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High-level EU-US diplomatic talks are called off as transatlantic tensions rise High-level EU-US diplomatic talks are called off as transatlantic tensions rise WASHINGTON (AP) — A planned meeting between European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and Secretary of State Marco Rubio was abruptly canceled Wednesday due to “scheduling issues,” coming as political tensions have increased between Europe and the United States. Officials from both sides blamed scheduling challenges for preventing the pair, who last met at the Munich Security Conference in Germany last month, from meeting in Washington. However, European officials said they were caught off guard, and, notably, Kallas had previewed her planned talks with Rubio just two days earlier. 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. In recent weeks, President Donald Trump has thrown the partnership between the U.S. and Europe into turmoil by pledging to charge higher taxes on imports from Europe that he says will match tariffs faced by American products. EU officials have traveled to Washington trying to head off a trade war. Top Trump administration officials also have warned Europe that it must start taking responsibility for its own security, including Ukraine, and sidelined the Europeans from their initial talks with Russia on ending the war. In a remarkable shift, the U.S. split with its European allies by refusing to blame Russia for its invasion of Ukraine at the United Nations this week and joined Moscow in voting against a Europe-backed Ukrainian resolution. In a bid to mend relations, French President Emmanuel Macron was in Washington on Monday for a White House meeting with Trump seeking support. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, whose country is no longer a member of the EU but often aligns itself with the continental bloc on foreign policy, is due to visit Thursday. Kallas herself had said Monday that she would be holding talks with Rubio “on the issues that are of interest to both of us,” which for the EU are chiefly Russia’s war on Ukraine and transatlantic relations. “It is clear that the statements coming from the United States make us all worried,” she told reporters after chairing a meeting of EU foreign ministers. Kallas said she hoped the EU-U.S. relationship can continue to function. “So far, we do not have any indication that it would not. Of course it is going to change, that is very clear. But we should not throw something out the window that has worked well so far,” she said. In a terse text message, her office referred all questions about why the meeting was canceled at short notice to the State Department. A senior U.S. official said the planned meeting, which had never appeared on Rubio’s public schedule, had been pulled down due to “an unavoidable scheduling conflict.” The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private deliberations. Rubio attended Trump’s Cabinet meeting at the White House, which began late Wednesday morning. The cancellation came less than a week after the State Department’s policy planning office sent an internal memo instructing officials who deal with Europe to highlight two specific issues in interactions with European counterparts. The Feb. 21 memo, seen by The Associated Press, also mentioned tentative plans for an upcoming Rubio meeting with Kallas. The two issues of concern identified in the memo were “Freedom of Speech and Free Opposition” and “Migration.” On the former, the memo said Rubio and other U.S. diplomats should emphasize in their discussions with European officials the importance that the Trump administration attaches to free speech. It noted that Vice President JD Vance had said in a speech at the Munich Security Conference this month that the West should “unite around free speech, halt censorship, reject suppressing opposition, jailing people for tweets and memes, etc.” “The United States cannot continue supporting a continent that drifts in an authoritarian direction,” the memo said. “It’s bad for Europe and bad for us.” On migration, the memo said U.S. officials, including Rubio, should refer to Europe’s “de facto open borders policy” as a “disaster” that must end. Trump has made cracking down on ******** immigration and carrying out mass deportations a signature priority. “The United States is changing course on migration policy under Trump,” it said. “It’s well past time for Europe to do the same. We want you to remain civilization partners and to do that, you must get this under control.” It was not clear if the blunt language in the memo contributed to the cancellation of the Rubio-Kallas meeting. Although her meeting with Rubio was pulled down, Kallas was due to meet with U.S. senators and members of Congress to discuss the war in Ukraine and EU-U.S. ties during her two-day trip to Washington and to take part in a talk about those issues at the Hudson Institute research organization. ___ Cook reported from Brussels. Source link #Highlevel #EUUS #diplomatic #talks #called #transatlantic #tensions #rise Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Complete Triumphant Light Card List Set in Pokémon TCG Pocket—All Cards in Set A2A Complete Triumphant Light Card List Set in Pokémon TCG Pocket—All Cards in Set A2A Pokémon TCG Pocket fans aren’t getting a chance to breathe as Triumphant Light is here already. The newest booster set brings all the latest and greatest cards for the community to pack. Let’s check out every card and what to expect from the new booster bundle. Boy, the Pokémon TCG Pocket schedule isn’t messing around. It feels like Space-Time Smackdown only came out yesterday. But there’s no time to dawdle as Triumphant Light is here. Like Mythical Island, it’s a mini-set, and the god-like Arceus is front and center of the booster pack’s marketing. It’s one of many cards in the set, and depending on your commitment, it might not take you too long to complete. How Many Cards in Triumphant Light A2A Set? Well on my way. Image by Insider Gaming There are 96 cards in the Triumphant Light Pokémon TCG Pocket booster set. You can expect to collect 75 unique cards if you want to complete Triumphant Light’s base set. However, there are a further 21 cards on top of this with a new Gold Crown Card to fantasize about, along with new Full Arts and Rares. Triumphant Light Card List in Pokémon TCG Pocket This is the full card list in Pokémon TCG Pocket‘s A2A Triumphant Light: Including card numbers, types, and card rarities. Pokémon Name Card Number Card Type Rarity Heracross 1 Grass Two Diamond Burmy 2 Grass One Diamond Mothim 3 Grass Two Diamond Combee 4 Grass One Diamond Vespiquen 5 Grass Two Diamond Cherubi 6 Grass Two Diamond Cherrim 7 Grass Two Diamond Cherrim 8 Grass Two Diamond Carnivine 9 Grass Three Diamond Leafeon ex 10 Grass Four Diamond Houndoor 11 Fire One Diamond Houndoom 12 Fire Two Diamond Heatran 13 Fire Three Diamond Marill 14 Water One Diamond Azumarill 15 Water Two Diamond Barboach 16 Water One Diamond Whiscash 17 Water Two Diamond Snorunt 18 Water One Diamond Froslass 19 Water Two Diamond Snover 20 Water One Diamond Abomasnow 21 Water Three Diamond Glaceon ex 22 Water Four Diamond Origin Forme Palkia 23 Water Three Diamond Phione 24 Water Two Diamond Pikachu 25 Electric One Diamond Raichu 26 Electric Three Diamond Electrike 27 Electric One Diamond Manectric 28 Electric Two Diamond Clefairy 29 Psychic One Diamond Clefable 30 Psychic Two Diamond Gastly 31 Psychic One Diamond Haunter 32 Psychic One Diamond Gengar 33 Psychic Two Diamond Unown 34 Psychic Two Diamond Rotom 35 Psychic Three Diamond Sudowoodo 36 Fighting Two Diamond Phanpy 37 Fighting One Diamond Donphan 38 Fighting Two Diamond Larvitar 39 Fighting One Diamond Pupitar 40 Fighting Two Diamond Tyranitar 41 Fighting Three Diamond Nosepass 42 Fighting One Diamond Meditite 43 Fighting Two Diamond Medicham 44 Fighting Two Diamond Gible 45 Fighting One Diamond Gabite 46 Fighting Two Diamond Garchomp ex 47 Fighting Four Diamond Zubat 48 Darkness One Diamond Golbat 49 Darkness One Diamond Crobat 50 Darkness Three Diamond Croagunk 51 Darkness One Diamond Toxicroak 52 Darkness Two Diamond Magnemite 53 Metal One Diamond Magneton 54 Metal One Diamond Magnezone 55 Metal Three Diamond Mawile 56 Metal One Diamond Probopass ex 57 Metal Four Diamond Bronzor 58 Metal One Diamond Bronzong 59 Metal Two Diamond Origin Forme Dialga 60 Metal Three Diamond Giratina 61 Dragon Three Diamond Eevee 62 Colorless One Diamond Snorlax 63 Colorless Two Diamond Hoothoot 64 Colorless One Diamond Noctowl 65 Colorless Two Diamond Starly 66 Colorless One Diamond Staravia 67 Colorless One Diamond Staraptor 68 Colorless Two Diamond Shaymin 69 Colorless Three Diamond Arceus 70 Colorless