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Only 1 of the 5 Upcoming Xbox Game Pass Releases Has Enough Hype to Beat ****** Ops 6 Only 1 of the 5 Upcoming Xbox Game Pass Releases Has Enough Hype to Beat ****** Ops 6 Upon its phenomenal debut, ****** Ops 6 established itself as the first Call of Duty title to ever have a day-one release on Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, setting an exciting precedent for the subscription service. Ever since the game was revealed, its biggest talking point has been its release on Microsoft’s service. The latest ****** Ops game helped the Call of Duty franchise regain its lost ground in the industry. (Image via Microsoft) Even Microsoft’s own CEO has claimed that ****** Ops 6 managed to set a new record for Game Pass service and generated quite a bit of buzz. However, there’s a brand-new game coming to the service in the near future that might surpass ****** Ops 6‘s records on Game Pass! Xbox Game Pass’ Next Magnus Opus is *****: The Dark Ages Xbox Game Pass is packed with multiple big releases next year. (Image via Microsoft) ***** fans, it’s time to prepare yourself for a brand-new chapter in the iconic franchise. Bethesda and Id Software have revealed that *****: The Dark Ages is all set to release on Xbox Series S/X and Windows in 2025! What’s even better is the fact that Xbox Game Pass subscribers will have day-one access to The Dark Ages. This addition will undoubtedly add to the value of Game Pass and allow subscribers to experience this renowned franchise without additional cost! The Dark Ages plans to bring players an intense ******-slaying action that’s central to the franchise. Gamers will step into the shoes of ***** Salyer once again and fend off hordes of demons with lethal weapons. This entry acts as a prequel before the events of 2016’s ***** and will explore the world of Argent D’Nur that hasn’t been touched upon in the IP yet, placing a much deeper focus on the society and social makeup of the land before the fall under *****’s forces. As we get closer to the game’s release, we’re likely to receive more details and gameplay footage of what we can expect to see in The Dark Ages. Xbox Game Pass Gets a Brand New Feature Xbox’s subscription service is truly a necessity in the modern era of gaming. (Image via Microsoft) There’s no denying the fact that 2024 has proven to be an incredible year for Xbox Game Pass. The service has seen the addition of various major day-one releases and the inclusion of Activision Blizzard games that pulled in millions of players. However, Microsoft has more in store for the service. Xbox has revealed that Game Pass Ultimate members now have the ability to stream certain games they own with the help of Xbox Cloud Gaming, which is currently in beta. The list includes 50 titles that aren’t a part of the service, including Baldur’s Gate 3, Cyberpunk 2077, Hogwarts Legacy, and many more. According to Xbox, players will be able to stream these games on all compatible devices with a supported browser as long as they own it. It’s great to see that Xbox is constantly pushing the boundaries with the Game Pass service and bringing in new useful features. With that said, are you excited for *****: The Dark Ages‘ release on Xbox Game Pass? Let us know in the comments below. Source link #Upcoming #Xbox #Game #Pass #Releases #Hype #Beat #****** #Ops Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Need to cool off? Dyson’s coveted purifier fans are up to 39% off for ****** Friday Need to cool off? Dyson’s coveted purifier fans are up to 39% off for ****** Friday The ****** Friday deals season is one of the best times to buy a Dyson tower fan. The British company’s fans, which sport a unique belted style and handy smart features, are typically sold at a high price – sometimes costing over AU$1,000! But with the ****** Friday bargains, we’ve seen the costs come down dramatically. The most impressive discount we’ve seen this year has been an all-time low price for the Dyson Purifier Cool, the company’s tall cooling fan that doubles as a HEPA-filtered air purifier. But a Dyson fan (pun alert!) will tell you that there’s more to fans than just cooling; fans that can sense airborne particles, including formaldehyde that can be emitted by several household items like new furniture, along with fans that double as heaters are on offer – and even though we’re heading into summer, a heating fan may be attractive once we head into winter in 2025. Different sizes, along with options that come with features through the MyDyson app, are available if you so wish. So let’s quit rambling – if you’re looking for a Dyson fan to beat the summer heat, this is your one-stop article. Source link #cool #Dysons #coveted #purifier #fans #****** #Friday Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

U.S. inflation edged up but investors aren’t fazed U.S. inflation edged up but investors aren’t fazed Stuffing mix is shown for ***** for the upcoming Thanksgiving Holiday in a grocery store in Encinitas, California, U.S., November, 24, 2024. Mike Blake | Reuters This report is from today’s CNBC Daily Open, our international markets newsletter. CNBC Daily Open brings investors up to speed on everything they need to know, no matter where they are. Like what you see? You can subscribe here. What you need to know today Inflation in October ticked upThe personal consumption expenditures price index for October ticked up 0.2% on the month and 2.3% on a 12-month basis, according to the U.S. Commerce Department on Wednesday. Core inflation rose 0.3% on the month and showed an annual reading of 2.8%, higher than September’s 2.7%. All figures were in with Dow Jones consensus estimates. U.S. markets break rallyU.S. stock markets fell on Wednesday, with the S&P 500 snapping its seven-day winning streak. Bond prices rose as Treasury yields slipped. The pan-********* Stoxx 600 lost 0.19%. Shares of Just Eat Takeaway dropped 2.7% after the Anglo-Dutch delivery firm said it will delist from the London Stock Exchange next month. Bitcoin rebounded Bitcoin rose 5.4% to $96,169.36 as of Thursday morning, bouncing back from a weekly low of around $90,700. Notably, the movement of bitcoin moved in opposite directions from U.S. indexes, which fell on Wednesday. “The bitcoin bull market has legs,” Alex Thorn, head of firmwide research at Galaxy Digital, wrote in a report Wednesday. Tariffs on Europe’s auto industry?It’s likely the euro zone is worried that U.S. President-elect Donald Trump will soon announce tariffs on the bloc’s auto industry. “The industry is linked eventually to the steel industry and the chemical industry, so it is the full supply chain that’s involved here,” said Rico Luman, senior sector economist for transport and logistics at Dutch bank ING. [PRO] Magnificent financial stocksDespite the market chatter about the “Magnificent Seven” bag of stocks, financial stocks have been the best-performing group so far in 2024. Within that sector, there is a corner that might do exceptionally well. The bottom line In preparation for a heavy meal of turkey and stuffing and pumpkin pie, investors in the U.S. kept their trading appetite light. The SPDR S&P 500, an exchange-traded fund that tracks the broad-based index, traded around 22.6% fewer shares than its 30-day average. So even though the S&P fell 0.38% to break its seven-day winning streak and the Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 0.31%, those moves don’t seem to be a sell-off sparked by mass panic. Instead, traders appear to be giving thanks to the year’s rally in Big Tech stocks by taking profit on them, which caused the Nasdaq Composite to drop a relatively steeper 0.6%. The fact that inflation in the U.S., on an annualized basis, ticked up by 0.1 percentage point from the previous month didn’t seem to faze investors much either, probably because it wasn’t an unexpected increase. In fact, traders boosted their bets that the U.S. Federal Reserve will lower rates by 25 basis points at its December meeting. The market is pricing in a 64.7% chance of that happening, higher than the 55.7% of a week ago, according to the CME FedWatch tool. “Today’s data shouldn’t change views of the likely path for disinflation, however bumpy,” said David Alcaly, lead macroeconomic strategist at Lazard Asset Management. Echoing his views, Scott Helfstein, Global X’s head of investment strategy, says he thinks the Fed “can eat turkey and watch football for a day knowing that they are close to full employment with price stability.” Investors can also throw themselves into the festivities. More than three-quarters of stocks in the S&P are above their 200-day moving average, suggesting a steady upward trend and a market “still solid,” according to Chris Verrone, head of the technical and macro research at Strategas. That’s plenty of things to be grateful for this Thanksgiving. — CNBC’s Jeff Cox, Scott Schnipper, Alex Harring and Sean Conlon contributed to this report. Source link #U.S #inflation #edged #investors #arent #fazed Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Dragon Age: The Veilguard Review – Gamer Social Club Dragon Age: The Veilguard Review – Gamer Social Club Dragon Age: The Veilguard launched on October 31, and we’ve already got a tiny window into how well it’s selling. It debuted at No.6 on Circana’s report of the top selling games in the US for the full month, just after Metaphor: ReFantazio. But its placement on a single chart doesn’t quite tell the full story. Source link #Dragon #Age #Veilguard #Review #Gamer #Social #Club Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Bank of Korea cuts benchmark lending rate by 25 basis points in a surprise move Bank of Korea cuts benchmark lending rate by 25 basis points in a surprise move A pedestrian walks past signage for the Bank of Korea in Seoul, South Korea, on Monday, Nov. 22, 2021. SeongJoon Cho | Bloomberg | Getty Images South Korea’s central bank on Thursday cut its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points to 3% in a surprise move. Economists polled by Reuters had estimated the bank to hold rates at 3.25%. This is the second straight cut as the Bank of Korea lowered rates by 25 basis points in its last meeting in October as well. Stock Chart IconStock chart icon The Kospi stock index was up 0.18%, while the South Korean fell 0.37% to trade at 1,393.82 against the U.S. dollar. This is breaking news, please check back for updates. Source link #Bank #Korea #cuts #benchmark #lending #rate #basis #points #surprise #move Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

