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Test Death Stranding 2 reviews are scoring far higher than the original, claims Kojima Test Death Stranding 2 reviews are scoring far higher than the original, claims Kojima Hideo Kojima has claimed that audience test reviews show that players are feeling far more positive about Death Stranding 2: On the Beach than they did about the original game. However, the creator says this puts him in a conflicting situation, since he’s not motivated by “making something that appeals to everyone”. The original Death Stranding, which has players delivering packages across a serene landscape, was one of the most polarising blockbuster games in recent memory, with critic scores ranging from perfect tens, to fours out of tens. With On the Beach, Kojima Productions says it’s created a more action-oriented sequel, which should appeal to a broader range of players. Speaking in the latest issue of Edge Magazine, which is on ***** now, Kojima claimed On the Beach is scoring much higher with test audiences. He said Sony is pleased with the On the Beach test reviews so far, but admitted that he wished the sequel were a bit more controversial with audiences. “I do listen to criticism, if the controls need tweaking or if a camera pan is too slow or too fast. But I don’t alter themes or story based on feedback,” Kojima said. “Of course, I want people to play my game, so I must listen to them to a certain extent. But also, I’m not interested in making something that appeals to everyone.” Asked about audience review testing and how much he pays attention to it, Kojima replied: “In fact, I did a lot of monitoring tests for the original Death Stranding. I’d find that four out of ten people would love the game, but six would say it was a terrible game. For me, I think that’s a good balance. But with the playtests for Death Standing 2: On the Beach, everyone seems to be positive.” Death Stranding 2 reviews are scoring higher than the original, according to Kojima. He added: “Sony is pleased, of course, but I do wish I was a bit more controversial. Blockbuster films need an 80 percent approval rating – I don’t want to make games like that. I’m not interested in appealing to the mass market, or selling millions of copies… That’s not what I’m aiming for.” Kojima laughed: “Of course, I can’t afford to make a failure, either. I must take care of my studio, my staff, and our production budget. But in essence, I don’t want to simply recreate something that’s already in the world. I want to make something new.” Death Stranding 2: On the Beach will release for PlayStation 5 on June 26. VGC recently travelled to Kojima Productions in Tokyo, Japan, for an extensive Death Stranding 2 preview and interviews with the game’s development team. “As I sniped a guard from a watch tower, equipped a silenced rifle, and planned a sneaky infiltration into an enemy base to extract a prisoner, it was impossible to escape the thought that ‘oh wow, this really does feel like Metal Gear’,” we wrote. “Instead of running from Mules with their electric sticks, you’re frequently blasting through them with a shotgun or grenade launcher. And rather than awkwardly stumbling across a rocky ravine, dropping packages as you go, more often I was cruising in my tricked-out vehicle with two automatic turrets blasting anyone who dared impede my delivery.” Source link #Test #Death #Stranding #reviews #scoring #higher #original #claims #Kojima Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Bitcoin Falls Ahead of US Data and Fed Powell’s Speech, Miners Accumulate Bitcoin Falls Ahead of US Data and Fed Powell’s Speech, Miners Accumulate Bitcoin eases away from 105.7k high to 102k. US-China trade de-escalation & cooler CPI support the price. Weak data today, and a hawkish Fed Chair Powell could pressure BTC near-term. Institutional demand is solid & miners accumulate. Bitcoin technical analysis. is easing lower for a second day as it continues to fall away from the 105.7k 6-month high reached earlier this week. Bitcoin surged through the 100k level last week and holds above this key psychological level, supported by the truce in the US-China trade war and Trump’s trade deals in the Middle East and the ***. Along with other risk assets, BTC has benefited from expectations that the worst-case scenario for trade tariffs has been avoided. Meanwhile, cooled to its lowest level in 4 years, adding to the buoyant mood, easing fears over the impact of tariffs on the US economy. However, it is still early days and it could take several months for the impact of the Trump administration’s trade policies to show in hard data. US Data and Fed Chair Powell in Focus With this in mind, attention will be on US and inflation data for further insight into the health of the consumer and inflation levels at the factory gate. Signs of sticky and weak consumption could raise alarm bells. Federal Reserve Chair will also speak and is likely to reiterate the patient stance, preferring to wait and see how tariffs impact its dual mandate – jobs and inflation- before moving on rates again. The market is pricing in just 56 basis points of cuts this year, down from 102 basis points at peak tariff panic. A more dovish stance is needed from the Fed to help lift BTC and other risk assets higher. However, that is unlikely right now, which could limit the upside in the near term. Institutional Demand and Miner Accumulation BTC ETFs continue to book net inflows as institutional demand remains persistent. BTC ETFs recorded net inflows of $2.97 billion in April and are already recording $2.26 billion in net inflows month to date. Ongoing institutional demand supports the BTC price. Furthermore, miners are showing signs of accumulation. After a long ******* of distribution, miners are no longer selling their BTC, and a reversal is taking place into significant accumulation. Data from Glassnode shows that miners’ wallets found a bottom as the BTC price hit 75k and started to rise with the Bitcoin price. Miner wallets rose by 2700 BTC between April 12 and May 13. While this amount is minimal in miner holding terms, it is relevant because it comes after a selling ******* that started in 2023. Decreasing sell-side pressure from miners is bullish for the Bitcoin price. Bitcoin Technical Analysis BTC/USD trades within a rising channel. The price surged above 100k last week to a peak of 105.7k and is now consolidating below this level at 102k. The move lower has brought the RSI out of overbought territory. Should sellers break below the 102k consolidation zone, a test of 100k could be on the cards. If sellers break below here, it opens the door to 97k. However, the price could bounce from these levels, given that the longer-term trend is clearly bullish. BTC is consolidating as it has in recent weeks as part of the uptrend. These consolidation periods have been followed by sharp moves higher. Buyers will look to rise above 105k to extend gains towards 109.5k and fresh record highs. More analysis Disclaimer: The content provided here is for informational purposes only and is not intended as personal investment advice and does not constitute a solicitation or invitation to engage in any financial transactions, investments, or related activities. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. The financial products offered by the Company are complex and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. These products may not be suitable for all investors. Before engaging, you should consider whether you understand how these leveraged products work and whether you can afford the high risk of losing your money. Source link #Bitcoin #Falls #Ahead #Data #Fed #Powells #Speech #Miners #Accumulate Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

How unaffordable the housing market is and where it’s getting worse How unaffordable the housing market is and where it’s getting worse Ever since the epic run on housing in the first years of the pandemic, fueled by record-low mortgage rates, the market has been plagued by low supply and high prices. Prices in March were 39% higher nationally than they were in March 2019, pre-pandemic, according to the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller Index. While prices continue to gain, the supply crunch is finally starting to ease — but not at the right price points. Demand for housing is strong overall, but strongest on the lower, more-affordable end of the market. That segment is still desperately undersupplied. As a result, home sales in the lower and middle price tiers continue to underperform the high-end market. A new report from the National Association of Realtors and Realtor.com breaks down affordability and supply, shedding light on exactly where the pain points are in the market. Affordability was determined by using standard underwriting guidelines for buyers using a 30-year fixed mortgage, where 30% of income is used for the monthly payment (mortgage, property tax and insurance). For those earning between $75,000 and $100,000 annually, considered middle- to upper-middle-income buyers, the supply of homes for ***** that they could afford increased the most of any income group this year from a year ago. In March 2024, 20.8% of listings were within reach for these households, and by March of this year that rose to 21.2%. But in March 2019, those same buyers could afford nearly half, or 48.8%, of all active listings. In a so-called balanced market between buyer and seller, that group should be able to afford 48% of all listings, according to the report. Based on current inventory levels, the market would need roughly 416,000 more listings priced at or below $255,000 in order to be balanced, the study found. For those earning below $75,000 annually, the market has become even less supplied. A homebuyer with a salary of $50,000 could afford just 8.7% of available listings in March, compared with 9.4% in March 2024 and 27.8% in March 2019. Higher-income households have near-total access to the housing market. Homebuyers earning $250,000 or more can afford at least 80% of home listings. “Shoppers see more homes for ***** today than one year ago, and encouragingly, many of these homes have been added at moderate-income price points,” said Danielle Hale, chief economist at Realtor.com. “But as this report shows, we still don’t have an abundance of homes that are