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Senate confirms Linda McMahon to lead Education Department as Trump vows to shut it down Senate confirms Linda McMahon to lead Education Department as Trump vows to shut it down The Senate voted Monday to confirm former wrestling executive Linda McMahon as the nation’s education chief, a role that places her atop a department that President Trump has vilified and vowed to dismantle. McMahon will face the competing tasks of winding down the Education Department while also escalating efforts to achieve Mr. Trump’s agenda. Already the Republican president has signed sweeping orders to rid America’s schools of diversity programs and accommodations for transgender students while also calling for expanded school choice programs. At the same time, Mr. Trump has promised to shut down the department and said he wants McMahon “to put herself out of a job.” The Senate voted 51-45 to confirm McMahon. A billionaire and former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment, McMahon, 76, is an unconventional pick for the role. She spent a year on Connecticut’s state board of education and is a longtime trustee at Sacred Heart University but otherwise has little traditional education leadership. McMahon’s supporters see her as a skilled executive who will reform a department that Republicans say has failed to improve American education. Opponents say she’s unqualified and fear her budget cuts will be felt by students nationwide. “Americans believe in public education,” Senate ********* Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, said before the confirmation vote. “They don’t want to see the Department of Education abolished. If the Trump administration follows through on cuts to education, schools will lose billions in funding.” At her confirmation hearing, McMahon distanced herself from Mr. Trump’s blistering rhetoric. She said the goal is to make the Education Department “operate more efficiently,” not to defund programs. She acknowledged that only Congress has the power to close the department, and she pledged to preserve Title I money for low-income schools, Pell grants for low-income college students, and the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Yet she suggested some operations could move to other departments, saying Health and Human Services might be better suited to enforce disability rights laws. Weeks before McMahon’s confirmation hearing, the White House was considering an executive order that would direct the education secretary to cut the agency as much as legally possible while asking Congress to shut it down completely. Some of McMahon’s allies pressed the White House to hold the order until after her confirmation to avoid potential backlash. Created by Congress in 1979, the Education Department’s primary role is to disburse money to the nation’s schools and colleges. It sends billions of dollars a year to K-12 schools and oversees a $1.6 trillion federal student loan portfolio. Mr. Trump argues the department has been overtaken by liberals who press their ideology on America’s schools. Schools and colleges have been navigating a demand to eliminate diversity programs or risk having their federal funding pulled. The Trump administration gave them a Feb. 28 deadline to comply. The Education Department addressed questions about its guidance in a document released Saturday, saying in part that changing program names that reference “diversity” or “equity” alone is not enough if they treat students differently by race. During the presidential campaign, Mr. Trump vowed to close the department and grant its authority to states. Schools and states already wield significantly greater authority over education than the federal government, which is barred from influencing curriculum. Federal money makes up roughly 14% of public school budgets. Already, the Trump administration has started overhauling much of the department’s work. Trump adviser Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency has cut dozens of contracts it dismissed as “woke” and wasteful. It gutted the Institute of Education Sciences, which gathers data on the nation’s academic progress, and the administration has fired or suspended scores of employees. Some of the cuts have halted work that’s ordered under federal law. At her hearing, McMahon said the agency will spend money that’s directed by Congress, and she played down DOGE’s cuts as merely an audit. McMahon is a longtime Trump ally who left WWE in 2009 to launch a political career, running unsuccessfully twice for the U.S. Senate. She has given millions of dollars to Mr. Trump’s campaigns and served as leader of the Small Business Administration during his first term. Source link #Senate #confirms #Linda #McMahon #lead #Education #Department #Trump #vows #shut Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Stocks set to fall on Trump tariffs Stocks set to fall on Trump tariffs China World Trade Center. Dukai Photographer | Moment Open | Getty Images Asia-Pacific markets were set to fall Tuesday, tracking Wall Street declines overnight after U.S. President Donald Trump made it clear that tariffs on Mexico and Canada would go into effect as planned. Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 was set to open lower, with the futures contract in Chicago at 37,345 while its counterpart in Osaka last traded at 37,300, against the index’s last close of 37,785.47. Japan’s employment rate for January came in at 2.5%, slightly higher than Reuters estimates of 2.4%. Futures for Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index stood at 22,910 pointing to a weaker open compared to the HSI’s close of 23,006.27. Investors will be keeping a watch on ******** stocks ahead of the country’s annual parliamentary gathering, known as the “Two Sessions,” which will kick off later in the day. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 started the day 0.92% lower. South Korea’s retail sales for January fell 0.6% from the previous month. Overnight in the U.S., all three major indexes fell as Trump reiterated that 25% levies on imports from Mexico and Canada would go into effect Tuesday stateside. The S&P 500 fell 1.76% to end the day at 5,849.72. This marks its worst day since December and brings its year-to-date performance to a loss of about 0.5%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 649.67 points, or 1.48%, to finish at 43,191.24. The Nasdaq Composite slid 2.64% to close at 18,350.19, weighed down by Nvidia’s decline of more than 8%. — CNBC’s Alex Harring and Yun Li contributed to this report. Source link #Stocks #set #fall #Trump #tariffs Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

