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The evidence that shows Rwanda is backing M23 rebels The evidence that shows Rwanda is backing M23 rebels Ian Wafula Africa security correspondent, BBC News EPA Protesters in Kinshasa, the capital of Democratic Republic of Congo, have been burning portraits of Rwanda’s president and tearing up Rwandan flags as M23 rebels have taken control of most the eastern city of Goma. Their fury is focused on Rwandan President Paul Kagame, who they accuse of backing the rebels – an accusation long made by the UN. To put it bluntly, a group of UN experts maintains the Rwandan army is in “de facto control of M23 operations”, detailing how M23 recruits are trained under Rwandan supervision and supported by high-tech Rwandan weaponry. Goma, which lies at the foot of a volcano near Lake Kivu, sits on the border with Rwanda. It is the capital of mineral-rich North Kivu province – and is an important trading and humanitarian hub and the base for the UN’s largest peacekeeping mission. The city had also become a refuge for those fleeing the conflict between M23 fighters and the army that erupted again in late 2021 – with the population swelling to around two million. They all face further turmoil as fighting erupted there on Sunday night with loud explosions echoing through the streets, which are now strewn with bodies. The exact circumstances of what is going on is unclear as phone lines are down and electricity and water supplies have been cut off. But the M23 seem to have captured most, if not all, of the city. “There was no question that there are Rwandan troops in Goma supporting the M23,” said UN peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix, though he added that it was it was difficult to tell the exact numbers on the ground in Goma. Tellingly some Congolese army soldiers in Goma who surrendered on Monday, did so by crossing over the border into Rwanda. Since the conflict begun, President Kagame has repeatedly denied any involvement in supporting the M23 rebels, who are well equipped, well armed and well trained. AFP The M23 says it is a Congolese rebel group defending DR Congo’s Tutsi community However, this response has noticeably shifted as accusations continue to grow with “overwhelming evidence” showing Rwanda’s support for the rebel group, according to Richard Moncrief, International Crisis Group’s project director for the Great Lakes “The tone has changed to justification for defensive measures,” he told the BBC. “It has become harder to deny Rwanda’s support for M23.” On Sunday, Rwanda’s foreign ministry said in a statement: “This fighting close to the Rwandan border continues to present a serious threat to Rwanda’s security and territorial integrity, and necessitates Rwanda’s sustained defensive posture.” It said it was concerned by “misguided or manipulative” statements that lacked context about the conflict. For Kagame, the context all comes down to the Rwandan genocide that took place over 100 days in 1994. The ethnic Hutu militia involved in killing up to 800,000 people – the vast majority from the Tutsi community – fled to what is now DR Congo, some forming the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR). This rebel group is still active in the notoriously unstable eastern DR Congo – and still includes some of those responsible for the genocide. Kagame, who headed the rebel Tutsi force that ended the killing more than three decades ago, sees this “genocidal militia” as an existential threat. His government has twice invaded DR Congo, saying it wants to stop Hutu rebel groups from staging cross-border attacks. Earlier this month he called out his Congolese counterpart, Félix Tshisekedi, for failing to deal with the FDLR and talk to the M23, saying this was exacerbating the conflict. Mr Moncrief believes that the targeting of Goma is more about making a political point as he says the M23 does not need the city strategically as it already “controls many more lucrative areas”. “It is President Kagame’s way of exerting power over who is in charge of North Kivu,” said the Great Lakes expert. Rwanda accused the military governor of North Kivu, who was killed in fighting last week, of collaborating with the FDLR. The discovery of this kind of high-level collaboration, experts agree, would have been like a red flag to a bull for Rwanda. AFP This month alone 400,000 people have fled their homes because of the fighting The M23’s origins are tied to these tensions – it is the latest incarnation of a rebel group that says it is fighting for the interests of the ********* Tutsi community in eastern DR Congo. Its first uprising more than a decade ago ended with a peace deal – when its fighters disarmed and mainly moved into camps in Uganda. But three years ago, they began leaving the camps saying the deal was not honoured and within a couple months was seizing territory. The UN peacekeeping mission – first deployed in 1999 – is not mandated to go on the offensive. Two regional forces – an East African one followed by a southern African one – specially deployed over the last few years at the request of Tshisekedi have failed to contain the M23. This gives an indication of the M23’s sophisticated operations. According to the UN group of experts, this includes five months of training at the M23’s main base in Tchanzu, hilly terrain not far from Rwanda’s border, that incorporates courses on theory and ideology and then practical elements including “war tactics”, “engagement rules” and “bush tactics”. It said Rwandan officers were often at the camp, where recruits, including children, were brought – some joining up on a voluntary basis, others forced to do so in a systematic operation where local chiefs had to provide conscripts. The experts said Sultani Makenga, who once fought for Kagame in the early 1990s in Rwanda and is now the M23’s military chief, attended some of the passing-out ceremonies between 25 September and 31 October 2024 that involved 3,000 recruits. Rwanda’s spokesperson Yolande Makolo did not address the question of whether Rwandan officers were in the M23 camp but she did deny the charges about child soldiers, telling the BBC last year: “The claim about recruiting minors in camps is absurd, it’s blatant information warfare against Rwanda.” However UN expert reports detail how the M23’s strength has grown since May when numbers were put at around 3,000. Reuters Rwandan soldiers escorted surrendering Congolese troops over the border into Rwanda on Monday The experts estimate that between 3,000 and 4,000 Rwandan army troops are on the ground in DR Congo – saying it based this on authenticated photographs, drone footage, video recordings, testimonies and intelligence. Captured M23 fighters said that the Rwandans were known as the “Friendly Force”, with the experts’ December report saying the English term was “generically used” even when interviewees were speaking in other languages. They said these Rwandan special forces were there to train and support the rebels, and they did not interact with M23 regulars. Rwanda’s ally Uganda, unhappy about another rebel group in DR Congo that threatens its security, has also been accused of helping the M23 – with its officers also spotted at Tchanzu. The UN experts say Uganda has also supplied weapons, hosted rebel leaders and allowed cross-border movements of M23 fighters – accusations Kampala denies. Kagame recently expressed his frustration that after Tshisekedi came to power in 2019, his suggestion that Rwanda work alongside the Congolese army to tackle the FDLR had been rebuffed – unlike a joint offensive by DR Congo and Uganda against the Islamist Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels. This may explain the re-emergence of the M23 in 2021 – with evidence showing Rwanda’s backing of the group continues to grow. Clémentine de Montjoye, senior researcher in the Africa division at Human Rights Watch, told the BBC that geolocated