Pelican Press

Marjorie Taylor Greene picked a fight with Grok Marjorie Taylor Greene picked a fight with Grok Last week, Elon Musk’s AI chatbot Grok experienced a “bug” that made it tell users about the “white genocide” conspiracy theory in South Africa, even when prompted with questions that had nothing to do with the topic … and soon after, Grok expressed skepticism over the Holocaust death toll, which it chalked up to a “programming error.” But with a degree of mental gymnastics that could put Simone Biles to shame, Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) has decided that Elon Musk’s robot baby Grok is too far left. Image Credits:Twitter/X (screenshot) “Grok is left leaning and continues to spread fake news and propaganda,” Greene wrote on X. She shared a screenshot in which Grok says that Greene is a Christian who has expressed her belief in Jesus, but concedes that some Christians are troubled by her support for conspiracy theories like QAnon. “Critics, including religious leaders, argue her actions contradict Christian values of love and unity, citing her defense of January 6 and divisive rhetoric,” Grok wrote in the screenshot Greene shared. X was already having a particularly challenging day — the app has been experiencing outages for hours, which could possibly be related to fires that broke out in its Oregon data center yesterday. But while Greene may be a known peddler of harmful misinformation and conspiracies, she did actually make a great point in the end: “When people give up their own discernment, stop seeking the truth, and depend on AI to analyze information, they will be lost,” she said on X. Source link #Marjorie #Taylor #Greene #picked #fight #Grok Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Gearbox exec apologizes for “real fans” remark Gearbox exec apologizes for “real fans” remark ****** Pitchford has apologized for a previous remark earlier this week surrounding $80 Borderlands 4 and “real fans.” Pitchford took to Twitter, responding to a fan who shared around what his comments sound like through a Handsome Jack AI. The exec addressed it, first by thanking the people giving him a chuckle before pulling things back and addressing that it wasn’t his intent before once again swinging around to proclaim Borderlands 4 to be on track to be the best entry ever. Boy howdy, JackGPT, is that how I sound? My bad, but cheers to Duke_Newcombe and @MoxsyOG for the funniest thing I’m going to read today! In seriousness though, nobody likes being taken for granted and it was not my intent. I’m humbled by the love and support everyone has shown… [Hidden Content] — ****** Pitchford (@DuvalMagic) May 22, 2025 “In seriousness though, nobody likes being taken for granted and it was not my intent. I’m humbled by the love and support everyone has shown the team as we push hard to get this amazing game in your hands. They’re crushing it, and I can’t wait for everyone to play what’s going to be the best Borderlands ever! Regardless of where the price lands, it’s going to be worth it and then some.” Of course, he is ensuring people know that wherever the price falls, it’s still out of his control, but promises it will be worth whatever price tag Gearbox slaps on it. Borderlands 4 releases September 12 on the PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. A Switch 2 port is also releasing at a later date. Gabriel Stanford-Reisinger Editor-in-Chief Gabe has been a gamer since he was young, playing games like Pajama Sam, Freddi Fish, Guitar Hero, and whatever looked cool on GameFly. Ever since 2018, he’s been infatuated with the inner workings of the gaming and entertainment industries, covering a wide range of topics from video games to TV and film. Starting as a contributor for PSX Extreme, he’s worked his way up to its Managing Editor. Using what’s he learned over the years, he founded Smash Jump to remind everyone to smash jump. Source link #Gearbox #exec #apologizes #real #fans #remark Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Measles cases reach 1,046 in US as infections confirmed in 30 states: CDC – ABC News Measles cases reach 1,046 in US as infections confirmed in 30 states: CDC – ABC News Measles cases reach 1,046 in US as infections confirmed in 30 states: CDC ABC NewsHow much worse could America’s measles outbreak get? The EconomistAnchorage resident tests positive for measles as health officials warn of broader exposure Anchorage Daily NewsMeasles vaccines save millions of lives each year Our World in DataMeasles case reported in Anchorage, health officials say Alaska’s News Source Source link #Measles #cases #reach #infections #confirmed #states #CDC #ABC #News Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Kim Kardashian robbery trial: 8 of 10 defendants found guilty – National Kim Kardashian robbery trial: 8 of 10 defendants found guilty – National Eight defendants were convicted of crimes connected to the 2016 robbery of reality TV star Kim Kardashian nearly 10 years after the high-profile heist. According to NBC News, two of the 10 defendants were acquitted on charges of planning and carrying out the armed robbery during Paris Fashion Week nine years ago. A court in the French capital decided the verdict in the trial of the “grandpa robbers” accused of stealing millions of dollars of Kardashian’s jewelry. The robbery was considered the biggest heist targeting an individual that Paris had seen in decades. The jury of six citizens conducted the trial, along with three magistrates — a procedure in France reserved for the most serious crimes. The panel of three judges and six jurors needed a majority vote of seven to reach a decision. Kardashian wasn’t present Friday for the verdict, which was reached shortly after 8 p.m. local time or 2 p.m. ET. Story continues below advertisement Nine men and a woman stood accused of carrying out or aiding the crime, when the robbers, dressed as police, forced their way into the glamorous Hôtel de Pourtalès, bound Kardashian with zip ties and escaped with $6 million worth of her jewelry. After delivering final statements in court, the defendants were dismissed Friday morning, with a verdict finally being delivered by the afternoon. Aomar Aït Khedache, the alleged ringleader, was sentenced to eight years imprisonment but five of those are suspended. Three others who were accused on the most serious charges got seven years, five of them suspended. With time already served in pretrial detention, none of those found guilty will go to prison, according to The Associated Press. Defendant Aomar Aït Khedache is seen outside the Palais De Justice on April 28, 2025 in Paris, France. Pierre Suu/Getty Images Kardashian issued a statement after the ruling was announced. Story continues below advertisement “I am deeply grateful to the French authorities for pursuing justice in this case,” she said. “The crime was the most terrifying experience of my life, leaving a lasting impact on me and my family. While I’ll never forget what happened, I believe in the power of growth and accountability and pray for healing for all. I remain committed to advocating for justice, and promoting a fair legal system.” 0:54 Kim Kardashian arrives to court as witness in Paris robbery trial Khedache’s DNA, found on the bands used to bind Kardashian, was a key breakthrough that helped crack open the case. Wiretaps captured him giving orders, recruiting accomplices and arranging to sell the diamonds in Belgium. A diamond-encrusted cross, dropped during the escape, was the only piece of jewelry ever recovered. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Khedache said he was only a foot soldier. He blamed a mysterious “X” or “Ben” — someone prosecutors say never existed. Story continues below advertisement His lawyer pleaded for clemency, pointing to one of the trial’s most visceral moments — Kardashian’s earlier courtroom encounter with the man accused of orchestrating her ordeal. “She looked at him when she came, she listened to the letter he had written to her, and then she forgave him,” lawyer Franck Berton told The Associated Press. “I do appreciate the letter, I forgive you,” Kardashian told Khedache. “But it doesn’t change the feelings and the trauma and the fact that my life was forever changed.” More on Entertainment More videos Kardashian testified on May 13 in a packed Paris courthouse and told the jury that she thought she was going to be ********* assaulted during the 2016 heist. “I was certain that was the moment that he was going to ***** me,” she told a Paris court Tuesday. “I absolutely did think I was going to die.” Kardashian, who was tearful at times, said she was getting ready for bed when she heard loud footsteps ascending the stairs to her hotel room, telling the court that at first she thought it was her sister Kourtney and a friend returning from a Paris Fashion Week event in the early hours of Oct. 3. She recalled calling out to ask who was there before masked men entered the room. Story continues below advertisement “I obviously was very confused. I had to make sense of what was happening. I was just about to fall asleep, naked with a robe on,” she told the court. “Honestly, a lot of terrorist attacks were happening in the world, and I thought it was some sort of terrorist attack, and I didn’t immediately understand it was for my jewelry.” This court sketch made on May 13, 2025 in Paris shows US celebrity Kim Kardashian (C), next to co-accused Aomar Ait Khedache, testifying before the Assize Court for the trial over the 2016 robbery. AFP) (Photo by BENOIT PEYRUCQ/AFP via Getty Images She said the suspects arrived at her hotel dressed as police officers and held the concierge hostage. He was dragged into her room, handcuffed, according to Kardashian. One attacker began gesturing at her diamond ring. “He said, ‘Ring! Ring!’ and he pointed to his hand,” she recalled. Kardashian grabbed her phone to call the police, but didn’t know the French emergency number. She then tried to contact her sister and bodyguard, but was stopped by one of the masked assailants. Story continues below advertisement The men dragged her to the bathroom, she said, where they taped her mouth and told her she would not be harmed as long as she did not make any noise. She recalled being handled aggressively by the suspects, but said they did not hit her. “I was not hit. No, I was grabbed, and dragged into the other room, and thrown onto the floor, but wasn’t hit, no,” she told the court. “[The gun] was pointed towards me to get me to go from room to room, and it was pointed toward me on the bed at the end.” Trending Now Kim Jong Un furious over ship launch ******, calls mishap a ‘criminal act’ You did it, baby: New grad dad chased by cops after bringing infant son onstage Her testimony marked a long-awaited moment in a trial