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Headstrong Lions won’t stop dancing: Dunkley Headstrong Lions won’t stop dancing: Dunkley Josh Dunkley insists his headstrong Brisbane Lions side won’t stop dancing just because the ice has thickened in their AFL premiership defence. Brisbane will launch their season against Geelong at the Gabba on Thursday, 159 days after reaching the peak in a dominant grand final defeat of Sydney. That MCG thrashing completed an incredible campaign from a side that had climbed back from 13th position to finish fifth, then recover from 44 and 25-point margins to reach the decider. At their lowest ebb, coach Chris Fagan told the group that “if you’re on thin ice, you may as well dance”. It was a saying that resonated and became the theme of their triumph. A relatively fluent pre-season has followed and midfield workhorse Dunkley is confident his men can continue that brave approach now they’re back on firm ground. “Mentality is a choice and we have a choice,” he told reporters on Sunday after training. “The last few years we’ve been a really good side, so there’s no reason why this year the mentality changes, just because we won a premiership. “It’s all about the present and being in the right frame of mind. “And we’ve preached the right message to the boys this year and are not looking any further than this week. “If you think that it’s easy, then it won’t happen.” Closely beaten in the 2023 decider, the Lions aim to snap the modern AFL trend that’s seen premiers struggle to back up. Collingwood last year became the fourth reigning premiers to miss the finals in the last eight seasons, with Richmond’s three-peat in between the outlier and Dunkley’s Western Bulldogs kickstarting the pattern in 2017. “That was a long time ago, my second season,” he said on Sunday of the Bulldogs’ 2016 crown. “We have talked about it, knowing a few sides have been through it. “But it’s just on us. It’s our responsibility; everyone here at the club wants to get to where we got to last year again and that starts this week.” Harris Andrews trained fully after missing Thursday’s pre-season game due to illness, while Lachie Neale, Jack Payne, Eric Hipwood, Callum Ah Chee, Hugh McCluggage and Lincoln McCarthy were on light duties but expected to train in Tuesday’s main session. Defender Brandon Starcevich (concussion) is the only confirmed non-starter on Thursday from those not already on the longer-term injury list, with draftee Levi Ashcroft firming for his AFL debut. Source link #Headstrong #Lions #wont #stop #dancing #Dunkley Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Fortifications older than the Great Wall of China discovered in ******** mountain pass Fortifications older than the Great Wall of China discovered in ******** mountain pass When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. A part of the Great Wall of Qi that still stands today. Researchers in China recently found an earlier wall fortification that was built near it. | Credit: View Stock via Alamy Archaeologists in China have discovered a 2,800-year-old fortified wall that predates the country’s first emperor. The wall, which runs through a narrow mountain pass in the eastern province of Shandong, was first constructed in around 800 B.C. At that time, it was about 33 feet (10 meters) wide. But it was expanded during the Warring States ******* (circa 475 to 221 B.C.) to be about 100 feet (30 m) wide, the ******** news outlet Global Times reported. The archaeologists also found the remains of houses, roads and trenches nearby. The team discovered the wall’s age by radiocarbon-dating animal bones and plant remains from the same layer. The Global Times, among others, said that this pushes back the construction of the Great Wall of China back by 300 years. However, experts that Live Science contacted disputed this. (Live Science reached out to the Global Times for comment, but it did not respond by the time of publication.) This newly found wall “is, of course, not ‘the Great Wall of China,'” Gideon Shelach-Lavi, a professor of Asian Studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, told Live Science in an email. The newfound wall was built at a time when China was divided into a number of different states that were often at war with each other. Shelach Lavi noted that the different states often constructed walls during these conflicts. One of these walls is called the “Great Wall of Qi,” also known as the “Long Wall of Qi,” which runs east-west through Shandong province, roughly from Pingyin county to the Pacific Ocean. The exact length of the wall is unclear, but it would have been more than 200 miles (322 km). Related: Ancient ******** burials with swords and chariot cast light on violent ‘Warring States’ ******* But the newfound fortification is not part of the Great Wall of Qi, either, as that was built later, in around 441 B.C., Yuri Pines, a professor of Asian Studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, told Live Science. Pines called the newly unearthed wall a “very important” discovery and noted that it is at a narrow mountain pass that could have been used to invade the state of Qi. The new find suggests that there was a permanent garrison at the pass, likely made up of Qi soldiers, and that they built a narrow wall to try to block the pass. “That the garrison tried to wall the narrow pass northward is indeed very interesting,” Pines said. “But this is not a Long Wall, surely nothing on a par with the subsequent effort.” While the newly discovered wall fortified a single narrow mountain pass, the Long Wall of Qi ran for more than 200 miles. Live Science contacted archaeologists who discovered the 2,800-year-old wall remains but has not heard back at time of publication. Great walls RELATED STORIES —Did the Great Wall of China work? —The Great Wall of China is being held together by ‘biocrusts’ —Dozens of centuries-old stone grenades from Ming dynasty discovered at Great Wall of China The Great Wall of Qi was built by Qi, a state that was based in northern China, Pines wrote in a 2018 paper published in the Journal of the American Oriental Society. The wall protected Qi from invasions by other states south of the wall. While its exact route is unclear it ran east-west through Shandong province. Construction of the Great Wall of China started during the reign of the first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang, who ruled from around 221 to 210 B.C. The wall was later modified and renovated during the Ming dynasty (1368 to 1644) UNESCO reports. It was built to protect China from nomadic groups that lived north of China. When he started construction of the Great Wall, the first emperor made use of earlier walls built by the different states — including the Great Wall of Qi — and connected parts of them together to help build the Great Wall of China, UNESCO notes. Source link #Fortifications #older #Great #Wall #China #discovered #******** #mountain #pass Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Pentagon orders up to 3,000 troops, Stryker combat vehicles to border – The Washington Post Pentagon orders up to 3,000 troops, Stryker combat vehicles to border – The Washington Post Pentagon orders up to 3,000 troops, Stryker combat vehicles to border The Washington PostThe Pentagon is sending about 3,000 more active-duty troops to the US-Mexico border YahooPentagon Sending Combat Forces to the Border in Line With Trump Directive The New York TimesDOD Statement on Deployment of Stryker Brigade Combat Team to Help Secure Our Southern Border Department of DefensePresident Trump orders additional troops, armored vehicles to southern border USA TODAY Source link #Pentagon #orders #troops #Stryker #combat #vehicles #border #Washington #Post Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

