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Athena Moon Lander Beams Back Stunning Images Of Earth From Space – The Daily Galaxy –Great Discoveries Channel Athena Moon Lander Beams Back Stunning Images Of Earth From Space – The Daily Galaxy –Great Discoveries Channel Athena Moon Lander Beams Back Stunning Images Of Earth From Space The Daily Galaxy –Great Discoveries ChannelLiftoff! NASA Tech, Science En Route to Moon with Intuitive Machines NASATexas-based company that made historic soft touchdown on the moon launches high-stakes lunar excursion CNN InternationalIntuitive Machines’ Athena Lander Launches on Journey to the Moon The New York TimesSpaceX launches Intuitive Machines’ 2nd Moon lander, 3 rideshare spacecraft Spaceflight Now Source link #Athena #Moon #Lander #Beams #Stunning #Images #Earth #Space #Daily #Galaxy #Great #Discoveries #Channel Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Junkenstein’s Lab Paved the Way for Bold New Changes in Overwatch 2’s Stadium Mode Junkenstein’s Lab Paved the Way for Bold New Changes in Overwatch 2’s Stadium Mode Overwatch 2 is finally going head to head against Marvel Rivals with their newest season, which introduced the new perk system in the game. Yes, you heard it right, Overwatch 2 now has character-based perk systems that players can choose from and essentially change their playstyles. Overwatch 2 introduced perk systems in season 15 | Image Credits: Blizzard Entertainment This character-based perk system was something Blizzard promised us when they announced story mode for Overwatch, but after that was cancelled, we did not hear anything about it, except now. Let’s delve deeper into what the new system brings to the table and why it was released now. The perk system was supposed to feature on Overwatch 2’s PvE Blizzard Entertainment’s Overwatch 2 has brought in a little twist to the characters with their latest season, season 15, where players can choose their own perks in a way to enhance their character. This perk system gives the players two perks, one major and one minor, from which they also have two options to choose from. The perk system changed playstyles and strategies | Image Credits: Blizzard Entertainment We saw something similar to this back in season 13 when a limited-time Halloween game mode was introduced, known as Junkenstein’s Laboratory. In the game mode, players could pick different mutations for their characters that hugely affected the gameplay and changed various playstyles. The mode ran from October 15 to November 3, which was extended to November 11 because of how well the game mode was received. The perk system was first promised to us back when Overwatch 2 was announced and was supposed to be a part of the much wanted PvE (players-versus-environment) game mode. Since PvE got cancelled, players forgot about the perk system entirely, and now after it is released, players are speculating that the PvE system was already in development, but Blizzard was just sitting on it. In a recent Reddit AMA (Ask Me Anything), when asked about whether the gameplay element was always in the back of the developers’ minds or not, Overwatch 2’s lead gameplay designer, Alec Dawson, revealed that it was not. According to Dawson, the feature was added because they wanted something new in the game without changing its core mechanics. Actually neither! The true impetus for this was our need for a game system layer to introduce more change into the core game. Having some talents to pull from was nice to have but a large majority of the perks were built for the perk system specifically. The team had gotten really great at expanding kits, so there was plenty of good experience for us to bring good learnings into building perks. Junkenstein’s Lab gave us more signal for Stadium and how much we could expand the bounds of an Overwatch match while still making it feel like Overwatch. When asked if the new perk system will allow the players to choose more than two perks in the future, Dawson replied that they have just introduced the perk system in the game and are still unsure about the direction it is going to go. He reassured us that Blizzard could expand and improve the mechanics in later seasons of the game. Blizzard was successful in reviving the game Blizzard was successful in getting their playerbase back | Image Credits: Blizzard Entertainment This new perk system has proved itself to be one of the best additions in Overwatch 2, and using the new mechanic, players can now choose whether to be aggressive, defensive, or completely ability-driven. This gives players the ability to customize their own experience based on their preferred approach. This new mechanic has brought in a lot of new players to the game, as well as old players who switched from Overwatch 2 to Marvel Rivals. Although Blizzard’s new feature has revitalized the game, we are yet to see whether the perk system will finally balance the game or if the title will go back to its counterswapping strategies. Source link #Junkensteins #Lab #Paved #Bold #Overwatch #Stadium #Mode Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Three teenage girls charged over death of man, 75 Three teenage girls charged over death of man, 75 Google Three teenage girls have been charged with manslaughter over the death of a 75-year-old man. The victim – identified as Fredi Reviro, 75 – was attacked in Seven Sisters Road, Islington, north London, at about 23:35 GMT on Thursday and died the following day in hospital. The girls, aged 14, 16, and 17, were initially arrested on Thursday on suspicion of GBH by the Metropolitan Police. Police added that Mr Reviro’s family were being supported by officers. A post-mortem examination will be arranged in due course. The girls, who cannot be named because of their age, are due to appear at Highbury Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 3 March. Source link #teenage #girls #charged #death #man Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Bus ****** in Bolivia kills at least 37 people Bus ****** in Bolivia kills at least 37 people At least 37 people have died and 30 left injured after two passenger buses collided in Bolivia, police said. The ****** happened early on Saturday about 5km (3 miles) from the south-western city of Uyuni. One of the drivers was receiving intensive care while the other was in a stable condition, police commander Wilson Flores said. Images published in Bolivian media showed a badly damaged coach with its bodywork ripped off and luggage scattered on the roadside. The buses collided on the route between Uyuni and Colchani in Bolivia’s Potosí department after a “lane invasion”, local media reported. One bus was travelling to the western city of Oruro, where Oruro Carnival – one of Latin America’s largest festivals – was taking place. The vehicles were recovered by 10:00 local time (14:00 GMT) and those injured were taken to hospitals in both Oruro and Potosí. Those who died have not been identified and the condition of the injured is yet to be determined. According to local media, Cdr Flores said police were awaiting the results of alcohol tests taken by the drivers. Deadly traffic accidents are common in Bolivia. More than 30 people were killed in February when a bus plunged almost 800m (2625 ft) into a ravine between the cities of Potosí and Oruro. In January, 19 people were killed when another bus came off a road in the same region, also near Potosí. An average of 1,400 people die in road accidents every year in the country of about 12 million inhabitants, according to government data. Source link #Bus #****** #Bolivia #kills #people Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Losers no longer, South Australia target rare double Losers no longer, South Australia target rare double South Australia’s triumphant cricketers are setting their sights on an historic double. After soaking up their success in winning the one-day title, Nathan McSweeney’s team now want a long-elusive Sheffield Shield. McSweeney led SA to its first one-day title in 13 years with a comprehensive 64-run defeat of Victoria at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night. The double of a winning a one-day crown and the Shield in the same season has been achieved 11 times – but never by SA. Western Australia (five times), NSW (four times) and Victoria (twice) have completed the double. But McSweeney knows his adopted state, for so long the proverbial whipping boys of the domestic scene, may never have a better chance than now. “It’s a little bit of a monkey off the back,” McSweeney said after collecting the inaugural Dean Jones Trophy. “We’ll enjoy it but there’s a ******* picture – there’s a Shield final to play. “Everyone loves winning. And for us to get a taste of it, hopefully it kick-starts us – I don’t think we’ll get sick of it.” SA haven’t won a shield since 1995/96 but currently lead the four-day competition and are in prime position to host the final. With two games remaining, offering six points for each win, McSweeney’s team hold an 11-point break from next-best NSW. And the Queensland-born McSweeney believes SA’s 50-over success will feed into the four-day format. “It has obviously been a long time between titles,” he said. “The players we’ve got in our stable now have shown over the last couple years that we can do it. “It’s just, unfortunately, we had a bad hour in a Shield game or we had a bad hour in a one-day game and it has taken us out of the competition. “We’re getting a little bit more consistent, as seen in the Shield table as well. “So hopefully it’s the start of some strong years and it’s not just a one-off.” McSweeney said Ryan Harris, who replaced Jason Gillespie as SA’s head coach for this season, deserved much credit. “Something Ryan