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Ukraine’s Zelenskiy says he can salvage relationship with US Ukraine’s Zelenskiy says he can salvage relationship with US By Alessandra Galloni LONDON (Reuters) -Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Sunday he believed he could salvage his relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump after their explosive meeting in the Oval Office, but that talks needed to continue behind closed doors. Zelenskiy reiterated that Ukraine would not concede any territory to Russia as part of a peace deal. He said he was still willing to sign a minerals deal with the U.S. and described a discussion on Sunday with European leaders to send a draft peace plan to the U.S. as a key development. Trusted news and daily delights, right in your inbox See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. In an extraordinary meeting that was broadcast live on Friday, Trump accused Zelenskiy of being ungrateful for U.S. aid, of showing disrespect to his country and of risking World War Three, casting into doubt Washington’s ongoing support for Ukraine in its three-year-long war with Russia. Zelenskiy spoke to reporters at a London airport after a summit with European leaders in London on Sunday. While he seemed in good spirits and thanked European countries for their support, the Ukrainian leader was careful to balance his dismay with the events of Friday’s Oval Office meeting with a clear desire to keep talking with Washington. Zelenskiy said he did not think the U.S. would stop its assistance to Ukraine, because as “leaders of the civilized world” they would not want to help Russian President Vladimir Putin. But he said he remained prepared for any outcome. “As regards salvaging the relationship, I think our relationship will continue,” Zelenskiy told reporters via a translator after the London summit. But he added: “I do not think it’s right when such discussions are totally open. … The format of what happened, I don’t think it brought something positive or additional to us as partners.” A visibly shaken Zelenskiy arrived in London on Saturday where he was met with a warm embrace from British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and by cheering supporters around Downing Street. At the summit on Sunday Starmer said European leaders had agreed to draw up a Ukraine peace plan to take to the U.S., in the hope that Washington would offer the security guarantees Kyiv says are vital to deter Russia. Zelenskiy said Ukraine relied on the U.S. as its top military backer and that stopping the supply of weapons would only help Putin. “The U.S. are … leaders of the civilized world, and they will not help Putin,” he said. An influential Russian parliamentarian, Konstantin Kosachev, on Sunday derided the hopes for Europe’s stepping up to forge a peace plan. “And if Ukraine should count on something, it can only be on progress (if there is any to come) in Russian-American relations,” he wrote on Telegram. READY TO SIGN MINERALS DEAL The abrupt ending to Zelenskiy’s Washington trip meant that the two countries failed to sign a much-vaunted minerals deal that Kyiv hoped would spur Trump to back Ukraine’s war effort, but Zelenskiy said Ukraine was still willing to sign it. “We agreed upon signing it; and we were ready to sign it. And honestly I believe the United States would be ready as well,” he said. Trump had sought to cast the minerals deal as a way for Ukraine, which is home to a trove of lithium deposits and rare earth minerals, to repay the U.S. for its billions of dollars in aid. While Zelenskiy sought to avoid any further antagonism of the U.S., saying he did not want to go over what had happened, he was more forceful on any future ceasefire deal, saying Ukraine would not hand sovereignty of occupied Ukrainian land to Russia. “Everyone needs to understand that Ukraine will never recognise whatever is occupied by Russia as Russian territories,” he said. “We hope that these security guarantees will make it 100% impossible to give Russia the opportunity to come with another aggression”. Zelenskiy said there had been contact between Kyiv and Washington since Friday’s bust-up, although not at his level, and asked if he had considered resigning, he showed no sign of wavering. “As regards resignation, if I’m to be changed … to change me it will not be easy because it is not enough to simply hold elections. You would need to prevent me from participating in the elections and it will be a bit more difficult.” Some Republican leaders had suggested that Zelenskiy needed to resign after Friday’s meeting with Trump. Zelenskiy repeated again, however, that if Ukraine was granted NATO membership, he would have fulfilled his mission. (Reporting by Alessandra Galloni; writing by Kate Holton; Editing by Leslie Adler) Source link #Ukraines #Zelenskiy #salvage #relationship Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

stocks, news, data and earnings stocks, news, data and earnings European markets are expected to start the week on a positive note, with traders in the region keeping an eye on the latest inflation data for the euro zone. The U.K.’s FTSE 100 index is expected to open 42 points higher at 8,846, Germany’s DAX up 135 points at 22,621, France’s CAC 34 points higher at 8,124 and Italy’s FTSE MIB 18 points higher at 38,798, according to data from IG. Earnings are set to come from Euroapi and Bunzl, and data releases in focus include preliminary euro zone inflation data for February, with the latest consumer price index coming ahead of a European Central Bank interest rate decision on Thursday. U.S. stock futures edged up early Monday and Asia-Pacific markets mostly rose overnight as traders awaited more clarity on President Donald Trump’s plans to impose tariffs on key U.S. trading partners this week. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick reportedly told Fox News on Sunday that the exact tariff that will be levied against Mexico and Canada starting Tuesday is still “fluid,” which means it could be lower than the proposed 25%. He added that the additional 10% duty on China imports is “set.” Source link #stocks #news #data #earnings Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

LA Thieves Beats a Dominant Surge to Win CDL Minor II LA Thieves Beats a Dominant Surge to Win CDL Minor II The LA Thieves have secured their first sizeable win in the 2025 Call of Duty League season, beating Vancouver Surge in the grand final of Minor II. The series came down to the wire, with Vancouver riding high on a string of wins that exemplified how dominant the amended roster has been recently. Vancouver Surge was able to overcome Boston, FaZe, and Toronto before putting up one hell of a fight against the LA Thieves in the grand final. Ultimately, it was LAT that walked away with the $20,000 prize and the 30 CDL points that pushed the squad into second place in the season standings. Minor Win, Major Gains The CDL Minor structure is a brand-new concept for the 2025 season. It’s designed to split up the qualifying stages and give players a cash prize to work towards, and it’s a ‘winner takes all’ event. Each stage will have a Minor and a Major, and the first one, which took place before Major I in Madrid, was claimed by Atlanta FaZe. This time around, it was the LA Thieves that shone, with the team having earned a bye thanks to their seeding in the regular season. The squad picked apart Cloud9 and the Royal Ravens to unlock the grand final, at which point they stomped Vancouver Surge to claim the number one spot. It was a clockwork tournament for the LA Thieves, but other teams didn’t fare so well. Atlanta FaZe struggled to hit the mark and collapsed against Vancouver Surge, taking it to a game five and falling short in the final SnD. OpTic Texas clashed with Falcons and secured a win but lost with a 0 – 3 scoreline against Toronto Ultra. The fixture against the Vegas Falcons saw history almost being made. The Falcons put up a solid fight in the opening Hardpoint and managed to secure a 3 – 0 win in Control. The first round of Search also went down to the wire, with round eleven being needed for OpTic Texas to win the game. That could have been a very different story. We now look to Major II, which will take place from March 20 – 23 in Texas. The power players could be starting to shift, and OpTic Texas will be in trouble if it doesn’t sharpen up ahead of the home Major. For more Insider Gaming esports, check out what Splitgate 2’s CEO has to say about the game’s esports future SUBSCRIBE to our newsletter to receive the latest news and exclusive leaks every week! No Spam. Source link #Thieves #Beats #Dominant #Surge #Win #CDL #Minor Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

