These tech stocks have heavy manufacturing exposure to China, Citi warns
These tech stocks have heavy manufacturing exposure to China, Citi warns
Tech companies that source a large part of their supplies from China could suffer under a second Trump term, according to Citi. With Donald Trump winning his reelection bid last week, U.S.-China trade tensions are anticipated to ramp up. During his campaign, Trump proposed a universal tariff of up to 20% on all imports and a higher 60% levy on ******** goods. Under such an economic proposal, companies with the most exposure to ******** manufacturing could take a hit. Uncertainty also ******** whether the Biden administration’s CHIPS Act — which supports domestic semiconductor manufacturing — will stay intact going forward. Although it was a bipartisan program, Trump criticized the bill during his campaign, and House Speaker Mike Johnson has remarked that the *********** party will try to repeal the law. Citi analyst Atif Malik shared a basket of stocks that have China manufacturing exposure and could therefore face ramifications going forward. Here were some names from the list: Logitech International , down 18% on the year, was one name on the list. The company has been able to allay tariff effects in the past; a feat that it could hopefully pull off again this time around, per Citi. “About 40% manufacturing is in China, and the rest is through their contract providers (60%). They were slightly impacted by tariffs last time round but they were able to mitigate most of the impact and the last round of tariffs which was expected to be more meaningful never went through,” Malik wrote. Analysts are generally neutral on the computer peripherals manufacturer, with four of the eight covering the stock rating it as a hold, LSEG data shows. That said, Logitech’s average price target implies a potential upside of 20%. “Magnificent Seven” titan Apple was another name on the list. Shares of the iPhone maker have advanced 17% this year. While the company has a very high exposure to ******** manufacturing, Malik said that Apple is currently making efforts to diversify its supply chain. “China is the main manufacturing location for Apple with more than 90% manufacturing in China, in our estimates,” the analyst said. “Apple is pushing for more diversified supply chain, aiming to bring 25% iPhone manufacturing to India by 2028, up from 14% currently.” Most analysts covering the name have assigned Apple either a strong buy or buy rating, per LSEG. The average price target represents more than 8% upside for the stock. Networking technology provider Juniper Networks has surged 31% this year. The company currently has a diverse portfolio of sourcing exposure, Malik wrote. “Manufacturing is primarily conducted through contract manufacturers and original design manufacturers with manufacturing locations in China, Malaysia, Mexico, Taiwan, and Vietnam,” he added. Analysts are overwhelmingly neutral on the stock, with the average price target implying an upside of less than 2%. Other names on the list included data storage company Western Digital and specialty glass manufacturer Corning .
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Russian doctor jailed for five years over alleged Ukraine war remarks
Russian doctor jailed for five years over alleged Ukraine war remarks
Ahead of the verdict, Nadezhda Buyanova was led, handcuffed, into the courtroom and locked inside a glass and metal cage.
Through the glass, the 68-year-old paediatrician told me what she thought of her predicament.
“It’s absurd, just absurd,” the doctor said.
“I can’t get my head around what’s happening to me. Perhaps later I’ll be able to.”
The paediatrician had been reported to police by the mother of a 7-year-old boy she’d been treating.
The woman had claimed that the doctor had made negative comments about the boy’s father, a Russian soldier, who had been ******* fighting in Ukraine and that the doctor had said Russian servicemen there were legitimate targets.
Ms Buyanova denies making such comments and there is no audio or video recording to prove she made them.
But back in February, she was arrested and charged with spreading false information about the Russian armed forces. After a short spell under house arrest, she was placed in pre-trial detention.
Now Ms Buyanova was in the dock and about to learn her fate.
Before the judge entered, court officials ordered camera crews out of the courtroom. Along with other journalists, we were ushered into the corridor.
Minutes later the door to the courtroom opened again.
“Five-and-a-half years!” cried one of Ms Buyanova’s supporters in the public gallery. “She’s been sent to a penal colony for five-and-a-half years!”
“The sentence is monstrously harsh,” the doctor’s lawyer, Oskar Cherdzhiyev, told me.
“We didn’t expect this, even given what is happening today [in Russia]. Just a few words proved enough to put someone behind bars for such a long time.”
Alina, one of the doctor’s group of supporters in court, said: “For me it was important that Nadezhda saw that a lot of us came today, so that, if a miracle didn’t happen – and we were all still hoping for a miracle – it would be just that little bit easier for her.”
“It’s very difficult to speak about this. We’re all in shock.”
The law against spreading false information about the army is one of several harsh pieces of legislation adopted in Russia since the country’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, with the aim of silencing or punishing criticism of the war.
The imprisonment of a Moscow paediatrician is the latest sign that, for Russia, a war abroad is fuelling repression at home.
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Pelican News
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EXCLUSIVE – Ubisoft’s Project U is Back to The Drawing Board After 5 Years of Development
EXCLUSIVE – Ubisoft’s Project U is Back to The Drawing Board After 5 Years of Development
Ubisoft’s Project U returned to the drawing board this year following five years of development.
Project U was officially announced in September 2022 as a revolutionary “new kind of session-based cooperative shooter,” but after over two years since its announcement, nothing publically about the game has yet been announced. That’s because Project U, internally codenamed Pathfinder, quietly returned to the drawing board in Spring 2024 following issues surrounding the game’s replayability.
For those unfamiliar with Project U, its premise is that Earth has been invaded by machines that want to mechanize all life. The game would see ten teams of four battle it out in PvE combat against progressively more difficult enemies as they progressed through the map’s zones, which could have thousands of ****** AI robots on the map at any given time. Eventually, players would enter the final zone in the middle of the map, where they’d need to defeat the boss.
Despite initially receiving generally positive feedback from players, one fundamental flaw plagued the game from the start: its replayability. Sources say it was a constant issue for the developers and would see the project’s budget balloon due to continuous reworks. Such reworks included adding more variations to the map with biomes and adding new bosses to change its repetitive nature; however, playtests in February 2024 revealed that the game lacked the replayability needed.
In March 2024, Ubisoft Annecy announced that Project U (codenamed Pathfinder) development would cease immediately and that outsourcing studios would move on to different projects. Two of the game Directors, Mathieu Granjon and Damien Kieken left the project among many other developers, with Granjon moving to *********’s Creed and Kieken eventually making his way to DICE this month.
Instead of being canceled, Ubisoft internally noted that PvE games can still be successful, citing the viral launch of Helldivers 2, which sold an estimated million units in its first five weeks. As such, it’s said that Ubisoft still believes in the project and moved Project U back into incubation with a new producer and a small team to explore new ideas. However, after over five years of development, current and past project developers tell me it’s difficult to see how the game would succeed.
Will Project U end up being another decade-long project at Ubisoft? Only time will tell.
What do you think of Ubisoft returning to the drawing board with Project U? Let us know in the comments or our new community forum!
For more information from Insider Gaming, read about Dying Light: The ****** passing 1 million wishlists in 10 weeks. Don’t forget to sign up for our weekly newsletter.
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Next Mauna Loa eruption could be forecast months in advance
Next Mauna Loa eruption could be forecast months in advance
The eruption of Mauna Loa in December 2022
T. Orr, U.S. Geological Survey
It may be possible to forecast the next eruption of Hawai’i’s Mauna Loa – the world’s largest active volcano – more than two months in advance thanks to a new understanding of what triggers its eruptions.
“Hawai’i is often seen as this place in volcanology where it’s so well-studied we must know everything about it, but in the 2020s there are still things yet to be discovered,” says Kendra Lynn at the US Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.
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Pelican News
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Acer Nitro V 15 review: Well-built budget system, but a bland screen
Acer Nitro V 15 review: Well-built budget system, but a bland screen
We’ve tested many gaming laptops under $1,000, and while some meet performance expectations and include essential features, others fall short. Acer’s Nitro V 15 checks most of the important boxes, offering an Intel Core i7 CPU and Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 graphics for $869.99. It’s reasonably well-built with good connectivity and upgradeability. However, loud fans and a subpar screen mean that you still have to make some sacrifices.
Design of the Acer Nitro V 15
The Nitro V 15 looks appealing for a budget gaming laptop. It has an understated design except for flashy graphics on the lid and a reflective Nitro logo. The rest of the all-****** chassis is unassuming.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
Although this Acer is made entirely from plastic, which is expected in this price range, it feels sturdy. The chassis and lid are highly resistant to flexing. The plastic is reasonably thick and doesn’t rattle or sound cheap when tapped with my fingers.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
Measuring 14.3 x 9.4 x 1.06 inches, the Nitro is similar in size to the MSI Cyborg 15 and the Lenovo LOQ 15ARP9. The Dell G16 7630 is slightly larger due to its 16-inch 16:10 screen. The Nitro weighs 4.66 pounds compared to the MSI’s 4.37 pounds, while the Lenovo at 5.12 pounds and particularly the Dell, at 6.3 pounds, are heavier.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
Most of the Nitro’s ports are located on the left edge, including Gigabit Ethernet, HDMI 2.1 video output, and one 10 Gbps USB Type-C and two 5 Gbps USB Type-A ports. The Type-C port also supports DisplayPort out with an adapter. The AC power barrel connector also resides here.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
Meanwhile, the right edge includes a 3.5 mm audio jack and another 5 Gbps USB Type-A port, along with a Kensington lock slot. Internally, a MediaTek wireless card provides Wi-Fi 6 (not the newer 6E standard) and Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
Acer Nitro V 15 Specifications
Swipe to scroll horizontally
CPU
Intel Core i7-13620H
Graphics
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 (6GB GDDR6, 2,130 MHz boost clock, 75W maximum graphics power)
Memory
16GB DDR5-5200 (2x 8GB)
Storage
512GB SSD
Display
15.6-inch, 1920 x 1080, 16:9, IPS, 144 Hz
Networking
MediaTek Wi-Fi 6 MT7921, Bluetooth 5.1
Ports
1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C (with DisplayPort), 3x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, Ethernet (1 Gbps), HDMI 2.1, 3.5 mm audio
Camera
720p
Battery
57 Wh
Power Adapter
135W (barrel connector)
Operating System
Windows 11 Home
Dimensions (WxDxH)
14.3 x 9.4 x 1.06 inches
Weight
4.66 pounds
Price (as configured)
$869.99
Gaming and Graphics on the Acer Nitro V 15
Our Nitro V 15 review model features an Intel Core i7-13620H processor, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 graphics (75W maximum graphics power), and 16GB of DDR5-5200 RAM. It’s entry-level, but capable of playing modern games.
