Pelican Press

Education Department Drops $37 Million Fine Against America’s Largest Christian University Education Department Drops $37 Million Fine Against America’s Largest Christian University After a years-long legal battle, the U.S. Department of Education has dropped its historic $37.7 million fine against the largest Christian university in the country. Grand Canyon University, based in Phoenix, Arizona, was cleared by a Joint Stipulation of Dismissal order of any wrongdoing after the Biden administration claimed it misrepresented the cost of its doctoral programs, according to a press release from the school. The dismissal order issued by the Department of Education (DOE) noted “there are no findings against GCU, or any of its employees, officers, agents, or contractors, and no fine is imposed.” University President Brian Mueller welcomed the decision to rescind the fine. “The facts clearly support our contention that we were wrongly accused of misleading our doctoral students, and we appreciate the recognition that those accusations were without merit,” Mueller said. “GCU is a leader in innovation, transparency, and best practices in higher education, and we look forward to working cooperatively with the Department in the future – just as we have with all regulatory agencies.” As CBN News has reported, the allegations stem from the DOE’s Federal Student Aid (FSA) report that found that more than 7,500 former and current doctoral students incurred additional costs of at least $10,000 to complete their programs. “GCU falsely advertised a lower cost than what 98% of students ended up paying to complete certain doctoral programs,” the report claimed. Mueller denies the allegations and told CBN News he believed the government was unfairly targeting the school. “This all started 14 years ago … (when) Grand Canyon was in a very difficult spot,” he said, noting the school buildings were aged and the institution was millions of dollars in debt. “We switched from a nonprofit to a for-profit status and went to the public markets to get access to capital.” Mueller continued, “We wanted to make private Christian higher education affordable to all socioeconomic classes of Americans. And the plan worked better than we thought.” The school began to flourish, and years later, GCU leaders wanted to go back to being a nonprofit university. “We thought, for the legacy of the institution, (we) would be best served by doing that,” he said. “We went through the process, and the IRS, who has the authority to do that work, did it, and said, ‘The operation you’ve set up qualifies as a nonprofit, and we’re giving you the legal authority to operate as a nonprofit.’ And then the state of Arizona reinforced that.” However, the DOE did not recognize the school’s nonprofit status. For four years, GCU reportedly tried to work with the government, but to no avail. In 2023 the department issued the high-ticket fine. In 2024, former U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona vowed to shut down the school. “We’ve levied the largest fine in education history against a school that lied to students,” Cardona claimed during a House Appropriations Committee meeting. “We are cracking down on them not only to shut them down but to send a message across the country that you cannot prey on our students and expect to be successful.” GCU filed an appeal to clear its name claiming that the “accusations were gross mischaracterizations based on isolated, out-of-context statements from certain enrollment documents.” “GCU has consistently insisted that it would contest any fine amount – even $1, let alone $37.7 million,” the school announced in a recent statement. Mueller previously stated that the DOE’s fine was “ridiculous” and noted how the department had also fined Liberty University for the same amount. “It’s interesting, isn’t it, that the two largest Christian universities in the country, this one and Liberty University, are both being fined almost the identical amount at almost the identical time?” he said. “Now is there a cause and effect there? I don’t know. But it’s a fact.” In a 2024 report, The American Principles Project, a conservative think-tank, found that the DOE’s Office of Enforcement imposed about 70% of its penalties against Christian universities although the schools comprise just 10% of students in the U.S. Fines against Christian schools averaged around $815,000, while public and private institutions were fined $228,571 for violations. “Unlike the previous administration, we will not persecute and prosecute colleges and universities based on their religious affiliation,” Ellen Keast, a DOE spokeswoman, told The Washington Times. “The Trump administration will continue to ensure every institution of higher education is held accountable based on facts — but department enforcement will be for the purpose of serving students, not political bias.” ***Please sign up for CBN Newsletters and download the CBN News app to ensure you receive the latest news from a distinctly Christian perspective.*** Source link #Education #Department #Drops #Million #Fine #Americas #Largest #Christian #University Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Anno 117: Pax Romana Dev Talks Taking the Series to Ancient Rome Anno 117: Pax Romana Dev Talks Taking the Series to Ancient Rome Game Rant recently spoke with Ubisoft Mainz about taking its popular city-building franchise Anno to Ancient Rome. Source link #Anno #Pax #Romana #Dev #Talks #Series #Ancient #Rome Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Indigenous incarceration rates are ‘getting worse’ Indigenous incarceration rates are ‘getting worse’ Indigenous incarceration rates in Australia’s most populous state are getting worse, as new data raises questions about the number of people behind bars without being convicted. The NSW prison population has been trending upwards following a sharp decline linked to the COVID-19 pandemic. Indigenous prisoners made up almost a third of the custodial population in data released by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research on Wednesday. They accounted for 4244 of the 13,103 adults in the state’s prisons in March. The total prisoner population is the highest since 2020, approaching record highs. But the number of Aboriginal people in custody is already at record highs, while the state government is trying to reduce the rate of Indigenous incarceration by at least 15 per cent by 2031. The rate has increased since the target was set, exceeding 2188 per 100,000 people in December data from the *********** Bureau of Statistics. BOCSAR executive director Jackie Fitzgerald told AAP the state has never had this many Indigenous people in custody before. “The prison population trends for Aboriginal people are quite different to non-Aboriginal people,” she said. Indigenous inmates increased by 18.9 per cent since March 2020, while non-Indigenous inmates decreased 12.5 per cent. Of Indigenous inmates in custody, 45 per cent were on remand, almost 2000 people. “Those people aren’t yet convicted of a crime, and many of them, even when convicted, won’t be considered for a custodial penalty,” Ms Fitzgerald said. Attorney-General Michael Daley pointed to laws making it harder for people accused of serious domestic violence offences to be granted bail in June 2024. These reversed the presumption of bail, requiring accused people to show why they should not be remanded rather than prosecutors arguing why they should be denied bail. The changes were appropriate given unacceptable levels of domestic violence. “Our tough new bail laws are necessary, and they are working,” Mr Daley said. But the prisoner population increase began to rise in earnest in November 2023. “We’ve definitely had an increase in remand, and that precedes those legislative changes,” Ms Fitzgerald said. “The change commenced prior to the legislative reform.” Criminologist Eileen Baldry told AAP remand rates are increasing at a concerning level. People on remand are in full-time custody in maximum security, with virtually no rehabilitative services. “In part because there’s no idea whether they’re going to get out in one week, or one month, or one year,” the UNSW emeritus professor said. Inmates also needed a stable address in order to be granted bail and Indigenous people were more likely to be homeless or live in unstable housing, she added. But the state remains committed to working towards its Closing the Gap targets, including those for Indigenous incarceration, Mr Daley said. “The NSW government is also strongly committed to the Closing the Gap target of reducing the rate of family violence and abuse against Indigenous women and children,” he said. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 Men’s Referral Service 1300 766 491 13YARN 13 92 76 Lifeline 13 11 14 Source link #Indigenous #incarceration #rates #worse Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Helldivers 2 Anti-Illuminate Weapons Custom Build Powered by the R-36 Eruptor for ‘Heart of Democracy’ Update Helldivers 2 Anti-Illuminate Weapons Custom Build Powered by the R-36 Eruptor for ‘Heart of Democracy’ Update Arrowhead Game Studios has announced the Heart of Democracy update for Helldivers 2, and it seems like Super Earth is struggling to slow down the latest Illuminate attack. The faction emerged out of the Meridian Singularity and has managed to push into Super Earth’s solar system. Now, Super Earth’s first megacity, Eagleopolis, is under attack. If all seven major megacities fall, it will be the end of Super Earth. Not a single minute must be wasted as Illuminate is slowly taking over Super Earth, so make sure you pick this particular R-36 Eruptor loadout in order to take out enemies quickly and effectively. The entire loadout will give you the support you are looking for on the battlefield. Good luck, Helldiver! Use this R-36 Eruptor loadout on Illuminate missions in Helldivers 2 It’s no secret that the R-36 Eruptor is one of the best weapons in Helldivers 2, but that weapon alone can’t really help you defeat the Illuminate’s latest wave. Since many players still don’t understand what Stratagems and weapons are the most effective against the Illuminate, here is a basic, yet effective loadout: Armor: Any medium armor, preferably the PH-56 Jaguar, with Peak Physique passive. Primary weapon: R-36 Eruptor Secondary weapon: GP-31 Ultimatum Throwable: G-23 Stun Stratagems: Eagle 500 KG Bomb, Orbital Railcannon Strike, Supply Pack, and Stalwart. Booster: Hellpod Space Optimisation. Stalwart is known for being an amazing weapon against hordes of Illuminate enemies, and combining it with R-36 Eruptor is a game-changer. Taking out Illuminate Encampments is a piece of cake with this combination. Break the shield with Stalwart and fire a round of Eruptor into the Encampment. The weapon customisation feature will allow players to add some extra attachments to the Eruptor. Players should certainly experiment with this option, but adding the Iron Sight and Angled Foregrip will increase the ergonomics and tone down the recoil. The Illuminate have reached Super Earth Helldivers 2 players are fighting hard on Super Earth to eradicate the Illumiante (Image via Arrowhead Game Studios) The Helldivers 2 lore has taken a dark turn as Super Earth’s end might be near. The Illuminate has launched a massive attack on Super Earth, and this time, the faction has managed to reach Helldivers’ home planet. Players are deploying on Eagleopolis, a new urban map that is full of skyscrapers. The new map is full of Super Earth citizens panicking and SEAF soldiers doing everything they can to slow down the Illuminate threat. Make sure you don’t get into their line of fire as it can inflict damage, or in worst cases, even kill you. Eagleopolis is the first megacity out of seven, and if Illuminate destroys all seven megacities, Super Earth is finished. The current Major Order requires players to kill 2,500,000,000 Illuminate enemies, and at the time of writing, players have managed to complete roughly 14% of the goal with 2 days and 14 hours on the clock. Source link #Helldivers #AntiIlluminate #Weapons #Custom #Build #Powered #R36 #Eruptor #Heart #Democracy #Update Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Earliest galaxy ever seen offers glimpse of the nascent universe Earliest galaxy ever seen offers glimpse of the nascent universe A deep-field image captured by the James Webb Space Telescope containing thousands of distant galaxies NASA, ESA, CSA, and STScI Astronomers have confirmed that a distant galaxy spotted by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is the earliest ever seen, giving us a window on galaxy formation when the universe was in its infancy. Rohan Naidu at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and his colleagues used JWST to examine a galaxy called MoM-z14, which was first spotted in 2023. Since it launched in 2021, JWST has detected galaxies… Source link #Earliest #galaxy #offers #glimpse #nascent #universe Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Cassie Ventura’s mother, a former assistant and a male ******* named ‘the Punisher’ testify in sex trafficking case Cassie Ventura’s mother, a former assistant and a male ******* named ‘the Punisher’ testify in sex trafficking case The trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs continued Tuesday in Manhattan federal court, with more witnesses — including his former personal assistant, a male ******* who went by the name “the Punisher,” and ******* Ventura, the mother of his former girlfriend Cassie Ventura — testifying against him in the sex trafficking case. Federal prosecutors say that for decades, Combs abused, threatened and coerced women to participate in marathon ******* encounters called “freak offs” and used his business empire, along with guns, kidnapping and arson, to conceal his crimes. The 55-year-old hip-hop mogul has been charged with sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy and transportation to engage in prostitution. Combs has pleaded not guilty. If convicted, he could face life in prison. Here are some key takeaways from Tuesday’s testimony culled from various reporters and news organizations in the courtroom, including CNN, NBC News and the Washington Post. Former assistant recalls stocking hotel rooms with drugs and baby oil Combs watches as his former personal assistant David James is questioned by prosecutor Christy Slavik before Judge Arun Subramanian at his sex trafficking trial in New York City on Tuesday. (Jane Rosenberg/Reuters) David James, an assistant for Combs from 2007 to 2009, returned to the witness stand for a second day of testimony. James told the court that he would stock hotel rooms with items for Combs before his arrival. They included a Louis Vuitton bag containing 25 to 30 pill bottles, drugs such as ecstasy and Percocet, baby oil, lubricant, condoms and $10,000 in cash. For some supplies, like skin care products, James was reimbursed by Bad Boy Entertainment. But for others, such as baby oil and condoms, he was reimbursed by Combs’s security staff, who would pay him in cash out of the Louis Vuitton bag. He said a drug dealer nicknamed “One Stop” would often bring drugs to Combs, but Combs would occasionally ask James to procure drugs for him and his friends. James told the court about a violent incident involving Combs and his personal chef, Jourdan Atkinson, at Combs’s Alpine, N.J., home. James said that Combs instructed him to file a police report falsely claiming that Atkinson was the aggressor and hit Combs first. But James said he did not want to file a false police report, so he drove around and returned to Combs’s home, where he lied and told his boss that the report had been filed. James testified that on at least two occasions he was ordered by Combs to take lie detector tests administered by a former FBI agent after Combs’s jewelry went missing. Combs had three handguns in his lap while looking for ‘Suge’ Knight, former assistant says David James, Sean “Diddy” Combs’s former personal assistant, arrives at federal court in New York City on Tuesday. (Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images) James also testified about an incident in which he was ordered to drive Combs and a security guard at 4 a.m. to Mel’s Diner in Los Angeles looking to confront rival record producer Marion “Suge” Knight, who had been spotted there. Combs was in the back seat with three handguns in his lap, James said. Knight was gone by the time they got to the restaurant. The incident prompted James to give notice that he planned to quit. “I was really shook up by it,” James said. “This was the first time as his assistant that I realized my life was in danger.” Under cross-examination by the defense, James was asked whether he considered his travel with Combs business or personal. James said there was a “fine line” between the two because Combs’s personal life and business life were so intertwined. In his testimony Tuesday, James said that before he was hired, an executive at Bad Boy Entertainment told him, “This is Mr. Combs’s kingdom, and we are all here to serve in it.” Big picture: Prosecutors hoped to use James’s testimony to establish the racketeering charge — showing that Combs used his business empire to facilitate his alleged crimes. ******* Ventura, Cassie’s mother, takes the stand ******* Ventura, mother of Cassie Ventura, arrives at federal court to testify in Sean “Diddy” Combs’s sex trafficking trial on Tuesday. (Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images) Cassie Ventura’s mother, ******* Ventura, testified about what she witnessed during her daughter’s relationship of