SpaceX set for Starship Flight 8 – NASASpaceflight.com SpaceX set for Starship Flight 8 – NASASpaceflight.com SpaceX set for Starship Flight 8 NASASpaceflight.comWatch: Elon Musk shares rare footage of SpaceX Starship’s water landing The Times of IndiaSpaceX gets FAA approval for Flight 8 of Starship megarocket Space.comRocket Report: Rocket Lab’s news blitz; Starship mishap blamed on vibrations Ars Technica Source link #SpaceX #set #Starship #Flight #NASASpaceflight.com Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

TikTok investigated by *** watchdog over use of childrens’ data TikTok investigated by *** watchdog over use of childrens’ data Tom Gerken Technology reporter PA Media The *** data watchdog has launched what it calls a “major investigation” into TikTok’s use of children’s personal information. The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) will inspect the way in which the social media platform uses the data of 13 to 17-year-olds to recommend further content to them. John Edwards, the Information Commissioner, said it would look at whether TikTok’s data collection practices could lead to children experiencing harms, such as data being leaked or spending “more time than is healthy” on the platform. TikTok told the BBC its recommender systems operated under “strict and comprehensive measures that protect the privacy and safety of teens”. It added that the platform also has “robust restrictions on the content allowed in teens’ feeds”. Mr Edwards said TikTok’s algorithm “feeds” on personal data gleaned from user profiles, preferences, links clicked and how long they spend watching a particular video – making it subject to *** rules. In addition to the probe into TikTok, the ICO is also checking the age verification processes of Reddit and Imgur, an image-sharing platform. The investigation will look into whether the companies are complying with both the ***’s data protection laws, and the children’s code. The code is set to design principles for online platforms aimed at protecting children in the ***. Platforms which collect *** children’s user data must minimise the amount they gather and take extra care when processing it. Reddit and Imgur probes The ICO’s investigations into Reddit and Imgur will focus on how the platforms check the ages of their users and their enforcement of age checks. Ofcom said in October Reddit had overtaken X as the ***’s fifth most popular platform. Imgur, meanwhile, says on its website that it reaches more than 250 million people a month. However, it does not state in which countries their users are based, so there is no figure for the number of people using it in the ***. “I don’t want to pre-judge how we might look at the Imgur and Reddit matters, but if there are age limits for accessing services, then the platforms have to enforce those in some ways,” the Information Commissioner told the BBC. “There are a number of different technologies and techniques that are available, I would say, and the degree of rigor, I think, depends in part upon the kinds of risks, the likelihood that children will be accessing those sites. “I guess a baseline would be: self-declaration is probably not going to cut it if there is content on the site or services on the site that are unsuitable for children under the age of 13.” A Reddit spokesperson told the BBC that 95% of their users are adults but that they “have plans to roll out changes this year that address updates to *** regulations around age assurance”. Imgur has not responded to the BBC’s request for a comment. Next steps The investigations do not necessarily mean any of the three platforms have broken the law. But companies which are found to have done so can be punished with enforcement notices and fines. “We are patrolling, and there will be consequences for breaches of the law,” said Mr Edwards. It is not the first time TikTok has faced scrutiny from the ICO. The platform is appealing against an ICO fine of £12.7m in 2023 for misusing children’s data issued in 2023. Source link #TikTok #investigated #watchdog #childrens #data Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Mayor calls for Keir Starmer to visit Calais migrant camps Mayor calls for Keir Starmer to visit Calais migrant camps Michael Keohan BBC Kent, political reporter Simon Jones BBC News, South East A mayor in Calais has called on Sir Keir Starmer to visit the region A mayor in Calais has called on Sir Keir Starmer to visit the region to better understand the impact of small boat crossings in northern France. In a message to the prime minister, the mayor of Ambleteuse, Stéphane Pinto, said co-operation between the two countries was “a must”. Home Office Minister Dame Angela Eagle said the *** government had “ramped up” its work with French authorities, revealing French police had stopped 28,000 small boat crossings last year. Dame Angela declined to comment on whether the prime minister planned to accept the invitation. Last year was the deadliest for small boats crossing the English Channel, with an estimated 78 people having died attempting the journey. The latest Home Office data shows that 36,816 people were detected crossing the Channel in small boats in 2024 – up from 29,437 in 2023, but below a record 45,774 in 2022. Mr Pinto urged the prime minister to “come and look at our beaches”. “We must put in place measures to stop bodies on our beaches,” he said. Zinki has lived at the camp for two months while he attempts to cross the Channel The BBC has seen a camp in Calais, located in a former wine warehouse with no working toilets or running water, which is home to several hundred migrants. Zinki, from Sudan, has lived at the camp for two months while he attempts to cross the Channel. “I’ve faced persecution at home. For us, England works. The language is easier, some people have relatives there,” he said. He also warned of the dangers of crossing the Channel, stating: “You see your brother die in the sea as you try to cross. Everyone has their own destiny.” In a nearby camp in Dunkirk, Akan, from Iran, said: “It is very dangerous. Our boat got a hole in it and we were in the water for 30 minutes. “We had to wait for the big French boat to save us. I thought we would die.” Michael Keohan/BBC Last year was the deadliest for crossing of the English Channel Calais MP Marc De Fleurian said he had ruled out joint patrols on French beaches, stating British police on French soil would make local authorities look “weak”. “I think British police would be perceived very badly by the French,” he said. Emily Featherstone, from charity Care4Calais that provide tents and clothing for migrants in northern France, said finding safer routes was essential. “What we offer in shoes, sleeping bags and activities isn’t that amazing that people would travel here just for that,” she said. Last year, at least 78 people died attempting the journey across the English Channel The Home Office said it had launched new specialist police and enforcement plans, including state of the art surveillance technology to disrupt criminal smuggling gangs in northern France. New measures to tackle people-smuggling gangs have been agreed by the *** and France, with more than £7m of existing funds redirected towards a “stronger” law enforcement response on migrant Channel crossings, a spokesperson said. When questioned about what deterrent the government had to stop crossings, Dame Angela said “one is they [migrants] may die.” Source link #Mayor #calls #Keir #Starmer #visit #Calais #migrant #camps Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Whyalla steelworks creditor NRW claims GFG would have coughed up $70 million before Government takeover Whyalla steelworks creditor NRW claims GFG would have coughed up $70 million before Government takeover A major creditor of the collapsed Whyalla steelworks has argued it would have been paid $70 million by Sanjiv Gutpa’s GFG Alliance had the South *********** Government not “intervened”. Source link #Whyalla #steelworks #creditor #NRW #claims #GFG #coughed #million #Government #takeover Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

