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Lucid Boss Quits After Company Loses $300,000 For Every Car Sold Last Year Lucid Boss Quits After Company Loses $300,000 For Every Car Sold Last Year American electric vehicle startup Lucid is burning through cash at an alarming rate as it tries desperately to avoid the same fate that hit defunct automakers like Canoo and Nikola. The struggles are very real for the Saudi-backed EV maker, though, and its CEO stepped down this week after the company revealed it lost $3 billion over the course of 2024. Lucid was meant to be one of the rare success stories in the world of EVs. It had contracts to supply motors to brands like Aston Martin, had the backing of Saudi’s vast oil funds and had two cars that were winning fans. Fans don’t equal sales, however, and after shifting less than 10,000 units in 2024, the company revealed that the losses were mounting, reports the Wall Street Journal. Over the course of 2024, the company posted net losses of $3 billion for the year compared with $2.8 billion in losses a year earlier. The eye-watering figure means that Lucid lost around $300,000 for every car it sold last year. Read more: Unsold ******** EVs Are Piling Up At Ports Peter Rawlinson Steps Down As Lucid CEO A photo of Lucid CEO Peter Rawlinson. – Lucid The enormous losses at Lucid ate into the company’s cash reserves, which are now worth less than $2 billion, and led to the departure of CEO Peter Rawlinson, adds the WSJ. Rawlinson resigned on Tuesday, and will be replaced at the head of Lucid by interim CEO Marc Winterhoff, who was appointed chief operating officer of the brand a little over a year ago. As the Wall Street Journal reports: Rawlinson led Lucid since 2019 and guided the startup through its public debut in 2021. A former Tesla and Jaguar engineer, Rawlinson helped Lucid develop some of the industry’s most innovative battery and electric-motor technology. Still, the EV maker has struggled to lift its share price and been beset by sluggish sales and persistent losses, hurt by a slowdown in the growth of U.S. electric-vehicle sales that has hit traditional automakers and startups alike. A search for a new leader of Lucid will now kick off, while Rawlinson will reportedly stay on at the automaker in an “advisory capacity.” What Cars Does Lucid Sell? A photo of a Lucid Gravity electric SUV. – Lucid Lucid burst onto the electric vehicle scene with its Air sedan back in 2021. The automaker sold around 10,000 of the $70,000 EVs last year, which was up from around 6,000 units a year previously. The Air will be joined on the road by the Gravity SUV later this year, which is scheduled to enter production in 2025. The luxury electric three-row SUV will be available to order in “late 2025,” Lucid reports, with a starting price around $79,900. When deliveries begin, Lucid hopes that the addition of an SUV to its range will help it double sales over the course of the year, with it targeting deliveries of 20,000 units this year. The American automaker currently offers its EVs in select global markets, including the United States, Europe and Saudi Arabia. In order to boost sales and, ultimately, profits Lucid opened a dedicated facility in Saudi Arabia that will one day have the capacity to build more than 150,000 cars per year. The company clearly has to work on its sales tactics before then, however. Read the original article on Jalopnik. Source link #Lucid #Boss #Quits #Company #Loses #Car #Sold #Year Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump says US will impose additional 10% tariff on China – BBC.com Trump says US will impose additional 10% tariff on China – BBC.com Trump says US will impose additional 10% tariff on China BBC.comTrump Says Canada and Mexico Tariffs Will Start March 4, Plus an Increase on China The New York TimesTrump to Hike China Tariffs, Hit Canada and Mexico on March 4 | Daybreak: Europe 02/28/2025 Bloomberg Source link #Trump #impose #additional #tariff #China #BBC.com Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Strikes and protests in Greece over deadly train ****** Strikes and protests in Greece over deadly train ****** Two years after a devastating train ****** in Greece, a strike and demonstrations are bringing the nation to a standstill on the anniversary of the tragedy. Source link #Strikes #protests #Greece #deadly #train #****** Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

People Are Exposing The Entitled And Weird Things Only Rich People Do, And It’s Soooooo Not Normal People Are Exposing The Entitled And Weird Things Only Rich People Do, And It’s Soooooo Not Normal Editor’s Note: While we can’t endorse what X has become, we can bring you the worthwhile moments that still exist there, curated and free of the surrounding chaos. If you haven’t already noticed, rich people often do wildly out-of-touch things that truly do. not. make. sense. So, people online have been calling out the ridiculous things wealthy people do that confuse everyone else on the planet. Here are some of their funniest — and brutally honest — jokes: 1.For some reason, they desperately want a “rags to riches” story: Tweet questioning why wealthy individuals often pretend to have rags-to-riches stories, with a skull emoji 2.They think they work harder than ~everyone else~: Tweet questioning why wealthy people feel they work harder and deserve to keep all their money, suggesting most are just lucky 3.They expect other people to pay for them: Tweet questioning why wealthy individuals expect others to pay their bills 4.They get rich and then cut everyone off: Tweet questioning why wealthy individuals unfollow everyone from their city 5.They think they know everything about poor people: Tweet by Claire criticizes the perception of the rich on poverty, urging them to refrain from judgment and acknowledging the complexity of poverty 6.They complain about being lonely with all that money: Tweet by SeaSnake says: “Rich people always complaining about how it’s lonely at the top; upgrade me then” 7.They LOVE ugly furniture: Tweet questioning why wealthy individuals have unattractive furniture 8.And fancy ice: Tweet by user about wealthy TikTok users organizing fridges, noting elaborate ice shapes and flavors 9.But they do NOT like constructive criticism: Tweet by Anisa Jomha: “Why do rich people cry when people point out that they probably ***** at least a little bit?” 10.And when rich people attempt to act “normal,” it usually ends up like this: Tweet by user: “Rich people do normal things the same way that aliens would do those things to try and imitate humans” 11.Rich people are ~always~ traveling (what ELSE are they looking for?): Tweet by user amir: “Why do rich people travel? They already found cash.” 35K views 12.Rich people can be angry: A tweet by Kenny BTC questions why wealthy individuals have anger issues and pride 13.They don’t like admitting that they’re rich: Tweet by user “LaiBa” questions why wealthy individuals dislike acknowledging their wealth 14.They have soooo much unused space in their houses: Screenshot of a tweet by user “tea,” questioning why rich people like empty, useless spaces. The post mentioned is unavailable 15.Like, they really have all this and more in their homes: Tweet questions the need for wealthy people to have excessive home amenities like multiple bedrooms, tennis courts, pools, kitchens, and even a hospital 16.For some reason, rich people like pretending to be poor: Tweet humorously questions why wealthy people desire normalcy, suggesting they embrace wealth by buying extravagant things like a dolphin circus 17.Rich people think if everyone just “works hard,” everything will be fine: Tweet questioning how to find time to succeed without help for chores and childcare 18.They like having several bathrooms (just in case?): Social media post questioning why wealthy people have many bathrooms, humorously speculating about health conditions like IBS or Crohn’s 19.And finally, they love acting as if money can’t solve problems: Tweet by user Isabelle wondering why people say “money doesn’t