Pelican Press

Trump’s Order on Transgender Troops Will Likely Ban Their Service, Again – The New York Times Trump’s Order on Transgender Troops Will Likely Ban Their Service, Again – The New York Times Trump’s Order on Transgender Troops Will Likely Ban Their Service, Again The New York TimesPrioritizing Military Excellence and Readiness The White HouseTrump signs an order to revise the Pentagon’s policy on transgender troops The Associated Press Source link #Trumps #Order #Transgender #Troops #Ban #Service #York #Times Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Donald Trump’s federal funding freeze blocked by US District Judge Loren AliKhan as trillions hang in balance Donald Trump’s federal funding freeze blocked by US District Judge Loren AliKhan as trillions hang in balance After President Donald Trump issued a mass federal funding freeze that would have seen trillions held back from agencies, a US judge has blocked the move minutes before it came into effect, halting the Republican administration. Officials in Washington DC described the sudden freeze as “chaos” after a vague order was issued by the White House, with little detail to ascertain which groups would and wouldn’t be affected by the sudden freezing of federal funds. The order, which was set to come into effect from Tuesday, 5pm Eastern Time, could have seen trillions withheld from agencies that work across healthcare, schools, housing, aid (both domestic and foreign), research and government grants. As agencies panicked, and officials scrambled to provide further detail, US District Judge Loren AliKhan stopped Mr Trump in his tracks. Judge Alikhan’s block has halted the freeze until at least Monday, February 3. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt attempted to hose down concern in her maiden briefing, saying: “This is not a blanket pause on federal assistance and grant programs from the Trump administration.” Ms Leavitt said the Trump administration would review funding, and restore the flow of funds if they felt it was required. “If they feel that programs are necessary and in line with the president’s agenda, then the Office of Management and Budget will review those policies,” Ms Leavitt said. More to come… Source link #Donald #Trumps #federal #funding #freeze #blocked #District #Judge #Loren #AliKhan #trillions #hang #balance Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Judge struck down Biden’s pardons of Fauci, Cheney, Schiff? No, that’s satire Judge struck down Biden’s pardons of Fauci, Cheney, Schiff? No, that’s satire The claim: Judge ruled Biden’s preemptive pardons unconstitutional A Jan. 23 Instagram post (direct link, archive link) includes an image showing four people – retired Gen. Mark Milley, Dr. Anthony Fauci, Sen. Adam Schiff and former Rep. Liz Cheney – who were pardoned by former President Joe Biden. “Breaking News, News Update, BIDEN PARDONS ARE UNCONSTITUTIONAL!” reads text in the image. “7th Circuit Judge Joseph Barron ruled that there is no provision to pardon someone who hasn’t been formally charged, laying the foundation to have the pardons expunged.” The Instagram post received more than 80,000 likes in five days. Similar versions of the claim circulated widely on Facebook. More from the Fact-Check Team: How we pick and research claims | Email newsletter | Facebook page Our rating: False The claim originated on a satirical website. There is no judge with that name on the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals and no record of any court ruling related to the constitutionality of the pardons. Claim about Biden’s pardons originated on satirical website Biden marked the final hours of his presidency with an unprecedented move, issuing blanket preemptive pardons to several of Trump’s potential targets, including the four people shown in the Instagram image. While none have been charged with a crime, all were thought to potentially face retribution from Trump during his second term. The Instagram post’s claim that a 7th Circuit judge quickly determined those pardons violate the constitution, however, is false. Fact check: Biden used ‘end of quote’ after citing Eisenhower in farewell address It originated from a Jan. 21 Facebook post by America’s Last Line of Defense, which operates a network of satirical websites. Its intro section states that “nothing on this page is real.” The post includes an image that matches the one shared on Instagram but includes a watermark in the lower-left corner that identifies it as satire. That watermark was cropped out of the version in the Instagram post. The claim itself unravels with a closer look at some of its details. The post attributes the purported ruling to “Judge Joseph Barron,” but there are no judges on the 7th Circuit court with that name. “Joe Barron” is a name frequently used in claims stemming from the Facebook account and from articles published by its satirical website, the Dunning-Kruger Times, which states on its “About Us” page that everything it posts is fiction. Additionally, there is no record of a ruling related to Biden or to the constitutionality of any of the pardons he awarded on the list of opinions and orders issued by the 7th Circuit since Jan. 18. The Instagram post is an example of what could be called “stolen satire,” where content originally written and presented as satire is reposted in a way that makes it appear to be legitimate news. As a result, readers of the second-generation post are misled, as was the case here. USA TODAY previously debunked false claims that former presidents Jimmy Carter and George H.W. Bush pardoned relatives and that an authentic headline says Biden “exemplifies the gospel” by pardoning his son, Hunter Biden. USA TODAY reached out to several social media users who shared the image but did not immediately receive any responses. Our fact-check sources Thank you for supporting our journalism. You can subscribe to our print edition, ad-free app or e-newspaper here. USA TODAY is a verified signatory of the International Fact-Checking Network, which requires a demonstrated commitment to nonpartisanship, fairness and transparency. Our fact-check work is supported in part by a grant from Meta. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Claim that judge struck down Biden’s pardons is satire | Fact check Source link #Judge #struck #Bidens #pardons #Fauci #Cheney #Schiff #satire Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Lexus Unveils All-New Concept Luxury Utility Vehicle: the Lexus Surf LX Lexus Unveils All-New Concept Luxury Utility Vehicle: the Lexus Surf LX Lexus has taken adventure to a new level with its Lexus Surf LX. Explicitly designed for surfers and coastal adventurers and unveiled at the 2025 Lexus Pipe Pro on Oahu, Hawaii, the all-new concept luxury utility vehicle is a fusion of power, versatility, and innovation –one nicely packaged with the requisite coastal aesthetics. Built to cater to the needs of surfing enthusiasts, the Lexus Surf LX boasts an interior surfboard rack, a slide-out waxing table, a built-in cooler, and extensive cargo storage.“The Surf LX is designed for adventure, combining power and versatility every surfer needs,” says professional surfer and Lexus surf ambassador Griffin Colapinto. A Surfer’s Dream Ride The Lexus Surf LX features interior a surfboard rack and slide-out waxing table Key features include a gear-optimized storage trunk with slide-out storage, a surfboard rack, a built-in cooler, a waxing table, and a turf changing mat. Ventilated compartments ensure essential gear—wetsuits, towels, wax, and sunscreen—stay organized and odor-free. A custom exo-cage and LED-illuminated rear ladder provide easy access to the roof rack, making it ideal for those dawn patrol and post-sunset surf sessions. Built to withstand sand, saltwater, and the elements, on the aesthetics side, the striking matte blue exterior finish, white roofline, and ****** accents were selected to reflect ocean waves and sandy shores all ruggedly offset by custom 20-inch gray wheels and 33-inch all-terrain tires on the Surf LX, while the cabin is a study in durable elegance featuring genuine leather upholstery. Lexus Expands Partnership with the World Surf League In addition to unveiling the Surf LX, Lexus has announced an expanded multi-year partnership with the World Surf League (WSL). Founded in 1976, the WSL is the global home of competitive surfing, showcasing the world’s best talent and