over a decade with Combs. Under direct questioning from prosecutors, ******* Ventura recounted an email Cassie sent to her mother in December 2011 saying that Combs was threatening to release an explicit video of her after he learned she was dating Kid Cudi. “I was physically sick,” ******* Ventura said. “I did not understand it; the sex tape threw me. He was trying to hurt my daughter.” Around the same time, ******* Ventura said Combs contacted her saying he wanted to recoup $20,000 he had spent on Cassie. ******* Ventura said she was scared for her daughter’s safety and that the family took out a home equity loan to pay Combs the $20,000 he said they owed her. She said the money was wired back to her without explanation several days later. ******* Ventura testified that the same month, Cassie showed her bruises from an alleged beating she took from Combs. ******* took photos of her bruised daughter, which were shown in court. “She was bruised, and I wanted to make sure we memorialize it,” Ventura said. The defense did not cross-examine ******* Ventura, and she was dismissed. Big picture: Last week, Cassie Ventura spent four days on the witness stand, describing to the court in harrowing detail the physical abuse she says she suffered during her relationship with Combs. ******* Ventura spent less than an hour on the stand, corroborating some key parts of Cassie’s testimony but contributing little if any new information. Male ******* known as ‘the Punisher’ recalls his ******* encounters with Cassie Ventura and Combs Sharay Hayes, a former erotic dancer, testifies at Sean “Diddy” Combs’s sex trafficking trial in New York City Tuesday in this courtroom sketch. (Jane Rosenberg/Reuters) Sharay Hayes, a former male exotic dancer whose stage name was “the Punisher,” testified about his encounters with Cassie Ventura and Combs, including the first at Trump International Hotel in New York City. Hayes said that when he arrived at their suite, Ventura told him that she didn’t want him to dance but instead wanted him to help her create a “sexy scene” involving baby oil for her “husband,” who would be in the room. Hayes said Ventura told him not to acknowledge her “husband,” who entered with a veil he later realized was Combs. “Ironically, I am a fan and follow him on Instagram,” Hayes said about Combs. He said he was paid a total of $2,000 in cash for that encounter and was hired by the couple for a total of eight to 12 similar interactions, which always started with the application of baby oil and often ended with him having sex with Ventura. The sessions usually began around 2 a.m. or 3 a.m. Some, he said, lasted multiple days. Hayes said that Combs would sometimes direct Ventura to adjust the lighting or reposition her body. Hayes said he felt increasing pressure while having sex with Ventura in front of Combs, eventually failed to perform and was never called back. He later wrote a self-help book about erectile dysfunction called In Search of Freezer Meat. It included a section on his experiences with Ventura and Combs, who he did not name, referring to them only as a married, wealthy couple. Under cross-examination by the defense, Hayes said that he never sensed Ventura was uncomfortable, and never witnessed violence. “It seemed like it was consensual as far as I was concerned,” Hayes said. Big picture: On the first day of the trial, a different male ******* described a similar dynamic during his own ******* encounters with the couple. Prosecutors want to show the jury that there were witnesses to the control they say Combs had over Ventura to participate in the “freak offs” — including the male escorts they paid to join them. Federal agent details raid on Combs’s Miami home Homeland Security agents at the entrance of Sean “Diddy” Combs’s home in Miami Beach in March 2024. (Giorgio Viera/AFP via Getty Images) Gerard Gannon, a federal agent who oversaw the 2024 raid on Combs’s Miami home, also testified on Tuesday. Gannon said that between 80 and 90 law enforcement agents participated in the search of the 20,000-square-foot-residence. Some agents were positioned on boats to potentially intercept anyone trying to leave the property via the direct water access on Combs’s property. The special agent told the court that a special response team was prepared to potentially confront Combs’s armed bodyguards. And a vehicle was used to break through the front gate, which Gannon said was “standard practice.” Gannon said the search was intentionally executed after Combs had left for a scheduled trip with his family. “We thought it was best to wait until him and his family left,” he said. During the search, agents found lingerie, high heels, baby oil, personal lubricant and parts of AR-15 rifles in Combs’s closet, Gannon said. The serial numbers had been scratched off of the firearms, the special agent said. Big picture: By having the special agent testify about the security measures surrounding the raid on one of his properties, prosecutors appear to be highlighting the seriousness of the charges Combs is facing. Source link #Cassie #Venturas #mother #assistant #male #******* #named #Punisher #testify #sex #trafficking #case Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

After Ten Years Away, The Meta Quest 3 Re-Sold Me On Virtual Reality After Ten Years Away, The Meta Quest 3 Re-Sold Me On Virtual Reality What used to be the early stages of VR is now a niche-but-honed market. Source link #Ten #Years #Meta #Quest #ReSold #Virtual #Reality Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

FDA to limit covid shot approval to elderly, those with medical conditions – The Washington Post FDA to limit covid shot approval to elderly, those with medical conditions – The Washington Post FDA to limit covid shot approval to elderly, those with medical conditions The Washington PostF.D.A. Poised to Restrict Access to Covid Vaccines The New York TimesThe FDA is making it more difficult for many Americans to get vaccinated for covid The VergeNew Trump vaccine policy limits access to COVID shots AP NewsFDA to limit future Covid-19 shots to older people and those at risk of serious infection CNN Source link #FDA #limit #covid #shot #approval #elderly #medical #conditions #Washington #Post Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Anticipated Steam Game RoadCraft Is Out Now And Off To A Good Start Anticipated Steam Game RoadCraft Is Out Now And Off To A Good Start Crafting games like Minecraft aside, the vast majority of video games seem to embrace destruction over creation. Saber Interactive’s new title, RoadCraft, takes a different approach. This game puts players in control of sites that have already been devastated by natural disasters and lets them choose how they want to rebuild the area around them. RoadCraft is now out on Steam, and currently at No. 35 on the platform’s most-played titles with just under 34,000 concurrent players. That’s a very good start for a game considering the AAA titles it’s competing with. You need a javascript enabled browser to watch videos. Size:640 × 360480 × 270 Want us to remember this setting for all your devices? Sign up or Sign in now! Please use a html5 video capable browser to watch videos. This video has an invalid file format. Sorry, but you can’t access this content! Please enter your date of birth to view this video JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031Year202520242023202220212020201920182017201620152014201320122011201020092008200720062005200420032002200120001999199819971996199519941993199219911990198919881987198619851984198319821981198019791978197719761975197419731972197119701969196819671966196519641963196219611960195919581957195619551954195319521951195019491948194719461945194419431942194119401939193819371936193519341933193219311930192919281927192619251924192319221921192019191918191719161915191419131912191119101909190819071906190519041903190219011900 By clicking ‘enter’, you agree to GameSpot’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy enter Now Playing: RoadCraft Official Launch Trailer To a certain extent, RoadCraft is a crafting game, except it stays close to reality. Players can’t simply take short cuts and skip past the clean up stage. Once the debris has been taken away, the rebuilding process begins. Laying down new roads is a part of that, but not the end. RoadCraft is designed to let the players decide where everything should go, and how they want to put it there. RoadCraft allows players to utilize cranes, haulers, bulldozers, and other machines either solo or alongside up to three other players while coordinating with voice chat. Progression is shared and the game also supports cross-play. There are eight different maps to reshape to your whims, included forested areas and deserts. Players can fully develop these locations or take a more minimal approach with the