Pelican Press

Microsoft Edge is now getting more AI, and I’d be surprised if an even ******* push for more Copilot isn’t just around the corner Microsoft Edge is now getting more AI, and I’d be surprised if an even ******* push for more Copilot isn’t just around the corner Microsoft is implementing Copilot prompts on Edge’s New Tab Page It’s also rolling out an ability to trigger a web search to happen with Copilot rather than Bing Moves in testing to have Copilot take over the New Tab Page still appear to be in the pipeline Microsoft Edge is getting more Copilot, with the AI assistant coming to the New Tab Page (or NTP) in a more prominent way. The NTP is what you see in the web browser when you open up a new tab, serving as a place to start for exploring what you might want to do in Edge – which will usually, but not always, be a web search. However, rather than that traditional query in the search box (which fires up a Bing search, unsurprisingly), Microsoft would prefer you to use Copilot, as there’s an icon for the AI assistant right next to said web search option. You may like Clicking that icon brings up Copilot on the web, ready for your query, but with the latest update for Edge version 136 (which was deployed earlier this month), Microsoft is rolling out a fuller integration of the AI in the NTP. Windows Latest reports that Microsoft explains in the release notes for the update to Edge that: “Starting at the end of May 2025, users may see suggested work and productivity-related Copilot prompts by their search box on the NTP page.” Those suggested prompts are efforts along the lines of ‘get advice’ or ‘write a first draft’ which invoke Copilot to achieve the indicated task. Microsoft further notes that some Edge users may also see the Copilot icon in the search box, and when clicked this triggers the current search query, but sends it to Copilot rather than having Bing resolve it. Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Analysis: Copilot context (Image credit: Windows Latest / Microsoft) In short, Copilot is slowly gaining a grip on the New Tab Page, although the mentioned capabilities are part of what Microsoft calls a “controlled feature rollout,” and I’d imagine this will be a fairly slow and tentative affair. I don’t have this feature yet on my Edge browser, and neither does Windows Latest. The company will likely want to conduct this deployment at a leisurely pace because there are some Windows 11 users who are wary of seeing AI creep into more corners of the OS and its various apps, which is certainly a goal Microsoft’s intent on pursuing. So, moving slowly and regularly taking the temperature of feedback is likely to be the way forward for Microsoft. More AI is likely coming to Microsoft’s browser, though, in the form of the Edge Copilot Mode spotted by Windows Latest (hidden in the flags menu, as an experimental feature in Edge). This appears to be Microsoft’s plan that’s already been seen in testing, whereby the New Tab Page becomes far more Copilot-focused – read more about that here (and see the above screenshot for a glimpse of what this might look like). It also dumps the MSN feed in favor of Copilot, which I feel is a good trade-off (though your opinion on that may vary, of course). A second part of this Copilot Mode may be a less popular addition, namely so-called ‘context clues’ that tap into the web page you’re visiting, and your web history, to allow the AI to provide better and more personal responses. A fair few privacy red flags are appearing at this point, but we don’t know how (or even if) this feature will be implemented – though it certainly appears to be allowing Copilot to access your browsing history. As such, it’s surely going to be an optional (and opt-in) capability, if any of this is realized with Edge. Remember, all this is still in testing, save for the changes to the NTP that Microsoft has confirmed are now rolling out with Edge v136. You might also like Source link #Microsoft #Edge #surprised #******* #push #Copilot #isnt #corner Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Live updates: Trump pays tribute to fallen soldiers in service at Arlington National Cemetery – AP News Live updates: Trump pays tribute to fallen soldiers in service at Arlington National Cemetery – AP News Live updates: Trump pays tribute to fallen soldiers in service at Arlington National Cemetery AP NewsTrump Praises Military Service and Personal Achievements in Arlington Memorial Day Speech The New York TimesTuesday briefing: Trump’s Memorial Day speech; Liverpool car incident; reduce your ******* risk; summer weather forecast; and more The Washington PostTrump slams Biden, praises ‘tough cookie’ Hegseth and talks upcoming army parade in Memorial Day address PoliticoPresident Trump Calls Biden Administration ‘*****’ in Heated Memorial Day Message People.com Source link #Live #updates #Trump #pays #tribute #fallen #soldiers #service #Arlington #National #Cemetery #News Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Review: Best Served Cold Is An Involving Bartending And Crime-solving Escapade – Entertainium Review: Best Served Cold Is An Involving Bartending And Crime-solving Escapade – Entertainium NoobFeed editor Daman writes – Overall, Best Served Cold is a must-play. Every second with this game has been nothing but a delight. The developers have clearly put a lot of effort into delivering a smooth experience, and you can see it everywhere in the game, from sprites to music to even the mini-games. Source link #Review #Served #Cold #Involving #Bartending #Crimesolving #Escapade #Entertainium Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Syrian admits triple ******* at ******* trial for Solingen knife attack Syrian admits triple ******* at ******* trial for Solingen knife attack A Syrian man has admitted carrying out a knife attack in the ******* town of Solingen last August in which three people were killed. “I have committed a grave crime, I am prepared to accept the verdict,” Issa al H said in a statement read out by his defence lawyers at the start of his trial in the western city of Düsseldorf. Issa al H, whose surname was not made public because of ******* privacy rules, is accused of being a member of the Islamic State jihadist group, and pledging allegiance to IS in videos shortly before the attack. The stabbings took place as Solingen was holding a three-day festival to mark its 650th anniversary and came shortly before a series of key regional elections. In the space of a year, ******* cities saw a string of deadly attacks, which began in Mannheim in May 2024, when an Afghan national stabbed a police officer at a rally. Most of the attackers were described as having migrant backgrounds and the killings played a significant part in the national debate leading up to Germany’s federal elections in February. While most mainstream parties toughened their language on migration, the far-right AfD were seen as benefiting most from the heightened climate, coming second with almost 21% of the vote. They have since narrowed the gap with Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s conservatives even further. The man accused of the 23 August Solingen knife attack had arrived in Germany as a refugee in 2022, but because he had already registered for asylum in Bulgaria he was ordered to be deported there. By the time ******* authorities tried to deport him in 2023 he had disappeared. On Tuesday, Issa al H appeared in a high-security wing of the court in Düsseldorf wearing a blue T-shirt, and kept his head bowed for most of the time he stood in the dock. He is accused of three murders as well as 10 counts of attempted ******* and further charges of grievous bodily harm. Prosecutors allege he approached IS contacts on jihadist social media forums before the attack and he was then given help planning it and choosing his ******* weapon. In his statement read out by his lawyers, Issa al H said: “I killed innocents, not infidels.” One of the people wounded in the Solingen attack sat in court on Tuesday, her arm in a sling, in a reminder of the wounds he inflicted in the city. Athanasios Antonakis, a lawyer acting on behalf of a mother and daughter who were wounded in the attack, told public broadcaster WDR that “my clients are expecting this trial will help improve the healing process”. Source link #Syrian #admits #triple #******* #******* #trial #Solingen #knife #attack Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Review: Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny Returns In Beautifully Remastered Form – Entertainium Review: Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny Returns In Beautifully Remastered Form – Entertainium Travis of Capsule Computers writes: “When it comes to some of Capcom’s beloved franchises, Onimusha generally isn’t one of the titles that will get mentioned much. This is partially due to the fact that, outside of a remaster of the first game in 2019, the last new Onimusha title was released nearly twenty years ago. Then, the announcement of a brand new entry in the form of Onimusha: Way of the Sword makes all the more sense, ready to arrive next year at that twenty year mark. In an effort to bring more light to the Onimusha name and also make the PlayStation 2 original actually available to audiences to enjoy as a whole, Capcom has now given the remaster treatment to Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny. Bringing with it a number of quality of life improvements and some minor graphical improvements, is this remaster a successful transformation?” Source link #Review #Onimusha #Samurais #Destiny #Returns #Beautifully #Remastered #Form #Entertainium Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