affordable to low- and moderate-income households.” Hale added that progress in inventory hasn’t been uniform across the country, saying gains have been concentrated in the Midwest and the South. While the report is a national snapshot, all real estate is local. Markets in the Midwest, like Akron, Ohio; St. Louis; and Pittsburgh, are considered balanced, with enough supply to meet demand. Others have made significant strides, adding more affordable listings but still shy of meeting demand. These include Raleigh, North Carolina; Des Moines, Iowa; and Grand Rapids, Michigan. More than 40% of the nation’s 100 largest metropolitan markets, however, are still struggling. These include Seattle and Washington, D.C. While the supply of affordable homes has increased in both markets, households still need to earn more than $150,000 a year in order to afford even half of the homes available. Other markets that had been overheated are finally cooling off. Austin, Texas; San Francisco; and Denver have seen a substantial increase in the supply of affordable homes. They now surpass pre-pandemic levels. “It tells us that with the right mix of new construction, market shifts, and local policy efforts, even some of the most challenging markets can start to bend toward balance,” according to the report’s authors. And then there are markets that are just getting worse. Many of these are in Southern California, including Los Angeles and San Diego. New York City also falls into that category. The report cites several factors for this, including decades of underbuilding, a limited supply of buildable land, high construction costs, restrictive zoning laws and fast in-migration. Homebuilders are trying to put up more affordable homes, but their costs are high and could go even higher amid tariffs and new immigration policies. Single-family housing starts in March were nearly 10% lower than the same month a year prior. Source link #unaffordable #housing #market #worse Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

A Forza supercar owned by Xbox Game Studios’ former head is being auctioned for gaming charity SpecialEffect A Forza supercar owned by Xbox Game Studios’ former head is being auctioned for gaming charity SpecialEffect A supercar with strong ties to the Forza Motorsport series is being auctioned off to raise money for *** video game charity SpecialEffect. The 2017 Ford GT was owned by Alan Hartman, former head of Xbox Game Studios and former boss of Forza Motorsport studio Turn 10. The car, which has been donated by Hartman to the charity, is one of only 138 made that year. The 2017 Ford GT featured on the front cover of Forza Motorsport 6, and originally cost $450,000 brand new but have sold for far more at auction. In 2020, three separate 2017 Ford GT cars were sold in auctions in Arizona for $1.5 million, $1.2 million and $923,500. Hartman, who was made an honorary vice president of SpecialEffect in 2018, said in a statement: “I’ve seen first-hand the incredible work that SpecialEffect does, and I’m honoured to be able to contribute in this way. “They not only bring joy to so many, but they provide a north star for the entire gaming industry as we strive to create a level playing field for every gamer. It is a privilege to support them and I hope this auction encourages others to get involved and help support this amazing charity.” Funds raised by the auction will support SpecialEffect’s team of occupational therapists and gaming specialists in the ***, who use assistive technology to create bespoke gaming setups for people with disabilities. Since it was first set up by former teacher Dr Mick Donegan in 2007, SpecialEffect has focused on helping physically disabled people, especially children, play video games. The charity works with developers and peripheral manufacturers to create special modified controllers and eye-tracking sensors, to help make games more accessible to everyone. SpecialEffect was presented with the BAFTA Special Award last year, joining such former recipients as Idris Elba, John Motson, Steven Moffat, Ray Harryhausen, the Monty Python team, Aardman Animations, Coronation Street, Spike Lee, Billy Connolly and Dolby Laboratories. Anyone with a spare half a million dollars looking to bid on the car can visit Bring a Trailer for more information. Source link #Forza #supercar #owned #Xbox #Game #Studios #auctioned #gaming #charity #SpecialEffect Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Homebuilder Stocks: Oversold, Undervalued, and Ready to Run? Homebuilder Stocks: Oversold, Undervalued, and Ready to Run? Homebuilding stocks have had a rocky start to 2025, underperforming the broader market amid persistent macroeconomic uncertainty and elevated rates. However, that trend might finally be turning. The SPDR® S&P Homebuilders ETF (NYSE:), which tracks the performance of the homebuilding sub-industry, has recently broken out of its prolonged downtrend and is starting to build momentum above key moving averages. This renewed technical strength is supported by improving sentiment and signs that some of the ETF’s top holdings have also formed bottoms and are beginning to recover. With several names in the space trading at value-attractive levels, many investors are now asking: Are homebuilding stocks too cheap to ignore? Sector Outlook Is Improving The ETF is still down about 3% year-to-date, lagging the broader market. However, optimism around a potential rebound and easing trade tensions is improving the sector’s outlook. The recent 90-day trade truce between the U.S. and China helped lift investor confidence, reducing fears of a broader economic slowdown. Adding fuel to the fire, April’s Consumer Price Index () came in at an annualized rate of 2.3%, marking the third month of cooling inflation. With inflation edging closer to the Federal Reserve’s 2% target, hopes are rising that could begin cutting rates in the months ahead. An environment and move that typically benefits homebuilders by lowering mortgage rates, building costs, and increasing housing demand. Against this backdrop of improving macro conditions and technical setups, let’s look at three popular homebuilding stocks that may offer compelling value and upside potential. Lennar Corp.: Too Cheap or a Value Trap? Lennar Corporation (NYSE:) is down about 14% year-to-date and continues to trade below key resistance levels, struggling to break out of its downtrend. Despite this, the stock is now trading at a compelling P/E of just 8.18, offering a dividend yield of 1.78%. Lennar reported Q1 2025 earnings in March, posting EPS of $2.14, beating estimates by $0.44, and revenue of $7.63 billion, a 4.4% increase year over year. Analysts remain cautiously optimistic on Lennar. While the stock carries a Hold consensus rating from 19 analysts, the average price target implies a potential 33% upside. Investors will want to see Lennar reclaim support above $120 to confirm a reversal. A sustained move above that level could mark a significant trend change for one of the industry’s largest players. Toll Brothers Inc.: Technical Break Signals Reversal Toll Brothers Inc (NYSE:), known for its luxury residential and commercial developments, is also down around 13% year-to-date. However, unlike Lennar, Toll Brothers has recently broken above its short- and medium-term moving averages, a constructive sign that the stock may have bottomed. It still sits below its 200-day SMA, but technical momentum is improving. Valuation-wise, Toll Brothers trades at a P/E of just 7.5 and offers a dividend yield of 0.91%. Analysts are increasingly bullish, with a Moderate Buy rating and a consensus price target of $144.79, representing about 32% upside from current levels. PulteGroup Inc.: Clean Breakout, Strong Fundamentals Among the three, PulteGroup Inc (NYSE:) arguably shows the strongest technical setup. The stock has not only broken its downtrend but has held above it for several weeks, signaling firm buyer interest and a potential trend reversal. PulteGroup trades at a forward P/E of 7.5 and pays a dividend yield of 0.79%. In its Q1 2025 earnings, PulteGroup reported EPS of $2.57, beating estimates by $0.10, on revenue of $3.89 billion, slightly above expectations. Analysts also see upside, with a Moderate Buy consensus and an average price target of $134.69, suggesting 27% upside potential. Original Post Source link #Homebuilder #Stocks #Oversold #Undervalued #Ready #Run Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Fed's Powell cautions about higher long-term rates as 'supply shocks' provide policy challenges – CNBC Fed's Powell cautions about higher long-term rates as 'supply shocks' provide policy challenges – CNBC Fed’s Powell cautions about higher long-term rates as ‘supply shocks’ provide policy challenges CNBCWatch Fed Chair Powell’s Speech Live WSJFed’s Powell: Time to reconsider monetary policy strategy, communications AxiosPowell’s lean to job market under microscope as Fed revisits strategy ReutersPowell Speech: What to Watch as the Fed Chair Delivers Remarks Barron’s Source link #Fed039s #Powell #cautions #higher #longterm #rates #039supply #shocks039 #provide #policy #challenges #CNBC Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

