Pelican Press

14-year-old Gwinnett boy dies in his sleep after overdosing on drugs laced with fentanyl 14-year-old Gwinnett boy dies in his sleep after overdosing on drugs laced with fentanyl Three people have been arrested in connection with several juvenile overdoses in Gwinnett County, including the fentanyl-related death of a 14-year-old boy, police said. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Brenda Alfaro-Alvarado, 21, was arrested on Jan. 28 after investigators determined she sold fentanyl-laced Percocet to Marco Machado Ramirez, 14. His family said he died in his sleep. On Feb. 11, authorities arrested Angel Alexander Nava-Nava, 20, as Alfaro-Alvarado’s alleged supplier. Investigators searched his home off of Graves Road and found seven grams of fentanyl, 155 grams of **********, two guns and $1,700 in cash. Both Nava-Nava and Alfaro-Alvarado face aggravated involuntary manslaughter for fentanyl overdose death and drug-related charges. In a separate case, Antonio Molina Chavez was arrested in connection with a 12-year-old’s overdose. He faces drug and child cruelty charges. Cell phone video shows police at the Elliot Apartments, where Nava-Nava lives, on Tuesday where they found drugs, guns and cash. “It’s surprising that we’d have 12-year-olds and 14-year-olds that are getting their hands on pills,” Cpl. Ryan Winderdeedle with Gwinnett police said. Police say they used Austin’s Law to upgrade the charges. It’s only the ninth time they’ve used the law since last year. Gwinnett police use the law more than any other department in the metro. TRENDING STORIES: Gwinnett County police are urging families to talk with their children about the dangers of fentanyl and remind the public that seeking medical help for an overdose will not result in drug-related charges. Suspicious activity can be reported to the county’s narcotics tip line at 770-513-5480. “Parents need to have a talk with their middle schoolers and high school-aged kids,” Winderweedle said. Ramirez’s family has launched a GoFundMe to cover expenses in the wake of their loss. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Source link #14yearold #Gwinnett #boy #dies #sleep #overdosing #drugs #laced #fentanyl Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump presidency: Firings halted at consumer protection bureau following court challenge – CNN Trump presidency: Firings halted at consumer protection bureau following court challenge – CNN Trump presidency: Firings halted at consumer protection bureau following court challenge CNNUS consumer watchdog broadens layoffs beyond probationary staff, sources say Reuters Source link #Trump #presidency #Firings #halted #consumer #protection #bureau #court #challenge #CNN Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Inside El Salvador’s notorious CECOT mega-prison, which could soon house deportees from the U.S. Inside El Salvador’s notorious CECOT mega-prison, which could soon house deportees from the U.S. San Salvador — It takes about 90 minutes to drive from El Salvador’s capital, San Salvador, to the most notorious prison in the country. Opened in 2023, the Center for the Confinement of Terrorism, known as CECOT, was designed to hold the most dangerous gang members in what used to be the country with the highest ******* rate in the world. Prisoners cannot receive visitors, and hearings happen only via zoom. Cell signal is blocked within a mile-and-a-half radius surrounding the prison to keep any information from getting out in an effort to contain the power of gangs which authorities said used to control 85% or the country’s territory. Today, El Salvador has the lowest ********* rate in the Western Hemisphere. Starting in 2022, President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador declared a state of exception, which empowered police and the military to arrest people on suspicion of gang affiliation, without any evidence of committing crimes. The state of exception has led to the imprisonment of more than 80,000 people, making El Salvador the country with the highest incarceration rate in the world, at 2%. But the crackdown has earned Bukele an approval rating of more than 90%. Many inmates are serving sentences that are centuries long, while others still have not been convicted. But the prison’s director affirms no prisoner there will ever step outside. Last week, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that Bukele had agreed to accept deportees from the U.S., including U.S. citizens. Those convicted of crimes would be held in prisons like CECOT. “We have offered the United States of America the opportunity to outsource part of its prison system,” Bukele wrote in a Feb. 3 social media post. “We are willing to take in only convicted criminals (including convicted U.S. citizens) into our mega-prison (CECOT) in exchange for a fee.” Bukele added that the fee would be “relatively low,” but would help make the country’s prison system “sustainable.” CECOT has a stated capacity of 40,000, and while prison authorities would not disclose the exact number of inmates housed in it, citing safety concerns, they said it is at least at half-capacity, with around 80 to 100 inmates in each cell. They sleep on metal slabs and are only allowed outside the cells for 30 minutes per day. If they need medical attention, they are treated within the modules so no prisoner ever leaves the premises alive. Inmate Marvin Vazquez belongs to the infamous MS-13 gang. He was arrested in El Salvador after the government declared war on the gangs in 2022. Vazquez explains that he expects to be incarcerated in CECOT “for the rest of my life.” “We murdered a lot of people, and this is the consequence of what happened to us, is like the Titanic,” Vazquez said. “That we were a big and strong gang. But we got hit with the iceberg.” He adds, “We try to act strong in the day and cry in the nighttime.” Most Salvadorans support Bukele’s efforts to lock up gang members. But advocates for migrants in the U.S. worry this is no place for any but the most dangerous people. “I worry about the idea that people who are undesirable in the United States can just be sent to, basically, a transnational penal colony, without any guarantees of rights or due process,” said Noah Bullock, executive director of Cristosal, a human rights organization that used to serve the victims of criminal gangs, and now serves people fleeing persecution by the state. CBS News spoke with journalists, activists and even first responders who say they have been unfairly persecuted by the state, some going months into hiding. One woman who has not heard from her husband since he was taken to a prison without evidence of gang affiliation says she is as afraid of the government as she used to be of the gangs. Bullock said CECOT and the full-body tattooed gang members held in it are the face of the president’s security strategy, but it’s a misrepresentation of the majority of the people who have been detained and the conditions that they’re held in. He says the rest of the maximum security prisons are far worse, and most of people held in them indefinitely are not gang members. More Lilia Luciano Lilia Luciano is an