LARRY KUDLOW: Trump's offer was the best security tripwire Ukraine could hope for – Fox Business LARRY KUDLOW: Trump's offer was the best security tripwire Ukraine could hope for – Fox Business LARRY KUDLOW: Trump’s offer was the best security tripwire Ukraine could hope for Fox BusinessZelenskyy’s visit with Trump to be a battle of wills in the Oval Office USA TODAYMapped: Ukraine’s Mineral Resources Visual CapitalistGOP lawmaker says Ukraine mineral deal ‘will be signed in short order’ The Hill Source link #LARRY #KUDLOW #Trump039s #offer #security #tripwire #Ukraine #hope #Fox #Business Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Trump lauds chipmaker TSMC's $100b US investment plan Trump lauds chipmaker TSMC's $100b US investment plan Chip giant Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co plans to invest $US100 billion in the US, on top of $US65 billion in investments previously announced. Source link #Trump #lauds #chipmaker #TSMC039s #100b #investment #plan Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Colombian nationals arrested in Orange and Osceola County residential burglary ring Colombian nationals arrested in Orange and Osceola County residential burglary ring The Orange County Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, has arrested a group of individuals involved in a series of residential burglaries. According to detectives, the group, comprised of Colombian nationals, was specifically targeting the homes and apartments of business owners while they were at work. Deputies said it is believed this group is responsible for several residential burglaries in both Osceola and Orange counties. Investigators said the group is suspected to have been operating in multiple western states and is linked to numerous burglaries across the country. On Feb. 21, around 9 p.m., deputies saw three cars inspecting various homes and businesses in the south end of Orange County. They reported that three suspects drove to an apartment complex near Universal Boulevard and Sand Lake Road, forcibly entered an apartment, and committed a burglary. Detectives followed the suspects and managed to arrest them at another apartment complex located near Vineland and Conroy roads. According to a news release, Osceola County detectives arrested two additional suspects. All five suspects are facing charges of criminal mischief, grand theft, and third-degree burglary of a dwelling. Deputies said it was discovered at the jail that two of the suspects had Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deportation warrants. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. Source link #Colombian #nationals #arrested #Orange #Osceola #County #residential #burglary #ring Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Kennedy sends mixed vaccine messages amid Texas measles outbreak – The Hill Kennedy sends mixed vaccine messages amid Texas measles outbreak – The Hill Kennedy sends mixed vaccine messages amid Texas measles outbreak The Hill‘Irresponsible and reckless:’ Warren demands RFK Jr. clarify vaccine stance amid deadly measles outbreak CNNROBERT F. KENNEDY JR.: Measles outbreak is call to action for all of us Fox NewsA Texas child who was not vaccinated has died of measles, a first for the US in a decade The Associated PressNYC reports two confirmed cases of measles NBC New York Source link #Kennedy #sends #mixed #vaccine #messages #Texas #measles #outbreak #Hill Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Australia open to Ukraine peacekeeping operations: PM Australia open to Ukraine peacekeeping operations: PM Anthony Albanese says the government will give consideration to requests for peacekeeping operations to ensure an enduring peace for Ukraine. Source link #Australia #open #Ukraine #peacekeeping #operations Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Cold case killer admits to fatally stabbing teen girl 49 years ago Cold case killer admits to fatally stabbing teen girl 49 years ago A 49-year-old cold case ********* was put to rest inside a Calgary courtroom on Monday with both the killer and his teenage victim’s daughter — who was just seven months old at the time of her mother’s death — speaking publicly for the first time since ******* charges were announced. Originally charged with *******, Ronald James Edwards, now 75 years old, pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the fatal stabbing of Pauline Brazeau, a 16-year-old who was killed in 1976. Court of King’s Bench Justice Robert Armstrong accepted prosecutor Patrick Bigg and defence lawyer Pawel Milczarek’s joint proposal for a 6½-year sentence. Edwards has 4½ years left to serve with credit for the time he’s spent in custody. Both Brazeau and Edwards are of Métis heritage. ‘There are no memories’ “There are no memories,” said Brazeau’s daughter Tracy, reading from a victim impact statement. “Nothing shared between her and I, no laughs, no smiles. “We didn’t get the chance to share the love of a mother and daughter.” In 2023, Edwards, who was 26 years old at the time of the killing, was arrested at his Sundre home after investigative genetic genealogy (IGG) work done by both RCMP and Calgary police officers. ‘I’m sorry’ A smaller man with dark hair and a long grey beard, Edwards was offered the chance to address the court on Monday. He offered a tearful apology to Tracy. “I’m sorry that your mother was taken from you before you had a chance to know her,” he said. “I was a drunken young man … I don’t think I was capable of feeling anything, I just drank them away.” In 1976, Brazeau had just moved to Calgary from Yorkton, Sask., with her infant. She was hanging out with friends and family on the night of Jan. 8 and into the early morning hours of Jan. 9, 1976. The group ate at Peppe’s Pizza on 17th Avenue. Brazeau lost her gloves and returned alone to look for them around 3:30 a.m. Details of the crime come from an agreed statement of facts read aloud by Bigg. According to the document, Edwards was driving around in the area of 17th Avenue and Second Street that night and picked up his victim, believing she was a prostitute. Teen stabbed, left alone to die In search of a deserted road, Edwards drove her outside Calgary city limits, where the two had “consensual ******* intercourse,” according to the