Harris has brought in to us is the belief,” he said. “We have defended 160 twice this year in the one-day comp. We got bowled out for 90 in the last Shield game and won. “From positions that we shouldn’t be winning, we are. “It’s a massive hats off to Ryano and the coaching staff.” STATES TO COMPLETE THE SHIELD/50-OVER DOUBLE * Western Australia: 5 (1976/77; 1977/78; 2021/22; 2022/23; 2023/24) * New South Wales: 4 (1984/85; 1992/92; 1993/94; 2002/03) * Victoria 2: (1979/80; 2018/19) (Footnote: Domestic one-day tournament started in 1969/70) Source link #Losers #longer #South #Australia #target #rare #double Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Archer Aviation stock takes off on new Abu Dhabi air taxi deal Archer Aviation stock takes off on new Abu Dhabi air taxi deal EVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft) developer Archer Aviation (ACHR) shares are lifting off on Friday after announcing a deal with Abu Dhabi Aviation. Julie Hyman and Josh Lipton also dive into Archer Aviation’s disappointing earnings figures. Catch Yahoo Finance’s full interview with Archer Aviation CEO Adam Goldstein from December 2024, where he discusses the company’s strategic partnership with Anduril Industries. To watch more expert insights and analysis on the latest market action, check out more Market Domination here. This post was written by Luke Carberry Mogan. Source link #Archer #Aviation #stock #takes #Abu #Dhabi #air #taxi #deal Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Video Blue Ghost prepares for lunar landing – ABC News Video Blue Ghost prepares for lunar landing – ABC News Video Blue Ghost prepares for lunar landing ABC NewsHistoric lunar landing by Austin-area based Firefly Aerospace is this weekend KXAN.comFirefly Aerospace Robotic Lander Approaches Moon Landing Attempt BloombergWhat time will the private Blue Ghost probe land on the moon Sunday? How to watch live. Space.com Source link #Video #Blue #Ghost #prepares #lunar #landing #ABC #News Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Sterjovski: Bulls’ exodus no excuse for ALM implosion Sterjovski: Bulls’ exodus no excuse for ALM implosion Mile Sterjovski insists Macarthur’s mid-season exodus is not to blame for a drop-off in form that has left the Bulls fighting an uphill battle to make the A-League Men finals. Sterjovski’s side slumped to a 2-0 defeat against Sydney FC on Saturday, part of what is now a run of just one win in their last six outings. The Bulls, who occupied second spot on the table at the start of the calendar year, have slumped to eighth. Their struggles have followed the club’s busy January transfer window during which Valere Germain, Jed Drew, Ariath Piol and Oliver Jones all left the club. Sterjovski has also been without four players due to U20 Asian Cup duty but said his list of absences was not an excuse for a performance against Sydney where the Bulls had just one shot on target. “It’s difficult, you when you make a few different changes, when you’ve lost so many players in the window, it kind of stops the momentum a little bit,” Sterjovski. “In saying that, I believe in the players, and I think we just need to lift. “We need to lift and start performing and find that momentum again. “We do have the quality. We do have the players, it’s about lifting. “(The club’s January window) is great, and it’s great to see what we’re doing at the club and the environment we create to develop players and to sell players. “At the same time, we were missing four with the Young Socceroos, so it’s difficult. “But when people leave, others need to step up and take their opportunities … we could have been better today.” Macarthur are now four points off a spot in the top-six and have a big challenge to return to the finals spots. “We don’t have time to see how things go, they need to step up” Sterjovski said. “I’m pretty sure every player understands the way we want to play and type of football and our principles. “We’ve got seven or eight games to go and for us it feels like it’s going to be a grand final every week. “I like that the run-in is against the teams that are above us. We need to beat the teams that are above us to deserve to be in the finals.” Source link #Sterjovski #Bulls #exodus #excuse #ALM #implosion Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Warm Fusion brings biotech and body horror to a gritty NYC of the future Warm Fusion brings biotech and body horror to a gritty NYC of the future It’s taken me a while to get around to any of the titles from DSTLRY, the relatively new publisher of creator-owned comics, but I finally jumped in this week with the series Warm Fusion, and wow are we off to a good start. Warm Fusion is described as “a dark, sci-fi thriller, mixing the body horror of David Cronenberg with the bleak urban future of Blade Runner.” It’s set in a future version of New York City where it always rains, and birth defects are common in the population due to a medical disaster caused by a pharmaceutical company. The story follows detective Jarrod Hannover and ******* Vin Young (aka Snow White) on an investigation into a series of strange and brutal killings targeting ******** workers. At the same time, we’re introduced to the immediately suspicious Nicholas Fleischer, a scientist working on an experimental treatment called Warm Fusion that appears to spur the growth of new limbs where they were previously absent. This series has so much going for it, from the impeccable cyberpunk vibes to a script that really draws you in. The first two issues have some pretty intense moments, and the pacing strikes just the right balance when it comes to building mystery and clueing us in on some of what’s going on to move the plot forward. Also, Vin’s whole character is just cool as hell, I love her. Issue # 2 came out this week, and the next is scheduled to drop mid-April. Warm Fusion is by writer Scott Hoffman and artist Alberto Ponticell, with colors by Lee Loughridge and lettering by Steve Wands. Source link #Warm #Fusion #brings #biotech #body #horror #gritty #NYC #future Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

****** graves are being moved to make way for an industrial park, drawing a mix of emotions ****** graves are being moved to make way for an industrial park, drawing a mix of emotions DANVILLE, Va. (AP) — A decision to move the remains of hundreds African American tenant farmers from a former Virginia tobacco plantation to a dedicated burial ground has elicited a range of emotions among the sharecroppers’ descendants. Some worry about the implications of disturbing the graves of people who were exploited and enslaved. Others hope the remains can be identified and reburied with more respect than they were afforded in life. The mostly unidentified remains are being moved from a site that had been part of one of the nation’s largest slave-owning operations, to make way for an industrial park. 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. When they were buried they weren’t considered fully human, but now they are “patriots who are coming out of their graves with equal rights in 2025,” one descendant, Cedric Hairston, said. Archaeologists have already started exhuming the approximately 275 plots, and some of the remains of tenant farmers and their families are already in a ******** home but will be moved to the new burial site about a mile away. Officials have been consulting with descendants about genetic testing on unidentified remains as well as designs for the new cemetery, including a memorial archway. “I don’t think anybody would want their ancestors exhumed or moved,” said Jeff Bennett, whose great-great-great grandfather was buried at the plantation. “But for them to give us a lot of say so in the new cemetery, down to the design details and the plaques and memorials that we put up, I feel like (they’re) really doing it in a dignified way, in a respectful way.” African American cemeteries have suffered neglect, abandonment and destruction over the centuries. But efforts to preserve them are gaining momentum, with communities unearthingand rebuilding these crucial links to past generations. While generally supportive of the project to move the graves, Hairston worries about the indignity of exhuming the graves of people who were brutalized as slaves and exploited as sharecroppers. “It just seems that 100 or so odd years after their death, there’s still no rest,” he said. The largest enslaver in the South Oak Hill was part of a family empire that enslaved thousands of people across 45 plantations and farms in four states, according to “The Hairstons,” a 1999 book by Henry Wiencek that chronicles the ****** and white Hairston families. Samuel Hairston, the plantation’s owner, was reputedly the largest enslaver in the South, Wiencek wrote. But the grand property has stood mostly empty and unused since sharecropping ended last century. The 1820s plantation house was destroyed by fire in 1988. Many who were enslaved at Oak Hill left after emancipation, Wiencek wrote. Those who remained as tenant farmers were often cheated of wages and faced crushing poverty and sometimes violence in the Jim Crow South. Some tenant farmers took the Hairston surname, in part because “we had no other name to identify with, as the government was collecting data for the census. We brought no last name with us from Africa,” Cedric Hairston said, adding, “Many of our women carried and birthed a Hairston child, never with the support of the law to report that they were ******.” The search for Fleming Adams Sr. One of the sharecroppers was Fleming Adams Sr., Bennett’s great-great-great grandfather. Known as “Flem,” he was born into slavery on another plantation in 1830. He later worked at Oak Hill, where he had to duck through