Pelican Press

Can holy men really stop the rain in Bali? Can holy men really stop the rain in Bali? Dave Smith with an insider story Source link #holy #men #stop #rain #Bali Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

DeSantis signs law creating new hurdles for Florida’s citizens’ initiative process DeSantis signs law creating new hurdles for Florida’s citizens’ initiative process TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida voters have long been able to use the citizens’ initiative process to bypass the Republican-dominated Legislature and advance progressive policies such as raising the minimum wage, legalizing medical ********** and restoring the voting rights of people with felony convictions. Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a law Friday creating new hurdles for citizen-driven initiatives, changes critics say would make it prohibitively expensive and effectively impossible for grassroots campaigners to get them onto the ballot. Legislatures in dozens of states have advanced bills recently to crack down on the public’s ability to put measures up for a vote, according to the Ballot Initiative Strategy Center. Voting rights advocates say the trend betrays the promise of direct democracy. Under Florida’s measure, voters could be charged with a felony if they collect more than 25 signed ballot petitions, other than their own or those of immediate family members, and don’t register with the state as a petition circulator. Months before the bill advanced in the Legislature, Florida voters supported ballot initiatives to protect abortion rights and legalize recreational **********, though the measures fell short of the 60% needed to pass. DeSantis signed the measure Friday evening, hours after lawmakers gave the bill final approval. He marshaled state resources and the power of his office in an aggressive campaign to oppose the measures on the ballot last November. “This bill has been intentionally designed to make it impossible for any statewide citizen initiative to make it to the ballot ever again,” said state Sen. Carlos Smith, a Democrat from Orlando, who called the measure “the final kill shot against direct democracy.” The bill’s Republican sponsors argued the measure is meant to protect rather than restrict the citizens’ initiative process, which Florida’s Republican Senate president has repeatedly called “sacrosanct.” Instead, they say the aim is to reform a process they see as tainted by outside petition-gatherers who they allege have forged petition signatures or misled voters. “This bill is not an attack on the citizen initiative process,” said co-sponsor state Sen. Don Gaetz, a Panhandle Republican. “It’s an attack on those who have corrupted it.” A state election crimes unit created under the DeSantis administration in 2022 helped secure two dozen felony election-related convictions, according to a January report. State officers have made at least 17 arrests of paid petition circulators working on behalf of four different ballot initiatives, the agency says. The measure “does not address imaginary, hypothetical fraud, but known fraud,” said Republican state Sen. Jennifer Bradley. One of the reforms lawmakers said was needed aims to rein in the DeSantis administration, which used public funds to create ads opposing the 2024 measures and threatened television stations with criminal penalties for airing commercials in support of the proposals. “They engaged in behavior that will now be unlawful and will now be prevented,” Gaetz said, under a provision that outlaws the use of public funds for political ads on any proposed constitutional amendment. Under the law, more people will be banned from collecting petitions, including Floridians with felony convictions who haven’t had their voting rights restored. Noncitizens and people who don’t reside in Florida will also be prohibited from gathering signatures, in a state with a significant population of part-time workers and foreign-born residents. Floridians will have to provide their driver’s license number, voter ID card number, or the last four digits of their Social Security number in order to fill out a petition. The form will ultimately become a public record. Campaigners will face shorter deadlines to return petitions to local election officials, and stiffer fines if they don’t return them to the correct county — an issue advocates say can occur due to voter error in filling out the forms. Former Republican state Sen. Jeff Brandes, a frequent critic of his former colleagues in Tallahassee who now leads the nonprofit Florida Policy Project, criticized the bill in a post on X. “It should be difficult to change the constitution, but not impossible,” Brandes wrote. “Unless you’re the Florida Legislature — then you just keep moving the goalpost until only you can keep score.” ___ Associated Press writer Mike Schneider in Orlando, Florida contributed to this report. Payne is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Source link #DeSantis #signs #law #creating #hurdles #Floridas #citizens #initiative #process Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Tarrant Co. health officials confirm 1st cases of measles – WFAA Tarrant Co. health officials confirm 1st cases of measles – WFAA Tarrant Co. health officials confirm 1st cases of measles WFAATarrant County confirms first local cases of measles FOX 4 News Dallas-Fort WorthFirst measles cases confirmed in Tarrant County, officials say CBS NewsMeasles in Denton County, infected person visited Rangers game, church, restaurant NBC 5 Dallas-Fort WorthTarrant County reports two measles cases, in a child and an adult Dallas News Source link #Tarrant #health #officials #confirm #1st #cases #measles #WFAA Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Garbin stars as Vixens top Mavericks in Melbourne derby Garbin stars as Vixens top Mavericks in Melbourne derby Star goalshooter Sophie Garbin has produced a match-winning display to ensure the Melbourne Vixens maintained full bragging rights over the Melbourne Mavericks with a 67-59 Super Netball win. Garbin nailed 45 goals from 52 shots and Kiera Austin chipped in with 16 goals and three Super Shots to ensure the Vixens improved their head-to-head record against the Mavericks to 3-0. Importantly, it squared up the Vixens’ season record at 2-2, helping to make up for last week’s 10-goal home loss to the West Coast Fever. “I thought everyone did an amazing job,” Garbin told Fox Sports after