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Elon Musk’s money is not the issue for OpenAI Elon Musk’s money is not the issue for OpenAI Elon Musk, chief executive officer of Tesla Inc., in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, US, on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. Aaron Schwartz | Bloomberg | Getty Images In January, U.S. consumers didn’t feel as inclined to open their wallets, causing retail sales for the month to fall more than expected, which might weigh on gross domestic product given the heavy reliance of the U.S. economy on consumer spending. By contrast, in the corporate world, purse strings seem *******. A deal between Intel, Broadcom and TSMC is reportedly in preliminary stages of talks, and might see the storied U.S. chipmaker break up its business into two. Money was also flowing from Elon Musk. The “special government employee” put forth a 97-billion-dollar bid for OpenAI on Feb. 10. However, it was soundly rejected by the artificial intelligence startup on Friday. OpenAI Chairman Bret Taylor said in a statement that the company “is not for *****,” proving that there are some things even money cannot buy. What you need to know today Positive week for indexesMajor U.S. benchmarks were mixed Friday. The S&P 500 was little changed and the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.37%. However, the Nasdaq Composite rose 0.41%, helped by double-digit jumps in shares of Roku and Airbnb. All indexes ended the week higher. The pan-European Stoxx 600 index retreated 0.24%, snapping four consecutive days of gains. Nonetheless, the index closed Friday with its eighth consecutive positive week, which has brought it about 9% higher for the year. OpenAI turns down MuskOpenAI has rejected Elon Musk’s proposal to buy the artificial intelligence startup’s nonprofit parent for $97.4 billion. OpenAI’s attorney, William Savitt, wrote on Friday to Musk’s lawyer Marc Toberoff that the board concluded the billionaire’s “much-publicized ‘bid’ is in fact not a bid at all.” The “proposal, even as first presented, is not in the best interest of OAI’s mission and is rejected,” Savitt’s letter stated. TSMC and Broadcom are interested in IntelTaiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company and Broadcom are reviewing bids for Intel that would split the chipmaker into two, the Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday, citing sources familiar with the matter. Broadcom is interested in Intel’s chip design and marketing business, while TSMC is looking at the U.S. firm’s chip plants, according to the Journal. Neither company is working with each other and the talks are still in early stages. U.S. retail slump in JanuaryU.S. retail sales in January dropped 0.9% for the month, missing the Dow Jones estimate for a 0.2% decline and coming in much lower than December’s upwardly revised 0.7% gain. All figures are seasonally adjusted but do not factor in inflation. With consumer spending making up about two-thirds of all economic activity in the U.S., the sales numbers indicate a potential weakening in growth for the first quarter. [PRO] Tech stocks at ‘scene of the crime’Tech stocks could be in trouble as they approach levels not seen in nearly two months, according to BTIG Chief Market Technician Jonathan Krinsky. The Invesco QQQ Trust, which tracks the Nasdaq-100, is back at “scene of the crime,” Krinsky said, and explains why a return to that point could herald a pullback in stocks. And finally… BATH, UNITED KINGDOM – JANUARY 27: In this photo illustration a smartphone screen displays the logo for the app for ******** AI company DeepSeek in front of the Nvidia website on January 27, 2025 in Bath, England. DeepSeek’s free assistant chatbot emergence has caused huge doubt among investors in the value of US Silicon Valley competitors stock such as Nvidia, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, and Alphabet which many have said have been over-valued of late. The losses, the biggest drop in US stock market history, were blamed on the ******** AI chatbot’s use of lower-cost chips and that the free app uses less data at a fraction of the cost of its competitors language assistants. (Photo by Anna Barclay/Getty Images) Anna Barclay | Getty Images News | Getty Images How China’s DeepSeek could boost the already booming data center market For years now, analysts have forecast exponential growth in data centers — the critical infrastructure required for powering the world’s digital transition and the training of large language models. Data centers often take at least two years to build and orders have largely already been factored in for 2025 — meaning that the launch of DeepSeek’s cost-efficient and disruptive R1 model is unlikely to have any immediate impact. That said, DeepSeek is unlikely to “substantially reduces demand for power for inference,” Andre Kukhnin, equity research analyst at UBS, told CNBC, referring to the process of running data through an AI model to make a prediction or solve a task. Ryan Cox, head of AI, at consultation firm Synechron, also expects that DeepSeek’s more efficient technology will ultimately lead to more data center demand. Source link #Elon #Musks #money #issue #OpenAI Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Where to watch NBA All-Star Game: TV channel, live stream online, game times, odds, prediction, picks – CBS Sports Where to watch NBA All-Star Game: TV channel, live stream online, game times, odds, prediction, picks – CBS Sports Where to watch NBA All-Star Game: TV channel, live stream online, game times, odds, prediction, picks CBS Sports2025 NBA All-Star Game Open Thread Liberty Ballers2025 All-Star Game Preview: Chuck’s Global Stars vs. Kenny’s Young Stars NBA.ComHow to watch the 2025 NBA All-Star games tonight Yahoo SportsHow to watch 2025 NBA All-Star Game live: Time, format, streaming New York Post Source link #watch #NBA #AllStar #Game #channel #live #stream #online #game #times #odds #prediction #picks #CBS #Sports Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Emma Raducanu beats Maria Sakkari in Dubai to end losing run Emma Raducanu beats Maria Sakkari in Dubai to end losing run Britain’s Emma Raducanu has ended her losing run with a straight sets victory over Greece’s Maria Sakkari in the first round of the Dubai Tennis Championships. The 22-year-old went into the tournament having lost her previous four matches – the worst run of her career – but needed just one hour and 20 minutes to seal a 6-4 6-2 win against the world number 29. The 2021 US Open champion had not won since beating American Amanda Anisimova in the *********** Open second round on 16 January. The British number two broke serve in the first game of both sets, and on the two occasions she lost her own serve she immediately broke back in the next game. “There were some momentum shifts throughout the match and when I got broke twice early in the sets I regrouped really well and managed to break back both times,” said Raducanu. “I was really pleased with the way I fought and competed against Maria. She is a top player and has been as high as three in the world. I’m really proud of my performance.” Radcuanu will play Karolina Muchova in the second round after the Czech 14th seed beat Suzan Lamens 6-2 6-2. Source link #Emma #Raducanu #beats #Maria #Sakkari #Dubai #losing #run Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

NBA All Star Game: New-look format sees LeBron James, Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, James Harden team up NBA All Star Game: New-look format sees LeBron James, Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, James Harden team up The NBA All Star game has had a major overhaul to breathe new life into what was once the showpiece event of the US basketball calendar. With fans, and the stars themselves, appearing to lose interest in the game, the NBA is trying a new format today. With more than 200 points scored in last year’s game and little to no defence being played, the game had started to resemble a shoot-around at a playground court, not a fierce competition between the league’s best players to determine which conference had the more talented players. Returning to the traditional Eastern against Western Conference format in 2024 failed to deliver a better quality of game. “I think there’s no doubt that the players were disappointed as well in last year’s All-Star Game,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said late last year. “We all want to do a better job providing competition and entertainment for our fans.” Today’s All Star game will not be one game but three, with four teams of eight stars playing two games with the winners to meet in the final. The three All Star teams are “coached” by an NBA great, while the fourth team is the winning team from the Rising Stars game on Sunday, which is led by US sports broadcaster Candace Parker. The three All Star teams playing in San Francisco are themed. Shaq’s OGs (Shaquille O’Neal) features LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Jayson Tatum; Chuck’s Global Stars (Charles Barkley) features Donovan Mitchell, Nikola Jokic, and Victor Wembanyama; and Kenny’s Young Stars (Kenny Smith) features Anthony Edwards, Jalen Brunson, and Evan Mobley. The teams will play an untimed first-to-40-point format, with each game allocated less than an hour’s playing time. The first match has Chuck’s Global Stars against Kenny’s Young Stars (12.20 pm AEDT), followed by Shaq’s OGs against Candace’s Rising Stars (1.10 pm). The final will be played at 2 pm AEDT. Source link #NBA #Star #Game #Newlook #format #sees #LeBron #James #Steph #Curry #Kevin #Durant #James #Harden #team Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

