Pelican Press

Piastri wins as McLaren seal commanding 1-2 in Miami GP – Formula 1 Piastri wins as McLaren seal commanding 1-2 in Miami GP – Formula 1 Piastri wins as McLaren seal commanding 1-2 in Miami GP Formula 1McLaren’s Piastri claims dominant win in Miami ESPNF1 Miami Grand Prix 2025 LIVE: Reaction and result as Oscar Piastri wins for McLaren BBCHow to watch F1 Miami Grand Prix 2025 live for free: Start time, schedule New York PostF1 Rate the Race: 2025 Miami Grand Prix RaceFans Source link #Piastri #wins #McLaren #seal #commanding #Miami #Formula Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Race for Champions League spots in France is wide open Race for Champions League spots in France is wide open The race for the remaining Champions League places behind Paris Saint-Germain remains wide open in the French league after Marseille drew 1-1 at Lille. With two rounds left and PSG already crowned champions, second-placed Marseille missed the chance to open up a three-point gap on Monaco after goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli’s blunder in the 74th minute on Sunday (Monday AEST). The top three teams qualify for the group stage of the Champions League, with the fourth team getting a spot in the qualifying rounds. Marseille have a one-point lead over Monaco, who won 3-1 at Saint-Etienne on Saturday, with a trio of chasing teams – Nice, Lille and Strasbourg – one point further back. Lille striker Jonathan David intercepted Rulli’s attempted pass inside the box and headed the ball towards Matias Fernandez Pardo, who shot past the goalkeeper into the back of the net. Amine Gouiri had put Marseille in front in the 57th minute from Adrien Rabiot’s assist. PSG secured the French league title last month with six matches to spare, but the fight for the Champions League places has not been lacking suspense. Just five points separate second-placed Marseille from seventh-placed Lyon. Lyon’s hopes of European soccer next season took a blow as the seven-time French champions lost 2-1 against Lens. Anass Zaroury scored the winner with a superb 30-metre strike into the top corner five minutes from time, soon after Georges Mikautadze levelled for the hosts with a header. The result left Lyon outside of the European places, six points above eighth-placed Lens. Lyon enjoyed much of the possession but lacked a cutting edge and went behind when Goduine Koyalipou scored after a corner in the 21st minute. Substitute Jim Allevinah scored his first goal for Angers in the French league as his club won 1-0 at Nantes to leapfrog their rivals and take a big step towards survival in the top division. In a match of few chances for both squads, Allevinah scored with a low strike in the 52nd minute. It was the first shot on target in the match. Allevinah, a Gabon international, came on after 20 minutes as a replacement for the injured Zinedine Ferhat. Angers moved to 14th place in the standings, one point above Nantes and two points above Le Havre, currently in the relegation playoff spot. Le Havre won 2-1 at Auxerre to move four points above the drop zone. In the day’s other match, Brest beat last-placed Montpellier 1-0. Source link #Race #Champions #League #spots #France #wide #open Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Pakistan tests new weapons system amid high tensions with India Pakistan tests new weapons system amid high tensions with India Pakistan said on Saturday it had test-fired a new weapons system as tensions with arch-rival India remained high over Kashmir following a deadly terrorist attack in the disputed region. Pakistan conducted a “successful training launch of the Abdali Weapon System — a surface-to-surface missile with a range of 450 kilometres,” the military’s media arm said. “The launch was aimed at ensuring the operational readiness of troops and validating key technical parameters, including the missile’s advanced navigation system and enhanced manoeuvrability features,” the statement added. The move comes as the nuclear-armed neighbours stand on the brink of a military standoff. They have already closed border crossings, blocked trade, downgraded diplomatic relations and ordered the expulsion of each other’s citizens in ****-for-tat measures. On April 22, at least 26 tourists were killed in the town of Pahalgam in Indian-administered Kashmir. New Delhi pointed the finger at Islamabad for being behind the killings. Pakistan denied the accusation and offered to hold an independent investigation. However, border forces of both countries have exchanged fire several times since then and on Wednesday Pakistan said it had “credible intelligence” that India would soon carry out some kind of military action. Pakistan and rival India conducted nuclear tests days apart from each other in May 1998. Both have since been developing stockpiles of nuclear warheads and a missile-based delivery system. Source link #Pakistan #tests #weapons #system #high #tensions #India Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Stock market today live updates Stock market today live updates Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on April 29, 2025. NYSE U.S. stock futures ticked down Sunday night as Wall Street comes off a winning week, with the S&P 500 logging its longest positive streak in two decades. Futures tied to the S&P 500 fell 0.3%. Dow Jones Industrial Average futures dropped 100 points, or 0.2%, and Nasdaq-100 futures ticked down 0.2%. The broad market index advanced nearly 1.5% on Friday, its ninth straight day of gains — its longest winning run since November 2004 — and managed to recover all losses incurred since April 2, when President Donald Trump announced retaliatory tariffs. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite gained 1.5% Friday, while the Dow industrials rose nearly 1.4%. Increasing hopes for a U.S. trade deal with major trading partners have buoyed sentiment and stocks in recent days. ******** authorities have said they’re evaluating the possibility of starting trade negotiations with the U.S. A report by The Wall Street Journal also suggested that Beijing is open to trade talks. To be sure, no trade deals between the U.S. and other countries have been announced. “We do see this run up as being more based on excitement than actual, solid — not just fundamentals, but an actual change,” said Ryan Dykmans, chief investment officer at Dunham & Associates Investment Counsel. On the economic front, Wall Street will look toward the Federal Reserve’s two-day policy meeting set to kick off on Tuesday. Fed funds futures trading points to just a 3.2% chance of a rate cut, according to the CME Group’s FedWatch tool. Nonetheless, traders will be keeping a close eye on any commentary from the central bank or Fed Chair Jerome Powell on the outlook for the economy amid heightened uncertainty stemming from the trade war. On the earnings front, On Semiconductor, Tyson Foods and insurance company Loews are set to report quarterly results Monday before the bell. Source link #Stock #market #today #live #updates Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Israeli, Turkish fighter jets avoid confrontation over Syria by radio contact – report – The Jerusalem Post Israeli, Turkish fighter jets avoid confrontation over Syria by radio contact – report – The Jerusalem Post Israeli, Turkish fighter jets avoid confrontation over Syria by radio contact – report The Jerusalem PostTurkish Warplanes Face Off With Israeli Fighters Over Syria – Reports i24NEWSIsrael Doesn’t Actually Care About the Fate of the Druze in Syria HaaretzIsrael Launches Airstrikes Near Syrian Presidential Palace The New York TimesTop IDF general, officials visited Syria to meet Druze leaders – report The Times of Israel Source link #Israeli #Turkish #fighter #jets #avoid #confrontation #Syria #radio #contact #report #Jerusalem #Post Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Oscar Piastri Miami: *********** F1 superstar continues rise with epic win as McLaren go one-two Oscar Piastri Miami: *********** F1 superstar continues rise with epic win as McLaren go one-two Australia’s newest sporting superstar, Oscar Piastri, has left all