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ChatGPT 4.5 understands subtext, but it doesn’t feel like an enormous leap from ChatGPT-4o ChatGPT 4.5 understands subtext, but it doesn’t feel like an enormous leap from ChatGPT-4o OpenAI’s release of GPT-4.5 for ChatGPT Plus subscribers this week had me immediately keen to try it out, though with some skepticism. There had been reports of OpenAI (and other developers) struggling to make the big improvements to their models we’ve seen before. And the current standard model GPT-4o, is pretty good in most cases. And if you want a comprehensive report, there’s the Deep Research feature. OpenAI claims that GPT-4.5 has a high emotional intelligence and nuanced understanding of what you say to it. The company’s description painted a picture of both models as reliable friends, but that GPT-4.5 would be the one you’d expect a book of poetry from on your birthday. So, I decided to test 4.5 against 4o with a few prompts that any casual ChatGPT user might deploy. AI poetry (Image credit: ChatGPT Screenshots) With that analogy in my head, I decided to start with a poetic challenge. I asked both models, “Can you write me a short poem about a rainy afternoon in New York City and make an image for it?” It seemed fair since looking out a rain-streaked window at a busy city can bring out the poet in most people. GPT-4.5 is on the left and GPT-4o is on the right. They are amazingly similar. I personally think GPT-4.5 did a slightly better job with similar ideas. It’s evocative of not just the look of rain but the feeling of gray skies, puddles, and traffic among the raindrops. In a blind test of three random friends, two out of three chose the same, with the third saying they just preferred the rhyme scheme of GPT-4o. As for the images, both models used DALL-E 3, but GPT-4.5’s looks a lot more realistic. I actually prefer the impressionistic lighting of GPT-4o’s attempt, but both get the idea of the poem across pretty well. Oscar insight (Image credit: ChatGPT Screenshots) With the recent Oscars, I went with a fun trivia question with a more complex, subjective follow-up: “Who won the Best Actress Oscar in 2023, and what made their performance stand out?” Both had the right answer of Michelle Yeoh for “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” but GPT-4.5 had a really nice explanation why her performance resonated with viewers. It covered her performance and mentioned how Yeoh was the first Asian to win that Oscar. GPT-4o’s answer had a lot of the same beats, but it went with an odd essay and numbered list format that was kind of annoying to read when the question was a simple opinion request. GPT-4.5’s answer felt more like how an actual human would answer, albeit one who is very into that movie and Yeoh as a performer. Easy chef (Image credit: ChatGPT Screenshots) Finally, I put the models up against the eternal daily struggle with this prompt: “I’m bored of pasta. Can you suggest an easy dinner recipe that’s different but not complicated?” I don’t know what kind of culinary inspiration I was expecting, but GPT-4.5 hit the nail on the head with honey garlic salmon with roasted broccoli. You can see it’s a very simple, short recipe, and seems easy and quick to make. GPT-4o went with garlic shrimp and roasted vegetables. That’s not a bad idea for a meal (though I personally would need to change the protein), but you can see the preparation alone takes multiple pans to prepare and the ingredient list couldn’t even fit in the same space as the entire recipe from GPT-4.5. I asked for easy and not complicated, GPT-4.5 delivered that far better, I would say. Deep thoughts GPT 4.5 gives the vibe of recognizing the unstated preferences in a prompt compared to GPT-4o. But, it’s very subtle in picking up on those emotional undertones. Without direct comparison, you might never know there’s any difference. GPT-4o is efficient, accurate, and practical in its responses, and its poetry is completely adequate. I wouldn’t say those on the free tier using it are missing much from not having access to GPT-4.5, at least right now. Over time, that may change since GPT-4.5 is still a research preview and not fully complete and out. I’m going to keep experimenting with both and see if there are types of prompts where the new model is definitively better, but for now, I’d say don’t worry too much about which model you employ, unless you’re planning a meal and don’t have a lot of time to prepare. You might also like Source link #ChatGPT #understands #subtext #doesnt #feel #enormous #leap #ChatGPT4o Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘A president is not a king’ ‘A president is not a king’ Gwynne Wilcox, attorney who was a member and chairman of the National Labor Relations Board. Courtesy: National Labor Relations Board A federal judge on Thursday reversed the firing of a National Labor Relations Board member by President Donald Trump, with a scathing ruling that said “an American president is not a king.” The ordered reinstating former NLRB chair Gwynne Wilcox came a month after she sued to be returned to the board. “The President does not have the authority to terminate members of the National Labor Relations Board at will, and his attempt to fire plaintiff from her position on the Board was a blatant violation of the law,” Judge Beryl Howell wrote in the order Thursday in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C. Howell’s ruling is almost certain to be appealed by the Trump administration. The NLRB, which was created by Congress, is responsible for enforcing U.S. labor laws. Wilcox, who was he first ****** woman ever on the board, was also the first NLRB member ever to be fired by a president in the agency’s 90-year history. Trump replaced her as chair with another board member on his first day back in the White House on Jan. 20, and a week later fired her and the NLRB’s top lawyer, Jennifer Abruzzo, in a late-night email. Read more CNBC politics coverage That email said that Wilcox — who was an appointee of former President Joe Biden — was being terminated because “heads of agencies within the Executive Branch must share the objectives of [Trump’s] administration.” But Howell in her ruling Thursday said Trump’s “interpretation of the scope of his constitutional power — or, more aptly, his aspiration — is flat wrong.” “An American President is not a king — not even an ‘elected’ one — and his power to remove federal officers and honest civil servants like plaintiff is not absolute, but may be constrained in appropriate circumstances, as are present here,” Howell wrote. “A President who touts an image of himself as a ‘king’ or a ‘dictator,’ perhaps as his vision of effective leadership, fundamentally misapprehends the role under Article II of the U.S. Constitution.” Article II is the section of the Constitution detailing the executive power of the presidency. Howell’s ruling could end up being challenged by the Trump administration all the way to the Supreme Court. Wilcox’s attorney Deepak Gupta, in a statement said, “This decisive victory firmly rejects an extreme presidential power grab.” “Today’s decision is a win not only for Ms. Wilcox but also for the integrity of the National Labor Relations Board and its vital mission to protect American workers,” Gupta said in a statement. “The court has reinforced key legal protections for independent agencies that Congress designed to be impartial.” The White House had no immediate comment on the ruling. The ruling came hours after a top federal ethics watchdog, Office of Special Counsel chief Hampton Dellinger, said that he was dropping a legal battle to reverse his firing by Trump. Another federal district court judge in Washington, D.C., on Saturday had ruled that Trump’s termination of Dellinger was ********. But a three-judge panel on the federal appeals court in D.C. on Wednesday said that Dellinger could be removed from his post pending the outcome of an appeal by the Department of Justice challenging the lower court ruling. Dellinger in a statement Thursday announcing he would no longer pursue the case, said, “This new [appeals court] ruling means that OSC will be run by someone totally beholden to the President for the months that would pass before I could get a final decision from the U.S. Supreme Court.” Source link #president #king Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Chef & Friends continues its story with the new version 1.28 update Chef & Friends continues its story with the new version 1.28 update Convert a play area into the coworking space with Naomi Stop the Well-Fed Shark from replacing human chefs with robots A special new customer also joins the fray Mytona has just released the exciting version 1.28 update for Chef & Friends, bringing fresh gameplay, new challenges, and an exciting continuation of the story. This update introduces a brand new restaurant, new events, and a showdown with the Well-Fed Shark’s latest scheme. A new restaurant is finally ready for a makeover in Chef & Friends. Help Naomi turn a kids’ play centre into a creative coworking space, blending delicious food with a hub of inspiration. You will take on the challenge of revamping the space, ensuring it’s both functional and inviting for those looking to work and dine in harmony. The story continues with a major twist as the Well-Fed Shark is set to launch a new fleet of super-realistic robots designed to replace human chefs. Can the restoration team stop this high-tech takeover before it’s too late? The fate of real cooking hangs in the balance as you dive into this thrilling new chapter. Furthermore, you can also look forward to new events, including the arrival of a special customer who brings a brand-new minigame filled with rewards. Whether you’re redesigning a play area into a coworking space or foiling a nefarious plot, there’s plenty to keep you engaged in this latest update of Chef & Friends. Before you go on, check out this list of the best cooking games to play on iOS right now! If you’re new to Chef & Friends, the game offers a mix of fast-paced cooking, renovation gameplay, and engaging storytelling. You take on the role of a virtuoso chef, restoring and transforming restaurants and cafes while facing off against the powerful Fast Food Empire led by the greedy billionaire Ethan Shark. Take part in the new update by downloading Chef & Friends now by clicking on your preferred ink below. It is free-to-play with in-app purchases. Visit the official website for more information. Source link #Chef #Friends #continues #story #version #update Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Lady Gaga ‘Mayhem’ Vinyl Are Already Flying Off the Shelves – Variety Lady Gaga ‘Mayhem’ Vinyl Are Already Flying Off the Shelves – Variety Lady Gaga ‘Mayhem’ Vinyl Are Already Flying Off the Shelves VarietyView Full Coverage on Google News Source link #Lady #Gaga #Mayhem #Vinyl #Flying #Shelves #Variety Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Stumble Guys releases new Cowboys & Ninjas season alongside the return of Looney Tunes Stumble Guys releases new Cowboys & Ninjas season alongside the return of Looney Tunes New Cowboys & Ninjas season is live with new maps Head to Stumblewood to get a taste of the action Looney Tunes characters return with the Factory Fiasco elimination map Scopely has just announced the launch of the latest season of Stumble Guys. Titled Cowboys & Ninjas, it delivers a showdown with brand-new maps, action-packed battles, and the return of some familiar animated icons. This season also introduces Stumblewood, a first-person team-based shooter and Factory Fiasco, a wacky elimination map. In Stumble Guys’ latest season, you will step into the wild world of Stumblewood, where filming has taken a turn for the worse, and the set of Cowboys vs Ninjas is now a battleground. Your goal is to survive the chaos of a movie studio going haywire. You’ll need to dodge falling set pieces, navigate through exploding trailers, and avoid getting flattened by a speeding train. Use the dodge mechanic to evade incoming attacks, work with your team to gain the upper hand, and claim victory in this fast-paced cinematic showdown. The action doesn’t stop there either, because the Looney Tunes have stumbled back into the game, bringing their signature slapstick mayhem to the Stumble Guys universe. This season features an all-new elimination map, Factory Fiasco, set inside an Acme production facility where conveyor belts, oversized machinery, and unpredictable hazards are out to get you. Looking for similar experiences? Here’s a list of the best platformers to play on Android right now! No Stumble Guys update would be complete without fresh cosmetics, and this season is no exception. Six new Looney Tunes-themed Stumblers inspired by classic cowboy and ninja characters are up for grabs, letting you bring a little animated flair to the competition. There’s also a brand-new victory animation and an exclusive emote to show off your style. Grab your cowboy hat or ninja mask, pick your side, and prepare for a wild ride by downloading Stumble Guys now by clicking on your preferred link below. It is free-to-play with in-app purchases. Source link #Stumble #Guys #releases #Cowboys #Ninjas #season #return #Looney #Tunes Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