This is how much it can cost someone to live across 12 major cities This is how much it can cost someone to live across 12 major cities It can cost on average of $2,050 to live in Tokyo for a month as a single person, according to Numbeo’s data. Jackyenjoyphotography | Moment | Getty Images Moving to a major city often comes with big benefits and opportunities, but it’s important to figure out if it makes sense financially before taking the leap. It may come as no surprise that New York City and San Francisco top the global list for having the highest cost of living when rent is included. That’s according to the 2025 Cost of Living Index (including rent) by online database Numbeo. In New York City, the estimated monthly expenses for one person, including the price of rent in a one-bedroom located in the city center, can cost a total of $5,639, according to Numbeo’s findings, which involve a combination of user-generated data and manually gathered information from reputable sources. In Asia, Singapore tops the list as the the city with the highest cost of living, where a single person can expect to pay about $4,000 a month for living expenses and rent, according to Numbeo, which is comparable to the price it can cost someone to live in London for a month. Globally, following closely after New York City and San Francisco are two cities in Switzerland — Zurich and Geneva — which rank third and fourth for cost of living, including rent. Below is a list of how much it can cost one person to live in 12 major cities around the world in 2025, according to Numbeo. All figures are in U.S. dollars after being converted from the local currency. When reading the numbers, it may be useful to consider the 50-30-20 budgeting rule, which financial experts define as follows for every paycheck: 20% for saving and investment, 50% for essentials and 30% for things you want. New York City Population: 8.1 million Estimated monthly living expenses (excluding rent): $1,687.10 Rent for a 1-bedroom in the city center: $3,926.65 Total cost of living: $5,613.75 San Francisco, California Population: 788,000 Estimated monthly living expenses (excluding rent): $1,556.60 Rent for a 1-bedroom in the city center: $3,222.58 Total cost of living: $4,779.18 London, *** Population: 9.7 million Estimated monthly living expenses (excluding rent): $1,311 Rent for a 1-bedroom in the city center: $2,772.91 Total cost of living: $4,083.91 Singapore Population: 6.1 million Estimated monthly living expenses (excluding rent): $1,131.30 Rent for a 1-bedroom in the city center: $2,921.58 Total cost of living: $4,052.88 Chicago, Illinois Population: 2.6 million Estimated monthly living expenses (excluding rent): $1,287.30 Rent for a 1-bedroom in the city center: $2,325.34 Total cost of living: $3,612.64 Sydney, Australia Population: 5.2 million Estimated monthly living expenses (excluding rent): $1,116.70 Rent for a 1-bedroom in the city center: $2,159.11 Total cost of living: $3,275.81 Lisbon, Portugal Population: 3 million Estimated monthly living expenses (excluding rent): $781.70 Rent for a 1-bedroom in the city center: $1,481.93 Total cost of living: $2,263.63 Tokyo, Japan Population: 37.1 million Estimated monthly living expenses (excluding rent): $961.80 Rent for a 1-bedroom in the city center: $1,113.08 Total cost of living: $2,074.88 Seoul, South Korea Population: 10 million Estimated monthly living expenses (excluding rent): $1,073.2 Rent for a 1-bedroom in the city center: $822.97 Total cost of living: $1,896.17 Shanghai, China Population: 29.9 million Estimated monthly living expenses (excluding rent): $616.80 Rent for a 1-bedroom in the city center: $924.45 Total cost of living: $1,541.25 Mumbai, India Population: 21.7 million Estimated monthly living expenses (excluding rent): $406.70 Rent for a 1-bedroom in the city center: $650.20 Total cost of living: $1,056.90 Jakarta, Indonesia Population: 11.4 million Estimated monthly living expenses (excluding rent): $515.30 Rent for a 1-bedroom in the city center: $394.60 Total cost of living: $909.90 Want to make extra money outside of your day job? Sign up for CNBC’s online course How to Earn Passive Income Online to learn about common passive income streams, tips to get started and real-life success stories. Plus, sign up for CNBC Make It’s newsletter to get tips and tricks for success at work, with money and in life. Source link #cost #live #major #cities Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Waukee man will serve 32 years for orchestrating money laundering scheme that hit 8 Iowa banks Waukee man will serve 32 years for orchestrating money laundering scheme that hit 8 Iowa banks A Waukee man indicted in a nationwide bank fraud and money laundering scheme that included 8 Iowa banks has been sentenced to 32 years in federal prison. Stephan Rashad Haley, 36, also known as “Ace” and “Bosh,” was guilty of fraud, money laundering, and fentanyl distribution for a multi-million dollar fraud scheme he orchestrated in 2023, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of Iowa Friday. More: Snow blanketed the state overnight and more is on the way. How much did we get? Haley was involved in multi-million dollar fraud, laundering scheme Haley participated in a nationwide bank fraud and money laundering scheme from May to August 2023. The eight Iowa banks included Ascentra Credit Union, Collins Community Credit Union, Community Choice Credit Union, Financial Plus Credit Union, First Central State Bank, Great Southern Bank, GreenState Credit Union and Veridian Credit Union, according to a grand jury indictment. The indictment alleged that at least 12 businesses and 14 banks were impacted across the nation. Several people from Arizona, Iowa, Illinois and Indiana allegedly drew funds from stolen business checks that were deposited in financial institutions in Iowa, according to a 2024 news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of Iowa. The participants allegedly tried to deposit at least $10 million worth of stolen checks and secured at least $2.1 million. More: 18 indicted in nationwide bank fraud, money laundering scheme that included 8 Iowa banks Haley is believed to have recruited at least three other individuals to open fraudulent bank accounts and deposit stolen checks. The conspiracies Haley helped execute allegedly generated a loss of over $3.5 million to more than 10 victims, according to the news release. Seventeen other individuals connected to the fraud scheme were indicted alongside Haley in September 2024. Eight have already pleaded guilty, and 10 others are set to go to trial in June. More: Iowa Supreme Court : Applicants’ names for open county board seats are public record Haley also distributed fentanyl and was involved in a 2023 shooting Court documents also show Haley obtained and distributed counterfeit pills in Dallas County in 2023, found to contain fentanyl and other drugs. In early October 2023, Haley was identified as a suspect in a shooting that took place at an apartment complex in West Des Moines. After the shooting, a search warrant conducted at Haley’s Waukee residence found a stolen and loaded pistol, **********, ******** and pills containing fentanyl. At sentencing, the court found Haley responsible for 12 more kilograms of fentanyl, according to Friday’s release. This case, according to the release, was investigated by the IRS Criminal Investigation, the FBI and the West Des Moines Police Department with help from the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, the Clive Police Department, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Des Moines Police Department, the Secret Service and numerous state and local agencies from across the country. Haley will be required to serve five years of supervised release after serving his 32-year sentence. He will also be required to pay $66,437 in restitution. There is no parole in the federal system. Kyle Werner is a reporter for the Register. Reach him at *****@*****.tld. This story has been updated to add video. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa man sentenced to 32-years in prison for money laundering scheme Source link #Waukee #man #serve #years #orchestrating #money #laundering #scheme #hit #Iowa #banks Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Ukraine and Europe worry about being sidelined as Trump pushes direct talks with Russia on war's end – The Associated Press Ukraine and Europe worry about being sidelined as Trump pushes direct talks with Russia on war's end – The Associated Press Ukraine and Europe worry about being sidelined as Trump pushes direct talks with Russia on war’s end The Associated PressTrump addresses Ukraine-Russia peace talks, says Zelenskyy will be involved Fox NewsAn isolated Europe worries the US will negotiate on Ukraine badly without it CNNShocked Europeans play catch-up after Trump moves on Ukraine Reuters Source link #Ukraine #Europe #worry #sidelined #Trump #pushes #direct #talks #Russia #war039s #Press Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