upholding the sport’s commitment to ocean preservation and innovation. Under this new agreement, Lexus will serve as the Official Automotive Partner of the WSL and title partner for five marquee events in 2025, including the Trestle Pro and US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach in Southern California. Building on their North American partnership, established in 2024, Lexus will extend its global presence, including the WSL Finals at Cloudbreak in Fiji – a world-class wave that breaks in Tavarua, an island located five miles off the western shore of Viti Levu. US pro surfer and Lexus surf ambassador Griffin Colapinto Lisa McQueen, Media Manager at Lexus Marketing, says a shared drive for innovation, excellence, and performance unites Lexus and the WSL. “This expanded partnership will allow us to elevate the fan experience, creating amazing moments for the surf community.” A sentiment echoed by Cherie Cohen, Chief Revenue Officer of the WSL, who added an official release, “We are kicking off the 2025 season alongside Lexus at Pipe and couldn’t be more excited to continue to build on this partnership for years to come.” The Future of Surfing Meets Luxury Innovation The Lexus Surf LX is more than just a concept vehicle; it’s a testament to Lexus’ dedication to adventure and exploration. With its powerful performance, thoughtful design, and surf-centric features, it promises to revolutionize how surfers travel. Learn more at the Lexus Newsroom. Source link #Lexus #Unveils #AllNew #Concept #Luxury #Utility #Vehicle #Lexus #Surf Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Passengers Say They Were Mistreated on U.S. Deportation Flight Passengers Say They Were Mistreated on U.S. Deportation Flight Passengers on one of the Trump administration’s first deportation flights faced aborted takeoffs, mechanical issues and high temperatures, causing some shackled fliers to break out onto the plane’s wing, begging for help. In response, Brazil’s president called the Trump administration’s efforts “degrading” and “disrespectful.” Source link #Passengers #Mistreated #U.S #Deportation #Flight Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Rare bird flu strain found in California raises potential of wider spread – The Washington Post Rare bird flu strain found in California raises potential of wider spread – The Washington Post Rare bird flu strain found in California raises potential of wider spread The Washington PostHow are H5N9 and H5N1 different? What to know after California bird flu outbreak CBS NewsTests identify H5N9 avian flu at California duck farm University of Minnesota Twin CitiesBird flu cases are rising in the Bay Area. Here’s what you should know The OaklandsideWorrying bird flu strain undisclosed by US after Trump orders WHO exit Sydney Morning Herald Source link #Rare #bird #flu #strain #California #raises #potential #wider #spread #Washington #Post Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Champions League set for dramatic finale – how it stands Champions League set for dramatic finale – how it stands The inaugural Champions League league phase is set for an exciting final day with 25 of the 36 teams still awaiting their fate. Source link #Champions #League #set #dramatic #finale #stands Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Google reclassifies U.S. as ‘sensitive country’ like China, Russia Google reclassifies U.S. as ‘sensitive country’ like China, Russia Jaque Silva | Nurphoto | Getty Images Google‘s maps division on Monday reclassified the U.S. as a “sensitive country,” a designation it reserves for states with strict governments and border disputes, CNBC has learned. The new classification for the U.S. came after President Donald Trump said his administration would make name changes on official maps and federal communications. Those changes include renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America” and renaming Mount Denali as Mount McKinley. Google’s order to stop designating the U.S. as a “non-sensitive” country came on Monday, according to internal correspondence viewed by CNBC. That’s when the company announced it would change the name of the body of water between the Yucatan and Florida peninsulas to the “Gulf of America” in Google Maps after the Trump administration updates its “official government sources.” The decision to elevate the U.S. to its list of sensitive countries illustrates the challenges that tech companies face as they try to navigate the early days of a second Trump presidency. Since the start of the year, Meta, TikTok, Amazon and others have adjusted their products and policies to reflect Trump’s political views, policies and executive orders. Trump had a rocky relationship with Silicon Valley throughout his first presidency and didn’t shy away from criticizing the sector throughout his 2024 campaign. More recently, tech executives, including Google CEO Sundar Pichai, have pursued closer ties with Trump, with several standing behind the president during his inauguration. Google’s list of sensitive countries includes China, Russia, Israel, Saudi Arabia and Iraq, among others. The label is also used for countries that have “unique geometry or unique labeling,” according to internal correspondence reviewed by CNBC. The U.S. and Mexico are new additions. The “sensitive” classification is a technical configuration that signifies some labels within a given country are different from other countries, a company spokesperson told CNBC. It’s unclear if Google’s reclassification of the U.S. extends beyond its “Geo” division. In this photo illustration, the Gulf of Mexico is displayed on the Google Maps app on Jan. 28, 2025 in San Anselmo, California. Justin Sullivan | Getty Images With more than 2 billion monthly users, Google Maps is the world’s top navigation app. Some team members within the maps division were ordered to urgently make changes to the location name and recategorize the U.S. from “non-sensitive” to “sensitive,” according to the internal correspondence. The changes were given a rare “P0” order, meaning it had the highest priority level and employees were immediately notified and instructed to drop what they were doing to work on it. Google’s order states that the Gulf of America title change should be treated similar to the Persian Gulf, which in Arab countries is displayed on Google Maps as Arabian Gulf. “We’ve received a few questions about naming within Google Maps,” the company said in an X post. “We have a longstanding practice of applying name changes when they have been updated in official government sources.” Google added that the name Gulf of Mexico will remain displayed for users in Mexico. Users in other countries will see both names, the company said. When the Obama administration changed the name of the Alaska mountain from Mount McKinley to Denali in August 2015, Google updated Maps to reflect the name change, a Google spokesperson told CNBC. WATCH: Twenty years in, Google Maps turns to AI to maintain dominance Source link #Google #reclassifies #U.S #sensitive #country #China #Russia Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Donald Trump tasks Elon Musk, Space X to bring home stranded NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore Donald Trump tasks Elon Musk, Space X to bring home stranded NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore Billionaire Elon Musk has announced his company Space X has been asked by President Donald Trump to return two astronauts stranded in space back to Earth. Astronaut Sunita “Suni” Williams and Barry “Butch” Wilmore, both veteran NASA astronauts and former US Navy test pilots, were launched aboard Boeing’s Starliner from Florida on June 5. They docked the next day at the ISS, where they were scheduled to spend eight days. However, a series of issues with Starliner’s propulsion system has extended their mission, currently having spent 238 days, stranded without a concrete plan to return home. Mr Musk confirmed the development on X on Tuesday, saying: “The POTUS has asked SpaceX to bring home the 2 astronauts stranded on the @Space_Station as soon as possible.” “We will do so.” Mr Musk, who had originally offered to help NASA bring Suni and Butch home, mounted criticism on former President Joe Biden for not acting on the matter sooner. “Terrible that the Biden administration left them there so long.” If you’d like to view this content, please adjust your Cookie