French Open 2025 results: Cameron Norrie beats Daniil Medvedev in five sets in Roland Garros first round French Open 2025 results: Cameron Norrie beats Daniil Medvedev in five sets in Roland Garros first round Britain’s Cameron Norrie claimed one of his best victories of the year as he beat world number 11 Daniil Medvedev in a see-saw French Open first-round match. Norrie had not beaten a top-20 player since January 2024 and had lost all four of his previous matches against Medvedev – including a meeting in Rome earlier in May. The world number 81 started superbly but had to withstand a Medvedev fightback, with the Russian frequently switching from irate to dialled in as he forced a fifth set. Norrie then battled back from a break down in the decider to win 7-5 6-3 4-6 1-6 7-5 in just under four hours. Medvedev served for the match at 5-4 in the fifth but could not hold off Norrie, who then won three games in a row to seal victory. Norrie had also recovered from a break down in the opener and kept his cool as Medvedev ranted at his box throughout the first two sets. The Briton will face Argentine lucky loser Federico Gomez for a place in the third round. British number one Jack Draper, seeded fifth, begins his Roland Garros campaign against Mattia Bellucci later on Tuesday, while Sonay Kartal faces Erika Andreeva. Source link #French #Open #results #Cameron #Norrie #beats #Daniil #Medvedev #sets #Roland #Garros Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Security vs. usability: Why rogue corporate comms are still an issue Security vs. usability: Why rogue corporate comms are still an issue Internal and external comms are an age-old minefield for security leaders, with teams balancing security with usability. In some cases, insecure comms systems can turn otherwise diligent top teams and employees into (accidental) insider threats. This presents two key challenges: data loss prevention and corporate buy in. Let’s start with data loss prevention. The recent leak of information on American military operations via Signal is an extraordinary incident – but it may be more commonplace than we think, especially within corporations. Politics and legal issues aside, the exchanging of sensitive organisational data on systems that aren’t designed for such is not uncommon, despite its blaring insecurity. Incidents like this highlight why it’s not worth the risk to use unvetted third-party apps, like Signal or WhatsApp, despite their ease of use. Leaks from chats like this can be ruinous to the reputation of an organisation, resulting in financial loss, reputational and legal damage and, in some cases, non-compliance. Often, conversations held on apps that aren’t overseen or approved by security teams are not officially logged, which can be a problem for compliance. In some industries, like finance and healthcare, for example, organisations are expected to keep logs of conversations to meet compliance, with disappearing messages, as an example, violating this. On the other hand, some organisations (like many of those in the retail and media sectors) have very short data retention policies, with written, non-disappearing messages violating this. Usability and getting organisational buy-in It’s important to consider why employees turn to external messaging apps so security professionals can build secure tech that people will actually use. Simply put, sometimes employees turn to non-org issued comms apps due to ease of use and accessibility. Top teams are especially prone to this, with any sort of restrictions running the risk of slowing work down – and time is money. Security teams are challenged with trying to provide secure tech that will actually be used with the appropriate security measures built in. These apps should be encrypted and let people get their jobs done efficiently and with little friction. Equally, employees must be educated on the risks (and laws) of using unapproved third-party apps, as well as the personal and organisational repercussions of not using them. The rise of BYOD Modern working conditions, like hybrid working, have further complicated the matter. Personal devices being used for work and ‘bring your own device’ (BYOD) models are on the rise across organisations. Oftentimes this is because it reduces costs and increases flexibility. Whilst these devices enable quick conversation between teams, unmonitored personal devices can mean a lack of control for security teams and, as a result, increased security risk. Ultimately, robust BYOD policies and practices must be put in place to mitigate excess risk that arises from using personal devices for work. There must be some element of corporate review of what’s allowed on these devices to ensure safety of organisational data. Whilst many users may have faith in the security of the apps they’re using, personally and professionally, a compromised device often means that these security measures are overridden. Ensuring that users follow basic device hygiene when it comes to security is important (regularly updating software and apps, for example). Additionally, users should understand the importance of enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA) and similar measures that make it harder for a threat actor to move across accounts. The verdict? This isn’t a new problem for CISOs and security teams. Getting organisational buy-in on cyber in general is hard, but restricting the apps that allow people to get their jobs done quickly is equally as tedious. Security teams should prioritise creating and investing in comms systems with good user interfaces that are backed up by robust security measures, like encryption. These apps, devices and tools must also meet the compliance standards set for the organisation’s respective industries. Additionally, strong awareness training is crucial for helping people at all levels understand the risks and consequences of working outside of organisational security standards. Elliott Wilkes is CTO at Advanced Cyber Defence Systems. A seasoned digital transformation leader and product manager, Wilkes has over a decade of experience working with both the American and British governments, most recently as a cyber security consultant to the Civil Service. Source link #Security #usability #rogue #corporate #comms #issue Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

PlayStation Plus Essential monthly games for June include Jet Set Radio’s spiritual successor PlayStation Plus Essential monthly games for June include Jet Set Radio’s spiritual successor Sony has announced the PlayStation Plus Essential monthly games for June. The games, most of which are available to claim from June 3, are available for players on all tiers of PlayStation Plus – Essential, Extra and Premium. June’s games include NBA 2K25, the latest game in 2K Sports‘ long-running basketball series. It’s joined by Alone in the Dark, the 2024 reboot of the survival horror series, starring Jodie Comer and David Harbour. Also available in June is Bomb Rush Cyberfunk, a cel-shaded action adventure platformer considered a spiritual successor to *****‘s Jet Set Radio, with a soundtrack including songs by its main composer Hideki Naganuma. Finally, Destiny 2: The Final Shape will be available to claim from May 28. As well as the monthly games, Sony also confirmed that four more games will be added to the Game Catalogue for Premium and Extra members, on top of the usual monthly Game Catalogue additions (which have still to be confirmed). Another Crab’s Treasure will be added on May 29, followed by Skull and Bones on June 2, Destiny 2: Legacy Collection on June 4 and Grand Theft Auto III: The Definitive Edition on June 10. Myst and its sequel Riven will also be added to the Classics Catalogue, which is available to PlayStation Plus subscribers on the highest tier, Premium. Players can continue to claim May’s PlayStation Plus Essential games until the end of June 2. These include Balatro, Ark: Survival Ascended and Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun. Sony recently announced plans to shift away from providing PS4 games as part of its monthly PlayStation Plus offerings. Starting in January 2026, “PS4 games will no longer be a key benefit” of the service, with the platform holder instead turning its focus to offering PS5 titles. Source link #PlayStation #Essential #monthly #games #June #include #Jet #Set #Radios #spiritual #successor Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Pokemon Go’s Next Season, Delightful Days, Starts June 3 And Adds More New Gen 8 And 9 Pokemon Pokemon Go’s Next Season, Delightful Days, Starts June 3 And Adds More New Gen 8 And 9 Pokemon Pokemon Go’s Might and Mastery season is winding down, but the next season is just around the corner. Beginning June 3, the mobile game is kicking off its Delightful Days season, which will introduce another batch of new Pokemon, several new Gigantamax forms, and more. Over the next few months, more Pokemon originally from the Galar, Hisui, and Paldea regions (the settings of the Pokemon series’ eighth and ninth generation games) will arrive in Pokemon Go. Yamper, Hisuian Lilligant, Tatsugiri, and more Pokemon will be available for the first time, while other monsters from the aforementioned regions–like Charcadet, Frigibax, and Galarian Ponyta–will appear in the wild and as Research Breakthrough encounters. More Gigantamax Pokemon are also coming to the game. Gigantamax forms of Rillaboom, Cinderace, and Inteleon will make their debut during a trio of events leading up to Pokemon Go Fest 2025, while Dynamax forms of Hatenna and other Pokemon will appear in Max Battles throughout the season. A number of new events are on the horizon as well. As usual, Pokemon Go will host several Community Days during its next season. While the featured Pokemon have not yet been announced, the Community Days are set for the following dates: June Community Day: June 21 July Community Day Classic: July 5-6 July Community Day: July 20 August Community Day: August 30 On top of that, the game will offer a handful of in-game bonuses all season long, including increased XP for your first catch of the day, as well as new stickers, Research tasks, and a host of different in-game events. You can read more about the new season on the official Pokemon Go website. June is set to be a busy month for Pokemon Go. Shortly after the Delightful Days season begins, the game will host in-person Pokemon Go Fest 2025 gatherings in Osaka, Jersey City, and Paris, with a global event slated to follow June 28-29. In the lead up to the global Go Fest, Pokemon Go is bringing back every legendary giant for an Ancients Recovered event from June 23-27. Source link #Pokemon #Gos #Season #Delightful #Days #Starts #June #Adds #Gen #Pokemon Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