At least 9 dead in US floods and heavy rain At least 9 dead in US floods and heavy rain At least nine people have died over the weekend, as torrential downpours drenched parts of the south-eastern US, submerging roads and houses. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said eight people died in his state and suggested at a news conference on Sunday that the total could go up. Hundreds of people stranded in flood waters, many stuck in their cars, had been rescued, and Beshear warned residents to “stay off the roads right now and stay alive”. In Georgia, the ninth death was recorded after a man lying in his bed was struck by an uprooted tree that crashed into his home. Kentucky, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and North Carolina were under some type of storm-related alert this weekend. Almost all of those states suffered catastrophic damage in September from Hurricane Helene. Between the eight states, roughly 400,000 people were without power on Sunday afternoon, according to poweroutage.us. A bulk of the death and destruction appears to have occurred in Kentucky, where a mother and her seven-year-old child and a 73-year-old man were among the dead. Some parts of Kentucky received up to 6in (15cm) of rain, National Weather Service figures show, resulting in “widespread flooding issues”. The rapid influx of rain caused river levels to quickly rise and trapped vehicles in feet of water, images posted online show. Governor Beshear wrote on X that there were over 300 road closures. He also said that he had written to the White House requesting an emergency disaster declaration and federal funds for impacted areas, according to the BBC’s partner CBS News. President Donald Trump approved the declaration on Sunday, authorizing the Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema), which he has suggested abolishing, to coordinate disaster relief efforts. Officials have cautioned that the worst of the flooding is not over yet. “The rivers are still going to rise,” Eric Gibson, director of the Kentucky Division of Emergency Management, said during a Sunday briefing. “The effects will continue for awhile, a lot of swollen streams and a lot of flooding going on,” Bob Oravec, a senior forecaster with the NWS, said. In Obion County, Tennessee, heavy rains there caused a levee to break, “resulting in rapid onset flooding”, a local NWS account said on X. “If you are in the area, GET TO HIGH GROUND NOW! This is a LIFE THREATENING situation,” the post says. The town of Rives along the Obion River was swamped with water from the breached levee. Footage shows brown water rushing over rocks and past trees, as rescue workers in red boats drive by flooded homes. West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey issued a state of emergency in 10 counties on Saturday and added another three counties to the list on Sunday. “Please continue to be cautious,” Morrisey said on X. Kristi Noem, the newly installed head of the Department of Homeland Security, said she has been in contact with both Beshear and Morrisey, and left voicemails with Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and Alabama Governor Kay Ivey. Fema is part of her department. “While emergency management is best led by local authorities, we reinforced that DHS stands ready to take immediate action to offer resources and support,” Noem said. Meteorologists have also warned that a polar vortex is making its way toward the northern Rocky Mountains and northern Plains in the middle of the countryand is expected to land this weekend. In Colorado, temperatures could drop to as low as 14F (-10C), with the city of Denver reportedly opening shelters for its homeless population this weekend. Source link #dead #floods #heavy #rain Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Victorians brace for ‘rollercoaster’ after coldest Feb morning in 30 years Victorians brace for ‘rollercoaster’ after coldest Feb morning in 30 years One state has unbelievably shivered through its coldest February in more than 30 years after a week of scorching heat. Source link #Victorians #brace #rollercoaster #coldest #Feb #morning #years Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

PM ‘ready’ to put troops on ground in Ukraine to protect peace PM ‘ready’ to put troops on ground in Ukraine to protect peace Sir Keir Starmer has said he is “ready and willing” to put *** troops on the ground in Ukraine to help guarantee its security as part of a peace deal. Writing in the Daily Telegraph, the *** prime minister said securing a lasting peace in Ukraine was “essential if we are to deter Putin from further aggression in the future”. Before attending an emergency summit with European leaders in Paris on Monday, Sir Keir said the *** was prepared to contribute to security guarantees to Ukraine by “putting our own troops on the ground if necessary”. “I do not say that lightly,” he wrote. “I feel very deeply the responsibility that comes with potentially putting British servicemen and women in harm’s way.” The prime minister added: “But any role in helping to guarantee Ukraine’s security is helping to guarantee the security of our continent, and the security of this country.” The end of Russia’s war with Ukraine “when it comes, cannot merely become a temporary pause before Putin attacks again”, Sir Keir said. *** troops could be deployed alongside soldiers from other European nations alongside the border between Ukrainian-held and Russian-held territory. Sir Keir’s announcement comes after the former head of the Army, Lord Dannatt, told the BBC the *** military was “so run down” it could not lead any future peacekeeping mission in Ukraine. The PM has previously only hinted that British troops could be involved in safeguarding Ukraine after a ceasefire. He is due to visit President Donald Trump in Washington later this month and said a “US security guarantee is essential for a lasting peace, because only the US can deter Putin from attacking again”. Sir Keir is meeting with other European leaders in response to concerns the US is moving forward with Russia on peace talks that will lock out the continent. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio plans to meet Russian officials in Saudi Arabia in the coming days, US officials say. On Saturday the US special envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, said European leaders would be consulted only and not take part in any talks between the US and Russia. A senior Ukrainian government source told the BBC on Sunday that Kyiv has not been invited to talks between the US and Russia. Trump earlier this week announced he had had a lengthy conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and that negotiations to stop the “ridiculous war” in Ukraine would begin “immediately”. Trump then “informed” Zelensky of his plan. On Sunday, Trump said that he expected Zelensky to be involved in the talks. He also said he would allow European nations to buy US weapons for Ukraine. Asked by the BBC about his timetable for an end to fighting, Trump said only that “we’re working to get it done” and laid the blame for the war on the previous administration’s Ukraine policies. Writing in the Telegraph, Sir Keir said “peace cannot come at any cost” and “Ukraine must be at the table in these negotiations, because anything less would accept Putin’s position that Ukraine is not a real nation”. He added: “We cannot have another situation like Afghanistan, where the US negotiated directly with the Taliban and cut out the Afghan government – in reference to a deal negotiated by Trump’s first administration, which was later enacted by the Biden administration. “I feel sure that President Trump will want to avoid this too,” said Sir Keir Sir Keir said Ukraine’s path to Nato membership was “irreversible” and European nations “must increase our defence spending and take on a greater role” in the alliance. The *** currently spends