S&P 500: Is 6,000 Just a Speed Bump on the Road to 7,500? S&P 500: Is 6,000 Just a Speed Bump on the Road to 7,500? The has surpassed levels from the beginning of the year, up about 23% from the lows reached in early April. The market is currently just 4% below the area of highs that functioned as active resistance from December to February. This raises the question of whether resistance at the 6,000-point level on the S&P 500 is still relevant. The market decline from February, which turned into a significant drop in April, may have contributed to the market’s recovery and set the stage for a rally. On weekly timeframes over the past 14 years, the market’s approach to the 200-week moving average has served as an indicator of profitable buying. This year was no exception, although the S&P 500 fell slightly short of that line, like the situation in October 2023. Most bounces from this level in recent years have coincided with changes in monetary policy. However, tariff policy, not monetary policy, was the main market driver this year. Negotiations aimed at lowering rates caused an increase in market activity, replacing action. In recent days, there have been signs of progress in tariff negotiations, supporting market growth. Technical indicators also support a positive trend. With the last major correction, the S&P 500 gave back half of the gains from the lows of October 2022. This decline is consistent with technical market correction patterns, which are often followed by an update of historical highs. The lows of the current correction are almost identical to the peaks prior to the 2022 decline. Historical data shows different market development scenarios near the previous highs, and we should expect possible volatility in the 6000-6100 range. The market’s upside potential is also evident from past data: the February highs corresponded to 150% of the 2020-2022 rally, indicating a possible target around 7500. The FxPro Analyst Team Source link #Speed #Bump #Road Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Ben and Jerry’s Founder Arrested at Kennedy’s Senate Hearing Ben and Jerry’s Founder Arrested at Kennedy’s Senate Hearing new video loaded: Ben and Jerry’s Founder Arrested at Kennedy’s Senate Hearing transcript Back transcript Ben and Jerry’s Founder Arrested at Kennedy’s Senate Hearing Ben Cohen, a co-founder of the ice cream brand Ben and Jerry’s, was among a group of protesters that interrupted a Senate committee hearing to protest Congress’s funding for Israel’s military as it wages war against ****** in Gaza. I’m presenting today supports these goals and reflects — [protesters shouting] The witness will suspend. The committee will come to order. Members of the audience are reminded disruptions will not be permitted while the committee conducts its business. Capitol Police are asked to remove the individuals from the hearing room. Recent episodes in U.S. & Politics Show more videos from U.S. & Politics Source link #Ben #Jerrys #Founder #Arrested #Kennedys #Senate #Hearing Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Death Stranding 2’s Scoring Well With Test Reviewers, But Kojima Isn’t Satisfied Death Stranding 2’s Scoring Well With Test Reviewers, But Kojima Isn’t Satisfied Death Stranding was a polarizing game when it was first released, but for the upcoming sequel, previews and early reviews for the game have largely been positive. In a recent interview, game director Hideo Kojima explained how he was happy to see test audiences react more favorably to Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, but he also explained how this had left him feeling conflicted. “Sony is pleased, of course, but I do wish I was a bit more controversial,” Kojima said to Edge Magazine (via VGC). “Blockbuster films need an 80% approval rating–I don’t want to make games like that. I’m not interested in appealing to the mass market or selling millions of copies. That’s not what I’m aiming for.” You need a javascript enabled browser to watch videos. Size:640 × 360480 × 270 Want us to remember this setting for all your devices? Sign up or Sign in now! Please use a html5 video capable browser to watch videos. This video has an invalid file format. Sorry, but you can’t access this content! Please enter your date of birth to view this video JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031Year202520242023202220212020201920182017201620152014201320122011201020092008200720062005200420032002200120001999199819971996199519941993199219911990198919881987198619851984198319821981198019791978197719761975197419731972197119701969196819671966196519641963196219611960195919581957195619551954195319521951195019491948194719461945194419431942194119401939193819371936193519341933193219311930192919281927192619251924192319221921192019191918191719161915191419131912191119101909190819071906190519041903190219011900 By clicking ‘enter’, you agree to GameSpot’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy enter Now Playing: Death Stranding 2 – On The Beach Trailer Full Breakdown Kojima did acknowledge the paradox of this approach, as while he may not be aiming to appeal to the broader gaming market, Death Stranding 2 still needs to sell a sizable number of units if he wants to keep the lights on at Kojima Productions and pay his staff. The other benefit to reviews being divided over a game is that it allows a developer like Kojima to receive constructive criticism and implement improvements, both in the base game and a potential sequel. At the same time, Kojima says that he won’t alter themes or story based on feedback from players. Death Stranding: Director’s Cut is a good example of this approach, as it added new content and quality-of-life improvements to the game while keeping the story intact. Death Stranding 2 also appears to have taken a considerable amount of feedback into account, as the game is aiming to appeal to a broader range of players with a more action-focused direction. “Once I retrained myself to play it as a stealth-action game, it greatly improved my enjoyment and I started looking forward to camps of enemies,” Dan Ryckert wrote in GameSpot’s Death Stranding 2 preview. “Like the first game, it can be meditative in the quiet moments as you traverse the environment. But when the game wants to get loud, it does not hold back.” Death Stranding 2: On the Beach launches on June 24 for PS5, and if you’re looking to play it in style, you can preorder a limited-edition DualSense controller inspired by the game. Kojima also spoke about the possibility of Death Stranding 3, but he’d like to pass the development baton to someone else for the potential threequel. Source link #Death #Stranding #Scoring #Test #Reviewers #Kojima #Isnt #Satisfied Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Unilever’s Dividend and Buyback Power Up a 33% Upside Case Unilever’s Dividend and Buyback Power Up a 33% Upside Case Unilever (LON:) has the leverage for its stock price to hit new highs in 2025, at least according to the analysts’ sentiment trends. Those trends include significantly increased coverage since the lows of 2023, firming sentiment with MarketBeat’s reported consensus up to Moderate Buy from Reduce compared to last year, and a rising price target. The price target is most interesting in mid-May 2025, up 28% in the preceding 12 months, 5% since the latest earnings report, and a new all-time high when reached. The post-release analysts’ activity aligns with these trends, including an upgrade to Hold from Reduce, and an indication that this stock could move into the high-end range of targets. That puts the price for Unilever above $70 and heading higher over the long term. Why Do Analysts Like Unilever? Analysts like Unilever for numerous reasons, beginning with its market-leading position in the Consumer Staples sector. This sector is typically less cyclical than others and provides visible revenue, cash flow, and capital returns for investors. Stocks like Unilever also tend to have low beta, a measure of market volatility, making them less risky relative to the broad market. Regarding Unilever, its brand-strong, diverse portfolio includes numerous globally recognized brands, including Hellmann’s, Ben & Jerry’s, Dove, and Lifebuoy. Although its quarterly growth has been sporadic over the past few years, it is trending steadily higher on a YOY basis and driving ample cash flows for its capital return. Unilever’s capital return is attractive, including the dividend and share buybacks. The dividend is worth roughly 3.4% in mid-May and is reliable at 60% of earnings, with earnings growing and the balance sheet healthy. The only downside is that the payout can be erratic quarterly, but the trend offsets it; the payout tends to increase annually over time. Regarding the buybacks, the company buys back shares annually and is on track to complete its roughly $2 billion authorization before the end of the current quarter. Unilever Grows in Q1; Positions for Long-Term Success Unilever had a solid quarter in FQ1 with organic growth of 3.5% and solid margins. Gains in all five operating segments drove the company’s strength, led by above-average performance in Beauty, Personal Care, and Ice Cream. Volume and pricing were both positive factors, rising by 1.2% and 1.7% respectively, and led the company to reaffirm guidance. Unilever expects to grow its organic business by 3% to 5% and may exceed guidance due to rapidly improving macroeconomic conditions related to trade relief. Other highlights from Q1 include an update on the Ice Cream divestiture. The company says it is on track to complete the divestiture, which will leave the Ice Cream segment as a stand-alone business. The move would raise as much as $8 billion, bolstering the company’s balance sheet and capital return outlook. Unilever Pulls Back: Investors Can Take Advantage of Lower Prices Unilever’s stock price pulled back in May, opening an entry for investors. The pullback may continue, but is unlikely to get far due to the analysts’ sentiment, capital return outlook, and long-term stock price trends. Although the market has been choppy and rangebound since about 2017, it is trending higher over the long term and is set up to hit new highs soon. The market for this stock could extend its trend significantly in that scenario, potentially rising by the magnitude of the trading range within a few months, a $20 or roughly 33% gain in addition to the dividend. Original Post Source link #Unilevers #Dividend #Buyback #Power #Upside #Case Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Big Dippers: 3 Stocks Near 1-Year Lows That Could Surge in 2025 Big Dippers: 3 Stocks Near 1-Year Lows That Could Surge in 2025 As of mid-May 2025, the has turned positive year-to-date (YTD) for the first time in many weeks. Stocks across multiple sectors have broadly recovered from the jolt of tariff news and other volatility throughout April. The return to an upward trajectory may suggest the possibility of future stability—although trade disputes are ongoing and the Trump administration has only paused, not canceled, many of its tariff policies. That’s not to say, though, that every company has come out ahead along with the improvement in the market. Indeed, some firms remain down by a significant margin this year or in a trailing-12-month *******. Investors seeking a value opportunity might look to these companies. And if their fundamentals are strong or there are mitigating external factors that have depressed share prices, which may vanish, they could be poised for major gains. Here are three compelling rebound candidates to consider. 