Three Diamond Arceus ex 71 Colorless Four Diamond Irida 72 Supporter Two Diamond Celestic Town Elder 73 Supporter Two Diamond Barry 74 Supporter Two Diamond Adaman 75 Supporter Two Diamond Houndoom 76 Fire One Star Marill 77 Water One Star Unown 78 Psychic One Star Sudowoodo 79 Fighting One Star Magnemite 80 Electric One Star Shaymin 81 Colorless One Star Leafeon ex 82 Grass One Star Glaceon ex 83 Water Two Star Garchomp ex 84 Fighting Two Star Probopass ex 85 Metal Two Star Arceus ex 86 Colorless Two Star Irida 87 Supporter Two Star Celestic Town Elder 88 Supporter Two Star Barry 89 Supporter Two Star Adaman 90 Supporter Two Star Leafeon ex 91 Grass Two Star Glaceon ex 92 Water Two Star Garchomp ex 93 Fighting Two Star Probopass ex 94 Metal Two Star Arceus ex 95 Colorless Three Star Arceus ex 96 Colorless Gold Crown Rarest Cards in Triumphant Island A2A Set The Gold Crown Arceus ex card is the holy grail of Triumphant Light. A Three-Star Arceus ex also awaits, as do a bunch of Two-Star cards ranging from Pokémon to Supporter cards. How does Triumphant Light’s set compare to Mythical Island? Do you like these smaller sets in-between the large main set additions? Or does the developer need to leave more time between sets? Give us your thoughts below. Check out our Pokémon Legends Z-A Release hub, Pokémon Pocket Ranked Mode guide, and everything announced at February 2025’s Pokémon Presents for more news and content. SUBSCRIBE to our newsletter to receive the latest news and exclusive leaks every week! No Spam. Source link #Complete #Triumphant #Light #Card #List #Set #PokémonTCG #PocketAll #Cards #Set #A2A Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

OpenAI has run out of GPUs, says Sam Altman — GPT-4.5 rollout delayed due to lack of processing power OpenAI has run out of GPUs, says Sam Altman — GPT-4.5 rollout delayed due to lack of processing power OpenAI has just released its latest model, GPT-4.5. However, it’s limited to Pro subscribers who pay $200 a month, so far. Its CEO, Sam Altman, said on X (formerly Twitter) that it had to stagger the model’s release because “…we’ve been growing a lot and are out of GPUs.” He then added, “We will add tens of thousands of GPUs next week and roll it out to the Plus tier then.” So, even if you’re only paying $20 a month to OpenAI, you don’t have to wait long to get access to its most advanced model. GPT-4.5 is ready!good news: it is the first model that feels like talking to a thoughtful person to me. i have had several moments where i’ve sat back in my chair and been astonished at getting actually good advice from an AI.bad news: it is a giant, expensive model. we…February 27, 2025 Altman added in his post that hundreds of thousands more are coming soon. Shortages like these are what’s pushing OpenAI to develop its own AI silicon in partnership with Broadcom. But because it will take the company years before it can release its own chips, for now it must rely on Nvidia and other providers for its needs for now. This shows how Nvidia is in a good position, with the chipmaker saying that its latest Blackwell GPUs are sold out until October this year. And with institutions and individuals planning massive data center expansions, Team Green will likely be on a roll for the next couple of years. For example, OpenAI and Microsoft are working on a massive AI supercomputer that would cost $100 billion, while Elon Musk wants to scale his Colossus supercomputer in Memphis, Tennessee, to over a million GPUs. Other investors are also getting on the data center game, with one 3-GW facility getting the go-ahead from the South Korean government, and another team experimenting with storing data on the moon. However, all this expansion of AI infrastructure has got Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella saying that there will be an overbuilding of AI systems. As AI models get more advanced and require more computing power. OpenAI’s GPT-4.5 is a good example of this happening. Sam Altman says that “it is a giant, expensive model,” with GPT-4.5 costing $75 per million input tokens and $150 per million output tokens. By comparison, GPT-4o only costs $2.50 per million input tokens and $10 per million output tokens. Despite its outrageous pricing, Altman says that it “isn’t a reasoning model and won’t crush benchmarks.” Still, he adds that “it’s a different kind of intelligence and there’s a magic to it I haven’t felt before.” Get Tom’s Hardware’s best news and in-depth reviews, straight to your inbox. Source link #OpenAI #run #GPUs #Sam #Altman #GPT4.5 #rollout #delayed #due #lack #processing #power Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Latest iPhone 17 Series CAD Images in Line With Redesign Rumors – MacRumors Latest iPhone 17 Series CAD Images in Line With Redesign Rumors – MacRumors Latest iPhone 17 Series CAD Images in Line With Redesign Rumors MacRumorsNew iPhone 17 Pro Max Details Reinforce Apple’s Design Goals ForbesiPhone 17 Cameras Will Get Boosted Video Skills. As a Creator, I’m Here for It CNETiPhone 17 series launching in 2025? Design changes, A19 processor, camera upgrades and more to expect India TodayiPhone 17 CADs consistently show the same Air/Pro designs 9to5Mac Source link #Latest #iPhone #Series #CAD #Images #Line #Redesign #Rumors #MacRumors Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Splitgate 2 Ditches Monetization Which Is Something The First Descendant Clearly Couldn’t Resist Splitgate 2 Ditches Monetization Which Is Something The First Descendant Clearly Couldn’t Resist Splitgate was the charm of 2021. It was like playing Halo multiplayer but with portals, and fans of the game couldn’t get enough of it. However, through the years, the game has clearly fallen off, with currently only 200 players playing the game per day on average. Splitgate is the mixture of Halo and Portals | Image Credits: 1047 Games With the new installment of Splitgate upcoming, the development team has commented on how they will shift away from monetization. On the other hand, The First Descendent, which is an MMORPG shooter, seems to lean towards making more money. Let’s delve into this and find out more about it. Splitgate 2 will not feature pay-to-win mechanics Splitgate 2 will bring the same fast-paced PvP shooter experience that we got from its predecessor. While both games by 1047 Studios rely heavily on portals, the sequel to Splitgate will bring in more interesting elements to the title that will keep the players interested and engaged in the game more, which the previous game failed to achieve. Splitgate 2 will be free to play instead of pay to win | Image Credits: 1047 Games Splitgate was one of those really cool games that made players use their heads more than their skills. Though the title was pretty popular after its release, it did not have much to do after a few days of playing the game. Ian Proulx, the co-founder and CEO of 1047 Studios, in a recent interview, told Insider Gaming about how the game had potential but lacked enough content. It was super fun, super simple, but it lacked variety and that staying power. We had really strong short-term retention, our day one and day seven was world class – better than many of the top shooters you’ll see today. But what we saw is players would come on, play for 3 or 4 weeks, and then say, ‘now what? In the same interview, he revealed that they are working on making the experience more interesting for the players by focusing on the more creative aspects of it instead of monetization. They will make the game free to play and include traditional gameplay elements instead of pay-to-win or gacha mechanics. We can keep you on the hook for longer by giving you more content over time. Splitgate 2 will be free-to-play. We’re innovating on gameplay, we’re not innovating on monetisation. (It’ll feature) traditional industry elements and no pay-to-win or gacha mechanics While 1047 Studios are hard at work making their upcoming game more enjoyable while it is free, on the side of the rope is The First Descendent developers, who are drowning their players with overpriced microtransactions. You can outright purchase progression in the game by buying powerful gear, and if this isn’t pay-to-win, then what is? Nexon Games, the developers of The First Descendent’s compensation, even comes with a bill attached. Although both games are coming from the same gaming genres, you can clearly see which development studio is willing to make their game fun and playable, and who is willing to make their game dreary and playable. 