OpenAI-powered medical coding model that outperforms physicians OpenAI-powered medical coding model that outperforms physicians Dr. Priti Patel, CMIO at John Muir Health, uses Ambience before starting a patient encounter. Courtesy of Ambience Healthcare Artificial intelligence startup Ambience Healthcare on Tuesday announced a new medical coding model that outperforms doctors by 27%. Ambience uses AI to draft clinical notes in real-time as doctors consensually record their visits with patients. The company used tools from OpenAI to build the new model. The startup is part of a fiercely competitive market that has taken off as health-care executives search for solutions to help reduce staff burnout and daunting administrative workloads. The company’s new model can listen to patient encounters and identify ICD-10 codes, which are internationally standardized classifications for different diseases and conditions. There are about 70,000 ICD-10 codes that are regularly updated and used to facilitate billing and other reporting processes in health care. Ambience said its new ICD-10 model can reduce billing mistakes and help clinicians and professional coders work more efficiently. The model notched a “27% relative improvement over physician benchmarks,” according to a release on Tuesday. “We’re not replacing doctors or coders,” Brendan Fortuner, Ambience’s head of engineering, told CNBC in an interview. “What we’re doing is we’re liberating them from administration, and we’re fixing mistakes that help make health care better, safer, more cost-effective.” More CNBC health coverage Documenting ICD-10 codes has traditionally been a labor-intensive task in health care, but it’s a crucial way to track outcomes, mortalities and morbidities in a standardized way, said Dr. Will Morris, the chief medical officer of Ambience. “If you think about it from a data perspective, it’s how you can compare and contrast clinician A to B, or health system A to B,” Morris said in an interview. “It’s the cornerstone for quality.” Ambience’s technology is used at more than 40 health-care organizations, like Cleveland Clinic and UCSF Health. It has raised more than $100 million, according to PitchBook, from investors including Kleiner Perkins, Andreessen Horowitz and the OpenAI Startup Fund. The company is reportedly seeking fresh capital at a valuation of over $1 billion, according to a report from The Information. Ambience declined to comment on the report. Ambience trained its new AI model using OpenAI’s reinforcement fine-tuning technology. This technology allows companies to tune OpenAI’s best reasoning models for very specific domains, like health care. To validate the model, Ambience tested it against a “gold panel” set of labels, the company said. The labels were established by a group of expert clinicians who evaluated complex clinical cases and came to an agreement on what the right codes were. Zoom In IconArrows pointing outwards Ambience’s AI platform for compliant documentation, CDI, and coding. Courtesy of Ambience Healthcare The company then recruited 18 different board-certified doctors and compared their performance on ICD-10 coding accuracy to the model’s performance. That comparison showed the Ambience technology performed 27% better than the physician baseline. “It shows for the first time that an AI system can actually surpass clinician experts at a very, very important administrative task, especially in coding,” Fortuner said. Ambience already has similar capabilities available for other medical codes like Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes, and Fortuner said it’s exploring how to tackle other areas like prior authorizations, utilization management and clinical trial matching. The company’s new ICD-10 model will roll out to customers over the summer. “Getting it right at the point of care is a fundamental change,” Morris said. Source link #OpenAIpowered #medical #coding #model #outperforms #physicians Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

OpenAI-powered medical coding model that outperforms physicians OpenAI-powered medical coding model that outperforms physicians Dr. Priti Patel, CMIO at John Muir Health, uses Ambience before starting a patient encounter. Courtesy of Ambience Healthcare Artificial intelligence startup Ambience Healthcare on Tuesday announced a new medical coding model that outperforms doctors by 27%. Ambience uses AI to draft clinical notes in real-time as doctors consensually record their visits with patients. The company used tools from OpenAI to build the new model. The startup is part of a fiercely competitive market that has taken off as health-care executives search for solutions to help reduce staff burnout and daunting administrative workloads. The company’s new model can listen to patient encounters and identify ICD-10 codes, which are internationally standardized classifications for different diseases and conditions. There are about 70,000 ICD-10 codes that are regularly updated and used to facilitate billing and other reporting processes in health care. Ambience said its new ICD-10 model can reduce billing mistakes and help clinicians and professional coders work more efficiently. The model notched a “27% relative improvement over physician benchmarks,” according to a release on Tuesday. “We’re not replacing doctors or coders,” Brendan Fortuner, Ambience’s head of engineering, told CNBC in an interview. “What we’re doing is we’re liberating them from administration, and we’re fixing mistakes that help make health care better, safer, more cost-effective.” More CNBC health coverage Documenting ICD-10 codes has traditionally been a labor-intensive task in health care, but it’s a crucial way to track outcomes, mortalities and morbidities in a standardized way, said Dr. Will Morris, the chief medical officer of Ambience. “If you think about it from a data perspective, it’s how you can compare and contrast clinician A to B, or health system A to B,” Morris said in an interview. “It’s the cornerstone for quality.” Ambience’s technology is used at more than 40 health-care organizations, like Cleveland Clinic and UCSF Health. It has raised more than $100 million, according to PitchBook, from investors including Kleiner Perkins, Andreessen Horowitz and the OpenAI Startup Fund. The company is reportedly seeking fresh capital at a valuation of over $1 billion, according to a report from The Information. Ambience declined to comment on the report. Ambience trained its new AI model using OpenAI’s reinforcement fine-tuning technology. This technology allows companies to tune OpenAI’s best reasoning models for very specific domains, like health care. To validate the model, Ambience tested it against a “gold panel” set of labels, the company said. The labels were established by a group of expert clinicians who evaluated complex clinical cases and came to an agreement on what the right codes were. Zoom In IconArrows pointing outwards Ambience’s AI platform for compliant documentation, CDI, and coding. Courtesy of Ambience Healthcare The company then recruited 18 different board-certified doctors and compared their performance on ICD-10 coding accuracy to the model’s performance. That comparison showed the Ambience technology performed 27% better than the physician baseline. “It shows for the first time that an AI system can actually surpass clinician experts at a very, very important administrative task, especially in coding,” Fortuner said. Ambience already has similar capabilities available for other medical codes like Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes, and Fortuner said it’s exploring how to tackle other areas like prior authorizations, utilization management and clinical trial matching. The company’s new ICD-10 model will roll out to customers over the summer. “Getting it right at the point of care is a fundamental change,” Morris said. Source link #OpenAIpowered #medical #coding #model #outperforms #physicians Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

