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New York Times recipe: Mushroom chicharron tacos New York Times recipe: Mushroom chicharron tacos This simple recipe delivers meatiness without any meat. It calls for pan-searing hearty oyster mushrooms until they’re as crispy and golden as chicharron. They’re then tucked into warm corn tortillas and paired with fresh pico de gallo for a quick vegan meal. The resulting dish recalls juicy carniceria tacos that balance the richness of fried meat with the acidic punch of salsa. Ingredients: Pico de gallo: 1 large beefsteak tomato, cored and cut into ½-cm dice 1 large ripe Hass avocado, pitted, peeled and cut into ½-cm dice 2 jalapenos, stemmed and finely chopped (seeded if desired) ½ cup coriander leaves, finely chopped 3 tbsp fresh lime juice (from 1 to 2 limes) Coarse salt flakes Mushroom tacos: 500g oyster mushrooms (from 2 to 3 medium clusters) ⅓ cup neutral oil, such as canola ¼ teaspoon ground cumin 1 ½ teaspoons coarse salt flakes ****** pepper 12 corn tortillas Preparation: Step 1 Make the pico de gallo: Combine the tomato, avocado, jalapenos, coriander and lime juice in a bowl and season with salt. Gently fold together. Set aside to allow flavors to marry while the mushrooms cook. Step 2 Make the tacos: Tear the oyster mushrooms into bite-size pieces, leaving some mushroom tops whole. To make sure the mushrooms become crisp, cook in two batches: Heat a large cast iron or other heavy frying pan over medium-high and coat with half of the oil. Once the oil is hot, add half of the mushrooms in a single layer without crowding the pan. Cook, stirring every few minutes, until deep golden brown and crisp, 10 to 15 minutes. Transfer to a plate, then repeat with the remaining oil and mushrooms. Return the first batch to the frying pan, and add the cumin and salt, and season with pepper. Stir well, then remove from the heat. Step 3 While the mushrooms are cooking, warm the tortillas on a flat, smooth, heavy frying pan over medium-high heat until soft and pliable. Wrap them in a dish towel to keep them warm until ready to serve. Divide the mushrooms and pico de gallo among the warm tortillas. Serve immediately. Serves 4 Total time: 30 minutes This article originally appeared in The New York Times. © 2021 The New York Times Company Source link #York #Times #recipe #Mushroom #chicharron #tacos Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Justin Baldoni posts website containing texts and timeline surrounding dispute with Blake Lively ahead of first court hearing – CNN Justin Baldoni posts website containing texts and timeline surrounding dispute with Blake Lively ahead of first court hearing – CNN Justin Baldoni posts website containing texts and timeline surrounding dispute with Blake Lively ahead of first court hearing CNNJustin Baldoni Escalates Blake Lively Legal Battle by Launching Website, Leaking New Texts from Ryan Reynolds PEOPLEJustin Baldoni Accuses Blake Lively, New York Times of ‘Colluding’ in Amended $400 Million Lawsuit Rolling StoneJustin Baldoni launches new website with amended lawsuit, ‘timeline of relevant events’ in Blake Lively feud Fox NewsJustin Baldoni Shares Handwritten Notes From ‘It Ends With Us’ Intimacy Coordinator Meeting Us Weekly Source link #Justin #Baldoni #posts #website #texts #timeline #surrounding #dispute #Blake #Lively #ahead #court #hearing #CNN Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Fleur Perth restaurant review: A dinner of convenience turned into a delicious meal in a beautiful room Fleur Perth restaurant review: A dinner of convenience turned into a delicious meal in a beautiful room French-adjacent food in a moody, tucked-away dining room? Sign. Me. Up – and the oysters are a dream. Source link #Fleur #Perth #restaurant #review #dinner #convenience #turned #delicious #meal #beautiful #room Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Breakout Sundance films and key takeaways from this year’s festival – The Associated Press Breakout Sundance films and key takeaways from this year’s festival – The Associated Press Breakout Sundance films and key takeaways from this year’s festival The Associated PressAt Sundance Film Festival, a Sense of Uprooting Onscreen and Off The New York TimesThe Best and Meh-st of a Dud Year at Sundance VultureSundance Freezes Over: Where Were the Deals, Anti-Trump Politics and Drama That Gave the Festival Its Sizzle? VarietyWhat’s Left To Say About Sundance? Hollywood Reporter Source link #Breakout #Sundance #films #key #takeaways #years #festival #Press Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Great Eastern Highway closed as one person fights for life following serious truck and car collision Great Eastern Highway closed as one person fights for life following serious truck and car collision One person is fighting for their life after a truck and car collided in the Wheatbelt, shutting a major highway. Source link #Great #Eastern #Highway #closed #person #fights #life #truck #car #collision Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Germany: Protesters decry CDU/CSU over AfD collaboration – DW (English) Germany: Protesters decry CDU/CSU over AfD collaboration – DW (English) Germany: Protesters decry CDU/CSU over AfD collaboration DW (English)Merkel, Musk and the far right: What is going on in Germany’s election? POLITICO EuropeMigration law gamble backfires for Germany’s conservative chancellor hopeful ReutersMerkel Jolts ******* Campaign With Broadside of Her Party Leader BloombergGerman immigration bill rejected despite far-right backing BBC.com Source link #Germany #Protesters #decry #CDUCSU #AfD #collaboration #English Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Josh Inglis: How centurion became one of Australia’s best players of spin bowling and what it means for Ashes Josh Inglis: How centurion became one of Australia’s best players of spin bowling and what it means for Ashes Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee. It’s the famous Muhammad Ali quote that sums up Josh Inglis’ batting against spin, which breaks the mould of players raised on West *********** wickets. Source link #Josh #Inglis #centurion #Australias #players #spin #bowling #means #Ashes Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Suspect in Tachi Palace shooting who fled from Fresno officers dies, police say Suspect in Tachi Palace shooting who fled from Fresno officers dies, police say Two people were shot Friday night at Tachi Palace Casino Resort in Lemoore and a suspect led police on a chase in Fresno before turning the gun on himself, authorities said. The Kings County Sheriff’s Office said the shooting happened at 6:40 p.m. in the Tachi Palace parking lot. A person went to the entertainment center to call for help. Deputies responded and found a man and a woman who had been struck. Both went to a local hospital and their conditions were not known Saturday. Deputies said one of the victims was struck in the upper torso. Deputies said there was no immediate threat at the Palace. The suspect fled the scene and deputies notified Fresno Police to say they believed he was driving to Fresno, about 40 miles north of the casino. Officers later found the suspect in Fresno and a brief chase ensued before he shot himself at Chance and Hamilton, police said. He was taken to Community Regional Medical Center and died Saturday morning. Anyone with information is asked to call Kings County Sheriff’s Office at 559-852-2720. Police blocked off Chance and Hamilton in Fresno, California after a suspect believed to be responsible for a Tachi Palace shooting in Lemoore injured himself on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025. Source link #Suspect #Tachi #Palace #shooting #fled #Fresno #officers #dies #police Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

