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Teaching methods must change to address globally poor reading skills, experts say Teaching methods must change to address globally poor reading skills, experts say Performance on four reading subskill measures for the first three instructional years. Credit: Nature Human Behaviour (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41562-024-02028-x New research led by a team from Royal Holloway and the World Bank asserts that teaching methods should improve, after discovering that global literacy goals will not be met without major intervention. The study, which is published in Nature Human Behaviour, concluded that evidence-based reading instruction methods—such as systematic phonics—should be put into practice as soon as possible in low- and middle-income countries. Systematic phonics is explicit instruction about how the alphabet is used to represent spoken words, allowing children to take parts of words—such as “oy” in the word “boy” or “ay” in the word “play”—and apply them to unfamiliar words. The research could prove of huge significance in efforts to improve global literacy. The researchers examined reading skills in more than 500,000 pupils in 48 low- and middle-income countries, assessing the children on things like the names of letters and correct pronunciation of single words. Researchers found that basic reading skills are falling far below the minimum benchmarks, and that the performance gap widens across the first three years of learning to read, meaning children across the 48 countries are falling at the first hurdle when it comes to literacy. Global literacy goals that were set out in the ******* Nations Sustainable Development Goals in 2015, will not be achieved without major intervention, according to the conclusions of the research. The consensus among researchers is that the best method of developing literacy in children is to use high-quality, systematic phonics in the crucial early years of reading instruction. Systematic phonics has been used in England for around 15 years and has led to dramatic rises in basic reading skills. This is something that policy makers should introduce urgently in low- and middle-income countries, according to the researchers. The researchers underlined the importance of improving global literacy, as being able to read is seen as an important foundation of economic growth, and a key contributor to health, gender equality and political participation. The researchers stressed that wider investments into global education are less effective than they should be because children are not learning to read. Professor Kathy Rastle from the Department of Psychology said, “Our findings reveal a major ******** of public policy. Teaching children to read is the most important task for education systems worldwide, and yet, children in low- and middle-income countries are not even getting off the starting block. Systematic phonics provides the means to get these pupils onto a trajectory for successful reading.” Michael Crawford from the World Bank added, “We have over 30 years of research showing how to develop successful readers. Education decision makers should urgently put that evidence into action.” More information: Michael Crawford et al, Inadequate foundational decoding skills constrain global literacy goals for pupils in low- and middle-income countries, Nature Human Behaviour (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41562-024-02028-x Provided by Royal Holloway, University of London Citation: Teaching methods must change to address globally poor reading skills, experts say (2024, November 11) retrieved 11 November 2024 from This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only. Source link #Teaching #methods #change #address #globally #poor #reading #skills #experts Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Dublin City Council teams with Ookla to tackle telecoms deficits Dublin City Council teams with Ookla to tackle telecoms deficits Dublin City Council (DCC) has teamed up with connectivity intelligence firm Ookla and the City Telecoms Association to identify and tackle telecoms deficits in the Irish capital. The partnership is regarded by its members as a first-of-its-kind initiative, and aims to offer a practical blueprint for cities across Europe to drive digital inclusion and optimise network outcomes through actionable, data-driven insights. It’s looking to demonstrate how a data-driven approach can enhance connectivity outcomes in a tangible way, empowering cities to better serve citizens. In 2022, DCC established a Telecoms Unit to centralise and streamline functions related to telecoms and digital infrastructure in a dedicated unit in the city’s organisational structure. The unit is intended to serve as a one-stop shop for all telecoms-related activities in the city, offering a single point of contact for citizens, industry and public bodies to engage with. The data-driven strategy is also being used to bridge digital divides, with analysis of how socio-economic factors affect connectivity outcomes, especially in areas with high social deprivation. The collaboration saw Ookla collect Speedtest network data for 4G and 5G networks across the city over two 12-month periods (June 2022–June 2023 and June 2023–June 2024), with a sample size in the tens of millions. Geospatial analysis created a localised tile-based grid across the entire city to categorise mobile network performance at different times of the day. Performance was evaluated against two metrics: signal strength and download speed. Each location tile was categorised as unacceptable if it had less than 11 dBm signal strength and 5 Mbps download speed. Anything above 11 dBM and 5 Mbps was categorised as acceptable. Through Ookla’s data, DCC has gained insights into its telecom performance relative to other ********* cities, highlighting areas of competitive strength in 5G availability and identifying room for improvement in 4G speeds​. This is said to have created the “most comprehensive” analysis of mobile network performance ever conducted at the city level in Ireland. By using the Speedtest Insights platform, DCC was able to integrate other data sources, such as internal city asset registries, mobile site location maps from Ireland’s telecoms regulator, ComReg, and social deprivation data from Pobal. Ookla’s real-world data has enabled DCC to pinpoint key areas in Dublin with significant connectivity issues, influencing policy and planning to prioritise interventions where they are most needed. The council has now launched a public educational initiative on telecom infrastructure, including visualisations of before-and-after network improvements from new site deployments, to engage citizens and increase acceptance of new infrastructure. Commenting on the survey and the results, DCC smart city manager Jamie Cudden said: “To close this information gap, the City Council needed a bold new approach using best-in-class data from Ookla to support our telecoms strategy. By applying our own custom methodology, we were able, for the first time … to understand network performance in Dublin across different times of day, device types, and both indoor and outdoor settings – making this the most advanced city-led study of its kind in Europe to date.” Source link #Dublin #City #Council #teams #Ookla #tackle #telecoms #deficits Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

3 Fast-Growing Stocks Analysts See Doubling in Price 3 Fast-Growing Stocks Analysts See Doubling in Price Several healthcare stocks have consensus price targets suggesting that their shares may more than double in the coming quarters. Immunocore, GH Research, and Intellia may see major stock rallies upon the release of a significant new ***** treatment, or when encouraging clinical trial results become publicly available. However, companies in the clinical-stage biotech space are often risky investments, as there is no guarantee drugs in the pipeline will necessarily make it to market. Comparing and selecting stocks for investment may involve any number of increasingly complex strategies and approaches, but sometimes simpler is better: targeting a stock with significant upside potential at an opportune moment. Certainly, achieving this goal is easier said than done, and there is no guarantee that a company expected to make sizable gains will follow through on that promise. However, looking to Wall Street analyst ratings and predictions can be a helpful place to start. In a screen of stocks which analysts believe will at least double in value based on consensus price targets, a number of healthcare names in particular emerge. The portion of the healthcare sector made up of companies testing, developing, and marketing new ***** treatments is known for high-flying stock rallies. When one of these firms makes a breakthrough therapeutic discovery, reports strong clinical trial data, or successfully launches a game-changing medicine, shares often skyrocket. On the other hand, these investments are often considered to be extremely high-risk, as the ******** of a product may even lead to the company’s demise. Three smaller healthcare companies that analysts expect to more than double in share price include Immunocore Holdings (NASDAQ:), GH Research (NASDAQ:), and Intellia Therapeutics (NASDAQ:). 1. Immunocore: Strong Oncology Product Pipeline Immunocore is a biotech firm that develops treatments for types of *******, autoimmune *********, and other conditions. One of the company’s latest and strongest products is KIMMTRAK, a therapeutic used in the treatment of metastatic uveal melanoma. This ***** has also shown promise in clinical trials for the treatment of certain other types of melanoma. This has led to KIMMTRAK revenues of more than $80 million in the latest quarter, 28% higher than one year earlier. Analysts expect KIMMTRAK to reach the broader market by 2027. Crucially, Immunocore also has a broad pipeline of other treatments at various stages of development and testing, including trials for brenetafusp, a potential treatment for other types of cancers. Overall, analysts believe Immunocore’s price target is $73.73, about 115% above current levels. However, there is not uniform consensus on this stock’s suitability for investors—analysts at UBS initiated coverage with a “sell” rating in late October based on an expectation of increased competition to come. 2. GH Research: Potential for Growth in Major Therapeutics Market GH Research is an Irish pharmaceutical company working to develop potential treatments for various types of depression as well as psychiatric or neurological disorders. Nearly 30% of adults have been diagnosed with depression at some point in their lives, meaning that the market opportunity for therapeutics for the treatment of depression is enormous. GH’s leading candidates, known as GH001 and GH002, are undergoing phase 2b trials, and analysts are optimistic about the potential for each of these drugs based on prior results. Further, the company appointed in September a new CEO known for his specialization in this field, which has helped to boost analyst confidence. All told, analysts believe GH’s shares could more than quadruple in price to $36.67. It’s important to note, though, that this is based on just three ratings. 