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Australia’s re-elected prime minister says voters chose unity over division – AP News Australia’s re-elected prime minister says voters chose unity over division – AP News Australia’s re-elected prime minister says voters chose unity over division AP NewsFive takeaways from Australia’s general election after Anthony Albanese secures second term CNNAustralia’s Anthony Albanese handed sweeping mandate in anti-Trump backlash Financial TimesFirst Canada, Now Australia: The Trump Factor Boosts Another World Leader in an Election WSJAustralian PM shrugs off questions about Donald Trump as other world leaders congratulate him The Guardian Source link #Australias #reelected #prime #minister #voters #chose #unity #division #News Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

*****’s Sporting Goods is unlocking the power of youth sports with this business *****’s Sporting Goods is unlocking the power of youth sports with this business It’s springtime in America and across the country, kids are heading to the ballfields, soccer games and lacrosse matchups. Their families may also be spending a lot of time on a sports app called GameChanger, which was acquired by *****’s Sporting Goods in 2016 . The app can be used for live streaming games, as well as for following a team’s schedule, statistics and scorekeeping. While just a fraction of *****’s business, GameChanger is “a key long term growth and margin driver,” Michael Baker, analyst at D.A. Davidson, wrote in an April 23 note. He has a buy rating on *****’s and a $273 price target, suggesting nearly 41% upside from Friday’s close. “DKS stock has been among the hardest hit of our coverage growth in April due to potential tariff exposure in Asia,” Baker said. “But we would use the pull back as an opportunity to add to a high quality share gainer, with continued margin expansion opportunity.” DKS YTD mountain *****’s Sporting Goods in 2025 He’s not the only one bullish on *****’s. Fourteen out of 29 analysts rate it a buy or strong buy, and consensus price targets call for nearly 20% upside, per LSEG. Youth sports tailwind Baker thinks youth sports are a sizable and growing total addressable market. The latest figures on participation bode well for the business, he said. A recent report from the National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA) found that participation in nearly all youth team sports, ages 7 to 17, was up in 2024 compared to their three-year averages. *****’s doesn’t break out the total size of its team sports business, but Baker thinks it is at least 30% of sales. Baseball is the largest part of the segment, making up half of team sports, he added. While baseball and softball participation rates moved slightly lower over the long term, there were favorable trends under the surface, Baker said. Youth baseball participation was up by about 20% in 2024, he said. Baker also adjusted NSGA’s softball data to focus only on females, and estimated that youth participation in 2024 was at its highest level in three years. In addition, participation rates of households with annual incomes of $100,000 or higher in baseball have been on an upward trend, said Baker, citing NSGA data. That is not only good news for GameChanger but across the retailer’s stores. “We think ‘frequent’ participants are more likely to spend on equipment,” Baker said. GameChanger surpassed $100 million in revenue in 2024, with about 9 million unique users active on the app, CEO Lauren Hobart said on the earnings conference call in March. There are different levels of fees, from free for basic features, to $39.99 a year for its plus plan and $99.99 for its premium plan, which includes highlight videos. GameChanger has had a compound annual growth rate of 40% since 2017, Hobart added. The company expects the app to reach roughly $150 million in revenue in 2025. There are more than 1 million teams, such as baseball, softball and football, on GameChanger. It oversees more than 7 million games a year, according to its website . Retail expert Jan Kniffen views gamechanger as a way for *****’s, which is one of the fastest adopters of artificial intelligence, to optimize its customer base. However, he said it doesn’t have a big impact on earnings. “They’re monetizing their base,” said Kniffen, CEO of consulting firm J Rogers Kniffen World Wide Enterprises. “They know who they’ve got. They know what they want. They know what they’re interested in.” Kniffen calls *****’s one of his top five retailers — and believes the prevalence of youth sports is bullish for the business. “When I was growing up, when people a lot younger than me were growing up, there were school sports and there were pickup games,” he said. “Now every sport has a select team, traveling teams, **** Wee teams, school teams.” “The market’s there because we’ve never had more participation in youth sports,” he added. Plus, *****’s has a higher-end consumer and they’re paying up for equipment, which gets replaced as kids grow and become better, he said. On top of that, the retailer has its House of Sport , an experiential twist on the sporting goods store — complete with features like rock-climbing walls, batting cages and golf simulators. “I’m a big fan, because I think the management figured it out right,” Kniffen said. “Nobody’s ever going to be like *****’s, either, not in my lifetime.” Source link #Dicks #Sporting #Goods #unlocking #power #youth #sports #business Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Lawsuit alleges former University of Michigan employees were fired for participating in protests Lawsuit alleges former University of Michigan employees were fired for participating in protests Pro-************ protestors gather on University of Michigan’s Ann Arbor campus on March 14, 2025 to call for the release of Columbia University organizer Mahmoud Khalil | Photo: Anna Liz Nichols Former employees of the University of Michigan are suing the leadership of the school, alleging that their employment was terminated after they engaged in pro-************ protests on campus. The lawsuit, filed Thursday in the U.S. District Court in Detroit by the Sugar Law Center and American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, asserts the university’s actions are in violation with the employees’ constitutional rights of freedom of speech, petition and assembly. The university attributed all firings and blacklisting to violations of the school’s policies on community violence, but the lawsuit states neither the seven student employees nor the full-time employee who faced repercussions for their participation in protests on campus enacted any sort of violence and complied with police instructions during the events. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Civic engagement has long been a hallmark of the university community, the lawsuit states, noting University of Michigan students throughout history have protested for different causes on campus including demanding an end to the Vietnam War. But as members of the university community hold protests demanding the university divest from companies tied to Israel’s war in Gaza, the lawsuit states that since the deadly October 7, 2023 ****** attack on Israel, the university has completely changed its response to protest activity on campus. “Since October 7, 2023, the University has solely targeted, discriminated against, and punished students for engaging in speech and protest activity in support of Palestine and calling for the University to divest from Israel as a means of pressuring Israel to cease human rights violations against the ************ people, including crimes against humanity and genocide,” the lawsuit says. The lawsuit notes that divestment is a reasonable effort for protesters to pursue as the university has divested before, including divesting from tobacco companies in 2000, South Africa in the 1970’s and 80’s and Russia in 2022. The lawsuit further notes that never before has peaceful participation in protests on the university’s Ann Arbor campus resulted in termination or permanent ineligibility for rehire, as it has for these employees. University of Michigan spokesperson Kay Jarvis said, “the university does not comment on litigation” in response to Michigan Advance’s request for comment on the lawsuit. The protests at the heart of the lawsuit are a November 17, 2023 sit-in protest outside the university president’s office and a May 3, 2024 protest outside of the University of Michigan Museum of Art. During the May 2024 protest, the lawsuit said protestors stood outside the art museum while several of the university’s regents were inside the building for a private event. Protestors linked arms and chanted and moved back to continue their protest after university police set up a barrier around the entrance of the art museum. Months later, five university employees who participated in the protest were sent correspondence informing them that their employment was terminated and they were permanently not eligible for rehire for violating the university policies against community violence. Four of the individuals who were fired months after the protest were not employees of the university when the protest was held, according to the lawsuit, which added that all the former employees who participated in the November 2023 and May 2024 protests participated in their own personal time. During the November 2023 protest, the lawsuit says one particular student, Zaynab Elkolaly, attempted to join the sit-in protest outside the university president’s office, entering the Ruthvan Building, when she became caught between a crowd trying to enter the building and police officers at the entrance. “While turned away from the entrance to leave and with her back to the police, she was grabbed from behind and thrown to the ground by a University of Michigan police officer. While being thrown to the ground, her hijab was ripped off,” the lawsuit says. Months later, after Elkolaly had graduated and was no longer an employee at the university, but was planning on applying for work at the school, she received a letter from the university saying she was ineligible for rehire due to violating the school’s policies