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AI hallucinations are getting worse – and they’re here to stay AI hallucinations are getting worse – and they’re here to stay Errors tend to crop up in AI-generated content Paul Taylor/Getty Images AI chatbots from tech companies such as OpenAI and Google have been getting so-called reasoning upgrades over the past months – ideally to make them better at giving us answers we can trust, but recent testing suggests they are sometimes doing worse than previous models. The errors made by chatbots, known as “hallucinations”, have been a problem from the start, and it is becoming clear we may never get rid of them. Hallucination is a blanket term for certain kinds of mistakes made by the large language models (LLMs) that power systems like OpenAI’s ChatGPT or Google’s Gemini. It is best known as a description of the way they sometimes present false information as true. But it can also refer to an AI-generated answer that is factually accurate, but not actually relevant to the question it was asked, or fails to follow instructions in some other way. An OpenAI technical report evaluating its latest LLMs showed that its o3 and o4-mini models, which were released in April, had significantly higher hallucination rates than the company’s previous o1 model that came out in late 2024. For example, when summarising publicly available facts about people, o3 hallucinated 33 per cent of the time while o4-mini did so 48 per cent of the time. In comparison, o1 had a hallucination rate of 16 per cent. The problem isn’t limited to OpenAI. One popular leaderboard from the company Vectara that assesses hallucination rates indicates some “reasoning” models – including the DeepSeek-R1 model from developer DeepSeek – saw double-digit rises in hallucination rates compared with previous models from their developers. This type of model goes through multiple steps to demonstrate a line of reasoning before responding. OpenAI says the reasoning process isn’t to blame. “Hallucinations are not inherently more prevalent in reasoning models, though we are actively working to reduce the higher rates of hallucination we saw in o3 and o4-mini,” says an OpenAI spokesperson. “We’ll continue our research on hallucinations across all models to improve accuracy and reliability.” Some potential applications for LLMs could be derailed by hallucination. A model that consistently states falsehoods and requires fact-checking won’t be a helpful research assistant; a paralegal-bot that cites imaginary cases will get lawyers into trouble; a customer service agent that claims outdated policies are still active will create headaches for the company. However, AI companies initially claimed that this problem would clear up over time. Indeed, after they were first launched, models tended to hallucinate less with each update. But the high hallucination rates of recent versions are complicating that narrative – whether or not reasoning is at fault. Vectara’s leaderboard ranks models based on their factual consistency in summarising documents they are given. This showed that “hallucination rates are almost the same for reasoning versus non-reasoning models”, at least for systems from OpenAI and Google, says Forrest Sheng Bao at Vectara. Google didn’t provide additional comment. For the leaderboard’s purposes, the specific hallucination rate numbers are less important than the overall ranking of each model, says Bao. But this ranking may not be the best way to compare AI models. For one thing, it conflates different types of hallucinations. The Vectara team pointed out that, although the DeepSeek-R1 model hallucinated 14.3 per cent of the time, most of these were “benign”: answers that are factually supported by logical reasoning or world knowledge, but not actually present in the original text the bot was asked to summarise. DeepSeek didn’t provide additional comment. Another problem with this kind of ranking is that testing based on text summarisation “says nothing about the rate of incorrect outputs when [LLMs] are used for other tasks”, says Emily Bender at the University of Washington. She says the leaderboard results may not be the best way to judge this technology because LLMs aren’t designed specifically to summarise texts. These models work by repeatedly answering the question of “what is a likely next word” to formulate answers to prompts, and so they aren’t processing information in the usual sense of trying to understand what information is available in a body of text, says Bender. But many tech companies still frequently use the term “hallucinations” when describing output errors. “‘Hallucination’ as a term is doubly problematic,” says Bender. “On the one hand, it suggests that incorrect outputs are an aberration, perhaps one that can be mitigated, whereas the rest of the time the systems are grounded, reliable and trustworthy. On the other hand, it functions to anthropomorphise the machines – hallucination refers to perceiving something that is not there [and] large language models do not perceive anything.” Arvind Narayanan at Princeton University says that the issue goes beyond hallucination. Models also sometimes make other mistakes, such as drawing upon unreliable sources or using outdated information. And simply throwing more training data and computing power at AI hasn’t necessarily helped. The upshot is, we may have to live with error-prone AI. Narayanan said in a social media post that it may be best in some cases to only use such models for tasks when fact-checking the AI answer would still be faster than doing the research yourself. But the best move may be to completely avoid relying on AI chatbots to provide factual information, says Bender. Topics: Source link #hallucinations #worse #theyre #stay Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Google I/O 2025: What to expect, including updates to Gemini and Android 16 – TechCrunch Google I/O 2025: What to expect, including updates to Gemini and Android 16 – TechCrunch Google I/O 2025: What to expect, including updates to Gemini and Android 16 TechCrunchHow to watch the Android Show ahead of Google I/O 2025 EngadgetSurprise Android boost confirmed by Google and it’s coming this month Daily ExpressGoogle I/O 2025: Android 16, Android XR, Gemini-AI Updates, Material 3 Expressive, More On The Cards NDTV ProfitGoogle I/O 2025: What to expect with Gemini, Android 16, and Project Astra Mashable Source link #Google #expect #including #updates #Gemini #Android #TechCrunch Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Expert Insights: Q&A with Chery's global design chief, Steve Eum Expert Insights: Q&A with Chery's global design chief, Steve Eum We sit down with Chery’s VP of Global Design to chat about his career and China’s impact on the car industry. Source link #Expert #Insights #QampA #Chery039s #global #design #chief #Steve #Eum Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