As US and Canada trade barbs, it’s so far so good for Mexico’s Sheinbaum As US and Canada trade barbs, it’s so far so good for Mexico’s Sheinbaum Will Grant Mexico Correspondent, BBC News AFP When tariffs were avoided in February, President Sheinbaum agreed to deploy 10,000 troops to the US-Mexico border In announcing the decision to postpone some tariffs on Mexico for another month, US President Donald Trump was at pains to praise his ******** counterpart, Claudia Sheinbaum. “I did this as an accommodation, and out of respect for, President Sheinbaum”, he wrote on his social media site, Truth Social. “Our relationship has been a very good one and we are working hard, together, on the border.” The comments were in stark contrast to the kind of language he has used for the ********* Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, who he continues to refer to as “Governor Trudeau”, while calling Canada “the 51st State”. The war of words – if not yet trade – continues between Canada and the Trump administration with Prime Minister Trudeau calling the entire tariffs policy “dumb” and the US Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, calling him a “numbskull” in return. The difference in tone between the US neighbour to the north and the one to the south could hardly be more striking. Some, particularly in Claudia Sheinbaum’s camp, see it as evidence of her deft handling of an unpredictable leader in the White House, one who has made several bold statements of intent, only for them to be rolled back or watered down. Certainly, President Sheinbaum has delivered a singular message from the start: Mexicans should “remain calm” over Trump, she has said, insisting that “cooler heads will prevail.” In that sense, it has been so far, so good for the ******** leader. Twice, now, in two months she has managed to stave off the imposition of sweeping 25% tariffs on ******** goods through a last-minute phone call to President Trump – even though he said there was “no room” for negotiation. It is testament to her diplomacy that Trump seems to genuinely appreciate her tone, clarity and overall demeanour in their interactions. She has refused to accept publicly that Mexico hasn’t done enough on either of the main border issues on which Trump is demanding action from his neighbours: fentanyl trafficking and undocumented immigration north. She began Thursday’s morning press briefing by referring to new figures from the US Customs and Border Protection agency which show seizures of fentanyl have dropped to 263 kilos, their lowest levels in 3 years. It represents a 75% drop in the last six months of her presidency. When tariffs were avoided in February, Sheinbaum agreed to deploy 10,000 troops to the US-Mexico border. Her administration has also extradited (although they prefer the word “expelled”) 29 drug cartel figures to the US to face trial on charges from ******* to money laundering, including a top drug lord, Rafael Caro Quintero, who has been wanted by the US authorities since the mid-1980s. Those may well have been the measures Trump was referring to when he said the two countries were “working hard, together” on border security. Furthermore, she has often thrown the ball back in the US president’s direction. Where do the guns which arm the cartels come from, she asks rhetorically, openly calling for the US to do more to curb the flow of weapons south and tackle its demand for ******** drugs. The drugs may come from Latin America, she points out, but the market for their consumption is overwhelmingly in the US. Even when the Trump administration recently designated six ******** cartels as “foreign terrorist organisations”, it seemed to strengthen her hand. That’s because her administration is currently embroiled in a legal battle with US gun manufacturers over negligence. If US weapons-makers have allowed their products to reach terrorists rather than mere criminals, Mexico could expand its lawsuit, she said, to include a new charge of “complicity” with terror groups. Trump’s Canada 51st state plan ‘is not a joke’, says Foreign Minister And yet while President Sheinbaum is enjoying a strong start to her presidency – both domestically and in the eyes of the world – for her handling of Trump, it is worth stressing that these are early days in their bilateral relationship. “I think she has played the hand she has been dealt pretty well”, said ******** economist, Valeria Moy. “I’m not sure it’s time for celebration just yet. But I think she has done what she can in the face of the threat of tariffs. It makes little sense for either of side to enter into a trade war.” The key to Sheinbaum’s success seems to have been in refusing to back down on unreasonable requests or matters of real importance, while similarly not appearing subservient or acquiescent to the White House’s demands. That is not an easy path to tread. On some questions – the Gulf of Mexico being renamed by Trump as the Gulf of America, for example – she can afford to remain above the fray knowing that most people around the world are unlikely to adopt his preferred terminology. On others, particularly tariffs, the stakes are considerably higher; there’s a danger that the constant back-and-forth and instability on the issue could push the ******** economy into recession. The ******** peso weakened again during this latest episode and, although Sheinbaum claims the country’s economy is strong, the markets would clearly prefer a more reliable and solid relationship with the US. Mexico remains the US’s biggest trading partner, after all. When I spoke to President Sheinbaum on the campaign trail last year, shortly before she made history