Sunday’s match at John Cain Arena. “I think for us, we’ve probably been focusing a bit too much on trying to change and have a bit of variety, whereas what we do best wins us games, and we got to the grand final last year doing that. “Today was about coming out, having our own individual strengths and working to them. “We know we’ve got a really tough month coming up with the Swifts, Lightning and Firebirds. “It’s going to be a really tough month, but getting the win today was the start of it.” Vixens coach Simone McKinnis said a win over the team’s cross-town rivals was always significant. “It’s a rivalry that’s growing,” McKinnis said. “We don’t want to get beaten by the Mavericks. You know that’s something they really want. “They fought really hard and they were going for it out there today.” McKinnis was full of praise for Garbin. “That’s Sophie at her best – when she’s demanding that ball in that circle, and sometimes you’ll hear her screaming for it,” McKinnis said. “She’s so strong as a shooter, and when she’s positioned and takes that on, no one can get near her. I enjoyed seeing that from Soph today.” The Mavericks are now 1-3 and face a battle to work their way back into the finals mix. The opening quarter was an even affair, with the Vixens just doing enough to take a 16-15 lead into the first break. It was late in the second quarter when the Vixens flexed their muscles. The Mavericks trailed by just three goals entering the five-minute Super Shot *******, but two long-range bombs from Austin helped inspire a 9-3 run to give the Vixens a 35-26 lead at half-time. Although star Mavericks goalshooter Shimona Jok (43 goals from 47 attempts) was proving hard to stop, Vixens duo Garbin and Austin were just as lethal at the other end. The lead swelled to 13 by late in the third quarter, with the Mavericks unable to launch any meaningful fightback. Source link #Garbin #stars #Vixens #top #Mavericks #Melbourne #derby Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Quick, to the Bat Computer! There's a Batmobile on Bring a Trailer – Yahoo! Autos Quick, to the Bat Computer! There's a Batmobile on Bring a Trailer – Yahoo! Autos Quick, to the Bat Computer! There’s a Batmobile on Bring a Trailer Yahoo! AutosView Full Coverage on Google News Source link #Quick #Bat #Computer #There039s #Batmobile #Bring #Trailer #Yahoo #Autos Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Federal Election 2025: Key Voice campaigner Thomas Mayo hails Labor victory as support for welcome to country Federal Election 2025: Key Voice campaigner Thomas Mayo hails Labor victory as support for welcome to country A key supporter of the Voice to Parliament has hailed Labor’s barnstorming Federal Election victory as an endorsement of welcome to country ceremonies and a rejection of “ignorance” and “xenophobia”. Thomas Mayo was one of the most prominent campaigners for the Yes vote in the failed 2023 referendum on amending the *********** constitution to establish an Indigenous Voice to Parliament. “Tonight, Australia voted no to ignorance and yes to acknowledgement,” the Kaurareg Aboriginal and Kalkalgal, Erubamle Torres Strait Islander posted on X on Saturday night. “No to xenophobia and yes to welcomes, no to regression and yes to progress.” If you’d like to view this content, please adjust your Cookie Settings. To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide. Former Liberal leader Peter Dutton last week said he thought Aboriginal welcome to country ceremonies had become “overdone”. Feel like giving the politicians a rating this Federal election? Our Pollie Rater lets you do just that. Rate the politicians The issue of the failed Voice was also reignited last week when Foreign Minister Penny Wong hinted in a podcast there was a chance it could be revived — though she later backed away from those comments. Mr Mayo added that leading figures from the Coalition, One Nation, Trumpet of Patriots and right-wing campaign groups had been rejected resoundingly by voters. “Peter Dutton, Jacinta Price, Clive Palmer, Pauline Hanson, the IPA and Advance henceforth have no mandate,” he wrote. “They’ve been thoroughly told no.” Source link #Federal #Election #Key #Voice #campaigner #Thomas #Mayo #hails #Labor #victory #support #country Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump Allies Sue John Roberts To Give White House Control Of Court System Trump Allies Sue John Roberts To Give White House Control Of Court System Close allies of President Trump are asking a judge to give the White House control over much of the federal court system. In a little-noticed lawsuit filed last week, the America First Legal Foundation sued Chief Justice John Roberts and the head of the Administrative Office of U.S. Courts. The case ostensibly proceeds as a FOIA lawsuit, with the Trump-aligned group seeking access to judiciary records. But, in doing so, it asks the courts to cede massive power to the White House: the bodies that make court policy and manage the judiciary’s day-to-day operations should be considered independent agencies of the executive branch, the suit argues, giving the President, under the conservative legal movement’s theories, the power to appoint and dismiss people in key roles. Multiple legal scholars and attorneys TPM spoke with reacted to the suit with a mixture of dismay, disdain and laughter. Though the core legal claim is invalid, they said, the suit seems to be a part of the fight that the administration launched and has continued to escalate against the courts over the past several months: ignoring a Supreme Court order to facilitate the return of a wrongly removed Salvadoran man, providing minimal notice to people subject to the Alien Enemies Act, flaunting an aggressive criminal case against a state court judge. The executive branch has tried to encroach on the power of the judiciary in other ways too, prompting a degree of consternation and alarm unusual for the normally-staid Administrative Office of U.S. Courts. As TPM has documented, DOGE has already caused disorder at the courts and sent out mass emails to judges and other judiciary employees demanding a list of their recent accomplishments. Per one recent report in the New York Times, federal judges have expressed concern that Trump could direct the U.S. Marshals Service — an executive branch agency tasked with protecting judges and carrying out court orders — to withdraw protection. These are all facets of an escalating campaign to erode the