College basketball rankings: John Calipari makes return to Rupp Arena as Arkansas battles Kentucky – CBS Sports College basketball rankings: John Calipari makes return to Rupp Arena as Arkansas battles Kentucky – CBS Sports College basketball rankings: John Calipari makes return to Rupp Arena as Arkansas battles Kentucky CBS SportsJohn Calipari greeted with chorus of boos in return to Kentucky Yahoo SportsFINAL: Arkansas upsets No. 12 Kentucky 89-79 in John Calipari’s Rupp Arena return KSR5 keys that defined Calipari’s Kentucky basketball legacy ESPNCalipari returning to coach in Rupp Arena for 1st time since leaving for Arkansas WLKY Louisville Source link #College #basketball #rankings #John #Calipari #return #Rupp #Arena #Arkansas #battles #Kentucky #CBS #Sports Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Day, Rogers fall short in Iron Series championship Day, Rogers fall short in Iron Series championship Iron Series young guns Conner Maggs and Lucy Derbyshire have upstaged veterans Ali Day and Lana Rogers to win maiden titles in the men’s and women’s categories. Source link #Day #Rogers #fall #short #Iron #Series #championship Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump removes Rohit Chopra as director of CFPB – The Washington Post Trump removes Rohit Chopra as director of CFPB – The Washington Post Trump removes Rohit Chopra as director of CFPB The Washington PostTrump fires head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau CNNElizabeth Warren says Trump will have a ‘fight’ if he destroys the CFPB Boston HeraldTrump Administration Fires Consumer Bureau Chief Rohit Chopra The New York Times Source link #Trump #removes #Rohit #Chopra #director #CFPB #Washington #Post Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

McDonald feared for Kuhnemann’s Sri Lanka tour McDonald feared for Kuhnemann’s Sri Lanka tour *********** coach Andrew McDonald had lost faith in Matt Kuhnemann’s availability to tour Sri Lanka and had no idea who would replace him in the squad. Then Kuhnemann recovered from thumb surgery in two weeks to take the best match figures of any bowler in his side’s triumphant first Test in Galle. McDonald and the *********** selectors held their breath when the country’s premier left-arm offspinner wore a ball on his right hand playing Big Bash League in mid-January. Surgery on a dislocated thumb rubbed Kuhnemann out of the squad’s training camp in Dubai, and left him in a race against the clock to line up in Sri Lanka. “I thought he was gone,” said McDonald. “But as it progressed and got closer to the Test match, he was pretty much a lock three days out.” Left-arm off-spinners can have particular success in turning subcontinental conditions, especially in the face of right-handed batters. But Australia’s replacement options for Kuhnemann had appeared limited. Five-time Test player Ashton Agar no longer holds a state contract and allrounder Cooper Connolly is inexperienced at first-class level, but is touring Sri Lanka as a long-term prospect. Australia also toyed with the idea of calling a leg-spinner into the squad, with Mitch Swepson playing both Tests on the 2022 Sri Lanka tour. “I’m not sure where we would’ve ended up. It was a good thing he (Kuhnemann) got the all-clear to come over,” McDonald said. “There were plenty of conversations around potentials: leg-spin, finger-spin, two off-spinners (and two pacemen), which we played in Nagpur before. “So they were unfolding, but Matt solved the lot.” In his first innings since a debut Test series in 2023, Kuhnemann took a five-wicket haul to help Australia skittle their hosts for 165 runs. After Australia enforced the follow-on, Kuhnemann dismissed Sri Lanka’s best batter of 2024 Kamindu Mendis (34) and captain Dhananjaya de Silva (39), among four wickets. He finished with match figures of 9-149 – the best of his four-match Test career – as Australia stormed home to win the series opener by an innings and 242 runs. “He did a wonderful job when he got his opportunity in India and he bowled beautifully this game,” said stand-in captain Steve Smith. Source link #McDonald #feared #Kuhnemanns #Sri #Lanka #tour Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

The flight path that the ****** Hawk helicopter involved in the American Airlines ****** was flying isn’t complicated, US Army official says The flight path that the ****** Hawk helicopter involved in the American Airlines ****** was flying isn’t complicated, US Army official says The US Army ****** Hawk that collided with an American Airlines flight was training on a familiar flight path. The 12th Aviation Battalion frequently navigates Washington DC airspace for VIP transport. Pilots were flying with night vision goggles and are trained to deal with those challenges. The US Army crew of a UH-60 ****** Hawk helicopter that fatally collided with an American Airlines passenger jet on Wednesday was on a routine training flight on a well-known flight path at the time of the incident, an Army official said Thursday. Jonathan Koziol, a retired Army chief warrant officer aviator with nearly three decades of military flight experience, said during a media roundtable this flight would have likely been deemed “low risk,” not medium or high risk. Such designations are required elements of pre-flight risk assessments and briefings to military mission approval authorities and take into account variables like weather, mission type, and potential hazards. Koziol, the Headquarters Department of the Army Aviation Directorate Chief of Staff, was not involved in flight operation or oversight. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said earlier in the day that the flight was “routine” and conducted along a “standard” corridor. The flight was along Route 4, a commonly used flight path, and “should not have been a problem,” Koziol said. Crews from the Army’s 12th Aviation Battalion, based in Ft. Belvoir, Virginia, are well acquainted with Washington, DC and the surrounding areas, said Koziol. Much of this unit’s mission includes ferrying government and military VIPs throughout the National Capital Region (NCR) and being ready to move officials during crises. Speaking of the ****** Hawk’s flight path, Koziol said “this is a relatively easy corridor to fly because you’re flying down the center of the river.” Emergency response units assess aircraft wreckage in the Potomac River after an American Airlines flight from Wichita, Kansas collided with a helicopter while approaching Ronald Reagan National Airport.(Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images) He said that the dark river flight path, with urban lights on either side to act as informal guardrails, makes the task simple for pilots. The battalion’s ****** Hawk was also equipped with an in-flight map, meaning the pilots could track their position throughout the flight. “You have the darkness of the river, and you have the lights on either side of you and obviously the rotating beacon on Reagan National to point out the airfield and all the traffic on it for them to know exactly where they’re at,” he said. There are several routes for helicopters in the NCR which government aircraft traverse daily and includes airspace that is off-limits to non-approved aircraft, including areas near the Pentagon, White House, National Mall, and Naval Observatory. Each flight requires coordination with surrounding air traffic control, including the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, which assigns each flight a four-digit tracking number to chart its movements. Within the aviation unit, flights are meticulously planned for and managed, Koziol said. Koziol said the ****** Hawk pilots were training with night vision goggles, which can cut down a wearer’s peripheral vision and impact depth perception. Soldiers train regularly with these capabilities to limit the impact. “They are helpful at night, obviously, and in an urban environment, they’re still useful,” Koziol said. City lights can make seeing with night vision more difficult, but flying over the river where the ****** Hawk was shouldn’t have posed any problems with light, he said. All three crew members, two pilots and a crew chief, were experienced aviators, he said. Both pilots had at least 1500 combined flight hours between them. One pilot served as the flight commander and instructor, overseeing an annual training requirement for the second pilot, who held 500 hours and had previously served as a flight commander. The cause of Wednesday’s deadly ******, in which there were no survivors, is unknown and under investigation. Read the original article on Business Insider Source link #flight #path #****** #Hawk #helicopter #involved #American #Airlines #****** #flying #isnt #complicated #Army #official Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Weekly poll results: the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra may be in trouble, vanilla S25 could be a hit – GSMArena.com news – GSMArena.com Weekly poll results: the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra may be in trouble, vanilla S25 could be a hit – GSMArena.com news – GSMArena.com Weekly poll results: the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra may be in trouble, vanilla S25 could be a hit – GSMArena.com news GSMArena.comThe Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra isn’t so ‘ultra’ anymore The VergeFeast Your Eyes on What the Galaxy S25 and S25 Plus Cameras Can Do CNETI shot over 200 photos with the Galaxy S25 Ultra vs Galaxy S24 Ultra — here’s the winner Tom’s GuideSamsung Slashes 70% Off the New Galaxy S25 Ultra + Galaxy Buds3 Pro for FREE Gizmodo Source link #Weekly #poll #results #Samsung #Galaxy #S25 #Ultra #trouble #vanilla #S25 #hit #GSMArena.com #news #GSMArena.com Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

