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Former police chief, serving ******* and ***** sentences, escapes from Arkansas prison Former police chief, serving ******* and ***** sentences, escapes from Arkansas prison CALICO ROCK, Ark. (AP) — A former police chief in Arkansas who is serving decades-long sentences for ******* and ***** escaped from prison Sunday, state corrections officials said. Grant Hardin, the former police chief of the tiny town of Gateway near the Arkansas-Missouri border, escaped from the North Central Unit in Calico Rock, where he has been held since 2017. Corrections officials did not provide any details about how he escaped. The Division of Correction and the Division of Community Correction are following leads with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. Hardin pleaded guilty in October 2017 to first-degree ******* in connection with the shooting death of 59-year-old James Appleton. According to an affidavit filed in the case, Appleton worked for the Gateway water department and was talking to his brother-in-law, then Gateway Mayor Andrew Tillman, when he was shot in the head on Feb. 23, 2017 near Garfield. Police found Appleton’s body inside a car. Hardin, who was Gateway’s police chief for about four months in early 2016, was sentenced to 30 years in prison. He is also serving 50 years in prison for the 1997 ***** of an elementary school teacher in Rogers north of Fayetteville. KFSM-TV, reporting on his guilty plea in 2019, wrote that police used DNA samples from the crime scene to apply for a John Doe Warrant in 2003 as the statute of limitations neared. The DNA was tested against old and new profiles, and investigators got a match when Hardin was imprisoned for killing Appleton. Source link #police #chief #serving #******* #***** #sentences #escapes #Arkansas #prison Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

The Last of Us Finale Kills

*********** man arrested for allegedly attempting to smuggle ******** into Bali *********** man arrested for allegedly attempting to smuggle ******** into Bali A man has been arrested by Bali police for allegedly trying to smuggle 1.5kg of ******** into Indonesia. The man was apprehended by the drug squad in an apartment in Canggu, south Indonesia, on Thursday. Camera IconAn *********** man has been arrested after allegedly trying to smuggle ******** into Bali. NewsWire / Monique Harmer Credit: News Corp Australia The NT News reports the man received a suspicious package from Thailand, with police allegedly locating the illicit substances after conducting an X-ray on the package upon arrival in the country. NewsWire has contacted the Department of Foreign Affairs for comment. More to come Source link #*********** #man #arrested #allegedly #attempting #smuggle #******** #Bali Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Nippon Steel shares climb after Trump offers support for U.S. Steel deal Nippon Steel shares climb after Trump offers support for U.S. Steel deal TOKYO (Reuters) -Nippon Steel shares rallied on Monday in Tokyo after U.S. President Donald Trump expressed support for the company’s $14.9 billion bid for U.S. Steel. Trump said in a post on Truth Social the “planned partnership” between the two companies will create at least 70,000 jobs and add $14 billion to the U.S. economy. Trump added that the bulk of that investment would occur in the next 14 months and said he would hold a rally at U.S. Steel in Pittsburgh on Friday, without offering specifics. It is unclear whether Trump’s term “partnership” refers to the full acquisition of U.S. Steel that Nippon Steel has been pursuing. The White House did not respond to questions about the announcement on Friday. But U.S. Steel shares soared 21% on Friday as investors interpreted the comments from Trump, who had originally opposed the deal, to mean Nippon Steel had received his approval for its long-planned takeover, the last major hurdle for the deal. Both U.S. Steel and Nippon Steel have lauded the comments. For Nippon Steel, Japan’s top steelmaker, the deal is core to its global expansion strategy. It would lift production to 86 million metric tons from 63 million tons now – at a time when domestic demand is declining. Shares of Nippon, the world’s fourth-largest steelmaker, gained 5% to 3,025 yen in Tokyo after being untraded with a glut of buy orders earlier in the day. Nippon shares were the biggest percentage gainer on Tokyo’s benchmark Nikkei 225 index. A merger would create the world’s third-largest steel producer by volume, following China’s Baowu Steel Group and Luxembourg-based ArcelorMittal, according to World Steel Association data. (Reporting by Mariko Katsumura; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman and Neil Fullick) Source link #Nippon #Steel #shares #climb #Trump #offers #support #U.S #Steel #deal Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

‘The Last of Us’ Season 2 Finale Recap: The Monster at the End – The New York Times ‘The Last of Us’ Season 2 Finale Recap: The Monster at the End – The New York Times ‘The Last of Us’ Season 2 Finale Recap: The Monster at the End The New York TimesWhat The Last of Us Season 2 Finale’s Shocking Cliffhanger Means for the Future of the Show Time Magazine’The Last of Us’ Season 2 Ending, Explained: What Happened Between Ellie and Abby? People.com‘The Last of Us’ Season 2 Ends With Confusion and a Phony Cliffhanger Rolling StoneThe ‘Last of Us’ Season 2 Finale Recap: A Wolf at the Door The Ringer Source link #Season #Finale #Recap #Monster #York #Times Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Queensland hit by surge in whooping cough cases as experts blame low vaccination levels Queensland hit by surge in whooping cough cases as experts blame low vaccination levels Thousands of whooping cough cases have emerged in one *********** state, as experts lay the blame on low immunisation and poor personal hygiene. Queensland has recorded 2,384 cases of whooping cough since the beginning of the year, nearly three-and-a-half times the 2023-24 average, according to Queensland Health. Concern is rising that this year could be part of a larger upwards trend, as in 2024 Queensland also recorded 15,012 infections, a sum larger than the previous 11 years combined. Camera IconExperts are concerned as whooping cough cases rise in Queensland. NCA NewsWire/Tertius Pickard Credit: News Corp Australia Mater Hospital Brisbane director of infectious diseases Professor Paul Griffin said the numbers show a disturbing trend. “It’s very clear that the numbers are high, and so seeing nearly 2,400 cases already this year, it is a very significant number and that’s tracking along at … about six and a half times what we’d normally see this time of year.” Professor Griffin told NewsWire. “The case numbers are very high and unfortunately with a disease like whooping cough, when there’s high numbers of cases, that means we will see some of those progress to more significant disease.” Whooping cough can be a very significant disease and can lead to pneumonia, brain damage and sometimes death according to the *********** Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. Camera IconPersonal health hygiene, and decrease in immunisation could be contributing to the rise in cases. NCA NewsWire / James Gourley Credit: News Corp Australia “People do need to pay attention to these numbers and make sure they understand that whooping cough isn’t (usually) around in high numbers,” Professor Griffin said. “It is a very significant disease. Not everyone is going to get really sick, but unfortunately enough people will.” Whooping cough can be detrimental to vulnerable communities, such as young children and pregnant women. “If people haven’t seen, a baby who’s got more severe