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Birmingham bin collections not back to normal, politicians say Birmingham bin collections not back to normal, politicians say Josh Sandiford BBC News, West Midlands Elizabeth Glinka Political Editor, BBC Midlands Getty Images Images of bins piling high on Birmingham streets have been beamed across the world Opposition politicians have rejected claims that Birmingham’s bin collections are mostly back to normal, as industrial action continues across the city. Refuse workers from the Unite union started an all-out strike in March due to a dispute with the city council over changes to roles and pay. It has attracted worldwide coverage with images of large waste piles and claims of rats as big as cats, but the council said it had cleared the vast majority of rubbish. However, speaking on the BBC’s Politics Midlands programme, Birmingham’s Conservative leader councillor Robert Alden and Independent MP Ayoub Khan both denied this was the case. Delayed collections during the initial weeks of the strike were down partly to picket lines blocking trucks from leaving waste facilities. Striking workers insisted they were only stopping lorries if they had safety concerns, but ugly scenes prompted Labour council leader John Cotton to condemn what he called “violence”. Getty Images A so-called mega-picket was held in the city on Friday Speaking on Friday – as a “mega picket” of union members was present at Lifford Lane depot in Kings Norton – Alden said he believed bin lorries had stalled again. He said: “What we’ve seen sadly over the last two weeks, since national support from the army has been withdrawn, [is that] bin lorries have not been going out again. “Indeed by the end of the week, barely any bin lorries were going out and that’s leading to more rubbish starting to build up on the streets.” Robert Alden leads the Birmingham Conservatives Khan, who is a Birmingham councillor as well MP for Perry Barr, also claimed many thousands of tonnes of rubbish were still on the streets. “You see the frustration across the whole city,” he said. “Recyclable material hasn’t been collected. “What [striking bin workers] are saying is very simple: ‘We’ve got mortgages to pay, we’ve got children to raise. The cost of living is going through the roof and we just want a fair deal.'” Independent MP Ayoub Khan represents Perry Barr and is also a city councillor Rachel Taylor, the Labour MP for North Warwickshire and Bedworth, accused the pair of trying to score political points. “The government [has] stepped in and put their weight behind the city council to get bin lorries out and rubbish collected,” she said. “There’s a reasonable offer on the table and it is in the interests of all the people in Birmingham that all parties get around the table and get this sorted.” Rachel Taylor is the Labour MP for North Warwickshire and Bedworth Birmingham City Council said it had cleared 100% of the large piles of waste in the hot spot areas and 85% across the rest of the city. While recycling collections remain suspended, it has urged residents to continue putting out household waste bins for collection. “Before industrial action began, our crews were collecting about 1,000 to 1,100 tonnes of waste per day,” the local authority’s website reads. “However, in recent weeks, our crews have collected 1,500 to 1,700 tonnes of waste each day, with a reduced team. “This highlights the need for transformation in the service we provide to residents.” Source link #Birmingham #bin #collections #normal #politicians Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Jubilant Peruvians celebrate new pope at mass in adoptive city Jubilant Peruvians celebrate new pope at mass in adoptive city Thousands of Catholics gathered on Saturday for an outdoor mass in the Peruvian city of Chiclayo to celebrate the election of Pope Leo XIV, who for years lived, ate and prayed among them. The first American head of the Catholic Church spent nine years in the commercial hub along the Pacific coast, where he is claimed as one of their own. Chiclayo “is a simple town that he loved deeply and that he continues to carry in his heart,” Chiclayo Bishop Edinson Farfan told a packed congregation at St Mary’s Cathedral. Pope Leo, born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, first set foot in Peru four decades ago as a missionary. He returned to the city in 2014 and the following year was named bishop, becoming a naturalized Peruvian citizen in the process. He remained there until he was summoned to Rome by his predecessor, the late pope Francis, in 2023. In his first address from the ******** on Thursday, Leo briefly greeted his “beloved diocese of Chiclayo” in Spanish and paid homage to his “faithful people.” Seven thousand miles away, many in the city could hardly believe “el obispo” is the new pope. “There are no words to explain the emotion, the feeling that our pope has been here, close to us,” said Rosa Maria Bernadese, a 57-year-old teaching assistant, who joined the celebration at St Mary’s Cathedral. Amid a sea of yellow balloons, some faithful waved pictures from Leo’s time as a bishop. One held a sign that read: “Papa Leo XIV, Chiclayo will always be your home”. “Papa amigo, Chiclayo esta contigo (Pope, my friend, Chiclayo is with you),” they chanted as applause broke out. Bishop Farfan described Leo as “deeply sensitive to social justice” and praised his “big heart” and closeness to the poor, migrants, refugees and “those who suffer.” “The city of friendship, the city of the Eucharist, accompanied the Holy Father Leo XIV in his pilgrimage so that he may now accompany and guide the