Take-Two Interactive Reconfirms GTA 6 Will Launch in Fall 2025
Take-Two Interactive Reconfirms GTA 6 Will Launch in Fall 2025
Rockstar Games has once again reconfirmed that Grand Theft Auto 6 will launch in 2025, despite the lack of a new trailer.
The announcement was made during Take-Two Interactive’s quarterly earnings for Q3 2025.
“Looking ahead, this calendar year is shaping up to be one of the strongest ever for Take-Two, as we plan to launch…Grand Theft Auto VI in the Fall,” it read.
The news may come somewhat as a surprise to some readers, as online discourse for the past few months has led most to believe that the game will undoubtedly be delayed due to the lack of updates.
At the time of writing, GTA 6 has not received its second trailer, with the first being released in December 2023. From trailer one to trailer 2, it’s now the longest time between trailers seen for a Rockstar Games titles.
That being said, Rockstar Games and take-Two Interactive seemingly are in no rush as the games reveal trailer broke several YouTube records, including, Most Viewed Video Game Reveal on YouTube in 24 Hours,’ ‘Most Viewed YouTube Video in 24 Hours,’ and ‘Most Liked Video Game Trailer on YouTube in 24 Hours’.
In short, Take-Two Interactive and Rockstar Games are confidence that no matter when the next GTA 6 trailer releases, it’s going to do big numbers and with a staked lineup for Take-Two releases this year, they might be thinking that focusing the spotlight on other games for the time being makes the most sense.
Are you looking forward to GTA 6? And do you think it will actually release in 2025?
Let us know down below, and join more discussions in the official Insider Gaming forums.
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Elon Musk U.S. airspace reform plan spurs conflict-of-interest fears
Elon Musk U.S. airspace reform plan spurs conflict-of-interest fears
Elon Musk walks on Capitol Hill on the day of a meeting with Senate Republican Leader-elect John Thune (R-SD), in Washington, U.S. December 5, 2024.
Benoit Tessier | Reuters
Elon Musk’s involvement in the Trump administration’s airspace reform plan has quickly spurred calls to bar the Tesla and SpaceX leader from those efforts over his alleged conflicts of interest.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Wednesday he spoke with Musk — who also leads President Donald Trump’s government-shrinking group DOGE — in the wake of a deadly plane ****** above Washington, D.C., last week.
“We’re going to remake our airspace, and we’re going to do it quickly,” Duffy said after praising Musk as a “pretty remarkable guy” with “access to the best technological people, the best engineers in the world.”
Duffy later Wednesday wrote on Musk’s social media site X that DOGE is “going to plug in to help upgrade our aviation system.”
Musk replied, “With the support of President @realDonaldTrump, the @DOGE team will aim to make rapid safety upgrades to the air traffic control system.”
But Sen. Maria Cantwell, the top Democrat on the committee that oversees air traffic control, said that Musk should not be allowed anywhere near those reform efforts.
“It’s a clear conflict of interest,” Cantwell told reporters Thursday.
The senator from Washington state said Musk has been “fined for violations.” She was referencing the Federal Aviation Administration proposing $633,000 in civil penalties against SpaceX last year over the company’s alleged failures to follow licensing rules during two rocket launches in 2023.
Musk had responded to that proposed fine by threatening to sue the FAA for “regulatory overreach.” Days later, he publicly urged then-FAA chief Michael Whitaker to resign.
Cantwell said, “At a time when you need the FAA to call the shots and say, ‘Don’t launch now because there could be a conflict in the airspace,’ the last thing I want is that guy trying to control the airspace.”
Whitaker stepped down on Jan. 20, the day Trump took office, after running the agency for less than 15 months. The move left the FAA without a Senate-confirmed head for the first days of Trump’s second term, including the day when the American Airlines flight collided with an Army ****** Hawk helicopter in D.C.
Trump appointed Christopher Rocheleau as acting FAA commissioner one day after the ******, which left 67 people dead.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., sent Musk a letter last week questioning his role in Whitaker’s resignation.
In a letter shared later Thursday, Cantwell asked Duffy to “make sure that all conflicts of interest between the FAA and Elon Musk are removed.”
Cantwell wrote to Duffy that during their most recent conversation, “You did not discuss your intention to involve Elon Musk in the FAA’s safety systems or process.”
“It is a conflict of interest for someone whose company is regulated by the federal government to be involved in anything that affects his personal financial interest, his company or his competitors,” the senator wrote.
Cantwell also noted that Whitaker had been unanimously confirmed by the Senate.
Read more CNBC politics coverage
— CNBC’s Leslie Josephs contributed to this report.
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In their own words: What Trump said about Gaza and how top administration officials contradicted him – The Associated Press
In their own words: What Trump said about Gaza and how top administration officials contradicted him – The Associated Press
In their own words: What Trump said about Gaza and how top administration officials contradicted him The Associated PressTrump Digs In on Gaza Takeover and ************ Resettlement The New York TimesDon’t Blame Disillusioned Democratic Anti-war Voters for Trump’s Gaza Take-over Plan HaaretzThe End of ‘Palestine’ Tablet MagazineEgypt lobbies against Trump plan to empty Gaza of Palestinians as Israel makes preparations The Associated Press
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NYT Strands hints and answers for Friday, February 7 (game #341)
NYT Strands hints and answers for Friday, February 7 (game #341)
Looking for a different day?
A new NYT Strands puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing ‘today’s game’ while others are playing ‘yesterday’s’. If you’re looking for Thursday’s puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Thursday, February 6 (game #340).
Strands is the NYT’s latest word game after the likes of Wordle, Spelling Bee and Connections – and it’s great fun. It can be difficult, though, so read on for my Strands hints.
Want more word-based fun? Then check out my NYT Connections today and Quordle today pages for hints and answers for those games, and Marc’s Wordle today page for the original viral word game.
SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Strands today is below, so don’t read on if you don’t want to know the answers.
NYT Strands today (game #341) – hint #1 – today’s theme
What is the theme of today’s NYT Strands?
• Today’s NYT Strands theme is… A flair for fashion
NYT Strands today (game #341) – hint #2 – clue words
Play any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.
QUITE
THEN
*****
BLING
CLASS
DINE
NYT Strands today (game #341) – hint #3 – spangram
What is a hint for today’s spangram?
• Sewing add-ons
NYT Strands today (game #341) – hint #4 – spangram position
What are two sides of the board that today’s spangram touches?
First side: left, 4th row
Last side: right, 7th row
Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON’T WANT TO SEE THEM.
NYT Strands today (game #341) – the answers
(Image credit: New York Times)
The answers to today’s Strands, game #341, are…
EMBROIDERY
LACE
FRINGE
TASSEL
SEQUINS
SPANGRAM: CLOTHING ACCENTS
My rating: Moderate
My score: 1 hint
A lovely Strands today with a rare long word that I can actually spell – EMBROIDERY.
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Depending on your taste, all of the CLOTHING ACCENTS in today’s puzzle either power-up a garment to another level of glam or destroy a perfectly decent piece of clothing.
Personally, I’m all for pimping clothes and have spent many a happy hour with my daughters sewing and sticking sequins onto anything they wanted them added to – from hats to socks. And then many years afterwards, after dreams of becoming a mermaid have long faded, finding random sequins under furniture like finding pine needles in the month after Christmas.