solve problems” and stating money would solve all her issues Yikes. What are some other things about rich people that you don’t understand? Let us know in the comments below. Source link #People #Exposing #Entitled #Weird #Rich #People #Soooooo #Normal Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Pokémon TCG Pocket releases the Triumphant Light expansion as it crosses a whopping 100 million downloads Pokémon TCG Pocket releases the Triumphant Light expansion as it crosses a whopping 100 million downloads The Triumphant Light expansion with Arceus ex is now available Free booster packs will be given out until April 30th Ranked match feature to be introduced in March This year’s Pokémon Day has concluded, revealing numerous exciting updates about the popular franchise. The recently released Pokémon TCG Pocket has thrilling news as well, marking both a major milestone and the release of a new expansion. With over 100 million downloads worldwide, the card battler is commemorating the occasion with the highly anticipated Triumphant Light set. Pokémon TCG Pocket’s Triumphant Light expansion follows Space-Time Smackdown and will be spearheaded by Arceus ex. For the first time, Link Abilities have also been introduced, allowing specific Pokémon to enhance each other when used together. These cards will be marked with a special pattern similar to the actual cards like in the Platinum – Arceus expansion. To further celebrate Pokémon Day, a limited-time event will run until April 30th, offering free booster packs that guarantee at least one card of 4-star rarity or higher. Whether you’re a seasoned player or just starting out, these packs will help boost your deck with some powerful new additions. Plus, Special missions are also available until March 27th, allowing you to earn additional rewards. If you’re looking to get better, be sure to check out our guide on building the best decks in Pokémon TCG Pocket. You can also read our review of the game if you haven’t had a chance to try it yet! In addition to these exciting new cards, Pokémon TCG Pocket is introducing a much-awaited ranked match feature in March. This new feature will allow you to compete in ranked battles, adding an extra layer of competition and prestige if you enjoy testing decks against other trainers. Keep an eye out for more details on the ranked mode in the coming weeks. Go and collect your Pokémon Day rewards by downloading Pokémon TCG Pocket on your preferred link below. You can visit the official website for more information or join the community of followers on the official X page. Source link #Pokémon #TCG #Pocket #releases #Triumphant #Light #expansion #crosses #whopping #million #downloads Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump says US will impose additional 10% tariff on China – BBC.com Trump says US will impose additional 10% tariff on China – BBC.com Trump says US will impose additional 10% tariff on China BBC.comTrump Says Canada and Mexico Tariffs Will Start March 4, Plus an Increase on China The New York TimesTrump to Hike China Tariffs, Hit Canada and Mexico on March 4 | Daybreak: Europe 02/28/2025 Bloomberg Source link #Trump #impose #additional #tariff #China #BBC.com Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge Launch Date, Colourways Leaked Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge Launch Date, Colourways Leaked Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge will be launched in the coming weeks as the slimmest model in the company’s Galaxy S25 series of smartphones, according to a report. The South Korean firm teased the arrival of a fourth model when it launched the Samsung Galaxy S25 lineup in January, and the smartphone could be available for purchase a month after it is launched. Samsung is expected to produce a limited number of units of the Galaxy S25 Edge in three colourways. Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge Launch Date (Expected) Citing industry sources, a report in the Seoul Economic Daily (in Korean) states that the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge will be launched on April 16. The handset will be launched during an upcoming online Galaxy Unpacked event, according to the publication. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge will reportedly go on ***** in select markets in May, and the handset wll be available in ******, Light Blue, and Silver colourways. Samsung will initially produce 40,000 units of the device, or less than 1 percent of the smartphone maker’s production volume, as per the report. Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge Specifications (Expected) According to previous reports, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge will be powered by a custom Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chip, just like the other three models in the Galaxy S25 series. The smartphone is expected to sport a flat display (unlike previous ‘Edge’ handsets from Samsung) and it is expected to have a thickness of 6.4mm. When Samsung teased the Galaxy S25 Edge at its first Galaxy Unpacked event of the year, the smartphone was shown to feature a dual rear camera setup. It is said to be equipped with a 200-megapixel primary camera, and a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera. The smartphone is also expected to pack a 3,900mAh battery, which is slightly smaller than the one on the regular Samsung Galaxy S25 model. If the leaked launch date is accurate, we can expect even more details about the upcoming Galaxy S25 Edge to surface in the weeks leading up to its anticipated debut. Source link #Samsung #Galaxy #S25 #Edge #Launch #Date #Colourways #Leaked Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

McGovern injury mars Blues' pre-season win over Giants McGovern injury mars Blues' pre-season win over Giants Carlton have thumped last year’s semi-finalists GWS by 58 points ahead of the AFL season opener but have concerns over the fitness of defender Mitch McGovern. Source link #McGovern #injury #mars #Blues039 #preseason #win #Giants Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

U.S. adds new travel warning for popular Caribbean cruise port U.S. adds new travel warning for popular Caribbean cruise port The third-busiest cruise port in the world, Cozumel saw more than 4.6 million cruise ship passengers in 2024. The island off the coast of the Yucatán Peninsula is particularly known for white sand beaches and reefs that open up snorkelers and divers to a stunning diversity of marine life. Cruise ship giants like Royal Caribbean (RCL) and Carnival (CCL) will work with local operators to arrange tours specifically for guests who go back to the ship at the end of the day. Don’t miss the move: SIGN UP for TheStreet’s FREE Daily newsletter With the busy spring break travel ******* set to start in the coming weeks, the U.S. Embassy in Mexico issued a new warning for Americans who will be coming to all the different cities in Mexico in March and April. Here is what you need to know about the latest travel advisory for Mexico While Cozumel’s isolated nature as an island and tourist mecca generally makes it an extremely safe destination, the travel advisory calls out “crime, including violent crime, [that] can occur anywhere in Mexico.” Related: Royal Caribbean adds a new port in the Caribbean “Citizens should exercise caution in the downtown areas of popular spring break spots,” the advisory reads. “This includes Cancun, Playa Del Carmen, and Tulum, especially after dark.” More on travel: Home to both Cozumel and Cancún, the Quintana Roo state is rated at the second-lowest “exercise increased precautions” advisory by the U.S. State Department (the nearby Yucatán is at the lowest “take normal precautions.) The agency’s recent travel advisories for Mexico have focused on border states like Michoacan and Sinaloa due to the high rates of drug trafficking; both are under the “do not travel” rating. Cozumel is a very safe and popular destination that is specifically tailored to tourists.Image source: Dan Kline/Come Cruise With Me ‘Drug possession and