Pelican Press

Out of control fire trigger leave now emergency warning for Esperance outskirts Out of control fire trigger leave now emergency warning for Esperance outskirts An out of control blaze has sparked an emergency warning in parts of Esperance, with those in the area told to leave immediately. Those in Bandy Creek and Castletown bounded by Daw Drive, Lyon Parade, Burton Road, Wiseman Street and Westmacott Street should take action now. According to DFES, homes are under threat on Ormonde Street and those who are in the warning zone are in danger and need to act immediately to survive. The fire is not controlled or contained and is moving west, there is a threat to both lives and homes. If the way is clear residents are told to not wait and instead leave now. People on the western side of the warning area should leave in an southerly direction towards Esperance via Goldfields Road while people on the northern side of the warning area should leave north or west towards Esperance via Fisheries Road. The fire was first called in to 000 as a fire in bush land near the intersection of Daw Drive and Goldfields Road at just after 10am on Wednesday morning. At least 10 fire crews were attending the blaze by 11am. Source link #control #fire #trigger #leave #emergency #warning #Esperance #outskirts Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Treasury says Elon Musk’s DOGE has “read only” access to payment systems Treasury says Elon Musk’s DOGE has “read only” access to payment systems Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency team has been given “read only” access to the Treasury Department’s federal payment system, and federal expenditures have not been affected, the Treasury said in a letter to Congress late Tuesday. The letter, from Jonathan Blum, a Treasury official, said that a review of the Treasury’s Fiscal Service payment system has not caused “payments for obligations such as Social Security and Medicare to be delayed or re-routed.” “Treasury has no higher obligation than managing the government’s finances on behalf of the American people, and its payments system is critical to that process,” the letter read. Tom Krause — a technology executive who is a member of Musk’s DOGE team and is working on a review of the payment system — has also been granted a top secret security clearance, according to the letter. “Mr. Krause is a longtime technology executive. His decades of experience in building companies and managing balance sheets as a chief financial officer are of great benefit to this review,” the letter reads. “In order to allow him to perform this function, he has been hired as an expert/consultant by the federal government and designated in a role commonly used across Administrations—a “special government employee” —pursuant to applicable law.” Democratic lawmakers have expressed concern that access to the system could allow DOGE, which disburses nearly 90% of all federal payments, to restrict disbursement of federal funds. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, ranking member of the Senate Banking Committee, said that Blum’s letter raised more questions than answers. “It asserts that a set of Treasury staff members have ‘read-only’ access but fails to answer questions about non-Treasury employees, like those working for Elon Musk and DOGE,” Warren said in a statement, released shortly after after Treasury’s The Treasury’s letter came in response to a call from Senate Banking Committee Democrats, which includes Warren and Sen. Ron Wyden, for the Government Accountability Office “to investigate Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent’s decision to grant access to sensitive government payment systems to Elon Musk and other “Department of Government Efficiency” employees.” DOGE is not a government department, but a task force established by Mr. Trump to find ways to cut federal spending. Source link #Treasury #Elon #Musks #DOGE #read #access #payment #systems Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Police in Wisconsin give update on missing pregnant teenager, vehicle using multiple license plates Police in Wisconsin give update on missing pregnant teenager, vehicle using multiple license plates (WFRV) – The 2014 ****** Buick LaCrosse involved in an AMBER Alert for a missing pregnant 16-year-old girl from Beaver Dam is reportedly using multiple license plates. 2014 Buick LaCrosse The vehicle involved last seen on Monday morning in Wisconsin with a Pennsylvania License Plate number KGW 5186, according to the AMBER Alert. Two in Wisconsin arrested for possession of child ************ According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children website, Sophia Franklin of Beaver Dam was last seen on Sunday around 9 p.m. at her residence and is believed to be with 40-year-old Gary F. Day, who is the father of the unborn child. Day was last seen at her residence on Monday around 7:48 a.m. Sarah Franklin Gary Day Sophia is white and listed at 5-foot-9 at about 186 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes. Gary Day is listed at 5-foot-7, 167 pounds with balding blonde hair and green eyes. If you have any information about this alert, immediately contact the Beaver Dam Police Department at (888) 304-3936. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 – Green Bay, Appleton. Source link #Police #Wisconsin #give #update #missing #pregnant #teenager #vehicle #multiple #license #plates Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

