In the eyes of the West, the future of global peace hinges on developments in the Middle East, Russia, and China. NATO chief Mark Rutte recently emphasized that while NATO allies are just beginning to implement a defense spending goal of two percent of gross domestic product (GDP), Russia is projected to allocate eight percent of its GDP for military purposes by 2025. This significant military buildup raises concerns that Russia is not seeking peace. Supported by allies such as China, North Korea, and Iran, Russia is dedicating one-third of its national budget to arms development, compensating in quantity for what it may lack in quality. Meanwhile, China is aggressively enhancing its nuclear capabilities with no transparency or limitations. In 2020, Beijing possessed only 20 nuclear warheads; by 2030, this figure could soar to a thousand. This rapid expansion poses a dangerous threat to global stability. Additionally, China is engaged in a “chip war” with the United States, emphasizing the critical role of semiconductors in robotics, military armaments, and artificial intelligence warfare. Within this broader context, the conflicts in the Middle East appear relatively minor. The targeted assassinations of Hezbollah leaders have weakened Iran's proxy forces across the region. Iran itself is struggling with weak economic fundamentals and civil unrest, hindering its nuclear ambitions. In Syria, the opposition has successfully deposed Bashar al-Assad, who has fled to Russia for asylum. As Russia evacuates its military presence in Khmeimim and Tartus, it risks losing leverage against Turkey—a nation it has been at odds with since Turkish forces shot down a Russian jet in 2015. A ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah is reportedly in the works, diminishing the perception of Gaza as a central issue. The brutal attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, resulting in the deaths of over a thousand Israelis, has been described as the "worst attack against Jews since the Holocaust." This has led to a severe military response, with relentless bombing of Gaza causing at least 40,000 Palestinian deaths this year alone. Hamas is currently withholding the release of hostages, a condition for a ceasefire, in an effort to pressure Israel into a continuous assault on Gaza. This situation has created a significant public relations disaster for Israel on the global stage. However, the Gaza conflict is likely to reach a conclusion soon, as it is too small a territory to serve as a permanent source of tension. A potential resolution could be a two-state solution—one Israel and one Palestine—recognized by peaceful Arab states like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates. Such a resolution might finally address the long-standing grievances in the region. Conversely, the situation in Ukraine presents a different challenge. Russia has recently escalated its aggression with ballistic missile assaults on Kyiv and other cities, leaving half of Ukraine without power. This escalation was prompted by U.S. President Joe Biden's decision to permit long-range missiles to be used against Russian territory. The question arises: Will President-elect Donald Trump fulfill his promise to end the Ukraine war upon taking office? One potential strategy is for Trump to withhold further military and financial support to Ukraine, compelling it to accept Russia's permanent occupation of seized territory in exchange for a ceasefire. However, whether Ukraine and Russia will agree to such terms remains uncertain. One reassuring thought is that, despite Russia's threats to use nuclear weapons against Ukraine, common sense suggests that the aggressor is unlikely to follow through due to the catastrophic fallout that would affect Ukraine—a country Russia aims to occupy. Putin likely understands the consequences of such an action. Media analyst Elena Gold cites Putin’s chief spy, Nikolai Patrushev, who claimed that Trump could be assassinated if he fails to uphold his election promise regarding Ukraine. This statement highlights the dangerous game of international blackmail at play. Russia has demonstrated a willingness for violent retaliation, as exemplified by the fate of dissident Yevgeny Prigozhin, who attempted to take over Moscow in 2023. After failing and being pardoned by Putin, he died under suspicious circumstances just months later. Russia appears prepared for a protracted war in Ukraine, while European nations are increasing their defense spending in anticipation of reduced U.S. aid. One notable supporter of Ukraine is Poland, whose economy has been growing rapidly, with a GDP that has surpassed $500 billion. In the coming decade, Poland could rival Germany and the United Kingdom, according to the "Daily Digest." At the start of the Ukraine conflict, many nations hesitated to assist; Germany sent helmets while Poland provided 300 tanks to Kyiv. Poland is reportedly building its army to 300,000 strong by 2030, positioning itself as a significant military force in Europe. Despite these developments, a prolonged stalemate in the Ukraine war seems likely, as it ultimately becomes a war of attrition. Meanwhile, China is expected to continue asserting its influence in the West Philippine Sea. A coalition of ASEAN nations and allies, including the USA, Australia, Japan, and the UK, will strive to ensure that this region remains a safe route for international trade. While there may be rhetorical battles, the hope is that no shots will be fired. Taiwan remains a critical flashpoint, as China seeks to annex the island nation, which has a substantial semiconductor manufacturing capacity. The island is also prepared to defend its sovereignty. The question remains: how far will the U.S. go to defend Taiwan against potential Chinese aggression? The U.S.