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Boucher ignites Raptors’ offence in win over Suns Boucher ignites Raptors’ offence in win over Suns By Tim Wharnsby The ********* Press Posted February 23, 2025 8:48 pm 2 min read Descrease article font size Increase article font size TORONTO – ********* Chris Boucher came off the bench to score 23 points and grab 10 rebounds to lead the Toronto Raptors to a 127-109 National Basketball Association victory against the Phoenix Suns on Sunday. Boucher and the Raptors’ (18-39) bench outscored their Suns counterparts 42-18 as Toronto halted its two-game slide at Scotiabank Arena. Phoenix guard Devin Booker scored a game-high 31 points and his backcourt mate Bradley Beal checked in with 30. Kevin Durant scored 15. Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett each had 23 points for the Raptors. Scottie Barnes was good for 20 points and nine rebounds. Related Videos 3:21 Toronto Raptors adding Brandon Ingram at trade deadline an ‘important step in the rebuild,’ GM says Previous Video Next Video Story continues below advertisement The Suns (27-30) pushed to within two points with 5:02 remaining. But Quickley and Barrett got hot from beyond the three-point arc in the late going. Get daily National news Get the day’s top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. The Raptors went 8-for-8 in three-point attempts in the final quarter for 20 in the game, one shy of their season high. Barrett made three in a row in the fourth quarter. Toronto enjoyed an 88-82 lead entering the final quarter. The Raptors held a 29-25 advantage after the first quarter and finished strong to lead 67-52 at the half. Boucher scored 14 second-quarter points and snatched five rebounds. More on Sports More videos TAKEAWAYS Raptors: Head coach Darko Rajakovic reported that Jakob Poeltl is close to returning, but the injured centre missed his seventh game with a right hip ailment. Suns: As part of Toronto’s 8-3 run to finish the first half, a technical foul was called on Durant for arguing a call. Quickley made the free throw. Trending Now ******* conservatives to win election, far-right AfD in 2nd: exit polls Trump’s 51st state talk ‘almost never’ comes up in D.C.: Canada’s envoy KEY MOMENT Boucher grabbed a rebound on his own miss and then was fouled on his successful layup. He made the free throw to put the Raptors ahead 105-93 with 7:39 remaining. KEY STAT Story continues below advertisement After scoring 27 points in Chicago on Saturday, Durant had a poor shooting game, making only 5-of-15 from the field, including 0-for-5 on three-point attempts. UP NEXT Suns: Visit the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday. Raptors: Host the Boston Celtics on Tuesday. This report by The ********* Press was first published Feb. 23, 2025. &copy 2025 The ********* Press Source link #Boucher #ignites #Raptors #offence #win #Suns Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Wrexham family left with scars after landslide Wrexham family left with scars after landslide Ffion Lloyd Williams & Megan Davies BBC News Emyr Owens The family had to smash windows to save the children trapped inside Emyr Owens and his family were doing jobs around the house when his daughter heard an unfamiliar sound. Within minutes there was six foot (1.8m) of water outside their family home in Wrexham, 15 trees had fallen and his son’s car had been swept down the lane. Like hundreds of others across the country, Mr Owens and his son’s homes were badly damaged by Storm Bert in November 2024. Three months on he said his family were lucky to be alive but were still living with the scars of such a “horrendous” event. Emyr Owens Mr Owen’s son said a tree came through the stone walls of his home “It could have been an absolute disaster,” said Mr Owens, from Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog, Wrexham. On the morning Storm Bert battered the country, Mr Owens and his adult children, as well as his six grandchildren, were moving furniture. The storm triggered a landslide on Mr Owens’ doorstep, leaving destruction in its wake. “It was horrendous. At its worse it was six foot deep and it smashed all the doors where the cattle were,” he said. A total of 15 trees fell, with one tree slicing through the stone walls of Mr Owens’ son’s house next door. “We are lucky that it happened at 2pm and not 2am or it could have been a total disaster,” Mr Owen said. The family could not hide their emotions after the devastation caused by the landslide in November Three months on Mr Owens said Storm Bert had mentally impacted the family, particularly his six grandchildren. “You are always thinking about it,” he said. “People are always asking how are things… but it brings back things – it’s been a very stressful time.” While Mr Owens has had support from his “fantastic neighbours and community,” he said questions still remained about the preparation and reaction of authorities to the storm. “We haven’t had a phone call even – we have had nothing,” he said. “You’d think they would have come out and at least come and have a look at the situation. “At the end of the day they are partially responsible for it.” Emyr Owens The landslide destroyed the windows and doors of the Owens family home Mr Owens said he was frustrated he cannot dredge the river, saying “common sense” needed to prevail. “They say we will put a fence there and plant trees,” he said. “They’re going to extreme costs for no reason.” Lyndsey Rawlinson, head of operations for north east Wales at Natural Resources Wales, said: “All of our flood risk management activities must be prioritised and justified technically, environmentally, and economically. “Dredging and de-shoaling can be more effective in some locations than in others. “We make decisions on how best to manage increased flood risk on a site-specific basis, using specialist knowledge and evidence of how each river might respond to sediment removal.” Ms Rawlinson added Natural Resources Wales had “permissive powers” to carry out flood risk maintenance work on main rivers, rather than legal duties. Emyr Owens More than 300 tonnes of silt was swept into the yard of the farm Source link #Wrexham #family #left #scars #landslide Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Screen Actors Guild Awards 2025: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo and Demi Moore sizzle on the red carpet Screen Actors Guild Awards 2025: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo and Demi Moore sizzle on the red carpet Of all the high profile ceremonies during Hollywood’s award season, the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) tends to be a love-in. Despite the egos in the room, actors love actors because they can be high-minded about the craft and artistry of their work. While there are studio heads and filmmakers in the room, the SAGs are all about celebrating the onscreen talent, so no wonder they’re all in a good mood. Recognising performances on both the big and small screen, the stars from the nominated films and series have come together on the red carpet. There are A-list luminaries and industry veterans such as Harrison Ford, Jodie Foster, Demi Moore and Daniel Craig, as well as the likes of Timothee Chalamet, Mikey Madison, Richard Gadd and Andrew Scott. It’s the final stretch of the season — the Oscars are next week — but the celebs have still managed to put their best foot forward. Many of the looks are following trends this season including bold red hues or sequined, glittering and shimmering vibes. There are also sculptural pieces, such as Anna Sawai’s Armani Prive or Danielle Deadwyler’s Louis Vuitton concoction. Not to be outdone by the women, the men have really stepped it up in recent years, with looks beyond a classic ******, blue or grey suit. This year, that includes Chalamet’s brat green shirt and bolo and Scott’s houndstooth suit. Strong didn’t repeat his Golden Globes bucket hat look that went viral but his moss green outfit still turned heads. Camera IconAriana Grande wows on arrival. Credit: Amy Sussman/Getty ImagesCamera IconDanielle Deadwyler in Louis Vuitton. Amy Sussman Credit: Amy Sussman/Getty ImagesCamera IconDemi Moore is nominated for her performance in The Substance. Neilson Barnard Credit: Neilson Barnard/Getty ImagesCamera IconColman Domingo always serves on a red carpet. Monica Schipper Credit: Monica Schipper/FilmMagicCamera IconShogun actor Anna Sawai in Armani Prive. Neilson Barnard Credit: Neilson Barnard/Getty ImagesCamera IconCynthia Erivo in vintage Givenchy by Alexander McQueen. Amy Sussman Credit: Amy Sussman/Getty ImagesCamera IconJeremy Strong may have never worn ****** on a red carpet. Emma McIntyre Credit: Emma McIntyre/WireImageCamera IconKristen Bell is the host for the ceremony. Amy Sussman Credit: Amy Sussman/Getty ImagesCamera IconLeighton Meester and Adam Brody are too adorable. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images) Neilson Barnard Credit: Neilson Barnard/Getty ImagesCamera IconTmothee Chalamet extends brat season to the California winter. Kevin Mazur Credit: Kevin Mazur/Kevin Mazur/Getty ImagesCamera IconDaniel Craig: double-ooooohhhhh. Emma McIntyre Credit: Emma McIntyre/WireImageCamera IconMonica Barbaro is fire. Neilson Barnard Credit: Neilson Barnard/Getty ImagesCamera IconAndrew Scott has been nominated for his role in Ripley. Emma McIntyre Credit: Emma McIntyre/WireImageCamera IconAnora star Mikey Madison in Louis Vuitton. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images) Amy Sussman Credit: Amy Sussman/Getty ImagesCamera IconPamela Anderson in Dior. She’s nominated for The Last Showgirl. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images) Neilson Barnard Credit: Neilson Barnard/Getty ImagesCamera IconNicola Coughlan in ice blue Dior. (Photo by Monica Schipper/FilmMagic) Monica Schipper Credit: Monica Schipper/FilmMagic Source link #Screen #Actors #Guild #Awards #Ariana #Grande #Cynthia #Erivo #Demi #Moore #sizzle #red #carpet Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

