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Paramilitaries launch first attack on Port Sudan: army Paramilitaries launch first attack on Port Sudan: army Sudanese paramilitaries on Sunday struck Port Sudan, the army said, in the first attack on the seat of the army-aligned government in the country’s two-year war. The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), at war with the regular army since April 2023, have increased their use of drones since losing territory including much of the capital Khartoum in March. Army spokesman Nabil Abdullah said in a statement that the RSF “targeted Osman Digna Air Base, a goods warehouse and some civilian facilities in the city of Port Sudan with suicide drones”. He reported no casualties but “limited damage” in the city, on Sudan’s Red Sea coast. AFP images showed smoke billowing from the area of the airport in Port Sudan, about 650 kilometres (400 miles) from the nearest known RSF positions on the outskirts of Khartoum. In the eastern border town of Kassala, some 500 kilometres south of Port Sudan, near Eritrea, witnesses said three drones struck the airport on Sunday for the second day in a row. An AFP correspondent in Port Sudan said his home, about 20 kilometres from the airport, was shaking as explosions were heard early Sunday. A passenger told AFP from the airport that “we were on the way to the plane when we were quickly evacuated and taken out of the terminal”. Flights to and from Port Sudan, the country’s main port of entry since the start of the war, were suspended until further notice, a government source told AFP. The rare attacks on the airports in Port Sudan and Kassala, both far from areas that have seen much of the fighting since April 2023, come as the RSF has expanded the scope and frequency of its drone strikes. The paramilitaries led by Mohamed Hamdan Daglo have been battling the regular army, headed by Sudan’s de facto leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, in a devastating war that has killed tens of thousands of people and uprooted 13 million. – Drone warfare – In the early days of the war, the government relocated from Khartoum to Port Sudan, which until Sunday’s attack had been spared the violence. UN agencies have also moved their offices and staff to Port Sudan, where hundreds of thousands of displaced people have sought refuge from the war. The conflict has left Sudan, Africa’s third largest country, effectively divided. The army controls the centre, east and north, while the RSF has conquered nearly all of the vast western region of Darfur and parts of the south. Lacking the army’s fighter jets, the RSF has relied on drones, including makeshift ones, for air power. Sudan’s government has accused the United Arab Emirates of supplying the paramilitaries with advanced drones. The Gulf state has long denied reports from UN experts, US politicians and international organisations that it was providing support to the RSF. Satellite imagery analysed by Yale University’s Humanitarian Research Lab, which tracks the conflict using remote sensing data, shows six advanced drones at the RSF-controlled Nyala Airport in the western Darfur region. In a report issued in April, it said that the ********-made drones “may be capable of long-range surveillance and strikes”. – ‘No safe place’ – Saudi Arabia, which had previously mediated truce talks, condemned on Sunday the RSF’s attacks “on vital facilities and infrastructure in Port Sudan and Kassala”, describing them as “a threat to regional stability” and security. Sunday’s attack is the latest in a series of drone attacks the RSF has launched on military and civilian infrastructure deep in army-held territory. A retired Sudanese army general, speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity, said the RSF attacks “serve to send a message” that “there is no safe place” for the paramilitaries’ rivals. “Their other objective is to halt air traffic,” he said, as well as “destroying the weapons depot at the Osman Digna base, which would impact the armed forces’ supply chain”. On Saturday, a source from the army-aligned government reported the war’s first drone attack on Kassala. A drone strike on Thursday hit an army base in the southern city of Kosti, only about 100 kilometres from the border with South Sudan. In late April, a drone strike on the city of Atbara, halfway between Port Sudan and Khartoum, caused persistent electricity blackouts in several areas including in Port Sudan. bur-nda/bha/ami Source link #Paramilitaries #launch #attack #Port #Sudan #army Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

This Samsung Galaxy Watch design feature might be returning soon – and it's good news for fans – ZDNET This Samsung Galaxy Watch design feature might be returning soon – and it's good news for fans – ZDNET This Samsung Galaxy Watch design feature might be returning soon – and it’s good news for fans ZDNET Source link #Samsung #Galaxy #Watch #design #feature #returning #it039s #good #news #fans #ZDNET Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Brain interface used to edit YouTube video — paralyzed Neuralink patient also uses AI to narrate with his own voice Brain interface used to edit YouTube video — paralyzed Neuralink patient also uses AI to narrate with his own voice Bradford Smith is just the third patient to be fitted with a Neuralink Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) yet, impressively, advancements in the technology have allowed him to edit and post a YouTube video using just his thoughts. Smith is affected by Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis or ALS, a disease wherein the nerves that control his muscles degenerate, which has led to him being unable to move and talk. However, Elon Musk’s investments in Neuralink are finally paying off, and the patient was able to make so many advancements that were previously unheard of. Elon Musk makes ALS TALK AGAIN || Nonverbal ALS Patient Uses Neuralink to Create & Narrate Video – YouTube Watch On It was just February last year that the first human Neuralink implantee was reportedly able to move a mouse around by just using their brain. One month later, the patient has grown comfortable enough with the tech that they’re already playing chess and Civilization 6 using the BCI. These achievements are already impressive in their own right, but the second Neuralink patient upped the ante a few months later. In July 2024, Alex, who suffered from a spinal cord injury, received the BCI implant. After a month of getting used to the system, he was reportedly able to use CAD applications to build a custom 3D-printer charging accessory for the implant and play Counter-Strike 2 with his teammates In the video we embedded, Smith shared what the BCI looked like: a small cylindrical stack about the size of five quarters with several fine electrode threads sticking out of it. It was implanted into his brain by a robot, ensuring that no blood vessels were damaged during the process. From there, the Neuralink connects to a MacBook Pro via Bluetooth, which processes all the neural data gathered from his brain. Smith noted that the Neuralink is attached to his motor cortex, meaning it can only read his intended movements — not his thoughts and words. Initially, he tried moving his hands to move the cursor, but the system did not respond well. After further study, the engineers working on his implant discovered that moving his tongue is the best way to move the cursor. Bradford said that he doesn’t think about his tongue when moving the cursor, much like how you don’t think about moving your arm or wrist when operating a mouse. His subconscious quickly took over the operation, and he now controls a computer seamlessly through his BCI. Aside from operating the mouse, the third patient was finally able to regain his voice with AI. Bradford and his team used old video and audio recordings, from before his ALS diagnosis, to train a speech synthesis AI. This allows us to hear him once again, narrating a video which he created himself — something that would’ve been impossible just over a year ago. BCI technology advances apace BCI technology is advancing at remarkable speed, with patients now able to use it to operate a computer by themselves. Elon Musk’s firm isn’t by any means the only one working on it. For example, a ******** company was reportedly working on a competing tech called Neucyber in April last year with the backing of Beijing. The government has even started working on a plan to standardize the technology, which would hopefully make it easier for different companies to cooperate. Advancements in BCIs are helping paralyzed patients get some control over their lives back, allowing them to use computers without external assistance. And as this tech matures even more, maybe we will have a future where ALS and other debilitating diseases would no longer be a life sentence for those affected. Get Tom’s Hardware’s best news and in-depth reviews, straight to your inbox. Source link #Brain #interface #edit #YouTube #video #paralyzed #Neuralink #patient #narrate #voice Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Local Electioncast: The Reaction! (Part 3) Local Electioncast: The Reaction! (Part 3) What politicians are saying on and off mic. Source link #Local #Electioncast #Reaction #Part Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Jacqueline Robles makes history as Holyoke Community College’s first Latina police chief Jacqueline Robles makes history as Holyoke Community College’s first Latina police chief HOLYOKE — Springfield native Jacqueline Robles is set to make history as the first Latina police chief at Holyoke Community College. “It’s exciting to be the