doorways because he was so tall, Bennett said. Adams and his wife Martha raised three sons — George, Daniel and Flem Jr. — before he died in 1916. His death certificate lists his burial place as Oak Hill. “My hope is that we can discover where Flem is,” Bennett said. “He was 7 feet tall, so they’d be looking for a ******* coffin. And hopefully there’d be enough of his remains where they could do a DNA sample.” Most of the graves in the two secluded sharecropper cemeteries were marked only by moss-covered stones without inscriptions. Rows of depressions in the earth showed where the wooden coffins had collapsed below. Needles from loblolly pines covered many of the plots. ‘Open to anything and everything’ A public entity, the Pittsylvania-Danville Regional Industrial Facility Authority, acquired 3,500 acres (1,400 hectares) of land that included the former Oak Hill plantation, and Tennessee-based Microporous announced in November it would build a $1.3 billion battery production facility there. It expects to create 2,000 jobs. Virginia’s Department of Historical Resources granted a permit in late November to move the graves, noting that relocation is consistent with the desires of the descendant families. Bennett and others visited the sites in December. Silence fell as they walked into the first cemetery. J.D. Adams, an Oak Hill descendant, said a historical marker must be placed there. “We need some time in order to determine what it is we want and how we want it,” Adams told Matt Rowe, Pittsylvania County’s economic development director. Rowe replied: “I’m open to anything and everything.” The industrial authority has raised $1.3 million from logging the land to fund the project, which is being handled by engineering and consulting company WSP. WSP’s archaeologist, John Bedell, said everything would be collected from each grave shaft, even if it is mostly soil, and transferred to its new space, including the stone that marked it. The firm hopes to finish transferring the graves by early March. Work on the new burial site and a dedication ceremony will follow in the coming months. Mementos of past lives Bennett and others recently viewed personal items found in the graves. Protected in plastic bags, they included eyeglasses, a medicine bottle and a 5-cent coin from 1836. One man was buried with a light bulb, socket and electrical cord. Another man’s grave was lined with bricks, indicating he was wealthy, Bennet said. Those bricks will be repurposed at the new burial site, possibly in the memorial archway, and inscribed with the names of the deceased, he said. Descendants are reviewing ******** home records to try to identify those buried in unmarked graves. Given the challenging nature of the task, they may inscribe the names of everyone who lived in the area. “I feel like we’re reemphasizing the significance of our ancestors,” Bennett said. “It’s been generations since people used that area to bury people. And now we’re rediscovering their stories. And hopefully we can continue to tell those stories to the next generations.” Source link #****** #graves #moved #industrial #park #drawing #mix #emotions Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘Captain America: Brave New World’ At $15M Leads Second Lowest Weekend YTD, ‘Last Breath’ Gasping $7M – Box Office Update – Deadline ‘Captain America: Brave New World’ At $15M Leads Second Lowest Weekend YTD, ‘Last Breath’ Gasping $7M – Box Office Update – Deadline ‘Captain America: Brave New World’ At $15M Leads Second Lowest Weekend YTD, ‘Last Breath’ Gasping $7M – Box Office Update DeadlineBox Office: ‘Captain America’ Staying Above ‘Last Breath’ as Theaters Go Quiet Over Oscars Weekend Variety‘Captain America: Brave New World’ Three-Peat At #1 Weekend Box Office ForbesMarvel’s Latest Underachiever Exposes Weakness in What Was Once the MCU’s Strength | Analysis TheWrap Source link #Captain #America #Brave #World #15M #Leads #Lowest #Weekend #YTD #Breath #Gasping #Box #Office #Update #Deadline Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Magnitude 4.4 quake rattles Queensland coast Magnitude 4.4 quake rattles Queensland coast A magnitude 4.4 earthquake has rattled northeastern Queensland’s coast, seismologists say. Geoscience Australia said the quake struck at 9.31pm on Saturday near Townsville at a depth of about 10km. “A lot of people felt this earthquake,” Geoscience Australia seismologist Phil Cummins said. “It was relatively shallow.” He said there were reports of the quake being felt 300km north of Townsville and 300km south of the city along the Queensland coast. The Joint *********** Tsunami Warning Centre said there was no risk of a tsunami to the *********** mainland or surrounding islands or territories from the earthquake. Source link #Magnitude #quake #rattles #Queensland #coast Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Mysterious tunnels sketched by Leonardo da Vinci in the late 1400s may have been found Mysterious tunnels sketched by Leonardo da Vinci in the late 1400s may have been found Sign up for CNN’s Wonder Theory science newsletter. Explore the universe with news on fascinating discoveries, scientific advancements and more. Leonardo da Vinci excelled in the fields of art and science, but the Italian polymath was also a highly skilled expert in military structures and defensive systems, breaking new ground in the strategy of warfare during the Renaissance with his designs and inventions. Now, scientists have uncovered a hidden feature underneath a medieval castle in Milan, Italy, that researchers once could only speculate about based on a sketch of Leonardo’s from around 1495 and references in other historical sources — underground passageways that were likely intended for soldiers to use in the event that the castle’s defenses had been breached. The discovery, which the Politecnico di Milano announced in January, came about through a series of surveys that aimed to digitize the 15th century Sforza Castle’s underground structures through nondestructive methods such as ground-penetrating radar and laser scanning. The surveys, which ran from 2021 to 2023, began as a doctoral thesis for Francesca Biolo, who is now an architect and research fellow in the department of architecture, built environment and construction engineering at the Politecnico di Milano. Leonardo likely depicted the concealed passageways in a sketch of defensive structures that closely resemble those seen in the Sforza Castle. Next to the castle sketch is a study Leonardo did of St. James in preparation for his famous mural “The Last Supper.” – Gravure Francaise/Alamy Stock Photo “Our findings serve as yet another reminder of how deeply embedded history is within our cities,” Biolo said in an email. “Only through awareness of this fact, combined with a thorough understanding of history and architecture, can we truly appreciate the importance of preserving and enhancing our cultural and architectural heritage.” The extent of Leonardo’s involvement in the construction of the castle is unclear, but the finding “reinforces the influence of this great thinker on the history and architectural development of the Sforza Castle,” she added. Secret tunnels at the Sforza Castle Biolo and her team originally intended to digitize the area underneath the Ghirlanda, a protective outer wall of the castle. It features a well-known underground passageway that runs along the perimeter of the castle’s moat and is accessible to tourists. But to the researchers’ surprise, their survey revealed a second secret tunnel that experts had only hypothesized about for years. The second tunnel runs parallel to the first one, about 1 meter (3 feet) beneath the surface. It is believed that soldiers would have used the concealed route to defend and reclaim the Ghirlanda against enemy forces, Biolo said. The researchers also uncovered other tunnels — almost all made of brick with a barrel vault, or curved ceiling — including one that heads in the direction of the Basilica of Santa Maria delle Grazie, the resting place of the wife of Duke Ludovico Sforza. Also known as Ludovico il Moro, Sforza was the duke of Milan from 1494 to 1498. Historical sources indicate the grief-stricken duke would have built the tunnel for easy access to reach his late wife, according to the Politecnico di Milano. More surveys would be needed to confirm whether the tunnel connects to the basilica, Biolo said. In addition to the tunnel, medium-size underground rooms were also detected at a second subterranean level, she added. Researchers suspect that there are more subsurface structures to be uncovered, although it’s still not feasible to map everything underground, Biolo said. The castle once spanned an area about six times the size of what stands today — the footprint of the building that is currently visible above ground is around 40,000 square meters (430,560 square feet), she added. The castle went through extensive demolitions and restorations during the Napoleonic wars and at the end of the 19th century. “These new findings, however, reveal that not everything was lost,” Biolo said. “The underground holds (traces) of our past — not just from this era, but from many others.” Researchers with the Politecnico di Milano mapped the underground tunnels using radar technology. – Politecnico di Milano Leonardo’s influence on Renaissance military structures Leonardo often spent time at the castle during the late 1400s as a member of the court of Duke Ludovico Sforza, who commissioned the artist for a painting featured in the property’s Sala delle Asse, or room of wooden boards. During this *******, Leonardo produced the drawings of defensive structures that closely resemble the layout of the Sforza Castle, including the Ghirlanda and multiple passage