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Super Bowl preview: 11 final thoughts ahead of Eagles vs. Chiefs – Bleeding Green Nation Super Bowl preview: 11 final thoughts ahead of Eagles vs. Chiefs – Bleeding Green Nation Super Bowl preview: 11 final thoughts ahead of Eagles vs. Chiefs Bleeding Green NationHow to Watch the Super Bowl Live for Free in 2025: Chiefs vs. Eagles IGNSuper Bowl 2025: Predictions, picks, final score, MVP and more Yahoo SportsWhat time does the Super Bowl start tomorrow? Chiefs vs. Eagles scheduled kickoff USA TODAYNFL experts predict Eagles-Chiefs: Why one team was picked by a landslide, plus who could win MVP ESPN Source link #Super #Bowl #preview #final #thoughts #ahead #Eagles #Chiefs #Bleeding #Green #Nation Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘Terrible wife’: Why Donald Trump says he won’t deport Prince Harry ‘Terrible wife’: Why Donald Trump says he won’t deport Prince Harry Donald Trump says he won’t deport Prince Harry – because the royal “has enough problems” with his ‘terrible” wife. The President admitted he was not interested in throwing the Duke of Sussex out of the US amid his visa row, but couldn’t resist a dig at his wife, Meghan. Mr Trump said: “I don’t want to do that. I’ll leave him alone. He’s got enough problems with his wife. She’s terrible.” He had much higher praise for Harry’s older brother, adding: “I think William is a great young man.” Harry’s visa row erupted again this week when a judge ruled he intended to make some documents public in the ongoing legal fight. The dispute concerns whether the prince told the truth on his visa application when he and Meghan entered the US in March 2020. Camera IconPrince Harry and Duchess Meghan Credit: BANG – Entertainment News The Washington think-tank, The Heritage Foundation, sued the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) last year to find out if Harry answered honestly when he was asked on his application “have you ever used drugs or been a drug abuser or addict?” In his 2023 memoir Spare, Harry admitted using ********, ********** and magic mushrooms. Nile Gardiner of The Heritage Foundation said: “If he answered the drugs question honestly then he would have needed a visa waiver. Did he get one or was he given special treatment? The public has a right to know.” Judge Carl Nichols originally ruled in Harry’s favour, saying he had a right to privacy. But after The Heritage Foundation appealed, Judge Nichols this week ordered the DHS to redact any personal information from the documents with a view to releasing them to the public. Mr Trump’s cutting words about Meghan, told to the New York Post, are not the first time he’s criticised the Duchess of Sussex, who is a self-professed liberal and openly supported former President Joe Biden. She slammed Mr Trump as “divisive and misogynistic” in a 2016 interview when Mr Trump ran for President the first time. Meghan claimed she would move to Canada if he was elected. In an earlier interview, Mr Trump said he felt Harry “had betrayed the Queen” which was “unforgivable”. And in 2022 Mr Trump told Piers Morgan: “Harry is whipped, do you know the expression? “I won’t use the full expression, but Harry is whipped like no person I think I’ve ever seen. I’m not a fan of Meghan, I’m not a fan, and I wasn’t right from the beginning. I think poor Harry is being led around by his nose.” When Morgan asked if he thought the marriage would end, Mr Trump replied: “I do, I’ve been a very good predictor, as you know, I’ve predicted almost everything, it’ll end, and it’ll end bad. I wonder if Harry’s going to go back on his hands and knees and say, “please”. “You know, I think Harry’s been led down a path.” He believed the late Queen should have stripped the Sussexes of their titles: ‘the only thing I disagree with the Queen on, probably one of the only things ever, is that I think she should have said, “If that’s your choice fine, but you no longer have titles and frankly don’t come around”. He has been so disrespectful to the country and I think he’s an embarrassment.” At a campaign event last year, Mr Trump said of Meghan: “I’m not a fan of hers, and I would say this… I wish a lot of luck to Harry, because he’s going to need it.” Source link #Terrible #wife #Donald #Trump #wont #deport #Prince #Harry Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

FDA recalls more than 2 million baked goods over concerns of listeria contamination FDA recalls more than 2 million baked goods over concerns of listeria contamination The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a recall for 60 baked products, including a variety of doughnuts, over concerns of potential listeria contamination. The recall, which impacts approximately 2 million baked goods, was issued for products manufactured by FGF Brands, a pastry wholesaler that distributes baked goods within the U.S. and Canada, according to the FDA report. The reason for the recall, meanwhile, is listed as “potential for contamination with listeria monocytogenes.” Recalled products include a variety of filled and flavored donuts, cinnamon sticks, French crullers, and fritters, some of which are also sold at Dunkin’, and were produced before Dec. 13, 2024, according to the report. Class II classification While the recall was initially issued on Jan. 7, it was upgraded to Class II on Wednesday. Class II is defined as “a situation in which use of, or exposure to, a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote,” according to the FDA’s website. The FDA did not specify the next steps for consumers and FGF Brands did not immediately respond to USA TODAY’s request for a comment. Customers can reach the company via telephone at 905-761-3333 or via email at *****@*****.tld, according to details mentioned on their website. A full list of products can be found on the FDA’s website. See the collection: Krispy Kreme unveils new doughnut collection ahead of Valentine’s Day Listeria poisoning symptoms Listeriosis, or listeria poisoning, is a foodborne bacterial infection most commonly caused by the bacterium listeria monocytogenes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is considered a serious condition and can be dangerous or life-threatening, especially to older adults, people with weak immune systems, and pregnant women. Listeria is the third leading cause of death from foodborne illness in the U.S., according to the CDC. The agency estimates that the disease impacts 1,600 Americans each year, with approximately 260 people dying from those infections. Symptoms include, per the CDC: Other gastrointestinal symptoms Miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery and/or life-threatening infection of newborn infants People in higher-risk categories who experience flu-like symptoms within two months after eating contaminated food should seek medical care. Contributing: Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at *****@*****.tld and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: FGF Brands baked products recall: FDA elevates risk, what to know Source link #FDA #recalls #million #baked #goods #concerns #listeria #contamination Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Bird Flu Suspected in Deaths of Ducks and Wild Birds at N.Y.C. Zoos – The New York Times Bird Flu Suspected in Deaths of Ducks and Wild Birds at N.Y.C. Zoos – The New York Times Bird Flu Suspected in Deaths of Ducks and Wild Birds at N.Y.C. Zoos The New York TimesMultiple birds die at city zoos amid bird flu outbreak, officials say Spectrum News NY1Race to sell chickens after New York City live poultry markets ordered shut due to avian flu The Associated PressLive bird markets in NYC, Long Island, Westchester shut down after 7 avian flu cases in poultry ABC7 New YorkBird flu confirmed in Rockland; H5N1 suspected in other dead geese found in Spring Valley The Journal News Source link #Bird #Flu #Suspected #Deaths #Ducks #Wild #Birds #N.Y.C #Zoos #York #Times Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