I saw about 144 frames per second (fps) average while playing F1 24 at Medium settings with DLSS enabled. The gameplay was fluid and never stuttered.
The systems we’re using for comparison include the Dell G16 7630 (Core i5-13650HX, RTX 4060 140W, $999.99 as tested), MSI Cyborg 15 (Core i7-13620H, RTX 4050 45W, $899.99), and Lenovo LOQ ARP9 (AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS, RTX 4060 115W, $999.99). The Dell and Lenovo offer much more powerful RTX 4060 graphics cards for $100 to $150 more.
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(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
In Shadow of the Tomb Raider (Highest detail preset), the Nitro averaged 70 fps, noticeably outperforming the MSI Cyborg’s 64 fps. However, it couldn’t match the Lenovo’s 96 fps or Dell’s 98 fps thanks to the RTX 4060s.
In Cyberpunk 2077 (Very High preset), the Nitro was 10% faster than the MSI, achieving 22 fps compared to 20 fps, but it couldn’t catch the Dell’s 33 fps. (We don’t have data for the Lenovo in this game.)
Next, the Nitro produced 63 fps in Far Cry 6 (Ultra preset), tying the MSI but falling short of the Lenovo’s 79 fps and the Dell’s 85 fps.
In Red ***** Redemption 2 (Medium preset), the Nitro averaged 48 fps, outperforming the MSI’s 44 fps. As expected, the Dell and Lenovo both continued performing significantly better.
Finally, in Borderlands 3 (at the game’s “badass” preset), the Nitro once again outperformed the MSI, producing 62 fps to the MSI’s 56 fps. The gap between these, the Dell and Lenovo remained acute.
Overall, the Nitro delivers solid 1080p gaming performance. Its 75W RTX 4050 outperformed the 45W version in the MSI Cyborg 15. However, the Dell and Lenovo clearly show that the RTX 4060 with 100W or more of maximum graphics power is a significantly superior performer.
We stress-test gaming laptops by running the Metro Exodus benchmark 15 times at RTX settings, simulating half an hour of gaming. During the test, the Nitro V averaged 53.56 fps with only minimal variance between runs, indicating consistent cooling performance.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
The Core i7-13620H averaged 2.34 GHz and 62 degrees C on the P-cores and 1.89 GHz and 62 C on the E-cores. The GeForce RTX 4050 averaged 2.2 GHz and 64 C.
Productivity Performance on the Acer Nitro V 15
Our Nitro review unit is equipped with a Core i7-13620H CPU, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD. It handles everyday apps and light content creation with ease.
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(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
In the cross-platform Geekbench 6 CPU benchmark, the Nitro was in contention for the top spot, scoring 2,571 points compared to the MSI’s 2,580 points. It produced the highest score of 13,373 points in the multi-core test, with the MSI coming in second at 12,427 points. The Lenovo LOQ lagged significantly in both tests.
The Acer was the second-best performer in our 25GB file transfer test, achieving an average transfer rate of 1,456.74 MBps compared to the Dell’s 1,718.8 MBps. Both the MSI and the Lenovo had sub-1,000 MBps transfer rates.
In our Handbrake video transcoding test, the Nitro outperformed the MSI, converting a 4K video to 1080pin 5 minutes and 25 seconds compared to the MSI’s 5:49. It was only slightly behind the Lenovo’s 5:17, but it couldn’t match the Dell at 4:21.
Display on the Acer Nitro V 15
The Nitro uses a classic 16:9 screen with a 1920 x 1080 resolution. Highlights include an anti-glare surface to minimize reflections, IPS technology for wide viewing angles, and a 144 Hz refresh rate.
The picture quality is average at best, with adequate brightness but washed-out colors. Watching the 2016 sci-fi Arrival, the stark contrast of the spaceship scenes lacked impact, and the more vibrant scenes appeared dull. Likewise, the colorful race cars in F1 24 also ******* to stand out.
The Nitro’s subpar ****** coverage is evident from our display measurements, where it covers just 44.9% of DCI-P3 and 63.3% of sRGB, which is even lower than the MSI Cyborg. In contrast, the Dell’s screen offers markedly superior ****** and higher brightness.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
Keyboard and Touchpad on the Acer Nitro V 15
The Nitro’s keyboard doesn’t resemble a typical gaming laptop keyboard, sticking with a standard font and white-only backlighting similar to Acer’s Aspire laptops. While Acer missed a chance to add some flair here, at least it avoided the cliché red backlighting often found on many other budget gaming laptops.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
The shallow key travel limits tactile feedback. However, it is easy to type quickly; I had no trouble reaching my personal best typing speed of 120 words per minute in the MonkeyType online typing test.
Acer would have been better off leaving out the awkward three-column number pad, and it would have been preferable had all the arrow keys been the same size. The Nitro key in the top row is the keyboard’s only special feature; pressing it launches the Nitro Sense app.
Meanwhile, the Nitro’s large touchpad is a pleasure to use, offering an anti-glare surface and quiet, satisfying tactile clicks.
Audio on the Acer Nitro V 15
The Nitro’s built-in speakers leave much to be desired. While they provide enough volume for personal entertainment, the sound quality is tinny and nearly devoid of bass. Listening to Yes’s “Owner of a Lonely Heart,” the drum hits and guitar sounded strained, and the vocals were hollow.
The DTS:X Ultra app provides a graphic equalizer and several audio presets, including Music (the default), Voice, and Movie, as well as an Auto option. Music was the most well-balanced preset to my ears. The sound quality significantly degraded without this app’s help.
Upgradeability of the Acer Nitro V 15
The Nitro offers good upgradeability, with two DDR5 SODIMM slots, two M.2 2280 SSD slots, an M.2 2230 wireless card slot, and a replaceable battery. These components are accessible under the bottom panel, which is secured by 11 Philips-head screws. All the screws are the same length.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
Popping the plastic clips that secure the panel requires a plastic trim tool; I had to use some force to create a gap at one of the rear corners and carefully work across the rear edge. The clips around the other edges released once I had the rear edge loosened.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
The thermal cooling solution is visible here. The relatively small size of the fans may be a reason why they are so noisy.
Battery Life on the Acer Nitro V 15
Our battery life test involves simulated web browsing, streaming video over Wi-Fi, and running OpenGL tests, all with the screen brightness set to 150 nits. The Nitro V outperformed the other units by a significant margin, lasting for 5 hours and 41 minutes compared to the Dell G16’s 5 hours and 3 minutes and the Lenovo LOQ’s 3 hours and 24 minutes. Though it’s no ultraportable, the Nitro lasts a respectably long time off the plug.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
Heat on the Acer Nitro V 15
During our 15-loop Metro Exodus stress test, we measured maximum surface temperatures on the Nitro of 68 degrees Fahrenheit on the touchpad, 93 F between the keyboard G and H keys, and 104 F on the underside. No part of the laptop felt more than lukewarm to the touch.
There was regrettably nothing quiet about the Nitro’s cooling fans, which were plainly audible across my living room. They have a distinctive whine. Using closed headphones while gaming is a must. (Consider the best gaming headsets.) The fans also proved overreactive for everyday use, often spooling up whenever I visited a webpage or did anything that would briefly stress the CPU.
Webcam on the Acer Nitro V 15
Acer equips the Nitro V with a 720p webcam over its display. The picture has a soft focus and suffers from grain in low light, typical of a small-sensor camera. While budget gaming laptops rarely offer better, I still wish for the sharper picture of a more modern 1080p sensor. A privacy shutter would have also been a welcome addition, though it would be a surprise under $1,000.
The webcam lacks an infrared sensor to enable Windows Hello facial recognition. This laptop doesn’t have a fingerprint reader, either, so you’ll need to type passwords.
Software and Warranty on the Acer Nitro V 15
Acer includes several apps on the Nitro, with the main one being NitroSense. This app offers power profiles, system status (including CPU and GPU temperatures and frequencies), and fan curve control. Other settings include a battery charge limiter, a bluelight shield, and a keyboard backlight timeout. Additionally, you can customize the system boot logo with your own image. The power profile and fan curve can be saved in a profile, and the app center section allows you to bind a profile to an app so the profile is automatically activated when the app is launched.
