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Boys, 10, arrested on suspicion of burglary Boys, 10, arrested on suspicion of burglary Three 10-year-old boys have been arrested on suspicion of burglary. It followed reports of damage at a caravan park and a burglary at a property on Lunefield Drive in Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria, on Friday. One of the boys has also been questioned on suspicion of criminal damage and a racially aggravated public order offence. Cumbria Police said all three were later released on conditional bail. Also on Friday, a video emerged on social media showing a handcuffed boy seemingly of primary school age. Cumbria Police said this followed a report from a member of the public who said they had been threatened with a penknife near the River Lune. No knife was found and the handcuffs were later removed. Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Related internet links Source link #Boys #arrested #suspicion #burglary Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

The Action Network: NASCAR odds, picks, predictions for Coca-Cola 600 – NASCAR.com The Action Network: NASCAR odds, picks, predictions for Coca-Cola 600 – NASCAR.com The Action Network: NASCAR odds, picks, predictions for Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR.comWhat to Watch: Coca-Cola 600 presents marathon test of endurance at Charlotte NASCAR.comWhat to watch for in tonight’s Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway NBC SportsBriscoe, Larson qualify 1-2 for Coca-Cola 600 ESPNKyle Larson racing Indy 500, Coca-Cola 600: ‘Going to be really, really tough’ USA Today Source link #Action #Network #NASCAR #odds #picks #predictions #CocaCola #NASCAR.com Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Israel’s latest strikes in Gaza kill 38 people including children – National Israel’s latest strikes in Gaza kill 38 people including children – National Israeli strikes over the past 24 hours killed at least 38 people in Gaza, including a mother and her two children sheltering in a tent, local health officials said Sunday, with no data available for a second straight day from now-inaccessible hospitals in the north. Further details also emerged of the local doctor who lost nine of her 10 children in an Israeli strike on Friday. Gaza’s Health Ministry said 3,785 people have been killed in the territory since Israel ended a ceasefire and renewed its offensive in March, vowing to destroy ****** and return the 58 hostages it still holds from the Oct. 7, 2023, attack that triggered the war. Israel also blocked the import of all food, medicine and fuel for 2 1/2 months before letting a trickle of aid enter last week, after experts’ warnings of famine and pressure from some of Israel’s top allies. Story continues below advertisement Israel has been pursuing a new plan to tightly control all aid to Gaza, which the United Nations has rejected. Israel also says it plans to seize full control of Gaza and facilitate what it describes as the voluntary migration of much of its population of over 2 million Palestinians, a plan rejected by Palestinians and much of the international community. Experts say it would likely violate international law. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. The new strike on the tent housing displaced people that killed the mother and children occurred in the central city of Deir al-Balah, according to al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital. A strike in the Jabaliya area of northern Gaza killed at least five, including two women and a child, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. More on World More videos Only one of pediatrician Alaa al-Najjar’s 10 children survived the Israeli strike on their home Friday near the southern city of Khan Younis. Both the 11-year-old and al-Najjar’s husband, also a doctor, were badly hurt. The charred remains of the other children were brought to the morgue in a single body bag, said a fellow pediatrician at Nasser Hospital, Alaa al-Zayan. The home was struck minutes after Hamdi al-Najjar had driven his wife to the hospital. His brother Ismail al-Najjar, was first to arrive at the scene. “They were innocent children,” the brother said, with the youngest 7 months old. “And my brother has no business with (************) factions.” Story continues below advertisement Israel on Saturday said “the claim regarding harm to uninvolved civilians is under review.” It says it tries to avoid harming civilians and blames ****** for their deaths because it operates in densely populated areas. There was no immediate comment from the military on the latest strikes. Trending Now U.S. senators urge Canada to ‘give us another chance’ on trade, tourism RFK Jr. asks ********* regulator to reconsider ostrich cull at B.C. farm ******-led militants killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, in the Oct. 7 attack and abducted 251 people. Around a third of the remaining hostages are believed to be alive, after most of the rest were released in ceasefire agreements or other deals. Israel’s 19-month offensive has killed over 53,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which says women and children make up most of the dead. It does not provide figures for the number of civilians or combatants killed. The offensive has destroyed vast areas of Gaza and displaced around 90% of the territory’s population, often multiple times. A missile from the Houthis Separately, Israel’s military said it intercepted a missile fired by Yemen’s Houthi rebels on Sunday. It triggered air raid sirens in Jerusalem and other areas. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage. The Iran-backed Houthis have launched repeated missile attacks targeting Israel as well as international shipping in the Red Sea, portraying it as a response to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. Most of the targeted ships had no relation to Israel or the conflict. Story continues below advertisement The United States halted a punishing bombing campaign against the Houthis earlier this month, saying the rebels had pledged to stop attacking ships. That informal ceasefire did not include attacks on Israel. &copy 2025 The ********* Press Source link #Israels #latest #strikes #Gaza #kill #people #including #children #National Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Lowly Chennai spring upset over high flying Gujarat Lowly Chennai spring upset over high flying Gujarat Dewald Brevis scored 57 runs off 23 ****** as bottom side Chennai Super Kings wrapped up their Indian Premier League season in style by routing first-placed Gujarat Titans by 83 runs. Chennai won the toss and scored 5-230 in their 20 overs with Devon Conway hitting a 35-ball 52. In reply, Gujarat were dismissed for 147 in 18.3 overs. Gujarat, Punjab Kings, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Mumbai Indians have already secured playoff spots. Gujarat finished with 18 points from 14 games but their spot in the top two is under threat. Second-placed Punjab (17 points) and fourth-placed Mumbai (16 points) meet on Monday in their last game, and Bengaluru (17 points) face Lucknow Super Giants on Tuesday. Opener Ayush Mhatre gave Chennai a good start with a 17-ball 34. The big runs came from two overseas batters – New Zealander Conway providing the base, with South Africa’s Brevis attacking toward the end. Conway hit six fours and two sixes. Brevis got four fours and five sixes. Urvil Patel (37 off 19) and Ravindra Jadeja (21 not out off 18) also contributed as Chennai put up a strong total. Gujarat’s chase started badly, reduced to 3-30 in 4.3 overs, and their middle-order disappointed despite the chance to take an insurmountable points lead at the top. Sai Sudharsan top-scored with 41 off 28 ******. Pacer Anshul Kamboj finished with 3-13, and wrist spinner Noor Ahmed 3-21. Ravindra Jadeja, who opened the bowling, took 2-17. It was Chennai’s fourth win in 14 IPL matches. Source link #Lowly #Chennai #spring #upset #high #flying #Gujarat Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

