their time in their home office, we’ve rounded up a few techy gift ideas that should make their days a little more delightful, or at least easier to manage. Read more: The 19 best gift ideas for the remote worker in your life Check out the rest of our gift ideas here. Source link #Christmas #gifts #cover #holiday #list Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

One in three drop out from health T-level One in three drop out from health T-level Getty Images Over 30% of T-level students doing health and science leave the two-year course within 12 months Nearly one in three students doing a T-level in health and science drop out in their first year, according to a new report. The Education Policy Institute (EPI) says T-level students overall are 20% less likely to complete their qualification than students on other types of courses. Health students saw high levels of dropouts after botched exam papers in 2022, which saw the exam board responsible fined £300,000. A Department for Education (DfE) spokesperson said the findings showed overall student retention rates were “improving as providers grow more familiar with delivering the courses”. T-levels are now in their fifth year, after first being rolled out in 2020. They are two-year vocational courses taken after GCSEs, which focus on subjects like education, construction and IT, and include a work placement that makes up roughly 20% of the course. Just over 16,000 students started a T-level in 2023. Although 2024 figures are not yet available, enrolment numbers have been rising each year. But the rollout has drawn criticism from the regulator Ofsted, and the government’s education select committee, with issues varying from the quality of teaching to the availability of work placements. The latest EPI report also highlights a persistent issue with students dropping out of courses early. The dropout rate of first-year health and science students was 31%, the report said. Only legal, finance and accounting courses had a higher rate, with 33%. Aleasha Lancaster said three of her health T-level classmates dropped out after the exams fiasco in 2022. Ofqual said it had had to take “unprecedented” action against the exam board, NCFE, to get 1,200 students’ results recalculated, after it ******* to develop “valid question papers”. Aleasha, 20, said it was a “big shock” when questions about “the acidity of volcanoes” came up in her science exam, rather than the health-based questions she had been preparing for. Aleasha Lancaster Aleasha is now doing a mental health nursing course at Liverpool John Moores University The healthcare T-level is recognised by NHS Employers as one way young people can start their career in nursing, or other NHS roles. Aleasha has gone on to study mental health nursing at university, but said she and her classmates often felt like “guinea pigs”, having the course tested on them in real time. “I think that because the lecturers didn’t really know the course themselves, it was like the ****** leading the ******,” she said. She said the course was sometimes disorganised, and lacked structure. The EPI report also raised issues which many T-level students have found with using their qualification to get into university. Nursing shortages It comes after a warning from the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) last month, that the number of people studying to become nurses has “collapsed” in each region of England. “Across the NHS alone there are tens of thousands of vacancies, and demand for services continues to rise,” RCN’s Prof Nicola Ranger said at the time. “We desperately need more people to join the profession, but the reality is nursing numbers are going in the wrong direction.” ***-wide Ucas data from August found 23,800 students were accepted on to nursing courses for this academic year – 340 fewer than last year and 6,350 fewer than in 2021. The EPI report found that nearly half of health and science T-level students who drop out early end up leaving education altogether. It also criticised the T-level transition programme (TLTP), a foundation year of study to help students prepare for the T-level, with only 2% of health and science TLTP students progressing to the full course. T-levels were launched by the former ************* government, which planned to make them the main route into vocational education by defunding alternative courses, like BTecs, with overlapping subject areas. Critics have warned that many students who might not be suited to T-levels could be left with fewer options for post-16 education if the alternatives are removed. The new Labour government said it would continue with T-levels, but it is considering whether to continue defunding other courses. The result of that review is expected before the end of the year. A spokesperson from the DfE said: “We welcome these findings that show T-level students are more likely to go onto advanced apprenticeships and other higher levels of study than other vocational qualifications.” Source link #drop #health #Tlevel Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

PS5 Price Cut For The Holidays Edited Out Of New Sony Trailer PS5 Price Cut For The Holidays Edited Out Of New Sony Trailer On November 12, Sony published a marketing trailer for the PlayStation 5 that ended with the announcement that the digital PS5 Slim would be marked down for the holidays. That trailer has since been edited and re-uploaded to remove all mention of the temporary discount. The trailer originally stated that the digital PS5 Slim would be on ***** until December 24 for $380. The system originally launched for $400 before Sony raised the price to $450. Bringing it down to $380 for the holidays is a nice offer, and hopefully it comes back. Microsoft already slashed the price of the Xbox Series X by $50 for the holidays. The video has since been re-uploaded, with many commenters poking fun at Sony for editing out mention of the deal. GameSpot has contacted Sony to try to find out what’s going on here. Companies like Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo typically offer discounts on their consoles and games for ****** Friday and the wider holiday shopping season, and it’s expected Sony will eventually roll out a PS5 discount. In other PS5 news, if you spend $1,800 on high-end jewelry, you can get a free PS5. Sony just released the PS5 Pro, but the console is aimed at a very small tech-enthusiast market rather than the general consumer. Some analysts are predicting a grim holiday for new console sales. If you don’t want a PS5, Nintendo just announced its own set of ****** Friday deals, including discounts on Switch bundles. Nintendo is expected to announce the Switch 2 in the next few months. Source link #PS5 #Price #Cut #Holidays #Edited #Sony #Trailer Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

AFL Draft 2024: Top West *********** draft hope Bo Allan a first-round lock after Melbourne invite AFL Draft 2024: Top West *********** draft hope Bo Allan a first-round lock after Melbourne invite Top West *********** draft prospect Bo Allan has cemented himself as a first-round lock after being invited to Melbourne next week. Source link #AFL #Draft #Top #West #*********** #draft #hope #Allan #firstround #lock #Melbourne #invite Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Lego Horizon Adventures Review – Beautiful Horizon | COGconnected Lego Horizon Adventures Review – Beautiful Horizon | COGconnected “Clocking in at a fairly short six-to-eight hours, Lego Horizon Adventures offers up frequent, brief bursts of fun with its excellent combat encounters. However, this is wrapped up in an experience that feels way too shallow and repetitive to recommend to anyone other than the most enthusiastic Horizon and Lego fans. It’s clear that the intention is to woo new, younger gamers to Sony’s flagship franchise, but if you already own Zero Dawn and Forbidden West on PlayStation, we can’t see any reason why you’d want to check this one out. Mind you, if all you’ve got is a Switch, then this endearingly light-hearted introduction will have to do for now. It could have been so much more, though.” – Ollie Reynolds | NintendoLife Source link #Lego #Horizon #Adventures #Review #Beautiful #Horizon #COGconnected Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Robotic AI performs successful surgery after watching videos for training Robotic AI performs successful surgery after watching videos for training Watching old episodes of ER won’t make you a doctor, but watching videos may be all the training a robotic surgeon’s AI brain needs to sew you up after a procedure. Researchers at Johns Hopkins University and Stanford University have published a new paper showing off a surgical ****** as capable as a human in carrying out some procedures after simply watching humans do so. The research team tested their idea with the