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Victim of neo-Nazi MI5 agent wants public apology from Security Service Victim of neo-Nazi MI5 agent wants public apology from Security Service Daniel De Simone BBC investigations correspondent BBC Beth, pictured in a blurred silhouette against a high window, looking out onto tall buildings stretching into the distance on an overcast day The woman at the centre of a case in which MI5 has admitted giving false evidence to three courts says she wants the service to give her a public apology. Beth was attacked with a machete by her former partner, a neo-Nazi misogynist who used his MI5 role to coercively control her. We revealed on Wednesday that MI5 gave false evidence to three courts over its handling of the man – a paid informant known only as agent X. MI5 has now issued an “unreserved apology” describing what happened as a “serious error” – adding it took full responsibility. But speaking for the first time since then, Beth – not her real name – says: “Where’s my apology?” She believes she only matters to MI5 because she is “kicking up a fuss” by taking a legal case against the service and “throwing a spotlight on the way that they behave”. “But otherwise, if I were to just go quietly away, they’d never think about me again,” she told the BBC. Beth’s legal case claims MI5 breached her human rights by failing to protect her from agent X. She is pursuing a formal complaint at an independent court, called the Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT). Judges ruled much of the case should be held in secret after MI5 said it does not confirm agent identities – under a principle known as neither confirm nor deny (NCND) – and had not done so with X. Secret IPT sessions would be closed to Beth and her lawyers, and therefore prevent her from knowing what MI5 says in response to her claim. “It felt completely offensive to be told that my case would have to be held in private and that I wouldn’t be privy to any of the information because that’s how they operated, as if they’re allowed some special licence to completely breach my human rights.” However, I revealed on Wednesday that I had been told by a senior MI5 officer that X was an agent. The disclosure happened when MI5 contacted me to try to stop a BBC story about his extremism. The IPT was one of the three courts to which MI5 gave false evidence, including by stating it had never confirmed X’s agent status to me. MI5 first lied in 2022, when the government took me and the BBC to court in an attempt to block us reporting on agent X’s wrongdoing – and succeeded in banning us from identifying him. Beth says the false evidence “proves what MI5 are capable of”. “[It] feels like all my worst suspicions have been confirmed,” she adds. “Everything that I was told by X about them, at the time we were together, has actually been proven to be the case – that they are unscrupulous people who will stop at nothing to achieve what they want.” X physically and ********* abused Beth, attacking her with a machete Beth met agent X – a foreign national – on a dating site. But, over time, he became physically, mentally and ********* abusive. After attacking Beth with a machete, in a case that was dropped by prosecutors after police failed to obtain the video of the attack, X left the *** while under police investigation and began work for a foreign intelligence agency. “What concerns me so much is that, as far as we know, he is a free man,” says Beth. “I don’t want other women to have to put up with things like this. It’s disgusting.” She believes MI5 has a particular type of power that enables it to avoid transparency like other organisations. MI5 says it is conducting an internal investigation into the false evidence, which may result in disciplinary action. The senior MI5 corporate witness who gave false evidence says he thought he was telling the truth. The Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, has also announced an independent external review of how MI5 gave false evidence. It is being conducted by Sir Jonathan Jones KC, former head of the government’s legal service. ‘I’ve lost years of my life’ Beth’s case will now head back to the specialist IPT court, which will reconsider the decision to rule that MI5 can refuse to confirm that X was an agent and therefore keep evidence secret from her. Until this is decided, the full case will not be heard. When I was first in contact with Beth, she had recently suffered a breakdown because of X’s behaviour towards her. She has come a long way in the years since. The legal process is re-traumatising but necessary, Beth says. “I’ve already lost years of my life to X and his abuse – there seems to be no end to it. “But it seems like it’s the only way that I might, potentially, get some sort of reasonable justice.” When asked about the wider implication of her case, Beth says it is “really important”. She says there is “so much violence carried out on women by men,” adding, “whatever we can do as a society against it needs to be done”. “I am one of the lucky ones because I’ve been able to speak about it and I’ve been listened to and so many don’t get listened to.” If you have information about this story or a similar one that you would like to share with the BBC News Investigations team please get in touch. Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can contact us in the following ways: Email: [email protected].*** Signal: +447811921399 Click here to learn how to use SecureDrop, an anonymous whistleblowing tool that works only in the Tor browser and follow the advice to stay secure. Source link #Victim #neoNazi #MI5 #agent #public #apology #Security #Service Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘It’s hard to survive’: why *** private hire drivers are striking on Valentine’s Day | Gig economy ‘It’s hard to survive’: why *** private hire drivers are striking on Valentine’s Day | Gig economy When Simon Waite began working as a private hire driver in 2017, it gave him the flexibility and income to spend time with his children, then aged five, 12 and 18. “One of the reasons I loved Uber was because I could now go to the school plays, my son’s football, I could earn my money around life,” he says. But over the past few years, Waite, a 41-year-old in Hertfordshire, says he has to spend dramatically more time on the road to earn a living. To make £1,000 a week a couple of years ago it took about 50 hours, he says, whereas now it’s about 70 hours – with most drivers needing to pay insurance, tax, vehicle fees and upkeep, fuel, licenses, rent, bills and living costs. Waite claims that, after the supreme court classed Uber drivers as entitled to workers’ rights such as holiday and sick pay in 2021, the company has reduced fares for drivers to make up the cost. To contest his working conditions, Waite will not be working for private hire driving apps between 4pm and 10pm on Valentine’s Day. He’s taking part in a log-off action against Uber, Bolt and Addison Lee, withdrawing his labour alongside thousands of others to demand better pay, rights and safety measures. Friday’s action has been organised by drivers for the three companies and is supported by the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB). “Drivers report that their conditions have only worsened following the [2021] ruling, since Uber responded to the forced introduction of rights by cutting its rates,” the IWGB says. About 200 drivers from cities across the country got in touch with the Guardian to share their views on the action. Waite, who is also signed up with Bolt, says Uber is a fantastic app which has “done so many amazing things for how people get around”. But he says declining pay has “reached a point where I can’t do it”. He’s considering leaving the job. The Valentine’s Day action will be “about raising awareness amongst drivers [and] building that momentum”, Waite says. “We power Uber, we power this system. If we’re united, we can actually make a change.” Another driver who plans to log off on Friday is Isaac Mohammed, 30, a part-time driver in Cardiff since 2016. Isaac Mohammed, 30, says the rate for fares can drop as low as £1 a mile. Photograph: Isaac Mohammed/Guardian Community “Uber used to be the best ride-sharing app, but over the past two years, things have changed drastically,” Mohammed says, adding that for some rides the rate can be less than £1 a mile – including holiday pay – whereas previously it was often £3 a mile. “Nowadays, having a takeaway for