agreed statement of facts. Edwards was drunk that night “and does not remember many details of what occurred.” He’s admitted to using a four-inch buck knife, stabbing Brazeau outside of his vehicle. Assuming she was dead, Edwards drove away. Hours later, two hunters discovered Brazeau’s body on Jumping Pound Road, about 20 kilometres west of the city. Nine stab wounds She was completely naked but for a ****** coat covering part of her lower body. Her blood stained clothing was nearby. An autopsy determined Brazeau had defensive wounds on her hands and had been stabbed nine times. The first “extensive investigation” went cold. Police revisited the case numerous times In the decades that followed. By the mid-1990s, police had a DNA profile of their suspect based on a ****** swab taken from Brazeau’s body after her death. In 2022, investigators used IGG to find relatives of the killer, identifying Edwards as their suspect. ‘Very rewarding’ On Oct. 17, 2022, officers grabbed a glass mug used by Edwards from the Sundre A&W, tested it and confirmed it was a match to the profile of their suspect. Each of Brazeau’s five family members who wrote impact statements thanked the RCMP and Calgary police for sticking with the case. “It’s very rewarding to hear as an officer who worked on the case, but also we have to realize that it’s not just the officers today. It was the officers that were at the scene in 1976. It was the officers from task forces in the ’90s as well as 2000s,” said Sgt. Ferrah Yeager with the RCMP’s historical ********* unit. “It’s amazing to see a resolution to something that’s 49 years old.” Source link #Cold #case #killer #admits #fatally #stabbing #teen #girl #years Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Vietnamese beauty queen Thuy Tien shares top Ho Chi Minh City picks Vietnamese beauty queen Thuy Tien shares top Ho Chi Minh City picks Pho may be one of Vietnam’s most iconic dishes, but for Ho Chi Minh City native Nguyen Thuc Thuy Tien, it is the humble plate of com tam that wins her heart. Pho may be one of Vietnam’s most iconic dishes, but for Ho Chi Minh City native Nguyen Thuc Thuy Tien, it is the humble plate of com tam that wins her heart. The dish translates to “broken rice,” referencing the rice grains left from the milling process during harvest. Broken rice grains were considered inferior, making them harder to sell, so farmers would feed them to their families instead of throwing them away. Over time, this “poor man’s rice” has evolved into an iconic Vietnamese dish, especially in Ho Chi Minh City. The dish brings back fond memories of childhood, Thuy Tien, who was crowned Miss Grand International in 2021, told CNBC Travel’s Downtime. “When I was a child, I always ate com tam on my way to high school,” the actress and beauty queen shared. Com tam is her first meal when she returns to Vietnam after a long trip aboard, she added. Thuy Tien recommends visiting these places in Ho Chi Minh City: Trung Nguyên Legend Coffee World is one of Vietnam’s leading coffee brands, and its G7 instant coffee is exported to many countries. Thuy Tien, who is a brand ambassador for Trung Nguyên Legend, shares how coffee meditation can be practiced. 07 Nguyễn Văn Chiêm, Bến Nghé, District 1Quán Cơm Tấm Hồng Calmette offers one of the best com tams in Ho Chi Minh City, according to Thuy Tien. The iconic staple is usually served with grilled pork. 134 Đường Hoàng Diệu, Phường 9, District 4Đoàn lô tô Sài Gòn Tân Thời is a troupe made up of LGBTQ+ cabaret performers fusing songs and a form of bingo in their shows.1 The game show performance is similar to a type of folk art in the south, and there are different performing troupes across Vietnam. 141 Bắc Hải, Phường 14, District 10Quán Ốc Sáu Nở is one of numerous no-frills stalls selling seafood and snails along Vinh Khanh Food Street (Phố ẩm thực Vĩnh Khánh). Here, you can experience Vietnam’s nhậu culture, which is all about feasting and being merry. 128 Vĩnh Khánh, Phường 8, District 4 Watch the video above for Thuy Tien’s guided tour. Source link #Vietnamese #beauty #queen #Thuy #Tien #shares #top #Chi #Minh #City #picks Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

What to know about Trump-endorsed Treasury's BOI reporting suspension – Axios What to know about Trump-endorsed Treasury's BOI reporting suspension – Axios What to know about Trump-endorsed Treasury’s BOI reporting suspension AxiosUS Treasury Department says it will not enforce anti-money laundering law ReutersTreasury Department suspends enforcement of ownership information reporting for millions of businesses CNBCOut With a Bang: Treasury Restricts Corporate Transparency Act to Foreign Reporting Companies The National Law Review Source link #Trumpendorsed #Treasury039s #BOI #reporting #suspension #Axios Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Nicky Hayen: From managing Haverfordwest to the Champions League with Club Brugge Nicky Hayen: From managing Haverfordwest to the Champions League with Club Brugge Edwards knew the day would come, but he was hoping the club would get a little longer with Hayen at the helm. When, in the summer of 2022, an approach arrived from Club Brugge to take over their Under-23s, Club NXT, it proved impossible for Hayen to turn down. “It was a little bit of a surprise,” says Edwards. “I wasn’t expecting to have any dialogue with a club like Club Brugge.” Hayen stepped in as first-team assistant after Scott Parker was sacked in 2023, before getting his chance as interim manager when Ronny Deila left last March. There, Hayen found former Sint-Truiden team-mate and ex-Liverpool and Sunderland goalkeeper Simon Mignolet to confide in. “When [Deila] stepped down with 10 games to go last season, Nicky stepped in and won nine of them and they came out of nowhere to win the league. That was a real statement,” says Edwards. It was during that run that Jan Mulder, the former Ajax and Anderlecht striker turned pundit, made a prediction for Hayen’s future. “Next year [he] will play a series of matches in the Champions League, attracting the attention of Madrid, Barcelona, ​​Bayern and Manchester,” Mulder wrote in Humo, external in May 2024. “Nasser Al-Khelaifi of Paris St-Germain also joins the fight for his signature at the last minute. Personally, I think that the great Nicky Hayen will replace Arne Slot from Zwolle as manager of Liverpool within two years.” The first part of Mulder’s premonition has proven to be true – Hayen’s Brugge beat Villa, Sporting and