Pelican Press

State police looking for Kittanning man charged with home improvement ****** in 2023 State police looking for Kittanning man charged with home improvement ****** in 2023 Pennsylvania State Police in Indiana County are asking for help in an ongoing search for a Kittanning man accused of home improvement ******. Matthew James Wilson, 34, was charged with two felony counts of home improvement ****** and one felony count of theft by deception in July 2023. On the same day as those charges were filed, an arrest warrant was issued, but Wilson has not yet been located. Wilson’s charges stem from a Burrell Township woman who made a verbal agreement with Wilson about purchasing a backup generator she saw on an ad and paid him $6,000 in cash to get the piece of equipment. Wilson provided her with a receipt, but never delivered the generator and stopped responding to her. Wilson is described as a white man who is 6 feet, 7 inches tall and weighs 235 pounds. He has brown hair and green eyes. Anyone who knows where Wilson may be should contact Troop A, Indiana, by calling 724-357-1960 or 911. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW Source link #State #police #Kittanning #man #charged #home #improvement #****** Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Niantic Used Pokemon Go Players To Create Real-World AI Navigation Model Niantic Used Pokemon Go Players To Create Real-World AI Navigation Model For the past eight years, Pokemon Go players have helped make Niantic’s game one of the top titles in mobile gaming. Apparently, players have also been helping Niantic create a 3D model of the world, which is being expanded via AI into a Large Geospatial Model. As reported by 404 Media, Niantic made the largely unnoticed announcement earlier this month. These plans have seemingly been in the works for a long time, and the company states that it is attempting to “help computers perceive, comprehend, and navigate the physical world.” It also compares Large Geospatial Models to the Large Language Models used by OpenAI’s GPT, Grok, and others. Because Pokemon Go players are able to visit locations that cars can’t access, they’ve given Niantic views of buildings and areas that other models haven’t been able to see until now. Niantic explained that only the fronts of buildings have been identifiable from previous models, but the Large Geospatial Models can teach computers how to see and identify the other sides of buildings on a global scale. One way Pokemon Go players have unwittingly contributed to this is through the recently released Pokemon Playgrounds feature, which lets them leave behind a Pokemon at a specific spot that can be found by other players. Niantic states that 10 million locations have been scanned through that feature from around the world, and 1 million new scans arrive every week. According to the map of the model on Niantic’s site, the company is far from mapping the entire globe. Most of the locations captured appear to be in North America and Europe, while *******, Australia, and a large portion of Asia remain uncaptured for now. South America also has a long way to go before it will be fully captured by Niantic’s AI model. Outside of Pokemon Go, the franchise continues to thrive. This week, Pokemon Gold and Silver is getting a line of 25th- anniversary merchandise. Meanwhile, Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket, one of the franchise’s other mobile games, attracted 30 million downloads in its first week alone. One of the next games in the series, Pokemon Legends Z-A, will be released in 2025. Source link #Niantic #Pokemon #Players #Create #RealWorld #Navigation #Model Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Nvidia introduces a new merged CPU and GPU AI processor — GB200 Grace Blackwell NVL4 Superchip has four B200 GPUs, two Grace CPUs Nvidia introduces a new merged CPU and GPU AI processor — GB200 Grace Blackwell NVL4 Superchip has four B200 GPUs, two Grace CPUs Nvidia has announced two products: the GB200 NVL4, a monster quad-B200 GPU module featuring two Grace CPUs, and the H200 NVL PCIe GPU, aimed at air-cooled data centers. The GB200 Grace Blackwell NVL4 Superchip is an even more potent variant of the standard (non-NVL4) dual-GPU variant, featuring a whopping four B200 Blackwell GPUs hooked up to each other with NVLink and two Grace ARM-based CPUs all on one motherboard. The solution is aimed at HPC and AI-hybrid workloads featuring a whopping 1.3TB of coherent memory. Nvidia advertises the GB200 NVL4 as having 2.2X the simulation, 1.8X the training, and 1.8X the inference performance of the Nvidia GH200 NVL4 Grace Hopper Superchip — its direct predecessor. Nvidia says the GB200 NVL4 super chip will be available in 2H 2024 from various providers, such as MSI, Asus, Gigabyte, Wistron, Pegatron, ASRock Rack, Lenovo, HP Enterprise, and more. Swinging around to the opposite side of the spectrum, Nvidia’s H200 NVL is a dual-slot air-cooled GPU featuring PCIe 5.0 connectivity (128 GB/s). The cooler is optimized for rack-mount solutions, featuring a flow-through design where intake air runs from right to left; there is no blower-style fan. Performance is slightly worse than Nvidia’s outgoing H200 in the SXM form factor. The H200 NVL is rated at 30 TFLOPS of FP64 and 60 TFLOPS of FP32. Tensor core performance is rated at 60 TFLOPS of FP64, 835 TFLOPS of TF32, 1,671 TFLOPS of BFLOAT16, 1,671 TFLOPS of FP16, 3,341 TFLOPS of FP8 and 3,341 TFLOPs of INT8. However, Nvidia says the H200 NVL is much faster than the H100 NVL it replaces. It features 1.5X the memory capacity and 1.2X the memory bandwidth, delivering up to 1.7X faster inference performance and 1.3X faster performance for HPC workloads. Nvidia also compared quickly to Ampere, stating that the H200 NVL is 2.5X faster than Ampere’s equivalent GPUs. The H200 NVL PCIe GPU is optimized for the vast majority of data center configurations, including air-cooled server racks. Nvidia states that according to a survey, roughly 70% of enterprise racks use air cooling and 20kW of power or less. Being a PCIe GPU, data center providers can re-use their existing racks and only replace the GPUs, reducing waste and significantly reducing the cost of upgrading hardware. The H200 NVL is also equipped with NVLink, offering up to 900 GB/s of bandwidth per GPU and enabling system providers to ***** up to four GPUs in a single rig to boost performance. Get Tom’s Hardware’s best news and in-depth reviews, straight to your inbox. Nvidia’s new air-cooled GPU arrives at a time when Nvidia’s Blackwell GPUs are having severe overheating problems. Despite operating with full-blown liquid cooling systems, system integrators are forced to redesign Blackwell GPU-supported server racks due to the GPU’s enormous amount of heat dissipation in racks that consume up to 120KW alone. The H200 NVL is not even a close competitor to the B200, but Nvidia’s air-cooled datacenter GPU highlights the significant advantages of low-power-consuming air-cooled GPUs. H200 NVL will be available from various providers such as Dell, HP Enterprise, Lenovo, and Supermicro. Additionally, the new GPU will be available in platforms from Aivres, ASRock Rack, Asus, Gigabyte, Ingrasys, Inventec, MSI, Pegatron, QCT, Wistron, and Wiwynn. Source link #Nvidia #introduces #merged #CPU #GPU #processor #GB200 #Grace #Blackwell #NVL4 #Superchip #B200 #GPUs #Grace #CPUs Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Lenders pull incorrect amounts from student loan borrowers’ accounts Lenders pull incorrect amounts from student loan borrowers’ accounts Boogich | E+ | Getty Images Lenders often encourage federal student loan borrowers to enroll in automatic payments. It can seem like a good idea to do so: Borrowers don’t need to worry about missing a payment and often get a slightly lower interest rate in exchange. However, the decision can backfire in a lending space plagued by consumer abuses, according to a new report by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. “Unfortunately, autopay errors were one of the most widespread, basic and consequential servicer errors we saw this year,” CFPB Student Loan Ombudsman Julia Barnard told CNBC. “These errors are incredibly costly and completely unacceptable.” In some cases, borrowers had money pulled from their bank accounts despite never consenting to autopay, Barnard said. Other autopay users saw incorrect amounts taken or were charged multiple times in the same month. More from Personal Finance: ****** Friday deals aren’t always the best 28% of credit card users are still paying off last year’s holiday tab Here’s who can ‘easily afford’ holiday costs CNBC wrote last year about a woman who was supposed to have a $0 monthly student loan payment under the plan she was enrolled in, but was charged $2,074 one month. After that unexpected debit, she worried she wouldn’t be able to pay her mortgage. In March, one borrower told the CFPB that their student loan servicer took $6,897 from their account when they only owed $1,048. “Borrowers have told the CFPB that these errors have made it hard or impossible for them to cover basic needs like food, medical care and rent,” Barnard said. What borrowers can do about autopay errors Despite the issues some student loan borrowers experience, higher education