WA State election 2025: Labor promises major cash splash in tourism tug of war but industry isn’t convinced WA State election 2025: Labor promises major cash splash in tourism tug of war but industry isn’t convinced The early days of the WA election campaign have seen Labor promise a cash splash on major cultural and sporting projects, but tourism pundits have questioned their value, and want something else funded. Source link #State #election #Labor #promises #major #cash #splash #tourism #tug #war #industry #isnt #convinced Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

XRP Ledger ‘Clawback’ Goes Live in Boost For Ripple USD Trading XRP Ledger ‘Clawback’ Goes Live in Boost For Ripple USD Trading A clawback amendment went live on XRP Ledger earlier Friday following a validator vote with more than 90% in favor. The amendment means Ripple’s dollar-pegged stablecoin RLUSD, a clawback token, can be floated and exchanged directly on XRP Ledger’s DEX, enhancing its liquidity and trading options and likely boosting decentralized finance (DeFi) activity on the network. Clawback refers to tokens that have a feature allowing the issuer to reclaim or “claw back” these tokens from users’ wallets under certain conditions. This feature is typically implemented for regulatory compliance, to recover assets in cases of fraud, ******** activities, or when tokens are sent to unintended addresses. The Friday update will improve the regulatory compliance of XRP Ledger’s Automated Market Maker (AMM) pools, allowing tokens with the clawback enabled to be used. It further modified the “AMMDeposit” transaction type to prevent frozen tokens from being deposited into the AMM. XRP Ledger features an in-built decentralized exchange (DEX) that allows users to swap tokens with each other. An Automated Market Maker (AMM) on the XRP Ledger uses liquidity pools instead of traditional order books to facilitate trades. AMM functionality with the amendment XLS-30D in March 2024 and has since processed over $1 billion in swap volumes. January has been heralded as a standout month for the DEX, with over $400 million in trades processed. Source link #XRP #Ledger #Clawback #Live #Boost #Ripple #USD #Trading Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Data from the deadliest U.S. air accident in a generation show conflicting altitude readings – The Associated Press Data from the deadliest U.S. air accident in a generation show conflicting altitude readings – The Associated Press Data from the deadliest U.S. air accident in a generation show conflicting altitude readings The Associated PressView Full Coverage on Google News Source link #Data #deadliest #U.S #air #accident #generation #show #conflicting #altitude #readings #Press Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Australia coach sheds light on future of opener Usman Khawaja after career-best score Australia coach sheds light on future of opener Usman Khawaja after career-best score There will be a spot for Usman Khawaja in the *********** team for the home Ashes, and maybe beyond, after a blistering double-century in the Sri Lanka series opener. That’s according to coach Andrew McDonald, who sees “plenty of cricket” left in the 38-year-old opener despite public debate about his future during the home summer. Khawaja managed only two scores above 40 in five Tests against India, but silenced his critics with the best knock of his Test career in the first match in Galle. His blistering 232 in the first innings set Australia on the path to a day-four victory by an innings and 242 runs – their biggest win in Asia and the Sri Lankan Test team’s worst ever loss. Khawaja has previously voiced his desire to feature in this summer’s home Ashes, during which he will turn 39, and his wish looks set to come true. Camera IconUsman Khawaja powered his way to a career-best double-century against Sri Lanka in Galle. Credit: AAP “We still think he’s got plenty of cricket left in him,” McDonald said when asked what Khawaja’s double-century would do for his Ashes chances. “Tough summer. (Indian quick Jasprit) Bumrah. I think that’s probably where we landed in our summary of that one.” Steve Smith pointed out his long-time mate had spent the India series tackling one of cricket’s hardest assignments: facing a fresh Bumrah, the ICC’s top-ranked bowler, with the new ball in seam-friendly conditions. “There’s probably not a much ******* threat in world cricket at the moment, or almost ever,” Smith said. “Batting at the top of the order, particularly in Australia, is as hard as I’ve seen in my career.” McDonald always had high hopes Khawaja would bounce back when Australia returned to the subcontinent for the first time in two years. Khawaja had been the top run-scorer on either side when Australia toured India in 2023 – no mean feat given his struggles in Asia earlier in his career. His subsequent mastery of the conditions were on full show in Galle, with the left-hander bringing out the reverse-sweep to particularly devastating effect. “He’s an important part to the way that we play subcontinent conditions,” McDonald said. “He’s been through the wringer here before. (But he has been) able to come through that, to have a method that is successful, whether it be on the flatter side (or) whether it gets extreme. “The unquantifiable is the conversations he’s having with the next generation to get them prepared. “We value that.” Facing England at home would allow Khawaja to come full circle. England’s last visit in 2022 marked the beginning of a Test comeback for Khawaja, who had been dropped from the Test team during the previous Ashes in 2019. He recorded two centuries as Travis Head’s COVID-19 replacement in the fourth Ashes Test in 2022, then ousted out-of-form Marcus Harris from the top of the order for the fifth. Khawaja has been a fixture of the team ever since, averaging 51.4 with eight centuries in that time. “He’s still doing everything right, he’s catching well in the slips. He’s a senior figure and he’s batting really well,” said stand-in captain Smith. “I’m not a selector, but I’m sure as long as he wants to play, I’m happy with him there.” Changes to the Australia batting order appear unlikely for the second Test in Galle given the first featured the team’s largest ever total on the subcontinent (6-654 declared). But McDonald said there would certainly be shifts for the World Test Championship Final against South Africa at Lord’s in June. By then, allrounder Cameron Green should have recovered from his back injury well enough to bat, while opener Sam Konstas will push for a recall in conditions more similar to home. “We’ll keep our options open as a general theme,” McDonald said. “(But) 100 per cent it’ll be a different order to that (the first Sri Lanka Test). What the order looks like will depend on the conditions.” Source link #Australia #coach #sheds #light #future #opener #Usman #Khawaja #careerbest #score Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