award-winning journalist and CBS News 24/7 anchor and correspondent based in New York City. Luciano is the recipient of multiple journalism awards, including a Walter Cronkite Award, a regional Edward R. Murrow Award and five regional Emmys. Source link #Salvadors #notorious #CECOT #megaprison #house #deportees #U.S Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘I fought for months to get my £4,500 energy bill cancelled’ ‘I fought for months to get my £4,500 energy bill cancelled’ Melissa Penn It took Melissa four months to get her invalid bill overturned Melissa Penn had moved out of her house in Rugby two years earlier, so she was surprised when she was sent a bill for £4,500 for energy used at her old address, plunging her into a stressful appeals process to resolve the problem. She does not think the bill is accurate, but even if it were, rules around “back-billing” mean people like Melissa cannot be asked to pay a new bill, if the energy was used more than 12 months ago. Energy ***, which represents suppliers, says back-billing account for “a relatively small proportion” of complaints. But many customers are still experiencing what has been described as “outrageous” behaviour by the energy companies. After Melissa’s initial bill for £4,500 in September 2024, she says she received letters trying to charge her varying amounts, all for a property she had moved out of in 2022. “They were threatening to take my direct debit up to excessive amounts [to pay the bill] which I didn’t have funds to pay for at the time,” she told the BBC. She felt “numerous barriers” where put in her way to prevent her from taking up the matter, rather than simply paying. She refused to give up and finally, after four months, the bill was cancelled. “The whole process was extremely long and extremely stressful,” she says. Melissa is one of hundreds of people who contacted the BBC about the problem of back-billing – or being charged for energy more than a year on from its consumption. They got in touch with BBC Radio 4’s Money Box after it revealed 3,308 people had complained to the energy ombudsman about back-billing in the 12 months to September 2024. Some of the cases Money Box has investigated appear to be charges for energy that was used. Other bills are strongly contested by customers, who say the bills do not accurately reflect their usage. Accurate or not, once the 12-month billing deadline has passed, customers cannot be sent a new bill for that energy. The rule against back-billing was introduced in 2018 in part to ensure energy suppliers keep their billing processes up-to-date. Otherwise people could be asked for large payments, accumulated over long periods, which they cannot afford. Jennifer Seals Jennifer Seals took her case to the energy ombudsman who decided in her favour Not everyone will be aware that they can refuse to pay an out-of-date bill, points out Jennifer Seals. She received a bill for £2,000, but as it was after the 12-month deadline, she took her case to the energy ombudsman who decided in her favour. “The debt was eventually cancelled,” she says. Jennifer told Money Box that even after the energy ombudsman ruled in her favour, her supplier still tried to fight the decision. She was able to stand up for herself, but is worried others won’t. “As I work with vulnerable adults, it really concerns me that there will be people out there who do not dispute issues like this,” she says. ‘A disgrace’David Evans David Evans says he was sent an inaccurate bill for more than £11,000 Sometimes the bills being issued are not only late, but also out of kilter with the amount of energy the customer believes they used. David Evans says the bill he received on 2 December for £11,432.17 was wildly inaccurate and went back two-and-a-half years. “I thought it was a scam,” he says. For weeks he rang and was promised it would be sorted out. Then he began receiving letters threatening legal action and repercussions for his credit rating. “I am extremely angry about this.” It is a disgrace, he says, that the energy firms can send out “menaces” like that over a problem of their making. Energy ***, which speaks for suppliers, told Money Box that if customers think they are being wrongly charged, they should contact their supplier. Its chief executive, Dhara Vyas, told Money Box that suppliers needed to make it a priority to put right any mistakes. “Tens of millions of bills go out every single month. Things do go wrong sometimes,” she said. “When things go wrong it is so frustrating and worrying for customers so [suppliers] do need to act quickly to put it right.” “Getting a smart meter or submitting regular meter readings can help avoid any issues, by ensuring customers get accurate and up-to-date bills,” Energy *** added. ‘Outrageous’ Labour MP Bill Esterson, chairman of parliament’s Energy Security and Net Zero select committee has taken up the issue and has written to the energy regulator, Ofgem, highlighting what he sees as “evidence of significant wrongdoing” and calling for them to take action. “Energy companies are being outrageous,” he says. “They know it’s wrong, they know it’s a problem and they can fix it.” A spokesperson for Ofgem said: “Our rules around back-billing are clear. “Customers should not be pursued by their energy supplier for money they do not owe. “As we announced as part of our Consumer Confidence programme earlier this year, we are reviewing supplier billing practices, including billing accuracy. “We are also looking closely at supplier compliance with back-billing rules to make sure customers get the service they are entitled to,” they said. What to do if you are back billedYou do not have to pay any money sent on a new bill for energy used more than 12 months ago.Citizens Advice suggests you write or email the supplier to explain and has a copy of an example letter people can use as a template.In the first instance customers must complain to their supplierAfter eight weeks, or if the supplier closes the complaint, whichever comes first, customers can then take their case to the independent Energy Ombudsman Source link #fought #months #energy #bill #cancelled Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Duplantis sets pole vault meet record in season-opener Duplantis sets pole vault meet record in season-opener Pole vaulter Armand Duplantis has set a new meeting record on his return from a winter break by jumping 6.10 metres at the ISTAF Indoor meet in Berlin. The Swedish star attempted to beat his own world outdoor record set in Chorzów, Poland last August with two attempts at 6.27, but it was too high this time for the 25-year-old who broke the outdoor record three times last year. The second time was when he won his second Olympic gold medal with a record jump of 6.25 in Paris. He extended the world outdoor record by a centimetre to 6.26 in Poland on August 25. Duplantis needed two attempts to clear 6.10 on Friday, putting it down to “rust” in his first competition since September. It’s the best indoor mark so far this year. “It was a good season-opener,” Duplantis said. “Of course, your first competition, there’s always a little bit of rust that you kinda have to knock