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59-Year-Old Dividend Investor Earning $17,800 a Month Shares Portfolio — ‘So Nice Living Without Worrying About Money’ 59-Year-Old Dividend Investor Earning $17,800 a Month Shares Portfolio — ‘So Nice Living Without Worrying About Money’ Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. Dividend stocks provide downside protection to investors during difficult times in the market. They have also historically performed well when interest rates begin to go down. Data from Ned Davis Research shows that dividend stocks outperformed non-dividend counterparts in the first nine months of easing cycles. Last year, someone asked dividend investors on Reddit how much they were earning per month. Many income investors shared impressive numbers and portfolios in response to the question, but one particular comment caught our eye. Don’t Miss: An investor said he was generating about $17,800 per month in dividend income. He shared the names of seven dividend funds in his portfolio. “I turned 59 1/2 October 29 and after 39 years of investing, I can finally tap my 401k/Roths without penalty, and it’s so nice living without worrying about money. I planned on retiring, but I love my job, and my boss made me an offer I could not resist,” he said in a separate comment on Reddit. When asked how much he had invested in total to generate the income, the investor said it was about $260,000. He was getting this extremely high yield because most of his portfolio consisted of risky covered call ETFs that are volatility and cap growth potential of capital. Nonetheless, it would be interesting to see what this investor had in his portfolio. Let’s begin Trending: Deloitte’s fastest-growing software company partners with Amazon, Walmart & Target – Last Chance to get 4,000 of its pre-IPO shares for just $0.26/share! YieldMax COIN Option Income Strategy ETF YieldMax COIN Option Income Strategy ETF (NYSE:CONY) makes money by selling call options on Coinbase Global (NASDAQ:COIN). CONY is a risky investment since its upside potential is capped due to the covered call strategy and its performance is linked to a single company operating in the volatile crypto industry. The fund has a distribution rate of 103% and pays monthly. CONY is down 37% over the past 12 months. YieldMax TSLA Option Income Strategy ETF YieldMax TSLA Option Income Strategy ETF (NYSE:TSLY) is a popular dividend ETF for income investors seeking high yields. With a distribution rate of 53%, TSLY generates income by selling call options on Tesla (NASDAQ:TESLA) shares. TSLY is down 30% over the past year. Story Continues YieldMax AI Option Income Strategy ETF YieldMax AI Option Income Strategy ETF (NYSE:AIYY) is a covered call ETF that provides investors with indirect exposure to C3.ai (NYSE:AI). Defiance R2000 Enhanced Options & 0DTE Income ETF The Defiance R2000 Enhanced Options & 0DTE Income ETF (NYSE:IWMY) tracks the performance of the Russell 2000 Index, which includes small-cap companies. The fund generates income using options strategies involving zero days to expiration options. It has a distribution rate of 51%. See Also: This Jeff Bezos-backed startup will allow you to become a landlord in just 10 minutes, with minimum investments as low as $100. YieldMax MRNA Option Income Strategy ETF The YieldMax MRNA Option Income Strategy ETF (NYSE:MRNY) generates monthly income by selling call options on Moderna (NYSE:MRNA). The fund has a distribution rate of 94%. YieldMax SQ Option Income Strategy ETF The YieldMax SQ Option Income Strategy ETF (NYSE:SQY) has a distribution rate of 47%. It generates income by writing call options on Block (NYSE:SQ). YieldMax META Option Income Strategy ETF The YieldMax META Option Income Strategy ETF (NYSE:FBY) generates monthly income by selling call options on the shares of social media giant Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META). FBY’s distribution rate is 40%. Wondering if your investments can get you to a $5,000,000 nest egg? Speak to a financial advisor today. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you up with up to three vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you. Arrived allows individuals to invest in shares of rental properties for as little as $100, providing the potential for monthly rental income and long-term appreciation without the hassles of being a landlord. With over $1 million in dividends paid out last quarter and a growing selection of properties across various markets, Arrived offers an attractive alternative for investors seeking to build a diversified real estate portfolio. In October 2024, Arrived sold The Centennial, achieving a total return of 34.7% (11.2% average annual returns) for investors. Arrived aims to continue delivering similar value across our portfolio through careful market selection, attentive property management, and thoughtful timing in sales. Looking for fractional real estate investment opportunities? The Benzinga Real Estate Screener features the latest offerings. This article 59-Year-Old Dividend Investor Earning $17,800 a Month Shares Portfolio — ‘So Nice Living Without Worrying About Money’ originally appeared on Benzinga.com Source link #59YearOld #Dividend #Investor #Earning #Month #Shares #Portfolio #Nice #Living #Worrying #Money Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Apple and Google take down malicious mobile apps from their app stores – TechCrunch Apple and Google take down malicious mobile apps from their app stores – TechCrunch Apple and Google take down malicious mobile apps from their app stores TechCrunchiOS App Store apps with screenshot-reading malware found for the first time The VergeNew Apple Spyware Warning—Check This iPhone Setting Now ForbesSparkCat Malware Uses OCR to Extract Crypto Wallet Recovery Phrases from Images The Hacker NewsSimple iPhone mistake everyone makes could result in bank-raiding attack as rogue apps ‘see everything on y… The Sun Source link #Apple #Google #malicious #mobile #apps #app #stores #TechCrunch Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Plughole-like dam creates mesmerising water display Plughole-like dam creates mesmerising water display The Monticello Dam spillway in Northern California was turned on for the first time on 4 February since 2019 due to high water levels in the manmade Lake Berryessa, according to the Solano County Water Agency. Its release system is known as a “glory-hole” style, as a result of the plughole-like effect as the water flows out. Officials say this system was used because the dam was too narrow for a traditional release spillway. Source link #Plugholelike #dam #creates #mesmerising #water #display Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Some Ghanaians join the fight against the military Some Ghanaians join the fight against the military Ed Butler BBC World Service Reporting fromTamale, GhanaAFP Burkina Faso’s military is struggling to defeat jihadists who have taken control of much territory Three Ghanaians have told the BBC of their involvement in the fighting between Islamist insurgents and the military in neighbouring Burkina Faso, describing scenes of sometimes indiscriminate violence and bloody battles. “We are always with the dead. In some battles, I’ve seen 40, 50 or 100 dead people,” one of the men told the BBC. The three, all in their late thirties or early forties, said they had fought in Burkina Faso multiple times since 2018. They crossed the porous 550km-long (340-mile) border between the two countries, without being detected by the security forces. They denied being primarily motivated by religion or being trained by the jihadists, saying they went to fight to defend civilian communities with whom they had strong family and ethnic ties. “My elder brother, his wife and children were all killed by the [Burkinabe] army. It pains me a lot. The military came to their community in the forest. They killed all of them, a whole household, including 29 people,” one of the men said. But another of the men did articulate religious zeal, saying: “If you die while fighting with the jihadists, then you are driving to jannah (an Islamic word for paradise), on the path of the righteous.” Challenged over whether they had taken part in civilian attacks, the men were divided. One denied doing so, but another conceded that he did. “Some local people support the military in attacking us, that’s why we have to kill them too,” he said. “You know… I’m not happy to fight like this. The number of people we kill, the people the military kill, it’s very bad. But this fight has entered our blood,” he added. All three spoke on condition of anonymity. The BBC was unable to confirm their claims but they showed us pictures of weapons, described the location of recent conflicts and named jihadist commanders in Burkina Faso. The BBC was put in touch