With Player Counts at an All Time Low, Overwatch 2’s Anti-Smurf Drive Comes a Bit Too Late With Player Counts at an All Time Low, Overwatch 2’s Anti-Smurf Drive Comes a Bit Too Late There’s no denying the fact that Marvel Rivals has proven itself to be a blockbuster. The hero-shooter debuted with a high player-count and even surpassed it in the first season. Unfortunately, the game’s success has had a horrible effect on Blizzard’s Overwatch 2. Overwatch 2 has been facing a downward spiral since its release. (Image via Blizzard) Ever since Marvel Rivals‘ debut, players have been flocking to the hero-shooter, abandoning Overwatch 2. Blizzard is desperate and has rolled out a new strategy to fight back against Smurfs, but it seems like it’s a bit too late now. Overwatch 2 is finally fighting against Marvel Rivals Smurfing has been a thing in Overwatch since its debut. If you’re unfamiliar with smurfing, it’s skilled gamers making multiple accounts to completely wreck low-skilled players or play with their friends in low-ranked lobbies. Blizzard has tried to deal with the situation multiple times with multiple additions and changes, but nothing has worked out. However, the studio is taking things up a notch. According to the company, it is testing a feature that would help recognize skilled players on new accounts. With this new feature, Blizzard will be able to quickly move smurf accounts in MMR and to the ranks where they actually should be. That’s not all; the developers are also putting new players in lobbies filled with AI bots so they can understand the basics of Overwatch 2 without being destroyed by seasoned veterans. Gamers on Overwatch’s official subreddit are happy to see the changes and can’t wonder why it took Blizzard so long to implement such a basic feature. Comment byu/Bouncy__Bear from discussion inOverwatch Comment byu/Bouncy__Bear from discussion inOverwatch Comment byu/Bouncy__Bear from discussion inOverwatch Comment byu/Bouncy__Bear from discussion inOverwatch Comment byu/Bouncy__Bear from discussion inOverwatch It’s great to see that Blizzard has finally taken steps in the right direction to deal with smurfing in the hero-shooter. However, considering how badly the game is doing thanks to Marvel Rivals, these changes should’ve been made much earlier. Multiple features Overwatch 2 desperately needs to survive Overwatch 2 needs to listen to the community. (Image via Blizzard) The fact that Blizzard has brought a number of nostalgic features in recent seasons, such as Pink Mercy, Overwatch Classic mode, and 6v6 playtest, shows that the studio is aware of the game’s dire situation and will do anything to save it. However, Blizzard needs to work on more things and bring features that the community has been requesting for ages. These include the permanent return of 6v6 with a dedicated leaderboard and ruleset. While it might be a while before this feature gets added, all we need is an acknowledgment from Blizzard. Hero bans in Marvel Rivals have brought back the conversation in the Overwatch 2 community. Some players argue the feature could prevent busted heroes from dominating matches. While hero bans in the Blizzard title might not function as smoothly as they do in Rivals, it could be a step in the right direction. That’s not all; gamers have also demanded a return of Skill Rating (SR) points rather than the overhauled system that debuted with Overwatch 2. When Blizzard abandoned SR, it was controversial because gamers couldn’t see a number linked with their skill. With that said, are you happy with Blizzard’s new solution to smurfing in Overwatch 2? Let us know in the comments below Source link #Player #Counts #Time #Overwatch #AntiSmurf #Drive #Bit #Late Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

*********** Cam Myers continues record-breaking streak *********** Cam Myers continues record-breaking streak *********** Cameron Myers has continued his flying start to 2025 with a record-breaking performance in the Wanamaker Mile in the US. Source link #*********** #Cam #Myers #continues #recordbreaking #streak Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Three big iPhone SE 4 rumors you might’ve missed – 9to5Mac Three big iPhone SE 4 rumors you might’ve missed – 9to5Mac Three big iPhone SE 4 rumors you might’ve missed 9to5MacApple’s Long-Awaited Overhaul of iPhone SE Nears Release BloombergApple Leak Reveals iPhone SE Release Date ForbesNew Apple products will launch next week, here’s what’s coming 9to5MaciPhone SE 4 Rumors: Apple’s New SE Could Drop Soon With an iPhone 14-Like Design CNET Source link #big #iPhone #rumors #mightve #missed #9to5Mac Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Davis injury clouds Mavs debut after seismic NBA trade Davis injury clouds Mavs debut after seismic NBA trade Anthony Davis made a strong early impression in his Dallas Mavericks debut as fans vent over the trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers. Source link #Davis #injury #clouds #Mavs #debut #seismic #NBA #trade Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

A 7.6 magnitude earthquake shakes the Caribbean, some islands urge residents to leave coastlines – ABC News A 7.6 magnitude earthquake shakes the Caribbean, some islands urge residents to leave coastlines – ABC News A 7.6 magnitude earthquake shakes the Caribbean, some islands urge residents to leave coastlines ABC NewsMagnitude 7.6 earthquake in the Caribbean triggers a tsunami advisory for Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands CNNLarge Earthquake Strikes Caribbean Near Cayman Islands The Weather ChannelPowerful earthquake in Caribbean triggers “tsunami threat” for Cuba, Honduras and Cayman Islands, officials say CBS NewsMajor earthquake shakes Caribbean with islands watching for tsunami potential Fox Weather Source link #magnitude #earthquake #shakes #Caribbean #islands #urge #residents #leave #coastlines #ABC #News Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Japan PM optimistic about averting US tariffs Japan PM optimistic about averting US tariffs Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has expressed optimism his country can avoid higher US tariffs, after meeting with President Donald Trump. At his first White House summit on Friday, Ishiba told public broadcaster NHK, he explained to Trump how many Japanese automakers were creating jobs in the United States. The two did not specifically discuss auto tariffs, Ishiba said, although he said he did not know whether Japan would be subject to the reciprocal tariffs that Trump has said he plans to impose on imports. Tokyo has so far escaped the trade war Trump unleashed in his first weeks in office. He has announced tariffs on goods from Canada, Mexico and China, although he postponed the 25 per cent duties on his North American neighbours to allow for talks. The escalating trade tensions since Trump returned to the White House on January 20 threaten to rupture the global economy. Ishiba said he believes Trump “recognised the fact Japan has been the world’s largest investor in the United States for five straight years, and is therefore different from other countries”. “Japan is creating many US jobs. I believe (Washington) won’t go straight to the idea of higher tariffs,” he said. Ishiba voiced optimism that Japan and the US can avoid a ****-for-tat tariff war, stressing that tariffs should be put in place in a way that “benefits both sides”. “Any action that exploits or excludes the other side won’t last,” Ishiba said. “The question is whether there is any problem between Japan and the United States that warrants imposing higher tariffs,” he added. Japan had the highest foreign direct investment in the United States in 2023 at $US783.3 billion ($A1.2 trillion), followed by Canada and Germany, according to the most recent US Commerce Department data. Trump pressed Ishiba to close Japan’s $US68.5 billion ($A109.3 billion) annual trade surplus with Washington but expressed optimism this could be done quickly, given a promise by Ishiba to bring Japanese investment in the US to $US1 ($A1.6) trillion. On Sunday, Ishiba identified liquefied natural gas, steel, AI and autos as areas that Japanese companies could invest in. He also touched on Trump’s promise to look at Nippon Steel investing in US Steel, as opposed to buying the storied American company – a planned purchase opposed by Trump and blocked by Joe Biden. “Investment is being made to ensure that it remains an American company. It will continue to operate under American management, with American employees,” Ishiba said. “The key point is how to ensure it remains an American company. From President Trump’s perspective, this is of utmost importance.” On military spending, another area where Trump has pressed allies for increases, Ishiba said Japan would not increase its defence budget without first winning public backing. “It is crucial to ensure that what is deemed necessary is something the taxpayers can understand and support,” he said. Source link #Japan #optimistic #averting #tariffs Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Prelim Results | UFC 312: Du Plessis vs Strickland 2 – UFC Prelim Results | UFC 312: Du Plessis vs Strickland 2 – UFC Prelim Results | UFC 312: Du Plessis vs Strickland 2 UFCUFC 312 LIVE: Results and analysis for Du Plessis vs. Strickland 2 ESPNAussie makes UFC history with 19sec KO news.com.auUFC 312 predictions — Dricus du Plessis vs. Sean Strickland: Fight card, odds, preview, expert picks, prelims CBS SportsUFC 312 Full Live Results Yahoo Sports Source link #Prelim #Results #UFC #Plessis #Strickland #UFC Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

