Pelican Press

What the charts say about Nvidia before earnings What the charts say about Nvidia before earnings Since early last year Nvidia (NVDA) has become the Super Bowl of earnings and like the actual big game, it comes right at the end of the season. Here we are at the end of third-quarter earnings reporting season and markets are again on pins and needles waiting for Nvidia’s earnings Wednesday after the market close to see if this ***** in artificial intelligence and data center buildouts continues. We’ll talk about what we’re expecting after the report, and how we plan to hedge in the event that earnings fail to impress, much like we saw in the prior Q2 report. Fundamental outlook The analyst community is looking for Nvidia to report 75 cents in EPS on $33.13 billion in revenue, according to FactSet. The focus will be on the new Blackwell GPU that has been covered heavily with reports of it being sold out for the next 12 months, creating concerns of supply not meeting demand, as well as recent reports of the unit overheating. The concerns with Blackwell actually began in the prior quarter’s earning report that saw EPS beat consensus by just 5%, but still come in at amazing levels. Nvidia charts The prior quarter’s growth rates are coming down from astronomical levels of multiple hundreds of percentage points. As a result Nvidia sold off on Aug 28 from around the $130 level all the way down to $101.50. Since then the stock rallied back to and through $130 approaching $150. The stock has recently drifted lower ahead of Wednesday’s report to the mid-$140’s. I’m wondering if the earnings report does not knock the “Sox” (short for the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index) off investors, are we headed back down to the $130 key technical pivot level? The 50-day moving average is currently at $132.37. In the most recent rebalance at Inside Edge Capital Management, LLC we increased our holding in NVDA from 8% to 10% in our firm’s signature growth portfolio. In our dividend model we increased from 2.5% to 3.5% . Keep in mind that NVDA pays a small dividend and is over 7% of the S & P 500. However, in our more nimble speed boat of a portfolio “Active Opps” we are looking to hedge a possible move back to the $130 level against our holdings in the two slower moving portfolios. Hedge on Nvidia, just in case We’re looking at buying a Nov 22nd expiration $140 / $130 put debit spread, currently trading at $2.88. This means we’re looking to buy the $140 strike puts, sell the $130 strike puts, for a cost of $288 per spread giving us a maximum potential profit of $712.00 ($10 spread ****** premium paid $2.88 = $7.12). You would decide how many spreads to trade based on the size of your Nvidia holdings. If you hold 500 shares of NVDA and want to hedge the whole position down to $130.00, you would buy 5 spreads for a total cost of $1440.00 giving you a max possible profit of $3560. However, I still very much believe the AI ***** is in the early stages and this insurance policy I’m discussing will go unclaimed and premiums will be written off as capital losses. If NVDA is able to break through 100% Fib projection at $145.93, the Elliott Wave model shows the next upside target of $185.54. That target will be met as Nvidia is delivering on the Blackwell demand and revenues are moving through the $40 billion and $50 billion levels per quarter, which I’m thinking will be sometime next year. -Todd Gordon, Founder of Inside Edge Capital , LLC DISCLOSURES: (Gordon owns NVDA personally and in his wealth management company Inside Edge Capital. Charts shown are Deepvue.) All opinions expressed by the CNBC Pro contributors are solely their opinions and do not reflect the opinions of CNBC, NBC UNIVERSAL, their parent company or affiliates, and may have been previously disseminated by them on television, radio, internet or another medium. THE ABOVE CONTENT IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY . THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSITUTE FINANCIAL, INVESTMENT, TAX OR LEGAL ADVICE OR A RECOMMENDATION TO BUY ANY SECURITY OR OTHER FINANCIAL ASSET. THE CONTENT IS GENERAL IN NATURE AND DOES NOT REFLECT ANY INDIVIDUAL’S UNIQUE PERSONAL CIRCUMSTANCES. THE ABOVE CONTENT MIGHT NOT BE SUITABLE FOR YOUR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES. BEFORE MAKING ANY FINANCIAL DECISIONS, YOU SHOULD STRONGLY CONSIDER SEEKING ADVICE FROM YOUR OWN FINANCIAL OR INVESTMENT ADVISOR. Click here for the full disclaimer. Source link #charts #Nvidia #earnings Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

As bird flu spread continues, why the recent jump to pigs raises worries – National As bird flu spread continues, why the recent jump to pigs raises worries – National Bird flu has spread far and wide, infecting a range of species like chickens, skunks, cows, foxes and polar bears and renewing questions about what level of risk it poses to people as a B.C. teenager ******** in critical condition in hospital after being infected. But it’s the recent jump to pigs that has experts on high alert, as swine offer the perfect conditions for the virus to mutate, making it a potential threat to human health. Last month, ******* States health officials reported the first case of avian influenza A(H5N1) in a pig on a backyard farm in Oregon, marking the first time the virus had been detected in pigs in the country. Days later, officials confirmed a second pig on the farm had also tested positive. “With every species it jumps to, it elevates the risk,” said Kerry Bowman, a professor of bioethics and global health at the University of Toronto. “But pigs are particularly worrisome species. The risk has risen yet again.” Story continues below advertisement Pigs represent a particular concern for the spread of bird flu because they can become co-infected with bird and human viruses, which could swap genes to form a new, more dangerous virus that can more easily infect humans. “Pigs can work as a mixing vessel, as they can have both bird flu and human flu simultaneously. And these things could recombine,” Bowman said, adding that this could result in the emergence of a new influenza A virus with different properties. These “mixing vessel” events have happened in pigs in the past; it is believed to have caused the 2009 influenza A(H1N1) pandemic, Bowman said. Currently, the risk of bird flu ******** low, but Bowman said every time the virus jumps to a new species, it raises the risk. 2:12 H5N1 avian influenza: B.C. reports 1st suspected human case of bird flu Earlier this month, British Columbia health officials announced the first case of a human avian flu infection acquired in Canada, with the teenage patient still in critical condition in hospital. It is still not known how the teenager was exposed, but the strain is related to viruses found in flocks in an outbreak at B.C. poultry farms. Story continues below advertisement Most recently, the U.S. Centers for ******** Control and Prevention (CDC) on Nov. 15 confirmed a highly pathogenic form of bird flu in a person in Oregon. The infected person is linked to a previous outbreak tied to a commercial poultry operation in the state, where the virus has been confirmed in 150,000 birds. And on Monday, U.S. health officials confirmed the presence of bird flu in Hawaii, the first case of the virus in a domestic flock in the state since the current outbreak began in 2022. Human infection with avian influenza is rare and usually occurs after close contact with infected birds, other infected animals or highly contaminated environments. Get weekly health news Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday. But that could change rapidly if the avian virus finds a suitable host in which to mutate, Bowman warned. Commercial pig farming is the real worry Because the virus was detected in a backyard pig, it doesn’t pose a significant threat at the moment, but the real concern ***** with its potential spread in commercial pig farms, Bowman said. Story continues below advertisement “Industrial livestock is a nightmare; animals are kept in incredibly tight conditions. So it would spread very quickly in a commercial endeavour. And the other thing that goes on with commercial farming is pigs are moved around and sold, so there’s more cause of spread there,” he said. Levon Abrahamyan, a virologist at the University of Montreal, echoed Bowman’s worries. “Fortunately it was not a commercial pig farm,” he said. “The pig was probably infected by a wild bird. The risk is low at this moment.” He explained that it would be very concerning if a large pig farm were found to be infected with avian influenza. In that case, every effort should be made to localize the outbreak and eliminate the virus to prevent further spread. Abrahamyan said it’s usually difficult for avian flu to jump from birds to humans or from pigs to humans. 1:59 Avian Flu spreads to cows, raising concerns about cross-species transmission This is because viruses have surface proteins (a key) that must match specific receptors on the surface of host cells (the lock) to enter and infect the cell. Story continues below advertisement If the virus’s key doesn’t fit the cell’s lock, it can’t infect the cell, Abrahamyan said. In the case of avian and pig flu strains, when two different strains (from birds and pigs) infect the same host, their genetic material can mix, he explained. This can create a new virus with a combination of “keys” that might fit locks on human cells more effectively. “And that can be a dramatic change, and then the human immune system is not ready for that type of change,” he added. This is exactly what happened in 2009, during the H1N1 pandemic, also known as the “swine flu.” In this case, Abrahamyan said there was genetic mixing from human, bird and pig viruses. The pigs acted as mixing vessels, leading to the creation of a new subtype that could infect humans, and created a global pandemic. Trending Now Organic carrots sold in Canada, U.S. recalled in deadly E.coli outbreak Canada Post says ‘parties remain far apart’ as strike continues How to prevent a pandemic There has been no evidence of person-to-person spread of bird flu so far. But if that were to happen, the ingredients for a potential pandemic could be there, scientists have said. Story continues below advertisement Bowman said he’s concerned that Canada is not doing enough in terms of testing and surveillance. “Bird flu is not going away and it’s going to keep spreading in more species,” Bowman said. “If we look at this within Canada, a lot of species have bird flu now, a lot of our wildlife has it and domestic species and wild birds … and with every species this elevates.” He stressed the need for more surveillance and timely testing and reporting. The ********* Food Inspection Agency has also been testing milk for signs of H5N1 in dairy cows. There has not yet been any indication of the virus in ********* cows, but bird flu has plagued many herds in the ******* States. 1:53 What risk do zoonotic ********* pose? The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) does wastewater testing for seasonal flu in several cities and towns across the country, including Toronto. But it doesn’t check specifically for H5N1 bird flu because it’s “not possible to differentiate positive wastewater signals that are due to wildlife versus human or livestock sources,” the agency told The ********* Press in an email. Story continues below advertisement “We also need incentives for people working with livestock, as many may not want to report it because they don’t want to deal with the problem. So we need more reporting and we need more surveillance,” Bowman said. Concerns about the availability of bird flu vaccines are also growing, experts say. Currently, there is no avian influenza vaccine available for public use in Canada, though there are some available globally. Angela Rasmussen, a virologist at the University of Saskatchewan’s Vaccine and Infectious ******** Organization (VIDO), told The ********* Press that Canada should consider stockpiling H5N1 vaccines, similar to the U.S., rather than relying on agreements with manufacturers to supply them on demand. 2:22 Health Matters: U.S. to pay Moderna $176M to develop bird flu vaccine This is because deploying an H5N1 vaccine under existing contracts could take three to six months. Story continues below advertisement However, PHAC stated in an email to The ********* Press that it is not stockpiling H5N1 vaccines due to their limited shelf life, is only up to two years. In an email to Global News in July, PHAC stated it has “proactively met with pandemic influenza vaccine suppliers (e.g., GSK, Seqirus and Sanofi) with whom we have an agreement for domestic or off-shore vaccine manufacturing to discuss pandemic influenza vaccine preparedness activities in order to inform steps that could be taken against avian influenza.” –With files from Reuters and The ********* Press More on Health More videos Source link #bird #flu #spread #continues #jump #pigs #raises #worries #National Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Chromatic review: the best new way to play Game Boy games Chromatic review: the best new way to play Game Boy games “If you’re looking for a new way to play your Game Boy or Game Boy ****** games, ModRetro’s Chromatic is an excellent option.” ***** Excellent build quality Backlit screen Extremely faithful to Game Boy Plays exclusive games ***** Expensive Lacks features of similarly priced retro handhelds We’ve seen plenty of gaming handhelds that are meant to be the new portable vessel through which you play your Game Boy cartridges, but none have attempted to replicate the look and feel of the Game Boy as much as ModRetro’s Chromatic. This device is squarely aimed at those nostalgic for Nintendo’s iconic 1990s gaming handhelds, which helped define mobile gaming for the entire industry. The Game Boy Advance was my first handheld, but I always enjoyed using it to play games for the original Game Boy or Game Boy ******, such as the first two generations of Pokémon and Paperboy. The Game Boy app is the Nintendo Switch Online bonus I use the most; I find myself particularly drawn to the more arcade-centric puzzle games like Tetris or Alleyway. Looking back, the Game Boy might have the greatest game catalog of any handheld system, so there’s reason to still want to play those games today. While Nintendo Switch Online is handy for that, its catalog of games is at Nintendo’s whim. Nintendo is also cracking down on players who emulate its games, which creates a market for handhelds like the Chromatic that can play original Game Boy and Game Boy ****** cartridges. ModRetro’s Chromatic succeeds at that role with flying colors, all while being able to play original game cartridges of its own, even if it does trade some of the broader functionality of similar handhelds, like the Analogue Pocket. Just like Game Boy The Chromatic is built to replicate a classic Game Boy’s look and form factor. It sports a durable magnesium alloy brick shell that juts out in the back to provide space for batteries. It feels like a Game Boy in my hands and pocket, but it isn’t so weighty that it puts a strain on me. It takes AA batteries, but doesn’t guzzle them up, lasting over 8 hours at its default brightness. ModRetro didn’t add additional buttons to the front of Chromatic; it just has the A, B, Start, and Select buttons and D-pad that Nintendo’s old handhelds have. Its PBT buttons feel durable, which sets the Chromatic apart from some other Game Boy-inspired handhelds with comparatively low-quality buttons. There’s a place to plug in a link cable and a small wheel to adjust the volume on either side of the handheld. Tomas Franzese / Digital Trends When it comes to what’s improved, the Chromatic supports USB-C video out to PC, sports a 3.5mm headphone jack, and features a backlit screen. Its 2.56 inch, 160 x 144 pixel screen is custom and particularly impresses, as it authentically recreates the feeling of looking at a Game Boy ****** screen, albeit with the benefit of having a strongly backlit display that plays just fine outside. There’s also a menu button on the side to access system settings. If your Game Boy or Game Boy ****** isn’t working anymore and