Pelican Press

Vance called Indian prime minister to encourage ceasefire talks after receiving alarming intelligence, sources say Vance called Indian prime minister to encourage ceasefire talks after receiving alarming intelligence, sources say A core group of top US officials — including Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State and interim national security adviser Marco Rubio, and White House chief of staff Susie Wiles — had been closely monitoring the escalating conflict between India and Pakistan when on Friday morning, the US received alarming intelligence, Trump administration officials told CNN. While they declined to describe the nature of the information, citing its sensitivity, they said it was critical in persuading the three officials that the US should increase its involvement. Vance himself would call Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The vice president briefed President Donald Trump on the plan, then spoke with Modi at noon ET on Friday, making clear to the Indian prime minister that the White House believed there was a high probability for dramatic escalation as the conflict went into the weekend, the administration officials said. Vance encouraged Modi to have his country communicate with Pakistan directly and to consider options for de-escalation, the officials said. The behind-the-scenes details of the US involvement have not previously been reported. At that point, the officials said, the US believed the nuclear-armed neighbors were not talking, and it needed to get them back to the bargaining table. Vance also outlined to Modi a potential off-ramp that the US understood the Pakistanis would be amenable to, the officials said, though they did not offer details. Following the call, State Department officials, including Rubio, began working the phones with their counterparts in India and Pakistan through the night, the sources said. Rubio had been calling people in the region beginning Tuesday with a general idea of how to reach a ceasefire, but the administration left the finer details of the agreement for India and Pakistan to work out directly. “There was a lot of effort going on to try and tamp down escalation earlier in the week, and it was clear at that point that the two sides weren’t talking,” one of the officials familiar with Rubio’s calls to his counterparts said. “The goal earlier this week was to encourage India and Pakistan to talk with our counterparts and figure out a path to de-escalation through a ceasefire, and through the course of those conversations, US officials were able to gain insights into what those potential off-ramps look like for both sides, and be able to help relay that message and bridge some of that communications divide, which then allowed the two sides to actually talk and get to the point where we are now,” the source said. The Trump administration was not involved in helping draft the agreement, the administration officials said and viewed its role mostly as getting the two sides to talk. But from the US perspective, Vance’s call to Modi was a critical moment. Vance traveled to India and met with the prime minister last month, and Trump officials believed his relationship with Modi would help on the call, officials said. Vance’s call with Modi came just a day after the vice president said the conflict was “none of our business,” downplaying the potential for US influence. “What we can do is try to encourage these folks to de-escalate a little bit, but we’re not going to get involved in the middle of war that’s fundamentally none of our business and has nothing to do with America’s ability to control it,” Vance told Fox News on Thursday. “You know, America can’t tell the Indians to lay down their arms. We can’t tell the Pakistanis to lay down their arms. And so, we’re going to continue to pursue this thing through diplomatic channels,” Vance said. The ceasefire was reached following a day of intense fighting Saturday. The Trump administration officials said precise details of how the ceasefire will be monitored are still being determined. Blasts were heard in India-administered Kashmir and over Pakistan-administered Kashmir hours after the ceasefire announcement. Trump announced the “full and immediate ceasefire” on social media Saturday morning, and Rubio minutes later posted, “I am pleased to announce the Governments of India and Pakistan have agreed to an immediate ceasefire and to start talks on a broad set of issues at a neutral site.” State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said the ceasefire was a result of several conversations between Rubio and Vance over the past 48 hours between top officials in each country. “It was a beautiful partnership,” Bruce said Saturday on NewsNation, praising Vance and Rubio for “implementing the insight and vision of President Trump.” While Pakistan praised US involvement in the talks, India has downplayed it. “We thank President Trump for his leadership and proactive role for peace in the region,” Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif wrote on X about three hours after Trump announced the ceasefire. India’s foreign secretary, Vikram Misri, did not mention US involvement when announcing the agreement, and an Indian statement said the deal was worked out “directly” between the two countries. It should not be surprising that these bitter rivals have given contradictory accounts of how the ceasefire was reached. In their long history of tensions, India and Pakistan have both viewed foreign intervention differently. India, which views itself as an ascendant superpower, has long been resistant to international mediation, whereas Pakistan, which is heavily dependent on foreign aid, tends to welcome it, analysts say. CNN’s Kit Maher, Sophia Saifi and Christian Edwards contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Source link #Vance #called #Indian #prime #minister #encourage #ceasefire #talks #receiving #alarming #intelligence #sources Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Study finds *******-causing chemicals in several popular beauty products used by ****** and Latina women – The Independent Study finds *******-causing chemicals in several popular beauty products used by ****** and Latina women – The Independent Study finds *******-causing chemicals in several popular beauty products used by ****** and Latina women The IndependentCancer-causing chemicals are in many beauty products women use, a study finds NPR‘Known Carcinogen’ Found in Popular Beauty Products for Women People.comHow everyday beauty products could pose a toxic health threat The Washington PostFormaldehyde releasers found in common personal care products used especially by ****** and Latina women Medical Xpress Source link #Study #finds #cancercausing #chemicals #popular #beauty #products #****** #Latina #women #Independent Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

AI firms warned to calculate threat of super intelligence or risk it escaping human control | Artificial intelligence (AI) AI firms warned to calculate threat of super intelligence or risk it escaping human control | Artificial intelligence (AI) Artificial intelligence companies have been urged to replicate the safety calculations that underpinned Robert Oppenheimer’s first nuclear test before they release all-powerful systems. Max Tegmark, a leading voice in AI safety, said he had carried out calculations akin to those of the US physicist Arthur Compton before the Trinity test and had found a 90% probability that a highly advanced AI would pose an existential threat. The US government went ahead with Trinity in 1945, after being reassured there was a vanishingly small chance of an atomic bomb igniting the atmosphere and endangering humanity. In a paper published by Tegmark and three of his students at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), they recommend calculating the “Compton constant” – defined in the paper as the probability that an all-powerful AI escapes human control. In a 1959 interview with the US writer Pearl Buck, Compton said he had approved the test after calculating the odds of a runaway fusion reaction to be “slightly less” than one in three million. Tegmark said that AI firms should take responsibility for rigorously calculating whether Artificial Super Intelligence (ASI) – a term for a theoretical system that is superior to human intelligence in all aspects – will evade human control. “The companies building super-intelligence need to also calculate the Compton constant, the probability that we will lose control over it,” he said. “It’s not enough to say ‘we feel good about it’. They have to calculate the percentage.” Tegmark said a Compton constant consensus calculated by multiple companies would create the “political will” to agree global safety regimes for AIs. Tegmark, a professor of physics and AI researcher at MIT, is also a co-founder of the Future of Life Institute, a non-profit that supports safe development of AI and published an open letter in 2023 calling for pause in building powerful AIs. The letter was signed by more than 33,000 people including Elon Musk – an early supporter of the institute – and Steve Wozniak, the co-founder of Apple. The letter, produced months after the release of ChatGPT launched a new era of AI development, warned that AI labs were locked in an “out-of-control race” to deploy “ever more powerful digital minds” that no one can “understand, predict, or reliably control”. Tegmark spoke to the Guardian as a group of AI experts including tech industry professionals, representatives of state-backed safety bodies and academics drew up a new approach for developing AI safely. The Singapore Consensus on Global AI Safety Research Priorities report was produced by Tegmark, the world-leading computer scientist Yoshua Bengio and employees at leading AI companies such as OpenAI and Google DeepMind. It set out three broad areas to prioritise in AI safety research: developing methods to measure the impact of current and future AI systems; specifying how an AI should behave and