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Signings tracker: Bulldogs sign Zyon Maiu’u effective immediately from the Warriors to strengthen their pack Signings tracker: Bulldogs sign Zyon Maiu’u effective immediately from the Warriors to strengthen their pack The Bulldogs have bolstered their forward stocks for 2025 after the club confirmed it had poached Zyon Maiu’u from the Warriors effective immediately on a two-year deal. The 21-year-old has played just one NRL match but is considered one of the more exciting young forwards in the game. Maiu’u was contracted to the Warriors until the end of the 2026 season but will head to Sydney where he joins several new faces in the Bulldogs forward pack that looks more beefed up than it did last year. “The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs are excited to announce the signing of ***** youngster Zyon Maiu’u, effective immediately,” a club statement read. “21-year-old Maiu’u joins the club from the Warriors after making his NRL debut last year. “Hailing from Auckland, the 21-year-old front rower joins Sitili Tupouniua and Tom Amone as recent additions to the Bulldogs’ forward pack for this season, ahead of Leo Thompson’s arrival next year.” The Warriors were disappointed to see him go but didn’t want to stand in the way of an opportunity for him to play more first grade this season. “We were keen for Zyon to stay but he’s looking for more opportunities,” Warriors general manager recruitment, pathways and development Andrew McFadden said. “He came through our system to make his NRL debut last year and we wish him the very best for what lies ahead.” Source link #Signings #tracker #Bulldogs #sign #Zyon #Maiuu #effective #immediately #Warriors #strengthen #pack Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Elon Musk creates confusion about IRS’ Direct File — but the free tax program is still available Elon Musk creates confusion about IRS’ Direct File — but the free tax program is still available WASHINGTON (AP) — Billionaire tech mogul Elon Musk posted Monday on his social media site that he had “deleted” 18F, a government agency that worked on technology projects such as the IRS’ Direct File program. This led to some confusion about whether Direct File is still available to taxpayers, but the free filing program is still available, at least for the coming tax season. While Musk’s tweet may have intimated that the group of workers had been eliminated, an individual with knowledge of the IRS workforce said the Direct File program was still accepting tax returns. The individual spoke anonymously with The Associated Press because they were not authorized to talk to the press. As of Monday evening, 18F’s website was still operational, as was the Direct File website. But the digital services agency’s X account was deleted. The IRS announced last year that it will make the free electronic tax return filing system permanent and asked all 50 states and the District of Columbia to help taxpayers file their returns through the program in 2025. The Direct File trial began in March 2024. But the IRS has face intense blowback to Direct File from private tax preparation companies that have made billions from charging people to use their software and have spent millions lobbying Congress. The average American typically spends about $140 preparing their returns each year. Commercial tax prep companies that have lobbied against development of the free file program say free file options already exist. Several organizations, including private tax firms, offer free online tax preparation assistance to taxpayers under certain income limits. Fillable forms are available online on the IRS website, but they are complicated and taxpayers still have to calculate their tax liability. Last May the IRS announced it would make the Direct File program permanent. It is now available in 25 states, up from 12 states that were part of last year’s pilot program. The program allows people in some states with very simple W-2s to calculate and submit their returns directly to the IRS. Those using the pilot program in 2024 claimed more than $90 million in refunds, the IRS said in October. During his confirmation hearing Jan. 16, Scott Bessent, now treasury secretary, committed to maintaining the Direct File program at least for the 2025 tax season, which began Jan. 27. Musk was responding to a post by an X user who called 18F “far left” and mused that Direct File “puts the government in charge” of preparing people’s taxes. “That group has been deleted,” Musk wrote. Source link #Elon #Musk #creates #confusion #IRS #Direct #File #free #tax #program Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

India’s Modi invited to meet with Trump next week, White House official says India’s Modi invited to meet with Trump next week, White House official says Narendra Modi, India’s prime minister, left, and U.S President Donald Trump, arrive for a news conference at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, India, on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020. T. Narayan | Bloomberg | Getty Images U.S. President Donald Trump has invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit the White House next week, a White House official said, hours after a U.S. military plane departed to return deported migrants to the country. Trump spoke with Modi on Jan. 27, when he discussed immigration and stressed the importance of India buying more American-made security equipment and fair bilateral trading ties. India, a strategic partner of the United States in its efforts to counter China, is keen to enhance trade relations with the U.S. and make it easier for its citizens to get skilled worker visas. Get a weekly roundup of news from India in your inbox every Thursday. Subscribe now It is also keen to avoid tariffs that Trump has threatened in the past, citing India’s high tariffs on U.S. products. The United States is India’s largest trading partner and two-way trade between the two countries surpassed $118 billion in 2023/24, with India posting a trade surplus of $32 billion. Source link #Indias #Modi #invited #meet #Trump #week #White #House #official Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

