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UFC Saudi Arabia Results: Adesanya vs. Imavov – MMA Fighting UFC Saudi Arabia Results: Adesanya vs. Imavov – MMA Fighting UFC Saudi Arabia Results: Adesanya vs. Imavov MMA FightingMain Card Results | UFC Saudi Arabia UFCUFC Fight Night prediction — Israel Adesanya vs Nassourdine Imavov: Fight card, start time, odds, live stream CBS SportsUFC Fight Night 250 live updates: Results, round-by-round coverage of every fight MMA JunkieUFC Saudi Arabia: What Time Does The Main Card Start? Forbes Source link #UFC #Saudi #Arabia #Results #Adesanya #Imavov #MMA #Fighting Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
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Unlikely alliance spells danger for Labor in key seats Unlikely alliance spells danger for Labor in key seats A ******* Vote-backed independent candidate is set to preference Labor last at the upcoming federal election, striking fear that safe seats could fall. Ministers Jason Clare in Blaxland and Tony Burke in Watson face challenges from grassroots independents looking to seize on anger within large ******* and Arab populations about Labor’s handling of the war in Gaza. Watson candidate Ziad Basyouny is in negotiations with the Liberals, Greens and other independents to preference Labor last. “The community is energised, engaged and ready to send a message that they will not be taken for granted anymore,” he told AAP. “Our movement is about accountability, Labor cannot expect blind loyalty after everything they’ve done, and they will rank very low on our preferences.” Opposition Leader Peter Dutton criticised Dr Basyouny in September after reports he had outraged Jewish community members by sharing social media posts that celebrated ******’ attack against Israel on October 7, 2023. “This is a test of leadership for the prime minister … they should refuse to accept preferences or give preferences to this independent candidate, this is a very significant matter,” Mr Dutton told 2GB radio at the time. The ******* Vote has backed Ahmed Ouf for the Western Sydney seat of Blaxland, with the Liberals believed to also be in preference negotiations with him. His campaign didn’t respond to requests for comment. Mr Dutton has been critical of Labor changing its vote at the United Nations to support Palestine and a ceasefire, arguing the government had trashed Australia’s relationship with Israel to pander to progressive Greens’ voters. The ******* candidates’ rhetoric on the war in Gaza and Palestine more closely align with the Greens, including accusing Israel of genocide and calling for justice. The NSW Greens said they hadn’t started negotiating preferences and that would not happen for some weeks but each local campaign was in charge of organising its rankings. There was real anger in the community and while Gaza was at the centre, “it’s also about the blatant double standards, the silencing of ************ voices, and the complete failure of leadership,” Dr Basyouny said. “The rise in Islamophobia, the racial violence, the lack of action when Muslims and Arabs are attacked, people see the hypocrisy and they won’t forget it.” He also outlined a lack of action on climate change and human rights more broadly, saying the overwhelming concern of voters in Watson was the cost-of-living crisis, including housing affordability being at breaking point. The community felt taken for granted by Labor because it was viewed as a safe seat, he said. The ******* Vote isn’t a political party but is mobilising grassroots volunteers to challenge Labor in Western Sydney with a focus on “ensuring the community is informed about independent candidates who align with their values”. The group pointed to Labor not taking a strong enough stance on supporting Palestine, a failure to hold Israel accountable, hardline immigration policies and its “weaponisation of counter-terrorism policies against the Muslims”. “The anger towards Labor is not just widespread, it’s deep and personal,” a spokesperson told AAP. “Communities that once voted Labor feel abandoned. Labor must be held accountable for its failures.” Despite Labor holding the two Western Sydney seats on a 15 per cent margin, there are serious concerns behind the scenes at how the party has been polling in the area. Blaxland has more than a 30 per cent ******* population and Watson about 25 per cent. Source link #alliance #spells #danger #Labor #key #seats Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
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‘Stunned’ if helicopter pilots wore night-vision goggles: Ex-military pilot ‘Stunned’ if helicopter pilots wore night-vision goggles: Ex-military pilot Officials could release a flight manifest Friday with a list of names of those on board the American Airlines jet carrying 64 people when it collided with a military helicopter carrying three soldiers at Reagan National Airport. Former F/A-18 fighter pilot Matthew ‘*****’ Buckley says he believes the helicopter pilot may not have seen the passenger jet before the ******. #DCcrash #AmericanAirlines #NTSB Source link #Stunned #helicopter #pilots #wore #nightvision #goggles #Exmilitary #pilot Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]
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Overwatch 2: What Could a Ranged Tank Play Like? Overwatch 2: What Could a Ranged Tank Play Like? The heat is on for Overwatch 2 to stand out from the hero shooter crowd, and a ranged tank could be the perfect x-factor for the next hero to shine. Source link #Overwatch #Ranged #Tank #Play Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
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Colleges around the US cautiously navigate Trump’s DEI crackdown – The Associated Press Colleges around the US cautiously navigate Trump’s DEI crackdown – The Associated Press Colleges around the US cautiously navigate Trump’s DEI crackdown The Associated PressTrump’s fierce attacks on DEI reflect a longtime GOP focus The Washington PostPresident Trump Shifts To Merit Excellence And Intelligence In The Workplace And Away From DEI ForbesOpinion | Don’t Fall for Trump’s D.E.I. Dodge The New York Times Source link #Colleges #cautiously #navigate #Trumps #DEI #crackdown #Press Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
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********* uncovered in China-made patient monitors — Contec CMS8000 raises questions about healthcare device security ********* uncovered in China-made patient monitors — Contec CMS8000 raises questions about healthcare device security The US-based Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency recently released an investigation report involving three firmware versions used in a patient monitoring system called Contec CMS8000, used in hospitals and healthcare facilities. It was discovered that these devices had a ********* with a hard-coded IP address, allowing the patient data to be transmitted. This is possible as the devices will enable a connection to a central monitoring system via a wired or wireless network, according to the product description. The agency revealed the codes that transmit data to a particular IP address. This decoded data contains detailed information, such as the doctor’s name, patients, hospital department, admission date, date of birth, and other information about the people who used this device. This vulnerability is filed under CVE-2025-0626 with a CVSS v4 score of 7.7 out of 10. Two other vulnerabilities were filed under CVE-2024- 12248, which indicates that it could allow an attacker to write data remotely to execute a code, and CVE-2025-0683, which relates to privacy vulnerability. “These cybersecurity vulnerabilities can allow unauthorized actors to bypass cybersecurity controls, gaining access to and potentially manipulating the device,” the FDA said, adding it’s “not aware of any cybersecurity incidents, injuries, or deaths related to these cybersecurity vulnerabilities at this time.” The agency mentioned that Contec Medical Systems is a medical device manufacturer based in China whose products are in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities in the European Union and the United States. However, a quick search revealed that these can also be purchased via eBay for $599. These devices are also relabelled as Epsimed MN-120, according to the FDA. Contec is a major manufacturer of medical devices that are sold in over 130 countries and are FDA-approved. The CISA research team recently discovered this vulnerability as a part of its coordinated vulnerability disclosure process. The agency mentions the IP address is not associated with any medical device manufacturer. Still, it is a third-party university, though it doesn’t mention the university, the IP address, or the country it is sending data to. The CISA also ruled out this coding was meant to be an alternative update system as it does not contain standard update procedures such as tracking updated versions or doing integrity checks. Instead, it has the remote file shared and transmitted to the IP address. As a solution for such a networked device, the FDA strongly recommends disconnecting the monitoring device from its network and monitoring the patient’s vital stats and physical condition. Breach of Privacy and Confidential Information The Contec CMS8000 explicitly monitors a patient’s vital signs while storing its data in great detail, including electrocardiogram, heart rate, blood oxygen, blood pressure, respiration rate, and many others. This will raise privacy concerns since the FDA released a notice implying that they and medical facilities are unaware of its purpose. According to the report, Contec has not addressed the matter yet and has not released any firmware to fix this. Many networked devices have been reported to have vulnerabilities, not exclusively being from a ********-based company. However, given the key role of such devices, due diligence, checks, and disclosures will be vital. Even if the data is transmitted to the university irrespective of its location, and since the report implies neither the FDA nor the hospitals are aware of this *********, it violates the privacy of every patient and doctor, not limited to one region. There have been multiple cyber attacks from China since January and concerns involving TP-Link, which would naturally heighten the problem with these devices. Get Tom’s Hardware’s best news and in-depth reviews, straight to your inbox. Source link #********* #uncovered #Chinamade #patient #monitors #Contec #CMS8000 #raises #questions #healthcare #device #security Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