universal Church from Chiclayo, from Latin America, the continent of hope for the whole world,” he added. From the front row of the mass, Maria Elena Laboriano, 45, said: “We are very happy that the current pope is a Chiclayan.” Others expressed joy that the pope has cast an international spotlight on Chiclayo, where they hope he will return. “For sure, we will extend an invitation for him to come and visit us,” Farfan said. sf/cms/lb Source link #Jubilant #Peruvians #celebrate #pope #mass #adoptive #city Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Horoscope for Sunday, May 11, 2025 – Chicago Sun-Times Horoscope for Sunday, May 11, 2025 – Chicago Sun-Times Horoscope for Sunday, May 11, 2025 Chicago Sun-TimesHoroscopes Today, May 11, 2025 USA TodayDaily horoscope for Sunday, 11/5: Aries – An emotionally complex day The Jerusalem PostHoroscope Tomorrow, May 12, 2025, read predictions for all sun signs Hindustan TimesYour Daily Singles Horoscope for May 11, 2025 Yahoo Source link #Horoscope #Sunday #Chicago #SunTimes Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Barnsley Council to consider £4m household support fund Barnsley Council to consider £4m household support fund More than £4m could be allocated to helping people meet their essential household living costs in Barnsley. Councillors are due to discuss plans to provide millions of pounds of support to people in the district who are struggling with the cost of living. If approved the money would be used to help residents with winter fuel payments, school meal vouchers, energy costs and provide debt and budgeting advice. Barnsley Council said in previous years the funding, provided from the government’s Household Support Fund, had been used to help hundreds of people. Robert Frost, cabinet spokesperson for core services, said: “Our work to deliver support through last year’s funding helped many residents through challenging times. “I’m confident that this new round of funding will continue to make a significant impact on the lives of those who need it most.” The council said last year it had provided a £200 Winter Fuel Payment to 2,008 households who would have not received any support due to the ending of the government’s Winter Fuel Allowance. The funding was also used to help 1,322 households to claim pension credits who previously were not receiving anything, and 614 households to receive their correct entitlement. Since 2020 the council has received £16.4m through the government’s Household Support Fund, but said it had been told the current round of funding would be the last with the scheme set to end in 2026. Cabinet members are due to discuss the additional funding on Wednesday. Source link #Barnsley #Council #household #support #fund Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Rare ******** antiquities from Heathfield collection to be auctioned Rare ******** antiquities from Heathfield collection to be auctioned Hsin-Yi Lo BBC News, South East Woolley & Wallis The red and white vase and the yellow-glazed pitcher are from the reign of Kangxi Emperor in China (1661 to 1722) Two rare ******** antiques that had been in an East Sussex home for more than 100 years could fetch up to £36,000 at auction. The vase and wine pitcher were from the reign of the Kangxi Emperor (1661 to 1722) and were purchased by art connoisseur and philanthropist William Cleverley Alexander in 1907 and 1913. Both items had been in Mr Alexander’s private collection in his country home in Heathfield Park and his descendants are putting them up for auction for the first time, according to auctioneers Woolley & Wallis. John Axford, chairperson of the auction house, said it was an “honour to be entrusted to sell the two pieces” and they anticipate interest from around the world. The auction house said the Kangxi era was a time of renewed stability in China, following the fall of the Ming Dynasty, which prompted a surge in artistic creativity. It added ceramics from this particular era are “regarded as some of the most exquisite ever produced”. The vase is a rare underglaze decorated with two squirrels hiding in a fruiting grapevine. It features stylised lotus flowerheads and leaf scrolls with red flower motifs against a white background. The auction house said it carried an estimate of between £20,000 and £30,000. The yellow-glazed pitcher is fashioned in the shape of the ******** characters which translate as good fortune (Fu), prosperity (Lu) and longevity (Shou) and carries an estimate of between £4,000 and £6,000. Woolley & Wallis The blue and white vase was in the collection at William Cleverley Alexander’s country home in Heathfield Park and was auctioned at Woolley & Wallis for £3m Mr Alexander was credited for popularising Asian art in Britain during the Victorian era. Back in 2005, Woolley & Wallis sold one of Mr Alexander’s collection in Heathfield Park, a blue and white vase from China’s Yuan Dynasty (1271 to 1368), for £3m following an initial estimate of between £200,000 and £300,000. Source link #Rare #******** #antiquities #Heathfield #collection #auctioned Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Western Australia dodges bullet as Soviet-built Kosmos 482 lands in Indian Ocean, ending 53 years in orbit Western Australia dodges bullet as Soviet-built Kosmos 482 lands in Indian Ocean, ending 53 years in orbit WA had a “lucky escape” after it avoided being hit by a doomed Soviet spacecraft at the weekend, with the State at one point right in the firing line. Kosmos 482 finally made its way out of orbit and back to Earth on Saturday after being launched by the Soviet Union in 1972. According to EU Space Surveillance