India’s Modi invited to meet with Trump next week, White House official says India’s Modi invited to meet with Trump next week, White House official says Narendra Modi, India’s prime minister, left, and U.S President Donald Trump, arrive for a news conference at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, India, on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020. T. Narayan | Bloomberg | Getty Images U.S. President Donald Trump has invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit the White House next week, a White House official said, hours after a U.S. military plane departed to return deported migrants to the country. Trump spoke with Modi on Jan. 27, when he discussed immigration and stressed the importance of India buying more American-made security equipment and fair bilateral trading ties. India, a strategic partner of the United States in its efforts to counter China, is keen to enhance trade relations with the U.S. and make it easier for its citizens to get skilled worker visas. Get a weekly roundup of news from India in your inbox every Thursday. Subscribe now It is also keen to avoid tariffs that Trump has threatened in the past, citing India’s high tariffs on U.S. products. The United States is India’s largest trading partner and two-way trade between the two countries surpassed $118 billion in 2023/24, with India posting a trade surplus of $32 billion. Source link #Indias #Modi #invited #meet #Trump #week #White #House #official Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Pokémon Go announces the Beloved Buddies event which sees the debut of Dhelmise Pokémon Go announces the Beloved Buddies event which sees the debut of Dhelmise The Beloved Buddies event will take place from February 11th to 15th Dhelmise, the Sea Creeper Pokémon, will debut in raids You can also participate in numerous other tasks The Beloved Buddies event in Pokémon Go is just around the corner, running from February 11th to 15th. As the name suggests, it focuses on strengthening bonds with your Pokémon and earning extra rewards along the way. Whether you’re looking to catch new Pokémon, boost your XP, or participate in raids, there’s something to keep you engaged throughout the event. During the Beloved Buddies event in Pokémon Go, you’ll earn 2× XP for every Pokémon you catch. Lure Modules activated during the event will last for an hour and attract Pokémon like Diglett, Slowpoke, Shellder, Dunsparce, Cutiefly, and Fomantis. Plus, you’ll get an additional 500 Stardust for catching these specific Pokémon, so be on the lookout for them. Another highlight is the debut of Dhelmise, the Sea Creeper Pokémon, appearing in raids for the first time. You’ll also have more chances to encounter Shiny Diglett and Shiny Dunsparce in the wild. Pokémon such as Nidoran, Remoraid, Mantine, Plusle, Minun, Volbeat, Illumise, Cutiefly, and Fomantis will appear more frequently in the wild. If you’re into raids, there’s plenty to look forward to. One-star raids will feature Shellder, Dwebble, and Skrelp, with an increased chance of finding a Shiny Skrelp. Three-star raids include Slowbro, Hippowdon, and the newly introduced Dhelmise. For tougher battles, Enamorus (Incarnate Forme) will appear in five-star raids, while Mega Tyranitar takes centre stage in Mega Raids. Check out this list of redeemable Pokémon Go codes! The event also offers themed Field Research tasks that reward you with Stardust and encounters with Tandemaus. Completing the catch-focused Collection Challenges will earn you additional Stardust and Great ******, perfect for stocking up. Don’t forget to check out PokéStop Showcases, where you can enter event-themed Pokémon and compete with others. Download Pokémon Go now for free. You can also visit the Pokémon Go Web Store to get yourself resources for your journey ahead. Source link #Pokémon #announces #Beloved #Buddies #event #sees #debut #Dhelmise Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Rubio says El Salvador has offered to accept deportees from US of any nationality – The Associated Press Rubio says El Salvador has offered to accept deportees from US of any nationality – The Associated Press Rubio says El Salvador has offered to accept deportees from US of any nationality The Associated PressEl Salvador to accept US deportees of any nationality, including imprisoned Americans, in unprecedented deal CNNEl Salvador offers to house criminals deported from the U.S. in its jails, says Rubio ReutersUS says El Salvador agrees to house deported migrants in its jails The Jerusalem PostEl Salvador Agrees to ‘Unprecedented’ Migrant Deal, Marco Rubio Says Newsweek Source link #Rubio #Salvador #offered #accept #deportees #nationality #Press Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

El Salvador offers to house deported criminals: Rubio El Salvador offers to house deported criminals: Rubio Secretary of State Marco Rubio says El Salvador’s president has offered to accept deportees from the US of any nationality. Source link #Salvador #offers #house #deported #criminals #Rubio Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Airport Workers Accused of Leaking Plane ****** Footage to CNN Arrested Airport Workers Accused of Leaking Plane ****** Footage to CNN Arrested Two Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority employees have been arrested and charged with leaking official airport records after apparent surveillance footage from Reagan National Airport showing last week’s collision between an American Airlines jet and an Army ****** Hawk helicopter was shown on CNN. Mohamed Lamine Mbengue, 21, of Rockville, Maryland, was charged Friday with computer trespass for “making an unauthorized copy of Airports Authority records,” authority spokeswoman Crystal Nosal said, according to The Washington Post. Two days later, 45-year-old Jonathan Savoy of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, was charged with the same crime. Both were booked and released. A crane retrieves a wing from the wreckage in the Potomac River, in the aftermath of the collision of American Eagle flight 5342 and a ****** Hawk helicopter that crashed into the river, by the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, in Arlington, Virginia, U.S., February 3, 2025. / Eduardo Munoz / Eduardo Munoz/Reuters The security footage they are alleged to have provided to CNN was shown Friday morning on News Central. On the night of the collision, the network showed footage obtained from an EarthCam camera positioned on Washington, D.C.