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Trump touts $9 trillion in new U.S. investment. The numbers don’t add up. Trump touts $9 trillion in new U.S. investment. The numbers don’t add up. After President Trump was pressed on rising consumer prices and slowing economic growth, he defended his tariff policies by claiming they had spurred record investment in the United States. “I think we probably have close to $9 trillion of investments coming into this country,” Mr. Trump said in an interview on NBC’s Meet the Press that aired Sunday. “If you look at other presidents, there’s never been anything like that.” He has also repeatedly claimed that he secured more investment in his first two months than President Biden did in four years. Neither claim is supported by evidence, CBS News Confirmed found. While companies have announced hundreds of billions of dollars in planned investments since Mr. Trump’s Jan. 20 inauguration, the White House has not provided data showing the total approaches $9 trillion. Additionally, a CBS News review found that some investments highlighted by the White House were announced before Mr. Trump’s reelection. The comparison to the Biden administration is also misleading: the president is citing future investments pledges, while contrasting them with a narrower list of projects that were in the works or completed by the end of his predecessor’s term. Here’s a breakdown of the claims. Some investments Trump claims credit for were announced under Biden The White House on April 29 said Mr. Trump had secured $5 trillion of U.S. investment in his first 100 days, and published a partial list titled “The Trump Effect” — which it said demonstrated “his America First economic policies have sparked trillions of dollars in new investment.” That list totals closer to $2 trillion from private companies, and around $5 trillion if commitments from foreign countries are included. The basis for the president’s $9 trillion claim is unclear and the administration has not explained the discrepancy. A closer look at the White House list also shows some of the investments had been announced before Mr. Trump took office. The list initially included a $4.1 billion commitment from Novelis, a Georgia-based aluminum company, to build a plant in southern Alabama. But construction for that project began in October 2022 and the $4.1 billion total investment was detailed in the company’s February 2024 financial report. CBS News asked the White House on May 5 why the project was included; the administration did not answer the question, but by midday May 6 the project had been removed from the website. The Trump administration also claimed credit for a $1.5 billion pledge by Corning to invest in its solar products facility in Michigan. A company spokesperson confirmed to CBS News that $900 million of this funding was announced months before Mr. Trump assumed office. On April 29, Corning announced an additional $600 million investment, bringing the total to $1.5 billion. Likewise, the White House listed Johnson & Johnson’s commitment to spend $55 billion over the next four years, but a company spokesperson confirmed that total includes a $2 billion investment — announced last October — in a facility in Wilson, North Carolina. The list also includes the Stargate Project, a $500 billion AI infrastructure initiative announced by Open AI and Japan-based Softbank on Jan. 21, which had been in development for at least a year before Mr. Trump’s inauguration. The companies said $100 billion would be deployed “immediately,” but offered few specifics on how or where the money would be spent. Comparing to investments under Biden Mr. Trump has repeatedly said he attracted more investment in two months than Biden did in four years, suggesting he brought in trillions in a matter of weeks while casting doubt that the former president secured even $1 trillion during his term. But there’s no clear evidence to support his claim. A White House spokesperson said the president was referring to a December 2024 report from the Biden White House, which said the private sector committed at least $1 trillion to clean energy and manufacturing projects during Biden’s term. However, Biden’s list of investments highlighted “a selection of private-sector investments in 21st century industries” including green energy, semiconductors, and pharmaceuticals, based on project announcements in specific locations or factories under construction. The data on Biden’s “Investing in America” spreadsheet also showed projects that closely resemble some on Mr. Trump’s list. By comparison, the Trump administration’s list includes broader, less specific investment pledges across a variety of industries — many without clear timelines or locations. For example, Mr. Trump’s list highlights Apple’s recent $500 billion pledge to U.S. manufacturing and training. However, as previously reported by the Washington Post, Apple also announced a $430 billion investment early in Biden’s term, including a North Carolina engineering hub that was paused in 2024, and the Biden administration’s report does not include any Apple investments in its tally. However, experts caution that announcements about planned investments don’t guarantee action. “Companies often will make announcements to essentially curry favor with an incoming administration to show how committed they are to the United States,” said Nick Nigro, the founder of Atlas Public Policy, which tracks clean energy investment in the U.S. “It’s not unusual whether it was President Trump or President Biden or President Obama.” Presidents from both parties have claimed credit for projects started under their predecessors. For instance, pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly announced investments during Mr. Trump’s first term, some of which contributed to the construction of manufacturing facilities highlighted by the Biden White House investment report. During his term, Biden signed major pieces of legislation, including the Inflation Reduction Act and the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, which included $24 billion in tax credits to attract private investors in hopes of driving domestic manufacturing commitments. Such incentives may continue to fuel further projects during Trump’s term, according to Nigro, provided they remain in place — but the long-term impact of federal policy, including under both Biden and Trump, may take years to assess. “It’s very hard to attach these new investments that have been announced as being tied directly to policies of the Trump administration. It’s frankly just too early,” Nigro said. Rhona Tarrant contributed to this report. Laura Doan Laura Doan is a fact checker for CBS News Confirmed. She covers misinformation, AI and social media. Source link #Trump #touts #trillion #U.S #investment #numbers #dont #add Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Trump plans to end Energy Star home appliance program amid EPA reorganization Trump plans to end Energy Star home appliance program amid EPA reorganization (Reuters) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency plans to end Energy Star, a program whose iconic blue labels have certified the energy efficiency of home appliances for more than three decades, as part of its broader reorganization, two sources briefed on the reorganization told Reuters. The proposed end of the popular program would come as part of the dissolution of the EPA’s Office of Atmospheric Protection (OAP) and the Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards – presented as part of Friday’s agency reorganization announcement. The plans to close the popular Energy Star program, first reported by CNN and the Washington Post, came after an OAP staff meeting on Monday. The EPA on Tuesday declined to comment specifically on Energy Star but said “EPA is delivering organizational improvements to the personnel structure that will directly benefit the American people.” In March, nearly three dozen trade industry groups and appliance companies including the Chamber of Commerce, Bosch, Carrier and the Air-Conditioning, Heating, & Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) sent a letter to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin urging him not to end Energy Star because it was a good “non-regulatory” collaboration between the private sector and federal government. “Eliminating it will not serve the American people. In fact, because the ENERGY STAR brand is highly recognizable to consumers, it is likely that, should the program be eliminated, it will be supplanted by initiatives that drive results counter to the goals of this administration such as decreased features, functionality, performance, or increased costs,” the letter said. Other OAP programs that are uncertain amid the reorganization include the voluntary methane reporting program for the oil and gas sector. Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire said ending the program would raise costs for consumers. “Let’s be clear: Cutting the popular Energy Star program – which helps everyday households and businesses save on their energy bills – would mark another rash attempt by this administration to line the pockets of billionaires and utility companies at the expense of hardworking Americans,” she said in a statement. (Reporting by Valerie Volcovici in Washington and Ismail Shakil in Ottawa; Editing by Andrea Ricci) Source link #Trump #plans #Energy #Star #home #appliance #program #EPA #reorganization Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