The 67 best ****** Friday tech deals under $50 The 67 best ****** Friday tech deals under $50 ****** Friday is a great time to snag stocking stuffers and tech accessories at a discount. Engadget has reviewed and tested hundreds of small-but-useful electronics including speakers, cables, smart plugs, cameras, battery packs and earbuds, and we put the best ones in our related buying guides. Right now, many of those picks are seeing discounts that put them comfortably (or just barely) below the $50 mark. After you grab a few as gifts, don’t forget to grab an accessory or two for yourself. There are also a few subscription deals to check out. Here are the best ****** Friday tech deals under $50 we could find from retailers across the web. ****** Friday tech deals under $20 Amazon Halo: The Master Chief Collection for $10 ($30 off): As part of the Xbox ****** Friday *****, you can save up to 55 percent on titles (some titles are going as low as $5). A number of our top picks for the best Xbox games are included in the *****, including this Halo collection, ****** Stranding: Director’s Cut, Street Fighter 6 and Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred. And if you’re looking for more deals on game titles, check out Jeff Dunn’s ****** Friday gaming roundup. Amazon Echo Pop (2023) for $18 ($22 off): Amazon’s smallest Echo will fit in any room in your home, so Alexa can add things to your shopping list, set a timer, or answer questions (like “What’s a ***** cyclone?” or “Who is Penelope Cruz married to?”) from anywhere. Anker Nano Charger 30W USB-C for $13 ($7 off): This compact 30-watt wall charger is smaller than others of its wattage and can speedily juice up an iPhone or Android handset. Anker is one of Engadget’s most recommended accessory brands and this is the model we picked for our fast charger guide. Get the same deal at Anker with an auto-applied code. Anker Nano power bank with built-in USB-C connector for $16 ($4 off): It’s the size of an old-timey lipstick case but packs enough juice (and its own USB-C plug) to get a dying smartphone back in service with at least a half charge. It’s one of the winners in our guide to power banks. Also direct from Anker with an auto-applied code. Glocusent Tri-head clip-on book light for $16 ($4 off): Glocusent’s book light can stand on a desk or clip to a book and casts a wide swath of light across the widest of pages. It’s a pick in our book lovers gift guide. Beshon ********* travel plug adapter (two-pack) for $13 ($6 off with Prime): If you’re planning any trips abroad, take one of these, as Engadget’s Valentina Palladino recommends in our gifts for travelers guide. They come in versions made for Ireland, China and Japan, too. Elden Ring (PS4,PS5, Xbox) for $20 ($40 off): One of our favorite games is down to the best price we’ve tracked. It feels impressively handmade despite its epic scale that feels big but never superfluous. Also at Best Buy. Amazon Smart Plug for $13 ($12 off): If you rely on Alexa as your smart home assistant, this is an affordable and reliable way to control your lamps, fans and Christmas lights. It was one of the more reliable and fuss-free plugs I tested. Anker Nano II 713 Charger (45W) for $20 ($20 off): This 45-watt charger has a single USB-C port and will let you take advantage of the faster charging speeds newer devices offer (just make sure you have an equally robust cable). It’s one of the picks in our iPad accessories guide. Also at Anker with an auto-applied code. Chipolo ONE for $20 ($5 off): Our favorite Bluetooth tracker overall is loud, compact and readily tells you when you’ve left your keys (or whatever else you attach them to) behind. If you’re looking for a finding network to locate things you’ve lost out in the wild, this isn’t the one to get, but for everyday locating misplaced keys in the house, this is great. Belkin Apple AirTag secure holder for $15 ($5 off): AirTags are great, and we recommend them for iPhone users, but they have no built-in method for attaching them. This is one of the gizmos we recommend in our guide to secure the tag to your luggage and more. Also at Amazon. Elevation Lab TagVault (2 Pack) for $16 ($4 off with Prime): Another recommendation from our guide, Elevation Labs fabric mount is ideal for sticking an AirTag inside your coat, backpack or anything else you want to track. Also at Elevation Lab without Prime. PopSockets Phone Grip for $15 ($15 off): You can save 50 percent on the Pop Socket we recommend in our guide to iPhone accessories. Many other Pop Sockets are on ***** directly from Pop Socket for ****** Friday. J-Tech Digital Ergonomic Mouse for $18 ($13 off): The best budget ergo mouse has a vertical grip that’s a little wider than others of its ilk, which we found to be more comfortable. There are RGB lights, which can be fun. But which can also be turned off. WAVLINK USB-C hub for $13 ($13 off): The budget pick in our guide to USB-C hubs has an HDMI port, three USB connections (two type-A and one type-C) plus a generous 10-inch cable to give you more options when plugging into your laptop or tablet. Anker USB-C 240W Bio-Braided cable for $12 ($5 off): A fast charger won’t do much if the cable isn’t rated to handle the wattage. This 240W Anker cable is pulled from our list of the best iPhone accessories and will charge those devices (or any other rechargeable item with a USB-C port) as quickly as the brick and device will allow. Peak Design Packable Tote for $16 ($4 off): We recommend this handy bag in our gift guide for travelers. We like that it zips shut, is water resistant and has a padded shoulder/hand strap. Plus it packs into itself and takes up just a little more room than a deck of cards. The Best ****** Friday subscription deals under $50 Max / Engadget Max subscription for $18 (6-month) ($42 off): You can get six months of Max with Ads for $2.99 monthly instead of the usual $9.99. The subscription will automatically renew at that rate each month until the end of the promo *******, when it’ll automatically renew for the full $10. New and returning subscribers are eligible through Max.com, Roku, Apple and other streaming ecosystems, but is only open to new subscribers via Amazon ***** TV. Paramount+ ********* (two months) for $6 ($20 off): New and former subscribers can get two months of Paramount+ Essential (with ads, usually $8 monthly) or Paramount+ with ********* (ad-free, usually $13 monthly) for just $3 per month. It’s one of our favorite streaming services and the best place to watch as much Star Trek as you want. As with all subscriptions, remember the standard pricing will auto-renew after two months. Peacock (one year) for $20 for ($75 off): New and returning subscribers can get a full year of Peacock for just $20. It’s also one of our favorite streamings services and has some excellent shows like Mrs. Davis, Poker Face and ******** It. Note this is the ad-supported tier, it is only available through Peacock’s website and will auto renew after the year is up. Audible Premium Plus (3-month) for $1 ($29 off): If you don’t currently subscribe to Audible you can get three months of the audiobook service’s Premium Plus plan for $1. The service is usually $15 per month after a 30-day free trial. Premium Plus gives you access to the Audible Plus library, and lets you keep one title from a curated selection of audiobooks each month. Amazon Kindle Unlimited for $0 for one month ($12 off): Amazon’s ebook subscription service gives you access to a selected catalog of thousands titles for unlimited reading as well as some Audible audiobooks and magazines. Prime members can get two months for only $5. Headspace annual plan for $35 ($35 off): Our top pick for the best meditation app has tons of courses that address specific anxieties and worries, a good in-app search engine that makes it easy to find the right meditation you need, and additional yoga routines, podcasts and music sessions to try out. Disney+ Hulu bundle (one-year) for $36 ($96 off): This Disney+ ****** Friday deal gets you the ad-supported tiers of both Disney+ and Hulu (known as the Duo Basic bundle) for only $3 per month for one year. It’s one of the best streaming deals of the seasons since it gives you the ability to catch up on all those classic Disney holiday movies, and the thousands of episodes of TV that Hulu has. ****** Friday tech deals under $30 Photo by Amy Skorheim / Engadget Photo by Amy Skorheim / Engadget Kasa Smart Plug Mini 15A (4-pack) for $30 ($20 off): Our favorite smart plug overall connects to all the major smart home platforms, including from Apple, Google and Amazon. It’s perfectly simple to set up, stays connected and makes it easy to make your lights do what you want them to. Also at Amazon. TP-Link AC1200 Wi-Fi Extender (RE315) for $23 ($27 off): This is our pick for the best budget Wi-Fi extender. It’s easy to set up and offers good performance for the price. Just keep in mind it has smaller (1,500 square-foot) coverage and no support for Wi-Fi 6e. EarFun Free 2S wireless earbuds for $25 ($15 off): These don’t sound as sharp as other budget earbuds we recommend and there’s no noise cancellation or transparency mode, but if you need a pair of earbuds under $50 (or under $30 now) these are decently comfortable with a sound that’s a bit richer than others in its price range. Amazon Echo Buds for $25 ($25 off): Our favorite budget earbuds with an open ear design are made by Amazon. They don’t go all the way in your ear so you’ll hear more of what’s going on around you. The sound is decently separated, though we recommend tweaking the EQ in the Alexa app to bring down the treble a touch. Anker USB-C Hub 341 for $25 ($10 off): Anker’s seven-port hub lets you use a range of extras with your tablet, which is why we named it one of the best accessories for an iPad. In addition to extra USB connections, you also get a microSD and standard SD card slots. Logitech Signature M650 wireless mouse for $30 ($5 off): This portable mouse is great for anyone who changes locations when they work because it connects quickly and easily slips in a pack. It’s one of the gifts we recommend in our stocking stuffer guide. Also at Staples and direct from Logitech. Baseus 30W Magnetic Power Bank for $25 ($20 off): An honorable mention in our battery guide, this small Baseus bank delivers a fast charge either wirelessly for MagSafe compatible iPhones or via the attached USB-C cable. Ransom Notes board game for $28 ($7 off): Engadget’s Karissa Bell recommends this party board game in our gift guide thanks to its hilarity-inspiring appeal. It forces players to communicate complex concepts using a given number of word magnet tiles. Mysterium Board Game for $30 ($25 off): Our own Valentina Palladino recommends this game to anyone who loves a good mystery. It takes Clue to the next level and is best played with friends and family on a dark and stormy night. Settlers of Catan board game for $26 ($18 off): It’s hard to find anyone into board games who hasn’t yet played Catan, but this trading and settling game is a classic for a reason. Get it and prepare for some lively sheep bartering. ****** Friday tech deals under $40 Engadget Xbox Wireless Controller for $40 ($20 off): We’ve seen this deal before, but it’s a decent discount on a necessary accessory. The brighter colors are $45, but if you’re happy with the standard-issue ****** or white, you’ll save the most. Also at Best Buy and Target. Anker 525 charging station for $36 ($30 off): This is one of the handy items that makes working from home easier, as we recommend in our WFH gift guide. It offers four USB ports up front (both Type-A and Type-C) and three extra AC plugs in the back. Blink Mini 2 (two-pack) for $35 ($35 off): The newest Blink Mini wired security camera came out earlier this year and it supports 1080p video recordings, a wider field of view than the previous model and improved low-light performance. It may be wired, but you can use it outside with the $10 weather-resistant adapter. JBL Go 4 for $40 ($10 off): JBL’s smallest portable speaker has up to seven hours of battery life on a charge, has an IP67 waterproof rating and has a tiny built-in carry strap so you can bring it wherever you go. Also at JBL and Best Buy. Amazon ***** TV Stick 4K Max for $33 ($27 off): Amazon’s most powerful dongle supports 4K streaming with Dolby Vision, Wi-Fi 6E and live picture-in-picture mode so you can see security camera feeds directly on your TV as you’re watching a show or movie. In addition to being a solid streamer, it also makes a good retro gaming device. Anker 633 Magnetic Battery for $40 ($15 off): Choose from a MagSafe option or the 20W Power Delivery port via a USB-C cable (which charges things faster). The handy kickstand means you can look at your phone while it charges and that port lets you charge non-MagSafe devices too. Blink Outdoor 4 (2023) $38 ($52 off): Amazon’s latest outdoor Blink camera works well (and only) with Alexa, letting you check on your surroundings using the app or a compatible display (like an Echo Show or a ***** TV. OtterBox Performance Fast Charge Power Bank 20,000 mAh for $32 ($23 off): This is the larger-capacity model of the mid-range battery we recommend in our guide to power banks. Not only does it look cool, it’s durable and charges up a phone quickly through either the USB-C or USB-A port. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth for $40 ($30 off): Engadget’s Mat Smith gave this title a favorable review earlier this year. It helps if you’ve played its predecessor and it’s absolutely stuffed with things to do. This is a new low for the PS5 exclusive. Govee Smart LED Light Bars for $35 ($15 off): We like Govee’s playful smart lights and recommend the brand in our guide to smart bulbs. These light bars made the list in our stocking stuffer gift guide thanks to their versatility (they can stand up, lay flat or be mounted) and there’s no end to the multiple colors and sequences you can program. Razer Basilisk V3 ergonomic gaming mouse for $40 ($30 off): This is the gaming option in our guide to the best ergonomic mice. It’s super light and glides across multiple surfaces. The buttons are customizable and the thumb rest is comfortable. Also at Amazon. UGREEN Revodok Pro 109 USB-C hub for $38 ($16 off): The top pick in our buying guide to USB-C hubs has a good array of ports, the ability to support two 4K monitors, and a nice long host cable so you can easily arrange it on your desk. Moft Tripod iPhone Wallet for $40 ($10 off with Prime): Moft’s origami-inspired accessories tend to be clever and surprisingly useful. This one is no different, combining a single-card wallet with a dual-height stand. I was impressed with the sturdiness of the stand in such a thin package. If you don’t need to carry a single card, the wallet-less version is $32 right now. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom for $40 ($30 off): Nintendo announced its ****** Friday deals early, but they didn’t go live until November 25. The big callout here is Tears of the Kingdom. We found the game to be an absolute delight as it builds on all of the concepts and story introduced in Breath of the Wild. ****** Friday tech deals under $50 Amazon JBL Clip 5 for $49.95 ($30 off): JBL makes a good number of the winners in our guide to the best Bluetooth speakers. We didn’t review this one formally for our guide, but it’s one of the more affordable models the brand makes and the clip plus dunkable water resistance makes it easy to bring JBL’s signature dynamic range just about anywhere. Also at Walmart and direct from JBL. Ring pan and tilt security camera for $50 ($30 off): This security camera joined the Ring lineup only a few months ago, and this is the best price we’ve seen on it. It’s part of a larger Ring ***** that discounts home security gear by up to 50 percent (though many of those deals hit above the $50 mark). Amazon Echo Show 5 (2023) for $45 ($45 off): The newest Echo Show 5 made our list of the best smart displays because it doubles as a “stellar alarm clock” with the auto-dimming screen, tap-to-snooze feature and a sunrise alarm. Plus the tiny, five-inch screen is perfect for a nightstand. Also, oddly, at Best Buy. Amazon Echo Spot (2024) $45 ($35 off): The mini display just shows simple data like the time, weather or song that’s playing while the other half of the circle plays music. It’s an updated version of a model Amazon discontinued a couple of years ago and now it’s back. Elecom Nestout power bank 15,000mAh for $48 ($12 off): For outdoor charging, this is one of the few portable batteries that can handle a dunk in water (as long as you’ve remembered to ****** on the port covers). We recommend it in our guide and particularly like the handy accessories like a tripod stand and light that you can buy to go on it. Also at Nestout for $1 more. 8BitDo Ultimate Bluetooth Controller for $48 at Amazon ($12 off, Prime only): Engadget’s Jeff Dunn raved about this wireless gamepad for Switch and PC, calling it comfortable with durable Hall effect joysticks that should avoid the “drift” sensation that plagues many modern controllers. Also at Best Buy. Soundcore by Anker Space A40 wireless earbuds for $45 ($35 off): Our top budget wireless earbuds are just $5 shy of their all time low. They have outstanding active noise cancellation for the price and offer a warm and pleasant default sound. Ultimate Ears Mini Roll for $50 ($30 off): This less-than-a-pound sound maker came out at the same time as the Everboom and is the smallest speaker in UE’s lineup. It’s IP67 rated to be dust- and waterproof and can crank out 85 decibels of volume — impressive for something so small. Also at Amazon and B&H Photo. Tribit StormBox Micro 2 for $42 ($38 off with coupon): This is the smallest speaker in our guide and it can go with you anywhere with the built-in strap. It pumps out impressive volume for its size and can go for 12 hours on a charge. The audio isn’t the highest fidelity, but this is more about bringing the vibes than emitting flawless musical clarity. Also directly from Tribit (see price in cart). Anker PowerConf C200 2K webcam for $48 ($12 off): The budget pick in our buying guide to webcams is back down to a low it’****** a few times before. We like the excellent video clarity and easy set up and customization. Also at Anker with a coupon code. Thermacell Mosquito Repeller for $43 ($8 off): The mosquitos may be gone for the winter, but we all know they’ll be back next year. This is one of the few mosquito-repelling products we recommend, so grab one now for a less irritating summer next year. Lego Star Wars: A New Hope Boarding The Tantive IV for $44 (20 percent off): This set recreates the scene in which Darth Vader and his Stormtroopers battled the Rebels, and it includes seven Star Wars minifigures. Also at Target. Check out all of the latest ****** Friday and Cyber Monday deals here. Source link #****** #Friday #tech #deals Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Tiger trackers used to spy on women Tiger trackers used to spy on women Tiger tracking cameras have been misused to take videos of women in a forest in India. Source link #Tiger #trackers #spy #women Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

B2G1 Free 4K Blu-Rays At Amazon: Deadpool & Wolverine, Aliens, Disney Originals, And More B2G1 Free 4K Blu-Rays At Amazon: Deadpool & Wolverine, Aliens, Disney Originals, And More Amazon’s ****** Friday ***** includes thousands of deals on movies and TV shows. We already rounded up a big collection of movie and TV show box sets receiving limited-time discounts, but Amazon also has a Buy Two, Get One Free Blu-ray promotion running through this Saturday, November 30. To help you sort through Amazon’s overwhelming number of B2G1 free movies, we’ve put together a huge list of 4K Blu-rays that are included. A bunch of recently released 4K Blu-rays, such as Deadpool & Wolverine, are up for grabs. There are a ton of 4K Blu-rays with steelbooks in the *****, too, some of which just hit shelves over the past couple months, including The Ring, One Piece: Film Red, Creepshow, Dragonheart, The Last Unicorn. In addition to individual movies, select 4K movie box sets are eligible for B2G1 free. Some of the highlights: Mission: Impossible 6-Film Collection, James Bond: The Daniel Craig Collection, John Wick: Chapters 1-3, Predator 4-Movie Collection, and the brand-new ZAZ Collection with Airplane, Top Secret, and The ****** ****. We broke up the list of 4K movies into several themed sections, all of which are alphabetized. You’ll find box sets grouped together, steelbook editions in one place, and MCU and DC movies in one section. And speaking of the Marvel, multiple Disney Originals 4K and standard Blu-ray Collector’s Editions are eligible for B2G1 free, including The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Loki, and Moon Knight. You can also get The Mandalorian Season 1 and Season 2 in the promotion, which is great timing with The Mandalorian Season 3‘s (and Loki Season 2‘s) release next month. All Disney+ Star Wars and Marvel shows come with steelbook cases and three art cards. B2G1 Free Star Wars and Marvel Disney+ Collector’s Editions Disney Originals Collector’s Editions And Disney Originals are far from the only TV series featured in Amazon’s B2G1 free promotion. We’ve included a list of notable shows on 4K Blu-ray, Blu-ray, or DVD as well as some standout regular Blu-ray box sets and movies at the bottom of this article. If you’re holiday shopping for gifts, you’ll want to look through all of the lists, because the TV and standard Blu-ray movie lists include 2024 hits like House of the Dragon Season 2 on 4K Blu-ray and the biggest movie of the year, Inside Out 2, on Blu-ray. You’ll find some superb anime on those lists, including Cowboy Bebop, Yu-Gi-Oh! The Movie Steelbook Edition, Suzume Limited Edition, and the newly released Trigun Stampede. B2G1 Free 4K Blu-ray Box Sets The Mummy Trilogy and Predator 4-Movie Collection B2G1 Free 4K Movies – Steelbook & Limited Collector’s Editions Creepshow, The Ring, Hackers – Steelbook Editions B2G1 Free Marvel and DC 4K Movies Deadpool & Wolverine / The Avengers B2G1 Free Movies on 4K Blu-ray Aliens / Alien B2G1 Free Anime on Blu-ray Yu-Gi-Oh: The Movie Steelbook / One Piece: Film Red Steelbook B2G1 Free Animated Movies and Series Inside Out 2 / Watchmen: Chapter 1 B2G1 Free TV Series The Shining (1997) / The Haunting 2-Series Collection B2G1 Free DVD & Blu-ray Box Sets Source link #B2G1 #Free #BluRays #Amazon #Deadpool #Wolverine #Aliens #Disney #Originals Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Five ways to avoid being ripped off Five ways to avoid being ripped off Getty Images The ****** Friday sales are already in full swing and it can be easy to get swept up in the shopping frenzy and end up out of pocket – instead of bagging a bargain. The vast majority of ****** Friday offers are cheaper or the same price at other times of the year, consumer group Which? has warned. We’ve spoken to some experts who have shared tips on how to shop ****** Friday without being ripped off. Make a list and stick to it “It’s only a deal if it’s something you genuinely wanted or needed before seeing the discount,” said Sarah Johnson, director of merchandise consultancy Flourish Retail. She recommends making a list and budget to stick to in order to avoid impulse buys. “Make the deals work for you by using ****** Friday to save on products you already planned to buy,” she said. “If you stick to your list and stay within your budget, you’ll maximise your savings without unnecessary splurges.” Compare historic prices “When looking to make a purchase, it’s worth comparing the price at multiple retailers,” said Harry Rose, editor of Which? Magazine. He also recommended using websites that allow you to check a product’s price history over the previous 12 months. “That way you’ll know a good deal when you see