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Doorbell cameras capture moment of Philadelphia jet crash
Pelican Press posted a topic in World News
Doorbell cameras capture moment of Philadelphia jet ****** Doorbell cameras capture moment of Philadelphia jet ****** Doorbell cameras captured the moment a small medical transport plane crashed in a Philadelphia neighbourhood on Friday evening, killing all six people on board and one person on the ground. Videos of the incident show the plane coming down quickly and sparking a huge fireball. Flight logs show the plane was in the air “for only a minute” before it crashed, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker said in a statement. Source link #Doorbell #cameras #capture #moment #Philadelphia #jet #****** Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content] -
Was this the week DeepSeek started the slow unwinding of the AI bet? | DeepSeek Was this the week DeepSeek started the slow unwinding of the AI bet? | DeepSeek At 2.16pm California time last Sunday, the US billionaire tech investor Marc Andreessen called it. “DeepSeek R1 is AI’s Sputnik moment,” he posted on X. A ******** startup, operating since 2023 and helmed by a millennial mathematician, had unveiled a new chatbot that seemed to equal the performance of America’s leading models at a fraction of the cost. Never mind that its answers on everything from the status of Taiwan to the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre were curbed by ******** ********** party (CCP) censors. To Andreessen, a veteran of decades of technology booms and busts, it was like the Soviet Union getting the first satellite into orbit in 1957 and shocking America. The next day, shares in several of the world’s biggest companies plunged – including the biggest fall in US market history for microchip maker Nvidia, which lost nearly $600bn. Investors believed DeepSeek’s achievement meant China would no longer need so many American chips; that US supremacy in AI was under threat or already over; and that the Silicon Valley giants, who had only a week earlier announced a $500bn AI investment plan, were spending much more money than they needed. The ******** AI lab said the training cost for one of its base models had been just $5.6m. In the biggest week for AI since the launch of ChatGPT in November 2022, DeepSeek’s app, with its jaunty blue whale logo, became the most downloaded free app on Apple’s app stores in the US and *** as people rushed to find out what it was about. But was the world’s largest autocratic nation about to leapfrog the west in AI? What might it mean for control of a technology that many fear could be pressed into malicious use in cyber-attacks, the production of biological weapons and thought control? And given AI is widely considered to now be one of the main playing fields of geopolitical competition, where did this leave US hopes of maintaining supremacy by suppressing China’s progress with export bans on microchips that are key to progress? Tremors had been rumbling out of DeepSeek’s laboratory in Hangzhou, outside Shanghai, for a while. Some experts had been quietly impressed by the developments overseen by DeepSeek’s boss, Liang Wenfeng, a 40-year-old hedge fund entrepreneur. But it wasn’t until last Wednesday that a proper earthquake hit. The firm published a 22-page paper unveiling the DeepSeek R1 model, boasting of “powerful and intriguing reasoning behaviours” and saying it is comparable to Open AI’s 01 model, and even better in some areas. Liang was said to be on holiday as his team’s creation upended not just markets, but also the geopolitical calculus between the US and China While Google, Meta and OpenAI typically swaddle their new releases in marketing hype, DeepSeek’s matter-of-fact approach was clear from the soporific title of its announcement: “Incentivizing Reasoning Capability in LLMs via Reinforcement Learning”. The model was free to use and it seemed pioneering in the way it was engineered to be more efficient than ChatGPT-o1, OpenAI’s $20-a-month reasoning model. It used less computing power as it had been engineered only to activate the relevant part of the system to answer the query. Performance that cost other companies billions seemed to be available for millions. In response, OpenAI announced the launch of a new reasoning model, o3-Mini, on Friday that will be made available to all users, including people on ChatGPT’s free tier. Liang was said to be on holiday for lunar new year as his team’s creation upended not just markets, but also the geopolitical calculus between the US and China as they vie for supremacy in AI with all its economic, political and military potentials. Around the world, experts tried to make sense of how the ******** had made necessity the mother of invention and found a way around a shortage of chips. Jimmy Goodrich, an adviser on technology to the Rand Corporation, told Reuters: “It’s been long known that DeepSeek has a really good team, and if they had access to even more compute, God knows how capable they would be.” “I confess I hadn’t heard of them,” said Michael Wooldridge, a professor of the foundations of AI at the University of Oxford. “[They] appear to have built something which is as capable as a GPT class model, not necessarily better, with something like a hundredth of the resources.” By midweek, DeepSeek had disappeared from app stores in Italy after the data protection regulator demanded reassurances He says the development “pulls the rug out from under Nvidia”, meaning a far greater number of developers can build AI models, making it a “much more accessible technology”. Mike Gualtieri, a principal analyst at Forrester Research, says that accessibility will widen the number of startups that can create their own AI models. But also, the ******* US tech players, with their considerable data processing firepower, could accelerate their own development. “The companies that already have a lot of chips, or access to them – the OpenAIs and the Googles – once they apply these [DeepSeek] techniques, they can experiment more rapidly,” he said. In London, hopes and fears were in conflict. The technology secretary, Peter Kyle, said he would not download the ******** app, surely aware that anything he typed in or uploaded would be stored in China and that all ******** firms are obliged under the national intelligence law to “support, assist and cooperate” with intelligence efforts. But, as a minister tasked with using AI to deliver economic growth, he was “really excited” by the breakthrough. It seemed to show that skills, rather than brute-force computing power funded by hundreds of billions of dollars, were more important than previously thought in making significant AI breakthroughs – good news for the research-heavy *** tech economy. By midweek, DeepSeek had disappeared from app stores for Google and Apple devices in Italy after the data protection regulator demanded reassurances about what personal data is collected. The Dublin Data Protection Commission also demanded from DeepSeek explanations about its “data processing conducted in relation to data subjects in Ireland”. When it ruminated on how “in China, the primary threat is the state itself”, the whole screed of “thinking” was deleted In the US, where Donald Trump signed an executive order to “solidify [the US] position as the leader in AI”, the arrival of DeepSeek was like a needle scratching across a record. Trump called it a “wake-up call for our industries that we need to be laser-focused on competing to win”. Or as one X user parsed his message: “Get back in the code mines.” It didn’t take long for suspicions to take hold. David Sacks, the White House AI adviser, said: “There’s substantial evidence that what DeepSeek did here is they distilled knowledge out of OpenAI models, and I don’t think OpenAI is very happy about this.” OpenAI’s founder, Sam Altman, said he thought it was “legit invigorating to have a new competitor”. But then, a day later, his company said it was “reviewing indications that DeepSeek may have inappropriately distilled our models”. It also became apparent that DeepSeek would censor itself in real time when its answers might be politically embarrassing or challenging for the CCP. In Brazil, one user showed how DeepSeek began thinking about a question about free speech in China by wondering whether to include issues like Beijing’s crackdown on protests in Hong Kong; the “persecution of human rights lawyers”; the “censorship of discussions on Xianjiang re-education camps”; and China’s “social credit system punishing dissenters”. Then, when it ruminated on how “in China, the primary threat is the state itself which actively suppresses dissent”, the whole screed of “thinking” was deleted and DeepSeek apologetically asked the user if he wouldn’t mind talking about maths or logic problems instead. Users could see what the chatbot really thought and the effect of the CCP on free speech; to see it all in action was unintentionally subversive. It was another week in which the strange world of AI got stranger and the stakes rose higher. Source link #week #DeepSeek #started #slow #unwinding #bet #DeepSeek Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
