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Buckinghamshire Ukrainian families worry about *** temporary visas Buckinghamshire Ukrainian families worry about *** temporary visas BBC Viktoria Shtanko founded the charity Ukraine Appeal which helped those who arrived in Milton Keynes after fleeing Ukraine A charity is calling on the government to rethink the visas it offers Ukrainians living in the *** and include a permanent route to settlement. Many Ukrainian nationals, who moved to the *** after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, will soon have to apply to extend their visa via the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme (UPE). While it offered an 18-month extension, it does not offer any permanent option to remain. The Home Office said the “offer of sanctuary is in line with the Ukrainian government’s strong desire for the future return of its citizens, and other routes are available for those wishing to settle permanently in the ***”. Ukraine Appeal, which supports migrants in Buckinghamshire, said it was “very very difficult” for those who have fled war to deal with uncertainty surrounding their future. Viktoriya Shtanko, who has lived in Milton Keynes since 2008, set up the charity to help fellow Ukrainians arriving in the area. She believed Ukrainians who wanted to, should be allowed to remain in Britain long-term to help grow the economy. “No-one expected the war would go for so long,” she said. “Now as the children are settled, and as adults are in work trying to contribute to society… they are the people who Britain needs.” Valeriia Pavliuk and Iryna Maracine want the government to provide a route to permanent settlement in the *** Iryna Maracine and Valeriia Pavliuk were just two of the women the charity has supported. Ms Maracine, 38, works as a carer in a care home in Milton Keynes. Her hometown of Lysychansk, in eastern Ukraine, was under occupation by the Russian army. She told the BBC: “Everything is destroyed. A lot of buildings are burned, it’s absolutely heartbreaking.” She said she had no home to return to and wanted certainty for her two sons, aged 12 and 16, who were settled in school here. “I’m worried about my future,” she added. “We are very appreciative of what we have and this chance to stay safe, but my kids – they ask me all the time, ‘Mum, what is our future?’ and I don’t have an answer for them.” Ukraine Appeal Iryna Maracine left Lysychansk with her two sons and found safe haven in Milton Keynes Ms Pavliuk, 26, works as an administrator. She believes her employment opportunities have been limited because of the temporary nature of the ***’s visa scheme. She said some employers were reluctant to hire Ukrainians because they “see this temporary visa and see uncertainty with this person”. Ukraine Appeal has been in contact with the MP for Milton Keynes, Emily Darlington. Darlington told the BBC that when she recently spoke to the Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, he assured her that the visa schemes currently in place would remain in place until the end of the war. She acknowledged that some Ukrainians who have built businesses may want to stay beyond the conclusion of the war and said she “would welcome that”. However, she stated she could not offer any guarantees that a permanent route to settlement would be offered. “I know some will want to stay – now that happened during the Bosnian war and the *** government successfully made sure that they could,” Darlington said. “So for the few that do want to stay, the discussions will happen post the war.” The Home Office said since Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion, more than 300,000 Ukrainians and their families had been given sanctuary in the ***. They added the UPE visas “allow those with permission… to apply for 18 months additional permission to remain in the ***”. “Given the unpredictable nature of this conflict, we continue to keep our Ukraine schemes under review,” it continued. Last month, the government reversed visa rule changes to allow Ukrainians to bring their children to join them in the ***. It came after the Conservative government restricted eligibility in February 2024, which meant that Ukrainians, without the right to live in the *** permanently, could no longer sponsor people under the Homes for Ukraine scheme, which allowed people to host those fleeing the war. However, at the end of January 2025, the government announced a parent or legal guardian who is in the *** under any of the visa schemes for Ukrainians can apply to sponsor their child under the Homes for Ukraine scheme. Source link #Buckinghamshire #Ukrainian #families #worry #temporary #visas Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Mitchell to miss first six rounds with hamstring tear Mitchell to miss first six rounds with hamstring tear South Sydney’s horror summer has continued, with Latrell Mitchell facing a two-month fightback from a hamstring injury and Cameron Murray sidelined long term. Source link #Mitchell #rounds #hamstring #tear Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Southern California city considers crackdown on picnics Southern California city considers crackdown on picnics Officials in San Clemente are considering a crackdown on unpermitted picnicking and other types of outdoor food and drink consumption. Councilmember Rick Loeffler, who proposed the bill, said that while it would apply to all city property if passed, it mainly targets North Beach in San Clemente, where officials say regular unpermitted gatherings often leave the area trashed. The San Clemente City Council discussed the ordinance, which was drafted by City Manager Andy Hall, at a meeting on Tuesday. Loeffner and Hall argue that the unregulated distribution of food and drinks in public is both dangerous and destructive. A photo of food and other debris from an unpermitted food gathering as presented to the San Clemente City Council. February 2025. (City Manager Andy Hall) “Persons distributing food and drinks can unknowingly impact health conditions such as diabetes, heart conditions, mental health, or other health-related disorders that can be affected by food and drink content, portion size, and unintended combination with other food, drinks, and drugs,” Hall’s report states. “Additionally, the food and drinks distributed are not always fully consumed by recipients and the leftover contents can be discovered by unsuspecting children, animals, or rodents, and packaging debris is often left behind and could find its way into the storm drains and ocean.” U.S. military tests nuclear missile in Southern California The ordinance would require anyone serving food in public to demonstrate that they would “maintain sanitary conditions,” which include warm water for washing hands, eating utensils and food warmers, in order to get a permit. Multiple activist groups spoke out against the proposal during Tuesday’s meeting, arguing that it targets homeless people and infringes on personal freedoms. “The ordinance is based on laws used in other cities to stop unpermitted food and drink distribution on public property,” The Orange County Register reported. “In Newport Beach, for example, vendors are regulated, and public food distribution must be permitted in some public areas, but in others, it is forbidden.” 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 KTLA. Source link #Southern #California #city #considers #crackdown #picnics Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Breaking down Trump’s claims about Zelenskyy, relationship with Putin Breaking down Trump’s claims about Zelenskyy, relationship with Putin Breaking down Trump’s claims about Zelenskyy, relationship with Putin – CBS News Watch CBS News As President Trump prepares to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss ending his invasion of Ukraine, he picked up his rhetorical attacks on the president of the invaded country, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Elizabeth Palmer has been monitoring the situation. Be the first to know Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not Now Turn On Source link #Breaking #Trumps #claims #Zelenskyy #relationship #Putin Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Delta CEO says pilots on Toronto plane that crashed were experienced – Reuters Delta CEO says pilots on Toronto plane that crashed were experienced – Reuters Delta CEO says pilots on Toronto plane that crashed were experienced ReutersIt feels like there are suddenly way more plane crashes and incidents. Here’s the truth CNNWhat Airplane Passengers Should Know About Flight Safety Amid Crashes The New York TimesDelta plane ****** latest: ‘Extreme conditions’ at Toronto airport in days before ****** ABC News Source link #Delta #CEO #pilots #Toronto #plane #crashed #experienced #Reuters Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