that has captivated France and the wider world for almost a decade, and reignited discussions about the price of fame as well as the risks of living in the public eye. Kardashian was joined by her mother, Kris Jenner, in the heavily guarded Parisian courtroom. Dressed in ****** with $1.5 million worth of diamonds draped around her neck — according to a press release her team sent to journalists at the trial, reports The Associated Press — her voice quivered as she thanked the French authorities for allowing her to “speak my truth.”” Story continues below advertisement US celebrity Kim Kardashian (L) leaves with her mother Kris Jenner (R) the Assize Court after testifying in a trial over the 2016 robbery that saw her relieved of millions of dollars’ worth of jewelry at gunpoint in Paris, on May 13, 2025. LEO VIGNAL/AFP via Getty Images One of the suspects in the armed robbery said he regrets the “trauma” he caused Kardashian nearly nine years later. Defendant Yunice Abbas said this was the first time he truly recognized the “trauma” he caused Kardashian, as the trial began on April 29 in the proceedings against 10 people charged in connection with the 2016 robbery. “I regret it, not because I got caught, but because … there was a trauma,” Abbas, 72, told the jury. Defendant Yunice Abbas arrives for the start of the tria for the 2016 robbery and kidnapping of US celebrity Kim Kardashian at the Assize Court of Paris, on April 28, 2025. MAGALI COHEN/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images Abbas was the first of several defendants set to testify in the trial and had previously confessed to his role in the crime in his 2021 book, titled I Kidnapped Kim Kardashian, which came up during the testimony. Story continues below advertisement He claimed that he was not responsible for the title of the book and he said he was not involved in tying up Kardashian during the robbery, according to NBC News. Abbas said he acted as a lookout at the reception area on the ground floor, ensuring the escape route was clear. He said he was unarmed and did not personally threaten Kardashian, but acknowledged he shared responsibility for the crime. He was arrested in January 2017 and spent 21 months in prison before being released under judicial supervision. Abbas and nine others, called the “grandpa robbers” in local media due to their ages, are alleged to have played different roles in the heist. According to Abbas, minutes after the raid started, his accomplices came down from Kardashian’s apartment and gave him a bag of jewelry. As he was fleeing the scene on a bicycle, he saw a police car, but officers were not yet aware of the robbery. Abbas said that as he rode the bicycle, the bag containing the jewelry became caught in the front wheel and he fell to the ground, spilling the contents of the bag. “I picked the jewels up and left,” he said. The following morning, a passerby found a diamond-encrusted cross in the street and handed it to police. That was the only jewelry from the robbery that was ever recovered. Story continues below advertisement Abbas claimed he didn’t know Kardashian’s identity at the time of the robbery. Twelve people were originally expected in the defendants’ box. One has died and another is seriously ill and can’t be tried. According to the investigation, five of the 10 defendants were present at the scene of the robbery — With files from Global News’ Rachel Goodman and The Associated Press Curator Recommendations Stretch your spending with these 10 Amazon deals ********* brand spotlight series: Get to know Monos Source link #Kim #Kardashian #robbery #trial #defendants #guilty #National Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

The West *********** Pulse: Mary Berry from Iona Presentation College the winner of the Editor’s Choice award The West *********** Pulse: Mary Berry from Iona Presentation College the winner of the Editor’s Choice award Mary Berry from Iona Presentation College has won the The West *********** Pulse 2025 Editor’s Choice Award. Source link #West #*********** #Pulse #Mary #Berry #Iona #Presentation #College #winner #Editors #Choice #award Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Cecile Elstein obituary Cecile Elstein obituary My mother, Cecile Elstein, who has died aged 87, had a passion for natural objects and making things with found materials. She was a sculptor, printmaker and environmental artist, whose work was about experience and the response to relationships and environments through feeling, thought and action. “Creativity works to adapt, repair and celebrate,” she said. “Material methods of artistic production begin with observation, investigation, research and design.” Born in Cape Town, South Africa, Cecile was the elder child of Michael Hoberman, who ran a thriving coal-delivery business, and his wife, Ruth (nee Rappaport). Her younger brother, Gerald, became a photographer and publisher. Cecile went to Cape of Good Hope seminary, a girls’ school in Cape Town, and studied sculpture with Lippy Lipshitz at the Michaelis School of Fine Art, and then in the studio of Nell Kaye in the late 1950s. Cecile was working as a lab assistant in Groote Schuur hospital when she met Max Elstein, a doctor, whom she married in 1957, aged 19. To escape apartheid they moved in 1961 to the ***, at first to London, where in 1965 Cecile became a pupil of the surrealist artist Catherine Yarrow. In 1970, the family moved to Southampton, where Cecile set up a life-drawing group. She studied sculpture and printmaking at West Surrey College of Art and Design in Farnham (now part of UCA, the University for the Creative Arts). In 1977, we moved to Manchester when Max took up the chair of obstetrics, gynaecology and human reproductive health at the university. Cecile set up her studio-workshop there, teaching “awareness through art”. In 2001, she set up Didsbury Drawing, a life-drawing group based on a philosophy of non-interference. Cecile was influenced by the work of the philosopher Martin Buber and Albert Camus’s The Myth of Sisyphus. She pursued accessible environments, empathy in design, and developed experimental methodologies. Between 1980 and 2019 she worked with Kip Gresham, a pioneering printmaker, at his Manchester and Cambridge workshops. In 1983, Cecile was granted a North-West Bursary award for Mandarah, a pneumatic artwork; it toured to Singapore international arts festival, representing Britain. In 1986, she was a prize winner at the Ninth British International Print Biennale, Bradford; her public artworks include a site-specific sculpture, Tangents (1997), at the Wimpole Estate, Cambridgeshire. Cecile also made commissioned portraiture, large abstract screen prints and “art in environment” works, which are held and exhibited in public and private collections, including the Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester, Manchester Cathedral, Manchester Academy of Fine Art, Salford University Gallery, and the Royal Northern College of Music. Cecile was an influential presence in Manchester’s artistic and cultural life. Cecile and Max cared for my brother, Paul, who had multiple sclerosis, from the 1980s until his death in 1998. Cecile is survived by Max, me, six grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. Source link #Cecile #Elstein #obituary Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Judge blocks Trump admin's move to bar Harvard from enrolling international students – NPR Judge blocks Trump admin's move to bar Harvard from enrolling international students – NPR Judge blocks Trump admin’s move to bar Harvard from enrolling international students NPRFederal judge halts Trump administration ban on Harvard’s ability to enroll international students CNN’The most devastating news’ — ********* Harvard students grapple with Trump’s ban CBCJudge blocks Trump administration’s ban on Harvard accepting international students The GuardianJudge temporarily blocks Trump plan to stop Harvard enrolling foreign students BBC Source link #Judge #blocks #Trump #admin039s #move #bar #Harvard #enrolling #international #students #NPR Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Indian IT giant investigates M&S cyber attack link Indian IT giant investigates M&S cyber attack link An Indian IT company is conducting an internal investigation to determine whether it was the gateway for the cyber attack on Marks & Spencer, BBC News understands. ***** Consultancy Services (TCS) has provided services to M&S for more than a decade. Earlier this week, M&S said the hackers who have brought huge disruption to the retailer managed to gain access to their systems via a “third party” – a company working alongside it – rather than accessing those systems directly. M&S and TCS have both declined to comment. The FT, which first reported the story, cited people close to the investigation who said it was hoped the probe would be concluded by the end of the month. It is not clear when TCS launched its investigation. Customers have not been able to buy items on the M&S website since the end of April. It said earlier this week that online services should see a gradual return to normal over the coming weeks, but some level of disruption would continue until July. M&S estimates that the cyber-attack will hit this year’s profits by around £300m. Police are focusing on a notorious group of English-speaking hackers, known as Scattered Spider, the BBC has learned. The same group is believed to have been behind attacks on the Co-op and Harrods, but it was M&S that suffered the biggest impact. TCS says it has over 607,000 employees across the world and is the lead sponsor of three of the most prestigious marathons in the world – New York, London and Sydney, On its website, TCS said it worked with M&S on Sparks, its customer reward scheme. In 2023, TCS and M&S won the Retail Partnership of the Year award at the Retail Systems Awards. TCS has a portfolio of well-known clients including the Co-Op, according to its website. There is no indication of the internal probe is also looking at the hack on the Co-Op. TCS also counts easyjet, Nationwide and Jaguar Land Rover among its many clients. Earlier this week, M&S chief executive Stuart Machin said: “Over the last few weeks, we have been managing a highly sophisticated and targeted cyber-attack, which has led to a limited ******* of disruption.” In a media call on Wednesday, he did not respond to a question about whether the company had paid a ransom as part of the process. Source link #Indian #giant #investigates #cyber #attack #link Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Eight guilty over Kim Kardashian armed robbery in Paris Eight guilty over Kim Kardashian armed robbery in Paris BBC Eight people put on trial after US reality TV star Kim Kardashian was robbed at