designing a system to achieve that; and managing and controlling a system’s behaviour. Referring to the report, Tegmark said the argument for safe development in AI had recovered its footing after the most recent governmental AI summit in Paris, when the US vice-president, JD Vance, said the AI future was “not going to be won by hand-wringing about safety”. Tegmark said: “It really feels the gloom from Paris has gone and international collaboration has come roaring back.” Source link #firms #warned #calculate #threat #super #intelligence #risk #escaping #human #control #Artificial #intelligence Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Kyiv ceasefire talks mark a ‘significant moment’, says Starmer Kyiv ceasefire talks mark a ‘significant moment’, says Starmer Sir Keir Starmer has said that the outcome of talks between Ukraine’s allies in Kyiv marks a “significant moment” in the push to secure a ceasefire in its conflict with Russia – but admitted it was not “the end of the process”. Speaking to the BBC in Kyiv following a virtual meeting of the “coalition of the willing”, the prime minister said “we haven’t seen unity like this pretty well throughout the conflict”. Around 30 global leaders reasserted their call for Russia to agree to a 30-day unconditional ceasefire from Monday, threatening “massive” sanctions if it does not comply. Noting other conflicts including India-Pakistan hostilities, Sir Keir said “we are living in a more uncertain world” that “requires leadership stepping up”. The *** prime minister joined French President Emmanuel Macron, ******* Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk for the meeting, which was hosted by Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Zelensky. Other members of the “coalition of the willing” participated remotely, including Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, ********* PM Mark Carney, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, and Mark Rutte, the secretary-general of Nato. In a phone call with Donald Trump following the meeting, the US president reportedly reaffirmed his support for the ceasefire, after Vladimir Putin rejected his initial proposal in March. Sir Keir said Trump was “absolutely clear that this is a demand that must be met”. The leaders assembled in Kyiv warned that “new and massive” sanctions will be imposed on Russia’s energy and banking sectors if Putin does not agree to the unconditional 30-day ceasefire “in the air, at sea and on land”. Sir Keir told the BBC that “material progress” had been made during the meeting. “We’ve been able to collectively get to a much better position and a more unified position today that holds out a better prospect of a ceasefire,” he said. “You’ve got unity in the demand, but also unity in what the response will be if the demand is not met. We haven’t seen that sort of unity during this conflict.” “I’m not going to pretend this is the end of the process but this is a significant moment we now need to push on and make sure this happens,” he added. Further coordinating sanctions on Russian oil, fossil fuels and other assets would make a “material difference”, the prime minister said. The Kremlin reacted to the proposal by accusing European leaders of making “contradictory” and “generally confrontational” remarks about Russia. Press secretary Dmitry Peskov said that Ukraine’s allies must stop sending weapons to Ukraine before any ceasefire can happen – something European leaders have rejected – before later saying Russia would consider the proposal. “We have to think about this. This is a new development,” state-run Russian news agency Tass reported Peskov as saying. The Kyiv meeting was a symbolic show of support for Ukraine a day after more than 20 world leaders joined Putin in Moscow for Russia’s World War Two Victory Day parade. The massive military parade was held in Moscow’s Red Square to commemorate the defeat of Nazi Germany in 1945 with leaders including China’s Xi Jinping, Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and Prime Minister Robert Fico of Slovakia, an EU member, in attendance. “It was a hugely important, symbolic day here in Kyiv because there was a propaganda exercise in Moscow yesterday,” Sir Keir told the BBC. “80 years on from VE Day it was really important that we were here today… to demonstrate that the values that underpinned what was being fought for 80 years ago are the same values now”. Asked whether he feels “scared about the state of the world” as others in Britain do – given conflicts in the Middle East and India-Pakistan tensions – Sir Keir said “we are living in a more uncertain world and we’re in a different era of defence and security”. But he said it did not keep him up at night “because it’s really important that I focus on what I can do – bringing people together, making significant steps today, making sure we’re preparing with Ukraine for what might happen next”. The so-called “coalition of the willing” was established by the *** and France to reinforce any eventual peace deal with security guarantees, including the presence of peacekeeping troops in Ukraine. Source link #Kyiv #ceasefire #talks #mark #significant #moment #Starmer Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Australia has been hesitant – but could robots soon be delivering your pizza? | Robots Australia has been hesitant – but could robots soon be delivering your pizza? | Robots Robots zipping down footpaths may sound futuristic, but they are increasingly being put to work making deliveries around the world – though a legal minefield and cautious approach to new tech means they are largely absent in Australia. Retail and food businesses have been using robots for a variety of reasons, with hazard detection robots popping up in certain Woolworths stores and virtual waiters taking dishes from kitchens in understaffed restaurants to hungry diners in recent years. Overseas, in jurisdictions such as California, robots are far more visible in everyday life. Following on from the first wave of self-driving car trials in cities such as San Francisco, humans now also share footpaths with robots. Likened to lockers on wheels, companies including Serve Robotics and Coco have partnered with Uber Eats and Doordash, which have armies of robots travelling along footpaths in Los Angeles delivering takeaway meals and groceries. Delivery robots have also been delivering food for years in Europe, with cities in Sweden, Finland and the United Kingdom being among places where customers can use food delivery apps to order a robot to bring them their order. However, autonomous delivery robots are largely absent from the *********** market. Legal ‘minefield’ One of the biggest hurdles standing in the way of the technology spreading in Australia is the legal status and safety concerns of delivery robots. When Australia Post trialled a robotic “mobile parcel locker” in Brisbane in 2017, its usefulness was questioned due to the requirement it be escorted by a human at all times and could only carry one parcel at a time. Unlike food delivery by drone – a technology for which trials have been greenlit and has been serving airspace in parts of Melbourne and south-east Queensland for years – robots’ status in law is unclear. Robots fall into a grey area in the already scattered and varied road and footpath laws of different states and councils across the country, said Christine Eldridge, a solicitor at Shine lawyers who works on cases related to motor vehicle accidents. Eldridge likened the regulatory status of delivery robots to that of e-scooters. A lack of provisions for how these new vehicles can be legally used, be it e-scooters, robots or other devices that don’t meet the legal definition of a motor vehicle, means the technologies are largely banned by default in public except in a few council areas with trials in place. An Uber Eats food delivery robot makes its way through pedestrians during its demonstration for media in Tokyo, Japan, 5 March, 2024. Photograph: Shuji Kajiyama/AP “Legislation in respect of compensation claims and responsibility, for example, doesn’t really contemplate robots. The laws don’t keep pace with technology,” she said. “It’s a bit of a minefield” Eldridge said. Hussein Dia, a professor of future urban mobility at Swinburne University, agrees that current laws are unclear, something which makes companies hesitant to bring delivery robot technologies to Australia. “There isn’t anything in law to say they are allowed, but there’s also nothing saying they’re banned,” Dia said. The commonwealth government is formulating a legal and regulatory framework for autonomous vehicles more broadly, including for passenger-carrying self-driving cars, with laws expected in 2026. Dia is hopeful that authorities “do a little bit more risk taking” in what they unveil, to help Australia catch up on progress overseas and to “demystify” the technology for other road and footpath users. “The evidence is they’re quite safe.” Establishing zones where autonomous vehicles and robots can operate next to pedestrians and motorists requires detailed preparation – mapping streets, footpaths, and changes in topography. Additionally, with food robots, they are forced to stick to low speeds, such as under 10km/h, and have an array of sensors onboard to sense obstacles and other hazards which, if detected, will stop the device in its tracks. Reducing pollution, traffic, and labour costs Once the obstacles are overcome, delivery robots can bring serious benefits. “In inner-city areas, they can replace cars that pollute and contribute to traffic and take parking.” Prof Michael Bell, of the University of Sydney’s Institute of Transport and Logistics Studies, believes the use case for delivery robots in Australia is behind that in overseas cities with greater population density and easier terrain to navigate. Instead, agriculture and mining are the industries leading the way for robotics in Australia, he said. Delivery robots’ appeal lies in cutting labour costs and boosting efficiency in more certain and controlled environments, such