rebuild. It’s entirely up to you, once the game is in your hands. RoadCraft is currently on ***** at Fanatical for $35.59, 11% off its regular price of $40. It’s also available on Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5. Disclosure: Fanatical and GameSpot are both owned by Fandom. Source link #Anticipated #Steam #Game #RoadCraft #Good #Start Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump’s IRS Commissioner pick Billy Long grilled by Senate Democrats Trump’s IRS Commissioner pick Billy Long grilled by Senate Democrats UNITED STATES – MARCH 31: Rep. Billy Long, R-Mo., is seen during the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology hearing titled Connecting America: Oversight of the FCC, in Rayburn Building on Thursday, March 31, 2022. Tom Williams | Cq-roll Call, Inc. | Getty Images Senate lawmakers pressed President Donald Trump’s pick for IRS Commissioner, former Missouri Congressman Billy Long, about his opinions on presidential power over the agency, use of taxpayer data and his ties to dubious tax credits. Long, who worked as an auctioneer before serving six terms in the House of Representatives, answered Senate Finance Committee queries during a confirmation hearing Tuesday. One of the key themes from Democrats was Trump’s power over the agency, and Long told the committee, “the IRS will not, should not be politicized on my watch.” More from Personal Finance: What Moody’s downgrade of U.S. credit rating means for your money Long-term care costs can be a ‘huge problem,’ experts say. Here’s why How student loan borrowers can avoid default as Trump ramps up collection efforts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., who provided her questions to Long in advance, asked whether Trump could legally end Harvard University’s tax-exempt status. If permitted, the move could have broad implications for the President’s power over the agency, she argued. However, Long didn’t answer the question directly. “I don’t intend to let anybody direct me to start [an] audit for political reasons,” he said. Ties to dubious tax credits Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., scrutinized Long’s online promotion of the pandemic-era employee retention tax credit worth thousands per eligible employee. The tax break sparked a cottage industry of scrupulous companies pushing the tax break to small businesses that didn’t qualify. “I didn’t say everyone qualifies,” Long said. “I said virtually everyone qualifies.” Senators also asked about Long’s referral income from companies pushing so-called “tribal tax credits,” which the IRS has told Democratic lawmakers don’t exist. “I did not have any perception whatsoever that these did not exist,” Long told the committee. Senate Democrats also raised questions about donations people connected to those credits made to Long’s dormant Senate campaign, after Trump announced his nomination to head the IRS. Direct File ‘one of the hottest topics’ While Senate Democrats grilled Long on his record, Republicans focused on questions about taxpayer service. Several Republican lawmakers voiced support for Long, including the committee chairman Mike Crapo, R-Idaho. If confirmed by the Senate, Long could mean a shift for the agency, which previously embarked on a multibillion-dollar revamp, including upgrades to customer service, technology and a free filing program, known as Direct File. When asked about the future of Direct File, Long said he planned to promptly examine the program, describing it as “one of the hottest topics at the IRS.” ‘An unconventional pick’ Since former IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel’s resignation in January, there have been three other leaders for the agency. If confirmed, Long would serve as IRS Commissioner for the remainder of the term through Nov. 12, 2027. The date for the vote isn’t yet confirmed. Mark Everson, who served as IRS commissioner from 2003 to 2007, described Long as “an unconventional pick,” compared with the experience profiles of previous IRS leaders. But Long’s years in Congress will provide “credibility up on the Hill with the people who matter, which will be important,” Everson, who is currently vice chairman at Alliant, a management consulting company, previously told CNBC. Long may be in a “better position than others to argue for the appropriate independence of the agency,” he said. Source link #Trumps #IRS #Commissioner #pick #Billy #Long #grilled #Senate #Democrats Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Exotic dancer ‘The Punisher’ on how found out Diddy’s identity Exotic dancer ‘The Punisher’ on how found out Diddy’s identity Brandon Livesay BBC News, reporting from court in New York City Jane Rosenberg /Reuters Male exotic dancer Sharay Hayes testifies at Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sex trafficking trial in New York City, An exotic dancer called The Punisher discovered his client’s identity when he turned on a hotel suite television before an encounter and the screen said, “Welcome Sean Combs”. Sharay Hayes testified at the hip-hop mogul’s sex-trafficking trial that he was hired to create what he called “sexy, erotic scenes” with Combs’ then-girlfriend Casandra “Cassie” Ventura while a naked man watched from the corner. But he did not realise at first that the man was Mr Combs. That changed when Mr Hayes was in a luxury hotel suite in New York waiting for his clients and he saw his name on the television’s welcome screen. Mr Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty to racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. Mr Hayes testified in a New York courtroom on Tuesday about his first meeting with the couple. He was “specifically told to not acknowledge” the man in the room and he said Mr Combs wore a veil over his face. They were in a hotel room in Trump Tower on Central Park West and Ms Ventura greeted him at the door wearing a bath robe, Mr Hayes said. Inside the room, the furniture was covered in sheets and there were “little bowls” on the floor with bottles of baby oil. Mr Hayes’ testimony comes after the court heard from Daniel Phillip, who last week claimed he was paid to have sex with Ms Ventura while Mr Combs watched. Cassie’s mother took photographs of daughter’s injuries Also on Tuesday, the court heard from ******* Ventura, the mother of R&B singer Cassie. An email from Ms Ventura to her mother from 23 December, 2011 was shown as evidence. In it, she wrote that Mr Combs had made threats towards her, and that he would “release 2 explicit sex tapes of me”. The email also said Mr Combs had told Ms Ventura he would be “having someone hurt me” and “he made a point that it wouldn’t be by his hands, he actually said he’d be out of the country when it happened”. After the email was shown in court, Ms Ventura’s mother identified several images of her daughter taken in her family home in Connecticut around the same time. They show bruises across Ms Ventura’s upper and lower back, and her leg. Ms Ventura’s mother alleged the bruises were from being her being “beaten by Sean Combs”. US Federal Court She also testified that Mr Combs had demanded $20,000, because “he was angry that he had spent money” on Ms Ventura. Ms Ventura’s mother testified that she took out a loan with her husband and sent the money to an account as directed by Mr Combs’ “bookkeeper”. “I was scared for my daughter’s safety,” Ms Ventura told the court, adding that she felt she had to pay “because he demanded it”. The money then reappeared in their account about four days later, Ms Ventura said. There was no communication about its return. Earlier on Tuesday, the defence vigourously cross-examined a former personal assistant of Mr Combs and pointed out some inconsistencies in the versions of events he had previously told the government. The trial is expected to last several weeks and Mr Combs could face a life sentence if found guilty. Source link #Exotic #dancer #Punisher #Diddys #identity Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Wuthering Waves is Hopefully Only the First of Its Kind Wuthering Waves is Hopefully Only the First of Its Kind Wuthering Waves is launching on the PS5 at the perfect time, as its new quests are action packed and its improvements over the likes of Genshin Impact are obvious to appreciate. Its story is unfortunately infested with the worst of gacha game writing, so you’ll need a strong stomach to get through the abundance of proper nouns. But stick with it and you’ll find a beautiful, anime-inspired experience with quality combat, rewarding team building, and hundreds of hours of excellent exploration. Source link #Wuthering #Waves #Kind Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Three South West restaurants to plate up special dishes for State food and beverage campaign Three South West restaurants to plate up special dishes for