Pelican Press

In ********, Trump plans to focus on business deals, not geopolitics – The Washington Post In ********, Trump plans to focus on business deals, not geopolitics – The Washington Post In ********, Trump plans to focus on business deals, not geopolitics The Washington PostOpinion | This Israeli Government Is Not Our Ally The New York TimesTrump thinks he is shaping the Middle East. Instead, it’s Gulf states that will dictate US foreign policy | Simon Tisdall The GuardianTrump is stumbling into a catastrophic diplomatic error with the Middle East The TelegraphGulf diplomatic sources debate if Trump will announce US recognition of ************ state The Jerusalem Post Source link #******** #Trump #plans #focus #business #deals #geopolitics #Washington #Post Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Putin’s talks offer could be bid to drive wedge between US and Europe Putin’s talks offer could be bid to drive wedge between US and Europe Steve Rosenberg Russia Editor Reuters We’ve seen it before: Vladimir Putin doesn’t react well to ultimatums. We saw it again, last night, in the Kremlin. President Putin slammed European powers for talking to Russia “in a boorish manner and with the help of ultimatums”. He didn’t go into detail. He didn’t need to. This was clearly his response to the ultimatum set by European leaders in Kyiv. They had warned Moscow that if Russia didn’t agree to an unconditional 30-day ceasefire from Monday, there will be more sanctions against Russia and more military assistance for Ukraine. On Saturday, Sir Keir Starmer said that “if he [Putin] is serious about peace, then he has a chance to show it”. The Kremlin’s response: we’re serious, but we’ll show it our way. Putin’s way (his counter proposal) is direct talks with Ukraine in Istanbul next Thursday. But, crucially, no immediate ceasefire. Starmer asked by BBC if Ukraine ceasefire talks are just an act of symbolism So, is the Kremlin’s offer a serious peace initiative? Or is it simply an attempt by Moscow to play for time and to prolong the war? And, with this proposal, might Russia also be trying to split the Western coalition that is backing Ukraine? Let’s begin with a short, but key question: does Vladimir Putin want peace? He claims he does. But peace only on Russia’s terms. Moscow suspects it has little to gain from a 30-day unconditional ceasefire, especially since the Russians believe they currently have the initiative on the battlefield in Ukraine. AFP via Getty Images Volodymyr Zelensky hosted world leaders in Kyiv on 10 May including *** Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron But neither does Russia want to be seen as an obstacle to peace. It’s keen to maintain a good relationship with the Donald Trump administration, with which the Kremlin has been working hard on improving ties. If a US-Russia rapprochement continues, the Kremlin will be hoping for speedy sanctions relief and an economic boost. By proposing direct talks in Istanbul, President Putin is sending a signal to the White House: “I am a man of peace.” But by not committing to an immediate 30-day ceasefire, the likelihood is Russia will continue the war, and push on to seize and occupy more Ukrainian territory. The Kremlin leader’s vague reference to “not excluding” that the Istanbul talks might lead to “new ceasefires” will be greeted with deep scepticism by Kyiv. And when we’re talking about war and peace, keep in mind that it was President Putin who ordered the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. This was his decision, one widely seen as an attempt to force Ukraine back into Moscow’s orbit. He didn’t call it a war, though. He portrayed Russia’s actions as a “special military operation”. Last night, though, Putin declared: “There is ongoing fighting, war. But we’re offering to resume talks that were interrupted, and not by us. What’s bad about that?” The Kremlin may well be calculating that its offer of direct talks in Istanbul will drive a wedge between the US administration and European leaders. Following Putin’s announcement, President Trump hailed a “potentially great day for Russia and Ukraine” in a social media post, and promised to “continue to work with both sides to make sure that it happens”. Emmanuel Macron described Putin’s offer as a “first step, but not enough.” The French president also said “an unconditional ceasefire is not preceded by negotiations.” Putin announced his proposal in a late-night statement delivered inside the Kremlin. I was among a small group of foreign journalists invited to join Russian reporters for what we were told would be a press conference. We waited several hours for the event to begin. In the end, the Russian president took no questions. After delivering his statement he left the hall. Source link #Putins #talks #offer #bid #drive #wedge #Europe Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Princeton Student Newspaper Accuses Pete Hegseth of Plagiarism Princeton Student Newspaper Accuses Pete Hegseth of Plagiarism The newspaper for the alma mater of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth published a report on Saturday suggesting that Hegseth plagiarized elements of his senior thesis. The report in The Daily Princetonian alleges that Hegseth’s senior thesis, submitted in 2003, contained eight instances of “uncredited material, sham paraphrasing, and verbatim copying,” according to a review conducted by three plagiarism experts. One example was taken from an article in The Washington Post published shortly after 9/11. In Hegseth’s thesis, he wrote, “After Card‘s whisper, Bush looked distracted and somber but continued to listen to the second-graders, joking that they ‘read like sixth-graders.’” Pete Hegseth and some dumbbells. / Secretary of Defense/x.com The article in the Post reads, “After Card‘s whisper, Bush looked distracted and somber but continued to listen to the second-graders read and soon was smiling again. He joked that they read so well, they must be sixth-graders.” Hegseth does not cite the article in his paper. While the experts consulted found that the instances of plagiarism in Hegseth’s thesis violated Princeton’s academic honesty regulations, their opinions on whether the violations were serious enough to matter differed. James M. Lang, author of Cheating Lessons: Learning from Academic Dishonesty, called it a “borderline case,” telling the Princetonian, “There’s no silver bullet here; there’s no smoking gun in terms of a deep example of plagiarism.” Lang felt that there was more “gray than ****** and white” in this case, with roughly half of the examples constituting serious plagiarism and the other half only being minor violations. One example that Lang felt was egregious was a passage similar to one seen in a book about President John F. Kennedy, while Jonathan Bailey, who runs the website Plagiarism Today, did not feel that example was a serious violation. While Lang felt that an example that involved similarities of 10 or 12 words raised red flags, Bailey disagreed, telling the paper, “Even the ones that were more direct still typically only involve a sentence or two at a time.” The paper ran Hegseth’s thesis through multiple plagiarism detection models that flagged 12 passages throughout the paper. Of those 12 passages, the plagiarism experts they consulted found that only eight were serious, with the other four not significant enough to warrant concern on their own, though they did say it “fit a broader pattern of some form of plagiarism.” Hegseth’s thesis was titled ‘Modern Presidential Rhetoric and the Cold War Context’. In it, he analyzed the evolution of presidential speeches from the mid-20th century to the early 2000s and argued that modern presidential rhetoric is primarily influenced by prevailing global threats. As The Daily Princetonian explains, the senior thesis “represents the capstone of the Princeton undergraduate experience and is a graduation requirement for almost all students.” Hegseth graduated from Princeton in 2003. Source link #Princeton #Student #Newspaper #Accuses #Pete #Hegseth #Plagiarism Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Disagreements on Iran, Gaza straining Trump-Netanyahu relationship – NBC News Disagreements on Iran, Gaza straining Trump-Netanyahu relationship – NBC News Disagreements on Iran, Gaza straining