in his wake and claimed an emphatic win in the Miami Grand Prix on Monday. After starting in fourth position on the grid, the McLaren driver quickly charged into third position on lap one and soon after gobbled up the Mercedes of Kimi Antonelli, teammate Lando Norris and pole-sitter and four-time world champion Max Verstappen from Red Bull. Once the young charger had clear air in front, he surged away and continued to put space on the field with every lap. “I’m very happy after all the hard work we have done to get here,” Piastri said after exiting his McLaren’s cockpit to jubilant scenes. “It’s incredible but there is still more hard work to go. “Two years ago we were genuinely the slowest team on the track and now we are the fastest, it’s incredible,” he added. Melbourne-born Piastri now sits atop the 2025 Formula One championship standings with four race wins after previously going back-to-back in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, and has become a clear favourite to claim the world title. Team McLaren are also in the box seat to take the coveted constructor’s title this season after Lando Norris speared Zak Brown’s team into a one-two finish and a sea of orange in the Miami winners pit lane area. Mercedes lead driver George Russell claimed a podium spot in third place, nearly 40 seconds behind Norris, while Verstappen finished fourth The other *********** in the field, Alpine’s Jack Doohan, suffered another disastrous resut after a puncture soon after the start took him out of the race. More to come. Source link #Oscar #Piastri #Miami #*********** #superstar #continues #rise #epic #win #McLaren #onetwo Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Intel Arc Xe3 Celestial GPU enters pre-validation stage Intel Arc Xe3 Celestial GPU enters pre-validation stage When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: Intel Intel’s next-generation Xe3 Celestial GPU reportedly enters the pre-silicon validation stage, when the GPU design and architecture are being tested using software models and emulators. The chip giant conducts this testing with OEMs and independent BIOS vendors so that they can catch issues before committing actual silicon. X user Haze spotted this development and saw some details related to Celestial in the LinkedIn profiles of some Intel employees. One profile listed “Celestial discrete GPU Pcode IP model development” as one of theresponsibilities, detailing it as “Developed pre-silicon HW modeling for power management IP in Intel Xe3 architecture for discrete GPU Celestial team (C/C++)” and “Mapped 13% of boot/reboot signal pathways for functional pcode in Celestial power management IP model (fmodel), migrating those modeled in Ruby from the test environment to C/C++ in the IP model.” Another person said they “developed low-level system software and device drivers in C++ for Intel’s Nova Lake & Xeon6 (Diamond Rapids) CPUs and Celestial discrete GPU.” It seems that the pre-silicon model already has its firmware and power management ready, allowing Intel’s partners to start testing it virtually with their systems. Once every kink has been ironed out and is confirmed to be working as intended, the Xe3 design can proceed to tapeout, the final step before fabrication begins. Intel Fellow Tom Petersen previously said that the architecture for the Xe3 Celestial had already been completed in December 2024, and its team has now moved on to working on Xe4 Druid. With this development, the GPU seems to be on track according to Intel’s GPU roadmap. If it does not encounter any major problems with the design and production of the graphics card, we might see Celestial enter production and be in the hands of gamers in around 12 to 18 months. However, we don’t have any idea what these Celestial GPUs will be, as Intel has recently been pretty tight-lipped around its Arc graphics cards. Even though the B580 and B570 Battlemage GPUs, which use the BMG-G21 chip, launched with overwhelmingly positive feedback, we still haven’t heard any news about the arrival of higher-end Battlemage discrete GPUs that use the more powerful BMG-G31 silicon. Follow Tom’s Hardware on Google News to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button. Source link #Intel #Arc #Xe3 #Celestial #GPU #enters #prevalidation #stage Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

U.S. oil prices tumble after OPEC+ agrees to surge production in June U.S. oil prices tumble after OPEC+ agrees to surge production in June Logo of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Andrey Rudakov | Bloomberg | Getty Images U.S. crude oil futures fell more than 4% on Sunday, after OPEC+ agreed to surge production for a second month. U.S. crude was down $2.49, or 4.27%, to $55.80 a barrel shortly after trading opened. Global benchmark Brent fell $2.39, or 3.9%, to $58.90 per barrel. The eight producers in the group, led by Saudi Arabia, agreed on Saturday to increase output by another 411,000 barrels per day in June. The decision comes a month after OPEC+ surprised the market by agreeing to surge production in May by the same amount. The June production hike is nearly triple the 140,000 bpd that Goldman Sachs had originally forecast. OPEC+ is bringing more than 800,000 bpd of additional supply to the market over the course of two months. Oil prices in April posted the biggest monthly loss since 2021, as U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs have raised fears of a recession that will slow demand at the same time that OPEC+ is quickly increasing supply. Oilfield service firms such as Baker Hughes and SLB are expecting investment in exploration and production to decline this year due to the weak price environment. “The prospects of an oversupplied oil market, rising tariffs, uncertainty in Mexico and activity weakness in Saudi Arabia are collectively constraining international upstream spending levels,” Baker Hughes CEO Lorenzo Simonelli said on the company’s first-quarter earnings call on April 25. Oil majors Chevron and Exxon reported first-quarter earnings last week that fell compared to the same ******* in 2024 due to lower oil prices. Catch up on the latest energy news from CNBC Pro: Source link #U.S #oil #prices #tumble #OPEC #agrees #surge #production #June Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Charley Scalies Dies: ‘The Wire’ & ‘The Sopranos’ Actor Was 84 – Deadline Charley Scalies Dies: ‘The Wire’ & ‘The Sopranos’ Actor Was 84 – Deadline Charley Scalies Dies: ‘The Wire’ & ‘The Sopranos’ Actor Was 84 DeadlineCharley Scalies, Actor on ‘The Wire’ and ‘The Sopranos,’ Dies at 84 The Hollywood ReporterCharles J. Scalies Jr. Obituary (2025) – Trappe, PA – Moore, Snear & Ruggiero ******** Home – Trappe Legacy.com‘Sopranos,’ ‘Wire’ actor Charley Scalies — best known as ‘Horseface’ on HBO crime drama — dead at 84 New York Post‘Sopranos’ and ‘The Wire’ Actor Dies at 84 parade.com Source link #Charley #Scalies #Dies #Wire #amp #Sopranos #Actor #Deadline Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

