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Bedford “professional cuddler” spreads word on benefits of touch Bedford “professional cuddler” spreads word on benefits of touch Danny Fullbrook BBC News, Bedfordshire Danny Fullbrook/BBC Samii Wood wants to encourage touch as she believes the health benefits are substantial Every fortnight, Samii Wood snuggles up with a group of strangers for a “cuddle puddle”. These gatherings see attendees melt into a large nest of cushions and blankets, offering each other platonic touch and comfort. Samii, who is 41 and based in Bedford, is a professional cuddler, who also offers one-to-one cuddle therapy. She believes human touch is not just comforting but also has measurable health benefits. “Your serotonin levels, which is your feel-good hormone, are boosted and so is your oxytocin level, which is your love and bonding hormone,” she says. Samii Wood Samii invites people to explore the healing power of touch at “cuddle puddles” in Bedfordshire Touch can also lower your levels of stress hormone cortisol and “can regulate the nervous system”, she adds. Samii’s clients are sometimes suffering with nervous system issues, post-traumatic stress disorder or loneliness. “People think that my service will be just full of creepy guys,” she says. “It’s not like that. I have a variety of ages and males and females that come to these events.” Pep Valerio, 36, from Bedford, has been attending Samii’s cuddle puddles for a couple of months. “It’s healing without words. You don’t need to know people’s problems; you just know your touch is providing aid to them,” he said. Samii describes how in group sessions, attendees are told to imagine certain scenarios to give specific emotional context. “Sometimes I say, ‘Imagine the person you’re hugging is the person you’d most like to hug just one more time’,” she adds. “That always chokes me up, and and we’ve had men and women both literally just sobbing on each other.” One-to-one sessions are catered more towards an individual’s needs. They can range from simply sitting close together and talking with an arm around them, to lying down and spooning. It can also involve other nurturing touch, such as back ********* or cradling. Samii Wood The professional cuddler believes intimate touch can help release happy hormones Some might raise an eyebrow at the thought that people are paying for this, but Sammi stresses it is a “fully clothed, platonic, nurturing service”. To safeguard all involved, she screens clients before taking them on and gets them to sign consent forms that explicitly state boundaries. “It’s very client-led, so they tell me what they want and what they’re comfortable with. It’s an ongoing dialogue,” Samii says. She acknowledges that intimate touch can lead to arousal, but in those cases she enforces a break or change of position to refocus clients on the nurturing aspect of the session. There is no regulatory body in the *** for this type of therapy, but professionals like Samii can gain accreditation from Cuddle Professionals International (CPI). This body insists its members are taught to observe “ethical touch protocols” that rely on informed consent. While many practices may uphold professional standards, it is potentially an easy environment to misuse and exploit. Samii says people can report any wrongdoing to the police, local authority or CPI. The body was founded by wellness expert Claire Mendelsohn, who according to her website, “recognised the need for regulation within the profession”. CPI is now a registered college with the Complementary Medical Association, and approved by the International Institute for Complementary Therapists to deliver training. Samii Wood The events are attended by a variety of ages and genders Samii discovered cuddle therapy after watching a documentary showing how popular it was overseas. However, in the ***, she finds that people are more reluctant to touch and be touched. She blames the Covid pandemic and lockdowns for simultaneously making people “crave it more” but also be “more fearful of having it”. She explains: “It’s huge in America and in Europe, not so much over here, but we really need it and people wouldn’t come to professional cuddlers like myself if we did not need that. “We think we’re all connected because we’re online, but that’s why we’re so much more disconnected. “We’re all seeking that connection and there’s no shame in saying, ‘I just want to be held by someone and I want to be hugged. I want to be seen and drop my walls and and have that’.” The science of cuddlesGetty Images One expert suggests people need to feel familiar with those they are cuddling Touch can benefit physical and mental health, according to a paper by Danish neuroscientist Dr Julian Packheiser and his colleagues from the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience at Ruhr University Bochum, Germany. They found there was no difference in health benefits in adults between touch from a familiar person or a health care professional. However, Sophie Scott, professor of cognitive neuroscience at University College London, argues that while touch has demonstrable benefits, the relationship between people involved is important. Referring to another study, she says: “They put people in a scanner and physically hurt them; you could see the brain responding to the pain. “However, when a partner held their hand, they had a reduced response to the pain. So there are chemical changes making you feel better, but that isn’t a random person; that is your partner. “What worries me slightly about somebody doing that professionally is you need to develop that relationship. You wouldn’t just let anybody hold your hand. “People like going to get their haircut or a manicure. Those are quite neutral parts of the body. Hugging might get a bit closer to their danger zones. “What I’m saying is people would need to feel safe. If they didn’t feel safe, it would be highly adversive to do that”. Numerous other studies have highlighted the benefit of touch and its potential to benefit mental and physical health. Kimberley Piper/BBC Pep Valerio encourages “anybody with an open mind” to try cuddle therapy Mr Valerio had been exploring alternative methods of healing, such as tapping and ****-chi, when he came across cuddle therapy. “It relieves stress, promotes relaxation and togetherness,” he says. He says Samii has created a safe environment by playing a soothing soundtrack and getting people to take part in warm-up hug-based exercises at the start. “Once you’ve done a few exercises, to break down those walls, it feels like the most natural thing lie on the floor and cuddle a lot of strangers,” he says. “There are people are crying before we have settled into the cuddle puddle, just based on the hug-based exercises we’ve done and some of the emotions that are brought up.” He has also taken part in one-to-one exercises with Samii, which he says allow for “a deeper bond”. “Spooning feels vulnerable, especially being the guy spooned by a woman. It allows you to experience holding and being held,” he says. “Afterwards I feel held, I feel supported, I feel as if I’ve shed some of my load and my wall has been lowered.” Source link #Bedford #professional #cuddler #spreads #word #benefits #touch Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Bondi attack inquest told police ‘not helpful’ in responding to mental health despite increased calls for service Bondi attack inquest told police ‘not helpful’ in responding to mental health despite increased calls for service A top cop has acknowledged police involvement is generally “not helpful” in mental health incidents despite one state battling more than 60,000 call outs, with an inquest into the fatal Bondi attack expected to make “serious” recommendations amid the increasing burden. Joel Cauchi, 40, killed six and stabbed another 10 during a stabbing rampage at Westfield Bondi Junction on April 13, 2024. Dawn Singleton, Yixuan Cheng, Faraz Ahmed Tahir, Ashlee Good, ***** Young and Pikria Darchia died in the incident. Just over a year prior, Cauchi had accused his father of stealing his knives, assaulted him, and then called the police to his parents home in Toowoomba in an attempt to get them back. Camera IconJoel Cauchi called the police on his father for confiscating his knives in January 2023. Supplied. Credit: Supplied His father had taken them and given them to a friend in January 2023 over concerns for his mental health, with Cauchi described as being in a “rage” afterwards. Cauchi was diagnosed with schizophrenia when he was 17 and was medicated for more than a decade to treat the condition until he stopped taking all psychotropic medication in 2019. The treatment of his mental health is being probed over the five-week coronial inquest, and counsel assisting the coroner Peggy Dwyer SC earlier noted most people with schizophrenia “will never commit an act of violence”. CCTV has captured the moment police spoke with Bondi killer Joel Cauchi after he accused his father of stealing his knives in the year before the fatal Westfield Bondi Junction attack. Body worn footage of the attending police officers — Senior Constables Matthew McDonnell and Hope Porter — during the January 2023 call-out was played in court this week. Cauchi appeared calm in the video, telling officers his father had taken his property and he’d “tried to resolve it”. However, the court heard an expert psychiatrist deemed Cauchi psychotic upon watching the footage. “She says, ‘He’s certainly psychotic’, and in her view, he qualifies for compulsory admission,” Ms Dwyer said. Camera IconBondi stabbing victims (top l-r) Dawn Singleton, Ashlee Good, Cheng Yixuan, (bottom l-r) Faraz Tahir, ***** Young and Pikria Darchia. Credit: Supplied The attending officers said they had no powers to take Cauchi for an emergency assessment as he was not deemed a risk to himself. They did send an email to an officer acting as one of the force’s mental health intervention co-ordinators (MHIC) requesting a follow-up on the Cauchi family: this email was missed. The incident was described as a “missed opportunity” to reintegrate Cauchi into the mental health system. What could have been done differently was probed at length this week, with evidence given in court suggesting the need for change in how police are able to respond to increasing mental health call outs. NSW cops respond to 61,000 mental health call outs Police across NSW are called out to mental health incidents every nine minutes, with more than 61,000 mental health emergencies or incidents where a criminal offence wasn’t associated recorded by police in 2022. This is an increase of about 41.6 per cent compared to 2018, or about 10 per cent per year, the Summary Internal Review of the NSW Police Force response to mental health incidents in the community, released in April 