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Fujifilm is developing a 102MP medium format cinema camera Fujifilm is developing a 102MP medium format cinema camera Fujifilm is developing a medium-format, 102-megapixel cinema camera, the company said in a surprise announcement. Due next year, the GFX Eterna will carry a boxy, modular design reminiscent of Sony’s FX6 or the new Blackmagic Pyxis and will likely be launched with a top handle, electronic viewfinder and other optional accessories. The new camera will have a medium format GFX 102-megapixel (MP) CMOS II HS sensor, the same one used on the GFX100 II. That sensor is 43.8mm x 32.9 mm in size, or 1.7 times larger than the full-frame sensor found on the aforementioned FX or Pyxis. That will be one of the largest cinema camera sensors available, even ******* than RED’s V-Raptor XL sensor. The benefits will be extra dynamic range, potentially high resolution and a very shallow depth of field that should allow for cinematic shots when paired with the right lens. That does bring up the fact that Fujifilm currently has no GFX glass designed specifically for film production. However, the company said it’s developing a 32-90mm power zoom lens (24-70mm full-frame equivalent) and will have a mount adapter for GFX to PL lenses, which are widely used in cinema. One other concern might be rolling shutter distortion. RED’s V-Raptor XL uses a global shutter that has zero distortion, but the sensor Fujifilm will employ has a fair bit of it . In addition, the GFX100 II captures 8K with a 1.53x crop, negating many of the benefits of a medium format sensor — so, hopefully Fujifilm will resolve those issues with its cinema camera. Fujifilm will show off the GFX Eterna starting tomorrow at the InterBEE 2024 media exhibition in Chiba City, Japan. It’s set to be released sometime in 2025, with an exact date and pricing yet to be announced. If you buy something through a link in this article, we may earn commission. Source link #Fujifilm #developing #102MP #medium #format #cinema #camera Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Spirit Airlines flight attendant injured after gunfire strikes plane to Haiti Spirit Airlines flight attendant injured after gunfire strikes plane to Haiti A Spirit Airlines plane awaits takeoff at LaGuardia Airport in New York Leslie Josephs/CNBC Gunfire hit a Spirit Airlines flight to Haiti on Monday, injuring a crew member, and may have struck a separate flight from the country as the State Department warned of “gang-led efforts” to stop travel to the Caribbean nation. Spirit confirmed in a statement that one of its flights from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to Port-au-Prince, Haiti, was diverted to the Dominican Republic on Monday. It said an inspection of the aircraft showed damage consistent with gunfire. “One Flight Attendant on board reported minor injuries and is being evaluated by medical personnel,” the statement said. “No Guest injuries were reported.” Spirit said that it is suspending its services to Haiti pending “evaluation” of the incident and that the plane was being taken out of service for the time being. A return flight to Florida is being arranged for members of the crew and the passengers who were diverted to the Dominican Republic. The U.S. State Department subsequently issued an alert warning of “gang-led efforts” to stop travel to Haiti and cautioning Americans not to go there. Also on Monday, a post-flight inspection of the exterior of a JetBlue aircraft used for a trip from Port-au-Prince to New York City’s John F. Kennedy International Airport turned up evidence that it had been struck by a round, the airline said in a statement. “No issues were initially reported by the operating crew,” JetBlue said. The airline launched an investigation and said its flights to and from Haiti will be suspended through at least Dec. 2. It blamed “ongoing civil unrest” for the pause in travel. ********* Airlines said a statement that it was also suspending its services from Miami to Port-au-Prince. “We will continue to monitor the situation with safety and security top of mind and will adjust our operation as needed,” it said. The State Department said in an alert from the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince on Monday that it was aware of a pause in operations at the city’s airport. “The U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince is aware of gang-led efforts to block travel to and from Port-au-Prince which may include armed *********, and disruptions to roads, ports, and airports,” the alert said. The State Department advises against travel to Haiti, which is still in the midst of violent political turmoil. Even travel within the Caribbean country is not advised. “You should consider your personal security situation before traveling anywhere in Haiti,” the embassy said. “Only attempt to depart Haiti or travel within Haiti if you believe it is safe for you to do so.” Haiti has been overcome by armed groups vying for control after a power vacuum was left by the ************** of democratically elected President Jovenel Moïse in 2021. Ariel Henry, the deeply unpopular prime minister at the time, assumed the role of president and ******* to hold elections. And when he once again delayed elections this year, ********* ensued as armed militias plunged the country into civil unrest and put the lives of civilians in danger. Henry said in April that he would resign once other Caribbean nations and parties broker a transitional government. Source link #Spirit #Airlines #flight #attendant #injured #gunfire #strikes #plane #Haiti Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

A Wicked 4DX ad is now playing in select theaters A Wicked 4DX ad is now playing in select theaters As someone who gets motion ***** easily and doesn’t love unexpected things coming at me, 4DX has never been my cup of tea. However, as a long time fan of Wicked, that could change as Xfinity has released a new 4DX ad ahead of Wicked the movie’s November 22 release date. The ad is a short film titled Stay Connected to Your Dreams and was directed by Alice Brooks, Wicked‘s director of photography. It centers on Wicked‘s leads Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, who play Elphaba and Glinda, respectively. The short film shows viewers Erivo and Grande’s childhoods and their love of Wicked, Grande’s decade and a half old tweet wishing she’d one day play Glinda and the calls when each actor learned they’d been cast in the movie. According to Xfinity, the 4DX film will allow the audience to “feel the magic of Oz” and includes synchronized motion seats, wind, lightning and, of course, bubbles (IYKYK). The company also claims it’s the first 4DX spot to be played nationwide. While we’ve not always been fans of 4DX, Wicked lovers might enjoy the slightly more immersive experience. You can experience the short film in select 4DX Regal theaters before the movie premieres or sans-4DX here. The second part of Wicked should arrive next year, on November 21, 2025. If you buy something through a link in this article, we may earn commission. Source link #Wicked #4DX #playing #select #theaters Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Migratory birds can use Earth’s magnetic field like a GPS Migratory birds can use Earth’s magnetic field like a GPS Eurasian reed warblers migrate between Europe and ******* AGAMI Photo Agency / Alamy Stock Many migratory birds use Earth’s magnetic field as a compass, but some can also use information from that field to determine more or less where they are on a mental map. Eurasian reed warblers (Acrocephalus scirpaceus) appear to calculate their geographical position by drawing data from different distances and angles between magnetic fields and the Earth’s shape. The findings suggest that the birds use magnetic information as a sort of “GPS” that tells them not only where to go, but where they are initially, says Richard Holland at Bangor University in the ***. “When we travel, we have a map – which tells us where we are – and we have a compass, which tells us which way to go to reach our destination,” he says. “We don’t think birds have quite this level of accuracy or degree of knowledge of the whole Earth. Even so, they see how magnetic cues change as they move along their normal path – or even if they’re far displaced from that path.” Scientists have known for decades that migratory birds rely on cues from the sun, the stars and Earth’s magnetic field to determine which direction to head towards. But figuring out direction using a compass is markedly different from knowing where in the world they are, and scientists still debate about whether – and how – birds figure out their current map position. Florian Packmor at Lower Saxon Wadden Sea National Park Authority in Germany suspected birds could detect detailed aspects of the magnetic field to determine their global position. Specifically, he thought they might use magnetic inclination – the changing angle of Earth’s surface relative to its magnetic lines – and magnetic declination – the difference in direction between the geographic and magnetic poles – to understand more precisely where they are located in the world. To test that theory, Packmor, Holland and their colleagues captured 21 ****** reed warblers on their migration route from Europe to ******* in Illmitz, Austria. There, they placed the birds temporarily in outdoor aviaries, where the researchers used a Helmholtz coil to interfere with magnetic fields. They artificially altered the inclination and declination in a way that corresponded to a position in