Settings. To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide. One person commented on Mr Musk X post saying the Biden administration “hated you more than they wanted to rescue those astronauts”. Mr Musk replied: “True.” More to come… Source link #Donald #Trump #tasks #Elon #Musk #Space #bring #home #stranded #NASA #astronauts #Sunita #Williams #Barry #Wilmore Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Astronaut Whose Return to Earth Keeps Getting Delayed Says She’s Been ‘Trying to Remember What It’s Like to Walk’ Astronaut Whose Return to Earth Keeps Getting Delayed Says She’s Been ‘Trying to Remember What It’s Like to Walk’ Astronaut Suni Williams, who has been stuck in space since June, is opening up about some of the things she hasn’t done in months. Speaking with students at Needham High School from the International Space Station (ISS) on Monday, Jan. 27, Williams opened up about life in the space station, according to CBS affiliate WBZ-TV. “I’ve been up here long enough right now I’ve been trying to remember what it’s like to walk,” the Needham native told the students. “I haven’t walked. I haven’t sat down. I haven’t laid down. You don’t have to. You can just close your eyes and float where you are right here.” Williams, 59, and fellow NASA astronaut Butch Wilmore, 61, have been at the ISS since June 2024 after their spacecraft experienced mechanical issues and was eventually sent back home without them. Related: Space Smells Like Gunpowder, Burnt Meat and Alcohol, Astronauts Say Williams also told students her extended time in space came as “a little bit of a shock.” “We knew that it would be probably a month or so, honestly. But the extended stay was just a little bit different,” she explained, according to WBZ-TV. NASA Suni Williams, Expedition 72 flight engineer and commander, pose for a fun holiday season portrait while speaking on a ham radio inside the International Space Station’s Columbus laboratory module. Currently, Williams and Wilmore are expected to return to Earth in the spring. In December 2024, NASA announced that the spacecraft that will bring them home won’t be ready to launch until “no earlier than late March 2025.” The pair of astronauts have celebrated multiple holidays in space, including Thanksgiving and Christmas — and in January, Williams went for her first spacewalk since arriving at the ISS months prior. Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Williams and Wilmore even voted in the 2024 U.S. elections from space, a process that NASA made “very easy,” according to Wilmore. The Dragon capsule that will take Williams and Wilmore home arrived at the ISS in late September 2024. NASA HANDOUT/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test astronauts (from top) Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams Related: Do the Astronauts Stuck in Space Have Enough Food and Water for Their Mission? NASA Astronaut Explains NASA previously said it is working with SpaceX to “complete processing” on the Dragon spacecraft for the mission. “We appreciate the hard work by the SpaceX team to expand the Dragon fleet in support of our missions and the flexibility of the station program and expedition crews as we work together to complete the new capsule’s readiness for flight,” Steve Stich, manager of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, said in a statement in December 2024. Read the original article on People Source link #Astronaut #Return #Earth #Delayed #Shes #Remember #Walk Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Trump signs executive order aimed at curtailing gender transitions for everyone under 19 – The Associated Press Trump signs executive order aimed at curtailing gender transitions for everyone under 19 – The Associated Press Trump signs executive order aimed at curtailing gender transitions for everyone under 19 The Associated PressView Full Coverage on Google News Source link #Trump #signs #executive #order #aimed #curtailing #gender #transitions #Press Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Pebble Beach Pro-Am: ‘Diminished’ PGA Tour could scale back number of events says Rory McIlroy Pebble Beach Pro-Am: ‘Diminished’ PGA Tour could scale back number of events says Rory McIlroy McIlroy will make his first PGA Tour start of 2025 at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am this week and warned against making too many changes to emulate what is on offer elsewhere. “I don’t think we should try to dumb down golf to appeal to more people,” he said. “Golf is golf at the end of the day. It’s been this way for hundreds of years. You know, I really like the way golf is and I think a lot of other people do, too, but I still understand the critiques of how the entertainment product could get better. “Hopefully people find that entertaining, and if not, then I don’t know what to tell them.” One persistent criticism at PGA Tour events in recent weeks has been pace of play but the four-time major winner admitted there are no easy solutions. As a signature event, the field will be limited to 80 at Pebble Beach this week but such numbers across the season would deny others playing opportunities. “There’s a lot of different answers, but not every answer is going to make everyone happy,” he said. “I could say smaller fields. Smaller fields, smaller fields would help pace of play, but that takes away playing opportunities from people. I think as well, the other thing is when we play in this time of the year, the tee times have to be a little bit tighter together so that they can get everyone through with daylight and everything. “If you could be able to space the tee times out a little bit more, that would hopefully make things flow a little bit better.” Source link #Pebble #Beach #ProAm #Diminished #PGA #Tour #scale #number #events #Rory #McIlroy Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Struggling Star Entertainment’s Sydney property fire ***** in desperate cash grab to avoid collapse Struggling Star Entertainment’s Sydney property fire ***** in desperate cash grab to avoid collapse Star Entertainment has sold off a key asset as it struggles to find the cash needed to engineer a recovery from a financial bloodbath that has left the casino operator on the edge of collapse. The embattled company on Wednesday revealed it would bank $60 million through the divestment of its Sydney event centre and other spaces within the flagship Star Sydney complex to Foundation Theatres. Star chief executive Steve McCann said the company had worked closely with Foundation Theatres since it acquired the sublease for the Sydney Lyric — also part of the Star complex — in 2011. “We are pleased to partner with them as part of the continued evolution of our broad entertainment offerings at The Star Sydney,” Mr McCann said. “We continue to work on a number of other potential non-core asset transactions.” Emphasising the casino operator’s dire cash position, Foundation Theatres will pay the $60m by Friday, with the deal due to close by the end of February. The transaction comes just a week after Star — which also has casinos in Brisbane and the Gold Coast — warned it was on a financial precipice while reporting a disastrous trading update to the *********** Securities Exchange. In announcing a 15 per cent slump in revenues and an $8m loss for the second quarter, Star declared it was struggling to find the necessary capital to obtain the second tranche of a vital $100m bailout loan. Attempts to find other financial solutions had so far failed to eventuate, Star said in the update. “There is no certainty that any of these negotiations will result in one or more definitive arrangements that might materially increase the group’s liquidity position,” the company statement said. “In the absence of one or more of those arrangements, there remains material uncertainty as to the group’s ability to continue as a going concern.” Star’s directors have sought “safe harbour” protection under the Corporations Act to indemnify them from personal liability should the company go insolvent while it continues to trade on the ASX. Star’s hopes are increasingly for a government handout from the NSW or Queensland governments, but NSW Premier Chris Minns ruled out intervention. Star’s quarterly activities report showed a parlous financial state, with revenues cratering across its casinos. Revenues were down $50m in the last quarter alone as mandatory limits and cashless gambling rules were introduced. Compared to the same time last year, revenues were down by 32 per cent, dropping from $438m to $299m. Earnings had also been affected by the ***** of its Treasury Brisbane casino to Griffith University as it raised much-needed funds. Earnings before interest tax, depreciation and amortisation plunged by nearly $60m compared to a year ago, with the company posting an $8m loss for the quarter to December 31. That left it with just $78m in the bank at the end of December. Facing regulatory hurdles and fines linked to a series of scandals involving the concealment of criminally-linked junket operators, operation of a secret gambling room, and regulatory breaches that saw it almost lose its NSW licence, the company has been bleeding cash amid a collapse in high-roller revenue and a reduction in takings from its gaming floor. The company is also strained by debt repayments for its costly multibillion-dollar development of Queen’s Wharf Brisbane casino precinct. Source link #Struggling #Star #Entertainments #Sydney #property #fire #***** #desperate #cash #grab #avoid #collapse Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

