Pelican Press

Anger of Sonics fans reawakened by Thunder’s trip to NBA Finals – The Seattle Times Anger of Sonics fans reawakened by Thunder’s trip to NBA Finals – The Seattle Times Anger of Sonics fans reawakened by Thunder’s trip to NBA Finals The Seattle Times’Laser focused’ OKC races into 1st Finals since ’12 ESPNTimberwolves’ Game 5 meltdown threatens to overshadow impressive season The New York TimesSchedule for 2025 NBA Finals announced Sportsnet.caThe collective euphoria of Thunder fans is a reflection of higher, divine beauty | Opinion Yahoo Source link #Anger #Sonics #fans #reawakened #Thunders #trip #NBA #Finals #Seattle #Times Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Donald Trump news: ‘Liberation Day’ Tariffs temporarily reinstated as court considers White House appeal Donald Trump news: ‘Liberation Day’ Tariffs temporarily reinstated as court considers White House appeal Tariffs imposed on all nations by the Trump Administration, that were dramatically blocked by a US trade court on Wednesday, will remain in effect as the legal process continues. US President Donald Trump’s controversial global tariffs have been temporarily reinstated while a court reviews an appeal filed by the White House. This development follows a ruling by a panel of three federal judges who blocked the tariffs, stating that the President had “overstepped his authority.” The Trump Administration is expected to take the case to the supreme court if it loses the appeal. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt issued a stark warning, claiming the US “cannot function” if Mr Trump has his “trade negotiations railroaded by activist judges.” Ms Leavitt urged the Supreme Court to “put an end to this for the sake of our Constitution and our country.” Australia will continue to push for the removal of Donald Trump’s “unjustified” tariffs following a US court’s decision to block the taxes on imported goods from going into effect. Trade Minister Don Farrell said the Government would study the ruling closely, noting the duties might be subject to further legal proceedings. “The Albanese Government has been consistent in the view that these tariffs on *********** imports into the US are unjustified,” he said. “We will continue to engage and strongly advocate for the removal of tariffs. “The Albanese Government will always stand up for Australia’s national interests, including *********** jobs and *********** industries.” *********** goods are subject to a 10 per cent baseline tariff, while all steel and aluminium imports to the US have been slapped with 25 per cent tariffs. Labor has sought to temper expectations on whether it can land a deal with the US to remove the tariffs. The lawsuit was brought on by the Liberty Justice Centre on behalf of five small US businesses that import goods, and was the first major challenge to the tariffs. The Trump Administration immediately lodged an appeal of the decision, saying: “It is not for unelected judges to decide how to properly address a national emergency.” The American court ruled the US Constitution gave the Congress exclusive powers to regulate commerce with other countries, which were not overruled by the president’s emergency powers to safeguard the economy. As the Trump Administration moves to stop Harvard University teaching international students, Australia’s ambassador to the US Kevin Rudd has vowed the embassy was working with the US on the impact of the decision on Australians and their families. — with Reuters Source link #Donald #Trump #news #Liberation #Day #Tariffs #temporarily #reinstated #court #considers #White #House #appeal Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Palantir Technologies (PLTR) Is a Big Beneficiary of Call Buying by Retail Participants, Veteran Investor Says Palantir Technologies (PLTR) Is a Big Beneficiary of Call Buying by Retail Participants, Veteran Investor Says Retail investors and traders “are buying massive amounts” of call options on Palantir Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:PLTR), driving the shares higher, longtime investor Don Kaufman said during a recent appearance on Schwab Network. Kaufman is trying to exploit the trend by buying call options on PLTR himself. Kaufman is the co-founder of TheoTrade. By buying a huge number of call options on Palantir Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:PLTR), individuals are forcing “market makers” to buy PLTR stock, Kaufman explained. That dynamic creates a “retail gamma squeeze” which causes the shares to climb, according to the investor. Kaufman bought calls with a $126 strike price that expire on June 20. He’s also selling June 20 calls with a $130 strike price. His net premium on the trade is $1.55 per pair of options. “I’m trying to hop on board with the retail freight train that has become the primary driver of this market,” he explained. While we acknowledge the potential of PLTR as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than PLTR and that has 100x upside potential, check out our report about this cheapest AI stock. READ NEXT: 20 Best AI Stocks To Buy Now and 30 Best Stocks to Buy Now According to Billionaires. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. Source link #Palantir #Technologies #PLTR #Big #Beneficiary #Call #Buying #Retail #Participants #Veteran #Investor Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Trump suffered ‘mental anguish’ from disputed CBS News interview with Harris, lawyer says – AP News Trump suffered ‘mental anguish’ from disputed CBS News interview with Harris, lawyer says – AP News Trump suffered ‘mental anguish’ from disputed CBS News interview with Harris, lawyer says AP NewsExclusive | Paramount Has Offered $15 Million to Settle CBS Lawsuit. Trump Wants More. WSJShari Redstone in ‘tough spot’ as Paramount board fears settling with Trump will open Pandora’s box on bribery lawsuits: sources New York PostTrump suffered ‘mental anguish’ from disputed CBS News interview with Harris, lawyer says The Detroit NewsTrump Blames ‘Mental Anguish’ for Rejecting $15M CBS Offer The Daily Beast Source link #Trump #suffered #mental #anguish #disputed #CBS #News #interview #Harris #lawyer #News Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Opposition Leader Sussan Ley set to farewell ‘extraordinary’ mother Angela Braybrooks on Friday Opposition Leader Sussan Ley set to farewell ‘extraordinary’ mother Angela Braybrooks on Friday Sussan Ley will farewell her “extraordinary” mother Angela Braybrooks at a ******** in her hometown of Albury. Ms Braybrooks died just days after the Opposition Leader became the first woman to win a party room vote to leader the federal Liberal Party. The former mental health nurse will be farewelled by family and friends at St Matthew’s Church in Albury on Friday. Several of Ms Ley’s Coalition colleagues are also expected to attend. Ms Braybrooks died in Albury in the early hours of May 17 “comfortable and at peace”. Sharing the news of her mum’s death, Ms Ley thanked staff at Riverwood Aged Care Facility, where Ms Braybrooks was receiving end of life care. Camera IconAngela Braybrooks passed away on May 17, just days after Sussan Ley became the first woman to win the Liberal leadership. Supplied, Credit: News Corp Australia Ms Ley paid tribute to her “extraordinary” mother, and shared her gratitude that she was able to share a final Mother’s Day with her late mum. “Mum was a mental health nurse who helped so many people through her life. She taught me the values of resilience, self-reliance and persistence,” Ms Ley wrote in a social media post. “Growing up in wartime Britain, Angela could never have dreamt that her daughter would become Australia’s first female Leader of the Opposition, but because of her, that happened this week. “Like so many of her generation, she weathered uncertain times with strength and determination. “I have taken inspiration from her every single day of my life and I always will.” Camera IconMs Braybrooks was receiving end-of-life care at Riverwood Aged Care Facility at the time of her passing. Supplied Credit: News Corp Australia Ms Ley also opened up on the final days she spent with her mum. “It was a gift of fate that I was able to share Mother’s Day with my mum one last time on Sunday,” she wrote. “On Monday night in Canberra, our parish priest organised a FaceTime call, telling Angela she had to ‘hang on’ to see one more special moment in her daughter’s life. “If she could do that, he promised her, ‘we’ll have champagne tomorrow’. “On Tuesday, hours after I was afforded the enormous privilege by my Liberal colleagues of leading our party, I drove back down the Hume Highway to be at her bedside. “While mum was no longer verbal, she watched every moment of my press conference. “As I walked back into her room that afternoon, her eyes lit up with excitement. It was a moment I will treasure, forever.” Source link #Opposition #Leader #Sussan #Ley #set #farewell #extraordinary #mother #Angela #Braybrooks #Friday Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

SEC drops Binance lawsuit, ending one of last remaining crypto actions SEC drops Binance lawsuit, ending one of last remaining crypto actions Jakub Porzycki | Nurphoto | Getty Images The SEC has formally dropped its lawsuit against Binance and founder Changpeng Zhao, bringing an end to one of the last remaining crypto enforcement actions brought by the agency. In a Thursday filing in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, lawyers for the SEC and Binance jointly moved to dismiss the case, which was first brought in June 2023. The case had accused the crypto exchange of illegally serving U.S. users, inflating trading volumes, and commingling customer funds. Binance is the largest digital assets exchange in the world, by volume. It also recently forged ties with World Liberty Financial, a project that aspires to be a crypto bank and funnels 75% of profits to entities linked to the Trump family. Binance is taking a $2 billion investment from the Emirati state fund MGX entirely in USD1, a stablecoin newly launched by the World Liberty team. The SEC was the last major regulator still pursuing Binance after a $4.3 billion settlement with the U.S. government last year that saw Zhao plead guilty and step down as CEO, while avoiding jail time and retaining much of his wealth. This is breaking news. Check back for updates. Source link #SEC #drops #Binance #lawsuit #remaining #crypto #actions Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