Neftekamsk, Russia, 2600 kilometres away. “That’s way out of their direction,” says Packmor. The team then put the birds in a special cage for studying migratory instincts and asked two independent researchers – who were unaware of the changes in magnetic field – to record which way the birds headed. In the modified magnetic field situations, most of the birds showed a clear penchant for flying west-southwest, as though they were trying to return to their migration route from Russia. By contrast, the same birds wanted to fly south-southeast out of Austria when the magnetic field was unmodified. This suggests that the birds believed that they were no longer in Austria, but in Russia – based on their magnetic inclination and declination alone, says Packmor. “Of course, they don’t know it’s Russia, but it’s too far north and east of where they should be,” says Holland. “And then at that point, they look at their compass system to work out how to fly south and west.” However, we still don’t fully understand the neurological mechanisms that enable birds to sense these aspects of Earth’s magnetic field. “This is an important step in understanding how magnetic maps of songbirds – and in particular, reed warblers – work,” says Nikita Chernetsov at the Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences in Saint Petersburg, who was not involved in the study. While the research confirms reed warblers rely on these magnetic fields for positioning, it doesn’t mean that all birds do so, he adds. “Not all birds work the same way.” The birds were released two to three weeks after the study, at which time they could continue their normal migration, Packmor and Holland say. Indeed, one of the birds they studied was captured a second time a year later, meaning the team’s research did not prevent it from migrating successfully. Topics: Source link #Migratory #birds #Earths #magnetic #field #GPS Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Headspace’s ****** Friday deals discounts subscriptions by 50 percent Headspace’s ****** Friday deals discounts subscriptions by 50 percent The winter holidays are upon us and despite the festive feelings we might be hoping for, this time of year is often paired with increased stress, worry and anxiety. Fortunately, there are some great tools for helping to manage those negative emotions while promoting positive ones. One of those tools is the Headspace mental health app, which is running a three-week ****** Friday deal. From November 12 through December 4, you can snag a for half off. This subscription normally costs $70 a year, but during this promotion, you can access the service for $35 billed annually. And what better time than the holiday chaos to gift someone (or heck, to gift yourself) a little bit of mindfulness? Headspace Headspace’s service has features to help users with meditation, sleep tools, mindfulness and general mental health. Its holistic approach made Headspace stand out as one of our . Reviewer Lawrence Bonk appreciated how well Headspace created progression across its courses, as well as the chance to pick from different instructors so that any user can find the meditation guidance that will work best for their individual brains. This app is also getting the AI treatment. Headspace has introduced an AI companion named Ebb that can help users by recommending meditations and activities to best match their current challenges. Since this is a year-long subscription, it’s a gift that keeps on giving for whoever you choose to buy this plan for. Having a happier brain is a present anyone can appreciate. Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice. Source link #Headspaces #****** #Friday #deals #discounts #subscriptions #percent Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Drought, fires and fossil fuels push CO2 emissions to a record high Drought, fires and fossil fuels push CO2 emissions to a record high Wildfires in the tropics drove some increase in CO2 emissions but the bulk was driven by burning fossil fuels Carl De Souza/AFP/Getty Images Carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels in 2024 are set to ***** past last year’s record levels, dashing hopes this year will see the planet-warming emissions peak. “Reducing emissions is more urgent than ever and there’s only one way to do it: massively reduce fossil emissions,” says Pierre Friedlingstein at the University of Exeter, ***. That is according to the latest Global Carbon Budget report, a preliminary accounting of CO2 emissions to date with projections to the end of the year, produced by Friedlingstein and his colleagues. It was released at the COP29 summit now underway in Azerbaijan, where countries aim to set new financial targets to address climate change. Last year, some researchers were forecasting a peak in emissions in 2024, but the report finds human-caused CO2 emissions are set to reach a record 41.6 gigatonnes in 2024, a 2 per cent rise on 2023’s record. Almost 90 per cent of that total consists of emissions from burning fossil fuels. The rest is from changes in the land driven mostly by deforestation and wildfires. At 0.8 per cent, the growth rate of fossil fuel emissions is half that of 2023, although it ******** higher than the average rate over the past decade. “[The slower rate] is a good sign, but it’s still miles away from where we need to get,” says Friedlingstein. Despite a long-term downward trend, projected emissions from land use change also increased this year, largely due to drought-driven wildfires in the tropics. Some of the increase is also down to a collapse of the carbon land sink in 2023, which usually removes about a quarter of our annual CO2 emissions from the atmosphere. This sink declined by more than 40 per cent last year and the early part of 2024 as global temperatures spiked under the influence of El Niño. “2023 is an incredible demonstration of what can happen in a warmer world when we had peak records in global temperatures combined with El Niño droughts and fires,” says Pep Canadell at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation in Australia, a co-author of the report. “Put all these things together and last year we had almost a third less help removing atmospheric CO2 by the world’s forests than we have had over the last decade.” While this also added to emissions in 2024, the researchers expect this “land carbon sink” has mostly recovered as the warming influence of El Niño has faded. “It’s not a long-term collapse,” says Friedlingstein. The report finds CO2 emissions in China, which generates nearly a third of the global total, are only projected to increase by 0.2 per cent in 2024 compared to 2023. Canadell says that because of the large margin of error in this projection of China’s emissions, it is actually possible they have stayed steady or gone down. India’s emissions also increased at a slower rate than last year, rising by just under 5 per cent. In the US and the EU, emissions continued to decline, albeit at a much slower rate than last year. Hot temperatures that boost electricity demand to power air conditioning are also a key reason why fossil fuel emissions have continued to rise despite the massive build-out of renewables in 2024, says Neil Grant at Climate Analytics, a think tank in Germany. Whether due to electric vehicles, data centres or manufacturing, “most people have been caught a bit surprised by the level of electricity demand this year”, he says. If emissions continue at this level, the report finds that within six years the world will exceed its remaining carbon budget to limit warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, and will exceed the budget to stay within 2°C warming within 27 years. “We have to accelerate, accelerate, accelerate, accelerate the transition to renewable energy,” says Candell. “Climate change is like a slippery slope that we can just keep falling down. We need to slam on the brakes as hard as we can so we can stop falling.” Topics: Source link #Drought #fires #fossil #fuels #push #CO2 #emissions #record #high Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

League tables to reveal failing NHS trusts League tables to reveal failing NHS trusts PA Failing hospitals will be revealed in league tables and NHS managers sacked if they do not turn things around, the health secretary will tell health leaders at a conference in Liverpool. Wes Streeting is promising a “no-holds-barred, sweeping review” of NHS performance in England. Hospitals can expect to be ranked on indicators such as care delivery and finances, so patients can see whether they are receiving a good service. And “turnaround teams” will be sent into struggling trusts, while top performers will have more freedom over spending. Reuters Meanwhile, senior leaders will be denied pay rises if key improvements are not made. A new pay framework for chief executives will be published in April, which will “clamp down” on poor performance while rewarding success. Streeting will tell the NHS Providers conference there will be “no more turning a ****** eye” to ******** – something he has promised before, along with the idea of league tables. “We will drive the health service to improve, so patients get more out of it for what taxpayers put in,” he will say. “Our health service must attract top talent, be far more transparent to the public who pay for it, and run as efficiently as global businesses.” ‘Deep dives’ The Department of Health and Social Care says, currently, there is little incentive for trusts to run budget surpluses, from which they are unable to benefit – but that will now change. Top performers will be given more capital