US to expedite delivery of $6.4b military aid to Israel US to expedite delivery of $6.4b military aid to Israel US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says he has signed a declaration to expedite delivery of approximately $US4 billion ($A6.4 billion) in military assistance to Israel. The Trump administration, which took office on January 20, has approved nearly $US12 billion ($A19 billion) in major foreign military sales to Israel, Rubio said in a statement on Saturday. The US “will continue to use all available tools to fulfill America’s long-standing commitment to Israel’s security, including means to counter security threats”. Rubio said he had used emergency authority to expedite the delivery of military assistance to Israel to its Middle East ally, now in a fragile ceasefire with ****** militants in their war in Gaza. The Pentagon said on Friday that the State Department had approved the potential ***** of nearly $US3 billion ($A4.8 billion) worth of bombs, demolition kits and other weaponry to Israel. The administration notified Congress of those prospective weapons sales on an emergency basis, sidestepping a long-standing practice of giving the chairs and ranking members of the House Foreign Affairs and Senate Foreign Relations Committees the opportunity to review the ***** and ask for more information before making a formal notification to Congress. Friday’s announcements marked the second time in recent weeks that President Donald Trump’s administration has declared an emergency to quickly approve weapons sales to Israel. The Biden administration also used emergency authority to approve the ***** of arms to Israel without congressional review. On Monday, the Trump administration rescinded a Biden-era order requiring it to report potential violations of international law involving US-supplied weapons by allies, including Israel. It has also eliminated most US humanitarian foreign aid. The January 19 Israel-****** ceasefire agreement halted 15 months of fighting and paved the way for talks on ending the war, while leading to the release of 44 Israeli hostages held in Gaza and around 2000 ************ prisoners and detainees held by Israel. Hours after the first phase of the agreed ceasefire was set to expire, Israel said early on Sunday it would adopt a proposal by Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, for a temporary ceasefire in Gaza for the Ramadan and Passover periods. Israel and ****** have accused each other of violating the ceasefire, casting doubt over the second phase of the deal meant to include releases of additional hostages and prisoners as well as steps toward a permanent end of the war. Source link #expedite #delivery #6.4b #military #aid #Israel Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Intel delaying $28B chip factory in New Albany, Ohio to 2030 Intel delaying $28B chip factory in New Albany, Ohio to 2030 Intel (INTC) is reportedly delaying plans for its $28 billion chip factory in New Albany, Ohio, according to local outlet The Columbia Dispatch, which is now scheduled to be completed in 2030 and begin operations as late as 2031. Brad Smith and Julie Hyman expand upon these headlines, referencing Intel’s own search for a new CEO since Pat Gelsinger’s sudden departure in late 2024 and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company’s (TSM) own interest in acquiring a segment of Intel. To watch more expert insights and analysis on the latest market action, check out more Wealth here. This post was written by Luke Carberry Mogan. Source link #Intel #delaying #28B #chip #factory #Albany #Ohio Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Israel approves temporary extension of Gaza ceasefire – BBC.com Israel approves temporary extension of Gaza ceasefire – BBC.com Israel approves temporary extension of Gaza ceasefire BBC.comGaza ceasefire hits expiration date with Israel and ****** split on way forward CNNIsrael Accepts US Proposal for Gaza Truce, Urges ****** to Join BloombergAs truce enters limbo, Israel gives diplomacy with ****** one last chance before resuming war The Times of IsraelIsrael to adopt Wiktoff’s proposal for temporary ceasefire over Ramadan, Passover The Jerusalem Post Source link #Israel #approves #temporary #extension #Gaza #ceasefire #BBC.com Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

First-time father left with regrets before birth of first child First-time father left with regrets before birth of first child A Gold Coast couple were preparing to be new parents when the unexpected happened, turning their lives upside down. Source link #Firsttime #father #left #regrets #birth #child Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Spirit AeroSystems reports $577 million quarterly operating loss Spirit AeroSystems reports $577 million quarterly operating loss (Reuters) -Spirit AeroSystems reported a $577 million fourth-quarter operating loss on Friday, swinging from $215 million in operating income a year earlier, which was helped by a funding agreement with key customer Boeing. The major supplier to the U.S. planemaker reported $2.1 billion in net losses for 2024, and it “will need to obtain additional funding to sustain operations, as we expect to continue generating operating losses for the foreseeable future,” the company said in its earnings announcement on Friday. Its two key customers — Boeing and European rival Airbus — already agreed in the fourth quarter to provide cash infusions: $350 million in advance payments from Boeing and up to $107 million in non-interest bearing credit from Airbus. In November, Spirit warned that there was “substantial doubt” it would be able to continue as a going concern. Boeing is in the process of acquiring its Wichita-based former subsidiary in a deal expected to close by mid-year, said President and CEO Pat Shanahan in a statement. Spirit Aero reported free cash flow, a metric closely watched by investors, of $91 million during the quarter compared with $42 million a year earlier. Revenue declined 9% to $1.65 billion during the quarter. Spirit, which produces aerostructure parts for both Boeing and Airbus, said its deliveries were up on models for both planemakers during the quarter. “Deliveries were up twofold on the 737, 37% on the A220 and 15% on the A350 compared to the prior quarter,” said Chief Financial Officer Irene Esteves in a statement. “We believe this progress demonstrates that, with the right customer support, we are able to meet current demands while also investing for future production rate increases.” The company did not give guidance for 2025, but it expects “significant reductions” in projected revenue and cash flows for the year due to production changes at Boeing, lower than planned 737 production rates and no price increases on Airbus programs, the