popular da Vinci Surgical System, which is often used for non-invasive surgery. Programming robots usually requires manually inputting every movement that you want them to make. The researchers bypassed this using imitation learning, a technique that implanted human-level surgical skills in the robots by letting them observe how humans do it. The researchers put together hundreds of videos recorded from wrist-mounted cameras demonstrating how human doctors do three particular tasks: needle manipulation, tissue lifting, and suturing. The researchers essentially used the kind of training ChatGPT and other AI models use, but instead of text, the model absorbed information about the way human hands and the tools they are holding move. This kinematic data essentially turns movement into math the model can apply to carry out the procedures upon request. After watching the videos, the AI model could use the da Vinci platform to mimic the same techniques. It’s not too dissimilar from how Google is experimenting with teaching AI-powered robots to navigate spaces and complete tasks by showing them videos. Surgical ****** Transformer Demo – YouTube Watch On Surgical AI “It’s really magical to have this model and all we do is feed it camera input and it can predict the robotic movements needed for surgery. We believe this marks a significant step forward toward a new frontier in medical robotics,” senior author and JHU assistant professor Axel Krieger said in a release. “The model is so good learning things we haven’t taught it. Like if it drops the needle, it will automatically pick it up and continue. This isn’t something I taught it do.” The idea of an AI-controlled ****** holding blades and needles around your body might sound scary, but the precision of machines can make them better in some cases than human doctors. Robotic surgery is increasingly common in some instances. A ****** performing complex procedures independently might actually be safer, with fewer medical errors. Human doctors could have more time and energy to focus on unexpected complications and the more difficult parts of a surgery that machines aren’t up to handling yet. The researchers have plans to test using the same techniques to teach an AI how to do a complete surgery. They’re not alone in pursuing the idea of AI-assisted robotic healthcare. Earlier this year, AI dental technology developer Perceptive showcased the success of an AI-guided ****** performing a dental procedure on a human without supervision. You might also like Sign up to be the first to know about unmissable ****** Friday deals on top tech, plus get all your favorite TechRadar content. Source link #Robotic #performs #successful #surgery #watching #videos #training Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Fmr. DOJ official sounds off on Gaetz nomination Fmr. DOJ official sounds off on Gaetz nomination Dave Laufman, Former Top official in the National Security Division at DOJ joins Nicolle Wallace on Deadline White House with continued reaction to the nomination of Matt Gaetz as Attorney General and what it will mean for the rule of law in America. Source link #Fmr #DOJ #official #sounds #Gaetz #nomination Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

The most common Xbox Series X problems and how to fix them The most common Xbox Series X problems and how to fix them Like any other consoles, the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S aren’t without issues. We all hate being interrupted when playing the best Xbox games with some technical glitch. This is even worse when you’re locked in on an intense multiplayer game with your headset on and are ready to go. Even after several years on the market giving Microsoft time to push out updates and fixes, there are still some issues that can crop up. In this guide, we’re going to cover the most common Xbox Series X problems, as well as how to fix them, including: Disc issues: Discs getting stuck in the disc drive, clicking from the disc drive or fan, or discs not playing at all. An Xbox Series X console that won’t turn on No signal to TV or corrupted image Console displaying incorrect resolution Audio crackling while playing Xbox 360 games not launching Inability to connect to your controller You can also keep up with all updates, known issues, and potential fixes directly from Xbox. Get in touch with Microsoft Before getting to any fixes, take note of the different contact options for Microsoft and Xbox support. There’s a robust support system in place, and for certain issues, you’ll need to contact Microsoft for a repair or replacement. If you have a smaller issue that we haven’t covered in this guide, you can ping us on Twitter @DigitalTrends so we can add it to this guide, as well as tag @XboxSupport. That seems to be the fastest support route. In addition to keeping support options handy, we recommend checking the Xbox Live status page frequently. You’ll find all online issues for the Microsoft Store, games, movies, apps, and more there. Problem: Discs getting stuck in the disc drive Some Xbox Series X units have a disc drive problem (the same problem responsible for the next two issues we’re going to discuss). The most concerning of these issues is the disc getting stuck halfway in the disc drive, sometimes accompanied by loud clicking sounds or grinding noises. I have an even worse problem What would be the best way to get a replacement pic.twitter.com/546UloBRkr — drknickel (@drknickel) November 11, 2020 Potential solution The problem here is with the disc drive itself, not with whatever disc is getting stuck. Because of that, we recommend getting in touch with Microsoft for a repair or replacement using the contact methods above. Thankfully, the issue doesn’t seem too complex. An early Reddit thread showed multiple Xbox Series X users having the same issue, attributing it to the dust cover that protects the disc drive. Users report that a small amount of force with the palm of your hand is usually enough to loosen this cover and allow the disc to slide in. We haven’t seen any videos of this fix working, and we haven’t encountered it ourselves. To be clear, we don’t recommend forcing a disc into your console. If it messes up anything in the disc drive, it’ll almost certainly void your warranty, and it may leave you with a broken game disc, too. Problem: Clicking from the disc drive or fan Discs getting stuck is the main issue Xbox Series X owners are experiencing, but some also are reporting a clicking sound from the console after inserting a disc or while installing a video game. Potential solution If the clicking is coming from your disc drive, the solution is simple. Some discs may cause a clicking sound in the disc drive when loaded. A good way to test if your disc is the problem is to insert it into another Xbox console — an Xbox One will work — and see if the issue persists. If it doesn’t, there’s a problem with your disc drive. Contact Microsoft to arrange a repair or replacement. If the sound is coming from the vent at the top of your Xbox Series X, we have some bad news. After experiencing a clicking sound from the fan, a Reddit user opened their Xbox Series X and found that a cable was hanging close to the fan, causing a clicking sound when the fan started to spin. Like the issue above, we don’t recommend taking your Series X apart. It will void your warranty, and if you don’t know what you’re doing, you could get hurt, too. Contact Microsoft using the methods above to arrange a repair or replacement instead. Problem: Discs won’t play at all Some Xbox Series X units won’t recognize discs at all. Note that this issue applies to all discs you insert, regardless of whether they’re Xbox One games, Blu-rays, or DVDs. If you’re having trouble with a particular disc, we recommend cleaning the disc with a damp microfiber cloth, letting it dry, then trying it on a different Xbox console. Potential solution If your console won’t recognize a disc when you insert it, or it tells you to insert a disc when you already have one in, there are two possible problems. Either there’s an issue with your power mode — which, according to Microsoft, affects a small number of consoles — or there’s a problem with your disc drive. You can solve the power issue yourself, thankfully. You need to change your power mode and perform a hard reset, which you can do by following these steps: Press the Xbox button on your controller. Select Settings (cog icon). Follow Profile & System > Settings > General > Power Mode & Start-Up. Under Power Mode, select Energy-Saving. Hold the Xbox button on your console for 10 seconds until it has completely shut down. Power on your Xbox Series X and try the disc again. If that doesn’t solve your problems, there’s an issue with the disc drive. Contact Microsoft to arrange a repair or replacement. Problem: Xbox Series X won’t turn on Image used