Another included app, Acer Care Center, provides health checks for most components, system updates, access to Support, recovery management, and a tuneup feature to delete junk files. I especially like that the recovery management section allows backup of LAN and wireless drivers, which can be difficult to find for less popular networking cards like the one in this Nitro if you reinstall the OS.
The DTS apps mentioned in the audio section are important for the overall sound quality. There are several unwanted trial apps on the Nitro, including McAfee LiveSafe, Dropbox, ExpressVPN, and Forge of Empires.
Acer covers the Nitro with a one-year warranty.
Acer Nitro V 15 Configurations
We reviewed the Nitro V 15 equipped with an Intel Core i7-13620H processor, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 graphics, 16GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD, and a 144 Hz screen. It was discounted to $869.99 on Newegg at the time of this review with a 1TB SSD.
Configurations start at $699.99 with a Core i5-13420H, an RTX 3050, and 8GB of RAM. Newegg also had a $999.99 model with a Core i9-13900H, an RTX 4060, and 16GB of RAM. The Nitro V is also available with AMD processors; a $779.99 model includes a Ryzen 5 7535HS and an RTX 4050 while a $929.99 model upgrades to a Ryzen 7 7735HS and an RTX 4060.
Among laptops with the RTX 4050, the MSI Cyborg 15 was discounted to $849.99 on Newegg with the same basic specifications as our Nitro, though as mentioned, it uses a lower-wattage RTX 4050 and lacks a 10 Gbps USB port. The Lenovo LOQ 15ARP9 was $879.99 from Lenovo with an AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS and a 1TB SSD.
Though the Nitro is competitively priced, laptops with a GeForce RTX 4060 are available for around $100 more; the Dell G16 7630 was $949.99 with a Core i5-13650HX CPU, an RTX 4060, a 1TB SSD, and a 16-inch 2560 x 1600, 240 Hz display.
Bottom Line
Acer’s Nitro V 15 is a solid choice for budget-conscious gamers, albeit with a few drawbacks. On the plus side, its Core i7 CPU and RTX 4050 GPU produce satisfactory 1080p framerates, it offers a flashy yet tasteful design, and we also noted its good connectivity, upgradeability, and battery life.
The Nitro’s main holdbacks are loud cooling fans and a screen with subpar ******, both of which make this laptop less well-rounded than it should be. Although the fan noise can be mitigated with closed headphones, the screen is below average even for a budget laptop. We also wish for a better webcam and fuller-sounding speakers.
While we rate this Nitro higher than the MSI Cyborg 15 due to its superior performance, connectivity, and battery life, you can get the Dell G16 7630 for around $100 more, which offers significantly better performance and a much superior screen. If your budget is tight, though, the Nitro V 15 is still a decent choice.
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Oil and gas ‘gift of ****’, says host Azerbaijan president
Oil and gas ‘gift of ****’, says host Azerbaijan president
Reuters
Azerbaijan’s president said countries should not be blamed for having oil, gas and other natural resources or bringing them to the market.
The president of COP29’s host country told the UN climate conference on Tuesday that oil and gas were a “gift of ****”.
Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev criticised “Western fake news” about the country’s emissions and said nations “should not be blamed” for having fossil fuel reserves.
The country plans to expand gas production by up to a third over the next decade.
Shortly afterwards, UN chief António Guterres told the conference that doubling down on the use of fossil fuels was “absurd”.
He said the “clean energy revolution” had arrived and that no government could stop it.
Some observers had expressed concerns about the world’s largest climate conference taking place in Azerbaijan.
Its minister for ecology and natural resources – a former oil executive that spent 26 years at Azerbaijan’s state-owned oil and gas company Socar – is the conference’s chairman.
There are also concerns that Azerbaijani officials are using COP29 to boost investment in the country’s national oil and gas company.
But addressing the conference on its second day, President Aliyev said Azerbaijan had been subject to “slander and blackmail” ahead of COP29.
He said it had been as if “Western fake news media”, charities and politicians were “competing in spreading disinformation…about our country”.
Aliyev said the country’s share in global gas emissions was “only 0.1%”.
“Oil, gas, wind, sun, gold, silver, copper, all…are natural resources and countries should not be blamed for having them, and should not be blamed for bringing these resources to the market, because the market needs them.”
Oil and gas are a major cause of climate change because they release planet-warming greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide when burned for energy.
EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres decried “doubling down on fossil fuels”
The US is also under the spotlight at the conference, following the election victory of Donald Trump – a known climate sceptic.
On Monday, US President Joe Biden’s envoy John Podesta called out president-elect Trump’s view that climate change was a hoax and said the US team would continue to work on the deal passed at COP28 in 2023.
He added that Washington was also working on a deal passed last year in Dubai to triple renewable power by 2030.
Addressing the conference in Baku on Tuesday, UN Secretary General Guterres decried “doubling down on fossil fuels”.
“The sound you hear is the ticking clock,” he said.
“We are in the final countdown to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius and time is not on our side.”
He called 2024 a “masterclass in climate destruction” with disasters being “supercharged by human-made climate change”.
The UN’s World Meteorological Organization previously said that 2024 is on track to be the world’s warmest year on record.
Guterres said “a new finance goal” was needed, with wealthiest countries paying the most.
“They are the largest emitters, with the greatest capacities and responsibilities,” he said. “Developing countries must not leave Baku empty-handed.”
The Azerbaijani president’s comments are unlikely to derail talks behind the scenes, which are largely about getting more cash for poorer countries to help implement their climate plans.
Developing nations are calling for richer countries to agree together on a fund that could add up to $1 trillion, using public and private money.
Leaders of most of the world’s biggest polluters were not present in Baku, including Biden, France’s leader Emmanuel Macron and India’s Narendra Modi.
The environment minister for Burkino Faso, a central ******** country among the poorest in the world, told the BBC that more cash was essential.
Roger Baro said it would help his nation deal with the current impacts of climate change in the country, which is experiencing widespread drought, flash floods and ******** outbreaks.
The disasters occurred in the Sahel region, which saw temperatures of 45C this year in a heatwave that scientists said would have been impossible to reach without climate change.
Among other world leaders to take to the stage on Tuesday was Spain’s prime minister, who called for “drastic measures” after floods ******* more than 200 people in the country.
Experts say that climate change contributed to the heavy rainfall that caused the floods.
“We need to undergo decarbonisation, adapt our towns and infrastructure,” said Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.
COP29 is scheduled to last until 22 November, but there are already fears that the tricky issues on the table could make a final agreement very difficult.
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‘David Coote video on Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp fuels *********** theorists’
‘David Coote video on Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp fuels *********** theorists’
The majority of sensible observers, though sometimes not those fans who choose to view decisions through the prism of their own partisanship, accept referees will make mistakes under the severest pressure. That pressure is very often from players and managers in the fierce hothouse of elite-level football, trickling right down to the grassroots.
Coote’s alleged insults about Liverpool and Klopp – who even his biggest admirers would admit was confrontational from his technical area – allow sceptics to challenge that principle of integrity.
It plays straight into the hands of those supporters only too willing to cry “***********” or feel referees “have it in” for their particular club.
Coote’s previous decisions when in charge of Liverpool games are already being scrutinised. He was on video assistant referee duty for the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park in October 2020 when Virgil van Dijk sustained a season-ending knee injury after a reckless challenge in the area by Everton keeper Jordan Pickford, with no penalty being awarded. Jordan Henderson had an stoppage-time winner ruled out for offside.
He was performing the same role in December 2023 when a clear handball from Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard – later acknowledged as a mistake by Webb – escaped punishment in a 1-1 draw at Anfield.
Mistakes, yes – but honest ones, only for the emergence of the Coote video to reopen a very large can of worms, presenting a crisis for Webb and PGMOL.
Referees are already under pressure and an unforgiving microscope. This latest development will only bring the entire debate into sharper relief.
Football Association data released late last year revealed serious offences against match officials in grassroots football increased in 2022-23.
There were 1,451 allegations, up by 1%, with 72 about an actual or attempted ********, 391 about actual or attempted physical contact and 988 relating to threatening a match official. There were 42 proven cases of ******** or attempted ********.
The most high-profile challenge to the integrity of an official came from Nottingham Forest after a controversial 2-0 loss at Everton in April, when they felt three penalty decisions went against them.
Minutes after the final whistle, Forest’s social media account pointed an accusing finger at VAR Stuart Attwell, who they claimed was a fan of Luton Town, who were also in relegation trouble at the time.
The club posted: “Three extremely poor decisions – three penalties not given – which we simply cannot accept. We warned PGMOL that the VAR is a Luton fan before the game but they didn’t change him. Our patience has been tested multiple times. NFFC will now consider its options.”
Forest were fined £750,000 by the FA in October for what was described as an “******* on the integrity of a match official on an unparalleled scale”.
Attwell gave a statement to the panel about the “stress, distress, ***** and embarrassment caused to him” as a result of the post, while Webb said it “has the potential of serving as a green light to those who seek to ****** officials and normalises questioning the integrity of all referees”.
The Coote video, if genuine, may have just done the same disservice to every official in the land.
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Nintendo’s Emulator Crackdown May be Because Switch 2 is Coming With a Feature That Makes it Superior to PS6, Next-Gen Xbox
Nintendo’s Emulator Crackdown May be Because Switch 2 is Coming With a Feature That Makes it Superior to PS6, Next-Gen Xbox
Nintendo has recently made waves with the announcement that its upcoming console, likely the Switch 2, will be backward compatible with the previous console. This revelation has sparked excitement among fans who are eager to continue playing their favorite titles from the Switch and older systems. It also provided an important clue about why the company has recently intensified its legal actions against emulator companies and piracy.