What does Trump’s federal funding freeze mean for people who get aid? What does Trump’s federal funding freeze mean for people who get aid? A White House memo ordering a broad freeze on federal grants and loans by 5 p.m. Tuesday has ordinary Americans who depend on such aid, as well as seasoned budget experts, scratching their heads. The memo suspending the federal funding was vague in its wording, causing confusion within federal assistance programs, at nonprofits and among Americans receiving government aid. Adding to the whiplash, a federal judge on Tuesday temporarily blocked the freeze as she considers arguments from the U.S. government and the plaintiffs in the case. “If this was being undertaken pursuant to the executive orders on [diversity, equity and inclusion], why would the administration issue such broad, unclear and confusing directions?” Tad DeHaven, a policy analyst focusing on economic and fiscal policy issues at the libertarian Cato Institute, told CBS MoneyWatch. “I don’t really understand it, and I think even people who are in positions of power don’t really understand it,” added Wendy Edelberg, director of The Hamilton Project at Brookings, a liberal-leaning public policy research group. What programs aren’t affected by the funding freeze? The memo, from the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, indicated that Social Security and Medicare programs would be exempt from the suspension in federal funding. Additional guidance released Tuesday further specified that “any program that provides direct benefits to Americans is explicitly excluded from the pause.” “In addition to Social Security and Medicare, already explicitly excluded in the guidance, mandatory programs like Medicaid and SNAP will continue without pause,” the updated guidance said. The memo adds that funds for small businesses, farmers, Pell grants, Head Start, rental assistance and other similar programs are also exempt. But even if the order ends up being more narrowly tailored, it could still have serious financial implications for the millions of Americans who receive federal assistance, experts said. “If it’s resolved quickly, the aggregate economic effects for the first quarter will be modest, but it will matter a whole lot to people on the other side of these expected payments,” Edelberg said. “It could be the difference between having a job and not, getting evicted or affording food — and the economic numbers won’t fully reflect how individuals are going to feel this.” Here’s what to know about who may be affected by the proposed pause in federal funding. Will I still receive SNAP benefits? The freeze does not apply to all federal financial assistance, according to an Office of Management and Budget (OMB) memo Tuesday outlining what kinds of funding the freeze covers. In the memo, the OMB indicates that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits are excluded, specifying that “… any program that provides direct benefits to Americans is explicitly excluded from the pause and exempted from this review process.” “In addition to Social Security and Medicare, already explicitly excluded in the guidance, mandatory programs like Medicaid and SNAP will continue without pause,” the memo reads. SNAP serves roughly 41 million Americans, who are nonetheless concerned that the program could be interrupted and that they could see delays in disbursements. While the program appears to be exempt from the freeze, “You are still going to be really worried in the near term whether the federal government is going to make good on those promises,” Edelberg said. “And that kind of uncertainty is not good for the economy.” Are meals for seniors affected? The Older Americans Act Nutrition Program, a federal program that funds community-based senior nutrition programs like Meals on Wheels, through grants, could be affected. If the order includes the Older Americans Act, it “would halt service to millions of vulnerable seniors who have no other means of purchasing or preparing meals,” Meals on Wheels said in a statement to CBS MoneyWatch. “The lack of clarity is creating chaos for Meals on Wheels providers not knowing whether they should be serving meals today,” it added. Housing assistance at risk The OMB memo added that rental assistance and other similar programs will not be paused. Still, the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) issued a statement Tuesday maintaining that it believes Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) programs could be covered by the freeze. “Even a short pause in funding could cause significant harm to low-income families and their communities,” NLIHC Interim President and CEO Renee Willis said. “The longer the freeze continues, the greater the risk that low-income households receiving federal rental assistance could face eviction, and in the worst cases, homelessness — homeless shelters may be forced to close their doors, and nonprofit organizations may have to lay off staff.” Head Start panic The memo also indicated that Head Start, a preschool program serving nearly 800,000 low-income children that receives federal health funds, is not impacted by the funding pause. But the National Head Start Association (NHSA) said that the OMB memo has already “created panic among Head Start grant recipients who are currently not able to draw down any funds.” “While we understand that this is an evolving story, this disruption, at best, will slow down Head Start agencies’ ability to pay hundreds of thousands of staff, contractors, and small businesses who support Head Start operations in every corner of the country,” NHSA’s Executive Director Yasmina Vinci said in a statement. “At worst, this means that hundreds of thousands of families will not be able to depend on the critical services and likely will not be able to work.” Medicaid Despite the updated guidance issued Tuesday stating that programs including Medicaid are excluded form the pause, state Medicaid programs on Tuesday said they were locked out of the Department of Health and Human Services system used to track and disburse their money. The Payment Management Services web portal displayed a message reading: “Due to Executive Orders regarding potentially unallowable grant payments, PMS is taking additional measures to process payments. Reviews of applicable programs and payments will result in delays and/or rejections of payments.” The National Association of Medicaid Directors is seeking further clarity on the interruption from the White House, according to a spokesperson. Will it affect student loans? The federal funding freeze does not apply to student loans and Pell grants, according to the Department of Education. The funding pause “only applies to discretionary grants at the Department of Education,” DOE spokesperson Madi Biedermann said in a statement to CBS MoneyWatch. Still, families and students are anxious that funds from programs they depend on will evaporate under President Trump. “Any kind of freeze to federal financial aid across the board is incredibly harmful to working families just trying to pay for college,” Aissa Canchola Bañez, policy director at Student Borrower Protection Center, an advocacy group working to end the student debt crisis, told CBS MoneyWatch. Uncertainty about the