3. Intellia: Promising Gene Editing Technology Intellia is a genome editing company that uses engineered cell therapies, among other things, to develop treatments for cancers and autoimmune *********. The company recently reported strong trial enrollment and demand for its multiple leading therapeutic candidates. While it may be some time until the firm has late-stage trial results, with close to $1 billion in cash reserves it should have sufficient money to sustain its operations for about two more years. Losses per share beat analyst estimates for the most recent quarter and improved by about 4% year-over-year, while total revenue also topped predictions despite falling nearly a quarter in the same *******. During this quarter, the company also made significant progress toward approval of its in vivo gene editing technology nex-z. Analysts believe shares of NTLA could rise by more than 250%, based on a consensus price target of $58.13. Making a Bold Bet Each of these three firms is preparing potentially transformative therapeutic products or technology for market launch. While there are signals that progress is being made, it is no guarantee that these developments will come to fruition, or that they will yield significant financial benefits. Thus, it’s important for investors to consider the risks of these and similar stocks before getting caught up in the excitement of massive upside potential. Original Post Source link #FastGrowing #Stocks #Analysts #Doubling #Price Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Post Office scandal drama ‘brought urgency’, says Badenoch Post Office scandal drama ‘brought urgency’, says Badenoch The airing of the TV drama into the Post Office scandal “brought the urgency” to speed up compensation pay outs for sub-postmasters, ************* leader Kemi Badenoch has said. The government needed to be “seen to be doing the right thing”, said Badenoch, who was business secretary at the time. She accepted at the inquiry into scandal that it was “extremely disappointing” that it took the ITV drama to escalate the issue. But she said her row with the Treasury over the time it was taking to issue compensation last August was not just a case of her “posturing”. Between 1999 and 2015, hundreds of sub-postmasters and postmistresses were wrongly prosecuted after a faulty computer system called Horizon made it look like money was missing from their branches. Monday marked the start of the final week of evidence at the inquiry into the scandal, more than two and a half years since it started hearing evidence in public. Badenoch said the four-part ITV drama, which went out in January, raised awareness of the issue, turning compensation from “a value for money perception to a public perception question”. She insisted work was being done on the issue by the previous government, but admitted it was “too slow”. The inquiry heard how Badenoch told the Treasury she wanted to give £100,000 “flat offers” to all sub-postmasters with a claim, with the inquiry to the counsel Jason ***** KC describing her mention of “ministerial direction” as a threat. He said this could be seen as “soft power” or “posturing”. But Badenoch denied the claim, saying: “It was signalling the direction I wanted the department to take to make it very clear.” She said she believed speed should triumph over accuracy, and admitted that this might not have represented value for money from a taxpayer point of view. Mr Bates vs The Post Office received thrust the inquiry back into the spotlight after it aired. Earlier on Monday, Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said ownership of the Post Office should be handed over to its thousands of sub-postmasters across the ***. “Nothing should be off the table for the future of the Post Office,” he said, adding that the organisation’s future will be set out in the first half of next year. He said Post Office’s corporate culture was “at the root of this scandal” and that some sub-postmasters had “lost all ****** in the justice system” because of it. Source link #Post #Office #scandal #drama #brought #urgency #Badenoch Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Genshin Impact Update 5.2 Releases November 20 Genshin Impact Update 5.2 Releases November 20 Genshin Impact’s update version 5.2, dubbed “Tapestry of Spirit and Flame,” will be released on November 20. Genshin Impact’s update 5.2 introduces two new Natlan tribes, the Flower-Feather Clan and Masters of the Night-Wind. The elite warriors of this tribe are Chasca and Ororon, and they can be transformed into Saurian companions for players to move and ****** mid-air. At the same time, you get to explore the ancient, ruined city of Ochkanatlan while investigating a mysterious incident in the region as a part of the leading seasonal event of the update. Take to the Skies in Genshin Impact Update 5.2 Two new species of Saurians will arrive with this update, Qucusaurs and Iktomisaurs. The Qucusaurs are known to be the best rides in the Flower-Feather Clan. They have an accelerated guiding mode that allows you to cover a lot of distance. You can also use Phlogiston to gain altitude or perform horizontal rolls in mid-flight. Iktomisaurs, on the other hand, are known for reaching vertical heights rather than travelling horizontally. At the same time, they have a unique ability to see, which helps them discover hidden objects. The Iktomisaurs are known as the guides of the Master of the Night Wind. They can also draw energy from Phlogiston-infused objects or craft special items from graffiti patterns. New Characters in Genshin Impact Update 5.2 Genshin Impact introduces Chasca and Ororon in update 5.2. Chasca is known as the great warrior and peacemaker in the Flower-Feather clan and is a 5-star Anemo bow wielder. The characters use a Soulsniper as their firearm and can float in the air while ******* different elemental bullets at enemies. Chasca can also use homing bullets for a lethal strike and restore Phlogiston by eliminating enemies. Ororon, on the other hand, is the four-star Electro bow wielder from Masters of the Night Wind. Brought up by Iktomisaurs, this character also can rise in the air and have a keen sense of perception. Ororon can also enter Spiritspeaker state while charging an aimed shot, which allows the character to extract power from the graffiti and runes in Natlan. Lastly, having him on your team increases your gliding speed, too. Other Features and Content Genshin Impact’s update 5.2 will continue the story with Archon Quest Chapter V: Interlude, “All Fires Fuel the Flame, with Captain and Kansan assisting the tribe to recover from the damage caused by the Abyss. New threats and a boss called “Tenebrous Papilla” can be found in Natlan, and this monster has been powered by absorbing memories from the corrupted Ley Lines. The developers have added the Imaginarium Theater, Serenitea ****, Artifacts, and other key gadgets with this update. Check out the blog post for complete details. In other news, Apex Legends might be receiving a monthly subscription service. Also, the Pokemon TCG Pocket ***** has revealed a new booster pack, an expansion, and more. What are your thoughts on Genshin Impact update 5.2? Let us know in the comments or our new community forum! For more from Insider Gaming, read about FromSoftware’s parent company confirming 20 console games. Don’t forget to sign up for our weekly newsletter. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive the latest news and exclusive leaks every week! No Spam. Source link #Genshin #Impact #Update #Releases #November Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘Perception of people with disabilities is antiquated” ‘Perception of people with disabilities is antiquated” BBC Chris McCausland (right) is Strictly’s first ****** contestant Strictly Come Dancing contestant Chris McCausland has told the BBC that people’s views of disabilities are “antiquated”. Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, he said his participation on the show is “extreme” but hopes it will “go some way in stretching people’s ideas of what is possible for a person with disabilities”. He added: “I think there are low expectations of people with disabilities – sometimes you’ll come down a set of steps into a taxi and people say ‘wow, how did you do that?'” During McCausland’s dance on Saturday, he placed his hands over partner Dianne Buswell’s eyes as the room faded to ******. The lights came back up moments later to show him spinning Buswell around on his shoulders. The judges praised McCausland for his “poignant” dance that reflected the experience of blindness. “I pitched this idea to Dianne to have a moment of darkness instead of something that was a gimmick,” McCausland said. “I actually wanted to put the audience in the dark so it was a complete surprise for them to see me spinning Dianne when the lights came on.” McCausland’s dance follows a performance in 2021 from actor Rose Ayling-Ellis who is deaf and paid tribute to the deaf community by dancing for a short while with her partner Giovanni Pernice in complete silence. It won the former EastEnders star a Bafta for the best must-see TV moment. Getty Images McCausland – who is the BBC programme’s first ****** contestant – added that he is surprising himself every week with what is possible. “I said no to Strictly a few times because it was completely unknown in terms of standard and what the dances were because I couldn’t even go and watch it.” While he may appear calm and confident during the dance performances, McCausland said he was “good at masking *****” because it is actually “terrifying to do this on live TV with no previous experience”. ‘Defying expectations’ McCausland was registered ****** after losing his sight to retinitis pigmentosa in his 20s and 30s. Earlier this week, students at the Royal National College for the ******, in Hereford, where McCausland studied, told the BBC he was defying expectations. One student said: “Some people think that people that have visual impairments can’t really do anything or can’t do much with their life beside piano tuning. “He’s doing so well now, it’s quite surreal but it’s really good, especially for those who don’t know anything about the eye,” they added. Another student said it would be “really cool if someone who is visually impaired like us” won the competition. Source link #Perception #people #disabilities #antiquated Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

