Pelican Press

Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Edge Tipped to Get Smaller Than Usual 3,900mAh Battery Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Edge Tipped to Get Smaller Than Usual 3,900mAh Battery The slim and edgy design of Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Edge sets it apart from its usual lineup of Galaxy smartphones. While Samsung showcased the smartphone at its Galaxy S25 series launch event, the brand did not announce an availability date, indicating that Samsung is still in the process of finalising its hardware. While there have been several leaks and rumours, a recent one sheds light on a very important hardware detail—its battery capacity. According to a post on Weibo by Ice Universe, Samsung’s brand-new smartphone model will pack a 3,900mAh battery. If this claim is genuine, it still isn’t bad by any means. However, it is the smallest battery offered in the current Galaxy S25 lineup. Samsung’s Galaxy S25, in comparison, sports a 4,000mAh battery. If we quickly put on our reviewer hats, this theoretically does not play out well. Mainly because the phone is said to feature a large 6.7-inch display, making it the worst display-to-battery capacity ratio in Samsung’s Galaxy S25 lineup. In the case of the compact Galaxy S25, the smartphone, due to its compact dimensions, also has a smaller 6.2-inch display to power with its larger 4,000mAh battery. As per a previous report, the Galaxy S25 Edge will get 25W wired charging, which is thankfully on par with the Galaxy S25. Other leaked details include a reiteration of previous rumours. This includes specifications of the dual rear camera, which is said to get a 200-megapixel sensor (Samsung ISOCELL HP2) and a 12-megapixel ultrawide unit. The tipster expects Samsung to offer a lossless zoom with the primary camera, similar to Apple’s iPhone 16. The tipster also leaked the phone’s dimensions, which is said to measure 158.2 x 75.5 x 5.84mm. The phone’s thickness was previously said to be 6.4mm. Samsung’s slim new Galaxy S25 Edge is likely to compete with Apple’s upcoming iPhone 17 Air, which is also said to sport a slimmer-than-usual design. Affiliate links may be automatically generated – see our ethics statement for details. Source link #Samsungs #Galaxy #S25 #Edge #Tipped #Smaller #Usual #3900mAh #Battery Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Premiers head to Washington amid U.S. tariff threat. What to expect – National Premiers head to Washington amid U.S. tariff threat. What to expect – National Canada’s premiers are heading to Washington, D.C., on Tuesday on a diplomatic mission to underscore the Canada-U.S. trading relationship in the face of increasing tariff threats from U.S. President Donald Trump. The two-day trip comes a day after Trump imposed 25 per cent tariffs on all foreign steel and aluminum imports, including from Canada. At the same time, the clock is ticking on talks to avoid sweeping tariffs on all other ********* exports to the U.S., which were delayed for 30 days early this month. The premiers are set to make the case to U.S. lawmakers and business leaders that tariffs would unnecessarily harm both countries’ economies. “We’re jam-packed with meetings, we’re building relationships — folks, this is all about building a relationship,” Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who’s currently running for re-election, told reporters at a campaign stop in Oakville on Monday. Story continues below advertisement “We all know, the U.S. knows, that Canada needs the U.S. But what we’re going to communicate is everything the U.S. needs off of Canada, everything the U.S. needs off of Ontario, and how important the trading partner of Ontario and Canada is.” Trip comes at precarious moment The trip marks the first time all 13 premiers have taken a joint international trip together, according to the Council of the Federation, a fact that underscores the critical moment in the relationship. Ford on Monday promised Ontario would react “hard” and “fast” to U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum, which Trump said he was imposing without exemptions to shore up American sectors. Trump has previously threatened to impose 25 per cent across-the-board tariffs and a 10 per cent levy on ********* energy. Those duties are set to return as soon as March 4 if the two countries don’t reach what Trump called an “economic” deal. Story continues below advertisement 1:51 Trudeau, premiers discuss lifting interprovincial trade barriers Trump has also said the tariffs would return if his administration determines Canada hasn’t done enough to reduce ******** immigration and fentanyl trafficking into the U.S. Get daily National news Get the day’s top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. At the same time, Trump has repeatedly made comments about wanting to make Canada part of the U.S., something his administration has insisted does not mean annexation. The ********* government and the premiers all vowed retaliatory actions, including reciprocal tariffs and a freeze on U.S. investments, if Trump goes ahead with tariffs. ********* officials have also sought to present a united front, appearing on U.S. media and pressing their American counterparts on the benefits of maintaining open trade and dialogue with Canada. “We need that unity in this moment,” said Max Cameron, a political science professor at the University of British Columbia. Story continues below advertisement “We need for the country to be strong and united, and not to give any aid or comfort to those in the United States who seem to think that somehow we, as a country, will cave in the face of threats of economic force.” Premiers push ‘Team Canada,’ but also their own agendas Alberta Premier Danielle Smith on Monday said she will be joining her fellow premiers in Washington as part of that “Team Canada” approach. She also plans to continue highlighting the “significant” role Alberta energy exports play in helping the U.S. The premier said in a statement previewing her trip that she will “continue efforts to de-escalate tensions between our two countries, work together on shared goals and find common ground so that we can restore our mutually beneficial and enduring friendship.” 1:47 Alberta premier ‘heartened’ by border plan and 30-day stay in tariffs In January, Smith broke ranks with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the other premiers, dismissing the possibility of a counter-tariff or freeze on Alberta’s oil and gas shipments, which had been floated as a potential response. Story continues below advertisement Smith has also been more vocal than her provincial and territorial counterparts in pushing Ottawa to do more to tackle border security and drug crime. On Monday, Smith called on the federal government to reverse what she called a “soft-on-crime” federal law and reintroduce mandatory minimum jail sentences for drug offenders. Smith and Ford have also pushed Trudeau to expedite the appointment of a “fentanyl czar” that would coordinate the government’s response to the deadly opioid, a key concession that convinced Trump to delay his tariffs. 