Sturm Graz in the group phase, as well as drawing with Juventus and Celtic. The Belgian champions followed up by defeating Atalanta in both legs of their play-off for a 5-2 aggregate victory. Prior to that second leg in Italy, Hayen explained how before games he always talks to his mother, who passed away four years ago. “What he has achieved in the Champions League is just incredible. Club Brugge over the years have had far better sides on paper, but he is getting an incredible tune out of them,” says Edwards. “He is a workaholic, fanatical and leads from the front. I guess that is why a lot of these younger players who are coming through are working so hard for him and having great success.” Hayen’s brief tenure in Wales also set the platform for Haverfordwest’s future. In 2023, under Tony Pennock, they qualified for Europe for the first time in 19 years and only the second time in their history, reaching the Europa Conference League second qualifying round. “It’s great for the club to be associated with someone like that,” says Edwards. “It seems like it is only the start for him. I would love for him to go on. I am sure there will be opportunities to manage even higher if he carries on. “He is probably one of the hottest properties in Europe.” Source link #Nicky #Hayen #managing #Haverfordwest #Champions #League #Club #Brugge Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

US military wants to grow giant biological structures in space US military wants to grow giant biological structures in space DARPA envisions growing structures hundreds of metres long Science Photo Library / Alamy Stock Photo The US military is brainstorming ways to build large structures in space, from telescope antennas to elevator tethers. By growing these objects in microgravity using biological organisms, they hope to avoid the costly and painstaking process of launching components from Earth. “We have yet to unlock the potential of biology for space production and manufacturing,” says Michael Nayak, program manager for the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). The combination of biology and mechanical engineering could unlock new ways to “manufacture at unprecedented… Source link #military #grow #giant #biological #structures #space Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Tank delivery timeline ‘agreed’ with Ukraine, Deputy PM Richard Marles says Tank delivery timeline ‘agreed’ with Ukraine, Deputy PM Richard Marles says A timeline has been set for the delivery of dozens of promised battle tanks to Ukraine, Richard Marles says. The Albanese government in October last year pledged to hand over 49 M1A1 Abrams nearing the end of their operational lives. NewsWire understands an initial delivery window was floated towards the end of this year. But Kyiv has been calling for the tanks to arrive sooner so Ukrainian forces can get them to front lines by the European summer. The Deputy Prime Minister, who also serves as defence minister, said on Tuesday the Albanese government had “established a timeline” with Ukraine but refused to expand. Camera IconDeputy Prime Minister Richard Marles says a timeline to deliver dozens of tanks has been agreed with Ukraine. Handout / NewsWire Credit: NCA NewsWireCamera IconDeputy Prime Minister Richard Marles says a timeline to deliver dozens of tanks has been agreed with Ukraine. Handout / NewsWire Credit: NCA NewsWire A video of Donald Trump golfing has sparked speculation about the US President’s health after he appeared to be limping. “In terms of the Abrams tanks, that’s a commitment that we’ve made and we have established a timeline with the Ukrainian government about the delivery of those tanks to Ukraine,” he told the ABC. “Now, for operational reasons, won’t go into the detail of that timeline.” Pressed on the timeframe, Mr Marles insisted the tanks would arrive in a “timely fashion”. “They’ll definitely arrive in a timely fashion and they’ll arrive in a timeframe that we’ve agreed with Ukraine and that’s exactly how we have managed the delivery of other equipment to Ukraine,” he said. Mr Marles added that it had “been agreed with Ukraine and they’re very grateful for the contribution”. The Albanese government has joined other Western allies in loudly reaffirming support for Ukraine following Donald Trump’s White House clash with Volodymyr Zelensky. The US President has since doubled down after his Ukrainian counterpart said the end of Russia’s war on Ukraine was “still very, very far away”. “This is the worst statement that could have been made by Zelenskyy, and America will not put up with it for much longer!” Mr Trump posted on social media. “It is what I was saying, this guy doesn’t want there to be Peace as long as he has America’s backing and, Europe, in the meeting they had with Zelenskyy, stated flatly that they cannot do the job without the US – Probably not a great statement to have been made in terms of a show of strength against Russia. What are they thinking?” Camera IconBoth the Albanese government and the Coalition have pledged continued support for Ukraine. NewsWire / Martin Ollman Credit: News Corp Australia Anthony Albanese on Tuesday again restated support for Kyiv and suggested he was open to sending peacekeepers if requested by the ***. “What they’re fighting for is the international rule of law (and) Australia stands ready to assist,” the Prime Minister told reporters in Sydney. “There’s discussion at the moment about potential peacekeeping, and from my government’s perspective, we’re open to consideration of any proposals going forward, as Australia has historically played an important role in a range of peacekeeping areas. “We want to see peace in Ukraine, but we want to make sure the ********, immoral actions of Russia are not rewarded, and that Vladimir Putin and his designs, which are imperialistic, are not rewarded or encouraged. “But we’ve worked with the United Kingdom and we’ll continue to do that as well and with European partners and look at the best way in which we can provide support.” Australia has provided more than $1.5bn in aid to Kyiv since Russia’s full-scale invasion more than three years ago. The Coalition has also pledged to continue backing Ukraine. Source link #Tank #delivery #timeline #agreed #Ukraine #Deputy #Richard #Marles Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Is Apple hinting at new MacBook Air with M4 chip in new teaser? Is Apple hinting at new MacBook Air with M4 chip in new teaser? Apple’s (AAPL) recent