and greater control over where to invest it – be that new equipment or technology or modernising their buildings. The NHS Oversight Framework, which sets out how trusts and integrated care boards are best monitored, will be updated to ensure performance is properly scrutinised. And at poorly performing trusts, government and NHS England “deep dives” will identify the most pressing issues and how they can be resolved. NHS trusts could also be banned from using expensive agency staffing to cover certain rota gaps. Some recruitment agencies have charged up to £2,000 for a single nursing shift -and last year, temporary workers cost the NHS in England £3bn, the government says. ‘Cut waiting’ NHS chief executive Amanda Pritchard welcomed the accountability, saying: “The extensive package of reforms, developed together with government, will empower all leaders working in the NHS – and it will give them the tools they need to provide the best possible services for our patients.” But Patients Association chief executive Rachel Power warned the new measures must bring positive change. “We hope trusts who receive greater funding freedom will use this money wisely – to cut waiting times, make the waiting experience better for patients, and strengthen the ways they work with patients to improve services,” she said. “These are the things that matter most to people using the NHS.” ‘Challenging circumstances’ Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, which represents NHS trusts, said health services were already subject a lot of oversight and regulation – and the prospect of “more league tables” would concern health leaders. “NHS staff are doing their very best for patients, under very challenging circumstances, and we do not want them feeling like they are being named and shamed,” he said. “League tables in themselves do not lead to improvement.” Mr Taylor said the “****** will be in the detail around what constitutes ********”, much of which could be beyond a health leader’s immediate control. “We look forward to working with the government to make sure that any new measures don’t disincentivise managers from taking on roles in struggling organisations,” he said. NHS Providers, which represents NHS trusts in England, said hospitals were already doing everything possible to boost productivity while delivering tough efficiency measures. Source link #League #tables #reveal #failing #NHS #trusts Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

NVIDIA’s new all-in-one PC app launches out of beta today NVIDIA’s new all-in-one PC app launches out of beta today NVIDIA has been testing a single app that merges the GeForce Experience and Control Panel over the past year. After rolling out several betas to make sure it works as intended, the company has officially launched the NVIDIA application, which is now available to download for users with its GPUs in their PCs and laptops. The company says the app is meant to make it easy to keep their NVIDIA Studio and GeForce Game Ready drivers updated and to give users quick access to its latest programs. In its home screen, users will find a prominently displayed section that will lead them to the latest driver downloads, as well as sections that will take them to other NVIDIA applications. At the bottom, they’ll find a Library section showing their most recently opened games and programs that they can launch from there. Since it’s supposed to provide a unified experience, users will be able to fine-tune the settings for their games and programs from within the app. Users will be able to access Optimal Playable Settings with relevant Control Panel options, and they’ll be able to configure their displays, enable G-SYNC, enhance videos with AI and fine-tune their GPU’s performance from within its interface. NVIDIA explains that it designed the unified application to be 50 percent more responsive than the GeForce Experience. It also installs in half the time. It’s also worth noting that app will introduce a redesigned in-game overlay that simplifies access to gameplay recording tools capable of capturing video in 4K at 120 FPS, as well as AI-powered filters for those with RTX GPUs. They’ll then be able to view their screenshots and new videos in the app’s Gallery. If you buy something through a link in this article, we may earn commission. Source link #NVIDIAs #allinone #app #launches #beta #today Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Brumbies cull wins tick of approval, but rift ******** Brumbies cull wins tick of approval, but rift ******** A major culling operation of feral horses in the *********** Alps has won cross-party backing but an unlikely coalition of MPs say it is not ethically justified. Source link #Brumbies #cull #wins #tick #approval #rift #******** Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Wake parents criticize student assignment plan, allege favoritism for board members Wake parents criticize student assignment plan, allege favoritism for board members Some Wake County parents say the school board is showing favoritism by helping fellow members, not their families, in next year’s student reassignment plan. Wake County school administrators have recommended a plan that would move thousands of students to different schools for the 2025-26 school year. During Tuesday’s school board public hearing, multiple parents questioned why school board member Lindsay Mahaffey’s Apex neighborhood was dropped from the plan after the first draft was presented in September. In an interview with The News & Observer, Mahaffey said did not ask for her neighborhood to be dropped. She said she asked staff to look at the public’s feedback on the assignment plan. “The decision came from the Office of Student Assignment,” Mahaffey said Tuesday. “It was their directive,” Mahaffey said. “It was not an advocacy for a neighborhood.” Families question dropping Mahaffey’s neighborhood Most of the plan impacts southern and southwestern Wake, where several new schools are scheduled to open in next fall. That includes the new Pleasant Plains Elementary in Apex. In the first draft of the plan, Mahaffey’s neighborhood was among multiple neighborhoods that were recommended to be moved to Pleasant Plains. But among the handful of changes staff made in the updated proposal, children who live in Mahaffey’s Bella Casa subdivision no longer will move and will now stay at Scotts Ridge Elementary. Assignment staff said dropping the neighborhood would allow Bella Casa families to be split between two elementary schools, not three. But some parents didn’t accept that explanation. They argued that it would make more sense to assign Bella Casa to Pleasant Plains because it’s closer than other neighborhoods being reassigned. “Our representative has only addressed concern for her neighborhood, which was removed from rezoning plans despite being closer to the new school,” parent Madison Hester said to the board. “Where is the equity? Where is the support for all students and not just those that sit closest to you?” Mahaffey is married to Apex Town Councilmember Terry Mahaffey. “This has totally been in favor of our representative’s neighborhood, who coincidentally has a husband sitting on the council,” said parent Christopher English. During board member comments, Mahaffey thanked the parents who spoke at the public hearing. View the Wake student assignment plan The exact number of students who could be reassigned usually isn’t provided until the final version of the assignment plan. The public can view the plan at wcpss.net/2025enrollmentproposal. People can see whether their address is affected by searching osageo.wcpss.net/enrollment-proposal-lookup. In 2025, Wake is opening Felton Grove High School in Holly Springs. The district will also open Bowling Road Elementary in Fuquay-Varina, Pleasant Plains Elementary in Apex and Rex Road Elementary in Holly Springs. New students are also being moved to take advantage of the additional capacity after a major renovation of Baucom Elementary in Apex. Thirteen parents spoke at Tuesday’s public hearing. The test for how successful parents are in keeping their children from being moved will come on Nov. 26, when administrators present any final revisions to the plan. The school board also will vote on the proposal that night. Some students who are moved will be eligible for “stability transfers,” which will allow them to stay at their current school if they provide their own transportation. Eligibility varies depending on whether students are being moved to a new or existing school and what grade level the student will be in the following year. Calendar mismatch for families One of the largest contingents at Tuesday’s public nearing were families from the Jordan Pointe and Woodbury subdivisions in Apex, who face being moved to Pleasant Plains Elementary. Jordan Pointe families want to stay at Scotts Ridge Elementary while Woodbury families want to remain at Apex Friendship Elementary. The reassignment will also mean families will change calendars because Pleasant Plains will open on a multi-track year-round calendar. The multi-track calendar can increase a school’s capacity by 20% or more by putting the building in constant use throughout the year. In October, student assignment staff said the reassignment is needed to relieve severe crowding at Apex Friendship and Scotts Ridge. Administrators also said that the year-round calendar is needed at Pleasant Plains Elementary to help with crowding and to accommodate future growth in the area. But on Tuesday, speakers said it would impose multiple hardships on families, including some students being at three