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Football Manager 2025 cancelled on all platforms Football Manager 2025 cancelled on all platforms Following multiple pushbacks, Football Manager 2025 has been cancelled The team cited technical quality as a cause behind the decision Instead, they will focus their efforts on the next installment It’s a bleak day for fans of hit sporting simulator Football Manager as the 2025 iteration of the long-running series has been abruptly cancelled on all platforms, including its upcoming mobile release. You may recall that Sports Interactive had pushed back the release already. However, in a rather abrupt announcement, the developer has confirmed that Football Manager 2025 is cancelled with immediate effect. In their statement, Sports Interactive cited their difficulties in achieving the desired level of technical quality but confirmed that they were focusing their efforts on the next release in the franchise. The cancellation will be upsetting to fans for a number of reasons but chief amongst them being the previous announcement that Football Manager 25 would be releasing on Netflix Games for mobile. A move sure to have secured many new fans for the franchise but which is now up in the air for the foreseeable future. Gone too far When it comes to announcements such as this I think the natural reaction is frustration from many fans, especially to have the cancellation notice only at this late hour with the most recent release date set for March of this year, that and the confirmation there will be no updates to FM24 to try and tide fans over. However, I’d be remiss not to suggest it should be tempered by considering that it’s at least somewhat respectable to commit to not releasing an inferior product, even if it could have been handled better. Hopefully, if and when Football Manager 26 is confirmed we’ll see the series make a return to Netflix Games. In the meantime, if you’re finding yourself at a loose end without anything to play, don’t fret! Instead, be sure to check in on our regular feature offering you the top five new mobile games every week! Source link #Football #Manager #cancelled #platforms Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

NRF review: no escaping AI for retail in 2025 NRF review: no escaping AI for retail in 2025 Senior retailers and technology providers from around the world converged on New York City for Retail’s Big Show, organised by the National Retail Federation (NRF), where they gained insights into the latest solutions affecting the sector. This year’s event attracted around 40,000 people from 105 countries representing 6,200 brands who heard about a variety of themes. But the overwhelming focus was on artificial intelligence (AI) as there has been a growing recognition by the retail industry that the technology is going to change many parts of their businesses. The tone was set by Doug Herrington, CEO of Worldwide stores at Amazon: “AI is becoming transformative. We’ve not had a technology revolution like this since the internet. Mobile was large and social media was also large, but they were nothing like this. It’s requiring eye-opening investment, but the breadth of gains makes it worthwhile.” Almost every booth in the EXPO halls and all the presentations given over the event’s three days involved AI in some form or another, such is its incredibly broad reach. Very much making its presence felt this year was AI chip supplier and platform provider Nvidia. Representing the business, Azita Martin, vice-president and general manager of retail and CPG at Nvidia, recommended retailers definitely need to start on their AI journeys if they are not doing so already. Just like with e-commerce, she suggests the leaders in the field will gain advantage. “AI is real, so get started. It needs executive sponsorship – they need to believe in it. Retailers need to pick specific challenges and assign teams to it and determine the metrics to measure success,” she says. Among those on the journey already are US-based DIY chain Lowe’s, which has created digital twins of its 1,700 stores. “They can be updated with inventory data to optimise layouts and the way customers shop the stores. They can move things around on the digital twin, just like a video game, without physically having to do it,” says Martin. Seemantini Godbole, chief digital and information officer at Lowe’s, says: “Our space planning leaders can mark SKUs on the twin so they can move out the low-selling items and replace them with higher sellers and visualise what that would look like. Hundreds of such experiments can be undertaken by our designers.” Computer vision The company has also deployed computer vision in its stores, which can help in a myriad of ways when aligned with AI, such as reducing shrinkage by identifying issues in real-time and turning off the point of *****, while also assigning an associate to the problem. There is also a growing use of AI in the supply chain, according to Martin, who says combining digital twins with computer vision can optimise the throughput in distribution centres. “Optimising layouts is very disruptive, but with AI twin, you can create a warehouse and simulate layouts and see how they behave.” These solutions are relying on what Martin describes as “physics AI” that is particularly suited to distribution centres as it involves understanding the weight and depth of packages. Retailers continue to be excited by the opportunity of AI empowering their employees. At Lowe’s, when the computer vision in its stores is aligned with AI, it can allocate staff in store in real time to customers who need assistance. “The computer vision spots them and then alerts the employee on their [personal] Zebra device,” says Godbole. The device also incorporates a generative AI (GenAI) chatbot that can be used to answer customers’ questions. “We’re giving superpowers to associates. Everyone becomes an expert.” Computer vision will also be playing a part in Tapestry’s plans. Trang To, vice-president of omni-channel at Tapestry, says: “When it’s adopted, it will have the ability to inform us of who is in the store and where are they shopping. It will help with store design, training and labour scheduling. It will be enormous.” Similar AI-powered initiatives are taking place at Walmart, according to Greg Cathey, senior vice-president of transportation and innovation at the firm, who says all employees have a phone and access to the company’s app. “Now that GenAI is involved, we’ve democratised data. How do you take all the knowledge in the company and give it to the associates? This is people-led technology power,” he says. There are myriad use-cases. For instance, by taking in various data points, the technology now enables managers to plan an overnight shift in under five minutes, compared with an hour before. “We spend a lot of time listening to the operational team. As we build a use-case, what are the KPIs for success? We want to know the ROI, but we start with the associates and NPS scores. [And ask whether] we are reducing friction and pain-points,” says Cathey. Ellen Svanstrom, chief digital information officer at H&M, says: “It’s all about connecting the digital assets with the physical. RFID technology could be connected to an application layer powered by AI that can then empower colleagues. It will be key linking these things. It is low-cost tech, but it’s a game-changer for us.” She says H&M invested early in AI and learnt a lot, but realises it needs to up the ante: “We’re now in the second wave, and the pace of change means we need to be more collaborative. We’re investing in our data foundation and platform with our partners.” These partners can include the likes of data specialists including Coveo and Stibo Systems that help retailers deal with the increasing complexity around the collection and handling of vast amounts of data that is being pulled in from in-house and third-party sources to power the hungry AI engines. Gustavo Amorim, CMO of Stibo Systems, says: “We enable retailers to gain trust in the data and we support them to ensure the data is clean and the governance is in place. It sounds simple but it is not…especially when the data comes from all sorts of sources.” Online fashion rental business Stitch Fix works with Stibo Systems for the management of its product information. When combining this with AI, it helps its stylists deliver a more effective service to Stitch Fix’s customers. Tony Bacos, chief product and technology officer at Stitch Fix, says AI is used to collect the information on customers and trends, as well as to prepare the notes that are given to customers to describe why each item in their “fix” has been selected for them. “We also continue to use AI to drive our assortment to ensure we have the right mix of new and favourite items,” says Bacos. Volume handling and RFID The capabilities of AI has created an appetite for personalisation, but the flip side of this is the increased volumes of creative materials that that is driving. Needless to say, AI can sort this issue. David Hartman, vice-president of creative at Walmart, is working with Adobe to better handle the volumes of advertising and marketing materials that it is creating at its new studio in Los Angeles. “The tracking and management tools has helped us handle the volumes.” Marta Frattini, director of retail industry strategy and marketplace at Adobe, says: “With the promise of personalisation, there will be five-times the demand for content. It’s mind blowing. GenAI can address this through speed that has never been available before.” DigitalWave plays in this space, enabling retailers’ creative teams to take a simple 2D photo of a product and provide basic context of the model to be featured. The solution then provides hundreds of alternative images. The retailer can then select the one they wish to use in their campaigns. Although AI dominated the agenda at NRF 2025, the event was not exclusively focused on this all-pervading technology. At the low-tech end of the market is RFID, but this does not mean it is less exciting, according to Dean Frew, president of RFID solutions at SML, who says only 15% of retailers currently use RFID technology, but he predicts this will change rapidly, forecasting that within five years only 15% will not be using it. This will be driven by the fact RFID usage has moved beyond simply providing stock visibility in an organisation to also helping retailers with a variety of other factors including handling returns, powering click and collect, and reducing shrinkage. It is now about boosting the customer experience rather than being simply a back-end solution. Boosting the in-store customer experience was evident in various solutions being showcased in the NRF Innovators Zone, which has grown in size at the event since its introduction. Among them is Mira, which has created the first unsupervised computer vision platform that is powering a self-checkout solution. It removes the need for barcode scanning, and its compact design enables it to be retro-fitted to existing till structures. Despite these exceptions to the general rule at NRF 2025, there is no doubt that AI is affecting all parts of the retail landscape. We are likely to see it be increasingly utilised by operators of all descriptions, from the largest to the smallest, as each recognises the upsides it can deliver to their organisations. Source link #NRF #review #escaping #retail Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

The man with the plan: DC prof sent Trump study on Gaza relocation, development in July – The Times of Israel The man with the plan: DC prof sent Trump study on Gaza relocation, development in July – The Times of Israel The man with the plan: DC prof sent Trump study on Gaza relocation, development in July The Times of IsraelOpinion | Trump’s Gaza Deal: War Crimes in Exchange for Beachfront Property The New York TimesIn Michigan, some Arab American voters revisit their support for Trump after he suggests “take over” of Gaza Strip CBS NewsThe End of ‘Palestine’ Tablet Magazine Source link #man #plan #prof #Trump #study #Gaza #relocation #development #July #Times #Israel Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