24 Things You Didn’t Realize Apple’s Notes App Could Do 24 Things You Didn’t Realize Apple’s Notes App Could Do PCMag editors select and review products independently. If you buy through affiliate links, we may earn commissions, which help support our testing. The Notes app built into Apple devices has long offered people a quick and convenient way to save lists, thoughts, and other random items. And while Apple initially shunned the bells and whistles found in the top note-taking apps, it has slowly beefed up Notes over time. In 2024, Apple Intelligence added AI-powered enhancements in iOS/iPadOS 18.1 and 18.2 that can proofread, rewrite, and summarize your notes. You can also transcribe and summarize recordings of phone conversations, create images from text using Image Playground, or turn your rough sketches into professional images with Image Wand. Apple Intelligence is only available on the newest Apple devices, and tips number 17 through 24 on this list require it; more on that below. 1. Add a Quick Note In a hurry? Start a Note from the Control Center. On a device running iPadOS 15+ or iOS 16 and up, go to Settings > Control Center. In the More Controls section, tap the plus (+) icon next to Quick Note. To move it up the list, drag Quick Note by its hamburger icon under the Include Controls section. Now, when you need to create a Quick Note, swipe down from the top-right corner to access the Control Center. Tap the Quick Note icon (it looks like a box with a scribble) from the menu and type your note. Tap Save when finished, and that note is automatically saved in the Notes app. You can also create a Quick Note from an app, such as a website in Safari, a link on a specific web page, or selected text on any screen. Open the app and content you want to save to a note, tap the Share icon, and select Add to Quick Note. You can then add additional text to your note. When done, tap Save. 2. Lock a Note With iPhone Passcode or Password With iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 or higher, you can protect a note through a custom password, your device passcode, Touch ID, or Face ID. To do this, open the ellipsis menu in the note and choose Lock. Keep in mind that to view the locked note on another device, it will also need to be running iOS/iPadOS 16 or higher. Once a note is locked, you’ll need to authenticate your identity to unlock it again. Select the note in question and tap the View Note link. Authenticate the note with your chosen security method, and the note will reappear on the screen. 3. Switch to Gallery View When in List view, your notes appear by default in descending order with a title and the first few words visible. However, you can change the view by tapping the ellipsis icon in the app and selecting View as Gallery. Notes will then be shown as thumbnail images that display the name, part of the text in the note, and any photos that might be in the note (unless it’s locked). Return to list view by tapping the ellipsis icon and selecting View as List. 4. View All Attachments Want to see all the photos and attachments stored in your Notes app? Just tap the ellipsis icon and select View Attachments to open a window with all attached media. 5. Organize Your Folders The Notes app lets you easily organize your folders and notes. Press down on a note or folder and drag it to a different location in the list. If you drag a folder onto another folder, it will turn into a subfolder. The new subfolder will then be hidden from view until you open the parent folder. You can also change a folder into a subfolder by swiping the folder to the left and tapping the folder icon. To move a note, swipe it left, tap the folder icon, and then choose the new folder. 6. Sort Notes in a Folder To change the way notes are sorted within a folder, open the folder, tap the ellipsis icon, and select the Sort by option. By default, all notes are sorted by the last date edited, but you can sort by date created or title instead and further sort them by oldest to newest or newest to oldest (or by A-Z or Z-A, if you sort them by title). 7. Share Notes and Folders You can share notes and folders with others, and even give them view or edit permissions. You can also create a new folder specifically for sharing. Swipe the folder you wish to share to the left and tap the blue Sharing icon (or tap the ellipsis icon at the top, and select Share Note). Tap Only invited people can edit, then choose whom you want to have access to the folder—only invited people or anyone with the link. Decide if you want other people to make changes or only view the folder and its notes, and if you want people to be able to share it with others. You can then share the folder via text, email, another app, or direct link. For individual notes, tap the Share icon in the upper right then use the drop-down menu to decide if you want to send someone a copy of the note or a link to the actual note to collaborate on it. Choose how and with whom you want to share the note and send the invitation. 8. Tag Your Notes If you have iOS/iPadOS 15 or higher, you can add hashtags to notes anywhere in the text or title in order to better organize them. Just type # followed by the word you want to use as a tag, then select the word as it appears in quotes above the keyboard to create your tag. It can’t contain spaces, but it does support hyphens or underscores. After you’ve created a tag, you can use it in another note just by typing the # symbol and selecting the tag as it appears above the keyboard. To add an existing tag to multiple notes, tap the ellipsis icon and choose Select Notes. Tap all the notes you want to tag, choose the tag option at the bottom of the screen, and select the tag you want. A Tags section will appear on the main Notes screen, where you can view all tagged notes or all notes with a specific tag. 9. Create Smart Folders You can create smart folders based on your tags and other criteria. Such folders change to automatically include any notes to which you add a specific tag. At the main Notes screen, tap the folder icon in the bottom left to create a folder and name it. Choose Make Into Smart Folder and select the filters you want to apply. When finished, tap Done. Your new folder then appears with all the notes using that tag. Whenever you create a new note and use that tag, it is added to this folder. 10. Send a Copy of a Note to an App You can send a copy of a note to another app. For example, you could send a note to a file service such as Google Drive or Dropbox to store it as a separate text file. To do this, press down on the note and select Share Note from the pop-up menu, then just select the app to which you want to send the copy. 11. Create a Checklist You can use Notes as a to-do list app by creating a checklist of items. Open a note and tap the checkmark icon. A circle appears for the first item on your checklist. Type the entry and tap the Return key to create another circle and repeat the process as needed. Swipe an entry to the right to turn it into a sub-item. After you’ve completed one of the tasks, tap its circle to show it as completed. The first time you do this, you’re asked if you want completed items to move to the bottom. 12. Scan a Document or Photo You can scan a document or photo to incorporate it into a note. Create a new note or open an existing one, tap the ellipsis icon, and select Scan. Allow the scan to run, and the scanned image is added to your note. 14. Mark Up Scanned Items With iOS/iPadOS 17 or higher, you’re able to mark up scanned PDFs and images. Open the note and tap that item, then select the markup icon in the lower right and choose a drawing tool. You can press down on the tool to change the thickness and shape of it. Tap the color wheel to choose a specific color. You can then mark up the scanned item as needed. 