against violence. “Each of the Plaintiffs was a dedicated University employee who took their job duties seriously, conducted exemplary work, and performed necessary services for the University,” the lawsuit states, adding that the processes the university enacted to terminate employment or bar future employment for the former employees robbed them of due process to combat retaliation by the university for their civic engagement. The lawsuit seeks to force the university to repeal actions it took against the plaintiffs’ employment statuses, recover damages from loss of employment and any other relief that would be considered just in this scenario. Source link #Lawsuit #alleges #University #Michigan #employees #fired #participating #protests Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

This U.S. manufacturer doesn’t mind Trump’s tariffs at all – The Washington Post This U.S. manufacturer doesn’t mind Trump’s tariffs at all – The Washington Post This U.S. manufacturer doesn’t mind Trump’s tariffs at all The Washington PostTrump’s Tariffs Are Lifting Some U.S. Manufacturers WSJAs Tariffs Loom, Opportunity Emerges Esri9 products you might not know are made in the U.S. AJC.comManufacturers Can’t Buck the Consumer Slowdown for Long Bloomberg.com Source link #U.S #manufacturer #doesnt #mind #Trumps #tariffs #Washington #Post Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Judge dismisses case against Virginia man Trump admin. called top MS-13 leader Judge dismisses case against Virginia man Trump admin. called top MS-13 leader A federal judge has dismissed a gun charge against a 24-year-old Virginia man the Trump administration called a top MS-13 leader. Henrry Josue Villatoro Santos still faces removal to his native El Salvador after Senior Judge Claude Hilton’s brief April 30 order dismissing the felony charge, as requested by federal prosecutors. Villatoro Santos doesn’t have legal status in the United States and remains at risk for being sent to a notorious mega-prison in his native El Salvador, despite the drop in charges, his lawyer said in court filings. The Trump administration has sent hundreds of migrants accused of ties to Salvadoran and Venezuelan gangs to El Salvador’s Terrorism Confinement Center, or CECOT. Many of those expelled to the prison neither had criminal records nor gang ties. A federal judge decided May 1 that the Trump administration could not send immigrants to detention in El Salvador under the Alien Enemies Act. Later that day the administration asked the Supreme Court to consider the case. Villatoro Santos is now in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody at the Farmville Detention Center, in Virginia, according to court records. He has an immigration court hearing June 3. His lawyer, Muhammad Elsayed, said in an emailed statement May 2 that the government has used Villatoro Santos “as a prop in a political publicity stunt.” “No one in America should have to wonder whether they will be afforded their basic due process rights when they are detained by the government,” he said, “and no one should live in fear that they may be forcibly disappeared to a foreign autocracy in the middle of the night.” Accused of being a gang leader In late March, top administration officials, including Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel, touted Villatoro Santos’ arrest at his mother’s home in Prince William County, outside of Washington, D.C. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, a fellow Republican, blamed Democrats for not arresting Villatoro Santos sooner. With little evidence, officials called Villatoro Santos one of the top three MS-13 leaders in the country, responsible for overseeing gang operations along the East Coast. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced a lawsuit against Maine’s Department of Education over the state’s refusal to ban transgender athletes. “America is safer today because one of the top domestic terrorists in MS-13, he is off the streets,” Bondi said at the time. The Department of Justice did not return a request for comment May 2 about the dismissal of charges. The FBI, whose agents staked out Villatoro Santos’ family home, declined to comment. Youngkin’s office referred questions to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Virginia’s eastern district declined to comment, citing it as an ongoing matter. Prince William County Police referred questions to federal officials and declined to comment on any alleged gang ties. Virginia court records indicate Villatoro Santos had a November case that resulted in two misdemeanors for driving without a license and driving without insurance. Before then, he pleaded guilty to ********** possession, a misdemeanor, in 2019. The arrest at his mother’s home revealed Villatoro Santos appeared to live in a garage converted to a bedroom. Inside, an ICE deportation officer said in court filings that officials found a few firearms, ammunition, two suppressors, and “indicia” of MS-13 affiliation. Federal prosecutors charged him with a single felony, of an undocumented immigrant possessing a gun. But less than two weeks later, prosecutors moved to withdraw the case entirely. The same day, April 9, Bondi said officials would seek to remove him from the country. Charge dismissed but still facing removal In emergency motions he acknowledged as “unusual,” Elsayed sought to delay the federal case being dismissed against his client. He worried Villatoro Santos would be removed and held without due process in the Salvadoran prison, known as CECOT. He pointed to Kilmar Abrego Garcia, 29, the Maryland father mistakenly deported to El Salvador who was placed in CECOT. Federal courts have ordered his return. In response to Villatoro Santos’ potential removal, federal prosecutors said in court filings, “It is well within the prerogative of the United States to seek the removal of aliens who are illegally or unlawfully in this country in lieu of prosecuting them, regardless of whether charges have been filed.” Elsayed said Villatoro Santos has now had a hearing before district and magistrate judges, and now an immigration judge. He said this demonstrates “our system is capable of handling these matters and in an expeditious manner.” This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Judge drops case against Va. man branded ms-13 leader by Trump admin Source link #Judge #dismisses #case #Virginia #man #Trump #admin #called #top #MS13 #leader Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Romanians vote in a presidential redo after voided election sparked deep political crisis – AP News Romanians vote in a presidential redo after voided election sparked deep political crisis – AP News Romanians vote in a presidential redo after voided election sparked deep political crisis AP NewsRomania reruns controversial election after earlier vote annulled BBCRomanians vote in presidential test of Trump-style nationalism CNNMAGA man leads the field before Romanian election rerun politico.euRomania votes in crucial presidential election rerun Al Jazeera Source link #Romanians #vote #presidential #redo #voided #election #sparked #deep #political #crisis #News Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Polygamy and pageantry on display at a the IPHC church Polygamy and pageantry on display at a the IPHC church Khanyisile Ngcobo BBC News, Zuurbekom Nhlanhla Phillips The bride, Evelyn Sekgalakane, sparkled in white as she walked down the aisle hand-in-hand with Shirley Molala, who was about to become her “sister wife” at a mass wedding celebration at a South African church that encourages polygamy. Behind them came the groom Lesiba Molala, who was marrying another wife at the elaborate ceremony at the International Pentecostal Holiness Church (IPHC) south-west of Johannesburg. The polygamous bridal party was among 55 marriages that took place there on Easter Sunday – a loud, long and joyous occasion. Only seven of the unions were welcoming an extra wife to the family – but all were open to doing so in the future. “He is a God [who approves] of polygamy,” rang out repeatedly across the packed auditorium. Shirley, who is Mr Molala’s second wife and has been married to him for 25 years, told me ahead of the big day: “I love polygamy because it is rooted in Biblical teaching” – a reference to passages in the Old Testament of the ******. Nhlanhla Phillips Evelyn (R) told the BBC that over the last few months Shirley (L) had become her confidante as she prepared to marry Lesiba Molala – seen behind them She was handpicked by his first wife, who has since died, while a third wife had also joined the family – leaving in the wake of a leadership row that split the congregation. The 48-year-old explained that as the process of adding another spouse had started spiritually, it made it easier to regard the incoming wife as a sister and friend. “We [first three wives] got along to a point where we’d wear matching clothes. So I learnt this from the Molala family and that’s why I was able to do the same for Evelyn.” Before the official start of the marriage ceremonies – which each involved an exchange of rings but no spoken vows – the jubilant congregation gathered outside the auditorium at around noon in a riot of colour and noise. Loudspeakers blaring out church songs competed with the cheers of thousands of well-wishers – some of whom were dressed in the church’s blue-and-white uniforms, while others sported their Sunday best. Over the next five hours bridal parties arrived to great fanfare and tried to outdo one another: one large contingent of bridesmaids was dressed in different shades of electric lime green, another featured a Gucci-clad groomsman. Beforehand church officials had checked the outfits at the gate to make sure everyone in attendance was suitably dressed – no skimpy outfits, bare arms or trousers allowed for women, who also had to cover their heads, with jackets prescribed for men. The church has a strict moral code – the sexes sit separately inside the auditorium during ordinary services and dating is not allowed. “I only learned about polygamy when I joined the church and was taught that simply dating a woman was not allowed. So because I realised that one woman would not be