This excellent game about waiting is the anti-WarioWare This excellent game about waiting is the anti-WarioWare How much of your life is spent waiting? Think about it. Waiting at the DMV, waiting for a train, waiting for an important phone call, waiting for your perpetually late friend to show up, waiting to grow up. Life is a long endurance test of patience. That’s the simple thesis of While Waiting, a new puzzle game that’s deceptively emotional. On paper, it sounds like a one-note gag. It features 100 bite-sized levels, each tossing players into a familiar life experience that requires some form of waiting. It’s like the anti-WarioWare, swapping five second microgames for drawn out ones that require virtually no reaction time. Don’t let that light premise take your guard down, though: While Waiting is an ingenious bit of video game storytelling that’ll stick with you so long as you’ve got the patience to see it through. While Waiting is unassuming at first. I’m quickly tossed into levels with mundane objectives. One requires me to wait for the bus, milling around for a few minutes until it arrives. Another has me waiting for commercials to pass on TV. Each level can be completed by doing absolutely nothing. It’s a high-concept idea that might leave you wondering just how much a studio can do with that premise. A lot, it turns out. For one, each level has a couple of objectives players can complete while waiting. In one puzzle, I’m a kid waiting for Santa Claus to deliver presents on Christmas. I can just lay in bed and pretend to sleep for a few minutes if I want, earning me a badge for simply waiting. I can also get out of bed and mess with the big guy by turning on my fireplace or switching out my stocking. Others are more imaginative. When I’m waiting for a rainstorm to pass, I can dip into a cafe and look out the window, which becomes a screen on which I can play an arcade game with the falling raindrops. Each level is a clever surprise that gives me a reason to replay them and find each hidden objective. That’s not what makes While Waiting special, though. The deeper it goes, the more its narrative ambitions come into view. I soon realize that I’m not just playing through random scenarios; I’m following a character through his entire life. I start out as a kid, goofing around at home with my parents and sitting through school days. I can’t wait to grow up, and I do after about 30 levels. Then, I’m a college student waiting for my independence. Soon, I’m the same age that my parents were when I started. What begins as a gimmick quickly evolves into a full life portrait told through small moments. I’m sure you can guess what it all builds to. Optillusion While Waiting’s strength lies in how well it balances absurdity, beauty, and tragedy throughout its 100 levels. It has the comedic bent of Thank Goodness You’re Here, but the grounded emotions of Florence. Those two ideas are symbiotic. Early on, I’m laughing at what a devilish piece of game design it is. Each level is a torture trap that plays with my impatience. I can’t wait to blow through them and see what’s next. But at some point, I become aware of the passage of time. My character is getting older. His life is more complicated. People in his life are dying. His kid is growing up too fast. As the levels progress, I start praying that they’ll move slower. Why did I spend so much of my time here waiting for my sweet childhood moments to end? That’s the heart of While Waiting: It’s a story about not taking life for granted. It sees no difference between the big moments and the small ones. Everything, from waiting for your wife to give birth to waiting for an elevator, is precious. They’re fleeting seconds that we’ll never get back. It’s not nihilistic about that. Rather, it cherishes every moment it can, no matter how insignificant it may seem. While Waiting requires a lot of patience to get there, but that’s the point. The wait is the journey. While Waiting is available now on Nintendo Switch and PC. Source link #excellent #game #waiting #antiWarioWare Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Elon Musk’s X faces criminal probe in France over algorithm concerns Elon Musk’s X faces criminal probe in France over algorithm concerns French prosecutors on have opened an investigation into Elon Musk’s X over allegations that it distorted its algorithms to manipulate discourse taking place on the social media platform. The Paris public prosecutor’s office said it received a report from a French lawmaker on Jan. 12 criticizing X over “biased algorithms” that were “likely to have distorted the operation of an automated data processing system.” Magistrates and specialized assistants of the office’s cybercrime section have been tasked with analyzing the report and carrying out initial technical checks on the platform, the prosecutor’s office told CNBC Friday, in emailed comments. CNBC has contacted X for comment. This is a breaking news story. Please refresh for updates. Source link #Elon #Musks #faces #criminal #probe #France #algorithm #concerns Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Sea of Thieves Season 15 Will Excite Megalodon Hunters And Fishing Lovers Sea of Thieves Season 15 Will Excite Megalodon Hunters And Fishing Lovers Sea of Thieves players should be wary when Season 15 launches on February 20, as two new megalodons will be creeping in the waters. But should pirates be able to take down these fearsome sea creatures, they’ll have new spots in the game’s world to sell their megalodon meat. Season 15, titled “Wild Things,” expands the Hunter’s Call trading company, which offers rewards and gold in exchange for fish, cooked meat, and other items. The company’s vendors are scattered around the sea in tiny, lonely Seaposts, but Season 15 will incorporate them into the game’s seven Outposts, according to a Sea of Thieves blog post. The new megalodon variants are the Feared Redmaw and Barnacled Dread, with an X post from the Sea of Thieves account sharing a look at a megalodon covered in what appear to be yellow and purple crystals. The blog post states that these megalodons have “devastating new abilities” that will challenge even the most experienced buccaneers. Players can also expect new voyages, a hunting spear item, “untamed wildlife,” and other features. Eagle-eyed Sea of Thieves fans noticed a spotted variant of pig in the teaser image, which also led to speculation that players can have pigs as pets, and a treasure chest with the Hunter’s Call emblem, which may indicate new types of loot. Unlike the other trading companies in Sea of Thieves, Hunter’s Call has no emissary flag or unique voyages, so players are hoping Season 15 will add more to the Hunter’s Call progress experience and endgame. Until the launch of the season, pirates can participate in limited-time Dark Fortress Raids beginning February 14 and earn tons of loot from fighting Phantoms at Sea Forts. Hopefully, Sea of Thieves Season 15 will have a smoother launch than the previous season, where developer Rare had to temporarily roll back some new features due to technical issues. Source link #Sea #Thieves #Season #Excite #Megalodon #Hunters #Fishing #Lovers Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Grab this Lenovo Legion gaming PC while it’s under $1,000 Grab this Lenovo Legion gaming PC while it’s under $1,000 You don’t need to spend more than $1,000 in upgrading your gaming desktop, as there are gaming PC deals out there with huge discounts on powerful machines. You won’t have to do the searching yourself though, as we’ve done that for you — check out the Lenovo Legion Tower 5 Gen 8, which is available with a 30% discount from Lenovo that drops its price from $1,330 to only $930. There are only limited stocks for this computer though, so you have to hurry with your purchase if you want to secure the $400 in savings. Why you should buy the Lenovo Legion Tower 5 Gen 8 gaming PC The Lenovo Legion Tower 5 Gen 8 is an affordable gaming desktop that’s built similar to the Lenovo Legion Tower 5i, which appears in our list of the best gaming PCs as our favorite option for below $1,000. The major difference is that the Lenovo Legion Tower 5 Gen 8 is powered by AMD — the AMD Ryzen 5 7600 processor, to be exact, alongside the AMD Radeon RX 7600 graphics card and 16GB of RAM that’s the best place to start for gaming, according to our guide on how much RAM do you need. With these specifications, you’ll be able to play the best PC games on this gaming PC without any issues. There’s ample storage space on the Lenovo Legion Tower 5 Gen 8 with its 512GB SSD, which ships with Windows 11 Home so you can start downloading and installing your favorite games as soon as you hook up the gaming PC to the necessary peripherals. Its built-in cooling system will let you play longer sessions without worries about overheating, and every purchase includes three months of Xbox Game Pass for access to an ever-growing library of games. If your gaming PC is already having trouble with today’s video games, it might be time to upgrade to the Lenovo Legion Tower 5 Gen 8. It’s currently available from Lenovo for an affordable $930, following a $400 discount on its sticker price of $1,330. You’re going to have to be quick in completing your transaction though, as the stocks that are up for ***** are limited. Add the Lenovo Legion Tower 5 Gen 8 gaming PC to your cart and finish the checkout process as soon as you can to make sure that you get it at 30% off. Source link #Grab #Lenovo #Legion #gaming Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Cries continue for Trump's Gaza plan to be scrapped Cries continue for Trump's Gaza plan to be scrapped *********** activists have taken to the streets to contest Donald Trump’s declaration the US will take over war-torn Gaza, with more weekend protests planned. Source link #Cries #continue #Trump039s #Gaza #plan #scrapped Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

League Devs Defend Removal of Free Hextech Chests League Devs Defend Removal of Free Hextech Chests Riot Games’ preview of the 2025 seasonal model for League of Legends was completely overshadowed by the unpopular decision to remove free Hextech Chests. In today’s update, the team defended the decision, but promised a number of changes to improve battle passes in the future. Riot Says the Removal of Free Hextech Chests is Necessary As part of the 2025 season one check-in, the League of Legends team acknowledged the choice to limit Hextech Chests to just the store. For years, players were able to earn and open these chests for free, providing a way for free-to-play players to play and earn cosmetics. But earlier this year, Riot said they were doing away with free Hextech Chests, moving them to the store and forcing players to purchase them. These changes, coupled with other unpopular changes to progression, nearly caused a revolt in the player base. Many League of Legends players threatened to boycott the game altogether. In their update today, the devs admitted that free Hextech Chests became the “primary way” for players to unlock skins, leading to a decline in purchasing skins. As a free-to-play game, League of Legends is reliant on players buying skins, and the devs insist that it’s not about increasing profits, but rather long-term sustainability. The League of Legends team knows that these changes are unpopular, and want to remedy the removal of free Hextech Chests with improved battle pass rewards. Future battle pass skins will have more “distinct visual effects,” and unlocking a battle pass skin will also unlock the champion it’s for if the player doesn’t already own it. Battle pass missions that require players to play with purchased skins are also being removed entirely. Some of the harder battle pass missions are also being removed or reworked. Battle pass XP from Teamfight Tactics is also being doubled. Is the removal free of Hextech Chests going to get you to buy more skins in League of Legends? Let us know down below, and join more discussions in the official Insider Gaming forums. For more Insider Gaming, check out the official start time for the Nintendo Switch 2 direct and read about the current plans for Apex Legends from EA. And don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter! SUBSCRIBE to our newsletter to receive the latest news and exclusive leaks every week! No Spam. Source link #League #Devs #Defend #Removal #Free #Hextech #Chests Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Leaked RTX 5080 laptop GPU benchmarks show a 20% performance