How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.
Yesterday’s NYT Strands answers (Thursday, 6 February, game #340)
FRANK
WILL
DREW
MILES
CHASE
CHUCK
ROBIN
JIMMY
SPANGRAM: FIRST NAMES
What is NYT Strands?
Strands is the NYT’s new word game, following Wordle and Connections. It’s now out of beta so is a fully fledged member of the NYT’s games stable and can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.
I’ve got a full guide to how to play NYT Strands, complete with tips for solving it, so check that out if you’re struggling to beat it each day.
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New DNA Study Unveils Missing Link in Indo-European Language Origins
New DNA Study Unveils Missing Link in Indo-European Language Origins
Caucasus Mountains. Credit: flickr/ Kazimierz Popławski CC BY-NC 2.0
A groundbreaking study has uncovered new clues about the origins of Indo-European languages, identifying an ancestral group that played a crucial role in their spread.
In collaboration with Harvard University, researchers from the University of Vienna analyzed ancient DNA from 435 individuals across Eurasia, offering fresh insights into a long-standing historical mystery.
The study, published in Nature, suggests that a previously unidentified population from the Caucasus and Lower Volga (CLV) region may be the missing link connecting all Indo-European-speaking groups.
The findings challenge earlier assumptions and provide new evidence on how these languages, spoken by nearly half of the world’s population today, evolved from a common ancestor.
Tracing the roots of Indo-European languages
Indo-European languages, which include Germanic, Romance, Slavic, Indo-Iranian, and Celtic, all descend from an ancient language known as Proto-Indo-European (PIE). For over a century, historians and linguists have debated its origins, seeking to understand how it spread across vast regions of Europe and Asia.
Remontnoye burial (3766-3637 BCE) shows mixed Yamnaya and Maikop traits, with 40% Maikop-like ancestry. Credit: Natalia Shishlina
Earlier research pointed to the Yamnaya culture, a nomadic group from the Pontic-Caspian steppes north of the ****** and Caspian Seas, as a key driver of this expansion.
Around 3100 BCE, the Yamnaya migrated into both Europe and Central Asia, introducing what geneticists call “steppe ancestry” to human populations.
This migration event significantly shaped European genetic history, marking one of the largest population shifts in the last 5,000 years. However, the origins of the Yamnaya people themselves have remained unclear.
The new study reveals that the Yamnaya derived approximately 80% of their ancestry from the CLV population, an Eneolithic group that lived between 4500 and 3500 BCE in the steppes near the North Caucasus Mountains and the lower Volga River.
A missing link in the linguistic puzzle
One of the study’s most significant findings concerns the Anatolian branch of Indo-European languages, which includes Hittite.
Unlike other Indo-European languages, Hittite and its relatives did not show genetic ties to the Yamnaya, leading scholars to question their place in the broader language family.
Previous studies had failed to detect steppe ancestry among the Hittites, but the new research suggests that Anatolian languages descended from the CLV group rather than the Yamnaya.
Our papers, out today in @nature, show how ancient DNA from the Eneolithic and Bronze Age steppe points to a North Pontic origin of the Indo-European language family and a Caucasus-Lower Volga (CLV) origin of Indo-Anatolian (inclusive of the now extinct Anatolian languages). 1/ pic.twitter.com/qyqAJDmmgy
— Iosif Lazaridis (@iosif_lazaridis) February 5, 2025
DNA evidence from five individuals in Anatolia, dated before or during the Hittite era, confirmed traces of CLV ancestry, strengthening the link between this newly recognized population and early Indo-European languages.
“The CLV group, therefore, can be connected to all IE-speaking populations and is the best candidate for the population that spoke Indo-Anatolian, the ancestor of both Hittite and all later IE languages,” said Ron Pinhasi, a lead researcher from the University of Vienna.
Rewriting the history of language expansion
The findings suggest that the Indo-Anatolian language, which formed the foundation of both Hittite and later Indo-European languages, took root among CLV communities between 4400 and 4000 BCE.
This challenges earlier models that solely attributed the spread of Indo-European languages to Yamnaya migrations.
“The discovery of the CLV population as the missing link in the Indo-European story marks a turning point in the 200-years-old quest,” Pinhasi said.
The study’s results mark a turning point in the search for Indo-European origins, resolving key gaps in historical and linguistic research.
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Lower earners can see big refunds from these tax credits, expert says
Lower earners can see big refunds from these tax credits, expert says
D-keine | E+ | Getty Images
Many taxpayers qualify for credits worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars — even if you don’t have a federal filing requirement.
Generally, you must file a tax return with earnings over a certain threshold, depending on filing status. However, submitting your return can be beneficial, even when it’s not required, according to the IRS.
“I’ve seen five-figure refunds” for those claiming both the earned income tax credit, or EITC, and additional child tax credit, or ACTC, with two or more children, said Syracuse University law professor Robert Nassau, director of the school’s low-income tax clinic.
More from Personal Finance: ‘Where’s my refund?’ How to check the status of your federal tax refund Nearly 1 in 5 eligible taxpayers miss this ‘valuable credit,’ IRS says These child tax credit mistakes can halt your refund, experts say
Both tax credits are “refundable,” meaning filers can still get a refund, even without tax liability, which can be a “big deal,” Nassau said.
Sometimes, lower earners don’t owe taxes after subtracting the standard deduction and tax credits, like EITC and ACTC. Their income could be below the filing threshold, but they must submit a return to claim a refund.
Together, the EITC and ACTC are “often considered the largest financial event of a low-income family’s year,” said Elaine Maag, a senior fellow in the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center at the Urban Institute, who wrote about the tax credits this week.
Here’s a breakdown of how these tax credits work and who qualifies.
How the EITC works
Designed for low- to moderate-income workers, the earned income tax credit is worth up to $7,830 for eligible families with three or more children for 2024. The maximum credit for single or married workers ages 25 to 64 without kids is $632.
“The EITC starts phasing in at the first dollar of earnings,” Maag said.
You may be eligible for the EITC with “earned income,” or wages from work, of up to $59,899 for single filers and up to $66,819 for married couples filing jointly.
However, nearly 1 in 5 eligible taxpayers don’t claim the EITC because they don’t know about it or don’t realize their qualify, former IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel said in early January.
Who qualifies for the child tax credit
“After you earn $2,500 and you have children, you’re also eligible for a child tax credit,” Maag said.
The child tax credit is worth up to $2,000 per kid under age 17, and the refundable portion, known as the additional child tax credit, is up to $1,700 per child.
The tax break decreases once adjusted gross income exceeds $200,000 for single taxpayers or $400,000 for married couples filing jointly.
By law, the IRS can’t issue EITC or ACTC refunds before mid-February. You can check the status of your refund via the agency’s “Where’s My Refund?” tool or the IRS2Go app.
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TV chef Gino D’Acampo denies inappropriate behaviour claims
TV chef Gino D’Acampo denies inappropriate behaviour claims
Celebrity chef Gino D’Acampo has denied a number of allegations of inappropriate and intimidating behaviour on the set of his television programmes.
The claims came to light in an investigation published by ITV News, which said it had spoken to “dozens” of people who accused him of “unacceptable”, “distressing” and “horrendous” comments.
