Pelican Press

Alcaraz powers into first Italian Open final Alcaraz powers into first Italian Open final Carlos Alcaraz, back in roaring business after some injury woes, has made his first Italian Open final with a 6-3 7-6 (7-4) victory over Lorenzo Musetti at Rome’s Foro Italico. It’s a third final in three clay-court events this season for Alcaraz, who won the Monte Carlo Masters and finished runner-up in the Barcelona Open before withdrawing from the Madrid Open because of injury. A four-time grand slam champion already by the age of just 22, Alcaraz is preparing to defend his title at the French Open, starting at the end of next week. And he appears to be playing himself back into top form as he sets up the prospect of a final on Sunday against either returning world No.1 Jannik Sinner or No.12 Tommy Paul, who were playing in the night session at the Foro Italico on Friday. Sinner had cranked up his level to near-perfection in a a 6-0 6-1 rout of Casper Ruud in the quarter-finals on Thursday, which left Alcaraz admitting: “Everybody saw the game … it’s a huge level. “If I’m playing against Jannik, I have to be ready for that battle and obviously dealing with the crowd, so it’s going to be an interesting Sunday for sure.” Alcaraz had withdrawn from the Madrid Open with an upper right leg issue and also had a left leg injury. In Rome, he has been wearing a long ****** brace covering the upper portion of his right leg stretching down to just below his knee. Musetti took the first set off Alcaraz in the Monte Carlo final but, in front of a partisan crowd on the Campo Centrale, the Spaniard broke the Italian’s serve in the first game of the rematch. Musetti didn’t help himself with a series of unforced errors and only began pushing Alcaraz at the end of the set. He was also docked a point for misbehaviour late in the second set after having already received a warning for breaking his racquet. Alcaraz is playing the Italian Open for the second time. During his Rome debut last year, he lost to then-135th-ranked Hungarian qualifier Fabian Marozsan in the third round as he dealt with a bothersome right forearm injury. Source link #Alcaraz #powers #Italian #Open #final Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Switch 2’s Bravely Default Remaster Rings In The 3DS Nostalgia Era With A Great Version Of A Great RPG Switch 2’s Bravely Default Remaster Rings In The 3DS Nostalgia Era With A Great Version Of A Great RPG The Switch 2 launch lineup is not exactly bursting at the seams. While Mario Kart World is the banner game, the handful of others coming on June 5 are mostly ports of existing games. Among those, Bravely Default is an oddball, as it’s an HD remaster of a game that’s more than a decade old rather than a modern game like Street Fighter 6 or Cyberpunk 2077 that can finally run on Nintendo hardware. But for my money, Bravely Default is also an all-time RPG classic, and as strange as it feels to be nostalgic for the 3DS era of games, Switch 2’s Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remaster looks to be a great way to play it. For those unfamiliar, Bravely Default was a riff on the classic Final Fantasy formula, making it FF in all but name. Four warriors of light, holy crystals, the whole enchilada. It sported a robust class system that encouraged players to find game-breaking combinations, and it was one of the first to sport the ability to speed up encounters and auto-battle–both now mainstays in classic RPG remakes–or even turn them off entirely. The title referred to one of its battle mechanics, the ability to “Default” (defend and store an extra Brave Point aka BP) or “Brave” (spend extra BP, or even go into BP debt, to take extra actions). So for level-grinding, you could Brave every time to burn through low-level enemies, and against tougher enemies and bosses you would need to take a more considered approach. It was followed by the semi-sequel, Bravely Second: End Layer, and a full sequel, Bravely Second. Notably unlike the Final Fantasy series, the Bravely games take place in one consistent canonical world, so the sequels build on the stories and continuity that came before them. But like much of the 3DS library, Bravely Default is not exactly easy to play anymore. You need working 3DS hardware and a game cartridge, and unlike Bravely Default 2, it was never released on another platform like Steam. That makes it a prime candidate for the HD remaster treatment, allowing fans to own it in a format that continues well into the future. After a brief hands-on, I’m convinced that Bravely Default will be my most-played Switch 2 game outside of Mario Kart at launch. The Battle menu in Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Gallery To start, the game looks fantastic. The prerendered painterly backgrounds look incredible and vibrant on the big screen, which is all the more impressive when you consider they were originally made to appear on a 3DS. This visual style–your polygonal characters running against a painted backdrop–was itself a throwback to early 3D RPGs like Final Fantasy 7, but it looks especially wonderful here. Meanwhile, the style of the character models themselves largely holds up. It’s a testament to the strength of the art style that these characters–squat chibi characters rendered in the unmistakable style of Akihiko Yoshida–still look so elegant in their simplicity. I wasn’t able to tinker with the job classes to see the lovely way these models look when donning their various outfits, but I’m looking forward to it. The battle system remains untouched as far as I can tell, which is fine by me because it’s already perfectly balanced. I only played a little bit of an early area but I know from experience that the combination of the Brave/Default and job-class systems creates some engaging combat puzzles, especially once the game starts challenging you to split its systems wide open. This is a game that absolutely wants to make you feel like you’ve outsmarted it. The newest element is a pair of minigames, which seem well designed even if they’re temporary diversions at best. Both use the Switch 2 mouse functionality, challenging you to use both at once in different ways. The first is a rhythm game that has a glowing tether between your two cursors, and so matching the rhythm means lining up the tether to intersect with the music prompts, or hitting exact notes with the cursors themselves. The second is an airship-piloting game set in the first-person perspective of a pilot, so you have to manage steering the ship’s wheel while also tending to other tasks. Imagine Steel Battalion but cute, with its massive controller being virtualized on screen. Neither game feeds back into the main game, but you can use the job-class costumes in the minigames as you unlock them for a bit of personalization. I doubt I’ll play much of the minigames. They’re neat little showpieces for the Switch 2 mouse functionality, but they aren’t the draw. The real prize is Bravely Default, one of my favorite modern(ish) RPGs, getting a beautiful restoration and being released from 3DS jail. If you haven’t played it before, or even if you have, this looks to be the way to experience it. Source link #Switch #Bravely #Default #Remaster #Rings #3DS #Nostalgia #Era #Great #Version #Great #RPG Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Kennedy Center staff to vote to unionize amid Trump changes and ongoing uncertainty Kennedy Center staff to vote to unionize amid Trump changes and ongoing uncertainty Staff employees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. announced this week an intent to unionize across departments and argue for collective bargaining rights. The effort comes amid months of layoffs and job uncertainty following major changes brought on by the Trump administration. According to multiple staff members who spoke to CBS News on condition of anonymity, more than 150 employees that handle crucial responsibilities for the Kennedy Center including education, donor relations, and arts programming are sounding the alarm that the mission and legacy of the storied arts institution are at risk unless a sense of normalcy is returned to everyday operations. “We are the ones that put the artists in the classrooms and on the stages,” one Kennedy Center education staff member told CBS News. After multiple departments have been shuttered completely, the staff member said she is hoping unionization will restore a sense of security for those remaining, as well as improve transparency and communication from leadership, which she says has been lacking. “We’re trying to carry out the work the best we can. But anxiety and fear exist with so many departments experiencing layoffs,” she said. “And they happen quickly, with very little notice.” Back in February, President Trump installed himself as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the storied arts institution while firing then-Chairman David M. Rubenstein and 18 members of the bipartisan board, replacing the vacancies with White House appointees. Following the vote, Mr. Trump dismissed much of the Kennedy Center’s executive leadership, including President Deborah Rutter, after serving for more than a decade. When asked in an interview with Norah O’Donnell in March what is the hardest part of these changes, Rutter replied, “I think the sting is the disregard for expertise and experience. We were working toward something extraordinary.” The Trump administration has said an overhaul is needed because the marquee arts center is “woke … and broke.” The White House did not immediately respond to a request by CBS News for comment on Friday. But staff members on the ground have heard little from the top on what these changes may include. Staff members tell CBS News that no typical quarterly all-staff meeting has been held, and weekly departmental updates have ceased. Ticket sales are reportedly down 50% this quarter but employees have stopped