and Tracking, the spacecraft likely landed in the Indian Ocean west of Indonesia after 2pm Perth time, just 38,000,000km away from its planned destination of Venus. While it appears the capsule ended up landing in the ocean, the uncontrolled nature of its re-entry meant there was a large degree of uncertainty as to where it would land, with some modelling predicting it could hit WA. University of Western Australia Professor David Coward, one of two *********** signatories to the International Asteroid Warning Network, a UN-backed planetary defence organisation, said WA was almost in the firing line. “It was a lucky escape, it’s all about probability,” he said on Sunday. “The satellite track, because the satellite orbits the Earth is every 90 minutes or so, follows a slightly different track, one of the tracks crossed Western Australia around Exmouth and then exited WA around Esperance. “There was a real probability and in fact if this probe had a delayed re-entry it would have re-entered over WA and in fact only yesterday the best prediction for re-entry was over Western Australia.” Camera IconUWA Professor David Coward said Western Australia could have been in the firing line from the re-entry of Kosmos 482. Credit: Unknown/Supplied Encased in titanium and weighing in at almost half a tonne, Kosmos 482 was a landing module which never left orbit due to a malfunction of the launch vehicle. Professor Coward said the chances of the craft hitting a suburban area was always slim but the impact if it did could have been deadly. “If it actually re-entered over a city, there could be a fatality,” he said. “The probability of it actually causing injuries is quite remote, mainly because of the vastness of the land mass compared to the size of the satellite. “The satellite would essentially be like a bullet, it travels at what’s called terminal velocity which is hundreds of kilometres a second so it would have formed a crater. “There would have been a small explosion, because the body is about a metre if I recall in size so it would have been like a projectile coming down from space.” According to Professor Coward international rules state the launcher of spacecrafts are responsible for collecting any space junk that returns onto Earth but it is unclear yet whether Kosmos 482 would be retrievable as it may have sunk to the bottom of the ocean. Perth Observatory’s Matt Woods said WA was a magnet for space junk. In 2023, an old Indian rocket washed up on a beach in Green Head. And in 1979, Sky Lab famously plummeted back to Earth and crashed near Esperance. “(Kosmos 482) was designed to survive the atmosphere, so you don’t really want that falling on you at any time,” Mr Woods said. “This one was kind of rare in the sense that it was a failed mission to Venus, it just never escaped Earth’s atmosphere,” he said. “Basically what ended up happening was it just orbited around the Earth for ages until the orbit decayed so much that it came back after 50 years. “But we do get a lot of space junk hitting our atmosphere and burning up in the atmosphere.” Source link #Western #Australia #dodges #bullet #Sovietbuilt #Kosmos #lands #Indian #Ocean #years #orbit Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

UFC 315 takeaways: Jack Della Maddalena ushers in an age of total chaos – Yahoo Sports UFC 315 takeaways: Jack Della Maddalena ushers in an age of total chaos – Yahoo Sports UFC 315 takeaways: Jack Della Maddalena ushers in an age of total chaos Yahoo SportsDella Maddalena wins Muhammad’s belt in slugfest ESPNMets vs. Cubs: Lineups, broadcast info, and open thread, 5/10/25 Amazin’ AvenueUFC 315 predictions — Belal Muhammad vs. Jack Della Maddalena: Fight card, odds, preview, picks, prelims CBS SportsLIVE! UFC 315 Results: Muhammad vs. Della Maddalena MMA Fighting Source link #UFC #takeaways #Jack #Della #Maddalena #ushers #age #total #chaos #Yahoo #Sports Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Second teenager dies after swimming incident Second teenager dies after swimming incident A second teenager has died after getting into difficulty in the water near Buncrana in County Donegal. The boy was rescued after a search operation and taken to Letterkenny University Hospital, where he died in the early hours of Sunday, gardaí (Irish police) have confirmed. On Saturday evening the body of an 18-year-old male was recovered from the water. A third teenage boy was also rescued from the water and taken to hospital. Police said the local coroner has been notified and a post-mortem examination will be arranged in due course. Gardaí investigations are ongoing. The Irish Coast Guard told BBC News NI that an alert was raised shortly before 16:00 local time by a member of the public after reports there were a number of people in difficulty in the water. The multi-agency operation was led by Malin Head Coast Guard with assistance from police and the ambulance service. An Irish Coast Guard helicopter was also involved in the search along with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI). In a statement, the Irish Coast Guard thanked all the search and rescue units and members of the public who had assisted in the search. Source link #teenager #dies #swimming #incident Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