U.S.-China trade talks, Trump tariffs U.S.-China trade talks, Trump tariffs Shipping containers and gantry cranes beyond a fishing boat near the Yangshan Deepwater Port in Shanghai, China, on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023. China’s trade figures are scheduled for release on Dec 7. Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images Asia-Pacific markets are set to mostly climb Wednesday after reports that U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and trade representative Jamieson Greer are set to meet with their ******** counterparts this week, in what could mark the beginning of potential negotiations over President Donald Trump’s tariff policies. Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 is set to open higher, with the futures contract in Chicago at 37,185 against the index’s last close of 36,830.69. Futures for Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index stood at 22,837, higher than its last close of 22,662.71. Australia’s benchmark S&P/ASX 200 is set to decline, with futures standing at 8,138, slightly lower than the index’s close of 8,151.4. Bessent and Greer are set to hold talks with ******** officials in Switzerland this week to address trade and economic issues. The discussions mark a potential turning point in launching negotiations to ease the trade tensions ignited by Trump, who last month raised tariffs on ******** goods to 145% while easing levies on most other countries. In response, China imposed heavy tariffs on U.S. products. U.S. stock futures advanced Tuesday night as investors monitored the latest updates on U.S. trade negotiations and looked toward the Federal Reserve interest rate announcement expected Wednesday afternoon. Dow Jones Industrial Average futures added 280 points, or 0.7%. S&P 500 futures popped 0.8%, while Nasdaq 100 futures rallied 1%. Overnight stateside, the three major averages closed lower. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 389.83 points, or 0.95%, to close at 40,829.00. The S&P 500 shed 0.77% and settled at 5,606.91, and the Nasdaq Composite dipped 0.87% to end at 17,689.66. All three of the major averages posted back-to-back declines. — CNBC’s Hakyung Kim and Pia Singh contributed to this report. Source link #U.S.China #trade #talks #Trump #tariffs Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Where to watch Cavaliers vs. Pacers: TV channel, live stream, Game 2 prediction, pick for 2025 NBA playoffs – CBS Sports Where to watch Cavaliers vs. Pacers: TV channel, live stream, Game 2 prediction, pick for 2025 NBA playoffs – CBS Sports Where to watch Cavaliers vs. Pacers: TV channel, live stream, Game 2 prediction, pick for 2025 NBA playoffs CBS SportsPacers 121-112 Cavaliers (May 4, 2025) Final Score ESPNCavaliers vs. Pacers score, schedule, odds, NBA playoff updates: Cavs looking to bounce back in Game 2 CBS SportsIndiana Pacers stun Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 despite Donovan Mitchell breaking Michael Jordan playoff record CNNNBA playoffs: Tyrese Haliburton, Pacers hang on late to knock off Cavaliers in Game 1 Yahoo Sports Source link #watch #Cavaliers #Pacers #channel #live #stream #Game #prediction #pick #NBA #playoffs #CBS #Sports Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Lincolnshire council took months to fix abuse victim’s door lock Lincolnshire council took months to fix abuse victim’s door lock Leanne Crawford BBC Yorkshire and Lincolnshire Investigations BBC A woman who fled an abusive relationship said she had to barricade herself into her rented home every night for more than six months, because her council left her with a broken door lock. Jane – not her real name – should have had extra home security, known as target hardening “within a couple of working days” of being classed as high risk, according to government guidelines. North Kesteven District Council admitted a “significant failing” and offered Jane £100 in compensation for failing to secure her home in a timely manner. The domestic abuse commissioner for England and Wales said “patchy” target hardening meant many victims were “living in daily fear” of their abuser turning up at their home. The government said it was increasing domestic abuse funding. Since 2021, local authorities have had a legal duty to make sure domestic abuse victims have a safe place to live. It means most councils in England now run a sanctuary scheme, which includes installing target hardening at a victim’s home, when they no longer live with their abuser. The measures – such as alarm systems, extra locks, and fire-proof letterboxes – should be fitted “as soon as possible” following a risk assessment, according to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG). ‘I was shaking’ Jane, from Lincolnshire, said she had been told to expect extra security after leaving her partner in May 2024, which included fixing a broken lock. However, delays in completing the work left her living in “terror”. She said she was “completely failed” by the council, and did not sleep properly for six months as her patio door did not lock. “Every time I looked at the door, it made me feel sick,” said Jane. “One night, there was a bang outside and I was shaking in the kitchen, I was retching in the sink, because I was terrified he was there and was about to come in and ******* me.” It became a nightly routine for Jane to “barricade” her sliding patio door with household items, such as chairs, tables and an ironing board. Until November 2024 she said she spent her evenings in silence, listening for any sign of her ex-partner outside. “I felt completely unsafe. It was horrific,” said Jane. Women are most at risk of being killed by their ex-partner in the first month after leaving an abusive relationship, according to statistics from the Femicide Census. “That fact that Jane waited so long put her life at risk,” said Claire Chamberlain, who runs domestic abuse organisation Clear Path ***. The domestic abuse commissioner, Dame Nicole Jacobs, said target hardening was a “postcode lottery”, and some victims were being “driven into homelessness” because it was becoming “too dangerous” to stay in their homes. “This is simply not good enough,” she said. Caroline Vincent, 50, from Chapel St Leonards, is calling for change and believes her daughter and grandson might still be alive today if they had been offered target hardening. Caroline Vincent feels target hardening might have saved her daughter’s life Bethany Vincent, 26, and her nine-year-old son Darren Henson, known as DJ, were murdered at their home in Louth, in 2021. They were stabbed to death by Bethany’s ex-partner, Daniel Boulton, who had walked 28 miles (45km) from a homeless hostel in Skegness, despite being under a restraining order. A review into their deaths found there had been “little work” by agencies to target harden Bethany’s home. The review said there were “obvious warning signs” Boulton was a “high risk” to Bethany and DJ, given his history of domestic abuse-related offences. “No one came round and checked her property for her, even though he’d tried to break in before,” said Ms Vincent. “They knew what he could be capable of, and if things were put in place it would be a totally different outcome. “Not enough is being done. It makes me so angry that women are still being put at risk.” Bethany’s council, East Lindsey District Council, did not respond to a request for comment. Facebook Bethany Vincent and Darren Henson were found fatally stabbed in their home in Louth in May 2021 The Local Government Association is calling for the government to provide sufficient funding for target hardening to make sure “support reaches those who need it most, without delay”. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing said: “We are increasing domestic abuse funding to councils by £30m this year so that victims can get the support they need in safe, secure accommodation and we expect councils to deliver this.” Campaigner Emma Storey, chief executive of the Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance (DAHA), said she was aware of the “challenges” facing the sector. Ms Storey said in some cases there were issues making contact with landlords, and also problems gaining permission for target hardening works, despite efforts to persuade them it was a “positive” step. If you’ve been affected by issues in this report there is help and advice at BBC Action Line DAHA has made a toolkit, recognised by the Home Office, which sets out steps local authorities can take to improve their response to housing for victims. But not all local authorities have signed up. In a letter to Jane, seen by the BBC, North Kesteven District Council said it could not offer any explanation for the delay in installing her extra security. “There has clearly been a significant failure within our processes that has led to the works not being undertaken in an acceptable timeframe and resulted in this unacceptable level of service,” the letter stated. The council said it would carry out a review of its procedures, and also apologised for a “lack of communication” with Jane, who had made repeated calls for the target hardening works to be done. In a further statement, to the BBC, the council said sometimes delays were because of a lack of available contractors. It added that target hardening does not cover all home repairs that might need doing. Jane also raised her concerns over the council’s delays, with the domestic abuse commissioner. In a letter seen by the BBC, the commissioner’s office described Jane’s case as “appalling” and said it had raised “serious concerns”. Jane said living in constant fear had affected her job, her mental health and her relationships with other people. “I don’t want anybody to go through the terror that I had for six months,” she said. “I shouldn’t have had to be in fight or flight mode when target hardening is meant to be there to prevent this happening.” Source link #Lincolnshire #council #months #fix #abuse #victims #door #lock Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Wednesday’s big stock stories: What’s likely to move the market in the next trading session Wednesday’s big stock stories: What’s likely to move the market in the next trading session Stocks posted back-to-back declines on Tuesday, with