use is ******** in Mexico and may result in a lengthy jail sentence’ While port towns are among the safest parts of the country for tourists to visit, the latest advisory focuses specifically on spring break travelers who may let their guard down around pickpockets and alcohol or engage in partying behaviors that may be tolerated at home but can result in criminal charges in Mexico. “Drug possession and use, including medical **********, is ******** in Mexico and may result in a lengthy jail sentence,” the advisory continues. “[…] Unregulated alcohol may be contaminated, and U.S. citizens have reported losing consciousness or becoming injured after consuming tainted alcohol.” Statistics from the ******** government show that 10.04 million tourists came to Cancún in March and April last year, a 27% percent increase from 2019. While Cozumel is more of a general destination for cruisers rather than a spring break one for which many opt for resorts, some college students and tourists traveling by group also book cruises that stop in the port during the time they have off from their college studies. Other popular ******** destinations traditionally popular during Spring Break include Playa del Carmen in the southeast and ***** San Lucas (another cruise port) in the western Baja California peninsula. Other major cruise ports in the country include Costa Maya, Puerto Vallarta and Port of Progreso in the Yucatán. The latter ones are more popular with smaller luxury cruise tours operators working with more intimate groups and smaller ships. (The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.) Make a free appointment with Come Cruise With Me’s Travel Agent Partner, Postcard Travel, or email Amy Post at *****@*****.tld or call or text her at 386-383-2472. Source link #U.S #adds #travel #warning #popular #Caribbean #cruise #port Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Crypto prices tumble as Trump-fuelled euphoria fades – Reuters Crypto prices tumble as Trump-fuelled euphoria fades – Reuters Crypto prices tumble as Trump-fuelled euphoria fades ReutersBitcoin Down 25% From All-Time High as Crypto Rout Worsens Yahoo FinanceBitcoin Set for Worst Month Since June 2022, Worst Week Since November That Year CoinDeskPi Coin’s hype vs reality: A game-changer or just speculation? The Economic TimesBitcoin Extreme Fear Most Since ’22 Bear: Time To Be Greedy? Bitcoinist Source link #Crypto #prices #tumble #Trumpfuelled #euphoria #fades #Reuters Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Pope’s health improving as he remains in hospital Pope’s health improving as he remains in hospital Thomas Mackintosh BBC News, London Reuters Pope Francis, who has battling pneumonia for two weeks, is showing signs of improvement, the ******** has said in a medical update. He will remain in hospital due to a complex clinical picture, the ******** said on Friday morning. It added the 88-year-old had another “peaceful night” and is “now resting” in Rome’s Gemelli Hospital. Italian news agency Ansa reported that the pontiff was now out of the “critical phase”, citing ******** sources. The Pope was admitted to hospital on 14 February after experiencing breathing difficulties for several days. He was first treated for bronchitis before being diagnosed with pneumonia in both lungs. Then on 22 February, the ******** said that the Pope had experienced a respiratory crisis and was in a “critical” condition, but later on Sunday released an update that he had “not presented any further respiratory crises”. The following day the Pope issued a statement asking Catholics to pray for him after he was unable to deliver the traditional Angelus prayer in person for the second week running. But, while the ******** said the Pope’s health is improving it added “further days of clinical stability are necessary to resolve the prognosis”. The pontiff is particularly susceptible to pneumonia, an infection of the lungs that can be caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi, after he contracted pleurisy – an inflammation of the lungs – as a young man and had a partial lung removal. The leader of the Roman Catholic Church has been admitted to hospital multiple times during his 12-year tenure, including being treated for bronchitis at the same hospital in March 2023. From Argentina, Pope Francis is the first Latin American, and first Jesuit, to lead the Roman Catholic Church. Source link #Popes #health #improving #remains #hospital Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Derby Shire crisis averted as one councillor reverses resignation decision Derby Shire crisis averted as one councillor reverses resignation decision The Shire of Derby-West Kimberley will continue to function after one of the five councillors believed to have resigned revealed he hadn’t signed his post-dated resignation, set for February 28. Source link #Derby #Shire #crisis #averted #councillor #reverses #resignation #decision Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

North Korea has opened its doors to a group of international travelers for the 1st time in years North Korea has opened its doors to a group of international travelers for the 1st time in years SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — A small group of foreign tourists has visited North Korea in the past week, making them the first international travelers to enter the country in five years except for a group of Russian tourists who went to the North last year. The latest trip indicates North Korea may be gearing up for a full resumption of its international tourism to bring in much-needed foreign currency to revive its struggling economy, experts say. The Beijing-based travel company Koryo Tours said it arranged a five-day trip from Feb. 20 to Feb. 24 for 13 international tourists to the northeastern North Korean border city of Rason, where the country’s special economic zone is located. 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. Koryo Tours General Manager Simon Cockerell said the travelers from the U.K., Canada, Greece, New Zealand, France, Germany, Austria, Australia and Italy crossed by land from China. He said that in Rason, they visited factories, shops, schools and the statues of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, the late grandfather and father of current leader Kim Jong Un. “Since January of 2020, the country has been closed to all international tourists, and we are glad to have finally found an opening in the Rason area, in the far north of North Korea,” Cockerell said. “Our first tour has been and gone, and now more tourists on both group and private visits are going in, arranging trips,” he added. After the pandemic began, North Korea quickly banned tourists, jetted out diplomats and severely curtailed border traffic in one of the world’s most draconian COVID-19 restrictions. But since 2022, North Korea has been slowly easing curbs and reopening its borders. In February 2024, North Korea accepted about 100 Russian tourists, the first foreign nationals to visit the country for sightseeing. That surprised many observers, who thought the first post-pandemic tourists would come from China, North Korea’s biggest trading partner and major ally. A total of about 880 Russian tourists visited North Korea throughout 2024, South Korea’s Unification Ministry said, citing official Russian data. ******** group tours to North Korea remain stalled. This signals how much North Korea and Russia have moved closer to each other as the North has supplied weapons and troops to Russia to support its war against Ukraine. Ties between North Korea and China cooled as China showed its reluctance to join a three-way, anti-U.S. alliance with North Korea and Russia, experts say. Before the pandemic, tourism was an easy, legitimate source for foreign currency for North Korea, one of the world’s most sanctioned countries because of its nuclear program. North Korea is expected to open a massive tourism site on the east coast in June. In January when President Donald Trump boasted about his ties with Kim Jong Un, he said that “I think