off, but I think the energy of everybody here really, really helped me.” The meet at the 12,000-capacity arena beside the Spree River was a sell-out, and Duplantis was cheered on by, it seemed, everyone at each attempt. “I try to channel the energy that everybody’s giving me as much as I can, but at the end of the day, you don’t really think about it,” he said. “You’re just trying to make the bar and you’re trying to keep it as simple as possible. But of course, you feel it. You feel the energy. You feel everybody. You feel the crowd and the roar and everything like that. And it’s very important. It gives you a lot.” Duplantis, widely known as “Mondo,” has broken the world outdoor record 10 times in his career – each time by one centimetre – and the world indoor record five times. Source link #Duplantis #sets #pole #vault #meet #record #seasonopener Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Collision Damage To Aircraft Carrier USS Harry S. Truman Seen In Photo Collision Damage To Aircraft Carrier USS Harry S. Truman Seen In Photo The U.S. Navy has released an image showing damage to the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman following the collision with the cargo ship M/V Besiktas-M off the coast of Egypt in the Mediterranean Sea on Tuesday. Readers can first get up to speed on what had previously been known about the incident in our initial report here. The official caption for the picture is as follows: “Exterior damage of USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) viewed from a ship’s rigid-hull inflatable boat following a collision with merchant vessel Besiktas-M, Feb. 12, while operating in the vicinity of Port Said, Egypt. USS Harry S. Truman, the flagship of the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HSTCSG), is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations supporting U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa to defend U.S., Allied and partner interests.” The picture, a full uncropped version of which is seen below, shows multiple large tears through a sponson on the starboard side of the stern end of the ship near one of the aircraft elevators. Whether there is damage elsewhere on the ship is unknown. USN A stock picture of the USS Harry S. Truman. The area that was damaged is right to the left of the aircraft elevator behind the island. USN A close look at the area that was damaged in the collision. USN The Navy has not released details about the estimated cost of or timeline for repairs, or about whether the damage in any way impedes the ship’s ability to operate. Warships, especially supercarriers, are designed to withstand combat damage, but it is unclear whether Truman will head to port for repairs or continue on as planned. The carrier and its strike group have supported ongoing operations against Iranian-backed Houthi militants in Yemen and ISIS-affiliated terrorists in Somalia in the past few months. Any substantial time in port for repairs now would have a major operational impact. The Navy did say previously that the collision had caused unspecified damage above the waterline, but had not caused any flooding, damage to aircraft on the deck, or injuries to members of the crew. The service also stressed that the ship’s nuclear reactors were safe following the incident. A picture had already emerged yesterday appearing to show damage on the bow end of the starboard side of the Besiktas-M. Further details about the condition of the Panamanian-flagged cargo ship and its crew remain limited. A photo released from one of the crew of #BesiktasM after the collision with #Truman. It appears that Besiktas M hit the Truman with her starboard bow. Note the mooring line cable spool sheared off and the damage to the forward starboard hatch coaming. This damage may indicate… pic.twitter.com/4I2jCGMrZA — Sal Mercogliano (WGOW Shipping) �� �� �� �� (@mercoglianos) February 13, 2025 The collision, which occurred as the Truman was preparing to transit through the Suez Canal, remains under investigation. With the Navy now at least having done some initial damage assessment, more details may begin to emerge. Contact the author: *****@*****.tld Source link #Collision #Damage #Aircraft #Carrier #USS #Harry #Truman #Photo Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump’s federal firings imperil government services from cities to farm towns – The Washington Post Trump’s federal firings imperil government services from cities to farm towns – The Washington Post Trump’s federal firings imperil government services from cities to farm towns The Washington PostSlash Now, Fix Later The New York TimesThousands of probationary employees fired as Trump administration directs agencies to carry out widespread layoffs CNNFederal workers face mass layoffs The Associated Press Source link #Trumps #federal #firings #imperil #government #services #cities #farm #towns #Washington #Post Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

World’s sea-ice falls to record low World’s sea-ice falls to record low Mark Poynting and Erwan Rivault BBC Climate & Verify data journalism teams Getty Images The world’s frozen oceans, which help to keep the planet cool, currently have less ice than ever previously recorded, satellite data shows. Sea-ice around the north and south poles acts like a giant mirror by reflecting much of the Sun’s energy back into space. But as rising temperatures cause this bright layer to shrink, the dark ocean below can absorb more heat, warming the planet further. This latest sea-ice low appears to have been driven by a combination of warm air, warm seas and winds breaking apart the ice. Over the 5 days to 13 February, the combined extent of Arctic and Antarctic sea-ice was 15.76 million sq km (6.08 million sq miles), according to BBC analysis of data from the US National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC). This breaks the previous 5-day record low of 15.93 million sq km (6.15 million sq miles) from January-February 2023. Arctic sea-ice is currently at its smallest recorded extent for the time of year, while Antarctic sea-ice is close to a new low in satellite records going back to the late 1970s. The decline of Arctic sea-ice in response to a warming planet is well-established. Its end-of-summer extent fell from an average of 7 million sq km in the 1980s to 4.5 million sq km in the 2010s. But until the mid-2010s, Antarctic sea-ice had been remarkably resilient, defying predictions that it would shrink. Since then, Antarctica has shown a series of very low sea-ice extents, although there is still lots of natural variability. “Every year, every data point that we get suggests that this isn’t a temporary shift, but something more permanent, like what we’ve seen in the Arctic,” Walter Meier, senior research scientist at NSIDC, told BBC News. “It is indicating that the Antarctic has moved into a new regime of lower ice extents.” Antarctic sea-ice is relatively thin and mobile – being surrounded by ocean rather than continents like the Arctic – so it can be particularly sensitive to winds breaking up the ice. But warmer air and warmer waters look to have played a key role in this latest 2025 low, towards