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Hawthorn fans impersonating Harley Reid, Zak Butters among donors for new Hawks facility Hawthorn fans impersonating Harley Reid, Zak Butters among donors for new Hawks facility Hawthorn fans have poked fun at trade rumours linking West Coast young gun Harley Reid to the club, donating to the club’s new facility fundraiser under his name. The Hawks are aiming to raise $2 million in a 24-hour blitz ahead of the move to their new Dingley headquarters, the Kennedy Community Centre, later this year. Supporters and members are encouraged to donate funds to ensure the facilities feature “every piece needed by the club’s players and coaches to claim Hawthorn’s 14th AFL premiership, and first AFLW flag,” the fundraiser statement reads. While most donors have used their real names, others have gone rogue. One contributor, named “Harley Reid” has donated $4 with the message: “See you guys at Dingley – for my fund.” There was also a $16 contribution titled “The Harley Reid fund”. The Hawks are among a number of Victorian clubs with strong interest in the former No.1 pick, who is expected to draw offers from rivals for up to $2 million per season, despite being contracted until next year at the Eagles. Rumours of a potential move were sent into overdrive when The West *********** published an image of Reid sitting next to Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell at premiership Eagle turned Hawks defender Tom Barrass’ wedding earlier this year. But Reid isn’t the only name that has shown up on the club’s fundraiser. A donation from “Zac Butters”, impersonating Port Adelaide star Zak Butters, also donated $4. The message attached to that donation was “chipping in to get me to the club.” Another donor chipped in $200 under the name “Bailey Smith” with a cheeky swipe at the Geelong recruit. “Just some extra third payments left over from the Cats for my boyhood club!,” the message wrote. Source link #Hawthorn #fans #impersonating #Harley #Reid #Zak #Butters #among #donors #Hawks #facility Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Outrage erupts after Trump’s Chrisley pardon as critics condemn what it says about president’s regard for the law Outrage erupts after Trump’s Chrisley pardon as critics condemn what it says about president’s regard for the law President Donald Trump is facing fierce criticism after he decided to pardon reality TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley. The Chrisleys, best known for their Chrisley Knows Best TV show, were serving prison sentences for fraud and tax evasion. They were convicted in 2022 and sentenced to 12 years (Todd) and seven years (Julie). The White House confirmed the couple’s full pardons on Tuesday. Speaking to their children during a phone call from the Oval Office Tuesday, Trump said: “Your parents are going to be free and clean and I hope we’re going to do it by tomorrow.” “They were given pretty harsh treatment based on what I’m hearing,” he added. The move prompted widespread criticism. “Trump just pardoned TV personalities Todd and Julie Chrisley, who conspired to defraud Atlanta-area banks out of $30 million in fraudulent loans. In Trump’s America, crimes are celebrated and prison sentences are cut short,” said Harry Sisson, a Democratic influencer, on X, calling it “actual insanity.” In another post, Sisson noted that the pardons for the Chrisleys come as Trump also pardoned “a corrupt Virginia sheriff who took over $75,000 in bribes” (Trump called him a “wonderful person”), and a “man convicted of serious tax crimes, whose mom donated $1 million to Trump and worked on his campaigns.” Sisson called it “blatant corruption.” “Oh, Trump’s going to pardon the Chrisleys? I’m stunned,” sarcastically noted Phillip Bump, a columnist for The Washington Post, on BlueSky. Anna Bower, a reporter for Lawfare, wrote on BlueSky that the Chrisleys were “indicted by a federal grand jury in 2019, during the first Trump administration.” Julie and Todd Chrisley were pardoned by Trump after being sentenced to seven and 12 years in prison for fraud and tax evasion (Getty Images for E3 Chophouse Na) “The Trump-nominated U.S. attorney was Byung Jin “BJay” Pak. He was forced to resign in early 2021 after Trump became convinced he wasn’t doing enough to investigate purported election fraud in GA,” she added. “Their [the Chrisleys’] daughter, Savannah, campaigned for Trump. During a speech at the RNC in 2024, she said her parents were ‘persecuted’ for their political beliefs,” Bower noted. “I shudder to think about what Savannah Chrisley had to do to secure those pardons for her parents,” lawyer Amee Vanderpool said on X. “For context: The Chrisleys are well-known Trump supporters,” Ally Sammarco, a Democratic strategist, told her followers on X. Singer-songwriter Ricky Davila added: “The orange felon pardoned corrupt Virginia Sheriff Scott Jenkins who was convicted of bribery and fraud, now he pardoned Todd and Julie Chrisley who defrauded banks. Because nothing says law and order like a felon gifting pardons to other felons for their loyalty.” Source link #Outrage #erupts #Trumps #Chrisley #pardon #critics #condemn #presidents #regard #law Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

SpaceX Starship explodes third time in a row, Musk plans more launches SpaceX Starship explodes third time in a row, Musk plans more launches Matt Farrah of Newcastle, Australia views SpaceX’s next-generation Starship spacecraft atop its Super Heavy booster is prepared for launch on its ninth test at the company’s launch pad in Starbase, Texas, U.S., May 27, 2025. Joe Skipper | Reuters SpaceX’s Super Heavy booster and Starship rocket exploded during a test flight on Tuesday, the third consecutive setback for Elon Musk’s company. Tuesday’s un-crewed mission was the ninth test flight. The system suffered prior explosions in January and March. Together, the Starship rocket and Super Heavy booster are around 400 feet tall when stacked for a launch. SpaceX has been developing the Starship system to transport people and equipment around Earth, and to the Moon. Musk also wants SpaceX to use Starship to colonize Mars. A livestream of Tuesday’s test flight, which ran on the SpaceX website and on social media, showed the first-stage booster exploding and the second-stage Starship spacecraft undergoing a major fuel leak, then spinning out of control and blowing up during reentry. The Federal Aviation Administration said in an emailed statement on Tuesday that the agency, “is aware an anomaly occurred during the SpaceX Starship Flight 9 mission that launched on Tuesday, May 27, from Starbase, Texas, and is actively working with SpaceX on the event. The agency said there were “no reports of public injury or damage to public property at this time.” Musk, who is CEO of SpaceX and the world’s wealthiest person, wrote on X that, “Starship made it to the scheduled ship engine cutoff, so big improvement over last flight! Also no significant loss of heat shield tiles during ascent.” He added that “leaks caused loss of main tank pressure during the coast and re-entry phase” of the rocket. Musk vowed that SpaceX would increase its Starship launch cadence with upcoming flights at a rate of about one very three to four weeks. SpaceX was previously restricted to five Starship launches per year from its spaceport in Texas but gained a key approval from the FAA to increase its launch cadence earlier this month. “With a test like this, success comes from what we learn, and today’s test will help us improve Starship’s reliability as SpaceX seeks to make life multiplanetary,” the company wrote in a post on X. SpaceX didn’t respond to a request for additional information on Tuesday following what it called a “rapid unscheduled disassembly.” In addition to running SpaceX, Tesla and artificial intelligence startup xAI, Musk leads the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Musk and DOGE have implemented sweeping reductions to the federal workforce, and slashed financial and other resources of federal agencies, including the FAA, Environmental Protection Agency and others responsible for oversight of the billionaire’s companies. SpaceX has received more than $19 billion from the federal government since 2008 and is poised to take in several billion dollars annually for years to come, according to research by FedScout. SpaceX and two of its partners are frontrunners to win a big chunk of President Donald Trump’s “Golden Dome” missile defense shield, Reuters previously reported. WATCH: How close is the U.S. to getting humans to Mars? Source link #SpaceX #Starship #explodes #time #row #Musk #plans #launches Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