me is seen as a luxury,” he says. “It’s very hard to survive, unless you’re living in your car.” A core issue for Mohammed is what counts as working time. Uber calculates it from when a ride is accepted until the passenger exits, but he says this doesn’t account for time waiting for rides – which means the pay is effectively lower. Also taking part is Kieran Airey, a 36-year-old in Merseyside, who drives for Uber and a local private hire firm. He says he noticed in early 2024 it was taking longer to hit his target of £200 a day. That meant working around 55 to 60 hours a week, up from 45 hours. “At one point, I was working basically seven days a week,” he says. ‘I just want fair pay for fair work,’ says Kieran Airey, 36. Photograph: Kieran Airey/Guardian Community He found it harder to take his 14-year-old son to football, ate processed, microwavable meals rather than home-cooked dinners because of his increased fatigue and had to take weekend naps, so “I had enough energy to work that following night”. Airey says he’s frustrated by a lack of transparency about algorithms and payment structures. “I just want fair pay for fair work,” he says. Uber denies claims drivers are unfairly paid. “Uber provides a national living wage guarantee to all drivers, topping up their earnings if they ever fall below that level, although most drivers can and do earn much more,” a spokesperson said. “All drivers are also paid holiday pay weekly as cash, which represents an additional 12% of their earnings paid out weekly,” drivers have “the freedom to work where and when they want” and “industry-leading rights”. An Addison Lee spokesperson said the company had “a close working relationship with our drivers” and does “not expect to see any disruption to volumes or service levels” on Friday. Bolt was contacted for comment. Gavin, a 45-year-old driver for Uber and Bolt in Birmingham, says he sympathises with some concerns, but is not taking part in the action. “I really have to be grateful for Uber giving me this opportunity to earn a living being a private hire driver,” he says, adding that he enjoys the freedom of setting his own schedule – around children aged 17, 19 and 24 – and earns more than his previous job. But 54-year-old Martin Hayward in Southampton, a private hire driver for 20 years, is taking part and says the log-off action doesn’t go far enough to have an impact. “I’d happily log off for a week,” he says. ‘I work seven days a week for less than £500,’ says Martin Hayward. Photograph: Martin Hayward/Guardian Community He claims he could make around £750-a-week before October last year, but now gets about £450 for the same hours. “I work seven days a week for less than £500. I don’t have any social life,” he says. “The worst thing about being a driver is that you’re constantly taking people places where they’re going to have a nice time – the theatre, or on holiday, or on a trip, or a cruise. You’re just thinking … I can’t do any of these things. “It just floors you.” Source link #hard #survive #private #hire #drivers #striking #Valentines #Day #Gig #economy Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

These markings may look like an art installation, but they’re for road safety These markings may look like an art installation, but they’re for road safety If you’re driving through Adelaide, chances are you may see these unique, three-dimensional-esque road markings. Known as Dragon Teeth markings, the blue and white triangles might seem like they’re promoting a nearby art installation, however their intention is purely one of road safety. According to South Australia’s Royal Automobile Association (RAA), the markings are designed to “alert drivers of a changing road environment and reduce the speed of traffic”. Similar plain white markings can be found in New South Wales and Victoria ahead of school zones. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. View this post on Instagram A post shared by RAA of SA (@raaofsa) Like the eastern states, South Australia’s Dragon Teeth markings are intended to warn motorists before they drive into an area with a lower speed limit, such as a pedestrian-heavy 40km/h zone. Currently they’re only located on Magill Road in Magill on the east side of Adelaide, as well as along Seaview Road in Henley Beach west of the CBD. While limited to these two locations at the moment, the markings could soon be seen elsewhere, as they’re a part of research headed by the University of Adelaide’s Centre for Automotive Safety Research, and facilitated by the South *********** Department for Infrastructure and Transport. View this post on Instagram A post shared by SA Infrastructure & Transport (@dfit_sa) Source link #markings #art #installation #theyre #road #safety Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

‘We are increasingly confident this is the way things are headed’ ‘We are increasingly confident this is the way things are headed’ It’s snowing less than it used to in Oregon. There’s less rain falling, too. That’s going to be the case for the immediate — and potentially long-term — future, according to the Seventh Oregon Climate Assessment, which was compiled by dozens of scientists who specialize in Oregon’s climate. The report was issued last January after the state of Oregon mandated a climate study in 2007, according to the Idaho Capital Sun. The results paint a picture of a future much drier and less snowy than Oregonians are accustomed to. What’s happening? Simply put, it’s getting warmer in Oregon. The average temperature has risen more than 2 degrees Fahrenheit in the past 100 years. It’s forecast to rise as much as 7.5 degrees in the next 75 years if humanity fails to reduce carbon emissions considerably. While researchers have generally understood the principles behind the greenhouse effect and had data showing the planet was warming, climate modeling has progressed to the point where scientists are predicting more than they’re guessing. “There’s less uncertainty,” Erica Fleishman, director of the Oregon Climate Change Research Institute, told the Capital Sun. “We are increasingly confident this is the way things are headed.” Why is this important? Increased warming means a change in precipitation. It means longer periods of drought, broken up by short, intense rain storms. That sets the stage for flooding and *****-and-bust cycles of precipitation. Watch now: What will it take to mainstream sustainability? It also means more precipitation falls in the form of rain than snow. This is a significant problem as rain runs off to the ocean, where a snowpack acts as a time-released reservoir. In all but six of the past 24 years, annual rainfall has been below average. Snowfall is expected to drop 50% by 2100, according to the Capital Sun. What’s being done to curb rising temperatures? There are ways to slow global warming. Some, such as offshore wind farms, show great potential but require buy-in from local environmental and municipal groups. But there are also ways to lessen carbon in the atmosphere that are well within humanity’s technological and economic grasp. Planting and managing forests is the easiest and least expensive. Trees are incredibly efficient at capturing and storing carbon and require no maintenance or supplied energy. Wouldn’t it be ironic if, after abusing the planet with the burning of fossil fuels, nature itself — the endless forests Oregon is known for — ends up saving us? Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don’t miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Source link #increasingly #confident #headed Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Starting lineup for the 67th Daytona 500 – NBC Sports Starting lineup for the 67th Daytona 500 – NBC Sports Starting lineup for the 67th Daytona 500 NBC SportsDaytona Duel qualifying race 2 results: Austin Cindric declared winner over Jones on last yellow Yahoo SportsWhat channel is Daytona 500 qualifying on today? Time, TV schedule for Daytona Duels Daytona Beach News-JournalWill President Donald Trump visit Daytona 500? What we know for NASCAR season opener USA TODAY Source link #Starting #lineup #67th #Daytona #NBC #Sports Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Cyclone Zelia: Port Hedland spared from destructive core as system makes landfall as a category four Cyclone Zelia: Port Hedland spared from destructive core as system makes landfall as a category four Port Hedland has been spared from the destructive core of Severe Tropical Cyclone Zelia, with the system making landfall as a category four system northeast of the WA town. Cyclone Zelia crossed the coast near De Grey River mouth at 12.30pm on Friday. Very destructive wind gusts of up to 270km/h and intense rainfall are likely close to the centre of the cyclone. The Bureau of Meteorology confirmed the cyclone will “take a general southerly track overland and weaken”. DFES has received 37 calls for assistance in the last two days, with Commissioner Darren Klemm saying the risks will not subside when the cyclone reduces in strength. The DFES boss said it was critical that impacted communities “did not get complacent”, with an emergency warning still in place for Wallal Downs to Whim Creek, including Port Hedland, and extending inland to Marble Bar, Nullagine, Tom Price and Paraburdoo. “The cyclone hazards won’t ease when the cyclone has passed,” he said. “Conditions after a cyclone can be just as dangerous as the cyclone itself, including damaged buildings, fallen power lines and debris.” He said despite the system making landfall weaker than forecast, there was still a chance of deaths. WA Premier Roger Cook said expecting major damage to structures in the cyclone’s path is expected. “This is a really dangerous and big cyclone, and it’s one which is going to threaten the communities right across the Pilbara,” Mr Cook said. “This is a serious storm and it’s one which is going to have a significant impact. “Port Hedland is by and large older architecture. “So it was built to a standard, but to a standard at the time that it was built. And so we’re expecting a certain amount of damage to them to occur as a result of these very high winds.” Source link #Cyclone #Zelia #Port #Hedland #spared #destructive #core #system #landfall #category Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Scientists sound alarm over unexpected vaccine safety issue: ‘Especially problematic’ Scientists sound alarm over unexpected vaccine safety issue: ‘Especially problematic’ Climate change is threatening global health in novel ways. A recent study published in the Nature Climate Change journal found that rising temperatures, humidity, and extreme weather events are undermining vaccine safety, efficacy, and equity, potentially putting millions of lives at risk. What’s happening? According to the study, vaccines used to prevent diseases are becoming less effective as the planet warms. Researchers found that extreme temperatures, humidity, flooding, and drought can alter the stability of vaccines, which obstructs their ability to trigger protective immune responses. Heatwaves are “especially problematic” as they can damage the proteins inside vaccines, Carbon Copy wrote. Extreme cold spells can change their chemical structure, too, and other damage can occur during transport and storage, particularly in regions with fragile healthcare systems. The problem extends beyond the vaccines. Disruptions caused by natural disasters like hurricanes and floods can shut down healthcare facilities, delay vaccination campaigns, and worsen disparities in vaccine access for disadvantaged communities. Why is vaccine efficacy important? Vaccines are key to preventing disease outbreaks and protecting global health. As climate change compromises vaccine effectiveness, the world could see rising cases of vaccine-preventable illnesses like measles and polio. Moreover, marginalized populations, including those in low-income countries and rural areas, may receive less effective protection against disease. Watch now: Scientist responds to claim that volcanoes are responsible for planet’s overheating As of 2019, more than 85 pathogens were linked to 704 million years lost from illness, disability, or early deaths, according to a Lancet study. Climate change-induced damage to vaccines could exacerbate that health toll. Vaccine inefficacy is also tied to broader climate concerns. Increased frequency of extreme weather events jeopardizes the lives of people living in vulnerable areas, potentially overloading fragile public health systems. A lack of intervention could create a dangerous feedback loop, accelerating the speed of disease transmission and worsening vaccine inequities. What’s being done about this? To address the degradation of vaccines, researchers are calling for the development of resilient vaccine infrastructure. Mobile immunization units and improved cold chain systems ensure vaccines are stored at optimal temperatures during transport. Public health experts are also advocating for better emergency preparedness, including rapid vaccine deployment plans during extreme weather events. Vaccine literacy is encouraged. On a systemic level, tackling climate change is crucial to address the root of the problem. Organizations worldwide are working to transition to clean energy, reduce planet-warming emissions, and protect vulnerable communities from climate-fueled impacts such as rising sea levels. By building climate-resilient health systems, the global population can move toward a healthier, more equitable future. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don’t miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Source link #Scientists #sound #alarm #unexpected #vaccine #safety #issue #problematic Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Texas judge fines NY doctor at least $100,000 for prescribing abortion pills – Reuters Texas judge fines NY doctor at least $100,000 for prescribing abortion pills – Reuters Texas judge fines NY doctor at least $100,000 for prescribing abortion pills ReutersTexas Judge Fines New York Doctor and Orders Her to Stop Sending Abortion Pills to Texas The New York TimesTexas judge fines New York doctor for prescribing abortion pills to a woman near Dallas The Associated PressNew York doctor ordered to stop providing abortion pills to Texans The Texas Tribune Source link #Texas #judge #fines #doctor #prescribing #abortion #pills #Reuters Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Homesick Pickett plays straight bat to Fremantle link Homesick Pickett plays straight bat to Fremantle link Kysaiah Pickett says he is loving his time at the Demons, but has spoken openly with coach Simon Goodwin about his homesickness. Source link #Homesick #Pickett #plays #straight #bat #Fremantle #link Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Rare footage of lost anglerfish awes internet, raising questions about ocean conservation Rare footage of lost anglerfish awes internet, raising questions about ocean conservation The latest animal to go viral isn’t a baby hippo or newborn tapir or anything that cute really: it’s a humpback anglerfish (Melanocetus johnsonii) that was spotted in shallow waters off the coast of Spain. If you know anything about this kind of fish besides the fact that it has a lantern on its head, it’s that it doesn’t belong in brightly-lit waters — like blind cave salamanders and earthworms, it is a creature of the deep and dark. But seeing it floundering in a glittering blue void quickly infatuated the internet. Because anglerfish need to stay in deep waters to survive (nearly 5,000 feet or 1,500 meters), it is rare for them to reach the surface unless they are sick. Indeed the anglerfish, famous for its razor sharp teeth and bioluminescent lure used to snag prey, died only a few hours after the scientists spotted it. But it was the only documented time humans have seen this fish in this part of the sea. Captured by the underwater photographer David Jara Boguñá, the fish has since found its way all over Reddit, Bluesky and YouTube, with coverage ranging from CBS News, CNN and Oceanographic Magazine. Now the scientists — who were researching pelagic sharks at the country’s Canary Islands — are going to study the anglerfish’s body, hoping to learn more about its uncharacteristic behavior. Regardless of what they find, experts agree that the anglerfish’s plight is a sign that people should be mindful of the health of our planet’s oceans, which are heating at an unprecedented rate in human history. That begs the question: is the reason this anglerfish was a stranger in a strange land because of climate change? “The deep open ocean is a sensitive environment and changing temperatures would essentially shift the balance of the ecosystem that anglerfishes have adapted to exploit,” Chase Brownstein, a research associate at Yale University’s Ecology and Evolutionary Biology program, told Salon. “Basically, warming oceans are bad for animals for a variety of reasons, mainly