French President Macron hopes for defence, energy and tech deals as he starts Asia trip French President Macron hopes for defence, energy and tech deals as he starts Asia trip PARIS (Reuters) -French President Emmanuel Macron said on Sunday that he hoped to strike deals for France in areas such as defence, energy and tech innovation, as he arrived in Vietnam for the start of a roughly week-long trip in Asia. Macron arrived in Hanoi on Sunday, marking the first trip to Vietnam by a French president in nearly a decade. After Vietnam, Macron will then go to Indonesia and finish up in Singapore, where he will speak at the annual Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia’s top defence conference. Macron’s visit comes as France and the European Union aim to strengthen their commercial ties in Asia to offset uncertainty over U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff measures. “I am coming here to strengthen our ties in key areas – defence, innovation, the energy transition, and cultural exchanges,” wrote Macron on X. Macron will present France and Europe as defenders of international cooperation and rules-based trade, at a time when other world powers such as the U.S. under Trump and China use more “coercive” or “predatory” methods. “France is a reliable partner, one which believes in dialogue and co-operation,” Macron also wrote on X on Sunday. (Reporting by Zhifan Liu, Elizabeth Pineau and Michel Rose;Editing by Sudip Kar-Gupta) Source link #French #President #Macron #hopes #defence #energy #tech #deals #starts #Asia #trip Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Israeli Airstrike Kills at Least 7 of a Doctor’s Children, Gaza Officials Say – The New York Times Israeli Airstrike Kills at Least 7 of a Doctor’s Children, Gaza Officials Say – The New York Times Israeli Airstrike Kills at Least 7 of a Doctor’s Children, Gaza Officials Say The New York TimesFather of nine children killed by Israeli strike still in critical condition BBCGaza doctor loses 9 children as Israel bears down on war NBC NewsGaza pediatrician and mother loses 9 of 10 children after Israeli airstrike hits their home, hospital says ABC NewsIsraeli strikes kill 23 in Gaza, including rescue service official and local journalist Reuters Source link #Israeli #Airstrike #Kills #Doctors #Children #Gaza #Officials #York #Times Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Macron hopes for defence, energy and tech deals in Asia Macron hopes for defence, energy and tech deals in Asia French President Emmanuel Macron is hoping to strike defence, energy and tech innovation deal, as he arrived in Vietnam for the start of a roughly week-long trip in Asia. Macron arrived in Hanoi on Sunday, marking the first trip to Vietnam by a French president in nearly a decade. After Vietnam, Macron will then go to Indonesia and finish up in Singapore, where he will speak at the annual Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia’s top defence conference. Macron’s visit comes as France and the European Union aim to strengthen their commercial ties in Asia to offset uncertainty over US President Donald Trump’s tariff measures. “I am coming here to strengthen our ties in key areas – defence, innovation, the energy transition, and cultural exchanges,” Macron said on X. Macron will present France and Europe as defenders of international cooperation and rules-based trade, at a time when other world powers such as the US under Trump and China use more “coercive” or “predatory” methods. “France is a reliable partner, one which believes in dialogue and co-operation,” Macron said on X. Source link #Macron #hopes #defence #energy #tech #deals #Asia Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Face the Nation: Cindy McCain, Jack McCain, For Country Caucus Face the Nation: Cindy McCain, Jack McCain, For Country Caucus Face the Nation: Cindy McCain, Jack McCain, For Country Caucus – CBS News Watch CBS News Missed the second half of the show? World Food Programme Executive Director Cindy McCain, Navy veteran Jack McCain and House For Country Caucus members Reps. Seth Moulton, Zach Nunn and Don Davis join. Be the first to know Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not Now Turn On Source link #Face #Nation #Cindy #McCain #Jack #McCain #Country #Caucus Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Ukraine, Russia exchange massive air strikes amid POW swap Ukraine, Russia exchange massive air strikes amid POW swap May 25 (UPI) — The Ukrainian and Russian militaries exchanged massive air strikes overnight Saturday, even amid a planned swap of some 303 prisoners of war from each side. The Ukrainian Air Force said in a statement that Russia’s bombardment began around 8:40 p.m. Saturday, during which Russia launched some 367 air attack weapons. It was the second night of such a large-scale attack by Russia. Kyiv said it had shot down some 311 of them, including 45 cruise missiles and 266 drones. Still, some landed on Ukrainian territory. “The air attack was repelled by aviation, anti-aircraft missile troops, electronic warfare and unmanned systems units, and mobile fire groups of the Ukrainian Defense Forces,” the Ukrainian Air Force said in its statement. The Ukrainian Air Force said “most regions of Ukraine” were affected by Russia’s attack, with strikes recorded in at least 22 locations. The scope of the attack prompted the Armed Forces Operational Command of neighboring Poland, a NATO alliance member, to scramble jets in case it needed to defend its airspace, Polish officials said in a statement. When the strike ended, the Polish military said it had observed no violations of its airspace and that defense systems had returned to normal. “Unfortunately, last night, due to the barbaric attack of the Russians, there are dead and wounded, including children,” the Ukrainian Air Force said. “We express our condolences to the families of the victims and the wounded.” Russia’s Defense Ministry confirmed Sunday that it carried out a “massive strike” against “enterprises of the Ukrainian military-industrial complex” that it said make missile components, drones, explosives, rocket fuel and radios for the Ukrainian military. “The strike objectives have been achieved,” the Russian Defense Ministry said. “All designated targets have been hit.” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky insisted Sunday that the Russian strike was against “ordinary cities” and hit “ordinary residential buildings” in Ukraine. “In Kyiv, dormitories of the university’s history department were hit. There were also strikes on enterprises. Tragically, people were killed, including children,” Zelensky said. Zelensky called on world powers to levy new sanctions against Russia, which he said “is dragging out this war and continues to kill every day” as he criticized the “silence of America.” “Without truly strong pressure on the Russian leadership, this brutality cannot be stopped. Sanctions will certainly help,” he said. “The war can be stopped, but only through the necessary force of pressure on Russia.” Meanwhile, Russia’s Defense Ministry said in a statement that it too had defended against a large-scale air attack by Ukraine on Russian territory Saturday night. In total, Russia said it had intercepted and destroyed some 110 Ukrainian drones over the several Russian regions along the Ukraine-Russia border, including Moscow and the contested region of Crimea. The Russian Defense Ministry later said that its troops are continuing to advance every day to push Ukrainian troops further from the Russia border to create a protection zone for Russia’s civilian population. In another statement, the Russian Defense Ministry confirmed that 303 prisoners of war were returned from “territory controlled by the Kyiv regime” and that Russia handed over 303 Ukrainian soldiers in return. The Russian soldiers are currently undergoing psychological and medical assistance in Belarus, an ally of Russia. They will then be taken back to Russia for further treatment and rehabilitation at Russian military hospitals. In total, since Russia and Ukraine reached an agreement on May 16 in Istanbul, the two nations have swapped some 1,000 prisoners of war each. “303 Ukrainian defenders are home. The third part of the 1,000-for-1,000 exchange deal, agreed upon in Turkey, has been completed,” Zelensky said in a statement. “I thank the team that worked around the clock to successfully carry out this exchange. We will definitely bring every single one of our people back from Russian captivity.” Source link #Ukraine #Russia #exchange #massive #air #strikes #POW #swap Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

US military shifts messaging in Africa, telling allies to prepare to stand more on their own – AP News US military shifts messaging in Africa, telling allies to prepare to stand more on their own – AP News US military shifts messaging in Africa, telling allies to prepare to stand more on their own AP NewsView Full Coverage on Google News Source link #military #shifts #messaging #Africa #telling #allies #prepare #stand #News Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

