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Retroid says it will accept limited Pocket Mini returns due to screen scaling issue Retroid says it will accept limited Pocket Mini returns due to screen scaling issue After months of Retroid Pocket Mini buyers reporting issues with the appearance of games when using shaders, Retroid has opened a new return window for people seeking a refund. But there are limitations. Per a screenshot shared by , the China-based company said in a Discord message that the return window will be open only from March 8 to March 14, only 200 overseas returns will be accepted and customers will have to pay for shipping. As consolation, the company is offering all owners “a $10 stackable coupon for the upcoming Retroid Flip2 and Retroid Classic.” To view this content, you’ll need to update your privacy settings. Please click here and view the “Content and social-media partners” setting to do so. Retroid released a statement about the RP Mini screen issue: – March 8-14 return window for those affected – Returns capped to 200 units to limit a flood of returns for unrelated reasons – Asking customer to pay return shipping – $10 stackable coupon for all RP Mini customers pic.twitter.com/UpLN9rPL3a — Retro Game Corps (@RetroGameCorps) March 8, 2025 Retroid Pocket Mini owners have been trying to of since shortly after the device’s release last fall. As explains, “The shader issue is mostly only noticeable when specific CRT shaders are applied to older games. Users can expect to see misplaced scanlines, uneven pixels, or a slightly distorted image” in such cases. After much back and forth, the company recently said the issue can’t be fixed, linking it to the screen driver, Discord screenshots shared by RetroHandhelds show. Prior to the latest update from Retroid, some buyers said their return requests were denied. In the Discord message this weekend, the company said, “Please note that this is a large and costly endeavor for our team, and we expect a lot of return requests outside of screen-related issues.” Further down, it added, “For users who do not heavily rely on CRT shaders or pixel grid effects, we encourage you to reserve this opportunity for those who genuinely need it.” Source link #Retroid #accept #limited #Pocket #Mini #returns #due #screen #scaling #issue Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

What is conscription and is the government considering it? What is conscription and is the government considering it? The debate on some form of national service being reinstated in the *** has resurfaced, though a senior minister has said the government is not considering reintroducing conscription. The debate resurfaced after comments by the Latvian president, who said the country’s neighbours should ‘absolutely’ look into the policy. His comments come amid ongoing discussion around the readiness of European nations to become more involved in the war in Ukraine. Trusted news and daily delights, right in your inbox See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. But on Sunday, Pat McFadden, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, said Sir Keir Starmer is not looking at bringing in mandatory recruitment into the armed forces. Speaking on Sky News, McFadden said: “We’re not considering conscription, but, of course, we’ve announced a major increase in defence expenditure a couple of weeks ago and we do have to recognise that the world has changed here. “The phrase ‘step up’ is used a lot in recent weeks and Europe does have to step up in terms of its own defence. “President Trump isn’t actually the first president to say that, but he said it more loudly and with more force than his predecessors. So, I think we’ve got to recognise that moment.” Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden said the Prime Minister is not considering reintroducing military conscription. (Getty) What is conscription? Conscription is when certain groups of people are legally required to join the armed forces. Some form of conscription or national service is used by around 80 countries worldwide, with some implementing mandatory service and others offering a form where people are required to serve for a minimum time, but may not be drafted into active service. Why is it back in the news? As the war in Ukraine continues to dominate the headlines, Edgars Rinkevics, president of Latvia – which reinstituted its compulsory conscription policy in April 2023 – said the country’s neighbours should “absolutely” look into the policy. Latvia had abolished conscription in 2007, but following its reinstatement, it is now mandatory for men between 18 and 27, and lasts 11 months. Rinkevics was asked by Trevor Phillips on Sky News: “Do you think other European countries need to take similar kind of decisions that you’ve taken in terms of spending, in terms perhaps of conscription?” He replied: “Absolutely. Seeing what is happening in the world, the decision that we took – many other European countries need to follow that. “A lot of people are a little bit nervous. People are following the news. Of course, strong reassurances [are] one thing, but another thing is other European governments [have] to make sure that we all get stronger.” The subject of whether European nations could commit to involvement in a war with Russia has been raised, especially amid calls from Donald Trump for Europe to take on greater responsibility for its own security. Donald Trump has called for Europe to take on greater responsibility for its own security. (AP) As a result, *** recently increased its defence spending to 2.5% of the GDP, though concerns remain about details like manpower and munitions. According to government figures, as of 1 April 2024 the total size of the full-time *** armed forces (trained and untrained) was around 148,230 personnel. Over half of those personnel were within the Army (56%), and the remainder was split equally between the Royal Navy/Royal Marines (RN/RM) and the Royal Air Force (RAF). On April 2024, the Army fell below targets set in the 2021 Defence Command Paper, meaning all three service branches were below target: the Army by 1%, the RN/RM by 5% and the RAF by 10%. Overall, the *** armed forces were 5,440 personnel (1%) below target. The figures also showed an overall fall in number of personnel in 2023/24, with 4,430 more personnel leaving the force than joining it. Has conscription been used before in the ***? In the ***, military conscription has existed for two periods in modern times. First, from 1916 to 1920, when it was called ‘military service’, and later from 1939 to 1960 when it was called ‘national service’. The last conscription term ended in 1963, though some soldiers chose to continue beyond that time. Has it been suggested recently? In last year’s general election, then Conservative leader Rishi Sunak pledged to introduce a system of national service for school leavers which would include military or civilian service – something Labour branded a “gimmick” at the time. A similar scheme was outlined in 2010 by David Cameron, when he proposed that a special youth programme be established for 16-year-olds to end a “pointless waste of potential”. Source link #conscription #government Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