State food and beverage campaign Three restaurants in the South West will be plating up special dishes crafted from local produce next month, as part of a State program to shine a spotlight on WA’s food and beverage scene during the quieter winter months. Tall Timbers Manjimup, Amelia Park Restaurant and Drakesbrook Fine Wines will be among 45 venues across WA taking part in the Plating Up WA campaign — an initiative of the WA Government’s Buy West Eat Best program, now in it’s seventh edition. Plating up everything from breakfasts and long lunches to grazing boards and dinners, during June the eateries will aim to showcase fresh local ingredients, such as wild-caught fish, succulent beef, pork and lamb, artisan cheeses, seasonal fruits and vibrant veggies. Tall Timbers Manjimup will conjure up their take on a classic truffle burger — with 8g of fresh ****** truffle, beetroot relish, bacon, Brunswick Cheddar, a Stirling Ranges ground beef pattie and hand cut royal blue chips. Buy West Eat Best program manager Melissa Worthington said they were “thrilled” to bring the program back again. “Since launching in 2018, this campaign has showcased more than 300 venues and it continues to grow each year,” she said. “I’m especially excited to see new venues joining us for the very first time this year. “Many of the ingredients featured are selected directly from our Buy West Eat Best ingredient register — it’s a true celebration of our local producers and the creative chefs who bring their stories to life on the plate.” Camera IconDrakesbrook Fine Wines’ Ha-Ve Harvey cheese platter. Credit: Supplied Drakesbrook Fine Wines in Waroona will be serving up a Ha-Ve Harvey cheese platter, which features autumn condiments with house quince paired with estate grown malbec and mourvedre wine. Camera IconAmelia Park Restaurant’s Great Southern honey mousse. Credit: Supplied Wilyabrup’s Amelia Park Restaurant will create a Great Southern honey mousse, with Omega walnut oil gelato, white chocolate, candied Omega walnuts, apple cake and cream from Bannister Downs Dairy. Source link #South #West #restaurants #plate #special #dishes #State #food #beverage #campaign Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

CoD: ****** Ops 6 And Warzone Season 4 Start Date And Details CoD: ****** Ops 6 And Warzone Season 4 Start Date And Details Call of Duty: ****** Ops 6 and Warzone are set to expand in a big way this week with the arrival of Season 4. In this post, we’re running through everything that’s announced and rumored so far, including new weapons, more maps, a possible wall-running feature, and more. The full blog post covering everything that’s new in Season 4 will be released on May 21, but for now, here’s everything we know. Season 4 release date Season 4 for ****** Ops 6 and Warzone will launch on May 29. Season 4 story trailer Each new Call of Duty season continues the ongoing narrative, and that’s no different for Season 4. In the new season, players can expect the return of a popular character–Stitch. “After a daring ****** site breakout staged by Adler, he strikes a deal with the ******. Crack the codes and unmask the Pantheon ****** in Season 04 of ****** Ops 6,” reads a line from the description. New maps The Fringe map from Call of Duty: ****** Ops 3 is coming to ****** Ops 6’s multiplayer in Season 4. It’s expected to be just one of at least a few new maps, as Activision normally releases multiple new maps with each new season. New operator As the new cinematic alludes to, Season 4 is adding Stitch as a playable character, and he looks quite menacing. Also coming in Season 4 are a group of new skins for Adler. There could be more operators and more skins, and we’ll find out soon when Activision releases all the new details for Season 4. Battle pass Of course, Season 4 will introduce a new battle pass. And while it hasn’t been revealed yet, completing it will yield a rad new skin for Stitch that you can see below. New weapons Each new Call of Duty season typically adds more weapons for everyone, and that seems to be the case for Season 4. Detonated reports that the LC10 and FFAR from ****** Ops Cold War are coming to ****** Ops 6, while the Essex Model 07 from ****** Ops 4 is reportedly on the way as well. A pickaxe melee item is coming as well, it appears. Double-jump and wall-running? Are we getting wall-running in Call of Duty before GTA 6? It seems like it’s possible, as people have discovered a double-jump command in the game’s code, while players can also seemingly run on walls. It’s possible this is leftover code and isn’t representative of anything coming to ****** Ops 6 or the new Call of Duty later this year. But people are theorizing that Activision might add a limited-time mode in Season 4 that tests the waters for double-jumps and wall-running. A double jump type moment has been found in ****** Ops 6 files after recent update. It’s not clear yet if this will actually be used in Call of Duty 2025 or leftover code. pic.twitter.com/5kxBoTnNA0 — CharlieIntel (@charlieINTEL) May 20, 2025 More Warzone and Zombies content Season 4 should add more content for the battle royale game Warzone and the Zombies mode, too, but we’re still waiting to find out what that may be. Keep checking back with GameSpot for the latest. Source link #CoD #****** #Ops #Warzone #Season #Start #Date #Details Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Abby Phillip Has Blistering 4-Word Answer For Scott Jennings After Democrat’s Arrest Abby Phillip Has Blistering 4-Word Answer For Scott Jennings After Democrat’s Arrest CNN anchor Abby Phillip had a scathing response up her sleeve Monday for her conservative “NewsNight” commentator Scott Jennings that made several panelists laugh out loud. Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was on the show to defend Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-N.J.), who was charged Monday with assaulting a federal agent while they were both protesting outside Delaney Hall, a New Jersey detention center for migrants, earlier this month. The Department of Homeland Security has shared footage from the protest and claimed that McIver was “assaulting” an agent trying to detain Baraka, who was arrested outside the facility for alleged trespassing during the May 9 protest. When Baraka told “NewsNight” he didn’t see McIver attacking anyone during the chaotic skirmish, Jennings pushed back. “I mean, the videos are pretty clear, are they not?” Jennings pressed. “I mean, she’s shoving — elbows, some punches — I mean, this is violent activity against law enforcement, is it not?” Baraka agreed that the videos are “clear,” but only in showing that there was “a lot of pushing and shoving” from both parties. That prompted Jennings to ask with a smirk: “Would a regular person, if they came and did that to a federal officer, get away with it?” That’s when Phillip pounced. “They might get pardoned,” she replied, prompting laughter from Baraka and former presidential candidate Cornel West, who was also on the show. Jennings ignored the comment. He has previously defended Trump for pardoning around 1,500 people convicted of crimes related to the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot. New Jersey’s interim U.S. Attorney Alina Habba said Monday she is dropping Baraka’s trespassing case, but is charging McIver with assaulting, impeding and interfering with law enforcement. Delaney Hall was a drug treatment center before closing in 2023 and reopening as a migrant detention facility after Trump launched mass deportations in January. Democratic strategist Julie Roginsky, who was also on “NewsNight,” called the case “rotten from start to finish.” “Pam Bondi is the attorney general for the United States; it’s ultimately her decision,” she said. “[But ]Pam Bondi was the lobbyist for The Geo Group, which owns Delaney Hall, which has a $1.2 billion with a ‘b’ contract at Delaney Hall.” Related… Source link #Abby #Phillip #Blistering #4Word #Answer #Scott #Jennings #Democrats #Arrest Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