2024, found. Mental health related calls for service increased by 58 per cent between 2016 and 2021 in Queensland, according to 2022 submissions to the state’s Parliament Mental Health Select Committee Inquiry into the opportunities to improve mental health outcomes for Queenslanders. A senior NSW police officer who attended the Westfield shopping centre following the attack, Police Chief Inspector Christopher Whalley, told the inquest officers in Sydney’s Eastern Beaches command respond to up to 130 mental health related incidents per month. However, police involvement “generally is not helpful” in this space, he said. “I think I still see a growth in police being called to that type of incident, which seems contrary to what the academic writings would suggest is the most appropriate way to provide help to those who are experiencing a mental health crisis,” Inspector Whalley told the court. He thought there may be an opportunity to improve outcomes for people with mental health conditions, but “those outcomes might not involve police”. Camera IconChief Inspector Chris Whalley acknowledged police were generally ‘not helpful’ in responding to mental health incidents. NewsWire / John Appleyard Credit: News Corp Australia Police responses can be ‘deeply distressing’ Royal *********** and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) president Dr Astha Tomar said police-only responses to mental health incidents can be “deeply distressing”, particularly for those with acute and complex illnesses or past trauma with police. “We know these encounters can escalate situations, increase fear and stigma and ultimately lead to poorer outcomes for the person in crisis,” Dr Tomar said, speaking generally. Though she couldn’t comment on the ongoing inquest or Cauchi, she said mental health systems across the country were under “enormous strain and pressure” amid resource and staffing shortages, but that a health-led response was “critical” for mental health incidents. However, Dr Tomar noted police play an “essential role”. “In high-risk or unpredictable situations, they are often the only ones with the training, tools and powers to manage immediate dangers, including threats to the safety of health workers, loved ones and bystanders,” she said. “The safest, most effective outcomes come from a co-ordinated response, where police and mental health professionals work together to respond to mental health call outs.” She said co-response models, such as those trialled in Queensland, have shown promise, and similar responses need to be backed by the government. “This kind of partnership protects everyone involved and supports people’s recovery with dignity and compassion,” she said. “We need governments to help shape what these responses should look like across the country, and back them with the training, resourcing and support first responders need to do their jobs safely and effectively.” Camera IconJoel Cauchi was shot by Inspector Amy Scott. Supplied. Credit: Supplied Program would’ve been ‘perfect’ for Cauchi call-out There are a number of resources currently in place across the country, though some are still being rolled out across police area commands (PACs) and districts. These include Police, Ambulance, Clinical, Early, Response (PACERs), who Inspector Whalley expressed his gratitude for in court. They are clinical nurse consultants who work shifts out of NSW police stations to attend jobs in the field when safe. They may be able to assess patients on scene, issue a schedule under the Mental Health Act, “clear the way for admission” in local hospitals, and have helped young officers learn to respond to people in crisis appropriately and sensitively, Inspector Whalley said. However, the program was only available in 16 of the 57 PACs as of 2024, and Inspector Whalley noted they don’t work 24/7, while police come into contact with people in crisis at all hours. Other resources for police include the Mental Health QPS and QAS Co-responder models in Queensland, which are able to pair mental health clinicians with both police and paramedics where appropriate for assessment and intervention. The court was told the mental health co-responders were not available in Toowoomba in January 2023, however officer Constable Porter said they have been “invaluable” since coming into effect. Camera IconQueensland Police officers (bottom row L-R) Senior Constable Hope Porter, Senior Constable Roy Avenell, Senior Constable Matthew McDonnell arrive at the Lidcombe Coroners Court to give evidence. NewsWire / Nikki Short Credit: News Corp Australia She said they would have been “perfect” in situations similar to Cauchi’s January 2023 call out. “To have someone who knows more than me, who lives and breathes this stuff every day, who understands things and sees things differently to me, would have been an invaluable resource at the time,” Constable Porter said.“Someone who just knows more would’ve been like, ‘Hey, hang on a second’. “Better yet, maybe they might have had access to more information on his files that I don’t know about.” QPS Manager of the Vulnerable Persons Group Bernard Quinlan said he “couldn’t agree more” that it would be beneficial to have a specialist mental health expert with police to assess if someone is psychotic, following the findings of the expert psychiatrist who deemed Cauchi was psychotic during the 2023 incident. He said he’d advocate for a “more holistic response across support service sectors” amid the increased need for police to respond to vulnerable in the community, including mental health. Camera IconCounsel assisting the coroner, Peggy Dwyer SC. NewsWire / John Appleyard Credit: News Corp Australia ‘Serious’ recommendations expected in inquest Ms Dwyer expected serious recommendations regarding the burden increasingly felt by police and the broader community by mental health incidents to be made following the inquest. “It is not proposed or intended that this inquest will be a roving inquiry delving into the totality of issues facing the mental health system in this state of NSW or Queensland,” Ms Dwyer said. “It may be accepted that the mental health system in both NSW and Queensland is under strain, and it’s neither possible or appropriate for this inquest to seek to identify how to reform the entirety of the mental health system. “But, through the lens of Mr Cauchi’s lived experience, and in recognition of the devastating consequences caused by his actions, the inquest will seek to identify practical and realistic recommendations about what can be done to improve the treatment of those suffering from chronic and severe mental health conditions, with a particular focus on schizophrenia. “It is hoped that this inquest and your Honour’s findings will offer a meaningful and informed contribution to an area that is in need of urgent reform and resourcing.” Ms Dwyer said she expected evidence to find co-responder models should be considered so police can be accompanied by trained mental health workers. Other recommendations could include changes to the “confusing” criteria that grant police the power to take people for emergency mental health assessments. The inquest is set to hear from nurses, psychiatrists and GPs involved in the treatment of Cauchi during the third week of the inquest. mental health support Source link #Bondi #attack #inquest #told #police #helpful #responding #mental #health #increased #calls #service Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Disturbing New Details Emerge From Idaho Murders Suspect Bryan Kohberger’s Phone Ahead Of Trial Disturbing New Details Emerge From Idaho Murders Suspect Bryan Kohberger’s Phone Ahead Of Trial Reports have emerged revealing disturbing searches from Idaho killings suspect, Bryan Kohberger‘s phone that shed light on his interests. The alleged killer, accused of murdering three women and one man, reportedly searched for images of bikini-clad female students, x-rated content, and bizarre phrases related to the crime. Meanwhile, prosecutors have already disclosed a series of chilling pieces of evidence linked to Bryan Kohberger that they intend to present in court. Bryan Kohberger’s Phone Search History Reveals New Details MEGA As the high-profile ******* trial of Kohberger approaches this August, unsettling new details have emerged from the suspect’s digital footprint. According to NBC News’ “Dateline,” the former criminology Ph.D. student, charged with the brutal slayings of four University of Idaho students, allegedly scoured the internet for numerous images of female students from both Washington State University and the University of Idaho. He reportedly searched for photos of women in swimsuits, some of which were linked to friends or followers of the three young women whose lives were later cut short by his alleged actions. Xana Kernodle, Kaylee Goncalves, and Madison Mogen were all fatally stabbed in their off-campus home in Moscow, Idaho, during the early hours of November 13, 2022. That same night, Kohberger also allegedly murdered Kernodle’s boyfriend, Ethan Chapin, who was staying over at the house. Despite the disturbing discovery, it remains unclear whether Kohberger had any prior relationship with the victims. The Former Criminology Ph.D. Student Made Other Bizarre Searches, Including A Britney Spears Song MEGA Beyond searching for bikini-clad images of students, Kohberger made other disturbing online inquiries that have raised eyebrows. The alleged Idaho killer reportedly conducted several porn-related searches featuring keywords such as “drugged” and “sleeping.” He is also said to have looked up phrases like “Sociopathic traits in college students,” “Can psychopaths behave prosocially?” and “University of Idaho murders.” Strangely, Kohberger even searched for the song “Criminal” by Britney Spears. Bryan Kohberger Was Arrested At His Family Home Indiana State Police/MEGA After the murders, authorities eventually identified Kohberger as the primary suspect and arrested him on December 30, 2022, at his family’s home in Pennsylvania. Kohberger was charged with four counts of ******* and one count of burglary, and in May 2023, a judge entered a not-guilty plea on his behalf because he stayed silent at arraignment. If the jury convicts him during the upcoming trial, he could face the death penalty, as earlier attempts made by his lawyers to exclude this possibility failed. Prosecutors Have Revealed The Evidence For Bryan Kohberger’s Trial ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA Ahead of the trial in August, prosecutors have revealed key pieces of evidence they intend to present in support of their case against Bryan Kohberger. According to Newsweek, among the evidence is a record of a ****** balaclava that Kohberger allegedly purchased from *****’s Sporting Goods in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on January 10, 