images placed Rwandan troops in Sake, a town just outside Goma last week. The UN experts say the M23’s decision to capture the mining town of Rubaya, which fell to its forces in May, was “motivated by a strategic need to monopolise” the lucrative trade in coltan, which is used to make batteries for electric vehicles and mobile phones. Its December report says the group now collects at least $800,000 (£643,000) a month from the taxation of coltan in Rubaya – and ensures that around 120 tonnes of the coveted mineral is sent directly to Rwanda every four weeks. It includes satellite images to show how a road was widened by September on the Congolese side of the Kibumba border crossing to allow access for heavy trucks that were previously unable to use the route into Rwanda. Getty Images The M23 and the Rwandan army are accused of jamming GPS signals, making it impossible to operate drones and other aircraft Ms De Montjoye explained how the advanced weapons being used by the M23 were not available to any other of the numerous armed groups operating in eastern DR Congo. “Earlier last year, we documented how Rwandan forces, and M23 had fired 122mm rockets, hitting displacement camps,” she told the BBC. “It’s certainly with the kind of military support that the M23 has received that they’ve been able to make such an advance [on Goma].” UN UN experts included photos of a short-range air defence system in their most recent report, saying three were spotted in M23 territory (Kibumba, Kitchanga and Karuba) in November being operated by soldiers using weaponry and backpacks similar to standard Rwandan army issue The UN experts have documented many such examples, including the use of Israeli-made anti-tank guided missiles. Mr Moncrief said the M23 was also using technology to interfere with Global Positioning System (GPS) that had stopped the Congolese army from flying drones it had acquired from China. The UN experts said the “spoofing and jamming” near areas controlled by M23 and the Rwandan army had also disrupted other aircraft. President Kagame has dismissed these UN reports, pouring scorn on their “expertise” and saying they ignore many outrages committed in DR Congo to focus on “imaginary problems” created by the M23. The East African Community – currently headed by Kenya’s president – is now trying to mediate, though Tshisekedi has said he will not attend a hastily organised emergency summit. Observers say Rwanda’s president will be telling any mediator that the FDLR is the only subject up for discussion as he is adamant their presence makes DR Congo an unsafe neighbour – something he reiterated at a press conference earlier this month. “Honestly, for the last 30 years if anyone wanted to understand what the problems are [in DR Congo] and what solutions should be, you don’t even need to be an expert,” Kagame said. You may also be interested in:Getty Images/BBC Source link #evidence #shows #Rwanda #backing #M23 #rebels Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Ukrainian drone strike hits second Russian oil refinery in a week Ukrainian drone strike hits second Russian oil refinery in a week Ukraine says its forces successfully hit an oil refinery in the Russian town of Kstovo, around 800 kilometres (500 miles) from the front lines in eastern Ukraine. Four drones hit a Lukoil company depot, Ukrainian media said, adding that the facility suffered significant damage. Videos posted on social media showed large flames rising over an industrial facility. Regional governor Gleb Nikitin said that drone debris had fallen over the industrial zone, and that no casualties had been reported at the scene. Separately, the governor of the region of Smolensk, Vasily Anokhin, said on Telegram that a “massive” drone attack against “civilian infrastructure” had occurred in his region, although no casualties were immediately reported. Anokhin said one of the drones had been shot down when attempting to hit a nuclear power facility. The BBC has not been able to verify this information independently. A mother and her toddler were killed in the border region of Belgorod, which has come under frequent attack from Ukraine since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. Vyacheslav Gladkov, the governor of Belgorod region, said another child and his father were also injured in the strike. The strike on Kstovo, Smolensk and Belgorod were part of a larger overnight attack, in which Russia said it brought down more than 100 Ukrainian drones and which led the airports of St. Petersburg and Kazan to suspend operations overnight. It is one of the largest Ukrainian operations of its kind during the war and the second massive drone attack this week. On Friday, Ukraine hit another Russian oil refinery and targeted Moscow during an attack involving a wave of at least 121 drones. As Ukrainian drones swarmed Russia’s skies, Moscow launched an overnight attack of its own, triggering air alerts in various Ukrainian regions. The Ukrainian army said it shot down 29 Russian drones over nine regions. As the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine approaches, the conflict grinds on. Russia is making regular small advances in the east of Ukraine, edging ever closer to the strategically important city of Pokrovsk, which plays a crucial role as a logistics hub used by Ukrainian forces in the region. Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces continue to hold on to several hundred square kilometres of territory in Russia’s western Kursk region, where they launched a lightning offensive in August. Source link #Ukrainian #drone #strike #hits #Russian #oil #refinery #week Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Holocaust Remembrance Day: a story dedicated to its six million victims | News Holocaust Remembrance Day: a story dedicated to its six million victims | News President Roberta Metsola opened the ceremony, which also marked the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp on 27 January. “We can never forget, and we must act. Ours is the last generation to have the privilege of knowing Holocaust survivors, and hearing their stories first-hand. Their voices, their courage, their memories are a bridge to a past that must never be forgotten. Because even after the horrors of the Holocaust, antisemitism did not disappear. It persisted. It evolved. Memory is a duty. A responsibility to ensure that “never again” is not an empty promise. This European Parliament will always remember. And we will always speak up – just as our first woman President Simone Veil, herself a survivor, taught us to do. Her legacy reminds us that neutrality helps only the oppressor, never the victim. This Parliament will always stand for dignity. For hope. For humanity”, she said. President Metsola’s speech was followed by a musical performance featuring Hermann’s original Gagliano cello. In her address Corrie Hermann shared the story of how her father, Hungarian composer and cellist Pál Hermann, considered as one of the finest cellists of his time, was murdered by the Nazis in 1944. “This story about one Holocaust victim is dedicated to every one of the six million victims whom we deplore today”, she said. Ms Hermann recounted her father’s life as a musician, from his education at the Franz Liszt Academy in Budapest to performing on Europe’s most prestigious stages. After fleeing to Belgium and France, he was arrested in Toulouse in a street raid in April 1944, and transported to Drancy the camp near Paris from where the transports for the concentration camps departed. From there he was deported to the Kaunas concentration camp in Lithuania. While the train was waiting at the station, he managed to throw a note from the train, asking for his Gagliano cello to be saved. The note was found and sent to his brother-in-law, who replaced the Gagliano with a lesser instrument and escaped with the cello strapped to his back. “We don’t know what happened next, but only a