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Dry spell to keep pressure on fire-ravaged state Dry spell to keep pressure on fire-ravaged state Communities already under threat from bush blazes face a longer fire season, with minimal rain expected in the coming month. Source link #Dry #spell #pressure #fireravaged #state Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
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Panama girds for war as Rubio opens talks Panama girds for war as Rubio opens talks PANAMA CITY — Marco Rubio’s weekend visit to Panama is set to offer clues to a pressing question: whether the next four years of American policy will more closely resemble an imperial conquest or a hardball real estate negotiation. On the ground here, members of the country’s small political elite have been bracing for either: As tensions over the Panama Canal ratcheted up last month, Panama’s former president, Ernesto Pérez Balladares, sat in his office on the 10th floor of a bank building and contemplated the worst-case scenario: an American invasion. “I think there will be many, many casualties on our side,” he said, “and international condemnation of the U.S.” At the same time, President Donald Trump’s incoming envoy to Latin America, Mauricio Claver-Carone, was already sending a more pragmatic message in talks with Panamanian officials, according to a participant in those discussions: Get ahead of this by preemptively offering concessions. Trump’s envoy suggested the Panamanians start by offering to let U.S. Navy and Coast Guard ships transit the canal for free, according to the person, who was granted anonymity to describe sensitive talks. Interviews with 10 current and former officials in Panama and Washington ahead of Rubio’s first foreign trip as Trump’s chief diplomat, as well as four days on the ground in Panama City, suggest there remains room to strike a deal that reaffirms American preeminence here and rolls back China’s presence without contesting Panama’s control of the canal. They also point to a high risk of miscommunication and escalation as Trump’s aggression collides with an affronted Panamanian elite. Balladares, sipping on iced coffee, argued that in an increasingly multipolar world, Trump is overplaying his hand. Fresh from a consultation at the presidential palace with his incumbent successor, José Raúl Mulino, Balladares said the only specific response they discussed was an appeal to the United Nations, which has since been made. But Balladares raised the prospect that, if pushed, Panama could retaliate by opening up the choke points of another important flow: that of South American migrants heading north from Colombia. “One of the things that we might do, if, you know, if things become worse,” Balladares said, “is just open up the gates.” Tense Exchanges Rubio’s visit is set to test whether direct, high-level diplomacy can contain a crisis that began with threats made by Trump on social media late last year — alongside complaints about toll prices and claims that ******** soldiers operate the canal — and escalated since. In public and private, Panamanians have protested the lack of factual basis for Trump’s claims about a ******** military presence, pointed out that transit fees are uniform and dictated by law and appealed to the authority of multilateral institutions. People who have worked for Trump and are privy to the Panamanian response offer a familiar take: Mulino’s administration is taking Trump’s belligerent gripes literally when it should instead take the underlying message — don’t forget it’s the U.S. that built and defends the canal — seriously. Initial diplomatic exchanges have not yielded any resolution, according to the participant. Talks between Claver-Carone and Panamanian officials — including cabinet ministers and Ambassador to the U.S. José Healy — began in the waning days of the Biden administration, the person said. In the course of those exchanges, Panamanian officials have fact-checked Trump’s claims and cited Luis Almagro, secretary-general of the Organization of American States, a U.N.-type body for the Western Hemisphere. Almagro posted in December on X, “We expect the fullest and unrestricted compliance with the Agreements signed, approved and in force between the two countries.” The message back from Claver-Carone has amounted to, “I don’t care what the secretary-general of OAS says, I don’t care what some columnist says. … Do you think that we give a *****?” according to the person. A spokesperson for the Panamanian embassy in Washington, Siria Miranda, said she was unable to substantiate this account. The State Department’s press office did not respond to a request for comment. So far, one concession has been forthcoming: On the day of Trump’s inauguration, Panamanian government auditors descended on two ports, located at each end of the canal, operated by a subsidiary of Hong Kong-based conglomerate CK Hutchison Holdings. But the deployment of auditors to scrutinize the company’s compliance with its port concession agreements did not contain the crisis. In his inaugural address on the same day, Trump vowed to “take back” the canal, which the U.S. handed over to Panama in 1999. Mulino responded with a complaint to the U.N. Security Council that cited Panama’s rights under international law. This week, the Panamanian president reiterated his stance that control of the canal is not up for negotiation. In the lead up to Rubio’s arrival, though, came a signal that the Trump administration is ready to temper its approach. “I think it’s clear this is an issue about developing a relationship,” State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce told Fox Business on Tuesday. “Not about bossing other nations around, but making it clear that a partnership with the United States is something that they can trust, something that comes with benefits just like any good relationship does.” ‘China Was Everywhere’ With or without Trump’s threats, China’s presence here has become a sticking point in U.S.-Panama relations as Beijing has made significant inroads into Latin America over the past decade-plus. Many American critics who recoil at the American president’s rhetoric agree that the U.S. could do more to roll back ******** encroachment in Latin America. Panamanian elites, on the other hand, are loath to step back from a lucrative trading partner whose presence they argue poses no real threat to American security interests. Panama’s small ******** community — roughly 4 percent of the country’s 4.5 million inhabitants — traces its roots in the 19th century and the arrival of laborers who came to help build the railroad, then the canal, that cross the isthmus. Today, ******** culture remains a minor but visible presence in the life of the capital. In January, a popular park named for the late dictator Omar Torrijos — who negotiated the handover of the canal from Jimmy Carter — was decked out for the impending ******** lunar new year. As a diplomatic crisis embroiled the city, families strolled through traditional ornamental gateways and past a cartoonish panda luxuriating in a teacup. American concerns about ******** encroachment here date back at least to the 1990s, and the awarding of a contract to Hutchison Whampoa, a Hong Kong-based firm, to operate a port at the canal. Hutchison won the concession despite a last-minute bid by Virginia-based Bechtel and interest from other American contractors. Afterward, conservatives in the U.S. began to raise the alarm about “Red China” gaining control of the canal via Hutchison, but the uproar was widely interpreted in Panama as sour grapes over the bidding outcome. China’s next major round of advances here came during the presidency of Juan Carlos Varela, which saw Panama cut ties with Taiwan and switch its recognition to Beijing in 2017. A series of diplomatic and investment deals promptly followed. Among the most striking signs of China’s growing presence were plans that emerged for a new ******** embassy to be built on the Amador Peninsula, which juts out from the city into the Pacific Ocean. The plans would have allowed the raising of a ******** flag on high ground overlooking the entrance to the canal. “All of sudden it just looked like China was everywhere in Panama” said Robert Evan Ellis, a professor of Latin American Studies at the U.S. Army War College. China’s headway here was smoothed by its then-Ambassador Wei Qiang, who made himself a visible presence in the life of the capital. Wei, a fluent Spanish speaker, had a taste for Armani suits and other fine clothing that earned him the nickname “the tailor of Panama” in some quarters. For much of the time that Wei was charming his way through the city, he had no American counterpart. The 2018 resignation of U.S. Ambassador John Feeley, who cited irreconcilable differences with Trump, left a vacuum that was not filled for more than four years. But U.S. pressure and dwindling domestic enthusiasm eventually blunted ******** progress. Plans for the embassy were scrapped in 2018 in the face of American pushback, and the momentum of ********-Panamanian relations seemed to reverse after Varela left office in 2019. A ******** company’s proposal to build a high-speed rail line from Panama City to the northern city of David stalled under Varela’s successor, Laurentino Cortizo, whose government also revoked a port concession that had been awarded to a ******** firm. Last March, Beijing appointed a new ambassador, Xu Xueyuan, who does not speak fluent Spanish and has been less outgoing than her predecessor. The ******** embassy did not respond to requests for comment. The personnel change was seen here, Ellis said, as “China’s downgrading of the relationship