No ‘pretty netball’ but Swifts dig deep, stay unbeaten No ‘pretty netball’ but Swifts dig deep, stay unbeaten The NSW Swifts sit outright top of the Super Netball ladder after claiming a scrappy 59-51 win over the Melbourne Vixens for their fifth win on the bounce. But brilliant defender Sarah Klau believes there is plenty yet to come from the only unbeaten team in the league. A magnificent performance from goalkeeper Klau proved critical as the Swifts fought back from trailing 15-12 at quarter-time. The Swifts took the lead in the second quarter and never looked back, holding strong to eventually shake off the Vixens at Ken Rosewall Arena. With it, they claimed the Sargeant-McKinnis Cup, while spoiling the party for Vixens coach Simone McKinnis, who was coaching her 200th national league game. “We knew Vixens were gonna come out strong and it did take up until that last quarter,” player of the match Klau told Fox Sports. “So really proud of the girls to keep pushing. It wasn’t the most pretty netball but we got the job done, which we’re really pleased about. “To start off the season so strong, it’s great but there’s still a long way to go. “I’m sure we’ll learn lots from this game.” Klau, who had five intercepts, 13 deflections and nine gains, was modest when asked about her own superb performance. The defender also limited Sophie Garbin to 35 goals (42 attempts). “It’s a credit to the girls as well – it was a full-court defensive pressure,” she said. “But really happy – the combination between ‘Turno’ (Maddy Turner) and I, it’s just working.” In attack, English goal attack Helen Houseby (6/6) nailed three critical Super Shots, while Grace Nweke shot the lights out, nailing 47 of 50 attempts. The Vixens (2-2) sit outside the top four after their second defeat. The Swifts next face the Giants at Ken Rosewall Arena next Sunday, when the Vixens will host Sunshine Coast Lightning at John Cain Arena. Source link #pretty #netball #Swifts #dig #deep #stay #unbeaten Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Sharks shine early and late to add to Manly’s woes Sharks shine early and late to add to Manly’s woes Manly’s NRL season is in a freefall, slumping to their fourth loss in five games after a lacklustre 30-14 defeat at the hands of Cronulla. Second on the ladder after the opening two rounds, Manly threw away a chance to add to the list of NRL comebacks this weekend at Brookvale on Sunday. The result kept Cronulla fifth, with Nicho Hynes and Briton Nikora impressing down the right edge, and Blayke Brailey having some nice moments. But while Manly remain at the bottom of the top eight, the Sea Eagles look a long away from the team that set the competition alight over the opening month. They have now lost three games in a row at home for the first time since 2022, and hold a 4-5 record despite playing six of their opening nine games at Brookvale. The slump has largely coincided with Daly Cherry-Evans’ announcement he would leave the club at year’s end, after he revealed his plans at the end of round three. Manly were well beaten on the scoreboard on Sunday, but had their chances to win the game. After Cronulla burst out of the blocks to claim a 14-0 halftime lead, the hosts were back in the game when a Tolu Koula double made it 14-12 with 26 minutes left. Luke Brooks then broke into open space from the kick-off and had a chance to send Koula over for his third, only for the centre to spill the pass back inside to him. And while the Sea Eagles got the score back to 14-14 via a penalty goal, more errors proved costly. Haumole Olakau’atu attempted to push an offload in their first set in tight space, prompting an error from Reuben Garrick. Garrick then cleaned up a Sharks grubber-kick at the end of their next set, but spilled the ball at the last second and handed an easy try to Braydon Trindall. From there, the floodgates opened. Ronaldo Mulitalo and KL Iro both scored late, with Mulitalo’s try coming from some nice lead-up play from a kicking Billy Burns. Earlier, Manly had been well off in the first half, joining Brisbane with the most hot-and-cold attack in the competition. While the Sea Eagles were clunky and Cherry-Evans threw two passes that led to errors, Cronulla seized their chances. The Sharks’ first try came when Brailey helped Nikora break through Manly’s line with ease, getting Tom Trbojevic out of position for the next play. From the play-the-ball, Hynes got the ball on the front foot and kicked for a chasing Mulitalo to dive over next to the posts. Hynes was again involved in the Sharks’ next, when Brailey skirted out of ******-half and found the halfback, who put Addin Fonua-Blake over untouched. Source link #Sharks #shine #early #late #add #Manlys #woes Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

West *********** Pulse 2025: Zoe Robinson’s living art work Aldinga maps history, landscape and family West *********** Pulse 2025: Zoe Robinson’s living art work Aldinga maps history, landscape and family A work mapping history, *********** landscape, and family draws art lovers into the mind of one of WA’s most talented creatives. Source link #West #*********** #Pulse #Zoe #Robinsons #living #art #work #Aldinga #maps #history #landscape #family Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Dumindunath Bandara Ekanayake: Porn-addicted dad jailed for possessing ‘depraved’ child exploitation images Dumindunath Bandara Ekanayake: Porn-addicted dad jailed for possessing ‘depraved’ child exploitation images A Perth man has been imprisoned after being found with hundreds of abhorrent child exploitation images involving children as young as three. Source link #Dumindunath #Bandara #Ekanayake #Pornaddicted #dad #jailed #possessing #depraved #child #exploitation #images Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Bellamy backs Papenhuyzen for NSW Origin call-up Bellamy backs Papenhuyzen for NSW Origin call-up Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy says superstar fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen, who