PSP say 2 arrested, 2 at large after officer involved shooting PSP say 2 arrested, 2 at large after officer involved shooting SAINT CLAIR, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) say two people are in custody while two others are still at large after an officer-involved shooting across multiple counties. State police on scene told 28/22 News authorities are investigating an officer-involved shooting that started in Carlisle, Cumberland County which then to a high-speed chase into Saint Clair, Schuylkill County. According to Schuylkill County officials, a heavy police presence formed on the 500 block of Terry Rich Boulevard around 2:00 p.m. Walmart employees were evacuated when the incident first broke out and dozens are still at the Coal Creek Plaza waiting to be let back inside. There’s no word on when Walmart employees can return inside. Lawmakers react to Pennsylvania hospital shooting Route 61 was shut down in both directions at the intersections of East Hancock Street and Darkwater Lane before reopening around 4:00 p.m., according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. Officials say the entrance to the Coal Creek Plaza remains closed. Courtesy of Jeni B Courtesy of Jeni B Courtesy of Jeni B Courtesy of Jeni B Courtesy of Jeni B Courtesy of Jeni B PSP Trooper Ethan Brownback says that two people are in custody while two other male juveniles are still at large. Police are now searching surrounding areas. Behind the Walmart is a large section of coal lands where police are searching for those two individuals still on the loose. Authorities say there is an active investigation and there is still an active scene. So far, there is no word on if anyone has suffered any injuries in this incident. This is a developing story, and 28/22 News will update as more information becomes available. 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 PAhomepage.com. Source link #PSP #arrested #large #officer #involved #shooting Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Ovechkin continues ‘amazing journey’ toward goal record with hat trick against Oilers – NHL.com Ovechkin continues ‘amazing journey’ toward goal record with hat trick against Oilers – NHL.com Ovechkin continues ‘amazing journey’ toward goal record with hat trick against Oilers NHL.comCapitals Alex Ovechkin is chasing Wayne Gretzky’s 894-goal NHL record, makes history with hat trick during Sunday’s 7–3 win over the Oilers The Times of IndiaOvechkin vs. Gretzky: After 3 goals Sunday, see how close Caps star is to scoring record USA TODAYOvechkin scores goal No. 880 NHL.comAlex Ovechkin goals tracker: Capitals star closing in on Wayne Gretzky’s all-time NHL record CBS Sports Source link #Ovechkin #continues #amazing #journey #goal #record #hat #trick #Oilers #NHL.com Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Millie Bobby Brown, Mikey Madison and Timothée Chalamet walk red carpet Millie Bobby Brown, Mikey Madison and Timothée Chalamet walk red carpet Steven McIntosh Entertainment reporter Getty Images Emilia Pérez star Zoe Saldaña is nominated for best supporting actress Millie Bobby Brown, Zoe Saldaña, Mikey Madison and Timothée Chalamet were among the stars walking the red carpet ahead of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards on Sunday. ****** was very much the new ****** as stars posed for pictures in Los Angeles, with a huge number of the nominees wearing dark dresses and tuxedos. But plenty of stars also added a splash of colour to their outfits ahead of the ceremony, which celebrates the best television and film performances of the last year. Here are just a few of the stars who posed for photos before the ceremony got under way. Getty Images Demi Moore is nominated for best actress for her performance in body horror The Substance Getty Images Timothée Chalamet is nominated for portraying Bob Dylan in biopic A Complete Unknown Getty Images Jamie Lee Curtis is nominated for her role opposite Pamela Anderson in The Last Showgirl Getty Images Kieran Culkin is the supporting actor frontrunner in this awards season for his performance in A Real Pain Getty Images Ariana Grande is nominated for playing Glinda the Good Witch in musical Wicked Getty Images Emilia Pérez, starring Selena Gomez, is nominated for best film ensemble Getty Images Anora star Mikey Madison hopes to repeat her recent Bafta win for best actress Getty Images The Brutalist’s Adrien Brody (pictured with partner Georgina Chapman) is nominated for best actor Getty Images Colman Domingo is up for best actor for his leading performance in Sing Sing Getty Images Wicked star Jeff Goldblum walked the red carpet with his wife Emilie Livingston Getty Images Hollywood A-lister Harrison Ford appeared to hide from photographers by staying behind a curtain… Getty Images …but he later overcame any stage fright and smiled for pictures Getty Images Best supporting actress nominee Danielle Deadwyler is recognised for her role in The Piano Lesson Getty Images ****** star Daniel Craig appeared, days after Amazon made headlines for taking creative control of the James Bond series Getty Images Veteran actress Jane Fonda is the recipient of this year’s lifetime achievement prize Getty Images Cynthia Erivo is recognised for her performance in Wicked, the film with the most SAG nominations this year Getty Images Pamela Anderson is nominated for best actress for The Last Showgirl Getty Images Monica Barbaro is nominated for her portrayal of Joan Baez in A Complete Unknown Getty Images Jeremy Strong previously won a SAG Award for Succession but is nominated this year for his role in The Apprentice Getty Images Edward Norton (pictured with wife Shauna Robertson) is nominated for A Complete Unknown Getty Images Conclave is nominated for best ensemble, as well as best actor for Ralph Fiennes Getty Images Gillian Anderson is set to star in the forthcoming film adaptation of best-selling book The Salt Path Getty Images Lily Gladstone was one of the film acting winners in 2024, but this year is nominated for TV series Under the Bridge Getty Images Kathy Bates is nominated for best TV drama actress for her performance in Matlock Getty Images Anora star Yura Borisov is nominated for best supporting actor Getty Images Elle Fanning appears in Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown, which is nominated for best film ensemble Getty Images Sheryl Lee Ralph is part of the cast of Abbott Elementary, nominated for comedy ensemble cast Getty Images Anna Sawai is nominated for best TV drama actress for Shogun, which was a big winner at September’s Emmys Getty Images Stranger Things and Enola Holmes star Millie Bobby Brown also posed for pictures ahead of the ceremony Getty Images Colin Farrell is nominated for his leading role in Batman spin-off The Penguin Getty Images Jodie Foster is nominated in the limited TV series category for True Detective: Night Country Getty Images Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlan is nominated for best TV drama actress Getty Images Andrew Scott is nominated for his performance in Ripley Getty Images British actress Jessica Gunning is nominated for her performance in Baby Reindeer Getty Images Baby Reindeer was created by Scottish star Richard Gadd, who is also nominated for best actor in a limited series Getty Images Quinta Brunson, who created and stars in Abbott Elementary, is up for best comedy actress Getty Images The Bear’s Jeremy Allen White is nominated for best comedy actor Getty Images Ted Danson (with wife Mary Steenburgen) is nominated for comedy series A Man on the Inside Source link #Millie #Bobby #Brown #Mikey #Madison #Timothée #Chalamet #walk #red #carpet Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

APA Group launches east coast gas pipeline expansion to avoid ‘disastrous’ LNG imports APA Group launches east coast gas pipeline expansion to avoid ‘disastrous’ LNG imports Pipeline company APA Group is expanding its gas network to ship 24 per cent more gas from northern Australia to the east coast to counter a looming shortage that has Victoria considering “disastrous” LNG imports. APA will spend an initial $71 million on the five-year expansion to enhance the grid in the short term and start early-stage works on three later stages that will add significantly more transport and storage capacity from 2028. The group said the plan would ensure there was sufficient capacity to supply domestic gas to NSW and Victoria out to 2032, avoiding forecast shortages. Chief executive Adam Watson said the expansion was critical to giving Australia energy security and enabling it to transition to cleaner fuels while supporting a “more affordable and lower emissions energy system”. “These investments will help the *********** economy avoid the disastrous option of importing higher cost, higher emissions LNG,” Mr Watson said. More to come. Source link #APA #Group #launches #east #coast #gas #pipeline #expansion #avoid #disastrous #LNG #imports Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Best Stock to Buy Right Now: Amazon vs. Coupang Best Stock to Buy Right Now: Amazon vs. Coupang At the intersection of consumer goods and technology, Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) stands out as the global leader in e-commerce and cloud computing. The company’s long history of innovation and fantastic growth has rewarded shareholders handsomely, with the stock more than doubling in value in just the past five years. Halfway around the world, Coupang (NYSE: CPNG) is attempting to replicate some of Amazon’s success, emerging as a formidable competitor and one of Asia’s largest online retailers. Despite a volatile ******* following the company’s 2021 IPO, the stock has quietly gained momentum in early 2025 and is now up 70% over the past year. There’s a lot to like about both Amazon and Coupang as potential investments, but which stock is the best buy right now? Here’s what you need to know to make a more informed decision. Image source: Getty Images. It’s no coincidence that shares of Amazon have climbed 33% over the past year. By all accounts, the company is firing on all cylinders. Its fourth-quarter earnings report (for the ******* ended Dec. 31, 2024) showed net sales up 10% year over year, while the $1.86 in earnings per share (EPS) increased by 86%. The resilient macroeconomic environment is a big part of the story, supporting steady global consumer spending. The company’s steps to improve operational efficiencies have driven sharply higher margins. Perhaps even more important is Amazon’s leadership in artificial intelligence (AI) with critical cloud infrastructure solutions, along with an extensive suite of AI and machine learning services in high demand. What makes Amazon a great stock is precisely that diversification, capturing themes in