-China "trade war" further complicates matters, with Trump threatening a 60% tariff on Chinese goods and the U.S. restricting technology exports to 140 countries, including China. In response, China has charged NVIDIA in Russia with anti-monopoly and purchase violations. During a recent meeting, Chinese leader Xi told Donald Trump, "If we cooperate, both our nations will prosper," highlighting the delicate balance of international relations. For now, the prospects of an immediate, globe-threatening World War seem distant, but the uncertainty of global tensions raises questions about the future of peace and stability. Bingo Dejaresco, a former banker, is a financial consultant and media practitioner. He is a Life and Media member of FINEX. His views here, however, are personal and do not necessarily reflect those of FINEX. [email protected]
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Vinod Kumar is with The Times of India’s Punjab Bureau at Chandigarh. He covers news concerning Punjab politics, Health, Education, Employment and Environment. How to make healthy Oats Palak Chilla for a kid's tiffin 10 best Fried Chicken dishes from around the world 10 ways to use turmeric in winters 10 animals not allowed as pets in India 10 types of Dosa and how they are made Animals and their favourite foods 9 nuts to eat daily for hair growth in winters How to make South Indian Podi Dosa at home From tigers to cheetahs: India’s big cats and where to find them Weekend Special: How to make Multigrain Thaalipeeth
HUMBOLDT, Tenn. (AP) — A Tennessee man was convicted Thursday of killing two men and wounding a third in a shooting at a high school basketball game three years ago. Jadon Hardiman, 21, was found guilty in Gibson County of charges including second-degree murder, attempted murder, aggravated assault and weapons offenses, district attorney Frederick Agee said in a statement. He faces up to 76 years in prison at sentencing in April. Hardiman, of Jackson, attended a basketball game between Humboldt and North Side high schools on Nov. 30, 2021. Then 18, Hardiman entered the Humboldt gymnasium's crowded concession area and pulled a semi-automatic .40 caliber handgun, prosecutors said. He fired three shots at Justin Pankey, a 21-year-old former Humboldt basketball player. Pankey was hit one time and died within seconds, Agee said. A second bullet hit Xavier Clifton, a former North Side student and basketball player, who was standing in the concession line. Clifton was shot in the neck and paralyzed. He died in March 2022. A third shot struck another man in the back of the head. He survived. “Many people were placed in fear of imminent bodily injury by Hardiman’s shooting, as shown by video footage of their fleeing into the gym, into bathrooms, and other areas of the school,” Agee said. Hardiman ran away and drove to Jackson, disposing of the murder weapon along the way, the district attorney said. The U.S. Marshals Service contacted his family, and he was arrested the next day. Agee said the shooting "frightened every adult, student, and child present, who were only there to support their team and enjoy a good game.” Hardiman's lawyer did not immediately return a call seeking comment.WILMINGTON, N.C., Dec. 02, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- nCino, Inc. (NASDAQ: NCNO), the leading provider of intelligent, best-in-class banking solutions, today announced its participation in the following investor conferences: Scotiabank Second Annual Global Technology Conference Presentation: Tuesday, December 10, at 12:45 p.m. ET Barclays 22 nd Annual Global Technology Conference Presentation: Wednesday, December 11, at 6:05 p.m. ET A live webcast of the Barclays presentation will be available on the Events & Presentations page of the Investor Relations section of the Company website or by clicking here . About nCino nCino (NASDAQ: NCNO) is powering a new era in financial services. The Company was founded to help financial institutions digitize and reengineer business processes to boost efficiencies and create better banking experiences. With over 1,800 customers worldwide - including community banks, credit unions, independent mortgage banks, and the largest financial entities globally - nCino offers a trusted platform of best-in-class, intelligent solutions. By integrating artificial intelligence and actionable insights into its platform, nCino is helping financial institutions consolidate legacy systems to enhance strategic decision-making, improve risk management, and elevate customer satisfaction by cohesively bringing together people, AI and data. For more information, visit www.ncino.com . CONTACTS INVESTOR CONTACT Harrison Masters nCino +1 910.734.7743 [email protected] MEDIA CONTACT Natalia Moose nCino [email protected]