the end of the southern hemisphere summer. The Antarctic ice-shelves – ice flowing off the Antarctic continent, rather than sea-ice – appears to have had a particularly extreme season of surface melting, driven by high air temperatures. “Atmospheric conditions in December and January looked like they were strongly promoting surface melting on the ice-shelves,” said Tom Bracegirdle, research scientist at the British Antarctic Survey. “That could also have contributed to what we’ve seen in Antarctic sea-ice, and ongoing ocean warming is setting the backdrop to all of this as well.” Antarctica’s record sea-ice low of 2023 would have been a one-in-2,000 year event without climate change, according to a recent study. Yet 2025 is not far from eclipsing it. At the other end of the planet, the Arctic should be reaching its annual maximum, with cold winter temperatures helping the oceans to freeze over. But current sea-ice extent is nearly 0.2 million sq km below anything previously recorded for the time of year, and has been tracking very low since late 2024. This is partly as a result of a late freeze-up of ice around Hudson Bay, with unusually warm ocean waters taking a long time to cool down. As well as warmer seas, some storms also disrupted ice around the Barents and Bering Seas, with the consequences likely amplified by long-term reductions in sea-ice thickness. “A thinner ice cover is more responsive to weather [… so] weather events can have a stronger impact than they used to,” said Julienne Stroeve, professor of polar observation and modelling at University College London. In recent weeks, Arctic sea-ice has moved even further below average. Temperatures around the north pole were about 20C above normal in early February, leading to melting conditions in places like Svalbard. This “is quite astonishing” for the time of year, according to Dr Bracegirdle. This very low winter extent doesn’t necessarily mean the Arctic will end up with record conditions throughout 2025, as conditions can change quickly at the poles. But, with the Arctic warming nearly four times faster than the global average, declines over the coming decades are almost inevitable. The Arctic is expected to be essentially free of sea-ice at the end of its summer at least once before 2050, according to the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Some recent studies suggest it could happen sooner. Declining sea-ice at both poles not only has implications for local wildlife like polar bears and penguins, but also the Earth’s climate. Polar sea-ice has already lost around 14% of its natural cooling effect since the early-to-mid 1980s, as the area of bright, reflective ice has declined, according to a study published last year. “If you significantly change the sea ice distribution in and around Antarctica, you modify that part of the planet which is actually helping us fight against climate change,” said Simon Josey, a professor at the National Oceanography Centre. Sea-ice also plays an important role in the great ocean conveyor, the mass movement of water that helps distribute heat around the planet and keeps places like the *** and north-west Europe relatively mild. “If we see another strong winter loss [of Antarctic sea-ice], people are going to start to worry about what it’s doing to the ocean circulation,” said Prof Josey. Additional reporting by Becky Dale Source link #Worlds #seaice #falls #record Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

A welcome return to Rotto A welcome return to Rotto Leyanne Baillie discovers what‘s new since her last trip to the island Source link #return #Rotto Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Reporter’s Notebook: John Dickerson on Danielle Sassoon’s resignation Reporter’s Notebook: John Dickerson on Danielle Sassoon’s resignation Reporter’s Notebook: John Dickerson on Danielle Sassoon’s resignation – CBS News Watch CBS News Danielle Sassoon resigned Thursday as acting U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York when she was asked to dismiss corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, and she refused. John Dickerson gives his perspective on the significance of her decision. Be the first to know Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not Now Turn On Source link #Reporters #Notebook #John #Dickerson #Danielle #Sassoons #resignation Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Two Mass. men part of international criminal group arrested for home improvement scams, police say Two Mass. men part of international criminal group arrested for home improvement scams, police say Two men are facing charges for allegedly defrauding victims out of home improvement projects. Billy O’Brien, 38, of Wellesley and Thomas Maughan, 46, of Waltham, are charged with various felonies related to contractor fraud, according to Salem Police. The duo was arrested Monday following an investigation by the Salem Police Criminal Investigation Division. Authorities say O’Brien and Maughan are part of a transnational criminal organization that engages in home improvement scams. Members of the criminal group allegedly go door-to-door and offer house work in exchange for a down payment, do some demolition work once the payment is received, and never return to complete the job. Police say O’Brien and Maughan posed to work for “Everbuild Masonry and Waterproofing” and “Base Pro Construction.” Anyone who has had contact with either men are encouraged to contact the Salem Police Department at (978) 744-1212. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Source link #Mass #men #part #international #criminal #group #arrested #home #improvement #scams #police Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

The headlines from Trump’s first weeks in office The headlines from Trump’s first weeks in office The headlines from Trump’s first weeks in office – CBS News Watch CBS News It has been 25 days since President Trump returned to the Oval Office, and he has kept his campaign promises, which have included mass firings, sweeping layoffs, and the upending of international policy, and all of that in just the last few days. Major Garrett discusses some of the biggest actions from the Trump administration, and what they could mean moving forward. Be the first to know Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not Now Turn On Source link #headlines #Trumps #weeks #office Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Melo, Howard, S. Bird headline finalists for HOF – ESPN Melo, Howard, S. Bird headline finalists for HOF – ESPN Melo, Howard, S. Bird headline finalists for HOF ESPNNaismith Basketball Hall of Fame announces 2025 finalists NBA.ComIt’s about damn time that Marques Johnson makes the Hall of Fame Brew HoopsAnd-Ones: Hall Of Fame, Cap Projections, Cassell, Season Grades hoopsrumors.comNaismith Hall of Fame finalists for Class of 2025 highlighted by Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard, Sue Bird Yahoo Sports Source link #Melo #Howard #Bird #headline #finalists #HOF #ESPN Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

