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18-year-old dies after officer-involved shooting near Lynn Middle School 18-year-old dies after officer-involved shooting near Lynn Middle School EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — An 18-year-old man is dead after an officer-involved shooting last Thursday, May 8, across from Lynn Middle School in Las Cruces, according to the Las Cruces Police Department. Police say Josiah Perrault, 18, died as a result of his injuries after the shooting, and another man who is believed to be involved in the incident was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Perrault died the day of the shooting. Man dead after officer-involved shooting near Lynn Middle School in Las Cruces The shooting happened at around 6:30 a.m. that Thursday on the 900 block of Walnut Street, which is across from Lynn Middle School. Police say the shooting did not happen at the school campus, and a portion of Walnut Street was closed for several hours. The Police Department will hold a press conference at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 20 to provide more information on the shooting. Aside from the police department, the Officer-involved Incident Task Force is investigating the shooting. The task force consists of New Mexico State Police, the Las Cruces Police Department, the Dona Ana County Sheriff’s Office, and New Mexico State University Police. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. Source link #18yearold #dies #officerinvolved #shooting #Lynn #Middle #School Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Live updates: Up 2-1, Wolves battle Warriors in Game 4 of Western Conference Semifinals – Star Tribune Live updates: Up 2-1, Wolves battle Warriors in Game 4 of Western Conference Semifinals – Star Tribune Live updates: Up 2-1, Wolves battle Warriors in Game 4 of Western Conference Semifinals Star TribuneWarriors vs. Timberwolves live updates: 2025 NBA playoffs Game 4 score, highlights, analysis The New York TimesWarriors Make Glaring Steph Curry Mistake in Game 4 vs. Timberwolves Yahoo SportsTimberwolves vs. Warriors Game 4 Predictions: Odds, recent stats, trends, best bets for May 12 NBC SportsDo-it-all Randle’s triple-double fuels Wolves’ win ESPN Source link #Live #updates #Wolves #battle #Warriors #Game #Western #Conference #Semifinals #Star #Tribune Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

******’s Cameron concern despite Lions’ ‘scary’ state ******’s Cameron concern despite Lions’ ‘scary’ state Simon ****** fears Charlie Cameron’s wastefulness will be “costly” for the Brisbane Lions but thinks the veteran is the key to unlocking a new level for the defending AFL premiers. Cameron has been kept goalless in three of seven games this season, his 8.13 haul an anomaly in a 12-year career averaging 1.6 goals for every behind. Club great ****** admits the 30-year-old’s accuracy is a concern and that the same side that romped to last year’s flag – two decades after he was part of the Lions’ three-peat – will get “found out” if their patchy form continues. “It’s good he’s still getting looks but he can certainly waste that ball, can’t he,” ****** told AAP. “It can cost you. A quality player getting the ball in his hands through ability and talent, but missing shots regularly … that really hurts your team. “You’ve got to have a level of accuracy. They’ve got lots of avenues to goal but he’s got to find a way to be more consistent with his conversion. “That worries me.” The Lions ranked last (41.6 per cent) in kicks retained in forward-50 entries before Sunday’s game, when their star-studded midfield was beaten by North Melbourne’s engine room. There is no quick fix but ****** thinks Cameron is central to the equation, particularly since the retirement of key forward Joe Daniher. “Joey, based on results, hasn’t been a big loss to this point but guys like him are pretty handy in the big finals as he showed (last season),” ****** said. “The small forward pressure up there is so important without Daniher’s dominance in the air.” Brisbane will wear guernseys inspired by Callum Ah Chee’s family history against Melbourne on Sunday as part of the AFL’s Sir Doug Nicholls Round. Believing it’s a mental issue, ****** hopes the occasion will spark something inside Cameron. “His ability to make good contact with the ball … you see sometimes he’s flat-out kicking a drop punt on goal, getting the ball anywhere near the goals, when he’s such a skilled player,” he said. “That’s his great challenge and (if solved) he can take the Lions to a new level. “But the good thing is he’s getting lots of looks.” Despite their struggles, the Lions have enjoyed their best start to a season as a merged club and occupy top spot on the ladder (7-1-1) after nine rounds. “It’s quite remarkable … they’re finding a way and it’s stark from where they were last year (13th, 3-5-1) and is probably pretty scary for the competition, based on that,” ****** told AAP. “They’ve been patchy over the journey … they did it on grand final day last but over the course they’ve struggled for four-quarter efforts. “It’s hard to have in modern footy – momentum’s a big thing – but Brisbane’s allowing those things to happen a bit too regularly.” ****** backed veteran Darcy Gardiner to retain his place in the remodelled forward line but thinks pressure from below will be inevitable. Fit-again pair Keidean Coleman and Tom Doedee, as well as rookie forwards Ty Gallop and Will McLachlan, are pushing their case in the VFL. “There’s pressure coming and it’s keeping guys on their toes,” he said. “Jaspa Fletcher, he’s really stood up. He would have felt a bit of pressure and he’s embraced it and elevated his game.” Source link #******* #Cameron #concern #Lions #scary #state Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Taiwanese war drama ‘wake-up call’ to ******** invasion threat Taiwanese war drama ‘wake-up call’ to ******** invasion threat A ******** military blockade of Taiwan ignites panic across the self-ruled island as banks shut down, families flee, fake news spreads and Taiwanese troops brace for attack. The on-screen chaos is the basis of a new Taiwanese television series called “Zero Day”, which creators hope will “awaken” people to the real-life threat of a ******** invasion of Taiwan. Beijing has long vowed to annex Taiwan, by force if necessary. But rather than dramatise the cross-strait tensions, Taiwan’s film and television industry has shied away from the topic for fear of losing access to the world’s biggest ******** language market. Lo Ging-zim, one of 10 directors involved in “Zero Day”, said the war in Ukraine, resurgence of the China-friendly Kuomintang party in Taiwan and China’s growing efforts to influence the island meant it could no longer be ignored. “Media around the world were talking about the next battlefield could be the Taiwan Strait,” Lo told AFP, recalling 2022 when the idea for “Zero Day” emerged. “It started from a group of people all worried and anxious about the same thing, deciding to gather and take action.” “Zero Day”, which refers to the first day ******** troops land in Taiwan, features 10 standalone episodes and is expected to premiere this year. The trailer shows chaos erupting across Taiwan as ******** forces surround the island on the pretext of searching for crew members of a military plane that disappeared over nearby waters. ******** disinformation floods Taiwan’s internet, cash machines stop working, stock markets ****** and families dragging suitcases seek to escape. The actor playing Taiwan’s president urges people “to unite” in a televised address, warning “without freedom, Taiwan is not Taiwan”. – ‘Looming threat of war’ – Real-world analysts have warned a ******** blockade of Taiwan could precede an invasion, and China’s military has practised cutting off the island during drills. Taiwan would be outgunned in any conflict with China and would need the United States and other countries to come to its defence. “Zero Day” producer Cheng Hsin-mei, who wrote one of the episodes of the series, said she wanted to “awaken Taiwanese people to the looming threat of war”. She also hoped to inform the international community that Taiwan was not part of China. “We must tell the world we are not the same political system — we are a free and democratic place and we elect our own president,” Cheng said. “So when the regime launches an independent act of aggression, it is not a civil war, it is an invasion.” The “Zero Day” cast includes actors from Hong Kong, Japan and Taiwan. Cheng said 70 percent of those approached for the series declined to take part, worried they would be blocked from productions hoping to enter China. Taiwanese actor Kaiser Chuang plays a businessman in financial difficulty who unwittingly receives help from ******** collaborators. Chuang believes his involvement in “Zero Day” has already cost him one role, but he firmly insists the series “needed to be made”. “A life of peace, security and freedom doesn’t come through fear and submission,” said Chuang, describing “Zero Day” as a “wake-up call”. “It only comes from constant vigilance, making ourselves stronger, identity with our country and land, and unity among people living here.” – ‘Not