2022. Prosecutors also plan to highlight Kohberger’s background in criminal justice by introducing his academic records from DeSales University, where he took courses related to criminal justice. Adding to the list of evidence is surveillance footage from a convenience store that reportedly captured Kohberger driving to and from the scene of the murders. Prosecutors also intend to introduce his driver’s license as evidence, both to confirm his ability to operate a vehicle and to match his physical appearance with a witness description of the person seen fleeing the victims’ residence. The Alleged Killer’s Family Will Be Able To Attend His Upcoming Trial Ada County Sheriff’s Office/MEGA A few months ago, the prosecutors had argued against allowing Kohberger’s family to attend the trial, at least not until they had given their testimony if they were called. A decision on the argument was reached on Thursday by Judge Steven Hippler against the prosecutors. “Courts recognize that having defendant’s family members present at trial advances the values served by the right to public trial, i.e., ensuring fair proceedings; reminding the prosecutor and judge of their grave responsibilities; discouraging perjury; and encouraging witnesses to come forward,” Hippler wrote in his ruling, per New York Post. Hippler added that the presence of Kohberger’s family members observing the trial from the start is unlikely to influence their testimony if they are called to the stand. He also pointed out that they have already provided recorded interviews, which would limit any deviation from their prior statements. Source link #Disturbing #Details #Emerge #Idaho #Murders #Suspect #Bryan #Kohbergers #Phone #Ahead #Trial Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Giant Bomb Has Been Sold To Giant Bomb – aftermath.site Giant Bomb Has Been Sold To Giant Bomb – aftermath.site Giant Bomb Has Been Sold To Giant Bomb aftermath.siteGiant Bomb is now 100% independent Giant BombGiant Bomb Staffers Buy The Gaming Website From Fandom Bleeding Cool NewsGiant Bomb has been sold by Fandom, will continue independently Video Games Chronicle Source link #Giant #Bomb #Sold #Giant #Bomb #aftermath.site Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Ed Husic blasts ‘factional assassin’ Richard Marles amid cabinet chaos Ed Husic blasts ‘factional assassin’ Richard Marles amid cabinet chaos Days after losing his ministerial role, Ed Husic has blasted the Deputy Prime Minister for behaving like a “factional assassin”. Source link #Husic #blasts #factional #assassin #Richard #Marles #cabinet #chaos Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Ex-‘Teacher of the Year’ gets 30 years to life for sex crimes against children Ex-‘Teacher of the Year’ gets 30 years to life for sex crimes against children SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — It was a dramatic day in a South Bay courtroom as a former teacher confessed to her crimes. Jacqueline Ma was once named “teacher of the year” before it was discovered that she was committing sex crimes against two young boys. “I am speaking today because I am guilty of my crimes and I’m deeply ashamed of my actions,” Ma told the courtroom through tears. “I violated my original commitment to be the kind of teacher all parents hope their children will have.” Ma confessed to her crimes against two young boys, saying she deeply regretted the pain and suffering she caused at Lincoln Acres Elementary School in National City. Local attorney discusses Jacqueline Ma case “I ripped away their childhood instead of following the path of what a teacher should be, I let my selfishness overrun the boys’ best interests,” Ma said. In 2022, Ma was recognized as one of San Diego County’s “teachers of the year.” But in the spring of 2023, the mother of a 12-year-old boy found ********* explicit messages between her son and Ma, including one where Ma told the boy she was in love with him. National City teacher pleads not guilty to over a dozen felony charges, including sex abuse charges After the mother reported it to police, investigators discovered that Ma had not only been buying gifts for the boy, she had also been having a ******* relationship with him. Police later found evidence that Ma also groomed an 11-year-old boy years earlier, but it ended when she took off her shirt in front of him inside a classroom. Prosecutors say he left the classroom out of fear. Parents stunned after ‘Teacher of the Year’ arrest “I just pray for an extra hand of protection and strength to all of those I’ve hurt. I’m so sorry,” Ma said during the sentencing. The victim’s family members did not speak during the sentencing, but the prosecutor relayed their feelings about the crimes against the two children. “Finding out that they were abused by someone who they trusted with their children, and to care for their children, was incredibly devastating to both mothers and both families,” said Deputy District Attorney Drew Hart. Ma was given 30 years to life in prison, meaning she will not be eligible for parole for 30 years. She must also register as a sex offender. 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 FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. Source link #ExTeacher #Year #years #life #sex #crimes #children Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

One Year From Software Fiasco, Sonos Can Still Carry a Tune – Yahoo Finance One Year From Software Fiasco, Sonos Can Still Carry a Tune – Yahoo Finance One Year From Software Fiasco, Sonos Can Still Carry a Tune Yahoo FinanceSonos CEO: ‘We All Feel Really Terrible’ About the Bungled App Update WIREDAn in-depth interview with Sonos interim CEO Tom Conrad The VergeSonos Interim CEO Says Company Has Turned a Corner and He Wants the Top Job BloombergWho will be the next Sonos CEO? lowpass.cc Source link #Year #Software #Fiasco #Sonos #Carry #Tune #Yahoo #Finance Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Wallabies playmaker Lolesio cleared of serious injury Wallabies playmaker Lolesio cleared of serious injury Wallabies five eighth Noah Lolesio has been cleared of any serious injury after being stretchered off during the Brumbies’ win over the Western Force in Perth on Saturday night. The Brumbies star was taken to hospital after he was twisted in an accidental off-the-ball play while trying to repel a Force attack on his goal line. The Brumbies released a statement on Sunday after Lolesio underwent scans at Royal Perth Hospital following the incident that had “resulted in lower back pain”. “We are pleased to report that scans have cleared him of any serious injury,” the club said. “Noah is in good spirits and will continue to be monitored by the club’s medical team over the coming days. “A timeline for his return to play will be determined based on ongoing assessment and symptom resolution. We thank the medical staff, match officials, and supporters for their concern and well wishes.” Lolesio’s injury occurred almost exactly 24 hours after fellow Wallabies star Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii was escorted off the field, also on a medicab and in a neck brace, during another *********** derby between his NSW Waratahs and the Queensland Reds in Sydney. Suaalii was knocked out after copping an accidental knee to the head from his Waratahs and Wallabies teammate Andrew Kellaway. Waratahs coach Dan McKellar said post-match Suaalii went home with his parents in a “groggy” concussed state. Source link #Wallabies #playmaker #Lolesio #cleared #injury Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump hails China talks, says two sides negotiated ‘total reset’ in Geneva Trump hails China talks, says two sides negotiated ‘total reset’ in Geneva By John Revill, Emma Farge and David Brunnstrom GENEVA/WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump hailed talks with China in Switzerland on Saturday, saying the two sides had negotiated “a total reset … in a friendly, but constructive, manner.” “A very good meeting today with China, in Switzerland. Many things discussed, much agreed to,” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform. Trump added: “We want to see, for the good of both China and the U.S., an opening up of China to American business. GREAT PROGRESS MADE!!!” He did not elaborate on the progress. Earlier, top U.S. and ******** officials wrapped up the first day of talks in Geneva aimed at defusing a trade war that threatens to hammer the global economy and planned to resume negotiations on Sunday, a source close to the discussions said. ******** Vice Premier He Lifeng met for about eight hours with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in their first face-to-face meeting since the world’s two largest economies heaped tariffs well above 100% on each other’s goods. Neither side made any statements afterwards about the substance of the discussions nor signaled any specific progress towards reducing crushing tariffs as meetings at the residence of Switzerland’s ambassador to the U.N. concluded at about 8 p.m. local time (1800 GMT). Bessent, Greer and He were meeting in Geneva after weeks of growing tensions prompted by Trump’s tariff blitz starting in February and retaliation from Beijing that has brought nearly $600 billion in annual bilateral trade to a virtual standstill. The trade dispute, combined with Trump’s decision last month to impose duties on dozens of other countries, has disrupted supply chains, unsettled financial markets and stoked fears of a sharp global downturn. UNDISCLOSED LOCATION The location of the talks in the Swiss diplomatic hub was never made public. However, witnesses saw both delegations returning after a lunch break to the gated U.N. ambassador’s villa, which has its own private park overlooking Lake Geneva in the leafy suburb of Cologny. Earlier, U.S. officials including Bessent and Greer smiled as they left their hotel on the way to the talks, wearing red ties and American flags on their lapels. Bessent declined to speak to reporters. At the same time, Mercedes vans with tinted windows were seen leaving a hotel where the ******** delegation was staying on the lakeside as runners preparing for a weekend marathon warmed up in the sunshine. Washington is seeking to reduce its $295 billion goods trade deficit with Beijing and persuade China to renounce what the United States says is a mercantilist economic model and contribute more to global consumption, a shift that would require politically sensitive domestic reforms. Beijing has pushed back against what it sees as external interference. It wants Washington to lower tariffs, clarify what it wants China to buy more of, and treat it as an equal on the world stage. China’s official Xinhua News Agency said in a commentary on Saturday that the United States’ “reckless abuse of tariffs” had destabilized the global economic order, but added