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Full list of 2025 NFL combine measurements and 40-yard dash times, plus winners and losers for each position – CBS Sports Full list of 2025 NFL combine measurements and 40-yard dash times, plus winners and losers for each position – CBS Sports Full list of 2025 NFL combine measurements and 40-yard dash times, plus winners and losers for each position CBS SportsWhich NFL draft prospects could dominate the combine? Predictions, potential risers and speedsters to watch ESPNLinebacker Jihaad Campbell faces Houston Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. in the Simulcam NFL.comNFL Scouting Combine: what it is, how to watch and who’s participating CNN2025 NFL Combine preview: 7 safeties the Lions should watch Pride Of Detroit Source link #Full #list #NFL #combine #measurements #40yard #dash #times #winners #losers #position #CBS #Sports Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Drug dealer jailed for decades over violent ******* in botched home invasion Drug dealer jailed for decades over violent ******* in botched home invasion A court has been told how a botched home invasion, which was intended to be used as an “intimidation tactic”, escalated into *******. Source link #Drug #dealer #jailed #decades #violent #******* #botched #home #invasion Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

‘The evil deep state LIED TO YOUR FACE’ ‘The evil deep state LIED TO YOUR FACE’ Figures on the right reacted with anger on Thursday after the much-hyped release of federal files on the late Jeffrey Epstein, the deceased financier accused of running a sex trafficking ring involving minors, did not yield major new findings and featured some information that was already public. “THIS IS NOT WHAT WE OR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ASKED FOR and a complete disappointment,” Representative Anna Paulina Luna, a Republican member of the House Oversight Committee, wrote on X after the release, adding her committee hadn’t reviewed the release. “GET US THE INFORMATION WE ASKED FOR!” Former One America News Network host Liz Wheeler, one of the right-wing figures who got access to the newly released files, was also dismayed, and claimed the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York (SDNY) was hiding unspecified information. “We’re talking recordings, evidence, etc. The juicy stuff. Names,” Wheeler wrote on X. “These swamp creatures at SDNY deceived Bondi, Kash, and YOU. Be outraged that the binder is boring. You should be. Because the evil deep state LIED TO YOUR FACE.” The Independent has contacted the U.S. Attorney’s Office for comment. Epstein, who rubbed shoulders with influential figures in business, politics, and academia, died by suicide in 2019 in a New York prison as he awaited trial. The lack of blockbuster revelations prompted some on the right to suggest a conspiracy related to the files on Epstein, who’s already at the center of numerous highly speculative accounts across the political spectrum. Bulk of ‘Epstein Files’ included information already made public in other court cases and investigations (New York State Sex Offender Registry) “The Epstein files are a total joke,” conservative personality Glenn Beck posted on X. “Who is subverting POTUS? [president of the United States]” Attorney General Pam Bondi has also suggested further materials were concealed. “Late yesterday, I learned from a source that the FBI Field Office in New York was in possession of thousands of pages of documents related to the investigation and indictment of Epstein,” she wrote in a letter to FBI Director Kash Patel. “Despite my repeated requests, the FBI never disclosed the existence of these files.” “When you and I spoke yesterday, you were just as surprised as I was to learn this new information,” she added in the message, directing the FBI to deliver “the full and complete Epstein files” to her by 8 am Friday morning and launch an investigation into “why my order to the FBI was not followed.” “If there are gaps, we will find them,” Patel said in a statement on Thursday. “If records have been hidden, we will uncover them.” The information released on Thursday includes an evidence list, flight logs, Epstein’s contact book, and a redacted masseuse list featuring over 250 entries, much of which was already public. Some notable new information did crop up, however, including that Epstein had Mick Jagger, Michael Jackson, actor Alec Baldwin, and supermodel Naomi Campbell in his list of phone contacts. Source link #evil #deep #state #LIED #FACE Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