1. Cogent: Wavelength Growth Could Signal a Turnaround Cogent Communications Holdings Inc (NASDAQ:) is a provider of high-speed Internet access, data center, and related services across the United States. After a precipitous drop in share price since February, Cogent is trading close to a one-year low. One area in which Cogent thrives, however, is wavelength services. These point-to-point connections help to facilitate low-latency environments for data center and other customers. Demand is high and Cogent has been able to offer wavelength service to nearly 900 centers in the first quarter of the year. In just two years, revenue for wavelength services has more than doubled. And while revenue in this category remains relatively modest at just $7.1 million, it appears poised to continue growing. In fact, Cogent expects it can capture a full quarter of the North American wavelength market in the next three years. With gross margin improvements and reduced provisioning times, Cogent’s strategic pivot toward higher-margin services appears promising. This may be why five out of eight analysts rating Cogent have given it a Buy rating, with a consensus price target of $75.75, implying nearly 50% upside. 2. Regeneron: A Biotech Powerhouse Trading at a Discount Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ:) is a biotechnology firm developing and marketing drug treatments like Eylea, Libtayo, and Dupixent. Shares are down about 20% YTD and 42% in the last 12 months, as the stock recently reached a multi-year low. Regeneron is likely to benefit from tailwinds for the biotech sector, including a rush of FDA drug approvals, the incorporation of AI in drug development, and increasing demand. More specifically, Regeneron’s pipeline is robust and has helped it to achieve sales growth in recent years; the company achieved $14 billion in sales in 2024, up from just over $13 billion the year prior. Likely crucial to the company’s success going forward is its ongoing expansion into new medical areas. With Dupixent, for example, Regeneron has entered the asthma market. The firm’s products are used in the treatment of a wide variety of conditions, ranging from rheumatoid arthritis to various types of cancers, macular degeneration, and much more. For a biotech firm, Regeneron also has an impressively low debt-to-equity ratio of just 0.09. As a signal of its fundamental strength, the company also initiated dividend payments in February 2025. This may be an added incentive to investors looking to capitalize on a stock with a potential upside of 55%, according to analysts. 3. Atlas Energy: Niche Energy Player With Geographic Edge Atlas Energy Solutions Inc (NYSE:) provides materials and products for use by the oil and gas industry in the well completion process. The company’s shares have plunged by about 42% YTD amid turmoil in the broader energy sector. Atlas Energy’s specialized focus means it faces little competition among other publicly traded companies. This benefits the company when its sand products are in higher demand, as they have been recently, thanks to industry-wide shifts. AESI also has an advantage in the Permian Basin, one of the most prolific oil-producing regions, because of the proximity of its operations, helping to keep costs down and logistics straightforward. Finally, the company is developing a host of new products and services—including a major conveyor belt for use in the Delaware Basin—that should cement its advantage in the space. Indicating confidence in the company’s growth trajectory, analysts have given AESI a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a price target of $19.81—a potential upside of nearly 49%. Original Post Source link #Big #Dippers #Stocks #1Year #Lows #Surge Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Dangerously high levels of arsenic and cadmium found in store-bought rice, report finds Dangerously high levels of arsenic and cadmium found in store-bought rice, report finds Samples of store-bought rice from more than 100 different brands purchased in the United States contained dangerously high levels of arsenic and cadmium, according to a new report released exclusively to CNN. “Even at low levels, both arsenic and cadmium have been linked to serious health harms, including diabetes, developmental delays, reproductive toxicity and heart disease,” said coauthor Jane Houlihan, research director for Healthy Babies, Bright Futures. The organization, which is dedicated to reducing children’s exposure to toxic chemicals, produced the report. “Heavy metal contamination in young children is especially concerning, as early-life exposures are associated with reduced IQ and a range of cognitive and behavioral problems,” Houlihan said. One in four samples of rice purchased from grocery and retail stores across the United States exceeded levels of inorganic arsenic set in 2021 by the US Food and Drug Administration for infant rice cereal, according to the report published Thursday. “The FDA set a limit for inorganic arsenic in infant rice cereal of 100 parts per billion, and since then we’ve seen levels in those cereals drop by 45%,” Houlihan said. “But the FDA did not address inorganic arsenic levels in the rice families purchased to cook and serve. “Yet it turns out that for very young children, ages 0 to 2 years, rice is a more important source of inorganic arsenic than infant rice cereal,” she added. “It’s really the rice itself that’s driving higher exposures.” Arsenic is a natural element found in soil, water and air, with the inorganic form being the most toxic. “Inorganic” is a chemical term and has nothing to do with the method of farming. Arsenic is also a carcinogen, and early-life exposures — including during pregnancy — are especially dangerous, possibly leading to spontaneous abortion, stillbirth and preterm birth as well as later neurodevelopmental disorders, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. The USA Rice Federation, which represents American growers, told CNN via email that rice grown in the United States contains the lowest levels of inorganic arsenic in the world. “While we do not agree that there is a public health safety issue as a result of trace amounts of arsenic in rice, we will continue to work with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ensure the U.S. rice supply meets any threshold established,” said Michael Klein, vice president of communications and strategic development at USA Rice. “It is worth noting (that) the top source (42%) of arsenic in the diet of Americans is fruits, vegetables, and fruit juice. Rice is 17 percent,” Klein said. That’s an unfair comparison, Houlihan said, because dozens of different fruits and vegetables contribute to that figure of 42%. “In contrast, rice alone — one specific food — contributes 17%, likely making it the single largest individual food source of arsenic in the American diet,” she said. A global concern Rice is the “most widely consumed solid food in the world,” according to the report, and a regular part of the diets of more than 1 billion children globally. In some cultures, rice is served at every meal. “On average, for all children ages 0 to 2 years, rice accounts for 7.5% of their arsenic exposure, more than any other solid food,” Houlihan said. “For Hispanic and Latino children of the same age, that level rises to 14%.” However, many Latino families are not aware of the dangers of arsenic in rice, said Juan Roberto Madrid, an advocate for the environmental advocacy association GreenLatinos, which partnered on the new report. “In fact many of our full time staff were not even aware of the dangers of arsenic in rice,” Madrid said in an email. “Our communities must understand what arsenic does to babies and that there are alternatives available. This is not a cause for alarm, but rather a cause for concern.” For Asian children, the levels are even higher, Houlihan said. “For babies 0 to 2 (years), rice accounts for 30.5% of the arsenic in their diet. It’s even higher for Asian children between 18 (months) and 24 months. Rice accounts for nearly 55% of their arsenic exposure.” Some Asian families are aware of the presence of heavy metals in rice, but not the dangers posed by arsenic, said Gloria Tan, executive director of Gum Moon’s women’s residence at the Asian Women’s Resource Center in San Francisco. Gum Moon, which stands for “golden door,” has been providing services to Asian women since 1868 and was a partner in the new report. “Knowing that there are dangers of arsenic might make families reconsider their rice choice,” Tan said in an email. “I think some families may be receptive to the idea of switching to a less contaminated grain.” Comparing rice with ancient grains The new report analyzed the total heavy metal content in 145 samples of rice varieties grown in India, Italy, Thailand and the United States that were purchased by shoppers in the US. “The researchers used a certified, accredited lab to measure arsenic and other heavy metals in rice samples, confirming that this is an issue with real-world implications,” said Tasha Stoiber, a senior scientist at the Environmental Working Group, via email. EWG is a consumer organization that monitors exposure to heavy metals, plastics and other dangerous chemicals. Stoiber was not involved in the new research. Ancient grains such as farro often contain significantly fewer heavy metals, the report said. – bhofack2/iStockphoto/Getty Images The independent lab also tested another 66 samples of nine ancient grains: amaranth, barley, buckwheat, bulgur, couscous, farro, millet, quinoa and spelt. Results showed rice purchased by shoppers contained 28 times more arsenic than the alternative grains. The group of alternative grains, however, contained 1.5 times more cadmium than rice. Still, overall levels of heavy metals were three times lower in the nine grains compared with the levels found in the purchased rice. Like arsenic, cadmium easily crosses the placental barrier to the fetus, potentially causing neurodevelopmental harm. Cadmium is also a known carcinogen and has been connected to harm to the kidneys, bone, stomach, lungs and more. “Most research has focused solely on arsenic, but that leaves out an important part of the rice safety story,” Houlihan said. “By including cadmium in our analysis, we’re able to give