15. Add Links in Notes With iOS/iPadOS 17 or higher, you can add links to your notes—and those links can be to a web page or even to another note. To add a link, open a note, highlight the text (or press down on any empty area of the note), and select Add Link from the menu. Under the Link To section, add the URL or name of the note to be linked, then tap Done. You can then tap the link in the note to open the associated web page or note. 16. Draw Text With an Apple Pencil The Notes app works with the Apple Pencil in iPadOS 14 and higher to offer a Scribble option that converts your handwriting into editable text. Compatible iPad models include the iPad Pro, iPad (6th generation and later), iPad mini (5th gen and later), and iPad Air (3rd gen and later). To try it, just start scribbling characters in a note, and your handwriting will be converted to text. With iPadOS 18 or higher, you can also use an Apple Pencil to turn your messy handwriting into legible text. And with an Apple Pencil Pro and an M2 iPad Air or M4 iPad Pro, you can change the current palette tool and perform other tricks by squeezing the top barrel of the pencil, hovering the tip of the pencil over a note, and switching between the current tool and eraser by double-tapping the barrel. Apple Intelligence Apple Intelligence works on the iPhone 15 Pro and up, iPads and Macs with an M1 chip and up, and the A17 Pro iPad mini. Those devices need to be running at least iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1, though more recent versions add more features. (We’re currently up to iOS 18.3, which turns Apple Intelligence on by default.) Go to Settings > General > Software Update and make sure you’re running the latest version of the OS on your iPhone or iPad. You’ll be told that your OS is up to date or see a prompt to download the update. Here are a few ways Apple Intelligence can help you in the Notes app. 17. Use AI to Proofread a Note To proofread a note for spelling and grammatical errors, tap the Writing Tools icon on the toolbar and select Proofread. Tap the down arrow to accept a change or choose Use Original to stick with your original words. Tap Original to view the text without the changes and select it again to see the changes. Choose Revert to go back to the original text. When finished, tap Done. 18. Use AI to Rewrite a Note Maybe you want to revise a note you’ve written. Tap the Writing Tools icon and select Rewrite. The AI analyzes and then rewrites the note. Don’t like the changes? Tap Rewrite again to generate additional versions of the text. Tap one of the arrow keys to switch between the different versions. If you’re still unhappy with the revisions, select Revert to go back to your original text. Otherwise, tap Done. You can also choose a specific style for revising your note. In the Writing Tools window, select Friendly, Professional, or Concise depending on the style you wish to apply. Tap Revert or Original to go back to the original version and Done to accept the changes. 19. Summarize a Note With AI Apple’s Writing Tools can also summarize a note. To try it, select the text you want to use, then tap Writing Tools > Summary. The tool summarizes the text in a concise format. To see a summarized list instead, pick Key Points at the Writing Tools screen. The tool displays the key points of the content in a bullet-point layout. 20. Format a Note as a List or Table With AI You can reformat any text to display it as a list or table. This works best with a text document that contains sortable information. To try this, select the text, and choose Writing Tools. Pick List to reformat the text into a bulleted list or Table to place the text into a table with multiple rows and columns. 21. Use ChatGPT With Writing Tools On supported devices, ChatGPT can help write a note. In a blank new note, tap Writing Tools > Compose > Compose with ChatGPT, then type or dictate a description of the note that you want created. You can then review, refine, and rewrite the draft and add further details to it. When finished, tap Done. 22. Transcribe and Summarize Phone Calls With AI Looking to record a phone call? You can now use AI to transcribe and summarize phone conversations in the Notes app. To do this, you’ll need to tap the Recording icon in the upper-left corner of the screen while you’re on a phone call. Tap Continue, and a message announces that the call will be recorded. To review the recording in Notes, tap the notification at the top or just open the note in the Notes app. You may automatically see a written transcript of the call. If not, tap the Transcript icon in the lower left to view the transcript of the recording. Tap Summary at the top of the screen to view an AI-generated summary of the call. 23. Use Image Playground to Create Images in a Note With the Image Playground, you can generate images in a note based on the surrounding text. To try this, view an existing note with text, then open the tool palette and select the Image Wand (the one that looks like a wand with ****** stem and colored tip). Draw a circle on the note near the text and a few versions of an image are generated, based on what’s written. Swipe through each version; when you find one you like, tap Done to add it to the note. 24. Use the Image Wand to Turn Your Sketches Into Images The Image Wand is also able to transform your rough sketches and doodles into accomplished artwork. To do this, open the palette toolbar in a note, select one of the pen or pencil tools, and draw a rough sketch. Now, select Image Wand from the palette and draw a circle around the sketch. At the prompt, type a description of the image you want, tap Done, and an image based on your sketch and description is created. Swipe through the different versions and choose the version you want. Source link #Didnt #Realize #Apples #Notes #App Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

WWE Royal Rumble 2025 results, winners, grades: Jey Uso, Charlotte Flair punch their tickets to WrestleMania – CBS Sports WWE Royal Rumble 2025 results, winners, grades: Jey Uso, Charlotte Flair punch their tickets to WrestleMania – CBS Sports WWE Royal Rumble 2025 results, winners, grades: Jey Uso, Charlotte Flair punch their tickets to WrestleMania CBS SportsWWE Royal Rumble 2025: Live results and analysis ESPNEvery surprise & return in the men’s Royal Rumble match Cageside SeatsWWE Royal Rumble 2025 live results: Jey Uso, Charlotte win; highlights and analysis USA TODAYWWE Royal Rumble 2025 card, date, matches, rumors, match card, start time, where to watch, location CBS Sports Source link #WWE #Royal #Rumble #results #winners #grades #Jey #Uso #Charlotte #Flair #punch #tickets #WrestleMania #CBS #Sports Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘I’ve waited seven weeks to give my dad a ********’ ‘I’ve waited seven weeks to give my dad a ********’ Heidi Booth BBC News, Derby BBC Gemma Whysall says the long wait for a death certificate has “delayed her grieving” A woman still waiting for her father’s ******** seven weeks after his death says the new certification system is “awful”. Gemma Whysall, 42, whose father Christopher Wyles died unexpectedly in his sleep on 17 December, says she was left in limbo while the cause of his death was determined. The death certification reforms for England and Wales came into effect on 9 September, and mean all deaths are now reviewed independently, either by a medical examiner or a coroner, before a certificate is issued. Gemma said: “By the time we are able to have a ********, it will be seven weeks since he passed, and the process, for a family who’s grieving, has been terrible.” “In the absence of any real communication about the new process, we’ve just been sat waiting,” Gemma added. “I had no update on when or how I could arrange my dad’s ********, what the process would be, and nobody seemed to know what was happening.” Under the new system, which was brought about partly in response to Harold Shipman’s murders, GPs no longer issue death certificates independently. After a GP completes a medical certificate of cause of death (MCCD), an independent medical examiner reviews it. Once approved, the certificate is sent to the registrar, who officially records the death. The process means GPs have to give access to a patient’s records in order for the medical examiner to decide if they agree with the MCCD. Because the 71-year-old died unexpectedly, Mr Wyles’s death was reviewed by a coroner who determined it was caused by an undiagnosed heart condition. Gemma received a certified cause of death on 17 January – one month later – with the death then officially registered five days later. The ******** is due to take place on Thursday. Gemma Whysall Gemma’s father Christopher, who died in his sleep, had an undiagnosed heart condition Gemma said the delay in receiving a death certificate meant she was unable to visit her father in the chapel of rest – a room in which families can see their loved one at a ******** home. ******** directors are unable to embalm or treat the deceased in their care until a death is registered. “I would have liked to see him, I would have liked the children to see him, but we can’t now, because they [the ******** director] said he will have changed so much, he won’t be recognisable,” she said. “The children are heartbroken, they were really, really close to their grandad and so they feel like they haven’t said goodbye. “They have written a goodbye letter that they are going to read at the ********.” ‘Very new’ The NHS is responsible for reviewing deaths in and out of hospitals. In line with the new