disease, the fact that they cough or they vomit and they cough so much they can’t eat or drink, it’s just terrifying to see,” Professor Griffin said. “This is what does happen from whooping cough and why we need mums to get vaccinated in pregnancy and children particularly to get vaccinated as scheduled.” Camera IconWhooping cough can be very serious, especially to those who are already vulnerable. NewsWire/Ian Currie Credit: News Corp Australia Since Covid-19, Aussie vaccination rates have steadily declined, as well as personal habits which prevent disease such as frequently washing hands, using masks, and staying out of crowded areas. “Unquestionably … the reduction in vaccination rates will be a factor, as will the fact that I think … people are probably doing the least to address the transmission of respiratory infections that we’ve done for five years or more,” Professor Griffin reflected. “For a while we were very good that if someone had respiratory symptoms, we would get them to stay home. We wouldn’t take them to school or go to work. We’d get them tested and do all the right things to address transmission. “But I think we’re probably doing a lot less of that at the moment.” Concerningly, vaccination rates among infants have also dropped – 90.8 per cent of one-year-olds received their whooping cough jab in 2023, nearly 4 per cent less than at the end of 2018, Queensland Health data shows. Camera IconPersonal health hygiene, and decrease in immunisation could be contributing to the rise in cases. NCA NewsWire / James Gourley Credit: News Corp Australia The whooping cough vaccine is free during pregnancy, children aged 18 months, two, four, and six, and young adults between 12 and 19. For those who have a vague memory of getting the jab, a booster vaccination is recommended every ten years. “The whooping cough itself is very significant. But if we add to that the record-breaking start to the flu season and high numbers of RSV and still some Covid around, that’s a lot of respiratory infections for us to have to deal with, even ahead of the expected peak in winter,” Professor Griffin said. “So if we don’t do some more to slow that down, we could be in for a very significant winter ******* with a burden of disease on our healthcare system that’s going to be difficult to manage.” Source link #Queensland #hit #surge #whooping #cough #cases #experts #blame #vaccination #levels Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

I Moved To Europe To Escape U.S. Politics. Four Years Later, I’ve Come To A Terrifying Realization. I Moved To Europe To Escape U.S. Politics. Four Years Later, I’ve Come To A Terrifying Realization. The author traveling with her dog in Spain in 2023 It was June of 2020 when I realized I no longer wanted to live in the United States. Riding out the pandemic in a guest bedroom at my parents’ house, I’d spent the summer watching in horror as half the country protested the violent ******* of George Floyd and the other half mystifyingly seemed to celebrate it. Donald Trump was up for reelection, a race it seemed he might win despite already having been impeached. Rampant disinformation and denial swirled around COVID-19, which by then had already killed well over half a million people globally. The pivotal moment came when, on a rare trip out of the house as the family’s designated grocery shopper, I drove past a dozen children gathered on a neighborhood corner. All appeared to be under the age of 12 or so. They waved signs in the air bringing attention to Floyd’s ******* and called out to cars driving past. A bored adult fiddled with their phone on a lawn chair perched a few yards away. None of their parents, it seemed, had cared to join them. I honked as I drove by and pumped my fist out the window. Then, as soon as I was out of sight, I pulled over and sobbed in the car. Three months later, I was boarding a one-way flight to Spain with my dog and all the belongings I could stuff into two large suitcases. I’d decided I was done — done watching people I’d considered close friends passionately defend harmful racist and misogynistic views, done living under a government that I felt held no value for my life as a woman, done fighting for what I considered basic human rights only to watch them be stripped away, one by one. If this is the type of country the majority of the population wants to live in, I thought, let them have it. But I’m opting out. Yet soon after I left, I began to feel a sticky sense of guilt that I’d left behind countless women who shared my despair but had no way out. I was fortunate enough to have access to an EU passport (my father is Italian) and the financial means to leave. I was painfully aware, as I remain to this day, of the monumental privilege I possess. Even from 4,000 miles away, I found myself unable to detach. When Donald Trump lost the November 2020 election, it should have brought some sense of reprieve. It didn’t. As a ******* assault survivor, I grappled with the idea that nearly half the country — my peers — had rallied behind a man who is alleged to have ****** dozens of women and a child as young as 13. I have substantially more autonomy as a woman in Spain than I did in the so-called land of the free. I visit the pharmacy once per month to purchase my preferred birth control over the counter; the entire process takes less than two minutes, and I pay about $4 for a 28-day supply. Gynecological care, including STI testing and ******* screening, are free and easily accessible. If I ever choose to have a child, my partner and I will both be entitled to 16 weeks of paid parental leave. Thanks to common-sense abortion rights, I’ll never have to worry about being denied care for life-threatening pregnancy complications. My heart broke for all American women after the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Having struggled to get a basic birth control prescription prior to moving abroad, I’m familiar with the hoops women were forced to jump through even before the decision was overturned. As a 19-year-old victim of a violent ***** that put me in the hospital, Planned Parenthood was my sole avenue for follow-up medical care. I shudder to think what will happen to the next generation of women as they face these challenges. In the wake of the outcry surrounding Roe v. Wade’s reversal, the idea of Trump winning another term in 2024 seemed unfathomable. Surely, I thought, America would rally around its women in their time of need. Tuning in to various global media outlets, it felt like the whole world was on the same page; a survey in Denmark, for example, showed just 7% of respondents would vote for Trump if eligible, and his support was only slightly higher at 17% in Spain and 22% in Australia. Even polling in Italy, currently the epicenter of a troubling far-right extremist movement in Western Europe, capped support for Trump at just 24%. I didn’t expect to be wrong. I certainly didn’t expect to see so many American women blindly pledging allegiance to an administration that openly intends to suppress their rights. “I’ll teach my daughter how to track her *******. About protected sex. I’ll teach her about God and his miracles,” one female friend from my hometown wrote on social media the morning after the 2024 election. “Tracking my ******* and learning God’s miracles didn’t help me as a terrified 19-year-old slipping in and out of consciousness in an emergency room,” I messaged her privately. She didn’t respond. The more time I spend traveling the world, the more I realize the United States exists within a bubble — one that has been steadily infiltrated by misinformation from Russia intended to push more voters toward Trump. Americans are rarely challenged to face perspectives originating from outside their