Pelican Press

Depardieu faces judgment day in ******* assault trial Depardieu faces judgment day in ******* assault trial A court in Paris is due to hand down its verdict in the ******* assault trial of French actor Gerard Depardieu, in one of the highest-profile #MeToo cases to come before judges in France. The court will rule on Tuesday over accusations that Depardieu ********* assaulted two women on a film set in 2021. A towering figure of French cinema, Depardieu repeatedly denied any wrongdoing during the trial and his lawyer pleaded for charges against him to be dismissed. The public prosecutor has asked the court to hand 76-year-old Depardieu a suspended 18-month prison sentence and a 20,000-euro ($A35,000) fine. The #MeToo protest movement over ******* violence has struggled to gain the same traction in France as in the United States, though there are signs that social attitudes towards ******* assault might be changing. One of the two plaintiffs, Amelie K, a set decorator, told the court the actor had groped her all over her body as he trapped her between his legs and made explicit ******* comments. “He touched everything, including my breasts,” she told the court. “I was terrified, he was laughing.” The second plaintiff said she was groped by Depardieu on set and in the street. The alleged assaults occurred during the filming of Les Volets Verts (The Green Shutters) in 2021, while Depardieu was under formal investigation over accusations of raping a young actress in 2018. Prosecutors have requested that case go to trial, too. Depardieu told the court that he did not consider placing a hand on a person’s buttocks ******* assault and that some women were too easily shocked. He denied assault. Depardieu has faced a growing number of ******* assault allegations in recent years, which has put a spotlight on how women are treated in the movie industry. His trial has laid bare a generational divide in France over sexism, with some prominent older actresses defending him. Brigitte Bardot, 90, told broadcaster BFM TV on Monday that “those who have talent and grope a girl get thrown into the gutter”. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) National ******* Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028 Source link #Depardieu #faces #judgment #day #******* #assault #trial Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Nearly One Million People Can’t Get Enough Of This Clip Where Pope Leo Scolds His Brother For Not Answering The Phone Following His Election Nearly One Million People Can’t Get Enough Of This Clip Where Pope Leo Scolds His Brother For Not Answering The Phone Following His Election There’s a new person with the “Most Famous American” title, and for once, it’s not the president — it’s Chicago native Robert Francis Prevost, who now goes by Pope Leo XIV. ALBERTO PIZZOLI / AFP via Getty Images Elected to the papacy last week, you can imagine how excited friends and loved ones of Pope Leo may have been… and how people were calling the Pope’s brother, John Prevost, non-stop following the announcement. During a sit down interview with the Asscociated Press, a reporter noted that, “The phone was ringing non-stop during the entire interview [with John].” YouTube: Associated Press / youtube.com / Twitter: @richluchette Related: Justin Trudeau’s Shady Comment Toward Donald Trump Is Going Super Viral “But,” the reporter continued. “There was a particular phone call that was coming from a tablet in the basement, and John told me that might be the Pope.” John immediately stopped the interview to get to the tablet. However — WHOOPS. He realized he had a few missed calls from the Pope. Related: Republican Voters Are Finally Tearing Into Trump Over One Issue, But It’s Not The Issue You’d Expect “Oh,” John said upon seeing the missed calls. “He’s called for two hours already.” In a now-viral clip of the first exchange between John and the Pope since his election, viewers can hear Pope Leo answer the phone with a light-hearted scolding, asking, “Why don’t you answer the phone?” “First, you need to know you’re on the air right now,” John interjects. AP News cut the footage shortly after, confirming that Pope Leo did not agree to be interviewed and therefore the rest of the call is to be kept between the brothers. However, they did note that John and Pope Leo “chat like normal siblings,” and John shared words of congratulations, as well a promise to visit Rome soon. So there you have it! Popes, they’re just like us. ALBERTO PIZZOLI / AFP via Getty Images Also in In the News: “We Went From ‘Lower The Price Of Eggs’ To ‘Lower Your Standard Of Living'”: 39 Of The Best, Most Brutal, And Very Relatable Political Tweets Of The Month Also in In the News: “We Don’t Import Food”: 31 Americans Who Are Just So, So Confused About Tariffs And US Trade Also in In the News: Donald Trump Just Shared A Very Ominous Post, And People Are Calling It “One Of The Worst Statements Ever Made By A Sitting US President” Source link #Million #People #Clip #Pope #Leo #Scolds #Brother #Answering #Phone #Election Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Jayson Tatum injury creates daunting ramifications for Boston Celtics future – MassLive Jayson Tatum injury creates daunting ramifications for Boston Celtics future – MassLive Jayson Tatum injury creates daunting ramifications for Boston Celtics future MassLiveBrunson reminds Knicks 3-1 ‘nothing to celebrate’ ESPNFearless hero Jalen Brunson sets tone for Knicks in momentous comeback New York PostCeltics-Knicks recap: Tatum injury underscores nightmare Game 4 for Boston NBC Sports BostonJayson Tatum carried off floor with right leg injury and Celtics star will have MRI AP News Source link #Jayson #Tatum #injury #creates #daunting #ramifications #Boston #Celtics #future #MassLive Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Phlippines election result: The votes are in Phlippines election result: The votes are in Jonathan Head South East Asia correspondent Getty Images Vice-President Sara Duterte faces an impeachment trial in the Senate As the noise and colour of a two-month election campaign subsides, a game of thrones between the two most powerful families in the Philippines resumes. President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr, and his Vice-President, Sara Duterte, are embroiled in a bitter feud, and a battle for power. As allies they won a landslide victory in the last presidential election in 2022. But as their relationship has fractured – he accusing her of threatening to assassinate him, she accusing him of incompetence and saying she dreamed of decapitating him – this mid-term election has become a critical barometer of the strength of these two political dynasties. And the results were not great news for the Marcos camp. Typically incumbent presidents in the Philippines get most of their picks for the senate elected in the mid-term election. The power of presidential patronage is a significant advantage, at least it has been in the past. But not this time. Only six of the twelve winning senators are from the Marcos alliance, and of those one, Camille Villar, is only half in his camp, as she also accepted endorsement from Sara Duterte. Four of the senators are in the Duterte camp, including the president’s sister Imee Marcos. Two were in the top three vote-winners, ahead of any Marcos candidate. For a sitting president, this is a poor result. Senators are elected on a simple, nationwide vote, which is a good indication of national opinion. The result could weaken the authority of the Marcos administration in the last three years of his term, and it casts doubt on the plan to incapacitate Sara Duterte by impeaching her. The Marcos-Duterte relationship has been deteriorating almost since the start of their administration three years ago. But it was only this year that it ruptured completely. The decision by the president’s allies in Congress to start impeaching the vice-president was the first irreparable breach. Then in March President Marcos sent Sara’s father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, to the International Criminal Court to face charges of crimes against humanity over his brutal war on drugs. The police have also now filed criminal charges against her. The