first female Latina in this role, and I look forward to being a role model for young women and men, particularly from the Latino community,” Robles said. Holyoke Community College will hold its first oath-of-office ceremony on Monday at 10:30 a.m. in the Leslie Phillips Theater, where Robles will be sworn in. A reception will follow in the Frost Building. “Through her leadership, I believe Chief Robles will further strengthen the college’s new commitment to community policing, creating an atmosphere where students, employees, guests, and friends of the college feel supported and secure,” said Marlowe Washington, vice president of People, Culture and Equity at HCC. Campus police The HCC Police Department currently has about 15 members. While it is a small force, it is growing, Washington said. People often think of police departments as municipal, but in higher education, HCC police officers certified by the state’s POST Commission, he said. “They are sworn officers who carry weapons and perform all the duties that city or town police do, right here on campus,” he said. When developing the job description for the next police chief, Washington said the college wanted someone who not only had the technical skills of policing but also the interpersonal skills to relate to people and promote inclusion. Despite conducting a thorough nationwide search and considering well over a dozen applicants, it ultimately came down to choosing from within the department’s own ranks, he said. “(Robles) fit that bill perfectly and was the obvious choice,” Washington said. “We were looking for someone who could help heal our campus, bring people together, and collaborate with kindness, and trust. Those are core values of our campus.” He said sometimes all people see is blue uniforms and they can’t see the person behind that uniform. “But truly these men and women that we have you know the private the kindest of men and women in our department,” Washington said. Robles excels at bringing people to the table, fostering trust, and being kind but also knows how to switch that kindness off depending on the situation, he said. Washington said Robles was a well-suited candidate for the top cop position because she has supervisory experience and knows where all the skeletons are on campus. “She is familiar with the ins and outs and understands the politics and culture of the campus,” he said. “That’s the kind of leader we need at this point at this time for the campus in order to bring about a different type of policing to the campus, what I call peopling.” Washington said that this new language emphasizes how people relate to one another, focusing on treating each other with kindness and trust. Robles’ 22 years on the job is nothing to sneeze about and when the road was tough, she stayed, he said. “We’ve had some challenges as a department. During that time’ people left but (Robles) never gave up. A part of why we selected her is the idea that she had staying power and she perseveres through all of the crisis. I often think that (Robles) is a person who doesn’t run away from crisis. If anything, she runs towards the crisis,” he said. Robles will be the police chief and executive director of community safety. Robles succeeds Scott Livingstone, the retired police chief from Amherst, who has been serving as interim police chief at HCC since October 2024. Robles was born in Puerto Rico and raised in Springfield. She is fluent in Spanish and believes that because the department serves a very diverse community, “it only makes sense to have someone in the department who mirrors the people we serve,” she said. Robles said her mother moved her to Bayamon, Puerto Rico, at a young age. “I didn’t know Spanish, so it was a whole culture shock, and I hated it at the time. But as I got older, I realized it was the best thing my mom ever did for me. I learned about my culture, learned to appreciate it, and learned to speak and write Spanish very well,” she said. Today, she said being fluent in Spanish has been beneficial at work as being bilingual has helped her aid others with language barriers, guiding them through transitions or assisting them when they needed help. “If they were victims of a crime, I offered to accompany them to the courthouse and provide support,” she said. Robles graduated from Holyoke High School and Springfield Technical Community College. She comes from a family of police officers, following three brothers and a sister into law enforcement. After getting her associate degree in criminal justice from STCC, Robles started as a security officer at Smith College. From campus police to sworn officers Robles said that back in the mid to late ’80s, the department was called campus police, which was more like public safety security. Later on, she said the HCC Police Department was developed, but it remained unarmed for many years. When Robles joined HCC in 2002 as a patrol officer, the force was still unarmed. The department became armed in 2013 for many reasons, she said. One was an increased awareness of societal dangers and issues, particularly around the time of the Columbine High School shooting, Robles said. “What happened at the time our chief put it into play, and we got a buzz around it. Luckily the college agreed and were supportive of that initiative. We got the training that we needed, and we were able to get armed,” she said. As time goes by things change people change, but even through so much change the campus police adapted, Robles said. In 2016, Robles was promoted to sergeant where she supervised police officers, parking lot attendants and dispatchers. She helped start a cadet program for HCC criminal justice students. Even though it is a college, Robles said the department receives calls similar to those handled by municipal police. “We handle everything from motor vehicle accidents to domestic calls, numerous medical calls, and unfortunately, drug-related issues are still part of society,” she said. Her vision One of the things Robles is looking forward to is getting the department accredited and more involved with the campus community. “I would love to offer training to everyone, get some of our police certified and having the community come out and join us. Our approach is very humanity-based policing, and we aim to provide the best, most professional service we can as a college community,” Robles said. Robles said she is looking to empower as many people as she can, especially women of color and the Latino community. She also wants to show her children that if they work hard, they can achieve anything they set their minds to, she said. She has four children. Her oldest son is a court officer in Worcester. Robles said she was fortunate to have had many role models growing up, starting with her mother, who instilled strong values in her. As the youngest of 12, with four siblings who are retired, or still active in policing she said she is eager to get started. Law enforcement officials, elected officials and members of the Holyoke Community College community, along with over 30 of Robles’ family members are expected to attend Monday’s ceremony. Police chiefs from several state community colleges and Holyoke, Amherst and South Hadley will also attend. While Holyoke Police Chief Brian Keenan has not previously worked with Robles, he did work with her brother, a recently retired Springfield narcotics detective, for many years, he told The Republican. “I’d like to congratulate Chief Robles on her promotion. She is dedicated public servant and will serve the Holyoke Community College campus well,” Keenan said. “I wish her success, and we will assist in any way that will help keep our entire community safe.” Around 75% of colleges and universities in the country have a campus police department, Keenan said. More Western Mass. Content Read the original article on MassLive. Read the original article on MassLive. Source link #Jacqueline #Robles #history #Holyoke #Community #Colleges #Latina #police #chief Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

The stock market rebound is now a historic winning streak – CNBC The stock market rebound is now a historic winning streak – CNBC The stock market rebound is now a historic winning streak CNBCS&P 500 posts longest winning streak in 20 years as Trump and China show some willingness to bend on trade CNNMarket Faces Fits and Starts After Surprise U.S.