and downgrading their expectations of what was possible.” ‘Typical New Yorker Bull’ The rolling back of China’s reach under Cortizo is just one reason that Panamanian leaders feel blindsided by Trump. Another is that Panama’s incumbent president, Mulino, entered office last summer ready to work with the U.S. on stemming the flow of migrants who transit Panama on their way north. The canal is an especially sensitive target because its successful operation is a point of national pride, considered a model of good governance in a region full of troubled institutions. “If you really just want to step on a small and very pro-American country, he just found the way to do it,” said Feeley in an interview. “That hurts when you talk about the canal.” A spokespersin for the canal authority, Octavio Colindres, declined a request to make a representative available for an interview. But over brunch in the bustling downtown Obarrio neighborhood on a recent Sunday, Jorge Quijano, who served as the administrator of the canal, essentially its CEO, from 2012 to 2019, rejected Trump’s complaints. He took special exception to the idea that Beijing exercises dangerous influence over the canal. “I ran it for seven years, and I never got any instruction from any ********,” Quijano said. In an interview in the lobby of the W Hotel, Aristides Royo, who served as Panama’s president from 1978 to 1982, similarly protested Trump’s accusations. “There is no single influence of the ******** government in the ruling of the Panama Canal,” said Royo, who more recently served as minister of canal affairs, a cabinet position distinct from the independent canal administrator. “Not at all.” Royo, like others here, likened Trump’s complaints to the furor that erupted in the ’90s when Hutchison first won its port concession: a disingenuous ploy, as they see it, to undermine a business rival. Juan Cruz, who served as senior adviser for Western Hemisphere affairs at the National Security Council during Trump’s first term, argues that even though the port operator has not changed, the context has. He pointed out that Hong Kong, where Hutchison is based, was still part of the United Kingdom in 1997. Cruz also cited updates to ******** national security law in recent years that require ******** companies to assist the country’s security services. That, he said, has “changed the equation for ******** companies abroad.” Such details aside, Roberto Eisenmann, the 88-year-old founder of Panama’s independent newspaper La Prensa, said that Panamanian leaders are not feigning their bafflement at Trump’s complaints. In a residential neighborhood away from the city’s main drags, La Prensa’s headquarters sits behind high wrought-iron gates, a legacy of the 45-year-old paper’s history of clashes with Panama’s government. Supporters of the late dictator Manuel Noriega once destroyed the paper’s presses, and one of its editors was given a prison sentence in 1982 over an article that blamed Royo for an armed attack on its offices. The paper is no cheerleader for Panama’s current government either: Before winning the presidency, Mulino was implicated in a La Prensa corruption investigation and detained for several months before having his conviction annulled. But, mulling the conflict in an office just off of the newsroom, Eisenmann said that in this case Panama’s leaders were right to dismiss Trump’s grievances as bluster. “I have a New Yorker friend,” Eisenmann said, “and he says to me, ‘Bobby this is typical New Yorker ********* when you want to get a discount.’” ‘Yankee Go Home’ In large part, the identity of the modern nation of Panama has been defined by the tension between a dependence on the U.S. and a desire to break free of it. The isthmus was part of Colombia for much of the 19th century, but in 1903 Colombia’s Senate blocked an American plan to finish an abortive French effort to build a 50-mile canal through the narrow strip of land. Within months, Panamanian separatists — relying on U.S. military and diplomatic support — rebelled. Panama emerged as an independent nation and quickly granted the U.S. the right to build the canal and control the zone around it in perpetuity. The canal was completed in 1914, and the U.S. established over a dozen military installations on the isthmus over the course of the 20th century. As anti-colonial movements swept the world in the post-war *******, a segment of Panamanians soured on the American presence and attempted to assert sovereignty over the canal zone. In 1964, a simmering conflict over the placement of Panamanian and American flags within the canal zone sparked pro-Panama student demonstrations. Then violent clashes erupted that pitted demonstrators against Canal Zone Police and U.S. soldiers, leaving roughly two dozen Panamanians and four Americans dead. Carter made handing control of the canal to Panama a top foreign policy priority, achieved in a 1976 deal that conservatives condemned at the time. While the Panama Canal Treaty rolled back the American presence in Panama, the U.S. has continued to loom larger here than any other foreign power, as illustrated by George H.W. Bush’s 1989 invasion of the country, to depose Noriega. While American soldiers have left, the Navy remains treaty-bound to defend the canal, and American markets remain crucial to Panama’s economy. While only a tiny sliver of the canal’s $5 billion in annual revenue is paid by U.S.-registered ships, roughly 70 percent of the cargo transiting the canal is on its way to or from an American port, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce. Bluster or not, Panama is in no position to ignore Trump’s threats. Two days after the American president refused to rule out military force to take back the canal at a pre-inauguration press conference, much of Panama shuttered in observance of Martyr’s Day, a national holiday in honor of the Panamanians killed in the 1964 clashes. But cracks were showing in the anti-American solidarity that the holiday is meant to represent. And here, as in the United States, there are signs that Trump may benefit from an underappreciated factor: a sense among Panamanians that the country is on the wrong track. Inflation, corruption and drought have all taken their toll in recent years, which have seen the rise of mass protest movements and continued political instability. In last year’s election, Mulino won with barely a third of the vote. Initially a candidate for vice president, Mulino was suddenly elevated to the top of the ticket when his running mate, former President Ricardo Martinelli, was disqualified by a corruption conviction. Martinelli is now evading prison from the safety of the Nicaraguan embassy. Such antics undermine the standing of Panamanian leaders who want to push back against Trump. At the Miraflores Locks — where tourists watch ships transit the canal — and along Panama City’s waterfront, sentiment toward the canal flap was mixed, with many Panamanians expressing the view that the canal today primarily benefits the well-connected. The day after Martyr’s Day, Ricardo Gomez, a former auto mechanic, was back at work on the sidewalks of Panama City’s business district, handing out promotional material for a tour operator. Gomez, 70, said that he was among the students throwing rocks at American soldiers in 1964 but that his views have changed: He has concluded that Panama’s small elite turned average Panamanians against the U.S. for their own gain. “The rich Panamanian people sell me dream,” Gomez said. “They say America no good.” Gomez extolled the yellow fever and malaria eradication carried out by Americans during the canal building and said that when U.S. military bases went away at the turn of the century, good jobs went with them. “Yankee go home?” he said, invoking the anti-American chants that once rang out across the isthmus. “Yankee come back again.” Source link #Panama #girds #war #Rubio #opens #talks Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]
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Trump spoke to Egyptian president about plan to evict Palestinians from Gaza – Axios Trump spoke to Egyptian president about plan to evict Palestinians from Gaza – Axios Trump spoke to Egyptian president about plan to evict Palestinians from Gaza AxiosTrump drops Gaza bombshell, shattering diplomatic orthodoxy – analysis The Jerusalem PostTrump insists Jordan and Egypt will take Palestinians from Gaza Al Jazeera EnglishResponding to Trump, Arab nations reject transferring Gazans ‘under any circumstances’ The Times of Israel Source link #Trump #spoke #Egyptian #president #plan #evict #Palestinians #Gaza #Axios Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
