Pelican Press

Democrats and former defense officials rail against ‘pure pettiness’ of Trump Pentagon firings – The Hill Democrats and former defense officials rail against ‘pure pettiness’ of Trump Pentagon firings – The Hill Democrats and former defense officials rail against ‘pure pettiness’ of Trump Pentagon firings The HillTrump’s Firing of Gen. Charles Q. Brown May Have Roots in George Floyd Protests The New York TimesWith Pentagon purge, Trump thrusts military into uncharted territory The Washington Post Source link #Democrats #defense #officials #rail #pure #pettiness #Trump #Pentagon #firings #Hill Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Alternative for Germany set to make gains as Germany goes to the polls – Financial Times Alternative for Germany set to make gains as Germany goes to the polls – Financial Times Alternative for Germany set to make gains as Germany goes to the polls Financial TimesVoting begins in the high-stakes ******* election Al Jazeera EnglishGerman voters head to polls facing world of change as far right waits in the wings The GuardianGermany Votes With Polls Pointing to Merz Victory: What to Watch BloombergThe Latest: Polls open in Germany in crucial general election WOODTV.com Source link #Alternative #Germany #set #gains #Germany #polls #Financial #Times Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump is firing federal workers who are not funded by taxpayers Trump is firing federal workers who are not funded by taxpayers By Michael Erman, Patrick Wingrove and Marisa Taylor (Reuters) – Elon Musk’s DOGE team has slashed hundreds of jobs paid for by fees from banks, medical device companies and other forms of funding rather than taxpayer dollars, raising the question of whether the cuts will render hoped for savings. Most of around 200 Food and Drug Administration employees fired over the weekend held jobs that were paid for by fees charged to medical device makers under a 2002 law, according to former employees and sources familiar with the matter, depleting staff needed to approve medically necessary products like stents and implants for consumers. Overall, the FDA has around 20,000 workers. 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. “The overwhelming majority of those who will be terminated as a result of this are recent hires … funded through user fees. So as a result of that, the federal government will not save money,” said Scott Whitaker, CEO of the medical device industry group AdvaMed. “If these cuts are not reversed there’s no question that it will slow down the process for new technologies to get to market and to get to patients,” he added. Two financial regulatory agencies that do not rely on direct taxpayer dollars also cut staff in recent days. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which is funded by the Federal Reserve, fired dozens of probationary and term-contract workers and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation fired over 100 probationary workers as part of the government-wide staff reductions. Banking fees fund FDIC operations. U.S. President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk, one of his closest advisers, have mounted a sweeping campaign to slash the size of the 2.3 million-strong federal workforce, firing thousands of employees in an unprecedented effort that shows no sign of slowing. Their layoffs at the FDA include employees reviewing Elon Musk’s brain implant company Neuralink. The CFPB overhaul comes as Musk’s X recently announced a deal with Visa to provide payment services to customers of the social media platform. The CFPB is the primary federal regulator tasked with policing consumer protection laws for nonbank financial firms. While there is general agreement among Democrats and Republicans that the U.S. government is rife with waste and over-staffed, the haste and sweep of cuts in recent weeks has raised questions from agency staff and some lawmakers about the purpose of the reductions and the savings they will produce. “The FDIC is funded through fees paid by banks, so cutting the FDIC’s expenses does nothing to reduce the federal budget,” said Jeremy Kress, a law professor at the University of Michigan. FDIC declined to comment. The White House and CFPB did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The total number of firings at the FDA is unknown. But one industry source said that at least 180 of the fired FDA employees held jobs funded by the Medical Device User Fee and Modernization Act, under which the companies pay for the review of their products. A manager at the FDA, who spoke on condition on anonymity, said she was also told 180 and that she had not been told what would happen to the fees already paid. Reuters spoke to five former employees of the FDA who confirmed they had been fired from their MDUFA-funded roles. One, who declined to be named for fear of retribution, said during their last year of tenure, their team had reviewed 100 files that collectively generated more than $1 million in revenue for the agency. Files include new device submissions, marketing applications and other materials medical device companies need approved before bringing products to consumers. Reuters could not independently verify the amount. As part of the agreement with medical device makers, overseen by Congress, the FDA aimed to meet hiring targets for each year of the latest iteration of MDUFA. Many of those hires from 2023 and 2024 would still have been probationary employees and would likely have been cut. According to the latest financial document for the agreement posted by the FDA, the agency hired 141 employees to meet the MDUFA guidelines in 2023 and was targeting another 42 last year. Nine other former employees for the U.S. departments of Health and Human Services, the Interior, and Agriculture, who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity, said they were also fired despite their roles being funded by user fees, non-governmental grants and other forms of private funding. A spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Agriculture said they seek “to ensure that every dollar spent goes to serve the people, not the bureaucracy.” Some of their jobs had been to regulate tobacco products and inspect imports of plant and animal products to prevent the spread of invasive species and plant diseases to the United States. One was responsible for the conservation of endangered species in Yosemite National Park. The FDA collects hundreds of millions of dollars each year from the companies under the MDUFA Act. It was projected to collect nearly $400 million in user fees from the medical device makers last year, most of which goes to payroll and operating expenses for employees at the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health. A spokesperson for the agency was not immediately available to comment. (Reporting by Michael Erman, Marisa Taylor and Patrick Wingrove, additional reporting by Pete Schroeder and Rachael Levy; editing by Chris Sanders and Anna Driver) Source link #Trump #firing #federal #workers #funded #taxpayers Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Delta releases new information about captain, first officer flying plane that crashed in Toronto – Yahoo Delta releases new information about captain, first officer flying plane that crashed in Toronto – Yahoo Delta releases new information about captain, first officer flying plane that crashed in Toronto YahooFlight 4819: Delta CEO interview and customer status update Delta News HubDelta faces lawsuits over Toronto plane ****** — after offering passengers $30K New York Post Source link #Delta #releases #information #captain #officer #flying #plane #crashed #Toronto #Yahoo Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

BO6 & Warzone Feb 21 update patch notes: Mountaineer Perk & weapon tuning fixes – Dexerto BO6 & Warzone Feb 21 update patch notes: Mountaineer Perk & weapon tuning fixes – Dexerto BO6 & Warzone Feb 21 update patch notes: Mountaineer Perk & weapon tuning fixes DexertoBlack Ops 6 Season 02 Reloaded is Here: Full Content Intel Drop Call of DutyActivision’s Costly Call of Duty Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Crossover Has Some Players Saying ****** Ops 6 Should Just Go Free-to-Play at This Point IGNCoD: ****** Ops 6 And Warzone – How To Unlock All TMNT Melee Weapons GameSpot‘Call Of Duty: ****** Ops 6’ Is Getting A Totally Radical New Update This Week With New Maps And Ninja Turtles Forbes Source link #BO6 #amp #Warzone #Feb #update #patch #notes #Mountaineer #Perk #amp #weapon #tuning #fixes #Dexerto Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Jason Kelce Considering Major Change After Baby No. 4 – Athlon Sports Jason Kelce Considering Major Change After Baby No. 4 – Athlon Sports Jason Kelce Considering Major Change After Baby No. 4 Athlon SportsIs Jason Kelce Getting a Vasectomy After Baby No. 4 With Kylie Kelce? He Says… – E! Online E! NEWSJason Kelce Says He May Get a Vasectomy After Wife Kylie Welcomes Baby No. 4: ‘This One Might Be It’ PEOPLEJason Kelce considers vasectomy after wife Kylie announces fourth pregnancy Marca EnglishJason Kelce and Wife Kylie ‘Talked About’ Him Getting a Vasectomy Us Weekly Source link #Jason #Kelce #Major #Change #Baby #Athlon #Sports Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