How to spot February’s parade of 7 planets, according to astronomers – CNN How to spot February’s parade of 7 planets, according to astronomers – CNN How to spot February’s parade of 7 planets, according to astronomers CNNA Parade of Planets Is Marching Through the Night Sky The New York TimesAll seven planets parade in night sky this week Financial TimesAstrophotographer captures ‘rare’ planetary parade as 7 planets align in the night sky (photo) Space.com Source link #spot #Februarys #parade #planets #astronomers #CNN Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Support officer Sheikh Wesam Charkawi reinstated after student protest Support officer Sheikh Wesam Charkawi reinstated after student protest A support officer who was forced to work from home following a social media post in response to the stood-down Bankstown nurses has been reinstated. Source link #Support #officer #Sheikh #Wesam #Charkawi #reinstated #student #protest Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Ford ‘Mach 4’ Trademark Fuels Future Mustang Sedan Rumors Ford ‘Mach 4’ Trademark Fuels Future Mustang Sedan Rumors Ford filed a new trademark with the USPTO that could point to a Mustang sedan being built in the near future. The company filed to trademark the name “Mach 4,” conjuring images of Ford’s iconic pony car stretched to accommodate a set of rear doors. The idea of a four-door Mustang isn’t totally new, the company has been selling an electric SUV called the Mustang Mach-E for four years, after all. Automotive subbrands are all the rage these days. Everyone’s got one. GMC spun off the Hummer into its own thing, Jeep revived the Wagoneer as its own brand, and Chevy is reportedly preparing to spin Corvette into a standalone brand. Thanks to the introduction of the Mustang Mach-E several years ago, Ford also knows how to transform a popular nameplate into something new. Mach 4 a Mustang Sedan? Now, a new report from Ford Authority revealed that Ford has applied for a new trademark with the USPTO (United States Patent and Trademark Office) for the name “Mach 4.” The application was filed on February 25. According to the USPTO site, the trademark covers “Motor vehicles, namely gasoline and electric automobiles, pickup trucks, sport-utility vehicles, and their structural parts.” Car and Driver Rumors that Ford will build a Mustang sedan have been around for years, even going as far back as the Mustang’s first generation, according to Ford Authority. Fast forward to 2018, and Ford reportedly showed a concept model to dealers before the project was shelved. The outlet also reported that last May, Ford CEO Jim Farley said he “believes” the automaker could build a four-door Mustang as long as it has “all the performance and attitude of the original.” There’s also the possibility that this Mach 4 trademark somehow relates to the standalone Raptor supercar Ford has teased in the past. Nothing is known about that particular project, but in January, Farley told Top Gear, “We’re in the middle of creating something, so we don’t have all the answers yet, but the question is, should Ford make an off-road supercar? Not a version of a car, a standalone supercar.” Ford Given that Ford has already angered the feistiest of Mustang purists with the electric Mustang Mach-E, there’s a real possibility that the automaker could introduce a sedan. Then again, none of the previous Mustang sedan rumors have amounted to anything, so we’ll have to wait and see if this trademark also turns into a nothingburger. You Might Also Like Source link #Ford #Mach #Trademark #Fuels #Future #Mustang #Sedan #Rumors Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

NOAA is firing workers in Oregon and Washington – Oregon Public Broadcasting NOAA is firing workers in Oregon and Washington – Oregon Public Broadcasting NOAA is firing workers in Oregon and Washington Oregon Public BroadcastingNOAA fires about 800 employees, with more possible Friday CNNDOGE Job Cuts Hit NOAA, the Agency in Charge of the Weather Service NewsweekMass Layoffs Begin at NOAA, With Hundreds Said to Be Fired in One Day The New York Times Source link #NOAA #firing #workers #Oregon #Washington #Oregon #Public #Broadcasting Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Brat Pack alumni eyes Oscar with Hollywood comeback Brat Pack alumni eyes Oscar with Hollywood comeback Demi Moore, who rose to fame as part of the “Brat Pack” of actors in 1980s coming-of-age movies, is the frontrunner to take the Academy Award for best actress. Source link #Brat #Pack #alumni #eyes #Oscar #Hollywood #comeback Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Is the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Going to Return in 2026? Is the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Going to Return in 2026? The Nurburgring-smashing Ford Mustang GTD promises to be the most extreme version of the pony car that we’ve ever seen. That said, getting your hands on one of the limited-production, $300,000-plus machines isn’t exactly as easy as heading to the dealer. But according to a post on the r/Mustang Reddit page, that racing-inspired pony might not be Ford’s only super-potent Mustang for long; A document that appears to be a leaked memo from a branch of the United Auto Workers shared on the site appears to confirm the existence of a Shelby GT500 coming for 2026. The memo, which features the URL to the UAW Local 600 website at the bottom, details some recent adjustments within Ford’s Dearborn Engine Plant. While most of the piece focuses on Ford’s profit-driving items within the plant, it makes mention of potentially adding shifts to the plant’s Niche engine line, which produces the supercharged 5.2-liter V-8 for the F-150 Raptor R. The reason for that expansion is what really caught the eye of fans, as the memo bluntly