with the men through contacts at cattle markets in northern Ghana, where jihadist groups are alleged to be recruiting fighters. AFP People often walk between Ghana and Burkina Faso In 2022, a France-based NGO, Promediation, said its research showed that the jihadists had recruited between 200 and 300 young Ghanaians. And the Netherlands Institute of International Relations think-tank, in a report released last July, said the jihadists had “minimal success” recruiting in Ghana. However, the men offered a different perspective, telling the BBC, in claims that could not be verified, that people from “all parts of Ghana” and from “many” ethnic groups were joining the insurgency in Burkina Faso. “Some are fighting for ******. Some are doing it for business,” one of them said. The financial incentive comes in the form of the plentiful livestock that the jihadists steal from communities driven out of their villages. “When we attack a community, we take their animals: sometimes 50, sometimes 100,” the BBC was told by one of the men. The cattle are allegedly brought to northern Ghana, and sold at markets. The trafficking across the border was confirmed to the BBC by cattle dealers. It is thought to have become a major income stream for groups like Jama’at Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM), an al-Qaeda affiliate that is the most active jihadist group in Burkina Faso. It also operates in ****** and Mali. The West African region was described by the UN last year as the epicentre of global jihadist violence. Aid agencies say that over the last decade some two-million people have been displaced by the insurgency in Burkina Faso and tens of thousands killed. Ninpoa Nasuri is one of the thousands who have fled to Ghana to escape the violence. She told the BBC her husband was killed in front of her in 2024 during a raid on their village in eastern Burkina Faso by fighters from JNIM. “They grabbed the men, and they beat them to death. My husband was a farmer. He had nothing to do with the government militia or the conflict,” she told the BBC. Other refugees described similar acts of violence by the Burkinabe military. Saafiya Karim fled to Ghana after her village was raided “Some of the people they were killing were aged 80, aged 90. These people can’t hold a gun, can’t fight with anybody. They killed them for no reason,” Saafiya Karim said. Ghana has so far remained largely untouched by the insurgency, although some attacks have taken place in neighbouring Togo and Ivory Coast. In a recent statement to Ghanaian journalist Mohammed Eliasu Tanko, a man calling himself a representative of JNIM said the group had no interest in launching attacks in Ghana. “They (JNIM fighters) are not allowed to take any action against Ghana. This is a clear and certain statement. JNIM do not seek war against Ghana,” the man, known as Ansari, said in the statement, which the BBC has seen. However an upsurge in communal violence in one part of northern Ghana has raised concerns that the jihadists are trying to exploit the conflict to their advantage. The town of Bawku is embroiled in a decades-long struggle between different ethnic groups for control of the local chieftaincy. More than 100 people are thought to have been killed in clashes since fighting intensified in last October. “The evening in Bawku is always [one of] gunshots and fierce exchanges. People use AK47s, M16s, all kinds of automatic rifles,” a resident told the BBC. AFP Refugees from Burkina Faso have come to seek asylum in Bawku (file photo) JNIM smugglers are accused of selling weapons to both sides. “We understand they are supplying weapons that they have taken from the military in Burkina Faso. They do this by relying on the trucks that travel up to ****** and back carrying onions. They hide the weapons inside those trucks,” Tanko told the BBC. “One intelligence officer confirmed to me this was the new way they are bringing firearms in. And the Ghanaian security are ill-equipped to be able to detect these vehicles coming through, putting Ghana in a very critical situation,” he added. Ghana’s Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah did not respond to a BBC request for comment. President John Mahama, who took office in January after winning December’s presidential election, visited Bawku last month in an effort to promote peace between the rival groups. However, gunfights continue to be reported. Ghana’s governing party spokesman Sammy Gyamfi told the BBC that ending the violence in Bawku was the government’s “number one priority”. “The violence is already spreading and if care is not taken it’s likely that insurgents from the wider region can take advantage of this conflict,” he said. The three men the BBC spoke to said they did not rule out the possibility of the insurgency spreading. “This thing can go to any place, or to any country. It didn’t exist in Togo but now the attacks are happening there. If they can go to Togo, they can get to Ghana. This thing is strong, it’s powerful,” one of them said. But another of the men took a cynical perspective, saying the insurgents in Burkina Faso were no longer waging an “Islamic struggle”. “They just kill the people, and steal their livestock. What is happening is not ****** and so I do not like it,” he said. You can listen to Ed Butler’s report on the BBC World Service’s Assignment programme. You may also be interested in:Getty Images/BBC Source link #Ghanaians #join #fight #military Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Church risks further crisis if it doesn’t act, says child abuse inquiry chair Alexis Jay Church risks further crisis if it doesn’t act, says child abuse inquiry chair Alexis Jay The Church of England risks further crisis if it fails to adopt a sweeping new independent system to keep people safe, the former head of a national inquiry into child ******* abuse has said. On Tuesday, after numerous abuse scandals, the Church’s national assembly votes on options to radically change its safeguarding processes. One of the systems being considered is based on a model proposed by Professor Alexis Jay who was asked by the Church for her input. But some members of the Church have cast doubts about the system that comprehensively hands the process for dealing with abuse allegations to an outside organisation. The resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury over his handling of a prolific abuser and questions about the Archbishop of York’s handling of another case have added a sense of urgency to make changes. At the Church’s General Synod, two models are being put to the vote on Tuesday, both involving some measure of independence. The first involves creating an independent central safeguarding team for the Church. The second would also make the Church’s safeguarding officers around the country part of that independent body. After years of the Church of England being accused of failing to “mark its own homework”, Prof Jay, a respected figure in child protection, feels only the second model goes far enough. “I think it’s absolutely necessary because church safeguarding as it stands falls below the standards of secular organisations, and I do not think that can continue when it has also led to such serious weaknesses,” she told the BBC. In summer 2023, Prof Jay was asked by Archbishop Justin Welby to advise on how the Church could “outsource” safeguarding. She said she was not asked to investigate whether the Church needed safeguarding that was independent of the Church, but asked for a detailed plan for an effective. “I’m glad the General Synod is going to be debating a model that largely reflects what I was asked to do in the report I published last year, a model of full independence,” she said. Prof Jay said there would be dire consequences if Synod members did not vote for the more complete model of independence. “I think that not adopting that version would mean it would be a matter of time before yet more safeguarding crises occurred, and there would be a renewed calls for radical action to be taken,” she said. Some within the Church have raised concerns about Prof Jay’s preferred option because they fear it is too radical a model and not a well-tested one. “Whether or not there are precedents is absolutely not the point,” she said. “There is also the option for the Church to commission an existing charity with a track record in care and support for children and vulnerable adults to ask them to carry out this work.” Prof Jay also dismissed suggestions that making the system independent would mean that some within the Church would no longer feel safeguarding was their responsibility too. But she said choosing the correct system to deal with abuse allegations would only resolve part of the problem, saying cultural issues – like deference to authority figures in the Church – were also hampering progress. Some