Pelican Press

‘Megalodon’ Goldfish Found in Pennsylvania Waterway — and Now Officials Are Issuing a Warning to **** Owners ‘Megalodon’ Goldfish Found in Pennsylvania Waterway — and Now Officials Are Issuing a Warning to **** Owners A *******-than-usual discovery in Pennsylvania has prompted officials to warn what happens when “cute” turns to “brute” — as they’re reminding the public that leaving a **** goldfish in the wild can create an “invasive problem that can last decades.” On Tuesday, Feb. 25, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) revealed on Facebook that experts spotted — and recovered — what they are calling a “megalodon” goldfish during a recent electrofishing survey in a Presque Isle State Park waterway. Now, the agency is using the discovery to remind the public exactly why the aquatic creature “isn’t supposed to be here.” “Someone released it, thinking they were being kind. Instead, they created an invasive problem that can last decades,” the USFWS wrote in a caption. “Goldfish grow massive in the wild, where they can turn lakes and waterways into murky messes, steal food from native fish, and wreck water quality,” the agency added. “If you can’t keep your fish, re-home it. Just don’t let it loose.” After posting a photo of USFWS employee Corey Ketchum holding the fish — which appears to be significantly larger than a standard at-home goldfish — the agency added the hashtag, “#InvasiveSpeciesWeek.” Another image in the comments section, shared by the USFWS, showed another agency official holding the fish with two hands. “From cute to brute,” the agency captioned the snap. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service/ Feacebook USFWS’s Corey Ketchum holds a giant goldfish discovered in a Pennsylvania waterway Related: Giant Goldfish Weighing 67 Lbs. Caught by Fisherman – See the Photos! Elsewhere in the post’s comments, the USFWS shared some insight into “how to break up with your goldfish,” before amplifying a concern from a commenter about goldfish being used as bait. “It’s legal in 16 states to use goldfish as bait. All the states create their own fishing regulations, so it’s up to each state on what they allow for bait fish,” the USFWS clarified. “We always encourage anglers to never dump their bait after they’re done fishing. Bait dumping is one of the many ways invasive aquatic species and pathogens are introduced into waterways.” The average lifespan of a goldfish in the wild is 41 years, according to National Geographic, which reports that they can top 5 lbs. in the wild. As previously reported in late 2023, goldfish have become an issue in the Great Lakes specifically, with an expert noting at the time that “millions” were swimming around. Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. According to the USFWS’ website, wild goldfish can “balloon into giant, football-sized invaders that compete with native species for food and habitat.” Specifically, the species can make water murky, stir up sediment and uproot plants since they are bottom feeders, making it harder for native fish and plants to survive the environment. Aside from their quick growth and disruption of water quality, goldfish spawn several times a season and have no natural predators, meaning they “multiply quickly” and stick around for a while, per the USFWS. They can also carry parasites and diseases for which other fish lack immunity. Goldfish owners looking to part ways with their pets are encouraged to re-home them, return them to a **** store or contact local aquariums or rescue groups. “Releasing a **** to the wild is never the right thing. Most pets released to the wild do not survive, and many suffer before they die,” the USFWS shared on its website. “If it does survive, your **** could become an invasive species that harms native wildlife.” Read the original article on People Source link #Megalodon #Goldfish #Pennsylvania #Waterway #Officials #Issuing #Warning #**** #Owners Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Carnival 2025: Live updates and photos from Brazil’s street parties – The Associated Press Carnival 2025: Live updates and photos from Brazil’s street parties – The Associated Press Carnival 2025: Live updates and photos from Brazil’s street parties The Associated PressRio’s Carnival kicks off as mayor gives key to the city to King Momo The Associated PressRevelers take to the streets of Rio MSNCarnival kicks off in Brazil CBS News Source link #Carnival #Live #updates #photos #Brazils #street #parties #Press Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Halo Infinite Players Can Get a Free Women’s History Month Pack Halo Infinite Players Can Get a Free Women’s History Month Pack If you’re still playing Halo Infinite, you can unlock a free pack published today by Halo Studios. This pack has been created in celebration and recognition of Women’s History Month, and it includes an armour coating, a visor, and an emblem. This revelation was posted on social media today, along with an image promoting the free-to-download bundle. Free Is Always Good It’s always nice getting free things, and Halo Studios has assembled this bundle in tribute to a good cause – Women’s History Month. In a post on social media, the team wrote: This Womens History Month, we honor the women whose brilliance, drive, and creativity continue to inspire change within our industry, studio, and community. We rise by lifting each other Log in this month to claim your Women’s History Month armor coating, visor, and emblem collection! The pack will be available throughout March. Recently, the team at Halo Studios revealed that a tactical ‘search and destroy’ mode is making its way into Halo Infinite. In a move to adopt a more tactical mindset, it was announced that ‘S&D Extraction’ would be entering the mode pool later in 2025. It’s also coming to the Halo Championship Series, the game’s esports ecosystem. In Halo Infinite, the mode will be named ‘Seek and Deploy’, which is little more than a unique spin on the name that everyone knows best. In October 2024, it was announced that Halo’s development would be moving to Unreal Engine 5. It was also confirmed that multiple Halo games are in development, none of which have been expanded on since the news dropped. Are you still playing Halo Infinite? Let us know what you think about these free cosmetics in the comments. For more Insider Gaming coverage, check out the news that daily login rewards might come back to Call of Duty SUBSCRIBE to our newsletter to receive the latest news and exclusive leaks every week! No Spam. Source link #Halo #Infinite #Players #Free #Womens #History #Month #Pack Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Fremantle Dockers coach Justin Longmuir outlines his footy philosophy and dispels myths around his personality Fremantle Dockers coach Justin Longmuir outlines his footy philosophy and dispels myths around his personality Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir doesn’t like to beat his chest, but he’s got