teaser on social media from CEO Tim Cook, with the cryptic message “there’s something in the air,” has many speculating about new products on the horizon. To shed light on what this might mean, TechRadar Editor-at-Large Lance Ulanoff joins Asking for a Trend host Josh Lipton to share his insight into the potential devices Apple could release. “We’ve certainly been hearing rumors about the MacBook Air featuring the M4 chip for quite a while,” Ulanoff says, explaining that the chip’s debut in other Apple products makes it the perfect time for the MacBook Air to get the update. On Apple’s artificial intelligence (AI) efforts, Ulanoff critiques their progress, giving the tech company a grade of a B-: “Look, this has been incredibly frustrating. You’ve got to think back, too. Apple was a leader right? It was Siri. They were first with Siri. It was actually before Alexa,right? And then Alexa came out and it became more popular as the digital assistant — and Siri kind of trundled along, got some brain transplants, has gotten incrementally better over the years. “But now in the AI space, right in in the AI revolution, we have three month update cycles, and we have been waiting a very long, like ten-month *******, for Apple to fully deliver the thing they promised,” Ulanoff adds. To watch more expert insights and analysis on the latest market action, check out more Asking for a Trend here. This post was written by Josh ****** Source link #Apple #hinting #MacBook #Air #chip #teaser Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

This brain hack can help maintain new habits This brain hack can help maintain new habits Keeping a good habit isn’t easy, but one mental hack that can help with staying consistent is preaching about it, says behavioral design expert Nir Eyal. Kobus Louw | E+ | Getty Images Making resolutions is easier than following through on them. How many times have we sat down at the end of the year, determined that we’d eat healthier or wake up earlier to go to the gym three times a week? Just to break those promises before January is over. However, being able to develop and maintain a good habit is crucial to living a healthy life. According to the World Health Organization, noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), including heart disease, stroke and diabetes, are collectively responsible for 74% of all deaths globally. While these diseases tend to be the result of a combination of genetic, physiological and environmental factors, behavioral factors also come into play. Some of the biggest behavioral — and preventable — risk factors include: insufficient physical activity, unhealthy diets, harmful use of alcohol and tobacco use, according to a December report by the WHO. But, there is one brain hack that could help keep a healthy habit: preaching. That’s according to Nir Eyal, behavioral design expert and best-selling author of “Indistractable: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life.” Re-engineering tool The idea is to use preaching as a tool to re-engineer or strengthen your identity. Doing so can help you become more consistent with a good habit, Eyal said. “Ever heard the joke: How do you know someone’s a vegetarian? Don’t worry, they’ll tell you,” wrote Eyal in a recent LinkedIn post. “This isn’t just a joke — it reveals something powerful about behavior. The people who stick to a philosophy— whether it’s vegetarianism, keto, or intermittent fasting — are the ones who talk about it,” he said. When you tell other people: ‘keto is the way,’ or ‘I read this book and now I’m a follower of this methodology,’ or whatever the case might be — by preaching about it, you’re more likely to abide by it. Nir Eyal Author, “Indistractable: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life” This is because preaching can help reinforce identity, Eyal said. The same way a vegetarian probably wouldn’t wonder whether or not to eat a steak for dinner, or someone who is kosher wouldn’t wake up wondering if they should eat bacon for breakfast. “When you tell other people: ‘keto is the way,’ or ‘I read this book and now I’m a follower of this methodology,’ or whatever the case might be — by preaching about it, you’re more likely to abide by it,” Eyal told CNBC Make It. “What would otherwise just be an opinion, becomes an identity, and that’s when it’s very, very hard to shape.” Along with identity reinforcement, consistency bias is another reason why preaching could help with being consistent with a good habit, according to Eyal. “If you look at the work from the 1980s by Robert Cialdini, it’s a well-known principle that we seek to be consistent with our past behavior, and in psychology, we call this a consistency bias,” Eyal said. “We don’t want to be inconsistent because it makes us look like liars,” he said. “So, if you say one thing, you seek to be consistent with what you said. Ironically, even if, deep down, you want to change your mind, it’s difficult to do, because you were already committed to it.” Social pressure also plays a role. “When we declare something publicly, we are held accountable to it based on our social bonds,” Eyal said. There’s a fear that if we abandon our habits or publicly-stated beliefs, it can reflect poorly on us or ostracize us from our community, he explained. “We’re a very social species, so anything that threatens our group identity is very terrifying, so we’re more likely to stay consistent,” Eyal said. But an important caveat is that we shouldn’t be a “jerk” about it, he noted. “This is also a great way to lose friends. If people think you’re putting yourself in one group and putting them in a different group — that can be harmful. So you want to make sure that [while] something is good for you, [it’s] not alienating to others.” Want to make extra money outside of your day job? Sign up for CNBC’s online course How to Earn Passive Income Online to learn about common passive income streams, tips to get started and real-life success stories. Plus, sign up for CNBC Make It’s newsletter to get tips and tricks for success at work, with money and in life. Source link #brain #hack #maintain #habits Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Top FBI official forced out after criticizing Trump pursuit of agents who investigated Jan. 6 Top FBI official forced out after criticizing Trump pursuit of agents who investigated Jan. 6 NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 19: James E. Dennehy, assistant director in charge of the FBI’s New York