within the Church have questioned Prof Jay’s understanding of the way in which the institution works but she said it was criticism she expected. “I was asked to do a piece of work. I did it. I knew quite well that it would be problematic for some, but the Church must face up to its responsibilities and do what they need to do,” she said. If it is voted through, the fully independent model should then be delivered by a team committed to its success, she added. It is estimated that could yet take around three years. A spokesperson for the Church of England said the synod will decide between “two proposed models that significantly strengthen the independence of safeguarding structures” this week. “We recognise the deep and lasting impact of abuse and are committed to ensuring that safeguarding in the Church is independent, transparent, and accountable,” they added. Source link #Church #risks #crisis #doesnt #act #child #abuse #inquiry #chair #Alexis #Jay Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Jotham Napat to lead new Vanuatu government Jotham Napat to lead new Vanuatu government Vanuatu’s parliament has elected Jotham Napat as the Pacific nation’s new prime minister after his Leaders Party won the January 16 snap election. Source link #Jotham #Napat #lead #Vanuatu #government Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

OpenAI founder rejects Elon Musk’s reported bid to buy nonprofit OpenAI founder rejects Elon Musk’s reported bid to buy nonprofit OpenAI founder Sam Altman rejected Monday a reported $100 billion bid by Elon Musk and a group of investors to buy the artificial intelligence giant, ratcheting up the stakes in the war for the future of the technology. Musk and a consortium of investors offered $97.4 billion to buy the nonprofit that controls OpenAI, their lawyer Marc Toberoff said Monday. The unsolicited bid was first reported by The Wall Street Journal. “It’s time for OpenAI to return to the open-source, safety-focused force for good it once was,” Musk said in a statement through Toberoff, according to The Wall Street Journal. “We will make sure that happens.” Altman quickly slapped down the reported offer in a post on X, writing, “no thank you but we will buy twitter for $9.74 billion if you want.” “Swindler,” Musk replied. Musk has long feuded with Altman, with whom he co-founded OpenAI, the company that created AI chatbot ChatGPT. The tech billionaire, who resigned from OpenAI in 2018, has derided Altman as “Swindly Sam,” while Altman has called Musk a “bully.” Last month, Musk swiped at a landmark half-a-trillion-dollar AI initiative partly funded by OpenAI to build data centers in the United States that was trumpeted by President Donald Trump as historic. Musk claimed the plan’s backers “don’t actually have the money.” Musk’s reported offer to purchase OpenAI — backed by firms Valor Equity Partners, Baron Capital, Atreides Management, Vy Capital and 8VC, according to The Wall Street Journal — could complicate Altman’s efforts to take the company private. That’s because to become a commercial venture, the for-profit arm of OpenAI must purchase its controlling nonprofit’s assets at a fair price. But Musk’s audacious bid could raise the value of those assets, meaning the for-profit arm would potentially have to spend more, or else leave the nonprofit explaining to regulators why it accepted a lower bid. Source link #OpenAI #founder #rejects #Elon #Musks #reported #bid #buy #nonprofit Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

1 dead, 4 injured after jets collide at Scottsdale Airport – ABC News 1 dead, 4 injured after jets collide at Scottsdale Airport – ABC News 1 dead, 4 injured after jets collide at Scottsdale Airport ABC NewsRAW VIDEO: Plane crashes into another plane at Scottsdale airport Arizona’s FamilyAt least one dead as business jets collide at US airport RTÉ NewsPlanes ****** at Scottsdale Airport, killing 1 and injuring others The Arizona Republic1 Dead, Several Hospitalized After 2 Jets ****** on Scottsdale, Ariz. Airport Runway: Authorities PEOPLE Source link #dead #injured #jets #collide #Scottsdale #Airport #ABC #News Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Why the Israel ****** ceasefire is under growing strain Why the Israel ****** ceasefire is under growing strain Why has ****** announced a delay just days before it is due to release the next group of hostages? In one of its official statements, released on Telegram, the group called its announcement a “warning” to Israel and said it was giving mediators “ample time to pressure the occupation [Israel] into fulfilling its obligations”. It said the “door remains open” for the next scheduled releases to go ahead on Saturday. The group appears to be giving time for the impasse to be resolved. But what exactly is the impasse? ****** lists a series of complaints, from delaying the return of displaced people, continuing to open fire on them and failing to allow the entry of certain types of humanitarian aid. Other ************ officials not connected with ****** have cited Israel’s reluctance to allow caravans into Gaza to house the vast numbers of Palestinians whose homes have been destroyed. At a time when the Israeli government is openly discussing ways to encourage civilians to leave Gaza, the failure to give permits for badly needed temporary accommodation is bound to stoke ************ fears of expulsion. Fears exacerbated, almost every day, by Donald Trump. What began as an apparently off-the-cuff suggestion that most Palestinians should leave while the Gaza Strip is rebuilt has morphed into the president’s demand that all should leave and that the US should take over and run Gaza. As Trump continues to double down on his incendiary suggestion, ****** may be wondering whether it’s worth engaging in phase two of the ceasefire talks. What exactly are the talks for? If Trump is serious, the Palestinians know that it will fall to Israel to make sure that Gaza is devoid of civilians. Depriving them of shelter won’t be enough. It will almost certainly require force. Now Trump has said that if all the hostages held in Gaza are not returned by Saturday he will propose cancelling the ceasefire and “all hell” will break out. But he did say he was speaking for himself and “Israel can override it”. Faced with the possible resumption of war, ****** may be wondering what incentive there is to release the remaining hostages. For relatives and friends of the hostages, the current impasse, and Trump’s noisy intervention, is cause for fresh anxiety. “Each of these statements or announcements, of course, make ****** more stubborn,” Dudi Zalmanovich told the BBC. His wife’s nephew, Omer Shem Tov, is still being held by ******. “I would prefer him to be less proactive,” Mr Zalmanovich said of Trump. Israel has its own suspicions about the rationale behind ******’s threatened delay. The spectacle of emaciated hostages being released at the weekend has raised fears that ****** may not want the world to see others in even worse condition. On top of the televised scenes of well-armed ****** fighters parading in broad daylight, and warnings from the former US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, that the group has recruited as many soldiers as it’s lost during the war, not all Israelis believe the ceasefire can – or even should – hold. It’s too early to say whether this carefully negotiated, staged process is about to collapse – as many have predicted it will – but after a mostly positive start, it’s under increasing strain. Source link #Israel #****** #ceasefire #growing #strain Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