enough for me, I felt that rather than cheat, let me get another wife,” Lesiba Molala, 67, told the BBC. These mass weddings take place three times a year at the church’s grand headquarters in the small rural town of Zuurbekom – at Easter, in September and December. After each wedding party’s raucous arrival was over, the group walked a red carpet to take photos. Then it was time for the church’s leader, Leonard Frederick G Modise, to arrive – and his entrance almost stole the show. Referred to as “the comforter”, he was ushered in – along with his family – by a marching band, horse parade and a series of luxury vehicles, among them a midnight sapphire Rolls Royce. Nhlanhla PhillipsNhlanhla Phillips A convoy that included two Rolls Royces heralded the arrival of the church leader Leonard Frederick G Modise A big band marched into the auditorium before the bridal parties came down the aisle As the sun began to set, it was time for the official programme to begin – with each entourage entering the auditorium to make their way slowly down the white-carpeted aisle. I caught up with the Molala trio before their turn. Evelyn was excited and all smiles about her dress: “I told you, you would not recognise me!” The service, which went on until 22:00, ended with a blessing from Mr Modise for the new couples and their other spouses – with the festivities going on long into the night. While such pageantry is often associated with weddings here – albeit not on such a grand scale – multiple marriage ceremonies are unusual, even in a country as diverse and multicultural as South Africa. So too is the inclusion of polygamous unions. While polygyny – the marriage of a man to several women – is allowed in South Africa, such relationships are usually registered as customary marriages and are not celebrated in church. However, the IPHC is one of what is known as an African independent church, which is allowed to officiate them – as long as the marriages are also registered with the country’s home affairs department. According to the 2022 census, more than 85% of South Africans identified as Christian, followed by 8%, who said they practised traditional African beliefs. Several churches with large congregations mix both belief systems – like the IPHC – though mainstream Protestant and Catholic churches remain the biggest denominations. For the IPHC, polygamy has been taught and encouraged and has “evolved with the church” from its inception in Soweto in 1962 to a congregation today of 3.1 million across southern Africa, senior church official Mpho Makwana told the BBC. Mr Molala married his first wife in 1991, six years after joining the church. She was also a member – an important factor for those looking to take a spouse. The church explicitly forbids marriages to outsiders. Nine years later, Mr Molala and his wife sat down to discuss the expansion of the family. After a church-wide search, the couple settled on Shirley who was then 23. “I felt important [because I was] noticed among the many women in the church,” she said. Evelyn too was selected after a church-initiated process that began in February. She admitted it took a while for her to warm to the idea of joining a polygamous union, though Shirley’s receptive attitude made it easier for her. The 44-year-old had grown up in the church but later left, going on to have three children, before returning to the fold a few years ago. With his marriage to Evelyn, Mr Molala has informally adopted her children, bringing the total number of his offspring to 13. Each of his families live in separate houses – although Evelyn will join him at his home for the early stages of the marriage. Nhlanhla Phillips Of the 55 marriages that took place on Easter Sunday at the IPHC, seven were polygamous Polygamy, traditionally practised in some South African cultures, does divide people in the country. In recent years several reality shows have given an insight into life in plural families – and sparked debate about whether they are still relevant. Prof Musa Xulu, a religious expert with South Africa’s Cultural, Religious and Linguistics Rights Communities Rights Commission, said it was common to come across families in such unions who had been devastated in the initial stages of the ****/Aids pandemic, which has ravaged South Africa. The situation had stabilised, though it was still “a big problem”, he told the BBC. Mr Makwana said the IPHC had addressed this head on – putting in place measures about a decade ago to better protect couples and polygamous unions from ****/Aids after one family’s experience, which had been an “eye-opener” for the church’s leadership. Those intending to get married must first get tested for ****. “You can’t proceed without going through that process… so there are no surprises ahead,” he said. The couple must tell each other their results, decide whether to continue and then the church keeps a record on file. This “100% transparency” also reduced the number of divorces that had often resulted when deception came to light, he said. Prof Xulu said churches like the IPHC, while having an “eclectic approach to Christianity” that was “half-Christian, half-African”, did have doctrinal justifications for their traditions as well as “internal dispute-resolution mechanisms”. “They will assist families who are undergoing distress,” he said. The IPHC is heavily involved in the vetting process once a proposal has been accepted. It takes several months and is marked by three pre-nuptial ceremonies. During this time, couples were “taken through a spiritual process of ensuring they know what they are committing to”, Mr Makwana said. Most couples are relative strangers before the formal proposal is made – as was the case for Freddy Letsoalo, 35, and 31-year-old Rendani Maemu. They also tied the knot in Zuurbekom over Easter – both marrying for the first time. Mr Letsoalo said he first spotted his bride-to-be at a friend’s wedding nearly a decade ago – also celebrated at one of the mass marriage ceremonies. But they “didn’t talk or do anything else” after their initial meeting, he told the BBC. “It was love at first sight but remember, we know… the teachings of our church.” Nhlanhla Phillips Rendani Maemu told the BBC that as she was raised in the church, she always knew she might be a “first or second wife” While the two would later become Facebook friends, their interactions were restricted to birthday wishes – that was until December 2024 when Mr Letsoalo set the wheels in motion, alerting first his family and then the church’s leadership of his intentions. “I wasn’t aware that he was interested in me. When I became aware… I was excited. I’ve always dreamt of my wedding day,” a blushing Ms Maemu, who was raised in the church, told me before the nuptials. Her dream came true and she did look resplendent before going down the aisle along with nine bridesmaids in a crystal-encrusted gown, tiara and a bridal train several metres long. While the couple are currently focused on their new life together, both are willing to embrace polygamy should the right opportunity present itself in the future. “I know there’s a chance that my husband will want to enter into a polygamous marriage,” said the new Mrs Letsoalo. “I believe in polygamy.” A view that may be controversial for many South Africans. You may also be interested in:Getty Images/BBC Source link #Polygamy #pageantry #display #IPHC #church Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Cold snap forecast for nation’s capital Cold snap forecast for nation’s capital As Australians continue to settle into Autumn, a few cold snaps and rainy days are set to continue. Source link #Cold #snap #forecast #nations #capital Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

6 Best Pieces of Money Advice for the Middle Class 6 Best Pieces of Money Advice for the Middle Class For one of the richest people in the entire world, Warren Buffett, the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, is surprisingly down-to-earth. He famously lives in the same modest house in Omaha that he bought in 1958 for $31,500, and his favorite meal for breakfast is McDonald’s. Between that and his folksy, easy-to-understand wisdom, it’s no wonder that “The Oracle of Omaha” is so popular with the general public. Advertisement: High Yield Savings Offers Powered by Money.com – Yahoo may earn commission from the links above. Be Aware: Suze Orman Says If You’re Doing This, You’re ‘Making the Biggest Mistake in Life’ For You: The New Retirement Problem Boomers Are Facing Investors no doubt also love his enviable track record, which has more than doubled the average annual return of the S&P 500 since 1965, an incredible run. The bottom line is that when Buffett talks, people listen. With that financial prowess in mind, here are six of the best pieces of financial advice for the middle class offered up by the man, the myth, the money legend. Buffett isn’t the first or only one to recommend “paying yourself first,” but he’s a vocal advocate of it. He approaches the problem of prioritizing savings through wise budgeting. As the billionaire puts it, “Do not save what is left after spending, but spend what is left after saving.” The idea behind this philosophy is that if you wait to sock away savings until after you’ve spent all your money in a given month, it’s highly likely that you’ll find there’s nothing left. But if you instead save your money first, you’ll have to budget what’s left so that it stretches to cover all of your expenses. This serves the dual purpose of forcing you to cut down on needless expenditures while at the same time forcing you to build up savings, even on a smaller salary. Some middle-class Americans feel that they don’t earn enough to save, but when you flip the equation on its head like Buffett suggests, you might find out that you can save much more than you imagine. Trending Now: I’m a Self-Made Millionaire: 6 Steps I Took To Become Rich on an Average Salary On the topic of budgeting, Buffett says that one of the keys to financial prosperity is simply to reduce your unnecessary expenses. But how do you know which ones? If you force yourself to live on a tighter budget, you’ll see right away which expenses you prioritize in life and which