as meeting couriers at the entrance to high-rise buildings to save them navigating elevators, or transporting food across university campuses. Monash University’s Connected Autonomous Vehicle team has developed a delivery robot specifically designed for defined areas such as campuses, industrial parks, shopping centres and hospitals. Photograph: Eugene Hyland/The Guardian “Couriers are expensive, so I think there is an economic driver here. Anything that can reduce courier kilometres or hours is going to be attractive,” Bell said. Kate Letheren, an associate professor at the *********** Catholic University’s Peter Faber business school, predicts robots will lead to cheaper delivery options. “We may eventually see decreases or perhaps tiered service offerings based on whether items are delivered by ground transport, air transport, a human, or a human augmented by technology,” she said. “What we’ll likely see first is increased value for customers, not necessarily in terms of price but in addressing common consumer annoyances around delivery,” she said. The new technology could also bring challenges. By making deliveries cheaper and more accessible, both through robots and drones, researchers have predicted Australians are set to eat more junk food, with implications for public health. Local innovation The blurry legal status of delivery robots in Australia hasn’t stopped local innovation, with startups instead focussing on establishing the technology in private environments. A team of student engineers from the Monash University’s Connected Autonomous Vehicle team has developed a delivery robot specifically designed for defined areas such as campuses, industrial parks, shopping centres and hospitals. The robot, named Ari, is about one metre wide and tall, and relies on setting up a series of camera-like sensors across a specific area to travel at a speed of up to 6km/h. Ari relies on communicating with these sensors to move from a restaurant – where an employee loads an order – to a customer, as opposed to needing a constant internet connection to communicate with a control base. The Monash University Ari robot in actionMonash University’s Ari robot in action. It means a higher upfront cost in establishing the network of sensors, but much less for the individual robots which are cheaper to build and ultimately to scale. “The idea is that you have those high-density environments where you can install a bunch of cameras all at once. As they become more popular, they’re much cheaper to keep adding and bringing more online,” said 24-year-old Shray Bagga, part of the team behind Ari. Additionally, Ari boasts a unique feature its inventors believe sets it apart from competition. Heating and chilling compartments mean each Ari robot can be configured to deliver multiple orders at specific temperatures, meaning pizzas arrive piping hot, ice creams arrive frozen and pharmaceuticals remain at safe temperatures. Ari has already begun delivering food such as burgers and burritos across Monash University’s Clayton campus, with its inventors now looking to commercialise the technology. Fellow inventor John Bui, 24, said beyond its labour saving potential, the temperature controlled compartments give Ari an advantage over competing robots and traditional delivery workers. “Imagine a coffee or burrito arriving not just warm but hot,” Bui said. Ultimately, beyond the legal and technological hurdles, other key barriers slowing uptake of delivery robots could be behavioural and psychological. “There is already a tension between pedestrians and e-scooter riders, so you could expect some tension if someone hungry is walking late at night and tries to tackle a robot to get a hold of a pizza,” Dia said. “Obviously there will be locks protecting the food, but you hope people will treat them in a respectful way.” Source link #Australia #hesitant #robots #delivering #pizza #Robots Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

The Mother's Day gift these 'supermums' are hoping for The Mother's Day gift these 'supermums' are hoping for Millions of *********** mums are celebrating Mother’s Day, but some parents will also be facing significant struggles with twins, triplets and more to manage. Source link #Mother039s #Day #gift #039supermums039 #hoping Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Bangladesh’s interim government bans the former ruling party of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Bangladesh’s interim government bans the former ruling party of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) — The interim government in Bangladesh on Saturday banned all activities of the former ruling Awami League party headed by former influential Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was ousted last year in a mass uprising. Asif Nazrul, the country’s law affairs adviser, said late Saturday the interim Cabinet headed by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus decided to ban the party’s activities online and elsewhere under the country’s Anti-Terrorism Act. The ban would stay in place until a special tribunal completes a trial of the party and its leaders over the deaths of hundreds of students and other protesters during an anti-government uprising in July and August last year. “This decision is aimed at ensuring national security and sovereignty, protection of activists of the July movement, and plaintiffs and witnesses involved in the tribunal proceedings,” Nazrul told reporters after a special Cabinet meeting. Nazrul said the meeting Saturday also expanded scope for trying any political parties involving charges of killing during the anti-Hasina protest being handled by the International Crimes Tribunal. He said a government notification regarding the ban would be published soon with details. Hasina and many of her senior party colleagues have been accused of ******* in many cases after her ouster last year. Hasina has been in exile in India since Aug. 5 as her official residence was stormed by protesters soon after she left the country. The United Nations human rights office in a report said in February that up to 1,400 people may have been killed during three weeks of anti-Hasina protest. Saturday night’s dramatic decision came after thousands of protesters, including supporters of a newly formed political party by students, took to the streets in Dhaka and issued an ultimatum to ban the Awami League party by Saturday night. The student-led uprising ended Hasina’s 15 years of rule, and three days after her fall Yunus took the helm as interim leader. Source link #Bangladeshs #interim #government #bans #ruling #party #ousted #Prime #Minister #Sheikh #Hasina Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry can’t keep their hands off each other during date night at Beyoncé’s LA concert – New York Post Meghan Markle and Prince Harry can’t keep their hands off each other during date night at Beyoncé’s LA concert – New York Post Meghan Markle and Prince Harry can’t keep their hands off each other during date night at Beyoncé’s LA concert New York PostDuchess Meghan, Prince Harry cozy up for date night at Beyoncé’s L.A. concert USA TodayMeghan Markle Shares Rare PDA Moments to Mark ‘Very Fun Date Night’ with Prince Harry at Beyoncé’s L.A. Concert People.comPrince Harry sweetly kisses Meghan Markle, subtly pays tribute to their kids at Beyoncé’s ‘Cowboy Carter’ show Page SixDuchess Meghan and Prince Harry Saddle Up for Beyoncé’s L.A. Tour Stop Harper’s BAZAAR Source link #Meghan #Markle #Prince #Harry #hands #date #night #Beyoncés #concert #York #Post Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

BBC One – The Women’s Football Show, 2024/25, 10/05/2025 BBC One – The Women’s Football Show, 2024/25, 10/05/2025 Highlights from the final weekend of the Women’s Super League 2024/25 season as Chelsea host Liverpool, Manchester United travel to Arsenal and Manchester City welcome Crystal Palace. The other fixtures are Aston Villa v Brighton & Hove Albion, Everton v Tottenham Hotspur and Leicester City v West Ham United. Show less Source link #BBC #Womens #Football #Show Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Comedian Melanie Bracewell to perform her show A Little Treat at The Regal Theatre on Friday, May 16 Comedian Melanie Bracewell to perform her show A Little Treat at The Regal Theatre on Friday, May 16 For popular comedian Melanie Bracewell, travelling to WA from the east coast of Australia is like an international trip. “I won’t forget how far away (Perth) is because I’m from New Zealand and it is quicker for me to get home than it is to get to WA,” she said. “But when I go to Perth I really try to make the most of it, it feels like an international trip for me. “I have a few family members there as well. It’s always nice to catch up with them.” The 29-year-old will perform her one-hour show A Little Treat at The Regal Theatre on Friday, bringing a chaotic night in her life to the stage. “The show is basically about my lack of self control which I have now pinned down to actually being diagnosed with ADHD,” she said. “It’s about one evening of my life that went a bit chaotic and led to me finally the next morning booking to get an ADHD assessment — so it’s me recounting that evening. It’s been so fun to perform.” Bracewell also believes she is the only person in Australia and New Zealand to still be playing Candy Crush. Her pre-show ritual consists of doing and re-doing her eyeliner “about 15 times”, listening to a recording of the show she is about to perform and a quick go on the colourful, candy matching game from 2012. Camera IconMelanie Bracewell. Credit: Supplied “Right before I go on stage, I am playing Candy Crush on my phone, it’s just another mind-numbing thing that helps me not panic or think about the crowd,” she said. “I know it’s kind of pathetic. I think I’m on about level 4000, it’s actually quite sad.” One of the Auckland native’s favourite moments from her current tour was from one of her Adelaide shows in February, when an audience member totally misunderstood a question the comedian asked her. “I talk a bit about netball in my show and so I’ve been chatting to audience members about netball and I asked ‘Who played netball?’” she recalled. “This girl in my Adelaide show, I said ‘What’s your position?’ and she said ‘I’m an admin consultant for a construction company’.” The spontaneity of stand-up comedy is one reason Bracewell loves her job, but she also gets to provide the laughs on the TV show she hosts, The Cheap Seats, alongside Tim McDonald. The show has entered its fifth season this year and while some may perceive a love-hate relationship between the pair, Bracewell said none of the “piss-taking” was serious. “We have such a good relationship because we really can sledge each other because we know we have a deep respect for each other, (although) I hope you’re not interviewing him and he goes I hate Mel,” she said. “None of it is serious, it’s all just entertainment, I think that’s my love language as well, when people rip into me or I can rip into someone else, that’s how I know we’re friends.” After her tour wraps up, Bracewell plans to stay busy with the Channel 10 show, saying many were surprised to learn the pair write it themselves. “Tim and I write the show, like we don’t just turn up and read an autocue,” she said. “Tim and I find most of the clips. We have a couple of researchers who submit some suggestions, but Tim and I will come in on Monday and be like ‘This is what I’ve watched; This is what I’ve seen’ and I think it helps the show with the authenticity of it because we know that we both find it’s very funny. “We’re not just presenting this to an audience and asking some writer to put this together, and we’re just gonna say it out loud and take all the credit for it. We really believe in it.” She also hoped to finally get a sitcom off the ground. “I am trying to work on writing a sitcom. I mean, I probably talk more about writing a sitcom than I have spent actually writing a sitcom,” she said. “It’s a real goal of mine. I love TV so much, and I think it‘d be a great challenge to put together a fiction show from scratch.” At one point during our interview, Bracewell was kicked out of the room she was speaking from and almost forgot her swipe card that ensured she didn’t get locked out of the building. After some pauses and a brief, awkward interaction at her end, Bracewell reassured me she was now in the privacy of the hallway “As you can probably tell, I’m quite a chaotic person. Stand-up has made me embrace that more and view it as a positive,” she said. “I end up having interesting stories because I don’t think things through very well, and I reflect on it well.” Our chat is interrupted again, by a man kindly handing back her Apple AirPods case she left in the room she was booted from. That reminded Bracewell of the last show she toured “about me tracking down my AirPods that someone had stolen and used”. At least this time, “quite poignantly”, she had them swiftly returned. As our interview ended, Bracwell wished me luck in translating our conversation into written form. Source link #Comedian #Melanie #Bracewell #perform #show #Treat #Regal #Theatre #Friday Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

As US and China begin trade talks in Geneva, Trump’s tariff hammer looks less mighty than he claims As US and China begin trade talks in Geneva, Trump’s tariff hammer looks less mighty than he claims WASHINGTON (AP) — The way President Donald Trump sees it, beating China in a trade war should be easy. After all, his logic goes, the ******** sell Americans three times as much stuff as Americans sell them. Therefore, they have more to lose. Inflict enough pain, like the combined 145% taxes he slapped on ******** imports last month, and they’ll beg for mercy. Trump’s treasury secretary, Scott Bessent has confidently compared Beijing to a card player stuck with a losing hand. “They’re playing with a pair of twos,’’ he said. Somebody forgot to tell China. So far, the ******** have refused to fold under the pressure of Trump’s massive tariffs. Instead, they have retaliated with triple-digit tariffs of their own. “All bullies are just paper tigers,’’ the ******** Foreign Ministry declared in a video last week. “Kneeling only invites more bullying.’’ The stakes are high between the world’s two biggest economies whose trade topped $660 billion last year. Bessent and Trump’s top trade negotiator, Jamieson Greer, are heading to Geneva this weekend for initial trade talks with top ******** officials. Trump suggested Friday that the U.S. could lower its tariffs on China, saying in a Truth Social post that “80% Tariff seems right! Up to Scott.″ While businesses and investors welcome any easing of tensions, the prospects for a quick and significant breakthrough appear dim. “These are talks about talks, and China may be coming to assess what’s on the table — or even just to buy time,” said Craig Singleton, senior China fellow at the Washington-based think tank Foundation for Defense of Democracies. “There’s no shared roadmap or clear pathway to de-escalation.” But if the two countries eventually agree to scale back the massive taxes — tariffs — they have slapped on each other’s goods, it would relieve world financial markets and companies on both sides of the Pacific Ocean that depend on U.S.-China trade. “The companies involved in this trade on both sides just cannot afford waiting anymore,” said economist John Gong of the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing. In a worst-case scenario, China could walk away from the negotiations if it feels the U.S. side isn’t treating China as an equal or isn’t willing to take the first step to deescalate, Gong said. “I think if (Bessent) doesn’t go into this negotiation with this kind of mindset, this could be very difficult,” he said. For now, the two countries can’t even agree on who requested the talks. “The meeting is being held at the request of the U.S. side,’’ ******** Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said Wednesday. Trump disagreed. “They ought to go back and study their files,” he said. Trump’s faith in tariffs meet economic reality What seems clear is that Trump’s favorite economic weapon — import taxes, or tariffs — has not proved as mighty as he’d hoped. “For Trump, what’s happened here is that the rhetoric of his campaign has finally had to face economic reality,” said Jeff Moon, a trade official in the Obama administration who now runs the China Moon Strategies consultancy. “The idea that he was going to bring China to its knees in terms of tariffs was never going to work.’’ Trump views tariffs an all-purpose economic tool that can raise money for the U.S. Treasury, protect American industries, lure factories to the United States and pressure other countries to bend to his will, even on issues such as immigration and drug trafficking. He used tariffs in his first term and has been even more aggressive and unpredictable about imposing them in his second. He’s slapped a 10% tariff on almost every country in the world, blowing up the rules that had governed global trade for decades. But it’s his trade war with China that has really put markets and businesses on edge. It started in February when he announced a 10% levy on ******** imports. By April, Trump ratcheted up the taxes on China to a staggering 145%. Beijing upped its tariff on American products to 125%. Trump’s escalation sent financial markets tumbling and left U.S. retailers warning that they might run out of goods as U.S.-China trade implodes. U.S. consumers, worried about the prospect of empty shelves and higher prices, are losing confidence in the economy. “This was not very well planned,’’ said Zongyuan Zoe Liu, senior fellow in China studies at the Council on Foreign Relations. “I don’t think he intended to have the tariffs escalate into this chaos.’’ China was ready for a rematch When Trump hit ******** imports with tariffs during his first term, he charged that Beijing used unfair tactics, including cybertheft, to give its technology firms an edge. The two countries reached a truce — the so-called Phase One agreement — in January 2020; China agreed to buy more U.S. products, and Trump held off on even higher tariffs. But they didn’t resolve the big issues dividing them, including China’s subsidies of homegrown tech firms. China was ready for a rematch when Trump returned to the White House. It had worked to reduce its dependence on America’s massive market, cutting the U.S. share of its exports to 15% last year from more than 19% in 2018, according to Dexter Roberts of the Atlantic Council. Beijing is confident that the ******** people are more willing than Americans to endure the fallout from a trade war, including falling exports and shuttered factories. “For China, it’s painful, but it’s also imperative to withstand it, and it’s prepared to cope with it,’’ said Sun Yun, director of the China program at the Stimson Center. Dependency works both ways In addition to miscalculating ******** resolve, the Trump administration may have underestimated how much America relies on China. For decades, Americans have come to depend on ******** factories. They produce 97% of America’s imported baby carriages, 96% of its artificial flowers and umbrellas, 95% of its fireworks, 93% of its children’s coloring books and 90% of its combs. “Without us, what do they have to sell?” ******** toymaker Cheng Zhengren told Beijing News. “Their shelves would be empty.” The showerhead company Afina last month reported on an experiment suggesting that American consumers have little willingness to pay more for American-made products. Afina makes a filtered showerhead in China and Vietnam that retails for $129. Making the same product in America would lift the price to $239. When customers on the company’s website were given a choice between them, 584 chose the cheap Asian one; not one opted for the costlier U.S.