one of the Catholic Church’s last taboos one of the Catholic Church’s last taboos Nuns ********* assaulted by priests are one of the last Catholic taboos, but with reports of abuse rising, it is a scandal that will be difficult for the future pope to ignore. “In the past, the nuns suffered a lot and couldn’t talk about it to anyone; it was like a secret,” Sister Cristina Schorck told AFP, walking through St Peter’s Square with her parents. The 41-year-old Brazilian, who works with the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians in Rome, said Pope Francis, who died last month, opened “a first door” for women to speak out. After an unprecedented summit at the ******** on clerical ******* violence in 2019, a series of measures were taken, including lifting the pontifical secret on abuse and an obligation for people to report cases to their superiors. “It’s both still a taboo and something that has progressed” because “it’s never been talked about as much as it is today,” Sister Veronique Margron, President of the Conference of Religious of France, told AFP. The slow shift in attitudes is exemplified by the case of the influential Slovenian priest and mosaics artist Marko Rupnik, accused by nuns of ******* and psychological violence against them in the early 1990s. It was only under pressure that Francis lifted the statute of limitations in 2023 to open proceedings against him. Laura Sgro, the Italian lawyer for five of his accusers, told AFP that nuns should be better protected “both by states and by canon law”, notably by extending the statute of limitations, and said the next pope must act “immediately”. Victims’ associations say the ******** has not done enough, particularly by refusing to remove confessional secrecy. “Things are moving forward step by step,” a senior ecclesiastical official told AFP on condition of anonymity, pointing out that Francis “has denounced all forms of abuse”. Nuns in ******, grey, white, beige or brown habits, in Rome to study, work or accompany pilgrims, come and go every day in St Peter’s Square, far from the media hype surrounding the cardinals. Among them, Sister Marthe, a nun from Cameroon in her forties, said she wanted the Church to “know how” to respond to “******* (or) power abuse”. – ‘Macho mentality’ – In January, Francis named a woman to head a ******** ministry for the first time in the Church’s 2,000-year history. But many are calling for more space for women, who far outnumber men in the Church, with 559,228 female members of religious orders compared to 128,559 Catholic priests globally, according to the ********. It is the legacy of a “pyramidal” and “macho” vision, said Marta Gadaleta, Secretary General of the Augustinian Servants of Jesus and Mary. In Rome, Sister Eugenia, 67, told AFP she was convinced that “by fighting against clericalism”, the idea of the clergy as an elite, “we are also fighting against all abuses”. In January, Francis himself called for the Church to “overcome” the “macho mentality”, insisting that nuns should not be treated “like servants”. The International Union of Superiors General (UISG), which represents around 600,000 nuns worldwide, has taken the lead. In 2016, it invited its members to report violence, and it also organises training sessions to “raise awareness”, Secretary General Patricia Murray told AFP. It also set up a commission in 2020 along with the Union of Superiors General (USG), which represents the leadership of male religious orders, to promote “a culture of care and protection within congregations”. The information from the training sessions needs to be passed on to local communities, Sister Margron said. Above all, she said, “we mustn’t expect everything from the ********”, so as not to fall back into the age-old trap of “waiting for men to speak”. apo/ide/js Source link #Catholic #Churchs #taboos Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Watch the start of the Miami GP as Verstappen holds lead – Formula 1 Watch the start of the Miami GP as Verstappen holds lead – Formula 1 Watch the start of the Miami GP as Verstappen holds lead Formula 1Miami Grand Prix 2025: Formula One – live The Guardian2025 F1 Miami Grand Prix: Starting grid, broadcast schedule, weekend recap, weather and more Yahoo SportsMax: Being a dad ‘hasn’t slowed me down’ ESPNVerstappen wins Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix pole. Behind him, the unexpected Miami Herald Source link #Watch #start #Miami #Verstappen #holds #lead #Formula Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Miami Grand Prix result: Oscar Piastri wins from Lando Norris to extend title lead Miami Grand Prix result: Oscar Piastri wins from Lando Norris to extend title lead And there was tension at Ferrari as the team first rejected and then accepted Lewis Hamilton’s request to be allowed past team-mate Charles Leclerc as they raced on divergent tyre strategies. Hamilton was let past to try to challenge Kimi Antonelli’s Mercedes ahead of him, but failed to catch the Italian, or pull significantly ahead of Leclerc. The first stint of the race was packed with drama at the front. Verstappen ran deep into the first corner and Norris attempted to pass him at the next curve. But Verstappen jinked towards him and Norris ran off track, losing places to Antonelli, Piastri, Russell and the Williams of Alex Albon. Norris complained that Verstappen ran him off the track, but the stewards decided the move was legitimate and took no action. That left both McLaren drivers needing to make up ground to try to wrest the race win from Verstappen, and they set about the quest with gusto and determination. At the front, Piastri swept boldly past Antonelli through the final part of the Esses in the first sector of the lap, before setting off after Verstappen. Piastri was on Verstappen’s tail by lap eight and then tried to work out how to pass the Red Bull. Verstappen repeatedly defended to the inside, forcing Piastri to the outside, and the McLaren was never quite far enough alongside to claim the corner. After several attempts, Piastri finally made it by on lap 14. Verstappen again defended to the inside into the last corner, and that allowed Piastri to get a run on him with the DRS overtaking aid. Piastri tried the outside again into Turn One, and this time Verstappen went in too deep, ran wide, and Piastri cut back and nipped by on the exit of the corner. Their battle had allowed Norris to close up to them, after wasting little time passing the drivers between him and the leaders. Norris passed Verstappen by diving around the outside into Turn 11 on lap 17, but he ran off track in doing it, and had to give the place back. But a lap later, he made the move with ease, Verstappen this time appearing not to bother defending after sensing the game was up. Verstappen quickly dropped back from the McLarens, losing nine seconds in as many laps before his pit stop. The world champion’s day became worse when the virtual safety car (VSC) was deployed during the pit-stop *******. Russell, who was the only driver in the top 10 to start on the hard tyres like Hamilton, had not yet stopped and that VSC allowed him to pit for fresh tyres and rejoin still ahead of Verstappen. For a while, Verstappen closed in on Russell but he could get no closer than about 1.8 seconds before failing to make any further progress. Norris also closed on Piastri at the front, but after halving his deficit to four seconds, the *********** upped his pace to show he had time in hand and led comfortably to the end. It is the first time a McLaren driver has won three races in a row since Mika Hakkinen over the 1997-98 seasons. Piastri’s win extends his championship lead over Norris to 16 points, with Verstappen the same margin behind in third place. Source link #Miami #Grand #Prix #result #Oscar #Piastri #wins #Lando #Norris #extend #title #lead Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Missile fired by Iran-backed Yemen rebels halts Israel flights before Gaza war vote – National Missile fired by Iran-backed Yemen rebels halts Israel flights before Gaza war vote – National BEN-GURION INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Israel — A missile launched by Iranian-backed rebels in Yemen briefly halted flights and commuter traffic at Israel’s main international airport on Sunday after its impact near an access road caused panic among passengers. Story continues below advertisement The attack on Ben-Gurion International Airport came hours before Israeli Cabinet ministers were set to vote on whether to intensify military operations in Gaza. The army was calling up tens of thousands of reserves, Israel’s chief of staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said. Israel’s army said it was the first time a missile struck the airport grounds since the war in Gaza began. The military said initial findings indicated the likely cause was a technical issue with the interceptor. The Houthis have targeted Israel throughout the war in solidarity with Palestinians. Israel’s paramedic service Magen David Adom said four people were lightly wounded. Multiple international airlines canceled or postponed flights. The war with ****** in Gaza and then Hezbollah in Lebanon had led a wave of airlines to suspend flights to Israel. Many had resumed in recent months. Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree said in a video statement that the group fired a hypersonic ballistic missile at the airport. Houthi rebels have fired at Israel since the war with Gaza began on Oct. 7, 2023. The missiles have mostly been intercepted, although some have penetrated Israel’s missile defense systems, causing damage. Get daily National news Get the day’s top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Israel has struck back against the rebels in Yemen, and the U.S., Israel’s top ally, launched a campaign of strikes in March against them. Story continues below advertisement Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the U.S. was supporting Israeli operations against the Houthis. “It’s not bang, bang and we’re done, but there will be bangs,” he said. In a later statement, he added Israel would respond to the Houthis “AND, at a time and place of our choosing, to their Iranian terror masters.” Netanyahu said the security Cabinet was meeting Sunday evening to vote on plans to expand the fighting in Gaza. “We will operate in additional areas and we will destroy all of the infrastructure above and below ground,” Zamir said. Far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir told Israeli Army Radio he wanted to see a “powerful” expansion of the war, and demanded that Israel bomb “the food and electricity supplies” in Gaza. An 8-week ceasefire with the ****** militant group allowed more aid into Gaza and freed some Israeli hostages, but it collapsed in March when Israel resumed strikes. The military has since captured swaths of the coastal enclave. Hundreds of Palestinians have been killed, according to local health officials. Israel in March halted the entry of goods into Gaza as part of efforts to pressure ****** to negotiate on Israel’s terms for a new ceasefire. That has plunged the territory of 2.3 million people into what is believed to be the worst humanitarian crisis of the war. Hunger has been widespread, and shortages have set off looting. Trending Now Trump ‘delighted’ by his influence on Canada’s election: U.S. journalist Donald Trump posts AI Image of himself as pope, sparks criticism Story continues below advertisement In a confrontation over efforts to support Gaza, Malta’s prime minister, Robert Abela, said his country had offered to send a marine surveyor to look into the damage caused to a ship said to be carrying aid and organized by pro-************ activists. Abela said the captain refused. The activists said Friday their vessel was struck by drones, blaming Israel. The ship remained in international waters off Malta. The Israeli military has not commented. Israeli airstrikes killed at least seven Palestinians, including parents and their children, ages 2 and 4, in southern and central Gaza, ************ medics said. The military had no comment. The military said two soldiers were killed in combat in Gaza, bringing the number killed since fighting resumed in March to six. The war in Gaza began when ******-led militants attacked southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking about 250 hostages. Israel says 59 captives remain in Gaza, although about 35 are believed to be dead. Israel’s offensive has killed more than 52,000 people in Gaza, many of them women and children, according to ************ health officials, who do not distinguish between combatants and civilians in their count. The fighting has displaced more than 90% of Gaza’s population, often multiple times. ___ Story continues below advertisement Goldenberg reported from Tel Aviv, Israel. Associated Press writers Natalie Melzer in Nahariya, Israel; Samy Magdy in Cairo; Melanie Lidman in Jerusalem and Kevin Schembri in Birkirkara, Malta, contributed to this report. Source link #Missile #fired #Iranbacked #Yemen #rebels #halts #Israel #flights #Gaza #war #vote #National Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Best Character Builds for Clair Obscur Expedition 33 Best Character Builds for Clair Obscur Expedition 33 These are the best character builds in Clair Obscur per character. Source link #Character #Builds #Clair #Obscur #Expedition Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Albatross for Aussie, but Korean golfer rules in Utah Albatross for Aussie, but Korean golfer rules in Utah Aussie golfer Steph Kyriacou closed with an incredible albatross to finish in a tie for sixth place as Korea’s Haeran Ryu claimed a five-shot victory at the LPGA’s inaugural ****** Desert Championship in Utah. Kyriacou finished with the shot of the day, a fairway metal on the par-5 18th that rolled in for an albatross, giving her a 67 to tie for sixth place at 16 under, 10 shots behind the winner. The ***********’s closing 67 followed rounds of 71, 68 and 66. Compatriot Grace Kim also finished in the top 10, taking out ninth place at 15 under after rounds of 67, 70, 72 and 66. Another ***********, Robyn Choi, tied for 20th, carding rounds of 71, 70, 70 and a brilliant 65 to be at 12 under. Ryu closed with an eight-under 64 to finish at 26 under. She became the second player to go wire-to-wire on the LPGA Tour this year. It was also her second time winning a new event, after taking out the FM Championship at the TPC Boston last year. She was coming off a rough finish at the Chevron Championship last week, sharing the 54-hole lead at the first major of the year until closing with a 76. This one was closer than the five-shot margin indicated. Ryu was clinging to a one-shot lead over Germany’s Esther Henseleit going to the back nine. She missed a six-foot birdie putt on the 10th – her third straight miss from short range for birdie. But then she made a 15-foot birdie putt at the 11th, and an eagle at the 13th put her ahead by four shots. “Incredible day,” said Ryu, who now has won in each of the past seven years dating back to her first win as an 18-year-old on the Korea LPGA. Henseleit, who started three shots behind, went out in 31 to get within one shot. She cooled on the back nine, not making another birdie until the 18th hole for a 66. She tied for second with China’s Ruoning Yin (67). “Started out great on the front nine and then couldn’t quite keep up on the back,” Henseleit said. “Haeran played amazing and she really deserved to win it today.” Yin, who got back into the mix with a 62 in the third round, was four shots behind at the turn. She ran off four straight birdies starting at the 11th, all of them inside eight feet. The last one got her to within three shots of Ryu. The South Korean responded with an approach into three feet on the 15th for a birdie to restore her lead to four shots, and Yin fell back with a double-bogey from the bunker on the 16th. Another ******** player, Yan Liu, closed with a 65 to finish alone in fourth. Ryu is the 10th winner in 10 tournaments on the LPGA Tour this season. Source link #Albatross #Aussie #Korean #golfer #rules #Utah Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Archaeologists discover hundreds of metal objects up to 3,400 years old on mysterious volcanic hilltop in Hungary Archaeologists discover hundreds of metal objects up to 3,400 years old on mysterious volcanic hilltop in Hungary When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Some of the metal artifacts dating to the Early Iron Age that archaeologists found on Somló Hill in Hungary. | Credit: Bence Soós et al; Photo by László György; CC BY 4.0 Ancient people in Hungary hid at least six metal hoards around a mysterious settlement on a lone hill as early as the 15th century B.C., a new study using lasers and fieldwork finds. In just one year, researchers using metal detectors identified over 300 artifacts from the Late Bronze Age (1450 to 800 B.C.) and the Early Iron Age (800 to 450 B.C.), including jewelry, military decorations and weapons. The oldest Late Bronze Age findings date back to between 1400 and 1300 B.C., though the majority are Bronze Age artifacts from 1080 to 900 B.C., according to the study, which was published March 27 in the journal Antiquity. In addition to metal assemblages, the team uncovered amber beads, fabric and leather remains, as well as boar and domestic pig