regulations, this must be done for all deaths excluding those referred to the coroner. Since the reforms, this process must be done before a death certificate can be issued, and the NHS aims to do that within three days, but this can vary depending on the complexity of the case. A spokesperson for the NHS Derby and Derbyshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) said: “We would always wish to support families during what is clearly a distressing and difficult time and we strive to ensure the medical certificate of cause of death can be issued as quickly as possible. “However, it can take longer when cases are complicated, or we have a high volume of deaths. “The change in legislation is still very new, and we are continuing to improve our process by appointing more medical examiners and ensuring seamless handover of information to ensure our part of the death certification process happens in a timely manner.” Darlene Kinton, director at Kinton and Daughter Family ******** Directors, says families are not getting to spend time with their loved ones ******** director Darlene Kinton, who is arranging the ******** for Mr Wyles, said: “It’s not a nice thing to have to say to someone, that their loved one’s deteriorated. “We can’t stop that process happening and because that delay is there, we are having to have those difficult conversations.” The company director at Kinton and Daughter Family ******** Directors in Long Eaton, Derbyshire, said the new system has had a “massive impact” on funerals. “It can be three or four weeks before we’ve got the death registered,” she said. “That means that we can’t start our work, we can’t start looking after them, preparing them for families to come and see them. “So then the knock-on effect is that families are not getting to spend time with their loved ones at a time when they need it.” ‘Clear expectations’ Guidance on the new legislation, set by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), says: “Medical examiners will offer a conversation about the cause of death with the deceased’s representative, which provides an opportunity for them to raise concerns.” However, Gemma said she was not contacted and found herself “chasing answers”. “The thing that was missing for me was that communication, clear expectations on timescales and processes would help families. “I don’t think we need to leave grieving families this long not knowing why their loved one died. “The delays have definitely compounded the grieving process and made it harder for me,” she said. A DHSC spokesperson added: “Changes to the death certification process support vital improvements to patient safety and aim to provide comfort and clarity to the bereaved in the difficult moments following a death. “We expect deaths to be processed as quickly and efficiently as possible and are closely monitoring the implementation of these reforms.” Source link #Ive #waited #weeks #give #dad #******** Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Life’s a beach aboard a Discovery Princess cruise to the ******** Riviera Life’s a beach aboard a Discovery Princess cruise to the ******** Riviera Michael Ferrante mixes the pace in the Americas on a Princess voyage Source link #Lifes #beach #aboard #Discovery #Princess #cruise #******** #Riviera Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

How Life Aboard A Navy Aircraft Carrier Changed When High-Speed Internet Arrived How Life Aboard A Navy Aircraft Carrier Changed When High-Speed Internet Arrived As it battled Houthi threats around the Red Sea last year, the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) also served as a testbed for vastly increasing the level of internet connectivity aboard the Navy’s deployed ships. Now we are learning specific details about how this mammoth change in at-sea connectedness impacted everything from how sailors went about their lives during a grueling deployment to how the ship and its air wing brought its firepower to bear on the enemy. The F-35 Joint Strike Fighters assigned to the carrier offer a case in point for what more shipboard bandwidth — provided by commercial providers like Starlink and OneWeb — can mean at the tactical level. Jets with the embarked Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 314 took on critical mission data file updates in record time last fall due to the carrier’s internet innovations, a capability that is slated to expand across the fleet. “This file offers intelligence updates and design enhancements that enable pilots to identify and counter threats in specific operational environments,” the Navy said in an October release announcing the feat. “The update incorporated more than 100 intelligence changes and multiple design improvements, significantly enhancing the aircraft’s survivability and lethality.” A F-35C Joint Strike Fighter assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314 on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) during its 2024 deployment. (U.S. Navy) Normally, such an update would take far longer, but it happened so fast in part due to the efforts of Capt. Kevin White, then the Lincoln’s combat systems officer, to make his carrier more connected to the internet in recent years. “So [the Navy] reported that they delivered F-35 mission data file updates in record time,” White said this week at the annual WEST conference, which TWZ attended. “Yeah, we were doing that. And then they reported the first combat strikes in Yemen from F-35s. The enhanced nature of those strikes was because we were able to do this.” The Lincoln’s deployment last year to the Middle East became a sea change signifier of how a ship connected to the internet via non-military satellite constellations can fight more effectively, while also offering a host of benefits when it comes to training, maintenance and maintaining crew morale when the working days are long and the port calls are few. White noted how the F-35 “eats and breathes data daily,” and it has to be shared with commands ashore. The connectivity innovations he’s pioneered will enable such data transfers, which will only grow more complex over time. “If you can’t get the data onboard, you’re probably going to be at a loss,” White said. “So large file transfer capability increases combat readiness.” As TWZ previously reported, White’s work comprises the Navy’s Sailor Edge Afloat and Ashore (SEA2) program. It aims to provide high-bandwidth, resilient global connectivity for warships. It was largely conceived and tested out by White aboard the Lincoln, and the deployment last year offered further proof that the system can work. Such SEA2 systems have been tested aboard other ships as well. The Navy has identified Starlink and OneWeb as some of the private providers it is using for the effort. A sailor aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD-1), uses the ship’s enhanced bandwidth to video call his wife and newborn in November. (U.S. Navy) It involves moving some communications aspects away from proprietary Defense Department satellites, while leaning on commercial satellite constellations and even cellular providers to keep ships more connected at sea for both personal and tactical uses. While White’s talk this week offered some real-world indications of its benefits, TWZ extensively reported on the technical aspects of the effort last year. SEA2 is now slated to become a funded Navy program of record. It will be known as Flank Speed Wireless, and efforts are underway to harden connectivity to an enterprise level, while scaling the innovations, said White, who is now assigned to Naval Information Warfare Systems Command. “This is being discussed at all levels of the Navy right now,” he said. During Lincoln’s cruise, White was transferring at download speeds of 1 gigabyte per second, with 200 megabytes on the upload, he said, provided to the 5,000 sailors on board for personal and work use. White said there was not one equipment failure aboard Lincoln related to connectivity in the past two years, and that 780 terabytes of data was transferred during the five-and-a-half month cruise. “I set a goal for a petabyte, but I missed that,” he said. “So there’s room for my relief to excel.” Lincoln averaged four to eight terabytes of transferred data a day, 50 times greater than the fleet’s current capabilities. His team managed 7,000 IP addresses, with two full-time system administrators, one