ones might be extra costs that you don’t really need. Over time, even a little amount of savings can build into a large amount. It’s true that billionaire investors like Buffett have something of a leg up over the average middle-class American when it comes to picking and choosing good investments. But that doesn’t mean that you don’t have access to wealth-building investments. Story Continues The humble S&P 500 index, which can be bought cheaply through an exchange-traded fund by anyone, has a remarkable record of putting even professional money managers to shame. According to Morningstar, the S&P 500 has outperformed the majority of U.S. large-cap fund managers for 14 years in a row. This is why Buffett has been quoted as saying that most investors should just “consistently buy an S&P 500 low-cost index fund. Keep buying it through thick and thin, and especially through thin.” If you budget properly and spend less than you earn, you should be able to avoid consumer debt. To Buffett, that is an essential piece of advice if you want to get ahead. Buffett himself says that he has “an American Express card, which I got in 1964. But I pay cash 98% of the time.” If using cash is one of the tools that has helped Buffett remain wealthy, perhaps it’s good enough for the middle class, also. In response to a question about “the best investment” at the 2023 Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting, Buffett told his audience, “The best thing you can do is to be exceptionally good at something. Whatever abilities you have can’t be taken away from you. They can’t actually be inflated away from you… So, the best investment by far is anything that develops yourself, and it’s not taxed at all.” Buffet has also been quoted telling students, “I would pay you $100,000 for 10% of your earnings for the rest of your life,” further emphasizing the tremendous asset that each person has in the form of their future earnings potential. For this reason, Buffett believes an investment in yourself is the best possible one available. After all of his advice about saving and making tough choices, Buffett still insists that you need to live a balanced, enjoyable life. If you live so frugally that you make your entire life **********, then what’s the point? While Buffett endorses focusing on long-term gains rather than short-term goals, he suggests that you balance your life between saving for something and still enjoying the moment. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Warren Buffett: 6 Best Pieces of Money Advice for the Middle Class Source link #Pieces #Money #Advice #Middle #Class Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

A pregnant woman wandered the desert for days before Border Patrol detained her. Now with a newborn, she faces deportation – CNN A pregnant woman wandered the desert for days before Border Patrol detained her. Now with a newborn, she faces deportation – CNN A pregnant woman wandered the desert for days before Border Patrol detained her. Now with a newborn, she faces deportation CNNArizona governor pauses deportation for Guatemalan who gave birth days ago The GuardianUPDATE: Guatemalan woman reunited with newborn after being detained by Border Patrol kold.comMigrant woman who gave birth at Tucson hospital released by CBP Saturday Tucson SentinelAfter giving birth at TMC, Guatemalan woman gets detained by CBP KVOA Source link #pregnant #woman #wandered #desert #days #Border #Patrol #detained #newborn #faces #deportation #CNN Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Welsh cyclist completes ‘dream’ ride across the world for charity Welsh cyclist completes ‘dream’ ride across the world for charity Matt Lloyd & Eben Leonard BBC News Nathan Hurley Nathan Hurley has completed his cycle from south Wales to New South Wales TV viewers may be glued to the new series of Race Across the World – but one adventurous cyclist has just completed his own remarkable ride across the globe. Nathan Hurley of Blackwood in Caerphilly county set off on his bicycle from Cardiff on 1 March – St David’s Day – 2024. More than 14 months, 26 countries and 16,250 miles (26,000km) later, he has arrived in Sydney. The “exhausting” journey from south Wales to New South Wales is a “dream come true” for Nathan and has so far raised £4,000 for the Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) Trust. The self-confessed “urban dweller” admitted setting off with a tent, stove and a blow-up pillow was a daunting prospect. Nor was he a particularly good or keen cyclist having almost fallen off his just 50m (164ft) into the ride leaving his nervous parents looking on with their heads in their hands. “One of the challenging things is being on your own,” he said from Sydney. “I’ve been racking up 60 to 80 miles and sometimes up to 10 hours on the saddle each day but it’s taken a lot mentally as well as physically. “I’m not an outdoorsman and out of all of my friends I’m the guy who doesn’t do adventure well. I always forget something. “I like my flat whites and eggs benedict so it’s been a real struggle when I’ve been out there camping and cooking.” Nathan HurleyNathan Hurley Nathan began his epic journey crossing Europe Then onto the ancient Silk Road The 35-year-old travelled through France, across the Alps and onto the ancient Silk Road from northern Italy to Turkey before crossing the Caucuses where he hit his first diplomatic hurdle. To avoid conflict and visa restrictions he took a short flight from Armenia to Kazakhstan where he continued to climb the Pamir mountain ranges to China, not only overcoming the challenges of altitude but suspicious local police as he crossed the Taklamakan and Gobi deserts. “I didn’t mind the police following me, they made me feel like a VIP but they weren’t very inconspicuous, they were the only car following 200m behind me at 12mph,” he said. From there Nathan rode south through South-East Asia to Jakarta, Indonesia and then flew to Australia where he embarked on a 2,500-mile (4,000km) journey from Perth to Sydney. “Australia is famously wider than the moon and for weeks it really felt like that in the heat,” he said. “It’s home to wonderful people but it doesn’t help that I’m terrified of snakes.” While on the road Nathan has been invited to two weddings and shared countless meals with locals curious about the cycling Welshman. “Spending months speaking to strangers through a translation app can be exhausting [but] you wouldn’t believe how many remote villagers know who Gareth Bale is.” Nathan Hurley Nathan was due to finish in Sydney but has decided to continue his adventure And he has decided he is not stopping there. Having taken redundancy from his job as a furniture design manager he now intends to cycle all the way home, ploughing on to New Zealand before flying to Alaska and then Africa with the aim of returning to Cardiff by Christmas. “I had every intention of coming home after Sydney but I’ve got a bit more time now and I’ve got the bug, which is a bit of a surprise.” Nathan hopes that his journey can encourage others to take up cycle touring as a mode of travel and form of sustainable tourism. “I’ve learnt to love it. I just feel I’m on the journey now and I’ve got it into my head I’m halfway home. “And there’s no point in cycling half way around the world, is there?” Source link #Welsh #cyclist #completes #dream #ride #world #charity Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Liberal ranks decimated, fail to make in roads in Perth, with Tom White formally conceding Curtin Liberal ranks decimated, fail to make in roads in Perth, with Tom White formally conceding Curtin As part of a nationwide swing against the Opposition in cities, Mr White failed in his attempt to wrest the electorate from Teal independent Kate Chaney, who was re-elected for a second term. Source link #Liberal #ranks #decimated #fail #roads #Perth #Tom #White #formally #conceding #Curtin Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

2007 BMW Z4 M Coupe Blends Precision Performance with Iconic Design 2007 BMW Z4 M Coupe Blends Precision Performance with Iconic Design Read the full article on Motorious With just 1,815 units produced for North America, this 2007 BMW Z4 M Coupe delivers raw power and collector-grade rarity. A stunning 2007 BMW Z4 M Coupe finished in ****** Sapphire Metallic over ****** leather is now available, offering driving purists a rare opportunity to own one of BMW’s most distinctive and engaging M cars. Powered by the legendary 3.2-liter S54 inline-six—shared with the E46 M3—this M Coupe produces 330 horsepower and revs to a thrilling 8,000 RPM. Paired exclusively with a 6-speed manual transmission, it delivers an unfiltered, connected experience. Enhanced by an Eventuri intake and RPI exhaust system, this Z4 M sings with an aggressive tone that matches its performance credentials. Visually, the Z4 M’s “double bubble” roofline, flared fenders, and added Skyen rear spoiler give it an unmistakable silhouette. Designed with purpose, the bodywork enhances aerodynamics while emphasizing the coupe’s low, wide stance. Inside, the cabin is minimalistic and driver-focused—M sport seats, a thick-rimmed M steering wheel, and subtle design cues keep attention on the road. Equipped with a limited-slip differential, balanced rear-wheel-drive chassis, and razor-sharp steering, the Z4 M offers precision handling whether on canyon roads or track days. As one of only 1,815 M Coupes built for North America, this example stands as a highly collectible modern BMW, beloved for its analog purity in an increasingly digital era. Backed by the Gallery Guarantee, this car includes a 3-month/3,000-mile service contract, multi-point safety inspection, and warranty extension options. Third-party inspections are welcomed. With its rarity, motorsport-derived engineering, and visceral performance, this Z4 M Coupe is more than a weekend toy—it’s a cornerstone of BMW M legacy. Serious inquiries are encouraged to act quickly. Sign up for the Motorious Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Source link #BMW #Coupe #Blends #Precision #Performance #Iconic #Design Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Mexico’s president says she denied Trump offer to target cartels with US