In a statement to ITV News via his legal team, D’Acampo “firmly denied” the “deeply upsetting” allegations.
BBC News has approached his representative for comment.
ITV News published a number of allegations from anonymous accusers who said they had worked with D’Acampo on TV productions. BBC News has not spoken to his accusers nor has it verified their claims.
They accused him of aggressive behaviour, using abusive language during outbursts on set and using sexualised language.
His behaviour allegedly left some production staff fearful and uncomfortable, ITV News reported.
In response, D’Acampo “firmly denied” the claims, which he said dated back over 10 years. He said he had “never been made aware of these matters previously”.
A statement continued: “I am a father, husband and have worked with well over 1,500 people on around 80 productions in my career, which I have been so proud of.
“I take such matters extremely seriously,” he said, adding that the suggestion that he acted in an improper way was “deeply upsetting”.
D’Acampo, 48, has been a regular on *** television since the early 2000s. He has primarily worked for ITV, including on a number of cooking and travel shows, as well as making appearances on other entertainment programmes.
The Italian-born chef and broadcaster has also made appearances on BBC programmes.
In a statement, ITV said production companies “have the primary responsibility for the duty of care of everyone they work with”.
The broadcaster said it had “strengthened” policies about what standards they expect from production companies it works with in the last five years.
A statement continued: “All of the concerns and complaints raised by those who have spoken to ITN [the producer of ITV News] describe behaviour which is inappropriate and unacceptable.
“Most of them were not reported to ITV at the time. Where issues have been raised with ITV action has been taken.”
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Quordle hints and answers for Friday, February 7 (game #1110)
Quordle hints and answers for Friday, February 7 (game #1110)
Looking for a different day?
A new Quordle puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing ‘today’s game’ while others are playing ‘yesterday’s’. If you’re looking for Thursday’s puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Thursday, February 6 (game #1109).
Quordle was one of the original Wordle alternatives and is still going strong now more than 1,100 games later. It offers a genuine challenge, though, so read on if you need some Quordle hints today – or scroll down further for the answers.
Enjoy playing word games? You can also check out my NYT Connections today and NYT Strands today pages for hints and answers for those puzzles, while Marc’s Wordle today column covers the original viral word game.
SPOILER WARNING: Information about Quordle today is below, so don’t read on if you don’t want to know the answers.
Quordle today (game #1110) – hint #1 – Vowels
How many different vowels are in Quordle today?
• The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 3*.
* Note that by vowel we mean the five standard vowels (A, E, I, O, U), not Y (which is sometimes counted as a vowel too).
Quordle today (game #1110) – hint #2 – repeated letters
Do any of today’s Quordle answers contain repeated letters?
• The number of Quordle answers containing a repeated letter today is 2.
Quordle today (game #1110) – hint #3 – uncommon letters
Do the letters Q, Z, X or J appear in Quordle today?
• No. None of Q, Z, X or J appear among today’s Quordle answers.
Quordle today (game #1110) – hint #4 – starting letters (1)
Do any of today’s Quordle puzzles start with the same letter?
• The number of today’s Quordle answers starting with the same letter is 2.
If you just want to know the answers at this stage, simply scroll down. If you’re not ready yet then here’s one more clue to make things a lot easier:
Quordle today (game #1110) – hint #5 – starting letters (2)
What letters do today’s Quordle answers start with?
• P
• A
• A
• C
Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON’T WANT TO SEE THEM.
Quordle today (game #1110) – the answers
(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)
The answers to today’s Quordle, game #1110, are…
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It could not have been closer for me today after I wobbled between two words – PETAL and AMONG – and got both wrong (although I got very close with Metal).
CORER gave me Quordle deja-vu, as it featured just over a month ago in the January 4th puzzle (a particularly tricky day that also included CRATE, QUASI and EXIST).
How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.
Daily Sequence today (game #1110) – the answers
(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)
The answers to today’s Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1110, are…
Quordle answers: The past 20
Quordle #1109, Thursday 6 February: MADAM, SCAMP, FAUNA, TRACK
Quordle #1108, Wednesday 5 February: SIXTH, VERVE, BLURB, CACTI
Quordle #1107, Tuesday 4 February: BIRTH, DRAWN, MILKY, JOIST
Quordle #1106, Monday 3 February: SLEET, TENSE, SEIZE, SCAMP
Quordle #1105, Sunday 2 February: LOUSY, PENNE, CHUMP, SALVE
Quordle #1104, Saturday 1 February: FACET, BLISS, FLUFF, FRANK
Quordle #1103, Friday 31 January: PARER, SYNOD, BRAWN, BANJO
Quordle #1102, Thursday 30 January: WEEDY, CHIRP, STALE, SUGAR
Quordle #1101, Wednesday 29 January: CROWN, SCENE, AGILE, CRANK
Quordle #1100, Tuesday 28 January: TOKEN, DAISY, INANE, PLIED
Quordle #1099, Monday 27 January: ANGEL, GLOBE, MAYOR, BRAVE
Quordle #1098, Sunday 26 January: WATER, ORBIT, BRIDE, TOUCH
Quordle #1097, Saturday 25 January: GIVER, GROOM, GUSTO, MAKER
Quordle #1096, Friday 24 January: GRIND, STOCK, SERVE, TOUCH
Quordle #1095, Thursday 23 January: RUGBY, SASSY, WORRY, BANAL
Quordle #1094, Wednesday 22 January: ******, TRUNK, WOOZY, EATEN
Quordle #1093, Tuesday 21 January: CHART, VIGOR, PRINT, SPAWN
Quordle #1092, Monday 20 January: SIXTY, THONG, TATTY, ROBIN
Quordle #1091, Sunday 19 January: WREST, RINSE, SCOUR, CANNY
Quordle #1090, Saturday 18 January: BLARE, ITCHY, BICEP, PIPER
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We Answer Your Very Specific Restaurant Questions
We Answer Your Very Specific Restaurant Questions
How are you doing? That’s a real question. I want answers at *****@*****.tld. And answers are just what I’ll be doling out this week, addressing the questions our lovely readers have sent over email or dropped in this form recently.
The most-asked question in our inbox
What good, low-key (but not cheap), and comfortable (not pretentious) restaurants would you recommend near Lincoln Center? Thanks for any suggestions you might care to make. – Miriam
I feel as if I’ve been training my whole adult life to answer this. My mom and I have systematically tried every restaurant within a few blocks of Lincoln Center, and Cafe Fiorello has long held the throne as our favorite. It’s directly across from the theaters, and has red leather banquettes, flirtatious-but-not-menacing Italian servers, delightfully jarring paintings by Mark Kostabi, and, surprisingly, not a bad bite of food to be found. There’s an excellent chicken Parm, pounded flat to the point of being comically large, tender short rib meatballs and al dente rigatoni alla vodka with guanciale.
Cafe Fiorello, 1900 Broadway (Lincoln Plaza)
Soup for you
A nice bowl of soup for lunch. Please let it be from scratch. Ramen and pho are great, but I can’t seem to find other options for the life of me. – Lisa
Nice bowl of soup? Nothing could be nicer than a lunch of white borscht at Karczma in Greenpoint. The traditional Polish soup gets its distinct sourness from fermented sourdough starter, which, on the first bite, is quickly mellowed by rich pieces of kielbasa. You can order it in a bread bowl for double yeastiness, and it’s served with a side of bacon-topped mashed potatoes for good measure.