US Treasury moves to quell fears of Elon Musk taking over payments system – Financial Times US Treasury moves to quell fears of Elon Musk taking over payments system – Financial Times US Treasury moves to quell fears of Elon Musk taking over payments system Financial TimesTreasury says Musk’s DOGE has not rejected payments in first attempt to clarify access granted to critical system CNNTreasury Defends Musk Team’s Access to Federal Payment System The New York Times Source link #Treasury #moves #quell #fears #Elon #Musk #payments #system #Financial #Times Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

CAITLIN BASSETT: Annabel Sutherland, Alana King, Beth Mooney, Sophie Ecclestone MCG honour criticism is petty CAITLIN BASSETT: Annabel Sutherland, Alana King, Beth Mooney, Sophie Ecclestone MCG honour criticism is petty Cricket is a sport steeped in rusted-on tradition and the MCG as a venue is much the same. Last week’s historic women’s Test between Australia and England, where our girls rounded out a whitewash, was a really clear sign that the people running the game are taking the growth and the future of women’s cricket seriously. Firstly, the push to play important matches at ******* venues has been brilliant. The players love it and in most cases it creates a better day out for spectators. Perth Scorchers moved their home games from Lilac Hill to the WACA Ground because it has better facilities and recent home Test matches have been played at bona fide elite sporting venues, like Perth’s old home of cricket, Carrara Stadium on the Gold Coast and now the biggest stadium in the entire country. The players enjoy having better facilities around and those resources help them play better cricket and deliver the best possible product. Australia’s women’s cricketers are at the top of the world at the moment and are brilliant to watch. The only thing that was missing during this Ashes series is their lack of a dancing partner, with England being just so poor. Despite Australia not winning the most recent World Cup, this series has highlighted the gulf they have created in professionalism, which helped them sustain performance through a long series. The decision to put the names of four superstar players — Annabel Sutherland, Alana King, Beth Mooney and Sophie Ecclestone — on the famous honour board in the bowels of the MCG this week caused some outrage. Camera IconAnnabel Sutherland became the first woman to have her name etched on the MCG’s century board. Credit: @MCG But I think it is the latest and one of the greatest signs of how Cricket Australia’s long investment in women’s cricket — supercharged by Sutherland’s father James in his stint as chief executive — has assimilated those players into cricket folklore in this country. They are not women’s Test cricketers they are just cricketers, particularly to the children that have grown up watching Mooney, Ellyse Perry and Alyssa Healy just as much as they have Steve Smith, Travis Head and Pat Cummins. Does the weight of the ball and the size of the boundaries warrant an asterisk on an honour board? I wouldn’t have thought so. It is always going to create a stir when things like this happen for the first time. Camera IconAnnabel Sutherland. Credit: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images But women have been playing Test cricket for years. The only reason none of them had made a hundred or taken five wickets on the MCG before is because they’d never had the chance. This was the first red-ball match for women played at the venue since 1949 and in that match, there were no such milestones. That Test was a celebration of how far women’s cricket has come in recent years. Two decades ago, Australia played a fully-fledged one-day-international against India at St Peter’s College in Adelaide. A school is a far cry from the 100,000-seat colosseum they played at this week. King’s Warne-like leg-spin lit up the first and last day of the Test, Sutherland and Mooney’s centuries pounded England into the turf. There’s nothing *********** cricket loves more than seeing England get beaten in an *********** summer. Camera IconAlana King. Credit: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images Does it really matter who’s doing it? At the end of the day, the honour board is timely recognition for the stars of one of our most successful sporting team and their place in the game’s history. Source link #CAITLIN #BASSETT #Annabel #Sutherland #Alana #King #Beth #Mooney #Sophie #Ecclestone #MCG #honour #criticism #petty Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Huntsville College Preparatory School announces closure amid ‘allegations’ Huntsville College Preparatory School announces closure amid ‘allegations’ “Dear Parents and Guardians, It is with the heaviest of hearts and deep regret that we write to inform you of an incredibly difficult decision that Huntsville College Preparatory School is officially closing. After many tears, much prayer and difficult conversations, we have concluded that we must cease operations for the foreseeable future. This decision comes at a time when our beloved community faces unprecedented challenges. We had hoped that the recent transition to virtual learning would be temporary, a brief pause while we navigated through a difficult transition of finding a more suitable campus home. However, recent allegations have escalated to a point where they pose an immediate threat to the safety of our family. Additionally, the negative press completely compromises the integrity of our teachers and students, and our ability to provide the high-quality education that you have trusted us to deliver. The school, reputation and community we have worked so hard to build has been compromised, and as a result, it is no longer possible to move forward with the same commitment and purpose that we have always had. We know how incredibly hard this news will be for many of you, especially considering the uncertainty that already surrounds us in today’s world. This decision was not made lightly, and we fully understand the impact it will have on your family, your child’s education, and your own sense of stability. We want you to know that our team remains committed to helping ease this transition for all of our students. We will remain available for transcript and records requests as your scholar(s) make the transition to embark on their next educational chapter. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us for assistance, whether that be helping find alternative educational opportunities or providing guidance as you work through the next steps. Our priority remains the well-being and future of your children, and we will do everything in our power to guide them during this time of transition. If your child has personal belongings at the school, please email a list of items to be returned and they can be picked up Saturday between 10am and 12pm. Also, if you checked out an iPad yesterday, please plan to return it Saturday between 10am and 12pm. A separate email will be shared with families of those who have paid for February and any month thereafter to ensure you are properly reimbursed. Thank you for your support and understanding during this extraordinarily difficult time. We will forever cherish the time we spent together and remain grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of your child’s educational journey. Please understand, this has been the most rewarding experience, and on same token, is likely the hardest decision Isaac and I have ever made, therefore we ask for you grace, compassion and understanding in the days ahead as we bid farewell to what we thought was our forever. With deepest gratitude and sincerity,” Huntsville College Preparatory School Source link #Huntsville #College #Preparatory #School #announces #closure #allegations Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Singapore passes law against foreign interference in race-based groups Singapore passes law against foreign interference in race-based groups Singapore has passed a law designed to protect against foreign interference in its race-based clans and business associations, as the government looks to limit outsiders from undermining racial harmony in the multicultural city-state. Roslan Rahman | Afp | Getty Images Singapore has passed a law designed to protect against foreign interference in its race-based clans and business associations, as the government looks to limit outsiders from undermining racial harmony in the multicultural city-state. Under the Maintenance of Racial Harmony Bill, which was passed late on Tuesday, if an organization is designated as a race-based entity, they will have to disclose foreign and anonymous donations, foreign affiliations and their leadership. The government can also impose a restraining order to stop an entity from accepting donations from a foreign principal, prohibit anonymous donations or require the entity to return or dispose of donations. The new law also empowers the home affairs minister to issue restraining orders against individuals involved in “content that prejudices the maintenance of racial harmony in Singapore”. Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam told parliament the bill was not a panacea for all racial issues and could not prevent insensitivity or racial slights in everyday dealings. “We acknowledge that it may be difficult to enforce offences outside of Singapore, but it signals our commitment to protect our racial harmony, even when the threat originates outside of Singapore.” The law was supported by the opposition party, even though some lawmakers urged some caution. Opposition lawmaker Gerald Giam said the broad definition of “foreign affiliation” might unintentionally create barriers for local associations with deep historical ties to overseas groups which had helped preserve Singapore’s cultural heritage. Singapore’s resident population is 74% ********, 13.6% Malay, and 9% Indian, with 3.3% classified as others. Singapore’s resident population is 74% ********, 13.6% Malay, and 9% Indian, with 3.3% is classified as others. Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images Last year, Singapore designated businessman Chan Man Ping Philip as a “politically significant person” for activities that advanced the interests of an unspecified foreign country. A naturalized citizen of Singapore, Chan had attended the annual session of the ******** People’s Political Consultative Conference in Beijing and told local media the overseas ******** community should form an “alliance” and “tell the China story well”. Hong Kong-born Chan was the president of the Hong Kong Singapore Business Association. Source link #Singapore #passes #law #foreign #interference #racebased #groups Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Asia-Pacific markets trade mixed as Wall Street looks past trade developments – CNBC Asia-Pacific markets trade mixed as Wall Street looks past trade developments – CNBC Asia-Pacific markets trade mixed as Wall Street looks past trade developments CNBCStock market today: Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq futures edge lower as China hits back on tariffs Yahoo FinanceStocks Get Tech Boost After Trade-Fueled Selloff: Markets Wrap BloombergMarkets News, February 4, 2025: Stocks Rise as Investors Respond to News on Tariffs, Flurry of Earnings; Palantir Soars 24% on AI-Fueled Growth Investopedia Source link #AsiaPacific #markets #trade #mixed #Wall #Street #trade #developments #CNBC Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