gunpoint of millions of dollars’ worth of jewellery in Paris nearly a decade ago have been found guilty on all counts. The four who took part in the heist were given prison sentences of up to eight years, but most of these terms were suspended. Two people were acquitted. Nine men and one woman were accused of carrying out or aiding the armed burglary of £10m (£7.55m) worth of jewellery, including a diamond engagement ring, during Paris Fashion Week in 2016. This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest version. You can receive Breaking News on a smartphone or tablet via the BBC News App. You can also follow @BBCBreaking on X to get the latest alerts. Source link #guilty #Kim #Kardashian #armed #robbery #Paris Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Belle Taylor: Useless things to waste your money on Belle Taylor: Useless things to waste your money on My mother was appalled. “You bought WHAT?” she spluttered as I showed off my new purchase. I was excited. She was not. “It’s a delinter!” I explained, a little slower in case she missed it the first time and thought I said “useless junk” and not “life-changing laundry hack”. I did a demonstration on a jumper, showing her how the little electronic device picked up all the icky little ****** of wool that pop up on worn clothing. “Isn’t it brilliant!” I said. I missed what she said after that as the delinter is quite noisy. It sounded a bit like, “Ridiculous!” and “Is this some sort of meditation for you?” and “I have an old manual one that’s much quicker and quieter!” and, at one point, while tutting, “If my mother were still alive . . .” just so I understood that by making this purchase I had disappointed not only her, but several generations of my forebears. The world is full of useless crap, unfortunately I am a sucker for most of it. However, sometimes even I come across a product that I would at least hesitate to throw money at. Like the Face Dunk Bowl. A pitch for it landed in a colleague’s inbox the other day and she instantly forwarded it to me because I guess I have a reputation now. It’s a bowl you put ice blocks in and then dunk your face into. They claim it is “perfect for all face shapes”. It is also is the exact shape of my toddler’s potty. “Until now, facial ice therapy has relied on DIY spill-prone salad bowls, made famous by TikTok, or applying ice directly to facial skin”, the media kit states (and yes, I’d never heard of ”facial ice therapy” either). To illustrate the ineffectiveness of other methods of making your face really cold, the Face Dunk Bowl marketing people have helpfully supplied pictures of two unfortunate Face Dunk Bowl-less women awkwardly holding giant chunks of ice against their skin or trying to dunk their faces in comically small bowls. I have included them here because everyone has to see this. Camera IconSad women who don’t have Face Dunk Bowls. Credit: Face Dunk Bowl The Face Dunk Bowl costs . . . wait for it . . . $99. Which is a lot more than a delinter. Just saying. Camera IconChicken with Arms. Credit: uselessthingstobuy.com If I did have $99 I wanted to spend on some useless stuff, I could just go to my new favourite website, uselessthingstobuy.com (yes, this is real and exists). It has handily curated some of the most useless things you can waste your money on. You can purchase a bean bag that doubles as a goon bag with a straw. It’s called the Sit N’ Sip Refillable Winebag Chair. You can sit on it while laughing at your chickens that you have attached muscle-man arms to. Or snacking on the pizza slice that you keep around your neck in a handy Portable Pizza Pouch, or simply admiring your giant cardboard cut-out of Danny DeVito. All this stuff exists and is for *****. But really, at about the point you’re about to pull out the credit card to purchase a floating poop pool thermometer or a book on how to talk to your cat about gun safety, it’s probably time to step back and ask yourself if you actually need this stuff. And if you’re still tempted, just go dunk your face in some ice. Nothing like looking at the bottom of a $99 plastic bowl to knock some sense into you. Source link #Belle #Taylor #Useless #waste #money Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Border czar Tom Homan’s security detail costs around $1 million a month Border czar Tom Homan’s security detail costs around $1 million a month Security for Trump administration border czar Tom Homan costs more than $500,000 a month, multiple sources within the administration told CBS News, an amount that has drawn attention from allies of President Trump who have been seeking to shrink government spending. The total cost of Homan’s security — with roughly $500,000 in salaries for agents plus airfare, hotel bills and other travel expenses for his protective bubble — adds up to around $1 million per month for the Trump appointee, another administration official said. Homan declined to comment on Friday. “DHS ensures our leaders are safe and protected,” Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security Tricia McLaughlin told CBS News Friday, citing “dangerous rhetoric” from politicians and activists surrounding the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement efforts that result in an increase in assaults and doxxing, exposing someone’s identifying information online. “We will continue to take measures to ensure Mr. Homan and his family are safe,” McLaughlin added. The Department of Homeland Security declined to confirm the cost. Homan is trailed by a rotating detail of special agents from DHS’s investigative arm, known as Homeland Security Investigations or HSI, according to one of the sources, who added that roughly 30 agents trade off to provide round-the-clock protection to Homan. That would add up to about $12 million by year’s end. The protection for Homan — which includes a security detail at his home, when he drives to his offices in the White House West Wing and at Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s D.C. headquarters, or when he is out in public — is paid for by DHS. Homan, one of the faces of Mr. Trump’s pledge to conduct the largest deportation operation in U.S. history, has drawn threats from those who want to cause him harm, two of the sources familiar with his situation said. Homeland Security Investigations has performed an intelligence threat assessment to gauge the risk to the border czar. The question is whether he needs as much security as he has requested, said three of the sources, who requested anonymity in order to speak about sensitive security matters. One administration official described the personnel and money funneled to Homan’s security detail as “extravagant,” adding they “sucked resources away from other senior leadership, including other cabinet members.” The border czar at times travels in a four-vehicle motorcade — more cars than the two-car package cabinet members typically use. During the Biden administration, the Trump campaign asked for protection for Homan but it was rejected, according to multiple sources. Not every administration official who deals with public criticism is granted government-paid security. The expense for officials with protection usually hits the higher range if they’re required to travel for their job. The details for former Trump national security advisers John Bolton and Robert O’Brien, who were guarded by the U.S. Secret Service under the Biden administration, cost about $12 million a year, records show. During Mr. Trump’s first term, U.S. Marshals Service protection for Education Secretary Betsy Devos ranged annually from about $5 million to just under $8 million. Homan frequently appears on television and in other media interviews, increasing his public profile — and he doesn’t ****** words when it comes to the administration’s views on ******** immigration. He has argued for arresting U.S. citizens who knowingly harbor people who are in the country illegally or impede law enforcement efforts, and has called for drug cartels, which he said have an influence in southern border states, to be “wiped off the face of the earth.” In November, Homan said that he began receiving death threats soon after Mr. Trump announced he’d appoint him to be border czar. He told Fox News’ “Fox and Friends” in February that he requires around-the-clock protection. “I got state troopers around my house 24-7 right now because of death threats,” Homan said. The legislation containing Mr. Trump’s tax cuts, border and defense priorities would increase spending for DHS by $65 million, compared to last year, according to an analysis by the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. Jennifer Jacobs Jennifer Jacobs is a senior White House reporter at CBS News. Source link #Border #czar #Tom #Homans #security #detail #costs #million #month Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Authorities search for escaped Louisiana inmate; was unaware ******* suspect was missing until tipped off by public Authorities search for escaped Louisiana inmate; was unaware ******* suspect was missing until tipped off by public Authorities in Louisiana are looking for an inmate who escaped jail for the second time in a year after a member of the public tipped them off Thursday. Tra’Von Johnson, 19, was awaiting trial in Tangipahoa Parish Jail for his alleged role in a 2022 Hammond-area home invasion where a man was killed and his child was injured, according to the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office. The sheriff’s office said it received a call just before 10 p.m. on Thursday from a member of the public who asked if Johnson was still in custody. “Following an immediate headcount of the jail population and a review of Johnson’s movements throughout the day, it was determined Johnson escaped around 4:30 p.m. when another inmate helped lift him over the perimeter fence,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement, adding that Johnson was the only inmate to have escaped Thursday. Tra’von Johnson. (Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office) No information was immediately available about anyone who allegedly assisted Johnson in his escape. This is Johnson’s second escape from the jail in a year, according to the sheriff’s office, who said he was one of four inmates who broke out of the facility “a year ago this month.” Details about Johnson’s 2024 escape were not immediately available. The sheriff’s office said it called on law enforcement partners for help in the search to find Johnson, alerted victims of his escape and contacted his family members and “known associates.” Johnson is 5 feet and 5 inches, weighs 120 pounds and is from the Tickfaw area, according to the sheriff’s office. Anyone who sees Johnson or has information on his whereabouts is encouraged to get in touch with the sheriff’s office. Johnson’s escape isn’t the only prison break that has plagued Louisiana this week. A week ago in New Orleans, 10 inmates escaped the Orleans Parish Justice Center, a realization that was discovered during a routine headcount. Five of the 10 inmates have since been apprehended, with the remaining five still at large. Sterling Williams, a maintenance worker at the facility, has been accused of cutting off the water so inmates could pull the toilet from the wall, leading to their escape, according to officials, who also said three employees were placed on leave without pay. It’s not clear whether Williams was one of those employees. More than 200 law enforcement personnel are assisting in the search for the five who remain at large, officials said. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Source link #Authorities #search #escaped #Louisiana #inmate #unaware #******* #suspect #missing #tipped #public Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