New FBI Director Kash Patel will also be named acting head of the ATF, official says – The Associated Press New FBI Director Kash Patel will also be named acting head of the ATF, official says – The Associated Press New FBI Director Kash Patel will also be named acting head of the ATF, official says The Associated PressNew FBI leader Kash Patel tapped to run ATF as acting director Fox NewsGov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders & Republicans Deliver Remarks at CPAC C-SPAN Trump Live Updates: Ukraine War, Layoffs and Deportation News The New York TimesFBI managers are told 1,500 staff, agents will be moved from headquarters The Washington Post Source link #FBI #Director #Kash #Patel #named #acting #ATF #official #Press Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Mikey Madison Thanks Sean Baker While Accepting Spirit Awards Win: “I’m So Grateful That You Came Into My Life” – Hollywood Reporter Mikey Madison Thanks Sean Baker While Accepting Spirit Awards Win: “I’m So Grateful That You Came Into My Life” – Hollywood Reporter Mikey Madison Thanks Sean Baker While Accepting Spirit Awards Win: “I’m So Grateful That You Came Into My Life” Hollywood Reporter2025 Film Independent Spirit Awards: Complete Winners List The New York TimesIsraeli-************ film ‘No Other Land’ picks up Spirit Award ahead of Oscars The Times of IsraelIndieWire Hits the 2025 Indie Spirit Awards — Watch Filmmaker and Star Interviews IndieWireFilm Independent Spirit Awards 2025 red carpet: The best celebrity looks Page Six Source link #Mikey #Madison #Sean #Baker #Accepting #Spirit #Awards #Win #Grateful #Life #Hollywood #Reporter Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Scientists Say There’s No Difference Between the Past and the Future Scientists Say There’s No Difference Between the Past and the Future “Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links.” According to new research, physics does not distinguish between the past and future. Researchers found that because many equations allow for time reversal, flipping those equations will not change anything, even though something that happens in reality doesn’t just… undo itself. Reversing time had no effect on hypothetical particles, even though we can’t exactly pull a Back to the Future yet. We have a linear perception of time. Whatever will happen later is in the future. What is now occurring is in the present. Something that occurred and is over is in the past. But scientists still have some questions. For example, do the laws of physics also demand a past, present, and future? And was there ever a beginning of time? Recently, a team of experts from the University of Surrey set out to answer those exact questions. While the beginning of time—if it exists—proved elusive, the researchers did find that physics does not distinguish between a forward and backward temporal trajectory. Physically speaking, it is just as likely for time to move backwards as it is for it to move forwards. “The arrow of time describes the clear asymmetry that makes the past intrinsically different from the future,” the research team wrote in a study recently published in Scientific Reports, “And yet, the fundamental laws of physics in both the classical and quantum realms do not manifest any intrinsic arrow of time.” Newton’s laws of motion allow for time reversal. So does Schrödinger’s equation, which predicts the probability of something happening in the future, such as whether that cat is dead or alive. The concept of past and future being physically symmetrical may be difficult to grasp in a world where things that have already happened cannot undo themselves. An expensive vase that pops and shatters is not going to magically put itself back together and end up back on the table where it belongs. However, when you really get down to the crux of equations that describe how our world works, they could face either way—you wouldn’t be able to tell the future from the past, and vice versa. This is where Markovian dynamics come in. In a Markov chain everything goes one way. For example, the quantum state of a physical system (which can be any physical object) describes everything known about it and determines the transition to its next quantum state. A Markov chain like that can keep going infinitely. The team behind the new time discovery applied this logic to a hypothetical cloud of superheated particles that expands with the universe, and through a series of mathematical equations, they found out that time reversal had no effect on the particles transitioning between quantum states. And it’s not just quantum states. “The motion of planets around the Sun, as much as the oscillations of a pendulum, are phenomena that do not distinguish the past from the future,” the Surrey team said in the same study. “A movie of these processes, played backwards, would still represent a perfectly legitimate physical phenomenon.” Of course, this leads to another unanswered question. If quantum physics doesn’t care what direction time is moving in, why does history exist at all? It might have something to do with the expansion of the universe. The Big Bang theory assumes that an extremely hot and dense mass of particles once began to expand further and further out into the void, and while that expansion has continued, the particles have significantly cooled down. But they aren’t reverting back to the temperatures they were at almost 14 billion years ago. Cooling was what helped particles condense into stars, planets and other objects in space. Reversing that would break everything down into particles again. There might still be a way to equalize past and future even after the Big Bang. Another controversial study hypothesizes that time symmetry might be possible if, at the moment of the explosion, two parallel universes were created rather than just one. We only see a past and a future because we are living in one half of a continuous line of time. Whether we actually live in a parallel universe has yet to be determined. And for now, at least, time reversal is only possible in theory. So hold on to your watch. You Might Also Like Source link #Scientists #Difference #Future Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol 2 fight results, highlights: Challenger gets revenge to earn undisputed title – CBS Sports Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol 2 fight results, highlights: Challenger gets revenge to earn undisputed title – CBS Sports Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol 2 fight results, highlights: Challenger gets revenge to earn undisputed title CBS SportsBivol takes Beterbiev’s undisputed light-heavyweight world title Al Jazeera EnglishArtur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol 2 fight predictions, undercard, odds, start time, where to watch, preview CBS SportsDmitry Bivol edges Artur Beterbiev to win undisputed light heavyweight championship in rematch Bad Left HookBeterbiev Vs. Bivol 2 Results: Full Fight Card Results And Reactions Forbes Source link #Artur #Beterbiev #Dmitry #Bivol #fight #results #highlights #Challenger #revenge #earn #undisputed #title #CBS #Sports Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Two Israeli hostages return after a decade in Gaza Two Israeli hostages return after a decade in Gaza JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Among the six hostages freed by ****** on Saturday in return for ************ prisoners were an Israeli Bedouin and an Ethiopian-born man who had been in Gaza for years before the October 7, 2023 attack, having wandered into the enclave a decade ago. Civilians Hisham al-Sayed, 36, and Avera Mengistu, 39, both had a history of mental illness, according to comments from their families and a 2017 report from Human Rights Watch. Mengistu, who was born in Ethiopia and lived in the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon, crossed a barbed wire fence near a beach in Gaza in September 2014, while Sayed, a Bedouin with Israeli citizenship who lived in the Negev desert, walked into Gaza from the east in April 2015. 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. “Our family has endured ten years and five months of unimaginable suffering. During this time, there have been continuous efforts to secure his return, with prayers and pleas, some silent, that remained unanswered until today,” Mengistu’s family said in a statement. Although ****** at one time described them as soldiers, Human Rights Watch said neither was connected to the Israeli government or the military but that both men were accustomed to walking long distances on foot. It’s not known why they entered Gaza. “Why were they holding someone like that who did nothing wrong? He’s a man of peace, a man who wanted to reach Gaza, he loves Gaza, he did not go there as an aggressor,” Sayed’s father Shaaban al-Sayed told Israeli public radio this week. “This was more painful for us than everything else.” For years, almost nothing was known about their condition until ****** released videos of Sayed, lying in bed with an oxygen mask in June 2022, and of Mengistu in January 2023, in an apparent effort to pressure Israel into swapping them for ************ prisoners. In addition to Sayed and Mengistu, ****** also held the bodies of two Israeli soldiers killed in the 2014 Gaza war. One, Oron Shaul, was recovered by Israeli troops in Gaza last month, while the other, Hadar Goldin, is still in the hands of ******. (Reporting by James Mackenzie; Editing by Aidan Lewis and Sharon Singleton) Source link #Israeli #hostages #return #decade #Gaza Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