I desperately need to know how this goes
Holiday season choices were made, and now a guy from my hometown is visiting the weekend of Valentine’s Day (not the actual day, can you imagine?). Looking for a sultry bar with low lighting, a corner to hide in, and solid mocktails to show this Californian suburbanite how we do things here. – Daisy
What in the Hallmark movie is going on here! I’m immediately so invested in this. My assumption is that you want to sit on the same side of a table, or maybe even closer on an upholstered love seat. This is a borderline corny suggestion, but I think it’ll be fun for a visitor: The Back Room on the Lower East Side is a full-commitment-to-the-bit Prohibition theme bar where they serve cocktails in teacups (including nonalcoholic takes on a Bee’s Knees and a paloma) and beers in paper bags. This is where Abbi’s jazz-singing alter-ego emerged on that episode of Broad City, if that means anything to you.
I’d also look into getting a reservation at Monsieur, a new Medieval-core ********* bar designed by the director Baz Luhrmann and his wife, the designer Catherine Martin. Every detail here has been mulled over, from the intricate wallpaper and abundant tchotchkes to the drippy taper candles on the tables. Plus, you don’t need to scour Yelp for a visual — just check Madonna’s Instagram.
The Back Room, 102 Norfolk Street (Delancey Street)
Monsieur, 86 East 4th Street (2nd Avenue)
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*********** Medical Association WA president Michael Page demands Labor release Margaret River Hospital plan
*********** Medical Association WA president Michael Page demands Labor release Margaret River Hospital plan
The *********** Medical Association has demanded the State Government release a seemingly shelved master plan for the expansion of Margaret River Hospital.
Wading into the political debate after Premier Roger Cook last month confirmed no election sweetener was coming to the local campus, AMA WA president Michael Page told the Times it was crucial Labor released the master plan.
Dr Page stopped short of calling on Labor to match Opposition funding commitments, saying the medical industry instead needed to assess the document and test whether it was adequate.
The top medico was in no doubt the region’s health needs demanded greater investment — not just for the sake of growing population and visitor numbers, but to ensure doctors could be retained.
“It is incumbent on the Government to provide the necessary resources that will facilitate regional health destinations as attractive destinations for WA doctors,” he said.
“An expanded and properly resourced Margaret River Hospital would alleviate the pressures on the region, while presenting an attractive prospect for many doctors who are also among the population that are increasingly considering a move to this highly desirable area of WA.
“Doctors currently employed at MRH enjoy their work and their hospital, but are working under constraints that would be alleviated with an appropriate upgrade and improvements to their conditions.”
Dr Page said the four-bed emergency department was unable to meet the demand from about 50 patients a day during the summer, resulting in bed shortages.
A State Government spokesperson declined to comment on demands to release the master plan.
“MRH continues to provide high-quality care to the local community,” the spokesperson said.
“We continue to monitor demand for public health services in the South West as part of usual forward-planning processes.
“We thank the hardworking staff for all the fantastic work they do.”
The Government response also noted the redevelopment of Bunbury Hospital, paid paramedics now working in Margaret River, the increased Patient Assisted Travel Scheme and the hospital’s “award-winning Midwifery Group Practice” in lieu of any comment on releasing the plan and associated business case.
The AMA WA chief said growth in retirees across the region meant the hospital also needed to cater to “complex presentations” and reduce the need for ******* patients and other sufferers to travel north.
“The hospital has a number of highly skilled practitioners,” Dr Page said.
“Without regular access to theatre where they can use and upgrade their skill sets, there is a danger of losing doctors to hospitals where those opportunities are more readily available.”
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AOC says she’s worth less than $500,000 after kickback claims — and seems to get kudos from Trump fans in response
AOC says she’s worth less than $500,000 after kickback claims — and seems to get kudos from Trump fans in response
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said her net worth was less than $500,000.
She said her only income is her congressional salary, and she doesn’t own a home or trade stocks.
Commenters on X reacted to her wealth with a mix of shock, judgment, and reluctant respect.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said she’s worth less than $500,000, prompting a mixture of disbelief, criticism, and begrudging respect from commenters on X.
The New York congresswoman, often called AOC, discussed her personal wealth after an X user claimed she was worth tens of millions as a result of taking kickbacks.
The Democratic lawmaker said that the user was “completely making things up” and that she didn’t trade individual stocks or earn any income apart from her congressional salary. “I don’t even own a house!” she said in a second response.
Ocasio-Cortez worked as a bartender and server before winning a seat in the House of Representatives, which she’s held since 2019. She earns the standard congressional salary of $174,000 a year.
Her financial disclosure form last year showed she had no more than $46,000 across her checking, savings, brokerage, and 401(k) accounts, and owed between $15,000 and $50,000 of student loans.
Forbes estimated Ocasio-Cortez’s net worth last year at about $125,000 with most of her wealth in a Thrift Savings Plan — a 401(k)-style investment vehicle for government employees that doesn’t have to be listed in financial disclosures.
Several X users said they disagreed with her progressive politics but appreciated her integrity.
@SpanglEdReAper, who has “GOD, GUNS AND TRUMP!” in their bio, wrote: “As much as I despise completely your political ideology and your methods, its true AOC is one of the few that is not taking kickbacks, or at least that we know of atm.”
Similarly, @starbw_eth wrote: “I am not a fan of your politics, but I do believe you are ethical and trustworthy when it comes to your own personal corruption stance. I wish more congressional officeholders followed that same standard.”
Meanwhile, others were surprised by the state of Ocasio-Cortez’s finances.
“How do you make 174k per year and your net worth is almost nothing?” user @raphaellimasp wrote.
@coldhealing wrote: “Not being worth $500k at age 35 with a salary of $174k is not the financial strategy that we want to encourage in Americans.”
“This is NOT a flex,” @GuyTalksFinance wrote. “Someone get AOC a book on personal finance and budgeting.”
Restoring a little faith
Thomas Roulet, a professor of organizational sociology and leadership at the University of Cambridge, told Business Insider in an email it was “reassuring” to see apparent critics of Ocasio-Cortez give her kudos for coming across as “morally and ethically consistent.”
The reaction also speaks to the social-media-fueled polarization in politics where “everything triggers an outrage and there is no middle ground,” and “politicians and leaders are either deeply hated or deeply revered,” he said.
In Roulet’s view, authenticity can feed polarization because “if you are true to yourself it makes you even more at odds with those who dislike you, but it connects you with your supporters.”
Ocasio-Cortez, a vocal critic of corporate influence and corruption in politics, has previously posted on X about setting people straight regarding her finances.
In October 2022, she recalled someone asking her how she was worth $29 million and her replying: “Sir, I wish. My financial disclosures are public. I still owe ~$18k in student loans.”
“I don’t own nor trade individual stocks, accept no corporate money to my campaign, & live solely off my congressional salary (which requires us to pay for 2 rents out of pocket),” she continued in a second post. “All of this is publicly disclosed info. I save in a Thrift Savings Plan just like other fed workers.”