one,” he said. Which? investigated deals on 227 products at eight of the biggest home and tech retailers in the *** in last year’s ****** Friday “fortnight” between 20 November and 1 December. Its research suggested nine in 10 of the deals analysed were the same price or cheaper at other times of the year. Mr Rose said you should not feel “pressured to splash out on ****** Friday purchases as those deals are usually repeated – if not beaten – at other times of the year.” Search for second-hand Influencer Vivien ***** says it’s easy to find new items on resale sites If you spot something you want to buy in the ****** Friday *****, search for it on a second-hand platform where you might find it even cheaper, says resale influencer, Jess. Many resale platforms give you the option of offering a price that matches your budget, she said. “If you make an offer and it’s reasonable most sellers will accept,” she said. “So not only are you likely to get a good deal in the first place because it’s not new from a shop but you can offer a lower price.” Vintage clothing influencer Vivien ***** also buys and sells on resale websites. “I think it is very easy to find almost new or brand new items on second-hand platforms,” she said. “The condition option on listings is now compulsory so it makes it easier to filter for newer items.” If you’re using the ****** Friday ***** to buy Christmas presents you should not rule out buying second hand, according to a new report. Some 63% of people would be comfortable receiving second-hand Christmas gifts and a further 26% felt neutral about the idea, according to a survey by research consultancy Retail Economics for second-hand marketplace Vinted. Don’t get into unaffordable debt Many people will use a credit card, or may dip into their overdraft, when buying what they consider bargain items on ****** Friday. But if you end up paying interest, this could outstrip any saving made on the ****** Friday promotion. Using a typical credit card to make a £300 purchase, then paying back at £20 a month would take more than a year to pay off and mean having to pay £55 in interest, according to the financial information service Moneyfacts. Using an overdraft would usually lead to an even ******* interest bill. A credit card offers more protection when buying something over £100, so there is greater chance of a refund if something goes wrong. Financial experts say paying off a credit card immediately, perhaps from savings, before any interest is accrued, is the safest option. Check for scams ********** use the hype around ****** Friday to try to steal from online shoppers. Purchase scams are when someone is tricked into sending money via a bank transfer to buy something – often advertised online or via social media – that doesn’t exist. The number of purchase scams soared by 29% around ****** Friday and Cyber Monday last year, according to analysis by Lloyds Bank. The bank’s ****** prevention director, Liz Ziegler, said: “When shopping online, the best way stay safe is to buy from a trusted retailer, and always pay by card for the greatest protection. If you’re unable to do those things, that should be a big red flag that you’re about to get scammed.” You should be wary of fake websites and check the web address belongs to the official brand before you enter any financial or personal information, according to Which?. Beware of posts from a newly-created social media accounts, or links to a recently-created website. You can use verified domain checkers to confirm when a website was created, Which? said. It warned against buying at “too good to be true” prices because if something seems too good to be true, it likely is. Source link #ways #avoid #ripped Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

11 bit studios Unveils Frostpunk 2 Roadmap for 2025 11 bit studios Unveils Frostpunk 2 Roadmap for 2025 · · November 27, 2024 Here at Insider Gaming, we spent a lot of time surviving the world of Frostpunk 2 on release, with countless guides under our belt to help newcomers and returning players survive the frozen wasteland. Well, it appears we’re not entirely done with the post-apocalypse. Today, developer 11 bit studios announced its Frostpunk 2 roadmap for 2025, featuring its plans for additional content and improvements in the coming year. Since its launch in September, Frostpunk 2 has been ‘Mostly Positive’ on Steam, with nearly 1,000 players in-game at the time of this writing, which is, surprisingly enough, in the middle of the work day. At launch, the survival city-building game hit a peak player count of over 35,000 at one point! Image via 11 bit studios Here’s what we have to look forward to from Frostpunk 2 in 2025: Major Content Updates: At least one major content update is currently planned for 2025, with quality-of-life improvements, bug fixes, and new game content and mechanics added based on player feedback. Console Launch: Frostpunk 2 will officially launch on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S in 2025, though the studio has not released an official date. DLC: Three major DLC packs will launch throughout the year to Frostpunk 2 in 2025—Spectrum, Aurora, and a currently unnamed DLC pack. These DLC packs will include additional story elements, new mechanics, and so much more to expand the unforgiving world of Frostpunk 2! If you’ve yet to play Frostpunk 2, it’s available now on PC Game Pass! What did you think of Frostpunk 2? Let us know in the comments below, or visit the official community forums to discuss this and other strategy games you enjoy! No matter when you ***** into Frostpunk 2, you’ll need to learn how to build a Research Institute if you wish to survive the frozen apocalypse in the long term! Subscribe to our newsletter to receive the latest news and exclusive leaks every week! No Spam. Source link #bit #studios #Unveils #Frostpunk #Roadmap Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Uniqlo boss says firm does not use cotton from China’s Xinjiang Uniqlo boss says firm does not use cotton from China’s Xinjiang The boss of the company behind global fashion chain Uniqlo has told the BBC that the ********* firm does not use cotton from the Xinjiang region of China in its products. It is the first time Fast Retailing’s chief executive Tadashi Yanai has directly addressed the contentious issue. China is a crucial market for Uniqlo not just for customers but also as a major manufacturing hub. Xinjiang cotton was once known as some of the best fabric in the world. But it has fallen out of favour after revelations that it is produced using forced labour by people from the ******* Uyghur *********. In 2022, tough US regulations on the import of goods from Xinjiang came into effect. Many global brands removed products using Xinjiang cotton from their shelves, which led to fierce backlash in China. Brands such as H&M, Nike, Burberry, Esprit and Adidas were boycotted. Sweden’s H&M saw its clothing pulled from major e-commerce stores in China. At the time, Mr Yanai – who is Japan’s richest man – refused to confirm or deny whether Xinjiang cotton was used in Uniqlo clothing, saying he wanted “to be neutral between the US and China”. His decision not to take a side helped Uniqlo to remain popular in China’s huge retail market. But speaking to the BBC in Tokyo about the firm’s measures to be more transparent about where the materials in its clothes come from and how they are made, he said: “We’re not using [cotton from Xinjiang].” “By mentioning which cotton we’re using…” he continued, before pausing and ending his answer with “Actually, it gets too political if I say anymore so let’s stop here”. Isaac Stone Fish, the chief executive and founder of Strategy Risks, a business intelligence firm with a China focus highlights the pressures on firms from both China and the US. “Not a single large company can remain politically neutral anymore,” he says. “Both Beijing and Washington want companies to choose sides, and Tokyo will continue to lean closer to the ******* States in this matter.” Even though Uniqlo has been expanding aggressively in Europe and the US, in Mr Yanai’s own words, “we are not a known brand globally” and Asia is still its biggest market. The company has more stores in China than in its home country Japan, and Mr Yanai says he does not plan to change that strategy despite challenges in the world’s second biggest economy. “There are 1.4 billion people in China and we only have 900 to 1,000 stores,” he says. “I think we can increase that to 3,000.” Meanwhile, China is Uniqlo’s single biggest manufacturing hub. The company also makes clothes in countries including Vietnam, Bangladesh, Indonesia and India. In 2009, when 80% of its products were made in China, Mr Yanai told the BBC that China was getting too expensive and the firm was shifting production away “to lower-wage Cambodia to keep prices low”. He now says it was challenging to repeat China’s success as the world’s factory in other countries as transferring years of experience proved difficult. Retailers like Uniqlo are also facing intense competition from ultra-fast fashion as brands like China’s Shein and Temu gain popularity with price-conscious customers. But Mr Yanai says “I don’t think there’s a future for fast fashion”. “They’re producing clothes without any careful consideration which you only wear for one season. That is a waste of the planet’s resources.” He adds that Uniqlo’s strategy is to focus on essential items that can be worn for years. In the 40 years that he has been in charge of the firm, Mr Yanai has grown the business he inherited from his father from a company with annual sales of around 100 million yen ($656,700; £522,400) to a global chain with 3 trillion yen of revenues this year. The 75-year-old says he aims to overtake Inditex, which owns the global chain Zara, as the world’s biggest fashion retailer before he retires. But to achieve that, Uniqlo needs to expand not just in China but also in the West, where shoppers are increasingly conscious of human rights issues such as forced labour. Mr Yanai’s ambitions may also face more hurdles as Donald Trump returns to the White House on a pledge to impose much higher tariffs on ********-made goods. Source link #Uniqlo #boss #firm #cotton #Chinas #Xinjiang Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Palworld x Terraria announced for 2025 Palworld x Terraria announced for 2025 Pocketpair has joined forces with Terraria developer, Re-Logic, to do something. At this time, it’s unclear what exactly the collaboration will entail. Pocketpair announced on the official Palworld Twitter that the two developers have joined forces, but have remained tight-lipped about what to expect. This marks the survival base management sim’s first collaboration. 