handful of the 900 prisoners returned after the war,” she recalled. Despite his tragic fate, Hermann’s music continues to inspire people across the world. Over 80 years after his death, his Gagliano cello was rediscovered and his compositions have been performed by renowned international artists. “Hitler burned books, destroyed paintings, and murdered millions; but music is invincible,” Corrie Hermann said. Following the speech, MEPs observed a minute’s silence. The ceremony ended with a musical performance of “Kaddish” by Maurice Ravel. Watch the ceremony here. About Pál and Corrie Hermann Pál Hermann, born on 27 March 1902 in Budapest, was a renowned Hungarian cellist and composer. During the 1920s, he moved to Berlin and performed across Europe on his Gagliano cello. In 1933, Hermann fled to Belgium and later to France. Arrested by the Nazis in Toulouse in 1944, Hermann was then murdered by the Nazis in Lithuania months later. Corrie (Cornelia) Hermann, born in Amersfoort (The Netherlands) on 4 August 1932, is a retired doctor and former politician. In 1996, she founded the Paul Hermann Fund to support young professional cellists. Source link #Holocaust #Remembrance #Day #story #dedicated #million #victims #News Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Frontier Airlines proposes merging with fellow budget carrier Spirit Frontier Airlines proposes merging with fellow budget carrier Spirit A Frontier Airlines plane near a Spirit Airlines plane at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport on May 16, 2022 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Joe Raedle | Getty Images Frontier Airlines said Wednesday it has again proposed merging with Spirit Airlines, which is in bankruptcy. Frontier and Spirit first announced a deal to merge in 2022, but a JetBlue Airways offer later derailed that plan. JetBlue’s acquisition of Spirit was blocked by a federal judge last year, and Spirit filed for bankruptcy protection in November. Frontier said in a release that it has met with Spirit’s board and executives since it made its proposal. It said materials it has submitted “which are based on Spirit’s bankruptcy court filings, also demonstrate that Spirit’s standalone plan will likely result in an unprofitable airline with a high debt load and limited likelihood of success.” This is breaking news. Please refresh for updates. Source link #Frontier #Airlines #proposes #merging #fellow #budget #carrier #Spirit Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

The Last of Us Part 2 Is The Best Third-Person Shooter Ever Made The Last of Us Part 2 Is The Best Third-Person Shooter Ever Made Digital Foundry writes: “The Last of Us Part 2 sees Naughty Dog embellish its already impressive PS5 port with a new ‘Pro’ mode, taking the existing performance option and stripping out its TAA solution in favour of 4K PSSR upscaling. Digital Foundry has unfettered access to the whole game, allowing us to really put the technology through its paces – and here are our results.” Source link #Part #ThirdPerson #Shooter Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Formula 1: Johnny Herbert dropped from steward role over ‘incompatible’ media work Formula 1: Johnny Herbert dropped from steward role over ‘incompatible’ media work Former grand prix driver Johnny Herbert has been dropped from his role as a steward in Formula 1. Governing body the FIA said that Herbert’s “duties as an FIA steward and that of a media pundit were incompatible”. The statement added that the decision was made “with regret” and that the three-time race winner was “widely respected and brought invaluable experience and expertise to his role”. The FIA refused to comment further, but disquiet was centred on the 60-year-old commenting on decisions he had been involved in as an FIA steward on a number of betting websites. Last year, Herbert found himself in the middle of a public row with four-time world champion Max Verstappen’s father following the Mexico City Grand Prix, at which the Englishman was a steward. Verstappen was given two 10-second penalties for two incidents with McLaren’s Lando Norris on the same lap. His father Jos Verstappen said after the race that “the FIA should take a good look at the staffing of the stewards, who they put there and whether there is no appearance of a conflict of interest”. In an interview conducted via a gambling outlet, Herbert rejected accusations of British bias as “ridiculous”, and described Max Verstappen as “very worldly – he’s very open to chat about anything and you have a really nice conversation with him”. But he defended the decision made, calling Verstappen’s driving “over the top” and saying the way he drove against Norris in Mexico “frustrates me massively” and that the Dutchman had got into “this horrible mindset of trying to gain an advantage by taking a fellow driver off the race track”. Source link #Formula #Johnny #Herbert #dropped #steward #role #incompatible #media #work Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Education Minister Jason Clare urges school leavers to become teachers, not lawyers, bankers Education Minister Jason Clare urges school leavers to become teachers, not lawyers, bankers A federal MP has made a huge call for school-leavers to pursue a different career path than law or finance, amid new figures revealing undergraduate teaching offers are soaring. Source link #Education #Minister #Jason #Clare #urges #school #leavers #teachers #lawyers #bankers Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Not Just a Gaming Device” Users Share When Their Steam Deck Came in Handy Not Just a Gaming Device” Users Share When Their Steam Deck Came in Handy Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is out on Steam and Epic Games. With a “Mostly Positive” reception, the game peaked at 31.6K concurrent players, making it the 26th most popular game on the Steam Deck (52nd overall). We’ve already tested its individual settings, recommending the optimal settings for different PCs. Source link #Gaming #Device #Users #Share #Steam #Deck #Handy Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Is This Healthcare Stock A Good Buy? Is This Healthcare Stock A Good Buy? We recently compiled a list of the Retirement Stock Portfolio: 10 Healthcare Stocks to Buy. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) stands against the other healthcare stocks. Healthcare stocks are widely considered a cornerstone of a retirement portfolio due to their resilience, long-term growth potential, and ability to provide steady income through dividends. This sector encompasses pharmaceutical companies, healthcare providers, biotechnology firms, and medical device manufacturers, all of which are positioned to benefit from enduring trends like aging populations and advancements in medical technology. One of the most compelling reasons to include health stocks in a retirement portfolio is their defensive nature. Health care is a necessity, not a luxury, meaning demand for medical products and services remains steady, even during economic downturns. According to a report by Morningstar, the healthcare sector outperformed the broader market in 75% of US recessions over the past 50 years, demonstrating its ability to provide stability when other sectors falter. Read more about these developments by accessing 10 Best AI Data Center Stocks and 10 Buzzing AI Stocks According to Goldman Sachs. Global demographic trends also favor health stocks. The United Nations projects that the number of people aged 65 and older will double by 2050, reaching 1.5 billion. This aging population will drive increased demand for chronic disease management, prescription medications, and long-term care services. The US alone spends over $4.3 trillion annually on health care, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, accounting for nearly 20% of GDP. This figure is expected to rise to $6.8 trillion by 2030, driven by advances in medical