Which other family members received presidential pardons?ORRVILLE, Ohio , Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The J. M. Smucker Company (the "Company") (NYSE: SJM) today announced the pricing terms for its previously announced cash tender offers (each, an "Offer" and collectively, the "Offers") to purchase up to $300 million aggregate purchase price, not including accrued and unpaid interest (the "Offer Cap"), of the Company's validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) notes set forth below (the "Notes") using a "waterfall" methodology under which the Company will accept the Notes in order of their respective acceptance priority levels noted in the table below (the "Acceptance Priority Levels"). The Offers are being made pursuant to an Offer to Purchase, dated December 3, 2024 (the "Offer to Purchase"), which sets forth a description of the terms of the Offers. As of 10:00 a.m. New York City time, on December 17, 2024 (the "Price Determination Time"), the Company expects to accept for purchase pursuant to the Offers the full amount of the 2.750% Senior Notes due 2041 (which have an Acceptance Priority Level of 1), the full amount of the 3.550% Senior Notes due 2050 (which have an Acceptance Priority Level of 2) and a portion of the 2.125% Senior Notes due 2032 (which have an Acceptance Priority Level of 3) validly tendered and not validly withdrawn at or prior to the Early Tender Time (as defined below) on a prorated basis as described in the Offer to Purchase, using a proration factor of approximately 69.9%, so that the aggregate purchase price does not exceed the Offer Cap. The 4.375% Senior Notes due 2045 (which have an Acceptance Priority Level of 4) and the 5.900% Senior Notes due 2028 (which have an Acceptance Priority Level of 5) will not be accepted for purchase. The "Total Consideration" to be paid for the Notes validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) at or prior to 5:00 p.m. , New York City time, on December 16, 2024 (the "Early Tender Time") and accepted for purchase pursuant to the Offers, includes an early tender premium of $30 per $1,000 principal amount of Notes so tendered and accepted for purchase (the "Early Tender Premium"), which will not constitute an additional or increased payment. In addition to the applicable Total Consideration, holders who validly tender and do not validly withdraw their Notes, and whose Notes are accepted for purchase in the Offers will also be paid any applicable accrued and unpaid interest up to, but excluding, December 19, 2024 (the "Early Settlement Date"). The Total Consideration has been determined in the manner described in the Offer to Purchase by reference to a fixed spread for each of the Notes over the applicable yield to maturity of the applicable U.S. Treasury Security (the "Reference Treasury Security"), determined at the Price Determination Time as specified in the table below and on the cover page of the Offer to Purchase in the column entitled "Reference U.S. Treasury Security." The table below includes only the Notes validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) at or prior to the Early Tender Time that the Company expects to accept for purchase pursuant to the Offers. Acceptance Priority Level (1) Title of Security CUSIP Number Outstanding Principal Amount Reference U.S. Treasury Security (2) Bloomberg Reference Page Reference Yield Fixed Spread (bps) Total Consideration (3) 1 2.750% Senior Notes due 2041 832696AV0 $300,000,000 4.625% UST due 11/15/2044 FIT 1 4.666 % +85 $700.18 2 3.550% Senior Notes due 2050 832696AT5 $300,000,000 4.250% UST due 8/15/2054 FIT 1 4.596 % +95 $730.52 3 2.125% Senior Notes due 2032 832696AU2 $500,000,000 4.250% UST due 11/15/2034 FIT 1 4.391 % +50 $833.04 All conditions of the Offers were deemed satisfied by the Company, or timely waived by the Company. Accordingly, the Company expects to accept for purchase, and pay for, $300 million aggregate purchase price of Notes validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) on the Early Settlement Date. Although the Offers are scheduled to expire at 5:00 p.m. , New York City time, on January 2, 2025, unless extended or terminated, because the aggregate purchase price of Notes validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) prior to or at the Early Tender Time exceeded the Offer Cap, there will be no Final Settlement Date (as defined in the Offer to Purchase), and no Notes tendered after the Early Tender Time will be accepted for purchase. Notes tendered and not purchased on December 19, 2024 (the "Early Settlement Date") will be returned to holders promptly after the Early Settlement Date. This press release is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell securities. No offer, solicitation, purchase or sale will be made in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful. The Offers are being made solely pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase. Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC are serving as Dealer Managers for the Offers (each, a "Dealer Manager" and together, the "Dealer Managers"). Questions regarding the Offers may be directed to Goldman Sachs at (800) 828-3182 (toll free) or (212) 357-1452 (collect) or to J.P. Morgan at (866) 834-4666 (toll free) or (212) 834-3554 (collect). Requests for the Offer to Purchase or the documents incorporated by reference therein may be directed to D.F. King & Co., Inc., which is acting as the Tender Agent and Information Agent for the Offers, at SJM@dfking.com or the following telephone numbers: banks and brokers at (212) 269-5550; all others toll free at (866) 620-2535. The J. M. Smucker Company Forward-Looking Statements This press release ("Release") includes certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws. The forward-looking statements may include statements concerning our current expectations, estimates, assumptions and beliefs concerning future events, conditions, plans and strategies that are not historical fact. Any statement that is not historical in nature is a forward-looking statement and may be identified by the use of words and phrases such as "expect," "anticipate," "believe," "intend," "will," "plan," "strive" and similar phrases. Federal securities laws provide a safe harbor for forward-looking statements to encourage companies to provide prospective information. We are providing this cautionary statement in connection with the safe harbor provisions. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made, when evaluating the information presented in this Release, as such statements are by nature subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside of our control and could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements and from our historical results and experience. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following: our ability to successfully integrate Hostess Brands' operations and employees and to implement plans and achieve financial forecasts with respect to the Hostess Brands' business; our ability to realize the anticipated benefits, including synergies and cost savings, related to the Hostess Brands acquisition, including the possibility that the expected benefits will not be realized or will not be realized within the expected time period; disruption from the acquisition of Hostess Brands by diverting the attention of our management and making it more difficult to maintain business and operational relationships; the negative effects of the acquisition of Hostess Brands on the market price of our common shares; the amount of the costs, fees, expenses, and charges and the risk of litigation related to the acquisition of Hostess Brands; the effect of the acquisition of Hostess Brands on our business relationships, operating results, ability to hire and retain key talent, and business generally; disruptions or inefficiencies in our operations or supply chain, including any impact caused by product recalls, political instability, terrorism, geopolitical conflicts (including the ongoing conflicts between Russia and Ukraine and Israel and Hamas), extreme weather conditions, natural disasters, pandemics, work stoppages or labor shortages (including potential strikes along the U.S. East and Gulf coast ports and potential impacts related to the duration of a recent strike at our Buffalo, New York manufacturing facility), or other calamities; risks related to the availability of, and cost inflation in, supply chain inputs, including labor, raw materials, commodities, packaging, and transportation; the impact of food security concerns involving either our products or our competitors' products, including changes in consumer preference, consumer litigation, actions by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or other agencies, and product recalls; risks associated with derivative and purchasing strategies we employ to manage commodity pricing and interest rate risks; the availability of reliable transportation on acceptable terms; our ability to achieve cost savings related to our restructuring and cost management programs in the amounts and within the time frames currently anticipated; our ability to generate sufficient cash flow to continue operating under our capital deployment model, including capital expenditures, debt repayment to meet our deleveraging objectives, dividend payments, and share repurchases; a change in outlook or downgrade in our public credit ratings by a rating agency below investment grade; our ability to implement and realize the full benefit of price changes, and the impact of the timing of the price changes to profits and cash flow in a particular period; the success and cost of marketing and sales programs and strategies intended to promote growth in our business, including product innovation; general competitive activity in the market, including competitors' pricing practices and promotional spending levels; our ability to attract and retain key talent; the concentration of certain of our businesses with key customers and suppliers, including primary or single-source suppliers of certain key raw materials and finished goods, and our ability to manage and maintain key relationships; impairments in the carrying value of goodwill, other intangible assets, or other long-lived assets or changes in the useful lives of other intangible assets or other long-lived assets; the impact of new or changes to existing governmental laws and regulations and their application; the outcome of tax examinations, changes in