2024 isn’t finished yet for Palworld and we have some exciting news about the next update coming VERY SOON… But first, we want to tell you about something happening in 2025! ! ! ! Palworld x Terraria ! ! ! More info coming soon! @terraria_logic pic.twitter.com/nmLpkPCn2t — Palworld (@Palworld_EN) November 27, 2024 We aren’t sure if this means Terraria is going to get some of the Pals to roam the 2D landscape or perhaps some of the Terraria creatures will lurk around the 3D world of Palworld, but we’re sure whatever is done will be a solid experience for players on both fronts. Fairly recently, Palworld released to PlayStation 5, though, ********* players saw it delayed until October. It’s also heading to mobile devices with South Korean studio Krafton at the helm. Smash Jump’s Julian Barber said even in its Early Access state, it “far exceeded the expectations” he had. He also said: “The exploration can feel challenging but fair, and the rewarding feeling you get from leveling up your base or catching a Pal with an extremely low catch rate is amazing.” Source link #Palworld #Terraria #announced Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Why Russia’s ******* *********** warrior was sent home from Chad Why Russia’s ******* *********** warrior was sent home from Chad YouTube / Aurum Production Maxim Shugalei is played by actor Kirill Polukhin (pictured) in the Shugalei film series, funded by the late Yevgeny Prigozhin Dodging bullets, ducking explosions, safeguarding state secrets. Bombastic *********** films present the shadowy Russian political operative Maxim Shugalei as a heroic figure – who will apparently stop at nothing in his quest to promote the country abroad. While his escapades have no doubt been exaggerated, in real life he has played a significant role in the expansion of Russia’s influence in parts of *******, working closely with the Wagner Group of Russian mercenaries. However, this would-be iron man recently suffered a set-back when he was arrested in the central ******** nation of Chad. He, along with fellow Russian operatives Samer Sueifan and E Tsaryov, were detained in September on unexplained charges, before being freed and sent home earlier this month, according to the Russian embassy. Who is Maxim Shugalei? Shugalei tends to describe himself as a “sociologist” but in reality, say analysts, he is a spin doctor and an agent of Russian influence known for his work on the ******** continent. He has been under EU sanctions since 2023 for overseeing disinformation campaigns to promote the Wagner Group in several ******** countries, and is also the subject of Ukrainian sanctions. Since at least 2010, Shugalei was affiliated with the late Russian businessman Yevgeny Prigozhin, the Wagner boss and a close associate of President Vladimir ******. While Shugalei used to deny these ties – as was customary in Prigozhin’s circles – he nevertheless first came to media attention for his work and subsequent arrest in Libya on charges of spying and meddling in elections on behalf of the Wagner boss. Prigozhin had tasked Shugalei with gathering information and preparing a strategy to support Seif al-Islam Gaddafi, the son of former leader Muammar Gaddafi. When Shugalei returned to Russia, Prigozhin revealed that he had given him 18m rubles ($173,000; £138,000) – 1m rubles for each month he had spent in captivity. Getty Images It is hard to know exactly how much influence Shugalei wields Shugalei’s escapades in Libya formed the basis for a trilogy of action TV films, seemingly sponsored by Prigozhin. They were designed to, among other things, glorify the regime of then-Wagner ally Khalifa Haftar in eastern Libya and whitewash Russia’s activities in *******. The role of Shugalei was played by the actor Kirill Polukhin, and the films show him as “almost a James Bond figure, or Mission Impossible type”, says Ladd Serwat, an ******* Regional Specialist at the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data project (Acled). “We are shown this macho, tough person who is unwilling to ****** under pressure or give away national secrets – then is very capable as a mercenary or independent military operator.” A modest-sized online fan page falsely claims that “Shugalei” has even become an Arabic word for “man of iron who cannot be broken”. But as a key player in the expansion of Russia’s influence in ******* in recent years, he has also been involved in some extraordinary activities in real life. In 2018, a BBC investigation found that he was one of several Russian operatives who were caught offering suitcases full of cash to presidential candidates in Madagascar. Before his activities abroad, the only public episode of Shugalei’s career as a political consultant dates back to the 2002 elections for the St Petersburg parliament. At the time, Shugalei served as a representative for one of the candidates and famously ate several documents during an electoral commission meeting to prevent them from being submitted to court. How influential is Shugalei? Under Prigozhin, Shugalei’s official position was head of the Foundation for the Protection of National Values, a pro-Wagner organisation and public relations firm. Unofficially, he worked in various ******** states to try to ensure regimes favourable to Wagner would come to, and remain in, power, as part of Russia’s attempts to gain influence on the continent – especially at the expense of France. Since the ****** of Yevgeny Prigozhin last year, troops serving under the Wagner banner in Ukraine and ******* have been absorbed into Russia’s official military structure. However, Prigozhin’s media empire, which Shugalei was a part of, has crumbled. As someone who operates in the shadows, it is hard to know exactly how much influence he wields. Yet, according to some, Shugalei may not have lost too much influence despite the ****** of his mentor. “He still seems to have the same level of influence, despite the fact that the Kremlin seems to have taken over the majority of Wagner group operations,” says Beverly Ochieng, a senior analyst covering Francophone ******* for Control Risks. He seemingly no longer denies his ties to Wagner and Prigozhin – his Telegram channel is full of posts commemorating the late oligarch and his mercenary group, and he even reposts Wagner’s recruitment information. Yet, aside from his arrest in Chad and a July trip to Angola which he documented on Telegram, it is hard to tell the full scale of his current activities. Getty Images Suspected Wagner bodyguards were pictured on the campaign trail with Central ******** Republic’s President Touadéra in 2020 Why was he arrested in Chad? Chad has given no official reason for the arrest of Shugalei and his two associates. Multiple theories abound – some more plausible than others. Russian state-controlled news channel RT reported that the arrests were instigated by France, but this is most likely a fiction designed to save face, Ms Ochieng tells the BBC. Since at least May, Russia has been pushing the narrative that the West’s traditional influence in Chad is waning. But, although Chad has recently signed deals with Russia on infrastructure and security, it still hosts French troops, and retains good relations with the former colonial power, unlike several of its Francophone neighbours which have tilted towards Russia. There is no evidence of a Russian military presence in the country. In fact, some argue that Chadian President Mahamat Déby is expertly playing Russia and the West against each other, to Chad’s advantage. Russia is striving to gain complete dominance over West *******’s Sahel region, and already has close ties to two of Chad’s neighbours – ******, and the Central ******* Republic (CAR), the country where Russia’s influence is strongest on the continent. Wagner fighters are said to have infiltrated Chad from the CAR and clashed with the local army, before retreating. If Russia could bring Chad into its orbit, that would create an uninterrupted sphere of influence stretching thousands of miles. Mali, Burkina Faso, ****** and CAR already have close links with Russia Shugalei had visited Chad twice before, and notably held talks with Déby’s campaign team prior to the presidential elections in May. He was also linked to the Russia House cultural centre in the capital, N’Djamena, which recently unveiled a new headquarters at a ceremony attended by Russian government officials. Last year, US intelligence services said they had discovered that Wagner allegedly orchestrated a plot to ************ Déby but ******* to carry it out. Mr Serwat suggests this may be why Shugalei was arrested. Ms Ochieng says Chad may have been worried about Shugalei’s potential to try and destabilise the country by spreading disinformation. Shugalei’s foundation has denied that he is a “Wagner spy”, saying Shugalei “does not know anything in particular about Wagner Group’s activities in ******* and only knows general details about what it did previously”. Russian-backed social media content, TV stations and news sites are being deployed to spread a pro-Russian agenda and disinformation, especially in *******, according to analysts. Examples include Afrique Media TV which broadcasts from Cameroon as far afield as CAR, Ivory Coast, Mali, Burkina Faso, ****** – and is also on YouTube where it has thousands of followers, and enjoys a large Facebook following. Shugalei himself teases his presence in various ******** countries, sometimes sharing short, low-budget, vlog-style Telegram videos that make clear his love of showmanship. Of the video content aimed at Africans, many take on a fable-like appearance – one, called LionBear – shows a bear (which symbolises Russia) running across the globe to defend a lion (his Central ******** Republic friend) from the malign influence of hyenas. “I don’t think people necessarily are won over by these videos – people think it’s funny, a joke,” says Ms Ochieng. You may also be interested in:Getty Images/BBC Source link #Russias #******* #*********** #warrior #home #Chad Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Real Reason Ubisoft Chose The Crusades for *********’s Creed Real Reason Ubisoft Chose The Crusades for *********’s Creed In 2007, Ubisoft brought *********’s Creed into the gaming world, and it quickly captured the attention of the players with its mix of historically based narrative, innovative gameplay, and an immersive open-world design. Players were placed into the middle of the Third Crusade and given the ability to scale rooftops, battle knights, and ************ key figures in a religious conflict. The developers shared some insights on why they picked the ******* for the game. | Image Credit: Ubisoft From the moment it dropped, it was clear that this wasn’t a typical action game but a bold and immersive exploration of history’s one of the most complex periods. However, it begs the question, why the Crusades? Creative director Patrice Desilets shared some insights and explained that they aimed to create a setting where cultures collide, and nothing is as clear-cut as good versus evil. Why Ubisoft Chose the Crusades For *********’s Creed? According to *********’s Creed Creative Director Patrice Desilets (in an interview), the decision to set the game during the Crusades was deeply rooted in their ******* to create a morally complex environment for the players, where they could experience a genuine clash of cultures. Desilets further revealed that, before deciding on the ******* to base the game on, they were thoroughly searching for a ******* in history where there was no clear ‘good guy’ or ‘bad guy.’ The Crusades was the perfect choice, as it showcased the series of religious wars between Christians and Muslims that went on for centuries, providing an ideal backdrop for the game to explore and put players in. Right from the beginning we wanted to have a setting where there’s a culture clash, where there’s no real bad guys, no good guys and where you as a player and character are in the middle of it and have to make choices and learn about the people with whom you interact. This statement highlights that the developers aimed to place players in the midst of the war and give them the opportunity to make morally difficult decisions by presenting information from both sides of the conflict. The player’s mission as an ********* was to ************ key figures in the war for their reasons was part of this narrative complexity. By positioning the ********* as a third-party player in this messy conflict, Ubisoft was able to introduce innovation and craft a narrative that forced players to confront the complexities of history, religion, and personal belief. This allowed the game to explore various themes that were rarely seen in video games at the time. Why Picking the Crusades Was the Right Decision This was the correct decision, as it allowed players to be part of the story. | Image Credit: Ubisoft Ubisoft’s choice to set *********’s Creed during the Crusades was pivotal in setting the game on the right path. Not only did this decision provide the game with a rich and compelling historical backdrop, but it also set the stage for some of its most innovative gameplay elements (espionage, stealth, and assassinations). Aside from the gameplay, one of the game’s standout features was the studio’s dedication to creating a historically accurate, living, breathing world. The recreated cities, like Acre, Damascus, and Jerusalem, ensured that the medieval environments felt authentic. Moreover, the setting offered Ubisoft the opportunity to explore larger philosophical themes in future titles. The game industry is often obsessed with clear lines between good and evil, but *********’s Creed dared to present players with the question: what if history wasn’t just ****** and white? In the end, the studio’s decision to set *********’s Creed during the Crusades proved to be one of the smartest choices in gaming history. It became instrumental in the studio’s success and the creation of a new franchise. Source link #Real #Reason #Ubisoft #Chose #Crusades #Assassins #Creed Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

FBI investigates threats, hoax calls targeting Trump Cabinet picks FBI investigates threats, hoax calls targeting Trump Cabinet picks FBI investigates threats, hoax calls targeting Trump Cabinet picks – CBS News Watch CBS News The Trump transition team said Wednesday that several ***** threats and swatting incidents were made this week against the incoming administration. Among those targeted were President-elect Donald Trump’s chief of staff, his choice for attorney general, and his picks to lead the Department of Commerce and Environmental Protection Agency. Weijia Jiang reports. Be the first to know Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not Now Turn On Source link #FBI #investigates #threats #hoax #calls #targeting #Trump #Cabinet #picks Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

How vital is a company’s CEO? How vital is a company’s CEO? Alan Lafley Former P&G CEO Alan Lafley says leading a big firm is like running a Premier League football team Boeing, Nike and Starbucks have all changed their chief executives in recent months. But just how important is the person in the top job for the successful running of such huge companies? “There’s only one cat who’s on the hot seat,” says Alan Lafley, who was CEO of global consumer goods giant Procter & Gamble from 2000 to 2010, and then again from 2013 to 2015. With P&G selling everything from Pampers nappies, to Head & Shoulders shampoo, and ****** washing up liquid, it has more than five billion customers around the world. And its workforce now exceeds 107,000 people. Mr Lafley equates leading a firm of that vast size with being the manager of one of England’s Premier League football teams. Specifically, he says the job comes with the same risk of being sacked if results are not as good as expected. “With the football players, if they have a bad season, they’re not gone,” he says. “Instead it is the coach or manager that’s going to go.” Coffee giant Starbucks announced a change of CEO in August, following falling sales caused by factors including a complicated menu, tough competition in China, and boycotts linked to the war in the Middle East. The hope is that new boss Brian Niccol can transform the firm’s fortunes. To lure him away from the success he was enjoying running US restaurant chain Chipotle, Starbucks is paying him more than $100m (£79m) in his first year, plus the use of a private jet to allow him to commute 1,000 miles from his home in California to the firm’s head office in Seattle, Washington state. “It’s pretty obvious that there’s a big hope for him and his ability to turn that company around,” says executive coach Alisa Cohn, who explains that top pay packages are set by a company’s board of directors, and reflect their expectations of the CEO they’re appointing. Investors welcomed Mr Niccol’s appointment with a 24.5% jump in Starbucks share price the day it was announced. The same day Chipotle fell 7.5%. Mr Niccol is now continuing efforts to simplify Starbucks’ menu. “CEOs are the ones who are setting the strategy for the company,” adds Ms Cohn. “They’re the ones setting the culture for the company, and, truthfully, the buck stops with them in terms of their accountability.” Getty Images Starbucks has big hopes that new CEO Brian Niccol will revive the company’s fortunes Marcia Kilgore is a ********* entrepreneur behind skincare brands Soap & Glory and Beauty Pie, plus footwear firm Fitflop. She says that the role of CEO is complicated, demanding, and critical to a company’s success. “You need to have somebody who can really look at the different streams of work that need to be done, and make those organised and prioritised,” she adds. “And someone who can make sure that the different teams in the company are working together harmoniously, and ensuring that time is not wasted, money is not wasted, and energy is not wasted on things that are not going to move the dial for the company.” The ******** to make the right choices and lead teams in the right direction was why Mr Lafley became the boss of P&G in 2000. His predecessor Durk Jager resigned as a result of the ******** of a huge global restructuring that he led. Cutting 15,000 jobs and 10 factories was meant to increase profits, but instead led to repeated profit warnings and a steep share price collapse. Mr Lafley says that as CEO it’s not about doing everything yourself, but “enabling and empowering everybody in the organisation” to do what needs to be done. “We had 100,000 people looking to the new CEO to tell them two things – ‘what happened?’, and ‘what are we going to do next?’.” He explains that he decided to refocus the firm on serving customers and innovating new products, telling staff that “I have confidence that we’re all going to get us out of where we are and back on track”. Mr Lafley adds that clearly communicating his plans with employees was so “hugely important” that in those pre-Zoom days he flew around the world to meet staff in person. Inspiration and communication are also seemingly at the heart of the approach of new Nike CEO Elliott Hill. On getting the job in September he wrote to staff telling them he had “great confidence in his team and our future together” despite years of falling sales. Getty Images Starbucks new boss is simplifying the menu as he tries to inspire a turnaround Ms Cohn who has worked with companies including Google, Etsy and Johnson & Johnson says that whatever the plans of a new CEO, confidence is vital for any success. “The most important quality that you need to be the CEO is knowing that you will be able to be the CEO,” she says. “There is a sense of confidence, and healthy ego that you need to bring to the table. “The second thing you need to bring to the table is an ability to adapt. You’ve got to be able to assess the situation, make some important decisions, and then adapt them as you go”. It’s not something she thinks can always be taught, which is why she says so many people get “stuck” at lower levels in a company. Ms Cohn adds: “You need to develop your own sort of internal state to know that you can handle the pressure, the difficulty, the spotlight”. Phillip Van Nostrand / Alisa Cohn Executive coach Alisa Cohn says confidence is vital to be a successful CEO That pressure is one the reasons why top CEO’s are often compensated with huge pay packages. When it comes to the S&P 500 group of the US’s biggest companies last year, the top earner was Hock Tan at Broadcom who got $162m, followed by Nikesh Arora with $151m at cybersecurity firm Palo Alto Networks, and Stephen Schwarzman with $120m at investment giant Blackstone. The average for an S&P500 CEO last year was a record $16.3m, according to executive consultants Equilar. It means they are getting 196 times as much as the average worker at their companies and critics says CEO’s aren’t worth that much more than their staff. “This is based on the foolish notion that the person in the corner office is somehow almost single-handedly responsible for corporate value,” says Sarah Anderson from the Washington based progressive think tank the Institute for Policy Studies. She think it’s a problem that is getting worse, and spreading around the world. “I think runaway CEO pay is bad for our economy, bad for democracy and bad for business,” she adds. Mr Lafley agrees that the ratio between staff and CEOs’ pay is “too high”, but reasons that firms are having to compete to attract the best talent. He thinks the answer ***** in paying CEOs “a rather modest basic salary, and then everything else is incentive”. “In the end, it’s sort of like a coach. If you’re not motivating people, and you’re not enabling them to do what you’re asking them to do, then you’re not doing the job.” Read more global business stories Source link #vital #companys #CEO Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

[REDACTED] Review | TheXboxHub [REDACTED] Review | TheXboxHub Marc writes: “[REDACTED] on Xbox Series X|S is a great roguelike with plenty for fans of the genre to get stuck into.” Source link #REDACTED #Review #TheXboxHub Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Police ‘open minded’ to Nairn banker ******* motive Police ‘open minded’ to Nairn banker ******* motive Cold case detectives re-investigating the ********* of a banker 20 years ago say they are keeping an open mind to the *********’s motive. Dad-of-two Alistair Wilson was shot on the doorstep of his family home in the Highland seaside town of Nairn on 28 November 2004. He later ***** in hospital. The ******* ******** unsolved and Mr Wilson’s family have criticised police efforts to find the *******. Officers previously said they had a potential motive and suspect, but the senior detective overseeing the new probe said there were many open lines of investigation and nothing was being discounted. Mr Wilson, 30, and his wife Veronica had been bathing their two young sons and getting ready to read them a bedtime story when the ******* came to the door. A blue envelope, which had the name Paul on it, was handed to Mr Wilson on the doorstep. He went inside and showed it to his wife, but the envelope had nothing inside. When Mr Wilson returned to the door he was shot. Last year, police said they had a potential suspect after previously suggesting a planning dispute over decking at hotel near the Wilsons’ home was a likely motive. But on the 20th anniversary of the *******, Det Ch Supt Suzanne Chow vowed the re-investigation would be “full and thorough”. She told BBC Scotland News: “We are not discounting any avenue at this time and there a number of lines of investigation open to us. “We are taking it right back to what happened