announcement said. The fourth quarter losses include net forward losses of $440 million — $167 million on its Boeing 787 program, $73 million for Airbus’ A220 and $64 million on its Airbus A350 program — due to production performance issues and higher labor and supply chain costs. (Reporting By Allison Lampert in Montreal and Dan Catchpole in Seattle; Editing by Bill Berkrot and David Gregorio) Source link #Spirit #AeroSystems #reports #million #quarterly #operating #loss Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Judge rules that Trump’s firing of whistleblower office chief was unlawful Judge rules that Trump’s firing of whistleblower office chief was unlawful The head of a federal watchdog agency must remain in his job, a judge in Washington ruled on Saturday, saying President Trump’s bid to remove the special counsel was unlawful. U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson sided with Hampton Dellinger, who leads the Office of Special Counsel, in a legal battle over the president’s authority to oust the head of the independent agency that’s likely headed back to the U.S. Supreme Court. Dellinger sued Trump last month after he was fired, even though the law says special counsels can be removed by the president “only for inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office.” Jackson, who was nominated to the bench by Democratic president Barack Obama, quickly reinstated Dellinger in the job while he pursued his case. Jackson rejected the Trump administration’s claims that the special counsel’s removal protections are unconstitutional because they prevent the president from rightfully installing his preferred agency head. The judge said allowing the president to remove the special counsel at will would have a chilling effect on his crucial duties, which include guarding the federal workforce from ******** personnel actions, such as retaliation for whistleblowing. “The Special Counsel is supposed to withstand the winds of political change and help ensure that no government servant of either party becomes the subject of prohibited employment practices or faces reprisals for calling out wrongdoing — by holdovers from a previous administration or by officials of the new one,” Jackson wrote in her decision. The Justice Department quickly filed court papers indicating it will challenge the ruling to Washington’s federal appeals court. The case has already gone up once to the Supreme Court, which previously temporarily allowed Dellinger to remain in his job. The ruling comes as Dellinger is challenging the removal of probationary workers who were fired as part of the Trump administration’s massive overhaul of the government. A federal board on Tuesday halted the terminations of several probationary workers after Dellinger said their firings may have been unlawful. “I’m glad and grateful to see the court confirm the importance and legality of the job protections Congress afforded my position,” Dellinger said in a statement on Saturday. “My efforts to protect federal employees generally, and whistleblowers in particular, from unlawful treatment will continue.” The judge said the special counsel has a “unique status and mission,” which requires independence from the president to ensure he can carry out his responsibilities. The office investigates whistleblower claims of reprisal, can pursue disciplinary action against employees who punish whistleblowers and provides a channel for employees to disclose government wrongdoing. “If I don’t have independence, if I can be removed for no good reason, federal employees are going to have no good reason to come to me,” Dellinger told reporters outside Washington’s federal courthouse after a recent hearing. The Office of Special Counsel is also responsible for enforcing the Hatch Act, which restricts the partisan political activities of government workers. Dellinger’s firing came as Trump administration employees have touted their support on social media for his policies even though the Hatch Act is meant to restrict political advocacy while on duty. The Justice Department employed sweeping language in urging the Supreme Court last month to allow the termination of the head of an obscure federal agency with limited power. Acting Solicitor General Sarah Harris wrote in court papers that the lower court had crossed “a constitutional red line” by blocking Dellinger’s firing and stopping Trump “from shaping the agenda of an executive-branch agency in the new administration’s critical first days.” Dellinger was appointed by Democratic President Joe Biden and confirmed by the Senate to a five-year term in February 2024. Source link #Judge #rules #Trumps #firing #whistleblower #office #chief #unlawful Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Gervonta Davis vs. Lamont ****** live results, round-by-round updates, ring walks, start time for Tank's return – Yahoo Sports Gervonta Davis vs. Lamont ****** live results, round-by-round updates, ring walks, start time for Tank's return – Yahoo Sports Gervonta Davis vs. Lamont ****** live results, round-by-round updates, ring walks, start time for Tank’s return Yahoo SportsGervonta ‘Tank’ Davis Vs. Lamont ****** Jr Results: Fight Card Results ForbesGervonta Davis vs. Lamont ****** Jr. fight results: Live boxing updates, highlights, undercard, scorecard CBS SportsTank Davis vs Lamont ******: Live streaming updates and results, round by round, how to watch, PPV price, start time Bad Left HookTank vs. ****** Results: Live updates of the undercard and main event MMA Fighting Source link #Gervonta #Davis #Lamont #****** #live #results #roundbyround #updates #ring #walks #start #time #Tank039s #return #Yahoo #Sports Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Spirit of Tas ferry to leave Scotland after govt U-turn Spirit of Tas ferry to leave Scotland after govt U-turn A new Spirit of Tasmania ferry is set to leave Scotland bound for the Apple Isle after lease talks spectacularly fell through. The first of two $900 million Spirit of Tasmania replacement vessels has been docked in the Scottish town of Leith since early December as a required port in Devonport in the state’s northwest hasn’t been built. Its operator TT-Line in late January said it had entered “commercial negotiations” after receiving an offer to lease the ship. In a stunning U-turn, the Tasmanian government announced it had instructed TT-Line to immediately cease negotiations and begin planning to relocate Spirit IV to Tasmania. “TT-Line has been engaging with a broker in good faith,” Transport Minister Eric Abetz said in a statement on Sunday. “However, it has become evident that an agreement will not be reached.” It followed the Scottish government shooting down speculation it could lease the Spirit of Tasmania ferry to house Ukrainian refugees. Tasmania’s government has been paying more than $47,000 a week plus “ancillary services” for a minimum 30-day berth after the ferry left its construction yard in Finland. The leasing plan was described as a charade by Opposition Leader Dean Winter, who has called for the ferry to be brought to Tasmania. Despite a deal falling over, Mr Abetz claimed the government had acted in the best interests of the state’s finances. “We had an opportunity to secure an agreement worth tens of millions of dollars for the Tasmanian