expert Mark Kantrowitz recommends that people remain enrolled in the automatic payments. After all, it’s one of the only ways to get an interest rate discount, he said. The savings is typically 0.25%. In addition, he said, “they are less likely to be late with a payment.” But some borrowers on a tight budget may prefer to forgo those benefits to make sure they’re not overcharged, experts said. There are steps you can take to protect yourself from incorrect billing, Kantrowitz said. You can set up an alert with your bank and get notified whenever a debit occurs over a certain amount. If you set that amount a little under what your student loan bill should be, you can use that alert to check that the debit was correct each month and also have a record of your payment history, which can be especially helpful to those working toward loan forgiveness, Kantrowitz said. If your loan service takes the wrong amount from your bank account, you should immediately contact the servicer and demand a refund, Kantrowitz said. You should also ask your servicer to cover any late fees from bounced checks or an overdraft, he said. Unfortunately, Barnard says, the CFPB has heard from borrowers who weren’t able to get a timely refund. “We’ve seen instances where borrowers have waited months or even years to receive a refund related to autopay errors,” she said. As a result, she also suggests borrowers reach out to their bank about the incorrect payment. “The borrowers’ financial institution may be able to quickly resolve errors in autopay amounts,” she said, so long as the borrower notifies them within 10 business days of the amount being debited. If you run into a wall with your servicer, you can file a complaint with the Education Department’s feedback system at Studentaid.gov/feedback. Problems can also be reported to the Federal Student Aid’s Ombudsman, Kantrowitz said. Source link #Lenders #pull #incorrect #amounts #student #loan #borrowers #accounts Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Ottawa removed 1,100 companies from Indigenous procurement list: Hajdu – National Ottawa removed 1,100 companies from Indigenous procurement list: Hajdu – National Ottawa removed 1,100 organizations from a list of Indigenous-owned businesses that were not eligible for a multi-billion-dollar procurement program that has been criticized for lax oversight and loose rules. The Indigenous Business Directory (IBD) is a government database intended to list First Nations, Inuit or Métis-owned businesses eligible to access “set aside” contracts only accessible to Indigenous companies. Indigenous Services Canada Minister Patty Hajdu told MPs Tuesday that in 2022, 1,100 companies were removed from that list. Hajdu was not pressed on why the companies were removed, and gave no indication which companies were not eligible. As of Tuesday, there were a total of 2,945 companies listed on the IBD. “Every two years the department audits the Indigeneity of businesses, just because businesses transform quite a bit between audits,” Hajdu told a House of Commons committee Tuesday morning. Story continues below advertisement “In 2022, 1,100 Indigenous businesses were removed from the Indigenous Business Directory as part of a cleanup of businesses that were registered before 2019.” The department previously couldn’t say how many audits it had conducted on companies listed on the IBD in response to a Global News investigation, in collaboration with researchers at First Nations University, into the Indigenous procurement program. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. The Procurement Strategy for Indigenous Business was set up in the late 1990s in order to help First Nations, Métis and Inuit companies compete for federal work. More on Politics More videos The ****** investigation found it was an open secret within Ottawa’s procurement community that non-Indigenous companies have been finding ways to get around the program’s rules in order to gain access to billions in annual contracts meant for First Nations, Métis and Inuit business. Global News also revealed that, until 2022, Indigenous Services Canada allowed companies to self-identify as Indigenous with little demand for proof. That’s despite decades of warnings from Indigenous leaders – and the federal government’s own program reviews – that the program risked being undermined by “fronts” and “shell companies” claiming to be Indigenous. There is no indication that the 1,100 companies removed from the list in recent years were not Indigenous-owned or controlled when they applied for the IBD. Hajdu noted that companies change ownership over time. Other companies may have ceased operations but still may be included on the IBD. Story continues below advertisement The minister also noted challenges with the federal government determining who is and is not Indigenous. Trending Now These were Canada’s top 10 stolen vehicles in 2023 These Canada-U.S. border crossing hours are changing next year. Here’s why “The challenge is, of course, those definitions evolve,” Hajdu said. “There (are) criteria for inclusion on the Indigenous Business Directory … These are the commitments we’ve made as a government is to continue to have these complicated conversations with Indigenous people as they define for themselves how to define their memberships.” The Procurement Strategy for Indigenous Business was created in 1996 by the former ******** government with the intention of helping Indigenous companies compete for federal contracts against multinationals and more established vendors. The idea was that by “setting aside” a certain percentage of federal contracts for Indigenous firms, it would give those companies experience with the lucrative world of government procurement, help grow the businesses and have knock-on effects for First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities. However, internal federal reviews obtained by Global News show that as early as 1999, there were warnings that the program risked being undermined unless the government verified the companies getting the contracts were, in fact, Indigenous-owned and controlled. The current ******** government has upped the percentage of federal work going to Indigenous firms to at least five per cent, or about $1.6 billion annually. After Global News’ investigation, three Indigenous groups — the Assembly of First Nations, the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation Tribal Council, and the Assembly of First Nations Québec and Labrador — called on Auditor General Karen Hogan’s office to probe the program. Story continues below advertisement Hogan’s office confirmed in September that they’re considering an audit. &copy 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc. Source link #Ottawa #removed #companies #Indigenous #procurement #list #Hajdu #National Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Vehicle Hits Students Outside Elementary School in Central China Vehicle Hits Students Outside Elementary School in Central China A man drove a car into a group of people near an elementary school in Changde, a city in Hunan Province, on Tuesday, injuring multiple students. Source link #Vehicle #Hits #Students #Elementary #School #Central #China Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Karrigan Reveals His Brother Passed Away Days Before Major Qualification Karrigan Reveals His Brother Passed Away Days Before Major Qualification Finn ‘karrigan’ Andersen, one of the most recognisable pro players in the Counter-Strike esports scene, has posted a tragic revelation on social media. He explained that days before the RMR ahead of the Perfect World Shanghai Major, his older brother unexpectedly passed away. Karrigan went on to qualify for the $1.25 million tournament, stressing that he’s now going to fly home to attend his brother’s ******** and take some time off. ‘Play My Heart Out’ On Twitter, Faze Clan’s karrigan shared the heartbreaking news: My big brother unexpectedly passed away few days before RMR, it has been so rough to deal with it on top of the most stressful tournament. I miss him so much and it’s hard to believe he is not around anymore. I know he is in a good and peaceful place now. I’m going home to attend his ******** and take a few days off, I know he would want me to push through to go the major and play my heart out and I will do that. On November 13, karrigan flew to Shanghai to take part in the RMR, which is a last-ditch effort for teams to qualify for the monumental CS2 esports event. He’ll now return home to be with his family before jetting back to Shanghai to compete between November 30 and December 15. Karrigan, who is 34 at the time of publishing, is one of the oldest pro esports players still active, and he’s been competing since 2006. He’s one of the winningest players in the Counter-Strike 2 scene, and between 2022 and 2023, he went on a wild spree with FaZe Clan, basically securing every trophy and grand prize possible in the CS space. Our thoughts go out to Andersen and his family at this difficult time. For more Insider Gaming esports, check out the news that the CDL 2025 season’s settings have been revealed Subscribe to our newsletter to receive the latest news and exclusive leaks every week! No Spam. Source link #Karrigan #Reveals #Brother #Passed #Days #Major #Qualification Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Post Office is paying lawyers too much, admits minister Post Office is paying lawyers too much, admits minister A government minister has admitted the Post Office is spending too much on lawyers regarding the Horizon IT scandal. The total bill for lawyers related to the scandal has reached £268m so far. During the latest Parliamentary Business and Trade Committee hearing focused on the Post Office scandal financial redress, Department for Business and Trade minister Gareth Thomas was asked about the Post Office’s legal bill. Committee chair Liam Byrne MP noted the total spend on lawyers by the Post Office in relation to the Horizon scandal, and asked Thomas whether the Post Office was “spending too much on lawyers”. Thomas said: “We could encourage them to look again, if I could put it like that, at how much they are paying and what they are asking lawyers to do. I think some of the tasks that the lawyers are doing could be done in a less costly way.” Pushed by Byrne that his answer “sounds like yes”, Thomas admitted: “Yes, it probably is.” Byrne also highlighted recently published figures that reveal legal costs for the scheme set up to provide financial redress for members of the group litigation order (GLO) are over £15m so far, while £106m has been paid out to subpostmasters. He asked: “The implication is that one pound in every seven is being spent on lawyers. That’s why these questions are about whether you have a grip on the lawyers and whether you thought that legal bill is good value for money?” Thomas said legal advice is a vital part of the scheme. Sir Alan Bates recently requested the government put a deadline on when it will pay members of the GLO redress scheme, but the government refused. The GLO scheme is made up of members of the Justice for Subpostmasters Alliance, which fought to expose the Post Office scandal in the High Court in 2018/19. Bates told Computer Weekly that the group is planning a meeting to discuss an approach following the government’s refusal to set a deadline. One option being considered is to take legal action. “There are concerns about that, and everybody is worried about the time it is taking – it could go on for years and we can’t get a deadline from them,” he said. “We discussed other options if we didn’t get a deadline for financial redress, and we are going to look at that more seriously and perhaps call a special meeting to agree a way forward.” Bates is confident that public support would make raising the money for legal action possible. The government would have to use yet more taxpayers’ money to support any action against the Post Office. During the High Court battle of 2018/19, the Post Office spent over £100m of taxpayers’ money on its defence, which was torn apart by the subpostmasters’ legal team. Computer Weekly first exposed the scandal in 2009, revealing the stories of seven subpostmasters and the problems they suffered due to Horizon accounting software, which led to the most widespread miscarriage of justice in British history (see below timeline of Computer Weekly articles about the scandal since 2009). Source link #Post #Office #paying #lawyers #admits #minister Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Beware these stocks that are overly reliant on government spending Beware these stocks that are overly reliant on government spending President-elect Donald Trump’s pledge to make government more efficient may spell bad news for companies that are overly reliant on government contracts to boost profits. Trump announced last week that when he returns to office Elon Musk, Tesla CEO, and Vivek Ramaswamy, founder of Roivant Sciences , will lead a group called the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) aimed at cutting spending. While the commission won’t serve as an arm of the government or receive official funding, it’s already looming over some stocks as investors evaluate the likelihood of cuts to federal contracts . The latest sign came on Tuesday when shares of Intuit and H & R Block slumped after the Washington Post reported that “the leaders of the group” have discussed creating a mobile app for free tax filling with the Internal Revenue Service. Given this overhang, Morgan Stanley’s sales team created a whole basket of stocks that have a large exposure to government spending. The screen looks at the following criteria for a general sense of how tied companies are to public funds: Lists of Prime Award Contract beneficiairies, sourced from USASpending. gov Relatively high revenue from government, as estimated by Morgan Stanley Notably, the list mostly excludes defense contractors, as Morgan Stanley expects them to be more insulated from budget cuts. Stocks in the basket incolude these 10: Moderna and Pfizer are two companies that made the basket. Shares have been hit hard since Trump’s said he planned to nominate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Health and Human Services secretary, raising concern because of his skepticism toward vaccines. Moderna shares have tumbled more than 60% so far in 2024, putting the biopharma name on track for its straight annual decline. While the average analyst polled by LSEG has a hold rating, the average price target implies the stock will nearly double over the next year. Pfizer has slumped more than 13% so far in 2024, also on pace for its third straight annual loss. The typical analyst similarly has a hold rating, according to LSEG, with Wall Street’s average price target suggesting the stock will jump about 29% over the next 12 months. MRNA PFE YTD mountain Moderna and Pfizer, year to date Research and consulting firm Gartner was also included in the Morgan Stanley basket. The Stamford, Connecticut-based company is up 15% in 2024, trailing the S & P 500 but poised to advance for a 17th straight year. Still, the typical analyst surveyed by LSEG only has a hold rating on Gartner, with the consensus price target reflecting the potential 5% appreciation over the coming year. Source link #Beware #stocks #overly #reliant #government #spending Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Rafael Nadal to retire as No. 2 highest-earning tennis player ever Rafael Nadal to retire as No. 2 highest-earning tennis player ever Rafael Nadal will play in the final tennis tournament of his illustrious career this week, taking the court to represent his nation in the 2024 Davis Cup. The 38-year-old Spaniard — whose 22 Grand Slam titles are second only to Novak Djokovic’s 24 — is one of the winningest players in the history of the sport. He is also one of the highest earning. Since his professional debut as a 14-year-old in 2001, Nadal has racked up wins and paydays. His career prize money sits at $134,946,100, according to ATP Tour data. Those earnings make him the second-highest paid tennis player ever, putting him just ahead of rival Roger Federer’s $130.5 million. Only Djokovic’s $185 million in career winnings surpass Nadal’s. His success on the court also helped pad his bank account off of it. The 14-time French Open champion has raked in an estimated $415 million from endorsements, appearances and other business endeavors over the past 23 years, accoridng to Forbes. His long list of brand partners include companies like Nike, Kia and Richard Mille. Nadal’s place on tennis’ all-time prize money leaderboard is safe for the time being. Federer retired in 2022, and No. 4 Andy Murray announced his retirement this summer. Alexander Zverev is the next closest to catching Nadal, but the ATP world No. 2 has his work cut out for him. The 27-year-old will need to take home a little less than $90 million in prize money in order to overtake Nadal. Fellow Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz might have the best shot at catching the player he grew up idolizing. Though he is just 21, Alcaraz’s $36 million in prize money already puts him in the top-10 of all time earners. Ahead of his retirement, here’s where Nadal stands among tennis’ richest players. Highest-earning tennis players of all time Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have earned more than half a billion dollars in prize money over the course of their combined careers. Glyn Kirk | Afp | Getty Images Novak Djokovic ($185 million)Rafael Nadal ($134.9 million)Roger Federer ($130.5 million)Andy Murray ($64.8 million)Alexander Zverev ($46 million)Pete Sampras ($43.2 million)Daniil Medvedev ($43 million)Stan Wawrinka ($37.2 million)Carlos Alcaraz ($36.1 million)Stefanos Tsitsipas ($32.1 million) Want to earn more money at work? Take CNBC’s new online course How to Negotiate a Higher Salary. Expert instructors will teach you the skills you need to get a ******* paycheck, including how to prepare and build your confidence, what to do and say, and how to craft a counteroffer. Start today and use coupon code EARLYBIRD for an introductory discount of 50% off through November 26, 2024. Plus, sign up for CNBC Make It’s newsletter to get tips and tricks for success at work, with money and in life. Source link #Rafael #Nadal #retire #highestearning #tennis #player Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Fable Reboot Footage Reportedly Confirms a Mechanic Even Todd Howard Couldn’t Think of for Elder Scrolls, Fallout