X rival Bluesky gains 1.25 million users following U.S. election
X rival Bluesky gains 1.25 million users following U.S. election
In this photo illustration, the Bluesky Social logo is displayed on a cell phone in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on September 4, 2024.
Mauro Pimentel | AFP | Getty Images
Micro-blogging startup Bluesky has gained over 1.25 million new users in the past week, indicating some social media users are changing their habits following the U.S. presidential election.
Bluesky’s influx of users underscore how the app has been able to pitch itself as an alternative to rivals X, which is owned by Elon Musk, and Meta’s Threads. The bulk of the new users are coming from the U.S., Canada and the ******* Kingdom, the company said Wednesday.
“We’re excited to welcome everyone looking for a better social media experience,” Bluesky CEO Jay Graber told CNBC in a statement.
Despite the surge of users, Bluesky’s total base ******** a fraction of its rivals’. The Seattle startup claims 15.2 million total users. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg in October said Threads had nearly 275 million monthly users. Musk in May claimed that X had 600 million monthly users, but market intelligence firm Sensor Tower pegged X’s monthly base at 318 million users in October.
“Journalists, politicians, and news junkies have also been talking up Bluesky as a better X alternative than Threads,” wrote Similarweb, the internet traffic and monitoring service, in a Tuesday blog.
Some users with new Bluesky accounts posted that they had moved to the service due to Musk and his support for President-elect Donald Trump.
“It’s appalling that Elon Musk has transformed Twitter into a Trump *********** machine, rife with disinformation and misinformation,” one user posted on Bluesky.
This is Bluesky’s second notable surge in the last couple of months.
Bluesky said it picked up 2 million new users in September after the Brazilian Supreme Court suspended X in the country for failing to comply with regional content moderation policies and not appointing a local representative.
Watch: Cramer’s **** Dash: Alphabet and Meta.
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X rival Bluesky gains 1.25 million users following U.S. election
X rival Bluesky gains 1.25 million users following U.S. election
In this photo illustration, the Bluesky Social logo is displayed on a cell phone in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on September 4, 2024.
Mauro Pimentel | AFP | Getty Images
Micro-blogging startup Bluesky has gained over 1.25 million new users in the past week, indicating some social media users are changing their habits following the U.S. presidential election.
Bluesky’s influx of users underscore how the app has been able to pitch itself as an alternative to rivals X, which is owned by Elon Musk, and Meta’s Threads. The bulk of the new users are coming from the U.S., Canada and the ******* Kingdom, the company said Wednesday.
“We’re excited to welcome everyone looking for a better social media experience,” Bluesky CEO Jay Graber told CNBC in a statement.
Despite the surge of users, Bluesky’s total base ******** a fraction of its rivals’. The Seattle startup claims 15.2 million total users. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg in October said Threads had nearly 275 million monthly users. Musk in May claimed that X had 600 million monthly users, but market intelligence firm Sensor Tower pegged X’s monthly base at 318 million users in October.
“Journalists, politicians, and news junkies have also been talking up Bluesky as a better X alternative than Threads,” wrote Similarweb, the internet traffic and monitoring service, in a Tuesday blog.
Some users with new Bluesky accounts posted that they had moved to the service due to Musk and his support for President-elect Donald Trump.
“It’s appalling that Elon Musk has transformed Twitter into a Trump *********** machine, rife with disinformation and misinformation,” one user posted on Bluesky.
This is Bluesky’s second notable surge in the last couple of months.
Bluesky said it picked up 2 million new users in September after the Brazilian Supreme Court suspended X in the country for failing to comply with regional content moderation policies and not appointing a local representative.
Watch: Cramer’s **** Dash: Alphabet and Meta.
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1 Element in Red ***** Redemption 2 Game Logic is So Bad Fans Want an Alternate Ending as Punishment
1 Element in Red ***** Redemption 2 Game Logic is So Bad Fans Want an Alternate Ending as Punishment
Rockstar Games’ Red ***** Redemption 2 is often cited as one of the best action-adventure games of all time, however, even a masterpiece like RDR2 has some mistakes. Players on Reddit were discussing video games that violate their own logic and during the discussion, a gamer mentioned how Red ***** Redemption 2 completely eradicates the importance of donating to the camp as later Dutch van der Linde reveals that they need more money.
Donating to the camp seems pointless to many players (Image via Rockstar Games)
A player suggested that Rockstar Games could’ve added an Easter egg ending that is triggered depending on the amount of money players have donated to the camp. This alternate ending could’ve featured the crew escaping and moving to Dutch’s favorite place, Tahiti.
This One Thing In Red ***** Redemption 2 Doesn’t Make Sense
A post on the r/gaming subreddit sparked a discussion over one thing in Rockstar Games’ Red ***** Redemption 2 that doesn’t make sense at all. Throughout the campaign, players have the opportunity to donate to the camp in order to get some upgrades like better supplies, a fast travel system, and decorative additions that improve gang morale. These upgrades certainly make sense but Dutch later tells players that the crew has insufficient funds.
Comment byu/ZhangtheGreat from discussion ingaming
This is indeed an embarrassing mistake but players can forgive Rockstar Games for it because Red ***** Redemption 2 has an exceptional storyline. The game was released for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in October 2018, and for Windows and Stadia in November 2019. Upon release, it broke several records and went on to win many prestigious awards.
Players Suggest That Rockstar Games Should’ve Added An Alternate Ending
It seems like players really want to see the gang in Tahiti (Image via Rockstar Games)
As a response to this mistake in Red ***** Redemption 2, a player suggested that Rockstar Games should’ve added a secret Easter Egg ending that players could only access on the second playthrough. This ending could only be played if players donated a certain amount of money to the camp by the end of the game.
Comment byu/ZhangtheGreat from discussion ingaming
Comment byu/ZhangtheGreat from discussion ingaming
Comment byu/ZhangtheGreat from discussion ingaming
Comment byu/ZhangtheGreat from discussion ingaming
During one of the Saint Denis missions in Red ***** Redemption 2, Dutch first mentions Tahiti, explaining that the gang needs to flee the US and go somewhere remote. After this point, Dutch constantly talked about moving to Tahiti and did it so often that it became a meme.
Well, players would love to get an ending where the crew finally reaches Tahiti as Dutch just can’t stop talking about it. This meme became so popular that some people have even made petitions on Change.org to convince Rockstar Games to work on a Tahiti DLC for the game. It’s hard to say if Rockstar would go back to Red ***** Redemption 2 now as the entire focus is on the next installment.
Do you think Rockstar Games should acknowledge this mistake in a future DLC? Share your opinions in the comments!
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Microsoft is, once again, trying to force users into using Edge
Microsoft is, once again, trying to force users into using Edge
Microsoft has deployed no shortage of tactics to get Windows users onto its Edge browser, and although some of the more nefarious methods of trying to force users to pick up the browser have *******, the company is still experimenting with new methods. The latest route launches Edge automatically on your PC on startup and prompts users to continually import data from Chrome, including your history, bookmarks, and tabs.
Richard Lawler from The Verge spotted the prompt, which showed up earlier this year without explanation before disappearing. It’s back now, and in an official capacity from Microsoft. “This is a notification giving people the choice to import data from other browsers,” said Microsoft’s Caitlin Roulston in a statement to The Verge.