It was recently announced that the upcoming console will be backward compatible. | Image Credit: Nintendo
These crackdowns also lead to another speculation that the company is gearing up for something ******* with the Switch 2. What if the new console could introduce built-in mod support as a core feature? This would be a bold move as it gives players the ability to create, modify, and share their own content directly on the system. Given the company’s history of innovation, it’s not as far-fetched as it sounds.
Nintendo Switch Could Feature Modding Capabilities
The recent crackdown on emulator sites is a sign that the company is brewing something big. | Image Credit: Nintendo
Nintendo has always been vigilant about protecting its intellectual property, often going to great lengths to prevent unauthorized distribution of its games. However, the recent increase in legal action feels different. It isn’t just about stopping piracy, it feels like it’s about sending a message that the company is preparing something much *******.
The announcement that the Switch 2 will be backward compatible is likely one of the key reasons behind this increased crackdown. Backward compatibility opens up the door to preserving older titles from previous consoles in a way that feels natural.
But it seems like this is just one piece of the puzzle. What if the company is planning something even more groundbreaking for its upcoming handheld?
What if, in addition to backward compatibility, the Switch 2 includes native modding support? This could allow players to modify existing games or even create entirely new content from scratch. This could be done through a built-in modding framework that lets users tweak, adjust, and share gameplay experiences with others.
With the rumored performance, this kind of modding capability seems very plausible. The original Switch was a great step forward for portable gaming but the new console with this native modding feature would unlock new possibilities for both game developers and the fan community.
Games like Skyrim or Minecraft on PC have shown that allowing modding breathes new life into games and can even keep them massively popular years after their initial release. If the company decides to integrate modding capabilities natively into the Switch 2, it would provide a level of flexibility and creativity that other consoles, with their more closed ecosystems, simply cannot match.
Why Nintendo Would Choose to Embrace Modding
Gamers are excited to learn more about the upcoming handheld. | Image Credit: Nintendo
Nintendo has never been a company to shy away from innovation and has historically embraced user creativity to some extent. Titles like Super Mario Maker and Animal Crossing: New Horizons have showcased how the company allows players to design and share content but within the boundaries of its games.
With the Switch 2, it has the unique opportunity to take this a step further, opening the doors to full-on, system-wide modding capabilities. The built-in mod support could be a direct response to the growing demand for customizable gaming experiences that allow players to shape their own content and play how they want to.
While it’s still speculative, the idea that the Switch 2 could feature built-in mod support is an exciting one. Additionally, this would not only make emulation mostly irrelevant but also transform the handheld into a console that truly empowers its community, offering a level of flexibility and creativity never before seen in a mainstream gaming platform.
In the end, whether or not the speculation becomes true is still uncertain but one thing is clear the release of Switch 2 will likely change the gaming industry, especially the ongoing console war.
So, do you think the Switch 2 will embrace modding, or is it still too far from reality? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below.
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NASA’s Atmospheric Waves Experiment Captures Gravity Waves From Hurricane Helene in Florida
NASA’s Atmospheric Waves Experiment Captures Gravity Waves From Hurricane Helene in Florida
On September 26, 2024, as Hurricane Helene battered Florida’s Gulf Coast, it produced significant storm surges, impacting numerous communities across the region. During this extreme weather event, NASA’s Atmospheric Waves Experiment (AWE), stationed aboard the International Space Station, observed gravity waves in the atmosphere approximately 55 miles above Earth’s surface. This data, gathered as part of NASA’s study on space weather, aims to shed light on how terrestrial weather impacts technological systems such as satellites and communication networks.
Observations from NASA’s AWE Instrument
As the International Space Station crossed the southeastern ******* States, the AWE instrument recorded large concentric waves in the atmosphere, originating from the intense conditions stirred by Hurricane Helene. These gravity waves, which appear as artificially ********* bands in red, yellow, and blue, depicted changes in radiance within the Earth’s mesosphere. The imagery, enhanced with colour to highlight infrared brightness variations caused by airglow, captured waves stretching westward from northern Florida.
Significance of Atmospheric Gravity Waves
According to Ludger Scherliess, Principal Investigator of NASA’s AWE at Utah State University, the waves resemble the ripples produced when a pebble hits the surface of a pond. The instrument, launched in November 2023, was designed to identify these atmospheric disturbances, which include storms, hurricanes, and other violent weather events that cause gravity waves. The analysis of such atmospheric changes, produced during turbulent weather, provides essential insights into how terrestrial events influence conditions in space.
Research Implications for NASA
The gravity waves from Hurricane Helene are among the first images released to the public by the AWE mission. Through these observations, NASA seeks to understand how Earth’s weather systems impact the upper atmosphere and space weather. The AWE instrument’s ability to detect these disturbances contributes to ongoing research, enhancing NASA’s efforts to assess the potential disruptions to Earth-orbiting systems.
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More data stolen in 2023 MOVEit attacks comes to light
More data stolen in 2023 MOVEit attacks comes to light
Eighteen months after a major cyber incident in which hundreds of organisations were victimised by a ransomware gang that exploited a zero-day SQL injection vulnerability in Progress Software’s MOVEit Transfer file transfer product, multiple new victims have come to light, including tech giant Amazon, which has confirmed that data on more than two million of its employees has been leaked.
CVE-2023-34362 is a critical zero-day SQL injection vulnerability in the MOVEit Transfer tool, which was patched at the end of May 2023, but unfortunately not before the Cl0p/Clop ransomware operation was able to use it to orchestrate a mass breach of organisations worldwide.
Victims in the *** included the BBC, Boots and British Airways – all of which were compromised via payroll and human resources IT specialist Zellis.
This week, researchers at Hudson Rock published details of a major data ***** affecting at least 25 organisations, orchestrated by an actor using the handle Nam3L3ss, who posted them to an underground cyber ********* forum in CSV format.
According to Hudson Rock’s Alon Gal, the data includes employee records from major companies including HP, HSBC, Lenovo, Omnicom, Urban Outfitters, British Telecom and McDonalds, but by some margin the biggest tranche of data – a total of over 2.8 million records – has come from Amazon.
Gal said the dataset included contact information and data on organisational roles and departmental assignments within Amazon, which could put employees at risk of social engineering and tailored phishing attacks.
“Hudson Rock researchers were able to verify the authenticity of the data by cross-referencing emails from the leaks to Linkedin profiles of employees, and to emails found in infostealer infections where employees in the affected companies were involved,” wrote Gal.
In a statement circulated to media, Amazon senior PR manager Adam Montgomery confirmed the veracity of the breach.
“We were notified about a security event at one of our property management vendors that impacted several of its customers including Amazon. The only Amazon information involved was employee work contact information, for example work email addresses, desk phone numbers, and building locations,” said Montgomery.
“Amazon and AWS systems remain secure and we have not experienced a security event,” he said.
Amazon did not name the organisation through which it was affected.
Link to Cl0p?
In screenshots of posts made by Nam3Less, shared with Computer Weekly by researchers at Searchlight Cyber, the actor claimed they were neither a hacker nor affiliated with any ransomware group. They also said they did not buy or sell data, rather they monitored the dark web and other exposed services including AWS Buckets, Azure Blobs, MongoDB servers and the like.
“If a company or government agency is ******* enough not to encrypt its data during transfers or if an admin is too ******* or too lazy to password protect their online storage that is on them,” said Nam3L3ss. “The world should know exactly what these companies and government agencies are leaking.”
Threat actor Nam3L3ss claims motivation behind data ***** is to hold governments and businesses accountable
Whether or not Nam3L3ss has any link to the Cl0p ransomware gang is unclear and has not yet been confirmed. Despite their own assertions, statements made by threat actors should always be treated sceptically. Nam3L3ss could easily be an affiliate or associate of the gang, but it is equally possible that they came by the data via other means.
“The actor Nam3L3ss claims that they are not a hacker and that they are only sharing data that they have downloaded from other sources. As you can see from the statement that they shared on BreachForums on Tuesday November 12 2024, they claim to be motivated not by financial gain, but out of a ******* to hold governments and corporations accountable for protecting citizen data,” said Searchlight threat intelligence analyst Vlad Mironescu.
“One source of data that the actor commonly uses is information that has been posted on ransomware ***** sites. For example, a lot of the data Nam3L3ss shares, including this Amazon data, appears to come from victims of the MOVEit attacks from last year, which was orchestrated by the ransomware group Cl0p. Nam3L3ss doesn’t appear to be associated with Cl0p or any ransomware group but is simply resharing the data they have found.”
Mironescu continued: “It is true that the actor is not selling this data, they are posting it for free or for in-forum credits. However, that does not mean there is no damage done; posting the data for free in BreachForums will put it into the hands of a large number of hackers who could use it for a wide variety of nefarious purposes.”
Dark web
Kevin Robertson, chief operating officer at Acumen Cyber, said: “This ***** shows how data makes its way across the dark web, often reappearing in the news long after breaches took place and often in the hands of other attackers.