AFL boss Andrew Dillon will compare pre-season injury lists before making any calls on season length AFL boss Andrew Dillon will compare pre-season injury lists before making any calls on season length The AFL will hold any verdict on the extended season’s role in injuries until the pre-season is complete. The injury toll is climbing at some clubs, including the Western Bulldogs, who will likely be without five of its starters when it tackles North Melbourne in round 1. Club captain Marcus Bontempelli believes he can notice the impact of a longer season. “I think after spending sort of 11 or 12 years in the game now, you’re never really shocked around the toll sometimes a pre-season can have,” he said. “Especially with the season being forward earlier, maybe one less week here or there and what it does to your overall body to prepare.” AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon urged everyone to wait until the pre-season was finished to compare the number of injuries with previous years. Camera IconMelbourne’s Judd McVee has been one of the many pre-season casualties. Michael Klein Credit: News Corp Australia He said the AFL was waiting to analyse the data and would look at making changes if it showed a significant spike in injured players. “Any injuries we would prefer not to have, I think what I would like to do before we jump anywhere is get the data,” Dillon said. “Listening to some of the media this morning, is it just there’s so much more focus on our pre-season, (where) are we just getting more being reported on. “Or will the data tell us that there is more injuries? If they tell us that, then we will certainly look at it. “I wouldn’t want to jump ahead of getting to the end of pre-season to see what the data tells us. “What I can anecdotally say is that some clubs are having a great run and others aren’t, and that’s unfortunate for those clubs, but it’s a super long season and can’t wait for it to start.” Source link #AFL #boss #Andrew #Dillon #compare #preseason #injury #lists #making #calls #season #length Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Massive WWII B-29 Bomber Base Fully Reclaimed For Future Pacific Fight Massive WWII B-29 Bomber Base Fully Reclaimed For Future Pacific Fight Satellite imagery shows the extent of the massive amount of work that has been done in the past year to restore more than 20 million square feet of runways and other World War II-era infrastructure at historic North Field on the U.S. island of Tinian in the Western Pacific. The airfield was originally established as a launchpad for B-29 bomber raids on Imperial Japan, including the ones that saw atomic bombs dropped on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The facility has been refurbished to again offer a critical power projection node with its original grid-like layout presenting targeting challenges for a modern opponent, all of which could be especially valuable in a future high-end fight in the region against China. A series of satellite images of North Field taken between Dec. 3, 2023, and Jan. 29, 2025, by Planet Labs starkly illustrates just how extensive the reconstitution of the derelict airfield has become. The images, as can seen below, show the progressive clearing of the previously overgrown runways, taxiways, and other infrastructure. PHOTO © 2025 PLANET LABS INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRINTED BY PERMISSION Tinian’s North Field as seen in a satellite image taken on Jan. 29, 2025. PHOTO © 2025 PLANET LABS INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRINTED BY PERMISSION Additional satellite imagery from Planet Labs shows the ongoing work to expand Tinian International Airport further to the south of North Field, which is also to support U.S. military operations in the region. As seen below, a very large new apron and adjacent taxiway are being built to the north of the airport’s existing runway. Additional infrastructure, including new fuel storage facilities at Tinian’s main port at the south end of the island, is also included in the divert field project, as you can read more about here. PHOTO © 2025 PLANET LABS INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRINTED BY PERMISSION A satellite image of Tinian International Airport taken on Jan. 29, 2025. PHOTO © 2025 PLANET LABS INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRINTED BY PERMISSION The U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force have been working together on the military construction across Tinian. Tinian is one of the 14 islands that comprise the U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). It is situated in the Western Pacific some 120 miles northeast of Guam, which is another U.S. territory, but is not part of the CNMI. A map showing the general location of Tinian, at left, with Guam directly to its south. Wake Island, at center, and Hawaii, at right, are also marked. Google Maps At the height of operations in 1945, North Field had four 8,500-foot-long runways and associated taxiways, ramp space for more than 500 B-29s, and other facilities to support the approximately 40,000 personnel stationed at the base, according to the U.S. National Park Service (NPS). U.S. Navy construction battalions, better known as Seabees, led the work to enlarge what had been a far smaller Japanese airfield following the island’s capture in 1944. North Field seen during World War II. This picture was taken before the fourth runway was built. US Army Air Force “Because the shape of the island was reminiscent of Manhattan, New York, the Seabees laid it out in a pattern, and with place names, based on the city streets there,” per NPS. By the time World War II ended, North Field was the largest airfield anywhere in the world. However, the massive drawdown that followed the conclusion of the war led what was then the U.S. Army Air Force to completely abandon the facility in 1947, and it sat largely idle for the next five decades. A picture of North Field on Tinian in 1945. US Government The U.S. military did some much more modest work to restore parts of North Field in the 2000s and 2010s to expand its utility for training purposes. The extent of this was using one of its runway areas as a semi-improved landing strip and an area for austere forward-deployed operations training. A satellite image taken in June 2023 showing the more modest refurbishments at North Field. Google Earth A US Marine Corps KC-130J tanker/transport aircraft lands at North Field on Tinian during an exercise in 2024. USMC Sgt. Jose Angeles By 2020, the decision had been made to make the aforementioned improvements to Tinian International Airport, located south of North Field, primarily to expand its ability to serve as a divert field, especially in case Andersen Air Force Base on nearby Guam is put out of action for any reason. By the end of 2023, the U.S. military had decided to reclaim all of North Field, as well. The Air Force highlighted what it described as the “adaptive rehabilitation work being done on the North Field” in a press release last April. “The Airmen [on the island] there are restoring over 20 million square feet of degraded World War II pavement so that