County Championship to play key role in preparing Australia’s Test candidates for World Test Championship County Championship to play key role in preparing Australia’s Test candidates for World Test Championship England’s own domestic system will be a major factor in preparing Australia for next year’s Ashes. A flood of *********** players vying for a spot in their defence of the famous trophy will head to the United Kingdom this winter to play red-ball cricket. Recovering West *********** allrounder Cam Green is set to headline a list that already includes Beau Webster and Marnus Labuschagne. Australia’s hierarchy would also like Sam Konstas to join them. Green is on the cusp of signing with cash-strapped second division team Gloucestershire in a move that will supercharge his bid to play in June’s World Test Championship final against South Africa. The 25-year-old is eyeing a return one of WA’s final two Sheffield Shield matches of the regular season in Perth next month, but to genuinely contend for a spot as a specialist batter in Australia’s team, he will need to have a sustained run of first-class cricket. Camera IconCam Green is poised to play county cricket this winter. Credit: Paul Kane/Getty Images “Cameron Green, he’s going to play some county cricket, I think it’s been put to press that he’s looking at Gloucestershire,” *********** coach Andrew McDonald said after the second Test in Galle. Green batted at No.4 in a series against New Zealand early last year where he scored 238 runs across two matches, but Steve Smith had shifted to the top of the order to accommodate that move and he has since returned to blistering form in the middle-order. The Aussie raid on county cricket has been a divisive point in English cricket. Nathan Lyon’s stint at Lancashire last season was panned in the *** because it meant Tom Hartley — who had played Tests for England against India — was pushed out of their side. England coach Brendon McCullum was among the most vocal detractors of that move. Camera IconNathan Lyon played for Lancashire last season. Credit: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images Australia has not welcomed internationals into its own domestic red-ball competition since the turn of the century and shut down a push for young English players to take part after their Ashes disaster in 2022. But Australians going the other way have had great success for Australia. West Aussies Michael Hussey, Adam Voges and Chris Rogers are among the Test batters that dominated the County Championship. Green could be set to play under the captaincy of WA teammate Cam Bancroft at Taunton. The opener is considered a chance to lead the side this season. Beau Webster has switched from Gloucestershire to Warwickshire for this season, Tasmanian teammate Caleb Jewell will play all formats For Derbyshire, Perth Scorchers captain Ashton Turner and Chris Green will spend time at Lancashire, Peter Handscomb will play for Leicestershire and Will Sutherland is listed at Yorkshire. Bowlers Wes Agar, Fergus O’Neill and Gurinder Sandhu are also heading over. Marnus Labuschagne — who is under fire after another poor series against Sri Lanka — has not signed with Glamorgan for this season, but has a long-standing relationship with the Welsh county. After his thrill-a-minute debut in Melbourne and the series-winning clash with India in Sydney days later, Konstas was left out of Australia’s side for the two Tests with Sri Lanka as part of a horses-for-courses approach where Travis Head was elevated to open the batting. Camera IconSam Konstas debuted in the Boxing Day Test this summer. Credit: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images He was sent home to play for New South Wales against Queensland at the Gabba, where he made three off 33 ****** in the first innings and 22 in the second. McDonald has put a call out to English clubs, urging someone to pick up the 19-year-old sensation. “I’d love to see him play county cricket,” he said. “What involvement we have in that is very minimal… the only thing we can do is endorse that he’s a very good player, and hopefully a county picks him up. “It will be a great learning curve if he could get into those conditions.” Source link #County #Championship #play #key #role #preparing #Australias #Test #candidates #World #Test #Championship Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Fairmont Orchid Blends Luxury and Environmental Stewardship Fairmont Orchid Blends Luxury and Environmental Stewardship Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Big Island of Hawai’i, Fairmont Orchid is a haven of elegance. The resort’s expansive lobby opens up to sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean, with two guest room towers framing a grand central swimming pool. Nearly every room offers glimpses of the ocean, and during whale season, guests may catch a glimpse of these magnificent creatures. Even when the resort is fully booked, the expansive grounds ensure that there’s plenty of space to find one’s place in the sun. If you’re looking to elevate your stay, the exclusive Gold Lounge and Gold Floor provide an even more refined level of comfort and service. These recently revamped accommodations are located on the top floor of the resort and feature spacious rooms with luxe amenities such as marble bathrooms with soaking tubs, king-sized beds with sumptuous 500-thread count linens, and private lanais offering views of the Pacific Ocean, lush gardens, or the towering Mauna Kea volcano. Fairmont Orchid’s Gold Lounge provides a refined level of comfort and service As a Gold-level guest, you are welcomed upon arrival with a fragrant orchid lei and escorted past the main reception area to the private Gold Lounge for a seamless check-in experience. Here, you’re offered a glass of sparkling wine, which more than sets an indulgent tone. Enjoy the generous pour on the lounge’s al fresco terrace, where plush seating and intimate nooks offer the perfect vantage point for watching a spectacular sunset. Fairmont Orchid Gold Floor guest room Fairmont Orchid Gold Floor guest room sitting area The Gold Lounge remains open morning to evening, providing an array of complimentary gourmet snacks, fresh coffee, and premium beverages. You’ll enjoy a sumptuous daily breakfast, including pastries (don’t miss the banana bread, an island specialty), egg dishes, sausage and bacon, tropical fruit, and freshly brewed coffee and tea. Throughout the day, a selection of sodas and snacks are available (think mixed nuts, peanut M&Ms, and Asian party mix), and in the early evening, a rotating buffet offers hearty appetizers such as charcuterie and cheeses, Asian dumplings, and chicken skewers, paired with fine wines like Cabernet or Chardonnay. For dessert, you’ll have your choice of house made cakes and cookies. An honor bar features top shelf liquors for self-made cocktails. Gold Floor guests also have access to a dedicated concierge who can assist with dinner reservations, including at the resort’s renowned Brown’s Beach House. While Gold Lounge culinary offerings might prove enough for dinner, you’d be remiss to ignore the opportunity to dine at this fabulous AAA Four Diamond restaurant that serves innovative Hawaiian dishes and features live music each night. Tables are poised towards Pauoa Bay and an always spectacular setting sun. This beautiful bay is a hotspot for snorkeling and paddleboarding, and the resort proudly supports its sustainability via the ‘Ako’ako’a Reef Restoration Program, a pioneering initiative aimed at preserving Hawai’i’s coral reefs. Fairmont Orchid is the first hotel in the state to partner with this program, underscoring its commitment to safeguarding the natural beauty of Hawai’i. Brown’s Beach House al fresco dining Fairmont Orchid partners with the ‘Ako’ako’a Reef Restoration Program in stabilizing Pauoa Bay’s coral reefs Coral reefs are crucial for maintaining biodiversity, supporting diverse marine life, and acting as a natural buffer against coastal erosion. However, these ecosystems face threats from climate change, pollution, and other environmental challenges. By partnering with the ‘Ako’ako’a Reef Restoration Program, Fairmont Orchid is playing a proactive role in restoring these vital ecosystems. Resort guests are encouraged to learn more about coral conservation via the program, and soon, hands-on projects and exclusive excursions will allow for deeper guest engagement. Greg Asner, the program’s founder and Director of the Center for Global Discovery and Conservation Science at Arizona State University, explains, “Our goal is to restore the coral reefs off the west coast of Hawai’i Island, which have been in decline for the last 50 years. This partnership with Fairmont Orchid is essential in achieving our vision of a thriving coastline.” Michael Pye, Regional Vice President of Fairmont Hawai’i, adds, “We are proud to support the ‘Ako’ako’a Reef Restoration Program. By working alongside the local community and engaging with our guests, we hope to preserve the cultural and ecological significance of Pauoa Bay and West Hawai’i for generations to come.” Photo: Trevor Clark of CLARKBOURNE Creative As we travelers seek authentic, impactful experiences, this program exemplifies the harmonious relationship between luxury and sustainability. At Fairmont Orchid, guests not only enjoy world-class amenities and service, but they also become part of a meaningful initiative aimed at preserving Hawai’i’s natural wonders. For those in search of a getaway that blends indulgence with purpose, Fairmont Orchid offers both. Photos courtesy of Fairmont Orchid Source link #Fairmont #Orchid #Blends #Luxury #Environmental #Stewardship Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Hawaii court rules against insurance companies in Maui wildfire, allowing $4B settlement to proceed Hawaii court rules against insurance companies in Maui wildfire, allowing $4B settlement to proceed HONOLULU (AP) — Hawaii’s Supreme Court ruled Monday that insurance companies can’t bring their own legal actions against those blamed for Maui’s catastrophic 2023 wildfire, allowing a $4 billion settlement that was on that the verge of collapse to proceed. Other steps remain in finalizing the deal between thousands of people who lodged lawsuits and various defendants, including Hawaiian Electric Company. The massive inferno that was the deadliest in the U.S. in more than a century decimated the historic town of Lahaina, killing more than 100 people, destroying thousands of properties and causing an estimated $5.5 billion in damage. Soon afterward, attorneys began lodging hundreds of lawsuits. 