WBCA: Bridgetown honour Matt Tassos’ 300th game with dominant nine-wicket win over Manjimup WBCA: Bridgetown honour Matt Tassos’ 300th game with dominant nine-wicket win over Manjimup Bridgetown honoured the 300th game of club legend Matt Tassos with a dominant nine-wicket win over Manjimup in their Warren Blackwood Cricket Association clash at Bridgetown Oval on Saturday. Source link #WBCA #Bridgetown #honour #Matt #Tassos #300th #game #dominant #ninewicket #win #Manjimup Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

At least 10 people killed in Sweden in school shooting At least 10 people killed in Sweden in school shooting At least 10 people killed in Sweden in school shooting Source link #people #killed #Sweden #school #shooting Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

NATIONAL SECURITY PRESIDENTIAL MEMORANDUM/NSPM-2 – The White House NATIONAL SECURITY PRESIDENTIAL MEMORANDUM/NSPM-2 – The White House NATIONAL SECURITY PRESIDENTIAL MEMORANDUM/NSPM-2 The White HouseIf Iran attempts assassination, ‘they get obliterated’: President Trump Fox NewsUS to impose maximum pressure on Tehran: Donald Trump instructs advisors to ‘obliterate’ Iran if it assas The Times of India”There Won’t Be Anything Left”: Trump’s Warning If Iran Assassinates Him NDTVTrump Hits Iran With Renewed ‘Maximum Pressure’ The New York Times Source link #NATIONAL #SECURITY #PRESIDENTIAL #MEMORANDUMNSPM2 #White #House Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Govt pledges to spend £2.6bn in next two years Govt pledges to spend £2.6bn in next two years The government says it will spend more than £2.6bn, over the next two years, to protect more homes and businesses in England from flooding – £250m more than previously announced. The money will be spent on projects ranging from tidal barriers and flood walls to nature-based solutions that slow water flow. In its latest detailed assessment, the Environment Agency calculated 6.3 million homes across England were currently at risk from flooding from rivers, seas and surface water. With climate change set to bring more intense storms and heavier rainfall, that could rise to eight million by 2050 – one out of every four properties. “The storms this winter have devastated lives and livelihoods,” Environment Secretary Steve Reed said. “The role of any government is to protect its citizens.” Between 2021 and 2024, the Conservative government spent just over £1bn a year on flood defences. But last year, a cross-party committee of MPs said it had failed to properly maintain sufficient existing flood defences or build enough new ones. In each of the next two years, if all the announced money is spent, that figure will rise to more than £1.3bn. Nearly 1,000 projects will receive funding, with more than 66,000 of the most at risk properties set to be be better protected. The projects include: £43m for Bridgwater Tidal Barrier Flood Defence Scheme, in Somerset£35m for a flood-risk-management scheme in Derby£3.5m for the Poole Bridge to Hunger Hill Flood Defence Scheme, in Dorset£2.5m to support property-flood-resilience schemes across Leics, Derbys and Notts£2m to protect communities in Bewdley, Worcs More than £100m has been earmarked to repair and maintain defences, some of which were damaged in last year’s floods. “With this new funding, we will work closely with the government to deliver the vital projects that are needed across the country, ensuring our investment goes to those communities who need it the most,” Alan Lovell, who chairs the Environment Agency, said. Source link #Govt #pledges #spend #2.6bn #years Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Community citizen of the year: Mark White rewarded for dedication to creating Nannup Geopark Community citizen of the year: Mark White rewarded for dedication to creating Nannup Geopark A Nannup resident has been recognised for his commitment to furthering education and tourism for the town during the Australia Day awards. Source link #Community #citizen #year #Mark #White #rewarded #dedication #creating #Nannup #Geopark Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Target’s DEI drama just got messier — and now investors want their money back Target’s DEI drama just got messier — and now investors want their money back A new lawsuit claims Target misled shareholders about the risks of its diversity and inclusion initiatives, and now billions are on the line. (Photo: Adobe Stock) A new lawsuit claims Target misled shareholders about the financial risks of its diversity and inclusion initiatives, and now billions are on the line. Target’s ongoing DEI controversy just took a legal turn. The retail giant — along with CEO Brian Cornell and its current and former board members — is facing a class action lawsuit accusing them of misleading investors about the financial risks tied to the company’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The class action lawsuit filed by the City of Riviera Beach Police Pension Fund in Florida claims that Target issued “false and misleading” statements regarding its DEI, environmental, and social policies. According to Reuters, the shareholders’ filing also states that the company defrauded them into paying inflated stock prices and unknowingly supported leadership’s “misuse of investor funds to serve political and