India anger as judge frees man accused of raping wife who then died India anger as judge frees man accused of raping wife who then died Getty Images India is among a few dozen countries that do not recognise marital ***** Warning: This report contains some disturbing details An Indian court’s ruling that a man’s forced “unnatural sex” with his wife is not an offence has led to huge outrage and sparked renewed calls for better protections for married women. The controversial order has also brought back into the spotlight the issue of marital ***** in a country which has stubbornly refused to criminalise it. Earlier this week, a high court judge in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh set free a 40-year-old man who was convicted by a trial court in 2019 of ***** and unnatural sex with his wife, who died within hours of the alleged assault. The lower court had also found the man guilty of “culpable ********* not amounting to *******”. He was sentenced to “rigorous imprisonment for 10 years” on each count, with all the sentences to run concurrently. But on Monday, the High Court’s Justice Narendra Kumar Vyas acquitted the man of all charges, saying that since India did not recognise marital *****, the husband could not be considered guilty of non-consensual sex or any non-consensual unnatural ******* act. The judgement has been met with anger, as activists, lawyers and campaigners renew their calls to criminalise marital ***** in India. “To watch this man walk away is unacceptable. This judgement may be correct legally, but it is ethically and morally abhorrent,” said lawyer and gender rights activist Sukriti Chauhan. “An order that absolves a man of such a crime, to say it’s not a crime, is the darkest hour in our legal system,” she told the BBC. “It has shaken us to the core. This needs to change and change quickly.” Getty Images Violence against women is rampant in India Priyanka Shukla, a lawyer in Chhattisgarh, said a judgement like this “sends out the message that because you’re the husband, you have rights. And you can do anything, you can even get away with *******”. She added that this is not the first time a court has given such a judgement, and there is always anger. “This time, the outrage is more because it is so gruesome and the woman died.” The court documents make for grim reading. According to the prosecution, the incident took place on the night of 11 December 2017, when the husband, who worked as a driver, “committed unnatural sex with the victim against her will… causing her a lot of pain”. After he left for work, she sought help from his sister and another relative, who took her to hospital where she died a few hours later. In her statement to the police and her dying declaration to a magistrate, the woman said she became ill “due to forceful ******* intercourse by her husband”. A dying declaration carries weight in court and legal experts say it is generally enough for conviction, unless contradicted by other evidence. While convicting the man in 2019, the trial court had relied heavily on her dying declaration and the post-mortem report, which stated “the cause of death was peritonitis and rectal perforation” – simply put, severe injuries to her abdomen and *******. Justice Vyas, however, saw matters differently – he questioned the “sanctity” of the dying statement, noted that some of the witnesses had retracted their statements and, most importantly, said that marital ***** was not an offence in India. Getty Images A number of petitions have been filed in recent years seeking to criminalise marital ***** The lower court’s conviction was “a rarest of rare case”, Ms Shukla said, “probably because the woman died”. “But what is shocking about the high court order is that there’s not even one sympathetic comment from the judge.” Considering the nature of the assault, the high court’s order has come as a shock for many, who believe the judge should not have dismissed the case so lightly. India is among more than 30 countries – along with Pakistan, Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia – where marital ***** is not a criminal offence. A number of petitions have been filed in recent years seeking to strike down Section 375 of the Indian Penal Code, which has been in existence since 1860. The British colonial-era law mentions several “exemptions” – or situations in which sex is not ***** – and one of them is “by a man with his own wife” if she is not under 15 years. Britain outlawed marital ***** in 1991 but India, which recently rewrote its criminal code, retained the regressive law in its new statute book. The idea is rooted in the belief that consent for sex is “implied” in marriage and that a wife cannot retract it later. Campaigners say such an argument is untenable in this day and age, and that forced sex is *****, regardless of who does it. But in a country where marriage and family are considered sacrosanct, the issue has polarised opinions and there’s strong resistance to the idea of criminalising marital *****. The Indian government, religious leaders and men’s rights activists have strongly opposed the move. In October last year, the government told the Supreme Court that criminalisation of marital ***** would be “excessively harsh”. The federal home ministry said it “may lead to serious disturbances in the institution of marriage”. Authorities also insist that there are enough laws to protect married women against ******* violence. But campaigners say India cannot hide behind archaic laws to deny women bodily agency. Getty Images “A lot of people say the constitution cannot enter your bedroom,” Ms Chauhan said. “But doesn’t it grant women – like all citizens – fundamental rights to safety and security? What kind of redundant country do we live in that we remain quiet when a woman has to face this level of violence?” she asks. Violence within marriage is rampant in India. According to a recent government survey, 32% of married women face physical, ******* or emotional violence by their husbands and 82% have experienced ******* violence by their husbands. And even that doesn’t give the true scale of the problem, Ms Shukla said, because a majority of women do not report violence, especially ******* violence, out of shame. “In my experience, women are not trusted when they complain, everyone says it must be fake. The only time such cases are taken seriously is when a woman dies or the assault is particularly gruesome,” the lawyer said. Ms Chauhan believes nothing will change until the law changes. “We need to criminalise marital *****. The wife not getting justice after such a gruesome incident deserves a nationwide campaign, which is not born of anger but is serious [and] well thought out.” She added that the government and men’s activists try to project it as a “man versus woman debate”. “But the demand for criminalising marital ***** is not against men, but for the safety and wellbeing of women. Is it not important to ensure women’s safety?” Source link #India #anger #judge #frees #man #accused #raping #wife #died Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Dumberning ******: Man dies after car rolls off Williams-Kondinin Road Dumberning ******: Man dies after car rolls off Williams-Kondinin Road The man was rushed to hospital where he was later declared dead. Source link #Dumberning #****** #Man #dies #car #rolls #WilliamsKondinin #Road Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