political propaganda’ – To make “Zero Day” more realistic, creators consulted military and political experts and shot key scenes on site, including a Taiwanese naval vessel and the Presidential Office in Taipei. Lawmaker Lin Chien-chi from the Beijing-friendly main opposition Kuomintang party criticised the series for creating “an atmosphere of panic” and blurring “reality and fiction excessively”. “It inevitably leads to speculation about whether the filming perspective and thinking behind this series are related to the ruling party’s political agenda,” Lin told AFP, referring to the Democratic Progressive Party. While the production received NT$230 million (US$7.6 million) in funding from the government and private sector, the director Lo insisted it was not propaganda. “We are not making a political propaganda film, nor is it some kind of informational or civil defence educational video — it’s none of those,” Lo said. “It is a drama. It should attract the audience through human nature, human emotions and human vulnerability.” Cheng, the producer, said there had been strong international interest in the series and the team was now in talks with several online streaming platforms and television networks around the world. “It’s also a way to prove that even without access to the ******** market, Taiwanese drama can still break into other regions,” she said. joy/amj/dhw/pst Source link #Taiwanese #war #drama #wakeup #call #******** #invasion #threat Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Jayson Tatum carried off floor with right leg injury late in Celtics’ loss in Game 4 to Knicks – AP News Jayson Tatum carried off floor with right leg injury late in Celtics’ loss in Game 4 to Knicks – AP News Jayson Tatum carried off floor with right leg injury late in Celtics’ loss in Game 4 to Knicks AP NewsTatum carried off in Celtics’ Game 4 loss; MRI next ESPNKnicks know commanding lead over Celtics ‘doesn’t mean anything’ heading into Game 5 SNYNBA playoffs: Knicks put champs Celtics on brink of elimination as Tatum collapses The GuardianJayson Tatum scores 42 points but leaves game late with injury, and other takeaways from Game 4 loss to Knicks The Boston Globe Source link #Jayson #Tatum #carried #floor #leg #injury #late #Celtics #loss #Game #Knicks #News Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Russia blamed for downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17, killing 38 Australians Russia blamed for downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17, killing 38 Australians Russia has been found responsible for the 2014 downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 over eastern Ukraine, which killed all 298 people on board, including 38 Australians. The ruling was handed down by UN body the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which found Russia had breached international law by using weapons against a civil aircraft in flight. Flight MH17 was en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur on July 17, 2014, when it was shot down amid conflict between Ukrainian forces and pro-Russian separatists. In 2022, Dutch courts convicted two Russian men and a Ukrainian man in absentia for ******* over the incident. Moscow has refused to extradite its citizens, calling the ruling “scandalous”. Australia and the Netherlands jointly brought the case before the ICAO in 2022. Both governments said the council would soon consider possible reparations. Foreign Minister Penny Wong welcomed the move, calling it a “historic decision” in the pursuit of justice. “We call upon Russia to finally face up to its responsibility and make reparations for its egregious conduct, as required under international law,” Ms Wong said in a statement. Camera IconForeign Minister Penny Wong welcomed the move, calling it a “historic decision” in the pursuit of justice. NewsWire / Martin Ollman Credit: News Corp Australia “Our thoughts are with the 298 people who lost their lives due to Russia’s actions, including 38 who called Australia home, their families and loved ones” Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp also praised the ruling, urging the ICAO council to order Russia into negotiations over reparations. “The decision is an important step towards establishing the truth and achieving justice and accountability for all victims of Flight MH17, and their families and loved ones,” Mr Veldkamp said. “This decision also sends a clear message to the international community: states cannot violate international law with impunity.” Source link #Russia #blamed #downing #Malaysia #Airlines #Flight #MH17 #killing #Australians Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Best Settings for RTX 5090, 5070, 5070 Ti, 4090, 4070, 4070 Ti Best Settings for RTX 5090, 5070, 5070 Ti, 4090, 4070, 4070 Ti Being a current-gen release, DOOM: The Dark Ages comes equipped with all manner of technical upgrades, including support for ray tracing (which is mandatory this time around) and upscaling tech such as DLSS 4 and FSR 4. This does beg the question, what might be the best (estimated) settings for The Dark Ages, especially with regards to Nvidia’s heavy hitters such as the RTX 4090 and RTX 5090. A more thorough breakdown of the game’s technical aspects as well as its recommended presets can be found in the sections below. Why optimizing settings matters in Doom: The Dark Ages Doom: The Dark Ages is built on top of the in-house id Tech 8 game engine, and thus relies on Vulkan to process its graphics. Vulkan is a lot more performant than OpenGL or DirectX, and should net you more frames. However, id Tech 8 comes with a crutch – mandatory ray tracing. This requirement means that older GPUs (such as the GTX 1070) cannot run the game at all, and cards that do run it face a lot more processing load. As such, optimizing settings is required, and using a more reasonable preset of settings should allow for a more pleasant experience. System requirements for Doom: The Dark Ages Here are the official PC system requirements for Doom: The Dark Ages. The official PC system requirements for The Dark Ages are quite high | Image Credits: id Software Minimum Operating System: Windows 10 64-bit CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 3700X or an Intel COre i7 10700K RAM: 16 GB GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 Super or an AMD RX 6600 (8 GB VRAM) Storage: 100 GB Preset: Low, 1080p@60 FPS Recommended Operating System: Windows 10 64-bit CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 5700X or an Intel COre i7 12700K RAM: 32 GB GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 or an AM RX 6800 (10+ GB VRAM) Storage: 100 GB Preset: High, 1440p@60 FPS Doom: The Dark Ages seems to be quite an intensive game, demanding a modestly powerful CPU. The PC system requirements mandate a minimum of 8 cores and 16 threads, along with a GPU that is capable of ray tracing. The game also has an 8 GB minimum VRAM requirement, which should make running it all the more difficult. Assuming you can jump over the minimum PC system requirements, The Dark Ages should run perfectly fine for most machines, with upscaling enabled. Best settings for RTX 5090, 4090, 4070 Ti in Doom: The Dark Ages Here are the optimized settings: Window Mode: Fullscreen Aspect Ratio: Keep to your display’s native aspect ratio Resolution: Keep to your display’s native screen resolution Refresh Rate: 120 Vertical Sync: Off Present Form Compute: Off Field of View: 95 Sharpening: 1.50 Film Grain: 0.00 Upscaler: DLSS DLSS Super Resolution: Quality DLSS Sharpness: 40% DLSS Frame Generation: Off Nvidia Reflex Mode: Off Motion Blur: Off; personal preference Overall Quality Slider: High (this applies to all presets under it) All 3 cards should perform exceptionally well in the game. The RTX 5070 Ti and RTX 5090 in particular are some of the strongest cards available, and should be able to handle The Dark Ages at 4K resolutions with 60+ FPS (DLSS enabled). The RTX 4070 Ti is a lot less powerful than the RTX 5090, and should fare better with a more toned-down settings preset. Best settings for RTX 5070 Ti, 5070, 4070 in Doom: The Dark Ages Here are the optimized settings: Window Mode: Fullscreen Aspect Ratio: Keep to your display’s native aspect ratio Resolution: Keep to your display’s native screen resolution Refresh Rate: 120 Vertical Sync: Off Present Form Compute: Off Field of View: 95 Sharpening: 1.50 Film Grain: 0.00 Upscaler: DLSS DLSS Super Resolution: Balanced DLSS Sharpness: 40% DLSS Frame Generation: Off Nvidia Reflex Mode: Off Motion Blur: Off; personal preference Overall Quality Slider: Medium (this applies to all presets under it) All 3 cards should perform largely the same, but the RTX 5070 Ti should fare a bit better thanks to having access to DLSS 4. The three cards are best suited for 1440p gaming, with Medium-High settings (DLSS enabled). Additional ray tracing is to be avoided for these cards. Ray tracing and DLSS/FSR/XeSS: Worth enabling? Doom: The Dark Ages has ray tracing enabled globally by default. As such, it is not possible to turn it off at all, and it affects performance by quite a fair margin. You will need an RT-capable GPU, which might lessen AMD’s gains here by a bit. RT is enabled by default | Image Credits: id