around 2.3% of GDP on defence and has committed to increase defence spending to a 2.5% share of the economy, without giving a timeframe for this. Trump has called for Nato members to spend 5% of GDP on defence, while Nato secretary general Mark Rutte has suggested allies should spend more than 3%. Lord Dannatt – who was head of the Army from 2006 to 2009 – told the BBC up to 40,000 *** troops would be needed for a peacekeeping mission in Ukraine and “we just haven’t got that number available”. He said, in total, a force to keep the peace would require about 100,000 troops and the *** would have to supply “quite a proportion of that and we really couldn’t do it”. The meeting in Paris called by French President Emmanuel Macron will see Sir Keir joined by leaders from Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, the Netherlands and Denmark along with the presidents of the European Council and European Commission, and Rutte. Source link #ready #put #troops #ground #Ukraine #protect #peace Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Citing a ‘routine’ update, US removes reference to Taiwan independence on website Citing a ‘routine’ update, US removes reference to Taiwan independence on website The United States Department of State logo on a smartphone screen. Sopa Images | Lightrocket | Getty Images The U.S. State Department said it has made a routine update to the Taiwan section of its website, after the removal of previous wording saying it did not support Taiwan’s formal independence, among other changes that cheered the government in Taipei. The fact sheet on Taiwan, updated last week, retains Washington’s opposition to unilateral change from either Taiwan or from China, which claims the democratically governed island as its own. But as well as dropping the phrase “we do not support Taiwan independence”, the page added a reference to Taiwan’s cooperation with a Pentagon technology and semiconductor development project and says the U.S. will support Taiwan’s membership in international organizations “where applicable”. The update to the website came roughly three weeks after U.S. President Donald Trump, a Republican, was sworn in to his second term in the White House. The United States, like most countries, has no formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan but is its strongest international backer, bound by law to provide the island with the means to defend itself. “As is routine, the fact sheet was updated to inform the general public about our unofficial relationship with Taiwan,” a State Department spokesperson said in an email sent late Sunday Taiwan time. “The United States remains committed to its one China policy,” the spokesperson said, referring to Washington’s officially taking no position on Taiwan’s sovereignty and only acknowledging China’s position on the subject. “The United States is committed to preserving peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait,” the spokesperson said. “We oppose any unilateral changes to the status quo from either side. We support cross-Strait dialogue, and we expect cross-Strait differences to be resolved by peaceful means, free from coercion, in a manner acceptable to people on both sides of the Strait.” China’s foreign ministry has yet to respond to requests for comment on the changes in the website’s wording. On Sunday, Taiwan Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung expressed his appreciation for what he called the “support and positive stance on U.S.-Taiwan relations”. Taiwan’s government rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims, saying that only the island’s people can decide their future. Taiwan says it is already an independent country called the Republic of China, its official name. The Republican government fled to Taiwan in 1949 after losing a civil war with Mao Zedong’s communists, who set up the People’s Republic of China. Source link #Citing #routine #update #removes #reference #Taiwan #independence #website Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

2025 NBA All-Star Game odds, predictions, best bets, format, start time: Picks by expert on 80-52 roll – CBS Sports 2025 NBA All-Star Game odds, predictions, best bets, format, start time: Picks by expert on 80-52 roll – CBS Sports 2025 NBA All-Star Game odds, predictions, best bets, format, start time: Picks by expert on 80-52 roll CBS SportsLeBron James sits out All-Star Game, ending 20-year streak of starts NBA.ComNBA All-Star Game live: LeBron James will not play in his record 21st event USA TODAY2025 NBA All-Star Game schedule: Time, TV channel, bracket for mini tournament, where to watch CBS Sports2025 NBA All-Star Game Open Thread Liberty Ballers Source link #NBA #AllStar #Game #odds #predictions #bets #format #start #time #Picks #expert #roll #CBS #Sports Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

'Maddison dictates the game' – how Man Utd gave Spurs too much space 'Maddison dictates the game' – how Man Utd gave Spurs too much space Match Of The Day 2 pundits Ashley Williams and Micah Richards explain how Manchester United made it too easy for Tottenham as the hosts won 1-0. Source link #039Maddison #dictates #game039 #Man #Utd #gave #Spurs #space Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Migrant workers underpaid $20k in just two months at United Petroleum outlets Migrant workers underpaid $20k in just two months at United Petroleum outlets A group of workers as young as 19 were underpaid more than $20,000 while working at an outlet of a major *********** fuel company. Source link #Migrant #workers #underpaid #20k #months #United #Petroleum #outlets Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Top Palantir execs slam Silicon Valley for focusing on ‘trivial yet solvable inconveniences’ instead of tackling national problems Top Palantir execs slam Silicon Valley for focusing on ‘trivial yet solvable inconveniences’ instead of tackling national problems Silicon Valley and its immense brain power are too focused on trifling consumer needs after abandoning a long history of working with the government to tackle more pressing national issues, according to top executives at data-mining software company Palantir. In an Atlantic essay adapted from their forthcoming book The Technological Republic, CEO Alex Karp and Nicholas Zamiska, head of corporate affairs and legal counsel to the office of the CEO, pointed out Silicon Valley’s origins after World War II and its early dependence on the government, including the US military. That fit with an even longer American tradition of deep ties between the state and science, they added, noting that Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson were also inventors. It continued into the Cold War as scientists and engineers helped give rise to DARPA and propelled NASA in the space race. “The modern incarnation of Silicon Valley has strayed significantly from this tradition of collaboration with the U.S. government, focusing instead on the consumer market, including the online advertising and social-media platforms that have come to dominate—­and limit—our sense of the potential of technology,” Karp and Zamiska said. In thinly veiled rebukes of tech giants like Meta Platforms, they added that tech leaders gave lip service to high-minded goals but instead used their immense stockpiles of capital and engineering talent to create photo-­sharing apps and chat interfaces. Silicon Valley grew skeptical of the government and national endeavors—and the market egged on the trend, rewarding start-ups for catering to “the whims of late-capitalist culture.” “The age of social-media platforms and food-delivery apps had arrived,” Karp and Zamiska quipped. “Medical breakthroughs, education reform, and military advances would have to wait.” As state and federal agencies became more dysfunctional, Silicon Valley increasingly viewed the government as an obstacle rather than a partner, fueling its shift toward the consumer, they explained. Without the tech sector’s cooperation, governments also scaled back attempts as developing new innovations. But Karp and Zamiska argued the US and democratic allies in Europe need closer ties between governments and the software industry if they are to harness technology to help society. Story Continues “The drift of the technological world to the concerns of the consumer both reflected and helped reinforce a certain technological escapism—­the instinct by Silicon Valley to steer away from the most important problems we face as a society and toward what are essentially the minor and trivial yet solvable inconveniences of everyday consumer life: such as online shopping and food delivery,” they said. To be sure, some tech companies are involved in defense contracts. Microsoft was awarded a $22 billion Army deal in 2021 to provide augmented reality headsets, though it just handed off that work to defense-tech startup Anduril