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. A settlement was announced last summer, but insurance companies held out, insisting that they should have the right to go after the defendants separately to recoup money paid out to policyholders. Monday’s ruling resolves a key roadblock to finalizing the deal and sends the case back to a Maui judge to determine next steps. Insurance companies that want to recoup billions paid to policyholders by pursuing legal action against the defendants said in a statement they’re disappointed, but didn’t say whether they’ll seek review at the U.S. Supreme Court. A key question that was before Hawaii Supreme Court was whether state laws controlling health care insurance reimbursement also apply to casualty and property insurance in limiting companies’ ability to pursue independent legal action against those held liable. The justices answered yes. Plaintiff lawyers were worried allowing insurers to pursue reimbursement separately would be a deal-breaker, drain what is available to pay fire victims and lead to prolonged litigation. Gerald Singleton, one of the many attorneys representing the plaintiffs, said they’re still trying to make sense of the ruling but are pleased with it. “Now the settlement can take the next step forward,” he said. A few days before the one-year anniversary of the Aug. 8, 2023, fire, Gov. Josh Green announced that seven defendants accused of causing the tragedy had agreed to pay $4 billion to resolve claims by thousands of people. They include the main defendant, Hawaiian Electric, as well as the state of Hawaii, Maui County and Kamehameha Schools, the largest private landowner in Hawaii. Attorneys representing the individual plaintiffs agreed to the deal amid fears that main defendant Hawaiian Electric, the power company blamed for sparking the blaze, could be on the brink of bankruptcy. Victims’ attorneys acknowledged that $4 billion wasn’t enough to make up for what was lost but said the deal was worth accepting, given Hawaiian Electric’s limited assets. “They need every penny to restitch the fabric to bring the community back together,” attorney Jesse Creed told the justices during a hearing before the state Supreme Court last week. Creed said he could relate to the losses the victims face because his own home, children’s schools and place of worship just burned in the Palisades fire, one of the wildfires that brought widespread destruction around Los Angeles last month. “Today’s decision will help our people heal much sooner, as we continue to rebuild and recover,” the governor said in a text message to the AP. Green had previously denounced as unfair insurance companies’ moves to recoup money they’ve paid to policyholders in a legal process that’s called “subrogation.” Subrogation is one way companies recover the amount of claims paid to policyholders. Insurance companies say subrogation is a way to offset costs associated with a catastrophic event so premiums won’t have to go up. The process isn’t for natural disasters such as hurricanes, but for when there is someone at fault. So far they have paid more than $2.3 billion to people and businesses affected by the Maui tragedy and expect to pay $1 billion more. Subrogation is “vital to a healthy and stable insurance market,” and allows insurers to hold at-fault parties legally and financially accountable,” the insurance companies said in their statement reacting to the ruling: “Preserving the rights of insurers to utilize subrogation is of importance to the insurance industry, and is ultimately beneficial to all policyholders and residents statewide.” Jacob Lowenthal, another attorney representing the individual plaintiffs, said the ruling doesn’t totally prevent insurance companies from getting reimbursed. Instead of going after the defendants, insurers will have to prove to a judge that they deserve to be reimbursed because a policyholder received money from the settlement that was more than their claim. Now that the ruling answered the subrogation question, work can focus on the administrative claims process to determine awards based on facts of each case, he said. “The Hawaii Supreme Court’s ruling was the correct outcome,” Lowenthal said. “The resolution of this critical issue allows the global settlement to now move forward, putting money into the hands of the Maui fire victims sooner than later.” Source link #Hawaii #court #rules #insurance #companies #Maui #wildfire #allowing #settlement #proceed Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Plane ****** at Scottsdale Airport Kills 1 and Injures 3, Officials Say – The New York Times Plane ****** at Scottsdale Airport Kills 1 and Injures 3, Officials Say – The New York Times Plane ****** at Scottsdale Airport Kills 1 and Injures 3, Officials Say The New York Times1 Dead, Several Injured After Private Jet Veers Off Runway, Collides with Another Jet in Scottsdale Arizona’s Family1 Dead, Several Hospitalized After 2 Jets ****** on Scottsdale, Ariz. Airport Runway: Authorities PEOPLEPlanes ****** at Scottsdale Airport, killing 1 and injuring others The Arizona RepublicAt Least 1 Person Dead in Private-Jet Collision at Arizona Airport The Wall Street Journal Source link #Plane #****** #Scottsdale #Airport #Kills #Injures #Officials #York #Times Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

US tariff move sees dollar firm in Asian trading US tariff move sees dollar firm in Asian trading The US dollar firmed on Asian markets after President Donald Trump moved to substantially raise tariffs on steel and aluminium imports. Trump also said he would announce plans to impose reciprocal tariffs on other countries over the coming days. Currencies held tight ranges in Asian trade in moves that were more modest than those of Monday’s, as Trump formalised what he had pledged over the weekend. Trading was thin due to a holiday in Japan. A White House official confirmed the 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminium imports will take effect on March 4. The US dollar rose 0.13 per cent against the ********* dollar to C$1.4332, extending gains made from the previous session, though the loonie was still some distance away from a 22-year low hit earlier this month. Canada, Brazil, Mexico, South Korea and Vietnam are the biggest sellers of steel into the US, according to American Iron and Steel Institute data, while Canada is the dominant supplier of imported aluminium. The euro was down 0.05 per cent at $1.0300, while sterling dipped 0.07 per cent to $1.2355. The yen rose 0.2 per cent to 151.70 per dollar. Traders were also awaiting a testimony from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell later in the day and a reading on US inflation due on Wednesday for clues on the rate outlook in the world’s largest economy before taking on fresh positions. “I think the dollar’s rally has entered pause mode, and is now susceptible to more of the choppy, sideways trade we have seen the past couple of weeks,” said Matt Simpson, senior market analyst at City Index. “(Traders) seem to be holding out for Jerome Powell’s testimony and CPI report, which if anything likely backs a stronger US dollar by the week’s close. Recent comments from Fed officials have underscored their no rush approach to further rate cuts, particularly as they wait for further clarity over how Trump’s policies will affect economic growth and inflation. Futures point to less than 40 basis points worth of rate cuts priced in by the year-end. “There is a consensus among Fed members that the central bank can be patient when it comes to easing further in an environment in which growth is resilient, inflation is above target, the policy rate is close to neutral and there is elevated policy uncertainty,” said analysts at ANZ. Against a basket of currencies, the greenback was little changed at 108.35, holding to its slight gain from the previous session. The *********** dollar fell 0.08 per cent to $0.6272. *********** Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Tuesday Trump has agreed to consider exempting Australia from his steel and aluminium tariffs, in what Albanese called a constructive phone call with the US President. The New Zealand dollar slipped 0.17 per cent to $0.5633 Source link #tariff #move #sees #dollar #firm #Asian #trading Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Texas Tech college’s 50-year time capsule reveals message from the past Texas Tech college’s 50-year time capsule reveals message from the past The contents of a time capsule have been revealed, delivering a message and artifacts that Texas Tech journalism students and faculty members half a century ago hoped to share with an audience on Feb. 10, 2025. Event attendees at the Tech Tech College of Media and Communications time capsule opening ceremony admiring a copy of The University Daily from 1975 and other artifacts stored in the college’s time capsule from 1976 on Feb. 10, 2025, in Lubbock, Texas. The metal container – about the size of two shoe boxes – was opened during a ceremony Monday in Texas Tech’s College of Media & Communication in front of an audience of students and faculty members, including longtime faculty member Bill Dean – who was with the program at the time the capsule was sealed – as well as former Dean Jerry Hudson and newly named College Dean Bey-Ling Sha. In 1975, the faculty and students of the Department of Mass Communications (now College of Media & Communication) sealed a metal box that contained copies of the University Daily (now The Daily Toreador) and the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal; tapes of KFYO radio’s news broadcast; the audio portion of KCBD-TV newscasts; and a copy of broadcast material from KTXT-FM, among other items, according to a Tech news release. “The contents of this time capsule are not just objects,” Chris Cook, the college’s assistant dean for enrollment management & marketing, said before he opened the time capsule. “They’re the seeds from which our college has grown.” The box was sealed into a wall of the department’s old building near Memorial Circle and was torn out when the college moved to its current location in the old business building tower along Flint Avenue in 2012. It had sat in a display case since that time. The time capsule was originally organized to mark the 50th anniversary of Texas Tech’s first graduating class, on that year’s Founder’s Day. Monday, Feb. 10, marked the 100th anniversary of that date. Texas Tech College of Media and Communication dean Bey-Ling Sha and the college’s founding dean, Jerry Hudson, shake hands at the college’s time capsule opening ceremony on Feb. 10, 2025, in Lubbock, Texas. This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Texas Tech college’s 50-year time capsule reveals message from past Source link #Texas #Tech #colleges #50year #time #capsule #reveals #message Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Flu is surging nationwide, with 24 million cases so far – The Washington Post Flu is surging nationwide, with 24 million cases so far – The Washington Post Flu is surging nationwide, with 24 million cases so far The Washington PostWeekly US Influenza Surveillance Report: Key Updates for Week 5, ending February 1, 2025 | FluView CDCFlu season in the US is the most intense it’s been in at least 15 years The Associated PressDoctors’ visits for flu highest in 15 years, most since swine flu pandemic: CDC ABC News Source link #Flu #surging #nationwide #million #cases #Washington #Post Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

US lifts food donation pause, other aid 'untrackable' US lifts food donation pause, other aid 'untrackable' The World Food Program says the US has lifted a pause on food donations, while the USAid watchdog says the tracking of unspent funds is in disarray. Source link #lifts #food #donation #pause #aid #039untrackable039 Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump says he has spoken to China’s Xi since inauguration Trump says he has spoken to China’s Xi since inauguration Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what’s in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience.Generate Key Takeaways By Kanishka Singh WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. President Donald Trump said he had spoken to ******** President Xi Jinping since taking office on January 20, but did not offer details on the topics of their conversation. Trump made the comments in an interview aired on Fox News on Monday. “Yeah … I have talked to him and I have talked to his people, too,” Trump said when asked if he has spoken to the ******** leader since the U.S. president’s inauguration. 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. “We have a very good personal relationship,” Trump added. The president did not provide details on when exactly the call happened or what was discussed. Trump said last week he was in no hurry to speak to Xi to try to defuse a new trade war between the world’s two largest economies. A conversation between Xi and Trump is seen as crucial to a potential easing or delay of trade tariffs. The White House and the ******** foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Trump’s interview to Fox News. Trump and Xi had spoken just before Trump took office in January and discussed issues including TikTok, trade and Taiwan. China imposed targeted tariffs on U.S. imports last week and put several companies, including Alphabet’s Google, on notice for possible sanctions, in a measured response to Trump’s across-the-board 10% duties, which had come on top of prior tariffs. Washington and Beijing have had tense relations for years over differences ranging from trade tariffs and cybersecurity to Taiwan, Hong Kong, human rights and the origins of COVID-19. (Reporting by Kanishka Singh and Trevor Hunnicutt in Washington and Liz Lee in Beijing; Editing by Chris Reese and Muralikumar Anantharaman) Source link #Trump #spoken #Chinas #inauguration Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Elon Musk-led group makes $97 billion bid for control of OpenAI – Reuters Elon Musk-led group makes $97 billion bid for control of OpenAI – Reuters Elon Musk-led group makes $97 billion bid for control of OpenAI ReutersExclusive | Elon Musk-Led Group Makes $97.4 Billion Bid for Control of OpenAI The Wall Street JournalElon Musk reportedly offers $97.4B for OpenAI. Sam Altman says ‘no thank you’ Yahoo FinanceElon Musk is trying to buy OpenAI for $97 billion AxiosSam Altman Rejects Elon Musk’s Offer To Buy OpenAI Control—And Mocks X Forbes Source link #Elon #Muskled #group #billion #bid #control #OpenAI #Reuters Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

How a North Korean went from begging to K-pop How a North Korean went from begging to K-pop Jungmin Choi / BBC Korean Hyuk is set to debut as a K-pop boyband member this year Yu Hyuk was just nine years old when he started begging on the streets of North Hamgyong, one of the poorest provinces in North Korea, nestled along the northern border with China and Russia. Besides begging, he ran errands for soldiers and sold foraged mushrooms. Sometimes he stole food out of sheer hunger: once he snatched a lunchbox that sat unattended at an underground station. Inside was a scoop of spoiled rice. This was just “part of everyday life” for many North Koreans, he says, adding that his own life was so consumed with survival that it left little room for dreams. But dream he did. Later on this year, the 25-year-old will debut in the US as a member of a K-pop boy band. 1Verse (pronounced “universe”) is made up of five members: Hyuk, Seok who is also from North Korea, Aito from Japan, and Asian Americans Kenny and Nathan – all prefer to go by their first names. They are set to make history as the first K-pop boy band to debut with North Korean defectors. From scraps to rap Hyuk was born in a seaside village in Kyongsong county and raised by his father and grandmother, after his parents broke up when he was just four. Later, his mother fled the North to settle in the South and reached out to him in an attempt to get him to join her. But he refused as he was close to his father and did not want to leave him. Hyuk says his family was “not extremely poor” to begin with, but the situation quickly deteriorated after his parents separated. His father didn’t want to work and his grandmother was too old, so Hyuk was left to his own devices to survive. Eventually, his father persuaded him to join his mother, and in 2013 Hyuk escaped from North Korea. It took months for him to arrive in the South, after going through several countries. He has chosen not to reveal specifics of the route, as he fears putting other future defectors at risk. Getty Images Hyuk lived in North Hamgyong Province Once in the South, he lived with his mother for just a year, before moving to a boarding school with his mum’s financial support. However, he struggled to cope with South Korea’s fiercely competitive education system, as Hyuk had barely finished primary school before his defection. Writing was the one thing he found solace in, he says. He started with short poems alluding