Pelican Press

Researcher’s ‘unfollow everything’ lawsuit against Meta gets dismissed Researcher’s ‘unfollow everything’ lawsuit against Meta gets dismissed A lawsuit from a researcher who tried to develop a browser extension for Facebook called “Unfollow Everything 2.0″ has been dismissed for now, The New York Times reported. Ethan Zuckerman from the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University attempted to use the Section 230 tech shield law in a novel way to force Meta to allow him to develop the tool that would wipe a Facebook user’s feed clean. For background, Zuckerman was inspired by a 2021 project called “Unfollow Everything” that would have allowed people to use Facebook without the News Feed, or curate it to only show posts from specific people. However, Facebook sued the *** man who created that extension and permanently disabled his account. To avoid a similar fate, Zuckerman turned to Section 230 of the 1996 Communications Decency Act. While that’s mostly designed as a shield to protect tech platforms from ******** user activity, there’s a separate clause protecting developers of third-party tools “that allow people to… block content they consider objectionable.” He asked the court to recognize that clause and allow him to create the Unfollow Everything 2.0 browser extension without repercussions from Meta. However, the court granted Meta’s filing to dismiss the lawsuit, adding that the researcher could file it at a later date. “We’re disappointed the court believes Professor Zuckerman needs to code the tool before the court resolves the case,” Zuckerman’s lawyer said. “We continue to believe that Section 230 protects user-empowering tools, and look forward to the court considering that argument at a later time.” A Meta spokesperson said the lawsuit was “baseless.” Meta has shut down researchers before, disabling the Facebook accounts of an NYU team trying to study political ad targeting in 2021. Conversely, in 2022 Meta helped itself to 48 million science papers to train an AI system called Galactica, which was shut down after just two days for spewing misinformation. Source link #Researchers #unfollow #lawsuit #Meta #dismissed Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Fintechs Upstart and Toast soar on earnings Fintechs Upstart and Toast soar on earnings Chris Comparato, CEO, the Toast, Inc. IPO at the New York Stock Exchange, on September 22, 2021. Source: NYSE Upstart, which uses artificial intelligence to inform online lending decisions, soared 46% on Friday, its best day in over three years. Toast, which sells payments technology to restaurants, jumped 14%, closing at its highest since 2021. Both companies reported better-than-expected results, sparking the rallies. Upstart’s revenue jumped 20% in the third quarter to $162 million, easily beating analyst estimates. CEO David Girouard said on the company’s earnings call that, “we’re in growth mode.” Toast is still well off its pandemic highs of 2021, but the stock has now more than doubled this year. The company’s adjusted earnings forecast of $90 million to $100 million for the current quarter sailed past estimates. The two stocks were part of a huge rally on Wall Street this week that followed Donald Trump’s election victory on Tuesday night. All three major indexes closed at records, with the tech-heavy Nasdaq finishing the week up 5.7%, its second-best week of the year. Within fintech, companies tied to crypto were some of the top performers, after candidates funded by the crypto industry won races up and down the ballot. Coinbase shares jumped 48% for the week, their strongest performance since January 2023. Coinbase was one of the top corporate donors in the election cycle, giving more than $75 million to Fairshake and its affiliate PACs, including a fresh pledge of $25 million to support the pro-crypto super PAC in the 2026 midterms. Trump has vowed to oust SEC Chair Gary Gensler, which potentially bodes well for companies like Coinbase fighting the regulator in court over alleged securities offenses. Robinhood, which allows users to buy and sell a number of digital currencies, rose 27% for the week. The online brokerage received a Wells Notice from the SEC in May, a move that often precedes formal charges. Bitcoin hit a new intraday high above $77,300, ending the week 11% higher. Ether, solana, and dogecoin outpaced bitcoin’s gains. Not all fintechs rallied. Block, the parent company of Square, reported third-quarter revenue on Thursday that trailed Wall Street’s expectations, leading to a slight drop in the stock on Friday. Shares of Jack Dorsey’s company underperformed the boarder tech market for the week, rising 3.3%. Affirm, the provider of buy now, pay later loans, beat on the top and bottom line, but the stock still dropped 4.7% on Friday, leaving it slightly ahead of the Nasdaq for the week. WATCH: Robinhood Crypto general manager reacts to bitcoin rally Source link #Fintechs #Upstart #Toast #soar #earnings Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Why stakes are high for Kumuls in rare clash with Kiwis Why stakes are high for Kumuls in rare clash with Kiwis Papua New Guinea captain Rhyse Martin is relishing the chance to show his side belongs at the international game’s top table as he leads a Kumuls outfit gifted with a once-in-a-generation opportunity. Martin’s side meet New Zealand in the Pacific Cup promotion/relegation play-off at CommBank Stadium on Sunday, when a PNG victory would guarantee fixtures against Samoa and Tonga in next year’s tournament. While Samoa and Tonga have been given regular Tests and proven capable of toppling the international game’s traditional big three of Australia, England and New Zealand, PNG has often been overlooked. In a sign of how rarely the Kumuls get the chance to have a ****** at the game’s superpowers, Martin – a decade-long ******** for the PNG jersey – has never played against New Zealand. The two countries last met at the 2013 World Cup. “It’s a big opportunity, it’s something we’ve been building towards for a long time with the Kumuls to play these big games against these big nations,” Martin said. “For the country, for rugby league itself, we’ve seen what it has meant for other nations to get stronger and more competitive. That’s what we’re looking for.” PNG has played England at the quarter-finals stages of the past two World Cups but hasn’t faced off against Australia since 2010. “For us to improve, we can grow our ranking by playing the top nations and unfortunately between the World Cups that hasn’t happened for PNG,” Kumuls coach Jason Demetriou told AAP. “This is a great opportunity to test ourselves against one of the best teams in the world and get a barometer of where we can improve going into that 2026 World Cup. “There’s an authentic way the Kumuls play their footy and when we get that right we are as good an attacking team as anyone.” The Kumuls will begin as $9 outsiders against a Kiwis side smarting from a last-gasp loss to Tonga. PNG have only beaten New Zealand once in a home Test in 1986. The enormity of an upset would send shockwaves through the game as PNG’s quest to be given an NRL licence draws nearer. “Hopefully the Prime Minister would give the country a public holiday,” joked back-rower Jeremiah Simbiken. “It would mean a lot because footy brings everyone together in PNG… and that would give the country more opportunity to play some top level footy.” Simbiken is one of the Kumuls players hoping to leave an impression and secure his club future in 2025. The forward was on the books of the Dolphins over the past two seasons but didn’t play an NRL game despite impressing in the Queensland Cup. “Playing this game and playing my heart out for the country, hopefully something comes out of it,” Simbiken said. Source link #stakes #high #Kumuls #rare #clash #Kiwis Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Pokemon TCG Surging Sparks Is Here – Get Free Pokemon Horizons Promo Cards Before They’re Gone Pokemon TCG Surging Sparks Is Here – Get Free Pokemon Horizons Promo Cards Before They’re Gone The new Pokemon Trading Card Game set, Surging Sparks, launched today, November 8. Not only are several new boosters, decks, and boxes available, but Best Buy has a special offer that gets you two Pokemon Horizons promo cards–Terapagos