“The MOVEit breach dominated headlines last year after it impacted thousands of organisations and billions of peoples’ data. It was one of the first examples of a global supply chain ******* that got so large even its perpetrators, Cl0p, struggled to ingest the volume of data compromised.
“The ******* hasn’t had anywhere near the media coverage this year as it received last year, but this latest update shows that attackers are continuing to monetise from the data. Nam3L3ss is not thought to be a part of the initial MOVEit *******, but some of its data has landed in their hands, which provides evidence of how stolen data is marketed across the dark web,” he said.
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This Stock Is the Unexpected Benefactor of the AI *****
This Stock Is the Unexpected Benefactor of the AI *****
The AI ***** helped turn DuPont around after 10 consecutive quarters of YoY revenue declines.
The firm has now posted back-to-back quarters of YoY revenue gains, posting 4.4% revenue growth in Q3 2024.
DuPont’s Semiconductor Technology segment experienced 20% YoY sales growth directly stemming from the rising demand for AI technologies and demand recovery in China.
The name Dupont De Nemours Inc (NYSE:) is often associated with specialty chemical and materials products. The company pioneered the creation of cellophane in the 1920s and Teflon, Neoprene and nylon in the 1930s. Through the years, it continued to develop and evolve many familiar chemicals, including freon, polyethylene, silicone, plastics and genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in the 1980s.
Evolution From to Technology Materials
In 2015, Dupont merged with Dow Chemical (NYSE:) to form DowDuPont, the largest chemical conglomerate in the world. In 2019, DowDuPont split into three public companies. Dow Inc. (NYSE: DOW) focuses on materials sciences for packaging, infrastructure, and consumer care. Corteva Inc. (NYSE: NYSE:) operates in agriculture, focusing on seeds and crop protection. DuPont de Nemours Inc. (NYSE: NYSE:), also referred to as simply DuPont focuses on technology-based materials and solutions. DuPont provides materials essential to semiconductor fabrication, solar panels, LEDs, and electric vehicles (EVs) encompassing the computer and technology, aerospace, auto/tires/trucks, and industrial sectors.
DuPont’s Role in the Semiconductor Industry
Some of the key materials that DuPont manufactures for the semiconductor industry include photomasks, which are the light-sensitive materials used in photolithography to transfer circuit patterns onto silicon wafers, dielectrics, conductive materials for interconnects on chips and chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) slurries used for polishing silicon wafers for a smooth and flat surface. Their materials are crucial for semiconductor manufacturing equipment (SME) makers like Lam Research Co. (NASDAQ: NASDAQ:) and ASML Holding N.V. (NASDAQ: AS:).
The AI ***** Directly Benefits DuPont Materials in the Chip Industry
DuPont also supplies the materials necessary for advanced packaging, including encapsulation materials to protect semiconductor devices and thermal interface materials for heat dissipation. The artificial intelligence revolution, which has led to the surge in GPUs, NAND flash, high-bandwidth memory (HBM), and application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), has a direct impact on DuPont’s business.
Over 35% of its total revenue comes from its Electronics segment, which includes semiconductor solutions and advanced electronic products. This is where the connection between AI and DuPont makes a material impact on its business. The AI ***** enabled DuPont to post a second consecutive quarter of revenue growth after 10 straight quarters of YoY revenue decline.
The AI ***** Helps Drive DuPont’s Q3 Earnings Beat
DuPont’s growth engine is driven by its Electronics and Industrial segment. While organic sales rose 10% YoY, its Semiconductor Technologies segment saw a 20% YoY jump in revenues. This segment produces the materials used during the semiconductor fabrication, assembly, and advanced packaging process. The 20% growth was a result of rising demand for AI technologies, recovery in consumer electronics, and rebounding demand in China. DuPont posted stronger operating leverage with a 150 bps improvement in operating EBITDA margin to 26.8%, which led to a 15-cent EPS beat over consensus estimates. DuPont also raised its full-year 2024 revenue guidance up to $12.50 billion from a previously forecast range of $12.365 billion to $12.40 billion versus $12.44 billion consensus estimates.
DuPont CEO Lori Koch expressed plainly in the conference call, “From an end market view, the electronic and industrial segment saw another quarter of double-digit sales growth in both the semi and interconnect solutions lines of business, which continued to benefit from strong demand for advanced node chips and AI-enabling technologies.”
Splitting Again Into 3 Companies
History will repeat itself as DuPont plans to split into three separate companies once again: New DuPont, Electronics, and Water. The New Dupont will focus on automotive, healthcare, and safety and protection products. The Electronics and Water divisions will be divided into separate public companies in a tax-free separation in 2025.
DD Triggers a Descending Ascending Triangle Breakout
A descending triangle is normally a bearish chart pattern indicator of lower highs on the bounce against flat-bottom support. At the apex point, the descending upper trendline converges with the flat-bottom horizontal lower trendline support. A breakdown triggers if the stock falls below the lower trendline support. A breakout triggers if the stock surges above the upper trendline resistance.
DD formed the descending trendline at the $90.06 swing high as it capped all bounce attempts at lower lows to converge with the flat-bottom support trendline at $81.35. The daily anchored VWAP sits at $85.08 still acting as a resistance. The daily RSI is slipping to the 49-band. Fibonacci (Fib) pullback support levels are at $83.67, $81.35, $77.27, and $75.14.
DD’s average consensus price target is $95.42 implying a 13% upside, and its highest analyst price target sits at $107.00. It has nine analysts’ Buy ratings, two Holds, and two Sell ratings. The stock has a 1.81% annual dividend yield.
Actionable Options Strategies: Bullish options investors can enter DD on a pullback using cash-secured puts at the Fib pullback support levels or take a bullish call debit spread for an uptrend continuation using less capital than owning the stock while minimizing the downside for capped upside gains.
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Wall Street muted as focus moves to US economic data
Wall Street muted as focus moves to US economic data
US stocks have opened little changed as investors look to the release of economic data.
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Call of Duty: ****** Ops 6 Review | Console Creatures
Call of Duty: ****** Ops 6 Review | Console Creatures
Console Creatures writes, “Call of Duty: ****** Ops 6 is a step up in every way with punchy gunplay, exciting maps, and Omnimovement at the center.”
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Right now, the sun is far more active than predicted—and small satellites are paying the price
Right now, the sun is far more active than predicted—and small satellites are paying the price
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain
Last week, three tiny *********** satellites from Curtin University’s Binar Space Program burned up in Earth’s atmosphere. That was always going to happen. In fact, Binar means “fireball” in the Noongar language of the First Nations people of Perth.
When a satellite is in low Earth orbit (2,000km or less), it experiences orbital decay as it drags closer and closer to the surface, eventually burning up.
But these cube satellites (CubeSats), known as Binar-2, 3 and 4, entered the atmosphere much sooner than originally planned. They only lasted for two months—a third of what was expected. This significantly reduced valuable time for science and testing new systems.
The reason for their untimely demise? Our sun has kicked into high gear, and the Binar satellites are far from the only casualty. Recent high solar activity has been causing an unexpected headache for satellite operators in the last few years, and it’s only increasing.
Why is the sun so active?
Solar activity includes phenomena such as sunspots, solar flares and solar wind—the stream of charged particles that flows toward Earth.
This activity is a product of the sun’s ever-changing magnetic field, and approximately every 11 years, it completely flips. At the midpoint of this cycle, solar activity is at its highest.
While this cycle is known, specific solar activity is challenging to predict—the dynamics are complex and solar forecasting is in its infancy.
In the last few months, indicators of solar activity were more than one and a half times higher than predictions for this point in the current cycle, labeled solar cycle 25.
The impact of space weather
Space weather refers to the environmental effects that originate from outside our atmosphere (mostly the sun). It affects us on Earth in a variety of noticeable and unnoticeable ways.
The most obvious is the presence of auroras. In the past few months, auroras have been visible far more intensely and closer to the equator than in the last two decades. This is a direct result of the increased solar activity.
Space weather, and solar activity in particular, also creates additional challenges for satellites and satellite operators.
Higher solar activity means more solar flares and stronger solar wind—resulting in a higher flux of charged particles that can damage or disrupt electrical components on satellites.
It also means an increase in ionizing radiation, resulting in a higher dose for astronauts and pilots, and potential disruptions to long-distance radio communications.
But for satellites in low Earth orbit, the most consistent effect of solar activity is that the extra energy gets absorbed into the outer atmosphere, causing it to balloon outward.
As a result, all satellites less than 1,000km from Earth experience a significant increase in atmospheric drag. This is a force that disrupts their orbit and causes them to fall towards the planet’s surface.
Notable satellites in this region include the International Space Station and the Starlink constellation. These satellites have thrusters to counteract this effect, but these corrections can be expensive.
Low Earth orbit also contains many university satellites, such as the Binar CubeSats. Cube satellites are rarely equipped with tools that can adjust their altitude, so they’re entirely at the mercy of space weather.
What happened to Binar?
The Binar Space Program is a satellite research program operating out of Curtin University. It aims to advance our understanding of the solar system and lower the barrier for operating in space.
The program began operations with its first satellite, Binar-1, in September 2021. This was less than a year into solar cycle 25 when solar activity was relatively low.
In these conditions, the ten-centimeter cube satellite started at an altitude of 420km and survived a full 364 days in orbit.
The program’s follow-up mission—Binar-2, 3, and 4—were three equally sized CubeSats. However, they were expected to last approximately six months owing to the extra surface area from new deployable solar arrays and a forecast increase in solar activity.