SpaceX Starship explodes third time in a row, Musk plans more launches SpaceX Starship explodes third time in a row, Musk plans more launches Matt Farrah of Newcastle, Australia views SpaceX’s next-generation Starship spacecraft atop its Super Heavy booster is prepared for launch on its ninth test at the company’s launch pad in Starbase, Texas, U.S., May 27, 2025. Joe Skipper | Reuters SpaceX’s Super Heavy booster and Starship rocket exploded during a test flight on Tuesday, the third consecutive setback for Elon Musk’s company. Tuesday’s un-crewed mission was the ninth test flight. The system suffered prior explosions in January and March. Together, the Starship rocket and Super Heavy booster are around 400 feet tall when stacked for a launch. SpaceX has been developing the Starship system to transport people and equipment around Earth, and to the Moon. Musk also wants SpaceX to use Starship to colonize Mars. A livestream of Tuesday’s test flight, which ran on the SpaceX website and on social media, showed the first-stage booster exploding and the second-stage Starship spacecraft undergoing a major fuel leak, then spinning out of control and blowing up during reentry. The Federal Aviation Administration said in an emailed statement on Tuesday that the agency, “is aware an anomaly occurred during the SpaceX Starship Flight 9 mission that launched on Tuesday, May 27, from Starbase, Texas, and is actively working with SpaceX on the event. The agency said there were “no reports of public injury or damage to public property at this time.” Musk, who is CEO of SpaceX and the world’s wealthiest person, wrote on X that, “Starship made it to the scheduled ship engine cutoff, so big improvement over last flight! Also no significant loss of heat shield tiles during ascent.” He added that “leaks caused loss of main tank pressure during the coast and re-entry phase” of the rocket. Musk vowed that SpaceX would increase its Starship launch cadence with upcoming flights at a rate of about one very three to four weeks. SpaceX was previously restricted to five Starship launches per year from its spaceport in Texas but gained a key approval from the FAA to increase its launch cadence earlier this month. “With a test like this, success comes from what we learn, and today’s test will help us improve Starship’s reliability as SpaceX seeks to make life multiplanetary,” the company wrote in a post on X. SpaceX didn’t respond to a request for additional information on Tuesday following what it called a “rapid unscheduled disassembly.” In addition to running SpaceX, Tesla and artificial intelligence startup xAI, Musk leads the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Musk and DOGE have implemented sweeping reductions to the federal workforce, and slashed financial and other resources of federal agencies, including the FAA, Environmental Protection Agency and others responsible for oversight of the billionaire’s companies. SpaceX has received more than $19 billion from the federal government since 2008 and is poised to take in several billion dollars annually for years to come, according to research by FedScout. SpaceX and two of its partners are frontrunners to win a big chunk of President Donald Trump’s “Golden Dome” missile defense shield, Reuters previously reported. WATCH: How close is the U.S. to getting humans to Mars? Source link #SpaceX #Starship #explodes #time #row #Musk #plans #launches Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

The PS5 Pro Has Received Its First Discount For Days Of Play 2025 The PS5 Pro Has Received Its First Discount For Days Of Play 2025 The PlayStation 5 Pro is discounted for the first time since its release last November. As part of PlayStation’s Days of Play 2025 *****, the high-powered iteration on the PS5 is available for $650. The $50 discount will expire when the ***** ends on June 11, unless retailers sell out of consoles before then. If you’re looking to dive into the PlayStation ecosystem for the first time, there are also bundle deals for the PS5 Slim and PS5 Slim Digital. Note: As of 1 AM ET on May 28, the PS5 Pro deal was only available at PlayStation Direct, but we’d recommend checking your preferred retailer when you read this, as that could change at any moment. PS5 Pro Store Pages: $650 (was $700) Out of the box, the PS5 Pro is a digital-only console, but you can add a disc drive to play your physical PlayStation game library. The console features a larger GPU that allows for 45% faster rendering and support for enhanced visual technology like AI-driven upscaling and advanced ray-tracing. It comes with a 2TB SSD, double the storage space of all other PS5 models. This is fairly significant when you consider 1TB SSDs with comparable quality can go for $100 or more. So if you wanted a PS5 Slim or Slim Digital console with 2TB storage capacity, you’d often need to spend $600 or $550, respectively, for the console and additional 1TB SSD. Those figures are based on PlayStation console prices, but you can get the PS5 Slim or Slim Digital with ****** Ops 6 for $450 or $400, respectively. The PS5 Pro also features a minimal design refresh with wider “racing stripes” on the side panels. It comes packaged with a white DualSense 5 Controller. Additional controllers can be purchased at $20 discounts during Days of Play. You can also save $30 on PlayStation’s pro-style DualSense Edge Controller in white or Midnight ******. If you prefer to place your consoles upright, you’ll need to buy the PlayStation Vertical Stand for $30, as the stand isn’t included with the PS5 Pro or PS5 Slim. $79 As mentioned, the PS5 Pro does not come with an optical drive, so you’ll need to buy PlayStation’s official Disc Drive attachment to play physical PS5 and PS4 games on the high-powered console. Unfortunately, the Disc Drive isn’t on ***** right now, but it is readily available at multiple major retailers–for now at least. The PS5 Pro’s holiday launch made it very challenging to find the Disc Drive in stock for its $80 MSRP. It’s possible that the first discount on the PS5 Pro, combined with the PS5 Slim Call of Duty bundle, will also lead to shortages. If you get one of the Days of Play console deals and know you want to play physical games, it’d be wise to purchase the the attachment alongside the console. Just like on the original PS5 and PS5 Slim, the PS5 Pro can be toggled between Performance and Quality modes in PlayStation Studios games as well as many third-party titles. It varies by game, but in general the strengths of each mode are markedly improved on PS5 Pro. Quality mode is capable of hitting true 4K (2160p) for supported games and boasts better lighting, shadows, and ray-tracing. In Performance Mode, the upscaling tech allows games to hit higher refresh rates without as noticeable of a drop in resolution. Some games have dedicated graphical upgrades for PS5 Pro, including Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, and Baldur’s Gate 3. Source link #PS5 #Pro #Received #Discount #Days #Play Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

high yields spark fears of carry trade unwind high yields spark fears of carry trade unwind The Bank of Japan headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, on Sept. 27, 2021. Toru Hanai | Bloomberg | Getty Images Japan’s bonds market is igniting fears of capital flight from the U.S. and a carry trade unwind as long-dated yields hover near record highs. Yields resumed their move higher Wednesday as demand for 40-year government bonds reportedly dropped to its weakest level since November, according to Reuters’ calculations, hovering near record highs hit last week. Japan’s 40-year government bonds yields hit an all-time high of 3.689% Thursday and were last trading at 3.318% — almost 70 basis points higher so far this year. Yields on 30-year government debt are up more than 60 basis points this year at 2.914%, also not too far from all-time highs, while for 20-year debt they are up over 50 basis points. Japan looks like a ticking time bomb. If confidence in one the financial market’s traditionally safe assets has cratered, confidence in the global market could go with it. Michael Gayed author of the Lead-Lag Report Higher Japan government bond yields could spark a wave of capital repatriation with Japanese investors pulling funds from the U.S. There could be a “trigger point” where Japan’s investors suddenly move their capital from the U.S. back home, Macquarie’s analysts said in a note. Should Japanese government bond yields continue to climb, the move could “trigger a global financial market Armageddon,” said Albert Edwards, global strategist at Societe Generale Corporate & Investment Banking. As higher yields strengthen the yen, it will impact domestic appetite to invest abroad, he told CNBC, adding that U.S. tech stocks, which have seen large Japanese inflows, will be particularly affected as the yen strengthens. Elevated yields spell trouble for global markets in general as they translate to increased borrowing costs, said David Roche, strategist at Quantum Strategy. Japan being the world’s second-largest creditor raises the stakes even higher. The country’s net external assets hit an all-time high in 2024 at 533.05 trillion yen ($3.7 trillion). “Tightening global liquidity will reduce world growth to 1% and by raising long term rates it will tighten financial conditions and extend the bear market in most assets,” he said. This repatriation of funds to Japan is synonymous with the “end of U.S. exceptionalism” and is mirrored elsewhere in Europe & China,” Roche added. Carry trade jitters The steepening of Japan’s yield curve is largely due to a key structural factor: Japanese life insurance companies — a key source of demand for 30- and 40-year JGBs — have largely met their regulation-driven buying requirements, said Eastspring Investments’ portfolio manager in the fixed income team, Rong Ren Goh. With the Bank of Japan scaling back bond purchases in a seminal monetary policy shift last year, and private players not stepping up, the demand-supply mismatch is likely to fuel higher yields. “If sharply higher JGB yields entice Japanese investors to return home, the unwinding of the carry trade could cause a loud sucking sound in U.S. financial assets,” Edwards said. Higher yields tend to strengthen the currency. Stock Chart IconStock chart icon Japan’s 20-year government bond yields in the past five years Carry trades involve borrowing in a low-interest-rate currency like the Japanese yen and using those funds to invest in higher-yielding assets abroad. Last August, yen-based trades began to unwind sharply after the Bank of Japan raised interest rates, strengthening the