-China Trade News TheStreet ProS&P 500 Notches Longest Winning Streak Since 2004 As Stocks Claw Back From ‘Liberation Day’ ****** ForbesStock market today: Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq jump amid jobs report beat, hopes for US-China talks Yahoo Finance Source link #stock #market #rebound #historic #winning #streak #CNBC Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Harvard is taking the Trump administration to court. The judge overseeing the case is no stranger to either side Harvard is taking the Trump administration to court. The judge overseeing the case is no stranger to either side The judge tasked with weighing in on the government’s reach into higher education in Harvard University’s recent lawsuit against the Trump administration is an experienced prosecutor and jurist with a history of taking on tough cases – including those involving both the Ivy League and the president. “95% of life is showing up,” US District Court Allison Dale Burroughs quipped Monday morning inside a Boston courtroom where she is overseeing Harvard’s legal battle against the Trump administration over $2 billion in frozen federal funds. The hearing was supposed to be streamed on Zoom, but courthouse technology staff struggled to get it working. Burroughs sat for 15 minutes on the bench, noting “81 unhappy people” were waiting to get in. After the attorneys for each side said they were ready to proceed, she started the hearing sans-Zoom. Harvard has asked for an expedited final decision rather than an immediate order to restore the money, leaving $2 billion in federal grants and contracts the university says is critical to important research hanging in the balance. The university’s lawyers specifically asked in a court filing that Burroughs be assigned to this case, citing her involvement in a related case over federal research funding brought by the Association of American Universities, which includes Harvard. Burroughs “is a brilliant jurist and I think she’ll give everyone a fair shake,” Laurence Tribe, a professor of constitutional law at Harvard, told CNN on Monday. “It looks like the parties are trying to advance this case as quickly as possible,” Burroughs said Monday. At the 15-minute hearing, she scheduled oral arguments for July 21. CNN has reached out to the White House, Burroughs and Harvard University for comment. Path to the district court judge seat Burroughs was working as a partner in Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP, a law firm co-founded by former Supreme Court Justice Louis D. Brandeis, when President Barack Obama nominated her as a district court judge in the summer of 2014. Burroughs graduated from Middlebury College in Vermont before receiving her law degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1988. She spent time in the early 1980s waitressing at a longtime pub on Capitol Hill and working as a congressional intern for Democratic Congressman Matthew McHugh, Burroughs told the Senate Judiciary Committee, before starting her law career clerking for Judge Norma Shapiro, the first female judge in the Third Circuit’s Eastern District of Pennsylvania. She then spent about 17 years prosecuting criminal cases for the federal government as a US attorney in Pennsylvania and Massachusetts, taking on emerging criminal gangs, drug offenders, economic crime and technology-focused cases. Donald Sterling, former US attorney for the District of Massachusetts, said hiring Burroughs as an assistant US attorney years ago was an easy decision. Even then, she was a star, he told CNN. “Allison was never shy about speaking her mind but usually did so with a sense of humor,” Sterling said, describing Burroughs as “hard working, balanced, smart and highly ethical.” “Allison was a no-nonsense prosecutor but always listened to what defense counsel had to say. When making a prosecution decision, she was guided wholly by the facts and the law,” he added. Allison Dale Burroughs was confirmed as a US district judge for the District of Massachusetts in January 2015. – US Senate Committee on the Judiciary Obama said he was confident Burroughs would “serve the American people with integrity and a steadfast commitment to justice,” in a statement around the time of her nomination. As part of her confirmation process, the Senate Judiciary Committee asked Burroughs to list her 10 most significant cases. Among those she listed were one of the first cases in the nation tied to the Patriot Act – enacted after the September 11 terror attacks to broaden the government’s surveillance powers; a complex offshore money laundering scheme; large-scale telemarketing fraud; an enforcer for a violent crack ******** trafficking organization; and a Maine state trooper accused of stealing and selling championship baseball rings from Boston Red Sox player Ted Williams. “I am fully committed to putting aside any personal views that I might have and being fair to all who might appear before me,” Burroughs told the committee. “During my career I have litigated effectively on behalf of both the U.S. government and individual defendants.” She was sworn in as a US district judge for the District of Massachusetts in January 2015. Harvard affirmative action decision This isn’t Burroughs’ first high-profile case involving Harvard University. As a federal judge in 2019, she upheld the Ivy League’s admissions process in an affirmative action case – a decision the US Supreme Court later overturned. She ruled that while Harvard’s admissions process was “not perfect,” she would not “dismantle a very fine admissions program that passes constitutional muster, solely because it could do better.” Race-conscious admissions hold “an important place in society and help ensure that colleges and universities can offer a diverse atmosphere that fosters learning, improves scholarship, and encourages mutual respect and understanding,” the judge said in her decision. The case prompted nationwide scrutiny of university admissions practices, and in 2023, the Supreme Court issued a landmark decision saying universities could no longer take race into consideration in admissions decisions. The decision overturned long-standing precedent that has benefited ****** and Latino students in higher education. History with the Trump administration As a federal district judge, Burroughs has put guardrails on the Trump administration before. As hordes of protesters descended on US airports where travelers were being detained under Trump’s 2017 travel ban on people from seven predominantly ******* countries, Burroughs issued a temporary restraining order blocking the removal of individuals from those countries. Boston Logan International Airport became a de facto shelter for many of those families. During the coronavirus pandemic, Burroughs oversaw a case brought by Harvard and MIT against the Trump administration, which insisted international students at schools offering online-only classes would need to leave the United States. The administration walked back that policy before a ruling was made. And two weeks ago, Burroughs issued another temporary restraining order blocking Department of Energy cuts to federal research funding in the lawsuit brought by the Association of American Universities. CNN’s Kara Scannell, Nicki Brown, Joan Biskupic, Andy Rose and Ray Sanchez contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Source link #Harvard #Trump #administration #court #judge #overseeing #case #stranger #side Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

‘SNL’ Weekend Update Roasts Trump’s Pope Dream, Stock Market Pleas – Rolling Stone ‘SNL’ Weekend Update Roasts Trump’s Pope Dream, Stock Market Pleas – Rolling Stone ‘SNL’ Weekend Update Roasts Trump’s Pope Dream, Stock Market Pleas Rolling StoneTrump accused of ‘mocking’ Catholics after posting image of himself as pope The GuardianTrump AI image as Pope: Catholic conference criticise Trump afta posting AI image of imself as Pope BBCPresident Trump shares AI-generated photo of him dressed as pope CBS NewsVance defends Trump’s post depicting AI-generated image of himself as pope Politico Source link #SNL #Weekend #Update #Roasts #Trumps #Pope #Dream #Stock #Market #Pleas #Rolling #Stone Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Cameron, Lions mids flex to continue QClash dominance Cameron, Lions mids flex to continue QClash dominance Charlie Cameron has burst to life as the Brisbane Lions shot to the top of the AFL ladder and put Gold Coast in their place in a lopsided QClash. The Suns entered 5-1, sitting third with ambition to prove their mettle against the reigning premiers. But, in driving rain and after a hard-fought first half, the Lions’ midfield dominated the clearances and their small forwards profited in a 9.12 (66) to 7.7 (49) Sunday night Gabba win. Three late goals flattered the Suns and helped them narrowly avoid their lowest score in 28 meetings as a QClash record crowd of 33,612 gathered to watch the Lions’ 12th win from these teams’ past 13 meetings. Charlie got a great sit #AFLLionsSuns pic.twitter.com/lGmHqLht8K— AFL (@AFL) May 4, 2025 Lachie Neale, Will Ashcroft and Hugh McCluggage had 27 of the Lions’ 47 clearances, while the Suns mustered just 28 in total. With 34 disposals, Will Ashcroft won the medal for best afield in a QClash, named in honour of his father, former Lions star Marcus. Josh Dunkley kept Matt Rowell quiet to complete the Lions’ midfield masterclass. Cameron (three goals) hadn’t kicked a goal in three games but had two in as many minutes in the second term thanks to some quick footwork and a handy grubber off the deck. He missed two snaps he would usually ******** up but marked strongly and moved well to look back to his threatening best after a quiet start to the season. The margin was just 11 points at halftime and the Suns looked ripe to push the Lions after halting the hosts’ momentum and getting forward themselves. But they wasted opportunities with long bombs into the Lions’ defensive zone, easily picked off by Harris Andrews, who repelled and allowed Cameron and Callum Ah Chee (three goals) to prosper. A 12-clearance difference in the third term was the biggest for the Suns since 2019 and led to a five-goals-to-one quarter that ended the fight. The Lions (7-1), wearing their inaugural 1987 Brisbane Bears guernsey in a retro throwback, jumped to first after Collingwood’s loss to Geelong on Saturday. Former Suns forward Sam Day had a forgettable night against his old team, subbed out with a hamstring injury in the first quarter. Lachie Weller (hamstring) was also an early casualty for the Suns. Bailey Humphrey added a quirky chapter to the QClash’s history book, gifting Jarrod Berry a goal after his bizarre antics on the mark gave away a 50 metre penalty. Berry, kicking after the siren, hadn’t made the distance from outside the arc but got another chance from the top of the goal square after Humphrey had grabbed a handful of turf and under-armed it towards him as he kicked for goal. It was the Lions’ only goal in a