calls out the 2026 Shelby GT500 as the culprit. “I can’t wait until we start building engines for such an iconic vehicle with an engine that will be named Legend,” the UAW 600-branded memo continues. Ford R&T has not been able to confirm the authenticity of these documents. We’ve reached out to both Ford and the UAW Local 600 for clarification, and will update this story with any additional comments or context provided. Ford has been quite cagey about the Shelby nameplates during the S650-generation Mustang era. Ford has seemingly looked to separate itself from the icons with its latest track-focused machines like the Dark Horse and GTD, which carry no mention of the previous range toppers. Shelby American themselves have even started using the GT350 name again for their own S650-based build, further hinting that Ford is done with the badge. They’ve said nothing about the GT500 thus far, however. It isn’t shocking to hear that a GT500 could be in the works. The model has served as the range topper since the S197 generation, with the outgoing S550 model representing a high point with fans. While the GTD technically sits in that slot now, it’s not even in the same pricing galaxy as the older blown ‘Stangs. Ford and the UAW also agreed to keep building that car’s 5.2-liter V-8 through at least 2028 in their last contract, which should run past the limited production run of GTD. Unless the automaker plans to sell a bunch of Raptor Rs, that production capability will be used for something else. Ford Don’t expect the same old Predator V-8, however. Given how potent Chevrolet’s LT7 V-8 has proved to be, we wouldn’t be shocked to see Ford push the 5.2-liter towards the 1000-hp mark. Such an engine would certainly be deserving of a name like Legend, though how they’d accomplish that is just speculation at this point. All I know is that I want FoMoCo to get busy prepping the debut. You Might Also Like Source link #Ford #Mustang #Shelby #GT500 #Return Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

US judge blocks Trump administration's plans for mass firing of federal employees – Hindustan Times US judge blocks Trump administration's plans for mass firing of federal employees – Hindustan Times US judge blocks Trump administration’s plans for mass firing of federal employees Hindustan TimesOPM tells court it never ordered mass firings, contradicting prior claims Government Executive Source link #judge #blocks #Trump #administration039s #plans #mass #firing #federal #employees #Hindustan #Times Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump cuts nearly $60 billion in foreign aid grants and contracts Trump cuts nearly $60 billion in foreign aid grants and contracts Trump cuts nearly $60 billion in foreign aid grants and contracts – CBS News Watch CBS News For 60 years, the United States has believed that foreign aid in the form of international grants to provide food, medical care and other humanitarian aid would stabilize the chaotic world. In a major shift, the Trump administration dismissed nearly $60 billion in foreign aid grants and contracts. Nancy Cordes has details. Be the first to know Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not Now Turn On Source link #Trump #cuts #billion #foreign #aid #grants #contracts Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Dutch winter steels Sydney's Segecic for red-hot season Dutch winter steels Sydney's Segecic for red-hot season Adrian Segecic is being spoken of as a Socceroos bolter for March’s qualifiers after a stellar, goal-laden spell for Sydney FC. Source link #Dutch #winter #steels #Sydney039s #Segecic #redhot #season Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

******* suspect claims self-defense in young mother’s death ******* suspect claims self-defense in young mother’s death ******* suspect claims self-defense in young mother’s death A ******* suspect is claiming self-defense in the shooting death of a young mother in north Charlotte. A trial for the first of three suspects started this week nearly six years after a stray bullet killed 27-year-old Kendal Crank while she was driving to nursing school. Crank’s life ended at the intersection of North Tryon Street and East 28th Street. PAST COVERAGE: Jury selection begins in trial of suspect in Charlotte mother’s death Adonis Smith was charged with first-degree *******. His defense attorney said in court on Thursday that Smith he did shoot and kill Crank, but he did so while defending himself from others who were shooting at him. However, prosecutors painted a different picture. MORE PAST COVERAGE: Smith walked into court Thursday before prosecutor Robert Brackett explained to the jury how it allegedly happened. Brackett said Crank was stopped at a stoplight at the intersection when he said a ****** SUV pulled around her to the left with bullets flying out of it. One fatally hitting Crank in her red car. “You will see a red Kia slowly proceed through the intersection, run into a fence and stop just across Tryon Street on 28th,” Brackett said. Crank was in the red car. A bullet from her left struck her in the head. The prosecutor told the jury they will see the interview where Smith eventually told detectives he was the one firing