field of view. Nationalism is heralded as a virtue, while globalism is a four-letter word. To someone with this kind of limited worldview, propaganda may be impossible to discern from the truth. A woman who subscribes to Christian ideology and has healthy children from uncomplicated pregnancies may have a hard time empathizing with women facing more complex circumstances. If it doesn’t affect her; why should she care? This, by and large, is the American sentiment. With every year that passes, visits to my original home feel more like a trip to a foreign country. I spend the entirety of my time on U.S. soil riddled with fear that I’ll get into a car accident or rupture an ovarian cyst and rack up hospital bills so extreme they’ll drain my life savings. My heart skips a beat whenever I notice a holster strapped to a stranger’s hip at the grocery store. Friends jokingly ask me to bring them back to Spain in my suitcase, but their voices are laced with real anguish. Photo Courtesy Of Lisa Bernardi The author’s passport and her dog’s passport Each time I glance at my American passport, I’m reminded that as long as it remains in my possession, I’ll forever have to pay taxes to a government that would rather let me die than allow me to end a life-threatening pregnancy. While Trump made brief remarks during his campaign about ending double taxation for foreign residents, economic experts warn it’s unlikely the promise will materialize. Given the long list of broken campaign promises from his 2016 term, I won’t hold my breath. Renouncing my citizenship is a thought that’s crossed my mind more than once. However, it comes at the cost of no longer being able to visit my family without a visa. The impact of the 2024 election will reach far beyond U.S. borders, digging its grubby fingernails deep into the life I’ve built halfway across the world. Many fear Trump’s win will embolden the far-right extremists amassing support across Europe. Italy’s ultra-conservative Brothers of Italy party, which took power in 2022 after winning 26% of the vote, has already chipped away at reproductive rights by giving anti-abortion activists the legal right to enter clinics and making it ******** to access surrogacy services either within Italy or abroad. Snowballing nationalism could even spell the end of the European Union, setting the entire continent back decades and leading to a catastrophic economic collapse. Experts further predict that as Trump’s economic policies drive up consumer prices and interest rates in the States, they’ll also wreak havoc on the European economy. Ending America’s fight against the climate crisis is a dark omen for the entire world, which feels all too tangible now in Spain as the whole country reels from the loss of more than 200 lives in historic flooding linked to global warming. Friends from Ukraine, Gaza and Lebanon ask why my country has turned its back on them as they face invasions and genocide led by dictators expected to be handed even more autonomy by the Trump administration. I wish I had an answer. Four years after leaving the U.S., I find myself right back where I began: reeling from the impact of an American sociopolitical crisis. But this time is different. I’m no longer under the impression that I can outrun the 77-million-person mob that voted in favor of racism, misogyny, violence and corruption. All I can do is join the rest of the world in bracing for what comes next. Lisa Bernardi is a freelance writer specializing in personal finance and international relocation. Lisa’s multifaceted professional life frequently takes her across the globe; she has lived in four countries, speaks three languages, and holds two international degrees. She is currently based in Barcelona. This article originally appeared on HuffPost in December 2024. Also in Goodful: 20 Wholesome Posts I Found On The Internet This Week That Are So Urgently Needed Right Now Also in Goodful: 19 “Garbage” Modern Trends People Refuse To Partake In Despite Their Popularity Also in Goodful: Medical Professionals Are Sharing “Mundane” Things That Actually Make So Many People Sick Source link #Moved #Europe #Escape #U.S #Politics #Years #Ive #Terrifying #Realization Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

North Korea arrests senior official over warship launch failure – BBC North Korea arrests senior official over warship launch failure – BBC North Korea arrests senior official over warship launch failure BBCFailed Launch and Damage of the Second Guided Missile Destroyer Beyond ParallelNorth Korea Arrests 3 Over Failed Ship Launch That Angered Kim Jong-un The New York TimesNorth Korea detains officials over warship accident, state media says ReutersKim Jong Un fumes as North Korea’s new warship damaged due to “absolute carelessness” in launch accident CBS News Source link #North #Korea #arrests #senior #official #warship #launch #failure #BBC Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Marking Memorial Day from the Hallowed Ground of Iwo Jima, 80 Years Later Marking Memorial Day from the Hallowed Ground of Iwo Jima, 80 Years Later IWO JIMA – Eighty years ago, U.S. Marines launched one of the most brutal and iconic assaults of World War II on the remote volcanic island of Iwo Jima. To this day, veterans return to honor the fallen and remember the horrors they endured. It was in February of 1945 when nearly 70,000 U.S. Marines landed on this fierce battleground. What they encountered was unlike anything they’d faced before – an enemy they couldn’t see, a battlefield designed to kill, and a fight that would test every ounce of courage. Iwo Jima Veteran Frank Wright recalls, “They were fighting with anything they had, it was just immediate. They were fighting with shovels. They were fighting with rocks. They were fighting with their guns. Anything that they had… We weren’t going down again. We took that.” The Japanese defenders had turned the island itself into a weapon, fortifying it with hidden strongholds and miles of tunnels, all part of a deadly strategy that made every inch of ground a fight to the death. James Oelke-Farley, WWII Historian, explains, “Oftentimes, the United States service members never saw a Japanese person. So it is an odd battle for us. And it’s the Japanese at this time of the war using a thing called ‘fuku’ in Japanese, which is defense in depth… They knew they were going to die. There was no going home from Iwo Jima. Every single man on that island knew that this was the end, and they fought accordingly.” When the Marines landed on Iwo Jima, most of them didn’t see a whole lot of enemy soldiers. That’s because there weren’t many of them in the open, even though there were up to 23,000 enemy troops on the island. They weren’t on the island so much as in the island. The Japanese were hidden in caves – they had dug almost 11 miles of caves throughout the island, some of them as many as seven stories tall under Mount Suribachi. So, when the U.S. dropped bombs on the island and struck with artillery, they really didn’t kill too many of the enemy troops because they were all safely underground. Amid the chaos and carnage, a single moment gave the nation hope: the raising of the American flag atop Mount Suribachi which became an iconic photo from that battle. But for the men still fighting, it was just the beginning. Oelke-Farley says, “Battle for Iwo Jima is 36 days in length. A lot of people talk about the flag raising, which happened on the fourth day, like that’s the culmination of the battle, when in reality, it was just the very beginning of the battle. It is an island that saw 6,821 Americans killed in action… a thousand men a day dying on an island in the middle of the Pacific.” Iwo Jima Veteran Charles Cram recalls, “I didn’t know what to think. I