by becoming Mexico’s first woman president, she said she would have no problem working with a second Trump presidency and that she would always “defend” what was right for Mexicans – including the millions who reside in the US. “We must always defend our country and our sovereignty,” she told me. With so much bluster between these three neighbours in recent days, it is easy to forget that the Trump presidency is still only six weeks old. The new relationship with the White House has a long way to go, with the USMCA trade agreement to be renegotiated next year. But certainly, amid all the political theatre, Claudia Sheinbaum will be more pleased than Justin Trudeau with how it has started. Source link #Canada #trade #barbs #good #Mexicos #Sheinbaum Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Suikoden HD Remaster Collection Is Steeply Discounted For PC On Launch Day Suikoden HD Remaster Collection Is Steeply Discounted For PC On Launch Day The beloved PS1 RPGs Suikoden I and II have returned in a remastered collection on consoles and PC. Nintendo Switch, PS5, and Xbox Series X owners can still pick up the Day One Edition for $50 at multiple major retailers, including Best Buy, Amazon, and Walmart. Meanwhile, PC players can take advantage of an awesome launch deal at Fanatical (a GameSpot sister site). Steam keys are discounted by 25% at Fanatical, which drops the price of the brand-new release to only $37.49 on launch day. Fanatical delivers Steam keys immediately after you finalize your transaction, so it’s a quick process that ultimately saves you $12.50 compared to purchasing the game directly from Steam. As an added bonus, you’ll also get a random free game or coupon for spending over $15 during Fanatical’s massive Spring *****. $50 Though console players will have to pay the full $50 price to play the collection this week, the physical edition for Switch, PS5, and Xbox Series X comes bundled with a few useful in-game bonuses. The Day One Edition includes a code that unlocks immediate access to the Prosperity Orb and Fortune Orb in-game items, which double the amount of money and experience you earn from battles, respectively. You also get a bonus 57,300 Potch (in-game currency). The Orb items are acquirable in the game, but they’re rare drops, so having them available immediately is a perk for players who don’t want to spend as much time farming Potch and XP. You’ll know the freebies are inside the box if you see the Day One Edition emblem on the cover art. Day One Editions sometimes sell out before launch, but Suikoden’s appears to be in stock at all major retailers on release day. You can buy the $50 physical edition of Suikoden I & II HD Remaster for Nintendo Switch, PS5, and Xbox Series X at Best Buy, Amazon, and Walmart. Suikoden I & II HD Remaster includes enhanced versions of Suikoden I and II. The remasters of both games feature HD sprites and backgrounds, enhanced sound effects, and QOL options like auto-saving, adjustable battle speeds, and a conversation log for reviewing previous dialogue. Disclosure: GameSpot and Fanatical are both owned by Fandom. Source link #Suikoden #Remaster #Collection #Steeply #Discounted #Launch #Day Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Rivals Bain, CC Capital raise offers for Insignia to $3.4 billion Rivals Bain, CC Capital raise offers for Insignia to $3.4 billion Bain Capital and CC Capital each increased their takeover offers for Insignia Financial as the bidding battle for the *********** financial services firm ramped up. Source link #Rivals #Bain #Capital #raise #offers #Insignia #billion Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

The US may start vaccinating chickens and cows against bird flu The US may start vaccinating chickens and cows against bird flu Vaccinating animals on poultry and dairy farms could help contain the bird flu outbreak Iuliia Zavalishina/Alamy As farmers across the US struggle to contain a deadly bird flu virus, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) is considering adding animal vaccines to its strategy for controlling the outbreak. Until now, vaccination was largely off the table given some countries restrict trade on inoculated birds. This includes Canada, one of the largest importers of US poultry products. The concern is that vaccinated flocks can harbour residual amounts of the virus,… Source link #start #vaccinating #chickens #cows #bird #flu Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Top allies scaling back intelligence sharing with America Top allies scaling back intelligence sharing with America John Brennan, Former CIA Director and Courtney Kube, NBC News Pentagon Correspondent join Nicolle Wallace on Deadline White House with reaction to the shifting levels of trust in America’s allies with the Trump Administration, with alliances that took decades to build now on a breaking point, with some of the “Five Eyes” having discussions about scaling back the information that they share with the United States. Source link #Top #allies #scaling #intelligence #sharing #America Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Zelensky hopes for ‘meaningful’ US-Ukraine talks next week Zelensky hopes for ‘meaningful’ US-Ukraine talks next week US-Ukraine talks will be held in Saudi Arabia next week, President Volodymyr Zelensky has said, expressing hopes that it will be “a meaningful meeting”. The Ukrainian leader, who will be in the Gulf kingdom but not take part in the talks, said Kyiv was working to reach a “fast and lasting” peace. US President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, said the American team wanted to discuss a “framework” for peace to try to end the Russia-Ukraine war. Last Friday, Zelensky and Trump were involved in a public clash at the White House – during which Trump said Zelensky was not ready to end the fighting. The US proceeded to pause military aid to Ukraine and stop sharing intelligence. The Ukrainian president has expressed regret about the incident and tried to repair relations with the US – the country’s biggest military supplier. On Thursday, Witkoff said Trump had received a letter from Zelensky that included an “apology” and “sense of gratitude”. “Hopefully, we get things back on track with the Ukrainians, and everything resumes,” Witkoff said. Zelensky has been under strong US pressure to make concessions ahead of any peace talks, while the Ukrainian president has been pushing for firm security guarantees for Kyiv. Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and now controls about 20% of Ukrainian territory. Zelensky announced the US-Ukraine talks in Saudi Arabia in a series of posts on social media, after attending Thursday’s crisis summit in Brussels where European Union leaders endorsed plans for a boost in defence spending. “Ukrainian and American teams have resumed work, and we hope that next week we will have a meaningful meeting,” he wrote on X. “Ukraine has been seeking peace since the very first moment of the war, and we have always stated that the war continues solely because of Russia.” Zelensky urged the global community to put more pressure on Moscow so it “accepts the need to end” the war. He also made an apparent reference to a truce plan outlined earlier this week by French President Emmanuel Macron, which proposed a ceasefire in the air and at sea, and an end to attacks on energy and other civilian infrastructure. Russia has not publicly commented on the French proposals. On Thursday, Putin said Moscow was seeking a peace “that would ensure calmness for our country in the long-term perspective. “We don’t need anything that belongs to others, but we won’t give up anything that belongs to us either,” the Kremlin leader added. Russia annexed Ukraine’s southern Crimea peninsula in 2014, and claims another four Ukrainian regions in the south-east as its own – although Moscow doesn’t fully control them. Ukraine and its European allies have in recent weeks expressed alarm over what many on the continent see as Donald Trump’s overtures to Russia. Trump vowed during the US election campaign to bring the war to an end quickly, and preliminary US-Russian talks were held in Saudi Arabia last month – without European or Ukrainian representatives present. The US’s decision to halt its military aid Ukraine has been cast by Trump administration officials as a means of getting Kyiv to co-operate with the US-led peace talks. Any corresponding pressure the US has been putting on Moscow to make concessions has not been made public. Source link #Zelensky #hopes #meaningful #USUkraine #talks #week Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Pamela Bach: Much-loved Baywatch actor and David Hasselhoff’s ex, dies at 62 in Los Angeles Pamela Bach: Much-loved Baywatch actor and David Hasselhoff’s ex, dies at 62 in Los Angeles Pamela Bach, an actor and the ex-wife of Baywatch star David Hasselhoff, has died at 62. The Los Angeles medical examiner’s office reports that she died Wednesday and the cause is still under investigation. Also known as Pamela Hasselhoff, Bach appeared on The Young and the Restless and met her future husband on the set of his series, Knight Rider. She also appeared on Baywatch. Bach and Hasselhoff were married in December 1989, and had two daughters, Taylor and Hayley. Hasselhoff filed for divorce in January 2006 and the former couple had a contentious split, with Bach accusing him of domestic abuse. A video of Hasselhoff drunkenly eating a burger led to him temporarily losing visitation privileges with his daughters, but they were restored after two weeks. The actor acknowledged the video, shot by one of his daughters, showed him during an alcohol relapse but he denied abuse allegations at the time. A message to David Hasselhoff’s representative was not immediately returned. In 2018, David Hasselhoff married model Hayley Roberts. Lifeline: 13 11 14. Source link #Pamela #Bach #Muchloved #Baywatch #actor #David #Hasselhoffs #dies #Los #Angeles Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Oracle’s Federal Electronic Health Record suffered nation-wide outage Oracle’s Federal Electronic Health Record suffered nation-wide outage Jaque Silva | Nurphoto | Getty Images Oracle’s Federal Electronic Health Record experienced a nation-wide outage on Tuesday, the Department of Veterans Affairs confirmed to CNBC. The agency said “all users” of the company’s Federal EHR, including the VA, the Department of Defense, the U.S. Coast Guard and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, were impacted. Six VA medical centers, 26 community clinics, and remote VA sites experienced disruptions, the agency said. “Affected VA medical facilities followed standard contingency procedures during the outage to ensure continuity of care for Veterans,” a VA spokesperson said in a statement Thursday. An electronic health record, or an EHR, is a digital version of a patient’s medical history that’s updated by doctors and nurses. It’s crucial software within the U.S. health-care system, and outages can cause serious disruptions to patient care. Oracle is one of the largest EHR vendors thanks to it’s $28 billion acquisition of the medical records giant Cerner in 2022. The company’s Federal EHR initially started experiencing issues at around 8:37 a.m. Eastern on Tuesday, the VA said. Users reported that the software froze and they were unable to access applications. Access was restored and cleared by 2:05 p.m. Eastern that day after Oracle restarted the system. Oracle is carrying out an investigation to determine what caused the outage, the VA said. Oracle did not immediately respond to CNBC’s request for comment. The outage marks Oracle’s latest stumble in a thorny, years-long EHR rollout with the VA, which has been marred by patient safety concerns. The agency launched a strategic review of Cerner in 2021, before Oracle’s acquisition, and it temporarily paused deployment of the software in 2023. Four VA facilities in Michigan are slated to deploy Oracle’s Federal EHR in 2026. In October, Oracle unveiled a brand-new EHR equipped with fresh cloud and artificial intelligence capabilities. The early adopter program for the software begins this year, though it’s not clear if the VA has plans to utilize it. Oracle is slated to report third-quarter fiscal 2025 earnings on Monday. Watch: Oracle CEO Safra Catz: Being number one is very important Source link #Oracles #Federal #Electronic #Health #Record #suffered #nationwide #outage Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Outrage after Texas pastor brags online about his school having the state’s lowest measles vaccination rate: ‘We celebrate it’ Outrage after