he has tremendous condo capabilities. He’s got a lot of shoreline.” That likely refers to the eastern coast site. A return of ******** tourists would be key to making North Korea’s tourism industry lucrative because they represented more than 90% of total international tourists before the pandemic, said Lee Sangkeun, an expert at the Institute for National Security Strategy, a think tank run by South Korea’s intelligence agency. He said that in the past, up to 300,000 ******** tourists visited North Korea annually. “North Korea has been heavily investing on tourism sites, but there have been not much domestic demand,” Lee said. “We can assess that North Korea now wants to resume international tourism to bring in many tourists from abroad.” The restrictions that North Korea has typically imposed on foreign travelers — such as requirements that they move with local guides and the banning of photography at sensitive places — will likely hurt its efforts to develop tourism. Lee said that Rason, the eastern coast site and Pyongyang would be the places where North Korea feels it can easily monitor and control foreign tourists. Source link #North #Korea #opened #doors #group #international #travelers #1st #time #years Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Pandas eat bamboo instead of going with their gut. Scientists explain why – CNN Pandas eat bamboo instead of going with their gut. Scientists explain why – CNN Pandas eat bamboo instead of going with their gut. Scientists explain why CNNPandas “tricked” into becoming the world’s biggest bamboo fans New AtlasSneaky bamboo can control the genes of the pandas eating it, scientists discover Livescience.comWhy don’t pandas eat more meat? Molecules found in bamboo may be behind their plant-based diet Phys.orgMicroRNAs in Bamboo May Be Rewiring Panda Genes SciTechDaily Source link #Pandas #eat #bamboo #gut #Scientists #explain #CNN Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Perth Wildcats to give **** Webster every opportunity to prove his fitness for NBL semifinal against Melbourne Perth Wildcats to give **** Webster every opportunity to prove his fitness for NBL semifinal against Melbourne Perth Wildcats are facing a do-or-die semifinal against Melbourne United on Saturday night and the big question is whether **** Webster will be fit after injuring his shoulder. Source link #Perth #Wildcats #give #**** #Webster #opportunity #prove #fitness #NBL #semifinal #Melbourne Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump Hits Jack Smith’s Lawyers With Bombshell Executive Order Trump Hits Jack Smith’s Lawyers With Bombshell Executive Order President Donald Trump signed an executive order targeting the law firm representing former special counsel Jack Smith. Covington & Burling LLP currently represents Smith in a personal capacity and previously provided pro bono legal services to the special counsel’s office, according to White House Staff Secretary Will Scharf. The new executive order suspends the security clearance held by Smith’s attorney Peter Koski, along with those of any other attorneys at the firm who assisted Smith as special counsel, pending a review of their roles, if any, in the “weaponization of the judicial process.” It also directs the Office of Management and Budget to “terminate any engagement” with the firm. “We’re going to call it the deranged Jack Smith signing or bill,” Trump told reporters before the signing, according to CNN. Afterward, he handed the pen he’d used to an attendee and said, “Why don’t you give it to Jack Smith?” The action is a “major escalation” in Trump’s targeting of his perceived enemies, according to ABC News. Security clearances give lawyers flexibility when working on cases involving national security issues and classified information, according to CNN. Suspending the clearances means defendants can’t use the lawyers of their choosing. “We recently agreed to represent Jack Smith when it became apparent that he would become a subject of a government investigation,” a spokesman for Covington & Burling told CNN. The firm “serves as defense counsel to Jack Smith in his personal, individual capacity.” In addition to Koski, who is a former public integrity prosecutor, Smith is being represented by Lenny Breuer, the former head of the Justice Department’s criminal division. The firm declined to say how many of his lawyers held security clearances, CNN said. In addition to special counsel Jack Smith’s federal cases, President Trump faced two criminal cases in state court in New York and Georgia before winning re-election. / Jabin Botsford / Jabin Botsford via REUTERS In November 2022, then-Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed Smith as special counsel overseeing two criminal investigations into Trump’s role in the deadly riot at the Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021, and his handling of classified military intelligence after leaving office at the end of his first term. Despite grand jury indictments in both cases, one of Trump’s own judicial appointees threw out the classified documents case. The election interference case was suspended after Trump was re-elected in November. (The Department of Justice has a standing rule not to prosecute sitting presidents.) A source told ABC there was “no evidence” Covington & Burling had played a role in Smith’s investigation of Trump. Asked on Tuesday whether his executive action was a form of political targeting, Trump cut off the reporter, ABC reported. “I’ve been targeted for four years longer than that. So, you don’t tell me about targeting,” he said. “I was the target of corrupt politicians for four years, and then four years after that. So don’t talk to me about targeting.” Source link #Trump #Hits #Jack #Smiths #Lawyers #Bombshell #Executive #Order Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘Epstein Files’ Release, Hyped by Pam Bondi, Falls Short of Expectations – The New York Times ‘Epstein Files’ Release, Hyped by Pam Bondi, Falls Short of Expectations – The New York Times ‘Epstein Files’ Release, Hyped by Pam Bondi, Falls Short of Expectations The New York TimesAttorney General Pam Bondi alleges FBI agents withheld Epstein documents BBC.comNo new bombshells in Justice Department’s release of Jeffrey Epstein files The Associated PressJeffrey Epstein list: Names, flight logs in documents released by Trump administration AxiosNew Jeffrey Epstein contact list includes Alec Baldwin, Michael Jackson, Mick Jagger and RFK Jr.’s mom New York Post Source link #Epstein #Files #Release #Hyped #Pam #Bondi #Falls #Short #Expectations #York #Times Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Australia unchanged for must-win clash with Afghanistan Australia unchanged for must-win clash with Afghanistan Australia have lost the toss and will bowl first in their must-win Champions Trophy clash with Afghanistan at Gaddafi Stadium in Pakistan. The match shapes as a virtual quarter-final for the two sides, and Australia have named an unchanged XI from the team that beat England by five wickets. Australia sit second in Group B after that win was followed by a washed-out game against South Africa. Afghanistan, who lost to South Africa by 107 runs in their opener, bounced back with an eight-run victory over England. The winner of the Australia-Afghanistan match is guaranteed a spot in the semi-finals. If Australia lose, they would need England to post a massive win over South Africa in order to leapfrog the Proteas on net run-rate. India and New Zealand have already secured the semi-final berths from Group A. Australia captain Steve Smith said he would have elected to bowl first if he had won the toss. “We’re not too unhappy to bowl,” Smith told Prime Video. “It’s unpredictable whether there’s dew, I think that makes a big difference at the back end of the game. “We’re looking forward to coming up against a good Afghanistan outfit. “They played really well against England the other night. It should be a good contest. “It’s a must-win for us. We will be coming out here with good intent, good aggression and