hotly-contested first quarter. Coleman Medal leader Ben King was well held by the returning Jack Payne, and was unable to get a touch until kicking his first goal in the third quarter. Source link #Cameron #Lions #mids #flex #continue #QClash #dominance Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Man reunited with ‘little hero’ who saved his life at Devon beach Man reunited with ‘little hero’ who saved his life at Devon beach Lisa Young BBC News, South West BBC In an emotional reunion Gavin Bowden thanked Oscar for being “a guardian angel” A man who was seriously injured while paddleboarding has met the 14-year-old boy who saved his life. Oscar paddled to help Gavin Bowden, 60, after he was hit on the head by his board in heavy surf at Saunton Sands in north Devon on 25 April. The junior member of Saunton Sands Surf Life Saving Club worked alone to pull Mr Bowden on to his board, signalled to the shore and kept him afloat for 30 minutes until help arrived. After Mr Bowden left hospital he was reunited with Oscar and called him “my little hero”. Neil Phillips Oscar kept Mr Bowden afloat in a rough sea for 30 minutes before help arrived Mr Bowden told Oscar’s parents: “He’s a great kid, he saved my life.” In an emotional reunion, Mr Bowden hugged and thanked the young surf lifesaver. Mr Bowden told the BBC what he remembered about what had happened when he realised he could not move his arms or legs and was “totally paralysed”. He said: “I called ‘help, help, help’ and the little kid – I didn’t know his name was Oscar – came over and said ‘I’ve got you’. “He started trying to reassure me, asking me my name and about my family and whether I was married, all the stuff he’s obviously been trained to do, he was really good.” “They sent me a guardian angel that day,” he said. ‘Just amazing’Neil Phillips Oscar said he had been determined to help Gavin despite the challenge of getting him on the board Oscar said he had been “quite scared at the beginning that I wouldn’t be able to lift him because he’s quite a big guy but I just had the determination to help him”. He said: “When I arrived Gavin was panicked and shaken. “When he got his chest on to the board I went underneath him and just hauled him up, then went back around and grabbed him and pulled him up. “Then I interlocked arms with him so I knew he wouldn’t go anywhere, I waved to my dad and started heading out.” Neil Phillips, a coach at Saunton Sands Surf Life Saving Club, said Oscar had carried out a “textbook rescue”. He said: “Oscar talked to Gavin, he protected him, he got him up on his board, he kept giving him reassurance all the time and he wasn’t tempted to bring Gavin in through the break, which would have been a disaster with a neck injury. “He was just amazing, absolutely fantastic.” Source link #Man #reunited #hero #saved #life #Devon #beach Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Putin, 72, says the succession is always on his mind Putin, 72, says the succession is always on his mind MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian President Vladimir Putin, the longest serving Kremlin chief since Josef Stalin, said in remarks aired on Sunday that he was always thinking about the succession, and suggested that there could be an contest between several candidates. Putin, a former KGB lieutenant colonel who was handed the presidency on the last day of 1999 Boris Yeltsin, served as president from 1999 to 2008, then as prime minister until 2012, and then again as president from 2012 to the present. “I always think about it,” Putin, 72, said when asked if he thought about the succession in a film by state television about Putin’s quarter of a century as Russia’s paramount leader entitled “Russia, Kremlin, Putin, 25 years”. “Ultimately, the choice is for the people, for the Russian people,” Putin said. “I think that there should be a person, or rather several people, so that the people have a choice.” There is no clear successor to Putin though under the Russian constitution, if the president was unable to fulfill his duties, then the prime minister – currently Mikhail Mishustin – would assume presidential powers. (Reporting by Reuters; editing by Guy Faulconbridge) Source link #Putin #succession #mind Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

SpaceX launches largest batch of Starlink V2 Mini satellites to date – Spaceflight Now SpaceX launches largest batch of Starlink V2 Mini satellites to date – Spaceflight Now SpaceX launches largest batch of Starlink V2 Mini satellites to date Spaceflight NowSpaceX ups Starlink satellite payload to 29 during May 4 launch from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center YahooSpaceX rocket launch in Florida on May the Fourth Star Wars Day: What time is liftoff? Florida TodayUPDATE: SpaceX launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base pushed to Sunday KSBY NewsSpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches 28 Starlink satellites to orbit from Florida (photos) Space Source link #SpaceX #launches #largest #batch #Starlink #Mini #satellites #date #Spaceflight Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Wigan woman thrilled to become Flatpack World Champion Wigan woman thrilled to become Flatpack World Champion PA Media Hayley McAuley says she is “a bit of a machine” when it comes to flatpack furniture A woman who took just over nine and a half minutes to build a bedside table has said she was “thrilled” to become the first person to be crowned Flatpack World Champion. The inaugural Flatpack World Championships saw eight competitors battle it out to build flatpack furniture as speedily as they could, at the opening of Grand Designs Live at ExCel London. Hayley McAuley from Wigan said it had been a “rollercoaster” but after taking a mere nine minutes and 33 seconds to build a bedside table, she proved she had the speed and determination needed to become a champion. She said she was keen to take part in the race as she had always been “a bit of a machine” when it came to flatpack furniture. ‘Hugely amusing’ The contest was split into two rounds and involved participants making bookcases and bedside tables. “It’s been a rollercoaster of a morning, and I am absolutely thrilled to have been crowned Flatpack World Champion,” Ms McAuley said. “When I first heard about the competition I jumped at the chance to enter as I’ve always thought I’m a bit of a machine when it comes to building flatpack furniture. “Everyone truly did a fantastic job.” PA Media Ms McAuley took just over nine minutes to assemble a bedside table in the “hugely entertaining” competition Ms McAuley was awarded with a golden hex key medal and was congratulated by Kevin McCloud, who was the host of the event and is best known for presenting Grand Designs on Channel 4. McCloud said: “This was great fun and hugely amusing. “It was wonderful to see who took this seriously, and who accidentally sabotaged their own attempts to win. “We had a really spectacular audience who found it hugely entertaining.” The furniture pieces are to be donated to the charity British Heart Foundation. Source link #Wigan #woman #thrilled #Flatpack #World #Champion Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Mexico’s president says she rejected Trump’s plan to send US troops into her country Mexico’s president says she rejected Trump’s plan to send US troops into her country MEXICO CITY — ******** President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Saturday that U.S. President Donald Trump proposed sending American troops into Mexico to help her administration fight drug trafficking but that she rejected it. Her remarks to supporters in eastern Mexico came in response to a Wall Street Journal article published the day before, describing a tense phone call last month in which Trump reportedly pressured her to accept a ******* role for the U.S. military in combating drug cartels in Mexico. “He said, ‘How can we help you fight drug trafficking? I propose that the United States military come in and help you.’ And you know what I said to him? ‘No, President Trump.’” She added: “Sovereignty is not for *****. Sovereignty is loved and defended.” White House National Security Council spokesman James Hewitt said in a statement later Saturday that Trump has worked closely with Mexico’s president “to achieve the most secure southwest border in history.” “Dangerous Foreign Terrorist Organizations, however, continue to threaten our shared security and the drugs and crime they spread threaten American communities across the country,” the statement said. “The President has been crystal clear that Mexico must do more do combat these gangs and cartels and the United States stands ready to assist and expand the already close cooperation between our two countries.” The U.S. military presence has increased steadily along its southern border with Mexico in recent months, following Trump’s order in January to increase the army’s role in stemming the flow of migrants. The U.S. Northern Command has surged troops and equipment to the border, increased manned surveillance flights to monitor fentanyl trafficking along the border and sought expanded authority for U.S. Special Forces to work closely with ******** forces conducting operations against cartels. Trump designated many of the gangs and cartels smuggling drugs into the U.S. as foreign terrorist organizations on Feb. 19, restricting their movements and lending law enforcement more resources to act against them. But Sheinbaum’s hardline stance Saturday signaled that U.S. pressure for unilateral military intervention would put her and Trump on a collision course after months of cooperation on immigration and trade. “We can work together, but you in your territory and us in ours,” Sheinbaum said. Source link #Mexicos #president #rejected #Trumps #plan #send #troops #country Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