Accusations of political corruption, many of them demonstrably false, have surged in recent days as Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency has made government fraud and waste a hot topic online.
Rep. Ocasio-Cortez didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment from ***.
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Panama’s president denies making a deal that US warships can transit the canal for free – The Associated Press
Panama’s president denies making a deal that US warships can transit the canal for free – The Associated Press
Panama’s president denies making a deal that US warships can transit the canal for free The Associated Press‘Based on a falsehood’: Panama president denies US claim on canal fees Al Jazeera EnglishPanama’s leader rejects State Department claim of deal for U.S. warships to traverse Panama Canal for free CBS NewsPanama denies State Dept claim that it is eliminating fees for US gov vessels using canal Fox News
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The US-China Tariff War Can Destroy PlayStation But Sony May Already Have a Genius Solution
The US-China Tariff War Can Destroy PlayStation But Sony May Already Have a Genius Solution
To say that the US tariff war has been quite disruptive would be an understatement. President Trump’s policies are set to change things forever in America – for better or worse, and the video game industry might be caught in the crossfire.
In particular, hardware sales for video games consoles and PC parts might be affected quite negatively, as hikes on overseas manufacturing facilities begin to take place. All in all, it is quite a negative, and puzzling outlook, but partners such as Sony and Nintendo might already have ways to counter it.
Sony could simply shift production elsewhere to work around Trump’s tariff war against China
Trump declares a tariff war on China | Image Credit: YouTube/Donald J Trump
For the uninitiated, President Trump recently announced a series of hikes to tariffs imposed upon China, and other nations such as Canada and Mexico. In particular, China is set to receive a 10% tariff, which is being directed as a way to get more companies on board with the idea of manufacturing directly on US soil.
Naturally, this also affects all manner of electronic devices – including video game consoles. After all, most of the manufacturing is done in China, and this abrupt disruption will only result in both an increased price and artificial demand for these units. The initiative is particularly ham-fisted, and it might be a while till we see prices normalize for good, if ever.
Interestingly, Nintendo was also hit by Trump’s trade war against China (back in his first term as President) during which they opted to find a way to divert 50% of its Switch production to Vietnam instead. This let Nintendo sell units in the US without major issues.
Sony will likely have to switch up its production facilities | Image Credit: PlayStation
Sony could also likely follow suit – assuming these tariffs do stay in place. A simple solution would be to shift production facilities elsewhere, and thereby ‘bypass’ the regulation. Vietnam and Malaysia remain great centers for production, and Sony could very easily direct their efforts into these locations.
Obviously, this would all change if Trump enforces an international tariff law (which would thereby extend to these countries as well), but that move seems quite unlikely. Either way, do not expect Sony to make these changes for the PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 5 Pro anytime soon – these consoles are already in production.
The PS6 and beyond could see some radical changes in this regard though, as Sony (and other players) are not likely to withdraw from the US market.
Expect consoles (and games) to get pricier soon
Video game media could get very expensive, very soon | Image Credit: Naughty Dog
With the tariff war showing no end in sight, the prices of general goods – especially electronics – are going to get a lot worse before they get any better. Additionally, due to increased hardware costs, publishers might find it better to push out pricier games as a way to recoup their losses.
Things are about to change, and quite quickly. While next-gen consoles are expected to compensate for these issues by simply shifting production plants, these things take time. As such, current-gen consoles will most certainly inflate in price, and gaming might become quite an expensive hobby, at least in the US.
All in all, it is a pretty bad situation for gamers, and with the current state of the video game industry things look bleaker than ever. Only time will tell how things pan out.
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Trump disbands task force targeting Russian oligarchs
Trump disbands task force targeting Russian oligarchs
The US Justice Department under President Donald Trump is disbanding an effort started after Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine to enforce sanctions and target oligarchs close to the Kremlin.
A memo from Attorney General Pam Bondi, issued on Wednesday during a wave of orders on her first day in office but not previously reported, said the effort, known as Task Force KleptoCapture, will end as part of a shift in focus and funding to combating drug cartels and international gangs.
“This policy requires a fundamental change in mindset and approach,” Bondi wrote in the directive, adding that resources now devoted to enforcing sanctions and seizing the assets of oligarchs will be redirected to countering cartels.
The effort, launched during Democratic President Joe Biden’s administration, was designed to strain the finances of wealthy associates of Russian President Vladimir Putin and punish those facilitating sanctions and export control violations.
It was part of a broader push to freeze Russia out of global markets and enforce wide-ranging sanctions imposed on Moscow amid international condemnation of its war in Ukraine.
The task force brought indictments against aluminium magnate Oleg Deripaska and TV tycoon Konstantin Malofeyev for alleged sanctions busting, and seized yachts belonging to sanctioned oligarchs Suleiman Kerimov and Viktor Vekselberg.
It also secured a guilty plea against a US lawyer who made $US3.8 million ($A6 million) in payments to maintain properties owned by Vekselberg.
Prosecutors assigned to the task force will return to their previous posts. The changes will be in effect for at least 90 days and could be renewed or made permanent, according to the directive.
Trump has spoken about improving relations with Moscow. He has previously vowed to end the war in Ukraine, though he has not released a detailed plan.
Meanwhile, the head of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Russian parliament says Russian President Vladimir Putin and Trump will meet soon.
“February or March,” Leonid Slutsky told the Russian news agency Interfax in Moscow about the timing of a potential meeting.
“We don’t want to guess,” he said, adding the two leaders should have “the opportunity to prepare carefully and comprehensively, but it will take place soon.”
He said preparations for the meeting are at an “advanced stage.”
So far, Trump and Putin have only repeatedly publicly declared their willingness to agree on a solution to the Ukraine conflict at a meeting. But there is still no place or date for such talks.
To date, the Kremlin has only confirmed that there are contacts between the Russian and US sides, but has not provided any details.
Slutsky, who was also involved in the first negotiations for a solution to the war, which Russia started nearly three years ago with its full-scale assault of Ukraine, hopes a Putin-Trump meeting would be constructive.
“It will be about Ukraine, the Middle East and, more generally, issues of world politics and international relations in the near future. I am sure that this meeting will be a milestone,” he said.
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Former Hirschi quarterback loses last bid to overturn ******* conviction
Former Hirschi quarterback loses last bid to overturn ******* conviction
A Wichita Falls man has exhausted appeals of his capital ******* conviction and will likely spend the rest of his life in prison, court documents show.
Ironically, Martez Travon Vrana, 25, was not accused in trial court of being the triggerman in the shooting of Jason Ray Baum Jr. in a Wichita Falls alley on June 11, 2020.
Baum was a 23-year-old father of one, according to his obituary.
Vrana, whom prosecutors claimed was the ringleader of an armed robbery crew, chose to go to trial and was sentenced to mandatory life without parole on June 15, 2022, in 78th District Court.
Martez Vrana on Wednesday lost the appeal for a new trial for his ******* conviction before the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
Dimonique McKinney, the suspected triggerman, was sentenced to 50 years, and Sammy Worthy IV was sentenced to 25 years. Both men could become eligible for parole.
Vrana, the starting quarterback for the Hirschi High School varsity football team from 2015 to 2017, based his appeals on claims that jurors at his trial in 2022 were excluded based on race and that an outburst from the gallery tainted the jury.