the Dow Industrials sliding nearly 400 points. Here’s what’s on CNBC’s radar heading into Wednesday. Source link #Wednesdays #big #stock #stories #Whats #move #market #trading #session Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘It is pretty cutthroat’: Corey Allan thanks the Dragons for supporting him after injury heartbreak ‘It is pretty cutthroat’: Corey Allan thanks the Dragons for supporting him after injury heartbreak Rugby league can be a cutthroat sport at times, which is why Corey Allan is eternally grateful to the Dragons after they re-signed him last year while he was recovering from a serious knee injury. After stints with the Rabbitohs, Bulldogs and Roosters, the one-time Origin player signed with the Dragons at the end of 2023 but was in hospital a month later after he tore his ACL at training. Allan, 27, struggled as he pondered if this was the end of his footy journey, but those concerns were put to bed the following month when Dragons coach Shane Flanagan told him the club would stand by him with a new deal. Camera IconCorey Allan made his NRL return at Magic Round after almost 600 days out of the game. Max Mason-Hubers Credit: News Corp Australia The race for the best rugby union and league kids has never been hotter, with more youngsters that have gone through big rugby schools end up in NRL pathways. “It is pretty cutthroat, so when he told me that he was going to keep me and look after me, it made a whole difference,” Allan said. “I went pretty negative pretty quickly (after the injury) thinking about what I was going to do and that nobody was going to sign me. “It actually gave me time to really focus on my rehab knowing that I’d be here this year, so I knew if I worked hard then there was a good chance I could prove myself again in the NRL. “If they’d told me that they weren’t signing me, then I’d probably be looking for work and I wouldn’t be focusing on my rehab. “For everyone to show faith in me, it meant the world to me. It means so much to me that I just want to put my best foot forward.” It was still a long journey back to the NRL for the versatile outside back who spent months in the rehab group trying to get back to full health. Allan made a triumphant return via the NSW Cup, where he scored a try in round 1 this year, and after almost 600 days out of the game, the journey was complete when he was told he’d be playing on the wing at Magic Round. “I didn’t expect to debut on the weekend. I thought it was going to still be a few weeks away because we had a chat at the start of the year and he (coach Shane Flanagan) told me that he wanted me to get 10 games under my belt,” Allan said. “I was just getting through Cup and trying to play my best footy and test the knee out, but then he told me (that I’d be playing NRL) and I was like ‘oh OK, now it’s time to get the mind ready for NRL’. “After the game, my parents, friends and family were there and they said how proud they were.” There was no fairytale finish, as the Dragons went down to the Wests Tigers, but Allan was more than solid in his first game back and produced a stunning tackle to deny a certain try. “It was a pretty special feeling,” he said. “It was 500-and-something days since my last NRL game. It was a journey and it was tough to get back with the rehab. “Just going from surgery to running was a tough battle, so I was really grateful to get out there on the weekend and get through the game.” Source link #pretty #cutthroat #Corey #Allan #Dragons #supporting #injury #heartbreak Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

At Harvard, a Clash Between Democracy and Monarchy At Harvard, a Clash Between Democracy and Monarchy Curtis Yarvin, the computer engineer turned neo-monarchist blogger, seems to be everywhere these days. His argument that American democracy has exhausted itself and needs to be replaced by a form of one-man rule has made him a star on the right, reportedly catching the ear of powerful figures like Marc Andreessen, Peter Thiel and JD Vance. Since the re-election of President Trump, he has drawn increasing attention from mainstream outlets, including this one. And on Monday night, he seemed to have arrived at the heart of “the Cathedral,” as he calls the intertwined elite intellectual institutions that shape our society. “I want to thank Harvard University,” Mr. Yarvin said to a standing-room crowd of about 100 at the university’s faculty club, before correcting himself. “I mean, the school where we are.” Mr. Yarvin was in town to debate Danielle Allen, a prominent political theorist and democracy advocate at Harvard. From the moment the event was announced, some wondered why Professor Allen would risk lending legitimacy to such an extreme figure by debating him. Others rushed to snap up the limited tickets. The debate — organizers (and the university’s press office) were at pains to emphasize — was not an official Harvard event. Instead, it was organized by Passage Publishing, the publisher of Mr. Yarvin’s new book, “Gray Mirror: Fascicle 1, Disturbance,” and the John Adams Society, a conservative student group that cheekily bills itself as Harvard’s “premier organization for the reinvention of man.” It was a clash between monarchism and liberal democracy, West Coast techno-insurgency and East Coast credentialed establishment, Mr. Yarvin’s ****** leather jacket and Professor Allen’s tomato-red blazer. (“Dark enlightenment” versus “bright enlightenment,” as she put it in her opening remarks, noting the sartorial contrast.) The debate unfolded on Professor Allen’s home turf at a moment when Harvard has become — for liberals, at least — a heroic symbol of resistance to Mr. Trump. But it’s also a moment when liberal democracy, she noted, is the underdog in global politics. Professor Allen, in an email before the event, said that she had agreed to participate because students had asked her, and that helping them understand intellectual material “is my job in private and in public.” But she also did it out of her strong belief that democracy is ailing, and that universities need to renew their commitment to the open and fearless contestation of ideas. “I think people do need to understand Yarvin’s argument, both what people are experiencing as attractions of it and its errors, which are profound,” she said. “The stakes are very high.” The moderator began the debate with a warning that anyone who disrupted the event would be removed. Then he read the first resolution to be debated: “Resolved: The long-term stability and flourishing of our society is better secured by concentration of executive authority than by democratic institutions.” Professor Allen began with a brief biography, citing ancestors who, on her father’s side, had founded an N.A.A.C.P. chapter in Florida and, on her mother’s, once helped lead the League of Women Voters. She then launched into an impassioned articulation of her view of democracy, which is undergirded by freedom and equality. Our current democracy, she said, is deeply troubled. There is an urgent need to renovate it, she said — not, as Mr. Yarvin advocates, simply throw it out. “The question is not whether to have democracy and protection of freedom,” she said, “but only how.” When it was his turn, Mr. Yarvin, the son of a foreign service officer and an employee of the U.S. Department of Education, described himself as having grown up inside “the deep state.” He said he had just read Professor Allen’s recent book “Justice by Means of Democracy” and found it full of lofty abstractions bearing little resemblance to our actual system. “It made me feel like I was reading a work of Islamic history that was written by a *******,” he said. “This is someone who believes entirely in the system she is describing.” Terms like “civil society” and “institutions,” he said, seem “uncorrelated with the reality” of democracy, which he contended was properly defined by just one thing: How much power do the people have to choose their leaders? In her next response, Professor Allen, in an uncharacteristically spicy moment, said she was glad he recognized that her book was written with conviction. “Being a narcissistic nihilist is not my jam,” she said. “Maybe it’s yours, but it’s not mine.” Over the course of the debate, they skipped between topics like human equality (or, for Mr. Yarvin, the lack thereof), the administrative state, meritocracy and, yes, Harvard. The debaters did not shake hands, and they rarely looked at or talked directly to each other. Few smiles were cracked. Professor Allen stuck to her guns, parsing basic principles like freedom and equality. (At one point, she challenged Mr. Yarvin’s interpretation of Aristotle, a shared favorite.) Mr. Yarvin often made his points via historical anecdotes, including one about Cotton Mather, the 17th-century Puritan minister whose family name is emblazoned across campus. Mather enrolled at Harvard at age 11 but was never able to follow in his father’s footsteps and become university president. Mr. Yarvin said that while he himself was also a “failed child prodigy,” he related more to Robert Calef, a New England cloth merchant who wrote a book assailing Mather’s enthusiasm for the Salem witch trials. Calef was furiously attacked by the Mathers. At one point, Yarvin noted with some delight, his book was even burned in Harvard Yard. Mr. Yarvin also took aim at more contemporary figures demonized by the right, like Dr. Anthony S. Fauci and the virology researchers whose lab experiments, he claimed, had created the coronavirus that killed millions of people. Professor Allen left shortly after the hourlong debate, which concluded with loud applause. But most guests stayed to mingle over cocktails and canapés, perusing a table filled with other offerings from Mr. Yarvin’s publisher, like the highbrow manosphere journal Man’s World and a $395 “patrician edition” of essays by the “race realist” Steve Sailer, who writes frequently