What is Ransack in ****** Ops 6? New game mode explained What is Ransack in ****** Ops 6? New game mode explained ****** Ops 6 Season 1 introduces players to a brand-new 6v6 game mode known as Ransack. It’s an objective-based mode with a unique goal that sees players collecting and protecting loot, and it can be played on every 6v6 map in the game, including the new ones arriving with the first season. If you’re interested in the full details about Ransack in ****** Ops 6, here’s how the mode works. How does Ransack work in ****** Ops 6? Ransack sees two teams of 6 fighting to collect gold bars from crates dotted around the map. Once players have the gold bars, they must transport them back to their team’s stash, which must be protected at all costs. According to the CoD blog, the ****** team can find and raid your stash, so you’ll need to make sure it’s well-guarded. The team that reaches the score limit or has the most gold bars when the time limit has been reached will win the match. Credit to Activision. It’s important to maintain a balance of ******* and defense, as you don’t want to fully focus on one or the other. So, Perks and Scorestreaks that aid your speed and knowledge of the ****** team’s location will be essential, as they’ll allow you to move quickly in either ******* or defense and see if the enemies are trying to raid your stash. How to play Ransack in ****** Ops 6 Ransack will be available to play just like any other game mode in ****** Ops 6 Multiplayer, and it’s not a limited-time mode. You will be able to select it when you filter the game modes you wish to play when finding a match. When Season 1 drops, it’s also likely that the new mode will have its own playlist too so you can easily find and play it. This is a completely new game mode for Call of Duty, making its debut in ****** Ops 6 Season 1. It seems like a mix between Capture the Flag and Grind, where you had to collect tags and bank them before dropping them upon ******. The new Ransack mode arrives alongside Prophunt and limited-time modes in Season 1. Players are also getting some new maps to sink their teeth into, as well as a huge update for Warzone. If you’re interested in more guides on ****** Ops 6, sign up for the Insider Gaming newsletter for the latest, or check out how to see your stats for Multiplayer. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive the latest news and exclusive leaks every week! No Spam. Source link #Ransack #****** #Ops #game #mode #explained Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Expand your gaming handheld storage to 2TB with Crucial’s tiny M.2-2230 P310 SSD – now at its lowest-ever price Expand your gaming handheld storage to 2TB with Crucial’s tiny M.2-2230 P310 SSD – now at its lowest-ever price If you’re looking to upgrade the storage in your gaming handheld, this small 2230 form-factor SSD from Crucial is now at its lowest-ever price. As one of the best SSDs for the Steam Deck and other Windows gaming handhelds, this small form factor SSD comes in the 2230 size for plugging into the M.2 port of your favorite device. With a large 2TB of capacity, the Crucial P310 can generously expand the extent of your games library, with room for even the biggest games. No need for an internet connection to download games whilst you’re traveling. If you like the look of today’s deal and fancy getting your hands on one of these little drives, then head to Amazon, where you can pick up the Crucial P310 (2TB) for just $159 – its lowest-ever price on Amazon. If you’d like more detailed information on this Gen 4 SSD, then take a look at our review of Crucial’s P310 M.2 2230 SSD, and check out the performance benchmarks for why we rate this SSD as one of the best SSDs for a gaming handheld, thanks to its size and speed. With the price drop, this drive becomes a very attractive offer. This version of the P310 from Crucial is the small form-factor 2230-sized SSD, perfect for popping into the tiny space available in gaming handhelds or smaller laptops. The Crucial P310 on offer here has a large 2TB of capacity and uses Micron’s 232-Layer QLC NAND flash memory. The controller used is the Phison E27T, which helps to get the P310 to run with sequential read/write speeds of 7,100/6,000 MB/s. There are ***** and ***** to this SSD, with the use of QLC instead of TLC being one of the caveats. QLC is cheaper than TLC, and the DRAM-less drive means a lower endurance TBW, but the performance of the QLC used in this drive was good, and if you’re using it for a gaming handheld, the TBW shouldn’t be an issue. Source link #Expand #gaming #handheld #storage #2TB #Crucials #tiny #M.22230 #P310 #SSD #lowestever #price Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

3 Reasons Why the Stock Market Rally Has Plenty of Fuel Left in the Tank 3 Reasons Why the Stock Market Rally Has Plenty of Fuel Left in the Tank Key market indicators signal sustained growth as investor optimism stays high. Tech stocks, led by giants like Nvidia, continue to power the market’s rally. Strong consumer confidence and bullish sentiment point to more gains ahead. Get ready for massive savings on InvestingPro this ****** Friday! Access premium market data and supercharge your research at a discount. Don’t miss out – click here to save 55%! As the stock market powers through new highs, fueled by investor optimism and resilient fundamentals, three compelling indicators suggest this bull run isn’t slowing down anytime soon. Brokers offering extended hours saw a significant spike in volume last week post-elections, with Robinhood (NASDAQ:) reporting its largest overnight session since launching 24-hour trading last year, with volume soaring 11 times its typical overnight activity. Similarly, Interactive Brokers (NASDAQ:) set its own records, executing 349,910 trades, including 188,168 in U.S. equities and 161,742 in derivatives. Following a record-breaking day with over $160 billion in options traded, confidence is strong across sectors, and a potent mix of favorable seasonal trends, election outcomes, and fresh market leadership supports continued gains. While many factors drive the market’s momentum, there are three key reasons why this rally still has plenty of room to run. 1. Indexes’ Strong Performance Following Elections History shows that markets tend to gain following a presidential election, and this year is no exception. The , , , and have all experienced solid post-election surge. On average, the Dow Jones has climbed 2.38%, the S&P 500 2.03%, the Nasdaq 1.50%, and the Russell 2000 has surged by 4.93%. Additionally, when the S&P 500 gained over 17.5% by November, it finished the year strong—rising in 12 out of 14 instances for November and December. Based on history, strong performances following elections back this outlook, with stocks rising nine times out of ten a year after an election, averaging a 15.2% gain. 2. Tech Stocks Set to Power the Dow The tech sector continues to dominate, and recent changes to the Dow Jones only emphasize its growing weight. Nvidia’s (NASDAQ:) entry into the Dow, replacing Intel NASDAQ:), marks a significant shift. With a tech-heavy index now led by giants like Nvidia, Apple (NASDAQ:), and Microsoft (NASDAQ:), investors are ******** on continued strength in the sector, which has historically been a key driver of market gains. Nvidia, in particular, has had a stellar year and is expected to post strong results, further fueling investor optimism. 3. Consumer Confidence ******** Strong and Investor Sentiment ******** Bullish The market’s resilience is supported by a surge in consumer confidence, with sentiment at an all-time high. The latest survey revealed that confidence in stock prices rising through 2025 is stronger than ever, and traders have built the largest long position in U.S. stock futures in history. This optimistic outlook signals that investors are not just buying into the current momentum—they’re ******** on sustained growth well into the future. In terms of investor sentiment, the latest ********* Association of Individual Investors (AAII) survey shows an uptick in bullish sentiment, rising by 2.1 percentage points to 41.5%, well above the historical average of 37.5%. Meanwhile, bearish sentiment dropped by 3.3 percentage points to 27.6%, remaining below the long-term average of 31%. This reflects an overall positive outlook, with investors feeling confident about the direction of the market heading into the final stretch of the year. With these three factors in play—investor confidence, historical trends, and the tech sector’s dominance—the stock market’s bull run shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. Claim 55% off on the ****** Friday ***** today! Click on the banner below. *** Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It is not intended as a solicitation, offer, advice, or recommendation to purchase any asset. All investments should be evaluated from multiple perspectives, and it is important to remember that any investment decision and the associated risks are the sole responsibility of the investor. Additionally, no investment advisory services are provided. Source link #Reasons #Stock #Market #Rally #Plenty #Fuel #Left #Tank Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