news for anyone who believes the narrative that he’s conservative and defensive. The private Longmuir is a vastly different bloke. Source link #Fremantle #Dockers #coach #Justin #Longmuir #outlines #footy #philosophy #dispels #myths #personality Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Elon Musk Calls Social Security ‘The Biggest Ponzi Scheme Of All Time’ Elon Musk Calls Social Security ‘The Biggest Ponzi Scheme Of All Time’ Elon Musk is calling Social Security a “Ponzi scheme,” prompting suspicion that the world’s richest man is merely hoping to privatize a social safety net that has existed since the 1930s — and has kept millions of elderly, poor and disabled Americans from destitution. The billionaire argued Friday on “The Joe Rogan Experience” podcast that the United States government is “one big pyramid scheme” before blasting Social Security as “the biggest Ponzi scheme of all time.” When asked to clarify, Musk said, “Well, people pay into Social Security and the money goes out of Social Security immediately, but the obligation for Social Security is your entire retirement career. If you look at the future obligations of Social Security, it far exceeds the tax revenue.” Musk, who oversees Trump’s cost-cutting initiative for federal spending, the Department of Government Efficiency, added that “people are living way longer than expected” and thus the government’s obligation to pay the debt “will be much worse in the future.” He is far from the first conservative to characterize Social Security as a “Ponzi scheme,” which refers to a type of fraud in which existing customers get payouts that come from the investments of new customers. The Social Security Administration has said it could face a shortage of funds by 2035. But many Democrats have argued that the program’s funds should simply be shored up by eliminating the cap on Social Security taxes for high earners, meaning that people who make a lot of money would pay proportionately more into the program. Elsewhere during his podcast appearance, Musk shared debunked claims about Social Security. “We found just with a basic search of the Social Security database that there were 20 million dead people marked as alive,” Musk said, prompting host Joe Rogan to ask if these supposed dead people are actually receiving money and how much of it they’re getting. “Some of them are getting money,” Musk said. Concerned citizens, politicians and pundits eviscerated Musk on social media for his remarks about Social Security. Jose Luis Magana/Associated Press He made similar comments last month, falsely claiming that “tens of millions” of dead people are receiving Social Security benefits. That misconception stems, in part, from the way data is labeled in Social Security’s software system, The Associated Press reported. A 2024 report from SSA’s inspector general found less than 1% in improper payments from 2015 to 2022, and most of those were overpayments to people who were alive. Musk’s comments on Social Security landed as the agency faces dramatic cuts, telling its employees Thursday that there will be a massive reorganization involving “significant workforce reductions.” Story Continues On Thursday, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) slammed the continued assaults on Social Security. “Social Security keeps 18 million seniors out of poverty every year,” Sanders wrote on X, formerly called Twitter. The progressive senator, who has introduced legislation to expand Social Security benefits, added, “Trump and Musk are lying about it for one reason: so they can cut, privatize & dismantle it. We must EXPAND Social Security benefits, not cut them.” Following Musk’s remarks on Rogan’s podcast, others on social media expressed outrage at his stance. Source link #Elon #Musk #Calls #Social #Security #Biggest #Ponzi #Scheme #Time Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

****** Stone, veteran R&B singer-songwriter, dead in car ****** – BBC.com ****** Stone, veteran R&B singer-songwriter, dead in car ****** – BBC.com ****** Stone, veteran R&B singer-songwriter, dead in car ****** BBC.comGrammy nominated singer ****** Stone killed in ****** in Montgomery County WSFAAngie Stone, Grammy-nominated R&B artist, dead at 63 CNNSinger-Songwriter ****** Stone Dead at 63 TMZSoul singer ****** Stone dies in a car ****** at 63 The Guardian Source link #****** #Stone #veteran #RampB #singersongwriter #dead #car #****** #BBC.com Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

WA election 2025: Roger Cook says there is more to be done in cost-of-living relief in his re-election pitch WA election 2025: Roger Cook says there is more to be done in cost-of-living relief in his re-election pitch WA Premier Roger Cook has put cost-of-living relief back at the forefront of his re-election pitch, raising the prospect of another power bill credit if he wins Saturday’s state election. Source link #election #Roger #Cook #costofliving #relief #reelection #pitch Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Oceania Cruises president steps down amid major changes Oceania Cruises president steps down amid major changes In a major cruise industry leadership change, Oceania Cruises’ president is stepping down, effective immediately, following the introduction of a new leadership structure at parent company Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH). Now, for the first time since the luxury small-ship cruise line was founded in 2003, no Del Rio family member is involved with the brand. Related: Cruise industry asks crucial port to rethink cruise ban Oceania Cruises was co-founded by Frank J. Del Rio, a cruise industry leader who retired from his position as NCLH’s CEO in 2023. His son, Frank A. Del Rio, who started his career in the cruise industry working with his father as one of the first employees at Oceania, took the helm of the cruise line shortly before his retirement. Now, Frank A. Del Rio is departing from the brand, too. Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter to save money on your next (or your first) cruise. Oceania Cruises was co-founded by Frank J. Del Rio.GettyFrank A. Del Rio leaves Oceania following former leader’s return Just a day after former Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Oceania leader Jason Montague returned to a leadership position overseeing NCLH’s luxury brands on Feb. 17, the company announced that Oceania President Frank A. Del Rio is stepping down from his position. Del Rio had been expected to report to Montague as he took on his new role. Montague spoke about Del Rio’s departure and his impact on the cruise line in a statement to travel partners that was shared by Seatrade Cruise News. Related: PortMiami sets record, making big changes passengers will like “Both Frank and his father, our company’s founder, have left an enduring legacy on Oceania Cruises and the broader industry,” Montague said. “I want to personally thank Frank for his outstanding stewardship of the brand, positioning it for an incredibly bright future, and for assembling an exceptional leadership team. We wish him all the best in his next chapter.” The company previously announced that Regent Seven Seas Cruises President Andrea DeMarco is also departing. After providing transition support, DeMarco is leaving March 4 after more than a decade with the company. Be the first to see the best deals on cruises, special sailings, and more. Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter. Montague will lead NCLH’s upscale fleet expansion Montague, who was appointed to the newly-created role of Chief Luxury Officer at NCLH, will take over daily operations at Oceania as Del Rio departs. Like Del Rio, Montague has a long history with Oceania dating back to its founding. He previously served as president for both the Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises brands. Most recently, he served as a special advisor to NCLH for two years after leading Regent until 2022. In his new role, Montague will lead NCLH’s multi-billion dollar fleet expansion for its ultra-premium and luxury cruise brands. The program includes adding five new ships to its upscale brands’ fleets and plans to refurbish nearly all their existing vessels. Related: Norwegian Cruise Line places order for its largest ships yet Oceania Cruises expects three new builds through 2029, starting with Allura, which launches in July 2025. Additionally, the brands’ ships Marina and Riviera will be refurbished in 2026 and 2027, respectively. Regent Seven Seas Cruises will add two new vessels through 2029, in addition to planned enhancements to Seven Seas Mariner and Seven Seas Voyager in 2025 and 2026, respectively. Are you taking a cruise or thinking about taking one? Visit our Come Cruise With Me website to have all your questions answered. Source link #Oceania #Cruises #president #steps #major Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

It Looks Like Daily Rewards Are Coming Back to Call of Duty It Looks Like Daily Rewards Are Coming Back to Call of Duty In a post published on social media by a Call of Duty dataminer, it was suggested that a daily rewards system could be coming to ****** Ops 6 when season three drops in March. The season is expected to bring back Verdansk in Warzone for the first time since 2021, so it makes sense that teams are anticipating ways to retain players to make the comeback much more worthwhile. Every Day, New Rewards ****** Ops 6 doesn’t feature a daily login bonus system – even the free rewards periodically unlocked in the store have been paltry. Most players report getting endless strings of Double XP tokens and nothing else, whereas in previous games, players could get charms, sprays, calling cards, and emblems, all for free. According to a recent post from realityuk_ on Twitter, that might be set to change. While the dataminer has uncovered nothing more than a menu and a prompt, it’s enough to assume that daily rewards are coming back when season three hits later this month. In one image, Reality found a ‘Daily Login Reward’ pop-up that read: To earn all rewards, log in on 7 seperate days before unclaimed rewards expire. This hasn’t been addressed or even alluded to by the teams working on ****** Ops 6, and as it’s a datamined asset, it’s worth taking the imagery with a pinch of salt. These things are always subject to change, unfortunately. It’s nice if it’s true, though. Despite the state of Warzone right now, the return of Verdansk is guaranteed to bring players flooding back, and nothing makes players happy like free items. It was suggested recently by a Call of Duty leaker that Verdansk is returning to Warzone as ‘pretty much the OG version‘ that was released in 2020. That was when Warzone was created, becoming one of the most popular battle royale games in history as tens of millions of players flocked to the title. Will you be taking advantage of free daily rewards if they come to ****** Ops 6? Let us know on the Insider Gaming forum. For more Insider Gaming coverage, check out the news that Halo Infinite is getting a search and destroy mode soon SUBSCRIBE to our newsletter to receive the latest news and exclusive leaks every week! No Spam. Source link #Daily #Rewards #Coming #Call #Duty Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Israel and ****** talks stall as Gaza ceasefire is set to expire – The Washington Post Israel and ****** talks stall as Gaza ceasefire is set to expire – The Washington Post Israel and ****** talks stall as Gaza ceasefire is set to expire The Washington PostGaza ceasefire nears end with Israel and ****** split on way forward CNNHamas rejects Israel’s terms for extending Gaza truce, rules out negotiations Hindustan TimesNetanyahu directs IDF to ‘prepare to defend’ Syrian Druze locale ‘under attack by regime’ The Times of IsraelLIVE: First phase of Israel-****** ceasefire ends with no deal Al Jazeera English Source link #Israel #****** #talks #stall #Gaza #ceasefire #set #expire #Washington #Post Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

With No Expansion Releasing in 2025, Diablo 4 Needs to Strengthen Its Seasonal Game With No Expansion Releasing in 2025, Diablo 4 Needs to Strengthen Its Seasonal Game Last year, Blizzard blessed the Diablo 4 community with the game’s first DLC called Vessel of Hatred. The arrival of the expansion was quite exciting as it introduced us to the region of Nahantu and brought us the Spiritborn class. Diablo 4 is one of the most popular ARPGs out there. (Image via Microsoft) While Vessel of Hatred was an incredible addition, it still left a lot to be desired. Gamers were hopeful that Blizzard will elevate the Diablo 4 experience with another expansion in 2025. Unfortunately, reports suggest that Blizzard won’t release another DLC. However, this could allow Blizzard to make some positive changes in regard to seasonal content. Blizzard must improve the seasonal content in Diablo 4 ⛶ ⛶ The update focus on streamlining things for players, allowing for more focus on action ⛶ The praise doesn’t end for Diablo 4’s latest season updates ⛶ ⛶ Recently, Jason Schreier attended DICE in Las Vegas, where he witnessed the Blizzard panel. Diablo’s General Manager Rod Fergusson apparently confirmed at the panel that Diablo 4‘s next DLC won’t hit the shelves until 2026. This news is quite unfortunate, considering the fact that when Diablo launched, Fergusson stated that the game would receive annual DLCs, as well as quarterly seasonal updates to maintain the post-launch momentum. Blizzard pedaling back on its DLC plans for Diablo 4 could prove to be a good thing as it would allow the company to deliver finished and meaningful expansions. However, if Blizzard doesn’t improve upon seasonal updates, gamers might start losing interest until the DLCs drop. We’ve seen Blizzard bringing brand-new mechanics, themes, and changes to the gameplay of Diablo 4 with seasonal updates. However, many in the community can’t help but wonder if Blizzard is using these updates to innovate or simply recycle