The new M4 MacBook Air finally fixes an Apple keyboard annoyance that’s been around for decades The new M4 MacBook Air finally fixes an Apple keyboard annoyance that’s been around for decades The Mac mute button now matches the on-screen graphics Keyboards for MacBooks and iPads have been updated It’s the first tweak to the button design since back in 1999 Apple unveiled some shiny new MacBook Airs for 2025 earlier this week – and as well as featuring the latest M4 chipsets inside, they also correct a keyboard oversight that’s been around since the last century. As spotted by iCulture (via MacRumors), the mute button on the keyboard now shows a small speaker with a strikeout line through it. Previously, the icon was just a speaker, with none of the sound waves next to it that the other volume buttons show. Why does this matter? Well, as you’ll notice if you’re reading this on a Mac, if you tap the mute button on an Apple keyboard, you get a speaker icon with a strikeout line through it on screen. The keyboard graphics now match the macOS visuals. It’s not much of a change in the grand scheme of computing upgrades, but it’s nice to now have some consistency. The old mute button icon has been around since the launch of the PowerBook G3 all the way back in 1999. Looking good The updated laptops bring with them a fresh color (Image credit: Apple) Apple hasn’t said anything officially about the updated iconography, but the change has also been made on the new Magic Keyboard that comes with the refreshed 7th-generation iPad Air tablet, powered by the M3 chipset. That would indicate the new look is here to stay, and will continue to feature on Mac keyboards going forward. The next computers we’re expecting from Apple are the M5 MacBook Pros, due before the end of the year. Judging by the comments on the MacRumors article linked above, this isn’t something that has been particularly confusing or frustrating for users – but given Apple’s usual attention to detail, it’s strange that the inconsistency has persisted. Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Our full review of the M4 MacBook Air is still in the pipeline, but we have managed to get some hands-on time with the updated laptops already – and the fresh Sky Blue color is definitely one that catches the eye. You might also like Source link #MacBook #Air #finally #fixes #Apple #keyboard #annoyance #decades Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Syrian government loyalists accused of executing civilians as violence erupts – CNN Syrian government loyalists accused of executing civilians as violence erupts – CNN Syrian government loyalists accused of executing civilians as violence erupts CNNSyria’s worst violence in months reopens wounds of the civil war The Associated PressScores killed as Syrian forces seek to crush Alawite insurgency ReutersMore Than 140 Killed in Clashes Between Syrian Forces and Assad Loyalists The New York TimesSyria’s Sharaa urges Alawites to surrender after deadly clashes Al-Monitor Source link #Syrian #government #loyalists #accused #executing #civilians #violence #erupts #CNN Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘I Was Shocked’: Fallen Marine’s Family Doesn’t ****** Words About Biden Admin’s Response, Praises Trump ‘I Was Shocked’: Fallen Marine’s Family Doesn’t ****** Words About Biden Admin’s Response, Praises Trump Christy Shamblin, whose daughter-in-law Marine Sgt. Nicole Gee was one of the 13 American service members killed in an ISIS-K terror attack during the chaotic August 2021 U.S. pullout from Afghanistan, said the Trump administration’s recent detainment of an alleged terrorist responsible is “bittersweet.” “It was shocking,” she said of learning that alleged ISIS-K devotee Mohammad Sharifullah, who was in court Wednesday, had been arrested for his purported role in the deadly attack. “The words bittersweet are my favorite ones to put to this because it’s always hard.” Shamblin continued, “Here’s a man who … we watched celebrate Nicole’s death and 12 others that died with her, and it’s very difficult.” Despite the pain Shamblin and her family continue to experience as they navigate Gee’s loss, she also noted that it’s “extremely reassuring” that the Trump administration “cares and…is focused on it and is going to get results.” Shamblin has been a vocal critic of the Biden administration, claiming in past interviews there was virtually no communication between her family and officials after the deadly terror attack. In contrast, she said the Trump administration has been in regular contact. “It’s night and day difference,” she said. “The Biden-Harris administration never reached out to our families — ever. … Their entire administration was busy covering up the fact that Biden was not competent, and it took all the focus away from everything that needed to be happening to protect Americans, and protect our troops and our interests.” Shamblin believes the Trump administration is working to give “full transparency” and said she and others are permitted to ask tough questions — queries they do their best to answer. She said Sharifullah’s arrest, which Trump announced to the world Tuesday night during his speech before a joint session of Congress, was made known hours earlier to her family. “In the afternoon on Tuesday, we got a phone call and it was from the White House Situation Room,” Shamblin said. “And we waited on hold for a bit until the president came on the line, along with [Rep.] Michael Waltz and Dr. Sebastian Gorka, and let us know that they had this man on the plane.” She said Trump spoke directly to the family and offered information on Pakistan’s involvement in helping catch Sharifullah. The White House wanted the family to know before it was announced broadly. “I truly believe [Trump] cares about all the American people and we just are lucky enough to have a glimpse of it,” she said of her family’s interactions with the commander-in-chief. “He thanked us for our support, and then he just got right down to business.” Listen to the latest episode of “Quick Start” Ultimately, Shamblin, who appreciated Trump’s approach, said her goal is to help prevent any other families from experiencing the pain and loss she and her family faced — a tragedy that has created a “day-to-day struggle” for her, her son, and family members. Shamblin, who is working to offer advice to the administration about how to stop future scenarios like what happened at Abbey Gate, asked the public for specific prayers for her family. “Pray for peace,” she said. “You have to create an entire new life that you don’t want to create. We were happy with our life before, but we have to create new lives — and it’s very hard to do that.” Sharifullah is accused of helping plan the Kabul bombing, with the U.S. Department of Justice charging him with providing support and resources to a foreign terrorist organisation, according to the BBC. Source link #Shocked #Fallen #Marines #Family #Doesnt #****** #Words #Biden #Admins #Response #Praises #Trump Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