Since the introduction of Edge, Microsoft has tried — and mostly ******* — to force Windows users onto its browser. In 2021, the company made a controversial change in Windows that made it nearly impossible to change your default browser to anything but Edge. It backpedaled on the change after facing backlash. Just days before then, Microsoft starting showing pop-ups within Edge whenever users went to the Chrome download page. Microsoft has done similar things many times before, sometimes showing what resembles a screen-overtaking ad on the Chrome download page.
Even now, after you download Chrome through Edge, Microsoft injects a banner at the top of the page that reads: “Microsoft Edge runs on the same technology as Chrome, with the added trust of Microsoft.”
Jacob ****** / Digital Trends
The new prompt has the option to “bring over your data from other browsers regularly” checked by default, alongside a large blue button that reads, “confirm and continue.” Even if you leave Chrome as your default browser, confirming the notification will continually siphon the data you store in Chrome over to Edge. That includes your browsing history, bookmarks, and active tabs.
Even if you ignore the pop-up and continue on with the browser of your choice, Edge won’t go away. It’s notoriously difficult to uninstall Edge on Windows, and even if you do, new updates can reinstate the browser on your PC. Windows also comes with several components of Edge ******* deep on your PC, so even if you manage to remove the browser, features like weather, widgets, and search within Windows will still use Bing and Edge.
There are new tools, such as MSEdgeRedirect, that get around Microsoft’s force-feeding. However, the company has rendered similar tools, such as EdgeDeflector, unusable in the past.
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Recount triggered in Pennsylvania Senate race as McCormick heads to D.C., Casey declines to concede
Recount triggered in Pennsylvania Senate race as McCormick heads to D.C., Casey declines to concede
Sen. Bob Casey is not giving up on retaining his U.S. Senate seat. The three-term Democrat is currently locked in a tight race with Dave McCormick, trailing the *********** by just over 29,000 votes as of 4 p.m. Wednesday. CBS News has not issued a projection in the race.
Pennsylvania Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt announced Wednesday afternoon that unofficial results in the race have triggered a statewide recount.
That’s because vote totals for McCormick and Casey are within a 0.5% margin, which triggers a statewide recount under state law.
According to the Department of State, Casey received 48.5% of the vote with 3,350,972 votes and McCormick had 48.93% with 3,380,310.
Counties must begin the recount by Nov. 20, the announcement says. The recount will cost about $1 million in taxpayer funds, the Department of State says.
In a statement Wednesday, McCormick’s spokesperson Elizabeth Gregory said, “Senator-Elect McCormick’s lead is insurmountable, which the AP made clear in calling the race. A recount will be a waste of time and taxpayer money, but it is Senator Casey’s prerogative. Senator-Elect McCormick knows what it’s like to lose an election and is sure Senator Casey will eventually reach the right conclusion.”
According to an earlier statement from the Pennsylvania Department of State, Casey’s campaign did not waive an automatic recount by noon Wednesday.
Casey has not made a public appearance since his election night watch party in Scranton, but he posted a video on his social media accounts Tuesday.
“The ********* democratic process was born in Pennsylvania, and that process will play out,” he said in the video on X.
Meanwhile, McCormick is moving forward. The businessman declared victory during a speech in Pittsburgh Friday, and he has spent this week in Washington going through the Senate orientation process.
“The people have spoken. There’s a clear, clear victory,” McCormick said last week.
CBS News Philadelphia reached out to both campaigns Wednesday, but neither made the candidates available to speak.
Casey’s campaign has said it’s been waiting for outstanding votes from around the state, from mail-in ballots to overseas and military votes and provisional ballots. In Philadelphia, the state’s largest county and one where Casey has garnered more than 78% of the vote, commissioners say the number of votes left out there is running thin.
“We had about 20,000 provisional ballots to start with. We’ve already counted 11,000 of those,” city commissioner Seth Bluestein said Wednesday.
Bluestein told CBS News Philadelphia the election board wrapped up voting on outstanding mail-in votes Wednesday. He says a few thousand could not be counted for various reasons, mostly a lack of a signature or secrecy envelope.
As for the remaining provisional ballots, Bluestein said the board will take those up on Friday. But he warned, “most of those will probably end up not getting counted.”
The Department of Stats says there are about 60,366 uncounted provisional ballots and 20,155 uncounted mail-in and absentee ballots. That includes ballots for which officials still need to determine eligibility or validity.
Dan Snyder
Dan Snyder, a Lehighton native and Temple University graduate, is excited to return to his home area after spending over three years as the Evening Anchor in Oklahoma City.
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Activist takes own life in protest at Iranian regime
Activist takes own life in protest at Iranian regime
A well-known Iranian human rights activist has ******* himself in protest at what he called the dictatorship of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
In a post on social media, Kianoosh Sanjari said he would take his own life if four political prisoners were not released by 19:00 local time (16:30 BST) on Wednesday.
When authorities did not free the prisoners, he posted an image taken from high up overlooking a busy junction in the capital Tehran on X.
“My life will end after this tweet,” he wrote at 19:20, adding: “I wish that one day Iranians will wake up and overcome slavery.”
“No one should be imprisoned for expressing their opinions.
“Protest is the right of every Iranian citizen.”
His ****** was confirmed hours later by fellow activists.
Sanjari was a vocal critic of Iran’s leaders and advocate for democracy.
On Wednesday morning, he posted an ultimatum on X, demanding the release of four political prisoners.
“If Fateme Sepehari, Nasreen Shakrami, Tomaj Salehi and Arsham Rezaei are not released from prison by 19:00 today … I will end my life in protest against the dictatorship of Khamenei and his partners.”
All four were arrested for their support and involvement in the wave of unprecedented protests following the ****** of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who ***** in 2022 after being detained by Iran’s morality police.
Sanjari was repeatedly arrested and imprisoned for his political activism between 1999 and 2007.
He left Iran in 2007 and received asylum in Norway, before joining US broadcasting service Voice of America’s Persian service in Washington DC.
He returned to Iran in 2016 to be with his parents, and was arrested and sentenced to 11 years imprisonment in Evin prison, where political prisoners are often imprisoned.
He was released on bail in 2019 on medical grounds, and subsequently taken to a psychiatric hospital.
He told local media he was given electric shocks, chained to a bed and injected with substances.
“Kianoosh Sanjeri is not just a name, it is a symbol of years of pain, resistance and struggle for freedom,” freedom of speech activist Hossein Ronaghi posted on X.
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Fallout, Elder Scrolls, and ***** Workers Go on Strike in Protest at Parent Company Microsoft
Fallout, Elder Scrolls, and ***** Workers Go on Strike in Protest at Parent Company Microsoft
GamesRadar+ writes: “Xbox boss Phil Spencer says there are no “red lines” banning certain Microsoft games from being released on PlayStation, but it’s too early to make decisions about tentpole franchises like Halo.
Speaking to Bloomberg, Spencer said that “the ball is moving in the right direction” when it comes to more open game platforms.”