How much snow? Southeast Michigan to see up to 10 inches over two days How much snow? Southeast Michigan to see up to 10 inches over two days The Brief Snow starts Saturday morning around 2 a.m. and will be heaviest for both days in the mornings. Each day, it will taper off around noon but Sunday will deliver most of the snow. By the time the weekend is over, we’re looking at between 5 and 10 inches of snow on the ground. DETROIT (FOX 2) – The Wednesday snowstorm is in the past, but another blast of flakes is about to stack up outside, with half of a foot of snow expected for a large portion of Metro Detroit. While Friday started with bright blue skies and the lingering snow from Wednesday still around, the clouds are pushing in and that means snow is coming back. By the numbers 5 to 10 inches of snow. That’s not a typo. Starting Saturday morning until Sunday night, it’s going to snow off-and-on as another band of winter weather moves in. As the freeze line stays to the south of Metro Detroit, the system will move northeast over Lake Erie, bringing a lot of snow to Metro Detroit. Got outdoor weekend plans? You’ll want to make sure you’re tracking the weather on the go with the FOX 2 Weather app. Timeline When you wake up tomorrow morning, you’ll see an inch or two on the ground. We understand. That’s February in Michigan. But the snow is going to be off and on for the next two days. Between 2 a.m. and noon on Saturday, we expect to see between 1 and 3 inches of snow, with another inch to follow in the afternoon. This will be a GREAT time to clear that first layer off. Sunday will be a virtual repeat of Saturday, but heavier. We expect heavy snow to start in the morning with 3 to 6 inches of snow falling on Sunday. That brings our grand total to between 5 and 10 inches of snow, with heavier amounts farther north in Flint, Lapeer, and Port Huron. Hopefully, you shoveled that first time and Sunday clearing will be easier. Trust us, you don’t want to clear 48 hours of snow on Sunday night. Big picture view The way the snowstorm is tracking, people who live south of 8 Mile are more like to see less snow, we’re talking a between 1-3 for the weekend. Meanwhile, people north of 8 Mile are more likely to get the heavier snow. For people farther south, the freeze line could track over Monroe County, meaning a sleet mix is more likely. What’s next With a fresh layer of snow on the ground, bundle up. Temperatures are about to plummet into the single digits with wind chills at 10 below. The Source FOX 2 Meteorologist Derek Kevra. Source link #snow #Southeast #Michigan #inches #days Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Two New Vinland Saga Manga Deluxe Editions Are Releasing This Year Two New Vinland Saga Manga Deluxe Editions Are Releasing This Year Manga publisher Kodansha is launching the next entries in the Vinland Saga: Deluxe Edition manga series with Deluxe Edition 7 and Deluxe Edition 8 later this year. Vinland Saga: Deluxe Edition 7 is currently scheduled to arrive on May 6 and is priced at $49.50, while Vinland Saga: Deluxe Edition 8 will land on August 5 and is priced at $55. Preorders for both releases are now available at Amazon. $49.50 (was $55) | Releases May 6 Like the previous releases, Vinland Saga Deluxe Edition 7 and Deluxe Edition 8 are oversized 7 x 10″ format books. Both volumes are roughly 600 pages long and include several exclusive sketches and drafts from illustrator Makoto Yukimura that you won’t find in the other manga editions. Vinland Saga: Deluxe Edition 7 covers volumes 19-21 of the original manga and features a dark green leather-patterned cover with stamped Norse runes. Preorders are discounted to $49.40 at Amazon (normally $55) ahead of its May 6 release date. $55 | Releases August 5 Vinland Saga: Deluxe Edition 8 contains volumes 22-24 and launches on August 5. In the manga source material, these are the volumes that wrapped up the Eastern Expedition arc and saw the start of the Vinland story arc. While the final cover art has not been revealed, we assume it will match the style of the other Deluxe Editions with its own unique color. Preorders are available for $55 at Amazon. Vinland Saga is a critically acclaimed manga series that started back in 2005. The series initially covered the journey of Thorfinn, a young warrior who had joined up with a band of mercenaries so that he could get revenge on its leader, Askeladd, for the death of his father. While these early storylines were action-heavy tales of intrigue and war, Vinland Saga would evolve and use these bloody tales to ask questions about the nature of conflict, revenge, and finding a better way to solve problems, particularly in the Slave arc. The storytelling has been widely praised over the years, but its historical attention to detail and Makoto’s incredible artwork have also been big draws. If you’d like to read it for yourself, the other hardcover Deluxe Editions are discounted at Amazon. Vinland Saga Deluxe Edition Manga Collections Like many other beloved manga series, Vinland Saga also received an anime adaptation, and it’s another great way to experience the sprawling epic. The anime has received two seasons so far, with different studios handling animation duties. Wit Studio handled season one, while Attack on Titan Studio MAPPA produced season two. You can pick up Vinland Saga Season One for 67.49 at Crunchyroll (was $90), while Season Two is split into two parts, with Season Two Part One available for $53.30 and Season Two Part Two for $52.50 (down from $70 each) at Amazon. Vinland Saga Anime Blu-Rays Source link #Vinland #Saga #Manga #Deluxe #Editions #Releasing #Year Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Analyzing Vance's critical remarks about free speech, immigration in Europe – Yahoo Analyzing Vance's critical remarks about free speech, immigration in Europe – Yahoo Analyzing Vance’s critical remarks about free speech, immigration in Europe YahooUS Vice President JD Vance meets ******* far-right leader as he criticizes ‘firewalls’ in Europe The Associated PressVance jokes about Greta Thunberg as he goes scorched earth on European censorship Fox NewsJD Vance slams European allies, downplays Russia, China threats in fiery speech, stuns audience Hindustan Times Source link #Analyzing #Vance039s #critical #remarks #free #speech #immigration #Europe #Yahoo Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Couples say We Still Do at Coventry Cathedral Couples say We Still Do at Coventry Cathedral Dozens of people confirmed their love for each other on a special Valentine’s Day event at a city cathedral. Organised by BBC CWR, the We Still Do celebration saw 80 couples fill Coventry Cathedral with family and friends to renew their commitment to each other. Some turned up in their original wedding outfits, several now had children in tow – and one couple even brought their beloved dog with them. Guests were also treated to a surprise appearance from pop star Pixie Lott as well as a reading from actor Yasmin