gloves were off. Impeachment would result in Sara Duterte being barred from public office, ending her ambition to replace President Marcos at the next election. Right now she is the frontrunner, and few doubt that, if successful, she would use the power of the presidency to seek vengeance against the Marcos’s. But impeachment requires two thirds of the 24-seat senate to vote for it, which is why this mid-term election mattered so much to both camps. Getty Images More than 68 million Filipinos were registered to vote in Monday’s elections Politics in the Philippines is a family business. Once a family achieves political power, it holds onto it, and passes it around the various generations. While there are around 200 influential families, the Dutertes and Marcoses sit at the top of the pyramid. The Marcoses have been in politics for 80 years. The current president’s father ruled from 1965 to 1986, imposing martial law, and plundering billions of dollars from the national purse. Bongbong Marcos’ mother, Imelda, who at the age of 95 cast her vote in this election from a wheelchair, is an even more notorious figure, and not just for her shoe collection. His sister Imee has been re-elected to the senate, thanks to her decision to defect to the Duterte camp. His eldest son Sandro is a congressman, and his cousin Martin Romualdez is speaker of the lower house and a likely presidential candidate in 2028 – probably the reason why Bongbong Marcos was so keen to drive through the impeachment of Sara Duterte. In the president’s home province of Ilocos Norte, his wife’s cousin has been elected governor, his nephew elected vice-governor, and two other cousins elected as city councillors. Up there, Marcoses always win. Much the same is true of the Dutertes in their stronghold in Davao at the other end of the country. Even from his prison cell in The Hague, former President Duterte ran for mayor of Davao, and won easily, even though all voters got to see of him was a life-size cardboard cutout. His absence will not matter though, because the previous mayor was his son Sebastian, who now takes over the vice-mayor’s job. Dutertes have been mayors of Davao for 34 out of the last 37 years. The problem confronting both camps is that the senators also typically come from big political families, or are celebrities in their own right – many candidates come from a media or showbiz background. They have interests and ambitions of their own. Even if officially allied with one camp or the other, there is no guarantee they will stay loyal, especially on the issue of impeachment. “Senators in the Philippines are very sensitive to national public opinion, because they imagine themselves as vice presidents or presidents in-waiting,” says Cleve Arguelles, a political scientist who runs WR Numero Research, which monitors public opinion. “So, they are always trying to read the public mind, and side with public opinion because of their future political ambitions.” Getty Images Bongbong Marcos comes from one of the Philippines’ top political families In recent months public sentiment has not been on the president’s side. Bongbong Marcos has never been a good public speaker, and his stage appearances in the campaign did little to lift his flagging popularity. His management of the economy, which is struggling, gets low marks in opinion polls, and his decision to detain former President Duterte and send him to the International Criminal Court is being portrayed by the Duterte family as a national betrayal. At an impromptu rally in Tondo, a low-income neighbourhood in Manila’s port area, Sara Duterte played an emotionally-charged video of the moment her father was taken into custody at Manila’s international airport and put on a private jet to The Hague. She portrayed this as unforgivable treatment of a still popular former president. “They didn’t just kidnap my dad, they stole him from us,” she told the cheering crowd. Also on stage was President Marcos’s elder sister Imee, who disagreed with the extradition and jumped ship to the Duterte camp – though most observers view this as a cynical move to capitalise on Duterte popular support, so she could lift her own flagging campaign to retain her senate seat. It worked. From polling low through much of the campaign, Imee Marcos managed to scrape into the “magic twelve”, as they call the winning senators. What happens now is difficult to predict, but the Marcos camp certainly faces an uphill battle to get Sara Duterte impeached. Of the 24 senators, only a handful are automatically loyal to the president. The rest will have to be persuaded to go along with it, , and that won’t be easy. This election has shown that the Dutertes still have very strong public support in some areas, and some in the Marcos election alliance are already on record as saying they oppose impeaching the vice-president. The same goes for the 12 senators who were not up for election this year. One bright spot for the president could be the surprise election of senators Bam Aquino and Francis Pangilinan, both from the liberal wing of politics. Few polls had predicted their wins, which suggest a public desire for politicians outside the Marcos-Duterte feud. Neither is a friend of the Marcos clan – liberals were the main opposition to the Marcos-Duterte team in the 2022 election. But they were strongly opposed to the strongman style of former President Duterte, and may fear his pugnacious daughter becoming president in 2028. That may be enough to get them to vote for impeachment. The impeachment trial is expected to start in July. The Dutertes can be expected to continue chipping away at the president’s battered authority in public, and both camps will be lobbying furiously behind the scenes to get senators onto their side. No president or vice-president has ever been successfully impeached in the Philippines. Nor have any president and vice president ever fallen out so badly. It is going to be a turbulent year. Source link #Phlippines #election #result #votes Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

West Coast Eagles training notes: Jeremy McGovern, Oscar Allen, Tom Gross, Elliot Yeo and more West Coast Eagles training notes: Jeremy McGovern, Oscar Allen, Tom Gross, Elliot Yeo and more A pair of West Coast stars made strides towards their injury returns, while it was back to business for two emerging Eagles. Here’s what we saw at training on Tuesday. Source link #West #Coast #Eagles #training #notes #Jeremy #McGovern #Oscar #Allen #Tom #Gross #Elliot #Yeo Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘We’d Spend $100 Billion’ If the Right Deal Came Along, Says Oracle Of Omaha ‘We’d Spend $100 Billion’ If the Right Deal Came Along, Says Oracle Of Omaha Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. Berkshire Hathaway Inc (NYSE:BRK) (NYSE:BRK) has silently emerged as one of the biggest players in the U.S. Treasury-bill market. In JPMorgan’s estimation, Warren Buffett’s conglomerate currently holds around 5% of all outstanding short-term government bills. This makes it the fourth-largest holder in the world. What Happened: Berkshire’s T-bill holdings have increased to $314 billion as of the end of March, multiplying twofold in the past year, outpacing even the holdings of foreign banks, the Federal Reserve, Local Government Investment Pools, offshore money market funds, and stablecoin-backed reserves, according to JPMorgan, reported CNBC. Don’t Miss: Buffett regularly buys T-bills at weekly auctions, at times in $10 billion chunks. With short-term yields still more than 4%, the portfolio earns billions in interest income every year. Why It Matters: During Berkshire’s recent annual meeting, 94-year-old Buffett reminded shareholders that cash has intrinsic strategic value: “Every now and then you find something and occasionally, very occasionally, but it’ll happen again… we will be bombarded with offerings that we’ll be glad we have the cash for.” He also shared that the company had almost spent $10 billion in the recent past but decided to hold back. “We came pretty close to spending $10 billion, not that long ago, for example, but we’d spend $100 billion” if the right deal came along, Buffett said. At the same meeting, he also expressed concerns about the falling value of the United States currency. Earlier this month, Berkshire Hathaway reported a major drop in its operating earnings in the first quarter. As he prepares to step down as CEO at the end of the year year — which led to Berkshire Hathaway stocks falling — the Oracle of Omaha leaves behind a company equipped with cash and patience, waiting for the next big elephant. Read Next: Story Continues Source link #Wed #Spend #Billion #Deal #Oracle #Omaha Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Bullying only leads to self-isolation, China’s Xi says day after US tariff truce – CNN Bullying only leads to self-isolation, China’s Xi says day after US tariff truce – CNN Bullying only leads to self-isolation, China’s Xi says day after US tariff truce CNNChina presents a united front with Latin America, aiming to counter Trump’s trade war The Seattle TimesXi slams “bullying,” says there are “no winners” in trade wars after U.S.