-made version. And it’s not just consumers who depend on China. America’s own factories do, too. The National Association of Manufacturers calculates 47% of U.S. imports from China in 2023 were “manufacturing inputs’’ — industrial supplies, auto parts and capital equipment that American manufacturers used to make other their own products domestically. So Trump’s tariffs risk raising costs and reducing supplies that U.S. factories rely on, making them less competitive. Louise Loo, China economist at Oxford Economics, a consulting firm, said that China’s ability to reduce its dependence on the U.S. market in recent years means “they’re probably likely to be able to find substitutes for buyers, much easier than the U.S. side will be able to find suppliers.” Still, China won’t emerge from a trade war unscathed either. Citing the impact of the trade war, the International Monetary Fund last month downgraded the outlook for the ******** economy this year and next. “China needs the United States of America,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said at Friday’s news briefing. “They need our markets. They need our consumer base. And Secretary Bessent knows that he’s going to Switzerland this weekend with the full support and confidence and trust of the president here at home.” Indeed Moon, who also served as a diplomat in China, noted the tariffs cut both ways: “Both of them are highly dependent on bilateral trade. They have put themselves in a corner.’’ Jens Eskelund, president of the EU Chamber of Commerce in China, expressed relief that U.S. and ******** officials were meeting. “So good,’’ he said, pointing to the ******** conclave that just picked a new pope as inspiration. “Lock them in a room and then hopefully white smoke will come out.” ___ AP Staff Writers Christopher Rugaber, Seung Min Kim and Josh Boak in Washington, Ken Moritsugu in Beijing and Simina Mistreanu in Taipei contributed to this story. Source link #China #trade #talks #Geneva #Trumps #tariff #hammer #mighty #claims Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

“It tells a story that you don’t even know is happening “It tells a story that you don’t even know is happening Can anyone say that Todd Howard isn’t one of the most legendary developers out there? He’s the man responsible for Bethesda’s smash hits, such as the Elder Scrolls and Fallout franchises. Seriously, if it weren’t for his works, the RPG genre would’ve probably never achieved the heights it has. What might shock many is that Howard also finds inspiration in other games. That’s right, the Bethesda head actively studies competitor games and identifies their best mechanics to nail down for his upcoming games. Howard has a deep appreciation for one game in particular because it tells a story that players don’t even realize is happening. The game that has earned Todd Howard’s respect One might assume that Howard spends most of his time playing the best RPGs out there to fuel the next Bethesda titles. However, he’s a very dedicated gamer who enjoys a number of genres and games. While chatting with BAFTA, the Bethesda boss opened up about his love for games and what he enjoys playing the most. Howard explained the importance of player agency regarding his favorite game narratives. He believes that a game’s story shouldn’t unfold passively and involve players in shaping everything. According to him, Valve’s Portal excels in this aspect. One of my favorite game narratives is the game Portal. I love the way it tells the story that you don’t even know is happening If you still haven’t played Portal, it’s a game that doesn’t tell its story. Players must unravel the narrative through in-game tasks. Valve doesn’t make players silent observers; they have to go through all the exploration, puzzle solving, and interaction with the game’s world. Todd Howard enjoys Portal and BioShock for their narrative. (Image via Bethesda Game Studios) It’s not just Portal that excels in the narrative aspect for Howard; even the original BioShock aligns with the Valve title in this aspect. BioShock also brings a narrative based on player discovery and involvement. Let’s hope Howard can bring this narrative element to his own titles in the future as well. Bethesda boss believes this is the “best” game Todd Howard believes Tetris is a perfect video game. (Image via The Tetris Company) In the same BAFTA conversation, Howard revealed that his all-time favorite game is Ultima 7. If you haven’t played this franchise, it’s considered to be one of the classic RPGs that influenced Howard’s own creations, such as Skyrim and even Baldur’s Gate 3. While Ultima 7 is Howard’s favorite game, he doesn’t consider it to be the best game out there. For the Bethesda boss, that honor goes to Tetris, which he believes is genuinely the greatest game of all time. He’s labelled Tetris as a “perfect video game”, and that’s not shocking considering it’s one of the most addictive games out there, thanks to its design and gameplay loop. Howard is a big-time fan of sports games as well. He’s deeply in love with the NCAA Football series, now rebranded as EA Sports College Football. He’s spent more time playing the franchise than anything else. With that said, do you agree with Bethesda’s boss’s view that the Portal delivers an incredible narrative experience? Let us know in the comments below. Source link #tells #story #dont #happening Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Ras Baraka arrest: Trump administration eyes charging three more NJ Democrats in ICE fracas – CNBC Ras Baraka arrest: Trump administration eyes charging three more NJ Democrats in ICE fracas – CNBC Ras Baraka arrest: Trump administration eyes charging three more NJ Democrats in ICE fracas CNBCTrump administration threatens to arrest House Democrats over ICE facility incident AxiosNewark Mayor Ras Baraka Arrested at Protest Outside ICE Detention Center The New York TimesDem Congress members storm New Jersey ICE prison to conduct ‘oversight visit’: ‘People deserve dignity’ Fox NewsDHS Spokesperson: More Dem arrests are ‘on the table’ after ICE facility scrum Politico Source link #Ras #Baraka #arrest #Trump #administration #eyes #charging #Democrats #ICE #fracas #CNBC Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Red Dead Redemption 2 Game Engine Will Stop You from Becoming a Mass ********* Because “It’s not practical” Red Dead Redemption 2 Game Engine Will Stop You from Becoming a Mass ********* Because “It’s not practical” Ever wanted to become a mass ********* in a video game? While the law may fail to stop you from becoming one in Red Dead Redemption 2, the game engine certainly won’t. Rockstar’s approach to realism in the Red Dead series is different from GTA as the former’s realism is more akin to the real world. Red Dead Redemption 2 is perhaps Rockstar’s most detailed and realistic open world yet, giving players an incredible sense of freedom. But just like in the real world, freedom has its own set of restrictions. The realism in this game is way more believable, which, by default, sets it apart from the wildly absurd things that you can do in GTA. Rockstar’s approach to player freedom in Red Dead Redemption 2 is much more realistic In an IGN interview with Rockstar North co-studio head Rob Nelson, Nelson discussed that Rockstar’s approach to shaping player freedom in Red Dead Redemption 2 is much more realism-based. However, he revealed that the company did experiment with a more procedurally generated design, which would have allowed even more player freedom. Ultimately, they went with a more traditional approach for the final product. We played around with those ideas of procedural companion missions. We did have that in there and we found that we could not get the level of connectedness and sophistication that we wanted for those sort of experiences. […] I suppose you could do it, but […] the way that we make these worlds is [to] basically handcraft them. And so that would be some sort of procedural thing that would happen, and the content there – it’s just not practical. Due to this approach, Nelson explained that player freedom is limited in some aspects. For example, burning down an entire town or forest with large-scale fires won’t be possible since it would change the entire map. It would be nice, but no. Because it’s not practical. You could burn structures down, but a forest fire would change the map in such a way that it would change the feeling of the world and the things that are in there. So this proves that you cannot be a mass ********* in Red Dead Redemption 2, as the engine will surely catch up to you before the authorities do. But still, seven years later, the game has one of the most impressive open worlds ever. However, GTA6 is rumored to be taking the level of player freedom to the next level, while also being incredibly realistic at the same time. GTA6 may be bringing procedural object generation to the table Procedural object generation might be in GTA6 | Image Credit: Rockstar Games Rockstar is going all out in GTA6, as we can see from the new trailer, but they might also be bringing procedural object generation to the title. A Reddit user named ForwardMedicine7905 posted a screenshot of Ryan Woods’s LinkedIn profile on the GTA6 subreddit last year. The screenshot reveals that the person has been working on the game as a Principal Engine Programmer since 2020, and his job experience reveals that “procedural generation for objects and game environments” will be in it. His page has since been removed, but it is still exciting to know that the things that he mentioned may be in the final product. Rockstar always pushes the limits of technology with every game, and the case will be no different for the upcoming GTA6. So, what do you think about Rockstar’s approach to player freedom in Red Dead Redemption 2? Do you think the traditional approach benefited the game? Or would you have liked a more procedurally generated design? Let us know your thoughts and opinions in the comments section below. Source link #Red #Dead #Redemption #Game #Engine #Stop #Mass #********* #practical Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Eurovision Song Contest 2025: Who WA’s Marty Zambotto needs to shake off to claim Euro-glory in Switzerland Eurovision Song