field office, exits the Thurgood Marshall Courthouse after attending a court hearing for New York City Mayor Eric Adams on February 19, 2025 in New York City. Eduardo Munoz Alvarez | Getty Images The head of the FBI’s New York Field Office was forced out of the bureau on Monday, a month after he urged his employees to “dig in” after the Trump administration removed senior FBI leaders and requested the names of all agents who worked on Jan. 6 cases, five sources familiar with the matter told NBC News. In an email to staff on Monday, Dennehy said that he had been forced to retire from the bureau. “Late Friday, I was informed that I needed to put my retirement papers in today, which I just did,” Dennehy wrote. “I was not given a reason for this decision.” Two of the sources said James Dennehy, a highly respected leader, was given a choice to resign or be fired. He was eligible for retirement and has officially retired. Last month, Dennehy wrote an email to his staff after the Trump Justice Department, led by Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove, demanded a list of employees who had worked criminal cases against the hundreds of Trump supporters who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6. “Today, we find ourselves in the middle of a battle of our own as good people are being walked out of the FBI,” Dennehy wrote. “And others are being targeted because they did their jobs in accordance with the law and FBI policy.” “Time for me to dig in,” Dennehy added. Dennehy spent six years in the Marine Corps before joining the FBI after the Sept. 11 attacks. At the bureau, he specialized in weapons counter-proliferation, and spent time in management roles in both the Washington and New York field offices before taking over the FBI’s Newark Field Office in 2022 and then being promoted to lead the New York office in 2024. The move came amid an intense ******* for the bureau, which will be headed by two conservative media figures: Kash Patel and Dan Bongino. FBI special agents have expressed shock over the announcement that Bongino would take over the critical deputy director role, where he’ll oversee the day-to-day actions of the bureau. The announcement came just after the Senate confirmed Patel as the bureau’s director. Trump has promised to fire “some” FBI special agents who worked Jan. 6 cases, baselessly asserting that they were “corrupt.” On Friday, Interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Ed Martin demoted several top officials in the office, including high-ranking prosecutors who had worked key cases against Jan. 6 rioters and other Trump supporters. Trump has nominated Martin — a “stop the steal” organizer who was on the grounds of the Capitol on Jan. 6 and who represented several Capitol attack defendants — to take over the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia on a more permanent basis. Source link #Top #FBI #official #forced #criticizing #Trump #pursuit #agents #investigated #Jan Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

23andMe special committee rejects CEO Wojcicki second takeover offer 23andMe special committee rejects CEO Wojcicki second takeover offer Anne Wojcicki, co-founder and chief executive officer of 23andme Inc., during the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in Austin, Texas, US, on Friday, March 10, 2023. Jordan Vonderhaar | Bloomberg | Getty Images 23andMe‘s special committee of independent directors on Monday rejected CEO Anne Wojcicki’s proposal to take the distressed genetic testing company private. Wojcicki submitted a proposal to the committee on Sunday, offering to acquire all of the company’s outstanding shares for 41 cents each, according to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The stock plunged 33% on Monday to close at $1.47, down more than 99% from its peak in 2021. Wojcicki and New Mountain Capital submitted a prior bid in February to take the company private for $2.53 per share. Days later, New Mountain told Wojcicki it was no longer interested in participating in a potential acquisition and would discontinue discussions, the filing said. 23andMe’s special committee said that Wojcicki’s proposal represented an 84% decrease from the prior offer and determined not to go forward, according to a release on Monday. “The Special Committee has reviewed Ms. Wojcicki’s acquisition proposal in consultation with its financial and legal advisors, and has unanimously determined to reject the proposal,” the directors said. 23andMe didn’t immediately respond to CNBC’s request for comment. Following a turbulent 2024, 23andMe announced plans in January to explore strategic alternatives, which could include a ***** of the company or its assets, a restructuring or a business combination. Wojcicki previously submitted a proposal to take the company private for 40 cents per share in July, but it was rejected by the special committee, in part because the members said it lacked committed financing and did not provide a premium to the closing price at the time. WATCH: The rise and fall of 23andMe Source link #23andMe #special #committee #rejects #CEO #Wojcicki #takeover #offer Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Pope Francis 'alert' after respiratory failure, ******** says – BBC.com Pope Francis 'alert' after respiratory failure, ******** says – BBC.com Pope Francis ‘alert’ after respiratory failure, ******** says BBC.comPope suffers 2 episodes of respiratory failure, ******** says YahooPope Francis continues to battle “complex” medical condition CBS MinnesotaPope Francis suffers new breathing crises, is back on noninvasive ventilation, ******** says The Associated Press Source link #Pope #Francis #039alert039 #respiratory #failure #******** #BBC.com Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Rebels in eastern Congo abduct 130 hospital patients Rebels in eastern Congo abduct 130 hospital patients The United Nations says the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have abducted at least 130 sick and wounded men in two hospitals in a major city in eastern Congo. Source link #Rebels #eastern #Congo #abduct #hospital #patients Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Woman knocked out after city centre assault Woman knocked out after city centre assault A woman was knocked unconscious after she was assaulted in Belfast city centre at the weekend. It happened just before 03:30 GMT on Sunday morning as the woman and a man walked in the High Street area. Two unknown males