56 More Titles Join PlayStation Cloud Gaming, Forza Horizon 5 Included 56 More Titles Join PlayStation Cloud Gaming, Forza Horizon 5 Included It’s time to see which PS5, PS4, PS VR2, and free-to-play games topped the PlayStation Store download charts last month. April saw a lot of action among the top spots. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered and Forza Horizon 5 broke into the top three for the U.S. and EU PS5 charts, while Wanderer: The Fragments of Fate dominated the PS VR2 charts across the board. Source link #Titles #Join #PlayStation #Cloud #Gaming #Forza #Horizon #Included Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Hamburg stabbing: Twelve injured in knife attack at railway station – BBC Hamburg stabbing: Twelve injured in knife attack at railway station – BBC Hamburg stabbing: Twelve injured in knife attack at railway station BBCTwelve people injured in stabbing attack at Hamburg train station The GuardianSeveral people stabbed in a train station in Hamburg, Germany, police say PBSSeveral people injured in stabbing at Hamburg train station, ******* police say YahooMultiple people injured in Hamburg train station stabbing, suspect in custody: Police ABC News Source link #Hamburg #stabbing #Twelve #injured #knife #attack #railway #station #BBC Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Naughty Dog’s New IP Intergalactic Has The “Deepest” Gameplay The Studio Has Ever Done Naughty Dog’s New IP Intergalactic Has The “Deepest” Gameplay The Studio Has Ever Done Naughty Dog boss Neil Druckmann has further discussed the company’s upcoming new IP, Intergalatic: The Heretic Prophet, saying it offers the “deepest” gameplay for any game the studio has made so far. Druckmann also briefly discussed the backlash from some people to the game’s unveiling. Speaking to Last Stand Media (via PC Gamer), Druckmann said he’s “very, very excited” for Intergalactic, adding that “it’s the deepest gameplay we’ve ever done.” It’s not exactly clear what he means by that, but we should find out in time. “I can’t wait to show it off,” Druckmann said. A scene from Intergalactic. The reveal trailer for Intergalactic showed main character Jordan A. Mun in a spaceship before she descended down onto a planet to fight a giant robot enemy with a red sword. The trailer cut out just as the action was set to begin, so we can only guess as to what happens next. Also in the interview, Druckmann reacted to some of the controversy surrounding Intergalactic, and specifically the misogynistic and racist comments directed at Tati Gabrielle, who plays Mun. “I don’t know if there’s much I could add to that conversation, to be honest,” Druckmann said. “There’s stuff happening with media right now that you just have to ignore for the most part, just stick to your guns, and do what you believe in. And I feel like that’s how I want artists to carry themselves.” Gabrielle herself said she received “a lot of love” about her playing the lead in Naughty Dog’s new game, but there was also “lot of hate over me being a woman, me being a woman of color, me having my head shaved; all these things…” She said Druckmann told her to ignore it and have faith that Naughty Dog is “going to make something that we’re proud of.” Intergalactic, which Druckmann is directing, is in the works now for PS5, but it doesn’t have a release date. It’s not the only game that Naughty Dog is currently building, as it’s also making at least one other single-player game, which Druckmann is also involved with. It’s unknown what this game is, but some are theorizing that it could be The Last of Us 3. Meanwhile, HBO’s The Last of Us TV series–which Druckmann is involved with–wraps up its second season on Sunday, May 25. A third season will follow, and a fourth may close the show out. Source link #Naughty #Dogs #Intergalactic #Deepest #Gameplay #Studio Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

French court finds eight guilty in Kardashian robbery French court finds eight guilty in Kardashian robbery A Paris court has found the ringleader and seven other people guilty in the 2016 robbery of Kim Kardashian. The court acquitted two of the 10 defendants. The sentences being read out by the court president range from prison terms to fines. Aomar Aït Khedache, 69, the ringleader, received the stiffest sentence, eight years imprisonment but five of those are suspended. Three others who were accused on the most serious charges received seven years, five of them suspended. Khedache arrived at court walking with a stick, his face hidden from cameras. His DNA, found on the bands used to bind Kardashian, was a key breakthrough that helped crack open the case. Wiretaps captured him giving orders, recruiting accomplices and arranging to sell the diamonds in Belgium. A diamond-encrusted cross, dropped during the escape, was the only piece of jewellery ever recovered. The crime took place on the night of October 2, 2016 during Paris Fashion Week. The robbers, dressed as police, forced their way into the glamorous Hôtel de Pourtalès, bound Kardashian with zip ties and escaped with her jewellery – a theft that would force celebrities to rethink how they live and protect themselves. The accused became known in France as “les papys braqueurs” or the grandpa robbers. Some arrived in court in orthopaedic shoes and one leaned on a cane. But prosecutors warned observers not to be fooled. The defendants faced charges including armed robbery, kidnapping and gang association. Source link #French #court #finds #guilty #Kardashian #robbery Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Switch 2 supports USB mouse controls, developer reveals Switch 2 supports USB mouse controls, developer reveals Nintendo Switch 2 supports USB mouse controls, a launch game developer has confirmed. Koei Tecmo posted a video on Thursday showing gameplay footage of the Switch 2 version of strategy game Nobunaga’s Ambition: Awakening Complete Edition. In the video, producer Michi Ryu demonstrated the game in action, using the right Joy-**** 2’s mouse controls to control an on-screen cursor. Ryu pressed the SL button on the side of one Joy-**** 2, at which point a message on the screen indicated that the controller was now in mouse mode. By pressing it again, the Joy-**** 2 switched back to controller mode. “The functionality is the same as the already released Steam version, allowing for left click, right click and wheel operations,” he explained, showing that moving the Joy-****’s analogue stick up and down in mouse mode has the same functionality as moving a scroll wheel up and down. Ryu explained that while using the right Joy-**** 2 for mouse controls, he can also use the left Joy-**** 2 for various shortcuts, such as speeding up and slowing down time, or moving to different castles. “For those who get used to it, operating via these shortcuts can make the game flow more smoothly,” he explained. He then plugged in a standard USB mouse, confirming that these can also be used with Switch 2 hardware. When the mouse is plugged in, a message on the screen shows that the mouse is connected and takes priority over the Joy-**** 2’s mouse controls. Ryu then showed that it was possible to use the USB mouse with the right hand, but continue to use the left Joy-**** 2 with the left hand, meaning all the controller shortcuts are still available even when using a standard mouse. USB keyboards and mice can also be plugged into the original Switch, but because not many Switch games feature keyboard or mouse support their use is limited. Because Switch 2 includes mouse controls built into the Joy-**** 2, the number of games that support mouse controls – and therefore a USB mouse – is likely to be significantly higher. VGC’s Chris Scullion recently wrote an opinion piece on the Switch 2’s mouse controls, suggesting that although they were perfectly accurate and intuitive, the fact the Joy-**** 2 controllers are much smaller than a standard mouse means it could prove uncomfortable over longer periods, especially for players with larger hands. “I can’t help feeling like there’s money on the table waiting for either Nintendo or a third-party peripheral manufacturer to come up with something that will make the set-up more comfortable for players who plan on playing certain games with mouse controls for extended periods of time,” the article says. “I can’t imagine playing Civilization 7 for hours on end with my hand like a claw and not suffering for it the next day.” The confirmation that Switch 2 supports USB mice will likely go some way to addressing this issue, although some Switch 2 games have more advanced mouse functionality which may not support a standard mouse. For example, Metroid Prime 4 still requires the use of the right Joy-**** 2’s various buttons while it’s in mouse mode, while some of Super Mario Party Jamboree: Switch 2 Edition’s new mouse-based mini-games make use of the Joy-****’s HD rumble at the same time, something a standard mouse can’t provide. Source link #Switch #supports #USB #mouse #controls #developer #reveals Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