you don’t want to seek out a working one, the Chromatic is a worthy alternative for playing all of its games. Specs Chromatic Display 160×144 pixel 2.56″ IPS backlit LCD, Sapphire display front crystal Console 5.2”x3”x1.2” magnesium alloy thixomolded shell, 6.2 oz, PBT buttons, 3.5mm headphone output, USB-C lagless video out, FPGA-based architecture Compatibility Game Boy and Game Boy ****** game cartridges, Chromatic game cartridges, backward compatible link cable port and IR link Playing games on Chromatic Chromatic’s field-programmable gate array architecture allows it to play three different kinds of game cartridges: Game Boy, Game Boy ******, and Chromatic. Original Game Boy games get a ****** filter, which can be customized on bootup. Game Boy ****** games retain their look and feel on a similar screen. Chromatic cartridges are made specifically for use with this handheld. Tomas Franzese / Digital Trends The first wave of Chromatics are packaged with a unique version of Tetris made specifically for Chromatic. Tetris for Chromatic quickly became the default cartridge I kept in my handheld, as I could boot it up for a quick hit of classic Tetris whenever I was bored. The handheld gave me the renewed vigor to try out some other classic games, too, and I ran into no problems testing out games like Pokemon Gold, Paperboy, Yoshi’s Cookie, Alleyway, and Tomb Raider: The Nightmare Stone. At any time, I could hit that Menu button to adjust brightness, enable frame blending for Game Boy ****** games with transparency effects, and more, although I rarely found that I needed to. If your game cartridges work, the Chromatic will run them without issues. The Chromatic will be the primary way I play Game Boy and Game Boy ****** cartridges in the future, and I’m excited to see new games being made for the handheld. Only for Game Boy The Chromatic delivers precisely what it intends to, but is less ambitious than similar handhelds like the Analogue Pocket. At release, it retails for $200, which is pricey for the limited scope of what it offers. For just $20 more, the Analogue Pocket offers easy access to playing GBA games, more advanced display mode options, PocketOS features, and the option to purchase a dock or cartridge adapters for Game Gear, Neo Geo Pocket ******, TurboGrafx-16, and Atari Lynx cartridges to enhance the handheld’s functionality further. Tomas Franzese / Digital Trends That prevents it from becoming the ultimate retro handheld gaming machine like the Analogue Pocket. Unless you have a backlog of Game Boy and Game Boy cartridges, plan on buying some, or are interested in upcoming Chromatic games like Chantey, ModRetro’s handheld probably won’t appeal to you. Still, I can appreciate a piece of technology with a specific, narrow focus that executes that without getting bogged down by other things. If you’re handheld gaming interests go far beyond Game Boy, though, the Chromatic probably isn’t the best cartridge-playing handheld for you. Thankfully, Game Boy and Game Boy ******’s library of games is strong, and there are plenty of people with nostalgia and tucke- away libraries of games just for Nintendo’s handhelds. We’ve also only got a small taste of what Chromatic-exclusive games can deliver. Those realities provide the Chromatic with enough of a reason to exist. If you don’t own an Analogue Pocket, but are looking for a new way to play your favorite Game Boy classics on a similarly built handheld with a backlit screen, then the Chromatic is a high-quality, well-built option. Digital Trends tested the Chromatic with a unit provided by ModRetro. Source link #Chromatic #review #play #Game #Boy #games Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Microsoft built a PC that can’t run local apps — Windows 365 Link starts at $349 and doesn’t come with storage Microsoft built a PC that can’t run local apps — Windows 365 Link starts at $349 and doesn’t come with storage Microsoft just launched the Windows 365 Link, a mini-PC designed to run Windows 365 Cloud PCs. The company said on its blog that it starts at just $349 and will connect quickly and securely to Windows 365 servers. This device is marketed toward businesses and enterprise customers, especially as these organizations sometimes replace their computers every two to five years. However, you should note that you still need a Windows 365 subscription, priced between $28 to $315 a month per user. Microsoft says that its 4v CPU option with 16GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, starting at $66 a month per user, is most popular for employees “who only use Microsoft Teams, browsers, or Microsoft applications.” That costs $1,584 over 24 months — and when you add the $349 initial cost for the hardware, you’re paying nearly $2,000 for a basic cloud PC. For just $1,299.99, you could get a Microsoft Surface Laptop powered by a Snapdragon X Elite chip, with a 15-inch touchscreen, the same memory size, and double the storage. Introducing Windows 365 Link: Satya Nadella at Microsoft Ignite 2024 – YouTube Watch On The specifications for the processor and memory are unknown. However, the Windows 365 Link features three USB-A ports, one USB-C port, one HDMI port, and one DisplayPort output. As a result, the device can accommodate up to two 4.K monitors. There’s a 3.5mm audio jack for connecting headphones and a Kensington lock port for security. Regarding connectivity, there’s one Ethernet port and Wi-Fi 6E with Bluetooth. The company claims that the Windows 365 Link gives you a security advantage, especially as its locked-down operating system means end-users cannot install apps and store data locally. This helps reduce security vulnerabilities by locking down the device. It also offers passwordless authentication via Microsoft Entra ID and multifactor authentication via the Microsoft Authenticator app, QR code, or USB security key. Image 1 of 2 (Image credit: Microsoft) (Image credit: Microsoft) Despite the higher price, a few enterprise users have found the Windows 365 Link helpful. They say it allows workers to quickly rotate between stations without bringing their computers while keeping their files and access secure in the cloud. Furthermore, Windows 365 Link makes it easier for IT departments to manage cloud-based software and hardware. Windows 365 Link makes no sense for individual users who have kept their computers for several years. But if you’re an enterprise with hundreds, if not thousands, of desk-bound workers that come and go, a cloud-based operating system might be an optimal solution for making it easier to manage your computer infrastructure while keeping everything secure. Get Tom’s Hardware’s best news and in-depth reviews, straight to your inbox. The Windows 365 Link won’t be available until April 2025; you can ask to join the preview program if you live in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Germany, Japan, Australia, or New Zealand. Microsoft recommends interested users contact their Microsoft account team to join the program before December 15. Source link #Microsoft #built #run #local #apps #Windows #Link #starts #doesnt #storage Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Prosecutors urge judge to consider postponing Trump’s sentencing until after his presidency Prosecutors urge judge to consider postponing Trump’s sentencing until after his presidency CBS News 24/7 Live President-elect Donald Trump’s six-year New York ********* odyssey might need to continue for at least another four, prosecutors said Tuesday. Lawyers for Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg wrote in a letter to Justice Juan Merchan that Trump should not be sentenced for his ******* until after he completes his second term in office. That would be the year 2029, more than a decade after the investigation into Trump’s coverup of a “hush money” payment began. This is a breaking story. It will be updated. Graham Kates Graham Kates is an investigative reporter covering ********* justice, privacy issues and information security for CBS News Digital. Contact Graham at *****@*****.tld or *****@*****.tld Source link #Prosecutors #urge #judge #postponing #Trumps #sentencing #presidency Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Global equity returns disappearing as U.S. stock market rockets higher Global equity returns disappearing as U.S. stock market rockets higher The U.S. stock market has been having a party for most of November, but it hasn’t invited the rest of the world to join the fun. As the market turned mixed following early losses Tuesday, the S & P 500 and other major averages have posted solid gains during the month. The large-cap benchmark is up more than 3% in November, rallying around the presidential election that sent Donald Trump back to the White House for a second term. However, the U.S. market hasn’t been spreading the love. Global stocks have largely fallen as the U.S. has rallied, the result of a confluence of factors. “Non-US stocks’ [year-to-date] dollar-based returns have gone from respectable to terrible in just 7 weeks, partly due to currency and partly from underperforming local markets,” Nick Colas, co-founder of DataTrek Research, wrote in his daily market note Monday evening. “No major single-country equity index has offered a productive hiding place from Q4’s rest of world sell off.” The iShares MSCI ACWI ex U.S. ETF (ACWX) serves as an effective proxy for the trend. The fund gauges how global stocks ****** U.S. equities are performing, and it features names such as Taiwan Semiconductor , Tencent and Novo Nordisk . ACWX .SPX 3M line International vs. domestic stocks ACWX has slid 1.7% in November and is now up just 5% year to date. The fund fell about 0.2% in morning trade Tuesday, underperforming the S & P 500 . The broad market index was marginally higher on the day and has soared nearly 24% year to date. One culprit has been U.S. dollar outperformance against its global counterparts. The dollar index has jumped more than 2% in November, and has climbed nearly 5% year to date. A strong greenback reduces the value of assets owned in foreign currency and makes ********* exports more expensive in other countries. That also can harm global companies domiciled in the U.S., but thus far hasn’t had a major impact. .DXY 3M line Dollar index The underperformance of global stocks might provide some temptation to ***** in at a time when they appear undervalued. But Colas cautioned against that, given Trump’s intention to launch another round of protectionist trade policies . “We continue to prefer US equities over rest of world stocks, even as the latter’s remarkable underperformance this year makes them statistically cheaper and non-US currencies are probably due for a bounce soon,” he wrote. “US government policy will be materially different next year from the last 4 years, and it will be difficult for global asset owners to justify incremental allocations to international equity markets until we know exactly how different it is,” Colas added. Source link #Global #equity #returns #disappearing #U.S #stock #market #rockets #higher Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Latest ****** Ops 6 Update Re-Adds Legacy XP Tokens Latest ****** Ops 6 Update Re-Adds Legacy XP Tokens · · November 19, 2024 A new update for Call of Duty: ****** Ops 6 has been released, and in it comes several changes throughout the game. The biggest comes the re-re-adding of the legacy XP tokens to ****** Ops 6 after they were taken away on November 15. The tokens had been re-added to the game at the launch of ****** Ops 6 Season 1 in a move that Activision said was unintentional. They were quickly removed the following day, leading to fan backlash across numerous social media platforms. Now, four days later, they are back for all players. Aside from the XP tokens being returned, the new ****** Ops 6 update addresses a few UI concerns as well as fixed steering in vehicle scorestreaks. You can check out the full patch notes below. For a list of what developers Treyarch and Raven are working on, check out the complete list of known issues in ****** Ops 6. Call of Duty: ****** Ops 6 November 19 Update Notes GLOBAL Legacy XP Tokens Updated ****** Ops 6 to support legacy XP token functionality Gameplay Improved hitmarker UI to help identify individual shots more easily. Cosmetics Addressed an issue where ******* sights would be misaligned with the Weaver Repairman Operator Skin equipped. Store Improved the loading of Tracer and Inspect preview videos for weapons. MULTIPLAYER Gunsmith Added several missing language translations when swapping attachments. Scorestreaks Improved steering in reverse with View-Based vehicle controls. UI Addressed an unintentional bug where MWII and MWIII camos could be applied to ****** Ops 6 weapons. Camos from previous titles were not designed for ****** Ops 6 weapons and attachments and are not supported due to visual inconsistencies. Addressed an issue where some Perk bags were not displaying when creating loadouts. Stability Various stability fixes. ZOMBIES GobbleGums Addressed an issue that allowed GobbleGums to persist indefinitely. UI Added additional information for the current saved game in the map selection menu. Stability Various stability improvements. For more Insider Gaming, check out our exclusive on what EA is doing to prevent another disastrous launch for the next Battlefield game. And don’t forget to sign up for our weekly newsletter. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive the latest news and exclusive leaks every week! No Spam. Source link #Latest #****** #Ops #Update #ReAdds #Legacy #Tokens Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Ancient 2,600-Year-Old Inscription in Turkey Finally Decoded: Here’s What it Means? Ancient 2,600-Year-Old Inscription in Turkey Finally Decoded: Here’s What it Means? A 2,600-year-old inscription engraved on a monument in Turkey, known as Arslan Kaya or “lion rock,” has been deciphered, according to research by Professor Mark Munn of Pennsylvania State University. This ancient carving, which has endured significant damage from weathering and looting, contains references to Materan, a goddess revered by the Phrygians, an ancient civilisation that thrived in the region between 1200 and 600 B.C. Materan, often simply called “the Mother,” was central to Phrygian religious beliefs. Monument Details and Historical Significance The Arslan Kaya monument is decorated with images of lions and sphinxes, which were symbols of strength and protection in Phrygian culture. The name Materan, deciphered through careful analysis of the damaged inscription, appears alongside a depiction of the goddess. Materan was later venerated by other cultures, known as “Mother of the Gods” by the Greeks and as “Magna Mater” or “Great Mother” by the Romans. At the time the inscription was created, the region was under the influence of the Lydian kingdom, which also held Materan in high regard. The inscription, believed to have been part of a longer text, may have detailed the commissioning party and explained the goddess’s significance. Challenges in Deciphering the Inscription The text has been the subject of scholarly debate for over a century. Munn utilised detailed photographs and historical records to piece together its meaning, noting that optimal lighting on April 25, 2024, played a crucial role in capturing the monument’s details. Rostyslav Oreshko, a lecturer at the Practical School of Advanced Studies in France, told LiveScience that Munn’s work affirms earlier readings from the 19th century, which identified the name Materan. Despite this, Oreshko emphasised that the study solidifies previous interpretations rather than offering entirely new insights. The deciphered inscription sheds light on the enduring cultural significance of Materan and highlights the Phrygians’ influence on subsequent civilisations. Source link #Ancient #2600YearOld #Inscription #Turkey #Finally #Decoded #Heres #Means Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Content creation just got cheaper – the Insta360 Link 4K webcam is now a huge 40% off for ****** Friday Content creation just got cheaper – the Insta360 Link 4K webcam is now a huge 40% off for ****** Friday Whether you’re a streamer on YouTube or Twitch or simply want to look sharp on video calls while working from home, ****** Friday is the best time to snap up a top-quality webcam. Fortunately, I’ve spotted the Insta360 Link 4K webcam available on Amazon in the US for just $179.99 (was $299.99), and available for £189.99 (was £318.99) on Amazon in the ***. With features such as AI-powered head-tracking that ensures you always stay in-frame, controls through hand gestures, and a 4K resolution, this one mustn’t be missed. Most video webcams built-in to laptops or monitors utilize a 1080p resolution at best – 4K is ideal for crystal-clear video conferences and streaming. Not in the US or ***? Scroll down to see the best Insta360 Link deals in your region! Today’s best Insta360 Link deal in the US Today’s best Insta360 Link deal in the *** It’s also important to note that there are dual noise-canceling microphones – worries of background noise while filming will be eliminated, making editing much easier within the audio department. For an early ****** Friday deal, it’s an absolute steal at 40% off for both regions – this will save you the trouble of shelling out more cash for a top-of-the-line webcam, as this offers virtually all the necessary features for serious content creation. More of today’s ****** Friday sales in the US 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 More of today’s ****** Friday sales in the *** Amazon: up to 68% off toothbrushes and TVs AO: savings on games consoles and appliances Argos: up to 50% off toys, Lego, TVs and gifts Boots: up to 50% off Dyson, *****-B and Philips Currys: early deals on TVs, appliances, laptops Dell: laptops, desktops, monitors from £299 Dyson: up to £150 off Ebay: up to 50% off refurbished tech EE: up to £600 off Samsung and Apple John Lewis: up to £300 off appliances and TVs LG: £1,000 or more off TVs and appliances Samsung: up to £600 off TVs, phones and tablets Very: up to 30% off phones, appliances & clothing Source link #Content #creation #cheaper #Insta360 #Link #webcam #huge #****** #Friday Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