We got an up-close look at the new Skyraider II special operations light attack plane that maker L3Harris says can land almost anywhere We got an up-close look at the new Skyraider II special operations light attack plane that maker L3Harris says can land almost anywhere L3Harris showed off its new light attack airplane that it says can land almost anywhere. The Sky Warden, or Skyraider II, was on display at SOF Week in Tampa, Florida. *** got up close with the Sky Warden and took photos of this new aircraft. US Air Force Special Operations Command got its first mission-ready Skyraider II attack plane last month, and this week, Business Insider got an up-close look at the new light attack plane at SOF Week 2025 in Tampa, Florida. Air Tractor and L3Harris’ AT-802U Sky Warden, designated the OA-1K Skyraider II by AFSOC in reference to the A-1 Skyraiders of the Korean and Vietnam wars, is an armed intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, close-air support, and strike aircraft that L3Harris says can land almost anywhere. The new light attack aircraft is a militarized variant of the Air Tractor AT-802 long used for civilian work like agriculture. Here’s what it looks like: L3 Harris representatives said one of the aircraft’s highlights is its ability to operate and land in a variety of environments.Business Insider/Chris Panella The Air Force describes the Skyraider II as a flexible aircraft that can be adjusted for different missions and fights, noting that it has a much more manageable maintenance demand and a lower cost per flight hour than other AFSOC aircraft. Like its legendary predecessor, the new Skyraider was built for armed overwatch and attack in permissive environments, though the battlespace is not what it once was, and there are questions about its role in a high-intensity fight in the Indo-Pacific. Jon Rambeau, the president of integrated mission systems at L3Harris, said the Sky Warden is a “versatile” platform and “costs a fraction of what you might pay for a fighter jet.” Just how much the planes cost is a detail that isn’t publicly available. Rambeau and Clint Logwood, L3Harris’ director of flight tests and flight operations, said one of Skyraider II’s most important attributes is its ability to operate in different environments. It can also land just about anywhere with a limited logistics footprint. The Sky Warden, or Skyraider II, can carry a host of weapons and communications systems.Business Insider/Chris Panella “This thing could land anywhere,” Logwood said, from rugged and remote airfields to highways. The Air Force has prioritized flexibility, specifically the ability to operate in austere environments and off of unconventional runways like roadways. Fixed airfields and bases are easy targets, especially in the Indo-Pacific where US forces have to contend with China’s growing missile force, but an adversary can’t target every piece of concrete in the region. Logwood, who has put many hours of testing the aircraft’s capabilities, G-force, speed, temperature, and altitude, said: “We have landed this aircraft on some fields that would jar your teeth, and this aircraft just says, ‘That’s all you got?'” The Sky Warden has “plug and play technology,” he said. It has a modular design, which means new systems can be quickly integrated into the aircraft. There are ten hardpoints capable of carrying a range of weapons and other technologies. While there are two seats in the Sky Warden, it’s a single-pilot aircraft in which all of its systems are designed to be accessible by one person and easy to learn. L3Harris said it has delivered multiple aircraft “in quick succession” since last month.L3Harris Integrated Mission Systems And its cost-per-hour of flight, Rambeau said, is less than $1,000 per hour, one of the cheaper cost estimates of the Air Force’s fleet. He added that L3Harris was in conversation with potential international customers across the world as well. Below the wings of the Sky Warden, Logwood noted, were its ****** AGM 114 Hellfire missiles, as well as ISR sensors and arrays. If another mission pod is needed, it can be bolted and connected to the plane. The Sky Warden can be dissembled in under six hours and fit inside a C-17 cargo aircraft. The program was originally contracted for 75 aircraft in a $3 billion deal; in 2023 and 2024, the Government Accountability Office issued reports urging the Pentagon to reconsider the number of aircraft needed, citing concerns the program wouldn’t be as valuable as the US shifts from decades of counterterrorism operations featuring air superiority to near-peer adversary fights. Rambeau cited the aircraft’s potential international sales as examples “to dispel the thought that this is only applicable for counterinsurgency,” saying that those customers were looking at the aircraft for a variety of purposes. The aircraft can host two pilots but is accessible for only one.L3Harris Integrated Missions Systems While Sky Warden is capable of taking off and landing almost anywhere, Rambeau and Logwood said it would need to be modified for carrier-based operations. The aircraft requires a distance of about 1,200 feet. For fighters and bombers, the required runway length tends to be thousands of feet. The original Skyraider earned its legendary reputation by protecting downed airmen in Vietnam. Unlike jets that couldn’t stay in the area, the Skyraiders could loiter for long periods of time and bring massive firepower for continuous suppressing fire until helicopters could come in for rescue operations. Skyraider pilot Maj. Bernard Fisher famously landed his plane through withering enemy fire at a battle-scarred airstrip littered with debris and destroyed aircraft, rescued a downed airman, and flew back out after taking multiple hits to his aircraft during a 1966 fight at Ashau. Fisher received the Medal of Honor for his actions. The Air Force is hoping the new Skyraiders will provide the same kind of exceptional support for troops in future fights. Read the original article on Business Insider Source link #upclose #Skyraider #special #operations #light #attack #plane #maker #L3Harris #land Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Ukraine: Merz, Macron, Starmer and Tusk en route to Kyiv – DW Ukraine: Merz, Macron, Starmer and Tusk en route to Kyiv – DW Ukraine: Merz, Macron, Starmer and Tusk en route to Kyiv DWEuropean leaders head to Kyiv to show support after Putin’s parade ReutersWestern leaders head to Kyiv to demand Putin agrees ceasefire politico.euFirst Joint Visit of Four European Leaders to Ukraine The New York TimesEuropean leaders travel to Kyiv in push for 30-day ceasefire Financial Times Source link #Ukraine #Merz #Macron #Starmer #Tusk #route #Kyiv Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Doom: The Dark Ages – Review In Progress Doom: The Dark Ages – Review In Progress Doom: The Dark Ages doesn’t launch until May 15, but the review embargo lifted today. I’ve had a busy week writing Death Stranding 2 previews and spent a few days in Montreal this week visiting Rogue Factor to check out Hell is Us (keep an eye out for our impending preview), so I’m still shield-bashing my way through hordes of demons. Although I still have a good way to go in Doom: The Dark Ages, I can confidently say, as of now, this medieval shake-up is one hell of a good time. Giving the Doom Slayer a shield might be one of the best things to ever happen to him. I was initially concerned it would adversely affect Doom’s fast-paced action and that having protection might trivialize the dangers of firefights. Instead, it complements and enhances the action while adding a fun new layer of strategy. Shield bashing foes feels impactful and satisfying, especially since you can charge distant foes to quickly close the gaps and stay in the thick of action (spiritually replacing the Meat Hook from Doom Eternal). The shield can only absorb so many hits before it “breaks” and temporarily becomes unavailable, so it’s still important to constantly move and evade damage. Parrying projectiles feels equally good and is easy to pull off thanks to a generous parry window on the standard difficulty (Hurt Me Plenty). Tossing the shield to either slice foes in half instantly, or having it drill into the flesh of larger enemies to stun them as I either finish them off with a super shotgun blast or unleash the newly expanded melee combos makes the shield feel like an effective extension of the Slayer. Overall, I love the shield’s defensive and offensive options, and I’m almost wondering how we ever played Doom without it. I like how melee combat has greater prominence with three-hit combos used to pummel ammo out of foes. Whether it’s simply punching demons to death or smashing them with a flail, melee feels powerful but is limited to three hits, which you replenish by killing enemies with weapons. This creates an enjoyable symbiotic dynamic; if you need ammo, you must get up close and personal to beat it out of enemies. But you can’t do that unless you blast them apart with weapons to replenish your close-quarter attacks. Doom: The Dark Ages wastes little time throwing you in the cockpit of the giant mech robot seen in trailers, and it’s a cool break from the action that doesn’t overstay its welcome. Riding the dragon-like ****** is a more involved affair, though the simplified flight controls make it a painless experience