about race and IQ. For an hour and a half, Mr. Yarvin stood in a corner, surrounded by two dozen guests who leaned in close to hear him field questions and offer disquisitions that looped between, say, the pre-World War I Italian theorist Julius Evola, the occult novelist Aleister Crowley and Gavin Newsom’s travails with high-speed rail in California. The crowd seemed to run heavily toward the Yarvin-curious, even if his ideas, one member of the Harvard Republican Club said, still fall outside “the Overton window” for many campus conservatives. The questions for Mr. Yarvin were not all softballs. At one point, a young man needled him about whether President Trump or Elon Musk was “the monarch,” accusing him of saying different things in public and in private. Aidan Fitzsimons, a senior in Professor Allen’s graduate seminar on democracy, said he found the debate fascinating. “He’s a real political philosopher,” he said of Mr. Yarvin. “Not in the same way she is, but that’s the cost of her engaging with him — people have to recognize that.” But Mr. Fitzsimons said the discussion never got to the heart of the matter: Yarvin’s affirmative case for monarchy. “When she called him a narcissistic nihilist, that was hilarious, but also true in a deeper sense,” he said. “The nihilist does not believe in something higher, isn’t willing to take bets on any kind of faith.” Dean Sherman, a co-president of the Harvard Law School Republicans, also said the speakers had largely talked past each other. “It’s hard not to when you have such different base-line principles,” he said. Mr. Sherman said he wished Professor Allen had pursued Mr. Yarvin’s question about whether democracy had to be liberal democracy. “Can you vote illiberally?” he said. “Or is democracy a one-way racket?” Professor Allen, speaking by telephone later that night, said she was glad she had participated. It was important, she said, to acknowledge the potent parts of Mr. Yarvin’s critique of American democracy while parsing where he goes dangerously wrong. “On the page, his argumentation is loose and sophistical,” she said. “That’s also true in person.” As the party broke up, Mr. Yarvin said he appreciated Professor Allen’s acknowledgment that American democracy had deep problems. But he compared her to Gorbachev-era Soviet reformers who thought they could fix the system, only to see it collapse. Asked about her calling him a “narcissistic nihilist,” he was diplomatic, saying it would be more productive to talk about their intellectual differences in an off-the-record beer. “I think that would lead to a much more interesting conversation,” he said. But he gave her credit for showing up and being willing to engage. “She didn’t have to do that,” Mr. Yarvin said. “I don’t know there was necessarily anything in it for her.” So did he think he won this round? He shrugged, giving a short laugh. “That’s for others to say,” he said. Source link #Harvard #Clash #Democracy #Monarchy Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

British TikTokers regret stop in Shreveport after booking the ‘worst hotel in America’ British TikTokers regret stop in Shreveport after booking the ‘worst hotel in America’ Josh Cauldwell-Clarke and Jason (Jase) Riley are a British TikTok duo, known on their social media profiles as JoshandJase. The pair is from Nottingham in the United Kingdom, and they are best known for their reactions to American culture as they travel throughout the U.S. Most recently, the pair decided to journey to Louisiana, making their first stop in Shreveport. British TikTokers leave Shreveport hotel early after room conditions British TikTokers @JoshandJase traveled from Houston, Texas to Shreveport, Louisiana, after hearing the city is the third most populated city in Louisiana. However, when Josh and Jase arrived at their hotel in Shreveport, they found their room conditions to be less than savory. Josh and Jase explained in a video that, when they booked the hotel, the photos didn’t seem all that bad, but when they arrived, they found their room to be outdated and in disarray. “We may have just booked the worst hotel in America,” said Jase at the beginning of the TikTok where he showed the interior of the ‘nightmare motel’ they had booked in Shreveport. The pair of influencers explained that they don’t mind staying in certain places, and they were aware that where they had booked their stay was a motel, however, they were surprised that their stay was costing them $200 for two nights. “We were fully aware that this wasn’t going to be one of the best places in the world, but this is still $200 for two nights,'” explained Josh as Jase panned the camera to a broken floor lamp with no lampshade. “The actual building itself, you saw what it was like, but what we couldn’t show you was how dangerous it felt there,” says Josh in a TikTok posted after they had left Shreveport. Then, in the video, Jase added, “Every American that heard about this said, ‘get out of Shreveport right now.'” British TikTokers Josh and Jase arrive in Louisiana After the initial video, Josh and Jase had several people reach out, including a vice president of marketing for a hotel in Lake Charles, Louisiana. From here, Josh and Jase drove three hours, from Shreveport to Lake Charles, where they arrived at the L’Auberge Casino Resort in Lake Charles. Presley Bo Tyler is a reporter for the Louisiana Deep South Connect Team for Gannett/USA Today. Find her on X @PresleyTyler02 and email at *****@*****.tld This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: British TikTokers book nightmare hotel in Shreveport. Video goes viral Source link #British #TikTokers #regret #stop #Shreveport #booking #worst #hotel #America Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Senate Democrats rally against crypto bill amid criticism of Trump’s ties to the industry Senate Democrats rally against crypto bill amid criticism of Trump’s ties to the industry Washington — Senate Democrats are rebelling against a crypto regulation bill, putting the first-of-its-kind legislation in jeopardy ahead of a possible key vote on it later this week. The bill, known as the GENIUS Act, would create a regulatory framework for stablecoins, a type of cryptocurrency tied to the value of an asset like the U.S. dollar. It advanced out of the Senate Banking Committee in March with bipartisan backing, but has since bled Democratic support amid concerns about President Trump and his family’s business ventures involving cryptocurrency. The bill passed through the committee weeks before the announcement earlier this month that an Abu Dhabi-backed firm will invest billions of dollars in a Trump family-linked crypto firm, World Liberty Financial. The deal involves the firm buying $2 billion worth of a stablecoin offered by World Liberty Financial, and using it to invest in crypto exchange Binance. The news set off alarm bells for Democrats, who are now pushing for legislation that bans elected officials and their families from buying or selling crypto assets, including stablecoins. Last week, Senate ********* Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, told his members that they should not commit to voting for the GENIUS Act as a way to leverage changes, according to a source familiar with the discussions. Talks between Republicans and Democrats about potential changes are ongoing. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a South Dakota Republican, has signaled openness to modifications, but told reporters Tuesday “we need to start moving forward.” A procedural vote is expected Thursday, despite the opposition, and needs at least 60 votes. Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, the top Democrat on the Senate Banking Committee, has circulated a fact sheet to all Senate Democrats laying out how she says the stablecoin bill falls short on safeguarding against corruption, as well as protecting consumers, the financial system and national security. The fact sheet’s lead recommendation is for elected officials and their families to be barred from owning, buying, selling or otherwise participating in stablecoin business ventures. “Congress is writing laws that will sharply increase or decrease the value of stablecoin businesses, and the public should know that no one is making decisions to further their own financial interests, including the President of the United States. The current version of the GENIUS Act contains no such restrictions,” it says. In a statement to CBS News, Warren said, “Democrats who both support and oppose the GENIUS Act agree that green lighting Donald Trump’s corrupt stablecoin deals is wrong. We need to make sure we fix this in the bill, or else the GENIUS Act will simply facilitate Trump’s crypto corruption.” The request aligns with a separate bill introduced by Democratic Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon on Tuesday. The bill, titled the End Crypto Corruption Act, would prohibit the president, vice president, members of Congress, senior officials in the Executive Branch and their immediate families from financially benefiting from crypto assets. “Currently, people who wish to cultivate influence with the president can enrich him personally by buying cryptocurrency he owns or controls,” Merkley said in a statement. “This is a profoundly corrupt scheme. It endangers our national security and erodes public trust in government. Let’s end this corruption immediately.” The bill is cosponsored by 10 other Democrats, including Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York and Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland, who were the original cosponsors of the GENIUS Act. On Wednesday, Sen. Bernie Sanders, a Vermont independent, will hold a roundtable with crypto experts to highlight the GENIUS Act’s “serious risks” to the U.S. economy. The Trump family’s venture into crypto products has increased their wealth by billions in the last six months, according to a recent report, as his administration continues to loosen the federal government’s regulatory approach to the digital currency industry as a whole. The president’s crypto holdings now represent nearly 40% of his net worth — or approximately $2.9 billion. That increase is due in part to his release of the $TRUMP and $MELANIA meme coins, in addition to a large stake in World Liberty Financial, which launched in October 2024. In response to the criticism, White House spokesperson Anna Kelly told CBS News in a statement that Mr. Trump’s “assets are in a trust managed by his children, and there are no conflicts of interest.” “Stablecoin legislation should be passed on a bipartisan basis. President Trump is dedicated to making America the crypto capital of the world and revolutionizing our digital financial technology,” she said. In a statement to CBS News last week, World Liberty said the Abu Dhabi deal represents the “single largest-ever investment in a crypto company” and sets a “historic precedent.” It did not respond to questions about how much the Trump family stands to make from the investment. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a Connecticut Democrat, is seeking records and documents about Mr. Trump’s crypto ventures from Fight Fight Fight LLC, the company that launched Mr. Trump’s meme coin, and World Liberty Financial. The senator sent letters to both companies on Tuesday requesting the records, including communications between both companies, the Trump Organization, the president, his administration and foreign governments. Cristina Corujo contributed to this report. Caitlin Yilek Caitlin Yilek is a politics reporter at CBSNews.com, based in Washington, D.C. She previously worked for the Washington Examiner and The Hill, and was a member of the 2022 Paul Miller Washington Reporting Fellowship with the National Press Foundation. Source link #Senate #Democrats #rally #crypto #bill #criticism #Trumps #ties #industry Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Trump says US to stop strikes on Houthis in Yemen – CNN Trump says US to stop strikes on Houthis in Yemen – CNN Trump says US to stop strikes on Houthis in Yemen CNNTrump Says Truce Reached With Houthis After They Promise to Stop Targeting Ships WSJNews Wrap: Trump says U.S. will stop bombing Houthi rebels in Yemen PBSWhite House calls Yemen ceasefire a ‘WIN’ – experts warn Houthis may not hold the line Fox NewsAn America First Deal With the Houthis The Atlantic Source link #Trump #stop #strikes #Houthis #Yemen #CNN Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

China and US set to start trade talks this week China and US set to start trade talks this week US and ******** officials are set to start talks this week to try and deescalate a trade war between the world’s two biggest economies. ******** Vice Premier He Lifeng will attend the talks in Switzerland, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs says. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and US Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer will attend the talks, their offices announced. Since returning to the White House in January, President Donald Trump has imposed new import taxes on ******** goods of up to 145%. Beijing has hit back with levies on some goods from the US of 125%. Source link #China #set #start #trade #talks #week Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Inter MIlan and Barcelona serve up Champions League classic nobody wanted to end Inter MIlan and Barcelona serve up Champions League classic nobody wanted to end “It gave us everything. From start to finish last week to this week, everything about this semi-final has been pure entertainment,” said Alan Shearer. For the second time in six days Inter Milan and Barcelona served up a European classic as the champions of Italy won 4-3 on the night – 7-6 on aggregate – to reach the Champions League final. In a thriller that will be remembered for years to come, Barca had trailed 2-0 and 3-2 in the first leg in Catalonia before salvaging a 3-3 draw. On Tuesday in Milan, they were then 2-0 behind at half-time – 5-3 on aggregate – before scoring three times without reply. Raphinha’s 87th-minute strike was the first time Barca had taken the lead on aggregate but Francesco Acerbi’s first European goal at the age of 37 took an utterly absorbing tie into extra time, with substitute Davide Frattesi scoring the winner to send more than 70,000 Inter fans inside the San Siro into raptures. It was the joint highest-scoring Champions League semi-final ever, with the 13 goals equalling the 2018 semi-final when Liverpool also defeated Roma 7-6 on aggregate. “We didn’t expect this, did we?” added former England captain Shearer, who was inside the San Siro for Amazon Prime. “We expected a good game, but this? Thank you Inter Milan, thank you Barcelona for providing us with incredible entertainment and two great football matches. “What we have witnessed has been something very special. It’s been a pleasure to be here.” Inter will face either Paris St-Germain or Arsenal – who meet in the other semi-final in France on Wednesday (20:00 BST) – after one of the great modern classics. PSG lead 1-0 from the first leg. Source link #Inter #MIlan #Barcelona #serve #Champions #League #classic #wanted Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

New Zealand's unemployment flat at 5.1 per cent New Zealand's unemployment flat at 5.1 per cent While banks and analysts had pencilled in a modest rise to 5.3 per cent, unemployment in New Zealand remains at 5.1 per cent. Source link #Zealand039s #unemployment #flat #cent Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Canada’s Carney becomes the latest foreign leader to get the Trump treatment in the Oval Office Canada’s Carney becomes the latest foreign leader to get the Trump treatment in the Oval Office WASHINGTON (AP) — A meeting between the leaders of Canada and the United States is not usually considered a high-stakes showdown, but there was little ordinary about this one. Here was newly elected Prime Minister Mark Carney making his first visit to the Oval Office to see President Donald Trump, who has spent months musing about turning America’s northern neighbor into the 51st state. It didn’t take long for a reporter to ask about what was on everyone’s mind. Trump said he was still interested in annexing Canada, describing the border between the two countries as nothing more than an arbitrary line. Carney’s campaign was fueled by a wave of anger at Trump’s aggressive rhetoric, and now was his chance to defend his country to the president’s face. He was polite and firm. “Some places are never for *****,” Carney said. Canada is one of them, he added, and “it won’t be for *****, ever.” Trump gave a little shrug and raised his eyebrows. “Never say never,” he responded. Carney mouthed the words “never, never, never.” The interaction offered a glimpse into how Trump has transformed Oval Office meetings from brief and bland encounters into precarious affairs that often force foreign leaders to choose between placating or confronting the American president. His approach can be thrilling for supporters and destabilizing for diplomats accustomed to a more deliberative approach to international relations. “There is no formula for dealing with this,” said Daniel Mulhall, who was Ireland’s ambassador to the U.S. during Trump’s first term. He described the president’s unpredictable behavior as a “risk factor” and “an extraordinary departure from the norm.” It appears that Carney struck the right balance, at least in Trump’s mind. As the meeting ended, the president said, “I like this guy.” Carney grinned. Trump has rewritten the rules An invitation to the Oval Office has long been the height of international prestige, but the meetings were rarely dramatic. Journalists were ushered into the room to take pictures and, if they were lucky, ask a couple of questions while leaders made perfunctory remarks. Now, they’re raucous episodes in a foreign policy reality show, starring Trump. While the president can be a gracious host, he openly complains about visitors’ countries — their trade policies, their lack of defense spending, their perceived ingratitude. He’s also willing to take question upon question on a range of topics from reporters, turning guests into silent spectators. Sixteen foreign leaders have visited the White House since Trump returned to office, outpacing Barack Obama and Joe Biden at similar points in their presidencies. “Thanks to this president’s commitment to transparency and accessibility, Americans can watch his foreign policy agenda play out in real time — presenting an opportunity for both foreign leaders and the president to convey their message to the American people,” said a statement from Anna Kelly, a White House deputy press secretary. The meetings sometimes become endurance tests. On Tuesday, Carney listened to Trump criticize California’s delayed high-speed rail project, boast about upgrading the Oval Office with “great love and 24-karat gold” and make a surprise announcement that the U.S. would stop bombing the Houthis in Yemen. Trump also went on an extended tangent about Obama’s plans for his presidential library in Chicago, claiming that there are delays because his predecessor “only wants woke people to build it.” “He wanted to be very politically correct, and he didn’t use good, hard, tough, mean construction workers,” Trump claimed. As time dragged on, Carney’s lips tightened, his mouth twitched and his eyes darted around the room. He kept his hands clasped in front of him, except for largely futile gestures as he tried to get a word in. El Salvador’s Nayib Bukele was more at ease during his own meeting with Trump. He grinned as Trump bragged about getting “the highest mark” on his latest cognitive test, criticized a reporter’s “low ratings” and declared himself “very flexible” on tariffs. Elise Labott, a longtime journalist who is now a fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, dismissed the White House’s characterization of the encounters as evidence of the president being transparent. “It’s just another part of the show,” she said. Oval Office meetings, she added, have been “hijacked for part of the circus.” Foreign leaders use pivots and deflection Foreign leaders often walk a careful line to avoid publicly confronting Trump, and they often rely on quick pivots when difficult subjects arise. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte was in the Oval Office while Trump talked about annexing Greenland — which is the territory of Denmark, another NATO ally. Rutte said, “I don’t want to drag NATO in that” and quickly shifted to an area of agreement. When it comes to the issue of security in the Arctic, Rutte told Trump, “you are totally right.” Jordanian King Abdullah II squirmed through a meeting where Trump explained his idea for the United States to take over Gaza and expel Palestinians from their homes. It’s among the most sensitive issues for Abdullah, whose country is home to more than two million ************ refugees, and he sidestepped questions about Trump’s proposal. It wasn’t until after the meeting that he posted about his opposition to Trump’s idea on social media. French President Emmanuel Macron was the rare leader to correct Trump without facing a backlash. When the U.S. leader claimed that Europe was lending Ukraine money — instead of donating it outright — Macron gently placed his left hand on Trump’s right forearm to interject. Trump rolled with it. “If you believe that, it’s OK with me,” he told reporters. No meeting has gone as poorly as Trump’s sit-down with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in February. After a heated exchange over the best way to end the war with Russia, Trump told him, “It’s going to be very hard to do business like this.” “You have to be thankful,” Trump told Zelenskyy. “You don’t have the cards.” As journalists left the room, Trump added, “This is going to be great television.” Trump keeps leaders on their toes Rufus Gifford, former chief of protocol for Biden, said Trump was successful at little more than getting attention for himself. “Donald Trump has an ability to have eyeballs on him. That is, without a doubt, impressive,” he said. “But just because he’s able to get people to watch him doesn’t mean the strategy is smart or good for the United States of America.” Max Bergmann, a former State Department official now at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said the meetings are “always going to be really challenging because the president can be volatile.” “It will give a lot of diplomats around the world pause about whether they want to schedule a meeting,” he said. But a meeting with Trump is a hard thing to avoid, especially for American allies. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer prepped intensively for his first encounter with Trump, understanding that the president prizes personal relationships and it’s hard to recover if he dislikes you. Starmer handed the president a written invitation from King Charles III for a state visit and praised him for returning a bust of Winston Churchill to the Oval Office. He also thanked Trump for changing the conversation on Ukraine — even though he did that by siding more with Russia than European allies want. Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin came out largely unscathed by taking a roll-with-the-punches approach — not contradicting Trump when he claimed Ireland “took” U.S. companies through “improper taxation” — while engaging the president over boxing and golf. “Every leader has to have their own strategy,” Mulhall said. __ Associated Press writer Jill Lawless in London contributed to this report. Source link #Canadas #Carney #latest #foreign #leader #Trump #treatment #Oval #Office Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Split Fiction sales top four million Split Fiction sales top four million Hazelight: “4 MILLION!!!! So many of you have picked up Split Fiction already, it’s amazing… Seeing the fun you have with our game and the love you show for Mio, Zoe and each other warms our hearts here at Hazelight And so many hot dogs made… ” Source link #Split #Fiction #sales #top #million Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

India says it carried out targeted military strikes against Pakistan India says it carried out targeted military strikes against Pakistan Security personnel stand guard near Dal Lake in Srinagar, India, on May 6, 2025. Basit Zargar | AFP | Getty Images India early on Wednesday said its armed forces had conducted strikes against Pakistan and what it calls Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, targeting “terrorist infrastructure.” “Our actions have been focused, measured and non-escalatory in nature. No Pakistani military facilities have been targeted,” the country’s Ministry of Defence said. The operation follows a militant attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, in which 26 people were killed last month. “We are living up to the commitment that those responsible for this attack will be held accountable,” the statement said, while adding that India had shown “considerable restraint in selection of targets and method of execution.” The Defense Ministry said will hold a detailed briefing on the strikes, labeled “Operation Sindoor,” later in the day. This is breaking news. Please check back for updates. Source link #India #carried #targeted #military #strikes #Pakistan Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

What ‘Conclave’ gets right — and wrong — about papal politics – The Washington Post What ‘Conclave’ gets right — and wrong — about papal politics – The Washington Post What ‘Conclave’ gets right — and wrong — about papal politics The Washington PostCardinals choosing the next pope have been offered a dossier on candidates – with a subtext CNNPope Francis championed inclusion. LGBTQ Catholics hope a new pope will finish what he started. CBS NewsWhat time does the 2025 conclave start? See May 7 schedule USA TodayWorld’s eyes turn to ******** City as papal conclave to elect next pope set to begin ABC News Source link #Conclave #wrong #papal #politics #Washington #Post Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Bristol street sex workers help police to stop child abuse Bristol street sex workers help police to stop child abuse Rachel Stonehouse BBC West Investigations Emma Hallett BBC West Investigations Megan, not her real name and with her back to the camera, has been working with the police to help identify children at risk and prosecute criminals WARNING: This article contains details of a ******* nature and child sex abuse. If you have been affected by anything in this story, help can be found at the BBC Action line. As darkness falls, street sex workers are helping police and a charity to protect a city’s most at-risk children. Often the eyes and ears after dark, the women have been providing vital information on child exploitation to the Night Light initiative in Bristol and helping to bring child sex offenders to justice. “If you think there’s a chance you’re leaving a child in that position, you’ve got to stay. You’ve got to find out.” Anna, whose real identity the BBC is protecting, is in her 50s and worked on the streets of Bristol over a 30 year *******. She says she is now “retired”, but has been key to the success of a unique project helping to put dangerous criminals in prison. On one occasion a man, who was paying her for sex, asked her to engage in role-play, where she had to pretend to be a primary school age girl. “It was really unpleasant. Sickening to be honest,” she said. “I had to carry on for three months, but I couldn’t walk away until I knew what was happening.” After reporting her concerns to the police, it turned out the man was abusing his eight-year-old daughter. Anna testified against him in court and he has now been sent to prison. In another case, a man showed her child abuse photos on his phone so horrific she could not watch but reported him to the authorities and he is now awaiting trial. “You can’t not do something about that,” she said. “I see that kid’s face every time I shut my eyes.” The street sex workers are vital eyes and ears after dark The sex workers are not only helping to catch child abusers, but also helping to identify children at risk of exploitation and get underage girls off the streets. “The streets are scary. They are dark, they are lonely,” Megan, not her real name, said. “For underage women, like just so young, children, to be going through whatever they are going through, wherever they are, I can’t bear to imagine.” Megan is one of those working with Avon and Somerset Police and children’s charity Barnardo’s Night Light team – providing them with vital intelligence about the children she sees after dark. “My hectic day to day lifestyle [as a sex worker] is troubling, exhausting, and very **********, to just have that little bit of positivity brought through something I have achieved and done personally, is great. It makes me feel proud,” she said. Night Light started in 2020 during the Covid lockdowns. The streets had become quieter, exposing the children who were at risk of being exploited, hanging around in the part of Bristol where sex is bought and sold. Yas (left) told the BBC she no longer hangs out on the streets Paige, not her real name, was vulnerable and just 15-years-old when she was spotted with her sister. She told the BBC that at the time, she wasn’t aware of the danger she could be in. “We were out because we didn’t want to be at home, as we thought being out at night was safer than home,” Paige said. Forced onto the street she was approached by men being “nice”, offering her food, drinks or lifts and getting into their cars. “I