As rates drop, should you buy? As rates drop, should you buy? Most mortgage rates have decreased again today. According to Zillow data, the 30-year fixed interest rate is down four basis points to 6.27%, and the 15-year fixed rate has fallen by four basis points to 5.57%. Rates are also down overall since early February. So, mortgage rates are dropping — does this mean it’s a good time to buy, or that you should hold out for even lower rates? On Friday, the Bureau of Labor Statistics released January’s core Personal Consumption Expenditure (PCE) index. The core PCE data showed that month-over-month inflation rose by 0.3%, and year-over-year inflation is up by 2.6% — but these increases aligned with economists’ expectations. This means mortgage rate could hold steady for a while. So, waiting to buy until rates are even lower might not be worth the risk. If you’re otherwise ready to buy, now could be as good a time as any. Dig deeper: Which is more important, your mortgage rate or home price? Have questions about buying, owning, or selling a house? Submit your question to Yahoo’s panel of Realtors using this Google form. Here are the current mortgage rates, according to the latest Zillow data: 30-year fixed: 6.27% 20-year fixed: 5.98% 15-year fixed: 5.57% 5/1 ARM: 6.53% 7/1 ARM: 6.62% 30-year VA: 5.72% 15-year VA: 5.18% 5/1 VA: 5.91% Remember, these are the national averages and rounded to the nearest hundredth. These are today’s mortgage refinance rates, according to the latest Zillow data: 30-year fixed: 6.27% 20-year fixed: 5.88% 15-year fixed: 5.58% 5/1 ARM: 6.73% 7/1 ARM: 6.84% 30-year VA: 5.68% 15-year VA: 5.33% 5/1 VA: 6.09% 30-year FHA: 6.06% Again, the numbers provided are national averages rounded to the nearest hundredth. Mortgage refinance rates are often higher than rates when you buy a house, although that’s not always the case. Read more: Is now a good time to refinance your mortgage? Use the free Yahoo Finance mortgage calculator to see how various mortgage terms and interest rates will impact your monthly payments. Our calculator also considers factors like property taxes and homeowners insurance when determining your estimated monthly mortgage payment. This gives you a more realistic idea of your total monthly payment than if you just looked at mortgage principal and interest. The average 30-year mortgage rate today is 6.27%. A 30-year term is the most popular type of mortgage because by spreading out your payments over 360 months, your monthly payment is lower than with a shorter-term loan. The average 15-year mortgage rate is 5.57% today. When deciding between a 15-year and a 30-year mortgage, consider your short-term versus long-term goals. A 15-year mortgage comes with a lower interest rate than a 30-year term. This is great in the long run because you’ll pay off your loan 15 years sooner, and that’s 15 fewer years for interest to accumulate. But the trade-off is that your monthly payment will be higher as you pay off the same amount in half the time. Let’s say you get a $300,000 mortgage. With a 30-year term and a 6.27% rate, your monthly payment toward the principal and interest would be about $1,851, and you’d pay $366,380 in interest over the life of your loan — on top of that original $300,000. If you get that same $300,000 mortgage with a 15-year term and a 5.57% rate, your monthly payment would jump to $2,462. But you’d only pay $143,233 in interest over the years. With a fixed-rate mortgage, your rate is locked in for the entire life of your loan. You will get a new rate if you refinance your mortgage, though. An adjustable-rate mortgage keeps your rate the same for a predetermined ******* of time. Then, the rate will go up or down depending on several factors, such as the economy and the maximum amount your rate can change according to your contract. For example, with a 7/1 ARM, your rate would be locked in for the first seven years, then change every year for the remaining 23 years of your term. Adjustable rates typically start lower than fixed rates, but once the initial rate-lock ******* ends, it’s possible your rate will go up. Lately, though, some fixed rates have been starting lower than adjustable rates. Talk to your lender about its rates before choosing one or the other. Dig deeper: Fixed-rate vs. adjustable-rate mortgages Mortgage lenders typically give the lowest mortgage rates to people with higher down payments, great or excellent credit scores, and low debt-to-income ratios. So, if you want a lower rate, try saving more, improving your credit score, or paying down some debt before you start shopping for homes. Waiting for rates to drop probably isn’t the best method to get the lowest mortgage rate right now. If you’re ready to buy, focusing on your personal finances is probably the best way to lower your rate. To find the best mortgage lender for your situation, apply for mortgage preapproval with three or four companies. Just be sure to apply to all of them within a short time frame — doing so will give you the most accurate comparisons and have less of an impact on your credit score. When choosing a lender, don’t just compare interest rates. Look at the mortgage annual percentage rate (APR) — this factors in the interest rate, any discount points, and fees. The APR, which is also expressed as a percentage, reflects the true annual cost of borrowing money. This is probably the most important number to look at when comparing mortgage lenders. Learn more: Best mortgage lenders for first-time home buyers According to Zillow, the national average 30-year mortgage rate is 6.27%, and the average 15-year mortgage rate is 5.57%. But these are national averages, so the average in your area could be different. Averages are typically higher in expensive parts of the U.S. and lower in less expensive areas. The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate is 6.27% right now, according to Zillow. However, you might get an even better rate with an excellent credit score, sizable down payment, and low debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Mortgage rates aren’t expected to drop drastically in the near future, though they may inch down here and there. Source link #rates #drop #buy Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump’s Strategic Crypto Reserve And What It Means For Crypto And You – Forbes Trump’s Strategic Crypto Reserve And What It Means For Crypto And You – Forbes Trump’s Strategic Crypto Reserve And What It Means For Crypto And You ForbesTrump announces strategic crypto reserve including bitcoin, Solana, XRP and more CNBCTrump flags crypto reserve, mum on funding Yahoo FinanceTrump names cryptocurrencies in strategic reserve; prices spike CNNBitcoin up by a fifth after Trump lists reserve tokens Reuters Source link #Trumps #Strategic #Crypto #Reserve #Means #Crypto #Forbes Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Starmer is helping to shape talks on Ukraine but the path to peace could be long Starmer is helping to shape talks on Ukraine but the path to peace could be long Russia, watching on, teased that this was an anti-Trump gathering, skilfully picking away at the vulnerability of a divided West. Sir Keir and others were insistent it was nothing of the sort. The prime minister was determined to be an honest broker between two allies, America and Ukraine. What the summit felt like was Europe trying to prop back up the plan for peace in Ukraine, while recognising publicly again that the continent will need the US to be confident the war can end permanently. Domestically – and this might seem parochial in the context of such a broad international picture, – the prime minister is gathering a lot of support from many across politics for what he is trying to achieve. Sir Keir and his still new-ish government has had a bumpy start in many ways, but he has seized this crisis and is shaping events, alongside others, and seems possessed of a determination and clarity of mind about what he hopes to pull off. It is