West Coast invite Werribee star Jack Henderson to train on after losing premiership hero Dom Sheed to injury West Coast invite Werribee star Jack Henderson to train on after losing premiership hero Dom Sheed to injury West Coast have opened the door for VFL star Jack Henderson to earn an AFL call-up as they look to fill the void left by a season-ending injury to premiership hero Dom Sheed. Henderson, 24, is set to head west less than three weeks out from the pre-season supplemental selection ******* deadline to trial for a list spot. If you’d like to view this content, please adjust your Cookie Settings. To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide. It comes less than a week after Sheed ruptured his ACL at training, with the 29-year-old undergoing a knee reconstruction last week that will sidelined him for the entirety of the 2025. The Eagles will have to put Sheed on the inactive list to officially open up a spot, with the 165-gamer out-of-contract at the end of this season. Henderson is an inside midfielder who also has a knack for kicking goals and standing up on the big stage, winning the Norm Goss Medal for best on in the VFL grand final. Camera IconShaun Mannagh presents Jack Henderson with the Norm Goss Memorial Medal as best afield in the VFL grand final. Credit: Michael Willson/AFL Photos He kicked two goals from 23 disposals, eight tackles and seven marks that day, while he also averaged 21.1 disposals, 5.4 tackles and 4.1 marks and kicked 15 goals in 21 games. Werribee have become a football factory for mature-age players in recent years, with Geelong forward Shaun Mannagh as well as Riley Bice, Aidan Johnson and Sam Clohesy all landing spots on lists. Camera IconJack Henderson lays a tackle. Credit: Rob Lawson/AFL Photos Premiership captain Dom Brew is also training at the Western Bulldogs this summer in the hope of earning an AFL shot. Henderson will join former Gold Coast defender Sandy Brock and St Kilda draftee James Van Es as hopefuls to get a spot on the Eagles’ list ahead of the SSP deadline of February 21. Brock has been training with the Eagles for most of the pre-season, while Van Es headed west after Christmas when former Eagle Coby Burgiel was not invited back. Source link #West #Coast #invite #Werribee #star #Jack #Henderson #train #losing #premiership #hero #Dom #Sheed #injury Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Lakers trade for Hornets' Williams rescinded – ESPN Lakers trade for Hornets' Williams rescinded – ESPN Lakers trade for Hornets’ Williams rescinded ESPNView Full Coverage on Google News Source link #Lakers #trade #Hornets039 #Williams #rescinded #ESPN Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Woman’s deepfake betrayal by friend: ‘Every moment became porn’ Woman’s deepfake betrayal by friend: ‘Every moment became porn’ Tiffanie Turnbull BBC News, Sydney Nikki Short/BBC *********** woman Hannah Grundy was shocked to discover a website containing deepfake images of her Warning: Contains offensive language and descriptions of ******* violence It was a warm February night when an ominous message popped into Hannah Grundy’s inbox in Sydney. “I will just keep emailing because I think this is worthy of your attention,” the anonymous sender wrote. Inside was a link, and a warning in bold: “[This] contains disturbing material.” She hesitated for a moment, fearing it was a scam. The reality was so much worse. The link contained pages and pages of fake ************ featuring Hannah, alongside detailed ***** fantasies and violent threats. “You’re tied up in them,” she recalls. “You look afraid. You’ve got tears in your eyes. You’re in a cage.” Written in kitschy word art on some images was Hannah’s full name. Her Instagram handle was posted, as was the suburb she lived in. She would later learn her phone number had also been given out. That email kicked off a saga Hannah likens to a movie. She was left to become her own detective, uncovering a sickening betrayal by someone close to her, and building a case which changed her life – and *********** legal standards. ‘Pure shock’ The web page was called “The Destruction of Hannah”, and at the top of it was a poll where hundreds of people had voted on the vicious ways they wanted to abuse her. Below was a thread of more than 600 vile photos, with Hannah’s face stitched on to them. Buried in between them were chilling threats. “I’m closing in on this *****,” the main poster said. “I want to hide in her house and wait until she is alone, grab her from behind and… feel her struggle.” It’s been three years now, but the 35-year-old school teacher has no trouble recalling the “pure shock” that coursed through when she and partner Kris Ventura, 33, opened the page. “You immediately feel unsafe,” Hannah tells me, eyes wide as she grips a mug of peppermint tea in her living room. Clicking through the website Kris had also found photos of their close friends, along with images depicting at least 60 other women, many also from Sydney. The couple quickly realised the pictures used to create the deepfakes were from the women’s private social media accounts. And the penny dropped: this was someone they all knew. Desperate to find out who, Hannah and Kris spent hours at the kitchen table, identifying the women, searching their social media friends lists for a common link, and methodically building a dossier of evidence. Within four hours, they had a list of three potential suspects. On it, but immediately discounted, was their close friend from university Andrew Hayler. The trio had met while working at a campus bar, and the staff there quickly formed deep friendships. And Andy, as they called him – the supervisor – was the glue of the group. Supplied Hannah, Kris and Andy (right) met while working at Sydney University’s campus bar He was considerate and affable, Hannah says – the kind of guy who looked out for women in the bar and made sure his female friends got home safely after a night out. They all hung out regularly, went on holidays together, loved and trusted each other. “I thought of him as a very close friend,” Hannah says. “We were just so sure that he was a good person.” But soon they’d whittled down the list to just one name: his. Fear and delays When Hannah woke the next morning and went to the police station, mingling with her shock and horror was a “naive” sliver of optimism. “We thought they’d go grab him that afternoon,” Kris says with a wry smile. Instead, Hannah says she was met with disdain. She recalls one New South Wales Police officer asking what she’d done to Andy. At one stage they suggested Hannah simply ask him to stop. Later, they pointed to a picture of her in a skimpy outfit and said “you look cute in this one”, she says. New South Wales Police declined to comment to the BBC on the specifics of Hannah’s case. But she says the way her complaint was handled made her feel like she was making “a big deal out of nothing”. “And for me, it felt quite life-changing,” says Hannah. Any faith she still held that police would help quickly dwindled. Amid delays, she turned to Australia’s eSafety Commissioner, but under its powers as a regulatory body it could only offer help in taking the content down. Supplied Andy had digitally edited and posted hundreds of photos of Hannah Desperate, the couple hired a lawyer and commissioned a digital forensics analyst to move things along. In the meantime, to avoid tipping Andy off and to keep themselves safe, they retreated inwards. “The world for you just gets smaller. You don’t speak to people. You don’t really go out,” Hannah says. Intense fear and loneliness filled the void instead. “We’d already had to suspend complete belief to understand that he’d done these things, so [the idea of] him actually coming to try and ***** you or hurt you isn’t