A missile from Yemen halts flights in Israel hours before top officials vote on plans for Gaza war A missile from Yemen halts flights in Israel hours before top officials vote on plans for Gaza war Passengers wait following Israel closed its airspace to all domestic and international flights between 01.00-07.00 a.m. were canceled after Iran launched the attack on Israel, at Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv, Israel on April 14, 2024. Nir Keidar | Anadolu | Getty Images A missile launched by Iranian-backed rebels in Yemen on Sunday briefly halted flights and commuter traffic at Israel’s main international airport after an impact left a plume of smoke and caused panic among passengers. The Houthi rebels have been striking Israel throughout the war in Gaza in solidarity with Palestinians. The attack on Ben-Gurion International Airport came hours before top Israeli Cabinet ministers were set to vote on whether to intensify the country’s military operations in the Gaza Strip. The army, meanwhile, began calling up thousands of reserves in anticipation of a wider operation in Gaza, officials said. The missile launch Sunday set off air raid sirens in multiple parts of Israel. A plume of smoke was visible at the airport, according to footage shared by Israeli media. Passengers were heard yelling and scrambling for cover. It was not immediately clear whether the projectile, which landed in a field near an access road leading to airport parking lots, was the missile or its fragments, or an interceptor from Israel’s air defense systems. It left a deep crater in the ground and a nearby road was littered with dirt. Israel vows to respond to the airport attack Police said that air, road and rail traffic were halted following the attack. The traffic resumed after about an hour, Israel Airports Authority said. Israel’s paramedic service Magen David Adom said four people were lightly wounded. 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 been firing at Israel since the war with Gaza erupted on Oct. 7, 2023, and the missiles have mostly been intercepted, although some have penetrated Israel’s missile defense systems, causing damage. Israel has struck back against the rebels in Yemen and the U.S., Israel’s top ally, also launched a campaign of strikes in March against them. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz vowed retribution for the airport attack: “Whoever harms us, we will harm them sevenfold.” Israeli ministers to vote on expanding war in Gaza An Israeli official said the influential security Cabinet would meet on Sunday evening to vote on plans to expand the fighting. A military official said the country was calling up thousands of reserves. Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations. Far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, in an interview with Israeli Army Radio, said he wanted to see a “powerful” expansion of the war, but did not disclose details as to what the new plans would entail. “We need to increase the intensity and continue until we achieve total victory. We must win a total victory,” he said. He demanded that Israel bomb “the food and electricity supplies” in Gaza. The plans to escalate fighting in Gaza more than 18 months after the war there erupted come as a humanitarian crisis in the territory deepens. As part of its efforts to pressure the militant group ****** to negotiate on Israel’s terms for a new ceasefire, Israel in early March halted the entry of goods into Gaza. That has plunged the territory of 2.3 million people into what is believed to be the worst humanitarian crisis since the war began. An eight-week-long ceasefire between Israel and ****** that brought a lull in fighting and freed Israeli hostages collapsed in March. Israel resumed its strikes on Gaza on March 18 and has captured swaths of the coastal enclave. Hundreds of Palestinians have been killed since the fighting resumed, according to local health officials. Fighting in Gaza drags on At least seven Palestinians including two parents and their two children, ages 2 and 4, were killed in Israeli airstrikes in southern and central Gaza Strip, ************ medics said. Asked about the strikes, the Israeli military had no direct comment. The Israeli military said Sunday that two soldiers were killed in combat in Gaza, bringing the number of soldiers 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 250 hostages. Israel says 59 remain in Gaza, although roughly 35 are said 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. Hunger has been widespread and the shortage of food has set off looting. Source link #missile #Yemen #halts #flights #Israel #hours #top #officials #vote #plans #Gaza #war Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

The bizarre space explosions scientists can't explain – BBC The bizarre space explosions scientists can't explain – BBC The bizarre space explosions scientists can’t explain BBC Source link #bizarre #space #explosions #scientists #can039t #explain #BBC Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Changing leader not enough to fix Tories, Badenoch says Changing leader not enough to fix Tories, Badenoch says Kemi Badenoch has said it would be wrong to think a change of leader would “fix everything” after the Conservatives suffered heavy losses in English local elections. The Tory leader told the BBC her party would “come out fighting” after losing 674 council seats and control of 16 authorities. But she cautioned against a knee-jerk response, saying the party’s issues were “not going to be fixed after six months” of her leadership. She said: “Reform had a good night. We had a bad night. And what this shows for a lot of people who hoped that just changing leader again would fix everything is that that’s not going to be enough. We tried that previously. And that brought us to a historic defeat.” Speaking to the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme, Badenoch said protest was “in the air” in these local elections and argued her party was working on a “slow and steady” plan to return to government by the end of the decade. She said: “We are going to come out with the policies that people want to see, but what we are not going to do is rush out and tell the public things that are not true just so we can win votes. “This is not about winning elections; this is about fixing our country. Yes, of course, you need to win elections to do that, but you also need a credible plan.” Asked if it was feasible that Reform *** leader Nigel Farage could be the next prime minister, she said “anything is feasible”, noting *********** Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had won re-election this week after trailing in the polls. But she added: “My job is to make sure that he [Farage] does not become prime minister because he does not have the answers to the problems the country is facing.” Badenoch was a cabinet minister in the previous Conservative government and took over as party leader last November, following its worst defeat ever in a general election. The former leader of North Northamptonshire council, Jason Smithers, told the BBC he would call for Badenoch to resign as leader following this week’s results. But shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick – a previous contender for the Tory leadership – has backed Badenoch, telling the BBC she was doing an “excellent job”. The results in the local elections were worse than Conservatives had feared, with the party not only losing councils to Reform but also the Liberal Democrats. It lost 674 council seats and control of all 16 local authorities it was defending but wrested the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough mayoralty from Labour. Reform *** was the big winner, taking control of 10 councils and gaining 677 councillors, as the party seemed able to tap into widespread dissatisfaction with the Conservatives and Labour. The Lib Dems were the other standout winners, gaining 163 seats and control of three councils. They seized Shropshire from the Tories and gained control of Oxfordshire and Cambridgeshire after both previously had no party in overall control. The Green Party made some gains, winning 44 seats in total – however it suffered disappointment in the West of England mayoral race. The BBC is estimating that, if elections had taken place across the *** on Thursday, the Conservatives would have slumped to just 15% of the national vote, its worst-ever share of such a projection, behind the Liberal Democrats on 17%. Labour would have won 20% of the vote, according to the projection, equalling its lowest previous recorded performance in 2009. Source link #Changing #leader #fix #Tories #Badenoch Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