1:46 Ford urges Trudeau to name fentanyl czar ‘today’: ‘This can’t be the speed we operate at’ Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said Friday he was travelling to Washington ahead of the other premiers to emphasize his province’s “important role” in trade, especially in the energy and food sectors. “I think it’s incumbent on us as sub-national leaders to approach this with as calm and steady hands as we can,” Moe said. Story continues below advertisement “The goal for myself, and I believe for all other premiers, is have a non-tariff environment. That’s how we work best together. That’s how we grow the North American economy and that’s how we ultimately create wealth in this province.” The Council of Atlantic Premiers said Friday they will “emphasize the importance of Canada to the security of the United States, and the benefits that the continental economic partnership has brought to both countries,” as well as the deep integration between Atlantic Canada, New England and the northeastern U.S. Several federal officials traveled to Washington to meet with Trump administration officials and lawmakers in the lead-up to Trump’s Feb. 1 announcement of tariffs on Canada and Mexico. Those meetings did not appear to sway Trump, who only agreed to back off after speaking with Trudeau a day before the tariffs were set to take effect. Story continues below advertisement Cameron said diplomacy is still important while the tariff threat persists, and believes the premiers are doing the right thing by showing up in force to present a united front. “I don’t think it hurts to do everything possible,” he said. “It may be intangible, it may be hard to show results in the near term, but in the longer term there can be real benefits. Among the pitches being made to U.S. officials is an expanded energy partnership that could include increased oil trade as well as critical minerals. At the same time, provinces are pushing ahead with programs to support local businesses and producers by turning Canadians away from U.S. products, as well as diversifying their international trade relationships. Manitoba Premier **** Kinew, while speaking at a “Buy Local” campaign launch event last week, said there were “active conversations” about where to set up a new permanent trade office for the province after opening one in Washington early this year. “Is that going to be in the U.S. or is that going to be in South Korea, or maybe another location around the world,” he asked. More on Politics More videos Source link #Premiers #Washington #U.S #tariff #threat #expect #National Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

ICE arrests homeless ******** immigrant who asked to be detained or else he would ‘go out and commit crimes’ ICE arrests homeless ******** immigrant who asked to be detained or else he would ‘go out and commit crimes’ U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested a homeless Venezuelan ******** immigrant who officials say walked into the agency’s Detroit office and demanded to be taken into custody – or else he would “go out and commit crimes.” The Venezuelan national – who was not publicly identified – will now remain in custody pending immigration proceedings. “We’re grateful that this individual self-reported and turned himself over to ICE before going out and threatening public safety,” ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Detroit Field Office Director Robert ****** said in a statement. The agency announced Monday that the 23-year-old man “entered the agency’s lobby” in Detroit on Feb. 6 “and asked to be taken into custody, stating that if ICE did not arrest him, he would go out and commit crimes.” House, Senate Lawmakers Move To Slap Limits On Ngos Aiding ******** Immigrants Amid Trump Funding Crackdown Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Chicago on Jan. 26. ICE also on Tuesday announced the arrests of ******** immigrants in Colorado and New York City. Read On The Fox News App The agency said Adan Desederio Pavon-Andino, 30, of Honduras, was taken into custody in Thorton, Colorado, on Feb. 5. “Pavon has two convictions for felony ********** possession and is facing four charges of felony possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, felony re-entry as well as alien in possession of a firearm,” according to ICE. “Pavon, who was previously removed from the U.S., unlawfully re-entered the U.S. at an unknown date and location,” ICE added. Florida Sheriff Asks Trump’s Ice To Remove Biden-era ‘Shackles’ In New York City, Kail Sebastian Cardenas Aguirre, a 27-year-old Ecuadorian convicted of sex abuse, was detained on Feb. 3. Outside the U.S., ICE helped the National Police of Peru in Lima “arrest and dismantle the illicit activities of Tren de Aragua members in the country” last Friday, the agency revealed. “Approximately 23 individuals suspected of being involved with a human trafficking network were arrested, and more than 80 human trafficking victims were rescued, including three minors,” ICE added. Original article source: ICE arrests homeless ******** immigrant who asked to be detained or else he would ‘go out and commit crimes’ Source link #ICE #arrests #homeless #******** #immigrant #asked #detained #commit #crimes Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Brevard Zoo nominated as ‘Best Zoo’ in the United States Brevard Zoo nominated as ‘Best Zoo’ in the United States For the sixth year in a row, Brevard Zoo has been nominated as one of the best zoos in the United States by USA Today’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice awards. WATCH CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS Last year, Brevard Zoo was named the No. 6 zoo in the country. In addition, 10 Best nominated the Zoo’s membership program as one of the best Zoo memberships. Read: FBI: Orange County middle school music teacher accused of enticing minors online A panel of experts worked with 10Best’s editorial team to choose the nominees for each category, and the top 10 winners will be determined by popular vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zoo fans can vote for Brevard Zoo in both of these categories through Monday, March 10 Read: Disney parks reveal new “Shadows of Memory: A Skywalker Saga” show To vote in the Best Zoo category, visit [Hidden Content]. To vote in the Best Zoo Membership category, visit [Hidden Content]. The winners will be announced on 10Best on Wednesday, March 19. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. Source link #Brevard #Zoo #nominated #Zoo #United #States Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Everything you need to know about the snowstorm expected in the D.C. area – The Washington Post Everything you need to know about the snowstorm expected in the D.C. area – The Washington Post Everything you need to know about the snowstorm expected in the D.C. area The Washington PostMaryland Weather: Winter storm to bring heavy snow Tuesday into Wednesday CBS NewsDC FORECAST: Snow arriving in DC Tuesday slowing travel WUSA9.comWEATHER ALERT: Accumulating Snow Expected Tuesday-Wednesday Fox Baltimore Source link #snowstorm #expected #D.C #area #Washington #Post Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Ineos: New Zealand Rugby takes legal action after sponsor pull-out Ineos: New Zealand Rugby takes legal action after sponsor pull-out New Zealand Rugby (NZR) says it has launched legal action against Ineos for alleged breach of contract, claiming the British petrochemicals company has walked away three years early from its sponsorship deal. In 2021 Manchester United co-owner Ineos, which is chaired by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, agreed to become performance partner of NZR from 2022-27. The deal included Ineos branding on the back of playing shorts and on the front of training jerseys for the nation’s teams, including three-time World Cup winners the All ******* and six-time women’s world champions the ****** Ferns. In a statement on Tuesday, NZR said Ineos had “failed to pay the first instalment of the 2025 sponsorship fee, confirming its decision to exit our six-year agreement”. It added: “Having learned of Ineos’ decision to walk away three years early, we have moved to protect the interests of New Zealand Rugby and the wider game. “We have been left with no option but to launch legal proceedings to protect our commercial position. “NZR is actively pursuing new commercial opportunities and global interest in the All ******* and other teams in ****** remains high.” BBC Sport has contacted Ineos for comment. Last month, Ineos parted ways with four-time Olympic champion Ben Ainslie, having backed the Britannia America’s Cup sailing team since 2018. Ineos said in a statement it could “not find agreement” with Ainslie on “terms to move forward” after last year’s event in Barcelona, which was won by New Zealand. Ineos plans to compete in the next America’s Cup under the Britannia name. Ainslie’s team said in response they were “astounded” by Ineos’ future plans for the America’s Cup and that the decision “raises significant legal and practical obstacles for them”. The company has a large sports portfolio, including owning Swiss football team FC Lausanne-Sport and French side Nice. It is also a co-owner of F1 team Mercedes and runs the Ineos Grenadiers cycling team. In 2021, Ineos’ director of sport Sir Dave Brailsford hailed the partnership with NZR. “The integration of the Ineos brand on this iconic kit symbolises our partnership to share best practice and collaborate on performance innovation,” he said. “I am looking forward to integrating the players and team at New Zealand Rugby into Ineos to support their ambitious performance goals and apply the knowledge and expertise found across all of our teams.” Source link #Ineos #Zealand #Rugby #takes #legal #action #sponsor #pullout Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Dardanup Butchering Company’s backflip on plan to end custom-kill service sparks joy among small farmers Dardanup Butchering Company’s backflip on plan to end custom-kill service sparks joy among small farmers Dardanup Butchering Company has backflipped on a controversial plan to its end custom-kill service, instead closing its books to new farmers and putting new rules in place for existing clients who rely on the service. The South West-based business last week announced it would continue its custom-kill service “indefinitely” after late last year announcing plans to end the service in October before extending that date to February 28. At the time, the company blamed capacity constraints and a need to prioritise long-term service customers as demand grew amid a squeeze in abattoir capacity across the State. It has instead overhauled its service, including releasing an updated price list and rules for those using the service. In a letter sent out last week, Dardanup Butchering Company general manager Brian Pittendreigh said the company would continue to serve “existing customers only” and DBC retained the right to review and adjust the prices “when needed”. “There will be some changes to how we operate this service going forward, which includes a price adjustment and some basic rules regarding minimum kill and one delivery point only,” he said. DBC spokeswoman Anne Burnes said the company was prioritising its relationship with customers and was “notifying them one by one”. The new rules include a minimum kill number of 10 sheep or goats, or five pigs, and all must be from the same vendor. Service kills must be delivered to one delivery point, and service beef is not to weigh more than 600kg liveweight, among other rules. Only a handful of WA abattoirs can handle small commercial production orders, with the DBC plan to end the service sparking concern among smaller, independent producers and local butchers. Small Farms WA chief executive Patrick O’Neill said the news had been welcomed by farmers. “It comes at a time that farmers’ confidence levels are at an all-time low,” he said. “Small farmers offer customers the importance of knowing where their food comes from. “We appreciate the prices that DBC have quoted to maintain our efforts to provide an option to butchers and consumers. “Without this service, small farms will continue to lose confidence.” The news has come too late for some farmers who had already made business decisions on the back of the closure, and at a time when WA’s abattoir sector is hurting with Minerva Foods closing its Tammin abattoir without notice in January. Dardanup Butchering Company was founded by WA businessman Frank Panizza, before Westpork bought a 50 per cent stake in 2022. Source link #Dardanup #Butchering #Companys #backflip #plan #customkill #service #sparks #joy #among #small #farmers Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Russian strike damaged Ukrainian gas production facilities, Naftogaz says Russian strike damaged Ukrainian gas production facilities, Naftogaz says By Pavel Polityuk and Anastasiia Malenko KYIV (Reuters) – Ukrainian natural gas production facilities were damaged in a Russian attack on Ukraine’s central Poltava region overnight, the state-run oil and gas firm Naftogaz and Energy Minister ******* Galushchenko said on Tuesday. “Naftogaz Group’s production facilities in Poltava region were damaged. Fortunately, there were no casualties,” the company said in a statement. 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. Naftogaz “is taking all necessary measures to stabilise the gas supply situation in the Poltava region,” it added. Poltava regional military administration said earlier on Tuesday that as a result of missile strikes, nine settlements in Myrhorod district were left without gas supply. Russia which previously focused its missile and drone attacks on the Ukrainian electricity sector, has in recent months sharply stepped up its attacks on the Ukrainian gas storage facilities and production fields. Ukraine’s underground gas storage facilities are located in the western part of the country, while the main Ukrainian gas production capacities are located in the east of the country in the frontline Kharkiv region, as well as in the Poltava region. Ukraine’s state-run operator of the gas transmission system said on Tuesday the country would likely increase natural gas imports to more than 16.7 million cubic metres (mcm) on Tuesday from 16.3 mcm on Monday. Ukraine consumes 110-140 mcm of gas a day in winter and consumption is covered almost equally by gas production and reserves from storage facilities. However, the former head of Ukrainian gas transmission system said that gas reserves in storage were close to critically low and this significantly reduced the ability to extract enough gas for daily consumption. Both the drop in gas production and difficulties with fuel extraction from emptied underground storage facilities may force Kyiv to increase the volume of imports. The operator data suggested Ukraine would import 7.6 mcm of gas from Hungary, 7.3 mcm from Slovakia and 1.8 mcm from Poland. Ukraine began sharply increasing its gas imports last week after a series of Russian missile attacks in recent months targeted Ukrainian gas sector facilities. (Reporting by Lidia Kelly in Melbourne, Pavel Polityuk and Anastasiia Malenko in Kyiv; Editing by Tom Hogue, Michadel Perry and Louise Heavens) Source link #Russian #strike #damaged #Ukrainian #gas #production #facilities #Naftogaz Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Revelations of Israeli spyware abuse raise fears over possible use by Trump | World news Revelations of Israeli spyware abuse raise fears over possible use by Trump | World news Even as WhatsApp celebrated a major legal victory in December against NSO Group, the Israeli maker of one of the world’s most powerful cyberweapons, a new threat was detected, this time involving another Israel-based company that has previously agreed contracts with democratic governments around the world – including the US. Late in January, WhatsApp claimed that 90 of its users, including some journalists and members of civil society, were targeted last year by spyware made by a company called Paragon Solutions. The allegation is raising urgent questions about how Paragon’s government clients are using the powerful hacking tool. Three people – an Italian journalist named Francesco Cancellato; the high-profile Italian founder of an NGO that aids immigrants named Luca Casarini; and a Libyan activist based in Sweden named Husam El Gomati – announced they were among the 90 people whose mobile phones had probably been compromised last year. More is likely to be known soon, when researchers at the Citizen Lab at the University of Toronto, which investigates digital threats against civil society and has worked closely with WhatsApp, is expected to release a new technical report on the breach. Like NSO Group, Paragon licenses its spyware, which is called Graphite, to government agencies. If it is deployed successfully, it can hack any phone without a mobile phone user’s knowledge, giving the operator of the spyware the ability to intercept phone calls, access photographs, and read encrypted messages. Its purpose, Paragon said, was