Japanese currency and triggering a significant sell-off in global markets. “Japan looks like a ticking time bomb. If confidence in one the financial market’s traditionally safe assets has cratered, confidence in the global market could go with it,” said Michael Gayed, author of the Lead-Lag Report and portfolio manager at Tidal Financial Group, adding that people assume what happened in August was a “one-time” occurrence. Gayed said that one of the current U.S. administration’s primary goals is to lower bond yields and weaken the dollar to address global trade imbalances, and if that happens at the same time Japanese bond yields are rising, it does damage to the cheap yen narrative that fuels the yen carry trade in the first place. “That could lead to a lot of traders unwinding those short yen positions and then you’re looking at a potential repeat of last August,” he said. The carry trade unwinding that is about to ensue will be worse than that in August, warned Alicia García-Herrero, chief economist for Asia Pacific at Natixis. The strengthening yen, driven in part by capital returning home and investors cutting greenback exposure, is unsustainable for Japan’s economy, she added. The yen has strengthened more than 8% since the start of the year. Gradual unwind Other analysts say the carry trade impact may not be as severe as witnessed last year. “Big carry positions typically build up when there is a strong FX trend, or very low FX volatility, and [when] there is a big short term interest rate differential,” said Guy Stear, head of developed markets research at Amundi. In the second quarter of 2024, the gap between the U.S. 2-year Treasury yield and its Japanese counterpart was 450 basis points, compared to the 320 basis points now, data provided by Amundi showed. The advantage in shorting the yen is “less apparent,” he said, adding that a depreciating dollar means there are fewer short yen positions than last year. While August was “a crater in one go,” what’s going to happen this time will most likely be a steady decline [in the carry trade unwind] because of the erosion in confidence on U.S. dollar, said Riccardo Rebonato, professor of finance at EDHEC Business School. “Rather than an implosion, I see a progressive erosion over a long ******* of time,” he told CNBC. Japan’s large holdings of U.S. Treasuries are structural, anchored in the broader U.S.-Japan strategic alliance encompassing economic, defense, and geopolitical cooperation, said Masahiko Loo, senior fixed income strategist at State Street Global Advisors. “As such, we see little risk of divestment or ‘dumping’ of foreign bonds by Japanese investors,” Loo said. Additionally, foreign holdings of U.S. assets are concentrated in U.S. equities, rather than Treasurys, data provided by State Street showed. A larger chunk of foreign U.S. asset holdings is concentrated in equities at close to $18.5 trillion, followed by U.S. Treasurys at $7.2 trillion, according to Apollo’s chief economist Torsten Slok. “While we cannot rule out some degree of foreign capital outflows from risky assets in the event of a severe US recession or an intensified “sell America” narrative, we think it likely the outflow will come from equities first with corporate bonds next, and unlikely to start with Treasurys,” Loo added. Source link #high #yields #spark #fears #carry #trade #unwind Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Musk’s role leading DOGE is ‘continuing and permanent,’ judge says Musk’s role leading DOGE is ‘continuing and permanent,’ judge says Elon Musk listens as reporters ask U.S. President Donald Trump and South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa questions during a press availability in the Oval Office at the White House on May 21, 2025 in Washington, DC. Chip Somodevilla | Getty Images In its bid to have a lawsuit against Elon Musk, the Department of Government Efficiency and President Donald Trump dismissed, the White House had “unsuccessfully” tried to define Musk’s role in the federal government as temporary, a district court judge in Washington, D.C., said in an order out Tuesday. A group of 14 states, led by New Mexico, had sued Musk, DOGE and Trump in February for allegedly violating the Constitution. The states’ attorneys general argued that Musk lacked the legal authority to make sweeping cuts and other changes to the federal government because he is not a Senate-confirmed officer of the government, and DOGE was never authorized by Congress. Attorneys for the White House, in a motion they filed hoping to have the case dismissed, characterized Musk as holding an advisory and temporary job in the Trump administration only. The judge in the federal court, Tanya Chutkan, found that Musk’s reach extendS throughout the executive branch without any known limits, even though the White House had tried to “minimize Musk’s role, framing him as a mere advisor without any formal authority.” Judge Chutkan wrote that the 14 states made a credible argument that the tech billionaire and Trump megadonor now “occupies a continuing position” and “exercises significant authority,” all without “proper appointment” by Congress. She also wrote that the states’ allegations that DOGE had gained “unauthorized access” to “private and proprietary information” were “sufficient to allege an injury,” and that the case can move forward. Citing his mission as one of fiscal discipline, Musk has led the DOGE effort to eliminate certain federal offices, slash regulations, and rapidly cut down the federal workforce, while reprogramming or removing some government websites, software and systems. Judge Chutkan decided that Trump could be dismissed as a defendant in the case, writing on Tuesday that the court “may not enjoin the President in the performance of his official duties.” The president does have “highly discretionary” power, she wrote, to select and nominate officers under the Appointments Clause of the U.S. Constitution. WATCH: Elon Musk to focus on Tesla and critical rolloutsp Source link #Musks #role #leading #DOGE #continuing #permanent #judge Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Elon Musk criticises Donald Trump’s ‘big, beautiful’ tax bill – Financial Times Elon Musk criticises Donald Trump’s ‘big, beautiful’ tax bill – Financial Times Elon Musk criticises Donald Trump’s ‘big, beautiful’ tax bill Financial TimesElon Musk says he’s “disappointed” by Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” and what it means for DOGE CBS NewsElon Musk ‘disappointed’ by Trump’s spending bill, says it undermines what DOGE is doing Fox NewsBack at SpaceX, Musk says in interview DOGE became D.C.’s ‘whipping boy’ The Washington PostMusk “disappointed” in Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” Axios Source link #Elon #Musk #criticises #Donald #Trumps #big #beautiful #tax #bill #Financial #Times Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Musk’s role leading DOGE is ‘continuing and permanent,’ judge says Musk’s role leading DOGE is ‘continuing and permanent,’ judge says Elon Musk listens as reporters ask U.S. President Donald Trump and South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa questions during a press availability in the Oval Office at the White House on May 21, 2025 in Washington, DC. Chip Somodevilla | Getty Images In its bid to have a lawsuit against Elon Musk, the Department of Government Efficiency and President Donald Trump dismissed, the White House had “unsuccessfully” tried to define Musk’s role in the federal government as temporary, a district court judge in Washington, D.C., said in an order out Tuesday. A group of 14 states, led by New Mexico, had sued Musk, DOGE and Trump in February for allegedly violating the Constitution. The states’ attorneys general argued that Musk lacked the legal authority to make sweeping cuts and other changes to the federal government because he is not a Senate-confirmed officer of the government, and DOGE was never authorized by Congress. Attorneys for the White House, in a motion they filed hoping to have the case dismissed, characterized Musk as holding an advisory and temporary job in the Trump administration only. The judge in the federal court, Tanya Chutkan, found that Musk’s reach extendS throughout the executive branch without any known limits, even though the White House had tried to “minimize Musk’s role, framing him as a mere advisor without any formal authority.” Judge Chutkan wrote that the 14 states made a credible argument that the tech billionaire and Trump megadonor now “occupies a continuing position” and “exercises significant authority,” all without “proper appointment” by Congress. She also wrote that the states’ allegations that DOGE had gained “unauthorized access” to “private and proprietary information” were “sufficient to allege an injury,” and that the case can move forward. Citing his mission as one of fiscal discipline, Musk has led the DOGE effort to eliminate certain federal offices, slash regulations, and rapidly cut down the federal workforce, while reprogramming or removing some government websites, software and systems. Judge Chutkan decided that Trump could be dismissed as a defendant in the case, writing on Tuesday that the court “may not enjoin the President in the performance of his official duties.” The president does have “highly discretionary” power, she wrote, to select and nominate officers under the Appointments Clause of the U.S. Constitution. WATCH: Elon Musk to focus on Tesla and critical rolloutsp Source link #Musks #role #leading #DOGE #continuing #permanent #judge Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