systems. “It is always important to be able to reconstruct the past as precisely and as firmly as possible,” said Dr. Francesca Fiorani, an art history professor and resident expert on Leonardo at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. “In the case of Leonardo, we know that most of his drawings, especially the architectural drawings, were ‘mental’ exercises, ideas for innovative buildings, but that they were not meant as blueprint for actual construction, just ideas of innovative building: paper architecture that existed only as drawings on paper, one might say.” The sketch of the passageways underneath the castle most likely depicted some improvements the artist was exploring for the Sforza Castle since he drew some features differently from how the castle actually looked, added Fiorani, who was not involved with the recent discovery. “Whether his drawings and the tunnels recently discovered correspond (is) a matter (that) needs to be determined with further investigation,” Fiorani said in an email. There is a “clear connection between the elements depicted in his drawings and the actual structures,” but at this time it is “impossible to determine the extent of Leonardo’s direct involvement in the fortress’s construction,” Biolo said. Nevertheless, the discovery highlights the notion that history is everywhere, even in places where it is least expected, she said. Biolo is currently involved in a project that looks at the enhancement and preservation of some municipal buildings in other Italian towns. “Perhaps what I hope for most in the future is not so much a new and groundbreaking discovery,” Biolo said, “but rather a growing, widespread, and conscious tendency towards the preservation of our heritage — especially that which is often forgotten — supported by the vast possibilities that today’s knowledge and technologies offer.” For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Source link #Mysterious #tunnels #sketched #Leonardo #Vinci #late #1400s Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Pope Francis spends peaceful night after breathing crisis, ******** says – The Guardian Pope Francis spends peaceful night after breathing crisis, ******** says – The Guardian Pope Francis spends peaceful night after breathing crisis, ******** says The GuardianWould Pope Francis resign? Experts say it’s unlikely – but the pontiff often springs surprises CNNPope Francis suffers health setback CBS NewsPope Francis had peaceful night, is resting after breathing crisis, ******** says Fox NewsPope Francis resting after respiratory condition suddenly worsens ABC News Source link #Pope #Francis #spends #peaceful #night #breathing #crisis #******** #Guardian Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Newscast Newscast Leaders react to the Trump-Zelensky row. Source link #Newscast Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Man charged with ******* after woman shot on street Man charged with ******* after woman shot on street A man has been charged after a woman was fatally shot on a suburban street in broad daylight. Police had started a manhunt west of Brisbane on Wednesday afternoon following reports of a disturbance, with a 27-year-old woman found on the footpath in North Toowoomba with multiple serious injuries. She was rushed to hospital in a critical condition but later died. Police on Saturday arrested a 29-year-old man in Roma and charged him with ******* with reckless indifference. He is expected to appear in Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Monday. Investigators are still urging any witnesses around West and Christmas Street in North Toowoomba on Wednesday from 1.30pm to 2pm to come forward. Source link #Man #charged #******* #woman #shot #street Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Russini’s what I’m hearing: Garrett’s potential path to Philly, Stafford effect on QB market Russini’s what I’m hearing: Garrett’s potential path to Philly, Stafford effect on QB market Bill Parcells had a famous piece of advice for NFL general managers and coaches regarding finding a quarterback: “Don’t go to the grocery store hungry.” Right now, some teams are absolutely starving. Just how desperate might they get? We’re about to find out over the next few weeks. At the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Starbucks wasn’t the only place rife with intrigue, and the buzz went beyond just quarterbacks. As the NFL gears up for its version of March Madness, otherwise knows as free agency, here’s what I’m hearing around the league: • The Matthew Stafford aftermath for the Rams, Giants, Raiders — and Aaron Rodgers • The Myles Garrett market, including how the defending champs could get involved • The Titans’ options with the No. 1 pick • The Bengals’ desire to keep their three stars in Cincinnati for the long haul • Big changes coming to Brock Purdy’s supporting cast? • The Kirk Cousins situation in Atlanta • Officiating tweaks — on the field and in the booth The breakup that wasn’t Matthew Stafford and the Rams’ potential breakup dominated conversations in league circles at the combine, though it was hard to find anyone who believed they would actually divorce. After gauging his value on the open market, two suitors emerged for the Rams star: The Giants and Raiders were willing to pay Stafford $90 to $100 million guaranteed on two-year pacts. Stafford met with coach Sean McVay on Friday at the Rams’ facility — ultimately, quarterback and team decided to stay together. Throughout this process, Stafford and Sean McVay’s relationship remained positive and open. Had the Rams dealt Stafford, Jimmy Garoppolo and Aaron Rodgers would have been potential options to replace him. With L.A. off the board, openings that would offer the 41-year-old Rodgers a chance to win now are dwindling. The Giants and Raiders will also be forced to pivot. Las Vegas is interested in Sam Darnold and Russell Wilson. GO DEEPER 2025 NFL free-agency rankings top 150: Where do Aaron Rodgers, Tee Higgins, Sam Darnold fall? Myles Garrett’s potential path to Philly The pass rusher market will be one to monitor. Garrett has publicly requested a trade from Cleveland, while Maxx Crosby, Trey Hendrickson, T.J. Watt and Micah Parsons are all eyeing fresh deals. Seventeen of the top 20 highest AAV contracts in the league belong to quarterbacks; wide receiver Justin Jefferson, pass rusher Nick Bosa and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb hold the other three spots. Don’t be surprised to see shuffling as those premier sack artists cash in — with their current teams or elsewhere. On Garrett, the Browns have remained consistent since his trade request went public six days before the Super Bowl: They are not listening to offers. If the Browns change their minds, I expect movement to happen as the draft nears and Cleveland GM Andrew Berry has to make tough roster decisions. I’m told the Philadelphia Eagles’ interest in Garrett is real. As fearsome as Philly’s defense was in the Super Bowl, imagine adding the 2023 Defensive Player of the Year? “Garrett could be this year’s version of Saquon Barkley for Howie [Roseman],” one NFL GM said. “He’s an impact add and isn’t a free-agent overpay. Howie’s not afraid to try stuff, and it fits where they are as a team.” How would the Eagles come up with room to fit Garrett? By letting some key members of their Super Bowl-winning group walk. Linebacker Zack Baun was a free-agent gem Roseman found last offseason, but he is now poised to cash in. Baun, edge rusher Josh Sweat, DT Milton Williams and guard Mekhi Becton headline Philly’s free agent class, and bringing all or even some of them back could prove challenging, especially if Garrett enters the picture — and you can be certain Roseman will have Philly in the conversation for Garrett. Eyeing the No. 1 pick The combine might be close to wrapping, but don’t expect new Titans GM Mike Borgonzi’s phone to quiet down anytime soon. Tennessee owns the No. 1 pick in April’s draft, and there has been interest from teams wanting to move into the top overall slot. League sources tell me the Giants have been a team to watch on multiple fronts as they try to find an answer under center (and have now struck out on Stafford). One avenue for New York could be to trade up to ensure they secure a QB who can lessen the heat on coach Brian Daboll and GM Joe Schoen. But will they have to outbid others to do it? Another QB option: Aaron Rodgers. The Giants have spoken to Rodgers’ reps about potentially coming to (or, really, staying in) New York. The Bengals believe they’ll be able to pay both wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase (left) and Tee Higgins this offseason, as well as star pass rusher Trey Hendrickson. (Jason Mowry / Getty Images) The Bengals’ plan: pay everyone The Bengals have made it clear — they want to get deals done with their stars. But the question I kept hearing from NFL execs at the combine: How are they going to pay all three of their guys? Wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, as well as pass rusher Trey Hendrickson are all due big paydays, and it seems something’s got to give. With the possibility of the franchise tag being placed on Tee Higgins, I was told Bengals decision-makers are stressing the need to get a long-term deal done with 26-year-old. The organization has not informed Higgins’ side about whether he will be tagged before Tuesday’s deadline. Meanwhile, Chase is expected to reset the non-QB market. An offer has been made by Cincinnati, but the two sides remain far apart in talks for now. If the Bengals can’t get deals done with all three, Hendrickson is most likely to be the odd man out. Kelce returns; Trey Smith tagged Travis Kelce isn’t walking off into the sunset