in line with US policy, which calls for such spyware to only be used to assist governments in “national security missions, including counterterrorism, counter-narcotics, and counter-intelligence”. In a statement to the Guardian, a Paragon representative said the company had “a zero-tolerance policy for violations of our terms of service”. “We require all users of our technology to adhere to terms and conditions that preclude the illicit targeting of journalists and other civil society leaders,” the representative said. The company does appear to have acted swiftly in response to the cases that have emerged so far. The Guardian reported last week that Paragon had terminated its contract with Italy for violating the terms of its contract with the group. Italy had – hours before the Guardian’s story broke – denied any knowledge of or involvement in the targeting of the journalist and activists, and said it would investigate the matter. David Kaye, who previously served from 2014 to 2020 as a special rapporteur on freedom of expression and opinion said the marketing of military-grade surveillance products, such as the kind made by Paragon, comes with “extraordinary risks of abuse”. “Like the NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware, it is easy for governments easily to avoid basic principles of rule of law. Though not all the details are known, we are seeing the likelihood of scandalous abuse in the case of Italy, just as we have seen that in other contexts across Europe, Mexico and elsewhere,” Kaye said. The issue seems particularly relevant in the US. In 2019, during the first Donald Trump administration, the FBI acquired a limited license to test NSO Group’s Pegasus. The FBI said the spyware was never used in a domestic investigation and there is no evidence that either the Trump or Joe Biden administrations used spyware domestically. In the face of increasing reports of abuse, including use of NSO’s spyware against American diplomats abroad, the Biden administration put NSO on a blacklist in 2021, saying the company’s tools had enabled foreign governments to conduct transnational repression and represented a threat to national security. Biden also signed an executive order in 2023 that discouraged the use of spyware by the federal government and allowed it to be used in limited circumstances. It was therefore a surprise when it was reported by Wired last year that the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) agency had – under the Biden administration – signed a $2m one-year contract with Paragon. The contract was reportedly paused after the news became public and its current status is unclear. Ice did not respond to a request for comment. A Paragon representative said the company was “deeply committed to following all US laws and regulations” and that it was fully compliant with the 2023 executive order signed by Biden. The person also pointed out that Paragon was now a US-owned company, following its takeover by AE Industrial Partners. It also has a US subsidiary based in Virginia, which is headed by John Fleming, a longtime veteran of the CIA who serves as executive chair. Unlike its predecessor, however, the new US administration has publicly stated that it will seek to use the levers of government against Trump’s perceived political enemies. Trump has repeatedly said he would try to use the military to take on “the enemy from within”. He has also singled out career prosecutors who have investigated him, members of the military, members of Congress, intelligence agents and former officials who have been critical of him, for potential prosecution. He has never explicitly stated that he would use spyware against these perceived rivals. Researchers like those at Citizen Lab and Amnesty Tech are considered the leading experts in detecting illegitimate surveillance against members of civil society, which have occurred in a number of democracies, including India, Mexico and Hungary. Source link #Revelations #Israeli #spyware #abuse #raise #fears #Trump #World #news Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Kering shares pop 6% on fourth-quarter beat even as sales at embattled Gucci brand lag – CNBC Kering shares pop 6% on fourth-quarter beat even as sales at embattled Gucci brand lag – CNBC Kering shares pop 6% on fourth-quarter beat even as sales at embattled Gucci brand lag CNBCGucci sales slump continues as Kering seeks new designer ReutersGucci Sales Tumble as Kering Turnaround Fails to Take Shape BloombergGucci Sales Plunge, Piling Pressure on Kering’s Turnaround The Business of Fashion Source link #Kering #shares #pop #fourthquarter #beat #sales #embattled #Gucci #brand #lag #CNBC Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Elon Musk-led group makes surprise bid of nearly $100bn for OpenAI | Elon Musk Elon Musk-led group makes surprise bid of nearly $100bn for OpenAI | Elon Musk Elon Musk escalated his feud with OpenAI and its CEO Sam Altman on Monday. The billionaire is leading a consortium of investors that announced it had submitted a bid of $97.4bn for “all assets” of the artificial intelligence company to OpenAI’s board of directors. The startup, which operates ChatGPT, has been working to restructure itself away from its original non-profit status. OpenAI also operates a for-profit subsidiary, and Musk’s unsolicited offer could complicate the company’s plans. The Wall Street Journal first reported the proposed bid. “If Sam Altman and the present OpenAI, Inc. Board of Directors are intent on becoming a fully for-profit corporation, it is vital that the charity be fairly compensated for what its leadership is taking away from it: control over the most transformative technology of our time,” said Marc Toberoff, the attorney representing the investors. Altman posted his reaction on X shortly after the news broke, saying, “no thank you but we will buy twitter for $9.74 billion if you want.” Musk famously bought Twitter in 2022 for $44bn and renamed it X. Musk responded to that post, saying, “Swindler.” Musk was a co-founder of OpenAI but left the company in 2019 and started his own AI company called xAI. Over the past several years, he’s tussled with Altman over the direction of the company. He sued OpenAI over the company’s re-structuring plans last year, dropped the suit, then re-filed it. The bid is backed by xAI and several investment firms, including one run by Joe Lonsdale, who co-founded the stealth government contractor Palantir. Ari Emanuel, who’s the CEO of the entertainment company Endeavor, has also joined the group through his investment fund. “At x.AI, we live by the values I was promised OpenAI would follow. We’ve made Grok open source, and we respect the rights of content creators,” Musk said in a statement. “It’s time for OpenAI to return to the open-source, safety-focused force for good it once was. We will make sure that happens.” Toberoff told the Wall Street Journal that Musk’s consortium of investors is ready to match or go higher than any other bids on OpenAI that may arise. OpenAI has maintained that its restructuring is essential to the longevity of the company and being able to access capital. It has said that if it keeps its non-profit structure as is, it won’t be able to keep up in the highly competitive world of AI innovation. OpenAI said it plans for the restructuring to be done by 2026. skip past newsletter promotion A weekly dive in to how technology is shaping our lives Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain info about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. For more information see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. after newsletter promotion Although Musk is a close Donald Trump ally, Altman has also met with the president and attended his inauguration. Trump tapped OpenAI to be part of a group of AI companies to work on a $500bn deal called Stargate to invest in the burgeoning technology. Musk’s xAI is not part of this deal. Source link #Elon #Muskled #group #surprise #bid #100bn #OpenAI #Elon #Musk Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Hunt for feral pigs ‘illegally dumped’ in Highlands Hunt for feral pigs ‘illegally dumped’ in Highlands Park rangers are trying to capture feral pigs which may have been illegally released in the Cairngorms. The Cairngorms National Park Authority said the pigs were seen near the Uath Lochans area of the Highlands park, which is near the village of Inch, on Monday. It said they appeared to have been illegally abandoned and staff were attempting to capture the “relatively domesticated” animals. The pigs were spotted about five miles away from where four lynx were illegally released in the park last month. The big cats were captured successfully but one died shortly afterwards. The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland said they would have been under great stress after being abandoned in a new and “extremely harsh” environment. A park authority spokesman said on social media: “We are aware that feral pigs have been spotted in an area of the Cairngorms National Park near Uath Lochans. “The Park Authority is working closely with partners – including NatureScot and Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) – to ascertain the full facts on the ground and FLS is currently attempting to trap the animals. “The animals appear to be relatively domesticated and it is likely that this is an ******** release. The park authority condemns any ******** release of animals in the strongest possible terms.” The Cairngorms National Park is the ***’s biggest national park, sprawling across 1,748 sq miles (2,813 sq km) and includes parts of five local authorities – Aberdeenshire, Angus, Highland, Moray and Perth and Kinross. Scottish Land and Estates (SLE), which supports rural businesses, condemned the “reckless” release, and encouraged anyone with information to contact police. Ross Ewing, director of moorland at SLE, said: “This appears to be a reckless and ******** act which demonstrates a total disregard for both animal ******** and the wider environment. “We saw the tragic consequences of last month’s ******** lynx release, which resulted in the death of one of the animals. “Those responsible for these incidents show little concern for the ******** of the species they release or the serious impacts they could have.” A NatureScot spokesman said: “We are aware of a number of sightings of feral pigs in the Insh area. “FLS are leading on trapping these animals and we are liaising with partner agencies to ascertain the full circumstances of how they came to be in the area. “We understand that Police Scotland has also been informed of the situation.” Police Scotland has been contacted for comment. Source link #Hunt #feral #pigs #illegally #dumped #Highlands Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

AI chatbots distort and mislead when asked about current affairs, BBC finds | Artificial intelligence (AI) AI chatbots distort and mislead when asked about current affairs, BBC finds | Artificial intelligence (AI) Leading artificial intelligence assistants create distortions, factual inaccuracies and misleading content in response to questions about news and current affairs, research has found. More than half of the AI-generated answers provided by ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini and Perplexity were judged to have “significant issues”, according to the study by the BBC. The errors included stating that Rishi Sunak was still the prime minister and that Nicola Sturgeon was still Scotland’s first minister; misrepresenting NHS advice about vaping; and mistaking opinions and archive material for up-to-date facts. The researchers asked the four generative AI tools to answer 100 questions using BBC articles as a source. The answers were then rated by BBC journalists who specialise in the relevant subject areas. About a fifth of the answers introduced factual errors on numbers, dates or statements; 13% of quotes sourced to the BBC were either altered or did not exist in the articles cited. In response to a question about whether the convicted neonatal nurse Lucy Letby was innocent, Gemini responded: “It is up to each individual to decide whether they believe Lucy Letby is innocent or guilty.” The context of her court convictions for ******* and attempted ******* was omitted in the response, the research found. Other distortions highlighted in the report, based on accurate BBC sources, included: Microsoft’s Copilot falsely stating that the French ***** victim Gisèle Pelicot uncovered crimes against her when she began having blackouts and memory loss, when in fact she found out about the crimes when police showed her videos they had confiscated from her husband’s devices. ChatGPT said Ismail Haniyeh was part of ******’s leadership months after he was assassinated in Iran. It also falsely said Sunak and Sturgeon were still in office. Gemini incorrectly stated: “The NHS advises people not to start vaping, and recommends that smokers who want to quit use other methods.” Perplexity falsely stated the date of the TV presenter Michael Mosley’s death and misquoted a statement from the family of the One Direction singer Liam Payne after his death. The findings prompted the BBC’s chief executive for news, Deborah Turness, to warn that “Gen AI tools are playing with fire” and threaten to undermine the public’s “fragile faith in facts”. In a blogpost about the research, Turness questioned whether AI was ready “to scrape and serve news without distorting and contorting the facts”. She also urged AI companies to work with the BBC to produce more accurate responses “rather than add to chaos and confusion”. The research comes after Apple was forced to suspend sending BBC-branded news alerts after several inaccurate summaries of article were sent to iPhone users. Apple’s errors included falsely telling users that Luigi Mangione – who is accused of killing Brian Thompson, the chief executive of UnitedHealthcare’s insurance arm – had shot himself. skip past newsletter promotion A weekly dive in to how technology is shaping our lives Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain info about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. For more information see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. after newsletter promotion Apple Intelligence. Photograph: GK Images/Alamy The research suggests inaccuracies about current affairs are widespread among popular AI tools. In a foreword to the research, Peter Archer, the BBC’s programme director for generative AI, said: “Our research can only scratch the surface of the issue. The scale and scope of errors and the distortion of trusted content is unknown.” He added: “Publishers, like the BBC, should have control over whether and how their content is used and AI companies should show how [their] assistants process news along with the scale and scope of errors and inaccuracies they produce. “This will require strong partnerships between AI and media companies and new ways of working that put the audience first and maximise value for all. The BBC is open and willing to work closely with partners to do this.” The companies behind the AI assistants tested in the research have been approached for comment. Source link #chatbots #distort #mislead #asked #current #affairs #BBC #finds #Artificial #intelligence Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Militia kills more than 35 in east Congo: village chief Militia kills more than 35 in east Congo: village chief Armed militants have killed more than 35 civilians during an attack on a cluster of villages in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo’s Ituri province, a village chief says. The head of the Djaiba group of villages in Djugu territory, Jean Vianney, said CODECO militants carried out the attack, which started around on Monday night (Tuesday AEDT), summarily executing residents and setting houses on fire. “We have counted more than 35 dead this morning and the search is ongoing. There are people injured, many burnt to death in their homes,” he said. Local civil society leader Jules Tsuba said 49 bodies had been counted so far on Tuesday morning and that the search was ongoing. CODECO is one of a myriad of militias fighting over land and resources in east Congo. It has been accused in the past by the United Nations of attacks against other communities including Hema herders that could constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity. The majority of residents in Djugu territory are Hema. “The victims are from the Hema community,” Vianney said, adding that Congolese soldiers and UN peacekeepers stationed did not intervene. Congo’s army and the UN peacekeeping mission in Congo MONUSCO did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Source link #Militia #kills #east #Congo #village #chief Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