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The Alienware R16 with RTX 4080 Super is $800 off today
The Alienware R16 with RTX 4080 Super is $800 off today
This little Alienware PC fits just about anywhere. Jacob ****** / Digital Trends
A landmark gaming PC should have plenty of processing and graphical power on top of efficient airflow and chassis design. After all, you don’t want your prized machine overheating when you’re in the throes of a Baldur’s Gate III battle. That’s why we tend to favor Alienware deals when vetting gaming PC discounts, which leads us to today’s promo:
Right now, when you order the Alienware Aurora R16 Gaming Desktop through Dell, you’ll save a whopping $800! At full price, this model sells for $2,800.
Why you should buy the Alienware Aurora R16 Gaming Desktop
This version of the Alienware Aurora R16 comes with an Intel Core i9 (max clock speeds of 5.60GHz), an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Super, 32GB of RAM, and 1TB of storage. On paper, the CPU and GPU alone really seal the deal with this model, but we love that the PC is able to lean on a trove of memory and excellent storage, too. And lending a hand in the efficiency department is the 1000W platinum-rated PSU with its 240mm liquid-cooling system. Expect lightning-fast response times, next to no input lag, and gorgeous graphics (you should also check out the best monitor deals we’ve been keeping tabs on).
You’ll also be able to use the Alienware Command Center desktop software to get into the nitty-gritty of your gaming specs. The program keeps track of CPU and GPU vitals and even lets you customize the RGB lighting of the Aurora R16. On top of one year of Alienware support, the R16 also comes with a 30-day free trial of Microsoft Office 365.
It’s hard to say how long this Alienware offer will stick around, but it could be a while before the next big markdown comes along. That being said, today might be the best day to save $800 on the Alienware Aurora R16 Gaming Desktop. You should also check out our list of the best desktop computer deals for even more slamming discounts!
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Elon Musk may already be overstaying his welcome in Trump’s orbit
Elon Musk may already be overstaying his welcome in Trump’s orbit
Musk has been so aggressive in pushing his views about Trump’s second term that he’s stepping on the toes of Trump’s transition team and may be overstaying his welcome at Mar-a-Lago, sources say.
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NYT Crossword: answers for Wednesday, November 13
NYT Crossword: answers for Wednesday, November 13
The New York Times crossword puzzle can be tough! If you’re stuck, we’re here to help with a list of today’s clues and answers.
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Early ****** Friday Apple deals 2024: AirPods, iPads, MacBooks
Early ****** Friday Apple deals 2024: AirPods, iPads, MacBooks
Update 11/11/24: We’ve seen some early ****** Friday Apple deals come and go already, which means you need to pounce on these deals if you see something you like. We’ll be here with regular updates throughout the lead-up to ****** Friday, and while we’ve seen some new Apple deals pop up, we’ve also seen some disappear already.
Right now there are a lot of early ****** Friday deals to shop, and while we’re expecting even more to arrive when ****** Friday officially starts, we’re seeing a ton of early ****** Friday Apple deals we’re ready to recommend. If you have your eye on early ****** Friday laptop deals, early ****** Friday smartwatch deals, early ****** Friday Beats headphone deals, or early ****** Friday Bose headphone deals, we’ve likely found an Apple version to match. You can find all of the best early ****** Friday Apple deals below, so read onward for details on how to save.
Apple AirPods 3 — $94 $169 44% off
Apple
Described as “the best of both worlds,” the Apple AirPods 3 are perfect entry-level earphones. They have personalized spatial audio and up to 30 hours of battery life. There’s also Siri support for any time you need to ask something.
Apple AirPods Pro 2 — $190 $249 24% off
Simon Cohen / Digital Trends
“Great buds get even better,” explains our Apple AirPods Pro 2 review. These earbuds have excellent noise cancelation and top-notch transparency paired beautifully with very good sound quality. Whatever you need to listen to, these buds are great, right down to excellent call quality.
Apple Watch SE 2 — $219 $279 22% off
Andy Boxall / Digital Trends
We described the Apple Watch SE 2 as “simple, cheap, and brilliant” being the perfect entry point for anyone seeking one of the best smartwatches. It’s perfect for motivating you and getting you more active throughout the day.
Apple iPad 10th Gen — $299 $349 14% off
Apple / Apple
Landing a newer model iPad for under $300 may seem like a stretch, but with this ****** Friday deal you can get the 10th Gen iPad for just $299. It’s available in four different colors and even features things like Touch ID, a 12-megapixel camera, and all-day battery life.
Apple iPad mini — $350 $499 30% off
Adam Doud/Digital Trends / Digital Trends
My personal favorite iPad, the iPad mini, is a “little powerhouse,” with a gorgeous screen and great performance. It’s perfect for browsing online, playing games, or even getting some work done on the move. Its versatility and lightweight build really sell it.
Apple Watch Series 9 — $329 $399 18% off
Andy Boxall / Digital Trends
This may not be the latest model any more, but the Apple Watch Series 9 is a great option for most thanks to its extensive health, fitness, and safety features. It’s silky smooth to use and integrates well with your iPhone.
Apple Watch Series 10 — $349 $399 13% off
Apple Watch Series 10 Andy Boxall / Digital Trends
Only recently launched, the Apple Watch Series 10 is a refined Apple Watch with a thinner design, subtle screen upgrades, and improved charging speeds. If you want the ultimate Apple Watch experience, this is it. It also looks great on your wrist.
Apple AirPods Max — $449 $549 18% off
Apple
While they’re pretty pricey for a set of headphones, the Apple AirPods Max delivery big sound, and with this ****** Friday deal they also deliver a $100 discount. This brings this to a ***** price of $449, which may still be more than most people are willing to spend, but it’s still one of the best prices we’ve seen on the AirPods Max.
Apple Watch Ultra 2 — $734 $799 8% off
Christine Romero-Chan / Digital Trends
On the other hand, if you’re looking for the best that Apple has to offer, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 should be right up your alley. When we reviewed it, we felt that it had “outstanding design, great software, and some very welcome upgrades,” and that the ” Apple Watch Ultra 2 is tough to beat.” which is even more true with the 10% off.
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch M3 — $799 $1,099 27% off
Luke Larsen / Digital Trends
With “excellent GPU performance” and a “compact and beautiful design,” we gave the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch M3 four stars in our review. Everything about it oozes class, right down to its 18-hour battery life and its beautiful 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display. It’s ideal for everyone.
Apple iPad Pro 11-Inch M4 — $949 $999 5% off
Apple
The latest Apple iPad Pro M4 gives you one of the thinnest and most powerful tablets on the market from pretty much any brand. While it is still a bit pricey at $947, that’s a nice 5% discount from the original $999 price tag, so it’s worth grabbing if you’ve been eyeing it for a while.
Apple MacBook Pro M3 14-inch — $1,349 $1,599 16% off
Luke Larsen / Digital Trends
With a 8-core CPU and 10-core GPU, the Apple MacBook Pro M3 14.2-inch can handle gaming and video editing with style. It has a delightful 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display, so everything you work on will look great. It’s ideal for content creators on a budget.
How to choose Apple products on ****** Friday
So, what are you looking for? Apple makes a lot of different great products. It’s important to think about whether you need a new laptop from one of the best MacBooks or if you’re actually seeking one of the best smartwatches. Alternatively, if you need some of the best headphones, the AirPod range is what you need.
Once you’ve figured out exactly what you want, think about budget. Apple products are more affordable than they used to be, but they can also be very expensive, so it’s important to figure out what you can afford and what you actually need. Think about how it’ll enrich your life and fit into your life. If you don’t travel often for instance, you may not need new earphones. Don’t be tempted by an incremental upgrade as Apple products are built to last.