******* voters head to polls facing world of change as far right waits in the wings – The Guardian ******* voters head to polls facing world of change as far right waits in the wings – The Guardian ******* voters head to polls facing world of change as far right waits in the wings The GuardianGerman election: Voting under way after campaign focused on economy and migration Sky NewsGermany Votes With Polls Pointing to Merz Victory: What to Watch BloombergShocked by Trump, Europe Turns Its Hopes to Germany’s Election The New York TimesWhat to know about Germany’s 2025 federal election The Washington Post Source link #******* #voters #polls #facing #world #change #waits #wings #Guardian Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Wagin Woolorama: WA Police’s mega recruitment drive heads bush Wagin Woolorama: WA Police’s mega recruitment drive heads bush WA Police’s major recruitment drive will extend to the Wagin Woolorama this year, with the organisation seeking people with ingenuity and resilience to join the force. Source link #Wagin #Woolorama #Polices #mega #recruitment #drive #heads #bush Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

H-1 freeway closure causes Saturday traffic nightmare H-1 freeway closure causes Saturday traffic nightmare HONOLULU (KHON2) — Many Oahu drivers sat in major traffic on the H-1 freeway on Saturday, Feb. 22. Get Hawaii’s latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You The traffic stemmed from the on-going H-1 Salt Lake Rehabilitation Paving Project, which requires three lanes to close in the eastbound direction near Kahuapaani Street and the Airport off-ramp. However, DOT Director Ed Sniffen said the contractor mistakenly set up for a 24/7 closure of three lanes in the east bound direction before the Moanalua Freeway merge on Friday night. 1 critical in Waikiki pedestrian versus car ****** “The closure was supposed to start on the east side of the H-201 offramp, as you’re going on H1 going east bound towards the airport to allow people to go to H-201 or go to the airport area where we have limited lanes,” explained Director Sniffen. “What happened though was the contractor had set up the closure before the H-201 offramp which means we pushed everyone towards the lane closures we have out there, that wasn’t the plan.” He said the DOT received numerous concerns and complaints throughout the day from the public and they worked on sending someone out to clear up the contractor error. “Went out there to make sure we worked with the contractor to safely reset things and by 1 p.m. it was reset,” Sniffen said. “All the lanes are open again to get to H-201, but we still have closures on the airport side. That two to three lane closure is 24/7 on weekends to maximize use of the lanes during non-peak times so we don’t effect everyone during the week days.” Check out more news from around Hawaii DOT officials said the H1 East closure (past the Moanalua Freeway) for the Salt Lake Rehabilitation Paving Project, will take place during the weekends throughout the summer. With two right lanes closing at 6:30 p.m. Friday, a third lane closing at 8:30 p.m. Friday, and all lanes reopening again on Monday’s at 2:30 a.m. 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 KHON2. Source link #freeway #closure #Saturday #traffic #nightmare Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Hezbollah Plans Show of Strength at Killed Leader’s ******** – The New York Times Hezbollah Plans Show of Strength at Killed Leader’s ******** – The New York Times Hezbollah Plans Show of Strength at Killed Leader’s ******** The New York TimesThousands of people attend the ******** of late Hezbollah leader Nasrallah 5 months after his death The Associated PressIran officials flock to Beirut for Nasrallah ********, to show they still back Hezbollah – analysis The Jerusalem PostIran’s parliament speaker, foreign minister to attend ******** of Hezbollah’s Nasrallah The Times of IsraelAt Nasrallah’s ********, Hezbollah and Iran set to put on a ‘show of strength’ FRANCE 24 English Source link #Hezbollah #Plans #Show #Strength #Killed #Leaders #******** #York #Times Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Kamala Harris receives prestigious Chairman’s prize at NAACP Image Awards – The Associated Press Kamala Harris receives prestigious Chairman’s prize at NAACP Image Awards – The Associated Press Kamala Harris receives prestigious Chairman’s prize at NAACP Image Awards The Associated PressView Full Coverage on Google News Source link #Kamala #Harris #receives #prestigious #Chairmans #prize #NAACP #Image #Awards #Press Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

29 Republicans Admitted What They Honestly Think About Trump’s Latest Truth Social Post 29 Republicans Admitted What They Honestly Think About Trump’s Latest Truth Social Post If you haven’t heard, the White House’s official Instagram account posted an image of President Donald Trump wearing a crown after he ordered an end to New York City’s congestion toll. The account also copied Trump’s Truth Social post, where Trump wrote: “CONGESTION PRICING IS DEAD. Manhattan, and all of New York, is SAVED. LONG LIVE THE KING!” Tweet by Donald J. Trump: “CONGESTION PRICING IS DEAD. Manhattan, and all of New York, is SAVED. LONG LIVE THE KING!” 8.18k ReTruths, 40.9k Likes, dated Feb 19, 2025 While this is just one of the many out-of-pocket things President Trump has done since he began his presidency in January, this post from the official White House account has garnered a lot of attention, even from the Republicans. So when Reddit user IngenuityOk9364 asked: “Republicans of Reddit, how do you feel about Trump calling himself king in his recent Truth Social post?” I was really shocked by some of their responses. Here’s what they said below: 1.”I don’t know about others, but my 79-year-old super pro-Trump neighbor has stated outright: ‘I’d rather live under a dictator than a Democrat,’ so I don’t know. Feels about right.” Man in a suit and tie at a press event, looking serious. An American flag is visible in the background —vasaryo 2.”I’m a Republican but never voted for him once. Today, I had a day off, so I went down and changed my voter registration from R to I. Not so much because of this comment, but should have done it a long time ago. The MAGA cult doesn’t represent traditional Republican values, so I left the party.” —Headwallrepeat 3.”I left the Republican party during Trump’s first term. I’ve never voted for him and feel disgusted by him and his cronies. In my opinion, the Republican party has abandoned its supposed principles and the Constitution. I hate having to vote for Democrats, but they’re the only adults in the room now. I don’t know if I can ever vote for another Republican again after this.” A group of politicians and journalists gather in a hallway for a press conference, with one man speaking at a podium. Photographers surround them —vacuousintent 4.”I’m not a Republican, but my father very much is, and as soon as I saw it, I texted him to ask him about it. He called it fake news, already debunked it, and told me to get better sources. I sent him the link and asked what he meant when the source was the literal official White House account. He switched immediately to say, ‘It’s free speech and tried to get mad at me for ‘wanting to get rid of free speech.’ So… judging from that, they don’t care and are okay with it somehow.” —TGotAReddit 5.”I’ve never been particularly partisan, but I spent about 10 years as a registered Republican. The party I was registered with no longer exists. I didn’t abandon my party; my party abandoned reality.” Two men outdoors; one wears a “Make America Great Again” hat and suit, the other in a “45” cap and casual shirt —Harry-le-Roy “Same. 41M Texas Republican. Voted straight Republican my whole life, but proud to say I have never voted for Trump. I am done with the Republican Party.” —Jurango34 6.”It’s another case of people overreacting to something inconsequential. My opinion is that Trump is being sensational, per usual. He always does this. And 90% of the time, people (specifically on the left) overreact to it.” —The_Susmariner 7.”I don’t know how many other Republicans follow my thinking, but I ******** hate it.” A man in a casual coat and cap stands with a child beside a seated figure in a suit at an ornate desk, all in a formal office setting —Weak_Carpenter_7060 8.”I’m a Republican. I voted for Trump. I don’t regret my vote because he is doing a lot of the things he promised, but he is going way overboard. I don’t think we should buy Greenland. I think the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico was stupid and unneeded, and I definitely don’t enjoy him calling himself king. But he is also bringing a solid government reform that is saving taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars so far, and it’s been a month. I definitely think the good outweighs the bad, but it doesn’t mean I like him personally. I just like most of his politics.” —Traditional_Map1166 “No, he is not saving you money. If Trump and his administration were sitting down and examining government departments and programs, I would give him some credit. Such an effort would take months, at least more. He is slashing and burning things he doesn’t like.” —gerryf19 “I mean, look at some of the proof they are providing, though. He is only slashing what has been deemed unnecessary so far, and it’s been a lot. $24 billion, to be exact. I don’t agree with all of the cuts so far, but most of them I do agree with, and I’d take most over none at all.” —Traditional_Map1166 9.”It’s spitting in the face of our founding fathers and the revolution they fought. It’s disgusting. I would love two rational parties working in the interest of America and its people. We don’t have to agree on everything, but working for American safety, health, and security should be the priority of all our representatives.” U.S. Capitol building with a clear sky in the background, photographed from a distance —ForecastForFourCats 10.”My parents are Reps, and they hate it, but they’re part of the small anti-Trump ********* that have voted against him since 2016. So it’s not like this particular post changed their opinion.” —You_Wenti 11.”As a long-time Republican and an actual conservative, I continue to be dismayed and disappointed by almost everything this administration has done. I want fiscal restraint, a strong defense and posture in the world, and policies that provide prosperity and freedom for all Americans. I’m not seeing any of that so far.” Person in a suit wearing a “Elon for President” button with an illustrated portrait, featuring American flag elements —Dadtakesthebait 12.”It is so obviously a joke. The fake outrage about it is laughable. Trump does stuff like this to ***** with people and especially the media. It’d be understandable if you woke up from a coma last month and missed the past decade, but it’s absurd that people still take him literally when he is clearly joking. I have zero problems with anything he’s done as president. And, to a person, everyone who voted for him is fine with it.” —landmanpgh 13.”I’m fairly conservative, and it really bothers me. I have always thought Trump is a terrible choice for any elected position, but the ingredients you got bake the cake you get.” An individual in a suit and tie speaks into a microphone, appearing to address an audience or press —Jayu-Rider 14.”Not a Republican, but right-leaning, do I count? If so, then it’s my opinion that any President referring to themselves as ‘King’ should be swiftly impeached and stripped of office.” —NonCreativeMinds 15.”Republican here: I think I’m a Democrat now, for real. I was never MAGA in the first place, but I am truly disgusted by this POS, and there are 0 Republicans standing up to him.” A person with short hair and glasses speaks during an event, wearing a jacket with a high collar “I just remembered I’m registered independent but have always voted R. I always voted against Trump in primaries, and I am probably not going to vote R again. We need them to lose and lose big next time.” —Mithrandir_Holmes 16.”I am hesitant to say Republican anymore. Conservative is all I can muster. I’d say for every one thing Trump does that might be good, he does and says anywhere between 10-100 things bad. It’s too much for me to keep up with.” —TigerTerrier 17.”I’m a Republican and have always hated Trump (I have always voted for the Democrat running against him). I’m more and more terrified every day with each new executive order and the act of DOGE. I’m ashamed of the leaders of my party and their cowardice/inaction or enthusiastic support of Trump. I think the social media post was either testing the waters to see if he could get away with it or just proving he could get away with directly stating his intentions, similar to Musk’s Sieg Heil.” Protestors hold signs with edited images of political figures, expressing dissent during a demonstration —Jorozo 18.”I am a registered Republican, and I am terrified of the situation that we have voted for. A man uprooting the very foundation of the United States of America with almost no retaliation from the American people is outrageous. I have never considered myself extreme in any manner of politics. I do know that I am extremely anti-fascist. I am surprised that we have not learned anything from the past. With so many educated people, you would think free thought would be encouraged, and in almost every space in the USA, it’s not. ***** fascism no matter who the face is.” —Immortal_VI_ 19.”Not good. I don’t care if it’s just talk; it’s not okay. I never thought the guy was wholesome, but I thought from a practical standpoint, he had enough integrity to get through this term, and we’d come out as a net positive at the end. Lots of things every day seem like deviations from my goals. This latest falling out with Ukraine calling Volodymyr Zelenskyy a dictator and seemingly undermining the efforts the free world has put in to keep that country free makes me take some steps back. I mean, if it’s some brilliant strategy, great, but I don’t have much faith in that being true. He went through a list of government programs that he was basically mocking and saying they were grift, and we should be happy they are gone, but I was really listening to the programs, and some of the ones that got cut were probably really useful to everyone.” A man stands in front of a flag with an intricate design, wearing a dark, casual collared shirt “He mentioned a medical research grant that seemed reasonable to me, as well as a program for election confidence in Liberia. That country was created by us; we were supposed to help them. We’ve let several ungodly, nightmarish civil wars happen there and did nothing. People used to show up to vote and get their arms chopped off with machetes and sometimes worse. Stands to reason they might need some help getting their confidence back in free elections. A stable country is worth an investment. Desperate, violent countries stifle the growth and economic prosperity of the entire region. This isn’t a just a liberal concept or just humanitarian, this is a capitalist concept. Saving tax money from being wasted is great, but this whirlwind is going to have consequences.” —Weak_Firefighter_190 20.”It’s not a great look for a president — coming from someone who voted for him multiple times.” —Proud-Mention-3826 21.”Actual republican here. This is how I genuinely see it: I can say I feel like it’s hilarious. He knows it triggers y’all. He knows fake news will put maximum spin on it to the point they look dumb when all they need to do is just play the clip. And most importantly, I believe actions speak louder than words. From my pov, everything he’s done has been through the legal system, so he’s playing by the rules: he got elected, abides by court rulings, uses executive orders to get what he wants to do, etc. Therefore, he’s not a dictator, like a king as the left imagines when they hear king, but instead, he is a king for the people.” Person signing document with a ****** marker at a desk, a map labeled “Gulf of America” visible in the background “My question to Democrats is, how can you be SO against auditing the government? Trump will be gone in four years. But this, this is history in the making! If it was Biden auditing the government and revealing all the wasted taxpayer money, I would still celebrate. How are you not happy to finally hold our corrupt, war machine, blood-sucking government accountable? For *****’s sake, we supposedly spend more money on our children’s education than any other country but