Trump-Netanyahu relationship NBC NewsOnce in Sync, Trump and Netanyahu Now Show Signs of Division The New York TimesTrump’s ******** trip to focus on three key issues that could spark clashes with Netanyahu HaaretzOpinion | Trump’s Blunders Put Israel at Risk WSJTrump cuts ties with Netanyahu over manipulation concerns: Report Anadolu Ajansı Source link #Disagreements #Iran #Gaza #straining #TrumpNetanyahu #relationship #NBC #News Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Hamburg pitch invasion leaves 44 injured and one in life-threatening condition Hamburg pitch invasion leaves 44 injured and one in life-threatening condition Twenty-five fans were hospitalised, including one with life-threatening injuries, after a pitch invasion at Hamburg’s Volksparkstadion on Saturday. Thousands rushed the field at the full-time whistle as Hamburg secured promotion to the Bundesliga with a 6-1 victory over Ulm, but celebrations were cut short for many who were hurt during the pitch invasion. According to a statement from the Hamburg fire department, a total of 44 people received medical treatment, 19 of those were serious injuries, five were minor and one has been categorised as life-threatening. “After the final whistle, football fans stormed the stadium, resulting in injuries to several fans,” the statement said. “The Hamburg Fire Department launched a major emergency medical response to support the emergency services on site.” The statement added that around 65 emergency personnel had to be deployed from both the Hamburg rescue service and fire brigade because of the incident. Victory for Hamburg earned them promotion to the Bundesliga for the first time since suffering relegation in 2017-18. Should they match or better Cologne’s result on the final day next Sunday, they will also be crowned champions. Source link #Hamburg #pitch #invasion #leaves #injured #lifethreatening #condition Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Get the most bang for your buck with the best games for $10 or less in 2025 Get the most bang for your buck with the best games for $10 or less in 2025 Gaming has always been an expensive hobby, but it is only getting worse in 2025 and beyond. If you take a look at the list of upcoming video games, you will see more and more games all charging $80 for the base version. That’s a lot of money to spend on a single game, so a lot of us will need to be more discerning about which games we choose to buy at that price. Of course, that doesn’t mean you have to play fewer games if you know where to look. There are dozens of free games to pick from, but those almost always come with the pressure to buy various microtransactions to get the best experience. These games are all complete packages you can buy for less than the price of lunch and have a fantastic time. Source link #bang #buck #games Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

India and Pakistan ceasefire shaken by overnight border fighting in disputed Kashmir region – National India and Pakistan ceasefire shaken by overnight border fighting in disputed Kashmir region – National A ceasefire to end the conflict between India and Pakistan was shaken by overnight border fighting in the disputed Kashmir region. People on both sides of the Line of Control, which divides the territory, reported heavy exchanges of fire between Indian and Pakistani troops. The fighting subsided by Sunday morning. The two countries agreed to a truce a day earlier after talks to defuse the most serious military confrontation between them in decades following a gun massacre of tourists that India blames on Pakistan, which denies the charge. As part of the ceasefire, the nuclear-armed neighbors agreed to immediately stop all firing and military action on land, in the air and at sea. They accused each other of repeatedly violating the deal just hours later. Drones were spotted Saturday night over Indian-controlled Kashmir and the western state of Gujarat according to Indian officials. Story continues below advertisement In the Poonch area of Indian-controlled Kashmir, people said the intense shelling from the past few days had traumatized them. Get daily National news Get the day’s top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. “Most people ran as shells were being fired,” said college student Sosan Zehra who returned home Sunday. “It was completely chaotic.” In Pakistan-controlled Kashmir’s Neelum Valley, which is three kilometers (two miles) from the Line of Control, people said there were exchanges of fire and heavy shelling after the ceasefire began. Resident Mohammad Zahid said: “We were happy about the announcement but, once again, the situation feels uncertain.” More on World More videos U.S. President Donald Trump was the first to post about the deal, announcing it on his Truth Social platform. Indian and Pakistani officials confirmed the news shortly after. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level meeting on Sunday with top government and military officials. India, unlike Pakistan, has not said anything about Trump or the U.S. since the deal was announced. Nor has India acknowledged anyone beyond its military contact with the Pakistanis. Trending Now Quebec coroner calls for tougher controls over diphenhydramine sales after 2023 death Teen shot, killed by Virginia homeowner while recording TikTok prank Pakistan has thanked the U.S and especially Trump several times for facilitating the ceasefire. On Sunday, U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said Secretary General Antonio Guterres welcomed the deal as a positive step toward ending current hostilities and easing tensions. “He hopes the agreement will contribute to lasting peace and foster an environment conducive to addressing broader, longstanding issues between the two countries,” added Dujarric. Story continues below advertisement India and Pakistan have engaged in daily fighting since Wednesday along the rugged and mountainous Line of Control, which is marked by razor wire coils, watchtowers and bunkers that snake across foothills populated by villages, tangled bushes and forests. They have routinely blamed the other for starting the skirmishes, while insisting they themselves were only retaliating. India and Pakistan’s two top military officials are due to speak again on Monday. Kashmir is split between the two countries and claimed by both in its entirety. They have fought two of their three wars over the region and their ties have been shaped by conflict, aggressive diplomacy and mutual suspicion, mostly due to their competing claims. &copy 2025 The ********* Press Source link #India #Pakistan #ceasefire #shaken #overnight #border #fighting #disputed #Kashmir #region #National Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

All Fortnite Star Wars weapons and how to get them All Fortnite Star Wars weapons and how to get them Fortnite released its much anticipated Galactic Battle mini season transforming the battle royale island into a Star Wars universe. Running until June 7, this mini-season immerses players in an Imperial invasion, complete with new POIs, vehicles like TIE Fighters and X-Wings, and a Galactic Battle Pass full with iconic characters and cosmetic items. Fans have embraced the season’s laser-fueled fury, with blasters replacing traditional weaponry and lightsabers adding a combat twist. The season began with server downtime for patch 35.00, which included a completely new energy-based loot pool, a first for Fortnite. Live events such as Mandalorian Rising and Death Star Sabotage promise enormous storylines, while NPCs like as Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa provide quests and unlocked goods. The first significant update, Pull of the Force, arrived on May 8, enhancing the action with new content. Darth Maul and Mace Windu, holographic teachers, now provide formidable lightsabers as well as new Force skills like as Force Pull and Force Throw, altering combat dynamics. However, if you’re wondering about the blaster based weapons this season, here’s how to get all of them. How to get all Fortnite Star Wars weapons Epic Games Fortnite Galactic Battle has completely replaced the loot pool with laser weapons with unlimited ammo, with hitscan. You can find these weapons in regular chests, rare chests or even ground loot. You can also