different elementary schools over a four-year *******. “You, the school board, have the authority to pause, reconsider and make changes,” Hester said. “The changes you make now will have real lasting impact on students’ lives.” Jen O’Brien, parent, said she’ll spend an extra $4,200 a year on childcare because the reassignment means her children will attend schools on both year-round and traditional calendars. “Why are our families being uprooted by this burdensome and unnecessary calendar change?” O’Brien told the board. ‘You’re either lying or incompetent’ Several speakers spoke out against the reassignment of the Ashley Downs and Pearson Farms subdivisions in Apex from Olive Chapel Elementary to Baucom Elementary. Student assignment staff said it would ease overcrowding at Olive Chapel. Parents have argued the move doesn’t make sense because their children live close enough to walk to Olive Chapel. But assignment staff said a sidewalk connection involves crossing a high-speed road and Interstate 540. Parents corrected the staff, saying students cross a pedestrian bridge over the road and highway. “You’re either lying or incompetent, and I don’t know which is worse,” parent Robert Treder told the board. Source link #Wake #parents #criticize #student #assignment #plan #allege #favoritism #board #members Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Rogue Point is a tactical shooter from the teams behind Worms and ****** Mesa Rogue Point is a tactical shooter from the teams behind Worms and ****** Mesa Team17, the developer of the and publisher of Dredge, Blasphemous and more, is working on Rogue Point, a new rogue-lite tactical FPS game. The studio has enlisted the help of Crowbar Collective, the team behind , the fan-made and Valve-approved Half-Life remake that needs no further introduction. Rogue Point is currently in development and slated to enter early access soon. Rogue Point is set in a dystopian future where a single CEO had controlled everything. After his ******, competing companies work to carve up his empire. To achieve this, they hire mercenaries using the MERX app, and it’s as simple as getting food using Uber Eats. Currently, only Rogue Point, a team of vigilantes, is fighting back against this dystopian state of affairs. Team17/Crowbar Collective The game pits teams of four against computer-controlled enemies of different classes, each offering unique challenges. Players must strategize and play with the right loadouts or risk losing. There’s plenty of gear to acquire, too, with some weapons only available in the mission field. Maps are procedurally generated to ensure no two playthroughs are the same. Unlocked equipment may also be used in future runs. Besides the standard campaign missions where “high-octane tactical combat meets strategic planning,” there’s an endgame mission with maxed-out difficulty, promising a challenge for those craving it. The developers have a rather extensive wishlist of features they hope to add to the game down the road. Those include new weapons (who doesn’t like new gear?), improved AI and new maps. There are currently four maps announced, but the procedural generation should make things less repetitive. Rogue Point isn’t in early access yet, but you can wishlist it on . The game is set to come out in 2025, but the developers have yet to announce a final release date. Source link #Rogue #Point #tactical #shooter #teams #Worms #****** #Mesa Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Dogecoin surges 20% after Trump announces a Department of Government Efficiency — DOGE Dogecoin surges 20% after Trump announces a Department of Government Efficiency — DOGE Dogecoin shot higher on Tuesday night, extending its postelection surge after President-elect Donald Trump formally announced the creation of the Department of Government Efficiency, which he referred to as “DOGE” in his statement. Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, former *********** presidential candidate and Strive Asset Management co-founder, will lead the department, Trump said in a statement. Together, they “will pave the way for my Administration to dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies.” Dogecoin was last up nearly 20%. It has been one of the biggest winners in the postelection rally, gaining 153% since election day compared to bitcoin’s 30% rise in the same *******. It also shot past XRP this week to become the sixth largest cryptocurrency by market cap. Stock Chart IconStock chart icon Dogecoin jumped after President-elect Donald Trump announced the creation of the Department of Government Efficiency, or “DOGE.” Memecoins are seen as a gauge of retail interest and risk appetite in crypto. When memecoin activity ramps up, it usually indicates that retail investors are participating and have an appetite to speculate further out on the risk curve. Trump initially floated the idea of an efficiency commission in September. Since then, Musk — who has called himself the “Dogefather” in the past and has been known to make public comments about the memecoin that influence its price — has posted on his social media platform X, referring to the commission as the “Department of Government Efficiency” or “D.O.G.E.” Dogecoin gained relevance in 2021 following Musk’s endorsement and continuous hype on social media, which has since become a big catalyst for the coin. In May that year, Musk’s posts fueled dogecoin’s rally to its all-time high of 67 cents, per Coin Metrics. Though his appearance at the time on SNL, in which he called dogecoin “a hustle,” sent its price crashing down. The rest of the crypto market was on pause from its postelection rally. Bitcoin was trading flat at about $87,000, after briefly touching $90,000 in late afternoon trading. Crypto stocks Coinbase and MicroStrategy were lower by 1% and 2%, respectively, in extended trading. Don’t miss these cryptocurrency insights from CNBC PRO: Source link #Dogecoin #surges #Trump #announces #Department #Government #Efficiency #DOGE Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Everything In Lego Horizon Adventures Is Buildable In Real Life, If You Have Enough Bricks Everything In Lego Horizon Adventures Is Buildable In Real Life, If You Have Enough Bricks Lego Horizon Adventures launches this week on PS5 and PC, and at first glance, it looks like a fairly convincing replica of a Lego toybox. That’s an artistic direction by design, as co-developer Studio Gobo explained how everything in the game is made from real Lego bricks–only digitized–and the game can be reconstructed at home, if you have the right pieces and an eye for which bricks were used. Fortunately, there is an official Lego Horizon Tallneck set to help you get started. “Everything you come across in Lego Horizon Adventures is made entirely out of real Lego bricks, so if you have the right pieces at home, you could rebuild anything from the world, including the machines, the treasure chests, and Mother’s Heart,” Guerrilla’s senior community manager Anne van der Zanden explained on the PS Blog. You need a javascript enabled browser to watch videos. I’m Not Convinced Horizon Makes Sense As A Lego Game | Hands-On Preview Size:640 × 360480 × 270 Want us to remember this setting for all your devices? Sign up or Sign in now! Please use a html5 video capable browser to watch videos. This video has an invalid file format. Sorry, but you can’t access this content! Please enter your date of birth to view this video JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031Year20242023202220212020201920182017201620152014201320122011201020092008200720062005200420032002200120001999199819971996199519941993199219911990198919881987198619851984198319821981198019791978197719761975197419731972197119701969196819671966196519641963196219611960195919581957195619551954195319521951195019491948194719461945194419431942194119401939193819371936193519341933193219311930192919281927192619251924192319221921192019191918191719161915191419131912191119101909190819071906190519041903190219011900 By clicking ‘enter’, you agree to GameSpot’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy enter What makes this impressive is that Studio Gobo aimed to capture the look and feel of the Horizon series as accurately as possible, from the small details to the more majestic locales that Aloy explores on her journey. “We started out in a very realistic way, by rebuilding the original Old World buildings from the Horizon games,” Guerrilla art director Roy Postma added. “Then someone sneaked in an official Lego set in the background, I believe it was the Lego gas station, and we were looking at it like ‘ah this can work, this is fun!’ It totally made sense for the Old World to be our Lego world.” Lego Horizon Adventures is out on November 14, and while it ******** to be seen if the IP meshes well with the comedic nature of a Lego game, it could be the first of several family-friendly games that Sony wants to focus more on. Horizon fans looking to explore the original game in the series can also check out the remastered version of Horizon Zero Dawn. This upgraded edition of the game overhauls the visuals significantly, bringing them up to the same standard as Horizon Forbidden West. Source link #Lego #Horizon #Adventures #Buildable #Real #Life #Bricks Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Dogecoin surges 20% after Trump announces a Department of Government Efficiency — DOGE Dogecoin surges 20% after Trump announces a Department of Government Efficiency — DOGE Dogecoin shot higher on Tuesday night, extending its postelection surge after President-elect Donald Trump formally announced the creation of the Department of Government Efficiency, which he referred to as “DOGE” in his statement. Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, former *********** presidential candidate and Strive Asset Management co-founder, will lead the department, Trump said in a statement. Together, they “will pave the way for my Administration to dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies.” Dogecoin was last up nearly 20%. It has been one of the biggest winners in the postelection rally, gaining 153% since election day compared to bitcoin’s 30% rise in the same *******. It also shot past XRP this week to become the sixth largest cryptocurrency by market cap. Stock Chart IconStock chart icon Dogecoin jumped after President-elect Donald Trump announced the creation of the Department of Government Efficiency, or “DOGE.” Memecoins are seen as a gauge of retail interest and risk appetite in crypto. When memecoin activity ramps up, it usually indicates that retail investors are participating and have an appetite to speculate further out on the risk curve. Trump initially floated the idea of an efficiency commission in September. Since then, Musk — who has called himself the “Dogefather” in the past and has been known to make public comments about the memecoin that influence its price — has posted on his social media platform X, referring to the commission as the “Department of Government Efficiency” or “D.O.G.E.” Dogecoin gained relevance in 2021 following Musk’s endorsement and continuous hype on social media, which has since become a big catalyst for the coin. In May that year, Musk’s posts fueled dogecoin’s rally to its all-time high of 67 cents, per Coin Metrics. Though his appearance at the time on SNL, in which he called dogecoin “a hustle,” sent its price crashing down. The rest of the crypto market was on pause from its postelection rally. Bitcoin was trading flat at about $87,000, after briefly touching $90,000 in late afternoon trading. Crypto stocks Coinbase and MicroStrategy were lower by 1% and 2%, respectively, in extended trading. Don’t miss these cryptocurrency insights from CNBC PRO: Source link #Dogecoin #surges #Trump #announces #Department #Government #Efficiency #DOGE Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

A new luxury sleeper train is launching in England and Wales A new luxury sleeper train is launching in England and Wales LVMH-owned luxury hospitality company Belmond will launch a luxury sleeper train next year that will take travelers through the countryside of England and Wales. The Britannic Explorer will run three itineraries: one to the southwestern county of Cornwall and the other to the opposite end of England through the Lake District of Cumbria in the north, while the third will journey though the country of Wales. All trips will start from London and run for three nights, with the England routes operating during the weekends (Fridays to Mondays) and the Wales route during the week (Monday to Thursday), allowing travelers to combine two journeys into one trip. Belmond operates several luxury hotels around the globe, including the famed Venice Simplon-Orient-Express and Asia’s Eastern & Oriental Express. One of three “Grand Suites” aboard Belmond’s new Britannica Explorer luxury train. Source: Belmond The price for one three-night trip starts at 5,800 British pounds ($7,460) per person. That includes excursions, meals and beverages, including alcohol, according to a company representative. The new train is set to launch in July 2025. Gallery tours and ‘wild swimming’ The train comprises 18 passenger cabins — 15 suites and 3 “Grand Suites” — plus bar and restaurant cars, and a “wellness suite.” The train’s bar car is said to be inspired by a Victorian apothecary. Source: Belmond Meals were designed by British Chef Simon Rogan, a pivotal figure in the country’s farm-to-fork movement and head of Cumbria’s three-Michelin-starred L’Enclume restaurant. The menu will include seasonal and sustainable ingredients from across the ******* Kingdom, according to Belmond. The train includes a spa, or “wellness suite” onboard. Source: Belmond During the day, travelers will stop for visiting national parks, guided hikes and “wild swimming” in the Lake District, the company said. The route to the U.K.’s Lake District travels through England’s bucolic Cotswolds region and includes a stop at the two-Michelin-starred hotel and restaurant Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, on the outskirts of Oxford. Source link #luxury #sleeper #train #launching #England #Wales Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Signal makes it easier to start group video calls Signal makes it easier to start group video calls Signal users may be familiar with the problem of creating group chats just for a group call, but that’s about to become a thing of the past. You can now share a call link and let up to 50 people hop in, all in the span of a few seconds. The days of selecting contacts one by one are over. Now, all you have to do is create a call link after going to the Calls tab and send it to whomever you want. The link is also reusable, which is convenient if you have fixed call times. Participants can raise their hands and send emojis. Hosts can set the room up so people must be approved before joining the conversation. Based on , the new group call experience highly resembles Zoom. Those interested in yet ******* a conference call-like experience may find the new update helpful. Like Zoom, the desktop app offers more options. Besides Zoom, these features will be familiar to frequent users of Microsoft Teams, Google Meet and some WhatsApp users. Raising hands is found on all three platforms as a non-verbal way to signal the speaker. does have a lower participant count of 32 people after an . While there’s no raise hands function, doing certain gestures can send emojis for all to see. It’s worth noting that many apps with group call functionality are adopting similar features. These new features are available on Android, iOS, Windows and macOS. If you don’t see them yet, we recommend updating your Signal app. Source link #Signal #easier #start #group #video #calls Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump says Musk and Ramaswamy will lead government efficiency group Trump says Musk and Ramaswamy will lead government efficiency group Elon Musk embraces Donald Trump during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on Oct. 5, 2024. Anna Moneymaker | Getty Images President-elect Donald Trump said Tuesday that Elon Musk and former *********** presidential hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy will lead an efficiency group when his second term begins in January. Trump wrote in a post that the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, will “become, potentially, ‘The Manhattan Project’ of our time.” He also said the group would, “pave the way” for his next administration to “dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies.” Trump didn’t specify where cuts will take place or when the department may be formed. Congress hasn’t created or funded such an office. He said the group’s “work will conclude no later than July 4, 2026.” Musk’s involvement in the envisioned group was previously promised by Trump and touted by the Tesla CEO, who spent an estimated $200 million backing the *********** nominee’s 2024 campaign, as a reason to put the former president back in the White House. Musk, who also runs defense contractor SpaceX, has reportedly been stationed at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida since Election Night. Ramaswamy, who challenged Trump in the *********** primary, is co-founder of investment firm Strive Asset Management. He has opposed the widespread adoption of environmental, social and governance, or ESG, principles by companies. Trump announced a number of other appointments Tuesday, including naming Fox News host Pete Hegseth as his pick for defense secretary and John Ratcliffe as CIA director. WATCH: Vivek Ramaswamy on Trump’s election victory Source link #Trump #Musk #Ramaswamy #lead #government #efficiency #group Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