1047 Studios will introduce new gameplay elements in their upcoming game 1047 Games will add new gameplay elements to their new game | Image Credits: 1047 Games With the upcoming changes announced by the CEO of 1047 Studios, fans are very eager to try out the new game and all its new elements. While the title’s release date has still not been announced, you can go and play the open alpha test right now. However, it is available for a limited time only, from February 27 to March 2. The open alpha features three new game modes and factions that players can choose and play from. However, the final game will introduce more weapons, new maps, and a huge arena for players to compete against each other. Whether 1047 Studios will successfully be able to retain its player-base or not remains unknown, but one thing we know for sure is which game we will choose when it comes to The First Descendent and Splitgate 2. Source link #Splitgate #Ditches #Monetization #Descendant #Couldnt #Resist Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Ryan Daniels: Exclusive details of Fremantle Dockers coach Justin Longmuir’s new deal revealed Ryan Daniels: Exclusive details of Fremantle Dockers coach Justin Longmuir’s new deal revealed Justin Longmuir might be at Freo for another ten years – he might be gone in six months. But a contract itself doesn’t dictate either of those things. Results will, writes Ryan Daniels. Source link #Ryan #Daniels #Exclusive #details #Fremantle #Dockers #coach #Justin #Longmuirs #deal #revealed Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Final Fantasy Ever Crisis reveals fresh details for its 1.5 anniversary and new trailer Final Fantasy Ever Crisis reveals fresh details for its 1.5 anniversary and new trailer Final Fantasy VII: Ever Crisis is set to celebrate its 1.5th anniversary New gear, challenges and skills will all be added The event kicks off March 6th and the latest trailer gives a sneak peek of what you an expect With the Final Fantasy series very much in a bit of a renaissance, as it continues to chronicle its remake of the hit seventh iteration, it’s little surprise that Final Fantasy VII: Ever Crisis is set to celebrate its 1.5-year anniversary in style. That means new outfits and a whole lot more, but for now, we’ve only got a tease of what’ll be available starting March 6th. The newest trailer showcases upcoming goodies for loyal fans, such as a free set of gear as a campaign gift, a free Cloud-exclusive five-star weapon with the Umbral Blade, and the new event Odin: Vanquisher of Souls that’ll take place starting March 6th. Speaking of Odin, to celebrate the 1.5 anniversary there’ll be new, chic-looking gear for all your favourite characters. The first to be revealed is Sephiroth, who you can spot in the trailer below absolutely slaying with his new Cape of the Worthy, part of the Vestments of the Worthy series being revealed over four weeks before the anniversary event. Beyond Midgard To help you along in the anniversary challenges there’ll be the introduction of a new battle ability, Overspeed, which you’ll definitely need for the upcoming Odin-themed escalation challenge. Suffice it to say that Final Fantasy’s presence on mobile has only been increasing. Although I do find it highly ironic that even after many years of fresh entries in the series Square Enix always seems to go back to the seventh instalment; although given how much of a resolute fan favourite it is, I hardly blame them. Still, if you’re eager to check out more great games while you wait for this upcoming event, don’t miss the chance to see what Stephen thought of ****** Salt Games’ Dredge and find out whether this mix of fishing sim and eldritch horror is for you! Source link #Final #Fantasy #Crisis #reveals #fresh #details #anniversary #trailer Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Minister questions how Tate brothers could leave Romania – BBC.com Minister questions how Tate brothers could leave Romania – BBC.com Minister questions how Tate brothers could leave Romania BBC.comHow did ‘self-proclaimed misogynist’ Andrew Tate get his controversial views from his parents The Times of IndiaAndrew Tate arrives in US as DeSantis says brothers ‘not welcome’ in Florida: Live The IndependentTrump Helps Alleged Sex Trafficker Andrew Tate Cross Border Into U.S. The Intercept Source link #Minister #questions #Tate #brothers #leave #Romania #BBC.com Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Transgender rights protections ended under bill hastily OK’d by Iowa lawmakers despite large, intense protests Transgender rights protections ended under bill hastily OK’d by Iowa lawmakers despite large, intense protests Des Moines, Iowa — Iowa lawmakers became the first in the nation to approve legislation removing gender identity protections from the state’s civil rights code Thursday, despite massive protests by opponents who say it could expose transgender people to discrimination in numerous areas of life. The measure raced through the legislative process after first being introduced last week. The state Senate was first to approve the bill on Thursday, on party lines, followed by the House less than an hour later. Five House Republicans joined all Democrats in voting against it. The bill would remove gender identity as a protected class from the state’s civil rights law and explicitly define female and male, as well as gender, which would be considered a synonym for sex and “shall not be considered a synonym or shorthand expression for gender identity, experienced gender, gender expression, or gender role.” The measure would be the first legislative action in the U.S. to remove nondiscrimination protections based on gender identity, said Logan Casey, director of policy research at the Movement Advancement Project, an LGBTQ+ rights think tank. The bill now goes to Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds, who signed earlier policies banning sports participation and public bathroom access for transgender students. A spokesperson for Reynolds declined to comment on whether she would sign the bill. If she does, it will go into effect on July 1. Hundreds of LGBTQ+ advocates streamed into the Capitol rotunda on Thursday waving signs reading “Trans rights are human rights” and chanting slogans including “No hate in our state!” Protesters fill the Iowa state Capitol to denounce a bill that would strip the state civil rights code of protections based on gender identity on Feb. 27, 2025, in Des Moines, Iowa. Charlie Neibergall / AP There was a heavy police presence, with state troopers stationed around the rotunda. Of the 167 people who signed up to testify at a 90-minute public hearing before a House committee, all but 24 were opposed to the bill. Protesters who watched the vote from the House gallery loudly booed and shouted “Shame!” as the chamber adjourned. Many admonished Iowa state Rep. Steven Holt, who floor managed the bill and fiercely defended it before it passed. Supporters of the change say the current law incorrectly codified the idea that people can transition to another gender and granted transgender women access to spaces such as bathrooms, locker rooms and sports teams that should be protected for people who were assigned female at birth. Holt said the inclusion of gender identity in the civil rights codes threatens recent “commonsense” laws to ban transgender participation in sports and access to bathrooms. “The legislature of Iowa for the future of our children and our culture has a vested interest and solemn responsibility to stand up for immutable truth,” Holt said. The Iowa lawmakers’ actions came as the Georgia House backed away from removing gender protections from the state’s hate crimes law, which was passed in 2020 after the death of Ahmaud Arbery. Iowa’s current civil rights law protects against discrimination based on race, color, creed, gender identity, sex, ******* orientation, religion, national origin or disability status. ******* orientation and gender identity were not originally included in the state’s Civil Rights Act of 1965. They were added by the Democratic-controlled Legislature in 2007, also with the support of about a dozen Republicans across the two chambers. Iowa state Rep. Aime Wichtendahl was the last Democrat to speak out Thursday against the bill removing those protections, becoming emotional as she offered her personal story as a transgender woman, saying: “I transitioned to save my life.” “The purpose of this bill and the purpose of every anti-trans bill is to further erase us from public life and to stigmatize our existence,” Wichtendahl said. “The sum total of every anti-trans and anti-LGBTQ bill is to make our existence ********.” When she finished speaking, she got a standing ovation from many legislators and onlookers in the gallery, reports CBS Des Moines affiliate KCCI-TV. Rep. Aime Wichtendahl, D-Hiawatha, who is a transgender woman, reacts after speaking during debate on the gender identity bill on Feb. 27, 2025, at