ASEAN leaders agree tariff deals with US should not harm members ASEAN leaders agree tariff deals with US should not harm members By Danial Azhar KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) -Southeast Asian leaders reached an understanding on Tuesday that any bilateral agreements they might strike with the United States on trade tariffs would not harm each others’ economies, Malaysia’s premier Anwar Ibrahim said. Anwar, the current chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, said there was consensus during a leaders’ summit in Kuala Lumpur that any deals negotiated with Washington would ensure the interests of the region as a whole were protected. The ASEAN meeting came at a time of global market volatility and slowing economic growth, and amid uncertainty over a trade war that has ensued since U.S. President Donald Trump‘s announcement of sweeping “Liberation Day” tariffs. Southeast Asia is among the regions hardest hit by the tariffs, with six of its countries facing levies of between 32% and 49% in July if negotiations on reductions fail. “While proceeding with bilateral negotiations … the consensus rose to have some sort of understanding with ASEAN that decisions should not be at the expense of any other country,” Anwar told a press conference. “So we will have to protect the turf of 650 or 660 million people,” he said of ASEAN. With a combined gross domestic product of more than $3.8 trillion, ASEAN members are in a precarious position in relation to the United States, which is the biggest market for the region’s exports, key drivers of its growth. Anwar said on Monday that he had written to Trump requesting a meeting on the tariffs between the United States and ASEAN. Anwar was speaking at the conclusion of the summit on Tuesday, which included an economic gathering of leaders of the ASEAN bloc, Gulf countries and China, which was represented by Premier Li Qiang. PEACE EFFORT ASEAN leaders also called for a temporary ceasefire in army-ruled Myanmar to be expanded nationwide, to enable warring sides to build trust and work towards convening dialogue after four years of turmoil. Myanmar has been in crisis since its military overthrew an elected civilian government in 2021, triggering pro-democracy protests that morphed into a widening rebellion, with more than 3.5 million people displaced, according to the United Nations. A devastating earthquake in March that killed more than 3,800 people led to a series of temporary ceasefires in affected areas, a truce that the military government has violated with continued air strikes and artillery attacks, according to data compiled by a conflict monitor and the United Nations. Story Continues “We further called for the sustained extension and nationwide expansion of the ceasefire in Myanmar, as an initial step towards the cessation of violence,” the ASEAN leaders said in a statement. “We encouraged all relevant stakeholders in Myanmar to build trust towards convening an inclusive national dialogue.” Anwar hailed “significant” engagement steps on Myanmar on Monday after last month holding a closed-door meeting in Bangkok with junta chief Min Aung Hlaing and virtual talks with the shadow National Unity Government, which is aligned with rebel forces. On Tuesday, Anwar said ASEAN leaders had agreed that the path forward was to engage all sides in the Myanmar conflict. “Now we have gone to a stage where both parties are now in consultation, although at the lower key level,” he said, stressing the need to extend and expand the ceasefire. His remarks come after Maris Sangiampongsa, the foreign minister of Thailand, Myanmar’s neighbour, told Reuters he would propose broader international engagement with the junta, which has been ostracised by Western powers, with sanctions imposed on the generals. (Writing by Martin Petty; editing by Sophie Walker) Source link #ASEAN #leaders #agree #tariff #deals #harm #members Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Sony confirms discounts on PS5 consoles, accessories and software starting this week Sony confirms discounts on PS5 consoles, accessories and software starting this week Sony has announced several deals on PlayStation 5 hardware and software, including discounts on the PlayStation 5 Pro and more. From May 28 to June 11, Sony will reduce the price on various products on the PlayStation Direct store and participating retailers as part of its Days of Play campaign, including $50 off PlayStation 5 Pro in the US. A Call of Duty: ****** Ops 6 Bundle, which comes with the PS5 console and a copy of the game, will be available in both standard PS5 and PS5 Digital versions, starting at $399.99 for the Digital edition. Sony says this is a saving of up to $120 compared to buying the console and game separately. The Digital and Standard PS5 console will also be on ***** in Europe and Asia, starting at €399.99 / £339.99 / ¥65,980 for the Digital version during the promotional *******. Sony has yet to confirm the full list of console discounts, meaning some of the European discounts leaked earlier this week by insider Billbil-kun have still to be confirmed, and may not be revealed until the ***** starts on Wednesday. Sony also says PlayStation VR2 and the PlayStation VR2 Horizon Call of the Mountain Bundle will get a $50 discount during the promotion. The PS5 DualSense, DualSense Edge, and Access controllers will all receive discounts, as will the Pulse Explore Wireless Earbuds, which are compatible with the PS5, the PSVR 2 and the PlayStation Portal. Various first-party games will also be available at a discounted price, including Astro Bot, MLB: The Show, The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered, and Lego Horizon Adventures. In Europe, Sony recently increased the price of the PS5 Digital Edition to €499.99, up from its previous price of €449.99 (an increase of €50). In the ***, the digital console now costs £429.99, up from its previous £389.99 (an increase of £40). Australia and New Zealand also saw price increases, on both the Digital and Standard PS5 consoles. In Australia, the Digital Edition now costs $749.95 (up from $649.95 and $599.95 before that), and the Standard Edition with disc drive costs $829.95 (up from $799.95 and $749.95 before that). The rises mark the second time the US has escaped a price increase of this nature, though when Sony released the Slim edition of the PS5 Digital it launched in the US at $449, instead of the $399 the non-Slim version launched at. Source link #Sony #confirms #discounts #PS5 #consoles #accessories #software #starting #week Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Xiaomi Mix Flip 2 Launch Timeline Leaked; Tipped to Arrive With Snapdragon 8 Elite Chipset Xiaomi Mix Flip 2 Launch Timeline Leaked; Tipped to Arrive With Snapdragon 8 Elite Chipset Xiaomi Mix Flip was unveiled in July 2024, and the ******** tech brand seems to be readying the Xiaomi Mix Flip 2 as the anticipated successor to its first clamshell style foldable phone. A tipster has now leaked the launch timeline of the upcoming foldable handset. The Xiaomi Mix Flip 2 is expected to be powered by a Snapdragon 8 Elite chip from Qualcomm. The successor to the Xiaomi Mix Flip is also expected to feature a 6.85-inch inner display and a 50-megapixel dual rear camera setup. It is expected to offer support for 67W wired charging. Xiaomi Mix Flip 2 Said to Launch as Early as Next Month Tipster Digital Chat Station on Weibo claimed that Xiaomi will release the Xiaomi Mix Flip 2 in June. The brand is said to unveil other devices like the Redmi K80 Extreme Edition and a new Redmi gaming tablet around the same time. The Xiaomi Mix Flip 2 is expected to debut at a separate event, instead of arriving with upcoming Redmi handsets. The Xiaomi Mix Flip 2 is tipped to run on the flagship Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset from Qualcomm. It is likely to be the sole foldable offering of Xiaomi for this year. The firm is rumoured to skip the launch of the purported successor to the Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 in 2025. As per previous leaks, Xiaomi Mix Flip 2 will feature a 6.85-inch LTPO OLED inner display with a 120Hz refresh rate and 1.5K resolution. It is said to pack a dual rear camera comprising a 50-megapixel 1/1.5-inch primary sensor and a 50-megapixel 1/2.76-inch ultra-wide shooter. It could pack a 5,100mAh battery. The Xiaomi Mix Flip 2 was recently spotted on the 3C site with model number 2505APX7BC. The listing revealed that it offers up to 67W wired charging speed. It is said to sport a side-mounted fingerprint sensor for authentication. It may have an IPX8-rated build for dust and water resistance. It could measure 7.6mm in thickness and weigh around 190 grams. Last year the company launched the Xiaomi Mix Flip was launched in China with a CNY 5,999 (roughly Rs. 69,000) price tag for the 12GB RAM + 256GB storage option. It was introduced in select global markets in September 2024. The handset is powered by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset and is backed by a 4,780mAh battery with support for 67W wired fast charging. It has a 4.01-inch cover display and a 6.86-inch inner screen. It has a Leica-backed dual rear camera unit. Affiliate links may be automatically generated – see our ethics statement for details. Source link #Xiaomi #Mix #Flip #Launch #Timeline #Leaked #Tipped #Arrive #Snapdragon #Elite #Chipset Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Exclusive: Syria and Israel in direct talks focused on security, sources say – Reuters Exclusive: Syria and Israel in direct talks focused on security, sources say – Reuters Exclusive: Syria and Israel in direct talks focused on security, sources say ReutersIsrael, Syria holding face-to-face meetings to calm border tensions — sources The Times of IsraelTrump’s Warming Toward Syria Complicates Israel’s Military Strategy The New York TimesSyria, Lebanon could join Abraham Accords before Saudi Arabia, Israeli amb. to US says The Jerusalem PostAhmad Al-Sharaa’s Pragmatism: From Securing Western and Arab Support to “Managing Tensions” with Israel Hasht-e Subh Daily Source link #Exclusive #Syria #Israel #direct #talks #focused #security #sources #Reuters Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Dragon Quest 1 & 2 HD-2D Remake is another RPG tightwire act Dragon Quest 1 & 2 HD-2D Remake is another RPG tightwire act It was almost exactly one year ago when I first played Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake. At the time, I wasn’t quite sure how players were going to react. I knew that RPG historians would be happy to see it, but the remake straddled a line between modern and retro. Would new players be thrown off by playing a game that looked new but still felt mechanically old school? The answer was no, as it turned out. The remake was a success