and Fuecoco–when you spend $15 or more on Pokemon TCG. All Pokemon TCG products are eligible for this promotion, not just the new Surging Sparks releases, including preorders for upcoming releases. We recommend pouncing on this deal while you can since it’s likely these promo cards will disappear fast. Best Buy has over 30 Pokemon TCG products priced $15 or higher, but you could also buy several lower-priced items that add up to $15. For instance, you could get the Surging Sparks 3-Pack Booster Bundle for $14 and a single Sleeved Booster for $4.49. Surging Sparks Sleeved Boosters at $4.49/each to get the promo cards, too. The two-pack of promo cards will automatically be added to your cart while supplies list. These promotional versions of Fuecoco and Terapagos are themed around Pokemon Horizons, the anime series that debuted on Netflix earlier this year. Season 1’s fourth and final batch of episodes will be added to Netflix on November 22. Outside of the Pokemon Horizons logo, these promo cards are the same as the original versions. Terapagos and Fuecoco – Pokemon Horizons: The Series promo cards As for the Surging Sparks set, the first wave of releases are available now and includes an all-new $50 Elite Trainer Box that comes with a full-art foil Magneton card, nine Surging Sparks booster packs, 45 energy cards, and a bunch of gameplay materials like a coin, damage counters, card sleeve, and more. You can also pick up Surging Sparks boosters in single, three-pack, and six-pack bundles. More new Pokemon TCG releases will launch later in the month and are available for preorder, such as the new Charizard ex Battle Deck dropping November 15 and the giant Terapagos ex Ultra-Premium Collection that launches November 22. Check the list below for all of the new and upcoming Pokemon TCG decks, boosters, and collector boxes at Best Buy. Pokemon TCG: Scarlet & Violet – Surging Sparks Pokemon TCG Surging Sparks Elite Trainer Box More Pokemon Trading Card Game Products If you’re looking for other Pokemon TCG sets to pick up to take advantage of the promotion, there are some noteworthy recent releases, including the Pokemon TCG Holiday Calendar 2024 that released back in August. These tend to sell out during the holiday shopping seasons, so it’s worth grabbing while you can. You can also stock up on Halloween-themed Pokemon Trick or Trade booster packs or grab the new Trainer’s Toolkit for 2024. Source link #Pokemon #TCG #Surging #Sparks #Free #Pokemon #Horizons #Promo #Cards #Theyre Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Exclusive-Boeing close to funding agreement to help supplier Spirit Aero, source says Exclusive-Boeing close to funding agreement to help supplier Spirit Aero, source says By Allison Lampert and Tim Hepher (Reuters) – Spirit AeroSystems and Boeing are close to reaching a funding agreement that would give a cash lifeline to the struggling Boeing supplier, an industry source familiar with the matter said. A deal could be announced in the next few days, said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity about the private talks, although he cautioned that it has not yet closed. Spirit Aero is juggling financial and production challenges, having issued a liquidity warning on Tuesday after four years of losses. It expects to ***** around $450 million to $500 million in cash over the last three months of 2024 and first half of 2025, according to filings. Boeing, which plans to buy its one-time subsidiary, is trying to revive its battered supply chain and jet production after a weeks-long strike halted most of its output. Spirit could not be immediately reached. Boeing declined to comment. Spirit said this week it is seeking ways to raise liquidity including possible customer advances. The supplier has previously disclosed it has drawn down a $350-million bridge loan set up when Boeing agreed to acquire the supplier, and previous advances from both the U.S. planemaker and rival Airbus that Spirit has not repaid. The Wichita, Kansas-based aerostructures company is a key supplier to the world’s two major commercial planemakers. Spirit had been weighing furloughs of workers on its 737 MAX fuselage program after it ran short on storage space and cash, a second source close to the matter said. In late October, Reuters first revealed a decision by the supplier to temporarily furlough 700 employees, who produce parts for Boeing’s 767 and 777 jets, due to space constraints. Separate industry sources said cash support from Airbus is also an option, as the ********* company has warned its A350 deliveries could be disrupted next year due to concerns over the timely delivery of fuselage parts from Spirit. “Spirit is a cash story now,” a third source said. Airbus declined to comment. All the sources spoke about private conversations on condition of anonymity. Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg reiterated the planemaker’s commitment to an all-stock deal to acquire the supplier in 2025 during a recent call with analysts. Spirit Aero’s finances suffered further when Boeing MAX production slumped after a Jan. 5 mid-air blowout on a near-new model. A new process for vetting fuselages for flaws introduced in March further delayed Spirit’s deliveries, leading to a pile-up of fuselages inside and outside the supplier’s sprawling Kansas factory. Story Continues Spirit Aero is also weighing some asset sales, such as U.S. defense composites maker Fiber Materials, a fourth source said. The supplier said in January 2020 it acquired FMI for $120 million. The supplier had a cash balance of $218 million at the end of the third quarter, according to October filings. (Reporting By Allison Lampert in Montreal and Tim Hepher in Paris; Editing by Rod Nickel) Source link #ExclusiveBoeing #close #funding #agreement #supplier #Spirit #Aero #source Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Warner Bros. Admits MultiVersus Underperformed, Contributing to Another $100 Million Hit to Revenue Warner Bros. Admits MultiVersus Underperformed, Contributing to Another $100 Million Hit to Revenue dveio18h ago Gotta be honest: I was a bit worried about their Q2 results. But this looks very good. Hardware declining was expected. Hardware shipments are down 22.5% year-on-year. Most likely the Pro will catch some of the decline in hardware revenue in their Q3. Q3 could become pretty big for Playstation. Games, Network und Services being up 12% is great, too. Playstation’s operating income is up a whopping 184%. That’s s pretty good Q2. Congrats! Source link #Warner #Bros #Admits #MultiVersus #Underperformed #Contributing #Million #Hit #Revenue Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Tesla social media posts falsely say cars are robotaxis, NHTSA warns Tesla social media posts falsely say cars are robotaxis, NHTSA warns Tesla CEO and X owner Elon Musk speaks during an unveiling event for Tesla products in Los Angeles, California, U.S. October 10, 2024, in this still image taken from a video. Tesla | Via Reuters Tesla has falsely suggested in social media posts that its cars are autonomous, potentially misleading and endangering drivers, according to a warning from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “Tesla’s X (Twitter) account has re-posted or endorsed postings that exhibit disengaged driver behavior,” Gregory Magno, the head of the NHTSA, wrote to Tesla’s board in an email in May that was made public on Friday. “Tesla’s postings conflict with its stated messaging that the driver is to maintain continued control over the dynamic driving task.” Magno warned that viewers of Tesla’s online communications, including posts on X, may expect a car with the company’s Full Self-Driving Supervised, or FSD, system to have the capabilities of a robotaxi even though they require human supervision, meaning a driver ready to steer or brake at any time. Tesla has until Dec. 18 to respond to NHTSA’s letter, which also included requests for extensive information about the company’s cars and FSD-related technology. A ******** to respond could result in a maximum of $135.8 million in penalties. The company can also ask for an extension. The NHTSA is investigating possible safety defects in Tesla’s FSD option, a partially automated driving system. The latest probe followed a series of Tesla collisions