Software Make sure to keep the ray tracing at its basic levels to ensure smoother performance. Upscaling is almost mandatory for Doom: The Dark Ages, as the game runs quite poorly at native resolutions. DLSS, as always, has a distinct edge over the others, and should be your preferred upscaler. FSR and XeSS are available to all, and FSR is generally good enough for most users, at the Balanced or higher presets. Doom: The Dark Ages best settings summary table GPU Resolution Preset DLSS Preset RTX 5090, 4090 4K High Quality RTX 5070 Ti, 4070 Ti 1440p Medium Balanced RTX 5070, 4070 1440p Medium Balanced Final thoughts: Future proofing and expected updates Ray tracing is only going to be mandatory from now on, and you’re going to require beefy GPUs to simply be able to run the game. An RTX 3050 (8 GB) is likely to become the next standard for entry-level gaming. That being said, Nvidia’s RTX 5000 series is likely to last you quite a long time, even outside of Doom: The Dark Ages. Source link #Settings #RTX Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Study makes concerning connection between risk for Parkinson’s disease and living near golf courses: ‘Cases are exploding’ Study makes concerning connection between risk for Parkinson’s disease and living near golf courses: ‘Cases are exploding’ A startling new study is drawing attention to a hidden hazard lurking in some of the nation’s greenest neighborhoods: golf courses. According to research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Network Open, people who live within a mile of a golf course may face a 126% higher risk of developing Parkinson’s disease — a condition affecting over a million Americans. The culprit? Pesticides. What’s happening? Researchers from the Barrow Neurological Institute tracked Parkinson’s diagnoses in Olmsted County, Minnesota, over a 24-year span, cross-referencing patient addresses with the locations of 139 nearby golf courses. The analysis revealed a clear pattern: the closer someone lived to a golf course, the higher their odds of developing Parkinson’s. And it’s not just air exposure. Residents whose tap water came from groundwater sources near a golf course had nearly double the risk of developing the disease. Those living in “vulnerable groundwater regions” — where rainwater can carry chemicals through porous bedrock more easily — faced even greater odds. “This isn’t about golf,” said Dr. Michael Okun, national medical adviser for the Parkinson’s Foundation. “It’s about pesticides, environmental exposures, and preventable risks hiding in plain sight.” Watch now: How bad is a gas stove for your home’s indoor air quality? Why is this concerning? Parkinson’s disease is a serious progressive condition that impacts movement, speech, and cognitive function. There’s no cure — and cases are on the rise. As Newsweek covered, Dr. Okun recently posted to X, formerly Twitter, saying, “Parkinson’s cases are exploding. We now face 11.8 million cases globally, and the numbers are climbing fast. Despite this reality, we still spend just 2 to 3 cents of every Parkinson’s dollar on prevention. That has to change.” While genetics do play a role, environmental factors like pesticide exposure are increasingly being linked to the disease. Chemicals such as paraquat and rotenone — often used to maintain lush greens — have been shown to trigger Parkinson-like symptoms in animal studies. And the U.S. has pesticide risks up to 15 times higher on golf courses than European countries do, according to Beyond Pesticides. This research adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting our outdoor environments, especially in urban and suburban areas, may not be as safe as they seem — especially when aesthetics are prioritized over health. What’s being done about it? While the study doesn’t explicitly call for people to move away from golf courses, experts say there’s a clear need to reevaluate how pesticides are used in public spaces. Cities and states can take action by tightening regulations on chemical applications near residential areas and upgrading municipal water treatment in high-risk zones. For those living near golf courses, consider reaching out to local environmental health agencies to learn about pesticide transparency laws and groundwater safety initiatives. As Dr. Okun noted, “This is a warning we can’t ignore. Prevention has to be part of the plan.” Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don’t miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Source link #Study #connection #risk #Parkinsons #disease #living #golf #courses #Cases #exploding Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

There Are Two Chinas, and America Must Understand Both There Are Two Chinas, and America Must Understand Both Two Chinas inhabit the American imagination: One is a technology and manufacturing superpower poised to lead the world. The other is an economy that’s on the verge of collapse. Each reflect a real aspect of China. One China — let’s call it hopeful China — is defined by companies like the A.I. start-up DeepSeek, the electric vehicle giant BYD and the tech powerhouse Huawei. All are innovation leaders. Jensen Huang, the chief executive of the Silicon Valley chip giant Nvidia, said China was “not behind” the United States in artificial intelligence development. Quite a few pundits have declared that China would dominate the 21st century. The other China — gloomy China — tells a different story: sluggish consumer spending, rising unemployment, a chronic housing crisis and a business community bracing for the impact of the trade war. President Trump, as he tries to negotiate a resolution of a trade war, must reckon with both versions of its arch geopolitical rival. The stakes have never been higher to understand China. It’s not enough to fear its successes, or take solace in its economic hardships. To know America’s biggest rival requires seeing how the two Chinas are able to coexist. “Americans have too many imagined notions about China,” said ***** Jielin, a former Silicon Valley executive who recently moved back to San Francisco after spending 14 years in China teaching and researching the country’s science and technology policies. “Some of them hope to solve American problems using ******** methods, but that clearly won’t work. They don’t realize that China’s solutions come with a lot of pain.” Just like the United States, China is a giant country full of disparities: coastal vs. inland, north vs. south, urban vs. rural, rich vs. poor, state-owned vs. private sector, Gen X vs. Gen Z. The ruling ********** Party itself is full of contradictions. It avows socialism, but recoils from giving its citizens a strong social safety net. ******** people, too, grapple with these contradictions. Despite the trade war, the ******** tech entrepreneurs and investors I talked to over the past few weeks were more upbeat than any time in the past three years. Their hope started with DeepSeek’s breakthrough in January. Two venture capitalists told me that they planned to come out of a ******* of hibernation they started after Beijing’s crackdown on the tech sector in 2021. Both said they were looking to invest in ******** A.I. applications and robotics. But they are much less optimistic about the economy — the gloomy China. The 10 executives, investors and economists I interviewed said they believed that China’s advances in tech would not be enough to pull the country out of its economic slump. Advanced manufacturing makes up about only 6 percent of China’s output, much smaller than real estate, which contributes about 17 percent of gross domestic product even after a sharp slowdown. When I asked them whether China could beat the United States in the trade war, nobody said yes. But they all agreed that China’s pain threshold was much higher. It’s not hard to understand the anxiety felt by Americans frustrated with their country’s struggles to build and manufacture. China has constructed more high-speed rail lines than the rest of the world, deployed more industrial robots per 10,000 manufacturing workers than any country except South Korea and Singapore and now leads globally in electric vehicles, solar panels, drones and several other advanced industries. Many of China’s most successful companies have gained resilience from the economic downturn and are better prepared for the bad days ahead. “They’ve been DOGE-ing for a long time,” said Eric Wong, the founder of the New York hedge fund Stillpoint who visits China every quarter, referring to the Trump administration’s cost-cutting effort known as the Department of Government Efficiency. “By comparison, the U.S. has been living in excess for a long time.” But as we marvel at China’s so-called miracles, it is necessary to ask: At what cost? Not just financial, but human. China’s top-down innovation model, heavily reliant on government subsidies and investment, has proved to be both inefficient and wasteful. Much like the overbuilding in the real estate sector that triggered a crisis and erased much of ******** household wealth, excessive industrial capacity has deepened imbalances in the economy and raised questions about the model’s sustainability, particularly if broader conditions worsen. The electric