troops – The Hill Mexico’s president says she denied Trump offer to target cartels with US troops – The Hill Mexico’s president says she denied Trump offer to target cartels with US troops The HillMexico’s president says she rejected Trump’s plan to send US troops across the border AP NewsExclusive | Trump, Mexico’s Sheinbaum Spar Over Drug Cartels WSJSheinbaum says she rejected Trump’s offer to send US troops to Mexico Al JazeeraMexican president declines Trump’s offer of US troops to help fight drug cartels Fox News Source link #Mexicos #president #denied #Trump #offer #target #cartels #troops #Hill Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Temporary closure at exit 92 on Indiana Toll Road for upgrades Temporary closure at exit 92 on Indiana Toll Road for upgrades ELKHART — Starting Thursday, May 8, motorists will be rerouted to exit 96 on the Indiana Toll Road due to a temporary closure of the Elkhart Toll Plaza. The toll plaza, at exit 92, will be closed for upgrades, including pavement rehabilitation and technology enhancements, the Indiana Toll Road Concession Company said in a press release. All eastbound and westbound traffic will be rerouted to exit 96 and signage reporting the detour will be posted, the company said. The Elkhart Toll Plaza will be closed from Thursday, May 8, to Sunday, May 11. Information about traffic impacts and project updates can be found at [Hidden Content]. Email Tribune staff writer Camille Sarabia at *****@*****.tld. This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Upgrades planned on Indiana Toll Road in Elkhart; toll plaza closed Source link #Temporary #closure #exit #Indiana #Toll #Road #upgrades Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Musk gets his Texas wish. SpaceX launch site is approved as the new city of Starbase – AP News Musk gets his Texas wish. SpaceX launch site is approved as the new city of Starbase – AP News Musk gets his Texas wish. SpaceX launch site is approved as the new city of Starbase AP NewsElon Musk’s Starbase city in Texas on brink of becoming official BBCElon Musk’s company town: SpaceX employees vote to create ‘Starbase’ The GuardianWelcome to Starbase, Texas. What’s Next for Elon Musk’s Rocket-Building Company Town WSJ‘He’s Trying to Colonize This Community’: Inside Elon Musk’s Plan to Take Over This Texas Town Politico Source link #Musk #Texas #SpaceX #launch #site #approved #city #Starbase #News Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Fremantle face crucial month ahead of the bye after disastrous defeat to St Kilda Fremantle face crucial month ahead of the bye after disastrous defeat to St Kilda Fremantle’s next month looms as season-defining as the under-fire Dockers look to find consistency and make a serious push for finals. Source link #Fremantle #face #crucial #month #ahead #bye #disastrous #defeat #Kilda Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Sirens are heard in Tel Aviv as missile launched by Yemen rebels briefly halts flights in Israel Sirens are heard in Tel Aviv as missile launched by Yemen rebels briefly halts flights in Israel Sirens are heard in Tel Aviv as missile launched by Yemen rebels briefly halts flights in Israel Source link #Sirens #heard #Tel #Aviv #missile #launched #Yemen #rebels #briefly #halts #flights #Israel Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Elon Musk Wins Vote to Establish His Own City in Starbase, Texas – Bloomberg Elon Musk Wins Vote to Establish His Own City in Starbase, Texas – Bloomberg Elon Musk Wins Vote to Establish His Own City in Starbase, Texas BloombergElon Musk’s Starbase city in Texas on brink of becoming official BBCElon Musk’s company town: SpaceX employees vote to create ‘Starbase’ The GuardianWelcome to Starbase, Texas. What’s Next for Elon Musk’s Rocket-Building Company Town WSJ‘He’s Trying to Colonize This Community’: Inside Elon Musk’s Plan to Take Over This Texas Town Politico Source link #Elon #Musk #Wins #Vote #Establish #City #Starbase #Texas #Bloomberg Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Cooper aiming to leave with Japanese club promotion Cooper aiming to leave with Japanese club promotion Wallabies veteran Quade Cooper has kept alive his hopes of departing Japan Rugby League One with another promotion. The 37-year-old playmaker had a leading role as Hanazono Liners beat Green Rockets Tokatsu 42-19 to set up a final day showdown against section champions Shuttles Aichi. Cooper, who was Division Two Player of the Year when he led the Liners to promotion three years ago, announced recently he is parting company with the Osaka-based club at the end of the season. His side needed to beat the Green Rockets on Saturday to have any chance of making the promotion/relegation series. As well as setting up two tries by manipulating the defence with trademark short passes, Cooper also kicked five from five, one being the conversion of the try scored by his long-time halves partner, Will Genia. Cooper’s success contrasted with the fortunes of another ex-Wallaby flyhalf, with Bernard Foley missing a conversion from a wide angle in the final play of Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay’s thrilling 29-29 draw with Saitama Wild Knights. While the result could cost the Wild Knights top seeding for the playoffs, second will still earn Robbie Deans and his men a bye in the first round of the elimination series, with the Spears now likely to have to strip for the first weekend after dropping to third. Defending champions Brave Lupus Tokyo returned to the top of the table after a 45-28 win over Sagamihara Dynaboars, while Tokyo Sungoliath became the final qualifier for the playoffs, wrapping up sixth courtesy of a 43-34 win over ****** Rams Tokyo. Ex-Wallaby backrower Liam Gill had an unusual afternoon, scoring two tries and setting up two others, but the 32-year-old was also one of a trio from the ****** Rams who were yellow carded, which all but sealed their fate. Samu Kerevi scored the 10th try from his last nine appearances, but it was not enough to prevent another defeat for Urayasu D-Rocks on a madcap afternoon where they shared 17 tries with Shizuoka BlueRevs in a 62-52 defeat. D-Rocks will be joined in the post-season relegation series by Mie Heat, whose last hopes were ended despite two tries by Wallaby fullback Tom Banks, during Sunday’s 38-30 defeat by Verblitz. The win by Steve Hansen’s men, which pulled them clear of the relegation zone, featured the 11th try of the season by code-hopping former NRL star Joseph Manu. The afternoon’s other match saw Dave Rennie’s Kobe Steelers beat Yokohama Eagles 47-29. Source link #Cooper #aiming #leave #Japanese #club #promotion Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

He died fighting for Russia. Meghan McCain blamed his US veteran parents. He died fighting for Russia. Meghan McCain blamed his US veteran parents. It was a stupid tweet by someone who isn’t stupid. Meghan McCain criticized the fitness of parents who raise a wayward kid. She questioned whether the mother, a deputy director at the CIA, should still have a job. Why? Because that mother and her husband lost control of their young adult son, who foolishly went to war on behalf of Vladimir Putin’s Russia and died on a battlefield fighting Ukraine. Their boy had an eccentric streak that took him to remote parts of the world promoting environmentalism, feminism, communism and the ************ people. He threw shade at his home country, the United States. He posted a video of an American flag burning and would tell friends he was ashamed to be from here. He was the antithesis of his parents, who both served their country honorably in the U.S. Navy, as Meghan McCain’s famous father once had. And McCain blamed the parents. Meghan McCain blames the parents for their son Born in 1984, Meghan McCain is a child of the internet. She is a tweeting machine who understood how to use the platform X that was Twitter before Elon Musk bought it and broke its grip from left-wing censorship. Her opinions are punchy and irreverent, and she takes a lot of swings at both left and right. Opinion: Elon Musk called a combat veteran a ‘traitor.’ No American should tolerate it. Even now, as she is busy raising two small children, she is building Substack and 2Way audiences with her takes on American culture and politics as she stays engaged with the wider world. Sometimes when you engage the world, however, you reveal too much. And on April 25, McCain showed her own ignorance in a tweet: “If you can’t even get your own kid not to become an anti-American, pro-Islam ********** who joins and fights in the Russian Army against Ukraine, maybe you shouldn’t have a senior job in the CIA…” When I read that, I laughed. This is clearly the opinion of someone who has never raised teenagers, I thought. In due time, she will learn, and she will regret it. McCain forgot the story of the prodigal son McCain had keyed in on a new version of an ancient story. Christ told it as the parable of the prodigal son, the child who goes astray. In the biblical account told in the Gospel of Luke (Luke 15:11-32), a wayward child of a wealthy man goes on a long bender of sin and debauchery, squandering his inherited wealth and eventually sliding to that last rung of the occupational ladder – herding swine. Meghan McCain, daughter of the late Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona, speaks during a memorial service for her father at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, DC, on Sept. 1, 2018. A more modern version was told on April 25 at iStories about Michael Gloss, a young man who grew up in the leafy suburbs of Washington, DC, the privileged son of parents who dedicated a good part of their adult lives to the defense of America. Gloss’ mother, Juliane Gallina, is a CIA deputy director for digital innovation. She graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and became the first woman to serve as a Naval Academy brigade commander in 1991, iStories reports. For 30 years, she has worked in intelligence. Gloss’ father, Larry Gloss, is also a U.S. Navy veteran and an Iraq War veteran. He was decorated for his service in Operation Desert Storm. Michael Gloss fought for Putin in Ukraine-Russia war Last year, the