the Statehouse in Des Moines, Iowa. Charlie Neibergall / AP The station said that after the Senate passed the bill, a man started yelling from the gallery, calling lawmakers “facists” and asking “Who’s next?” Threee state troopers carried him out. Others who were yelling were also removed About half of U.S. states include gender identity in their civil rights code to protect against discrimination in housing and public places, such as stores or restaurants, according to the Movement Advancement Project. Some additional states do not explicitly protect against such discrimination but it is included in legal interpretations of statutes. Iowa’s Supreme Court has expressly rejected the argument that discrimination based on sex includes discrimination based on gender identity. Several Republican-led legislatures are pushing to enact more laws this year creating legal definitions of male and female based on the reproductive organs at birth following an executive order from President Trump. He also signed orders laying the groundwork for banning transgender people from military service and keeping transgender girls and women out of girls and women’s sports competitions, among other things. Most of the policies are being challenged in court. On Thursday night, Mr. Trump wrote on his Truth Social site: “Iowa, a beautiful State that I have won BIG every time, has a Bill to remove Radical Gender Ideology from their Laws. Iowa should follow the lead of my Executive Order, saying there are only two genders, and pass this Bill – AS FAST AS POSSIBLE. Thank you Iowa!” Source link #Transgender #rights #protections #ended #bill #hastily #OKd #Iowa #lawmakers #large #intense #protests Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Leclerc fastest for Ferrari on final F1 testing morning Leclerc fastest for Ferrari on final F1 testing morning Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc has gone fastest in a bizarrely interrupted final morning of Formula One’s pre-season test in Bahrain before handing over to teammate Lewis Hamilton for the afternoon. Mercedes’ 18-year-old Italian rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli was second on the timesheets on Friday morning, 0.077 slower than Leclerc’s best lap of one minute 30.811 seconds, with McLaren’s Lando Norris third. Four-time world champion Max Verstappen was fourth, 0.398 off the pace, for Red Bull. The four-hour session at the Sakhir circuit was briefly halted with 40 minutes remaining when a pane of glass, from the starter’s box where the chequered flag is also waved, shattered and fell on the track. The engine cover of British rookie Oliver Bearman’s Haas also fell off during the session. “It’s hard to know what fuel loads everyone is running, as we’re all doing our own different programmes, so you have to take everything with a pinch of salt,” said Hamilton of what he had seen so far. “McLaren won the constructors’ last year. We expect them to be one of the quickest, if not the quickest, as with Red Bull, who dominated for many, many years. “For us, we’re just trying to improve. I haven’t even done the long run yet, so I’m about to do it this afternoon, and I’ll get a bit of a better understanding of how this car behaves in a race stint.” Hamilton, who moved from Mercedes at the end of last season, has so far done only short stints in the car. Source link #Leclerc #fastest #Ferrari #final #testing #morning Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Subway is bringing back the discounted footlong. Here’s what you get for $6.99 Subway is bringing back the discounted footlong. Here’s what you get for $6.99 Photo: Gerardo Mora (Getty Images) Restaurants continue to respond to price-weary consumers with value meals and deals. The latest to entry the fray: Subway. The chain announced that, starting Friday, any of its footlongs will be available for $6.99 for a limited time when ordering through the app using the discount code 699FL. “People continue to watch their spending but don’t want to sacrifice quality, quantity and taste for value when dining on the go,” said Doug Fry, president of Subway North America in a press release. “With the return of the $6.99 ‘Any Footlong’ offer, Subway is delivering on all three, with freshly made, great-tasting sandwiches at an exceptional value.” The chain launched a similar promo last August, which ran for two weeks. The promo provides a deep discount, especially for some of Subway’s priciest sandwiches. According to their menu and pricing list, some sandwiches clock in north of $15. A Beast can cost $16.50 and include a half-pound of meat, including pepperoni, salami, turkey, ham, and roast beef, complemented by double provolone cheese, fresh vegetables, and dressing. Of course, the savings on the sandwich may be offset by the cholesterol medicine you’ll have to take after eating it. Subway joins a long list of fast-food and fast casual restaurants that are rolling out value meals in 2025, including McDonald’s, Burger King (QSR), and Denny’s. These value meals will likely be welcomed by consumers because, according to the USDA, which tracks food prices, restaurant relief won’t be arriving any time soon. The restaurant purchases Consumer Price Index increased 0.2 percent in January 2025 and was 3.4 percent higher than January 2024. And, overall, restaurant food prices are expected to increase by over 3 percent in 2025. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Source link #Subway #bringing #discounted #footlong #Heres Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Singapore police bust major ring smuggling Nvidia GPUs to China-based DeepSeek: Report Singapore police bust major ring smuggling Nvidia GPUs to China-based DeepSeek: Report Singapore Police Force have charged three men with fraud in a case involving allegedly ******** re-export of Nvidia GPUs to ******** AI company DeepSeek, bypassing U.S. trade restrictions, reports ChannelNewsAsia. The police and customs authorities raided 22 locations, arrested nine individuals, and seized documents and electronic records, reports Reuters. When Singapore suddenly became Nvidia’s second largest geographical source of revenue in 2024, many suspected that this happened because Nvidia’s GPUs were illegally re-exported from Singapore to China. Nvidia denied all accusations saying that billing locations do not represent actual destination of GPUs. Still, the U.S. Commerce Department started investigation whether DeepSeek has acquired restricted American GPUs to train its AI models. “Customers use Singapore to centralize invoicing while our products are almost always shipped elsewhere,” a statement by Nvidia reads. “Shipments to Singapore were less than 2% of fiscal year 2025 total revenue.” (Image credit: Nvidia) However, it looks like the problem with smuggling high-performance Nvidia GPUs from Singapore to China exists and intermediaries in Singapore helped smuggle Nvidia GPUs for AI and HPC to China in violation of U.S. export laws. The accused include Singaporeans Aaron Woon Guo Jie, 41, and Alan Wei Zhaolun, 49. Prosecutors allege that in 2024, they conspired to deceive a server supplier by falsely claiming the equipment would not be resold to unauthorized parties. A third suspect, Li Ming, 51, a ******** national, faces separate charges related to a similar scheme in 2023. Authorities claim he misrepresented the intended recipient of hardware, stating it was meant for a Singapore-based company, Luxuriate Your Life. If convicted, the suspects could face up to 20 years in prison, fines, or both. Authorities have not disclosed details about other arrested individuals or whether additional charges will be filed. While the arrests clearly indicate the involvement of Singapore-based groups in smuggling restricted high-performance Nvidia GPUs to China, the extent of their operations are yet to be determined. Companies like DeepSeek need tens of thousands of Nvidia Hopper GPUs (H100, H20, H800) to train its large-language models. However, smaller research institutions run smaller clusters containing tens or hundreds of such processors. Get Tom’s Hardware’s best news and in-depth reviews, straight to your inbox. Last week Singapore’s government emphasized that while it is not legally bound to enforce unilateral export restrictions imposed by other nations, it expects businesses operating within its borders to comply with such regulations where applicable. Authorities have reiterated that the country does not tolerate attempts to exploit its trade networks to circumvent international controls. Source link #Singapore #police #bust #major #ring #smuggling #Nvidia #GPUs #Chinabased #DeepSeek #Report Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Zenless Zone Zero reveals more about Anby’s past in