that the negotiations represented “a positive and necessary step to resolve disagreements and avert further escalation.” “Whether the road ahead involves negotiation or confrontation, one thing is clear: China’s determination to safeguard its development interests is unshakable, and its stance on maintaining the global economic and trade order remains unwavering,” Xinhua said. LOW EXPECTATIONS With distrust running high, both sides have been keen not to appear weak, and economic analysts have low expectations of a breakthrough. Trump said on Friday that an 80% tariff on ******** goods “seems right”, suggesting for the first time a specific alternative to the 145% levies he has imposed on ******** imports. He has suggested the discussions were initiated by China. Beijing said the U.S. requested the discussions and that China’s policy of opposing U.S. tariffs had not changed. China could be looking for the same 90-day waiver on tariffs that Washington has given other countries as negotiations take place, while any kind of tariff reduction and follow-up talks would be seen as positive by investors. Swiss Economy Minister Guy Parmelin met both parties in Geneva on Friday and said the fact that the talks were taking place was already a success. “If a road map can emerge and they decide to continue discussions, that will lower the tensions,” he told reporters on Friday, saying talks could continue into Sunday or even Monday. Switzerland helped to broker the meeting during recent visits by Swiss politicians to China and the United States. China’s He is also provisionally scheduled to meet the director-general of the World Trade Organization, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, during his stay, a spokesperson for the Geneva-based watchdog said. She has welcomed the talks “as a positive and constructive step towards de-escalation”, calling for sustained dialogue between the two top economies. Since taking office in January, Trump has increased tariffs on ******** imports to 145%, citing unfair trade practices and accusing Beijing of failing to curb the export of chemicals used to produce fentanyl, a lethal synthetic opioid. China retaliated with 125% retaliatory tariffs, and said it would not bow to “imperialists” and bullies. (Reporting by Emma Farge and John Revill; Writing by David Lawder and Emma Farge; Additional reporting by Michael Martina in Washington and Denis Balibouse and Sophie Yu in Beijing; Editing by Kevin Liffey, Mark Potter and Diane Craft) Source link #Trump #hails #China #talks #sides #negotiated #total #reset #Geneva Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Soviet-era Venus probe plunges back to Earth after 53 years – DW Soviet-era Venus probe plunges back to Earth after 53 years – DW Soviet-era Venus probe plunges back to Earth after 53 years DWKosmos 482: Soviet-era spacecraft ‘likely’ to have re-entered Earth’s atmosphere BBCFailed Soviet Venus lander Kosmos 482 crashes to Earth after 53 years in orbit SpaceSoviet Spacecraft ****** Lands on Earth After a Journey of Half a Century The New York TimesSoviet Kosmos 482 spacecraft crashes into an unknown site on Earth NBC News Source link #Sovietera #Venus #probe #plunges #Earth #years Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

*** to restrict work visas in migration crackdown *** to restrict work visas in migration crackdown The British government plans to restrict skilled worker visas to graduate-level jobs and force businesses to increase training for local workers. Prime Minister Keir Starmer is under pressure to cut net migration after the success of Nigel Farage’s right-wing, anti-immigration Reform *** party in local elections in May. Under the government’s new plans, skilled visas will only be granted to people in graduate jobs, while visas for lower-skilled roles will only be issued in areas critical to the nation’s industrial strategy, and in return businesses must increase training of British workers. The Labour government said the changes will be part of a policy document, known as a white paper, to be published on Monday setting out how ministers plan to reduce immigration. High levels of legal migration were one of the major drivers behind the vote to leave the European Union in 2016 with voters unhappy about the free movement of workers across the bloc. After Britain eventually left the EU in 2020, the then Conservative government reduced the threshold to allow workers in categories such as yoga teachers, dog walkers and DJs to be eligible for skilled worker visas. “We inherited a failed immigration system where the previous government replaced free movement with a free market experiment,” Yvette Cooper, the British interior minister, said in a statement. “We are taking decisive action to restore control and order to the immigration system.” While post-Brexit changes to visas led to a sharp drop in the number of EU migrants to Britain, new work visa rules and people arriving from Ukraine and Hong Kong under special visa schemes led to a surge in immigration. Net migration, or the number of people coming to Britain minus the number leaving, rose to a record 906,000 people in the year to June 2023, up from the 184,000 people who arrived in the same ******* during 2019, when Britain was still in the EU. Source link #restrict #work #visas #migration #crackdown Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Five fishermen who survived 55 days adrift by drinking rain and parboiling passing fish arrive in Galapagos Five fishermen who survived 55 days adrift by drinking rain and parboiling passing fish arrive in Galapagos Five fishermen who spent 55 days adrift at sea arrived Saturday at a port in the Galapagos Islands after being rescued by a tuna boat, the Ecuadorian navy said on X. The three Peruvians and two Colombians had been missing since mid-March and were found on May 7 by an Ecuadorian boat called Aldo. The fishermen had reported damage to the boat’s alternator two days after setting sail from Pucusana Bay, to the south of Peru’s capital Lima, the navy said in a separate post on Friday. The failure caused communication and navigation tools to malfunction, Ecuadorian navy Frigate Capt. Maria Fares told The Associated Press, adding that they had no power on the boat. “They had no starter, lights and everything that a battery generates,” she said. To survive, they had to “take rusted water out of the engine (and) when a fish passed by, they caught it and parboiled it to eat.” Fares added that they also drank rain and sea water to survive. This government handout photo shows five shipwrecked fishermen wearing lifejackets, who were rescued by an Ecuadorian tuna fishing boat after being adrift for more than 50 days, at the San Cristobal Naval Base, Galapagos Islands, on May 10. – Ecuadorean Navy/AP The men are in stable condition and the navy said it is coordinating with local and foreign authorities to ensure their safe return to their respective countries. Earlier this year, another Peruvian fisherman, 61-year-old Máximo Napa, spent 95 days at sea alone. He was also rescued by an Ecuadorian vessel and returned to Lima in mid-March to be reunited with his family. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Source link #fishermen #survived #days #adrift #drinking #rain #parboiling #passing #fish #arrive #Galapagos Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Daughter of Maggie Gyllenhaal and Peter Sarsgaard arrested at Columbia University protests – The Guardian Daughter of Maggie Gyllenhaal and Peter Sarsgaard arrested at Columbia University protests – The Guardian Daughter of Maggie Gyllenhaal and Peter Sarsgaard arrested at Columbia University protests The GuardianExclusive | Maggie Gyllenhaal’s daughter Ramona Sarsgaard arrested during Columbia protests New York PostStudents Studying at Columbia Library Were Suspended for Protest They Took No Part In The InterceptMostly women arrested in Columbia University library takeover: NYPD Fox NewsWhite House praises Columbia’s response after 80 arrested in pro-************ protest at campus library CNN Source link #Daughter #Maggie #Gyllenhaal #Peter #Sarsgaard #arrested #Columbia #University #protests #Guardian Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Ocean with David Attenborough: Conservationist calls on countries to protect our waters to save our world Ocean with David Attenborough: Conservationist calls on countries to protect our waters to save our world Sir David Attenborough turned 99 on Thursday, was feted by King Charles and presided over the London premiere of a stunning new movie that he hopes will force the United Nations to save Earth’s oceans. Not a bad day for the world’s most famous biologist. For someone who has spent his career describing the lifecycles of all creatures great and small, Attenborough is acutely aware of his own mortality. It’s an immutable fact he leans into in his movie, Ocean with David Attenborough, to add even more weight to its urgent message. “When I first saw the sea as a young boy, it was thought of as a vast wilderness to be tamed and mastered for the benefit of humanity,” he says in the film in that unmistakable voice. “Now, as I approach the end of my life, we know the opposite is true. “After living for nearly a hundred years on this planet, I now understand that the most important place on Earth is not on land, but at sea.” Camera IconA clown anemone fish on a coral reef in ***** Ampat, Indonesia. Credit: Olly Scholey It’s his sincere hope, and that of everyone attached to the film — produced with funding assistance from WA’s Minderoo Pictures — that Ocean generates a veritable tsunami of support that flows into the United Nations Ocean Conference in June. It’s there the nations of the world have what could be the last chance to vote on dramatic increases in marine conversation, before entire underwater ecosystems suffer catastrophic failure. “This could be the moment of change,” Attenborough says in the film. “Nearly every country on Earth has just agreed, on paper, to achieve this bare minimum and protect a third of the ocean. Together, we now face the challenge of making it happen.” Should it happen, it will further burnish the legacy of a man who has effectively become the human face of the natural world, tirelessly communicating wonders, fears and struggles on its behalf. And to think his first job application to the BBC in 1950, for a gig as a radio producer, was rejected. The consolation prize, however, was a job with the national broadcaster’s nascent television department, where he found himself hosting the first series of Zoo Quest four years later. Camera IconDavid Attenborough in The Big Life on Air. Credit: supplied That show ran for a decade, and led to Attenborough’s promotion into an administrative role at the BBC, where he spent a decade signing off on expenditure and commissioning