mean, they told us not to get real too happy over the thing. The war wasn’t over. It wasn’t over at all. We were still gonna have to push to the other end of the island.” Red Beach is quiet and peaceful today. But on that day, the day of the invasion, it was nothing but blood and chaos and courage. Up and down this beach, the men who landed here did so with very little hope of ever getting home unscathed. And you have to think about the high value they must have placed on what they were doing to continue to charge this beach, even over the bodies of the 566 men who died here on the first day alone. The cost was staggering. More Americans died on Iwo Jima than in any other Pacific battle. But the lessons learned would shape the future of warfare and medicine for decades to come. Oelke-Farley explains, “We spent ten-odd years in Iraq, 14, 15 years in Afghanistan combined. In that *******, we lost less fewer men than we lost on the island of Iwo in 36 days. That’s a frightening statistic. But it also is an amazing statistic, telling you the advances of military medicine, telling you the advances in tactics and strategy. We learned the lessons from this battle and continue to teach them in our war colleges.” For many who served, the memories are carved deeper than the island’s caves—and the cost of victory still echoes today. Iwo Jima veteran Wright says, “War is hell. I gave a speech to the Rotary Club about war—what war is. Don’t… don’t send the kids in there.” Eight decades later, the veterans who survived Iwo Jima are now in their late 90s or older. So few remain; this may be the last year any of them are able to return, to walk these beaches once more and honor the comrades they left behind. James Caminiti, another Iwo Jima veteran, tells CBN News, “My daughter-in-law says to me, ‘Why are they always honoring you for?’ I says, ‘Not honoring me. They honor the service.’ And I says, ‘The real people that should be honored—the people that’s in the ground.’ I said, ‘Those are the heroes and not the ones that came back, you know?'” ​ Source link #Marking #Memorial #Day #Hallowed #Ground #Iwo #Jima #Years Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Asian stocks, euro gain after Trump delays EU tariffs Asian stocks, euro gain after Trump delays EU tariffs Stock markets across Asia have edged higher and the euro has rallied after President Donald Trump abruptly extended by more than a month his threat to slap 50 per cent tariffs on EU goods, marking another temporary reprieve as part of his erratic trade policy. Trump agreed on Sunday to extend his deadline for trade talks until July 9, from the June 1 deadline he set on Friday, after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the bloc needed more time to “reach a good deal”. Market sentiment had been steadying after a sharp selloff across most assets last month as Trump paused his growth-denting tariffs and investors were keen on fresh trade deals after a pact with *** and a temporary agreement with China. However, Trump’s latest policy moves were a reminder to investors how quickly circumstances could change and analysts have been pointing out that investors are shifting their money out of the US to Europe and Asia as they price in a possible US recession and a consequent global slowdown. “(The tariffs are) well above the 20 per cent original reciprocal tariff on the EU. The US, EU, and China account for 60 per cent of global GDP and so this escalation bodes ill for the entire world,” analysts at Brown Brothers Harriman said in a note. Apple was also caught in the trade crossfire on Friday, after Trump threatened a 25 per cent levy on all imported iPhones bought by US consumers. On Monday, MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan inched up 0.12 per cent, while Japan’s Nikkei was marginally higher. Trading volumes on Monday are expected to be thin given that markets in the United States and the United Kingdom are closed due to public holidays. Japan’s Nippon Steel’s jumped 4.3 per cent after Trump on Friday expressed support for the company’s $US14.9 billion ($A22.8 billion) bid for US Steel, saying their “planned partnership” would create jobs and help the American economy. Shares of US Steel soared 21 per cent on Friday. Super-long Japanese bonds will be in focus, with inflation data expected later in the week as investors try to gauge the Bank of Japan’s monetary policy outlook. Yields on the tenors hit record levels last week. Ballooning debt levels in developed economies were also brought back into focus following Moody’s credit rating downgrade of the United States and weak debt auctions in the US and Japan last week. China’s blue-chip index slipped 0.2 per cent in early trading on Monday, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index dipped 0.4 per cent. Among currencies, the euro strengthened 0.3 per cent to $1.1397 to touch its highest since April 30, while the greenback recovered as much as 0.3 per cent to 143.085 yen, after diving one per cent on Friday. On Wednesday, an earnings report from artificial intelligence bellwether Nvidia will be in the spotlight – the last of the “Magnificent Seven” group of growth stocks that had spearheaded a more than two-year US bull market. Analysts said the semiconductor giant’s quarterly report could be the next catalyst for markets, given its forecasts are seen as an indication of demand for tech infrastructure. Nvidia’s shares are down more than two per cent this year after investors took notice of cheaper ******** AI models in the aftermath of DeepSeek’s release, while CEO Jensen Huang has flagged that US export curbs will also hit sales. Reuters reported on Saturday that Nvidia will launch a new AI chipset for China at a significantly lower price, subject to US government approval. On the commodities front, crude prices traded higher, while gold eased marginally from a two-week high. Source link #Asian #stocks #euro #gain #Trump #delays #tariffs Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Aid entering Gaza “woefully” inadequate Aid entering Gaza “woefully” inadequate Dr. Alaa Al-Najjar found out Israeli strikes killed nine of her children as they she was working in one of the few hospitals still standing. The tragedy unfolded as aid is still being heavily restricted in Gaza. Dr. Aqsa Durrani of Doctors Without Borders joins MSNBC’s Ayman Mohyeldin, Catherine Rampell and Antonia Hylton to discuss what she calls an “ethnic cleansing plan” in Gaza. Source link #Aid #entering #Gaza #woefully #inadequate Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

The No. 1 country Americans want to move to: survey The No. 1 country Americans want to move to: survey U.S. travel to Portugal has boomed in recent years, and it’s now the No. 1 country where Americans are hoping to move abroad. That’s according to a survey of 116,363 Americans who looked into leaving the U.S. throughout 2024 administered by Expatsi, a company that provides relocation tours and expat resources. Visitors to Expatsi’s website are invited to complete a 20-question assessment to see which country might suit them best, based on their lifestyle preferences (like weather and local policy), future plans (like studying or working), financial means and other factors. Survey-takers are asked about the countries they’re most interested in learning more about. The top-requested countries include: PortugalSpainUKCanadaItalyIrelandFranceMexicoNew ZealandCosta Rica Portugal is also the No. 1 most recommended country to survey-takers based on the preferences they select in the assessment, followed by France, Spain, Greece and Switzerland. Why Americans want to move abroad The top reason people give for wanting to move out of the U.S. is for adventure, enrichment and growth, according