How we chose these Apple ****** Friday deals
When it comes to deal hunting, we know what we’re doing. We seek out the best deals throughout the year, so when it comes to ****** Friday, we know what we’re doing. In this case, pretty much all Apple products are worth your time, but we’ve specifically focused on newer models that will last you a long time to come. Apple products are built to last, but the oldest devices can lack essential features, so unless they’re heavily discounted, they’re not always a good choice.
Essentially, we list the deals we would want to buy ourselves or we would recommend to friends and family. These are the best that Apple has to offer at the relevant prices. After all, a good deal is only good if it’s something you actually want to own. Otherwise, there’s not much point spending a little money on something that is inferior in quality.
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E. coli cases climb to 104 in McDonald’s outbreak tied to slivered onions
E. coli cases climb to 104 in McDonald’s outbreak tied to slivered onions
At least 104 people have been sickened, with 34 hospitalized, in an outbreak of E. coli food poisoning tied to onions served on McDonald’s Quarter Pounder hamburgers, federal health officials said Wednesday.
Cases have been detected in 14 states, according to an update from the U.S. Centers for ******** Control and Prevention. One person ***** in Colorado and four people have developed a potentially life-threatening kidney ******** complication.
At least 30 cases were reported in Colorado, followed by 19 in Montana, 13 in Nebraska, 10 in New Mexico, eight in Missouri and Utah, six in Wyoming, three in Kansas, two in Michigan and one each in Iowa, North Carolina, Oregon, Washington and Wisconsin.
Illnesses were reported between Sept. 12 and Oct. 21. At least seven people who got ***** said they ate McDonald’s food while traveling.
Slivered onions served on the Quarter Pounders were the likely source of the outbreak, the CDC said. Taylor Farms, a California-based produce grower, recalled onions potentially linked to the outbreak. Tests by the U.S. Food and ***** Administration detected a type of E. coli bacteria that produces a dangerous toxin in one sample of the onions, but it did not match the strain that made people *****, officials reported.
Quarter Pounders were removed from menus in several states during the early days of the outbreak. The onions served at the McDonald’s locations are past their shelf life and no longer for *****. CDC officials said the risk to the public ******** low.
The type of bacteria implicated in this outbreak causes about 74,000 infections in the U.S. annually, leading to more than 2,000 hospitalizations and 61 deaths each year, according to the CDC.
Symptoms occur quickly, within a day or two of eating contaminated food, and typically include fever, vomiting, diarrhea or ******* diarrhea and signs of dehydration — little or no urination, increased thirst and dizziness. The infection can cause a type of serious kidney injury, especially in kids younger than 5. E. coli poisoning in young children requires immediate medical attention.
___
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
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Ancient Samos and the Museum of Mysterious Artifacts
Ancient Samos and the Museum of Mysterious Artifacts
The island of Samos in Greece is an island about 1.5 km from the shores of Turkey, which has a long history dating back to 4,000 BC. The name ‘Samos’ is thought to have Phoenician origin and according to the ancient Greek geographer Strabo, the name means ‘altitude near the coast’, probably because of the high mountains on the island. Samos was a very important island in ancient times, and the historian Herodotus referred to it as the best city among both the Greeks and the ‘Barbarians’.
There are many myths in relation to the origins of the island. According to legend, sea nymphs or Nereids were the first inhabitants of the island. Nereids were deities that accompanied the **** Poseidon and helped sailors to ****** the storms and travel safely on the sea waters. One famous Nereid was the mother of Achilles, Thetis.
Pelasgians of Samos Island (Archivist / Adobe Stock)
The first inhabitants of Samos island were the Pelasgians who are considered to be ancestors of the Greeks. According to Greek mythology, the first king of Samos Island was said to be the demigod king Ancaeus (Ankaios), son of the **** Poseidon and Astypalaea. Ancaeus was also one of the heroes in the Argonauts who accompanied Jason on the quest in search of the Golden Fleece.
The Goddess Hera was the protector of the island, who according to mythology was born on Samos Island. Another important figure of Samos is the Greek philosopher and mathematician, Pythagoras.
As we can see, Samos Island has an important place in ancient Greek mythology. The significance of the island is also reflected in the museums of the main city, which contain a wide range of very impressive artifacts. The first archaeological excavations took place in 1812 with British archaeologists from London and then continued with the Germans in 1900.
The artifacts reflect the importance of the island as a cultural centre in ancient times. The influence of the Minoan, Mycenaean, Egyptian, and Mesopotamian civilizations is depicted in the artifacts found during the archaeological excavations.
According to the museum, the strange bronze artifact shown in the featured image (above) depicts a carriage that would have been pulled by horses. However, there are a few interesting features of the image: a) the figurines have a very unusual appearance including pointed faces and unusually long necks, b) the shape of the object they are placed upon bears no similarity to a carriage (it looks a lot more like a submarine!), and c) the figurine on the left has something connected to the waist which he also holds, like some kind of wheel or control.
Another unique item is a bronze artifact depicting ****** female figurines, which was given as a gift to the ruler Azael of the Old Testament. The text is written in Aramaic, and the origin of the artifact is believed to be from Syria in about the 7th century BC, hence the similarities with ancient Sumerian depictions of the sun **** on the top.
Bronze artifact depicting ****** female figurines. (ΣΑΜΟΣ: Τα αρχαιολογικά μουσεία – Ίδρυμα Λάτση (GR))
In addition to the unique and fascinating artifacts, Samos is also home to one of the greater architectural achievements of ancient Greece – an aqueduct commissioned by the architect and engineer Eupalinos in the 6th century BC, a one-kilometer (0.62 mi) tunnel which was able to transfer more than 400 cubic meters of water per day. Being the longest tunnel of its time, the tunnel is regarded as a major feat of ancient engineering. The Greek historian Herodotus described the tunnel briefly:
“I have dwelt rather long on the history of the Samians because theirs are the three greatest works of all the Greeks. One is a tunnel through the base of a nine hundred foot high mountain. The tunnel’s length is seven stades, its height and length (width) both eight feet. Throughout its length another cutting has been dug three feet wide and three feet deep, through which the water flowing in pipes is led into the city from an abundant spring.”
The aqueduct of Eupalinos. (ΣΑΜΟΣ: Τα αρχαιολογικά μουσεία – Ίδρυμα Λάτση (GR))
The aqueduct of Eupalinos and the Museum of Samos are definitely worth a visit. The island of Samos holds a significant place in both history and mythology. From its early Pelasgian inhabitants to its mythological ties to Poseidon, Hera, and Pythagoras, the island has been a vital cultural and religious center. The impressive archaeological finds, including unique bronze artifacts and the engineering marvel of the Eupalinos tunnel, showcase the island’s ancient importance. Samos was not only a hub for Greek civilization but also influenced by various cultures like the Minoans, Mycenaeans, and Egyptians. Today, the island’s rich history continues to captivate visitors through its well-preserved museums and historical landmarks.
Below are some more images showing some of the unique artifacts found on the island.