then entered into a verbal altercation with the pair, before one of them punched the man in the mouth and punched the woman to the ground. She was treated at the scene, before being taken to hospital for further assessment. Police said one of the suspects was reportedly wearing a long-sleeved, burnt orange short jacket with dark bottoms and dress shoes. The other was also wearing a dark-coloured shirt and jacket, and jeans. Man seriously injured Several hours earlier, a man was taken to hospital for serious injuries after being attacked in the city centre. Two men in their 20s were in Donegal Square West in Belfast city centre when they were assaulted by two unknown males at about 23:20 on Saturday. One of the victims was punched in the left side of his face, before falling backwards and hitting his head off the pavement. He is currently in hospital, having suffered a head injury and a cut below his eye. Police have said his condition is “serious, but not lift threatening at this time”. The second victim was left with a number of facial injuries, including a cut to his nose and a split lip. A police spokesperson said one suspect had dark hair, and was wearing dark trousers and shoes, as well as a blue jacket. The second was also wearing dark trousers and shoes with a grey jacket. Police have appealed for information in both cases. Source link #Woman #knocked #city #centre #assault Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Huawei charts cautious global comeback but major challenges remain Huawei charts cautious global comeback but major challenges remain The Huawei booth at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, 2025. Arjun Kharpal | CNBC BARCELONA — Huawei is dipping its toes back into the international smartphone market, but analysts warn the lingering effects of U.S. sanctions is likely to hamper the ******** company’s ability to compete with leaders Apple and Samsung. Over the past few months, Huawei has launched two key devices outside of China. The first in December was the Mate X6, a foldable smartphone, followed by the Mate XT, Huawei’s 3,499 euros ($3,660) trifold phone. Huawei was looking to stand out from the crowd of similar-looking smartphones at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, the world’s biggest telecoms trade show. The ******** firm had a large stand showing off its wares, including the Mate XT. These expensive devices and Huawei’s presence at a global tech show, underscore the tech giant’s targeted approach, attempting to maintain its brand image as an innovative company while selling high-end smartphones. “Huawei is still very cautious and conservative with what it believes it can achieve outside China with its smartphone business,” Runar Bjørhovde, an analyst at Canalys told CNBC. “Bringing Mate XT and X6 abroad is no sign that it will make an international comeback with its smartphone business in the next years. Both of these are priced exceptionally and is instead to maintain its desired brand perception of being a cutting-edge innovator with smartphones and still sell devices to its most wealthy super-fans.” Signage shows the Huawei Mate X6 at Huawei’s booth at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, 2025. Arjun Kharpal | CNBC Huawei’s downfall and comebackInternational challenges MWC used to be a show dominated by Huawei, from the sponsorship of the lanyards and badges that attendees wore, to announcing the buzziest product launches at the event. While Huawei has scaled back some of the glitzier aspects of its attendance, its stand remains very large as it shows off other parts of its business, in particular its telecommunications equipment which helped turn it into one of the world’s biggest tech companies. In the consumer space, Huawei has maintained some presence outside of China with devices such as smartwatches but its smartphone business remains very limited. The firm is using 2025’s MWC to show off the Mate XT, the first of its kind device with a screen that folds twice. However, its success in China is unlikely to be replicated with the biggest challenge being Huawei’s lack of access to Google’s Android software, analysts said. “I don’t think they will be able to return to international markets without the full Google services,” Francisco Jeronimo, vice president for data and analytics at International Data Corporation, told CNBC. A Huawei Technologies Mate XT smartphone arranged in Hong Kong on Sep. 24, 2024. Lam Yik | Bloomberg | Getty Images “They haven’t managed to grow market share in the international markets,” he said. Google’s Android operating system is run by 80% of the world’s smartphones, according to Counterpoint Research. Outside of China, Android device users rely on the Google Play Store, which is Google’s app store, as well as the various apps from the Chrome browser to Gmail. While Huawei has its own operating system called HarmonyOS, it still does not have the ability to offer Google apps, which the majority of users rely on. “Expanding the smartphone business outside China will be a huge challenge,” Canalys’ Bjørhovde said. “Not only because Harmony barely has any active users outside China, limiting its user feedback and app availability, but also because it needs the right device portfolio, operations team, marketing resources, etc. This will take years to rebuild, even with strong success in other device categories.” Source link #Huawei #charts #cautious #global #comeback #major #challenges #remain Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump Live Updates: Tariffs, Ukraine War, TSMC Investment and More – The New York Times Trump Live Updates: Tariffs, Ukraine War, TSMC Investment and More – The New York Times Trump Live Updates: Tariffs, Ukraine War, TSMC Investment and More The New York TimesHow 25% import tariffs on Canada, Mexico will affect Ohioans 10TVTrump says 25% tariffs on ******** and ********* imports will start Tuesday, with ‘no room’ for delay The Associated PressTrump says Canada, Mexico tariffs to take effect on Tuesday; stocks tumble Reuters Source link #Trump #Live #Updates #Tariffs #Ukraine #War #TSMC #Investment #York #Times Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Whyalla steelworks losing $1.5m a day before collapse Whyalla steelworks losing $1.5m a day before collapse Administrators have revealed Whyalla steelworks was haemorrhaging $1.5m in losses per day before its forced administration. Source link #Whyalla #steelworks #losing #1.5m #day #collapse Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Strong police presence brings safety to New Orleans for Mardi Gras Strong police presence brings safety to New Orleans for Mardi Gras Following the Jan. 1 truck attack that killed 14 people in the heart of New Orleans, extra barricades have been placed along Mardi Gras parade routes and law enforcement officers can be seen at nearly every intersection of the French Quarter. (AP Video: Stephen Smith) Source link #Strong #police #presence #brings #safety #Orleans #Mardi #Gras Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Mercedes-Benz GLC with EQ Technology prototype drive: Better when chilled Mercedes-Benz GLC with EQ Technology prototype drive: Better when chilled Before a new car comes to market, it’s subjected to many months, sometimes years, of rigorous testing around the world. Sweden often hosts a big part of that journey, its cold northern expanses offering the perfect mix of frigid temperatures and frozen surfaces. It’s there that I myself got to do a little testing of an upcoming new EV from Mercedes-Benz. It’s the GLC with EQ Technology, an all-electric version of one of the company’s most popular SUVs. With new batteries, new motors and a higher-voltage charging system, it marks a significant departure from, and upgrade over, the company’s current EV offerings like the . But could it be better to drive? That’s the question that brought me to Sweden. I’m generally quite comfortable driving on the ice and snow. I’ve certainly been doing it long enough, living in the northeast my entire life and ice racing for the last 20 years. But, put me behind the wheel of a priceless, hand-built prototype and I’ll usually take a few extra minutes before I start to really push things. Not so when I got behind the steering wheel of the electric GLC SUV. Within 30 seconds, I had my foot flat to the floor, and I, along with a wide-eyed development engineer, were flying down an ice-covered trail bisecting a birch tree stand. Andre Tillmann on behalf of Mercedes-Benz AG That’s how good the new GLC’s traction and stability control systems are. Where most cars will simply cut all the power in a slippery situation like that, especially practical-minded ones like a typical crossover SUV, the GLC was far more giving. When the grip was low over sections of dark, glassy ice, the system reduced the power application and kept me from making a big, expensive dent in a snowbank. When the grip was there, though, the GLC quickly ramped back up to maximum acceleration, relying on the power of its dual electric motors and all-wheel drive to keep us tracking smoothly and cleanly between the trees. Those motors and the smarts that control them are all part of Mercedes-Benz’s new platform, MB.EA. These are permanent magnet type motors, with the front one featuring a physical disconnect to reduce its drag when it’s not needed. The car also features a new heat pump that’s able to absorb thermal energy from the ambient air as well as the car’s various internal systems. Mercedes engineers said it will warm the cabin twice as fast using half the energy as their current EVs. Indeed, the interior in the GLC was quite cozy despite temperatures well below freezing. Unfortunately, I can’t comment on the vehicle’s range in those conditions. This is just a pre-production prototype, after all. Still, I’m expecting a substantial improvement over the 307 miles the EQE SUV can manage on a charge. The batteries in the GLC rely on a revised chemistry, said to reduce the reliance on while also increasing energy density. That means more miles per pound of battery. Andre Tillmann on behalf of Mercedes-Benz AG Another thing helping to extend range is a revised regenerative braking system. The GLC will feature multiple different rates of regen, including a one-pedal mode that will bring the SUV to a complete stop. When you do go for the brake pedal, though, you might notice it feels a little weird. That’s because stepping on the pedal doesn’t really do anything. Similar to a , the resistance here is simulated. You’re not feeling a hydraulic system squeezing pistons, just springs compressing. It’s a different sensation, but not a bad one. The idea is that the car will give you a steady, consistent feel regardless of what you’re doing or how you’re driving. The car itself will determine how much of your desired deceleration can come from the regenerative power of the electric motors. When it needs more than they can provide, it seamlessly calls in the physical brakes for reinforcement. In practice, it works brilliantly. The car stops smoothly and cleanly, and there’s none of the occasional uneven braking that you get when stomping hard on the stop pedal in an EV. The lack of pedal feedback when ABS engages is a bit disappointing, but then I’ve heard that pulse causes some people to lift off the brake pedal, so perhaps it’s for the best. Andre Tillmann on behalf of Mercedes-Benz AG When stomping on the other pedal, again, the GLC accelerates strongly. It’s quick enough to keep performance-minded drivers entertained. Still, given the low-grip nature of the roads and trails I covered, I can’t say just how competent a handler it will be. I can say that the optional air suspension did a sublime job over truly terrible road conditions. Ruts, washboards, frost heaves, you name it, the car happily soaked it up, even raising the suspension by an inch when some deeper snow and ice necessitated a little more ground clearance. On smoother roads, the GLC was every bit the quiet limousine that you want a luxury EV to be. There was a bit of road noise from the aggressively treaded snow tires, but this thing should be a delightful cruiser on normal tires. The only problem? We’ll have to be patient. The GLC is set to make its formal debut in Germany in September, which means it likely won’t enter production until well into 2026. Mercedes-Benz hasn’t set a price for the electric GLC yet either. Given the state of the world right now, it’s anyone’s guess what the incentive/tariff situation will look like for foreign EVs, even those built in the US like Mercedes-Benz’s current . If it’s priced right, though, and if it doesn’t look too awful once those camouflage stickers and taped-on protrusions are removed, it should be a winner. I already can’t wait for another go behind the wheel and another chance to get even more comfortable. Source link #MercedesBenz #GLC #Technology #prototype #drive #chilled Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]