On Wednesday the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals refused Vrana’s request for a discretionary review, which is the last step in the Texas appeals process.
More: Vrana convicted of capital ******* in Jason Baum shooting
More: Outbursts and call for a mistrial mark opening of Martez Vrana ******* trial
This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: Vrana loses last bid for a new ******* trial
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The big January jobs report comes out Friday. Here’s what to expect
The big January jobs report comes out Friday. Here’s what to expect
A hiring sign is posted on the door of a Taco Bell on August 22, 2024 in Alexandria, Virginia.
Anna Rose Layden | Getty Images
The U.S. labor market likely began 2025 in solid fashion, if a bit of a step down from where it closed the previous year.
When the Bureau of Labor Statistics releases its nonfarm payrolls count for January, it is projected to show growth of 169,000, down from 256,000 in December but nearly in line with the past three-month average. The unemployment rate is projected to stay at 4.1%, according to the Dow Jones consensus for the report, which will be out Friday at 8:30 a.m. ET.
While the takeaway could be that job creation is slowing, the broader view is that the employment picture is holding solid, and it’s not likely to be a problem for the Federal Reserve anytime in the near future.
“With inflation at least for now at tolerable levels and firms very comfortable making sustained investment, there’s no reason why we shouldn’t continue to see job growth around 150,000 per month, which is the upper end of what’s needed to keep the labor market stable,” said Joseph Brusuelas, chief economist at RSM. “In other words, we’re at full employment. This is a good problem to have.”
By the time the Fed concluded its final three meetings of 2024, it had cut its key borrowing rate by a full percentage point. In good part, this was because policymakers sought to support a labor market that showed signs of weakening.
However, recent indicators show that while hiring has leveled off, layoffs aren’t increasing and workers aren’t quitting though job openings are on the decline.
Such relative stability is a welcome sign with the likelihood that the Fed will be on hold, possibly until summer, while officials wait to see the fallout of President Donald Trump’s fiscal agenda that includes aggressive tariffs against the largest U.S. trading partners.
“The economy is still going to roll on, people are going to make investment decisions, they’re going to get up each morning and go to work,” Brusuelas said.
Annual revisions to take focus
Though the usual payroll number is expected to show more or less status quo conditions, markets also will be watching annual benchmark revisions to both the establishment and household surveys that the BLS compiles.
When the initial revisions were released in August 2024, they showed a stunning 818,000 fewer jobs created than previously reported in the establishment count from April 2023 to March 2024. That total is expected to come down considerably as adjustments are made for immigration and population.
The revisions also are projected to show a record increase of 3.5 million in the population and 2.3 million in household employment, according to Goldman Sachs. The firm sees more modest adjustments upward in labor force participation and unemployment.
The two BLS surveys have differed sharply in the post-Covid years. The establishment survey is used to calculate the nonfarm payrolls number while the BLS derives the unemployment rate from the household count. The latter has shown a less optimistic view of employment conditions that could be corrected with the revisions.
In any event, if the report comes in anywhere near expectations, it’s unlikely to move the needle for the Fed even with the tariff question lingering.
“The labor market is a lot more important to the Fed than what’s going on with tariffs,” said Eric Winograd, director of developed market economic research at AllianceBernstein. “The payrolls numbers are volatile. Anything can happen in any given month. But there’s nothing in particular that makes me think that this month’s print will look meaningfully different than the past few, and that’s enough to keep the Fed on hold.”
In addition to the headline payroll numbers and revisions, the BLS will release data on average hourly earnings.
The estimate is for January to show a 0.3% increase in wages and a 3.7% 12-month increase. If the annual figure is correct, it will be the lowest level since July 2024.
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Nintendo’s Latest Switch 2 Pricing Strategy Is a Lesson for Sony to Stop Its Predatory PS5 Price-Gouging Tactic
Nintendo’s Latest Switch 2 Pricing Strategy Is a Lesson for Sony to Stop Its Predatory PS5 Price-Gouging Tactic
The Nintendo Switch 2 is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated gaming consoles of the decade. With leaks and rumors showing details about its hardware, performance, and even potential games, further increasing the excitement. However, one major detail remains a mystery: its price.
The anticipation for the device is palpable. | Image Credit: Nintendo
Gamers have been holding their wallets in fear, hoping that Nintendo isn’t going to demand a fortune for its next-gen console. Thankfully, a recent rumor suggests that the company might be looking out for players’ banks. If true, the new console could launch at a far more reasonable price than expected.
Rumored price suggests Nintendo is playing smart
The reported price is lower than many expected. | Image Credit: Nintendo
According to the latest leaks from an Italian retailer, the Switch 2 is expected to launch at around $400, making it significantly cheaper than previous rumors suggested. Earlier reports estimated that the price between $400 and $500.
However, a recent listing from a retailer priced it at €389.99 (~$404 USD). If this listing is accurate, the Switch 2 will launch at the lower end of industry predictions, making it one of the more affordable next-gen consoles on the market.
It’s a rumor so take it with a grain of salt, but this move aligns with Nintendo’s long-standing strategy of keeping its consoles reasonably priced, ensuring that more gamers can easily jump into their ecosystem. Switch also launched at $299 in 2017, a price point that played a major role in its massive success.
As reported by NintendoLife, the company clearly wants to replicate or even surpass that success with the Switch 2. By keeping the price at a competitive level, it is ensuring that the console remains a viable option for gamers who don’t want to spend a fortune on a new console.
This is a stark contrast to how Sony has been operating, as PlayStation continues to push higher prices with each new hardware release.
Sony’s pricing strategy is the complete opposite
The company needs to change its pricing approach sooner rather than later. | Image Credit: Sony
While one company is focusing on affordability, Sony seems determined to drain every last cent from gamers’ wallets. The latest example of this is the PlayStation 5 Pro, which launched at a jaw-dropping $700.
Rather than rewarding its customers with a fairly priced upgrade, Sony is once again testing just how much it can charge before gamers start walking away.
If Sony wants to maintain its dominance, it needs to learn from Nintendo and start prioritizing consumer-friendly pricing. Otherwise, the Switch 2 could just become the perfect alternative for players who are fed up with PlayStation’s overpriced hardware.
As the gaming industry is evolving, so do the player’s priorities, and while brand loyalty still plays its role, gamers can’t just empty their wallets for every new upgrade. So Sony should learn from Nintendo, otherwise, it could spell big trouble for it in the long run.
In the end, if the rumors of Switch 2 price around $400 hold, Nintendo would once again be making the smart move as they understand by keeping its console affordable, it can reach wider audiences.
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Scoop: Trump orders key government agency to cancel all media contracts – Axios
Scoop: Trump orders key government agency to cancel all media contracts – Axios
Scoop: Trump orders key government agency to cancel all media contracts AxiosPolitico publishes note ‘to set the record straight’ on government subscription outrage The HillRepublican ire at USAID finds an unusual target: Politico The Washington Post
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Current CS2 Active Duty Map Pool
Current CS2 Active Duty Map Pool
Valve and numerous community creators have created hundreds of Counter-Strike maps over the years, but CS2 currently utilizes what’s called the Active Duty map pool. Active Duty maps, in Valve’s own words, represent the most balanced and competitive maps in the total pool.