Texas pastor brags online about his school having the state’s lowest measles vaccination rate: ‘We celebrate it’ Instagram users have some harsh words for a Texas pastor who is celebrating his Christian church’s private school having the state’s lowest vaccination rate for measles amid a deadly outbreak of the highly contagious virus. Mercy Culture Church Lead Pastor Landon Schott posted a video to the platform on Wednesday to commend the K-12 preparatory school. “I just want to congratulate all the family members of MC Prep that embrace freedom of health, and they’re not allowing government or science projects to affect how you live and lead your life,” Schott told his more than 47,000 Instagram followers. “I know the entire world was shut down with insanity and people were fired from their jobs,” he said, “for forced vaccinations.” Schott’s remarks, which have been shared by multiple news outlets, have resulted in criticism from other social media users. “Absolutely nutty that you brag about this, you are the uneducated that the administration loves to hurt so much,” user @sheeeshmayne said on Instagram. Mercy Culture Pastor Landon Schott posted an Instagram video this week that celebrated the Texas church’s partner school reportedly having the state’s lowest vaccination rate for measles. His video has drawn support and criticism amid a measles outbreak in West Texas (@landonaschott/Instagram) “That’s not something to be proud of. Wouldn’t God want you to take every precaution to keep your kids healthy? Just no, this isn’t the flex y’all think it is!” exclaimed @helenheard. “An UNVACCINATED child died in Texas February 26, 2025!” said @amberdwhitfieldaw. “Maybe go visit the west Texas hospital where the unvaccinated measles children are being treated. Mostly because they can’t breathe on their own. You are truly a nut job.” However, others, including the school, wrote comments of support. “We love it! #1,” the school said. “I absolutely LOVE that we’re celebrating this,” Instagram user @deidrameckel wrote. Only 14.3 percent of kindergarteners at the 300-student Fort Worth school were vaccinated for measles for the 2023 to 2024 school years, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram said. It is one of six facilities in North Texas that have less than 50 percent of its kindergarten population vaccinated, according to The Dallas Morning News. The measles vaccine is the only way to prevent infection. An outbreak of the highly contagious viral disease in West Texas has prompted the set up of vaccination clinics (AFP via Getty Images) Schott claimed that the news had been trying to spin the school’s low vaccination rate like it was “some awful thing.” He did not bring up the measles outbreak that’s currently ripping through West Texas. The viral disease has sickened more than 150 people and killed an unvaccinated child. The outbreak has been tied to Gaines County’s “close-knit, undervaccinated” Mennonite community. Since the initial outbreak, more cases have been reported in neighboring New Mexico and other states around the country. Medical experts are urging residents to get vaccinated, and have opened mobile clinics. “The only effective way to prevent measles is the MMR vaccine,” said American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Infectious Diseases Chair Dr. Sean O’Leary. Source link #Outrage #Texas #pastor #brags #online #school #states #lowest #measles #vaccination #rate #celebrate Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Cyclone Alfred heading toward Brisbane and eastern Australia for rare landfall – The Washington Post Cyclone Alfred heading toward Brisbane and eastern Australia for rare landfall – The Washington Post Cyclone Alfred heading toward Brisbane and eastern Australia for rare landfall The Washington Post’Scary’ tropical Cyclone Alfred nears Queensland BBC.comCarnival, Royal Caribbean cancel voyages, ships stuck at sea Yahoo LifeBrisbane, Australia, Braces for Powerful Cyclone The New York TimesSPUN BACK AROUND: Alfred’s path locked in after second pirouette news.com.au Source link #Cyclone #Alfred #heading #Brisbane #eastern #Australia #rare #landfall #Washington #Post Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trade chaos reigns as President Donald Trump flip-flops again on tariffs for Canada and Mexico Trade chaos reigns as President Donald Trump flip-flops again on tariffs for Canada and Mexico President Donald Trump has exempted some ******** and ********* goods from his 25 per cent tariffs, offering major reprieves to the US’s two largest trading partners. Source link #Trade #chaos #reigns #President #Donald #Trump #flipflops #tariffs #Canada #Mexico Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Brother of Utah inmate executed by firing squad 15 years ago speaks out against the death penalty Brother of Utah inmate executed by firing squad 15 years ago speaks out against the death penalty ****** Gardner speaks against the death penalty during a visit to Columbia, South Carolina, in advance of the scheduled execution of Brad Sigmon by firing squad Friday night. Gardner’s brother, Ronnie Lee Gardner, was the last inmate to die by firing squad in 2010 in Utah. (AP video: Erik Verduzco, Jeffrey Collins) Source link #Brother #Utah #inmate #executed #firing #squad #years #speaks #death #penalty Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Walgreens to go private in $10 billion deal with Sycamore Partners Walgreens to go private in $10 billion deal with Sycamore Partners The Walgreens logo is displayed at a Walgreens store on October 15, 2024 in San Rafael, California. Justin Sullivan | Getty Images Struggling drugstore chain Walgreens is going private. The company on Thursday said it inked a deal with private equity firm Sycamore Partners that will take it off the public market for an equity value of around $10 billion. Sycamore will pay $11.45 per share in cash for Walgreens. Shareholders could also receive up to $3 more per share in the future from sales of Walgreens’ primary-care businesses. Walgreens said the total value of the transaction would be up to $23.7 billion when including debt and possible payouts down the line. Walgreens and Sycamore expect to close the take-private deal in the fourth quarter of this year. The historic deal ends Walgreens’ tumultuous run as a public