-China tariffs deal AxiosChina commits about $10 billion in credit lines to Latin America ReutersBreaking ‘No winners in tariff wars’ China’s Xi Jinping tells Latin American, Caribbean leaders South China Morning Post Source link #Bullying #leads #selfisolation #Chinas #day #tariff #truce #CNN Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

US cuts tariffs on small parcels from ******** firms like Shein and Temu US cuts tariffs on small parcels from ******** firms like Shein and Temu President Donald Trump has slashed the tariff on small parcels sent from mainland China and Hong Kong to the US, just hours after the world’s two biggest economies said they would cut levies on each other’s goods for 90 days. The new tariffs on small packages worth up to $800 (£606) have been cut from 120% to 54%, according to a White House statement. The flat fee per item will remain at $100 for shipments sent after 2 May, while a $200 charge due to apply from 1 June has been cancelled. ******** online retail giants Shein and Temu had previously relied on the so-called “de minimis” exemption to ship low-value items directly to customers in the US without having to pay duties or import taxes. The duty-free rule for was closed by the Trump administration earlier this month. The latest rates came after the US and China released a joint statement announcing they would temporarily reduce their ****-for-tat tariffs and start a new round of trade negotiations. Share markets jumped on Monday after Trump said weekend talks had resulted in a “total reset” in trade terms between the two countries, a move that went some way to ease concerns about a trade war between the two countries. Under the agreement, the US will lower those tariffs from 145% to 30%, while China’s retaliatory tariffs on US goods will drop to 10% from 125%. Trump told reporters, that, as some of the levies have been suspended rather than cancelled altogether, they might rise again in three months time, if no further progress was made. But the president said he did not expect them to return to the previous 145% peak. “We’re not looking to hurt China,” Trump said after the agreement was announced, adding that China was “being hurt very badly”. Trump added that he expected to speak to ******** President Xi Jinping “maybe at the end of the week”. Source link #cuts #tariffs #small #parcels #******** #firms #Shein #Temu Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Anorexia: Cricketer Arul Suppiah speaks about health struggles Anorexia: Cricketer Arul Suppiah speaks about health struggles That “little bit” of progress was the start of a long journey. Suppiah, with help from the Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA), a team of experts and his girlfriend and her family, realised something had to change. “You do know that you have to eat and you have to get better, otherwise your organs will fail you,” said Suppiah, who was born in Malaysia and came to England to further his cricket and attend Millfield School. Slow and steady was the key. He would eat eight small meals a day with the aim of returning to a healthy weight, but the journey to recovery was not a straight line. “In the first instance I was recovering for the wrong reasons,” he said. “I was recovering because I didn’t want to let anyone down or I was doing it because I had no choice. “My recovery was very up and down. I would sometimes put on weight, then I’d lose weight and vice-versa. “Then I realised that actually, I’m just kidding myself and what I had to find out was the recovery was for my own good and for my own purpose. That’s when I started to believe in and trust the process.” For Suppiah, that process included reading online case studies, discovering real-life stories and attending local support groups in the community. “I needed to connect with somebody else who was going through the same,” he said. Source link #Anorexia #Cricketer #Arul #Suppiah #speaks #health #struggles Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Harrison McElroy: Young dad killed in tragic Forrest Highway ****** in South Yunderup Harrison McElroy: Young dad killed in tragic Forrest Highway ****** in South Yunderup A young father was killed in a Mother’s Day tragedy that has left a baby girl without her father. Harrison McElroy, 24, and a 31-year-old woman had pulled over their white MG sedan in the southbound emergency lane of Forrest Highway in South Yunderup when they were hit by a Volvo station wagon about 6.20pm on Sunday. The driver of the blue Volvo stopped to assist at the scene and called emergency services, but both Mr McElroy and the woman could not be saved. It is still unclear why the pair had stopped. It has been reported they were on their way to Mother’s Day celebrations. A fundraiser has been set up by Mr McElroy’s sister-in-law to help out the devastated family. Camera IconHarrison McElroy was killed after he was hit by a car in South Yunderup on Sunday Credit: Unknown/GoFundMe “Tragically my brother in law was involved in the accident you may have heard or seen on the news,” Chloe Steele said in a social media post. “Resulting in him tragically losing his life at 24 on Mother’s Day, leaving behind a 18 month old little girl. “If anyone could spare anything it would be truly appreciated and we would be forever grateful.” Tributes have poured in for Mr McElroy following the tragic accident. “Rip mate you were such a funny bloke,” his friend Allanah Lee Derschow said. Stacey Mortimer said Mr McElroy’s daughter would “always know how much you loved her”. Investigations are ongoing and police are appealing for any witnesses to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Source link #Harrison #McElroy #Young #dad #killed #tragic #Forrest #Highway #****** #South #Yunderup Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

US mission in Taipei says Trump’s ‘unification’ comment was about US-China trade US mission in Taipei says Trump’s ‘unification’ comment was about US-China trade TAIPEI (Reuters) – U.S. President Donald Trump’s comment on “unification” was about the U.S.-China trade relationship and U.S. policy towards Taiwan has not changed, the de facto embassy on the island said on Tuesday, after the wording caused unease in Taipei. China claims democratically-governed Taiwan as its own territory and has vowed to “reunify” with the island, by force if necessary. Taiwan’s government rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims, saying only the island’s people can decide their future. Washington and Beijing on Monday agreed to slash steep tariffs for at least 90 days, pausing their trade war, a move Trump praised when speaking to reporters at the White House. “They’ve agreed to open China, fully open China, and I think it’s going to be fantastic for China, I think it’s going to be fantastic for us, and I think it’s going to be great for unification and peace,” he said, without mentioning Taiwan. In a statement, the American Institute in Taiwan, which operates as a de facto embassy in the absence of formal diplomatic ties, said Trump was speaking about U.S.-China trade. “It’s clear President Trump was speaking in the context of the U.S.