social goals.” The lawsuit also references Target’s controversial 2023 LGBT Pride Campaign. As previously reported by theGrio, the retailer found itself at the center of a culture war when it debuted its Pride-themed merchandise, only to later pull select items after in-store confrontations raised safety concerns. This, of course, sparked even more outrage — both from those who opposed the collection and those who felt betrayed by its removal. “For more than a decade, Target has offered an assortment of products aimed at celebrating Pride Month,” Target said in May 2023, per ABC News. “Since introducing this year’s collection, we’ve experienced threats impacting our team members’ sense of safety and well-being while at work. Given these volatile circumstances, we are making adjustments to our plans, including removing items that have been at the center of the most significant confrontational behavior. Our focus now is on moving forward with our continuing commitment to the LGBTQIA+ community and standing with them as we celebrate Pride Month and throughout the year.” Despite its public statements, investors claim that the decision led to a significant decline in its stocks and that Target failed to disclose the backlash that caused Target’s share price to fall 22% on Nov. 20, 2024, wiping out about $15.7 billion of market value. The lawsuit comes amid a broader corporate retreat from DEI commitments. Earlier this year, major brands — including Walmart, Meta, and McDonald’s—began scaling back DEI efforts following political scrutiny, particularly from conservative circles. Now, with investors pushing back, the future of corporate DEI strategies remains uncertain. Story Continues Source link #Targets #DEI #drama #messier #investors #money Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘The Fantastic Four’ Poster Wasn’t Created With Use Of AI, Marvel Says – Deadline ‘The Fantastic Four’ Poster Wasn’t Created With Use Of AI, Marvel Says – Deadline ‘The Fantastic Four’ Poster Wasn’t Created With Use Of AI, Marvel Says DeadlineThe Fantastic Four: First Steps – Where Is Doctor Doom in the New Teaser Trailer? IGN’The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ Trailer Launches Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby and Team with Debut Footage of Reboot PEOPLEMarvel Denies Use of AI in ‘The Fantastic Four’ Teaser Posters IndieWire‘Fantastic Four’ Trailer Breakdown: Galactus, John Malkovich’s Mystery Character and More Marvel References Explained Variety Source link #Fantastic #Poster #Wasnt #Created #Marvel #Deadline Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Google removes pledge to not use AI for weapons, surveillance Google removes pledge to not use AI for weapons, surveillance Sundar Pichai, CEO of Alphabet Inc., during Stanford’s 2024 Business, Government, and Society forum in Stanford, California, April 3, 2024. Justin Sullivan | Getty Images Google has removed a pledge to abstain from using AI for potentially harmful applications, such as weapons and surveillance, according to the company’s updated “AI Principles.” A prior version of the company’s AI principles said the company would not pursue “weapons or other technologies whose principal purpose or implementation is to cause or directly facilitate injury to people,” and “technologies that gather or use information for surveillance violating internationally accepted norms.” Those objectives are no longer displayed on its AI Principles website. “There’s a global competition taking place for AI leadership within an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape,” reads a Tuesday blog post co-written by Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google DeepMind. “We believe democracies should lead in AI development, guided by core values like freedom, equality, and respect for human rights.” The company’s updated principles reflect Google’s growing ambitions to offer its AI technology and services to more users and clients, which has included governments. The change is also in line with increasing rhetoric out of Silicon Valley leaders about a winner-take-all AI race between the U.S. and China, with Palantir’s CTO Shyam Sankar saying Monday that “it’s going to be a whole-of-nation effort that extends well beyond the DoD in order for us as a nation to win.” The previous version of the company’s AI principles said Google would “take into account a broad range of social and economic factors.” The new AI principles state Google will “proceed where we believe that the overall likely benefits substantially exceed the foreseeable risks and downsides.” In its Tuesday blog post, Google said it will “stay consistent with widely accepted principles of international law and human rights — always evaluating specific work by carefully assessing whether the benefits substantially outweigh potential risks.” The new AI principles were first reported by The Washington Post on Tuesday, ahead of Google’s fourth-quarter earnings. The company’s results missed Wall Street’s revenue expectations and drove shares down as much as 9% in after-hours trading. Hundreds of protestors including Google workers are gathered in front of Google’s San Francisco offices and shut down traffic at One Market Street block on Thursday evening, demanding an end to its work with the Israeli government, and to protest Israeli attacks on Gaza, in San Francisco, California, United States on December 14, 2023. Anadolu | Anadolu | Getty Images Google established its AI principles in 2018 after declining to renew a government contract called Project Maven, which helped the