*********** productivity needs shot in the arm, business lobby groups tells re-elected Labor Government *********** productivity needs shot in the arm, business lobby groups tells re-elected Labor Government Business group have called on the re-elected Federal Labor Government to arrest Australia’s falling productivity and cut the regulation slowing investment. Source link #*********** #productivity #shot #arm #business #lobby #groups #tells #reelected #Labor #Government Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Warren Buffett is stepping aside at Berkshire Hathaway. Here’s what he thinks happens next. Warren Buffett is stepping aside at Berkshire Hathaway. Here’s what he thinks happens next. Warren Buffett shook the investment world on Saturday with four words: “The time has arrived.” The investing legend and longtime CEO of Berkshire Hathaway (BRK-B, BRK-A) made official this weekend plans to hand over the CEO role at Berkshire to the company’s vice chairman, Greg Abel, at the end of the year. Abel was first identified as Buffett’s successor in 2021. At 94, Buffett’s pronouncement that he step back from CEO duties — which he will recommend to the board in a meeting set for Sunday — is less a shock than a matter of necessity. Either Buffett or Father Time was going to make a call soon; Buffett took action first. Preparations for Buffett to leave his post at Berkshire Hathaway, which he’s held since 1970, have been underway for years. Abel and Ajit Jain, who runs Berkshire’s insurance operations, were named vice chairmen at Berkshire in 2018. And as far back as 2014, Buffett’s longtime right-hand man, Charlie Munger, was writing about these two as potential successors for Buffett. “Ajit Jain and Greg Abel are proven performers who would probably be under-described as ‘world-class,'” Munger wrote. “‘World-leading’ would be the description I would choose. In some important ways, each is a better business executive than Buffett.” People watch as Berkshire Hathaway chairman Warren Buffett is seen on a screen speaking at the Berkshire Hathaway Inc annual shareholders’ meeting, in Omaha, Nebraska, U.S., May 3, 2025. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid · REUTERS / Reuters In his 2014 annual letter, Buffett reflected on the 50 year anniversary of his investment partnership by outlining what would be needed to keep Berkshire going for another 50. “Managing Berkshire is primarily a job of capital allocation, coupled with the selection and retention of outstanding managers to captain our operating subsidiaries,” Buffett wrote. “Obviously, the job also requires the replacement of a subsidiary’s CEO when that is called for. These duties require Berkshire’s CEO to be a rational, calm and decisive individual who has a broad understanding of business and good insights into human behavior. It’s important as well that he knows his limits.” During Saturday’s meeting, Buffett repeatedly downplayed this year’s volatility in the stock market, noting we’ve seen far sharper sell-offs — both for the overall market and Berkshire stock. The former is down 3% this year; the latter, up 17%. At one point, Buffett said the market action this year “is really nothing.” Future Berkshire CEOs will likely deal with worse environments that will test their mettle. Berkshire Hathaway Vice Chairman Greg Abel checks out the flight simulators offered by one of Berkshires companies, Flight Safety as he toured the exhibit hall Friday, May 3, 2024, in Omaha, Neb. ahead of Saturday’s meeting. (AP Photo/Josh Funk, File) · ASSOCIATED PRESS Elsewhere in that 2014 letter, Buffett outlined the qualities needed, challenges to be faced, and pitfalls avoided for the next CEO of Berkshire Hathaway. Story Continues Here are some of the highlights: “Character is crucial: A Berkshire CEO must be ‘all in’ for the company, not for himself.” “He can’t help but earn money far in excess of any possible need for it. But it’s important that neither ego nor avarice motivate him to reach for pay matching his most lavishly-compensated peers, even if his achievements far exceed theirs. “A CEO’s behavior has a huge impact on managers down the line: If it’s clear to them that shareholders’ interests are paramount to him, they will, with few exceptions, also embrace that way of thinking.” “My successor will need one other particular strength: the ability to fight off the ABCs of business decay, which are arrogance, bureaucracy and complacency.” “When these corporate cancers metastasize, even the strongest of companies can falter. The examples available to prove the point are legion, but to maintain friendships I will exhume only cases from the distant past. In their glory days, General Motors, IBM, Sears Roebuck and U.S. Steel sat atop huge industries. Their strengths seemed unassailable. But the destructive behavior I deplored above eventually led each of them to fall to depths that their CEOs and directors had not long before thought impossible.” “If our noneconomic values were to be lost, much of Berkshire’s economic value would collapse as well. ‘Tone at the top’ will be key to maintaining Berkshire’s special culture.” “Fortunately, the structure our future CEOs will need to be successful is firmly in place. The extraordinary delegation of authority now existing at Berkshire is the ideal antidote to bureaucracy… We don’t have a legal office nor departments that other companies take for granted: human relations, public relations, investor relations, strategy, acquisitions, you name it. “ “We do, of course, have an active audit function; no sense being a damned fool. To an unusual degree, however, we trust our managers to run their operations with a keen sense of stewardship. After all, they were doing exactly that before we acquired their businesses. With only occasional exceptions, furthermore, our trust produces better results than would be achieved by streams of directives, endless reviews and layers of bureaucracy.” On Friday, Berkshire stock closed at a record high. Seen one way, the Berkshire Hathaway Greg Abel will inherit from Warren Buffett next year doesn’t look all that different from the company Buffett was leading in 2015. Berkshire’s made only one major acquisition over the years — a 2015 deal for Precision Castparts. Its investment portfolio has grown alongside the broader market and come to be defined by a successful bet on Apple (AAPL) — a fact that prompted Buffett to say Saturday Apple CEO Tim Cook has made more for Berkshire shareholders than he ever did. But the Berkshire portfolio remains consistent with what it’s been for decades now, a collection of predictable businesses held in large size, for long periods. Of course, in business, life, or otherwise, substantial change will happen over a decade whether you’re looking for it or not. Buffett said Saturday that after Abel takes over as CEO, “I would still hang around, and could conceivably be useful in a few cases, but the final word would be what Greg said, in operations, in capital deployment, whatever it might be.” Anyone who has been witness to a leadership change where the old boss sticks around to “advise” knows these arrangements tend to fall off fast — you’re either in or out. Charlie Munger has now been gone for two Berkshire shareholder meetings. Donald Trump has won two presidential elections. Berkshire’s annual earnings have ballooned from $19.8 billion in 2014 to $89 billion in 2024. The Yankees still haven’t won a World Series. Berkshire’s board will meet Sunday to discuss Buffett’s proposal outlined Saturday. Buffett said he expects they will “unanimously” agree to his timeline. More details will emerge in the months ahead. The next phase of Berkshire Hathaway’s corporate history is now underway. No amount of planning would’ve removed the uncertainty assured in the years ahead, but what Buffett thinks needs to happen next is not quite a mystery — it’s all been written down. Click here for in-depth analysis of the latest stock market news and events moving stock prices Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance Source link #Warren #Buffett #stepping #Berkshire #Hathaway #Heres #thinks Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

John Lydon slams Sex Pistols for ‘karaoke’ performances John Lydon slams Sex Pistols for ‘karaoke’ performances John Lydon is saddened by the Sex Pistols performing “karaoke” versions of their classic songs. The 69-year-old artist – also known by his former Sex Pistols stage name Johnny Rotten – was involved in a bitter legal dispute with former bandmates Steve Jones, Paul Cook and Glen Matlock over the use of the punk group’s music in the 2022 Disney+ TV drama Pistol. He is unimpressed with the God Save the Queen band’s current iteration that features Frank Carter on lead vocals. “It’s a shame to see my early songs in the Pistols now being karaoked, let’s put it that way, by a couple or three of the remaining original members,” Lydon told Blitzed magazine. “I wish they could write some songs of their own, and I’d have something to judge them by. “They’ve put a lot of the imitation Pistol bands out of work. You know, the tributes, that’s the list they’re top of now. “There’s a special place for them doing it the way they’re doing, which will be Bingo halls. ‘Two **** ladies, Click, click, click, and now it’s some of the Sex Pistols doing a rendition of whatever’, then it’s back to the bingo for 10 minutes.” Yet the outspoken musician said he still has “a huge fondness” for his former bandmates. “I felt very proud at the time of what we were doing. If you don’t like me and you don’t want me that’s fine, but leave my words out shall we?” Lydon embarked on a spoken word *** tour titled I Could Be Wrong, I Could Be Right in 2024 and explained he was left irritated by those in the audience who tried to replicate his distinctive appearance. “I get frustrated by the ones that try to look like me! They’re saying, ‘Look, look, I’m just like you!’ and they don’t get it, they couldn’t be further from me by going that route,” the Public Image Ltd (PiL) frontman said. “It’s not a compliment because it shows a lack of individuality, and they should know that really. “The art of the individual is to be yourself and I will really enjoy and respect you for that.” Source link #John #Lydon #slams #Sex #Pistols #karaoke #performances Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Wall Street analysts are bullish on these 3 dividend stocks for stable returns Wall Street analysts are