gain in Time Spy Leaked RTX 5080 laptop GPU benchmarks show a 20% performance gain in Time Spy Leaked benchmarks suggest Nvidia’s upcoming RTX 5080 laptop GPU for high-end gaming laptops scores 20% higher than the RTX 4080 laptop GPU in 3DMark’s Time Spy benchmark. Over at Bilibili, user Peak player DFWJ shared an alleged screenshot of the RTX 5080 mobile in 3DMark, likely paired with the latest processors from either Intel or AMD. Since we’re unaware of the laptop’s thermals and the GPU’s TGP (Total Graphics Power), it’s best to approach this test skeptically. At CES, alongside its desktop counterpart, Nvidia introduced Blackwell for laptops, scaling from the RTX 5070 laptop GPU for students and casual gamers to the RTX 5090 laptop GPU for enthusiasts. Expect to pay a pretty penny for these laptops since preliminary listings demand as much as $4,199. The RTX 5080 laptop GPU packs 7,680 CUDA cores or 60 SMs with 16GB of GDDR7 memory over a 256-bit interface, up from 12GB on its predecessor. Laptop manufacturers can configure this GPU from 80W to 150W, contingent on their machine’s cooling abilities. We’ve gathered the publicly available results of the RTX 4080 laptop GPU and RTX 4090 laptop GPU from 3DMark’s online score explorer for comparison. To reiterate, we’re unaware of the TGP or exact laptop model used for this test, so it is impossible to make a direct comparison. Swipe to scroll horizontally GPU CUDA Cores Time Spy Score vs RTX 5080 Laptop GPU RTX 5080 Laptop GPU 7,680 21,948 100.00% RTX 4090 Laptop GPU 9,728 20,406 92.97% RTX 4080 Laptop GPU 7,424 18,271 83.25% With that in mind, the RTX 5080 laptop GPU scores 21,948 points, landing it 20% faster than the average RTX 4080 laptop GPU result at 18,271 points. Moreover, this also puts the RTX 5080 mobile somewhat higher than the RTX 4090 mobile, at least in this benchmark. These results are not guaranteed to reflect real-world performance, so it is best not to read too much into them. Retail availability of RTX 50-equipped gaming laptops is expected by March or April. Let’s hope Nvidia and AIBs will be able to meet demand, unlike the chaotic desktop launch, which was marred by supply constraints. We have our doubts since the RTX 5090 mobile and RTX 5080 mobile employ the same GB203 chip used on the RTX 5080 desktop. Each wafer used for consumer-grade RTX 50 chips means fewer Blackwell B100/B200 GPUs for data centers, the same market segment that accounts for almost 90% of Nvidia’s total revenue. However, the impact might not be as pronounced since demand for high-end gaming laptops is relatively lower than for standalone desktop GPUs. Get Tom’s Hardware’s best news and in-depth reviews, straight to your inbox. Source link #Leaked #RTX #laptop #GPU #benchmarks #show #performance #gain #Time #Spy Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Rival School Mariachi Groups Join Forces for Impromptu Performance at Burger Joint Rival School Mariachi Groups Join Forces for Impromptu Performance at Burger Joint Patrons and staff at a fast-food restaurant in Refugio, Texas, were treated to an impromptu performance from two rival school mariachi groups when they both stopped there to eat after taking part in a regional competition. This footage was captured by music teacher Erin Ruth Lara, who said that after participating in a University Interscholastic League competition, students in the Klein Collins High School mariachi group stopped off at a Whataburger, where they unexpectedly ran into their counterparts from Sam Houston High School. “The meeting up of both mariachis was unplanned, and when we told the students to go grab their instruments, the rest became history,” Lara told Storyful. 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. This footage shows the bands performing the mariachi standard El Son de la ****** at a Whataburger. Credit: Erin Ruth Lara via Storyful Video Transcript De mis pesares Chica de mis pesares Otro otro papel volando y digas Cuando a mi por mi aqu **** pozo de tierra que mi cuando me trata a m aqu **** su reboso que Source link #Rival #School #Mariachi #Groups #Join #Forces #Impromptu #Performance #Burger #Joint Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Daytona USA 2 is finally getting a home port in new Yakuza game Daytona USA 2 is finally getting a home port in new Yakuza game Richard Bailey Jr. of The Koalition writes: Thanks to great titles like Dynasty Warriors: Origins and Sniper Elite: Resistance, January was a solid month for video game releases. This month will turn everything up a notch as several heavy-hitter releases are expected to keep us busy. Monster Hunter Wilds leads the charge and will be joined by several other notable highlights. Here’s our list of 6 upcoming games worth checking out this month. Source link #Daytona #USA #finally #home #port #Yakuza #game Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Self-healing networks: The next evolution in network management Self-healing networks: The next evolution in network management While artificial intelligence (AI) poses many risks for networks of all sizes, it also highlights the pitfalls of traditional network management in addressing real-time demands and unanticipated challenges – not to mention risks such as static configurations, manual interventions and reactive troubleshooting have become liabilities in the era of rapid technological advancement. Self-healing networks represent a seismic shift in the paradigm, offering a solution that promises to boost security and make teams more efficient. But how exactly do they make this possible? In this article, we dissect the promise of uptime and reliability, and discuss how self-healing networks redefine the role of IT operations in digital transformation. Unpacking the concept of self-healing networks Usually, network issues entail downtime until human intervention determines the cause and internal processes are altered. Of course, this results in lost time and money. On the other hand, self-healing networks are engineered to detect, diagnose and resolve issues autonomously, often before they are even apparent to users or administrators. This proactive approach is underpinned by large language models (LLMs) and proactive systems that gather analytics, analyse them and act on them. As a result, this empowers the network to anticipate disruptions, execute corrective actions and continuously optimise its performance. Key components of self-healing networks The best way to describe self-healing networks would be to view them as combat medics – if they get injured, they’re capable of patching themselves up, right? Certainly. Moreover, a self-healing network is composed of distributed communication protocols. But what makes them able to self-diagnose without affecting uptime? It hinges on: Real-time monitoring: Constant surveillance of traffic patterns, resource utilisation and device health. This lets monitoring systems determine the desired state of things, enabling them to immediately spring to action once there’s a deviation from usual metrics. Predictive analytics: Using historical data and ML to forecast potential failures and pre-emptively address them. The self-healing network can adjust itself during times of higher traffic or if an anomaly has been detected in similar networks elsewhere. Automated recovery: In addition, these networks can take steps autonomously, such as dynamic rerouting, load balancing and isolating compromised nodes to maintain service integrity. Continuous learning: Once an incident occurs, self-healing networks analyse it and store it in its database. Any “lessons” are added to protocols, reinforcing feedback loops that refine the system’s response, enabling it to adapt to new threats and conditions. Strategic advantages of self-healing networks It’s clear that self-healing networks are suffering from the same issues as other new tech – price and complexity. Nevertheless, organisations are opting for it due to: Always-on infrastructure In industries where downtime translates directly to lost revenue or compromised safety, self-healing networks are a game-changer. With automated recovery processes, they eliminate delays associated with human intervention. Think of HIPAA server hosting environments, for example, which can benefit from these capabilities by mitigating risks of overloading and ensuring seamless application delivery. Otherwise, patient data leaks and other issues might be left unmitigated. Strengthened security posture Whether it’s due to the proliferation of AI or the decentralisation of hacking collectives, network security is no longer a static discipline. Threats evolve dynamically, often exploiting fleeting vulnerabilities. For this purpose, self-healing networks enhance security by detecting anomalies, isolating potential breaches and patching vulnerabilities on the fly. This is particularly useful for Wi-Fi security, which is often the target of attacks. Instead of being left to its devices, any Wi-Fi network becomes significantly more robust with autonomous monitoring and response systems. Operational efficiency and cost savings Traditional network management is resource-intensive, requiring constant attention from skilled personnel. Not to mention, incidents result in downtime and teams focusing on rectifying the situation instead of improving security altogether. Due to their ability to offload routine tasks to automated systems, self-healing networks free up IT teams to focus on strategic initiatives. The cost savings in terms of reduced downtime, minimised hardware failures and streamlined operations are substantial. According to some estimates, this particular application of AI can reduce costs by up to 40%. This amount is bound to increase with scaling up. Real world use cases for self-healing networks While every organisation or service provider can benefit from self-healing networks, there are three main applications for this innovation: Large-scale enterprises For multinational corporations, managing a sprawling network across continents is a Herculean task. Self-healing networks simplify this complexity by ensuring uniform policies, consistent performance and real-time adaptability. When integrating resource-heavy solutions like high-definition camera systems, these networks can dynamically allocate bandwidth and storage, maintaining operational efficiency without compromising performance. Likewise, suppose a particular part of the network is under attack. In that case, the AI model in charge of decision-making can pull the plug on irrelevant aspects of the system until the issue is resolved. Smart cities and IoT ecosystems The rise of smart cities has introduced unprecedented levels of connectivity, for better or worse. Traffic management systems, environmental sensors and public safety networks all depend on uninterrupted communication for the city to function normally. Self-healing networks ensure that disruptions are localised and resolved without cascading failures, allowing cities to operate smoothly even under peak load conditions. Nevertheless, there is still the issue of certain purposes requiring additional security. What if someone hacks into a smart city network and gains access to a residential camera system? If it can be done to water treatment facilities, less “essential” systems will also be prone to breaches. Healthcare systems In 2024, there were more than 600 reported attacks on healthcare companies in the United States alone. This is no surprise, given the healthcare sector’s reliance on digital networks for patient records, diagnostics and insurance claims. At the same time, the proliferation of telemedicine makes reliability paramount. In this context, self-healing networks guarantee uninterrupted access to critical systems, safeguarding patient outcomes and reducing the administrative burden on IT departments. Enabling technologies: The backbone of self-healing networks Artificial intelligence AI and machine learning (ML) are foundational to the adaptability of self-healing networks. Algorithms analyse terabytes of data to predict failures, identify inefficiencies and recommend or execute optimal solutions in real time. Let’s take a small e-commerce site as an example. If its self-healing network has more than 10 years of data indicating there are more attacks on Christmas Eve, the network can automatically adjust to anticipate breach