PlayStation Days Of Play 2025 Deals Leaked, Includes Discounts On PS5 Pro, PS5 Slim & PSVR2 PlayStation Days Of Play 2025 Deals Leaked, Includes Discounts On PS5 Pro, PS5 Slim & PSVR2 The deals set to be offered in the PlayStation Days of Play 2025 ***** have been leaked, and they include discounts on PS5 Pro/PS5 slim/PSVR2. Source link #PlayStation #Days #Play #Deals #Leaked #Includes #Discounts #PS5 #Pro #PS5 #Slim #amp #PSVR2 Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Popyrin reaches for stars again after coaching shock Popyrin reaches for stars again after coaching shock Alexei Popyrin has revealed how the shock of being ditched by the coach he believed would guide him for the rest of his career has made his 2025 campaign such a difficult one. But as the *********** No.2 reflected on his upsetting split with Xavier Malisse, he’s adamant that, under a new co-coach Wayne Ferreira and armed with a fresh mindset, he can rediscover the sort of consistent excellence that brought him a breakthrough triumph at last year’s ********* Open. Speaking to AAP at the French Open, Popyrin admitted: “It’s not been the easiest season, but honestly, I think it’s been a massive learning curve for me. I’m in a great state of mind right now.” After his brilliant 2024, which also featured him beating Novak Djokovic at the US Open as he roared into the world’s top 25, Popyrin started this year “injured, not quite fit, sick and on antibiotics”, with his confidence down. But the biggest shock came at Indian Wells when Malisse, the Belgian known to his team as ‘X’ and the man who’d put an X-factor into the Aussie’s big game last year, told Popyrin he wouldn’t be co-coaching any more alongside the Sydneysider’s long-time mentor Neville Godwin. “It was really out of the blue for me. There was some things behind the scenes that maybe he didn’t kind of agree with,” said Popyrin. “X sat me down at Indian Wells and said he would finish there. It wasn’t an easy conversation for both of us, but I think it was for the better anyway, because you could kind of feel with the team atmosphere that something wasn’t right. “But it was still a shock, because after such a great season in 2024, this was a team I thought I would keep for the rest of my career. It’s not the easiest thing to go through. “But two years is a long time for people to spend together, and just sometimes, people lose that motivation and the drive to keep going. I guess that’s what happened there.” A fresh opportunity arose with Ferreira, the South African former world top-six player joining the team instead. “Wayne’s been an unbelievable addition,” enthused Popyrin. “His tennis IQ is really, really high. I put even more trust in what he and Nev say, and I’ve got a team around me I’m really comfortable with right now,” enthused Popyrin. Results have improved, as he reached the quarter-finals in Monte Carlo and, last week, Geneva — but Popyrin wants more. The Montreal win only reinforced his belief he can beat anyone on his day. It’s just consistency he’s after now. “I know I’m able to win these matches against top-10 players, these one-off tournaments, but then I’ll back it up with two or three first-round losses, and for me, that that’s really difficult to accept. “So I need to find a different way of of training, a different mentality, to win on a consistent basis.” And set to play Yoshihito Nishioka in the first round on Monday, he’s ready to deliver at a Roland Garros venue which will always hold special memories for him as a boys’ champion here. But the one-time wunderkind is no boy any more, having just won his 100th tour match in Geneva. “I got called a veteran at the start of this year, and I’m like, ‘what’s going on? I’m only 25 years old!’ It was a little bit of a shock,” he laughed. But these are Popyrin’s prime years. “Winning in Canada left me wanting more,” he says. “I’ve been doing this for now going on seven years, and I think I’ve still got a lot in me, still got a lot to improve. That’s the most exciting part.” Yes, it’s time for ‘Poppy’ to bloom. Source link #Popyrin #reaches #stars #coaching #shock Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

GOP senator hits Trump tax bill, says there are ‘enough’ Republican votes to ‘stop the process’ GOP senator hits Trump tax bill, says there are ‘enough’ Republican votes to ‘stop the process’ WASHINGTON − Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wisconsin, slammed a sweeping bill backed by President Donald Trump that poses major consequences for taxes, Medicaid, food stamps and more – and warned there are enough GOP senators ready to block it. The bill passed in the House by just one vote on May 22. Now, several Republican senators are sounding the alarm over the legislation’s price tag. It’s expected to add around $3.3 trillion to the nation’s deficit over the next 10 years and swell the federal government’s debt. Johnson predicted in an interview on CNN’s “State of the Union” that the number of Senate dissenters may be enough to tank the proposal. More: ******** border crossings have plunged. DHS still says it needs billions to build a wall. “I think we have enough to stop the process until the president gets serious about the spending reduction and reducing the deficit,” Johnson said May 25. Trump has urged Republicans to fall in line behind the bill that makes good on several of his 2024 campaign promises, including a temporary tax break on tips. Republicans control the upper chamber by a 53-47 margin, but several Senate conservatives aren’t convinced. “This is our moment,” Johnson told CNN’s Jake Tapper. “We have witnessed an unprecedented level of increased spending … This is our only chance to reset that to a reasonable pre-pandemic level.” The Wisconsin senator called for a different approach that tackles the country’s deficit before he could come on board. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-WI, speaks during the Senate Finance Committee confirmation hearing on Robert F. Kennedy Jr.â€s nomination for Secretary of Health and Human Services on Jan. 29, 2025, in Washington, DC. And Johnson isn’t the only Republican senator knocking the Trump-backed legislation. That’s because the bill also includes a $4 trillion increase in the debt ceiling, a measure that must be approved in order to prevent a catastrophic default on the country’s debt that could hit sometime in August. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Kentucky, said the raise is a serious hold up for him. “I still would support the bill, even with wimpy and anemic cuts,” he told Fox News Sunday May 25, “if they weren’t going to explode the debt. The problem is, the math doesn’t add up.” “It’s just, you know, not a serious proposal,” he added. U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson walks as the U.S. House of Representatives considers U.S. President Donald Trump’s sweeping tax-cut bill on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 19, 2025. REUTERS/Nathan Howard House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, followed Paul on the Sunday morning show, and when asked by host Shannon Bream about the senator’s criticism, Johnson said he agrees “wholeheartedly.” “I love his conviction, and I share it,” Johnson said. “The national debt is the greatest threat to our national security, and deficits are a serious problem.” But, he added, “You don’t turn an aircraft carrier on a dime. It takes a mile of open ocean. And so, it took us decades to get into this situation. This is a big step to begin to turn that aircraft carrier.” Contributing: Riley Beggin This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Republican senators slam Trump tax bill, say they could ‘stop’ it Source link #GOP #senator #hits #Trump #tax #bill #Republican #votes #stop #process Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

More kids are beating *******. Improving the rest of their lives is next. – The Washington Post More kids are beating *******. Improving the rest of their lives is next. – The Washington Post More kids are beating *******. Improving the rest of their lives is next. The Washington Post Source link #kids #beating #******* #Improving #rest #lives #Washington #Post Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Will Still appointed Southampton manager after leaving Lens Will Still appointed Southampton manager after leaving Lens Southampton have confirmed the appointment of 32-year-old Will Still as their new manager. He succeeds Ivan Juric, who left the club in April after relegation from the Premier League was confirmed with seven games to go. Still revealed last weekend that he would leave his position at Ligue 1 side Lens so that he could return to the ***. “There is huge potential here and we have a great opportunity to do something special,” said Still, who has signed a three-year deal. “The project that has been laid out to me is very impressive and, all together, I believe we can build a clear identity and a very positive future for the team. “I’m eager to get to work this summer and start building a close-knit group that can make everyone proud and ultimately get us back to where we belong; in the Premier League.” Group technical director Johannes Spors added: “Will is a young, innovative manager who has already gained significant experience, and we have been extremely impressed both by his track record and our conversations with him. “What was very apparent in our discussions was the clarity of his philosophy and the identity he wants his teams to have, but also his willingness and ability to adapt to different situations as they present themselves, which will be an important quality in the Championship next season. “We were very impressed by his personality and his values, and we feel he will be an excellent fit for the culture we are looking to build at Staplewood.” Lens have released a statement thanking the Englishman for his “investment” during