to the survey. Some 56% of respondents say the U.S. is too conservative, while 53% feel the country is too divided. Roughly half of the expat-curious say they want to move for more or different freedoms, and to avoid the threat of gun violence; 41% say they hope to save money while living abroad. Two-thirds of Expatsi’s test-takers say they want to leave the U.S. by 2026, with 12% saying they hope to move in the next six months. Thirty percent hope to retire abroad, 18% are seeking a digital nomad visa, and 17% say they will move with a skilled worker visa. More Americans have considered moving abroad since the 2024 presidential elections. A CNBC analysis of U.S. Google search data showed a spike in users searching for terms related to “how to move to X country” beginning in June 2024. Site traffic to Expatsi spiked to nearly 51,000 visitors in the month of November, up from roughly 8,000 in October, following President Donald Trump’s re-election. The business of moving abroad is booming Interest in Expatsi’s resources tend to rise after contentious political events, says Jen Barnett, who co-founded the company with her husband Brett Andrews in 2022 and saw a first wave of interest after the Roe v. Wade decision was overturned that summer. Now, their business is booming. Expatsi’s revenue is up 19,632% year-over-year, according to documents reviewed by CNBC Make It, as the company sold a growing suite of products including relocation scouting trips, one-on-one consultations and tickets to events like a conference in San Antonio starting Friday and running through the weekend, where over 300 guests will hear from speakers to learn about the process of moving abroad: from obtaining a visa and moving your finances overseas, to choosing the right neighborhood and finding a job as a foreigner. The company helped more than 200 people go on relocation tours in 2024, Barnett tells CNBC Make It. “About 5% are fully moved, and another 25% are in the paperwork stage, meaning they’ve filed visa applications or have appointments to file,” she says. Want to boost your confidence, income and career success? Take one (or more!) of Smarter by CNBC Make It’s expert-led online courses, which aim to teach you the critical skills you need to succeed that you didn’t learn in school. Topics include earning passive income online, mastering communication and public speaking skills, acing your job interview, and practical strategies to grow your wealth. Use coupon code MEMORIAL to purchase any course at a discount of 30% off the regular course price (plus tax). Offer valid from 12:00 am Eastern Time (“ET”) on May 19, 2025, through 11:59 pm ET on June 2, 2025. Terms and restrictions apply. Plus, sign up for CNBC Make It’s newsletter to get tips and tricks for success at work, with money and in life, and request to join our exclusive community on LinkedIn to connect with experts and peers. Source link #country #Americans #move #survey Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

CNBC Daily Open: Investors don't feel as threatened by Trump's tariffs – CNBC CNBC Daily Open: Investors don't feel as threatened by Trump's tariffs – CNBC CNBC Daily Open: Investors don’t feel as threatened by Trump’s tariffs CNBCThe Stock Market Had a Bad Week. It’s Your Fault. Barron’sVIX ‘Fear Gauge’ Jumps After Tariff Broadside WSJStock Market Ignoring Trump’s Trade War After Wild April Ride Bloomberg.comTrump’s new tariff threats may shake stocks’ rally as investors brace for a long, hot summer MarketWatch Source link #CNBC #Daily #Open #Investors #don039t #feel #threatened #Trump039s #tariffs #CNBC Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

North Korea arrests senior official over warship launch failure North Korea arrests senior official over warship launch failure North Korea has arrested a fourth official over the failed launch of a new warship that has enraged the country’s leader, Kim Jong Un. Ri Hyong-son, deputy director of the ruling Workers’ Party’s Munitions Industry Department, was “largely responsible for the serious accident” last week, state-run news agency KCNA said on Monday. The 5,000-ton destroyer had tipped over and damaged its hull, in what Kim had described as a “criminal act” that “severely damaged the [country’s] dignity and pride”. The vessel is being repaired under the guidance of an expert group, KCNA said. Mr Ri, who is part of the party’s Central Military Commission, is the highest level official arrested over the incident so far. The commission commands the Korean People’s Army and is responsible for developing and implementing North Korea’s military policies. Over the weekend, Pyongyang also detained three officials at the northern Chongjin shipyard, where the destroyer was built and where its launch failed. These include shipyard’s chief engineer, its construction head and an administrative manager. Kim earlier said Wednesday’s incident was caused by “absolute carelessness, irresponsibility and unscientific empiricism”. It is not clear what punishment they might face, but the authoritarian state has a woeful human rights record. It is uncommon for North Korea to publicly disclose local accidents, though it has done this a handful of times in the past after failed satellite launches. Some analysts believe Kim’s swift and severe response was meant as a signal that Pyongyang will continue to advance its military capabilities. “This sends a clear message to South Korea and the US that North Korea isn’t going to stop in trying to repair and strengthen its naval technology,” Edward Howell, a North Korea expert at Oxford University told ABC news. A commentary on Seoul-based Daily NK, a news outlet focussing on North Korea, suggests that Kim’s “transparency, however reluctant” shows he views naval modernisation as such a critical priority, and that “even public failures cannot derail the broader narrative of military advancement”. Last week’s shipyard accident comes weeks after North Korea unveiled a similar warship in another part of the country. Kim had called that warship a “breakthrough” in modernising North Korea’s navy and said it would be deployed early next year. Source link #North #Korea #arrests #senior #official #warship #launch #failure Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump calls Putin ‘absolutely crazy’ after largest Russian attack on Ukraine Trump calls Putin ‘absolutely crazy’ after largest Russian attack on Ukraine US President Donald Trump has said he is “not happy” with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, following Moscow’s largest aerial attack yet on Ukraine. In a rare rebuke, Trump said: “What the hell happened to him? He’s killing a lot of people.” He later called Putin “absolutely crazy”. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky earlier said Washington’s “silence” over recent Russian attacks was encouraging Putin, urging “strong pressure” – including tougher sanctions – on Moscow. At least 12 people were killed and dozens injured in Ukraine overnight Sunday after Russia fired 367 drones and missiles – the highest number in a single night since Putin launched a full-scale invasion in 2022. Air sirens warning of incoming drones and missiles sounded again in many regions of Ukraine early on Monday. At least three people, including a child, were injured in the north-eastern city of Kharkiv, Mayor Ihor Terekhov said. Speaking to reporters in New Jersey late on Sunday, Trump said of Putin: “I’ve known him a long time, always gotten along with him, but he’s sending rockets into cities and killing people, and I don’t like it at all.” Shortly afterwards, Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social that Putin “has gone absolutely crazy”. “I’ve always said that he wants all of Ukraine, not just a piece of it, and maybe that’s proving to be right, but if he does, it will lead to the downfall of Russia!” But the US president also had strong words for Zelensky, saying that he “is doing his country no favours by talking the way he does”. “Everything out of his mouth causes problems, I don’t like it, and it better stop,” Trump wrote of Zelensky. Despite Kyiv’s European allies preparing further sanctions for Russia, the US has said it will either continue trying to broker these peace talks, or “walk away” if progress does not follow. Last week, Trump and Putin had a two-hour phone call to discuss a US-proposed ceasefire deal to halt the fighting. The US president said he believed the call had gone “very well”, adding that Russia and Ukraine would “immediately start” negotiations toward a ceasefire and “an end to the war”. Ukraine has publicly agreed to a 30-day ceasefire. Putin has only said Russia will work with Ukraine to craft a “memorandum” on a “possible future peace” – a move described by Kyiv and its European allies as delaying tactics. The first direct Ukrainian-Russian talks since 2022 were held on 16 May in Istanbul, Turkey. Aside from a major prisoner of war swap last week, there was little or no progress on bringing a pausing in fighting closer. Russia currently controls about 20% of Ukrainian territory. This includes Crimea – Ukraine’s southern peninsula annexed by Moscow in 2014. Source link #Trump #calls #Putin #absolutely #crazy #largest #Russian #attack #Ukraine Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Aussie shares shaky after Trump’s latest tariff threat Aussie shares shaky after Trump’s latest tariff threat The *********** share market is off to a shaky start as investors winced at Donald Trump’s latest trade war blow, which turned out to be a feint. By midday AEST, the S&P/ASX200 was almost flat, up 0.7 points, or 0.01 per cent, to 8,361.6, while the broader All Ordinaries rose 2.7 points, or 0.03 per cent, to 8,589.6. US markets fell on Friday after the US president threatened a 50 per cent tariff on European Union goods from June 1, claiming trade talks with the bloc were progressing too slowly. By Sunday, Mr Trump had delayed the duty imposition to July 9 after a phone call with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. “While Trump’s threat to impose a 50 per cent tariff on the EU is most likely a bargaining tactic, it adds pressure to finalise multiple trade agreements before the July 9 expiry of the reciprocal tariff pause, while continuing to complicate business decisions regarding capital expenditure and hiring,” IG Markets strategist Tony Sycamore said. A subsequent US dollar sell-off has helped the Aussie dollar rally to a nearly six-month high of 65.35 US cents. Four of 11 sectors were trading higher on Monday, with IT stocks up 1.7 per cent as WiseTech announced it would buy US cloud logistics provider E2open in a $US1.2 billion ($A3.2 billion) deal. The energy sector was the other stand-out, up 1.1 per cent as oil prices jumped on news of the EU tariff delay. Brent crude futures spiked as high as $US64.33 a barrel, before easing to $US64.06, while West Texas crude was trading just above $US62.04. The big four banks were all trading lower, with financials down 0.2 per cent after pushing more than 0.9 per cent higher last week with help from the Reserve Bank’s dovish rate cut on Tuesday. Investment and financial services juggernaut Macquarie Group bucked the trend, lifting 1.2 per cent to $208.77. Miners were a mixed bag, with the materials sector grinding less than 0.1 per cent higher, with Rio Tinto down 1.6 per cent, BHP trading flat and Fortescue each up 0.6 per cent. Gold miners were again heading higher as Trump’s trade threat pushed the safe haven higher over the weekend. Gold futures are trading at $US3,344 ($A5,120) an ounce, roughly fiver per cent short of their all-time peak. Cryptocurrency Bitcoin is heading higher after easing from a record-high last week and is now trading at $US109,700 ($A167,970). Last week’s breakout reflected a shift in the structure of digital asset markets, trading firm Zerocap’s Mark Hiriart said. “This isn’t your conventional retail-led speculation driving the surge,” he said. “Instead, it’s underpinned by sustained institutional demand.” The maturing of institutional investor infrastructure, including the rise of Bitcoin exchange traded funds (ETFs), was normalising what was a fringe portfolio choice 10 years ago, Mr Hiriart said. Utilities was the worst-performing sector, slipping 2.2 per cent as Origin plummeted 4.3 per cent after it flagged a $50 million hit to earnings via its stake in Octopus Energy, due to unseasonable warmth in the United Kingdom. The *********** dollar is buying 65.35 US cents, its highest level in six months as Trump’s tariff threats weighed on the greenback. The DXY US dollar strength index – which measure’s its value against a basket of major currencies – is at three-year lows for the second time in five weeks. Source link #Aussie #shares #shaky #Trumps #latest #tariff #threat Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

President Donald Trump hints at an announcement in the ‘next two days’ on Iran nuclear talks President Donald Trump hints at an announcement in the ‘next two days’ on Iran nuclear talks WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Sunday indicated there was progress with Iran on its nuclear program and hinted that an announcement could come in the “next two days.” He was notably more upbeat than the Omani mediator of the talks between the United States and Iran, who said Friday that the two nations made “some but not conclusive” progress in the fifth round of negotiations in Rome. “We’ve had some very, very good talks with Iran,” Trump told reporters in northern New Jersey after leaving his golf club, where he spent most of the weekend. “And I don’t know if I’ll be telling you anything good or bad over the next two days, but I have a feeling I might be telling you something good.” He emphasized that “we’ve had some real progress, serious progress” in talks that took place on Saturday and Sunday. “Let’s see what happens, but I think we could have some good news on the Iran front,” Trump said. ******** envoy Steve Witkoff and Michael Anton, the State Department’s policy planning director, represented the U.S. at the talks at the Omani Embassy in Rome. The two countries are discussing how to curb Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for lifting some economic sanctions that the U.S. has imposed on the Islamic Republic. Source link #President #Donald #Trump #hints #announcement #days #Iran #nuclear #talks Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump warns attempts to conquer all of Ukraine will lead to ‘downfall’ of Russia – The Guardian Trump warns attempts to conquer all of Ukraine will lead to ‘downfall’ of Russia – The Guardian Trump warns attempts to conquer all of Ukraine will lead to ‘downfall’ of Russia The GuardianTrump says he’s ‘not happy’ with Putin after massive Ukraine strike Fox NewsTrump Calls Putin “Absolutely Crazy” As Russia Intensifies Attack On Ukraine NDTVTrump Says He’s ‘Not Happy’ With Putin’s Escalation of Ukraine Attacks The New York TimesTrump Says He’s ‘Absolutely’ Weighing Sanctions Against Russia Bloomberg.com Source link #Trump #warns #attempts #conquer #Ukraine #lead #downfall #Russia #Guardian Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Machete ***** ban to 'choke the supply' of deadly weapon Machete ***** ban to 'choke the supply' of deadly weapon Selling machetes will be banned within days in one state under a plan to hasten its crackdown on rising knife crime. Source link #Machete #***** #ban #039choke #supply039 #deadly #weapon Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘I Had Sky-High Blood Pressure for Years, Now It’s 112/72—Here’s What I Did’ ‘I Had Sky-High Blood Pressure for Years, Now It’s 112/72—Here’s What I Did’ High blood pressure has become a reality for more and more Americans—in fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly half of adults have high blood pressure. This is concerning considering that high blood pressure can lead to heart attack, stroke and heart failure. While a high blood pressure reading may leave you feeling defeated, for many, it can inspire them to spring into action. And that’s what happened to 36-year-old Ashley (Aevie) Vielma. The Houston, Texas resident knew that her blood pressure was climbing, and she decided to do something about it. A History of Hypertension Vielma was aware of her family’s history with high blood pressure. She shares that her grandmother, mother and sister, along with other family members, have been diagnosed with high blood pressure. She also lacked a consistent exercise routine, and it didn’t help that she ate a “poor diet” that was high in salty, processed foods and saturated fats. She also admits that low-quality sleep was to blame. “I would fall asleep with my phone and rarely got more than six hours of sleep each night,” she says, adding that she was always stressed out and dehydrated. Consequently, Vielma became pre-hypertensive in her late 20s in 2015, with a reading of 125/82. “My worst number was 128/95 in 2019 during an acute ******* of high anxiety and stress,” she says. “My doctor began monitoring my blood pressure regularly to make sure the elevated numbers were not sustained. Otherwise, I could have needed medication or hospitalization.” Related: Whether You’re Dealing With High Blood Pressure or Want to Avoid It in the Future, Here Are the 25 Best Foods to Eat Troubling Symptoms During this *******, Vielma says that she would get dizzy spells from time to time when she stood up quickly. “I was always tired!” she says. “I also struggled to maintain resilience. I was easily overwhelmed and my stress showed at work and at home.” Related: The One Habit That Can Lower Your Blood Pressure Overnight, According to a Cardiologist Taking Steps to Lower Blood Pressure That’s when Vielma decided to take matters into her own hands. She started walking regularly and doing low-impact exercise, such as Pilates. “I really enjoyed the classes at Club Pilates and it was easy to commit to it regularly,” she says. She also carefully listened to her doctor and began researching healthy habits in addition to the ones she was already weaving into her life. “Deep down, I knew that exercise alone would not be enough to reduce my blood pressure. I started getting six to eight hours of sleep regularly. I stopped screen-scrolling and set a timer on my bedroom lamp. It’s lights out at 10:00 p.m. now,” she says. She couldn’t believe how much exercise and high-quality sleep were positively impacting her mind and body. “My mood improved and I had a lot more energy,” she reveals. Then she tackled her diet. She shares that despite how much she enjoyed indulging in her favorite foods, she ultimately knew that it was taking a toll on her health. That’s when she started drinking at least two liters of water daily, which made it easier to feel satisfied instead of overeating at every meal. She looked at the salt, **** and sugar content on nutrition labels—particularly since those ingredients can affect hormone levels and the cardiovascular system. Instead of salting her food, she used herbs to increase flavor. When she goes out to eat, she orders dressing or sauce on the side and cuts things with lemon juice to reduce the sodium. In general, fibrous veggies and lean proteins are a big part of her diet. Additionally, she made breathing and mindfulness top priorities in her life. She now uses meditation techniques to stay present, something that contributed to lowering her blood pressure. “Before, I was always thinking about what happens next or how I could have done something differently or better,” she says. “Now I focus on one or two things at a time and I let the past go. This stops my mind from becoming overwhelmed, overthinking about everything little that went wrong, or all that needs to be accomplished in a week or a month.” As a result of all of her impressive efforts, her blood pressure has stayed around 112/72 since 2020. She keeps a digital blood pressure monitor in her night table to keep track of her numbers daily. Related: Want to Prevent Heart Disease? A Huge Study Says This Is the Exact Blood Pressure You Should Aim For Sticking With Good Habits Today, Vielma is an instructor at Club Pilates, the very fitness studio that first fostered her fitness routine, and she continues to practice healthy lifestyle habits. But she never feels as if she’s officially out of the woods. “It’s definitely easier to stay active now as a Club Pilates instructor, but I will always keep monitoring my blood pressure to make sure I’m staying in a healthy range,” she says. “If I ever need additional resources, such as medication, I will pursue that option.” Vielma has learned just how important blood pressure is when it comes to overall health. She advises, “If you have a family history of high blood pressure, or had an elevated reading, and are not on medication, at least invest in a monitor to track your numbers at home. A monitor is affordable and can be a lifesaving device if a crisis ever arises.” Related: This Easy Diet Tweak Can Lower Blood Pressure—and No, It’s Not Less Salt Sources ‘I Had Sky-High Blood Pressure for Years, Now It’s 112/72—Here’s What I Did’ first appeared on Parade on May 25, 2025 Source link #SkyHigh #Blood #Pressure #Years #11272Heres Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

'The Last of Us' season 2 finale live — reactions, major moments, recap and more – Tom's Guide 'The Last of Us' season 2 finale live — reactions, major moments, recap and more – Tom's Guide ‘The Last of Us’ season 2 finale live — reactions, major moments, recap and more Tom’s Guide’The Last of Us’ finale ends after a season’s worth of table-setting NPR’The Last of Us’ Season 2 finale recap: Who dies? Who lives? USA TodayA ‘The Last of Us’ Fan Base Divided Cannot Stan The Ringer‘The Last of Us’ Season 2 Finale — Release Time, Date, Plot, Cast and How to Watch Us Weekly Source link #039The #Us039 #season #finale #live #reactions #major #moments #recap #Tom039s #Guide Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

National Reconciliation Week to highlight powerful call for unity and action in the Pilbara National Reconciliation Week to highlight powerful call for unity and action in the Pilbara The Pilbara is joining communities across Australia in a powerful reflection on the nation’s past and a united push toward a more inclusive future, during National Reconciliation Week. Speaking with the North West Telegraph, Reconciliation WA chief executive Jody Nunn highlighted the importance of this year’s theme: Bridging Now to Next. “This year’s theme really plays into where we’re at now, where we just had a State and Federal election and I think what Australians voted for was unity over division, primarily,” she said. “We’ve got to think about things differently and really challenge how we go about it, and of course, from a reconciliation perspective, we strongly advocate for Aboriginal people to be at the heart of decision-making. “In the Pilbara, of all places, how is it that in 2025, we have Save the Children and 54 Reasons working on the ground, in one of the most prosperous areas in the world. “We’ve got to ask ourselves some pretty tough questions as we face forward, and how do we create equity and equality for First Nations people and Torres Strait Islander people.” The