scored four tries in their 64-0 romp over Wests Tigers, is Origin ready. Source link #Bellamy #backs #Papenhuyzen #NSW #Origin #callup Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Bombers’ Merrett cleared, stays eligible for Brownlow Bombers’ Merrett cleared, stays eligible for Brownlow Essendon captain Zach Merrett remains in Brownlow Medal contention after he was cleared by the AFL over his high contact with Sydney’s Nick Blakey. Blakey passed a head injury assessment after he was struck in the head by Merrett as the players contested a loose ball in the Bombers’ win over the Swans on Saturday night. The match review assessment on Sunday was that Merrett had his eyes on the ball and did not breach his duty of care to Blakey. “Merrett and Blakey approach the ball from opposite directions and with his eyes on the ball, Merrett attempts to tap the ball over Blakey’s head and after making contact with the ball, Merrett makes high contact with Blakey,” the AFL said. “It was the view of the match review officer that Merrett made a genuine attempt at the ball and that his actions did not constitute a breach of the duty of care he owed to Blakey.” As of Sunday night, Merrett was fifth-favourite in Sportsbet’s Brownlow market. Merrett attempted to hit the ball forward, but also made high contact with Blakey. The Swans defender then went off in the final minutes of the match and did not return. “I thought I tapped all ball; I was about to kick the goal,” Merrett told Fox Footy after the match. “I haven’t seen it, but I don’t think there’s anything to worry about.” Sydney coach Dean Cox agreed there wasn’t any malice on Merrett’s part. “I think both players were just going at the ball,” Cox said. “The timing … that’s probably all I can say from watching it live. “I didn’t have time to look at it after that. I was trying to get the result we needed.” Adelaide defender Mark Keane, who took a game-saving mark in Saturday night’s Showdown, was cleared of a match-day report for kicking Port Adelaide forward Jeremy Finlayson. Essendon’s Will Setterfield was fined for tripping. Source link #Bombers #Merrett #cleared #stays #eligible #Brownlow Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Scientists warn major volcano could erupt tomorrow and push built-up magma to surface – Daily Express US Scientists warn major volcano could erupt tomorrow and push built-up magma to surface – Daily Express US Scientists warn major volcano could erupt tomorrow and push built-up magma to surface Daily Express USMile-wide underwater volcano ready to erupt off the West Coast CNNAxial Seamount: Why This Pacific Underwater Volcano Is Being Watched Closely By Scientists ForbesLook Alert: The Most Active Volcano In the Pacific Northwest Is Probably About To Blow, Maybe IFLScienceDeep-sea volcano off Oregon is rumbling again, likely to erupt anytime soon Yahoo Source link #Scientists #warn #major #volcano #erupt #tomorrow #push #builtup #magma #surface #Daily #Express Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Three-word analysis of every West Coast Eagles player in clash with Richmond Tigers at the MCG Three-word analysis of every West Coast Eagles player in clash with Richmond Tigers at the MCG West Coast remain winless after a desperate Richmond held on to claim a two-point victory at the MCG on Sunday. Read our three-word analysis of every Eagle. Source link #Threeword #analysis #West #Coast #Eagles #player #clash #Richmond #Tigers #MCG Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Timberwolves 102-97 Warriors (May 10, 2025) Game Recap – ESPN Timberwolves 102-97 Warriors (May 10, 2025) Game Recap – ESPN Timberwolves 102-97 Warriors (May 10, 2025) Game Recap ESPNNBA playoffs: Timberwolves surge past Warriors late to take 2-1 series lead after Draymond Green fouls out Yahoo SportsAnthony Edwards rescues Minnesota with clutch second half to escape with Game 3 win over shorthanded Warriors CBS SportsLive replay: Edwards, Randle take control as Wolves beat Warriors Star TribuneHow Kuminga’s dunk motivated Ant’s second-half revival in Game 3 NBC Sports Bay Area & California Source link #Timberwolves #Warriors #Game #Recap #ESPN Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Aldi storms into winter with special buys Aldi storms into winter with special buys Brace yourself, the highly popular Snow Gear ***** is nearly here, writes Jessie Stoelwinder Source link #Aldi #storms #winter #special #buys Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Putin proposes direct peace talks with Ukraine after 3 years of war Putin proposes direct peace talks with Ukraine after 3 years of war President of Russia Vladimir Putin and General Secretary of the ********** Party of Vietnam Central Committee To Lam hold a signing ceremony following their meeting in Moscow, Russia on May 10, 2025. Anadolu | Anadolu | Getty Images Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday proposed direct talks with Ukraine on May 15 in the Turkish city of Istanbul that he said should be aimed at bringing a durable peace and eliminating the root causes of the war. Putin sent thousands of troops into Ukraine in February 2022, unleashing a war that has left hundreds of thousands of soldiers dead and triggering the gravest confrontation between Russia and the West since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis. He said Russia was proposing direct talks with Ukraine in Istanbul in an attempt to “eliminate the root causes of the conflict” and “to achieve the restoration of a long-term, lasting peace” rather than simply a pause for rearmament. “We are proposing that Kyiv resume direct negotiations without