independence of the judiciary, experts told TPM. The lawsuit demonstrates another prong of it: close allies of the president are effectively asking the courts to rule that they should be managed by the White House. “It’s like using an invalid legal claim to taunt the judiciary,” Anne Joseph O’Connell, a professor at Stanford University Law School, told TPM. “To the extent this lawsuit has any value other than clickbait, maybe the underlying message is, we will let our imaginations run wild,” Peter M. Shane, a constitutional law scholar at NYU Law School, told TPM. “The Trump administration and the MAGA community will let our imaginations run wild in our attempts to figure out ways to make the life of the judiciary **********, to the extent you push back against Trump.” A FOIA from America First The America First Legal Foundation filed the suit on April 22. It came after the group first filed a FOIA request in July 2024 to the Judicial Conference of the United States and the Administrative Office of U.S. Courts asking for “all records referring or relating to (1) Clarence Thomas or (2) Samuel Alito” and all communications with Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Rep. Hank Johnson (D-GA), starting in April 2023. Both Democrats have led investigations into the influence of wealthy political donors’ money on the court, the conservative legal movement’s long-term plan to capture the high court, and alleged ethical violations by Justices Thomas and Alito. The Judicial Conference, which is composed of senior federal judges and operates via an array of committees, sets policy for the judiciary. Ethan V. Torrey, legal counsel of the Supreme Court, rejected the request in a September 2024 letter, per an exhibit filed along with the complaint. Daniel Z. Epstein filed the FOIA request, and is listed as lead attorney on the lawsuit. Epstein currently represents President Trump in his personal capacity in the lawsuit against CBS over an October 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris. Stephen Miller, the longtime Trump aide, founded the America First Legal Foundation in April 2021, describing it as the “long-awaited answer to the ACLU.” Over the next few years, the group succeeded in slowing down or blocking several Biden administration policies, often by filing in the Northern District of Texas’s Amarillo courthouse, which is presided over by a judge who is notably receptive to conservative arguments. Its priorities often match those of Trump’s second term; it attacked diversity programs, protections for LGBT students, immigration, and supposed “wokeness” in corporate America. Miller himself has been a public driving force in the most aggressive and lawless elements of the second Trump administration’s effort to bulldoze through civil liberties in the name of increasing the tempo of deportations. In an email after publication, an America First Legal spokesperson cited a 1991 9th Circuit decision in a case brought by a federal judge seeking to force the Administrative Office to pay for a private defense attorney he wanted to hire in a lawsuit brought over his work as a judge. In that ruling, the 9th Circuit found that AO was a “non-Article III adjunct,” akin to a magistrate judge or special master: a body that serves the courts, but is not a court itself. America First Legal didn’t immediately reply to a follow-up question from TPM about whether it could address its claim that the Judicial Conference is also an independent agency of the executive branch. When the suit was filed in April, it received a small round of coverage that focused on FOIA element of the claim. Legal experts suggested to TPM that the FOIA piece is something of a ******* horse. The Judicial Conference and Administrative Office’s denial of the FOIA request provides standing to sue, and thereby ask a federal judge to declare that the two judicial bodies “are subject to the FOIA as independent agencies within the executive branch.” In terms of importance, a judge finding that core parts of the judiciary are independent agencies of the executive branch would dwarf any FOIA material America First Legal might receive. The lawsuit itself seems to acknowledge this. At one point, in language channeling that of a protection racket, America First Legal observes that “Federal courts rely on the executive branch for facility management and security. Federal judges, as officers of the courts, need resources to fulfill their constitutional obligations.” New extreme for an old theory There is a level of irony here. For years, conservative legal scholars have pushed the idea that power in the executive is unitary, granting the President the ability to exert direct control over all federal officials who carry out federal law. It opens the door to a level of presidential power that hasn’t been seen until this administration, and which the Supreme Court may ratify this term. This lawsuit asks the judiciary to extend that logic to its own operations, potentially dealing a fatal blow to judicial independence. This argument reaches a provocative peak when it comes to the Judicial Conference of the United States. There, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court can appoint members to committees. The lawsuit says that this means Roberts may, at times, fall under the President’s power — for FOIA purposes, of course. “Accordingly, if the Chief Justice does indeed have this power to appoint officers, then he must be acting as an agency head, subjecting the Judicial Conference to the FOIA,” the suit reads. Melissa Murray, a professor at NYU Law, pointed out that the suit raises a number of bizarre scenarios. If it makes it to the Supreme Court, “does the Chief Justice have to recuse himself?” she asked. “It does seem like poking the bear,” she added. As of this writing, lawyers for Roberts and the U.S. Courts director have not appeared on the docket. In other cases filed against parts of the judiciary, the Justice Department’s Civil Division has appointed attorneys. The DOJ did not return a request for comment. The Administrative Office of U.S. Courts declined to comment. The Supreme Court also did not return requests for comment. This doesn’t necessarily mean that federal courthouses will soon start serving Trump steaks, or that Kid Rock will be called on to provide filler sound during sidebar sessions. Blake Emerson, a professor at UCLA Law, called the suit’s claims “outlandish,” and said that if it somehow succeeded, it