JDM: Japanese Drift Master Shows its Mazda Rides and Track Gameplay JDM: Japanese Drift Master Shows its Mazda Rides and Track Gameplay JDM: Japanese Drift Master has earned plenty of visibility among Steam’s upcoming games, and its developers are showing more. Source link #JDM #Japanese #Drift #Master #Shows #Mazda #Rides #Track #Gameplay Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Protesters demanding the handover of hostages briefly block a main highway leading to Jerusalem Protesters demanding the handover of hostages briefly block a main highway leading to Jerusalem Protesters demanding the handover of hostages briefly block a main highway leading to Jerusalem Source link #Protesters #demanding #handover #hostages #briefly #block #main #highway #leading #Jerusalem Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

The intriguing minimalist game “A Game About Digging A Hole” is now available for PC via Steam The intriguing minimalist game “A Game About Digging A Hole” is now available for PC via Steam “The Germany-based indie games publisher rokaplay Bou·tique and indie games developer Cyberwave, today announced with great thrill and delight that their intriguing minimalist game “A Game About Digging A Hole” is now available for PC via Steam.” – Jonass Ek, TGG. Source link #intriguing #minimalist #game #Game #Digging #Hole #Steam Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Technology is changing and so should the civil service Technology is changing and so should the civil service The Prime Minister’s call for the “complete rewiring of the British state” has put the onus on the civil service to match the demands placed upon it by rapid technological advances – most notably the rise of generative artificial intelligence (AI). The question is not if or when AI will change how policy is made, but how policy makers can use it to improve outcomes for citizens. The impact will be extensive but not total. There are some parts of the policy making process where, for now, the role of the policy maker is relatively unaffected – like officials using their judgement to navigate the competing interests and idiosyncrasies of Whitehall to get things done. But in other areas, the effect will be more apparent and immediate. Tools like Redbox can dramatically reduce the time it takes for a minister to learn about a new topic – as well as commissioning an official, they can ask a large language model (LLM). This challenges the traditional ways officials manage the flow of information into ministers. LLMs will also change the intellectual process by which policy is constructed. In particular, they are increasingly useful – and so increasingly being used – to synthesise existing evidence and suggest a policy intervention to achieve a goal. Policy work across Whitehall is already being usefully augmented by LLMs, the most common form of generative AI. The tools available include: Redbox, which can summarise the policy recommendations in submissions and other policy documents and has more than 1,000 users across the Cabinet Office and Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. Consult, which the government says summarises and groups responses to public consultations a thousand times faster than human analysts. Similar tools are used by governments abroad, for example in Singapore. A live demonstration of Redbox at the 2024 civil service Policy Festival showed it analysing a document outlining problems with the operation of the National Grid and summarising ideas from an Ofgem report on how to improve it. LLMs have limits While LLMs are advancing quickly and some of their current shortcomings might only be temporary, there remain limits to what they can do. They can synthesise a wide range of sophisticated information, but their subsequent output can be wrong, occasionally wildly so – known as hallucination. LLM outputs might also contain biases for which officials need to correct, including unfair assumptions about certain demographic groups. Because LLMs are trained on available written information, their outputs can lack the nuance and context human experience can provide. Designing new policy to increase, say, the efficiency with which hospitals are run requires possessing advanced knowledge about healthcare policy, of the sort LLMs are increasingly capable of summarising. But it also requires insider insight into the way hospitals actually work – vital context like what parts of the system are currently being gamed and how, and an understanding of how doctors, nurses and administrative staff will respond to any changes. LLMs also tend to provide “standard” answers, struggling to capture information at the cutting edge of a field and provide novel ideas. Unless stretched by the user, they are unlikely to suggest more radical answers and this has consequences, particularly in fast-moving areas of policy. Ironically, AI policy is one such area. Finally, over-credulously incorporating LLM outputs into the policy making process can be dangerous. Evidence, whether scientific, social or other, rarely points in one direction and an LLM summarising evidence might implicitly elevate some political principles over others. If done badly, a policy maker incorporating that output into advice to a minister risks building assumptions into their recommendations which run contrary to that minister’s political views. Policy makers’ role will change These are all good reasons for caution. But the potential benefits of using LLMs are large. In an AI-augmented policy making process, the policy maker’s key role will be to introduce the knowledge that an LLM cannot. Policy makers’ added value will likely manifest in two main ways. The first is in using their expertise to edit and shape LLM “first drafts” – including checking for and correcting hallucinations and untoward biases. This is not that dissimilar to what the best policy makers currently do – humans, too, get things wrong or expose biases through their work. The second is by layering policy makers’ ideas on top of LLM outputs, sometimes being prepared to push them in a more radical direction. This could involve an interactive process, in which an LLM is asked to provide feedback on ideas produced by a policy maker. The time freed up by using LLMs to perform traditionally time-intensive tasks could give policy makers the opportunity to gather and deploy new types of information which can help craft better policy. Particularly important will be the kind of hyper-specific or real-time insider insights which LLMs struggle to capture, which could be acquired in new and creative ways – spending time immersed on the frontline, building a professional network which can give real-time reactions to new developments, or something different entirely. Building skills However, integrating LLMs into government might make it harder for policy makers to acquire important skills. If domain expertise and insider insights are the things for which policy makers are increasingly valued, they must possess the commensurate skills. But this presents something of a paradox – LLM adoption might not only make domain expertise even more important to possess, but also harder to acquire. It is precisely the activities that LLMs are so efficient at performing – gathering and synthesising existing evidence, and using it as the basis for policy solutions – that policy makers have tended to use to acquire their first building blocks