taking the game on.” Australia are aiming for a slice of revenge after their loss to Afghanistan in last year’s T20 World Cup effectively ended their title hopes. When the two teams met at the 2023 ODI World Cup, Glenn Maxwell struck an unbeaten 201 off 128 ****** while battling cramp to lift Australia from 7-91 to the 294-run victory target. AFGHANISTAN: Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (capt), Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi. AUSTRALIA: Travis Head, Matt Short, Steven Smith (capt), Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis, Alex Carey, Glenn Maxwell, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Spencer Johnson. Source link #Australia #unchanged #mustwin #clash #Afghanistan Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘We will not be able to source certain things’ ‘We will not be able to source certain things’ The CEO of one of America’s largest grocery chains has a stark warning for customers about the impact of climate change and extreme weather on the ability to buy some of your favorite foods. “We will hit certain points where we’re not able to source certain things,” said Jason Buechel, the CEO of Whole Foods and the VP of Amazon Worldwide Grocery Stores, in an interview at the Food Tank Food Summit held at this year’s Sundance Film Festival. Citing egg and dairy shortages over the holidays as an example, Buechel warned: “We’re going to see that with more products within our grocery stores.” Buechel said it’s critical that customers understand what’s happening to food supply chains as warming temperatures cause extreme weather events to become more intense and frequent. According to Bayer’s 2024 Farmer Voice Survey, more than 60% reported “significant revenue loss” due to adverse weather over the past several years. “We have to bring some of these things to broader awareness so customers know these things are happening, which can tie back to climate change,” he said. Watch now: Giant snails invading New York City? While access to products or increased prices are challenging for consumers, it impacts farmers even more. That hits close to home for Buechel, whose grandparents were dairy farmers. “Being a farmer isn’t easy alone, but one weather event could affect the entire crop for their business for that year,” he said. “Because of the volatility with climate events,” he said some farmers are wondering, “Is it worth it?” When grocery stores do have a challenge sourcing products like berries, impacted by destructive flooding in Brazil last year, they are usually able to find that product from another country, “so customers don’t feel the pain as much as farmers within our supply chain.” But Buechel said that’s not always going to be the case. What else is happening behind the scenes: Reducing food waste While customers may not see it in the stores, there’s a lot happening behind the scenes at Whole Foods to address one of the biggest sources of emissions: food waste. “This for me is a personal passion project,” Buechel said. “At the end of the day, it’s actually rotting food in our landfills that’s a ******* contributor of methane gas than cows. For us, [the question is,] ‘How do we tackle that issue on all fronts?'” That includes: ◉ Partnering with their suppliers to ensure they aren’t over-producing or over-ordering to line up supply and demand ◉ Making surplus products available to the food insecure through food donations in every metro area, and where necessary, turning extra food into animal feed◉ Offer customers discounts on food that may otherwise be heading to the landfill through partnerships with apps like Too Good To Go, a program Buechel says has diverted over 1 million pounds of food over the past year while offering a 50% discount on bakery and other items In the United States, food waste is estimated at 30-40% of the food supply, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Better sourcing…and storytelling Buechel also spoke about Whole Foods’ mission to help people “eat healthier, have more delicious food, and do things better for the soil and the farmers.” Its “Sourced for Good” program highlights products that are good for the environment, good for workers growing those products, and good for the community. Take bananas, for example, many of which are sourced from Earth University, an organization that seeks to improve the working conditions of banana farmers while also taking care of the environment. “Sharing those stories helps influence the decision around what customers are going to buy,” he said. “As retailers … as storytellers, we have to figure out how to find the best ways to connect with this generation and harness the influence that they’re going to have in creating the changes that we need in the industry,” he said. “What I get excited about is that [the next generation] truly are making buying decisions in line with their values.” Just as important as the products Whole Foods sells in stores, Buechel said, “It’s actually the products and items that we don’t sell, is what differentiates us,” referring to over 500-plus banned ingredients the company doesn’t offer because they don’t meet standards. Buechel hopes Whole Foods can become a model for the industry. “Our goal is having a ripple effect. We want other folks to copy us,” he said. “We constantly challenge our competitors: ‘Join in.’ We want to help protect our food systems and nourish people and the planet.” Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don’t miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Source link #source Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Logitech Z407 vs Creative Pebble Plus: Neither of these budget speakers sound cheap, but which go best with your setup? Logitech Z407 vs Creative Pebble Plus: Neither of these budget speakers sound cheap, but which go best with your setup? When it comes to budget computer speakers, the Logitech Z407 and Creative Pebble Plus come to mind. They’re both affordable and are among the best computer speakers most people should consider their computer setup. However, there are distinct reasons to choose one over the other. And price is a big consideration. There are better, more expensive, options out there, but the Logitech Z407 punches above its weight. This computer speaker system (both models covered here include a subwoofer) sounds ******* than it is and has a cool couple of useful features. It might not satisfy gamers, but it’s more than enough for most people. As affordable as the Logitech Z407 is, no computer speaker system offers more value than the Creative Pebble Plus. It’s more stripped down, still has a good amount of power and decent sound — though it’s held back by distorting bass at higher volumes – and is the price of an outing at a fast food chain or a decent mid-tier (but not great) mouse. We’ll dig into these two products a little more to help you decide if it’s worth spending a little more and getting a little more with the Logitech Z407 or paying the lower price of the Creative Pebble Plus and finding it to be enough for your needs. The Logitech Z407 offers up a lot for its price, and its sound is ******* than the package. That’s helped along by a subwoofer. If that’s not enough, it has a wireless puck for easier control, even if it’s initially a bit confusing to use. For Impressive sound with rumbling sub Classy, versatile and compact design Incredibly affordable for what it offers Against Soundstage is good, but not amazing Wireless control confusing at first It’s easy to set up and incredibly affordable. And the sound is pretty decent considering the size, not to mention it has a subwoofer. There are some compromises as there’s no wireless functionality. You can’t exactly crank the volume, either, without getting some distortion. For Decent sound quality Easy setup Comes with subwoofer Against No bass controls Lots of cables Not the neatest setup Logitech Z407 vs Creative Pebble Plus: Price (Image credit: Future) Comparing the Logitech Z407 and the Creative Pebble Plus is a matter of comparing two very budget models. If