government analyze and interpret drone videos using artificial intelligence. Prior to ending the deal, several thousand employees signed a petition against the contract and dozens resigned in opposition to Google’s involvement. The company also dropped out of the bidding for a $10 billion Pentagon cloud contract in part because the company “couldn’t be sure” it would align with the company’s AI principles, it said at the time. Touting its AI technology to clients, Pichai’s leadership team has aggressively pursued federal government contracts, which has caused heightened strain in some areas within Google’s outspoken workforce. “We believe that companies, governments, and organizations sharing these values should work together to create AI that protects people, promotes global growth, and supports national security,” Google’s Tuesday blog post said. Google last year terminated more than 50 employees after a series of protests against Project Nimbus, a $1.2 billion joint contract with Amazon that provides the Israeli government and military with cloud computing and AI services. Executives repeatedly said the contract didn’t violate any of the company’s “AI principles.” However, documents and reports showed the company’s agreement allowed for giving Israel AI tools that included image categorization, object tracking, as well as provisions for state-owned weapons manufacturers. The New York Times in December reported that four months prior to signing on to Nimbus, Google officials expressed concern that signing the deal would harm its reputation and that “Google Cloud services could be used for, or linked to, the facilitation of human rights violations.” Meanwhile, the company had been cracking down on internal discussions around geopolitical conflicts like the war in Gaza. Google announced updated guidelines for its Memegen internal forum in September that further restricted political discussions about geopolitical content, international relations, military conflicts, economic actions and territorial disputes, according to internal documents viewed by CNBC at the time. Google did not immediately respond to a request for comment. WATCH: Google’s uphill AI battle in 2025 Source link #Google #removes #pledge #weapons #surveillance Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Ros Atkins on…What is the US getting out of tariffs? Ros Atkins on…What is the US getting out of tariffs? The BBC’s Analysis Editor takes a look at the latest round of tariffs announced by President Trump – and what the US has got in return. Source link #Ros #Atkins #on…What #tariffs Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

USPS temporarily suspends some inbound packages from China, Hong Kong USPS temporarily suspends some inbound packages from China, Hong Kong A United States Postal Service worker pushes a cart of packages in New York City, on Dec. 4, 2023. Brendan Mcdermid | Reuters The U.S. Postal Service said Tuesday it’s temporarily suspending all inbound packages from China and Hong Kong Posts. The change is effective immediately and will remain “until further notice,” according to an alert posted to the agency’s website. Letters and large envelopes, referred to as “flats,” sent from China and Hong Kong won’t be impacted, the USPS said. The announcement comes after President Donald Trump on Saturday signed executive orders imposing tariffs on China, Mexico and Canada. Trump on Monday agreed to hold off on imposing 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico for 30 days, but the 10% tax on goods from China remains. A provision in the orders eliminates a popular trade loophole, known as “de minimis,” which allows exporters to ship packages worth less than $800 into the U.S. duty free. ******** e-commerce firms, including Shein and PDD Holdings‘ Temu, have relied on the de minimis loophole as a way to bypass tariffs, and keep prices low. Source link #USPS #temporarily #suspends #inbound #packages #China #Hong #Kong Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Kim Churchill on his unwavering love of the South West ahead of Nannup Music Festival performance Kim Churchill on his unwavering love of the South West ahead of Nannup Music Festival performance Kim Churchill is bringing his wholesome folk music back to the South West after spending the past two years touring Europe and North America. Embarking on his largest *********** tour to date, Churchill is excited to bring his honest and authentic show back to the region he is so fond of. The tour celebrates his latest album release, It’s Lovely To Have You Here. Churchill said the album was meant to give back and show gratitude to all the people in his life, including his fans, who had made him feel so lucky. Churchill will grace four stages across the South West: at the Nannup Music Festival, Bridgetown Pottery Studio, Froth Craft Brewery, and The River in Margaret River. “I think it’s probably the best combination of venues that I’ve ever done on a run of WA,” Churchill said. “The venues attract different people, which keeps it interesting and fun for me and gives people options.” Churchill said he had a special connection to each of the venues, particularly the Nannup Music Festival. “It’s one of my favourite festivals in the whole world,” he said. “What Phaedra (Watts) has done with that festival — she’s brought people together in the most stunning and beautiful way. All of the artists hang out together and there’s this beautiful sense of collaboration and friendship. “The community that have been going to that festival have been going for a long time — they love it, they