that much of a ******* stretch.” The couple installed cameras all around their house and set up location tracking on Hannah’s devices. She began wearing a health watch 24/7, so someone would know if her heartbeat rose – or ceased. “I stopped having the windows open because I was scared… maybe someone would come in,” Hannah explains. “We slept with a knife in both of our bedside tables because we just thought: ‘What if?'” Still feeling abandoned by police, Kris had taken on the burden of monitoring the site for the slightest sign of escalation towards Hannah and any of their friends – who, to protect the investigation, still did not know anything. Guilt ate at the pair: “We had a constant battle about whether it was right to not tell them,” Hannah says. At one point told the investigation had been suspended, Hannah and Kris forked out even more money for a detailed forensic report, and threatened to make a formal complaint to the police watchdog. All up, they spent over A$20,000 (£10,200; $12,400) trying to protect themselves and stop Andy. Finally a new detective was assigned and within two weeks police were raiding Andy’s house. He admitted everything. Filled with relief, then dread, Hannah began calling her friends to break the news. “My stomach just dropped,” Jessica Stuart says, recalling the moment she learned what Andy had done to her photos. Nikki Short/BBC Jess says Andy had appeared “thoughtful” and “unthreatening” “I felt really violated but… I don’t think I fully comprehended.” For her, again, the sucker punch was that a friend who she loved like “family” was behind the crime. Andy had always appeared “so unassuming” and “really thoughtful” – someone she’d called for help through a difficult time. “It’s been really hard to reconcile that those two people are actually the same person.” A landmark case The case was uncharted territory for Australia. For at least a decade, experts have warned advances in technology would lead to a wave of AI crimes. But authorities have been caught on the back foot, leaving deepfake victims – overwhelmingly women – vulnerable. At the time Andy was arrested in 2022, there was no offence for creating or sharing deepfake ************ in NSW, or anywhere else in Australia, and the country had never seen a case of this magnitude before. The 39-year-old was charged with using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence – a low-level catch-all offence for many internet crimes – and Hannah was warned to keep her expectations low. “We were prepared to go to court and for him to get a slap on the wrist,” she says. But she and the 25 other women who decided to be part of the case were determined Andy be held accountable. One after the other, several gave crushing statements at his sentencing hearing last year. “You didn’t just betray my friendship, but you shattered the sense of safety I used to take for granted,” Jess told the court. “The world feels unfamiliar and dangerous, I am constantly anxious, I have nightmares when I am able to sleep. “Forming new friendships feels impossible, burdened by the constant question: ‘Could this person be like you?'” When it came time for Andy to apologise to the women he’d targeted, Jess and Hannah couldn’t stomach being in the room. They walked out. “There is nothing that he can say to me that makes it better, and I wanted him to know that,” Hannah says. Andy told the court that creating the images had felt “empowering” as “an outlet” for a “dark” part of his psyche, but that he didn’t think they would cause real harm. “I have really done a terrible thing and I am so very sorry,” he said. Judge Jane Culver was not convinced of his remorse, saying while there was “some contrition”, he didn’t seem to understand the clearly “profound and ongoing” suffering that his “prolific” and “disturbing” offending had caused. She sentenced Andy to nine years in jail – in what has been called a landmark decision. “The gasp that went through the court… it was such a relief,” Jess says. “It was the first time I felt like we had actually been listened to.” Andy will be eligible for parole in December 2029, but has told the court he intends to challenge his sentence. Ethan Rix/ABC News Hannah and Jess hug last year, after a jail sentence was handed down to Andy Nicole Shackleton, a law expert who researches technology and gender, told the BBC the “unprecedented” case set a surprising, and significant, legal standard for future cases. The judge had recognised “this wasn’t merely something that happened online” and that such behaviour was “tied to offline violence against women”, said Dr Shackleton, from Melbourne’s RMIT University. But Australia and other countries remain poor at regulating the use of AI and proactively investigating its misuse, experts like her argue. Australia has recently criminalised the creation and sharing of deepfake ************ at a national level. But many other countries have legislation accused of containing loopholes, or do not criminalise deepfake ************ at all. In the ***, sharing it is an offence, but creating or soliciting it is not – though this is about to change. And in the face of under-trained and under-resourced police forces, many victims like Hannah or private investigators – like the one who tipped her off – are left to be de facto detectives and regulators. In a statement, NSW Police said investigations into AI crimes are a challenging, “resource and time intensive process”, and training has recently been beefed up “with the goal that every officer… can respond to these types of crimes effectively”. The force also works with the eSafety Commissioner and tech companies to take down deepfake abuse, the statement added. eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said removal of the distressing material is the top priority for most victim-survivors, and eSafety had “an extremely high success rate in achieving it”. But eSafety does not have the punitive powers to pursue criminal investigations and penalties, she added in a statement to the BBC. Nikki Short/BBC Hannah and Kris say they want police approaches to change “You can have whatever laws you like, [but] if you have a police force that are incompetent…” Kris says, trailing off. “We’re obviously angry at Andy. But it is also disgusting that the only way you get justice with something like this is if you’re two people in your 30s that can afford to bully the police.” They’re determined for things to be different for future victims. In the past six months alone, two schoolboys in separate cases in NSW and Victoria have been reported to police for allegedly creating mass deepfake nudes of their classmates. After several years of hell, Hannah is also trying to move on. But Andy’s looming appeal threatens the hard work she’s done to rebuild her life and mental health. Knees at her chest and feet tucked under her on the couch, she says Andy got the sentence he deserved. “Because for me, and for the other girls, it is forever… they will always be on the internet,” she says. She still pays for a service which scours the web for the pictures, and she worries about future friends, employers, students – her own children – finding them. One of her biggest fears is that her best memories will never be reclaimed. “You post things on Facebook and Instagram because they’re the happiest moments of your life. You get a dog, you buy a house, you get engaged and you post a photo. “He had turned every single one of those moments for us into porn. And so when you see that photo… well, now I see myself getting ******.” If you’ve been affected by the issues in this story, help and support is available via the BBC Action Line Source link #Womans #deepfake #betrayal #friend #moment #porn Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