both consumer spending and technology. According to Wall Street analysts tracked by Yahoo! Finance, 2025 should be another solid year, with an estimated 10% revenue growth and 15% higher EPS. Investors looking for an established giant with robust fundamentals can make the case that Amazon is the best stock to buy now. Coupang is smaller than Amazon, but it’s still a massive business, generating more than $30 billion in revenue in the past year. The company is technically headquartered in the United States but operates primarily in South Korea as the country’s dominant e-commerce player, offering everything from groceries and home goods to electronics through its online marketplace. Coupang’s commanding market share in the country has effectively kept Amazon from gaining a major presence, highlighting its competitive advantage in the region stemming from a unique understanding of the local customer. Story Continues Coupang has made an effort to expand in Asia, establishing logistics hubs in Singapore and Taiwan that represent a key growth opportunity. In 2024, Coupang acquired the luxury fashion online marketplace Farfetch, signifying an ongoing diversification with broader international ambitions. Coupang has also gained traction through its developing offerings covering services such as Coupang Eats, a food delivery app, and Coupang Pay, a financial technology (fintech) platform. The strategy appears to be paying off. Pending the fourth-quarter earnings report (for the ******* ended Dec. 31, 2024), set to be released on Feb. 25, Wall Street analysts are forecasting full-year 2024 revenue growth of 24%. The tailwind is expected to continue with a top-line growth estimate of 15% in 2025. Even more impressive is the trend in net income, with Coupang projected to reach EPS of $0.50 in 2025, accelerating from a $0.01 estimate for 2024. The stock trades at a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 51, which is a premium next to Amazon, with its forward earnings multiple of 35. Nevertheless, that valuation spread could be justified given the company’s stronger earnings momentum. Confidence that Coupang is still in the early stages of a significant opportunity in its emerging markets is a good reason to buy the stock. CPNG PE Ratio (Forward) data by YCharts. It’s tough to choose between Amazon and Coupang, as both are compelling stocks that are well-positioned to deliver positive shareholder returns going forward. If forced to pick just one, I believe Coupang may have an edge in 2025, as it reaches an inflection point in profitability. That would provide a great backdrop to propel shares higher and outperform Amazon to the upside. Before you buy stock in Coupang, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Coupang wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005… if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $823,858!* Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 917% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 178% for the S&P 500. Don’t miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of February 21, 2025 John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Dan Victor has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amazon. The Motley Fool recommends Coupang. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Best Stock to Buy Right Now: Amazon vs. Coupang was originally published by The Motley Fool Source link #Stock #Buy #Amazon #Coupang Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Bell takes only lead in OT to edge Hocevar, Larson in another thrilling NASCAR finish in Atlanta – FOX 5 Atlanta Bell takes only lead in OT to edge Hocevar, Larson in another thrilling NASCAR finish in Atlanta – FOX 5 Atlanta Bell takes only lead in OT to edge Hocevar, Larson in another thrilling NASCAR finish in Atlanta FOX 5 AtlantaBell uses overtime to win 10th NASCAR Cup race ESPNCup results, points after Atlanta Motor Speedway NBC SportsKyle Larson ‘proud of the effort’ after third-place finish Autosport Source link #Bell #takes #lead #edge #Hocevar #Larson #thrilling #NASCAR #finish #Atlanta #FOX #Atlanta Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Ukraine’s photojournalists share stories of war Ukraine’s photojournalists share stories of war Valeria Demenko/DSNS In the three years since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, hundreds of photographers have documented the human impact of the war on the front line and in civilian areas. Some of them have shared stories about their photos which have appeared in BBC coverage since February 2022. Vlada and Kostiantyn Liberov Prior to the full-scale war, this husband and wife team worked as wedding and portrait photographers in the ****** Sea port city of Odesa. They soon moved “from capturing love stories, to documenting Russian war crimes”, recalls Vlada. She knows first-hand the risks in her work. An explosion on a visit to the Donetsk region in 2023 left her with shrapnel lodged deep in her side, which doctors decided could not be removed. Kostiantyn Liberov/Libkos via Getty Images The recent Ukrainian offensive in the Russian region of Kursk has taken its toll on Ukraine’s soldiers This powerful shot taken by Kostiantyn Liberov in the summer of 2024 was featured in Paul Adams’ report on the Ukrainian offensive over the Russian border in Kursk. A soldier is seen consoling his desperate comrade after returning from an assault in which a fellow serviceman was killed. For Liberov, the image mirrors some of the confusion within the military over the operation. “To lose your friend in an attack inside Russia, rather than defending our country in Ukraine, is very difficult,” he said. “I took this photo because of the emotional impact it had on me. It says a lot about the situation and how hard it was for them.” Photographing such deeply affecting scenes has taken its toll on local photojournalists. “It’s not something we talk about a lot with colleagues as it’s painful,” says Vlada. “You are in a very hard situation, and no-one quite understands what the solution can be.” One 2023 photo of hers captures a member of Ukraine’s White Angels police unit after an unsuccessful attempt to convince one of the last remaining residents to leave the eastern city of Aviidvka before Russian forces sweep in. Vlada Liberov/Libkos via Getty Images Ukraine’s White Angels are often the last officers to patrol frontline towns before they are captured The story was part of a BBC article on a devastating 24-hour Russian bombardment. A man had asked the police unit to evacuate his brother from the basement of a burnt out building, and yet he still refused to leave. “The next day we could not return because of hard shelling,” Vlada remembers. “The situation got much worse and I’m not sure he could have survived. It hurts knowing you cannot return to these places.” In documenting so much loss and suffering, the couple have found a deeper appreciation of moments of joy. Dmytro, who has fought in Ukraine for more than a decade, was photographed after his wife gave birth in March 2024. “We used to take photos of him in the trenches. And then you see this big, brave soldier crying while he takes his small daughter in his hands, and you understand soldiers like him fight for these moments. Not just for themselves, but for everyone in Ukraine.” Kostiantyn Liberov/Libkos via Getty Images Even some of Ukraine’s most hardy soldiers have found moments of joy away from the fighting Valeria Demenko Since 2016, Valeria Demenko has chronicled the work of Ukraine’s state emergency service (DSNS) in the north-eastern Sumy region, and she now joins rescue teams deployed to areas hit by Russian shelling. “It’s always difficult… you never know what danger awaits you. It is especially difficult when residential buildings come under attack”. One moment engraved on her memory involved a striking image featured in a story in March 2024 showing emergency workers at the scene of a five-storey building that collapsed after Russian shelling, with residents still inside. Valeria Demenko/DSNS DSNS responders are often first on the scene following missile strikes on buildings and infrastructure Valeria recalls how emergency workers attended the site for four days straight. They found four dead, but never recovered the body of a missing girl. “There was a doll on one of the upper floors… it meant a child was living there, and there may have been more.” Although all her colleagues are emotionally stretched, she wants the world to see their work: “We give every last ounce of strength to document Russia’s crimes against peaceful Ukrainians.” Valeria Demenko/DSNS Demenko recalls one terrible search when a man “lost his family in one second”, after Russian missiles hit a residential building in the city of Sumy in October 2024 Alexander Ermochenko Alexander Ermochenko has spent the past 11 years documenting Ukraine’s war as a photojournalist in the eastern Donetsk region. He has often reported in Russian-controlled territory too and “never thought I’d be photographing war in my home”. “The fear on the face of the owner of a destroyed house is the same on both sides of the front. It is always important to show that blood has the same red colour.” The BBC has less access to photojournalists reporting from Russia, as the Kremlin restricts access to international journalists and Russian news agencies are largely state-run. The BBC approached a Russia-based photographer to contribute to this story but received no response. Alexander Ermochenko/Reuters This photo three days before Russia’s full-scale invasion shows pro-Russian activists celebrating Russia’s decision to claim Donetsk as an independent entity In the above picture, Ermochenko captured jubilant pro-Russian activists on 21 February 2022 after Vladimir Putin declared their eastern region independent. It was published as part of the BBC’s coverage of that fateful moment. He describes how the photo came about “accidentally” – a powerful reminder of the potential impact of a photographer’s split-second decision to raise their camera. Alexander Ermochenko/Reuters The Mariupol theatre was bombed by Russian warplanes while being crowded with hundreds of people Ukraine said 300 people were killed when Russian planes bombed Mariupol theatre in March 2022. The following month, Alexander Ermochenko captured this image, featured in Hugo Bachega’s report, in which the photographer conveys