any preconditions,” Putin said from the Kremlin in the early hours of Sunday. “We offer the Kyiv authorities to resume negotiations already on Thursday, in Istanbul.” Despite public and private pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump and repeated warnings from European powers, Putin has offered few concessions towards ending the conflict. Putin said that he would speak to Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan later on Sunday about facilitating the talks, which he said could lead to a ceasefire. “Our proposal, as they say, is on the table. The decision is now up to the Ukrainian authorities and their curators, who are guided, it seems, by their personal political ambitions, and not by the interests of their peoples.” President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s office and Ukraine’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment on the proposal. No ceasefire? Putin’s proposal for direct talks with Ukraine came hours after major European powers demanded on Saturday in Kyiv that Putin agree to an unconditional 30-day ceasefire or face “massive” new sanctions. Putin dismissed what he said was the attempt by some European powers to lay down “ultimatums”. Russia, Putin said, had proposed several ceasefires, including a moratorium on striking energy facilities, an Easter ceasefire and most recently the 72-hour truce during the celebrations marking 80 years since victory in World War Two. (From L) ******* Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk give a joint press conference after their meeting in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv on May 10, 2025, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Genya Savilov | Afp | Getty Images Both Russia and Ukraine accused each other of violating the temporary truce proposals, including the May 8-10 ceasefire. On Sunday, Russia launched a drone attack on Kyiv and other parts of Ukraine, Ukrainian officials said. There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage. Putin said that he does not rule out that during his proposed talks in Turkey both sides will agree on “some new truces, a new ceasefire,” but one that would be the first step towards a “sustainable” peace. Peace? Putin, whose forces have advanced over the past year, has stood firm in his conditions for ending the war. In June 2024, he said that Ukraine must officially drop its NATO ambitions and withdraw its troops from the entirety of the territory of four Ukrainian regions claimed by Russia. Russian officials have also proposed that the U.S. recognise Russia’s control over about one fifth of Ukraine and demanded that Ukraine remains neutral though Moscow has said it is not opposed to Kyiv’s ambitions to join the European Union. Putin specifically mentioned the 2022 draft deal which Russia and Ukraine negotiated shortly after the Russian invasion of February 2022. Under that draft, a copy of which Reuters has seen, Ukraine should agree to permanent neutrality in return for international security guarantees from the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council: Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks during a press conference after the Conference of Coalition of the willing with European leaders in the grounds of the Mariynsky Palace in Kyiv, Ukraine on May 10, 2025. Anadolu | Anadolu | Getty Images “It was not Russia that broke off negotiations in 2022. It was Kyiv,” Putin said. “Russia is ready to negotiate without any preconditions.” He thanked China, Brazil, African and Middle Eastern countries and the United States for their efforts to mediate. Trump, who says he wants to be remembered as a peacemaker, has repeatedly said he wants to end the “bloodbath” of the Ukraine war which his administration casts as a proxy war between the United States and Russia. Former U.S. President Joe Biden, Western European leaders and Ukraine cast the invasion as an imperial-style land grab and repeatedly vowed to defeat Russian forces. Putin casts the war as a watershed moment in Moscow’s relations with the West, which he says humiliated Russia after the Soviet Union fell in 1991 by enlarging NATO and encroaching on what he considers Moscow’s sphere of influence, including Ukraine. Source link #Putin #proposes #direct #peace #talks #Ukraine #years #war Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Box Office Update: Thunderbolts has a better second-weekend hold than recent Marvel movies – JoBlo Box Office Update: Thunderbolts has a better second-weekend hold than recent Marvel movies – JoBlo Box Office Update: Thunderbolts has a better second-weekend hold than recent Marvel movies JoBlo‘Thunderbolts*’ Striking $35M 2nd Weekend; ‘Sinners’ Strong $20M For 4th Frame – Box Office Update DeadlineBox Office: ‘Thunderbolts*’ on Top Again in Second Weekend, ‘Sinners’ Crossing $200 Million Domestic Variety’Thunderbolts*’ is an unwieldy jumble, and also the best Marvel film in a while NPRThere Is No Getting Back On This Ride aftermath.site Source link #Box #Office #Update #Thunderbolts #secondweekend #hold #Marvel #movies #JoBlo Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