Pilbara’s legacy of resistance and resilience adds even greater depth to the region’s role in Reconciliation Week. It was here, in 1946, that 800 Aboriginal workers staged the first organised industrial strike since colonisation, challenging decades of indentured labour and demanding fair treatment. “When we look at the closing the gap statistics, they’re not moving even remotely in the direction where we need them to move,” Ms Nunn said. “But we’ve also got some really amazing success stories; the Pilbara is one of those. “There are a range of programs led by Aboriginal organisations, which are fantastic and real examples of how people can stay on country and continue to care for country. “There is a number of languages that are reawakening and that are being handed on to the next generation. “So we don’t want to just look at the deficit, we want to look at the many success stories there are, and there are many in the Pilbara.” Ms Nunn said her hope for reconciliation in the future was for all Australians to understand the country’s history. “We’ve had to learn a lot of lessons along the way and we have had very tough policies; the 1905 Assimilation Act was one of the toughest policies against Aboriginal people globally, still even to this day. “We have a history we need to understand and if we understand that, then we can be better for the future. “Sometimes people feel that it’s insurmountable; that there’s too many challenges but the whole success of the reconciliation model is based on having lots of people nudging the agenda forward, not just one or two, but that a community that cares broadly.” In Newman, a live stream of the Reconciliation WA Virtual Breakfast from Boorloo Perth will be held on May 27, as well as local activities and guest speakers. In Port Hedland, there will be a range of free events and activities, including Indigenous Australians’ arts and crafts, a traditional Aboriginal dance workshop and an evening of music under the stars with multi-award-winning artists Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse on Friday, May 30 at the JD Hardie Youth and Community Hub. For more information on National Reconciliation Week, head to www.recwa.org.au/nrw-2025. Source link #National #Reconciliation #Week #highlight #powerful #call #unity #action #Pilbara Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘Elections do not change the Constitution’: Judges pump brakes on Trump’s disregard for due process ‘Elections do not change the Constitution’: Judges pump brakes on Trump’s disregard for due process ‘Elections do not change the Constitution’: Judges pump brakes on Trump’s disregard for due process Source link #Elections #change #Constitution #Judges #pump #brakes #Trumps #disregard #due #process Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Álex Palou wins Indianapolis 500, Kyle Larson’s quest for the ‘Double’ comes to an end after wreck – CNN Álex Palou wins Indianapolis 500, Kyle Larson’s quest for the ‘Double’ comes to an end after wreck – CNN Álex Palou wins Indianapolis 500, Kyle Larson’s quest for the ‘Double’ comes to an end after wreck CNNIndy 500 champ Alex Palou takes in Pacers-Knicks, caps off big Indiana sports day FOX Sports3-time IndyCar champ Palou wins 1st Indy 500 ESPNAlex Palou wins the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 IndyStarIndianapolis 500 updates Fox 59 Source link #Álex #Palou #wins #Indianapolis #Kyle #Larsons #quest #Double #wreck #CNN Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

WiseTech’s biggest deal with $3.25b expansion in US WiseTech’s biggest deal with $3.25b expansion in US WiseTech Global will borrow $3 billion to fund its expansion in the US as the logistics software firm aims to put a series of sex scandals surrounding founder and executive chair Richard White behind it and focus on growth. The $33.5b listed company first flagged its intention to acquire e2open earlier this month and on Monday revealed it had secured a $US2.1b ($3.25b) deal to pick up the Texas-based firm. Its biggest-ever purchase, WiseTech said bringing on board e2open would result in a strategically significant change in global scale and reach, adding adjacent markets, customer bases and product capabilities which would allow it to create a global trade and logistics marketplace. The deal, priced at $US3.30 a share, will be fully funding through a new syndicated debt facility from a lender group comprising “a well-diversified mix of leading domestic and international banks”. With 4000 employees, e2open operates in more than 20 countries and provides a connected supply chain software platform, tracking more than 18 billion transactions a year. WiseTech shares spiked 5.6 per cent on the new to $105.64. The purchase continues a decade-long run of acquisitions by WiseTech, with 55 deals done over that time worth $US1.2b. Mr White described it as a pivotal moment in WiseTech’s development, adding was a “huge step” toward the company’s goal of being the operating system of choice for global trade and logistics. He said it would expand WiseTech’s customer base with a network of 500,000 connected enterprises in adjacent markets including connectivity to major ocean carriers, about 5600 customers and 250-plus blue-chip customers. “This will enable WiseTech to create a multi-sided marketplace that connects all trade and logistics stakeholders to efficiently offer and acquire services, removing complex disconnected processes and driving visibility, predictability and cost savings through the value chain,” he said. “E2open also expands WiseTech’s product capabilities with an experienced team of people with industry expertise and innovative product development skills that will further accelerate our organic growth capability. “In bringing the two companies together, we see tremendous opportunity for synergies, efficiencies, economies of scale and enhanced customer benefits, which unlocks the potential in e2open’s suite of products. “This is a great deal for WiseTech’s business and e2open’s shareholders, for all our customers, the industry and ultimately the end consumer.” The size and scale of the deal will also help WiseTech shift the spotlight off Mr White, who stepped down last year as the company’s chief executive amid a board investigation into his relationship with employees. However, he controversially regained control in February as executive chairman, despite a board-commissioned investigation finding he failed to fully disclose personal relationships with employees. His return was preceded by the departure of four independent directors who had voiced concern about his ongoing influence. WiseTech and Mr White are still facing shareholder unrest over his return to the company, though the billionaire told the Macquarie conference n Sydney three weeks ago he was committed to “top-notch” corporate governance. E2open generated revenue of $US608 million in the year to the end of February Chief executive Andrew Appel said both businesses had complementary products across transport, logistics, supply and demand ecosystems and were poised to make better use of technology, data, automation and artificial intelligence. “This strategic combination empowers our people, and our customers who make, move, and sell goods and services to unlock new levels of efficiency and sustainability,” Mr Appel said. “As the connected supply chain platform, we are excited to join forces with WiseTech to create a truly global, intelligent logistics ecosystem as we jointly lead the digital transformation of our industry.” WiseTech said it expects the deal to be earnings-per-share accretive in year one, before accounting for synergies. Source link #WiseTechs #biggest #deal #3.25b #expansion Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]