Industries. And Google’s parent company recently shifted its stance on working with the military, allowing greater use of its AI technology. For its part, Palantir has been putting its AI-powered platforms to work in the defense and intelligence sectors, but it has also been expanding in the commercial space recently. While it began in Silicon Valley, it moved to Colorado. The market has also rewarded Palantir as shares soared 340% last year and are already up 58% so far this year, with Wall Street expecting more gains ahead. Its market cap now exceeds those of defense giants like RTX and Lockheed Martin. And Palantir’s inclusion in the S&P 500 last year was celebrated by Karp, who took a victory lap in a video message and thanked the retail investors who maintained faith in the company as it bucked conventional wisdom. In the Atlantic essay, Karp and Zamiska urged the “reconstruction of a technological republic” and a return to shared purpose. “It might have been just and necessary to dismantle the old order,” they said. “We should now build something together in its place.” This story was originally featured on Fortune.com Source link #Top #Palantir #execs #slam #Silicon #Valley #focusing #trivial #solvable #inconveniences #tackling #national #problems Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Latest News on the Trump Administration: Russia-Ukraine, Supreme Court and More – The New York Times Latest News on the Trump Administration: Russia-Ukraine, Supreme Court and More – The New York Times Latest News on the Trump Administration: Russia-Ukraine, Supreme Court and More The New York TimesTrump asks Supreme Court to allow him to fire independent agency leader The Washington PostTrump Asks Supreme Court to Let Him Fire US Agency Head YahooHere Are All The Major Lawsuits Against Trump And Musk: Appeals Court Keeps Ethics Official’s Firing On Hold Forbes Source link #Latest #News #Trump #Administration #RussiaUkraine #Supreme #Court #York #Times Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

eight highlights from the British film awards eight highlights from the British film awards Steven McIntosh Entertainment reporter at the Baftas Baftas 2025: Catch up on the big winners in 100 seconds With two major musicals in the awards race this year, it was only right that host David Tennant opened the Bafta Film Awards with a tune of his own. The Scottish star kicked off proceedings with a storming rendition of The Proclaimers’ 500 Miles, featuring contributions from Selena Gomez, Colman Domingo, Anna Kendrick, Hugh Grant and Camila Cabello. The energy remained high throughout the ceremony, which saw Conclave and The Brutalist take the most prizes with four each. Backstage, the stars were in equally good spirits, even if a few of them were jet-lagged, hungry, and remarking on how heavy the Bafta trophy is to carry around. Here are eight highlights from the winners’ room: 1. Mikey Madison took Robert De Niro’s advice too seriouslyEPA When Anora star Mikey Madison collected the best actress award, she started by admitting to the audience that she hadn’t prepared a speech. Backstage, she jokingly blamed this on Robert De Niro, whom she recently appeared with on The Graham Norton Show. “I just wish that I’d had a better speech,” she said. “I was on a talk show and Robert De Niro told me not to write a speech and I thought, I should probably listen to him. And I forgot to thank so many important people.” On The Graham Norton Show last week, Robert De Niro (left) advised Mikey Madison (right) not to prepare a speech Madison was overwhelmed but overjoyed with the recognition from Bafta. “I think I’m a little disassociated right now,” she says, “I love making movies, and being an actress is my dream, and for my film to be recognised like this is incredibly special. “I don’t know if I’ll ever fully grasp the magnitude of being in a room like that, full of my idols, incredible creatives who I admire so much.” 2. Wallace and Gromit directors proud of ‘Anton Deck’Getty Images Merlin Crossingham (right) said US audiences understandably didn’t get the film’s joke about Ant & Dec Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl won two prizes for its producer Richard Beek and directors Nick Park and Merlin Crossingham. The trio brought their famous characters along with them to the ceremony Crossingham reflected on the fact that stories about a cheese enthusiast and his loyal but long-suffering dog always seem to go down so well in the US, despite the films firmly rooted in *** culture. “It is remarkable that our very Britishness is embraced in America,” he told journalists. He highlighted one particular reference in Vengeance Most Fowl: the TV presenter in the film is called Anton Deck, a reference to Geordie duo Ant & Dec. “There are some jokes, like Anton Deck, which are very British. In the American screenings, there was complete silence apart from one Brit guffawing in the corner. “But we’re very proud of that, we stick to our guns. Apart from one or two very specific gags like that, it seems to be embraced. “And even if they’re laughing at us, not with us, if they’re laughing, we’re still happy about that.” 3. Jesse Eisenberg is embracing the ***Getty Images Jesse Eisenberg, who won best original screenplay for A Real Pain, walked into the winners’ room carrying his Bafta and asking journalists: “Am I expected to hold this heavy thing the whole time?” After being reassured he was allowed to put it down as he answered questions, he reflected on the fact that the screenwriting prizes he’s won for A Real Pain have both been in the ***. “The other award I won for this was the London Film Critics prize, so I must be living the wrong country,” he joked. “My background is playwright, and when one of my plays transferred to the West End it was far more popular. I don’t know what it is, maybe I’m a novelty here and in America I’m boring.” Eisenberg was also asked about his relationship with co-star Kieran Culkin, who won best supporting actor. But, he said, it’s not as close as people might imagine. “In terms of our dynamic, I’ll text him today and say, ‘hey you won the Bafta, I’m so proud of you’. And then three weeks later my phone will buzz and it’ll be [Culkin saying]: ‘Hey, I just got this, thanks’.” “That’s the closeness with which you imagine we live.” 4. Zoe Saldaña enjoyed ‘jumping into the unknown’Getty Images Zoe Saldaña continued her awards season sweep of the best supporting actress category with another win at Bafta, despite the recent controversies faced by her film Emilia Pérez. Backstage, she reflected on her biggest number in the Spanish-language musical, El Mal, which is also up for best original song at the Oscars. “Not getting in my own way was the challenge,” she said of shooting it. “Sometimes you can become very heady about something and you overthink it. “What you have to do is trust the process… Rehearsing the dance was about reconnecting with a part of me I had missed so much but I had since let go of for more than 20 years. “Reconnecting with that, dusting off all those cobwebs and jumping into the unknown was what needed to happen.” Asked about the importance of performing the musical in Spanish, she replies: “It’s my first language, I was spoken to first, sung to first, in Spanish. “We love we live, we fight, we work, in Spanish. And my art has [previously] only lived in a very English way. So that yearning to connect my culture with my art was meaningful to me.” 5. Warwick Davis thought he was being scammedGetty Images Warwick Davis was the recipient of this year’s Bafta Fellowship, the British Academy’s highest honour. “It’s very overwhelming, this whole thing,” he said. “You win the award and then you have to talk to loads of people, feeling very shiny.” (Everyone was feeling sweaty backstage by this point.) Asked about the moment he heard he was this year’s winner, Davis said: “I was on the toilet when I found out! “[Bafta] notified me by email, and I do most of my administration work on the toilet. I might call it paperwork but then you’d get the wrong idea,” he jokes. “Then I got an email from Bafta saying I’d won the fellowship, and I got all excited, and then it suddenly dawned on me, is this a fake email? Some sort of scam? “So I clicked on the email address, and it really was Bafta. Then I finished up at the loo, you probably didn’t need that detail, and then went and celebrated with the kids.” 6. Adrien Brody reflects on career surgeGetty Images Adrien Brody’s reaction to winning best actor might have been slightly hampered by how hungry he is. “I haven’t eaten anything yet, so I’m not sure how I’m feeling, but I’m so happy to be here,” he says backstage. Brody is asked about the surge his career has enjoyed in recent months thanks to The Brutalist, more than two decades after his last awards run for The Pianist. “The beauty of being an actor is that any life experience, and there have been many since [The Pianist], anything you’ve experienced is so valuable in shaping a sense of understanding,” he reflects. “So the moments of triumph, loss, complexity along your path, they give you an ability to represent those more truthfully and authentically in your work. “I’m just so grateful to have had this meaningful opportunity come my way, I’ve been yearning for this for a long time. “I’ve been working very hard. It’s not for a lack of hard work, but there are so many magical things that have to happen for a film to achieve greatness and I’m so happy that all of those things conspired on The Brutalist.” And with that, he’s off to have some supper. 