for Square Enix, garnering high critical praise and impressive sales. That was the easy part in retrospect. Now it’s time for the remake project’s second death-defying trick. On October 30, Square Enix will dip back even further in time with Dragon Quest 1 & 2 HD-2D Remake (which has now added Nintendo Switch 2 to its list of launch platforms). The project looks to modernize the long-running series’ first two installments, a pair of RPGs that are ancient relics compared to Dragon Quest 3. During a hands-on demo with both parts of the remake, I was once again left to wonder how much new audiences would show up for two games that are much lighter on story than their sequel. Only this time, I’m more confident that fans will be down for that careful tightwire act. Remaking the classics, again My demo was split into two parts, showing me a glimpse of each game in the remake package. As you can probably guess by the fact that the two are being bundled together, there’s not too much of a difference between them — at least not in the slices I played. Both games follow the Dragon Quest 3 remake’s lead by translating old overworlds into detailed HD-2D pixel art. Modernizations like sprinting and combat speed increases are shared across both making everything go by a little quicker. There should be no surprises here as far as the brass tacks of it all go. The main difference is more in the original games being remade here. The original Dragon Quest 3 was the installment that really figured out the series’ formula, turning two relatively short games that were light on story into a full-blown 30+ hour RPG. I can feel the step backwards when I try out Dragon Quest 1. When I’m dropped in, I’m simply left to wander to a mini-dungeon and fight some monsters with little set-up. It’s minimalistic, as I’m largely walking around a maze-like set of corridors and grabbing treasure chests along the way. Square Enix My time with Dragon Quest 2 is somewhat identical, as I start in another town and walk out into another overworld that looks about the same. I walk to a marked spot on the map, talk to some guys, and then make my way to another spot. The only difference is that I have more party members to start, who unleash hell on wandering bats and slimes with their spells. To be frank, there’s not too much to say about any of it that I didn’t say about Dragon Quest 3’s remake one year ago. Both of these play like more minimalistic versions of that game. That’s not to say that Square Enix hasn’t expanded Dragon Quest 1 and 2 for this project, though. Both slices I played featured cutscenes and new dialogue, showing that these aren’t just 1:1 recreations of their counterparts. It’s very clear that these are meant to continue the story introduced in the Dragon Quest 3 remake and expand it. Whereas 3 was a faithful remake, these feel more like reimaginings meant to rewrite the series’ origins. I’m not quite sure just how far that will go, but it doesn’t seem like Dragon Quest 1 is an RPG that you will speed through in five hours anymore. Square Enix I can still understand why Square Enix began its remake project with 3 instead of this duo. It’s not just because that’s where the story really begins chronologically; it’s because the latter would have been a tough onramp for new fans jumping in for the first time. They would have been treated to what seem to be fairly light and compact games overall. Maybe it makes more sense to start with something that feels closer to what today’s best RPGs are like to lock people’s interest in place. From there, it’s easier to sell them on two games whose age shows through a bit more. You’ll want to approach these remakes with the interest of a historian to get the most out of them. Granted, I barely scratched the surface of either game. I get the sense that they’ve been even more heavily reworked than Square Enix is letting on. Maybe some detailed dungeons and new story twists await. I’m not really sure what to expect and that makes this package a little more exciting to me than the more straightforward 3. Let’s see what a completely new spin on two classics really looks like. I dare Square Enix to surprise me. Dragon Quest 1 & 2 HD-2D Remake launches on October 30 for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. Source link #Dragon #Quest #HD2D #Remake #RPG #tightwire #act Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

OnePlus unveils AI Plus Mind, and I think this might be the best use of AI in a smartphone yet OnePlus unveils AI Plus Mind, and I think this might be the best use of AI in a smartphone yet OnePlus has just unveiled a new AI-powered life organization tool that might be the best use of smartphone artificial intelligence I’ve seen yet. The new feature, AI Plus Mind, is part of OnePlus’ new AI vision, which sees the company push towards a more personalized AI, which will give users powerful tools that aim to enhance their lives. OnePlus says AI Plus Mind will “intelligently save the relevant on-screen content to a dedicated Mind Space, helping users combat information overload by capturing precisely what’s needed and keeping it organized in one accessible location.” AI Plus Mind is built into the new Plus Key, a customizable button that replaces the Alert slider, launching first with the OnePlus 13s in Asia and coming to future OnePlus smartphones in the US and EU in the future. By simply pressing the Plus Key, you’ll be able to quickly save, catalog, and recall key information from your screen. You may like OnePlus says the new feature, “marks a major step towards delivering truly personalized AI.” AI Plus Mind could be the feature we’ve been waiting for Image 1 of 3 (Image credit: OnePlus) (Image credit: OnePlus) (Image credit: OnePlus) AI Plus Mind is just a button press away on new OnePlus devices with the Plus Key. For the OnePlus 13, the current flagship, which doesn’t have the customizable button, you’ll be able to swipe up with three fingers at any point to screen capture. Once you’ve taken a screenshot of whatever information you want to retain, like schedules, event details, reservations, or maybe an article, AI Plus Mind analyzes content contextually and determines what to do with it. OnePlus’ example is the ability to “extract schedule details from an image or text and add them directly to the user’s calendar.” Alongside an improved AI Search, which is integrated into AI Plus Mind, you’ll be able to retain information more than ever before. Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. The Nothing Phone 3a’s Essential Key works similarly, although with OnePlus’ flagship specs and the company’s aim to give users the best AI experience possible, AI Plus Mind sounds like more of a complete package than Nothing’s equivalent. AI empowerment (Image credit: OnePlus) At the OnePlus AI reveal, we spoke with Arthur Lam, Director of OxygenOS and AI Strategy at OnePlus, about how AI Plus Mind feels like the next step in the evolution of the screenshot. Lam said, “Well, the thought process behind it was that we wanted AI to empower you to do different things. We live in this digital age where we have a lot of fragmented memories across multiple places, multiple apps, multiple services.” Starting with the problem, the OnePlus AI team then opted to find a solution that would not only showcase the power of AI but also have a genuine impact on users’ lives. “How do we use AI to organise our mind, capture it, process it, and empower the user to do different things? I think that was the starting point. That’s why you see us using the Plus Key, and we believe that this is not a software-only solution,” Lam continued, “it’s a hardware-software solution; that makes it uniquely OnePlus.” Just the start of OnePlus’ AI commitment (Image credit: OnePlus) AI Plus Mind might be the standout feature of the new AI tools coming to OnePlus smartphones, but the company also revealed some other new uses for AI coming soon: AI VoiceScribe: Enables users to record, summarize, and translate calls and meetings directly within popular messaging, video, and online meeting applications. AI Call Assistant (coming to India): On the OnePlus 13s, the OnePlus Dialer will offer options for automatic Call Summaries or real-time Call Translation during calls. AI Translation: Consolidates all translation capabilities – text, live voice, camera-based, and screen translation – into a single, intuitive app, making it easier to understand foreign languages and connect globally. AI Search: AI Search enables conversational, natural language queries, seamlessly searching local files, settings, notes, and calendars for contextually relevant results. Integrated with AI Plus Mind, it enhances productivity through intuitive, interactive searches. AI Reframe: Intelligently analyzes photo scenes, identifies the subject, and adjusts composition, generating multiple creative framing options for users to choose from. AI Best Face 2.0 (coming this summer through gaming platforms): Enhances group photos by automatically detecting and correcting issues like closed eyes or suboptimal expressions for more polished results. This feature supports images with up to 20 individuals and works even with photos captured on other devices. AI Plus Mind will debut on the OnePlus 13s before a wider rollout starting with the rest of the OnePlus 13 family of devices. Future OnePlus devices will also benefit from this exciting AI functionality. You might also like Source link #OnePlus #unveils #Mind #smartphone Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Study reveals first ever published photo of rare Upemba Lechwe antelope, it says Study reveals first ever published photo of rare Upemba Lechwe antelope, it says In a world first, wildlife researchers have snapped and published a photo of one of the most endangered African animals – a rare and relatively