Wilde – with the event streamed live on the BBC iPlayer. As part of the ceremony, the couples were invited to say these words: Today, I choose you again, as I did then, as I will always. I promise to keep building with you, to listen, to laugh, to stand beside you. To honour the love we have made, to cherish the life we are creating. Time may leave its marks upon us, but it cannot wear away the truth: You are my beloved, my partner, my gift. And with all that I am, I promise— again and always—to be yours. Source link #Couples #Coventry #Cathedral Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Tropical Cyclone Zelia brought record rain for weather stations across state Tropical Cyclone Zelia brought record rain for weather stations across state Ex-tropical Cyclone Zelia has brought record rainfall to a “typically” dry region and leaves an aftermath of heavy rainfall, winds and flash flooding. Source link #Tropical #Cyclone #Zelia #brought #record #rain #weather #stations #state Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Walmart earnings, Fed minutes, housing data: What to Watch Walmart earnings, Fed minutes, housing data: What to Watch The stock market (^DJI, ^IXIC, ^GSPC) will be closed this Monday in honor of Presidents’ Day. A slew of companies are scheduled to report their quarterly earnings results throughout next week, including Etsy (ETSY), Toast (TOST), Walmart (WMT), Alibaba (BABA), Rivian (RIVN), and Booking Holdings (BKNG). Various Federal Reserve officials will be releasing their latest economic commentary along with the minutes of the central bank’s January FOMC meeting. Lastly, the latest readings on home builder confidence, US housing starts and building permits, and existing home sales are due out. To watch more expert insights and analysis on the latest market action, check out more Market Domination Overtime here. This post was written by Luke Carberry Mogan. Source link #Walmart #earnings #Fed #minutes #housing #data #Watch Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

DR Congo conflict: M23 rebels enter second major city Bukavu – BBC.com DR Congo conflict: M23 rebels enter second major city Bukavu – BBC.com DR Congo conflict: M23 rebels enter second major city Bukavu BBC.comRwandan-backed M23 rebels enter Bukavu in eastern DRC The GuardianCongolese church leaders meet Rwanda-backed rebels in the east in latest push for peace The Associated PressHumanitarian catastrophe looms in east Congo as rebels push south, official says ReutersDR Congo’s M23 fighters seize Bukavu airport before African Union summit Al Jazeera English Source link #Congo #conflict #M23 #rebels #enter #major #city #Bukavu #BBC.com Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

NHS to expand opt-out **** and hepatitis testing NHS to expand opt-out **** and hepatitis testing Jack Fenwick Political reporter PA Media The NHS will automatically test patients for ****, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C unless they opt out at almost 90 Accident and Emergency (A&E) units in England, the BBC can reveal. The government is rolling out a £27m expansion of the scheme to 30 new hospitals, saying it could lead to an extra 1,900 people receiving earlier care for **** each year. NHS England data showed a 40% rise in the detection of blood-borne infections after the last Conservative government began piloting the scheme in November 2023. NHS chief executive Amanda Pritchard said the “expansion of this revolutionary opt-out testing” will lead to the early detection of “thousands more cases of **** and Hepatitis B and C”. The announcement means the scheme will be available in nearly all areas of England. It is designed to catch cases of blood-borne viruses in people who would not usually get tested at a ******* health clinic. NHS England data shows opt-out testing has caught 7,300 cases of newly-diagnosed blood-borne viruses, including more than 1,000 cases of ****, 4,600 of Hepatitis B and 1,600 of Hepatitis C. Previously expanding the scheme to 59 hospitals led to a 43% surge in detected infections over 10 months compared to the same time ******* two years earlier. **** stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus – the immunodeficiency is the weakening of the immune system by the virus. If untreated, it can lead to late-stage **** or Aids, the name for a collection of illnesses caused by the virus. Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C cause inflammation of the liver and come from viral infections, according to the NHS. Both can be contracted through blood-to-blood contact with an infected person. Opt-out testing for blood-borne viruses has been seen by health officials and ministers as a resounding success for the NHS, which has not yet released the names of the latest hospitals added to the scheme. The BBC understands health leaders hope to expand opt-out testing to detect more diseases in the future. ‘I wouldn’t have survived’ Sean Connaughton, from London, told the BBC he would “have been dead” had it not been for the opt-out testing. He is one of the hundreds of people to discover they were living with **** after being diagnosed through the scheme. He attended hospital in October 2023 after suffering from seizures and losing 20kg (44lbs) through repeated sickness. Sean Connaughton said he would not have been tested without the opt-out scheme “Unless I had gone to A&E and I had done that test, my diagnosis would never have been known,” Mr Connaughton said. Without a diagnosis, doctors told him “some of the other infections I had would have gone into my spine and into my brain”, he told the BBC. “Two days prior to being admitted, I’d had a seizure in the bathroom and smashed my head into the basin and passed out, so the body was already breaking at that point. “I wouldn’t have survived, I don’t think, another couple of weeks, if I hadn’t been tested.” Richard Angell, the chief executive of ******* health charity the Terrence Higgins Trust, said opt-out testing was a “win-win for everyone”. “The benefit of opt-out testing is that you can get a test to people that would otherwise never come forward for a **** test,” Mr Angell said. He added “that means a transformation for the individual” who can begin to take medication, which “means the virus is no longer attacking their immune system and they can’t pass it on if they’re having sex or having a baby”. Mr Angell said early testing also makes “good money sense for the NHS” as it allows early treatment, which stops **** progressing, preventing severe illness, emergency visits and more costly treatments. The testing forms part of a pledge by Sir Keir Starmer to eliminate new transmissions of **** by 2030. Earlier this week, Sir Keir became the first sitting prime minister to publicly take an **** test. Source link #NHS #expand #optout #**** #hepatitis #testing Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Behind the scenes battle unfolds in Justice Department over Eric Adams case Behind the scenes battle unfolds in Justice Department over Eric Adams case Behind the scenes battle unfolds in Justice Department over Eric Adams case – CBS News Watch CBS News The aftershocks of the corruption