‘s Kennedy Center. EarthCam footage is available to the public. The collision remains under investigation by various agencies. Source link #Airport #Workers #Accused #Leaking #Plane #****** #Footage #CNN #Arrested Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Six baby techies barely out of college helping Musk to slash billions from federal government – The Independent Six baby techies barely out of college helping Musk to slash billions from federal government – The Independent Six baby techies barely out of college helping Musk to slash billions from federal government The IndependentElon Musk’s Team Now Has Access to Treasury’s Payments System The New York TimesElon Musk’s DOGE commission gains access to sensitive Treasury payment systems: AP sources The Associated Press Source link #baby #techies #barely #college #helping #Musk #slash #billions #federal #government #Independent Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Madeleine King wants BP to ‘reinvigorate’ Kwinana oil refinery site Madeleine King wants BP to ‘reinvigorate’ Kwinana oil refinery site Resources Minister Madeleine King says BP’s decision to rethink a $1 billion-plus new energy hub in Kwinana is ‘disappointing’. Source link #Madeleine #King #reinvigorate #Kwinana #oil #refinery #site Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

More than 280 flights delayed, 100 canceled at Sea-Tac Airport More than 280 flights delayed, 100 canceled at Sea-Tac Airport Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what’s in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience.Generate Key Takeaways The Brief Snow and icy conditions at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport led to over 280 flight delays and 100 cancelations, primarily affecting Alaska Airlines and Horizon. SEA Airport experienced the highest number of flight cancelations on Monday morning, followed by airports in Los Angeles, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Chicago, and Atlanta. SEATTLE – Snow and icy conditions at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport caused 287 flight delays as of 5:20 p.m. Monday. There were also 103 flights into or out of Sea-Tac that were canceled. The majority of those flights were on Alaska Airlines and Horizon, according to FlightAware. SEA Airport had the most canceled flights on Monday, followed by Rogue Valley International Medford, San Francisco International, John Wayne Airport and San Diego International. Stay informed Sign up for airline alerts and download airline apps for real-time updates on flight status. Follow airports and airlines on social media for the latest information on delays and cancelations. Plan ahead Book flights earlier in the day, as morning flights are less likely to be affected by delays and cancelations. Check the weather forecast for both departure and arrival locations several days in advance. Understand your rights Know your rights regarding flight cancelations and delays, including compensation policies and rebooking options. Safety first Travelers should heed warnings and advisories from airlines and authorities. Airlines prioritize safety first, so delays and cancelations are often made with passenger safety in mind. The Source Information for this story came from FlightAware. MORE TOP HEADLINES FROM FOX 13 SEATTLE 18-year-old arrested in connection to multiple strong arm robberies in WA College student shot in both legs while inside Lakewood shopping center 14-year-old dies in South Seattle, mother arrested Remembering Alaska Airlines Flight 261: 25 years since tragic ****** Former Sumner basketball coach found guilty of ********* abusing players To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter. Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national coverage, plus 24/7 streaming coverage from across the nation. Source link #flights #delayed #canceled #SeaTac #Airport Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Stocks jump, dollar on a rollercoaster as US tariffs paused – Reuters Stocks jump, dollar on a rollercoaster as US tariffs paused – Reuters Stocks jump, dollar on a rollercoaster as US tariffs paused ReutersTrump agrees to pause tariffs on Canada in exchange for more border enforcement Fox NewsWatch Asian Shares Advance After Trump Delays Tariffs | Bloomberg: The Asia Trade 2/4/25 BloombergMexico’s president Claudia Sheinbaum describes call with Trump that led to pause in tariffs CNN Source link #Stocks #jump #dollar #rollercoaster #tariffs #paused #Reuters Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

States warned to tighten spending or pay more to borrow States warned to tighten spending or pay more to borrow States’ “lax financial discipline” has earned a rebuke from a credit ratings giant, which says they are at risk of paying higher interest bills to service debt. Source link #States #warned #tighten #spending #pay #borrow Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

India faces outbreak of creeping paralysis India faces outbreak of creeping paralysis Last month, a school teacher in the western Indian city of Pune found her six-year-old son upset about homework. “I had erased some words and asked him to write them. I assumed he was angry and that’s why he was not holding the pencil properly,” she told the Indian Express newspaper. She never imagined his struggle to hold a pencil was the first sign of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), a rare disorder where the immune system attacks nerve cells, causing muscle weakness and paralysis. Within days, the boy was in intensive care, unable to move his arms or legs. As his condition worsened, he lost the ability to ********, speak, and eventually breathe, requiring ventilator support. He is now recovering. The boy is among around 160 reported cases of GBS since early January in Pune, an education and IT hub, ringed by industrial towns and villages. There have