“Real fans” would pay $80 for Borderlands 4, Gearbox says “Real fans” would pay $80 for Borderlands 4, Gearbox says Gearbox Software bigwig ****** Pitchford might be on the fence about introducing that $80 price tag to Borderlands 4, but he’ll not think of you as a real fan if you don’t find a way to buy the game. The controversial exec took to Twitter, asserting that it’s not his call if the game is $80, but also stating that a “real fan” would “find a way to make it happen” before going off on a story about saving up money while working at an ice cream parlor in Pismo Beach to buy Starflight on the ***** Genesis back in 1991. “If you’re a real fan, you’ll find a way to make it happen. My local game store had Starflight for ***** Genesis for $80 in 1991 when I was just out of high school working minimum wage at an ice cream parlor in Pismo Beach and I found a way to make it happen.” A) Not my call. B) If you’re a real fan, you’ll find a way to make it happen. My local game store had Starflight for ***** Genesis for $80 in 1991 when I was just out of high school working minimum wage at an ice cream parlor in Pismo Beach and I found a way to make it happen. — ****** Pitchford (@DuvalMagic) May 14, 2025 The idea of increasing games to $80 was floated around by Nintendo, starting with Mario Kart World, following four to five years of games fostering a new standard of $70. This new price hasn’t sat well with gamers who already felt tons of games releasing as late haven’t been warranting the lofty price point. Gabriel Stanford-Reisinger Editor-in-Chief Gabe has been a gamer since he was young, playing games like Pajama Sam, Freddi Fish, Guitar Hero, and whatever looked cool on GameFly. Ever since 2018, he’s been infatuated with the inner workings of the gaming and entertainment industries, covering a wide range of topics from video games to TV and film. Starting as a contributor for PSX Extreme, he’s worked his way up to its Managing Editor. Using what’s he learned over the years, he founded Smash Jump to remind everyone to smash jump. Source link #Real #fans #pay #Borderlands #Gearbox Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

TP-Link expands tri-band Wi-Fi 7 family with new routers and an outdoor satellite TP-Link expands tri-band Wi-Fi 7 family with new routers and an outdoor satellite TP-Link has announced three new wireless products that leverage the latest Wi-Fi 7 standard, including an outdoor satellite that brings world-first functionality. The new offerings include the Deco BE65 Outdoor, the Deco BE68, and the Archer BE600. We start with the Deco BE65 Outdoor, the company’s first weather-resistant Wi-Fi 7 satellite. You might remember the Eero Outdoor 7 launched late last year with Wi-Fi 7 support. However, at least on paper, the Deco BE65 Outdoor should provide better performance. While the Eero Outdoor 7 only supported 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, the Deco BE65-Outdoor also supports the higher-performing 6 GHz band. TP-Link Deco BE65 Outdoor (Image credit: TP-Link) According to TP-Link, the Deco BE65 Outdoor enables up to 688 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band, up to 4,324 Mbps on the 5 GHz band, and up to 5,765 Mbps on the 6 GHz band while covering 3,000 square feet. You may like The satellite features IP65 weatherproofing, making it water and dust-resistant for use in your backyard, on a porch, or perhaps in an outdoor shed. You can use a wireless (MLO) or wired (two 2.5 GbE ports onboard) backhaul to connect to your primary Deco mesh network. Power is supported via a traditional AC adapter or Power over Ethernet (PoE). TP-Link has priced the Deco BE65 Outdoor at $299.99, or $100 less than the $399 MSRP of the Eero Outdoor 7. TP-Link Deco BE68 (Image credit: TP-Link) Next is the recently released Deco BE68 Wi-Fi 7 mesh router, which is sold as a three-pack. This 14 Gbps tri-band mesh system delivers 8,647 Mbps on the 6 GHz band, 4,324 Mbps on the 5 GHz band, and 688 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band. Each satellite has a single 10 GbE port, one 2.5 GbE port, and one GbE port. You’ll also find a single USB 3.0 port on each satellite for connecting a non-wireless printer or external storage. TP-Link says that you can connect up to 200 devices to the mesh router and that it covers up to 8,100 square feet. The Deco BE68 carries a $699 MSRP, but is currently available from Best Buy for $599.99. Get Tom’s Hardware’s best news and in-depth reviews, straight to your inbox. (Image credit: TP-Link) Finally, we come to the Archer BE9700. At first glance, the Archer BE9700 looks identical to the Archer BE3600 we recently reviewed, but then you’ll notice it has two additional external antennas. However, there are even more changes lurking inside. While the Archer BE3600 is a dual-band Wi-Fi 7 router value priced at $99, the Archer BE9700 is a full-enabled tri-band Wi-Fi router. You’ll see speeds of up to 5,756 Mbps on the 6 GHz band, up to 2,882 Mbps on the 5 GHz band, and up to 1,032 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band. TP-Link even includes a single 10 GbE port on the router and three 2.5 GbE ports (one used for WAN). The Archer BE9700 is not yet on *****, but will be priced at $249.99 at Best Buy and Amazon. Source link #TPLink #expands #triband #WiFi #family #routers #outdoor #satellite Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

What the U.S. credit downgrade means for tax-free income investors What the U.S. credit downgrade means for tax-free income investors Top-rated municipal bonds could be looking even more attractive now that Moody’s Ratings has trimmed the United States’ pristine Aaa rating, according to Hilltop Securities. Moody’s was the last of the three major credit rating agencies to cut the U.S.’ sovereign credit rating, dialing it back one notch to Aa1 from Aaa on Friday. The ratings agency pointed to the ballooning burden of the federal government’s budget as one of the culprits behind the downgrade. “Successive U.S. administrations and Congress have failed to agree on measures to reverse the trend of large annual fiscal deficits and growing interest costs,” the agency noted. The downgrade of the U.S. puts a halo on municipalities with sterling Aaa ratings, however, according to Tom Kozlik, head of public policy and municipal strategy at Hilltop Securities. “Most investors in the muni bond market … are trying to preserve capital and want some return,” Kozlik said in a call with CNBC. “They don’t want to deal with headline risk. They don’t want to deal with questions about state or local government budgets.” “Those are some of the big reasons that muni investors will start to really focus on high quality,” he added. A focus on stable tax-free income Municipal bonds are beloved by high-net-worth investors. They provide interest income that’s free from federal taxes – and state and local taxes if the investor resides in the issuing state and city. The bonds are also generally backed by the full faith and credit of the issuer, which makes them less of a default risk than corporate bonds. The trade-off for this measure of safety, plus the added tax benefit, is that yields on munis are almlst always lower than corporates. An investor in the 32% tax bracket who is also facing the net investment income tax of 3.8% but who buys a tax-free muni bond yielding 3.0% would have to find a taxable corporate bond with a yield of 4.67% in order to get comparable results, New York Life Investments found . The reliability of this tax-free income is why investors are such big fans of muni bonds. Municipalities that manage to hold onto their top ratings by definition have the fiscal management and stable revenue streams to back it up. “In fact, in this post-downgrade environment, such high ratings can become even more valuable, signaling exceptional credit quality in a market where top ratings are increasingly scarce,” Kozlik said in a Monday report. “For investors, Aaa/AAA/AAA-rated municipal bonds may stand out even more as safe, high-quality options amid broader fiscal uncertainty,” he said. Investors snapping up individual issues will want to be picky as they scan the universe of available bonds. “I think from a credit quality standpoint, even though there are going to be challenges for certain credits – and there are more challenges, higher ed for instance – investors will need to be more selective,” Kozlik said. “Overall, the muni bond sector is still one where the credit quality is very strong.” From a bond fund perspective, investors don’t have to take too much of a leg down in quality in order to find attractive tax-advantaged yields. The 30-day SEC yield on the Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (VTEB) is 3.94%, with an expense ratio of 0.03%. Roughly 18% of the fund’s holdings are in AAA-rated issues, while around 60% of its holdings are in AA-rated bonds. Watching for sector risk within munis While the direct impact of the U.S.’ downgrade on the muni market should be limited, federal funding is a key part of revenue for certain sectors, wrote Jon North, municipal bond analyst at Wells Fargo Investment Institute, in a note on Monday. He noted that federal grants to states, cities and counties are vulnerable in the event the U.S. tries closing its budget gaps by slashing spending. However, corners of the muni bond market that are tied to sales and hotels taxes, as well as land-secured bonds, have “minimal exposure to federal funding and therefore have the least direct impact from Moody’s action,” North added. Source link #U.S #credit #downgrade #means #taxfree #income #investors Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