shows by other people. He is erroneously credited with commissioning Monty Python’s Flying Circus during that ******* – the honour goes to then-BBC1 controller Paul Fox – but Attenborough did greenlight Pot ******, a snooker show, when BBC2 transitioned to colour. But the inexorable pull of the natural world eventually convinced him to resign from his post, even as he was being touted as a future head of the BBC, and he eagerly dived back into wildlife filmmaking. And the planet is lucky he did. From the early 1970s to today, if it crawls, bites or flies, Attenborough has caught it on camera and beamed it into our loungerooms. It was the seminal 1979 series, Life on Earth, that really put him on the map. At the time, it was the most ambitious natural history series ever filmed, taking in more than 100 locations around the world and enlisting the expertise of 500 scientists over its three-year production. Camera IconDavid Attenborough and King Charles III attend the world premiere at The Royal Festival Hall on May 6, 2025, in London, England. Credit: Kate Green/Getty Images for National Geogra To this day, it remains one of the most influential works to documentarians and established a benchmark for all subsequent wildlife filmmaking. The boy who grew up collecting fossils and natural specimens was suddenly one of the BBC’s most valuable international commodities. In the years that followed he gave us a seemingly endless array of flora and fauna. Blue Planet. Planet Earth. Frozen Planet. Life. Mega-budget shows that wowed adults and children alike with never-before-seen moments of magic. But what once seemed endless now has a very permanent end in sight, and Attenborough is determined to go out with a bang. Ocean was shot over two years and contains many firsts for wildlife filmmaking, including capturing the first vision of industrial bottom trawling, the biggest mass coral bleaching event and the largest school of yellowfin tuna ever caught on camera. *********** underwater cinematographer Tom Park contributed incredible footage of coral bleaching at the Great Barrier Reef and said the emotion of being part of Attenborough’s final film was hard to put into words. “He’s been an icon of mine for as long as I can remember, I grew up watching his films, and he’s really a figurehead of the natural world,” Park told The Sunday Times. “He’s inspired generations of wildlife filmmakers, so to actually be able to have filmed part of his new film is the privilege of my professional career.” Camera IconUnderwater cinematographer Tom Park shot Great Barrier Reef sequences that featured in new film. Credit: Supplied Park’s portion of the film chronicles the devastating impact of last year’s mass coral bleaching event, which is becoming increasingly common as ocean temperatures rise. It’s part of a larger section of the movie that focuses on humanity’s destruction of the marine world and is considerably more grim than Attenborough’s usual style. The vision of bottom trawling, a commercial fishing method that sees a weighted net destroy the seabed, is hard to watch, even for someone as experienced as Park. “We’ve never seen anything like it on the big screen before,” the cinematographer admitted. “Everyone knows bottom trawling is bad, we’ve seen the stats, but when you actually put vision to this idea of bottom trawling, and it’s showcased how they do it in the film, it’s remarkably shocking.” Of course, the point is to shock. To make the audience question why bulldozing the Amazon rainforest is an unthinkable horror, but doing the same to the ocean doesn’t move the needle for most people. “Unfortunately, the ocean is out of sight and out of mind for a lot of us,” Park said. “For the everyday public, for the policymakers, the ocean is this hidden, underwater world. “But if people understand, and they see the beauty and the fragility, hopefully this will create empathy, and that will lead to action.” That action better come fast, because a certain 99-year-old doesn’t have time to wait. Ocean with David Attenborough is in cinemas now. Source link #Ocean #David #Attenborough #Conservationist #calls #countries #protect #waters #save #world Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Five fishermen lost at sea for 55 days rescued by Ecuadorian tuna boat – The Guardian Five fishermen lost at sea for 55 days rescued by Ecuadorian tuna boat – The Guardian Five fishermen lost at sea for 55 days rescued by Ecuadorian tuna boat The GuardianView Full Coverage on Google News Source link #fishermen #lost #sea #days #rescued #Ecuadorian #tuna #boat #Guardian Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

US-Canada border towns hit by Trump’s trade war US-Canada border towns hit by Trump’s trade war Ana Faguy BBC News Reporting fromPort Huron, MichiganBBC At the end of a waitressing shift, Kristina Lampert used to separate her tips in two piles: ********* cash and American. But it’s been weeks since she has done that. Freighters, the restaurant where she works, is one of the first places people can grab a bite after crossing the US-Canada border between Sarnia, Ontario, and Port Huron, Michigan. The Blue Water Bridge, which connects the US and Canada, is in full view from the restaurant’s windows. “A lot of people used to come over and say ‘we’re here for the view’,” she says of ********* diners. “I haven’t heard that at all recently.” Border towns noticed almost instantly when US President Donald Trump began imposing tariffs on countries around the world and saying he wanted to make Canada the 51st US state – because the number of Canadians crossing the border plummeted. Kristina Lampert Border crossings between the US and Canada are down some 17% since Trump started bringing in tariffs, according to CBP data. Canadians car trips to the US are down almost 32% compared to March 2024, according to Statistics Canada. Like many of the towns that dot along the 5,525 mile (8,891 km) border, the economies of Port Huron and Sarnia are linked and in some ways dependent on one another. Port Huron is a manufacturing town of less than 30,000 people with a quaint downtown and lots of retail, offering visitors an enticing opportunity for a day-trip. On a day where there is little traffic, a Sarnia resident can cross the border and be in Michigan in a matter of minutes. Many of these towns faced their first test more than five years ago when the Covid-19 pandemic shut crossings down for 19 months and left local economies reeling. Now, they are seeing a second economic hit due to Trump’s trade war, with many Canadians choosing to “Buy *********” – purchase *********-made goods – and reducing travel to the US in response to the fraying relationship between the two neighbouring countries. One place this is being felt is at Sarnia’s Duty Free, the last place you can purchase goods before leaving Canada and entering the US. The shelves of perfume and liquor are fuller and the parking lot is emptier since tariffs tensions began. Barbara Barett, the executive director of Frontier Duty Free Association, says some of the 32 land-border duty frees in Canada have seen as much as an 80% decrease in sales since Trump’s return to the White House. Most stores have seeing a 50-60% drop in business. “We’re 100% reliant on the travel across the border,” she says of duty frees. “Our stores are often pillars of these communities; communities depend on them.” Billboard in Port Huron, Michigan And while the crossing at Port Huron-Sarnia is faring better than most, on a Friday in May the parking lot of the Sarnia Duty Free is almost empty. Tania Lee, who runs the store with her family, says that has become the new norm. On Easter weekend – usually one of their busiest of the year, as Canadians take advantage of the break to stop in at a favourite restaurant and go to a church service in Port Huron – cars were few and far between and sales were not what they should have been, she says. “We are suffering because of collateral damage at the border,” Ms Lee says of her second-generation family business. Ms Lee notes that people who live in border towns often cross the boundary multiple times a week. She, for example, has a mailbox at a shipping facility in Port Huron that she visits regularly, as do her neighbours. Port Huron Mayor Anita Ashford in front of Blue Water Bridge which connects Port Huron, Michigan, and Sarnia, Ontario People across the Blue Water Bridge are feeling the effects too, Mayor Anita Ashford says. She has heard from both residents of her town and Canadians frustrated about the increased tension between the nations. Nationally, a 10% drop in ********* tourism would cost the US up to 14,000 jobs and $2.1bn (£1.56b) in business, according to the US Travel Association. Michigan is one of the places likely to see the brunt of that impact. In 2023, Canadians visitors spent a collective $238m in the state, according to tourism officials. That money is essential for border towns like Port Huron, its mayor says. “I hope people in Washington will start to understand what they’re doing to the people,” she says. “We are not responsible for this, the [federal] government put us in this position and now we have to deal with it respectfully.” “We need each other,” she says. Source link #USCanada #border #towns #hit #Trumps #trade #war Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Miss World Africa beauty queen and Botswana’s youngest cabinet minister Miss World Africa beauty queen and Botswana’s youngest cabinet minister Anne Okumu & Brian Khisa BBC News, Gaborone Lesego Chombo/Instagram Lesego Chombo’s enthusiasm for life is as infectious as her achievements are impressive: she has won the Miss Botswana 2022 and Miss World Africa 2024 crowns, is a working lawyer, has set up her own charitable foundation – and made history in November, becoming Botswana’s youngest cabinet minister. She was just 26 years old at the time – and had clearly impressed Botswana’s incoming President Duma Boko, whose Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) had just won a landslide, ousting the party that had governed for 58 years. It was a seismic shift in the politics of the diamond-rich southern African nation – and Boko, a 55-year-old Harvard-trained lawyer, hit the ground running. His main focus, he said, was fixing an economy too reliant on diamonds, telling the BBC ahead of his inauguration that he wanted young people to be the solution – “to become entrepreneurs, employ themselves and employ others”. Key to this was finding a suitable ambassador – and Chombo was clearly it: a young woman already committed to various causes. He made her minister of youth and gender. “I’ve never been more proud to be young,” she told the BBC at the ministry’s headquarters in the capital, Gaborone. “I’m a young person living in Botswana, passionate about youth development, gender equality, but