didn’t think I was at risk, but looking back now I see things a lot differently,” she said. Paige and her sister initially ran away from the Night Light team on at least two occasions. But identified as being at risk of ******* exploitation, the team eventually caught up with her and explained the danger she was in. Paige has now been placed in a foster home. Now 19-years-old, Yas – also not her real name – has also been helped by the team. “They [men] would ask me if I wanted go to their place and if I want any drink or like they’d offer me balloons [nitrous oxide],” she said. “Back then I couldn’t see why they were asking that. I thought they just wanted to have fun, in like the innocent way, but now I’ve realised they were probably asking me to go back so that I would have sex with them.” Now supported by Night Light, Yas said thinking about the situation she was in makes her feel “creeped out” and scared for other young people. Rose Brown (left) and Jo Ritchie have spent time building up the trust of the women The potential and benefits of using street sex workers to help stop child exploitation was first realised by Jo Ritchie, a social worker employed by Barnardo’s. She now works closely with Rose Brown, a sex work liaison officer from Avon and Somerset Police, as well as Bristol City Council. Jo recalled one of the first women she spoke to, saying her knowledge was so good it was like she was part of the police investigation. “She knew everything. But what was really sad, was at the end, she said ‘but what can I do? I’m just a sex worker.’ “And that really struck me. I really felt, actually, we could really do with your help.” In 2024 the Night Light team had 124 conversations with street sex workers – who have made 65 reports about dangerous men and highlighted around 20 young people at risk of exploitation. The Night Light team patrol Bristol’s roads talking to sex workers and young people The trust that has built up between the sex workers and the Night Light team has been key to its success. As well as talking to them about children they have seen on the streets and dangerous offenders, they also offer the women support, food, clothing and a supportive ear. Rose said that since the project started five years ago, they have seen huge progress. “We’re getting a massive increase in the women sharing about their own experiences of being ********* assaulted, as well as worries about children,” she said. “It isn’t rocket science. It is just investing that time in building those relationships.” Jo Ritchie, who works for Barnardos, said the sex workers are “the most passionate advocates” for the scheme Because many of the women have been ********* assaulted themselves, they are keen to prevent young people from going through similar experiences, Jo said. “Time and time again, we hear them say, ‘I wish this had been running when I was a kid, because perhaps I wouldn’t be out here now’,” she added. “I think they’re probably the most passionate advocates… they really don’t want to see children on the streets.” Megan, 34, doesn’t want to be working on Bristol’s streets for long, but while she is, she said she is proud to have helped safeguard other girls. “The underage thing is something I really feel strongly about,” she said. “There’s a bad stigma about sex workers, drugs… but we’re not bad people.” ‘Highest risk children’ Night Light is proving so successful in Bristol, that other parts of the country are now looking to roll the project out. And Rose and Jo are both very clear, Night Light would not exist without the women, and hope it helps to challenge the narrative around street sex workers. “They’re incredible,” Jo said. “We are totally dependent on them. We’ve identified children at risk, who are out on the streets, who we weren’t aware of, because of them. “And that’s really one of the key things about Night Light, the children they are pointing us towards are probably some of the highest risk children, but yet they are often really hidden.” Source link #Bristol #street #sex #workers #police #stop #child #abuse Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Hefty bill for M1 motorway metal shard spill after hundreds of punctured tyres Hefty bill for M1 motorway metal shard spill after hundreds of punctured tyres The company responsible for the shredding of countless tyres on a major motorway has now been slapped with a massive bill. Source link #Hefty #bill #motorway #metal #shard #spill #hundreds #punctured #tyres Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Pirates suspend employee after video shows him punching, whipping fan with belt in postgame altercation Pirates suspend employee after video shows him punching, whipping fan with belt in postgame altercation A Pittsburgh Pirates gameday employee has been suspended by the team following a postgame altercation with a fan that was caught on video, per CBS Pittsburgh’s Barry Pintar. The altercation reportedly occurred at PNC Park following Sunday’s game, a 4-0 loss to the San Diego Padres. Per CBS, it started when the fan and his friend allegedly started harassing a female concession stand employee. Advertisement The gameday employee, who has not been identified, reportedly intervened and diverted the two men away from his coworker, at which point the situation got heated with a face-to-face argument. Video taken by a bystander shows the employee trying to walk away while being followed and taunted by the fan, but he eventually responds by throwing punches. The employee appears to land five punches to the head of the fan, who stays on his feet. Later, the fan is seeing spitting on the employee, who then takes off his belt and starts whipping the fan. The Pirates released a statement to CBS saying the employee has been suspended and the matter is under investigation: “We are aware of the unfortunate incident that occurred following the conclusion of yesterday’s game between a PNC Park game day employee and a guest. The employee’s behavior was entirely unacceptable, and he was immediately suspended. This incident is currently under further investigation.” Advertisement The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, which sent officers to the stadium to respond to the scene, is also reportedly investigating. No criminal charges have been filed as of Tuesday morning, per the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. This is the second bizarre incident to occur at PNC Park in the past week, though with far less serious consequences. A 20-year-old man named Kavan Markwood has been hospitalized for nearly a week after falling over the 21-foot wall in right field last week and lying motionless on the warning track. Markwood is reportedly awake and alert and has already taken his first steps, but is still dealing with a broken neck, clavicle and back. A GoFundMe for him has raised more than $45,000 as of Tuesday evening. Source link #Pirates #suspend #employee #video #shows #punching #whipping #fan #belt #postgame #altercation Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Why oil prices are falling, and what it means for the economy – NPR Why oil prices are falling, and what it means for the economy – NPR Why oil prices are falling, and what it means for the economy NPROil Prices Fall as OPEC Increases Supply Despite Fears of an Economic Slowdown The New York TimesOil Drops as OPEC+ Supply Surge Threatens to Swamp Global Market Bloomberg.comOil rises 3% on signs of more Europe and China demand, less US output ReutersOPEC+ Throws ‘Bombshell to the Oil Market’ Transport Topics Source link #oil #prices #falling #means #economy #NPR Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Uber CEO says changing employee benefits ‘is a risk we decided to take’ Uber CEO says changing employee benefits ‘is a risk we decided to take’ Uber CEO, Dara Khosrowshahi speaks during the “Intentional Equity in Sustainability” conversation at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Week in San Francisco, California, on November 15, 2023. Andrew Caballero-Reynolds | AFP | Getty Images Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi last week told employees “it is what it is” at a heated all-hands meeting after the company announced it would increase its in-office requirements and change benefits. The ride-sharing company informed employees on April 28 that they will be required to come into the office three days a week, up from two, starting in June, CNBC reported. Uber also changed the eligibility for its month-long paid sabbatical benefit, raising the requirement from five years at the company to eight years. The company also informed some employees who had been previously approved for remote work that they would be required to start coming in. Khosrowshahi defended the policy changes against feisty employees who peppered him with questions and criticism at the company meeting and on Uber’s internal forum, according to audio and correspondence obtained by CNBC. “If you’re here for a sabbatical and this change causes you to change your mind, it is what it is,” Khosrowshahi told employees at the April 29 all-hands meeting. “I’m sorry about that. The reason we want you to be here is the impact on the company. The learning here. We recognize some of these changes are going to be unpopular with folks. This is a risk we decided to take.” The clash inside Uber highlights the growing tension between tech workers and tech management. Workers for years were drawn to Silicon Valley for its idealistic values, perks and job security, but since 2022, tech companies have cut back on benefits and conducted on-going rounds of layoffs. Google, for example, informed some employees who were previously approved for remote work that they needed to return to the office if they want to avoid getting caught in layoffs, CNBC reported last month. Being in person more frequently is better for collaboration, innovation and company culture, Uber told