worth remembering two things right now: if a peace deal can be done, there are big implications for many families around the ***, including the deployment of soldiers and airmen and women to Ukraine – a volatile, contested place that Russia has had designs on for decades. Their role would be peacekeepers, yes, but many would see them as being on the frontline of freedom. There may right now be widespread political support for this, but that does not diminish the magnitude of what would be asked of those sent there. The second thing to keep in mind is there is still a lot of diplomacy to come. We can expect plenty more days like the last few at home and abroad. The path to peace could yet be long. Source link #Starmer #helping #shape #talks #Ukraine #path #peace #long Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Family guy Fifita reveals reasons for Roosters backflip Family guy Fifita reveals reasons for Roosters backflip Family and a deep desire to deliver Gold Coast a maiden NRL title are the key reasons David Fifita says led him to backflip on a four-year deal with Sydney Roosters. The 25-year-old second-rower on Monday spoke for the first time about that decision to stay at the Titans until the end of 2026. Fifita was famously on the cusp of joining the Tricolours last May and had informed Roosters chairman Nick Politis he was coming before deciding to enact a two-year option to remain with Gold Coast. Minutes before the Gold Coast put out a media release announcing their counter-coup the Roosters put out their own saying the offer had been pulled. Fifita wears wrist strapping with ‘Mum’ on one wrist and ‘Dad’ on the other. The pull of family was the difference, the 115kg forward said. “Having my family around – my mum, dad and nan – and being close to them,” he said, when asked why he stayed. “They are getting older and I wanted to be around them and look after them. I’m excited for this year with the squad we have and hopefully we all stay injury-free for the year ahead.” Fifita’s partner Shaylee Bent has re-signed with the Titans NRLW side until the end of 2027 and Fifita said she was another reason he did not regret his decision. “It was massive for her to stay here. She sacrificed a lot for me, she could have gone down to Sydney but I wanted her to stay,” he said. “She cooks for me and does a lot for me. She does all the right things. When I’m down with my injuries, she looks after me.” Fifita is also convinced that the Titans have a side that can deliver a maiden title and he wanted to be a part of it. “I just believe in the players we have here,” Fifita said. “I have been signed here since 2021. I’m 25 now, so I’m getting older. We have stayed around, this core group, for a while now and hopefully this is the year (we win a title) “We all come off-contract next year, so this has to be the year. “I’m excited to have our skipper (Tino Fa’asuamaleaui) back (from injury) and with Regan (Campbell-Gillard) coming back from injury. “I’m looking forward to running out with the pack we have and our six, seven and one going off the back of them.” “Every time (contract talks) come around, I seem to be front and centre. “It can be a distraction sometimes, but I have a good partner and my manager and my parents who keep me level-headed. I’m happy here.. I have two more years here and we have to win.” Fifita had ankle surgery in the pre-season and there were concerns he was behind schedule with his rehab pre-Christmas. He came back in January and put in the hard yards to get himself right to play in two pre-season trials. “I need to be injury-free and have a good mindset.When I am happy, I am dangerous,” he grinned. Fifita played for Queensland in all three games of the 2023 State of Origin series, won 2-1 by the Maroons, before being left out of the 2024 series altogether. He knows what he has to do to get back to that arena. “I have to earn it. I didn’t earn it last year so it starts next in two weeks against the Bulldogs. There are good candidates for that back-row role,” he said. Source link #Family #guy #Fifita #reveals #reasons #Roosters #backflip Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Trump administration admits to judge it doesn’t know how many troops are trans—or why it’s banning them Trump administration admits to judge it doesn’t know how many troops are trans—or why it’s banning them The Trump administration is trying to purge transgender service members from the military—but it can’t even say how many trans troops are currently serving. In a Saturday court filing in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, government lawyers admitted that the Department of Defense does not track service members by gender identity, meaning officials have no concrete data on how many trans troops are in the military. Instead, they relied on a 2016 RAND study, which estimated between 1,320 to 6,630 transgender personnel—numbers nearly a decade old. “The Department of Defense does not track service members or applicants by gender identity and has no means of searching for the requested information,” government lawyers told the judge in the filing. The admission came as part of Talbott v. Trump, a lawsuit challenging President Donald Trump’s January 27 executive order banning transgender people from serving in the military. The case is being brought by GLAD Law and the National Center for Lesbian Rights. The administration’s justification for the ban has been riddled with unsubstantiated claims, with officials arguing that trans troops pose a threat to unit cohesion, honesty, and integrity—while failing to back up these assertions with data or evidence. According to the court document, the government roughly estimated through medical records that the Department of Defense provided gender-affirming medical care to at least 1,892 active-duty service members between 2016 and 2021.The filing also contradicts another central Trump talking point—that gender-affirming care is a financial strain on the military. Lawyers admitted that the Pentagon spent just $52 million over nearly a decade—a tiny fraction of the military’s $918.1 billion budget in fiscal year 2024 alone. The government’s filing concedes: “[The amount] is but a small fraction of DoD’s overall budget.” Yet, Trump’s executive order claimed gender-affirming care was a drain on resources and “incompatible” with military service. The administration’s filing contradicts that claim. Another glaring admission? The administration failed to name any other mental health condition—besides gender dysphoria—that disqualifies someone for “honesty, humility, and integrity,” which the ban cites as justification. When pressed to provide an example, the government had no answer. Instead, it vaguely referenced “psychiatric and behavioral disorders” without citing a single specific case. The lack of evidence raises serious doubts about why gender dysphoria, the medical condition transgender people suffer before receiving treatment, is being uniquely singled out while other treatable conditions do not trigger an automatic ban. NCLR legal director Shannon Minter expressed confidence in the group’s case. “On March 12, Judge Reyes will consider this and other information as GLAD Law and NCLR pursue a preliminary injunction to stop this harmful ban from going into effect and ensure that transgender troops who meet every qualification to serve can continue their commitment to serving our country,” Minter told The Advocate in a statement. Lambda Legal CEO Kevin Jennings reacted forcefully to the administration’s admissions in a Saturday evening interview with The Advocate. “This is proof that the trans military ban is a solution in search of a problem,” Jennings said. “If trans people’s presence was somehow disruptive to the military, they would have the data to prove it—and they don’t. This proves that this order is motivated by animus rather than reason.” Lambda Legal and the Human Rights Campaign filed a similar lawsuit, Shilling v. Trump, also challenging the executive order. LGBTQ+ rights organizations have been at the forefront of challenging the administration’s anti-LGBTQ+ policies, including the military ban. The organization is also suing the administration over its recent executive orders gutting diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility programs and banning federal support for gender-affirming care. “Bigotry is rarely rational or fact-based,” Jennings added. “By their own admission, there are simply no facts on the ground to justify this ban.” Jennings questioned why the administration is taking action against trans troops when it has no evidence that they are a problem. “If you can’t prove something exists, then why are you taking this action?” he asked. Sarah Warbelow, vice president of legal at the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, echoed this sentiment, slamming the Trump administration’s justification for the ban as baseless and harmful. The organization, together with Lambda Legal, challenged the ban. “The Trump administration’s unlawful ban on transgender servicemembers has never been about facts or reason. It’s always been about discrimination and punishing courageous members of our military purely because of who they are,” Warbelow said in a statement to The Advocate. “Regardless of numbers, here’s what we know: every transgender servicemember puts on the same uniform, takes the same oath, and meets the same rigorous requirements as every other person in our armed services. We know that they serve in positions crucial to our national security, and that banning them from the military will harm our military readiness and national security. And we know that this ban is unconstitutional.” Meanwhile, the administration is trying to discredit the judge overseeing the case. On February 21, the Justice Department filed a judicial misconduct complaint against U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes, accusing her of “hostile and egregious misconduct.” The complaint—filed with the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals—alleges Reyes used “WTF” in court and pressed a DOJ lawyer about his religion. The administration has framed its trans military ban as necessary for military readiness, yet it has presented no new studies or data to support that claim. In 2018, top military leaders testified that trans service members had no impact on cohesion, morale, or readiness. Groups like SPARTA Pride—which represents transgender troops—have emphasized that transgender personnel serve in critical roles across the military and that banning them will only weaken the U.S. Armed Forces. “The problem is not trans troops—it’s the Trump administration’s bigotry toward patriotic trans service members,” Jennings said. “They are attacking them based on animus.” Editor’s note: This story has been updated to clarify that GLAD Law and NCLR brought this case and to include remarks by NCLR legal director Shannon Minter. Source link #Trump #administration #admits #judge #doesnt #troops #transor #banning Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

50 Best PS3 Games of All Time 50 Best PS3 Games of All Time The PlayStation 3 is Sonys most interesting home console ever, but whats most interesting of all is trying to nail down the very best games on a console with hundreds of incredible games. Lets give it a shot. Source link #PS3 #Games #Time Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘How Are We Going to Afford This?’ U.S. Companies Face Tariff Reality. – The New York Times ‘How Are We Going to Afford This?’ U.S. Companies Face Tariff Reality. – The New York Times ‘How Are We Going to Afford This?’ U.S. Companies Face Tariff Reality. The New York TimesTreasury Secretary Bessent says Trump tariffs won’t cause inflation to increase CNBCTariff threats and uncertainty could weigh on consumers, drag down US economy, gov’t report suggests The Associated PressTrump’s Tax on Trade Reuters Source link #Afford #U.S #Companies #Face #Tariff #Reality #York #Times Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

The Role of AI in Gaming: Boon or Bane? The Role of AI in Gaming: Boon or Bane? A big topic of discussion is the role of AI in gaming. In this editorial, I talk about some pros and cons of AI’s implementation in gaming. Source link #Role #Gaming #Boon #Bane Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

The list of winners in full The list of winners in full Getty Images Adrien Brody, Mikey Madison, Zoe Saldana and Kieran Culkin won the four acting trophies The Academy Awards have taken place in Los Angeles, with Anora scooping the most honours, while Conclave, The Brutalist, Wicked and Emilia Pérez also took prizes. Here is the full list of winners. Best picture WINNER: AnoraThe BrutalistA Complete UnknownConclaveDune: Part TwoEmilia PérezI’m Still HereNickel BoysThe SubstanceWicked Best actress WINNER: Mikey Madison – AnoraCynthia Erivo – WickedKarla Sofía Gascón – Emilia PérezDemi Moore – The SubstanceFernanda Torres – I’m Still Here Best actor WINNER: Adrien Brody – The BrutalistTimothée Chalamet – A Complete UnknownColman Domingo – Sing SingRalph Fiennes – ConclaveSebastian Stan – The Apprentice Best supporting actress WINNER: Zoe Saldaña – Emilia PérezMonica Barbaro – A Complete UnknownAriana Grande – WickedFelicity Jones – The BrutalistIsabella Rossellini – Conclave Best supporting actor WINNER: Kieran Culkin – A Real PainYura Borisov – AnoraEdward Norton – A Complete UnknownGuy Pearce – The BrutalistJeremy Strong – The Apprentice Best director WINNER: Sean Baker – AnoraJacques Audiard – Emilia PérezBrady Corbet – The BrutalistCoralie Fargeat – The SubstanceJames Mangold – A Complete Unknown Best international feature WINNER: I’m Still Here – Brazil The Girl with the Needle – Denmark Emilia Pérez – FranceThe Seed of the Sacred Fig – GermanyFlow – Latvia Best animated feature WINER: FlowInside Out 2Memoir of a SnailWallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most FowlThe Wild Robot Best original screenplay WINNER: Anora – Sean BakerThe Brutalist – Brady Corbet and Mona FastvoldA Real Pain – Jesse EisenbergSeptember 5 – Moritz Binder, Tim Fehlbaum, Alex DavidThe Substance – Coralie Fargeat Best adapted screenplay WINNER: Conclave – Peter StraughanA Complete Unknown – Jay Cocks and James MangoldEmilia Pérez – Jacques AudiardNickel Boys – RaMell Ross and Joslyn BarnesSing Sing – Clint Bentley and Greg Kwedar Best original song WINNER: El Mal – Emilia PérezNever Too Late – Elton John: Never Too LateMi Camino – Emilia PérezLike A Bird – Sing SingThe Journey – The Six Triple Eight Best original score WINNER: The BrutalistConclaveEmilia PérezWickedThe Wild Robot Best documentary feature WINNER: No Other Land****** Box DiariesPorcelain WarSoundtrack to a Coup d’EtatSugarcane Best costume design WINNER: WickedNosferatuA Complete UnknownConclaveGladiator II Best make-up and hairstyling WINNER: The SubstanceA Different ManEmilia PérezNosferatuWicked Best production design WINNER: WickedThe BrutalistDune: Part TwoNosferatuConclave Best sound WINNER: Dune: Part TwoA Complete UnknownEmilia PérezWickedThe Wild Robot Best film editing WINNER: AnoraThe Brutalist Conclave Emilia Pérez Wicked Best cinematography WINNER: The BrutalistDune: Part Two Emilia PérezMariaNosferatu Best visual effects WINNER: Dune: Part TwoAlien: RomulusBetter ManKingdom of the Planet of the ApesWicked Best live action short WINNER: I’m Not a RobotAnujaThe Last RangerA LienThe Man Who Could Not Remain Silent Best animated short WINNER: In the Shadow of the CypressBeautiful MenMagic CandiesWander to WonderYuck! Best documentary short WINNER: The Only Girl in the Orchestra Death by NumbersI Am Ready, WardenIncidentInstruments of a Beating Heart Read more about this year’s nominated films: Source link #list #winners #full Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Phoenix star Hurt credits NBL rival for finals rev-up Phoenix star Hurt credits NBL rival for finals rev-up South East Melbourne Phoenix import Matt Hurt says Melbourne United’s Jack White got him fired up for his NBL final, with the pair former college teammates. Source link #Phoenix #star #Hurt #credits #NBL #rival #finals #revup Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Philippines-US defence arrangements to stay intact, ambassador to Washington says Philippines-US defence arrangements to stay intact, ambassador to Washington says MANILA (Reuters) – Existing defence agreements between security allies the Philippines and the United States will remain intact under U.S. President Donald