7. Edward Berger likens Conclave cast to an orchestraGetty Images Conclave won best film and best British film, becoming the first movie to take the top two prizes since 1917 (the film, not the year). “I am so humbled and so grateful to be welcomed here so openly with such warmth and open arms,” its ******* director Edward Berger says of the ***. “Basically, I just want to live here, I’m never going to leave.” He likens the cast of Pope drama Conclave, which includes Stanley Tucci, Ralph Fiennes and Isabella Rossallini, to an orchestra. “No-one really knows [why a cast works so well], but you have a hunch, so there’s a lot of discussion – we put pictures up on the wall and it just felt like a good combination,” he explained. “They were all believable cardinals, all different nationalities and accents, it just felt they were all different instruments in a big musical piece.” 8. Brady Corby is optimisitic for the film industryGetty Images The Brutalist’s Brady Corbet might have won best director, but he said he was slightly too “jet-lagged and exhausted” to fully process it. As much as he’s enjoying awards season, he notes: “It’ll be amazing when it’s done, I’m looking forward to getting back to work.” Corbet is not shy of hard work – making the Brutalist was famously a labour of love which took several years. “We basically just didn’t sleep,” he says. “I haven’t had a day off in years.” Now that awards campaigning is in its final phase however, with voting for the Oscars closing on Monday, he should finally get some down time. “The week leading up to the Oscars is actually pretty quiet, I’m looking forward to it.” The Brutalist, a 3.5-hour film with an intermission, has been a relative box office success despite its intimidating duration. “I’m not trying to teach anyone a lesson or anything,” he says, “but I do think it’s good for the ecosystem that a film like this which is completely uncompromised – I don’t like too many cooks in my kitchen – for that to have made $30m globally so far, that’s exciting. “All the things you’re told not to do, when those films are proven to be commercially viable, and people want original, daring movies, it makes me feel more optimistic than usual.'” Source link #highlights #British #film #awards Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Men allegedly steal $50k worth of trading cards, including Pokemon and Yu-Gi-Oh Men allegedly steal $50k worth of trading cards, including Pokemon and Yu-Gi-Oh An organised crime syndicate who allegedly stole about $50,000 worth of a collector’s item has been put on notice. Source link #Men #allegedly #steal #50k #worth #trading #cards #including #Pokemon #YuGiOh Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

China condemns sailing of ********* warship in Taiwan Strait China condemns sailing of ********* warship in Taiwan Strait BEIJING (Reuters) -China’s military on Monday condemned the sailing of a ********* warship in the Taiwan Strait, saying its air and naval forces had monitored and warned the ship, a mission that came just a few days after U.S. Navy ships made a similar mission. The U.S. Navy, and occasionally ships from allied countries like Canada, Britain and France, transits the strait around once a month. China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory, also says the strategic waterway belongs to it. Canada’s actions “deliberately stirred up trouble” and undermined peace and stability in the strait, the People’s Liberation Army’s Eastern Theatre Command said in a statement. 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. “Theatre forces maintain a high level of alert at all times and resolutely counter all threats and provocations,” it added. The ********* military declined immediate comment. Both the ******** and Taiwanese governments identified the ship as the Ottawa. Taiwan’s defence ministry said on Sunday that the ship had sailed in a northerly direction, adding that Taiwanese forces also kept watch. Taiwan’s foreign ministry welcomed the sailing. “Canada has once again taken concrete actions to defend the freedom, peace and openness of the Taiwan Strait and has demonstrated its firm position that the Taiwan Strait is international waters,” it said on Sunday. Last October, a U.S. and a ********* warship sailed together through the strait, less than a week after China conducted a new round of war games around the island. Taiwan’s democratically-elected government rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims, saying only the island’s people can decide their future. (Reporting by Beijing newsroom; Writing and additional reporting by Ben Blanchard in Taipei; editing by Diane Craft) Source link #China #condemns #sailing #********* #warship #Taiwan #Strait Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Fight over Trump’s firing of watchdog reaches Supreme Court – POLITICO Fight over Trump’s firing of watchdog reaches Supreme Court – POLITICO Fight over Trump’s firing of watchdog reaches Supreme Court POLITICOLatest News on the Trump Administration: Russia-Ukraine, Supreme Court and More The New York TimesTrump asks Supreme Court to allow him to fire independent agency leader The Washington PostTrump Asks Supreme Court to Let Him Fire US Agency Head YahooHere Are All The Major Lawsuits Against Trump And Musk: Appeals Court Keeps Ethics Official’s Firing On Hold Forbes Source link #Fight #Trumps #firing #watchdog #reaches #Supreme #Court #POLITICO Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

I watched a soap opera for the first time aged 27, here’s what I thought I watched a soap opera for the first time aged 27, here’s what I thought Yasmin Rufo Popcorn at the ready… I spent eight hours watching soap operas this week I have a confession: I’ve never watched a soap opera before. I’m not sure why, as I regularly binge shows with hundreds of episodes and love drama series. As a teen, I was addicted to programmes such as Waterloo Road and Skins, which, like soaps, followed the lives of a community who found themselves embroiled in increasingly outlandish plot lines. Despite ratings which are far below their 1980s peak, EastEnders, Coronation Street and Emmerdale consistently rank in the top 20 most viewed shows on *** broadcast channels every week. With EastEnders celebrating its 40th anniversary and ITV cutting back soaps in the schedule, I decided it was time to finally watch a soap opera. I watched a week of EastEnders, Emmerdale, and Coronation Street to see whether there’s a place for them in the lives of Gen Z. My mum says that in the late 1980s, her university’s student union was packed at lunchtimes as everyone gathered for their daily dose of *********** soap, Neighbours. Her experience was not too dissimilar from mine, except instead of watching soaps, my friends and I crammed onto the sofa eager to find out who had been behaving badly at Casa Amor or which Bushtucker trial awaited a group of intrepid celebrities. Sitting down to a watch a soap for the first time, I was unsure what to expect. I had never heard anyone my age talk about them before and navigating to ITVX and having to sit through three minutes of adverts was a very different experience from what I’m used to. I didn’t want to do too much research into the shows but I did ask my parents, who are soap fans, to give me a bit of an explainer of who’s who. Yasmin Rufo My mum helped out with my research by explaining Cindy’s complex backstory After the opening titles and iconic theme songs that even I had heard of, I was surprised with how quickly the drama started. There was no scene-setting and I was thrust straight into the middle of some passive aggressive arguing in all three shows. Although the drama gets progressively more absurd, the sheer amount of scheming and fighting that is crammed into such a short episode means I was hooked for most of the show. But, I also had a lot of questions about how true the shows are to reality. How is everyone out and about all day? Don’t they have to go to work? Would neighbours really be that aggressive with each other face to face? Realistically, their gripes would play out with passive aggressive messages on the neighbourhood WhatsApp groupHow can people afford to be buying that