ultimately the rejuvenated runway can serve as a power projection platform.” “Our Airmen at Tinian are successfully expanding our Agile Combat Employment options to enhance deterrence, increase flexibility, and, if needed, rapidly generate combat power,” Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. David W. Allvin said in a statement at the time. “They are the pathfinders for advancing our scheme of maneuver in the Indo-Pacific.” Agile Combat Employment (ACE) refers to a set of concepts of operations the Air Force has been refining for several years now that are heavily centered on short notice and otherwise irregular deployments, often to non-traditional and austere locales. Expanding available operating locations, including similar work to refurbish Northwest Field on Guam, as well as new camouflage, concealment, and deception capabilities, are also important elements of ACE. The core idea is to reduce vulnerability by upending enemy targeting and other planning cycles. A US Air Force F-22 Raptor stealth fighter at Tinian International Airport during an ACE-focused exercise in 2024. USAF Tech. Sgt. Curt Beach Concerns about the availability of large established facilities, especially in any future high-end conflict in the Pacific against China, wherein facilities like Andersen on Guam would be prime targets, have been key drivers behind ACE. Other branches of the U.S. military, especially the U.S. Marine Corps, have been developing their own new expeditionary and distributed concepts of operations for the same general reasons. Within this context, a heated debate has also emerged about whether or not the U.S. military should be doing more to physically harden bases against attack. The Air Force, in particular, has largely pushed back against passive hardening in favor of active air and missile defenses and ACE. A huge new air defense architecture is being established in Guam in line with this broader strategy. This is despite global trends going in the opposite direction on hardening, especially in China, as you can more about here. A US Air Force F-16 Viper fighter sits inside a hardened aircraft shelter. No such shelters are currently present on Tinian. USAF Rehabilitating North Field on Tinian provides not just an additional operating location, but one that is also inherently more difficult for an opponent to target. An enemy would have to devote significant resources to ensure the disruption, let alone destruction, of the facility and its runways. Andersen on Guam, an absolutely strategically critical location for U.S. air operations in the Western Pacific, located to the South of Tinian, is a similarly sprawling facility. Still, in December, the Henry L. Stimson Center think tank published a report highlighting the danger posed by ******** missile strikes aimed just at cratering runways to hobble flight operations at key U.S. bases in the Pacific. Aircraft operating from North Field could also regularly move between different parking spots at the base’s grid-like apron, which would make it far harder for an enemy to achieve maximum destruction by targeting just one section. In a report released in January, the Hudson Institute think tank assessed that just 10 missiles with warheads capable of scattering cluster munitions across areas 450 feet in diameter could be sufficient to neutralize all exposed aircraft on the ground, as well as, fuel storage facilities at U.S. airbases like Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Japan, Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, or Langley Air Force Base in Virginia. All of this also highlights the growing interest in new runway-independent aircraft, crewed and uncrewed, across the U.S. military. Short and vertical takeoff and landing designs could make use of the restored North Field, as well. Underscoring this, U.S. Marine Corps short-takeoff and vertical landing capable F-35B Joint Strike Fighters forward-based in Japan conducted a routine training deployment to Tinian International Airport in January. US Marine Corps F-35B Joint Strike Fighters on Tinian in January 2025. USMC Lance Cpl. Dahkareo Pritchett The U.S. military also uses mobile arresting gear systems to provide critical safety margins for tactical jets operating from shorter runways, including at remote and austere locations like North Field. Defense contractor General Atomics has gone a step further in proposing the adaptation of the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) catapults and Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG) it originally developed for the U.S. Navy’s Ford class aircraft carriers to support flight operations on land. North Field is one of a number of other airfields being readied in the Western Pacific for combat aircraft to operate out of should a war with China erupt, and it appears to be the largest by a good margin. While they are in no way hardened from enemy attacks, having so many airfields as potential operating areas deeply complicates the enemy’s targeting process and puts a strain on precious resources, notably standoff weaponry, that would be used to attack American airpower where it is most vulnerable, on the ground. Contact the author: *****@*****.tld Source link #Massive #WWII #B29 #Bomber #Base #Fully #Reclaimed #Future #Pacific #Fight Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

The Memo: Trump roils New York with Adams drama – The Hill The Memo: Trump roils New York with Adams drama – The Hill The Memo: Trump roils New York with Adams drama The HillRead Danielle Sassoon’s Letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi, Annotated The New York Times Source link #Memo #Trump #roils #York #Adams #drama #Hill Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Office raids and arrests shock aid workers in Yemen Office raids and arrests shock aid workers in Yemen Getty Images About half of Yemen’s population needs humanitarian assistance, including nearly 10 million children When Hanaa arrived at work a few months ago, she found “drawers and doors smashed, and the boss surrounded by security personnel”. Computers, phones, cameras and documents were all confiscated, her boss was arrested and the organisation’s bank account was eventually frozen. Hanaa works for a US-funded non-governmental organisation (NGO) in Yemen, that supports women’s empowerment and trains people to solve problems through negotiation. But the country’s civil war, which has lasted more than a decade and created one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world, has made life for NGO workers increasingly dangerous. Twenty-four UN employees, along with workers from other local and international NGOs have been detained by Houthi rebels in the past few months. A wave of arrests in January has intensified the climate of fear – one person from the World Food Programme who was detained died in custody. The situation has left humanitarian workers feeling their freedom of movement has been greatly restricted. As a result, many organisations, including the UN, are scaling back operations, threatening to make life for people already devastated by war even worse. In Yemen, 4.5 million people have been internally displaced, with many living in camps, according to the UN children’s charity Unicef Ten years ago, Iranian-backed Houthi militants seized control of much of the west of Yemen, including the capital Sanaa, from the internationally-recognised government. Saudi Arabia, has since carried out intensive air raids on its neighbour – with logistical and intelligence support from the US and *** – to try to prevent the Houthi rebels from taking control of the whole country. It was Houthi officials who raided Hanaa’s office and detained her boss, and she fears retribution if she speaks out. So, for their safety, we have changed the names of Hanaa and others in Yemen who we interviewed for this article. By cracking down on humanitarian workers, Hanaa believes the Houthis aim to spread fear among the public. But what hurts her deeply is how the public reacted. “When