been five suspected deaths. Currently, 48 patients are in intensive care, 21 on ventilator, and 38 have been discharged, according to official figures. GBS begins with tingling or numbness in the feet and hands, followed by muscle weakness and difficulty moving joints. Symptoms worsen over two to four weeks, typically starting in the arms and legs. The reported mortality rate varies between three and 13%, depending on severity and quality of health care support. The outbreak in Pune is being traced to a pathogen called campylobacter jejuni, a leading cause of foodborne infections, and the biggest driver of GBS worldwide. The link between the two was discovered in the 1990s in rural China, where the pathogen was common in chickens, and GBS outbreaks occurred every monsoon as children played in water contaminated by chicken or duck droppings. The outbreak in Pune is being traced to a pathogen called campylobacter jejuni [Getty Images] GBS is not entirely uncommon in India. Monojit Debnath and Madhu Nagappa, of Bangalore-based National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), studied 150 GBS patients over a five year ******* between 2014 and 2019. Their findings showed 79% of the patients had evidence of prior infections, with a third testing positive for campylobacter. Notably, co-infections were more common, occurring in 65%, suggesting a complex interplay of bacteria and viruses. More recently, outbreaks linked to the pathogen have been reported from all over the world. In the first seven months of 2023, Peru reported over 200 suspected cases and at least four deaths of GBS, prompting the government to declare a national health emergency and strengthen public health measures. Two-thirds of the cases were linked to campylobacter. In countries with good hygiene, fewer GBS cases are linked to campylobacter, with respiratory infections being a major contributor, say experts. There have been other triggers as well. In 2015 Brazil reported a cluster of GBS cases linked to the Zika virus. Vaccines can rarely trigger GBS, but one Covid vaccine was reportedly linked to a few hundred GBS cases in the *** in 2021. “Campylobacter is endemic with hundreds of thousands of cases taking place all the time. It is always existing in the environment,” Hugh Willison, a professor of neurology at University of Glasgow told me. Yet, it is not easy to develop GBS, scientists say. There’s a specific strain of campylobacter, which has a sugar-coated outer layer, and in rare cases, its molecular structure matches the coating of human nerve cells. When the patient’s immune system attacks the bacteria, it may end up targeting the nerves as well – a process called molecular mimicry – leading to GBS. However, a small fraction of campylobacter strains have this nerve-like coat. “In Pune, a strain of campylobacter with this molecular feature is likely to be circulating, and a surge in infections with this strain consequently leads to a higher number of GBS cases,” says Prof Willison. A poultry farm near Pune – globally, a lot of GBS cases have been linked to eating badly-cooked poultry [Getty Images] Most experts estimate that about one in 100 campylobacter strains carry the GBS risk, and one in 100 people infected with such a strain develop GBS, making the overall risk roughly one in 10,000. That creates what Prof Willison describes as an “immunological Russian roulette”, triggering an “acute neurological tsunami” that surges through the peripheral nervous system. Once the immune response subsides, the attack wanes – but the body still needs time, medical care, and support to repair the damage. What makes things worse is that there is no cure for GBS. In GBS, the body produces antibodies against campylobacter, which then attack the nerves. Physicians use “plasma exchange”, a process that filters blood to remove the harmful antibodies, along with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), a therapeutic antibody derived from normal blood, to help reduce the severity of the disease. The other challenge is that there is no single test to diagnose GBS. The diagnosis, say physicians, is mainly based on clinical features. It presents itself as a form of paralysis which can be also caused by polio, viruses or rare neurological disease. “The diagnosis is a constellation of clinical features. Misdiagnosis or no diagnosis or late diagnosis can happen easily,” says Prof Willison. India’s uneven public health system presents a challenge, as doctors in rural areas may struggle to diagnose GBS. One reason, possibly, why the World Health Organization (WHO) teams are in Pune, is collaborating with federal and state health workers to trace, test, and monitor cases, and analysing trends to support effective treatment. Special hospital wards are being set up in Pune for GBS patients [Pune Municipal Corporation] Authorities say they have surveilled more than 60,000 houses, picked up 160 water samples for tests, and asked people to drink boiled water and eat fresh and clean food, and not have “stale food and partially cooked chicken or mutton”. While most cases of GBS around the world come from undercooked poultry, it can also spread through water, similar to cholera or salmonella, experts say. Contaminated water used for washing or preparing street food makes it easy for the bacteria to spread. Clearly, in Pune, a campylobacter strain with the distinctive molecular feature is circulating, affecting a large number of people. What is not clear is whether this has been due to large scale contamination of water supply or a lot of people consuming infected poultry. “We appeal to people not to panic,” says a health department advisory. But in the face of uncertainty, it is easier said than done. Source link #India #faces #outbreak #creeping #paralysis Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Packers seen as one of ‘best team fits’ in potential Myles Garrett trade – Packers Wire Packers seen as one of ‘best team fits’ in potential Myles Garrett trade – Packers Wire Packers seen as one of ‘best team fits’ in potential Myles Garrett trade Packers WireMyles Garrett requests trade: 5 most fun fits for Browns’ All-Pro pass rusher Yahoo SportsMyles Garrett requests trade: Nine best team fits for Cleveland Browns’ All-Pro edge rusher NFL.comJerry Rice thinks 49ers should trade for disgruntled superstar SFGATE Source link #Packers #team #fits #potential #Myles #Garrett #trade #Packers #Wire Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Scientists plan to monitor threatened krill from space Scientists plan to monitor threatened krill from space Scientists say subtle differences in the colour of seawater will enable them to count tiny Antarctic marine krill from space. Source link #Scientists #plan #monitor #threatened #krill #space Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Transportation Secretary Says ‘No Early Retirement’ for Air Traffic Controllers Transportation Secretary Says ‘No Early Retirement’ for Air Traffic Controllers Less than a week after twice enticing federal workers to resign, government officials may be walking back their overtures to some aviation safety workers. During an interview with CNN on Sunday, the new secretary of transportation, Sean Duffy, said that within his agency, which oversees the Federal Aviation Administration, “the critical positions in regard to safety are not offered that early retirement.” He also said that air traffic controllers, among others, were “exempted” from a recently imposed hiring freeze. “We’re going to keep all our safety positions in place,” he said. “No early retirement.” One of the resignation offers, which would allow workers to be placed on paid administrative leave until the end of September, arrived just 24 hours after a passenger jet and an Army helicopter collided on Wednesday, killing 67 people near Washington’s Ronald Reagan National Airport. The offers, which the Office of Personnel Management made via email on Jan. 28 and Jan. 30, rattled F.A.A. workers, many of whom were still reeling from the worst aviation accident in recent U.S. history. Staffing in the critical area of air traffic control has been chronically low for years and may have played a role in the collision. Yet some air traffic controllers, who believe they have long been overworked, are considering resigning, according to two controllers who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. The F.A.A. and the Department of Transportation did not respond to questions on Monday as to how they would reverse the resignation offers, which were issued to a broad spectrum of federal workers. But a notice from the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, the union that represents controllers, appeared to back up Mr. Duffy’s assertions. The notice, which was distributed on Sunday and seen by The New York Times, pointed to guidance issued Jan. 28 — part of which was directed to agency heads and part of which provided more detailed directions to agency human-resources managers — stating that agencies had the right to exempt certain workers from what it called the “deferred resignation” program. Deferred resignations, stated the memo, would be unavailable to military personnel, postal workers, and employees working in immigration enforcement and national security, as well as “any other positions specifically excluded by your employing agency.” Mr. Duffy said on CNN that “all our safety positions” — which he had said a moment earlier included air traffic controllers and inspectors — would be exempted from “early retirement.” In its notice to members, NATCA recommended workers “do not submit a deferred resignation letter until we receive additional information on how it would affect your retirement, benefits, and what positions are excluded.” The union added that it had asked for an F.A.A. briefing on those questions. A spokesman for NATCA confirmed the email but declined to elaborate on whether the union had learned additional details about the resignation push. Emily Steel contributed reporting. Source link #Transportation #Secretary #Early #Retirement #Air #Traffic #Controllers Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin sues tree service for tornado cleanup price gouging Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin sues tree service for tornado cleanup price gouging LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin announced Monday that his office was filing a lawsuit against a tree service company for price gouging during disaster cleanup. Griffin said Capitol City Tree Service LLC acted illegally during the 2023 and 2024 storm clean ups in the state by overcharging. He said company owners and operators Charles Shaw, Janet Shaw and Matthew Shaw were charging over $20,000 for the removal of a single tree and, in one case, charged $35,948. Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin announces state-wide human trafficking investigation and raid Officials said Capitol City billed Arkansas communities over $450,000 for tree removal in April 2023. Griffin explained how the company worked to circumvent price-gouging laws. “Arkansas law prohibits an increase in price of more than 10% during times of emergency,” Griffin said. “To attempt to circumvent this price-gouging prohibition, Capital City Tree Service insisted that consumers sign contracts requiring an eight-hour minimum, even though most jobs took less than four hours to complete.” Florida robocall operator gets warning from Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin The attorney general continued that Capitol City billed well over its estimates. “Additionally, the company failed to provide consumers estimates of the total price of the equipment needed, and in the few instances where estimates were provided, they were substantially lower than the final invoiced amount,” Griffin said. “Capital City Tree Service routinely rushed consumers through the contract on a tablet or phone and failed to provide them sufficient time before executing the agreement.” Griffin added that many of the consumers harmed by Capitol City were over 60. He continued that the service was dishonest in its estimate to customers by telling them only the insurance company would be billed. “But Capital City Tree Service refused to work with any consumer’s insurance company and demanded full payment of its inflated invoice,” Griffin said. “If payment was not received, the company filed a lien on the consumer’s house, and in at least one instance, asked a consumer to sign over the deed to his house.” The lawsuit seeks full consumer restitution, injunctive relief against Capital City Tree Service, and penalties for violating the Arkansas Deceptive Trade Practices Act. Florida robocall operator gets warning from Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin Consumers who believe they may be a Capital City Tree Service victim can file a consumer complaint with the Office of the Attorney General by calling 501-682-2007, emailing *****@*****.tld, or by visiting ArkansasAG.gov/file-a-complaint. 