unknown antelope called the Upemba Lechwe. Researchers carried out an aerial survey in the Kamalondo Depression, an area in southern Democratic Republic of Congo, which spotted just 10 of the antelopes – indicating their population is below 100. Manuel Weber, who led the survey and subsequent research, described the species as “on the very brink”, according to a statement from the Upemba National Park. The Upemba Lechwe are known for the lack of dark stripes on their legs unlike other antelopes in the area, researchers say. They are also distinct due to the absence of dark patches on their shoulders. The area the Upemba Lechwe were found is “a magical place in terms of biodiversity”, Mr Weber told the BBC. He however warned that it is an “incredibly challenging” setting with regards to conservation. He said several issues including increasing human population, fishing and hunting put the areas ecology “at risk”. The fact the Upemba Lechwe is “still hanging on at all is extraordinary”, Mr Weber added in the national park’s statement, but warned that they will “vanish” without “urgent protection”. “This may be our only chance to save this species.” According to the study, published in the African Journal of Ecology, this was the first attempt to survey the species in more than 50 years. DR Congo has a history of famous wildlife pictures. In 2019 a picture went viral taken at the Virunga National Park when two gorillas posed for a photo with their ranger. Source link #Study #reveals #published #photo #rare #Upemba #Lechwe #antelope Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

6 Nintendo Switch games we can’t wait to replay on Switch 2 6 Nintendo Switch games we can’t wait to replay on Switch 2 The most exciting thing about unboxing your brand new game console is booting up a new experience that shows off what that upgraded hardware can do. The Nintendo Switch 2 launch lineup isn’t thin by any means, but aside from Mario Kart World, most of it is made up of ports like Split Fiction and Cyberpunk 2077. Plus, it can be a big strain on your wallet to buy a new console and more than a couple of games. That’s where backwards compatibility becomes such a valuable feature. We know that a select few major Switch games are getting special Switch 2 editions, but other games will also benefit from the more powerful hardware. After the dust has settled and we’re waiting for the next upcoming Switch 2 game, these are the six Switch games we plan on replaying on Switch 2. Pokémon Scarlet and Violet GameFreak Honestly, we are shocked that Pokémon Scarlet and Violet weren’t given the full Switch 2 Enhanced treatment. Aside from being the biggest media property on Earth, these two games are barely holding together on the Switch. The frame rate is embarrassing, textures are bland, and the entire game is prone to crashes. That didn’t stop the games from selling boatloads of copies, but Pokémon fans deserve better. We all expected updates and patches to at least make the game stable, but that never materialized. At the very least, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet will get that second chance on the Switch 2 with improved frame rates and visuals. We don’t expect the games to suddenly be running at 4K 60 fps, but even if they can hold a stable 30 frames and not ****** as often, we’d love nothing more than to jump back into the Paldea region and pray we don’t have to go through the same thing with Pokémon Legends: Z-A. The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom/Link’s Awakening Nintendo We’re giving you a Zelda two-for-one here with Echoes of Wisdom and Link’s Awakening. The latter is a remake of the beloved Game Boy game in a new toy-like art style that is a treat to look at. The game kept the same format as the original, and didn’t appear to be doing anything overly taxing, yet chugged horribly on the Switch. Then we saw Echoes of Wisdom, a brand new 2D Zelda game in the same art style and giving Zelda the leading role. For whatever reason, the team just couldn’t get this engine to run any better in the years between games because it also runs like molasses. We can somewhat forgive technical hiccups in Tears of the Kingdom, for example, for the sheer ambition of that game, but there’s no reason why these smaller games can’t run like a dream. Each one is said to be getting improved visual quality and HDR support, but we’re crossing our fingers the Switch 2 can smooth out the performance woes. Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity Omega Force Speaking of games that buckled under their own ambition, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity feels like it is pushing the Switch beyond its limits. Musou games are known for letting players rip through hundreds of enemies at once in epic battles, and Age of Calamity doesn’t disappoint in that regard. However, it does sacrifice a lot in the performance department to make it happen. Again, we’re not asking for the world here, but just a locked frame rate would be incredible to see on the Switch 2. Plus, we already know that Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment is on the way as a Switch 2 exclusive so why not get warmed up now? Astral Chain PlatinumGames To be frank, we just want an excuse to play Astral Chain again. If you overlooked this gem on the Switch, do yourself a favor and pick it up before things get too busy with Switch 2 games. Coming from the star of the action genre, PlatinumGames, this game hits on every level. The story is pure anime, for lack of a better term, but one of the most unique on the platform. In terms of action, you will need to learn to master fighting with two characters at once chained together. It sounds complex — and it is — but it is surprisingly intuitive once you feel it for yourself. Like with Bayonetta 3, Platinum used every trick in the book to get this game running at 60 FPS in combat but the Switch 2 could lock that down and maybe clean up some of the visuals. Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury Nintendo It has been a long time since Nintendo launched a console with a core Mario game. Kart has the name, but that’s clearly a racer and not a platformer. With Donkey Kong Bananza looking like the big platformer for the launch year, going back to this rare bundle will hit the spot. We’re mostly talking about the Bowser’s Fury half of the package here, which we still think was a testing ground for whatever the next Mario game is. As a more contained package, it will be nice to have something more casual and completable to jump into here and there. This game is another with a more substantial free update, including better visuals, frame rates, and HDR support. You can’t go wrong with Odyssey, either, but we’ve already played that to death. Source link #Nintendo #Switch #games #wait #replay #Switch Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Dell Canada *****: Savings available for laptops, desktop PCs, Alienware Dell Canada *****: Savings available for laptops, desktop PCs, Alienware Dell Canada just launched a wave of limited-time offers on laptops and desktop PCs, so if you’ve been thinking about getting an upgrade, don’t waste this opportunity for massive savings. This is an excellent chance to buy a high-performance computer in particular, as the discounts are simply amazing. With the overwhelming number of laptop deals and desktop computer deals from Dell Canada, as well as Alienware deals featuring gaming laptop deals and gaming PC deals, you may need help in narrowing down your choices. We’ve got you — we selected our favorite bargains from the ongoing Dell Canada *****, and if any of these catch your eye, we highly recommend moving forward with your purchase immediately. The prices are expected to last until June 1, but we’re not sure if stocks will still be available by then. Dell Pro 16 laptop — C$1,209 C$1,466 18% off Dell The Dell Pro 16 is an excellent business laptop that will boost your productivity. It’s powered by the Intel Core 5 120U processor, integrated Intel graphics, and 16GB of RAM that’s on the level of top-tier machines, according to our guide on how much RAM do you need. The Dell Pro 16 also features a 16-inch screen with Full HD+ resolution for sharp details, a 512GB SSD for ample storage space for your apps and files, and Windows 11 Pro pre-installed — all at 18% off, for savings of C$257. Alienware Aurora R16 gaming desktop — C$1,900 C$2,400 21% off Jacob ****** / Digital Trends Our top pick among the best gaming desktops — the Alienware Aurora R16 — makes an appearance in the Dell Canada ***** with a 21% discount that translates to savings of C$500. This configuration with the Intel Core Ultra 7 265F processor, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Ti graphics card, and 32GB of RAM will let you play the best PC games at their most demanding settings, and you’ll have plenty of storage space for your gaming library on its 1TB SSD. Dell Tower Plus Desktop PC — C$2,050 Dell An extremely dependable desktop computer at home is a growing necessity for every family, and the Dell Tower Plus Desktop is a great option. With the Intel Core Ultra 7 265 processor, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 graphics card, and 16GB of RAM, this PC will help you tackle demanding tasks. It also has Windows 11 Home pre-installed in its 1TB SSD. Alienware m16 R2 gaming laptop — C2,300 C$2,800 19% off Luke Larsen / Digital Trends The best gaming laptops will have your prepared for the upcoming PC games of the next few years, and that’s one of the benefits of going for the Alienware m16 R2. You can get 19% off this configuration with the Intel Core Ultra 9 185H processor, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 graphics card, and 32GB of RAM, for a C$500 discount. The gaming laptop is also equipped with a 16-inch QHD+ screen with a 240Hz refresh rate, and a 1TB SSD with Windows 11 Home out of the box. Source link #Dell #Canada #***** #Savings #laptops #desktop #PCs #Alienware Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