upcoming “Among the Forgotten Ruins” update Zenless Zone Zero reveals more about Anby’s past in upcoming “Among the Forgotten Ruins” update New Shadow Operation challenge Fresh enemies to take on in Hollow Zero Soldier 0 – Anby joins the fray HoYoverse has announced a new update for Zenless Zone Zero, adding Version 1.6 “Among the Forgotten Ruins” beginning March 12th. The lore of New Eridu is already as intriguing as it is to me, and with this new addition, it’ll be interesting to see the ins and outs of the military factions along with all the mysteries behind Sacrifice. In the upcoming update to Zenless Zone Zero, you can look forward to going all sneaky as you take part in an exclusive auction – plus, we can get a sneak peek into Anby’s past on top of the new narrative. What exactly was she up to before she joined the Cunning Hares? Now, if you’re not too keen on the story and you’re all about the action – which, given how cool the combat is from my experience, is perfectly understandable – you’ll be happy to know that there will be new enemies to take on in Hollow Zero as well. There’s a fresh Hollow Zero gameplay Shadow Operation to challenge too, so it does seem like it’ll be a blast tinkering around with the new skills that “Soldier 0 – Anby” has to offer. Obviously, you’ll want to see how the new characters will stack up against the existing heroes in the roster, so if you’re curious, why not take a look at our Zenless Zone Zero tier list to get an idea? In the meantime, if you’re eager to join in on all the fun, you can do so by checking it out on the App Store and on Google Play. It’s free-to-play with in-app purchases. You can also join the community of followers on the official Twitter page to stay updated on all the latest developments, visit the official website for more info, or take a little peek at the embedded clip above to get a feel of the vibes and visuals. Source link #Zenless #Zone #reveals #Anbys #upcoming #Among #Forgotten #Ruins #update Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Minister questions how Tate brothers could leave Romania – BBC.com Minister questions how Tate brothers could leave Romania – BBC.com Minister questions how Tate brothers could leave Romania BBC.comFlorida Republicans Welcoming Andrew Tate Sparks Fury: ‘Disgusting’ NewsweekAndrew Tate arrives in US as DeSantis says brothers ‘not welcome’ in Florida: Live The IndependentHow did ‘self-proclaimed misogynist’ Andrew Tate get his controversial views from his parents The Times of IndiaWhat to know about the Tate brothers, social media influencers who face trafficking charges The Associated Press Source link #Minister #questions #Tate #brothers #leave #Romania #BBC.com Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Apple Adds Age Assurance Features for Developers, Improves Child Account Setup Process Apple Adds Age Assurance Features for Developers, Improves Child Account Setup Process Apple has announced several improvements aimed at streamlining the process of setting up Child Accounts while revamping the parental control features offered by the company. The company is also working to minimise the amount of data collected by developers while verifying the ages of app users. Apple says it will introduce additional age categories for ratings, to offer more precise categorisation for apps designed for younger users. The Cupertino company will also require developers to declare if their apps include user generated content, ads, or parental controls. Apple to Introduce Declared Age Range API to Minimise Sensitive Data Collection In a document published by Apple, the company says that it is preparing to simplify the process of setting up Child Accounts that can be used by children under the age of 13. Apple also says that child-friendly safety settings will be enabled by default on these accounts, if parents do not complete the setup process. A new Declared Age Range API will also be made available to developers, allowing them to provide users with access to age-appropriate content while preserving user privacy. This privacy-focused API allows parents to share an “age range” of their children with developers, instead of providing their date of birth. The company says that a “limited subset” of developers will be able to continue collecting government-issued ID or other relevant personal data from users in compliance with regional obligations. Parents will be able to provide consent for using the App Store using Face ID (or Touch ID) instead of providing their credit card information for younger users with Child Accounts, according to the document. Parents will also be able to adjust age ranges for their children to grant or restrict access to apps or features via the App Store. Apple will also make it easier for developers to categorise their apps based on ages, with additional age ratings. Later this year, the company will allow developers to set the age limit to their apps to 13+, 16+, or 18+, which will offer a wider range of controls. Apple currently offers 4+, 9+, 12+, and 17+ age ratings, and younger children cannot access apps or content with an age rating for older users. Meanwhile, developers will have to inform users — possibly via the App Store — whether their app includes support features such as advertising, user generated content, or even parental controls. Apple also said that it will make accommodations for regional variations in guidelines. Source link #Apple #Adds #Age #Assurance #Features #Developers #Improves #Child #Account #Setup #Process Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Would an agreement change anything? Would an agreement change anything? Getty Images The trade deal warmly suggested by President Donald Trump should help insulate the *** from the direct impact of global trade tensions. It signals that the White House has accepted the statistical logic that the US and *** have a balanced trade position. Essentially each country roughly exports the same amount of goods to one another. Indeed, rather helpfully, according to the US numbers it exports more. There is no general case that the *** is, in the words and logic of the president, “ripping off” or “screwing” the US, as he has suggested of many other countries and the EU. So a deal to avoid the further trade barriers is very much on the cards. But this is not the wideranging US-*** free trade agreement to lower almost all existing tariffs, that was the subject of so much debate in the Brexit era. It is important to remember that the wider deal was never properly prioritised by Trump’s own team, because, as they told me, they never truly believed that the *** would find it in its interest to make the necessary hard break from the EU. It is difficult to see that the *** government would want to further aggravate farmers, or its own base, by putting US farm imports or NHS pricing on the table. In addition, on goods trade, the government is already prioritising its “Brexit reset” – a food standards deal, and some customs arrangements to bring down newish trade barriers with the European Union. Tellingly, the top official on that negotiation was in the Oval Office. The narrower “economic deal”, as it was termed by Sir Keir Starmer, centres around technology and what the *** has referred to as the “further integration of our two countries’ tech sectors”. Perhaps the best analogy is that the tech expertise held within the London-Oxford-Cambridge triangle could become for a booming AI-driven Silicon Valley what London’s financial City became to New York’s Wall Street. The fact that Vice President and big tech ally JD Vance will be leading some of the US negotiation is key here. This strategy will have consequences. Trump’s team are already railing against digital services taxes. The ***’s digital services tax was introduced in 2020 and imposes a 2% charge on revenues made by big tech firms running social media, internet search engines or online marketplaces. While the £700m-£1bn a year it raises in the *** is smallish beer, since the *** and France introduced a hit to big tech’s revenues, many other countries have followed suit. The White House wants to “stop the contagion”, and that could mean persuading the *** to lower or abolish it. Chancellor Rachel Reeves advocated raising it from 2% to 12% just four years ago. Likewise the vice president in the Oval Office mentioned US tech firms being unfairly affected by what he called “freedom of speech” issues. This appears to be a reference to the Online Safety Act. This aims to make social media firms and search engines protect children and adults in the *** from ********, harmful material, although some have argued it risks stifling free expression online. My understanding is that, right now, movement may be less likely