also so passionate about the development of children.” The beauty queen did not campaign to be an MP – she is what is called a specially elected member of parliament – and is now one of just six female MPs in the 69-member National Assembly. Chombo said becoming an MP and then minister came as a complete surprise to her. “I got appointed by a president who had never met me,” she said. “Miss World and the journey that I thought I was supposed to pursue as my final destination was only the platform through which I would be seen for this very role.” It was her crowning as Miss Botswana in 2022 that raised her profile and enabled her to campaign for social change, while trying to inspire other young women. It also gave her the opportunity to set up the Lesego Chombo Foundation, which focuses on supporting disadvantaged youngsters and their parents in rural areas – and which she is still involved with, its projects funded by corporate companies and others. “We strive to have a world where we feel seen and heard and represented. I’m very thrilled that I happen to be the very essence of that representation,” she said. Lesego Chombo/Instagram Lesego Chombo, now 27, is an associate at a law firm in Gaborone As she prepared for last year’s Miss World pageant, she said: “I really put myself in the zone of service. I really channelled it for this big crown.” Now in political office, she is aware of the expectations placed on her in a country where approximately 60% of the population is below 35 years. It also has a high level of unemployment – 28%, which is even higher for young people and women who have limited economic opportunities and battle systemic corruption. Chombo said this was something she was determined to change: “Currently in Botswana, the rates of unemployment are so high. “But it’s not just the rate of unemployment, it’s also just the sphere of youth development. “It’s lacking, and so my desire is to create an ecosystem, an environment, a society, an economy in which youth can thrive.” Chombo said her plan was to develop a comprehensive system that nurtured youth-led initiatives, strengthened entrepreneurship and ensured young people had a seat at the table when decisions were being made. With Botswana’s anti-corruption policy undergoing a rigorous review, she said this would ensure that quotas for young entrepreneurs – when state departments and agencies put out tenders for goods and services – were actually reached. The government has begun a 10-month forensic audit of government spending that will include 30 state-owned enterprises. Indeed President Boko is intent on cracking down on corruption, seeing this as a way to bolter investor confidence and diversify the economy – something his deputy has been seeking to do on recent trips to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Switzerland. And a key deal has now been secured with UAE-based CCI Global, a provider of business process outsourcing, to open a hub in Botswana. While youth development is a central pillar of her work, gender equity also remains close to her heart. Her short time in office has coincided with a growing outcry over gender-based violence. According to a United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) report, over 67% of women in Botswana have experienced abuse, more than double the global average. “It hurts to know that it could be me next,” she admitted. A month into her appointment, she was criticised for voting against an opposition motion in parliament to create “peace desks” at police stations and magistrate courts to quickly deal with victims. At the time she said such provisions already existed within the law and what was needed was more public awareness. This was followed in January by a police report noting that at least 100 women had been ****** and another 10 murdered during the festive season – this caused public outrage with many lashing out at her on social media over the issue. The minister reiterated – on several occasions, including before parliament in March – that Botswana had many laws and strategies in place and what was important was to ensure these they were actually applied. But she told the BBC the government would be pushing for the implementation of a Gender-Based Violence Act, aimed at closing legal loopholes that have long hindered justice for survivors. She said she was also advocating a more holistic approach, involving the ministries of health, education and local government. “We want curriculums that promote gender equity from a young age,” Chombo said. “We want to teach children what gender-based violence is and how to prevent it. “It will boil down to inclusion of teaching gender equity at home, how parents behave around their children, how they model good behaviour.” Lesego Chombo/Instagram Lesego Chombo has used her fame to push her projects for social change – focusing on young people She has also been vocal about the need to address issues affecting men, particularly around mental health and positive masculinity, encouraging chiefs “to ensure that our patriarchal culture is not actively perpetuating gender violence”. “I hear a lot of people say: ‘Why do you speak of women more than men?’ “It’s because as it stands in society, women are mostly prejudiced [against]. “But when we speak of gender equality, we’re saying that it should be applied equally for everyone. But what we strive for is gender equity.” Chombo, who studied law at the University of Botswana, said she was thankful to her mother and other strong women for inspiring her – saying that women had to work “10 times harder” to succeed. “[My mother] has managed to create an environment for me to thrive. And growing up, I got to realise that it’s not an easy thing. “As women, we face so many pressures: ‘A woman cannot do this. A woman can’t do that. A woman can’t be young and in leadership.’ I’m currently facing that.” She also credited Julia Morley, the CEO of Miss World, for helping her: “She has managed to create a legacy of what we call beauty with a purpose for so many young girls across the world. “She has just inspired us so deeply to take up social responsibility.” Chombo is serious about this. The beauty queen-****-lawyer-****-minister knows she has made history – but is also aware that her real work has only just begun. “Impact. Tangible impact. That’s what success would look like to me,” she said. “I want to look back and see that it is there and it is sustainable. That when I leave, someone else is able to carry it through.” Additional reporting from Innocent Selatlhwa in Gaborone You may also be interested in:Getty Images/BBC Source link #World #Africa #beauty #queen #Botswanas #youngest #cabinet #minister Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Teen busted with knife and fake gun outside AFL match Teen busted with knife and fake gun outside AFL match A 15-year-old boy has been busted after attempting to bring a knife and fake gun into an AFL match at a major venue. Source link #Teen #busted #knife #fake #gun #AFL #match Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Berkshire Hathaway Is a Great Bear Market Stock. These 2 Are Even Better Buys. Berkshire Hathaway Is a Great Bear Market Stock. These 2 Are Even Better Buys. Warren Buffett has delivered alpha in part by outperforming in bear markets. He is known for accumulating cash to take advantage of sell-offs when the market crashes. Berkshire also has a number of subsidiaries in insurance and utilities that generate profits regardless of the state of the economy. 10 stocks we like better than Altria Group › After 60 years of running Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A) (NYSE: BRK.B), Warren Buffett will be riding off into the sunset. The 94-year-old, widely regarded as the greatest investor of all time, announced at Berkshire’s annual shareholder meeting over the weekend that Greg Abel would take over as CEO by the end of the year. Buffett is regarded as an investing and business legend for a number of reasons, and Berkshire’s track record speaks for itself. He essentially doubled the annual return of the S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) over his career, delivering phenomenal returns for his investors along the way. Image source: The Motley Fool. Arguably, Buffett was at his best during bear markets, and Berkshire’s greatest periods of outperformance often came during sell-offs. He built his conglomerate for longevity with durable, all-weather businesses like insurance companies, and the famed value investor was able to capitalize on stock market sell-offs and take advantage of deals in the private market as he often kept a large war chest of cash on hand to be ready when a good value presented itself. While we’re not in a bear market, the S&P 500 was on the verge of one not long ago, and 2025 has already given investors plenty of volatility. In this environment, Berkshire’s reputation for stability has served it well as it’s outperforming the S&P 500 by a wide margin, and the chart below includes the 5% decline after Buffett announced his retirement. BRK.B data by YCharts As good as Berkshire has been in bear markets under Buffett, there are a few other stocks that have been even better, outperforming Berkshire not just this year, but in prior years. Let’s take a look at two of them. Altria (NYSE: MO) hasn’t been a top stock over the last decade, but its performance over its history has been dominant, especially when factoring in dividends reinvested. Altria is currently the domestic seller of its Marlboro and other ********** brands, as well as smoke-free products like on! oral nicotine pouches and NJOY vapes. Earlier in its history, it was a global company combined with Philip Morris International. As a tobacco company, Altria has the advantage of selling a recession-resistant product, as smokers and other consumers of its products tend to buy them regardless of the state of the economy. Altria’s high-yield dividend and status as a Dividend King, having raised its dividend 59 times in the last 55 years, also makes it an attractive stock in a down market as it has reliably paid increasing dividends for nearly as long as Buffett’s been CEO. On a total return basis, Altria stock is up 16.6% this year, outperforming both Berkshire and the S&P 500. During the bear market of 2007-2009, during the financial crisis, Altria stock fell, but it still beat both Berkshire Hathaway and the S&P 500, as the chart below shows. ^SPX data by YCharts Though Berkshire stock held up well through the early stages of the bear market, it fell sharply in the fourth quarter of 2008 following the collapse of Lehman Brothers and as it reported large paper losses in its stock portfolio. A business like Altria’s, on the other hand, doesn’t have to worry about that kind of volatility. Similarly, during the bear market of 2000-2002, both