you’re reading this article, then keeping that price down is probably a deciding factor. Now, the Logitech Z407 is the more expensive model, having launched with a price tag of $79 / £79 / AU$149, the price it had when we reviewed it in 2021. It’s now actually gone up in price – something very unusual in computer-adjacent tech – to a price of $119.99 / £119.99 / AU$249.95. Now, computer speaker models don’t get refreshed all that often and the Logitech is still a very worthy consideration, especially since it comes with a subwoofer, wireless puck that functions like a remote, and Bluetooth connectivity. The Creative Pebble Plus is much more barebones. There’s no Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Airplay, etc. Still, this model does come with a subwoofer as well. Its original price of $40 / £40 / AU$99.95 has not gone up significantly like the Logitech. Instead, it’s five dollars more expensive in the states and just a little cheaper everywhere else, with a price tag of $44.99 / £38.99 / AU$69.95. Logitech Z407 vs Creative Pebble Plus: Design (Image credit: Future) As far as setup goes, both the Logitech Z407 and Creative Pebble Plus are 2.1 systems, meaning that there are two speaker boxes for left and right audio and a subwoofer for the low-end. Since both are budget units, the satellite speaker boxes and subwoofer are all connected by cables. With the Logitech Z407, both speakers connect to the subwoofer while the left speaker and subwoofer of the Creative Pebble Plus both connect to the right speaker. This, unfortunately, requires a little more creativity for cable management. Both the Logitech Z407 and Creative Pebble Plus have interesting looking speaker boxes with the former having a rounded almost pill-like shape that’s more for aesthetics than anything else. The Creative Pebble Plus has angled speaker boxes so that the audio is directed more towards the listener’s ears – a small but appreciated choice, especially considering they’re 4.8 inches in height (the Logitech are 7.87 inches tall). As far as connectivity goes, the Logitech Z407 is the better model as it offers Bluetooth, micro USB, and a 3.5 mm analog input. The Creative Pebble Plus, on the other hand, offers USB and 3.5mm. More importantly, the Creative Pebble Plus does not use a separate power cable, instead drawing power via the USB port, so if you don’t or can’t go the USB route, you’ll have to purchase a separate USB adapter to plug into the wall. Lastly, as far as onboard controls go, all of the Z407’s are outsources to that wireless puck I previously mentioned, while the Creative Pebble Plus has a volume dial and a toggle for a ‘High Gain’ mode that boosts the volume. Logitech Z407 vs Creative Pebble Plus: Features The feature set on both models are a bit limited, but much more so with the Creative Pebble Plus. That’s because the only feature worth mentioning is that ‘High Gain’ toggle, which boosts the volume up to 8 watts RMS. The Logitech Z407’s feature set includes Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity and the wireless puck, which not only adjusts volume, but can be used to adjust the volume of the subwoofer, as well as switch sources, mute and unmute, and skip or rewind tracks. There is a Bluetooth and input source button underneath, but otherwise you can only control it by turning the dial or pressing on it like a giant button, so figuring out how to switch between functionalities does take a bit of learning. That’s probably the most difficult part of using the Z407. Once you get it, however, you’ll find it worth having. Logitech Z407 vs Creative Pebble Plus: Performance (Image credit: Future) When it comes to audio quality, the Logitech Z407 is the better sounding model. But, if you look at the price, that should be expected. A little more unexpected as these relatively affordable speakers have a ton of volume on tap for computer speakers and sound pretty good. They lack a bit in detail, but the mids are fairly rich, and there’s plenty of bass, though you might want to turn that down a smidge. It produces a good stereo image. The Creative Pebble Plus sound good for the price with a decently crisp high-end and balanced mids, though bass can distort rather easily, so that when you turn up too much, the bass and, therefore, the rest of the frequency range start to overload the drivers. But with the right kind of music and volume, they have a respectable sound. One area that’s worth considering, however, is that since the Creative Pebble Plus are angled up, unlike the Logitech Z407, the sound is angled more properly towards you if you tend to sit up at your desk. Which budget speaker is right for you? The better speaker is going to be determined by your needs. While the Logitech Z407 are the objectively better speaker, there are certain people that would prefer the Creative Pebble Plus. If you’re tall and/or tend to look down on your computer monitor, it will direct sound to your ears. Or, if you’re very limited on funds or prefer to save money, the Creative Pebble Plus is less than half the price. The Logitech Z407 does sound better, includes a convenient interface via the puck, and includes Bluetooth connectivity for when you want to play some music off your phone. Source link #Logitech #Z407 #Creative #Pebble #budget #speakers #sound #cheap #setup Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Russia's seizures offer warning to Western firms hoping for Trump-inspired return – Reuters Russia's seizures offer warning to Western firms hoping for Trump-inspired return – Reuters Russia’s seizures offer warning to Western firms hoping for Trump-inspired return ReutersWhy American Businesses Aren’t Raring to Get Back Into Russia The New York TimesWhat CEOs Know about Putin that Stumps Donald Trump TIMEFrom fashion to cars, Russian markets pose new test for Western brands weighing return Yahoo FinanceWill US companies return to Russia? Morning Brew Source link #Russia039s #seizures #offer #warning #Western #firms #hoping #Trumpinspired #return #Reuters Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Eighth Era celebrates 100,000 downloads with a limited-time Era Vault event Eighth Era celebrates 100,000 downloads with a limited-time Era Vault event Eight Era has surpassed 100,000 downloads in its soft launch phase New Era Vault event will allow you to win historical coins More updates to be revealed in March Nice Gang’s squad-based RPG, Eighth Era, has reached a major milestone, surpassing 100,000 downloads worldwide since its soft launch on iOS and Android. Co-developed with Perfect Day Games, this turn-based strategy RPG offers a mix of futuristic adventure and collectible rewards, allowing you to earn physical hero trophies shipped directly to your door. To mark the occasion, the developers have launched the limited-time Era Vault event. For a short *******, you have a chance to win historical coins from the Constantine Roman Empire and Tabaristan eras, both over 1,700 years old. In addition, hero coins will also be available, giving you the opportunity to explain both your in-game and real-world collections. Set 10,000 years in the future, Eighth Era follows a battle against the rogue supercomputer Harmony, who has manipulated time in an attempt to control history. As a member of The Collector’s Society, a team of treasure hunters, you’ll lead a squad through different eras, fighting off Harmony’s minions and reclaiming lost relics. The turn-based combat system allows for strategic battles, with a team of five heroes, three active and two in reserve. With over 50 heroes to recruit, each with distinct abilities, you’ll need to level up your team, unlock powerful skills, and equip new gear to prepare for the escalating challenges. Check out this list of the best RPGs to play on Android right now! Another great feature is the ability to earn real-world collectibles. By taking part in the Alexander Hero Coin Event, you become eligible to win limited-edition hero coins featuring newly introduced characters. The Era Vault on the other hand offers a rare opportunity to own historical artifacts, tying the game’s time-traveling theme to tangible rewards. Besides the new rewards for the milestone, Nice Gang has more in store, with additional details set to be revealed at the Game Developers Conference in March. Download Eighth Era now for free by clicking on your preferred link below. Source link #Eighth #Era #celebrates #downloads #limitedtime #Era #Vault #event Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