West Coast coach Andrew McQualter says co-captain Oscar Allen’s knee issue not a long-term issue West Coast coach Andrew McQualter says co-captain Oscar Allen’s knee issue not a long-term issue West Coast coach Andrew McQualter says co-captain Oscar Allen’s knee injury is “not a long-term issue” after pulling him out of Sunday’s two-point loss to Richmond. Allen was given until the final hour to prove his fitness but was replaced by 200cm defender Harry Edwards, who had to tackle Tigers spearhead Tom ****** in the 11.15 (81) to 11.13 (79) loss at the MCG. The skipper has been the source of plenty of speculation this year around a persistent knee issue that plagued him last season, with many believing it is why the Eagles are not willing to offer the free agent a long-term deal. It comes as several clubs including Hawthorn and Brisbane chase the key-position player, who kicked a a career-high 53 goals in 2023 to establish himself as one of the most talented forwards in the game. McQualter said Allen’s latest setback was in his “good knee” and was hopeful he’d be available to take on St Kilda at Optus Stadium next weekend. “He was really close to playing. We gave him up until the last minute to play,” he said. “I just want to shout out to Harry Edwards, pretty trying circumstances not knowing whether he was going to play until about an hour before the game but he prepared himself really well to play on Tom ******. “He hurt it a couple of weeks ago, he’s had a little patella he’s hurt. It’s his good knee so it’s not a long-term issue. “We’ll just work through that with him and we’re hopeful he’ll be right for next week.” It comes as fellow co-captain Liam Duggan revealed he was close to missing the game as well with the hip issue as reported by The West *********** on Saturday. The Eagles replaced Noah Long with Harvey Johnston on their emergency list after the Eagles’ captain’s run that afternoon to cover the premiership defender. “I was a little bit touch and go this week,” Duggan told The West ***********. “I copped a decent knock last week and the medical team gave me right to the final hour to make sure I was all good and really confident that I was able to go out there and be able to play my role. “We got over that hurdle yesterday which was nice and then it allowed me to sleep on it last night and get prepped. It was a little bit touch and go there for a while.” McQualter also shutdown speculation that veteran Jeremy McGovern would be sidelined long-term with a concussion he sustained against Melbourne last weekend. The Eagles said they would know if McGovern would be available later in the week as he went through the protocols. Camera IconJeremy McGovern of the Eagles. Credit: Paul Kane/Getty Images “I understand that, Gov had has some concussions over his career – that’s real,” McQualter said. “As far as we’re concerned, McGovern’s progressing through his protocols as planned. “We’ll know more later in the week whether he’s going to be available next week or not but he’s been starting his training and he’ll keep progressing and hopefully be available next week.” Source link #West #Coast #coach #Andrew #McQualter #cocaptain #Oscar #Allens #knee #issue #longterm #issue Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Economic jitters and soaring gold prices create a frenzy for US jewelry merchants – AP News Economic jitters and soaring gold prices create a frenzy for US jewelry merchants – AP News Economic jitters and soaring gold prices create a frenzy for US jewelry merchants AP NewsView Full Coverage on Google News Source link #Economic #jitters #soaring #gold #prices #create #frenzy #jewelry #merchants #News Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Israeli plans for Gaza are ‘ethnic cleansing’, says former minister Ed Husic Israeli plans for Gaza are ‘ethnic cleansing’, says former minister Ed Husic Labor’s Ed Husic says Israel’s plan to annex Gaza is a form of “ethnic cleansing” and that the Netanyahu government has “atrociously managed” the conflict. Israel’s security cabinet approved a plan last week which military officials have said would displace most Palestinians in the strip. Mr Husic, who was dropped from the ministry amid a factional fight last week, said it was vital the international community continued to focus on the conflict. Earlier in the week, Foreign Minister Penny Wong warned colleagues against politicising the Middle East conflict saying it was important not to bring the conflict to Australia. But Mr Husic said he would continue speaking up on behalf of ******* communities and those concerned about Palestine, saying he has more leeway to do so now he is no longer on Labor’s frontbench. “We’ve seen just in the past week or so, the Israeli parliament say it wants to annex Gaza, and, effectively, that is a form of ethnic cleansing,” he said. “We’ve seen the starvation of its people through the failure to provide humanitarian assistance. “And if I might add, that’s against international humanitarian law, starving people out in conflict is a war crime.” Asked if he had more freedom to speak about the conflict following his axing from Cabinet, the former Minister for Industry and Science, said: “I don’t think I could ever stay silent in the face of innocent civilians being slaughtered in their tens of thousands and being starved out of Gaza,” he said. “So I tried to find a way to be able to speak at the Cabinet table and speak elsewhere, to be able to make sure that communities we represent know that their voices are heard.” Executive Council of *********** Jewry president Daniel Aghion said it had always been Mr Husic’s right to speak out on the issue of the Gazan people. Camera IconExecutive Council of *********** Jewry president Daniel Aghion. Credit: News Corp Australia “The Jewish community disagrees with him strongly on that, but on anti-Semitism, on the racial hatred and safety and security of the *********** Jewish community, he has always stood in support of us and with integrity,” he said. “It is useful to have differing viewpoints around the cabinet table so that the debate can be had.” Mr Aghion likened it to the way the major