White House stunned as Hegseth inquiry brings up ******** wiretap claims White House stunned as Hegseth inquiry brings up ******** wiretap claims The White House has lost confidence in a Pentagon leak investigation that Pete Hegseth used to justify firing three top aides last month, after advisers were told that the aides had supposedly been outed by an ******** warrantless National Security Agency (NSA) wiretap. The extraordinary explanation alarmed the advisers, who also raised it with people close to JD Vance, because such a wiretap would almost certainly be unconstitutional and an even ******* scandal than a number of leaks. But the advisers found the claim to be untrue and complained that they were being fed dubious information by Hegseth’s personal lawyer, Tim Parlatore, who had been tasked with overseeing the investigation. The episode, as recounted by four people familiar with the matter, marked the most extraordinary twist in the investigation examining the leak of an allegedly top secret document that outlined options for the US military to reclaim the Panama canal to a reporter. Related: White House to take choice of Pentagon chief of staff out of Hegseth’s hands The advisers were stunned again when Parlatore denied having told anyone about an ******** NSA wiretap himself and maintained that any information he had was passed on to him by others at the Pentagon. The leak was first attributed internally to Hegseth’s senior adviser, Dan Caldwell, who was escorted out of the Pentagon and fired last month alongside two other aides, Hegseth’s former deputy chief of staff, Darin Selnick, and the deputy defense secretary’s chief of staff Colin Carroll. But the ******** wiretap claim and Caldwell’s denials fueled a breakdown in trust between the Pentagon and the White House, where the Trump advisers tracking the investigation have privately suggested they no longer have any idea about who or what to believe. In particular, one Trump adviser recently told Hegseth that he did not think Caldwell – or any of the fired aides – had leaked anything, and that he suspected the investigation had been used to get rid of aides involved in the infighting with his first chief of staff, Joe Kasper. The fraught situation is sure to increase pressure on Hegseth ahead of a Senate hearing next month, and more broadly for his office, which has been roiled by the leak investigation that has now continued for nearly a month with no new evidence or referral to the FBI. The fallout has left Hegseth with no chief or deputy chief of staff, as he relies on six senior advisers to run his front office, which is involved in setting the direction of the defense department that has a budget of nearly $1tn and oversees more than two million troops. And while Hegseth’s former junior military aide Ricky Buria has effectively assumed the job of the chief of staff, the White House has blocked Hegseth from giving him the job permanently on account of his limited experience and role in internal office drama. The Pentagon declined to comment on reporting for this story. A spokesperson for the White House said in a statement: “President Trump is confident in the secretary’s ability to ensure top leadership at the Department of Defense shares their focus on restoring a military that is focused on readiness, lethality, and excellence.” White House spurred by rumors The skepticism among the Trump advisers is widely seen as a product of several developments that started shortly after the suspensions of Caldwell and Selnick on 15 April, followed by the suspension of Carroll on 16 April, according to seven people familiar with the matter. After the aides were fired on 18 April and issued a joint statement denying wrongdoing, the White House received its first briefing on the firings. At that juncture, a handful of Trump advisers in the West Wing and elsewhere were told there was evidence that Caldwell had printed a document on US military plans for the Panama canal classified at the top secret level, took a photo, and sent it to an reporter using his personal phone. But the advisers grew uneasy in the ensuing weeks after Caldwell appeared on former Fox News host Tucker Carlson’s podcast, denouncing their firings as the product of internal office politics at the Pentagon and alleging that the investigation had become weaponized against them. They also then learned of a rumor at the Pentagon that Air Force office of special investigations (OSI), which had been working the case for weeks beforehand, had possibly identified the leaked Panama canal document by virtue of the fact that it was a draft that lacked certain details that were in the final version of the document. As the rumor went, the document had led Air Force OSI to focus its investigation on mid-level aides who worked in the US Southern or Central Command or for the joint chiefs of staff, and had not been told to focus on the activities of the three aides until the weekend after they had been fired. It was not immediately clear whether the the rumor was correct or even from where it emerged. But it appears to have spurred the White House to press Parlatore to disclose the evidence against Caldwell, including how the Pentagon knew what was on his phone. At first, Parlatore rebuffed the attempts to obtain the underlying evidence, noting it was inappropriate for the executive branch to insert itself into an ongoing criminal investigation that he said could still yield charges. But towards the end of April, according to what the Trump advisers shared inside the White House, Parlatore suggested that there had been a warrantless wiretap on Caldwell’s phone. Parlatore has denied making such a claim when confronted by associates, and has generally maintained during the investigation that he has only passed along information briefed to him by others. Reached by phone on Monday, Parlatore referred questions to the Pentagon press office. Still, the Trump advisers who reeled from the claim also eventually told Hegseth they were concerned by the optics of Parlatore, who had been close to the former chief of staff Kasper, running an investigation that targeted Kasper’s perceived enemies in the office. The warrantless wiretap episode was not formally resolved. The investigation was transferred to deputy defense secretary Stephen Feinberg’s office around the time that Parlatore had planned to step away to prepare for the trial of another client, Adm Robert Burke, on federal bribery charges. Parlatore remains a close confidant of Hegseth and he retained his ability to make recommendations in the investigation, according to two people familiar with the situation. Commissioned by Hegseth as a commander in the navy reserve, he is subject to the uniform code of military justice and cannot be directly fired. Source link #White #House #stunned #Hegseth #inquiry #brings #******** #wiretap #claims Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Dell Canada *****: Savings available for laptops, desktop PCs, Alienware Dell Canada *****: Savings available for laptops, desktop PCs, Alienware Dell Canada just launched a wave of limited-time offers on laptops and desktop PCs, so if you’ve been thinking about getting an upgrade, don’t waste this opportunity for massive savings. This is an excellent chance to buy a high-performance computer in particular, as the discounts are simply amazing. With the overwhelming number of laptop deals and desktop computer deals from Dell Canada, as well as Alienware deals featuring gaming laptop deals and gaming PC deals, you may need help in narrowing down your choices. We’ve got you — we selected our favorite bargains from the ongoing Dell Canada *****, and if any of these catch your eye, we highly recommend moving forward with your purchase immediately. The prices are expected to last until June 1, but we’re not sure if stocks will still be available by then. Dell Pro 16 laptop — C$1,209 C$1,466 18% off Dell The Dell Pro 16 is an excellent business laptop that will boost your productivity. It’s powered by the Intel Core 5 120U processor, integrated Intel graphics, and 16GB of RAM that’s on the level of top-tier machines, according to our guide on how much RAM do you need. The Dell Pro 16 also features a 16-inch screen with Full HD+ resolution for sharp details, a 512GB SSD for ample storage space for your apps and files, and Windows 11 Pro pre-installed — all at 18% off, for savings of C$257. Alienware Aurora R16 gaming desktop — C$1,900 C$2,400 21% off Jacob ****** / Digital Trends Our top pick among the best gaming desktops — the Alienware Aurora R16 — makes an appearance in the Dell Canada ***** with a 21% discount that translates to savings of C$500. This configuration with the Intel Core Ultra 7 265F processor, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Ti graphics card, and 32GB of RAM will let you play the best PC games at their most demanding settings, and you’ll have plenty of storage space for your gaming library on its 1TB SSD. Dell Tower Plus Desktop PC — C$2,050 Dell An extremely dependable desktop computer at home is a growing necessity for every family, and the Dell Tower Plus Desktop is a great option. With the Intel Core Ultra 7 265 processor, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 graphics card, and 16GB of RAM, this PC will help you tackle demanding tasks. It also has Windows 11 Home pre-installed in its 1TB SSD. Alienware m16 R2 gaming laptop — C2,300 C$2,800 19% off Luke Larsen / Digital Trends The best gaming laptops will have your prepared for the upcoming PC games of the next few years, and that’s one of the benefits of going for the Alienware m16 R2. You can get 19% off this configuration with the Intel Core Ultra 9 185H processor, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 graphics card, and 32GB of RAM, for a C$500 discount. The gaming laptop is also equipped with a 16-inch QHD+ screen with a 240Hz refresh rate, and a 1TB SSD with Windows 11 Home out of the box. Source link #Dell #Canada #***** #Savings #laptops #desktop #PCs #Alienware Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