WA State election 2025: Liberals detail $91m plan to ease pressure on hospital EDs WA State election 2025: Liberals detail $91m plan to ease pressure on hospital EDs Liberal leader Libby Mettam has announced a $91 million plan to ease pressure at Perth’s public hospital emergency departments, redirecting low-priority cases for free treatment at St John Urgent Care clinics. Source link #State #election #Liberals #detail #91m #plan #ease #pressure #hospital #EDs Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Millions of doughnuts, pastries recalled after potential listeria contamination – KTVB.com Millions of doughnuts, pastries recalled after potential listeria contamination – KTVB.com Millions of doughnuts, pastries recalled after potential listeria contamination KTVB.com2 Million Doughnut and Pastry Products Have Been Recalled from Stores Due to Potential Listeria Contamination PEOPLEFDA recalls more than 2 million baked goods over concerns of listeria contamination USA TODAY2 million donut products recalled nationwide over listeria risk: FDA WJTVDonuts Recalled Nationwide: Full List of Products Impacted Newsweek Source link #Millions #doughnuts #pastries #recalled #potential #listeria #contamination #KTVB.com Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Navigating the crazy world of dating after my wife’s death Navigating the crazy world of dating after my wife’s death Geraint John Geraint, seen here at his wife’s memorial bench, says he accepts his grief is “never going to go” When you’re chatting to someone on a dating app, at what point do you mention that you’re recently widowed and still grieving the loss of the mother of your three children? This is just one of the many predicaments Geraint John has found himself in since losing his wife Deb to pancreatic ******* two-and-a-half years ago. Geraint, 43, had not been on a date in 20 years and found the experience of online dating “degrading but funny”. One date threw a drink over him. Others made a sharp exit the moment he mentioned he had been recently widowed. Another began contacting him so relentlessly he said he considered seeking an injunction. “I was like ‘good God, [dating] really has changed’,” he laughed. Geraint John Deb died in September 2022 at the age of 43 Geraint and Deb had met at a gig in 2005, just three months later she quit her job in Nottingham to move to live with him in Cardiff, they married the following year, moved to London and went on to have three children, now aged 17, 13 and 10. Deb was diagnosed with pancreatic ******* in March 2021 and died in September the following year at the age of 43. Geraint said there had been a number of grim milestones since then. One of the earliest was returning home and seeing her belongings – coats, shoes, glasses – around the house. Then there was the “really, really difficult day” he vacuum-packed all of her clothes and put them away in the attic. About six months after her death he realised that what had begun as an onslaught of home-made lasagnes from well-wishers had finally petered out. “People just assume you’re OK and then what happens is you’re just sat on the sofa on your own and people don’t come over and it’s quite a dark place to be,” he said. It was around this time that he began thinking about dating. Geraint John describes his grief as like a film with a mix of emotions ‘Deb had said to just get on with it’ He felt encouraged by a conversation he’d had with Deb in her final days. “I remember Deb saying to me, ‘oh, you’ll be alright, just get on with it’,” he said. But his plans to date received a mixed response from those around him. “People were like ‘oh, it’s too soon’. Or another one was ‘you do you’,” he said. “My family just thought it was hilarious and ‘good on you’. “The kids just found it hilarious.” He set up an online dating profile. “I felt so stupid putting these pictures of me on there. I think there was a picture of me topless on holiday,” he laughed. “Then you think, ‘good God, who on Earth is going to want to go on a date with a 42-year-old widower with three kids who is up and down like a Jack in a box? This is going to be interesting.” Geraint John Deb and Geraint married in 2006 ‘Dates literally disappear’ Before long he found himself going on sometimes several dates a week. “In some cases they were absolutely lovely and in some it was literally like a Mad Hatter’s tea party, just absolute chaos,” he laughed. He experimented with how best to break the news of his situation – sometimes he would give the heads-up before meeting, other times he would tell them in person. “Sometimes people have literally disappeared into the toilet as soon as I’ve said ‘I’m a widower, my wife died 18 months ago’ or said ‘I’m just going to get a drink’ and then gone home,” he said. “That happened like two or three times, which was hilarious. They would just literally disappear.” Then there was the time a date tried to kiss him, he refused and all hell broke loose. “She basically started screaming and shouting at me in front of everyone, she actually launched at me and the doorman had to get involved,” he said. “She then made a universally recognised hand gesture towards me and off she went into the night.” He said one woman started relentlessly contacting him from different social media accounts and calling him from different numbers. On one date he found himself drenched in wine. “I made an excuse that I needed to go and she said ‘you’ve just wasted my time’ and just threw a drink all over me,” he said. “I had white wine just dripping down my Welsh face.” There have also been dates with some “really lovely people” who were also grieving a partner. “But of course that’s not going to work out, is it. I’m all over the shop,” he said. Geraint John Geraint said taking his children on holidays had been a welcome distraction ‘She understands me’ Just over six months ago Geraint met someone. It was not through a dating site and they already knew of each other. “She was aware of my situation and she’s been incredibly helpful to me in the sense that she kind of understands me,” he said. They have been on holiday with both her and his children and have another trip planned. Both his children and wider family are happy for him, he said. “Deb’s parents are fantastic and have been so supportive and we get on so well… we text and they come down and we’ve gone through this together. “They know that I’m with someone who’s a good person.” Geraint John Geraint takes his children out for dinner on Deb’s birthday But how do you navigate a new relationship alongside grieving for you wife? “It’s really, really tough,” he admitted. He said recently on what would have been Deb’s birthday his “head totally went”. “I was a difficult person to be around,” he said. “But I think we’ve got through the difficult bits now.” Ongoing grief Geraint said he had accepted Deb was not coming back and was learning to live with his grief. “But there have been times I’ve called out for her after thinking she was there in the street because [a woman was] wearing the same coat,” he said. He believes his loss has left him an angrier, highly anxious if more empathetic version of himself. “There’s all this nonsense that it goes away after two years, I hate it when people say that, in fact, it’s never going to go so don’t listen to that nonsense,” he said. Geraint John Geraint and Deb have three children together On Deb’s birthday he and his three children go out for dinner but book a table for five people. “When they say ‘is the fifth person arriving?’ I always say ‘it just looks like she’s running late’,” he said. He said he tried to avoid Mother’s Day but on the anniversary of her death hosts a memorial event each year Deb’s picture looks back at him from their fridge and around the house and he often spends time sitting on her memorial bench when he wants time to reflect. Social media has been an outlet for his grief and he continues to share his experience in the hope it may help others going through something similar. “When she was dying, I said to her ‘no-one’s ever going to forget you’,” he said. “I’ve kind of made that my mission.” Geraint’s advice for those facing the death of a partnerIf you can, before the person dies create a guide book to life without them, including practical things such as when do the bins go out? How do I get up the attic? When do I put the winter sheets on the bed?Ask your close friends for support during difficult milestones, such as packing away a loved one’s belongingsHave a code word with close friends that means you need support quicklyDon’t forget self-care – keep exercising and keep an eye on how much alcohol you’re consumingKeep talking about the person you have lost and share your grief with others Geraint’s advice for those in a relationship with someone grieving a partnerCommunication is key, have an open dialogueDon’t lead anyone up the garden path – they’re vulnerable Learn about grief – he recommends Ricky Gervais’ Netflix series After Life and Julia Samuel’s podcast A Living LossTreat the person who is grieving how you would like to be treated if you were in that situationAlways be respectful about the person who is no longer there Source link #Navigating #crazy #world #dating #wifes #death Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Mitchell Johnson: The meeting with Cooper Connolly that convinced me he would get the best out of himself Mitchell Johnson: The meeting with Cooper Connolly that convinced me he would get the best out of himself Mitchell Johnson reflects on a chance meeting with Cooper Connolly that told him everything he needed to know. And the message he’d give him if they met again, now that he’s earned his baggy green. Source link #Mitchell #Johnson #meeting #Cooper #Connolly #convinced Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Irish boxer Cooney dies a week after title defeat – ESPN Irish boxer Cooney dies a week after title defeat – ESPN Irish boxer Cooney dies a week after title defeat ESPNBoxer John Cooney, 28, Dies a Week After Sustaining Brain Injury in Championship Fight PEOPLEBoxer John Cooney dies a week after Celtic super-featherweight title defeat The Associated PressIrish boxer John Cooney dies aged 28, one week after suffering injury in bout The GuardianJohn Cooney: Irish boxer dies after suffering brain injury in Celtic super-featherweight title fight Sky Sports Source link #Irish #boxer #Cooney #dies #week #title #defeat #ESPN Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

What to watch for at Super Bowl 59 What to watch for at Super Bowl 59 Shutterstock/Reuters Acrobatic catches and thumping hits are why American football fans watch the Super Bowl but for others the non-sporting spectacle is much more interesting. We’ve selected a few things to look out for during the contest between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs, which kicks off at 23:30 GMT (18:30 EST) on Sunday, 9 February at the Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. Kendrick Lamar will be the star turn during the half-time show and the unlikely ties binding David Beckham and Matt Damon will be revealed – oh, and Taylor Swift might be showing off a new ring too. Will Kendrick Lamar play Not Like Us?Reuters The Compton rapper will be headlining the musical interlude for a second time when he takes the stage on Sunday, during which he will be supported by SZA. Lamar is fresh off a successful year at the Grammy Awards where he scooped five prizes, including song of the year for Not Like Us – a diss track directed at hip-hop rival Drake. It may seem a certainty for the set list but Lamar might choose not to play it after Drake filed a lawsuit claiming defamation and harassment last month. Will he back down or will the feud reach what might be the largest television audience in US history? Last year’s Super Bowl set the record with more than 123 million Americans tuning in. Why Swifties aren’t looking for a Super Bowl ring Watch: Travis Kelce praises Taylor Swift’s work ethic ahead of Super Bowl Travis Kelce will be hoping to win his fourth Super Bowl ring and he may retire if he does – certain in the knowledge he will go down as one of the great gridiron players. For many viewers he is better known as Taylor Swift’s boyfriend. Their relationship became public in 2023 and she joined him on the field to celebrate his team’s Super Bowl win last year. Swifties will be keeping an eye on what happens after the final whistle, following online rumours about a proposal. Asked by journalists if such a plan was in the offing, Kelce replied rhetorically with a smile: “Wouldn’t you like to know?” David Beckham and Matt Damon’s brotherhoodGetty Images Adverts broadcast during the Super Bowl are some of the most expensive money can buy. This year at least 10 adverts have been sold for more than £6.4m ($8m) each, reported entertainment business magazine Variety – a new record. So companies who bought a premium spot want to ensure they make them memorable. This year beer brand Stella Artois have recruited David Beckham to star in theirs as himself, in which he learns he has a long lost twin brother (played by Matt Damon) in the US called, er, Dave Beckham. Another due for broadcast comes from Hellman’s mayonnaise that recreates the orgasm scene in the deli from When Harry Met Sally and features Sydney Sweeney. Haagen-Dazs have Fast & Furious actors promoting their ice cream, Barry Keoghan is appearing for website builder Squarespace, and Gordon Ramsay is selling cookware manufacturer HexClad. Donald Trump is set to make history Now in his second stint at the White House, Trump will be the first sitting US president to attend a Super Bowl. He is no stranger to the NFL and attended a game last October in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania while campaigning in the presidential election. In the past he has also been critical of league commissioner Roger Goodell – most recently because he didn’t like a rule change for kick-offs. He also disapproved of Goodell’s handling of NFL players who chose to kneel during the national anthem, which was last done widely in 2020 following the ******* of George Floyd. Players explained the protest was intended to draw attention to racial injustice in the US but Trump said they should be fired or suspended for disrespecting the country. Fox, who are broadcasting the Super Bowl in the US, will also air an interview with the president on his first 100 days in office during their pre-game show. ‘End Racism’ slogan removedGetty Images The NFL has said it will not use the slogan “End Racism” in the Super Bowl – it has used the phrase for the last four editions. The league said the change was not in response to the political climate under the new Trump administration, which has ended the use of DEI schemes in the federal government, but recent tragedies in the US. “Choose Love” and “It Takes All of Us” were deemed more appropriate following the terrorist attack in New Orleans on New Year’s Eve and the wildfires in California last month. These slogans were introduced by the NFL in 2020 and have appeared in various league games since then. Goodell said he was proud of the league’s diversity efforts and would continue them. “We’ve not only convinced ourselves, we’ve proven it to ourselves,” he said. “It does make the NFL better.” National anthem performance Jon Batiste, the Grammy-winning singer and songwriter, will perform The Star Spangled Banner this year. Viewers will keep an ear out for any fluffed lyrics, as experienced by Christina Aguilera, while bettors will keep an eye on how long Batiste’s rendition takes. Other songs will also be performed prior to kick-off including America the Beautiful, by Trombone Shorty and Lauren Daigle, as well as Lift Every Voice and Sing by Ledisi. How can I follow Super Bowl 59?USA Today Sports Source link #watch #Super #Bowl Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Why adults are splashing out on toys Why adults are splashing out on toys Charlotte Edwards Business reporter Amanda Hope Amanda with her collection of Jellycats Amanda Hope dreads to think how much she has spent on her collection of Jellycat soft toys but reckons it’s more than £3,000. “They are just so cute and cuddly,” the 36-year-old software specialist from Surrey says. “There is something so irresistible about their happy little faces!” Amanda is one of a rising number of adults buying toys for themselves. And it’s not just Jellycats, it’s also the likes of Lego plastic bricks and Sonny Angels dolls filling up TikTok feeds as people post videos of their latest purchases. One in five toys and games is now bought by over-18s for themselves, according to toy industry research group Circana. The research found buying collectibles had positive mental health benefits that helped adults cope with turmoil. From eggs with faces to smiley coffee cups, the Jellycat craze has made a big impact on the toy industry and a TikTok trend for unboxing Sonny Angels has put the tiny dolls in high demand. These toys don’t necessarily come cheap though. Jellycats range in price from £11 to over £700, while Lego gift sets for adults can cost as much as £730. So why are so many adults spending their disposable income on toys? Getty Images A Sonny Angel is a mini plastic cherub that wears a variety of hats and outfits “The popularity of Sonny Angel and Jellycat illustrates the growing kidult trend,” says Susannah Streeter, head of money and markets at Hargreaves Lansdown, who has covered the retail sector for many years. “Although globally toy sales saw a small 0.6% decline overall in 2024, collectible toys saw record sales.” Sonny Angels are sold in blind boxes so