for those who’d rather keep their feet on the ground. However, the mechanic of executing perfect dodges atop the dragon to recharge and fire its more powerful missiles feels jankier and more restrictive than I’d like. I’m adapting to Doom: The Dark Ages’ new features, but the core fast-paced firefights remain thrilling. I’m enjoying the fresh weapon arsenal to various degrees – the Pulveriser, a spread-shot weapon that fires grounded-up skull bits to pepper wide swaths of targets, is my favorite new gun thus far. But I’m still mostly relying on shotgun/super shotgun in most encounters because, well, it’s Doom. I like bolstering my preferred weapons in the straightforward upgrade systems, which add neat perks to weapons, the shield, and melee combat. My shotgun can fire three-bullet bursts that simultaneously light demons on fire, while my shield can now ricochet off shielded targets. Sprinting through levels is an adrenaline-pumping rush, but I like taking time to uncover well-hidden secrets and goodies such as gold (spent on upgrades), extra lives, weapon skins, and lore entries. Although I didn’t always mind Doom Eternal’s broadly acceptable platforming segments, I’m happy that The Dark Ages has, from what I’ve seen, abandoned these sections for more traditional run-and-gun action. I’d also like to highlight Doom: The Dark Ages’ broad suite of difficulty and accessibility features. Like previous entries, multiple difficulty modes cater to every skill level, from players who just want to mow down demons (mostly) worry-free to masochists seeking the ultimate challenge of their skills. Playing at the standard Hurt Me Plenty mode, the game is better balanced compared to Doom Eternal, which I found challenging to fault on the same setting. Regardless of your preferred difficulty, you can customize your experience further with various sliders that adjust the overall game speed, the parrying window, and projectile speeds. You can also change the hues of color-coded elements (such as parry projectiles) for colorblind players, and remove/adjust various HUD elements. I’ll always applaud games that go the extra mile to invite as many players as possible, and Doom: The Dark Ages accomplishes this. I’m having a great time with Doom: The Dark Ages and am eager to see what else it throws at me (to parry back in its face). The overall flow of the game feels distinctly different, boasting exciting new high points engendered by the new strategies introduced by the shield and other additions. But the experience also still feels very much like Doom in the ways that matter – swift, buttery smooth action, brutal and gratifying executions, mobs of varied enemies promoting quick yet thoughtful crowd control – which should come as a comfort for longtime fans worried about The Dark Ages’ big changes. This latest entry feels like a true evolution of a winning formula, and, hopefully, it maintains that positive momentum. Keep an eye out for my full review, which is coming sometime next week. Source link #Doom #Dark #Ages #Review #Progress Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Drought in Military Aid to Ukraine Enters Uncharted Territory Drought in Military Aid to Ukraine Enters Uncharted Territory For more than 1,000 days, President Joseph R. Biden Jr. kept up a regular drumbeat of military support for Ukraine, sending hundreds of howitzers with millions of shells for them to fire, tens of thousands of guided artillery rockets, and advanced air-defense missile systems to help hold Russian invaders at bay. During all that time, the question was not whether the U.S. would send more weapons, but how advanced would they be, and how far could they reach into Russia? The exception to that rule was a 119-day ******* that began in December 2023, when Speaker Mike Johnson prevented a vote on more aid for Ukraine in the House of Representatives. That move nearly led to catastrophe for Ukraine as its troops began to run out of ammunition, prompting outrage from the White House, some members of Congress and the public. Friday marks another grim milestone for Ukraine — the 120th day since the last new aid package was announced on Jan. 8, outstripping the length of Mr. Johnson’s devastating hold. At the Pentagon there is silence. In contrast, during the Biden administration there were press briefings just days or weeks apart announcing arms shipments worth hundreds of millions or even billions of dollars each. After Pete Hegseth became defense secretary in late January, his office promised to be “the most transparent Department of Defense in history,” but there has been only one Pentagon briefing for reporters during the Trump administration’s first 100 days. There was no mention of additional assistance for Ukraine at the briefing, and only vague support for a cease-fire in Ukraine. Mr. Hegseth’s office did not reply when asked whether he intended to spend the remaining $3.85 billion that Congress has authorized for additional withdrawals from the Defense Department’s stockpiles for Kyiv. Ukraine’s bond with the United States, which once seemed unbreakable, appears to have been shelved. During Mr. Johnson’s nearly fourth-month hold on aid, the Biden administration continued to apply pressure on Congress and kept lines of communication open with President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine. In November 2023, Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III traveled to Ukraine to reassure Mr. Zelensky that the Biden administration had not abandoned his country. Three months later, the Pentagon pieced together a single $300 million package that it said provided “a short-term stop gap” though “nowhere near enough to meet Ukraine’s battlefield needs.” “Without supplemental funding,” the Pentagon said in a statement, it “will remain hard-pressed to meet Ukraine’s capability requirements at a time when Russia is pressing its attacks against Ukrainian forces and cities.” Mr. Johnson allowed the House to vote on a new aid package in April 2024, and the Pentagon resumed the flow of arms to Kyiv. Ukrainian soldiers began to make up ground they had lost during the speaker’s hold. All told President Biden sent 74 packages of weapons during his time in office. But there is a different holdup this year. In February, soon after taking office the second time, Mr. Trump outlined a transactional offer that Mr. Zelensky would have to agree to in order to receive more arms shipments: share your critical minerals with the United States, or else. On Feb. 28, when the Ukrainian president arrived at the White House — a place he had been warmly welcomed by the previous administration — in the hopes of securing a lifeline of arms shipments, he was met with a stream of verbal abuse by Mr. Trump and Vice President JD Vance. All on live television. It is unclear whether the two leaders spoke again before meeting face-to-face in Rome for the ******** of Pope Francis in late April. Mr. Trump and Mr. Zelensky were seen talking privately for about 15 minutes in St. Peter’s Basilica, leading some Ukrainians to hope things might change in their favor. But so far there is no indication additional aid packages for Kyiv are forthcoming from the United States. As a result, Ukraine has had to rely more on European allies as well as building up its own defense industry. Eric Schmitt contributed reporting from Washington. Source link #Drought #Military #Aid #Ukraine #Enters #Uncharted #Territory Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

From treated to tragic: the deterioration of a killer From treated to tragic: the deterioration of a killer A highly educated, multi-lingual man showed great prospects until a dire deterioration in his mental health put him on the path to become a mass killer. Source link #treated #tragic #deterioration #killer Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