from the SUV’s passenger seat. “He will say he fired two shots,” Brackett said. However, Smith’s defense attorney, Kimberly Olsinski, said her client was simply defending himself that day, shooting at two men across the street in a parking lot who she said shot at Smith first. “Adonis Smith is scared, and he has that fight or flight moment,” Olsinski said. “And his instincts tell him to grab a gun that was in the car. And he picks that gun up and he points it out the window and he fires. And he fires at the man in the red hoodie that you will see was firing at him.” Smith’s attorney told the jury they will hear that under self-defense, even if an innocent bystander such as Crank is hit, their client should not be criminally responsible. “If a shooter shoots a bullet and his intent with that shot is to fire in self-defense, that intent travels with the bullet,” Olsinski said. The first few witnesses took the stand on Thursday as well, including some of the first officers and firefighters to arrive on scene that day. The jury was also shown gruesome pictures from the scene. Some of them even wiping away tears as they were shown. There won’t be trial here Friday, but it will restart Monday and could last two weeks. VIDEO: Jury selection begins in trial of suspect in Charlotte mother’s death Source link #******* #suspect #claims #selfdefense #young #mothers #death Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Iowa Lawmakers Pass Bill to Eliminate Transgender Civil Rights Protections – The New York Times Iowa Lawmakers Pass Bill to Eliminate Transgender Civil Rights Protections – The New York Times Iowa Lawmakers Pass Bill to Eliminate Transgender Civil Rights Protections The New York TimesIowa lawmakers vote to remove gender identity as a protected class The HillIowa lawmakers pass bill removing trans civil rights protections, sending it to governor Des Moines Register Source link #Iowa #Lawmakers #Pass #Bill #Eliminate #Transgender #Civil #Rights #Protections #York #Times Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

A look at a Ukraine titanium mine with Trump and Zelenskyy set to sign minerals deal A look at a Ukraine titanium mine with Trump and Zelenskyy set to sign minerals deal A look at a Ukraine titanium mine with Trump and Zelenskyy set to sign minerals deal – CBS News Watch CBS News Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will be at the White House to sign a deal that will give the United States access to Ukraine’s minerals in exchange for continuing U.S. aid. Imtiaz Tyab got a look at some of Ukraine’s mineral wealth. Be the first to know Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not Now Turn On Source link #Ukraine #titanium #Trump #Zelenskyy #set #sign #minerals #deal Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Weekly quiz: How did the ***'s oldest horse celebrate her birthday? Weekly quiz: How did the ***'s oldest horse celebrate her birthday? How much attention did you pay to what else has been going on in the world over the past seven days? Source link #Weekly #quiz #UK039s #oldest #horse #celebrate #birthday Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Mosman Park man, 52, charged after police raid home and allegedly uncover laptop with child sex abuse material Mosman Park man, 52, charged after police raid home and allegedly uncover laptop with child sex abuse material A Mosman Park man has been charged after police raided his home and allegedly uncovered a laptop and hard drive with child sex abuse material. Source link #Mosman #Park #man #charged #police #raid #home #allegedly #uncover #laptop #child #sex #abuse #material Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

British prime minister meets with Trump at White House British prime minister meets with Trump at White House British prime minister meets with Trump at White House – CBS News Watch CBS News British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is the latest European leader to make a personal appeal to President Trump to continue U.S. support for Ukraine in the war with Russia, and to stop his tariff threats. Margaret Brennan has more. Be the first to know Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not Now Turn On Source link #British #prime #minister #meets #Trump #White #House Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Documents reveal second arrest in Austin elementary school threat Documents reveal second arrest in Austin elementary school threat AUSTIN (KXAN) — Angela Jacuinde, 18, faces a charge of conspiracy to commit Capital ******* in connection to a 2024 threat made against Graham Elementary School in northeast Austin. In August, KXAN reported on how law enforcement thwarted a possible attack at the school with the arrest of Giana Castillo, 17, who APD said made “concerning statements online… regarding the planning of an active shooter event,” according to Castillo’s arrest affidavit. Giana Castillo, left, and Angela Jacuinde, right, face charges related to a 2024 threat against Graham Elementary School. PREVIOUS: Possible Austin school shooting thwarted by law enforcement, court documents say In that case, FBI agents tracked the IP address of the account making the threats to