receiving regular ticket sales reports. Workers believe they are flying blind. After the initial wave of firings in February, broader layoffs have continued in recent weeks. The entire Social Impact team was let go in late March, and just this week, an international arm of the programming department was laid off, jeopardizing efforts to get talented artists from outside the United States booked for this season. “These teams are small, and they’re close. We’re all friends. So, it’s hard to see your friends lose their jobs, and they’re the ones telling us.” one programming staff member admitted. “But more than that, there’s uncertainty what jobs still need to be done and what is being shelved.” There’s been intensified concern about the fundraising efforts for the non-profit organization, which brought in an estimated $141 million in grants and donations in fiscal year 2023. The development department, which operated with about 90 employees for years previously, has been reduced to about 30 presently on staff, leaving major holes on budgeting and donor cultivation duties. The petition filed with the National Labor Relations Board on Thursday indicates that 172 regular full-time and part-time employees plan to vote to unionize with the International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America, commonly known as UAW. The workers range across departments handling development, education, marketing, programming, the National Symphony Orchestra and the Washington National Opera. “Unionizing is a call for transparency and to protect jobs,” said another staff member. “We are a ground-up, employee-led movement of Kennedy Center employees. And when we win this vote, we will have secured the future of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts for another 53 years, in its original non-partisan, non-political way.” The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts was founded in 1971 as a national cultural center and memorial to President John F. Kennedy. Its annual honors ceremony, which airs on CBS, features the best in music, theater and dance. Staff believe they have well over the simple majority of 50% to unionize, and generally have overwhelming support from everyone in the building for their effort. The vote is expected to take place in the coming weeks. Nick Kurtz DC Bureau Assignment Editor covering justice, science, education and politics. Source link #Kennedy #Center #staff #vote #unionize #Trump #ongoing #uncertainty Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

The tech IPO market is finally showing signs of life The tech IPO market is finally showing signs of life Yoni Assia, co-founder and chief executive officer of EToro Group Ltd., center, and Ronen Assia, co-founder of EToro Group Ltd., center left, ring the opening bell during the company’s initial public offering at the Nasdaq MarketSite in New York, US, on Thursday, May 15, 2025. Yuki Iwamura | Bloomberg | Getty Images The IPO market has repeatedly tricked investors into believing it’s reopening after an extended drought dating back to early 2022. There are, once again, signs of hope. Shares of stock brokerage platform eToro jumped nearly 29% in their Nasdaq debut on Wednesday after the Israel-based company priced its IPO above the expected range. That same day, in its first earnings report as a ****** company, artificial intelligence infrastructure provider CoreWeave reported 420% revenue growth, topping estimates. CoreWeave shares rocketed about 60% this week and have doubled in value since the company’s March IPO. It’s a big momentum swing from a month ago. Early in President Donald Trump’s second White House term, bankers and venture investors were bullish on a reinvigorated IPO market. But after the rollout and subsequent pause of President Trump’s sweeping tariff policy rocked the market in April, companies including online lender Klarna and ticket marketplace StubHub delayed their long-awaited offerings. Exits for venture firms in the first quarter hit their highest quarterly value since the fourth quarter of 2021, but nearly 40% came from the CoreWeave IPO, according to the National Venture Capital Association and PitchBook. “Although we anticipated a resurgence in IPO activity as the year progressed, that outlook has diminished due to the imposed tariffs,” the NVCA and PitchBook wrote in their first-quarter report in mid-April. “As public market investors shift toward less risky investments, many VC-backed companies may struggle to generate the demand necessary to meet their high market valuations.” The second quarter is seeing more action. While Klarna and StubHub haven’t provided updates, and both companies declined to comment for this story, eToro was another company that had put its plans temporarily on hold. Its successful debut this week could encourage others to follow. Fintech company Chime on Tuesday filed its prospectus to go public on the Nasdaq, after it had delayed IPO plans following the tariffs announcement. Digital health company Omada Health filed to go public last week. “The market is going to come back,” Rachel Gerring, Ernst & Young’s Americas IPO Leader, told CNBC. “It’s just a matter of when. It’s not a matter of if.” Gerring said optimism has started to rebound. Part of that is tied to Trump’s 90-day pause on its most stringent trade policies, and a drastic reduction on tariffs from China in the meantime. However, there’s still plenty of uncertainty, which Gerring said can be difficult for companies to manage, especially as they’re preparing to hit the market. She’s advising clients to focus on preparedness so they’re able to capitalize on the market when the time is right. Big week ahead In digital health, all eyes next week will be on Hinge Health. The virtual physical therapy company filed its initial prospectus in March. Hinge updated the document this week with an expected pricing range of $28 to $32, which would value the company at about $2.4 billion in the middle of the range, not including some of its potential outstanding shares. Digital health has been a particularly tough market over the last few years, following a Covid-era pop, when consumers and patients shifted to virtual solutions. Growth has since slowed dramatically. AI is a different story, and chipmaker Cerebras provided an update of sorts this week. Cerebras filed to go public in September, but the process was slowed down due to a review by the Treasury Department’s Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S., or CFIUS. Cerebras CEO Andrew Feldman said Thursday at a company event that his “aspiration” is to take the chipmaker public this year now that it’s obtained necessary clearance from the committee. And digital assets company Galax Digital started trading on the Nasdaq Friday, switching over from the Toronto Stock Exchange. The New York-based firm went public in Canada in 2020 as U.S. regulators were wary of crypto. Galaxy CEO Mike Novogratz said the switch will help “enable us to attract a broader investor base,” according to a release. Still, for tech IPO activity to really pick up, more large-scale, growth-oriented companies need to come to market, Gerring said. “The IPO market might be one of the latter ones to return as the market starts to recover, just given the risk around IPOs,” Gerring said. “We’re trending in the right direction.” WATCH: eToro CEO Yoni Assia on IPO debut, crypto ties and growth outlook Source link #tech #IPO #market #finally #showing #signs #life Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘We have Trump because you guys screwed this up!’ ‘We have Trump because you guys screwed this up!’ Key Points Alyssa Farah Griffin snapped at Joy Behar during a heated exchange about the 2024 election. “We have Trump because you guys screwed this up,” Griffin yelled with her arms out. The View cohosts continued sparring over the heated Hot Topics. Conservative commentator and former Donald Trump White House associate Alyssa Farah Griffin let loose on The View cohost Joy Behar, a staunch liberal, during a particularly heated Hot Topics exchange Friday morning. The cohosts engaged in a lively debate about ongoing criticisms of 82-year-old Joe Biden‘s fitness to hold office ahead of the 2024 presidential race against Donald Trump, which Biden bowed out of following immense pressure from Democrats to do so — including a public plea from Hollywood heavyweight George Clooney. After The View played a clip of Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) insisting that the party was “looking forward” instead of regurgitating talking points over concerns about Biden’s age, the panelists brought up a recent book that alleged Biden didn’t recognize Clooney at a 2024 campaign event. (Entertainment Weekly has reached out to a representative for Biden for comment.) “Does that give you confidence in the middle of the night, if China is about to attack us, there’s a war breaking out in Iran, that he’s the sharpest person to handle that?” Griffin asked during the moment (watch in the video above). ABC Joy Behar and Alyssa Farah Griffin clash on ‘The View’ Behar cut in to ask a question with a reference to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth‘s Signal scandal: “Wait a second, which administration texted war plans to their brother?” Griffin replied with a question of her own: “The Trump [administration], but do we just keep lowering the bar because Trump is bad? Nothing else is bad because Trump is bad?” Behar looked toward Griffin to note that “the ship has sailed” and is “out in the ocean somewhere with Biden.” She urged, “It’s over. Get over it,” before Griffin snapped. “No, we have Trump because you guys screwed this up!” the 35-year-old said with her arms outstretched toward Behar, before adding, “With all due respect.” The audience lightly gasped after Griffin’s outburst, to which Behar replied, “Alright, but does it help to just keep going over the same material about