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 KARK. Source link #Arkansas #Attorney #General #Tim #Griffin #sues #tree #service #tornado #cleanup #price #gouging Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Marvel Contest of Champions releases a new update as we near the release of Captain America: Brave New World Marvel Contest of Champions releases a new update as we near the release of Captain America: Brave New World Arnim Zola and Falcon join the fray as new champions Captain America (Sam Wilson) and Red Hulk to be given for free as well Several limited-time events to keep you occupied February is packed with new content in Marvel Contest of Champions, giving you plenty to look forward to this Valentine’s Day. With more Champions joining the fight, special events, and a free Champion giveaway to celebrate the upcoming release of Captain America: Brave New World, there’s something for everyone this month. First up, two new Champions are making their debut. Arnim Zola, a Swiss scientist turned into a mechanical mastermind, joins The Contest on February 13th. Later in the month, on February 27th, Falcon (Joaquín Torres) steps in. See how they fit in by checking out our Marvel Contest of Champions tier list featuring the best characters by class! In the spirit of Captain America: Brave New World, you can add Captain America (Sam Wilson) and Red Hulk to your roster for free. This giveaway runs from February 13th to March 30th, with the star rarity based on your progression level. In addition, the annual Summoner’s Choice Champion vote has wrapped up, and Mr. Knight has claimed the top spot. Known for his mysterious connection to the lunar cycle, Mr. Knight will be joining The Contest later this year, thanks to over 1.2 million votes cast by the community. There are also limited-time events to keep you engaged. The Love is a Battlerealm Valentine’s ***** kicks off on February 14th, offering discounts on crystals, bonuses, and bundles through February 21st. You’ll also find the Brave New World login calendar from February 13th to March 30th, featuring daily bonuses, Champions, and profile pictures tied to the upcoming film. If you prefer story-driven content, the ‘Til Deathless Do Us Part’ side quest runs from February 5th to March 5th and sees Captain America and the new Falcon team up to negotiate with the Deathless faction, including Guillotine, She-Hulk, Vision, and King Groot. Lastly, you can dive into True Bromance, part of Pre-Season 26 from February 12th to 19th, with several rewards up for grabs. Download Marvel Contest of Champions now for free. Visit the official website for more information. Source link #Marvel #Contest #Champions #releases #update #release #Captain #America #Brave #World Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump sows uncertainty – and Xi Jinping sees an opportunity – BBC.com Trump sows uncertainty – and Xi Jinping sees an opportunity – BBC.com Trump sows uncertainty – and Xi Jinping sees an opportunity BBC.comChina’s exporters to step up offshoring to beat Donald Trump’s tariffs Financial TimesTrump fired the latest tariff shot at China. Is Beijing prepared to make it a trade war? CNNTrump tariffs could create a new challenge for ******** policymakers: A growth rate below 5% CNBCLive: Trump Tariffs Reverberate Globally Bloomberg Source link #Trump #sows #uncertainty #Jinping #sees #opportunity #BBC.com Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Why Scapegoating Works for Trump Why Scapegoating Works for Trump President Trump has always understood the value of a simple story, whether it’s one told in a 1990s tabloid, on a 2000s reality show or from behind the lectern of the White House briefing room in 2025. In his storytelling, there is always a villain. After a plane and a helicopter collided last week over the Potomac River in Washington, the president blamed hiring programs that promote diversity, pointing his finger at a major target of his nascent administration. When a man killed 10 people in a New Year’s vehicle-ramming in New Orleans, Trump, before he took office, seemed to immediately blame ******** immigration, connecting the attack back to his chief political concern without waiting to see who the attacker was: a U.S.-born American. And as the country struggles with a fentanyl crisis, Trump has laid the blame on its neighbors and threatened tariffs as the punishment. My colleagues and I have reported a lot on Trump’s blame game. I wrote about his targeting political opponents after the California wildfires. Peter Baker recently noted how thoroughly Trump has blown up the expectation that presidents seek unity after tragedy. Today, Erica Green looked closely at the racist undercurrent of his scapegoating. But, to some degree, there’s a piece still unexplored: Why does Trump’s finger-pointing, which has been part of his political arsenal since he announced his first presidential bid in 2015, seem so politically effective? I put this question to Charles Zug, an assistant professor at the Truman School of Public and Government Affairs at the University of Missouri and the author of a book about demagoguery in politics. He started his answer with a pretty simple idea. A lot of the problems that confront American politicians and government officials don’t result from the actions of a single person or of a single group, but instead from a big, impersonal system whose failures are consequential but hard to explain. Think of the plane ******, which has raised big questions about a cascade of potential safety lapses. “Part of what demagoguery is, is the personalization of what