with permission by copyright holder If your Xbox Series X won’t turn on, there’s probably an issue with the internal power supply. Microsoft says these issues usually come up after a power surge where the power supply will reset itself. Thankfully, there are some troubleshooting steps you can take to solve this problem before contacting Microsoft. Potential solution Before resetting your power supply, some standard troubleshooting is in order. First, make sure that the outlet the console is plugged into works by plugging another device in. If the outlet isn’t the problem, you can perform an internal power supply reset by unplugging the power cord of the Xbox Series X for 10 seconds, then plugging it back in. If that doesn’t solve your problem, and you’ve confirmed the outlet isn’t the issue, try a different power cord. If you still can’t power on your console, there’s an issue with the power supply that requires servicing. Contact Microsoft using the options above. Problem: No signal to TV or corrupted image The Xbox Series X supports 4K HDR at 120Hz with a variable refresh rate, which is enabled by the HDMI 2.1 standard. The included cable supports HDMI 2.1, along with its resolution and refresh rate features, but it may cause issues on your TV. In particular, if you have a TV that supports variable refresh rate from LG, Samsung, or Vizio, you may not see a signal or the signal may be corrupted. Potential solution Before doing anything with your Xbox, make sure your TV is updated to its latest firmware. Updates like these bring official support for external devices, and with the Xbox Series X using the latest tech, there’s bound to be some issues. A firmware update should solve this problem for most users. If you’re still having trouble and you can’t make out options on the screen, you’ll need to boot your console into safe mode. If you can see enough of the screen for navigation, you can skip this step. To put your console into safe mode, do the following: Eject any discs from your console. Press the Xbox button on your console for 10 seconds. Press and hold the Xbox + Eject buttons until you hear two beeps (continue holding until the second beep, which happens 10 seconds after the first). At this point, your console will be in low-resolution mode. Open the Settings menu and follow General > TV > Display Options > Video Modes. If you booted into low-resolution mode, change the resolution to match your TV. This issue comes up with 4K at 120Hz with variable refresh rate turned on. Microsoft recommends changing one of these to solve the problem. Potential compatible solutions include 1440p at 120Hz with variable refresh rate, 4K at 60Hz with variable refresh rate, and 4K at 120Hz without variable refresh rate. Any combination works, but you can’t have all three, at least right now. You’ll find the resolution and refresh rate options under the Display Options menu and variable refresh rate settings under Video Modes. If issues still persist, turn off variable refresh rate on your TV. Each TV is a little different, so consult your manual for the correct instructions. Problem: Console displaying incorrect resolution Depending on your TV or monitor, you will want to set your Series X to display at the best resolution possible. A wrong resolution can either fail to display an image or show you an image that is below the quality that you should be getting. Potential solution The only solution offered at the moment is to restart your console by holding down the Xbox button, shutting the system down, and turning it back on. Problem: Audio crackling while playing Some users report hearing a crackling or static-like sound while playing on their Series X. Usually, it occurs when using headsets, specifically when playing in parties and talking with friends over voice chat. There are two ways you can attempt to get a clear audio signal. Potential solution Press the Xbox button to open your guide Select Profile & System > Settings > General > Volume & Audio Output Lower the Other sound option to around 50% If the issue persists, it may be related to your hardware rather than a setting. In that case, you can try: Disconnecting and reconnecting your headset cable. Checking for obstructions in your controller audio port. If neither is successful, or you are using a wireless headset, you may need to contact the headset manufacturer for repair or replacement. Bug: Xbox 360 games not launching Certain Xbox 360 games will either not launch or immediately return players back to the home screen after launching. Note that this problem and its solution are exclusive to Xbox 360 games. If you’re having problems with Xbox One or Xbox Series X games, refer to the solutions above. Potential solution There isn’t a set reason for this issue, but it generally comes up with Xbox 360 games installed on an external hard drive that was used on an Xbox One. To solve it, you’ll need to clear your local Xbox 360 storage. Make sure you have a Game Pass account and that your saves have been backed up before performing the reset. After your saves are secured, perform these steps: Open the Settings menu. Follow System > Storage. Select Clear Local Xbox 360 Storage. Bug: Can’t connect controller Microsoft The wireless controller that comes with your new Xbox Series X may not connect to the console. Before moving to the solution, make sure that you’ve replaced the batteries in your controller and that it powers on. We also recommend trying other controllers with your gaming console to see if they work. Before getting to the solution, here’s a quick refresher on how to connect your Xbox Series X controller: Power on your Xbox Series X by pressing the Xbox button on the console. Turn on your controller by pressing the Xbox button on your controller. Press the Pair button on your console until the Xbox logo starts flashing rapidly (button right above front USB port). Press the Pair button on your controller until the Xbox logo starts flashing rapidly (button on the back of the controller, next to the USB port). If all is working correctly, the lights on your console and controller will move from a rapid pulse to a slow one before turning solid white. If they don’t, proceed to the solution. Potential solution A hard reset of your Xbox Series X should solve any controller connectivity issues. Hold down the Xbox button on the front of your console for 10 seconds, waiting until you hear and see the console shut off. Wait a few seconds more, then press the Xbox button again to power on your console. If your controller still won’t connect, use a USB cable to plug it directly into your Xbox using the USB port on the front. Your controller should power on and work, but if it doesn’t, there’s an issue with your controller. If your controller works wired but not wirelessly, and you’ve performed a hard reset and checked your batteries, contact Microsoft for a repair or replacement. Frequently Asked Questions Why is my Xbox Series X not working properly? If your Xbox Series X is not working properly, it could be a sign that some cached data has been corrupted and is slowing your performance. Fortunately, it’s an easy fix to clear the system cache: First, power down your Xbox. Next, unplug the power cord from the wall, and leave it unplugged for at least 30 seconds. Next, plug the cord back in, power up your machine, log in, and try using an app or a game. Alternatively, it may be a specific game that’s causing you issues. In this case, you’ll want to uninstall and reinstall the offending games. If this also doesn’t get your Xbox working properly, the next culprit may be an external drive connected to your console. Try unplugging it and playing. If your slowdowns and issues are gone, you’ve found the source of your problems. Try formatting your external drive according to the Xbox NTFS file system before using it again. Does the Xbox Series X have cooling issues? The Xbox Series X, if used correctly, should not have cooling issues. However, if the top vent on the console is impeded in any way, the Xbox may overheat. That’s because the air flow through the system flows through from the bottom and is expended out of the top. Just ensure that the vents are clear of blockage or debris. Source link #common #Xbox #Series #problems #fix Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Could ‘higher for longer’ make a return? Could ‘higher for longer’ make a return? U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell attends a press conference following a two-day meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee on interest rate policy in Washington, U.S., November 7, 2024. Annabelle Gordon | Reuters This report is from today’s CNBC Daily Open, our international markets newsletter. CNBC Daily Open brings investors up to speed on everything they need to know, no matter where they are. Like what you see? You can subscribe