Left; A goat-like creature with wings. It was part of a handle of some kind of a bowl. Right; A figurine with influences of the Minoan Civilization.(ΣΑΜΟΣ: Τα αρχαιολογικά μουσεία – Ίδρυμα Λάτση (GR))
One of the oldest Egyptian goddesses, Nut, mother of Osiris, is on the right and Syrian **** Resheph is believed to be the figure on the left – **** of plagues and war. (ΣΑΜΟΣ: Τα αρχαιολογικά μουσεία – Ίδρυμα Λάτση (GR))
By John ******
This article was first published in Feb 2014 and was updated Nov 2024.
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#Ancient #Samos #Museum #Mysterious #Artifacts
Pelican News
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Spotify unveils a new payout model for creators with popular videos
Spotify unveils a new payout model for creators with popular videos
Spotify is aiming to give YouTube some competition with its new partner program for video creators and content that goes viral. The music and podcast app announced that monetizes audio and video beyond income from advertising starting on January 2, 2025.
pays Spotify creators in two ways. Creators can earn a share of ad revenue from their content on all platforms through its Partner Program. They can also earn money through monthly podcast subscriptions that “allow listeners to support creators directly in return for exclusive bonus content and perks.”
Both tiers also come with eligibility requirements. The Spotify Partner Program requires participants to host and upload their content through its Spotify for Creators platform, have streamed 10,000 hours and at least 2,000 unique views in a 30-day ******* and published at least 12 episodes. Subscriptions will be open to content creators who have at least two published episodes and at least 100 unique Spotify listeners in a 60-day *******. The new programs will be available for subscribers in the US, ***, Canada and Australia next January.
Spotify has taken other steps to make its video and music content more accessible and mainstream. The music and video streamer integrated with and so users can post tracks on the social media sites.
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#Spotify #unveils #payout #model #creators #popular #videos
Pelican News
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Dell XPS 13 (9350) review: better battery, same design flaws
Dell XPS 13 (9350) review: better battery, same design flaws
Dell XPS 13 (9350)
MSRP $1,400.00
“The Dell XPS 13 (9350) is a highly portable laptop with great battery life, but its unconventional design is off-putting.”
*****
Solid build
Highly compact and portable
Attractive aesthetic
Battery life is excellent
Good enough performance
*****
No headphone jack
Expensive
Questionable design elements
LED function keys a bust
Dell continues to roll out new versions of its redesigned XPS 13, sporting its unconventional design. Having first launched on Intel’s previous-gen Meteor Lake chips, then on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite, and now, finally, on Intel’s new Lunar Lake platform, each of the three machines introduced in 2024 use different chipsets but are otherwise identical — for better or for worse.
All of the XPS 13’s unconventional design elements are still here, which range from merely controversial to downright dysfunctional. It’s still a highly portable and well-built laptop, but no longer tops our list of the best laptops as it once did. This time around, though, the XPS 13 better does leverage its new chipset to gain some very good battery life. While I’m happy to see improvements, it’s not quite enough to make me overlook this laptop’s faults though.
Specs and configuration
Dell XPS 13 9350
Dimensions
11.62 x 7.84 x 0.60 inches
Weight
2.7 pounds
Display
13.4-inch 16:10 FHD+ (1920 x 1200) IPS, 120Hz 13.4-inch 16:10 QHD+ (2560 x 1600) IPS, 120Hz 13.4-inch 16:10 2.8K (2880 x 1800) OLED, 60Hz
CPU
Intel Core Ultra 5 226V Intel Core Ultra 7 256V Intel Core Ultra 7 258V Intel Core Ultra 7 268V Intel Core Ultra 9 288V
GPU
Intel Arc 130V Intel Arc 140V
Memory
16GB LPDDR5X RAM 32GB LPDDR5X RAM
Storage
512TB M.2 NVMe SSD 1TB M.2 NVMe SSD 2TB M.2 NVMe SSD 4TH M.2 NVMe SSD
Ports
2 x USB-C with Thunderbolt 4
Camera
1080p with infrared camera for Windows 11 Hello
Wireless
Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4
Battery
55 watt-hour
Operating system
Windows 11
Price
$1,400+
You can select from various configurations of the XPS 13 9350, not all of which are currently available in Dell’s web store. For example, what are likely a lower-priced Core Ultra 5 model isn’t available yet. The current base model, which I reviewed, is $1,400 with an Intel Core Ultra 7 256V, 16GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD, and a 13.3-inch FHD+ IPS display. At the high end, you’ll spend $2,000 for a Core Ultra 7 258V, 32GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD, and a 2.8K OLED display.
Those are premium prices, and you can spend less for a similar machine. The HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14, which only comes with an OLED display, is just $1,400 (on *****) for a similar configuration as Dell’s high end. Dell does tend to put its laptops on ***** after a certain point, so you’ll want to keep an eye open for a more attractive price.
Design
Mark Coppock / Digital Trends
The best thing about the XPS 13’s design is that it leverages Dell’s ability to craft a high-quality XPS laptop and its trademark tiny bezels to make a very portable machine. The XPS 13 isn’t the thinnest laptop — that honor belongs to Apple’s MacBook Air 13 — nor is it the lightest. But it’s tiny in width and depth, and its all-aluminum construction is tight and solid. Feels as good in hand as any laptop made today.
Aesthetically, the XPS 13 looks a lot like past generations on the outside. It’s a sleek, streamlined chassis that comes in two colors — Platinum and Graphite — with an interior that matches. The chassis sides are made from anodized aluminum that both looks great and resists scratches. There really isn’t another laptop that has quite the same look and feel. Open the lid, and the XPS 13 has maybe the most modern aesthetic inside. The zero-lattice keyboard, glass palm rest with hidden haptic touchpad, and LED touch function keys are a great look (check below, though, for how it all works).
The 13-inch laptop has become a lot less popular over the last several years, with the 14-inch laptop with its larger display but not too much larger chassis becoming a lot more dominant. The only other mainstream 13-inch machine I’ve reviewed in the last several months is the Asus ProArt PX13, and that’s a very different laptop. It’s thicker and heavier and not nearly as small. Really, the XPS 13 kind of stands alone in this regard. The MacBook Air 13 has a larger display and its bezels aren’t as thin, so its chassis is wider and deeper. But you don’t give anything up by choosing the diminutive XPS 13. It’s a design that’s both modern and timeless.
Keyboard and touchpad
Mark Coppock / Digital Trends
OK, so I just said how great the XPS 13 looks and how well it’s built. And those are legitimate accolades. The problem is that its standout design features aren’t really all that functional. Take the zero-lattice keyboard, for starters. The more I’ve used it, the less I’ve liked it. The keycaps are large, yes, but the complete lack of key spacing doesn’t feel natural. The switches are light and snappy, not as good as Apple’s Magic Keyboard but still precise. But I’ve just never found myself able to maintain full speed as I type on Dell’s keyboard.
The LED touch function keys have no haptic feedback, meaning not only do you have to look at them to know where to press but you don’t really know when you have. Maybe they saved some space in the chassis over physical keys, but that doesn’t seem to be the reason they exist given that they’re also used on the much larger 14- and 16-inch models. It seems like something Dell just implemented to be futuristic but not to solve an actual problem.
I also don’t like the hidden touchpad. On the XPS 13, particularly as compared to the larger machines that have larger touchpads, it’s easy to lose track of where to swipe. If Dell added an LED along the edges, that would make all the difference in the world. It’s a good-enough haptic touchpad, but again, it seems like form over function. The MacBook Air’s Force Touch touchpad with Force Click feature is larger, visible, and better.