on during the day and one at night. To be sure, the system was turned off at the commander’s discretion, particularly when Lincoln was in some of the Red Sea’s weapons engagement zone, and its use always took a ********* to the mission. “We are not going to get into the details, but this is not counter-detectable,” Lincoln’s commanding officer, Capt. Pete “Repete” Riebe, told WEST attendees. “They did not know our location from what we were using. Now, when we went deep into the weapons engagement zone, we turned it all off. We turned the email traffic off, we turned the WiFi off.” The U.S. Navy says it is on the verge of having persistent, reliable, and secure high-speed internet connections across its fleets thanks to a project leveraging commercial satellite constellations like SpaceX’s Starlink. A commercial satellite array is shown here being installed aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72). (U.S. Navy) But when the system was on, it provided not only mission benefits, but benefits to the hard-working Lincoln crew as well, which was at sea for 107 days at one point with no port calls, Riebe said. “Sailors being up on their WiFi, being connected to home, is really what made that doable in this day and age,” he said. White said the average age of an embarked Lincoln sailor was 20.8, and Riebe noted that to attract young people into service, the Navy needs to recognize the innate connection they have to their devices. “The next generation of sailors grew up with a cell phone in their hand, and they are uncomfortable without it,” Riebe said. “I don’t necessarily like that, but that’s reality, and if we want to compete for the best folks coming into the Navy, we need to offer them bandwidth at sea.” Having better connectivity also helped with the ship’s administrative functions, Riebe said, making medical, dental and other work far easier than they have been in the past. “All of that requires bandwidth, and [White] provided it to the ship, and we’re able to make the ship run more smoothly, more efficiently,” he said. A sailor who can FaceTime with his family back home carries less non-Navy stress with them as they focus on the life-or-death duties at hand, White said. “What we tried to do was enable a safe space for those online connections, to allow sailors to continue their continuity of life,” he said. “When it’s time to turn those connections off, the sailors are ready to run to the fire. They are ready to run to the fight, and that is what we saw on Abraham Lincoln.” Capt. Pete Riebe, commanding officer of the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72). (U.S. Navy) This beefed-up bandwidth allowed 38 sailors to witness the birth of their child, while others were able to watch their kids’ sporting events, White said. Several crew members pursued doctorate and master’s degrees while deployed due to better internet, while others were able to deal with personal or legal issues they had left behind back home. One officer was able to commission his wife remotely from the ship. Dental imaging for a sailor’s custom crown moved through this enhanced bandwidth and that crown was later delivered to the ship, although White noted that medical databases remain “kind of cumbersome” to interact with, but that it lightens the load for the ship’s tactical online systems. Content streaming posed some challenges, when it comes to copyright infringement “and activities that we’re not allowed to pass,” White said. But Lincoln was able to offer services like Netflix to sailors, as well as sporting events and access to basic internet luxuries, like fantasy football stats. Better bandwidth also allowed sailors to order from Amazon and other online sellers. While it usually took about a month to get the package to the ship, the morale benefit was undeniable, he said. White recalled a sailor walking with a package and asking her what she had ordered. “She’s like, I don’t know, I forgot,” he recalled. Young sailors view internet connectivity almost like an innate thing they are owed, and having it onboard the Lincoln provided a massive boost for them, Cmdr. Eric Dente, commanding officer of Electronic Attack Squadron 133, which was embarked aboard the Lincoln, told TWZ. “The ability to provide that connectivity … is a real boost for our sailors, who have learned in their lives to almost view having internet as just something that’s provided to them, like fresh water and food,” Dente said. Navy EA-18G Growler jets assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron 133. (U.S. Navy) On the operational side, from “the most desolate waters,” Lincoln used its bandwidth to connect with a command in Norfolk, which undertook the ship’s annual cybersecurity scans “from halfway around the world,” White said. “And we did it, we scanned all of our devices, we validated our authority to operate compliantly,” he said. “They validated the firmware and the device structure online … so that demonstrates that element of scalability moving forward. We should enable this type of capability, fleet-wide, write large.” Lincoln even helped fellow carriers USS Harry S. Truman and USS Carl Vinson to help them connect similarly online, he said. Other benefits were found on the tactical side of things as well. “A lot of tactical connected systems are actually approved to run commercial, and we should utilize that opportunity to our advantage,” White said. “We get high speed, low latency and we can also get preferred routing paths … We demonstrated several [use cases] during our deployment, and we were able to demonstrate some game-changing capability that we will pivot to moving forward.” During a stopover in Guam, the Lincoln used six cellular antennas to connect to local cellular sites, White said. The ship ended up testing this capability at sea, achieving 5G connectivity 100 miles from shore. “And then we immediately took it down at the end, because this was not rigged for the at-sea environment,” he added. “Put it away, but it just shows the opportunity.” Taxpayer dollars can also be saved if a ship isn’t paying for WiFi access while in port, White noted, and the crew was able to start getting to know Italian allies online before an exercise, enhancing the personal aspects of such partnerships. Then-Cmdr. Kevin White, combat systems officer on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), poses with an Italian counterpart during a video call made possible by the carrier’s enhanced internet bandwidth. (U.S. Navy) More bandwidth also means more onboard training, meaning some sailors who don’t have to leave to go to the school house, and sailors were able to get answers to maintenance questions from ashore commands faster as well. “Just by being able to have more reliable access to support resources, we definitely become more effective at maintenance,” White said. While taking its turn battling the Houthis in the Red Sea, the Lincoln has offered a vital proving ground for connecting a deployed ship close to the level enjoyed by all Americans back home. With proper security protocols and other institutional guardrails, better deployed bandwidth appears poised to be a game-changer for what a ship, and its sailors, can do while at sea. Email the author: *****@*****.tld Source link #Life #Aboard #Navy #Aircraft #Carrier #Changed #HighSpeed #Internet #Arrived Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