couple learned their son had died. On April 25, they read in the iStories account that their boy, while in Russia, had chosen to enter Putin’s meatgrinder – the invasion of neighboring Ukraine. On the battlefield he got caught in an artillery barrage and died from “massive blood loss,” The Washington Post reported. He was among 172,000 Russian troops who have died and 611,000 who were wounded in Putin’s ******** war, the International Institute for Strategic Studies reports. That a leftist child of American patriots would take up arms for a Russian tyrant is a puzzle. It’s a long distance in both miles and values from the home he grew up in. The 21-year-old Michael was suffering from mental illness, The Post reports, and had stopped taking medication to treat his illness. As a little boy, he was different, his father said. “If you knew our son, he was the ultimate antiestablishment, anti-authority young man the minute he came into the world,” Larry Gloss told The Post. Gloss was drawn to the radical left, despite his parents He grew up loving The Beatles and Bob Dylan, and he was drawn to the politics of the left and radical left. His muse led him to places like Italy, where, according to his obituary, he learned sustainable agriculture through farm work. He went to Turkey to help rebuild earthquake-damaged structures. He journeyed to the former Soviet republic of Georgia to join a counter-cultural movement inspired by Woodstock, The Post reported. Opinion: Trump has made America a safer place for my daughters. I’m grateful for that. Eventually, he would go to Russia for what his parents believed was the fulfillment of a dream to help build a water purifier in parts of that country that lacked clean water. Instead, he died fighting an aggressor’s war. “I can only attribute it to his mental illness,” his father told The Post. “It clearly defies logic.” Parents who have raised teenagers can empathize Any parent who has raised teenagers will instinctively empathize with the Glosses. “Teenage” is the child stage when the parents learn, “Oh, we don’t decide the direction of our children’s futures.” Our children do. Opinion alerts: Get columns from your favorite columnists + expert analysis on top issues, delivered straight to your device through the USA TODAY app. Don’t have the app? Download it for free from your app store. When I was about Meghan McCain’s age, some of my older work colleagues tried to warn me of this. “One day when your kids are teenagers,” one coworker, who happened to be a superb parent, told me, “they’re going to ask you for your advice.” Then her face changed. It grew flush with anger. Her eyes flared and her voice rose. “THEY DON’T WANT YOUR ADVICE! THEY DON’T WANT YOUR ADVICE!” When she calmed down, she explained, “They only say they want your advice. They never take it.” Who knows what set that off, but the frustration was real. One day, McCain will know what we do I have a sister and brother-in-law who were raising the greatest four girls. Strong values. High ethics. Parents engaged in every aspect of their lives. And everything seemed peachy perfect, until one of those daughters turned into a meth addict. Hell rained down. I heard it in the desperate calls from my sister, who tearfully told me her 16-year-old, now emaciated and scarred from self-mutilation, would never make it to age 20. Opinion: Depression in young men is on the rise. Athletes may be the key to getting help. Hard work and prayers and an enormous amount of attention were focused on that child. Her clean-living sisters sometimes resented all that attention going to the ****** sheep. But that ****** sheep, that prodigal, finally found herself and started making good decisions. She went on to drug recovery, university, graduation with honors and medical school. Now a physician, she is about to take on a new job at a major West Coast trauma center saving other people’s children. Today, when my sisters and I get together, we joke that our primary job as parents was to just keep our kids alive. You have to live that to know it. Someday Meghan McCain will have teenagers, and she will understand. Phil Boas is an editorial columnist for The Arizona Republic, where this column originally published. You can email him at *****@*****.tld You can read diverse opinions from our USA TODAY columnists and other writers on the Opinion front page, on X, formerly Twitter, @usatodayopinion and in our Opinion newsletter. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Meghan McCain picks on Michael Gloss. She’ll regret it later | Opinion Source link #died #fighting #Russia #Meghan #McCain #blamed #veteran #parents Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Japan: Retailers restricting Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders to loyal customers – My Nintendo News Japan: Retailers restricting Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders to loyal customers – My Nintendo News Japan: Retailers restricting Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders to loyal customers My Nintendo NewsNintendo Switch 2 pre-order: Walmart updates its console reservations pages The Shortcut | Matt SwiderMissed the Switch 2 Preorder? Why It’s OK to Wait CNETThe Nintendo Switch 2 Already Costs $450: Here’s What a Made in the USA Version Could Cost Yahoo FinanceAmid Soaring Demand for Nintendo Switch 2, Major Japanese Retailers Are Restricting Pre-Orders to Customers Who Have Already Spent Loads of Money With Them ign.com Source link #Japan #Retailers #restricting #Nintendo #Switch #preorders #loyal #customers #Nintendo #News Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Yze backs Balta after jeers from Hawks fans Yze backs Balta after jeers from Hawks fans Richmond defender Noah Balta was jeered by Hawthorn fans as he returned to AFL action for the first time since being sentenced for assault. Source link #Yze #backs #Balta #jeers #Hawks #fans Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Who is Kilmar Abrego Garcia? The answer is found on the streets where he lived and worked Who is Kilmar Abrego Garcia? The answer is found on the streets where he lived and worked SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador ― The tiny neighborhood of Los Nogales, with its pinkish-red bougainvilleas and a small knot of streets rising above El Salvador’s capital, seems cut off from the sprawling city below. Senda 3, a ****-de-sac at the heart of the neighborhood, dead-ends into bushes and trees. Houses are jammed together. Neighbors walk a few steps to makeshift tiendas, or shops, nestled inside front rooms behind plastic sheeting, or metal bars, or both. This is the street where Kilmar Abrego Garcia spent his early years. And the street he fled to come to America. He was a teenager when he left to build a new life in a new country. He’s 29 now and back in El Salvador, this time in prison, a father of three caught in a standoff among President Donald Trump, the courts, some members of Congress and the Salvadoran government. Abrego Garcia’s deportation – and the Trump administration’s refusal to return him to the United States, even though it admits he was sent back to El Salvador by mistake – has made him the most high-profile target of Trump’s campaign to expel millions of migrants who entered the United States illegally. The Justice Department insists Abrego Garcia is a member of a dangerous criminal gang. Abrego Garcia, who had lived in Maryland for years before he was deported, insists he is not. Regardless of who is right, Abrego Garcia’s story begins here, in Los Nogales, on Senda 3. The small terrace house he lived in with his parents and two siblings is still standing. His mother, Cecilia, referred to affectionately as “Cece” by old friends, made pupusas there with the help of her three young children every Friday, Saturday and Sunday and sold them to neighbors. A woman named Rocio, who is in her 30s and lives just two doors down, proudly showed off photos of Abrego Garcia, his sister and his older brother Cesar attending a birthday party in her home. At the time, San Salvador was the domain of violent gangs. Two rival gangs, MS-13 and Barrio 18, or the 18th Street gang, fought over turf block by block, running the Central American country’s ******* rate in 2012 up among the highest in the world at 41 per 100,000 people, according to the United Nations. A view of Los Nogales, the neighborhood in El Salvador where Kilmar Abrego Garcia grew up before moving to the United States. The father of three was deported from Maryland by the Trump administration and sent back to El Salvador. Los Nogales was neutral ground. “There was never trouble with gangs here,” said a man who would only give his name as Jorge. “I’ve lived here for 20 years and never had a problem.” Jorge’s sentiments were echoed by almost a dozen of Abrego Garcia’s close neighbors, friends and neighborhood acquaintances interviewed by USA TODAY. The paper is identifying Jorge and other locals only by their first names because they fear reprisals from El Salvador’s increasingly authoritarian government. Members of Abrego Garcia’s family denied multiple USA TODAY interview requests to speak about his early years in El Salvador and his home life. But when Abrego Garcia lived on Senda 3, a five-minute walk to the calle principal would land him in gang territory. Los Nogales was surrounded on all sides by “troubled” neighborhoods where bandidos run rampant, a resident named Fredy said. The burgeoning pupuseria business run by Cece, Abrego Garcia’s mother, attracted the greed of Barrio 18 members. They demanded monthly protection money from the family and threatened to enlist Abrego Garcia in the gang as payment or even to stalk, kidnap and kill him, according to court records entered by his attorneys. A neighbor identified as “Rocio” points at a childhood photograph of Kilmar Abrego Garcia. A short distance from where Cece once rolled out her pupusas sits the local watering hole, run by a husband and wife. On an afternoon in mid-April, beer-swilling revelers crowded inside and listened to rancheras and watched fútbol. Waiters carried plates of seafood and fried potatoes from the kitchen to the simple wooden tables. Patrons covered the mouths of their beer