WA election 2025: Stronger alliance needed between Liberals and Nationals, leaders say WA election 2025: Stronger alliance needed between Liberals and Nationals, leaders say Both Liberals and the Nationals have said the parties need to form a more cohesive relationship in this term of Parliament, as they stare down a decade out of power in Western Australia. Source link #election #Stronger #alliance #needed #Liberals #Nationals #leaders Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

3/9: Face the Nation – CBS News 3/9: Face the Nation – CBS News 3/9: Face the Nation – CBS News Watch CBS News This week on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan,” after a whiplash week of on-again, off-again tariff announcements, ********* ambassador to the U.S. Kirsten Hillman joins to discuss the costs and consequences of a trade war. Plus, former White House Russia expert Fiona Hill discusses President Trump’s diplomatic pivot on Ukraine. Be the first to know Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not Now Turn On Source link #Face #Nation #CBS #News Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

What would change if daylight saving time became permanent? What would change if daylight saving time became permanent? (NEXSTAR) — Clocks have officially jumped ahead an hour in most of the U.S. as daylight saving time begins. If some lawmakers have their way, this could even be the last time the country has to change its clocks. Most of the recent state and federal efforts to end the seasonal practice have aimed to make daylight saving time permanent, a move polls have shown Americans prefer. (Health and sleep experts, however, prefer permanent standard time.) We’ve observed permanent daylight saving time before on multiple occasions, and it was not as widely appreciated as recent polling may suggest — but more on that in a moment. Should Sunday be the last time the U.S. changes its clocks and we transition to year-round daylight saving, the most obvious differences you would notice would be sunrise and sunset. What if we didn’t ‘spring forward’ when daylight saving time begins? When you woke up on Sunday, hopefully a few hours after daylight saving time began at 2 a.m., you likely noted the difference between the time on your phone and the amount of sun outside. If you live in Los Angeles, for example, the sun rose at around 6:30 a.m. on Saturday. Now that daylight saving time is here, the sun did not rise until about 7:30 a.m. on Sunday. On Saturday, you saw the sun start to set around 6:10 p.m. But on Sunday, sunset will occur at 7:12 p.m. Summer would be like any other summer in which we’ve observed daylight saving time. In Los Angeles, that would mean the earliest sunrises are around 5:40 a.m. and the latest sunsets are around 8:10 p.m. It’s the fall and winter months that would be impacted the most if we observed daylight saving time all year. Daylight saving time 2025: These states are trying to ‘lock the clocks’ Consider an average winter day: The sun rises earlier in the morning and sets earlier at night. The latest sunrise in Los Angeles, for example, is around 7 a.m. while the earliest sunset is around 4:45 p.m. If we switched to permanent daylight saving time, the sun would come up as late as 8 a.m. but set no earlier than 5:43 p.m. That may sound enticing, especially when early sunsets can feel so dark. The table below shows the latest sunrises and earliest sunsets across multiple U.S. cities during the fall months as well as what those times would switch to on permanent daylight saving time. City Latest sunrise/earliest sunset when DST ends Latest sunrise/earliest sunset with permanent DST Austin 7:28 a.m./5:30 p.m. 8:28 a.m./6:30 p.m. Charlotte, NC 7:32 a.m./5:11 p.m. 8:32 a.m./6:11 p.m. Chicago 7:18 a.m./4:19 p.m. 8:18 a.m./5:19 p.m. Cleveland, OH 7:53 a.m./4:57 p.m. 8:53 a.m./5:57 p.m. Denver 7:21 a.m./4:35 p.m. 8:21 a.m./5:35 p.m. Grand Rapids 8:14 a.m./5:08 p.m. 9:14 a.m./6:08 p.m. Green Bay 7:29 a.m./4:12 p.m. 8:29 a.m./5:12 p.m. Indianapolis 8:06 a.m./5:20 p.m. 9:06 a.m./6:20 p.m. Juneau, AK 10:16 a.m./3:40 p.m. 11:16 a.m./4:40 p.m. Las Vegas 6:52 a.m./4:26 p.m. 7:52 a.m./5:26 p.m. Los Angeles 6:59 a.m./4:43 p.m. 7:59 a.m./5:43 p.m. Nashville 6:58 a.m./4:32 p.m. 7:58 a.m./5:32 p.m. New Haven 7:18 a.m./4:22 p.m. 8:18 a.m./5:22 p.m. New Orleans 6:57 a.m./5:00 p.m. 7:57 a.m./6:00 p.m. New York City 7:20 a.m./4:28 p.m. 8:20 a.m./5:28 p.m. Portland, OR 7:51 a.m./4:27 p.m. 8:51 a.m./5:27 p.m. Salt Lake City 7:52 a.m./5:00 p.m. 8:52 a.m./6:00 p.m. St. Louis 7:19 a.m./4:39 p.m. 8:19 a.m./5:39 p.m. Tampa 7:22 a.m./5:34 p.m. 8:22 a.m./6:34 p.m. District of Columbia 7:27 a.m./4:46 p.m. 8:27 a.m./5:46 p.m. The research — and history — are stacked against permanent daylight saving time, however. The U.S. tried the practice multiple times in the 1900s, only to quickly transition out of it. In the 1910s, it was enacted as a wartime measure and repealed after a year. It came back in 1942 due to World War II, setting off decades of states and cities deciding what time to observe without much guidance. There was a brief reprieve from the chaos when Congress passed the Uniform Time Act in 1966, formalizing when the country (minus Hawaii and most of Arizona) was on daylight saving time and standard time. Daylight saving time 2025: Could this be the last time the clocks change? Then, in 1973, the U.S. was in the throes of an energy crisis, prompting President Richard Nixon to sign an emergency daylight saving time bill into law. The year-round daylight saving time was well-liked, initially, but safety concerns soon changed public opinion of the move. In 1974, the U.S. returned to the ***-annual changing of the clock that we know today. President Richard Nixon (1913 – 1994) signs the ‘Daylight Saving’ Act at the White House In Washington on December 15th, 1973. He is watched by Representative Normal Lent who pushed the bill through the House. (Photo by UPI/Bettmann Archive/Getty Images) Four related bills — two to enact permanent daylight saving time and two to give states the power to observe it year-round — have been introduced in Congress this year. All three remain in committees as of early March. Meanwhile, lawmakers in several states are considering their own legislation. States can only request to observe standard time year-round (only two states have done this), and they cannot opt for year-round daylight saving time. In most cases, the aforementioned bills would put the state on daylight saving time permanently only if Congress would allow it. As for now, though, our clocks are set to “fall back” an hour on November 2. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. Source link #change #daylight #saving #time #permanent Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner Are Definitely Not Getting Back Together – The Cut Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner Are Definitely Not Getting Back Together – The Cut Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner Are Definitely Not Getting Back Together The CutBen Affleck Is ‘Extra Giddy Lately’ Around Ex Jennifer Garner and ‘Much More Affectionate’ (Exclusive Source) PEOPLEBen Affleck’s divorce from Jennifer Lopez leaves him ‘happier than in years’ as he grows closer to… Hindustan TimesExclusive | Jennifer Lopez ‘furious’ over photos of Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner together Page SixJennifer Lopez focuses on ‘Office Romance’ as ex Ben Affleck, Jen Garner outings make her ‘furious’ New York Post Source link #Ben #Affleck #Jennifer #Garner #Cut Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Dylan Mulvaney's tell-all book and Netflix thriller Adolescence: What's coming out this week? Dylan Mulvaney's tell-all book and Netflix thriller Adolescence: What's coming out this week? This week also sees the third season of The Wheel of Time come out, and WWE 2K25 is finally being released. Source link #Dylan #Mulvaney039s #tellall #book #Netflix #thriller #Adolescence #What039s #coming #week Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