tusks. The archaeological work took place at Somló, a volcanic hill in western Hungary notable for its elevation over a relatively flat landscape. Today, the region is primarily known for its wine production. In the late 19th century, however, scholars realized it was also an important archaeological site when local farmers and wine producers began unearthing ancient artifacts, study first author Bence Soós, an archaeologist-museologist at the Hungarian National Museum, told Live Science in an email. The artifacts discovered by the farmers and viticulturists included jewelry, weapons and bronze vessels. The amount and quality of the findings indicated a significant human presence between the 13th and sixth centuries B.C. The specific locations of their discoveries, however, were not recorded, and researchers still don’t know who lived in western Hungary during this *******, Soós explained. Earlier finds near Somló include Early Iron Age grave goods found in monumental burial mounds, prompting some researchers to speculate that prominent landmarks such as Somló were the seats of power of an elite class of warrior leaders. As such, Soós, his colleagues and volunteers launched a new archaeological investigation. These included “extensive metal-detector and field-walking surveys” as well as lidar (light detection and ranging), in which lasers are shot from an aircraft to map the land’s topography, the team wrote in the study. Related: 10th-century woman buried with weapons in Hungary is 1st of her kind, but researchers are hesitant to call her a warrior Different views of an alpine-style spearhead that archaeologists found in Hoard I on Somló Hill in Hungary. | Credit: Bence Soós et al; CC BY 4.0 “Thanks to the efforts of our volunteers, our investigations documented the first metal hoards on Somló,” Soós said. “In the first year of research, six Late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age metal assemblages were discovered.” As of April 2025, the team has recovered over 900 metal finds, most of which are from a plateau on the southeast part of the hill. The artifacts include many objects associated with bronze working, suggesting the metal was produced locally. The findings are particularly noteworthy because they provide insight into the transition between the region’s Late Bronze and Early Iron Ages during the late ninth century B.C., which is not well understood, according to Soós. One assemblage in particular, called Hoard V, represents the first evidence of local metal deposition customs (the practice of burying metal objects, likely for a ritualistic or symbolic purpose) during this transitional *******. It also features metal objects stored within a ceramic vessel — the first example of its kind in western Hungary from the end of the Late Bronze Age. A map showing (A) Somló Hill in Hungary; (B) The topography of the research area at Somló Hill; and (C) the locations of the unearthed artifacts. | Credit: Bence Soós et al; CC BY 4.0 RELATED STORIES —32 stunning centuries-old hoards unearthed by metal detectorists —15th-century hoard of gold and silver coins discovered in Israel near Sea of Galilee —3,600-year-old jewelry and weapon hoard found under field in Czech Republic The findings from Somló join other evidence suggesting that the people living here between the 13th and sixth century B.C. likely lived in tribal or clan-based societies led by elite warriors. Specifically, the recent discoveries indicate that Somló might have been one of their seats of power, as well as the host of a prominent community whose culture included the deposition of metal hoards, Soós said. While Soós and his colleagues were not able to confirm the presence of a metal-producing workshop, they did also uncover parts of a building. The team hopes that further investigations will shed light on the chronology of Somló Hill’s habitation and its hoarding traditions, they wrote in the study. Source link #Archaeologists #discover #hundreds #metal #objects #years #mysterious #volcanic #hilltop #Hungary Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Children Suffer From Malnutrition as Israel’s Blockade of Gaza Continues Children Suffer From Malnutrition as Israel’s Blockade of Gaza Continues It has been over 60 days since Israel ordered a halt to all humanitarian aid entering Gaza. Israel says the siege will continue until ****** releases all of its hostages. Source link #Children #Suffer #Malnutrition #Israels #Blockade #Gaza #Continues Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump says he won't send military to annexe Canada but 'something could happen with Greenland' – Times of India Trump says he won't send military to annexe Canada but 'something could happen with Greenland' – Times of India Trump says he won’t send military to annexe Canada but ‘something could happen with Greenland’ Times of IndiaTrump says he ‘doesn’t rule out’ using military force to control Greenland The GuardianTrump mostly — but not entirely — rules out military action on Canada AxiosTrump still would like to add Canada and Greenland but says attack on Canada ‘highly unlikely’ PoliticoDoes Trump Plan to Annex Canada? Secretary Rubio Speaks Out Time Magazine Source link #Trump #won039t #send #military #annexe #Canada #039something #happen #Greenland039 #Times #India Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Hardwick calls for protection of ‘too honest’ Rowell Hardwick calls for protection of ‘too honest’ Rowell Damien Hardwick has called for better “protection” of Matt Rowell after the Gold Coast midfielder’s quiet night against Brisbane and argued the result wasn’t indicative of the gap between his Suns and the best. Gold Coast looked up for the fight at the Gabba on Sunday when they finished the first half with some momentum and trailing by just 11 points. But they were smashed in clearances 47-28, the third quarter one-way traffic as the Lions shot clear for a 12th win from the last 13 encounters. Three late goals papered some cracks for the Suns in a 9.12 (62) to 7.7 (49) loss in wet conditions, Hardwick’s side falling to 5-2 while the reigning champions (7-1) regained top spot on the ladder. “We were hoping to be better,” the coach said. “We saw the demolition of the Saints (by the Lions) last week and similar today. “We’ve got some things we can get to work on and we know the answers.” Will Ashcroft (34 disposals, nine clearances), Lachie Neale (25 and 10) and Hugh McCluggage (30 and eight) showed their class while Josh Dunkley (26 disposals) kept Suns stoppage king Rowell to just 16 touches and one clearance. Rowell, off contract beyond this year and in demand, began the season brilliantly but was also kept relatively quiet in a 16-disposal game against Sydney last week. He’d had at least 10 clearances in three of his previous six games and averages 6.4 in his 91-game career. “He does battle and he doesn’t get a lot of protection (from officials), I’m not going to lie,” Hardwick said of the 23-year-old. The coach believes his midfield bull could be appealing for more free kicks given the man-handling he receives around the contest. “He’s too honest … he needs to be looked after more, I’m talking throughout the course of the year,’ he said. “He doesn’t get enough protection for a ball player. “He played forward tonight, did some stuff up there as well (to try to get into the contest). “A proud kid, he’ll get to work … he’s had a very, very good year and a couple of quieter weeks.” The Suns, now in fourth, will play sixth-placed Western Bulldogs and third-placed Hawthorn at home-away-from-home Darwin in the next fortnight. “That’s the best place to be,” Hardwick said of the challenge ahead. “Instead of running away from it you step straight into it.” He didn’t agree that the one-sided loss to the Lions, who he said were now “humming”, meant his side were off the pace. “The game interconnects. With your contested ball being belted … you don’t give yourself a chance,” he said. “The game could look very different … but when they absolutely destroy you in that part of the ground … so, hard to say.” Source link #Hardwick #calls #protection #honest #Rowell Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Royal family ‘wants no distractions’ from VE Day amid Harry row Royal family ‘wants no distractions’ from VE Day amid Harry row The King wants “no distractions” from VE Day 80th anniversary celebrations this week amid an ongoing row involving the Duke of Sussex. It is understood that the Royal family wants “nothing” to detract from the focus on veterans and their sacrifices during the Second World War. It comes after Palace insiders said Prince Harry’s outburst about King Charles on Friday will only deepen the rift between them. The Duke’s comment about his father’s ******* on the BBC, in which he said that he “doesn’t know how much longer he has left”, was considered to be in particularly “poor taste”. Now, it is understood Buckingham Palace hopes “nothing will detract or distract from celebrating with full cheer and proud hearts that precious victory and those brave souls, on this most special and poignant of anniversaries”. Royal family ‘will unite with the rest of the nation’ It comes ahead of four days of commemorative events to mark the important anniversary, including a military procession and RAF fly-past on Monday, which the Royal family will watch from the Palace balcony. Senior members of the family will turn out in full force to take part in the events marking the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. Ahead of the celebrations, a Palace aide said that the Royals “are very much looking forward to all the week’s VE Day events”. Throughout the ceremonial and celebratory events, including a concert being held at Horse Guards Parade on Thursday, they said that the family “will unite with the rest of the nation and those across the Commonwealth and wider world in celebrating, commemorating and giving thanks to the wartime generation”. The aide added that the veterans’ “selfless devotion, duty and service should stand as an enduring example to us all – and must never be forgotten”. The comments follow the Duke of Sussex’s TV interview aired hours after he lost his appeal against the Government over security, during which he claimed that he wanted to reconcile with his family, but said King Charles “won’t speak to me”. The Duke alleged that the Royal household had exploited the issue of security “to imprison” members of the Royal family, blocking them “from being able to choose a different life”, describing the court ruling as “a good old-fashioned establishment stitch up”. Buckingham Palace took the rare step of issuing a statement in response to the Duke’s comments on Friday, illustrating the strength of feeling. A spokesperson said: “All of these issues have been examined repeatedly and meticulously by the courts, with the same conclusion reached on each occasion.” On Monday, Their Majesties will be turning their attention to leading the nation through the most prominent VE Day celebration in years. Among the planned events are a tea party hosted by the King and Queen at Buckingham Palace for Second World War veterans and a new exhibition of ceramic poppies at the Tower of London. This week’s festivities will likely be the final landmark anniversary at which veterans, the youngest of whom are now in their late 90s, will be present. Source link #Royal #family #distractions #Day #Harry #row Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Days Before Conclave, Cardinals in Rome Pitch Messages to the Pews – The New York Times Days Before Conclave, Cardinals in Rome Pitch Messages to the Pews – The New York Times Days Before Conclave, Cardinals in Rome Pitch Messages to the Pews The New York TimesReal-Life Conclave Rivals Drama of Movie Version WSJPrelude to a conclave: understanding the selection process of a new pope NPRBefore a new pope, a tug-of-war for the soul of the Catholic Church The Washington PostWill we see the first-ever American pope? How USA’s image could come into play USA Today Source link #Days #Conclave #Cardinals #Rome #Pitch #Messages #Pews #York #Times Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Go get tested: Barnaby Joyce reveals ******* diagnosis Go get tested: Barnaby Joyce reveals ******* diagnosis Federal Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce has been praised for being “very brave” after revealing he will undergo surgery for prostate *******. The one-time deputy prime minister, who comfortably won his regional NSW seat of New England in Saturday’s election, revealed his diagnosis on Sunday. Mr Joyce, 58, received the diagnosis following a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test. The test came back with an elevated result and a subsequent MRI and biopsy revealed he had prostate *******. Mr Joyce, who will have the surgery on Monday, told Seven’s Sunrise program he kept his diagnosis quiet until after the election. “I waited until obviously after the election – I didn’t want a big circus going on,” he said. “Literally, straight after this … I’m going … straight down the road and straight into surgery.” Mr Joyce said he felt fine, before noting that was normal with a disease like prostate *******. “You don’t feel bad, you go to the toilet a bit more than you should,” he added. Federal Labor frontbencher Tanya Plibersek praised Mr Joyce for going public with his diagnosis. “It’s very brave of Barnaby to share his experience,” she told Seven. “I really do think that having high-profile people like Barnaby talk about their health challenges is really important to encourage other men to get the test.” Ms Plibersek noted that Labor Party national president Wayne Swan, 70, was diagnosed with prostate ******* at the age of 48. “Wayne had surgery decades ago and his health is terrific,” she said. Prostate ******* was generally very treatable if caught early, Mr Joyce noted. Labor had a landslide victory at the election, reducing the coalition to one of their worst performances at the polls, after Liberal Leader Peter Dutton lost his own seat. Source link #tested #Barnaby #Joyce #reveals #******* #diagnosis Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Brazil police thwart bomb attack on Lady Gaga concert Brazil police thwart bomb attack on Lady Gaga concert Brazilian police said they thwarted a bomb attack planned for Lady Gaga’s concert on Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday. The Civil Police of Rio de Janeiro state, in co-ordination with the justice ministry, said suspects had recruited participants to carry out attacks using improvised explosives and the plan was aimed at gaining notoriety on social media. The person responsible for the plan and a teenager were arrested, the police said. Lady Gaga’s team said they learned about the bomb threat only from media reports the morning after the gig. A crowd of more than two million people gathered for the concert, which was free to attend. Police said the group that planned the attack had been spreading hate speech, mainly against children, adolescents and the LGBTQ+ community. The alleged mastermind was arrested for ******** possession of a firearm in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul, while the teenager was detained for storing child ************ in Rio. Those responsible were also promoting the radicalisation of teenagers, including self-harm and violent content “as a form of belonging and challenge among young people”. A spokesperson for Lady Gaga told The Hollywood Reporter: “We learned about this alleged threat via media reports this morning. “Prior to and during the show, there were no known safety concerns, nor any communication from the police or authorities to Lady Gaga regarding any potential risks.” The justice ministry said the suspects had identified themselves as Lady Gaga fans, known widely as “Little Monsters”. Police issued search warrants across the states of Rio de Janeiro, Mato Grosso, Rio Grande do Sul and Sao Paulo, and electronic devices and other materials were seized. “Operation Fake Monster” was launched following a tip-off from Rio state police intelligence, which uncovered online groups encouraging violence among teenagers using coded language and extremist symbolism. The concert was paid for by the city in an attempt to