because they are used to a certain temperature range and pushing the limits of that range can put species under metabolic or physiological stress.” Even though the anglerfish’s surfacing can raise awareness about ocean pollution, this does not mean we know for sure it did not rise for natural reasons. Ben Frable, the University of California San Diego’s Senior Collection Manager of Marine Vertebrates, said that anglerfish surfacing events are not as uncommon as one might think. “Just off the bat, it is not unheard of to see mesopelagic (200-1,000 m depth) in shallow waters, especially around offshore islands like the Canaries and Hawaii,” Frable said. “Many mesopelagic organisms vertically migrate into shallower water at night to feed in the more productive shallow waters. As far as we know, anglerfish generally do not vertically migrate as adults but this fish could have come shallow for a myriad of reasons.” With that caveat aside, Frable observed a crucial difference between this particular anglerfish and others that surface — it looks sick. “As many folks have commented, this fish doesn’t seem to be in the best shape, so it could be disoriented from entering shallow, well-lit waters or sick or dying,” Frable said. “Another type of anglerfish, the footballfishes, are known from individuals entering shallow water and being found barely alive or dead washed up on beaches.” Rafael Banon Diaz, an ichthyologist at the Universidade De Santiago De Compostela, also told Salon that the individual fish in question is “already dead” and that although not all surfaced anglerfish are sick, “these anomalous records are normally sick specimens.” Want more health and science stories in your inbox? Subscribe to Salon’s weekly newsletter Lab Notes. On a deeper level, Frable is concerned about how factors like pollution and climate change are making the ocean less hospitable to aquatic life. Anglerfish are among the victims, though it’s not clear if that’s 100 percent the case with the viral fish. That’s why research into the deepest, darkest depths of our planet is so important. “The deep ocean is impacted by climate change similar to the shallow ocean — decreasing oxygen, increasing acidity and temperature will all have profound impacts,” Frable said. “However, we are still learning about the implications of this. It impacts circulation and currents, which in turn changes the distribution of food and habitable space for these fish and other organisms.” If these trends continue, humans may someday enter a world where anglerfish do not exist at all. If that happens, scientists like Frable believe it would be a terrible loss. “Anglerfishes are some of the most iconic deep-sea fish and have certainly captivated me (like many others) from an early age,” Frable said. “I have been fortunate enough to work with them in my role as Collection Manager of the Marine Vertebrate Collection here at Scripps Institution of Oceanography (UC San Diego) as this is one of the largest deep-sea fish collections.” Brownstein thinks that, at the very least, the recent video will revive public interest in this unusual creature. “It is very cool to see a new video of this species, though it is clear this anglerfish was on its way out,” Brownstein said. “Pelagic deep sea anglerfishes, including the Melanocetus shown in the video, are really quite an amazing group of organisms notable for their morphological diversity and their odd mode of reproduction, wherein males temporarily attach to females or fuse such that both individuals share a bloodstream!” Source link #Rare #footage #lost #anglerfish #awes #internet #raising #questions #ocean #conservation Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

'Captain America: Brave New World's end-credits scene, explained – Mashable 'Captain America: Brave New World's end-credits scene, explained – Mashable ‘Captain America: Brave New World’s end-credits scene, explained Mashable‘I Think Everyone Knew This Is Probably Not Going to Be a Good Film’ VultureCaptain America Brave New World review: Red Hulk can’t smash away Marvel’s dullness; wake me up when this MCU phase ends Hindustan Times‘Captain America’ is a brave new world of Marvel cinematic gobbledygook The Washington Post‘Captain America: Brave New World’ Is One Of Marvel’s Worst-Reviewed Films Forbes Source link #039Captain #America #Brave #World039s #endcredits #scene #explained #Mashable Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

West Coast Training Notes: More Eagles veterans absent from training West Coast Training Notes: More Eagles veterans absent from training A West Coast veteran missed training on Friday after copping a knock earlier in the week and another star missed for personal reasons. Source link #West #Coast #Training #Notes #Eagles #veterans #absent #training Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

What Is Your Outfit Telling Your Therapist? What Is Your Outfit Telling Your Therapist? Travis Paul Martin is someone who sticks to a uniform: a cashmere sweater and jeans in the winter, or gym shorts and a tee in warmer weather. Mr. Martin, a publicist based in Chicago, wears those same outfits each week when he sets off for his therapy appointments. “It helps me get on that couch to do what I need to do,” said Mr. Martin, 40, who usually pairs his outfits with Birkenstock clogs. “I’m thinking back to stereotypes like Lorraine Bracco in ‘The Sopranos,’ who always dressed up — if I was going to see her, I would never wear gym clothes,” he added. He did not think much about how his looks might play a role in his care until one session, when his therapist pointed out that he was not wearing his favorite Birkenstocks. Therapy may not seem like an occasion that requires putting much thought into an outfit. But as many people have returned to in-person sessions — some after years of remote therapy — they’re finding that it can be tricky to get dressed for appointments. Even if patients do not mean to say anything with their clothes, it may be unavoidable that their unconscious selves are speaking for them. Therapists say they’re paying close attention. Therapy and clothing have an inseparable connection “for both the therapist and the patient,” said Wei Motulsky, a clinical psychologist based in Portland, Ore., who specializes in the care of people of color in the L.G.B.T.Q. communities. “It goes beyond what they are wearing — it’s even their accouterments.” Perhaps in line with Freud’s theory of the repressed, are our anxieties, obsessions and hidden inner selves returning in the form of what we wear to see our mental health counselors? “I had a client who was a very senior lawyer, and she would show up for therapy and work in very traditional Kenyan outfits that, to me, suggested pride in her background,” said Avi Sanders, a clinical psychologist practicing in New York City and New Jersey. Another client wore a lock-style necklace to their sessions together. When Mr. Sanders asked about the jewelry, he learned it represented the client’s participation in the B.D.S.M. community — something the client had not talked about before. Clothing is something he thinks about “every session, unconsciously in the background,” Mr. Sanders said, because of the subtle clues he can pick up about a patient’s identity and psychological state. When Holly Falcone, an editorial nail artist based in Los Angeles, began seeing a new therapist for postpartum depression care, she realized she was worried about being “taken seriously.” She also wanted to hide the dishevelment she felt in her daily life as a new mother. She went out and purchased a capsule wardrobe of new professional clothing — a departure from the colorful, ruffled styles she usually wore. “I wanted to impress her,” Ms. Falcone, 39, said. In the cultural imagination, shows like “The Sopranos” and films like “Girl, Interrupted” and “Good Will Hunting” have played a role in shaping our ideas about what happens on the therapist’s couch — and what people wear to lie down on it. In the second season of “Sex and the City,” Carrie Bradshaw meets with a therapist to work through a difficult breakup with Mr. Big. She turns up to appointments in *********-hour regalia: stiletto sandals; flouncy, floral print dresses; and designer handbags. While visiting her therapist on the Upper East Side of Manhattan to address her own painful breakup, Grace Dougherty, an actress and writer, said she felt like “a lady in a movie doing therapy, this quintessential New York story.” Ms. Dougherty, 