Biden over and over agin? I mean, really.” Sunny Hostin then brought up other criticisms about Trump, and the conversation didn’t lessen in intensity until Behar finally threw the show to a commercial break with a joke comparing the panel to the cast of The Real Housewives franchise. Ever since the November 2024 election, Griffin has frequently sparred with her cohosts over issues related to the momentous political event. ABC Sunny Hostin and Alyssa Farah Griffin debate about politics on ‘The View’ Griffin took particular issue with Hostin’s assertion that racism and misogyny played a significant factor in Vice President Kamala Harris losing the election to Trump. On the Nov. 18 episode, Griffin told her colleague that she’s “missing it” entirely if she felt that a “vast majority in this country voted because of racism and misogyny,” with Hostin then citing that “the stats are the stats” when it comes to backing up her assessment. “But, [the stat] doesn’t say, ‘I’m white, I voted for Donald Trump because of racism,'” Griffin replied after raising her hand to emphasize her words. “That’s not a fact. What fact are you talking about?” Sign up for Entertainment Weekly‘s free daily newsletter to get breaking TV news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more. Biden also recently appeared on The View to address similar topics, and even revealed during his interview that he “wasn’t surprised” Harris lost the election. “Not because I didn’t think the vice president was qualified to be president,” he clarified on the May 8 telecast. “She is, she’s qualified to be president of the United States of America. I was surprised because they went the sexist route, the whole route. ‘This is a woman,’ she’s this, she’s that, really, I’ve never seen as successful and consistent [of a] campaign undercutting the notion that a woman couldn’t lead the country — and a woman of mixed race.” The View airs weekdays at 11 a.m. ET/10 a.m. PT on ABC. Watch Griffin and Behar clash in the video at the top of this post. Read the original article on Entertainment Weekly Source link #Trump #guys #screwed Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

The massive Samsung Odyssey G9 is almost half off today The massive Samsung Odyssey G9 is almost half off today Your powerful gaming PC will be wasted if you’re still using an old screen, so you should take advantage of monitor deals for gamers. Here’s one from Samsung that you wouldn’t want to miss: the 49-inch Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 gaming monitor for $1,300, following a $900 discount on its original price of $2,200. You won’t always get the chance to buy a premium display for nearly half-price, so stop hesitating and push forward with your purchase as soon as possible. Why you should buy the 49-inch Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 gaming monitor The Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 gaming monitor is featured in our roundup of the best gaming monitors as our top pick if you want to play the best PC games on a 32:9 aspect ratio. It also received an amazing score of 4.5 stars out of 5 in our review, where we described it as a “game-changing gaming monitor” and one of the best OLED displays that we’d ever tested at that time. The QD-OLED technology in this 49-inch screen enables an unmatched immersive gaming experience, with impressive brightness and perfect ****** levels combining with dual QHD resolution for lifelike details and a 240Hz refresh rate for extremely smooth animations. With support for Nvidia’s G-Sync and AMD’s FreeSync Premium Pro, you won’t see any screen tearing or stuttering with the Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 gaming monitor. Samsung’s Glare Free technology, meanwhile, will eliminate all the distractions caused by glare from external light sources, so you can focus on the worlds you’re exploring in your video games. The monitor even has a thermal modulation system that automatically reduces brightness to manage heat levels. In one of the most attractive Samsung monitor deals that we’ve recently come across, the 49-inch Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 gaming monitor is on ***** with a $900 discount that almost halves its price from $2,200 to $1,300. It’s still pretty expensive for a screen, but it’s what you need to give justice to the capabilities of your upgraded gaming desktop. You’re going to have to be quick in completing your transaction though, as we’re not sure if these savings on the 49-inch Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 gaming monitor will still be available tomorrow. Source link #massive #Samsung #Odyssey #today Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Company would avoid prosecution in DOJ deal Company would avoid prosecution in DOJ deal A grounded Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft at Los Angeles International Airport. Eric Thayer | Bloomberg | Getty Images The Justice Department and Boeing are close to a deal that would allow the aerospace giant to avoid pleading guilty or a trial in a criminal case related to two deadly crashes of its 737 Max passenger jet, a person familiar with the matter said Friday. Boeing agreed to plead guilty in the case last summer in a deal with the Justice Department after the Biden administration found earlier that year that the company violated a 2021 agreement tied to the crashes. A judge rejected that plea deal last year, citing concerns about diversity, equity and inclusion, and opened the possibility that Boeing could face trial. The fraud charge stems from Boeing’s development of the 737 Max. The U.S. had accused Boeing of misleading regulators about its inclusion of a flight-control system on the Max that was later implicated in the two crashes. Boeing Co. 737 Max fuselages at the company’s manufacturing facility in Renton, Washington, US, on Tuesday, April 15, 2025. Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images A final, non-prosecution agreement hasn’t been reached yet, the person said. The Justice Department and Boeing didn’t immediately comment. Under the new agreement, Boeing could pay family members of victims of the two Max crashes. In total, the two crashes of the best-selling Boeing jet killed all 346 people on board the planes. The new tentative agreement, which was reported earlier on Friday by Reuters, would mean Boeing wouldn’t be labeled a felon. That label could have come with restrictions on defense contractor work. Boeing is the country’s biggest exporter and, in addition to making commercial jetliners, it’s a major defense contractor. The Trump administration recently awarded the company a multibillion-dollar contract to build a next-generation fighter jet. Read more CNBC airline news Source link #Company #avoid #prosecution #DOJ #deal Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

3 PlayStation Plus games to play this weekend (May 16-19) 3 PlayStation Plus games to play this weekend (May 16-19) The middle of the month is always a bit of an awkward spot when it comes to PlayStation Plus games. Plenty of us will be ripping through Doom: The Dark Ages this weekend, but that kind of gory, heavy metal FPS game isn’t for everyone. There’s also the sad news we got a few weeks ago about Lost Soul Aside being delayed out of this month, leaving a big hole for us PlayStation gamers. Not to worry, though, because I haven’t forgotten my duty of finding the best games in the PlayStation Plus catalogue to make sure you have something amazing to play each and every weekend. For this weekend, I’ve found an alternative FPS, an overlooked open world adventure, and a more cozy experience. Let’s check them out. Wolfenstein: The New Order Before iD Software rebooted the Doom games in 2016, it gave the same treatment to Wolfenstein. In my opinion, Wolfenstein: The New Order was the greater accomplishment. Where iD chose to almost deify Doom Slayer as an unstoppable force of nature, it gave BJ Blaskowicz humanity. What was once nothing more than a pixelated face was transformed into a sympathetic and complex human being that you will become very invested in. Of course, this is still an FPS game at heart and absolutely nails that aspect. Blasting Nazis, upgrading your guns, and finding secrets and collectibles is top-notch fun, and I think we could all use a bit of guilt-free Nazi killing right now. Once you finish this entry, you can roll right into the DLC and sequel, too. Wolfenstein: The New Order is available now on PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and PC. Days Gone We’re still fresh off the release of the remaster, but those who didn’t already own the game might be a little turned off by the price tag for a game that had a mixed reception at launch. If you fall into that boat, the original version is still waiting right here on PS Plus for you to check out. Sure, it won’t have the improved graphics of the remaster, but playing on the PS5 still looks and plays amazing to the point where I would almost say it isn’t necessary to go for the upgrade. Set deep into a zombie outbreak, you play as a biker in Oregon working for various factions trying to survive and unravel some personal mysteries. It isn’t a perfect game, but the bond you develop with your motorcycle and how that changes your approach to exploration and encounters is worth playing. It is also a nice alternative if you’re in the mood for more zombie media while The Last of Us season 2 is airing. Days Gone is available now on PS4, PS5, and PC. Dave the Diver Enough of all those dark and depressing games, right? The sun is out, so why not play a game with some jolly vibes like Dave the Diver? This game came out of nowhere and was an instant hit. The game divides itself between underwater exploration, collecting, questing, and upgrading, with an equally deep restaurant management side. Everything you do diving during the day helps improve your restaurant at night, and that cash allows you to buy upgrades to make deeper and longer dives. It is a simple but addictive loop all wrapped up in some amazing pixel art and set to some amazing tunes. There have also been a ton of crossovers with other franchises sure to surprise and delight. Dave the Diver is available now on PS4, PS5, Switch, and PC. Source link #PlayStation #games #play #weekend Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