his time at the club, adding that he “embodied the values of RCL through his resilience and his passionate and authentic personality”. The French side also confirmed that Still’s brothers, Edward and Nicolas, would also be leaving the club, though it is not yet confirmed whether or not they will be joining him at Southampton. Still is expected to be at St Mary’s on Sunday for the Saints’ final Premier League game of the season against Arsenal. Source link #appointed #Southampton #manager #leaving #Lens Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Smash Jump’s Best 100 Games Of All Time Smash Jump’s Best 100 Games Of All Time Figuring out the best games of all time is not an easy thing to do. We acknowledge that best games lists are inherently subjective. But that didn’t stop us from putting forward our own and our thoughts about each entry. While this is a ranked list, we strongly believe that each one of the featured games deserves to be played and appreciated for pushing boundaries and making video games so beloved. To make our list interesting and more diverse, we decided to feature what we think are the best iterations of the game in a franchise. For example, Halo 2 and 3 have upscaled the Halo: Combat Evolved formula in every possible way. While Combat Evolved has been influential for popularizing console FPS, we favor the superior Halo sequels. Please stay tuned as we update this list with new entries over the coming days! 100. The Secret of Monkey Island (1990) Nicole Rodrigues-Galdo: Who knew a 1990 point and click adventure game could be so captivating? Lucasfilm Games struck gold with The Secret of Monkey Island. The main protagonist, Guybrush Threepwood, is a far cry from your usual hero, blundering his way through every swashbuckling scenario and retaining his good nature and positive attitude; Guybrush is a classic underdog. Mêlée Island itself is full to the brim with eccentric individuals and challenging puzzles, creating a perfect blend of difficulty and comedy to keep you engaged. It may not look like much, but its simplicity, charm and wit have resonated with audiences for the last 34 years. With the recent releases of Return to Monkey Island and the Sea of Thieves DLC, The Legend of Monkey Island, it’s clear that the franchise has stood the test of time. Monkey Island remains a charming staple, one I continue to recommend to this day. 99. Psychonauts 2 (2021) Nicole Rodrigues-Galdo: 16 years is a long time to wait for a sequel, but the wait was worth it. Psychonauts 2 follows the first game right out of the gate, improving the combat, story and level design in all the best ways. Psychonauts 2 recognizes the importance of mental health and explores a thought-provoking story that educates players, while being incredibly engaging and fun. Most missions will have you entering a character’s mindscape combatting personifications of mental health, such as: Doubts which hold you back, Regrets that weigh you down, Enablers which will support enemies against you, and many more. There is something very therapeutic about defeating enemies and bosses that represent everyday struggles and coming out on top. 98. Star Wars Battlefront 2 (2005) Ashton Lovell: Star Wars Battlefront 2 takes all of the massive battles from the films; Storm Troopers vs Rebels, Clones vs Droids; and drops you directly into the action either alone or with a group of friends via co-op. Battlefront II was a staple PlayStation 2 title that never let a group of Star Wars fans down when they needed something fun to play. Being able to take control of different kinds of Clone or Storm Troopers, the various builds of Droids, or even taking the role of one of the heroes or villains, was always a blast. The campaign mode was serviceable, but all of the real fun came with other players all mashed together into massive lobbies and LAN parties. Though the series of large-scale action games would see a refresh with the EA Battlefront games, nothing hits quite as strongly as the classic PlayStation 2 version and its endless replayability. 97. Dishonored 2 (2016) Nicole Rodrigues-Galdo: Dishonored 1 put Arkane on the map, but Dishonored 2 elevated their craft, showcasing their mastery in world-building and level design. The Clockwork Mansion is a standout, pushing the boundaries of interactive design, while the time bending A Crack in the Slab mission takes creativity to new heights. Arkane’s talent for crafting stunning, immersive environments with multiple paths ensures each level feels fresh, and Daniel Licht’s atmospheric music perfectly complements this, turning every space into a playground for the player’s imagination. One of the best features of Dishonored 2 is that you can choose to play as either Emily Kaldwin or Corvo Attano, each offering a distinct experience, adding replayability and variety to the gameplay. This freedom of choice, combined with the game’s rich environments and innovative design, rewards players with varied experiences that encourage creativity, solidifying Dishonored 2 as a timeless classic in gaming. 96. Rome: Total War (2004) Adrian Cozmuta: I have very fond memories of Rome: Total War. My parents bought the game for me as a gift and was my first Total War game and segue into Roman history. However, Rome: Total War goes beyond that. It is a stone-cold RTS classic that defines the Total War franchise and the genre to this day. Rome: Total War impresses with its 4X RTS mechanics, meaning you command Roman armies, the economy, politics, overworld expansion, and much more. Its influence even goes beyond video games. The Roman army AI was truly advanced for its time, being used in historical documentaries and recreations. It’s an outstanding RTS package that can be experienced today in 4K thanks to its 2021 Remaster. Veni, vidi, vici! 95. The Sims 2 (2004) Elena Swan: The core concept of the Sims franchise has remained the same over the years, but the entry with the most innovation, creativity, and attention to detail has to be The Sims 2. The second title improves on the gameplay mechanics from the original while still staying true to its predecessor. In The Sims 2, you are able to customize your Sim’s personality in more detail, allowing every Sim to have their own strengths and weaknesses. Some features from this game are nowhere to be found in even The Sims 4 base game. For example, if your character is a rebellious teen, you can have them sneak out at night using The Sims 2 base game. However, in The Sims 4, you would need the High School Years expansion pack to use this feature. Finally, this game feels the most cinematic out of the franchise with cutscenes for major life events exclusive to this title. 94. Papers, Please (2013) Elena Swan: Papers, Please may not sound like an interesting game on…well, paper. However, this is a superb game due to its high stakes and grim atmosphere. Set in ********** Arstotzka, you play the role of a border checkpoint inspector. Your job is to carefully examine all the documents of people wanting to come into the country. This work is all about thoroughness; even minute details like a migrant’s height and weight matter here. As time goes on, the story gets more complex and the game gradually gets harder. The odds are stacked against you as you manage your rising living expenses along with the well-being of your family. You are also faced with moral dilemmas like whether you should follow protocol or reunite families across the border. Tensions rise due to terrorist attacks from extremists in a neighboring country as well as a quiet rebellion brewing under the surface. With 20 different endings, there is a lot to do in the story mode alone. Glory to Arstotzka! 93. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (2018) Jeremy Lowe: Super Smash Bros. has become one of the best-selling fighting game series of all time and has one of the most active communities in the industry. It’s easy to see why. Watching your favorite video game characters beating each other up is quite fun. The games are also easy to learn but difficult to master, letting a wide variety of players play their way. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is by far the best game in the series. It has one of the largest rosters in fighting game history, it has a wide variety of stages, and a plethora of modes. It also added spirits, a unique way to change the gameplay. The sheer variety of characters, combined with the vast amount of content in the game, makes this the quintessential fighting game on the Nintendo Switch. 92. Dragon Quest XI (2017) Adrian Cozmuta: Dragon Quest XI is a modern JRPG hit that essentially popularised the series to Western audiences, something previous Dragon Quest titles struggled with. Dragon Quest XI is a labor of love. I know this because I had the unique opportunity to be involved in its development. We could all sense that this was something special. Dragon Quest XI brought back the best elements from previous entries, dialed up the charm and whimsical art style, and developed a fine-tuned turn-based combat system, therefore establishing itself as one of the very best modern JRPGs out there. It upheld and expanded the revered Dragon Quest legacy and showed the rest of the world what Japan already knew — that Dragon Quest still has plenty of life in it and deserves the same amount of respect its Final Fantasy sibling has been receiving. The upcoming Dragon Quest XII will hopefully add to this legacy and further help Dragon Quest become a household name in the West. 91. Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy (2001) Gabriel Stanford-Reisinger: Jak and Daxter as a whole holds a special place in my heart, and with general PlayStation history, it proved that the PS2 was an extraordinary console capable of some groundbreaking things. That said, Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy is the start of it all and just one of the peak platforming experiences of old PS. While it’s not the most well-known platformer even amongst PlayStation’s repertoire, it stood out and deserves to be talked about more thanks to its charming visuals, solid gameplay, growing with its audience, and fostering a fanbase that still hungers for more even as we march long past the game’s last entry in 2009. If you’re looking for a charmingly light-hearted buddy-platformer, Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy has you covered. 90. Hi-Fi Rush (2023) Francis Parco: The 2023 winner for Audio Design at The Game Awards, Hi-Fi Rush started as an Xbox Series X|S and PC exclusive before getting a PlayStation 5 port earlier this year. Hi-Fi Rush has been universally praised for its rhythm-driven combat and colorful visuals. Unfortunately, in the months since release Microsoft received the ire of fans by shutting down developer Tango Gameworks. Luckily though, Korean game publisher Krafton bought Tango. Hopefully this purchase saved the IP and can deliver fans more story potential to come. 89. Far Cry 3 (2012) Sam Flanagan: Whilst Far Cry is now seen as a franchise that refuses to innovate, it’s easy to forget that some entries were incredibly well done. Far Cry 3 is the one that many people point to as being the pinnacle of the series. The game not only provides us with a great playground to explore, addictive gameplay, and a great villain in the form of Vaas Montenegro, but it challenges core aspects of video game design. When players inhabit Jason Brody at the beginning of the game he is just an every day American frat boy, but as the you progress both you and Jason become much better at killing. You both enjoying the chaos you’re causing and reveling in all the anarchy you’ve left in your wake. It builds upon the idea of ludonarrative dissonance in a fun and interesting way that still holds up today. Whilst the rest of the game may not stand the test of time as the story, it still is a hell of a ride; and if anything at least it blessed us with Adam Kovic’s infamous ‘Like Skyrim with guns’ quote. 88. Undertale (2015) Jeremy Lowe: Undertale rocked the world when it was released in 2015 and still resonates with gamers today. Toby Fox, the creator of Undertale, developed nearly the entire game by himself, which is quite a feat. The story and characters in the game are well-written and memorable. The gameplay is also extremely unique, combining elements of RPGs and platformers with a style very reminiscent of Earthbound. Each boss fight adds its own unique flair to the game, making each one a memorable experience. The different routes you can go down also give this game a lot of replay value, with each ending being a drastically different experience. This game’s biggest strength, however, is the music. Every song in the game was composed by Toby Fox, and they are fantastic. From Heartache to Hopes and Dreams, this game’s soundtrack is phenomenal and helps make this game all the more impactful. 87. Spyro 2: Ripto’s Rage! (1999) Ashton Lovell: Spyro 2 represents the pinnacle of Spyro’s design, improving upon the first game but not bloating it with too many different mechanics and mini-games. Spyro 2 is a tight and masterful experience from start to finish. Every level and mechanic was built with the sole goal of creating fun, colorful, quirky levels that beg to be explored. The music is unmatched and unreplicated in the genre combining various genres into a soundtrack that is irreplaceable. The inability to fully fly as Spyro given his small wings makes gliding toward far off platforms and just barely landing with a flutter one of the most satisfying ways to cover distance in a platformer to this day. Spyro 2 also improves upon the story of the first title. There are real memorable characters in Spyro 2 from Hunter the Cheetah, Elora the Faun, and of course, Mr. Moneybags himself. Spyro 2 is a joy to play and still holds up both visually and mechanically today as one of the best and most creatively delightful platformers ever created. 86. ******: The City of Lost Heaven (2002) Adrian Cozmuta: If Grand Theft Auto is its cool, popular, and brash brother, then ****** is the suave, calculated, and sophisticated mafioso. ****** deserves its spot on this list due to its outstanding storytelling, faithful recreation of 1930s Chicago, and an excellent ability to bring together the very best of mobster culture from movies like The Godfather, Goodfellas, and the Untouchables. ****** also spanned multiple games in the franchise, including the beloved ****** 2. The upcoming ******: The Old Country will also take us back to basics and maybe even give us the opportunity to reunite with some characters from the first ****** game. The 2020 ******: Definitive Edition remake stays faithful to the original and will still give you a glimpse into what made the The City of Lost Heaven special. However, I still recommend trying the original as it is available on digital stores and see for yourself why ****** is an offer you can’t refuse. 85. Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory (2005) Elena Swan: Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory is an exceptional stealth game because it adds and improves on what made its predecessors work so well. Players experience the story through the perspective of government agent Sam Fisher. Cold and sarcastic, Fisher is determined to complete his mission, even if he must take some enemies out in the process. The game has ten stealth missions in all, taking place in different locations all over the world. One minute, you are aboard a ship called The Maria Narcissa and the next you’re breaking into a bank in Panama. The game does a fantastic job of making the player feel like a spy with all sorts of fun gadgets and plenty of opportunities to hide in the shadows. Under the cover of darkness, Fisher often gets within a few feet of his enemies undetected, making for a tense yet gripping atmosphere. Also, considering this game came out in 2005, the AI is impressive. The behavior of the NPCs has improved from past entries; guards get suspicious first before sweeping the area for trespassers. The sound design also does a great job of making the player feel immersed in the experience, particularly the environmental effects. If you could only choose one stealth game to play, this title is a worthy contender. 84. Dead Space Remake (2023) Martin Popov: For me, the remake of Dead Space is not only the best game in the entire franchise, but also one of the best horror games in recent memory. It took the foundation of the original horrorfest, upgraded and refined it. The new peel system makes combat the most satisfying it’s ever been. There’s a new sense of unpredictability, with reworked levels and the intensity director feature. Side quests have been added to galvanize the player’s curiosity. The story has been improved immensely with more focus on Isaac and Nicole’s relationship. The lore in general is much richer than the original, as the remake implemented tidbits from other Dead Space media over the years. Playing it, I felt a perfect mesh of wonder and nostalgia. And sheer horror. Lots of it. 83. Hades (2019) Nicole Rodrigues-Galdo: Live, Die, Repeatedly roasted by my dad. I used to never like roguelikes as the lack of progression often made the experience feel pointless, but Hades delivers a satisfying journey that progresses with every attempt. Players take on the role of Zagreus, the son of Hades, whose one wish is to escape the Underworld and reach his mother Persephone in the mortal world. On his quest to escape, Zagreus will meet Olympians who offer boons to help him hack and slash his way through each layer of the Underworld and hopefully escape. However, Hades has other ideas and puts everything he can in Zagreus’ path to prevent him from escaping. At the end of each failed run, you crawl out of the river Styx, tail between your legs, awaiting the regular roasting from your dad. Every failed run gives players time to breathe and explore the House of Hades, upgrading skills and preparing for the next attempt, constantly progressing the narrative, combat and pushing players to never give up. 82. Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen (2004) Daniel Leal: The original Gen 1 Pokemon games were ambitious titles that brought huge RPG worlds to the humble game boy. However, they were limited by the hardware in many respects. Their first remakes on the Game Boy Advance reworked the graphics into great-looking 16-bit titles and added new features that made the visuals impressive. Although the titles have been remade a few times since (such as Pokemon Let’s Go), the GBA FireRed and LeafGreen are still the best way to play these classics and they remain highly addictive and endearing. While some later entries in the series can be criticized for being too similar, the original titles were full of great ideas. To this day, it’s great to play through them whether you’re an experienced trainer or a complete novice. They are some of the most accessible and fun RPGs that you can play. 81. Animal Crossing: New Leaf (2012) Jeremy Lowe: Animal Crossing has become a beloved Nintendo franchise in recent years. It’s easy to pick up and play and can really help players escape from reality. Of all the games in the series, however, Animal Crossing: New Leaf is by far the best one. New Leaf redefined the series by putting the player in charge of the town. Letting players be the mayor gives them so many more options to customize and change the town, especially with the addition of Public Works Projects. Along with changing the series’ formula, New Leaf added a lot of content for players to enjoy. There are numerous stores to unlock on Main Street, giving players a sense of progression. There’s also the Happy Home Showcase for players to show off their homes. Then there’s Tortimer’s Island giving players a relaxing break from their Mayoral duties. The Welcome Amiibo update also added new content to the game, including new villagers, a whole new area of the town, and a new points system on top of the titular amiibo support. All of this content makes New Leaf the most complete entry in the Animal Crossing series. It’s an easy recommendation for those looking for a fun, relaxing game to play. It’s a great way to escape from the stresses of life and turn over a new leaf. 80. Ori and the Will of the Wisps (2020) Nicole Rodrigues-Galdo: Ori and the Will of the Wisps is a masterpiece that blends breathtaking visuals, emotional storytelling, and fluid gameplay into an unforgettable experience. As a metroidvania, it excels with its vast, interconnected world, encouraging exploration and rewarding curiosity. Every new ability Ori acquires expands movement possibilities, making backtracking feel exciting rather than tedious. The platforming is tight and responsive, making every jump, dash, and glide feel satisfying. What truly sets Will of the Wisps apart is its heart. The story carries a melancholic beauty, wrapping you in a bittersweet embrace that lingers long after the credits roll. The emotional depth rivals Ori and the Blind Forest, with moments of hope, sorrow, and sacrifice woven into its narrative. Gareth Coker’s breathtaking orchestral score brings every emotion to life, making even the quietest moments unforgettable. Ori and the Will of the Wisps doesn’t just challenge your reflexes, it touches your heart. With its perfect blend of tight Metroidvania gameplay and raw emotion, Ori and the Will of the Wisps is one of the best in its genre. Do you agree with our list? What game deserves to be mentioned here? Let us know in the comments and on our social media! This list will continue… Adrian Cozmuta Managing Editor Adrian grew up with PlayStation and Nintendo, although he’s recently on a journey to experience the very best of Xbox. His first ever game was Metal Gear Solid and his favorites are Mass Effect, Halo, Knights of the Old Republic, and Final Fantasy. He has traveled the world and lived in Japan, the ***, and the EU working in the industry with Square Enix, Sony, and Nintendo on titles like Final Fantasy, Kingdom Hearts, Dragon Quest, and more. He is the Managing Editor of Smash Jump. Source link #Smash #Jumps #Games #Time Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Time to deliver on housing promises Time to deliver on housing promises The spotlight will be on the first budget of the newly re-elected Cook Government when it is handed down in late June. For many Western Australians, housing continues to be one of the most pressing issues which will receive funding initiatives in this budget. The squeeze of rising living costs, declining affordability and ongoing housing supply shortages are still being felt in many households across the state. To that end, UDIA WA welcomed WA Labor’s housing commitments during the election campaign, many of which closely aligned with our own advocacy. Now, as we approach the first budget of the new term, we are expecting these promises to be backed with the funding needed to implement them. While the budget is likely to focus on those already-announced initiatives, there is also an opportunity to look at further initiatives to addressing the state’s housing challenges. With smart, targeted investment, the State Government can partner with the private sector to deliver even more homes faster. Among the key commitments we expect to see funded is the $20.6 million to expand stamp duty exemptions for off-the-plan and under-construction homes by $100,000, including townhouses, villas and apartments. The State Government also promised $110.7 million to lift the First Home Owner Rate of duty threshold to $500,000, with discounts available for homes priced up to $700,000 in Perth and $750,000 in regional areas. We also anticipate $75 million for a Build to Rent Kickstart Fund and a $210 million boost to the Keystart shared equity scheme for up to 1000 new apartments and townhomes purchased off-the-plan or under construction, which will help deliver up to 1000 new homes for Western Australians. The $400 million Housing Enabling Infrastructure Fund is another significant initiative we fully support. Infrastructure investment is essential to unlocking housing supply and bringing new developments to life. But we can’t stop there. UDIA WA is urging further funding to support the delivery of new homes and to help keep housing within reach for more people. This includes ensuring service agencies have the capital budgets they need to avoid delays to residential land development. We’d also like to see further funding allocated to build on the initial $400 million Housing Enabling Infrastructure Fund to catalyse residential development in key growth areas, as well as an extension and expansion of the existing Infrastructure Development Fund to boost the viability of apartment projects. UDIA WA has also recommended reforms to improve government efficiency and coordination in planning and approvals. Overall, this budget is an opportunity for the Cook Government to follow through and make a real difference to the future of housing in WA. Source link #Time #deliver #housing #promises Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Developer proposes affordable Live Local Act townhomes in northwest Orange County Developer proposes affordable Live Local Act townhomes in northwest Orange County Editor’s note: This story is available as a result of a content partnership between WFTV and the Orlando Business Journal. The Croson Townhomes development has been proposed under Florida’s Live Local Act affordable housing initiative at 6936 Old Hwy 441 in unincorporated Mount Dora, located south of East Crane Avenue in northwest Orange County. WATCH CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS The project on 1.8 acres would consist of 21 three-story units at a total square footage of 15,000 with 45 parking spaces, according to a Kimley-***** conceptual plan. Read: What’s open and closed on Memorial Day? Charles Croson of Lake Mary-based Croson Investment Partners, on behalf of Old 441 LLC, filed for pre-application approval with the Orange County Technical Review Group (TRG) and Development Review Committee (DRC) on May 15. Click here to read the full story on the Orlando Business Journal’s website. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. Source link #Developer #proposes #affordable #Live #Local #Act #townhomes #northwest #Orange #County Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