New York prosecutors support pause New York prosecutors support pause Former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to members of the media amid his trial on charges of covering up hush money payments linked to alleged extramarital affairs, at Manhattan ********* Court in New York City, on May 16, 2024. Angela Weiss | Via Reuters The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office told a judge Tuesday that it supported pausing the planned sentencing of President-elect Donald Trump in his ********* hush money case to give Trump’s lawyers time to argue that the case should be dismissed altogether. The DA’s office told Judge Juan Merchan they would continue opposing the dismissal bid, which is based on the claim that the case should be tossed out as a result of Trump’s election as president. Prosecutors asked Merchan to set a motion schedule on the defense’s dismissal request. Merchan has yet to rule on the filing by prosecutors. Trump’s spokesman Steven Cheung, in a statement Tuesday, said, “This is a total and definitive victory for President Trump and the ********* People who elected him in a landslide.” “The Manhattan DA has conceded that this Witch Hunt cannot continue. The lawless case is now stayed, and President Trump’s legal team is moving to get it dismissed once and for all,” Cheung said. The New York case is one of four ********* prosecutions against Trump whose fate is up in the air — or all but doomed — because of the ***********’s electoral win two weeks ago against Vice President Kamala Harris Trump was convicted in May in Manhattan Supreme Court of 34 felony charges of falsifying business records. Those records related to a $130,000 payment his then-personal lawyer Michael Cohen made shortly before the 2016 election to ***** star Stormy Daniels to buy her silence about a purported one-time ******* tryst with Trump a decade earlier. Merchan had been expected to rule on a dismissal request by Trump’s lawyers on Nov. 12 at the earliest. The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office had opposed that request. But on the heels of Trump’s election win, the DA’s office told Merchan they wanted him to delay his ruling, to give them time to determine how that victory affected the case. Merchan gave them one week to do so. Former U.S. President Donald Trump leaves the courthouse after a jury found him guilty of all 34 felony counts in his ********* trial at New York State Supreme Court on May 30, 2024. Justin Lane | Via Reuters Before the ordered pause, Trump was scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 26. If the case is not dismissed, and Trump is sentenced, he is not expected to serve any potential jail sentence until after he leaves the White House more than four years from now. Two ********* cases against Trump in federal court are expected to be dismissed before he enters the White House, or shortly afterward. Trump has the power to order his attorney general to toss out those cases. The Department of Justice, which the AG leads, also has a policy of not prosecuting sitting presidents. Read more CNBC politics coverage In one of those cases, Trump is charged in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., with ******* related to his effort to undo his 2020 election loss to President Joe Biden. The judge there was considering the effect of the July ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court on that case before special counsel Jack Smith asked her, after Trump’s election, to pause all proceedings for now. Smith also asked a federal appeals court in Atlanta to pause proceedings in his attempt to reverse the dismissal by Florida federal district court Judge Aileen Cannon of charges against Trump related to his retention of classified government records after leaving the White House. The appeals court granted that delay, which, like the one in Washington, was seen as a precursor to the DOJ dropping the case altogether. In a fourth ********* case, in Atlanta state court, Trump and more than a dozen co-defendants are charged with ******* in connection with their attempt to reverse his 2020 defeat by Biden in Georgia. Trump and some of the other defendants are appealing the trial court’s decision to allow Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis to remain on the case despite having had a romantic relationship with a top prosecutor she assigned to the matter. On Monday, the Georgia Court of Appeals, without explanation, canceled ***** arguments until further notice in Trump’s appeal, which had been scheduled for Dec. 5. Source link #York #prosecutors #support #pause Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘Escape from reality’ and travel the world until 2028: What to know ‘Escape from reality’ and travel the world until 2028: What to know If you are one of the many Americans planning an escape next year, this unique adventure might be exactly what you’re looking for. Residential cruise line Villa Vie Residences announced the Tour La Vie program which offers passengers the opportunity to live aboard its ship, the Villa Vie Odyssey, for up to four years. Villa Vie’s CEO, Mikael Petterson tells CNBC Make It the new program was planned before Election Day. And while is is not a reaction to the outcome, the offering is is well-timed. “Although our latest campaign Tour La Vie was put together before the results of the election, we feel we have a perfect product for those who’d want leave the country for any reason,” he said in an email statement. Early this month, CNBC reported that in a survey by Arton Capital, which advises the wealthy on immigration programs, 53% of ********* millionaires said they’re more likely to leave the U.S. after the election, no matter who wins. “Onboard, we may have differing political views, but our community comes together through our passion for exploring the world in a very real way that goes far beyond politics,” Petterson said. Here’s what we know about Villa Vie’s ‘4-Year World Cruise’ The Tour La Vie offers travelers four options: 1-Year Escape from Reality, starting at $49,000/year2-Year Mid-Term Selection, starting at $47,000/year3-Year Everywhere but Home, starting at $43,333/year4-Year Skip Forward, starting at $40,000/ year The “Skip Forward” trip will include more than 425 ports in over 140 countries across all seven continents. Villa Vie Odyssey Charles Mcquillan | Getty Images News | Getty Images The Villa Vie Odyssey just entered the second month of a 15-year tour around the world, after a series of delays. The cruise line initially offered residents three options for life aboard the ship: Own a Villa, Rent a Villa and a flex-plan called Endless Horizon. Amenities on the ship include a fitness center and spa, a business center, three restaurants, 5 bars and lounges and complimentary alcoholic beverages. A press release shared with CNBC Make It says passengers who join the Tour La Vie will have the flexibility to meet the ship at any scheduled port over the next four years. According to an itinerary available on Villa Vie’s website, the Odyssey arrived in the Caribbean on November 14 and will be there through the end of December. 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 #Escape #reality #travel #world Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Momo Film Co and Aview Images join together in producing two new films Momo Film Co and Aview Images join together in producing two new films There’s a lot of news related to Hollywood films every single day, so here are some upcoming ****** films movie fanatics might be interested to read about if they ever want to broaden their horizon. According to Variety, Taiwanese production house, Aview Images, formed a partnership with Singaporean film production company, Momo Film Co, and will work together in making two upcoming films. The two features include Nelson Yeo’s The Drought and Daniel Hui’s Other People’s Dreams. Yeo’s The Drought is a sophomore film featuring Kai, who has a difficult time retracting his genitals while his wife, Ling, despises his husband due to his impotence. Meanwhile, their widowed neighbor, Daming, grieves over his last three sons’ ****** while his mother secretly plans for another grandson. All of this takes place during the time of an uninhabitable drought. In Hui’s Other People’s Dreams, the film features two individuals who meet each other in Singapore as they run away from their gruesome past. They both start stealing without the public’s attention as a means to survive while they blend in with the rhythms of the dreaming city. Film producer and founder of Momo Film Co, Tan Si En, stated this will be the studio’s first co-production with Taiwan and how exciting it is to collaborate with talented filmmakers from Aview Images as well as working with the industry there. Aview Images founder, Kuek Shee Heng, expressed how excited it is for his studio to partner with Momo Film Co. The Malaysian producer also mentioned that the movies from Momo Film Co showcased Si En’s visionary approach clearly. He continued stating how Si En brought in two amazing directors to collaborate with them, which includes Nelson Yeo and Daniel Yui. Shee Heng also expressed his privilege that he and “Alice You, also the co-producer of these projects, are privileged to be part of this endeavor.” Source link #Momo #Film #Aview #Images #join #producing #films Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Perplexity takes aim at Google, Amazon with shopping tool Perplexity takes aim at Google, Amazon with shopping tool AI startup Perplexity has launched a new shopping feature that it describes as a “one-stop solution where you can research and purchase products.” Available initially for U.S.-based users of its paid Pro subscription tier, with plans to expand internationally soon, Perplexity Shopping is a shot across the bows of rival services like Google and Amazon as the company seeks to attract more users to its AI chatbot while building out related services like search and online shopping. “You can use it to research and make purchases on all things like building your library, buying electronics for throwing a party, and so on,” the San Francisco-based company said in a thread on X that also included a short video (below) showing the new feature in action. Introducing Perplexity Shopping: a one-stop solution where you can research and purchase products. It marks a big leap forward in how we serve our users – empowering seamless native actions right from an answer. Shopping online just got 10x more easy and fun. pic.twitter.com/gjMZO6VIzQ — Perplexity (@perplexity_ai) November 18, 2024 The video shows how you can enter queries in a conversational way, just as you would with any other AI chatbot. It also lets you refine results via follow-up responses like, “Under $100.” Perplexity Shopping includes features such as a one-click checkout, which is designed to save you time by having purchases fully processed within the app instead of being transferred across to the merchant’s site. “Just save your shipping and billing information through our secure portal and select ‘Buy with Pro’ to place your order,” the company explained, adding that all Buy with Pro orders come with free shipping. In cases where Buy with Pro isn’t available, you will be redirected to the merchant’s website to complete the purchase. The new tool also includes a Snap to Shop visual search tool that shows you relevant products in response to any images that you upload to help you to find an item even when you don’t have a name for it. In an apparent swipe at Google, Perplexity points out that its shopping suggestions aren’t sponsored, describing its results as “unbiased recommendations” that are powered by AI and based on in-platform reviews. “When you ask Perplexity a shopping question, you’ll still get the precise, objective answers you expect, plus easy-to-read product cards showing the most relevant items, along with key details presented in a simple, visual format.” Away from shopping, however, Perplexity recently revealed that it will start inserting ads into its general chatbot responses for users in the U.S. in the form of “sponsored follow-up questions and paid media positioned to the side of an answer.” Source link #Perplexity #takes #aim #Google #Amazon #shopping #tool Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Dave Coulier defends John Stamos bald cap after fans call it ‘shallow’ gesture – National Dave Coulier defends John Stamos bald cap after fans call it ‘shallow’ gesture – National It can be difficult to know how to support a loved one going through a ******* diagnosis — a lesson John Stamos is learning in real time. In a gesture of support for his friend and Full House co-star Dave Coulier, who was recently diagnosed with “very aggressive” Stage 3 non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Stamos donned a bald cap and helped Coulier shave his head, sharing a carousel of photos to Instagram on Monday night to mark the ******* milestone. “Nothing like throwing on a bald cap and flexing some Photoshop skills to show some love and solidarity with my bro @dcoulier,” Stamos said in the caption. Story continues below advertisement “You’re handling this with so much strength and positivity—it’s inspiring. I know you’re going to get through this, and I’m proud to stand with you every step of the way. I love you.” Coulier revealed his ******* diagnosis to several publications last week, explaining that when he fell ***** with a chest cold last month he was surprised to discover a golf ball-sized lump in his groin that swelled up out of nowhere. He said he’d noticed enlarged lymph nodes in his armpits and neck during past respiratory infections, but this was different. More on Entertainment More videos “It swelled up immediately,” Coulier told Today. “I thought, ‘Wow, I’m either really *****, or my body’s really reacting to something.’” The father of one shared he is in the midst of doing chemo and is expected to finish his treatment by February. And while Stamos did what he thought was a kind gesture by cosplaying a bald person while shaving his friend’s head, some fans of the actors pointed out some problematic aspects to the show of solidarity. “**** bless Dave but is this really appropriate?” one person pointed out. “A bald cap is showing solidarity? You can just take your cap off and be ‘normal’ again. When people take this route they actually shave their head. I can’t help but feel that you’re using Dave’s diagnoses [sic] as a way to make yourself more likeable.” Story continues below advertisement “What a shallow gesture! Couldn’t even cut your hair off for your friend. And you made sure to post it on Instagram to get those likes too,” another person commented. Get daily National news Get the day’s top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. “Uncle Jessie could never cut his hair,” another wrote, referencing Stamos’s famous thick, dark locks. FILE – John Stamos appears at the ********* Music Awards in Los Angeles on Oct. 9, 2018. Jordan Strauss / Invision via Getty Images Others, however, applauded the act and defended Stamos. “Awwww this is so cute … also, to anyone in the comments.. if Dave isn’t offended by this, you shouldn’t be either. And remember .. John is an actor and may need his hair for his JOB,” one person shared. “Standing in solidarity isn’t just shaving your head. Don’t be cruel, they are lifelong friends,” another argued. 