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Dubai stopover put Australia on path to big Test win Dubai stopover put Australia on path to big Test win The *********** team’s stopover in Dubai set the tone for their blistering victory in the Test series opener against Sri Lanka, says stand-in captain Steve Smith. Rather than book in a tour match in Sri Lanka, Australia flew to the subcontinent via Dubai for a five-day camp at the ICC Academy late last month. There, Australia could order training wickets that were similar to the turning decks expected for the two-match series in Galle. The weather was less sticky than what the tourists would go on to encounter in tropical Sri Lanka, but they nonetheless put in plenty of hard yakka on the training pitch. One field session lasted six hours. The team also spent time bonding with newer squad members Sam Konstas, Cooper Connolly and Beau Webster, enjoying rounds of golf, and could use the kind of professional gym facilities that are difficult to source in Sri Lanka. It all helped Australia trounce Sri Lanka by an innings and 242 runs in the first of two Tests, as they made the best of the kind of dusty, turning conditions that have troubled touring teams in the past. From the moment Travis Head hit Asitha Fernando for three fours in the first over of the match, Australia were in control. But Smith felt the squad had been locked in since before then. “I thought the way we went about it was outstanding. Everyone stuck to their method,” he said. “The guys trained exceptionally well in Dubai in the lead-up, we were able to develop some wickets that we wanted to work on some things. “Then when we came here, similarly, guys did the same and really focused in two days out from the game and got their game plans completely in order and brought it all together. “I thought our batting in the first innings was outstanding.” Sri Lanka coach Sanath Jayasuriya took his team to England ahead of last year’s Test tour to spend time acclimatising to greener decks. He admitted Australia were wise to have taken similar step for their own unfamiliar conditions. “It’s always good when you go on a tour like this,” he said. “That advantage, yes of course, it works. That’s a good thing. Any team would do it.” Australia will wait until late to confirm their XI for the second Test that begins next Thursday. The batting order appears unlikely to be changed given their 6-654 – Australia’s largest-ever subcontinent total – that allowed the team to declare and later enforce the follow-on. But ahead of the Test, conditions dictated whether paceman Scott Boland or Todd Murphy would be selected, with the third off-spinner finally getting the nod. “We don’t know what we’re going to get,” Smith said. “We’ll have a couple of days off now, probably a main session two days out and an optional session the day before and we’ll come down, look at the wicket and see what we think is best for the Test match coming up.” Source link #Dubai #stopover #put #Australia #path #big #Test #win Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
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Lightsail propulsion could enable interstellar travel at speeds never before imagined Lightsail propulsion could enable interstellar travel at speeds never before imagined Interstellar travel has long been a dream, but getting to the stars is incredibly difficult. A new project is bringing the space community closer to realizing this dream. The Breakthrough Starshot Initiative — backed by theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking and scientist Yuri Milner — aims to send miniature spacecraft to Alpha Centauri, our nearest star system. Interestingly, the spacecraft would use an innovative propulsion method: lightsails. These types of reflective sails use the pressure from lasers or starlight to propel spacecraft. These ultrathin sails could achieve speeds never before imagined. But building and testing these sails is a complex undertaking. “The lightsail will travel faster than any previous spacecraft, with potential to eventually open interstellar distances to direct spacecraft exploration that are now only accessible by remote observation,” explained Harry Atwater from Caltech. Tiny lightsail experiment Researchers at Caltech, led by Atwater, have created a system to study the extremely thin materials that will be used to build lightsails. Their miniature lightsail, crafted from silicon nitride just 50 nanometers thick, is designed to measure the force exerted by lasers. This involves measuring the incredibly subtle movements of the sail as it’s struck by the laser beam. These experiments are an important first step to moving lightsail development from theory and design to practical testing and material analysis. “There are numerous challenges involved in developing a membrane that could ultimately be used as lightsail. It needs to withstand heat, hold its shape under pressure, and ride stably along the axis of a laser beam,” Atwater said. “But before we can begin building such a sail, we need to understand how the materials respond to radiation pressure from lasers. We wanted to know if we could determine the force being exerted on a membrane just by measuring its movements. It turns out we can,” Atwater added. To begin their research, the team built a small, tethered lightsail within a larger membrane. They then shined a visible argon laser on it to measure the radiation pressure by observing the trampoline’s up-and-down movement. Tethering a light sail makes its dynamics complex. The sail vibrates like a trampoline when hit by light. These vibrations are primarily driven by heat from the laser, making it difficult to isolate the effect of radiation pressure. Sail’s response to laser A key innovation is the use of a common-path interferometer. This sophisticated tool allows scientists to measure the sail’s tiny movements – down to picometers – while minimizing environmental noise. They integrated a highly sensitive interferometer into their microscope, placing the device within a vacuum chamber. This allowed them to measure incredibly small movements of a miniature sail, as well as the sail’s stiffness when pushed by a laser. The team also tested the sail’s response to lasers at different angles, simulating the conditions a real lightsail would encounter in space. This mimicked the scenario where the sail wouldn’t be perfectly aligned with the laser source. They noticed that the force exerted on the sail was lower than predicted when the laser was directed at an angle. The researchers believe this is because some of the angled beam hits the edge of the sail, scattering some of the light and reducing the forward force. The team plans to use nanoscience and metamaterials to control the side-to-side motion and rotation of a miniature lightsail. “This is an important stepping stone toward observing optical forces and torques designed to let a freely accelerating lightsail ride the laser beam,” said Ramon Gao, part of the research team, in the press release. The findings were published in the journal Nature Photonics. Source link #Lightsail #propulsion #enable #interstellar #travel #speeds #imagined Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]
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Engrossing literary horror and a dark, whimsical new comic series Engrossing literary horror and a dark, whimsical new comic series Much of the first issue of The Seasons, a new series by Rick Remender and Paul Azaceta, plays out like an old-school cartoon. A frenzied character, Spring Seasons, crashes her way through people and stores as she chases a very important letter from her sister that keeps getting swept just out of reach by the wind. It’s completely over the top and silly, so much so that you quickly forget how the story opened — with a scene of a city in ruin, cut off from contact with the rest of the world. In that city, we see a traveling circus packing up amidst the destruction, getting ready to depart for whatever its next stop is. The tonal shift between the opening and Spring’s mad dash is unexpected and hooks you in a “what the hell is going on?” kind of way. Issue #1 doesn’t really tell you what the series is going to be about, but it sure makes you want to find out. Especially once the circus shows up in Spring’s own town. The description explains a little more: “Summer, Winter, Spring and Autumn are the Seasons Sisters, the daughters of the world-renowned Seasons Detectives. Ten years ago, their famous parents disappeared. Left to raise themselves, the sisters formed an unbreakable bond. Now that bond is tested as the sisters fall prey to sinister forces. The youngest sister, Spring, is the last hope of saving them from a fate worse than death.” The first issue was released this week and the next arrives at the end of February. Source link #Engrossing #literary #horror #dark #whimsical #comic #series Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]
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Pentagon says it will 'rotate' out some media from offices – Reuters Pentagon says it will 'rotate' out some media from offices – Reuters Pentagon says it will ‘rotate’ out some media from offices ReutersPentagon to swap traditional media with pro-Trump outlets under new rotational program for Defense Department workspace CNNDefense Department To Boot NBC News, New York Times And Other Media From Workspaces As Part Of New Rotation; Trump-Friendly Outlets To Get Spots Yahoo! Voices Source link #Pentagon #039rotate039 #media #offices #Reuters Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
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Sore Healy to rest, vows to lead Aussies at World Cup Sore Healy to rest, vows to lead Aussies at World Cup Alyssa Healy has vowed to captain Australia’s ODI World Cup defence but is uncertain on her future beyond this year’s tournament. A sore Healy will soak in the spoils of leading the first women’s Ashes whitewash, before resting a ********* stress injury in her right foot. After missing the Twenty20 portion of the Ashes, Healy played as a batter-only in Australia’s crushing innings and 122-run annihilation of England in the historic Test at the MCG. The 34-year-old was no certainty to feature in the pink-ball match right up until the toss due to her foot injury. Appointed as full-time captain following Meg Lanning’s international retirement in December 2023, part of Healy’s pitch to the Cricket Australia board was being there for the 50-over World Cup. “I’ve got some thoughts in the back of my mind about what it looks like for me moving forward,” Healy said when asked about her future after Saturday’s triumph. “When I took on this role I wanted to get us to that ODI World Cup … obviously to hold that trophy at the end of it. “What I’ve kind of really enjoyed is what we’ve been able to achieve and probably how the group has come along. “To have played a little bit of a role in that, in helping drive that has been really cool. “So we’ll wait and see what the future looks like.” Healy will sit out this year’s WPL in India, as well as Australia’s T20 series in New Zealand in March. But Australia’s next international matches aren’t until near the lead up to the World Cup in September, giving the veteran plenty of time to rest. “Unfortunately for me, I’ve got a couple of months with my feet up, so I’m pretty bummed by that,” Healy said. “But I’m elated to have a little bit of downtime to try and get my body right. “It’s been a really frustrating 18 months for me. “The World Cup is going to be a huge load coming off not a lot of cricket for a lot of the girls in the winter.” Healy admitted the disappointing exit from last year’s T20 World Cup, eventually won by New Zealand, and drawing the last Ashes series in 2023 was a factor in how ruthless Australia were in this series. Leg-spin maestro Alana King was player of the series for her 23 wickets, including nine in the Test, while allrounder Annabel Sutherland struck a record-equalling third Test century to be named player of the match. Source link #Sore #Healy #rest #vows #lead #Aussies #World #Cup Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