case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams might be more powerful than the initial earthquake itself. Acting Deputy Attorney General Emile Bove instructed federal prosecutors to dismiss the case against Adams, and one after another, prosecutors have resigned in protest. Scott MacFarlane has the latest. Be the first to know Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not Now Turn On Source link #scenes #battle #unfolds #Justice #Department #Eric #Adams #case Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Life and beauty beyond the Sacre-Coeur Life and beauty beyond the Sacre-Coeur It’s one of those fabulous wintry mornings you get in Paris. It’s cold — close to zero degrees — but the sky is so wonderfully blue you’ll be OK with that. Put on your big coat, hat, gloves and you’re away, out of your hotel, ready to savour one of the world’s most beautiful cities in one of its best lights. On days like this, there are so many places you’ll be tempted to go and snap Parisian landmarks against a perfect, cloudless backdrop. Moi? I often find myself gravitating towards Montmartre, the artsy old village capped by the Sacre-Coeur basilica. There’s something very special about walking to Square Louise Michel — just up from the Anvers Metro stop — and glancing up at the hilltop basilica, its white dome towers gleaming against the brilliant azure sky. Camera IconThe Sacre-Coeur basilica on a crisp winter’s morning. Credit: Steve McKenna/ And any feelings of being cold usually dissipate as I march up the 200 or so steps flanking the terraced gardens linking the square with the Sacre-Coeur (you can also walk up a sloped path or hop on a funicular for 90 seconds). Now, admittedly, when I reach the top, I tend not to hang around. It’s normally just too busy, especially on a sunny day. The terrace at the front of the basilica is routinely clogged with crowds taking selfies with — and snaps of — the sweeping Parisian panorama, the city’s sprawling skyline bleached by the sluggishly ascending morning sun. There’s also usually a lengthy ****** to enter the basilica, while around the corner, past the organ grinders and busking guitarists, there’s another tourist magnet, Place du Tertre, where painters have long gathered with their easels and canvases. Bars and eateries fringe this square, most with outdoor seating. Today ruddy-cheeked tourists are huddling at tables, sipping coffee, smoking, and generally looking quite chilly. They’re in the shade thanks to that low-hanging winter sun. Leaving the square behind, I wander the narrow, neighbouring, medieval cobbled lanes, passing low-rise ivy-clad buildings, bohemian bars, studios and other rustic old haunts of Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali and Pierre-Auguste Renoir. Camera IconThere’s a still a rustic village-like charm to the backstreets behind the Sacre-Coeur basilica. Credit: Steve McKenna/ They were among the artists who hung out in Montmartre during the Belle Epoque *******, when the Sacre-Coeur was being constructed between 1875 and 1919. I pass by the colourful Au Lapin Agile, billed as Paris’ oldest cabaret club, first opened in 1860, when Montmartre was officially absorbed into the city. Close by, on Rue de l’Abreuvoir, there’s La Maison Rose, a pink-hued, green-shuttered restaurant previously frequented by Picasso, Dali and Dalida, a French-Italian singer and actress who lived locally. She’s immortalised in a bust that was unveiled in 1997 — a decade after her death — further down this sloping street. Camera IconA bust of the Italian-French singer Dalida in the Montmartre district. Credit: Steve McKenna/ Behind Place Dalida is one of several flights of steps that connect Montmartre to a strikingly different pocket of Paris, where there’s more room to breathe and locals far outnumber tourists. I see an elderly man in a flat cap carrying a baguette and another flicking through his mobile phone outside a fruit and vegetable stall. Often known as the Jules Joffrin district, close to Paris’ northern limits, Clignancourt is still part of the same (18th) arrondissement — turn around and you’ll see the top of Sacre-Coeur looming above — but it feels much further away. This is ungentrified, unpolished Paris. Side roads, boulevards and little squares are lined with medium-rise apartments, many at street level, that contain grocery and electronics stores, laundrettes, fishmongers, pharmacies, boulangeries, patisseries, fromageries, barbers, and copious places in which to sit down, eat, drink, linger, and watch Paris — and the Parisians — go by. On the terrace of one cafe, a man, with his dog, is doing the crossword. On the next table, a woman is leafing through a paperback novel. I pass old-school bistros, grungy co-working hubs, hole-in-the-wall bars and sleek and shiny brunch spots before ducking inside Dose, a little coffee roastery that provides a nice warm refuge and a caffeine-fired spring in my step. Camera IconA flat white at Dose, Paris. Credit: Steve McKenna/ A few minutes on foot from here is the heart of this enclave, a square wedged between the neoclassical mairie (town hall) of the 18th arrondissement and the Eglise Notre-Dame de Clignancourt, whose bells are sounding for noon as I walk towards it. The church’s cornerstone was laid by none other than Baron Haussmann, the urban planner who drove the dramatic expansion and renewal of Paris in the 1860s. Below the square, meanwhile, is a Metro station named in honour of a lesser-known, but significant late 19th-century figure, Jules Joffrin. He was a war veteran who was involved in the Paris Commune, a left-leaning crew of revolutionaries that briefly seized power in the city in 1871. Later exiled to England, Joffrin returned to his homeland to resume his political career, but died, aged 44, in Paris in 1890. I briefly ponder going underground and boarding a train. Jules Joffrin is on Line 12, a short ride from the likes of Abbesses and Pigalle, on the south side of the Montmartre hill, and a little further away (15 minutes), Concorde, a stop between the Champs-Elysees and the Jardin des Tuileries, and the gateway to numerous other Parisian sights and streets. But, as I often do in the French capital, I decide to just keep on walking, confident there’ll be something else of interest and intrigue around the next corner. Camera IconThe attractive town hall of the 18th arrondissement of Paris. Credit: Steve McKenna/ fact file + For more information on visiting Paris, see parisjetaime.com Camera IconThe Sacre-Coeur basilica on a crisp winter’s morning. Credit: Steve McKenna/ Camera IconFlights of steps connect the hilltop Montmartre district with Clignancourt below. Credit: Steve McKenna/ Camera IconThe Sacre-Coeur area. Credit: Steve McKenna/ Camera IconThere’s a still a rustic village-like charm to the backstreets behind the Sacre-Coeur basilica. Credit: Steve McKenna/ Camera IconThere’s a still a rustic village-like charm to the Sacre-Coeur area. Credit: Steve McKenna/ Camera IconA bust of the Italian-French singer Dalida in the Montmartre district. Credit: Steve McKenna/ Source link #Life #beauty #SacreCoeur Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]