Instead, they only made it to two months before burning up. While cube satellite missions are relatively cheap, the ********** ending of a mission will always be costly. This is even more true for commercial satellites, highlighting the need for more accurate space weather forecasting.
The good news is the sun will calm down again. Despite the current unexpectedly high solar activity, it will likely slow down by 2026, and is expected to return to a solar minimum in 2030.
While this was not an explicit goal of the mission, the Binar Space Program has now poignantly demonstrated the dramatic effects of solar activity on space operations.
While the untimely loss of Binar-2, 3 and 4 was unfortunate, work has already begun on future missions. They are expected to launch into far more forgiving space weather.
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Shopify stock skyrockets 25% on revenue beat, rosy holiday forecast
Shopify stock skyrockets 25% on revenue beat, rosy holiday forecast
An employee works at Shopify’s headquarters in Ottawa, Ontario in Canada.
Chris Wattie | Reuters
Shopify shares popped more than 25% in Tuesday morning trading after the ********* e-commerce company posted better-than-expected revenue for the third quarter and gave an optimistic forecast for the holiday shopping season.
Here’s how the company did:
Earnings: 64 cents per share. That may not compare with LSEG estimates.
Revenue: $2.16 billion vs. $2.12 billion expected by LSEG
Shopify said it expects revenue in the current quarter to grow at at a percentage in the mid- to high-twenties. That surpassed Wall Street’s expectations of 22.8% for revenue growth, according to FactSet.
****** merchandise volume, or the total volume of merchandise sold on the platform, increased 24% year over year to $69.7 billion during the third quarter. Analysts surveyed by FactSet were looking for GMV of $68.1 billion.
Shopify sells software for merchants who run online businesses as well as services such as advertising and payment processing tools. The company has been investing heavily in marketing in recent months, even at the risk of pinching near-term profits, as it looks to gain further market share. The company competes with e-commerce juggernauts Amazon and Walmart, as well as software providers like Salesforce and BigCommerce.
On a call with investors, Shopify president Harley Finkelstein said a growing number of major retailers and companies signed up for its services during the quarter, pointing to Lionsgate Entertainment, shoemaker Reebok and luxury fashion brand Off-White, along with handbag company Vera Bradley and Hanes.
“Shopify is increasingly the go-to platform of choice, not just for entrepreneurship, but for all of commerce,” Finkelstein said. “We are well positioned for extensive growth across different merchant segments, size, geographies, channels and products.”
Jeff Hoffmeister, Shopify’s CFO, said on the call that the upbeat fourth-quarter forecast is “driven by the same factors that have supported our strong revenue growth results so far this year,” including “assumptions around the continued strength of our merchants GMV.”
Shopify shares are up about 45% year to date. The Nasdaq has gained roughly 37% over the same stretch.
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The bullish Meta trade is paying off. How to keep exposure while limiting risk with options
The bullish Meta trade is paying off. How to keep exposure while limiting risk with options
As we approach the expiration of our Meta Platforms (META) trade from early October we have successfully captured 78% of the total maximum gain. Given the approaching expiration and the trade’s profitability, it’s time to roll the position. The goal is to maintain bullish exposure as we continue to see a positive outlook that continues to improve for META, especially as it now takes on Apple head on in the augmented reality space. If we examine a chart of META, we see that it continues to form a base above $540 after breaking out above it in mid-September. With overall momentum remaining positive, we continue to see the chart as constructive for a continuation higher to new all-time highs as the market hits fresh record highs. On the fundamentals, META stands out as a leader in profitability and growth compared to its industry peers. It generates an industry leading net margin of 35.6%, significantly higher than the industry average. And with analysts expecting EPS growth of 23% and revenue growth at 16%, META outpaces the industry averages by a significant margin. Additionally, META trades at 23x forward earnings, which is a 15% discount relative to its peers, presenting a substantial upside potential. Beyond AI, Meta’s recent advancements in augmented reality through the introduction of its Orion AR glasses position the company as a significant competitor to Apple in this emerging field. META has built a strong foundation to capitalize on AR technology, potentially establishing a leading position and beating AAPL at their next primary product line. The trade To continue benefiting from META’s growth while limiting risk, we are rolling our trade to a Dec 27 $585/$550 put vertical, which involves: Selling the Dec 27 $585 Puts @ $21.83 Buying the Dec 27 $550 Puts @ $8.60 This position allows us to profit if META ******** above $585 at expiration, with a maximum reward of $1,323 and a maximum risk of $2,177 if META is below $550 at expiration. The breakeven point is $571.77, meaning the trade ******** profitable as long as Meta stays above this level. ( View updated pricing on this trade on OptionsPlay .) DISCLOSURES: (None) All opinions expressed by the CNBC Pro contributors are solely their opinions and do not reflect the opinions of CNBC, NBC UNIVERSAL, their parent company or affiliates, and may have been previously disseminated by them on television, radio, internet or another medium. THE ABOVE CONTENT IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY . THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSITUTE FINANCIAL, INVESTMENT, TAX OR LEGAL ADVICE OR A RECOMMENDATION TO BUY ANY SECURITY OR OTHER FINANCIAL ASSET. THE CONTENT IS GENERAL IN NATURE AND DOES NOT REFLECT ANY INDIVIDUAL’S UNIQUE PERSONAL CIRCUMSTANCES. THE ABOVE CONTENT MIGHT NOT BE SUITABLE FOR YOUR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES. BEFORE MAKING ANY FINANCIAL DECISIONS, YOU SHOULD STRONGLY CONSIDER SEEKING ADVICE FROM YOUR OWN FINANCIAL OR INVESTMENT ADVISOR. Click here for the full disclaimer.
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Hakeem Jeffries says Democrats will have a “family conversation” to “figure out what happened on election night”
Hakeem Jeffries says Democrats will have a “family conversation” to “figure out what happened on election night”
House ********* Leader Hakeem Jeffries said Tuesday that Democrats will in the weeks and months ahead engage in post-election analysis following bruising outcomes for the party last week, as Republicans will take control of the White House, Senate and possibly even the House.
“We’re going to have a family conversation that needs to be clear-eyed, candid and comprehensive to figure out what happened on election night,” Jeffries said on “CBS Mornings.”
The New York Democrat acknowledged that “the ********* people have spoken,” saying the party has to to “work with the incoming administration whenever and wherever possible, and strongly disagree when necessary, and that’s going to be the approach that we take.”
The comments come as Republicans appear poised to hold onto their narrow majority in the House, with just a few seats to go. CBS News characterizes the House as leaning toward Republicans.
House ********* Leader Hakeem Jeffries on “CBS Mornings,” Nov. 12, 2024
CBS News
Democrats had hoped to flip the House this cycle, going on to elect Jeffries as the first ****** speaker in history after he succeeded Speaker emerita Nancy Pelosi at the party’s helm in the lower chamber.
Meanwhile, Republicans flipped the Senate in a key victory for the incoming Trump administration, serving as a partner in passing his agenda and confirming his nominations.
Jeffries said Congress needs to focus on tackling the issues that matter to Americans, including lowering costs and improving peoples’ quality of life, saying “there are times to campaign and engage in the political process,” but “that time has come to an end.” Now, he said, the focus should be on solving problems for Americans.
“America’s a resilient nation, and so we’re going to get through this political moment and continue to be the greatest country, in my view, in the history of the world,” he said. “But we have problems that we have to solve.”
While Democratic Rep. Seth Moulton said following the Democratic losses that the party spends “way too much time trying not to offend anyone” and called for a new approach from the party on the transgender issues, Jeffries said Tuesday that he “didn’t want to get ahead of the conversations we’re going to have collectively.”
House ********* Leader Hakeem Jeffires on “CBS Mornings,” Nov. 12, 2024.
CBS News
“There are 435 members of the House of Representatives, which means at the end of the day, that means there are 435 independent contractors who, at the end of the day, are most accountable — and should be —to the communities they represent,” Jeffries said. “We’ll have a responsibility as House Democrats to have that conversation about how to move forward.”
Kaia Hubbard
Kaia Hubbard is a politics reporter for CBS News Digital, based in Washington, D.C.
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Trump ********* case ruling delayed by election
Trump ********* case ruling delayed by election
In this courtroom sketch, former U.S. president Donald Trump appears by video conferencing before Judge Juan Merchan during a hearing before his trial over charges that he falsified business records to conceal money paid to silence ***** star Stormy Daniels in 2016, in Manhattan state court in New York City, May 23, 2023.
Jane Rosenberg | Reuters
A New York judge on Tuesday delayed by one week ruling on whether to toss guilty verdicts against President-elect Donald Trump in his ********* hush money case, or to move toward sentencing in late November.
The postponement was announced two days after the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office asked the judge for time to consider how Trump’s electoral win affects the case.
Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan, who was set to issue his ruling Tuesday, is now scheduled to determine if the case should be dismissed on Nov. 19.
Trump is currently set to be sentenced Nov. 26 on 34 counts of falsifying business records related to a hush money payment made by his former lawyer Michael Cohen to ***** star Stormy Daniels shortly before the 2016 presidential election.
Read more CNBC politics coverage
Trump’s lawyers asked to dismiss the case and vacate the jury verdict in July, following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that greatly expanded the scope of presidential immunity.