would grant the White House control over “the means by which the judicial branch functionally operates.” O’Connell, the Stanford Law Professor, described it to TPM as more of an attempt to tell a story about “how much power they think the executive should have” than a serious legal claim. “There is no chance that this will prevail,” she said. Read the lawsuit here: Source link #Trump #Allies #Sue #John #Roberts #Give #White #House #Control #Court #System Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Australia’s voters reject right-wing politics – The Economist Australia’s voters reject right-wing politics – The Economist Australia’s voters reject right-wing politics The Economist’Trump was the game-changer’: Three things to know about the *********** election result BBCAustralian PM shrugs off questions about Donald Trump as other world leaders congratulate him The GuardianFirst Canada, Now Australia: The Trump Factor Boosts Another World Leader in an Election WSJAustralia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese heads to a second 3-year term NPR Source link #Australias #voters #reject #rightwing #politics #Economist Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Chad Warner stars as Swans down Giants in bitter derby Chad Warner stars as Swans down Giants in bitter derby Sydney have bounced back from consecutive AFL losses to defeat GWS in their qualifying final rematch and hold onto local bragging rights. Source link #Chad #Warner #stars #Swans #Giants #bitter #derby Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Sweeping cuts hit NEA after Trump administration calls to eliminate the agency – NPR Sweeping cuts hit NEA after Trump administration calls to eliminate the agency – NPR Sweeping cuts hit NEA after Trump administration calls to eliminate the agency NPRTrump Administration Highlights: President Begins Pulling Back Money for the Arts The New York TimesTrump proposes eliminating the NEA and NEH as arts grants are canceled The Washington PostThe NEA is on Trump’s chopping block again, amid Doge review The Art NewspaperTrump Cancels NEA Grants for Many Bay Area Arts Nonprofits KQED Source link #Sweeping #cuts #hit #NEA #Trump #administration #calls #eliminate #agency #NPR Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Ancient Greek Historian Plutarch Was Among the First Vegetarians Ancient Greek Historian Plutarch Was Among the First Vegetarians A bust of Plutarch. Credit: Odysses/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 3.0 The ancient Greek historian Plutarch, who was also a philosopher and a high priest at the Temple of Apollo in Delphi, could be considered the first outspoken vegetarian in the West, as he believed that it is “immoral” to eat animal flesh. In his book Morals, Plutarch has a chapter on meat eating in which he writes that since man has access to so many fresh fruits, vegetables, and nuts, it is inconceivable that he is forcing himself to eat bloody animal flesh “trying to cover the taste of blood with thousands of spices.” In words that resemble the statements of quite strict vegans and vegetarians today, Plutarch described the act of eating meat in off-putting and visceral terms: “Ι wonder what sensation the first man who put his lips on the blood of a dead animal felt. He put his mouth on the flesh of an animal that was killed. Lining up on his table stale carcasses. He called delicacies those parts the animal was using to roar, speak, move and see…” Plutarch inquires: “How could his eyes stand the sight of the blood of slaughtered, skinned and quartered creatures? How could his nose bear the stench? How could his mind not avert his tongue to touch foreign ulcers, to enjoy juices and fluids of mortal wounds?” Plutarch was a staunch vegetarian Plutarch also argues that man was not made to eat meat: “The fact that man was not made to eat meat is evident in his body structure. Indeed, the human body does not look at all like the bodies of animals made to eat meat…” “Man has no protruding lips, sharp teeth, sharp nails, hard stomach and hot breath able to process and digest the heavy components of meat,” he added. “Man’s nature, with the flat teeth, small mouth, soft tongue and weak breath for digestion precludes meat eating.” The historian and essayist adds that if man insists on eating meat, he should kill the animal with his bare hands rather than using an ax, arrow, or knife. He argues that animals that are made to eat flesh kill other animals on their own without the use of weapons or other devices. If man were designed to eat meat, then he must tear the animal with his teeth and eat it raw like natural carnivores do. Plutarch also argues that by roasting or boiling the meat, he alters its taste and then fools himself by using spices and honey to cover the taste of blood and hide his guilt for eating something that had a soul. He also fools his tongue for tasting something that is foreign. The ancient Greek diet From Plutarch’s words, one might think that ancient Greeks ate meat at nearly every meal. But was this actually the case? Records from antiquity paint an entirely different picture. The diet of the ancient Greeks is fascinating for many reasons. They had impressively varied eating habits, but they naturally contrasted in many ways to ours—with the most characteristic difference being that they ate much less than we do today. In ancient Greece, people would begin their day with a very lean breakfast, which included a little barley bread dipped in lukewarm wine and figs. Greeks of that time were very fond of fish, perhaps even more so than we are today. For lunch, they would routinely dine on any fresh fish that was available, including sea bream, mullet, sardines, and eels. There was always an assortment of legumes from which to choose, including lentils, beans, chickpeas, peas and broad beans, to eat with their fish. The eternal European staple of bread was always part of the midday meal, accompanied by cheese, olives, eggs, nuts, and fruits. Ancient Greeks considered dinner to be the most important and enjoyable meal of the day, and it often contained many vegetables, grains, and fish. Regarding meat, it was in fact not often consumed in ancient Greece. In their diet, the ancient Greeks showed a particular affinity for pork and veal while they rarely ate goat or lamb. They also loved hunting, especially small birds such as thrush and quail, but they were not averse to hunting deer as well, so venison was not unheard