The Top 10 Steam Deck Games The Top 10 Steam Deck Games We’re several years into the life cycle of the Steam Deck, and already, the platform (and its various competitors) have greatly impacted how people play games. By providing a moderately powerful gaming PC that fits comfortably in your hands, an array of amazing gaming opportunities opens up, from its versatility while traveling to getting in a few more matches of a favorite game while sitting outside your house. There’s no shortage of excellent PC games you can try out on Steam Deck, but we’ve gathered together 10 ideal choices that run the gamut of playstyles you might be in the mood to try out, from sprawling open-world epics for a long car ride to quick hits for a wait at the bus stop. Please note that the list below includes 10 entries, but we’ve chosen not to rank them. These are all stellar releases in their respective genres, so you can select your next game to match what you’re in the mood to play. As such, you’ll see these listed in reverse chronological order from the initial release. Here are our suggestions for the ten best games to play on Steam Deck right now. Source link #Top #Steam #Deck #Games Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Syria and Lebanon’s moves to centralize power leads to crackdowns on ************ factions Syria and Lebanon’s moves to centralize power leads to crackdowns on ************ factions BEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon and Syria are cracking down on ************ factions that for decades have had an armed presence in both countries and which on some occasions were used to plan and launch attacks against Israel. The crackdown comes as Syria’s new rulers under Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham are pursuing officials of the former government under Bashar Assad, including those in the ousted president’s web of security agencies. Syria’s most prominent ************ factions were key allies of the Assad dynasty in both war and peace time and closely cooperated on security matters. It also comes after Iran’s main regional ally, the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, was weakened after over a year of war with Israel and as Lebanon’s new government vows to monopolize all arms under the government, including Hezbollah and ************ factions in Lebanon. On Wednesday, Syria’s President Ahmad al-Sharaa said his government is holding indirect talks with Israel through mediators, who he did not name. He said the aim of the indirect negotiations is to ease tensions after intense Israeli airstrikes on Syria. A crackdown on hardline ************ factions, including the ************ Islamic ******, which took part with ****** in the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks in Gaza, is likely to be welcomed by Israel. A Syrian government official declined to comment on the matter. A ************ official who had been in Damascus for more than 40 years, and who recently left the country, said ************ factions in Syria were forced to hand over their weapons and the ************ embassy will be the only side that Syria’s new authorities will deal with. The ************ groups would only be limited to social and charitable activities, the official added, who spoke on condition of anonymity fearing for their safety. ‘We are simply guests here’ ************ factions for decades have lived in refugee camps in Lebanon and Syria and have been involved militarily both locally and regionally. They closely aligned themselves with the Assads and later with Hezbollah in Lebanon, whose powerful military arsenal grew over the past few decades. Over time, many of the leaders of groups like ****** and the ************ Islamic ****** were based in those countries. However, the regional developments of late 2024 that went against Iran’s favor in the Levant began to take shape in recent weeks among the ************ factions in Lebanon and Syria. “No weapons will be allowed in the (************ refugee) camps. The Syrian state will protect citizens whether they are Palestinians or Syrians,” said Syrian political analyst Ahmad al-Hamada, whose view points reflect those of the government. “It is not allowed for ************ factions that were arms for Iran and the Assad regime to keep their weapons.” When asked whether the state will prevent any attacks against Israel, al-Hamada said Syria will not allow its territories to be used as a launch pad against any neighbor. Syrian authorities in Damascus this week detained two senior officials of the Iran-backed ************ Islamic ****** group and briefly detained and questioned the leader of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command, FLP-GC, that since its founding had been a key ally of Assad. Another ************ official with one of the factions that had been based in Syria said the developments caught them by surprise, and that regardless of who runs the country they are keen to have good relations with Syria’s new rulers and maintain the country’s stability. “We hope that this wouldn’t have happened. But we don’t have a say in this,” the official said, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they are still based in the country. “We are simply guests here.” The government in Lebanon, which is trying to expand its army’s influence in the south near Israel, has also been reclaiming dozens of informal border crossings with Syria, which were key arteries for Iran and its allies to transport weapons and fighters over the years. Many of those crossings were held by PFLP-GC militants who have given some of those positions up to the Lebanese army after Assad’s downfall. ************ President Mahmoud Abbas, who ************ factions in Syria oppose, visited Damascus last month for the first time in more than a decade and he is scheduled to visit Lebanon on May 21. ‘Unprecedented times’ After Israel intensified its airstrikes on Lebanon in response to ****** allegedly firing rockets from southern Lebanon in late March, the Lebanese government for the first time called out the ************ group and arrested nearly 10 suspects involved in the operation. ****** was pressured by the military to turn in three of their militants from different refugee camps. Ahmad Abdul-Hadi, a ****** representative in Lebanon, was also summoned by the head of one of the country’s top security agencies over the incident and was formally told that ****** should stop its military activities. Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun, who is backed by the United States and Arab countries rather than Hezbollah and Iran, has said armed factions should not be allowed to “shake up national security and stability.” His statement has set a new tone after decades of tolerating the presence of armed ************ groups in refugee camps which have led to armed conflict in the crowded ghettos. “I think we’re in unprecedented times, politically speaking,” said Mohanad Hage Ali, a senior fellow at the Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut. “The (Lebanese) army is acting out of a political will, with its former chief now the president. There is a strong political thrust behind the army.” A Lebanese government official familiar with the initiative said that ****** was told to hand over wanted militants and end all its military activity in the country. He added that there is also a plan to gradually give up ******’ weapons, which coincides with the visit to Lebanon of Abbas, leader of the rival ****** group. Source link #Syria #Lebanons #moves #centralize #power #leads #crackdowns #************ #factions Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Virtual chronic care company Omada Health files for IPO Virtual chronic care company Omada Health files for IPO Omada Health smart devices in use. Courtesy: Omada Health Virtual care company Omada Health filed for an IPO on Friday, the latest digital health company that’s signaled its intent to hit the public markets despite a turbulent economy. Founded in 2012, Omada offers virtual care programs to support patients with chronic conditions like prediabetes, diabetes and hypertension. The company describes its approach as a “between-visit care model” that is complementary to the broader health-care ecosystem, according to its prospectus. Revenue increased 57% in the first quarter to $55 million, up from $35.1 million during the same ******* last year, the filing said. The San Francisco-based company