US halts student visa appointments and plans expanded social media vetting US halts student visa appointments and plans expanded social media vetting Brandon Drenon BBC News, Washington DC Bloomberg via Getty Images On Tuesday, Harvard University students held a protest in support of international students US President Donald Trump’s administration has ordered embassies to stop scheduling appointments for student visas as it prepares to expand social media vetting of such applicants. In a copy of a memo sent to diplomatic posts, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the pause would last “until further guidance is issued”. The message said social media vetting would be stepped up for student and foreign exchange visas, which would have “significant implications” for embassies and consulates. It comes amid Trump’s feud with some of America’s most elite colleges, which he believes are too left-wing. He says some of them have enabled antisemitism on campus and uphold discriminatory admissions policies. The state department memo, viewed by the BBC’s US partner CBS News, directed US embassies on Tuesday to remove any unfilled appointments from their calendars for students seeking visas, but said those with appointments already scheduled could go ahead. The diplomatic cable also said the state department was preparing for an “expansion of required social media screening and vetting” applicable to all student visa applications. Foreign students who want to study in the US are usually required to schedule interviews at an American embassy in their home country before approval. Many institutions rely on foreign students for a significant chunk of their funding, as they often pay higher tuition fees. When asked about student visas, state department spokesperson Tammy Bruce told reporters on Tuesday: “We take very seriously the process of vetting who it is that comes into the country, and we’re going to continue to do that.” Watch: US to use “every tool” to decide who enters country, says Tammy Bruce The Trump administration has frozen hundreds of millions of dollars in funding for universities and moved to deport students, while revoking thousands of visas for others. Many of these actions have been blocked by the courts. The White House has accused some US universities of allowing pro-************ activism on campus to be hijacked by antisemitism. Colleges have accused the Trump administration of trying to infringe upon free speech rights. Harvard University has been the focal point of President Donald Trump’s ire. Last week, the Trump administration revoked Harvard’s ability to enrol international students or host foreign researchers. A federal judge blocked the policy. If the measure is allowed, it could deliver a devastating blow to the university, where more than a quarter of students are foreign. Watch: “Without us, Harvard is not Harvard”, says international student on visa Source link #halts #student #visa #appointments #plans #expanded #social #media #vetting Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Call-handler resigns over colleague’s reinstatement Call-handler resigns over colleague’s reinstatement Sonja Jessup BBC London Home affairs correspondent BBC Izzy Vine was shocked when her colleague was given back his job after he appealed against a decision to sack him Warning: This article contains language some readers might find offensive A former 999 call-handler has accused the Met Police of breaking its promise to listen to whistleblowers, after a colleague she reported was sacked but then given back his job. Izzy Vine is suing the force, claiming constructive dismissal, after a fellow call-handler made a series of comments, including describing a ***** victim as a “*****”. The staff member was sacked for gross misconduct in November 2023 but reinstated on appeal. Ms Vine said bosses told her the original disciplinary panel had been too heavily influenced by the Casey Review, which found the Met to be institutionally misogynist, racist and homophobic. The Met said the “discriminatory comments” had been “entirely unacceptable” but added that the outcome of the misconduct process had been “subject to a thorough review”. Ms Vine, from Wimbledon in south-west London, has written an open letter to Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley, accusing the force of “box-ticking” with its internal campaigns, and demanding “meaningful change”. She said she had been “shocked” when her colleague made a series of comments during a shift in April 2023. Ms Vine said the first of these happened as he took a report from a woman alleging she had been ******, and he had covered his mouth with his hand and told Ms Vine: “She sounds like a *****.” Ms Vine also said he later told her he had taken a call from an “immigrant”, and showed her his phone, where he had written, using an expletive: “Why don’t you [go] back to your own country?” ‘I was really confused’ Ms Vine also reported that he had referred to the Clapham area as “Sarah Everard turf”. Ms Everard was kidnapped by Met Police officer Wayne Couzens near Clapham Common in March 2021, before he ****** and murdered her. Ms Vine told BBC London she had been particularly shocked by her colleague’s comments because they came just a month after the publication of Baroness Casey’s report, and consequent promises from the Met that the force would root out toxic behaviour. She said: “It was on the front page of our computers when we logged on: the response from Mark Rowley on the Casey Review, the Casey Review itself, the violence against women and girls campaign. “We were highlighting at the time how we want to stamp out misogyny, sexism, racism, homophobia.” Family handout Sarah Everard was kidnapped, ****** and murdered by serving Met Police officer Wayne Couzens She said she was so taken aback by her colleague’s “confidence” in making the comments, that initially she wondered whether it was some kind of internal test, to check if other police staff would do anything about it. Ms Vine said she had made a complaint the following day and although the staff member was investigated and sacked for gross misconduct, she was later told that he had won an appeal. She said she was told he would instead receive a written warning, because it would be “too harsh” for him to lose his job. She said: “I was in shock, I was really confused. I had all these questions. ‘Is he coming back here? Did you not believe me?’ “I honestly could not understand it. It didn’t make sense from everything they’d said in the investigation, everything the Met says about what they are stamping out, what they don’t want to tolerate any more.” ‘Root out rogue officers’ Ms Vine said his reinstatement had left her “outraged and upset”. “Everything I signed up to be and wanted to be was shattered,” she said. “It left me feeling like a fraud, because I had to go back to work and, well, I’m not pretending, but I’m representing a force that’s pretending to be caring about things like hate crimes, misogyny, sexism, racism, all these things.” Ms Vine lodged a grievance against the Met Police, but resigned in December after saying she felt unable to carry on – and that she was concerned she might have to work alongside the man in future. She is seeking damages for constructive dismissal, ******* harassment, whistleblowing detriment and a failure to make reasonable adjustments. PA Media Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has promised to “root out rogue officers” and encouraged whistleblowers to report toxic behaviour “I joined wanting to change and make the force better, and I was silly in thinking I could do that,” she said. “I tried, I failed, so I left, and I’m going to try this way. “They always say change starts from the inside. It really doesn’t. You can’t get any change made, you’re not listened to or heard in a service like that.” Sir Mark has promised to “root out rogue officers”, and improve leadership and training to tackle unacceptable behaviour. An internal hotline, run by Crimestoppers, was created to encourage whistleblowers to report concerns, and Sir Mark has previously said that more are coming forward because they feel supported by bosses. ‘I won’t be a scapegoat’ Ms Vine – who told BBC London that the date for her hearing was set for January 2027 – said her experience meant she no longer trusted the force. “Yes, Mark Rowley can say it’s important to take whistleblowers seriously and listen to them and support them. I had none of that,” she said. “All these stupid promises coming from the top, they just never trickle down into the people on the ground who are actually doing the job and the work.” Ms Vine said she had been criticised by some officers and other Met staff for speaking publicly about her case, in case it put off victims from coming forward. “That’s not my fault,” she said. “I won’t be a scapegoat for people’s distrust in the police, I won’t be a reason why people don’t trust the police. That’s the police’s fault.” In a statement, Met Police Cdr Jason Prins said: “These discriminatory comments were entirely unacceptable, which is why this matter was brought to a misconduct hearing. “We take the former staff member’s concerns about the outcome of the misconduct process extremely seriously and it has been subject to a thorough review.” Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, external, X, external and Instagram, external. Send your story ideas to [email protected].