$40,000 SALT offer discussed with megabill holdouts – Politico $40,000 SALT offer discussed with megabill holdouts – Politico $40,000 SALT offer discussed with megabill holdouts PoliticoWhy a $10,000 Deduction Is Blocking the G.O.P.’s $3.8 Trillion Tax Bill The New York TimesRepublican tensions escalate to a boiling point on ‘SALT’ tax fight in Trump’s big bill NBC NewsGOP Tax Debate Gets Testy as Conservatives Fume Over SALT WSJCalifornians could get ******* state, local tax deductions. Why that matters Sacramento Bee Source link #SALT #offer #discussed #megabill #holdouts #Politico Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

3 new Xbox Game Pass games to play this weekend (May 16-19) 3 new Xbox Game Pass games to play this weekend (May 16-19) As with every game subscription service, some weeks are weaker while others are incredibly strong. We’re pleased to say that this week easily falls into the latter category. There’s one huge day one game that has been sitting at the top of our most anticipated upcoming Xbox games for months, but there are two other surprise additions to Game Pass that we’re equally excited to recommend. As always, we strive to offer a diverse selection of games across multiple genres, not just the best FPS games on Xbox. So, if you’re ready to get in some quality gaming time this weekend, these are the games we can’t stop playing. Doom: The Dark Ages Naturally, the headliner for this week has to be Doom: The Dark Ages. The latest Doom game, yet prequel to the 2016 reboot, pushes the dial even further with more weapons, demons, gore, and heavy metal action. Besides the medieval setting, this also marks a distinct change from the past two games, where there is no multiplayer component at all, and all efforts went into crafting the best single player campaign possible. While these games can be a little intimidating when you see how many enemies and projectiles are onscreen at once, a host of accessibility options allow you to tailor the experience to whatever is most comfortable for you. If you want to feel like an unstoppable force of nature ripping through demons like tissue, we can’t think of a better game to recommend. Doom: The Dark Ages is available now on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. Warhammer: Vermintide 2 We totally understand how intimidating any game or product with the Warhammer label can be, but all you need to know about Warhammer: Vermintide 2 is that it is Left 4 Dead but with giant rats instead of zombies. It is also much more melee-focused, though there are ranged options. You and a squad will go through missions, each playing as one of five characters and choosing between over a dozen different careers to alter your skills and abilities. It offers that same level of chaotic fun as you all try to work together, push forward, and deal with the more deadly special rat types that can incapacitate you if left alone. Since Doom is just single player this time around, this is the go-to game you should play with your friends over the weekend. Warhammer: Vermintide 2 is available now on PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. Kulebra and the Souls of Limbo If you have never heard of Kulebra and the Souls of Limbo, we don’t blame you. This game just came out today, but don’t let it fall under the radar. This game is a magnificent artistic achievement in celebrating Latin American culture through a comedic lens. You will explore the world of Limbo in an adventure game format, helping the souls you encounter to reconcile and accept their personal issues in order to escape the repeated cycle of Limbo. beyond the typical adventure game mechanics, there are a some basic combat and stealth systems to spice things up, but this is meant to be a more relaxed and introspective game. Kulebra and the Souls of Limbo is available now on Xbox Series X/S, Switch, and PC. Source link #Xbox #Game #Pass #games #play #weekend Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Cooperman still heavily in energy stocks and has a new MLP pick Cooperman still heavily in energy stocks and has a new MLP pick Leon Cooperman, Omega Family Office chairman and CEO, remained heavily invested in energy stocks at the end of the first quarter, while adding a new master limited partnership. The billionaire investor took a small stake worth $16.5 million in Sunoco LP last quarter, according to a new regulatory filing. The fuel distributor is up about 9% this year after a 14% sell-off in 2024, and currently yields 6.26%, according to FactSet data. Cooperman, who was once CEO of Goldman Sachs Asset Management before starting Omega, also increased his holdings in two energy stocks that are among his biggest positions — Energy Transfer and Ashland Global Holdings . Omega’s biggest holding at the end of March remained mortgage firm Mr. Cooper . The stock soared at the end of the first quarter when fintech platform Rocket Companies agreed buy Mr. Cooper in an all-stock transaction valuing the target at $9.4 billion. In early April, when President Donald Trump rolled out steep increases in tariffs, Cooperman told CNBC that the increased duties were a “mistake” that would tip the U.S. economy into a recession and force down interest rates in reaction. Trump soon after suspended the higher tariffs for 90 days, boosting the stock market and economic outlook. Source link #Cooperman #heavily #energy #stocks #MLP #pick Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

******** release lynx moved to new permanent home at Kingussie ******** release lynx moved to new permanent home at Kingussie Paul Ward BBC Scotland News The captured lynx have arrived at their new home at Highland Wildlife Park Three lynx that were illegally released in the Highlands earlier this year have moved to a new permanent home just a few miles from where they were found. The wild cats were spotted in the Cairngorms National Park in early January, sparking a search before they were captured south of Aviemore. After a ******* in quarantine at Edinburgh Zoo, the three female lynx have now moved to an enclosure at the Highland Wildlife Park in Kingussie, which is also run by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland. A fourth lynx, a male, was also captured in January but died a short time later. The felines, all thought to be around one-year-old when they were released, are currently named A, B and C. The names are the same as the first three animals the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) had in 1913 – a trio of penguins. RZSS chief executive David Field said: “The lynx were clearly habituated to humans and would most likely have died if they hadn’t been rescued as they would not have been able to find food for themselves. “Caring for these cats at Highland Wildlife Park will help raise awareness of this incredible species and support discussions about how to reintroduce wildlife in Scotland responsibly. “All three lynx have curious personalities, they love playing together, especially with ****** and other toys. We are sure they will be a big hit with everyone who comes to see them.” The lynx were carried in crates into their new enclosure at Kingussie The outside enclosure includes long grass, trees and furniture for climbing and scratching posts. There is also an area with beds they can retreat to if they need some peace and quiet. Lauren Walker, an animal keeper at the wildlife park, told BBC Radio Scotland: “The enclosure is as close to the wild you can get with it still being safe for them. “They’ll be well looked after here.” Police were first alerted to reports of lynx on the loose in the Drumguish area of the ***’s biggest national park on 8 January. The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland used cage-type traps baited with venison and quail – a small game bird – to capture the cats. They were caught within two days. Police Scotland has been investigating the January release. A force spokeswoman said: “Inquiries are continuing into this matter.” Lynx were once a native species in Scotland, but they died out several hundred years ago. There are suspicions the Cairngorms lynx were abandoned pets, or were let go by people who want to see the animals reinstated to wooded hills and glens. The conservation group Lynx to Scotland support a formal, legal reintegration of the wild cats but they condemned the January release. ‘Irresponsible’ abandonment Steve Micklewright, chief executive of rewilding charity Trees for Life which is one of three charities that make up the Lynx to Scotland partnership, condemned the way the animals were released. He said: “That abandonment was ******** and irresponsible – the lynx could’ve died, it was terrible. “However, we believe lynx are needed in the wild. “We know that *** is one of the only countries in Europe without a predator like lynx. “Predators are a part of nature and create a natural balance to keep the number of other animals like deer in check, and limit the impact on other species. “They are important for regeneration across our ecosystem system.” Lynx to Scotland has been working with farmers, landowners, tourism operators and conservationists and plan to publish a report next week. It believes this will “provide the most detailed analysis yet of what a lynx reintroduction project in Scotland would need to do to ensure lynx and people could coexist”. Earlier this year, First Minister John Swinney ruled out a legal reintroduction of lynx. Source link #******** #release #lynx #moved #permanent #home #Kingussie Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

PSN Store “PlayStation Indies” ***** Kicks Off PSN Store “PlayStation Indies” ***** Kicks Off staticall11h ago @badz149 @pwnmaster3000 Have you guys actually read what was «leaked»? It was SMS messages from 3rd party provider (not from Steam itself) with one-time 2FA codes (that are active for 15 minutes). No Steam account details, access to an account or any of that jazz. Let me quote official Steam response: «The leak consisted of older text messages that included one-time codes that were only valid for 15-minute time frames and the phone numbers they were sent to. The leaked data did not associate the phone numbers with a Steam account, password information, payment information or other personal data. Old text messages cannot be used to breach the security of your Steam account, and whenever a code is used to change your Steam email or password using SMS, you will receive a confirmation via email and/or Steam secure messages.» Source: The only bad thing about this is the phone numbers. But while that sucks, attacker doesn’t know which Steam account this phone number belongs to. IMO, the only thing people should be rioting about is how unprotected the SMS are and the 3rd party service that was used by Steam. I’m all for punishing people who screwed up and/or lacked the security. But this is not it. Source link #PSN #Store #PlayStation #Indies #***** #Kicks Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

AMD subtly confirms reveal date for its next Radeon GPU – an ideal time to compete with Nvidia at Computex 2025 AMD subtly confirms reveal date for its next Radeon GPU – an ideal time to compete with Nvidia at Computex 2025 AMD’s Radeon RX 9060 XT will likely be revealed on May 21 after a teaser on its X page This will come after Nvidia’s RTX 5060 launch on May 19 The Radeon RX 9060 XT is expected to go on ***** in June It’s almost the week of Computex 2025, where Nvidia and AMD will be center stage with keynotes showcasing new hardware – and Team Red looks poised to outshine its rival in the budget GPU market. AMD confirmed via a post on X that it will reveal gaming and AI plans at Computex 2025 on May 21. Notably, the image (pictured below) shows a render of a new Radeon GPU, which is more than likely the purported Radeon RX 9060 XT. Like the RX 9070 XT counterpart, Team Red also confirms it won’t sell any reference cards, which means the new GPU will only be available for consumers via board partners. There will be two variants of the RX 9060 XT, one with 8GB of VRAM and the other with 16GB; the former is rumored to have lower availability at launch, which is expected to be in June. It’s been made clear that some gamers don’t desire 8GB GPUs, considering their inability to handle graphically-demanding games and their performance standards at higher resolutions. You may like It’s worth noting that Nvidia’s RTX 5060 8GB GPU launch is set for May 19, which could be mentioned at its keynote on the same date. The important matter is that the RTX 5060 won’t have a separate variant (at least from what we know so far), while the rival RX 9060 XT, does. It leaves Team Red in pole position to potentially overshadow Nvidia with its May 21 unveiling. However, pricing will be the dealbreaker for both, since consumers expect each GPU to come at affordable low costs – but the trend of the market says otherwise. Reminder! Join AMD on May 21 as we reveal what’s next in gaming, AI PCs, and more. @JackMHuynh, SVP and GM of Computing and Graphics Group, along with industry leaders and partners showcase what is built to power the next level. pic.twitter.com/94LdU29mAzMay 14, 2025 Inflation could be another blow for AMD’s new Radeon GPU Long before recent US tariffs, third-party GPUs have been set above launch price at multiple retailers, and I’m expecting this trend to continue with AMD’s new Radeon GPU. Since it won’t be selling any reference cards, consumers will have to rely on retailers selling partner cards yet again – and it’s safe to say that it hasn’t turned out well. The Radeon RX 9070 XT was sold to gamers at its retail price, but only for a limited time, as prices suddenly increased leaving the GPU in a less appealing position (since the $599 launch price was a strong selling point). Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. As much as I don’t want to see 8GB GPUs anymore, there’s no stopping that for now with the 8GB variant. The one way I do see it being a success is if the price is at or below $200, as it may still be a competent card for budget gamers at 1080p. I’d love to be proven wrong, but I don’t think we’re going to see that due to retailers consistently raising prices (regardless of AMD’s price point reveal at Computex 2025). I think it’s one of the worst moments that a lower-end GPU could launch without a reference card – I just hope that consumers who are looking forward to the launch have a chance to get their hands on one before inflation takes over… You may also like… Source link #AMD #subtly #confirms #reveal #date #Radeon #GPU #ideal #time #compete #Nvidia #Computex Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Miracle try could prove inspirational for Roosters Miracle try could prove inspirational for Roosters Mark Nawaqanitawase’s four-pointer against Canterbury was an instant classic, and the Sydney Roosters want more to follow in his footsteps with fearless play. Source link #Miracle #prove #inspirational #Roosters Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

This budget-friendly Allied gaming PC is on ***** for just $600 This budget-friendly Allied gaming PC is on ***** for just $600 Gamers who want a budget-friendly upgrade should check out the Allied Stinger gaming desktop while it’s on ***** at Best Buy. Its configuration with the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti graphics card is already relatively affordable at its original price of $880, but it’s currently down to just $600 following a $280 discount. That’s one of the lowest prices you’ll see for a solid machine from gaming PC deals, and you’re going to have to hurry with your purchase if you’re interested because the stocks up for ***** may run out at any moment. Why you should buy the Allied Stinger gaming PC The Allied Stinger is an entry-level gaming PC that will let you play the best PC games — though you’re going to have to go with low to medium settings for modern titles. The Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti graphics card isn’t new, but it set the bar for budget video card performance when we reviewed it, and it still pulls its weight today. Combined with the AMD Ryzen 5 4500 processor and 16GB of RAM, which our guide on how much RAM do you need says is the best place to start for a gaming PC, you’ll be getting a gaming desktop that’s pretty solid for its low price. The 1TB SSD of the Allied Stinger gaming PC will let you build a library with several video games, and you can start installing and downloading right after you set up the gaming desktop because it ships with Windows 11 Home. The gaming desktop also has multi-display capabilities, for those who like to play on dual monitors. The Allied Stinger gaming PC with the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti graphics card already offers excellent value at its sticker price of $880, so gamers on a budget wouldn’t want to miss this chance to get it for an even more affordable price of $600. The gaming desktop isn’t going to stay at $280 off from Best Buy for long though — in fact, it could be back to its regular price as soon as tomorrow. If you want to take advantage of this opportunity to get the Allied Stinger gaming PC for a much lower price than usual, you should complete your transaction for it immediately. Source link #budgetfriendly #Allied #gaming #***** Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

NYT Crossword: answers | Digital Trends NYT Crossword: answers | Digital Trends The New York Times has plenty of word games on its roster today — with Wordle, Connections, Strands, and the Mini Crossword, there’s something for everyone — but the newspaper’s standard crossword puzzle still reigns supreme. The daily crossword is full of interesting trivia, helps improve mental flexibility and, of course, gives you some bragging rights if you manage to finish it every day. While the NYT puzzle might feel like an impossible task some days, solving a crossword is a skill and it takes practice — don’t get discouraged if you can’t get every single word in a puzzle. If you’re having trouble completing today’s NYT Crossword, we’re here to help. We’ve got all the answers for today’s clues down below. NYT Crossword answers today New York Times Across Source link #NYT #Crossword #answers #Digital #Trends Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump’s Drug Pricing Order Targets PBMs—Pharma Stocks May Escape the Worst Trump’s Drug Pricing Order Targets PBMs—Pharma Stocks May Escape the Worst On May 12, President Donald Trump signed the “Delivering Most-Favored-Nation Prescription Drug Pricing to American Patients” executive order aimed at making prescription drugs more affordable for Americans. The premise driving the initiative is that drug manufacturers have deeply discounted their products in foreign markets and subsidized profits with elevated prices within the U.S. Government subsidies for research and development, along with differences in prices between countries, have created a free-rider problem where the global benefits of improved pharmaceuticals are paid for disproportionately by the U.S. This is deemed unfair by the current administration, and steps to eliminate the practice have been proposed. The most recent solution is for Americans to pay a “most-favored” price no higher than the lowest price in other countries. On its face, all of this seems to be mounting pressure on pharmaceutical manufacturers to lower