vehicle industry shows the force of the two Chinas. In 2018, the country had nearly 500 E.V. makers. By 2024, about 70 remained. Among the casualties was Singulato Motors, a start-up that raised $2.3 billion from investors, including local governments in three provinces. Over eight years, the company failed to deliver a single car and filed for bankruptcy in 2023. The ******** government tolerates wasteful investment in its chosen initiatives, helping fuel overcapacity. But it is reluctant to make the kind of substantial investments in rural pensions and health insurance that would help lift consumption. “Technological innovation alone cannot resolve China’s structural economic imbalances or cyclical deflationary pressures,” Robin Xing, the chief China economist at Morgan Stanley, said in a research note. “In fact,” he wrote, “recent advances in technology may reinforce policymakers’ confidence in the current path, increasing the risk of resource and capital misallocation.” The ******** leadership’s obsession with technological self-reliance and industrial capacity is not helping its biggest challenges: unemployment, weak consumption and a reliance on exports, not to mention the housing crisis. Officially, China’s urban unemployment rate stands at 5 percent, excluding jobless migrant workers. Youth unemployment is 17 percent. The real numbers are believed to be much higher. This summer alone, China’s colleges will graduate more than 12 million new job seekers. Mr. Trump was not wrong in saying factories are closing and people are losing their jobs in China. In 2020 Li Keqiang, then the premier, said the foreign trade sector, directly or indirectly, accounted for the employment of 180 million ********. “A downturn in foreign trade will almost certainly hit the job market hard,” he said at the onset of the pandemic. Tariffs could be much more devastating. Beijing is playing down the effect of the trade war, but as negotiators held talks last weekend with their U.S. counterparts, its impact was obvious. In April, ******** factories experienced the sharpest monthly slowdown in more than a year while shipments to the United States plunged 21 percent from a year earlier. All of the economic fallout will be shouldered by people like a man I spoke to, with the surname Chen, a former university librarian in a megacity in southern China. He asked that I not use his full name and where he lived to shield his identity from the authorities. Mr. Chen lives in the gloomy China. He stopped taking the vaunted high-speed trains because they cost five times as much as a bus. Flying is often cheaper, too. He lost his job last year because the university, one of the top ones in the country, was facing a budget shortfall. Many state-run institutions have had to let people go because many local governments, even in the wealthiest cities, are deeply in debt. Because he’s in his late 30s, Mr. Chen is considered too old for most jobs. He and his wife had given up on buying a home. Now with the trade war, he expects that the economy will weaken further and that his job prospects will be dimmer. “I’ve become even more cautious with spending,” he said. “I weigh every penny.” Source link #Chinas #America #Understand Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Inside the U.S.-China Trade Cease-Fire Inside the U.S.-China Trade Cease-Fire A 90-day pause Stocks, the dollar and oil are soaring on Monday after President Trump’s top negotiators outlined the specifics of a major — though temporary — de-escalation in the U.S.-China trade fight. Expectations were sky-high for some kind of breakthrough. The market reaction suggests mission accomplished in terms of reaching an important détente, though significant trade barriers remain and plenty still needs to be worked out. “The consensus from both delegations is that neither side wanted a decoupling,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who was a point person in the U.S.-China talks in Geneva over the weekend, said on Monday. “Now we have the mechanism in place for further talks,” he added, noting that the framework agreement expires after 90 days. Those talks could come in “the next few weeks,” Bessent told CNBC. Here’s what is in the agreement: The U.S. will lower tariffs on ******** imports to 30 percent from its current 145 percent. China will lower duties on U.S. goods to 10 percent from 125 percent. Sector-specific tariffs are not part of this deal, according to Jamieson Greer, the U.S. trade representative. Trump has imposed targeted levies on items including ********-made semiconductors, medical devices, and aluminum and steel imports. China will remove nontariff export controls, but did not say whether it would lift restrictions on critical mineral shipments to the U.S. Beijing said it looked forward to stable and sustainable trade relations. Both sides appear to see futility in clobbering each other with huge tariffs. The ****-for-tat measures had created “the equivalent of an embargo, and neither side wants that,” Bessent said. Companies have been warning that the levies would upend global supply chains and force them to raise prices. (Apple is weighing raising prices on its fall lineup of iPhones, but is determined not to blame tariffs publicly for the move, according to The Wall Street Journal.) That uncertainty has virtually paralyzed corporate investment and hiring, analysts say, and pushed the Fed into limbo on interest rates as it watches for any fallout on inflation and the labor market. Trump seems onboard with Monday’s agreement. Yesterday, he hailed the state of talks on Truth Social, calling it “a total reset negotiated in a friendly, but constructive, manner.” But the terms are far more dovish than what he called for just three days ago: 80 percent tariffs on China “seems right,” he wrote on Friday, adding it would be “up to Scott B,” an apparent reference to Bessent. Investors had regarded the China impasse as the toughest trade hurdle to surmount. Any progress there is likely to fuel optimism for further deals. “The worst of his trade wars and much of the crippling uncertainty could be over within two months from now,” Holger Schmieding, the chief economist for Berenberg, wrote in a research note on Monday. However, higher tariffs will stick, and the biggest damage would be to American businesses and households, Schmieding added. Among those rallying in premarket trading are tech giants with big exposure to China, including Nvidia, Amazon and Apple. DEALBOOK WANTS TO HEAR FROM YOU We’d like to know how the tariffs are affecting your business. Have you changed suppliers? Negotiated lower prices? Paused investments or hiring? Made plans to move manufacturing to the U.S.? Or have the tariffs helped your business? Please let us know what you’re doing. HERE’S WHAT’S HAPPENING President Trump’s drug-pricing plan rattles pharma stocks. The president announced on Truth Social that he would sign an executive order on Monday seeking to lower drug prices to levels that peer countries pay. (In his first term, Trump unsuccessfully tried to do something similar with dozens of drugs covered under Medicare.) The move is likely to face stiff court challenges; still, shares in global drugmakers fell sharply on Monday. Separately, House Republicans yesterday released a proposal that would vastly weaken Medicaid coverage, as the party seeks cost savings to pay for expansive tax cuts later this year. Air travel could be disrupted nationwide, U.S. official says. After another radar outage at Newark Liberty International Airport on Friday, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy told NBC’s “Meet the Press With Kristen Welker” yesterday that he would begin discussions about scaling back flights there — and that the problems at Newark may be affecting other airports. Duffy said regulators had been finding “antiquated systems” at airport traffic control sites nationwide. Inflation will be front and center this week. The Consumer Price Index report for April is scheduled for publication on Tuesday, with economists expecting to see new evidence of Trump’s trade war reigniting inflation. The health of the consumer will come into focus on Thursday with the release of retail sales and Walmart’s latest quarterly earnings. On Friday, the University of Michigan consumer sentiment survey is set for publication, as some polls show Trump’s handling of the economy eroding his approval rating. What Qatar might gain from a gifted 747 Critics of President Trump were outraged over the weekend by reports that he is poised to accept a Boeing 747-8 from Qatar — valued at $400 million — as an upgraded Air Force One. While White House officials said such a move would be done in compliance with federal law, skeptics said it represented a clear violation of ethics rules and a conflict of interest. It’s worth noting what Qatar has already gotten from Trump, and what it might gain in the future. A recap: Qatar is in talks to give the 747, currently owned by the emirate’s royal family, to the administration, The Times reports, with the plane later being donated to Trump’s presidential library. That might mean he could use it after his term ends. Trump has long complained about the state of the U.S. government’s current Air