West *********** U19s and pathways coach Brian Shields says ‘conveyor belt’ of cricket talent rolling on West *********** U19s and pathways coach Brian Shields says ‘conveyor belt’ of cricket talent rolling on Any rival cricket fan hoping WA’s golden run is nearing an end could be left bitterly disappointed; with the talent pool becoming so deep, one talent coach says the state may have a dilemma fitting everyone in. Source link #West #*********** #U19s #pathways #coach #Brian #Shields #conveyor #belt #cricket #talent #rolling Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump administration wants to sell off hundreds of federal properties — including DOJ headquarters Trump administration wants to sell off hundreds of federal properties — including DOJ headquarters The Trump administration has designated the headquarters of multiple cabinet departments and federal courthouses across the country as nonessential properties that can be sold off. A website for the General Services Administration — the agency responsible for managing the government’s office space — detailing “buildings and facilities that are not core to government operations” now includes the headquarters of the Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the federal courthouse in Los Angeles, America’s second-largest city. The GSA also says a large swath of prime real estate near the White House, including the Office of Personnel Management’s Theodore Roosevelt Building HQ, the building used to house offices of the United States Trade Representative, the headquarters of the American Red Cross, and the Old Post Office building — a national historic landmark that was formerly leased by President Donald Trump’s eponymous real estate company for use as a hotel — are “non-core” and therefore ripe for disposal as well. This screengrab of the GSA website shows the Robert F Kennedy building — Department of Justice headquarters — on a list of facilities marked for possible ***** (GSA) In addition, the agency has also designated its own headquarters, as well as the headquarters of the Department of Labor, the Department of Veteran’s Affairs, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Energy, the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Transportation as unnecessary and potentially for *****. Outside of Washington, GSA has also marked for potential ***** the headquarters of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Social Security Administration in Woodlawn, Maryland, the headquarters of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in Rockville, Maryland, and buildings used by the Food and Drug Administration in nearby Silver Spring, Maryland. The Trump administration also wants to dispose of the John F Kennedy Federal Building and the Thomas P O’Neill Federal Building, both located in Boston, and the Sam Nunn Atlanta Federal Center in Georgia, the largest single federal building in the southeast which currently houses the Federal Railroad Administration. Federal courthouses in Florida, Georgia, and Indiana would also be up for ***** under the GSA proposal. Overall, the administration’s plan would mean the vast majority of cabinet departments and scores of other agencies would lose their own headquarters buildings and be at the mercy of private landlords and developers when it comes to finding space for their operations in the future. The former Trump International Hotel, Washington, was located in the Old Post Office building, one of the federal buildings the Trump administration now wants to sell (AFP/Getty) A GSA spokesperson didn’t respond to a query from The Independent on whether the administration was designating the Department of Justice as a “non-core” function of the federal government, but in a statement posted to the GSA website the agency said its Public Buildings Service was behind the plan for selling off most of the cabinet department headquarters buildings. “Decades of funding deficiencies have resulted in many of these buildings becoming functionally obsolete and unsuitable for use by our federal workforce. We can no longer hope that funding will emerge to resolve these longstanding issues. GSA’s decisive action to dispose of non-core assets leverages the private sector, drives improvements for our agency customers, and best serves local communities,” the agency said. The statement also said the Public Buildings Service was considering “creative solutions, including *****-lease backs, ground leases and other forms of public/private partnerships to drive the full optimization of our space while delivering our federal employees the high quality work environments they need to fulfill their missions.” Such plans would represent a massive wealth transfer from the government to a handful of wealthy entities capable of purchasing the buildings, then continued wealth transfers in the form of rent paid to those entities in perpetuity. Source link #Trump #administration #sell #hundreds #federal #properties #including #DOJ #headquarters Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

In a first for the state, South Carolina executes man by firing squad – Yahoo In a first for the state, South Carolina executes man by firing squad – Yahoo In a first for the state, South Carolina executes man by firing squad YahooSouth Carolina Executes Inmate by Firing Squad The New York TimesSouth Carolina inmate executed by firing squad for first time in US since 2010 CNNA firing squad is executing Brad Keith Sigmon in South Carolina today. What to know. USA TODAY Source link #state #South #Carolina #executes #man #firing #squad #Yahoo Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Jordana Hunter & Daniel Petrie: NAPLAN effort important as Aussie kids playing catch-up with rest of world Jordana Hunter & Daniel Petrie: NAPLAN effort important as Aussie kids playing catch-up with rest of world In WA, only 12 per cent of Year 4s and 13 per cent of Year 8s reached the “advanced” proficiency level in maths. Source link #Jordana #Hunter #amp #Daniel #Petrie #NAPLAN #effort #important #Aussie #kids #playing #catchup #rest #world Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