are, in fact, highly impersonal, systemic problems,” Zug told me. Some presidents have toggled between the personalized and the systemic, he said, but Trump has focused on the former. “Part of his success is the sort of creation of an entire fictive, rhetorical world of enemies — you know, villains and heroes — that his supporters can buy into,” Zug said. It’s not very satisfying to tell someone that something bad happened because they were unlucky, or because the government failed to regulate something properly, or because the state failed in some process that played out in slow motion. “If I tell you a bad thing happened to you because there was a person out there who wanted to ruin you, to take advantage of you, not only didn’t care about you but was actively invested in your destruction — one of those stories is more likely to motivate you to do something,” Zug explained. He said those who believe Trump “end up authorizing the actions of people like Trump who end up wielding the state’s power to vindicate these people’s hopes and expectations.” Finding a common enemy Boiling down the country’s complex problems into simple tales of good and evil is not a tactic invented by Trump. All of history’s most successful political leaders, from the left or the right, have reached for clear narratives about heroes and villains to motivate their supporters. Consider Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who mobilized Democrats by blaming the nation’s woes on “millionaires and billionaires.” But Trump has been uncommonly willing to use moments of tragedy and disaster for his political aims. And in the opening weeks of his presidency, he has gone further than recent predecessors in laying blame on vulnerable or underrepresented communities. These moments become evidence for the arguments he made during the campaign — and the stories he told to assemble a winning coalitions of voters. “Trump is building coalitions with scapegoats,” said Jason Stanley, a Yale philosophy professor and the author of “How Fascism Works: The Politics of Us and Them,” who referred me to the work of René Girard, a French-born intellectual who has been influential for the likes of Vice President JD Vance and the investor Peter Thiel. Girard’s theory, Stanley said, is that scapegoating “is a way of bonding people together against a common enemy and thereby creating unity between people who otherwise would be in conflict.” It’s not just Trump himself racing to identify villains who fit into his political worldview. Last week, a transgender ****** Hawk helicopter pilot posted a “proof of life” video to Facebook in response to a hailstorm of online posts that falsely blamed her for the deadly Washington air ******. “It is insulting to the families to try to tie this to some sort of political agenda,” she said. “They don’t deserve that. I don’t deserve this.” How we identified 8,000 missing government websites Over the weekend, my colleague Ethan Singer reported that thousands of government websites had been taken offline, including those with information about vaccines, veterans’ care, hate crimes and scientific research. I asked Ethan to explain how he found them. We started with a list of the most popular government websites as provided by the General Services Administration. Around 4 p.m. on Friday, I wrote a short computer program to go down the list and fetch each site’s “sitemap” — essentially a complete list of all the pages hosted on that site. (These pages are often used by search engines like Google to track what’s on the internet.) After about an hour, I had a list of more than seven million web pages that were live as of 5 p.m., across more than 150 government sites. After that, we just had to repeat the process and compare the new lists we got with the old ones. In all, we repeated it about 20 times. (I left it on overnight, letting it run on my laptop while a long YouTube video played so the machine wouldn’t go to sleep.) Once it was complete, we looked through the list of pages that were on our original lists but not our most recent ones. In the end, we found more than 8,000 removed pages across more than a dozen sites. Many of these pages seemed related to a Trump administration executive order to end programs that promote “gender ideology.” Others featured terms and phrases such as environmental justice; equity and inclusion; and pregnant people. Read more here. — Ethan Singer Source link #Scapegoating #Works #Trump Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Essendon VFL coach, former Lions assistant Tapping dies Essendon VFL coach, former Lions assistant Tapping dies The AFL world is mourning the loss of Essendon VFL coach and former Brisbane Lions assistant Dale Tapping, who has died aged 59. Source link #Essendon #VFL #coach #Lions #assistant #Tapping #dies Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Unions Sue to Block Elon Musk’s Access to Treasury Payment Data Unions Sue to Block Elon Musk’s Access to Treasury Payment Data Unions representing federal workers sued the Treasury Department and its head, Scott Bessent, on Monday in an effort to block Elon Musk and his team from accessing the federal payment system, saying that it amounted to an unlawful disclosure of the personal and financial information of millions of people. The suit was the latest effort by unions to push back against a flurry of Trump administration directives aimed at undermining the federal bureaucracy. Administration officials have made offers to most of the civilian federal work force seeking resignations, and the dispute over the federal payment system was part of a wider effort to restrict the disbursement of money for programs approved by Congress. Mr. Musk and his lieutenants, representing an outside advisory group aimed at reducing waste in the federal government, the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, gained access to the Treasury Department’s payment system late Friday. The move immediately became a key skirmish in Mr. Musk’s wider war on the federal bureaucracy. The Trump administration pushed out a top Treasury Department official who had refused to give Mr. Musk’s team access to the payment system, and former Treasury officials said