eliminate Clone Troopers or Stormtroopers to get their weapons. Here are all the weapons you can find on the island: Reliable DL-44 Blaster Pistol Heavy CR-2 Blaster (an SMG!) Close-range ACP Scatter Blaster and BARM-ST12 Scatter Blaster (Shotguns) Close-to-medium range DLT-19 Blaster Rifle Long-range IQA-11 Marksman Blaster Rifle All-purpose A280-CFE Blaster Rifle (unvaulted) Highly accurate DC-15 Heavy Blaster Rifle (unvaulted) Empire standard Issue E-11 Blaster (unvaulted) First Order standard issue F-11 Blaster Thermal Imploder (Grenade) In addition to the weapons above, more are joining the island in future updates. Here’s a full list: Wookiee Bowcaster (Releases on May 15) CA-87 Jawa Scatter Blaster (Releases on May 15) Amban Sniper Rifle (Releases on May 22) WESTAR-34 Blaster Pistols (Releases on May 22) Epic Games You can also claim two Mythic weapons in the game from the island by defeating the Shogun X boss and the Captain Phasma boss, alongwith their medallions. Land on the rift island and defeat the Shogun X boss to grab the mythic DL-44 Blaster Pistol and his medallion. Furthermore, land on the First Order Base and defeat Captain Phasma to grab the mythic Captain Phasma’s F-11D Blaster and Phasma’s Blaster Medallion. The Phasma’s Blaster Medallion extends how long it takes a blaster weapon to overheat, and reduces its cooldown. Source link #Fortnite #Star #Wars #weapons Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

******** Tech Giant Wants to Translate Your Cat’s Meows Using AI ******** Tech Giant Wants to Translate Your Cat’s Meows Using AI Doodle Translate ******** tech company Baidu is working on an artificial intelligence-based translation system that could finally decode the greatest language mystery in the world: your cat’s meows. As Reuters reports, the company filed a patent with the China National Intellectual Property Administration proposing an AI-powered system to translate animal sounds. But whether it’ll ultimately be successful in deciphering your dog’s barks or your cat’s meows remains to be seen. Despite years of research, scientists are still far from deciphering animal communication. Baidu is hoping that the system could bring humans and their pets closer together. According to the company’s patent document, it could allow for a “deeper emotional communication and understanding between animals and humans, improving the accuracy and efficiency of interspecies communication.” Me Eat Squirrel A spokesperson told Reuters that the system is “still in the research phase,” suggesting there’s still significant work to be done. But Baidu has already made considerable headway. The company, which also runs the country’s largest search engine, has invested in AI for years, releasing its latest AI model last month. Baidu is only one of many companies working to decode animal communication using AI. For instance, California-based nonprofit Earth Species Project has been attempting to build an AI-based system that can translate birdsong, the whistles of dolphins, and the rumblings of elephants. A separate nonprofit called NatureLM recently announced that it secured $17 million in grants to create language models that can identify the ways animals communicate with each other. Researchers have also attempted to use machine learning to understand the vocalizations of crows and monkeys. While a direct animal translation tool is more than likely still many years out, some scientists have claimed early successes. Last year, a team of scientists from SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) claimed to have “conversed” with a humpback whale in Alaska. “The things we learn from communicating with whales could help us when it comes time to connect with aliens,” SETI researcher and University of California Davis animal behavioralist Josie Hubbard told the New York Post at the time. More on AI translation: World’s Largest Call Center Deploys AI to “Neutralize the Accent” of Indian Employees Source link #******** #Tech #Giant #Translate #Cats #Meows Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy are a perfect pair Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy are a perfect pair Ever since its release on April 24, the gaming world has been buzzing non-stop about Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. The French RPG was instantly hailed as a generational masterpiece upon release, winning players over with its stylish visuals and impressive combat. It’s most striking quality, though, is its emotional storytelling. Clair Obscur tells a moving tale about collective grief as an expedition sets out to save humanity from an annual plague that threats to wipe out every last person on Earth. It’s a loaded story about moving forward in the face of pain that has drawn out gallons of tears from players, no doubt. But that wasn’t the only game to launch on April 24 — nor was it even the only RPG about fighting for a better future released that day. It shared a release date with The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy, the latest game from the team behind Danganronpa. One part visual novel, one part tactics game, The Hundred Line is incredibly ambitious in its own right thanks to its 100 endings across a gargantuan runtime. It’s not only one of the year’s best, but it’s also a perfect compliment to Clair Obscur. Both RPGs cover similar thematic territory in very different ways that are both indebted to video game history. If your Clair Obscur playthrough is starting to wind down, The Hundred Line is the perfect chaser. I’d even go as far as to argue that it’s the real main course. Fighting for the future The two games may not sound similar on paper, but they’re more connected than they seem at a glance. Both are about humanity’s impending death as a timer ticks down and one group’s fight to save the world. In Clair Obscur, the conflict comes from the Paintress, a mystical being who appears once a year to paint a number in the sky. When she does, it triggers an event called the Gommage, where everyone whose age is above the current number dies. The number ticks down with each year, so an expedition is sent out to try and put an end to the Paintress each year before everyone is inevitably killed. The Hundred Line‘s impending disaster is more shrouded in mystery. When the story begins, we learn that a group of students has been assembled at a school and chosen to defend a weapon housed within it from alien invaders. The group is told that the weapon will destroy the world if it gets into the wrong hands and they must protect it for a full 100 days. That only scratches the surface of what’s really going on, as the story plays out like multiple seasons of a TV show filled with twists and cliffhangers. Think of it like an anime version of Lost. Without getting too in the weeds, humanity is on a similar path to destruction and the students only have so much time to change that. Too Kyo Games Though both premises are incredibly bleak, each RPG is hopeful in its own way. They aren’t about succumbing to despair as inevitability approaches, but finding the will to continue the fight for a better future. And both do that by wielding the language of games in clever ways. For Clair Obscur, that idea comes through in its ode to classic RPGs. By drawing on a history of party-driven games about assembling a crew of misfit heroes, Sandfall Interactive speaks to the importance of collective action to push forward in times of pain. The crew members aren’t just battle companions, but a functional support system that’s stronger together. Successfully parrying a big enemy attack as a party triggers a devastating counter. When the active party falls in battle, the remaining ones come in for backup rather than sitting on their thumbs like so many other RPGs. And when a battle is won, a button on screen proclaims, “We continue,” driving home the idea that the team is one singular unit. The Hundred Line is comparatively high concept in its approach. Its grand trick is that it doesn’t just take place across 100 days as it initially claims to. That initial run almost acts as an elongated introduction to the actual hook. Let’s just say that things go a little south by the end of the first 100 days which sends the once peppy group into despair. Failure seems imminent as the students anticipate their own Gommage of