are near rank 40 in education? Doubt. This is one of the hundreds of examples that convinces me our inflation, parabolic debt, and decrepit infrastructure all come back to the politicians and government who have net worths 5000+ times their yearly income.” —Environmental-Head14 22.”I’m seriously considering registering as an independent if that’s any indication of how I feel. I feel like I am the only Republican who sees what he is doing as alarming.” —commanderhammerhead 23.”He’s trolling, and the people who are freaking out about it are too stupid to realize it.” Two men sit wearing red, white, and blue jackets with patriotic motifs, including an American flag and political slogans, next to a U.S. flag —amuller72 24.”I was a registered Republican. First time I had ever voted. I had spent years being isolated and brainwashed by my abusive ex-partner, whom I didn’t even fully notice was this disgusting, but like… everything bad Trump has done, he would defend!!!” “I am disgusted and disappointed in myself for falling not only for my ex-boyfriend but swaying to his beliefs for a ******* of time instead of reality. Trump is no king. He is not God; he does not fear God or know God. It’s truly sad.” —sweetfruitloops 25.”Just letting you know what a pro-Trump person I met earlier at work said about this. ‘Good. He will make a great king! We need a king to undo all the DEI and evil Democrats have done over the last decade.’ I said aren’t you concerned about a president having too much power. He said, ‘If it was anyone else, sure. But Trump has proven that he is for the American people, and he is making our country great. Power in the right hands is what we want.” Group of protestors holding various signs expressing political and social messages on a street “I didn’t debate him or anything after that. Just nodded like oh, ok. I’m at work, and I don’t wanna get into it. This person was a trucker who came through my work and just started voluntarily talking about politics.” —673NoshMyBollocksAve 26.”I’m a Republican. I grew up in a strong Republican family. My cousin runs for one, too. We are one of the people who don’t even like Trump. In fact, we think he’s a sociopath for calling himself a king. We also voted for Harris because we don’t want to lose our country. We simply chose not to be the followers.” “Every time I say I am a Republican, I get told I am not. Well, Mike Pence didn’t like him after working for him. A lot of Republicans didn’t either. The ones who still follow him mindlessly are the ones in the cult. Because of them, we might change the party. Republicans are not the same.” —HeatherShaina 27.”I am a Republican, and I don’t really like Trump so much anymore. Could be because a lot of my friends are Democrats, but I mean, the more ***** he says, the more I realize he’s not the smartest man in the world.” Person in a crowd holds a sign reading “Democracy Not Trumpocracy” at a protest outside a large government building —CASEDIZZLER 28.”Well, it depends. I voted for him, but I can’t say I like everything he does. I’m not going to pretend I know all the details of the Russia/Ukraine war, but I don’t like that he placed the blame on Zelenskyy. This is based on my limited knowledge of the subject.” “As far as him referring to himself as King, it depends. He does often say things like this trying to be humorous by making fun of those who accuse him of acting like a king. But if he is being serious, I’m not a fan of it. Presidents are meant to have limited power. They are still the most powerful person in the country and arguably on earth, but they still have to have checks and balances. Kings have no such checks and balances, and that’s not a system we should go to or make light of. My biggest criticism of him is of the constant ‘humor’ or just ‘slamming the libs’ he does. The debates are hard to watch as they seem to be just two people insulting each other rather than a real debate, and his Twitter isn’t much different. I would like to see change in this part of Trump. I miss the days of real debates like with Ronald Reagan and of men like John McCain.” —OkMycologist4060 29.”I’m a conservative and a Republican. I am for smaller government, less government spending, and a strong military; plus, I own guns. Never voted for a Democrat for president since I cast my first ballot for Ronald Regan in 1980 (even Trump since I liked the idea of a nonpolitician). But I voted for Kamala last time (and Biden before that). Not because I like their policies (I’m against almost all of them), but because I think Trump is unfit to be my president. This first month again shows why, and these last few days are hard to take. Zelenskyy is not a dictator; Putin is. Ukraine did not start the war; Russia did. Trump has alienated the entire free world against America in less than a month (including Canada, for god’s sake). He is acting as a puppet for Russia. He is not above the law; he is not a king. He’s a lying egomaniac and is ruining my country in record time.” Person in a formal suit sits at a desk with papers in a wood-paneled office, appearing thoughtful For the first time in my life, I’m ashamed to be an American, and it feels like *****. I’m also afraid it’s only going to get worse.” —Repulsive_Pop4771 Republicans, share with us your thoughts about what Trump posted or about him in general in the comments below. Source link #Republicans #Admitted #Honestly #Trumps #Latest #Truth #Social #Post Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

'Locked in' Luka explodes as Lakers win in Denver – ESPN 'Locked in' Luka explodes as Lakers win in Denver – ESPN ‘Locked in’ Luka explodes as Lakers win in Denver ESPNLuka Doncic shines again and has national media wondering just how deep Lakers can go in playoffs Marca EnglishLakers get first big performance from Luka Dončić in win over Nuggets Yahoo SportsFull Focus: Luka Dončić delivers best game with Lakers in win over Nuggets NBA.Com Source link #039Locked #in039 #Luka #explodes #Lakers #win #Denver #ESPN Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Laifen Mini review: this dinky dryer packs a punch Laifen Mini review: this dinky dryer packs a punch Laifen Mini hair dryer: two-minute review The Laifen Mini is a scaled-down, mini hair dryer that offers the kind of power and features you’d expect from a full-sized option. It has the same streamlined silhouette as the majority of the best hair dryers on the market these days – it has a minimalist barrel, with most of the weight in the handle – but the whole unit has been shrunk down to a more portable size. The fact it comes with a carry bag suggests Laifen has travel in mind here, but I’d happily consider it as a main hair dryer if I was short on space. It’s lightweight and comfortable to use, with the (new with this model) matte finish adding grip as well as bumping up this model’s style credentials. In terms of modes, there’s the standard temperature and windspeed options, but also a couple more advanced modes. One will cycle hot-to-cold every two seconds, and is designed to protect your scalp and also set your locks as you style, and the other is a child mode that uses lower pressure and is better for delicate hair. Although neither were required for my own styling routine, they both work as advertised and offer a more specialized option for those who want them. In the auto-cycle mode, it took two and a half minutes to rough-dry my hair to 90 per cent dry – a little longer than my full-sized dryer, but still very acceptable and impressively efficient for a travel-sized option. There are some potential downsides, though. The cord is short and the fact there’s currently no compatible diffuser will frustrate curly haired customers. I also found the controls a point of irritation – you set the mode using a series of long or short button presses, and you’ll need to memorize these because the only way to note the current mode is by watching the glowing ring on the dryer’s barrel and remembering what each color sequence means. It certainly looks cool, but it isn’t the most efficient way to convey information. Those frustrations aside, this is a very strong addition to the Laifen lineup. It’s also affordably priced for the features it brings, sitting in the mid-range bracket and delivering strong performance, versatility and a cool look for that price. That’s the short version – read on for my full Laifen Mini hair dryer review. Laifen Mini hair dryer review: price & availability List price: €129.99 Available: Europe, *** (via EU site) Launched: September 2024 The Laifen Mini was unveiled at IFA in September 2024, and at time of writing is available to buy in the ***, other European territories, as well as South Africa. The *** situation is a little odd because it’s only available to buy via the Laifen EU site and the price is listed in Euros, but Laifen has confirmed it’s available for *** shoppers here, and you