generated $169.8 million in revenue during 2024, up 38% from $122.8 million the previous year. Omada’s net loss narrowed to $9.4 million during its first quarter from $19 million during the same ******* last year. It reported a net loss of $47.1 million in 2024, compared to a $67.5 million net loss during 2023. The IPO market has been largely dormant across the tech sector for the past three years, and within digital health, it’s been almost completely dead. After President Donald Trump announced a sweeping tariff policy that plunged U.S. markets into turmoil last month, taking a company public is an even riskier endeavor. Online lender Klarna delayed its long-anticipated IPO, as did ticket marketplace StubHub. But Omada Health isn’t the first digital health company to file for its public market debut this year. Virtual physical therapy startup Hinge Health filed its prospectus in March, and provided an update with its first-quarter earnings on Monday, a signal to investors that it’s looking to forge ahead. Omada contracts with employers, and the company said it works with more than 2,000 customers and supports 679,000 members as of March 31. More than 156 million Americans suffer from at least one chronic condition, so there is a significant market opportunity, according to the company’s filing. In 2022, Omada announced a $192 million funding round that pushed its valuation above $1 billion. U.S. Venture Partners, Andreessen Horowitz and Fidelity’s FMR LLC are the largest outside shareholders in the company, each owning between 9% and 10% of the stock. “To our prospective shareholders, thank you for learning more about Omada. I invite you join our journey,” Omada co-founder and CEO Sean Duffy said in the filing. “In front of us is a unique chance to build a promising and successful business while truly changing lives.” WATCH: The IPO market is likely to pick up near Labor Day, says FirstMark’s Rick Heitzmann Source link #Virtual #chronic #care #company #Omada #Health #files #IPO Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Virtual chronic care company Omada Health files for IPO Virtual chronic care company Omada Health files for IPO Omada Health smart devices in use. Courtesy: Omada Health Virtual care company Omada Health filed for an IPO on Friday, the latest digital health company that’s signaled its intent to hit the public markets despite a turbulent economy. Founded in 2012, Omada offers virtual care programs to support patients with chronic conditions like prediabetes, diabetes and hypertension. The company describes its approach as a “between-visit care model” that is complementary to the broader health-care ecosystem, according to its prospectus. Revenue increased 57% in the first quarter to $55 million, up from $35.1 million during the same ******* last year, the filing said. The San Francisco-based company generated $169.8 million in revenue during 2024, up 38% from $122.8 million the previous year. Omada’s net loss narrowed to $9.4 million during its first quarter from $19 million during the same ******* last year. It reported a net loss of $47.1 million in 2024, compared to a $67.5 million net loss during 2023. The IPO market has been largely dormant across the tech sector for the past three years, and within digital health, it’s been almost completely dead. After President Donald Trump announced a sweeping tariff policy that plunged U.S. markets into turmoil last month, taking a company public is an even riskier endeavor. Online lender Klarna delayed its long-anticipated IPO, as did ticket marketplace StubHub. But Omada Health isn’t the first digital health company to file for its public market debut this year. Virtual physical therapy startup Hinge Health filed its prospectus in March, and provided an update with its first-quarter earnings on Monday, a signal to investors that it’s looking to forge ahead. Omada contracts with employers, and the company said it works with more than 2,000 customers and supports 679,000 members as of March 31. More than 156 million Americans suffer from at least one chronic condition, so there is a significant market opportunity, according to the company’s filing. In 2022, Omada announced a $192 million funding round that pushed its valuation above $1 billion. U.S. Venture Partners, Andreessen Horowitz and Fidelity’s FMR LLC are the largest outside shareholders in the company, each owning between 9% and 10% of the stock. “To our prospective shareholders, thank you for learning more about Omada. I invite you join our journey,” Omada co-founder and CEO Sean Duffy said in the filing. “In front of us is a unique chance to build a promising and successful business while truly changing lives.” WATCH: The IPO market is likely to pick up near Labor Day, says FirstMark’s Rick Heitzmann Source link #Virtual #chronic #care #company #Omada #Health #files #IPO Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Top White House adviser Stephen Miller says 'we're actively looking at' suspending due process for migrants – NBC News Top White House adviser Stephen Miller says 'we're actively looking at' suspending due process for migrants – NBC News Top White House adviser Stephen Miller says ‘we’re actively looking at’ suspending due process for migrants NBC NewsTrump administration ‘looking at’ suspending habeas corpus, Stephen Miller says CNBCTrump Admin ‘Looking At’ Suspending Right To Court Challenge For Detainees Barron’sWhite House ‘actively looking’ at suspending habeas corpus in immigration crackdown The HillTrump Administration: Latest News and Updates The New York Times Source link #Top #White #House #adviser #Stephen #Miller #039we039re #actively #at039 #suspending #due #process #migrants #NBC #News Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Mitchell keeps chasers at bay ahead of moving day Mitchell keeps chasers at bay ahead of moving day Keith Mitchell held the first-round lead at three tournaments earlier this season before falling out of top spot. He’s showing staying power at the PGA Tour’s Truist Championship. Mitchell followed a career-best round with a three-under 67 on Friday and maintained a one-shot lead after two rounds at Philadelphia Cricket Club’s Wissahickon Course. The American, who led the way with a 61 on Thursday, offset two bogeys with five birdies for a 12-under total. Shane Lowry (65) is second at 11 under and Austria’s Sepp Straka (67) another stroke back. Defending champion Rory McIlroy (67) sits in a large group for fourth. “Playing well the last couple Thursdays, it’s just I feel like I’ve been there now three or four times. So trying to just build off of that and build into Friday, then Saturday and Sunday,” Mitchell said. “It’s a four-round tournament. They don’t give any points or money out on Thursday. So I’ve got to keep it going.” One day after 64 of the 72 golfers in the no-cut field broke par in near-perfect weather and scoring conditions, the course was softened by overnight rain and the field dealt with on-and-off showers. Lowry was undeterred by the weather and posted the lowest round of the day. He birdied four of his first eight holes. After a bogey at the 10th, he bounced back by making a 53-foot birdie putt at No.11 and closed out the round with another birdie 15. The 38-year-old discounted the notion that he has an advantage over most players in chilly, damp conditions just because he hails from Ireland. “Everyone says that to me every day when it rains,” he said. “I live in South Florida, and I plan to be there now … I think I’m able to handle them probably better than a few people, but I don’t particularly like or enjoy going out and playing in these conditions.” McIlroy had an uneven round of six birdies and three bogeys while playing in his first individual tournament since completing the career Grand Slam at the Masters last month. He has won three times this season — at Pebble Beach, the Players Championship and Augusta National — and is a four-time champion of this event. “I felt like today was another sort of scrappy one,” McIlroy, who is also preparing for next week’s PGA Championship at Quail Hollow, where he has won four times, said. “I made what I feel