REVIEW: Gladiator II is a $470 million epic spectacle, but does it live up to the original? Maybe not REVIEW: Gladiator II is a $470 million epic spectacle, but does it live up to the original? Maybe not Are you not entertained? Well might one ask after watching Ridley Scott’s $470 million Gladiator II, but this sword-and-sandal epic ultimately falls short of the original. Source link #REVIEW #Gladiator #million #epic #spectacle #live #original Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Call of Duty: ****** Ops 6 Does Its Duty to Fans, But It Feels Like Playing the Same Old War Call of Duty: ****** Ops 6 Does Its Duty to Fans, But It Feels Like Playing the Same Old War NoobFeed editor Ahnaf Tajwar writes – If you’re into classic COD mechanics with some fresh twists, Call of Duty: ****** Ops 6 is worth a shot. The new omnidirectional movement, return of round-based Zombies, and rewarding progression make this one of the more exciting COD entries. Source link #Call #Duty #****** #Ops #Duty #Fans #Feels #Playing #War Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Metaplane app adds data observability for Snowflake users Metaplane app adds data observability for Snowflake users Metaplane on Monday unveiled the public preview of a native application for Snowflake, an integration designed to enable ****** users to monitor and secure their data within Snowflake’s data cloud to ensure data quality. Based in Boston, Metaplane is a data observability specialist whose platform enables customers to track their data throughout its lifecycle to make sure it is accurate and trustworthy when used to inform data and AI products such as reports, dashboards, models and applications. To date, the 2019 startup has raised $22.2 million in venture capital funding through its Series A round plus an undisclosed amount directly from Snowflake Ventures, the investment subsidiary of data platform vendor Snowflake, in May. The investment was made to provide Snowflake customers with data observability capabilities from Metaplane as they operationalize data to feed the tools used to make decisions and take actions, according to Snowflake. Data quality, meanwhile, has perhaps never been more important. With enterprise interest in AI surging and the volume of data needed to train AI models and applications far greater than even teams of humans can oversee, organizations need automated tools such as data observability platforms to ensure accuracy. Without accurate data, models and applications will deliver incorrect outputs that, if used to make decisions, can lead to significant problems. As a result, data observability tools such as Metaplane’s native application for Snowflake are important resources for enterprises as they build analytics and AI tools, according to Stephen Catanzano, an analyst at TechTarget’s Enterprise Strategy Group. “Data observability is crucial because it ensures that data teams have full visibility into the health and performance of their data pipelines,” he said. “This helps in identifying and resolving data issues proactively, ensuring the reliability, quality, and trustworthiness of data for business operations and AI/ML projects.” In addition to Metaplane, data observability specialists include Acceldata, Monte Carlo and Soda Data. New capabilities Data observability is a growing need. In recent years, data volume has grown exponentially. Organizations ingest data from an increasing number of sources, and the amount of data those sources produce is on the rise. In addition, data is becoming more complex, with unstructured data such as text, images, videos and audio files estimated to account for more than 80% of all new data. The increases in volume and complexity, with nearly half of all organizations now managing at least 500 petabytes of data, make it impossible for data teams to manually observe data for quality. In response, data observability vendors emerged, providing platforms that automate monitoring data for quality by looking at its accuracy, freshness, schema and lineage, among other characteristics. Now, surging enterprise interest in developing AI tools, including generative AI, is compounding the need for data observability. Even when the data used to train AI models and applications is high-quality, AI tools are prone to hallucinations, which are incorrect, misleading and sometimes even offensive outputs. Add in poor data, and the probability of a model or application delivering an incorrect output increases. Models and applications are only as good as the underlying data used to train them. Given the convergence of rising interest in AI and the need for high-quality data to inform AI tools, the current state of data management presents an opportunity for data observability vendors, according to Catanzano. “Market conditions, including the surge in data volumes and the growing interest in AI, have made data observability more vital,” he said. “The sheer complexity and scale of modern data ecosystems combined with the demand for trusted data for AI and ML mean that observability tools are essential for maintaining data quality and preventing costly errors or failures.” Kevin Hu, Metaplane’s co-founder and CEO, similarly said that enterprise interest in developing generative AI tools potentially provides growth opportunities for data observability vendors. However, he noted that only a small ********* of technology-forward enterprises have actually put generative AI tools into production and presented data observability vendors with growth potential. “When they have a GenAI use case, that’s amazing,” Hu said. “Selfishly, it’s great for us, and we’re one of the boats on the rising tide. But for the majority of data teams, they are still building up the maturity curve.” While current conditions present at least some growth opportunities for data observability vendors, their platforms serve a real need for enterprises. As a result, Metaplane’s native application for Snowflake stands to benefit Snowflake customers seeking to either start developing AI tools or improve their existing development process, according to Catanzano. Unlike traditional integrations that serve as conduits between data systems and improve movement between them, Metaplane’s native application for Snowflake eliminates any need to move data out of Snowflake and into Metaplane, which can be costly and risk data to exposure, to observe its quality. Instead, the application, which is available through the Snowflake Marketplace, enables ****** customers to observe their data where it resides. During public preview, the application is free. Once made generally available, users will have to pay for the application. However, Metaplane has not yet determined a pricing structure, according to Hu. “The addition of a native app for Snowflake is significant as it integrates data observability directly into the Snowflake environment,” Catanzano said. “This allows ****** customers to leverage Snowflake’s robust security and governance features seamlessly while ensuring data quality and performance. It provides a streamlined approach for data teams to monitor and secure their data.” According to the vendor, benefits of using Metaplane’s native application for Snowflake include the following: Automated observability from data ingestion through analysis powered by machine learning that frees data teams to focus on other initiatives rather than checking on data as it moves through pipelines. Visibility into the health of data throughout its lifecycle, including receiving alerts when there are problems, to ensure that data is reliable for AI and machine learning initiatives as well core business operations. Security and compliance given that Metaplane’s tools observe data within the Snowflake environment rather than requiring data to be exported, which is particularly beneficial to enterprises in highly regulated industries that need to meet compliance standards. Currently, Metaplane does not plan to develop similar native applications for other data platforms such as Databricks, AWS, Google Cloud and Microsoft Azure, according to Hu. With Snowflake an investor in Metaplane, the two share a close relationship as well as numerous ****** customers. But beyond that, Snowflake’s Snowpark Container Services, which allows users to run containerized applications within Snowflake’s infrastructure, makes it conducive to a native application. “As far as I know, there’s no equivalent in other platforms,” Hu said. “There are a lot of [data governance features] Snowflake has been building out, and they continue to build out more and more. AWS was the original hyperscaler, and they support all the functionality [needed to run a native application], but not in such a containerized way.” Regarding the impetus for developing a native application for Snowflake, Hu said the idea originated with Metaplane. But once customers were informed about the possibility, they were enthusiastic. In addition, the native application could serve to attract new customers, he continued. Next steps With the application for Snowflake now in public preview, a major focus for Metaplane will be improving the application’s performance to prepare it for general availability, according to Hu. Beyond the native application, one focal point of the vendor’s product development plans is adding integrations with more databases and other data sources, he said. Market conditions, including the surge in data volumes and the growing interest in AI, have made data observability more vital. The sheer complexity and scale of modern data ecosystems combined with the demand for trusted data for AI and ML mean that observability tools are essential for maintaining data quality. Stephen CatanzanoAnalyst, Enterprise Strategy Group A second focal point is to extend data quality beyond data teams to better enable other personas within organizations to understand the quality of their data so they can trust it to inform decisions. “If I had a critique of our category — data observability — and ourselves included, it’s that we talk a lot about data observability for data teams, and that’s important,” Hu said. “But it doesn’t matter if the data teams trust the data and the business does not. We have to do a better job of making sure that [others within organizations] can monitor what matters to them and understand the state of data.” Catanzano, meanwhile, suggested that Metaplane’s plan to add more integrations is sound. In addition, he said the vendor would be wise to develop native applications for vendors beyond just Snowflake. “As Metaplane continues to grow, expanding its integrations and features to cover more diverse data environments beyond Snowflake would be valuable,” Catanzano said. In addition, adding predictive analytics capabilities would benefit customers, he continued. “More advanced machine learning algorithms for proactive issue detection could further empower data teams to anticipate and prevent issues before they impact business operations,” Catanzano said. Eric Avidon is a senior news writer for TechTarget Editorial and a journalist with more than 25 years of experience. He covers analytics and data management. Source link #Metaplane #app #adds #data #observability #Snowflake #users Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Storm-weary Philippines forcibly evacuates thousands as another typhoon hits Storm-weary Philippines forcibly evacuates thousands as another typhoon hits A new typhoon has made landfall in the northeastern Philippines, which has been battered by earlier storms. Typhoon Toraji entered the mountainous Luzon region Monday with sustained winds of 81 mph and is expected to weaken before blowing out to sea. Evacuations were still taking place in the late morning in areas not yet feeling the worst of the typhoon. Source link #Stormweary #Philippines #forcibly #evacuates #thousands #typhoon #hits Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