GOP senators criticize House budget bill over deficit concerns GOP senators criticize House budget bill over deficit concerns Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., is seen in the U.S. Capitol during a series of votes on Thursday, April 3, 2025. Tom Williams | CQ-Roll Call, Inc. | Getty Images Sen. Ron Johnson said Sunday that he thinks he has enough GOP colleagues on board with his opposition to the House’s “big, beautiful bill” to stall its progress and make changes. The Wisconsin Republican’s remarks underscore the potentially difficult path ahead for the sweeping domestic policy package, which just narrowly passed the House last week. As House Speaker Mike Johnson urges his Senate colleagues not to “meddle” with the bill too much, fiscal hawks in the Senate have signaled they won’t support the package in its current form. “We have enough to stop the process until the president gets serious about spending reduction and reducing the deficit,” Sen. Johnson said on CNN’s ‘State of the Union.’ Read more CNBC politics coverage Sen. Johnson and some of his Senate colleagues have raised concerns that the House bill will lead to skyrocketing federal deficits, a criticism that Speaker Johnson has brushed aside. Sen. Johnson said that the “first goal” of the budget reconciliation process “should be to reduce the deficit, this actually increases it.” He has repeatedly said that the federal government needs to return to “pre-pandemic level spending.” Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., also on Sunday called the spending cuts in the House bill “wimpy and anemic.” “But I still would support the bill, even with wimpy and anemic cuts, if they weren’t going to explode the debt,” Paul said on “Fox News Sunday.” “The problem is the math doesn’t add up, they’re going to explode the debt,” he continued. An analysis from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said that the sweeping package could increase the deficit by $3.8 trillion over the next decade. Source link #GOP #senators #criticize #House #budget #bill #deficit #concerns Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump again blasts Harvard over international students as judge blocks revocation – NPR Trump again blasts Harvard over international students as judge blocks revocation – NPR Trump again blasts Harvard over international students as judge blocks revocation NPRView Full Coverage on Google News Source link #Trump #blasts #Harvard #international #students #judge #blocks #revocation #NPR Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

GOP senators criticize House budget bill over deficit concerns GOP senators criticize House budget bill over deficit concerns Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., is seen in the U.S. Capitol during a series of votes on Thursday, April 3, 2025. Tom Williams | CQ-Roll Call, Inc. | Getty Images Sen. Ron Johnson said Sunday that he thinks he has enough GOP colleagues on board with his opposition to the House’s “big, beautiful bill” to stall its progress and make changes. The Wisconsin Republican’s remarks underscore the potentially difficult path ahead for the sweeping domestic policy package, which just narrowly passed the House last week. As House Speaker Mike Johnson urges his Senate colleagues not to “meddle” with the bill too much, fiscal hawks in the Senate have signaled they won’t support the package in its current form. “We have enough to stop the process until the president gets serious about spending reduction and reducing the deficit,” Sen. Johnson said on CNN’s ‘State of the Union.’ Read more CNBC politics coverage Sen. Johnson and some of his Senate colleagues have raised concerns that the House bill will lead to skyrocketing federal deficits, a criticism that Speaker Johnson has brushed aside. Sen. Johnson said that the “first goal” of the budget reconciliation process “should be to reduce the deficit, this actually increases it.” He has repeatedly said that the federal government needs to return to “pre-pandemic level spending.” Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., also on Sunday called the spending cuts in the House bill “wimpy and anemic.” “But I still would support the bill, even with wimpy and anemic cuts, if they weren’t going to explode the debt,” Paul said on “Fox News Sunday.” “The problem is the math doesn’t add up, they’re going to explode the debt,” he continued. An analysis from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said that the sweeping package could increase the deficit by $3.8 trillion over the next decade. Source link #GOP #senators #criticize #House #budget #bill #deficit #concerns Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Mexico’s Del Toro completes a full week in the pink Mexico’s Del Toro completes a full week in the pink ******** rider Isaac Del Toro has worn the Giro d’Italia leader’s pink jersey for one week. Now he’s got one more week to go as the 21-year-old attempts to beat all the pre-race favourites and claim his first Grand Tour victory. And what a final week it will be, with all of the biggest climbs in this year’s race grouped together before the Giro ends in Rome next Sunday. “Little by little,” Del Toro said. “I want to bring it (the pink jersey) home.” Del Toro closed down attack after attack on the two climbs of Sunday’s 15th stage and maintained his advantage of 1 minute 20 seconds over Simon Yates. “It’s not easy,” Del Toro said. “I need to be there when someone strong goes.” Notably, pre-race favorite Primoz Roglic, the 2023 champion who was fifth overall, was dropped on the second climb and fell to 10th, 3:53 behind. Spanish rider Carlos Verona got into an early breakaway and won the stage on his own for the biggest victory of his career. The 219km route from Fiume Veneto to Asiago included a big climb up Monte Grappa at the stage’s midpoint. Egan Bernal, the 2021 champion, attacked near the top of Monte Grappa and Del Toro was quick to follow. As was Richard Carapaz, the 2019 champion, before all of the leaders came back together following the descent. There were more attacks on another, shorter climb to Dori, with a summit 20km from the finish. But Del Toro, the first ******** rider to wear the pink jersey, was the first to react to all of those attacks, too. Australia’s main hope, Michael Storer, was 20th, and now stands 12th in the GC. Compatriot Kaden Groves, runner-up in the 14th-stage, was well down the finishing order. “It was a bit nervous,” Del Toro said of his week. “I always want to be in front for precaution.” It’s only Del Toro’s second Grand Tour. He finished 36th in the Spanish Vuelta last year. In the overall standings, Del Toro’s UAE Team Emirates teammate Juan Ayuso remained third, 1:26 behind. Carapaz is fourth, 2:07 behind, and Derek Gee of Canada moved up to fifth, 2:54 behind. Verona dedicated his victory to Giulio Ciccone, his Lidl-Trek teammate and leader, who abandoned the race following a ****** on Saturday. Monday is the race’s third and final rest day. Stage 16 on Tuesday is one of the race’s toughest, a 203km leg from Piazzola Sul Brenta to San Valentino that includes four major climbs across the Dolomites, including an uphill finish. Source link #Mexicos #Del #Toro #completes #full #week #pink Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Transcript: Rep. Jim Himes on Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan,” May 25, 2025 Transcript: Rep. Jim Himes on Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan,” May 25, 2025 The following is the transcript of an interview with Rep. Jim Himes, Democrat of Connecticut, that aired on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan” on May 25, 2025. MARGARET BRENNAN: We’re joined now by Congressman Jim Himes. He is the top Democrat on the Intelligence Committee, and he joins us today from Greenwich, Connecticut. Good morning to you. REP. JIM HIMES: Good morning, Margaret. Thanks for having me. MARGARET BRENNAN: You just heard the speaker. I know you did not vote for this bill. But you know, Connecticut has one of the highest state and local tax burdens in the country. Do you at least like that one little portion of this bill? REP. HIMES: That one little portion is going to be good for my constituents, but Margaret, I- I got to tell you, it was like listening to “1984” or something, listening to the speaker. You know, anybody can look this up, the American people want basically three things out of their federal budget. Number one, at this point in time when Americans, the wealthiest Americans, are doing better than ever before, Americans want the wealthiest of the Amer- of Americans to pay more taxes, and to give tax relief to the middle class and below. Number two, they want us to address the deficit, which is now spiraling out of control to the point where we got a downgrade in one of the U.S. credit ratings. And third, they want a simpler tax code. This bill spe- fails spectacularly on all three counts. They’re cutting Medicaid and nutritional assistance, food stamps, to tens of millions of Americans in order to preserve tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans. They’re adding $3 trillion to the deficit with this bill. And lastly, they’re gumming up the tax code with, you don’t have to pay taxes on tips. Now, what about the folks who don’t earn tips? You know, auto lending. I mean, again, on the three things that Americans care most about, that they want the Congress to do, this bill fails spectacularly. Look, and that’s going to show up in the polling pretty soon, as Americans come to realize what it is that the House of Representatives just did . MARGARET BRENNAN: Well, I want to ask you about your other role on the House Intelligence Committee. When it comes to what the President has