TJX Stock Price Stumble Is Your Chance to Pick Up a Bargain TJX Stock Price Stumble Is Your Chance to Pick Up a Bargain TJX Companies (NYSE:) stock price stumbled in the wake of its Q1 earnings report and guidance update, but investors should not fret. The move is a natural market movement within an otherwise bullish trend caused by tepidness in the result report. The results were better than expected, with organic and store count growth in the equation, but guidance left something to be desired. What that was is strength. The company is guiding for 2% to 3% top-line growth, which is good enough to sustain the capital return outlook, but it was expected. Before the release, the market moved to a new high and needed hot guidance to hold the gain. TJX Companies Is Trending Higher in 2025 Investors should take away that as-expected guidance aligns with the uptrend. The uptrend is supported by sustained revenue growth, the cash flow it generates, and the company’s capital allocations, which include dividends, distribution growth, and share buybacks. Share buybacks are central to the investing thesis. They reduce the count significantly each year and are on track to hit $2.5 billion in 2025. At the end of Q1, the pace of buybacks reduced the count by 1.2% year over year and is expected to remain steady as the year progresses, providing a tailwind for stock price action and leverage for investors. The analysts’ response to the results and guidance update aligns with an uptrending stock price. Although MarketBeat tracks a few price target reductions, more analysts lifted their price targets, which is leading to the high end of the range. That forecasts roughly 25% upside from the critical support target, which is the 30-day moving average. Other pertinent details from the analysts’ data are that coverage is increasing, and the sentiment is firming, with the Moderate Buy rating leaning hard toward a firm Buy. TJX Companies Is Well-Positioned for Business in 2025 TJX Companies had a solid quarter with revenue growing by 5%, outpacing the consensus estimate, and margins firm. The growth was underpinned by a 3% systemwide comp driven entirely by transactions. Segmentally, the core Marmaxx group grew by 2% organically and 4% reported, with stronger performance in HomeGoods, TJX Canada, and TJX International. The only weak spot was comp sales in TJX Canada, which were potentially impacted by the backlash at Trump’s attitude toward Canada. Margin news is also good. The company experienced margin pressure, but not as badly as feared. The net result is that GAAP earnings contracted by a penny compared to last year, but a penny’s worth of outperformance offsets the weakness. The critical detail is that the cash flow is sufficient to sustain the capital return outlook and the robust balance sheet health. TJX Companies is a retailer with a fortress balance sheet. The balance sheet reflects share repurchases and increased inventory, but remains net cash with low leverage. Long-term debt is 3x earnings and expected to remain stable. Other critical details include the 13% YOY increase in equity and the company’s position for the summer season. Management continues to view the merchandise market as favorable, has leaned into acquiring quality products, and is prepared to channel fresh inventory to stores over the summer. Institutions Provide Solid Support in 2025 The institutional activity suggests the post-release downturn in TJX price action will not last long. The institutions, which own about 90% of the stock, have been buying on balance in 2025. Their activity hit multi-year highs in Q1 and remains strong in Q2, providing solid support for this market. The risk is that the TJX stock price will enter a trading range and could linger within it until macroeconomic conditions stabilize. Original Post Source link #TJX #Stock #Price #Stumble #Chance #Pick #Bargain Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Boeing, DOJ reach deal to avoid prosecution over 737 Max crashes Boeing, DOJ reach deal to avoid prosecution over 737 Max crashes Ethiopian Federal policemen stand at the scene of the Ethiopian Airlines Flight ET 302 plane ******, near the town of Bishoftu, southeast of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia March 11, 2019. Tiksa Negeri | Reuters The U.S. Justice Department said Friday that it has reached a deal with Boeing to avoid prosecution over two crashes of the plane maker’s 737 Max that killed 346 people. The so-called non-prosecution agreement would allow Boeing, a major military contractor and top U.S. exporter, to avoid being labeled a felon. The decision means Boeing won’t face trial as scheduled next month. The Justice Department met with ****** victims’ family members last week to discuss the potential deal. In a court filing on Friday the DOJ said “is the Government’s judgment that the Agreement is a fair and just resolution that serves the public interest.” “The Agreement guarantees further accountability and substantial benefits from Boeing immediately, while avoiding the uncertainty and litigation risk presented by proceeding to trial.” Boeing didn’t immediately comment. Boeing has been trying for years to put the two crashes of its best-selling Max planes — a Lion Air flight in October 2018 and an Ethiopian Airlines flight less than five months later — behind it. The Maxes were grounded worldwide for nearly two years after the second ******, a pause that gave rival Airbus a head start to recover from the Covid pandemic. But families of the ****** victims have criticized previous agreements as sweetheart deals for Boeing, called for more accountability from the company and said its executives should stand trial. In 2022, a former chief technical pilot for Boeing was acquitted on fraud charges tied to the Max’s development. The aerospace giant reached a settlement in 2021 in the final days of the first Trump administration that shielded it from prosecution for three years. Under that deal, Boeing agreed to pay a $2.51 billion fine to avoid prosecution. That included a $243.6 million criminal penalty, a $500 million fund for ****** victims family members and $1.77 billion for its airline customers. Rescuers work at the scene of an Ethiopian Airlines flight ****** near Bishoftu, or Debre Zeit, south of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Monday, March 11, 2019. Mulugeta Ayene | Reuters That 2021 settlement was set to expire two days after a door panel blew out of a nearly new 737 Max 9 operated by Alaska Airlines on Jan. 5, 2024, after the aircraft left Boeing’s factory without key bolts installed. But last year, U.S. prosecutors said Boeing violated the 2021 settlement, accusing the company of failing to set up and enforce a compliance and ethics program to detect violations of U.S. fraud laws. Last July, toward the end of the Biden administration, Boeing agreed to plead guilty to the criminal fraud charge in a new settlement. A federal judge later rejected the plea deal, citing concerns with a diversity, equity and inclusion requirements for choosing a corporate monitor. Under that 2024 deal, Boeing would have faced a fine of up to $487.2 million, though the Justice Department recommended that the court credit Boeing with half that amount it paid under the previous agreement. Family members hold photographs of Boeing 737 MAX ****** victims lost in two deadly 737 MAX crashes that killed 346 people as Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg testifies before a Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee hearing on “aviation safety” and the grounded 737 MAX on Capitol Hill in Washington, October 29, 2019. Sarah Silbiger | Reuters The U.S. had accused Boeing of conspiracy to defraud the government by misleading regulators about its inclusion of a flight-control system on the Max that was later implicated in the two crashes. “Boeing’s employees chose the path of profit over candor by concealing material information from the FAA concerning the operation of its 737 Max airplane and engaging in an effort to cover up their deception,” then-acting Assistant Attorney General David Burns of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division said at the time of the 2021 deferred prosecution agreement. Messages revealed in an investigation into the Max’s development showed the former top Boeing pilot who was found not guilty of fraud in 2022, Mark Forkner, told the FAA to delete the flight-control system known as MCAS from manuals and, in a separate email, he boasted about “jedi-mind tricking” regulators into approving the training material. Lawyers for victims’ family members railed against last year’s preliminary plea deal, equating it to a slap on the wrist for the corporate giant, which recently won a contract worth billions to built the next-generation fighter jet. This is breaking news. Please refresh for updates. Source link #Boeing #DOJ #reach #deal #avoid #prosecution #Max #crashes Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance Preview – How ***** And Lizardcube Pulled Shinobi Out Of The Shadows Shinobi: Art of Vengeance Preview – How ***** And Lizardcube Pulled Shinobi Out Of The Shadows In 1987, ***** sought to capitalize upon the mainstream popularity of ninjas with an arcade title called Shinobi. The title was a big hit for ***** as it attempted to recapture success in the arcade market, and the company leveraged the acclaim to help it make headway in the console gaming market as it converted the game to the ***** Master System, PC, and even *****’s future rival platform, the Nintendo Entertainment System. The result was a multiplatform hit that established its protagonist, Joe Musashi, as one of *****’s early heroes and spawned several sequels in arcades and across Genesis, Game Gear, Saturn, PlayStation 2, and 3DS. However, following the 3DS release of Shinobi 3D in 2011, the franchise came to a screeching halt. What was once considered one of *****’s flagship franchises went dormant for over a decade, and memories of Joe Musashi’s adventures settled securely into the realm of nostalgia. Though ***** released an enhanced version of the original game in 2020 on Switch as part of the retro series ***** Ages, it felt increasingly like 2011 was the final time fans would step into the tabi of the Oboro Clan. The ***** Ages version of Shinobi (2020) In that time, other franchises fell away one by one. Longtime ***** mainstays like Super Monkey Ball and Virtua Fighter joined already dormant series like Golden Axe, Jet Set Radio, and Crazy Taxi, as increasing emphasis was put on franchises like Sonic the Hedgehog and, in the coming years, Yakuza (Like a Dragon). “When people hear ‘*****’ nowadays, they usually have the impression of Sonic or Like a Dragon, which we are very grateful for,” director of *****’s content production department Kagasei Shimomura says. “These are IPs that we are very proud of, of course, but we do think that if you had asked people maybe 20 years ago or 30 years ago, there would have been fans thinking of many more IPs than Sonic or Like a Dragon. Those fans’ excitement is very important.” Power Surge Revenge of Shinobi (1989) Power Surge Shimomura and his team examined the back catalog, realizing the sheer breadth of IPs under *****’s umbrella over its more than 60 years in existence. They decided it would be to the company’s advantage and would appeal to a broader fan base to revive various inactive franchises. The aforementioned ***** Ages collection kept several classic series alive