minor additions and tweaks. So far, the game has followed a predictable pattern when it comes to seasonal updates. There’s a new mechanic, but it doesn’t feel good enough to keep engaging with the grind-heavy experience. Most of the seasonal additions lack any meaningful and long-term improvement to the game. Now that we won’t be receiving any DLCs in 2025, Blizzard needs to bring features that go beyond a single season and integrate with the overall Diablo 4 experience. These updates should improve the gameplay, bring more build diversity, introduce permanent expansions, and give a reason for players to jump into the game. Key Diablo 4 leaves Blizzard with a “bittersweet” ending Will this affect Diablo 4‘s future classes? (Image via Microsoft) Right after Diablo 4 started its Season 7, the game’s Lead Class Designer, Adam Jackson, revealed on Twitter/X that he was leaving Blizzard. He called his 15 years of experience at the company a long one with a “bittersweet” ending. However, Jackson is excited to begin his journey on another project. Jackson has been a known face among the community as he participated in Diablo 4‘s Campfire Chats, which talked about balance and mechanical changes made between different seasons. What a long, strange trip it’s been. After 15 years at Blizzard Entertainment it’s finally time to say goodbye. I have so many great memories here. It’s incredibly bittersweet to close this door, but I’m excited for the future and can’t wait to get started on my next adventure — Riot Adam Jackson (@AZJackson85) January 29, 2025 Will the balancing of Diablo 4‘s various classes now be affected after Jackson’s departure? Well, no one knows for sure. It’s still not known who is going to get the new Lead Class Designer position. Blizzard still hasn’t announced the next class, but it’s likely to arrive with the brand-new expansion. With that said, how do you think Blizzard can improve seasonal updates in Diablo 4? Let us know in the comments below. Source link #Expansion #Releasing #Diablo #Strengthen #Seasonal #Game Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Oscars 2025: Gene Hackman’s death, LA wildfires, writes and actors strikes & Donald Trump suggest chaos Oscars 2025: Gene Hackman’s death, LA wildfires, writes and actors strikes & Donald Trump suggest chaos Every Academy Awards brings tears, laughs and unexpected viral moments, but the 97th instalment of Hollywood’s night of nights is the most intriguing in living memory. And that’s because it comes after an unprecedented ******* of chaos, and just days after the shock death of two-time Oscar winner Gene Hackman. From the devastating Los Angeles wildfires and the lingering effects of writers and actors strikes, to the election of Donald Trump, Tinseltown has faced some of its greatest challenges since it became the epicentre of the film industry. If that wasn’t enough, this year’s event has also been mired in controversy. THOSE TWEETS Musical thriller Emilia Perez and its star, Karla Sofia Gascon, the first openly trans performer to be nominated for an Oscar, were on track to make history. Then Gascon’s historic tweets were uncovered, revealing racist and xenophobic remarks about Muslims, George Floyd and diversity at the Oscars. Camera IconMusical thriller Emilia Perez and its star, Karla Sofia Gascon, the first openly trans performer to be nominated for an Oscar, were on track to make history. Credit: Page 114/Why Not Productions/Pat It utterly ruined Gascon’s chances in the best actress category, but it will be fascinating to see if voters hold it against co-star Zoe Saldana, who is up for best supporting actress, or the movie itself, which leads all films with 13 nominations, including best picture. DEAD SET CERTAINTY Dear Oscar engravers, it’s Kieran with a “K” and Culkin with a “C”. Nothing is more certain than the actor who famously played Roman Roy in Succession picking up the best supporting actor for his performance in A Real Pain. Camera IconNothing is more certain than the actor who famously played Roman Roy in Succession picking up the best supporting actor for his performance in A Real Pain. Credit: Unknown/Supplied Not only does he deserve it, after a brilliant turn in writer-director Jesse Eisenberg’s film, but we deserve to hear another acceptance speech like the one he delivered last week at the SAG Awards. TRUMP FACTOR We know Donald Trump has a penchant for rage-watching a show while posting about it on social media. And this year’s ceremony is guaranteed to have Mr Trump’s thumbs furiously tapping, not least because it features acting nominations for Sebastian Stan and Jeremy Strong, who co-starred in The Apprentice. Trump tried to block the release last year of Ali Abbasi’s film, which is a deeply unflattering origin story. While it’s hard to see Stan or Strong winning their respective categories (Kendall Roy will lose out to Roman!), it’s even harder to see the US President letting those losses go by without comment. Camera IconThis year’s ceremony is guaranteed to have Mr Trump’s thumbs furiously tapping, not least because it features acting nominations for Sebastian Stan and Jeremy Strong, who co-starred in The Apprentice. Credit: Ben O’Shea/SuppliedLATE CHARGE For most of this awards cycle, Adrien Brody looked to have a stranglehold on the best actor Oscar for his performance in The Brutalist, a sprawling 202-minute epic about a Holocaust survivor fighting for his piece of the American Dream. Camera IconFor most of this awards cycle, Adrien Brody looked to have a stranglehold on the best actor Oscar for his performance in The Brutalist, a sprawling 202-minute epic about a Holocaust survivor fighting for his piece of the American Dream. Credit: Unknown/Supplied But it suddenly became a two-horse race when Timothee Chalamet won this category at last week’s SAG Awards for playing a young Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown, which sees the actor singing the songs himself. Brody is asked to do a lot more, and does so magnificently, but there’s no doubt fewer academy members watched The Brutalist, and that could open the door for Chalamet to pull off an upset. Camera IconBrody is asked to do a lot more, and does so magnificently, but there’s no doubt fewer academy members watched The Brutalist, and that could open the door for Chalamet to pull off an upset. Credit: Unknown/SuppliedCLOSE RACE With Gascon out of the frame for best actress, it is almost too close to call, with Demi Moore’s career-best turn in The Substance vying with rising star Mikey Madison’s star-crossed call girl in Anora. The Substance is one of the wildest films of last year, and a stunning inclusion in the best picture category, while Anora brings huge awards-season buzz for Madison and director Sean Baker, a darling of American indie filmmaking. Will the Academy reward the veteran for a brave performance, or crown the ingenue — both powerful narratives in Hollywood. But don’t sleep on Fernanda Torres (I’m Still Here). Camera IconWith