revitalise Rio’s economy, with expectations it could bring in $100m (£75m). In a massive security operation, 5,000 officers were deployed and attendees had to pass through metal detectors. Drones and facial recognition cameras were also used to police the event. Lady Gaga, who last performed in Brazil in 2012, took the stage as part of a tour to promote her eighth album, Mayhem. The singer wore Brazil-themed costumes for some of her acts, with outfits inspired by the national football team. “You waited for more than 10 years for me,” an emotional Lady Gaga told the huge crowd, holding out a Brazilian flag. More than two million attended Lady Gaga’s biggest ever concert in Rio de Janeiro [EPA] Source link #Brazil #police #thwart #bomb #attack #Lady #Gaga #concert Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Papal conclave: Cardinals speak out on challenges new pope will face – ABC News Papal conclave: Cardinals speak out on challenges new pope will face – ABC News Papal conclave: Cardinals speak out on challenges new pope will face ABC NewsReal-Life Conclave Rivals Drama of Movie Version WSJPrelude to a conclave: understanding the selection process of a new pope NPRDays Before Conclave, Cardinals in Rome Pitch Messages to the Pews The New York TimesBefore a new pope, a tug-of-war for the soul of the Catholic Church The Washington Post Source link #Papal #conclave #Cardinals #speak #challenges #pope #face #ABC #News Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Syrian security forces ‘oversaw’ armed civilians who killed Alawites, accused man says Syrian security forces ‘oversaw’ armed civilians who killed Alawites, accused man says Lucy Williamson Middle East correspondent Reporting fromNorthern SyriaBBC General Security Forces personnel have been deployed in Latakia city One of the men accused of taking part in a wave of sectarian violence against Syria’s Alawite ********* two months ago has told the BBC that he and other armed civilians who travelled to the area were advised and monitored by government forces there. Abu Khalid said he had travelled as a civilian fighter to the Mediterranean coastal village of Sanobar on 7 March, to help battle former regime insurgents. “The General Security department told us not to harm civilians, but only to shoot at insurgents who shot at us,” he told me. “There were eight men with me, but it was a large group, and the General Security department was overseeing things so that no-one would vandalise the village or harm the residents.” He later filmed himself shooting dead a 64-year-old village resident, Mahmoud Yusef Mohammed, at the entrance to his house. Abu Khalid, who has now been arrested, insisted Mahmoud was an armed insurgent – but video he filmed of the incident does not support his account. Military police told the BBC there had been no coordination between security forces and Abu Khalid. The UN says tens of thousands of people remain displaced following the sectarian violence Human rights groups estimate that almost 900 civilians, mainly Alawites, were killed by pro-government forces across Syria’s coastal region in early March. The Alawite sect is an offshoot of Shia Islam and its followers make up around 10% of Syria’s population, which is majority Sunni. Syria’s coastal area – a stronghold of the former regime – has been largely sealed off, but a BBC team gained access, speaking to witnesses and security officials about what happened in Sanobar. The violence came a day after fighters loyal to the country’s overthrown former President Bashar al-Assad, who is an Alawite, led deadly raids on government security forces. The new Sunni Islamist-led government had called for support from various military units and militia groups to respond to those raids – but that escalated into a wave of sectarian anger aimed at Alawite civilians. Witnesses told the BBC that several different armed groups had targeted Alawites for summary executions. Some also said that government security forces had battled violent and extremist factions to protect Alawite villagers from attack. Reuters Mass killings were reported in cities, towns and villages along the coastal highway, including Jableh When the violence along this coast erupted, the village of Sanobar was right in its path. Some 200 people were wiped out from this small Alawite village, over the course of a few days in early March. Almost two months after the killings, there have been no funerals in Sanobar. A mass grave now squats beside the winding village road. Hurried burials have cleared the remaining corpses. This is now a village of women and secrets. Most survivors are still too scared to speak openly but their stories, shared with us privately, are often strikingly similar. The body of Mahmoud Yousef Mohammed lay outside his simple breeze-block house in Sanobar for three days after he was shot dead. His wife, daughter and grandchildren, sheltering in a neighbour’s house, were too afraid to emerge from hiding and bury him, as armed groups roamed the village. His family said Mahmoud was a polite man, known and respected in the village; a farmer with a military background, who sometimes worked as a minibus driver. His house, on a quiet street at the edge of the village, stands less than 300m (985ft) from the main highway where, on 6 March, army officers from Syria’s former regime led co-ordinated attacks on the country’s new security forces. For two days, government forces battled former regime fighters, known locally as “filoul” (“remnants”), in the villages along this coastal highway, calling for support from allied militia groups who helped push Bashar al-Assad from power last year. An array of armed supporters responded to the call, including foreign jihadist fighters, civilians and armed units now nominally part of the new Syrian army, but still not fully under government control. All are groups now accused by survivors of civilian executions. Reuters Smoke rises during clashes between pro-government forces and Assad loyalists in Latakia on 7 March All day on 7 March, Sanobar residents listened to the sounds of intense fighting around the village, as families hid in their houses. Then the targeting of civilians began. “All day, many groups entered our house,” one survivor from Sanobar told me. “They weren’t from the [military] groups based here, but from Idlib, Aleppo and elsewhere. Some wore camouflage uniforms. But the ones who killed us were wearing green uniforms with a mask.” “They stole everything, insulted us, threatened the children,” she continued. “The last group came around 6pm. They asked, ‘Where are the men?’ and took my father and my brother Ali. We begged them not to kill them. They said, ‘You’re Alawite, pigs,’ and shot them in front of our eyes.” Some time that day, Mahmoud stepped outside the building he was sheltering in with his family. One of his relatives said he could smell toxic fumes from a fire nearby, and wanted to check on his own house. He never reappeared. “We found the next morning that he had been killed,” the relative told us. The story of what happened to Mahmoud began to emerge when a video of his killing surfaced on social media, filmed by the man who shot him. In the video, Abu Khalid is seen grinning and taunting Mahmoud from the back of a motorbike before shooting him six times. Abu Khalid is being detained at a military police centre in Idlib To meet Abu Khalid, we travelled to Idlib, the heartland of transitional President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s Islamist group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which swept Syria’s old regime from power last December. Now in military police custody pending an investigation, Abu Khalid shuffled into the room, blinking and stretching as his blindfold and handcuffs were removed. A young man in camouflage pants, he seemed keen to talk, explaining that Mahmoud was not a civilian, but an insurgent who was fighting in the village that day, and had been carrying an 8.5mm-calibre rifle when he shot him. “I turned the camera on him and told him to sit down,” Abu Khalid told me. “He was running away and he wanted to kill me, so I shot him in the