vowed to do to Russia, he floated this idea two weeks ago of possible sanctions if Russia doesn’t stop its war in Ukraine. But then he spoke to Vladimir Putin on Monday, and we heard nothing about sanctions. We did hear from the head of the Defense Intelligence Agency that this war is trending in favor of Russia. What changes need to be made, if anything, to how the U.S. provides support? REP. HIMES: Well, Margaret, look, we’re at a fork in the road with respect to the Russia-Ukraine war. And you know, Donald Trump and his acolytes in the Congress will go along with one of these two choices: either we will continue the trajectory that started when the president and the vice president humiliated Vladimir- humiliated President Zelenskyy in the Oval Office and paused aid, and Vladimir Putin will learn from that experience that he can count on the U.S. to support his murderous incursions into neighboring countries. Or we can take another path, which I hope the president will take, which is to say, what we need to do right now is generate maximum leverage against Vladimir Putin, and I see the president getting a little frustrated by him, but that maximum leverage comes because we really uptick the sanctions. We stop the export of oil. We pressure India to stop buying Russian oil, and of course, we keep arming the Ukrainians. Again, for this guy who considers himself the master of the deal, maximize the leverage of the West so that we can bring this war not just to a conclusion, but to a fair and just conclusion that will keep the Russians from invading countries in the future. MARGARET BRENNAN: In your role on the Intelligence Committee, you get to see things the public does not. With that in mind, the President has designated this Venezuelan gang, Tren de Ar- Aragua, TDA, as a foreign terrorist organization. He says they’re invading the country. He’s using the Alien Enemies Act to deport alleged members without a day in court. Part of the legal justification of all of this rests on the claim that the Venezuelan government is controlling what TDA is doing. The National Intelligence Council assessed the Maduro government does not control the gang. But, on this program last Sunday, the secretary of state rejected that. He says he favors the FBI’s finding, which is that some members of the Venezuelan government do influence the gang. Why does all of this matter? REP. HIMES: Well, it matters Margaret, because I’ll remind you that in the George W. Bush administration, exactly what is happening right now happened. It was a different topic. Right now, despite the conclusions of the intelligence community, the president, the Director of National Intelligence and the secretary of state are saying that Venezuela directs Tren De Aragua. Now they’re saying that because they need this no due process mechanism of deporting people, the Alien Enemies Act, which, by the way, the courts are now laughing at. But the reason it matters, Margaret, is because the last time the White House did this, when they were determined that the intelligence community be forced to find weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, which there turned out not to be, 4,400 American servicemen perished in a war that was fought on false pretenses, not to mention, by the way, the many hundreds of thousands of Iraqis who perished in that war, which was a catastrophic strategic mistake driven by the politicization, the- the notion that George W. Bush had that there were weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. That’s why intelligence matters. There’s 4,400 families in this country who lost people because the White House decided they would override the conclusion of their $90 billion a year intelligence community. That’s what Marco Rubio is doing. That’s what the president is doing, and that’s what Director Gabbard are doing when they contradict what their own organization is telling them. MARGARET BRENNAN: So on that point, this is also becoming an issue for Joe Kent, who is the president’s nominee to run the National Counterterrorism Center. He’s under scrutiny because emails show that while acting as chief of staff to DNI Gabbard, he pressed analysts to amend an assessment of links between the government and TDA. According to redacted emails that my network has obtained, he wrote, “we need to do some rewriting, a little more analysis so this document is not used against the DNI or POTUS,” the president of the United States. He says, “we need to…incorporate the FBI’s assessment.” You have now read these declassified emails as well. Do you believe that Joe Kent was just asking for more context? REP. HIMES: No, he absolutely was not. And I have seen the redacted emails. He was pressuring the National Intelligence Council to alter their conclusions. And look, he gave away the game. You just read the line. He told us why he did that, so that this report would not be used against the president or the Director of National Intelligence. Think about that. The chief of staff of the- of the Office of the Director National Intelligence wasn’t saying, we need the very best intelligence here. We need you to go back and make sure you’re 100% true. He was saying, we need to make sure that your product is not used to embarrass the president and the Director of National Intelligence. That is the very definition, the very definition, of politicizing intelligence. This is not about embarrassing or not embarrassing anybody. Again, back to those 4,400 dead Americans. So no, Joe Kent must never be confirmed for any Senate confirmed- look, it’s all out there for the Senate to see. So no, he may- he must never be confirmed for any Senate confirmed position because of what he did. MARGARET BRENNAN: Okay. And those emails are available for the public to read as well. Congressman Himes, thank you for your time today. We’ll be right back with a lot more “Face the Nation.” Face The Nation Transcripts More Source link #Transcript #Rep #Jim #Himes #Face #Nation #Margaret #Brennan Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Pope Leo XIV declares ‘I am Roman!’ as he completes formalities to become bishop of Rome Pope Leo XIV declares ‘I am Roman!’ as he completes formalities to become bishop of Rome ROME (AP) — Pope Leo XIV declared himself a Roman on Sunday as he completed the final ceremonial steps cementing his role as the bishop of Rome. The first American pope was formally taking possession of two papal basilicas in the Eternal City, a formality that serves to ceremonially introduce Leo to his Roman flock. One of the many titles that Leo assumed when he was elected May 8 was bishop of Rome. Given his responsibilities running the 1.4-billion strong universal Catholic Church, popes delegate the day-to-day governance of running of the diocese of Roman to a vicar. Sunday’s ceremonies at the St. John Lateran and St. Mary Major basilicas follow Leo’s visit last week to the St. Paul Outside the Walls basilica. Together with St. Peter’s Basilica in the ********, the four papal basilicas are the most important basilicas in the West. Rome’s Mayor Roberto Gualtieri welcomed Leo first at the steps to city hall, noting that his May 8 election fell during a Holy Year, an event occurring every 25 years to invite pilgrims to Rome. The city underwent two years of traffic-clogging public works projects to prepare and expects to welcome upwards of 30 million people in 2025. Leo said he felt the “serious but passionate responsibility” to serve all Romans during the Holy Year and beyond. Wearing his formal papal garb, Leo recalled the words he had uttered from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica on the night of his election. The Augustinian pope quoted St. Augustine in saying: “With you I am Christian, and for you, bishop.” “By special title, today I can say that for you and with you I am Roman!” he said. Leo, 69, the former Robert Prevost, replaced Pope Francis, the first Latin American pope, who died April 21 and is buried at St. Mary Major, near a beloved icon of the Madonna. ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. Source link #Pope #Leo #XIV #declares #Roman #completes #formalities #bishop #Rome Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Box Office: 'Lilo & Stitch' 'Mission Impossible' Set Memorial Day Record – Variety Box Office: 'Lilo & Stitch' 'Mission Impossible' Set Memorial Day Record – Variety Box Office: ‘Lilo & Stitch’ ‘Mission Impossible’ Set Memorial Day Record Variety’Lilo & Stitch’ beats Tom Cruise and ‘Mission: Impossible’ in record Memorial Day weekend box office YahooThe first ‘Lilo & Stitch’ wasn’t a blockbuster. Disney’s remake might be one of the year’s biggest Los Angeles TimesSpoilers! How the new ‘Lilo & Stitch’ ending is even more ’emotional’ USA Today‘Lilo & Stitch’ Targeting $170M-$180M Box Office Bow, ‘Mission: Impossible’ Eyes Series-Best $77M The Hollywood Reporter Source link #Box #Office #039Lilo #amp #Stitch039 #039Mission #Impossible039 #Set #Memorial #Day #Record #Variety Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]