State Department planning to shrink U.S. staff by 3,400 in massive reorganization State Department planning to shrink U.S. staff by 3,400 in massive reorganization The State Department is planning a sweeping reorganization of its bureaus and U.S. staff, with around 3,400 jobs eliminated and almost half of its domestic offices closed or consolidated in the coming months, the department told lawmakers Thursday, according to documents obtained by CBS News. The plans were previewed by senior State Department officials last month and are part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to slash the size of the federal government. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the department — which employs tens of thousands of domestic staff in addition to foreign service workers at embassies and consulates — “bloated” and “bureaucratic.” The department aims to reduce its domestic workforce by up to 3,448 personnel, it said in a more than 130-page notification submitted to Congress — affecting around 18% of its existing staff. That includes 1,873 workers who could be cut through layoffs, or reductions-in-force, and another 1,575 who have indicated they would leave voluntarily. The cuts do not affect U.S.-based staff responsible for issuing passports and visas, or diplomatic security agents, the plan to Congress, marked “sensitive but unclassified,” said. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said in a briefing with reporters on Thursday that the changes were the result of “thoughtful and deliberative” work by senior department leadership that took into account feedback from long-serving employees. “The reorganization plan will result in a more agile Department, better equipped to promote America’s interests and keep Americans safe across the world,” Rubio said in a statement. The reorganization should be “largely concluded by July 1,” with staff notified before then if their position is eliminated, the State Department told its workforce in a frequently-asked-questions document also obtained by CBS News. Staff were told to make sure their personal contact information was up to date. Meanwhile, around 45% of offices within the State Department could be merged or eliminated altogether, according to an executive summary sent internally to staffers Thursday and obtained by CBS News. Some departments focused on democracy and human rights will be scrapped or consolidated, with the report to Congress describing some of those offices as “prone to ideological capture and radicalism.” A new senior job will be added focused on “Democracy & Western Values,” with offices focused on “civil liberties” and “free market principles.” Offices that handle migration issues will be “substantially reorganized” to focus on “supporting the Administration’s efforts to return ******** aliens to their country of origin or legal status,” the congressional notification says. Some of the offices within the State Department’s regional bureaus will also be merged. For example, Russia Affairs and the Caucasus will merge into one office within the Europe bureau, Haiti and Caribbean Affairs will become one within the Western Hemisphere bureau, and Iran and Iraq Affairs will merge within the Near East Asia bureau. The plan also eliminates a program that was tasked with helping relocate Afghans who assisted U.S. military personnel during the war in Afghanistan, a move that drew sharp criticism from veterans’ groups. “This is not administrative streamlining,” said Shawn VanDiver, the founder of nonprofit AfghanEvac, in a statement. “This is a betrayal.” In an internal frequently-asked-questions document obtained by CBS News, the State Department told employees many of the offices that are slated to be shut down will still see their core responsibilities moved elsewhere. “Just because your office does not appear on the new organizational chart does not necessarily mean you will be receiving a [reduction-in-force] notification,” the FAQ also read. The administration has sought to shutter most of the U.S. Agency for International Development, cancelling many of its programs and folding most of its remaining foreign aid duties into the State Department. That plan has drawn pushback from Democrats who argue the moves were not authorized by Congress. “Taken together, these moves significantly undercut America’s role in the world and open the door for adversaries to threaten our safety and prosperity,” said Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire and Rep. Gregory Meeks of New York, the top Democrats on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and House Foreign Affairs Committee, respectively. “We welcome reforms where needed, but they must be done with a scalpel, not a chain saw.” Camilla Schick Camilla Schick is a British journalist in D.C. and CBS News’ foreign affairs producer, covering U.S. foreign relations, the State Department and national security. Source link #State #Department #planning #shrink #U.S #staff #massive #reorganization Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Egyptian Minister of Antiquities Clashes with Joe Rogan Over Alien Theories About Pyramids Egyptian Minister of Antiquities Clashes with Joe Rogan Over Alien Theories About Pyramids YouTube superstar Jimmy Donaldson, better known as MrBeast, spent 100 hours inside the Great Pyramids of Giza in his latest video. Credits: Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons. Egyptian archaeologist and former Minister of State for Antiquities Dr. Zahi Hawass recently appeared on The Joe Rogan Experience and has stirred a heated debate on social media, especially in Egypt. The episode focused on the origins of the pyramids and included discussion of fringe theories claiming alien involvement. The conversation quickly went viral, with strong opinions from both supporters and critics of Hawass. While some praised him for defending Egypt’s ancient history, others criticized his tone and handling of the discussion. Rogan calls episode his worst Joe Rogan, the host of one of the most influential podcasts online, later described the episode as “the worst podcast he has ever produced.” He said he felt uncomfortable during the conversation. Rogan’s confrontational style, known for challenging guests on controversial topics, was on full display throughout the episode. Hawass defends Egypt’s legacy Hawass, who has spent decades promoting and preserving Egypt’s archaeological heritage, accepted Rogan’s invitation after more than a year. Responding to criticism that he dominates the conversation on ancient Egypt, he pointed to his regular appearances on American television. “The truth is that I used to go to their channels and discuss them in their own territory, on American television itself,” he said. Zahi Hawass on why pyramid construction challenges our assumptions⁣ ⁣ "The pyramid was a national project. The three millions who lived in Egypt had to build the pyramid for the king to be a god." pic.twitter.com/lF3BcX20uO — PowerfulJRE (@Rogan_Clips) May 19, 2025 During the episode, Hawass said he directly confronted suggestions that Egyptians did not truly build the pyramids. “The Joe Rogan episode aimed to promote an agenda that Egyptians are not the builders of the pyramids, and I confronted that,” he said. He presented both written records and archaeological findings as proof, including the tombs of workers buried near the pyramids. “I told him if I had one piece of evidence that the builders of the pyramid were not Egyptians, I would admit it immediately,” he added. Public reaction mixed and intense Reactions online were sharply divided. Supporters applauded Hawass’s firm stance against false narratives. “Agree or disagree with Zahi Hawass, but what he did in Joe Rogan’s podcast was a respectable stand against the myths they are trying to promote about our pyramids,” one user wrote on X. تختلف او تتفق على زاهي حواس لكن متقدرش تنكر ان زاهي من أشرس المدافعين عن حضارة مصر وتاريخ أجدادنا هو اللي طحن رموز الافروسنترك حرفيا وجو روجان بتاع الفضائيين مقدرش ياخد منه جملة واحدة تثبت ان اللي بنى الهرم حد تاني غير المصريين عشان كده كل الدعم لزاهي حواس ابن مصر pic.twitter.com/TLYJiIvGbr — SIR Z 𓆎 𓅓𓏏 𓊖 (@zhabib185) May 28, 2025 Others criticized his approach, saying the conversation felt tense and disorganized. “Zahi Hawass was very harsh, and Joe Rogan lost his temper. Both were not at their best,” a viewer commented. Alien claims dismissed with scientific evidence Hawass pushed back strongly against theories that aliens built the Egyptian pyramids. He said Rogan appeared influenced by author Graham Hancock, who promotes the idea that the pyramid stones came from another continent and were not crafted by Egyptians. “Joe Rogan was waiting for any signal from me that extraterrestrial beings built the pyramids,” Hawass told Al-Masry Al-Youm. “But I presented him with all the scientific evidence that denies that completely.” Cultural pride and lighter moments After the episode aired, Hawass trended on X, and many Egyptians expressed pride in his appearance on a global platform. He remains a prominent figure in Egypt’s cultural heritage efforts, having helped recover numerous artifacts from abroad. Source link #Egyptian #Minister #Antiquities #Clashes #Joe #Rogan #Alien #Theories #Pyramids Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