order is fueling chaos and confusion, she added. “Lots of questions remain about what the freeze applies to and what programs it does not.” She added that many student borrowers rely on different kinds of assistance to cover costs beyond tuition. “There are other types of federal work-study grants that go directly to colleges and universities, and supplemental education opportunities that go to some of the lowest-income students. People really rely on federal financial aid, and you could see families having to drop out of college or figure out how they will cover this gap,” she said. Kathryn Watson contributed to this report. More from CBS News Megan Cerullo Megan Cerullo is a New York-based reporter for CBS MoneyWatch covering small business, workplace, health care, consumer spending and personal finance topics. She regularly appears on CBS News 24/7 to discuss her reporting. Source link #Trumps #federal #funding #freeze #people #aid Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Ice blamed for deadly ****** on I-295 in Bucks County on Sunday Ice blamed for deadly ****** on I-295 in Bucks County on Sunday A New Jersey woman was killed and an Upper Makefield man seriously injured in what Pennsylvania State Police are calling an ice-related accident on Interstate 95 on Sunday night. The accident happened shortly before 9 p.m. in Middletown at the I-295 exit, according to a police press release. A preliminary investigation found that Samantha Cote, 34, of High Bridge, was entering the eastbound ramp of I-295 from Southbound Route 1 when she lost control of her 2007 Toyota Matrix, swerving after hitting a sheet of ice, police said. Pennsylvania State Police say a New Jersey woman was killed Sunday night after losing control of her car exiting from I-295 in Middletown Bensalem man sentenced in DUI fatal Bensalem man high, speeding, illegally driving sentenced in 2024 fatal ****** that killed 2 She swerved left across multiple lanes of traffic striking a metal guide rail, before bouncing back into the lane of travel, then spinning 180 degrees and striking a 2020 Volkswagen Jetta on the left travel lane of eastbound I-295, police said. After striking the Jetta, the Toyota drifted right and came to a stop blocking the right shoulder of the road. The Jetta also came to a stop on the right lane of I-295 eastbound. State police noted that the Toyota had major front end damage but no airbags deployed. Cote was taken to St. Mary Medical Center where she was pronounced dead. The driver of the Jetta, a 25-year-old man from Washington Crossing, was taken to St. Mary Medical Center with unspecified serious injuries. Reporter Jo Ciavaglia can be reached at *****@*****.tld This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Police blame ice for fatal accident on I-295 and Route 1 on Sunday Source link #Ice #blamed #deadly #****** #I295 #Bucks #County #Sunday Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Portfolio manager pours cold water on Nvidia’s stock bounce back Portfolio manager pours cold water on Nvidia’s stock bounce back Fund manager Dan Niles has thrown cold water over Nvidia’s tentative recovery from Monday’s share price fall, warning that the chipmaker’s stock might not have hit the bottom. Shares in Nvidia slid 16.9% on Monday after ******** startup DeepSeek claimed its free, open-source large language model was built in just two months costing $6 million, a fraction of the cost borne by other major players. These developments have sparked concerns over how much money big tech companies will invest in AI, hitting the shares of Nvidia, a key AI chipmaker. “Nobody questions whether Nvidia is the undisputed king and chips. What they’re questioning is how much capex do you need for things like pre-training, post-training and then inference, ultimately,” Niles, founder and portfolio manager at Niles Investment Management founder, told CNBC Tuesday. After Monday’s share fall — which slashed more than $595 billion from the company’s valuation, the biggest single-day market cap decline on record — Nvidia shares rose nearly 9% Tuesday, but Niles has a gloomy forecast for U.S. chipmaker looking ahead. “I think investors should be very careful about assuming that this is the bottom,” he told CNBC’s Sri Jegarath and Chery Kang on Tuesday’s “Squawkbox Asia.” Nvidia could “absolutely” bounce back from Monday’s massive move, he said, “but if estimates have to go down from Nvidia [revenue] growing at 50% to growing at 20 to 30% I think there’s a stock has a lot more downside potentially from here.” In a statement to CNBC on Monday, Nvidia welcomed the emergence of ******** AI competition. A company spokesperson called DeepSeek’s R1 model “an excellent AI advancement,” indicating that the U.S.-chipmaker sees an opportunity for its graphics processing units, or GPUs. Microsoft bets Niles is also watching whether DeepSeek’s emergence has the potential to fracture the relationship between AI backer Microsoft, OpenAI and Nvidia. Microsoft has been a driving force behind the ChatGPT-creator, which sparked the generative AI *****. Microsoft has poured nearly $14 billion into the AI startup to date. Despite being “the biggest spender on AI by far, and Nvidia’s biggest customer,” Niles said Microsoft’s cap-ex could go from growing “70 to 80% to basically flat by June.” “And so that’s the way you kind of need to think about it, because part of this is, what is the return on investment, on what you’ve spent on so far?” he said. “And the answer has been no for them, and so we’re going to have to see how that plays out.” Source link #Portfolio #manager #pours #cold #water #Nvidias #stock #bounce Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Target’s DEI rollback raises questions about the retail giant’s philanthropic commitments – The Hill Target’s DEI rollback raises questions about the retail giant’s philanthropic commitments – The Hill Target’s DEI rollback raises questions about the retail giant’s philanthropic commitments The HillRepublican attorneys general call out Costco for maintaining DEI policies CBS NewsCostco confirms switch of food court sodas from Pepsi to Coca-Cola USA TODAYBlack-owned brands urge US consumers not to boycott Target over end of diversity efforts Reuters Source link #Targets #DEI #rollback #raises #questions #retail #giants #philanthropic #commitments #Hill Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

What’s the plan for expanding the airport? What’s the plan for expanding the airport? Heathrow Airport An artist’s impression showing three runways at Heathrow Airport The expansion of Heathrow Airport is expected to be welcomed by Chancellor Rachel Reeves on Wednesday, after years of heated debate. The move, alongside confirmation of the expansion of other London airports including Gatwick and Luton, is likely to be met by fierce opposition. Critics say increasing air travel would make it much harder for the *** to meet its climate change commitments. However, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has told the BBC: “Sustainable aviation and economic growth go hand in hand.” How would Heathrow Airport be expanded? Heathrow is already the ***’s busiest airport, serving more than 80 million travellers a year with its four passenger terminals and two runways. A third runway would mean demolishing hundreds of homes, diverting rivers, and rerouting the M25 motorway between junctions 14 and 15 through a tunnel under the new runway. The number of flights, currently capped at 480,000 a year, could go up to 720,000 – or nearly 2,000 a day on average. Heathrow told the BBC that it would eventually be able to serve up to 140 million passengers a year once the third runway is in operation. The airport’s owners, which include Saudi Arabia and Qatar’s sovereign wealth funds and private equity firm Ardian, said the costs of expansion would be met by charging airlines for use of the larger airport. But after years of wrangling over the original plans, the initial cost estimate of £14bn will need to be revised. When could a third runway open? Even with government backing, the formal planning process could take up to two years. Any planning decision could then be subject to a judicial review, as well as needing to answer questions from opponents over environmental concerns. Local authorities and nearby residents will also have questions. After all that, construction is expected to take another six of seven years. Does Labour support a third runway? A third runway was first proposed by Gordon Brown’s Labour government in 2009 but was only finally given the go-ahead by the Supreme Court in 2020. Several members of the current government – including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer – voted against a Heathrow expansion when in opposition. However, recently, there have been hints the Labour government would back a third runway. Starmer told the BBC that the government has climate commitments, “but growth is really important too.” Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: “Any aviation expansion will only be able to go ahead if it is consistent with our carbon budgets”. However, London Mayor Sadiq Khan’s office said he has “a long-standing opposition to airport expansion around London” because of the impact on air quality and noise. Heathrow’s boss, Thomas Woldbye, said in December he was waiting for a “clear steer” from the government before he could take plans forward. Could an extra runway help the economy? Some arguments for investing in the ***’s transport infrastructure include a boost in growth, more jobs, and help for *** exports. Other European cities boast hub airports with more runways, including Amsterdam which serves fewer passengers than Heathrow but has five runways. Paris Charles de Gaulle and Frankfurt have four. Currently, over £200bn of British trade passes through Heathrow annually. Heathrow has not devised figures on how much trade is expected to increase after a third runway, which it will do when it arrives at planning stage. The Airport Commission, an independent panel that examines the need for additional *** airport capacity, looked into the likely impact of Heathrow expansion and reported in 2015 that there would be benefits to the tune of £61bn over 60 years. It said that included reduced fares, fewer delays, greater resilience, and the creation of up to 77,000 jobs. Forging ahead with Heathrow expansion would also send a clear message to foreign investors that the government means what it says about making growth its priority. However, some critics, including think tank the New Economics Foundation say the impact on growth is exaggerated, arguing more capacity in the south of England might simply displace activity from other regions. What would the environmental impact be? Aviation is one source of damaging emissions that can contribute to climate change, and the industry is under pressure to find ways to reduce its impact. Reeves pointed to progress on creating sustainable fuels, and electric planes. A third runway at Heathrow would also mean “that instead of circling London, flights can land” she added, meaning less fuel is used. But it is far from clear that those technologies will be enough to make up for the growing demand for air travel. Heathrow will have to prove that its plan meets the governments net-zero by 2050 targets in any planning application. Last year the government’s independent adviser on cutting emissions, the Climate Change Committee, warned that the *** should not go ahead with airport expansion without a framework in place to manage capacity across the country. Friends of the Earth has described the plan for a third runway as “hugely irresponsible”. Alethea Warrington, head of aviation at climate charity Possible, said: “This huge increase in emissions won’t help our economy, and would just encourage the small group of frequent flyers who take most of the flights.” What about Gatwick, Luton and London’s other airports? Plans to expand London’s other airports are already further along than Heathrow’s and have in the past been viewed as an alternative to a third Heathrow runway. Work is set to start this year to expand capacity at Stansted’s terminal. The government is due to make a decision on Gatwick airport by 27 February. Gatwick wants to increase its capacity to 75 million passengers per year, according to previously published plans. Pre-covid, its record was 47 million. Meanwhile, a decision on Luton airport’s expansion, which includes plans for a new terminal, is due by 3 April. In total these expansions could create capacity for more than 60 million extra passengers by the 2040s. Source link #Whats #plan #expanding #airport Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Expat chef Chad Kubanoff reveals his favorite places to eat in Vietnam Expat chef Chad Kubanoff reveals his favorite places to eat in Vietnam American chef and content creator Chad Kubanoff moved to Vietnam a decade ago, with the intention of leaving within a year. Instead, he fell in love with the food, culture and people — and has made Ho Chi Minh City’s District 7 his home. Kubanoff revealed some of his favorite places to eat in the neighborhood. American chef and content creator Chad Kubanoff moved to Vietnam a decade ago, with the intention of leaving within a year. Instead, Kubanoff fell in love with the food, culture and people — and has made Ho Chi Minh City his home. Vietnam’s largest metropolis is divided into 16 urban districts,1 five rural districts, and one subordinate city,2 each with its own unique landmarks and local delights. Kubanoff’s neighborhood District 7 is known for its large expat community – especially South Koreans – centered around the Phu My Hung urban area. Yet there’s much more to District 7 than just Little Seoul. Kubanoff showed CNBC Travel’s Downtime his favorite places to grab a bite to eat. Dung Dung Kitchen, a stall selling sizzling steaks with eggs and pate in the morning. C14 Hoàng Quốc Việt, Phú Mỹ, District 7 New Koi Coffee, a quintessential Vietnamese cafe with wide spaces, ornate decorations and Japanese Koi carp. 571 Huỳnh Tấn Phát, Tân Thuận Đông, District 7 Bánh hỏi thịt nướng – Ánh Tuyết, an unsuspecting street stall tucked in a corner of a traffic intersection, offering one of the best Banh Hoi Thit Nuong, or Vietnamese grilled pork and vermicelli bundles. 132 Đường Số 15, Tân Quy, District 7 Pham Huu Lau, which sells Com Tam, a staple of the south, made with broken rice grains. You can’t miss the aroma of grilled pork from this stall. 70 Phạm Hữu Lầu, Phú Mỹ, District 7 Bia Hoi Ha Noi – Quán 134 stands out for its freshly-brewed draught beer. While this place looks like a beer garden, it has an extensive menu with some unique and eye-catching dishes. 238 Đ. Phú Thuận, Phú Thuận, District 7 Watch the video above to see what Kubanoff recommends ordering for an authentic taste of Vietnam. Source link #Expat #chef #Chad #Kubanoff #reveals #favorite #places #eat #Vietnam Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Bishop of Liverpool denies sex assault allegations Bishop of Liverpool denies sex assault allegations Stewart Whittingham & Tom Mullen BBC News Church of England The Right Reverend Doctor John Perumbalath was announced in the position in 2022 The Bishop of Liverpool has denied allegations of ******* assault outlined in a Channel 4 News investigation. The Right Reverend Doctor John Perumbalath has been accused of assaulting two women, the programme said. It said one woman was allegedly assaulted in the diocese of Chelmsford in Essex, where he was Bishop of Bradwell, on separate occasions between 2019 and 2023. A female bishop also told Channel 4 News she was ********* harassed by him. In a statement, Bishop John said he had “consistently denied” the allegations, adding police had investigated them but taken no further action. Channel 4 News said Bishop John, who was enthroned Bishop of Liverpool in 2023, was interviewed voluntarily under caution by police in March last year. Liverpool Cathedral is the largest cathedral in Britain and fifth largest in the world Bishop John said: “The allegations set out in this programme are in relation to encounters that took place in public settings, with other people present. “I have consistently denied the allegations made against me by both complainants. “I have complied with any investigation from the National Safeguarding Team. “The allegations raised in Essex were also investigated by the police who took no further action. “Whilst I don’t believe I have done anything wrong, I have taken seriously the lessons learnt through this process addressing how my actions can be perceived by others. “I will comply with any investigation deemed necessary. “I take safeguarding very seriously and work hard to provide proper leadership in this area”. ‘Learning outcome’ The Church of England said it had also