*** Source link #Callhandler #resigns #colleagues #reinstatement Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Woodside Energy’s North West Shelf extension has been approved, and here’s the eight things you need to know Woodside Energy’s North West Shelf extension has been approved, and here’s the eight things you need to know A bid to extend the life of Woodside Energy’s North West Shelf LNG plant has been endorsed by Australia’s new Environment Minister. Here’s what you need to know about the project and its history. Source link #Woodside #Energys #North #West #Shelf #extension #approved #heres Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Las Vegas sex worker’s death ruled ‘undetermined’ Las Vegas sex worker’s death ruled ‘undetermined’ LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — The Clark County coroner’s office ruled a sex worker’s cause and manner of death as undetermined, according to documents the 8 News Now Investigators obtained. Jason Kendall, 36, allegedly confessed to choking Larissa Garcia, 30, inside the Palms Casino Resort on June 12, the 8 News Now Investigators first reported. Garcia was a single mother, a daughter, a granddaughter and friend to many, friends said after her death. Kendall turned himself in to police on June 28, the 8 News Now Investigators first reported. He faces charges of open *******, ******* assault, and battery by strangulation to commit ******* assault, documents said. Garcia’s cause and manner of death were listed as undetermined, a medical examiner ruled earlier this month, according to documents. On the day of the reported assault, an anonymous person, who police later identified as Kendall, called hotel security to report Garcia overdosing in the room, documents said. Suspecting an overdose, Metro police did not respond, but paramedics brought Garcia to Spring Valley Hospital. Garcia also texted a person she was meeting a man named “J” at the hotel, documents said. Garcia died more than a week later in intensive care. A test did not show any alcohol or illicit drugs in her system, documents said. Other testing was not performed due to her “prolonged hospitalization,” the examiner said. Kendall’s criminal proceedings were previously delayed as another judge ordered him to undergo a competency evaluation. After several months at a state hospital, a judge found Kendall competent to stand trial. Kendall was scheduled to appear in court in July for a status check ahead of trial. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. Source link #Las #Vegas #sex #workers #death #ruled #undetermined Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Musk "disappointed" in Trump's "big, beautiful bill" – Axios Musk "disappointed" in Trump's "big, beautiful bill" – Axios Musk “disappointed” in Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” AxiosElon Musk says he’s “disappointed” by Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” and what it means for DOGE CBS NewsElon Musk ‘disappointed’ by Trump’s spending bill, says it undermines what DOGE is doing Fox NewsElon Musk criticises Donald Trump’s ‘big, beautiful’ tax bill Financial TimesBack at SpaceX, Musk says in interview DOGE became D.C.’s ‘whipping boy’ The Washington Post Source link #Musk #quotdisappointedquot #Trump039s #quotbig #beautiful #billquot #Axios Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Diddy kidnapped ex-aide in plot to kill Kid Cudi, trial hears Diddy kidnapped ex-aide in plot to kill Kid Cudi, trial hears Christal Hayes BBC News, Los Angeles Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty BBC News Reporting fromNew York courtroom Getty Images One of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ former employees has testified the hip-hop mogul kidnapped her at gunpoint, then broke into rapper Kid Cudi’s home in a plot to kill his love rival. Capricorn Clark, who worked on-and-off for Mr Combs for more than a decade, told his trial that the defendant and a security guard had shown up to her apartment in 2011 and forced her to drive with them to Kid Cudi’s home. “Get dressed,” she recalled Mr Combs saying. “We’re going to go kill this [expletive].” She also told the court Diddy had threatened to kill her on her very first day working for him. Mr Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty to racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. The Kid Cudi incident was first discussed in the trial last week when that rapper, whose legal name is Scott Mescudi, took the stand to testify against Mr Combs. He detailed his relationship with Mr Combs’ ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, an alleged break-in at his Los Angeles home and an incident in which his Porsche was damaged by a Molotov *********, which he believed Mr Combs orchestrated. Mr Combs is facing possible life in prison if convicted on federal charges of racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. The rapper has separately denied accusations in a barrage of civil lawsuits that echo some of the claims made in his criminal case. In her testimony on Tuesday, Ms Clark – who was global brand director for Mr Combs’ Bad Boy Entertainment – said the hip-hop mogul had arrived at her home in 2011 after he discovered Ms Ventura was in a relationship with Mr Mescudi. Mr Combs was holding a gun in his hand when he arrived, she said, and appeared “livid” and told her “we’re going to kill” Mr Mescudi. She told the court he forced her to get into a car and go with them against her will, the BBC’s US partner CBS News reported. Reuters Capricorn Clark worked for Sean “Diddy” Combs for more than a decade Under cross-examination by Mr Combs’ lawyer, Ms Clark denied that she went with him voluntarily. Once they arrived at Mr Mescudi’s home, Mr Combs and a security guard went inside while she called Ms Ventura from the car and told her what was unfolding. When Mr Combs returned and caught her on the phone he became more angry, Ms Clark said, adding that they sped off as Mr Mescudi arrived back at his home. Afterwards, the court heard that the defendant had told Ms Clark he would not let her go until she and Ms Ventura persuaded Mr Mescudi that Mr Combs was not involved in the break-in at his LA home. “If you don’t convince him of that I’ll kill all you,” Mr Combs told Ms Clark, she testified. Ms Clark also described the difficult working relationship she had with Mr Combs over the years. On her very first day in the job, she testified, Mr Combs threatened to kill her as he warned that her past work for other rappers had better not become a problem for him. But, she told the court, despite the tumult she also felt like his protector and wanted to remain in his circle. “He broke the ceiling of what we were allowed to do as ****** people in the business world.” Get all the latest trial updates on the BBC Sounds ‘Diddy on Trial‘ podcast available wherever you get your BBC podcasts. Source link #Diddy #kidnapped #exaide #plot #kill #Kid #Cudi #trial #hears Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Big surprise. New sumo grand champion is Japanese Big surprise. New sumo grand champion is Japanese Japan has a new sumo grand champion – or yokozuna – and the big news is he’s Japanese. Onosato, the new grand champion, weighs 191 kilograms and he is the first Japanese competitor to reach the top rank since 2017. The sport has recently been dominated by Mongolians and prior to Onosato, six of the previous seven yokozunas have been from Mongolia. Onosato, whose real name is Daiki Nakamura, is only 24 and was promoted Wednesday to sumo’s top rank by the Japan Sumo Association. Onosato was promoted by winning last week’s Summer Grand Sumo Tournament, which came after he won another prestigious tournament in March. Onosato’s promotion will set up an instant rivalry with Mongolia-born Hoshoryu, who is the other wrestler in Japan to hold the yokozuna title. The Japanese news agency Kyodo said the two sumo stars are due to meet in a tournament in July in the central city of Nagoya. Sumo is regarded as Japan’s national sport, or most sacred sport, and many of the ritual elements are connected to Shinto, Japan’s indigenous religion. Sumo’s origins date back more than 1000 years, and Japan is the only country where it is contested on a professional level. The sport is highly regimented with many wrestlers living in communal training facilities where food and dress are controlled by ancient traditions. Source link #Big #surprise #sumo #grand #champion #Japanese Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Peoria business has closed its location at Northwoods Mall Peoria business has closed its location at Northwoods Mall On May 27, The Popcorn Shoppe announced the closure of its kiosk at Northwoods Mall. It described the space – which opened last October – as “an experiment” and said Sunday, May 25 was its final day. “Thank you for everyone that patronized the business at the mall,” the business wrote on Facebook, “and we have been so delighted to get our popcorn into the hands of so many new customers.” The shop’s Metro Centre location will continue to operate. According to the establishment’s Facebook post, the location will introduce new hours beginning June 1. The store will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday and will be closed on Sunday. More: Shuttered KFC restaurant property in West Peoria has been sold. Here’s what we know This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Peoria shop closes Northwoods Mall kiosk Source link #Peoria #business #closed #location #Northwoods #Mall Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