Fable Reboot Footage Reportedly Confirms a Mechanic Even Todd Howard Couldn’t Think of for Elder Scrolls, Fallout It’s been more than 20 years since the release of the original Fable game, which proved to be a catalyst for a iconic RPG series. However, the third entry in the franchise didn’t hit the mark for many in the community, and the IP was abandoned for more than 14 years. The Fable reboot looks to be promising. (Image via Xbox) However, that’s all set to change in 2025. Playground Games is crafting a Fable reboot that’s all set to drop next year, and its alpha footage confirms one feature that Todd Howard couldn’t even bring for Bethesda’s top games: Elder Scrolls and Fallout. Fable Alpha Gameplay Confirms Incredible Combat Mechanic According to reports, the RPG has incredible combat mechanics. (Image via Xbox) Recently, Windows Central editor and video game insider Jez Corden shared on his Xbox Two podcast bits of the upcoming Fable reboot gameplay. Even though it’s still in an “alpha” state, Corden states that the game looks incredible. The reboot was initially unveiled during Xbox and Bethesda Showcase back in 2020, alongside many other exciting projects. This announcement took many by surprise, and players were excited to learn more. Cordon went on to open up more about the game and stated that it’s evident that it has the CD Projekt Red’s DNA. According to him, Playground Games, the developers behind this Fable Reboot, have picked up right where CD Projekt Red left things. One of the most notable things about the game is its combat design. Cordon states that it’s been inspired by The Witcher series, particularly when it comes to melee mechanics. Even though it’s not a direct copy, various elements such as dodge rolling, pirouettes, and seamless transitions from hack-and-slash attacks into an ********** resemble what we’ve seen from CD Projekt Red. It’s great to see that Playground Games has managed to nail down the combat mechanics for the RPG reboot, as it’s something that even Bethesda and Todd Howard have ******* to do. Howard and his team have ******* to update the outdated mechanics and unresponsive controls that make combat in any Elder Scroll or Fallout game feel clunky. Many in the community say that they’ll only believe in Fable‘s potential after they see the gameplay themselves. Comment byu/Turbostrider27 from discussion inGames Comment byu/Turbostrider27 from discussion inGames Comment byu/Turbostrider27 from discussion inGames Let’s hope Microsoft doesn’t interfere with Playground Games’ development for Fable reboot and ruin another game that has the potential to give it an edge against Sony. Fable Has 3 Different Studios Working on The Game It seems like the title will hit its 2025 release window. (Image via Xbox) It looks like Playground Games is ramping up the speed of Fable‘s development. The studio has updated its profile overview on LinkedIn and mentioned that it has three different studios: its main headquarters, which is still developing Forza Horizon, and two more studios to finish the RPG. With the primary studio still working on the next Forza Horizon game, this brand-new studio might be only tasked with helping the reboot’s original development team. It’s already been confirmed that the RPG reboot will also receive some development support from Edios Montreal, so the addition of a brand-new team indicates that the game is in its final stages. This makes it likely that it will debut sometime in 2025. With that said, are you excited about this upcoming RPG? Let us know in the comments below. Source link #Fable #Reboot #Footage #Reportedly #Confirms #Mechanic #Todd #Howard #Couldnt #Elder #Scrolls #Fallout Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

ChatGPT already speaks. Soon it may see as well ChatGPT already speaks. Soon it may see as well OpenAI ChatGPT’s Advanced Voice Mode, which allows users to converse with the chatbot in real time, could soon gain the gift of sight, according to code discovered in the platform’s latest beta build. While OpenAI has not yet confirmed the specific release of the new feature, code in the ChatGPT v1.2024.317 beta build spotted by Android Authority suggests that the so-called “live camera” could be imminently forthcoming. OpenAI had first shown off Advanced Voice Mode’s vision capabilities for ChatGPT in May, when the feature was first launched in alpha. During a demo posted at the time, the system was able to identify that it was looking at a dog through the phone’s camera feed, identify the dog based on past interactions, recognize the dog’s ball, and associate the dog’s relationship to the ball (i.e. playing fetch). The feature was an immediate hit with alpha testers as well. X user Manuel Sainsily employed it to great effect in answering verbal questions about his new kitten based on the camera’s video feed. Trying #ChatGPT’s new Advanced Voice Mode that just got released in Alpha. It feels like face-timing a super knowledgeable friend, which in this case was super helpful — reassuring us with our new kitten. It can answer questions in real-time and use the camera as input too! pic.twitter.com/Xx0HCAc4To — Manuel Sainsily (@ManuVision) July 30, 2024 Advanced Voice Mode was subsequently released in beta to Plus and Enterprise subscribers in September, albeit without its additional visual capabilities. Of course, that didn’t stop users from going wild in testing the feature’s vocal limits. Advanced Voice, “offers more natural, real-time conversations, allows you to interrupt anytime, and senses and responds to your emotions,” according to the company. The addition of digital eyes would certainly set Advanced Voice Mode apart from OpenAI’s primary competitors Google and Meta, both of whom have in recent months introduced conversational features of their own. Gemini Live may be able to speak more than 40 languages, but it cannot see the world around itself (at least until Project Astra gets off the ground) — nor can Meta’s Natural Voice Interactions, which debuted at the Connect 2024 event in September, use camera inputs. Source link #ChatGPT #speaks Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Why Trump’s tax plans could be ‘complicated’ in 2025, policy experts say Why Trump’s tax plans could be ‘complicated’ in 2025, policy experts say U.S. President-elect Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with House Republicans at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 13, 2024. Allison Robbert | Via Reuters Congressional lawmakers will soon debate expiring tax breaks and new promises from President-elect Donald Trump. Agreeing on cuts and spending, however, could be a challenge. With a majority in the House of Representatives and Senate, *********** lawmakers can pass sweeping tax legislation through “reconciliation,” which bypasses the Senate filibuster. Republicans could begin the budget reconciliation process during Trump’s first 100 days in office. But choosing priorities could be difficult, particularly amid the federal budget deficit, policy experts said Tuesday at a Brookings Institution event in Washington. Legislators will be “representing their districts, not their party,” Howard Gleckman, a senior fellow at the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center, said Tuesday in a panel discussion at the Brookings event. “This is a lot more complicated than just the reds against the blues,” he said. More from Personal Finance: 89% of Americans say they do not consider themselves wealthy As market experts talk of ‘animal spirits,’ what it means for your investments How to leverage the 0% capital gains bracket as the price of bitcoin surges ‘Political divisions’ could be a barrier With a slim majority in Congress, *********** lawmakers will soon negotiate with several blocks within their party. Some of these groups have competing priorities. Enacted by Trump in 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, or TCJA, is a key priority for the next administration. Without action from Congress, trillions of tax breaks from the TCJA will expire after 2025. These include lower tax brackets, higher standard deductions, a more generous child tax credit, ******* estate and gift tax exemption and a 20% tax break for pass-through businesses, among other provisions. The more things you try to bring in, the more potential political divisions we have to navigate. Molly Reynolds senior fellow in Governance Studies at Brookings Institution Tax bill could take longer than expected Since budget reconciliation involves multiple steps, policy experts say the *********** tax bill could take months. Plus, Congress has until Dec. 20 to fund the government and avoid a shutdown. A stopgap bill could push the deadline to January or March, which could take time from Trump’s tax priorities. “The idea that they’re going to do this in 100 days, I think, is foolish,” Gleckman said. “My over-under is December 31, 2025, and that might be optimistic.” However, the bill could get through by Oct. 1, 2025, which closes the federal government’s fiscal year, other policy experts say. Source link #Trumps #tax #plans #complicated #policy #experts Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Why it helps to file early Why it helps to file early This week, the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid expanded its “phased rollout” so all students can now apply for aid for the upcoming academic year. Up until Monday, the 2025-26 FAFSA was only available to limited groups of students in a series of beta tests that began on Oct. 1. Now, the form is open to all and the Department of Education has said it will be out of testing entirely by Nov. 22 — which puts the official launch ahead of schedule. Since Monday, more than 50,000 forms have been successfully submitted, according to a department official. Typically, all students have access to the coming academic year’s form in October, but last year’s new simplified form wasn’t available until late December after a monthslong delay. This year, the plan was to be available to all students and contributors on or before Dec. 1. Students who submit a form during this final “expanded beta” phase before Nov. 22 will not need to submit a subsequent 2025–26 FAFSA form, the Education Department said. More from Personal Finance:Here’s how to prepare for the FAFSATop 10 colleges for financial aidMore of the nation’s top colleges roll out no-loan policies There are still some issues with the new form, some of which also plagued last year’s college aid application cycle, but they all have workarounds, according to higher education expert Mark Kantrowitz. Altogether, this year’s rollout is “much better than last year,” he said. Last year, complications with the new form resulted in some students not applying at all. Ultimately, that meant fewer students went on to college. Why it’s important to file the FAFSA early “Students should take full advantage of the early rollout and submit their FAFSA as soon as possible,” said Shaan Patel, founder and CEO of Prep Expert, which provides Scholastic Aptitude Test and ********* College Test preparation courses. The earlier families fill out the form, the better their chances are of receiving aid, since some financial aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, or from programs with limited funds. “The earlier you apply, the better your chances of securing more aid that doesn’t need to be repaid,” Patel said. “Submitting early also means you’ll receive your financial aid award letters sooner,” he said. “This gives you ample time to compare offers from different schools and make an informed decision without feeling rushed. Finally, knowing your child’s financial aid status earlier reduces stress and allows your family to focus on other important aspects of college preparation.” For many students, financial aid is key. Higher education already costs more than most families can afford, and college costs are still rising. Tuition and fees plus room and board for a four-year private college averaged $58,600 in the 2024-25 school year, up from $56,390 a year earlier. At four-year, in-state public colleges, it was $24,920, up from $24,080, the College Board found. The FAFSA serves as the gateway to all federal aid money, including federal student loans, work-study and especially grants — which have become the most crucial kind of assistance because they typically do not need to be repaid. Submitting a FAFSA is also one of the best predictors of whether a high school senior will go on to college, according to the National College Attainment Network. Seniors who complete the FAFSA are 84% more likely to enroll in college directly after high school, according to an NCAN study of 2013 data. Don’t miss these insights from CNBC PRO Source link #helps #file #early Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

'Dragon Quest 3' Producer Wants to See an HD-2D Remake of 'Final Fantasy VI' 'Dragon Quest 3' Producer Wants to See an HD-2D Remake of 'Final Fantasy VI' Inverse talks to Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D producer, Masaaki Hayasaka, about the difficulties of the HD-2D style and what the future looks like. Source link #039Dragon #Quest #Producer #HD2D #Remake #039Final #Fantasy #VI039 Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Existential cosmology: The universe could vanish at any moment – why hasn’t it? Existential cosmology: The universe could vanish at any moment – why hasn’t it? Billions, perhaps trillions, of years from now, long after the sun has engulfed Earth, cosmologists expect the universe will end. Some wrestle with whether it is more likely to collapse under its weight in a big crunch or keep on expanding forever into an infinitely empty big freeze. Others reckon our cosmic endgame will be decided by a mysterious kind of energy that shatters the universe in a big rip. But there is a more immediate cataclysm that may already be barrelling towards us at the speed of light: they call it the big slurp. The slurp in question starts with a quantum fluctuation that sets a bubble rolling across the universe like a cosmic tidal wave, obliterating everything in its path. We should take this possibility seriously, says John Ellis at King’s College London. In fact, it is less a matter of if this apocalypse will play out, but when. “It could happen while we’re talking,” he says. Theorists like Ellis are actually surprised that such a catastrophe hasn’t already occurred in the observable universe. But rather than taking our precarious existence for granted, they are using the plain fact we are still here as a tool. The thinking is that there could be some exotic physics preserving us. This kind of existential cosmology is even helping physicists filter through their myriad models of the universe, and could tell us how the cosmos began in the first place. “You may need something that stabilises [the universe], and it could be a new physics,” says Arttu Rajantie… Source link #Existential #cosmology #universe #vanish #moment #hasnt Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Samsung’s mega ****** Friday appliance ***** is live – save up to $1,700 Samsung’s mega ****** Friday appliance ***** is live – save up to $1,700 Large appliances can be a costly investment, but thankfully, during ****** Friday deals, many of the biggest home appliance brands, like Samsung, drastically cut the prices of some of their most popular refrigerators, cookers, washers, and dryers. This year, we’ve seen the biggest price cut saved for post-Thanksgiving sales, slashing more than $1,000 off of some of Samsung’s latest and smartest appliances. In particular, its full-depth Bespoke 4-Door Flex Refrigerator has seen a phenomenal $1,700 discount at Samsung, meaning you can enjoy its premium AI Family Hub+ and AI Vision features at a fraction of the price. Below, we’ve listed the best deals from Samsung’s appliance deals, but we’re also updating our guides to the best ****** Friday air fryer and coffee maker deals if you’re looking to fully deck out your kitchen. Samsung ****** Friday ***** – quick links Audio: $40 off Galaxy Buds3 Pro Appliances: get up to $1,700 off refrigerators, ranges, and more Phones: up to $1,600 off Fold 6, Galaxy S24, and Flip 6 Laptops: up to $1,050 off Galaxy Book Smartwatches: $400 off Galaxy Watch Ultra with trade Tablets: up to $1,000 off the Galaxy Tab S10 series TVs: $1,900 off latest OLED, QLED, and Neo QLED TVs Today’s best Samsung appliance deals More of today’s ****** Friday sales Amazon: TVs, smart home & air fryers from $12.99 Apple: AirPods, iPads, MacBooks from $89.99 Best Buy: $1,000 off 4K TVs, laptops & headphones Cheap TVs: smart TVs at Best Buy from $69.99 Christmas trees: top-rated trees from $54.99 Dell: best-selling Inspiron & XPS laptops from $279.99 Dreamcloud: mattress deals from $349 + free shipping Holiday: decor, lights, Christmas trees & PJs from $10.99 Home Depot: 40% off tools, appliances & furniture Lowe’s: holiday decor, appliances & tools from $17.31 Nectar: up to 50% off all mattresses Nordstrom: 46% off boots, coats, jeans & jewelry Samsung: $1,500+ off TVs, phones, watches & appliances Target: save on furniture, tech & clothing Walmart: cheap TVs, ****** vacs, furniture & appliances Source link #Samsungs #mega #****** #Friday #appliance #***** #live #save Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Prince Harry jokes in tattoo sketch for Invictus Prince Harry jokes in tattoo sketch for Invictus Prince Harry has appeared in a knockabout comedy sketch about getting a tattoo, as he promotes the next round of his Invictus Games. The prince plays the part of a nervous customer as he faces the prospect of getting a first tattoo from US singer Jelly Roll. “Alright, ****** it, let’s go,” says the prince, in a video published on social media. In exchange the singer says he will appear at the Invictus Games for wounded service men and women, being held in Vancouver in February. The release of the video might also explain why the prince was seen in a tattoo parlour in New York earlier this year. Jelly Roll, no stranger to the tattooist’s art himself, says he wants to give the prince a tattoo on the neck, as the pair are filmed in the East Side Ink tattoo studio. “I was thinking of my lower back or my…” as the prince points towards his backside and the captions turn to emojis. Jelly Roll, who has spent time in jail, promises a small tattoo – which turns out to be a big advert for the games on Prince Harry’s neck. “Commitment prince,” urges the singer, when Harry flinches and seems to have that inking feeling. The comedy video and