customers never know what they will get and therefore may buy more. Ms Streeter thinks “a desire to be part of a fandom universe” is fuelling sales and the need for nostalgia “amid the stresses of adulthood”. Lego therapyElle Lynn Elle collects Lego as well as Jellycats Elle Lynn, 23, estimates she’s spent £2,300 on her Jellycat collection and around £500 collecting Lego. She thinks the building aspect of Lego can help adults switch off from their hectic lives. “I find it quite therapeutic to build. It helps me switch off from a busy high-stress day,” says Elle, who works as a project co-ordinator. “And it’s fun to have some of your favourite characters.” Elle says she would probably have more Lego if it weren’t for the cost. “For some of the larger Lego sets they do tend to come at a larger price so they aren’t as easily attainable,” she says. Amanda Hope Amanda started buying Jellycats in 2021 As well as just selling the toys, Jellycats has started putting on pop-up “experiences”. Currently at London’s Selfridges you can buy exclusive fish and chips soft toys, sold to you by an assistant pretending to fry and put salt and vinegar on your selected teddies. Amanda visited the pop-up twice, once for herself and once to get a present for a friend. Videos of such experiences have millions of views online, with fans essentially advertising to each other – the same applies to the Sonny Angel unboxing trend. Melissa Symonds, executive director of toys at analysts Circana, thinks social media is playing a big role in toy advertising and sales. “Millions of people are watching social media,” she says. “They’re rediscovering old favourites and even brands that are becoming involved in the current trends are starting to drive footfall through awareness on social media.” ‘I buy a few every month’Jessica Jessica says having a Jellycat on the way gives her something to look forward to Twenty-two-year-old Jessica buys Jellycats frequently and has built up a collection worth over £1,000, which she posts about on TikTok. “On payday I treat myself to one or two, and a few more through the month,” says the sales assistant from Ipswich. “When I’ve had a bad day and I know a Jellycat is on its way, I look forward to seeing it in real life and adding it to my overflowing shelf.” She likens the soft toys to Ty Beanie Babies, one of the biggest toy trends of the 1990s. “I feel like the fun of collecting and displaying the two are similar.” Ty now has a new range called Beanie Bouncers Both Jellycats and Sonny Angels often sell out quickly with retailers. “This in turn pushes up the prices which can be charged in private resales,” says Susannah Streeter. This is something Jessica experienced when she wanted to buy the peach Jellycat that went viral last year but couldn’t find it in stock anywhere. She ended up paying double the price for it on Vinted, and thinks you shouldn’t be allowed to resell toys online for sky-high prices. This fuzzy peach went viral last summer and is currently sold out on the Jellycat website with scammers now selling fakes online According to Melissa Symonds from Circana, the kidult trend is showing no signs of slowing down. While she thinks that Jellycat stands out for managing “to hit that sweet spot of getting collectibles across all ages but also appealing to adults and at a fairly premium pricing”, she says there are other brands snapping at its heels. She points to Ty, Aurora and Posh Paws as the ones to watch for upcoming plush toys. Source link #adults #splashing #toys Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

WA State election 2025: Churchlands MP Christine Tonkin says she can beat high-profile rival Basil Zempilas WA State election 2025: Churchlands MP Christine Tonkin says she can beat high-profile rival Basil Zempilas Basil Zempilas’ rival in Churchlands, Labor MP Christine Tonkin, has declared she can beat the odds and keep the seat she won four years ago. Source link #State #election #Churchlands #Christine #Tonkin #beat #highprofile #rival #Basil #Zempilas Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump removes Antony Blinken, Letitia James, Alvin Bragg's security clearances among others – Fox News Trump removes Antony Blinken, Letitia James, Alvin Bragg's security clearances among others – Fox News Trump removes Antony Blinken, Letitia James, Alvin Bragg’s security clearances among others Fox NewsAfter Biden, Trump revokes security clearances for Antony Blinken, Jake Sullivan The Indian ExpressTrump says he’s revoking Biden’s access to classified information CNNTrump says he is revoking Biden’s security clearance Yahoo Source link #Trump #removes #Antony #Blinken #Letitia #James #Alvin #Bragg039s #security #clearances #among #Fox #News Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Duke and Duchess Prince Harry and Meghan open Invictus Games in Canada Duke and Duchess Prince Harry and Meghan open Invictus Games in Canada Getty Images The Duke of Sussex called on competitors to overcome a “moment of difficulty and division in many parts of the world” as he opened the latest edition of the Invictus Games in Canada. Prince Harry appeared at the opening ceremony in Vancouver with his wife, the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan, on Saturday. The couple watched from the stands, cheering and clapping for the ***’s team as their competitors walked on the stage. Their public appearance comes just hours after US President Donald Trump spoke about the couple in an interview, saying “I’ll leave him alone” when asked whether he thought Prince Harry should be deported. “He’s got enough problems with his wife,” the president added. “She’s terrible.” The prince founded the Invictus Games in London in 2014. This year marks the 7th edition of the competition for wounded military veterans, which will include more than 500 athletes competing in 11 different events, including for the first time winter sports. The ceremony included musical performances by Katy Perry, Coldplay’s Chris Martin and Nelly Furtado. Getty Images Harry and Meghan watch the screen at the opening ceremony Reuters Members of the British contingent enter the stadium during the opening ceremony “We gather here in Vancouver in a spirit of unity,” Prince Harry told the crowd of 40,000. Beyond any differences, here at the Invictus Games we are grounded in mutual respect, competing fiercely, but believing in one another.” “Over the past decade I’ve lost count of the times we’ve heard you tell us that the Invictus Games saved you. Respectfully, I disagree. Invictus didn’t save you. You saved yourself,” the duke told the competitors. Trump says ‘I’ll leave Harry alone’ Earlier, US President Donald Trump told the New York Post that he would not be in favour of deporting the prince, who moved to the US in 2020. Some activists have questioned the Duke of Sussex’s US visa status after he admitted previously taking ******** drugs in his memoir, Spare. The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, filed a lawsuit asking for the duke’s immigration records, suggesting he had lied on his visa form or was given special treatment when he and the duchess moved to Southern California in 2020. Trump has previously suggested that if Prince Harry was found to have lied “appropriate action” would be needed. But when asked on Friday by the New York Post whether the duke would be deported, Trump said: “I don’t want to do that. I’ll leave him alone. “He’s got enough problems with his wife. She’s terrible.” Former actress Meghan has been a vocal critic of Trump, calling him “divisive” and a “misogynist”, while Trump has previously called Meghan “******”. In the interview, the president also praised Prince Harry’s older brother, Prince William, “a great young man”. Admitting past drug use does not automatically result denial of a US visa, but it can cause delays, and lying on a visa form can lead to deportation. US presidents do not normally get involved in individual visa decisions. The couple have not responded to Trump’s comments. Getty Images Pop star Katy Perry was among the performers at Vancouver’s BC Place stadium The duke was inspired to set up the games after seeing the 2013 Warrior Games in the US, where injured and retired service personnel competed. The first edition of the games was held in London in 2014, with subsequent competitions being held in the US, Canada, and Australia. The 2017 games was also where Prince Harry was pictured with his then-girlfriend Meghan for the first