many drinks in the pub every night? Why does everyone visit the laundrette on a daily basis? Does no one own a washing machine? Why do they all buy a cup of tea at the local cafe when they only live 100 metres away? Cindy and Ian Beale from EastEnders married in 1989 – how can anyone keep up with all the drama from 36 years of marriage? Despite being drawn in to the drama, I wasn’t initially invested in the characters. I’m of the reality TV generation and I couldn’t help thinking, why would I watch a scripted drama when there are shows with ordinary people dealing with dramatic situations? It feels hard to care about Cindy and Ian Beale’s fractious relationship on EastEnders when I can watch a real couple break up because one of their heads has been turned by a bombshell contestant entering the Love Island villa. Only last week, a clip from a Spanish reality TV programme showing a man having a meltdown as he watches a clip of his girlfriend cheating on him went viral. You can’t convince me that watching a man run along a beach howling after learning about his partner’s infidelity doesn’t make for more engaging TV than a couple shouting faux insults at each other in the laundrette. Competition with high-budget dramas Not only are soaps competing with reality TV, but they also face fierce competition from dramas produced by streaming services. “It feels like this was filmed 20 years ago,” my boyfriend says within the first five minutes of watching Coronation Street. Shots are dimly lit, characters stand around in dated kitchens and conversations last a few minutes before flitting to another storyline entirely. There’s nothing wrong with this per se as it adds an element of gritty reality to the shows, but people are now used to high-budget, high-stake dramas with cinematic visuals and star-studded casts. Yasmin Rufo By the end of the week, I was fairly interested to see how Phil’s depression storyline would play out In just 12 episodes across three soaps there were more plots than I could count – the storylines covered everything from depression to infidelity to knife crime. In the past, these storylines would have undoubtedly influenced national conversations but for me, it felt like the issues were dealt with heavy-handedly and often felt shoehorned into plotlines. In comparison to shows such as Sex Education, Euphoria, and Top Boy which resonate with younger audiences by addressing themes like mental health, identity, and social justice in a way that feels authentic and visually compelling, the teenage angst of characters like Betsy and Max in Coronation Street feel unrealistic. I realise it’s unfair to compare the big-budget streamer hits with soaps. The first season of Euphoria which consisted of just eight episodes reportedly cost $165m (£130m) to produce which is far greater than the budget of soaps. But, even up against shows such as Made in Chelsea, which likely has a similar budget, soaps still perform poorly with young audiences. Around a quarter of Made in Chelsea’s audience is aged 16 to 34. I now know who the people in this meme are but I’m still none the wiser on its context Perhaps I’m being slightly unfair to the soaps. After all, I am jumping in decades after they first aired with no prior knowledge, so naturally it’s harder to build a connection with the characters. But the longevity of the shows is part of the problem. I recognised Ian Beale from the meme of him crying “I’ve got nothing left” and I understand the Dingles are one of the most important families in Emmerdale – but I know nothing about their backstories. There’s only so much empathy I can feel for Phil Mitchell’s suicide attempt when I don’t know the reason why. ‘I plan my week around it’ While I might not have many thoughts about Phil Mitchell, some young people are massive soap enthusiasts. Natalie Altman, 25, is an EastEnders fanatic. She started watching it a year ago after seeing clips of the show on TikTok and while it was confusing at first to follow the plots, she immersed herself with learning about their backstories on social media. She says the show feels more authentic than reality TV. “I love it so much I’ve planned my week around the 40th anniversary and even cancelled plans to make sure I can watch it live.” Despite none of her friends watching the show and thinking she’s a “loser for watching it”, she says she loves the escapism it provides. “I’m quite an anxious person so being stressed about things that aren’t real is really good for me.” ITV Emmerdale was originally commissioned for just 26 episodes but its 10,000th episode aired in May 2024 Data suggests the London-based drama has more than double the number of young viewers than Emmerdale. But, in contrast to Natalie, 25-year-old Ryan says EastEnders is a “bit too doom-and-gloom” and prefers the other two soaps. “They feel more like real life where there are positive and negative storylines.” He adds that he doesn’t live in a big city so it’s nice to watch shows such as Emmerdale that reflect rural life and aren’t London-centric. PA Media Coronation Street will celebrate its 65th anniversary this year By the end of the week, I found myself quite enjoying EastEnders more than the other two soaps – which could be partly because I grew up in London and therefore felt more of an inherent connection. But overall I struggled with the lack of cathartic ending for all of them. I don’t mind a series having multiple episodes but I have to know that all the storylines will eventually be resolved. With soaps, there is no ending. Storylines carry on even when you think they’re over. A character reappears years later or someone’s brother’s cousin’s daughter from five years ago starts digging up the drama again. I’m unlikely to continue watching soaps after this week but I can see the appeal of them for the people who have been watching it for some time. There’s something impressive about their longevity – will Love Island be celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2055 and will I be tuning in as a pensioner to watch a 21-year-old man tell someone their behaviour is muggy? Probably not. Source link #watched #soap #opera #time #aged #heres #thought Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Dogs-bound Thompson lifts lid on pending Knights exit Dogs-bound Thompson lifts lid on pending Knights exit Canterbury-bound Leo Thompson insists he won’t be taking his foot off the gas in his final season with Newcastle, vowing to “go out with a bang” at the Knights. Thompson’s club future was one of the hottest storylines of the off-season with the New Zealand Test star in hot demand. Newcastle were desperate to retain him, while Canberra, the club who first brought the 24-year-old to Australia, had viewed the prop as a long-term replacement for Josh Papali’i. But Canterbury won the race for the prop’s signature, in what is a significant endorsement for the Bulldogs’ direction under Cameron Ciraldo. “I know that this is going to be my last year with Newcastle, I want to go out with a bang,” Thompson said. “There are a few of our boys that are getting along like ‘Friz’ (Tyson Frizell) and ‘Gags’ (Dane Gagai). “Hopefully, they keep playing for the next three to four years, but we don’t know how long they’re going to be playing for. “That’s a bit of a vibe in our team that we need to make it happen this year.” Thompson said the move away from Newcastle was complicated by the fact coach Adam O’Brien had helped nurture him into one the game’s elite front-rowers. Thompson’s twin, Super Rugby convert Tyrone, has also landed at the Knights for 2025. “Everything’s been put to bed and I can focus on my season with Newcastle,” Thompson said. “I’m happy that’s out of the way. I’m just focused on this year … It was hard. “It took me a while to come to terms with it, but it is what it is and I’ve made my decision. “The club and my teammates have been understanding of it and they know that I’ve put that aside and I’m going to be with the Newcastle Knights 100 per cent this year.” Source link #Dogsbound #Thompson #lifts #lid #pending #Knights #exit Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