own it, it’s theirs, and it’s just so beautiful to get to dip into that.” After playing at Bridgetown Pottery Studio last year, Churchill said he was really excited to be doing another show at the intimate venue. “I get along really well with Pip (the owner) and just love the space, it’s so picturesque,” he said. “I’d love to play that venue once a year for the rest of my life, if I had the chance.” Churchill has also played at Froth Craft Brewery in the past, and said he was “pumped” to return. He said while the atmosphere changed across venues, his shows were “pretty consistent now”. “I feel like my goal is always to make people laugh and cry and dance — across the board it will be those three things always,” Churchill said. “I am a storyteller and a folk singer, so when it comes to telling stories and singing about my feelings and all of that, I think we get through the laughter and the crying, and then also being a one-man band and having the kick drum and the big wall of guitar amplifiers and also my harmonica and singing, it’s a full-on dance party at the end. “I feel like if I’ve paid to go and see some live music, what I’m looking for is your laughter, crying and dancing. That’s the full joyous therapy session right there.” Source link #Kim #Churchill #unwavering #love #South #West #ahead #Nannup #Music #Festival #performance Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Ten loose & ‘aggressive natured’ dogs bite citizens at a Kwik Trip in Wisconsin, woman given 15 citations Ten loose & ‘aggressive natured’ dogs bite citizens at a Kwik Trip in Wisconsin, woman given 15 citations MADISON, Wis. (WFRV) – One person was struck with 15 municipal citations and a criminal offense referral in Wisconsin stemming from responsibility for 10 dogs that were loose and biting people. According to the Madison Police Department, officers were dispatched to a Kwik Trip in the 4800 block of American Parkway around 6:35 p.m. on Monday on a report of 10 loose dogs that were biting people. Neenah Police Department reveals brand new F-150 squad truck, discusses training Officers confirmed the report upon arrival, identifying numerous loose dogs that were aggressive in nature. Numerous officers were needed, as they used pepper spray due to the aggression shown by the dogs. About eight people were reportedly bitten, including one sergeant and a Madison firefighter. A woman on the scene was identified as the responsible party for the dogs. ‘Excessive’ window tint leads to drug bust in Wisconsin, three people arrested on drug charges The woman was issued 15 municipal citations along with a criminal offense referral. After roughly two hours, the dogs were secured and taken to the Dane County Humane Society. Nobody involved was seriously injured. No more details were provided. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 – Green Bay, Appleton. Source link #Ten #loose #aggressive #natured #dogs #bite #citizens #Kwik #Trip #Wisconsin #woman #citations Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

USPS temporarily suspends some inbound packages from China, Hong Kong USPS temporarily suspends some inbound packages from China, Hong Kong A United States Postal Service worker pushes a cart of packages in New York City, on Dec. 4, 2023. Brendan Mcdermid | Reuters The U.S. Postal Service said Tuesday it’s temporarily suspending all inbound packages from China and Hong Kong Posts. The change is effective immediately and will remain “until further notice,” according to an alert posted to the agency’s website. Letters and large envelopes, referred to as “flats,” sent from China and Hong Kong won’t be impacted, the USPS said. The announcement comes after President Donald Trump on Saturday signed executive orders imposing tariffs on China, Mexico and Canada. Trump on Monday agreed to hold off on imposing 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico for 30 days, but the 10% tax on goods from China remains. A provision in the orders eliminates a popular trade loophole, known as “de minimis,” which allows exporters to ship packages worth less than $800 into the U.S. duty free. ******** e-commerce firms, including Shein and PDD Holdings’ Temu, have relied on the de minimis loophole as a way to bypass tariffs, and keep prices low. Source link #USPS #temporarily #suspends #inbound #packages #China #Hong #Kong Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Stock market today: Nasdaq futures slip on China tariffs, corporate earnings – Yahoo Finance Stock market today: Nasdaq futures slip on China tariffs, corporate earnings – Yahoo Finance Stock market today: Nasdaq futures slip on China tariffs, corporate earnings Yahoo FinanceMarkets News, February 4, 2025: Stocks Rise as Investors Respond to News on Tariffs, Flurry of Earnings; Palantir Soars 24% on AI-Fueled Growth InvestopediaStocks Get Tech Boost After Trade-Fueled Selloff: Markets Wrap Bloomberg Source link #Stock #market #today #Nasdaq #futures #slip #China #tariffs #corporate #earnings #Yahoo #Finance Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Idea of grey belt is largely redundant, Lords committee says Idea of grey belt is largely redundant, Lords committee says The government’s idea of re-designating areas as “grey belt” land in its bid to build more homes is “largely redundant”, a House of Lords committee has said. Ministers had said that, if a council’s housing targets ccould not be met, some protected land known as green belt would be re-labelled grey belt and thereby freed up for development. However, after conducting an inquiry the committee said it suspected