company, which began in 1927. Shares of the company are up more than 15% for 2025, but the stock is still down more than 48% for the last year and down 70% for the past three years. Walgreens’s market value reached a peak of more than $100 billion in 2015 as investors gained confidence in its health-care business and expansion plans, making it one of the most prominent American retail companies. But the company’s market cap shrank to under $8 billion in late 2024 due to competition from its main rival CVS, grocery chains, big-box retailers and Amazon, along with a slew of challenges. Walgreens has been squeezed by the transition out of the Covid pandemic, pharmacy reimbursement headwinds, softer consumer spending and a troubled push into health care. Both Walgreens and CVS have pivoted from years of store expansions to shuttering hundreds of retail pharmacy locations across the U.S. to shore up profits. But unlike CVS, which has diversified its business model by offering insurance and pharmacy benefits, Walgreens largely doubled down on its now-flailing retail pharmacy business. In October, Walgreens said it plans to close roughly 1,200 of its drugstores over the next three years, including 500 in fiscal 2025 alone. Walgreens has around 8,700 locations in the U.S., a quarter of which it says are unprofitable. The company has also scaled back its push into primary care by cutting its stake in provider VillageMD. Walgreens tapped health-care industry veteran Tim Wentworth as its new CEO in late 2023 to help regain its footing. The company has reportedly been seen as a potential private equity target in the past. In 2019, private equity firm KKR made a roughly $70 billion buyout offer to Walgreens, the Financial Times and Bloomberg reported at the time. Source link #Walgreens #private #billion #deal #Sycamore #Partners Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Judge reinstates NLRB member Trump fired: 'A president is not a king' – CNBC Judge reinstates NLRB member Trump fired: 'A president is not a king' – CNBC Judge reinstates NLRB member Trump fired: ‘A president is not a king’ CNBCTrump unlawfully fired National Labor Relations Board member, federal judge rules, permitting her to stay on the job CNNTrump firing of Labor Board Democrat was unlawful, judge rules, reinstating her AxiosTrump’s Court Rulings: Here’s Where Trump And Elon Musk Are Winning And Losing Forbes Source link #Judge #reinstates #NLRB #member #Trump #fired #039A #president #king039 #CNBC Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump delays more tariffs amid US economic uncertainty Trump delays more tariffs amid US economic uncertainty Donald Trump has postponed tariffs on many imports from Mexico and some from Canada for a month amid widespread fears of the economic fallout from a trade war. Source link #Trump #delays #tariffs #economic #uncertainty Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Gavin Newsom splits with Democrats on transgender athletes, calling it “deeply unfair” Gavin Newsom splits with Democrats on transgender athletes, calling it “deeply unfair” Gov. Gavin Newsom faces backlash over comments made on new podcast Gov. Gavin Newsom faces backlash over comments made on new podcast 00:54 California Gov. Gavin Newsom, one of the most prominent Democratic party voices, said Thursday on his new podcast that it’s “deeply unfair” to allow transgender women to participate in women’s sports, marking a turn for a politician who first made national headlines when he issued marriage licenses for same-sex couples as San Francisco mayor in 2004. Newsom is already facing blowback from his own party after comments he made in the debut episode of his podcast “This is Gavin Newsom.” The podcast is being touted by Newsom as a way to “change the conversation” by talking directly to people on the opposite side of his politics. In the first episode, released Thursday, Newsom sits down with conservative media figure Charlie Kirk from Turning Point USA. Newsom waded into the issue of transgender athletes after Kirk mentions the recent news of a high school trans athlete in California who won a girls’ triple jump event. “I think it’s an issue of fairness, I completely agree with you on that. It is an issue of fairness, it’s deeply unfair,” Newsom said. Further into the conversation, Newsom talked about a Trump campaign ad that ran ahead of the 2024 presidential election, which highlighted then-Vice President Kamala Harris’ previous support for gender-affirming care for incarcerated people. “She didn’t even react to it, which was even more devastating,” Newsom told Kirk. Newsom’s comments seem to run counter to the governor’s longstanding support of the LGBTQ+ community. After the podcast debuted Thursday, the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus released a statement calling Newsom’s comments “anti-transgender.” “Sometimes Gavin Newsom goes for the Profile in Courage, sometimes not. We woke up profoundly sickened and frustrated by these remarks,” said Assemblymember Chris Ward (D-San Diego) and state Sen. Caroline Menjivar (D-Burbank) in a joint statement. The LGBTQ+ advocacy group Equality California also criticized Newsom’s comments, saying they were “disappointed and angered.” “His comments are all the more harmful in the context of the continued attack on the rights and dignity of transgender people happening at all levels of government across the country,” the group said in a statement. Newsom’s personal social media pages have been promoting the podcast, including reposting a picture of him and Kirk with the caption “We had quite the chat!” Cecilio Padilla Cecilio Padilla is a digital producer for CBS Sacramento and a Sacramento-area native who has been covering Northern California for more than a decade. Source link #Gavin #Newsom #splits #Democrats #transgender #athletes #calling #deeply #unfair Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Intuitive Machines stock drops after unclear Athena moon landing Intuitive Machines stock drops after unclear Athena moon landing Intuitive Machines’ (LUNR) stock plunges on Thursday despite successfully landing its Athena lander spacecraft on the moon for a 10-day water-hunting mission. The condition of the craft remains unclear, adding uncertainty. Market Domination hosts Josh Lipton and Julie Hyman