*** suspends free trade talks with Israel and announces sanctions over West Bank settlers – AP News *** suspends free trade talks with Israel and announces sanctions over West Bank settlers – AP News *** suspends free trade talks with Israel and announces sanctions over West Bank settlers AP NewsBritain, France and Canada Condemn Israel’s Expansion of Gaza War The New York TimesIsrael fires back at *** over suspended trade talks, rejects ‘external pressure’ Fox NewsU.K. halts trade talks with Israel over Gaza war, settler violence The Washington PostUK sanctions settlers, groups linked to violence against West Bank Palestinians The Times of Israel Source link #suspends #free #trade #talks #Israel #announces #sanctions #West #Bank #settlers #News Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Todd Howard Can Include This Incredibly Detailed Fan-Made Map of Tamriel in The Elder Scrolls 6 Todd Howard Can Include This Incredibly Detailed Fan-Made Map of Tamriel in The Elder Scrolls 6 There’s no denying that Elder Scrolls 6 is one of the most anticipated RPGs of the decade. However, it’s been a rough journey for the game’s fans, as it hasn’t received an update since its brief teaser at E3 2018, almost seven years ago. The only thing we know for sure is that Elder Scrolls 6 is in production stages. It’s unclear where it could take place, or what its narrative could be, but one thing’s for sure: Todd Howard and his team can steal the show by featuring a fan-made map of Tamriel in Elder Scrolls 6. Why this fan-made map belongs in Elder Scrolls 6 One of the most fascinating things about the Elder Scrolls franchise is the world of Tamriel itself. We’ve seen every entry in the franchise taking place in some province or region of Tamriel. However, once you put everything together, it becomes quite a big region. It’s an epic universe, and fans simply can never get enough of it.. Over on r/ElderScrolls, one dedicated fan has showcased their skills by crafting a highly detailed map of Tamriel. They’ve managed to mark all the regions we’ve known about in the lore, kingdoms, and each city that players have come across in the current games, and might come across in future titles. As you’d expect, the Elder Scrolls fandom has absolutely loved this map and believes that it would be a mistake for Howard and his team not to honor the creator in Elder Scrolls 6. Seriously, even though Bethesda hasn’t revealed anything about the next entry, fans are still showing their love for the games that are already out and patiently waiting. It’s time for Todd Howard to recognize the efforts of Elder Scrolls fans. (Image via Microsoft) Just imagine Elder Scrolls 6 being packed with the in-game version of this map, where gamers could zoom in on cities, read names, and plan their adventures across the world of Tamriel. It’s going to go a long way towards giving us more bits and pieces about the lore that’s desperately needed by the community. Bethesda needs to shadow drop Elder Scrolls 6 Elder Scrolls 6 can benefit from a surprise release. (Image via Microsoft) Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered has proven to be a huge success for Bethesda. Gamers are often sick and tired of waiting for remakes, but Bethesda’s release strategy caught everyone by surprise. We all knew that the game was coming, but with a same-day release, players were filled with joy. Bethesda proved that traditional marketing strategies can be ignored in the modern-day gaming landscape. Even beloved franchises such as Elder Scrolls don’t need to launch a prolonged marketing campaign to generate hype and success. As long as the game is quality, players will jump into it. As we’ve already stated, Elder Scrolls 6 was revealed seven years ago. Bethesda and Howard have remained silent about the project, which has only angered fans. With the game currently in production, it’s fair to say that it’s still years away from release. However, a shadow drop for Elder Scrolls 6 would be the perfect way to earn all the trust Bethesda has lost. As proven by Oblivion Remastered, surprise-releasing games don’t hurt sales. Just imagine being able to play Elder Scrolls 6 right after its first reveal. With that said, what else would you like to see in Elder Scrolls 6? Let us know in the comments below. Source link #Todd #Howard #Include #Incredibly #Detailed #FanMade #Map #Tamriel #Elder #Scrolls Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Day of reckoning for Man United, Spurs in Europa League Day of reckoning for Man United, Spurs in Europa League It’s all or nothing when Manchester United and Tottenham meet in the Europa League final on Wednesday. For the winner of the all-English showdown in Bilbao there is the mother of all get-out-of-jail-free cards with entry to the Champions League. For the loser, the abyss of no European soccer next year, the indignity of so many unwanted records broken, and uncertainty hanging over the futures of those who have presided over such a spectacular fall. That’s what’s on the line at Estadio de San Mamés when two English soccer giants get one last shot at salvaging the season. Long gone are the days when United dominated the Premier League and challenged the summit of European soccer on a regular basis. But even after 12 years without winning the English title, this season has represented a new low. United are 16th out of 20 in the standings after a club-record 18 defeats in a single campaign since the Premier League began in 1992. They also are certain to register their worst-ever points total in the era, as well as their lowest finish. Tottenham are one place below United having lost 21 times in the league – also a club record in the modern era. Spurs – Champions League runner-up in 2019 – are aiming for a first trophy since the 2008 English League Cup. It is rare such a major final has so much riding on it beyond the trophy itself. Neither team has looked capable of challenging for a top-five position in the Premier League, which would secure Champions League qualification. But in a season when both teams occupy the last safe spots before relegation, they have a mind-boggling lifeline to the Champions League via the Europa League. “We are supposed to be in the Champions League. Europa League here is not enough and you have that feeling here,” Manchester United coach Ruben Amorim says. “The best way to help us get in the top in a few years is the Champions League – it’s not (winning) the cup (Europa League).” While a return to the Champions League is also enticing for Tottenham, the chance to end their trophy-barren run may be even more appealing. Not even top-class managers like Mauricio Pochettino, Jose Mourinho or Antonio Conte could end Spurs’s wait for major silverware. It could be destiny that *********** Ange Postecoglou is the man to end the drought, having boldly predicted early in the season he always wins a trophy in his second year. That was true at previous clubs Brisbane Roar (Australia), Yokohama F Marinos (Japan) and Celtic (Scotland), but it would be remarkable if he continued that run on the back of such a desperate campaign. “It’s not for the want of world-class players. This club has had world-class players,” Postecoglou says. “It’s not for the want of world-class managers. They’ve had world-class managers. It’s something else that’s going to change this club.” Postecoglou is two years into the job at Spurs and became the club’s fourth permanent manager in four years when joining from Celtic in 2023. A major trophy would put a different complexion on a season in which Spurs have dramatically fallen since he led them to a fifth-place finish in his first year. He and Amorim have spoken of the similarities about their positions. “I guess from an emotional standpoint and the noise around the club,” Postecoglou says, “we’re kind of dealing with similar things of something that is so fantastic in terms of a European run, and also something that’s obviously the opposite of that, the other extreme in the league.” Source link #Day #reckoning #Man #United #Spurs #Europa #League Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

The Most Recent ****** Ops 6 Update Contains Double Jump And Wall-Running Code, But It’s Not Being Used Yet The Most Recent ****** Ops 6 Update Contains Double Jump And Wall-Running Code, But It’s Not Being Used Yet According to leakers and data miners, code for double jumping and wall-running has been added to Call of Duty with the latest update, but it remains unclear if this will be used for ****** Ops 6 or Call of Duty 2025, if used at all. Several reliable Call of Duty accounts on X: CharlieIntel, AndrewVN, and COD Warfare, all shared a look at the code in the new update, as well as video of it in action. It’s important to note that the double jump and wall-running are not