taxpayer, and it would have been economically irresponsible not to explore this,” he said. “Previous similar leases provided more than 50 million euros to vessel owners, and it was prudent that we sought similar arrangements for Tasmanian taxpayers.” He previously estimated a trip to house the vessel in Tasmania would cost millions. Spirit IV was meant to arrive in Devonport in late 2024 but the port likely won’t be ready until early 2027. Treasurer Guy Barnett was unable to say exactly when the vessel would depart and where it would dock in Tasmania. “The relentless negativity has not helped with respect to these negotiations,” he told reporters. In December, TT-Line interim chairman Damian Bugg said with the benefit of hindsight the company should not have gotten involved in the port build. The second of the new ferries is expected to be delivered in 2025. Source link #Spirit #Tas #ferry #leave #Scotland #govt #Uturn Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Ford Needs A Do-Over As It Recalls Hundreds Of Mustangs It Already Recalled Ford Needs A Do-Over As It Recalls Hundreds Of Mustangs It Already Recalled It would seem Ford is taking the “if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again” method for recalls with its latest announcement. Nearly 31,000 2022 and 2023 Mustangs were recalled last year for a steering issue. Sounds pretty normal, right? Well, Ford biffed the repair on some of them, so now more than 300 Mustang owners have to take their car to be repaired once again. The issue Ford first dealt with back in 2024 was that the secondary steering torque sensor wasn’t calibrated correctly. That means the steering wheel can turn side to side with little warning, causing a very dangerous loss of control. It’s less than ideal, but Ford wasn’t aware of any crashes or injuries related to the issue, according to Ford Authority. It wasn’t a terribly complicated fix either. Dealers just had to update the power steering control module’s software. Easy peasy… or so it seemed. 332 S550 Mustang owners got a bit unlucky with the fix, so now they’ll have to take their cars back to the dealers to get the fix re-done. Read more: F-150 Production Halted, Ford Temporarily Lays Off 9,700 Workers Re-Recalled Nexteer Automotive the affected part’s supplier, notified Ford of “an assembly issue on steering gears,” in May of 2024, according to The Drive. From there, Ford logged two warranty claims related to the issue and decided on the recall later in June. The Dearborn-based automaker is giving the impacted owners a bit of a break though. In a statement to The Drive, a representative said that customers can use “use pick-up and delivery and mobile service for this recall,” meaning they won’t have to go to a dealer themselves to get the problem fixed. Not bad. Ford and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration aren’t deeming this a “do not drive” situation, because it doesn’t sound like the steering defect is terribly severe, The Drive reports. If anything, this situation is just annoying for impacted Mustang owners and embarrassing for Ford — the most recalled automaker in America. Read the original article on Jalopnik. Source link #Ford #DoOver #Recalls #Hundreds #Mustangs #Recalled Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Trump signs executive order making English official language of US – Fox News Trump signs executive order making English official language of US – Fox News Trump signs executive order making English official language of US Fox NewsSouth Floridians react to Trump’s executive order on English as official language of US WPLG Local 10President Trump’s expected signing of executive order to make English official language could affect Arizona KGUN 9 Tucson News Source link #Trump #signs #executive #order #making #English #official #language #Fox #News Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Questions remain over dad’s Benidorm death Questions remain over dad’s Benidorm death Stephen Fairclough BBC News Family photo Nathan Osman was found less than 24 hours after he arrived on holiday with friends The family of a father-of-four who died while on holiday in Benidorm are flying to Spain to try and get answers about what happened in the hours before his death. The body of Nathan Osman, 30, was found at the foot of a remote cliff on the outskirts of Benidorm less than 24 hours after he arrived on holiday with friends in September. His family said attempts to use his bank cards were made the day after he died and fear others were involved before his death. The Spanish authorities have agreed to meet with Nathan’s family, who do not believe there has been an adequate investigation into what happened to him. Nathan’s brother Lee Osman and his sister Alannah are flying to Benidorm to try and speak directly with police about the investigation. “We’ve been totally abandoned,” Lee said. “There’s been zero investigation and we are fighting for answers.” Police in Benidorm have not responded to a request to comment. Family photo Nathan has been described as a “devoted” father by his family Nathan, from Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taf, had made a last minute decision to join his friends on a trip to Benidorm in September 2024. The devoted dad had arrived on 27 September and after spending time with his friends, said he would walk back to his hotel on his own to sleep because he was tired. The following morning, his bed had not been slept in. Later that day, his body was found at the foot of a cliff by an off-duty policeman on a waterbike. Lee does not believe Nathan made the journey to the remote location in the opposite direction to his hotel on his own, and said it would take an hour to walk up there. He added Nathan had “no reason to be up there”. “We strongly believe he was taken up there, whether it was by taxi or against his own will,” Lee said. “And something has happened for him to be found where he was found.” Family picture Nathan on the day he arrived in Benidorm The family said the day after his death attempts were made to use Nathan’s bank cards, but this was not followed up by the authorities. Alannah and Lee have also been tracing Nathan’s known movements on the night. They said he had been on a video call with one of his friends until his phone battery ran out. Carrying out their own investigations, the family discovered Nathan on public CCTV on the promenade, where they said he did not appear significantly intoxicated. They have found other premises with CCTV, but said the owners would not pass on any recordings without a request from the Spanish authorities. The family said they had repeatedly tried to find out how the investigation into Nathan’s death was progressing, but have been met with silence. They recently received a police file which Alannah said was “empty”, with the case described as closed. Nathan’s parents Elizabeth and Jonathan flew to Benidorm and identified Nathan’s body Nathan’s mother Elizabeth said there was “no empathy” from the Spanish police immediately after his death and claimed they were “treated like dogs”. Elizabeth said she had to identify her son by being shown a photo of a tattoo on his torso. She said not knowing how he ended up at the remote location is torturous. “Our boy deserves answers and we as a family deserve