New tech powers a big audio upgrade New tech powers a big audio upgrade 2024 has been a rough year for Sonos. The company’s would-be triumphant entry into the crowded headphones market was overshadowed by a disastrous app redesign. In the fallout of the botched software update, the company decided to delay products that were ready to be shipped to give itself more time to right the course. Consumer trust eroded, and people who already owned Sonos gear were living in a cycle of constant frustration. Thanks to a number of rumors, we already knew that one of the pending product releases was the Arc Ultra ($999). A few weeks ago the company decided not to wait any longer to reveal it. While the design is mostly unchanged from the Arc that debuted in 2020, there are several key changes on the inside that make this a better all-in-one solution for people who don’t want to add more speakers to their living room setup. Sonos is promising better bass performance thanks to new speaker tech that’s debuting in the Arc Ultra, but just how good can it be? Sonos/Engadget Sonos’ latest premium soundbar relies on new technology to improve audio quality and the upgrade delivers more than just a bass boost. ***** Improved bass performance Crisp, clear and immersive sound Expanded Speech Enhancement Compatible with Ace headphones ***** Still just a single HDMI port Expansion ******** pricey Large footprint $999 at Sonos Design The refined design of the original Arc was a massive upgrade from that of the Playbar, and showed a progression from Sonos’ compact Beam soundbar. Honestly, the aesthetic is pretty timeless, in my opinion, and it’s a look that should age well for years to come. That said, it makes sense that Sonos would keep the design for the Arc Ultra, only making some minor changes to the exterior. The Arc Ultra still comes in both ****** and white options, allowing you to choose what looks best in your living room or home theater. Sonos updated the controls to mirror what’s available on the newer Era 100 and Era 300 speakers, moving them to a top-facing bar at the back. There’s a volume slider on the right with play/pause and skip controls in the center. On the left side, Sonos gives you a microphone control so you can mute the built-in mics as needed. And that’s really it in terms of design changes that you can see. The Arc Ultra is slightly shorter height-wise than the Arc, and it’s a little wider than its predecessor. Neither of which make a huge difference, and they won’t drastically change how you position the speaker beneath your TV. Sonos’ new sound motion woofer is situated on the right side of the soundbar (Sonos) Inside, Sonos has re-engineered the Arc Ultra to improve audio performance. The biggest piece of this overhaul is the new Sound Motion woofer that enables better bass performance before you add a standalone wireless sub. The achievement here, thanks to the acquisition of audio company Mayht, is that the new component lays flat, taking up less room than a traditional cone-shaped woofer. The Sound Motion driver also helps deliver increased clarity and depth, on top of doubling the bass output of the original Arc. Sonos redesigned the entire acoustic architecture of the Arc Ultra during the process of adding the Sound Motion woofer. The soundbar now houses three more drivers than the arc, a list that includes seven tweeters (two of which are upfiring), six mid-range drivers (midwoofers, as Sonos calls them) and the aforementioned woofer for a total of 14. The company also employs 15 Class-D digital amplifiers along with far-field mics for tuning and voice control. There’s still only a single HDMI (eARC) port, which allows most modern TVs the ability to control the soundbar’s volume and mute options from your TV remote. Moreover, the Arc Ultra is compatible with Wi-Fi 6 and newly-added Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity allows you to stream from any device. And of course, AirPlay 2 is still on the spec sheet. One last thing I’ll mention here is that the Arc Ultra doesn’t ship with an optical adapter if you prefer that connection. The company will sell you one for $25. Software and features Since the Arc Ultra is a Sonos product, there are a lot of core features that are the same as they are on the company’s other devices. You can use the soundbar as part of a multiroom setup and Trueplay tuning is here to adjust the audio to the acoustics of the room. There’s still an adjustable EQ with options for bass, treble and loudness and a Night Sound mode makes things less boomy when someone in your house may be trying to work or sleep. While Trueplay will give you the best sound customization for the sonic characteristics of your living room, Sonos is enabling a Quick Tune feature for the first time on the Arc Ultra. Here, the soundbar will use its internal mics, as opposed to your phone, to offer a certain degree of improvement. The company says it wanted to give people the option of something quicker than Trueplay, although the full-fledged tuning process doesn’t take very long at all. Speech Enhancement has been a handy feature on Sonos soundbars for a while, giving you the ability to improve dialog clarity as needed. Before now, it was an all-or-nothing feature, but on the Arc Ultra, the company introduced three levels of speech boost to give you more options to better suit your needs. This means the soundbar can help you hear clearly over background noise or simply follow along better by elevating dialog above the rest of the soundtrack mix. Sonos moved the controls to a bar along the back (Billy Steele for Engadget) The trademark feature of Sonos’ Ace headphones is the ability to beam the audio from a compatible soundbar to the cans for a private home theater. That TV Audio Swap tool is available on the Arc Ultra, so you can instantly send the sound to the headphones with the press of a button. In fact, Sonos bundles the Arc Ultra and Ace headphones in a $1,373 set. What’s more, the Ace supports spatial audio with dynamic head tracking, so you can count on immersive sound even when you’re employing it on an individual basis. Despite all of the problems that Sonos has had with its app, some of which it’s still working to resolve, I didn’t encounter any issues during my testing. The software crashed on me once when the Trueplay tuning process completed, but everything had already run its course and I didn’t have to repeat it. Other than that, the app has worked reliably over the last week while I’ve been putting the Arc Ultra through its paces. Most importantly, the software is stable and the full suite of controls for the new soundbar is available at launch. Sound performance The original Arc already sounded great, so Sonos really had its work cut out for it to further improve the audio quality for the Arc Ultra. Thanks to the improved bass of the Sound Motion tech, a change that also takes up less space, the company says it had the ability to then overhaul the mid-range and high-frequency components as well. By using multiple sizes of mid-range drivers and tweeters, Sonos was able to tweak the speaker positioning inside of the soundbar for improved projection and more immersive sound. In addition to the enhanced bass performance, the second thing that was immediately apparent on the Arc Ultra was those improvements to the dimensional sound. Whether it was a quidditch match in a Harry Potter movie or zooming F1 cars in Drive to Survive, the soundbar now has better directional, immersive sound than its predecessor. Sonos says the Arc Ultra now renders Dolby Atmos content in a 9.1.4-channel setup, versus 5.0.2 with the Arc, which further contributes to the enveloping audio. Interestingly, I haven’t seen any of the competition claim four up-******* channels from the soundbar like Sonos does here (those that do are usually accounting for up-******* drivers in the rear speakers). You can really hear the difference from the second you ***** up the Arc Ultra, and the effect is consistent across content sources. There’s still just one HDMI port, but Bluetooth connectivity is now included (Billy Steele for Engadget) The increased bass performance makes the Arc Ultra a much better speaker for music without a separate subwoofer. You won’t get the bombastic low-end tone the newly updated Sonos Sub 4 can produce, but there’s enough from the soundbar to give Kaytranada’s Timeless, Phantogram’s Memory of a Day and Bilmuri’s ********* Motor Sports plenty of booming backbone when a track demands it. There’s also still the trademark Sonos clarity I’ve come to expect over the years, which means finer details like the texture of synths, layered guitars and the nuance of acoustic instruments cut through the mix cleanly. And speaking of clarity, the company’s new Speech Enhancement settings are also a big improvement. Being able to select how much of a boost this feature offered depending on either my needs right then or based on the overall tuning of the content is really nice. It allowed me to max out the dialog when watching movies after my toddler was asleep so that speech didn’t suffer when sound effects were louder during intense scenes of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. The competition There’s no doubt the Arc Ultra packs in deeper, more immersive sound than its predecessor, but some people will still want a more robust setup to wring every ounce of audio out of a Sonos living room setup. The high-end choice for this is what Sonos calls the Ultimate Immersive Set, which includes the Arc Ultra, two Era 300s and the Sub 4. Right now, that will cost you $2,561. For something less expensive, you can get the Arc Ultra and the new Sub 4 (normally $799) for $1,708 (Premium Entertainment Set). And therein ***** the biggest problem with Sonos soundbars: expanding your living room setup to get the most immersive experience gets very pricey very quickly when the centerpiece is already $999. If you can live without all the conveniences of Sonos products, you can get an all-in-one package from Samsung for $1,500. With the Q990D, you’ll get the soundbar, two rear speakers and a wireless subwoofer in the same box. The setup offers 11.1.4 audio for excellent Atmos sound, thanks in part to up-******* drivers in the rear speakers. Samsung offers a host of handy features, from Q-Symphony audio with TV speakers, SpaceFit Sound Pro room calibration, Adaptive Sound audio enhancement, a dedicated gaming mode and more. The Q990D ******** my top pick for the best soundbars for a lot of reasons, a key one being everything you could need comes in one all-inclusive package. Wrap-up The Arc Ultra is an obvious improvement over the Arc in the sonic department. New technology delivers on its promise to boost bass, clarity and immersive before you start adding extra components. Expanded features like Speech Enhancements and a quick-tune option offer new tools for dialing in the sound, while the stock Sonos experience ******** intact. And thankfully, that includes an app that’s more stable than it was a few months ago. The Arc Ultra is still pricey at $999, but it exhibits a lot more sonic prowess than its predecessor for only $100 more. Source link #tech #powers #big #audio #upgrade Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