JWST's Deepest Gaze at a Single Spot in Space Reveals Ancient Wonders – ScienceAlert JWST's Deepest Gaze at a Single Spot in Space Reveals Ancient Wonders – ScienceAlert JWST’s Deepest Gaze at a Single Spot in Space Reveals Ancient Wonders ScienceAlertWebb glimpses the distant past European Space AgencyJWST peers through a cosmic lens in ‘deepest gaze’ to date photo of the day for May 27, 2025 SpaceWhat We’re Learning From The James Webb Space Telescope Science FridayThe most distant galaxy ever observed, discovered by the James Webb telescope. Farmingdale Observer Source link #JWST039s #Deepest #Gaze #Single #Spot #Space #Reveals #Ancient #Wonders #ScienceAlert Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Liberal-National coalition reunite a week after split Liberal-National coalition reunite a week after split Australia’s main opposition political party – a coalition of the Liberals and Nationals – has been revived after the two party leaders agreed to reunite. The latest development comes a week after the break-up of the long-standing coalition of the two conservative parties. Liberal leader Sussan Ley is expected to hold a press conference on Wednesday, according to local media, with a new shadow cabinet made up of members from both parties to be announced. The Coalition split last Tuesday after Nationals leader David Littleproud said both parties were not able to agree on key policy matters. In announcing the split last week, Littleproud had said the Coalition had broken up and reunited in the past, adding that he would work with Ley to “rebuild the relationship to the point we can re-enter a coalition before the next election”. Ley replaced former Liberal leader Peter Dutton following the Coalition’s poor election results earlier this month, with Labor winning its second term in a landslide victory. She has vowed to bring the Liberals back to the centre-right. The relationship between the Liberals and Nationals – which mainly represents regional communities and often leans more conservative than the Liberals – had become strained in recent times, with climate and energy as key issues. According to local broadcaster ABC, the two parties have agreed to to ditch an earlier commitment to build seven nuclear power plants but will push to lift the national ban on nuclear power. Other policy positions which have been negotiated as part of the Coalition reuniting cover regional infrastructure spending, internet speeds and mobile coverage in regional and rural areas, and policies to improve supermarket competition, the ABC reported. The Liberal-National partnership, which in its current form dates back to the 1940s, has broken down and been re-established several times over the decades. The last time the Coalition split was almost four decades ago, in 1987. Source link #LiberalNational #coalition #reunite #week #split Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Albanese, Luxon invited on ‘Anzac’ mission to Ukraine Albanese, Luxon invited on ‘Anzac’ mission to Ukraine New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Luxon is open to a proposed “Anzac” political mission to Kiev alongside Anthony Albanese, suggesting the pair have spoken about making it a possibility. Ukraine Ambassador Vasyl Myroshnychenko has invited the pair to visit this European summer, alongside other international summits. Speaking in Wellington on Wednesday, Mr Luxon said he received the invitation “a couple of weeks back” and it was under consideration. “It’s something we will continue to look at and consider, if and when we can,” he said. Mr Luxon said logistics were the major sticking point, as he would want to piggyback other bilateral or international gatherings given the long travel. “If Anthony can do the same and we can make it work for both of us, we’d be open to it,” he said. “It’s a great invitation. We appreciate it.” Mr Albanese has visited Ukraine, making a two-day visit in July 2022, however Mr Luxon has not done so since taking office in 2023. The *********** prime minister held talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on the sidelines of Pope Leo XIV’s inauguration at the ******** earlier in May. Australia is looking to strike two agreements with Ukraine: one on security and one on the elimination of double taxation. Source link #Albanese #Luxon #invited #Anzac #mission #Ukraine Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Unpacking claim Trump left West Point graduation early without honoring diploma ceremony tradition, then played golf Unpacking claim Trump left West Point graduation early without honoring diploma ceremony tradition, then played golf Claim: Following U.S. President Donald Trump’s May 24, 2025, commencement address at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, he departed early without honoring a tradition of staying during the diploma ceremony, with a video showing him shortly thereafter golfing on the same day at his Bedminster, New Jersey, club. Rating: Rating: Mixture What’s True: Trump did, during his address, honor the service and sacrifice of graduating cadets, but he left the West Point graduation early, after delivering his speech and prior to the diploma ceremony, breaking a tradition honored each year by recent former U.S. presidents. Those presidents included, for example, Joe Biden, Trump during his first term, Barack Obama and George W. Bush. During Trump’s 2025 address, he did not specifically mention not planning to shake hands with the cadets but did say, “I’m going back now to deal with Russia, to deal with China.” In an email to Snopes, a White House spokesperson labeled the rumor as “a non-story,” then alleged without providing evidence that the president shook “hundreds” of hands prior to his speech. What’s Undetermined: It’s unclear whether Trump played golf later on the same day, or if a widely shared video of Trump riding in a golf cart shows him playing golf right after his speech, after arriving at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster in New Jersey. The video depicts a driver, whom we have not yet identified, transporting Trump in a golf cart near a helicopter that serves as Marine One. In the clip, Trump is wearing a suit — not golfing clothes — with no golf clubs visible on the rear of the cart. In late May 2025, online users shared a rumor claiming that, following U.S. President Donald Trump’s May 24, 2025, commencement address at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in New York, he departed early without honoring a tradition of staying to honor graduates during the diploma ceremony. A very brief video shared claimed to show him shortly thereafter golfing on the same day at his Bedminster, New Jersey, club. For example, a user on Bluesky posted (archived) a video with the caption, “Trump told West Point cadets at their graduation that he wouldn’t be able to shake their hands, a tradition among U.S. presidents, because he had urgent matters to deal with on China and Russia. This was him ‘dealing’ with China and Russia moments later. He went golfing.” Other users shared the same video (archived) and/or the rumor on Facebook, Instagram (archived), Reddit (archived), Threads (archived), TikTok (archived) and X (archived). While Trump did, during his address, honor the service and sacrifice of graduating cadets, it’s true that he left the West Point graduation early, after delivering his speech and prior to the diploma ceremony, breaking a tradition honored every year by recent former U.S. presidents. Those presidents included, for example, Joe Biden, Trump during his first term, Barack Obama and George W. Bush. During his address, he did not specifically mention not planning to shake hands with the cadets but did say, “I’m going back now to deal with Russia, to deal with China.” At the same time, it’s unclear as of this writing whether Trump played golf later on the same day, or if a widely shared video of Trump riding in a golf cart shows him playing golf right after his speech, after landing at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster in New Jersey. We have not yet established the time and date when the clip was recorded, depicting a driver, whom we have not yet identified, transporting Trump in a golf cart near a helicopter that serves as Marine One. In the clip, Trump is wearing a suit — not golfing clothes — with no golf clubs visible on the rear of the cart. In other words, it’s possible the golf cart simply transported Trump elsewhere on the property and had nothing to do with him playing golf. Snopes contacted the White House by email to ask various questions about this matter, all noted later in this story. In part, a White House spokesperson called the rumor “a non-story,” and claimed without yet providing photo or video proof that Trump shook “hundreds” of hands of military leaders and cadets before delivering his graduation speech. Breaking down the rumor The YouTube channels for FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth and West Point – The U.S. Military Academy hosted lengthy videos showing the majority of the May 24 West Point graduation, which took place at Michie Stadium in West Point, New York. Trump’s address featured moments directly addressing cadets, as well as political remarks similar to his campaign rallies. During his speech, he singled out academic accomplishments and asked various cadets to stand for recognition. He also called onstage at least three cadets and shook their hands. Trump then closed his speech by telling the crowd, “So I just want to congratulate you all. I’m going back now to deal with Russia, to deal with China.” He accepted a framed class photo as a gift from another cadet, shook four hands onstage and then walked out of the venue while clapping and pumping his fist in recognition of the graduates and crowd. After he departed the field at the stadium, organizers began the diploma ceremony. Research for this rumor located a presidential schedule on RollCall.com, listing Trump’s arrival at West Point at 8:15 a.m. ET, his speech at 10:15 a.m., his departure from West Point at 11:15 a.m. and his arrival to Trump