answers. Nathan wasn’t a drunkard who’d go out and forget about everything. Nathan was really with it,” she said. “Not knowing about that last hour or two before his death, it’s eating us away, day in day out, from the time we get up to the time we go to bed. We live this nightmare.” Nathan’s father Jonathan said: “They’ve done nothing, nothing at all. It’s just a total disregard for his life in every kind of way.” Nathan’s brother Lee is flying to Benidorm to try and meet police The family said they needed to travel to Benidorm because of their frustration and to hand police the information they have gathered about the time between Nathan leaving his friends and the discovery of his body. The Spanish authorities have agreed to meet them and discuss their concerns. Lee said the family will not give up in its quest to find out what happened. “We’ll keep going and going until we find out why – and how he got up there,” he said. A spokesperson for the *** Foreign, Commonwealth and Development office said: “We are supporting the family of a British man who has died in Spain and are in contact with the local authorities.” Source link #Questions #remain #dads #Benidorm #death Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Markets expected to be unfazed by Trump’s Zelenskyy outburst, but more tariff talk causes anxiety Markets expected to be unfazed by Trump’s Zelenskyy outburst, but more tariff talk causes anxiety US President Donald Trump’s extraordinary tirade against his Ukrainian counterpart has so far done little to spook global markets, but more tariff carnage looms large. Source link #Markets #expected #unfazed #Trumps #Zelenskyy #outburst #tariff #talk #anxiety Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Is a bitcoin price winter coming? Is a bitcoin price winter coming? Bitcoin (BTC-USD) prices have tanked lately, but it may be more a tactical retreat than a full-blown crypto winter. “I really don’t think that anyone should be worried whatsoever,” Professional Capital Management CEO and crypto investor Anthony Pompliano told me at the Bitcoin Investor Week conference in New York City on Friday. “If you … take a look at other assets, gold is down, stocks are down. This is a global liquidity conversation. It’s not a bitcoin-specific thing.” “Bitcoin just happens to be the asset that is most sensitive to global liquidity,” Pompliano added. “And whenever you get that sensitivity if liquidity is contracting, bitcoin will go down.” CCC – CoinMarketCap • USD As of 2:26:00 AM UTC. Market Open. The sell-off in bitcoin sparked fresh worries that the digital asset is on the cusp of another one of its legendary busts. The price of bitcoin dropped as much as 7% on Friday to $78,495 as investors digested rising fears of a recession and the looming tariffs by the Trump administration. Bitcoin has now fallen by around 17% in February. The asset has shed a stunning 23% since hitting a record high of more than $109,000 on the day after Trump’s inauguration. And the large negative numbers for crypto don’t stop there. Listen: How Robinhood’s co-founder is plotting crypto In February, investors have yanked more than $2 billion from spot bitcoin ETFs. This is the most significant outflow since the inception of the bitcoin ETFs. Ethereum (ETH-USD) is trading at a 14-month low. Liquidations have also picked up across the crypto complex, according to data from CoinGlass. Despite the sell-off, the enthusiasm for crypto at the Bitcoin Investor Week gathering is palpable. People Yahoo Finance chatted with — mostly professional money managers — view the pullback as a short-term price adjustment that’s typical for the industry. Attendees aren’t panic-selling, as they view the Trump administration as likely to push through stablecoin regulation and a strategic bitcoin reserve this year. The bitcoin faithful attend the Bitcoin Investor Week conference in New York City. · Brian Sozzi Robinhood (HOOD) co-founder and CEO Vlad Tenev told me this week he’s growing bullish on lawmakers passing stablecoin legislation soon. “I think so,” Tenev said when asked on Yahoo Finance’s Opening Bid podcast if the industry will get stablecoin legislation this year. “I mean, there’s already a stablecoin bill circulating, and there was one before the election as well. So I think this seems to be an issue where there’s more alignment.” Stablecoins are less volatile cryptocurrencies backed by US dollars. Story Continues Source link #bitcoin #price #winter #coming Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

In the US, DEI is under attack. But under a different name, it might live on – BBC.com In the US, DEI is under attack. But under a different name, it might live on – BBC.com In the US, DEI is under attack. But under a different name, it might live on BBC.comWells Fargo ends diversity policy for senior level recruitment, Bloomberg News reports Reuters6 big companies ditching DEI — and 6 that are sticking with it QuartzBlackRock flips script on DEI policies in company-wide email: ‘Announcing several changes’ Fox BusinessBlackRock Ends Diversity Goals, Merges DEI Staff Into New Team Bloomberg Source link #DEI #attack #live #BBC.com Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Keir Starmer gives Volodymyr Zelensky ‘full backing’ in warm No 10 welcome Keir Starmer gives Volodymyr Zelensky ‘full backing’ in warm No 10 welcome Watch: Zelensky meets Starmer at Downing Street Sir Keir Starmer has told Volodymyr Zelensky he has “full backing across the United Kingdom” as the two met in Downing Street. The Ukrainian president told the prime minister he was happy his country had “such friends”, after arriving in the *** in the wake of a White House meeting with US President Donald Trump that descended into a row between the two leaders. Zelensky and Sir Keir also signed a £2.26bn loan for Ukrainian military supplies, that will be repaid using profits from frozen Russian assets. After Saturday’s meeting, Sir Keir spoke with Trump, and French President Emmanuel Macron. The prime minister will host a summit of European leaders in London on Sunday on efforts to bring the Russia-Ukraine war to an end, as well as wider European defence, while Zelensky will also meet King Charles III. Those meetings will now be overshadowed by events in Washington and concerns about a hardening of relations with the US. In recent weeks, the prime minister has sought to cast himself as a bridge between the US and Europe as it adapts to the Trump administration’s desire to be less involved in European defence, having a cordial meeting with Trump a day before Zelensky’s. During that meeting, he hand-delivered a letter from the King inviting Trump – who is fond of the Royal Family – to an unprecedented second state visit, which SNP MPs called on the PM to withdraw following the Oval Office spat. Sir Keir has also attempted to be a conduit for Ukraine as it seeks US security guarantees in any peace deal – contacting both Trump and Zelensky by phone on Friday evening in the aftermath of their row. The visit to Downing Street on Saturday was an opportunity for the PM to demonstrate his continued support for Zelensky following the public falling-out with Trump. Remarking on cheers he heard outside, Sir Keir told the Ukrainian leader: “That is the people of the United Kingdom coming out to