yet. Kelce announced his intention to return for a 13th season as the Chiefs look to become just the second team ever to appear in four straight Super Bowls. Elsewhere in Kansas City, GM Brett Veach and company are expected to address the team’s offensive line this offseason. They continue to work to bring back guard Trey Smith on a new deal after placing the franchise tag on him Thursday. They could be in the market to add a veteran running back, as well. GO DEEPER 2025 NFL Draft Big Board: Who are the top 100 prospects in this year’s class? Deebo on the move, and maybe Aiyuk, too As the 49ers continue to navigate a looming Brock Purdy extension and an aging roster, I’m told teams have expressed interest in trading for wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. Aiyuk, 26, inked a four-year, $120 million extension with San Francisco last offseason after an extended standoff. He appeared in just seven games in 2024 before tearing his ACL and MCL in October. Niners GM John ****** said the team planned to honor wide receiver Deebo Samuel’s request to start fresh in a new spot. Washington — armed with cap space and looking to improve in Jayden Daniels’ second season — could provide a landing spot. Samuel is interested in playing for the Broncos and Texans, but neither team is expected to make an offer. The Falcons insist they’ll keep quarterback Kirk Cousins as Michael Penix Jr.’s backup, but other teams around the NFL aren’t so sure. (Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images) Waiting out Cousins At the combine, Falcons brass reiterated what they said in January: The team is comfortable moving forward with Kirk Cousins as its backup QB. “Michael Penix is our quarterback, and Michael Penix will continue to be our quarterback,” coach Raheem Morris said when asked about Cousins’ chances of retaking the starting job. Cousins will earn a $10 million bonus if he is on the Falcons’ roster after March 17, and carries a $40 million cap hit. Other teams have been watching the Cousins situation, but Atlanta has remained firm that they intend to keep him. If the Falcons ultimately decide to eat the dead cap and move on from Cousins after one season, he would be free to pursue a Russell Wilson-type path, signing a minimum contract with a team he feels is best suited for him while still being paid by Atlanta. Replay assist could expand — to a point A move away from the chain gang isn’t the only change that could be coming to officiating in 2025. The NFL’s competition committee is considering expanding replay assist to cover more penalties, including personal fouls, unnecessary roughness, facemasks, hits on defenseless receivers and low blocks. The idea is to give officials more support in getting these critical calls correct without slowing down the game. However, there’s a clear line they don’t want to cross: New York, or the replay system, won’t be throwing the flags. The league wants to avoid a situation where replay officials are essentially reffing the game from a booth. Instead, the focus is on helping on-field officials quickly correct obvious mistakes without overstepping their authority. It’s a tricky balance, but with so many game-changing penalties, it’s no surprise the committee is taking a hard look at how to improve officiating without overhauling the system completely. As for all things “tush push”/”Brotherly Shove,” as I reported on Monday, the Green Bay Packers were the team that proposed banning the Eagles’ take on the QB sneak. It would take 24 of 32 votes at the upcoming owners’ meetings to get it done — don’t expect that to happen. GO DEEPER Beyond the Sean McVay effect: Inside the coaching youth revolution that reshaped the NFL What the NFLPA survey means How does the NFL react to the NFLPA’s annual player survey release? I asked my “Scoop City” podcast co-host Chase Daniel, who says that despite the survey tweaking some owners who receive poor marks in various aspects of their organizations, the real purpose is to empower players — particularly pending free agents. An NFLPA rep for nine years, Chase was part of the group that created the survey, so players could make informed decisions about how potential new teams care for them and their families. “It’s actually worked to be able to get, 1) players in the right spot, but 2) hold teams accountable, because in the past, no one really knew this.” (Top photo: Tim Nwachukwu / Getty Images) Source link #Russinis #hearing #Garretts #potential #path #Philly #Stafford #effect #market Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Raven Forge And Ubisoft Announce Full-Scale Replica’s of Yasuke’s Wakizashi & Naoe’s Tantō Raven Forge And Ubisoft Announce Full-Scale Replica’s of Yasuke’s Wakizashi & Naoe’s Tantō Raven Forge have announced two brand-new full-scale replica swords from Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Both Yasuke’s Wakizashi & Naoe’s Tantō from Assassin’s Creed Shadows are available now for pre-order, with Naoe’s Tantō costing £139.99 and Yasuke’s Wakizashi costing £199.99. This isn’t the first full-scale replica from Raven Forge on Assassin’s Creed either, as late late year the company announced a full-scale replica of Assassins Creed’s Altaïr’s Sword from the original game. Yasuke’s Wakizashi The wakizashi, a revered sidearm of the samurai, was traditionally worn alongside a katana—a symbol of status, duty, and skill. This exceptional replica features an intricately wrapped faux rayskin handle and saya (scabbard), custom menuki (handle ornaments), and a tsuba inspired by the crest of the Oda clan. Every detail has been thoughtfully recreated to bring Yasuke’s weapon to life. Production dimensions: Full Length: 670mm Blade Length: 500mm Grip Length: 170mm Blade Width (base): 30mm *****: Full Weight: 776g Materials: 3CR13 – Tempered steel Edge: Blunt – Prop replica Pre-order ship date: Early August Naoe’s Tantō A weapon of both practicality and prestige, the tantō served as a trusted sidearm of the samurai and was also wielded with remarkable skill by the Onna-musha, the warrior women of feudal Japan. This faithful reproduction features a beautifully wrapped faux rayskin handle, ornate menuki (handle embellishments), and a strikingly detailed saya (scabbard). Production dimensions: Full Length: 430mm Blade Length: 295mm Grip Length: 128mm Blade Width (base): 26mm *****: Full Weight: 425g Materials: 3CR13 – Tempered steel Edge: Blunt – Prop replica Pre-order ship date: Early August You can pre-order both swords at Raven Forge here. What do you think of the full-scale replica’s of both swords? Which is your favourite? Let us know down below, and join the discussion in the official Insider Gaming Forums. For more Insider Gaming, check out our exclusive interview with a developer for Call of Duty’s SBMM system. SUBSCRIBE to our newsletter to receive the latest news and exclusive leaks every week! No Spam. Source link #Raven #Forge #Ubisoft #Announce #FullScale #Replicas #Yasukes #Wakizashi #Naoes #Tantō Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Woman dies day after vehicle hit her at Mississauga intersection, police say Woman dies day after vehicle hit her at Mississauga intersection, police say A woman in her 70s is dead one day after she and another woman were hit by a vehicle while crossing a Mississauga street, police say. The collision happened around 6:15 p.m. Friday at the intersection of Lakeshore Road W. and Walden Circle, police said in a post on X. The driver stayed on scene and both women were taken to a trauma centre in critical condition, police said. On Saturday, a spokesperson for Peel Regional Police said one of the women had succumbed to her injuries. The other pedestrian, a woman in her 60s, was still in serious condition as of Saturday morning, but is expected to survive, police said. Police have not identified either woman. Police say the woman who succumbed to her injuries Saturday was in her 70s. They say the other woman, in her 60s, remains in critical condition Saturday morning. Police say the woman who succumbed to her injuries Saturday was in her 70s. They say the other woman, in her 60s, remains in serious condition Saturday morning, but is expected to survive. (CBC) The driver remained on the scene, police said. No charges have been laid yet as the investigation is ongoing, police said. The intersection was temporarily closed Friday evening. Source link #Woman #dies #day #vehicle #hit #Mississauga #intersection #police Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

How Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley keyed Cavaliers’ massive comeback against Celtics How Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley keyed Cavaliers’ massive comeback against Celtics BOSTON – I am of the strong belief that “playoff atmospheres” only exist in the actual playoffs. There are, of course, games during the NBA’s regular season that feel ******* than others. Rematches, rivalries, and in the modern game, reunions of star players against their former teams after shocking trades. But when anyone, and I don’t care who, describes 1 of 82 as a “playoff game” or says the air in the arena had a “playoff feel,” well, no. It just isn’t the same. Players sit out in February when they wouldn’t in May; coaches spend a couple hours preparing for game No. 59, whereas they get days to prepare for Game 1 of a playoff series. I could go on, but it’s just after midnight on Saturday, every bar in Boston sounds like there are subwoofers under every stool, and we have the Cavs’ impressive 123-116 win over the Celtics to get to. The win meant Cleveland split the season series with the defending champs at two games apiece. Asked time and again on Friday if getting this particular victory mattered as a mental