attempts. Software-defined networking (SDN) SDN separates the network’s control plane from its data plane, enabling centralised management. Likewise, it’s particularly valuable for dynamic resource allocation, as it can automatically adjust bandwidth, reroute traffic and scale resources based on demand. This centralised control improves network visibility, enhances security by enforcing policies in real time and streamlines operations through automation. Edge computing and decentralisation Self-healing networks enhance the efficacy of local processing by extending intelligence to the edge, enabling real-time monitoring, detection and automatic resolution of network issues without relying on centralised systems. This localised decision-making reduces latency, minimises downtime and ensures continuous operation. In industrial automation, where machinery and sensors must operate with precise timing, any network disruption can halt production and lead to costly downtime. Self-healing networks can quickly identify faults, reroute traffic or isolate malfunctioning components to maintain smooth operations. Similarly, in remote surveillance systems, uninterrupted connectivity is critical for security. Edge-based self-healing capabilities ensure continuous video streaming and rapid fault correction, preventing gaps in monitoring. Automation frameworks Automation underpins the efficiency of self-healing networks. From orchestrating recovery processes to deploying software updates, automation reduces the margin for error and accelerates response times. What’s truly interesting, however, is that the network itself can become a part of a wider automation workflow. In the beginning, this can be something basic, such as increasing allocated bandwidth at certain times. Later on, an advanced application of a self-healing network can have the underlying AI mitigate breaches, generate reports and notify team members via email or Slack. Challenges and barriers to adoption Deploying self-healing networks requires significant investment in both infrastructure and talent. Organisations must also navigate the complexities of integrating new technologies with legacy systems. Likewise, despite their potential, self-healing networks demand a level of trust that many organisations are hesitant to extend. This means small businesses will be the last to feel the benefits – not to mention that concerns about over-reliance on automation and potential failure scenarios remain barriers. Where do we go from here, then? Well, it’s on the organisations themselves to weigh the benefits against the apartment downsides. Ultimately, we must collectively find the right balance. Conclusion From ensuring reliable Wi-Fi security in enterprise environments to optimising server hosting performance under heavy loads, self-healing networks are subtly transforming every aspect of connectivity. Their integration into critical systems, such as urban camera surveillance networks, underscores their growing indispensability. Furthermore, the promise of self-healing networks lies not just in their technical sophistication, but in their ability to redefine network management paradigms. If we properly apply and maintain these networks, we can achieve a level of resilience and agility that was once thought impossible. Source link #Selfhealing #networks #evolution #network #management Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

White House blames Biden for jobs data, touts Trump plan White House blames Biden for jobs data, touts Trump plan President Donald Trump’s new Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt is interviewed by FOX News on her first full day of work at the White House on January 21, 2025 in Washington, DC. Tuesday marks the first full day of Trump’s second term in the White House. Chip Somodevilla | Getty Images The White House on Friday sought to blame former President Joe Biden for lower-than-expected U.S. job gains in January, using the new numbers to argue that President Donald Trump has inherited an ailing economy and temper expectations about inflation. The Labor Department’s latest monthly nonfarm payrolls report, which spanned the end of the Biden era and the start of Trump’s second term in office, showed a mixed picture. While nonfarm payrolls rose by 143,000 in January — below Dow Jones’ forecast of 169,000 — the unemployment rate ticked down to 4%. And although jobs numbers for the 12-month ******* ending March 2024 were revised sharply downward, the number of people reported as being at work soared. Payroll figures for November and December were both revised upward, as well. But the White House quickly framed the report as a dud borne of Biden’s policies. “Today’s jobs report reveals the Biden economy was far worse than anyone thought, and underscores the necessity of President Trump’s pro-growth policies,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement Friday morning. National Economic Council director Kevin Hassett added at the White House, “The truth is that we’re inheriting a very difficult jobs market because of Joe Biden’s terrible policies.” Hassett emphasized that the new report made downward revisions to past months’ job figures, asserting that those revelations will influence the trajectory of economic indicators, including the inflation rate. “I think the big news for us is that it was a weak jobs number and the downward revisions, which we’ve seen a pattern of over the last few years, were really, really stunningly bad,” Hassett said. “When you’re thinking about what this does to markets and to inflation and so on, be mindful of the fact that we just had the biggest downward revision for the American jobs record that we’ve had since 2009,” he said. Read more CNBC politics coverage This is developing news. Please check back for updates. — CNBC’s Jeff Cox contributed to this report. Source link #White #House #blames #Biden #jobs #data #touts #Trump #plan Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Plane Crashes Into Street in Brazil Shortly After Takeoff Plane Crashes Into Street in Brazil Shortly After Takeoff Two people were killed and six were injured by a plane ****** in the middle of the street in São Paolo. Source link #Plane #Crashes #Street #Brazil #Shortly #Takeoff Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Doom Anthology Is Over 50% Off For PlayStation And Nintendo Switch Doom Anthology Is Over 50% Off For PlayStation And Nintendo Switch With Doom: The Dark Ages releasing May 15, now’s a great time to replay the series. If you’re looking to do just that, you may want to check out the deals on last year’s Doom Anthology for PlayStation and Nintendo Switch. Doom Anthology released in October for $80, but you can snag it for over 50% off at Woot and Amazon. Doom Anthology Deals Over at Amazon-owned retailer Woot, you can get Doom Anthology for only $35 (was $80) for PS5/PS4 or Nintendo Switch. Amazon also has Doom Anthology for PlayStation for $41.69–though some shoppers are eligible for an extra 10% off that drops the price to $37.52. Doom Anthology includes digital copies of six Doom games, including Doom (2016) and Doom Eternal, alongside a BFG replica collectible and steelbook case. Doom Anthology is sold out for Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and PC at Amazon. $35 (was $80) for PlayStation or Nintendo Switch The BFG replica is probably the most exciting inclusion in Doom Anthology for longtime fans. The iconic gun has been recreated as a five-inch collectible with LED lights and a display stand. The steelbook case is rather plain compared to the eye-catching box art typically featured in Doom releases. Some fans may appreciate the understated look of the case, but most probably won’t be pleased about the case not actually including a disc or cartridge. This collection is entirely digital, so you’ll have to find something else to store inside it. Doom Anthology comes with a voucher that can be redeemed on Steam, PlayStation Store, Xbox Store, or Nintendo Switch eShop. Doom Anthology comes with the following six games: Doom (1993) Doom II Doom 64 Doom 3 Doom (2016) Doom Eternal Deluxe Edition Since it’s a digital-only collection, the PlayStation edition is for PS5 and PS4, and the Xbox version has Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One versions. Even though Microsoft owns id Software’s parent company ZeniMax Media, the PC version includes a Steam key, not a Microsoft Store key. Doom (2016) and Doom Eternal are awesome first-person shooters that all fans of the genre should play, especially since Doom: The Dark Ages releases in a few short months. But the older Doom games are definitely worth your time in 2025, too. Doom (1993) and Doom II were rereleased the same day Doom Anthology was revealed. Existing owners, including those who buy this collection, can upgrade for free. These enhanced editions can be played in 4K resolution at 120fps on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. They also feature a bevy of extra content, including a brand-new Doom II campaign episode, 26 new multiplayer maps, and more. Plus, both games now have cross-play for deathmatch and missions. The pair now boast 43 deathmatch maps and a staggering 187 mission maps. If you’re looking forward to the next entry in the Doom franchise, check out GameSpot’s Doom: The Dark Ages preorder guide for details on bonuses and editions. PC players can save on Steam key preorders at GameSpot’s sister site Fanatical. Source link #Doom #Anthology #PlayStation #Nintendo #Switch Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

The RTX 5080 might prove its worth on upcoming gaming laptops The RTX 5080 might prove its worth on upcoming gaming laptops With only a month to go before Nvidia’s new RTX 50-series equipped laptops go on *****, recent leaks have provided an early look at the performance of the RTX 5080 laptop GPU. According to a 3DMark Time Spy listing on Bilibili, the GPU seemingly offers a notable uplift in synthetic benchmarks compared to its predecessor, the RTX 4080. The RTX 5080 scored 21,948 points in the 3DMark Time Spy graphics test, surpassing the RTX 4080’s average score of 17,601 points (as pointed out by Notebookcheck)—a 24% performance increase. Considering that the desktop variant of the RTX 5080 is about 10-15% more powerful than the desktop RTX 4080, the laptop variant seems to offer a considerably better uplift. At least, from what the early benchmark suggests. It also puts the RTX 5080 laptop in the same league as the RTX 4090 laptop. Bilibili A month back, there was a similar leaked benchmark from Geekbench OpenCL, revealing the RTX 5080 laptop GPU’s performance in a 175-watt configuration on an Alienware Area-51 laptop. The results showed the RTX 5080 surpassing the 190,000-point mark, significantly outperforming its predecessor, which scored around 160,000 points. Notably, even the RTX 4090 Laptop GPU—which typically averages 180,000 points—fell behind, though higher scores can be achieved in laptops with superior cooling solutions. It is important to note that real-world performance will depend on factors like power limits, cooling solutions, and OEM-specific laptop configurations. While synthetic benchmarks provide a useful reference, gaming benchmarks and professional workload tests will ultimately determine the RTX 5080’s true impact on the gaming laptop market. Get your weekly teardown of the tech behind PC gaming The RTX 5080 will be available on laptops in March along with the RTX 5090, RTX 5070 Ti, and the RTX 5070. The GPU will feature 7680 CUDA cores, with a TGP range of 80-150W (+25W overhead), and 16GB GDDR7 VRAM similar to its desktop counterpart. As per Nvidia, expect laptops with an RTX 5080 to launch at a starting price of $2,199. Source link #RTX #prove #worth #upcoming #gaming #laptops Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