of at the ancient Greek table. Source link #Ancient #Greek #Historian #Plutarch #Among #Vegetarians Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Liberals left reeling after defeat Liberals left reeling after defeat Australia’s opposition party has been left reeling after a bruising defeat in Saturday’s federal election, with a result that is shaping up to be its worst ever loss. Peter Dutton, the Liberal party leader, also lost his own seat of Dickson, which he had held for the past 24 years. Labor’s landslide victory means the Liberal party is now scrambling to find a new leader – and figure out what went wrong for them this election cycle. Some Liberal party members have called for a “serious review”, with one adviser summing up the loss as a failure of “the Dutton experiment”. Dutton has also become the first federal opposition leader to ever lose their own seat at the same time as losing an election, which means he has been ousted from parliament. Labor’s Ali France defeated Dutton in his home base of Dickson in Queensland. In his first public appearance after Labor’s emphatic win, prime minister Anthony Albanese told media outside a Sydney cafe on Sunday that “the *********** people voted for unity rather than division”. The Liberal party’s most crushing losses were in Australia’s major cities, where party members have been all but wiped out in metropolitan areas including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide. Liberal MP Keith Wolahan has called for a “serious review” of the systemic issues that led to the party’s shock defeat. “You have to acknowledge things went wrong,” he told the *********** Broadcasting Corporation’s Insiders program. “We have to listen to Australians. They have sent us a message, and our first task is to hear it. And that often takes time.” Wolahan represents the seat of Menzies in Victoria, and said it was very likely he would also lose his seat. When asked if Peter Dutton himself was the problem, Wolahan declined to answer directly, but said he has great respect for the Liberal leader. Some were more blunt, like Andrew Carswell, a former adviser to Australia’s last Liberal prime minister, who told the ABC “the Dutton experiment failed”. He Carswell went on to describe Saturday’s as “a complete catastrophe for the Coalition”, which he said showed that Australians had “clear hesitation with Peter Dutton.” The looming presence of Donald Trump has also been cited as a major factor for thwarting Dutton’s already inconsistent campaign, with many people drawing parallels between him and the American president. Dutton’s loss has now set in motion the scramble for a new Liberal party leader. Carswell was hopeful about the prospect of some “very good up-and-coming Liberal MPs” stepping into leadership roles. Those tipped as most likely contenders for the top job include shadow treasurer Angus Taylor and deputy leader Sussan Ley. Shadow immigration minister Dan Tehan and shadow minister of defence Andrew Hastie have also been mentioned. But without a clear frontrunner, the Liberal party will have to try to regroup in the coming days – as well as develop a new strategy to win back the voters they lost. Source link #Liberals #left #reeling #defeat Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Federal election 2025: Trumpet of Patriots leader Suellen Wrightson shuts down social media accounts Federal election 2025: Trumpet of Patriots leader Suellen Wrightson shuts down social media accounts The leader of the Clive Palmer-backed Trumpet of Patriots party has shut down her social media accounts following its poor election performance, despite bombarding voters with spam text messages and spending millions on advertising. Suellen Wrightson, who stood in the NSW seat of Hunter and was dubbed by Mr Palmer as “Australia’s next prime minister”, achieved just 3.4 per cent of the vote by Sunday morning. She shut down and locked her Facebook and Instagram accounts after the election. In a final post on X, she congratulated Labor leader Anthony Albanese on his victory and gave her commiserations to Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, who lost his Queensland seat of Dickson. “The *********** people have spoken,” she wrote on X. Feel like giving the politicians a rating this Federal election? Our Pollie Rater lets you do just that. Rate the politicians “Importantly, we will use this decisive Labor victory to reevaluate our position, listen, learn and continue to present the important political issues to the *********** people.” Businessman Clive Palmer launched Trumpets of Patriots in February — promising to adopt many policies of US President Donald Trump — after losing a bid to re-register his United Australia Party in the High Court. The party splurged more than $6.8 million on advertising and prompted widespread complaints after it sent voters multiple unsolicited text messages in the lead-up to Saturday’s poll. Source link #Federal #election #Trumpet #Patriots #leader #Suellen #Wrightson #shuts #social #media #accounts Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Canelo cruises, locks up Sept. clash with Crawford – ESPN Canelo cruises, locks up Sept. clash with Crawford – ESPN Canelo cruises, locks up Sept. clash with Crawford ESPNCanelo Alvarez beats Scull to reclaim undisputed super-middleweight title Al JazeeraCanelo Alvarez vs. William Scull predictions, odds, full card preview: Does Scull stand a chance? Yahoo SportsWhat time is Canelo Alvarez vs William Scull? Ring walk time for fight on Saturday USA TodayCanelo Alvarez turns attention to superfight with Terence Crawford after win vs. William Scull The New York Times Source link #Canelo #cruises #locks #Sept #clash #Crawford #ESPN Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Alvarez vs Scull: ******** to fight Crawford in super-fight after dull points win Alvarez vs Scull: ******** to fight Crawford in super-fight after dull points win Fighting outside of Mexico or America for the first time as a professional, Alvarez made his ring walk at the unusually early 06:20 local time to cater for audiences back home. As he often does, Alvarez started slowly to feel out his opponent. He landed right and left hooks to the body in the second round and Scull sneaked an uppercut through Alvarez’s guard in the third. But Alvarez was unable to apply any real pressure and was being made to miss by 32-year-old Cuban Scull’s movement. Scull walked back to the corner smiling after the