here. What you need to know today U.S. inflation picks upThe headline inflation rate in the U.S. came in at 2.6% for October, in line with market expectations. Core inflation — which strips out prices of food and energy — held steady at 3.3%. The headline reading is higher than the Federal Reserve’s target, which might complicate the Fed’s easing path. Markets little changed after inflation dataU.S. markets were mostly rangebound after the October inflation reading, with the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average rising just 0.02% and 0.11%, respectively. The Nasdaq Composite ended the day with a 0.26% decline. Across the Atlantic, the pan-********* Stoxx 600 fell 0.13%. Bitcoin continues setting fresh recordsBitcoin continued to set fresh records on Wednesday, briefly crossing the $93,000 mark as traders assessed October inflation data. The cryptocurrency rose to a fresh record of $93,469.08, before paring some gains, and was last up at $90,476, according to Coin Metrics. Trump, on the campaign trail, has had a pro-crypto stance, promising to make the U.S. the “crypto capital of the planet.” AMD announces layoffsChipmaker AMD will lay off 4% of its staff, or about 1,000 workers, as it tries to strengthen its position in the artificial intelligence chip space currently dominated by Nvidia. The firm had 26,000 employees at the end of last year, according to a U.S. SEC filing. AMD is the second-biggest producer of graphics processing units, or GPUs, behind Nvidia. [PRO] Wells Fargo urges caution on Trump trade Wall Street has been pumping money into the so called “Trump trade,” investing into companies and stocks tied to Trump’s campaign promises, but that doesn’t mean those bets will pay off, according to the Wells Fargo Investment Institute. The bottom line Shakespeare famously said: “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players; They have their exits and their entrances, and one man in his time plays many parts.” With October’s inflation reading coming in line with expectations, the stage seems set for a final rate cut in December, bringing the Fed Funds rate to the central bank’s target of 4.25%- 4.5% that it had set in its so called “dot plot” released in September. It is important to note that the October reading is the first-time headline inflation has risen since March, and the 2.6% figure is higher compared to the Fed’s target of 2%. As such the path now is less clear for 2025. U.S. President Joe Biden will make his exit from the Oval Office on Jan. 20, and President-elect Donald Trump will make his entrance, with all his promises of tariffs and tax cuts. The one man then, that has to play many parts will be Fed President Jerome Powell. Going back to the “dot plot,” the Fed in September had expected that rates will be cut by another 100 basis points by the end of 2025, and another 50 bps by the end of 2026. However, as economists have said, Trump’s policies — if followed through — are likely to be inflationary, and with a projected *********** trifecta — control of presidency, Senate and House — the possibility that he will be able to enact what he promised is increasingly possible. What this means then, is that the Fed may be forced to slow or halt its easing path, if inflation ticks up again in a second Trump term. In short, the term “higher for longer” may rear its head, once again. Source link #higher #longer #return Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Grubhub just sold for a tenth of what it was worth during the pandemic Grubhub just sold for a tenth of what it was worth during the pandemic A startup called Wonder is now the new owner of Grubhub. The food delivery app announced its acceptance of the deal on earlier today. Wonder acquired Grubhub from the Dutch food company Just Eat Takeaway for $650 million. Pending regulatory approval, the deal will close early next year. Wonder also announced it has raised an additional $250 million in venture capital funding “to further its mission and growth.” Chicago software engineers Matt Maloney and Mike Evens founded Grubhub in 2004 as an online restaurant ordering service and an alternative to those paper menus that showed up on doorsteps and in junk mailings. The company merged with the automated food ordering and delivery company Seamless in 2013. in 2020 for $7.3 billion at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The numbers for restaurant delivery apps started to drop once the pandemic became part of history and people started going out again. Legal troubles started in 2021 when Chicago took Grubhub and some of its competitors to court for alleged unfair business practices and fees. Companies like DoorDash eventually settled but Grubhub’s legal battle with Chicago is still raging in court, according to the . won a similar lawsuit against Grubhub in 2021 that ended with a $3.5 million settlement. The following year, Grubhub announced of its corporate staff. Wonder is a new fooddelivery company started by Marc Lore, a former Walmart executive who owns two professional basketball teams. Lowe previously founded Diapers.com and Jet.com. published a profile on Lore and his newest venture Wonder, which he said “could be the Amazon of food and beverage.” Wonder’s original focus was to get “its own restaurants up and running” and create a delivery service that offers “cheaper, quicker build-outs.” Maybe that’s because third-party food delivery services like Grubhub, DoorDash and Uber have seen their prices jump in the last couple of years, according to . Just in New York City, food delivery prices increased by 58 percent in just under a year, according to . A new law that went into effect at the end of last year raised the minimum wage for New York delivery drivers to $17.96 an hour. The New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection reported that food delivery workers saw their wages increase by 64 percent and their tips decreased by 60 percent in just eight months. Source link #Grubhub #sold #tenth #worth #pandemic Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Republicans projected to win House majority, securing GOP trifecta Republicans projected to win House majority, securing GOP trifecta Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., holds the gavel onstage ahead of the start of the first day of the *********** National Convention at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, July 15, 2024. Andrew Harnik | Getty Images Republicans will keep control of the House of Representatives, NBC News projected Wednesday. The projection comes a week after President-elect Donald Trump, a ***********, claimed a decisive victory against Vice President Kamala Harris in the presidential election and the GOP gained majority control of the Senate. Going into the election, House Republicans aimed to expand their razor-thin majority of 220 seats, compared to the 212 held by Democrats. That threadbare GOP majority gave Democrats high hopes to flip the chamber. They needed to gain a net of just four seats to seize back control, because the vacancies leave the chamber with fewer than 435 total votes. Democrats outraised their *********** rivals in all but one of the 26 House races rated to be a “toss-up” by the Cook Political Report with Amy Walter, according to an NBC News analysis of October campaign finance data. Democrats also outspent Republicans in crucial races from July through September. Despite the massive fundraising effort, Democrats ******* to gain the 218 seats needed for control of the House. In Pennsylvania’s 8th Congressional District, *********** Rob Bresnahan unseated incumbent Democratic Rep. Matt Cartwright, and in the state’s 7th District, *********** Ryan Mackenzie defeated incumbent Democratic Rep. Susan Wild, two particularly competitive races. In the battleground state of Michigan, *********** Tom Barret grabbed an open seat in the 7th Congressional District that formerly belonged to Democrat Elissa Slotkin, who declared victory in her Michigan Senate race. The one-party-controlled Congress will have an abundance of key issues to legislate, including whether to extend the $3.3 trillion Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, much of which is set to expire next year. Trump signed the initial bill into law in 2017 and has said he wants to not only extend the tax breaks, but also pursue deeper cuts. Also on tap for Congress is the extension of enhanced subsidies under former President Barack Obama’s signature Affordable Care Act, which expire at the end of 2025. A debt ceiling ****** is also coming up. Source link #Republicans #projected #win #House #majority #securing #GOP #trifecta Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