Castillo. In November, three months after Castillo’s arrest, police arrested Jacuinde in connection to this crime as well, according to online court records. Her indictment states a grand jury believes she worked with Castillo to plan the killing of multiple people at Graham Elementary School. Jacuinde’s court records show she was extradited from Fresno, Calif. as part of her arrest. Travis County Jail records indicate Jacuinde was booked in January and given a $250,000 bond. KXAN has reached out to both Jacuinde’s and Castillo’s attorneys and will update this story if we receive a response. According to Castillo’s arrest affidavit, Castillo and Jacuinde were communicating on social media about their plans for the attack, and Jacuinde admitted this action to the FBI. Court documents outlined several discussions they had about which weapons to use in the attack. Castillo is currently not in custody, according to Travis County Jail records. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. Source link #Documents #reveal #arrest #Austin #elementary #school #threat Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Judge says mass firings of probationary employees by the Trump administration were invalid – Business Insider Judge says mass firings of probationary employees by the Trump administration were invalid – Business Insider Judge says mass firings of probationary employees by the Trump administration were invalid Business InsiderOPM tells court it never ordered mass firings, contradicting prior claims Government ExecutiveJudge blocks Trump administration from firing probationary employees USA TODAY Source link #Judge #mass #firings #probationary #employees #Trump #administration #invalid #Business #Insider Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Ex-Twitter employee left homeless questions Musk federal buyout offer Ex-Twitter employee left homeless questions Musk federal buyout offer Ex-Twitter employee left homeless questions Musk federal buyout offer – CBS News Watch CBS News So far, about 100,000 federal workers have been fired or accepted buyouts offered by President Trump and adviser Elon Musk. Ed O’Keefe talked to one who took the deal, and to a former Twitter employee who believes she — and others like her — got taken. Be the first to know Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not Now Turn On Source link #ExTwitter #employee #left #homeless #questions #Musk #federal #buyout #offer Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Did the White House lobby help end his travel ban? Did the White House lobby help end his travel ban? Mike Wendling and Kayla Epstein BBC News Watch: Andrew Tate and brother, Tristan, arrive in US Andrew and Tristan Tate, the controversial British-American social media influencers accused of *****, human trafficking and money laundering, have been freed from travel restrictions in Romania after several high-level White House officials took an interest in their case. It’s unclear what, if any, role Donald Trump’s administration may have played in their release, but one of Trump’s top envoys met with Romania’s Foreign Minister Emil Hurezeanu at a security conference in Munich earlier this month. Andrew Tate rose to fame after appearing on the *** reality show Big Brother, and later making a series of extreme and controversial statements about women and politics on social media. The pair ran a web cam business and were charged with human trafficking and ***** along with two Romanian female suspects in June 2023. They also face separate, unrelated allegations of ***** and human trafficking in the ***, and civil suits in the US and ***. They deny all the allegations, which their US lawyer calls “defamatory and unequivocally false”. On Thursday the brothers arrived in Florida after previously being banned from leaving Romania while the case against them is pending. Lawyers for the pair say they will return to Bucharest for court hearings. What did White House officials say? When asked about the Tates at the White House on Thursday, President Trump said: “I know nothing about that.” But the brothers have been the subject of recent high-level discussions between the US and Romania. Romanian officials say US counterparts brought up the brothers’ case with the Romanian government earlier this month, a story first reported by the Financial Times. And Trump special envoy Richard Grenell raised the issue again at a security conference in Munich. Hurezeanu said the Tates were mentioned during that conversation, but denied being pressured to release the pair. The Tate brothers are Trump supporters and also have ties to his administration. One of Tate’s lawyers now works as White House liaison to the US justice department. Paul Ingrassia was part of a team representing the Tate brothers in a defamation lawsuit they filed in Florida against several of their alleged victims. Ingrassia also acted as Tate’s publicist and says he got the influencer onto a show hosted by Tucker Carlson, the former Fox News host. He has praised Tate in online posts. In one dating from July 2023, he called Tate “an extraordinary human being” who was offering “a dying West some hope for renewal”. Ingrassia did not respond to a request for