What is DOGE? Here’s what to know about Elon Musk’s latest cost-cutting efforts. What is DOGE? Here’s what to know about Elon Musk’s latest cost-cutting efforts. The White House’s Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, was created by President Trump on Jan. 20 with a mission to slash federal spending. Since then, the task force led by billionaire Elon Musk says it has saved more than $1 billion by canceling diversity, equity and inclusion contracts, among other expenses, according to DOGE’s social media account. But since kicking into gear on Jan. 20, DOGE has also prompted several lawsuits and raised alarms from Democratic lawmakers and consumer advocates after it gained access to the Treasury Department’s payment system, which stores personal data for most Americans. Supporters of DOGE see its efforts as a way to rein in bloated federal spending at a time when the nation’s outlays are outpacing its tax revenue, causing the federal debt to spiral to an all-time high of $36 trillion. Mr. Trump has said he wants to cut programs that don’t align with his policies and to slash the federal workforce. “@DOGE is trying to STOP your tax dollars from being stolen for WASTE and FRAUD,” Musk posted on X, his social media app, on Feb. 4. Critics of the task force say that Musk, who runs companies including SpaceX that receive billions in government contracts, could be engaged in work through DOGE that may pose conflicts of interest with his private businesses, such as potentially gaining access to data about competitors’ federal contracts. A Feb. 3 lawsuit filed by two unions and an advocacy group for older Americans alleges that the Treasury Department has unlawfully provided Musk and DOGE with the private personal data of most U.S. taxpayers. Here’s what to know about DOGE’s operations and its role within the Trump administration. What is DOGE? The acronym DOGE is a nod to Musk’s support for a cryptocurrency called dogecoin, which was created as a joke in 2021 by two software engineers and uses the image of a smiling Shiba Inu dog. (Dogecoin, whose price can be volatile, has shed about one-third of its value since Mr. Trump’s Jan. 20 inauguration.) When Mr. Trump launched DOGE through an executive order last month, he housed it within the executive branch, rather than creating it as an outside advisory committee. The order said that an existing White House office called the U.S. Digital Service — a unit that primarily works on government technology projects and that exists within the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) — would be renamed the U.S. DOGE Service. The executive order also noted that a DOGE team of at least four employees, which could include special government employees, would be assigned to each agency, such as the Department of Labor or the Treasury Department. Those groups were to each include one team leader, one engineer, one human resources specialist and one attorney. Those teams are tasked with “a software modernization initiative to improve the quality and efficiency of government-wide software, network infrastructure, and information technology (IT) systems,” according to Mr. Trump’s order. The teams would also to advise the agencies “on implementing the President’s DOGE Agenda,” the executive order states. Setting DOGE up within an existing tech-focused unit within OMB is “quite interesting,” said Robert Burton, a former OMB official who spoke recently at a webinar about DOGE hosted by George Mason University. “This works perfectly for DOGE’s services — it’s really the same type of mission, bringing in these really smart people from the private sector” to work on government tech, Burton said. Is Elon Musk a government employee? Musk is classified as a “special government employee,” Leavitt said on Feb. 3. A special government employee, or SGE, is someone “who works, or is expected to work, for the government for 130 days or less in a 365-day *******,” according to the Department of Justice. The role, created in 1962 as a way to enable the government to tap outside expertise, can be either paid or unpaid. Because Musk — who is ranked as the world’s wealthiest person, with a fortune Bloomberg estimates at more than $400 billion — is not paid for his work as an SGE, he doesn’t need to file a public financial disclosure report. What has DOGE done so far? According to social media posts from DOGE and Musk, the task force is seeking to identify federal contracts and spending on issues that don’t align with Mr. Trump’s policies, including DEI and foreign aid. “DOGE has now saved taxpayers over $1 billion in crazy DEI contracts,” Musk wrote on Jan. 30. Musk wrote in a November opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal that he and his then DOGE co-partner Vivek Ramaswamy aimed to cut $500 billion in annual federal spending. That would represent about 7% of the federal government’s $6.7 trillion in annual expenditures. Experts warn that deep spending cuts could prove problematic, given that about two-thirds of government spending is directed toward Social Security, Medicare, national defense and Medicaid. While on the campaign trail before the 2024 presidential election, Mr. Trump vowed to protect Social Security and Medicare, which provide retirement and health benefits for millions of senior citizens. What is DOGE doing at the Treasury? DOGE recently sparked an outcry from some taxpayers, Democratic lawmakers and government watchdogs after it gained access to the Treasury Department’s payment system, which is handled by a little-known unit called the Bureau of the Fiscal Service. The Bureau of the Fiscal Service disburses trillions in payments each year, including Social Security checks, tax refunds and federal salaries. In pointing to some ways it is saving taxpayer money, DOGE has said in social media posts that it has nixed DEI contracts at the Treasury, as well as canceled the agency’s subscriptions to the New York Times. DOGE’s access to sensitive financial data has raised concerns about the potential for errors, with Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a Democrat from Massachusetts, writing in a Feb. 2 letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent that providing DOGE with access to the systems is “risking missteps that could result in a global financial meltdown that costs trillions of dollars and millions of jobs.” Others have flagged data security risks tied to DOGE’s access to taxpayers’ personal information, such as bank account data and Social Security numbers. “The scale of the intrusion into individuals’ privacy is massive and unprecedented,” the Feb. 3 lawsuit from the unions claimed. “Secretary Bessent’s action granting DOGE-affiliated individuals full, continuous and ongoing access to that information for an unspecified ******* of time means that retirees, taxpayers, federal employees, companies and other individuals from all walks of life have no assurance that their information will receive the protection that federal law affords.” Musk “has abided by all federal laws,” White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said on Feb. 3. What is DOGE doing with USAID? Mr. Trump and Musk have also taken aim at the U.S. Agency for International Development, or USAID, upending an organization that provides humanitarian aid to more than 100 countries. Both men contend that much of the 60-year-old agency’s spending is wasteful. Supporters of the agency say USAID is essential for national security, countering influence from U.S. rivals, while also providing critical humanitarian assistance across the globe. Fact-checking USAID spending as Trump administration guts agency 05:35 Officials working with DOGE sought access to the Treasury’s payment system to stop money from flowing to USAID, the Associated Press reported, citing to two people familiar with the matter. In a Feb. 4 letter to lawmakers, Treasury officials said DOGE’s technical capacity is limited to viewing payments data, while federal expenditures have not been affected. What is DOGE doing with Social Security? DOGE said in a Feb. 5 post on social media that the Social Security Administration had “terminated its contract for the ‘Gender X initiative marker’ and removed all references to gender ideology from public facing applications.” The task force said the effort would save about $1 million. A potentially larger issue is DOGE’s access to the Treasury Department’s payment system because it processes the Social Security payments for more than 70 million people and contains the Social Security numbers of most Americans. Musk and his team “now have access to the personal information of every Social Security beneficiary — and the ability to stop payments for any federal programs they dislike,” Max Richtman, CEO of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, an advocacy group for the programs, said on Feb. 3. The Treasury says DOGE has been given “read only” access to its payment system. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Aimee Picchi Aimee Picchi is the associate managing editor for CBS MoneyWatch, where she covers business and personal finance. She previously worked at Bloomberg News and has written for national news outlets including USA Today and Consumer Reports. Source link #DOGE #Heres #Elon #Musks #latest #costcutting #efforts Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Here’s where the jobs are for January 2025 — in one chart Here’s where the jobs are for January 2025 — in one chart Health care was a bright spot once again for the U.S. economy in January, even as overall job growth showed signs of slowing. Data on job growth in different areas of the economy from the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed health care and social assistance as the leading category, adding 66,000 jobs. Retail trade and government were also strong, adding more than 30,000 jobs apiece. The gains in health care were broadly in line with the growth rates from 2024. The jump in retail jobs was more surprising, as that sector showed “little net change” last year, according to the bureau. There were some pockets of weakness, with professional and business services losing 11,000 jobs. Employment in leisure and hospitality, one of the biggest areas of job growth after the Covid pandemic, also shrank slightly. Overall, the net job growth of 143,000 was well below the upwardly revised growth of 307,000 in December. However, the unemployment rate fell and wage growth was strong, pointing to a solid and steady job market despite the lower headline number. Looking at January, “what we see is a labor market that’s basically operating at full employment. And so I think the real question going forward is: Can we sustain full employment?” University of Michigan professor and former Department of Labor chief economist Betsey Stevenson said Friday on “Squawk Box.” Source link #Heres #jobs #January #chart Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

How Jimmy Butler-Heat relationship devolved to where a trade was the only solution How Jimmy Butler-Heat relationship devolved to where a trade was the only solution Two of the toughest, most obstinate, most my-way-or-the-highway personalities in the NBA were face to face early last month. It was one last chance to see if there was a way to resolve a feud tearing the Miami Heat apart. Longtime team president Pat Riley and disgruntled star Jimmy Butler, having spent so many months in a back-and-forth battle that led to Butler’s trade demand and multiple suspensions from the Heat, met on Jan. 7 to see if there was any chance of an 11th-hour reconciliation. It had been more than five years since they joined forces near South Beach, with Butler leaving Philadelphia in the summer of 2019 and leading the way in two Finals runs before the decline began. Now, their relationship was on the brink. According to multiple league sources with knowledge of the meeting, tears welled in Riley’s eyes as he attempted to connect with Butler on a human level. Both men had lost their fathers, and Riley’s famed toughness faded in the moment as he thought about Butler mourning his father’s death last season. But Riley’s vulnerability did not land with Butler. The player viewed Riley’s behavior as “unhinged,” a league source close to Butler said. Butler left the meeting more convinced than ever that he needed a new basketball home. Team sources close to Riley say he promptly sent word that the meeting did not go well and was more motivated than ever to oblige. With that, any hope of an accord between the progenitor of Heat Culture and its modern torch-bearer floated off into Biscayne Bay. In the weeks that have followed, the visceral emotions of that meeting were replaced by stone-cold business: a matter-of-fact sitdown between Butler and Heat owner Micky Arison on Jan. 16, a missed flight by Butler, and a letter delivered to him “via Email and Federal Express” on Jan. 23 