Contest 2025: Who WA’s Marty Zambotto needs to shake off to claim Euro-glory in Switzerland Australia’s entry Milkshake Man is a chance at this year’s songfest but faces stiff competition from a smorgasbord of acts ranging from sublime to very silly. Source link #Eurovision #Song #Contest #Marty #Zambotto #shake #claim #Euroglory #Switzerland Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Daughter of Maggie Gyllenhaal and Peter Sarsgaard arrested at Columbia University protests Daughter of Maggie Gyllenhaal and Peter Sarsgaard arrested at Columbia University protests The daughter of actors Maggie Gyllenhaal and Peter Sarsgaard was among those arrested at the latest Columbia University protests, marking the latest development in the anti-war demonstrations that also led to the temporary suspension of student journalists. On Friday, the New York Post reported that 18-year-old Ramona Sarsgaard – a Columbia freshman – was arrested during Wednesday’s campus protests where students demonstrated against Israel’s deadly war in Gaza. Sarsgaard was given a desk appearance ticket for criminal trespassing, the outlet reported, citing people familiar with the matter. The university did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the Post’s report. Related: Dozens of pro-************ protesters arrested after Columbia calls in police The arrest of Sarsgaard, along with dozens of others, came after anti-war student activists occupied part of the main Butler library building on Columbia University for several hours in a show of solidarity with ************ liberation. Renaming the space the Basel al-Araj People’s University, the students hung a sign that read “Strike for Gaza” while others distributed pamphlets calling on the university to divest from funds and businesses involved in Israel’s war there. Videos posted on social media showed students also locking arms and chanting: “We have nothing to lose but our chains!” In response, university officials called in the police, leading to many students being forcefully arrested. A statement on Wednesday from the university’s acting president, Claire Shipman, said: “Disruptions to our academic activities will not be tolerated and are violations of our rules and policies; this is especially unacceptable while our students study and prepare for final exams.” Meanwhile, a separate statement on social media from student activists said: “We are facing one of the largest militarized police forces in the world. Deputized public safety officers have choked and beaten us, but we have not wavered … We will not be useless intellectuals. Palestine is our compass, and we stand strong in the face of violent repression.” After the protests, Columbia University and its sister school Barnard College issued temporary suspensions to four student journalists who reported on the demonstrations at the library for Columbia Spectator and WKCR. The Columbia Spectator reported that the students identified themselves as press to public safety officers. According to the outlet, the students received email notices of their temporary suspensions on Thursday afternoon from rules administrator Gregory Wawro and Barnard dean Leslie Grinage. In his email to one of the student reporters, Wawro said the student may have “participated in a disruptive protest in 301 Butler Library”. Grinage wrote to the three other student reporters saying that their “alleged actions at Butler Library pose an ongoing threat of disruption of, or interference with, normal operations at both Barnard and Columbia”. Columbia University lifted its temporary suspension of one of the student reporters approximately five hours after the initial notification, the Columbia Spectator reports. At about 9am on Friday, Barnard College lifted the suspensions of the three other student journalists. The latest wave of student-led anti-war demonstrations at Columbia University come amid the the Trump administration’s sweeping crackdowns on student protests and free speech across US universities as Israel continues its deadly attacks on Gaza. In recent months, federal officials have detained numerous students for their anti-war activism, including Mohsen Mahdawi, a Columbia University student and green-card holder who was recently released. Others detained include Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate who remains in custody at an immigration detention facility in Louisiana. Source link #Daughter #Maggie #Gyllenhaal #Peter #Sarsgaard #arrested #Columbia #University #protests Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

ESPN reporters gang up on Warriors’ Draymond Green, call him ‘crazy person’ – SFGATE ESPN reporters gang up on Warriors’ Draymond Green, call him ‘crazy person’ – SFGATE ESPN reporters gang up on Warriors’ Draymond Green, call him ‘crazy person’ SFGATEDraymond upset with ‘agenda’ after drawing tech ESPNTimberwolves investigate after fans accused of ‘racially charged comments’ toward Warriors’ Draymond Green ABC NewsWhy Steve Kerr believes Draymond Green will be ready for Game 3 after incident NBC Sports Bay Area & CaliforniaColumn | Draymond Green is a lot of things, but he’s not a victim The Washington Post Source link #ESPN #reporters #gang #Warriors #Draymond #Green #call #crazy #person #SFGATE Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Marvel Rivals’ Player Count Is in Free Fall Marvel Rivals’ Player Count Is in Free Fall NetEase Games’ Marvel Rivals was released for PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S on December 6, 2024. Upon release, it quickly became one of the most popular free-to-play games in the world. The concept of combining a hero shooter with the Marvel Universe was exciting, quickly making it a fan favorite. The game maintained a steady active player count for a while, but now its graph is slowly going down. NetEase is doing everything to create anticipation among fans, including new heroes, maps, and skins, but it is just not enough to convince players to stay. A lot of this has to do with the matchmaking system and gameplay. The game lacks some crucial features that every hero shooter must have, plus its matchmaking system seems to be encouraging in-game purchases. Marvel Rivals is losing players at an alarming rate Marvel Rivals, which once managed to dethrone Overwatch 2, is now on the path to becoming just another forgotten hero shooter. As per Steamcharts.com, Marvel Rivals had 306,065 average players with a peak of 642,333 in January 2025, which is impressive, but that number fell to 134,118 average players with a peak of 315,153 in April 2025. That’s a drop of more than 50%, something that NetEase shouldn’t ignore. The season 2 update was dropped recently, and it isn’t doing much to attract players. In fact, the studio has confirmed that Ultron will be joining the game soon, but it is just not enough to save the game from that constant dip. At this rate, Marvel Rivals might lose 90% of its player base by the end of this year, and the only way to fix this problem is by listening to the players. Why are players uninstalling Marvel Rivals? Without a role ****** system, Marvel Rivals might not reach its full potential (Image via NetEase Games) It is natural for video games to lose players a few months after their release, as players often get bored with the concept. In Marvel Rivals‘ case, the game is struggling to prove why it is versatile. Players have been pointing out that the game lacks a role ****** system, or it has few technical issues, but NetEase seems to be ignoring it all. In fact, the studio has made it clear that role ****** is never coming to the game. It’s particularly annoying because giving players the freedom to pick any hero ruins team composition and results in a bad gaming experience. Instead of some exciting gameplay additions, players are constantly getting ridiculous skins, which are clearly designed to appeal to the male audience. No new hero, skin, or map can fix the gaming experience, so NetEase must start focusing on what players are suggesting. Some players have also claimed that the game uses an Engagement Optimized Matchmaking (EOMM) system instead of the traditional skill-based matchmaking system. The studio wants players to buy skins, as it is the only way to generate revenue from the game. If this is true, then the matchmaking system is completely artificial. Source link #Marvel #Rivals #Player #Count #Free #Fall Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Haaland returns but Man City stumble in Europe push Haaland returns but Man City stumble in Europe push The long-awaited return of Erling Haaland hasn’t stopped Manchester City from tumbling to another poor result in a season to forget for the deposed Premier League champions. Indeed, after a dire 0-0 draw at already-relegated Southampton on Saturday, even qualification for the lucrative Champions League — something taken for granted by City for so many seasons — is still far from certain with just two games left. Failing to beat the Premier League’s last-placed team, and one of the worst to ever play in England’s top-flight, threw City’s ambitions of a top-five finish back into doubt. Even more so with Aston Villa, one of a raft of clubs battling with City to get into the Champions League, beating Bournemouth 1-0 thanks to Ollie Watkins’ first-half goal. It could barely be tighter in that race. Third-placed City are now two points clear of Newcastle and Chelsea — who meet at St. James’ Park on Sunday — and also sixth-placed Villa. Nottingham Forest are two points further back but also have a game in hand, at home to already-relegated Leicester on Sunday. Six points separate Arsenal in second place and Forest in seventh. It seemed as if City had turned the corner after a terrible run of results from November to February that knocked Pep Guardiola’s team out of contention for a fifth-straight Premier League title as well as the Champions League. Indeed, arriving at Southampton on the back of four victories in a row and with star striker Haaland back after six weeks out with an ankle injury, City were even