parties sought to have more women elected and appointed to cabinet, to recognise women’s issues and ensure they were fully considered. “Although we’re a very small community, I don’t think it is any different when you start to think about matters of the day, which, in our case, are matters concerning Israel and the safety and security of the *********** Jewish people,” he said. Source link #Israeli #plans #Gaza #ethnic #cleansing #minister #Husic Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Salmon set for long stint on sidelines with injury Salmon set for long stint on sidelines with injury Canterbury have been dealt another back-row blow, with lock Jaeman Salmon to miss close to 10 weeks with a fractured ankle. With the top-of-the-table Bulldogs already significantly down on stocks, Salmon limped from the field in Saturday’s come-from-behind win over Canberra. Scans on Sunday showed a fracture, meaning he will require surgery, with Bulldogs football boss Phil Gould suggesting he would face a 10-week return to play. Salmon’s injury comes with Josh Curran, Sitili Tupouniua and Jacob Preston all still serving suspensions. Curran has another match to wait before returning from a shoulder charge, while fellow second-rowers Tupouniua and Preston have another three games to go. Kurt Mann is the man most likely to fill Salmon’s No.13 jersey against the Sydney Roosters on Friday night. Salmon had scored the Bulldogs’ second try after they went to halftime down 0-20 on Saturday, before reigniting his feud with Ricky Stuart. The 26-year-old ran to the nearest camera after scoring, pointed to his chest and shouted “weak-gutted dog”, after Stuart referred to his as one in 2022. The Raiders coach, who copped a two-game ban for the comments three years ago, would not buy into the matter after the game. “Honestly, how much do you really think I care about that?” he said. Source link #Salmon #set #long #stint #sidelines #injury Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Fragile ceasefire holds between India, Pakistan as Trump offers help Fragile ceasefire holds between India, Pakistan as Trump offers help Residents read morning Urdu newspapers with the headline ‘The ceasefire between Pakistan and India’ on a roadside in Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, on May 11, 2025. Sajjad Qayyum | Afp | Getty Images A fragile ceasefire was holding between India and Pakistan on Sunday, after hours of overnight fighting between the nuclear-armed neighbours, as U.S. President Donald Trump said he will work to provide a solution regarding Kashmir. The arch rivals were involved in intense firing for four days, the worst in nearly three decades, with missiles and drones being fired at each other’s military installations and dozens of people killed. A ceasefire agreement was reached after diplomacy and pressure from the United States, but within hours, artillery fire was witnessed in Indian Kashmir, the centre of much of the fighting. Blasts from air-defence systems boomed in cities near the border under blackout, similar to the previous two evenings, according to authorities, residents and Reuters witnesses. Late on Saturday, India said Pakistan had violated the understanding arrived to stop firing and that the Indian armed forces had been instructed to “deal strongly” with any repetition. In response, Pakistan said it was committed to the ceasefire and blamed India for the violations. By dawn, the fighting and explosions reported overnight had died down on both sides of the border, according to Reuters witnesses. Power was restored in most areas along India’s border towns after a blackout the previous night. Trump praised leaders of both countries for agreeing to halt the aggression. “While not even discussed, I am going to increase trade, substantially, with both of these great nations. Additionally, I will work with you both to see if… a solution can be arrived at concerning Kashmir,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social. In the border city of Amritsar, home to the Golden Temple revered by Sikhs, a siren sounded in the morning to resume normal activities brought a sense of relief and people were seen out on the roads. The fighting started on Wednesday, two weeks after 26 men were killed in an attack targeting Hindus in Pahalgam in Indian Kashmir. “Ever since the day terrorists attacked people in Pahalgam we have been shutting our shops very early and there was an uncertainty. I am happy that at least there will be no bloodshed on both sides,” Satvir Singh Alhuwalia, 48, a shopkeeper in Amritsar told Reuters. Officials in Pakistan said there was some firing in Bhimber in Pakistani Kashmir overnight but nowhere else, and there were no casualties. The two countries, born out of British colonial rule in 1947, have gone to war three times – twice over the region of Kashmir. Hindu-majority India and ******* Pakistan both rule part of Kashmir but claim it in full. India blames Pakistan for an insurgency in its part of Kashmir that began in 1989 and has killed tens of thousands. It also blames Pakistani Islamist militant groups for attacks elsewhere in India. Pakistan says it provides only moral, political and diplomatic support to Kashmiri separatists. The combined death toll in the recent skirmishes has reached nearly 70, officials have said. “More than me, my family is happy because my children and wife have been calling me every hour to check on me. Thank God the ceasefire happened,” Guruman Singh, a security guard in Amritsar told Reuters. Source link #Fragile #ceasefire #holds #India #Pakistan #Trump #offers Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]