live in the actual game but instead are being demonstrated by someone who activated the code that was added. The movement looks similar to the movement in ****** Ops 3, which originally introduced the controversial wall-running mechanic. It’s been confirmed that a ****** Ops 3 map, Fringe, is being remade for ****** Ops 6 as part of Season 4. The map may not work without wall-running or significant changes, providing a possible reason for these being added. As for what exactly this is being planned for, if it’s going to be used at all, is unclear. It could be leftover code; it could be for a special mode in ****** Ops 6 or used in this year’s Call of Duty. While unannounced, it is rumored that Call of Duty 2025 is ****** Ops 7 and a sequel to ****** Ops 2. ****** Ops 2 had a near future sci-fi setting, but with the sequel coming out the same year the game was set, it would likely get bumped to a farther out date. It would make sense that the futuristic Call of Duty game brought back the futuristic mechanics of wall-running and double jumps. The code was found as part of the most recent update to Call of Duty, which prepares Warzone and ****** Ops 6 for Season 4, set to release on May 29. Source link #****** #Ops #Update #Double #Jump #WallRunning #Code Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘How many people has he fired?’ ‘How many people has he fired?’ WASHINGTON – Children took over the White House press briefing ‒ and they asked what’s on everyone’s mind. Does President Donald Trump like to give hugs? “Yes, I do think he likes to give hugs,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt responded. What is his favorite food? “He likes to eat big, beautiful steak,” Leavitt said. The occasion was “Take Our Sons and Daughters to Work Day.” To belatedly celebrate the event, the White House welcomed the children of reporters who make up the White House press corps and White House staff to the press briefing room on May 20. Leavitt brought her baby boy. More: Trump lashes out at Kentucky Republican Thomas Massie: ‘He should be voted out of office’ Young children sat in the seats their mom or dad usually occupied and demanded answers ‒ with sweet, high-pitched voices ‒ on Trump’s favorite flavor of ice cream (an ice cream sundae with chocolate sauce and toppins) and his favorite president besides himself (George Washington, Leavitt guessed, but wasn’t 100% certain.) One of the kid reporters, however, posed a much more audacious ‒ and timely ‒ question: “How many people has he fired?” a little girl, probably about 4 years old, asked from the front row. More: ‘Don’t f— around with Medicaid’: Trump works to clear out GOP opposition to policy bill White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt takes questions from the children of journalists and staff members during a news conference on “Take Our Sons And Daughters To Work Day” in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House on May 20, 2025. Leavitt laughed, then said: “Thus far, actually, we’ve not had anyone fired, with the exception of one individual who did leave their job, but we have a great team here. So far, so good.” Leavitt did not specify who she was referencing. Perhaps she meant Mike Waltz, Trump’s former national security adviser, who left his position on May 1 before Trump nominated him as U.S. ambassador to the United States. Trump, of course, earned a reputation for being quick to fire White House aides during his first term. Before then, “You’re fired” was Trump’s go-to line during his run on NBC’s “The Apprentice.” Children of journalists and staff members sit on the front row of the Brady Press Briefing Room on “Take Our Sons And Daughters To Work Day” at the White House on May 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. And since returning to the White House, Trump has taken a battering ram to the federal workforce. During the first four months of his second term, the Trump administration ‒ with help from Elon Musk‘s Department of Government Efficiency ‒ has fired tens of thousands of employees from the federal workforce, with even more choosing to resign through buyouts, in a push to gut the federal bureaucracy. The White House has not said how many federal workers have been fired through the DOGE cuts. But an analysis from Reuters found the Trump administration had cut 12% of the 2.3 million federal civilian workforce, with about 260,000 taking buyouts or other incentives to quit. Among other questions at the briefing, one child asked, which “superpower” does Trump wish he had? “It would be just to snap his fingers and solve all of our country’s problems – just like that,” Leavitt said. “Because he likes to get things done very quickly.” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks during a Press Briefing for Take Our Sons and Daughters to Work Day in the Brady Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on May 20, 2025. A young boy wanted to know how much candy Trump eats a day. “A good amount of candy,” Leavitt said. “He likes pink Starbursts and Tootsie Rolls.” But there was one question that Leavitt struggled to respond to with just one answer. “What’s your least favorite news outlet?” a boy asked. Leavitt looked down toward her lectern and laughed. “I can tell you’re a staff kid. Not a journalist’s kid,” she said, adding with a smile: “Honestly, it depends on the day.” Reach Joey Garrison on X @joeygarrison. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: ‘How many people has he fired?’ young girl asks Trump press secretary Source link #people #fired Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Google launches Veo 3, an AI video generator that incorporates audio Google launches Veo 3, an AI video generator that incorporates audio Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google, speaks at the Google I/O developer conference. Andrej Sokolow | Picture Alliance | Getty Images Google on Tuesday announced Veo 3, an AI video generator that can also create and incorporate audio. The artificial intelligence tool competes with OpenAI’s Sora video generator, but its ability to also incorporate audio into the video that it creates is a key distinction. The company said Veo 3 can incorporate audio that includes dialogue between characters as well as animal sounds. “Veo 3 excels from text and image prompting to real-world physics and accurate lip syncing,” Eli Collins, Google DeepMind product vice president, said in a blog Tuesday. The video-audio AI tool is available Tuesday to U.S. subscribers of Google’s new $249.99 per month Ultra subscription plan, which is geared toward hardcore AI enthusiasts. Veo 3 will also be available for users of Google’s Vertex AI enterprise platform. Google also announced Imagen 4, its latest image-generation tool, which the company said produces higher-quality images through user prompts. Additionally, Google unveiled Flow, a new filmmaking tool that allows users to create cinematic videos by describing locations, shots and style preferences. Users can access the tool through Gemini, Whisk, Vertex AI and Workspace. The latest launches come as imagery and video become popular use cases for generative AI prompts. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman in March said ChatGPT’s 4o image generator was so popular that it caused the company’s computing chips to “melt.” The company said it had to temporarily limit the feature’s usage. Google has a mixed track record when it comes to its AI image generators. Last year, the company had to relaunch its Imagen 3 tool after it surfaced historically inaccurate results to users’ prompts, causing widespread criticism. Co-founder Sergey Brin later said the mishap was due to a lack of “thorough testing.” The Mountain View, California, company also updated its Veo 2 video generator to include the ability for users to add or remove objects from videos with text prompts. Additionally, Google opened its Lyria 2 music-generation model to creators through its YouTube Shorts platform and businesses using Vertex AI. WATCH: Google I/O: Sky-high stakes for AI showcase Source link #Google #launches #Veo #video #generator #incorporates #audio Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Do you really need to do Kegels? Physicians on five common pelvic floor myths – The Guardian Do you really need to do Kegels? Physicians on five common pelvic floor myths – The Guardian Do you really need to do Kegels? Physicians on five common pelvic floor myths The GuardianBloom Health Club: How to Optimize Pelvic Floor Function WFLAPelvic floor issues impact 1 in 3 women: Insights from Elite PT KTALnews.comAs Prescribed: Solutions aplenty for the 1-in-3 U.S. women suffering from pelvic floor disorders Audacy Source link #Kegels #Physicians #common #pelvic #floor #myths #Guardian Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]