that involved the use of FSD within 30 seconds of impact. In one instance, a Tesla driver using FSD fatally struck a pedestrian. Magno referred to an array of posts shared by Tesla on X, the social network owned by Tesla CEO Elon Musk. One post showed a driver using FSD to go to a hospital while enduring a possible heart *******. Another showed a driver who said he used FSD for a 50-minute ride home from a sporting event. In the posts, Tesla suggested there are “advantages to using FSD while inebriated” or while fatigued, Magno wrote. NHTSA asked Tesla to make its online communications, “consistent” with user instructions, and “appropriate to the level of capability deployed to the public roads.” Musk, who emerged as the principal backer of President-elect Donald Trump’s campaign, aims to cut federal spending and regulations when the new administration begins. He also seeks to create a federal motor vehicle safety standard for autonomous vehicles. Tesla shares have climbed 28% in the three trading days since Tuesday’s election, surpassing a market cap of $1 trillion on Friday. Tesla didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. Read the NHTSA letter to Tesla here. WATCH: Elon Musk’s big bet on Trump Source link #Tesla #social #media #posts #falsely #cars #robotaxis #NHTSA #warns Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Sony has sold 65 million PS5s Sony has sold 65 million PS5s Just after launching the PlayStation 5 Pro, Sony revealed that it has sold 65.5 million PlayStation 5s as of the end of Q2 2024. While sales of the console dropped 1.1 million units from the same ******* last year (and are down 2 million units total in 2024), this was more than offset by game sales of 77.7 million units, up 14.9 percent from Q2 2023. Sony’s monthly active PlayStation Network users remained at 116 million despite a big price bump late last year. The net result? Revenue climbed by 9 percent and operating profit rose by a stellar 73 percent to 445.1 billion yen ($2.91 billion). Given those profits and the fact that the company has a new, more expensive (and probably more profitable) console ready for Christmas, Sony was bullish on the rest of its year, boosting its revenue forecast slightly. A big part of Sony’s game sales story is the success of the action RPG ****** Myth: Wukong, which reportedly sold 20 million units in Q2 (including the PC version). Another high performer was the first party Astro **** title, showing the power of hit games to sway sales. Sony still has two quarters left in its fiscal year, which ends March 31. Upcoming first party titles expected prior to that include *********’s Creed Shadow and Monster Hunter Wilds, both set for February 2025. However, Sony’s fiscal 2025 starting in April could be a blockbuster with highly anticipated games like Ghost of Yotei, ****** Stranding 2, *****: The Dark Ages and Grand Theft Auto VI arriving later next year. Source link #Sony #sold #million #PS5s Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Is this tiny Mauritian island a confidential spy station? Is this tiny Mauritian island a confidential spy station? Billy Henri Arnaud Poulay never wanted to leave the tiny Indian Ocean island of Agalega, but this year he packed his bag and took off, broken-hearted by what he regards as the militarisation of his home. Until recently, just 350 people lived on Agalega, fishing and growing coconuts. Other food was delivered four times a year by ship from the capital of Mauritius, 1,100km (680 miles) to the south. A small airstrip was rarely used except in medical emergencies. But in 2015, Mauritius, an island nation of which Agalega is a part, signed a deal enabling India to build a vast 3,000m (3km) runway and a big new jetty there, as part of the two countries’ deepening collaboration on maritime security. However some Agalegans ***** this could grow into a fully-fledged military presence. Mr Poulay, a 44-year-old handyman and reggae musician, led a campaign against the project. “I love my island and my island loves me,” he says. “But when that base was unveiled, I knew I had to leave.” Arnaud Poulay Arnaud Poulay has been an outspoken critic of the construction work Agalega – two small islands covering 25 sq km, in the south-west Indian Ocean – would be an ideal location for India to monitor marine traffic. And a comparison of satellite images from 2019 with others taken in July this year shows how much has changed. A carpet of palm trees has made way for the runway, which stretches along the spine of the north island between the two main villages – La Fourche in the north and Vingt-Cinq further south. Two 60m-wide buildings can be seen sitting on a tarmac apron, at least one of which could be a hangar to accommodate the Indian navy’s P-8I aircraft, according to Samuel Bashfield, a PhD scholar at the *********** National University. The P-8I is a Boeing 737 modified to hunt and potentially ******* submarines, and to monitor maritime communications. Islanders have already photographed the aircraft on the airstrip. To the north-west is the new jetty jutting out into the ocean, which Mr Bashfield says could be used by Indian surface patrol vessels, as well as the ship that brings supplies to Agalega. “As newer satellite images become available, we’ll better understand Agalega’s role in Indian Ocean communications,” he says. The International Institute for Strategic Studies refers to the facility as a “surveillance station” and says it is likely to contain a coastal radar surveillance system similar to Indian-built equipment elsewhere in Mauritius. L’association les Amis d’Agalega An Indian Navy P-8I aircraft on Agalega’s new runway The Indian government declined to answer questions about Agalega, and referred the BBC to earlier statements on its website. In one of these, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India and Mauritius were “natural partners” in maritime security, facing traditional and non-traditional challenges in the Indian Ocean region. The two countries have had a close defence relationship since the 1970s. The country’s national security adviser, its coastguard chief and the head of the police helicopter squadron are all Indian nationals and officers in India’s external intelligence agency, navy and air force, respectively. Both sides would want the facility to be seen “as one that is more about capacity building than for any overt military use”, says Prof Harsh Pant, of the India Institute at King’s College London. It’s no secret, though, that India and its Western allies are concerned about China’s increasing presence in the Indian Ocean. While it’s not unusual for a large country to establish a military outpost on the territory of a smaller ally, the construction work on Agalega has troubled some islanders. A number of areas, including some of the island’s palm-fringed white-sand beaches, have already been cordoned off, islanders say. There are also persistent rumours that the village of La Fourche will be swallowed by the Indian infrastructure that has grown up around it, and that the 10 families who live there will be forced out. “It will become a restricted area completely for Indians,” says Laval Soopramanien, president of the Association of Friends of Agalega. He fears that “Agalega will become the story of the Chagos islands” – a concern echoed by 26-year-old handyman Billy Henri, who is the son of an Agalegan and a woman expelled from the Chagos islands. “My mother [lost] her island,” says Mr Henri. “My father will be the next.” Yohan Henri Agalega’s capital Vingt-Cinq (French for 25) is said to be named after the number of lashes once given to plantation slaves A number of Agalega’s residents are from families scarred by eviction from the Chagos Islands, 2,000km to the east, after the *** government declared them in 1965 to be British territory and granted the US permission to build a communications station on the largest island, Diego Garcia. This gradually became a fully-fledged military base. Billy Henri fears that the Mauritius government, which owns all land on Agalega and is the only employer, is trying to make conditions so ********** that everyone will leave. He points to problems with healthcare and education, limited investment in the local economy, a lack of job opportunities, and a ban on local