bullish on these 3 dividend stocks for stable returns The Texas Instruments Inc. logo is seen on scientific calculator packages in Tiskilwa, Illinois. Daniel Acker | Bloomberg | Getty Images Investors with concerns about the risks facing the economy may want to add some stable income to their portfolio in the form of dividend-paying stocks. To this end, Wall Street experts’ recommendations can help pick lucrative dividend stocks that have the ability to make consistent payments despite near-term pressures. Here are three dividend-paying stocks, highlighted by Wall Street’s top pros on TipRanks, a platform that ranks analysts based on their past performance. AT&T This week’s first dividend stock is telecom giant AT&T (T). The company recently reported first-quarter results, driven by strong postpaid phone and fiber net subscriber additions. The company retained its full-year guidance and stated that it plans to commence share buybacks in the second quarter, given that its net leverage target of net debt-to-adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization is in the 2.5-times range. AT&T offers investors a quarterly dividend of $0.2775 per share. With an annualized dividend of $1.11 per share, AT&T stock offers a dividend yield of 4.0%. In reaction to the company’s Q1 print, RBC Capital analyst Jonathan Atkin raised his price target for AT&T stock to $30 from $28 and reiterated a buy rating. The analyst noted that the company exceeded estimates even after excluding $100 million of one-time EBITDA benefits. Atkin added that AT&T’s revenue surpassed expectations, thanks to the strength in both wireless and wireline businesses. Among other positives, the analyst noted that the company promptly addressed the slowdown seen in January and delivered robust postpaid phone net additions of 324,000, with gross additions growing 13% and helping to overcome higher churn. “Management signaled confidence in its execution amidst a challenging environment by reiterating guidance and introducing a buyback program that commences in Q2,” said Atkin. Atkin ranks No. 85 among more than 9,400 analysts tracked by TipRanks. His ratings have been successful 69% of the time, delivering an average return of 11.3%. See AT&T Hedge Fund Trading Activity on TipRanks. Philip Morris International We move to Philip Morris International (PM), a consumer goods company that is focused on transitioning completely to smoke-free alternatives from cigarettes. The company reported solid results for the first quarter of 2025, driven by strong demand for its smoke-free products. Philip Morris rewarded shareholders with a quarterly dividend of $1.35 per share. At an annualized dividend of $5.40 per share, PM stock offers a yield of nearly 3.2%. Encouraged by the results, Stifel analyst Matthew Smith reaffirmed a buy rating on PM stock and increased the price target to $186 from $168, noting strong momentum across the board. The analyst said that three growth engines – smoke-free product mix, pricing and volume growth – boosted Philip Morris’ Q1 performance and drove a 10% rise in organic revenue, 340 basis points of gross margin expansion and 200 basis points of increase in operating profit margin. “Each of these engines support durable growth in 2025 and beyond as smoke-free continues to increase as a portion of PMI’s portfolio, now over 40% of revenue and gross profit,” said Smith. The analyst expects 170 basis points of operating profit margin expansion in 2025, driven by smoke-free products, including Iqos and Zyn. In particular, Smith noted that Zyn’s Q1 U.S. volumes benefited from robust demand and earlier-than-anticipated improvement in supply chain capacity. He now expects 824 million cans for 2025, reflecting a 42% growth. Also, Zyn’s capacity is expected to reach 900 million cans this year, supporting potential upside to his estimates, especially in the second half of the year when inventories are expected to normalize. Smith ranks No. 642 among more than 9,400 analysts tracked by TipRanks. His ratings have been successful 64% of the time, delivering an average return of 15%. See Philip Morris Ownership Structure on TipRanks. Texas Instruments This week’s third dividend stock is Texas Instruments (TXN), a semiconductor company that designs and manufactures analog and embedded processing chips for several end markets. The company’s first-quarter earnings and revenue easily surpassed Wall Street’s estimates, reflecting strong demand for its analog chips despite the threat of tariffs. Also, TXN’s guidance for the June quarter was better than the consensus estimate. Meanwhile, Texas Instruments pays a quarterly dividend of $1.36 per share. At an annualized dividend of $5.44 per share, TXN stock’s dividend yield stands at 3.3%. Reacting to the strong Q1 results, Evercore analyst Mark Lipacis reiterated a buy rating on TXN stock with a price target of $248, saying, “We’re buyers of TXN post a beat and raise 1Q25 print.” He stated that TXN remains a top analog pick for Evercore. Lipacis contended that while bears will argue that the upside to Texas Instruments’ Q1 results and Q2 2025 outlook were due to tariff-driven order pull-ins, his analysis shows that the company’s inventories have overcorrected in the supply chain. In fact, numerous checks by his firm indicate that many entities in the supply chain have now taken their inventories well below normal levels. The analyst expects TXN to be early into the upward revision cycle, given that it was the first large-cap analog company to enter the inventory correction phase. He expects the company to deliver upside surprises through 2025 and into 2026. Additionally, he expects TXN stock to sustain a premium price-earnings multiple as it is exiting its capital expenditure cycle, which will drive its free cash flow per share higher from a trailing 12 months’ trough of $1 to $10.30 by 2027. Lipacis ranks No. 69 among more than 9,400 analysts tracked by TipRanks. His ratings have been profitable 58% of the time, delivering an average return of 20.4%. See Texas Instruments Technical Analysis on TipRanks. Source link #Wall #Street #analysts #bullish #dividend #stocks #stable #returns Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

2 dead after small plane crashes into homes in Simi Valley, California – ABC News 2 dead after small plane crashes into homes in Simi Valley, California – ABC News 2 dead after small plane crashes into homes in Simi Valley, California ABC News2 people, 1 dog killed in small plane ****** in Simi Valley Los Angeles TimesSmall plane crashes into two structures in Simi Valley ABC7 Los AngelesTwo people killed when small plane crashes into two homes in California CNNPilot killed after small plane crashes into California neighborhood Fox News Source link #dead #small #plane #crashes #homes #Simi #Valley #California #ABC #News Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

JPMorgan’s favorite stocks heading into May JPMorgan’s favorite stocks heading into May JPMorgan added Netflix to its list of favorite stocks as the new month gets under way. Every month, the bank refreshes its analyst focus list, which includes its top ideas aligned with the growth, income, value and short investment strategies. JPMorgan’s changes come after a month characterized by high market volatility stemming from President Donald Trump’s new global tariffs. Recent disappointing data points have further bolstered fears of an economic slowdown. Although hopes of easing trade tensions sent stocks higher to wrap up April, this slight comeback wasn’t enough to save the S & P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average from closing the month lower. May’s additions to JPMorgan’s focus list included Netflix, AutoZone , Digital Realty Trust and Ulta Beauty . On the other hand, the bank removed Lowe’s , Targa Resources , Home Depot and Wayfair from its basket. Streaming giant Netflix has been on an unprecedented hot streak . The stock closed Friday at $1,156.49, after hitting an all-time high earlier in the day. Shares, which have gained nearly 30% this year, have already blown through Anmuth’s price target of $1,150. “NFLX has established itself as the clear leader in global streaming & is on the pathway to becoming global TV … Advertising Upfronts in May should serve as a positive catalyst to shares,” analyst Douglas Anmuth wrote as justification. Most analysts covering the stock echoed Anmuth’s bullishness. However, the average price target for Netflix is approximately 3% below the stock’s current valuation. Another new addition to the list was beauty stock Ulta Beauty, which analyst Christopher Horvers also has an overweight rating on. Shares of Ulta have slipped 9% in 2025. However, Horvers’ price target of $475 implies that the stock could rally 20%. “We are adding ULTA to the Analyst Focus List as a value idea as market share performance improvement yields top line momentum and a stock re-rating,” the analyst wrote. “In addition, we believe conservative margin guidance is likely to yield upward earnings revisions.” Most analysts are neutral on Ulta. The average price target suggests a 4% upside. Horvers is also overweight AutoZone, another new addition, which belongs to the growth strategy. “We are adding AZO to the Analyst Focus List as a growth idea given our view of increasing sales momentum driven by self-help in DIFM and market share gains, along with the potential for incremental tariff pricing tailwinds,” he wrote. “Combined with fading currency headwinds and the potential compounding effect of debt financed share repurchases, we see potential upward earnings revisions and further multiple expansion.” Shares of AutoZone have climbed 17% in 2025. The analyst’s $3,830 price target is approximately 2% above where shares closed on Friday. Analysts are generally bullish on the stock, with the average price target suggesting an upside of nearly 2%. Source link #JPMorgans #favorite #stocks #heading Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