tax laws, and other tax matters; a disruption, failure, or security breach of our or our suppliers' information technology systems, including, but not limited to, ransomware attacks; foreign currency exchange rate and interest rate fluctuations; and risks related to other factors described under "Risk Factors" in other reports and statements we have filed with the SEC. We do not undertake any obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements to reflect new events or circumstances. About The J. M. Smucker Company At The J.M. Smucker Co., it is our privilege to make food people and pets love by offering a diverse family of brands available across North America . We are proud to lead in the coffee, peanut butter, fruit spreads, frozen handheld, sweet baked goods, dog snacks, and cat food categories by offering brands consumers trust for themselves and their families each day, including Folgers ® , Dunkin' ® , Café Bustelo ® , Jif ® , Uncrustables ® , Smucker's ® , Hostess ® , Milk-Bone ® , and Meow Mix ® . Through our unwavering commitment to producing quality products, operating responsibly and ethically, and delivering on our Purpose, we will continue to grow our business while making a positive impact on society. For more information, please visit jmsmucker.com . The J. M. Smucker Company is the owner of all trademarks referenced herein, except for Dunkin' ® , which is a trademark of DD IP Holder LLC. The Dunkin'® brand is licensed to The J. M. Smucker Company for packaged coffee products sold in retail channels, such as grocery stores, mass merchandisers, club stores, e-commerce and drug stores, as well as in certain away from home channels. This information does not pertain to products for sale in Dunkin' ® restaurants. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-j-m-smucker-company-announces-pricing-for-cash-tender-offers-302334213.html SOURCE The J.M. Smucker Co.
Hello Taoiseach Micheál Martin: The winners and losers of the 2024 General ElectionThe Philadelphia Eagles have a number of rising superstars on defense, and the name everyone will be watching in the offseason is linebacker Zack Baun. The hidden gem that GM Howie Roseman stole for $1.7 million this offseason has blossomed suddenly into one of the best inside linebackers in football. Baun will enter Week 14 with the NFL’s fourth-most total tackles (118) among all defensive players. Philly will likely make keeping Baun a priority, as he’s formed an elite tandem with Nakobe Dean on the second level of Vic Fangio’s defense. But as it stands, the former third-round pick of the New Orleans Saints is scheduled to hit free agency after the season. Matt Holder of Bleacher Report believes Baun will have suitors if he hits the open market. In his most recent NFC scouting reports, Holder predicted the Carolina Panthers will swoop in and pry Baun away from Philly behind a monster contract offer. Here was his take on the potential move: “Shaq Thompson is an impending free agent and turns 31 in the offseason. He'll also be coming off a torn Achilles, meaning his days in Carolina might be numbered and the defense will need some help at linebacker. Meanwhile, Baun is having a career year in Philadelphia with a personal-best 105 total tackles through 11 games, 75 more than he's even had. Also, the 27-year-old who turns 28 next month has surrendered a 79.8 passer rating when targeted, according to Pro Football Focus , and will likely be one of the top backers on the open market.” Philly’s roster is rock-solid, but with a major future need at EDGE rusher, it will be interesting to see if the team opts to go all-in for Baun at inside backer. It was likely never the plan to bring Baun back at his expected AAV of $10 million per season, but he has played his way into that situation. The Eagles are bottom 12 in the NFL in projected 2025 cap space, per Over the Cap , and the priority this offseason could be on bigger needs, like EDGE and receiver. The Bryce Huff signing has been a disaster, veteran Brandon Graham’s future is in doubt after his season-ending injury, and Josh Sweat is an impending free agent. It’s also hard to see the team standing pat with Jahan Dotson as its No. 3 wide receiver next season. Philly has a star-studded roster, and Roseman has already taken care of his top stars. With that said, the cap shouldn’t be a hindrance to reupping Baun, who has fit perfectly in the middle of Fangio’s scheme. Watching one of its breakout starters leave in free agency for a destination like Carolina would be brutal for Philly and its fans. There should be major interest on both sides to extend Baun’s stay in the 215, and the guess here is that a new deal gets done prior to March of 2025. Related Philadelphia Eagles stories: NFL Week 14 power rankings: Experts grapple with Eagles, Lions at No. 1 Greenberg: NFL has new best team, and it’s not Lions or Chiefs How many RBs have won NFL MVP? Eagles Saquon Barkley could join elite companySAN DIEGO, Dec. 