through enhanced remasters, but Shimomura, who helped spearhead ***** Ages, didn’t think that was enough. “We didn’t just want to go and make remasters or remakes of all the titles that are already around,” he says. “We want people to enjoy and be satisfied by what we put out there, and find ways to create new ***** fans.” After deciding to rebuild these seemingly lost franchises, Shinobi emerged as an early favorite for the fan base and the team. Shimomura loves the series as a player but also noticed symmetry between this new ***** initiative and ***** Ages, as Shinobi was the first game to enter development in the Nintendo Switch ***** Ages program. Though it was not the first to release in that collection, Shimomura appreciated the poetic nature of having Shinobi be the first series to revive under this new initiative of bringing back legacy IPs. *****’s plans to develop new games in previously inactive franchises were revealed during The Game Awards 2023. The teaser trailer announced new projects for Jet Set Radio, Golden Axe, Streets of Rage, Crazy Taxi, and Shinobi. In addition, though not officially a part of this initiative, ***** released the first all-new entry in the Super Monkey Ball series in over a decade last year, and a new Virtua Fighter game is in development. Shimomura began thinking about how to approach these classic franchises, with special attention paid to Shinobi. He feels he can trace the lineage of all ***** action titles back to the original Shinobi game, making it a fitting place to start with the revival process for these IPs. Retro Reconnection Streets of Rage 4 (2020) Retro Reconnection Once Shinobi was settled as the appropriate title to kickstart this new strategy, Shimomura and the rest of ***** began looking for a development team that would best possess the capabilities to deliver a product that pays homage to the past while effectively bringing the series into the modern-day gaming landscape. ***** looked no further than a small indie studio that had recently accomplished that feat with two of its other long-dormant ***** franchises. Lizardcube, a Parisian game studio known for its gorgeous 2D art styles and tight gameplay, released Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap in 2017 and Streets of Rage 4 in 2020. Both titles received critical acclaim, earning scores in the 80s on the reviews aggregate site Metacritic. However, while both are new entries in *****-owned franchises, ***** was not directly involved with developing or publishing those titles. Instead, ***** licensed its IPs to Lizardcube. Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap (2017) “After the success of Streets of Rage 4, ***** came to us, basically asking how we’re doing and if we had any other ideas about reviving,” Lizardcube CEO and creative director Ben Fiquet says. “As big ***** fans, my blood started to boil once again.” Fiquet and his team at Lizardcube pitched ***** on a Shinobi game, which proved serendipitous, considering Shimomura’s preference for that franchise to kick off the legacy IP initiative. Lizardcube’s pitch impressed ***** in striking a balance between old and new, simultaneously delivering a nostalgic and novel experience, a common challenge for any developer remaking, remastering, or creating a new entry in a classic series. Shinobi: Art of Vengeance (2025) “Getting the tone right in terms of art, in terms of vibe, in terms of different setup, but the gameplay, sometimes people don’t remember the gameplay exactly; they just remember playing a ninja and being a fast action game for the time,” Fiquet says. “So, they want a fast action game, but it’s not the same thing as in the ‘90s on the Genesis. A fast action-platformer game has a lot of competition now. It needs to appeal to modern gamers, which, in my opinion, is fair because nostalgia can only get us so far, and we want the new people to care, and some people are young and they don’t know about the license.” After Fiquet’s team at Lizardcube submitted a pitch to *****, Shinobi: Art of Vengeance was born. “Lizardcube is a studio that has extreme attention to detail and quality,” Shimomura says. “When they were working on Streets of Rage 4, this was also something that we could tell. Back then, when Streets of Rage 4 came out, it wasn’t that major to have revivals of older IPs on the market at that point, but we realized by the way people responded that working with a studio like Lizardcube that really has love and passion for ***** IPs is definitely something that users also appreciated.” Or-Orobos Or-Oboros Both sides agreed that a 2D action title would be the most effective and appropriate way to bring Shinobi back. However, that gameplay style still required iteration. Using Shinobi 1, 2, and 3 as the primary inspirations, Lizardcube began experimenting with ways to create a more engaging experience for the player. “We started the game as a direct follow-up of the gameplay for the original games, but we soon realized, even at the prototype phase, that it was kind of missing something,” Fiquet says. “We soon realized that if you wanted to have the player care about what they will be doing the most, which is fighting, the fighting will need to be more interesting. That’s why you have a lot of moves now, and it’s a very interesting mix because it’s more like a beat-‘em-up in a platforming environment. You have a combo system, you have different moves at your disposal, powers, ultras, and different stuff, so that when the player is doing what they’re doing the most, they are entertained.” Shimomura appreciated Lizardcube’s trademark striking art style and its approach to older IPs with respect but without fear of renovating where needed. “The action-platformer genre is really part of the Shinobi DNA; we call it the lore,” he says. “We didn’t want to make a remake or remaster, but we wanted to make sure that we stay true to the lore and also innovate alongside. We identify the lore to be the DNA of an IP, which is not just a story or a certain setting, but really the essence of the IP itself, which we do believe is, in part, the action-platformer genre.” This time around, ***** wanted to be more involved as a development and publishing partner rather than simply licensing the Shinobi IP like it did for Wonder Boy and Streets of Rage. “As you can imagine, it’s like a dream come true; if you’re a ***** fan and you were a kid in the ‘90s, working with *****, it’s kind of meeting your heroes in a way,” Fiquet says. “***** has a better knowledge of games in general, and their own games as well. The back and forth has been more constant from the beginning because our producer, whom I really like, came from game development; they are not just marketing or a producer just trying to sell you something because this is an old IP. They really know what they’re talking about.” The producer Fiquet refers to is Toru Ohara, who started as a game designer at ***** more than 30 years ago and serves as chief producer on Shinobi: Art of Vengeance from *****’s side. As Fiquet indicated, ***** is taking a more hands-on approach than simply filling traditional publisher duties. For instance, the art style in Lizardcube’s first pitch project was initially what Fiquet described as “a little soft.” Ohara and his team encouraged Lizardcube to become more expressive and use more brush strokes, resulting in the striking art style we now see in Shinboi: Art of Vengeance. “When they shared their ideas with us, we felt that this European art style in combination with a Japanese feel is something very special and unique,” Ohara says. “We tried to add to their very beautiful art style through our feedback [to create] a little bit more of a Japanese feel to make it very distinctive.” Ohara’s team consulted with Lizardcube on elements like brushstroke types, building designs, and other components to add more Japanese flavor to the visual aesthetics of Art of Vengeance. This collaboration’s result is vibrant and beautiful, even within a crowded 2D action-platforming genre. As Fiquet describes it, Shinobi: Art of Vengeance possesses a style that is often reserved for animation or comics rather than video games. This gorgeous art style is the most realized continuation of the path ’90s Genesis games like Aladdin, Earthworm Jim, Cool Spot, and The Lion King sent Fiquet down three decades ago. But it wasn’t just feedback and suggestions; a team led by Ohara actively joined Lizardcube for development. This wasn’t solely to deliver the best product possible but also to ensure everything remains wholly true to the Shinobi franchise. From the characters, world, themes, and, of course, the main protagonist Joe Musashi, Ohara, Shimomura, and their teams at ***** worked closely with Lizardcube to emphasize authenticity. Though ***** was precious about remaining true to the series, it encouraged evolution and experimentation. “We were very careful not to destroy the atmosphere that is very unique to Shinobi,” Ohara says. “We felt that [the 2D action-platformer genre] needed to be evolved and modernized in order to make sure that, nowadays, players can enjoy the game and that the play-feel is correct, and that you have a game that is up to modern standards quality-wise. We were very particular not to keep everything as it was just for the sake of keeping it as it was.” Striking in the Open Striking in the Open Though Shinobi: Art of Vengeance was first teased during The Game Awards 2023, another 2D ninja-based action-platformer in a legacy ’90s IP from a renowned indie developer was announced at The Game Awards 2024. Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is set to arrive later this year from The Game Kitchen, the studio behind the Blasphemous franchise. “I think, in a good way, there’s a lot going on in the action game market lately,” Ohara says. “We think there are a lot of great games coming out, not only indies, but new creators creating new types of 2D action games, and just so many new ideas.” As we approach the release of Shinobi: Art of Vengeance later this summer, Ohara feels confident that Shinobi: Art of Vengeance sets itself apart from other seemingly similar titles. “I really think there is something very new and distinct to this title, mainly the play-feel and a large variety of choices that you, as the player, can make,” he says. “The game starts out as a normal action game, but it does feel much more like a fighting game in the end, where you have all these different combos that you could choose from because you can learn to do more and more and be able to do more and more the further you go.” ***** isn’t viewing this as a one-off revival. If successful, the Shinobi franchise could experience a sustained revival that sees it retake a place of prominence among ***** IPs. “Most important for us is to create games, of course,” Shimomura says. “That being said, we do feel strongly about growing IPs and nurturing our IPs. So, the game release comes first, but we have also put out a release before about certain video content, but there are so many things that could happen in the future. Nothing is set in stone, of course, but there could be maybe comics or goods […] We do think that IPs are supposed to evolve and expand, and we really do feel very strongly about our Shinobi IP and want to take care of it and nurture it. Maybe there might be a Vengeance 2 somewhere along the road. This is obviously nothing that’s planned right now, but it really depends on how we can nurture the IP in the future and how the IP is going to grow, but we definitely do want to grow it.” But Shinobi: Art of Vengeance isn’t the only legacy IP returning in the near future. Franchises like Crazy Taxi, Jet Set Radio, Golden Axe, and Streets of Rage were also announced in that 2023 teaser video. “We can’t talk in detail about anything, but that being said, we are considering several projects and are working on several projects,” Shimomura says. “Not only games, but also other things that have been [announced] already. We’re really looking forward to growing several of our IPs and making sure that we have several fun things coming up in the future.” Shinbobi: Art of Vengeance arrives on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, and PC on August 29. Source link #Shinobi #Art #Vengeance #Preview #***** #Lizardcube #Pulled #Shinobi #Shadows Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