seventh, as if he felt he was on course for the upset. With little action happening inside the ring, the cameras panned to a bored-looking Crawford at ringside. “Let’s fight, there’s too much running around,” British referee Kieran McCann told both fighters before the ninth. Visibly annoyed with his opponent’s approach, Alvarez shook his head as he walked back to his corner after the 10th. Scull complained about low blows, most of which were legitimate punches, and Alvarez was warned for punching when his opponent had his back turned in the 11th. The closer scorecards reflected how neither fighter asserted their dominance in the tedious contest. “He came just to survive until the 12th round,” Alvarez said after his 63rd career win. “I hope September will be another kind of fight.” Source link #Alvarez #Scull #******** #fight #Crawford #superfight #dull #points #win Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Federal election 2025: Josh Wilson in tight fight for Fremantle against independent Kate Hulett Federal election 2025: Josh Wilson in tight fight for Fremantle against independent Kate Hulett Labor MP Josh Wilson says Fremantle voters have not followed how to votes, as he faces a challenge from Climate 200-backed independent Kate Hulett in the port city seat. Source link #Federal #election #Josh #Wilson #tight #fight #Fremantle #independent #Kate #Hulett Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

“Old Men Can Now Date Far Younger Women” “Old Men Can Now Date Far Younger Women” Saturday Night Live opened in the Oval Office, where Donald Trump (James Austin Johnson) was joined by Stephen Miller (Mikey Day) to sign a slew of new executive orders. Among them: An order to “make it socially acceptable for a man in his 70s to date a 24 year old.” More from Deadline “We’re calling it the Belichick law,” Trump explained. “We’re going to make girlfriends young again, OK. Old men can now date far younger women.” “We like that. It’s hot. But in reverse, it’s quite disgusting, right?” The quip was a reference to Bill Belichick, 73, the University of North Carolina head coach who is dating Jordon Hudson, 24. The cold open was a return to familiar territory, but understandable given the way that Trump has dominated the news in his first months in office. The skit opened with Trump boasting of signing 147 executive orders so far, “everything from banning paper straws to defunding PBS. I understand Elmo has now been apprehended by ICE brought to you by the letter L for El Salvador. He’s not coming back.” Trump then introduced Miller as “lord of the shadows,” and Day played the White House deputy chief of staff as unusually creepy. As absurd as some of the executive orders sounded, in some cases they are not far off from reality. For example, one executive order, to reduce the number of interracial couples in TV commercials, isn’t far off from the Trump administration’s actions to eliminate DEI. The president’s FCC chairman, has opened investigations into NBC-parent Comcast and other media companies over their diversity, equity and inclusion policies, even though they are private companies. Johnson’s Trump remarked of the diversity in advertising, “It’s just too many, right? You see them in the kitchen together making a meal from Hello Fresh. She’s got tight braids. You’re like, Where’d they meet, you know? What do they even talk about. It’s insane.” Making an appearance in the sketch was Marco Rubio (Marcello Hernandez), as Trump signed an executive order forbidding all Hispanic babies from getting their ears pierced. “I mean, we got grown white American tweens trying to get into Claire’s, and they gotta wait behind a thousand tiny Latina babies to get their ears pierced,” Trump said. The sketch ended with Trump signing an executive order to shorten the word “recession.” Trump said, “Recession will now be called recess. Fun, right? So America, get ready for a historically long recess.” Watch it above. Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline’s Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Source link #Men #Date #Younger #Women Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Newspaper headlines: Harry bombshell 'backfires' and Reform 're-education' – BBC Newspaper headlines: Harry bombshell 'backfires' and Reform 're-education' – BBC Newspaper headlines: Harry bombshell ‘backfires’ and Reform ‘re-education’ BBCGrievances and forgiveness were both on display in Prince Harry’s raw TV interview AP NewsPrince Harry Says He Would ‘Love Reconciliation’ With Royal Family The New York TimesPrince Harry says he wants ‘reconciliation,’ but Charles won’t talk to him The Washington Post‘It’s not that the King won’t talk to Prince Harry — he can’t’ The Times Source link #Newspaper #headlines #Harry #bombshell #039backfires039 #Reform #039reeducation039 #BBC Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Esperance-born Melbourne forward Koltyn Tholstrup opens up on playing in front of his home-state crowd Esperance-born Melbourne forward Koltyn Tholstrup opens up on playing in front of his home-state crowd Esperance-born ****** Koltyn Tholstrup has opened up on playing in front of his home-state crowd, including his beloved parents, Stuart and Terri. Source link #Esperanceborn #Melbourne #Koltyn #Tholstrup #opens #playing #front #homestate #crowd Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Israel calls on Qatar to ‘stop playing both sides’ in Gaza talks Israel calls on Qatar to ‘stop playing both sides’ in Gaza talks CAIRO (Reuters) – Israel called on Qatar, a key mediator between Israel and ******, to “stop playing both sides with its double talk and decide if it’s on the side of civilization or if it’s on the side of ******”, the Israeli Prime Minister’s office said on Saturday. Qatar rejected the statements as “inflammatory”. Despite efforts by Egyptian and Qatari mediators to restore a ceasefire, neither Israel nor ****** has shown willingness to back down on core demands, with each side blaming the other for the failure to reach a deal. Israel, which wants the return of 59 hostages still held in Gaza, has insisted ****** must disarm and be excluded from any role in the future governance of the enclave, a condition that ****** rejects. It has insisted on agreeing a lasting end to the fighting and withdrawal of Israeli forces as a condition for a deal that would see a release of the hostages. “The State of Qatar firmly rejects the inflammatory statements issued by