NOAA to potentially cut more than 1,000 additional employees NOAA to potentially cut more than 1,000 additional employees The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is preparing to lose an additional 1,029 employees, according to sources that spoke to CBS News. As part of the Office of Management and Budget and Office of Personnel Management’s mandate for agencies to submit reduction in force plans, which are due by March 13, NOAA will be presenting its plan to the Department of Commerce by Tuesday evening with the proposed cuts. The Department of Commerce will get a chance to review the proposal and either accept NOAA’s suggestions, or it could ask the agency to make additional changes that would increase or decrease this next round of terminations. Alongside the loss of staff will also be the elimination of programs that currently operate under NOAA’s purview. It’s not known which programs will be impacted. As one of several scientific agencies within the federal government, NOAA is responsible for everything from weather forecasts, to coastal restoration, managing fisheries, and supporting marine commerce. NOAA’s work supports and affects more than one-third of America’s gross domestic product, according to the agency. NOAA previously fired 880 employees on Feb. 27, the majority of which were probationary staff with fewer than two years in their positions. In addition to employees who accepted the “fork in the road” buyouts that were offered by the Office of Personnel Management in February, NOAA could potentially see a combined loss of 20% of its staff with this next round of cuts. Before January 2025, NOAA’s workforce exceeded 12,000 people worldwide with more than 50% being scientists and engineers. A key department within NOAA is the National Weather Service, which is responsible for forecasts, issuing severe weather warnings, and providing other key weather-related services that are vital to protecting public safety. That department already lost hundreds of employees due to scheduled retirements, buyouts, and fired probationary workers. Because of some errors in those probationary firings, a select few at three regional offices have been asked to return to work, but it’s unclear how many employees at the National Weather Service have been reinstated. Seiji Yamashita and Rob Marciano contributed to this report. Tracy J. Wholf Tracy J. Wholf is a senior coordinating producer of climate and environmental coverage for CBS News and Stations, based in New York. Source link #NOAA #potentially #cut #additional #employees Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Card skimmer found on self-checkout at Gastonia Walmart. Here’s how to spot them Card skimmer found on self-checkout at Gastonia Walmart. Here’s how to spot them GASTONIA, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — A card skimmer was recently used at a Gastonia Walmart, which is part of a broader issue, police say. The Gastonia Police Department reported Friday that its Cyber Forensics Task Force located several Bluetooth skimmers on card reader devices inside local stores. One was being used at the self-checkout in the Walmart on North Myrtle School Road. Five pounds of fentanyl seized from man accused of trafficking in Gaston County Officers say these devices are placed there to digitally read your card and PIN, then transfer the data in real time to the scammer in a remote location nearby. They can be put anywhere a digital transaction is made, including gas pumps, grocery stores and ATMs. (Gastonia Police Dept.) (Gastonia Police Dept.) They offered the following tips to spot the devices: If the keypad seems thicker than normal, it might be suspect. Is the keypad flimsy? Does it look old and possibly tampered with in some way? How to avoid being scammed: Always use your card as a credit card, not debit where you have to enter a PIN. Use devices with a cashier present; Self-checkout devices are more likely to be tampered with. Use the “tap to pay” option. Officers ask people who identify a card reader that looks tampered with, to report it to the store manager immediately. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. Source link #Card #skimmer #selfcheckout #Gastonia #Walmart #Heres #spot Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

2025 NFL free agent defensive lineman rankings: Best team fits, projected deals for Milton Williams, others – CBS Sports 2025 NFL free agent defensive lineman rankings: Best team fits, projected deals for Milton Williams, others – CBS Sports 2025 NFL free agent defensive lineman rankings: Best team fits, projected deals for Milton Williams, others CBS SportsTracking NFL free agency: Live updates on every signing, trade, cut and rumor ESPNQB Sam Darnold not expected to re-sign with Vikings NFL.comLatest 2025 NFL free agency rumors: Three teams expected to be aggressive USA TODAYWho’s Out There?: Edge Rushers BaltimoreRavens.com Source link #NFL #free #agent #defensive #lineman #rankings #team #fits #projected #deals #Milton #Williams #CBS #Sports Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Jo Lockhart: Young people lonelier than ever even with instant connection Jo Lockhart: Young people lonelier than ever even with instant connection For the growing number of young people who contact Lifeline, feeling misunderstood can be the source of their painful sense of isolation. Source link #Lockhart #Young #people #lonelier #instant #connection Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

I can’t remember a time when SimCity didn’t exist – now I’m hooked on the app version I can’t remember a time when SimCity didn’t exist – now I’m hooked on the app version I was four years old when the first SimCity was released on the 2nd of February, 1989. It was another ten years before our family owned a PC and I began playing the open-ended city-building video game. Along with Theme Park Tycoon and Theme Hospital, I spent much of my free time creating ever expanding empires. It was only when the game Red Alert came along that I lost interest in these games and became captivated by online multiplayer games. Over 20 years later, while browsing the App store looking for a new game to enjoy, I stumbled upon an app version of SimCity. I downloaded it immediately, and felt 14 years old all over again. Homescreen heroes This is part of a regular series of articles exploring the apps that we couldn’t live without. Read them all here. I was eager to learn how they managed to translate the game play into a smaller format and whether it would be equally immersive on such a small device. It didn’t take long to get up and running with no requirement to create an online account or pay a subscription. I loved being thrown straight into a city without lengthy forms or processes. In a few minutes I was building my first neighborhood and beginning to welcome my first residents. (Image credit: Future) The interface is incredibly easy to navigate with a pop-up guide to help you navigate the steps of building your city. I was familiar with the original game but still benefited from having a virtual human walk me through it. At times I would have liked to turn the help feature off, but I couldn’t find a way to do that. All the building features are handily located on the right-hand side of the screen with sub menus appearing after pressing each one. I also liked the fact that the app greyed out most of the city when creating specific buildings or services. This made it easier to see where I was allowed to build. It wasn’t long before I received an invite to visit someone else’s city. This was helpful for two reasons. First, I was able to have a good nose around and see how it had been built. Second, I could buy items off the mayor, which would then enhance my own city, especially if I didn’t have specific services up and running yet. (Image credit: Future) After completing a number of levels you’ll unlock access to other elements of the game including the Mayor’s Clubs and Contest HQ. Through these advanced features, it’s possible to plot strategies with Club mates and declare war on other cities. This is where it gets a little crazy, but in a good way. Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Once the battle is on, you can unleash crazy disasters on cities, including the Disco Twister and Plant Monster. Naturally, if you want to wage war on your rivals, you should be prepared to be hit yourself. The benefit of battling is that you can earn value rewards to use in battle or to improve your city. (Image credit: Future) Despite SimCity BuildIt being 100% free to use, there are plenty of in-app purchases. Some are as expensive as $99.99, although the majority of bolt-ons are much more reasonable. To get the most out of the game, you definitely should be prepared to part with some cash. With my parent hat on, I was a little concerned about one of my children opening the app and proceeding to rack up the purchases. We’ve all heard horror stories of parents being shocked by what their children have purchased online and I didn’t want to be one of those parents. An alternative way to make purchases is to watch video ads. These last 30 seconds each and are a bit of a pain but they’re by far the cheapest way to earn extra cash. Unfortunately, you can only watch one ad per day. Despite this money-grab ploy, I thoroughly enjoyed my SimCity BuildIt experience. For 90s kids, it’s a fantastic nostalgia trip, and for everyone else it’s a rewarding little app that’ll keep you coming back for more. You can download the SimCity BuildIt app on iOS or Android. Source link #remember #time #SimCity #didnt #exist #hooked #app #version Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Downtown Sioux Falls assault sends man to hospital with ‘traumatic’ head injury Downtown Sioux Falls assault sends man to hospital with ‘traumatic’ head injury An assault near downtown Sioux Falls on Saturday evening left one man with a head injury, according to a news release from the Sioux Falls Police Department. Officers responded to the 800 block of East Eighth Street around 7 p.m. on reports of a “traumatic injury,” according to the news release. There, they found a man suffering from a head injury. “Several” intersections were closed off during the investigation, according to the news release. Through an on-scene investigation, officers determined the man had been assaulted. He was transported to an area hospital to be treated for his injuries, according to the news release. It is unclear what condition the man is in. The investigation is ongoing, according to the news release. More information will be provided at Monday’s police briefing for media. This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Downtown Sioux Falls assault sends man to hospital with head injury Source link #Downtown #Sioux #Falls #assault #sends #man #hospital #traumatic #injury Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Oscars 2025 Winners List: “Anora” Wows with 5, Zoe Saldaña Gets Her Moment, Plus Plenty of Surprises – AOL Oscars 2025 Winners List: “Anora” Wows with 5, Zoe Saldaña Gets Her Moment, Plus Plenty of Surprises – AOL Oscars 2025 Winners List: “Anora” Wows with 5, Zoe Saldaña Gets Her Moment, Plus Plenty of Surprises AOLOscars 2025 Winners: Full List of the 97th Academy Awards Winners! ABCBill Maher Says ‘Emilia Pérez’ Lost to ‘Anora’ at the Oscars Because of ‘Cancel Culture’: ‘It Was the Front Runner’ VarietyIs ‘Anora’ Streaming? How To Watch The Oscar Best Picture Winner At Home ForbesWhy the Oscars Put a Ring on Anora Vulture Source link #Oscars #Winners #List #Anora #Wows #Zoe #Saldaña #Moment #Plenty #Surprises #AOL Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Israel halts electricity supply to Gaza Strip Israel halts electricity supply to Gaza Strip Israel is cutting off its electricity supply to the Gaza Strip, Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen says. The full effects were not immediately clear but the arid territory’s desalination plants receive power for producing drinking water. Israel last week cut off all supplies of goods to the territory of more than two million people, in an echo of the siege it imposed in the earliest days of its war with ******. It seeks to press the militant group to accept an extension of the first phase of their ceasefire, which ended last weekend. Cohen posted on X a picture of him signing the order, which is effective immediately, writing: “Enough talk, it’s time for action”. Israel wants ****** to release half of the remaining hostages in return for a promise to negotiate a lasting truce. ****** instead wants to start negotiations on the ceasefire’s more difficult second phase, which would include the release of remaining hostages from the Gaza Strip, the withdrawal of Israeli forces and a lasting peace. Israel says ****** has 24 living hostages and the bodies of 35 others. The militant group – which has warned that cutting off supplies to the Gaza Strip would affect the hostages as well – said on Sunday it wrapped up the latest round of ceasefire talks with Egyptian mediators without changes to its position, calling for an immediate start of the ceasefire’s second phase. Israel had warned when it stopped all supplies that water and electricity could be next. The new letter from Israel’s energy minister to the Israel Electric Corporation tells it to stop selling power to the Gaza Strip. The coastal territory and its infrastructure have been largely devastated by the war, and generators and solar panels are used for some of the power supply. The electricity cut also could affect water pumps and sanitation. Israel has faced sharp criticism over cutting off supplies to the Gaza Strip. “Any denial of the entry of the necessities of life for civilians may amount to collective punishment,” the United Nations human rights office said on Friday. The ceasefire has paused the deadliest and most destructive fighting ever between Israel and ******, sparked by the ******-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. The first phase allowed the return of 25 living hostages and the remains of eight others in exchange for the release of nearly 2000 ************ prisoners. The White House on Wednesday made the surprise confirmation of direct US talks with ******. On Sunday, US envoy Adam Boehler told CNN that “I think you could see something like a long-term truce, where we forgive prisoners, where ****** lays down their arms, where they agree they’re