that detailed what the Heat viewed as sustained insubordination and unacceptable defiance. The letter, a copy of which was obtained by The Athletic, warned Butler that any future misconduct “will result in further discipline up to and including the maximum discipline permitted.” It was signed, “Sincerely, Patrick J. Riley.” Four days later, Butler walked out of practice early after being told that he would no longer be in the starting group for a team that has been hovering around .500 all season. That brought a third suspension, this one termed indefinite, as the Heat continued to look for a trade for the six-time All-Star. As frustrated as the Heat were with Butler, the same went for Butler with the Heat. The franchise saw a player who put his own interests above the team, a cardinal sin in the Church of Riley. The Heat’s exasperation ran so deep that they changed course after Riley initially proclaimed in a Dec. 26 statement that they would not be trading Butler. Butler saw an organization that did not give him the contract extension he felt he deserved after carrying two under-talented teams to NBA Finals appearances. He also believed the Heat failed on several opportunities to add more talent around him while conference rivals like Boston, Cleveland and New York loaded up. Almost four weeks after that fateful meeting with Riley, a day before Thursday’s NBA trade deadline, Butler was sent to the Golden State Warriors. Moments after the deal was consummated, Butler agreed to terms on a two-year, $112 million contract extension that runs through the 2026-27 season. GO DEEPER Inside the Warriors’ pivot toward a Jimmy Butler trade: ‘He win? I win? That’s the fit’ To little surprise, Riley and Butler both stuck to their guns in the end. Maybe a partnership with this much pride was always destined to end this way. This is an inside look at Butler’s last days in Miami. Riley and Butler were once very close, with Riley loving the toughness and work ethic that Butler brought to the table and Butler appreciating Riley’s no-nonsense leadership style and slicked-back Miami swagger. But as is typically the case in professional sports, the root cause of the divide was money. Even with the two NBA Finals appearances (2020 and 2023) and another East finals appearance (2022) in Butler’s five seasons with Miami, the Heat never gave him the lucrative contract extension he believed he deserved. The first public signs of tension came in May when Butler, who was injured and did not play in the 4-1 first-round playoff series loss to Boston, appeared in an impromptu social media interview and said that the Heat would have beaten the Celtics and any other challengers if he had been healthy. “If you’re not on the court playing … you should keep your mouth shut,” Riley said in response in a news conference. In June, Butler reportedly told the Heat he would not be signing a contract extension. The Heat, Riley said publicly, had to think hard about an extension because Butler had missed 40 regular-season games over the two previous seasons. Butler began pushing for a trade to the Phoenix Suns, a preferred destination thanks to the presence of stars Kevin Durant and Devin Booker and Suns owner Mat Ishbia’s believed willingness to give him the extension he was seeking. But as the situation dragged on, league sources said Butler started to care less about where he was traded than getting out of Miami altogether. After months of exchanging barbs in news conferences, cheeky posts on social media and allusions to a desire to play elsewhere, Butler and Riley met in person on the afternoon of Jan. 7 to establish some ground rules for how this messy situation would proceed. What followed, according to sources on both sides, was instead an emotional, two-hour sit-down that left Butler bewildered by his 79-year-old boss’ behavior and Riley at a loss for how to reach the mercurial 35-year-old star. From Butler’s vantage point, Riley was “unhinged and disturbing,” as a league source close to him described it. More specifically, Butler told those close to him that the longtime team president referenced Butler’s recently deceased father several times during the meeting, offered “unsolicited and unwanted” parenting advice and even shed tears before ending the meeting by telling Butler he loved him. As Riley sees it, according to team sources with knowledge of his thinking, he remained calm during the sitdown and let Butler guide their discussion. But when Riley raised the topic of Butler’s late father, whose death on Feb. 8, 2024, was first revealed on an episode of the Netflix series “Starting 5” in mid-October, he became emotional. Riley’s father, Leon, a longtime minor-league baseball player who logged four games for the Philadelphia Phillies in 1944, died at age 64 in 1970. Riley was 25. Sadly, he and Butler had this much — if not much else at this point — still in common. “It struck a chord,” one team source said. Hence, the tears. (Regarding the claim that Riley offered parenting advice to Butler, who has three children, team sources insisted that it was not the case.) By the time the meeting was over, league sources said Butler had doubts about the Heat’s ability to execute a trade. He also had misgivings about the franchise’s capacity to build a winning roster around him after missing out on several high-profile trade and free-agent targets, including Damian Lillard. Jimmy Butler and Pat Riley once enjoyed a very warm relationship before tensions built toward an inevitable trade. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images) Shortly after the meeting, sources close to the player said Riley called Butler’s agent, Bernie Lee, and told him of his plans to lift Butler’s suspension and have him rejoin the team. Yet approximately 90 minutes later, Riley informed Lee that he had been overruled by Arison. Butler, Riley told Lee, wasn’t allowed to return to the team until the longtime owner was able to meet with him in person. There was a problem with that plan, though: Arison was on vacation until Jan. 16. The two sides discussed the logistics with Riley proposing that Butler could pay his way to meet Arison on his trip if he wanted to expedite the process. Butler’s camp was perplexed that — considering he was already losing approximately $500,000 per game — such a suggestion would even be made. Team sources refute that Riley offered to lift the suspension after the meeting. That idea, the sources said, was discussed heading into the sitdown between Riley and Butler and came with one significant caveat: Their meeting had to go well first. “The meeting didn’t go well enough,” one team source explained. When the Heat determined after the meeting that Butler wasn’t ready to return, team sources said, the choice was made to see the suspension through. “It wasn’t as necessary to meet quickly with Micky,” one team source said. Three days later, Butler — a coffee enthusiast who built his own company in 2020 — posted a video of a conversation with one of his employees that was widely seen as a not-so-subtle shot at Riley. “See, I gave you a compliment. That’s what bosses do, they build you up they don’t break you down.” – Jimmy Butler to his employee (h/t @lifer_305 ) pic.twitter.com/6k5Ite1sVb — NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) January 10, 2025 Six days after that, it was finally time to meet with ownership. When Arison returned from vacation, he and his son, Heat CEO Nick Arison, met with Butler on Jan. 16. That meeting was much less emotionally charged in Butler’s eyes, according to a person with knowledge of his thinking. Butler reiterated to the Arisons his reasons for wanting to be traded and the Arisons responded by making one specific request — that Butler avoid discussing the situation with the media and give only a response of “No comment” when reporters inquired. The Heat hosted the Denver Nuggets the next night, and Butler obliged Arison by declining to comment on his situation when asked after the game. Tensions would soon pick up again, however, by the time the Heat were heading from Miami to Milwaukee on Jan. 22. Butler was nearly a week into his return from the first suspension. He had dramatically rejoined the team, with Lee releasing a statement on his X account that was a modern-day replica of Michael Jordan’s more-celebrated announcement that he was ending his retirement in 1995: “I’m back.” He played in three home games, but this comeback would be short-lived. Butler missed the team’s Jan. 22 flight to Milwaukee, sparking yet another suspension. Yet again, as has so often been the case in this conflict, the two sides would tell drastically different tales regarding the details of the disagreement. While the notion of players flying separately from the team is extremely rare in the NBA, league and team sources say Butler had been allowed to do so as needed so long as he received permission from head coach Erik Spoelstra. It’s unclear how often Butler flew separately from the team, but that was the arrangement they’d had throughout the entirety of his time with the Heat. Butler also routinely did not ride the team bus to practices or games on the road, using a ride share instead that the team paid for until this season, and even stayed separately from the team on road trips on occasion. According to sources close to Butler, this sudden change in policy was an example of Riley asserting his dominance over the star forward after being perfectly fine with an “alternate travel schedule.” According to Heat sources, the protocol for Butler’s unusual travel arrangements had been changed by Riley approximately two months before the missed flight. This relationship was already on the rocks at that point with discomfort rising and Riley deciding in mid-November that he, and not Spoelstra, would make the final decision whenever Butler asked to fly separately from the team. This adjustment, team sources say, had been communicated to Butler’s camp by Heat general manager Andy Elisburg. Jimmy Butler was displeased by a change to travel policy, according to those around him. Previously, Butler had been permitted to travel separately from the team so long as he received permission from head coach Erik Spoelstra. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images) Butler felt that many of the actions taken by the Heat, including the change to the travel policy, were intended to alienate him, according to a person with knowledge of his thinking. There had been multiple shifts from what he was typically allowed to do. One example is a change in the way Butler was permitted to rehab. On Nov. 8, Butler suffered a sprained ankle after logging just under seven minutes of playing time in a road game against the Nuggets. Following the game, his camp created a rehab plan with the hopes of getting the forward back on the court quickly. The intended plan, which was approved by Spoelstra, would’ve required Butler to bypass three road games to return to Miami, where the team’s facilities provided Butler with amenities he couldn’t get at hotels in smaller cities on the road, such as a ******* training facility and the team’s underwater treadmill. The morning after Butler sprained his ankle, he and his group were preparing to board a plane to return to Miami when Riley called to say that Butler would be suspended if he didn’t board the team’s flight to Detroit. Riley was told Spoelstra approved the plan, but sources close to Butler state that Riley said, “That’s not his call. This is above his pay grade.” Butler boarded the plane to Detroit. But as those around Butler saw it, his 10-day rehab would have been significantly shorter if he’d been allowed to return to Miami. So, as Butler saw the events of that Jan. 22 morning, according to sources, Lee called and texted Riley at approximately 10 a.m. local time to remind him of the arrangement between Butler and Spoelstra and to let him know that Butler would not be on the 2 p.m. flight. Riley responded, indicating that Butler was expected to be on the flight. But a source close to Butler says Spoelstra approved this latest request to fly separately, and assumed there had been a communication breakdown between the team’s president and its coach. So Butler, in turn, commenced with his plan to fly separately from the team. Team sources say Spoelstra did not approve Butler’s request. What’s more, they added, it wouldn’t have