can specify that it come with a *** plug. At time of writing, Laifen didn’t have any information on if/when the Mini might be launched in the US or Australia – although when my teammate saw the dryer at IFA she was told the differences in voltage were a barrier to launching in the US. At list price it costs €129.99 – roughly $135 / £107 / AU$213 – although it was reduced to €110.49 at the time of writing. This puts the Laifen Mini in the mid-range price bracket for hair dryers, and I think it’s decent value for what it offers. It’s a step up on basic in terms of features; it feels robust and good quality; and the design has a premium vibe. Value for money score: 4 out of 5 Laifen Mini hair dryer specs Swipe to scroll horizontally Wattage: 1100W Weight: 10.55oz / 299g (no cord) 17oz / 482g (with cord) Size (L x W x H): 22 x 7.7 x 6.3cm Cord length: 5.9ft / 1.8m Temperatures: 3 (cold, warm, hot) Speeds: 2 (regular, high) Extra modes: Child mode (low pressure); auto-temperature cycle Motor: 110,000rpm brushless motor Accessories: Magnetic concentrator, carry bag Colors: Olive, pale pink, white, grey-blue Laifen Mini hair dryer review: design Stylish, small and lightweight build Comes with magnetic concentrator and carry bag Controlled via button and slider on handle; cord rather short The Laifen Mini is a shrunk-down version of the brand’s popular Laifen Swift hair dryer. Originally, that was part of a wave of new dryers with designs heavily inspired by the then-hot-new-thing, the Dyson Supersonic. The new addition still has that streamlined shape with the weight in the handle and a minimal barrel. However, it now looks less like a knock-off and more of its own thing, and I’m a big fan of Laifen’s styling. It’s the first Laifen dryer to add a matte coating – this brings the double benefit of improving grip while also avoiding that cheap-looking shiny plastic look. It’s available in four muted, pastel colors (arguably more on-trend than the tropical tones still favored by Dyson). The Mini comes with a Concentrator and carry bag (Image credit: Future) My review model is Glacier Blue (a grey-blue), but it’s also available in Jungle Green (an olive-toned color), Coral Pink (really more baby pink) and Arctic White. It arrives with one styling attachment – a concentrator that snaps on and off magnetically. Other Laifen dryers have a compatible diffuser that can be purchased separately, but that isn’t an option here. To help with portability it comes bundled with a carry bag in either grey or brown (color chosen at random). It’s just big enough for the dryer, cable and attachment to nestle inside, and is magnetic all the way along the top, making it super easy to open and close. (Image credit: Future) At 5.9ft / 1.8m, the cable is on the short side. That might be annoying if you’re planning to use this as your main dryer, but it does make sense as a travel option. There’s a rubbery cable tidy for when you want to pack the dryer in its bag. For reference, most full-sized dryers have a cable that’s around 8.5-10ft (2.5-3m) long. However, it’s worth flagging that Laifen in general is stingy with its cables – the full-sized Swift has the same length cord as this Mini version. Controls & modes Controls are via two switches on the handle. There’s a slider to turn the dryer on and move between the two different windspeed options, indicated by icons (0, I, II). The second button is used to set the mode. (Image credit: Future) Here’s where things become a little confusing, because different modes require different press types: Long press: temperature cycling mode Two short presses: child mode Single short press: shift between low, medium and high temperature A ring around the barrel will glow different colors to indicate temperature; but other than that, there’s no way to determine which mode you’re in. When the dryer arrived, Laifen had added a wrapper to the handle with instructions printed on it, and I was grateful that I took a photo at the time for reference – because once it’s gone, you’ll need to rely on your memory to know what’s going on. The temperature control is described as “smart”, but that just means there’s a sensor inside to prevent overheating, which I’d hope wouldn’t happen anyway. Like most modern dryers, bar the ultra-budget models, it releases ions as it dries, to discourage frizz. Laifen Mini hair dryer review: performance Good amount of power for a travel-sized dryer Controls are fiddly and require memorizing Lightweight and comfortable to hold and use The Laifen Mini is comfortable to hold, with a well-balanced design and good grip thanks to the matte coating. It’s lightweight enough for use over long periods, and packs a decent amount of power for a travel-sized dryer. I tested it out on my armpit-length, naturally wavy hair, and my drying times were slightly longer than when using my Dyson Supersonic Nural, but not unreasonably so. While the dinky size and helpful carry bag make it perfect for taking on trips, I think this would also work as a main hair dryer for someone who’s especially short on storage space. The power and functionality are similar to what you’d get with a full-sized dryer; the main compromise you’re making is the length of the cord (bear this in mind if your power outlets aren’t helpfully placed close to your mirrors). (Image credit: Future) In terms of attachments, the provided concentrator snaps on and off easily and feels secure in use. It’s just a shame there’s no compatible diffuser for curly haired customers. Modes in use Let’s take a closer look at the operation. There are two windspeeds; most modern dryers offer three, although I think two will be fine for most people’s needs. You’re also slightly more limited than usual on temperature options. Most dryers these days will come with three temperature options plus a separate cold shot button. Here, you just have a medium, hot or cold temperature mode. The band around the barrel will glow yellow, red or blue respectively in these modes. I was fine with having to cycle through temperature setting to access the cold mode, although others may prefer the more usual approach of a separate, dedicated button. Laifen’s approach is easier for prolonged cold setting use, because it doesn’t require a button to be held down. If you’re styling your hair or are particularly concerned about scalp health, you can opt for a temperature cycling mode, in which the Mini will switch from hot to cold every two seconds. At the same time, the band will gradually transition from pink to red to purple to blue. The aim of this mode is to prevent your scalp from becoming too hot, and to set your style as you’re drying. It took around two and half minutes to get my hair to 90 per cent dry in this mode. In comparison, with the Dyson Supersonic Nural’s “auto” mode it takes around two minutes. I didn’t find the automatic temperature cycling that useful for my styling needs or routine, but I appreciate the option is there if you want it. (Image credit: Future) A new addition with the Laifen Mini is the child mode. This isn’t a child lock, but rather a mode designed for drying children’s hair. Laifen states that in this mode the dryer “maintains the same airspeed as regular modes, but the wind pressure is reduced, making the air feel gentler on the skin”. Activate child mode and the dryer will stay at either 38ºC at low speed, or 48ºC in high speed, and the ring will pulse yellow. (Image credit: Future) I appreciate that Laifen is offering up more than just your standard modes here. While they won’t all be useful for everyone – and for my styling routine, I found myself mostly sticking to the high windspeed, high temperature option – I appreciate the options are there to cater to different customers’ needs and priorities. However, I do have a slight issue with the labelling – or lack thereof. I’m all for a minimalist design, but the only way to know which temperature mode you’re in is to sit and watch the lights (and remember what they mean). Unless you have a great memory, switching modes will probably be a process of trial and error for some time. Performance score: 4 out of 5 Should you buy the Laifen Mini hair dryer? Swipe to scroll horizontally Attribute Notes Rating Value Mid-range dryer with a some advanced features and a high-quality feel. 4 / 5 Design Compact and lightweight, with a stylish, modern look. Cord a little short and controls lack info. 4 / 5 Performance Comfortable to hold and powerful for a mini dryer. Various modes all work, although remembering which is which is tricky. 