the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office, which fall far short of the most basic standards of political and moral responsibility,” Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari posted on X early on Sunday. Al-Ansari criticized the portrayal of the Gaza conflict as a defense of civilization, likening it to historical regimes that used “false narratives to justify crimes against civilians.” In his post, Al-Ansari questioned whether the release of 138 hostages was achieved through military operations or mediation efforts, which he said are being unjustly criticized and undermined. He also cited the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza represented by what he called a suffocating blockade, systematic starvation, denial of medicine and shelter, and the use of humanitarian aid as a tool of political coercion. On Friday, Israel’s security cabinet approved plans for an expanded operation in the Gaza Strip, Israeli media reported on Friday, adding to signs that attempts to stop the fighting and return hostages held by ****** have made no progress. Israel’s campaign was triggered by the devastating ****** attack on Oct. 7, 2023, that killed 1,200 people in southern Israel and saw 251 taken hostage. It has so far killed more than 50,000 Palestinians and devastated Gaza where aid groups have warned the Israeli blockade risks a humanitarian disaster. (Reporting by Ahmed Tolba and Jaidaa Taha, additional reporting by Muhammad Al Gebaly, editing by Deepa Babington and Daniel Wallis) Source link #Israel #calls #Qatar #stop #playing #sides #Gaza #talks Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Thanks to Xbox's price hike, the Series S is now more expensive than the PS5 – Windows Central Thanks to Xbox's price hike, the Series S is now more expensive than the PS5 – Windows Central Thanks to Xbox’s price hike, the Series S is now more expensive than the PS5 Windows CentralMicrosoft Raises the Price of All Xbox Series Consoles, Xbox Games Confirmed to Hit $80 This Holiday ign.comMicrosoft hikes Xbox prices worldwide as gaming industry faces tariff uncertainty AP NewsDon’t Wait If You’re Planning To Buy A New PS5 KotakuMicrosoft raises prices of Xbox video game consoles due to ‘market conditions’ CNBC Source link #Xbox039s #price #hike #Series #expensive #PS5 #Windows #Central Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on Besiktas, Man Utd, Jose Mourinho, Harry Maguire & Scott McTominay Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on Besiktas, Man Utd, Jose Mourinho, Harry Maguire & Scott McTominay Solskjaer assesses the work ahead of him in a pragmatic way. From a detached perspective, it seems many of the challenges he is facing are similar to those Ruben Amorim is experiencing at United. To that end, a Europa League win could be crucial in buying Amorim time. It is something United came within a missed David de Gea penalty of achieving when Solskjaer’s team were beaten by Unai Emery’s Villarreal in the 2021 final. “Everyone knows you need time to shape a team into what you want it to look like,” said Solskjaer. “But you have to manage it the best you can, not as you wish it was. There are things I want my team to do that this one can’t. We have come into a difficult financial *******. We have spent money, maybe not so wisely.” I point out that is an observation I have heard about another club close to his heart. Solskjaer is about to answer but checks himself. “Yes. But that’s, you know when you…….actually, I don’t have to say that,” he said. “Look, recruitment is probably the most important thing in football. “You need the structures right and you need to get the right people in. “When you manage two, three, four or five different managers’ players, it is hard to make it balance into a team you want to see. Everyone knows you need continuity and patience to get success, but not too many get it.” Solskjaer has not spoken to Mourinho since his arrival in Turkey and says he is looking forward to meeting him again. I remind him of their spat in April 2021 – a week before Mourinho was sacked by Tottenham – when the Portuguese reacted badly to Solskjaer claiming Son Heung-min had cheated to ensure a United goal was disallowed. “I would not feed my son if he behaved like that,” chided the Norwegian at the time. Mourinho’s response was classic: “Sonny is very lucky his father is a better person than Ole. As a father, you always have to feed your kids, even if you have to steal.” “I remember that one,” shrugs Solskjaer. “You look after your own team. “He has all the charisma of course and I don’t think any of us change a lot when we have come this far. “It will be good to see him again and hopefully the headlines will be about the team and the football that is played and nothing else.” Besiktas beat Galatasaray on 29 March but have won just once in four games since. Solskjaer knows the atmosphere at the Sukru Saracoglu stadium will be white hot. “I saw from Gala, when you are at home and winning these games there is nothing better,” he says. “If you are at home and you don’t win, there is nothing worse. “Football is decided by moments. You see last night [Thursday], Athletic had two or three massive chances and Victor saves one on the goal line. Then it all changes. “The margins between winning and losing in football are so close. It is better to be lucky than good sometimes. “Hopefully, it will be one of Jose’s bad nights.” Source link #Ole #Gunnar #Solskjaer #Besiktas #Man #Utd #Jose #Mourinho #Harry #Maguire #Scott #McTominay Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Lake Lugano’s big five | The West *********** Lake Lugano’s big five | The West *********** Shared by Switzerland and Italy, Lake Lugano is a beauty from every angle. The shores of this glacial lake are framed by mountains and villages, plus Lugano itself, the largest city in Ticino, the Italian-speaking canton of southern Switzerland. Boasting handy transport links to places on either side of the Swiss-Italian border, Lugano is a launchpad for relaxing and riveting adventures. Here are five spots with contrasting diversions and perspectives of this 50sqkm lake, which sparkles between Lake Como and Lake Maggiore. PARCO CIANI A short walk from Lugano’s vibrant urban core is this pretty and peaceful escape, which curves by the lake, taking its name from the wealthy Ciani brothers, Giacomo and Filippo, who had this landscaped as a private park in the 19th century. Their one-time