CNBC in a statement. “It’s hardly a surprise that not everyone was thrilled about changes to remote work and sabbatical policies,” the company said. “But the job of leadership is to do what’s in the best interest of our customers and shareholders.” After Uber announced the changes in a memo last week, employees flooded the company’s internal Slido forum with questions and comments. “The Slido essentially has been invaded by questions about the changes we’ve made,” Khosrowshahi said at the beginning of meeting, adding that the questions had been consolidated. “How is five years of service not a tenured employee? Especially when burnout is rampant in the org,” a highly-rated comment from one employee said, adding that they had already paid for a trip for their upcoming sabbatical. Khosrowshahi said Uber is a “Gen-AI powered company” that needs to be on its A game. He said employees should be more interested in learning and their impact on the company than on its benefits, which spurred more employee pushback. Some questions asked if Uber made policy changes in hopes that it would force some people to quit. “It has nothing to do in terms of a need to drive attrition or layoffs,” said Khosrowshahi, adding that the changes had nothing to do with cost cutting. “None of that is planned. The business is operating really, really well. But listen, good isn’t good enough for us. We have to be great as a company.” Uber will report its first quarter financial results Wednesday. Nikki Krishnamurthy, Senior Vice President, Chief People Officer of Uber. Courtesy: Uber After the all-hands meeting, Uber Chief People Officer Nikki Krishnamurthy sent out a memo saying some employee comments on the meeting broadcast “crossed the line into unprofessional and disrespectful.” “That’s not O.K., and we will be speaking with the employees who made them,” Krishnamurthy wrote, according to the memo which CNBC viewed. “Through good times and bad, we are open with each other. Yet when we see behavior like this, it makes it harder to continue being open in the same way.” Uber in 2022 established Tuesdays and Thursdays as “anchor days” where most employees must spend at least half of their work time in the company’s office and the rest of the week could be spent working remotely for “individual productivity,” according to a now-removed blog post. “Our business also exists in the real world, on the streets of thousands of cities, and it’s important we stay connected to the places we serve,” Krishnamurthy wrote at the time. On the company forum, several employees questioned the change to three days in-office, citing insufficient meeting rooms and work space, according to comments viewed by CNBC. “It’s a challenge every anchor day to even find a place to sit with your team,” one employee comment said. The goal of anchor days is “to get as many people in the office as possible,” Khosrowshahi said, adding that Uber will be keeping track of employee attendance. Krishnamurthy addressed the concerns about office space at the company meeting, announcing that Uber is adding 700,000 square feet of office space between its San Francisco Mission Bay and Seattle offices. The additional space will go toward more meeting rooms and cafeterias, said Krishnamurthy, adding the retrofitting will be in construction through 2026. WATCH: Uber raises in-office requirement to 3 days, claws back remote workers Source link #Uber #CEO #changing #employee #benefits #risk #decided Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Family ‘heartbroken’ at prospect of Staffordshire pottery closure Family ‘heartbroken’ at prospect of Staffordshire pottery closure Zoe Conway Employment correspondent Reporting fromStoke-on-TrentBBC Four generations of the Yates family have worked at Dunoon Mugs in Staffordshire Sharon Yates has been working at Dunoon Mugs in Staffordshire for more than three decades. Four generations of her family have worked there – her mother, Irene, who has now retired, her daughter-in-law, Leian, and granddaughter, Madi. But, the company, which was established 50 years ago, is struggling. The firm said its energy bills were now six times higher than they were three years ago; 20% of the workforce was made redundant and staff are working shorter hours. Ms Yates told the BBC she “would not be able to cope” if the pottery closed. “It’s my life,” she said. ”I just love putting the handles on the mugs. It’s hard work, but it’s therapeutic,” said Ms Yates. “I’m proud to work here, it’s in my blood.” Three Staffordshire potteries have closed this year, and Dunoon’s director Alan Smith said it was “entirely possible” that Dunoon could be next. Sharon Yates has been working at the site for 33 years Mr Smith said it was not just their energy bills – the rise in the minimum wage and employers’ national insurance made it feel like the company was being “bombarded by all sides”. On Wednesday, Stoke-on-Trent’s MPs, the GMB trade union and the industry body Ceramics *** will meet Industry Minister Sarah Jones to call for urgent action to save the potteries. Ceramics is one of the most energy intensive industries in the *** and the sector is calling on the government to subsidise what it says are “crippling” energy bills. It also wants businesses to be temporarily exempt from carbon emissions penalties. The directors of Moorcroft Pottery announced last month the firm has stopped trading after more than 100 years. It was the latest blow to the pottery industry in Stoke-on-Trent, a city affectionately known as The Potteries. Dunoon Mugs said 20% of its workforce was made redundant and staff are working shorter hours Ms Yates’ mother, 81 year-old Irene, has lived around the industry all her life. She said the city was once “buzzing”, with more than 45,000 people working in ceramics. She met her husband David working on the line at the now-closed Staffordshire Pottery, and added it was “heartbreaking” to think Dunoon Mugs could close too. “I hope the government steps in to help us,” she said. Last week, Gareth Snell, the Labour MP for Stoke-on-Trent Central, gave a speech in Parliament, warning the industry faced collapse. He criticised the government’s response to what he described as a “crisis” facing the industry. Mr Smith also added he was not confident Dunoon would get the help it needed from government. ”I don’t think they behave as if they’re interested in traditional industries,” he said. In a statement, the Department for Business and Trade said: “Ministers continue to engage closely with the ceramics sector to understand the challenges and provide support, ensuring the industry is globally competitive as part of our Plan for Change.” Source link #Family #heartbroken #prospect #Staffordshire #pottery #closure Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

GCSE results day to change for thousands of students with new app GCSE results day to change for thousands of students with new app Getty Images Tens of thousands of GCSE students will get their grades in an app on their phones on results day this summer. The government is trialling the Education Record app with 95,000 students in Manchester and the West Midlands, ahead of a national rollout. Ministers say they hope it will save money for college admissions teams, while school leaders say students and schools will need “seamless support” to ensure the app works properly. Students involved in the pilot will still be able to go to school to get their paper results and do the traditional opening of the envelope on results day in August. Under the plans, students’ results will be made available on the app at 11:00 on results day, which is Thursday 21 August. Students collecting their results in person can do so from 08:00. This year’s first GCSE exams began on Monday 5 May, and will last until Wednesday 25 June. The government’s plan is to bring each student’s exam results and certificates into one online set of digital education records. Students who are under 18 after finishing their GCSEs have to stay in full-time education, start an apprenticeship or work while studying part-time. The government says the new app will mean further education colleges no longer have to hire extra staff to photocopy results or chase missing paperwork from prospective students. Education minister Stephen Morgan said it was “high time exam records were brought into the 21st century” and that it would stop schools and colleges being “bogged down in bureaucracy”. Mark Giles, principal at The Hathershaw College in Oldham, said the app was “accurate and verifiable” after conducting a local trial at his school since last spring. Other school leaders have welcomed the pilot. James Bowen, assistant general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) said his union was “pleased the app is being piloted”. “It makes a lot of sense to look into modernising how exam results are handled and any moves to cut bureaucracy and costs are welcome,” he said. But he said it would be important that the app’s rollout is done carefully, with “seamless support” for students and schools if issues arise. “When we are dealing with something as important as exam results it is crucial that the government gets this absolutely right,” he said. Pepe Di’Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) also welcomed the move, and called for the use of digital technology in education to go even further. He said the digital approach should be extended to exams themselves, which are still done using pen and paper and can create a “massive burden” for schools who are required to securely transport thousands of exam papers. He said the development of education technology had so far been “frustratingly piecemeal”, adding that the government should “invest in creating the infrastructure schools and colleges need to make this a reality“. Source link #GCSE #results #day #change #thousands #students #app Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]