boost, an extra feather in their collective caps, the best anyone on the Cavs’ side could muster was a “yeah, kinda.” Coach Kenny Atkinson’s take that this was not a must-win for Cleveland was on point, because what happens in games during the regular season between teams that meet in the playoffs are not necessarily predictors for what will happen in those postseason series. GO DEEPER Cavs rally from 22 down, beat Celtics for largest team comeback in 11 years Regardless of what happened at TD Garden Friday night, the Cavs had already shown themselves to be a deeper, smarter, more cohesive group than the team that lost to the Celtics in five games of the 2024 Eastern Conference semis. They had proved they should be competitive in a likely conference finals against the Celtics. And Boston, of course, has shown it still has the firepower, toughness and depth to repeat as champions, no matter how far behind Cleveland the Celtics are in the standings. And I still would have felt this way had the Cavs buckled under the pressure of the “avalanche,” to use Atkinson’s word, the Celtics hit them with during the first five minutes of this game. Seven 3s and a 25-3 lead before the clock hit 7:00 in the first quarter. When Atkinson called his second timeout of the game, after just 4:49 had elapsed, the noise in TD Garden sounded like a playoff ga … I mean, it was really, really loud. I’ve been in arenas like this, where the home team is a great team, and it opens up a can of 3s and dumps it on the bewildered visitors. The Warriors used to do this all the time during their dynasty, and it never ended well for the team getting all those 3s dumped on its head. With the proliferation of the 3-pointer in the modern game, comebacks such as the one the Cavs answered with Friday are supposedly more possible, though this was the Cavs’ biggest comeback in 11 years. When the game was over, Cleveland made as many 3s as the Celtics (17), all the more impressive considering Boston had 14 of those suckers at halftime. But the Cavs’ ability to shake off such a poor start, with the Boston crowd collectively frothing at the mouth, is the first impressive part of this win. “We’re super resilient,” said Darius Garland, one of Cleveland’s three All-Stars who played like it on Friday, with 20 points and seven assists. “We’re not about to just let a game just fall away from us like that, or at least try not to.” The Cavs weren’t just down by 22 in the first quarter; they also trailed by 17 in the third. They cut their deficit to two points in the second quarter, then watched Boston (try to) pull away again. So really they mounted multiple serious comebacks in the same 48-minute game. A turning point, the Celtics argued, was Jaylen Brown picking up his fourth foul with 7:08 left in the third quarter and missing the rest of the *******. Boston was up 14 when Brown went out and led by just three points at the end of the third. Except, Brown was just the second All-Star to pick up a fourth foul and miss most of the quarter. Evan Mobley did that too, only he checked out of the game with 10:03 remaining in the ******* and didn’t come back until the start of the fourth. This is the second impressive part of Cleveland’s comeback — what Mobley did when he returned. Serve: Brown opened the quarter with a 15-footer. Counter: Mobley bombed a 3. Serve: Mobley ties the game with a hook. Counter: Brown puts Boston back up by 1 with a free throw. Serve: Mobley ties it again with a free throw. Serve (pretend it’s volleyball, with rally scoring, so the metaphor still works): Mobley puts the Cavs ahead for the first time with another 3. Cleveland never trailed again from that point. “He changed the game,” Atkinson said of Mobley. GO DEEPER Celtics brush off Cavs’ stunning comeback, prepare for potential playoff meeting It wasn’t just that Mobley came off the bench cold, having sat for 10 game minutes, to score nine points in a row. Or that he tallied 11 points total in the fourth, to go with eight rebounds. Or that he took – and canned – two 3s after sitting for that long. It’s that all of this happened after Mobley had what everyone agreed was a pretty bad start to the game. Through three quarters, Mobley had more fouls than field goals. Garland said he “tried getting (Mobley) to wake up a little bit in the first half,” to no avail. Mobley, the Cavs’ second All-Star this season, has been brilliant since the All-Star break. In fact, his last bad game was before the break, against the Celtics, in the last game Cleveland lost. Mobley shot 3 of 14 in that game, and seemed a step slow and soft in a big game. That’s what it looked like on Friday, until the fourth quarter came around. “The game rewards people when they stick with it,” Mobley said. “Just believe in myself, that’s the biggest thing. When you believe in yourself, you feel like you can do anything. Even with this slow start to the game, just believing in myself the entire game and eventually things started falling, and I think that’s the biggest factor in getting where you want to get to.” The Celtics’ Jayson Tatum enjoyed one of the best games of his career — season highs in points (46) and rebounds (16) to go with nine assists. Brown, despite missing most of the third quarter, scored 37 points. They are Boston’s two All-Stars and two of the best players in the NBA. On Cleveland’s side, Garland is an All-Star, but no one would call him a top-10 or -15 player right now. Mobley said it himself to The Athletic — in five years he sees himself, or Victor Wembanyama, as the NBA’s best player. But he’s not there yet, which leaves the Cavs with Donovan Mitchell as their guy who has to be the alpha. Mitchell responded to all of this mess — the bad start, the crazy crowd, Tatum and Brown — with 41 points, 26 after halftime. And that’s the third truly impressive item to take away from Friday. “You know, I talk about Evan taking over the game in the fourth … but for some reason, Donovan, and I’m the most culpable, I don’t give him enough credit, it’s crazy … but he was phenomenal,” said Atkinson, in his stream-of-consciousness dialogue that would make William Faulkner proud. Mitchell is “supposed” to do this. He’s made six-consecutive All-Star games. But living up to the burden of expectation is difficult, and in a game that looks like it’s about to slip away before the fans have found their seats, a veteran like Mitchell could easily do some math and decide this one wasn’t worth saving. Instead, he broke open the closet with a hatchet and tossed enough life rafts into the water to keep the Cavs afloat. Mitchell had an impressive run in the third quarter to get the Cavs close, and then when Brown tied the game for the Celtics later in the fourth, Mitchell responded with five consecutive points to ice the game. He shot 13 of 26 from the field, 5 of 12 from 3, and made 10 of 11 free throws, which suggests Mitchell was working for his shot all over the floor. He went to the rim as hard and as often as he searched for a 3-point shot. “It was like, no championship is won tonight,” Mitchell said. “So kind of just saying, like, look, all right, we got punched in the mouth. What are we going to do about it? You know what I mean? Like, how are we going to respond? And, that’s been my biggest message. You know that, like, I said that about every game. And tonight was another example, just a larger audience.” Yeah, I like that. It was a ******* audience — another national TV game for the NBA’s best team. That’s four in a row for the Cavs on either ESPN or ****. The Celtics didn’t have Jrue Holiday (finger injury) and Kristaps Porziņģis (illness); if it were a playoff game, both probably would have played. But it wasn’t a playoff game, was it? Just another impressive night in an impressive regular season that is certainly enough to generate real hope for what’s to come. (Photo of Donovan Mitchell: Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) Source link #Donovan #Mitchell #Evan #Mobley #keyed #Cavaliers #massive #comeback #Celtics Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Pedal To the Metal: Why Racing Games Need To Reverse Pedal To the Metal: Why Racing Games Need To Reverse Daily Video Game writes: “Today, eShop has kicked off a new digital game ***** that offers steep discounts on several of its first-party games and third-party titles from several publishers, including FDG Entertainment, Koei Tecmo, Digerati, Electronic Arts. COSEN, NEOWIZ, and more for Nintendo Switch gamers right now.” Source link #Pedal #Metal #Racing #Games #Reverse Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Zelensky wants US to ‘stand more firmly’ on Ukraine’s side Zelensky wants US to ‘stand more firmly’ on Ukraine’s side Getty Images Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he wants the US to “stand more firmly on our side” after his fiery White House exchange with US President Donald Trump. After arriving in the *** to take part in a European leaders’ summit, Zelensky urged the US to continue its support for Ukraine despite “the tough dialogue” between the two sides. Zelensky, Trump and US Vice-President JD Vance interrupted each other during Friday’s clash in the Oval Office. Trump told Zelensky to make a deal with Russia “or we are out” and Vance accused him of being ungrateful. European leaders rallied behind Zelensky, but Nato’s secretary general said he must “find a way” to restore his relationship with Trump. As he landed in the ***, Zelensky published a thread of 14 posts on X in which he reiterated calls for US security guarantees to form part of any “just and lasting” peace deal to end the war with Russia. He noted that Trump wanted to end the war, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022, but added that no-one wanted peace more than Ukraine. The ill-fated White House meeting was intended to precede the signing of a deal to give the US access to Ukraine’s deposits of rare earth minerals. Instead, Zelensky was told to leave early before it could be signed. Trump later told reporters that Ukraine’s president “overplayed his hand” in the exchange and that he would need “to say ‘I want to make peace'” to restart talks with the US. On Saturday, Zelensky said Ukraine was ready to sign the minerals agreement as “the first step toward security guarantees” from the US – a line he has maintained for days, but which Trump has refused to agree to. “But it’s not enough, and we need more than just that,” he added. “A ceasefire without security guarantees is dangerous for Ukraine.” He added: “All Ukrainians want to hear a strong US position on our side. It’s understandable the US might look for dialogue with [Russian President Vladimir] Putin. “But the US has always spoken about ‘peace through strength.’ And together we can take strong steps against Putin.” In Russia, the Kremlin’s foreign ministry spokeswoman called Zelensky’s visit to Washington a “complete diplomatic failure of Kyiv”. Maria Zakharova said the Ukrainian president is “obsessed” with prolonging the war, and repeated Russia’s insistence to annex all territories currently occupied by Russia. Ahead of the London summit, where European leaders will further discuss efforts to secure a peace deal, Zelensky will meet with *** Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer – who “retains unwavering support for Ukraine”. Senior political figures from across Europe have also rallied behind Ukraine after Friday’s extraordinary scenes in the US. The leaders of Germany, France, Spain, Poland and the Netherlands were among those who posted social media messages backing Ukraine – with Zelensky responding directly to each one to thank them for their support. French President Emmanuel Macron posted: “There is an aggressor: Russia. There is a victim: Ukraine. We were right to help Ukraine and sanction Russia three years ago – and to keep doing so.” Germany’s outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz wrote that “no-one wants peace more than the citizens of Ukraine”, with his replacement-in-waiting Friedrich Merz adding that “we stand with Ukraine” and “we must never confuse aggressor and victim in this terrible war”. Speaking to the BBC on Saturday, Nato chief Mark Rutte said he had spoken to Zelensky twice following the White House meeting, and told him “we have to respect” what Trump has done for Ukraine so far. He referenced the first Trump administration’s approval for the ***** of Javelin anti-tank missile systems allowed Ukraine to “fight back”. Putin launched the war two years after Trump had left office. Watch in full: The remarkable exchange between Zelensky, Vance and Trump Russia has been making slow gains on the battlefield for months. In the north-eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, officials said that 12 people, including two children, were injured in a “massive” overnight drone strike, a short while after Zelensky left the White House. The casualties included four female patients at a hospital in the city centre. Residential buildings, pharmacies, cafes and shops were also been damaged, the Ukrainian prosecution service said. Friday’s conversation soured after the US Vice-President JD Vance – who was sitting alongside other politicians in the room – told Zelensky that the war had to be ended through diplomacy. Zelensky responded by asking “what kind of diplomacy?”, referencing a previous ceasefire deal in 2019, agreed three years before Russia’s full-scale invasion when Moscow was supporting and arming separatist fighters in Ukraine’s east. The vice-president then accused Zelensky of being disrespectful and “litigating” the situation in front of the media. Source link #Zelensky #stand #firmly #Ukraines #side Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Say what you want about the Knicks, but they (and Jalen Brunson) are clutch Say what you want about the Knicks, but they (and Jalen Brunson) are clutch MEMPHIS, Tenn. — At this point, describing Jalen Brunson in the clutch is like explaining to a friend why you watch “Law and Order.” You know how it’s going to end. You’re just along for the ride to the conclusion. When a basketball game is tight, the New York Knicks’ star guard sends crowds home happy or sad, depending on the venue. It’s clockwork. He’s been really toying with emotions as of late, putting daggers through the hearts of NBA franchises across the country. It started before the All-Star break, when a go-ahead jumper with 11 seconds left in overtime saved New York from having egg on its face against the Atlanta Hawks. It happened again right after the All-Star break, when yet another go-ahead jumper, this time with 29 seconds left in regulation, allowed the Knicks to force overtime against an underwhelming Chicago Bulls team and, eventually, pull out a win. Let’s keep going. Three games later, Brunson scored 10 points in the final 2:31 against the Philadelphia 76ers to allow the Knicks to avoid yet another disaster. Let’s do one more. The latest heroics came Friday night in Memphis, in a game the Knicks were down most of the night. Brunson hit a go-ahead 3 with 24.1 seconds left to give New York a 1-point lead. The Memphis Grizzlies retaliated with an and-1 basket, giving them a 2-point lead. On New York’s next possession, with all eyes on Brunson, he collapsed the defense and found OG Anunoby on the wing for a wide-open 3. Knicks win 114-113. Brunson, in the clutch, is a procedural drama in human form. “He’s a big-time shot-maker, but it’s also his teammates,” coach Tom Thibodeau said after the Memphis game. “They understand what you have to do. It takes five guys to execute in order to create the shots for him. And then he’s got to make them, which is another element. Then he’s also got to make the right reads. He didn’t force it. That was the right play, and it was a great play. OG was ready. It was great shot preparation. He let it fly. “It was beautiful.” never hung our heads. Jalen 23 PTS | 7 REB | 6 AST | 3 STL | 1 BLK OG 19 PTS | 3 REB | 3 AST | 2 BLK | 1 STL Deuce 17 PTS | 4 REB | 3 AST | 2 STL Mikal 15 PTS | 2 REB | 3 AST | 2 BLK Josh 12 PTS | 4 REB | 6 AST | 1 STL | 1 BLK KAT 11 PTS | 7 REB | 2 AST | 1 BLK pic.twitter.com/rPjMbfoDJA — NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) March 1, 2025 Last month, Brunson talked about the moment in high school that created this monster. His success in anxiety-riddled moments stems from the fear of not being prepared for them. And with that, Brunson might be the front-runner for the NBA’s Clutch Player of the Year award. He averages 5.5 points per clutch game (minimum 10 played), which leads the NBA. He’s shooting over 50 percent from the field in those situations. It’s as if whatever happened before the game is hanging in the balance didn’t happen. Like it never mattered. It always feels like a setup just for Brunson to step into a phone booth and come back out as Captain Clutch. “Knowing that situation, the attention that (Brunson) gets, I might be open, some might be open,” Anunoby said. “You have to be ready.” On the back of Brunson, the Knicks are 15-7 this season in clutch situations. The NBA defines “clutch time” as “the final five minutes of the fourth quarter or overtime when the score is within 5 points.” New York and the Cleveland Cavaliers are the only two teams in the NBA to have played at least 20 clutch games and have single digits in the loss column. There’s a lot to unpack with this version of the Knicks, who, despite being 39-20 this season, can leave you feeling empty more often than other good teams. There’s been talk all season about the Knicks’ struggles against the top three teams in the NBA, and rightfully so. The goal is a championship, and how they stand up against the likes of Cleveland and the Boston Celtics is the only measuring stick we have to determine whether New York can make it to the finish line. And, sure, maybe it shouldn’t be in dogfights with Chicago, Atlanta, Philadelphia or the Brooklyn Nets. That’s part of where the hollow feeling and questions about how serious the Knicks are come from, too. When they are discussed, though, it has to be said that New York is one of the NBA’s most clutch teams. That’s part of its DNA. If you’re wondering what the identity of this Knicks team is, you might have your answer. When things get tough, it finds a way. That’s not nothing. At the end of the day — pretty, ugly or indifferent — the goal is to win. New York is doing that more often than not. Having Brunson doesn’t hurt, either. “It’s the mindset,” said Josh Hart, whose screen opened up the 3 for Brunson late in the game. “Obviously, (Brunson’s) shot-making, but his playmaking is the biggest thing. He made a big 3 and then very next possession he drew two, got in the lane and found OG wide-open. It’s (Brunson’s) playmaking that gives us confidence. We know, in a close game, we have one of the few guys in the league where you make sure it’s close, and then we have a chance to go out there and win.” (Photo: Petre Thomas / Imagn Images) Source link #Knicks #Jalen #Brunson #clutch Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Bus accident in Bolivia leaves at least 33 dead Bus accident in Bolivia leaves at least 33 dead A ****** involving two buses in Bolivia has left at least 33 people dead and several injured in the western Potosi region, police and local authorities say. The accident happened during the early morning hours on the route between the cities of Uyuni and Colchani, when one of the vehicles was heading to a carnival festival. “There has been a fatal