a more complete picture of how different rice types compare in terms of overall toxic metal exposure.” Rice type and growing region matter The type of rice and how it’s grown and processed can impact levels of arsenic and other heavy metals, experts say. Brown and wild rice often contain the highest levels because the milling process used to create white rice removes the outer layers of the hull, where heavy metals are concentrated. Lab testing found purchased samples of US-grown brown rice contained 151 parts per billion of heavy metals — 129 of that due to arsenic. Arborio rice grown in Italy, which is typically used to make risotto, and white rice grown in the Southeast US (often labeled as simply “USA”) were almost as high in total heavy metals as brown rice, the report said. Arborio rice from Italy contained 101 parts per billion of arsenic — total heavy metal load in the purchased samples was 142 parts per billion. White rice grown in the US contained 95 parts per billion of arsenic, with a total heavy metal count of 118 parts per billion. Basmati rice from India, jasmine rice from Thailand and California-grown sushi and Calrose rice (a form of sushi rice) were at or below the 100 parts per billion levels set by the FDA for arsenic in infant rice cereals. However, the Indian basmati and Italian Arborio varieties contained the highest average levels of cadmium. The California-grown rice had the lowest overall heavy metal content — 65 parts per billion, with 55 parts per billion from arsenic — making it an excellent choice to reduce overall exposure, Houlihan said. Consumers should be wary, however, of precooked rice, including instant (one-minute and five-minute rice), parboiled (10-minute rice), and ready-to-heat-and-eat packaged rice, she said. “Studies have shown the processing used to create instant rice can create additional toxins, and the ready-to-heat products are cooked inside the plastic containers, potentially releasing toxic chemicals,” Houlihan said. While the report does list the names of the 105 brands tested, that’s not what’s important when choosing rice with the lowest levels of heavy metals, she added. “Results between brands didn’t tend to vary,” Houlihan said. “The controlling factors for avoiding heavy metal levels seems to be the rice variety and the country of origin, not the brand of rice. So make sure you know where your rice comes from. ”Unfortunately, not all brands label the source of their product, so you’ll have to do some shopping to find those that do,” she added. This lack of clear package labeling is a gap that should be addressed by industry and the federal government, EWG’s Stoiber said. “Stronger federal oversight and clearer labeling would go a long way to keep children safe from exposure to arsenic in food.” The FDA takes the presence of heavy metals in food extremely seriously, said Andrew Nixon, director of communications for the US Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees the FDA. “Under Secretary (Robert F.) Kennedy (Jr.)’s leadership, HHS is conducting a comprehensive review of chemicals in the food supply — both those added intentionally and those like heavy metals that are environmental contaminants,” Nixon said in an email. Additional ways to lower exposure There is an easy way to eliminate nearly two-thirds of the arsenic in rice — cook it like pasta. Using 6 to 10 cups of water for every cup of rice and draining the excess before eating can remove up to 60% of arsenic. However, only rinsing rice before cooking doesn’t work, according to the report. To further the amount of arsenic removed, soak rice for a half hour or overnight and drain before cooking as suggested. Soaking rice overnight before cooking in extra water and draining can reduce arsenic levels significantly, experts say. – krblokhin/iStockphoto/Getty Images Keep in mind that boiling and draining will also remove some of the fortified iron added to rice. Iron is important for proper development and many babies are often deficient, the report said, so consult a pediatrician about adding iron-rich foods. Beans, eggs, fresh fruits and vegetables, lean red meat, and poultry are good sources. In addition, there are nutrients such as B vitamins, calcium, zinc and vitamin C that can help “reduce the body’s absorption of contaminants or speed up their excretion,” the report said. “Find them in foods like lean meat, yogurt, cheese, leafy greens, broccoli, beans and lentils, citrus fruits, strawberries, and peppers.” For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Source link #Dangerously #high #levels #arsenic #cadmium #storebought #rice #report #finds Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Recent Illuminate Takeover of Helldivers 2 Comms Refuted by Super Earth, but This Time Even I’m Doubting Democracy Recent Illuminate Takeover of Helldivers 2 Comms Refuted by Super Earth, but This Time Even I’m Doubting Democracy I’ve always been a loyal spreader of managed democracy across the galaxy. I’ve stomped bugs, dismantled bots, and even faced down squids without question. But yesterday’s events in the Helldivers 2 community have me clutching my Liberty-brand tinfoil hat and questioning everything Super Earth stands for. It started when my comms device exploded with alerts from fellow divers. Someone had breached the official Helldivers 2 Discord channel—not some random citizen, but a self-proclaimed whistleblower named “Major Truth.” Before High Command could shut it all down, I witnessed democracy getting uncomfortably transparent. The mysterious Major Truth incident and Super Earth’s suspicious denial Yesterday morning, while enjoying my regulation Democroffee, I watched in real-time as Major Truth hijacked Helldivers 2‘s official announcement channels. His message was frantic: warnings about Illuminate infiltration reaching the highest levels of Super Earth command. You don’t have to take my word for it, for I snapped a screenshot immediately, sensing this wouldn’t last long: Credits: Helldivers 2 official discord server Within hours, High Command regained control, and Super Earth’s propaganda machine shifted into overdrive. Their official statements read like something straight from the Ministry of Truth: There was no hack. There was no breach. This is likely a case of large quantities of citizens collectively misremembering events. Anyone claiming otherwise is either confused, misinformed, or actively assisting the enemy. Remember: Suggesting Super Earth systems can be… — HELLDIVERS 2 (@helldivers2) May 14, 2025 Are we really supposed to believe thousands of Helldivers simultaneously hallucinated the same breach? The timing couldn’t be more suspicious—just days after the Illuminate emerged from the Meridian Singularity with their sights set directly on our very homeworld. @Major_Truth_ right now, know damn well they’re coming after him. pic.twitter.com/ABGDQg91Z9 — Glitch Unlimited (@GlitchUnltd) May 14, 2025 Even more telling, the official Helldivers 2 X account briefly changed its profile picture to Major Truth’s before reverting back. The prophetic warnings that make me question my loyalty Democracy at gunpoint looks suspiciously familiar. | Image Credit: PlayStation/YouTube Digging into Major Truth’s background reveals someone who wasn’t just some random conspiracy theorist. This former Ministry of Defense janitor had been posting warnings about the Illuminate invasion for weeks before it happened. On May 12th—a full day before the squids launched their full-scale invasion (through the very ****** hole we helped create)—he shared footage (now deleted) of a new enemy type running through Super Earth’s streets (via Helldivers 2 official discord server): That creature? The now-infamous “Fleshmob,” which is currently slaughtering Helldivers across multiple fronts. After his brief takeover of official channels, Major Truth’s social media presence was systematically erased. His X account now contains just one suspiciously sanitized message: I want to apologize for doubting Super Earth High Command. They’ve always had things under control. I’m sorry for spreading misinformation during such critical times. Please continue to fully trust our democratic leaders. I’ll be taking some time off to focus on education. — Major Truth (@Major_Truth_) May 15, 2025 I’ve seen enough “re-education” in my time as a Helldiver to recognize the signs. And with the Illuminate forces advancing rapidly and Major Truth’s sudden disappearance right after warning about infiltration at the highest levels, I can’t help but wonder what other secrets Super Earth might be keeping from its loyal citizens. Has Super Earth’s commitment to freedom become as hollow as an empty stimpack? Drop your thoughts below—if you dare question democracy in these trying times. For liberty… I think? Source link #Illuminate #Takeover #Helldivers #Comms #Refuted #Super #Earth #Time #Doubting #Democracy Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Dell 14 Plus, Dell 16 Plus and Dell 14 2-in-1 AI PCs With Intel Core Ultra CPUs Launched in India Dell 14 Plus, Dell 16 Plus and Dell 14 2-in-1 AI PCs With Intel Core Ultra CPUs Launched in India Dell launched a wide range of artificial intelligence (AI) PCs in India on Thursday. The lineup comprises three models — Dell 14 Plus, Dell 16 Plus, and Dell 14 2-in-1, which have been introduced under the new unified branding as part of the Dell Plus portfolio. As per the company, its new AI PCs are powered by the latest Intel Core Ultra processors and are built for delivering Copilot+ AI capabilities. While the Dell 14 Plus and Dell 16 Plus have a traditional laptop design, the Dell 14 2-in-1 is a versatile offering that can transition between laptop, tablet, tent, and stand modes. Dell 14 Plus, Dell 16 Plus and Dell 14 2-in-1 Price in India Dell 14 2-in-1 price in India starts at Rs. 96,899. Meanwhile, the Dell 14 Plus and Dell 16 Plus models are priced at Rs. 1,15,799 and Rs. 1,08,499, respectively for the base configurations. The laptops will be available for purchase via Dell.com, Dell Exclusive Stores, retail partners like Croma, Reliance Retail and Vijay Sales, and other multi-brand outlets and leading e-commerce platforms. Dell 14 Plus, Dell 16 Plus and Dell 14 2-in-1 Specifications The Dell 14 Plus and 14 2-in-1 models feature a 14-inch 2.5K (2,560 x 1,600 pixels) anti-glare non-touchscreen display and 14-inch full HD+ (1,920 x 1,200 pixels) touch screen display, respectively. Meanwhile, the Dell 16 Plus has a 16-inch full HD+ (1,920 x 1,200 pixels) screen. The 2-in-1 model comes with a 360-degree hinge which helps it transition between laptop, tablet, tent, and stand modes. All models have up to 300nits peak brightness. They can be configured with up to an Intel Core Ultra 7 256V processor with eight cores and a peak clock speed of 4.8GHz. They also come with a dedicated neural processing unit (NPU) which alone is claimed to deliver a peak performance of 47 tera operations per second (TOPS). Dubbed AI PCs, the new Dell Plus models come with Copilot+ capabilities. The company also offers AI-driven tools such as Recall and Cocreator to help users in maximising their productivity. The entire Dell Plus lineup features ExpressCharge technology which can power up the laptop up to 80 percent in 60 minutes. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth, USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A port, USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port, Thunderbolt 4 with DisplayPort 2.1, an HDMI 2.1 port, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. Source link #Dell #Dell #Dell #2in1 #PCs #Intel #Core #Ultra #CPUs #Launched #India Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Fed’s Powell cautions about higher long-term rates as ‘supply shocks’ provide policy challenges Fed’s Powell cautions about higher long-term rates as ‘supply shocks’ provide policy challenges Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said Thursday that longer-term interest rates are likely to be higher as the economy changes and policy is in flux. In remarks that focused on the central bank’s policy framework review, last done in the summer of 2020, Powell noted that conditions have changed significantly over the past five years. During the *******, the Fed witnessed a ******* of surging inflation, pushing it to historically aggressive interest rate hikes. Powell said that even with longer-term inflation expectations largely in line with the Fed’s 2% target, the era of near-zero rates is not likely to return anytime soon. “Higher real rates may also reflect the possibility that inflation could be more volatile going forward than in the inter-crisis ******* of the 2010s,” Powell said in prepared remarks for the Thomas Laubach Research Conference in Washington, D.C. “We may be entering a ******* of more frequent, and potentially more persistent, supply shocks — a difficult challenge for the economy and for central banks.” The Fed held its benchmark borrowing rate near zero for seven years following the financial crisis in 2008. Since December 2024, the overnight lending rate has been in a range between 4.25%-4.5%, most recently trading at 4.33%. The “supply shocks” remarks are similar to those Powell has delivered over the past several weeks cautioning that policy changes could put the Fed in a difficult balancing act between supporting employment and controlling inflation. Though he did not mention President Donald Trump’s tariffs in his Thursday remarks, the central bank chief in recent days has noted the likelihood that tariffs will slow growth and boost inflation. However, the extent of either impact is difficult to gauge, particularly as Trump recently has backed off the more aggressive duties pending a 90-day negotiating window. Nevertheless, the Fed has been reluctant to ease policy after cutting its benchmark rate by a full percentage point last year. Looking back and forward As for the ongoing framework review, the Fed will seed to develop a five-year plan for how it will guide decisions and the way the moves will be relayed to the public. Powell said the process this time will look at a number of factors. They include the way the Fed communicates its expectations for the future, while also entailing a look back at ways it can adjust the last review. During the tumult of the summer of 2020, the Fed announced a “flexible average inflation target” approach that would allow inflation to run a little hotter than normal in the interest of providing full and inclusive employment. However, inflation targeting soon became a dead issue as prices soared in the wake of the Covid pandemic, forcing the Fed into a series of historically aggressive rate hikes. The current review will look at how the Fed considers “shortfalls” in its inflation and employment goals. Powell and his colleagues initially dismissed the 2021 inflation surge as “transitory” because of pandemic-specific factors. However, several Fed officials have said the 2020 framework adoption did not factor into their decision to hold rates near zero even as inflation was rising. “In our discussions so far, participants have indicated that they thought it would be appropriate to reconsider the language around shortfalls,” he said. “And at our meeting last week, we had a similar take on average inflation targeting. We will ensure that our new consensus statement is robust to a wide range of economic environments and developments.” Further addressing the idea of potential supply shocks and their policy impact, Powell said the review will focus on communication. “While academics and market participants generally have viewed the [Fed’s] communications as effective, there is always room for improvement,” he said. “In periods with larger, more frequent, or more disparate shocks, effective communication requires that we convey the uncertainty that surrounds our understanding of the economy and the outlook. We will examine ways to improve along that dimension as we move forward.” Powell did not give a specific date on when the review will be completed, only saying that he expects it in “coming months.” For the last review, Powell used his annual remarks at the Fed’s Jackson Hole, Wyoming retreat to outline the policy. Source link #Feds #Powell #cautions #higher #longterm #rates #supply #shocks #provide #policy #challenges Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Watch Fed Chair Jerome Powell deliver live remarks on policy review Watch Fed Chair Jerome Powell deliver live remarks on policy review [The stream is slated to start at 8:40 a.m. ET. Please refresh the page if you do not see a player above at that time.] Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell speaks Thursday morning to the Thomas Laubach Research Conference. The topic of Powell’s presentation will be the review the central bank is conducting this year of its policy framework. Conducted every five years, the framework review helps provide officials with a blueprint for monetary policy ahead. Following the last review, the Fed outlined a policy that became known as flexible average inflation targeting. The move was a stated intent to allow inflation to run slightly over the central bank’s 2% target for a ******* of time in the interest of providing full and inclusive employment across the economy, including for race and gender. However, a year later inflation began to escalate, eventually hitting a 40-year high and forcing the Fed into a series of aggressive interest rate increases. Read more:Fed holds rates steady as it notes rising uncertainty and stagflation riskPowell may have a hard time avoiding Trump’s ‘Too Late’ label Fed’s Powell indicates tariffs could pose a challenge between controlling inflation, boosting growth Subscribe to CNBC on YouTube. Source link #Watch #Fed #Chair #Jerome #Powell #deliver #live #remarks #policy #review Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Another GTA 6 delay could happen as respected insider says theres no guarantee Another GTA 6 delay could happen as respected insider says theres no guarantee Trusted industry insider Jason Schreier claims another GTA 6 delay is certainly possible sometime next year. Source link #GTA #delay #happen #respected #insider #guarantee Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Asus rolls out glossy 32-inch OLED gaming monitors with up to 480Hz Asus rolls out glossy 32-inch OLED gaming monitors with up to 480Hz Asus has two new glossy OLED monitors on the way – the new ROG Strix OLED XG32UCWMG and ROG Strix OLED XG32UCWG. If we take the firm’s PR at face value, these new monitors have been precipitated by popular demand. It indicates that “gamers were quick to ask us for additional options” to the ROG Strix OLED XG27AQDMG, last year. So, here we are with a brace of new 32-inch glossy screen OLED models. Not everyone likes glossy monitors, but preferences are often rooted in your ‘working’ environment. Monitor (and laptop/tablet) users who have experienced the gamut of glossy vs matte screen coating types will weigh up the more vibrant color, denser *******, and crisper visuals glossy screens can deliver against potentially suffering from screen reflection misery. (Image credit: Asus ROG) WOLED not OLED? Asus also makes the distinction between WOLED and OLED here. Its new OLED gaming monitors use the former, which addresses some of the traditional drawbacks of the best OLED gaming monitors by using a single white light layer (hence WOLED), with color filters to build up the visual spectrum. You may like (Image credit: Asus ROG) This LG-designed solution to issues like OLED screen burn is also boosted in brightness by LG’s Micro Lens Array, or MLA, and this may be a key enabler of Asus TrueBlack Glossy tech. In brief, the reasoning seems to be that the Asus “TrueBlack Glossy film pairs a zero-haze optical layer with an advanced anti-reflective stack,” and combined with the extra brightness from MLA, it can make reflections less problematic. Beyond the WOLED What else do we know about the new Asus ROG glossy OLED displays? Firstly, we know these monitors offer a 32-inch diagonal screen, with 3,840 x 2,160 ‘4K’ resolution. They also join the burgeoning ranks of displays that can switch down to an FHD mode for faster refresh gaming. Specifically, the new ROG Strix OLED XG32UCWMG lets you pick between 4K 165 Hz and FHD 330 Hz modes, whereas the XG32UCWG gives the choice between 4K 240 Hz and FHD 480 Hz. Asus is targeting DisplayHDR True ****** 400 certification for its new OLED gaming monitors. However, we don’t have some key visual quality metrics at this time, so we can’t quote max brightness or color gamut figures, for example. Not surprisingly, both new ROG gaming monitors come with G-Sync Compatible and FreeSync Premium Pro tech. OLED displays are renowned for their fast response times, and the quoted ultra-low 0.03ms (GTG) here makes these no exception. Get Tom’s Hardware’s best news and in-depth reviews, straight to your inbox. Asus has worked to make these large-ish displays as compact as possible, consuming less desktop real estate, with the fully assembled product boasting a 30% reduced depth. Both new monitors also feature two HDMI 2.1 ports, one DisplayPort 1.4 port, and USB DP Alt-mode connectivity. KVM functionality and a two-port USB hub is also standard, with up to 15W charging. (Image credit: Asus ROG) We don’t have pricing or availability for the new ROG Strix OLED XG32UCWMG and ROG Strix OLED XG32UCWG at the time of writing. These will probably be part of the Asus line-up destined for Computex, so we hope more will be revealed next week. Are they destined to nestle comfortably among the best gaming monitors? 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 #Asus #rolls #glossy #32inch #OLED #gaming #monitors #480Hz Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