mattered if he did based on the policy change that had been communicated in mid-November. Team sources also assert that Riley and Elisburg both informed Lee that Butler was expected to be on the team plane. GO DEEPER Thompson: Warriors and Jimmy Butler a match made in mutual desperation The following day, a two-page letter on Miami Heat stationery was addressed to Butler and Lee, and also was sent to lawyers for the National Basketball Players Association. It laid out the Heat’s entire case for the second suspension, filled with legalese, including multiple references to team policies, the “Uniform Player Contract” and the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement that Riley and the Heat believe serves as the support for their position. It details Butler’s alleged “conduct detrimental to the team,” from his missed team flight on Jan. 22 to several other examples of misconduct both on and off the floor. Riley wrote in the letter that Butler threatened to skip practices, not listen to Spoelstra and make his return “uncomfortable and refuse to stand in team huddles and otherwise distance yourself from the team.” He added that he failed “to give best efforts during recent games” and was “combative and argumentative during recent meetings with me and the Arisons.” “This suspension is further based on the facts that (i) team executives and coaching staff have discussed your behavior with you and your agent on numerous prior occasions, and (ii) you have been previously disciplined by the team for certain of your actions, but you subsequently failed to conform your conduct to standards appropriately required by the Miami Heat, the Handbook, the UPC and the CBA,” the letter stated. When Butler returned to the team for shootaround on the morning of Jan. 27 before the Heat hosted the Orlando Magic, he took part in approximately half the practice session before Spoelstra gathered the team at center court to discuss the team’s new starting lineup. Butler, Spoelstra announced, would be coming off the bench and the starting small forward spot would go to Haywood Highsmith, a fifth-year player who found a role after spending two seasons out of the NBA entirely. Initially, Butler thought Spoelstra was joking, sources close to the player said. The head coach did not alert him to the change before telling the team, which is common practice with a move so significant. Butler left the court without shooting free throws, customary for Heat players after shootaround, and felt like the decision to not start him was “meant to provoke him,” a person who spoke to Butler told The Athletic. Spoelstra did not offer Butler an explanation for the change, and Butler was informed about three hours later that he was being suspended again. When the Heat announced the suspension on their official X account, the explanation for his punishment included a reference to him “walking out of practice earlier today.” GO DEEPER Hollinger: What Jimmy Butler trade really symbolizes is missed opportunity By this point, Spoelstra hadn’t publicly spoken Butler’s name in roughly three weeks and ceased yielding to questions about the banned baller, direct, veiled or otherwise. After Butler walked out of the morning shootaround, the Heat responded that night with a 125-119 double-overtime victory over the Magic. The latest turn in the drama between Butler and the Heat left team leaders like Tyler Herro, who was three days away from earning his first NBA All-Star selection, to answer questions from the media about how Miami was preparing for its latest stint without Butler. If anything, that was just the latest example of the Heat learning to live life without Butler ahead of his desired departure. Much of the situation was beyond the control of anyone outside of Miami’s upper management. If Butler returned to the team, he could’ve bolstered the team’s ambitions of one more deep playoff run before an uncertain summer ensued. Had Butler stayed away as issues with the Heat were hashed out, he could’ve gauged how to handle the next chapter in his basketball journey, but it would’ve only dissolved more time as the inevitable neared. In either case, his Heat teammates and coaches were accustomed to navigating NBA waters with him on the sideline as Riley, Arison and the Heat front office assessed how to end one of the most successful chapters in franchise history. “My brother, man. I’m gonna miss him for sure,” third-year Heat forward Nikola Jović said after Butler was traded on Wednesday. “He’s someone who did a lot for this franchise. … I’m sad and happy at the same moment. I’m sad we’re not going to see him anymore, but I’m really happy he got what he wanted. That bag is really big.” The love that once existed between Butler and the Heat is long gone. Butler is on his way to the Bay Area, about as far as geographically possible away from the team he both galvanized and tormented. The stubborn player and the uncompromising organization pushed each other to great heights. In the end, they pushed each other away. (Top photo illustration: Dan Goldfarb / The Athletic; Elsa, Eric Espada/NBAE / Getty Images) Source link #Jimmy #ButlerHeat #relationship #devolved #trade #solution Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Podcast: State of Play is on the way Podcast: State of Play is on the way The latest episode of VGC: The Video Game Podcast is now available. This week, Jordan, Chris, and Andy discuss the rumours of an upcoming State of Play, the Football Manager’s cancellation, and more. Plus, Chris gives more of his thoughts on WWE 2K25. If you enjoy this podcast, you can get more podcasts, videos, and more from VGC on Patreon. You can find out more at Patreon.com/VideoGamesChronicle. VGC: The Video Games Podcast episodes are available weekly, hosted by VGC’s Jordan Middler, Chris Scullion and Andy Robinson, and broadcaster Pete Donaldson, featuring regular special guests from across the games industry. You can subscribe to VGC: A Video Games Podcast now on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon Music and more. Source link #Podcast #State #Play Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

This Raspberry Pi slim cyberdeck uses two Raspberry Pis This Raspberry Pi slim cyberdeck uses two Raspberry Pis There’s only one thing better than a Raspberry Pi project, and that’s a Raspberry Pi project with double the help of Pi. We’ve got an incredible Pi-powered cyberdeck build to share with you today, and this one does not have one but two Pis powering the operation. John3dc, known over at Reddit, has put together a cool handheld cyberdeck rig with a small form factor that uses both a Raspberry Pi Zero and a Raspberry Pi Pico. Tons of cyberdecks do all sorts of different things. It’s typically up to the maker to determine what they need from the setup that impacts the final design. In this case, John3dc intended this slim cyberdeck to be a handy device for IT professionals. With it, you can access devices using SSH or manage servers. You can also tinker with programming and use Linux tools on the go. It has USB port access on the side, which means you can add sensors for data retrieval, whether it be humidity, temperature, etc. The main board powering the unit is a Raspberry Pi Zero. This makes sense given its small form factor and tendency to use less power, which is much more efficient for a portable system. The Pi Zero is connected to a screen with a Rii X1 mini keyboard for input. All of the hardware is housed inside a custom 3D-printed shell. Image 1 of 3 (Image credit: John3dc) (Image credit: John3dc) (Image credit: John3dc) The keyboard might sound simple enough, but this is where the Raspberry Pi Pico comes in. The Rii X1 mini keyboard has been modified using the Pico to allow for custom key mapping. According to John3dc, the Pico also doubles as a UART bridge for the Raspberry Pi Zero. As far as software goes, you’re limited only by your imagination. You can’t go wrong with Raspberry Pi OS, but there’s no reason it couldn’t run something like Kali Linux for a little ethical hacking on the go. In the project thread, John3dc confirmed that he’s using this Sharp DRM driver over at GitHub to get the LCD panel to work. If you want to get a closer look at this Raspberry Pi project, head over to the official project thread shared on Reddit, where you’ll find additional details and some more pictures showing off the interior of the build. Get Tom’s Hardware’s best news and in-depth reviews, straight to your inbox. Source link #Raspberry #slim #cyberdeck #Raspberry #Pis Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Three Super Bowl Titles, Two Podcasts and One Explosive Interview Three Super Bowl Titles, Two Podcasts and One Explosive Interview Shannon Sharpe won three Super Bowls in a Hall of Fame career and once recorded 214 receiving yards in a game, the most ever by a National Football League tight end. Another crowning achievement came long after he was outmuscling bulky defenders, when he convinced a 5-foot-5 comedian to open up while sipping cognac on a brown leather sofa. When that comedian and actor, Katt Williams, aired his grievances against prominent ****** celebrities, including Sean Combs and Kevin Hart, it instantly turned Sharpe’s podcast “Club Shay Shay” into a must-stop destination in Hollywood and beyond. In the months after the episode aired in January 2024, Sharpe secured interviews with the rapper Megan Thee Stallion and the Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris. “‘Club Shay Shay’ has become the modern-day talk show,” said Lillian Xu, a top audio executive for Vox Media, which produces a handful of rival series. Sharpe has cut through in a saturated podcast ecosystem where Alex Cooper and the Kelce brothers command nine-figure contracts. In addition to “Club Shay Shay,” Sharpe makes twice-weekly appearances on “First Take,” ESPN’s popular morning debate show, and hosts a secondary podcast, “Nightcap,” with the former N.F.L. receiver Chad Johnson. Before a live taping of a “Nightcap” episode in New Orleans this week ahead of the Super Bowl, Sharpe exercised his vocal cords in a backstage greenroom as a makeup artist prepared to pat his face. Moments later, his voice, laced with a country-twang accent, soared throughout an auditorium. The friends debated N.F.L. award winners, Johnson’s relationship issues and other topics. The explosive episode with Williams on “Club Shay Shay” has been viewed more than 88 million times, setting a YouTube interview record. But Sharpe said he wanted to be recognized beyond his role as Williams’s questioner. “Michael Jackson is more than ‘Thriller,’ and that’s what I told the team: ‘This was our “Thriller” album,’” Sharpe said in an interview. “Let’s just continue to have these conversations. Hopefully people want to come and tell their story and it will speak for itself.” It is common for retired athletes to enter the news media, where they can share strategic insights and amusing stories gathered on practice fields and team flights. Ed McCaffrey, who played with Sharpe on the Denver Broncos, said that Sharpe would tactfully tease teammates for their wardrobe choices and that his jokes would keep the mood light. “The same guy that was in the locker room, the same guy that was on the bus, the same guy that was engaging in conversation with his teammates is just doing that now publicly,” said McCaffrey, who is now a SiriusXM radio host. Sharpe began his entertainment career in the television world but has developed a fondness for podcasting because of the freedom it affords. He is not bound by time constraints and can dictate his show’s direction. Interviews on “Club Shay Shay” often last more than an hour, and before the cameras roll he asks his guests if there are any subject areas he should avoid. “I’m not trying to do investigative reporting,” Sharpe said. “If I get them comfortable enough and they see that I’m not there to judge them, they’ll open up.” He added: “If you want hard hitting, you need to go to ‘60 Minutes,’ go to ‘Dateline.’” In 14 seasons with the Broncos and the Baltimore Ravens, Sharpe bullied defenders for contested catches and outran them in the open field. He retired after the 2003 season and spent about a decade as a football analyst at CBS Sports before helping to start a Fox Sports debate show, “Undisputed,” with Skip Bayless, who courted Sharpe to be his banter partner. One