The ‘shy’ and quiet achiever vying to make history as WA’s first elected female Premier The ‘shy’ and quiet achiever vying to make history as WA’s first elected female Premier Politics never figured in the wildest dreams of the shy girl from Gero, now vying to become WA’s first elected female premier next Saturday. Catapulting the Liberal Party to victory from the nadir of near-oblivion four years ago is mission improbable, but crucially for Libby Mettam, not impossible. The 47-year-old isn’t fazed by opponents underestimating her. She’s used to it. Camera IconLiberal leader Libby Mettam with new grandchild Remy Credit: supplied Ms Mettam said people could get the wrong impression because she didn’t come across as “bolshy” as others. “I think if you’ve got determination and you’re willing to stay the course and be focused on what the goal is, you can surprise anyone,” she said. Such resolve has helped her defy doubters up to this point. “I worked out early in the piece that nobody should underestimate Libby in terms of her ability and her work ethic, which is phenomenal,” said former Upper House member for the South West, Barry House, who engaged her as a research officer in the 2000s. Ms Mettam said it was a quirk of fate that she entered politics in the first place. “I wasn’t originally thinking of becoming an MP or putting my hand up … It wasn’t ever a personal ambition,” she said. Camera IconWA Liberals leader Libby Mettam with Sophia Mettam, husband Jonathan, Remi (5 months) Bianca Mettam and Cameron Paul Credit: Daniel Wilkins/The West *********** “It was more something that came my way … it sort of all fell into place.” What precisely came her way was a by-election in her local electorate, Vasse, following the sudden resignation of the scandal-mired, but locally popular incumbent Troy Buswell. Her talent had been noticed. “I think it was a pretty easy decision (to say yes),” Ms Metam said. “I’ve always been pretty ambitious, but I guess the difference was that I wasn’t that into putting myself out there.” Born in Perth and brought up in Geraldton, she had “a pretty happy, but ordinary upbringing, two loving parents and a brother”. She attended Bluff Point Primary School and then Geraldton Senior High School. “Life was oriented around school, sport and the beach, basically.” Her dad, Peter, was a keen surfer and family holidays included trips to Bali and Hawaii. Mindful of the struggles of many children and families, she was very grateful for the ordinariness of her upbringing. Camera IconWA Liberals leader Libby Mettam with Cameron Paul, Bianca Mettam, Remi (5 months), husband Jonathan and Sophia Mettam Credit: Daniel Wilkins/The West *********** Mum Jenny worked as a real estate agent while her dad was a biochemist in the laboratory at Geraldton Regional Hospital. “I did do Country Week, but the award I got was for the speech team, which is pretty daggy,” Ms Mettam joked. Trips to Perth were a thrill. “In holidays, I would often catch the bus with a friend to Perth and stay with my auntie and uncle in Scarborough, and enjoy that coastline and going into the city,” she recalled. After finishing Year 12 in 1994, the bright lights beckoned. Wanting to study media, she had little choice but to uproot from the Mid West to Perth. “It was quite eye opening, seeing how big the city was and what all of the options were,” she said. “But in other respects it was revealing in terms of the anti-social behaviour and crime.” Camera IconPremier Roger Cook and Liberal leader Libby Mettam pictured at Newspaper House. Credit: Ian Munro/The West *********** She commenced a bachelor of arts in broadcasting at the WA Academy of Performing Arts. Making ends meet, she pulled pints at the Albion Hotel in Cottesloe. It was there she took a fancy to the bottle shop manager. The attraction was mutual, sparking a romance with Jonathan Mettam. During that “whirlwind” *******, she landed a role as a director’s assistant at Today Tonight, where she also did some producing work. At just 22, she became a mum to Bianca, with baby number two, Sophia, following 16 months later. By then she and Jonathon were married and had upped sticks to Adelaide so he could complete his wine-making studies. She worked as a producer for A Current Affair there, with the couple juggling parenting duties. “It was a really challenging *******, because we had two babies under two. I was working, ultimately, full time while he was looking after the kids and also studying. And I remember we really struggled to make ends meet,” Ms Mettam said. “I still can’t eat pumpkin soup to this day, because we had it that many different ways one week. I think it’s put me off for good,. The big treat we had was like a hot dog on a Saturday. “Reflecting on that *******, it was some of the best times that we’ve had as a little family. But I certainly can appreciate how difficult it is for many people across the State (struggling financially) at the moment.” The young family moved back to WA in 2003, planting roots in Dunsborough after Jonathan secured a good job at Wise Winery. Ms Mettam continued producing, this time for the ABC Radio in Bunbury. It was there that the political seed was planted, but the aim was to work for a pollie, not be one. “I had a lot to do with politicians that we’d call up for the programs and shows. We were always tackling different issues, but I found that you were touching on an issue and then basically leaving it … I wanted to try and see how we can resolve issues, as opposed to just highlighting them all the time,” she said. So, I did the Master’s in public policy with the view of being a policy adviser and I was doing that when I was working for Barry House. It as an intensive course outside of work hours and on weekends. By the time the Vasse by-election came around in October 2014, Ms Mettam was deeply active in the local community, with the Chamber of Commerce and doing publicity for the CinefestOZ film festival. She had to quickly get used to putting herself out front. “I’m quite shy, really,” she laughed. “In my media roles, I was interested in working behind the scenes, doing the producing and not really the stuff up front.” Her parents weren’t politically active, so what shaped her views? “I think the principles of the Liberal Party (appealed to me), which is if you work hard and want to get ahead, you should be able to have that opportunity to succeed,” she answered. “And rewarding initiative and individual enterprise.” In her maiden speech to Parliament, she said: “I support the fundamental principle that hard work, self-discipline and sacrifice can lead to success and good outcomes. There are no shortcuts.” Ms Mettam believes she inherited her own work ethic from her mum, who was also her biggest supporter on the hustings. She passed away in 2021. “She always did work very hard, and didn’t shy away from that.” Both her parents were “very grounded”. “(My dad’s) pretty positive and he has a very good sense of what’s important in life.” With it being vintage at her husband’s winery in Margaret River, “Metts” hasn’t been able to join her on the campaign trail. “I don’t call him Jon,” she said. “I introduce him as Jonathan to people, but I call him Metts. “He makes an amazing Margarita. He’s a winemaker, but he’s good with spirits as well. This seems like a world away (now), but when I used to finish Parliament on Thursday nights, I always looked forward to getting home and having a glass of wine with Metts. The election campaign has also thrown a spanner in her fitness regime. “My favourite thing to do on a weekend when I’m usually down south is this little jog to Castle Rock