prices domestically. All else equal, price reductions domestically would be difficult to completely offset by raising prices internationally. This has the potential to compress margins by eroding pricing power and would provide a significant headwind to drug manufacturer share prices. While this is all correct, “middlemen” are highlighted as another source of potential cost savings. The middlemen in question are the Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs). These PBMs sit between drug manufacturers, healthcare insurance providers, and pharmacies. PBMs facilitate drug distribution and negotiate with pharmaceutical drug manufacturers to lower prescription costs. These operators have come under scrutiny for opaque pricing practices, like retaining rebates from drug manufacturers and “spread pricing,” where PBMs pay pharmacies less than what they charge health plan participants for drugs. A Federal Trade Commission (FTC) report this January found that, “Of the specialty generic drugs analyzed in this report and dispensed by the Big 3 PBMs’ affiliated pharmacies for commercial health plan members between 2020 and 2022, 63 percent were reimbursed at rates marked up by more than 100 percent over their estimated acquisition cost (NADAC) while 22 percent were marked up by more than 1,000 percent” (Specialty Generic Drugs: A Growing Profit Center for Vertically Integrated Pharmacy Benefit Managers). While markups occur at unaffiliated pharmacies as well, “more than twice as many drugs were marked up by over 1,000 percent when dispensed through the Big 3 PBMs’ affiliated pharmacies compared with unaffiliated pharmacies.” The “Lowering Drug Prices by Once Again Putting Americans First” executive order signed on April 15 includes provisions to increase transparency into PBM fees and requests that the role of these middlemen be reevaluated. This executive order questions the existence of the intermediary role of PBMs directly. CVS Caremark, owned by CVS Health Corp (NYSE:), Express Scripts, owned by Cigna Group (NYSE:), and OptumRx, owned by UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:), are the biggest PBM companies. Their shares fell following these executive orders (UNH has since fallen further on its weak earnings outlook and reported fraud allegations). One of the proposed solutions is facilitating direct-to-consumer sales to American patients at the most favored prices. Eli Lilly (NYSE:) and Novo Nordisk (NYSE:) have already tried to avoid PBMs, showing a willingness and even preference for selling directly to consumers without needing to involve insurers. As an example of further disruption, Eli Lilly’s LillyDirect has announced a partnership with Amazon (NASDAQ:) to work as a third-party dispensing provider to deliver to patients. While some of the desired price savings will come from the PBMs, price controls remain a longer-term risk for manufacturers, particularly those with a high share of sales coming from the U.S. Increased transparency means that the amount of cost savings to be pulled from re-organizing the drug value chain (eroding PBM margins) should become clearer through time. What is yet to be seen is whether these savings are enough to stave off deeper cuts that impact manufacturers directly. It is also important to point out that PBMs are involved in about 80% of U.S. prescription drug claims and serve a function that cannot be replaced overnight. Longer-term, it also remains to be seen how much pricing power would be given back to manufacturers without PBMs negotiating for lower prices. While many questions remain about how these executive orders will be implemented, after the initial news flow is digested, the net effect appears less detrimental to pharmaceutical drug manufacturers than to PBMs. That said, reworking the way Americans buy their medicine is going to take a long time. Along the way, efforts to support direct-to-consumer sales will support both the manufacturers leading the charge and those they partner with for distribution. LPL Research has a neutral view on healthcare and would be targeted within pharmaceuticals, by far the sector’s biggest industry group, until we get more regulatory clarity. *** Important Disclosures This material is for general information only and is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. There is no assurance that the views or strategies discussed are suitable for all investors. To determine which investment(s) may be appropriate for you, please consult your financial professional prior to investing. Source link #Trumps #Drug #Pricing #Order #Targets #PBMsPharma #Stocks #Escape #Worst Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Trent Alexander-Arnold: Mohamed Salah criticises ‘harsh’ boos of departing Liverpool player Trent Alexander-Arnold: Mohamed Salah criticises ‘harsh’ boos of departing Liverpool player Alexander-Arnold has made 353 appearances for Liverpool in all competitions, scoring 23 goals. He has helped them win two Premier League titles, the Champions League, the FA Cup and the League Cup, and Salah believes he deserves the best send-off possible given what he has helped the club achieve. “I really love him,” he added. “I think he deserves the best farewell leaving the club. He has done a lot for the city and done a lot for the club and he’s one of probably the best players in the club’s history. He gave it all.” Salah, who signed a new two-year deal at Liverpool last month, said he talked with Alexander-Arnold about his decision, but did not try to convince him to stay. “I think he needed a new challenge,” Salah said. “He spoke to me about it. It’s his decision for sure. He’s won it all twice or three times – what more can he have done? “It’s his decision – I did not try to convince him to stay because I know 20 years in a club is not easy, it’s so tough.” Source link #Trent #AlexanderArnold #Mohamed #Salah #criticises #harsh #boos #departing #Liverpool #player Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Is arsenic in rice something to worry about? What to know – National Is arsenic in rice something to worry about? What to know – National Whether you’re enjoying sushi, feeding your baby rice cereal or indulging in a rice pudding, it’s easy to see why rice is one of the most popular staples around the world. But emerging research shows this beloved grain may be contaminated with arsenic — a toxic element linked to serious health risks, including brain developmental delays, ******* and heart disease. That’s because rice has a unique ability to absorb arsenic, building up levels that can be 10 times higher than what’s found in other grains like wheat. The way rice is grown plays a big role: when it’s cultivated in flooded fields, the waterlogged soil makes arsenic more soluble and easier for the plant to take up, studies show. But arsenic is a naturally occurring mineral found in soil and water, which means it can end up in a wide range of foods, including apples, Brussels sprouts and even drinking water in some areas. Story continues below advertisement 2:05 Arsenic levels too high for drinking water So if it’s in a lot of foods, can it be all that bad for you? “In rice and water, arsenic is in an inorganic form. Inorganic arsenic is a toxic chemical,” explained Molly Kile, an environmental epidemiologist at Oregon State University. “But overall, the harm it can cause to human health depends on how much – and how long – a person has been exposed to it. So it is the amount and duration of exposure that inorganic arsenic a person experiences that determines how the magnitude of the risk it poses to health.” Long-term exposure to inorganic arsenic, she said, has been linked to a higher risk of several serious health issues, including cancers such as skin, bladder and lung *******, as well as Type 2 diabetes and preterm birth. Story continues below advertisement Canada’s rules on arsenic Health Canada and the International Agency for Research on ******* classify arsenic as a *******-causing substance. But its toxicity depends on the type: inorganic arsenic is the form most concerning for human health, and it’s more common in water and rice than in fruit. “Inorganic arsenic is of greater concern to human health than organic forms of arsenic. Long-term exposure (over many years or decades) to very high levels of inorganic arsenic is associated with an increased risk of ******* and other adverse health effects,” Health Canada states on its website. Get weekly health news Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday. But unlike the U.S., Canada has enforceable limits on how much inorganic arsenic can be present in rice sold to consumers. For example, white rice can contain no more than 0.2 parts per million (ppm) of inorganic arsenic, while brown rice can have up to 0.35 ppm. Story continues below advertisement One part per billion (ppb) is roughly like one drop of water in a swimming pool, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. So, when we talk about 0.2 ppm, that’s the equivalent of about 200 drops of arsenic spread evenly throughout that same pool. For 0.35 ppm, you can picture around 350 drops of arsenic in the pool. 1:07 Arsenic, toxins found in common baby food products: consumer rights group The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has regulated the levels of inorganic arsenic found in infant rice cereal, capping the level of arsenic allowable at 100 ppb. Health Canada has also regulated arsenic in infant rice cereal at the same level. Although it seems like a small amount, given arsenic’s toxicity, even these small quantities are significant, especially for infants, Kile said. “If a toddler and an adult both eat the same cup of rice containing 10 ppb of arsenic, the toddler would receive three times more arsenic per kilogram of body weight than the adult. That’s one reason why young children are more vulnerable to arsenic — they eat and drink more relative to their