people opening their own businesses. A Mauritius government spokesman told the BBC that no-one would be asked to leave, and that local people were only prevented from entering the airport and the port – facilities that he said would help the country control piracy, *****-trafficking and unregulated fishing. Mauritius also denies suggestions that Agalega hosts a military base, saying that the national police are still in full control. However, it acknowledges that India will assist in the “maintenance and operation” of the new facilities, which were built at Indian expense. Maxar The northern tip of Agalega has seen extensive construction – satellite images show the size of the jetty and vessels that can dock The Mauritius and Indian governments say the improvements to sea and air transportation were designed to benefit the islanders and help lift them out of ********. But local people say this hasn’t happened: there are still only four ferries to the main island of Mauritius every year, and no passenger flights. Agalegans say they are barred from a new Indian-built hospital, even though a Mauritius government press release vaunted its operating theatres, X-ray machines and dentistry equipment. Billy Henri says that a boy suffering from cooking oil burns, who needed more help than he could get from the north island’s health centre, was refused entry in October. “It’s only for Indians!” he says. The injured boy and his parents were flown to the main island of Mauritius instead. Laval Soopramanien says the boy is still in hospital there, and that the family will remain on the main island until the next boat leaves for Agalega. The Mauritius government did not respond, when asked to comment on the plight of the boy with burns. The Indian government declined to comment. In a recent speech to the Mauritius parliament, Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth said the socio-economic development of Agalega was higher than ever on his government’s agenda. A “master plan” had been drawn up to improve health and education, transport connections and recreational facilities for the island’s residents, and to develop the fishing sector and the exploitation of coconut by-products, he said. But distrust is fuelled by the fact that neither India nor Mauritius has published the details of the 2015 memorandum of understanding, so their plans for the future are unknown. Source link #tiny #Mauritian #island #confidential #spy #station Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

CoD: ****** Ops 6 MP Trailer Shows Off New Maps And Skins For Season 1 CoD: ****** Ops 6 MP Trailer Shows Off New Maps And Skins For Season 1 Season 1 arrives in Call of Duty: ****** Ops 6 on November 14, and the Season 1 multiplayer trailer shows some over-the-top action on the upcoming new maps. It also shows a closer look at the operator skins and colorful ******* blueprints in the Season 1 battle pass. ****** Ops 6 will add five more maps in Season 1, and the new trailer reveals a mix of game engine footage and cinematics to show off the omnimovement and action that can be expected. This includes three brand-new maps at launch, which are called Extraction, Heirloom, and Hideout. The full trailer can be viewed below. Sevati “Sev” Dumas from the game’s campaign is the headliner for the Season 1 battle pass, with an edgy new operator skin that glams her up with pink hair, chains, and tattoos. While Sev looks better dressed for a bar ******, other skins shown in the trailer include operators getting a little overdressed for battle. One operator has an all white suit and another is dressed in a ****** and red tuxedo and mask. In addition to Season 1’s new maps and cosmetics, multiplayer will also receive seven weapons, two additional game modes, two perks, a new Wildcard, and more. All the major highlights of Season 1 can be found here, which includes details on the upcoming Zombies map and ****** Ops 6’s integration into Warzone. Make sure to also check out Warzone’s Season 1 trailer for the new Area 99 map. Source link #CoD #****** #Ops #Trailer #Shows #Maps #Skins #Season Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

US economy ‘overheating’ and ‘Ukraine fears’ US economy ‘overheating’ and ‘Ukraine fears’ BBC “Surging US stock markets sound alarm for ‘overheating economy'” reads the main headline on the Financial Times. It quotes one of the world’s biggest bond fund managers, Dan Ivascyn at Pimco, as saying “US equity markets could suffer a reversal after hitting record highs since Trump was elected president”. The paper offers full coverage of what it says could be other election result ramifications under the headline “Trump unleashed”. In other news, the paper reports attacks on ******** football fans in Amsterdam “spark diplomatic incident”. “*** mortgage rates set to stay higher in 2025 thanks to Reeves and Trump” is the headline on the I paper, referring to both the *** chancellor and the incoming US president. It quotes a “4% prediction for end of next year instead of steeper drop”. The paper also carries a picture of King Charles III in full royal regalia captioned “Britain’s secret ******* with Trump 2.0”. Elsewhere, an I exclusive reports that police are investigating a We R Blighty cash collection for veterans. The company “denies all claims of wrongdoing”. *** PM Sir Keir Starmer plans to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP when Trump takes office, the Daily Telegraph reports. It is expected to reach 2.3% in the current year. The move would be seen as an “olive branch” to the new president, the paper says. “Labour paves way for the four-day week” after “imposing a £25 billion tax rise on business” the paper declares in its main headline. It cites plans for “shorter working hours for the same pay by South Cambridgeshire council” as an example and an offer from Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, to Tube drivers in response to a new strike threat. Dominating the front page pictorially is a photo of Sir Ben Ainslie and his wife Georgie after the Olympic sailor announced they had had a surrogate child having struggled 10 years to conceive. “Iran plot to ***** Trump” is the headline in the Times, which says a man linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard is among three people charged in the US. Two of Trump’s family members feature in the paper’s main image: his wife Melania and their son Barron, 18, who it says “helped dad back to big time” by taking his message to young men as his podcast adviser. In the paper’s Weekend section there is something for older men too, under the headline “I did the Gladiator workout at 60”, while the Magazine promises to tell us the “real reasons” people do not get a “good night’s sleep”. “Ukraine fears relations with *** have ‘worsened'” is the headline on the Guardian which quotes a “senior figure in [Ukrainian President] Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s administration” as saying any trip to Kyiv by Sir Keir would be “worthless” without a commitment to replenish Storm Shadow missile stocks. “There’s no point in his coming as a tourist,” the unnamed source says. Turning to the Middle East, the paper quotes the UN as saying 70% of people ******* in Gaza are women and children. A Daily Express undercover team has uncovered plans for pro-************ activists to “‘swarm’ Armistice Day services and bring chaos to *** cities”, the paper says. It has alerted Scotland Yard to the plans for Youth Demand’s co-ordinated “protests dishonouring our war *****”. In a response to the report on X, Youth Demand said it had a “publicly announced plan to take action next week by coming to a public event”. The paper also runs a photo of the Princess of Wales wearing a poppy with the headline “But Kate WILL mark Remembrance weekend with her usual dignity”. “Britain’s first **** jab ******” is the headline on the Daily Mail. “NHS nurse who bought ‘King Kong’ of slimming drugs from online pharmacy ***** after taking just two doses.” Susan McGowan, 58, took two low-dose injections of tirzepatide, known under the brand name Mounjaro, over the course of about two weeks before her ****** on 4 September. It is thought to be the first ****** officially linked to the ***** in the ***. In other news, Prince Andrew “finds the money” to stay on in Royal Lodge, according to the Mail. The prince has a lease with the Crown Estate to stay in the Windsor house until 2078 but it has been suggested he has to be self-financing if he wants to fulfil the requirements to keep up the maintenance of the 19th Century listed building. A man described as a friend of Liam Payne has denied deserting the singer before he ***** at a Buenos Aires hotel last month, the Daily Mirror reports. “I did not abandon Liam,” says the headline. It continues: “Heartbroken pal says he left singer chatting and joking in hotel lobby.” The world has been Tangoed, says the Daily Star, referring to new president Donald Trump. It goes on in various ways to refer to President Trump’s long-known penchant for fake tan. The paper says his win has led to “global politicians” doing “a screeching U-turn on insults” and claims staff in the Guardian newsroom are being offered counselling by their editor over his victory. Source link #economy #overheating #Ukraine #fears Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