demonstrate how much they support you, how much they support Ukraine.” He added: “We stand with you and Ukraine for as long as it may take.” Zelensky replied: “I saw a lot of people and I want to thank you, the people of the United Kingdom, [for] such big support from the very beginning of this war.” He said he was happy about meeting the King on Sunday, and was thankful for the European summit. It is understood the meeting between Zelensky and the King was requested by the Ukrainian president, with the *** government agreeing to it. Following the Downing Street meeting, Zelensky praised the ***’s “tremendous” support, noting in particular the £2.26bn loan paid for through Russian assets frozen since the war began. He said the funds will be used to produce weapons in Ukraine, declaring: “This is true justice – the one who started the war must be the one to pay.” The loan was first announced in October. Watch: Starmer meets Zelensky in Downing Street Following the acrimonious White House visit, Zelensky has attempted to mend US ties. In a statement, he said of Trump: “Despite the tough dialogue, we remain strategic partners. But we need to be honest and direct with each other to truly understand our shared goals.” When his plane landed at Stansted, the Ukrainian leader wrote in a string of social media posts: “It’s crucial for us to have President Trump’s support. He wants to end the war, but no one wants peace more than we do. “We are the ones living this war in Ukraine. It’s a fight for our freedom, for our very survival.” Sunday’s summit in London is the latest round of top-level European meetings in response to Washington’s new approach to ending the war in Ukraine, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion just over three years ago. The Trump administration has so far excluded Europe from preliminary talks with Russia, while the president has been accused of parroting Russian propaganda. Top of the agenda on Sunday will be increasing Europe’s defence capabilities as the US steps back, as well as seeking security guarantees for Ukraine from the White House as part of any peace deal. Ahead of the last summit in Paris, Sir Keir proposed deploying British troops to Ukraine as part of a European peacekeeping force – but said this would require a US security “backstop”. Trump has consistently resisted fully committing direct military support to a Ukraine peace deal, but has offered closer economic ties including a minerals deal, which he said could act as a deterrent. Since Friday’s row, media reports from the US suggest Trump is considering cutting off aid to Ukraine altogether. At the same time, European leaders have recognised the need to increase defence spending – but experts have warned the ***’s military was currently not ready to take on an expanded defence role. Watch: From laughter to anger, how the Oval Office meeting spiralled On Sunday, Sir Keir and Zelensky will be joined by the leaders of France, Germany and Poland, the heads of the European Commission and European Council, and Nato’s secretary general. A special European Commission defence package will be announced on 6 March, according to Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. The Oval Office spat prompted European allies to mount a spirited defence of the embattled Ukrainian president. While diplomatic efforts to bring the war to a close continue, fighting rages on. Seven people were injured in an overnight drone attack on the north-eastern city of Kharkiv. Ukraine’s state emergency service said 64 people – most of them patients – were evacuated from a three-storey medical facility that caught fire after being hit by a drone. In Russia, the country’s defence ministry reported 48 Ukrainian drones had been “intercepted and destroyed” overnight. Source link #Keir #Starmer #Volodymyr #Zelensky #full #backing #warm Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Judge rules head of US watchdog agency must keep job Judge rules head of US watchdog agency must keep job A US judge has ruled Donald Trump’s firing of the head of a federal watchdog agency ********, in an early test of the scope of presidential power. Source link #Judge #rules #watchdog #agency #job Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

RFK Jr. Backtracks After Embarrassing Measles Misstep RFK Jr. Backtracks After Embarrassing Measles Misstep Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. backtracked two days after he dismissed the first American child’s death from measles in decades by saying that outbreaks were “not unusual.” “Ending the measles outbreak is a top priority for me and my extraordinary team at HHS,” President Donald Trump’s health secretary wrote in an X post Friday afternoon. He said that the HHS had sent 2,000 doses of the measles vaccines to Texas, which has become an outbreak epicenter. “My heart goes out to the families impacted by the current measles outbreak in TX,” Kennedy added. “I recognize the serious impact of this outbreak on families, children, and healthcare workers.” On Wednesday, though, Kennedy struck quite a different tone. Asked about the Texas outbreak at Trump’s first Cabinet meeting, Kennedy said, “There have been four measles outbreaks this year in this country. Last year, there were 16. It is not unusual. We have measles outbreaks every year.” The remark sparked outcry from critics who said Kennedy was downplaying the severity of the situation. Physicians have set off alarm bells about the outbreak that has affected 100 people in West Texas and New Mexico. The measles had been declared eliminated in America in 2000. State officials said that the child who died in Texas was “school-aged” and unvaccinated. The last-known previous death from measles was in 2015, when an immunocompromised adult woman succumbed to the disease. Doctors didn’t realize she had it until after her death. Before that, it had been 12 years since a measles fatality. Kennedy has a history as a prominent anti-vaccine figure, although he has rejected this characterization. During the Senate confirmation process, he repeatedly insisted that he was not going to “take away” access to vaccines. Source link #RFK #Backtracks #Embarrassing #Measles #Misstep Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Commanders acquiring Deebo Samuel from 49ers in exchange for fifth-round draft pick: Source – The Athletic Commanders acquiring Deebo Samuel from 49ers in exchange for fifth-round draft pick: Source – The Athletic Commanders acquiring Deebo Samuel from 49ers in exchange for fifth-round draft pick: Source The AthleticSources: 49ers trade WR Samuel to Commanders ESPNCommanders reportedly land wideout Deebo Samuel in trade with 49ers The Guardian49ers agree to trade Deebo Samuel to Commanders: report Fox NewsDeebo Samuel trade grades: Commanders receive high mark for landing star WR; Niners get mediocre compensation CBS Sports Source link #Commanders #acquiring #Deebo #Samuel #49ers #exchange #fifthround #draft #pick #Source #Athletic Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Most Republicans laud Trump after Zelensky showdown, but some express dismay Most Republicans laud Trump after Zelensky showdown, but some express dismay Watch in full: The remarkable exchange between Zelensky, Vance and Trump Most Republicans have backed US President Donald