But the Active Duty pool is subject to change, in order to keep the iconic first-person shooter gameplay from feeling too stale.
Before you jump below, consider trying your luck on Clash.gg – you could turn your unwanted skins into something much more valuable (18+ only)
What is the current CS2 Active Duty map pool?
The Active Duty map pool consists of seven maps that are used in CS2’s primary competitive mode, Premier. The Active Duty map pool is also the selection of maps used at every competitive tournament, from smaller online and local events to the illustrious Majors.
While Valve doesn’t always make a change to the Active Duty pool after every Major, the changes do occur then. This gives pro teams time to get used to the current map pool before the start of the next Major.
Here is the current Active Duty map pool in Counter-Strike 2:
Ancient
Anubis
Dust II
Inferno
Mirage
Nuke
Train
Train is the newest addition to the Active Duty pool, having been added in January 2025 after making its CS2 debut months earlier. Mirage is the longest standing map in the Active Duty pool, and it is the only map that has never been rotated out. Mirage has been played at every single Counter-Strike Major, dating back to DreamHack Winter 2013. Overpass, Cobblestone, Vertigo, and Cache have also spent time in the Active Duty pool.
The Active Duty pool is only a fraction of the total number of maps available in Counter-Strike 2. CS2 also features newer community creations like Edin and Basalt, or the maps specifically made for modes like Wingman or Arms Race. Still, Active Duty maps are the most recognizable ones to most Counter-Strike players.
How would you change the Active Duty map pool after the next Major? Let us know in the Insider Gaming forum.
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Spyware firm cuts Italy access after alleged targeting of activists
Spyware firm cuts Italy access after alleged targeting of activists
An Israeli spyware company has reportedly cut access to its clients in Italy following allegations that its product was used to target critics of the Italian government.
The move comes after WhatsApp alleged last week that spyware made by Paragon Solutions was used to target 90 WhatsApp users in two dozen countries, including journalists and civil society members.
Italy’s government confirmed in a statement on Wednesday that seven mobile phone users in the country had been targeted by spyware on WhatsApp, calling the incident “particularly serious”.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s office denied any involvement and asked Italy’s National Cybersecurity Agency (ACN) to look into the matter.
The BBC has reached out to Paragon Solutions and the Italian government for comment.
Three of those allegedly targeted in Italy have come forward: Francesco Cancellato, an investigative journalist, Husam El Gomati, a critic of Italy’s involvement in Libya, and Luca Casarini, founder of an Italian NGO that assists migrants.
According to reports in The Guardian and Haaretz, Paragon has now terminated its relationship with its clients in Italy. Those clients are said to include an intelligence agency and a law enforcement agency.
Paragon Solutions works exclusively with state bodies. Its flagship product is known as Graphite, and enables users to have complete access to a target phone. It says the product is intended to be used to combat crime.
The company is seen as a competitor to NSO Group, which manufactures the spyware Pegasus.
WhatsApp first reported the alleged spyware campaign last week.
A WhatsApp spokesperson told BBC News it had “disrupted a spyware campaign… that targeted a number of users including journalists and members of civil society”.
“This is the latest example of why spyware companies must be held accountable”, the statement added. “WhatsApp will continue to protect peoples’ ability to communicate privately.”
The identities of other individuals allegedly targeted in the spyware campaign are not yet public.
Italy said it had been told by WhatsApp that those targeted had phone numbers with prefixes from countries including Spain, Portugal, Greece, Sweden, Belgium, Latvia, Lithuania, Austria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands.
A WhatsApp spokesperson told Reuters news agency that targeted individuals were sent malicious documents that required no user interaction in order to compromise their device, a so-called zero click hack.
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Israel soldier jailed for abusing ************ detainees from Gaza
Israel soldier jailed for abusing ************ detainees from Gaza
An Israeli military court has sentenced a soldier to seven months in prison after he admitted to the aggravated abuse of ************ detainees from Gaza at the Sde Teiman military detention centre.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the reservist, who it did not name, was convicted over “several incidents in which he punched the detainees with his fists and used his weapon while they were handcuffed and blindfolded”.
“These acts were committed in the presence of other soldiers, some of whom called on him to stop, and were even documented on the defendant’s mobile phone,” it added.
The Haaretz newspaper said he was the first soldier convicted of abusing Gazans held during the war with ******.
It cited the Beit Lid Military Court as saying the soldier admitted to three counts of aggravated abuse and one count of unbecoming conduct as part of a plea deal with prosecutors.
They related to four separate incidents between January and June 2024, when he was guarding lorries transporting detainees, it said.
According to Haaretz, the court found an unspecified number of masked soldiers, whose identities remain unknown, had also participated in the abuse.
In addition to the prison term, the convicted soldier was also given a suspended sentence and demoted to the rank of private, according to the IDF.
“Soldiers have a duty to use the force entrusted to them in accordance with IDF values and orders, at all times and in times of war in particular,” the IDF said.
The Sde Teiman detention facility was set up after the start of the Gaza war 15 months ago. Since then, it has been at the centre of reports of serious abuses.
In July, far-right protesters broke into Sde Teiman after Israeli military police went there to question nine reservists suspected of raping a detainee and causing a life-threatening injury to him. Several of the reservists were subsequently arrested.
In October, a report by a UN commission of inquiry alleged that thousands of child and adult detainees from Gaza had been “subjected to widespread and systematic abuse, physical and psychological violence, and ******* and gender-based violence amounting to the war crime and crime against humanity of torture and the war crime of ***** and other forms of ******* violence”.
Israel’s government said it rejected the accusations of widespread ill-treatment and torture of detainees, and insisted that it was “fully committed to international legal standards”. It also said it had carried out thorough investigations into every complaint.
The Israeli military launched a campaign to destroy ****** in response to an unprecedented cross-border attack on 7 October 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 were taken hostage.
More than 47,550 people have been killed in Gaza since then, according to the territory’s ******-run health ministry.
According to the Israeli rights group HaMoked, 1,802 Palestinians from Gaza are currently being held as “unlawful combatants” in Israeli prisons. The figure does not include detainees being held by the military.
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Patent Shows Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-**** Used As Wireless Mouse
Patent Shows Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-**** Used As Wireless Mouse
·
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February 6, 2025
The tease of wireless mouse functionality for the new Joy-Cons on the Nintendo Switch 2 appears to be more than just that. A recently discovered patent seems to explain the feature while also providing drawings of the mouse functionality.
According to the patent, the Joy-**** features a “mouse operation sensor” that “detects reflected light from the detected surface that changes by moving on the detected surface with one of the first side surface and the second side surface placed on the detected surface.”
The sensor is located under the side of the Joy-****—callout 170 in the images below. Based on the images, it appears players will be able to use one Joy-**** as a mouse while using the other in a standard way.
You can see the patent drawings depicting the feature below (click the image to enlarge).
Full details on how this new use for the Joy-**** have yet to be revealed. However, it could be assumed that Nintendo will go into more detail on that when it hosts its Nintendo Switch 2 direct event on April 2.
What do you think of this new mouse functionality for the Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-Cons? 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.
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How long could the ‘seismic crisis’ last?
How long could the ‘seismic crisis’ last?
EPA
“We’ve put all our mattresses in the living room,” says Georgia Nomikou.