Force One planes, and excoriated Boeing as being slow in providing replacements. That said, the jumbo jet wouldn’t be available right away, since a U.S. contractor would still need to retrofit it to meet military standards. ABC News, which broke the news, reports that administration lawyers concluded such a gift would be acceptable because it isn’t conditioned on a specific request, and the plane would be given to the federal government. A Qatari official added that such a gift would be a temporary loan. Critics didn’t ****** words about what they saw as a clear violation of federal law. The Qataris have an expansive array of business interests tied to the U.S., including energy projects and investments. Good-government advocates also noted that Trump’s family business just announced that it will build a new golf resort in Qatar, which will be developed in part by a state-owned business. “The corruption is brazen,” Senator Adam Schiff, Democrat of California, wrote on X. “Nothing says ‘America First’ like Air Force One, brought to you by Qatar,” added Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, the ********* leader. “It’s not just bribery, it’s premium foreign influence with extra legroom.” (Trump pointedly dismissed such criticism on Truth Social.) The president has already faced criticism over an array of seeming conflicts of interest, including his family’s business interests in cryptocurrency, a sector he and Republicans are pushing to deregulate. Worth watching: Trump’s visit to three Middle Eastern allies — Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi — starting on Monday, which will be his first major international trip. (A deal for the Qatari 747 isn’t expected to be announced during the trip.) Among Trump’s priorities is striking “economic agreements” with the three governments to invest more in the U.S., CNN reports. Why was a copyright regulator fired? The Trump administration has drawn criticism for dismissing scores of government officials suddenly and seemingly without explanation. But one of the latest such moves is notable because of its timing — and for a potential benefit to a corner of the tech industry that President Trump has championed, artificial intelligence. Shira Perlmutter was fired as head of the U.S. Copyright Office on Saturday, after holding the post since October 2020, in the first Trump administration. No reason was given. The legality of the move is unclear: Politico reports that her position is appointed and supervised by the librarian of Congress, who must be nominated by the president and approved by the Senate — except that the last librarian, Carla Hayden, was dismissed on Thursday. Critics of the move pointed to a report on A.I. that Perlmutter’s office published last week, which questioned how much data A.I. developers need to train their models. From the document: When a model is deployed for purposes such as analysis or research — the types of uses that are critical to international competitiveness — the outputs are unlikely to substitute for expressive works used in training. But making commercial use of vast troves of copyrighted works to produce expressive content that competes with them in existing markets, especially where this is accomplished through ******** access, goes beyond established fair use boundaries. Still, the report didn’t urge direct action by the government, at least for now. A.I. companies have argued for more permissive copyright rules to keep creating more-capable models, with Elon Musk suggesting last month on X that he favored scrapping all intellectual property laws. (Disclaimer: The Times is suing OpenAI and Microsoft for copyright infringement of news content related to A.I. systems.) A.I. is an industry that Trump has championed, having announced the expansive Stargate data center project led by OpenAI and SoftBank. OpenAI’s Sam Altman also donated $1 million to Trump’s inauguration, while Musk remains a close ally of the president. “It’s surely no coincidence” that Perlmutter was fired “less than a day after she refused to rubber-stamp Elon Musk’s efforts to mine troves of copyright works to train AI models,” Representative Joe Morelle, Democrat of New York and the ranking member of the Committee on House Administration, wrote on X. The White House has not responded to news organizations’ requests for comment on Perlmutter’s firing. In other A.I. news: Pope Leo XIV this weekend said that it would be a focus of his papacy, suggesting that he will continue his predecessor’s calls for greater worker protections amid the technology’s rapid commercialization. THE SPEED READ Deals Politics, policy and regulation Best of the rest Klarna said it had stopped hiring new workers because it was focusing on using artificial intelligence. Now the buy-now-pay-later lender is reversing course. (Bloomberg) “Is the California Dream a Mirage?” (NYT) Even award-winning writers are turning to Substack to publish their latest works of fiction, experimenting with new formats and reviving old devices like serialized releases. (The New Yorker) The inside story on how a quiet American emerged as the next pope. (NYT) We’d like your feedback! Please email thoughts and suggestions to *****@*****.tld. Source link #U.S.China #Trade #CeaseFire Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Gov. Gavin Newsom urges California cities and counties to ban homeless encampments – KCRA Gov. Gavin Newsom urges California cities and counties to ban homeless encampments – KCRA Gov. Gavin Newsom urges California cities and counties to ban homeless encampments KCRANewsom Asks Cities to Ban Homeless Encampments, Escalating Crackdown The New York TimesNewsom calls on California cities to ban homeless encampments ‘without delay’ The GuardianGov. Newsom again urges cities to ban homeless camps Los Angeles TimesNewsom announces $3.3B in Prop 1 grants to expand behavioral health service KTLA Source link #Gov #Gavin #Newsom #urges #California #cities #counties #ban #homeless #encampments #KCRA Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Radio king ‘never’ ********* inappropriate, court told Radio king ‘never’ ********* inappropriate, court told Allegations of indecent abuse by one of Australia’s most famous media personalities have been blatantly contradicted by multiple witnesses, his lawyer claims. Former shock jock Alan Jones is accused of ********* touching 11 alleged victims, the youngest of whom was 17 years old at the time of the alleged act of indecency. The 84-year-old has indicated he will plead not guilty to 35 historical offences which are alleged to have spanned nearly two decades at a time when he ruled the airwaves. On Tuesday, his lawyer Bryan Wrench said the evidence against the radio host included statements which “we feel (are) blatantly contradictory to some of the allegations”. “Some of the witnesses said they’ve never seen Mr Jones engage in any ********* inappropriate behaviour at all,” he told Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court. The raft of allegations include that Jones fondled the ****** of one of the alleged victims and kissed them on the lips, and that he touched another on the bottom. Mr Wrench suggested it was a matter for prosecutors to decide whether the matter should proceed. The crown prosecutor asked for an eight-week adjournment to have the charges certified in preparation for pleas to be formally entered. Jones was excused from appearing in court on Tuesday and will not be required to attend when the matter returns to court on July 8. He was arrested in November after an eight-month investigation by a police strike force investigating a number of alleged indecent assaults and ******* touching incidents between 2001 and 2019. The veteran broadcaster vowed to fight the charges after his first court appearance in December. “These allegations are all either baseless or they distort the truth,” he told media. “I have never indecently assaulted these people.” Jones has been charged with 33 counts of ******* touching without consent and indecent assault, including 11 aggravated charges because the alleged victim was under his authority. He is also facing two charges of common assault. Jones took a failed tilt at politics before beginning a hugely influential career on the airwaves in 1985, becoming a feared interviewer who excelled at interviewing leaders while dividing audiences with his outspoken conservative views. He worked with Sydney radio station 2UE before joining rival 2GB, where he was a long-time ratings juggernaut until his retirement in 2020. The former high school teacher also coached the *********** national men’s rugby union team through some historical achievements between 1984 and 1988. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) National ******* Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028 Source link #Radio #king #********* #inappropriate #court #told Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Episcopal Church says it won’t help resettle white South Africans granted refugee status in US Episcopal Church says it won’t help resettle white South Africans granted refugee status in US The Episcopal Church’s migration service is refusing a directive from the federal government to help resettle white South Africans granted refugee status, citing the church’s longstanding “commitment to racial justice and reconciliation.” Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe announced the step Monday, shortly before 59 South Africans arrived at Dulles International Airport outside Washington on a private charter plane and were greeted by a government delegation. Episcopal Migration Ministries instead will halt its decades-long partnership with the government, Rowe said. President Donald Trump opened a fast-tracked refugee status to white South Africans, accusing their government of discrimination, even as his administration abruptly shut down the overall U.S. refugee program. The South Africans jumped ahead of thousands of would-be refugees overseas who had been undergoing years of vetting and processing. Episcopal Migration Ministries has long resettled refugees under federal grants. Rowe said that about two weeks ago, the government contacted it and said it expected the ministry to resettle some of the South Africans under terms of its grant. “In light of our church’s steadfast commitment to racial justice and reconciliation and our historic ties with the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, we are not able to take this step,” Rowe said. “Accordingly, we have determined that, by the end of the federal fiscal year, we will conclude our refugee resettlement grant agreements with the U.S. federal government.” Another faith-based group, Church World Service, said it is open to helping resettle the Afrikaners. South Africa’s government has vehemently denied allegations of discriminatory treatment of its white ********* residents. “It has been painful to watch one group of refugees, selected in a highly unusual manner, receive preferential treatment over many others who have been waiting in refugee camps or dangerous conditions for years,” Rowe said. “I am saddened and ashamed that many of the refugees who are being denied entrance to the United States are brave people who worked alongside our military in Iraq and Afghanistan and now face danger at home because of their service to our country.” He also said many refugees, including Christians, are victims of religious persecution and are now denied entry. He said the church would find other ways to serve immigrants, such as those already in this country and those stranded overseas. The move marks the end of a ministry-government partnership that, for nearly four decades, has served nearly 110,000 refugees from countries, including Ukraine, Myanmar and Congo, Rowe said. It’s not the first high-profile friction between the Episcopal Church and the Trump administration. Bishop Mariann Budde of Washington drew Trump’s anger in January at an inaugural prayer service in which she urged “mercy” on those fearing his actions, including migrants and LGBTQ+ children. The Anglican Church of Southern Africa includes churches in South Africa and neighboring countries. It was a potent force in the campaign against apartheid in the 1980s and 1990s, an effort for which the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984. Another faith-based refugee agency, Church World Service, says it is open to serving the South African arrivals. “We are concerned that the U.S. Government has chosen to fast-track the admission of Afrikaners, while actively fighting court orders to provide life-saving resettlement to other refugee populations who are in desperate need of resettlement,” Rick Santos, CWS president and CEO, said in a statement. He added that the action proves the government knows how to screen and process refugees quickly. “Despite the Administration’s actions, CWS remains committed to serving all eligible refugee populations seeking safety in the United States, including Afrikaners who are eligible for services,” he said. “Our faith compels us to serve each person in our care with dignity and compassion.” The Episcopal ministry and CWS are among 10 national groups, most of them faith-based, that have partnered with the government for refugee resettlement. ___ Associated Press writer Tiffany Stanley contributed reporting. ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. Source link #Episcopal #Church #wont #resettle #white #South #Africans #granted #refugee #status Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Knicks use more second-half magic to take commanding series lead over Celtics with Game 4 win – New York Post Knicks use more second-half magic to take commanding series lead over Celtics with Game 4 win – New York Post Knicks use more second-half magic to take commanding series lead over Celtics with Game 4 win New York PostTatum carried off in Celtics’ Game 4 loss; MRI next ESPNCeltics coach Joe Mazzulla addresses injury to Jayson Tatum during Game 4 against Knicks MSNCeltics vs. Knicks live updates: Jayson Tatum injured as Jalen Brunson inspires New York to Game 4 win The New York TimesNBA playoffs: Knicks put champs Celtics on brink of elimination as Tatum collapses The Guardian Source link #Knicks #secondhalf #magic #commanding #series #lead #Celtics #Game #win #York #Post Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Greens MP quits over party ‘scheming and sabotage’ Greens MP quits over party ‘scheming and sabotage’ One state’s Greens co-leader has quit the party, saying she could no longer tolerate “scheming”, mercenary tactics and sabotage bids against her. South *********** co-leader Tammy Franks – a Greens MP for 15 years – said she would sit on the crossbench from Tuesday as a “progressive independent” until the 2026 state election. “I still believe in a Greens’ vision for a better world and know there are many, many wonderful, committed and well intentioned people within the party,” she said. “But not all have such noble motivations and they and their scheming are being too often enabled.” Ms Franks had announced in 2024 she would retire at the next election, but on Tuesday she said she “wouldn’t rule anything out”. “I cannot properly do the job I was elected to do until March 2026 … when trust has been broken, and I spend more time watching my back than thinking ahead,” she said. “A small coterie colluded against me hoping to sabotage my work, to wear me down and dissuade me from continuing.” She said she had been accused of misconduct by this group and “gaslit and subjected to a kangaroo court, all masterminded by a staffer I am now meant to work with”. “The Greens’ processes should recognise the often mercenary tactics used by those who seek control, power and promotion,” she said. She said the “ringleader” was employed in the office of the Greens’ other upper house MP, Robert Simms, “and I do not feel safe in the situation where we are meant to work together”. In a statement, Mr Simms did not address Ms Franks’ allegations but said he was “deeply saddened” by her decision. “Tammy has been rightly lauded for her work on a range of important portfolio areas and been a strong voice for the Greens over the last 15 years,” he said. “We have worked very closely together during this time. “I know many members will share my sadness at this outcome, but our movement is ******* than any one person or individual.” Source link #Greens #quits #party #scheming #sabotage Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Why ImmunityBio, Inc. (IBRX) Soared Today Why ImmunityBio, Inc. (IBRX) Soared Today We recently published a list of Why These 10 Stocks Soared by Double Digits Today. In this article, we are going to take a look at where ImmunityBio, Inc. (NASDAQ:IBRX) stands against other stocks that soared by double digits today. The stock market kicked off the trading week brimming with optimism after the US and China announced a tariff truce on each other’s goods. The tech-heavy Nasdaq booked the largest gains among the three major indices, rallying 4.85 percent. The S&P 500 followed with a 3.26-percent increase, and the Dow Jones, with 2.81 percent. Over the weekend, the US and China reached a 90-day deal to lower tariffs on each other’s imports. US taxes on ******** imports will drop to 30 percent from 145 percent previously, while China’s tariffs on US imports will drop to 10 percent from 125 percent earlier. Beyond the major indices, 10 companies finished the week stronger, booking double-digit gains during the day. In this article, we name Monday’s 10 top performers and detail the reasons behind their strong performance. To come up with the list, we considered only the stocks with a $2-billion market capitalization and $5-million trading volume. Why ImmunityBio, Inc. (IBRX) Soared Today A technician analyzing natural killer cells, as part of an immune system study and research into therapeutical agents. Shares of ImmunityBio Inc. grew as much as 18.8 percent at intraday trading before ending the day just up by 14.01 percent at $2.36 apiece as investor sentiment was fueled by its impressive earnings performance in the first three months of the year. In its earnings release, ImmunityBio, Inc. (NASDAQ:IBRX) said it narrowed its net loss attributable to stockholders by 3.3 percent to $129.6 million from the $134.1 million registered in the same ******* last year, as revenues skyrocketed by 41,192 percent to $16.5 million from only $40,000 in the same ******* last year. The higher revenues were driven by the strong performance of its Anktiva, an immunotherapy treatment for non-muscle invasive bladder ******* (NMIBC). According to the company, it continues to experience steady growth as urologists increase their use of the said treatment. “Nearly 200 urological practices are in early stages of implementation or have already begun administering rBCG to patients, many of them in rural areas where patients otherwise would not have access to this treatment. This not only lets us help more patients, it opens a new marketplace for ImmunityBio’s therapies,” said ImmunityBio, Inc. (NASDAQ:IBRX) President and CEO Richard Adcock. Overall, IBRX ranks 9th on our list of stocks that soared by double digits today. While we acknowledge the potential of IBRX as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter time frame. There is an AI stock that went up since the beginning of 2025, while popular AI stocks lost around 25%. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than IBRX but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about this cheapest AI stock. READ NEXT: 20 Best AI Stocks To Buy Now and 30 Best Stocks to Buy Now According to Billionaires. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. Source link #ImmunityBio #IBRX #Soared #Today Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Trump feels the heat from MAGA over ‘great gesture’ of a luxury jet from Qatar – Politico Trump feels the heat from MAGA over ‘great gesture’ of a luxury jet from Qatar – Politico Trump feels the heat from MAGA over ‘great gesture’ of a luxury jet from Qatar PoliticoTrump’s Plan to Accept Luxury Jet From Qatar Strains Bounds of Propriety The New York TimesSome GOP senators concerned over prospect of Qatar gifting Trump a jet AxiosTrump’s gifted Qatari 747 would be a security problem, officials say The Washington PostPast presidents couldn’t keep gifts of lions or horses. How could Trump accept a jet from Qatar? CNN Source link #Trump #feels #heat #MAGA #great #gesture #luxury #jet #Qatar #Politico 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]

Lawyer for Alan Jones makes shock claim in court Lawyer for Alan Jones makes shock claim in court A lawyer for embattled former radio giant Alan Jones has told a court some witness’s statements are “blatantly contradictory”. The former 2GB host and Wallabies coach did not appear in person before the Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday, after he was charged late last year to 35 separate charges, relating to allegations he indecently assaulted, groped, or inappropriately touched a number of young men. He is yet to enter any formal pleas. Bryan Wrench, solicitor for the 83-year-old, told the court since Mr Jones’s last occasion they have received a brief of evidence, and they are seeking an eight week extension in the “interest of justice”. “There are a number of statements … we feel [are] blatantly contradictory to some of the allegations,” he said on Tuesday. Camera IconAlan Jones at the Downing Centre. NewsWire / Nikki Short Credit: News Corp Australia He told the court some of the witnesses claimed they “had never seen Mr Jones engage in any ********* inappropriate behaviour at all”. Mr Wrench also told the court it is for the prosecution to consider whether they will proceed with the matter. His matter will next be mentioned in court on July 8, however, Mr Jones is excused on that occasion. His bail is to continue. Police revealed in March that they had since charged Mr Jones with an additional count of assault with act of indecency, bringing the number of alleged victims to 11. Camera IconBrian Wrench, lawyer for Alan Jones, arrives at the Downing Centre courthouse. NewsWire / Max Mason-Hubers Credit: News Corp Australia The initial charges include an aggravated indecent act and ********* touching a person without consent, and are alleged to have occurred between 2001 and 2019. Police alleged the acts occurred at a range of locations, including Mr Jones’s former home in Newtown, his luxury Circular Quay apartment, and a property at Fitzroy Falls. Mr Jones was arrested at his harbourside apartment on November 18 following an ongoing police investigation. Source link #Lawyer #Alan #Jones #shock #claim #court Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Yu-Gi-Oh Early Days Collection For Switch Gets Nice Discount At Amazon Yu-Gi-Oh Early Days Collection For Switch Gets Nice Discount At Amazon Yu-Gi-Oh Early Days Collection has received its first notable discount for Nintendo Switch since its February 27 launch. Fans can snag the physical edition for Switch for $40 (was $50) at Amazon and Walmart. The Early Days Collection features 14 Yu-Gi-Oh games released from 1998-2003 for Game Boy, GBC, and GBA. The physical edition also comes with a Secret Rare Yu-Gi-Oh trading card while supplies last. The Early Days Collection is also available on PC. Though you’ll miss out on the free card, you can get a Steam key for $39 (was $50) at Green Man Gaming. $40 (was $50) Each physical edition includes one of two Quarter Century Secret Rare Harpie’s Feather Duster cards. Here’s the full list of games, all of which originally released on Game Boy (GB), Game Boy Color (GBC), or Game Boy Advance (GBA). We marked the games that are new to North America. Yu-Gi-Oh Duel Monsters (1998, GB) – New Yu-Gi-Oh Duel Monsters 2: Dark Duel Stories (1999, GBC) – New Yu-Gi-Oh Monster Capsule GB (2000, GBC) – New Yu-Gi-Oh Dark Duel Stories (2000, GBC) Yu-Gi-Oh Duel Monsters 4: Battle of Great Duelists (2000, GBC) – New Yu-Gi-Oh Dungeon Dice Monsters (2001, GBA) Yu-Gi-Oh The Eternal Duelist Soul (2001, GBA) Yu-Gi-Oh Duel Monsters 6: Expert 2 (2001, GBA) – New Yu-Gi-Oh The Sacred Cards (2002, GBA) Yu-Gi-Oh Reshef of Destruction (2003, GBA) Yu-Gi Oh Worldwide Edition: Stairway to the Destined Duel (2003, GBA) Five of the 14 games in the Early Days Collection are getting North American releases for the first time. Yu-Gi-Oh Duel Monsters was the franchise’s first big hit and the only entry to release on original Game Boy. The series really hit its stride on Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advance in the early 2000s. Remarkably, all 14 games were released within a five-year window from 1998 to 2003. Even more remarkably, that’s not even all of the Yu-Gi-Oh games that released during that time. The Early Days Collection contains the first 14 Yu-Gi-Oh handheld games, but Konami also developed several console for PlayStation, GameCube, and PlayStation 2 in the late ’90s and early 2000s. Yu-Gi-Oh! anime Steelbook Editions If you’re looking forward to the Early Days Collection, you can bide the time with a couple of recent Yu-Gi-Oh anime Blu-ray releases. The original Yu-Gi-Oh movie received a steelbook edition last September, and Amazon has it marked down from $30 to $22. In December, Yu-Gi-Oh Bonds Beyond Time also received the steelbook treatment. Amazon has an even better deal on this one, as you can grab the $30 release for only $19.50. Yu-Gi-Oh: Trading Card Game 25th Anniversary & Retro Collections There are also several retro-themed trading card sets available to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the franchise at Amazon and Best Buy. Yu-Gi-Oh Manga 3-in-1 Collections Yu-Gi-Oh Manga 3-in-1 For anyone interested in checking out the franchise’s source material, massive manga compilations by late series creator Kazuki Takahashi are available through Amazon and Walmart. Each of these budget-friendly paperbacks contain three volumes and clock in at around 600 pages each. We’ve listed the first five books at each retailer. Yu-Gi-Oh Manga at Amazon Yu-Gi-Oh Manga at Walmart Source link #YuGiOh #Early #Days #Collection #Switch #Nice #Discount #Amazon Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Remains Found on Trail Identified as Man Who Disappeared on Hike Nearly 6 Months Ago Remains Found on Trail Identified as Man Who Disappeared on Hike Nearly 6 Months Ago Leo DuFour, 22, from Canada, traveled to the town of Newcomb, N.Y., to hike in the Adirondack Mountains He was reported missing in late November, and his remains were found on May 10 “The DEC family offers our deepest condolences to the DuFour family for their loss,” the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation said in a statement shared with PEOPLE The remains of a ********* hiker who disappeared in November have been found in the Adirondack Mountains, officials said. On the morning of Saturday, May 10, the remains of Leo DuFour were found on Mt. Adams Trail in Allen Mountain in Essex County, New York State Police said in a statement. DuFour, a 23-year-old man from a suburb near Montreal, traveled to Newcomb to hike the Mt. Allen Trail in late November, state police said. According to AllTrails, the trail is considered a “challenging route” and usually takes nearly 9 hours to complete. “State Police, New York State Forest Rangers, and the Essex County Coroner responded to the scene,” authorities added. “The DEC family offers our deepest condolences to the DuFour family for their loss,” the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation tells PEOPLE. They went on to extend their thanks “to our dedicated Forest Rangers for their tireless efforts during the continuous and active search effort over the last few months.” On Nov. 30, 2024, DuFour was reported missing, which launched an investigation, state police said. DuFour weighed approximately 150 lbs. and was 5′ 7” tall. He was last seen wearing a ****** coat, pants, a ****** backpack and a tan winter hat. It’s unclear what caused his death and disappearance at this time. State police did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment. Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Multiple agencies scoured the 4,340-foot peak for the missing man and eventually came across his snow-covered vehicle at the Mt. Adams Trail in December, which was nearby, ABC affiliate WTEN reported. The discovery launched a days-long search over almost 400 miles of difficult ground in bad weather conditions. Eight days after he was reported missing, the search for DuFour was changed to a recovery operation, according to WTEN. Freezing temperatures and whiteouts forced officials to stop looking for DuFour in December. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation said that search efforts restarted “this spring as snow receded across the Adirondack backcountry.” Read the original article on People Source link #Remains #Trail #Identified #Man #Disappeared #Hike #Months Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