First Trailer For It's In The Game Shares The History Of Madden NFL First Trailer For It's In The Game Shares The History Of Madden NFL Before 1988, John Madden was already a NFL legend as a head coach and a TV broadcaster. But following the release of John Madden Football, Madden became a video game icon as well. The Madden franchise has endured for almost four decades, including the most recent game, Madden NFL 25. Later this month, Prime Video is exploring the history of the blockbuster series with a new documentary, It’s In the Game: Madden NFL. Now, the first trailer has arrived and revisited an era before the Madden games became events unto themselves. During the first game’s development, Madden was adamant that the title that shared his name be a true representation of football. That meant 11 players for each team on the field, which was difficult to pull off at the time. Over the decades that followed, each video game generation has allowed Madden NFL to come closer and closer to a realistic portrayal of football. Madden NFL has become so ubiquitous that it’s got its own mythology in the form of “the Madden curse.” Several athletes, including Madden NFL 25’s ********** McCaffrey, have gone on to be injured after appearing on the cover for Madden NFL. This is more likely due to the punishing physical nature of football itself, rather than any curse. But it still comes up to this day. Continue Reading at GameSpot Source link #Trailer #It039s #Game #Shares #History #Madden #NFL Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Rising NHS physician associate use questioned after Oldham ****** Rising NHS physician associate use questioned after Oldham ****** BBC/Brijesh Patel Roy Pollitt thought his late wife was being treated by a doctor rather than a physician associate A man whose wife ***** after a drain was mistakenly left in her abdomen for 21 hours has condemned the increased use of physician associates (PAs) within the National Health Service. Susan Pollitt’s inquest concluded her ****** at Royal Oldham Hospital in July 2023 had been caused by an “unnecessary medical procedure contributed to by neglect”. Roy Pollitt did not know his 77-year-old wife was being treated by a PA – who are only required to have two years’ medical training – and believes “she would have lived if the NHS had not used cheap labour”. The coroner who examined Mrs Pollitt’s ****** highlighted the lack of a national framework covering PAs’ training, supervision and competency assessment. ‘At risk’ Associates were introduced in the NHS 21 years ago with the expectation they would support doctors by delivering basic care. Over the past two years the number of associates has more than doubled to 3,000. According to the NHS Long Term Plan, there will be 12,000 physician and anaesthetic associates by 2036. Fears have been expressed, however, that some have been acting beyond their original remit. BBC News has seen evidence that in the month of Mrs Pollitt’s ******, the NHS trust which oversees Royal Oldham used PAs to cover nearly 20% of doctor shifts in elderly care. Several organisations, including the British Medical Association (BMA), have voiced concerns about the blurring of professional lines between doctors and associates across NHS trusts and primary care. Anaesthetists *******, a group set up by concerned doctors and consultants, has filed a legal claim against the General Medical Council (GMC) for not, in its view, properly defining associates’ roles and responsibilities. One of the group’s founders, consultant anaesthetist Richard Marks, said patients were “being put at risk” as a consequence, something that “strikes to the heart of you” as a doctor. BBC News has also learned that PAs have exceeded their remit in several NHS trusts, including by: Covering doctors’ shiftsPrescribing medicinesOrdering X-rays without supervision From December, associates will join doctors in being regulated by the GMC. Significant concerns remain, however, from some within the medical profession. Family photograph Roy and Susan Pollitt were married for 58 years until her ****** in July 2023 Susan Pollitt originally went to Royal Oldham Hospital with a broken arm after suffering a fall at her home in nearby Failsworth, Greater Manchester. Initially treated in a corridor, the great-grandmother was also diagnosed with an acute kidney injury. Due to a lack of gastroenterology beds, she was taken to a respiratory ward. Her daughter Kate Pollitt said staffing levels seemed “very low”, adding that on the night her mother ***** “it took nearly four hours to find a doctor in the whole of the hospital”. At Mrs Pollitt’s inquest, dozens of issues with her care came to light. Not only did the PA leave an abdominal drain – used to remove excess fluid from her body – in for 15 hours longer than permitted, but he also told colleagues to clamp it, increasing the risk of infection. It has also emerged that, in the previous year, a liver nurse only approved the associate’s competence in using the equipment because she assumed he was a doctor. Kate Pollitt said: “He thought he was doing right… but he was in a situation where he wasn’t supported. “There was too much confusion and not enough supervision.” BBC/Brijesh Patel Kate Pollitt was keen to stress she does not blame the PA who cared for her late mother The Northern Care Alliance (NCA) NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the Royal Oldham, found Mrs Pollitt would probably have survived had the drain been removed earlier. Its chief medical officer, Dr Rafik Bedair, said: “We’re saddened Mrs Pollitt didn’t receive the standard of care that she should have done and we remain deeply sorry to her family for this.” He said the trust owed it to them to “learn from what went wrong and make things safer for patients in the future”. The NCA serves more than a million people across Salford, Oldham, Rochdale and Bury, as well as providing more specialist services to patients from Greater Manchester and beyond. Following Mrs Pollitt’s inquest, North Manchester Coroner Joanne Kearsley issued a Prevention of Future Deaths notice due to her concerns about PAs. The GMC agreed patient safety was at risk without effective safeguards. Its chief executive and registrar, Charlie Massey, said next month’s regulatory changes would be “a vital step towards strengthening both patient safety and public trust in these professions”. And he stressed it was down to employers to clearly define roles and, like “all regulated professionals, [associates] will be expected to work within their competence”. BBC/Adam Walker Consultant anaesthetist Richard Marks thinks patients are put at risk by PAs not being supervised effectively But consultant anaesthetist Dr Marks warned the lack of a national scope of practice – with clear limits and standards – would still put patients at risk. He said a lack of supervision for PAs had been a “key feature” in recent high-profile cases, including the ****** of 30-year-old woman from Salford. “In each one of them, had a doctor been more closely involved and seen what was going on, they would have made changes to that patient’s care,” he said. “What we’re most concerned about is that you’ve got a big increase in numbers of PAs who don’t have the depth of understanding because of their background, and who are going to be let loose on the public without adequate supervision.” Mr Marks was also worried about the fact that while doctors receive seven years of training, PAs receive two. “What you don’t know, you don’t know,” he said, with PAs “not having the skills or experience” to diagnose patients with varying levels of complexity. The Academy of Royal Colleges has also called for an independent review into the use of associates because of an “increasingly acrimonious and destructive debate”. A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “Our deepest sympathies are with Susan’s family and friends. “Patient safety is our top priority. We are urgently working with the NHS to ensure that physician associates are supporting, not replacing, doctors.” NHS England said it had issued “updated guidance on the appropriate deployment of medical associates” and would provide increased clarity about their roles. The Pollitts stressed they did not want to blame the PA for what happened, saying he had been the “only one who showed Susan – and us – any empathy”. Kate Pollitt said she only wished he had received more supervision. “You do get ****** and upset,” she said. “But there’s nothing we can do for my mum now, so there’s no point in being ****** and having that bitterness for the rest of our lives. “We just want change – it won’t mean things like this won’t ever happen again but if we can help reduce the chances then it’s worth it.” Source link #Rising #NHS #physician #associate #questioned #Oldham #****** Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

New BC Green MLAs sworn in ahead of Conservatives, NDP New BC Green MLAs sworn in ahead of Conservatives, NDP Descrease article font size Increase article font size Two newly elected members of British Columbia’s Green Party will officially take their seats in the legislature following the first of three swearing-in ceremonies after last month’s provincial election. The two Greens, lawyer Rob Botterell, representing Saanich North and the Islands, and geological engineer Jeremy Valeriote, of West Vancouver-Sea to Sky, who were elected on Oct. 19 in a tight election race, could play pivotal roles in the legislature where the NDP holds a slim one-seat majority. 3:20 B.C. Premier David Eby expected to announce cabinet soon John Rustad’s BC Conservatives, who captured 44 seats in last month’s election, will be sworn in Tuesday evening in a second ceremony at the legislature. Story continues below advertisement Judicial recounts in two B.C. ridings last week confirmed Premier David Eby’s slim majority that gives the NDP 47 seats in the 93-seat legislature. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Eby and his New Democrat MLAs will be sworn in Wednesday at the legislature. Eby, who will announce his new cabinet next week, is expected to recall the legislature in the coming days for a short fall sitting to elect a Speaker. Trending Now Former B.C. premier John Horgan ***** following battle with ******* From 300 lbs to 100K races: How this mom of 4 took up ultramarathons More on Politics More videos Botterell says the Greens and NDP continue to work on plans to co-operate in the legislature, but he wouldn’t provide details. “We’re in discussions with the NDP and right now we’re putting together our plan for the next four years,” he said after his swearing-in. “I can’t really give you any hints yet.” BC Green Party Leader Sonia Furstenau lost her bid for re-election in Victoria, but will stay on as the leader for now. She attended the ceremony along with federal Green Leader Elizabeth May. “It’s a very encouraging day. It means a lot,” said May. “To see Jeremy Valeriote be our foothold for the first time, first elected Green in B.C. who wasn’t from Vancouver Island, and in my own riding with Robert Botterell in Saanich North and the Islands, I’m extremely gratified.” Story continues below advertisement &copy 2024 The ********* Press Source link #Green #MLAs #sworn #ahead #Conservatives #NDP Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