Altria and Berkshire Hathaway delivered a positive return as they were relatively unaffected by the dot-com bust, even as the S&P 500 lost 49%. However, as the chart below shows again, Altria was the clear winner, tripling during that ******* when including dividends reinvested. ^SPX data by YCharts With its dividend yield of 6.8% today and its recession-proof business model, Altria looks like a good bet to outperform in a bear market if it happens again. Another sector that has a clear track record of outperforming in bear markets is aftermarket auto parts. After all, consumers generally buy these products because they need them for repairs, and in recessionary environments, they tend to delay replacing their vehicles and instead spend on repairs, meaning replacement parts. In other words, auto parts is a countercyclical industry, meaning consumers spend more on them in bad times than in good. One of the best-performing stocks in that sector has been AutoZone (NYSE: AZO), which has steadily expanded its store base and excelled at managing inventory through its hub and spoke, where centrally located hub stores ensure that spoke stores remain well-stocked. That also helps it serve commercial customers like repair shops that need parts in a timely manner. AutoZone has a history of capitalizing on recessions, and year to date, the stock is up 17.8%. In previous bear markets, AutoZone has also thrived. In the 17-month bear market during the financial crisis, the stock gained 22%, as you can see from the chart below. ^SPX data by YCharts Historically, the business has accelerated toward the end of recessions, presumably because consumer savings have been depleted at that point. In fiscal 2009, which ended in Aug. 2009, domestic same-store sales rose 4.4%, its best performance in the previous five years. AutoZone is not a dividend payer, but the company has aggressively repurchased its stock over its history, accelerating its earnings-per-share growth and boosting the stock price by taking advantage of discounts as they come. In the 2000-2002 bear market, AutoZone stock also soared, tripling during that ******* like Altria. Again, its gains were weighted to the second half of the downturn. ^SPX Chart ^SPX data by YCharts ^SPX data by YCharts Similarly, AutoZone’s comparable sales surged 9% in fiscal 2002, coming out of the recession of that era. That pattern of outperformance is likely to hold up again if the economy slips into a recession, which explains why AutoZone is up nearly 20% this year on little news. Investors may be disappointed that Buffett is stepping down as the rare 5% slide in Berkshire stock indicates, but the Oracle of Omaha has built the company for the long term. Additionally, Berkshire also benefits from a cash hoard that has swelled to nearly $350 billion, giving the company plenty of firepower to make a deal if it finds an attractive one. Berkshire is certainly not a bad stock to own in such an environment and its unique position makes it a buy. However, investors looking to a capitalize on a potential bear market would do well to buy shares of Altria or AutoZone. Both have history behind them, and their business models make them highly likely to beat the market again should it tip into a recession. Before you buy stock in Altria Group, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Altria Group wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004… if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $614,911!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005… if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $714,958!* Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 907% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 163% for the S&P 500. Don’t miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of May 5, 2025 Jeremy Bowman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Berkshire Hathaway. The Motley Fool recommends Philip Morris International. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Berkshire Hathaway Is a Great Bear Market Stock. These 2 Are Even Better Buys. was originally published by The Motley Fool Source link #Berkshire #Hathaway #Great #Bear #Market #Stock #Buys Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Where to watch Warriors vs. Timberwolves: TV channel, NBA playoffs live stream, Game 3 time, odds – CBS Sports Where to watch Warriors vs. Timberwolves: TV channel, NBA playoffs live stream, Game 3 time, odds – CBS Sports Where to watch Warriors vs. Timberwolves: TV channel, NBA playoffs live stream, Game 3 time, odds CBS SportsGolden State Warriors vs Minnesota Timberwolves May 6, 2025 Game Summary NBAWhere to watch the Warriors vs. Timberwolves NBA Playoffs livestream today for free MLive.comTimberwolves vs. Warriors odds, line: Proven model reveals picks for NBA playoff matchup on May 10, 2025 SportsLineQ&A: Former NBA center and ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins previews Wolves-Warriors Game 3 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS Source link #watch #Warriors #Timberwolves #channel #NBA #playoffs #live #stream #Game #time #odds #CBS #Sports Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Alcatraz’s last living inmate on Trump’s plan to reopen prison Alcatraz’s last living inmate on Trump’s plan to reopen prison Madeline Halpert BBC News, New York Lily Jamali BBC News, Alcatraz Island Daniel A. Edwards Hopkins has moved back to his home state of Florida since he was released in 1963 When Charlie Hopkins thinks back to the three years he spent in one of America’s most famous prisons, he remembers the “deathly quiet” the most. In 1955, Hopkins was sent to Alcatraz – a prison on an isolated island off the coast of San Francisco – after causing trouble at other prisons to serve a 17-year sentence for kidnapping and robbery. Falling asleep at night in his cell on the remote island, he said, the only sound was the whistle of ships passing. “That’s a lonely sound,” Hopkins said. “It reminds you of Hank Williams singing that song, ‘I’m so lonesome I could cry.'” Now 93 and living in Florida, Hopkins said the San Francisco National Archives informed him that he is likely the last surviving former Alcatraz inmate. The BBC could not independently verify this. In an interview with the BBC this week, Hopkins described life at Alcatraz, where he made friends with gangsters and once helped plan an unsuccessful escape. Although it closed decades ago, President Donald Trump claimed recently that he wants to re-open it as a federal prison. When Hopkins was transferred to the high-security prison in 1955 from an Atlanta facility, he remembers it being clean, but barren. And there were few distractions – no radio at the time, and few books, he said. “There was nothing to do,” he said. “You could walk back and forth in your cell or do push-ups.” Hopkins kept busy part of the time with his job cleaning Alcatraz, sweeping the floors and buffing them “until they shined”, he said. He was sent to prison in 1952 in Jacksonville, Florida, for his role in a series of robberies and kidnappings. He was part of a group that took hostages to get through roadblocks and steal cars, he said. National Archives Charlie Hopkins spent three years in Alcatraz prison after causing trouble in other facilities At Alcatraz, Hopkins had some infamous neighbours. The facility housed many violent criminals over its 30 years – Al Capone; Robert Stroud, a ********* known as the “Birdman of Alcatraz”; and crime boss James “*******” Bulger – making it the subject of a host of films and television shows. A 22-acre island, 1.25 miles (2 kilometres) off San Francisco and surrounded by freezing waters with strong currents, Alcatraz was originally a naval defence force. It was rebuilt in the early 20th century as a military prison. The Justice Department took it over in the 1930s, transforming the facility into a federal prison to address rampant organised crime at the time. Even in the high-security prison, Hopkins said he still managed to get into trouble and spent many days in the facility’s “D Block” – solitary confinement where inmates who misbehaved were held and rarely let out of their cells. His longest stint there – six months – came after he tried to help several other prisoners, including notorious bank robber Forrest Tucker, escape Alcatraz, Hopkins said. He helped steal hacksaw blades from the prison’s electric shop to cut the prison bars in the basement kitchen. The plan didn’t work – prison guards discovered the blades in other inmates’ cells, Hopkins said. “A few days after they locked them up, they locked me up,” he said. But that did not stop one of the inmates. In 1956, when Tucker was taken to a hospital for a kidney operation, he stabbed his ankle with a pencil so prison guards would have to remove his leg irons, Tucker told the New Yorker. Then, as he was taken to get an X-ray, he overpowered hospital orderlies and ran away, he said. He was captured in a hospital gown in a cornfield hours later. As more prisoners attempted to escape Alcatraz over the years, officials ramped up security, Hopkins said. “When I left there in 1958, the security was so tight you couldn’t breathe,” he said. All told, there were 14 separate attempts over the years involving 36 inmates, according to the National Park Service. One of the most famous involved Frank Morris, and brothers Clarence and John Anglin, who escaped in June 1962 by placing papier-mâché heads in their beds and breaking out through ventilation ducts. They were never found, but the Federal Bureau of Investigation concluded they drowned in the cold waters surrounding the island. A year later, the prison shut down after the government determined it would be more cost-effective to build new prisons than to keep the remote island facility in operation. Now it’s a publicly run museum visited by millions each year that generates about $60m year in revenue for park partners. The building is decrepit, with peeling paint, rusted pipes, and crumbling toilets in each cramped cell. Construction on the main prison facility began in 1907, and more than a century of exposure to the elements has rendered the place all but uninhabitable. Trump said this week, however, that he wants his government to re-open and expand the island prison for the country’s “most ruthless and violent offenders”. A tour group visits Alcatraz Alcatraz “represents something very strong, very powerful” – law and order, Trump said. But experts and historians said Trump’s proposal to re-establish the prison is far-fetched, as it would cost billions to repair and bring up to date with other federal facilities. Hopkins agrees. “It would be so expensive,” he said. “Back then, the sewage system went into the ocean,” he added. “They’d have to come up with another way of handling that.” Hopkins left Alcatraz five years before it closed