Gascon out of the frame for best actress, it is almost too close to call, with Demi Moore’s career-best turn in The Substance vying with rising star Mikey Madison’s star-crossed call girl in Anora. Pictured: Anora. Credit: Unknown/Universal Pictures UKTOP GONGS Best director and best picture are where the real intrigue is, with the former category being fought by a collection of filmmakers who have never previously received an Oscar nomination — that hasn’t happened since 1998. Of the 10 films battling for best picture, four can probably win it (Anora, The Brutalist, Conclave and Emilia Perez). Brady Corbet’s work on The Brutalist is incredibly impressive, and could sway voters, but it’s easy to see the preferential voting system for best picture favouring Anora, and thus the very real possibility that Baker gets the best director/best picture double. Camera IconConclave. Credit: Focus FeaturesAUSSIES IN ACTION Australia is well represented this year, with Guy Pearce a worthy nominee for best supporting actor as the antagonist in The Brutalist. Oscar-winning animator Adam Elliot is up for best animated feature for Memoir of a Snail, while Greig Fraser’s work on Dune: Part Two has him in the running for best cinematographer, and Maya Gnyp’s I Am Ready, Warden is nominated for best documentary short film. THE OTHER STUFF How will first-time host Conan O’Brien handle the brief? Will Wicked fans be content with a few Oscars in the technical categories and a show-stopper from Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo. And who wins the red carpet? Spoiler alert: Colman Domingo. The 97th Academy Awards starts at 8am on Monday on Channel 7 and Seven Plus. Source link #Oscars #Gene #Hackmans #death #wildfires #writes #actors #strikes #Donald #Trump #suggest #chaos Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

8 Chicago area hospitals acquired by California-based healthcare system 8 Chicago area hospitals acquired by California-based healthcare system The Brief Prime Healthcare, a California-based national health care system, said it acquired eight Chicago-area hospitals. The national system also said it will take over multiple senior living and care facilities in Chicago and surrounding suburbs. Prime Healthcare promised millions of dollars of investments into improving and upgrading the facilities. A California-based healthcare company officially acquired eight hospitals and multiple senior living and care facilities in the Chicago area. Prime Healthcare, which already operates hospitals and other facilities in 14 states, announced the acquisition on Saturday. Major change in health care What we know The Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board approved the acquisition after an extensive review process. After taking over the Chicago area hospitals and other facilities, Prime Healthcare now operates 51 hospitals, more than 360 outpatient locations and oversees nearly 57,000 employees and affiliated physicians. The system touted its high rankings for health care and track record of turning around financially struggling hospitals. Prime Healthcare said it made employment offers to “substantially all associates at the Chicago area facilities it acquired. The company also said it’s committed $250 million for facility upgrades, capital improvements and technology and systems upgrades. Prime Healthcare will now oversee the following hospitals: Prime Healthcare will also take over several home health and senior living facilities: The system also said it will preserve charity care programs and the hospitals’ affiliation with the Catholic church. What they’re saying Local officials praised the deal for Prime Healthcare to take over the hospitals and facilities in Chicago and throughout the suburbs. “This transition marks a significant moment in our community, but I want to make it clear: the quality of care our residents rely on will not be compromised,” said Chicago Ald. Daniel La Spata (1st Ward) in a statement. “Prime Healthcare has committed to not only maintaining but enhancing the services at Saint Mary Hospital, ensuring that our neighborhood continues to have access to top-tier medical care.” State Rep. Eva-Dina Delgado (D-Chicago) also praised the acquisition. “This acquisition represents an opportunity for our community to benefit from Prime Healthcare’s commitment to compassionate, high-quality care,” said Delgado, in a statement “I am looking forward to seeing the positive impact this transition will bring to our neighborhoods, from preserving critical healthcare services to creating new opportunities for healthcare professionals.” Source link #Chicago #area #hospitals #acquired #Californiabased #healthcare #system Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Israel, ****** fail in talks as Gaza hostage deal reaches dead end, source tells 'Post' – The Jerusalem Post Israel, ****** fail in talks as Gaza hostage deal reaches dead end, source tells 'Post' – The Jerusalem Post Israel, ****** fail in talks as Gaza hostage deal reaches dead end, source tells ‘Post’ The Jerusalem PostWho Are the Deceased Hostages ****** Said It Handed Over to Israel? The New York TimesVideo: Brother of ****** hostage describes psychological ‘torture’ of waiting for his release CNNPalestinians released by Israel show signs of torture, starvation Al Jazeera EnglishHow many hostages are left in Gaza? The Associated Press Source link #Israel #****** #fail #talks #Gaza #hostage #deal #reaches #dead #source #tells #039Post039 #Jerusalem #Post Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Joe Spagnolo: Labor must lift game after poll Joe Spagnolo: Labor must lift game after poll Barring divine intervention, Roger Cook’s Labor Party will win next Saturday’s election. Source link #Joe #Spagnolo #Labor #lift #game #poll Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

FedEx cargo plane makes emergency landing following bird strike and engine fire FedEx cargo plane makes emergency landing following bird strike and engine fire A FedEx cargo plane made an emergency landing at a busy New Jersey airport on Saturday after a bird strike caused an engine fire that could be seen in the morning sky. The plane landed at Newark Liberty International Airport during the emergency, said Lenis Valens, a spokesperson for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. There were no reported injuries, and fire on the cargo plane was contained to the engine, Valens said. Audio recorded by LiveATC captured a person calmly saying the aircraft needed to “shut down for a possible bird strike” immediately. “We need to return to the airport.” 