-China trade relationship,” a spokesperson said. “U.S. policy on Taiwan remains the same, and the U.S. approach to Taiwan has remained consistent across decades and administrations.” Taiwan’s presidential office, in a separate statement, noted the U.S. comment that Trump was referring to trade talks with China and not Taiwan. “The U.S. commitment to Taiwan remains strong and unchanged,” spokesperson Karen Kuo said, adding that Taiwan’s understanding was that the U.S.-China trade talks did not touch on Taiwan-related issues. Trump’s remarks created concern in some government and diplomatic circles in Taiwan on whether U.S. policy towards the island had changed, seven sources told Reuters. “Is he going to change the status quo, accepting the annexation of Taiwan?” one of the sources said, a senior official who declined to be identified due to the sensitivity of the matter. The U.S. government only officially recognises the government in Beijing, and does not take a position on Taiwan’s sovereignty, only acknowledging China’s position on the subject under Washington’s long-standing “one China policy”. Washington is bound by law to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself, and has repeatedly expressed condemnation of stepped up ******** military activities, including the latest round of war games in April. (Reporting by Ben Blanchard and Yimou Lee) Source link #mission #Taipei #Trumps #unification #comment #USChina #trade Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

stocks, news, data and earnings stocks, news, data and earnings European markets are heading for a mixed open on Tuesday as uncertainty over the global trade outlook lingers despite a 90-day pause in the tariff spat between the U.S. and China. The U.K.’s FTSE 100 index is expected to open 4 points lower at 8,591, Germany’s DAX up 23 points at 23,569, France’s CAC 3 points lower at 7,834 and Italy’s FTSE MIB 30 points lower at 39,222, according to data from IG. Global markets rallied on Monday after news that Washington and Beijing agreed to slash steep tariffs for 90 days, raising hopes that a burgeoning trade war could be averted. Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed overnight, however, setting the more pessimistic tone for their European counterparts, as questions remain over what could happen after the 90-day pause. Meanwhile, U.S. stock futures fell in overnight trading as investors await the latest U.S. inflation reading ahead of producer price index data on Thursday. European markets will be keeping an eye on earnings from SoftBank, ***** Motors, Nissan, Honda, Metro Bank and Bayer. Data releases include U.K. retail sales and unemployment figures. Germany’s ZEW survey of economic sentiment is also due to be released. Source link #stocks #news #data #earnings Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Timberwolves 117-110 Warriors (May 12, 2025) Game Recap – ESPN Timberwolves 117-110 Warriors (May 12, 2025) Game Recap – ESPN Timberwolves 117-110 Warriors (May 12, 2025) Game Recap ESPNNBA playoffs: Anthony Edwards erupts late to lift Timberwolves to a commanding Game 4 win over the Warriors Yahoo SportsTimberwolves vs. Warriors Game 4 Predictions: Odds, recent stats, trends, best bets for May 12 NBC SportsWolves’ halftime adjustments helped get Anthony Edwards going in Game 3 Star TribuneJimmy Butler III, Warriors unravel in 117-110 loss to Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves Golden State Of Mind Source link #Timberwolves #Warriors #Game #Recap #ESPN Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Somerset winter coat exchange receives thousands of donations Somerset winter coat exchange receives thousands of donations A scheme in which people donate winter coats to libraries has become a “heart-warming success”. A total of 15 libraries in Somerset, including Taunton, Bridgwater and Yeovil, accepted donations over the winter *******. This year 2,470 coats for both adults and children were donated – more than double the figure received in 2024. Councillor Federica Smith-Roberts, lead member for communities at Somerset Council, said: “The success of the Winter Coat Exchange is a testament to the power of community.” The initiative is designed to support the community by providing access to warm coats for everyone, especially those who may struggle to afford them. Over the winter ******* 2,086 coats were taken by people in need, with left over items donated to local refugee charity Refugee Aid From Taunton (RAFT). RAFT supports displaced people locally and further afield. Ms Smith-Roberts said: “I just find it really heart-warming for people to come forward to donate items that they don’t need.” “The items are put on a coat stand and people can take them, no questions asked.” She added: “By encouraging the reuse of coats, the initiative also helps to reduce waste.” Source link #Somerset #winter #coat #exchange #receives #thousands #donations Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Sycamore Gap pair were investigated over homophobic attacks Sycamore Gap pair were investigated over homophobic attacks Duncan Hodgson BBC Radio Cumbria Northumbria Police Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers were named as suspects in a series of homophobic incidents The two men convicted of chopping down the Sycamore Gap tree were suspects in an investigation into alleged homophobic assaults that took place around the same time they committed their infamous crime. Daniel Graham, 39, from Carlisle, and Adam Carruthers, 32, from Wigton, were found guilty last week of cutting down the iconic tree at Hadrian’s Wall on 27 September 2023. Nine days earlier, a man reported being doused in icing sugar and subjected to verbal abuse by two people at a layby in Cumbria often frequented by men seeking ******* encounters. The CPS dropped the case more than a year later, but emails seen by the BBC confirm police prepared a file on Graham and Carruthers for prosecutors. Just over a week before the tree was felled, a man – who the BBC has agreed not to name – was parked in the layby about 20 miles from Sycamore Gap. “There was a knock on my window,” he said. “I looked across and there was this ****** jeep, so I wound my window down and the passenger got quite homophobic with me.” A bag of icing sugar was then thrown into the man’s car before the other vehicle was driven off. The victim said he had reported the incident to police the same night, giving officers a description of the vehicle and his recollection of the registration number. He was, however, unable to identify any individual involved. The informant said he wished police had used his initial evidence to check CCTV at the time. “They knew the date, they knew the type of vehicle it was, but they didn’t do anything,” he said. Cumbria Police said checks had been carried out using the registration number provided by the victim, but these showed the vehicle linked to that number plate – which differed from that of Graham’s car by one letter – had not been in Cumbria. The force added that it had been a “complex investigation” and all “evidential opportunities” had been explored. PA The layby where one attack took place is less than 20 miles from Sycamore Gap An officer from Cumbria Police visited the victim in April 2024 following a development in the case. Two men had been arrested in connection with the incidents and video evidence had been found on a phone belonging to one of them. The victim was asked to watch “10 or 12” videos showing various men suffering homophobic abuse and, in some cases, having things thrown into their vehicles. He said a video of another male victim, who he recognised, was particularly upsetting: “I could see the fear in his eyes. It was quite ******, and it was all homophobic.” After helping police identify some of the other men in the videos, and confirming his own appearance in some of them, he gave a formal statement in August 2024 but told police he could not definitively identify the driver. Cumbria Police confirmed two men were arrested on suspicion of two assaults motivated by hate. In December 2024 a case was presented to the Crown Prosecution Service relating to three victims across six offences. But the CPS decided against bringing charges due to insufficient evidence, difficulties identifying the perpetrators and too much time having elapsed since one of the incidents. ‘Knew the names’ The victim who