of expertise. This also has consequences for policy makers’ ability to gather insider insights. It is all very well freeing up time for policy makers to collect information in new ways, but if they do not have a baseline level of expertise they will find it hard to know where to look for it and how to interpret it. This leaves the civil service with two options. The first is to preserve some basic tasks for more junior officials so they can build the domain expertise needed to intelligently use LLMs. The second is to reinvent the way policy makers acquire expertise, reducing reliance on the now AI-augmented traditional methods. For example, the type of official who is currently a junior policy maker could instead be deployed to the frontline, giving them personal experience of the operation of the state which they can use in a more conventional policy role in Whitehall once they get more senior. Perhaps the best approach would be for the civil service to start by ringfencing tasks, but actively commission “test and learn” projects to explore more imaginative approaches, and scale those where they work. This could take place alongside implementing more traditional solutions. For example, the civil service has a problem with excess turnover and officials who move between policy areas less frequently would find it easier to develop expertise. Conclusion Policy making is among the most important and hardest jobs the civil service does, and improving how it is done is a substantial prize. A policy making process which blends human expertise with LLMs will not just be more efficient, but more insightful and connected to citizens’ concerns. Channelling the adoption of LLMs in the most productive way possible, maximising the benefits while mitigating the risks, is crucial for the civil service to get right. Just letting change happen should not be an option – it must be proactively shaped. Jordan Urban is a senior researcher at the Institute for Government. Source link #Technology #changing #civil #service Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Haitian migrants share harrowing stories of abuse as Dominican Republic ramps up deportations – Yahoo Haitian migrants share harrowing stories of abuse as Dominican Republic ramps up deportations – Yahoo Haitian migrants share harrowing stories of abuse as Dominican Republic ramps up deportations YahooView Full Coverage on Google News Source link #Haitian #migrants #share #harrowing #stories #abuse #Dominican #Republic #ramps #deportations #Yahoo Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Cat Detective Albert Wilde PC Review | Thumb Culture Cat Detective Albert Wilde PC Review | Thumb Culture Cat Detective Albert Wilde, is the latest release from Greek-based devs beyondthosehills. Their last game was the puzzler Reky. Source link #Cat #Detective #Albert #Wilde #Review #Thumb #Culture Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump tariffs: Retaliate or negotiate Trump tariffs: Retaliate or negotiate Getty Images US steel suppliers have just over a month to decide how to respond before the new tariffs take effect João da Silva Business reporter A decision by US President Donald Trump to place a 25% tariff on all steel and aluminium imports has left some of the US’ major trade partners scrambling to make a deal. The US is a major steel importer, importing nearly a quarter of the steel it uses, according to data from the American Iron and Steel Institute, which adds that its dependence on aluminium is even greater. Its neighbours Canada and Mexico, as well as some allies in Asia are among its main suppliers. Trump has said his latest tariffs will take effect on March 12 “without exceptions or exemptions”. With just over a month to go before the tax kicks in, how some countries have responded: Canada As one of the largest suppliers of both commodities to the US, Canada has a lot to lose. “Canada has extra reasons for irritation as they are the largest steel supplier and one of the largest aluminum suppliers to the US,” said Deborah Elms, a trade expert with the Hinrich Foundation. Canada’s industry minister François-Philippe Champagne has slammed the decision, calling it “totally unjustified”. In a post on X, he said ********* steel is being used in key US industries including defense, shipbuilding and energy, adding that this made “North America more competitive and secure”. He added that Canada would “defend our industries as we have always done and always will” and warned that Canada’s “response will be clear and calibrated.” Australia Though Trump had earlier said he would not consider any exceptions – it seems like it may set this rule aside fro Australia. *********** Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he has spoken on the phone with Trump and that the US leader was considering an exemption. Calling Albanese a “very fine man”, Trump had earlier explained that the US runs a trade surplus with Australia. “The reason is they buy a lot of airplanes. They’re rather far away and they need lots of airplanes,” Trump said. “We actually have a surplus, it’s one of the only countries which we do.” But despite being the world’s largest exporter of iron ore – a key steelmaking raw material – Australia’s exports of steel are not as significant. According to Albanese, *********** steel accounts for about 1% of US imports, though its steel is used by a major US military shipbuilder. *** and Europe There has not been an official response from the British government to the latest US tariffs yet but the trade body *** Steel has said in a statement that the tariffs would deliver a “devastating blow” to their industry. “The US is our second-largest export market after the EU. At a time of shrinking demand and high costs, rising protectionism globally, particularly in the US, will stifle our exports and damage over £400m ($494m) worth of the steel sector’s contribution to the ***’s balance of trade,” Gareth Stace, *** Steel’s Director General said in a statement. “It is deeply disappointing if President Trump sees the need to target *** steel, given our relatively small production volumes compared to major steel nations,” he said, adding that there was a danger that other countries could “redirect” steel to the *** market to avoid US tariffs. Meanwhile, the European Commission has reacted strongly to the prospect of more tariffs, saying it will “protect the interests of European businesses, workers and consumers from unjustified measures.” According to trade group Eurometal, the US was the second largest market for EU exports of iron and steel. Trump imposed tariffs on both the *** and the EU during his first term but those restrictions were relaxed later on by the Biden administration. India India’s steel secretary Sandeep Poundrink has reportedly claimed that Trump’s tariffs will not have much of an impact – pointing to the fact that India only exports a small fraction of its steel to the US. “”How much steel do we actually export to the US?” said Poundrik speaking at an industry event, according to a PTI report. “We produced 145 million tonnes of steel last year, of which 95,000 tonnes was exported to the US. So, how does it matter if out of 145 million tonnes, you are not able to export 95,000 tonnes.” But not everyone shares this sentiment. The chief of the Indian Steel Association (ISA), Naveen Jindal, has said he is “deeply concerned” that US restrictions could lead steel makers to dump their steel in the Indian market at lower prices. These tariffs are “expected to slash steel exports to the US by 85%, creating a massive surplus that will likely flood India which is one of the few major markets without trade restrictions”, claimed Naveen Jindal. South Korea South Korea is a major steel exporter to the US, according to the American Iron and Steel Institute. Its steel is used by South Korean firms like Hyundai, Kia, Samsung and LG which have factories in the US and Mexico. On Tuesday, its Trade Minister Cheong In-kyo has said South Korea will “actively consider” whether there is room for negotiation with the United States – a day after the Industry