here. Getty Images The prize will be integration into the massive investments from the best capitalised tech companies in the world. Could the *** start to attract back some of the investments lost to Dublin, for example? Would the EU stand back and allow the *** to develop as an offshore hub for US tech companies to service the whole of Europe? There are two other significant issues. It is not unknown for warm words in the Oval Office to be somewhat contradicted by actions soon after. While sat next to the PM, President Trump described the EU’s levying of VAT as a trade restriction, seemingly unaware that the *** does exactly the same thing. And even if it avoids direct new tariffs from President Trump, the open *** economy would be affected by any wide-ranging trade war involving most of the G7 and other countries. That is still on the cards. Not only would that collapse world growth and potentially spike up inflation again, but could upend entirely the workings of the World Trade Organization. The PM says the *** doesn’t have to choose between the US and other allies, but it may appear like that to them. The strategy appears to be to become the Switzerland of global economics. Neutrality in a world of trade turmoil, not so much sat on a fence, but tiptoeing along a rather wobbly one. Source link #agreement #change Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Post Office makes first official apology to Capture users Post Office makes first official apology to Capture users The Post Office has made its first official apology to subpostmasters who used its faulty Capture accounting software and were blamed and punished for unexplained shortfalls. Ken Tooby received a letter from a senior executive who “apologised sincerely and unreservedly” on behalf of the Post Office for “failings and impact” on Tooby’s late wife June, who spent years challenging the Post Office over alleged shortfalls in the accounts at her branch in the north-east of England. June Tooby, who died in 2020, was relentlessly pursued by the Post Office and never revealed to her husband the amount of pressure she was under. In the letter, Simon Recaldin, remediation unit director at the Post Office wrote: “It is clear through the efforts of former postmasters and their families that there were significant failings at Post Office relating to Capture. We are truly sorry for these failings and their impact on all concerned, including your late wife, June. “We deeply regret that June was not able to receive this apology herself, see these issues recognised alongside the Horizon scandal, denied the opportunity to see the truth uncovered, for justice to prevail and see her good name restored.” Tooby was sued by the Post Office for more than £55,000 and taken to court in 2003, following unexplained shortfalls in branch accounts. She was declared bankrupt. Last year, an independent investigation was commissioned into Capture, which found there was a “reasonable likelihood” it had caused shortfalls in branch accounts, which ruined lives. The apology comes after campaigning by former Capture users who, until the ITV dramatisation of the Post Office Horizon scandal in January last year, had been in the dark over how IT errors could cause losses they were blamed and punished for. The Post Office scandal was first exposed by Computer Weekly in 2009. Thousands of subpostmasters were wrongly blamed and even prosecuted for unexplained accounting shortfalls caused by the error-prone Horizon IT system, which was implemented several years after Capture had been introduced. After years of campaigning, subpostmasters who had suffered as a result of errors in Horizon were finally put at the centre of national debate when the ITV drama Mr Bates vs the Post Office brought their stories to wider public attention. In the same month, Kevan Jones, an MP at the time who now sits in the House of Lords, highlighted evidence of injustices caused by the Capture computer system used by some Post Office branches prior to the introduction of Horizon. Echoes of Horizon Jones had visited a subpostmaster who he thought may be a victim of Horizon, but when he realised the dates involved, it became clear another system could be at fault. Since the drama put the scandal at the centre of debate, successive governments have been forced to act. In May 2024, the former Conservative government introduced legislation to exonerate about 900 former Horizon users who were convicted based on evidence from Fujitsu’s faulty system. Now the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) is reviewing 21 cases of potential wrongful conviction, put forward by law firm Hudgell Solicitors, where the Capture IT system could be a factor. This is an increase from 17 just weeks ago and from five in November last year. Capture was a PC-based application developed by the Post Office and uploaded onto a personal computer to carry out branch accounts. The software was a standalone system, unlike Horizon, which is a complex, networked system connected to centralised services. More cases come forward Thousands of subpostmasters used Capture and there are more and more cases coming to light with glaring similarities to those related to Horizon. A Kent subpostmistress who was convicted of theft from her branch in the 1990s is one of a new wave whose families are fighting to clear their names. Patricia Owen, who was convicted in 1998 of theft from her Post Office branch in Canterbury over a shortfall of £6,000, is one of the 21 cases Hudgell has put forward to the CCRC. Owen, who died in 2003, denied the charges against her but was found guilty on five counts of theft. She received a six-month prison sentence, suspended for two years. Owen’s daughter, Juliet, said her mother never recovered from the sentence: “It destroyed my mum. Her world came to an end when she lost her Post Office and was prosecuted. It was awful,” she said. “One day I remember them sitting us down and telling us that mum was being prosecuted and that they had to go to court. We managed to get an independent computer expert to look over everything and he said there were malfunctions with the software, so we were hopeful ahead of the court case. The expert didn’t turn up on the day, and we never found out why.” Peter Lloyd-Holt, who died aged 75 in 2021, was sacked in 1994 from his role as a subpostmaster in Bolton after accounts at his branch showed unexplained shortfalls. His wife Agnes, who worked as an investigator for the Department of Work and Pensions at the time he was sacked, said life was never the same again: “That was the beginning of the end. He was interviewed under caution without representation. I was contacted but not allowed to attend,” she said. “He was eventually told in March 1995 that he wasn’t going to be prosecuted, but he was still held responsible for the shortfalls and we were made to pay back a considerable sum. “I had to work overtime to pay the mortgage and to pay back what the Post Office alleged we owed them, and that meant we suffered financial hardship as there had to be cutbacks,” she added. Lloyd-Holt’s son, Paul, said: “What happened to my father destroyed him. When my dad was interviewed he submitted all his documentation and evidence to clear his name, ledgers and dockets and spreadsheets, but they were never returned, so there is little evidence available to us to clear his name. “Any evidence like bank statements have been lost over time, so we need the support of the solicitors to do this. He never could move on though, it always cast a shadow over his life, and our lives as a family. Now, we’re in a position where we only have our own memories, and we are having to contact many organisations and bodies to see what extra evidence we can uncover.” The Post Office Horizon scandal was first exposed by Computer Weekly in 2009, revealing the stories of seven subpostmasters and the problems they suffered due to accounting software (see below timeline of all Computer Weekly articles about the Horizon scandal, since 2009). Source link #Post #Office #official #apology #Capture #users Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