Trump, Manila’s ambassador to the United States said on Monday. For his part, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is ready to travel when Trump has time for a meeting and that could be in the northern spring, Jose Manuel Romualdez told reporters on the sidelines of a forum with foreign media in Manila. Asked about U.S. security support for the Philippines, including military financing, patrols in the South China Sea and Philippine defence facilities currently used by U.S. forces under their alliance, Romualdez said: “All of that will remain”. Trusted news and daily delights, right in your inbox See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. The United States and former colony the Philippines are staunch defence allies, with U.S. troops rotating in and out of the Southeast Asian country regularly and dozens of joint exercises held each year. The United States has also deployed to the Philippines a Typhon multipurpose missile system for training purposes, angering China, which has repeatedly said the move poses a threat to regional stability. The Philippines was seeking to import liquefied natural gas from the United States as part of a “give and take” on trade, Romualdez said. His remarks come as some countries in Southeast Asia, including Vietnam and Thailand, scramble to reduce trade surpluses with the United States following Trump’s order to his government to complete a review of all his country’s trade relationships by April 1. “Trump’s idea of what the United States wants to do is helping other countries become a real partner,” said Romualdez, who is a cousin of the Philippine president and was posted in Washington under the previous Manila administration. (Reporting by Karen Lema; Writing by Martin Petty; Editing by John Mair) Source link #PhilippinesUS #defence #arrangements #stay #intact #ambassador #Washington Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Xiaomi 15 and Xiaomi 15 Ultra First Impressions Xiaomi 15 and Xiaomi 15 Ultra First Impressions Xiaomi has pulled the curtains from its all-new 15 series ahead of MWC 2025, which kicks off in Barcelona on Monday. The latest 15 series comprises the compact Xiaomi 15, the successor to the 14 and the big boy, 15 Ultra – the company’s ‘pinnacle’ camera smartphone. As expected, both the phones come with Leica-tuned cameras. The partnership between Xiaomi and Leica for imagery technology has entered its fourth year, and we hope to see more camera-focused premium smartphones in the future. So far, companies have developed 21 products jointly covering five regions and 100 countries. We do not know the India pricing yet and will have to wait until March 11, when Xiaomi reveals prices for the 15 series. In Europe, the Xiaomi 15 starts at EUR 999 (roughly Rs. 91,000), and the 15 Ultra price is set at EUR 1,499 (roughly Rs. 1,36,000). Considering these are successors to the 14 series, we expect both these phones to be available in more or less the same ballpark figure. Xiaomi 15: Brings Snapdragon Elite SoC to a compact form factor Xiaomi 15 brings back the familiar compact form factor from its predecessor, Xiaomi 14. And, mind you, that’s one of the biggest highlights of the 15. The form factor is such that you can hold it easily in just one hand, and it’s incredibly light, as it weighs under 200 grams and measures 8.08mm thick. It sports an aerospace-grade aluminium frame that wraps around the Xiaomi 15. The smooth edges sit well in your palms, giving an incredible hand feel, and a unibody design adds to the overall character of the compact device. The camera deco is again something that will remind you of the 14. The weight distribution is also balanced, but more on that as I spend more time with the device. Xiaomi 15 features a 6.36-inch AMOLED display with 3200nits peak brightness and 120Hz refresh rate It gets the proper suite of features you expect from a modern-day flagship, including an IP68 rating. The 15 comes in three subtle colours this year – ******, Green, and White. I got the White one which looks elegant. The 6.36-inch screen with ultra-thin bezels offers more screen space, and it looked bright enough in the limited time I spent with the 15. The Xiaomi 15 finally gets the Ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, which seemed snappy in my initial use. Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite powers it, so we can expect it to offer flagship-grade performance credentials. However, I will reserve any verdict regarding display and performance for the review. Xiaomi 15 main camera samples (tap to expand) The camera is one of the highlights of the Xiaomi 15, and it sports a triple camera setup featuring a 50-megapixel Light Fusion 900 image sensor with f/1.62 aperture and OIS, a 50-megapixel 60mm floating telephoto sensor, and a 50-megapixel ultra-wide camera with 115-degree field of view. The camera app is the same as last year, with updates like an all-new Sunset Portrait mode added this year, which looked interesting during the keynote announcement. The initial camera test gave me some amazing-looking shots. At the front, there’s the 32-megapixel selfie sensor. The battery department probably has the biggest update as it packs a ******* battery than its predecessor, 14. The 15 packs a 5240mAh battery with 90W HyperCharge support. A more in-depth take on the camera and battery in our review. It packs a 5240mAh battery Of course, we are in 2025 and won’t have a product launch event without AI. Xiaomi 15 packs a suite of AI features, which I will break down in my review. The best news is that Google Gemini comes integrated with Xiaomi 15, which expands the horizon for users. There’s Xiaomi HyperOS 2 based on Android 15 onboard. Overall, the Xiaomi 15 looks like a great upgrade over the Xiaomi 14, but we will reserve our verdict for the review, so stay tuned. Xiaomi 15 Ultra: Camera Beast Now, jumping to the beast of a device – Xiaomi 15 Ultra, a smartphone built for professional photographers. Yes, consider this one going up against the likes of Vivo X200 Pro. The 14 Ultra was the first Ultra device from Xiaomi that went global, and now, the 15 Ultra is its successor this year. The company’s intentions are clear: not to miss the ultra-premium audience. It comes in a single 16GB and 512GB storage model Starting with the design, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra’s colour and design are inspired by the traditional professional camera and use materials like aerospace-grade glass fibre. It has small elements like an Ultra watermark just above the camera housing. The camera deco has been integrated into the back of the device, giving it a more seamless look and feel. Compared to the 14 Ultra, the 15 Ultra rear camera housing is *******, and the phone comes in Silver Chrome, White, and ****** colours. I got the Silver Chrome, which feels like the best colour variant this year. The phone gets an IP68 rating. It features a 6.73-inch WQHD AMOLED display with 3200nits peak brightness, 120Hz refresh rate and 522PPI pixel density Xiaomi 15 Ultra has four-sided symmetrical curved glass for a more comfortable in-hand feel. At 229 grams, the phone is on the heavier side. It features a 6.73-inch WQHD+ AMOLED display with 3200nits peak brightness, 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+ and Dolby Vision. In my limited time with the device, this is among the best displays I have ever seen on any Xiaomi phone. But I will reserve that submission until I can test the phone more. The hand feel of the smartphone is solid, and I was more comfortable using it without snapping a case on top. The 15 Ultra will come in a single 16GB and 512GB storage variant in India. With Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC under the hood, the 15 Ultra joins the elite club of flagship phones for performance credentials. In my initial time, the phone handled almost everything smoothly and quickly opened apps. The multitasking worked like a breeze. For the battery department, Xiaomi has fitted in a 5410mAh battery and supports 90W HyperCharge wired and 80W wireless HyperCharge. Again, I will reserve my verdict for our review. Xiaomi 15 Ultra main camera samples (tap to expand) Now, the fun part comes – cameras! It has a four-camera setup with a 50-megapixel primary