5:16 Mathew Knowles on the growing need for support to ******* ******* survivors Previous Video Next Video Story continues below advertisement In this case, it seems like Coulier really appreciated the gesture from his former TV roommate. Responding to the backlash on Stamos’ post, he took to his own Instagram feed to defend his friend. 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 “It’s our friendship (me and John) and this is how we are handling a very tough time. I’m a comedian and humor is what drives me,” he wrote Tuesday morning. “John knows how to cheer me up and I laughed out loud when he arrived wearing a bald cap – being a true loving friend and brother.” It’s important to remember, however, that just like every ******* is different, every ******* patient is different in how they best feel supported by their friends and family while navigating their difficult health circumstances. Story continues below advertisement In forums and social media feeds around the internet, ******* survivors have weighed in on how it made them feel when loved ones offered to shave their heads or alter their physical appearance in solidarity while they were undergoing ******* treatment. In a blog post for the University of Virginia Health System, one ******* ******* patient said she felt very supported when her friends threw her a party and all shaved their heads together. “It was so fun, and it made it so much easier to be a bald woman surrounded by other beautiful bald women! I still get a little teary thinking about the love and support I felt that night,” she said. However, the post reminds well-meaning loved ones that the intent of a supportive act doesn’t necessarily mean the impact will line up and, ultimately, you should check in with your loved one on how they will best feel supported. “I wore a wig so I wouldn’t have to feel like a ******* patient every time I looked in the mirror,” another ******* survivor explained in the post. “If someone (shaved their head) for me, I’d be reminded of the ******* every time I looked at them.” 5:45 New study highlights ********* men’s need for proactive health care Curator Recommendations Some Amazon Early ****** Friday deals have arrived–here are our faves The best gifts for kids (all parent-approved, too) &copy 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc. Source link #Dave #Coulier #defends #John #Stamos #bald #cap #fans #call #shallow #gesture #National Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Valuing Cava Stock Valuing Cava Stock Then, Motley Fool contributor Rick Munarriz joins Mary to check in on movie theater stocks, and to discuss what a $2.2 billion industrywide renovation plan might mean for moviegoers. Start Your Mornings Smarter! Wake up with Breakfast news in your inbox every market day. Sign Up For Free » Ever feel like you missed the boat in buying the most successful stocks? Then you’ll want to hear this. On rare occasions, our expert team of analysts issues a “Double Down” stock recommendation for companies that they think are about to pop. If you’re worried you’ve already missed your chance to invest, now is the best time to buy before it’s too late. And the numbers speak for themselves: Right now, we’re issuing “Double Down” alerts for three incredible companies, and there may not be another chance like this anytime soon. This video was recorded on Nov. 13, 2024. Mary Long: I hope you’re hungry. You’re listening to Motley Fool Money. I’m Mary Long joined live and in person today from a co-working office in Denver, Colorado, with Tim Beyers. Tim, thanks for being here with me this morning. Tim Beyers: Thanks, Mary. Fully caffeinated, ready to go. Mary Long: Fully caffeinated, ready to go. We’ve got a Thanksgiving lunch prepared for us after this, I think and to just wet our appetites even more, we’re talking about three stocks that we’ll see if we get to the third, but what we’ve got lined up for us today are three companies, all of which I know that you’re big fans of, and they’re all food-related. With that, we can get right to it. First up, we got Cava reported earnings yesterday. Earnings nearly doubled, turning out $0.15 per share in the third quarter. That’s compared to $0.06 a share a year ago. Same-store sales grew 18% during the quarter. Traffic also up nearly 13%. Company now is targeting full-year adjusted EBITA of 121-126 million. That’s adjusted pretty far up from what they previously had. Wall Street is amped about this. Stock is up over 10% this morning last I checked. Any notes, sir? Tim Beyers: It’s unbelievable. They have what I’ll key on is that 18% increase in same-store sales, which is just absolutely bonkers. For those who don’t know what that means, you are essentially taking the sales per square foot at every location, and then you’re looking at the year-over-year difference in how they are performing. Up 18% like that is just astounding. For context here, Mary, for a fairly well-established restaurant, like 5% is awesome, 18% is outrageous. It just means that the existing locations are crushing it. The menu must be doing great. People are coming in and enjoying Cava. The argument here for Cava is that this is the company that is making Mediterranean eating in the ******* States a thing. They are the concept that is taking Mediterranean mainstream. Now, whether or not you think that’s real or not, I think that’s up for debate, but the numbers suggest that’s at least part of the conversation. Mary Long: Well, it’s not just those existing stores. They’re also rolling out new stores. The company opened 11 new restaurants within the quarter, 73 new restaurants within the past year. There’s now 352 Cava restaurants around the US. Tim, I’ve done some back-of-the-napkin math here, and I want your take on it. This company’s got a market cap of about $18.3 billion. Divide that by the total number of restaurants. Each restaurant location by that is valued at about $51 million. If you do that same math for Chipotle, obviously a massive company of stock that’s done really well for investors, each of its 3,437 locations is worth about $24 million. That feels crazy to me. What needs to happen for Cava’s valuation to come back down to earth or is $51 million per location, something that’s justifiable? Tim Beyers: Well, look, I don’t think you could say that, but at this stage of its life, it is going to be priced at an outrageous premium. Right now, I don’t think you can make a really good numerical valuation argument for Cava. The work that I did on this is that the free cash flow yield, which is for those who don’t know how to calculate that, you take the free cash flow, as you’ve defined it, divide it by enterprise value, which enterprise value is market cap plus debt ****** cash. Free cash flow, divided by enterprise value gets you a percentage. The higher the percentage, the cheaper the stock is. The lower the percentage, the more expensive it is. In the case of Cava, it is 0.2%. In other words, the amount of required growth baked into Cava is outrageous. It’s a lot of assumed free cash flow growth via new restaurant openings, expanding margins. The expectations here are very high. Can they meet those expectations I think there is a case for it, but we could talk about that. I can tell, you asked what needs to happen. We could start with they need to open a lot of restaurants, and those restaurants need to be profitable per square foot pretty quick. They been able to deliver that, will they continue to? Mary Long: During the earnings call, CEO and co-founder Brett Schulman talked about Mediterranean hospitality as an increasingly powerful differentiator. He talked about our obsession with screens about how we’ve lost 24 hours a month in personal connection. For those asking, how is this relevant to Cava, here’s a quote from Brett. He goes, “At Cava, we believe technology should enhance not replace the human experience, and we’re leveraging it to create warm personal moments across our physical and digital channels and to support our team members in engaging and connecting with our guests”. As someone who enjoys going to Cava and appreciates the experience part of a restaurant, that all sounds awesome to me. As an investor, everybody’s talking about AI and efficiency and technology. How is Cava balancing those two things, technology and experience and does anything about how they’re doing that stick out to you, particularly from the investment standpoint? Tim Beyers: Well, I think it has a lot to do with the loyalty program. They want more people coming into the restaurants and eating in the restaurants. That’s a big part of the Cava story. Right now, digital ordering and, digital as a channel for revenue for Cava, like you order on the app, you go and you pick it up and you leave. That’s only about 35% of the business. We’re not talking about Wingstop. We’re not talking about Domino’s, which are close to 70%. You order on the app. They try to get you they upsell you through the app. You get some additional things. You go in, you get it, you’re gone. You go eat at home. Cava wants you in the store. But what they want to do is use the digital channel and particularly the loyalty program to get you interested in the menu and engaging with the menu. If they know, for example, you are nuts for the Pita chips, they are experimenting now with new flavors with the Pita chips and you can imagine that they will maybe make an offer or make you one of the privileged few, Mary, you love the Pita chips. Mary Long: I do. Tim Beyers: There’s only a few locations in the Denver Metro area that are going to try something entirely new. You are invited because you are a Cava loyalty member and not everybody’s going to get access to this. That’s not the same thing as a coupon. That is not the same thing as giving you bonus points so you can get more free meals. That is trying to engage you, get you to a location, get you trying something that they want to find out whether or not this new thing that they’re trying actually is going to work with some of their most loyal customers. They’re going to use this loyalty program to do something interesting that may go systemwide. We don’t know. They’re calling this first-party data. They call it a first-party data platform, meaning they’re going to take all the data they can get about what guests do when they show up at a Cava location and build experiences that are customized to every guest that walks through the door. Will that allow them to increase sales per square foot? We don’t know, but that is their hypothesis for it. This is what Schulman roughly means. He’s not talking about, look, we’re going to get a whole bunch of orders through the digital channels. He’s saying, let’s use the digital channel to help us get to know our customer better and do things to engage them differently and more deeply. If he’s right about this if the hypothesis holds, then sure, you could see more visits, more spending per square foot, and maybe some appreciation and loyalty. When you have dollars to spend on going out, maybe you’ll spend a little bit more with Cava than you did previously. Mary Long: Why does Cava want to get people into the store so much? Because I can see another type of restaurant, I would say, that leans into the Wingstop, the Domino’s approach of, hey, we can shrink down our square footage. We can push this whole thing to digital. What is the value for them in getting more people? Tim Beyers: Well, I’ll give you only one example of this because Cava does sell some of its own branded product in grocery stores. You go into a store and you’re going to buy some of their sauces. It’s a little bit like this is a terrible analogy, but I’m going to use it anyway, I think it makes sense. You go into Alta Salon. What are the every time I am not even remotely the person that buys product at the barber? But people do, you go to the barber and you walk out not just with a haircut, you walk out with some product. That happens all the time. You go into a Cava store. Will you walk in there and get a meal? Will you also walk out with some sauces and maybe something else? You might. I don’t know that that’s going to happen all the time, but there are other things you can do to enhance the amount you will spend inside the Cava store because it isn’t just a place where you get cafeteria food and you’re gone. It is a flavor mart, where you can go in and buy not just your meal, but also some things you’ll bring home to try when you’re cooking your own food. Mary Long: I’m going to take advantage of having you here today and hop us in the way back machine to a couple days ago when Toast, another favorite company of yours that you follow quite closely, reported earnings. This was last week Toast for those that don’t know is a vertically integrated restaurant software and hardware company. They had a pretty great quarter, one could say. They posted a third-quarter profit of $56 million. That’s after having had a loss of $31 million a year before. Not only that, but they raised their EBITA forecast for the year quite significantly. All of this, Tim, a time when other data, not Cava’s data, but other data would suggest that people are eating out less, feeling a bit more sensitive toward how they spend their money. How is Toast able to grow so much despite macro headwinds that, again, aren’t necessarily affecting Cava, which we just talked about, but that are hitting other parts of the restaurant industry? Tim Beyers: It’s a great question. Two things can be true. I’ve said that so many times and two things can be true here. The Fintech business, which is driven by guests going to and spending dollars with restaurants, that there was a modest sequential decline in ****** payment volume. ****** payment volume is the amount of spend at restaurants that are using Toast. It’s a very important metric for them. They make some money. This is the win-win part of the business. When Toast clients make money, guests come in, spend money at Toast restaurants. They get a piece of that and so more traffic into more Toast restaurants is good for Toast. But on a ****** payments volume per location basis, sequentially, that was down slightly. There’s your macro headwind. However, restaurateurs are spending on toast. They want it. They are signaling that they want it and the subscription revenue, which is the steady state piece of toast business, you pay a subscription fee for how much toast you use inside your restaurants. Restaurateurs are they’re taking on more toast product. They’re adding it to more locations and that does not change. That, irrespective of the macro headwinds, if restaurateurs are saying, We need more Toast, we want it in more locations, that is business that is not variable. That is steady and growing and it is growing up into the right. This has been true for Toast for a really long time that restaurateurs see the value and what they do. They bring it into their restaurants, and so they pay the subscription fee to have it. The fintech fee, which