bottles with paper napkins against the flies buzzing around, attracted by a free lunch, or drink. Like the flies, gangsters from the surrounding barrios historically swarmed around local businesses that made money in Los Nogales – even if they’re tucked away and shut behind metal bars and barbed wire. A van sits on the streets of Los Nogales, the neighborhood in San Salvador, El Salvador, where Kilmar Abrego Garcia grew up. Insects and extortionists always find their way in, said Edward, the bar’s current owner. The bar’s previous owners had to sell because the payments to Barrio 18 were too burdensome, Edward said. His wife pointed to where a cluster of popular restaurants once sat. They, too, closed because of financial pressure from the bandidos. Whether Abrego Garcia’s family was the victim of Barrio 18, the neighbors hadn’t heard. But they did know the family had fallen on hard times. “The bank was foreclosing on their house, that’s why they had to sell up and leave,” Fredy said. “They moved nearby to another house.” Cece long planned for her sons to leave El Salvador and the dangers lurking there, Los Nogales residents said. Cesar, the oldest boy, went first. He left for the United States. Abrego Garcia soon followed. He was just 16. For days, he walked north, crossing the Rio Grande. He entered the United States illegally near McAllen, Texas, around March 12, 2012. His journey, however, was far from over. Kilmar Abrego Garcia grew up in San Salvador, El Salvador, before fleeing to the United States A Home Depot in Maryland In the suburb of Hyattsville, Maryland, Home Depot is where homeowners shop for supplies for do-it-yourself repairs and where construction crews come for materials. It’s also where migrants look for day jobs. Groups of men from Latin American countries wait in the parking lot. Some help customers carry supplies in exchange for a cash tip or, if they are lucky, a day gig. A woman sells tamales out of the back of a van while a small boy plays in the back. It was here that Abrego Garcia’s new life started to unravel. An ‘administrative error’: A Maryland dad was sent to El Salvador prison by mistake. Can his community get him back? He had made his way to Maryland. His older brother, Cesar, was living there and had become a U.S. citizen. In 2016, Abrego Garcia met the woman who would become his wife, Jennifer Vasquez Sura, a Salvadoran American. Around the same age, they connected through her coworker, Abrego Garcia’s best friend. The small neighborhood of Los Nogales in San Salvador, El Salvador There was an instant spark. He liked that she was a strong woman. “It would amaze him that no matter what life put me through, I would face it,” she said in a phone interview with USA TODAY in early April. They moved in together two years later. Vasquez Sura had two children from a previous relationship, a daughter who has epilepsy and a son with autism. The girl wanted to be a makeup artist and her brother, a soccer player. Abrego Garcia raised the two children as his own. To them, she said, he’s their dad. The children’s biological father, Edwin Ramos, filed a custody claim against Vasquez Sura in 2018 allegeding she lived with a gang member. The document circulated as more evidence of Abrego Garcia’s MS-13 affiliation, but the case was quickly dismissed, according to court records. A year later, Ramos was charged and convicted of second-degree ***** and remains incarcerated in Maryland. Abrego Garcia found work as an HVAC installer and was a member of CASA, a nonprofit that operates day worker centers in Maryland. The couple learned they were expecting a son, who they’d name Kilmar Jr. They had what seemed like a good life, until police spotted him in the Home Depot parking lot. On March 28, 2019, Abrego Garcia drove to the Hyattsville store on East-West Highway, about eight miles north of the U.S. Capitol. He was looking for construction work, his wife would later say in court documents. Records released by Hyattsville, Maryland, and Prince George’s County police say he was loitering. He was standing in the parking lot with three other men, two of whom he recognized. The four were chatting to pass the time, his lawyers said. Abrego Garcia was taken in for questioning. One of the men he had been talking to, Christhyan Hernandez-Romero, had an extensive rap sheet that included assault, burglary and concealing a weapon. He was known to Hyattsville police as an MS-13 gang member. Kilmar Abrego Garcia is seen in a handout image Prince George’s police detective Ivan Mendez, the investigating officer, suspected Abrego Garcia was also part of the gang. He reached that conclusion, he wrote in his police report, based on three things: Abrego Garcia was sporting a Chicago Bulls hat, which authorities say is worn by active MS-13 members. He had on a dark-hooded sweatshirt, which authorities also said was associated with or consistent with an MS-13 slogan. And a confidential informant had identified him as a member of MS-13. Abrego Garcia denied he was a member of MS-13 or any gang. Days later, the police detective’s credibility would come under scrutiny. The force accused him of sharing confidential information about an ongoing investigation with a sex worker. He was later fired and placed on the county district attorney’s do-not-call list of unreliable sources. Hyattsville police, meanwhile, say records of their encounter with Abrego Garcia made no connection to MS-13. He had two vials of **********, which they seized. No charges were filed against him. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were called in because police suspected Abrego Garcia was an undocumented immigrant. He was assigned an Alien Registration Number, or A-number. The federal government could now keep tabs on him. Based on the conclusions of the now-disgraced Prince George’s detective, ICE wrote in Abrego Garcia’s file: “Subject has been identified as a Member/Active of M.S.13.” At a hearing before an immigration judge that April, Abrego Garcia denied that he was a gang member, insisting he wasn’t a risk to the community. The judge declined to issue him a bond, citing the gang report filed by Mendez and the tip from the confidential informant. Abrego Garcia remained in jail, awaiting possible deportation. Downtown San Salvador, El Salvador That June, Abrego Garcia and a seven-months-pregnant Vasquez Sura married at the Howard Detention Center in Jessup, Maryland, where he was being held. Their son, Kilmar Jr. was born in August. The child has microtia, a congenital malformation of the ear, is intellectually disabled with a speech disorder and has been diagnosed with autism. Abrego Garcia asked the courts for a protective order preventing his deportation to El Salvador, where he feared gangs threatened his life. The judge granted the order on Oct. 10. Abrego Garcia could still be expelled from the United States – he just couldn’t be returned to El Salvador. Abrego Garcia was released from custody after six months in detention, but was required to check in with ICE yearly. For six years, records show, he did. No ‘Maryland father’: What to know on White House allegations against Kilmar Abrego Garcia A house in suburbia The tree-lined street where Abrego Gracia and his growing family settled sits in a quiet neighborhood. Pink and white blossoms fall from branches and decorate the front lawns of small, brick houses. In one yard, a ******** flag flutters in a mild breeze. Near the bottom of a slight hill is the white-brick house that Abrego-Garcia called home. A child’s scooter and a toy lawn mower rest on the grassy lawn. Parked in the driveway is a white pickup, a boat hitched to its rear. The suburb of Beltsville, Maryland, between Baltimore and Washington, is where Abrego Garcia was living the American dream. He’d found work as a union sheet metal apprentice. He took worker safety training and classes at the University of Maryland. He was in the first year of a five-year apprenticeship and working toward a union “pink card” that would mean higher pay and benefits. “He was on track, really, to the middle class,” said Tom Killeen, political director for the sheet metal workers Maryland-based Local 100. But home life was turbulent. Abrego Garcia had grown “more reserved” after his release from detention and now had “a sadness” about him that his wife hadn’t seen prior to his time in ICE custody, she said in court records. In 2020, Vasquez Sura petitioned a court for a domestic protection order against her husband. One altercation, she said, resulted in police responding to their home after he slapped and threatened her. “Like at 3:00 in the morning, he would just wake up and, like, hit me,” she told a judge in a recording obtained by USA TODAY. Then before her daughter’s birthday party, “he slapped me three times…then last week my sister called the police because he hit me in front of my sister.” In 2021, Vasquez Sura petitioned for a protection order a second time, citing instances of violence in 2019, 2020 and 2021. Abrego Garcia “punched and scratched” her, ripped off her shirt and grabbed and bruised her, according to her testimony to a judge. The case was closed after a month, according to Prince George’s County records. Vasquez Sura said in a statement to USA TODAY that neither she nor her husband was in a good place when she filed for the protective orders. “My husband was traumatized from the time he spent in ICE detention, and we were in the throes of COVID,” she said. “Like many couples, we were caring for our children with barely enough to get by. All of those factors contributed to the actions, which caused me to seek the protective order.” In an earlier statement released April 17, she also told USA TODAY she sought the 2021 order out of precaution because she had experienced domestic violence in a past relationship. Then, in March 2025, ICE re-entered their lives. Abrego Garcia was working at a job site in Baltimore, installing HVAC ducts on a new University of Maryland hospital building. He finished his shift on Wednesday afternoon, March 12, and then picked up his 5-year-old at the home of Cece, who had followed her sons to the United States. With his own son in the back seat, Abrego Garcia was on his way home when he