sorts. When things are their bleakest, players are hit with a tantalizing question: What if you could change it all? What would you do differently if you had another 100 days? That opens up the true game, in which players go back through the story and look for divergent points in the timeline that could change that ending. What’s so smart here is that The Hundred Line leans into video game language to give players the possibility of hope. The fateful 100th day is framed as an “ending” and the one you get after your first run may just be the “bad” one. For seasoned gamers, that’s immediately tangible. I know how multiple endings function in games and know that getting a good one is entirely within my power. I just have to be willing to keep at it and figure out what I can do to get the ending that I want. We don’t get a redo in real life, but games can fulfill that fantasy. The Hundred Line gives players the power to turn back the clock and see exactly how their actions can shape the inevitable. I don’t feel down when I hit a bad ending: There are literally 100 ways that this thing can go. As different as these two games are, that idea unites them. They are both about people facing down hopelessness as mass extinction looms and being determined enough to fight as many times as it takes. Sacrifice is central to both stories, too. In Clair Obscur, players discover logs left behind from every previous party that has died to get Expedition 33 where it is today. The Hundred Line is even more explicit about that theme, as characters can sacrifice their lives in its tactical battles to pull off a devastating attack and supercharge the team’s energy meter so everyone else can hit their own big moves. Death is framed a steppingstone in both games, a noble sacrifice that the living can use to their advantage. It’s not an ending, but rather one important action in a collective effort that’s built on courage. Sandfall Interactive Though Clair Obscur has been applauded for its emotionally gripping story, I find just as much power — if not more — in The Hundred Line. Through all of its silly one-liners and tomato-headed heroes, there’s a strong message to be found about our power to stop the inevitable. It is achievable through countless decisions that can change history even when we don’t realize they are leaving a mark in the moment. It only makes sense to explore that through a digital choose your own adventure novel where any outcome feels possible. So, once you’re done with Clair Obscur, consider jumping right into The Hundred Line. You’ll find a rich continuation of its themes that play with the language of games even more. Neither game will save our own world, but they might make you feel a little less hopeless in this dire moment. Source link #Clair #Obscur #Expedition #Line #Defense #Academy #perfect #pair Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump's trade war is giving renewed importance to advertising Upfronts – CNBC Trump's trade war is giving renewed importance to advertising Upfronts – CNBC Trump’s trade war is giving renewed importance to advertising Upfronts CNBCParamount Ad Chief on Trump’s Tariffs Hitting Upfronts: ‘Everything Continues to Be Redefined and Fluctuating’ TheWrapBIA Explores Tariffs And Their Impact On Local Advertising. Insideradio.comParamount Ad Chief on Trump’s Tariffs Hitting Upfronts: ‘Everything Continues to Be Redefined and Fluctuating’ IMDb Source link #Trump039s #trade #war #giving #renewed #importance #advertising #Upfronts #CNBC Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Sevilla FC: Players forced to stay at training ground after fan violence Sevilla FC: Players forced to stay at training ground after fan violence Sevilla’s first team were forced to spend the night at their training facility on Saturday evening after they were met with “violent attacks” by supporters. A statement released by the club strongly condemned “organised vandalism” at the Jose Ramon Cisneros Palacios training complex after Sevilla’s 3-2 loss at 10-man Celta Vigo. Footage on social media appears to show a large group of supporters chanting outside of the facility with pyrotechnics, while another shows them tearing down the gate to the entrance of the training ground. Players and staff of the La Liga side were forced to stay inside the building following their arrival back from Vigo. Sevilla added that the club “will pursue the public naming of employees and the dissemination of private data on social media and in the media, acts that constitute criminal offenses”. Defeat in Vigo left Sevilla 16th in La Liga, six points above the relegation zone with three games left to play. Source link #Sevilla #Players #forced #stay #training #ground #fan #violence Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

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

At least 10 killed overnight in Israeli strikes on Gaza At least 10 killed overnight in Israeli strikes on Gaza ************ health officials say overnight strikes by Israel have killed 10 people in the Gaza Strip, mostly women and children. Source link #killed #overnight #Israeli #strikes #Gaza Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

NYT Strands today: hints, spangram and answers for Sunday, May 11 NYT Strands today: hints, spangram and answers for Sunday, May 11 Table of Contents Table of Contents How to play Strands Hint for today’s Strands puzzle Today’s Strand answers Strands is a brand new daily puzzle from the New York Times. A trickier take on the classic word search, you’ll need a keen eye to solve this puzzle. Like Wordle, Connections, and the Mini Crossword, Strands can be a bit difficult to solve some days. There’s no shame in needing a little help from time to time. If you’re stuck and need to know the answers to today’s Strands puzzle, check out the solved puzzle below. How to play Strands You start every Strands puzzle with the goal of finding the “theme words” hidden in the grid of letters. Manipulate letters by dragging or tapping to craft words; double-tap the final letter to confirm. If you find the correct word, the letters will be highlighted blue and will no longer be selectable. If you find a word that isn’t a theme word, it still helps! For every three non-theme words you find that are at least four letters long, you’ll get a hint — the letters of one of the theme words will be revealed and you’ll just have to unscramble it. Every single letter on the grid is used to spell out the theme words and there is no overlap. Every letter will be used once, and only once. Each puzzle contains one “spangram,” a special theme word (or words) that describe the puzzle’s theme and touches two opposite sides of the board. When you find the spangram, it will be highlighted yellow. The goal should be to complete the puzzle quickly without using too many hints. Hint for today’s Strands puzzle Today’s theme is “Happy…” Here’s a hint that might help you: a day for a special parent. Today’s Strand answers NYT Today’s spanagram We’ll start by giving you the spangram, which might help you figure out the theme and solve the rest of the puzzle on your own: Today’s Strands answers FLOWERS CARDS DRAWINGS HUGS PARTY BREAKFAST Source link #NYT #Strands #today #hints #spangram #answers #Sunday Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘Potentially double or triple the effects’ ‘Potentially double or triple the effects’ Rising sea levels and subsiding shorelines are putting New Zealand’s coastal communities at risk. A new study revealed that human activities heighten and expedite the risks of sinking cities. What’s happening? As Forbes reported, a group of New Zealand researchers studied how the island’s cities and shorelines are sinking. This is concerning because sinking cities may be affected by rising sea levels sooner than previously anticipated. In New Zealand and globally, sea levels are rising due to our warming climate and melting ice in polar regions. Meanwhile, localized instances of human activity, such as groundwater extraction, land reclamation, and dredging, are causing coastal lands to sink. Kyoto University researcher Jesse Kearse said these activities can “potentially double or triple the effects of sea-level rise in certain places.” The researchers determined that coastal infrastructure is at risk because of this sinking effect