28, noticed that what she wore for therapy seemed to track with her healing. Right after she learned from a tabloid article that her former boyfriend, a fashion editor for a men’s magazine, was dating someone new, she “didn’t care to get dressed,” she said. She was also doing remote therapy at the time. Back in person, Ms. Dougherty began to wear clothing she considered more suggestive, like pieces from labels including Blumarine, because she had started dating again. Eventually, she began to introduce vintage designs by Calvin Klein and Sonia Rykiel, because they made her feel more polished. The uptown appointments, she said, gave her “permission to be elegant.” Lily, a law student in Atlanta who declined to share her last name in order to discuss her eating disorder, had a similar realization: The outfits she wore to her sessions reflected the progress of her care. Earlier on in her treatment, she went through a long ******* of wearing loose sweatshirts to therapy. But then at some point, she noticed she was feeling “more confident in my body and wearing more form-fitting things,” she said. That evolution did not go unnoticed: Lily, 35, said her therapist remarked on her switch from clothing that was “unflattering” to silhouettes that showcased her figure. Some psychology professionals say that kind of commentary is to be expected. “The therapist is a projection screen,” said Elinor Bock, the founder and director of Therapists of New York, a practice with locations in Manhattan, Brooklyn and New Jersey. “We want patients to come at their messiest and most pristine — but anything they do with their presentation is a matter of curiosity.” But if what patients wear is up for interpretation along with the rest of their emotional baggage, there’s plenty of room for misunderstanding, too. And for some, a therapist’s interest in clothing can cross a boundary. Isa Toledo, a 34-year-old artist living in Lisbon, broke up with her therapist partly because of a seemingly offhand comment about something she was wearing. One day, she arrived at therapy in a cherished vintage wool coat. Her therapist complimented the garment and asked if she had purchased it at Desigual, a fast-fashion chain. “I was very taken aback,” Ms. Toledo said. “I didn’t want the compliment and was stunned she thought it was Desigual, I’ve never been in their stores.” Ms. Toledo is part of the cohort of people who dress up for sessions. She assembles her therapy looks as if “I have a crush and I am going to run into them. I don’t have a crush on my therapist, but there is something analogous there.” Those outfits, largely composed of what she considers nice pants and shoes, are worn with a singular intent: “To show that I’m in fact a grown up and not a perpetually wounded 2-year-old, which is what it feels like when you are in therapy.” Source link #Outfit #Telling #Therapist Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Hong Kong plans to relieve some but not all worst housing conditions Hong Kong plans to relieve some but not all worst housing conditions Housing is a sensitive issue in Hong Kong, one of the world’s least affordable cities, where the government controls land supply and high property costs are the norm. A new government policy targets subdivided flats aiming to set standards for size and facilities like windows and toilets. Source link #Hong #Kong #plans #relieve #worst #housing #conditions Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Joann Customers React to Store Closings and Bankruptcy Joann Customers React to Store Closings and Bankruptcy Crafters, quilters, knitters and makers across the country received bleak news on Wednesday when they learned that Joann, the arts-and-crafts retail giant, was preparing to close more than half of its stores in the wake of its latest bankruptcy filing — its second in less than a year. Possibly as early as this weekend, pending court approval, the company will begin closing 500 of its roughly 800 stores nationwide. To its loyal customer base, the news represented more than just the decline of a chain that sells yarn, art supplies, sewing machines and fabrics. It also symbolized the demise of a sanctuary for those who find joy in the therapeutic hobby of creation. Jen Clapp, a longtime quilter and former fiber optics salesperson who lives in Northern Kentucky, mourned the expected end of the Joann she had been visiting since she was a girl. Back then, it was known as Jo-Ann Fabrics. “My friends who don’t quilt have been texting me to ask, ‘I just heard what happened — are you OK?’” Ms. Clapp said. “And no, I’m not OK. I’m heartbroken. My grandmother took me to that Joann, and I still go to it. Back then it opened up my world to quilting, seeing a whole wall full of calico cotton, and it’s been my go-to Joann ever since.” “I’ve gone to the smaller boutique stores, and you might get higher-end fabrics at them, but nothing really has the same selection as a Joann,” she added. “What’s happening will hurt the quilting community because those smaller specialty stores are few and far between. You’ve got to travel to get to one, and not everyone can find them. But almost anybody can get to a Joann.” Founded in Cleveland in 1943 by ******* immigrants, the company went on to become a leader in the craft retail sector alongside competitors like Michaels and Hobby Lobby. Joann enjoyed a surge in popularity during the pandemic, when consumers developed a taste for practicing craft hobbies at home. But as that trend faded, the company filed for bankruptcy, for the first time, last March. “This was a very difficult decision to make, given the major impact we know it will have on our team members, our customers and all of the communities we serve,” the company said in a statement about this week’s announcement. “Right-sizing our store footprint is a critical part of our efforts to ensure the best path forward for Joann.” Sally Shore, a fiber artist and longtime member of the Long Island Craft Guild, said she would miss the hands-on feel of visiting her local outlet in Westbury, N.Y., which is also expected to be among the stores that will be closed. “When I need something there, I don’t just buy what I need, I’ll end up going up and down the aisles and get inspired to grab materials off the shelves to make things I’m not shopping for,” she said. “Going online isn’t the same experience. And with yarn, I like to see it, to feel it.” “The problem is that the smaller, independent stores are hard to find,” she added. “You’ve really got to hunt for them. There’s a Michaels not too far from me, so I guess I’ll start shopping there, unless eventually it closes, too.” For some, like Laura Christobek, a knitter and crocheter who lives in Cincinnati, the news felt personal. “From a sentimental point of view, I know the aisles of Joann well,” Ms. Christobek said. “It’s where I’ve gotten what I need to make Halloween costumes for my kids, and I can’t tell you how many baby quilts I’ve made from materials I’ve gotten from there.” “With what’s happening now, I don’t know what my alternative is going to be,” she added. “I haven’t figured that out yet.” Source link #Joann #Customers #React #Store #Closings #Bankruptcy Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Weeks from homecoming, Boeing Starliner astronauts want to set the record straight – CNN Weeks from homecoming, Boeing Starliner astronauts want to set the record straight – CNN Weeks from homecoming, Boeing Starliner astronauts want to set the record straight CNNNASA to bring Boeing astronauts home days earlier than expected after SpaceX capsule switch-up CNNNASA’s 2 stuck astronauts may return to Earth sooner under new plan The Associated PressNASA, SpaceX Update Crew-10 Launch, Crew-9 Return Dates NASA BlogsNASA unveils plans to bring stuck Starliner crew back to Earth next month CBS News Source link #Weeks #homecoming #Boeing #Starliner #astronauts #set #record #straight #CNN Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Teenage Swans forward hit with AFL drugs ban Teenage Swans forward hit with AFL drugs ban Sydney Swans youngster Caiden Cleary is “extremely remorseful” after being suspended for the opening two rounds of the AFL season for conduct unbecoming. Cleary, who has played five senior games, has also been handed a suspended $5000 for an adverse finding under the league’s illicit drugs policy. The penalties relate to an incident in Sydney’s eastern suburbs in December last year, when police caught Cleary trying to buy