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- LPL Financial LLC announced today that Marc Cohen has been promoted to managing director, Business Strategy and Innovation, and has joined the LPL Financial Management Committee. In this role, Marc will continue to lead the development of the firm’s corporate strategy and expand his responsibilities to include leading business line and affiliation strategy for independent advisors, large enterprises and institutional channels. In addition, Cohen now leads the company’s business services offerings and innovation lab for emerging solutions. “Marc is an entrepreneur by nature whose innovative thinking has helped reimagine the strategic evolution of our firm, including how advisors and institutions scale their businesses with LPL as their partner,” said LPL Financial CEO Rich Steinmeier. “Respected for his stewardship of independence in the advisor-mediated marketplace, Marc’s expertise elevates the experiences we bring to our clients in every stage of their business and strengthens LPL’s leadership in wealth management through differentiated solutions and innovative strategies.” From serving as an architect of many of the highest profile wirehouse breakaways in the industry, to supporting their journey as business owners through strategy development, evolving operational and compliance requirements, succession planning and exit strategies, Cohen has helped countless successful advisors become successful entrepreneurs. “My commitment to this industry and to LPL is grounded in the rewarding work of guiding advisors towards building thriving businesses to achieve their personal definitions of success,” said Cohen. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue scaling our strategies and exploring the innovative ways that LPL can better serve our clients to help them embrace their own entrepreneurial opportunities.” Cohen joined LPL in 2018 to help lead the firm’s development of new advisor affiliation models, expanding LPL’s attractiveness to wirehouse breakaways and RIAs. From there, his role evolved to run corporate strategy and further develop creative and innovative ways for LPL to partner with advisors throughout their lifecycle, including the firm’s Liquidity & Succession offering. About LPL Financial LPL Financial Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq: LPLA) is among the fastest growing wealth management firms in the U.S. As a leader in the financial advisor-mediated marketplace, LPL supports more than 28,000 financial advisors and the wealth management practices of approximately 1,200 financial institutions, servicing and custodying approximately $1.7 trillion in brokerage and advisory assets on behalf of approximately 6 million Americans. The firm provides a wide range of advisor affiliation models, investment solutions, fintech tools and practice management services, ensuring that advisors and institutions have the flexibility to choose the business model, services, and technology resources they need to run thriving businesses. For further information about LPL, please visit www.lpl.com . Securities and Advisory services offered through LPL Financial LLC (“LPL Financial”), a registered investment advisor. Member FINRA/SIPC. LPL Financial and its affiliated companies provide financial services only from the United States. Throughout this communication, the terms “financial advisors” and “advisors” are used to refer to registered representatives and/or investment advisor representatives affiliated with LPL Financial. We routinely disclose information that may be important to shareholders in the “ Investor Relations ” or “ Press Releases” section of our website. Media Contact: Media.relations@LPLFinancial.com (402) 740-2047
I'm late to the RPG Baldur's Gate 3. I held out for over a year before purchasing it despite the fact that the game surpasses any released in the franchise so far with its excellent graphics, unprecedented freedom to explore, and ability to interact with the environment. What finally got me in then? Admittedly, it's the one thing I absolutely can't resist in a top-rated RPG — the fact that it now has mods! That change in a game as detailed and intuitive as BG3 is sheer gold for me, making every cent paid for it an irresistible value proposition. It has also got me thinking: Why can't all RPGs have mods? Mods undeniably spice up games It's not like BG3 needed anything extra to make it a great game. No, it's obviously one of the best turn-based RPG's available today with its enchanting high-fantasy open world that reacts to you as a player and allows you to have your own unique experience. It's more that the mods — everything from character changes to new weapons and objects and new game mechanics — allow me to squeeze even more value from this classic game thereby multiplying the fun 100x. Whereas before the game was well worth $60, the value I will reap from this game over time will pay for itself many, many times over. To be sure, now that BG3 has mods, the game will not only be different each time I play it, it won't even be close to the experience I've had before — which leads me to an important point: I now have the agency to personalize it as I wish, just as I can personalize myriad other aspects of my life, from the topping on my vanilla ice-cream to the color of my cellphone case. I can now play solo as a lone wolf by increasing the rate at which I earn XP, or as any exciting creature from the Dungeons and Dragons world by accessing dozens of other races. I can... Dominic Bayley
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