comment on Thursday. The Tates have also been talked about by several people in Trump’s orbit, including Donald Trump Jr and Elon Musk. Trump Jr once called Tate’s detention in Romania “absolute insanity”. Musk reinstated Andrew Tate’s account, which had been banned on X, and suggested, perhaps in jest, that Tate would make a good *** prime minister. Joseph McBride, a lawyer representing the Tates in a defamation case they have filed against several of their accusers in Florida, said in a statement: “They feel secure in America for several reasons, the primary one being that Donald Trump is the president.” The statement alleged that the Tates and others are victims of “weaponised legal systems” and “politically motivated prosecutions”. McBride did not respond to questions about what role, if any, White House officials played in the removal of travel restrictions against the Tate brothers. Reuters Andrew Tate arriving at Fort Lauderdale Airport in Florida on Thursday What is the manosphere? Trump and his advisers know the political power of the manosphere – a popular and very online subculture that attracts fans of mixed martial arts fighting, video games, cryptocurrencies and other stereotypically male pursuits. It’s a sprawling scene that includes men who reject the company of women entirely, a “pick-up artist” scene filled with tips on how to find casual hookups, and plenty of mainstream podcasts and YouTube channels filled with bro-type humour. The president’s advisers targeted the same audiences during last year’s election campaign, when Trump, JD Vance and others in his orbit went on podcasts and did interviews with new media outlets. The views of the Tate brothers lie at one of the manosphere’s extreme edges. Andrew Tate himself has made no secret of his self-described misogynist – women-hating – and sexist views. On podcasts and online clips he talks about how women are property, how men shouldn’t allow girlfriends to go out without them or talk to other men. In extremely graphic language, he’s described violence against women and talks about how ******* assault victims bear responsibility for *****. Tate and his brother at the same time sell a glamorous lifestyle of expensive properties, cigars and luxury cars that includes self-improvement messages directed at young men – an image that garnered him a large audience before he was booted off most mainstream social media platforms. He told the BBC in a 2023 interview: “I preach hard work, discipline. I’m an athlete, I preach anti-drugs, I preach religion, I preach no alcohol, I preach no knife crime. Every single problem with modern society I’m against.” Like many other extreme influencers, in the face of criticism he often claims his posts are satire or jokes, mocking his detractors as his messages spread further, propelled by online outrage. Trump supporters split The pair’s supporters were thrilled with his release and eager to proclaim their innocence, despite the outstanding charges against them. Others were less enthusiastic. Four British women who have filed a civil lawsuit against Andrew Tate issued a statement calling on *** authorities to “take action”. And support for the Tates is far from universal among Trump supporters and American conservatives, many of whom moved to immediately distance themselves from the brothers. Ron DeSantis, the governor of Florida, where Tates landed on Thursday, said of their activities: “Florida is not a place where you’re welcome with that type of conduct.” The state’s attorney general later said he would open a preliminary inquiry into the Tates and said Florida has “zero tolerance for human trafficking and violence against women”. In the conservative Washington Examiner, podcaster Brady Leonard wrote: “Tate’s obnoxious, misogynistic brand is toxic to everyone besides electorally insignificant corners of social media.” Matt Lewis, a US conservative political commentator who has been critical of Trump in the past, said advocating on behalf of Tate “fits in with the ethos of the Maga world right now, which is: ‘let’s be tough guys'”. “But I also think it speaks to a legitimate problem, which we have seen in the last couple decades, a problem with men…where there’s an epidemic of loneliness, a sense the world is passing them by, a sense that modernity has made it harder to be successful as a husband and a father. I think that’s had some real psychic effects,” he said. “There’s a pretty good contingency of Trump’s supporters who are probably going to welcome this guy and probably even see him as a victim of persecution.” Source link #White #House #lobby #travel #ban Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