and rising sea levels. In their study, they used satellite-based mapping and radar images to assess the physical properties of surfaces and measure ground deformation. Watch now: Giant snails invading New York City? Focusing on vertical land movement at urban coastal strips between 2018 and 2021, they observed coastal strips decreasing in all of New Zealand’s major population centers. Some areas are experiencing subsidence rates of over 15 millimeters per year. Why are rising sea levels important? This revelation is significant because billions of people live near coastlines. No coastal city, in New Zealand or elsewhere, is immune to rising sea levels. With supercharged weather events becoming more common as our climate warms, people living along the coast face considerable danger. This study also stands out because it highlights humans’ impacts on at-risk coastlines. The researchers noted that areas of reclaimed land in New Zealand are particularly vulnerable to the land’s stability. Land reclamation involves filling water-submerged areas with soil, rock, or other materials to create new land where water once flowed. The researchers concluded by pointing out many unanswered questions regarding subsidence rates and how long they will persist. They also warned about the risks of future development in coastal areas due to vertical land motion patterns. What’s being done to protect coastal communities? Research studies like this one raise public awareness about coastal community risks and the threats of rising sea levels, especially when extreme storms hit. Fortunately, governments and businesses are working on technologies to adapt and plan ahead. For example, innovators use predictive artificial intelligence and smart reefs to protect residents from floods. Architecture firms have designed floating homes as practical solutions for people living in flood-prone areas. Meanwhile, officials have developed plans to protect coastal lands by planting mangroves and adding sand piles. If you live along the coast, there are steps you can take to protect yourself and your home. Preparing for hurricanes and floods is crucial, so keep a go bag packed if you need to evacuate. To prepare for future power outages, you can install solar panels or sign up for a community solar program. (Solar is also a type of clean energy. In other words, the photovoltaic panels don’t generate any troublesome heat-trapping pollution when turning sunlight into power.) Hurricane-proofing your house by raising it and installing a custom seawall can help as well as reinforcing your home with durable materials to boost its resilience and give you peace of mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don’t miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Source link #Potentially #double #triple #effects Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Anthony Edwards rescues Minnesota with clutch second half to escape with Game 3 win over shorthanded Warriors – CBS Sports Anthony Edwards rescues Minnesota with clutch second half to escape with Game 3 win over shorthanded Warriors – CBS Sports Anthony Edwards rescues Minnesota with clutch second half to escape with Game 3 win over shorthanded Warriors CBS SportsDo-it-all Randle’s triple-double fuels Wolves’ win ESPNAnthony Edwards ‘owns’ tough feedback, rises above it in latest glimpse of greatness – The Athletic The New York TimesNBA playoffs: Timberwolves surge past Warriors late to take 2-1 series lead after Draymond Green fouls out Yahoo SportsScoggins: Timberwolves’ Game 3 win spins from willingness to get ‘right down there in the mud with them’ Star Tribune Source link #Anthony #Edwards #rescues #Minnesota #clutch #escape #Game #win #shorthanded #Warriors #CBS #Sports Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Care worker recruitment from abroad to end, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper says Care worker recruitment from abroad to end, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper says Care workers will no longer be recruited from overseas as part of a crackdown on visas for lower-skilled workers, the home secretary has told the BBC. Yvette Cooper said “it is time to end that care worker recruitment from abroad” and rules will change this year – instead requiring firms to hire British nationals or extend visas of overseas workers already in the country. The government plans to unveil a series of changes to visa and recruitment laws on Monday in a bid to cut net migration, and says measures will cut up to 50,000 lower-skilled and care workers coming to the *** over the next year. Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said the plans were “too little” and called for an annual cap on migration. Successive governments have tried unsuccessfully to reduce net migration, which is the number of people coming to the *** minus the number leaving. Net migration climbed to a record 906,000 in June 2023, and last year it stood at 728,000. The Home Office has not yet officially confirmed what will be in its immigration White Paper, due early next week. Speaking on the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Cooper said the government “was setting up plans for a substantial reduction in net migration” but added targets would not be set, saying “they undermined the credibility of anything that governments do”. The threshold for skilled visas is expected to be increased to graduate level, tightened from the current A-level measure. There will also be a “narrower” list of exceptions to the rules for temporary shortage visas in some industries, Cooper said, but did not give examples. As well as visa changes, the home secretary added there would be new requirements for training commitments “to get people who are not working back into the labour market here in the ***”. Philp – who said he agreed with the plan to end care worker recruitment from abroad – told the same programme the Conservatives would push Parliament to vote on a yearly migration cap this week. When asked what the cap would be, he said “we’re working on the detail to specify that number”, but it would be “a further reduction of significantly more than 50,000”. He argued that if Labour had stuck with Tory changes net migration would have dropped “by about 400,000”. Cooper also said there would be “some changes” to rules around international students and graduates. “We will let them continue to come and to stay and to work afterwards,” she added. “We are making some changes, particularly around the standards and the compliance for universities, because, again, we’ve had problems where some universities haven’t had proper standards in place. “They’ve recruited people to come as international students who then haven’t completed their courses, have either overstayed or… other problems with compliance of the system.” The government has already tightened rules around care sector worker after coming to power last July. Applications for Health and Care Worker visas peaked at 18,300 in August 2023, then collapsed to 1,700 by April this year following the ban on bringing dependants. And on 9 April, an additional restriction was added requiring care firms who want to recruit a new worker from overseas to prove they attempted to recruit a worker from within England first. But the new rules will now require care companies to recruit from domestic workers or a pool of over 10,000 care workers in the *** with cancelled sponsorships before hiring from abroad. Alongside this Cooper promised “to bring in a new fair pay agreement for care workers” to make care jobs more attractive to *** workers and reduce overseas demand. Responding to the changes, the Liberal Democrats social care spokesperson Helen Morgan said the government was “tinkering around the edges yet failing to properly tackle the crisis in our social care”. “Labour must step up and take proper action to address recruitment shortages including paying our care workers properly and rolling out a plan for career progression,” she said. While Labour have been reviewing migration policy for months, many have suggested this week’s crackdown was triggered by Reform ***’s surge in the local elections, where it took the Runcorn and Helsby constituency off Labour and won control of 10 councils. Reform leader Nigel Farage claimed “this new legislation is only happening