drugs. The 19-year-old received a criminal infringement notice for possession of an illicit substance and later received a $400 fine, with no criminal conviction recorded. A first-round draft pick in 2023 from the Swans’ academy, Cleary chose not to notify the club at the time. “Cleary is extremely remorseful and has cooperated fully with the AFL investigation,” Sydney said in a club statement. “The club is extremely disappointed and does not condone nor tolerate illicit drug behaviour. “The Sydney Swans will continue to educate our players on the pitfalls of such behaviour.” Cleary will sit out of Sydney’s blockbuster fixtures against Hawthorn and the Brisbane Lions, and is also ineligible to feature in the Swans’ community series fixture. Hawks forward Jack Ginnivan, then with Collingwood, and Carlton’s Elijah Hollands also served two-match drugs bans over the last two seasons. Former Melbourne player Joel Smith, who returned a positive test for ******** in 2023, is banned until 2028 because of five anti-doping rule violations under the *********** Football Anti-Doping Code. “AFL Players are well-educated when it comes to the harms associated with the use of illicit substances, and have a responsibility to themselves, their clubs and their careers to uphold community expectations,” AFL general counsel Stephen Meade said in a statement. Cleary played five matches in his debut season last year, including three as the substitute, but did not feature in the Swans’ finals campaign. Source link #Teenage #Swans #hit #AFL #drugs #ban Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

A disruptive passenger threatened to break a flight attendant’s jaw then yelled in the captain’s face after abusing fellow travelers, FBI says A disruptive passenger threatened to break a flight attendant’s jaw then yelled in the captain’s face after abusing fellow travelers, FBI says Prosecutors say an airline passenger threatened fellow travelers, flight attendants, and the captain. He also mocked Jewish travelers during the flight from Miami to New Jersey, an affidavit says. Luis Vaquero was arrested and charged in a New Jersey court with interfering with a flight crew. An airline passenger has been criminally charged after being accused of threatening the flight’s staff and passengers. Luis Vaquero, 27, was flying from Miami to Newark, New Jersey, on Sunday when he became abusive toward fellow passengers and staff, per the complaint. An FBI special agent’s affidavit says that during the flight, Vaquero was “making threats of physical violence against a disabled minor” and “mocking a group of Jewish passengers.” The affidavit adds that a flight attendant who observed Vaquero’s behavior declined to serve him alcohol after the flight’s beverage service had ended. The affidavit says that Vaquero then told the staff member, “You better watch out, *****’s gonna happen to you.” The affidavit says Vaquero continued to be disruptive throughout the three-hour flight, prompting the crew to ask that law enforcement be present upon arrival. “It all culminated in a terrifying attack and attempted breach of the flight deck when witnesses say he banged on the cockpit door and confronted the pilot,” Terence G. Reilly, the acting head of the FBI’s Newark office said in a press release. After the captain announced over the public address system that a passenger would be removed by law enforcement, Vaquero got up and started ******** on the cockpit door while the plane was taxiing, the affidavit says. “Upon arrival at the gate, the captain emerged from the flight deck, after which Vaquero approached the captain, screaming and threatening him until law enforcement boarded the plane and escorted Vaquero off the plane,” the affidavit says. “While issuing these threats, Vaquero’s face was approximately six inches from the captain’s face.” In videos obtained by law enforcement, Vauqero is also said to have threatened to break a flight attendant’s jaw and used a racial slur. The charge of interfering with a flight crew carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000. “We are committed to keeping the skies safe for flying and will prosecute those who criminally interfere with the professionals responsible for ensuring passenger safety,” said Vikas Khanna, the acting US attorney for New Jersey, in the press release. It is unclear which airline the incident occurred on. American Airlines, United Airlines, and Spirit operate daily flights between Miami and Newark. None of the three airlines immediately responded to requests for comment. Read the original article on Business Insider Source link #disruptive #passenger #threatened #break #flight #attendants #jaw #yelled #captains #face #abusing #fellow #travelers #FBI Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Judge Temporarily Stops Trump’s Plan to End Funds for Trans Youths’ Health Providers – The New York Times Judge Temporarily Stops Trump’s Plan to End Funds for Trans Youths’ Health Providers – The New York Times Judge Temporarily Stops Trump’s Plan to End Funds for Trans Youths’ Health Providers The New York TimesView Full Coverage on Google News Source link #Judge #Temporarily #Stops #Trumps #Plan #Funds #Trans #Youths #Health #Providers #York #Times Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Australia ‘cannot dumb its way to greatness’: Shorten Australia ‘cannot dumb its way to greatness’: Shorten Bill Shorten has taken on the top job at the University of Canberra, acknowledging some jobs will go as part of the institution’s rejuvenation. The former Labor leader and minister was officially initiated as the university’s seventh vice-chancellor in a ceremony in Canberra on Friday. Mr Shorten said its balance sheet had “some problems” it had to face up to, which would involve redundancies. “There are people who work for this university who are losing their jobs, and I’m respectful of that,” he told reporters. “That is not straightforward.” Rejecting the University of Canberra as a “blank canvas” Mr Shorten said while it wouldn’t have to start from scratch, there would be a “rejuvenation”. “The creators and the builders have given us a strong foundation over six decades,” he said. “Recent times have not been easy at the university or indeed throughout higher education.” Calling time on his 17-year political career, Mr Shorten has held the inner-Melbourne seat of Maribyrnong since 2007, but will not recontest the next federal election due by May 17. Asked about a speechwriter hired for $300,000 a year following him to his new role as the university made cuts, he said it was “completely unexceptional”. “It’s within the budget that was allocated, there was no replacing anyone,” he said. Mr Shorten said in his new role he would argue for greater funding for research and development. “This country cannot dumb its way to greatness,” he said. While in a speech during his investiture, he also laid down some rules, saying the university would not tolerate prejudice or hate. “You can debate and have any idea you like, but there is no place for anti-Semitism, racism, homophobia, misogyny,” he said. “We have to nourish our democracy and safeguard our pluralist society.” Source link #Australia #dumb #greatness #Shorten Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