USAID website goes offline in Trump administration's 2-week-old freeze on foreign aid worldwide – The Associated Press USAID website goes offline in Trump administration's 2-week-old freeze on foreign aid worldwide – The Associated Press USAID website goes offline in Trump administration’s 2-week-old freeze on foreign aid worldwide The Associated PressEnd Appears Near for U.S. Aid Agency, Democratic Lawmakers Say The New York TimesCan the President Dissolve USAID by Executive Order? Just Security Source link #USAID #website #offline #Trump #administration039s #2weekold #freeze #foreign #aid #worldwide #Press Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘It was over before I knew it’ ‘It was over before I knew it’ Erica Donnelly, Jessica Tse, Jack Latham The BBC spoke to six people – including Erica, Jessica and Jack – who have had their first cervical screening in the last six months People not knowing about options to make their cervical screening easier and more comfortable is “costing lives”, a ******* charity warned last month. To find out what having the test is really like for first timers, the BBC spoke to six people who have had their first cervical screening, formerly known as a smear test, in the last six months. Cervical screenings, offered by the NHS to all women and people with a cervix aged 25-64, test for the presence of certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV), the virus that causes 99% of cervical cancers. During the test, a nurse uses a speculum – a tool to open the ******* – and a brush to take a sample of cells from the cervix. This is what having the test done for the first time was like for six people, and what they wish they’d known beforehand. How did you feel beforehand? Erica Donnelly, 26, who lives in Sunderland, waited about a year to book her screening appointment after receiving an invite. “I was in a massive panic about it because I have PTSD relating to ******* trauma, so I was really extra nervous about that,” she says. When she finally had the test done last month, she brought her partner with her for support and to help her in case she had a flashback or a panic attack. Having them there also made the experience feel more “comfortable and casual”, she says. Bianca Ionici, 27, who lives in London, says she put off her cervical screening “for at least two years” because of concerns about pain. But after getting another invite which contained a lot of information about the process, Bianca booked her screening in January. Bianca Ionici Bianca Ionici delayed her cervical screening because of concerns about pain Other people say they booked their screenings as soon as they could. Eleanor Gratton, who had her test at the end of last year aged 25, says her friends were scared the process would be “uncomfortable and painful”. But as more and more people in her group had their screenings, she says they didn’t find this to be the case. What did the test feel like? Jessica Tse was “really anxious” before her cervical screening in December. “I didn’t know if it was going to hurt”, she says. But the nurse was “talking to me, distracting me throughout” and explained the procedure “really clearly”, she adds. “Pain-wise, it was uncomfortable and it was something I hadn’t felt before,” Bianca recalls. But “it was over before I knew”, she says. Others say they didn’t experience any discomfort – like Megan Burns, a social media content creator living in Brighton. “It was nothing,” says Megan, who had her first screening in September aged 25. “I couldn’t feel anything.” She says the fact she’d already had two children made her less anxious about the experience. Megan Burns Megan says that the fact she’d had two children made her cervical screening seem much less daunting “These nurses have seen everything,” Megan adds. Some people feel under pressure to shave their ****** hair or wear their best underwear, she says. But speaking as a former healthcare worker, Megan says “you’re there to do a job, you don’t care about these things”. While most people only feel light pain at their appointments, some people do experience more discomfort at their appointments. “Some people find cervical screening uncomfortable, but it shouldn’t be painful,” the Eve Appeal says. It notes that some conditions like endometriosis, vaginismus and being menopausal can make the screening painful. The NHS says that patients are in control of screening and “can ask the nurse to stop at any time”. Did you know about the adjustments available? People can ask for adjustments to make their screening easier or more comfortable. These include: A smaller speculum (the tube-shaped tool that’s inserted into the ******* to help the nurse to take the sample)A longer appointment so you’re not rushedMore lubrication Moving to a different position Inserting or guiding the speculum yourselfBringing a friend for support But very few people are aware they can request these accommodations, according to recent research by the Eve Appeal. Less than a quarter of people surveyed said they knew they could request a smaller speculum and only 12% said they knew they could ask for a double appointment. Some of the people the BBC spoke to said they weren’t aware they could have asked for accommodations. Bianca says she asked the nurse to use a smaller speculum after reading about it online. But she thinks information about adjustments should be flagged more clearly when you book the appointment, because some need to be thought about in advance – like bringing a friend or booking a double slot. What is it like to have the test as a transgender man? Jack Latham, a 28-year-old personal trainer living in Kent, says he received his first screening invite aged 25, just after he came out as trans. He says his GP was “incredibly supportive” and there was even a poster in his surgery’s waiting room encouraging trans men to have a cervical screening. Trans and non-binary people who have a cervix should still have regular cervical screenings. Jack says he’d put off the appointment out of fear, until he went for a blood test in summer 2024 and the nurse offered him a cervical screening on the spot. Katie Reynolds Jack says his GP was “incredibly supportive” “It was so much quicker and much less of a ******* deal,” Jack says. “It’s nowhere near as bad as you think it will be.” Some trans men previously told the BBC they had not been invited to get cervical screenings because they were listed as male on medical records, though they still had a cervix. How could the process be improved? The NHS wants to encourage more people to go for their cervical screenings. NHS England has promised to eliminate cervical ******* by 2040. Women aged 25-49 are encouraged to have a screening every three years, while women aged 50-64 should have one every five years. NHS England data from March 2024 showed 44.5% of women aged 25-29 had not been screened in the last 3.5 years. For those aged 30-34, this figure was 35.3%. The proportion of younger women who have been adequately screened has been falling a little in recent years. Dr Sue Mann, NHS national clinical director for women’s health, told the BBC in a statement that medics know that some women find screenings “very worrying and uncomfortable”. She emphasised that adjustments are always available and that women should book their screenings, even if they were invited months or years ago. A display at the ******* Museum in east London last year encouraged visitors to write improvements they’d like to see to the NHS’s cervical screening service on slips of paper. Ella Clancy @designermakerella Artist Ella Clancy’s exhibition at the ******* Museum asked visitors to write down changes they’d like made to the cervical screening process Artist Ella Clancy, who produced the display, says common requests included more information about the adjustments available – especially asking for smaller speculums – nurses talking people through exactly what they were doing as they performed the screening and staff being more trauma-aware. Eleanor says there should be more education around what HPV is. School pupils are typically vaccinated against HPV between year eight and year 10 but Eleanor says it wasn’t clear at the time what the jab was for. Jessica thinks doctors should explain the results using plainer language, and says she had to call her GP for further explanation after receiving her results letter. Would you rather do the test yourself? Some people prefer to carry out medical tests in the comfort of their own homes where possible. Do-it-yourself cervical tests are available in some countries, and researchers at King’s College London trialled them in London in 2021 with “fantastic” results. They involve doing a ******** swab which is then sent to a lab. The NHS said last year it was assessing whether to roll the scheme out more widely. Eleanor says she felt “reassured” knowing that a healthcare professional performed her first screening, but would try doing an at-home version of the test after that if the option were available. Jack, on the other hand, has his doubts. He says he’d prefer an at-home kit for “the convenience and flexibility” but that he’d “have some hesitation about whether I’d done it correctly”. If you’ve been affected by any of the issues mentioned in this article, please visit BBC Action Line, where you can find support Source link #knew Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]