not part of the political party going forward. I think that’s a reality. It’s real close”. When asked if he would speak with the militant group again, Boehler replied “You never know”. He added: “I think something could come together within weeks” and expressed hope for a deal that would see all hostages released, not only the US ones. ****** on Sunday reiterated its support for a proposal for the establishment of an independent committee of technocrats to run the Gaza Strip until Palestinians hold presidential and legislative elections. Taher Al-Nono, political adviser to the leader of ******, confirmed the talks with the US, saying the discussions had taken place in the Qatari capital over the past week. “Several meetings have already taken place in Doha, focusing on releasing one of the dual-nationality prisoners. We have dealt positively and flexibly, in a way that serves the interests of the ************ people,” Nono told Reuters. He added that the two sides had also discussed how to see through the implementation of the phased agreement aimed at ending the Israel-****** war. “We informed the American delegation that we don’t oppose the release of the prisoner within the framework of these talks,” Nono said. ******’ attack in October 2023 killed about 1200 people, mostly civilians, inside Israel and took 251 people hostage. Most have been released in ceasefire agreements or other arrangements. Israel’s military offensive has killed more than 48,000 Palestinians in the strip, mostly women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not say how many of the dead were militants. with Reuters and DPA Source link #Israel #halts #electricity #supply #Gaza #Strip Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

ICE arrests ************ activist who helped lead Columbia University protests, his lawyer says ICE arrests ************ activist who helped lead Columbia University protests, his lawyer says NEW YORK (AP) — A prominent ************ activist who helped lead Columbia University’s student encampment movement was arrested Saturday night by federal immigration authorities who claimed they were acting on a State Department order to revoke his green card, according to his attorney. Mahmoud Khalil was at his university-owned apartment blocks from Columbia’s Manhattan campus when several Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents entered the building and took him into custody, his attorney, Amy Greer, told The Associated Press. One of the agents told Greer by phone that they were executing a State Department order to revoke Khalil’s student visa. Informed by the attorney that Khalil, who graduated in December, was in the United States as a permanent resident with a green card, the agent said they were revoking that too, according to the lawyer. Trusted news and daily delights, right in your inbox See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. The arrest comes as President Donald Trump vows to deport foreign students and imprison “agitators” involved in protests against Israel’s war in Gaza. The administration has placed particular scrutiny on Columbia, announcing Friday that it would be cutting $400 million in grants and contracts because of what the government describes as the Ivy League school’s failure to squelch antisemitism on campus. The authorities declined to tell Khalil’s wife, who is eight months pregnant, why he was being detained, Greer said. Khalil has since been transferred to an immigration detention facility in Elizabeth, New Jersey. “We have not been able to get any more details about why he is being detained,” Greer told The AP. “This is a clear escalation. The administration is following through on its threats.” A spokesperson for Columbia said law enforcement agents must produce a warrant before entering university property. The spokesperson declined to say if the school had received a warrant for Khalil’s arrest. Messages seeking comment were left with the State Department, the Department of Homeland Security and ICE. Khalil had become one of the most visible faces of the pro-************ movement at Columbia. As Columbia students erected tents on campus last spring, Khalil was picked to serve as a negotiator on behalf of students and met frequently with university administrators. When classes resumed in September, he told The Associated Press that the protests would continue: “As long as Columbia continues to invest and to benefit from Israeli apartheid, the students will continue to resist.” Source link #ICE #arrests #************ #activist #helped #lead #Columbia #University #protests #lawyer Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

How Athol Fugard’s The Island exposed the true horrors of apartheid How Athol Fugard’s The Island exposed the true horrors of apartheid This piece was first published in 2024 to commemorate 50 years since the first performance of The Island The lights come up on a bare stage. Two ****** South African actors, dressed in prison uniforms, mime shovelling sand into wheelbarrows in a quarry. As if perspiring profusely in the glaring noonday sun, they push their loads to the other side of the stage, whereupon, struggling under the weight, they empty their imaginary barrows into the holes they have just dug, wipe their brows and begin over – is this abject futility or existential defiance? Lasting for anything up to 15 minutes, this is the intense opening scene from The Island by South African dramatist Athol Fugard (co-written with actors John Kani and Winston Ntshona), probably the most famous play in the South African theatrical canon and now 50 years since it opened to rave reviews on Broadway in New York. The opening scene serves as a harrowing example of the inhumane punishments devised by the apartheid authorities to break the spirit of political prisoners, and as a supreme illustration of Fugard’s craft as a master of theatrical storytelling. Dame Janet Suzman, the highly acclaimed South African-born actress says of her compatriot, “He hit the right note for the world’s concern about apartheid to be channelled through his plays. “For South Africans like me, he gave us through his plays the means of expressing our misery at the way our country was conducting itself.” Winston Ntshona And John Kani in the 2003 revival of The Island at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in New York – Jack Vartoogian/Getty Once hailed by Time magazine as “the greatest playwright in the English-speaking world”, Fugard’s other works included Blood Knot (1961), about two brothers, one of whom is sufficiently light-skinned to pass for white, and Master Harold And The Boys (1982), set in the Port Elizabeth tea rooms of his childhood. But it is The Island, first performed in Cape Town in 1973, and described by Suzman as “one of the great plays of the 20th century”, which is arguably his masterpiece. Originally entitled The Hodoshe Span (Hodoshe, a Xhosa word for a carrion fly, is the nickname of a reviled prison guard in the play), The Island is set on Robben Island, the infamous maximum security prison off the coast of Cape Town where Nelson Mandela was held captive for many years. It tells the story