technology and higher spending on aging-related health issues. Health stocks, particularly those of established pharmaceutical companies, often provide attractive dividend yields, making them ideal for income-focused retirees. Drug giants are known for consistently paying and increasing dividends. Dividends provide retirees with regular income, reducing the need to sell assets during market downturns. The healthcare sector is also at the forefront of technological innovation, offering exposure to high-growth areas such as biotechnology, precision medicine, and artificial intelligence in healthcare. Healthcare stocks provide diversification in a retirement portfolio as well, balancing out more volatile sectors like technology or energy. Additionally, healthcare ETFs like the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund offer exposure to a wide range of companies, spreading risk while capturing growth potential. For example, Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund has delivered a 10-year annualized return of 13.4%, outperforming many other sectors. Story Continues Read more about these developments by accessing 30 Most Important AI Stocks According to BlackRock and Beyond the Tech Giants: 35 Non-Tech AI Opportunities. For this article, we selected health stocks that have solid businesses with recurring revenue streams, reliable dividend payouts, and burgeoning growth pipelines. These stocks are also popular among hedge funds. Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points (see more details here). Is Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) Among Kevin O’Leary’s Stock Picks for 2025? A close-up of a person’s hand holding a bottle of pharmaceuticals. Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 86 Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) operates as a healthcare company worldwide. There are several aspects that make this company an attractive investment choice. Merck & Co. (NYSE:MRK) has achieved 14 consecutive years of dividend growth, surpassing the sector median of 2 years by 600%. Secondly, the company has also maintained 35 consecutive years of dividend payments, outperforming the sector median of 15 years by 133.33%. This shows the company’s ability to generate profit and provide value to its shareholders, which are indicators of strong financial growth. Moreover, Merck & Co. (NYSE:MRK) has also announced a $17 million commitment over five years (2025-2030) to advance equitable access to culturally responsive care for people with heart conditions in the US communities. Overall MRK ranks 3rd on our list of the healthcare stocks to buy. While we acknowledge the potential of MRK as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter time frame. If you are looking for a stock that is more promising than MRK but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock. READ NEXT: 20 Best AI Stocks To Buy Now and Complete List of 59 AI Companies Under $2 Billion in Market Cap Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. Source link #Healthcare #Stock #Good #Buy Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Operation Lovecraft Luna Outfits and First-Person Camera Update Showcase NSFW Operation Lovecraft Luna Outfits and First-Person Camera Update Showcase NSFW CG writes: Project Helius’ long in development game Operation Lovecraft, seemingly drip-feeds the content, and more recently has refined many of the gameplay elements (if you can call them that). In its most recent additions, players can now deploy a far greater level of skin wetness which frankly resembles baby oil more than anything. What’s of greater interest is the option to now mix-and-match various clothing and accessories. This means players have a much wider scope in making their chosen avatar appear different to those around them in the Harem mode. There’s also a new crew quarters where players can sit with their chosen one in VR or otherwise and have uninterrupted play with none of the multiplayer aspects. Source link #Operation #Lovecraft #Luna #Outfits #FirstPerson #Camera #Update #Showcase #NSFW Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Germany slashes economic growth expectations ahead of February election Germany slashes economic growth expectations ahead of February election Economy and Climate Action Minister and Greens Party chancellor candidate Robert Habeck arrives for the weekly federal government cabinet meeting on January 29, 2025 in Berlin, Germany. Sean Gallup | Getty Images News | Getty Images The ******* government on Wednesday slashed its gross domestic product forecast to just 0.3% growth in 2025. The latest GDP estimate is sharply down from an October projection of 1.1% growth this year, but broadly in line with forecasts from other economic bodies. The International Monetary Fund earlier this month cut its outlook and now sees 0.3% growth for the ******* economy this year, while the federal Bundesbank in December said it was anticipating the GDP to increase by 0.2% over the *******. In contrast, the association of ******* Industry on Tuesday forecast the country’s economy will contract by 0.1% in 2025, in what would be the third annual decline in a row. Annual GDP figures released earlier this month showed that Germany’s economy contracted by 0.2% in 2024, after already shrinking 0.3% in the previous year. Quarterly GDP figures have also been sluggish, but so far a technical recession, which is characterized by two consecutive quarter of contraction, has been avoided. The domestic economy will likely initially only show weak development this year due to continuing geopolitical uncertainty and a lack of clarity about the economic and fiscal direction of the new government, the ******* ministry for the economy and climate said in a statement accompanying its 2025 economic report. It envisaged that the economy will then pick up pace as inflation falls, real incomes rise and economic conditions become clearer. Germany is headed for a federal election on Feb. 23, which is taking place earlier than originally planned after the country’s ruling coalition broke apart in November. Echoing Finance Minister Jörg Kukies’ comments to CNBC last week, Economy and Climate Minister Robert Habeck said in a statement that Germany suffers from structural problems. He pointed to a shortage of laborers and skilled workers, exuberant bureaucracy and weak investment. A preliminary reading of Germany’s fourth quarter GDP is due out Thursday. The country’s statistics office earlier this month said that, based on the information available at the time, the economy pulled back by 0.1% in the three months to the end of December. The Wednesday economic report also pegged inflation as set to average 2.2% this year. Germany’s consumer price index had fallen back below the European Central Bank’s 2% target in late summer, but has risen again since. This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates. Source link #Germany #slashes #economic #growth #expectations #ahead #February #election Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Dark Matter Mass Limits Linked to Higgs Boson Interactions Dark Matter Mass Limits Linked to Higgs Boson Interactions Efforts to explain the universe’s anomalies continue to focus on dark matter, a mysterious form of matter believed to account for most of the universe’s mass. This invisible entity influences galaxy movements and cosmic structures far more than visible matter. While researchers have long explored potential mass ranges for dark matter, a new study reveals that excessively heavy dark matter could challenge established physical models, particularly the Standard Model of particle physics. Findings from the Study on Dark Matter’s Mass Limitations According to a paper published on the preprint platform arXiv, the mass of dark matter particles might face significant restrictions due to their interaction with the Higgs boson. This particle, known for giving