I checked social media, it was appalling to find out that people see us as spies,” she says. A day after her boss was detained, Hanaa was glued to her TV, watching a pro-Houthi channel airing what it described as confessions of espionage, made by nine local people who had once worked at the long-closed US embassy in Sanaa. They were arrested in 2021. That was the moment she feared things would get worse for her, as she worked for a US-funded NGO. She decided to leave her home in northern Yemen. By the time she reached the south, she felt traumatised. “For three days I couldn’t eat, I couldn’t sleep. I couldn’t stop crying,” she says. About half of Yemen’s population needs humanitarian assistance, according to Unicef Now she’s worried that US President Donald Trump’s decision to re-designate the Houthis as a terrorist organisation could lead them to target everyone who works in US-funded projects. Once someone is arrested, it can be hard for them to get any support, according to Yemeni lawyer Abdulaziz, who represents 14 detainees. They have been behind bars for several months – three are UN staff, while the others are employed by local NGOs. “During the first three months of detention, my clients didn’t communicate with anyone,” he says. Abdulaziz is getting increasingly worried that their whereabouts is still unknown. More recently, he says that his clients were able to make a few brief phone calls to their families. “Each call was between five to 10 minutes,” he explains. The BBC approached the Houthis to ask about their treatment of aid workers, but got no reply. In addition to the detentions, lifesaving assistance from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has been paused as a result of President Trump’s freeze on the organisation’s operations around the world, amid allegations of waste and misuse of funds. Human Rights Watch (HRW) warns that that the impact of President Trump’s policies and the Houthis’ arbitrary arrests is “nothing short of devastating”. It “will have massive and dramatic impact on aid provision in Yemen”, says Niku Jafarnia, a Yemen and Bahrain researcher at the organisation. Finding clean water is a huge challenge for those living in camps for displaced people According to HRW, the US was funding about one third of humanitarian aid in Yemen, much of it through USAID. Between 2015 and 2021, it provided more than $3.6 billion, making it the largest single donor of humanitarian assistance in the country, according to the UN. “Cutting aid would be a death sentence to us,” warns Amal, a mother of nine. She lives in a camp for internally displaced people in northern Yemen, alongside thousands of other families. Even over the phone, it is clear what a heavy burden this woman is carrying. Her slow speech is laden with emotion. It is nearly 10 years since she lost her home. Amal singlehandedly supports her huge family. Her husband has acute asthma, so he can’t work. The family had to flee their hometown further north after the conflict began. Since then, life has been increasingly unkind to them. The camp, on barren desert land, hardly resembles a home. Their only shelter is a worn-out plastic tent, with no chairs or beds. It is hard for her children to find joy in a place which lacks almost everything. “If this supply line provided by NGOs is cut, my children might die. We have no jobs, no income, nothing,” Amal adds. Clinics in Yemen don’t have enough medicine for patients About half of the population are in bad need of humanitarian assistance, including nearly 10 million children, according to the UN children’s charity Unicef. The UN Human Development Index lists Yemen as one of the 10 least developed countries in the world. Amal tells us she receives a monthly food basket from the UN’s World Food Programme (WFP), but it barely lasts two weeks. When they run out of food, she says her only option is to leave the camp and go out begging in the city’s streets. She passes restaurants and shops, hoping for a few loaves of bread or a packet of rice. “I am covered in shame, but should I leave my children to starve? I am totally helpless,” Amal explains. Helplessness often takes its toll on her. “I cry a lot when I realise that I don’t have a penny,” she says, her voice both anguished and bitter. A large number of children suffer from diarrhoea and pneumonia due to the poor hygiene, malnutrition and ********** living conditions, but adequate medication is rarely available. At a clinic in northern Yemen, the shelves where medicines should be lie empty. Staff told us the medical stock they have is nothing compared to the people’s needs. The BBC contacted the UN seeking comment on the current aid distribution process and recent arrests but received no reply. As well as struggling to find water, 64% of households surveyed in Yemen couldn’t get enough food in December 2024, according to the WFP However, addressing the UN Security Council, Hans Grundberg, the UN Special envoy for Yemen, condemned the detention of its staff as “not only a violation of fundamental human rights, but also a direct threat to the UN’s ability to distribute aid to the most needy”. He also called for the immediate release of all detainees, whether from the UN or from other local and international NGOs. It is for families like Amal’s that Hanaa and her co-workers try to make life better. She proudly remembers how they sent girls to school in one of the conservative northern areas. When parents complained about neighbours being able to see their daughters during break time, “we held discussions between residents, and eventually agreed to cover the playground, so that girls could go back to class”, she explains. She fears that the absence of this support, due to fear and lack of funds, could increase rates of illiteracy. “We are the only ones who have survived during the collapse of the state, in order to serve the people,” Hanaa says with a sigh. The names of Hanaa, Abdulaziz and Amal were changed for this article. Source link #Office #raids #arrests #shock #aid #workers #Yemen Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

After a series of plane crashes, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy says “of course” it’s safe to fly After a series of plane crashes, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy says “of course” it’s safe to fly Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy sought to alleviate fears about flying amid a spate of plane crashes and incidents in recent weeks, telling CBS News in an interview Wednesday, “of course” it’s safe to fly. “If you get in a plane, if you look at how many people fly, how many flights we have, of course it’s a safe space,” Duffy said. Duffy said there isn’t a pattern behind the incidents, calling them each “very unique.” “I do think as we look at the incidents or the crashes, it gives us an opportunity to say what went wrong? What can we improve upon in the system off these crashes?” he said. The U.S. saw its deadliest air ****** in more than two decades in January when a ****** Hawk helicopter with three crew members on board collided with an American Airlines jet carrying 60 passengers and four crew members near Washington, D.C. There were no survivors. Days later, seven people died when a small plane crashed in a Philadelphia neighborhood. On Monday, a Delta Air Lines flight from Minneapolis caught fire and flipped upside down while landing in Toronto. All 80 onboard survived. Duffy said improving the nation’s air traffic control system is a priority and stressed that changes need to be made immediately because there are systems in the network “that are run on floppy disks.” “The systems that we use are so old,” he said. “I need the Congress to move faster with us. We can’t wait four years, six years, 10 years. We have to do it right now.” He has enlisted the help of Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX who has been advising President Trump on his overhaul of the federal government. Duffy said a team from SpaceX has been asked to give advice on “simple, easy steps” the government can take to modernize the air traffic control system. Duffy said he’s tried to avoid potential conflicts of interest with SpaceX’s involvement at the Federal Aviation Administration, which has investigated and fined Musk’s company. “I don’t want to see conflicts of interest,” Duffy said, adding that Musk has talked with air traffic controllers but “didn’t plug into the system.” The SpaceX team has “looked at the technology that they used, asked them — had a back-and-forth — about what works well for you, what doesn’t work well,” Duffy said. Duffy, who is also facing demands for answers from Democratic lawmakers over his decision to terminate hundreds of FAA employees amid the recent plane crashes and near misses, defended the cuts as “incredibly small.” The FAA employs 45,000 federal workers, according to Duffy. “All the critical safety positions like air traffic controllers and inspectors, all of those positions have been protected. No one’s been fired. Actually we were hiring into those spaces,” he said. “So 352 cuts is 0.8% of the workforce.” Kris Van Cleave Emmy Award-winning journalist Kris Van Cleave is the senior transportation correspondent for CBS News based in Phoenix, Arizona, where he also serves as a national correspondent reporting for all CBS News broadcasts and platforms. Source link #series #plane #crashes #Transportation #Secretary #Sean #Duffy #safe #fly Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

******* charge laid over death of Duncan Campbell in Coffs Harbour, NSW ******* charge laid over death of Duncan Campbell in Coffs Harbour, NSW Police allege a 66-year-old man brutally bashed a “loving father and grandfather” who had fallen on hard times to death. Source link #******* #charge #laid #death #Duncan #Campbell #Coffs #Harbour #NSW Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

The Dragon Quest 3 Sequel Manga Is Finally Getting An Official English Release The Dragon Quest 3 Sequel Manga Is Finally Getting An Official English Release Dragon Quest is one of the most popular Japanese video game series of all time, so it’s no surprise that its inspired several anime and manga spin-offs. While these have rarely been released outside of Japan, one of the classic ’90s Dragon Quest manga series is finally getting an official English release later this year with Dragon Quest: The Mark of Erdrick Volume One. The series is notable for following the events of one of the most beloved entries in the video game series, Dragon Quest 3, and follows an all-new party of companions. If you’ve recently wrapped up the Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake and are looking to experience more stories set in that world, you can preorder Dragon Quest: The Mark of Erdrick Volume One for $25 ahead of its September 23 release. $23.74 (was $25) | Releases September 23 Dragon Quest: The Mark of Erdrick Volume One is a 376-page collection of the original manga by Kamui Fujiwara that was published from 1991 through 1997. This new release marks the first time it’s available in English. The story is set a century after the final battle between the hero Erdrick and the dread Dragonlord Zoma at the end of Dragon Quest 3. While the land has enjoyed peace for several decades, a new evil force emerges, and a young prince embarks on a quest to defeat the new threat. While this new English release of The Mark of Erdrick is great news for Dragon Quest fans, there are other Dragon Quest manga series available now that are worth checking out in the meantime. One of the newest is Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai, which follows the protagonist Dai as he awakens his powers and becomes the hero he was destined to be. All five volumes of the series are discounted at Amazon. Finally, you can also grab the Dragon Quest Illustrations: 30th Anniversary Edition hardcover art book for $23.50 (was $50). The 240-page book contains hundreds of illustrations from series illustrator and famed Dragon Ball manga creator, the late Akira Toriyama. Dragon Quest: The Adventures of Dai Manga Deals Considering that the Mark of Erdrick series is set after the events of Dragon Quest 3, it’s also worth checking out the game before the English version of the manga is released later this year. Luckily, Square Enix released a new “HD-2D” remake of the classic RPG, and you can pick up the game for a decent discount at Amazon. The Xbox Series X version is the most affordable at just $46, while the Nintendo Switch version is $50.40 and the PS5 version is $54.50. In all cases, that saves you a few bucks compared to their standard $60 pricetags. The Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake keeps the framework of the original 1988 game and updates it with all-new visuals, reorchestrated music, and even some new gameplay tweaks. “You won’t find a more fundamental JRPG than Dragon Quest III, and this is easily the best way to experience it,” Heidi Kemps wrote in GameSpot’s Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake review. Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake Deals Source link #Dragon #Quest #Sequel #Manga #Finally #Official #English #Release Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Trump warns Zelenskyy to quickly negotiate war’s end with Russia or risk not having a nation to lead Trump warns Zelenskyy to quickly negotiate war’s end with Russia or risk not having a nation to lead MIAMI (AP) — President Donald Trump on Wednesday warned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that he “better move fast” to negotiate an end to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine or risk not having a nation to lead. The rhetoric from Trump toward Ukraine comes amid an escalating back-and-forth between the two presidents and rising tensions between Washington and much of Europe over Trump’s approach to settling the biggest conflict on the continent since World War II. Trump’s harsh words for Zelenskyy drew criticism from Democrats and even some Republicans in the United States, where Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression has had bipartisan support. Zelenskyy said Trump was falling into a Russian disinformation trap — and was quickly admonished by Vice President JD Vance about the perils of publicly criticizing the new president. 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. Trump, who is trying to bring the fighting to a close on terms that Kyiv says are too favorable to Moscow, used an extended social media post on his Truth Social platform to lash out at Zelenskyy and call the Ukrainian a “dictator without elections.” “Think of it, a modestly successful comedian, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, talked the United States of America into spending $350 Billion Dollars, to go into a War that couldn’t be won, that never had to start, but a War that he, without the U.S. and “TRUMP,” will never be able to settle,” Trump said of Zelenskyy, who was a popular television star in Ukraine before running for office. The U.S. has obligated about $183 billion since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, according to the U.S. special inspector general, conducting oversight of American assistance to Ukraine. Trump accused Zelenskyy of being “A Dictator without Elections !!” Due to the war, Ukraine did delay elections that were scheduled for April 2024. He later repeated many of the criticisms of Zelenskyy, who he said has done a “terrible job,” during an address before a meeting in Miami of business executives hosted by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund. Trump also contended that Zelenskyy was misusing American aid intended for the war effort and had taken advantage of Democrat Joe Biden’s administration. The Republican president was riled by Zelenskyy’s charge that Trump “lives in this disinformation space” fostered by Moscow. “We have seen this disinformation. We understand that it is coming from Russia,” Zelenskyy said. Vance told the Daily Mail that Zelenskyy’s criticism of