DA Alvin Bragg had urged Merchan to ******* that request, arguing that the high court’s ruling — which granted presumptive immunity to former presidents for all official acts in office — had no bearing on Trump’s conviction in the hush money case.
On Friday — three days after Trump defeated Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential race — defense lawyers had asked Bragg’s office to agree to a pause on all proceedings in the case.
The DA’s office signed on.
“The People agree that these are unprecedented circumstances,” DA prosecutor Matthew Colangelo wrote Sunday in an email to Merchan that was shared in a public court filing Tuesday morning.
The defense lawyers’ arguments “require careful consideration to ensure that any further steps in this proceeding appropriately balance the competing interests of (1) a jury verdict of guilt following trial that has the presumption of regularity; and (2) the Office of the President,” Colangelo wrote.
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How to Get Mew in Pokémon TCG Pocket
How to Get Mew in Pokémon TCG Pocket
Mew is comfortably one of Pokémon TCG Pocket’s rarest cards, and very few people own this purveyor of all things psychic. Acquiring Mew is extremely difficult in Pokémon Pocket, and we have step-by-step instructions on how to do this.
As a ****, I loved Mew. Even at an early age, I appreciated the lore of Mew and its ties to ancient Pokémon mysticism. Add the fact its design is adorable (despite being ridiculously powerful) and its heated rivalry with Mewtwo, and you have one of the coolest Pokémon in the entire Pokédex to this day.
Pokémon TCG Pocket’s launch set mostly pays homage to the Kanto 151 era, and Mew is very much part of this elite collection of Mon. You might not be able to see Mew when you look at the Genetic Apex set in its entirety, but I can assure you, that Mew is obtainable.
How to Unlock Mew in Pokémon TCG Pocket
Mewtwo has competition once more. Credit to The Pokémon Company
Mew is an automatic unlock once you collect all 226 cards in Pokémon TCG Pocket’s Genetic Apex set.
Firstly, no, you don’t need to collect all the Hyper Rares, Full Arts, and Promo A cards—just the base set of 226 cards. This does mean you need the initial EX cards though, as they comprise the original collection. When you have the 226th and final card to complete the group, a challenge unlocks, and Mew is yours.
Here’s a quick walkthrough:
Play Pokémon TCG Pocket and open booster packs.
Use the best ways to open free packs to speed up the process.
Once you’ve collected all cards from booster packs, Wonder Picks, or crafting cards, a prompt appears telling you you’ve done the “Complete the Kanto Pokédex” objective.
Press “OK” in the confirmation to acknowledge this.
You now receive Mew—an Immersive Three-Star Rare card.
Swipe up to add it to your collection, and this fills in the 283 slot in the Genetic Apex deck.
The Kanto Pokédex task is one of several secret missions that few players know about in Pokémon TCG Pocket. Ordinarily, doing this takes weeks, months, or maybe even longer—depending on your level of commitment.
Mew Stats in Pokémon TCG Pocket
Mew is a Basic, Psychic-type Pokémon with 60 HP, and has one move. Take a look at Mew’s full stats below:
Stage: Basic.
Type: Psychic.
HP: 60.
Moves: Psy Report—Your opponent reveals their hand: 20 Damage.
Weakness: +20 Darkness.
Retreat Cost: 1 Energy.
It’s believed that YouTuber Willow was the first person to unlock Mew in Pokémon TCG Pocket. I’ve provided a video of the moment the social media personality first unlocks Mew, as well as a look at the card’s special Immersive video.
More players are bound to obtain their own Mew as time goes on. Again, the Genetic Apex set isn’t supposed to be completed so quickly; so have patience, and your time should come.
Find out how to get Mew’s genetic counterpart—the Mewtwo 10 Promo Card—as well as details on the famed Pokémon TCG Pocket **** Pack.
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X is testing a free version of its Grok AI chatbot that doesn’t need a blue-tick subscription
X is testing a free version of its Grok AI chatbot that doesn’t need a blue-tick subscription
Over the weekend various users of X noticed that they were being offered a free-tier version of Grok, X’s AI chatbot, to try. The free version comes with some limitations, however.
So far Grok has only been available on subscription, an approach that’s markedly different from other AI generators like OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Meta’s MetaAI and Google Gemini, which offer a free tier that has fewer features than the paid-for version. Similarly, Apple Intelligence is still yet to roll out completely, but will remain free for its first few years at least.
X user @lohansimpson posted a screenshot of the Grok invite and wrote, “Free Grok is coming(With limits)! It will be limited locations at first”.
BREAKING: Free Grok is coming(With limits)! It will be limited locations at first pic.twitter.com/V8tbV8QkQtNovember 10, 2024
Screenshots of the invitation to try Grok contain the text, “A free tier of Grok is now available in your region. Chat, generate images and analyze photos. Limits apply.”
According to a researcher on X who has the user name swak, users on the Grok free tier will be limited to 10 Grok 2 questions every two hours and 20 Grok 2 mini questions every two hours. Grok 2 and Grok 2 mini are different LLMs that X offers. You will also be restricted to analyzing up to three images a day.
It’s not all good news for X users, because if those are the limitations on the free tier of Grok then it will be much more restricted than its competitors, like MetaAI.
An image created in Grok 2. (Image credit: Lance Ulanoff/X)
Unrestricted images
Grok raised a lot of eyebrows, and quite a few questions, when Grok 2 was released in August this year containing the Flux image generator which had very few restrictions on its image-generation capabilities compared to other AI image generators.
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While most AI image generators will stop short of letting you create images of politicians, celebrities, and copyrighted characters, like Superman or Iron Man, Grok seemed to be happy to let you create these type of images with abandon.
It’s not clear if the free version of Grok will have the same unrestricted access to the Flux image generator as the subscription service X currently offers, but a move to offer Grok to the wider X user base for free could dramatically increase the number of Grok users almost overnight, turning it into a real competitor to ChatGPT, Meta AI and Google Gemini.
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Car finance industry sets aside billions for motorist claims
Car finance industry sets aside billions for motorist claims
BBC
Marcus Johnson did not know he would be paying commission on his car finance agreement
Motorists who bought a car on finance could share in billions of pounds in compensation following a landmark test case.
When Marcus Johnson, 34, from Cwmbran, Torfaen, bought his first car – a Suzuki Swift – in 2017, he was not informed the car dealership was being paid 25% commission, which was added on to what he had to pay back.
In a landmark case with two other claimants, the Court of Appeal ruled in October that the finance company should pay the hidden commission plus interest back to Mr Johnson, and he is now due to receive just over £3,200.
Trade Centre Wales and MotoNovo finance’s parent company FirstRand have not responded to requests for comment.
Mr Johnson said he was “furious” when he found out what had happened, adding: “I paid £1,650 for what I can only describe as showing me around the showroom for 10 minutes and then printing off a bit of paper.
“I signed a few documents and then drove away in the car.”
He said he had no option but to use finance when he bought the car, describing it as “heartbreaking” to find out so much extra money had been taken.
“Someone in my situation at that time, not being able to buy that kind of age car with cash, you would use finance,” he added.
“And for companies to be able to be allowed to charge these ridiculous amounts of commission without disclosing it, without me being made aware of it at all, myself and thousands of other people.”
Mr Johnson bought the car from dealership Trade Centre Wales for £4,600, and the company arranged finance with Cardiff-based MotoNovo Finance.
He was not informed that the dealership was receiving commission of £1,650, which amounted to about 25% of the total he borrowed.
The car finance industry is now setting aside huge amounts of money to settle similar possible claims in the future.
How can you claim?
It is important to log your claim as soon as possible, according to Martin Lewis of Money Saving Expert.
He said claimants did not necessarily need to go via a claims management firm, which would take a cut of any payout.
Mr Lewis advised people first determine whether their finance agreements included a discretionary commission arrangement and, if it did, lodge a time-stamped complaint to the company.
This was echoed by Rip-Off Britain’s legal expert Gary Rycroft, who told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast the legal precedent set by the Court of Appeal ruling meant “secret commission” was deemed unlawful.
He said it was important to check your contracts and ask your car finance company whether it had been disclosed if unsure.
He said non-disclosure made for a clearer case but arrangements “******* in the small print” could still be worth making a claim against.
But he added that, while getting your ducks in a row early was a good thing, there was a good chance lenders would be lodging a Supreme Court appeal, so claims may not be able to be acted upon for some time yet.
Marcus Johnson
Marcus Johnson bought a Suzuki Swift in 2017
Mr Johnson sold his Suzuki Swift in 2020, but after three years of regular payments, he still owed £3,500 which he assumed then was due to the interest on the loan for the car.
“With paying off the agreement for three years, I had only scratched the surface,” he said.
Dealerships were not acting outside of the rules and regulations of the industry by taking this sort of commission at that time, but they had a duty to inform their clients.
The court of appeal said “burying such a statement in the small print which the lender knows the borrower is highly unlikely to read will not suffice”.
There have been changes in the rules governing commission since 2021, when the Financial Conduct Authority banned discretionary commission arrangements.
Kevin Durkin, from HD Law, who represented Mr Johnson in the test case, said: “As a financial reward for them being chosen, FirstRand Bank paid Trade Centre Wales a commission which Marcus knew nothing about.
“There was only a vague reference to this arrangement in the paperwork which the court of appeal found was *******.
“As such it meant that Marcus paid more than he necessarily needed to.”
He added it was far from being an isolated case, with many car dealerships and finance companies having operated in this way.