******* deaths tied to alcohol are rising fast, study finds – ABC News ******* deaths tied to alcohol are rising fast, study finds – ABC News ******* deaths tied to alcohol are rising fast, study finds ABC NewsAlcohol-related ******* deaths doubled from 1990 to 2021, study finds CBS NewsCancer deaths linked to alcohol on the rise in the U.S. NBC NewsAlcohol-fueled ******* deaths rise sharply in US over 30 years: The science behind it Times of IndiaAlcohol-Related ******* Deaths Double In The U.S. Wyoming Tribune Eagle Source link #******* #deaths #tied #alcohol #rising #fast #study #finds #ABC #News Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Measles likely to ‘grumble’ into summer as cases continue to surge – National Measles likely to ‘grumble’ into summer as cases continue to surge – National The number of confirmed cases of measles in Canada this year has surpassed 2,000 and infectious disease specialists say while the surge will eventually end, continued spread is expected into the summer. Recent numbers from the provinces show big jumps, with Ontario and Alberta seeing the highest case counts so far. Ontario reported a total of 173 new cases this past week, bringing the province’s total count to 1,795. On Wednesday, Alberta reported 19 more cases of the disease, bringing its total to more than 500 — the province’s cases have more than doubled since the beginning of the month. Manitoba and Saskatchewan have also seen jumps, with the former now at 60 and the latter at 45. No deaths have been reported in Canada this year, though several hospitalizations have. Story continues below advertisement “If there’s any case of measles in Canada, that’s too many cases,” said Dr. Isaac Bogoch, an infectious diseases specialist based at Toronto General Hospital. “But when we’re at, for example, roughly 1,800 cases to date in the country in the 2025 calendar year, that’s way too many cases. We have to actually take a step back and look at what’s driving this.” According to data from the federal government, an estimated 87.4 per cent of the population has been vaccinated, but due to its high infectivity, at least 95 per cent of the population needs to be immunized for herd immunity. Measles cases could ‘grumble into summer’ As the disease continues to spread, especially among under-vaccinated people, cases could continue to be reported well into the summer. “As long as it’s spreading within networks of under-vaccinated people and there are more of those networks and more people who are under-vaccinated now than in many years past, it will continue to smoulder along,” said Dr. Lynora Saxinger, an infectious diseases specialist at the University of Alberta. Story continues below advertisement Saxinger said the vast majority of people are protected due to having two doses of the vaccine or, among those born in the 1950s and ’60s, for example, having been infected by measles already. However, others like the immunocompromised, children and infants who have not been vaccinated yet, and pregnant women are at risk. 1:46 Measles cases continue to rise in Manitoba as outbreaks spread “As long as there’s measles circulating, there is enhanced risk for those groups of people and that’s going to be an ongoing concern, I think possibly for some time,” she said. Get weekly health news Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday. Bogoch said he estimates it could “grumble into the summer” and potentially further “until it meets a wall of immunity.” “It’s going to take a while and a lot of it is dependent on the pace of infection and the exposures throughout the country and the rates of vaccinations for under-vaccinated communities,” Bogoch said. Story continues below advertisement “There are modifiable factors here. So it’s hard to know exactly how this is going to play out, but I think it’s fair to say that it’s not going to go away tomorrow. It’s going to take months and months for this to dissipate.” N.B. gathering behind some outbreaks Earlier this year, the outbreak in Ontario was linked back to a “large gathering” last fall in New Brunswick’s Mennonite community, according to the provincial chief medical officer of health, Dr. Kieran Moore. Other provinces also reported measles cases related to this outbreak. At the time, Moore said more than 90 per cent of measles cases were among the unvaccinated. As of Thursday, all but 76 cases in that province were linked to this initial outbreak. Since this spread first began in Ontario, about 76 per cent of cases were in infants, children and adolescents, while nearly 24 per cent were in adults. Of the cases in infants and youth, 96 per cent were among those not immunized while 66 per cent of adult cases weren’t immunized. Story continues below advertisement The numbers are similar in places like Alberta, with more than three-quarters among children. U.S. surge continues, but potential for underreporting Canada is not the only country seeing a surge of cases, with measles also spreading in the U.S. in at least 31 states. On Friday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported a total of 1,046 confirmed cases across those states, an increase of 22 from last week. At least three deaths have also been reported, two of which were children. Trending Now You did it, baby: New grad dad chased by cops after bringing infant son onstage Kim Jong Un furious over ship launch ******, calls mishap a ‘criminal act’ The majority of cases are being reported in Texas, with 728 confirmed since January. Dr. Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, said in an interview he’s concerned there may be underreporting due to various factors. Story continues below advertisement “If you look at the doubling rate, you look at the hospitalization rate, and look at the death rate, we’ve had three deaths for a disease that typically kills one in a thousand people,” he said. “So I think those numbers are just wrong.” 2:05 Rising measles cases could lead to more problems down the road The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia says approximately one to three in 1,000 children who get measles die from their infection, though UChicago Medicine notes this rate applies to adults as well. The CDC notes the number of cases reported on its site is based only on confirmed cases, and is aware of probable measles cases being reported by jurisdictions. “This is the most contagious infection of humans,” Offit said. “It’s an airspace disease. I don’t have to have direct face-to-face contact with someone who’s sick, I just have to be in their airspace within two hours of them being there.” Story continues below advertisement Dr. David Sugerman, a senior scientist for the CDC, said last month at the agency’s advisory committee on immunization practice that a large number of cases are being missed by health authorities. “We do believe that there’s quite a large amount of cases that are not reported and underreported in working very closely with our colleagues in Texas,” Sugermen said in April. All three health care and infectious disease specialists pointed to vaccines as the key element that could help end this surge. Offit says it’s also key to get information to communities hesitant about vaccination. “I think the trick is to find people in that community who are trusted and get them the information they need to try and influence people to do what’s best for their and their children’s health,” he said. Story continues below advertisement The measles-mumps-rubella vaccine is routinely given in childhood, with two doses recommended prior to school entry, while some may already have immunity from previously being infected. Though the vaccine is widely available, Saxinger cautions that education is still needed as measles is sometimes thought of as a kid’s rash illness and “benign.” That’s not the case, she said. “If you have had two doses of measles vaccine or have had infection in the past, you are considerably protected and so it’s not like a risk to you,” she said. “But there’s ongoing risks to the community when there’s a spread because some people are not able to have that protection.” More on Canada More videos Source link #Measles #grumble #summer #cases #continue #surge #National Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut Is An Upgraded Version Aimed At Old And New Fans Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut Is An Upgraded Version Aimed At Old And New Fans Ryu Ga Gokotu fans are a special type of fandom where almost everyone involved agrees on one thing: Yakuza 0 is the best starting point in the Like A Dragon/Yakuza series. It’s very rare that someone disagrees that Yakuza 0 is one of the best titles in the entire franchise and still one of the best games the studio has made. Even after eight mainline titles–Yakuza Kiwami through Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth–there is simply no game in the series that catches the same feel as Yakuza 0. Fans will even beg any of their friends, gamers or not, to play Yakuza 0 cause it’s really that wonderful. When Yakuza Kiwami was released on the Nintendo Switch last fall, fans anticipated Yakuza 0 would finally make its way to the Nintendo platforms too. Although there were many