spoke to the BBC says he was abused on two separate occasions. He decided to challenge the CPS decision, which meant he had to be told the suspects’ names. In emails to the victim, seen by the BBC, detectives describe the CPS decision as “disappointing” and name Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers as the suspects. “I knew the names were in my mind somewhere,” the victim said. “I Googled it and my words were ‘oh my God’, I realised who they were.” Despite his appeal, the initial ruling not to charge the men was upheld. The CPS said it encouraged victims of hate crime to report incidents to the police and that it would prosecute whenever its legal tests were met. Graham and Carruthers, who are currently on remand awaiting sentencing for cutting down the Sycamore Gap tree, have been approached for comment. Source link #Sycamore #Gap #pair #investigated #homophobic #attacks Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Walyalup (Fremantle) training notes: Andrew Brayshaw, Sean Darcy, Nat Fyfe, Jordan Clark and Josh Treacy news Walyalup (Fremantle) training notes: Andrew Brayshaw, Sean Darcy, Nat Fyfe, Jordan Clark and Josh Treacy news The Dockers held their main training session of the week on Tuesday morning and there was one big absentee with Andrew Brayshaw taking no part ahead of the game against GWS. Source link #Walyalup #Fremantle #training #notes #Andrew #Brayshaw #Sean #Darcy #Nat #Fyfe #Jordan #Clark #Josh #Treacy #news Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge With 5.8mm Titanium Frame, 200-Megapixel Camera Launched: Price, Specifications Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge With 5.8mm Titanium Frame, 200-Megapixel Camera Launched: Price, Specifications Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge was unveiled late on Tuesday as the latest addition to the Galaxy S25 series of smartphones. With a thickness of 5.8mm, it is one of Samsung’s slimmest smartphones in years. It is equipped with the same flagship Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chip that powers the other models in the Galaxy S25 lineup. The company has equipped the Galaxy S25 Edge with a 200-megapixel primary camera and a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera. The handset has a 3,900mAh battery that can be charged at 25W. Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge Price, Availability Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge price is set at $1,099 (roughly Rs. 93,300) for the base model with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. The handset will also be available in a 512GB storage configuration that costs $1,219 (roughly Rs. 1,03,500). The newly announced Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge will be available in Titanium Icyblue, Titanium Jetblack, and Titanium Silver colourways starting May 30. Pricing for other markets, including India, is expected to be announced soon. Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge Specifications, Features The dual-SIM (Nano+Nano) Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge runs on Android 15, with the company’s One UI 7 skin. It sports a 6.7-inch Quad-HD+ (3,120×1,440 pixels) Infinity-O Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen with up to 120Hz refresh rate and Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 protection. Samsung has equipped the Galaxy S25 Edge with a custom Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chip, paired with 12GB of RAM. This is the same processor that arrive with the Galaxy S25 series earlier this year. The handset is available in 256GB and 512GB storage variants. There’s a 200-megapixel primary camera (with 2x optical in sensor zoom) on the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge, along with a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera with 120-degree field-of-view. The handset has a 12-megapixel front facing camera. Connectivity options on the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge include 5G, 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, GPS, and a USB Type-C port. The handset has a 3,900mAh battery with support for 25W wired charging, as well as Qi (wireless) charging. It has an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. Besides, it measures 158.2×75.6×5.8mm and weighs 163g. Source link #Samsung #Galaxy #S25 #Edge #5.8mm #Titanium #Frame #200Megapixel #Camera #Launched #Price #Specifications Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Sunken USS Yorktown leaves researchers ‘flabbergasted’ in latest dive Sunken USS Yorktown leaves researchers ‘flabbergasted’ in latest dive Eighty-three years after sinking, the USS Yorktown is still revealing secrets. During an April 19 expedition, scientists with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) — as part of the Beyond the Blue: Papahānaumokuākea ROV and Mapping project — were using a remotely operated underwater vehicle to explore the storied U.S. Navy aircraft carrier, when they found more than they could have hoped for. Since June 1942, the 809-foot-long carrier has been resting on the ocean floor, slipping beneath the waves after Japanese forces torpedoed the ship during the Battle of Midway. Resting 3.1 miles beneath the surface and roughly 1,000 miles northwest of Honolulu, the Yorktown was first discovered in 1998 by Robert Ballard in coordination with the National Geographic Society and the U.S. Navy. An initial investigation of the shipwreck was conducted that year upon its discovery. Another, led by Ocean Exploration Trust on Exploration Vessel Nautilus, was launched in 2023. The April 19 dive, however, was the first exploratory expedition of its kind — revealing a host of discoveries. During the dive, at least three Douglas SBD Dauntless bombers were found on the ship’s hanger deck — with one plane still fully armed after 83 years, its bomb secured in its release cradle. At least three planes were located within the aft Elevator #3 of USS Yorktown during the dive, including an overturned SBD Dauntless that was still armed with a bomb mounted to the underside of the aircraft’s fuselage. (Courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2025 Beyond the Blue) The other two, according to NOAA, are believed to have been part of the USS Enterprise’s bombing squadron that landed on the Yorktown after releasing their payload. During the battle, SBDs were responsible for fatally damaging all four Japanese carriers. These Dauntless bombers bear the scars of battle, with records showing that the pair were moved to the hangar deck and set ablaze after being struck by three Japanese bombers. The cameras, meanwhile, picked up more than just the vestiges of battle. A hand-painted mural that reads “A Chart of the Cruises of the USS Yorktown” was found inside one of the vessel’s elevator shafts. The mural, only partially visible in historic photographs taken before the ship’s sinking, revealed itself for the first time to researchers. The mural, which stretches 42 feet end to end and 12 feet top to bottom, was seemingly painted by a crew member to track the Yorktown’s voyage across the world. The lights of remotely operated vehicle Deep Discoverer illuminate the hand-painted mural, “A Chart of the Cruises of the USS Yorktown.” (Courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2025 Beyond the Blue) During the live-feed of the dive, researchers were astounded by the almost perfectly preserved map. “This is the first time we’re seeing this whole image. This is history in the making,” one researcher said as the camera turned its view onto the mural. “That is amazing,” another noted. “I am absolutely flabbergasted by the state of preservation of this.” While murals were occasionally painted on other ships during World War II, the Yorktown’s had seemingly been lost to history — until now. “Its motifs showcase the pride that Yorktown’s sailors had for their ship, the global scale of Yorktown’s activities, and the strategic role that the ship played in defending the United States,” NOAA said in a news release. The Yorktown suffered two waves of attacks during the Battle of Midway before it succumbed to a Japanese torpedo from a submarine on June 7, 1942. (National Archives) Along with the aircraft