“It’s completely widespread,” he added.
“Almost all cars that are purchased on finance through a dealer or credit broker are sold in this way.
“I’ve yet to see any terms and conditions in a case involving my clients where the terms and conditions reference is either absolute in terms of ‘we will receive a commission’ or alternatively is made prominent in the paperwork that is being signed.”
Mr Johnson said he would never use a finance agreement again, but was delighted when the Court of Appeal found in his favour.
“It was a big moment of relief and excitement and obviously happiness all at the same time – especially with how tough things are at the moment,” he said.
He said he hoped others would also get money back, adding: “I’m so happy that my case and the decision that was made could potentially help thousands of other families, to me that’s worth more than the money that I reclaimed in a way.”
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“There’s remote things that he just has to take a look at”: Todd Howard’s Workaholic Habit May be Responsible for the Greatest Bethesda Criticism
“There’s remote things that he just has to take a look at”: Todd Howard’s Workaholic Habit May be Responsible for the Greatest Bethesda Criticism
When it comes to an incredible legacy, Bethesda Game Studios is a company that not only has a long history but also a catalog packed with absolute bangers. Without many of the company’s leading RPGs, the genre would’ve turned out to be a lot different.
Bethesda is one of the biggest names in the gaming industry. (Image via Microsoft)
However, there’s no denying the fact that Bethesda’s recent games haven’t hit the mark. Fallout 76 is a tragedy that the studio probably wants to forget, and Starfield, despite its positive reception, didn’t deliver on what the players had hoped for.
What’s the reason for Bethesda fumbling its recent releases? There are many things, but one that might be the biggest factor is Todd Howard’s workaholic nature.
Todd Howard Might Be The One To Be Blamed For Bethesda’s Recent Failures
Bruce Nesmith is a person whose name you might’ve never heard, even though you’re a big fan of Bethesda’s RPGs.
He began working with the famed Dungeons & Dragons publisher TSR on Apple III titles and eventually partnered up with Bethesda as early as 1995, where he was one of the lead designers for The Elder Scrolls: Chapter II – Daggerfall. He stuck around the company until 2021 when he left to be an author.
Related
Todd Howard Doesn’t Want You to Know the Bethesda Game That’s Even More Doomed Than Elder Scrolls 6
In an hour-long conversation with KIWI TALKZ, Nesmith opened up about his decades of experience working at Bethesda and his relationship with Todd Howard. At one point, he mentions that during the end of his tenure, Howard would have somewhere around two dozen projects at his table.
There’s remote things that he just has to take a look at, in addition to a variety of larger projects. So, that’s a lot.
It’s great to see that Howard is working so hard to push out multiple genre-defining hits. However, one man simply can’t handle all such projects. The company’s RPG keeps evolving with every entry and gets ******* in scale. Howard singlehandedly leads all the projects, and it puts too much pressure on him.
With how Bethesda’s projects are delayed so much, it’s evident that the pressure is getting to Howard. It’s always hard to wait for a new title in a beloved franchise. However, that pain is more felt by fans of Bethesda’s franchise than other fanbases.
One of the company’s biggest IPs, Fallout, has already gone years without a new mainline release, with Fallout 4 dating nine years ago. The Elder Scrolls 6 has just now entered production, and even that franchise hasn’t seen a release in over a decade. It’s high time Bethesda considered hiring more developers or outsourcing projects to give Howard some breathing room.
Former Lead Admits Bethesda Games Could Be More Refined
The company’s games are infested with game-breaking glitches and bugs. (Image via Microsoft)
While Bethesda has given us some incredible games, its titles are undoubtedly bug-infested. Seriously, you can’t go a single minute without facing a game ****** or UI glitch that completely ruins your experience, and even the company’s own ex-employees agree with the problems.
Related
A Disastrous Flaw in Todd Howard’s Bethesda That Made Starfield Dev Quit Thankfully Never Affected Fallout, Elder Scrolls
In an interview with VideoGamer, Nesmith opened up about the development side of the company before he left in 2021. He admits that the company’s games could have a lot more time in the oven but believes there’s a good reason why the studio pushes out games that aren’t polished.
Having an NPC run in place in front of a wall for a little while became acceptable because of the 17 things you could do with that NPC, whereas most games you’d be able to do two.
Nesmith also states that the studio’s titles are so huge and include many moving parts that releasing a bug-free title is basically impossible. The studio has to make tough calls to publish something that’s filled with bugs or skip key deadlines.
Of course, there are plenty of game developers out there who give us buggy games, but the quality of the company’s overall recent work is a big reason why bugs might not be so overlooked as they were in Fallout 3 and Skyrim.
With that said, do you think it’s time for Bethesda to fast-track its big franchise releases? Let us know in the comments below.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
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Scientists Confirm Four Different King Cobra Species After 188 Years of Mystery
Scientists Confirm Four Different King Cobra Species After 188 Years of Mystery
A study has confirmed that the iconic king cobra, previously thought to be a single species, is actually a group of four separate species. This revelation ends a mystery that has puzzled scientists for over 188 years. The new findings mark a significant advancement in the understanding of the world’s longest venomous snake. For nearly two centuries, the king cobra was believed to be one species: Ophiophagus hannah.
The new findings, published in the ********* Journal of Taxonomy on October 16, claims that scientists began questioning this assumption due to noticeable differences in the snake’s physical characteristics, including colour patterns, across various regions. In 2021, genetic research uncovered distinct genetic lineages among king cobra populations. The latest study, led by Gowri Shankar Pogiri, founder of the Kalinga Foundation and director of the Kalinga Centre for Rainforest Ecology, combined genetic findings with physical traits of museum specimens to identify the four species.
Four Newly Identified Species
The four newly recognised species include the Northern king cobra (O. hannah), the Sunda king cobra (Ophiophagus bungarus), the Western Ghats king cobra (Ophiophagus kaalinga), and the Luzon king cobra (Ophiophagus salvatana). The Northern king cobra is found across northern India, Myanmar, and Indochina, while the Sunda species is native to the Malay Peninsula and several islands. The Western Ghats king cobra is exclusive to the Western Ghats in India, and the Luzon king cobra is located in the northern Philippines.
Researchers also observed unique body patterns and characteristics between these species. For instance, the Sunda king cobra often lacks bands or has narrow pale bands with dark edges, whereas the Western Ghats king cobra features bands without dark borders. The Luzon king cobra is distinguishable by angular pale body bands.
Implications for Venom Research
The discovery of these four species has important implications for antivenom research. As all king cobra species are venomous, this could lead to more targeted development of antivenoms, tailored to the specific venom of each species in their respective regions. Scientists, including Pogiri, suggest that there may still be undiscovered species, particularly on isolated islands, and studies are ongoing.
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Intel Core Ultra 5 225H delivers 14% better single core and 16% improved iGPU performance than Meteor Lake per early benchmarks — the CPU still falls short of its Lunar Lake counterparts
Intel Core Ultra 5 225H delivers 14% better single core and 16% improved iGPU performance than Meteor Lake per early benchmarks — the CPU still falls short of its Lunar Lake counterparts
Intel’s upcoming Core Ultra 5 225H from the Arrow Lake-H mobile family has been tested at Geekbench (via Benchleaks), delivering moderate uplifts compared to its predecessor in the CPU and iGPU (OpenCL) departments. However, even this sizeable uplift is still insufficient to leapfrog Lunar Lake, which sits comfortably at the top of the table at much lower power limits.
The Core Ultra 5 225H is the successor to the Core Ultra 5 125H. It features 14 cores (four P + eight E + two LPE) and 14 threads alongside 18MB of L3 cache. The test bench is an upcoming notebook from Samsung—codenamed “NP965XHD”—offering 16GB of unspecified memory. Based on this test, the Core Ultra 5 225H clocked at a maximum of 4.9 GHz—roughly 9% faster than the Core Ultra 5 125H.
Starting with the CPU scores, the Core Ultra 5 225H amassed 2,547 points and 12,448 points in the single-core and multi-core tests, respectively. This lands it 14% faster in single-core performance than the 125H, though multi-core ******** a disappointment at just 8% faster; that may be attributed to the lack of hyperthreading. Lunar Lake still takes the lead in single-core while consuming less power. The gap was more prominent with the previously leaked Core Ultra 9 285H, so these results probably do not indicate the final silicon.
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Arrow Lake ships with Intel’s upgraded Xe-LPG+ architecture with the Core Ultra 5 225H sporting the Arc 130T iGPU with 7 Xe cores (112 Xe Vector Engines) clocked at 2.2 GHz. Oddly enough, 7 Xe-LPG+ cores outperform 7 Xe2 cores (Core Ultra 5 228V), at least in OpenCL, a synthetic test.
To explain this, Lunar Lake operates at a lower TDP (17W – 37W) than Arrow Lake-H (expected to be 28W – 115W). Secondly, Lunar Lake offers faster gaming performance in practice than what theoretical benchmarks suggest, owing to architectural refinements and better drivers. Nonetheless, Core Ultra 5 225H’s iGPU scores 16% better than its Meteor Lake equivalent. Real-world performance, however, will primarily be subject to driver support and game optimizations.
Intel will release the Core Ultra 200H/U/HX/non-K CPUs at CES 2025. Rumors allege that Battlemage will arrive ahead of RDNA 4 and Blackwell as early as next month.
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