WoW: The War Within’s Next Major Update Is Going Full Goblin Mode WoW: The War Within’s Next Major Update Is Going Full Goblin Mode World of Warcraft: The War Within is going full Goblin mode for its next major update, taking players to the city of Undermine where they’ll partner with the various Goblin trade cartels and even get their own, fully-customizable hot rod to tear up the city streets in. The news comes as part of Blizzard’s Warcraft 30th Anniversary Direct, where the developer announced what’s next for the MMORPG as it celebrates 20 years. Titled Undermined, the 11.1 update is slated to arrive early next year, and will introduce a new raid, dungeon, two new delves, and kick-off The War Within Season 2. Vehicles in WoW aren’t exactly new, but its never had something like this. The new D.R.I.V.E. system sounds close to how the game’s skyriding (originally dragonriding) overhauled flying mounts, only this time it’s a similar idea for cars, allowing players go full Mario Kart on their personal ride. Instead of just passively going from point A to B, as is usual for ground mounts, players will actually drive the car like they would in a racing game. That means not only customizing the look and appearance of their Goblin-created gas-guzzler but also its stats. Those who want to build for all-out speed can do so, while others may want to invest in better drift capabilities, improved acceleration, more grip, or a combination of all four. And yes, you can boost. “I don’t think people will be prepared for the speed the ground mount [car] moves when they get into it,” assistant lead quest designer Mark Kelada told GameSpot. “I think it moves three-to-five times faster than your regular ground mount by default, not counting when you boost, and I think boosting gets up to faster [speeds] than skyriding at normal [without car speed upgrades]. It flies, pun unintended, it flies across the zone. It is really, really fun to interface with a new landmass like Undermine with a car.” The city streets of Undermine are tailor-made to take advantage of the new feature. There will be timed races to participate in throughout the zone, though Kelada said those looking for PvP races will have to organize their own circuits. For now, the feature is relegated to the Undermine zone specifically and only works for the new vehicle introduced as part of the update. However, that was also initially the case with skyriding, something that is now usable with nearly every flying mount. With that in mind, it’s hard not to see a future where the system gets adapted to other ground-based motor vehicle mounts that already exist in WoW’s ever-growing mount catalog. A big part of Undermine is the four Goblin trade cartels that have thrown the city into chaos, and players will get to pick a side. The Steamwheedle, Bilgewater, Blackwater, and Venture Company cartels will be available to team up with, with certain rewards and activities tied to each cartel, including car parts. Signing up with one cartel isn’t an exclusive arrangement, and Blizzard said players will be able to work with each Goblin faction. Players will be able to customize not only the look of their car, but also its stats. Kaleda said the cartels all play a role in the Undermine story campaign, as do some new characters introduced to show a new side of Goblin culture. The story is in some ways more personal, Kaleda said, and intended to help players understand more of how Goblins interact with the world and where they are coming from. But don’t worry, there will still be plenty of wacky gadgets and explosions. “I do want to say too though, we made sure we keep the levity of Goblins,” Kelada said. “I think people connect to [how] they’re just zany and creative.” Delves, the new form of endgame content built for solo or small group play introduced in The War Within, will continue to be a focus going into the Undermined update. Two new delves will be added, as will new variations for existing delves. There will also be a new delve pinnacle boss to take on, similar to Zekvir in Season 1. Brann Bronzebeard, the customizable AI companion that assists players while in delves, is getting some new changes, too. No longer just relegated to the damage or healer role, Brann will be able to tank in Season 2, giving players who main healer a more convenient way to engage with delves. “We’re really happy with how delves are playing out, and I think they are on their way to being that other pillar of endgame alongside raids, dungeons, and PvP that we always hoped they would be,” game director Ion Hazzikostas said. The Liberation of Undermine will be the game’s next eight-boss raid, one that will take players through the streets of the city and into a vast complex that hides dark secrets. Those secrets are owned by infamous ex-Goblin faction leader, Gallywix, whom it looks like players may be taking on in some form in the raid. In addition, a new dungeon taking place in The Ringing Deeps, one of the expansion’s launch zones, will task players with preventing a group of Goblins from destroying a dam. The dungeon, Operation: Floodgate, will immediately be available as part of the Season 2 Mythic dungeon pool alongside Battle for Azeroth’s Goblin-themed dungeon, The Motherlode. Blizzard had plenty of other announcements during its Warcraft 30th Anniversary Direct, including what’s next for WoW Classic and remastered versions of Warcraft 1 and 2 that are available today. Source link #WoW #War #Withins #Major #Update #Full #Goblin #Mode Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Snap Sri Lankan election poses test for new leader Snap Sri Lankan election poses test for new leader Reuters Polling will follow a largely peaceful and low-key campaign Sri Lanka’s 17.1 million voters head to the polls again on Thursday to vote in snap parliamentary elections, barely seven weeks after choosing a new president. More than 8,800 candidates are in the fray in an election marked by a low-key campaign. Voting begins at 07:00 local time (01:30 GMT) and ends until 16:00 (10.30 GMT). Counting will start in the evening and results are expected on Friday. Out of 225 seats in the parliament, 196 MPs will be directly elected. The rest would be nominated by political parties based on the percentage of votes they get in what is known as proportional representation. Getty Images Sri Lankans are returning to the polls barely seven weeks after choosing a new president “Over 8,800 candidates belonging to 49 political parties and 284 independent groups are contesting the elections but only around 1,000 candidates have actively campaigned,” Rohana Hettiarachchi, executive director of poll monitoring group People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections, told the BBC. High inflation, food and fuel shortages precipitated a political crisis in 2022 which led to the ousting of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. His successor Ranil Wickremesinghe managed to negotiate a bailout package worth $3bn with the International Monetary Fund – but many Sri Lankans continue to feel economic hardship. “We are still stuck with the problems we faced before. We still don’t have financial help even to fulfil our daily needs,” 26-year-old garment factory worker Manjula Devi, who works in the Katunayake Free Trade Zone near Colombo, told the BBC. The number of people living below the ******** line in Sri Lanka has risen to 25.9% in the past four years. The World Bank expects the economy to grow by only 2.2% in 2024. “Sri Lanka has still not recovered from the 2022 economic crisis, even with the IMF bailout,” Raisa Wickrematunge, deputy editor of Himal Southasian magazine, told the BBC. “I am typing this from the Sri Jayawardenapura general hospital, a public hospital which is switching off its lights and fans to try to bring down skyrocketing electricity costs.” In 2022, the country defaulted on its foreign debt for the first time, forcing it to seek debt restructuring deals. Observers expect a multi-cornered contest in the general election, which may ultimately dent the chances of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s party, Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna, enacting ambitious reforms. “Analysts predict he may struggle to get two-thirds and may have to rely on coalitions. This would make his task much more difficult,” says Raisa Wickrematunge. The election campaign has been largely peaceful with no reports of poll-related deaths or large scale misuse of government resources. “********* is negligible compared to previous elections. It will be peaceful elections,” hopes Rohana Hettiarachchie. Source link #Snap #Sri #Lankan #election #poses #test #leader Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Dragon Age: The Veilguard Could Save So Many Studios Dragon Age: The Veilguard Could Save So Many Studios staticall1d 6h ago @The_Hooligan I would go for Dragon Age: Origins with DLCs; if you like that, then Dragon Age Inquisition with DLCs. If you really like them both, go