other particles mass, is influenced by dark matter through feedback interactions. If dark matter particles exceed a few thousand giga-electron volts (GeV), their interaction could drastically alter the Higgs boson’s mass. This disruption would potentially halt critical particle interactions, raising questions about the validity of existing physical laws. Challenges in Exploring Heavier Dark Matter As per reports, it was highlighted that the early universe’s hot and dense conditions allowed dark matter to interact more frequently with regular particles. These interactions ceased as the universe cooled, leaving dark matter to “freeze out.” The study noted that heavier dark matter exceeding current mass limits would conflict with observed physical phenomena. Alternative mechanisms or exotic interactions, potentially bypassing the Higgs boson, were identified as rare but conceivable scenarios. Shifting Focus to Lighter Dark Matter Candidates Researchers emphasised the need to investigate lighter dark matter candidates. Particles such as axions, which are much lighter and align with some theoretical models, have garnered increased attention. Experimental designs may now shift toward targeting low-mass particles, reflecting this refined approach to uncovering dark matter’s true nature. Efforts to identify dark matter remain ongoing, with its discovery holding the potential to revolutionise scientific understanding of the universe. Source link #Dark #Matter #Mass #Limits #Linked #Higgs #Boson #Interactions Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Rumors that RTX 5090 GPU review models are somehow faster than retail boards are shot down by Nvidia Rumors that RTX 5090 GPU review models are somehow faster than retail boards are shot down by Nvidia Accusations have been made around RTX 5090 review samples Some folks think GPUs labeled as ‘Press Build’ could be faster than retail products Nvidia has assured us this isn’t the case Nvidia has denied that the RTX 5090 graphics cards sent out to press for review were in any way different to the flagship boards that’ll be sold by retailers, following online accusations that the review samples were somehow ‘binned.’ As Tom’s Hardware reports, there are markings on some review models of the RTX 5090 which say ‘Press Build’ (as seen at TechPowerUp, for example), something remarked upon by Andreas Schilling (editor at ******* tech site Hardwareluxx) on X. Ian Cutress (of TechTechPotato) replied to Schilling’s comment about whether there was anything ‘special’ about these graphics cards by jokily altering the words on the RTX 5090 chip to read ‘Press Binned’ as you can see below (if you expand the post). Binning refers not to throwing graphics chips in the trashcan, of course, but to the process of allocating silicon to different models of GPU (in ‘bins’ or groups). Every chip in a particular group that pertains to a certain GPU model conforms to the base level spec (silicon that doesn’t is usually repurposed in a lower bin), but some chips are actually of a slightly higher quality, and can be pushed to faster than base clock speeds. This is why you get different levels of overclock with a certain GPU, or indeed a CPU, with more headroom in a higher-quality chip (even though it’s in the same bin) – which is referred to as ‘winning the silicon lottery’ (you got a good overclocker, in short). So, without getting too deep into the weeds on this, the insinuation made by some folks online is that Nvidia has ensured that those better-performing chips from the top-end of the bin, as it were, have been used in review samples to get the best results for the RTX 5090. Tom’s directly asked Nvidia if these press build RTX 5090 Founders Edition cards were “higher-performing iterations of retail counterparts” and a rep from Team Green replied to say: “Some early GeForce RTX GPUs include a top mark related to intended use [the ‘Press Build’ stamp]. Their functionality and performance are identical to retail GPUs.” Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. In short, the marking means nothing save for indicating that these graphics cards are models put aside for sending out to the press. (Image credit: Future / John Loeffler) Analysis: An unusual clarification, but clearly Nvidia felt it necessary This is an odd one, and it’s unusual that Nvidia would respond to such chatter, but it’s clear Team Green felt the need to set the record straight here. We have to take Nvidia’s assertion at face value, but of course, the difference that any such binning might make wouldn’t be that huge anyway. But even if it was, that’d be a silly route for Nvidia to take, as reviews of third-party RTX 5090 boards compared to the Founders Edition would surely look odd if there was an obvious discrepancy. Yes, Nvidia’s own boards may be well-designed and cooled, but you can be sure third-party models with more premium price tags will be, as well. I believe that Nvidia is being up front here, and any markings are just for admin or legal purposes (guarding against reselling review boards for example). Indeed, if there was any binning going on with RTX 5090 reviews, it would surely make more sense for Nvidia not to identify those chips as ‘press samples’ so explicitly. There are more pressing concerns on the RTX 5090, for sure, including whether you’ll actually be able to buy one on launch day (tomorrow, January 30) – as that isn’t the case with MSI’s online store, we’ve just discovered. While you will be able to pre-order an MSI RTX 5090 model tomorrow, it won’t be shipped until February 6, we’re told – and Nvidia is warning on potential stock shortages of the RTX 5090 and RTX 5080. This is a topic that’s been buzzing on the rumor mill for some time now, with a whole lot of pessimistic noises being made, unfortunately. You might also like… Source link #Rumors #RTX #GPU #review #models #faster #retail #boards #shot #Nvidia Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

January travel pulse | The West *********** January travel pulse | The West *********** Join hosts Penny Thomas and Megan French as they dive into the latest travel stories and trends for January. Megan kicks off today’s episode by unpacking the ***’s new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) requirements for Aussie travellers, while Penny shares a great Qatar Airways deal and breaks down recent changes to Qantas’ Frequent Flyer program. Megan then tells us about the Bruce Munro exhibition Field of Light at Uluru, which has been extended until at least April 2027 following a major refurbishment of the installation. + Subscribe to The Pod Well Travelled where you get your podcasts — and share it to your family and friends. + Sign up for eTravel via thewest.com.au/manage-email-preferences. It’s our free digital edition of travel that gets delivered to your inbox once a week and is full of new stories, fresh podcast episodes, upcoming events and more. + We’d love to hear from you — send your questions, comments or feedback for the podcast to The Pod Well Travelled team via *****@*****.tld. Source link #January #travel #pulse #West #*********** Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