because Reform is leading in the polls”. Labour’s plan was “doomed to fail”, he argued as immigration was “not just about what numbers come in but who comes in and if they can assimilate”. Source link #Care #worker #recruitment #Home #Secretary #Yvette #Cooper Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump administration poised to accept ‘palace in the sky’ as a gift for Trump from Qatar: Sources Trump administration poised to accept ‘palace in the sky’ as a gift for Trump from Qatar: Sources In what may be the most valuable gift ever extended to the United States from a foreign government, the Trump administration is preparing to accept a super luxury Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet from the royal family of Qatar — a gift that is to be available for use by President Donald Trump as the new Air Force One until shortly before he leaves office, at which time ownership of the plane will be transferred to the Trump presidential library foundation, sources familiar with the proposed arrangement told ABC News. The gift is expected to be announced next week, when Trump visits Qatar on the first foreign trip of his second term, according to sources familiar with the plans. Trump toured the plane, which is so opulently configured it is known as “a flying palace,” while it was parked at the West Palm Beach International Airport in February. PHOTO: A 13-year-old private Boeing aircraft that President Donald Trump toured to check out new hardware and technology features and highlight the aircraft maker’s delay in delivering updated versions of the Air Force One presidential aircraft. (Ben Curtis/AP) The highly unusual — unprecedented — arrangement is sure to raise questions about whether it is legal for the Trump administration, and ultimately, the Trump presidential library foundation, to accept such a valuable gift from a foreign power. Anticipating those questions, sources told ABC News that lawyers for the White House counsel’s office and the Department of Justice drafted an analysis for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth concluding that is legal for the Department of Defense to accept the aircraft as a gift and later turn it over to the Trump library, and that it does not violate laws against bribery or the Constitution’s prohibition (the emoluments clause) of any U.S. government official accepting gifts “from any King, Prince or foreign State.” MORE: Federal government buyouts threaten U.S. national security, ex-officials say Sources told ABC News that Attorney General Pam Bondi and Trump’s top White House lawyer David Warrington concluded it would be “legally permissible” for the donation of the aircraft to be conditioned on transferring its ownership to Trump’s presidential library before the end of his term, according to sources familiar with their determination. The sources said Bondi provided a legal memorandum addressed to the White House counsel’s office last week after Warrington asked her for advice on the legality of the Pentagon accepting such a donation. The White House and DOJ didn’t immediately respond to request for comment. A spokesperson for the Qatari embassy did not respond to ABC’s inquiries. PHOTO: President Donald Trump speaks with reporters after disembarking Marine One upon arrival on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Sunday, May 4, 2025. (Rod Lamkey/AP) The plane will initially be transferred to the United States Air Force, which will modify the 13-year-old aircraft to meet the U.S. military specifications required for any aircraft used to transport the president of the United States, multiple sources familiar with the proposed arrangement said. The plane will then be transferred to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation no later than Jan. 1, 2029, and any costs relating to its transfer will be paid for by the U.S. Air Force, the sources told ABC News. According to aviation industry experts, the estimated value of the aircraft Trump will inherit is about $400 million, and that’s without the additional communications security equipment the Air Force will need to add to properly secure and outfit the plane in order to safely transport the commander in chief. MORE: Trump is giving Elon Musk an unprecedented amount of power As the Wall Street Journal first reported, the aviation company L3Harris has already been commissioned to overhaul the plane to meet the requirements of a presidential jet. PHOTO: President Donald Trump walks to board Marine One to depart for Alabama, on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 1, 2025. (Nathan Howard/Reuters) Both the White House and DOJ concluded that because the gift is not conditioned on any official act, it does not constitute bribery, the sources said. Bondi’s legal analysis also says it does not run afoul of the Constitution’s prohibition on foreign gifts because the plane is not being given to an individual, but rather to the United States Air Force and, eventually, to the presidential library foundation, the sources said. The primary aircraft used in the current Air Force One fleet includes two aging Boeing 747-200 jumbo jets that have been operational since 1990. The Air Force contract with Boeing to replace those aircraft has been riddled with delays and cost overruns. The original contract was signed in 2018, but as of last year, Boeing anticipated the aircraft would not be ready until 2029, after Trump leaves office. The president has expressed deep frustration with the delays, tasking Elon Musk to work with Boeing and the Air Force to speed up the process. Those efforts have been modestly successful. Boeing’s most recent estimated delivery date is now 2027, but Trump has made it clear he wants a new plane this year. Trump administration poised to accept ‘palace in the sky’ as a gift for Trump from Qatar: Sources originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Source link #Trump #administration #poised #accept #palace #sky #gift #Trump #Qatar #Sources Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Fresh round of US-Iran talks underway in Oman as two sides try to overcome deep divisions – CNN Fresh round of US-Iran talks underway in Oman as two sides try to overcome deep divisions – CNN Fresh round of US-Iran talks underway in Oman as two sides try to overcome deep divisions CNNIran, US resume nuclear talks as red lines clash ReutersIran says nuclear enrichment ‘non-negotiable’ before US talks in Oman Al JazeeraUS nuclear talks may be collapsing, and Iran is worried – analysis The Jerusalem PostU.S.-Iran Nuclear Talks Hit Halfway Mark With Major Hurdles to Clear WSJ Source link #Fresh #USIran #talks #underway #Oman #sides #overcome #deep #divisions #CNN Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Three men held over suitcases stuffed with hermit crabs Three men held over suitcases stuffed with hermit crabs Three men have been arrested in Japan for attempting to smuggle hermit crabs out of the country. The suspects, aged 24, 26 and 27, and widely identified in Japanese media as being ******** nationals, were detained on Amami, a southerly island where the spiral-shelled crustaceans are a protected species. Authorities were alerted to the men’s live cargo when hotel staff, who had been asked to look after their luggage, noticed the suitcases making a “rustling noise”, police told local media. Officers subsequently discovered “thousands” of hermit crabs, weighing around 95kg. The third man was found to have a further 65kg in another set of three suitcases. “Our investigation is ongoing to identify whether they had [the crabs] to sell them, or to keep them as pets, or to eat them,” a police spokesman told the news agency AFP following the arrests on Wednesday. “We are reviewing all possibilities.” Police said the hermit crabs were “a national treasure”, being a part of Amami Island’s plant and animal diversity. Hermit crabs – so named because they scavenge shells to live in – can regularly be seen on the beaches of the popular tourist destination. The crabs can be worth up to ¥20,000 (£103), according to the Japan Times. Source link #men #held #suitcases #stuffed #hermit #crabs Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘Large-scale’ search for missing Brit hiker in New Zealand ‘Large-scale’ search for missing Brit hiker in New Zealand Emma Elgee BBC