OnePlus Ace 5 Series Tipped to Get Metal Middle Frame, Ceramic Body, 24GB RAM, More OnePlus Ace 5 Series Tipped to Get Metal Middle Frame, Ceramic Body, 24GB RAM, More OnePlus seems to be preparing to launch the OnePlus Ace 5 and Ace 5 Pro in China. The ******** tech brand is yet to make an official announcement, but rumours about the duo continue to surface on the Web. As per a new *****, the OnePlus Ace 5 will run on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, an upgrade from the OnePlus Ace 3 which came with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC. The upcoming Ace 5 smartphones are also said to feature a metal middle frame. OnePlus Ace 5 Series New ***** Reveals Specifications Tipster Smart Pikachu (translated from ********) on Weibo has suggested details of the unannounced OnePlus Ace 5 series. As per the post, the OnePlus Ace 5 and OnePlus Ace 5 Pro will retain the camera module design of their predecessors. They are said to feature a metal middle frame, a ceramic body, and a large battery. The post suggests that the OnePlus Ace 5 series will boast up to 24GB of RAM. The tipster states that the lineup will feature Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC, but only the OnePlus Ace 5 is expected to run on this chipset. The OnePlus Ace 5 Pro is speculated to debut with an even more powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. The OnePlus Ace 5 series could launch by the end of this year or early next year. They are expected to bring upgrades over the OnePlus Ace 3 and OnePlus Ace 3 Pro. OnePlus Ace 5 is tipped to come with BOE’s 6.78-inch X2 8T LTPO 2D display with 1.5K resolution and a triple rear camera unit comprising a 50-megapixel main sensor, an 8-megapixel secondary sensor, and a 2-megapixel shooter. It could pack a 16-megapixel selfie shooter and a 6,300mAh battery. Meanwhile, the OnePlus Ace 5 Pro is tipped to get a 6,500mAh battery. Both phones are said to support 100W wired charging. Affiliate links may be automatically generated – see our ethics statement for details. Source link #OnePlus #Ace #Series #Tipped #Metal #Middle #Frame #Ceramic #Body #24GB #RAM Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump is the most pro-stock market president in history, Wharton’s Jeremy Siegel Trump is the most pro-stock market president in history, Wharton’s Jeremy Siegel The stock market could enjoy a ******* boost from President-elect Donald Trump than any previous administration thanks to his pro-business policies, according to Jeremy Siegel, finance professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. “President-elect Trump is the most pro-stock market president we have had in our history,” Siegel said on CNBC’s “Squawk Box” Monday. “He measured his success in his first term by how well the stock market did. You know, it seems to me very unlikely he’s going to implement policies that are going to be bad for the stock market.” The market already reached new heights in reaction to Trump’s election win as investors bet that his promises of tax cuts and deregulation will propel growth and benefit risk assets. The S&P 500 soared 4.66% last week for its best week since November 2023, trading above 6,000 for the first time ever. The blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average also climbed above a new milestone of 44,000 post election. Stock Chart IconStock chart icon S&P 500 Investments seen as the biggest beneficiaries under a Trump presidency exploded during the week. Tesla, whose CEO Elon Musk is a prominent backer of Trump, saw shares skyrocket 29% to return to a $1 trillion market cap. Bank stocks such as JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo also had big rallies. Bitcoin continued to hit record highs as traders see ******* regulations under Trump. Siegel believes that Trump’s corporate tax cuts from his first term in 2017 are mostly likely to be extended. “I think the extension of his 2017 tax cuts, looks pretty much like a slam dunk, but the expansion to all his other tax cuts is certainly going to be much more difficult,” Siegel said. Still, the president-elect’s trade policy, including his vow to slap steep tariffs on trading partners, could hurt growth and inflame inflationary pressures at a time when the Federal Reserve has spent more than two years raising interest rates to bring down price increases. Source link #Trump #prostock #market #president #history #Whartons #Jeremy #Siegel Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump begins to fill Cabinet positions as he prepares for a second term Trump begins to fill Cabinet positions as he prepares for a second term Trump begins to fill Cabinet positions as he prepares for a second term – CBS News Watch CBS News President-elect Trump is beginning to fill his top spots in his administration. On Truth Social, Trump announced former ICE director Tom Homan will be his “border czar.” He has also nominated New York Rep. Elise Stefanik to serve as ambassador to the ******* Nations, a source confirmed to CBS News. Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will not be serving in the administration, according to Trump. Be the first to know Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not Now Turn On Source link #Trump #begins #fill #Cabinet #positions #prepares #term Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Champions Trophy 2025: India will not travel to Pakistan, says PCB Champions Trophy 2025: India will not travel to Pakistan, says PCB One possible solution would be for a ‘hybrid’ staging of the tournament, with India playing its matches outside of Pakistan, possibly in the ******* ***** Emirates. A similar model was employed when Pakistan staged last year’s Asia Cup. However, this throws up the possibility of uncertainty over where knockout matches would be played if India progress to the semi-finals. And, on Friday, chairman Mohsin Naqvi said the PCB is not prepared to accept a hybrid solution. Pakistan travelled to India to play in the 2016 T20 World Cup and 2023 50-over World Cup. Last month, any suggestion that the tournament could take place without India was dismissed by England and Wales Cricket Board chief executive Richard Gould. “If you play the Champions Trophy without India or Pakistan, the broadcast rights aren’t there, and we need to protect them,” he said. “There are a variety of different options available if those circumstances come along. This is a big moment for Pakistan, and hopefully we can have the fullest possible competition in Pakistan. If that’s not possible, we know there are options available.” Pakistan did not host any international cricket between 2009 and 2015 after gunmen attacked the Sri Lanka team 15 years ago. Former England assistant coach Paul Farbrace was part of the Sri Lanka staff and told BBC Sport Pakistan “deserves to host international cricket”. “I completely understand that historical events have muddied the water between the two countries, but the BCCI has to realise this is a ******* picture than whether or not they want to go to Pakistan,” he added. “In terms of sport, this is a fantastic opportunity for India to show it wants cricket to flourish, rather than saying ‘no, we don’t fancy going to Pakistan’. Every one of the big nations need to travel to all of the other countries in order to grow the game and in that respect, India has too much clout.” Additional reporting by Henry Moeran Source link #Champions #Trophy #India #travel #Pakistan #PCB Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

The full version of “Astral Tracks” is coming to PC via Steam on November 21st, 2024 The full version of “Astral Tracks” is coming to PC via Steam on November 21st, 2024 “The Heidleberg-based (Germany) indie games developer LAB132 are today very glad and thrilled to announce that their competitive sci-fi speedrunning 3D platformer “ASTRAL TRACKS“, is coming to PC via Steam on November 16th, 2023, with a release date for console platforms to be announced at a later date.” – Jonas Ek, TGG. Source link #full #version #Astral #Tracks #coming #Steam #November #21st Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Mitochondria Divide Roles for Energy and Molecular Synthesis Under Low-Nutrient Conditions, Reveals New Study Mitochondria Divide Roles for Energy and Molecular Synthesis Under Low-Nutrient Conditions, Reveals New Study Researchers have uncovered a “division of labour” among mitochondria, with subpopulations within cells specialising in different roles when nutrients are scarce. Led by Dr. Craig Thompson, a cell biologist from Memorial Sloan Kettering ******* Center, the team observed that certain mitochondria in nutrient-deprived cells focus on producing energy, while others shift towards synthesising molecules necessary for cellular repair and protein production. This newfound specialisation could have an important role to play in how cells respond to injury and adapt to low-nutrient conditions. Mitochondria: Beyond Energy Production The study was published in Nature. Mitochondria are traditionally known for producing adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the molecule that powers most cellular processes. However, they are also involved in creating amino acids, essential for building proteins and other vital molecules. In resource-limited environments, such as when blood supply is reduced due to an injury, mitochondria may face constraints in simultaneously supporting energy production and molecular synthesis. Dr. Thompson’s research team sought to understand how cells might prioritise these functions under such conditions. Mitochondrial Adaptation in Mouse Cells The researchers cultured mouse cells under conditions forcing them to depend solely on mitochondrial ATP production, limiting alternative energy sources. Unexpectedly, the mitochondria continued to produce amino acids, suggesting a specialised adaptation