in 2004. “We are being totally impartial, totally open minded and ensuring a thorough investigation is carried out.” The senior detective said she had met Mr Wilson’s family to “build trust and confidence” with them. And she said a team of officers were collating and evaluating 20 years of evidence. The cold case probe will also take advantage of new techniques and technologies that were not available in 2004. Officers who have dealt with similar types of cases with police forces in England, Wales and internationally are also being consulted. Police Scotland has set up a major investigation public portal where people can submit files and information anonymously. Det Ch Supt Chow, who has been involved in other cold cases including the 1984 ******* of Mary McLaughlin, said the re-investigation would take as long as was needed. She added: “It is a really complex investigation and I am committed and determined to finding answers for Alistair’s family.” The re-investigation, called Operation Sabine, was ordered by Scotland’s top law officer in September. Since the *******, police have released various pieces of information on the *******: He was aged between 20 to 40 years oldHe was about 5ft 7in and wearing a baseball cap and jacketThe **** was a Haenal Suhl Model 1 Schmeisser’s patent handgun, manufactured between 1920 and 1945 at the Schmeisser factory in Germany.The ammunition was .25 calibre made by Sellier and Bellot in the Czech Republic between 1983 and 1993. In December last year, Mr Wilson’s family complained to the Police Investigation and Review Commissioner (Pirc) about the handling of the force’s investigation. Police Scotland and the Crown Office said at the time they had met the family to discuss the matters raised by them. Then in September this year, the family said they had “lost confidence” in the national force and labelled it “incompetent”. Mrs Wilson and her son Andrew, who is now 24, told the Press and Journal newspaper that their relationship with police had “steadily deteriorated” in the past 18 months. The family said this was due to unresolved issues not being properly addressed. Source link #Police #open #minded #Nairn #banker #******* #motive Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Dynasty Warriors: Origins’ free demo is already winning me over Dynasty Warriors: Origins’ free demo is already winning me over I’m all in on checking out Dynasty Warriors: Origins when it launches in January after having a fantastic time with its newly released demo. Koei Tecmo’s Dynasty Warriors series is one of gaming’s definitive action franchises. Its style of gameplay, known as Musou, centers around players acting as a powerful force on a battlefield. Players constantly use massive attacks and abilities to ***** hundreds or thousands of enemies that can barely leave a scratch on them. The Musou’s maximalist approach to combat is quite endearing, and as a result, it has spawned tons of games. Outside of the nine previous mainline Dynasty Warriors titles, there are spinoff franchises like Samurai Warriors and Warriors Orochi in addition to licensed Musou games for everything from The Legend of Zelda to Persona to One Piece. I particularly enjoy the Nintendo-published Hyrule Warriors and ***** Emblem Warriors games, but I have only occasionally dabbled in the mainline Dynasty Warriors games, which are responsible for moving the series forward. After playing the free demo for Dynasty Warriors: Origins, I’m ready to get my Musou fix right from the source. A return to the series’ origins In Dynasty Warriors: Origins, players control a character referred to as “Wanderer” as he commands forces on the battlefield through events and battles from Romance of the Three Kingdoms. This demo specifically features the Battle of Sishui Gate, where the Wanderer works with historical figures like Cao Cao to defeat ***** Zhuo’s forces. Most of the story content feels out-of-context within this short demo, but I’m intrigued to learn more about ********* history through Dynasty Warriors: Origins. Once the fighting starts, Origins embraces the Musou formula head-on. Players are dropped right into the thick of battle, with the main goal being to ******* Yuan Shao and others to the gate, taking over bases and defeating any powerful general units I encountered along the way. That’s all formulaic as Musou games go, but that’s not a bad thing. Koei Tecmo has clearly mastered its craft at this point, so I still felt at home playing, even though the bulk of my Musou experience is with spinoffs. Koei Tecmo If you enjoyed the large-scale battles found in games like Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, you’ll equally like the gameplay here. It’s all turned up to 11 with ******* ****** and hero unit hordes than I’ve ever seen in a Musou game before. Initially, there was simple fun to be had in mashing my way through the Battle Sishui Gate, but before long, I did come to understand the deeper strategies required to do well. There’s always been a tactical layer under the Musou genre’s maximalist energy, but in the other Musou games I’ve played, I didn’t have to worry as closely about my moment-to-moment strategy. Dynasty Warriors: Origins requires more attention, making it more engaging. Dodging and parrying attacks in the thick of battle is quite important, so I couldn’t just mindlessly button mash when I came upon a more powerful ******. The demo’s final boss, Lu Bu, was particularly tough to beat if I wasn’t extremely careful with what I was doing. There are new “Tactics” abilities that allow the Wanderer to command groups of soldiers to do things like rush forward and ******* or ***** a volley of arrows. This can help in breaking through a thick wall of enemies or deal helpful damage to more powerful enemies. It was also important to keep an eye on my map, and if my allies were winning fights. If they weren’t, I had to rush to their assistance to ensure I didn’t lose. Occasionally, special mid-mission objectives would pop up and require me to rethink my strategy to gain a massive boost or hurt the ******’s morale. Koei Tecmo These systems work harmoniously together to create something that feels familiar as a Musou but still pushes Koei Tecmo action formula forward. While I’ve yet to take the plunge and fully complete a mainline Dynasty Warriors game, the added strategic depth layered underneath Origins’ routinely satisfying action is enough to indicate that this will be the first game of 2025 that I’ll really want to play. If you want to check out this exhilarating mission, Dynasty Warrior: Origins’ demo is now free across PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S. The game launches for those same platforms on January 17, 2025. Source link #Dynasty #Warriors #Origins #free #demo #winning Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Design for first public housing towers to be demolished Design for first public housing towers to be demolished Designs for the first of Melbourne’s 44 public housing towers to be demolished and rebuilt have been revealed as some residents continue to ****** the plans. Premier Jacinta Allan and Housing Minister Harriet Shing visited the abandoned red-brick towers at Elgin Street in Carlton on Thursday to unveil the concept designs. The 17-storey towers were built in the 1960s and all 196 dwellings have been empty since 2022 after their sewerage system *******, with the state government insisting the buildings cannot be retrofitted. Ms Shing said the designs would deliver 248 homes with private balconies across two buildings spanning 16 and 18 storeys – a 26 per cent increase in housing stock. “This entire development, 248 homes, will be public housing,” she told reporters. Former residents of the towers will be invited to return once construction on the federally funded project is complete in 2028. The designs include four bedroom and five bedroom homes to accommodate larger families following community feedback. Other features are improved accessibility, reverse-cycle heating and cooling, ceiling fans, a laundry in each apartment, double-glazed windows and modern kitchens. Early demolition works have started at the site, with the next stage to start in early 2025. “This isn’t a demolition as far as a wrecking-ball situation,” Mr Shing said. “The configuration of the buildings themselves mean we’ll actually dismantle them.” All 44 of Melbourne’s high-rise public housing estates are set to be pulled down and redeveloped by 2051 under a plan announced by former premier Daniel Andrews in September 2023. A class action claims Homes Victoria did not properly consider the residents’ human rights before deciding to demolish the towers in Carlton, Flemington and North Melbourne. The trial began in late October but was quickly delayed as the parties fought for secret cabinet documents to be produced. Source link #Design #public #housing #towers #demolished Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

The latest Switch Online Expansion Pack update includes three classic ***** Genesis games The latest Switch Online Expansion Pack update includes three classic ***** Genesis games It’s been more than a hot minute since we’ve seen some new ***** Genesis classics in the Nintendo Switch online library, but we’re finally getting some today. The Switch Online Expansion Pack brings the frantic platformer VectorMan, the run-n-gunner Wolf of the Battlefield: MERCS and the totally awesome ToeJam & Earl in Panic on Funkotron to the Switch’s classic games library. VectorMan from BlueSky Software is a 2D platformer with impressive graphics for its time that often gets overlooked in the long hallway of the ***** Genesis’ legacy. The protagonist is a ****** made of floating left on a resource ravaged Earth to clean up the mess humanity made when one of the supervisor robots named WarHead connects to a nuclear ******* and holds the planet ********. VectorMan must blast his way through waves of enemies to free the Earth from WarHead’s clutches. So just think of VectorMan as Wall-E with a deathwish. The game has a pretty notorious degree of difficulty, but the slick graphics and fast pace of the gameplay makes VectorMan an underrated gem. Wolf of the Battlefield: MERCS is a top-down military style shooter that started in the arcade before migrating to *****’s Mega Drive and the Genesis in the early 90s. The concept is simple: run across the screen and ****** everything that moves before it shoots you. MERCS also has a huge arsenal of special weapons and some really cool boss battles that pit your puny mercenaries against a big ol’ battleship and even a harrier jet. If you don’t know the names ToeJam & Earl, then welcome to one of the greatest slices of joy from gaming’s history. The most 90s video game duo ever got the sequel treatment with Panic on Funkotron in 1993. The second ToeJam & Earl title took its titular alien heroes away from the unique isometric map that made the first game so memorable to a more traditional 2D platform game but they are just as vibrant, goofy and animated in their second outing. This is the first ***** Genesis update for the Nintendo Switch in over a year. was released in June of 2023 and came with four games including Ghouls ‘n Ghosts, The Revenge of Shinobi, Landstalker and Crusader of Centy. Source link #latest #Switch #Online #Expansion #Pack #update #includes #classic #***** #Genesis #games Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