Using the fourth version of the XPS 13 with the same features has cemented my opinion that they’re bad choices. Dell should strongly consider a redo that trades functionality for modernity. A laptop like the HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 is plenty modern while also being a lot more pleasant to actually use.
Connectivity and webcam
Another weakness is in connectivity. There are just two USB-C ports with Thunderbolt 4, one of which powers the XPS 13. There’s no SD card reader, which admittedly is less common, but also no 3.5mm audio jack, which so far has stuck around. The MacBook Air 13 also has just two Thunderbolt 4 ports, but it also has a MagSafe 3 connection for power and an audio jack. This is really something else Dell might want to rethink.
Wireless connectivity, however, is fully up-to-date.
The webcam is a 1080p version, which has become the floor. Several other laptops have higher-res webcams, like the OmniBook with its 9MP version. As with other Microsoft Copilot+ PC laptops, the XPS 13 supports the full suite of the enhanced Studio Effects software as well as all other available AI features. That’s thanks to a fast neural processing unit (NPU) that comes in at 45 tera operations per second (TOPS) that exceeds the Copilot+ PC 40 TOPS requirement. Mostly, the NPU is used for more efficient on-device AI processing, and that positions the XPS 13 for whatever Microsoft rolls out.
Mark Coppock / Digital Trends
You can choose from facial recognition or a fingerprint reader in the power button to log in via Windows 11 Hello. Both worked consistently and quickly, as usual.
Performance
Mark Coppock / Digital Trends
The XPS 13 9350 is built around Intel’s Lunar Lake chipset, also known as Core Ultra Series 2. You can choose from several options, from the Core Ultra 5 226V up to the Core Ultra 9 288V. They’re all 8-core/8-thread chipsets running at 17 watts, and they vary only in clock speeds and Intel Arc graphics versions. I reviewed the XPS 13 with the Core Ultra 7 256V, which is a little slower than the Core Ultra 7 258V in the other Lunar Lake laptops I’ve reviewed. It uses the faster Intel Arc 140V.
Looking at the XPS 13 9350 versus the XPS 13 9345 that uses the Qualcomm Snapdragon X1E-80-100, which is a 12-core ARM chipset, there’s no contest. Qualcomm’s chipset is a lot faster, with the only caveat being that it runs Windows on Arm and so will slow down in emulated applications. The XPS 13 9350 keeps up with other Lunar Lake laptops, but its graphics performance is slower. The XPS 13 9345 also has faster graphics, but all of these machines aren’t as fast as the Asus ProArt PX13, which has the lowest-end discrete GPU Nvidia offers, the GeForce RTD 4050.
Ultimately, the XPS 13 9350 is plenty fast enough for demanding productivity users, but it’s not as fast as its Qualcomm and AMD competition. And it’s not a great laptop for gamers or creators thanks to low-end graphics performance.
Cinebench R24 (single/multi)
Geekbench 6 (single/multi)
Handbrake (seconds)
3DMark Wild Life Extreme
Dell XPS 13 9350 (Core Ultra 7 256V / Intel Arc 140V)
120 / 571
2575 / 10530
91
4840
Dell XPS 13 9345 (Snapdragon X1E-80-100 / Adreno)
121 / 921
2805 / 14511
N/A
6397
HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 (Core Ultra 7 258V / Intel Arc 140V)
116 / 598
2483 / 10725
99
5866
Asus Zenbook S 14 (Core Ultra 7 258V / Intel Arc 140V)
112 / 452
2738 / 10734
113
N/A
HP OmniBook X (Snapdragon X Elite / Adreno)
101 / 749
2377 / 13490
N/A
6165
Asus ProArt PX13 (Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 / RTX 4050)
116 / 897
2710 / 14696
54
15298
MacBook Air (M3)
141 / 601
3102 / 12078
109
8098
Battery life
Mark Coppock / Digital Trends
While Lunar Lake isn’t the fastest chipset, its primary purpose is to compete more strongly with Apple’s highly efficient M3 chipset that powers the MacBook Air 13. That’s also a focus of Qualcomm’s chipset. In our tests, the XPS 13 9350 adds to the already excellent battery life of the XPS 13 9345.
These are very strong results, aided in part by the low-power IPS display in both of our XPS 13 review units. Some of the others have more power-hungry OLED displays, giving the Dell machines an advantage. The MacBook Air 13 is stronger the ******* you work it, maintaining its overall efficiency lead that will likely get even stronger when the M4 chipset arrives next year.
The XPS 13 9350 will get you through a full day’s work, and then some. It’s a great performer here.
Web browsing
Video
Cinebench R24
Dell XPS 13 9350 (Core Ultra 7 256V)
13 hours, 33 minutes
24 hours, 52 minutes
2 hours, 24 minutes
Dell XPS 13 9345 (Snapdragon X1E-80-100)
12 hours, 29 minutes
22 hours, 9 minutes
1 hour, 37 minutes
HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 (Core Ultra 7 258V)
11 hours, 5 minutes
15 hours, 46 minutes
2 hours, 14 minutes
Asus Zenbook S 14 (Core Ultra 7 258V)
16 hours, 47 minutes
18 hours, 35 minutes
3 hours, 33 minutes
Microsoft Surface Laptop (Snapdragon X Elite X1E-80-100)
14 hours, 21 minutes
22 hours, 39 minutes
N/A
HP Omnibook X (Snapdragon X Elite X1E-78-100)
13 hours, 37 minutes
22 hours, 4 minutes
1 hour, 52 minutes
Asus Vivobook S 15 (Snapdragon X Plus)
13 hours, 10 minutes
16 hours, 19 minutes
N/A
Asus ProArt PX13 (Ryzen AI 9 HX 370)
8 hours, 7 minutes
11 hours, 12 minutes
1 hour, 12 minutes
Apple MacBook Air (Apple M3)
19 hours, 38 minutes
19 hours, 39 minutes
3 hours, 27 minutes
Display and audio
Dell offers a trio of displays with the XPS 13. Two are IPS panels — FHD+ (1920 x 1200) and QHD+ (2560 x 1600) running at 120Hz — and a 2.8K (2880 x 1800) OLED display at 60Hz. The base display that I reviewed is a low-power panel, which affected the battery results above. It’s an OK display subjectively, being maybe sharp enough for most people at 13.3 inches but not sharp enough for me. Colors were fine but not spectacular, and the same with contrast.
There was a time when an IPS panel with the objective results that this one showed would have been excellent. In the last several years, though, these results have become closer to average. It was a bright display at 507 nits, which I’ve seen more and more often, and its contrast was very good at 1,740:1. The only reason that number seems low is because I’ve reviewed so many OLED display with perfect *******. The XPS 13’s display also had fairly wide colors at 100% sRGB, 74% AdobeRGB, and 75% DCI-P3, and they’re accurate at a DeltaE of 1.41.
Again, those are average scores today, but they still make for a display that’s more than good enough for most users. You can opt for the OLED display if you want a lot more sharpness, wider colors, and inky *******. But you’ll also give up some battery life in the bargain.