PlayStation Store: October 2024s top downloads PlayStation Store: October 2024s top downloads Fists and bullets fly with Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero, Undisputed, and Call of Duty: ****** Ops 6 entering the top of the PS5 download charts. Source link #PlayStation #Store #October #2024s #top #downloads Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Tesla social media posts falsely say cars are robotaxis, NHTSA warns Tesla social media posts falsely say cars are robotaxis, NHTSA warns Tesla CEO and X owner Elon Musk speaks during an unveiling event for Tesla products in Los Angeles, California, U.S. October 10, 2024, in this still image taken from a video. Tesla | Via Reuters Tesla has falsely suggested in social media posts that its cars are autonomous, potentially misleading and endangering drivers, according to a warning from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “Tesla’s X (Twitter) account has re-posted or endorsed postings that exhibit disengaged driver behavior,” Gregory Magno, the head of the NHTSA, wrote to Tesla’s board in an email in May that was made public on Friday. “Tesla’s postings conflict with its stated messaging that the driver is to maintain continued control over the dynamic driving task.” Magno warned that viewers of Tesla’s online communications, including posts on X, may expect a car with the company’s Full Self-Driving Supervised, or FSD, system to have the capabilities of a robotaxi even though they require human supervision, meaning a driver ready to steer or brake at any time. Tesla has until Dec. 18 to respond to NHTSA’s letter, which also included requests for extensive information about the company’s cars and FSD-related technology. A ******** to respond could result in a maximum of $135.8 million in penalties. The company can also ask for an extension. The NHTSA is investigating possible safety defects in Tesla’s FSD option, a partially automated driving system. The latest probe followed a series of Tesla collisions that involved the use of FSD within 30 seconds of impact. In one instance, a Tesla driver using FSD fatally struck a pedestrian. Magno referred to an array of posts shared by Tesla on X, the social network owned by Tesla CEO Elon Musk. One post showed a driver using FSD to go to a hospital while enduring a possible heart *******. Another showed a driver who said he used FSD for a 50-minute ride home from a sporting event. In the posts, Tesla suggested there are “advantages to using FSD while inebriated” or while fatigued, Magno wrote. NHTSA asked Tesla to make its online communications, “consistent” with user instructions, and “appropriate to the level of capability deployed to the public roads.” Musk, who emerged as the principal backer of President-elect Donald Trump’s campaign, aims to cut federal spending and regulations when the new administration begins. He also seeks to create a federal motor vehicle safety standard for autonomous vehicles. Tesla shares have climbed 28% in the three trading days since Tuesday’s election, surpassing a market cap of $1 trillion on Friday. Tesla didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. Read the NHTSA letter to Tesla here. WATCH: Elon Musk’s big bet on Trump Source link #Tesla #social #media #posts #falsely #cars #robotaxis #NHTSA #warns Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Federal judge rules Illinois ******** weapons ban unconstitutional Federal judge rules Illinois ******** weapons ban unconstitutional CHICAGO (CBS) — A federal judge in downstate Illinois has ruled the state’s ban on ******** weapons is unconstitutional, but will hold off on prohibiting the state from enforcing it for one month to allow for a likely appeal. U.S. District Judge Stephen McGlynn, who sits on the federal court in East Saint Louis, wrote in his 168-page opinion that the statewide ban on ********-style weapons violates the Second Amendment. The Protect Illinois Communities Act bans the ***** of ********-style weapons and high-capacity magazines, and requires existing owners of those weapons to register them with Illinois State Police. The legislation, signed into law in January 2023, banned dozens of specific brands or types of rifles and handguns, .50-caliber guns, attachments and rapid-******* devices. No rifle will be allowed to accommodate more than 10 rounds, with a 15-round limit for handguns. As part of his ruling that the ******** weapons ban is unconstitutional, McGlynn issued a permanent injunction prohibiting enforcement of the ban, but he stayed that injunction for 30 days to give the state time to file an appeal. **** control laws have come under renewed scrutiny in the wake of the Supreme Court’s June 2022 decision that imposed a new framework for evaluating the constitutionality of **** restrictions. In that ruling, the court said that for firearms laws to comply with the Second Amendment, the government must identify historical analogues that show the measure is consistent with the nation’s history and tradition of firearms regulation. McGlynn sided with plaintiffs who argued the Illinois ******** weapons ban does not fit within the Supreme Court’s framework, and who argued that ******** weapons are commonly used for self-defense. “What is particularly disturbing is that the prohibition of weapons that are commonly owned and used by citizens are now banned, depriving citizens of a principal means to defend themselves and their property in situations where a handgun or shotgun alone would not be the citizen’s preferred arm,” McGlynn wrote. “Sadly, there are those who seek to usher in a sort of post-Constitution era where the citizens’ individual rights are only as important as they are convenient to a ruling class.” McGlynn compared the use of firearms for self-defense to equipping vehicles with airbags, ocean liners with lifeboats, or houses with storm shelters. “Why do we protect ourselves with firearms? In life, we face many perils,” He wrote. “Too often, the perils we face are forced upon us by other people. By people who are negligent, reckless, insane, impaired, or evil. Sometimes it is the proverbial lone wolf; sometimes, it is the whole wolf pack. Truly, life comes at you quickly. And who comes to our aid in times of peril? Sometimes, it is the police or first responders; other times it is healthcare professionals; and sometimes it is family, friends, or neighbors. Sometimes, it is no one.” Before the case went to trial earlier this year, McGlynn issued a temporary injunction prohibiting Illinois from enforcing the ******** weapons ban, but a federal appeals court later reversed that decision. In July, the Supreme Court declined to take up the case, sending it back to McGlynn for a trial, which was held in September. Two similar lawsuits are pending in federal court in Chicago. More from CBS News Todd Feurer Todd Feurer is a web producer for CBS Chicago. He has previously written for WBBM Newsradio, WUIS-FM and the New City News Service. Source link #Federal #judge #rules #Illinois #******** #weapons #ban #unconstitutional Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Women can do this, says Scania driver trainer Karlie Shire Women can do this, says Scania driver trainer Karlie Shire DAVID MEREDITH with an answer to shortages Source link #Women #Scania #driver #trainer #Karlie #Shire Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