pretend tattoo, which seem a very long way from anything likely to be published by the royal palaces, are intended to grab attention for this winter’s Invictus Games. Jelly Roll, who has won country music awards, will appear at the closing ceremony in Vancouver on 16 February. Source link #Prince #Harry #jokes #tattoo #sketch #Invictus Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Donald Trump’s Apparent Baldness Is Going Viral In A New Photo Donald Trump’s Apparent Baldness Is Going Viral In A New Photo Over the many unfortunate years of President-elect Donald Trump’s time in the public eye, his hair has undoubtedly been the subject of utter bafflement. Allison Robbert-Pool / Getty Images In September, Trump called himself a “nice-looking man” and lifted up the front of his “hair” at a rally in Pennsylvania to cheers from the crowd. JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images Well, this weekend you might have noticed a picture of Elon Musk, Donald, Donald Trump Jr., Mike Johnson, and RFK Jr. eating McDonald’s on a private jet: Twitter: @margomartin Dima Zeniuk, an apparent employee of Elon’s, subsequently posted another angle of the First Buddy and the 78-year-old on this nightmare blunt rotation of a flight: Twitter: @DimaZeniuk Aaaaand the screencap of Trump’s hair quickly went viral: Twitter: @jdpoc Of course, there are many more things to criticize the felon for: Fearmongering and telling ******* ***** about immigrants! Being found liable for *****! The whole Jan. 6 thing! But let’s take a moment to marvel at the state of a man who just has soooooo many opinions on the bodies of others. Remember that video of his hair flapping in the wind from 2017? Jim Watson / AFP via Getty Images Now, why do I get the feeling this will set off Trump supporters more than an article about his *******…? What do you think?! Source link #Donald #Trumps #Apparent #Baldness #Viral #Photo Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Remedy Clarifies Its Stance On Using AI In Games Remedy Clarifies Its Stance On Using AI In Games The topic of AI is already clouding the outlook of various industries, including video games. No one knows what that will mean for the future of game development, but Remedy–the developer behind Alan Wake 2 and Control–has clarified its stance on the topic while revealing that the company has utilized it for years. “AI is a very wide topic,” said chief technology officer Mika Vehkala during Remedy’s recent financial presentation. “Remedy has been using various AI models and techniques before the recent emergence and interest towards [it] happened. We are constantly working with our partners to look for opportunities that this can give. We are actually using some of these tools that are more popular and suit our needs at the moment.” Vehkala and chief product officer Markus Mäki also stressed that Remedy isn’t using AI to replace creative jobs or actors. Instead, the company is using the technology to handle the “dull” parts of game development like tracking movements through motion-capture performances. Vehkala also disclosed that Remedy has a dedicated person at the company whose job requires them to keep an eye on the emerging tech. But he added that Remedy is not rushing into it. In October, Remedy shared the first look at FBC: Firebreak, the upcoming spin-off from Control that will be released in 2025. Alan Wake 2’s DLC was recently revealed to have a teaser for Control 2. That game doesn’t currently have a release window. But those aren’t the only titles among Remedy’s future games that could be affected by the company’s use of AI. Source link #Remedy #Clarifies #Stance #Games Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Google may finally merge Chromebooks and Android Google may finally merge Chromebooks and Android Joe Maring / Digital Trends Google may be working to merge Chrome OS into its Android operating system to strengthen the value proposition of the software for its best Android tablets. While rumors circulate about Google’s Pixel Tablet 2, experts speculate on how the brand can use future devices to compete with Apple’s stronghold in the tablet market with its iPad line. Sources told Android Authority that Google may be closer to unifying its Android and ChromeOS operating systems for the benefit of bridging this gap. Not only would Android gain highlight features from ChromeOS but in the future, some of the best Chromebooks may also run under a reimagined Android OS, that is more attuned for entertainment as well as productivity. The source added this could be a project that takes several years to unfold. If the project came to fruition, a blend of Android tablets and Chromebooks running Android could potentially push the software market share in Google’s favor. There is also a Pixel Laptop rumored to be released running an Android operating system. Despite being a software and services titan in many different arenas, Google has been unable to truly challenge Apple when it comes to tablet market share. Many hardware brands, including Samsung, Amazon, Lenovo, OnePlus, and Xiaomi partner with Google to use the Android operating system on their tablets. Additionally, Google introduced its own Pixel Tablet in 2023. Even so, Apple still dominates the tablet market with a single tablet line, which takes up 55% of the global market share with iOS, 45% of the market goes to Android devices, and 0.11% goes to Linux in October 2024, according to StatCounter. Pixel Tablet 2 rumors suggest the device could be released in 2025, which could make it ineligible for the long-standing project. However, subsequent Pixel Tablet models could potentially be released with the fused Android and ChromeOS system, according to Android Headlines. Though Google has not shared any official details about plans to merge Chrome OS and Android, the brand did discuss in June, how it would implement parts of Android’s tech stack into ChromeOS. The publication noted that the stack included “Android Linux kernel and Android frameworks,” with apps, features, and extensions that could be a part of the project. Android Headlines noted that Google isn’t the only brand that has blended operating systems on a single device. The Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 Hybrid notably works as an Android tablet but morphs into a Windows laptop when connected to a keyboard. Brands including HP and Dell have also previously released similar products to the market. Source link #Google #finally #merge #Chromebooks #Android Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

New 2024 Thanksgiving Dishes Our Recipe Testers Loved This Year New 2024 Thanksgiving Dishes Our Recipe Testers Loved This Year Pickle biscuits, sour cream pound cake, esquites stuffing and more new recipes we think you’ll adore, too. A pear and cranberry crisp tastes like pie, but is far easier to assemble.Linda Xiao for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Yossy Arefi. Published Nov. 18, 2024Updated Nov. 19, 2024 At New York Times Cooking, we rely on professional recipe testers to ensure each and every new recipe is clear, works and tastes great. They test about a thousand recipes a year, which is a lot of cooking and eating, so when they really love something, it’s worth taking note. These are a few of the new Thanksgiving recipes that a handful of our testers — Kayla Hoang, Janet McCracken, Lisa Nicklin, Tina Ujlaki and Ben Weiner — couldn’t stop raving about. “PICKLEBISCUITSSSSWOWOW. The pickle is super pleasant and not overpowering. The brine adds a nice little ***** that was delightful.” Sandwich these with ham and cheese or enjoy them on their own.Armando Rafael for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Samantha Seneviratne. As if biscuits couldn’t get any better, Andy Baraghani adds finely chopped pickles and their brine for super flaky results. For some salty-**********, serve them with honeyed ham. See the recipe. A pear and cranberry crisp tastes like pie, but is far easier to assemble.Linda Xiao for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Yossy Arefi. “Very accessible, looked beautiful, tasted terrific. This was a big hit in my house!” Yossy Arefi combines sweet pears with tart cranberries (fresh and dried) in this gorgeous crisp that has everything you want in a Thanksgiving dessert. See the recipe. Cilantro-mint chutney and tamarind chutney are delicious accompaniments to this puffed rice dish.Armando Rafael for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Samantha Seneviratne. “So festive! I loved the lightly fried tortilla strips in the mix.” Priya Krishna’s sweet-salty-fresh-crunchy chaat is the ultimate Thanksgiving food: You can prep it in advance, and assemble (or rather, show off) in front of your guests. See the recipe. The turkey’s already juicy and the gravy makes it even better.Christopher Testani for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Cyd Raftus McDowell. “The turkey was really, really good. So juicy, tender and not at all dry.” If you’re serving a small crowd, have limited oven space or just need more white meat for the table, Sarah DiGregorio’s slow-cooker turkey ******* is here for you. See the recipe. Queso and crema on top of this double corn stuffing bring richness and freshness.Linda Xiao