are some uncharacteristic mistakes compared to how I’ve played the majority of the year.” Min Woo Lee (68) is the best-placed *********** at three under, while Cam Davis (69) and Adam Scott (70) are one stroke further back. With AAP. Source link #Mitchell #chasers #bay #ahead #moving #day Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Trump’s shift in tone on tariff talks eases recession fears Trump’s shift in tone on tariff talks eases recession fears 00:00 Speaker A Well, markets are calming as President Trump gradually backtracks on the most strident elements of his trade war. So scratch that recession, says Yahoo Finances Rick Newman. He’s joining us now with this week’s rendition of Trumponomics. So, we’re in the clear, Rick? 00:19 Rick Newman We’re in the clear this week. That is where we stand on the uh, on the Wheel of Fortune, I guess, uh based on the latest spins. Uh so, you know, a lot of the economists I’m I’m I follow are saying, okay, uh, this is getting marginally better. Uh Ed Yardini for example, uh an economist a lot of people follow, recently lowered his recession odds from 45% to 35%. Now, the start of the year, they were only 25%. So they’re higher than they used to be, but it’s moving in the right direction. And the, you know, the reason is obvious, we saw a little bit of progress this week on the trade war with the um, kind of fig leaf deal with the ***, and then Trump saying maybe 145% tariffs on ******** imports is a little bit too high. Um, it’s like way too high, but at least Trump is now acknowledging that. So, you know guys, this, this, this outlook obviously could change tomorrow, or anything could happen, but um, we are sort of seeing more signs that Trump realizes he’s got uh, about two months to make some progress on this trade war, and that clock is ticking. 02:19 Speaker A Can I ask you a separate question, Rick? And this certainly got a lot of attention today. Trump sort of suggesting here he, he’s open to hiking taxes on, on wealthy Americans. Uh, this was this Truth, Truth Social post this morning. Said he would uh, his words, graciously accept even a tiny tax increase on the rich, though did seem to also acknowledge, hey, that could come with some, some political risk. I’m just curious what you made of that. 03:03 Rick Newman Well, uh Trump’s trying to have it both ways obviously. Um that’s a popular position. Um, it’s certainly popular among Democrats, and, and also among some Republicans. And Trump is now populist. He’s not really a Republican anymore. He’s a populist. So that’s uh, that, that’s a popular position to take. It also tells you that uh, it’s a, it’s a reflection on the trouble Republicans in Congress are having coming up with the offsetting spending cuts, or whatever it takes to justify all the new tax cuts they want to do. So, um, they’re, they’re, that, that is a real struggle. Now, I don’t think this is going to happen. I think there is basically no chance that Republicans in Congress would ever undo that part of their tax bill because a lot of those people are still traditional Republicans who favor lower taxes for everybody, and they have some constituencies uh, who don’t, you know, wealthy donors who would not be happy about that. Um, so I don’t think it’s going to happen. But um, it’s, it’s as usual, Trump just say, kind of saying whatever pops to his mind and muddying the outlook for his allies in Congress. Source link #Trumps #shift #tone #tariff #talks #eases #recession #fears Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Librarian of Congress firing is latest move in upheaval of U.S. cultural institutions – NPR Librarian of Congress firing is latest move in upheaval of U.S. cultural institutions – NPR Librarian of Congress firing is latest move in upheaval of U.S. cultural institutions NPRLibrarian of Congress Carla Hayden is fired by Trump Politico’Outrageous action’: Marylanders on congressional librarian’s ouster WBAL-TVPresident Trump fires Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden NPRHeinrich Reacts to Trump’s Firing of Librarian of Congress Senator Martin Heinrich (.gov) Source link #Librarian #Congress #firing #latest #move #upheaval #U.S #cultural #institutions #NPR Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

10 Legendary Games That Still Absolutely Crush It in 2025 10 Legendary Games That Still Absolutely Crush It in 2025 Discover 10 timeless video games from the past that remain absolutely playable today. From Chrono Trigger to DOOM, these classics have aged like fine wine! Source link #Legendary #Games #Absolutely #Crush Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Weight-loss meds may give people more control over drinking, study shows Weight-loss meds may give people more control over drinking, study shows Popular obesity and diabetes drugs called GLP-1 medications may have added benefits, with a new study finding they helped heavy drinkers cut alcohol consumption by nearly 70%. The study, published Friday during the 32nd European Congress on Obesity in Spain, also found these GLP-1 drugs were more effective than a drug called nalmefene, which is approved in Europe explicitly to help people cut back on alcohol. For the study, researchers followed 262 adults who were prescribed GLP-1 medications like semaglutide or liraglutide to help with weight loss. The researchers also tracked changes in alcohol use to explore a possible added benefit. Heavy drinkers — those consuming 11 or more units of alcohol per week, roughly equal to six or more standard drinks like beers or glasses of wine — saw the biggest drops in consumption. Notably, no participants reported drinking more after starting the medication. And it seemed to work equally well for men and women. PHOTO: Ozempic is medicine for adults with type 2 diabetes, Wegovy is prescribed for long-term weight loss in adults and children. Both contain the active ingredient semaglutide, Jan. 13, 2025, in Sydney, Australia. (Steve Christo/Corbis via Getty Images) Patients also lost about 17 pounds on average over four months. People who drank less tended to lose a little more weight, the researchers noted, possibly because they were cutting back on alcohol’s empty calories. “The significance of this has to be taken into context of what’s available to treat alcohol use disorder,” Dr. Maurice O’Farrell, lead author of the study and founder of the Medication Weight Loss Clinic in Dublin, Ireland, told ABC News. “The real advantage that this medication has is compliance, and what this medication does is it gives people a degree of control, it gives the concrete guardrails, and that is something that is completely unique.” Women turn to weight loss drugs in menopause: What to know about the benefits and risks Scientists have been studying other possible health benefits of GLP-1s besides diabetes management and weight loss for this class of medication, which includes drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, in the wake of their booming popularity. Prior studies and anecdotal reports from patients have hinted that these medications may help cut cravings for alcohol and other addictive substances. One possible explanation is that they act on parts of the brain that control reward and satisfaction. According to the study, GLP-1 drugs may affect brain chemicals tied to pleasure and fullness, though more research is needed to fully understand the exact mechanism. “They attenuate dopamine release in reward pathways, and these pathways are common to food satisfaction but also to the pleasure people get from alcohol,” O’Farrell said. “They drink more slowly and also the gastric emptying is slowed — that means the absorption of alcohol is slower, so it is less pleasurable.” Because this study took place in a real-world clinical setting — not a controlled lab — it may better reflect how people actually drink alcohol in everyday life. Woman says Ozempic helped her stop drinking: Here’s what the research says about how it may work But the study did have a few limitations. There was no control group for comparison and researchers relied on people to report their own drinking habits, which they don’t always