4 / 5 Buy it if… Don’t buy it if… Laifen Mini hair dryer review: alternatives to consider Swipe to scroll horizontally Header Cell – Column 0 Laifen Mini (reviewed) Dyson Supersonic Nural T3 Fit Wattage: 1,100W 1,600W 1,600W Weight (no cord): 0.7lbs / 299g 1.9lbs / 680g 0.8lbs / 357.2g Size (L x W): 8.7 x 3in / 22 x 7.7cm 10 x 4in / 24.5 x 9.7cm 10.3 x 5.7in / 26.2 x 14.5cm Cord length: 5.9ft / 1.8m 8.6 ft / 2.6m 9ft / 2.7m Temperatures: 3 including cold 3 plus cool shot 3 plus cool shot Speeds: 2 3 2 Extra modes: Child mode (low pressure); auto-temperature cycle Scalp protect mode None Accessories: Concentrator, carry bag Wave+Curl diffuser, gentle air attachment, styling concentrator, wide-tooth comb, flyaway attachment Concentrator (diffuser sold separately) List price: €129.99 (about $135 / £107) $499.99 / £399.99 $159.99 / £130 How I tested the Laifen Mini hair dryer I used the Laifen Mini as my main hair dryer for two weeks. For reference, I have armpit-length, naturally wavy hair. According to my hairdresser, the strands are fine but there are a lot of them. For this review, I tested all the different modes, recorded how long it took to rough-dry my hair from wet to 90 per cent dry in maximum windspeed and temperature mode, as well as in temperature cycling mode. I assessed how comfortable it was to use, and how straightforward the controls were. In all of these areas, I compared my experience with the Laifen Mini to other dryers including the Dyson Supersonic Nural (which I use as my everyday dryer) and more basic, cheaper models. Read more about how we test First reviewed February 2025 Source link #Laifen #Mini #review #dinky #dryer #packs #punch Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Peter Dutton says Anthony Albanese may use early election to avoid presenting cost-of-living crisis Budget Peter Dutton says Anthony Albanese may use early election to avoid presenting cost-of-living crisis Budget Opposition Leader Peter Dutton claims Anthony Albanese will call an early election to avoid presenting what could be a challenging Budget amid a cost-of-living crisis. As the Prime Minister declared his $8.5 billion Medicare plan as the “beating heart” of his campaign on Sunday in the marginal Tasmanian seat of Bass, speculation is mounting about when he will call the election. Speaking in Queensland, Mr Dutton said that if the PM fired the starting gun before the March 25 Federal Budget, it would prove he was “running scared” because “he doesn’t have a good story to tell”. “If he’s running to an early election to get away from delivering a budget, you know that he’s hiding the numbers,” Mr Dutton said. “You know that he has no good story to tell about the achievements of this Government over the last three years. “I suspect the Prime Minister doesn’t want to go to a Budget and it’s because this Government has been a disaster for families in housing, in cost of living, in health and many other areas. “I think the onus is on the Prime Minister to make sure the Parliament sits as scheduled and we can legislate to provide a guarantee around this funding, which is important for general practice. “And that is something we would support, and we’re happy to sit down and help draft the legislation with the Government. “If the Prime Minister is not running scared from a budget, then parliament is scheduled to sit within a couple of weeks, and that’s when this legislation can be presented and passed.” Labor insiders believe that an April 12 Federal election is firming up, with Mr Albanese considering making an announcement straight after the WA election on March 8. Once the writ is issued by the Governor-General, it means the Government would go into what’s known as “caretaker mode” — pushing back ordinary business such as a Budget. Mr Albanese’s Tasmania event marked the third campaign-style rally he has held since November — the previous two were used to announce slashing of student debts and a three-day childcare guarantee. Source link #Peter #Dutton #Anthony #Albanese #early #election #avoid #presenting #costofliving #crisis #Budget Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Opponents lie low in Russia Opponents lie low in Russia One feels “buried alive”, another is careful about what he says in public places — opponents of Russia’s campaign in Ukraine are being dubbed the “new silent ones”, like Soviet-era dissidents. Since the start of the offensive three years ago, Moscow has cracked down on any public dissent of what it calls the “special military operation”. Hundreds of critics have been prosecuted. In one of the most recent cases, a Moscow court in January jailed for eight years a pensioner convicted of defaming Russia’s military for denouncing “crimes” carried out by its troops in Ukraine. As fierce fighting continues, hundreds of thousands of Russians fearing mobilisation and opposed to the offensive have fled the country. Those opponents of the war who have stayed live in silence. “Between 20 and 25 percent of Russians do not support the authorities,” Denis Volkov, head of the Levada centre, told AFP. “They have turned in on themselves.” The Levada centre itself, an independent polling institute, is labelled a “foreign agent” by the authorities. Opposition media refer to these critics as the “new silent ones” — comparing them to those who kept quiet about their anti-********** views in Soviet times. – ‘Buried alive’ – These Russians are stuck between a rock and a hard place — on the one hand their compatriots living abroad denounce them for being “conformists” and on the other Kremlin supporters call them “traitors”. “Silent ones, we are all like that here!” one Internet user said in a debate on the new term on Facebook, which is banned in Russia and only accessible via a virtual private network (VPN). “We stay here without venturing into the public space because whoever comes out dies in prison,” said another user. Maria, a 51-year-old data analyst living in Moscow, has paid the price for opposing the offensive. “For me, everything was clear form the beginning. I tried to explain to five of my colleagues who supported the operation. Waste of time,” she said. In September 2022, she suggested to her manager that the company could move out of Russia so that younger employees could avoid mobilisation. “The result was I lost my job,” she said. She has since found a new job and works out of her house in the countryside near Moscow where she lives with her husband, a university professor. “It’s almost three years since I became a silent one,” Maria said. “It’s like taking early retirement or, worse, being buried alive.” – ‘Careful not to say too much’ – Vasily, a graphics specialist and “long-term” Kremlin critic, shared the same frustration. He said he was “always forced to check myself”. “I no longer read my books on the metro or my favourite bloggers and I am careful not to say too much in the office”. Others find solace in art. Ekaterina, who is in her 60s, paints portraits of musicians and poets during their performances in a Moscow loft — a way of getting away from “this difficult moment”. “I miss freedom. I always have to control myself,” she told AFP, taking long pauses in order not to say the wrong thing. “I find escape through flowers, I draw them and turn in on myself,” she said. Rock star Yury Shevchuk, once an outspoken Kremlin critic, also considers himself in the same category. “Some chose to sing, I chose to stay silent,” said the musician, whose concerts were cancelled in Russia when he criticised fake “patriotism” during a show in May 2022. The “new silent ones”, he said, “do not get on the barricades because it does not make a lot of sense at the moment,” he said in an interview last year. “But they are doing something good and thanks to them Russia will survive.” bur/jj Source link #Opponents #lie #Russia Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Los Angeles Lakers vs Denver Nuggets Feb 22, 2025 Box Scores – NBA.Com Los Angeles Lakers vs Denver Nuggets Feb 22, 2025 Box Scores – NBA.Com Los Angeles Lakers vs Denver Nuggets Feb 22, 2025 Box Scores NBA.ComLuka Dončić responds to JJ Redick’s ‘killer’ challenge in delivering first signature win as a Laker CBS SportsPlayer Grades: Lakers vs. Nuggets Silver Screen and Roll Lakers get first big performance from Luka Dončić in win over Nuggets Yahoo Sports Source link #Los #Angeles #Lakers #Denver #Nuggets #Feb #Box #Scores #NBA.Com Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Spirit, Fire strike first WNBL semi-final blows Spirit, Fire strike first WNBL semi-final blows Bendigo have secured their first WNBL finals win in 10 years, downing the Sydney Flames, while Townsville went one-up in their semi-final series against Perth. Source link #Spirit #Fire #strike #WNBL #semifinal #blows Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Brian Laundrie’s family responds to Netflix’s new Gabby Petito docuseries, and other key takeaways Brian Laundrie’s family responds to Netflix’s new Gabby Petito docuseries, and other key takeaways A lawyer for the parents of Brian Laundrie, who died by suicide after killing his 22-year-old fiancée, Gabby Petito, in 2021, issued a statement this week in response to Netflix’s new documentary series about the high-profile *******, saying that the series contained “many inaccuracies, incorrect juxtapositions of timelines and misstatements and omissions of fact.” “We all know Brian took Gabby’s life and Brian then took his own as well,” attorney Steven P. Bertolino said in a statement to TMZ. “Let the parents of both Gabby and Brian mourn and remember them in peace.” Laundrie’s family declined to participate in the making of American *******: Gabby Petito, which aired on Netflix on Feb. 17 and tries to paint a more complete picture of what the young couple’s relationship was like in the final days of Petito’s life. 