2 killed in small plane ****** at metro Atlanta airport identified 2 killed in small plane ****** at metro Atlanta airport identified The Covington Police Department is investigating after two people were killed in a small plane ****** Saturday night. Police responded to the Covington Municipal Airport at before midnight after receiving a call from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) about a single-engine plane that had taken off at about 11:40 p.m. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Police identified the victims as Janet Hardee, 59, and James Hardee, 62. Both were pronounced dead at the scene by officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FAA said the plane was a Rockwell Commander. Airport officials said there was no communication from the plane after takeoff. Officers found the airplane in the woods just north of the runway where they found two people with the plane. Both the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the ******. TRENDING STORIES: [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Source link #killed #small #plane #****** #metro #Atlanta #airport #identified Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump administration cuts reach FDA employees in food safety, medical devices and tobacco products – The Associated Press Trump administration cuts reach FDA employees in food safety, medical devices and tobacco products – The Associated Press Trump administration cuts reach FDA employees in food safety, medical devices and tobacco products The Associated PressUS Health Department Layoffs Expand to Medicare, FDA BloombergFDA Begins Layoffs as Trump Moves to Shrink Federal Workforce Bloomberg LawFDA foot-dragging might have saved your hands and you never knew it Chicago Sun-Times Source link #Trump #administration #cuts #reach #FDA #employees #food #safety #medical #devices #tobacco #products #Press Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Special Forces blocked 2,000 credible asylum claims from Afghan commandos, MoD confirms Special Forces blocked 2,000 credible asylum claims from Afghan commandos, MoD confirms *** Special Forces command rejected resettlement applications from more than 2,000 Afghan commandos who had shown credible evidence of service in units that fought alongside the SAS and SBS, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed for the first time. *** Special Forces officers appear to have rejected every application from a former Afghan commando referred to them for sponsorship, despite the Afghan units having fought with the British on life-threatening missions against the Taliban. The MoD had previously denied there was a blanket policy to reject members of the units – known as the Triples – but the BBC has not been able to find any evidence that *** Special Forces (UKSF) supported any resettlement applications. Asked if UKSF had supported any applications, the MoD declined to answer the question. The Triples – so-called because their designations were CF 333 and ATF 444 – were set up, trained, and paid by *** Special Forces and supported the SAS and SBS on operations in Afghanistan. When the country fell to the Taliban in 2021, they were judged to be in grave danger of reprisal and were entitled to apply for resettlement to the ***. The rejection of their applications was controversial because they came at a time when a public inquiry in the *** was investigating allegations that Special Forces had committed war crimes on operations in Afghanistan where the Triples were present. The inquiry has the power to compel witnesses who are in the ***, but not non-*** nationals who are overseas. If resettled, former members of the Triples could be compelled by the inquiry to provide potentially significant evidence. BBC Panorama revealed earlier this year that *** Special Forces command had been given veto power over their resettlement applications and denied them asylum in Britain. The revelation caused a wave of anger among some former members of the SAS and others who served with the Afghan units. The MoD initially denied the existence of the veto, suggesting that the BBC’s reporting had been inaccurate, but then-Defence Minister Andrew Murrison was later forced to tell the House of Commons the government had misled parliament in its denials. The confirmation of the more than 2,000 rejections emerged in court hearings earlier this month during a legal challenge brought by a former member of the Triples. Lawyers for the MoD applied for a restriction order which temporarily prevented the BBC from reporting on the relevant parts of the proceedings, before withdrawing their application last week under challenge. Documents disclosed in court also showed that at the same time the MoD was denying the existence of the veto, it already knew that every rejection decision made by *** Special Forces was potentially unsound and would have to be independently reviewed. Mike Martin MP, a member of the defence select committee and former British Army officer who served in Afghanistan, told the BBC the rejections were “extremely concerning”. “There is the appearance that *** Special Forces blocked the Afghan special forces applications because they were witnesses to the alleged *** war crimes currently being investigated in the Afghan inquiry,” Martin said. “If the MoD is unable to offer any explanation, then the matter should be included in the inquiry,” he added. Johnny Mercer, the former Conservative MP for Plymouth Moor View, who served alongside the SBS in Afghanistan, testified to the Afghan inquiry that he had spoken to former members of the Triples and heard “horrific” allegations of ******* by *** Special Forces. Mercer said it was “very clear to me that there is a pool of evidence that exists within the Afghan community that are now in the United Kingdom that should contribute to this Inquiry”. The MoD began a review last year of all 2,022 resettlement applications referred to and rejected by *** Special Forces. All contained what MoD caseworkers on the resettlement scheme regarded as “credible” evidence of service with the Triples units. The government said at the time that the review would take 12 weeks, but more than a year later it has yet to be completed. Some rejections have already been overturned, allowing former Triples to come to the ***. But the MoD has refused to inform the Afghan commandos whether they are in scope of the review or if their rejections were upheld, unless they write to the MoD. Many are in hiding in Afghanistan, making it difficult to obtain legal representation or pro-actively contact the MoD. Dozens have reportedly been beaten, tortured, or killed by the Taliban since the group regained control of the country. “Although decisions have been overturned, it’s too late for some people,” said a former Triples officer. “The delays have caused a lot of problems. People have been captured by the Taliban or lost their lives,” he said. The officer said that the Afghan commandos worked alongside British Special Forces “like brothers” and felt “betrayed” by the widespread rejections. “If Special Forces made these rejections they should say why. They should have to answer,” he said. The MoD is now facing a legal challenge to aspects of the review, including the decision not to inform applicants whether their case is being reviewed or disclose the criteria used to select those in scope. The legal challenge is being brought by a former senior member of the Triples who is now in the ***, on behalf of commandos still in Afghanistan. “Our client’s focus is on his soldiers left behind in Afghanistan, some of whom have been killed while they wait for these heavily delayed protection decisions,” said Dan Carey, a partner at Deighton Pierce Glynn. “As things stand they have a right to request a reassessment of a decision they haven’t even been told about. And there are others who think they are part of the Triples Review when the secret criteria would tell them that their cases aren’t even being looked at.” Lawyers acting for the former member of the Triples also heavily criticised the level of disclosure in the case by the MoD, which has not handed over any documentation from within *** Special Forces or government records about the decision-making process that led to the rejections. In court filings, they criticised the “total inadequacy” of the MoD’s disclosure, calling it an “an obvious failure to comply with the duty of candour and to provide necessary explanation” of the process. New evidence that emerged last week in court also showed that the MoD appeared to have rejected out of hand some applicants who served with *** Special Forces in Afghanistan after 2014 – when Britain’s conventional armed forces left Helmand province – without even referring them to *** Special Forces headquarters for sponsorship. The MoD has not explained the reasoning behind the policy, which was kept secret from applicants. A spokesperson for the MoD said that after 2014 the ***’s role “evolved from combat operations to primarily training, advising and assisting CF 333, who were under the command of the Afghan Ministry of Interior”. But officers who served with *** Special Forces told the BBC that the Triples continued to support British-led operations after 2014. “Saying the Triples didn’t support *** Special Forces operations after 2014 isn’t true at all,” said former officer who served with UKSF. “We had a squadron of CF 333 with us. We worked closely together. These were NATO targets, *** planned operations,” he said. Source link #Special #Forces #blocked #credible #asylum #claims #Afghan #commandos #MoD #confirms Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]