for Dragon Age II, but keep in mind, it’s kind of a different game, toned down and more action oriented; play only if you’re a fan of DA and want to get more of the story. Personally, i would skip Veilguard, but that’s up to you. At least, i would wait for deep *****. See a couple of reviews first too. Source link #Dragon #Age #Veilguard #Save #Studios Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Baby red panda ***** from firework stress, says Edinburgh Zoo Baby red panda ***** from firework stress, says Edinburgh Zoo RZSS Roxie the baby red panda was three months old when she ***** Edinburgh Zoo’s baby red panda has ***** from stress caused by fireworks on Bonfire Night, according to veterinary experts. The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) said three-month-old Roxie choked on her own ****** as pyrotechnics were being set off across the city. Roxie’s mother Ginger also ***** unexpectedly five days earlier, and vets say they cannot rule out this also being linked to firework noise. The zoo is now joining with animal ******** charities and other campaigners in calling for tighter restrictions on fireworks. RZSS Ginger the ****** red panda ***** five days before her kit Roxie Red pandas are native to the eastern Himalayas and south western China but have become an endangered species, mainly due to habitat loss, human interference and poaching. Roxie was born in July, taking the number of captive red pandas at Edinburgh Zoo to four, and a fifth arrived in Scotland from Whipsnade zoo in October. But on 31 October, RZSS, which runs Edinburgh Zoo, announced the ****** of nine-year-old Ginger, and her kit Roxie ***** five days later. New firework control powers New powers banning the use of fireworks came into force in four areas of Edinburgh between 1-10 November – though this did not include the area around the zoo. Ben Supple, RZSS deputy chief executive, said baby Roxie had access to her den on Bonfire Night but the “frightening noises” appeared to have been too much for her. He said: “Roxie had recently lost her mum Ginger but was responding well to specialist care from our expert team and was feeding independently. “Very sadly, she choked on her ****** on Bonfire Night and our vets believe this was probably a reaction to fireworks. “We know that fireworks can cause stress to other animals in the zoo and we cannot rule out that they may have contributed to the untimely ****** of Roxie’s mother Ginger, just five days’ earlier.” Watch: Fireworks set off on Scottish streets on Bonfire Night There was widespread disorder across Edinburgh on Bonfire Night – missiles were thrown at police in Gilmerton and Sighthill and there was two instances of attacks on firefighters in the city. Firework Control Zones were in force in Niddrie, Balerno, Calton Hill and Seafield – where the Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home is located. The Scottish government gave local authorities these powers in 2022 following a major riot in Dundee. Parts of Glasgow were due to be covered by a similar ban but it was was delayed until next year due to a council error. When Edinburgh’s fireworks control zones were announced in August, the Dogs Trust charity said it backed a city-wide ban despite not having any centres in Edinburgh. RZSS has now called for tighter restrictions on fireworks, saying they cause ***** and distress for pets, livestock and zoo animals. It has backed a petition started by Julie Doorne in Grantham, Lincolnshire, which has been signed by over a million people and been delivered to Downing Street. The petition calls for: Restricting private use of fireworks to traditional dates such as Bonfire Night, New Year’s Eve, ******** New Year and DiwaliReducing the maximum permitted decibels for private use fireworks from 120 to 97Requiring all public fireworks displays to be licensedRequiring fireworks packaging to be labelled indicating the noise level Ben Supple said it was “essential” for the *** and Scottish governments to ****** down on the use and ***** of fireworks. He said: “We support calls from animal ******** charities to ban the ***** of fireworks to the public, with only light displays being permitted at organised events. “This would help avoid devastating consequences for animals like Roxie while ensuring that people can still enjoy traditional celebrations.” A spokesperson for the *** government’s department for business and trade said: “We are sorry to hear of the ****** of Roxie the panda and our thoughts are with the team who cared for her at Edinburgh Zoo. “We endeavour to keep pets and the public safe and that’s why we launched new fireworks safety campaign this season to help people use them safely and appropriately.” Source link #Baby #red #panda #***** #firework #stress #Edinburgh #Zoo Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Grand Theft Auto 5 is back on PlayStation Plus this month Grand Theft Auto 5 is back on PlayStation Plus this month Rockstar Games November’s PlayStation Plus lineup is packed with games this month, both in terms of quality and quantity. However, with Grand Theft Auto 6 on the horizon (hopefully sometime next year), arguably the biggest addition is Grand Theft Auto 5, which is back on the subscription service after leaving earlier this year. There’s not much to say about GTA 5 that hasn’t already been said. It’s one of the bestselling games of all time and still holds up more than 10 years after release. It’s likely you already own it on some platform, but if you somehow don’t or just want to play it on the PlayStation 5 or 4, you can play it for free with an Extra or Premium subscription. There are somehow even more AAA games coming to PlayStation Plus in November. Dying Light 2: Stay Human is a solid action and parkour open-world RPG. It fell under the radar a bit at launch since other open-world games like Horizon Forbidden West and a little game called Elden Ring also came out in February 2022, so PlayStation Plus is a great way to check it out if you missed it. If you’re looking for something a bit different, there’s also Like a Dragon: Ishin, a remake of Yakuza spinoff Ryū ga Gotoku Ishin. This beloved and enjoyable franchise has become a mainstay on just about every platform and across game subscription services, so it makes sense at least one would show up here. And if that weren’t enough, the PlayStation Plus Premium tier has a bunch of classic games. This includes Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain and Blood Omen 2 if you want to get ready for Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered, which is releasing on December 10 after being announced earlier this year. Check out the full list of games coming to the service on November 19. PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium Grand Theft Auto 5 (PS4, PS5) Dying Light 2: Stay Human (PS4, PS5) Like a Dragon: Ishin (PS4, PS5) MotoGP 24 (PS4, PS5) The Sims 4 Island Living (add-on only) (PS4) Digimon Survive (PS4) Overcooked! All You Can Eat (PS4, PS5) Stick ******: The Game (PS4) Clash: Artifacts of Chaos (PS4, PS5) ******* Frequency (PS4, PS5) Hungry Shark World (PS4) Chivalry 2 (PS4, PS5) PlayStation Plus Premium Synapse (PSVR 2) Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain (PS4, PS5) Blood Omen 2 (PS4, PS5) Resistance: Fall of Man Resistance 2 Source link #Grand #Theft #Auto #PlayStation #month Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Major Aussie bank’s big rates move, but there’s a catch for existing mortgage holders Major Aussie bank’s big rates move, but there’s a catch for existing mortgage holders One of Australia’s biggest financial institutions has reduced home loan interest rates, but there’s just one catch for potential customers. Source link #Major #Aussie #banks #big #rates #move #catch #existing #mortgage #holders Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Amazon can’t force employees into anti-unionization meetings Amazon can’t force employees into anti-unionization meetings After a lengthy consideration, the National Labor Relations Board has ruled that Amazon’s “captive-audience meetings” are a violation of the National Labor Relations Act. These are mandatory meetings where an employer shares its stance on unionization. “Ensuring that workers can make a truly free choice about whether they want union representation is one of the fundamental goals of the National Labor Relations Act. Captive audience meetings—which give employers near-unfettered freedom to force their message about unionization on workers under threat of discipline or discharge—undermine this important goal,” Chairman Lauren McFerran said of the ruling. “Today’s decision better protects workers’ freedom to make their own choices in exercising their rights under the Act, while ensuring that employers can convey their views about unionization in a noncoercive manner.” The