Really good battery life saves the day, but troubles remain
I love the XPS 13’s portability. It’s a laptop that you can use anywhere and easily carry it around. But when I open it up and struggle with the keyboard and touchpad, I’m frustrated. I remember the older XPS design that was just as portable but a lot more comfortable. Put a “normal” keyboard with real function keys and a haptic touchpad that I can actually see, and I’d be a lot happier.
The performance is fine and the display is good enough for most people. I’m sure the OLED model would be as spectacular as always. But what saves the XPS 13 from a lower score — I still can’t fully recommend it — is the battery life. It’s a major step up from the older Intel models, and it elevates this to a laptop that will keep you working for a long time — so long as you can get past its unconventional design.
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#Dell #XPS #review #battery #design #flaws
Pelican News
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Amazon Prime Video to stream Diamond regional sports networks
Amazon Prime Video to stream Diamond regional sports networks
Sopa Images | Lightrocket | Getty Images
Diamond Sports reached a deal with Amazon’s Prime Video that will allow its 16 regional sports networks to be made available on the streaming platform.
As part of the deal, Diamond’s networks will be made available as an add-on subscription to Prime customers living within each team’s designated geographic area. Further details, such as pricing, will be announced at a later date. Financial terms of the multiyear agreement were not disclosed.
The agreement is not exclusive, meaning Diamond can still pursue streaming rights deals with other partners, according to a person familiar with the matter. The company’s previously launched FanDuel Sports Network streaming options will still be available.
This marks the latest development for Diamond Sports as it looks to exit bankruptcy protection with a revamped business model.
In October, Diamond inked a naming rights deal with Flutter-owned FanDuel, rebranding its networks from Bally Sports to FanDuel Sports Network. The name change took place immediately during the National Hockey League season and ahead of the start of the 2024-25 National Basketball Association season.
Earlier this week, Diamond also announced it would offer games on an a la carte basis at $6.99 per game beginning Dec. 5, which will not require a subscription. Both Prime Video and the FanDuel Sports Network app will offer the single games, according to the person familiar with the offering.
On Thursday, Diamond will seek court approval for its reorganization plan, which has drawn criticism from Major League Baseball and the Atlanta Braves, who question the company’s future viability under the plan.
Both the league and the Braves had requested further clarity on what the partnership with Amazon, which at the time was not solidified, would entail.
Diamond sought bankruptcy protection last year, toppled by a heavy debt load and the effect of cord-cutting on its networks as consumers opt out of cable TV bundles for streaming services.
Diamond has also inked deals with the NBA and NHL for TV and streaming rights for their teams. It has been negotiating with MLB teams on an individual basis.
Various regional sports networks, including the New York Yankees’ YES Network, have launched streaming options in recent years. Amazon’s Prime Video already airs a selection of Yankees games each season since it is a stakeholder in the YES Network.
Pricing has been on the higher end of the scale, as the networks have been careful when it comes to pricing their streaming options so as not to further disrupt the cable TV model and breach contracts with distributors. These contracts have long helped support the billions of dollars in fees that the networks pay professional sports teams to air games.
Don’t miss these insights from CNBC PRO
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#Amazon #Prime #Video #stream #Diamond #regional #sports #networks
Pelican News
View the full article at [Hidden Content]
Mortal Kombat 1’s Ghostface Identity Is A Mystery, Just Like In Scream
Mortal Kombat 1’s Ghostface Identity Is A Mystery, Just Like In Scream
Today, NetherRealm Studios hosted the latest edition of the Kombat Kast–the semi-regular livestream highlighting new characters and features coming to Mortal Kombat 1 in the near future. Though Halloween was last month, the presentation kept the scares going with a full reveal of Ghostface from Scream, along with an interesting twist: The character is actually three Ghostfaces in one, and two of them are from the Mortal Kombat universe.
The Kombat Kast started with the gameplay trailer for the new fighter, which showed off multiple moves and combos, a fourth-wall-breaking Fatality, and a tease at his Animality where he morphs into a buzzard. After the trailer, it was explained that the original Ghostface–the one transported to the Mortal Kombat timeline–is the main fighter, but he can call other Ghostfaces into battle for him.
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Now Playing: Mortal Kombat 1 – Official Ghostface DLC Character Gameplay Reveal Trailer
Those other Ghostfaces–per NetherRealm lead QA analyst Stephanie Brownback–are “not anonymous,” but instead are known characters from the Mortal Kombat canon. The only clues given during the stream were that both were recruited from Kano’s ****** Dragon clan, and that the male Ghostface is called “****** Dragon Enforcer” and the female is “****** Dragon *********.” Each of the ****** Dragon Ghostfaces have “clues” and “Easter eggs” that present while they’re on-screen, and it will be up to the players to figure out who is who.
The Kombat Kast also revealed new features and adjustments to the roster, including new moves and abilities for Ashrah, Smoke, and Sub-Zero, among others. A replay takeover was also highlighted, where players can rewatch a recent online match and “take over” for a brief ******* of time, in order to analyze the situation and strategize for future matches.
Mortal Kombat 1 is available now on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC. Ghostface will officially join the roster on November 26, while those with early access through the Premium or Kollector’s Edition will be able to play as the Scream ******* one week sooner on November 19.
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#Mortal #Kombat #Ghostface #Identity #Mystery #Scream
Pelican News
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I have Meta Quest 3S this is the best VR accessory on *****
I have Meta Quest 3S this is the best VR accessory on *****
Ahead of the holidays and some prime family time, I’ve picked up the Meta Quest 3S. So far, my family is absolutely loving it, and my kids are constantly bugging me to play games, explore worlds, and get virtual. Naturally, I manage the time we’re all spending — you don’t want too much screen time. But regardless, every one of us ends up becoming immersed, which means spending a lot of time with the headset on. One of the biggest drawbacks of the stock setup is that the headstrap is uncomfortable, and it puts a lot of pressure on your face. That means, the Meta Quest 3S’s best VR accessory — and the Meta Quest 3, too — is a new, custom strap.
We grabbed the Kiwi Design Quest 3-Quest 3S headstrap and it’s fantastic. It’s also on ***** right now for 20% off. Normally $30, it’s discounted to $24 with a coupon code. Why am I sharing? If you pick up a Meta Quest 3 or 3S for yourself, or you’re planning to gift one to someone over the holidays, I highly recommend ordering one of these straps. It vastly improves the experience and makes wearing the headset much more comfortable. It’s also easy to adjust the fit, which is a big deal for kids. You have no idea how frustrating it was to constantly adjust the headstrap for my children between each turn.
Why you should consider the Kiwi Design Meta Quest 3 and Quest 3S headstrap
Here’s what I love most about the Kiwi Design Meta Quest 3 headstrap. There’s a small, round dial on the back. Once you place the Quest on your head, you simply twist the dial on the rear to tighten the headset. That makes it so easy to quickly adjust the lenses, headset, and strap. If you’ve never used a VR headset before, it has to fit correctly otherwise the internal screen, displayed via the lenses, is super blurry. It’s not as bad when you’re dealing with adults or teenagers. But for smaller kids, it can be tough to find the right fit — especially with the stock headstrap.
The Kiwi strap is quick, easy, and reliable. Neither I nor my kids have experienced the strap loosening during play, which is also important. You want the headset to remain firmly in place no matter how much you’re moving. And if you plan to play some Beat Saber — why wouldn’t you — you’re going to be moving around a lot. It also works great standing up, sitting down, or even while lying down.