Trump was not helping his cause. “The idea that Zelenskyy is going to change the president’s mind by bad mouthing him in public media, everyone who knows the president will tell you that is an atrocious way to deal with this administration,” Vance said. Ukrainian officials, however, continue to raise their concerns about Trump’s approach. “Why should dominance be handed over to a country that is an aggressor, a violator of international law, and the author of aggression against Ukraine?” said Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to Zelenskyy. “We still do not understand this strategy.” U.S. and Russian officials meeting in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday agreed to negotiate a settlement to an end to the war. Ukrainian and European officials were not included. Trump said Zelenskyy should have worked out a deal earlier. “Zelenskyy better move fast or he is not going to have a Country left,” Trump said. “In the meantime, we are successfully negotiating an end to the War with Russia, something all admit only “TRUMP,” and the Trump Administration, can do. Biden never tried, Europe has failed to bring Peace, and Zelenskyy probably wants to keep the “gravy train” going,” Trump wrote. The rhetoric from Trump went even further than the false charges he made Tuesday against the Ukrainians when he suggested Kyiv was responsible for starting the war. Russia invaded its smaller neighbor. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York was appalled that Trump was blaming Ukraine for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion. “It’s disgusting to see an American president turn against one of our friends and openly side with a thug like Vladimir Putin,” Schumer said. Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., said he disagreed with Trump’s suggestion that Ukraine was responsible. “I think Vladimir Putin started the war,” Kennedy said. “I also believe, from bitter experience, that Vladimir Putin is a gangster. He’s a gangster with a ****** heart” who has Soviet dictator Josef Stalin’s “taste for blood.” Sen. ***** Durbin, D-Ill., said Trump’s words were insulting to the thousands of Ukrainians who have died in the war and he accused the president of parroting Putin. “I would call on President Trump to apologize to the people of Ukraine, but it would be a waste of breath,” Durbin said. “Donald Trump is a pushover for Putin.” Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota is among the Republican lawmakers who have supported Ukraine over the course of the war. He said the Trump administration needed space as it seeks a resolution. “The president speaks for himself,” Thune said about Trump’s sharpening rhetoric toward Zelenskyy. “What I want to see is a peaceful result, a peaceful outcome.” The administration has also shown frustration with Zelenskyy for directing his ministers last week not to sign off on a proposed agreement to give the United States access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals. The Ukrainians said the document was too focused on U.S. interests. The proposal, a key part of Zelenskyy’s talks with Vance on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, did not offer any specific security guarantees in return. Trump during his speech in Miami fumed about the Ukrainians walking away from an agreement. “They broke that deal,” Trump charged. Ukrainian officials met on Wednesday in Kyiv with retired U.S. Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine and Russia. “It’s an egregious war in the sense of the length of time and casualties there and he understands the human suffering,” Kellogg said of Trump’s thinking. “He understands the damage that we can see and we want to see an end to it.” ___ Madhani and Pesoli reported from Washington. AP Congressional Correspondent Lisa Mascaro in Washington and Associated Press writers Susie Blann and Hanna Arhirova in Kyiv, Ukraine, contributed to this report. Source link #Trump #warns #Zelenskyy #quickly #negotiate #wars #Russia #risk #nation #lead Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Defense secretary orders military to prepare for major budget cuts – CNN Defense secretary orders military to prepare for major budget cuts – CNN Defense secretary orders military to prepare for major budget cuts CNNTrump administration orders Pentagon to plan for sweeping budget cuts The Washington PostPalantir plunges after CEO Karp changes share sales plan, Pentagon budget cut report CNBCPentagon orders budget revamp to reinvest $50 billion into Trump defense priorities Reuters Source link #Defense #secretary #orders #military #prepare #major #budget #cuts #CNN Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Rio Tinto profit falls on drop in iron ore price Rio Tinto profit falls on drop in iron ore price Weaker iron ore prices have shrunk profit to a five-year low at Rio Tinto, which is also grappling with a shareholder push to scrap its listing in London. Source link #Rio #Tinto #profit #falls #drop #iron #ore #price Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Nvidia brings back scalper-beating Verified Priority Access for GeForce RTX 50 Founders Edition boards Nvidia brings back scalper-beating Verified Priority Access for GeForce RTX 50 Founders Edition boards Nvidia this week launched its Verified Priority Access for the GeForce RTX 5080 Founders Edition and GeForce RTX 5090 Founders Edition add-in-boards allowing a limited number of verified U.S. customers to purchase some of the best graphics cards directly from the Nvidia Marketplace without any hassle. To qualify, users must have an Nvidia Account created before January 30, 2025 and submit their interest through a form. Selected users will receive email notifications sometimes next week and will be able to purchase Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 5080 Founders Edition and GeForce RTX 5090 Founders Edition boards at MSRPs — $999 and 1999, respectively — without having to pay a premium to retailers or scalpers. By launching its Verified Priority Access program, Nvidia ensures that some — we do not know how many though — of its loyal customers will be able to lay their hands on its latest products without having to pay extra or camp near traditional retailers. Considering that these people are loyal GeForce users and registered at Nvidia’s forums, the green company can fully expect them to spread the word how good the GeForce RTX 5080 and GeForce RTX 5090 graphics cards are in the forums, which will work as advertising and will to some degree reassure the gamers crowd that the latest AIBs from Nvidia are available relatively widely. As an added bonus, Nvidia will be able to sell its own Founders Edition graphics cards directly to gamers, thus earning some additional cash and not sharing the profit with its add-in-board partners as the VPA program does not cover products even from the close allies of Nvidia in the U.S., such as Asus, Gigabyte, MSI, or PNY. This Verified Priority Access program is currently limited to U.S. users and applies only to the lates GeForce RTX 5080 and RTX 5080 Founders Edition models. It is unclear whether Nvidia also plans to launch its VPA program for its GeForce RTX 5070 Ti FE when and if it becomes available. This is not the first time when Nvidia launches its Verified Priority Access program with its range-topping graphics cards. In 2022 the company already offered such a program for its GeForce RTX 4090. Later on the company expanded it with GeForce RTX 4080 and with products by its AIB partners. Get Tom’s Hardware’s best news and in-depth reviews, straight to your inbox. Source link #Nvidia #brings #scalperbeating #Verified #Priority #Access #GeForce #RTX #Founders #Edition #boards Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

The iPhone 16E Has Arrived The iPhone 16E Has Arrived The iPhone 16E Has Arrived Source link #iPhone #16E #Arrived Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