What Trump’s staffing picks tell us about his second-term plans What Trump’s staffing picks tell us about his second-term plans Getty Images Trump’s choice of Congresswoman Elise Stefanik for US ambassador to the UN suggests he’ll take a strong approach to relations with China. A week after Donald Trump won a second-term in the White House, the contours of his new presidency have started taking shape. The president-elect has announced nearly a dozen appointees, the first steps toward filling out his White House staff and key government departments. He also made comments to the media and on social media that highlight what his priorities will be upon taking office in January, with a special focus on immigration and foreign policy. After a sometimes chaotic start to his first term, Trump is laying the groundwork for his next administration with a more clearly defined plan – and personnel ready to enact it. Here’s a look at what we’ve learned so far. A hard-line immigration team in place Some of Trump’s newly revealed appointments suggest that the president-elect’s campaign promise to deport millions of undocumented migrants living in the US is no exaggeration. Stephen Miller, who has been Trump’s close adviser and speechwriter since 2015, will likely shape any plans for mass deportations – and pare back both undocumented and legal immigration – as Trump’s choice for White House deputy chief of staff for policy. During Trump’s first term, he was involved in developing some the administration’s strictest immigration policies. Thomas Homan, acting director of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency in Trump’s first term, supported the president’s policy of separating undocumented families detained at the US-Mexico border. Now he’s back with an even broader portfolio, as Trump’s “immigration tsar”. “I will run the biggest deportation force this country has ever seen,” Homan said at a ************* conference in July. Critics have warned that Trump’s mass deportation plan could cost upwards of $300b. In an interview with NBC News last week, however, the president-elect said cost was not an issue. “When people have ******* and murdered, when ***** lords have destroyed countries, and now they’re going to go back to those countries because they’re not staying here,” he said. “There is no price tag.” China hawks take flight Many conservatives believe that China poses the single greatest threat to continued US global dominance, both economically and militarily. While Trump has been more circumspect, limiting most of his China critiques to the realm of trade, he is filling his foreign policy team with vocal China critics. The president-elect picked Florida Congressman Mike Waltz, a retired Army colonel, as his national security adviser – a key foreign policy post within the White House. Waltz has said the US is in a “cold war” with China and was one of the first members of Congress to call for a US boycott of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. In October, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, Trump’s pick for US ambassador to the UN, accused China of “blatant and malicious election interference” amid reports that China-backed hackers attempted to gather information from the former president’s phones. While Trump has yet to officially name his choice for secretary of state, Florida Senator Marco Rubio – another China hawk – appears to be the leading contender for the top diplomatic job. In 2020, Rubio was sanctioned by the ******** government after he pushed measures to punish the nation for its crackdown on pro-democracy protestors in Hong Kong. US-China relations were often rocky during Trump’s first term, amidst trade disputes and the Covid pandemic. The Biden administration, which kept many of Trump’s China tariffs and imposed some new ones, only somewhat calmed the waters. Now it looks like the next Trump administration will pick up where the last one left off. Elon Musk and RFK form a shadow cabinet While the list of Trump’s political appointees grows, there’s another group that stays small – and exceedingly influential. Elon Musk, the wealthiest man in the world, has been a full-time presence at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago transition headquarters. According to media reports, he is advising the president-elect on cabinet nominees and even joined a conversation between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky last week. On Tuesday night, Trump announced that he was assigning Musk to work with tech entrepreneur and former *********** presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy in a “department of government efficiency” tasked with identifying new budget cuts. Musk has regularly offered his political opinions on his social media platform X, including endorsing Florida Senator Rick Scott’s bid to be the next Senate majority leader. Musk’s political action committee spent around $200m to help Trump’s presidential campaign, and he promises to continue to fund the group’s efforts to advance the president-elect’s agenda and help *********** candidates in upcoming congressional elections. Meanwhile, it ******** to be seen where Robert F Kennedy Jr, another key figure, lands. Trump has said that he plans to give the former Democrat and vaccine sceptic, who abandoned his independent bid and endorsed the ***********, a role in making America “healthy” again. “He wants to do some things, and we’re going to let him go to it,” Trump said in his election victory speech. Prioritising presidential power over Congress As Trump takes office, Republicans have control of the Senate and could still take the House, albeit by a slim margin. However, the president-elect’s early actions suggest he is more concerned with exercising his presidential power than working with the legislative branch. Last week, he posted on social media that the Senate’s *********** leadership should smooth the way for more presidential “recess appointments” – allowing him to fill top administration jobs without Senate approval when Congress is not in session. The move would strengthen presidential power by undercutting the chamber’s constitutional role to “advise and consent” on political appointees. Meanwhile, the president-elect keeps chipping away at those narrow congressional majorities. Senators who move to administration roles can quickly be replaced by appointment from the governor of their home state. But any House vacancies – such as ones created by Stefanik and Waltz’s departures – require special elections that can take months to schedule. Some of Trump’s advisors, including Musk, have warned that the president-elect could be endangering his legislative agenda if he plucks too many more Republicans from the chambers. Even in the best of circumstances, congressional legislation takes time, effort and compromise. Executive action, such as new immigration enforcement, can be done with the ******* of a presidential pen. Trump’s actions indicate he is, at least at the moment, more focused on the latter. Rewarding loyalists Trump has only just begun filling out the thousands of jobs that open up with a new presidential administration, not including the senior-level career bureaucrats he has said he will replace. In 2016, as a political newcomer, he had to rely on more establishment Republicans for key roles. This time, he has a wealth of prospective candidates with proven track records of supporting him and after eight years, Trump loyalists are the *********** establishment. On Tuesday, Trump named South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem as homeland security secretary, and Fox News host and ************* author Pete Hegseth as defence secretary. Both have been fierce Trump defenders from the start. Others, like Rubio and Stefanik, were critics of Trump early in his first presidential bid, but they have now spent years demonstrating that their harsh words are a thing of the past. Rubio, who ran for president against Trump in 2016, may still have White House ambitions, however. Trump often soured on appointees who seemed drawn to the limelight during his first term, and even the warmest of relationships could go bad. Trump may be placing a premium on loyalty with his early staff announcements, but the pressures of governing ultimately will reveal whether his second four years in office end up different than his first. Source link #Trumps #staffing #picks #secondterm #plans Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Magic: The Gathering Foundations Releases This Week, Here's The Best Deals At Amazon Magic: The Gathering Foundations Releases This Week, Here's The Best Deals At Amazon Magic: The Gathering’s newest set, Foundations, is slated to arrive on November 15. This massive new collection of cards will feature characters and worlds from the entire Magic: The Gathering multiverse. Wizards of the Coast says that Foundations is a “Standard-legal set and will remain in Standard until at least 2029,” meaning anyone who picks up cards from this set can expect to use them in official tournaments and events for several years. If you’re interested in checking out the new set, you can snag discounted preorders on Foundations bundles and booster boxes ahead of their release. See all Magic: The Gathering Foundations deals The biggest discount is for the Foundations: Collector Booster Box. It’s still quite expensive at $279 (normally $300), but inside you’ll find 12 Foundations Collector Boosters–each of which contains 15 cards. Each pack is guaranteed to have at least three Borderless or Extended-Art cards, making this the best way to load up on rarer cards from the new set. The Foundations Bundle is also seeing a slight discount, with preorders listed for $45 (down from $50). It gets you nine Play Boosters, a foil alt-art card, 40 Land cards, 1 spindown life counter, a storage box, and two reference cards. Magic: The Gathering Foundations Collector Booster Box Gallery There are several more Foundations releases up for preorder at Amazon, including the Foundations Beginner Box. While it’s only available at full price, it is a good place for newcomers to start as it comes with everything you need to start playing–including two 20-card instant-play decks, eight themed Jumpstart Packets (20 cards each), plus an assortment of rules and gameplay accessories for just $31. You can check out all the Magic: The Gathering – Foundations preorders below. Continue Reading at GameSpot Source link #Magic #Gathering #Foundations #Releases #Week #Here039s #Deals #Amazon Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Welby quits and hospital chiefs get waiting times warning Welby quits and hospital chiefs get waiting times warning Many of the papers lead with the news that Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has resigned after a damning report into a prolific child abuser associated with the ******* of England. The review found Mr Welby “could and should” have reported John Smyth’s ****** of boys and young men to police in 2013. The Daily Mirror says his resignation letter spoke of his “sorrow” for Smyth’s victims and expressed a “profound sense of shame” over the episode. The Metro says Mr Welby’s resignation comes after criticism from bishops and victims as well as a petition – started by a member of the *******’s parliament, the General Synod – that gained 12,000 signatures. The resignation has thrown the ******* into “crisis”, according to the Daily Mail. The paper says victims of Smyth’s ****** have insisted Mr Welby must not be a “sacrifical lamb” and other senior clergy must go. The Times says the resignation is without precedent since the position of Archbishop of Canterbury was established 1,427 years ago, but adds senior colleagues of Mr Welby’s have said it was necessary in order to “change the face” of how the ******* handles cases of ******. The paper also says hospital chiefs will be sacked if they fail to cut waiting times under a set of reforms to be announced by Health Secretary Wes Streeting. The paper says Streeting is planning to introduce a system of performance league tables for all NHS services and wants to see a policy of “zero tolerance for ********”. Former prime minister Gordon Broan has staged a “rare intervention” in government policy and challenged Labour’s decision to keep the two-child cap on benefits, the i reports. In an interview with the paper, Brown says child ******** ******** a “far ******* problem than pensioner ********” and calls for a “complete review” of the current approach to tackling it. The paper says there has already been anger from Labour backbenchers over the limit and Brown’s comments will “add pressure on the government” to scrap it. The Daily Telegraph says one of its writers is facing a “Kafkaesque” hate ****** inquiry over a year-old social media post. Columnist Allison Pearson says two officers came to her home on Sunday to tell her about the investigation, but were unable to say which post it concerned or who had made the complaint. The paper says that this time last year Pearson was posting a lot about the 7 October attacks on ******* and the subsequent pro-************ protests in London. Essex Police tells it the investigation relates to a now-deleted post and was opened under laws prohibiting material “likely or intended to cause ******* hatred”. A row has “kicked off” over the question of who should replace Gary Lineker as host of Match of the Day, according to the Sun. The paper says the BBC wants Mark Chapman and Kelly Somers to alternate as hosts, but insiders have told it Chapman isn’t keen on the idea. A source is quoting saying: “It’s a headache for the BBC”. And the Financial Times says Saudi Arabia and the UAE have both signalled their commitment to improving relations with Iran as they prepare for the return of Donald Trump as US president. The paper says both countries cheered Trump’s more confrontational approach to Iran during his first term, but that they are now increasingly aware of their vulnerability to Iranian hostility and keen to avoid further tensions. A senior ***** diplomat is quoted saying: “If Trump puts you in a situation where you have to decide, because he’s going against Iran, it’s a big problem”. Source link #Welby #quits #hospital #chiefs #waiting #times #warning Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Best Camera for Streaming – Insider Gaming Best Camera for Streaming – Insider Gaming When it comes to finding the right camera for streaming on Twitch, YouTube and other platforms, people often find themselves with more options than less. The truth is, there are quite a few options out there to choose from. What would be considered the best camera for streaming, though? Streaming Cameras: Which one is the best? When searching for a camera to go live with, you must first figure out a budget. Unfortunately, there are not any cameras that will give you HD-studio quality imagery for under $150. However, if you do not mind the quality being a little lower than normal, then there are plenty of options for you. But if you want to get a high-end camera that really makes you pop while streaming, then this article will provide the correct resources for you. The Best Streaming Camera Sony Alpha a6400 Mirrorless Camera The Sony Alpha a6400 Mirrorless Camera is by far the best camera for streaming. With an infinite battery inside the body, the Sony Alpa a6400 will run for as long as you want it to. The camera can ****** up to 4k and has 24.2 megapixels. However, all of the look is not in the camera, but also in the lens. The Sony Alpha a6400 Mirrorless Camera is currently $749.99 USD on Best Buy. Related: Best OBS Settings For Streaming Best Camera Lens for Streaming Camera lenses do not come cheap, but if you are willing to spend a buck or two, the Sony E 15mm F1.4 G APS-C lens is by far one of the best lenses to use when live streaming. With an F1.4, this lens will give you the best depth of field compared to any other lens. Its auto-focus is pristine and will stay focused on you for the entirety of your stream. To top it off, the lens is also a 15mm lens, meaning it will be able to capture a large amount of your streaming room, showcasing your setup. The Sony E 15mm F1.4 G APS-C lens is currently $649.99 USD at Best Buy. Best Budget-Friendly Streaming Camera Want a good camera, but are on a bit tighter budget? Luckily, Logitech has quite a few options for you. The Logitech StreamCam has dominated the streaming world as one of the best Webcams for live streaming. With 1080p resolution at 60fps, this camera is perfect for those wanting to make their stream look great but do not want to spend upwards of $1,000 to do so. The Logitech StreamCam is currently only $129.99 USD on Amazon. For more Insider Gaming guides, check out a list of everything you will need for a streaming setup. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive the latest news and exclusive leaks every week! No Spam. Source link #Camera #Streaming #Insider #Gaming Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

New Zealand to limit online casino gambling licences New Zealand to limit online casino gambling licences New Zealand is proposing to limit the number of licences for online casino gambling operators and will require them to set up an age verification system as well as ban ads aimed at children. Offenders will be fined up to NZ$US5 million ($A7.7 million), with the new regulatory system expected to be in place from early 2026, Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden said on Wednesday. “My goal is not to increase the amount of gambling that is happening online, but to enable New Zealanders who wish to play casino games online to do so more safely than they can today,” Van Velden said in a statement. “Currently, New Zealanders can and do gamble on thousands of offshore gambling websites. By introducing a regulatory system my intention is to channel customers towards up to fifteen licensed operators.” The government in July said it would set up licences for online casinos, require operators to limit their offerings to online casino games, not sports ******** or lottery products, and impose a minimum age of 18 for players. Online casino gambling is not regulated in New Zealand and so consumer protection requirements do not apply. With the convenience and accessibility of online platforms and due to the increasing popularity of smartphones, more customers in New Zealand are opting to gamble online, according to research firm Statista. Revenue from such platforms could see an annual growth of around six per cent between 2024 and 2029, it said. Further regulations will be developed based on the existing gambling law that would help finalise rules on advertising and consumer protection requirements, Van Velden said. The government aims to introduce the bill in parliament next year. Source link #Zealand #limit #online #casino #gambling #licences Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]