National Golf Club Bedminster at 11:45 a.m. The schedule also displayed a “full lid called” by the White House Press Office at 12:11 p.m., terminology indicating no further planned events on that day for members of the press. Snopes did not yet learn any further details about activities occurring later that day. Regarding the video of the golf cart driver transporting Trump near the helicopter, that clip showed at least one other golf cart behind Trump’s cart. A search for further information located a somewhat similar YouTube clip (archived) from April. That video, possibly recorded at Trump International Golf Club West Palm Beach in Florida, showed numerous golf carts acting as a presidential motorcade to transport the president from one of his Marine helicopters to another on-site location — also with no golf clubs visible, just like the in-question clip. Another video (archived) posted by an Instagram user claimed to show Trump departing one of his Marine helicopters on May 24, possibly after his West Point address. The clip shows him walking over to a golf cart motorcade similar to the video from April, suggesting the motorcade’s purpose was transporting him to another part of the property. WH claims Trump shook ‘hundreds’ of hands prior to speech In Snopes’ email to the White House, we asked about users’ claims of Trump not staying to observe the diploma ceremony and shake cadets’ hands, as well as inquired about whether the in-question video shows Trump preparing to go golfing, or if it depicts someone simply transporting him elsewhere on the grounds for non-golfing purposes. We also asked about a photo posted (archived) to Trump’s Truth Social account on the following morning allegedly showing a white swan biting a “friend” on a golf course, specifically inquiring if the incident occurred on May 24, May 25 or another day, seeing as Trump may have golfed with the pictured person. A White House spokesperson quickly replied to the email but did not specifically address the video or the swan photo. Instead, the person called the rumor about Trump not staying for the diploma ceremony “a non-story” and that, without providing evidence, he “shook hundreds of hands of military leaders and cadets right before his speech.” The White House did not yet provide proof of this claim of Trump shaking “hundreds” of hands right before his speech. The statement read, in part: This is a non-story–President Trump shook hundreds of hands of military leaders and cadets right before his speech and has shaken the hands of thousands of military members during his first and second term. He has done more to support military men and women than any president in history which is why military recruitment is soaring under his leadership as Commander in Chief. The President has scheduled important calls with Russia and China to end the wars and ensure lasting peace. Regarding the claim about “soaring” military recruitment, a U.S. Department of Defense article and a Military.com story, both published in the weeks before the 2024 election, reported a rise in recruitment — positive news occurring in the final year of Biden’s term in office — and that, at the time, all military branches met recruiting goals following years of not achieving those goals. The White House’ Facebook and Instagram accounts featured a photo album and an edited video from the graduation, as well as pictures on the White House website (archived), though none of the pictures or brief clips showed Trump shaking “hundreds” of hands prior to his speech. The photo libraries for The Associated Press and Getty Images also contained no media depicting Trump shaking “hundreds” of hands before his address. Snopes will update this article should any evidentiary photos or videos surface following the publishing of this story. Tradition honored by Biden, Obama and Bush Online searches for information about recent past U.S. presidents delivering military commencement addresses and remaining present for diploma ceremonies found evidence going back at least a quarter century. Biden delivered military graduates’ diplomas during ceremonies in all four of his years in office. In 2021, he mostly just posed for photos after handing out diplomas, while in 2022, 2023 and 2024 he shook hands. During Trump’s first term, he delivered diplomas, shook hands and posed for photos in 2017. In 2018 and 2019, he handed out diplomas and shook hands. Then, in 2020, during a socially distanced ceremony early in the COVID-19 pandemic, he stood and saluted numerous times as speakers called out graduates’ names. Evidence also showed Obama observing diploma ceremonies with handshakes and posed photos in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016, as well as George W. Bush in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008. Sources: “Biden Delivers Commencement Address at the US Air Force Academy.” YouTube, Fox Business, 1 June 2023, [Hidden Content]. Boghosian, Joyce. “President Bush Delivers Commencement Address at United States Coast Guard Academy.” The White House | George W. Bush, 23 May 2007, [Hidden Content]. Branum, Don. “Obama to Class of 2012: Your Spirit Is Essence of America.” U.S. Air Force Academy, 23 May 2012, [Hidden Content]. “Donald J. Trump’s Public Schedule.” Roll Call Factba.se, [Hidden Content]. Goddard, Taegan. “Lid.” Political Dictionary, [Hidden Content]. Hewitt, Kimberlee. “President Delivers Commencement Address at the United States Merchant Marine Academy.” The White House | George W. Bush, 19 June 2006, [Hidden Content]. Kai, ****. “File:President Barack Obama Shakes Hands with a Graduate of The …” Wikimedia Commons, 24 May 2013, [Hidden Content],_2013,_at_Navy-Marine_Corps_Memorial_Stadium_in_Annapolis_130524-N-GK053-730.jpg. Kaplan, Mike. “President’s Handshake.” U.S. Department of Defense, 2 June 2016, [Hidden Content]. Kim, Seung Min, and Ali Swenson. “Trump’s Speech to West Point Graduates Mixes Praise, Politics and Grievances.” The Associated Press, 24 May 2025, [Hidden Content]. “LIVE: Trump at West Point Commencement | FOX 4 News.” YouTube, FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth, 24 May 2025, [Hidden Content]. McGhee, Tom. “Bush Preps Cadets on Modern War.” The Denver Post, 28 May 2008, [Hidden Content]. Morse, Paul. “President George W. Bush Waves to Family and Friends of a Cadet during Graduation Ceremonies at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD Friday, May 25. WHITE HOUSE PHOTO BY PAUL MORSE.” The White House | George W. Bush, 25 May 2001, [Hidden Content]. “Naval Academy Commencement, Diplomas | Video.” C-SPAN.org, 22 May 2009, [Hidden Content]. “Obama Gives Coast Guard Commencement.” CTPost, 19 May 2011, [Hidden Content]. Olay, Matthew. “Recruitment Rises 12.5% Despite Ongoing Challenges.” U.S. Department of Defense, 31 Oct. 2024, [Hidden Content]. “President Biden Delivers Commencement Address at the Coast Guard Academy.” YouTube, Yahoo Finance, 19 May 2021, [Hidden Content]. “President Biden Delivers the 2024 Commencement Address at the U.S. Military Academy.” YouTube, The Biden White House, 25 May 2024, [Hidden Content]. “President Bush Delivers Graduation Speech at West Point.” The White House | George W. Bush, 1 June 2002, [Hidden Content]. “President Bush Speaks at Air Force Academy Graduation.” The White House | George W. Bush, 2 June 2004, [Hidden Content]. “President Delivers Commencement Address at Coast Guard.” The White House | George W. Bush, 21 May 2003, [Hidden Content]. “President Donald Trump Speech At Coast Guard Academy Commencement (Full) | The New York Times.” YouTube, The New York Times, 17 May 2017, [Hidden Content]. “President Obama at West Point Commencement.” The White House | President Barack Obama, 22 May 2010, [Hidden Content]. “President Trump Addresses the Army Academy’s Class of 2025.” YouTube, The White House, 24 May 2025, [Hidden Content]. “President Trump Goes Off-Script at West Point Commencement Speech, Brings Cadets on Stage | News 12.” YouTube, News 12, 24 May 2025, [Hidden Content]. “President Trump Shakes the Hand of Every Cadet Graduating from the Air Force Academy.” YouTube, Denver7, 30 May 2019, [Hidden Content]. @realmichaelsolakiewicz. “President Donald J Trump Spending the Memorial Day Holiday Weekend at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster!” Instagram, 24 May 2025, [Hidden Content]. Schwarz, Hunter. “Obama Does Some World-Class Mugging for the Camera with Coast Guard Grads.” The Washington Post, 20 May 2015, [Hidden Content]. Tierney, Kevin H. “050127-M-0000A-072.” U.S. Marine Corps, 27 Jan. 2005, [Hidden Content]. Toropin, Konstantin, et al. “Prep Courses, Policy Tweaks Largely Drove the Military’s Recruiting Success in 2024.” Military.com, 7 Feb. 2025, [Hidden Content]. “Trump Gives Commencement Speech at U.S. Naval Academy.” YouTube, Washington Post, 25 May 2018, [Hidden Content]. “TRUMP Turns GOLF CART into Makeshift ‘PRESIDENTIAL LIMO’ after Stepping off MARINE ONE.” YouTube, Diario AS, 4 Apr. 2025, [Hidden Content]. “US President Barack Obama Shakes Hands with a Female Cadet at Graduation Ceremonies at the U.S. Military Academy May 28, 2014 in West Point, New York Stock Photo – Alamy.” Alamy, 28 May 2014, [Hidden Content]. “USMA Class of 2025 Graduation Ceremony.” YouTube, West Point – The U.S. Military Academy, 24 May 2025, [Hidden Content]. “WATCH LIVE: President Biden Addresses the United States Naval Academy’s Graduating Class of 2022.” YouTube, Yahoo Finance, 27 May 2022, [Hidden Content]. “West Point Commencement Address | Video.” C-SPAN.org, 13 June 2020, [Hidden Content]. Source link #Unpacking #claim #Trump #left #West #Point #graduation #early #honoring #diploma #ceremony #tradition #played #golf Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton dazzles with Game 4 triple-double in dad’s return to arena – The New York Times Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton dazzles with Game 4 triple-double in dad’s return to arena – The New York Times Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton dazzles with Game 4 triple-double in dad’s return to arena The New York TimesHaliburton’s historic triple-double keys Game 4 win ESPNGame Rewind: Pacers 130, Knicks 121 (Game 4) NBATyrese Haliburton, Pacers beat Knicks in Eastern Conference finals Game 4: Live updates and reaction The New York TimesNew York Knicks vs. Indiana Pacers: How to watch Game 4 of the 2025 NBA Eastern Conference Finals tonight Yahoo Sports Source link #Pacers #Tyrese #Haliburton #dazzles #Game #tripledouble #dads #return #arena #York #Times Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Hungary’s Orban accused of using Ukraine spy row in fight for political survival Hungary’s Orban accused of using Ukraine spy row in fight for political survival Nick Thorpe Central Europe correspondent SBU Ukraine said it uncovered a Hungarian espionage network earlier this month A spate of arrests, diplomatic expulsions and public humiliations has plunged relations between war-torn Ukraine and its prickly Nato neighbour Hungary to a new low. At the heart of the row are accusations that Viktor Orban’s Fidesz government in Hungary is using the spat to fight his main political rival, the opposition Tisza party, which leads in the polls ahead of 2026 elections. Earlier this month, Ukraine’s SBU security service announced the arrest of two Ukrainian citizens accused of spying for Hungary. According to the allegations, backed by video and audio evidence, the man and woman were in the pay of Hungarian military intelligence, preparing for Hungarian military action in Ukraine. Hungary then expelled two Ukrainian diplomats and Ukraine followed suit in a ****-for-tat response that has further damaged already sour relations. Hungary also arrested a Ukrainian citizen and accused him of spying. Orban is widely seen as Russia’s closest ally in the European Union, and his government has broken ranks with his European partners by maintaining trade and opposing sanctions on Russia, refusing to allow the transit of weapons, and comparing Ukraine to Afghanistan. Now he has accused Kyiv of trying to “vilify” his country. All eight million Hungarian households recently received a questionnaire from the government, dubbed “Vox 2025”, inviting them to reject Ukraine’s EU membership. Under a year ago, Orban presented himself as the only person on the planet other than the Pope, who was trying to secure an unconditional ceasefire. But his critics depicted his so-called peace mission to Kyiv, Moscow and other capitals as an attempt to reward Russian aggression. The day after Orban met Russia’s Vladimir Putin, Russian missiles struck the Ohmatdyt children’s hospital in Kyiv. Three days later, the leader of the Tisza Party in Hungary, Peter Magyar, brought $40,000 of Hungarian medical aid to the hospital. Opinion polls suggest Magyar could oust Orban from power next April. The man who drove the Tisza leader to Kyiv, Roland Tseber, is now a target of Fidesz attempts to accuse the Hungarian opposition party of betraying Hungary. Roland Tseber Roland Tseber (R) drove Peter Magyar (L) to Kyiv in July 2024 after a Russian attack on the capital Roland Tseber came across as a fresh-faced, hard-working politician when I met him at a Ukrainian refugee centre in Uzhorod in April. He was helping distribute medical aid from Hungary, working with Hungarian doctors and psychologists who have supported internally displaced Ukrainians from the eastern war zone, since 2022. His troubles began within weeks of Peter Magyar’s visit, he told me. In August, he heard he was banned from Hungary and, at Hungary’s insistence, from the whole Schengen zone of the EU, without explanation. Mr Tseber’s letter to the Hungarian embassy in Kyiv went unanswered. The leader of the far-right Our Homeland party in the Hungarian Parliament, Laszlo Toroczkai, labelled him a “terrorist”. Mate Kocsis the leader of the Fidesz faction in the Hungarian parliament, has called him a “Ukrainian spy”, long in the sights of Hungarian counter-intelligence. “I reject all such accusations which try to link me to intelligence activities of any kind. This is ridiculous. I’m a Transcarpathian politician who works honestly and openly for his homeland and for Hungarian interests,” Mr Tseber told me in a phone interview. Despite Orban’s stance, Hungarians have sent medical help to Ukraine As an elected, independent councillor in the regional assembly of Transcarpathia, who sits in the political group of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s Servant of the People party, he meets politicians of all shades, he says, including the deputy Hungarian Foreign Minister, Levente Magyar. “I’m a Ukrainian politician and I meet with everyone. This whole situation is ridiculous. They want to drag me into this spy story. But anyone with any common sense can understand that this is absurd.” The weakest link in the Hungarian government’s narrative is that if he was really on the radar of Hungarian intelligence, government politicians and Peter Magyar as a Member of the European Parliament would have been warned to stay away from him. The dwindling Hungarian community in Transcarpathia has become collateral damage in the Ukraine-Hungary row. In Ukraine’s last census, in 2001, their population was 150,000, but latest estimates suggest their number has since halved to 70-80,000. Dozens have lost their lives, fighting for Ukraine against Russia. Another twist in the story is that a former Hungarian chief-of-staff, Romulusz Ruszin-Szendi, who’s now a prominent Tisza party politician, has come under attack from government-controlled media. The government alleges that “a former senior figure in the defence sector” – an apparent reference to Ruszin-Szendi – was in contact with Ukrainian intelligence. Ruszin-Szendi hit back, alleging a smear campaign. “I am a decent Hungarian citizen who has worn the uniform since the age of 14. I am shocked and saddened to know that what I and my comrades have done for our country is worth so much for you,” he addressed the government on Facebook. Since the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Viktor Orban has portrayed himself as a man of peace, and won the April 2022 election with a promise to keep Hungary out of the war in Ukraine. However, a speech from 2023 that has only just been leaked by Peter Magyar tells a very different story. Defence Minister Kristof Szalay-Bobrovniczky was recorded saying a year after the war in Ukraine began that the government had decided to break with the peace mentality and move to “phase zero of the road to war”, with a combat-read Hungarian army. This was the same year that many experienced Atlanticists such as Ruszin-Szendi were sacked as part of a “rejuvenation” of the military. They were replaced by officers loyal to the government’s pro-Moscow stance. Source link #Hungarys #Orban #accused #Ukraine #spy #row #fight #political #survival Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

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Walmart Is Selling New $200 Smart Watches for Only $22 Walmart Is Selling New $200 Smart Watches for Only $22 The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. What better time to jump on the smart watch wave when you have sales like this? Right now, Walmart is running a flash deal on $200 IKT 2025 smart watches and fitness trackers, now heavily discounted for only $22 — an astounding limited time 89% mark down according to Walmart’s website. This sleek smart watch features a 1.39-inch HD screen, Bluetooth calling, voice assistant and over 100 sport modes ready to help you track your fitness goals, including steps, distance and calories burned. It’s compatible with both Apple and Android devices via the Gloryfit app. Over 110 online reviewers have graded it 4.3 stars out of a possible 5.0, with some writing: “This watch is great. My sister has a Samsung watch and this looks exactly like it. She has even picked my watch up, mistaking it for hers. It works great and I can pick up calls and texts from the watch also.” “I bought this cause of the price. I am so impressed with it. Great face options. Round and clear to read.” “I needed a watch to track distance for my daily runs, but an Apple Watch was out of my budget. I found this smartwatch … it completely exceeded my expectations! It’s stylish, smooth, and surprisingly well-made. I tried it immediately after receiving it, and the distance tracking is quite accurate—matching the results from my phone.” Both ****** and pink colors are available. Shop It As far as time of use, the Walmart product description states that you can get 7-10 days of normal use (and 30 days of standby time) on a two-hour charge. The charging cable is included. While it’s not recommended that you submerge this smart watch in water, it is IPX8 waterproof grade, so it’s fine to wear in the rain, during a sweaty workout or while washing dishes. Walmart offers multiyear protection plans via Allstate ($4-5), plus free 30-day returns on this purchase if you don’t love the value it provides. Related: Walmart Is Selling ‘Surprisingly Excellent’ Roku Smart TVs for Only $74 Related: Walmart Is Selling ‘Exceptional’ Smart Glasses for 70% Off: ‘Far Less Expensive Than Bose’ Walmart Is Selling New $200 Smart Watches for Only $22 first appeared on Athlon Sports on May 27, 2025 Source link #Walmart #Selling #Smart #Watches Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]