PlayStation names new sole president and CEO, as Hermen Hulst takes studios role PlayStation names new sole president and CEO, as Hermen Hulst takes studios role Hideaki Nishino has been named the new president and CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment, ending the current co-CEO structure that has been in place for the past eight months. Last year it was announced that Nishino and Hermen Hulst would replace Jim Ryan as joint CEOs, with Nishino appointed CEO of SIE’s Platform Business Group and Hulst – who was previously head of PlayStation Studios and Guerrilla Games – becoming CEO of its Studio Business Group. Now Sony has announced that, as of April 1, Nishino will become president and CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment as a whole, as well as his continued role as CEO of the Platform Business Group. Hulst will continue to serve as CEO of the Studio Business Group, but will now report to Nishino. Sony Group president, COO and CFO Hiroki Totoki, who had been serving as chairman of SIE with Nishino and Hulst reporting to him, will now step down from the role to become president and CEO of Sony Group, allowing Nishino to lead SIE. “I am truly honored to take the helm at Sony Interactive Entertainment,” Nishino said in a statement. “Technology and creativity are two of our biggest strengths as we continue to focus on developing experiences that deliver entertainment for everyone. “We will continue to grow the PlayStation community in new ways, such as IP expansion, while also delivering the best in technology innovation. “I want to thank Hermen for his expertise and leadership as he continues his role as CEO, Studio Business Group. I am deeply grateful for the PlayStation community and their continued support and I am very excited for what the future holds.” According to Sony, in his continuing role as CEO of the Studio Business Group, Hulst will continue to lead the development, publishing and business operations of SIE’s first-party games, and is “responsible for developing games across many devices including PlayStation consoles and PCs and bringing video game IP to new mediums through PlayStation Productions”. Source link #PlayStation #names #sole #president #CEO #Hermen #Hulst #takes #studios #role Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Why timing of DeepSeek’s AI release was ‘interesting’ Why timing of DeepSeek’s AI release was ‘interesting’ Stocks (^GSPC, ^IXIC, ^DJI) rebounded in Tuesday’s session after a tech sell-off and wider concerns on Big Tech overconfidence were triggered by ******** artificial intelligence startup DeepSeek’s new AI model on Monday. Laffer Tengler Investments CEO and CIO Nancy Tengler sits down in-studio with Market Domination Overtime hosts Josh Lipton and Julie Hyman to emphasize that while AI technologies like DeepSeek have potential, there are still uncertainties surrounding the timing of its release and the reported spending behind it. “I mean, I think the technology is awesome, potentially, but I don’t think the costs or the timing of it are accurate. In other words, how little time it took to develop, I think we have to wait,” she believes. Tengler remains skeptical about immediate widespread adoption of DeepSeek’s AI technology: “You’re not going to see Fortune 500 companies embracing DeepSeek, but you might see retail customers and there’s a whole host of problems with that. If we’re worried about TikTok, maybe we should be worried about the security of DeepSeek on our phones.” To watch more expert insights and analysis on the latest market action, check out more Market Domination Overtime here. This post was written by Josh ****** Source link #timing #DeepSeeks #release #interesting Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Disney Realm Breakers soft-launches to help you defend the world of Noi with iconic Disney characters by your side Disney Realm Breakers soft-launches to help you defend the world of Noi with iconic Disney characters by your side Joycity has officially soft-launched Disney Realm Breakers, the studio’s upcoming strategy-slash-4X game where Disney and Pixar worlds collide. Players in the EU regions now have access to the game, as well as South and Southeast Asia, Africa, Middle East, South America, and Oceania. In Disney Realm Breakers, you can look forward to exploring everything from the colorful world of Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story to the treacherous seas of Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean, alongside classic Disney and Pixar characters on your team. As you build your town and expand your squad of Lumins, you can go head-to-head with other players in thrilling Arena battles or stand your ground in the tower defense Rumble Battles. Farm resources to defend against the Scourge Legion, with Aladdin, The Incredibles, and more iconic heroes by your side. Additionally, the enhanced Radar feature lets you put your skills to the test in Field Battles with your Alliance to save the corrupted Trees of Imagination. If you’re eager to push the boundaries of your imagination across these combined worlds to fight the forces of darkness, you can head on over to the official Disney Realm Breakers website to learn more! Source link #Disney #Realm #Breakers #softlaunches #defend #world #Noi #iconic #Disney #characters #side Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Britain takes stake in SpaceX rival Orbex to boost space ambitions Britain takes stake in SpaceX rival Orbex to boost space ambitions Orbex is a startup that develops both small and medium-sized space rockets. The firm uses a renewable form of propane known as bio-propane to fuel its rockets. Michal Wachucik | AFP via Getty Images The U.K. government announced Wednesday a £20 million ($24.8 million) investment in Orbex, a Scottish spaceflight startup aiming to rival Elon Musk’s SpaceX. The investment — part of a larger funding round that’s being raised by the firm — was revealed at the European Space Conference in Brussels. Orbex raised £23 million for its latest fundraise. Other investors involved include Denmark’s Export & Investment Fund, Octopus Ventures and former Informatica CEO Sohaib Abbasi. The British government also currently holds a stake in Eutelsat OneWeb, which was formed through a 2023 merger of the two firms. The government initially backed OneWeb in 2020 as part of a $1 billion rescue deal with Indian conglomerate Bharti. What is Orbex? Orbex is a startup that develops both small and medium-sized space rockets. The firm uses a renewable form of propane known as bio-propane to fuel its rockets. It is aiming to launch its first rocket, called Prime, toward the end of 2025. Measuring 19 meters long, Prime is designed to transport small satellites into low-earth orbit. The government said its investment in Orbex would contribute to its ambition to regularly launch U.K.-made rockets from British soil. Supporting Orbex will help “turbocharge the country’s position in the space sector,” said British Tech Minister Peter Kyle in a Wednesday statement. Orbex CEO Phillip Chambers said that the government’s investment “demonstrates its confidence in the ***’s space rocket manufacturing and launch sector.” “This investment paves the way not only for us to launch our first rocket this year but also to develop a larger rocket to enable us to compete in the European Launcher Challenge,” Chambers said. “These development goals are crucial to our longer-term development,” he added. The SpaceX of Europe? Orbex isn’t the only British startup taking on SpaceX. Skyrora, another space firm, told CNBC in November that it is aiming to launch satellites from U.K. soil for the first time later this year. Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA), a ******* startup, is also planning a U.K. launch for 2025. Orbex, Skyrora and RFA specialize in so-called microlauncher rockets, which are typically much smaller in size than others and are designed to carry far lighter payloads. Orbex touts its rockets as a more sustainable way of sending small satellites into orbit. A University of Exeter study from 2021 found that a single launch of its Prime rocket would produce up to 96% fewer carbon emissions than comparable space launch systems using fossil fuels. Speaking on CNBC’s “Squawk Box Europe” last week, RFA CEO Stefan Tweraser said that developing sovereign space capabilities in Europe is “super important” given the industry’s strategic significance. “The regulatory framework and the competitive positioning of Europe, a commercially successful operation, and a degree of service that offers support for every satellite operator are the foundation for us to be successful, despite the deep pockets of the U.S.,” he said. Source link #Britain #takes #stake #SpaceX #rival #Orbex #boost #space #ambitions Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Non-transferable Switch 2 hands-on event tickets are being sold on Ebay Non-transferable Switch 2 hands-on event tickets are being sold on Ebay Non-transferable tickets to the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 hands-on events are being sold on Ebay. The tickets, which will permit players to attend one of several worldwide hands-on events with Nintendo‘s next console, were given away earlier this week. The tour will begin in New York and Paris on April 4, before moving on to various locations in North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia over the following two months. And on Monday, Nintendo started informing players whether their application to attend one of the preview events had been successful. Now, tickets to the event, which have been very hard to come by, are being sold online. While Nintendo’s FAQ for the event explicitly states that the tickets are non-transferable, that hasn’t stopped listings for these tickets reaching hundreds of pounds. Some listings for the US events, such as a listing for $1000 to attend the New York hands-on, have been removed by Ebay. At the time of writing, listings for events in Italy, London and Madrid are all still live. Nintendo said those who were unsuccessful in their application might get another chance to attend a preview event should there be cancellations, with waitlists scheduled to open up on January 29. Nintendo has yet to officially confirm a release date or price for Switch 2, or indeed any software titles. However, the console’s reveal trailer featured what appears to be a new Mario Kart game. Source link #Nontransferable #Switch #handson #event #tickets #sold #Ebay Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Mortgage demand drops further, even as interest rates settle Mortgage demand drops further, even as interest rates settle A for ***** sign is displayed outside of a home for ***** on August 16, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. Patrick T. Fallon | AFP | Getty Images Mortgage rates didn’t move last week, but demand for new home loans continued to weaken. Both home buyers and current homeowners are hampered by today’s higher interest rates. Total mortgage application volume decreased 2% from the previous week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s seasonally adjusted index. The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with conforming loan balances ($766,550 or less) remained unchanged at 7.02%, with points increasing to 0.63 from 0.62 (including the origination fee) for loans with a 20% down payment. Applications to refinance a home loan dropped 7% for the week and were 5% higher than the same week one year ago. Interest rates are now 24 basis points higher than they were a year ago, so there are precious few who can benefit. The vast majority of homeowners have mortgages with rates well below what is being offered today. Applications for a mortgage to purchase a home dropped 0.4% from one week earlier and were 7% lower than the same week one year ago. “Purchase activity decreased slightly, but applications for FHA purchase loans were a bright spot, increasing by 2 percent,” said Joel Kan, MBA’s vice president and deputy chief Economist. “New and existing-home sales ended 2024 on a strong note, and if mortgage rates continue to stabilize and for-***** inventory loosens, we expect a gradual pick up in purchase activity in the coming months.” Mortgage rates have not moved much to start this week either, and Wednesday’s Federal Reserve meeting is not expected to bring any surprises or tradeable news. “Even Powell would be hard pressed to shake things up too much considering the mildly positive cue from inflation data and the ongoing policy uncertainty as a counterbalance,” wrote Matthew Graham, chief operating officer at Mortgage News Daily. “That said, one can never truly rule out a volatile reaction to a Powell presser, but the odds are certainly lower this time around.” Source link #Mortgage #demand #drops #interest #rates #settle Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Tekken 8 Tournament Stuns Katsuhiro Harada as 5-Year-Old Prodigy Shines Despite Game’s Teen Rating Tekken 8 Tournament Stuns Katsuhiro Harada as 5-Year-Old Prodigy Shines Despite Game’s Teen Rating Tekken 8 is the eighth canon release in the Tekken Series developed by Bandai Namco Entertainment. The game quickly became a sensation in the fighting game community after it was released in January of 2024, with over 57 million copies sold worldwide and the game averaging about 7000 players daily, Tekken 8 has cemented itself as one of the most successful fighting games in the recent years. Tekken 8 is not for casual gamers | Image Credits: Bandai Namco Tekken 8 is an intense, aggressive, and fast-paced fighting game that is not made for the average gamers. Yet this one incident defied the game’s ESRB (Entertainment Software Rating Board) rating. Let’s take a look at what or who defied the ESRB rating of the game. A little kid who defied Tekken‘s ESRB rating The game was rated as “T for Teens” by ESRB | Image Credits: Bandai Namco An extraordinary incident occurred in a beginners’ Tekken tournament from the Rox³ CUP where a 5-year-old boy took on an adult competitor. A video clip of the battle was posted on X (formerly Twitter) on January 27 and left fans of the game and even the director of the game flabbergasted. 先日行われた初心者向け大会【Rox³CUP】 そこに現れた、齢5歳の男の子 そのプレイがあまりにも格ゲーすぎてびっくりした 東海にまだこんな未来のある子がいたとは… victorの方が5歳のプレイヤー スペシャルスタイル使いこなしてるし横移動スカやガードまでしっかり…すご…… pic.twitter.com/h0yOeUrgQJ — はまちゃん。/Rox³Gaming (@chanhamamamama) January 27, 2025 In the game, the 5-year-old kid was playing as Victor Chevalier while his opponent was playing as Marshall Law. The young prodigy was successful in securing two out of five rounds and came remarkably close to victory. Fans who saw the video said that the kid was good at moving sideways and guarding. They also speculated that the kid’s father who was sitting beside him was a hardcore Tekken 8 player who influenced the little kid’s skills. Yeah the ESRB rating didn’t mean anything in my life, This young one will go places if he keeps it up! — name cannot be blank (@__Yurt) January 27, 2025 However, this event also questioned the authority of ESRB, the universal rating board of software, as the young prodigy’s talent clashed with the game “T for Teens” rating. What does the director of Tekken 8 have to say about this matter? The director of the game was stunned by the event | Image Credits: Bandai Namco The director of Tekken 8, Katsuhiro Harada was stunned by the young kid’s performance. In a post on X, he commented about how the kid has a bright future ahead in the Tekken esports community, he also disregarded the ESRB rating, emphasizing how skills and talent even transcend age and experience. “He’s got a bright future ahead of him… By the way, the ESRB rating is TEEN, but who cares.” While the ESRB rating of Tekken 8 suggests that this game is only suitable for players aged 13 and above, the 5-year-old prodigy changed how people see ratings for competitive games. Competitive games should have a rating system different from the traditional one, that is not defined by age, but rather by the skills, talent, and passion for the game. This young player proves that raw talent can blossom anywhere. What do you think about the young prodigy? Should age ratings in gaming be reconsidered for competitive play? Let us know in the comments below! Source link #Tekken #Tournament #Stuns #Katsuhiro #Harada #5YearOld #Prodigy #Shines #Games #Teen #Rating Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Italy launches DeepSeek investigation over privacy concerns Italy launches DeepSeek investigation over privacy concerns About a week after its release, Italy became the