decision noted that employers may hold meetings about unionization as long as workers receive advanced notice about the topic, are told that attendance is voluntary and without consequences for opting not to participate, and that attendance records are not kept. Today’s ruling centers on Amazon, which has a rocky history with its employees’ efforts to organize and with the NLRB. However, the decision could impact other big tech firms that have followed similar practices around unionization. Source link #Amazon #force #employees #antiunionization #meetings Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Forget Uber Eats: Prime members get two years of Doordash Dashpass free Forget Uber Eats: Prime members get two years of Doordash Dashpass free Amazon Prime has long been one of the best subscription services that money can buy, and it just got a whole heap sweeter (or saltier, depending on your tastes). Right now, Prime members can get two years of Doordash’s subscription service, Dashpass, completely free. The pass provides unlimited AU$0 deliveries from thousands of eligible restaurants on orders over $12 (over $30 for groceries), so if you’re someone who’s given up on food delivery due to high costs, this deal’s for you – further increasing the crazy value offered by a Prime membership. For just AU$9.99 each month (or just AU$79.99 a year), Prime members get free and fast delivery on millions of domestic items purchased on Amazon, free international shipping on eligible orders and early access to limited-time deals. Plus, Prime members also get access to Prime Video, Prime Reading, Prime Gaming and Amazon Music Prime at no extra cost. It’s truly insane value, and with early Amazon ****** Friday sales already dropping, free expedited shipping just makes sense. If right now wasn’t already the best time to be a Prime Member, two years of free delivery and reduced fees through Doordash certainly does it. After all, it’s almost summer – who wants to leave the house if they don’t have to? Food delivery is massively convenient, but the cost has quickly started to make it very hard to justify unless you’re taking advantage of limited-time deals or ordering so much that the AU$5-AU$15 in additional fees is a drop in the bucket. But with Dashpass’ free delivery, there’s no downside (other than a few notches on your belt). I mean, why would you stop your show, pause your movie, or – worse yet – waste half of your lunchbreak going to pick up your order, when you can get it dropped in your lap at no additional cost? And that’s before you add in the benefits you’re already getting – or could be getting – from Amazon Prime. We went through them before – free delivery, free international delivery, one-day delivery, exclusive deals, plus Amazon Prime Video, Prime Music and Prime Reading, but it’s really worth expanding on how good that all is. Completely free for Prime Members, even if you pretend it costs the AU$9.99p/m that Prime does, Prime Video might just be the best streaming service in Australia. And while you might be turned off by ads, the free tier is significantly more popular than the AU$12.99 ad-free tier, and you still get all the same access to shows like The Boys, Invincible, Fallout and Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power. Then there’s Prime Gaming, which offers members free games, a free monthly Twitch channel subscription, all your favourite music and podcasts with Amazon Music Prime and, to top it all off, Prime members get thousands of e-books, comics, children’s books and more through Prime Reading. Amazon Music Unlimited and Kindle Unlimited expand on these features at an additional cost, but as free add-ons, it doesn’t get much better. If washboard abs are your goal for December, free delivery on Doordash might not be what you’re after. The allure of Indian – Samosa’s included – might be a bit more enticing than Chicken and Broccoli after work. For everyone else, though, this deal adds even more incredible value to Amazon Prime, at no extra cost to you. Just remember – if you cancel your Prime membership, your free Dashpass goes with it. You might also like… Source link #Forget #Uber #Eats #Prime #members #years #Doordash #Dashpass #free Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

A $1 billion proposal is the latest plan to refurbish and save the iconic Houston Astrodome A $1 billion proposal is the latest plan to refurbish and save the iconic Houston Astrodome HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Astrodome has been in limbo, waiting for its chance at a second life since being shuttered more than 15 years ago. It was a technological marvel when it opened in 1965. But its heyday has long passed and it hasn’t been home to a sports team since the Astros left in 1999 and it was closed to all events a decade later. Over the years, ideas for its redevelopment and rebirth have been plentiful, everything from turning it into an indoor water park to flooding its sunken floor in order to reenact naval battle scenes. But none of these plans garnered enough public support or financing. The latest proposal to refurbish the Astrodome was unveiled on Wednesday by a nonprofit focused on saving the beloved domed stadium. The group, the Astrodome Conservancy, proposes redeveloping the inside of the structure to create new areas for restaurants, retail, office and cultural spaces. But like the others before it, this plan could face a similar fate, with a $1 billion price tag and an initial lack of support from local entities that would need to give their OK for the project to go forward. Beth Wiedower Jackson, the conservancy’s executive director, said that unlike previous proposals, her organization believes theirs is backed by data and would be economically viable in part because there would be enough private investment to support it. “This is a big, big, bold vision. And those previous plans, even admitted by Harris County officials, were a first step towards a future Astrodome. And this is the full swing of the bat. And this gives people something to be excited about,” Jackson said. The plan, Vision: Astrodome, proposes the construction of four state-of-the-art buildings inside the stadium that would offer spaces for restaurants, stores and offices. Similar spaces for shopping and eating would also be located around the Astrodome and connected to other facilities around the stadium. The Astrodome is at NRG Park, a 350-acre complex that includes NRG Stadium, located right next to the Astrodome and home to the NFL’s Houston Texans, as well as an arena and exhibition halls. “The Astrodome is ready now for its next chapter, redevelopment,” said Phoebe Tudor, the conservancy’s chairman. “It is time for all of us in Houston to come together and do something hard, working together to repurpose the Astrodome.” Nicknamed “the Eighth Wonder of the World,” the Astrodome ushered in a change in how people attended sporting events. It also hosted various cultural events, including concerts by Elvis and Tejano music star Selena as well as the “Battle of the Sexes” tennis match between Bobby Riggs and Billie Jean King in 1973. Some people have called for its demolition. But a 2017 designation by the Texas Historical Commission as a state antiquities landmark essentially protects it from wholesale destruction. The stadium also maintains a strong foothold in the memories of many people both in and outside of Houston. Rafi Kohan, whose 2017 book “The Arena” explores the place sports stadiums hold in ********* culture, said the Astrodome’s construction came at a time of incredible technological innovation in the ******* States, and it helped transform Houston from what some saw as a “backwoods cow town” into a leader in technology. Houston became the home of the space program with the opening of Johnson Space Center in 1964. “There was and continues to be a lot of civic pride around the Astrodome, what it represented, the sort of space age feat, you know, in stadium form,” Kohan said. Douglas Brinkley, a historian and professor at Houston’s Rice University, said the Astrodome has tremendous historical relevance and is worth saving. “It’s been our fault that we’ve neglected it or not invested in it. But a turnaround is upon us right now. We’re going to get this done,” Brinkley said. But whether there continues to be enough support in Houston to refurbish and save the Astrodome ******** to be seen. It costs between $100,000 and $200,000 a year to maintain the stadium. The Astrodome is owned by Harris County and managed by the Harris County Sports & Convention Corporation. The office of Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, the county’s top elected official, declined to comment on the conservancy’s proposal. James Dixon, the sports and convention corporation’s chairman, said in a statement that he respects the conservancy’s