is a bit more variable and is subject to macro. That’s going to bounce around a bit. But the core business, that subscription business is going absolutely gangbusters, Mary, and it just shows no sign of slowing. Mary Long: Speaking of showing no signs of slowing, you and Tim White have a show on Motley Fool Live called This Week in Tech, and this past Friday, on that show, you said that you think Toast can bring in annualized returns of almost 19% over the next 10 years. I asked you this question earlier about another company, but I’m going to ask it again to you of Toast. What has to happen for that to be? Tim Beyers: In this case, there are two primary drivers of value for toast. It is the number of locations and the average spend per location, the average that they get, revenue per location for the restaurant clients that they serve. I think it’s fair to estimate that toast is going to grow the average spend per location from about 40,000 per location today. That’s a restaurant customer. Spends about 40,000 per location. On Toast subscription fees annually, and transaction fees, as well, about 40,000. I think they can get that to 55,000. In other words, raising it at the historic rate of inflation, about 3.3% over 10 years. I think that’s absolutely possible, very reasonable, 127,000 locations today. I think they can triple that. I think they can get to 350,000 locations pretty easily. That’s not quite a triple. It’s a little bit less than that. I think they can do that without too much problem. If I’m right about that, that gets you to that number. It might come a little bit short, depends on how much dilution there is in the stock price, but I think that is very reasonable because, again, the amount of uptake of Toast in locations that are here in the ******* States, it has been accelerating, not decelerating. In the most recent quarter, added about 7,000 locations. Same quarter a year ago added about 6,000 locations. I’ll give you one other super quick story here. Tim and I were co working yesterday in downtown Littleton. We went into a small coffee shop. They had a non-toast point of ***** system and I just happened to ask, it was called SpotOn, I think. This is interesting. What is this, and do you like it? The person behind the counter unprompted said, “That’s not bad. It works with the backend operations of places like ours, but it’s not as good as toast.” I never mentioned toast. I didn’t say anything about it. I said, toast is a lot better. I like it a lot more. But this thing is OK. That is the thing. Look, it’s completely unscientific, but I love hearing that, and that happens all the time, unprompted. What do you think? I think toast is great. When you have somebody whose experienced, is using the product day to day, and they are an advocate for it, your cost to acquire new revenue goes down substantially, the amount of free cash flow you can generate goes up substantially, and you become a very interesting investment for the long-term. Mary Long: New locations seems to be the key for not just Cava, but also for toast, two very different businesses that play in similar hungry spaces. Tim Beyers, thanks so much for joining me today. I think we’ve got a thanksgiving meal prepped for us, so we should go eat. Tim Beyers: We need to eat. Thanks, Mary. Mary Long: A lot more may soon be coming to movie theaters near you. Up next, Fool contributor Rick Munarriz joins me for a look at what a new renovation budget might mean for movie theater stocks. MALE_1: Turning an idea into a small business doesn’t happen by accident. You need to be all in. At Constant Contact, we have the digital marketing tools you need to get the word out, close the *****, raise the funds, and gather a community around this thing you’ve built. Let’s do this together. Let’s send this, share this and shout this from the rooftops. Let’s segment this, automate this and AI this for real results fast. Let’s get out of this what we put into this. Let’s build this. Let’s grow this. Let’s win this. Get started today at constantcontact.com. Mary Long: Rick, earlier this fall, the other NATO, that is the National Association of Theater Owners, announced a $2.2 billion renovation plan that’s set to revamp a bunch of different parts of the theater experience from snacks to seating. There are eight large chains that are really behind this deal. We’re going to talk about three of them later on in the show, but basically, this plan will impact nearly 70% of theaters in North America, and it’s going to roll out over the course of three years. What returns can movie goers, people like you and I expect to get out of this $2.2 billion investment? Rick Munarriz: The product is technically they’re already getting better over time. Since the pandemic, we’ve seen reserve seating, mobile ordering, all these things that make the experience more friction free and enjoyable, have popped up across the major chains. Enhanced concession stand offerings. That makes sense for the exhibit and also for the customer to have more variety of what they can get. This NATO that we’re talking about here is basically the eighth largest theater chains, so it’s basically practically two thirds of the market. I’m just hoping that the $2.2 billion isn’t just going to reclining seats or flavored popcorn or premium S’mores Milkshakes, or anything like that. It’s going to go to improving projection systems, sound systems. The announcers also mentioned a bowling, arcades, and other leisure offerings, which I think makes sense to movie theater, but it’s great to have a place where you can go to even when there’s not a movie you want to see out there. The industry, it has come back from the initial pandemic slump, and it’s time to invest in keeping it that way, and I think this is a smart move right now. Mary Long: This is kicking things back to last summer with the Barbenheimer release. But around that, you had so many people talking about, what it’s experiences that get people to the movies. Exactly what you just mentioned, whether it’s a bowling alley or something else, that’s an experience that’s different than the Barbenheimer variety, but could also certainly serve too, to get people back in in-person in theaters. During COVID, this will come as no surprise to most listeners. Movie theater tickets sales sharply plummeted. In 2019, the average person was buying a little less than four tickets a year. In 2020, that number sank to less than 1.7 tickets per person per year to be exact. It’s up since then, but it’s still far below those pre pandemic levels. Do you think that these renovations that you just mentioned, updating the sound systems, the screen systems, etc. Is that enough to bring people back to the movies? Rick Munarriz: No one goes to ******* Stadium or Dodger Stadium because the seats are comfortable or the projections are nice. They led the Major League Baseball in attendance this year because they’re the winners. They went to the World Series, sorry. But content matters is what I’m saying. Same thing with baseball, same thing with entertainment. When Wicked or Moana 2 hit Sears later this month, folks are going to go even if they have to sit in a lightly padded bleacher seat or a bed of nails. Unfortunately, the theater chains themselves can’t control the quality of the films or even the pipeline of how quickly they’re made. Movie theaters also can’t control studios that make these movies wanting to stream their movies sooner even though they have tried to negotiate longer release windows. I think what they can’t control and what still matters, it’s not necessarily renovation, but innovation. I like what some companies are doing. Like Cinemark is doing with their D-BOX seats. These are motion sensitive seats. That this has historically been a hockey flash in the pan, gimmicky thing. But with D-BOX, they have control, so you can actually control the intensity of the experience you’re experiencing, or shut it off completely because they are really nice padded seats to begin with and more importantly, you can just put a couple of these in each theater screen. You don’t necessarily have that the entire theater have this one platform, which sabotaged previous efforts on that. I do think there will be renovation, but I’m more excited about the innovation that’s going to happen. Mary Long: We’re going to turn the spotlight onto a couple of different specific movie theater stocks. But before we get there, how loyal are movie goers to a particular theater chain? Is convenience and location the name of the game here? Are most folks going to just go to the theater that has the most convenient time for the movie that they want to see and is closest to them or are really loyal theater goers saying, no, I exclusively go to Cinemark screens, for instance? Rick Munarriz: I think your first scenario may have been true about five, 10 years ago, but I think things are different now. I know this is going to be controversial, but I think MoviePass was the best thing that ever happened to theater operators. It made theaters disrupt themselves. When MoviePass eventually went belly up and came back in this half-hearted effort that’s probably going to fail again. You had these companies come up and say, let’s do it ourselves. Regal Unlimited, AMC Stubs, A-List. These are monthly subscription plans where you can see almost as many movies as you want in a month, but basically the price of two individual admissions. Cinemark and Marcus, they have a lightly little more restrictive movie clubs, as they call them. But it’s still got anchoring you to that silver screen outing to a single brand, and I think that’s what people are doing. They’re signing up for these plans, and they’re saying, this is going to make a lot more sense. I think it is a lot more effective than the loyalty rewards programs that they have been in place for ages, the fact that they have these subscriptions where you’re no longer looking at the other theaters. You’re saying, I’m a member of this AMC brand, I’m a member of this Regal Unlimited. That’s the theater I’m going to go to. I’ll work my schedule around the times that it’s showing the movie and with so many screens, odds are they’re showing the movie you want to see, if it’s a big movie about every 30, 40 minutes. Let’s turn and focus on Cinemark, specifically for a second. Of the companies that we’re going to look at today, this is the largest one by market cap. It’s worth about $3.8 billion. They reported third quarter earnings at the end of October, saw record high revenue for that *******, about $922 million. That’s up 5% year over year, and up 12% from the third quarter of 2019. Operating margin nearly 18%, which is a big improvement from the 7% that they saw in that same quarter pre-COVID. What has the key to Cinemark’s seemingly successful turn around been? I think the key is simple. Again, big movies are now back in the theaters. Back in the pandemic, you mentioned like 2020, no one was going to the theaters. When Tenet came out, I said, well, I’m not going to miss this movie. Even then, I was maybe 12 people at a theater that would have been jam packed. That movie came out a year or two earlier or a year or two later. Studios are now putting out the big movies. You’re seeing this come out, you have a third Avatar movie coming out next year. Obviously, you have a big Lion King sequel and other movies coming out just before the end of this year. All these things are happening right now, and Cinemark has done what some of its competition has. Unlike Regal that basically went through bankruptcy reorganization or AMC that just went lavished on all these other projects. Cinemark has basically been sticking to its netting , make sure it’s operationally more effective, taking advantage of the fact that people are hungry for movies, willing to pay more for concessions, and it’s all paying off on the bottom line and the top line. Mary Long: Pre-COVID, Cinemark used to have a dividend. They paused that during the pandemic. What would you like to see happen before Cinemark reinstates that dividend? Rick Munarriz: Dividends, they’re cool again. Now with interest rates heading lower, it’s attractive to have a little yield that may be competitive with a short-term, fixed income that you can get elsewhere. Royal Caribbean, Disney, these are some of the companies that have brought back their dividends this year for the first time since pandemic. Cinemark’s long-term debt right now is basically back down to where it was in 2019, and its profitability is actually higher. I’ve seen enough. I think this is a good time for it to bring back its dividend. If it doesn’t, I think maybe they’re just looking at maybe a potential acquisition or two that maybe their money is better spent that way. I think that they know what they’re doing. When they don’t announce a dividend, it’s because it’s the best use of their money. Mary Long: A company that plays in this theater space, but also plays in different segments as well is Marcus. They’re a bit unique out of the companies that we’re looking at today because, again, they’re not just a theater company. They also have a hotel portfolio. Does that diversification make Marcus a more compelling investment opportunity than its other publicly traded competitors? Rick Munarriz: I’m not so sure about that. Again, to me, the movie theaters at Marcus are still 63% of the revenue it was last year, and multiplex incessions is its highest margin segment. If you’re investing in Marcus, the hotels are nice, but you better believe in Tinseltown, if you’re buying in Marcus. It does diversify the business in an interesting manner, but it also opens Marcus up more to the economic cycle. If money’s tight, you’re still going to go see that movie you’ve been dying to see for weeks at the local theater. But you’re probably going to scale back and cancel that weekend getaway. Corporate travel and related lodging is also going to take a hit in a recession. This isn’t monopoly where you need hotels to win the game. Mary Long: Another thing that separates Marcus apart is that, unlike a lot of its peers, this company owns a lot of the underlying real estate for the majority of its theaters. If this is an advantage, why is Marcus unique among its cohorts in following this path? Rick Munarriz: It’s probably for the same reason why a lot of us rent instead of owning our own homes and properties and apartments. It’s cheaper in the near term. When you’re a chain looking to expand as quickly and as cheaply as possible, especially in the scalable business, it’s what works. Marcus is essentially a real estate company. The others are in the movie business. One last point on this is that movie theater chains, they need foot traffic, and you’ll often find that these theater chains happen to be in shopping malls or strip malls that are owned by landlords where you have to pay if you want to play movies. Mary Long: We can’t talk about movie theaters without talking about AMC. This is the biggest theater company by footprint, and yet it posted a net loss of nearly $21 million for the quarter. By comparison, Cinemark and Marcus, which we talked about earlier on were both profitable over the same quarter. What’s going on? Rick Munarriz: AMC, they have great ideas, but unfortunately lousy **********. AMC Stub A-list, it’s the best of the movie subscription plans. It’s the only brand that could get away with selling its popcorn pre-packaged in retail stores the way it did a couple of quarters ago. It’s the only movie theater in chain that gets lampooned in SNL. However, its share count has been exploding. Cinemark’s share count in the last five years has grown by 32%, Marcus just 2%. For AMC, it’s exploded 24 fold since 2019, and that’s adjusted for the reverse split it did. It’s insane. This doesn’t explain the net loss, but again, it gets divided into so many shares, but there’s an arrogance to the shareholder dilution here that reflects in a lack of cost controls and prioritizing spending initiatives. I’m not sure Nicole Kibbin walking into an empty movie theater is as strong a selling point as AMC thinks it is. Mary Long: Are you buying any of these companies? Or are there other entertainment plays out there that you like a bit more than