This Common Butter Alternative May Be Worse for You Than Butter, New Study Suggests This Common Butter Alternative May Be Worse for You Than Butter, New Study Suggests Reviewed by Dietitian Alyssa Pike, RDN Design elements: Getty Images. EatingWell design. Key Points A new study found that using margarine may raise the risk of type 2 diabetes by 41%. Margarine use may also raise the risk of heart disease by 29%. Using non-hydrogenated products without trans fats may help you avoid health drawbacks. The long-running debate over margarine or butter or other fats has been around for years, and rightfully so. Experts generally agree that trans fats, often found in older forms of margarine, should be avoided due to their link to heart disease. But saturated fats, commonly found in butter and other dairy products, remain controversial. While they’ve traditionally been associated with heart risks, some studies have suggested that dairy fats might actually offer certain health benefits. Butter, however, has been noted in some research to increase “bad” LDL cholesterol, though not all studies agree. Margarine and spreads similar to margarine are made from vegetable oils, which means they typically have less saturated **** than butter. Initially, margarine was believed to be a healthier alternative to butter for heart health and reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). But further research revealed that the trans fats in margarine could negatively impact health. While regulations in the U.S. have significantly reduced and eventually eliminated industrial trans fats in these products, the levels of trans fats in foods in some other countries remain a concern. Additionally, oils vary in their mix of unsaturated and saturated fats, and some margarines contain trans fats if they are partially hydrogenated. Researchers are still trying to fully understand how long-term consumption of butter, margarine and non-hydrogenated oils (like olive oil) impacts heart disease and diabetes. Current dietary advice suggests limiting saturated fats, but some recent studies indicate that dairy **** might have certain health benefits. To learn more, a recent study was conducted to bridge this knowledge gap, and the results were published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Related: Is It Safe to Leave Butter on the Counter? Cabot Settles the Debate How Was This Study Conducted? To conduct this study, researchers used data from the Framingham Offspring cohort, involving over 5,000 participants. The Framingham Offspring cohort concluded in 2014 after more than 40 years of data collection. After excluding participants who had certain traits, like having low or high body weights or drinking excessive alcohol intake, the researchers evaluated data from 2,459 subjects. To gather information about what participants ate, researchers asked them to record everything they consumed over two sets of three days, covering two weekdays and one weekend day. The analysis looked at three main types of fats people use in cooking and eating: Butter, which can come in tub or stick form Margarine, which can be full-**** or lower-**** Non-hydrogenated oils, such as olive oil, safflower oil, coconut oil, palm oil, soy oil and blends of these. The researchers investigated potential links between consumption of these foods and cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes risk. Four years after the final dietary assessment, researchers measured body ****, cholesterol and blood sugar levels to better understand participants’ health. Since data from this later exam wasn’t fully available, some information, like insulin resistance, was taken from the previous exam. Blood samples, taken after participants fasted overnight, were tested for “good” cholesterol (HDL), “bad” cholesterol (LDL), triglycerides and blood sugar levels using reliable methods. Body mass index (BMI) was also calculated. All of this data was used to track and evaluate various health outcomes over time. What Did The Study Find? Eating more margarine (around 7 grams or more per day compared to 2 grams or less) was linked to a higher risk of developing heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Specifically, people who consumed more margarine had about a 29% higher chance of heart health problems and a 41% greater chance of developing type 2 diabetes. Oils didn’t appear to affect the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The findings also indicated that people who consumed the most butter had a 31% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared to those who consumed less. Interestingly, both butter and oil seemed to be linked with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, but the relationship wasn’t straightforward, and it varied depending on the amount consumed. Eating non-hydrogenated oils was linked to slightly higher levels of body ****, but neither butter nor margarine showed any clear connection to body **** levels. However, when factors like age, sex, body weight, carbohydrate intake and diet quality were considered, people who consumed more butter and non-hydrogenated oils had lower levels of insulin resistance. Related: 5 Sneaky Signs You Have Insulin Resistance, According to Dietitians When it came to blood cholesterol levels, butter stood out as the only **** that showed a positive connection with “good” HDL cholesterol, lower triglycerides (a type of **** found in the blood) and a healthier balance between triglycerides and HDL cholesterol. On the other hand, eating more than 7 grams of non-hydrogenated oil per day, compared to 2 grams or less, was linked to higher levels of “bad” LDL cholesterol. For margarine, however, there didn’t seem to be any significant effects on cholesterol or blood **** levels in these analyses. An important limitation is that the study participants were mostly white and European, which means the findings may not apply to people from other backgrounds. Additionally, while efforts were made to consider other possible influencing factors, it’s still possible that not all of them were accounted for. Another limitation of the study is the reliance on self-reported dietary data, which can be prone to inaccuracies and biases, such as underreporting or overestimating food intake. Furthermore, as the study is based on observational data, it cannot establish a cause-and-effect relationship between the variables, only correlations. Finally, margarine, particularly at the time of the dietary data collection in this study, was more likely to contain industrial trans fats, which may not reflect the effects of margarines available at many retail stores that are free from those fats. Related: The Best High-**** Foods for Weight Loss, Recommended by Dietitians How Does This Apply to Real Life? If you are focused on making dietary choices to support your health, understanding these findings can help. For instance, if you’re someone who enjoys using butter, this research suggests that moderate consumption might not be as harmful as once feared. Butter’s potential association with improved HDL cholesterol and lower triglycerides may provide some reassurance, especially when balanced with an otherwise healthy diet. However, it’s essential to keep portion sizes and overall saturated **** intake in mind, as excess consumption may still have negative health implications. For those looking to reduce risks of heart disease and type 2 diabetes, using non-hydrogenated oils like olive or safflower oil for cooking might be a better option when prioritizing healthy fats. For margarine consumers, this study highlights the importance of being mindful about the products you choose. Opting for newer formulations that don’t contain trans fats is crucial, as older or partially hydrogenated margarines are linked to higher risks of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Related: 5 ‘Bad’ Fats You Should Be Eating for Better Heart Health, According to Experts The Bottom Line A new study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition sheds valuable light on how various fats may impact health. In particular, it found that regular margarine use may raise the risk of diabetes and heart disease. Choosing newer margarine products that are free of trans fats may help you avoid some of those health effects. This study also observed that butter, once widely criticized for its saturated **** content, shows potential benefits when consumed in moderation, particularly its association with improved HDL cholesterol and lower triglyceride levels. Non-hydrogenated oils also appear to be a solid choice for heart health, offering healthier **** profiles, though they do require mindful consumption due to their potential link to higher LDL cholesterol levels. Ultimately, the key takeaway is that balance and informed choices are essential. Rather than demonizing or overly glorifying a single type of ****, focusing on variety and high-quality options may lead to better health outcomes. Read the original article on EATINGWELL Source link #Common #Butter #Alternative #Worse #Butter #Study #Suggests Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Market Basket CEO is put on leave in new spat at family-controlled supermarket chain – NPR Market Basket CEO is put on leave in new spat at family-controlled supermarket chain – NPR Market Basket CEO is put on leave in new spat at family-controlled supermarket chain NPRShould you boycott Market Basket? Here’s what readers are saying. Boston.comAnother family feud threatens Market Basket. What is the board’s beef with Arthur T. this time? The Boston GlobeFamily feud developing once again at Market Basket WHDHHowie Carr: What’s wrong with low prices at Market Basket? Boston Herald Source link #Market #Basket #CEO #put #leave #spat #familycontrolled #supermarket #chain #NPR Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Second woman tells jury Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs ****** her Second woman tells jury Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs ****** her Sean “Diddy” Combs was accused of ***** by a second woman on Thursday as the hip-hop mogul stands trial for sex trafficking and racketeering, charges that could lead to life in prison if he is convicted. A former personal assistant to Combs, testifying under the pseudonym Mia, testified in Manhattan federal court that the Bad Boy Records founder ****** her at least twice. “I was just frozen. I didn’t do anything. I just let it happen,” Mia said, fighting back tears and staring into her lap as she described an incident in which Combs allegedly grabbed her head and put his ****** in her mouth. Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty to five counts including racketeering and sex trafficking. Mia told jurors Combs climbed on top of her while she was sleeping and ****** her while she lay frozen with fear. Combs’ lawyers have acknowledged he was at times abusive in domestic relationships but said any sex was consensual. During the testimony, Combs occasionally passed notes to his lawyers but otherwise showed little outward reaction. Testimony before a panel of 12 jurors and six alternates in Manhattan federal court is in its third week. Prosecutors say Combs, the founder of Bad Boy Records, coerced women over two decades to take part in days-long, drug-fuelled ******* performances with male sex workers known as “Freak Offs.” In emotional testimony during the first week of trial, Combs’ ex-girlfriend Casandra Ventura told jurors Combs physically and emotionally abused her throughout their tumultuous 11-year relationship and ****** her shortly after they broke up for good. Ventura, a rhythm and blues singer known as Cassie, said she participated in the Freak Offs because she feared Combs would release sex tapes of her if she didn’t, but also because she loved him. Friends and associates of Combs and Ventura have testified about Combs’ alleged abuse, describing Combs as a domineering figure who relied on bodyguards and associates to enable his alleged crimes and keep victims in line. The trial has drawn intense media coverage due to Combs’ cultural influence and role in taking hip-hop mainstream through legendary artists like the Notorious B.I.G. Combs was arrested in Manhattan last September and is being held at a federal prison in Brooklyn when not in court. Dawn Richard, a former member of the pop group Danity Kane, testified last week that she felt threatened when Combs told her to keep quiet about what she saw. Richard faced a sharp cross-examination by one of Combs’ lawyers, who sought to point to inconsistencies between her testimony and what she said during interviews with prosecutors. Last week, Scott Mescudi – the rapper known as Kid Cudi – testified that his car was set on fire in 2012, shortly after Combs learned that Mescudi had a romantic relationship with Ventura. Prosecutors say the alleged arson of Mescudi’s car was one of several violent or ******** acts that Combs or his associates undertook to prevent women from leaving his orbit and keep his abuse quiet. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) National ******* Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028 Lifeline 13 11 14 Men’s Referral Service 1300 766 491 ——- with AP Source link #woman #tells #jury #Sean #Diddy #Combs #****** Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Barstow burglary investigation leads to massive arsenal of guns, explosives in San Dimas Barstow burglary investigation leads to massive arsenal of guns, explosives in San Dimas An investigation into a recent vehicle burglary in Barstow led detectives to discover a massive arsenal of weaponry at a San Dimas home, including assault assault rifles, military-grade explosives and a rocket-propelled grenade launcher, officials said. In total, investigators secured and seized 51 guns, including several unregistered assault rifles, along with “a military-grade explosive device” and a rocket-propelled grenade launcher while carrying out a search warrant Wednesday afternoon at a home in the 500 block of Valley Center Avenue in San Dimas, the Barstow Police Department said in a written statement. The bust took place as Barstow police detectives were following up on a vehicle burglary that took place on Sunday in the 2500 block of High Point Way in Barstow. Roughly $10,000 worth of valuables were stolen in the car break-in. Detectives seized a massive cache of weapons, which included assault rifles, military-grade explosives and a rocket-propelled grenade launcher, from a San Dimas home on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, while investigating a burglary in Barstow, officials said. The investigation soon led detectives to the home in San Dimas, in Los Angeles County, where they arrived with a search warrant on Wednesday night. Craig Karim Ramazan, 49, of San Dimas was taken into custody during the raid, according to police and San Bernardino County booking records. He was booked on suspicion of ******** possession of an assault weapon, possession of a destructive device and possession of a stolen vehicle. Ramazan was released from custody pending legal proceedings hours later after posting bail, records show. “Due to the presence of ******** firearms and the rocket propelled grenade launcher, the California Department of Justice Bureau of Firearms was contacted and responded to assist with the investigation,” the police statement added. More: Suspected human skeletal remains discovered inside burning shed in Victorville Anyone with information was urged to contact the Barstow Police Department at (760) 256-2211. Information may also be submitted anonymously to the We-Tip hotline at (800) 782-7463. This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Barstow burglary investigation leads to massive cache of guns, explosives Source link #Barstow #burglary #investigation #leads #massive #arsenal #guns #explosives #San #Dimas Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Gap shares plummet as retailer says tariffs could cost between $100 and $150 million – CNBC Gap shares plummet as retailer says tariffs could cost between $100 and $150 million – CNBC Gap shares plummet as retailer says tariffs could cost between $100 and $150 million CNBCGap’s sales stall, and retailer puts a number to additional costs due to tariffs MarketWatchGap Stock Falls After Retailer Forecasts Flat Sales, Outlines Tariff Costs WSJGap Sales Beat Expectations, Powered by Growth at Old Navy Bloomberg.comGap Stock Plummets Despite Earnings Beat. Tariffs Will Dent Profit This Year. Barron’s Source link #Gap #shares #plummet #retailer #tariffs #cost #million #CNBC Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Donald Trump news: Judge blocks US President’s move to ban Harvard University enrolling international students Donald Trump news: Judge blocks US President’s move to ban Harvard University enrolling international students A US court has extended an order blocking the Trump Administration’s attempt to revoke Harvard University’s ability to enrol international students. The ruling marks the latest twist in the US President’s intensifying offensive against Harvard, which has seen him slash billions of US dollars in funding. The Ivy League university can continue admitting foreign students while the lawsuit plays out, after US District Judge Allison Burrough extended the temporary restraining order she issued last week. Sustained by a $US53 billion ($A82 billion) endowment, the nation’s wealthiest university is testing whether it can be a bulwark against Mr Trump’s efforts to limit what his Administration calls anti-semitic activism on campus, which Harvard sees as an affront to the freedom to teach and learn nationwide. Harvard graduates in caps and gowns have urged the Ivy League school to stand strong in the wake of a public battle with the US President. Graduating students cheered speeches emphasising the maintenance of a diverse international student body and standing up for truth in the face of attacks by the Trump Administration. “We leave a campus much different than the one we entered, with Harvard at the centre of a national battle of higher education in America,” Thor Reimann told his fellow graduates. “Our university is certainly imperfect, but I am proud to stand today alongside our graduating class, our faculty, our president with the shared conviction that this ongoing project of veritas is one that is worth defending.” Camera IconGraduating students cheered speeches celebrating the diverse international student body. (EPA PHOTO) Credit: AAP The US Government has already cancelled more than $US2.6 billion in federal research grants, moved to cut off Harvard’s enrolment of international students and threatened its tax-exempt status. Visa interviews for international students admitted to schools nationwide were halted on Tuesday, and Mr Trump said on Wednesday that Harvard should reduce its international enrolment from 25 per cent to about 15 per cent. Harvard President Alan Garber, who has repeatedly defended the school’s actions, didn’t directly touch on the Trump Administration’s threats on Thursday. But he did get a rousing applause when he referenced the university’s global reach, noting that it is “just as it should be”. Several of the graduating speakers spoke more directly about the challenges facing the school and society. Speaking in Latin, Salutatorian Aidan Robert Scully delivered a speech laced with references to Trump policies. “I say this: … Neither powers nor princes can change the truth and deny that diversity is our strength,” Mr Scully said. It was a sentiment echoed by Yurong “Luanna” Jiang, a ******** graduate who studied international development. She said she grew up believing that the “world was becoming a small village” and that she found a global community at Harvard. “When I met my 77 classmates from 32 different countries, the countries I knew only as colourful shapes on a map turned into real people, with laughter, dreams and the perseverance to survive the long winter in Cambridge,” she said of the other students in her program. “Global challenges suddenly felt personal.” Now, though, she said she wonders whether her worldview is under threat. “We’re starting to believe those who think differently, vote differently or pray differently, whether they are across the ocean or sitting right next to us, are not just wrong — we mistakenly see them as evil,” she said. “But it doesn’t have to be this way.” – With AAP Source link #Donald #Trump #news #Judge #blocks #Presidents #move #ban #Harvard #University #enrolling #international #students Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Elon Musk came to