This £159 Gigabyte GS27QC gaming monitor deal is the perfect pick for 1440p gaming on a budget. This £159 Gigabyte GS27QC gaming monitor deal is the perfect pick for 1440p gaming on a budget. It’s not too long ago that a monitor with these specifications would easily set you back £300 or more, but thanks to mass adoption and economies of scale, the cost of this type of monitor has plummeted to much more affordable levels. All this is great news for PC gamers on a budget, as the low price, paired with a decent money-off deal, nets you a fantastic 1440p monitor. To see this monitor bargain, head to Amazon, where the Gigabyte GS27QC 27-inch Curved Gaming monitor is just £159. This is a markdown of £40 on the £199 list price. Checking the Amazon price checking tool, the Camelizer, it shows that this is a genuine price drop, although not the lowest-ever price that this monitor has been on ***** for. That was £139 in the ****** Friday sales of 2024. We reviewed the Gigabyte GS27QC gaming monitor in late 2023 and found the monitor to have a good color calibration out of the box, premium quality video processing with low input lag, and a sharp image with solid contrast. Even the build quality is solid. The only negatives in our review were that no speakers, USB ports, or LED lighting are included with this monitor, and that it has less color volume than some other wide gamut displays. The specifications of the Gigabyte GS27QC feature a fluid 165Hz refresh rate, a peripheral wrapping 1500R curvature to the screen, and a 2560 x 1440 QHD resolution for sharp, high-fidelity gaming. Follow Tom’s Hardware on Google News to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button. Source link #Gigabyte #GS27QC #gaming #monitor #deal #perfect #pick #1440p #gaming #budget Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Trump administration seeks to cut federal contracts Trump administration seeks to cut federal contracts Yu-Hsuan Lin, 27, lays out a Harvard hat, mug, hoodie and her admission letter to Harvard University on a table in Taipei, Taiwan May 24, 2025. Ann Wang | Reuters The Trump administration moved Tuesday to terminate all remaining federal government contracts with Harvard University, which are worth a reported $100 million, escalating an already heated financial and legal war with the private school. The U.S. General Services Administration, in a letter to top procurement officials at federal agencies calling on them to review for termination the contracts, claimed that Harvard “continues to engage in race discrimination” in its admission process and other areas of campus life. The New York Times first reported the GSA’s letter. “As you know, being a counterparty with the federal government comes with the deep responsibility and commitment to abide by all federal laws and ensure the safeguarding of taxpayer money,” the letter said. “As fiduciaries to the taxpayer, the government has a duty to ensure that procurement dollars are directed to vendors and contractors who promote and champion principles of nondiscrimination and the national interest.” The action came five days after the Trump administration banned Harvard from enrolling international students. A federal judge in Boston later temporarily blocked that ban pending a court hearing on Tuesday. Read more CNBC politics coverage The administration last month froze $2.2 billion in federal grants to Harvard, in retaliation for the university rejecting its demands to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs and evaluate international students for ideological concerns. President Donald Trump in a social media post on Monday suggested taking money allocated for those grants and other funding to Harvard that has been frozen and “giving it to TRADE SCHOOLS all across our land.” This is developing news. Check back for updates. Source link #Trump #administration #seeks #cut #federal #contracts Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

The Nintendo Switch taught me to love an entire genre of games The Nintendo Switch taught me to love an entire genre of games Sometimes it isn’t what you play, but where you play it that makes all the difference. Ever since the Nintendo Switch came out, more and more games have been described as “perfect on Switch” for feeling more at home on a handheld device. I appreciated this sentiment, but didn’t think it went beyond the comfort and convenience factor of the device. I certainly never thought my Switch would completely flip my opinion on not just a game, but an entire genre. That’s exactly what happened with the deckbuilding genre, and now I am ready to see if the Nintendo Switch 2 can pull off the same trick. Pick a card My love for roguelikes started with The Binding of Isaac. Specifically, the Rebirth version on PS4 that was added to PlayStation Plus. I was hooked on the game, slowly unlocking more characters and items, and marveling at just how many possibilities it could account for. If my PlayStation game clock is to be believed, I have over 300 hours in the game. Once the vice grip the game had on me began to wane, however, I knew I needed something else to fill that void. I played most of the big roguelikes after that, such as FTL, Into the Breach, and Nuclear Throne and enjoyed them all, but nothing could quite replicate the hold Isaac had on me for so long. When I heard about the new Slay the Spire and how it was receiving universal acclaim and soaring to the tops of many best roguelike lists, I knew I had to give it a shot. The art wasn’t all that special, but neither was Isaac‘s, but it was held up as nailing that “one more run” quality I had been itching for. On paper, it sounded like my ideal game. And I hated it. Megacrit This was weeks after launch when it was still only available on PC, which wasn’t my ideal platform. At the time, my rig was not meant for gaming and I was still intimidated by the apparent cost and complexity of PC gaming as a whole. With no other choice, and Slay the Spire being such a low-demanding game that even my weak setup could run it, I gave it an honest try. I could most easily boil down my distaste for Slay the Spire as feeling unfair. With so many hours in the genre, I knew better than to think I would waltz into this game and be a master. But all of my initial runs ended in just a few encounters. Because it is a deckbuilder, I blamed my losses on the randomness of my draw without ever getting to fully engage with the actual building elements much at all. In all fairness, Slay the Spire is a very difficult game. Being hard alone wouldn’t turn me off, but starting and ending my runs in just a few minutes without seeing any progress convinced me that the deckbuilding angle just wasn’t for me. It just felt too complicated and difficult, as well as at odds with the random elements of the genre. That’s why I didn’t pay much mind to the Switch port a little later until conversations sparked up once again about the game’s quality and how it was “perfect on Switch.” This was a rare moment where I am glad to have succumbed to FOMO. I am normally content with realizing a game with high praise just isn’t for me, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that it was for me and that I was missing something. My first Switch run came one lazy weekend morning. Getting nice and comfy on my couch, I immediately noticed a change in my approach. On PC, I had been able to click and flick the cards I wanted to play as soon as I saw them, but on Switch I was forced to slow down. Navigation with a controller isn’t clunky, but certainly more deliberate. That somehow gave me permission to think things through a bit more and start to realize I wasn’t playing the game on its terms before. I was treating “basic” enemies like I would normal fodder in another roguelike, but every encounter in Slay the Spire demands respect. This little breakthrough finally got me to the point where I could start tinkering with the actual deckbuilding of it all. What I had initially thought of as inconsequential or unimpressive cards before suddenly started to make more sense when I slowed down and looked at my deck as a whole. But the biggest boon was when I would realize some potential synergy or interaction I might be able to exploit on a boss or elite and could test it out as soon as that inspiration struck. To this day, PC games always feel “locked” to my office chair — physically and mentally — while the accessibility of the Switch freed me up to take Slay the Spire with me, again, mentally and physically. This broke open a wall into an entire genre of deckbuilders I adore that I know I would have passed over had the Switch not overturned my initial impressions of Slay the Spire. Now, I’m eagerly awaiting Slay the Spire II to arrive and am currently rushing through this very article to get back to the newly released Monster Train 2. With the Switch 2 on the horizon, I am ready to let my preconceived notions or poor first impressions with a genre be overturned yet again. I am anticipating that will be the case for many with strategy and 4X games, thanks to the mouse functionality, but I would love for it to be something unexpected. Even if it doesn’t happen, the Switch did show me just how big of an impact the platform I play on can have on my perspective. Source link #Nintendo #Switch #taught #love #entire #genre #games Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]