for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Monica Pierini. “Fun and delicious! If it had another pound of chorizo in it, it could be the centerpiece of the meal (and without chorizo, it would be awesome for vegetarians too).” In this recipe from Rick Martinez, fresh corn, chorizo, onions, poblanos, jalapeños and garlic jazz up Southern-style cornbread stuffing, finished with a healthy drizzle of crema and a sprinkle of queso blanco on top. See the recipe. Setting fried chicken on a rack keeps the craggy skin crispy.David Malosh for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Simon Andrews. Prop Stylist: Megan Hedgpeth. “If I had the time and my body could handle it, I’d make this chicken at least once a month. This was insane (in the very best way).” Once you try Sohla El-Waylly’s fried chicken, which is seasoned with parsley and sage for a just-right Thanksgiving-y flavor, you’ll never go back to the big bird. See the recipe. Oyster crackers make this version of the snack easy to pop in your mouth.David Malosh for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Simon Andrews. “These were great, and super easy to make. The spicy-salty mix would make this great as a drinking snack.” Hungry guests can be hangry guests, so don’t forget the pre-dinner snacks. Sheela Prakash’s spicy little crackers, also known as comeback crackers, are seasoned with from-scratch ranch seasoning and crushed red pepper, then baked until crunchy and perfectly poppable. See the recipe. This is all the *******, cheese richness you want on the Thanksgiving table.David Malosh for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Simon Andrews. “This was a super satisfying dish. The cauliflower is cooked wonderfully with the cheese being perfectly melty and toasty right on top.” Here’s a gloriously rich side dish from Andy Baraghani that can be made with just six ingredients: cauliflower, shallots, Cheddar, heavy cream, rosemary and garlic. Yum. See the recipe. Classic vanilla pound cake develops a fine, tender crumb with sour cream.Linda Xiao for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Monica Pierini. “The aroma that came from making this batter brought me straight back to the days I’d help my mom prepare boxed cake mixes as a **** (and I mean this in a very good, nostalgic way).” Show up at the potluck with this tangy stunner from Vallery Lomas, and you’re sure to be invited back next year. See the recipe. Baking rolls in deep pan gives you tall, tender bread.Armando Rafael for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Yossy Arefi. “This recipe is so easy and rewarding! Hot, pillowy, tender rolls that cry out for a slab of salted butter.” Making Thanksgiving rolls can seem like a tall ask, but with this breezy recipe from Yossy Arefi, they’re completely doable. Slather them with butter, and forget your troubles. See the recipe. The crisp, flavorful crust on the seasoned rice is a highlight of this stunner,David Malosh for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Simon Andrews. “The cranberries and caramelized onion with the rosemary provide this perfectly autumnal flavor profile that is just wonderfully comforting and absolutely crucial.” Deeply savory and buttery with crisp edges and pockets of tart cranberry, this Thanksgiving-inspired tachin from Andy Baraghani would make a spectacular stand-in for stuffing. See the recipe. The icing is optional, but highly recommended for these muffins.Armando Rafael for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Yossy Arefi. “This was a really tasty muffin.” A classic combination done right in these light muffins from Yossy Arefi. It also works great with gluten-free flour. See the recipe. Ras el hanout makes caramelized vegetables more flavorful.Linda Xiao for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Monica Pierini. “The vegetables are perfectly roasted with a fantastic tenderness, and great deep caramelization. The mint is a very welcome herbaceous note that perfectly complements all throughout.” Nargisse Benkabbou makes this simple dish of roasted vegetables special by adding ras el hanout, a warm and aromatic blend of spices from North ******* including turmeric, coriander, ginger, cumin, cardamom and nutmeg. See the recipe. Butter sizzles all around the dough, infusing these biscuits with richness and making them crisp.Christopher Testani for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Simon Andrews. “Really tasty and super straightforward biscuit. This is a great building block recipe for just about any novice to learn a basic baking recipe.” The batter for these easy biscuits from Naz Deravian is made in one bowl, then spread over melted butter, which makes it look like it’s — you guessed it — swimming in butter. As it bakes, the butter gets absorbed into the biscuits, which means crisp, buttery edges and pillowy insides without any rolling out or cutting. See the recipe. With this easy technique, you get tender carrots and crisp kale at the same time.Linda Xiao for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Yossy Arefi. “I loved this — it’s so simple, but so delicious. The carrots (even the thickest ones) were tender and sweet. The kale was soft with a few crispy edges and the two went beautifully together.” This simple, four-ingredient side dish from Yossy Arefi comes together on a single sheet pan so you can work something green and vegetal onto the table. See the recipe. Cornbread goes even more savory with the addition of roasted peppers and salty cheese.Armando Rafael for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Simon Andrews. “It was perfect. Soft, tender interior with just a little bit of **********. Happy to make this without pulling out a mixer!” Basic cornbread is great, but fold bits of roasted red pepper and feta crumbles into the batter, as Lidey Heuck does, for a real treat. The sour cream in the batter keeps the bread moist, which means it’s ideal for making ahead. See the recipe. This lovely fall dish would be just as tasty as a vegetarian main.David Malosh for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Simon Andrews. “Terrific, easy and clean method for roasting beets (very satisfying to hear the sizzle inside the bags when they get removed from the oven) and I can’t say enough good things about the bright, lemony flavor of the yogurt. Great contrasting textures and flavors — a big hit.” Beets are delicious, but cooking them can be a messy venture leading to pink fingertips for days. In this smart recipe from Vivian Chan-Tam, she calls for roast-steaming them in foil packets until the flesh is soft and the skin can be more easily removed. See the recipe. Here’s a dip for you cottage cheese lovers.Linda Xiao for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Yossy Arefi. “Loved it best with potato chips but great with crudités, pretzels, etc., too. And yay for featuring the eternally unsung cottage cheese!” Long considered a 1950s diet food, cottage cheese gets its star turn in this herb-packed dip from Yossy Arefi. For the best flavor, be sure to use the full-**** option. See the recipe. Cranberries give this pie a lovely ***** and beautiful hue.Linda Xiao for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Samantha Seneviratne. Prop Stylist: Paige Hicks. “I’ve never had cranberry-flavored meringue before and loved it. The citrus custard is a lovely balance of tangy and sweet.” Readers are already in love with this gorgeous pie from Vaughn Vreeland. Inspired by lemon meringue, the filling is a lemon-orange curd made even brighter with a pale pink, cranberry-infused topping. See the recipe. These biscuits taste great with savory dishes and as a sweet treat.Linda Xiao for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Yossy Arefi. “These are super simple to mix together by hand. The ‘somewhere between sweet and savory’ is spot on, and the honey butter is excellent with that little bit of salt that makes all the difference.” These pumpkin drop biscuits from Yossy Arefi are a great way to use up the last bit of pumpkin purée in the can, and the honey butter makes them sing. See the recipe. A fragrant spice rub seasons these juicy turkey legs.David Malosh for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Simon Andrews. “I was so impressed by what the air fryer could do in such a short amount of time. The drumsticks came out deeply ******** in some spots and with a nice char in others. Great, flavorful rub — a bit smoky and very savory.” Fans of dark meat and Renaissance fairs alike will love this easy and relatively fast recipe from Vivian Chan-Tam. In just 35 minutes, you’ll end up with perfectly cooked turkey legs that taste like they’ve been roasting for hours. See the recipe. This is delicious with meat, but also great with roasted vegetables.Armando Rafael for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Samantha Seneviratne. “Delicious gravy, perfect to serve alongside any roast, with the extra perk that it’s vegetarian and can be served alongside any vegan meal. It’s also handy if you are looking to make a do-ahead gravy.” Carolina Gelen combines caramelized shallots, soy sauce, balsamic vinegar and fresh herbs for a rounded and complex vegan gravy that will make everyone happy. See the recipe. Source link #Thanksgiving #Dishes #Recipe #Testers #Loved #Year Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Bitcoin rises to a new record as investors absorb increasing Ukraine-Russia tensions Bitcoin rises to a new record as investors absorb increasing Ukraine-Russia tensions Thomas Trutschel | Photothek | Getty Images Bitcoin moved higher Tuesday amid rising geopolitical tensions between Ukraine and Russia. The price of the flagship cryptocurrency was last higher by more than 2% at $93,803.51, according to Coin Metrics, topping its previous intraday record of $93,469.08, reached last week. Shares of MicroStrategy, which trade as a bitcoin proxy, rose nearly 10%. The move follows overnight to reports that Russian President Vladimir ****** warned the U.S. that the threshold for the use of nuclear weapons had come down in response to President Joe Biden allowing Ukraine to use U.S. missiles to strike military targets inside Russia. Initially, bitcoin moved higher while stocks sold off. In afternoon trading, however, bitcoin advanced further as the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite erased losses. Stock Chart IconStock chart icon Bitcoin rose slightly amid rising Ukraine-Russia tensions Bitcoin has benefited from recent enthusiasm for cryptocurrencies after the U.S. presidential election — it’s currently up 33% for the month. Like gold, crypto assets are also seen by many investors as a “non-confiscatable,” long-term hedge against geopolitical uncertainty. “The most significant long-term correlations for bitcoin are a negative correlation with the U.S. dollar and a positive correlation with money supply growth,” Matt Sigel, head of digital assets research at VanEck, said Oct. 28 on CNBC’s “Squawk Box.” “Bitcoin is a chameleon,” Sigel added. “Its correlations change over time; it’s hard to predict what it’s going to be correlated with over the short term.” Bitcoin has behaved as a safe haven before. It outperformed during the crisis in the regional banking system in early 2023, for example. But because bitcoin is also a risky asset without a long history, with extreme volatility that can benefit short-term traders, some have a hard time arguing that bitcoin is necessarily attractive forever. Citigroup, for example, in a note Monday reiterated the bank’s view that bitcoin doesn’t exhibit store-of-value properties. “Gold peaked by October-end, nearly a week prior to Election Day,” Citi’s Alex Saunders wrote. “And with risk-on (and idiosyncratic) sentiment supporting crypto, and FX/rates headwinds building for gold, the two are unlikely to be strongly correlated in the near-term.” Don’t miss these cryptocurrency insights from CNBC PRO: Source link #Bitcoin #rises #record #investors #absorb #increasing #UkraineRussia #tensions Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Starfield Has Surpassed 15 Million Players, Bethesda Reveals Starfield Has Surpassed 15 Million Players, Bethesda Reveals Bethesda Game Studios has revealed that little more than a year after the game was released worldwide, Starfield has hit 15 million players. It took the game almost a year to rack up two million players on top of the 13 million that was revealed in December 2023, following a remarkably successful launch window for the game. Is that performance lacking something? After all, Starfield is free on Game Pass on both PC and Xbox and just weeks ago, the game’s first major expansion was released – along with mods earlier this year. Sustainability In a post on the Bethesda Game Studios blog page, the team wrote: Thank you to the over 15 million players who are adventuring through the stars in Starfield! We’re thrilled that so many of you have embarked on this journey with us, and we appreciate your feedback. We are always looking for ways to improve your experience playing the game and wanted to give our community an update on the most recent adjustments we’ve made to Starfield. This month, Starfield will get ‘achievement-friendly’ Creations, countless quality-of-life improvements, and some new goodies for players to download and use, such as the ‘Deimog’ land vehicle: As a special gift to our players for our 15 million player landmark, get ready to conquer the terrain of unexplored planets with the all-new Deimog, the latest addition to Starfield’s lineup of high-performance land vehicles. Built for speed and endurance, the Deimog features a fully enclosed cabin to keep you protected as you race through rugged landscapes. Its exceptional handling allows you to navigate even the trickiest terrain with ease, while a powerful rocket launcher ensures you’re prepared for any threats—be it hostile wildlife or clusters of enemies. Starfield is in something of a downswing right now. It’s no big secret that it wasn’t the sustainable success story that Bethesda Game Studios was hoping for. On Steam, Starfield has slunk down to an all-time low 24-hour peak player count of just 5,300 users – that’s from an ATH of 330,597. On streaming and social channels, the game has dwindled to nothing. Take Twitch, for example – the game peaked at launch with 552,021 viewers, but at the time of writing, just 70 people are watching Starfield gameplay. Do you think Starfield bombed? Let us know on the Insider Gaming forum. For more Insider Gaming coverage, check out the news that EA is going **** with Battlefield 6 playtests Subscribe to our newsletter to receive the latest news and exclusive leaks every week! No Spam. Source link #Starfield #Surpassed #Million #Players #Bethesda #Reveals Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Prusa Announces New CORE One Flagship 3D Printer Prusa Announces New CORE One Flagship 3D Printer Prusa Research caught everyone off guard with the launch of its new Core XY 3D printer, the CORE One. The printer is on display today at FormNext, an industrial trade show taking place in Frankfurt, Germany from November 19 to 22, 2024. The fully assembled machine is available to pre-order for $1,199 and will start shipping in January 2025. This machine is not Prusa’s first Core XY 3D printer. In 2021, Prusa Research announced it was working on the Prusa Pro AFS, which stands for Automated Farm System. This machine consists of a bank of short Core XY 3D printers in a giant cabinet, complete with a robotic arm to remove prints. I saw two of the AFS machines in use at Prusa HQ when I toured the factory this summer. What I didn’t see was any trace of the CORE One in development – Prusa is very good at keeping secrets. A Prusa AFS taking up much of the Prusa Research Lab in Prague. (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware) Prusa fans have long been demanding a Core XY to go head-to-head with one of the Best 3D Printers, the Bambu Lab’s X1 Carbon, citing the obvious existence of the Pro AFS. Instead, they got the rather expensive Prusa XL tool changer in 2023 and then the improved MK4 in 2024. Jo Prusa seems to be biding his time, waiting for the CORE One to be fully mature and ready to launch. In true Prusa style, the CORE One is not just a copy of other Core XY designs. Josef Prusa said in a blog post that the new machine has an innovative “exoskeleton” design made of steel that is assembled with screws. This allows the user to completely tear down the machine for maintenance and repairs with no more than a screwdriver. Every part is user-serviceable and backed by Prusa Research technical support. (Image credit: Prusa Research) The CORE One has a 250 x 220 x 270mm build volume, slightly taller than the MK4S bed slinger, but taking up 30% less shelf space due to its compact design. It has a heated chamber for printing technical filaments and boasts an advanced cooling system to not only remove fumes but also allow PLA and PETG to be printed with the door closed. This may seem like a small detail, but many enclosed machines have suffered clogs from printing low-melt PLA in an environment that is too warm. It’s designed to share parts with the MK4S and XL and uses the same electronics and Nextruder hotend. The CORE One and MK4S use the same heated bed and build plate. Though we have not received a CORE One for testing yet, we do have some interesting stats from Josef Prusa’s announcement blog post. The machine will be around 120% faster than the MK4S and up to 260% faster than the MK3S+. Its high-flow nozzle eliminates the need for “high-speed” filament. It has a side spool holder, an optional camera, and a ***** in the steel side panel for hanging magnetic tool organizers, shelves, or other personalizations. The clear panels are made of “virtually indestructible” high-end polymer – not glass – with a door hinge that can be moved to open to the left or right. Get Tom’s Hardware’s best news and in-depth reviews, straight to your inbox. If you’re suddenly feeling buyer’s remorse from recently purchasing a MK4S, don’t. Prusa will release an MK4S to CORE One conversion kit this spring. The conversion kit will be $449. (Image credit: Prusa Research) The CORE One is also compatible with the Prusa MMU3, making it truly competitive with Bambu Lab’s X1 Carbon Combo. A CORE One kit with an MMU3 would cost $1,308, which is $141 dollars cheaper than an X1C Combo at retail price. (Image credit: Prusa Research) Source link #Prusa #Announces #CORE #Flagship #Printer Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]