and aircraft debris in Yorktown’s hangar, the mural is helping to fill gaps in the historical record of the Yorktown. The 28-day expedition, according to NOAA, has provided “answers to existing questions and result[ed] in new mysteries for historians and scientists to puzzle out.” One such mystery is the “surprise automobile” researchers discovered during the April 19 dive. “Based on the flared fenders, split windshield, rag top, chrome details and spare tire, researchers have tentatively identified the vehicle as a ****** 1940-1941 Ford Super Deluxe ’Woody,’” the Smithsonian noted. On its front plate, according to a statement, researchers could make out the words “SHIP SERVICE ___ NAVY.” The presence of the car on the aircraft carrier has puzzled researchers and historians alike. Even more puzzling was the fact that crew members didn’t push the “Woody” overboard after Capt. Elliot Buckmaster, in an effort to keep the ship afloat, gave the order to jettison heavy cargo that included the likes of guns and aircraft. For now, researchers can only surmise as to why the vehicle survived the jettison order. Another mystery for another dive. Source link #Sunken #USS #Yorktown #leaves #researchers #flabbergasted #latest #dive Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

More than half are in Asia More than half are in Asia Asia is home to more than half of this summer’s top 15 emerging travel destinations, according to a report released Monday by the Mastercard Economics Institute. Tokyo and Osaka topped the list, which compared summer flight bookings for 2024 and 2025 to find the places experiencing the most growth in travelers. The ranking shows continued interest in Tokyo, which ranked No. 2 on last year’s list. Paris is No. 3 on the list, reflecting a drop in travelers during the summer of 2024 caused by the Summer Olympic Games, followed by Shanghai at No. 4. Beijing, Seoul and Singapore round out the top 10 list — alongside two cities in Spain, Palma de Mallorca and Madrid, and Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro — with two lesser-known spots in Asia, Vietnam’s Nha Trang and Japan’s Fukuoka named 11th and 13th, respectively. The report showed that interest in visiting Asian cities is mainly driven by Asian, European and American travelers. Asia also tops the summer trip list for Middle Eastern travelers, though rising interest is for vacationing in Thailand — not Japan. Summer flight bookings from Middle Eastern travelers that increased the most were for Bangkok, followed by New York, then Phuket, the report showed. Exchange rates matter — to some Tokyo was the most visited city in the world in 2024, as value-seeking travelers were attracted by the depreciating Japanese yen, which hit its weakest level against the U.S. dollar since 1986 last year. The yen’s depreciation has partially reversed — the currency reached 147.98 Tuesday relative to the greenback — but it is likely still a significant factor drawing visitors, according to the Mastercard Economics Institute report. Currency fluctuations matter more to Asian travelers than others, it showed. The report showed a 1% depreciation of the yen drove a 1.5% increase in visits from mainland China, compared with a 0.2% increase from the Germany, France and New Zealand. Similarly, a 1% drop in the U.S. dollar resulted in more visits to the U.S. from Taiwan, Singapore, South Korea and India, the report showed. British travelers, however, are largely impervious to currency fluctuations. Their travel patterns remained steady despite currency drops in Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Switzerland and the United States, the report showed. “MEI’s analysis reveals a trend: travelers from Asia tend to be more sensitive to exchange rate shifts … [it’s] an element that features prominently in their outbound travel planning,” it stated. Other travel shifts The report also noted that economic and political factors have shifted travel preferences well ahead of the summer season. More people are traveling to Saudi Arabia, specifically to Jeddah and Riyadh, spurred by the government’s economic diversification efforts and increased investments and business travel to the country, the report noted. However, the United States is experiencing a decline in international visits, most notably among Canadians, it said. A report published on April 23 from JPMorgan stated that foreign travel to the U.S. showed clear signs of weakening. International air arrivals dropped nearly 5% in February, despite expectations that the month would see a growth in foreign visitors, it stated. In 2024, foreign spending in the United States reached $215 billion, or about 0.7% of the country’s gross domestic product, according to JPMorgan’s estimates. A 10% drop in foreign travelers would therefore have less than 0.1% effect on gross domestic product growth, it said. “Still, a downturn could be felt materially in the tourism sector and educational sectors: foreigners accounted for 6% of tourism demand in 2023, and over 10% for hotels and restaurants, and they also make up 6% of higher education enrollment.” In this scenario, weakness in the U.S. dollar could draw more to visit, according to the JPMorgan report. That may be especially true among Asian tourists, who accounted for 40% of foreign travel spending in the United States in 2023, it said. Source link #Asia Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Investment banks lift China growth outlook after surprise trade deal with U.S. Investment banks lift China growth outlook after surprise trade deal with U.S. The ******** national flag fluttering with the Lujiazui Financial District in the background. Vcg | Visual China Group | Getty Images Financial institutions are rethinking their China calls after a surprise trade truce between Washington and Beijing, raising both the country’s growth forecasts as well as stock market outlooks. On Monday, the U.S. and China reached an agreement to temporarily halt the majority of tariffs on each other’s products for 90 days. Under the deal, mutual tariffs will be reduced from 125% to just 10%. This marks a significant easing of tensions between the two countries after the ****-for-tat that ensued following U.S. President Donald Trump’s “reciprocal” tariffs on April 2, which had led to a swath of banks lowering their China growth forecasts. Now, several institutions are revising their China outlooks. UBS said in a note late Monday that China’s GDP growth in 2025 could climb to between 3.7% and 4%, up from a previous base case of 3.4%, given how trade war de-escalation might lead to a “smaller shock” to China’s economic growth. Morgan Stanley has also raised to its near-term quarterly China GDP forecasts on expectations that companies may try to speed up exports to take advantage of the lower tariffs. “While tariffs remain elevated, the suspension window could lead to front-loaded shipments and production,” the investment bank’s analysts wrote in a note. China’s second-quarter GDP could come in higher than the current estimate of 4.5%, the bank’s chief China economist Robin Xing and others wrote in the report. Additionally, Xing and his team now expect third-quarter growth to show temporary resilience, forecasting it to be above 4%. Earlier, Morgan Stanley had said growth could soften around 4%. ANZ Bank now sees potential for China’s GDP to come in higher than 4.2% this year, after the Australia-headquartered bank revised its forecast to 4.2% from 4.8% in April. Similarly, Natixis sees the country’s GDP growth at 4.5% this year, up from its base case of 4.2% if there are more proactive stimulus and further reduction in tariffs. This comes after the French bank slashed its China GDP forecast to 4.2% from 4.7% in early April. Cautious optimism The optimism on growth prospects is improving the outlook for ******** equities. Nomura has raised China equities to “tactical Overweight,” and rotated some funds out of their position in India to China, it said in a note following the trade talks. Citi has raised its target for the Hang Seng Index by 2% to 25,000 by the end of the year, and expects it to hit 26,000 by the first half of 2026. Still, Citi’s China equity strategist Pierre Lau said he prefers domestic plays that avoid tariff uncertainties. He has upgraded the consumer sector from neutral to overweight. Lau also highlighted the country’s internet and technology sector as promising. “We see attractive risk reward in China stocks with market valuation remaining undemanding,” said Maybank’s chief investment officer Eddy Loh, who sees opportunities in the communication services and some consumer discretionary sectors. William Ma, chief investment officer of GROW Investment Group, who has typically been bullish on China, believes that the rebound in ******** markets is a sustained re-rating, especially with the recent ******** policy easing and consumption stimulus which could offer an extra boost to China’s economy and markets. China’s CSI 300 was marginally higher Tuesday after rising 1.6% in the previous session. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index rose nearly 3% Monday, but was down 1.5% Tuesday. Some experts cautioned on not getting too carried away by what may be a tactical bounce in equities. While the U.S.-China trade talks were better than what markets had expected, the arrangement is still temporary and subject to further changes, said Loh. This doesn’t change the ******* picture. China’s stock market still depends on domestic fundamentals, which remain weak. The 90-day tariff reduction and break does not guarantee a deal, especially given the deterioration of mutual trust between the U.S. and China, said Natixis’ senior economist Gary Ng. Markets rallied because the trade talk results were a surprise and not priced in, said Eurasia’s China director Dan Wang. “This doesn’t change the ******* picture. China’s stock market still depends on domestic fundamentals, which remain weak,” she told CNBC, citing the slump in the property sector and rising local government debt which also makes the sector reliant on state-backed support. Trump, who sees tariffs as central to his political leverage against China, may not keep tariffs low for long, Wang added. “This is a temporary pause, not a breakthrough in the bilateral relationship. A 90-day truce is short in trade diplomacy,” she said. —CNBC’s Evelyn Cheng contributed to this report. Source link #Investment #banks #lift #China #growth #outlook #surprise #trade #deal #U.S Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Uses Unreal Engine 5. How Is It Destroying The Industry Again? Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Uses Unreal Engine 5. How Is It Destroying The Industry Again? neutralgamer199214h ago Why FF needs to go back when by going real time fans like me bought the game into millions? There are enough turn base games so why people keep asking SE to go back. Here is a fact but very unpopular opinion Compared to turn base games real time combat is more appealing and those games tend to sell more. That’s why publishers that use to make games using TBC have moved away from that. Also another reason is tech back in the day couldn’t handle all the cool real time combat movement but now with platforms much more powerful developers can make the combat in real time and achieve the cool factor there is evidence suggesting that real-time combat games tend to have a broader appeal and often sell better than turn-based combat games, particularly in the mainstream and action-oriented markets. Here are some key points supported by industry trends and data: 1. Sales Data Trends Franchises with real-time combat like Call of Duty, Grand Theft Auto, Elden Ring, and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild consistently top sales charts. For example: Elden Ring (real-time action RPG) sold over 20 million copies in its first year. Final Fantasy XV (real-time) outsold its turn-based predecessors by a significant margin. Turn-based franchises, such as Fire Emblem or Persona, though critically acclaimed, tend to have niche audiences and more modest sales (e.g., Persona 5 sold ~9 million units over several years). 2. Wider Appeal Real-time combat is often perceived as more intuitive, dynamic, and exciting, especially for players who prefer fast-paced gameplay. Real-time games tend to attract casual gamers who may not enjoy the slower, strategic pacing of turn-based systems. 3. Shift in Design Philosophy Many traditionally turn-based franchises have shifted to real-time or hybrid combat systems to reach wider audiences (e.g., Final Fantasy VII Remake, Dragon Age: Origins → Inquisition, Yakuza: Like a Dragon experimenting in reverse). Developers often cite market demand and player engagement metrics as reasons for the shift. 4. Genre Differences Turn-based combat is still strong in genres like strategy, tactics, or traditional JRPGs, but these genres tend to cater to more dedicated or niche audiences. Real-time combat dominates action, shooter, open-world, and mainstream RPG genres. Summary While turn-based combat has loyal fans and can be critically successful, real-time combat games generally sell better and appeal to a broader audience, especially in today’s more action-oriented gaming landscape Source link #Clair #Obscur #Expedition #Unreal #Engine #Destroying #Industry Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Jayson Tatum Suffers Significant Injury During Celtics vs. Knicks Game 4, Will Get MRI – Bleacher Report Jayson Tatum Suffers Significant Injury During Celtics vs. Knicks Game 4, Will Get MRI – Bleacher Report Jayson Tatum Suffers Significant Injury During Celtics vs. Knicks Game 4, Will Get MRI Bleacher ReportBrunson reminds Knicks 3-1 ‘nothing to celebrate’ ESPNTatum’s Injury Looms Over Celtics Loss With Evan Valenti The RingerJayson Tatum carried off floor, placed in wheelchair late in Celtics’ Game 4 loss to Knicks Yahoo SportsMr. Clutch comes through again for Knicks. Celtics’ hopes hinge on Jayson Tatum’s health. USA Today Source link #Jayson #Tatum #Suffers #Significant #Injury #Celtics #Knicks #Game #MRI #Bleacher #Report Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Retiring Guernsey chippy owners reflect on rising costs Retiring Guernsey chippy owners reflect on rising costs Jake Wallace BBC News, Guernsey BBC Mrs Ashplant estimated millions of pieces of cod have been served in the shop since taking over the business in 2000 The retiring owners of a Guernsey fish and chip shop have shared their sadness at having to close. Andy and Kim Ashplant on Saturday announced plans to retire and close Beeton’s fish and chip shop in St Peter Port after nearly 25 years. Mrs Ashplant said the rising cost of electricity, gas and cod had made it difficult to keep the fish and chip shop competitive. “You don’t want to outprice yourselves because a fish and chip supper is something special which people have,” she said. The business in its current form will remain open until 28 June, but Mrs Ashplant said she hoped it could be rented or bought and kept as a chippy. Reflecting on recent years, Mrs Ashplant said rising costs had been tough. “We’ve had to put our prices up,” she said. “The gas has gone up, and then you hear the electric has gone up, and then it goes up again, and then there’s no cod, so the cod goes up. “It’s a cycle all the time, to be perfectly honest.” Mrs Ashplant said what happens next for the fish and chip shop was the “big question” Mrs Ashplant said what happens next for Beaton’s was the “big question”. “We’d like someone to take it on, obviously it’s only just been announced, so we haven’t got that far yet,” she said. “We’ll see what happens but hopefully somebody will rent it from us, run it as a chip shop but it could also be that somebody may want to buy it as we own the building and everything. “It’s a ‘watch this space’ for all of us.” Mr and Mrs Ashplant took over the business from Mr Ashplant’s father in 2000, after the shop had sat empty for a year. She estimated millions of pieces of fish and tonnes of potatoes had been cooked at the chippy since they took it on. ‘Emotional weekend’ Mrs Ashplant said she had experienced mixed emotions since the couple announced they were moving on. “I thought that I’d be jubilant and skipping around but actually, I feel quite sad, which I didn’t think I would feel,” she said. “I feel really quite bad because some of them [customers] have been coming here for years. “For some of them it’s their routine and they’ve