looking good to jump above Arsenal and finish second behind already-crowned champions Liverpool. Yet City were sluggish, Haaland barely got a chance and the recalled Phil Foden continued to look a shadow of the guy who was English soccer’s player of the year last season. This draw will revive the concerns about Guardiola’s team ahead of games to close their Premier League campaign, at home to Bournemouth, who are chasing a first ever qualification for European competition, and away to Fulham. Before that, they have the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace to distract them next weekend. Guardiola said it would be a “fight until the end” to qualify for the Champions League. “We take that point still. It’s in our hands,” he added. Southampton had one consolation.The draw moved them on to 12 points – one more than the lowest ever points haul in a single Premier League season, set by Derby in 2007-08. Finishing in eighth place could still secure qualification for next season’s Conference League — Europe’s third-tier competition — and that remains the carrot for Brentford and Brighton after they both won. Brentford beat already-relegated Ipswich 1-0 thanks to Kevin Schade’s glancing header from a corner in the 18th minute. Brighton won at Wolverhampton 2-0 after a 10th goal of the season by Danny Welbeck — a penalty in the 28th — and Brajan Gruda in the 85th. Source link #Haaland #returns #Man #City #stumble #Europe #push Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Officers witness shooting during group fight outside Seattle nightclub; two injured Officers witness shooting during group fight outside Seattle nightclub; two injured Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what’s in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience.Generate Key Takeaways Seattle police are investigating a shooting outside a Pioneer Square-area nightclub that left two people injured. Police said the shooting happened around 2:30 a.m. on May 10 at 2nd Ave. S and South Main Street. According to police, officers witnessed a group of people fighting outside a nightclub and then saw the shooting occur. When they reached the scene, they found a man who had been shot in the leg. Officers made a tourniquet on the man’s leg and he was then taken to Harborview Medical Center. Two people were detained at the scene for questioning and police recovered a gun used in the shooting. While police were investigating, a second shooting victim arrived at Swedish Hospital in First Hill with a gunshot wound to the lower back. The Seattle Fire Department took that person to Harborview Medical Center for their injuries. Police determined that the man was injured in the downtown shooting. This is the second violent incident that occurred outside the nightclub in the span of six days. On May 4, two people were stabbed and taken to the hospital for their injuries. Again, the stabbings stemmed from a fight, SPD said. It’s unclear if these incidents are related. If anyone has any information on the shooting, call the SPD Violent Crimes Tip Line at 206-233-5000. You can remain anonymous. Source link #Officers #witness #shooting #group #fight #Seattle #nightclub #injured Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump official says NJ Democrats could face charges Trump official says NJ Democrats could face charges Mayor Ras Baraka of Newark in handcuffs outside Delaney Hall detention facility in Newark, NJ on May 9, 2025. Courtesy: Newark Mayor’s Office The Trump administration suggested Saturday that New Jersey Democratic lawmakers involved in a clash a day earlier with authorities at a federal immigration detention center that led to the arrest of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka also could face criminal charges. “There will likely be more arrests coming,” Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin told CNN in an interview on Saturday. “We actually have body camera footage of some of these members of Congress assaulting these ICE enforcement officers, including body slamming a female ICE officer,” McLaughlin said. She later tweeted a video of the chaotic incident outside the Delaney Hall Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Newark. “We will not tolerate assault against our ICE law enforcement agents. By members of Congress or anyone else,” McLauglin wrote in the post on X. Alina Habba, the top federal prosecutor in New Jersey, in an interview on Fox News on Saturday, said, “I’m not going to get into the weeds about other things that may or may not be coming.” The three lawmakers at the scene — Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman, Rob Menendez, and LaMonica McIver — sharply dispute DHS’s characterization of the incident. Read more CNBC politics coverage Menendez accused the Trump administration of spreading “lies and misinformation.” “As Members of Congress, we have a legal right to conduct oversight at any DHS facility without prior notice, as we have already done twice this year,” Menendez said in a statement Friday. “This is like nothing I’ve ever seen before, and I am shocked and disturbed that something like this happened in our community,” he added. But McLaughlin accused the Democrats of a “bizarre political stunt.” “Members of Congress are not above the law and cannot illegally break into detention facilities,” McLaughlin said on Friday. She said it was “an evolving situation,” keeping the door open to further action. Video shows an altercation between the lawmakers and apparent protesters with law enforcement by a security gate at the detention center. Coleman said on X that the scuffle occurred after the lawmakers entered the facility. “We entered the facility, came BACK OUT to speak to the Mayor, and then ICE agents began shoving us,” she said. Axios first reported that DHS was considering additional arrests. CNBC confirmed the plans. Baraka, who is running for governor of New Jersey, was released without bond Friday evening. He was charged in Newark federal court with one count of trespassing. Habba, the interim New Jersey U.S. Attorney, accused Baraka of committing “trespass and [ignoring] multiple warnings” from DHS officials “to remove himself from the ICE detention center.” Source link #Trump #official #Democrats #face #charges Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle jam out at Beyoncé's 'Cowboy Carter' concert in Western looks – Page Six Prince Harry and Meghan Markle jam out at Beyoncé's 'Cowboy Carter' concert in Western looks – Page Six Prince Harry and Meghan Markle jam out at Beyoncé’s ‘Cowboy Carter’ concert in Western looks Page SixDuchess Meghan, Prince Harry cozy up for date night at Beyoncé’s L.A. concert USA TodayPrince Harry sweetly kisses Meghan Markle, subtly pays tribute to their kids at Beyoncé’s ‘Cowboy Carter’ show Page SixPrince Harry’s Beyonce Concert Hat Honors the *** After Court Drama Us WeeklyMeghan Markle and Prince Harry can’t keep their hands off each other during date night at Beyoncé’s LA concert New York Post Source link #Prince #Harry #Meghan #Markle #jam #Beyoncé039s #039Cowboy #Carter039 #concert #Western #Page Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Amanda Keller opens up about The Piano, her emotional new series for ABC Amanda Keller opens up about The Piano, her emotional new series for ABC Hearing someone sit down and play the piano in a public space can be a moving experience. There’s something so beautiful and unexpected about hearing those tinkling notes carrying through crowded spaces like train stations, busy streets or bustling markets that’s almost transformative. It’s enough to bring a tear to the eye. “It is. And I cried a lot during the filming of The Piano,” says Amanda Keller, speaking with STM from her home in Sydney. She’s hosting the six-part series, which premiered on May 4, and has a simple but unusual premise: give everyday Australians the opportunity of a lifetime by inviting them to play a piano in public spots across the country. The show aims to “harness the power of the piano as a unique device, telling stories of those with an extraordinary musical gift . . . From buzzing train stations to bustling shopping centres and markets, these pianists will transform public spaces into ones of musical excellence, deep connection and unbridled joy.” The show does all that — and then some. But it doesn’t stop there: squirrelled away nearby, in secret, are acclaimed musicians Harry Connick Jr and one of Australia’s greatest classical concert pianists, Andrea Lam. They’ll choose one person from each episode, and at each location, to perform in concert on one of the country’s most revered stages: Sydney’s City Recital Hall. If you’d like to view this content, please adjust your Cookie Settings. To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide. None of the show’s amateur musicians have any idea that they are there, or what’s afoot — and it’s a genius concept. “Every day of this shoot, I cried, I laughed, I cheered — all that stuff,” says Keller, who travels everywhere from Melbourne’s Southern Cross Station to Preston Market and the sparkling new Sydney Metro, to introduce audiences to people whose passion for the piano comes hand in hand with some fascinating stories. There’s the man who, at age 103, still plays for his wife, who is battling dementia in a care home. There’s five-year-old Maya from Perth, who brings her stuffed toy with her, sitting it up on the music stand while she plays — and play she does, in a remarkable display of pint-sized virtuosity. Camera IconFive year-old Maya – and her floppy bunny – are an absolute delight. Credit: ABC There’s a young man who’s suffered a stroke, but managed to train himself to play again with the use of only one hand, and the woman who says the instrument helped her overcome a debilitating eating disorder. All of them say the piano has helped them and it’s a delight, albeit an emotional one, to hear them express their appreciation to Keller. “(Before filming, producers) sent me a copy of the first episode and the promo for the English version of