White House Communications Director Steven Cheung Starts Pettiest Fight With Jen Psaki White House Communications Director Steven Cheung Starts Pettiest Fight With Jen Psaki Trump communications director Steven Cheung mocked Jen Psaki for leaving stationery at the White House, sparking a fierce comeback by the former press secretary on Thursday. Cheung launched his petty attack by telling followers that stationery with Psaki’s name at the top had been found in a cabinet at the White House, where Psaki served under ex-President Joe Biden. Cheung provided photographic evidence of the “relic of the past.” “Apparently @jrpsaki was soooooo important she had personalized note cards made to remind people how ‘important’ she was,” he sniped. Psaki, now an MSNBC host, retaliated: “Would hope you had more important things to worry about (you know the cost of eggs, childcare, veterans waiting for care…could literally go on),” she wrote, “but hey since you raised it I purchased these myself to write notes to colleagues and staff to thank them for their work and also to write back to people who wrote me including kids. How dare I!” Cheung tried to pick himself up after Psaki’s knockdown blow. “You shouldn’t have left your ***** laying around,” he replied. “Clean up after yourself.” In this X fight, we give Psaki the easy victory. Related… Source link #White #House #Communications #Director #Steven #Cheung #Starts #Pettiest #Fight #Jen #Psaki Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Ursula von der Leyen: EU Commission chief says free trade deal with India could come this year – BBC.com Ursula von der Leyen: EU Commission chief says free trade deal with India could come this year – BBC.com Ursula von der Leyen: EU Commission chief says free trade deal with India could come this year BBC.comIndia and EU commit to year-end deadline for a free trade pact, amid Trump tariff threats Reuters IndiaIndia and EU to Discuss Preventing Banned Goods From Going to Russia, Envoy Says Bloomberg’Planets aligned’: EU chief Ursula von der Leyen’s stellar take on ties with India The Times of IndiaAre India and EU growing closer as global alliances shift? DW (English) Source link #Ursula #von #der #Leyen #Commission #chief #free #trade #deal #India #year #BBC.com Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Our verdict on the iPhone 16e Our verdict on the iPhone 16e First up, an apology. In Tuesday’s newsletter, I laid out how to watch (and what to expect from) Amazon’s Alexa press event. But aside from unveiling what Alexa+ will be capable of, there was no silly hardware and no upgraded Echos, but . We learned Alexa+ will be included with an Amazon Prime subscription, and the company will also offer the enhanced digital assistant separately, for $20 per month. At the moment, Prime costs $15 per month in the US. So that’s weird. Meanwhile, Apple’s new entry-level iPhone, the 16e, launches online and in stores today. The $599 phone is arguably $100 too expensive, but it packs a processor that can deliver Apple Intelligence to the masses. It has a gorgeous screen, with a notch — if not a Dynamic Island — and a long battery life. Thanks to that A18 chip, it is as powerful as iPhones, which cost several hundred dollars more. This is a phone for people who don’t upgrade every year (or two). If you’re coming from an older iPhone, say an iPhone 11 (like my mom), you’ll be treated to a brighter screen, improved image processing and, heck, 5G. Apple says the newer process will ensure the 16e is 80 percent faster than the iPhone 11. You are going to see the difference. Oh, and you get an action button. Our biggest concern is the single-camera situation. It’s a great camera, but we already miss the versatility of optical zoom that goes beyond the digital cropping that the iPhone 16e uses. Check out our full review right here. And if you’re OK not staying with an iPhone, we’re moving into the mid-range smartphone season — so stay tuned. — Mat Smith The biggest tech stories you missed Get this delivered directly to your inbox. Subscribe right here! Nothing’s new devices might be the headline grabbers. Nothing The world’s biggest smartphone event (after iPhone launches, let’s be real) returns to Barcelona. While it’s no longer the heyday of Mobile World Congress, smartphone challengers from China love to reveal technically accomplished devices, and we’re expecting delights from the likes of Xiaomi, Honor, Huawei et al. Except maybe not Oppo — it’s done its thing already. At MWC 2022, Nothing’s Carl Pei showed off a prototype of the company’s first handset, the Nothing Phone 1. It looks like it’s ready to reveal its third-gen phone, with the company’s usual drip-drip of specs, features and hyperbole already in action. Nothing already revealed the design of one phone, the 3a Pro, in a nearly 11-minute video. Notably, a big ole camera bump to accommodate a periscope telephoto lens. Xiaomi is also teasing some heady camera hardware: Its 15 Ultra will be a photography powerhouse, rumored to pack a 1-inch main sensor and 200-megapixel periscope telephoto lens. Will Samsung show off the slimline ? Perhaps. It might also be time to reveal an update to its A-series mid-range devices. Perhaps the company will do both. Continue reading. Add the price of your PS5 too. Engadget Sony is permanently reducing the price of the PlayStation VR2. Starting in March, the headset will cost $400, down from $500. It still costs more than the Meta Quest 3S, a standalone headset, but is obviously capable of a richer graphic experience. That said, where are the AAA games? Even Sony’s own PS VR2 website struggles to offer anything particularly exciting. Continue reading. You’re never finding those lost wireless earbuds It’s time to let go. I have misplaced my . Wherever I set them down, I recall thinking, “you’re going to regret not putting them back into the charging case.” And I was right. Two weeks on, I have the charging case, open and ready, but the buds have been translocated to another dimension. I tried Apple’s Find My app, which says they’re somewhere in my apartment. That doesn’t help me enough. I use them for workouts, so I checked jacket pockets, gym shorts, the bathroom, windows, the sides of my couch and even my inner ear canal. But no. I have held out hope for two weeks, but it’s time for me to let go. Fortunately, I work here, so I have three standby options for gym listening. But they didn’t fit as well as the Beats Fit Pro. I will hold onto the charging case, just in case they magically appear in my detergent box or somewhere else completely arbitrary, but mentally, I know I will never find them again. Goodbye, my waxy, sweaty buds of joy. Source link #verdict #iPhone #16e Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Plymouth Argyle: Where FA Cup giant-killers are made Plymouth Argyle: Where FA Cup giant-killers are made Callum Wright also has links to Gerrard and Liverpool. The 24-year-old Argyle midfielder grew up idolising the former England international and, like Gerrard, attended Cardinal Heenan Catholic High School, which is famed for churning out footballers. But unlike Gerrard, who enjoyed a 17-year career at the Merseyside club, Wright, who served as a mascot for the Reds, cut his teeth in the full-time game at Blackburn Rovers after being discarded by Everton as a 13-year-old. “Callum came in as an under-16 player initially. He looked hungry and was a real inner-city footballer, the type who doesn’t want to hold back, wants to show how good he is and the ability he has,” Rovers’ Under-23 boss Mike Sheron, who previously took charge of their youth sides, told BBC Sport. “He wants to score goals, he’s determined, he’ll take the ball in tight areas, work and do the out of possession stuff. He is a good lad to have at Championship level and who knows how far he can go in the future.” The only disappointment for Sheron, who exchanged a warm greeting with Wright when the clubs recently met in the Championship, was that he did not stick around to develop at Ewood Park. With the likes of Everton circling and tabling a bid reportedly worth more than £1m, he left Lancashire as a 17-year-old and instead joined Leicester City for an undisclosed fee. “He was flying and had a purple patch for the Under 21s, scoring curlers in four or five games in a row, and I think he just got frustrated because Tony Mowbray [then manager], wasn’t overly convinced he could make an impact on the first team at the time,” added Sheron. “He went to Leicester and it didn’t really work for him but he has always been true to himself and just wanted to play, going to Cheltenham and Blackpool as well. “I often say to young players, life sometimes won’t go your way but what are you prepared to do about it? Moving to Plymouth, you could see that he wanted to develop his career. He has prioritised his football. “I watched him in the fourth round, knowing he is a big Liverpool fan, so to beat them must have been fantastic for him. I was delighted for him – it is great to see his journey.” Source link #Plymouth #Argyle #Cup #giantkillers Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Dozens of workers trapped after avalanche in India Dozens of workers trapped after avalanche in India Rescuers are racing to save at least 41 construction workers who were swept away by an avalanche in northern India. Source link #Dozens #workers #trapped #avalanche #India Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Geralt Is Not Coming Back but We Got Welcome Changes With Ciri Geralt Is Not Coming Back but We Got Welcome Changes With Ciri The initial announcement of The Witcher 4 sent waves of excitement to the gaming community. Fans of the series have been eagerly waiting to see the next chapter in the epic saga. However, the reveal that Ciri, and not Geralt of Rivia, is the main protagonist sparked some intense debate. The anticipation for the title is high. | Image Credit: CD Projekt Red While some welcomed the idea of a new lead, many fans voiced their discontent over the shift in focus. Not only did they demand bringing Geralt back as the protagonist, but they also made it clear that they wanted to see some change in how Ciri looks and is portrayed. The Witcher 4 has made a surprising change to Ciri’s look Players were not pleased with the protagonist’s design. | Image Credit: CD Projekt Red Despite the vocal backlash, CD Projekt Red always kept a relatively quiet stance on the matter. The studio refrained from addressing the concerns of the fanbase, leaving many to wonder whether their feedback would be taken seriously or not. However, in a surprising turn, the developers have quietly made the changes to Ciri’s appearance. As expected, dedicated fans were quick to notice. While the developer has stuck with its decision to make Ciri the protagonist, the changes to her design represent a major compromise to fan sentiment. It’s clear that the feedback from players has resonated with the studio, and while Geralt may not be returning, fans can at least now enjoy a version of Ciri that feels more aligned with their expectations. This move has shown that the studio can be peer pressured into making some changes, but only if it also sees the vision of the fans, without completely reverting to what players were asking for. #Witcher4 They changed the entire structure of Ciri’s face. The pressure worked. They #Detransed Ciri because it’s what the gamers demanded. pic.twitter.com/wS34GREVEM — ****** DUMPLING (@blackdumpling58) February 26, 2025 This is really happening. Quiet changes to start to align to gamers and profits again, instead of message and narrative. [Hidden Content] — Grummz (@Grummz) February 26, 2025 Thank god. I don’t know what they were thinking with the original design. — Kfriz43 (@kfriz43) February 27, 2025 At first I was gonna say it’s just the lighting but upon closer inspection…. They fixed her face — Isukecchi (@isukecchi) February 26, 2025 The decision to address this has sparked a renewed sense of enthusiasm among fans. While some still argue that the changes to Ciri’s design are very subtle or non-existent, others are happy to see the studio taking their feedback into account. The influence of fans on game development Fans have been successful in peer pressuring the studio into changing the look. | Image Credit: CD Projekt Red While some might argue that the changes to Ciri’s design are a subtle form of pandering to revert the negative sentiment, others see it as a sign of the developer’s dedication to refining the game and making sure it resonates with players. After all, The Witcher series is known for its rich world-building, its complex characters, engaging combat, and its deep connection to the community. This type of engagement with the fanbase, whether through changes in appearance or gameplay, shows that the studio is actively listening and evolving. As we wait to learn more details about The Witcher 4, one thing has become clear: the developers may have resisted the peer pressure to bring Geralt back, but they certainly haven’t ignored the influence of their fans. The changes to Ciri’s character provide a fresh and welcome take, offering a glimpse of how the game will evolve while still respecting the fans’ deep connection to the series. In the end, whether Geralt returns or not, the game promises intrigue and excitement. For those fans who were disappointed by Ciri’s initial look, this change shows the power of feedback and the influence of a dedicated fanbase in shaping the future of gaming. Source link #Geralt #Coming #Ciri Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

North Korea refuses to repatriate dead from Ukraine in fear of civil unrest North Korea refuses to repatriate dead from Ukraine in fear of civil unrest North Korea is refusing to repatriate the bodies of troops killed fighting for Russia against Ukraine because it fears anger from families could lead to civil unrest. South Korean intelligence officials estimate that around 300 North Korean soldiers have been killed to date, while around 2,700 have sustained injuries. Sources told the JoongAng Ilbo newspaper that Russia has “continuously requested the transfer of bodies of North Korean soldiers killed in action, but this has not been accomplished due to North Korea’s refusal”. Refusing to repatriate the dead suggests that Kim Jong-un, the North Korean dictator, “is only focused on the remuneration he will receive from Russia for the troop deployments and he has not sufficiently prepared measures for potential civil unrest due to the dispatch of troops and the ensuing casualties”, the report added. A North Korean soldier appears to be held by Ukrainian authorities in photograph shared on social media – AFP Rah Jong-yil, a former diplomat and senior South Korean intelligence officer, said the regime will find it difficult to explain the loss of life to ordinary North Korean people. “They do not want the war dead to come home because ordinary people would be terribly shocked,” he said. “It is not just a couple of people but hundreds. And then there are thousands of men who have been injured as well. “Those deaths would be embarrassing to Kim because he has never said that North Korean troops were being sent abroad to fight, but people would very quickly become angry”, he told The Telegraph. “The danger for the regime is that there is already widespread unhappiness in the North and this would be another issue that accumulates in the minds of the people”, he said. Mr Rah said the injured troops returning from Ukraine pose an equally serious challenge to the government’s narrative as it is inevitable that some will detail their experiences to those back home, even if they are instructed by their officers and political leaders to remain silent. Kim Jong-un would be ‘embarrassed’ by North Korean deaths in Ukraine as he ‘never said they were being sent abroad to fight’ – KCNA/Reuters The North Korean government has made no comment on the troops that it has committed to Russia’s invasion, although analysts estimate that an initial deployment of around 11,000 men has been bolstered in recent days by the arrival of as many as 3,000 additional personnel. Intelligence reports have suggested that North Koreans are performing poorly on the battlefield, in part because of the language barrier with Russian troops but also because they are relatively inexperienced and have taken time to adapt to modern warfare. Ukrainian forces have reported facing waves of infantry attacks on foot and North Koreans failing to take adequate precautions against drone attacks. Ukraine’s Euromaidan Press reported on Wednesday that a unit of North Korean infantry had been cut off near the town of Viktorivka, in Russia’s Kursk region, and that an attempt by motorised Russian forces to break through the encirclement to enable the North Koreans to withdraw was a failure. The Russian plan was thwarted by drones using thermal imaging technology and Ukrainian artillery that broke up the attacking force with barrages of cluster munitions. A second assault from the north was similarly fought off with swarms of kamikaze drones, the report said. Footage taken from drones suggested the North Korean defenders were showing signs of exhaustion, indicating that they “are on the brink, and might surrender en masse for the first time in the war”. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Source link #North #Korea #refuses #repatriate #dead #Ukraine #fear #civil #unrest Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Measles death in Texas puts Kennedy's vaccine views to the test – Reuters Measles death in Texas puts Kennedy's vaccine views to the test – Reuters Measles death in Texas puts Kennedy’s vaccine views to the test ReutersOpinion | The Texas Measles Outbreak Is Even Scarier Than It Looks The New York TimesRFK Jr. said measles outbreaks are ‘not unusual’ in the US. Doctors say he’s wrong CNNI’m a pediatrician in Texas. Things are dire and we need your support – not your condescension The Guardian Source link #Measles #death #Texas #puts #Kennedy039s #vaccine #views #test #Reuters Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]