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I’m a divorce attorney — men are least likely to cheat if they work in these 3 industries I’m a divorce attorney — men are least likely to cheat if they work in these 3 industries If your man works in these fields, he probably isn’t playing the field. Positions matter in intimate relationships — paid positions, that is. And according to a veteran divorce attorney, gents who work in three specific industries have the lowest propensities to commit infidelity. Kate Simonds, a divorce attorney, virally revealed that accountants, pharmacists and farmers are all least likely to cheat on their spouses. VAKSMANV – stock.adobe.com “If you’re in a relationship with one of these type of men, you’re safe,” Kate Simonds, an Arizona-based lawyer, announced to an online audience of over 1.5 million TikTok viewers. She went on to name accountants, pharmacists and farmers as the most faithful fellas in the workforce. But Simonds list of loyal lovers is a far cry from her top five lineup of chronic cheaters — a roster she previously shared on Instagram, which included pilots, flight attendants, military men, bartenders and firefighters. Unfortunately, however, the playboy bug isn’t limited to philanderers of those hot-and-heavy professions. Men in aviation, the military, nightlife, sales, education and healthcare have some of the highest cheating rates, according to the experts. Wosunan – stock.adobe.com Research has found that sly salesmen, as well as down-and-dirty dudes in education and hedonists in healthcare are all notorious two-timers. “A place where everyone presents their best selves, take lunches together as well as regular coffee breaks, the workplace undeniably serves as a fertile ground for affairs to blossom,” Laura O’Brien, author of the recent study, which surveyed more than 3,800 9-to-5ers, told The Post. “In addition to physical affairs,” said O’Brien, “emotional affairs are prevalent according to the survey, suggesting that people are drawn to colleagues who understand the intensity and challenges of their job.” But Simonds says partners of number-crunchers, pill-pushers and ranchers can breathe easy — warning, however, that her estimation of these men is merely a sweeping generalization rather than a perfect “science.” “I think you’re pretty safe with an accountant,” said the legal guru, ranking CPAs as the third most trustworthy mates. “I see a pretty common personality type. You should be pretty good with no cheating with an accountant.” Simonds says she’s noticed a common personality trait in accountants that makes them the least prone to sleeping around behind their sweethearts’ backs. alphaspirit – stock.adobe.com The divorce insider says people married to pharmacists should feel secure in their relationship. Reese/peopleimages.com – stock.adobe.com Farmers earned Simonds’ first-place ranking as the most faithful workers — maybe they don’t want to upset the chickens. VAKSMANV – stock.adobe.com “No. 2,” said Simonds, “pharmacists.” “There’s no cheating in pharmacy — even the lovely Walgreens pharmacy,” she added. And, of course, the top spot belongs to Old MacDonald and his cohorts. “If you are married to or in a relationship with a farmer,” Simonds said, “I predict no cheating will occur.” Ee-i-Ee-i-O. Source link #divorce #attorney #men #cheat #work #industries Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]
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The number of Justin Tucker accusers has increased from six to 10 – NBC Sports The number of Justin Tucker accusers has increased from six to 10 – NBC Sports The number of Justin Tucker accusers has increased from six to 10 NBC SportsMore accusations against Ravens’ Tucker emerge ESPNRavens’ Justin Tucker faces new allegations from 3 massage therapists The Baltimore BannerNFL Star Chad ‘Ochocinco’ Johnson Reacts To Justin Tucker Allegations: ‘Everybody Can’t Be Lying’ Yahoo SportsA quick settlement could short-circuit NFL’s investigation of Justin Tucker NBC Sports Source link #number #Justin #Tucker #accusers #increased #NBC #Sports Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
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Huw Jones stars for Scots in Six Nations win over Italy Huw Jones stars for Scots in Six Nations win over Italy Huw Jones has came to the ***** in the absence of fellow centre Sione Tuipulotu as his hat-trick helped Scotland fend off another fierce Italian comeback to open their Six Nations campaign with a 31-19 win at Murrayfield. Much had been made of the injury to the Scots’ influential *********** captain Tuipulotu in the build-up to the championship, but they still thrived without him on Saturday. The Scots opened up a 14-0 advantage in the first 10 minutes and led 19-6 at the break through scores from Rory Darge, Jones and Ben White. But Italy, who fought back from 22-10 down to defeat the Scots 31-29 in Rome last March, once again produced a spirited fightback, with the boot of Tommaso Allan and a breakaway try from Juan Ignacio Brex levelling things up at 19-19 heading into the final quarter. But the Scots held their nerve to win their opening fixture in the Six Nations for the fifth year in succession as two further tries from Jones – Tuipulotu’s trusty midfield sidekick for both club and country – took the game away from the Azzurri just as they were starting to scent a first win at Murrayfield for 10 years. Scotland host champions Ireland next Sunday, while Italy will be at home on Saturday to Wales, who slipped to a 13th consecutive defeat in France on Friday. “I’m pretty happy. It’s not every day you get on the end of three. Thanks to the boys for setting me up,” said Jones. Scotland struck first when Darge barged over from close-range and then after a blistering break down the left wing from Duhan van der Merwe, the latter’s pass inside was touched by Brex but fell perfectly for Jones to score. Allan got the visitors on the scoreboard with two quick penalties as Italy settled into the game, but Scotland soon scored their third try. Hooker Dave Cherry found his jumper in the lineout and wrapped around to carry the ball forward in a driving maul before setting White away with a superb offload as Scotland led 19-9 at halftime. Allan kicked another penalty to narrow the gap to seven points early in the second *******, and the visitors then drew level with their first try. Finn Russell’s poor pass was intercepted by Brex and the centre raced clear to score under the posts. The momentum was with Italy and Scotland needed to wrestle it back, which they did on the hour-mark as wing Darcy Graham burst through a gap in the Italy defence and fed Jones to cross for his second score. When Jones showed his power to hold off two defenders and stretched to complete his hat-trick Scotland had breathing space on the scoreboard. With Reuters Source link #Huw #Jones #stars #Scots #Nations #win #Italy Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
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First-ever dual drop of 500-lb GBU-54 laser-guided bomb First-ever dual drop of 500-lb GBU-54 laser-guided bomb In a groundbreaking achievement, the United Operational Test Team has successfully completed the first-ever dual, external release of the GBU-54 Laser Joint Direct Attack Munition (LJDAM) from an F-35 aircraft. This critical test, taken aboard an F-35C from the Navy’s Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 9, was conducted at Edwards Air Force Base in California. The test sets an important precedent for future air-to-ground strike capabilities. GBU-54 laser-guided bomb The GBU-54 is a state-of-the-art precision-guided munition designed to enhance the lethality and effectiveness of the F-35 in complex combat environments. This weapon combines the capabilities of laser guidance with GPS technology, allowing for highly accurate strikes against both stationary and moving targets. Its versatility and adaptability make the GBU-54 an essential component of modern military operations, particularly in scenarios involving dynamic and fixed threats. Cmdr. Michael “Squintz” Procelli, the pilot involved in the test, emphasized the significance of the LJDAM’s integration into the F-35 platform. “The capability to carry LJDAMs externally will greatly enhance the air-to-surface strike capability of the aircraft,” Procelli stated. “This weapon delivery event (WDE) expands the Joint Strike Fighter’s tactical flexibility, especially when countering asymmetric threats with a range of kinetic options.” The recent test focused on the successful deployment of the GBU-54 and aimed to evaluate the F-35’s Stores Management System rigorously. This sophisticated software manages the