been doing it for 20 years. “I don’t know what Andy and I will be like, but Andy’s cried anyway, it’s been an emotional weekend.” Source link #Retiring #Guernsey #chippy #owners #reflect #rising #costs Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Israel’s Eurovision entry says she has practised being booed Israel’s Eurovision entry says she has practised being booed Lucy Manning Special correspondent Reporting fromBasel, SwitzerlandEPA Yuval Raphael never dreamt she’d be at Eurovision. The last major music event she attended was the Nova festival, in Israel, where she was nearly killed. On 7 October 2023, the singer fled the festival when ****** gunmen started shooting. Now she’s preparing to go on stage at the world’s largest music event. “It’s something I deal with every day,” she told the BBC. “It feels like a personal win, just to be having this experience and representing my country and doing it with such pride.” On that day – one and a half years ago – Ms Raphael was attending her first outdoor rave. As rockets were fired from Gaza into Israel, and ****** gunmen started shooting at revellers, she attempted to flee the carnage. She and her friends took refuge in a concrete bomb shelter at the side of a road. Around 50 people were crammed in, lying on top of each other. But there was no escape as the gunmen shot repeatedly into the mass of bodies in the shelter and then threw in hand grenades. Ms Raphael managed to call her father in tears, as heard in a recording played in an Israeli documentary. “Dad, lots of people are dead. Send the police here. Please dad, send the police, it’s urgent.. they’re crushing me,” she said. “Be quiet,” he replied. “Yuvali my daughter. Yuvali, breathe deep. Hide. Play dead.” “Bye,” she said, thinking that was the end. Ms Raphael was one of only 11 people in the shelter to survive. She hid under a pile of dead bodies for eight hours until they were rescued. That day, around 1,200 people were killed by gunmen led by ******, and 251 were taken hostage. We danced with joy then hid among the dead – Nova survivors recall ****** massacre Ms Raphael’s professional singing career started after the attack. “I wished for myself to be happy and to really understand the gift that I had been given, and that’s to live,” she says. “To have more experiences, to be happy and to live fully.” On Thursday, the 24-year-old will sing her song, New Day Will Rise, at the Eurovision semi-final with shrapnel still in her leg. The rules of the European Broadcasting Union – which is in charge of Eurovision – means no political statements can be made. The singer won’t describe what happened to her at Nova during the run-up to the competition. She previously gave testimony about her experience to the United Nations. The Israeli entrant has had to contend with protests about her country’s participation in the song contest. Irish national broadcaster RTÉ asked the EBU for a discussion on Israel’s inclusion. Its director general, Kevin Bakhurst, said he was “appalled by the ongoing events in the Middle East and by the horrific impact on civilians in Gaza, and the fate of Israeli hostages”. Spain and Slovenia’s broadcasters also asked for a discussion. Last week, more than 70 former Eurovision contestants signed a letter calling on the organisers to ban Israel from the competition. More than 52,800 people have been killed in Gaza since the 7 October attacks, including 2,700 since the Israeli offensive resumed, according to the territory’s health ministry. In previous years, other countries have been banned from the contest. Belarus was suspended in 2021 after submitting an overtly political entry and a year later Russia was barred over the war in Ukraine. Ms Raphael told the BBC she anticipated booing but “we are here to sing” Ms Raphael said she was trying not to deal with those who say her country shouldn’t be competing. “Everybody has opinions,” she said. “I’m really putting everything aside and just concentrating on the most important thing. The slogan this year is ‘united by music’ and that’s what we are here for.” Eurovision said it understood the concerns and views about the current situation in the Middle East, but insisted members should ensure Eurovision remained a “universal event that promotes connections, diversity and inclusion through music”. Nevertheless, Israeli fans have been warned by their country’s National Security Council not to wear Jewish or Israeli symbols while attending Eurovision. On Sunday, during the Eurovision opening parade in the Swiss host city of Basel, the Israeli delegation made a complaint to the police and the EBU after accusing a pro-************ demonstrator of making a throat-slitting gesture and spitting at the delegation. “It was scary at times, even uncomfortable, but it makes me keep reminding myself why I’m here and my agenda, which is spreading as much love as I can and bringing pride to my country,” Ms Raphael said. Last year, the Israeli singer Eden Golan, who said she received death threats, was booed as she sang. “I think I’m expecting it,” admitted Ms Raphael, when she was asked if she too anticipated booing. “But we are here to sing and I’m going to sing my heart out for everyone.” She said they had done a few rehearsals with sounds in the background so she could practise with distractions. Asked if that was upsetting, she told the BBC she had a lot of emotions she was putting aside to stay focused. “I really think I have a lot of weight on my shoulders, I have a very big responsibility. I have a lot of people at home that are expecting something.” Source link #Israels #Eurovision #entry #practised #booed Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Asiata rises out of shadows in Reds’ time of need Asiata rises out of shadows in Reds’ time of need Richie Asiata jokes that you’d see him trailing in the background if you look up highlights of his star-studded high school rugby side. It was more of the same at the Queensland Reds last year when the injured hooker watched fellow No.2s Matt Faessler and Josh Nasser earn their Test caps. Things have changed dramatically in 2025 though, the 29-year-old at one point the only fit, capped player in his position. He’s thriving as the Reds’ leading try-scorer, with seven, and talking down his prospects of a shock Wallabies call-up for the British and Irish Lions visit. “Pretty lucky to play in that team,” he said of his undefeated 2014 GPS powerhouse Churchie team that featured Kalyn Ponga, Brodie Croft, Liam Wright, Izaia Perese and other future professional standouts. “Just happy to be there to be honest … you look at the highlights, you always see me in the background.” Asiata credits his 2025 form to an off-season stint with Northland in New Zealand’s National Provincial Championship that got minutes in the legs of a player struck down three times by knee injuries and then by a neck complaint. “I just wanted to get back playing again,” he said ahead of Saturday’s crucial Super Rugby clash with the ACT Brumbies in Canberra. “The boys were playing the house down and knew I had to catch up. “You always play your type of game and when you get your chance, make sure you make it last. “So I’m just trying to last out here until the boys come back.” Faessler (hamstring) is unlikely to play again for the Reds this season while Nasser returned via the bench in last week’s tight defeat of the NSW Waratahs. The pair both scored against the Waratahs, Asiata enjoying the Reds’ rolling maul dominance this year after a schoolboy career at Churchie spent keeping up with his flying backs. The Reds, assured of a finals berth but chasing a top-three finish and a home quarter-final, are five points behind the third-placed Crusaders. The Brumbies are two points further ahead in second, but have played one more game than both the Reds and Crusaders. Saturday’s result will have major finals implications with just two regular-season rounds to play. “It’s massive for us … we lost here (in Brisbane) against Brumbies, we want to get one over them,” Asiata said of Saturday’s high-stakes clash. “We’ll take it game by game and wherever we land in the finals we’ll be ready to go.” Source link #Asiata #rises #shadows #Reds #time Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]