accident, and it has left us with about 33 confirmed fatalities already,” Osmar Salvatierra, an official of the municipality of Uyuni, told local media. Police were at the scene to clarify the circumstances of the ****** and will provide an official report. Source link #Bus #accident #Bolivia #leaves #dead Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump and Zelensky’s meeting sends Ukrainian tennis players to U.S. under a cloud Trump and Zelensky’s meeting sends Ukrainian tennis players to U.S. under a cloud For three years, the United States has been something of a haven for tennis players from Ukraine. Then came the past two weeks. President Donald Trump and his top diplomats have been pushing Ukraine to give up some of its mineral resources, in exchange for their continued support in its war with Russia. Humanitarian assistance from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has been in jeopardy since Trump directed Elon Musk, an unelected “special government employee”, and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which is named for an internet meme featuring a dog, to shut down the agency. Days before Indian Wells and the Miami Open, the two biggest tennis tournaments of the year on American soil outside of the U.S. Open, the fortnight of tension exploded in front of television cameras in the Oval Office. Friday, Trump and Vice-President J.D. Vance berated Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelensky, for a lack of gratitude for America’s support. In an extraordinary break between two allies, Trump lectured Zelensky on his weak position in negotiations and in the war. “You don’t have the cards,” Trump said. “You’re either going to make a deal, or we’re out.” Ukraine’s tennis players will now travel to the U.S. for the so-called “Sunshine Double” under a cloud, entering a country with a different kind of government to the one they have been visiting since Russia, with assistance from Belarus, invaded Ukraine just over three years ago. “The United States has been helping us for a long ******* of time now,” Elina Svitolina, the most decorated active Ukrainian player across men’s and women’s tennis, said in an interview from her home in Monaco last week. “Our government is working really hard to still find the ways, the solutions for the decisions. They’re trying everything and to maybe find other ways, other allies, or something. We are just hoping for the best.” The U.S. has given Ukraine more aid than any other country. The Department of Defense says it has spent over $180billion (£143bn) on Operation Atlantic Resolve, the response to Russia’s invasion. But for Svitolina and her compatriots, the next month will be one of the first of 36 in which they will have to contemplate what a country truly thinks about theirs while standing on its tennis courts. GO DEEPER Elina Svitolina: Ukraine’s unbreakable spirit is a big motivation for me Svitolina, 30, is one of four Ukrainians in the WTA Tour top 100 (the highest-ranked men’s player is Oleksandr Ovcharenko, world No. 307.) The top-ranked Ukrainian is Marta Kostyuk, at No. 19; Svitolina is No. 24. For Svitolina, Kostyuk, Dayana Yastremska (No. 44) and Anhelina Kalinina (No. 52), the recent weeks have been especially tough. Some of them have lobbied the leaders of tennis — the WTA, the ATP, and the International Tennis Federation (ITF) — to prohibit players from Russia and Belarus who have shown loyalty to Putin and to Alexander Lukashenko, the president of Belarus, from competing in their tournaments. That has not happened since 2022, when the British tennis governing body banned players from Russia and Belarus from playing at Wimbledon and the other grass-court tournaments in the United Kingdom just over a month after the four Grand Slams, WTA, ATP and ITF had issued a joint statement condemning Russia’s invasion. Players including Martina Navratilova, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal criticized the ban, and the ATP and WTA responded by stripping Wimbledon of its ranking points. The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) rescinded its ban for 2023. The ATP, WTA and four Grand Slams have since allowed Russians and Belarusians to compete as neutral athletes; the ITF has excluded them from international team competitions like the Davis Cup (men’s) and Billie Jean King Cup (women’s). Officials at all three governing organizations, which have not taken a stance on any other conflict since, said they have no plans to change those policies. The situation remains tense. There are 14 Russians and Belarusians in the WTA top 100, including world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and world No. 9 Mirra Andreeva. There are four Russians in the ATP top 100, two — Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev — are in the top 10. The empty space next to their names where their peers have their national flags is one of the remaining visible signs of the conflict on the tennis tours, along with the absence of any events in those countries. When Sabalenka received the runners-up trophy at the *********** Open in January, there was no Belarusian flag next to the American one for the winner, Madison Keys. Players from Ukraine have not shaken hands with players from Russia or Belarus for three years, and with few exceptions, they do not speak with one another at tournaments. When Medvedev received a code violation for unsportsmanlike conduct during a match in Dubai Thursday, he asked the chair umpire, Adel Nour, if he had penalized him because of “double standards against Russians.” Medvedev left the court after his defeat to Tallon Griekspoor of the Netherlands without shaking Nour’s hand, but said he later apologized to the umpire. Last weekend, on the third anniversary of the Russian invasion, Andreeva and Rublev won the top tournament on their respective tours. Rublev wrote ‘No War Please’ on a camera lens after reaching the final of a tournament in Dubai, the day after Russia’s invasion. Andreeva, who with Diana Shnaider won the silver medal in women’s doubles at the Paris Olympics, was asked at the *********** Open about competing under her flag. “I would say that there is nothing I can do. It doesn’t depend on me. Whatever happens happens,” she said. Andreeva and Shnaider competed as Individual Neutral Athletes (AIN) at the Paris Games, wearing white. Elina Svitolina lost to eventual champion Madison Keys at this year’s *********** Open in Melbourne. (Graham Denholm / Getty Images) Early last month, Svitolina travelled to Ukraine, to hold meetings for her eponymous foundation and conduct a day-long sports and mental health support clinic for children from all over the country in Vinnytsia, a small city roughly 200 miles southwest of the capital, Kyiv. Svitolina and her close friend and compatriot Sergei Stakhovsky, who retired from tennis to join Ukraine’s army, spent six hours on the court with roughly 300 children. That is no easy feat. Because of the war, traveling to Kyiv requires a 14-hour journey from Monaco. First a flight to Poland, then a long train or car ride. She said it’s possible that she gets as much out of it as the children do. “This small moment that they have the smiles, the laughs, this really brightens their days, and that’s what I want to share with them,” Svitolina said. “I want to bring them this small hope for a better future.” Svitolina’s parents stay with her and her husband, ATP professional Gael Monfils, and their daughter, Skaï, often in Monaco. But her 86-year-old grandmother, Tamara, and an uncle remain in Odessa, the southern port city still targeted by Russian missile attacks as night falls. She wishes her grandmother would spend more time in bomb shelters, but she is elderly and prefers to stay home in her apartment. Svitolina said her grandmother has promised her that when the missiles start, she will follow the protocols and stand away from windows and between two walls to lessen the chances that shattered glass will hit her if a strike lands nearby. They speak nearly every day, either through text message or preferably by phone or FaceTime, so her grandmother can see Skaï. Svitolina tries to time these calls for the evening, when her work for the day is behind her. But sometimes the time difference doesn’t allow for that and she has to reach out in the morning, or from the grounds of a tournament. It’s not really an ideal way to prepare to play a tennis match, but Svitolina still made the quarterfinals of the *********** Open. She went 2-2 during the most recent tournaments in Doha, Qatar and Dubai, United Arab Emirates, as the situation between Ukraine and the U.S. began to deteriorate. She now heads to the California desert for the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells. In 2022, she exited the event wearing the yellow and blue of her country’s flag, 12 days after tennis’ governing bodies condemned the invasion of her country. Following Trump and Zelensky’s meeting in Washington, D.C., messages of support came in on social media from numerous political leaders in Europe. “We are living with the unimaginable challenges, pressure, and just not knowing what’s coming tomorrow,” Svitolina said. “Right now, I feel like we are united even more because we feel like the United States is not helping us much for the past few weeks. “So we have to unite, we have to help each other, for the country that we love. Trump just started and already made a lot of decisions that really hurt the Ukrainians. I’m just really sad for all innocent people.” (Top photo of Elina Svitolina at Indian Wells: Marcio Jose Sanchez / Associated Press) Source link #Trump #Zelenskys #meeting #sends #Ukrainian #tennis #players #U.S #cloud Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]