phoned his wife to say he was being pulled over for what he thought was a routine traffic stop. It wasn’t. It was ICE. Timeline: How an error led to the deportation of a legal resident of US to El Salvador Abrego Garcia wasn’t confident speaking English, so Vasquez Sura told him to put her on speakerphone while he talked with the officers, she said in a court filing. She could overhear the conversation as an agent told her husband to turn off the car and get out. Abrego Garcia explained to the officer, in English, that his son with special needs was in the back seat. Vasquez Sura heard the officer take his phone and hang up.Minutes later, she got another call, this time from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The caller gave her 10 minutes to get to the scene and pick up her son or child protective services would be contacted. When she got there, Abrego Garcia was on the curb and in handcuffs, crying, she said. Officers said they were taking him in. His immigration status had changed, the agents informed him. “I told him he would come back home,” Vasquez Sura said, “because he hadn’t done anything wrong.” Jennifer Vasquez Sura, the wife of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, speaks at a news conference in Washington. Vasquez Sura’s husband was wrongly deported to El Salvador by the Trump administration Abrego Garcia was detained, sent to Baltimore and transferred to a Texas detention center. There, he was handcuffed, shackled and, three days later, put on a plane with other detainees. None of them had any idea where they were going. They were being sent to El Salvador, despite the protective order barring Abrego Garcia’s return to his homeland. In El Salvador, he and others expelled by the Trump administration were placed in the Terrorism Confinement Center, or CECOT, a notorious prison criticized for its harsh and dangerous conditions and its rough treatment of prisoners. Vasquez Sura and their 5-year-old sued the federal government, demanding that Abrego Garcia be returned home. Days later, government attorneys admitted in court records that he had been deported by mistake – an “administrative error” was the official explanation – but said they had no authority to return him because he was now in a foreign country. A federal judge in Maryland, Paula Xinis, disagreed and ruled on April 4 that the Trump administration had committed an “******** act” by deporting him. Xinis directed the U.S. government to “facilitate” his return. In a unanimous decision, the Supreme Court also demanded the administration start the process of bringing Abrego Garcia back to the United States. The Trump administration, however, dug in. Trump called Abrego Garcia a foreign terrorist. A White House spokesman labeled him a “wife beater,” citing Vasquez Sura’s four-year-old request for a temporary protective order. Stephen Miller, one of Trump’s top advisers, described him as a “human smuggler.” The administration released records from a traffic stop in an effort to back up its claims. The Tennessee Highway Patrol had pulled Abrego Garcia over on Interstate 40 in December 2022. He was driving with eight passengers and no luggage. Local authorities suspected he was smuggling people north from Texas to Maryland, the Department of Homeland Security said. But the state police officer who pulled him over released him without charges or even writing a ticket. Abrego Garcia’s wife said in a statement that he worked in construction and sometimes transported groups of workers between job sites, which could explain why there were others in the vehicle. In search of Abrego Garcia El Salvador’s CECOT prison is a rambling complex spread across 57 acres southeast of San Salvador. Built in 2022, the maximum-security facility is surrounded by two sets of walls. Its prisoners, who include gang members, are often called the worst of the worst. Abrego Garcia had last been seen frog-walking through the prison. Sen. Chris Van Hollen, right, was stopped by armed guards at a military checkpoint in El Salvador while attempting to see Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland man who was wrongly deported by the Trump administration to El Salvador. Vasquez Sura, his wife, spotted him in news photos. She recognized the two scars on his now-shaved head and the tattoos on his knuckles. From the Oval Office, Trump has shown reporters a photo of the tattoos as proof that Abrego Garcia is a gang member. By now, it had been a month since he was last sighted. Questions about Abrego Garcia’s location and status – including those ordered by the federal judge overseeing the case – remained unanswered. Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen, a Democrat, wanted to know if his constituent was safe, healthy and, above all, alive. So he headed to the Central American country to check on Abrego Garcia himself. The two-day trip had proved fruitless: Salvadoran Vice President Félix Ulloa had denied the senator’s request to enter CECOT. Van Hollen’s last-minute push to drive to the prison and demand a meeting was thwarted by a military checkpoint. Less than two miles away, armed military personnel pulled over his small convoy of vehicles. “He is totally beyond reach,” Van Hollen said at the side of the road. Van Hollen and his team headed back to their hotel. In a few hours, they were to fly back to the United States. The senator still didn’t know if Abrego Garcia was even breathing. Then, a phone call from the U.S. embassy: Would he be willing to meet with Abrego Garcia at his hotel that afternoon? They negotiated the optics. The Salvadoran government wanted the meeting to take place next to the pool in the hotel’s lush gardens. Van Hollen said no and suggested the hotel restaurant instead. Wait there, he was instructed. Turned away: Van Hollen stopped at military checkpoint on way to Salvadoran prison Kilmar Abrego Garcia, left, a Maryland man who was wrongly deported to El Salvador, meets with Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen at a hotel in San Salvador. Fans turned in the restaurant’s cream-colored ceiling. Waiters swished from table to table, politely taking orders. Children played nearby as an afternoon breeze combed through the palm trees. Abrego Garcia emerged, escorted by at least five officials. Dressed casually in jeans, a plaid button-down shirt and a Kansas City Chiefs baseball cap, he was not handcuffed. The two men spoke alone for a few minutes, sipping coffee and water as Abrego Garcia told of his ordeal. They sat in wicker chairs at a four-top wooden table set with white china, glasses and silverware. ‘Prayers have been answered’: Sen. Chris Van Hollen meets with Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the man wrongly deported to El Salvador “He spoke of the trauma he had experienced, both with being abducted and then, when they got to Texas, being shackled, handcuffed, and put on a plane with no way to see out of the windows,” Van Hollen told USA TODAY. Abrego Garcia told the senator he had been placed into a cell with 25 people at CECOT. He said he was fearful of the prisoners in other cells who called out to him. But a few days earlier he had been moved out to a lower-security prison, Centro Industrial in Santa Ana, with better conditions. Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Maryland, hugs Jennifer Vasquez Sura, wife of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, after returning from El Salvador. Van Hollen met with Abrego Garcia, who was wrongly deported to El Salvador by the Trump administration. When they finished, Van Hollen escorted Abrego Garcia to the front of the hotel lobby. They walked over the highly polished marble tiles and past wooden furniture. On the walls were framed photographs of visiting heads of state, including several U.S. presidents. Van Hollen watched as officers whisked Abrego Garcia from the Sheraton Presidente. Avenida de la Revolución was the last place he was seen. His steps receding, he vanished again. National correspondent Will Carless anchored this story from El Salvador. Eduardo Cuevas and Michael Collins reported from Maryland. Investigations reporter and records expert Nick Penzenstadler dug through court documents and police reports. Contributing: Cybele Mayes-Osterman in Washington and Julia Gavarrete in San Salvador, El Salvador. Editing: Romina Ruiz-Goiriena and Doug Caruso This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Abrego Garcia’s streets defined man at center of immigration debate Source link #Kilmar #Abrego #Garcia #answer #streets #lived #worked Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Somerset County holding surplus auction May 14-21 Somerset County holding surplus auction May 14-21 Somerset County residents can bid on a selection of office equipment, used vehicles and other miscellaneous items at the upcoming Spring Surplus Auction. Starting at 8 a.m. May 14, residents can browse the online surplus inventory and place bids to purchase auction items. The auction will close with staggered end times starting at 2 p.m. May 21. Residents can preview the list of auction items and are encouraged to read the terms and conditions of ***** before bidding. Photos of the available items and vehicles will be posted on www.govdeals.com/somersetcounty by 8 a.m. May 14. Item inspection is recommended at the South County Public Works Facility, located at 410 Roycefield Road, Hillsborough, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, May 16, and Saturday, May 17.All property will be sold as-is, where-is. There is a buyer’s premium of 10%. There are no registration fees charged by the auction company. Full payment is due no later than five business days from the time and date of when the auction closes. Items purchased must also be removed within 10 business days from the time and date of when the auction closes. The buyer is responsible for all loading and transporting of property. Visit www.govdeals.com. For further information, call 908-752-7807 or email *****@*****.tld. This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Somerset County NJ surplus auction is May 14-21 Source link #Somerset #County #holding #surplus #auction Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]