they were not aware of a political appointee ever before seeking access to its details. Monday’s lawsuit said that the system, which sends out money on behalf of the entire federal government and disbursed more than $5 trillion in fiscal year 2023, includes sensitive information needed to send payments like tax refunds, veterans’ benefits, salaries for workers and Social Security payments. Federal law heavily restricts disclosure of that data. The suit accused Mr. Musk and his team that gained access to those records of violating the Privacy Act and the Internal Revenue Code, laws that restrict access to taxpayer and other personal information unless the person is an employee engaged in official duties that require having access to those records. The suit also said Mr. Bessent’s giving Mr. Musk’s team access to the payment system was “arbitrary, capricious,” and exceeded his statutory authority. Mr. Musk’s allies who were given access to the payment system were made Treasury employees, passed government background checks and obtained the necessary security clearances, according to two people familiar with the situation, who requested anonymity to discuss internal arrangements. “The scale of the intrusion into individuals’ privacy is massive and unprecedented,” said the 19-page suit, filed in the Federal District Court in Washington. “Millions of people cannot avoid engaging in financial transactions with the federal government and, therefore, cannot avoid having their sensitive personal and financial information maintained in government records.” It continued, “Secretary Bessent’s action granting DOGE-affiliated individuals full, continuous and ongoing access to that information for an unspecified ******* of time means that retirees, taxpayers, federal employees, companies, and other individuals from all walks of life have no assurance that their information will receive the protection that federal law affords.” The American Federation of Government Employees, the largest union of federal employees, representing more than 800,000 workers, filed the suit alongside the Service Employees International Union and Alliance for Retired Americans, a group that represents the interests of retired union workers. All three groups are affiliated with the A.F.L.-C.I.O., an umbrella group of more than 50 unions representing more than 12.5 million workers. Source link #Unions #Sue #Block #Elon #Musks #Access #Treasury #Payment #Data Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Apple raises concern over first porn app on iPhone under EU rules Apple raises concern over first porn app on iPhone under EU rules By Stephen Nellis (Reuters) -Apple on Monday criticized a ************ app newly available on iPhones in the European Union, saying the bloc’s digital policy was undermining consumer confidence in Apple. Since it first opened the App Store on iPhones in 2008, Apple has controlled what apps could be downloaded to the devices, with then-CEO Steve Jobs saying in 2010 that keeping porn off the iPhone was Apple’s “moral responsibility” and one of the company’s major motivations for acting as a gatekeeper. Trusted news and daily delights, right in your inbox See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. In the EU, Apple’s gatekeeper status changed with the 2022 adoption of the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which required Apple to allow alternative app stores. One of those stores, called AltStore, has begun distributing an app called Hot Tub, which describes itself as “a private, secure, and elegant way to browse adult content.” In a statement, Apple said it is “deeply concerned about the safety risks that hardcore porn apps of this type create for EU users, especially kids. This app and others like it will undermine consumer trust and confidence in our ecosystem.” AltStore said it had received backing from Epic Games, the creator of the “Fortnite” video game that pursued an antitrust complaint against Apple. AltStore said it used that funding to pay fees that Apple charges to alternative app stores that are under investigation by the EU, according to media reports. As part of its alternative app store process, Apple still requires apps to undergo a baseline review called “notarization” that checks for cybersecurity threats such as known malware but does not involve approving the app’s content. AltStore said Hot Tub was notarized by Apple and in a post on X described that move as making the app “the world’s 1st Apple-approved porn app,” raising Apple’s ire. “Contrary to the false statements made by the marketplace developer, we certainly do not approve of this app and would never offer it in our App Store,” Apple said in a statement. “The truth is that we are required by the European Commission to allow it to be distributed.” AltStore said comments on X were in reference to Apple’s notarization decision, and Hot Tub steered press inquiries to AltStore. In a post on X, Epic Games Chief Executive Tim Sweeney said his firm has supported laws such as the DMA because “when Apple are allowed to be the gatekeeper of competing apps and stores, they grossly misuse that power to disadvantage competition.” He added that Epic’s own app store in the EU, which rolled out last year, is not carrying the Hot Tub app and has never hosted porn apps. (Reporting by Stephen Nellis in San Francisco; Editing by Sonali Paul) Source link #Apple #raises #concern #porn #app #iPhone #rules Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

California Assembly approves $50M to defend immigrants and protect state policies from Trump plans – The Associated Press California Assembly approves $50M to defend immigrants and protect state policies from Trump plans – The Associated Press California Assembly approves $50M to defend immigrants and protect state policies from Trump plans The Associated PressCalifornia Legislature Approves $50 Million to Fight Trump Administration in Court KQEDCalifornia lawmakers approve 2 bills to support legal responses to Trump’s administration Sacramento Bee Source link #California #Assembly #approves #50M #defend #immigrants #protect #state #policies #Trump #plans #Press Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]