How 7 states could thwart GOP plans to overhaul Medicaid How 7 states could thwart GOP plans to overhaul Medicaid Republicans are facing a nationwide backlash over the fate of Medicaid — but the potential program cuts are most threatening in seven conservative-leaning states where voters have cast ballots to expand the entitlement in recent years. It’s a growing problem as Republicans hunt for enough savings to pay for the White House’s proposed tax cuts. Republican Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota, which has enrolled more than 24,000 people in Medicaid since voters expanded the insurance program for low-income people in 2022, told POLITICO he’s been arguing against some of his own party’s proposals. One would reduce significantly how much funding for the program comes from the federal government. “That’s not a cost cutting measure — that’s a cost transfer,” he said. “And when you’ve got partnerships with the states, you shouldn’t be doing that without having them involved in the discussion.” Republicans face similar skepticism across red and purple swaths of the country where voters have used ballot initiatives to expand Medicaid since Congress last targeted the safety net health insurance program in 2017 – not only in South Dakota, but also in Idaho, Nebraska, Maine, Oklahoma, Missouri and Utah. President Donald Trump won all of those states except Maine. And even there, he won an electoral vote by defeating Kamala Harris in the state’s 2nd Congressional District, where nearly a third of people are enrolled in Medicaid. The president’s conflicting guidance to Congress about whether and how much to cut from the program suggests he is aware of the political peril. Additional states could expand Medicaid in the coming years, making future rollbacks even more challenging. There’s currently a campaign underway in Florida to put expansion on the ballot in 2026, underscoring the popularity of Medicaid even in the most MAGA-friendly states. “Cutting Medicaid seems to be popular with some Republican elites and some right wing think tanks that are getting funded by some right wing billionaires, but they’re unquestionably not popular with the Republican voters,” Joan Alker, the executive director of the Center for Children and Families at Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy, told reporters at a briefing on Medicaid this week. “We’ve seen many polls recently asking voters to rank what they wanted … and cutting Medicaid was literally the last on the list for voters of all stripes.” Coalitions on the ground in the seven states that passed Medicaid expansion initiatives — made up of powerful hospital associations, grassroots advocacy groups and other strange bedfellows — are now re-mobilizing to defend them. They’re sending people to town halls. They’re publishing op-eds in local newspapers. They’re flooding the phone lines of their members of Congress. And they’re mulling a revival of some of the more aggressive tactics activists used to protest attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act in 2017. “We’re going back to the old playbook,” said Matt Slonaker, the executive director of the Utah Health Policy Project who spearheaded the state’s ballot initiative campaign in 2018. “It’s always hard to get folks to act, but they seem to be really, really ready to do this right now.” With pressure mounting to find hundreds of billions in savings, lawmakers who are usually on board with slashing government spending remain on high alert about the blowback they could face in their states over Medicaid. And as they struggle to keep their members united behind Trump’s budget plan, GOP leadership is taking notice. House Speaker Mike Johnson on Wednesday night backed away from some of the most sweeping changes the GOP had been debating, including capping the funds states get for each Medicaid enrollee and rolling back federal support for expansion states, even as he dismissed outrage his members have recently faced over threatened cuts at fiery town halls across the country as the work of “paid protesters.” “All this attention is being paid to Medicaid because that’s the Democrats’ talking point,” Johnson said. “We’re talking about finding efficiencies in every program, but not cutting benefits for people who rightly deserve them.” Pro-expansion health care groups in these seven red and purple states mounted expensive and time-consuming ballot initiative campaigns to circumvent conservative state legislatures and governors who refused to expand Medicaid, and some of those same state officials are currently working to roll back the expanded coverage their constituents enacted. That’s left Republicans on Capitol Hill from Medicaid-expansion states as the loudest — and in some cases the only — effective voices of opposition to the proposed cuts now that Democrats are locked out of power. And while some House Republicans who represent red districts are feeling the heat, senators will have to answer to their entire state. “I don’t quite think Republicans know the backlash they’re in for,” said Brad Woodhouse, a former Democratic National Committee official who now runs the progressive health care advocacy group Protect Our Care. “And it’s going to be a particularly bitter pill in these states that have used ballot initiatives because in those cases, the voters have really spoken about their preference.” Republican Sens. Josh Hawley of Missouri and Susan Collins of Maine — both of whom hail from states that expanded Medicaid by ballot measure — crossed the aisle earlier this week to support a Democratic amendment to the Senate budget resolution that would have blocked tax cuts for the wealthy if any Medicaid funding is cut. Hawley, who represents about 326,000 people who became