Marcus, Cinemark, AMC, or other movie theater plays that we haven’t talked about today? Rick Munarriz: I don’t own any of the theaters right now. Cinemark is the one that I find the most interesting of the ones we’ve talked about today. It’s making smart moves, and it’s trading at a forwards earnings multiple in the mid-teens, very attractive on that front, and the dividend is going to come back if that matters for you. One related, the most theater adjacent movie stock that I like is IMAX. To me, IMAX is a company. It’s more expensive, trading at higher multiples than Cinemark, but this is a company that cashes in on the one part of the movie business that’s actually working right now. If you’re probably familiar with IMAX, you go into theater, you pay a premium to see an IMAX screening of this movie that’s supersize screen, supersize sound with sometimes additional footage shot for these IMAX screenings from these directors that love IMAX. Right now, if you’re going to a movie theater, you’re going to be that’s a big action movie, big superhero movie, big horror movie, big animated film for kids. You’re not going to see the Indie film on IMAX. Again, if you’re putting out Indie films, you’re probably not distributing through theaters effectively now because those are the movies that people are willing to wait to watch at home two or three months later. I really like IMAX here. Mary Long: Rick, we’re recording this in early November. We’re heading into what some might consider peak movie season. Are there any movies on the slate, like the release slate this fall/winter that you are especially excited to go see in theaters? Rick Munarriz: There’s a lot of big movies coming out. Obviously, Wicked. Just by the end of this month, you’ll have the screen adaptation of the Wicked Musical getting a lot of hype. Moana 2 is also coming out right before Thanksgiving week after Wicked, and that movie is as far as Disney goes, it’s their highest, the most views that they’ve have seen for a trailer that they put out within 24 hours of putting out. There’s a lot of anticipation for that movie. Gladiator 2. In December, you have Mufasa, another Lion King entry. There’s going to be a lot of exciting big movies coming out. Again, there’s a lot of movies coming out, obvious studios are comfortable and they trust the movie theaters to amplify their voice in the future. I’m excited. There’s a lot of great movies. I’ll be in theater a lot. I live two blocks from an AMC, so I will be there for many of these films I just mentioned. Mary Long: There we go. Making good use of your loyalty pass. Rick, thanks so much for chatting with me today and for giving us some insight into what the movie theater industry looks like now and could look like in the years to come. As always, people on the program may have interest in the stocks they talk about, and the Motley Fool may have formal recommendations for or against, so don’t buy or sell stocks based solely on what you hear. All personal finance content follows Motley Fool editorial standards and are not approved by advertisers. The Motley Fool only picks products that it would personally recommend to friends like you. I’m Mary Long. Thanks for listening. We’ll see you tomorrow. Mary Long has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Rick Munarriz has positions in Royal Caribbean Cruises, Toast, and Walt Disney. Tim Beyers has positions in Chipotle ******** Grill, Toast, and Walt Disney. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Chipotle ******** Grill, Domino’s Pizza, Toast, and Walt Disney. The Motley Fool recommends Cava Group and Wingstop and recommends the following options: short December 2024 $54 puts on Chipotle ******** Grill. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Valuing Cava Stock was originally published by The Motley Fool Source link #Valuing #Cava #Stock Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

As bird flu spread continues, why the recent jump to pigs raises worries – National As bird flu spread continues, why the recent jump to pigs raises worries – National Bird flu has spread far and wide, infecting a range of species like chickens, skunks, cows, foxes and polar bears and renewing questions about what level of risk it poses to people as a B.C. teenager ******** in critical condition in hospital after being infected. But it’s the recent jump to pigs that has experts on high alert, as swine offer the perfect conditions for the virus to mutate, making it a potential threat to human health. Last month, ******* States health officials reported the first case of avian influenza A(H5N1) in a pig on a backyard farm in Oregon, marking the first time the virus had been detected in pigs in the country. Days later, officials confirmed a second pig on the farm had also tested positive. “With every species it jumps to, it elevates the risk,” said Kerry Bowman, a professor of bioethics and global health at the University of Toronto. “But pigs are particularly worrisome species. The risk has risen yet again.” Story continues below advertisement Pigs represent a particular concern for the spread of bird flu because they can become co-infected with bird and human viruses, which could swap genes to form a new, more dangerous virus that can more easily infect humans. “Pigs can work as a mixing vessel, as they can have both bird flu and human flu simultaneously. And these things could recombine,” Bowman said, adding that this could result in the emergence of a new influenza A virus with different properties. These “mixing vessel” events have happened in pigs in the past; it is believed to have caused the 2009 influenza A(H1N1) pandemic, Bowman said. Currently, the risk of bird flu ******** low, but Bowman said every time the virus jumps to a new species, it raises the risk. 2:12 H5N1 avian influenza: B.C. reports 1st suspected human case of bird flu Earlier this month, British Columbia health officials announced the first case of a human avian flu infection acquired in Canada, with the teenage patient still in critical condition in hospital. It is still not known how the teenager was exposed, but the strain is related to viruses found in flocks in an outbreak at B.C. poultry farms. Story continues below advertisement Most recently, the U.S. Centers for ******** Control and Prevention (CDC) on Nov. 15 confirmed a highly pathogenic form of bird flu in a person in Oregon. The infected person is linked to a previous outbreak tied to a commercial poultry operation in the state, where the virus has been confirmed in 150,000 birds. And on Monday, U.S. health officials confirmed the presence of bird flu in Hawaii, the first case of the virus in a domestic flock in the state since the current outbreak began in 2022. Human infection with avian influenza is rare and usually occurs after close contact with infected birds, other infected animals or highly contaminated environments. Get weekly health news Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday. But that could change rapidly if the avian virus finds a suitable host in which to mutate, Bowman warned. Commercial pig farming is the real worry Because the virus was detected in a backyard pig, it doesn’t pose a significant threat at the moment, but the real concern ***** with its potential spread in commercial pig farms, Bowman said. Story continues below advertisement “Industrial livestock is a nightmare; animals are kept in incredibly tight conditions. So it would spread very quickly in a commercial endeavour. And the other thing that goes on with commercial farming is pigs are moved around and sold, so there’s more cause of spread there,” he said. Levon Abrahamyan, a virologist at the University of Montreal, echoed Bowman’s worries. “Fortunately it was not a commercial pig farm,” he said. “The pig was probably infected by a wild bird. The risk is low at this moment.” He explained that it would be very concerning if a large pig farm were found to be infected with avian influenza. In that case, every effort should be made to localize the outbreak and eliminate the virus to prevent further spread. Abrahamyan said it’s usually difficult for avian flu to jump from birds to humans or from pigs to humans. 1:59 Avian Flu spreads to cows, raising concerns about cross-species transmission This is because viruses have surface proteins (a key) that must match specific receptors on the surface of host cells (the lock) to enter and infect the cell. Story continues below advertisement If the virus’s key doesn’t fit the cell’s lock, it can’t infect the cell, Abrahamyan said. In the case of avian and pig flu strains, when two different strains (from birds and pigs) infect the same host, their genetic material can mix, he explained. This can create a new virus with a combination of “keys” that might fit locks on human cells more effectively. “And that can be a dramatic change, and then the human immune system is not ready for that type of change,” he added. This is exactly what happened in 2009, during the H1N1 pandemic, also known as the “swine flu.” In this case, Abrahamyan said there was genetic mixing from human, bird and pig viruses. The pigs acted as mixing vessels, leading to the creation of a new subtype that could infect humans, and created a global pandemic. Trending Now These Canada-U.S. border crossing hours are changing next year. Here’s why These were Canada’s top 10 stolen vehicles in 2023 How to prevent a pandemic There has been no evidence of person-to-person spread of bird flu so far. But if that were to happen, the ingredients for a potential pandemic could be there, scientists have said. Story continues below advertisement Bowman said he’s concerned that Canada is not doing enough in terms of testing and surveillance. “Bird flu is not going away and it’s going to keep spreading in more species,” Bowman said. “If we look at this within Canada, a lot of species have bird flu now, a lot of our wildlife has it and domestic species and wild birds … and with every species this elevates.” He stressed the need for more surveillance and timely testing and reporting. The ********* Food Inspection Agency has also been testing milk for signs of H5N1 in dairy cows. There has not yet been any indication of the virus in ********* cows, but bird flu has plagued many herds in the ******* States. 1:53 What risk do zoonotic ********* pose? The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) does wastewater testing for seasonal flu in several cities and towns across the country, including Toronto. But it doesn’t check specifically for H5N1 bird flu because it’s “not possible to differentiate positive wastewater signals that are due to wildlife versus human or livestock sources,” the agency told The ********* Press in an email. Story continues below advertisement “We also need incentives for people working with livestock, as many may not want to report it because they don’t want to deal with the problem. So we need more reporting and we need more surveillance,” Bowman said. Concerns about the availability of bird flu vaccines are also growing, experts say. Currently, there is no avian influenza vaccine available for public use in Canada, though there are some available globally. Angela Rasmussen, a virologist at the University of Saskatchewan’s Vaccine and Infectious ******** Organization (VIDO), told The ********* Press that Canada should consider stockpiling H5N1 vaccines, similar to the U.S., rather than relying on agreements with manufacturers to supply them on demand. 2:22 Health Matters: U.S. to pay Moderna $176M to develop bird flu vaccine This is because deploying an H5N1 vaccine under existing contracts could take three to six months. Story continues below advertisement However, PHAC stated in an email to The ********* Press that it is not stockpiling H5N1 vaccines due to their limited shelf life, is only up to two years. In an email to Global News in July, PHAC stated it has “proactively met with pandemic influenza vaccine suppliers (e.g., GSK, Seqirus and Sanofi) with whom we have an agreement for domestic or off-shore vaccine manufacturing to discuss pandemic influenza vaccine preparedness activities in order to inform steps that could be taken against avian influenza.” –With files from Reuters and The ********* Press More on Health More videos Source link #bird #flu #spread #continues #jump #pigs #raises #worries #National Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Squid Game for your phone arrives on December 17 Squid Game for your phone arrives on December 17 We know that there’s been a Squid Game-inspired in the works since July. Now, Netflix is announcing Squid Game: Unleashed and dropping a trailer on YouTube. The game will be available on Netflix starting December 17. The multiplayer party royale (think Mario Party) will be available for everyone with a Netflix subscription, and you can now to get an exclusive skin when the game launches. The game’s cartoony art style may be eye-catching, but the gameplay will be violent. Fortunately, it’s not excessive, and there doesn’t seem to be any blood. While Netflix has made mobile spinoff titles based on famous franchises or exclusive shows for years now, it did try to branch out into . Sadly, it shut down its AAA studio, Team Blue, last month. Whether the streaming giant still has ambitions for ******* games ******** to be seen. You can play Squid Game: Unleashed on Android and iOS after logging in with your Netflix account credentials. If you’re interested in more Netflix games, is a great one. It’s a beautiful puzzle game and can be enjoyed without playing the previous two titles in the series. We also have a list of our favorite if these two aren’t enough. These include popular dungeon crawler roguelike Hades, GTA San Andreas and Terra Nil, a peaceful strategy game. Source link #Squid #Game #phone #arrives #December Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Microsoft calls Recall one of its most ‘secure experiences’ Microsoft calls Recall one of its most ‘secure experiences’ Microsoft As part of its Ignite 2024 announcements, Microsoft has provided an update on how its AI-powered Recall feature will work in the context of an IT department. Noting that the company has “heard your feedback,” specifically in terms of it needing it to be more “secure and controllable,” Microsoft claims to have gotten its ducks in a row for the launch of its controversial new Windows 11 feature. Microsoft says that Recall “will ship with meaningful security enhancements, including additional layers of data encryption and Windows Hello protection, making it one of the most secure experiences we have ever built.” Whether or not this will be enough to satisfy the security community, however, is still to be determined. There’s been a concerted effort on Microsoft’s part to retool the feature to ensure better security, and the company is certainly taking its time. Recall was initially scheduled to be released for testing in June. The delay moved it back to October, and the latest update has moved it back to December. That still doesn’t indicate when a wider rollout to Copilot+ PCs will take place, though. Importantly, Microsoft restates that Recall will be disabled by default, but also that IT will need to manually enable it before making it available to employees. The feature has gone from being the flagship AI feature in Windows to being turned off by default — to now even being hidden entirely. Keeping it out of the hands of employees is certainly one way of ensuring that it’s safe. But hiding it from employees is essential for IT administrators to be able to do, especially in highly controlled or sensitive environments where PCs are used. Billed as giving your PC “photographic memory,” Recall was always going to be seen as highly suspect in the IT world. That’s especially true since Recall can’t, in fact, be uninstalled entirely. Microsoft The saga started earlier this year at Build 2024, where Recall was announced it as the flagship feature underpinning its new Copilot+ PC push. It was the primary way of selling the industry on the need for local AI processing in the form of the neural processing unit (NPU), so it’s crucial for Microsoft to gain back trust on this feature after its initial fumble. This is especially true with