technical issues with Kiwami being added on to an aged console, RGG fans will be happy to know Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut runs smoother than a perfect score on “Friday Night” in the disco minigame. You need a javascript enabled browser to watch videos. Size:640 × 360480 × 270 Want us to remember this setting for all your devices? Sign up or Sign in now! Please use a html5 video capable browser to watch videos. This video has an invalid file format. Sorry, but you can’t access this content! Please enter your date of birth to view this video JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031Year202520242023202220212020201920182017201620152014201320122011201020092008200720062005200420032002200120001999199819971996199519941993199219911990198919881987198619851984198319821981198019791978197719761975197419731972197119701969196819671966196519641963196219611960195919581957195619551954195319521951195019491948194719461945194419431942194119401939193819371936193519341933193219311930192919281927192619251924192319221921192019191918191719161915191419131912191119101909190819071906190519041903190219011900 By clicking ‘enter’, you agree to GameSpot’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy enter Now Playing: Yakuza Zero Video Review If you haven’t checked out the Yakuza/Like A Dragon series yet, the Director’s Cut is shaping up to be the best reason to finally try. Not only is Yakuza 0 widely considered the best entry to the series, as it takes place first in the story chronologically, but the Director’s Cut for Nintendo Switch 2 will have upgraded graphics and more features that are missing from the original. Yakuza 0 recap Before I even dip into what the Director’s Cut has to offer, I should probably explain why Yakuza 0 is so unique and beloved to those who are new to the series. For starters, Yakuza 0 takes place 20 years before the events in Yakuza 1/Kiwami, where the franchise originally started. It’s a dual-protagonist setup that focuses on Kiryu Kazuma, the series’ main protagonist, and Goro Majima, one of the most popular characters in the series. The story chapters transition between each character, who each have different quests, fighting styles, and several mini games, and who both live in two separate fictional cities in Japan. This was the first time I played Yakuza 0 since I beat it, and all my feelings came back. There is just something about that Japanese bubble area and the neon aesthetic that is oddly comforting and nostalgic. The soft glow of the city, the trashed alleyways, the colorful fashion–you can almost smell the ********** smoke while you run through Kamurocho. I won’t dive too deep into a full review of the original, but getting to demo the new Director’s Cut had me excited to play it all over again. Yakuza 0 brilliantly balances its goofy substories and side content with a serious, traumatic plot without ever making either of the two feel completely out of place. It blew my mind how well this game focuses on two protagonists and how all the events that happen throughout both Kiryu and Majima’s arcs ended with such a satisfying payoff with a heartfelt honor to its future titles. Director’s Cut new features Our short demo started in Chapter 3, just after Majima’s iconic character introduction cutscene, where you get to play as him for the first time and explore Sotenbori. There wasn’t much change in the gameplay compared to the original, but the graphics were sharp and performance was smooth, making the experience easy to adapt to on the new Nintendo Switch 2 controller. We got to explore the area in the newly added English dub. Matthew Mercer returns as Majima again, so of course the first thing I did was check out his rendition of 24-Hour Cinderella in the karaoke mini game–which was awesome, by the way. It was a little odd getting used to hearing young Majima in the English dub, but Mercer nailed the voice and attitude of the youthful gangster. A couple of other voice actors are returning for the dub too; Yong Yea comes back as Kiryu, and David Hayter returns as the voice of The Barten- err, I mean, Osamu Kashiwagi. One of the annoying mechanics in the original Yakuza 0 was saving. You could only save at phone booths, which made it tough during long battles and cutscenes. In the Director’s Cut, you finally have the option to save whenever you want. You can still use a phone booth for sorting storage, but now you don’t have to constantly remind yourself to make a pit stop for saving before getting too trapped in the story or side content. We didn’t get to explore much more of the gameplay, or any of Kiryu’s, but I can tell this will be a great launch title for Switch 2. Plus, we were told there will be 25+ minutes of added cutscenes to the story, and that alone will convince a lot of old fans to bite the bullet and purchase this game. Red Light Raid mode The second part of the demo had us go back to the main menu and check out the new Red Light Raid mode–the new online battle mode you can play single or multiplayer. As a side note, I noticed in the main menu that the OG Yakuza 0 theme, “Bubble” by Shōnan no Kaz was added. Originally, it wasn’t licensed for the U.S. release, so that was pretty cool. The Red Light Raid mode has six challenges, all being raids where you battle waves of enemies and bosses to collect money to unlock more characters. Most of the characters are various NPCs and enemies you meet throughout the game, so it was fun building teams of random misfits and terrifying bosses. You can choose one fighting style for each raid, so it’s great practice for new heat moves and combos, even though all I did was pick Kiryu’s Beast Mode and throw motorcycles at every enemy. The challenges end up getting tougher with each wave, which makes it quickly compelling. I’ve always felt that Yakuza’s beat’em up combat gets a little too easy, so having something like this feels like a true challenge. I’m sure I will spend way too many hours on this while Nishiki is waiting in a karaoke bar for me somewhere. Final thoughts Overall, Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut offered a lot more new features than I expected, on top of being an already fantastic game. The upgraded gameplay, added cutscenes, and online mode should be a great experience for new and old fans alike, and I’m very excited to see Nintendo fans’ love grow for our Yakuza boys. I can already see the Ryu Ga Gotoku fandom expanding with this release and can’t wait to relive those young Kiryu and Majima days myself. Source link #Yakuza #Directors #Cut #Upgraded #Version #Aimed #Fans Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Stokes delivers the venom as Bashir sets England record Stokes delivers the venom as Bashir sets England record Ben Stokes was back among the wickets and Shoaib Bashir became the youngest England bowler to 50 Test scalps as Zimbabwe struggled to stay afloat in the first Test at Trent Bridge. The hosts declared on 6-565 after a 45-minute thrash in the morning session, then picked up 11 wickets as they enforced the follow-on. A vibrant 139 from young opener Brian Bennett held them back but the tourists could only muster 265 in the first innings and finished 2-30 after being sent back in. With England still 270 in front, a hasty finish on the third day could be on the cards. Debutant Sam Cook opened his international account in his third over, Ben Curran caught at slip, but the lion’s share of the work was done by the captain and his young spinner at the Radcliffe Road End. Bashir, who came into the game on the back of just two wickets in three loan appearances for Glamorgan, dismissed experienced campaigners Craig Ervine and Sean Williams and later bowled Tafadzwa Tsiga with a beauty. In doing so the 21-year-old beat Steven Finn to the 50-wicket mark by almost seven months. In between times, Bashir injured a finger diving for a caught-and-bowled chance, leaving Stokes to step in while he left the field for treatment. Stokes has not bowled a competitive delivery since tearing his hamstring in December and has rarely seemed comfortable with the ball recent years, but looked finely tuned in an eye-catching spell. His second ball saw Bennett dropped at slip on 89 but Sikandar Raza and Wessly Madhevere were not so lucky, both dismissed in the space of 11 runless deliveries. It was a brief stint from the skipper but one that contained the kind of focused venom he has not always been able to find in recent times. Gus Atkinson finished off the innings with a couple of yorkers that were too hot for the tailenders who received them and, buoyed by a lead of exactly 300, Stokes called immediately for the follow-on. That meant a second chance of the day for Bennett but he was not able to recreate the fluency that brought him 26 fours and an admirable hundred in his first attempt. He was lbw to Atkinson for just one this time and Ervine turned Josh Tongue to short leg in a meek departure. England had resumed on 3-498, adding another 67 and losing three more wickets. Ollie Pope added only two to his overnight 169 before nicking Tanaka Chivanga, Blessing Muzarabani bounced out Stokes for nine and Harry Brook launched three sixes in a flashy 58. Source link #Stokes #delivers #venom #Bashir #sets #England #record Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Who could be the next Speaker? MPs make pitches ahead of vote – National Who could be the next Speaker? MPs make pitches ahead of vote – National By Sarah Ritchie The ********* Press Posted May 23, 2025 2:47 pm 1 min read Descrease article font size Increase article font size At least six members of Parliament are asking their colleagues to support their bid to become the next Speaker of the House of Commons, including the last man to hold that job, Greg Fergus. Former deputy Speaker Chris d’Entremont and fellow Conservative MP Tom Kmiec have also sent emails to MPs asking for their support. Get daily National news Get the day’s top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Liberals Rob Oliphant, Sean Casey and Sherry Romanado are also making their cases to colleagues, while Green Party Leader Elizabeth May says she’s still mulling whether she wants to run. Trending Now Trump hits Springsteen with a golf ball in fake video as feud escalates Canada Post workers will refuse overtime as union starts strike action Many of the candidates’ letters spoke about the need to improve the decorum and respect within the chamber. Members of Parliament will vote on Monday morning to select the new Speaker. King Charles will formally open the new Parliament Tuesday morning when he reads the government’s throne speech. More on Canada More videos &copy 2025 The ********* Press Source link #Speaker #MPs #pitches #ahead #vote #National Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]