neoclassical villa is now an events space, hosting exhibitions, while contemporary art also adorns the park, including an inventive metal sculpture by Italian artist Valentina Picozzi. It depicts Satoshi Nakamoto, the presumed pseudonymous founder of Bitcoin, crouched over a laptop. Situated where the Cassarate River meets Lake Lugano, this 6ha retreat merges Italian and English-style garden influences, with footpaths curling past neatly manicured lawns and flower beds, and subtropical and native shrubs and trees. In the warmer months (May-October), the park stages open-air concerts and festivals. You may see swimmers at the public lido beside the park, while sailors, kayakers, windsurfers and stand-up paddleboarders venture out on the lake. Camera IconFuniculars thread up the mountains by Lake Lugano. Credit: Steve McKenna/ FUNICULAR RIDES You can ride funiculars up some of the most distinctive peaks overlooking the city: Monte San Salvatore (which sprouts 912m above sea level to Lugano’s south) and Monte Bre (a 925m summit slightly to the east). Both have a raft of hiking trails and fabulous panoramas of the lake and towards the snow-capped Monte Rosa massif, which rises up to 4634m on the Swiss-Italian border. The Bre funicular is also the gateway to the sleepy little village of Bre, where cobbled alleys pass centuries-old stone houses and offbeat contemporary art, from painted wall murals to installations fusing recycled materials. There’s a handful of eateries in and around Bre, including Vetta Restaurant, whose large terrace lords over Lake Lugano, and Grotto Castagneto, a tucked-away spot with traditional Ticinese cuisine, cheeses and wines. You can also reach Bre village on a scenic bus ride up from central Lugano. GANDRIA From Bre, if you don’t fancy taking the funicular or bus back to Lugano, you could descend on foot to the alluringly titled Sentiero dell’olivo (Olive Trail). Lined with olive groves, and information panels charting the area’s history of olive cultivation, the path runs between Castagnola, a suburb of Lugano (home to the funicular terminus), and Gandria, a picturesque lakeside village by the foot of Monte Bre. Closed to traffic, Gandria’s historic centre is pleasing to amble around, its quaint lanes stretching out from the church of San Vigilio, a 16th-century landmark with a baroque interior. After an espresso or a bite to eat, you could bus it back to Lugano or take one of the occasional ferries that go to the city or across the lake to the Swiss Customs Museum, which occupies an old border post. Close to here, incidentally and intriguingly, is Campione d’Italia, a lakeside town that’s surrounded by Ticino but part of the commune of Como in the Italian region of Lombardy. Camera IconMorcote is an attractive village beside Lake Lugano. Credit: Steve McKenna/ MORCOTE Located at the tip of a peninsula south of Lugano, Morcote is another mesmerising lake-hugging village also accessible by bus or ferry and so close to Italy you could almost toss a stone across the border. Away from the promenade and its cars, cafes, galleries and restaurants, you’ll find wonderful vantage points, including the Parco Scherrer, a terraced botanical garden with luxuriant flora, eclectic sculptures and whimsical architecture. Requiring a little extra effort is the Santa Maria del Sasso church, which you can reach by climbing 400 or so steps above the village or by taking one of the more gently ascending paths. Trust me, it’s worth the bother. The view over the mighty belltower, with the lake as the backdrop, is one of the finest in Ticino. MONTE SAN GIORGIO Glancing across the water from Morcote, you may glimpse Monte San Giorgio, a wooded pyramid-esque 1097m peak that is something of a magnet for palaeontologists, who have been making stunning finds in the area since the mid-1800s. Now UNESCO World Heritage-listed, the mountain was part of a tropical lagoon over 200 million years ago and thousands of Triassic-era fossilised fish and marine plants have been excavated here. A selection is displayed at the Fossil Museum in Meride, a village south of Monte San Giorgio that’s a combined 45-minute train and bus ride from Lugano city. Boosted by augmented-reality and virtual-reality features, the museum occupies a palazzo expanded and remodelled by prolific Ticinese architect Mario Botta. A visit may inspire you onto the hiking trails and cableways that wind up the mountain. Learning panels show where the scientists made their dinosauric discoveries and you’ll also be rewarded with spectacular vistas over Lake Lugano. Steve McKenna was a guest of Ticino Tourism and Switzerland Tourism. They have not influenced this story, or read it before publication. fact file + Lugano is a two-hour train ride from Zurich and 1 hour 15 minutes from Milan. For trains and timetables, see sbb.ch/en + Guests staying at overnight accommodation in Ticino get a free Ticino Ticket, which allows complimentary travel on the region’s excellent and efficient public transport, though funiculars cost extra. + For more information on planning a trip here and across Switzerland, see ticino.ch and myswitzerland.com Camera IconParco Ciani is a lovely place for a stroll in Lugano city. Credit: Steve McKenna/ Camera IconEye-catching plants and artworks furnish Parco Ciani in Lugano. Credit: Steve McKenna/ Camera IconBre is one of the attractive villages with a lovely setting by Lake Lugano. Credit: Steve McKenna/ Camera IconBeautiful views can be had from the funiculars that rise above Lake Lugano. Credit: Steve McKenna/ Source link #Lake #Luganos #big #West #*********** Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

SpaceX puts Vandenberg launch on hold – Spaceflight Now SpaceX puts Vandenberg launch on hold – Spaceflight Now SpaceX puts Vandenberg launch on hold Spaceflight NowSpaceX rocket launch in Florida on May the Fourth Star Wars Day: What time is liftoff? Florida TodayLive coverage: SpaceX to launch 29 Starlink satellites on Falcon 9 rocket from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Spaceflight NowUPDATE: 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 #puts #Vandenberg #launch #hold #Spaceflight Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Federal election 2025: WA wrap Federal election 2025: WA wrap Labor adds to State tally as red wall holds and teal independent sees off challenge in coveted seat. Source link #Federal #election #wrap Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]