the rollout of Apple Intelligence on its heels. In addition to updates on Recall, Microsoft has also highlighted two other previously -announced AI features coming to Windows: Click To Do and Improved Windows Search. Click To Do uses the same technology as Recall to allow AI to see and interact with the apps on-screen, while Improved Windows Search uses AI to bring natural language searches across Windows. This includes both local and cloud files, as well as the Windows search box and Settings. None of these AI features are available just yet, so we’ll still have to wait through the coming months to try them out. Source link #Microsoft #calls #Recall #secure #experiences Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Walmart says new Trump tariffs could raise prices Walmart says new Trump tariffs could raise prices A Walmart store in Martinez, California, US, on Monday, Nov. 18, 2024. Walmart Inc. is scheduled to release earnings figures on November 19. David Paul Morris | Bloomberg | Getty Images Walmart’s CFO John David Rainey said the retailer could have to raise prices on some items if President-elect Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs take effect. “We never want to raise prices,” he said in an interview with CNBC on Tuesday. “Our model is everyday low prices. But there probably will be cases where prices will go up for consumers.” Rainey added that it’s too soon to say which products could cost more due to the tariffs. Walmart’s CFO weighed in on the potential policy change as the largest U.S. retailer beat Wall Street’s earnings and sales expectations and hiked its full-year forecast. Lowe’s also addressed the risk posed by the tariff proposal as the home improvement company reported earnings on Tuesday. Walmart’s and Lowe’s comments are the latest warnings from U.S. retail leaders about the potential blowback from from the duties. During Trump’s presidential campaign, he said he would impose a 10% to 20% tariff on all imports, including levies as high as 60% to 100% for goods from China. On an earnings call, Lowe’s CFO Brandon Sink said about 40% of the company’s cost of goods sold comes from outside of the U.S., including direct imports and merchandise from national brands. He said tariffs “certainly would add product costs,” but added “timing and details remain uncertain at this point.” In an interview with CNBC, CEO Marvin Ellison said like other consumer-facing brands and retailers, Lowe’s is concerned about the risk of higher costs. He said it’s already having conversations with suppliers about the “what ifs of tariffs,” as it waits to see what Trump’s policy change will ultimately look like. “We’re not waiting to act,” he said. “We’ve got plans in place. We’ve got scenarios in place, and we’re trying to understand the implications.” The two companies are not the only major retail stakeholders raising concerns. In a statement earlier this month, National Retail Federation CEO Matthew Shay described across-the-board tariffs as “a tax on ********* families.” He said it “will drive inflation and price increases and will result in job losses.” The prospect of increased prices comes as inflation has moderated in the U.S., after years of stretching consumers’ wallets. Other retailers and brands have also spoken out about the potential drawbacks of the tariffs. E.l.f. Beauty CEO Tarang Amin told CNBC in an interview earlier this month that the company could be forced to raise prices if the higher duties take effect. Footwear maker Steve Madden said it will reduce the goods it imports from China by as much as 45% over the next year to try to avoid the financial impact. The majority of goods Walmart sells are not at risk of tariffs. Rainey said about two-thirds of the items that Walmart sells are made, grown or assembled in the U.S. Like other companies, Walmart has tried to import from different parts of the world rather than rely heavily on China or any one country, he said. Rainey added that levies placed during Trump’s first administration already caused the company to adjust. “We’ve been living under a tariff environment for seven years, so we’re pretty familiar with that,” he said. “Tariffs, though, are inflationary for customers, so we want to work with suppliers and with our own private brand assortment to try to bring down prices.” — CNBC’s Gabrielle Fonrouge contributed to this report. Source link #Walmart #Trump #tariffs #raise #prices Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Star Wars 7-Game Nintendo Switch Collection Gets Big Discount For ****** Friday Star Wars 7-Game Nintendo Switch Collection Gets Big Discount For ****** Friday If you love Star Wars and own a Nintendo Switch, you’ll want to check out the ****** Friday 2024 deal on Star Wars: Heritage Pack. This rarely discounted collection of Star Wars games is on ***** for $40 at Amazon and Best Buy. The offer is featured in Best Buy’s official ****** Friday *****, and Amazon is matching it. Star Wars: Heritage Pack comes with seven classic Star Wars games, including the Jedi Knight and Knights of the Old Republic series. The $20 discount matches the best deal yet, which we last saw on Star Wars Day in May. Star Wars fans should also check out the ****** Friday deal on the Luke Skywalker’s Landspeeder Lego set, which is part of the premium Star Wars Ultimate Collector Series, at Amazon and Walmart. $40 (was $60) The physical edition of Star Wars: Heritage Pack typically sells for $60. Oddly enough, the digital version of the Star Wars: Heritage Pack still goes for $80 on the Switch eShop. In comparison, the physical edition was already a bargain at full price, but now you’re getting a 50% discount over the digital edition. Star Wars: Heritage collection pulls together seven classic Star Wars games: Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast Star Wars Episode I Racer Star Wars Republic Commando Star Wars: The Force Unleashed Knights of the Old Republic (Downloadable) Knights of the Old Republic 2 (Downloadable) While the first five games are playable directly off the Switch cartridge, both Knights of the Old Republic are digital versions that need to be downloaded from the eShop–so make sure you have a good internet connection and a bit of space on your microSD card. Combined, the two KOTOR games clock in just shy of 30GB. If you need to expand your storage, microSD cards are pretty at Amazon and Best Buy ahead of ****** Friday 2024. Here are our favorite SanDisk and Samsung deals: SanDisk microSD Deals: For more gaming and tech deals, check out GameSpot’s ****** Friday hub. More Gaming, Tech, and Entertainment Deals & Preorders Source link #Star #Wars #7Game #Nintendo #Switch #Collection #Big #Discount #****** #Friday Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Raspberry Pi 5 RAM-doubling upgrade demoed — going from 4GB to 8GB with the wave of a soldering iron Raspberry Pi 5 RAM-doubling upgrade demoed — going from 4GB to 8GB with the wave of a soldering iron An electronics upgrade and repair wizard has demonstrated how to boost the Raspberry Pi 5’s RAM quota. MadEDoctor shared a brief video on YouTube where they removed the 4GB RAM chip from a Raspberry Pi 5 and soldered on an 8GB alternative, commonly used on the older Raspberry Pi 4. No esoteric tools were used during the process, just a good quality soldering iron and hot air rework station, as you can find among our Best Soldering Irons and Stations 2024 page. Is it possible to upgrade the RAM on the Raspberry Pi 5? – YouTube Watch On The Raspberry Pi 5 and the 4 before it, both had multiple RAM options. Ranging from 1GB to 8GB (although we are yet to see a Pi 5 1GB, but there is a 2GB model), both boards just need a RAM chip to be swapped out in order to get the extra memory. The amount of RAM installed on a Raspberry Pi 5 is identified thanks to a 0 Ohm resistor soldered to the board. For the Raspberry Pi 4, we have to do a little detective work. The Pi 5’s LPDDR4X memory “is just a little bit faster than LPDDR4 memory” used on the Pi 4, according to the good ‘doctor.’ With no other material difference, it can be used for upgrades instead of the currently hard-to-source LPDDR4X ICs the Pi 5 uses. However, official specs suggest there is quite a notable difference in RAM speeds, upgrading from 3,200 to 4,267 MT/s using the newer LPDDR4X. MadEDoctor kicked off his RAM upgrade demo by hooking up a new Raspberry Pi 5 4GB to confirm it was operating flawlessly, fresh from the retail box. the 4GB model is the sweet spot for price versus performance. Although, the 2GB model does use the latest revision of the BCM2712, the D0. This cost-optimized version removes all of the non-Raspberry Pi specific logic and still provides a great overall experience. Interestingly, during the initial survey of the Pi 5 PCB, MadEDoctor informs viewers that the resistor showing the memory quota is there for visual effect only – moving it has no effect on the RAM recognized. This would be proved to be the case at the end of the video. So no free RAM upgrades by desoldering the 0 Ohm resistor! Getting on with the physical RAM chip removal task, the doctor’s advice seems to be that 410 degrees Celsius with 90% airflow is the sweet spot for a hot air workstation. Nearby heat-sensitive components were shielded by Kapton tape, by placing other inert hot air-blocking objects on or over them, or by temporary removal. We loved the use of a large washer to act as a weight and makeshift heatsink. Once the old BGA (Ball Grid Array) memory chip was removed, MadEDoctor got to work cleaning off the exposed pads using a soldering iron, flux, and solder braid. The goal was to leave the pads on the PCB as flat and clean as possible. Get Tom’s Hardware’s best news and in-depth reviews, straight to your inbox. Now, the PCB was ready for a fresh squirt of flux and installation of the replacement RAM chip. MadEDoctor set the hot air station to 370 degrees Celsius and 70% airflow to solder the new IC in place – frequently push-testing the IC to see when its solder ****** had joined up with the corresponding pads thanks to cohesive surface tension. (Image credit: MadEDoctor) With the job hardware mod done, any heat-sensitive parts of the PCB that had been removed out of caution were put back, and the new RAM quota and its functionality were confirmed by booting the Pi 5 and using software tools. If the above process sounds a little familiar, then you may remember the good doctor’s previous work in upgrading the Pi4 from 4 to 8GB of RAM. MadEDoctor also tried to fit 16GB memory on the Pi4, but with less success, as some apps/OSes didn’t recognize the expanded memory correctly. Source link #Raspberry #RAMdoubling #upgrade #demoed #4GB #8GB #wave #soldering #iron Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Gold Gains Ground: How to Strategize for Long-Term Gains Gold Gains Ground: How to Strategize for Long-Term Gains The allure of is timeless, and the goal of every investor should of course be… to eagerly get more of it. According to State Street (NYSE:) and Investopedia, investors in the West are doing so aggressively, and 54% of these investors prefer investing in physical gold bullion rather than ETFs, futures, etc. The short-term cash gold price chart. As gold traded near $2800, I urged both gamblers and investors to prepare to buy gold at $2550-$2530, and gold promptly dipped into that zone. The price has bounced nicely. It’s already up almost $100/oz from our buy! On this short-term chart some congestion is apparent at $2630-$2690. A look at the daily chart. Gamblers can book light profits now. Investors should be prepared for a double bottom “********” scenario. Investing in gold (and anything, really) is more about preparation than price prediction. Most of what happens in markets is a surprise to investors, so prep for surprise is the obvious first order of business… and of survival. The weekly close price chart clearly illustrates the zones where gold bugs need to prepare to buy with the largest amount of fiat capital. The $2550-$2530 area was (and still is) a buy zone, but the congestion zone at $2450-$2300 is much *******, and “bigness” needs to be respected. The concerning US stock market chart. An ominous head and shoulders top pattern has appeared on the advance/decline line for the Dow. This is the first “****** in the armour” of the seemingly endless rally for the Dow and its risky SP500 and Nasdaq compatriots. It’s possible that Team Trump makes America great… but it’s also possible (and arguably probable) that they make inflation “great” too. The key US rates chart. While investors need to be prepared to buy more gold in the important $2450-$2300 zone, a near-imminent collapse in US interest rates could be related to a collapse in the stock market and a rush into gold. Money has poured into America in anticipation of a Trump victory, and that’s created upwards pressure on the , and on rates. Basis the Shiller/Cape ratio, the stock market was only moderately overvalued when Trump got elected in 2016, and it was breaking out of a very bullish inverse H&S pattern. Now? Now it looks like wax-winged Icarus, flying far too close to the sun! Ironically, Trump called the stock market overvalued in 2016… but says little to nothing about the situation now. This is a time for the government to prepare investors for a major ******, but instead all the US “Gmen” have their party hats on. It’s unlikely to end well. All the good Trump-oriented news is in now, and the only dollar-positive news in the pipeline would be safe-haven buying in the event of a vicious Russian government *******, in response to Biden’s “launch long-range missiles into Russia” scheme… But even that safe haven buying of US fiat would be dramatically overwhelmed by panic buying of gold! A daily focus on the big picture is critical for investors as inflation, recession, the 2021-2025 war cycle, a wildly overvalued stock market, debt ceiling horror, and empire transition dominate the investing landscape. I cover this big picture 5-6 times a week in my flagship Galactic Updates newsletter. At $199/year, investors feel the price is too low, but I’m offering a $179/15mths “special offer” that investors can use to get in on the winning action and meticulous analysis. What about ? Silver bugs have a developing H&S top situation to contend with, but silver follows gold. If rates and the dollar roll over in response to a tumbling stock market, it’s likely that gold surges to a fresh all-time high. Silver would follow the metals market leader and likely trade near or even above its own high in the $50 area. This long-term chart reveals a much more bullish posture for silver than the daily does. The $35 area was a congestion zone in the bull runs of both 2011 and in 1980. A pause was expected and it’s in play now. The weekly chart for GDX (NYSE:) targets a move to $60, and the current pullback is also expected and normal. Investors need to brace for the potential double bottom emotional ******** scenario, but the great news is that if it plays out, the weekly chart oscillators would likely become nicely oversold, almost guaranteeing the next move would be a beautiful upside breakout and fast surge to $60! Source link #Gold #Gains #Ground #Strategize #LongTerm #Gains Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Socrates, the Founder of Western Philosophy Socrates, the Founder of Western Philosophy The ****** of Socrates by Jacques-Louis David. Public Domain Socrates is the most important exponent of Western philosophy, with his ideas forming a continuum from Ancient Greece to today’s Western thought. It has been said of Socrates that he “brought philosophy down from the stars to the earth,” because, thanks to his own personality, philosophers ceased to deal with natural phenomena and began to deal with man and society. In fact, many philosophers before Socrates dealt with political problems, while Democritus grappled with ethical issues. However, it was Socrates who advanced these issues by applying philosophical thinking to them. The reason that Socratic interests marked the history of philosophy is found in the Socratic way of thinking itself, in the fact that Socrates was not interested in the right way of living and action, either personally or socially. Contrary to