and back (to Dunsborough). “And I do that with headphones on. I think it’s about 9km. I’m the slowest runner in the whole world, but I don’t stop.” Midnight Oil’s 10 to 1 is one of her favourite albums to get the blood pumping. The Mettams are proud grandparents now, with daughter Bianca giving birth to baby Remi last year. Making every minute count is something Ms Mettam is used to, juggling work with family. “I’m usually chatting to one of my daughters when I’m putting on the make-up and speak to my husband, too. It’s a good time of the day to do it,” she said. “Bianca’s in her third-year medicine in Wollongong and Soph did economics. She now works in Sydney, but she’s coming back next week (to support her in the final days of the campaign).” Family time is the “ultimate sacrifice” for people in her position. “It’s that distracted time as well … You can be very distracted and not as present as you’d like to be (with them),” Ms Mettam said. “(But) it’s a rewarding job. It’s a very important job, even if you’re the leader of the second party.” Her 76-year-old dad lives down south. “He has a great life down there,” she said. “He’s retired, but he drives a school bus and plays golf every day of the week.” The media picked up on the warmth and civility shown by Ms Mettam and Roger Cook towards each other in the moments before Monday’s debate. The Liberal leader said it wasn’t faked for the cameras. “Roger’s a decent person,” she said. “I don’t think there’s any gain for any party in the ****** attacks, you know, playing man instead of the ball? “It does take the attention away from what the policies are, what the priorities are. “ She didn’t hide her irritation at “dirt units” looking into backgrounds of her candidates’ pasts. Ms Mettam recalled a warm and amusing moment with Mark McGowan, when her mum wanted to meet him. This was just after the 2021 election, and we’re in the foyer at Parliament. She said to him, ‘You be nice to my daughter’. He said. ‘She’s got to be nice to me.’ My mum wished him all the best and said it was not too late to jump ship to the Liberal Party, to which he laughed and said he did not think so. Mr House said Ms Mettam was in politics for the right reasons, “to do the best for the community she lives in”. “She’s not a person who’s consumed with playing political games,” he said. “She’s a very upfront, straight-down-the-line sort of person who takes people at face value. She’s always pleasant. I’ve never seen her cross. “I think she’s grown enormously as a person and (as a political leader). What she’s achieving with limited resources is quite remarkable. “I think she would be a very compassionate, fair and yet firm-when-needed premier.” Source link #shy #quiet #achiever #vying #history #elected #female #Premier Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Pope reaches 2-week mark at hospital with pneumonia and doctors suggest he’s overcome the worst Pope reaches 2-week mark at hospital with pneumonia and doctors suggest he’s overcome the worst ROME (AP) — Pope Francis reached the two-week mark recovery from pneumonia Friday as doctors suggested he had overcome the most critical phase of the infection while holding out on declaring him out of danger entirely. The ********’s early Friday update also suggested a level of normalcy and routine as the 88-year-old pope continues recovering at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital. “As in past days, the night was tranquil and the pope now is resting.” In their Thursday evening bulletin, doctors said Francis’ clinical condition had confirmed that he was improving. He was alternating the high-flow supplemental oxygen he had been receiving by a nasal tube with a mask in a sign of improved respiratory function. Additionally, he left his hospital room to go to his nearby private chapel to pray, while continuing with respiratory physiotherapy and work, the ******** said. 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. For the second day in a row, doctors avoided saying Francis was in critical condition, suggesting he had overcome the most acute phase of the infection. But given the complexity of his lung infection, they said “further days of clinical stability are needed” before they revise their prognosis officially and say he is out of danger. Francis has been at Gemelli Hospital since Feb. 14 after his bronchitis worsened. He has shown steady, albeit slight improvements since a respiratory crisis and kidney trouble over the weekend sparked fears for his life. The improvements beat back speculation of an imminent death, resignation or a conclave and signaled that he was still very much in charge. Prayers continued to pour in In Mexico City, a few dozen people gathered Thursday night at the cathedral to pray for Francis’ recovery. “He is like part of the family,” said Araceli Gutiérrez, who treasures the time she saw the pope during his trip to the country of nearly 100 million Catholics in 2016. “That’s why we feel so concerned for him.” María Teresa Sánchez, who was visiting from Colombia with her sister, said that she has always felt close to Francis — the first Latin American pope. “That’s like having a relative within the higher-ups, with God,” she said. “He has done so much for religion; he’s such a humble person.” Upcoming calendar in question Despite his improvements, Francis’ near-term upcoming calendar of events was being changed: The ******** cancelled a Holy Year audience scheduled for Saturday, and it remained to be seen if Francis would skip his Sunday noon blessing for the third week in a row. Ash Wednesday next week starts the Lenten season leading up to Holy Week and Easter, which this year falls on April 20. In past years, when Francis has battled bronchitis and influenza in winter, he curbed his participation in Ash Wednesday and Holy Week events, which call for the pope to be outdoors in the cold leading services, participating in processions and presiding over prayers in the solemn ******* in which the faithful commemorate Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection. Beyond that, Francis has a few major events coming up that he presumably would hope to keep if well enough. On April 27, he is due to canonize Carlo Acutis, considered to be the first millennial and digital-era saint. The ******** considers the Italian teenager, who died of leukemia in 2006 at the age of 15, an inspiration for young Catholics. Another important appointment is the May 24 commemoration of the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicea, Christianity’s first ecumenical council. The spiritual leader of the world’s Orthodox Christians, Patriarch Bartholomew I, has invited Francis to join him in Iznik, Turkey, to commemorate the anniversary, which he has called an important sign of reconciliation between the Catholic and Orthodox churches. Before he got sick, Francis said he hoped to go, though the ******** hasn’t confirmed the trip. ___ Maria Hernandez contributed from Mexico City. ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. Source link #Pope #reaches #2week #mark #hospital #pneumonia #doctors #suggest #hes #overcome #worst Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Israel's army admits failures on Oct. 7. Its probe of the attack could put pressure on Netanyahu – The Associated Press Israel's army admits failures on Oct. 7. Its probe of the attack could put pressure on Netanyahu – The Associated Press Israel’s army admits failures on Oct. 7. Its probe of the attack could put pressure on Netanyahu The Associated PressIsrael’s military publishes first report on 7 October 2023 failures BBC.comIsrael army probe reveals ‘complete failure’ in preventing October 7 attack Al Jazeera EnglishInvestigation highlights Israeli intelligence failures in lead-up to ******’ October 7 attack CNNEntire Gaza Division was overrun for hours, and IDF didn’t know it; 767 troops faced 5,000 terrorists The Times of Israel Source link #Israel039s #army #admits #failures #Oct #probe #attack #put #pressure #Netanyahu #Press Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]