shoulder and the leg. When I got closer, I saw him moving his hand as if he had a bomb or a gun. I was afraid, so I killed him.” Abu Khalid expressed bitterness over the former regime’s attacks But the video Abu Khalid filmed of the shooting – its location and timing verified by the BBC – does not support his account. A former member of the British special forces confirmed that there was no weapon visible on or near Mahmoud at any point in the video. And at no point does Abu Khalid ask the 64-year-old to stop or sit down – nor does he appear scared or under threat. Instead, he is shown whooping and grinning on the back of the motorbike, before calling out to Mahmoud, “I’ve caught you, I’ve caught you! Look at the camera!” He then shoots him three times in quick succession. Mahmoud falls to his knees inside the doorway of his house. “You didn’t die?!” Abu Khalid calls out, as he follows him to the building. Mahmoud can be heard begging for his life, before Abu Khalid shoots him three more times at close range. EPA Many Alawites fled into neighbouring Lebanon to escape the attacks by pro-government forces International law forbids the killing of civilians, the injured, or disarmed fighters. Khaled Moussa, from the military police unit now holding Abu Khalid, said he had gone to fight in Sanobar without coordination with the security forces. “Civilians are not supposed to be there during military operations,” Mr Moussa said. “He made a mistake. He could have captured the person, but instead he killed him.” But Abu Khalid has little regret for what he did. When he cries during our interview, it’s not for Mahmoud – or even for himself. It’s for his little brother, killed in a bomb attack by President Assad’s former army in 2018 as his family sat down at home to break their Ramadan fast. “He was eight years old, and I held him while his soul left his body,” he told me, before tears start flowing down his face. “I was raised during the revolution, and saw nothing but injustice, blood, killing and terror. They ignore everything that happened in Syria before the liberation, and focus on the video I filmed.” He tells me his family’s latest casualty was his 17-year-old cousin, killed while fighting insurgents near Sanobar. “He was completely burned,” he said. “We took him away in a plastic bag.” “If I was going for revenge for what they did to us, I wouldn’t have left any of them.” The government offered residents of the coastal region an amnesty if they handed over weapons The insurgent attacks on 6 March ripped open sectarian fault-lines that Syria’s new Islamist government had tried to paper over with promises of tolerance and inclusion. The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR), an independent monitoring group, says former regime loyalists killed at least 446 civilians, including 30 children and women, and more than 170 government security forces, most of them on 6 March. Those attacks resurrected deep-seated anger over the repressive dictatorship of former President Assad, with Alawite civilians seen by some as complicit in the crimes of his regime – and as part of the insurgency that followed his fall. The SNHR says the government’s crackdown on insurgents on the coast “escalated into widespread and severe violations”, most of which were “retaliatory and sectarian”. The group says that pro-government forces and supporters killed at least 889 civilians, including 114 children and women, in the days following the insurgent attacks. Amnesty International has investigated dozens of attacks it says were “deliberate”, “unlawful” and targeted at Alawite civilians. One video from Sanobar shows a pro-government fighter marching through the village chanting, “ethnic cleansing, ethnic cleansing”. Lists of victims from the village, compiled by local activists, include the names of more than a dozen women and children, including an 11-year-old, a pregnant woman and a disabled man. The survivor who watched gunmen kill her father and brother said the family showed their killers the men’s civilian ID cards to prove they hadn’t been part of Assad’s army. But it made no difference; their only accusation, she said, was that the family were “Alawite pigs”. Syria’s new security forces in Latakia province Separating civilians from insurgents is key to the new government’s plan to secure the country, and its promise to protect minorities. But that will require prosecuting those responsible – and proving it can control its own military forces and armed allies. Sharaa’s HTS group – once the local affiliate of al-Qaeda and still designated as a terrorist organisation by the UN, US and *** – formed the backbone of his new army. There has been rapid recruitment to fill the ranks of a new civilian police and the General Security Forces. Training has reportedly been shortened and many units say they are under-equipped. One commander looked wistfully at my body-armour and radio when we joined them on a patrol. “We don’t have those,” he said. Turkish-backed militia and jihadist fighters who once fought alongside HTS to remove Bashar al-Assad are among those named by witnesses and human rights groups as carrying out summary executions. In the streets of Sanobar, the names of Turkish-backed units, now supposedly under government control, have been graffitied on the walls, and the BBC heard several reports that their men were still present in the village. Some videos of alleged violations also appear to show the presence of vehicles and uniforms from the official General Security Forces – prompting Amnesty International to call for investigation. Many Alawite villagers say they want the government’s General Security Forces to police their villages The head of the General Security Forces for the Latakia region, Mustafa Kunaifati, told me that civilians with friends or relatives in the army were responsible for most of the crimes, but admitted that members of armed groups had also been involved – including what he called “individual cases” from his own General Security units. “It happened,” he said, “and those members were also arrested. We can’t accept something like that.” After the former regime fighters were expelled and the situation brought under control, he said his men “began removing all the rioters from the area and arresting anyone who had harmed civilians”. Several witnesses have confirmed to the BBC that Mr Kunaifati’s forces intervened to protect them from other armed groups. One of Mahmoud’s neighbours in Sanobar told us they evacuated him and his family 30 minutes before Mahmoud was killed. And the witness who described the killing of her father and brother said the General Security Forces had helped them escape the village, and later to return and bury their relatives. Reuters President Ahmed al-Sharaa formed a committee to investigate the killings and vowed to hold those responsible to account Sharaa has vowed that “no-one will be above the law” when it comes to prosecuting the killings on the coast. A special committee is currently investigating both the initial 6 March attack by insurgents, and the violence by pro-government forces that followed. The BBC understands some 30 people have been arrested. But in a country still waiting to see justice for the crimes of the past, this is a delicate moment. Some have argued that the government’s decision to issue a general call for support after the insurgent attacks made violence predictable, even inevitable. Many Alawite villagers say they want the government’s General Security Forces to police their villages, and for other factions, now positioned at some checkpoints and bases, to leave. Two months after the violence here, government security forces are acting as the shield against their own hard-line allies. The future of Sanobar is a test for the future of Syria, and the country’s other minorities – Druze, Christians, Kurds – are watching. To see how far Syria’s Islamist government can hold this wounded country together without resorting to the repression of the past. Source link #Syrian #security #forces #oversaw #armed #civilians #killed #Alawites #accused #man Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]