mechanism. A key enzyme called P5CS was identified as instrumental in this process. Found in only certain mitochondria, P5CS enabled amino acid synthesis by clustering in specific organelles. Genetic modification that prevented this clustering blocked amino acid production, revealing P5CS’s essential role in the division of labour. Implications for ******* Research and Healing The study’s findings may offer insights into how nutrient-deprived ******* cells sustain growth, as some human pancreatic ******* cells also displayed specialised mitochondria with P5CS clusters. Dr. Samantha Lewis, a mitochondrial biologist at the University of California, Berkeley, commented on the study, noting that it offers a model for examining mitochondrial diversity. Dr Martin Picard, a mitochondrial psychobiologist at Columbia University, highlighted the need for further research to assess the importance of this specialisation in living organisms, as this study was conducted in cultured cells. For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who’sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube. Sewage Surveillance Might Be a Powerful Tool to ****** Antimicrobial Resistance, New Study Reveals TSMC to Suspend Production of Advanced AI Chips for China From November 11: Report Source link #Mitochondria #Divide #Roles #Energy #Molecular #Synthesis #LowNutrient #Conditions #Reveals #Study Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Bitcoin’s Breakout Rally: Is It Poised to Outshine Gold Under Trump’s Presidency? Bitcoin’s Breakout Rally: Is It Poised to Outshine Gold Under Trump’s Presidency? Review In our last analysis on September 22nd, we suggested that and the entire crypto sector might need a bit more time. Indeed, Bitcoin briefly slipped below the psychological mark of $60,000 on October 10th, only to ****** up significantly the next day. This final bear trap marked the definitive trend reversal, which had already begun with the ****** low of $49,130 on August 5th. At the latest with Donald Trump’s election victory, it’s clear that the breakout rally for Bitcoin has begun. A new all-time high of $79,780 has already been recorded. The strong resistance zone between $72,000 and $76,000 has thus been breached. Above $80,000, the real fireworks should begin, rapidly propelling Bitcoin prices towards the psychological magnet of $100,000. Overall, the seasonal pattern has worked wonderfully again this year, providing patient investors with good entry points between $50,000 and $54,000 during the summer months as expected. Technical Analysis for Bitcoin in US-Dollar Weekly Chart: Breakout from the three-year Cup-and-Handle pattern Bitcoin in USD, weekly chart as of November 10th, 2024. Source: Tradingview Since the ****** low on August 5th at $49,130, Bitcoin has risen by an impressive 60.92% over the last fourteen weeks. The all-time high of $73,794 from March 14th was surpassed last week without much resistance. Thus, Bitcoin has overcome the bears’ major resistance zone. However, the rise has cost strength, resulting in a slightly overbought weekly stochastic. It would therefore be important now for the bulls to maintain buying pressure and leave the slanted resistance zone behind. Within the superordinate upward trend channel, there is still room up to about $82,000 in the every short-term. In summary, the weekly chart is bullish. The upper weekly Bollinger Band ($74,741) is currently being bent upwards. The price target from the handle is around $100,000 and could possibly be reached even by the end of the year. Beyond that, the second price target from the cup of the cup-and-handle formation awaits at about $130,000. Daily Chart: Small Bull Trap Before the **********?? Bitcoin in USD, daily chart as of November 10th, 2024. Source: Tradingview On the daily chart, Bitcoin has also surpassed all known resistances, and the breakout has gained further momentum in recent days. However, it might need a short breather similar to December 2020, when the breakout was already in full swing, but all weak hands were shaken out with a small bull trap of about -11.8% just before the price **********. Analogously, a pullback/dip to around $72,000 to a maximum of $68,000 could still be conceivable at present. We don’t see Bitcoin falling much lower than that. Rather, such a potential shake-out could represent the very last buying opportunity before the run to $100,000+x. Overall, the daily chart is bullish, but also overbought. Should the bulls run out of steam in the short term, a small pullback (dip) towards $72,000 to 68,000 would not be surprising. However, we don’t see Bitcoin falling below $68,000 or below the rapidly rising 50-day line ($66,837). Every pullback is a buying opportunity. Bitcoin Sentiment – Euphoric Mood Crypto ***** & Greed Index, as of November 9th, 2024. Source: Bitcoin Magazine Pro. The “Crypto ***** & Greed Index” currently stands at 75 out of 100 points, indicating a very optimistic or even euphoric sentiment among investors. In fact, such a high value in the “greed” area suggests a potential short-term overheating of the market. Therefore, a quick cold shower might be needed before the rally can continue. CMC Crypto ***** & Greed Index as of November 9th, 2024. Source: Coinmarketcap. The “CMC Crypto ***** & Greed Index” from CoinMarketCap comes to a similar conclusion. Overall, the sentiment is significantly overheated or euphoric after the strong rally of the last few days or the last three months. For the further rally towards $100,000 and higher to stand on a solid foundation, a small bull trap or a pullback towards USD 68,000 to 72,000 would be exactly the right recipe to create enough skepticism among market participants again. Bitcoin Seasonality – Positive Seasonality Until Year-End Bitcoin Seasonality as of November 9th, 2024. Source: Seasonax Bitcoin has also followed the seasonal patterns exemplarily this year. Since the new all-time high in March, prices corrected and reached an important low point just below $50,000 in early August as expected. After a tough bottoming phase in August and September, the trend finally turned upward in mid-October. Until the end of the year, the seasonal pattern supports price development and suggests further increases. In summary, the seasonal component is bullish for Bitcoin until the end of the year. Sound Money: Bitcoin vs. Gold, Bitcoin – The Breakout Rally Has Begun Bitcoin/Gold-ratio, daily chart as of November 10th, 2024. Source: Tradingview At prices of around $79,400 for one Bitcoin and about $2,684 for one troy ounce of , you currently have to pay about 28.6 ounces of gold for one Bitcoin. Conversely, one troy ounce of gold currently costs about 0.034 Bitcoin. With a double bottom on August 5th and September 6th in the area around 21.5, the Bitcoin/Gold-ratio has found the end of its correction after almost six months. Consequently, Bitcoin has clearly outperformed the strong gold price in the last two months. However, it’s still a good way off from the year’s highs in the area around 34. As the gold price has probably entered a multi-week breather, a rise in the ratio to at least 32 would be very realistic. In sum, the Bitcoin/Gold-ratio provides a buy signal for Bitcoin against gold. Nevertheless, it is still advisable to own both gold and Bitcoin, as opposites complement each other. In our dualistic world, characterized by yin and yang, body and mind, up and down, warm and cold, etc., we are bound to the natural attraction of opposites. In this sense, gold and Bitcoin can be viewed as such a power couple. With the physical scarcity of gold and the digital scarcity of Bitcoin, you have a complementary unit of hard assets that will serve as true stores of value in the 21st century. It is advisable to have both in your portfolio! Macro (BCBA:) Update – Trump, the “Bitcoin President” While the melt-up in US stock markets has further accelerated due to Donald Trump’s election, in Germany, the ******* Chancellor without a majority is struggling to set a date for new elections. Although the misery of the “traffic light coalition” is finally over, a new start for Germany is (still) not in sight. At the same time, the EU, the ******* federal government, and especially the ******* mainstream media have once again completely misjudged the situation and thus the election outcome in the USA. In the run-up, they supported only the US Democratic camp far too one-sidedly. Particularly in Germany, Kamala Harris was made out to be much stronger than she actually was. Accordingly, ********* stock markets are finding it difficult to follow the strong lead from the USA. Instead, mass layoffs and corporate bankruptcies in the automotive industry and its suppliers dominate ******* headlines. Other large corporations such as BASF, SAP, Thyssenkrupp, Covestro, Evonik, and Miele have also announced large-scale job cuts. This points to an industry-wide economic crisis! The ******* labor market faces enormous challenges, which will sooner or later lead to further escapades at the printing press. Fittingly, the cash-strapped Free State of Saxony threw around 50,000 confiscated Bitcoins onto the market in the summer at an average selling price of EUR 52,944 per Bitcoin (currently EUR 70,860) for a total revenue of EUR 2.64 billion. Just a few weeks later, Donald Trump promised a national US Bitcoin reserve in the event of his election victory. Trump, the “Bitcoin President” In contrast to Harris and Biden, Donald Trump positioned himself as the “Bitcoin President” and crypto-friendly candidate during the 2024 campaign, leading to a positive mood in the crypto community and an increase in the Bitcoin price. Here are the main reasons why Trump is perceived as the “Bitcoin President”: Crypto-friendly rhetoric: Trump announced that he wanted to “make America the world capital for crypto and Bitcoin” and promised to be “the pro-innovation and pro-Bitcoin president that America needs”. Regulatory easing: Trump promised deregulation and more business-friendly guidelines for the crypto industry. Personnel changes: He promised to dismiss SEC chief Gary Gensler, who is considered crypto-critical, and replace him with a more crypto-friendly person. National Bitcoin Reserve: Trump announced the creation of a strategic national Bitcoin reserve, similar to existing reserves for gold and oil. Promotion of Bitcoin mining: Trump plans to expand energy production to promote Bitcoin mining in the USA. Crypto advisory board: Trump promised to install a Bitcoin and crypto advisory board in the White House to develop clear regulatory guidelines. Additionally, during his campaign, Trump promised to pardon Ross Ulbricht, the founder of the