remember accurately. About a third of the participants didn’t complete the study, which makes the results less certain. If these results are confirmed in larger studies, O’Farrell said he thinks they could offer a new way to help people cut back on alcohol, especially those who haven’t had success with current treatments. Dr. Keerthana Pakanati is a Cardiovascular Disease Fellow at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health and a member of the ABC News Medical Unit. Weight-loss meds may give people more control over drinking, study shows originally appeared on goodmorningamerica.com Source link #Weightloss #meds #give #people #control #drinking #study #shows Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Report: Cowboys looked into a trade for Rashod Bateman – NBC Sports Report: Cowboys looked into a trade for Rashod Bateman – NBC Sports Report: Cowboys looked into a trade for Rashod Bateman NBC SportsSteelers’ GM Khan: Pickens trade ‘made sense for everyone’ ESPNFantasy Football Mock Draft: Lessons learned from 10-team half-PPR exercise Yahoo SportsNFL Teams ‘Laughed’ at Idea of Trading for George Pickens During the Draft Sports IllustratedSpagnola: Let’s chant, ‘Just give Pickens a chance’ Dallas Cowboys Source link #Report #Cowboys #looked #trade #Rashod #Bateman #NBC #Sports Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

'It was hard': Pole reflects on Storm snubbing 'It was hard': Pole reflects on Storm snubbing Wests Tigers are facing off with Stefano Utoikamanu for the first time but there’s a world where Fonua Pole is also lining up for Melbourne this week. Source link #039It #hard039 #Pole #reflects #Storm #snubbing Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Exclusive-China buys *********, *********** wheat as heat hits crop, traders say Exclusive-China buys *********, *********** wheat as heat hits crop, traders say By Michael Hogan, Peter Hobson and Gus Trompiz HAMBURG/CANBERRA/PARIS (Reuters) -******** buyers bought between 400,000 and 500,000 metric tons of wheat from Australia and Canada in recent weeks, traders said, as heat threatens to damage crops in China’s agricultural heartlands. China is the world’s top wheat grower and also imports large amounts of grain when domestic supply falls short of demand. Earlier this week, Henan province, which grows about a third of China’s crop, issued a risk warning as hot, dry weather threatened the wheat growing in its fields. ******** buyers have purchased four or five 55,000-ton shipments of wheat from Australia for delivery in July or August and around 200,000 tons from Canada, sources at two major trading firms in Australia said. The wheat is of milling quality. The bookings from Australia were the first made by China from the country since last year, said one of the traders. COFCO, the state-owned ******** firm that handles most of the country’s wheat imports, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. China has in recent years been one of the world’s biggest wheat importers, buying in around 11 million tons worth $3.5 billion in 2024. Australia and Canada are typically its biggest suppliers. But shipments slowed sharply after China reaped large wheat and corn harvests last year and have since remained low. China delayed or redirected shipments from Australia earlier this year and imported less than a million tons of wheat in the seven months to March 31, ******** customs data accessed through Trade Data Monitor show. One of the sources said their company had lowered its forecast of ******** 2025 wheat production by around 5 million tons but there was no guarantee that more purchases would follow because China has large wheat inventories. “China is well self-sufficient in feed grains this crop year with heavy stocks,” said Rod Baker, an analyst at *********** Crop Forecasters in Perth, adding that faltering economic growth in China was also depressing demand for grains. Talk of ********* wheat sales to China has echoed around agricultural business circles in Winnipeg, Canada’s grain industry capital, according to traders. Few concrete details on the sales have emerged. ******** buyers would have avoided buying U.S. wheat due to tariffs and the trade war between Washington and Beijing, one trader said. China in the past has been a top destination for U.S. wheat sales. The drop-off in ******** imports earlier in the current 2024/25 season had contributed to subdued international wheat prices, with benchmark futures in Chicago still near a four-year low touched last July. Story Continues Along with weather risks to China’s upcoming harvest, attractive prices may have lured ******** importers back into the market as the 2025/26 season approaches, traders said. BARLEY ******** importers also booked a large amount of barley, according to traders. Some said that six panamax bulk carriers carrying around 360,000 tons of French or Ukrainian new-crop barley had been sold for delivery in July or August, with others putting the volume much higher at around 1 million tons, also for shipment this summer. “******** wheat and barley import buying has been very quiet in the past year and these are the first major deals I have seen in many months,” a ******* trader said. Feed barley purchases with optional origin were from Ukraine or France. The deals were done at a price of around $250-$254 a tonne delivered to China, one trader said. (Reporting by Michael Hogan in Hamburg, Peter Hobson in Canberra, Gus Trompiz in Paris, Ed White in Winnipeg; Additional reporting by Ella Cao in Beijing; Editing by Simon Webb and Louise Heavens) Source link #ExclusiveChina #buys #********* #*********** #wheat #heat #hits #crop #traders Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Trump administration mulling end to legal right to challenge one’s detention – The Guardian Trump administration mulling end to legal right to challenge one’s detention – The Guardian Trump administration mulling end to legal right to challenge one’s detention The GuardianTrump administration ‘looking at’ suspending habeas corpus, Stephen Miller says CNBCWhat is ‘habeas corpus’ and why might the Trump administration suspend it? FOX 10 PhoenixTop White House adviser Stephen Miller says ‘we’re actively looking at’ suspending due process for migrants NBC NewsWhite House ‘actively looking’ at suspending habeas corpus in immigration crackdown The Hill Source link #Trump #administration #mulling #legal #challenge #detention #Guardian Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Dates set for Menendez brothers' resentencing hearings Dates set for Menendez brothers' resentencing hearings A judge has set dates for hearings to consider resentencing Erik and Lyle Menendez, sentenced in 1996 to life in prison for fatally shooting their parents. Source link #Dates #set #Menendez #brothers039 #resentencing #hearings Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Federal workers spoke to reporters after DOGE fired them. Now they face investigation. Federal workers spoke to reporters after DOGE fired them. Now they face investigation. At least half a dozen USAID employees who spoke to reporters after they thought they had been fired by the Trump administration have now received notices from the foreign aid agency’s internal human resources office that they are facing investigation for participating in interviews. The workers, whose formal dismissal date was delayed after leaders encountered bureaucratic snags, received an email in recent days carrying the subject line, “Administrative inquiry.” The email accused them of having “engaged with the press/media without authorization” and threatened “disciplinary action” including “removal from the U.S. Agency for International Development.” The emails were sent by Employment Labor Relations, which is part of the USAID’s internal HR structure, and manages most disciplinary and performance complaints. “It’s total intimidation,” said ****** Chester, the vice president of the American Foreign Service Association, which is the union that represents USAID employees. He said employees started receiving notices on Monday. The union shared the email exclusively with CBS. “Federal