various munitions carried onboard, and the test involved releasing two GBU-54s against a remote-controlled High-Speed Moving Target (HSMT). Such rigorous evaluation is essential for confirming the F-35’s reliability and performance under realistic operational conditions. F-35 jet The bombs were directed at their targets using a laser housed within the F-35’s Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS). This advanced sensor suite offers better situational awareness than older sensor pods by integrating infrared search and track capabilities alongside a combat laser, which facilitates precise and efficient targeting of GPS and laser-guided munitions. Aligning with the mission of the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center, this test featured a joint tactical air controller to simulate a common battlefield scenario. This collaboration enriches the testing process and provides insights into the operational effectiveness of integrating sophisticated weaponry within a dynamic combat framework. The successful release of the GBU-54 indicates the F-35’s readiness to tackle various challenges posed on modern battlefields. This landmark event demonstrates the aircraft’s robust capabilities to engage targets swiftly and accurately, further solidifying its position as a cornerstone of air-to-ground combat strategy for the United States military. Notably, the GBU-54 LJDAM represents a significant evolution in precision strike technology, marrying the best elements of laser and GPS guidance. With a weight of approximately 500 pounds, this munition can influence the outcome of engagements in complex scenarios where accuracy and adaptability are paramount. The successful integration of such munitions into the F-35’s arsenal enhances the aircraft’s lethality and conveys a message of technological superiority on the battlefield. As developments in military technology continue to evolve, the F-35’s ongoing integration of advanced munitions like the GBU-54 ensures that it remains at the forefront of modern air combat, ready to respond to emerging threats with unmatched precision and efficacy. Source link #Firstever #dual #drop #500lb #GBU54 #laserguided #bomb Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
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Explainer for the times : What are tariffs and how do they work? – National Explainer for the times : What are tariffs and how do they work? – National By Paul Wiseman The Associated Press Posted February 1, 2025 11:49 am 5 min read Descrease article font size Increase article font size Tariffs are making big headline news at the moment. Here’s what they are and what you need to know about them. Tariffs are a tax on imports. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Tariffs are typically charged as a percentage of the price a buyer pays a foreign seller. In the United States, tariffs are collected by Customs and Border Protection agents at 328 ports of entry across the country.U.S. tariff rates vary: They are generally 2.5% on passenger cars, for instance, and 6% on golf shoes.Tariffs can be lower for countries with which the United States has trade agreements. For example, most goods can move among the United States, Mexico and Canada tariff-free because of Trump’s US-Mexico-Canada trade agreement.Mainstream economists are generally skeptical of tariffs, considering them a mostly inefficient way for governments to raise money and promote prosperity.President Donald Trump, a proponent of tariffs, insists that they are paid for by foreign countries. In fact, it is importers — American companies — that pay tariffs, and the money goes to the U.S. Treasury.Those companies, in turn, typically pass their higher costs on to their customers in the form of higher prices. That’s why economists say consumers usually end up footing the bill for tariffs.Still, tariffs can hurt foreign countries by making their products pricier and harder to sell abroad. Foreign companies might have to cut prices — and sacrifice profits — to offset the tariffs and try to maintain their market share in the United States.Yang Zhou, an economist at Shanghai’s Fudan University, concluded in a study that Trump’s tariffs on ******** goods inflicted more than three times as much damage to the ******** economy as they did to the U.S. economy. 2:00 Manitoba farmers brace for price drops amid Trump tariff threat Trump has said tariffs will create more factory jobs, shrink the federal deficit, lower food prices and allow the government to subsidize childcare.“Tariffs are the greatest thing ever invented,’’ Trump said at a rally in Flint, Michigan, during his presidential campaign.As president, Trump imposed tariffs with a flourish — targeting imported solar panels, steel, aluminum and pretty much everything from China.“Tariff Man,” he called himself.Trump has promised even more and higher tariffs in his second term.The United States in recent years has gradually retreated from its post-World War II role of promoting global free trade and lower tariffs.That shift has been a response to the loss of U.S. manufacturing jobs, widely attributed to unfettered tree trade and an increasingly powerful China. Tariffs are intended mainly to protect domestic industries By raising the price of imports, tariffs can protect home-grown manufacturers. They may also serve to punish foreign countries for committing unfair trade practices, like subsidizing their exporters or dumping products at unfairly low prices.Before the federal income tax was established in 1913, tariffs were a major revenue driver for the government.From 1790 to 1860, tariffs accounted for 90% of federal revenue, according to Douglas Irwin, a Dartmouth College economist who has studied the history of trade policy. 2:25 ‘Trump is trying to divide us’: Premier Ford defiant as U.S. tariff threats loom Tariffs fell out of favor as global trade grew after World War II. The government needed vastly ******* revenue streams to finance its operations.In the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, the government collected around $80 billion in tariffs and fees. That’s a trifle next to the $2.5 trillion that comes from individual income taxes and the $1.7 trillion from Social Security and Medicare taxes.Still, Trump wants to enact a budget policy that resembles what was in place in the 19th century.Tariffs can also be used to pressure other countries on issues that may or may not be related to trade.In 2019, for example, Trump used the threat of tariffs as leverage to persuade Mexico to crack down on waves of Central American migrants crossing ******** territory on their way to the United States.Trump even sees tariffs as a way to prevent wars.“I can do it with a phone call,’’ he said at an August rally in North Carolina.If another country tries to start a war, he said he’d issue a threat:“We’re going to charge you 100% tariffs. And all of a sudden, the president or prime minister or dictator or whoever the hell is running the country says to me, ‘Sir, we won’t go to war.’ ” Economists generally consider tariffs self-defeating Tariffs raise costs for companies and consumers that rely on imports. They’re also likely to provoke retaliation, like the moves Canada has said it is preparing as a response.The European Union, for example, punched back against Trump’s tariffs on steel and aluminum by taxing U.S. products, from bourbon to Harley-Davidson motorcycles. 2:01 Trump has threatened a 10% tariff on ********* oil – how will it impact the industry? Likewise, China responded to Trump’s trade war by slapping tariffs on American goods, including soybeans and pork in a calculated drive to hurt his supporters in farm country.A study by economists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of Zurich, Harvard and the World Bank concluded that Trump’s tariffs failed to restore jobs to the American heartland. The tariffs “neither raised nor lowered U.S. employment’’ where they were supposed to protect jobs, the study found.Despite Trump’s 2018 taxes on imported steel, for example, the number of jobs at U.S. steel plants barely budged: They remained right around 140,000. By comparison, Walmart alone employs 1.6 million people in the United States.Worse, the retaliatory taxes imposed by China and other nations on U.S. goods had “negative employment impacts,’’ especially for farmers, the study found.These retaliatory tariffs were only partly offset by billions in government aid that Trump doled out to farmers. The Trump tariffs also damaged companies that relied on targeted imports.If Trump’s trade war fizzled as policy, though, it succeeded as politics. The study found that support for Trump and Republican congressional candidates rose in areas most exposed to the import tariffs — the industrial Midwest and manufacturing-heavy Southern states like North Carolina and Tennessee. 1:59 B.C. prepares for Trump’s 25 per cent tariffs © 2025 The ********* Press Source link #Explainer #times #tariffs #work #National Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
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‘Dog Man’ Barking Up Second Best January Debut For Animated Pic With $35M+, ‘Companion’ $8M-$10M – Saturday AM Box Office Update – Deadline ‘Dog Man’ Barking Up Second Best January Debut For Animated Pic With $35M+, ‘Companion’ $8M-$10M – Saturday AM Box Office Update – Deadline ‘Dog Man’ Barking Up Second Best January Debut For Animated Pic With $35M+, ‘Companion’ $8M-$10M – Saturday AM Box Office Update DeadlineDoes Animated Comedy ‘Dog Man’ Have A Post-Credits Scene? ForbesDog Man movie review & film summary (2025) Roger EbertWho is ‘Dog Man?’ All About the Kids’ Book Phenomenon That’s Now a Big-Screen Movie PEOPLEBox Office: ‘Dog Man’ Wagging Away on Top With $10.8 Million Opening Day, ‘Companion’ Sparks in Second Variety Source link #Dog #Man #Barking #January #Debut #Animated #Pic #35M #Companion #8M10M #Saturday #Box #Office #Update #Deadline Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