the aftermath of a massacre alongside everyday life. “The destruction was absolute,” he remembers, “with destroyed nine-storey buildings looking like a Hollywood set. But they are real, and recently inhabited by people.” “What was most surprising was that life continued, despite the fighting in neighbouring streets. People looked calm, but in fact they were deeply shocked by what was happening.” Alexander Ermochenko/Reuters Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant has remained a key target throughout the war, having been seized by Russia in March 2022 This photo, used in our live reporting of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant shelling in November 2022, illustrates the difficulty in photographing the war. “Pictures of the plant were rare at that time,” says Ermochenko. “It is constantly under guard, though the soldiers themselves perfectly illustrate the situation.” Despite the challenges he and his colleagues face, he says “the war is not only a part of my professional career, but a big part of my whole life… no matter how difficult it is, I will continue.” Alina SmutkoAlina Smutko/Reuters Alina Smutko captured this scene of a White Angels officer reaching out to a resident of Toretsk prior to an oncoming Russian assault in July 2024 Based in Kyiv, Alina Smutko understands the human impact of this war through her work as a photojournalist and from personal experience. “I’ve experienced Russian missiles and drone attacks on the city almost non-stop for three years. During this time, I’ve been constantly worried about my parents, child, friends and colleagues.” She feels lucky that her home is intact and her loved ones alive, after witnessing a missile attack on her neighbourhood from her bedroom window. Alina Smutko/Reuters Russian missiles hit President Volodymyr Zelensky’s hometown of Kryvyi Rih in June 2023, forcing many residents out of the apartment blocks hit by strikes Initially, she and her friends and family would check in with each other on a daily basis after the full-scale Russian invasion. But the frequency of attacks has forced residents to learn to live with the war and maintain as normal a life as possible. The toll on her profession has been hard. “We see how our colleagues – photojournalists in particular – were killed or wounded during this invasion. We lost one of our team members, and another colleague has been badly wounded.” Alina Smutko/Reuters Air raid alerts often force people to shelter in Kyiv’s metro stations – this resident sits in front of a mural depicting the inside of a theatre Smutko tries not to “overthink” what she does, but believes it is important to share the effects of the war with the world. “I think it helps somehow, but I don’t believe in the idea that a picture can stop a war. If it could, we would not have lost so many lives here.” “I still believe that documenting is important. Because if something hasn’t been photographed, it hasn’t happened.” “This work has to be done… I just do my best.” Top image shows a member of the emergency services attending a fire resulting from a Russian strike on a gas depot, near the border in north-eastern Sumy in May 2024. Source link #Ukraines #photojournalists #share #stories #war Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘There’s no timeline on our attack’: Jason Ryles urges Eels fans to be patient as rookie fullback steals show ‘There’s no timeline on our attack’: Jason Ryles urges Eels fans to be patient as rookie fullback steals show Eels coach Jason Ryles concedes there will be games this year where Parramatta’s attack is “not so great”, but there will also be times when they light it up after new fullback Isaiah Iongi gave fans a taste of his talent with some flashes of brilliance against the Tigers. The decision to let Clint Gutherson join the Dragons looms as one of the biggest talking points for the Eels this season, but Ryles will look like a genius if Iongi can back up what he did on Friday night. The former Panther carved through the defence for a scintillating solo try before he turned provider to set up another four-pointer. His running game has always been a strength, but he’ll need to create a lot out wide given Gutherson set up 109 tries across the past six seasons. “He’s just going to keep improving with the more NRL exposure he gets,” Ryles said following the loss to the Tigers where halves Mitch Moses and Dylan Brown didn’t play. “He’s done a really good apprenticeship in Cup with around 60 games and he sat behind arguably the best fullback in the comp (Dylan Edwards) for a number of years. “He’s had a really good grounding, but it’s just a matter of getting the reps in first grade now. “We’re starting to see little bits of what we will see, but we’ve got to be patient with him. “One of Issy’s strengths is that he goes to the game, gets the footy and plays and we just want to encourage him to keep doing that.” Camera IconIsaiah Iongi made his NRL debut for the Panthers last year. Credit: Supplied Iongi led the Eels with 111m and six tackle busts but didn’t have much support on a night they missed 37 tackles and only broke the line four times. Their attack will improve when their key men return for the game against the Storm next Sunday, but Ryles has urged fans to be patient as he looks to put his own spin on things after their horror 2024 campaign. “We’ll focus on getting our defence right as best we can, and the attack is one of those things that will keep evolving,” he said. “It all goes back to the strengths of our footy team. We’ve got speed, we’ve got an experienced set of halves and we’ve got a young hooker, but we’ll keep evolving. “There’s no timeline on our attack. It’ll have its days where it’s not so great, but it’ll have it’s days (where people say) ‘wow, that was good’. “I thought there were periods where we moved really well in defence, but we had a few individual errors in defence which then led to tries which was disappointing, but it’s kind of where we’re at. “Our attack was really disjointed, and it’s something we need to keep working on. We had young halves and rotated 28 guys which didn’t help, but at the same time, we’ve got to make sure we keep working on (things). “It’s a bit of a different way of how we want to attack compared to what they’re used to, so we’ll just keep working on that, but there were some really good signs.” Source link #timeline #attack #Jason #Ryles #urges #Eels #fans #patient #rookie #fullback #steals #show Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

How ‘Round Up’ Investing Can Earn an Extra $100K in Under 20 Years How ‘Round Up’ Investing Can Earn an Extra $100K in Under 20 Years Zurijeta / Shutterstock.com Even if you’re a diligent saver, setting aside money every month can be a struggle. This is particularly true after the inflationary spike of 2022-2024. In addition to traditional strategies to help your savings such as “paying yourself first” by saving money before you even pay your bills, there’s another simple technique that can produce big long-term results. Money Influencer Delyanne Barros: Why Boring Could Be Best for Investing Find Out: 8 Common Mistakes Retirees Make With Their Social Security Checks Here’s a look at how “round-up” investing can boost your savings by $100,000 or more in 20 years or less. “Round-up” investing is often accomplished via an app, but can also be done on your own if you’re diligent. The idea is you round up all of your purchases to the nearest dollar, taking that excess amount and stashing it away in your savings or investment accounts. For example, imagine you buy a new chair for your living room that costs $123.61. Instead of paying the exact amount, you’ll pay $124, reserving the extra 39 cents for your savings account. Again, this can be more easily accomplished with an app, as it will automatically round up your purchases for you and take care of the transfer to your savings account. However, if you’re good at keeping records, you can simply do the transfers yourself on a daily, weekly or even monthly basis. This method can be an effective way of saving because it doesn’t necessarily feel like money is coming out of your pocket. After all, whether you use a credit card or cash, paying a flat $15 for an item instead of, say, $14.78, likely feels the same. Plus, if you don’t like carrying coins around, you might even prefer this strategy from a more practical standpoint. How To Get a 10% Return on Investment (ROI): 10 Proven Ways How can you turn these small transactions into $100,000 in less than 20 years? Imagine you make 46 transactions per month (in line with the national average, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta), and they average 77 cents each. That totals $35.42 per month, or $425.04 per year. At a 10% average annual return in an investment account, that would translate to about $26,897. That’s only about a quarter of the way to $100,000, but it’s a pretty good start, considering you’re only saving $35 per month in change that you will hardly even notice. If you’re a more frequent spender, the “round-up” strategy can actually work to your advantage. This is because you’ll be forced to save more every month if you round up every transaction. Story Continues If you round up 100 transactions every month at an average of 77 cents each, then you’re socking away $77 per month, or $924 per year. After 20 years of earning a 10% annual return, you’ll end up with $58,471. There are five options available if you want to hit $100,000 after decades of round-ups. The first is to boost your average round-up amount. Strictly speaking, this is a bit beyond your control, as you can only round-up the prices that you’re given. Another option is to boost your average annual return. However, 10% is about the upper limit that financial advisors use when making long-term projections, as that’s the average annual return of the U.S. stock market. Boosting your return would involve taking on excess risk, which may defeat the whole purpose of your investment plan. The third option is to boost your number of transactions. While this is entirely within your control, it doesn’t make much sense to spend more money just so you can save more in round-ups. Option four is simply to make additional investments on your own. While saving $77 per month might only get you just over halfway to your goal after 20 years, saving $132 per month — or just $55 more — would push that final total up past $100,000. As saving $55 per month won’t be a big ask with a bit of discipline, this is the most feasible way to hit your goal within 20 years. The final option is to extend your time frame. If you begin rounding up at an early age (say, 25), you might have 40 or more years until retirement. Saving $77 per month for 40 years instead of 20 won’t just double your ultimate nest egg, it will boost it to nearly half a million dollars. Saving $100,000 with minimal investments over a 20-year ******* can be a challenge, but it is doable. Supplementing your “round-up” investments with additional cash, or extending your investment time frame, can make it more likely that you’ll reach $100,000. But even if your savings “only” reach $50,000 or $25,000, the fact that you can do this by socking away a few pennies for every transaction is truly an impressive statistic. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: How ‘Round Up’ Investing Can Earn an Extra $100K in Under 20 Years Source link #Investing #Earn #Extra #100K #Years Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Christopher Bell wins at Atlanta: Resuts, highlights, recap from Sunday's NASCAR race – USA TODAY Christopher Bell wins at Atlanta: Resuts, highlights, recap from Sunday's NASCAR race – USA TODAY Christopher Bell wins at Atlanta: Resuts, highlights, recap from Sunday’s NASCAR race USA TODAYNASCAR: Christopher Bell wins with last-lap pass at Atlanta Yahoo SportsNASCAR Atlanta race: Our best pictures from the Ambetter Health 400 Tennessean Source link #Christopher #Bell #wins #Atlanta #Resuts #highlights #recap #Sunday039s #NASCAR #race #USA #TODAY Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

The two-state solution map that promised to solve Middle East crisis The two-state solution map that promised to solve Middle East crisis Paul Adams Diplomatic correspondent BBC Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert presented a two-state solution in 2008 “In the next 50 years, you will not find one Israeli leader that will propose to you what I propose to you now. “Sign it! Sign it and let’s change history!” It was 2008. Israel’s Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was imploring the ************ leader to accept a deal he believed could have brought peace to the Middle East. It was a two-state solution – a prospect which seems impossible today. If implemented, it would have created a ************ state on more than 94% of the occupied West Bank. The map Olmert had drawn up now has an almost mythical status. Various interpretations have appeared over the years, but he has never revealed it to the media. Until now. Ehud Olmert’s map of his two-state solution, with Israeli and ************ states side by side In Israel and the Palestinians: The Road to 7th October, the latest series from documentary filmmaker Norma Percy available on iPlayer from Monday, Olmert reveals the map he says he showed to Mahmoud Abbas at a meeting in Jerusalem on 16 September 2008. “This is the first time that I expose this map to the media,” he tells the filmmakers. It shows, in detail, the territory which Olmert proposed to annexe to Israel – 4.9% of the West Bank. That would have included major Jewish settlement blocs – just like previous proposals dating back to the late 1990s. In return, the prime minister said Israel would give up an equal amount of Israeli territory, along the edges of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The two ************ territories would be connected via a tunnel or highway – again, something that had been discussed before. In the film, Olmert recalls the ************ leader’s response. “He said: ‘Prime minister, this is very serious. It is very, very, very serious.'” Crucially, Olmert’s plan included a proposed solution to the thorny issue of Jerusalem. Each side would be able to claim parts of the city as their capital, while administration of the “holy basin” – including the Old City, with its religious sites, and adjacent areas – would be handed over to a committee of trustees consisting of Israel, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the US. The implications of the map, for Jewish settlements, would have been colossal. Had the plan been implemented, dozens of communities, scattered throughout the West Bank and Jordan Valley, would have been evacuated. When the previous Israeli prime minister, Ariel Sharon, forcibly removed a few thousand Jewish settlers from the Gaza Strip in 2005, it was regarded as a national trauma by those on the Israeli right. Evacuating most of the West Bank would have represented an infinitely greater challenge, involving tens of thousands of settlers, with the very real danger of violence. But the test never came. At the end of their meeting, Olmert refused to hand over a copy of the map to Mahmoud Abbas unless the ************ leader sign it. Abbas refused, saying that he needed to show his experts the map, to make sure they understood exactly what was being offered. Olmert says the two agreed to a meeting of map experts the following day. “We parted, you know, like we are about to embark on a historic step forward,” Olmert says. The meeting never happened. As they drove away from Jerusalem that night, President Abbas’s chief of staff, Rafiq Husseini, remembers the atmosphere in the car. “Of course, we laughed,” he says in the film. The Palestinians believed the plan was dead in the water. Olmert, embroiled in an unrelated corruption scandal, had already announced that he was planning to resign. “It is unfortunate that Olmert, regardless of how nice he was… was a lame duck,” Husseini says, “and therefore, we will go nowhere with this.” The situation in Gaza also complicated matters. After months of rocket attacks from the ******-controlled territory, Olmert ordered a major Israeli assault, Operation Cast Lead, at the end of December, triggering three weeks of intense fighting. But Olmert tells me it would have been “very smart” for Abbas to sign the deal. Then, if a future Israeli prime minister tried to cancel it, “he could have said to the world that the failure was Israel’s fault”. Rafiq Husseini, the ************ leader’s chief of staff, describes Olmert as a “lame duck” Israeli elections followed in February. Likud’s Benjamin Netanyahu, a vocal opponent of ************ statehood, became prime minister. Olmert’s plan, and map, faded from view. The former prime minister says he’s still waiting for Abbas’s reply, but his plan has since joined a long list of missed opportunities to end the Israeli-************ conflict. In 1973, the former Israeli diplomat, Abba Eban, quipped that the Palestinians “never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity”. It’s a phrase that Israeli officials have frequently repeated in the years since. But the world is more complicated than that, especially since the two sides signed the historic Oslo Accords in 1993. The peace process ushered in by a handshake on the White House lawn between former Israeli prime minister Yitzhak Rabin and ************ leader Yasser Arafat had moments of genuine hope, punctuated by tragedy. Ultimately, it resulted in failure. The reasons are complex and there’s plenty of blame to go around but in truth, the stars were never properly aligned. I witnessed this non-alignment at first hand 24 years ago. In January 2001, at the Egyptian resort of Taba, Israeli and ************ negotiators once again saw the outlines of a deal. A member of the ************ delegation drew a rough map on a napkin and told me that, for the first time, they were looking at the rough outlines of a viable ************ state. But the talks were irrelevant, drowned out by the violence raging on the streets of the West Bank and Gaza, where the second ************ uprising, or “intifada”, had erupted the previous September. Once again, Israel was in the midst of a political transition. Prime Minister Ehud Barak had already resigned. Ariel Sharon comfortably defeated him a few weeks later. The map on the napkin, just like Olmert’s map eight years later, showed what might have been. Source link #twostate #solution #map #promised #solve #Middle #East #crisis Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Argentine Baez wins back-to-back Rio Open titles Argentine Baez wins back-to-back Rio Open titles Argentina’s Sebastian Baez has become the first player to retain his title at the Rio Open by beating France’s Alexandre Muller 6-2 6-3. The 24-year-old Baez quickly found his rhythm on Sunday, breaking Muller in the seventh game to take a 5-2 lead before closing out the first set to love. Despite Muller’s best efforts in the second set, where he took a 3-2 lead and put the South American under pressure, Baez rallied and wrapped up the contest in 86 minutes, hitting 26 winners and making just 23 unforced errors. “It’s been tough all week and over the last month, but I’m so happy now, for the title and of course for every match I played,” Baez, the fifth seed, said. “You want to win every final, every title, but I tried to concentrate in every game, one point at a time. I think the support is very important, so I’m grateful for my team,” he added. The world No.31, captured his fourth trophy on South American soil and has clinched six of his seven crowns on clay, with the exception coming on hard courts in Winston-Salem. Baez is the third man to successfully defend his 2024 title this season after Italian Jannik Sinner at the *********** Open and Ugo Humbert of France in Marseille. Muller was aiming to capture his second tour-level title, having triumphed in Hong Kong earlier this season. The 28-year-old will rise to a career-high ranking of 41 on Monday. With AAP. Source link #Argentine #Baez #wins #backtoback #Rio #Open #titles Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Dementia risk could be lowered by doing this for 5 minutes a day: study Dementia risk could be lowered by doing this for 5 minutes a day: study Think five minutes isn’t enough time to make a difference in terms of health and well-being? It could actually be enough time to stave off a disease that afflicts many people in their later years. Just five minutes of light exercise a day could help prevent dementia, even for frail older adults, new research has found. Dementia Risk May Be Lowered By One Important Medical Device The latest study on the topic was led by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore, Maryland. They found that engaging in as little as 35 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per week — as compared to none at all — was associated with a 41% lower risk of developing dementia over an average four-year follow-up *******. Read On The Fox News App Even for people at an elevated risk of “adverse health outcomes,” greater activity was associated with lower dementia risks, new research found. The findings were published recently in The Journal of the American Medical Directors Association and shared on several medical sites. Even for people at an elevated risk of “adverse health outcomes,” greater activity was associated with lower dementia risk, the researchers noted. Brain And Memory Are Boosted By Eating One Particular Diet, Study Finds The higher amounts of physical activity, the lower the risk of dementia. Consider this data from the study: Dementia risks were 60% lower in participants who got 35-to-69.9 minutes of physical activity/week; 63% lower in the 70-to-139.9 minutes/week category; and 69% lower in the 140-and-over minutes/week category. For their analysis, the researchers analyzed a dataset covering nearly 90,000 adults living in the United Kingdom who wore smartwatch-type activity trackers, news agency SWNS reported. Lead study author Dr. Amal Wanigatunga said, “Our findings suggest that increasing physical activity, even as little as five minutes per day, can reduce dementia risk in older adults.