Trump and Vice-President JD Vance following their public row in the Oval Office with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Senator Lindsey Graham suggested Zelensky should resign, adding that Friday’s altercation had imperilled future US military support for Kyiv, but another Republican senator accused Trump of “embracing Putin”. Zelensky was asked to leave the White House without signing a deal with the US that would have jointly developed Ukraine’s valuable minerals. On Saturday, Zelensky enjoyed a much warmer reception from *** Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Downing Street, a day ahead of a meeting with King Charles. Watch: ‘Complete, utter disaster’ – Lindsey Graham reacts to Zelensky meeting The Ukrainian leader also made a plea on Saturday to the US to “stand more firmly” with Kyiv, adding that he was ready to sign the minerals deal with Trump, but wished for defined security guarantees. Trump has suggested that Ukraine should concede territory to Russia to end its invasion and has opened peace talks between Washington and Moscow. The American president has also warned Russia that he will impose high tariffs and further sanctions if President Vladimir Putin fails to end the “ridiculous” war. Before leaving for Florida after the Oval Office clash with Zelensky, Trump told reporters that the Ukrainian leader had “overplayed his hand”. Watch: Starmer meets Zelensky in Downing Street “Either we’re going to end it or let him fight it out, and if he fights it out, it’s not going to be pretty,” Trump said. “Because without us, he doesn’t win.” National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, who was in the Oval Office during the meeting, told Breitbart News on Saturday that Zelensky was too focused on fact checking and compared the Ukrainian leader to an “ex-girlfriend”. “It’s like an ex-girlfriend that wants to argue everything that you said nine years ago, rather than moving the relationship forward,” Waltz said. While Democrats said they were horrified by the showdown with a US ally, the majority of Republicans in Washington backed Trump. “What I saw in the Oval Office was disrespectful, and I don’t know if we can ever do business with Zelensky again,” said Senator Graham, a longtime advocate for Ukraine aid and a foreign policy hawk, as he left the White House on Friday. “The question for me is, ‘is he redeemable in the eyes of Americans?’ Most Americans witnessing what they saw today would not want Zelensky to be their business partner, including me, and I’ve been to Ukraine nine times since the war started.” Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville posted on X on Saturday: “The best thing President Trump has done so far is kick that Ukrainian weasel out of the WH.” Tennessee Senator Bill Hagerty posted on X: “The United States of America will no longer be taken for granted.” But other Republican members of Congress were not so enthused. Watch: ‘Unpleasant to see’ – Ukrainians react to Trump and Zelensky’s spat Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski, a moderate Republican who is something of a political thorn in Trump’s side, posted on X on Saturday: “I am sick to my stomach as the administration appears to be walking away from our allies and embracing Putin.” Republican Rep Mike Lawler of New York called the meeting “a missed opportunity for both the United States and Ukraine”. Fellow Rep Don Bacon of Nebraska said it was “a bad day for America’s foreign policy”. “Ukraine wants independence, free markets and rule of law. It wants to be part of the West. Russia hates us and our Western values. We should be clear that we stand for freedom,” he said in a statement. Neither Republican directly criticised Trump or Vance, who first quarrelled with Zelensky during the meeting. Democrats, meanwhile, lambasted the White House. “Trump and Vance are doing Putin’s dirty work,” Senate ********* Leader Chuck Schumer said. Senator Chris Coons said Zelensky deserved better. “We owe him our thanks for leading a nation fighting on the front lines of democracy – not the public berating he received at the White House,” he posted on X. Source link #Republicans #laud #Trump #Zelensky #showdown #express #dismay Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Raiders party in Vegas with big win to open NRL season Raiders party in Vegas with big win to open NRL season Canberra will be partying into the night in Las Vegas after kicking the NRL season off with their most impressive performance in recent memory, a 30-8 mauling of a woeful Warriors. The Raiders looked right at home before a big crowd at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, the fortress of their namesake NFL team, and picked up from a fast finish to an inconsistent 2024. But there was nothing inconsistent about Ricky Stuart’s side on Sunday (AEDT), with the Warriors looking completely lost in their first game of the post-Shaun Johnson era. New halves combination Luke Metcalf and Chanel Harris-Tavita could not spark the Warriors, who looked too flat for a team that had more members fly over for the second year of the NRL’s Vegas experiment than any of their three NRL rivals. Prized James Fisher-Harris had virtually no impact, coming off when the Warriors were down 6-0 and only returning when the game looked gone at 28-4. Raiders captain Joe Tapine went to the sin bin for a shoulder charge on Mitch Barnett in the 65th minute and could face scrutiny from the match review committee. With an extra man on the field, the Warriors had a late consolation try through Roger Tuivasa-Sheck on the veteran’s return to the wing. But a comeback never appeared on. Fresh from proposing in front of the Bellagio, Xavier Savage had two first-half tries down the right wing as the Raiders’ outside backs adapted to the thinner NFL field better than the Warriors’. In a summation of the Warriors’ struggles without Johnson, new halfback Metcalf threw a pass straight to Savage, who ran 90 metres against the run of play to make it 16-0. Earlier, off-contract Tom Starling staked his claim to remain hooker ahead of highly-rated rookie Owen Pattie by scooting out of ****** half to put Canberra in position for Savage’s first try. It was a night full of success stories for the Raiders; Corey Horsburgh looked sharp after a poor 2024, while Pattie held his own when he came on for his debut late. Hudson Young went from the naughty corner to the top of the class with an excellent game, shaking off scrutiny over his hotel brawl with teammate Morgan Smithies. Just after halftime, Young’s enthusiastic kick chase forced Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad to spill the ball and Seb Kris cleaned up to hit back following the Warriors’ first try. The Raiders went up 22-4 thanks to Kris, who had earlier scored the first try of the NRL season reaching out onto the chalk. Canberra’s easiest try came through Matt Timoko who ran down an inexplicably open right edge for a long-range try that all but sealed the result at 28-4. Savage went on report in the first half for taking Harris-Tavita’s legs out in a kick, while Nicoll-Klokstad was also cited for making boot contact with Horsburgh while airborne. Source link #Raiders #party #Vegas #big #win #open #NRL #season Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘It feels like we have a president who is putting America first’ ‘It feels like we have a president who is putting America first’ Comedian Chris Distefano told Fox News Digital that he hasn’t seen American pride on such a large scale since the aftermath of the terror attacks on 9/11. The comedian noted that, although the country is clearly still divided across political lines, he feels that people are becoming “exhausted” by the constant political strife and may be ready to start unifying as Americans again. “I think our country, honestly now, personally, I know that it’s very divided, but I think that — and it might be because of exhaustion, if you think the other way — I do think that we’re going to make a concerted effort to try to come together a little bit more. Of course, I could be wildly wrong, but it’s how I feel. I think that people are exhausted by this constant, you know, trying to shut everyone down,” said Distefano. Trump To Create Task Force To Plan ‘Extraordinary Celebration’ For 250Th Anniversary Of America’s Independence Chris Distefano feels that American Pride is making a comeback after Trump’s win in 2024. Distefano pointed out that the resistance to President Donald Trump’s second term doesn’t seem to have the same fervor it did during his first. “I mean, you look at this Trump presidency, the very early stages of it versus the last Trump presidency… I mean, people were trying as much as they could to get anything they could on him to try to remove him, people screaming in the streets, so mad,” noted Distefano. Read On The Fox News App He went on to explain that resistance to Trump seems to have lost the steam it once had. “The first three months of his presidency have just been like, yeah, there’s issues and people are trying, but there’s no real major like, upheaval, because I think people are like, all right, let’s just, like… this is it’s exhausting to do it the other way. So, like, why don’t we just try to… I do feel we’re unifying more as a nation,” the comedian said. Comic Ari Shaffir Urges Americans To Put Down The Phone, Turn Off The News, And ‘Find Some Joy’ In The World Distefano claimed the resistance to Trump’s second term has been relatively subdued compared to his first term, citing people becoming ‘exhausted’ with politics as a possible catalyst. Distefano continued by noting that American pride has returned in a way that he hasn’t seen in over 20 years. “There’s more American pride in our country than I remember. I haven’t felt… American pride like this since, like, honestly, like 9/11. Like after that. Like right after that, there was so much American pride, everyone came together. And now I feel it again, which I think is good.” He clarified that having American pride doesn’t mean American citizens feel they’re better than citizens of another country, but that they’re proud of who they are. He added that citizens of other countries should feel the same. “I understand America is just lines on a map like every other country, but there is something about having pride as a nation that’s just better for everyone. It’s better for us. I’m not saying America is the only be-all, end-all. I’m saying it’s good to have pride in where you’re from, as when I go to other countries, they have pride in where they’re from. And you see their flags flying, and they’re proud of something. And that doesn’t mean, hey, you know, we’re number one, so, you know, s*** it, Mexico. It’s like, no, be prideful, to be proud to be ********, be proud to be an American, and we work together,” said Distefano. Comedian Dishes On Why People Are Flocking To Podcasts For Their Information Distefano asserted that his job as a comedian is not to tell people what to believe, or what side to pick, but to make fun of both sides and make people laugh. As a comedian, Distefano feels that it’s not his job to tell people who they should and shouldn’t vote for, but to call it as he sees it and make fun of either side when it’s warranted. “For me, comedians, I think we call it like it is, and perception is reality. I’m in the middle, I’m Chrissy Grey-zone, I’m America first. I always have been, always will be,” said Distefano. “You know, it’s like who I voted for is like, you know, for me, it’s like, as a comedian, I feel like number one, that’s not why I’m here. That’s not why I’m in the public eye, is to be like, is to choose a side. I’m here to say, ‘here’s what I think the funny things are about both sides.'” He continued by noting that, while he does lay into both sides when fitting, one side of the political aisle has been stirring up anti-American sentiment across the country. “What I will say is the perception has definitely become over the last two years, call it — and I’m not smart enough to know why — that the Democrats are anti-American, and the Republicans are pro-American. That’s what it definitely became,” claimed Distefano. “What I saw is that Democrats were saying, you know, ‘America is, we have all these problems, and you should be anti-American, and, oh my God;’ where Republicans are saying, ‘Yeah, we have those problems, but you should be pro-American.’” The comedian also touched on what he thinks of Trump’s comments on acquiring Greenland and Canada potentially becoming the 51st state. “I think that even Trump’s efforts, like, who knows if the executive orders will pass, who knows if we’ll buy Greenland or Canada is going to be the 51st state? Who knows, right? It could just be wild things he’s saying. But I do think what it’s doing is trying to reassert an American dominance, which again, is just good for our pride as a nation. “I think, like, you’d be proud to be an American again,” said Distefano. According to Distefano, the recent resurgence of American pride can be compared to the levels reached after 9/11. He concluded the topic by pointing to the American flag as a symbol of our nation’s changing sentiment. “I remember after 9/11, if you didn’t have an American flag outside your house, people would be like, ‘what are you, a terrorist? What are you, with them?’ Then, it became if you had an American flag outside your house, 20 years later, people would be like, ‘what are you, a terrorist? What are you, with them?’” said Distefano. “And so, it flipped. And now I feel like it’s not even necessarily that it’s flipping back, I just feel like it’s neutralizing where people are going to say, ‘hey, I’m proud to be in America.'” Original article source: Comedian says American pride is back: ‘It feels like we have a president who is putting America first’ Source link #feels #president #putting #America Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

****** Stone, Hip-Hop Pioneer Turned Neo-Soul Singer, Dies at 63 – The New York Times ****** Stone, Hip-Hop Pioneer Turned Neo-Soul Singer, Dies at 63 – The New York Times ****** Stone, Hip-Hop Pioneer Turned Neo-Soul Singer, Dies at 63 The New York TimesAngie Stone, Neo-Soul Singer, Dead at 63 Yahoo EntertainmentSinger-Songwriter ****** Stone Dead at 63 TMZAngie Stone dies in car ****** after performing at MAMGA Grand Marshal’s Ball WKRG News 5Angie Stone dies at 63. The Grammy-nominated singer was killed in a rollover ******. USA TODAY Source link #****** #Stone #HipHop #Pioneer #Turned #NeoSoul #Singer #Dies #York #Times Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]