Washington wielding a chain saw. He leaves behind upheaval and unmet expectations Elon Musk came to Washington wielding a chain saw. He leaves behind upheaval and unmet expectations WASHINGTON (AP) — Elon Musk arrived in the nation’s capital with the chain saw-wielding swagger of a tech titan who had never met a problem he couldn’t solve with lots of money, long hours or a well-calibrated algorithm. President Donald Trump was delighted to have the world’s richest person — and a top campaign donor — working in his administration, talking about how he was “a smart guy” who “really cares for our country.” Musk was suddenly everywhere — holding forth in Cabinet meetings while wearing a “tech support” shirt and ****** MAGA hat, hoisting his young son on his shoulders in the Oval Office, flying aboard Air Force One, sleeping in the White House. Democrats described the billionaire entrepreneur as Trump’s “co-president,” and senior officials bristled at his imperial approach to overhauling the federal government. After establishing Tesla as a premier electric automaker, building rockets at SpaceX and reshaping the social media landscape by buying Twitter, Musk was confident that he could bend Washington to his vision. Now that’s over. Musk said this week that he’s leaving his job as a senior adviser, an announcement that came after he revealed his plan to curtail political donations and he criticized the centerpiece of Trump’s legislative agenda. It’s a quiet exit after a turbulent entrance, and he’s trailed by upheaval and unmet expectations. Thousands of people were indiscriminately laid off or pushed out — hundreds of whom had to be rehired — and some federal agencies were eviscerated. But no one has been prosecuted for the fraud that Musk and Trump said was widespread within the government. Musk reduced his target for cutting spending from $2 trillion to $1 trillion to $150 billion, and even that goal may not be reached. In Silicon Valley, where Musk got his start as a founder of PayPal, his kind of promises are known as vaporware — a product that sounds extraordinary yet never gets shipped to market. Trump, who once called Musk “a truly great American” and “a patriot,” said nothing about the departure. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said: “We thank him for his service.” Musk’s position was always designed to be temporary, and he had previously announced his intention to dedicate more of his time to his companies. But he also told reporters last month that he was willing to work part-time for Trump “indefinitely, as long as the president wants me to do it.” Musk got a seat at Trump’s table and put $250 million behind his campaign It was clear that Musk wouldn’t be the typical kind of presidential adviser around the time that he showed the world his belly button. Racing on stage at a campaign rally one month before the election, he jumped for joy next to Trump, his T-shirt rising to expose his midriff. Musk had already sold Trump on his idea for a Department of Government Efficiency while also putting at least $250 million behind his candidacy. The plan called for a task force to hunt for waste, fraud and abuse, a timeworn idea with a new twist. Instead of putting together a blue-ribbon panel of government experts, Trump would give his top donor a desk in the White House and what appeared to be carte blanche to make changes. Musk deployed software engineers who burrowed into sensitive databases, troubling career officials who sometimes chose to resign rather than go along. Trump brushed off concerns about Musk’s lack of experience in public service or conflicts of interest from his billions of dollars in federal contracts. Their unlikely partnership had the potential for a generational impact on American politics and government. While Musk dictated orders for government departments from his perch in the White House, he was poised to use his wealth to enforce loyalty to the president. His language was that of catastrophism. Excessive spending was a crisis that could only be solved by drastic measures, Musk claimed, and “if we don’t do this, America will go bankrupt.” But even though he talked about his work in existential terms, he treated the White House like a playground. He brought his children to a meeting with the Indian prime minister. He let the president turn the driveway into a makeshift Tesla showroom to help boost sales. He installed an oversized screen in his office that he occasionally used to play video games. Sometimes, Trump invited Musk to sleep over in the Lincoln Bedroom. “We’ll be on Air Force One, Marine One, and he’ll be like, ‘do you want to stay over?’” Musk told reporters. The president made sure he got some caramel ice cream from the kitchen. “This stuff’s amazing,” Musk said. “I ate a whole tub of it.” Looking back on his experience in government, he described it as a lark. “It is funny that we’ve got DOGE,” an acronym that references an online meme featuring a surprised-looking dog from Japan. “How did we get here?” Musk did not give federal workers the benefit of the doubt From the beginning, Musk treated federal workers with contempt. At best, they were inefficient; at worst, they were committing fraud. His team offered them a “fork in the road,” meaning they could get paid to quit. Probationary employees, generally people new on the job without full civil service protection, were shown the door. Anyone who stayed faced escalating demands, such as what became known as the “five things” emails. Musk wanted every government employee to submit a list of five things they accomplished in the previous week, and he claimed that “failure to respond will be taken as a resignation.” Some administration officials curtailed the plan, concerned that it could jeopardize security in more sensitive areas of the government, and it eventually faded, an early sign of Musk’s struggle to get traction. But in the meantime, he continued issuing orders like thunderbolts. One day in February, Musk posted “CFPB RIP,” plus an emoji of a tombstone. The headquarters of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, created after the Great Recession to protect Americans from fraud and deceptive practices, was shut down and employees were ordered to stop working. Musk had already started gutting the U.S. Agency for International Development, a pillar of the country’s foreign policy establishment and the world’s largest provider of humanitarian assistance. “Spent the weekend feeding USAID into a wood chipper,” he bragged. Thousands of contacts were cut off, pleasing conservatives who disliked the agency’s progressive initiatives on climate change and gay rights. Musk rejected concerns about the loss of a crucial lifeline for impoverished people around the globe, saying, “no one has died.” However, children who once relied on American assistance perished from malnutrition, and the death toll is expected to increase. The lawsuits began piling up. Sometimes workers got their jobs back, only to lose them again. The Food and Drug Administration, which is responsible for ensuring the safety of everything from baby formula to biotech drugs, planned to lay off 3,500 employees. But again and again, the agency was forced to rehire people who were initially deemed expendable, including laboratory scientists, travel bookers and document specialists. Commissioner Marty Makary, who started his job after many of the cuts took place, told attendees at a recent conference that “it was hard and my job is to make sure we can heal from that.” Only 1,900 layoffs took place, but another 1,200 staffers took buyouts or early retirement. Experts fear the agency has lost much of its institutional knowledge and expertise in areas like vaccines, tobacco and food. There are also concerns about safety on public lands. The National Park Service has been bleeding staff, leaving fewer people to maintain trails, clean restrooms and guide visitors. More cuts at the Forest Service could undermine efforts to prevent and fight wildfires. The Environmental Protection Agency faces a broad overhaul, such as gutting the Office of Research and Development, which was responsible for improving air pollution monitoring and discovering harmful chemicals in drinking water. Not even low-profile organizations were exempt. Trump ordered the downsizing of the U.S. Institute of Peace, a nonprofit think tank created by Congress, and Musk’s team showed up to carry out his plan. The organizations’ leaders were deposed, then reinstated after a court battle. Musk made little headway at the top sources of federal spending The bulk of federal spending goes to health care programs like Medicaid and Medicare, plus Social Security and the military. Unfortunately for Musk, all of those areas are politically sensitive and generally require congressional approval to make changes. Thousands of civilian workers were pushed out at the Pentagon, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is reducing the ranks of top generals and looking to consolidate various commands. A plan to downsize an office for testing and evaluating new weapons systems could save $300 million per year. Hegseth recently asked employees to submit one idea per week for cutting waste. However, the Pentagon budget would increase by $150 billion, for a total of more than $900 billion, under Trump’s spending proposal working its way through Congress. The money includes $25 billion to lay the groundwork for Trump’s “golden dome” missile defense program and $34 billion to expand the naval fleet with more shipbuilding. Another $45 million is expected to be spent on a military parade on June 14, which is the 250th anniversary of the Army’s founding and Trump’s 79th birthday. Musk also faced blowback for targeting Social Security, which provides monthly benefits to retirees and some children. He suggested that the popular program was “a Ponzi scheme” and the government could save between $500 billion and $700 billion by tackling waste and fraud. However, his estimates were inflated. Social Security’s inspector general said there was only $71.8 billion in improper payments over eight years. Nor