“ “Even frail or nearly frail older adults might be able to reduce their dementia risk through low-dose exercise.” Dementia, usually in the form of Alzheimer’s, affects millions of people all over the globe. While public health guidelines usually recommend 150 minutes of moderate activity per week, the study aligns with a growing body of evidence supporting a “some-is-better-than-none” approach to physical activity, according to Study Finds. And while the risk of Alzheimer’s increases with age, recent research has suggested it may be somewhat preventable by certain lifestyle changes, including better control of cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar — plus being more active, SWNS noted. Participants in the new study had a median age of 63. Women made up 56% of the sample. Over an average follow-up ******* of 4.4 years, 735 people among the group developed dementia. Exercise is well-known to benefit a person’s physical and mental well-being. New research suggests that just five minutes a day of light, low-dose exercise might help reduce the risk of dementia. Researchers found that for every additional 30 minutes of weekly moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), there was a 4% reduction in dementia risk. But the most “striking” finding came when comparing people who engaged in no physical activity at all to those who managed to get even minimal amounts. Click Here To Sign Up For Our Health Newsletter “This suggests that even frail or nearly frail older adults might be able to reduce their dementia risk through low-dose exercise,” said Wanigatunga. He noted that the study was not a clinical trial that established causation indicating that exercise reduces dementia risk, but that its findings are consistent with that hypothesis. “To check the possibility that their findings reflected undiagnosed dementia leading to lower physical activity,” News Medical reported, “the researchers repeated their analysis but excluded dementia diagnoses in the first two years of follow-up.” “The association between more activity and lower dementia risk remained robust.” For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health Dr. Marc Siegel, clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Health and Fox News’ senior medical analyst, was not involved in the study but shared his reaction to the “important” findings. “This is not proof, just an association, but is very useful for the group that gets discouraged, thinking, ‘I can’t do a lot of exercise because of illness or disability, so why do any?’ This study suggests that even small amounts are helpful.” The beneficial effects could also be tied to healthier lifestyle decisions, a doctor said about the new study’s findings. There are many mechanisms that could explain this effect, Siegel said – “primarily increased blood flow to the brain, as well as improved disposal of metabolic waste and decreased inflammation.” He added, “It is also likely associated with healthier lifestyle decisions that also decrease the advent of neuroinflammation, dysregulation and plaque formation that characterize dementia, especially Alzheimer’s.” Some of these include sleep, diet and engagement, he said. The National Institute on Aging provided funding for the new study. Original article source: Dementia risk could be lowered by doing this for 5 minutes a day: study Source link #Dementia #risk #lowered #minutes #day #study Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

T-1000 character teaser trailer for Mortal Kombat 1, fighter releases March 18 – EventHubs T-1000 character teaser trailer for Mortal Kombat 1, fighter releases March 18 – EventHubs T-1000 character teaser trailer for Mortal Kombat 1, fighter releases March 18 EventHubsFirst Mortal Kombat 1 T-1000 Gameplay Looks Straight Out of Terminator 2, and There’s a Surprise Kameo DLC Character Coming Too IGNMortal Kombat 1 DLC character T-1000 launches March 18 for Kombat Pack 2 owners, March 25 for all GematsuMORTAL KOMBAT 1: KHAOS REIGNS Teases First Gameplay For T-1000 Terminator GameFragger.comMortal Kombat 1″T-1000″ Teaser Trailer GoNintendo Source link #T1000 #character #teaser #trailer #Mortal #Kombat #fighter #releases #March #EventHubs Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Is the downfall of a Japanese star a turning point for women’s rights? Is the downfall of a Japanese star a turning point for women’s rights? Shaimaa Khalil Tokyo correspondent AP Masahiro Nakai announced his retirement in January For months, Japan’s entertainment industry has been rocked by a scandal that unseated one of its most popular celebrities and put one of its biggest broadcasters at risk. But some believe it has also marked a turning point in how cases of ******* assault are perceived in Japan – where traditionally victims have been shamed into silence. At its heart was Masahiro Nakai, a household name and leading presenter for Fuji TV, one of the country’s biggest broadcasters. Nakai, who is also a former member of J-Pop boy band SMAP, was accused of ********* assaulting a woman at a dinner party in 2023. The revelations, which first appeared last December in weekly tabloid magazine Shukan Bunshun, marked the latest of a series of scandals involving celebrities in Japan, including that of late entertainment mogul Johnny Kitagawa, who was found by investigators to have abused hundreds of boys and young men over six decades. While Nakai didn’t admit guilt, he apologised for “causing trouble” in a statement and said that he had “resolved” the matter with the woman in a settlement, reportedly worth more than half a million dollars. But as public anger mounted, Nakai, who has also denied using force against the woman, was also forced to announce his retirement from the entertainment industry in January. Another channel, the Tokyo Broadcasting System has also stopped airing a program that Nakai regularly appeared on as an MC. The impact on Fuji TV has been devastating. The broadcaster’s reputation is now in ruins, its revenue threatened and some of its top executives have been forced to resign. High profile companies like Nissan and Toyota were among those who pulled advertising from the broadcaster as public anger mounted. Fuji TV has since admitted it allowed Nakai to continue presenting shows even after finding about the allegations. ‘Keep silent to keep your job’ “If this had happened 10 years ago, there would not have been this outcry,” Keiko Kojima who worked in Japan’s media industry for 15 years as a TV presenter, told the BBC. ******* violence against women is one of Japan’s worst kept secrets. A 2020 survey claimed that more than 70% of ******* assaults in the country go unreported. And according to a 2024 study published in the International Journal of Asian Studies, for every 1,000 rapes in Japan, only 10–20 result in a criminal conviction – and fewer than half of convicted rapists are incarcerated. “There’s still a prevalent attitude of ‘Shoganai ‘ or ‘there’s nothing you can do’ that is being projected on women – so they’re encouraged to keep silent,” Machiko Osawa, professor emeritus at Japan Women’s University in Tokyo, told the BBC. She added that women were seldom believed and did not have proper mechanisms to even report such incidents, which contributed to this culture of silence. Ms Kojima said that the media industry in particular, has long had a culture of impunity and lack of accountability where many young women felt they must keep silent to keep their jobs. “It was common for men to make rude comments about women’s bodies or appearance or age. I remember my colleagues and I being asked how many people we’ve had sex with,” she said. “We were expected to reply with a sense of humour without getting angry or offended. I saw ******* harassment and other forms of derogatory treatment of women on a daily basis. For a woman, adapting to these situations was the only way to become a full-fledged TV or media professional.” Keiko Kojima Keiko Kojima who worked in Japan’s media industry for 15 years, says women had to put up with ******* harassment to keep their jobs The Fuji TV case has also raised the question of whether dinners and drinking parties involving celebrities and young women were common practice. Although Shukan Bunshun retracted an earlier report that claimed the alleged assault took place at a party organised by Fuji TV, Ms Kojima told the BBC that it was indeed common to use women as “tools for entertaining”. “In Japanese working culture, it’s an everyday practice to half-forcibly take young female employees to events to entertain clients.” “Men are happy when young women join them. The idea that women are like a gift and that taking a young woman with you is a way of offering hospitality to the other person is very common.” That is why the fallout of this scandal has encouraged women’s rights activists. Minori Kithara, one of the founders of the Flower Demo movement – where groups of ******* violence