first country to formally request a probe into how DeepSeek’s chatbot handles users’ personal data. “Possible risk to the data of millions of people in Italy,” wrote the Italian data watchdog authority, known as the Garante, on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, in an official announcement. Developed by a little-known ******** startup, DeepSeek has seen almost 3 million downloads since its launch, reaching an estimated total user base of between 5-6 million users worldwide, according to SEO.AI data. Yet, experts in and out of Europe have warned of the potential privacy implications. The companies that provide the ******** ChatGPT rival – Hangzhou DeepSeek Artificial Intelligence and Beijing DeepSeek Artificial Intelligence – now have 20 days to respond to Italy’s complaint. Against GDPR rules The Garante’s complaint follows a report filed by Euroconsumers – a coalition of five national consumer organizations that also include its Italian member, Altrocunsumo. After looking at how the DeepSeek app and chat services collect and handle users’ data as per its own privacy policy, Euroconusmers found “multiple violations of European and national data protection regulations,” the report reads. These include transfers of European data to China without safeguards as required by GDPR rules, unclear information on how user data is used for online profiling, non-transparent information over data retention periods, and the lack of details on age verification or handling data of minors, among other things. The Garante is also asking the companies behind DeepSeek AI to provide the clarifications needed for the services to legally operate in the country. Italy’s data watchdog seeks more information on the type of data used to train the artificial intelligence system. If personal data is collected through web scraping activities, DeepSeek would also need to clarify “how users registered and those not registered to the service have been or are informed about the processing of their data,” wrote the Garante. “Technological efficiency, however important, cannot prevail over people’s fundamental rights. It is essential to ensure that the development of AI occurs in full compliance with European regulation, which represents a pillar in the protection of fundamental values ​​and rights,” Marco Scialdone, Head of Litigation at Euroconsumers, said to Eurofocus, commenting on the complaint. This is not the first time that Italy has called out the privacy violations of AI chatbots. In April 2023, the Garante temporarily banned the use of ChatGPT across the country as the AI mammoth was found responsible for improperly collecting and storing Italian data and, consequently, breaching GDPR rules. At that time, the ChatGPT ban provoked a surge in VPN downloads as Italians looked for ways to retain access to the popular AI chatbot. It’s too soon to tell whether DeepSeek will share the same fate, but we nonetheless advise you to approach the AI novelty with caution if you care about your online privacy. Source link #Italy #launches #DeepSeek #investigation #privacy #concerns Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Kick off the Year of the Snake with a few fun factsss – Axios Kick off the Year of the Snake with a few fun factsss – Axios Kick off the Year of the Snake with a few fun factsss AxiosIt’s the 2025 Lunar New Year! All About the Year of the Snake and Its Meaning in ******** Astrology Yahoo LifeChinese zodiac predictions: What’s in store for 2025 as we enter the Year of the Snake CNNLunar New Year 2025 Photos: See Year of the Snake Celebrations Across Asia The New York Times Source link #Kick #Year #Snake #fun #factsss #Axios Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

RFK Jr.’s confirmation hearing set for today as Trump’s HHS pick faces senators RFK Jr.’s confirmation hearing set for today as Trump’s HHS pick faces senators Updated 1m ago Who is RFK Jr.? Kennedy, 71, is a longtime environmental lawyer and anti-vaccine activist whose family is mythic in Democratic politics. He is married to actress Cheryl Hines. Though he initially opted not to enter politics, Kennedy — with widespread name recognition as the nephew of President John F. Kennedy and the son of Robert F. Kennedy — launched his own presidential bid in 2023. After initially seeking the Democratic nomination, Kennedy changed his bid to independent, before dropping out to endorse President Trump in August. Before launching a presidential bid, Kennedy worked for two decades as president of the Waterkeeper Alliance, a nonprofit. He also founded Children’s Health Defense, which has launched legal challenges against vaccine requirements and approvals, and he served as chairman beginning in 2016 . Kennedy attended Harvard University. He has a law degree from the University of Virginia, and a Master’s Degree in Environmental Law from Pace University. He’s married to actor Cheryl Hines and was married twice before. He has six children. By Kaia Hubbard Updated 1m ago RFK Jr’s controversial views While many of Kennedy’s stances, like questioning ultra-processed foods and the risks of synthetic food additives and dyes, have appealed to people across political lines — other views have been more controversial, including his doubts around vaccines, fluoride and other targets of his “Make America Healthy Again” platform. Kennedy has spread anti-vaccine conspiracy theories, commenting that “there’s no vaccine that is safe and effective,” and has repeated false claims linking vaccines to autism — a theory debunked by decades of scientific research. RFK Jr.’s history on vaccines also has experts worried about what may happen if bird flu becomes the next pandemic. Amid his presidential run, he discussed having the National Institutes of Health take a break from infectious disease research. If confirmed as health secretary, this would be one of several agencies he would have influence over. He has also promoted raw milk, which experts have long warned against due to health risks. Conservatives have also taken issue with Kennedy’s views on abortion. Kennedy said in May that he didn’t support abortion restrictions at any point in pregnancy, before later walking the statement back and clarifying that he supports abortion access up to fetal viability. As HHS secretary, Kennedy would have authority over how the FDA regulates medications used for abortions. By Sara Moniuszko Source link #RFK #Jr.s #confirmation #hearing #set #today #Trumps #HHS #pick #faces #senators Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Six Nations: Williams, Adams and Jenkins return for Wales’ opener Six Nations: Williams, Adams and Jenkins return for Wales’ opener British and Irish Lions duo Josh Adams and Liam Williams return for Wales’ Six Nations opener against France. With over 150 caps combined, they bring a wealth of experience for what promises to be a stern test in Paris. Dafydd Jenkins is also back in the side, who along with Adams missed the autumn internationals after undergoing surgery. Williams was absent for the 2024 Six Nations after his stint in Japanese rugby, but returns after re-joining Saracens in November. Evan Lloyd and Henry Thomas are given their first Wales starts in the front row alongside Gareth Thomas, while lock Will Rowlands partners Jenkins. Wales captain Jac Morgan starts at flanker with James Botham, while Aaron Wainwright has proved his fitness to start at number eight. Taulupe Faletau misses out after suffering a knee injury in training with Cardiff. Ben Thomas is given the nod ahead of Dan Edwards at fly-half, with Edwards set to win his first cap from the bench. Tomos Williams will partner Thomas in the half-backs, while Owen Watkin and Nick Tompkins form an experienced midfield. Tom Rogers and Adams are named on the wings, with Williams starting at full-back. Source link #Nations #Williams #Adams #Jenkins #return #Wales #opener Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]