California man who went missing for 25 years found after sister sees his picture in the news California man who went missing for 25 years found after sister sees his picture in the news It’s a Thanksgiving miracle for one California family after a man who went missing in 1999 was found 25 years later when his sister saw a photo of him in an online article, authorities said. The man who has been missing since August of 1999 was found sitting on a curb in Los Angeles earlier this year, according to a GoFundMe page created by the man’s older sister to raise funds for a medical transfer. “He just VANISHED with no trace. Not even his vehicle was ever located,” the man’s sister said in the GoFundMe post. “All this time I had been looking for unidentified ********. I was delighted to find him alive!” The woman had contacted the Lassen County Sheriff’s Department on Friday to say that she believed a man featured in an online article was her missing brother, the sheriff’s department said in a Facebook post. The USA Today article, published in May, was a request for the public to help identify a nonverbal man who was hospitalized in Lynwood, California. The man had been found in South Los Angeles on April 15, according to medical officials cited in the article. The woman, whose name has not been released by the sheriff’s department to protect family privacy, told Deputy Derek Kennemore that her brother was reported missing in 1999 from Doyle, a small California town about 45 miles northwest of Reno, Nevada. She had not heard from him since. Kennemore contacted the hospital in the article, only to learn that the man had been transferred to another LA facility in July. The deputy then reached out for help from the Los Angeles Police Department’s missing person unit, which was able to fingerprint the hospitalized man and positively identify him as the same person who went missing in 1999, according to the release. “The family will be reunited soon,” the release said. The next day, the Nor-Cal Alliance for the Missing, a non-profit that advocates for missing individuals, announced the “long-awaited and miraculous reunion” in a news release. “After being missing for 25 years, Tommy, a case close to our hearts, has been found and will soon be reunited with his loving family,” the release said. The organization began working on the man’s case in 2016, according to the release. In the GoFundMe post, the woman added that she does not have money for supplies needed to take care of her brother who is learning how to walk again and is nonverbal. “I would like to send him a device to listen to his favorite songs (Sailing, I Want to Know What Love Is, and Time After Time) to help his memory and get some response,” she said. CNN has reached out to officials in California for more details about the man’s disappearance and how he ended up in the hospital where he ********. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Source link #California #man #missing #years #sister #sees #picture #news Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Calvin And Hobbes Complete Box Set Is Over 60% Off In Amazon’s ****** Friday ***** Calvin And Hobbes Complete Box Set Is Over 60% Off In Amazon’s ****** Friday ***** Calvin and Hobbes is one of the most beloved comic strips of all time. If you grew up stealing the comics section of the newspaper from your parents to read the hilarious and insightful adventures of Calvin and his stuffed Tiger, make sure to take a look at Amazon’s ****** Friday deals for The Complete Calvin and Hobbes. The hardcover, three-volume box set is discounted to only $83.33, which is 63% off its $225 list price. Amazon had this offer a few weeks ago as an early ****** Friday deal, but the collection sold out fast. If you missed out, now’s your chance to get this lovely collection for its lowest price all year. Amazon is also offering a huge discount on the paperback edition of The Complete Calvin and Hobbes that drops the price all the way down to $65.33. This is the lowest price we’ve seen all year for the four-volume paperback set. We don’t imagine either of these deals will stick around for long. The hardcover collection has sold out within hours at higher deal prices, including for $100 during Amazon’s October Prime Day. $83.33 (was $225) The premium hardcover box set features three volumes compiling every single comic strip from Calvin and Hobbes’ run. All told, you’re getting 1,440 pages of comic strips, some in ******, others in ******-and-white. The included slipcase features one of the illustrations that is most-associated with Calvin and Hobbes. I’ve owned this box set for years and can attest to its quality. The comic strips are printed on thick art paper, and the bindings have held up well. Fair warning, though: The premium materials make these books quite heavy. With all three books in the slipcase, you’ve got yourself 22 pounds worth of comic strips, so each book weighs roughly 7.3 pounds. $65.33 (was $160) with coupon The paperback version of The Complete Calvin and Hobbes is on ***** for $65.33. Amazon’s listing shows $67.61, but you can save an extra couple bucks by clicking the coupon on the store page. The paperback version has 1,456 pages, but the complete run is spread across four volumes instead of three. If you’re buying the collection for a younger reader, this is probably the better option. While the full box set is still a hefty 17.75 pounds, each book is roughly 4.3 pounds. And with over 100 fewer pages per volume, these are easier to hold for kids and adults with smaller hands. The slipcase features a different, but also well-known, illustration of Calvin and Hobbes dancing merrily. Budget-friendly Calvin and Hobbes ****** Friday Deals Amazon also has limited-time deals on more budget-friendly paperbacks collecting Calvin and Hobbes comic strips. You can get The Indispensable Calvin and Hobbes for roughly 10 bucks–50% off its normal price–and The Authoritative Calvin and Hobbes for only $7 (was $20). Here’s a list of the best Calvin and Hobbes ****** Friday deals beyond the complete collections. Calvin and Hobbes, at least according to Amazon, is recommended for kids ages 12 and up. Based on the titles of the books above, it makes sense. I read Calvin and Hobbes when I was much younger, and many ****** fans probably did as well. It’s not so much the content that is inappropriate for early readers, it’s that much of what makes Calvin and Hobbes so great is its wit. The cleverness and social commentary can fly right past younger readers. I gained a greater appreciation for Calvin and Hobbes when I read it as an ******. If you’d rather have smaller paperback collections, check out the ongoing Calvin and Hobbes Portable Compendium series. Andrews McMeel Publishing began reprinting the series in this travel-friendly format last year. Each compendium comes with two volumes. The Calvin and Hobbes Portable Compendium Series Set 1 — $19.35 ($22) Set 2 — $12.70 ($22) Set 3 — $19.79 ($22) Set 4 — $20.45 ($22) | Releases March 4, 2025 Adults who love Calvin and Hobbes should consider picking up Bill Watterson’s latest work, The Mysteries, as the hardcover is only $8 during Amazon’s ****** Friday *****. The Mysteries couldn’t be more different from Calvin and Hobbes, but it’s an interesting illustrated fable for ****** readers. For more deals, check out GameSpot’s ****** Friday hub, which includes deals on books, video games, movies, Lego, and more. Source link #Calvin #Hobbes #Complete #Box #Set #Amazons #****** #Friday #***** Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Bank of Korea rate, US PCE Bank of Korea rate, US PCE A general view of the Lotte tower amid the the Seoul city skyline and Han river during sunset. Ed Jones | Afp | Getty Images Asia-Pacific markets opened mixed on Thursday after Wall Street rally stalled overnight even as inflation data came in line with expectations. The U.S. personal consumption expenditure price index, or PCE, rose 2.3% on an annualized basis, accelerating from 2.1% in September. The so-called core inflation, which excludes food and energy prices, climbed 2.8% in the 12 months through October, up from 2.7% in the previous month. Both matched the expectations from economists polled by Reuters, according to LSEG data. The Bank of Korea is expected to hold its benchmark rate unchanged at 3.25% when its monetary policy committee meets later in the day, according to a Reuters poll of economists. The central bank will also announce updated economic growth and inflation forecasts. South Korea’s blue-chip Kospi index shed 0.16% while the small-cap Kosdaq advanced modestly by 0.63%. Japan’s Nikkei 225 dropped 0.50% while the broad-based Topix was flat. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 started the day up 0.54%. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index futures were at 19,618, higher than the HSI’s last close of 19,603.13. Overnight in the U.S., declines in big technology names pulled markets lower in a thin trading session. Chipmaking powerhouse Nvidia lost more than 1%, while Meta Platforms slid 0.8%. Dell and HP dropped more than 12% and 11%, respectively, following weak earnings forecasts. The S&P 500 declined 0.38% to 5,998.74, snapping a seven-day winning streak. The Nasdaq Composite lost 0.6% to end at 19,060.48. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 138.25 points, or 0.31%, to finish at 44,722.06, reversing course gaining more than 140 points. The U.S. market will be closed on Thursday for the Thanksgiving holiday. — CNBC’s Alex Harring and Sean Conlon contributed to this report. Source link #Bank #Korea #rate #PCE Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Where’s Your Wallet? Steam Autumn ***** Starts Today Where’s Your Wallet? Steam Autumn ***** Starts Today · · November 27, 2024 Do you remember all those years back when Steam would host enticing flash sales? You could score a brand-new game for a few dollars, but only if you paid attention to the store appropriately. I miss those days. But today, we constantly have so many unique sales and deals going on that it’s tough to let nostalgia cloud the way. For instance, the Steam Autumn ***** is in full swing right now. It runs from November 27 to December 4, with deals on major titles, new releases, indie games, and even the occasional bit of hardware, like the Steam Deck! A week full of discounts, ranging in price from a few dollars to just shy of full price. It’s up to you what you’re willing to pay for on-***** titles on the digital storefront, but we do have a few recommendations: V Rising Supermarket Simulator Gray Zone Warfare Octopath Traveler II EA FC 25 Balatro Persona 3 Reload Buckshot Roulette Psychonauts 2 Subnautica Below Zero Forza Horizon 5 Stardew Valley Age of Wonders 4 Star Wars Jedi: Survivor NieR: Automata Contraband Police Like a Dragon: Infinite wealth Stray Honestly? The list goes on for far longer than we’re comfortable publishing. I could spend the rest of the afternoon expanding the list of recommended titles from the Steam Autumn *****! Do you have any additional recommendations we should look into this *****? Let us know in the comments below, or start a thread in the community forum! Speaking of deals, you can score big this ****** Friday with gaming deals at Target, including video games, peripherals, and consoles, for a limited time! Subscribe to our newsletter to receive the latest news and exclusive leaks every week! No Spam. Source link #Wheres #Wallet #Steam #Autumn #***** #Starts #Today Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]