of John and Winston, two cellmates who have been imprisoned for anti-apartheid activities. One may soon be released, whereas the other is serving a longer sentence. As they prepare to perform Sophocles’ Antigone for a forthcoming prison production, rehearsing in their cell at night using makeshift props, they identify with the Greek tragedy’s protagonist in terms of their resistance against tyranny, and in so doing not only expose the tensions in their own friendship, but also the suffocating oppression around them. “To enclose in a small play about meaningless repetition a much larger play about individual rights and ancient wrongs is genius,” says Suzman, “widening both works out into a single embrace where Sophocles meets Fugard and his actors in the free world of the stage.” While The Island is serious in intent, in its dealing with the dehumanising nature of apartheid, and the psychology of incarceration, the play is often disconcertingly funny, particularly in its depiction of resilience in the face of privation. As Fugard told the New York Times: “Despite an unbelievable burden of oppression, there are things to celebrate in our country. The regime is evil, but the spirit of the people is not broken.” Created in a workshop collaboration, Fugard spread a folded blanket on the ground and invited Kani and Ntshona to explore the very limited space, as a means of replicating the rigours of extreme confinement in a prison cell. When Fugard and his actors first performed the play, at The Space theatre in Cape Town, they felt a colossal responsibility. As he explained in 2002: “It was an occasion for the profoundest humility, because we were going to try to bear witness to what the island meant for fellow South Africans.” Kani said in a 2019 interview that, “The important thing for us was to be part of the struggle. You had to tell stories that were important to you.” In fact, Kani undoubtedly channelled his own lived experience into the role of John. As he famously articulated much later, “I spent 51 years under apartheid. I don’t imagine suffering. I know it.” Given the apartheid restrictions at the time, it was technically ******** for Fugard, Kani and Ntshona to even fraternise, let alone collaborate on such a politically charged, highly seditious piece of theatre. Performed to a racially mixed audience and with its original title consciously omitting any reference to Robben Island (so as to circumvent serious repercussions from the apartheid regime), curtains were drawn over the theatre’s windows in an attempt to conceal the many transgressions inside. A poster for the West End transfer of The Island – Mander and Mitchenson/University of Bristol Kani later said of their intent: “It is ridiculous to think we can erase racism in South Africa, but through theatre there can be a genuine attempt to move on with our lives and build a better country.” Following its success in Cape Town, The Island transferred to London’s Royal Court before moving to New York the following year where Kani and Ntshona shared the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role. Of course the two actors were crucial to the success of the play, as well as to Sizwe Bansi Is Dead, their other collaboration with Fugard, which appeared in repertory with The Island on Broadway. Set in Styles’ photographic studio in the Port Elizabeth township of New Brighton, the play centres on Sizwe Bansi, a migrant labourer forced to assume the identity of a dead man, one Robert Zwelinzima, whose pass book (containing a valid work seeker’s permit) he has stolen after stumbling upon the corpse when returning from a drunken night out. Pretending to be Robert, Sizwe comes to Styles for a photograph to send back to his wife while he looks for work. By swapping passbooks with the dead man, thus “killing off” Sizwe Banzi, he will be able to get a job at the local factory and in so doing provide food for his family. “Because John Kani and Winston Ntshona were ****** men living under apartheid’s Pass Laws for real, the two actors could mock and parody the stupid rules that limited their daily lives with the wit that only deprivation of liberty can properly engender,” explains Suzman. Yet for all their ardent defiance and poetic, comic brilliance, some have debated whether Fugard’s plays are still relevant, given that apartheid officially ended 30 years ago, and thus the system against which Fugard creatively defined himself has long been dismantled. Of course, such a view is myopic. While the Rainbow Nation is undoubtedly facing a whole new set of social, racial and economic challenges, the pernicious legacy of apartheid remains highly visible, even if the old polarities of ****** and white are now less entrenched. The Island and Sizwe Bansi are also plays which extend their meaning beyond South Africa, seamlessly moving from the specific to the universal in their exploration of man’s inhumanity to man and their articulation of identity, solidarity, brotherhood and the desire for freedom and dignity in the face of suffering. Fugard sometimes faced criticism for being a white liberal far removed from the harsh realities of the townships, while others said he turned ****** trauma into dramatic gold for his own artistic ends. As he once freely admitted, “I was a voice that plugged into the energy and conflict of the old South Africa. I can’t deny that. Those conflicts – those rights and wrongs, dos and don’ts – were a very energising factor in my writing.” Yet Fugard was not simply sitting in an ivory tower. He tirelessly advocated for racially de-segregated casts and audiences, and his plays brought the apartheid regime global condemnation at a time when knowledge of its brutality was not commonplace. Ultimately The Island and Sizwe Bansi were necessary plays, and like all great art were a catalyst for change, both politically and for those in Cape Town, London and New York for whom seeing them was transformative. “I think it is under the pressure of desperation that extraordinary things can happen in a human life,” Fugard told National Public Radio in the US. “And if ever there was a country oversupplied with desperation, it was South Africa at that time.” Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Source link #Athol #Fugards #Island #exposed #true #horrors #apartheid Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

The best Discover Samsung Spring ***** deals: Shop Galaxy S25 phones, TVs, and more – ZDNet The best Discover Samsung Spring ***** deals: Shop Galaxy S25 phones, TVs, and more – ZDNet The best Discover Samsung Spring ***** deals: Shop Galaxy S25 phones, TVs, and more ZDNetDon’t miss this blowout ***** on Samsung SSDs, laptops, and OLED monitors PCWorldNew Verizon deal drops the Galaxy S25 Ultra to the price of a cup of coffee every month — no trade-in required! Android CentralSamsung is selling 1TB Galaxy S25 Ultra for less than 256GB model price Sammy FansSamsung’s Spring ***** is as good as ****** Friday: deals on Galaxy S25 Ultra, QLED TVs, and more TechRadar Source link #Discover #Samsung #Spring #***** #deals #Shop #Galaxy #S25 #phones #TVs #ZDNet Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]