the show,” she explains. “And as soon as I saw it, I thought, ‘Oh my God, I have to do this show. It doesn’t matter how busy I am, this looks amazing’.” The *** incarnation of the show was an instant hit when it debuted in 2023, spawning two more seasons. Keller believes the appeal of the concept is that it demonstrates the diversity of people for whom this music is important. “I’m not a classical pianist-type person, and I think I had this idea of what I thought that classical piano meant,” she says. “And it is just so not that. It’s the world’s most popular instrument, and I just don’t think we lean into that enough, really. Camera IconHarry Connick Jnr and Andrea Lam join Amanda Keller. Credit: ABC “Because the kinds of people that love the piano and the role it plays in their life — it’s everyone, all kinds of people, and the stories they tell are all so moving.” And as many people will see parts of themselves in those stories, so too did Keller. She has spoken publicly about her husband Harley Oliver’s battles with Parkinson’s disease and in episode one, whilst speaking with 103-year-old Bill about how he plays for his ailing wife, her emotions spill over. “You scratch the surface and realise that everyone is going through something,” she says of the interaction. “And how lucky (Bill) is to have the piano, to help him connect and externalise his feelings. The piano can be a thing of great comfort to people . . . “In one episode coming up, we have a guy named Vincenzo; he told us he played the piano because it connected him to his wife, who was no longer well. He played downstairs in their home and the sound would drift upstairs. By the time we said ‘Yes, we’d love for you to come down’, his wife had passed away. “But he still chooses to come down. He still chooses to come and play.” Keller admits some of the stories got her thinking about Oliver’s own experiences. “It’s a ******* of a thing,” she says, referring to her husband’s neurodegenerative disease. “Things are going on with Harley at home, and his brain, at this stage, is fine. But physically things are so hard for him. “But (this show) reminds you of the beauty of life, the rawness of life, what humanity means. “We are all going through everything, and no one is immune to the joy and the sadness of the journey; the whole human condition. “And I think that’s what I found so moving about this series: you see it all, but there’s so much joy.” The Piano airs Sundays at 7.30pm on ABC and ABC iview. Source link #Amanda #Keller #opens #Piano #emotional #series #ABC Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Trump official says NJ Democrats could face charges Trump official says NJ Democrats could face charges Mayor Ras Baraka of Newark in handcuffs outside Delaney Hall detention facility in Newark, NJ on May 9, 2025. Courtesy: Newark Mayor’s Office The Trump administration suggested Saturday that New Jersey Democratic lawmakers involved in a clash a day earlier with authorities at a federal immigration detention center that led to the arrest of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka also could face criminal charges. “There will likely be more arrests coming,” Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin told CNN in an interview on Saturday. “We actually have body camera footage of some of these members of Congress assaulting these ICE enforcement officers, including body slamming a female ICE officer,” McLaughlin said. She later tweeted a video of the chaotic incident outside the Delaney Hall Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Newark. “We will not tolerate assault against our ICE law enforcement agents. By members of Congress or anyone else,” McLauglin wrote in the post on X. Alina Habba, the top federal prosecutor in New Jersey, in an interview on Fox News on Saturday, said, “I’m not going to get into the weeds about other things that may or may not be coming.” The three lawmakers at the scene — Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman, Rob Menendez, and LaMonica McIver — sharply dispute DHS’s characterization of the incident. Read more CNBC politics coverage Menendez accused the Trump administration of spreading “lies and misinformation.” “As Members of Congress, we have a legal right to conduct oversight at any DHS facility without prior notice, as we have already done twice this year,” Menendez said in a statement Friday. “This is like nothing I’ve ever seen before, and I am shocked and disturbed that something like this happened in our community,” he added. But McLaughlin accused the Democrats of a “bizarre political stunt.” “Members of Congress are not above the law and cannot illegally break into detention facilities,” McLaughlin said on Friday. She said it was “an evolving situation,” keeping the door open to further action. Video shows an altercation between the lawmakers and apparent protesters with law enforcement by a security gate at the detention center. Coleman said on X that the scuffle occurred after the lawmakers entered the facility. “We entered the facility, came BACK OUT to speak to the Mayor, and then ICE agents began shoving us,” she said. Axios first reported that DHS was considering additional arrests. CNBC confirmed the plans. Baraka, who is running for governor of New Jersey, was released without bond Friday evening. He was charged in Newark federal court with one count of trespassing. Habba, the interim New Jersey U.S. Attorney, accused Baraka of committing “trespass and [ignoring] multiple warnings” from DHS officials “to remove himself from the ICE detention center.” Source link #Trump #official #Democrats #face #charges Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Is It Time to Give Up on Roku Stock? Is It Time to Give Up on Roku Stock? Roku sells at nearly a 90% discount from its all-time high four years ago. Revenue and engagement continues to grow. Its price-to-sales ratio has fallen to levels resembling a value stock. 10 stocks we like better than Roku › When it comes to frustrating stocks to own, Roku (NASDAQ: ROKU) is likely near the top of the list for many investors. The stock is down by close to 90% from its all-time high of $490.76 per share, which it hit in mid-2021. Despite a growing user base and being on the leading edge of the consumer transition to streaming TV, the company has struggled to return to profitability. Knowing that, it is not unreasonable to ponder what investors should do. Should they throw in the towel and sell, or do shareholders need to give the company more time for its long-awaited turnaround? Image source: Getty Images. For all of Roku’s challenges, its business model holds tremendous potential for success. It sells devices at thin margins, or even at a slight loss, to draw viewers onto its platform. From there, content providers partner with the company to feature their streaming services on its platform, and advertisers are in turn drawn to its vast audience. The advertising business now generates most of the company’s revenue. Investors’ frustrations are likely exacerbated by Roku’s market victories. Even though much larger rivals such as Amazon and Samsung have gained some market share in recent months, Roku has maintained its leadership position. In North America, nearly 40% of streaming households use a Roku device, according to Pixalate. With that, Roku states it is the No. 1 streaming platform in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. It also claims that nearly 40% of TVs sold in the U.S. use Roku’s operating system. Meanwhile, customers continue to shift from traditional TV to streaming options. That market share lead means Roku is the biggest beneficiary of this secular trend. This is critical because device revenue leads to platform revenue. And in the first quarter, Roku’s top line rose a solid 16% year over year to $1.02 billion. Unfortunately, Roku’s continued growth has not returned it to the profitability it reached during the pandemic. Though its Q1 net loss of $27 million is well below the $51 million loss it reported in the year-ago quarter, the frustration continues for Roku bulls looking for stronger profitability. Roku stopped publishing average revenue per user (ARPU) starting in 2025, a move unlikely to reassure investors. While it publishes free cash flow figures, which have been positive for several quarters, the $298 million in Q1 free cash flow was down 30% year over year. Story Continues Furthermore, the stock has reversed nearly all of its gains from the past year. As recently as February, Roku was up more than 60% over just nine months. That said, its price-to-sales (P/S) ratio is 2.1 as of this writing, down from over 30 in 2021. Despite being priced like a value stock rather than a growth stock, Roku has failed to draw more investor interest. Even so, investors may still want to consider holding or adding shares at current levels. Admittedly, given the length of time this stock has stagnated, holding may be the last move shareholders want to make. But at its current rate of improvement, the company could finally turn profitable again on a net income next year. That should address a longtime concern with the business. Otherwise, Roku has become a value stock, reaching a level investors might have perceived as a rock-bottom valuation at one time. Assuming it can eventually reclaim a valuation more closely resembling that of a growth stock, one with a dominant position in a high-opportunity industry, Roku can still deliver considerable long-term returns. Thus, this is not the time to give up on the stock. Before you buy stock in Roku, 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 Roku 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 John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Will Healy has positions in Roku. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amazon and Roku. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Is It Time to Give Up on Roku Stock? was originally published by The Motley Fool Source link #Time #Give #Roku #Stock Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]