eligible for Medicaid under the state’s 2021 expansion, has said he wouldn’t support “severe” cuts to Medicaid — specifically cuts that would lead to reduced benefits — calling it a “red line” for securing his vote. The politics are especially tricky for representatives of more rural states where Medicaid has been a lifeline for hospitals struggling to keep the lights on — hospitals that in some instances are among the state’s biggest employers. In Idaho, for example, voters approved expanding Medicaid in 2018 with 61 percent support, extending coverage to about 90,000 more residents. But if federal funding for Medicaid decreases as a result of the current negotiations in Washington, the state legislature has the power to intervene and potentially repeal the expansion. Idaho House ********* Leader Ilana Rubel, a Democrat, is among those warning that such an outcome would threaten the state’s remaining rural hospitals. “That’s a disaster, not only for the people on Medicaid, but for the people on private insurance,” Rubel said. “Because when you live in these rural areas, you know you can have the best insurance in the world, but if the hospital in your area has gone out of business and you fall off a ladder or have a heart attack, there will be nobody to help you.” Yet not every Republican from an expansion state is worried about the sweeping reforms hardliners in their caucus are pushing for. Sen. James Lankford of Oklahoma, where more than 245,000 people became eligible for coverage after the state voted to expand Medicaid in 2020, echoed Speaker Johnson’s argument that the final budget would not impact individuals’ health care benefits and said he hadn’t heard from concerned citizens about it. “I have not heard anyone talking about cutting off Medicaid to people,” he said. “It has been dealing with formulas. It’s been dealing with fraud.” Utah Sen. John Curtis told POLITICO this week that after discussing the matter with Republican Gov. Spencer Cox, he’s not sweating the political implications. He said he’s “not near as concerned” about cuts to the safety net program as he is “about the fiscal irresponsibility that we’re facing,” adding that he’s “in total harmony with our state leaders on this.” Medicaid enrollment in Utah grew nearly 60 percent after a ballot measure expanding the program passed in 2018. But Utah is among the nine states that has a “trigger” law in place to automatically end Medicaid expansion or require major changes to the program if federal funds decline, threatening coverage for millions of people. For Curtis, that’s a feature rather than a bug. “Our state is one of more fiscally responsible states, in my opinion, and they saw this coming,” he said. Source link #states #thwart #GOP #plans #overhaul #Medicaid Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Mexico sends major drug bosses to US amid tariff threat Mexico sends major drug bosses to US amid tariff threat Mexico has sent 29 drug cartel figures, including Rafael Caro Quintero, to the US as the Trump administration turns up the pressure on drug trafficking gangs. Source link #Mexico #sends #major #drug #bosses #tariff #threat Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Metroid Dread Dev’s New Game Is Blades Of Fire, Releases In May Metroid Dread Dev’s New Game Is Blades Of Fire, Releases In May It’s been a long time since MercurySteam released an original game, but the studio behind Metroid: Samus Returns and Metroid Dread has finally revealed a first look at its upcoming dark fantasy action-RPG Blades of Fury. In the announcement trailer below, players are introduced to Aran de Lira as he prepares to face his destiny head-on against some dangerous foes. Luckily for Aran, he’s well-armed with weapons of his own creation. In the game’s backstory, Aran is the firstborn of the King’s Ward, and he’s forced to take a stand after the recently crowned Queen Nerea uses dark magic to solidify her power in the kingdom. Thanks to Nerea’s spell, all steel in the kingdom has been turned to stone, and only the evil creatures at her command have the divine metal that can obliterate any normal weapon used against them. That’s why Aran will have to forge his own weapons to counter the divine metal’s power, and there are several different weapons that can be chosen. Players will have to determine which weapons are most effective against the wide variety of monsters they encounter in the game. Picking the wrong weapon could have grave consequences and leave Aran unable to defeat his foes. MercurySteam has teased that certain details about the story will be unknown, and “you will know only what our heroes know; your intuition and courage must fill in the rest.” Thankfully, Aran doesn’t have to figure it all out for himself. His companion, Adso, can aid him during battles with suggestions about how to defeat the creatures. Adso also speaks the language of the ancient forger, which will come in handy as they brave dangerous castles and mazes. Blades of Fire will be released on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC via the Epic Games Store on May 22. Source link #Metroid #Dread #Devs #Game #Blades #Fire #Releases Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]