sensor, a 200-megapixel telephoto sensor, a 50-megapixel floating telephoto sensor, and a 50-megapixel ultra-wide sensor. Of course, the 15 Ultra has a regular suite of Leica styles that enhance the overall experience. This one also gets the 1-inch sensor and f/1.63 aperture. There’s a 32-megapixel selfie camera. In my limited time with the device, the 15 Ultra looks like a fantastic successor to the 14 Ultra in terms of camera upgrades. But I will be able to break it down more in my review. It also runs on HyperOS 2, based on Android 15. It has a suite of AI features onboard, which I will test and detail in my review, so stay tuned. Disclosure: Xiaomi India sponsored the correspondent’s flights and hotel for the event in Barcelona. For details of the latest launches and news from Samsung, Xiaomi, Realme, OnePlus, Oppo and other companies at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, visit our MWC 2025 hub. Source link #Xiaomi #Xiaomi #Ultra #Impressions Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Asia stocks jump after steep losses; China shares gain on strong PMI – Investing.com Asia stocks jump after steep losses; China shares gain on strong PMI – Investing.com Asia stocks jump after steep losses; China shares gain on strong PMI Investing.comStock market today: Asian shares advance on back of Wall St’s rally and upbeat ******** factory data Yahoo FinanceMainland China Investors’ Sway Over Hong Kong Stocks Is Growing BloombergAsian Markets Trade Mostly Higher RTTNewsHong Kong’s Hang Seng jumps as city pledges to develop itself into an artificial intelligence hub CNBC Source link #Asia #stocks #jump #steep #losses #China #shares #gain #strong #PMI #Investing.com Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Adrian Brody and Halle Berry’s kiss, Mikey Madison’s surprise win, and Wicked stars defying gravity at the Oscars Adrian Brody and Halle Berry’s kiss, Mikey Madison’s surprise win, and Wicked stars defying gravity at the Oscars Noor NanjiCulture reporter at the Academy Awards, Los Angeles•@NoorNanji Watch: Standout moments from the Oscars 2025 This year’s Oscars had it all – glamour, tears and the Wicked stars defying gravity. Here are some of the top moments from the biggest night in Hollywood. Mikey Madison steals the showGetty Images An audible gasp was made by journalists in the winners’ room (where I was) when Mikey Madison was announced as the best actress winner. Demi Moore was the favourite for much of this campaign. Things did shift after Madison’s Bafta win, but the race remained incredibly tight. In the end, it was Madison’s night and marked an incredible moment for a 25-year-old actress who was relatively unknown before her role in Anora. This is exactly the type of rags-to-riches story that awards ceremonies love – and the film itself celebrates. The film tells the story of Madison, who plays a sex worker, who has a whirlwind ill-fated romance with the spoilt son of a Russian oligarch, Edie Turquet, one of the young female dancers and strippers in the film, text me to say it was “insane” that a film about sex workers could win best picture at the Oscars. “Hopefully this will lead to some amount of societal humanisation,” she said. Cynthia and Ariana defy gravityGetty Images We all knew it was coming but Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande belting out Wicked’s anthem Defying Gravity was even better than we could have hoped for. As Erivo, in a white gown, hit that final iconic note, the audience stood in applause. The co-stars performed a medley of songs, including Somewhere Over the Rainbow, which Grande sang to open the show wearing a gorgeous red sequined dress. Earlier in the night, Grande stunned on the red carpet with a champagne Schiaparelli gown, which leaned into her role as Glinda the Good Witch in the film. “It’s giving chandelier,” one reporter said to me backstage. On social media the big question was: “How is she going to sit down in that dress?” Getty Images A payback kiss… 22 years laterGetty Images On the red carpet, there was quite a moment when Halle Berry ran up to Adrien Brody and gave him a big kiss. It recreated a moment at the 2003 Academy Awards, when Brody – having just won best actor for his performance in The Pianist – turned and kissed Berry, who had presented the award to him. She told Variety: “I had to pay him back”. Speaking to Extra, she added that the only reason she did it was because Brody’s girlfriend, Georgina Chapman, “was fine” with the scheme. The Oscars wrote on X with a clip of the kiss: “A reunion 22 years in the making”. A Timothee and Kylie kissGetty Images Berry and Brody weren’t the only two seen locking lips. Inside the ceremony at the Dolby Theatre, lovebirds Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet were photographed sharing a kiss and laughing together. Reality star and makeup mogul Jenner was there to support her boyfriend who was up for best actor – but ended up losing out to… Brody. Adam Sandler storms out?Getty Images Actor Adam Sandler was in on the ongoing jokes about his typically casual attire. Early on in the night, host Conan O’Brien called him out, saying he was “dressed like a guy playing video poker at 2am”. (For reference, Sandler was in the audience wearing a blue hoodie and shorts, an ensemble that looked more at home on the basketball court). Following a playful back and forth between the two, the actor walked into the aisle of the theatre and said he was “leaving” before going over to Timothee Chalamet and shouting his surname, in the way he previously did on Saturday Night Live. Chalamet laughed along. Los Angeles wildfiresGetty Images This year’s Oscars race has played out against the grim backdrop of devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, which killed 29 people. The Grammys and Golden Globes both made the fires a central theme of the show. The Academy Awards mentioned it only a handful of times, signalling Hollywood is moving on. There was, however, one powerful moment, when host Conan O’Brien welcomed some of the firefighters who fought the blazes on stage, with the audience clapping and giving the emergency workers a standing ovation. O’Brien called them “heroes”, adding: “On behalf of everyone… thank you for all that you do,” he says. He said there are some jokes that even he isn’t brave enough to tell – and asked some of the firefighters to read them out instead. He insists the crowd will have to laugh. Los Angeles Fire Captain Erik Scott read one joke off a teleprompter that said their hearts go out to everyone who lost their homes – including the makers of Joker 2. It gets a big laugh and O’Brien calls it the best joke delivery of the night. Zoe Saldaña thanks her mommyGetty Images It was Zoe Saldaña’s first Oscar, winning best supporting actress for Emilia Pérez – a musical about a transgender ******** drug lord – and it marked one of the most powerful and emotional speeches of the night. She broke down in tears immediately, crying out “Mommy”, to her mother in the audience. “I am floored by this honour,” she wept, paying tribute to her fellow nominees for their “loving and community”, saying “I will pay it forward”. Praising the film’s cast and crew, she got emotional as she talked about her family. “Everything brave, outrageous and good I’ve ever done in my life is because of you,” she said, praising her husband, his “beautiful hair” and their three sons. “My grandmother came to this country in 1961 – I am a proud child of immigrant parents with dreams and dignity and hardworking hands. “I’m the first American of Dominican origin to accept an Academy Award and I know I won’t be the last. “Getting an award where I got to sing and speak in Spanish – this is for my grandmother.” ‘We couldn’t get a visa’Getty Images The month-long saga to obtain a US visa by two Iranian filmmakers ended in the pair winning the best animated short film Academy Award – with them rushing to even make the ceremony in Hollywood. Hossein Molayemi and Shirin Sohani arrived at Los Angeles airport just hours before the Oscar award ceremony as due to begin. After their plane landed, they quickly changed outfits in a public restroom and made it with only moments to go before they would win their award for their film, In the Shadow of the