employees do not surrender their constitutional rights when they take public service jobs,” said Abbe Lowell, a veteran Washington, D.C., attorney who launched his own firm last week to protect public officials from retaliation. Lowell is known for representing high-profile political figures including Jared Kushner, Ivanka Trump and Hunter Biden. “This so-called ‘inquiry’ does not appear to be about enforcing any rules so much as it’s trying to silence criticism,” he said. USAID — the agency that oversaw distribution of foreign aid —was among the first to face drastic personnel cuts by the Department of Government Efficiency, known as DOGE, a force reduction effort overseen by Elon Musk. On Feb. 2, Musk posted the following on X: “USAID is a criminal organization. Time for it to die.” Operating largely in secret, workers for DOGE were inserted into various federal agencies and proceeded to enact large-scale force reductions. In February, USAID employees received notices that they would soon lose their jobs. An agency letter dated Feb. 4 said “all USAID direct hire personnel will be placed on administrative leave globally.” A few days later, workers were informed that the agency headquarters were closed until further notice. On Feb. 18, President Trump gave a speech saying, “we’ve effectively eliminated the U.S. Agency for International Development.” At the end of the month, employees were given 15 minutes to pack up their belongings, in what many considered the end of their careers at USAID. But shuttering the agency was more difficult than anticipated, and many saw their dismissal date slide as their bosses worked to terminate them. In March, USAID leadership issued a memo saying the vast majority of the agency’s employees would formally lose their jobs on either July 1 or Sept. 2. Employees have continued to be on USAID payroll since February. Later that month, the State Department notified Congress that it would “realign select USAID functions to the Department” by July 1. This week, employees who spoke out publicly about their dismissal between late February and early March began receiving email communication that suggested interviews done during this ******* were improper. The email, reviewed by CBS News, asked the employees to submit a statement and answer a series of questions by May 13. According to the email, “failure to comply with these instructions and to provide a statement as requested would constitute misconduct,” and their written statement will be “used to determine whether misconduct occurred and what action, if any, is necessary to correct that behavior.” Federal workers, including USAID employees, are contractually prohibited from doing interviews with the press without agency permission. The USAID employees have not been asked to sign separation agreements that prevent them from speaking with members of the press, according to Chester. In this case many who had received notices about employee termination dates believed they had already lost their jobs, Chester said. Others were willing to take the risk. He believes these notices promote a “chilling effect” for those who have stories to share with the press or have joined lawsuits against the government. “It’s an effort to stifle anyone else from talking to the press,” he said in an interview with CBS News. “These notices smack of an administration desperate to hide their mistakes.” Investigations into possible employee misconduct typically take months to resolve and involve multiple appeals. In most circumstances, if an employee is found to have committed misconduct, they are offered a limited suspension from work without pay. “This is a complete waste of time and government resources,” Chester said. “It’s going to cost them money to conduct these investigations, and the lawyers investigating won’t even have jobs by the time it’s done.” A State Department spokesperson responded to CBS’ inquiry saying, “as a general matter, we do not comment on internal personnel matters.” Madeleine May Madeleine May is an investigative producer at CBS News based in Washington, D.C. She previously covered politics for VICE News and reported on organized crime and corruption for OCCRP. She covers threats to democracy, disinformation, political violence, and extremism. Source link #Federal #workers #spoke #reporters #DOGE #fired #face #investigation Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Two More Official Switch 2 Grip Accessories Are Available Now Two More Official Switch 2 Grip Accessories Are Available Now We’re still a few weeks out from the Switch 2’s launch on June 5, but we’ve already seen numerous third-party manufacturers release official accessories for the upcoming consoles–including Switch 2 editions of some of the best Switch grips, the Skull & Co. NeoGrip and StandGrip. Skull & Co. is one of the most popular Switch accessory manufacturers, and the new Switch 2 versions of the NeoGrip and StandGrip are sure to be popular–in fact, at least one bundle deal featuring the NeoGrip for Switch 2 and one of its new carrying cases has already sold out at Amazon. Luckily, you can still grab the Switch 2 NeoGrip for $30 and StandGrip for $19 (was $27), along with several other new Switch 2 accessories from Skull & Co. like carrying cases, screen protectors, and protective caps for the Switch 2’s thumbsticks and buttons. All Skull & Co. Nintendo Switch 2 Accessories and Bundles NeoGrip for Switch 2 StandGrip for Switch 2 Carrying cases Other Accessories $30 The Savage Raven NeoGrip for Switch 2 is an ergonomic grip that includes three interchangeable grip sizes. It features a hard, durable construction to absorb the impact of falls. It’s designed so you can use the Switch 2’s kickstand and dock while it’s attached to the console and won’t block the game card slot, vents, or buttons, but can easily slide on and off if needed. The NeoGrip for Switch 2 is available in ****** or Neon Red and Blue. Amazon also lists a bundle featuring the Maxcarry case, though it’s currently sold out. NeoGrip for Switch 2 $19 (was $27) The StandGrip for Nintendo Switch 2 is a wrap-around case with soft, protective material with a textured finish to keep the Switch 2 safe and make it more comfortable to hold. As the name implies, the bottom of the case features a flat 75-degree angle so you can stand it up in tabletop mode without needing the kickstand. The top of the case has dedicated cutouts for the charging and USB ports, exhaust vents, and game card slot. The StandGrip for Swittch 2 is available in three color options: Jet ******, Smokey ******, and Galactic Purple. You can pick it up on its own, or in a bundle with either a front cover or a carrying case. StandGrip for Switch 2 $21 (was $30) Skull & Co.’s Slim carrying case for the Switch 2 is exactly what it sounds like: a durable zippered clamshell designed for keeping the Switch 2 safe while on the go but small enough to fit in backpacks and other bags or be carried by hand. The hard inner case is surrounded by a denim covering, and it features an adjustable hand strap. It’s large enough to fit the undocked Switch 2 with the Joy-**** 2s attached, but not much else. $30 (was $50) Skull & Co.’s Switch 2 Maxcarry Case is a larger alternative to the Slim Carrying Case. It features similar durable construction but offers more internal storage space for accessories or for fitting the Switch 2 with either the NeoGrip or StandGrip attachments. If you’re looking for more Switch 2 accessories, other third-party brands like JSAUX, Tomtoc, Satisfye, and Dbrand all have their own grips, carrying cases, and screen protectors available. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite Switch 2 grips in the list below. Beyond grips, GameStop has its own line of budget-friendly Switch 2 accessories available. Of course, there’s also Nintendo’s official Switch 2 accessories as well, which you’ll find listed in our Switch 2 preorder guide. If you’re set for accessories, be sure to also check out our list of all the Switch 2 games available to preorder now. More Switch 2 Grips Source link #Official #Switch #Grip #Accessories Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]