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. Moments later, another person is heard saying: “We believe we saw their engine fall off the right wing.” The audio indicates the strike happened when the plane was several hundred feet off the ground. The emergency landing caused air traffic to be briefly halted as a precaution, and operations resumed shortly after, Valens said. The emergency landing happened just after 8 a.m. Three people were on board, and all got off the plane safely, Valens said. A spokesperson for FedEx said the plane was headed for Indianapolis but due to the bird strike “declared an emergency and returned safely to Newark after dealing with the resulting engine damage,” which included an engine fire. “The training, expertise, and professionalism demonstrated by our FedEx pilots was exemplary. We are thankful for the quick actions of our crew and first responders,” said the spokesperson, Austin Kemker. Kenneth Hoffman, a pilot on another flight, said as his flight was pushing off, they heard from air traffic control that there was an emergency in progress. Hoffman posted a video on social media of a FedEx plane on the ground at the Newark airport with flames shooting from its side as it slowed to a stop with fire rescue equipment nearby. While it sounded like everyone was OK, there was a lot of smoke and the airport was shut down for 15 to 20 minutes, Hoffman said. The pilots’ response was great, Hoffman said. “They handled it like champs,” he said. “At the end of the day, that’s what our training is all about.” The Federal Aviation Administration said it will investigate the incident. The FAA said in a statement that the “strike damaged one of the Boeing 767’s engines.” The National Transportation Safety Board also said it would investigate. Bird strikes are aviation hazards that sometimes cause major disruptions. Birds were blamed for bringing down a jetliner that “Sully” Sullenberger landed on the Hudson River in 2009. The FAA has said bird strikes are increasing, with more than 19,000 wildlife strikes at 713 U.S. airports in 2023. Only rarely do they cause so much damage that jetliners are forced to make emergency landings. The emergency landing comes at a time of heightened awareness of flight problems. In the past month, there have been four major aviation disasters in North America. They include the Feb. 6 ****** of a commuter plane in Alaska that killed all 10 people on board and the Jan. 26 midair collision between an Army helicopter and an American Airlines flight at National Airport that killed all 67 aboard the two aircraft. ___ Associated Press reporter Julie Walker contributed from New York. Whittle reported from Scarborough, Maine. Brumfield reported from Cockeysville, Maryland. Source link #FedEx #cargo #plane #emergency #landing #bird #strike #engine #fire Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Wild add depth up front, land Nyquist from Preds – ESPN Wild add depth up front, land Nyquist from Preds – ESPN Wild add depth up front, land Nyquist from Preds ESPNNHL trade grades: Wild’s pickup of Gustav Nyquist from Predators is a worth a shot – The Athletic The AthleticPredators Acquire Second-Round Pick in 2026 NHL Draft From Minnesota NHL.comPredators holding Gustav Nyquist out of Islanders game for purposes of a trade YahooPredators trade Gustav Nyquist to Wild for second-round pick Sportsnet.ca Source link #Wild #add #depth #front #land #Nyquist #Preds #ESPN Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Renowned geneticist quits US medical research body Renowned geneticist quits US medical research body The US geneticist who led the Human Genome Project, one of the greatest scientific feats in history which mapped the human DNA instruction book, has retired. Source link #Renowned #geneticist #quits #medical #research #body Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Gainesville police, ACSO in standoff with suspect after shots fired in Walmart parking lot Gainesville police, ACSO in standoff with suspect after shots fired in Walmart parking lot (Editor’s note: This is story will be updated as more information becomes available.) Members of the Gainesville Police Department and the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office responded Saturday morning to reports of an active shooter in the parking lot of the Walmart in the Butler North shopping center. According to a release from GPD, officers responded to the Walmart at 2900 SE 42nd St. in response to reports of “suspicious activity.” “In addition, witnesses reported hearing gunshots from a trailer/vehicle in the parking lot. The subject barricaded themselves in the trailer,” the release said. The Walmart and surrounding businesses have been evacuated. According to the release, although “shots have been confirmed as coming from the subject,” no injuries have been reported. “We urge the community to avoid the area until further notice for their safety and the safety of first responders,” the release says. The sheriff’s office at 1:05 p.m. reported that the scene remains “VERY ACTIVE.” The sheriff’s office posted just after 11 a.m. that “This incident does pose a threat to those in the area and we ask that everyone please stay away from this location as Officers and Deputies attempt to safely resolve the incident.” This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: GPD in standoff with suspect after shots fired at Walmart Source link #Gainesville #police #ACSO #standoff #suspect #shots #fired #Walmart #parking #lot Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Close Friends Of Gene Hackman, Betsy Arakawa Recall Family's Last Conversation With Couple – HuffPost Close Friends Of Gene Hackman, Betsy Arakawa Recall Family's Last Conversation With Couple – HuffPost Close Friends Of Gene Hackman, Betsy Arakawa Recall Family’s Last Conversation With Couple HuffPostGene Hackman Death Case: Pills Found by Wife’s Body Identified YahooGene Hackman’s business partner recalls hilarious way actor paid off bet Fox NewsFriends of Gene Hackman and wife say couple were ‘alive and well’ in recent meeting CNNGene Hackman Most Likely Died on Feb. 17, Sheriff Says The New York Times Source link #Close #Friends #Gene #Hackman #Betsy #Arakawa #Recall #Family039s #Conversation #Couple #HuffPost Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Two new contraceptive pills added to Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme after 30 years Two new contraceptive pills added to Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme after 30 years Two popular Aussie contraceptive pills are now listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, with 50,000 women expected to save hundreds of dollars a year. Source link #contraceptive #pills #added #Pharmaceutical #Benefits #Scheme #years Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