Swapping out the stock strap is super easy, too. You just disconnect the side modules, undo the center strap, and slide it out of the bracket. Then, you simply clip on the plastic modules for the new strap, feed the center strap through the bracket, and tighten it using the dial on the back. If you want to swap out for something else or go back to stock, it’s just as easy to do.
For what it offers, how much more comfortable it makes playtime, and how easy it is to use, I personally feel like the Kiwi Design headstrap offers a ton of value. So, grabbing it on ***** for 20% off is one heck of a deal. If you own a Meta Quest 3, 3S, or plan to get one, for you or someone else, don’t skip out on getting one of these. Trust me.
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Pelican News
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British Museum given ******** ceramics collection worth £1bn
British Museum given ******** ceramics collection worth £1bn
Google
Items in the collection date from the third to 20th Century
The British Museum is to be given ******** ceramics worth £1bn in what is believed to be the highest-value gift received by a *** museum.
The addition of the items from the Sir Percival David Foundation will also make the museum’s stock of the antiques one of the most important outside of the ********-speaking world.
Some of the donated items date from the third to 20th Century.
Museum director Dr Nicholas Cullinan said the objects would offer visitors and researchers “the incredible opportunity to study and enjoy the very best examples of ******** craftsmanship anywhere in existence.”
The 1,700 items, which have already been on long-term loan to the museum since 2009, were collected by Indian-born British businessman Sir Percival David, who lived from 1892 to 1964.
He collected the items – mostly of imperial quality – in Europe, Japan, Hong Kong and China.
The move will bring the museum’s collection of ******** ceramics to 10,000 pieces.
PA Media
The Sir Percival David Foundation said the gift “achieved” the late British businessman’s objectives for the collection
Items in the collection include vases from 1351 which revolutionised the dating for blue and white ceramics with their discovery, as well as a cup decorated with a chicken that was used to serve wine for the Chenghua emperor in the 1400s.
Dr Cullinan added: “I am humbled by the generosity of the trustees of the Sir Percival David Foundation in permanently entrusting their incomparable private collection to the British Museum.”
The foundation said Sir Percival wanted his private collection to be on public display to inspire and educate future generations.
Final transfer of the ownership of the items is subject to the Charity Commission’s consent.
After the donation, pieces are set to be lent to the Shanghai Museum in China and the Metropolitan Museum in New York.
The government’s arts minister Sir Chris Bryant said: “I am immensely grateful for this phenomenal act of generosity and very much hope it will help set a trend for others.”
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Pelican News
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World of Warcraft’s Midnight expansion will add player housing
World of Warcraft’s Midnight expansion will add player housing
Blizzard has announced plans to add player housing to World of Warcraft in its next expansion, Midnight.
A teaser trailer for the expansion and the new feature, which premiered during a Warcraft 30th Anniversary Direct stream on Wednesday, is viewable above.
Ion Hazzikostas, senior game director on World of Warcraft, told GameSpot the feature has been in development for several years.
“We’ve known we’ve wanted to do it for real for some time,” he said. “I think figuring out the how and when and making sure we can deliver something that’s going to meet our players’ expectations and exceed them, that’s all the tricky parts to it.
“What we’re announcing this week is a teaser, a hint, the slimmest of previews, just letting people know, ‘Hey, it’s coming as part of Midnight.’”
“Just excited to get that news out there and to begin a conversation so we can start hearing from players what they’re hoping to see from a World of Warcraft housing system,” Hazzikostas added.
“Double-check it matches what we are currently cooking but also gives us some time to pivot and make sure we deliver what players are hoping for.”
Midnight is the second of three expansions that collectively form Warcraft’s Worldsoul Saga, which was announced at last year’s BlizzCon.
A new World of Warcraft roadmap released today confirmed that Blizzard is planning to reveal Midnight next summer.
Today’s digital event was also used to simultaneously announce and release remastered versions of Warcraft 1 and 2, along with Warcraft 3 Reforged Patch 2.0.
Blizzard announced plans to launch World of Warcraft Mists of Pandaria Classic in the summer of 2025 too.
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AMD to cut down global workforce by 4%
AMD to cut down global workforce by 4%
AMD on Wednesday said that it would reduce its global workforce by 4% in a bid to focus on its main future growth opportunities. As a result of the decision, the company will have to lay off around 1,000 employees worldwide after doubling its headcount over the past three years.
“As a part of aligning our resources with our largest growth opportunities, we are taking a number of targeted steps that will unfortunately result in reducing our global workforce by approximately 4%,” a statement from AMD reads. “We are committed to treating impacted employees with respect and helping them through this transition.”
The workforce reduction is described as a targeted approach, ensuring AMD has the skills necessary in the sectors of its fastest growth, including its data center operations in general and AI processors in particular. It is unclear which of AMD’s business units will feel the brunt of the cuts.
As of late 2023, AMD employed 25,768 people full-time in addition to 9,526 temporary workers and contractors, which was roughly two times more than the company employed in 2020 (12,637 permanent employees and 5,739 temporary workers).
AMD’s rival Intel is in the process of laying off some 16,000 people across the company as it is trying to adjust its cost structure with its current earnings. Unlike AMD, Intel has been bleeding money in recent quarters, which at least explains Intel’s reasons for cutting staff. AMD’s statement almost reads like a preference for a lean organizational structure, though it is hard to say how such adjustments will affect the company’s competitive positions here and now.
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Investor overseeing $1 trillion at Nuveen names her No. 1 idea right now
Investor overseeing $1 trillion at Nuveen names her No. 1 idea right now
Investors looking for opportunities in this elevated market may want to take a look at U.S. small caps, according to Nuveen’s Saira Malik. “There is still room for this rally to run, but we do need to be careful because of valuations,” the firm’s chief investment officer said at CNBC’s Delivering Alpha Conference on Wednesday. “That’s why we’re looking at areas that are cheap — small caps trading at that big discount. You need to be more selective.” Smalls caps have outperformed in the wake of president-elect Donald Trump’s victory over Vice President Kamala Harris. The Russell 2000 index surged on the heels of Trump’s win and is up nearly 8% since the start of November on optimism that lower tax rates will help smaller, domestically focused companies the most. The index is up about 17% this year, still trailing the S & P 500’s more than 25% year-to-date gain. Malik views small caps as one of the most attractive areas amid a broad rally that’s boosted the major indexes and valuations to new highs. The sector, however, appears to be trading at two-decade lows relative to large caps, she said. Nuveen in March of this year had about $1.2 trillion under management. A strong dollar and deregulation should also bode well for small cap stocks typically oriented in the U.S., she added. Potential tariffs from the new Trump administration and greater spending power among U.S. consumers is another boon for smaller companies. “Deregulation is going to make the world an interesting place, because it could open up more M & A activity, which, again, positive for small caps trading at that deep discount to their counterparts,” Malik said. The iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) , which tracks the Russell 2000, is up 8% this month.
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Truckie charged after two people ******* in horror Qld highway ******
Truckie charged after two people ******* in horror Qld highway ******
A 30-year-old man has been charged with dangerous driving after a truck smashed into the back of another car, ******** a teenager and a woman.
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