to his past life in North Korea. “I couldn’t openly share what I’d been through, but I still wanted to make a record of it.” At first, Hyuk believed his story couldn’t be understood by others, but was encouraged by friends and teachers in his school’s music club – and eventually found his passion in rap. Growing up, music had been a luxury, let alone K-pop which was something he had barely heard of. But now, he channelled his thoughts of feeling lonely and of missing his father into music, referring to himself as “the loneliest of the loners” – a line in Ordinary Person, a rap song he composed for the band’s upcoming album. Hyuk graduated from high school aged 20. Afterwards, he worked part-time at restaurants and factories to support himself. But it was in 2018 when he was featured in an educational TV programme that his luck changed. His unique background and rapping talent caught the eye of music producer Michelle Cho, who was formerly from SM Entertainment, the agency behind some of K-pop’s biggest acts. She offered him a spot in her agency, Singing Beetle. “I didn’t trust Michelle for about a year because I thought she was cheating me,” Hyuk says, adding that defectors are often targeted by scams in the South. But gradually he realised that Ms Cho was “investing way too much time and money” for it to be anything but genuine. Singing Beetle Hyuk (top), Aito (bottom left), Seok (middle), and Kenny (right) – Nathan (not pictured) joined later ‘I thought North Koreans might be scary’ Kim Seok, 24, also defected and arrived in the South in 2019, though his experience was vastly different to that of Seok’s. Coming from a relatively better-off family, Seok lived close to the border with China and had access to K-pop and K-drama through smuggled USBs and SD cards. Due to safety reasons, we are unable to reveal much more about his life in the North and how he came to the South. Both boys were described by Ms Cho as “blank canvases”, adding that she had never encountered trainees quite like them. Unlike Aito and Kenny, who had been immersed in music and dance from an early age, Hyuk and Seok were complete beginners. “They had absolutely no grasp of pop culture,” she said. But their ability to “endure physical challenges” astonished Ms Cho. They pushed through gruelling hours of dance practice with such determination that she was worried they were “overdoing it”. Apart from music and dance lessons, their training also covered etiquette and engaging in discussions, to prepare them for media interviews. “I don’t think they were used to questioning things or expressing their opinion,” says Ms Cho. “At first, when a trainer asked the reasoning behind their thoughts, the only response was, ‘Because you said so last time’.” But after more than three years, Hyuk has made remarkable progress, she says. “Now, Hyuk questions many things. For example, if I ask him to do something, he’ll reply ‘Why? Why is it necessary?’ Sometimes, I regret what I’ve done,” says Ms Cho chuckling. But what do the other two boys think of their bandmates? “I was kind of afraid at first because North Korea has a hostile relationship with Japan. I thought North Koreans would be scary, but that turned out not to be true,” says Aito, who at 20 is the youngest of the four. Kenny, who spent much of his life in the US, adds that there were also small cultural differences that have taken him time to get used to. “Korean culture is very [communal] in that you eat together… that was a culture shock [to me]”, he said. “I usually don’t like eating with people, I prefer Netflix in my ear. But their joy comes from being collective.” Late last year, the band added a fifth member, Nathan, an American of mixed Laotian and Thai heritage to the group. They aim to debut in the US later this year – a decision that the label hopes could attract more American fans. Singing Beetle Hyuk (C) had to learn singing and dancing from scratch Playing one day – in North Korea? Dozens of K-pop groups make their debut each year and only a few, typically those managed by major labels, become popular. So it’s still too early to say if 1Verse will go on to resonate with audiences. But Hyuk has big dreams, hoping that it might be possible one day for his fellow North Koreans to listen to his songs. With human rights activists often sending leaflets and USBs containing K-culture content via balloons and bottles towards the North, this may prove to be less of a pipe dream than it sounds, though Hyuk also has his worries. To avoid being seen as a vocal critic of North Korea, he refers to his homeland as “the upper side” in interviews and avoids mentioning North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Kim has in recent years been ratcheting up his crackdown on the inflow of K-culture. Since 2020, the consumption and distribution of such content has become a crime punishable by death. A rare video obtained by BBC Korean last year, believed to be filmed in 2022, shows two teenage boys publicly sentenced to 12 years of hard labour for watching and distributing K-dramas. One academic says it would cause a “stir” in North Korea should 1Verse’s music become a hit. “If a North Korean defector openly embraced their identity and went on to become a world-class activist, I think that would cause a stir in the North,” said Ha Seung-hee, an academic specialising in music and media at Dongguk University’s Institute of North Korean Studies. But his main motivation, Hyuk says, is to prove that defectors can be a success. “Many defectors see an insurmountable gap between themselves and K-pop idols. It is hardly a career option for us,” said Hyuk. “So if I succeed, other defectors might be encouraged [to] have even ******* dreams. That’s why I am trying my hardest.” Source link #North #Korean #begging #Kpop Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Bargain Hunt star is accused of putting wife in headlock during ‘ten-year campaign of violence’ Bargain Hunt star is accused of putting wife in headlock during ‘ten-year campaign of violence’ Bargain Hunt star Charles Hanson put his wife in a headlock during a ten-year campaign of violence, a court has been told. The 46-year-old, who is 182cms and weighs almost 100kgs, attacked 165cm Rebecca Hanson, 40, leaving her “scared and shocked”, jurors were told. He allegedly grabbed her arm “so hard that it left three fingertip bruises” on a separate occasion and also threatened divorce during a row about the layout of their kitchen, Derby Crown Court was told. Hanson admitted having a bad temper and pledged to go an “anger management course” after his wife, a diagnostic radiographer, said she wanted to leave him, texts between the couple showed. The antiques expert – who runs an auction house in Etwall, Derbyshire, and is a regular on BBC daytime shows Bargain Hunt, Antiques Road Trip and Flog It! – is accused of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, assault by beating and controlling or coercive behaviour between December 2015 and June 2023. He denies the charges. Camera IconCharles Hanson Credit: Instagram Opening the case against Hanson, prosecutor Stephen Kemp said the couple, who married in 2010, were initially happy but “things began to change and Mr Hanson began, on occasion, to use violence against his wife”. He said the first incident took place in 2012 and continued for about ten years. Hanson would be violent towards his wife “approximately every six months”. Mr Kemp added: “The violence was never such that she ever felt she needed to seek medical attention, she is not alleging she ever suffered any broken bones or anything as serious as that. Rather, it would usually take the form of Mr Hanson grabbing hold of her and doing so with sufficient force so as to often leave marks on her. “You will see, when [Ms Hanson] gives evidence, that she is a small woman, only about 5ft 5in tall and not much over 8 stone in weight. By contrast Mr Hanson… is over 6ft tall and not quite 16 stone.” Mr Kemp described how the couple had been arguing in their kitchen when Ms Hanson threw an empty box on the floor, prompting Hanson to run towards her, put his arm around her neck from behind and force her into a headlock. When she spoke to him afterwards, Hanson told her he felt he had to restrain her. “That is not accepted by Rebecca Hanson or the prosecution,” Mr Kemp said. “There was no need to restrain her at all, and certainly not by means of a headlock.” He said it was the first of many occasions when Hanson would “grab his wife… in anger”. In 2015, it is alleged that he grabbed her so hard that it left a bruise despite her wearing a thick, woolly jumper. Mr Kemp said Ms Hanson was too scared to call the police but did tell her father and took a photograph of her arm injury. Jurors were told that on March 24, 2020, Hanson was in a “bad mood” and threw a landline telephone at his