News, West of England Handout Eli Sweeting failed to return from a solo hike A “large-scale air and ground search” is continuing for a British hiker who has been missing for a week in New Zealand. More than 40 staff and volunteers are hunting for Eli Sweeting, who is originally from Bristol. The 25-year-old was reported missing on May 4 after failing to return from a solo hike up Mitre Peak, a steep mountain in Milford Sound area of Fiordland National Park on the country’s South Island. New Zealand Police has said they “remain positive” despite the challenging terrain, which means at times they can only progress 250 metres (0.1miles) an hour. Helicopters, dogs and locals have been assisting with the hunt, and some of his family have also flown out to help. In a fundraising post, his sister Serena Sweeting described her brother as one of the “kindest, most compassionate people”. “We just want him home safe,” she said. The search party has been focusing on a route heading down the mountain after spotting a light there, but the dense area makes it hard for infrared cameras to detect any signs of movement. The operation was briefly halted on Wednesday and Thursday due to weather warnings, but resumed again on Friday and Saturday. Southern District Police Rescue teams have spotted a light on Mitre Peak which they are investigating Police confirmed this weekend there was “large-scale air and ground search effort planned for the coming days”. The area where Mr Sweeting has hiking has incredibly steep rough terrain, but police said they remained hopeful as Mr Sweeting is an “experienced hiker”. The police spokesperson added: “While the [man] has not yet been located, police remain positive as the search remains ongoing. “A Land Search and Rescue team stayed near Mitre Peak overnight to continue the search early this morning.” Source link #Largescale #search #missing #Brit #hiker #Zealand Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Community speak out of crime in area after man attacked in Inglewood car park by stranger Community speak out of crime in area after man attacked in Inglewood car park by stranger A man has been attacked by a stranger in Inglewood on Saturday night as community members say they’ve had enough of crime in their suburb. The attack happened on Inglewood’s Ninth Avenue just before 7pm on Saturday when a man not known to the victim came and attacked him. The 34-year-old victim was with his partner at the time and was kicked, punched and thrown to the ground by the attacker. The victim walked away from the incident with minor injuries. City of Stirling councillor Damien Giudici said the incident was not the first in the area. “He just came out of thin air and jumped on him,” he told 7NEWS. “Our community has been really patient, we’ve been going through the proper processes, and then we see that unsettling vision that we saw last night and that’s not even the first of it.” Local resident Melissa said locals were feeling scared in their own suburbs. “Our community is scared, we’re scared,” she told 7NEWS. “We won’t we won’t walk down these streets, we won’t come and enjoy our community because we’re scared for our safety.” Source link #Community #speak #crime #area #man #attacked #Inglewood #car #park #stranger Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Grocery stores issue urgent recall on popular lasagna dish after safety alert: ‘Do not eat it’ Grocery stores issue urgent recall on popular lasagna dish after safety alert: ‘Do not eat it’ A popular grocery item was pulled from store shelves earlier this year after posing a hidden danger to unsuspecting shoppers. Iceland, one of the United Kingdom’s leading supermarket chains, issued an urgent “do not eat” recall on its Vegetable Lasagne due to the risk of plastic contamination. And it was not the only product raising red flags. What happened? Iceland Foods Ltd. recalled its Vegetable Lasagne, which may contain pieces of plastic, reported the Bournemouth Daily Echo in late March. The affected products had best-before dates of July 23, 2026, and July 30, 2026. “If you have bought the above product do not eat it,” the Food Standards Agency warned, per the news outlet. “Instead, return it to the store from where it was bought for a full refund.” Another recall targeted a breakfast staple. Rude Health Foods Ltd. recalled its 400-gram boxes of Chocolate Crunch Granola with a best-before date of Oct. 24 after reports of insect contamination. Shoppers who purchased the product at Tesco, Ocado, Amazon, and other retailers were told to return it. Why are these recalls concerning? While a stray bug or bit of plastic could be an isolated finding, it spotlights a much ******* issue — the growing risks posed by mass production and heavy reliance on plastics in our food systems. Watch now: How bad is a gas stove for your home’s indoor air quality? Plastic is increasingly used for packages in food manufacturing because it’s cheap and easy to mold, but it’s also prone to breaking and contaminating the very meals it’s supposed to protect. The problem doesn’t stop with visible chunks. Over time, microplastics — tiny particles less than 5 millimeters in size — can enter food and build up in the human body. Scientists have found them in our blood, lungs, reproductive systems, and brains. The long-term health effects of consuming microplastics are still being studied, but early findings suggest they may contribute to risks of inflammation, hormonal disruption, and chronic illness. What’s being done about it? Food recalls serve as a public safety net, but they’re reactive, not preventative. Calls are growing for more proactive solutions: tougher oversight of manufacturing standards, safer alternatives to plastic in food production, and transparent labeling. In the U.K., the Food Standards Agency enforces recalls and issues Food Alerts for Action when serious risks arise. Meanwhile, around the world, companies such as Aldi and McDonald’s U.K. have already begun phasing out plastic in packaging and utensils. Consumers can also take small steps, including choosing brands that use glass, metal, or compostable packaging and supporting legislation that limits plastic use in food production. It’s clear we need a shift. Our dinner should nourish us, not put our health at risk. Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more and waste less, and don’t miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Source link #Grocery #stores #issue #urgent #recall #popular #lasagna #dish #safety #alert #eat Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Walgreens doubles down on robots to fill prescriptions amid turnaround Walgreens doubles down on robots to fill prescriptions amid turnaround A robotic arm fills prescriptions at a Walgreens’ micro-fulfillment center. Courtesy: Walgreens As struggling drugstore chains work to regain their footing, Walgreens is doubling down on automation. The company is expanding the number of retail stores served by its micro-fulfillment centers, which use robots to fill thousands of prescriptions for patients who take medications to manage or treat diabetes, high blood pressure and other conditions. Walgreens aims to free up time for pharmacy staff, reducing their routine tasks and eliminating inventory waste. Fewer prescription fills would allow employees to interact directly with patients and perform more clinical services such as vaccinations and testing. Walgreens first rolled out the robot-powered centers in 2021, but paused expansion in 2023 to focus on gathering feedback and improving performance at existing sites. After more than a year of making upgrades, including new internal tools, the company said it is ready to expand the reach of that technology again. Walgreens told CNBC it hopes to have its 11 micro-fulfillment centers serve more than 5,000 stores by the end of the year, up from 4,800 in February and 4,300 in October 2023. As of February, the centers handled 40% of the prescription volume on average at supported pharmacies, according to Walgreens. That translates to around 16 million prescriptions filled each month across the different sites, the company said. The renewed automation push comes as Walgreens prepares to go private in a roughly $10 billion deal with Sycamore Partners, expected to close by the end of the year. The deal would cap