Ministry held an emergency meeting with steelmakers. In 2018, when Trump similarly imposed a 25% tariff on all steel imports, Seoul was granted a waiver in exchange for a yearly import quota. What next? It’s unclear what deals might actually be cut or waivers granted over the next month, but Eswar Prasad, an international trade policy expert at Cornell University says in the long run, US trading partners may seek diversify away from the US by selling their products elsewhere. But he also says that “Trump’s drastic actions have put the rest of the world on the back foot” because of the US economy’s strength relative to most of its trading partners. Another analyst says that while the US’ trading partners may seek appeasement in the short term, they could still decide to hit back in the long run. “While overtures may be made to work with the Trump team to avert the tariffs, our partners may conclude that tariffs are coming so fast and furious, negotiations are not a durable option,” said Wendy Cutler, Vice President of the Asia Society Policy Institute. Source link #Trump #tariffs #Retaliate #negotiate Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator – PC Review | Thumb Culture Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator – PC Review | Thumb Culture “The Lesquin-based video game company Nacon and Munich-based (Germany) indie games developer Aesir Interactive, today announced wih great happiness and excitement that their ambulance/paramedic-themed sim “Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator”, is coming to PC (via Steam) and consoles (PS5 and Xbox Series ‘X) on February 6th, 2025.” – Jonas Ek, TGG. Source link #Ambulance #Life #Paramedic #Simulator #Review #Thumb #Culture Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Moroccan trade officials descend on WA to explore live sheep, cattle and goat export opportunities Moroccan trade officials descend on WA to explore live sheep, cattle and goat export opportunities A delegation of Moroccan officials and importers have descended on WA to explore buying sheep, goats and cattle, just weeks after the signing of new protocols intended to grow the live export trade. The long-awaited agreement was announced in January after nearly two years in the making, as the North African nation desperately tries to rebuild its breeding flock after seven years of severe drought. The delegation has been meeting WA exporters and producers and the Federal Department of Agriculture to pave the way for the first shipment of sheep, according to *********** Livestock Exporters’ Council chief executive Mark Harvey-Sutton. Among the group are representatives from the Moroccan department of agriculture, as well as importers and vets. “It’s all been agreed — the regulator has done what it needs to do in terms of allowing shipments to take place, so it’s ready to rock ‘n’ roll,” Mr Harvey-Sutton said. “There is significant interest from importers in Morocco and there are a number of exporters interested in pursuing it as well.” Mr Harvey-Sutton and ALEC chair David Galvin travelled to Morocco, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan and Saudi Arabia last November in a bid to keep industry relationships in the region strong. Camera IconA delegation of Morrocan trade officials has visited WA to find out more about exporting sheep, cattle and goats. Credit: Rick Wilson / Supplied/Rick Wilson / Supplied O’Connor MP Rick Wilson was among those who welcomed the delegation to WA at a special function at Crown Perth, saying they showed a “keen interest” in live sheep exports and increasing their cattle breeding herd. “It was a privilege to welcome representatives from Morocco this week as they explore importing livestock from WA,” Mr Wilson said. “It again highlights that there is considerable global demand for our product. “It is important that we continue to look for opportunities to grow this vital industry to countries who demand quality products from our farmers.” Morocco, which has a population of nearly 38 million, wrote to the *********** Government in February 2023 to initiate negotiations to open the trade. Mr Wilson travelled to Morocco that year and met Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch and the country’s Agriculture Minister at the time, Professor Mohammed Sadiki. “The Kingdom of Morocco has serious interest in Australia’s livestock and for good reason. We produce some of the best product and the world knows it,” Mr Wilson said. “The Moroccan Government are willing trading partners with Australia and are very focused on providing food security for their 38 million people.” The delegation’s visit comes as Federal Labor’s live export ban — set to take effect in mid-2028 — is shaping up to be a major election issue, with both the Nationals and Liberals vowing to overturn the legislation if elected. “It is difficult to explain why the Albanese Government are banning the live sheep trade when there is incredible global demand for our livestock,” Mr Wilson said. Before the first shipment can take place, an approved Exporter Supply Chain Assurance System must be established by *********** exporters in Morocco to ensure the humane treatment and handling of animals from the time they arrive until the point of slaughter. Morocco imports most of its cattle from South America, while sheep are mainly sourced from other North African countries and Europe, including Portugal, Spain and Romania. But Mr Harvey-Sutton said it had struggled to secure a reliable supply, with *********** sheep an attractive option because of their disease-free status, good eating quality and competitive pricing. Source link #Moroccan #trade #officials #descend #explore #live #sheep #cattle #goat #export #opportunities Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Israeli Hostages’ Accounts of Abuse Raise Alarms for Remaining Captives – The New York Times Israeli Hostages’ Accounts of Abuse Raise Alarms for Remaining Captives – The New York Times Israeli Hostages’ Accounts of Abuse Raise Alarms for Remaining Captives The New York TimesHamas says it’s delaying next hostage release, claiming ceasefire violations Fox NewsHamas says it will delay the release of more hostages, putting Gaza ceasefire at risk The Associated PressUpdates: ****** suspends captive release citing Israel’s truce violations Al Jazeera EnglishNews Wrap: Ceasefire at risk as ****** accuses Israel of breaking parts of agreement PBS NewsHour Source link #Israeli #Hostages #Accounts #Abuse #Raise #Alarms #Remaining #Captives #York #Times Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Japanese finance ministry worker loses sensitive files Japanese finance ministry worker loses sensitive files A Japanese finance ministry employee on a night out with colleagues lost documents containing the personal data of 187 people suspected of drug smuggling, local media say. The employee, who has not been named, reportedly drank nine glasses of beer during a five-hour-long night out with co-workers in Yokohama on 6 February. Local media said that he did not realise he had lost his bag until after he got off his train ride home in another city, Sumida. The finance ministry has said it was “deeply sorry” for the incident that “significantly undermined public trust”, according to public broadcaster NHK. The bag had contained documents which had the names and addresses of 187 suspected drug smugglers and recipients of ********** seeds, the ministry said. It had also contained business laptops with the employee’s personal data. The employee, who is assigned to the customs and tariff bureau, was not named in the NHK report. The BBC has reached out to the finance ministry for comment on Tuesday, a public holiday in Japan. Alcohol has long been seen as a social lubricant for thousands of years in Japan, where businesses deals and difficult issues are discussed over bottles of beer and sake. It is believed that drinking alcohol creates a more relaxed environment for such discussions. Source link #Japanese #finance #ministry #worker #loses #sensitive #files Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]