discuss Intuitive Machines’ volatile stock performance. Last year, the company made history with its Odysseus lander, the first commercially-built lunar lander to reach the moon. To watch more expert insights and analysis on the latest market action, check out more Market Domination here. This post was written by Josh ****** Source link #Intuitive #Machines #stock #drops #unclear #Athena #moon #landing Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Siege is Free-To-Play This Weekend Because Somehow It Isn’t Already Siege is Free-To-Play This Weekend Because Somehow It Isn’t Already This upcoming weekend, Rainbow Six Siege will be free-to-play for all Xbox Game Pass members. If you’re like me, you might be surprised to learn that Siege, a live-service tactical shooter from Ubisoft, is not already a free-to-play game. Siege Somehow Isn’t Free-To-Play After 10 Years As part of its #FreePlayDays program, Rainbow Six Siege will be free to play on Game Pass, starting now until Monday, March 10. AEW: Fight Forever, Born of Bread, and Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown are also free-to-play during the weekend. But Siege’s inclusion is a fascinating one, because if you didn’t know any better, you’d assume that Siege was a free-to-play game already. Siege hits all the characteristics of a free-to-play game. It’s a live service shooter with all the live service fixings: seasonal passes, loot boxes, a robust cosmetics shop, and dozens of operators that require vigorous grinding or premium currency to unlock. Not only does the standard edition of Rainbow Six Siege cost money, but there’s also three separate upgradeable versions: Deluxe Edition, Operator Edition, and Ultimate Edition. Now currently, there’s a Ubisoft ***** on Steam, so you can get the standard version or the Deluxe Edition for less than $7. However, nowhere on the Steam store listing does it explain the differences between the versions. Way back when the game first launched in 2015, Siege struggled to bring in the numbers that Ubisoft hoped for. However, it slowly improved in player numbers as it released a wave of free content and became a shining example of how a “live service game” could flourish. By 2017, Ubisoft said Siege was attracting 2.3 million players every day. Games like Fortnite, VALORANT, and Apex Legends adopted those same live-service tendencies, but removed a huge entry barrier by releasing as free-to-play. But why is Siege still not free-to-play at this point? Some players would say it keeps cheaters at bay by making them pay to get in. Maybe the pay-upfront approach is the right one, since Siege is celebrating its 10 year anniversary, and heading toward its next “major evolution” in Siege X. Coincidentally , the Ubisoft ***** on Steam ends on March 13, the same as the Siege X world premiere. Between that premiere and the release of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, it’s going to be a big month for Ubisoft. Were you also surprised to learn Siege wasn’t free-to-play? Let us know in the comments or on our community forum! For more information from Insider Gaming, read the latest footage from Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Don’t forget to sign up for our weekly newsletter. SUBSCRIBE to our newsletter to receive the latest news and exclusive leaks every week! No Spam. Source link #Siege #FreeToPlay #Weekend #Isnt Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Bengals give NFL sack leader Trey Hendrickson permission to seek trade: Source – The Athletic – The New York Times Bengals give NFL sack leader Trey Hendrickson permission to seek trade: Source – The Athletic – The New York Times Bengals give NFL sack leader Trey Hendrickson permission to seek trade: Source – The Athletic The New York TimesBengals letting star DE Hendrickson seek trade ESPNTrey Hendrickson landing spots: Bears, Commanders best fits for Bengals star USA TODAYTrey Hendrickson new big name on DE trade market — and there’s a Detroit Lions connection Detroit Free PressLogan Wilson responds to Bengals granting Trey Hendrickson trade request with melting face The Cincinnati Enquirer Source link #Bengals #give #NFL #sack #leader #Trey #Hendrickson #permission #seek #trade #Source #Athletic #York #Times Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

European Athletics Indoor Championships: GB win mixed 4x400m relay bronze as Femke Bol earns gold for hosts European Athletics Indoor Championships: GB win mixed 4x400m relay bronze as Femke Bol earns gold for hosts Great Britain won mixed 4x400m relay bronze as Femke Bol anchored hosts the Netherlands to the first gold of the European Athletics Indoor Championships in Apeldoorn. Dutch star Bol, 25, took over in fourth position but delivered the title ahead of Belgium in a time of three minutes 15.63 seconds to loud cheers inside the Omnisport Stadium. The British quartet featuring Alastair Chalmers, Emily Newnham, Joshua Faulds and Lina Nielsen clocked 3:16.49 to make the podium in an event making its championship debut. Britons Georgia Hunter Bell, Revee Walcott-Nolan and Neil Gourley progressed to Friday night’s 1500m finals on the opening night of action. Olympic 1500m bronze medallist Hunter Bell, the strong favourite for the title as the fastest European this year, controlled her heat from start to finish and won in 4:11.31. “Job done now and I’m ready for tomorrow. I like the heats, to get a run out and settle the nerves. But you need to make sure you stay out of trouble,” Hunter Bell told BBC Sport. She will be joined in the women’s final by Walcott-Nolan, who placed second in her heat in 4:14.38. Gourley will have his sights set on upgrading his 2023 silver after he won his heat in 3:40.24 to join world record holder Jakob Ingebrigtsen in the final. Olympic 5,000m champion Ingebrigtsen clocked 3:37.49 as he made a winning start in his bid for a third consecutive 1500m and 3,000m double at the championships, an achievement which would see him equal the men’s record of seven European indoor titles. Elsewhere, Ireland’s Sarah Lavin qualified for the women’s 60m hurdles semi-finals on Friday by winning her heat in 7.93 seconds. Source link #European #Athletics #Indoor #Championships #win #mixed #4x400m #relay #bronze #Femke #Bol #earns #gold #hosts Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]