****** Stranding connects to Xbox for 5th birthday ****** Stranding connects to Xbox for 5th birthday Kojima Productions Kojima Productions made a surprise announcement Thursday that ****** Stranding Director’s Cut is now available on Xbox Series X/S, as well as Windows PC, just one day ahead of the game’s five-year anniversary. “It is my pleasure to finally announce that ****** Stranding Director’s Cut will be delivered to Xbox players. I would like to thank all the fans who have stayed connected with us as well as everyone in the Xbox community who have been patiently waiting,” Kojima told press (as reported by IGN).”Kojima Productions (****** Stranding) will continue to connect more and more players around the world, so please stay tuned.” ****** Stranding was originally a PlayStation 4 exclusive in 2019 before ****** Stranding Director’s Cut was released on PC and PlayStation 5. Since then it’s also been ported to Apple devices on iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. It’ll also be available on Amazon Luna starting Thursday, which means Prime subscribers can play it for free for one month starting on December 1. OD World Premiere Trailer at The Game Awards 2023 This is the first step in a continued Xbox and Kojima Productions collaboration. One of the company’s next games, called OD, is being published by Xbox Game Studios. Despite this, the studio still has a good relationship with Sony and PlayStation. Kojima made an appearance during Sony’s January State of Play to announce that he’s working with Sony Interactive Entertainment on the mysterious stealth game Physint. ****** Stranding 2: On the Beach is currently only announced for a PlayStation 5 release in 2025, but in a subsequent announcement, it was revealted that Kojima Productions has gotten the full IP rights for ****** Stranding back from 505 Games. It’s been five years since release, so it’s possible that the rights just reverted back to the original developer. That does mean the sequel could potentially come to other platforms. Now all we need is a ****** Stranding Director’s Cut release on the Switch 2, and you can play the absurd and obtuse social connections game just about anywhere. Source link #****** #Stranding #connects #Xbox #5th #birthday Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Latino voters on why they supported Trump Latino voters on why they supported Trump Latino voters on why they supported Trump – CBS News Watch CBS News While a majority of Latinos voted for Vice President Kamala Harris, President-elect Donald Trump was backed by a record 46% of Latino voters, even gaining support in Democratic strongholds like New York City. Lilia Luciano spoke with some voters who were behind that historic shift. Be the first to know Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not Now Turn On Source link #Latino #voters #supported #Trump Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Obama relatives settle ******* bias dispute with private school in Milwaukee Obama relatives settle ******* bias dispute with private school in Milwaukee FILE – Craig Robinson, brother of former first lady Michelle Obama, and his wife, Kelly Robinson, arrive for a State Dinner for Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Aug. 2, 2016, at the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File) MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Former first lady Michelle Obama’s brother and his wife have settled a lawsuit they filed in 2022 alleging a private school in Milwaukee refused to reenroll their children after the couple raised concerns about racism and inappropriate conduct at the school. Craig and Kelly Robinson alleged in the lawsuit that the University School of Milwaukee terminated their then 9- and 11-year-old sons’ re-enrollment contracts for the 2021-2022 school year after the couple complained that teachers treated students of ****** and socioeconomically underrepresented students unfairly. The couple said that when the boys were learning virtually at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, they became aware of ******* and ******* stereotypes appearing in assignments. School officials said at the time that the enrollment decision had nothing to do with their complaints. But USM Head of School Steve Hancock told the couple in a termination letter and an email that they had repeatedly engaged in disrespectful communications with teachers and administrators. He issued a statement when the lawsuit was filed that the enrollment decisions had nothing to do with complaints about inequity or discrimination. But Hancock said the school would not tolerate “persistently disrespectful, bullying, or harassing behavior” directed at teachers and administrators. Online court records indicate Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Thomas McAdams dismissed the lawsuit on Tuesday. The Robinsons and the school issued a ****** statement saying that they have resolved the dispute and both sides regret that the disagreement resulted in the Robinson children no longer being enrolled. The statement called the Robinson children “model students.” The terms of the settlement were not disclosed. The Robinsons were seeking unspecified monetary damages. Source link #Obama #relatives #settle #******* #bias #dispute #private #school #Milwaukee Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

TSMC will reportedly stop making advanced AI chips for ******** companies TSMC will reportedly stop making advanced AI chips for ******** companies Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) has suspended the production of advanced AI chips for ******** companies, according to the Financial Times. The Taiwanese semiconductor chip manufacturer has reportedly notified its clients from China that it will stop producing AI chips for them, particularly models 7 nanometers and smaller, starting this Monday. If a ******** company orders products that fall within that category, they’ll have to go through an approval process that’ll likely involve the US government. The manufacturer’s new policy could be a direct result of its discovery that Huawei had used its chips in AI accelerators without its knowledge. A ********* research firm called TechInsights was the one that notified the company that it discovered the presence of TSMC-manufactured products in Huawei’s hardware. It was a violation of the trade sanctions the US Commerce Department had imposed against Huawei way back in 2020 that prevented it from acquiring chips made by foreign firms. More recently, it revoked its licenses that allowed Intel and Qualcomm to manufacture chips for its devices. TSMC reported TechInsights’ findings to the US Commerce Department, which is now investigating how it had happened. The company denied any working relationship with Huawei and also stopped selling its chips to the client it believes had been illegally forwarding them to the ******** brand. The Times’ sources said that TSMC made the decision to suspend the production of AI chips for ******** clients altogether, because it wants to show the US government that it’s “not acting against US interests.” Its new policy could have a big impact on the AI efforts of its ******** clients. Baidu, for instance, had plans to build hardware for its AI business powered by a series of chips made by TSMC. Source link #TSMC #reportedly #stop #making #advanced #chips #******** #companies Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Charges filed in Iranian *******-for-hire plot against Trump Charges filed in Iranian *******-for-hire plot against Trump Charges filed in Iranian *******-for-hire plot against Trump – CBS News Watch CBS News Two men are in federal custody and a third is wanted in connection with what authorities are calling an Iranian *******-for-hire plot against President-elect Donald Trump. Prosecutors allege one of the suspects, Farhad Shakeri, was an operative for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. He ******** at large. Scott MacFarlane has the latest. Be the first to know Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not Now Turn On Source link #Charges #filed #Iranian #murderforhire #plot #Trump Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