investigated the complaints, with a complaint of alleged misconduct first made in early in 2023. A spokesperson said the investigation “concluded that there were no ongoing safeguarding concerns, but a learning outcome was identified with which the bishop fully engaged”. “The complaint was also investigated by the police which resulted in no further action.” The statement continued: “Shortly after the start of this process a further disclosure was made by another woman. “The information brought by the second complainant was explored and assessed not to be a safeguarding matter but a matter of alleged misconduct. “Pastoral support has been provided throughout for the second complainant and is ongoing.” Originally from Kerala in South India, Bishop John was ordained into the Church of North India in 1994. He moved to the *** in 2001, first taking up positions in the Diocese of Rochester. Source link #Bishop #Liverpool #denies #sex #assault #allegations Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Singh open to talking Trump tariff supports, but still plans Liberal topple – National Singh open to talking Trump tariff supports, but still plans Liberal topple – National NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh on Tuesday suggested he could work with the Liberal government and other opposition parties to discuss plans to support workers impacted by U.S. President Donald Trump’s looming tariffs, but said he still plans to bring down the government at the earliest opportunity. Singh called on the Liberals to present a support plan to opposition leaders and then recall Parliament, which is currently prorogued until March 24, to pass legislation before that date. He pointed to the COVID-19 pandemic when Parliament held emergency sessions to pass relief and other financial supports. But Singh said “nothing is on the table” at the moment and currently, his position has not changed on voting non-confidence in the government quickly after Parliament returns from prorogation. “I have maintained my position that I’ll be voting against the government at the earliest opportunity,” Singh told reporters in Burnaby, B.C. Story continues below advertisement “If the Liberals are serious about providing more support to workers — and I think they should — then bring the opposition leaders together, present a plan. They have not done that.” The White House reiterated Tuesday that Trump still intends to impose 25 per cent tariffs on all goods from Canada and Mexico on Feb. 1. 1:52 Trump’s tariffs on Canada, Mexico will still go into effect on Feb. 1: White House The federal government is also looking at a relief package to help businesses and industries affected by Trump’s tariffs. Multiple premiers have said provinces are considering relief plans much like those introduced during the pandemic. Get daily National news Get the day’s top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Any new federal spending would need approval from Parliament. Asked about that potential aid package Tuesday, Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson told reporters that “we need to ensure we’re trying to shield Canadians from the fallout.” Story continues below advertisement Singh said he has not heard anything from the Liberals about such a plan, but said he will push for workers to be supported. Singh added he would also support recalling Parliament early to pass legislation that addresses the recommendations laid out in the final report of the foreign interference inquiry, which was released earlier Tuesday. Trending Now ‘This is insane s—‘: Bill Gates criticizes Elon Musk for far-right support ‘Deport Selena Gomez’: Singer responds to politician who called for her exile 2:45 No ‘traitors’ in Canada’s Parliament, foreign interference report finds Doing so would ensure additional safeguards against foreign meddling are in place before the next election, which is likely to be triggered by the opposition soon after Parliament returns on March 24. Singh was the last opposition leader to declare last month he would introduce a motion of non-confidence in the government and vote against the Liberals. That came months after Singh “tore up” the supply-and-confidence agreement between the NDP and Liberals that kept the ********* government in power in exchange for NDP priorities like dental care. Story continues below advertisement Singh reiterated his position earlier this month after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his intention to resign after a new leader is chosen, with the NDP leader saying he will vote against the Liberals no matter who replaces Trudeau. The Liberals are set to elect their new leader on March 9. Whoever wins the contest will automatically become prime minister until an election is called. More on Politics More videos &copy 2025 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc. Source link #Singh #open #talking #Trump #tariff #supports #plans #Liberal #topple #National Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Scoop: Trump offering buyouts to all federal workers, source says – Axios Scoop: Trump offering buyouts to all federal workers, source says – Axios Scoop: Trump offering buyouts to all federal workers, source says AxiosTrump administration offering buyouts to nearly all federal workers CNBCTrump administration to offer buyouts to federal workers CNNTrump to offer buyouts to federal workers who don’t want to return to office, Axios reports Reuters Source link #Scoop #Trump #offering #buyouts #federal #workers #source #Axios Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Welsh puberty blocker ban unlawful Welsh puberty blocker ban unlawful David Deans Political reporter, BBC Wales News Getty Images The Welsh government has introduced regulations restricting the prescription of puberty blockers by Welsh NHS GPs The Welsh government broke its own law in how it banned puberty blockers for under-18s questioning their gender identity, a Plaid Cymru politician has claimed. After a review found a lack of evidence of the medicines’ long term impact, NHS GPs in Wales were barred from making new prescriptions, in line with other *** nations. An expert group says they pose an “unacceptable safety risk”. But Adam Price and the country’s children’s commissioner, Rocio Cifuentes, said the government should have assessed the impact on children that might have been affected. The Welsh government said it was committed to developing gender services for young people. Puberty blockers are licensed to treat early-onset puberty in children – but over the past decade, there has been a significant increase in demand for them to be given to children and young people suffering gender dysphoria. Last year a review by paediatrician Dr Hilary Cass found a lack of evidence around treatment for under-18s with the drugs. She said in 2024 there was a lack of evidence they were safe to use to “arrest puberty”, and that it had been unusual to give a “potentially life-changing treatment to young people and not know what happens in adulthood”. One young trans man, who has begun transitioning as an adult, told BBC Wales he believed puberty blockers could have helped him avoid “the trauma that has come with living in a body that never felt like it was mine”. The Welsh Conservatives backed the Welsh government position, however. NHS England announced in March 2024 they would not be routinely prescribed, and in December a ban on private prescriptions was made permanent by the *** government Health Secretary Wes Streeting. The Commission on Human Medicines (CHM) has also recommended indefinite restrictions, saying there was an “unacceptable safety risk” in the continued prescription. The drugs are now only available if a patient is a part of a clinical trial, which the *** government has promised, or if a patient was already receiving them. The Welsh government also introduced regulations last year restricting their prescription by Welsh NHS GPs. In December former Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price attempted to have the regulations scrapped, raising concerns ministers had not followed a legal obligation to “give due regard” to the UN Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, enshrined in Welsh law in 2011. Price, in a Senedd debate, said no impact assessment was written – something the government’s own guidelines says officials should use to ensure ministers follow the law. Price told BBC Wales: “I think it is clear that the government have acted unlawfully. “They need to set out with some urgency how they intend to rectify this mistake, and most importantly, engage meaningfully with this group of children and young people whose rights deserve to be respected and whose voices should be heard.” He argued that children and young people might have been able to raise the absence of a clinical trial. Asked if he was opposed to the ban, Price said it was not for him “to give a view on a clinical question”. “The question here is whether the proper legal process was followed, and whether the rights of those children and young people were fully respected, and whether their voices were heard.” Gwion Wiliams said puberty blockers would have helped him avoid “the trauma that has come with living in a body that never felt like it was mine”. Gwion Williams, 21, began his medical transition in adulthood, having struggled to obtain help via the Welsh NHS when he was under 18. Mr Williams said he was referred to child and adolescent mental health services, but said it had “dismissed my claims of feeling dysphoric”. Through his persistence, the service applied for funding to get a referral to the former Tavistock clinic, but because he was 17 and nine months he was disqualified. “I had to go through the negativity of being told that I was making it all up, just to be told I was right the entire time, and I wasn’t qualifying for the waiting list. So I had to start the procedure all over again to get to the adult clinic.” He said the Welsh government should have reached out “to both professional and trans views, trans adults and their families and get an understanding of how much it impacts them”. But without a gender service for young people, Mr Williams said Wales was “severely lacking support for gender ****** youth”. He added: “I think it’s very important for them to assess the situation and realise ultimately there are very, very few GPs prior to this that would have been able or comfortable going through the process of prescribing puberty blockers, because Wales doesn’t have a youth clinic. Most feel they are not qualified to provide any sort of assessment or support.” ‘Difficult to see how their rights have been considered’ In a letter to Welsh children’s minister Dawn Bowden, the children’s commissioner said that without an impact assessment “it is impossible for ministers to evidence compliance” with the 2011 duty. Ms Cifuentes said the topic related to a small group of children and young people, but said: “These children still deserve to have their rights protected, and it is difficult to see how their individual rights have been considered let alone given due regard through this process.” She said she “repeatedly” tried to arrange for ministers to meet with young people affected by decisions relating to puberty blockers last year, but the meeting did not take place. James Evans, Conservative shadow health secretary, said he agreed with the Welsh government’s position. “Whether they should have consulted with young people or not is up to the Welsh government,” he said. “If I was the cabinet secretary for health, I would not be giving anything to young people that could harm them in the future,” he added. “I agree that, yes, the voices of young people are important, but when we are administering something, it needs to be safe and it needs to be checked. As the Cass review said, there is no evidence out there to say that this is safe.” ‘Few, if any, GPs prescribe’ In the Senedd last month the Welsh government’s chief legal adviser, counsel general Julie James, argued ministers had paid regard to the convention because it was not an outright ban. She said: “In practice, few, if any, general practitioners in Wales actually prescribe puberty blockers for puberty suppression in children and young people. “The Royal College of General Practitioners advises that GPs should not prescribe puberty blockers for patients aged under 18 years of age, given the concerns about the evidence base in this area, as well as the specialist expertise required to monitor dosage and side effects.” She said the Cass review “included a significant programme of engagement, including with young people”. She said the regulations were aligning GP prescribing with the recommendations of the review. She was criticised by Caerphilly Labour MS Hefin David, who accused James of reading her statement “with no passion, no enthusiasm whatsoever”. ‘History repeating itself’ It comes a year after the government admitted it failed to follow its own children’s rights law in a similar case where an impact assessment was not conducted on a decision to scrap holiday help for children who receive free school meals. Rachel Thomas, head of policy and public affairs for the children’s commissioner, said it felt like “history repeating itself” after the Welsh government failed to conduct an impact assessment on its decision to scrap school holiday support. She said the government’s commitment to explore a Welsh gender service for young people, made in its LGBTQ+ action plan, also “doesn’t seem to be going anywhere”. Under-18s currently have to be referred across the border, with a clinic available in Bristol. Following a query by BBC Wales, the commissioner’s office added that she respected the findings of the Cass review. A Welsh government spokesperson said: “In line with our commitments in the LGBTQ+ Action Plan we are committed to improving gender identity services for young people and adults. “We are considering the points made by the children’s commissioner and will respond in due course.” Source link #Welsh #puberty #blocker #ban #unlawful Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

How DeepSeek Changed the A.I. Game How DeepSeek Changed the A.I. Game What is DeepSeek, and why did it cause the markets and U.S. tech giants to quake? Cade Metz, a technology reporter for The New York Times who writes about artificial intelligence, explains. Source link #DeepSeek #Changed #A.I #Game Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Caution urged on AI assistant as DeepSeek surges Caution urged on AI assistant as DeepSeek surges Internet users should exercise caution before handing over personal details to ******** artificial intelligence model DeepSeek, federal ministers have urged. The AI assistant – which launched last week – rocketed to the top of app stores, with DeepSeek claiming it uses less data at a fraction of the cost of other services. The launch led to a rout of global financial markets as investors call into question the valuation of other AI companies, with Nvidia losing $US593 billion from its market value in just one day. As the use of DeepSeek surges in Australia, Housing Minister Clare O’Neil said while there were opportunities for AI, users needed to be cautious about the information they pass on. “It’s fine to talk to the app, but perhaps don’t give it personal information that you don’t want the rest of the world to know,” she told Seven’s Sunrise program on Wednesday. “What our national security agencies will be doing at the moment is having a look at the settings of the app and understanding more about how it works before it issues some formal guidance to Australians.” Opposition finance spokeswoman Jane Hume said the government needed to make any security concerns about the use of DeepSeek public. “It’s overtaken ChatGPT, we would urge caution on this one. Take our advice from the security experts, and we hope that the government will make that advice explicit,” she told Seven’s Sunrise. Ms O’Neil said she would wait on formal security advice. “Whatever you may think about it, the future is coming at us, so I think it’s important that we do understand these tools and learn how to use them,” she said. “I’m not downloading (DeepSeek), I’m a ChatGPT girl at this stage.” It comes as Australia’s chief scientist Tony Haymet said the technology was a great opportunity, indicating AI would change the lives of users in the future. “It shows you how disruptive technology can be and how quickly things can happen,” he told reporters in Canberra on Tuesday. “It’s a great export opportunity for Australia, because AI needs electricity, and most of the world is demanding that we deliver AI with renewable electricity, and Australia is perfectly set up for that.” Source link #Caution #urged #assistant #DeepSeek #surges Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]