F-35B Has Flown With Meteor Long-Range Air-To-Air Missile F-35B Has Flown With Meteor Long-Range Air-To-Air Missile For the first time, an F-35B has flown armed with the Meteor beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile. Test flights with the missile were a long time coming, but they will pave the way for a major leap in capability for the stealth fighter. British and Italian F-35s will eventually combine the ramjet-powered missile with enhancements under the Block 4 upgrade, including for the aircraft’s radar, which will make the Meteor an even more potent addition to their armory. The U.K. Royal Air Force announced today that an F-35B has made the first test flights with inert Meteor missiles. The F-35B used was a U.S. Marine Corps example from the Integrated Test Force at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland. So far, “multiple sorties” have been carried out to gather environmental data as part of the campaign to integrate the Meteor onto the F-35. According to captions provided with related imagery, the first Meteor sortie was flown by F-35B test aircraft BF-18, piloted by Royal Navy Lt. Cmdr. Nicholas Baker, on Nov. 20, 2024. F-35B test aircraft BF-18, piloted by Royal Navy Lt. Cmdr. Nicholas Baker, with a Meteor and an AMRAAM seen in the weapons bay. Crown Copyright Dane Wiedmann Photos published by the Royal Air Force show the Meteor — which has cropped fins for internal carriage — inside one of the two weapon bays of the F-35B, alongside an AIM-120 AMRAAM. The latter weapon is the F-35’s current standard beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile, and the Meteor was designed from the outset to have better range and overall kinematic performance than the U.S.-made missile. A close-up of the Meteor and AMRAAM in the weapons bay. Both missiles are inert. Crown Copyright In a media release, Air Commodore Al Roberts, the Royal Air Force’s Head of Air-to-Air Missiles, said: “This milestone is a testament to the effective collaboration between the multinational governmental and industrial partnerships that we have in place. Inclusion of Meteor onto the Lightning II will bring this formidable air combat capability to the U.K. and to the burgeoning F-35 community, significantly enhancing security among allies.” Crown Copyright Eventually, the Meteor will be used by the short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) F-35B flown by the United Kingdom and Italy, as well as the conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) F-35A operated by Italy. The fighters will carry a maximum of four Meteors, all internally, preserving the aircraft’s stealth characteristics. An Italian Air Force F-35A assigned to the 32nd Wing, Amendola Air Base, Italy, taxis while a U.S. Air Force F-16C takes off during an exercise at Aviano Air Base, Italy, in May 2021. U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Brooke Moeder Airman 1st Class Brooke Moeder In January 2024, the U.K. Ministry of Defense confirmed plans to integrate the Meteor — as well as the SPEAR 3 precision standoff air-to-ground munition — on U.K. F-35Bs “by the end of the decade.” Previously, the U.K. government had said that British F-35Bs would be armed with Meteor by the “middle of this decade,” while a date of 2027 at the earliest had also been given in a government report dated February 2022. The Meteor, which is already in service on British Eurofighter Typhoons and which completed operational testing and evaluation (OT&E) on Italian Eurofighters in late 2023, is a weapon that TWZ has discussed in detail in the past. A U.K. Royal Air Force Typhoon takes off, loaded with Meteor missiles below the fuselage. Crown Copyright The standout feature of the Meteor is its novel propulsion system, based on a solid-fuel, variable-flow, ducted rocket — better known as a ramjet. This kind of motor can be throttled during different phases of flight. This means it still has sufficient energy during the terminal attack — when traditional air-to-air missile motors are normally losing energy and, therefore, agility. Thanks to its propulsion system, the Meteor’s all-important ‘no-escape zone’ is much larger than for comparable weapons. This means the enemy’s chance of evading the missile at the endgame of the engagement, using high-energy maneuvering, is considerably reduced. Another advantage of the being able to throttle the motor is that the Meteor’s autopilot can calculate the most efficient route to the target for very long-range shots. As with most contemporary air-to-air missiles, the maximum range of the Meteor is a closely guarded secret. However, most sources agree that it can likely engage targets out to around 130 miles from its launch platform. Whatever the case, like any air-to-air missile, its range is highly dependent on a variety of factors, including the track of the target and the height and speed of the launch aircraft. A model of the Meteor (with the original full-span fins) is displayed during the Farnborough International Airshow in July 2022 in Farnborough, England. Photo by John Keeble/Getty Images John Keeble Along with its ramjet motor, the Meteor boasts a two-way datalink, supplementing the missile’s active X-band radar seeker. The datalink provides the missile with inflight updates as it flies out to the target, feeding it mid-course guidance updates from third-party sources as well as from the launch aircraft. Meanwhile, the pilot in the launch aircraft can use the datalink to get information on the Meteor’s fuel, energy, and tracking state. That can help determine if and when to fire another, disengage, or even assign a different target of opportunity. All of this makes the Meteor a formidable weapon for a fourth-generation fighter, but it will really come into its own when integrated with the F-35. To start with, the F-35 has an unrivaled sensor suite, meaning it can provide more accurate and timely targeting data to the Meteor. At the same time, thanks to the Meteor’s datalink, the missile can also receive mid-course updates from other sources. In fact, the F-35 might not need to use its radar at all to engage the target, meaning it can maximize its stealth attributes. It should be noted that the AIM-120D AMRAAM also has a two-way datalink with third-party targeting capabilities, although it lacks the performance advantage conferred by the ramjet motor. A stock shot of two AIM-120 AMRAAMs in one of the F-35B’s two bays. The aircraft seen here belongs to the Royal Air Force in the United Kingdom. Crown Copyright It can be easily imagined how, using its low-observability characteristics, powerful integrated sensors, and advanced networked information systems, the F-35 can go into aerial combat and ‘see and not be seen.’ The Meteor will meanwhile allow it to engage aerial targets at very long range, including destroying hostile aircraft long before they even know that a hostile fighter is present. Holding the enemy at risk at longer range is becoming more important as advanced infrared search and track (IRST) systems — which are notably aimed at detecting stealthy aircraft — improve and proliferate. The Meteor is intended to harness the improvements that the F-35 will bring as part of a massive upgrade initiative known as Block 4. Central to the enhancements is a new multifunction active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar designated as AN/APG-85, which will be coupled with advanced electronic warfare capabilities. The new radar should be able to engage targets at significantly greater ranges and provide improved resolution. This should really come into its own in the kinds of long-range engagements for which the Meteor is optimized. The upgrade will also include a huge enhancement to the F-35’s already potent electronic warfare system, and it will address the F-35’s Distributed Aperture System (DAS) and Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS). The EOTS provides an infrared search and track functionality, which is set to be drastically improved as part of the Block 4 upgrade. Confusingly, while the United Kingdom in 2023 said it planned to retrofit Block 4 across its entire F-35 fleet, as well as incorporate new build examples of the aircraft acquired in the future, it had previously hinted that only a portion of the existing fleet might undergo the upgrade. Regardless, it’s not entirely clear how realistic — or affordable — it would be to integrate Block 4 and the related hardware and software for some of its earliest deliveries. Nevertheless, to provide for the integration of Meteor (as well as SPEAR 3 and the penetrator version of the Paveway IV), the Block 4 upgrade will be necessary. In fact, delays to Block 4 have very likely impacted the timeline for introducing Meteor to operational F-35s, which has slipped to the right. After all, Block 4 relies upon a new suite of hardware and software, known as Technology Refresh-3 (TR-3), which modernizes the F-35’s core processor, memory unit, panoramic cockpit display system, and related avionics. TR-3 has been billed as the F-35’s new ‘computer backbone,’ since it promises to provide 25 times more computing power than the existing TR-2 computing system, but its development has been dogged by problems. These issues left new F-35s being parked up and not delivered after they were built, a situation that lasted for roughly a year. Adding the Meteor to the F-35 reflects broader trends in aerial combat, stressing the value of increasingly long-ranged air-to-air missiles. The United Kingdom is already looking at a Meteor successor for its future Tempest combat aircraft, while, in recent months, the U.S. Navy has introduced, at least on a limited level, an air-launched version of the Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) under the AIM-174B designation. Of immediate relevance to the F-35 is another long-range air-to-air missile, the AIM-260, also known as the Joint Advanced Tactical Missile (JATM). The JATM, details about which are still highly classified, is expected to ultimately supplant the AMRAAM, and, crucially, the F-35A and F-35C should be able to carry six examples. All these developments are being driven primarily by the emergence of ever more capable very long-range air-to-air missiles in China and Russia. A Russian Su-35S launches an R-37M air-to-air missile. According to data from the manufacturer, the R-37M, at least in its export form, can defeat “some types” of aerial targets at a range of up to 124 miles. Russian Ministry of Defense screencap Meanwhile, for the United Kingdom in particular, there are also questions about how many F-35s they will actually buy. Before the end of this year, the United Kingdom is set to receive the last deliveries from its initial order of 48 aircraft, known as Tranche 1. Originally, plans called for a total of 138 F-35Bs, although consistent budgetary concerns have led to an apparent rethink, and there now seems little prospect that this will be realized. An F-35B of No 617 Squadron, Royal Air Force, aboard the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales, under the Northern Lights in the Vest Fjorden, in the Arctic Circle, during Exercise Steadfast Defender, in March 2024. Crown Copyright There are meanwhile plans to place a Tranche 2 order for 27 F-35Bs, which will provide a total fleet size of 74 aircraft, although this is still to be signed off. Regardless, a fleet of around 74 is the bare minimum needed to properly meet aspirations for the U.K.’s carrier-based air wing. Beyond that, however, the U.K. Ministry of Defense has urged caution, saying only that it remains open to the possibility of purchasing further F-35s beyond the 74 now specified. However many F-35s the United Kingdom eventually buys, the forthcoming introduction of the Meteor will bring a significant boost to the stealth fighter’s already impressive air combat capabilities. Contact the author: *****@*****.tld Source link #F35B #Flown #Meteor #LongRange #AirToAir #Missile Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Large police presence near the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Downtown Dallas – FOX 4 News Dallas-Fort Worth Large police presence near the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Downtown Dallas – FOX 4 News Dallas-Fort Worth Large police presence near the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Downtown Dallas FOX 4 News Dallas-Fort WorthDallas Police say ‘no active shooter’ after incident near cheer competition in Downtown Dallas NBC DFW’Active shooter’ prompts evacuation at North Texas competition mySADallas police evacuate Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center during cheerleading competition CBS News Source link #Large #police #presence #Kay #Bailey #Hutchison #Convention #Center #Downtown #Dallas #FOX #News #DallasFort #Worth Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Murkowski says Trump administration ‘appears to be walking away from our allies,’ a rare GOP rebuke on Ukraine Murkowski says Trump administration ‘appears to be walking away from our allies,’ a rare GOP rebuke on Ukraine Sen. Lisa Murkowski delivered a scorching rebuke Saturday of President Donald Trump’s explosive exchange with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, a rare voice of Republican dissent as party members lined up in support of the president’s increasingly combative relationship with Ukraine. “I am sick to my stomach as the administration appears to be walking away from our allies and embracing Putin, a threat to democracy and U.S. values around the world,” the Alaskan wrote in a Saturday afternoon post to X. Her admonishment came after a disastrous bilateral meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy, which saw Trump publicly berate the Ukrainian leader. In the hours after the exchange, most Republicans were quick to support Trump’s “America First” approach to realigning the U.S.’s role on the world stage. Source link #Murkowski #Trump #administration #appears #walking #allies #rare #GOP #rebuke #Ukraine Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

WA election 2025: Libby Mettam in it for long haul despite improbable victory WA election 2025: Libby Mettam in it for long haul despite improbable victory Libby Mettam has declared she will remain leader of the WA Liberal Party, regardless of the election result — but insists she can do what many believe is impossible and win Saturday’s poll. Source link #election #Libby #Mettam #long #haul #improbable #victory Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]