I gave my DNA to tracking company I gave my DNA to tracking company Kate Lake Kate Lake wants answers about what happened to her money and data A DNA-testing firm appears to have ceased trading – without telling its customers what has happened to the highly sensitive data they shared with it. Atlas Biomed, which has offices in London, offered to provide insights into people’s genetic make up as well as their predisposition to certain illnesses. However, users are no longer able to access their personalised reports online and the company has not responded to the BBC’s requests for comment. Customers of the firm describe the situation as “very alarming” and say they want answers about what has happened to their “most personal information”. The regulator, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), has confirmed it has received a complaint about Atlas Biomed. “People have the right to expect that organisations will handle their personal information securely and responsibly,” it said in a statement. Experts say it shows how users of DNA-testing services can find themselves “completely at the mercy” of such companies when it comes to protecting very sensitive data. Disappearing DNA reports Lisa Topping, from Saffron Walden, Essex, sent a saliva sample to Atlas Biomed several years ago, paying around £100 for a personalised genetic report. As well as telling her about her DNA profile, it claimed to also inform her about her predisposition to ********* and even injuries, taking into account information she had provided in an accompanying questionnaire. She could access her report online – which she checked from time to time – until one day the website disappeared. She got no reply when she contacted them to ask what had happened. “I don’t know what someone else could do with [the data] but it’s the most personal information… I don’t know how comfortable I feel that they have just disappeared,” Lisa told me. In 2023, Kate Lake from Tonbridge, Kent, paid Atlas Biomed £139 for a report it never delivered. It promised her a refund – then went silent, despite her trying every means of contact she could find. “I just never heard back from anyone, it’s like no-one was at home,” she said. She describes the situation as “very alarming.” “What happens now to that information they have got? I would like to hear some answers,” she said. The BBC was also unable to contact Atlas Biomed. A phone number listed for the company is *****. The BBC visited its offices in London, but there was no sign of Atlas Biomed there. The firm’s Instagram account, with over 11,000 followers, was last updated in March 2022. Its final post on X was in August the same year. It shared a post on Facebook in June 2023, but did not respond to any of the comments – which were full of people complaining about being unable to contact it or access their profiles. Facebook Concerned users have taken to the company’s Facebook page Russia links The apparent disappearance of Atlas Biomed is a mystery – but it appears to have links with Russia. It is still listed as an active company with Companies House, where all ***-based businesses must register. However, it has not filed any accounts since December 2022. It lists eight official positions – though four of its officers have resigned. Two of the apparently remaining officers are listed at the same address in Moscow – as is a Russian billionaire, who is described as a now resigned director. Atlas Biomed’s registered office is near London’s so-called Silicon Roundabout, one of the prime locations in the *** for tech firms. When the BBC visited, there was no sign of Atlas Biomed itself, but a company registration firm based in the building confirmed that it was a client of theirs, and legitimately used the address as its own. The central London office where the company is registered This firm, in an email, claimed that it could not put the BBC in touch with Atlas Biomed “for security purposes”. “We highly suggest that you contact them directly,” it said. No-one from Atlas Biomed has responded to the BBC’s attempts to contact it. Cybersecurity expert Prof Alan Woodward said the apparent links to Russia were “odd.” “If people knew the provenance of this company and how it operates they might not be quite so ready to trust them with their DNA,” he told the BBC. ‘At their mercy’ None of this explains where Atlas Biomed’s database of customer DNA has ended up – and the BBC has seen no evidence it is being misused. But Prof Carissa Veliz – author of Privacy is Power – points out that DNA is arguably the most valuable personal data you have. It is uniquely yours, you can’t change it, and it reveals your – and by extension, your family’s – biological strengths and weaknesses. Biometric data is given special protection under the ***’s version of GDPR, the data protection law. “When you give your data to a company you are completely at their mercy and you have to be able to trust them,” Prof Veliz said. “We shouldn’t have to wait until something happens.” Additional reporting by Graham Fraser Source link #gave #DNA #tracking #company Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Samsung Early ****** Friday ***** – Save On Smartphones, Gaming Monitors, Smart Watches, And More Samsung Early ****** Friday ***** – Save On Smartphones, Gaming Monitors, Smart Watches, And More Samsung is giving you a chance to get a head start on your holiday shopping this year, as right now you’ll find over a dozen products down to some of their best prices of the year. The Early ****** Friday ***** includes everything from the Galaxy Z Fold6 to the Samsung 77-Inch Class OLED TV–so whether you’re shopping for yourself or a friend, this is a great time to start crossing items off your list. Both the Galaxy Z Flip6 and Z Fold6 are included in the event, but it’s the Z Fold6 that’s seeing the better deal. Along with an instant $200 price cut, select trade-ins are eligible for up to $1,200. For example, trading in the Galaxy S24 Ultra gets you the full $1,200 trade credit, bringing the final price of the Z Fold6 to just $500. If you’re interested in the Z Flip6, trading in the same Galaxy S24 Ultra will only get you $750. That’ll bring the price of the smartphone to $470 (was $1,220). As for gaming monitors, take a look at the 49-Inch Odyssey OLED G9. Along with an OLED display, it boasts a blistering 250Hz refresh rate, a slim metal design, and G-Sync compatibility along with AMD FreeSync Premium Pro for a tear-free gaming experience. It’s now on ***** for the great price of $1,079 (was $1,800), so consider treating yourself to an updated battlestation this holiday season. Alternatively, you can spring for the 57-Inch Odyssey Neo G9, which gets you most of the same features plus additional real estate for $2,000 ($2,500). Samsung’s latest wearable, the Galaxy Watch7, is available for $240 (was $300), which is a pretty solid price for the popular smartwatch. This discount applies to the 40mm version in either green or cream colors, and you’ll get to choose from three different band types. Step up to the 44mm version and you’ll pay $270 (was $330). Both versions support Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, though you can add 4G LTE support for an extra $50. Plenty of other gadgets are discounted in Samsung’s ****** Friday *****, and you’ll find our favorites below. For more ****** Friday discounts, be sure to check out Best Buy’s *****, which includes deals on headphones, gaming laptops, and moe. Meanwhile, Target’s early ****** Friday deals includes up to 40% off Lego sets. Best Samsung ****** Friday Deals Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 — Save up to $950 Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Series — Save up to $1,000 Samsung Galaxy Watch7 — $240 ($300) Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 — Get up to $1,200 trade credits Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra — Get up to $750 trade credits Samsung Bespoke Smart Slide-In Gas Range — $1,099 ($2,144) Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro — $210 ($250) Samsung 55-Inch Odyssey Ark 2nd Gen Curved Monitor — $1,800 ($3,000) Samsung Bespoke AI Laundry Combo — $1,899 ($3,324) Bespoke 4-Door Flex Refrigerator — $3,299 ($4,999) Samsung 49-Inch