*****'s Sporting Goods to acquire Foot Locker for $2.4 billion in effort to corner Nike market – CNBC *****'s Sporting Goods to acquire Foot Locker for $2.4 billion in effort to corner Nike market – CNBC *****’s Sporting Goods to acquire Foot Locker for $2.4 billion in effort to corner Nike market CNBCDick’s Sporting Goods closes in on deal to buy rival Foot Locker: report New York PostFoot Locker’s beaten-down stock jumps 82% after it agrees to be bought by *****’s Sporting Goods MarketWatchFoot Locker Stock Leaps on Report of Possible Takeover InvestopediaDick’s to buy Foot Locker in $2.4B deal Axios Source link #Dick039s #Sporting #Goods #acquire #Foot #Locker #billion #effort #corner #Nike #market #CNBC Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Save $120 on our pick for the best budget Dyson cordless vacuum at Amazon Save $120 on our pick for the best budget Dyson cordless vacuum at Amazon It’s never too late for a little spring cleaning. Thankfully, I’ve just spotted an offer on one of Dyson’s premium vacuum cleaners. Right now, you can get the Dyson V8 Plus at Amazon for $349.99 (was $469.99) ahead of this year’s Memorial Day sales. The Dyson V8 is our pick for one of the best budget vacuums and the most affordable option out of all the best Dyson vacuums. The Dyson V8 Plus is the same as the standard V8, just with the additional attachments. Even though it’s technically been cheaper during ****** Friday, the price is easier to justify with the four attachments, including a **** hair brush, and the additional features that put it way above the average cordless vacuum cleaner. Today’s best Dyson cordless vacuum deal In our Dyson V8 review, we highlight its affordability, 2-in-1 design, useful attachments, and impressive suction as the standout features. The Dyson V8 is cordless, so you don’t need to worry about re-plugging as you move across the room. It lasts up to 40 minutes on one charge, though that can vary depending on the mode you use. The standard mode balances power with battery efficiency, and the “Max” mode goes all out for cleaning on especially tough spots. Right on the box, it advertises suction strong enough to trap “99.99% of particles as small as 0.3 microns” and even puffs out clean air as a result. This Dyson V8 Plus version includes four cleaning attachments: the Motorbar cleaner head, hair ****** tool, combination tool, and crevice tool. The Motorbar, the standard vacuum head, can capably clean all floor types and hair without getting clogged. However, the hair ****** tool specializes in cleaning up hair, even for removing it from furniture that’s are best cleaned by hand like sofas. Even though the Dyson is considered a “budget pick,” it’s around the same price as some of our best vacuum cleaners that could also be on ***** during Memorial Day. For more specialized options, I’d recommend checking out our other lists of the best vacuums for your carpet and the best wet-dry vacuum cleaners. Today’s best Dyson V8 deals Source link #Save #pick #budget #Dyson #cordless #vacuum #Amazon Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Is It Time to Buy the Dip in Novo Nordisk Stock? Is It Time to Buy the Dip in Novo Nordisk Stock? Despite a double beat in its quarterly earnings on May 7, Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:) stock is still down nearly 50% in 2025. However, the stock is now trading near its 52-week low and is a discount to itself in several metrics. Analysts believe NVO stock has significant upside, so is this a buying opportunity? To answer that question requires a realistic, long-term outlook. That’s not something many investors like to hear. In the short term, some factors could weigh down the stock and even send it lower. However, if you’re looking for value in a volatile space, NVO starts to have some appeal. It’s Getting Noisy in the GLP-1 Market It may not be a great week to hear your signature product being labeled “the **** shot.” But that’s exactly what happened when President Trump announced his executive order giving the United States “most-favored” nation status regarding drug pricing policy. This new executive order will affect many medical stocks but is said to put a particular emphasis on drugs that have the “largest disparities and largest expenditures,” which would likely include GLP-1 drugs. It also comes after the president had dinner with the CEO of Eli Lilly (NYSE:) in Mar-a-Lago. At that time, Lilly CEO David Ricks remarked that raising drug prices in other developed nations would be a key strategy to reduce costs in the United States. Novo Nordisk is headquartered in Denmark. The company was the first to have an approved GLP-1 drug for obesity in the market, and it has a 72% market share in the GLP-1 space. That means Novo Nordisk has the most to lose of the two companies that make up a duopoly in this market. Novo Nordisk is facing increased competition, including recent test results showing that the GLP-1 space, the new oral GLP-1 drug from Eli Lilly, was more effective than Novo Nordisk’s Rybelsus. Rybelsus is currently approved only for treating type 2 diabetes (T2D). Novo Nordisk has submitted an application for an oral version of Wegovy, which the FDA is expected to approve by year-end. However, Novo Nordisk isn’t leaving anything to chance. The company has signed a $2.2 billion deal with Septerna (NASDAQ:). The two companies will co-develop up to four new oral small-molecule therapies, one of which will target obesity. A New Deal With CVS Adds Intrigue to the Situation In early May, CVS Health Corp (NYSE:) announced it will remove Zepbound from its standard formulary on June 1, 2025, continuing to offer only Wegovy for weight-loss treatment. CVS Health owns the largest pharmacy benefit management (PBM) business in the United States. In its earnings report, Novo Nordisk management said it did not approach CVS about exclusivity. That was an independent decision of CVS. NVO Stock Appears to Be Undervalued With a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of around 17x, Novo Nordisk is trading at a discount to its trailing twelve-month (TTM) average as well as its three- and five-year averages. The same is true of the company’s price-to-sales (P/S) and price-to-book (P/B) ratios. Then there’s the opinion of analysts. The Novo Nordisk analyst forecasts on MarketBeat show a consensus Hold rating. The price target of $135 represents a 108% upside from the stock’s current level and would reverse much of its decline over the last 12 months. However, as of May 14, 2025, NVO stock has not reclaimed its 50-day simple moving average at around $70. This has been acting as a point of resistance in the last year. That said, the stock is only down about 1.5% in the last month despite a sharp increase in short interest. Despite low short volume relative to float, a 31% rise in short interest over 30 days signals growing bearish sentiment. Original Post Source link #Time #Buy #Dip #Novo #Nordisk #Stock Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Jury discharged in suitcase remains ******* trial Jury discharged in suitcase remains ******* trial The jury in the trial of a man accused of murdering two men in London before dumping some of their remains in suitcases in Bristol has been discharged. Yostin Andres Mosquera, 35, denies murdering Albert Afonso, 62, and Paul Longworth, 71, on or before 11 July 2024 and was on trial at the Old Bailey in London. Parts of their bodies were found in Shepherd’s Bush, while some were discovered in a suitcase and trunk left near Clifton Suspension Bridge. The prosecution opened its case on 30 April but trial judge Mr Justice Bennathan discharged the jury earlier. Justice Bennathan said there had been problems identifying the accurate times of searches made by Mosquera on his laptop, which had been used as evidence in the trial. He told jurors the trial “simply cannot continue”. “We simply have to resolve this before we have a fair trial,” he added. The judge thanked jurors for their service and said he was sorry for where the trial had “ended up”. Mosquera has admitted the manslaughter of Mr Alfonso by way of loss of self-control, but denies both charges of *******. There is due to be a pre-trial review hearing for Mr Mosquera at the Old Bailey on 13 June and provisional retrial date has been set for 30 June at Woolwich Crown Court. Source link #Jury #discharged #suitcase #remains #******* #trial Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Live Updates: Cassie to Face Sean Combs’s Lawyers at Sex-Trafficking Trial Live Updates: Cassie to Face Sean Combs’s Lawyers at Sex-Trafficking Trial The term first came to public awareness in November 2023, when the singer Cassie filed a lawsuit accusing Sean Combs, her onetime boyfriend and record label boss, of years of ******* and physical abuse: “freak-off.” According to the suit by Cassie, who was born Casandra Ventura, this was what Mr. Combs called the highly choreographed ******* encounters that he directed “to engage in a fantasy of his called ‘voyeurism.’” They involved costumes, like masks and lingerie. “Copious amounts of drugs,” including Ecstasy and ketamine. The hiring of male prostitutes. Mr. Combs watching and recording the events on a phone while he masturbated. Freak-offs have become a central part of the government’s