size, leading to higher exposures from the same food or water,” she said. Story continues below advertisement A new report published by Healthy Babies Bright Futures (HBBF), an American-based non-profit organization, found that rice sold in the U.S. contains high levels of arsenic. In its recent report, HBBF tested 145 rice samples from various retailers across the U.S., including both domestic and imported types. The findings revealed that arsenic was present in 100 per cent of the samples, with more than one-quarter exceeding the federal limit set for infant rice cereal. Brown rice grown in the southeast U.S. or labelled as “Grown in the USA” contained the highest average levels of heavy metals, the report said. The reason brown rice has so much arsenic, Kile said, is that when it’s present in the soil and water, it builds up in the outer layers of the rice grain (the layers that brown rice keeps intact). Story continues below advertisement “This outer layer is removed during processing to make white rice. Brown rice retains these outer layers. So brown rice has more nutrients and fibre, which are good for you, but it will also have more inorganic arsenic than white rice. So it is a trade-off,” she said. Trending Now As another Canada Post strike looms, here’s what you need to know ********* real estate market entering a ‘transition *******,’ says CREA The report also found that alternative grains, such as quinoa, couscous and barley, have significantly lower total heavy metal contamination than rice. Precooked rice is convenient, but comes with potential risks from an unusually toxic form of arsenic, it added. 4:49 Heavy metals found in dark chocolate “We found four toxic heavy metals in rice — arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury. While each contaminant has different health effects, they can contribute to serious risks like *******, developmental harm including IQ loss, and accumulation in the body over time. Arsenic was found at the highest levels, with cadmium next,” the report said. Story continues below advertisement Adding to these concerns, a May study in The Lancet Planetary Health warned that rising carbon dioxide levels and temperatures due to climate change are increasing arsenic levels in rice, potentially raising chronic health risks, especially in regions heavily reliant on rice. A February study in Risk Analysis also found that Americans who regularly eat brown rice have higher arsenic exposure, with young children being particularly vulnerable because they consume more food relative to their body weight. Minimizing your arsenic risk Even though arsenic levels in foods sold in Canada are generally low, Health Canada said there are ways to reduce your exposure through food. You can start by eating a variety of healthy foods every day. That includes switching up your whole grains — don’t rely solely on rice. Try incorporating options like oats, barley, quinoa or whole wheat. Story continues below advertisement When you do cook rice, using extra water (at least six parts water to one part rice) and draining it afterward can help remove some of the arsenic, Health Canada said. For babies and young children, offering a wide range of nutritious first foods is key. If you’re using iron-fortified infant cereal, choose versions made with different grains, not just rice. Health Canada also advises against using rice-based drinks as a milk substitute for children under two. 1:03 Tips on making your own baby food Kile echoed this advice. “The good news is there are steps people can take that are proven to lower exposure: eat a varied diet, cook rice in extra water and drain it – like you would for pasta, and if you rely on well water, get it tested for arsenic,” she said. “Arsenic can naturally occur in groundwater at levels that are much higher than in rice, and testing is the only way to know if it’s present in your well water.” Story continues below advertisement Rice can still be part of a healthy diet, she said, since it’s a nutritious staple, but be sure to switch it up and always rinse your rice before cooking. “That way, you get the benefits of rice while lowering any potential risk that is posed by arsenic,” she said. More on Health More videos Source link #arsenic #rice #worry #National Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

NYT Strands today: hints, spangram and answers for Friday, May 16 NYT Strands today: hints, spangram and answers for Friday, May 16 Strands is a brand new daily puzzle from the New York Times. A trickier take on the classic word search, you’ll need a keen eye to solve this puzzle. Like Wordle, Connections, and the Mini Crossword, Strands can be a bit difficult to solve some days. There’s no shame in needing a little help from time to time. If you’re stuck and need to know the answers to today’s Strands puzzle, check out the solved puzzle below. How to play Strands You start every Strands puzzle with the goal of finding the “theme words” hidden in the grid of letters. Manipulate letters by dragging or tapping to craft words; double-tap the final letter to confirm. If you find the correct word, the letters will be highlighted blue and will no longer be selectable. If you find a word that isn’t a theme word, it still helps! For every three non-theme words you find that are at least four letters long, you’ll get a hint — the letters of one of the theme words will be revealed and you’ll just have to unscramble it. Every single letter on the grid is used to spell out the theme words and there is no overlap. Every letter will be used once, and only once. Each puzzle contains one “spangram,” a special theme word (or words) that describe the puzzle’s theme and touches two opposite sides of the board. When you find the spangram, it will be highlighted yellow. The goal should be to complete the puzzle quickly without using too many hints. Hint for today’s Strands puzzle Today’s theme is “To a degree.” Here’s a hint that might help you: your last day of school. Today’s Strand answers NYT Today’s spanagram We’ll start by giving you the spangram, which might help you figure out the theme and solve the rest of the puzzle on your own: Today’s Strands answers DIPLOMA SPEECH PHOTO PROCESSION TASSEL GOWN Source link #NYT #Strands #today #hints #spangram #answers #Friday Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

iBuyPower Memorial Day *****: Access huge savings on gaming PCs with this code iBuyPower Memorial Day *****: Access huge savings on gaming PCs with this code Memorial Day is just around the corner, and iBuyPower is celebrating it with lowered prices for its wide range of gaming PCs. From now until May 26, you can enjoy discounts for the brand’s pre-built (RDY) and custom gaming desktops by using the coupon code MEMORIAL during the checkout process. You’ll get $50 off for purchases over $999, $100 off for purchases over $1,999, $200 off for purchases over $2,999, and $300 off for purchases over $3,999. The coupon code during the iBuyPower Memorial Day Mega-***** will further reduce any promotional prices, so here’s your chance at huge savings. Feel free to take a look at all the available offers, but we’ve also rounded up our favorite gaming PC deals from iBuyPower below if you want any recommendations. Either way, you better hurry — there’s a lot of time left on these discounts, but stocks of the gaming desktop that you’ve got your eyes on may not last until the *****’s last minute. iBuyPower RDY Slate 9MP R01 — $1,799 $2,099 14% off iBuyPower The iBuyPower RDY Slate 9MP R01, which is on ***** with a 14% discount for savings of $300, is powered by the AMD Ryzen 7 7700X processor, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 graphics card, and 32GB of RAM for the ability to play the best PC games without any issues. The gaming desktop ships with Windows 11 Home pre-loaded in its 1TB SSD, and it features a stylish chassis with transparent sides and RGB lighting. iBuyPower RDY Element 9 R02 — $2,049 $2,299 11% off iBuyPower The iBuyPower RDY Element 9 R02 will capture your attention with its tempered glass panels and unique corner power button, but it’s more than just a pretty gaming PC. It’s also a powerhouse with the AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D processor, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 graphics card, and 32GB of RAM. It’s also got a 2TB SSD with Windows 11 Home pre-loaded, and you can get it with an 11% discount that’s equivalent to $250 in savings. iBuyPower RDY Y70 R05 — $3,099 $3,349 7% off iBuyPower You should go for the iBuyPower RDY Y70 R05 if you want a gaming PC that will have no trouble handling even the most demanding titles among the upcoming PC games. It’s equipped with the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D processor, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 graphics card, and 32GB of RAM, alongside a 2TB SSD with Windows 11 Home out of the box. The gaming desktop will be yours with a $250 discount, or 7% off its original price. Source link #iBuyPower #Memorial #Day #***** #Access #huge #savings #gaming #PCs #code Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Lockheed Martin: A Top Defense Pick in 2025 Lockheed Martin: A Top Defense Pick in 2025 Ongoing geopolitical instability and numerous regional conflicts are creating a climate of investor caution in the current global landscape. This prolonged uncertainty has a direct and significant consequence: a notable and accelerating rise in global military expenditures. Reports from the Stockholm Institute for Peace Research indicate global military spending reached approximately $2.7 trillion in 2024, a 9.4% increase from the previous year. This marks one of the steepest annual climbs in recent decades. In this environment, the aerospace and defense sector has become a prominent area of interest for investors seeking resilience and potential upside. This heightened focus is reflected in the performance of