What Will Happen to Your Student Loans if Trump Closes the Department of Education? What Will Happen to Your Student Loans if Trump Closes the Department of Education? Pool/Getty Images The Trump administration has promised to eliminate the Department of Education, shifting more responsibility back to the states. States already have significant control over education — particularly when it comes to setting standards and deciding on curriculum, but eliminating the department would have major repercussions for college students. Stay up-to-date with the politics team. Sign up for the Teen Vogue Take Setting aside the fact that Congress would have to approve the closure, doing so or otherwise dismantling the agency could disrupt programs and protections that millions of students and families rely on, including federal Pell grants for low-income students, other key forms of financial aid, and campus civil rights protections. Students need to recognize this as a direct attack on their future. And these threats extend beyond education. They’re part of Trump’s broader push to undermine public institutions, redirect public funding to private schools that lack accountability, and upend American civil rights and protections. Ever since the Supreme Court handed down its 1954 Brown v. Board of Education decision, certain localities have resisted desegregation. Without strong oversight that federal funds and programs must be implemented legally and equitably, the limited social progress we’ve made could quickly be lost. If the administration moves forward with dismantling the Department of Education, students of all ages could face a more divided, unequal system that restricts opportunities instead of creating them. The civil servants who staff the Department of Education oversee programs that students rely on to pay for college, like Pell Grants, student loans, and work-study programs. The department also provides direct funding to colleges that enroll a high number of low-income students, as well as Historically ****** Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), tribal colleges and universities, and small schools with limited resources. Dismantling the department would put Pell grants and other need-based aid programs at risk, which would disproportionately harm low-income students. In 2021, the Department of Education revived its enforcement office, which protects students who receive federal aid from being subjected to fraud and abuse. Without federal oversight, nefarious parties that stand to profit from the higher education industry, like the for-profit college industry, would operate with fewer consequences, leading to more students being saddled with useless degrees and high debts. Student loan borrowers have already faced mass confusion over the last five years and eliminating the department could exacerbate existing issues. Federal student loan payments were paused to provide relief at the start of the pandemic in 2020, and legal challenges thwarted the Biden administration’s multiple efforts to provide additional debt relief. Conservatives have laid out plans to again privatize the student loan industry through legislation. Abolishing the department and moving student loans elsewhere could throw borrowers’ accounts into further disarray and cause more financial harm. Regardless of where the student loan program ultimately lives, borrowers who count on Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) face an uncertain future. PSLF was dysfunctional for years, but recent improvements were finally moving the program closer to the way Congress intended, which is to provide debt relief to borrowers who work for a certain number of years in public service and make qualifying payments. It is unclear how the Trump administration will handle PSLF, though a plan to eliminate it was outlined in Project 2025. Eliminating PSLF would most severely impact the hopeful students seeking careers in education, health care, and government. PSLF helps students, who might otherwise be deterred because of high student loan debt, to enter these important public service job sectors, allowing these industries to diversify their ranks to include more first-generation graduates. Beyond the massive amount of funding managed by Department of Education employees, they also play a key role in making sure students’ civil rights are respected in places of learning. The department is tasked with investigating complaints of discrimination based on race, color, national origin, disability status, or age, as well as sex-based discrimination and harassment under Title IX. Title IX has been heavily politicized as debates over LGBTQ+ student rights, ******* misconduct policies, and gender equity have led to shifting regulations under different administrations. The Trump administration has signed an executive order banning transgender girls and women from participating in women’s sports and has reinstated rules criticized for making it harder for students to report ******* violence. Title VI, which protects students against discrimination based on race, color, or national origin, has been equally politicized amid debates over race-conscious admissions, campus speech, and discrimination protections. The Trump administration is expected to weaponize Title VI enforcement to suppress certain topics and activities. Indeed, they’ve already begun via executive orders that affect diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Taken together, these orders could reduce students’ protection against all forms of discrimination and harassment. So, who stands to benefit from eliminating the Department of Education? Aside from the bad actors who have always lurked around our public education system hoping to make a profit, anyone who wants higher education to be an exclusive luxury would celebrate this regression. A college degree has long been seen as elitist because of who’s had access from the beginning: white, wealthy families. However, for some people, a degree is necessary for overcoming racist, sexist barriers in the job market. To help more students reach higher education, advocates have chipped away at barriers to access, empowered by federal funding and expertise flowing from the Department of Education. If it is abolished, states with weaker higher education systems could struggle to fill the gaps, leading to a higher risk of disparities and segregation between well-funded and underfunded institutions — and the students who attend them. In short, getting rid of the department could harm many and benefit a few. But for an administration seemingly determined to reverse the social and economic gains made over the past 60 years, maybe that’s the point. Originally Appeared on Teen Vogue Check out more Teen Vogue education coverage: Source link #Happen #Student #Loans #Trump #Closes #Department #Education Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Alex Bregman Contract: New Reported Details Of Major Red Sox Deal – NESN Alex Bregman Contract: New Reported Details Of Major Red Sox Deal – NESN Alex Bregman Contract: New Reported Details Of Major Red Sox Deal NESNSources: Bregman to Red Sox for 3 years, $120M ESPNThree questions for the Red Sox roster after signing Alex Bregman Boston.comAlex Bregman to the Red Sox, Padres and Angels make moves & Yankees big question mark | Baseball Bar-B-Cast Yahoo SportsDetroit Tigers strike out as Alex Bregman signs with Boston Red Sox Detroit Free Press Source link #Alex #Bregman #Contract #Reported #Details #Major #Red #Sox #Deal #NESN Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Sydney Swans young gun Caiden Cleary suspended after being caught in drug sting Sydney Swans young gun Caiden Cleary suspended after being caught in drug sting Sydney forward Caiden Cleary has been suspended for two games and received a fine after being found in possession of drugs in December. In a statement from the AFL on Friday, they confirmed the 19-year-old Swan would miss the opening round clash against Hawthorn and round one game against Brisbane as part of his punishment. Cleay was also fined $5000, which was suspended after he received a “ criminal infringement notice for possession of an illicit substance”. “AFL Players are well-educated when it comes to the harms associated with the use of illicit substances, and have a responsibility to themselves, their clubs and their careers to uphold community expectations,” AFL general counsel Stephen Meade said. The teenager was also fined $400 by NSW police but no criminal conviction was recorded. “The AFL confirms Sydney Swans player Caiden Cleary has been found guilty of conduct unbecoming in breach of the AFL Rules and has been suspended for two AFL matches,” the AFL said in a statement. “Cleary will not be available to play in Sydney’s ‘Opening Round’ match vs Hawthorn or in their Round 1 match vs Brisbane Lions in the upcoming AFL Season. He will also not be able to play in Sydney’s AAMI Community Series Match. Camera IconCaiden Cleary of the Swans celebrates victory with teammates after his debut. Credit: Matt King/AFL Photos/Getty Images “Cleary’s conduct constitutes an Adverse Finding under the AFL’s Illicit Drugs Policy additionally resulting in the imposition of a $5,000 (suspended) fine on him. “Following an incident in December 2024, Cleary’s conduct was investigated by the NSW Police resulting in him receiving a criminal infringement notice for possession of an illicit substance. “In connection with the criminal infringement notice, Cleary received a $400 fine with no criminal conviction recorded.” A next-generation academy product for the Swans, Cleary was drafted with pick No.23 in 2023 and played five games last year after making his debut in round 15 against arch-town rivals Greater Western Sydney. In a statement Sydney said: “The charge relates to an incident in Sydney’s eastern suburbs last year, where Cleary attempted to possess an illicit substance and subsequently failed to notify the club. “His conduct was investigated by NSW Police, resulting in Cleary receiving a criminal infringement notice for possession of an illicit substance and a $400 fine. “Cleary is extremely remorseful and has cooperated fully with the AFL investigation. “The club is extremely disappointed and does not condone nor tolerate illicit drug behaviour. The Sydney Swans will continue to educate our players on the pitfalls of such behaviour.” Source link #Sydney #Swans #young #gun #Caiden #Cleary #suspended #caught #drug #sting Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