Odyssey OLED G9 Curved Monitor — $1,078 ($1,800) Samsung Q-Series 11.1.4 Ch. Wireless Dolby Atmos Soundbar — $1,500 ($2,000) Samsung 77-Inch Class OLED S95D — $3,500 ($4,500) Samsung 75-Inch Class The Frame QLED 4K — $2,300 ($3,000) Samsung 57-Inch Odyssey Neo G9 Curved Gaming Monitor — $2,000 ($2,500) Source link #Samsung #Early #****** #Friday #***** #Save #Smartphones #Gaming #Monitors #Smart #Watches Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Report: Musk took part in call between Trump, Zelenskyy Report: Musk took part in call between Trump, Zelenskyy Report: Musk took part in call between Trump, Zelenskyy – CBS News Watch CBS News A new Axios report says that billionaire Elon Musk was on a phone call between President-elect Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, underscoring that Musk has a seat at the table as Trump navigates his return to power. Robert Costa has more. Be the first to know Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not Now Turn On Source link #Report #Musk #part #call #Trump #Zelenskyy Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Tranquillity base is just outside the Lake District Tranquillity base is just outside the Lake District “Good morning!” It’s just after 9am and I’m bounding along the promenade of Grange-over-Sands, where fellow strollers, plus dog walkers and joggers, are in fine cheer on this bright early autumn’s day. Rays of sunlight are spraying the vast watery expanse of Morecambe Bay, against whose northern edge this quaint little Cumbrian town is set. Looking out to the bay, I wonder if Grange should in fact be named Grange-over-Grass because its promenade skirts beside a luxuriant, marshy carpet of green, and its vibrant hue contrasts splendidly with today’s cloudless sky. Beyond the vegetation, I spy a sweep of sand, as the bay is at low tide, and dozens of birds are nibbling and pecking away as my nose catches a breeze spiked with salty aromas. I’ve been in something of a trance for a while now, even before my train dropped me off at Grange’s cute train station. My eyes had been glued to the train window as we crossed the viaduct that spans the bay here by the estuary of River Kent, a waterway that wriggles down from the hills of the nearby Lake District National Park. While Lakeland, as it’s also known, is one of England’s big tourist magnets, Grange ******** comparatively sleepy and ignored by the masses. It was a small fishing village until it grew into a tidy resort town in the late Victorian and Edwardian age after the arrival of the railway in the late 19th century. Unlike other popular resort towns of that era, such as Morecambe, which nestles further south beside the bay in Lancashire, Grange doesn’t have a beach as such. But it more than makes up for that with its other attractions, led by its delightful south-facing promenade, which curves for about 2km and gives you time and space to appreciate the glorious natural setting. Peeking back over the water, you’ll notice the green peaks of the Arnside and Silverdale AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) — another hidden gem in this part of the world and one also accessible by the train. Camera IconThe bayside promenade of Grange-over-Sands is a delightful place for a stroll. Credit: Steve McKenna/ Liberally sprinkled with benches and lovingly-manicured gardens, Grange’s promenade has telescopes and information boards charting the town’s history, the railway’s impact, the bay’s mercurial nature and all the birds that reside here or call in during the year, from waxwings and marsh harriers to bitterns and oystercatchers. Towards the end of the promenade, where the bay grass has taken on a burnished autumnal tinge, scaffolding shrouds the town’s seawater lido, which dates from 1932. The locals are hoping for funding to restore it to its art deco glory. The sound of electric trimmers slightly jolts the peace and quiet, with a pair of silver-haired men tidying up some hedges by the (currently unoccupied) exercise stations and facilities for bowling, tennis, putting, crazy golf and skateboarding. There are a few spots for refreshments on the promenade, but you’ll find plenty more options if you duck through one of the short tunnels or walk the bridge beyond the railway line that divides the bay from Grange’s town centre. That has its own pleasing setting, backing on to wooded hills and furnished with rows of picturesque stone and whitewashed townhouses. Many properties have gardens crawling with hydrangeas, roofs clad in solar panels, and some double as family-run hotels, B&Bs and self-catering accommodation. I have to say Grange makes for a lovely placid base for the region, whether you’re hiking into the bucolic countryside surrounding town (which I’ll do later) or road-tripping into the Lake District. The town has a few familiar British supermarket and cafe chains, but most businesses are independent. I pass butchers, bakers, pie-makers, tearooms, hardware shops, florists, barbers, pharmacies, galleries and bookshops. There’s a chippy, a kebab shop and a Cantonese restaurant, as well as neighbourhood bistros offering stylishly-presented dishes with seasonal ingredients, including pork, beef and lamb reared on the farms of Cumbria. After a scenic hike into the hills above town, it’s nice to have a drink at one of the watering holes with bay-facing balconies or ***** gardens. One is the Commodore, previously the Bay Horse – an inn for the coach service that had horse-drawn carriages making the treacherous journey over the bay’s shape-shifting sands. The railway changed that, of course, making travel safer and faster — although it did initially cause a problem for the ladies of Grange. In Park Road Gardens, one of the ornamental gardens splitting the town from the railway line, there’s a bandstand framed by a pond with water lilies. It was originally by the promenade, with brass bands attracting crowds, but after complaints that the soot from passing steam trains was ruining the ladies’ dresses, it was transferred here to this slightly elevated spot. I say “hello” to one of the female volunteers caring for these gardens, where butterflies float over lawns and beds of sweetly-scented flowers. I take a breather and soak up the sunshine and the views from one of the many bay-facing benches scattering Grange-over-Sands. I ponder what a lovely place this is — and how relatively few people, even Brits, know about it. fact file Camera IconGrange-over-Sands is blessed with lovingly-manicured gardens. Credit: Steve McKenna/ Camera IconGrange-over-Sands is blessed with lovingly-manicured gardens. Credit: Steve McKenna/ Camera IconGrange-over-Sands is serviced by regular trains from rail hubs in the north of England. Credit: Steve McKenna/ Camera IconGrange-over-Sands overlooks Morecambe Bay. Credit: Steve McKenna/ Camera IconGrange-over-Sands overlooks Morecambe Bay. Credit: Steve McKenna/ Camera IconPark Road Gardens is renowned locally for its bandstand. Credit: Steve McKenna/ Camera IconQuaint buildings pepper Grange-over-Sands. Credit: Steve McKenna/ Camera IconThe bayside promenade of Grange-over-Sands is a delightful place for a stroll. Credit: Steve McKenna/ Source link #Tranquillity #base #Lake #District Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Top 15 Xbox Series X Games With Stunning Graphics [2024 Edition] Top 15 Xbox Series X Games With Stunning Graphics [2024 Edition] -Foxtrot37d ago The Evil Within Anniversary Edition? Good ****. We were robbed. I would imagine they would have improved the graphics and animations to bring them more in line with the second game. Wishful thinking but it would have been really cool if they redid the voice lines from the first game aswell with the same actors from the second, I felt they had more personality in the sequel. The only person I thought gave it a bit more than the others was Jennifer Carpenter as Kidman but the sequels voice actress did a great job aswell. Microsoft is going to do f*** all with the IP and we’ll never see a second Ruvik and Seb showdown. I hope Krafton goes back and gets it after Hi-Fi Rush 2 if it was only because they didn’t want the initial purchase to get complicated. Source link #Top #Xbox #Series #Games #Stunning #Graphics #Edition Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]