China keeps benchmark lending rates steady amid rising tariff risks China keeps benchmark lending rates steady amid rising tariff risks The People’s Bank of China (PBoC) has set up a fintech committee. Zhang Peng | LightRocket | Getty Images China kept its key lending rates unchanged Monday, as Beijing prioritizes financial stability over interest rate easing to bolster the economy. The People’s Bank of China held the 1-year loan prime rate unchanged at 3.1%, and the 5-year LPR at 3.6% The benchmark lending rates — normally charged to banks’ best clients — are calculated monthly based on designated commercial banks’ proposed rates submitted to the PBOC. The one-year LPR influences corporate loans and most household loans in China, while the five-year LPR serves as a benchmark for mortgage rates. The decision on Thursday was in line with expectations Reuters poll estimates. PBOC Governor Pan Gongsheng said at a conference in Saudi Arabia on Sunday that a stable yuan has been critical to maintaining global financial and economic stability. While many currencies have fallen against a stronger U.S. dollar, the yuan has remained largely stable, he added. The ******** yuan has fallen 2.5% against the greenback since Donald Trump’s election victory in November. Pan also noted that China was increasingly prioritizing consumption while reiterating Beijing’s commitment to adopt a proactive fiscal policy and an accommodative monetary policy this year. The PBOC has in recent months prioritized defending the yuan against the pressure for it to depreciate on anticipation of higher tariff rates, complicating its task to stimulate a faltering economy. The strategy of defending the yuan carries risks for the economy, as a weaker yuan could help keep ******** exports competitively priced abroad, while a stronger currency makes imports more expensive at a time when consumer demand is already fragile. Since the inauguration last month, U.S. President Donald Trump has imposed a 10% tariff on all imports from China, on top of existing tariffs of up to 25%. This is breaking news. Check back later for updates. Source link #China #benchmark #lending #rates #steady #rising #tariff #risks Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

One of the best AI video generators is now on the iPhone – here’s what you need to know about Pika’s new app One of the best AI video generators is now on the iPhone – here’s what you need to know about Pika’s new app Pika has released an iOS app that enables easy AI video creation from your phone The app includes many features, like Pikaffects, PikaScenes, and Pikadditions A new mobile feature called PikaMemes will make your face a reaction video GIF Pika Labs has introduced an iOS app for those who want to play with the AI video creator’s tools while on the go. With a few taps and a little patience, you can produce impossible videos ready to post on social media. Pika chose to release the app only a few weeks after rolling out the Pika 2.1 model and its many new features and upgrades, including higher quality videos, more lifelike people and animals, and far more realistic movement and physics in general. Further, if you’re too impatient to wait for Pika 2.1, you can switch to Pika Turbo, a three times faster model that uses far fewer Pika credits to make a video, though it might not produce quite as impressive results. AI imagination All of Pika’s popular tools are in the app – including Pikaffects, which creates bizarre transformations that deliver surreal, slightly unhinged visual spectacles. Give that vacation photo a melting Salvador Dalí look, turn the elephant at the zoo into the cake, and explode the litter thrown by a careless driver, all from your phone. You can also add a touch of whimsy or unreality to a video with the Pikadditions tool. You pick a video to alter, then upload another image and describe how you want to infuse your footage with unreal elements. You might add a dragon to your backyard barbecue video or yourself in your favorite movie. As a test, I gave my dog some surprising new friends in our snowy backyard. If you want a more narrative film, PikaScenes, formerly Scene Ingredients, lets you set the stage for your stories. If you forget a friend’s birthday, you could send a personalized video of an animated scene starring them and a range of appropriate AI-crafted characters, props, and settings from your own photos or by a text prompt. There’s also a mobile app-exclusive feature called PikaMemes. As the name suggests, you can meld a photo with an emoji or popular meme concept and bring it to life in a short video or GIF. Say you want to share exactly how you feel when overwhelmed on a Monday. Just upload a good selfie or headshot and match it to the right mood; you won’t need words to share how you feel. Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. All of these tools on a mobile app really encourage a lot of playing around. To take advantage of this, you’ll need more than 150 tokens a month, which are provided for free, as the videos can range from five tokens for a Turbo model basic video to 60 credits for using Pika 2.1 and the most complex features. You can sign up for the Basic plan at $8 per month and get 700 credits, or the Standard plan for $28 and 2,300 credits. Still, if you want to really stand out on TikTok or Instagram or just feel like really hammering home how much heat you’re feeling, it’s probably going to be hard to resist giving it a shot. You might also like Source link #video #generators #iPhone #heres #Pikas #app Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Female barristers still experience significant pay gap Female barristers still experience significant pay gap Women barristers are receiving more legal briefs but are still dealing with a sizeable gender pay gap, according to a Law Council of Australia report. Source link #Female #barristers #experience #significant #pay #gap Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

USAID funding freeze devastates reproductive healthcare worldwide USAID funding freeze devastates reproductive healthcare worldwide Women lining up at a mobile tent for reproductive health services at a clinic in Zimbabwe MSI Zimbabwe/Arete/Tendai Marima The day Donald Trump took office as president of the United States, he issued an order temporarily pausing foreign aid, including the funding that flows through the US Agency for International Development (USAID). The funding freeze will have permanent consequences. It has already crippled global health programmes, including critical reproductive health services, placing millions of lives at risk – particularly those serviced by providers in lower-income countries. Population Services Zimbabwe… Source link #USAID #funding #freeze #devastates #reproductive #healthcare #worldwide Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

So many Americans died from COVID, it’s boosting Social Security to the tune of $205 billion So many Americans died from COVID, it’s boosting Social Security to the tune of $205 billion As the U.S. approaches the fifth anniversary of the official start of the COVID-19 pandemic, new research finds so many Americans died from the virus that the nation’s Social Security trust fund will see a net increase of hundreds of billions of dollars as a result of retirement benefits that will not be paid out. The working paper from the National Bureau of Economic Research finds that approximately 1.7 million excess deaths among Americans 25 and older occurred between 2020 and 2023 related to the pandemic. Premature deaths related to COVID mean Social Security will not make retirement payments to those individuals in the future, reducing payments by about $294 billion, the researchers found. At the same time, some of that gain is offset by the lost tax revenue from those individuals, as well as increased survivor benefits to spouses and children of the deceased, resulting in an estimated $205 billion less in future outlays. Many of the people who died were seniors older than 65 who were already drawing retirement benefits or would soon, and had paid into the system for many years. While most of the excess deaths were white Americans, ****** and Hispanic populations saw the highest excess deaths per capita, as did those with lower educational attainment. Of course, while excess death is one measure of how COVID continues to impact Social Security, there are other ways that the study notes it does not account for—long COVID survivors, for example, are more likely to drop out of the workforce, which could lead to paying less into Social Security over time and possibly needing to tap the safety net’s disability benefits. “Our analysis suggests a slight improvement in Social Security’s financial health due to excess deaths, driven primarily by the premature death of people who would have received retirement benefits,” the report reads. The authors—including research scientists from the University of Southern California and an economist from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign—note that the savings are “modest.” Social Security is expected to pay out $1.6 trillion in benefits this year, meaning $205 billion is a couple months’ worth of payments. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com Source link #Americans #died #COVID #boosting #Social #Security #tune #billion Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

'Man City's surrender in Madrid marks end of an era' – BBC.com 'Man City's surrender in Madrid marks end of an era' – BBC.com ‘Man City’s surrender in Madrid marks end of an era’ BBC.comAfter hat trick, Mbappé to ‘define an era’ at Real ESPNMbappé praises Real Madrid’s ‘perfect night’ to advance past Man City in Champions League playoffs KSL.com Mbappé sinks Man City, PSG thrash Brest and Juventus fall Yahoo SportsMbappé hat-trick rips apart Manchester City to send Real Madrid racing through The Guardian Source link #039Man #City039s #surrender #Madrid #marks #era039 #BBC.com Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘He’s a big boy’: Nicho Hynes eyes revenge in battle of the halfbacks, Sharks skipper used Origin camp to prepare for Vegas experiment ‘He’s a big boy’: Nicho Hynes eyes revenge in battle of the halfbacks, Sharks skipper used Origin camp to prepare for Vegas experiment All eyes are usually on the quarterback for games at Allegiant Stadium, but Sharks skipper Cameron McInnes says “there’s no extra pressure” on Nicho Hynes next week in what shapes as a mouth-watering showdown between him and Nathan Cleary in Las Vegas. The clash will be a rematch of last year’s preliminary final, which was tight for an hour before the Panthers kicked clear on their way to a fourth title in a row. It also continued Cleary’s dominance over Hynes, who hasn’t beaten him in a Sharks jersey. The former Dally M Medal winner is coming off a strong showing against Canberra in a trial game last week, and McInnes is hoping for more of the same in America. “I thought he was outstanding the other night and controlled the game really well, and that’ll be his job (next week),” he said a couple of hours before his flight at Sydney Airport. “There’s no extra pressure on him from within our team, other than what he puts on himself. “He’ll be right. He’s a big boy. He’s gone through things that no one else has had to, and that’s only made him stronger.” The Vegas concept is still in its infancy, with teams trying to figure out what works and what doesn’t over there. The Sharks will spend some time training at the University of Southern California before they head to Vegas, and McInnes revealed he’d spoken to plenty of people who were involved last year about what to expect in a foreign environment. Camera IconCameron McInnes has spoken to players from the four teams who played in Las Vegas last year to work out what worked well. Thomas Lisson Credit: News Corp Australia “In the Origin space last year, I had the opportunity to actually talk to guys from all four teams that went,” he said. “Roosters and Manly had the best time there, and that’s because they won.” McInnes and the coaches have stressed the No.1 priority is returning to Sydney with the two competition points, but it doesn’t mean players will be forced to miss out on sporting events or the bright lights that most young men get to enjoy. “It’s important that you enjoy the experience because when you try to put your head in the sand and try to keep everyone in the hotel, it defeats the purpose of going,” the tireless lock said. “You need to get that balance. You need to enjoy it, immerse yourself in it, but also understand that the only reason we get to have that opportunity is to play the game. When we play, we play to win. “With a group of young men, there are always going to be conversations that you need to have. But with the evolution of this team, less of those conversations need to be had.” Source link #Hes #big #boy #Nicho #Hynes #eyes #revenge #battle #halfbacks #Sharks #skipper #Origin #camp #prepare #Vegas #experiment Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Trump receives widespread backlash to social post calling himself ‘king’ Trump receives widespread backlash to social post calling himself ‘king’ Donald Trump is receiving widespread backlash after he likened himself to a “king” on social media following his administration’s decision to rescind New York City’s congestion pricing program. On Wednesday, following a letter issued by his transportation secretary, Sean Duffy, to the New York governor, Kathy Hochul, that ended the transportation department’s agreement with New York over a new congestion pricing program for Manhattan, Trump wrote on Truth Social: “CONGESTION PRICING IS DEAD. Manhattan, and all of New York, is SAVED. LONG LIVE THE KING!” The White House then proceeded to share Trump’s quote on social media, accompanied with a computer-generated image of Trump grinning on a fake Time magazine cover while donning a golden crown, behind him the skyline of New York City. In response to Trump’s comments, Hochul issued a statement, saying: “We are a nation of laws, not ruled by a king.” She added: “Public transit is the lifeblood of New York City and critical to our economic future – as a New Yorker, like president Trump, knows very well.” She went on to add that the city’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority has initiated legal proceedings in the southern district of New York to preserve the program. In a separate address to reporters on Wednesday, Hochul said: “New York hasn’t labored under a king in over 250 years. We sure as hell are not going to start now … In case you don’t know New Yorkers, we’re going to fight. We do not back down, not now, not ever.” Justin Brannan, a New York City council member, also condemned Trump’s statement, and referred to the Trump-appointed justice department that ordered prosecutors to drop their federal corruption case against the city’s mayor, Eric Adams. Related: New York governor seeks to quell business owners’ fears after Trump ruling “Doesn’t matter what u think of congestion pricing, federal government doesn’t get to make this decision. NY State passed a law, USDOT approved it. No matter what corrupt deal Donald Trump made with the Mayor, he isn’t king. Only fools concede to false power. It’s an illusion,” Brannan said. Similarly, Don Beyer, a Democratic representative of Virginia, wrote on X: “We don’t have kings in the USA.” Meanwhile, David Hogg, vice-chair of the Democratic National Committee, wrote: “Republicans: Stop overreacting and calling Trump a king. Literally the White House twitter account:” as he reposted a picture of the computer-generated magazine of Trump with the crown. Additionally, as the White House shared the photo of Trump, Illinois’s Democratic governor, JB Pritzker, delivered a State of the State address in which he said: “As governor of Illinois, my oath is to the constitution of our state and our nation. We don’t have kings in America, and I won’t bend the knee to one.” Source link #Trump #receives #widespread #backlash #social #post #calling #king Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]