NATO is in disarray after the US announces that its security priorities lie elsewhere NATO is in disarray after the US announces that its security priorities lie elsewhere BRUSSELS (AP) — In just one speech by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth this week, the most powerful member of NATO has thrown the world’s biggest military alliance into disarray, raising troubling questions about America’s commitment to European security. Hegseth told almost 50 of Ukraine ’s Western backers on Wednesday that he had joined their meeting “to directly and unambiguously express that stark strategic realities prevent the United States of America from being primarily focused on the security of Europe.” “The United States faces consequential threats to our homeland. We must — and we are — focusing on security of our own borders,” he said. 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. Reading the riot act to U.S. allies, Hegseth said that Ukraine will not get all its territory back from Russia and will not be allowed to join NATO, which would provide the ultimate security guarantee to ensure that Russian President Vladimir Putin never attacks it again. He insisted NATO will not be involved in any future force that might be required to police the peace in Ukraine. European and other nations will, but the Europeans will have to pay for it. No American troops would take part in such an operation, he warned. Beyond that, Hegseth said that NATO will not come to the rescue of any European nation involved in that force if it is attacked by Russia. It’s unclear what role the U.S. would play, if any, although Russia is sure to test the force’s resolve if America does not provide backup. French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu said that NATO faces “a real moment of truth.” “To say that it’s the biggest and most robust alliance in history is true, historically speaking. But the real question is will that still be the case in 10 or 15 years,” he said. What is NATO? Founded in 1949, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization was formed by 12 nations to counter the threat to European security posed by the Soviet Union during the Cold War. Dealing with Moscow is in its DNA. Keeping the peace outside the Euro-Atlantic area is not. NATO’s ranks have grown since the Washington Treaty was signed 75 years ago — to 32 countries after Sweden joined last year, worried by an increasingly aggressive Russia. NATO’s collective security guarantee — Article 5 of the treaty — underpins its credibility. It’s a political commitment by all member countries to come to the aid of any member whose sovereignty or territory might be under attack. Hegseth has now raised doubts about the U.S. commitment to that pledge, although he did say that his country is not planning to leave the alliance. NATO’s doors are open to any European country that wants to join and can meet the requirements and obligations. Importantly, NATO takes its decisions by consensus, so every member has a veto. This week, Hegseth took Ukraine’s candidacy off the table. Who’s in charge? The United States is the most powerful member. It spends much more on defense than any other ally and far outweighs its partners in terms of military muscle. So Washington drives the agenda. Hegseth’s speech, essentially saying “this is how it’s going to be,” was further proof. NATO’s day-to-day work is led by former Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte. As NATO’s top civilian official, he chairs almost weekly meetings of ambassadors in the North Atlantic Council at its Brussels headquarters. He chairs other “NACs” at ministerial level and summits of heads of state and government. Rutte runs NATO HQ, tries to encourage consensus and speaks on behalf of all 32 members. NATO’s military headquarters is based nearby in Mons, Belgium. It is always run by a top U.S. officer. The current supreme allied commander Europe is Army Gen. Christopher Cavoli. What is NATO doing to help Ukraine? Even though most allies believe that Russia could pose an existential threat to Europe, NATO itself is not arming Ukraine. As an organization, NATO possesses no weapons of any kind. Collectively, the alliance provides only non-lethal support — fuel, combat rations, medical supplies and body armor, as well as equipment to counter drones or mines. But members do send arms on their own or in groups. European allies provided 60% of the military support that Ukraine received in 2024. NATO has also helped Ukraine’s armed forces shift from Soviet-era military doctrine to modern thinking, and has strengthened Ukraine’s defense and security institutions. Much of what NATO does for Ukraine, and indeed for global security, is misunderstood. Often the alliance is thought of as the sum of all U.S. relations with its European partners, from imposing sanctions and other costs on Russia to sending arms and ammunition. But as an organization, its brief is limited to the defense by military means of its 32 member countries — the sacred Three Musketeers-like vow of all for one, one for all — and a commitment to help keep the peace in Europe and North America. At least that was the case until this week. Why has NATO stationed more troops on its European borders? While some allies have left open the possibility of sending military personnel to Ukraine, NATO itself has no plans to do this, and Hegseth ended any speculation over whether it might. But a key part of the commitment for allies to defend one another is to deter Russia, or any other adversary, from launching an attack in the first place. Finland and Sweden joined NATO recently because of this concern. With the war in Ukraine soon to enter its fourth year, NATO has 500,000 military personnel on high readiness to counter any attack, whether it be on land, at sea, by air or in cyberspace. Isn’t the U.S. doing the heavy lifting? Due to high U.S. defense spending over many years, America’s armed forces benefit not only from greater troop numbers and superior weapons but also from significant transport and logistics assets. Other allies are starting to spend more, though. After years of cuts, NATO members committed to ramp up their national defense budgets in 2014 when Russia annexed Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula. The aim was for each ally to be spending 2% of gross domestic product on defense within a decade. In 2023, they agreed to make 2% a spending floor, rather than a ceiling. A record 23 countries were expected reach that spending target last year, up from only three a decade ago. But Rutte has said they will need to raise that to 3% or more. France’s Lecornu claims that the wrangling over defense spending is “a false debate” as governments and parliaments across Europe are already approving more weapons purchases and ******* military budgets, all while arming Ukraine so it can defend itself. Source link #NATO #disarray #announces #security #priorities #lie Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Whale swallows kayaker in Chile then spits him out – DW (English) Whale swallows kayaker in Chile then spits him out – DW (English) Whale swallows kayaker in Chile then spits him out DW (English)A humpback whale briefly swallows kayaker in Chilean Patagonia — and it’s all captured on camera The Associated PressVideo: Father Records Moment Whale Swallowed His Son, Then Released Him NDTVJust a fluke: whale spits out kayaker in incident captured on camera The Guardian’I thought I was dead’: Kayaker gets swallowed by humpback whale in dramatic moment caught on camera Fox News Source link #Whale #swallows #kayaker #Chile #spits #English Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]