The Santorini resident fears the impact of ongoing earthquakes on the Greek island, popular with tourists for its picture-postcard views.
But the idyll has been disrupted this past week by thousands of earthquakes.
Santorini, and other Greek islands in the region, are in the middle of an “unprecedented” seismic swarm or crisis – the name for an abrupt increase in earthquakes in a particular area.
About three-quarters of the island’s 15,000 population have evacuated while authorities declared a state of emergency after a 5.2 magnitude quake, the largest yet, rocked the island on Wednesday.
Further, albeit smaller quakes, were felt again on Thursday.
The “clusters” of quakes have puzzled scientists who say such a pattern is unusual because they have not been linked to a major shock. So what’s going on?
What is happening in Santorini?
Experts agree the island is experiencing what Greece’s prime minister has called an “extremely and intricate geological phenomenon”.
“It is really unprecedented, we have never seen something like this before in [modern times] in Greece,” says Dr Athanassios Ganas, research director of the National Observatory of Athens.
Santorini lies on the Hellenic Volcanic Arc – a chain of islands created by volcanoes.
But it has not seen a major eruption in recent times, in fact not since the 1950s, so the reason for the current crisis is unclear.
Experts say they’re seeing many earthquakes within a relatively small area, which don’t fit the pattern of a mainshock-aftershock sequence, says Dr Ganas.
He said this began with the awakening of a volcano on Santorini last summer. Then in January there was a “surge” of seismic activity with smaller earthquakes being recorded.
That activity has escalated in the past week.
Thousands of earthquakes have been recorded since Sunday, with Wednesday’s the most significant yet.
“We are in the middle of a seismic crisis,” Dr Gasnas said.
Dr Margarita Segou from the British Geological Survey described the quakes as happening everyday “in pulses”.
She says this “swarm-like behaviour” means that when a more significant earthquake strikes, for example a magnitude four, the “seismicity is increased for one to two hours, and then the system relaxes again”.
Getty Images
Santorini is known for its picturesque views and attracts thousands in the summer
How much longer will it last?
In short, it is impossible to tell. There are hopes that Wednesday’s quake, which struck at night, will be the biggest one to hit the island.
But seismologists have told the BBC it is difficult to be sure. Authorities have warned the activity could go on for weeks.
Experts also do not know whether this chain of quakes are foreshocks leading up to a large earthquake or their own event.
Professor Joanna Faure Walker, an earthquake geology expert at UCL’s Institute of Disaster Risk Reduction, said some large earthquakes do experience foreshocks – elevated levels of small to moderate seismic events – before the main shock.
But what is happening now are not volcanic earthquakes, say Dr Ganas. Volcanic earthquakes have a characteristic signature of low frequency wave forms and these have not been exhibited here.
Dr Segou told the BBC she and colleagues had analysed previous earthquakes in the region with machine learning – a data analysis method able to make predictions – to learn how earthquakes in the region in 2002 and 2004 came to an end.
The magnitude of those earthquakes were not as intense as the ones felt now she said. But the “signatures” of how they started and ended could help build a picture of what patterns to look out for.
Meanwhile, additional police units and military forces have been deployed to the island to help it cope with any major earthquake.
Ms Nomikou, who is president of Santorini’s town council, said her family were staying put but had each packed a small bag, “ready to go if anything happens”.
But some islanders say they are not phased by the tremors.
“I’m not afraid at all,” says one Santorini resident, who decided to stay put on the volcanic island despite thousands of her neighbours fleeing amid the ongoing earthquakes.
Chantal Metakides insists that she would not be joining her compatriots. “For 500 years, this house has lived through earthquakes and volcanic eruptions and it’s still standing,” she told AFP news agency, adding, “there’s no reason why this should change”.
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#long #seismic #crisis
Pelican News
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Like Father Like Son? Donald Trump’s Youngest Son Is a Video Game Maniac Who “Uses laptops to have little war games”
Like Father Like Son? Donald Trump’s Youngest Son Is a Video Game Maniac Who “Uses laptops to have little war games”
It’s no secret that gaming is slowly taking over the world. In fact, some statistics revealed that roughly 40% of the world’s population loves this hobby and it seems like the United States President Donald Trump’s youngest son, Barron Trump, is also among the proud gaming community.
Barron Trump with his parents Donald and Melania Trump (Credits: The White House, Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons)
Many are expecting Barron Trump to follow in his father’s footsteps as a politician. However, he has mostly tried to live a normal life throughout his teenage years unlike Trump’s other sons, Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr. The 18-year-old is often spotted accompanying his father at big events but like other teenagers, he also loves playing video games, especially the ones that involve wars.
Donald Trump’s youngest son, Barron Trump, is reportedly a gamer
Barron Trump reportedly loves playing Clash of Clans (Image via Supercell)
Donald Trump’s youngest son, Barron Trump, attended the Columbia Grammar & Preparatory School in Manhattan and Oxbridge Academy in West Palm Beach, Florida. A report from the Daily Mail revealed some interesting information about his time in high school, including some details about his hobbies. As per the report, his former classmates revealed that he loved soccer and enjoyed playing the video game Clash of Clans, a free-to-play mobile strategy video game.
When the news first surfaced on social media, people shared some hilarious memes about Barron Trump’s obsession with the game.
That feeling when you realize Trump saying “Barron loves the war games on his computer,” was probably just Barron playing Clash of Clans on his phone. pic.twitter.com/xSNq2uA8Eo
— Autism Capital (@AutismCapital) July 30, 2024
>What we thought Barron was doing >What Barron was doing pic.twitter.com/6O9FuQ5DUd
— Autism Capital (@AutismCapital) July 30, 2024
tbh i thought he was playing crusader kings or something…turns out it’s just clash of clans
— Capicua (@0xCapicua) July 30, 2024
Many would relate to him in terms of his obsession with Clash of Clans, however, his high school experience was very different from other kids. As the son of Donald Trump, Barron Trump was always surrounded by Secret Service agents, even when he went to the washroom. During his time at Oxbridge Academy, the 18-year-old didn’t participate in sports, attend parties, or eat his meals with the rest of the school. It’s hard to say if this was because he was an introvert or because of his safety.
Barron Trump attended high school under an alias
Barron Trump’s high school life was very different from regular teenagers (Credits: The White House, Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons)
The report revealed some more information about Barron’s time at Oxbridge Academy. All the kids knew that it was Barron Trump, however, he attended his classes under an alias, Jack, to keep him safe. No one can technically prove that he studied there because the staff signed an NDA and he is probably the only student who is not mentioned in the academy’s Resonate yearbook.
Barron Trump, who is about 6 feet, 8 inches tall, graduated from Oxbridge Academy in May and the ceremony attracted a lot of attention because Donald Trump took a leave of absence from his hush money trial to attend his son’s graduation ceremony. In an October 2016 interview with ABC News, Melania Trump revealed that she wants him to have a childhood as normal as possible.
Trump has confirmed that Barron will attend college in the fall, but it is yet to be revealed where. Despite constant efforts, it’s hard to stay out of the spotlight when you’re the son of the President of the United States.
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#Father #Son #Donald #Trumps #Youngest #Son #Video #Game #Maniac #laptops #war #games
Pelican News
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