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. Petito went missing in September 2021 after traveling for two months with Laundrie. Her family became concerned when she stopped texting them and then learned that Laundrie had taken the couple’s shared van back to his parents’ house in Florida, alone. Petito’s body was found in the Bridger-Teton National Forest in Wyoming on Sept. 19; one month later, Laundrie, who had disappeared from his parents’ house, was found dead from a gunshot wound to the head in the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park in Florida. Along with his remains, law enforcement reportedly found a notebook containing a note from Laundrie in which he wrote that he was responsible for Petito’s death. The case went viral. As the documentary notes, a YouTube video Petito posted while traveling with Laundrie skyrocketed from a few hundred views to over 7 million, once her disappearance hit the headlines. Using unseen text messages, journal entries and police body camera footage, as well as interviews with Petito’s family and close friends, the directors of the documentary, Julia Willoughby Nason and Michael Gasparro, told Yahoo News that the goal of the three-episode series is to help viewers — even those who closely followed the case in 2021 — to get a better understanding of the apparently abusive relationship Petito was in. “We hope through seeing her words and her voice that it can humanize the situation and not make it too lofty or heady, but relatable,” Nason said. “So many people — both men and women — can find themselves in a dynamic that they can’t predict but it’s very hard to remove themselves from.” Petito’s family and friends cooperated, but Laundrie’s did not Nason and Gasparro told Yahoo News that in addition to sitting for multiple interviews, Petito’s parents handed over Petito’s phone, her diaries and her computer to help “tell [the story] through Gabby.” “They were very willing and cooperative and collaborative with us in terms of materials that they shared — this personal archive of Gabby’s,” Nason said. “They were eager to keep Gabby’s story alive.” Petito’s family even allowed the film crew to come with them to visit the spot where Petito’s body was found, a year after she went missing. The documentary also features interviews with a friend of Petito’s who observed her troubling interactions with Laundrie in Florida before they set off on their van trip, as well as the first-ever interview with Petito’s ex-boyfriend, who is identified only by his first name, Jackson. In the second episode, Jackson reveals that Petito reached out to him during her van trip with Laundrie, and that the two caught up on a phone call. “I got the vibe that she may have still needed somebody to talk to after we hung up,” Jackson says in the documentary, adding he that reassured Petito in a follow-up text that she could call him whenever she needed to. “She kind of hinted at the fact that they had kind of gotten in an argument a little bit. She was like, ‘I have a plan. I think I want to leave him.’” Jackson says he and Petito continued to exchange messages every day until Aug. 27, when he says he missed a call from her while he was at work. That was the last time he heard from her. “It was the communication with Jackson that was the most, I think, interesting aspect of it,” Nason said. “There was obviously something that was going on there — the fact that she felt that she had to reach out to somebody that she trusted to share something and to reach out in a place of desperation and fear. And she reached out to this person to touch base and be like, ‘I’m not OK.’” Nason and Gasparro told Yahoo News that they reached out to all members of the Laundrie family to participate in the documentary, but they declined. In his statement issued on behalf of Laundrie’s parents, Chris and Roberta, Bertolino suggested that the series only presents a version of what happened, or “one perspective depicted as the ‘truth’ as seen through their lens,” adding that “each side believes their perspective is correct.” “To be clear though,” Bertolino continued. “There were no contradictions by my clients Chris and Roberta Laundrie.” Never-before-seen text messages, journal entries and police body camera footage On Aug. 12, 2021, police were called on the couple after they were spotted in a physical fight in Moab, Utah. While clips of the police body camera footage from the altercation were widely circulated at the time, the entire confrontation is shown in full for the first time in this docuseries. Petito in the van, as seen in police body camera footage taken on Aug. 12, 2021. The series also features body camera footage of an entire conversation between Florida police and Laundrie’s parents after the van was discovered at their house following Petito’s disappearance, some clips of which were made public in late 2024. Screenshot by Yahoo News; Source: Netflix Text messages obtained from Petito’s phone, showing conversations between her and Laundrie, her parents, her friend Rose Davis and her ex-boyfriend, Jackson, offer new insight into Petito’s relationship and her mindset in the days leading up to her death. The directors also used photos and videos taken by Petito on the trip, as well as drawings and journal entries that helped to paint a fuller picture of the dynamic between Petito and Laundrie — which often conflicted with the harmonious relationship Petito presented on her social media feeds. “She documented everything,” Gasparro said. Directors bring Petito’s voice to life with artificial intelligence The directors also obtained permission from Petito’s parents to use audio from existing videos to AI-generate a voiceover of Petito “reading” one of her journal entries out loud. “We spoke to the family and said, ‘Listen, it’s really important for us to tell these kinds of stories, and we have an opportunity to tell it through Gabby and let her voice the story, which is unique,’” Gasparro said. “We told them we were thinking about doing [AI] and we got the go-ahead. So you’re hearing — a lot of that stuff is her written journals that we brought to life, basically.” Gasparro said that because Petito was an aspiring influencer who had already put so much of herself out there for the public before her death, it seemed to make sense to use her own voice to connect with viewers. “We felt that, because this was directly correlated to her writings and that we wanted her voice to be her words to take us through moments, then this would be the best way to do it,” Gasparro said. A message of warning and support Ultimately, the docuseries offers few new revelations about Petito’s *******, the details of which were heavily documented at the time. Rather, the directors say that their goal was to offer a more realistic look at the apparently toxic relationship that was unfolding between Laundrie and Petito behind the scenes of her picture-perfect Instagram feed and to raise awareness for others who might be in similar relationships. An excerpt from a handwritten letter Petito wrote, addressed to Laundrie. (Screenshot: Yahoo News; Source: Netflix) “It’s a very powerful, toxic drug essentially when you’re in a relationship where you’re isolated and certain terms and pathologies get thrown out there,” Nason said. “We really hope people can be in her shoes and not feel so alone.” Source link #Brian #Laundries #family #responds #Netflixs #Gabby #Petito #docuseries #key #takeaways Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Scientists observed where 'Moses parted the Red Sea' and made mind-blowing discovery – UNILAD Scientists observed where 'Moses parted the Red Sea' and made mind-blowing discovery – UNILAD Scientists observed where ‘Moses parted the Red Sea’ and made mind-blowing discovery UNILADRare Red Sea Brine Pools Are One Of The Most Extreme Environments On Earth IFLScienceScientists looking at where Moses parted the Red Sea make bombshell discovery Daily StarDeath pool with 10x more saltier water found where Moses parted Red Sea Interesting Engineering’Moses’ cursed water’: Scientists hunt for life’s clue in sea that kills everything Business Today Source link #Scientists #observed #039Moses #parted #Red #Sea039 #mindblowing #discovery #UNILAD Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]