victims and their supporters gather in public spaces on the 11th of every month – admitted she was surprised at how swiftly and severely the sponsors reacted. “Even if it’s more of self-preservation than human rights for sponsors, this is a turning point for the MeToo movement in Japan. It’s up to us how big we make it,” she told the BBC. Deeper in disgraceGetty Images Masahiro Nakai was accused of raping a woman at a party in 2023 Nearly 50 companies have walked away from the now tarnished broadcaster. The government has also withdrawn all its recent and planned advertisements with the network. The Japanese government has called on Fuji TV to regain the trust of viewers and sponsors. So far it seems to have done neither. The scandal and the broadcaster’s role in hiding it, sent the company on a crisis-management frenzy that seemed to have dug it deeper into disgrace and fuelled more public anger. Then Fuji TV president Koichi Minato admitted that the company had known about the allegation shortly after the alleged incident. But he said they chose not to disclose it at the time because they “prioritised the woman’s physical and mental recovery as well as the protection of her privacy.” After a press conference which it held in the hope of defusing the outrage turned into a PR disaster, the company held a second one that lasted 10 hours – intended to show remorse. Both Fuji TV’s chairman Shuji Kano and its President Koichi Minato stepped down – bowing humbly as they announced their resignations. It was announced that the company’s executive vice president Kenji Shimizu would replace Mr Minato as president. But these were seen as mere face and revenue saving exercises rather than substantial change, especially because the president’s replacement was of the same leadership cadre. Change comes slow Professor Osawa told the BBC however, that high profile cases like Fuji TV become important precedents for these patterns to change. The saga is the latest in a series of high-profile ******* misconduct cases that have generated conversation on women’s rights in Japan. These include the case of journalist Shiori Ito, who became a symbol of the country’s #MeToo movement when in 2017 she took the rare step of going public with allegations that Noriyuki Yamaguchi, a senior television journalist, had ****** her after she met him for drinks. While he denied the allegations, in 2019 she won her civil lawsuit against him. “People have now started to realise that it was OK to speak out and say that this (******* harassment) is a problem. We are changing what we take as the norm,” Ms Kojima said. Ms Kojima and Ms Kithara both say however, that Japan is not moving fast enough. “I think it’s time for that generation (of media leadership) to step down. The industry needs to create a new corporate culture. The change is slow.” Ms Kojima said. “The TV industry has long neglected the issue of exploitation and violence and has not dealt with the victims properly. If the root of the problem doesn’t change, the same will happen again.” BBC News/Jiro Akiba Minori Kitahara says her wish is to never attend another Flower Demo again Professor Osawa agrees that while change is happening, Japan still has a long way to go. Mainly because of the ubiquitous power imbalance in the country’s male dominated society. She adds that while women have been part of the workforce for decades they’re still seen as the “caretakers” and men as the “breadwinners” by a society that is still heavily shaped by patriarchal values. “This is an important time… But it’s unclear how far attitudes will change.” she said. While Ms Kitahara is hopeful, she says she’s still angry: “The ******* violence never stops.” “I still meet new survivors at Flower Demo (protests) every month and learn what happened to them. We had a high school girl other day. When we started the movement (In 2019) she was probably in Junior High, ” she said. “One day I hope I will never have to go on a Flower Demo protest again.” Source link #downfall #Japanese #star #turning #point #womens #rights Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Notorious killer, ******* has win over key DNA evidence Notorious killer, ******* has win over key DNA evidence A man serving a life sentence over the shocking 1988 ***** and ******* of bank teller Janine Balding has had a court win as he tries to clear his name. Source link #Notorious #killer #******* #win #key #DNA #evidence Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

French aircraft carrier stages combat drills with Filipinos in disputed sea and visits Philippines French aircraft carrier stages combat drills with Filipinos in disputed sea and visits Philippines ABOARD THE CHARLES DE GAULLE, Philippines (AP) — France’s nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and accompanying warships were in the Philippines on Sunday after holding combat drills with ********* forces in the disputed South China Sea in a show of firepower that would likely antagonize China. The Charles de Gaulle docked on Friday at Subic Bay, a former U.S. Naval base northwest of Manila, for a break after more than two months of deployment in the Indo-Pacific. The French carrier engaged with security allies for contingency readiness and to promote regional security, including with ********* forces, navy ships and fighter jets. They held anti-submarine warfare drills and aerial combat training on Friday in the South China Sea, Philippine and French officials said. “We aim to deepen our cooperation with regional partners with whom we share common values such as upholding international law and ensuring freedom of navigation in shared maritime spaces,” French Ambassador to Manila Marie Fontanel said at a news conference Sunday on the Charles de Gaulle’s flight deck. 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. Fontanel spoke near several parked Rafale supersonic fighter jets, an assault helicopter and a surveillance plane. The flags of France and the Philippines fluttered separately in the wind. “Our presence is a constant reminder of the importance to promote and to protect what unites us all — international law and cooperation,” Fontanel said. Last year, the French navy deployed a frigate for the first time to participate in a joint sail with United States and Philippine counterpart forces in and near the disputed waters. It was part of the largest annual combat exercises in years by American and ********* allied forces in the Philippines. The drills, known as Balikatan (Tagalog for “shoulder-to-shoulder”), involved more than 16,000 military personnel. China strongly criticized the exercises then, saying the Philippines was “ganging up” with countries from outside Asia in an obvious reference to the U.S. and its security partners, and warned the drills could instigate confrontation and undermine regional stability. France’s recent and ongoing military deployments to the Philippines underscore its “commitment to regional security and the shared goal of strengthening maritime cooperation in the Indo-Pacific,” Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson Co. Xerxes Trinidad said. The Charles de Gaulle, the only nuclear-powered aircraft carrier in the world other than those of the U.S. Navy, led a strike group that included three destroyer warships and an oil replenishment ship in its first-ever visit to the Philippines, French officials said. France has been shoring up its military engagements with the Philippines and other Southeast Asian nations at odds with China in the disputed waters, a key global trade and security route although it says those emergency-preparedness actions were not aimed at any particular country. China, however, has bristled at any presence of foreign forces, especially the U.S. military and its allies, which carry out war drills or patrols in the South China Sea, which Beijing claims almost in its entirety although it has not publicly released exact coordinates of its claim other than 10 dashed lines to demarcate vaguely what it calls its territory on maps. Beijing’s claims overlap with those of the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan in long-unresolved territorial standoffs. Indonesia has also figured in violent confrontations with ******** coast guard and fishing fleets in the Natuna waters. Two weeks ago, Australia protested after a ******** J-16 fighter jet released flares that passed within 30 meters (100 feet) of an *********** P-8 Poseidon surveillance jet over the South China Sea, according to *********** Defense Minister Richard Marles. The *********** military plane did not sustain any damage and no crewmember was injured in the Feb. 11 incident. A ******** Foreign Ministry spokesperson accused the *********** aircraft of “deliberately” intruding into airspace over the disputed Paracel Islands, which China and Vietnam contest. In late 2023, French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu and Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro signed an accord to boost military cooperation and joint engagements. France and the Philippines began talks last year on a defense pact that would allow troops from each country to hold exercises in the other’s territory. French negotiators have handed a draft of the agreement to their ********* counterparts to start the negotiations. The Philippines has also signed such status-of-forces agreements with the U.S. and Australia. A signed agreement with Japan was expected to be ratified by Japanese legislators this year, while talks between New Zealand and the Philippines for a similar defense pact recently concluded. Source link #French #aircraft #carrier #stages #combat #drills #Filipinos #disputed #sea #visits #Philippines Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Breaking News: Measles alert in San Marcos – Texas Public Radio Breaking News: Measles alert in San Marcos – Texas Public Radio Breaking News: Measles alert in San Marcos Texas Public RadioTranscript: Dr. Scott Gottlieb on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan,” Feb. 23, 2025 CBS NewsFormer FDA chief ‘very concerned’ about Texas measles outbreak spreading The HillWhat to know about the measles outbreak in West Texas as cases rise to 90 PBS NewsHourMeasles Outbreak in Texas and New Mexico Sickens Nearly 100 People The New York Times Source link #Breaking #News #Measles #alert #San #Marcos #Texas #Public #Radio Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