its doors for good. He had been transferred to a prison in Springfield, Missouri and given psychiatric medication that improved his behaviour and helped him heal psychological issues, he said. But the avid Trump supporter said he does not believe the president’s proposal is serious. “He don’t really want to open that place,” Hopkins said, adding that Trump was trying to “get a point across to the public” about punishing criminals and those who enter the US illegally. Hopkins was released in 1963, working first at a truck stop before taking on other jobs. He went back to his home state of Florida, where now he has a daughter and grandson. After several decades reflecting on his crimes and life in Alcatraz, he wrote a 1,000-page memoir, with nearly half of the book detailing his troubled behaviour, he said. “You wouldn’t believe the trouble I caused them when I was there,” he said. “I can see now, looking back, that I had problems.” Source link #Alcatrazs #living #inmate #Trumps #plan #reopen #prison Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump considers taxing the rich as his agenda hits new roadblock Trump considers taxing the rich as his agenda hits new roadblock Trump considers taxing the rich as his agenda hits new roadblock – CBS News Watch CBS News A California judge paused the Trump administration’s efforts to drastically downsize the government. President Trump is now suggesting taxing the rich as a way to pay for his plans. ******* James Inman has more. Be the first to know Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not Now Turn On Source link #Trump #considers #taxing #rich #agenda #hits #roadblock Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

“The Food *****” helps lead the charge against some food dyes “The Food *****” helps lead the charge against some food dyes “The Food *****” helps lead the charge against some food dyes – CBS News Watch CBS News This week, the FDA approved three new natural food color additives, a big step in the Trump administration’s push to phase out petroleum-based dyes. Adam Yamaguchi has the story. Be the first to know Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not Now Turn On Source link #Food #***** #helps #lead #charge #food #dyes Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

How to win the Eurovision Song Contest, according to the experts How to win the Eurovision Song Contest, according to the experts Getty Who will follow in the footsteps of Loreen and Nemo as the winner of the Eurovision Song Contest? The Eurovision Song Contest was watched by around 163 million people last year – meaning there are potentially 163 million different opinions on what makes a perfect entrant. Do you go for a soulful ballad, guaranteed to leave Europe misty-eyed and full of love and peace? Or do you opt for a cheesy extravaganza, complete with saucy takes on regional costumes and eye-popping staging that will have the entire continent (and Australia) raving in their living rooms? The perfect songGetty Images Conchita Wurst’s Rise Like a Phoenix shows that self-empowering songs can be very successful in Eurovision According to Bennett, there is some validity to this, with every Eurovision song falling under six broad lyrical themes: “love, unity, self-assertion, partying, history and songs about making music”. He adds that “songs of self-assertion or lyrical self-empowerment do very well” – as seen with Austria’s 2014 winner Rise Like a Phoenix (Conchita Wurst). Keep staging simple and effective Acts might be tempted to go over the top on staging, but this may not be the way to secure victory, according to our experts. Songwriter Thomas Stengaard co-wrote Denmark’s 2013 winner Only Teardrops (as well as this year’s *** entry What the Hell Just Happened by Remember Monday). He puts his success down, in part, to its simple staging, which he says made it easy to remember. “If you asked a kid to draw that staging, they could. It was a girl with no shoes on, two guys playing the drums and a flute guy. Very simple, but it worked.” Getty Images Only Teardrops and its ‘simple staging’ was the 2013 winner Vocal coach Carrie Grant, who led the ***’s jury in 2014 and came sixth in the contest as part of Sweet Dreams in 1983, agrees. “There is nothing worse than having an artist whose stage has lots of money but their performance doesn’t warrant it,” she says. “It makes that performance seem worse.” The 2014 winner (and Carrie’s personal favourite) was Conchita Wurst – the first act to win the contest without backing singers or dancers on stage since 1970. What made Conchita stand out was that she was a bearded drag queen. Carrie believes Eurovision fans love things that are quirky and that “embrace the LGBT community”. Carrie Grant (right) represented the *** in the 1983 song contest – on a stage that just featured three stools But she adds that Conchita wasn’t a gimmick but instead “a brilliant singer who could deliver what we call in vocal coaching ‘money moments'”. The key is key Minor-key songs increasingly dominate Eurovision. Bennett debunks the idea that “major equals happy, minor equals sad”, adding that “minor keys are more a shorthand for emotional depth”. In 2023, 85% of finalists performed in minor keys, according to the Press Association. In the last 20 years, only two major-key songs have won – 2011’s Running Scared (for Azerbaijan) and 2017’s Amar Pelos Dois. Professor Elizabeth Hellmuth Margulis, a researcher in music cognition at Princeton, highlights source sensitivity – our instinct to associate a song’s sound with its intended context. A few bars of a techno song, for example, and we have a mental image of a dark nightclub, and of the sort of DJ who might perform there. Remember Monday are attempting to buck Eurovision trends with a major-key song This means certain minor keys now immediately signal “Eurovision-ness” to audiences. Remember Monday’s What the Hell Just Happened was written at a songwriting camp, with multiple songwriters working together at a countryside retreat to write the perfect song for this year’s *** act. The song was intentionally written in a major key to stand out in a sea of minor-key songs – similar to the ***’s 2022 second-place entry, Spaceman by Sam Ryder (B Major). Have a surprise up your sleeve Repetition is important to make a song stick in the mind, says Margulis. But songs should avoid being too repetitive. Margulis says that what particularly makes a song catchy is “not only when they are heard repeatedly, but also when they throw in some kind of surprise twist”. Bucks Fizz’s 1981 winner for the ***, Making Your Mind Up, is a classic example. First, the song changes key, quickly followed by a memorable costume change in which the female singers’ skirts were ripped off to reveal shorter skirts – a joint visual and musical twist. Bucks Fizz’s skirt-shedding routine helped win them the competition in 1981 Earlier Eurovision winners were often mocked for their nonsense lyrics, like Sweden’s 1984 winner Diggi-Loo Diggi-Ley, but Bennett argues this highlights Eurovision’s strong focus on melody. “Eurovision really needs big melodic hooks. You want people across Europe to be singing that melody. The need for a very accessible, catchy chorus is essential.” Key changes have long been a way to introduce novelty into Eurovision songs. The 2000s saw multiple winners follow this formula, including Olsen Brothers’ Fly on the Wings of Love for Norway (2000), and Serbia’s Molitva in 2007. But as Bennett points out, though they are still present in around a fifth of finalists, no song with a final chorus key change has won since Molitva almost 20 years ago. Stengaard’s song for this year’s *** act Remember Monday is certainly full of surprises. BBC music correspondent Mark Savage said the song featured “a dizzying array of key changes and tempo shifts”. The song is the songwriter’s answer to the question he asks himself whenever he writes for Eurovision: “How do you stand out in a contest where everyone wants to stand out?” Source link #win #Eurovision #Song #Contest #experts Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump fires director of U.S. Copyright Office, sources say Trump fires director of U.S. Copyright Office, sources say The Trump administration has fired the head of the U.S. Copyright Office, two sources familiar with the situation confirmed to CBS News Saturday. The firing of Register of Copyrights Shira Perlmutter came after Perlmutter and her office earlier this week issued part three of a lengthy report about artificial intelligence and expressed some concerns and questions about the usage of copyrighted materials by AI technology. “It is an open question, however, how much data an AI developer needs, and the marginal effect of more data on a model’s capabilities,” the report read. “Not everyone agrees that further increases in data and test performance will necessarily lead to continued real world improvements in utility.” CBS News has reached out to the White House for comment. President Trump has been a major proponent of AI. Immediately after taking office, he announced a joint venture involving OpenAI, Softbank and Oracle that will invest up to $500 billion in private sector money to build artificial intelligence infrastructure. Perlmutter had held the position since October 2020, during the first Trump Administration. She was appointed to the post by now former Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden, who herself was fired by Mr. Trump on Thursday. Democratic Rep. Joe Morelle of New York, ranking member of the Committee on House Administration, said in a statement that Perlmutter’s firing was “a brazen, unprecedented power grab with no legal basis.” Morelle speculated that there was “surely no coincidence he acted less than a day after she refused to rubber-stamp Elon Musk’s efforts to mine troves of copyrighted works to train AI models,” in reference to the report released by the Copyright Office this week. Last month, Musk took to his social media platform X to seemingly express support for the abolition of intellectual property laws. Musk also owns AI startup xAI, with which in February he submitted a failed bid to purchase OpenAI, the company that operates ChatGPT. The U.S. Copyright Office, which has a staff of approximately 450 people, is a department of the Library of Congress. It is tasked with registering copyright claims, recording copyright ownership information and administering copyright law, among other things. More from CBS News Scott MacFarlane Scott MacFarlane is CBS News’ Justice correspondent. He has covered Washington for two decades, earning 20 Emmy and Edward R. Murrow awards. His reporting has resulted directly in the passage of five new laws. Source link #Trump #fires #director #U.S #Copyright #Office #sources Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]