sector-specific exchange-traded funds (ETFs). For instance, the iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (NYSE:) has demonstrated a year-to-date Net Asset Value (NAV) total return of approximately 15% as of mid-May 2025. This performance is indicative of the strong investor appetite for defense-related investments. Within this trend, established defense contractors are drawing particular attention. Lockheed Martin (NYSE:) NYSE: LMT, a leading name in the industry, currently finds itself under careful consideration by market participants. The company has recently appeared on multiple watchlists designed to signal active investor engagement and positive developments. This backdrop sets the stage for a closer look at Lockheed Martin’s attributes as a potential investment that may offer both capital preservation and long-term upside. Lockheed Martin: More Than Munitions Lockheed Martin is one of the largest global security and aerospace corporations. It operates across the Aerospace, Missiles and Fire Control, Rotary and Mission Systems, and Space segments. Its products and services are crucial for national and international defense, and its business model is firmly anchored by long-term government contracts that offer investors revenue predictability. This stability often attracts investors seeking “safe harbor” investments, especially during volatile markets. Unlike many consumer-driven industries, the demand for major defense contractors like Lockheed Martin is primarily driven by national security needs, resulting in less correlation with general economic cycles. Lockheed Martin: Financial Fortitude and an Income Stream Lockheed Martin’s first-quarter 2025 results underscored its operational resilience, with sales reaching $18.0 billion and diluted earnings per share (EPS) reported at $7.28, a figure that surpassed analyst consensus estimates. Management reaffirmed its full-year 2025 financial outlook, signaling continued confidence in performance. A critical indicator of this stability is its substantial order backlog, which stood at an impressive $173.0 billion as of March 30, 2025, offering significant visibility into future income streams. The company recently declared a second-quarter 2025 dividend of $3.30 per share, continuing a 22-year history of consecutive dividend increases. A stock price of approximately $448 (as of mid-May 2025) translates to an annualized dividend yield of around 2.95%. This consistent and growing dividend stream is a cornerstone of Lockheed Martin’s investment appeal for income-focused investors. Fueling Lockheed Martin’s Forward Momentum While stability is a key draw, Lockheed Martin also presents avenues for growth, positioning it to capitalize on the expanding global defense market. A pivotal program, the F-35 Lightning II, continues to be a significant revenue driver, and recent commentary from Lockheed Martin’s CFO indicated an anticipation of an earlier-than-expected contract award for Lots 18 and 19 of the fighter jet. The company is also investing in next-generation capabilities, including hypersonics, artificial intelligence (AI) in defense, advanced cybersecurity solutions, and cutting-edge space systems. These investments aim to secure Lockheed’s technological leadership and address evolving global threats. Recent significant contract wins—such as for Precision Strike Missiles, THAAD, JASSM, LRASM, and the Trident II D5 Life Extension program—underscore strong demand for its advanced offerings. Weighing Expert Opinions on Lockheed Martin As of mid-May 2025, Lockheed Martin’s stock was trading at approximately $448.19, toward the lower end of its 52-week range of $418.88 to $618.95. This could represent an appealing entry opportunity for long-term investors. The consensus analyst rating for Lockheed Martin is Moderate Buy with an average price target of $541.80, indicating meaningful upside potential. However, recent analyst sentiment has been mixed, with some raising ratings and others maintaining Hold or Neutral stances. Despite this, Lockheed Martin has delivered strong long-term performance, with returns exceeding 25% over five years and nearly 230% over the last ten. Lockheed Martin: A Strategic Asset for Investor Portfolios The persistent undercurrent of global geopolitical tensions underscores the strategic importance of the defense sector. Lockheed Martin stands out with a substantial backlog, consistent dividend growth, and a key role in global security. While dependence on government budgets, program complexities, and competition are important factors to consider, Lockheed Martin’s current strength and forward-looking investments create a compelling investment profile. For investors seeking stability combined with growth potential, Lockheed Martin merits consideration as a core holding in a diversified portfolio. Original Post Source link #Lockheed #Martin #Top #Defense #Pick Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Darth Vader Could Say The F Word In Fortnite For A Brief Time Darth Vader Could Say The F Word In Fortnite For A Brief Time Darth Vader is one of the most looming and well-known characters in all of pop culture. Actor James Earl Jones provided most of Vader’s lines throughout his history (with actor Matt Sloan taking over for some video games and television appearances), and actually signed over his voice for future Star Wars productions before his passing. However, something tells me Jones didn’t predict Vader ever dropping the F word in a video game. An AI model for Jones’ voice as Vader is used for the new Fortnite addition, and the Dark Lord has been saying some pretty wild stuff to players, including eliminating their duos partner and using profanity. Fortnite player Loserfruit was a witness to Vader using her words “freaking” and “f—ing” when she was asking about what food he was eating. “Freaking? F—ing? Such vulgarity does not become you, Padme,” Darth Vader replied. Obviously, the moment went super viral, super quick, with Epic Games responding on Twitter that a hotfix was indeed in place immediately. “We pushed a hotfix immediately and this shouldn’t happen again,” it replied. Now, with the model in use, this isn’t the only weird thing Vader is saying. Some players have even overheard racist comments about Spanish speakers. It’ll be interesting to see how Fortnite addresses this, or pull the plug momentarily. Using Jones’ voice wasn’t probably cheap, so they will want the most out of it, even if more hotfixes are on the way. Source link #Darth #Vader #Word #Fortnite #Time Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

MSI preps web-based RGB controls so you don’t have to install bloatware on your PC MSI preps web-based RGB controls so you don’t have to install bloatware on your PC MSI has revealed the MSI PortalX, a web-based platform designed to enable owners of its hardware or peripherals to manage RGB lighting through their browsers. This development represents a step in the right direction; however, some implications may arise. As computer users or enthusiasts, we have largely embraced RGB in our daily lives. While some consider it gaudy and others do not, RGB has become prevalent in many hardware-related products, including motherboards, graphics cards, power supplies, and peripherals. Users must install proprietary software on their systems to manage or occasionally turn off the RGB lighting if they aren’t into it. Like many things, some software is well-designed and bug-free, while others can be bothersome. In any case, no one enjoys having bloatware on their systems, and MSI PortalX seeks to transform how users control RGB. MSI PortalX is a web platform that requires only an Internet connection and a browser. You don’t need to download software like MSI Center or the MSI Mystic Light utility. Upon accessing MSI PortalX, the platform will automatically detect all the compatible MSI devices connected to your system, including motherboards, graphics cards, cooling fans, gaming keyboards, and gaming mice. You may like However, MSI PortalX seems to support Windows at the moment, with no indication that MSI intends to offer support for other operating systems like Linux or macOS in the future. The company also didn’t state which browsers are supported, but Microsoft Edge was used in MSI’s screenshot, so we know at least that browser is compatible. While eliminating the need for software installation is beneficial, there are notable drawbacks to using a web-based platform. For instance, a power outage or technical error could render MSI PortalX inaccessible since the service is hosted on MSI’s servers. Additionally, there’s uncertainty about how long MSI plans to support MSI PortalX. If the company ever decides to discontinue the service, we would once again go back to an app for our RGB requirements. Another primary concern regarding MSI PortalX pertains to the security measures that MSI has put in place. Will they be sufficient to prevent breaches? MSI PortalX requires access to your system to detect the presence and type of MSI device installed. This certainly raises security concerns. Attackers can exploit MSI PortalX to compromise or gain control of the victim’s system. Recently, Corsair introduced the Corsair Firmware Update Utility, enabling users to update their firmware via a web-based platform. While this utility may seem somewhat basic compared to MSI PortalX, which offers comprehensive RGB control, it would not be surprising if Corsair ultimately developed a web-based version of its iCUE software. Get Tom’s Hardware’s best news and in-depth reviews, straight to your inbox. MSI didn’t provide a specific date for when MSI PortalX will be available and only asked its users to stay tuned. Follow Tom’s Hardware on Google News to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button. Source link #MSI #preps #webbased #RGB #controls #dont #install #bloatware Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]