New leader must build coalition in divided country New leader must build coalition in divided country Germany is at a crossroads and now for Friedrich Merz the hard work begins. The point of this election was never just about a nation’s struggle to rediscover its economic mojo or re-evaluate its asylum policy – important as those issues absolutely are. It’s also about Germany’s ability to become the confident, world power that many of its allies want it to be. While there are capitals in Europe looking to Berlin for global leadership, within Germany, the priorities are often different. Merz will now need to balance those demands along with the inevitable compromises that come with coalition building. His promise to represent everyone comes amidst clear and stark divides in Germany. This election has again highlighted an east-west split, decades on from reunification. Voting data so far suggests that the AfD is solidifying its dominance in the former ********** east while the CDU continues to prevail in much of Germany’s south and west. An ARD exit poll shows 18 to 24-year-olds were most likely to back the left Die Linke party – followed by the far-right Alternative fur Deutschland. An irony of this campaign has been that – of the four main parties – the one most guaranteed to not get power sucked up so much attention. AfD’s rise is a central story of this election – and contemporary ******* politics. This is a party blocked from government because of a policy of non-cooperation with the far-right, known as the “firewall”. Sections of the AfD have been classified as right-wing extremist by domestic intelligence. One of its most prominent figures, Bjorn Hocke, has been fined for using a banned Nazi-era slogan – Alles fur Deutschland. Eyebrows have been raised as some AfD supporters have reportedly since morphed the phrase into, “Alice fur Deutschland” – in reference to leader, Alice Weidel. Those people may suggest it’s a finger up to an establishment that they think finds spurious excuses to smear them. Others worry that it’s a sign of something far more sinister. The AfD has become ever-bolder, some might even argue reckless, in its rhetoric. On the campaign trail, we heard one AfD councillor – in a row with two men of colour – say: “Go back to your Heimat (homeland) if you don’t like this here.” He did so, as we were openly filming him – then flatly denied it was racist. Yet a stream of controversies hasn’t stopped the AfD from enjoying its best ever result. In second place, it hasn’t outperformed expectations but this still marks the strongest showing for a far-right party in post-war Germany. Already social media savvy, it has a powerful ally in tech billionaire Elon Musk who’s openly endorsed the party. Many talk of 2025 as an inflection point for Germany. Either this is the high watermark for the far-right – or the moment that will be remembered as the key stepping stone on its path to power. Much depends, say opponents of the AfD, on Germany’s centrist politicians getting their act together and tackling voters’ concerns. If they don’t, the AfD will be a prime position to launch political attacks on the government as Germany’s main opposition party. Frontwoman, Alice Weidel, has her eye on the next election as much as this one. And the 46-year-old’s mission to make the AfD a more palatable political force appears to have been effective. Finally, let’s not forget Olaf Scholz (even if many already have). His allies say that the outgoing chancellor had to play a difficult hand; in charge of an unwieldy three-way coalition, at a time of crisis – notably dealing with the fallout from Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. And Scholz may best be remembered for his Zeitenwende speech; a pledge – not fully delivered – to bring about a turning point in security and defence policy. A failure to deliver now – at home or abroad – could spell further danger for the party’s that occupy Germany’s political centre. Source link #leader #build #coalition #divided #country Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Agencies push back on Musk ultimatum Agencies push back on Musk ultimatum Agencies push back on Musk ultimatum – CBS News Watch CBS News Elon Musk and DOGE sent an email to federal employees demanding they list five things they worked on in the past week, saying failure to respond would be taken as resignation. But multiple agency heads are telling their staffers not to respond to the email. ******* James Inman reports. Be the first to know Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not Now Turn On Source link #Agencies #push #Musk #ultimatum Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Cup still empty after improved Matildas’ loss to USA Cup still empty after improved Matildas’ loss to USA The USA have had to fight their way to victory over Australia, seeing off a much-improved Matildas outfit in a 2-1 SheBelieves Cup win. Just three days after they were embarrassed in a 4-0 tournament-opening loss to Japan, which interim coach Tom Sermanni described as “un-***********”, the Matildas restored some pride with their performance at State Farm Stadium in Arizona on Monday (AEDT). The Americans scored through Lynn Biyendolo just 41 seconds into the match, and Australia looked to be in for another long day at the office. But with a team sporting four changes from the Japan loss, Sermanni’s troops did well to rally and go toe-to-toe with the Americans for the next hour. The only time the Matildas let their guard down, world No.1 USA struck through Michelle Cooper in the 68th minute. Veteran striker Michelle Heyman headed in a Hayley Raso cross in the 80th minute to set up a nervy finish, but the USA were able to keep cool heads and hold on for victory. While Sermanni juggled his squad, USA coach Emma Hayes made 11 changes from the side that opened the friendly tournament with a 2-0 win over Colombia. It showed America’s enormous depth compared with Australia, and even if this was a second-string outfit, it didn’t show when Jaedyn Shaw powered down the left side of the box in the first minute. Shaw found ex-Western Sydney and Melbourne Victory forward Biyendolo, who tucked past *********** goalkeeper Teagan Micah. Australia were looking shaky and their defence breathed a sigh of relief when Biyendolo had a second chalked off for offside just five minutes later. From that point the Matildas began to mix it with the USA, and while shots on target were few and far between, they were at least stretching and testing the home side’s defence as halftime approached. Holly McNamara, enjoying her first start for the Matildas in more than three years, nearly got a breakthrough soon after halftime. The Melbourne City striker forced American goalkeeper Mandy McGlynn into an error at the back, which led to an *********** corner. McGlynn tipped Steph Catley’s delivery away and the USA hung on, before reclaiming control of the match and punishing a momentary lapse of concentration in the *********** backline. Catley and Charli Grant couldn’t contain Allyson Sentnor, who teed up Cooper for America’s second goal. Heyman gave Australia some hope when she turned in Raso’s cross as fulltime neared, but the Matildas were unable to land a second blow. Sentnor had the chance to kill off the game, but some brilliant glovework from Micah denied the American late on. Source link #Cup #empty #improved #Matildas #loss #USA Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘If You Guys Can’t Get It Done, We’ll Get Some Other Guys To Get It Done’ ‘If You Guys Can’t Get It Done, We’ll Get Some Other Guys To Get It Done’ Warren Buffett Said He Could End U.S. Deficit In 5 Minutes: ‘If You Guys Can’t Get It Done, We’ll Get Some Other Guys To Get It Done’ Warren Buffett back in 2011 made a bold claim on CNBC. He said he could fix the U.S. deficit in five minutes. His idea? Make sure politicians actually feel the consequences of their spending habits. “You just pass a law that says that any time there’s a deficit of more than 3% of GDP, all sitting members of Congress are ineligible for re-election,” Buffett said. He laughed, but his point was clear: politicians don’t fix the deficit because there’s no real incentive for them to do so. “A more effective threat would be just to say, ‘If you guys can’t get it done, we’ll get some other guys to get it done.'” Don’t Miss: Nearly 14 years later, the deficit hasn’t just stuck around—it’s ballooned. In 2011, the U.S. debt was around $14.3 trillion. As of 2025? It’s now past $36 trillion, with an annual deficit projected at $2.84 trillion. If Buffett thought Washington was reckless in 2011, what would he say now? In a move that nobody saw coming at the time, President Donald Trump—reelected in 2024—teamed up with billionaire Elon Musk to take a swing at government inefficiency. Their newly formed Department of Government Efficiency aims to trim federal spending by up to $2 trillion by July 4, 2026. DOGE, which Musk himself is leading, has already started slashing budgets, focusing on programs under agencies like USAID and the Department of Health and Human Services. So far, their reported savings sit at $55 billion, a small dent in their massive goal — but it’s only been four weeks. Trending: Can you guess how many Americans successfully retire with $1,000,000 saved? The percentage may shock you. Trump, never one to shy away from bold claims, has praised Musk as the smartest guy for the job. But not everyone is convinced. Conservatives are torn—some love the aggressive cost-cutting, while others point out that major entitlement programs, which make up a bulk of federal spending, remain untouched. Buffett’s plan was simple but ruthless: make politicians personally accountable for running deficits. But in reality, Congress would never pass such a law—because it would mean voting themselves out of power. In a 2011 CNBC article, an attorney pointed out that there is a legal loophole that could make it happen. Under Article V of the U.S. Constitution, two-thirds of state legislatures could call for a convention to propose an amendment. If three-fourths of the states ratified it, it would become law—no Congressional approval needed. But as the attorney noted, odds of that happening would have been slim and the process would take longer than “five minutes.” Story Continues Source link #Guys #Guys Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]