Monday morning in 2017, Sharpe arrived at the show’s Los Angeles studio with a celebratory cigar in his mouth. The Broncos had won the day before, and the Dallas Cowboys, Bayless’s favorite team, had lost. The moment was celebrated online, where people began calling Sharpe “Unc” (short for uncle) and Photoshopped his face into various memes. C.J. Dear, a former Fox producer, helped Sharpe lean into the joke on his social media accounts. The “Unc” character would also pop up on air sporadically — sometimes drinking liquor at 4 a.m. Pacific time, other times wearing a goat mask. “Whenever an audience naturally gravitates to something, you have to continue to capitalize on it, and I think he always did it in a playful way,” Dear said. “We built up this persona he developed on television and it gave him a solid foundation.” Fox had negotiated podcast responsibilities into Sharpe’s contract but did not enforce them until 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic. Unfamiliar with the medium or its power players beyond Joe Rogan, Sharpe turned to Dear, who said Sharpe should reach into his personal contacts to book guests. Sharpe’s first interviewee on “Club Shay Shay” was his brother, the former N.F.L. receiver Sterling Sharpe. The boxer Floyd Mayweather and the rapper Ice Cube soon followed. When Sharpe departed Fox in June 2023 amid a fractured relationship with Bayless and the network, he retained the rights to “Club Shay Shay,” which he owned. Stephen A. Smith, the brash ESPN commentator, recruited him for a trial run on “First Take,” and Sharpe went on to sign a long-term contract last year. Although the spotlight on ESPN shows is large, “Club Shay Shay” is the place where Sharpe can fully be himself. His on-camera rapport with high-profile entertainers has produced wide-ranging tell-alls from people like the actor Mo’****** (who said Tyler Perry started rumors about her), the singer John Legend and the comedian Steve Harvey. Sharpe normally allows the guests to pontificate during lengthy answers without interrupting them. Many episodes exceed one million views. “You get the most eyes on the conversation for whatever you want to talk about,” said **** Joe, the New York rapper, who appeared on “Club Shay Shay” in October. “It’s all about what message you’re trying to get across, and he lets you do that.” Some recent “Club Shay Shay” guests, including the actor Keke Palmer and the streamer Kai Cenat, have teased him about an incident in September when Sharpe accidentally broadcast an intimate moment on his Instagram. After first claiming he was hacked, Sharpe acknowledged the gaffe on “Nightcap” and said he had embarrassingly called Robert A. Iger, the chief executive of Disney, and ESPN brass to apologize. Sharpe’s breakthrough interview with Williams required a chance encounter with the comedian’s new executive assistant. Williams had been elusive for more than a year, but the wait was well worth it. Before divulging personal grudges about ****** Hollywood, Williams said he had agreed to come on “Club Shay Shay” because Sharpe “made a safe space for the truth to be told.” During the episode, Williams outlined his hesitations toward partying with Combs, who now faces federal sex trafficking charges. He questioned Hart’s comedic pedigree. And he joked about the circumstances of the arrest of the actor Jonathan Majors. As it does with every episode, the podcast’s social media staff sliced Williams’s juiciest responses into clips to post on Instagram and other platforms. Dear said he wanted to produce at least 30 clips from each interview. “The consistency and volume is what’s going to bring people back to watch the full episode,” Dear said. “We truly are students of the numbers.” Sharpe said more advertisers approached the show after Williams’s episode. YouTube officially partnered with Sharpe and allotted support staff to grow his podcast business. “It spoke to his ability to deliver a big audience,” said Angela Courtin, a vice president at YouTube overseeing its sports marketing division. She said the blitz of engagement outpaced the reach of most linear television. “If you know how the platform works and you’re already connecting with audiences, it’s a no-brainer.” Those who noticed included presidential candidates. In the closing weeks of her failed campaign, Harris appeared on “Club Shay Shay” as part of her outreach to ****** voters. Sharpe said that he “would have loved” to host Donald J. Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, as well, but that possibility did not move beyond exploratory conversations with his campaign. If Sharpe enters the political fray in 2028, he said, he wants to interview the candidates from both major parties. “Unless you have both, people will assume that that’s the candidate you want to win and that’s the party that you’re affiliated with,” Sharpe said. “When you interview an athlete, people don’t automatically assume that I’m rooting for them.” Source link #Super #Bowl #Titles #Podcasts #Explosive #Interview Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Trump And Musk's Federal Buyout Offer Extended—Over 40,000 Workers Accept: What To Know – Forbes Trump And Musk's Federal Buyout Offer Extended—Over 40,000 Workers Accept: What To Know – Forbes Trump And Musk’s Federal Buyout Offer Extended—Over 40,000 Workers Accept: What To Know ForbesHow Trump and Musk have shaken the federal workforce CNNAs Trump wages war against the federal bureaucracy, some workers fight back The Washington PostVOTE: Do you support President Trump’s federal worker buyout plan? KOMO News Source link #Trump #Musk039s #Federal #Buyout #Offer #ExtendedOver #Workers #Accept #Forbes Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Interpreter Ippei Mizuhara sentenced to almost five years for defrauding Shohei Ohtani Interpreter Ippei Mizuhara sentenced to almost five years for defrauding Shohei Ohtani ​​SANTA ANA, Calif. — A federal judge sentenced Ippei Mizuhara, the former interpreter convicted of defrauding Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani, to 57 months in prison at a sentencing hearing inside Orange County Superior Court on Thursday. Mizuhara sat silently, and had no visible reaction as Judge John W. Holcomb read the sentence, which included three years of supervised release and a restitution of more than $18 million to Ohtani and the Internal Revenue Service. The sentence was exactly what the government had requested in a pre-sentencing filing. Mizuhara had requested an 18-month sentence after pleading guilty in June to bank fraud and filing a false tax return. Holcomb stated that the reasoning for the sentence was, in part, due to Mizuhara’s pre-sentencing letter to the court, which Holcomb said was “filled with misrepresentations and omissions.” “I give it no credit,” Holcomb said of Mizuhara’s letter. Mizuhara also spoke briefly at the sentencing, apologizing to Ohtani, his family, the Dodgers and the United States government. He told the judge “I beg your mercy, and I promise I will make the most of it.” Mizuhara declined comment following Thursday’s hearing. He has to report to the to-be-determined prison by noon on March 24. He requested to be incarcerated in Southern California. Mizuhara, 40, did not have any friends or relatives present, though several wrote letters on his behalf to the judge. Ohtani filed a victim impact statement with the court under seal. Victims have the right to file their statements in such a manner to avoid them becoming public. He was not present at the hearing. Holcomb’s sentence brings a conclusion to an 11-month ordeal that rocked the baseball universe at the start of the 2024 season. Mizuhara had worked alongside Ohtani for more than a decade, dating back to Ohtani’s playing days with the Nippon-Ham Fighters in 2013. He served as his interpreter, personal assistant, home run derby catcher, and close friend. Their professional relationship came to an end in March, when the Dodgers fired Mizuhara following accusations of theft surrounding the longtime Ohtani confidant. The Dodgers were in South Korea, facing the Padres to open the season. Mizuhara initially stated to the Dodgers, and in interviews, that Ohtani had loaned him money to repay gambling debts. That story quickly unraveled, and prosecutors formally alleged weeks later that Mizuhara bet hundreds of millions of dollars with an ******** bookmaker and stole money to pay the bookie. Mizuhara, they said, accessed one of Ohtani’s bank accounts to pay off a betting debt that reached more than $40.6 million. In audio first obtained by The Athletic in January, through the Department of Justice, Mizuhara called the bank, impersonating Ohtani in the hopes of wiring $200,000 from his account. He made numerous such calls, and also created fake email addresses pretending to be Ohtani. In a pre-sentencing letter to the judge, Mizuhara claimed to be “severely underpaid” and overworked by Ohtani, who relied on him for daily errands throughout much of the calendar year. Mizuhara also said he had developed a gambling addiction. “Although I had always told myself that I would win it all back, as it became clear to me this was an impossibility, I think I just shut down,” Mizuhara wrote in the Jan. 23 letter. “But that did not stop me from placing more bets. I felt really antsy and anxious if I did not have an active bet. I felt pressure to stay in the game.” Mizuhara and Ohtani shared many a podium together; the Seoul Series would mark the end of that relationship. (JUNG YEON-JE / AFP via Getty Images) Holcomb pressed Mizuhara and his attorney, Michael Freedman on the claims. The judge was specifically curious about Mizuhara’s omissions that Ohtani paid for the interpreter’s rent, tipped him regularly in five-figure amounts, gave him a Porsche, and paid for he and his wife to fly around the world. The judge also agreed with prosecutors, who had noted that Mizuhara made no attempt to pay Ohtani back, and continually pocketed winnings, while stealing from Ohtani to cover losses. As such, he rejected Mizuhara’s claim that he was living “paycheck to paycheck” given that he always had money in his bank account. Freedman, Mizuhara’s attorney, acknowledged that part of Mizuhara’s letter was “poorly worded.” While prosecutors and Freedman said that Mizuhara took full responsibility for his actions, Holcomb disagreed with Freedman’s assertion that his client immediately “fessed up.” He pointed to the initial ESPN article that broke this scandal, in which Mizuhara claimed Ohtani was aware of Mizuhara’s gambling addiction and helped pay off the debt. “Why is he not giving me the full picture,” Holcomb asked? Holcomb also took issue with Freedman’s argument that the significant amount stolen shouldn’t be considered a factor in sentencing, given the unique nature of the case and its victim. His argument was that Mizuhara was given a significant line of credit from bookmaker Matthew Bowyer because of his connection to Ohtani. Ultimately, the amount of money stolen did play a factor in Holcomb’s sentence. Prosecutor Jeff Mitchell continued to push back against Mizuhara’s letter as well, reiterating in court that he provided excuses for his conduct, rather than genuinely feeling bad for his crimes. “Instead of showing true remorse,” the government said in a Jan. 30 filing, “defendant appears to try to justify stealing millions of dollars from Mr. Ohtani.” Both Freedman and prosecutors believe that Mizuhara will be deported back to his home country of Japan. He is a legal permanent resident of the United States, and grew up in Southern California, but is not a citizen. Committing a felony could be grounds for deportation, though that likely won’t be resolved until he finishes his prison sentence. “The sentence, both the prison time and restitution reflect the seriousness of the offense, and sends a strong message to others who might decide to engage in this sort of conduct,” said acting U.S. Attorney Joseph T. McNally outside the courthouse following the hearing. “This case is a high-profile version of something that happens all the time. An unscrupulous person takes advantage of the trust placed in them.” (Photo of Mizuhara leaving court Thursday: FREDERIC J. BROWN / AFP via Getty Images) Source link #Interpreter #Ippei #Mizuhara #sentenced #years #defrauding #Shohei #Ohtani Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]