was there any evidence that millions of dead people were receiving benefits. Changes to Social Security phone services, pitched as a way to eliminate opportunities for fraud, were walked back after an outcry from lawmakers and beneficiaries. But the agency could still shed 7,000 workers while closing some of its offices. Musk’s popularity cratered even though Americans often agreed with his premise that the federal government is bloated and wasteful, according to polling from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. Just 33% of U.S. adults had a favorable view of Musk in April, down from 41% in December. In addition, 65% said Musk had too much influence over the federal government. Musk talked of staggering savings but delivered modest results During a campaign rally in October, Musk said he could find “at least $2 trillion” in spending cuts. In January, before Trump was inaugurated, he revised by saying, “if we try for $2 trillion, we’ve got a good shot at getting one.” But in April, at a Cabinet meeting, Musk provided a different target. He was “excited to announce” that they could reach $150 billion in savings during the current fiscal year. Whether that figure proves to be accurate is difficult to measure, especially because DOGE routinely inflated or mischaracterized its work. But it falls short of President Bill Clinton’s initiative three decades ago, which resulted in $136 billion in savings — the equivalent of more than $240 billion today. Elaine Kamarck, a key figure in the Clinton administration, said they focused on making the government more responsive and updating antiquated internal procedures. The work took years. “We went about it methodically, department by department,” she said. The effort also reduced the federal workforce by more than 400,000 employees. However, Musk did little to seek insight from people who knew the inner workings of government. “They made some changes without really knowing what they were doing,” said Alex Nowrasteh, vice president for economic and social policy studies for the libertarian think tank Cato Institute. He said there were “a lot of unforced errors.” In the end, Nowrasteh said, “they set themselves up for failure.” ____ Associated Press writers Tom Beaumont in Des Moines and Lolita Baldor, Matthew Daly, Gary Fields, Fatima Hussein, Ellen Knickmeyer, Matthew Perrone, Michelle Price and Amelia Thomson DeVeaux in Washington contributed to this report. Source link #Elon #Musk #Washington #wielding #chain #leaves #upheaval #unmet #expectations Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Israel accepts new US proposal for ceasefire with ******, says Israeli official – CNN Israel accepts new US proposal for ceasefire with ******, says Israeli official – CNN Israel accepts new US proposal for ceasefire with ******, says Israeli official CNNIsrael accepts a US proposal for a temporary Gaza ceasefire and ****** gives a cool response AP NewsNew US deal outline would see 10 live hostages freed, 60-day truce, option to resume war The Times of IsraelWhite House Puts Cease-Fire Proposal to ****** as Pressure on Israel Grows The New York TimesHamas demands changes to Witkoff’s new Gaza ceasefire proposal The Jerusalem Post Source link #Israel #accepts #proposal #ceasefire #****** #Israeli #official #CNN Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Premier League Darts final result: Luke Humphries gets revenge by beating Luke Littler Premier League Darts final result: Luke Humphries gets revenge by beating Luke Littler World number one Luke Humphries gained revenge on Luke Littler as he won a pulsating final to win the Premier League for the first time. After losing to world champion Littler in last year’s final, Humphries triumphed 11-8 in the repeat as the world’s top two duked it out at O2 Arena. The emergence of Littler has often seen Humphries referred to as ‘the other Luke’ but this was his moment as he completed the triple crown of the World Championship, World Matchplay and now the Premier League. “That one means the world to me. It’s the one I was missing,” Humphries told Sky Sports. “I said in all my pre-match build- up the last few days that it was the one I wanted. “I’ve done it now. If I don’t win another title I will happy, because I’ve won the three hardest ones now.” It was the 23rd final between the pair and Littler, who beat Gerwyn Price in the semi-finals, made a fantastic start to race into a 3-0 lead. Both players showed signs of nerves with a number of errors in a tense opening, and Humphries was able to miss five darts at double and still break back before taking out 130 to level at 3-3. There was still nothing to separate them at the break – one that seemed to benefit both players as the standard sky-rocketed after the resumption. Humphries, in particular, came out firing. He broke with an 11-darter and moved two legs clear with a 12-dart hold. Another 11-darter made it 8-6 and while Littler was holding throw reasonably comfortably, he was unable to put the requisite pressure on the Humphries throw. There were still nervy moments for Humphries and he went all the way down to double two before moving 10-8 ahead before managing to break once more, finishing on double 10 to clinch victory and the £275,000 prize money. For Littler, who edged it 100.29 to 97.86 on the averages, a remarkable campaign that saw him set a points record in the league phase and claim a record six nightly wins ends in disappointment. It might have been different had he been better on the outer ring, where he was just eight of 27 for 29.6%. Although, Humphries was only fractionally more clinical at 29.7%. He can celebrate coming on top in the latest instalment of a rivalry that looks set to run and run but that will be put on hold soon as Humphries and Littler prepare to team up for England at the World Cup of Darts in Frankfurt in June. Source link #Premier #League #Darts #final #result #Luke #Humphries #revenge #beating #Luke #Littler Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Skoda Favorit: **********-era hatch reimagined as an affordable EV Skoda Favorit: **********-era hatch reimagined as an affordable EV Retro-flavoured EV designs are all the rage, and Skoda is getting in on the act with the Favorit EV concept. Source link #Skoda #Favorit #Communistera #hatch #reimagined #affordable Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

CVS, Walgreens and Rite Aid are all set to close stores. Hundreds have already shuttered. CVS, Walgreens and Rite Aid are all set to close stores. Hundreds have already shuttered. It has been a rough stretch for large pharmacy chains. CVS, Walgreens and Rite Aid are all in the midst of mass closures, and Rite Aid recently filed for bankruptcy for the second time in as many years. Mass closures extend beyond the retail pharmacy space, however, as other companies such as Forever 21, Joann, Macy’s, Denny’s, Bahama Breeze and more have announced locations would shutter this year. Here’s the latest on pharmacy chains CVS, Walgreens and Rite Aid, including how many stores each company is planning to close. Rite Aid announced it had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy again on May 5, the second time since October 2023. Bankruptcy filings have identified 316 store locations Rite Aid has tapped for closure. On May 15, Rite Aid said it “successfully entered into a series of ***** agreements and pharmacy services transition agreements,” which would include transitioning pharmacy assets from locations across the U.S. to CVS Pharmacy, Walgreens, Albertsons, Kroger, Giant Eagle and other operators. Rite Aid and Bartell Drugs stores in some states will also be operated by CVS Pharmacy as part of the ***** agreements, which were approved on May 21 in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court of New Jersey, according to Rite Aid’s bankruptcy docket. During the transition of prescription files, Rite Aid said its stores will remain open and customers can continue to access their pharmacy services, including prescription refills and immunizations. Before the bankruptcy filing, Rite Aid operated 1,240 stores across 15 states. “A key priority for Rite Aid is to ensure that as many of our loyal customers as possible continue to receive the pharmacy services and care they require without interruption,” Matt Schroeder, CEO of Rite Aid, said in a statement. “These agreements ensure our pharmacy customers will experience a smooth transition while preserving jobs for some of our valued team members.” Rite Aid has buyers for customer files at 810 of its stores, but did not find a buyer for files at 200 other locations, according to Reuters. While the deadline to enter bids for Rite Aid’s pharmacy assets (May 13) has passed, the deadline to enter bids for the chain’s remaining assets, including the Thrifty Ice Cream business, is June 13, with an auction date set for June 20. Rite Aid closures: More than 300 Rite Aid stores now slated to close: Here’s the complete list Walgreens Boots Alliance announced in October 2024 its plans to close approximately 1,200 stores across the United States as the pharmacy chain struggles with slumping consumer spending. Story Continues At the time, the chain said the closures would occur within three years, starting with about 500 stores being shuttered in fiscal year 2025, which ends in August. The move is part of a multi-year cost-cutting program under CEO Tim Wentworth, who took on the job in 2023. In a statement in October 2024, Wentworth reiterated the company’s commitment to focusing on improving its core business: retail pharmacy. “This turnaround will take time, but we are confident it will yield significant financial and consumer benefits over the long term,” Wentworth said in the statement. The company closed 70 stores in its first quarter of fiscal 2025, which ended Nov. 30, 2024, Wentworth said in a January 2025 analyst conference call. Walgreens planned to close about another 450 stores through the end of 2025 he said. In March 2025, Walgreens was taken private by Sycamore Partners for $10 billion, closing out nearly a century of trading on public markets for the U.S. pharmacy giant. Sycamore Partners, a private equity firm that specializes in retail and consumer investments, has a track record of acquiring distressed retailers for profit: among them were brands such as Staples, Talbots and Nine West, according to Reuters. CVS first announced in November 2021 its plan to close stores as part of an effort to “optimize our existing stores and pharmacies.” The chain closed 900 stores between 2022 and 2024 and aims to close an additional 270 stores in 2025, company spokesperson Amy Thibault confirmed to USA TODAY on May 29. The spokesperson said in an emailed statement that the company is closing locations “strategically to better meet consumers’ health, wellness and pharmacy care needs” and not in reaction to “industry pressures.” Additionally, even while it closes certain locations, Thibault said CVS is also opening stores and pharmacies in “areas where there’s a need.” The company has opened 100 stores between 2022 and 2024, and has plans to open nearly 30 locations, including locations inside Target stores, in 2025. Contributing: Eric Lagatta, Jonathan Limehouse, Mary Walrath-Holdridge, James Powel and Mike Snider, USA TODAY Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at *****@*****.tld. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid store closures: Hundreds already shuttered Source link #CVS #Walgreens #Rite #Aid #set #close #stores #Hundreds #shuttered Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Most Popular TV Shows of 2024-25, Led By 'Squid Game' and 'Adolescence' – Variety Most Popular TV Shows of 2024-25, Led By 'Squid Game' and 'Adolescence' – Variety Most Popular TV Shows of 2024-25, Led By ‘Squid Game’ and ‘Adolescence’ VarietyView Full Coverage on Google News Source link #Popular #Shows #Led #039Squid #Game039 #039Adolescence039 #Variety Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

One of Henry Cavill’s Favorite Games Just Hit a Major Milestone One of Henry Cavill’s Favorite Games Just Hit a Major Milestone There’s no denying that Hollywood actor Henry Cavill is immortalized in the list of greats for playing Superman. While he’s known for acting and staying in top shape, Cavill is also deeply passionate about gaming. That’s right, folks, Cavill is a gamer just like us. He’s admitted in the past that he spends at least three to four hours gaming, if not more. He has tons of favorite video games, such as World of Warcraft and the Total War series. However, there’s one game that holds a special place in his heart, and now, it has managed to achieve a major milestone. Henry Cavill’s favorite RPG continues to make waves Of course, the game we’re talking about is none other than The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. It’s not a surprise that Cavill is a big fan of the game, considering he’s gone through all the books and even starred as the grumpy Geralt in the Netflix series for three seasons. It’s been a decade since the release of The Witcher 3, but it continues to impress with its daily player count. With the release of the recent official modding tool, gamers are jumping back to this title in hordes and simply can’t get enough of the RPG. CD Projekt Red’s Q1 2025 earnings report revealed that The Witcher 3 has shipped over 60 million units in its 10-year lifespan. This includes the base game and the Game of the Year Edition. However, it doesn’t account for the sales of the game’s expansions. Geralt of Rivia played Henry Cavill on Netflix’s The Witcher | Credits: Men’s Journal The last major milestone by the RPG was achieved in May 2023, when it recovered over 50 million units sold around the globe. Interestingly, this figure doesn’t include the massive revenue. It’s been previously reported that The Witcher 3 has generated around $688 million. CD Projekt Red is working on The Witcher 4 The Witcher 4‘s development is in full swing. (Image via CD Projekt Red) As the Witcher 3 continues to achieve new heights, CD Projekt Red is already looking at the future. The developer is currently working hard on The Witcher 4. Fans got their first look at the upcoming game back during The Game Awards 2024. The CGI trailer confirmed that Ciri will take Geralt’s mantle as the main protagonist for the new adventure. Fans can’t wait to see how Ciri jumps into the role of a full-fledged monster slayer and how she will shape The Witcher 4‘s plot and gameplay. Considering the success of previous entries and the disastrous launch of Cyberpunk 2077, there’s a lot of pressure on CD Projekt Red to get things right and maintain the level of quality the studio was once known for. As of now, CD Projekt Red hasn’t revealed any launch details for the upcoming Witcher game. There’s no official release or platform for The Witcher 4. What’s confirmed is that the title will only move into full-scale production at the tail end of 2024, and based on the studio’s Match 2025 earnings report, it’s fair to say that the title won’t be released before 2027 at the earliest. With that said, are you still playing The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt? Let us know in the comments below. Source link #Henry #Cavills #Favorite #Games #Hit #Major #Milestone Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Erin Patterson trial: Defence raise ‘context’ for alleged poisoner’s messages to online friends group Erin Patterson trial: Defence raise ‘context’ for alleged poisoner’s messages to online friends group A series of messages sent by alleged triple-********* Erin Patterson to her online friends group needs to be examined in the “context” of a group of women venting about their lives, her trial has been told. Ms Patterson’s barrister Colin Mandy SC revisited the messages his client sent to a Facebook group chat between December 6 and 9, 2022, complaining about her husband and his family. He took Detective leading Senior Constable Stephen Eppingstall, the last prosecution witness of the trial, to the six pages the jury had seen, raising they were extracted from 186 pages of messages with an “enormous amount of context”. “I accept there was a lot more conversation occurring,” Constable Eppingstall replied. Camera IconErin Patterson has pleaded not guilty to three counts of ******* and one count of attempted *******. Supplied. Credit: Supplied Ms Patterson is facing trial accused of murdering Simon Patterson’s parents, Don and Gail Patterson, and aunt, Heather Wilkinson, after the trio died following a deadly beef Wellington lunch in the Victorian town of Leongatha on July 29, 2023. She is also accused of attempted to ******* Heather’s husband Ian Wilkinson who survived after spending about a month and a half in hospital. Prosecutors allege she deliberately poisoned the meal with death cap mushrooms while Ms Patterson’s defence have argued the deaths were a tragic accident. Ms Patterson’s chat logs were first raised in the trial last week when Victoria Police senior digital forensics officer Shamen Fox-Henry gave evidence about the messages found in cache data on a Samsung phone. Camera IconDetective Leading Senior Constable Stephen Eppingstall was the officer tasked with investigating Ms Patterson. NewsWire / Diego Fedele Credit: News Corp Australia On Thursday, Mr Mandy provided several examples of messages between participants of the group, suggesting they needed to be seen in the full context. “Simon’s dad contacted me this morning to say that he and Gail had tried to talk to Simon about the matters I raised and to get ‘his side’ but he refused to talk about it … So he said all that he can ask is that Simon and I get together to pray for the children (Emoji) (Emoji) this family I swear to f–king god,” the first message from Ms Patterson reads. Mr Mandy took Constable Eppingstall to the “discussions left out” of the chat logs the jury say.“What morons!” Ms Patterson’s friend Jenny Hay replies. “Anyway you weren’t asking them to adjudicate … You just wanted them to hear your story. “So Simon is meant to pray for his own children because they have a s–t dad? It makes no sense.” Ms Patterson responds; “I said to him about fifty times yesterday that I didn’t want them to adjudicate (Emoji) nobody bloody listens to me. At least I know they’re a lost cause.” Later another friend, who’s name was redacted, replies; “its pathetic”. “Even if he doesn’t want to talk about your marriage they could at least demand to know how he is financially supporting the kids.” Ms Patterson replies by saying; “no nothing. But also more happened”. “Don rang me last night to say that he though there was a solution to all this if Simon and I get together to try and talk and pray together (Emoji) (Emoji).” Camera IconSimon’s parents Don and Gail Patterson died in early August 2023. Supplied Credit: Supplied After reading through the exchange, Mr Mandy questioned Constable Eppingstall if he accepted the chat contained multiple participants “talking like this, that is venting to each other”. “Yes that’s fair to say sir, yes,” the officer responded. Constable Eppingstall is expected to return to the witness box when the trial resumes on Friday. The trial continues. Source link #Erin #Patterson #trial #Defence #raise #context #alleged #poisoners #messages #online #friends #group Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Musk Takes Stephen Miller’s Wife—as Trump Aide Rage Tweets Musk Takes Stephen Miller’s Wife—as Trump Aide Rage Tweets Elon Musk is officially making his exit from the federal government, and it appears he is taking one of President Donald Trump’s top aides with him. Katie Miller, a top adviser and spokesperson for the Department of Government Efficiency at the White House is headed out to work for the tech billionaire, according to CNN. It’s prompted rumors to swirl across the internet that there’s trouble in West Wing paradise. Miller is married to White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller who on Wednesday fired off a lengthy post on X over Musk criticizing Trump’s “big, beautiful bill.” Katie Miller, pictured with Elon Musk as they departed a meeting with Senate Republicans on March 05, 2025, is said to be joining the