efforts but “over the last few years, we have seen several concepts that, while thought-provoking, haven’t resulted in viable funding and maintenance solutions.” Dixon said his organization and the county are working with other stakeholders on a plan for the future of NRG Park and “the solution for the Astrodome must be decided within that context.” One of those stakeholders, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, which holds its annual event at NRG Park and would have a say on what to do with the Astrodome, was not on board with the conservancy’s proposal. “The proposed plan by the Astrodome Conservancy does not align with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s strategic vision and operational requirements,” Chris Boleman, the group’s president and CEO, said in a statement. ___ Follow Juan A. Lozano on X at Source link #billion #proposal #latest #plan #refurbish #save #iconic #Houston #Astrodome Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Get All 3 Lord Of The Rings Illustrated Editions For Less Than $30 Each Get All 3 Lord Of The Rings Illustrated Editions For Less Than $30 Each The Lord of the Rings fans can save big on some of the best editions of J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendary fantasy novel, The Hobbit, and other books about Middle-earth thanks to the latest Buy Two, Get One Free Book Sales at Amazon and Target. These early ****** Friday promotions include all three Tolkien Illustrated Editions, which are unique hardcover versions of the author’s three best-known books: The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, and The Silmarillion. If you add all three to your cart, you’ll only wind up paying $86 ($225) total, which breaks down to $28.66 ($75) per book. Plenty of other Tolkien books and box sets are featured in the B2G1 Free Book ***** at Amazon, including The Lord of the Rings Collector’s Edition Box Set, which was published on November 5. You can read about our favorites below or check out the Amazon hub we created to see the best B2G1 free LOTR books. Tolkien Illustrated Editions The Tolkien Illustrated Series is special because all of the full-****** illustrations and sketches throughout each book were drawn by the author himself while he penned the manuscripts that would become The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. The illustrations in The Silmarillion were drawn by Tolkien while drafting his exhaustive backstory and lore for the world of Middle-earth. The Silmarillion was published posthumously and is now the first of a 12-part series, The History of Middle-earth, compiled by his son Christopher Tolkien. The illustrations aren’t the only notable aspects of these editions. Each hardcover comes with a gorgeous dust jacket, sprayed edges with Elvish script, the complete text printed in ****** and red, a ribbon bookmark, and a pair of removable fold-out maps. Since it compiles all three volumes–Fellowship of the Ring, Two Towers, and Return of the King–The Lord of the Rings Illustrated is by far the largest of the three at 1,248 pages; These editions of The Hobbit and The Silmarillion are 432 pages each. The Lord of the Rings Collector’s Editions The Lord of the Rings Collector’s Edition Box Set released earlier this month and is already on ***** for $72.63 (was $105) at Amazon–and it’s eligible for Amazon’s B2G1 free promotion. This set comes with a display box containing hardcover editions of The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King. All of the new Collector’s Editions have foil-stamped covers, stained edges, ribbon bookmarks, and maps of Middle-earth on the inside covers. The books released individually in September, just a few weeks after matching Collector’s Editions of The Hobbit and The Silmarillion released. In addition to the box set, four of the five Collector’s Editions are eligible for B2G1 free on their own, and all five are available for nice discounts. The only book that isn’t eligible is The Fellowship of the Ring. The History of Middle-earth 2024 Box Sets Three of the four striking new History of Middle-earth Box Sets are included in Amazon’s promotion. These released throughout 2024 and are as beautiful as any book on these lists. The only set that isn’t eligible is No. 2, which comes with three books and is on ***** for only $48 (was $100). The other three hardcover sets include four books each and are on ***** for their best prices yet. If you get The History of Middle-earth Box Sets 1, 3, and 4 with this promotion, you’ll only pay $144 for 12 hardcover books, which is an average of only $12 per book. Considering these three sets started at $125, you’re saving literally hundreds of dollars compared to launch prices. It’s not included in the *****, but the alternative here is a mammoth three-volume set totaling 5,440 pages that collects all 12 parts for $139. The budget-friendly five-book paperback box set containing several parts of The History of Middle-earth is eligible for buy two, get one free, though. More B2G1 Free Tolkien Box Sets The Lord of the Rings Deluxe Illustrated | The Collected Poems of J.R.R. Tolkien The Lord of the Rings Deluxe Illustrated Box Set is a three-volume, enhanced remaster of the 1992 edition illustrated by legendary artist Alan Lee. This premium hardcover set was published on October 1 and includes brand-new paintings and over 50 never-before-seen pencil drawings. Also featured in ***** is The Collected Poems of J.R.R. Tolkien, a three-volume hardcover collection containing many previously unpublished poems Tolkien composed throughout his life. The 1,728-page set contains 60-plus years of poems as well as commentary by two leading Tolkien scholars. In addition to the two pricier sets below, two budget-friendly Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit box sets are included in the promotion. The Leatherette Pocket Set is a cool gift idea, though be warned: The text is very small. Source link #Lord #Rings #Illustrated #Editions Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

U.S. October CPI; Australia unemployment rate U.S. October CPI; Australia unemployment rate A Sydney ferry passes the Opera House and skyline of the central business district area on May 12, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. James D. Morgan | Getty Images Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed on Thursday after the U.S. October consumer price index reading fueled expectations for the Fed to cuts rates again in December. The CPI came in line with expectations, accelerating slightly to an annual inflation rate of 2.6%. Core CPI, which straps out volatile food and energy prices, gained 3.3% last month, also matching expectations. Australia’s unemployment rate remained steady in October at 4.1%, as economists had expected, while the number of employed people increased 15,900 from a month ago, falling short of the expected 25,000. The participation rate, which measures the share of working-age people currently employed or seeking a job, stood at 67.1%, slightly below an estimated 67.2%. “It is clear that the labour market in Australia is still very resilient, despite an extended ******* of restrictive rates,” said My Bui, economist at investment management firm AMP. Bui believes the Reserve Bank of Australia is unlikely to deliver a cut in December, but sees room for easing in the first half of 2025. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 was up 0.43%. Japan’s Nikkei 225 gained 0.82% while the Topix added 0.92%. ********* yen appreciated slightly against the U.S. dollar to 155.36 on Thursday, after falling below the 155 benchmark overnight, hovering near the lowest level in over four months. South Korea’s Kospi advanced 0.82%, while the Kosdaq Index was up 1.73%. The country’s markets opened an hour later than usual on Thursday because of national college entrance exams. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index was down 0.82% in a choppy trading morning, following a multi-day losing streak that saw the index shed 4% this week as of Wednesday’s close. Mainland China’s CSI 300 was trading near the flatline. Overnight in the U.S., the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average closed near the flatline following the release of the inflation report. The S&P 500 inched higher by 0.02% to close at 5,985.38, while the 30-stock Dow ticked up 47.21 points, or 0.11%, to 43,958.19. The Nasdaq Composite ended the day with a 0.26% decline and closed at 19,230.74. The inflation data puts the Federal Reserve on course to lower interest rates next month, with markets pricing in a 80.8% likelihood of a quarter-percentage-point cut, according to the CME FedWatch Tool. — CNBC’s Brian Evans and Hakyung Kim contributed to this report. Source link #U.S #October #CPI #Australia #unemployment #rate Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]