Cypress. “It’s not our fault we are so late,” Sohani said on stage. “We couldn’t get a visa. It’s a difficult relationship” between the US and Iran, she explained. “We are going to dedicate our award just to the fact we managed to make this film under the extraordinary circumstances of our country; until yesterday we hadn’t obtained our visa and now we are standing here with this statuette in our hands,” said Molayemi. “It’s a miracle, and speaking in front of this expectant audience is very hard for us,” Molayemi said in his acceptance speech. “Yes, if we preserve and remain faithful, miracles will happen.” ‘Standing up to a powerful Russian’Getty Images As ever, politics reared its head during Sunday night’s ceremony. Oscars host Conan O’Brien made a quip about how Anora was “having a good night”, before saying: “I guess Americans are excited to see somebody finally stand up to a powerful Russian.” O’Brien must have been writing his monologue up to the very last minute, because the joke appeared to be a nod to the White House spat between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump. Meanwhile, the No Other Land documentary team descended on the red carpet wearing ************ scarves and Kufiya. Their film is set in the occupied West Bank. After they won for the film, the team took the stage and called out US policy in the region. Kill Bill star Daryl Hannah also veered into politics while on stage. She referenced the war in Ukraine, saying “Slava Ukraini”, the country’s salute, as she presented an award. But one person wasn’t mentioned. Here in liberal Hollywood, you may have expected jokes and barbs toward US president Donald Trump – but his name didn’t come up even once. Read more about this year’s awards season films: Source link #Adrian #Brody #Halle #Berrys #kiss #Mikey #Madisons #surprise #win #Wicked #stars #defying #gravity #Oscars Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Horrific allegations concerning ex-cop John Macrae, who is accused of child sex abuse Horrific allegations concerning ex-cop John Macrae, who is accused of child sex abuse Horrific allegations concerning a former senior constable accused of child sex abuse include one act that truly “frightened” the alleged victim. Source link #Horrific #allegations #excop #John #Macrae #accused #child #sex #abuse Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

NC Lottery Lucky For Life, Pick 3 Day results for March 2, 2025 NC Lottery Lucky For Life, Pick 3 Day results for March 2, 2025 The NC Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Sunday, March 2, 2025 results for each game: Winning Lucky For Life numbers from March 2 drawing 04-24-26-32-42, Lucky Ball: 12 Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here. Winning Pick 3 numbers from March 2 drawing Day: 4-0-2, Fireball: 1 Evening: 2-1-8, Fireball: 4 Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here. Winning Pick 4 numbers from March 2 drawing Day: 1-9-0-3, Fireball: 9 Evening: 8-2-7-0, Fireball: 4 Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here. Winning Cash 5 numbers from March 2 drawing 13-21-22-26-41 Check Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here. Winning Double Play numbers from March 2 drawing 03-05-09-20-27 Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize All North Carolina Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $599. For prizes over $599, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at North Carolina Lottery Offices. By mail, send a prize claim form, your signed lottery ticket, copies of a government-issued photo ID and social security card to: North Carolina Education Lottery, P.O. Box 41606, Raleigh, NC 27629. Prize claims less than $600 do not require copies of photo ID or a social security card. To submit in person, sign the back of your ticket, fill out a prize claim form and deliver the form, along with your signed lottery ticket and government-issued photo ID and social security card to any of these locations: Asheville Regional Office & Claim Center: 16-G Regent Park Blvd., Asheville, NC 28806, 877-625-6886 press #1. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999. Greensboro Regional Office & Claim Center: 20A Oak Branch Drive, Greensboro, NC 27407, 877-625-6886 press #2. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999. Charlotte Regional Office & Claim Center: 5029-A West W. T. Harris Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28269-1861, 877-625-6886 press #3. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999. NC Lottery Headquarters: Raleigh Claim Center & Regional Office, 2728 Capital Blvd., Suite 144, Raleigh, NC 27604, 877-625-6886 press #4. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes of any amount. Greenville Regional Office & Claim Center: 2790 Dickinson Avenue, Suite A, Greenville, NC 27834, 877-625-6886 press #5. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999. Wilmington Regional Office & Claim Center: 123 North Cardinal Drive Extension, Suite 140, Wilmington, NC 28405, 877-625-6886 press #6. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999. Check previous winning numbers and payouts at [Hidden Content]. When are the North Carolina Lottery drawings held? Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. Mega Millions: 11 p.m. Tuesday and Friday. Lucky for Life: 10:38 p.m. daily. Pick 3, 4: 3:00 p.m. and 11:22 p.m. daily. Cash 5: 11:22 p.m. daily. This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Carolina Connect editor. You can send feedback using this form. This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: NC Lottery Lucky For Life, Pick 3 Day results for March 2, 2025 Source link #Lottery #Lucky #Life #Pick #Day #results #March Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Best red carpet looks at the 2025 Oscars – CNN Best red carpet looks at the 2025 Oscars – CNN Best red carpet looks at the 2025 Oscars CNNOur Favorite Photos From the Oscars Red Carpet The New York TimesOscars 2025 live updates: ‘Anora’ sweeps top categories, including best picture and best actress The Associated PressOscars 2025: Watch all acceptance speeches from the 97th Academy Awards ABC7 Los Angeles Source link #red #carpet #Oscars #CNN Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Corey Warner re-signs with Sydney in boost to Swans’ hopes of retaining brother Chad Warner Corey Warner re-signs with Sydney in boost to Swans’ hopes of retaining brother Chad Warner Sydney’s hopes of retaining Chad Warner amid significant interest from WA clubs have been boosted, with the Swans locking in the star midfielder’s brother Corey on a two-year contract extension. The younger Warner, aged 21, will remain at the NSW club until at least the end of 2027 with the fresh deal. It’s a move that will not hurt the chances of the Swans keeping a hold of his All-*********** older brother as he weighs up his future, with both West Coast and Fremantle poised to make a big play to bring him back to WA when his contract expires at season’s end. Corey Warner, who has played six AFL games, said he was “thankful” new Sydney coach Dean Cox and the club had shown faith in him. “It’s huge. I’ve been at the club for a few years now so to continue here, it’s definitely a privilege,” Warner said. “Coxy has been really good. He’s always backing me in, always pushing me to take on the game, and I’ve felt confident off the back of that. My forward role is quite team-based so to continue to do that will stand me in good stead.” The Warner brothers have been part of the same squad for the past three years after Corey was drafted with pick 40 in 2021. Camera IconChad and Corey in 2021. Credit: Ian Munro/The West *********** Swans football manager Leon Cameron said the East Fremantle product had enjoyed a “fantastic” pre-season as he looks to cement a spot at AFL level. “His VFL form as been strong in the last couple of years and we feel as though he’s ready to take the next step at AFL level,” Cameron said. “He is an extremely hard-working player and a popular member of the playing group, so we are thrilled he’s committed to the next couple of seasons.” More to come Source link #Corey #Warner #resigns #Sydney #boost #Swans #hopes #retaining #brother #Chad #Warner Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]