tech billionaire Katie Miller, who also served in the first Trump administration, was named to work with DOGE in December. She will reportedly now work for Musk “full time” and has already been helping him set up interviews unrelated to his DOGE work as he bids the government farewell. Daily Beast reached out to the White House for comment on Miller’s departure. Musk’s DOGE appeared ready to bring a wrecking-ball to the federal government when it started its work, shutting down USAID in one weekend and demanding millions of federal employees justify their work. Katie Miller, pictured leaving with Elon Musk on Capitol Hill on March 5, has not commented on her plans, but she has been posting and reposting on X about the tech billionaire and his companies. / Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images However, the tech billionaire appears to have delivered far less than his operation set out to achieve as he exits. The clear impact of DOGE’s work likely won’t materialize for some time as the administration insists the work continues. The world’s richest person literally once wielded a chainsaw on stage during his role, but he departed with a post on X. “As my scheduled time as a Special Government Employee comes to an end, I would like to thank President @realDonaldTrump for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending,” he wrote on Wednesday. “The @DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government.” A “Special Government Employee” allows members of the private sector to work for the federal government for up to 130 days. Musk’s time is up on Friday. Like Musk, Miller joined the administration as a “Special Government Employee,” so her time at the White House was also restricted. While Musk claims DOGE’s mission will “only strengthen,” he also criticized Trump’s massive bill tackling his domestic agenda on his way out the door. He said he was “disappointed” because it increased the deficit and that “undermines the work that the DOGE team.” Deputy White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller and his wife DOGE aide Katie Miller appeared together at the White House Easter Egg Roll on Monday, April 21, 2025. / Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images Miller’s husband sent out a lengthy post on X pushing back that the Congressional Budget Office’s finding that the bill increases the deficit by $3.8 trillion is an “accounting gimmick,” but multiple analyses of the legislation all found the same thing. However, in a separate post, he did praise DOGE’s work as “among the most valuable services ever rendered to government.” Stephen and Katie Miller following a swearing-in ceremony for newly confirmed Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on January 25, 2025. / Kent Nishimura / Kent Nishimura/Getty Images His wife has not commented on her departure from the Trump administration, but she has posted and reposted about Musk, his AI company, SpaceX, and DOGE on X in the past 24 hours. The Millers were married in February 2020 at the Trump Hotel just blocks away from the White House during the president’s first term. Trump was in attendance. Together they have three children. Stephen Miller and then Katie Waldman arriving to attend a state dinner honoring *********** Prime Minister Scott Morrison during Trump’s first term on September 20, 2019. / Alastair Pike/AFP via Getty Images The couple was first introduced in 2018 by a mutual friend despite having already spoken on the phone multiple times because of work, according to their wedding announcement. During the first Trump administration, Katie Miller worked for the Department of Homeland Security and later as press secretary for Vice President Mike Pence. President Donald Trump joined by Elon Musk and his son, X, in the Oval Office. / Andrew Harnik / Getty Images When Musk moved to Washington, he was often spotted with his young son X. He’s been married three times and has fathered at least 14 children. While several of the tech billionaires’ companies are based out of California, Musk has made Central Texas the base for his business empire. Source link #Musk #Takes #Stephen #Millers #Wifeas #Trump #Aide #Rage #Tweets Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Gemini in Google Drive may finally be useful now that it can analyze videos – Ars Technica Gemini in Google Drive may finally be useful now that it can analyze videos – Ars Technica Gemini in Google Drive may finally be useful now that it can analyze videos Ars TechnicaGemini can now watch Google Drive videos for you The VergeGemini can now watch Google Drive videos for you – including work meetings ZDNetGoogle Drive adds AI video summaries Digital Watch ObservatoryGoogle Drive just made it way easier to deal with long videos PhoneArena Source link #Gemini #Google #Drive #finally #analyze #videos #Ars #Technica Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Traces of 6,000-Year-Old Civilization Found at Mount ****, China Traces of 6,000-Year-Old Civilization Found at Mount ****, China Mount **** reveals traces of the earliest civilizations in China. Credit: xiquinhosilva / CC BY 2.0 At the foot of Mount **** in east China’s Shangdong province, archaeologists are peeling back layers of earth to reveal traces of a Neolithic civilization that thrived between 6,100 and 4,600 years ago in China. The ongoing excavation at the Dawenkou site, one of China’s most significant archaeological locations, is offering new insight into the roots of ******** society. Launched in 2024 and continuing through 2028, the project is led by the Dawenkou Cultural Heritage Preservation Center. Director Zhang Baowei said the effort aims to better understand how early communities lived, worked, and structured their societies. Among the most striking discoveries is an 85-meter-wide trench, believed to have served a protective purpose. Zhang said the trench could signal early efforts at social organization or even state formation. Mount ****, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of China’s most sacred mountains, has long symbolized cultural and spiritual tradition. Today, its foothills are revealing the physical remains of an ancient people who once flourished there. Cultural roots traced through artifacts and architecture The Dawenkou Culture predates the better-known Longshan Culture and once spanned over 200,000 square kilometers in what is now Shandong Province. The site was first uncovered in the 1950s during railway construction. Since then, thousands of artifacts have been recovered, including pottery, ***** items, graves, and dwellings. Some objects bear symbols that researchers believe may be early forms of ******** script. People visit the Dawenkou Site Museum in #Taian, East China's #Shandong province, on May 20. The 2,600-square-meter museum shows the origin, development, connotation and importance of the Dawenkou Culture (4000 BC-2600 BC), a culture of the late Neolithic Age, to the public… pic.twitter.com/Bl3HNyVsnw — Taian of China (@AmazingTaian) May 23, 2025 Archaeologist Liu Yunlong said red patches of burnt earth discovered at the site likely mark the remains of house walls. The structures may have been intentionally fired to strengthen them—a process that required managing extremely high temperatures. Modern attempts to replicate the technique by heating similar structures for four days at 800°C (1472° Fahrenheit) failed to produce the same results. “Our Neolithic ancestors were far more advanced than we imagined,” Liu said, adding that the layout of the homes also reflected sophisticated planning. Burials reveal early signs of social structure Findings indicate that the Dawenkou people engaged in barter trade and practiced early forms of brewing, pottery-making, and textile production. Burial sites suggest a clear social structure, with some graves containing valuable goods—evidence of property ownership and emerging class divisions. The arrangement of these burials points to organized rituals regulating social relationships, an early version of what later became known in ******** tradition as Li. Zhang said this ritual system likely influenced neighboring cultures and shaped practices in the Shang and Zhou dynasties. Confucius eventually formalized these customs and they remain central to ******** culture today. A broader look at China’s civilizational timeline The excavation is part of a broader national effort to trace the origins of ******** civilization. Other early cultures such as Liangzhu also developed across China around the same *******, creating a diverse but interconnected cultural foundation. At the foot of Mount **** in east #China, archaeologists work carefully in fields abloom with flowers, gently brushing soil from exposed ruins. The remnants are vestiges of a once-great civilization that prospered approximately 6,100 to 4,600 years ago pic.twitter.com/Ebbcf7CPlY — ***** Rui (@CGTangRui) May 29, 2025 Archaeological evidence has since confirmed the existence of the Xia Dynasty, considered China’s first dynasty, established in the 21st century BC. Former Palace Museum curator Shan Jixiang has said that discoveries at Dawenkou push back the timeline of ******** civilization by 2,000 to 3,000 years. Modern impact through education and local development In 2016, the Dawenkou National Archaeological Site Park was established to support education and tourism. It now welcomes nearly 100,000 visitors annually. Local leaders have also promoted development projects, including an industrial park and high-yield farming, which have raised incomes and strengthened community ties. At the foot of Mount ****, the legacy of ancient culture continues to inspire. Taishang Polygonatum Biotech Co., Ltd. produces health products using polygonatum, a traditional herb, and has helped lift more than 40,000 farmers out of poverty. “What our ancestors left us is more than physical nourishment; it is a spiritual and civilizational legacy,” said Wang Qian, the company’s executive vice general manager. Source link #Traces #6000YearOld #Civilization #Mount #**** #China Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]