a turbulent chapter for Walgreens as a public company, marked by a rocky transition out of the pandemic, declining pharmacy reimbursement rates, weaker consumer spending and fierce competition from CVS Health, Amazon and other retail giants. Like CVS, Walgreens has shifted from opening new stores to closing hundreds of underperforming locations to shore up profits. Both companies are racing to stay relevant as online retailers lure away customers and patients increasingly opt for fast home delivery over traditional pharmacy visits. The changes also follow mounting discontent among pharmacy staff: In 2023, nationwide walkouts spotlighted burnout and chronic understaffing, forcing chains to reexamine their operational models. Walgreens said the investment in robotic pharmacy fills is already paying off. To date, micro-fulfillment centers have generated approximately $500 million in savings by cutting excess inventory and boosting efficiency, said Kayla Heffington, Walgreens’ pharmacy operating model vice president. Heffington added that stores using the facilities are administering 40% more vaccines than those that aren’t. “Right now, they’re the backbone to really help us offset some of the workload in our stores, to obviously allow more time for our pharmacists and technicians to spend time with patients,” said Rick Gates, Walgreens’ chief pharmacy officer. “It gives us a lot more flexibility to bring down costs, to increase the care and increase speed to therapy – all those things,” he said. Gates added that the centers give Walgreens a competitive advantage because independent pharmacies and some rivals don’t have centralized support for their stores. Still, Walmart, Albertsons and Kroger have similarly tested or are currently using their own micro-fulfillment facilities to dispense grocery items and other prescriptions. Micro-fulfillment centers come with their own risks, such as a heavy reliance on sophisticated robotics that can cause disruptions if errors occur. But the facilities are becoming a permanent fixture in retail due to the cost savings they offer and their ability to streamline workflows, reduce the burden on employees and deliver goods to customers faster. How Walgreens micro-fulfillment works Inside a Walgreens micro-fulfillment center, which helps fill thousands of prescriptions. Courtesy: Walgreens When a Walgreens retail pharmacy receives a prescription, the system determines whether it should be filled at that location or routed to a nearby micro-fulfillment center. Maintenance medications, or prescription drugs taken regularly to manage chronic health conditions, and refills that don’t require immediate pickup are often sent to micro-fulfillment. At the core of each facility is a highly automated system that uses robotics, conveyor belts and barcode scanners, among other tools, to fill prescriptions. The operations are supported by a team of pharmacists pharmacy technicians and other professionals. Instead of staff members filling prescriptions by hand at stores, pill bottles move through an automated and carefully choreographed assembly line. Pharmacy technicians fill canisters with medications for robot pods to dispense, and pharmacists verify those canisters to make sure they are accurate. Yellow robotic arms grab a labeled prescription vial and hold it up to a canister, which precisely dispenses the specific medication for that bottle. Robotic arms fill prescriptions at a Walgreens micro-fulfillment center. Courtesy: Walgreens Certain prescriptions are filled at separate manual stations, including inhalers and birth control pill packs. Each prescription is then sorted and packaged for delivery back to retail pharmacy locations for final pickup. There are other security and safety measures throughout the process, said Ahlam Antar, registered group supervisor of a micro-fulfillment center in Mansfield, Massachusetts. For example, the robot pods automatically lock and signal an error with a red-orange light if a worker attaches a canister to the wrong dispenser, preventing the incorrect pills from going in a prescription, she said. Properly training workers at the centers to ensure accuracy and patient safety is also crucial, according to Sarah Gonsalves, a senior certified pharmacy technician at the Mansfield site. She said a core part of her role is to make sure that technicians can correctly perform the different tasks in the process. Improvements to robotic prescription fills Antar, who has worked at the Mansfield site since its 2022 opening, said Walgreens has made improvements to the micro-fulfillment process after considering feedback from stores and patients during the paused expansion. That includes establishing new roles needed to support the process at the sites, such as a training manager for all 11 locations. The facilities also plan to transition to using smaller prescription vials after hearing concerns that the current bottles are too large, according to a Walgreens spokesperson. They said that will allow the centers to ship more prescriptions per order and reduce costs. A robotic arm fills a prescription vial at a Walgreens micro-fulfillment center. Courtesy: Walgreens Heffington said the automated locations have helped reduce Walgreens’ overall prescription fulfillment costs by nearly 13% compared to a year ago. She said Walgreens has also increased prescription volume by 126% year-over-year, now filling more than 170 million prescriptions annually. The company hopes to raise that number to 180 million or even more. Heffington added that Walgreens implemented new internal tools to track the work across all 11 centers and provide real-time data on where a patient’s prescription is in the micro-fulfillment process. “If a patient called the store and said, ‘Hey, can you tell me where my prescription is today?’ [Workers] can do that with great specificity,” thanks to the new tools, Heffington said. Despite the company’s progress, Gates said there is more work to be done with micro-fulfillment centers. For example, he pointed to the possibility of shipping prescriptions directly to patients’ doorsteps instead of putting that burden on retail stores. “It’s only step one right now,” he said. Other improvements may still be needed at facilities, according to some reports. For example, WRAL News reported in April that some customers at a Walgreens store in Garner, North Carolina, say they are only getting partial prescription fills, with several pills missing, or their medicine is being delayed. Retail store pharmacy staff see benefits A customer views merchandise for ***** at a Walgreens store in the Hollywood neighborhood of Los Angeles. Christopher Lee | Bloomberg | Getty Images Before Brian Gange’s Arizona store started relying on an automated facility, he walked into the pharmacy every morning knowing that a massive list of prescriptions was in his work ****** waiting to be filled for the day. Now, with help from micro-fulfillment, that list is significantly smaller each day, according to Gange. “We don’t have to spend as much time on just those repetitive fulfillment tasks,” he told CNBC. “It really takes a huge weight off our shoulders.” Gange said that gives him and his team time to step behind the pharmacy counter and interact with customers face-to-face, answering questions, providing advice, performing health tests or administering vaccines. That kind of attention can make all the difference for a patient. For example, Gange recalls stepping away for five minutes to take a patient’s blood pressure despite being overwhelmed with tasks while working at a different Walgreens location several years ago. He ended up sending that person to the emergency room because their blood pressure was “off the charts.” That patient’s wife visited the pharmacy the next day to thank Gange, saying her husband “probably wouldn’t be here with us today” without that blood pressure test. “I shouldn’t have to question whether I have that five or 10 minutes to check a blood pressure for a patient,” Gange said. “Micro-fulfillment and centralized services are really what are going to allow us to be able to do that, to have that time.” “That really allows us to provide better care for them,” he added. Source link #Walgreens #doubles #robots #fill #prescriptions #turnaround Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]