wife during an argument, hitting her leg. Two months later, Hanson is said to have filmed his wife shouting on his mobile phone. When she tried to grab the device, he allegedly scratched her wrist. He is also accused of grabbing her shoulder hard enough to leave a red mark during an argument about the layout of their kitchen in May 2022. It is claimed Hanson pushed her after she swore at him a year later, too. She then sent him a text message reading: “I shouldn’t be scared of my husband, they are meant to protect you, not hurt you.” He replied: “I don’t know what to say… We both feel lousy. I came into our bedroom and I prodded you and then pushed you back. I was angry because you can use such awful language.” Hanson further messaged: “Sorry. I just don’t want us to break up.” She replied: “Then don’t chuck your wife around,” with her husband texting back: “I won’t ever again.” The court heard Ms Hanson then “reached the stage where she felt she had to leave him” and told his mother, Gillian, who suggested they go to marriage counselling. Police became involved soon after. In another message dated June 2023, Hanson admitted having a “bad temper”, adding: “It is completely my fault and I have let myself down. Maybe I need to go to an anger management course.” He was arrested at his £1.5million home in Quarndon, Derbyshire, later that month. He accepted that he raised his voice at times during interviews, but denied ever putting her into a headlock or causing injury. The case continues. Source link #Bargain #Hunt #star #accused #putting #wife #headlock #tenyear #campaign #violence Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Private jets collide at Scottsdale Airport in Arizona, killing at least 1 person, authorities say Private jets collide at Scottsdale Airport in Arizona, killing at least 1 person, authorities say Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what’s in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience.Generate Key Takeaways SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — At least one person was killed and others were injured when private jets collided Monday afternoon at the Scottsdale Airport in Arizona, authorities said. A midsize business jet hit another midsize business jet that was parked on private property, according to Kelli Kuester, aviation planning and outreach coordinator at the Scottsdale Airport. One jet veered off the runway and collided with the Gulfstream 200 jet that was parked, according to Kuester. It appeared that the primary landing gear of the arriving jet, resulting in the collision, she 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. Kuester said four people were on the arriving jet, which had come from Austin, Texas, and one was in the parked plane. Two people injured in the collision were taken to trauma centers and one was in stable condition at a hospital, Scottsdale Fire Department Capt. Dave Folio said. He said they were working to recover the body of the person killed in the collision. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to everybody involved in this,” Folio said. The runway has been closed and will remain closed “for the foreseeable future,” Kuester said. The airport is a popular hub for jets coming in and out of the Phoenix area, especially during big sports weekends like the Waste Management Phoenix Open golf tournament, which attracts huge crowds just a few miles away. The Scottsdale collision comes after three major U.S. aviation disasters in the past two weeks. A commercial jetliner and an Army helicopter collided near the nation’s capital on Jan. 29, killing 67 people. A medical transportation plane crashed in Philadelphia on Jan. 31, killing the six people on board and another person on the ground. And last week a small commuter plane crashed in western Alaska on its way to the hub community of Nome, killing all 10 people on board. Source link #Private #jets #collide #Scottsdale #Airport #Arizona #killing #person #authorities Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

The big bet behind Chuck Schumer's shutdown threat – Axios The big bet behind Chuck Schumer's shutdown threat – Axios The big bet behind Chuck Schumer’s shutdown threat AxiosDemocrats Hint at Government Shutdown to Stop Trump’s Axing at Federal Agencies The New York TimesSchumer lays out Senate Democrats’ strategy to push back against Trump CBS News Source link #big #bet #Chuck #Schumer039s #shutdown #threat #Axios Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Breaking down the judicial branch’s role in curbing executive power Breaking down the judicial branch’s role in curbing executive power Breaking down the judicial branch’s role in curbing executive power – CBS News Watch CBS News Presidents and the judicial branch have tangled before, but what is new, is the gusto with which President Trump and his team have asserted the scope of executive power. Jessica Levinson breaks it all down. Be the first to know Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not Now Turn On Source link #Breaking #judicial #branchs #role #curbing #executive #power Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump issues ultimatum to ****** on hostage release, threatening fragile ceasefire Trump issues ultimatum to ****** on hostage release, threatening fragile ceasefire President Trump issued an ultimatum to ******, saying that if all Israeli hostages are not released from Gaza by noon Saturday, then “all hell is going to break loose.” Asked by reporters for details on what that meant, Mr. Trump initially responded, “You’ll find out, and they’ll find out too. ****** will find out what I mean.” He then said ending the ceasefire would be “Israel’s decision,” but that he felt it would be “appropriate” to cancel the agreement if the hostages aren’t released by his deadline. Mr. Trump made the comments about the hostage negotiations while he was signing executive orders at the White House on Monday. ****** on Monday said the next hostage release, which was scheduled for Saturday, has been delayed after a spokesman accused Israel of violating the ceasefire agreement by targeting Palestinians in Gaza with airstrikes. “This includes delays in allowing displaced Palestinians to return to northern Gaza, targeting them with airstrikes and gunfire across various areas of the Strip, and failing to facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid as agreed,” said Abu Obeida, the spokesperson for ******’ armed wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades. Defense Minister Israel Katz said ******’ plan to delay the next release of hostages was “a complete violation” of the ceasefire agreement and that he instructed the Israeli military to be on the highest level of alert. The prime minister’s coordinator for hostages said the Israeli government intends to live up to its end of the agreement. The current six-week ceasefire agreement between Israel and ****** calls for the release of dozens of hostages captured during the Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attack in exchange for roughly 2,000 ************ prisoners. But as Mr. Trump on Monday threatened to upend that agreement, he said Saturday’s delayed hostage release — which was to include the release of three hostages held by ****** in exchange for the release of hundreds of ************ prisoners — should include all remaining hostages. “I’d say they ought to be returned by 12 o’clock on Saturday,” Mr. Trump said, “… all of them, not in drips and drabs, not two and one and three and four and two.” The sides have carried out five swaps since the ceasefire went into effect last month, freeing 18 hostages, including Keith Siegel, who has dual U.S.-Israeli nationality, and over 730 ************ prisoners. The most recent exchange, which took place on Feb. 8, caused some alarm because of the emaciated condition of the three male hostages who were released by ******. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum said the three male hostages “endured hell itself,” after seeing the state of the men. Negotiations on the second phase of the ceasefire — which was brokered by the U.S., Qatar and Egypt — have begun, but Mr. Trump may have complicated the situation last week by suggesting the U.S. could “take over” Gaza. The plan put forth by the president, which he’s not backed down from, has drawn tentative backing from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration, but it has been roundly condemned by many nations in the region and around the world, including the neighbors of Israel to which Mr. Trump said Gaza’s population should be relocated. Tucker Reals and Sara Cook contributed to this report. Crisis in the Middle East More More Source link #Trump #issues #ultimatum #****** #hostage #release #threatening #fragile #ceasefire Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]