JPMorgan’s favorite stocks heading into May JPMorgan’s favorite stocks heading into May JPMorgan added Netflix to its list of favorite stocks as the new month gets under way. Every month, the bank refreshes its analyst focus list, which includes its top ideas aligned with the growth, income, value and short investment strategies. JPMorgan’s changes come after a month characterized by high market volatility stemming from President Donald Trump’s new global tariffs. Recent disappointing data points have further bolstered fears of an economic slowdown. Although hopes of easing trade tensions sent stocks higher to wrap up April, this slight comeback wasn’t enough to save the S & P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average from closing the month lower. May’s additions to JPMorgan’s focus list included Netflix, AutoZone , Digital Realty Trust and Ulta Beauty . On the other hand, the bank removed Lowe’s , Targa Resources , Home Depot and Wayfair from its basket. Streaming giant Netflix has been on an unprecedented hot streak . The stock closed Friday at $1,156.49, after hitting an all-time high earlier in the day. Shares, which have gained nearly 30% this year, have already blown through Anmuth’s price target of $1,150. “NFLX has established itself as the clear leader in global streaming & is on the pathway to becoming global TV … Advertising Upfronts in May should serve as a positive catalyst to shares,” analyst Douglas Anmuth wrote as justification. Most analysts covering the stock echoed Anmuth’s bullishness. However, the average price target for Netflix is approximately 3% below the stock’s current valuation. Another new addition to the list was beauty stock Ulta Beauty, which analyst Christopher Horvers also has an overweight rating on. Shares of Ulta have slipped 9% in 2025. However, Horvers’ price target of $475 implies that the stock could rally 20%. “We are adding ULTA to the Analyst Focus List as a value idea as market share performance improvement yields top line momentum and a stock re-rating,” the analyst wrote. “In addition, we believe conservative margin guidance is likely to yield upward earnings revisions.” Most analysts are neutral on Ulta. The average price target suggests a 4% upside. Horvers is also overweight AutoZone, another new addition, which belongs to the growth strategy. “We are adding AZO to the Analyst Focus List as a growth idea given our view of increasing sales momentum driven by self-help in DIFM and market share gains, along with the potential for incremental tariff pricing tailwinds,” he wrote. “Combined with fading currency headwinds and the potential compounding effect of debt financed share repurchases, we see potential upward earnings revisions and further multiple expansion.” Shares of AutoZone have climbed 17% in 2025. The analyst’s $3,830 price target is approximately 2% above where shares closed on Friday. Analysts are generally bullish on the stock, with the average price target suggesting an upside of nearly 2%. Source link #JPMorgans #favorite #stocks #heading Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Wall Street analysts are bullish on these 3 dividend stocks for stable returns Wall Street analysts are bullish on these 3 dividend stocks for stable returns The Texas Instruments Inc. logo is seen on scientific calculator packages in Tiskilwa, Illinois. Daniel Acker | Bloomberg | Getty Images Investors with concerns about the risks facing the economy may want to add some stable income to their portfolio in the form of dividend-paying stocks. To this end, Wall Street experts’ recommendations can help pick lucrative dividend stocks that have the ability to make consistent payments despite near-term pressures. Here are three dividend-paying stocks, highlighted by Wall Street’s top pros on TipRanks, a platform that ranks analysts based on their past performance. AT&T This week’s first dividend stock is telecom giant AT&T (T). The company recently reported first-quarter results, driven by strong postpaid phone and fiber net subscriber additions. The company retained its full-year guidance and stated that it plans to commence share buybacks in the second quarter, given that its net leverage target of net debt-to-adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization is in the 2.5-times range. AT&T offers investors a quarterly dividend of $0.2775 per share. With an annualized dividend of $1.11 per share, AT&T stock offers a dividend yield of 4.0%. In reaction to the company’s Q1 print, RBC Capital analyst Jonathan Atkin raised his price target for AT&T stock to $30 from $28 and reiterated a buy rating. The analyst noted that the company exceeded estimates even after excluding $100 million of one-time EBITDA benefits. Atkin added that AT&T’s revenue surpassed expectations, thanks to the strength in both wireless and wireline businesses. Among other positives, the analyst noted that the company promptly addressed the slowdown seen in January and delivered robust postpaid phone net additions of 324,000, with gross additions growing 13% and helping to overcome higher churn. “Management signaled confidence in its execution amidst a challenging environment by reiterating guidance and introducing a buyback program that commences in Q2,” said Atkin. Atkin ranks No. 85 among more than 9,400 analysts tracked by TipRanks. His ratings have been successful 69% of the time, delivering an average return of 11.3%. See AT&T Hedge Fund Trading Activity on TipRanks. Philip Morris International We move to Philip Morris International (PM), a consumer goods company that is focused on transitioning completely to smoke-free alternatives from cigarettes. The company reported solid results for the first quarter of 2025, driven by strong demand for its smoke-free products. Philip Morris rewarded shareholders with a quarterly dividend of $1.35 per share. At an annualized dividend of $5.40 per share, PM stock offers a yield of nearly 3.2%. Encouraged by the results, Stifel analyst Matthew Smith reaffirmed a buy rating on PM stock and increased the price target to $186 from $168, noting strong momentum across the board. The analyst said that three growth engines – smoke-free product mix, pricing and volume growth – boosted Philip Morris’ Q1 performance and drove a 10% rise in organic revenue, 340 basis points of gross margin expansion and 200 basis points of increase in operating profit margin. “Each of these engines support durable growth in 2025 and beyond as smoke-free continues to increase as a portion of PMI’s portfolio, now over 40% of revenue and gross profit,” said Smith. The analyst expects 170 basis points of operating profit margin expansion in 2025, driven by smoke-free products, including Iqos and Zyn. In particular, Smith noted that Zyn’s Q1 U.S. volumes benefited from robust demand and earlier-than-anticipated improvement in supply chain capacity. He now expects 824 million cans for 2025, reflecting a 42% growth. Also, Zyn’s capacity is expected to reach 900 million cans this year, supporting potential upside to his estimates, especially in the second half of the year when inventories are expected to normalize. Smith ranks No. 642 among more than 9,400 analysts tracked by TipRanks. His ratings have been successful 64% of the time, delivering an average return of 15%. See Philip Morris Ownership Structure on TipRanks. Texas Instruments This week’s third dividend stock is Texas Instruments (TXN), a semiconductor company that designs and manufactures analog and embedded processing chips for several end markets. The company’s first-quarter earnings and revenue easily surpassed Wall Street’s estimates, reflecting strong demand for its analog chips despite the threat of tariffs. Also, TXN’s guidance for the June quarter was better than the consensus estimate. Meanwhile, Texas Instruments pays a quarterly dividend of $1.36 per share. At an annualized dividend of $5.44 per share, TXN stock’s dividend yield stands at 3.3%. Reacting to the strong Q1 results, Evercore analyst Mark Lipacis reiterated a buy rating on TXN stock with a price target of $248, saying, “We’re buyers of TXN post a beat and raise 1Q25 print.” He stated that TXN remains a top analog pick for Evercore. Lipacis contended that while bears will argue that the upside to Texas Instruments’ Q1 results and Q2 2025 outlook were due to tariff-driven order pull-ins, his analysis shows that the company’s inventories have overcorrected in the supply chain. In fact, numerous checks by his firm indicate that many entities in the supply chain have now taken their inventories well below normal levels. The analyst expects TXN to be early into the upward revision cycle, given that it was the first large-cap analog company to enter the inventory correction phase. He expects the company to deliver upside surprises through 2025 and into 2026. Additionally, he expects TXN stock to sustain a premium price-earnings multiple as it is exiting its capital expenditure cycle, which will drive its free cash flow per share higher from a trailing 12 months’ trough of $1 to $10.30 by 2027. Lipacis ranks No. 69 among more than 9,400 analysts tracked by TipRanks. His ratings have been profitable 58% of the time, delivering an average return of 20.4%. See Texas Instruments Technical Analysis on TipRanks. Source link #Wall #Street #analysts #bullish #dividend #stocks #stable #returns Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]