the grey belt concept had been “eclipsed by more significant changes” made by the government. A government spokesperson said its changes to the green belt were “just one of the ambitious housing reforms we have set out to solve the housing crisis and boost economic growth”. They added that the measures were “informed through widespread consultation and will unlock more land for the homes and infrastructure communities desperately need, delivering sustainable, affordable and well-designed developments on low quality grey belt”. Since coming to power in July, the Labour government has said it wants to build 1.5 million homes over the next five years and has identified “poor quality” green belt land as possible areas of construction. It pointed to a disused garage in Tottenham, north London, as an example of land that could not be developed because it was deemed to be on a green belt site. Green belts were established more than 70 years ago with five purposes, including restricting the sprawl of urban areas and protecting the countryside. In a letter to Housing Secretary Angela Rayner, chair of the Built Environment Committee Lord Moylan said the green belt had been treated as “sacrosanct” making it difficult for local authorities to build on the area, despite a high demand for more homes. He said the idea of a grey belt had initially “intrigued” committee members who believed it could “make a positive contribution” to meeting housing targets. However, he said that changes announced in the National Planning and Policy Framework (NPPF) would mean that the impact of the grey belt would be “at best, marginal”. The changes include a requirement for councils to review green belt boundaries and suggest changes to the boundaries if they cannot meet their housing targets. Under the new rules, building on green belt land will be be allowed if other options have been exhausted, the government has said. “It is difficult to see what the grey belt regime will add in terms of the ability to build on the green belt in light of this requirement,” Lord Moylan said. In the course of taking evidence the committee heard dramatically differing estimates of how many dwellings could be built on grey belt land. Homebuilders Barratt Redrow suggested the number could be as low as 50,000, while LandTech, a software company, put the figure at four million. Responding to the inquiry’s conclusions, Fergus Charlton, a planning partner at firm Michelmores, said: “Whether or not the grey belt policies will play an effective role in achieving the government’s difficult to reach 1.5 million new homes target will become clearer as the policies begin to play a defining role in plan making. “In the realm of decision-taking they are already playing a key role in the outcome of appeals where green belt land is considered by inspectors to be grey belt. “We have seen more than a handful of successful appeals in the eight weeks since the grey belt concept was confirmed in the NPPF.” Source link #Idea #grey #belt #largely #redundant #Lords #committee Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Labor unveils $1.7bn funding boost for Medicare Labor unveils $1.7bn funding boost for Medicare The Albanese government has unveiled a $1.7bn funding boost for Medicare amid “pressures” hampering the country’s health system. Anthony Albanese announced the funding along with Health Minister Mark Butler on Wednesday. The Prime Minister said his government’s “priority is strengthening Medicare” for everyday Australians. “Australians rely upon Medicare as the centre of our healthcare, and today, I can announce that we’re delivering an additional $1.7bn to properly fund public hospitals and health services next year,” he told reporters in Canberra. “This funding will be delivered to states and territories to help cut waiting lists, to reduce waiting times in emergency rooms … this matters to people, and this decision today will help save lives and lead to better outcomes for our nation’s hospitals.” More to come Source link #Labor #unveils #1.7bn #funding #boost #Medicare Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Corpus Christi police investigating possible *******-suicide in Bay Area Corpus Christi police investigating possible *******-suicide in Bay Area Two people died Monday in what Corpus Christi police believe was a *******-suicide in the Bay Area. At 5:08 p.m. on Monday, Corpus Christi police officers were dispatched to the 600 block of Glazebrook Street in reference to a shooting. They found two people dead inside of an apartment, according to a news release written by Corpus Christi Police Department senior officer Antonio Contreras. Robbery/********* detectives were called out to the scene to assist, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Police Department said the shooting appeared to be a *******-suicide, though the events that led to the shooting are unclear. The two individuals involved knew each other, police said. There was no one else involved and no threat to the public. Police will continue investigating what led to the fatal shooting. More: Corpus Christi police: Two killed in possible *******-suicide More: There’s been a wave of guns at Coastal Bend schools. Here’s how to keep guns safe at home. More: Second man arrested in connection with Robert Drive shooting, Corpus Christi police say This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Two dead in possible *******-suicide, Corpus Christi police say Source link #Corpus #Christi #police #investigating #murdersuicide #Bay #Area Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]