time. Source link #Duke #Duchess #Prince #Harry #Meghan #open #Invictus #Games #Canada Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Who is Friedrich Merz? Germany’s front-runner who flirted with far right Who is Friedrich Merz? Germany’s front-runner who flirted with far right Jessica Parker BBC Berlin correspondent BBC He is the man tipped to be Germany’s next leader: an antidote to Europe’s crisis of confidence, say his supporters. Friedrich Merz is a familiar face of his conservative party’s old guard. Politically, he has never come across as exhilarating. And yet his explosive bid to tighten migration rules with the support of far-right votes in parliament reveals a man willing to gamble by breaking a major taboo. It also marks yet another clear break from his Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party’s more centrist stance under his former party rival Angela Merkel. Although Merz ultimately failed to change the law, he had launched a lightning bolt into an election campaign triggered by the collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s government late last year. Famously sidelined by Merkel before she became chancellor, he quit parliament entirely to pursue a lucrative series of corporate jobs and was written off as yesterday’s man. But there is a sense of inevitability that this 69-year-old comeback kid might be on the cusp of clinching the job he has coveted for so long. TOBIAS SCHWARZ/AFP Merz has been married to Charlotte, a judge, for more than 40 years It is 23 January, one month until Germany’s snap federal election, and people have gathered in one of Berlin’s five-star hotels to hear Merz give a foreign policy speech. The buzz around the “ballroom” in the Hotel de Rome isn’t exactly electric – but it is a far cry from 20 years ago, when his political career looked over. Merz is also a licensed pilot, who drew criticism in 2022 for flying to the north ******* island of Sylt in his private plane for the wedding of fellow politician Christian Lindner. As he takes to the stage in the Hotel de Rome, there’s polite applause for the leader of Germany’s conservative CDU opposition, who are consistently ahead in the polls. Tall, slim, in a suit and glasses, Merz cuts a calm, conventional, business-like figure as he tries to project a readiness for power. But it has been a winding journey to get to this point. Alamy Merz has a pilot’s licence and was criticised in 2022 for flying a private plane to a political colleague’s wedding Merz was born in the west ******* town of Brilon in 1955 into a prominent conservative, Catholic family. His father served as a local judge, as does Friedrich Merz’s wife Charlotte to this day. The younger Merz joined the CDU while still at school. In an interview 25 years ago with the ******* newspaper Tagesspiegel he laid claim to a wilder youth than his strait-laced CV might suggest. Among his misadventures, he described racing through the streets on a motorcycle, hanging out with friends by a chip stand and playing the card game Doppelkopf in the back of the class. A teenage party he referenced ended up with a group of students taking a collective **** in the school aquarium, according to Der Spiegel magazine. There is some scepticism that the teenage Merz was much of a rabble-rouser. A former classmate recalled that the young Friedrich’s disruptive behaviour more often amounted to simply wanting “the last word”. Whether on or off the record, people who have known him have told me he enjoys a beer and can indeed be fun, though few were able to offer an anecdote to illustrate this. After school, he went on to military service before studying law and marrying fellow student Charlotte Gass in 1981. The couple have three children. For a few years, Merz worked as a lawyer but he always had his eye on politics and was elected to the European Parliament in 1989, aged 33. “We were both quite young and very fresh and let’s say unspoilt,” says Dagmar Roth-Behrendt, who became an MEP at the same time for the centre-left Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD). She found the young Merz to be serious, reliable, honest and polite. Even humorous – a quality that she feels is less obvious now: “I assume the amount of bruises over time might have hardened him a bit.” But did he come across early in his career as a potential chancellor? “I would have probably have said no, no way. Come on, you must be kidding!” Yet everyone knew him to be deeply ambitious and Merz soon made the switch from EU politics to Germany’s national parliament, the Bundestag, in 1994. Getty Images As a young MP in the Bundestag, Merz (L) talks to former Chancellor Helmut Kohl He rose through the ranks, touted as a talent on the party’s more right-wing, traditionalist faction. “He’s a splendid speaker and a profound thinker,” says Klaus-Peter Willsch, a CDU member of the Bundestag who has known him for more than 30 years. “A fighter,” says Willsch, evidenced by the fact that Merz made three attempts to lead his party. His first two failures, in 2018 and January 2021, could also be read as a sign of his struggle to woo the grassroots. But it was back in the early noughties, when his ambitions were initially derailed, that he lost out to Angela Merkel in a party power struggle. Merkel, the understated quantum chemist from the former ********** east, and Merz, the overtly-assured lawyer from the west, never much saw eye-to-eye. Sean Gallup/Getty Images Friedrich Merz eventually left politics in 2009, several years after rival Angela Merkel won the CDU party’s leadership Merz glosses over this bitter episode in a brief autobiographical post on the CDU website, saying that by 2009 he had decided to leave parliament to “make room for reflection”. His years of reflection involved forging a career in finance and corporate law – becoming a boardroom executive at various international firms and, reputedly, a millionaire. It would be more than a decade before he returned to parliament, where he has since sought to rip up Merkel’s more centrist doctrine on CDU conservatism. Getty Images Merz tried but failed to take over the leadership of the CDU from Merkel in 2018 A marked moment of political severance came at the end of last month, when Friedrich Merz pushed through a non-binding motion on tougher immigration rules, by relying on votes from the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD). He insisted there had been no direct collaboration with the AfD, but his move led to mass protests and has twice been condemned by none other than Merkel herself. These are rare public interventions by the woman who ruled Germany for 16 years. Detractors say it was an unforgivable election gambit that will only benefit the AfD, but supporters insist Merz is, in fact, seeking to lure people cleverly from the far right. Reuters Protesters brandish an effigy of Merz sitting astride the red-arrow logo of the far-right AfD He has risked alienating more moderate parts of the electorate before, voting in the 1990s against a bill that included the criminalisation of marital *****. He later explained that he considered marital ***** to already be a crime, and it was other issues in the bill that he objected to. Polls suggest he is not especially popular among young people and women – but Klaus-Peter Willsch believes the picture painted of him in ******* media is unfair. “I had him several times in my constituency,” he tells me. “Afterwards, women come up and say he’s a nice guy.” Charlotte Merz has likewise come to his defence, telling the Westfalenpost: “What some people write about my husband’s image of women is simply not true.” She says their marriage has been one of mutual support: “We both took care of each other’s jobs and divided the childcare in such a way that it was compatible with our professional obligations.” His popularity will be put to the test as the election approaches, and also as speculation focuses less on whether they will win and more on who they might form a coalition with. Some observers fear trust among potential coalition partners has been damaged by Merz’s experimental approach to tacit collaboration with the AfD – a party he insists he will never govern with. Whatever the critiques, one EU diplomat told me Brussels was “anxiously awaiting his arrival”. “It’s time to move on from this ******* deadlock and get that motor running.” Source link #Friedrich #Merz #Germanys #frontrunner #flirted Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]