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Fighting stalls in DR Congo as troops push back rebels Fighting stalls in DR Congo as troops push back rebels A major offensive by M23 rebels in east Democratic Republic of Congo appears to have stalled after the army took back some ground, two civil society sources and a local official say. The Tutsi-led rebels have seized Goma, the largest city in east DR Congo and capital of North Kivu province, which is home to lucrative gold, coltan and tin mines. They then moved on towards Bukavu in South Kivu province, adding to fears of a wider regional conflict but appeared to be held up on Friday by DR Congolese troops supported by Burundi’s army. Local civil society leader Justin Mulindangabo said DR Congo’s army had taken back the villages of Mukwija, Shanje, Numbi and Nyamasasa and other localities in Kalehe territory, about halfway between Goma and Bukavu. Another civil society source said there was no fighting in Kalehe on Saturday morning. A local official said the army had strengthened its position in Kalehe and retaken several villages including Mukwija. The source, who did not wish to be named for security reasons, said fighting was continuing elsewhere. DR Congo’s army did not respond to a request for comment on the situation on Saturday. M23 could not be reached. Burundian troops have been reinforcing DR Congolese forces in South Kivu and elsewhere. They are among the forces seeking to block the advance of M23 and the Rwandan army north of Kavumu, a town 35km north of Bukavu that is home to the city’s airport and hosts a number of DR Congolese drones and other aircraft. Civil society leader Mulindangabo, who lives in Kavumu, said the town was calm on Saturday, with residents no longer panicking but resuming daily life. Well trained and professionally armed, M23 is the latest in a long line of Rwandan-supported, Tutsi-led rebel movements to emerge in DR Congo’s volatile eastern borderlands in the wake of two successive wars stemming from Rwanda’s 1994 genocide. The latest escalation of this long-standing conflict has sparked international criticism of Rwanda and a flurry of diplomatic activity, with repeated calls for a ceasefire. Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye warned he would retaliate against any potential Rwandan encroachment into his country, which shares borders with both Rwanda and DR Congo. “We won’t accept it, war will be generalised,” Ndayishimiye said during a briefing on Friday. Rwanda’s government was not immediately available for comment. Rwanda has long denied supporting M23 and says it is defending itself, accusing DR Congo’s military of joining forces with ethnic Hutu-led militias bent on slaughtering Tutsis in DR Congo and threatening Rwanda. Hutus attacked Tutsis in the 1994 genocide, and some later fled to DR Congo. DR Congo denies the allegations and accuses Rwanda of using M23 to pillage valuable minerals on its territory. Source link #Fighting #stalls #Congo #troops #push #rebels Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
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The Style of Egg Experts Say You Shouldn’t Be Eating Right Now The Style of Egg Experts Say You Shouldn’t Be Eating Right Now “Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links.” The National Institutes of Health reports that avian influenza A virus, or bird flu, is now widespread in wild birds all over the world. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) also states that over 18 million birds have contracted the virus in this country. The avian influenza is a disease previously known to primarily spread between birds and poultry, not other species. However, one specific subtype of bird flu called the H5N1 virus has crossed over to infect mammals, like cows, and in limited instances, people. As of this writing on January 30, 2025, the Centers for Disease Control reports that there have been 67 reported cases of bird flu in humans in the U.S., with one death since March 2024. It’s important to know that the CDC categorizes the risk to the general public as low, however. For people, bird flu is generally hard to get. In terms of transmission, there’s been no documented case of person-to-person contact in the U.S. (although there have been rare cases of this happening in other countries). Instead, those who got infected had direct contact with poultry or dairy cows through their work, or contact with backyard birds or wild birds. These people had either close, lengthy contact with an infected bird or contact with their bodily fluids in most situations. According to the University of Chicago, human symptoms of bird flu include pink eye, a sore throat, a fever, cough and muscle aches. Although most of us won’t contract it, the bird flu is still presenting challenges for many of us — especially in terms of some of the basic food we eat. For instance, if a flock of chickens on a farm gets infected with the bird flu, farmers have to kill all of that flock. Because of this, egg prices have almost doubled in recent weeks. This then begs the question: Can you get the bird flu from eating eggs? Here’s what experts have to say. UCG – Getty Images Can you get the bird flu from eating eggs? “The risk of getting the H5N1 bird flu virus from eggs is minimal to none, and safe storage and cooking of eggs reduces any potential risk,” says Geeta Sood, M.D., ScM, assistant professor of medicine in the Johns Hopkins Medicine Division of Infectious Diseases at Johns Hopkins University in Washington, DC. That’s a relief. It’s also important to know that the USDA inspects every poultry and egg product plant in the country and tests flocks so the chance of bird flu being transferred to your local grocery store is really small. Still, it’s wise to take certain precautions when it comes to eating eggs. Can you tell if an egg is infected with bird flu? The chicken comes first — and then the egg. A recent *** study found that chickens quickly become very obviously sick after being infected with HPN1 and show symptoms like diarrhea and breathing difficulty. They also usually stop laying eggs. Any eggs they do lay look malformed: they’re too small and have soft and/or thin shells. Both sick chickens and strange-looking eggs are immediately removed from the food process. To be extra careful, if you see an egg in a carton that doesn’t look right, don’t buy it, or if it’s already in your fridge, toss it. Are there specific kinds of eggs more likely to contain bird flu? Yes. Unpasteurized eggs are a no-go. Pasteurization is key because it involves heating an egg to a specific temperature, which would kill any bird flu that was present. You also want to make sure the pasteurized eggs you buy are in good, safe condition. “Buy eggs that are sold from a refrigerator, and avoiding cartons with cracked eggs,” says Gregory D. Weston, M.D., MS, associate hospital epidemiologist at Montefiore Medical Center and associate professor of medicine, infectious diseases, at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in Bronx, NY. At home, “always store eggs in a refrigerator, and consume eggs within 3 weeks and before the expiration date,” he adds. sergeyryzhov – Getty Images Are all egg styles safe? No. “Do not eat raw eggs,” says Yoshua Quinones, M.D., a board certified internist with Medical Offices of Manhattan in New York City. You also want to avoid runny eggs, so for now, skip the eggs Benedict, and make sure your scrambled eggs are extra-fluffy, not wet. “Eggs should be cooked until both the yolk and white are firm,” says Dr. Weston. “For casseroles containing eggs, the temperature should reach at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit.” How to handle eggs when cooking “Always wash your hands after touching eggs, and wash eggs before cracking them open,” says Dr. Quinones. It’s important to use the right technique to be thorough. “Proper handwashing includes scrubbing for at least 20 seconds with hot, soapy water, including fingers and fingertips,” says Dr. Weston. “You can time this by singing the ‘Happy Birthday’ song twice.” You also want to clean up the right way by washing utensils and cooking equipment in hot, soapy water, plus any surfaces your eggs touched. According to Mayo Clinic, smart preventative steps also include: Avoid contact with wild birds or sick birds. Wash your hands after touching any animals or surfaces where their body fluids may have been. Wear eye protection, a face mask and gloves if you must handle birds, or if you’re in a location where a lot of birds congregate. (You can get bird flu by breathing the virus in.) It’s also a smart idea to avoid trips to petting zoos or farms with your kids at the moment. While there’s no need to panic, it’s always right to use common sense. You Might Also Like Source link #Style #Egg #Experts #Shouldnt #Eating Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
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UFC Fight Night 250 live updates: Results, round-by-round coverage of every fight – MMA Junkie UFC Fight Night 250 live updates: Results, round-by-round coverage of every fight – MMA Junkie UFC Fight Night 250 live updates: Results, round-by-round coverage of every fight MMA JunkieUFC Fight Night prediction — Israel Adesanya vs Nassourdine Imavov: Fight card, start time, odds, live stream CBS SportsUFC Fight Night odds, picks: MMA analyst releases picks for Adesanya vs. Imavov and other fights for February 1 showcase SportsLineUFC Saudi Arabia: What Time Does The Main Card Start? ForbesMain Card Results | UFC Saudi Arabia UFC Source link #UFC #Fight #Night #live #updates #Results #roundbyround #coverage #fight #MMA #Junkie Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]