2025 NBA Mock Draft: Mavericks win lottery, take Duke's Cooper Flagg with top pick; Dylan Harper to Spurs – CBS Sports 2025 NBA Mock Draft: Mavericks win lottery, take Duke's Cooper Flagg with top pick; Dylan Harper to Spurs – CBS Sports 2025 NBA Mock Draft: Mavericks win lottery, take Duke’s Cooper Flagg with top pick; Dylan Harper to Spurs CBS SportsMavericks win NBA draft lottery with 1.8% odds ESPNDallas Mavericks win 2025 NBA Draft Lottery NBA‘Stay calm’: Experts break down Dallas Mavericks NBA lottery win NBC 5 Dallas-Fort WorthThe Dallas Mavericks Tumbled Into a Miracle With Cooper Flagg The Ringer Source link #NBA #Mock #Draft #Mavericks #win #lottery #Duke039s #Cooper #Flagg #top #pick #Dylan #Harper #Spurs #CBS #Sports Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Price is right for a third dose of Dakar Rally glory Price is right for a third dose of Dakar Rally glory If Carlos Sainz can race through uncharted deserts at 63 years of age, there’s no reason why Australia’s Dakar Rally champion Toby Price can’t do it too. Two-time Dakar motorcycle winner Price concedes his seat for next year’s classic off-road marathon isn’t guaranteed after moving to four wheels, but insists the lack of immediate certainty doesn’t spell the end. Price’s debut in the cars category in January was cut short when co-driver Sam Sunderland suffered a concussion on stage five out of the 12-stage rally raid. The duo had been 24th in the overall standings when they withdrew before the end of the 14-day event. Price will be 38 in January, but the only hurdle to more Dakar glory for the Gold Coast local is locking in a factory-supported seat. “The old saying is that with age comes the cage, but I’ve only known racing, and that’s it,” Price told AAP. “You look at Carlos Sainz, you’re like, ‘How the hell are you still doing this at 63?’ “That’s what I’m trying to do at the moment, be a Carlos Sainz and race till I’m 60 years old. “We’re reassessing already to see if we can go back and try again next year. “I’m hoping within the next two or three years we’ll be able to work ourselves to that factory seat and then have it as a full-time job.” His move to cars came after Austrian motorcycle manufacturer KTM opted against renewing his contract last year, ending an illustrious partnership of almost a decade. Price became the first *********** to win the Dakar Rally in 2016 on his second attempt, before claiming another title in 2019. In 2023 he fell short of a third championship, finishing 43 seconds behind Kevin Benavides, his campaign captured in the documentary Dakar: Race Against the Desert, which will be released on Wednesday. “To race 9000 kilometres and lose a race by 43 seconds was a hard one to ********,” the *********** said. “When the camera’s sitting right in front of your face, there were probably a lot more things I wanted to say. “That one still haunts me to this day.” Price will make his *********** Rally Championship debut at this month’s Forest Rally in WA as part of his bid for another Dakar title. The 37-year-old has already reached the top podium step in the South *********** championship with co-driver Holly Kilbride. “I’m trying to get any bit of seat time I possibly can, trying to show my potential, to say, ‘Hey, just take a bit of a chance on me’,” Price said. Picking the brain of Spanish racing great Sainz is also part of his four-wheel evolution. Sainz, father of the Ferrari Formula One driver with the same name, became the oldest Dakar winner at 61 when he claimed his fourth title in 2024. “I was the hair stylist for all the riders after a couple of weeks’ worth of racing one year, but I was actually too scared to touch his hair, so I gave him a trim on the beard,” Price said. “But, yeah, I hit him up with all the questions.” Source link #Price #dose #Dakar #Rally #glory Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Security Guard Who Pinned Diddy After Cassie Assault Says Rapper Gave Him Cash — and Said 3 Chilling Words Security Guard Who Pinned Diddy After Cassie Assault Says Rapper Gave Him Cash — and Said 3 Chilling Words Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, who is on trial at a Manhattan court on several allegations of sex crimes, was allegedly pinned against the wall by a security guard who claims Combs tried to bribe him after the music mogul assaulting his then-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, the former guard said in court. Israel Florez was a security guard at the InterContinental in Century City, Los Angeles, in 2016, where a security camera captured Combs violently beating his Ventura. On Monday, May 12, as Combs stood trial on a series of sex crimes, Florez testified that the music mogul allegedly tried to bribe him following the assault. In the security camera video, which was previously published by CNN, Combs is seen chasing Ventura down a hotel lobby, grabbing her by the throat and shoving her to the ground. He kicks her as she lies on the ground, motionless, and at one point throws an object at her. Related: Diddy Allegedly Made Sex Worker Do Shocking Act in Cassie’s Mouth During ‘Freak Off’: ‘Felt Like She Was Choking’ On Monday, Florez, now a Los Angeles Police Department officer, told the jury that after responding to a call about a woman in distress on the hotel’s sixth floor, he encountered Combs wearing only a towel and sitting on a chair, “slouched down, like with a blank stare … like a devilish stare, just looking at me.” Combs allegedly offered him a wad of cash and said, “Don’t tell nobody,” which Florez interpreted to be a bribe, Florez testified, adding that he declined the money. After Ventura left the hotel with a “purple eye,” Florez said he headed to Combs’ room with another guard to remind him of hotel policy, CNN reported. During their interaction, Combs allegedly snatched the other guard’s phone, accusing him of recording their conversation, Florez said. Florez pinned the Grammy-award winner against a wall, demanding he return the other guard’s phone, he said. Related: A Timeline of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ ******* Assault Allegations and Arrest Combs is on trial for sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution stemming from a September indictment. He has pleaded not guilty. The accusations against him emerged months after a lawsuit Ventura filed against him in 2023, alleging he ****** and sex trafficked her over the course of an abusive 10 years. He settled that lawsuit with Ventura shortly thereafter. He was arrested on Sept. 16. Related: Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs on Trial: Live Updates On Monday, his defense team acknowledged the video and said it showed “horrible, dehumanizing violence” but was not proof of sex-trafficking, the Associated Press reported. Ventura is expected to testify in court on Monday. If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages. Read the original article on People Source link #Security #Guard #Pinned #Diddy #Cassie #Assault #Rapper #Gave #Cash #Chilling #Words Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Josh Hawley warns against Medicaid cuts and says Republicans are in ‘identity crisis’ – The Guardian Josh Hawley warns against Medicaid cuts and says Republicans are in ‘identity crisis’ – The Guardian Josh Hawley warns against Medicaid cuts and says Republicans are in ‘identity crisis’ The GuardianLow-income families would lose, wealthier ones would gain under GOP tax proposals USA TodayTrump to Thune and Johnson: Tariffs and drug pricing policy would save ‘hundreds of millions’ of dollars PoliticoOpinion | Josh Hawley: Don’t Cut Medicaid The New York TimesNursing home and elder-care residents could be hit hard by potential Medicaid cuts The Washington Post Source link #Josh #Hawley #warns #Medicaid #cuts #Republicans #identity #crisis #Guardian Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]