case, which charges Mr. Combs with sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy and transportation to engage in prostitution. Mr. Combs has pleaded not guilty, and his lawyers have strongly denied that any of his ******* encounters with women were not consensual. In much-anticipated court testimony this week, Ms. Ventura — who is visibly pregnant with her third child — described the freak-offs in sometimes excruciating terms. During hours of testimony on Tuesday, she cried and occasionally dabbed her eyes with tissue. The first freak-off happened when she was 22, when Mr. Combs hired a male stripper from Las Vegas to come to a home that Mr. Combs was renting in Los Angeles, she testified. Ms. Ventura said she wore a masquerade-style mask and provocative clothing from a “sex store,” and that she and the man took Ecstasy and drank alcohol before they had sex and Mr. Combs watched. The freak-offs “made me feel worthless,” Ms. Ventura testified, “like I didn’t have anything else to offer” Mr. Combs. Freak-offs soon became nearly weekly occurrences, Ms. Ventura testified. They took places in homes and hotels across the United States and in international locales like Ibiza, a Spanish island; Mr. Combs had his employees make travel arrangements for the men to come to him and Ms. Ventura — a key point in the government’s case for sex trafficking. They also became more elaborately staged, with candles and studio-style lighting, and Ms. Ventura said she would sometimes take an entire day to prepare herself for them — Mr. Combs controlled that too, she said, down to the color of her nails. She testified that she took part in the events partly because she wanted to make Mr. Combs happy. “When you’re in love with someone you don’t want to disappoint them.” But she also said she feared his violence if she refused, and recounted episodes of him beating her. When Mr. Combs became angry, she said, “His eyes go ******. The version of him that I was in love with was no longer there.” The events drained her, she said, and it sometimes took days to recover.: “The freak-offs became a job where there was no space to do anything else but to recover and just try to feel normal again.” The videos Mr. Combs made, she said, became “blackmail materials” that pressured her to agree to participate, for fear videos could be released on the internet, she testified. Fueled by drugs, the freak-offs could last from 36 hours to four days, Ms. Ventura testified. They also became more “humiliating,” she said: Mr. Combs would direct her and the men on ******* positions, and he would order them to continually apply baby oil to keep themselves “glistening.” Blood was left on bedding because Ms. Ventura had to perform while menstruating, she said. There was also ******, as Mr. Combs sometimes told the men to ******** into her mouth while she lay on the floor — she could end it only by holding her hands in the air and hoping Mr. Combs would tell the man to stop. In her testimony, Ms. Ventura said that a freak-off was underway in March 2016 at the InterContinental Century City hotel in Los Angeles, where a hallway security camera captured her trying to take the elevator before Mr. Combs assaulted her and dragged her away. The freak-offs, she said, continued until she finally left Mr. Combs in 2018. But the government contends that another victim, who will be testifying under the pseudonym Jane, had freak-offs with Mr. Combs from 2021 until his arrest last year. Source link #Live #Updates #Cassie #Face #Sean #Combss #Lawyers #SexTrafficking #Trial Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Live Updates: Cassie to Face Sean Combs’s Lawyers at Sex-Trafficking Trial Live Updates: Cassie to Face Sean Combs’s Lawyers at Sex-Trafficking Trial The term first came to public awareness in November 2023, when the singer Cassie filed a lawsuit accusing Sean Combs, her onetime boyfriend and record label boss, of years of ******* and physical abuse: “freak-off.” According to the suit by Cassie, who was born Casandra Ventura, this was what Mr. Combs called the highly choreographed ******* encounters that he directed “to engage in a fantasy of his called ‘voyeurism.’” They involved costumes, like masks and lingerie. “Copious amounts of drugs,” including Ecstasy and ketamine. The hiring of male prostitutes. Mr. Combs watching and recording the events on a phone while he masturbated. Freak-offs have become a central part of the government’s case, which charges Mr. Combs with sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy and transportation to engage in prostitution. Mr. Combs has pleaded not guilty, and his lawyers have strongly denied that any of his ******* encounters with women were not consensual. In much-anticipated court testimony this week, Ms. Ventura — who is visibly pregnant with her third child — described the freak-offs in sometimes excruciating terms. During hours of testimony on Tuesday, she cried and occasionally dabbed her eyes with tissue. The first freak-off happened when she was 22, when Mr. Combs hired a male stripper from Las Vegas to come to a home that Mr. Combs was renting in Los Angeles, she testified. Ms. Ventura said she wore a masquerade-style mask and provocative clothing from a “sex store,” and that she and the man took Ecstasy and drank alcohol before they had sex and Mr. Combs watched. The freak-offs “made me feel worthless,” Ms. Ventura testified, “like I didn’t have anything else to offer” Mr. Combs. Freak-offs soon became nearly weekly occurrences, Ms. Ventura testified. They took places in homes and hotels across the United States and in international locales like Ibiza, a Spanish island; Mr. Combs had his employees make travel arrangements for the men to come to him and Ms. Ventura — a key point in the government’s case for sex trafficking. They also became more elaborately staged, with candles and studio-style lighting, and Ms. Ventura said she would sometimes take an entire day to prepare herself for them — Mr. Combs controlled that too, she said, down to the color of her nails. She testified that she took part in the events partly because she wanted to make Mr. Combs happy. “When you’re in love with someone you don’t want to disappoint them.” But she also said she feared his violence if she refused, and recounted episodes of him beating her. When Mr. Combs became angry, she said, “His eyes go ******. The version of him that I was in love with was no longer there.” The events drained her, she said, and it sometimes took days to recover.: “The freak-offs became a job where there was no space to do anything else but to recover and just try to feel normal again.” The videos Mr. Combs made, she said, became “blackmail materials” that pressured her to agree to participate, for fear videos could be released on the internet, she testified. Fueled by drugs, the freak-offs could last from 36 hours to four days, Ms. Ventura testified. They also became more “humiliating,” she said: Mr. Combs would direct her and the men on ******* positions, and he would order them to continually apply baby oil to keep themselves “glistening.” Blood was left on bedding because Ms. Ventura had to perform while menstruating, she said. There was also ******, as Mr. Combs sometimes told the men to ******** into her mouth while she lay on the floor — she could end it only by holding her hands in the air and hoping Mr. Combs would tell the man to stop. In her testimony, Ms. Ventura said that a freak-off was underway in March 2016 at the InterContinental Century City hotel in Los Angeles, where a hallway security camera captured her trying to take the elevator before Mr. Combs assaulted her and dragged her away. The freak-offs, she said, continued until she finally left Mr. Combs in 2018. But the government contends that another victim, who will be testifying under the pseudonym Jane, had freak-offs with Mr. Combs from 2021 until his arrest last year. Source link #Live #Updates #Cassie #Face #Sean #Combss #Lawyers #SexTrafficking #Trial Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Picture Cross, the nonogram-focused puzzler, celebrates its 10th anniversary in style Picture Cross, the nonogram-focused puzzler, celebrates its 10th anniversary in style Picture Cross is a casual nonogram puzzler celebrating its 10th anniversary Discover pictures via puzzles, and relax without time limits Picture Cross boasts over 100,000 levels and 100 scenes to uncover There are some releases out there which have quietly chugged away in the background, cultivating a small but loyal fan base. And it’s only when we see just how long they’ve endured that we can appreciate them fully, which is the case with Picture Cross, which has just hit its 10th anniversary! Picture Cross is a nonogram puzzler, which essentially has you using numerical clues to fill in a picture. Unsurprisingly, such a simple yet suitably challenging concept has flourished in multiple mediums, and has proven especially enduring in Picture Cross. The focus in picture cross is firmly on relaxation, much like sitting back in a comfortable armchair and solving Sudoku by lamplight would be. The self-titled ‘relaxing challenge’ is all about taking your time and enjoying solving puzzles without penalties or even a time limit. Relaxation station In many ways, it’s not altogether surprising that Picture Cross hasn’t crossed our desk before. It’s certainly not lacking in terms of content or mechanics, with 100,000 puzzles sorted into themed packs, as well as over 100 scenes to collect, seasonal events and tournaments, alongside cosmetic items. But, at the same time, this is decidedly all about relaxation, and rather than the flashy over-the-top mechanics of merge or match-three releases, Picture Cross focuses on simplicity first. At the same time, with over a decade now under its belt, Picture Cross must be doing something right, and hopefully, now you know what it’s all about, you can jump in and give this enduring puzzler a chance! However, if Picture Cross is still a little too player-friendly for you, then you can really put your puzzle-solving skills to the test by taking a look at our list of the top 25 best puzzle games on iOS and Android for a fantastic variety of top puzzlers to pick from. Source link #Picture #Cross #nonogramfocused #puzzler #celebrates #10th #anniversary #style Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]