philosophers before him, Socrates sought the principle of every moral concept, which is not influenced by historical and social conditions nor by individual perception. In other words, he sought the absolute and rejected the relative; he studied the essence of morality and disregarded outward moral issues. Socrates’ ideas about morality brought him to the courts of Ancient Greece, where he was accused of disrespecting the gods, being a subversive and of corrupting young people. The charges were very serious and the philosopher was sentenced to ******, a sentence he received without complaint. Life of Socrates Socrates was born to Sophroniscus and Faenarete in Alopece, a deme of Athens. His father was a stone cutter and Faenarete a well-known midwife. Socrates lived with his family in Alopece, somewhere near the border of today’s Ano Nea Smyrni and Palaio Faliro. Very little is known about his childhood; however he had a natural intelligence for all things without having received any formal education. It is said that as a child, Socrates lacked good manners and helped his father in the stonecutting business. According to historian Porphyrius, he was disobedient to his father’s orders. Socrates began learning the art of sculpting but later abandoned it. According to Pausanias, in Athens there was a marble relief depicting the three graces, which was said to have been made by Socrates himself. It is said that one time the philosopher Archelaus entered the workshop where Socrates was working and was impressed by the young man’s arguments in claiming payment from a customer. At the time, Socrates was 17 and Archelaus invited him to become his student. However, Socrates had said that he had also been trained by Prodicus, to whom he paid tuition. Soon Socrates abandoned sculpture to devote himself to philosophy. He spent the rest of his life teaching — not in school, but discussing morality, religion, social and political issues in every part of the city with people from all walks of life. In 431 BC, when the Peloponnesian War was about to break out, Socrates fought at Potidaea – a city-state threatening to break away from Athens. Socrates fought in the battlefield and also in the subsequent siege of the city. The philosopher fought in the campaign for three years, returning to Athens as part of a victorious army, while also distinguishing himself on the battlefield. With the first phase of the Peloponnesian War raging, Socrates fought at the Battle of Delium. The battle, in 424 BC, provides the first recorded incident of what call today “friendly *****” casualties. The reason was that confused hoplites began fighting each other, unable to distinguish fellow Athenians from their enemies, the Boeotians. Despite some early victories, the Athenians were defeated. Nevertheless, Socrates seems to have maintained some order in his retreat. The Athenian general Laches praised the philosopher, saying: “If all the Athenians had fought as bravely as Socrates, the Boeotians would have erected no (victory) statues.” Socrates’ last military service was at Amphipolis. Approaching 48 by then, his role in the battle is unclear. Spartan victory at Amphipolis soon led to an armistice with Athens, and the first phase of the war was over. After the war Socrates married Xanthippi, with some historians claiming that he later married a woman named Myrto. It is also said that since many Athenians were ******* in the Peloponnesian War, a special law was passed that allowed married men to have children with another woman. Plato and Xenophon, however, mention only Xanthippi, a strong-headed, mouthy woman. In a dialogue between Socrates and Alcibiades, Alcibiades wonders how he can withstand the nagging of Xanthippi — to which Socrates answers: “Just as you withstand the croaking of geese, because they give you eggs and goose chicks, so Xanthippi gives me children, too.” Regardless of whether there were two wives or one, Socrates had three sons: Lambrocleas, Menexenos and Sophroniscus. All later philosophers and historians agreed that Socrates’ three sons were not distinguished in anything, while Aristotle even described them as lazy. Xanthippi is mentioned by Xenophon in the play “Symposium”, where Antisthenes characterizes her as the most difficult to withstand of all women that ever existed. Socrates, when asked how he endured living with such a woman, replied that just as those who wish to become the best horsemen choose the most wild of horses to tame, he chose Xanthippi so he could learn to deal with all people, even the most difficult. Socrates’ marble portrait at the Louvre. Credit: Sting/Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 2.5 The philosophy of Socrates Socrates did not leave any written works. However, his student Plato recorded the dialogues he had with his teacher — and through them we see Socrates’ way of thinking. Initially engaged in cosmological theories in the hope of discovering how the universe works but frustrated by the conjectures of the natural sciences, Socrates decided to embark on his own journey in search of true wisdom. According to some sources, the iconic Greek philosopher was more interested in the moral development of man and his shaping as a good citizen. However, according to the dialogues with Plato, he had an instinct for metaphysics and ***** the foundations of a transcendental philosophy. Plato’s early works on Socrates most certainly contain Socrates’ way of thinking, while his later writings most probably reflect ideas of Plato himself. Aristotle attributed to Socrates the use of inductive logic or inductive symbolism aimed at discovering a universal and unchangeable definition. That is, the ability to achieve an accurate concept or definition in a subject. Socrates seems to consider important a universal definition that is mainly related to moral behavior and considers it useful to keep man away from the vortex of the relativity of sophism, which has a strong presence in our time. For example, if we have a universal definition of justice, we have a secure basis for not only judging the action of an individual but also for the solid construction of the moral rules of society. By inductive reasoning, Socrates was not so much interested in solving problems of logic, but in discovering a universal or rather universal definition. Using the dialectical method (i.e., dialogue) he started from a less precise definition and reached a more precise, valid and universal definition through intense dialogue with his interlocutor. This method could be humiliating for many as it proved their ignorance but also because Socrates was particularly eager to provoke the debate. The humiliation of the interlocutor was not Socrates’ purpose. His sole purpose was to discover the truth. Socrates called this method the “obstetric method”, as it aimed to lead to the birth of a true and absolute definition or an entirely true idea. Socrates’ mission was to try to persuade people to tend to their soul and encourage them to be noble, and virtuous and to try to find the wisdom that ***** within them. He urged people to follow moral rules and always be just. For Socrates, justice is what helps man to achieve true happiness and to have balance in his soul. Socrates believed that pleasure is good, but true and lasting happiness can only be achieved by moral people. Socrates argued to the end that there is a higher eternal human nature, with universal moral values ​​that serve and guide human behavior. The trial and ****** of the great philosopher In 399 BC, the great Athenian philosopher was taken to court on two charges: asebeia (impiety) against the pantheon of Athens, and *********** of the youth of the city-state. The accusers cited two impious acts by Socrates: “failing to acknowledge the gods that the city acknowledges” and “introducing new deities.” The ****** sentence was the legal consequence of asking politico-philosophic questions of his students, which resulted in the two accusations of moral *********** and impiety. At trial, the majority of the jurors voted to convict him of the two charges; then, consistent with common legal practice voted to determine his punishment and agreed to a sentence of ****** by drinking a poisonous concoction of hemlock (conium maculatum). Socrates had many followers who would gladly have acted to save him from the ****** penalty. Crito, a wealthy friend of Socrates, told the philosopher that he would bribe the guards so he could escape from jail. Socrates, however, flatly refused to be rescued — possibly because he believed that a philosopher should not ***** ******. Plato’s Apology of Socrates is an early philosophic defense of Socrates, presented in the form of a Socratic dialogue. Socrates asks the jury to judge him by the truth of his statements, not by his oratorical skill. Although Aristotle later classified the dialogue as a work of fiction, it ******** today as a useful historical source about the great philosopher. Aristotle believed the dialogue, particularly the scene where Socrates questions the judge, Meletus, represented a good use of interrogation. Except for Socrates’ two dialogues with Meletus, about the nature and logic of his accusations of impiety, the text of the Apology of Socrates is in the first-person perspective and voice of the philosopher Socrates. During the trial, in his speech of self-defense, the ancient philosopher twice mentions that Plato is present at the trial. Later historians suggest that the true reason behind Socrates’ prosecution and ****** penalty were political, as the government of Athens was turning away from democracy after the defeat in the Peloponnesian War. Socrates’ famous quotes The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing. True wisdom comes to each of us when we realize how little we understand about life, ourselves, and the world around us. There is only one good, knowledge, and one evil, ignorance. When the debate is lost, slander becomes the tool of the ******. The easiest and noblest way is not to be crushing others, but to be improving yourselves. Wisdom begins in wonder. When you want wisdom and insight as badly as you want to breathe, it is then you shall have it. Remember that there is nothing stable in human affairs; therefore avoid undue elation in prosperity, or undue depression in adversity. Remember what is unbecoming to do is also unbecoming to speak of. Be of good cheer about ******, and know this of a truth, that no evil can happen to a good man, either in life or after ******. He who is not contented with what he has, would not be contented with what he would like to have. The unexamined life is not worth living. Think not those faithful who praise all thy words and actions; but those who kindly reprove thy faults. We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light. Not life, but good life, is to be chiefly valued. Only the extremely ignorant or the extremely intelligent can resist change. I know that I am intelligent, because I know that I know nothing. In childhood be modest, in youth temperate, in adulthood just, and in old age prudent. The greatest blessing granted to mankind comes by way of madness, which is a divine gift. He is richest who is content with the least, for content is the wealth of nature. I cannot teach anybody anything, I can only make them think. Contentment is natural wealth; luxury is artificial ********. It is better to change an opinion than to persist in a wrong one. Understanding a question is half an answer. Prefer knowledge to wealth, for the one is transitory, the other perpetual. The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance. Source link #Socrates #Founder #Western #Philosophy Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Morgan Stanley sees 25% upside in new autonomous driving pure play Morgan Stanley sees 25% upside in new autonomous driving pure play Autonomous driving technology company WeRide has plenty of room to grow as a result of its early-mover advantage in the global self-driving market, according to Morgan Stanley, which brought the firm public in an initial public offering last month at $15.50 a share . Analyst Tim Hsiao initiated research coverage of Guangzhou, China-based WeRide with an overweight rating and a price target of $23, implying more than 25% upside for the stock versus Monday’s close. WeRide rallied as much as 6% in early trading Tuesday to $19.43. WeRide offers several driverless vehicles such as robobuses, robotaxis and robovans; holds driverless permits in the U.S., China, the ******* ***** Emirates and Singapore; and is involved in trial and commercial activities in 30 cities. The company has partnered with Uber in the UAE, and Hsiao expects its robotaxi and robovans segments to achieve large-scale commercialization by 2026. Morgan Stanley estimates the global autonomous driving market size will jump to $1.745 trillion in 2030 from $93 billion in 2025. “WeRide is a pure play in global L4+ autonomous driving,” Hsiao wrote in a 38-page report on Tuesday. Level 4 autonomous driving describes when a vehicle can drive in most circumstances without a human driver, one step below the top-most Level 5 designation for a fully automated vehicle . Hsiao added that WeRide “can generate greater operating leverage and synergies across products than its peers, given its diverse product offerings.” The threat of tighter regulation on driverless vehicles is a downside risk for the stock, and Morgan Stanley forecasts WeRide’s earnings and cash flow will remain “volatile” in the near term, Hsiao noted. WRD ALL mountain WeRide shares since its October IPO. — CNBC’s Michael Bloom contributed to this report. Source link #Morgan #Stanley #sees #upside #autonomous #driving #pure #play Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘Will to ******* lifts Scotland from Euros gloom’ ‘Will to ******* lifts Scotland from Euros gloom’ Scotland are now chasing away the desperate fatalism that gripped the nation after that loss to Hungary and during the epic run of one win in 16 games, but there’s a lot left to be done. The League A relegation play-off in March for starters. For seconds, a World Cup qualifying campaign that will require luck in the draw to navigate. How will things be looking come March? Scotland have a goalscoring legend in McGinn and a steady contributor in Scott McTominay, but they still only finished with seven goals from six Nations League games. The lack of a striker is still the great bugbear. Che Adams, Lyndon Dykes, Lawrence Shankland and Tommy Conway all had a ****** at it. They all work hard, they’re all capable of playing their part in creating chances for the midfielders, but none of them scored in the Nations League. That’s a problem without a solution right now. There’s nobody coming through. Clarke always says that it doesn’t really matter where the goals come from as long as they come. And he’s right. For Scotland to progress to the next level, though, you suspect that they’re going to need more creativity and more ruthlessness up front. The emergence of Ben Doak, therefore, has been a thrilling step in the right direction. The contributions from Ryan Gauld from the bench have also been noteworthy. Scotland have a long way to go on the offensive side but the Poland game showed that there’s a will to ******* now which wasn’t really there in the dispiriting summer in Germany. Being so competitive in six League A games against stellar opposition can only help Scotland mature. Things will get really interesting when some of the injured stars return to the fold. They might get more interesting again if the young thruster Lennon Miller keeps progressing so rapidly. A team that began with worrying losses on the road to Germany before disappearing down a ***** end at the tournament proper has reversed out of the darkness and appears to be heading for the light again. The Nations League relegation tussle and the World Cup qualifiers will be the ultimate proof of that, but at least Clarke can take comfort from the fact that even his most excitable critics have fallen relatively silent for now. That’s if he ever cared about the noise in the first place, which is doubtful. Source link #******* #lifts #Scotland #Euros #gloom Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]