online platform “Silk Road”. Ulbricht’s case has attracted a lot of attention in libertarian and crypto-friendly circles in recent years. Trump had courted these groups during the campaign. All these factors have led to Trump being perceived as the “Bitcoin President” and the crypto community having high expectations for his presidency. Bitcoin rose significantly to a new all-time high of over $77,000 after Trump’s election victory, which was interpreted as a reaction to his crypto-friendly stance. However, it ******** to be seen how many of his promises will actually be implemented and what long-term effects they will have on the crypto market. Trump’s economic policy, which aims at deregulation and tax cuts, could in any case stimulate US economic growth and thus reduce the attractiveness of crisis currencies such as gold. US Debt Crisis Looms: Trump’s Fiscal Policy May Accelerate America’s Path to Bankruptcy However, the escalating debt problems of the Western world, and especially America, remain a central issue that Mr. Trump will not be able to solve either. An expansive fiscal policy, as expected under Trump, is likely to drive US national debt and inflation even higher. In the first three weeks of October alone, US national debt rose by another USD 473 billion. Converted, every ********* is now USD 103,700 in debt. This is unsustainable. America is on the fast track to bankruptcy. Both gold and Bitcoin should benefit from this, as the combination of high national debt and potential inflation creates an environment in which alternative assets are increasingly gaining importance as a store of value. Bitcoin Poised to Outshine Gold as ETFs Fuel Institutional Investment Surge Net assets iShares Bitcoin ETF vs. iShares Gold ETF (NYSE:), as of November 8th, 2024. Source: Bitcoin Archive In the short- to midterm, however, we suspect a regime change. After the strongly rising gold price has overshadowed all other asset classes in recent months, Bitcoin is likely to take the helm again. Thanks to Bitcoin ETFs, large capital from institutional investors can flow into Bitcoin at any time. This distinguishes the current Bitcoin cycle from previous ones. After just ten months, Blackrock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (NASDAQ:), with $33.2 trillion in assets under management, is already larger than Blackrock’s iShares Gold Trust (NYSE:). This trend is likely to intensify. Conclusion: Bitcoin – The Breakout Rally Has Begun After the US election and the meteoric rise to a new all-time high of $77,780, Bitcoin seems to have run a bit hot in the very short term. The technical indicators at least urge a bit of caution, while sentiment has reached the realm of extreme greed. A tactical pullback to around $68,000 to $72,000 could not only represent a healthy market correction but also offer a final chance for latecomers before Bitcoin potentially advances into previously unexplored price territory. In the big picture, the breakout from the three-year cup-and-handle pattern signals fundamental strength that extends far beyond short-term price fluctuations. Our next price targets of $100,000 and $130,000 could be reached by spring 2025. Source link #Bitcoins #Breakout #Rally #Poised #Outshine #Gold #Trumps #Presidency Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Young Aussie workers miss out on $10k at retirement because of old law Young Aussie workers miss out on $10k at retirement because of old law An old law is costing *********** workers about $10,000 in superannuation by the time they retire, according to a peak body. Source link #Young #Aussie #workers #10k #retirement #law Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Nintendo will show off ‘Donkey Kong Country’ theme park expansion at live event today Nintendo will show off ‘Donkey Kong Country’ theme park expansion at live event today Nintendo is set to show off the Donkey Kong Country expansion of its Super Nintendo World theme park today (Monday, November 11) at 5PM ET, the company revealed in a post on X. That means the new Universal Studios Japan area might finally open soon, after being delayed from the previously announced launch window of Spring 2024. The new park attraction featuring Mario’s barrel-throwing nemesis was first revealed in 2021. The centerpiece is a ride called Mine Cart Madness, named after the best level in the 1994 SNES game Donkey Kong Country. After being blasted out of a barrel cannon, you’ll take a mine cart ride through the jungle that includes a “leap across a collapsed track” as Nintendo showed in a render earlier this year. The direct livestream appears to be focused on Donkey Kong world alone, and Nintendo specifically pointed out that “no game information will be featured” — so don’t expect any news on the next-gen Switch 2 console either. Donkey Kong Country will expand the park size by up to 70 percent, Nintendo said when it was announced. Current attractions at the Japan park are the Mario Kart: Kuppa’s Challenge rollercoaster and Yoshi Adventure. Nintendo recently announced that it would open a Super Nintendo World attraction at Universal Studios Orlando on May 22nd, 2025 with the same attractions as the park in Osaka. Source link #Nintendo #show #Donkey #Kong #Country #theme #park #expansion #live #event #today Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Instagram just fixed its worst habit, and I couldn’t be happier Instagram just fixed its worst habit, and I couldn’t be happier Instagram will no longer refresh when the app is opened The change was confirmed in an Instagram story by Instagram head Adam Mosseri This solves a frustrating long-term issue with the app Instagram has finally fixed its most annoying issue after years of frustration for its billions-strong user base. Instagram head Adam Mosseri confirmed (via Instagram Stories, naturally), that the app will no longer refresh the feed as soon as you open it up, and instead show you a feed that doesn’t disappear after new content loads. The previous system displayed cached or previously loaded content in the feed while new images and videos loaded in, and then refreshed the feed to show the new stuff. This was apparently good for engagement but highly frustrating for users, who’d start watching a video or reading a post, only to have it disappear into the digital ether, never to be seen again. As it turns out, the previous behavior was entirely intentional, despite how frustrating it could be to experience. Mosseri confirmed the intentional nature of the so-called “rug pull”, as well as the coming change to the app’s behavior, in an ask-me-anything (AMA) conducted via Instagram Stories. This will be a welcome change for many, especially as Instagram continues to increase its focus on longer, denser forms of user-generated content. In August, we reported that Instagram had started to allow slideshows of up to 20 images, doubling the previous cap of 10. And earlier this year, Instagram increased the maximum length of a Reel – the app’s answer to TikTok-style vertical short-form videos – to 3 minutes. Sign up to be the first to know about unmissable ****** Friday deals on top tech, plus get all your favorite TechRadar content. Along with the fixed refresh behavior, these changes suggest Instagram could be placing renewed emphasis on meaningful engagement, rather than gauging success by screen-time alone. However, this is a fairly broad speculation, and it could be the case that screen time, and therefore advertising revenue, simply increases with this way of doing things. For the latest news, be sure to check out our dedicated Instagram coverage, as well as our phones coverage for the latest on other essential apps. You might also like Source link #Instagram #fixed #worst #habit #couldnt #happier Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

3 Factors Why Bitcoin Rally Can Continue After Week Kicks Off With New ATH 3 Factors Why Bitcoin Rally Can Continue After Week Kicks Off With New ATH (BTC) surged to unprecedented heights on Monday (NASDAQ:), reaching $82,228.41 at the time of writing (5:20 AM EST) and marking a 3.6% increase as bullish momentum continues to drive the world’s largest cryptocurrency to new records. Trading across nearly 12,000 active markets with a 24-hour volume exceeding $78 billion, Bitcoin’s market capitalization has swelled to $1.6 trillion, rivaling some of the biggest companies in the world and signaling robust market participation and growing institutional interest. In this article, we take a quick look at three factors that have propelled the rally and why it is likely to continue. Trump Victory Sparks Crypto Optimism Donald Trump’s recent presidential election victory has emerged as a significant catalyst for Bitcoin’s rally, with his campaign promises to transform America into the “crypto capital of the planet” energizing investor sentiment. Trump’s pledges include establishing a national Bitcoin reserve and appointing crypto-friendly regulators, sparking renewed confidence in the digital asset’s regulatory future. Market participants anticipate a more favorable regulatory environment under Trump’s administration, contributing to the current bullish momentum. Rate Cuts Drive Alternative Asset Demand The November decision to cut by 25 basis points has provided additional fuel for Bitcoin’s ascent. Similar rate cuts across major economic regions, including the EU and China, have prompted investors to seek alternative assets as inflation hedges. This coordinated monetary easing has increased cash flow into cryptocurrency markets, with Bitcoin emerging as a primary beneficiary of the shifting investment landscape. However, the rising tide has also helped push several other asset classes. Institutional Investment Powers Market Momentum Finally, the rise of cryptocurrency has been further propelled by growing institutional participation, particularly following the SEC’s approval of Bitcoin spot ETFs earlier this year. These investment vehicles have provided a regulated pathway for institutional investors to gain Bitcoin exposure, leading to increased demand and market participation. The futures market reflects this optimism, with $2.8 billion in contracts ******** on Bitcoin reaching $90,000. *** Neither the author, Tim Fries, nor this website, The Tokenist, provide financial advice. Please consult our website policy prior to making financial decisions. This article was originally published on The Tokenist. Check out The Tokenist’s free newsletter, Five Minute Finance, for weekly analysis of the biggest trends in finance and technology. Source link #Factors #Bitcoin #Rally #Continue #Week #Kicks #ATH Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]