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Secretary-General's press encounter on the humanitarian situation in Gaza – Welcome to the United Nations Secretary-General's press encounter on the humanitarian situation in Gaza – Welcome to the United Nations Secretary-General’s press encounter on the humanitarian situation in Gaza Welcome to the United NationsSweeping overhaul of Gaza aid raises questions of morality and workability The Washington PostUN chief says Gaza entering ‘cruellest phase’ of war as Palestinians starve Al JazeeraIt Should Not Be Controversial to Plead for Gaza’s Children The Atlantic83 Humanitarian Aid Trucks Entered Gaza on Friday, Israeli Army Says Haaretz Source link #SecretaryGeneral039s #press #encounter #humanitarian #situation #Gaza #United #Nations Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Council court order after lorries blocked Council court order after lorries blocked Josh Sandiford BBC News, West Midlands EPA Police on a picket line at a Birmingham waste depot in April Birmingham City Council has been granted a court order to stop waste vehicles being blocked from leaving depots. The authority believes more than 12,000 tonnes of uncollected waste have accumulated on streets this week as all-out strike action by refuse workers continues. Collections were said to have been disrupted “due to industrial action by pickets” where police recently scaled down their presence. Unite, which is representing workers, has previously said the actions of its members on the picket line are legitimate. Delayed collections during the initial weeks of the industrial action were down partly to picket lines blocking trucks from leaving waste facilities. At the time, striking workers insisted they were only stopping lorries if they had safety concerns, but ugly scenes prompted Labour council leader John Cotton to condemn what he called “violence”. West Midlands Police last week said a threshold for using special powers was no longer being met but it would “continue to have a presence” at depots. However the council said the move had led to an “increase in disruption at our depots, with workers and vehicles being prevented from doing their jobs”. PA Uncollected refuse bags have been piling up over several months Late on Friday, the council said it had secured an interim injunction which would last until Thursday when a further legal hearing will take place. “Everyone has a right to protest [but] the council has a public health duty to uphold and clearing waste is central to this,” it said. “This is not something we wanted to do and have given Unite many opportunities to co-operate with us and avoid this course of action.” Reuters Collections to bins in Birmingham have been disrupted since January All-out strike action began on 11 March but rubbish collections have been disrupted since the start of January. The row is now focused on proposed cuts to the pay of bin lorry drivers, with talks entering their 11th week. Unite has blamed government-appointed commissioners, who have been overseeing the council’s operations since its effective bankruptcy, for the apparent lack of progress. General secretary Sharon Graham said negotiations had been “a shambles” and called on the council leader to “stop playing games, get in the room and solve this dispute”. “The bottom line is that our members can’t afford to have savage pay cuts of up to £8,000 with no mitigation,” she said. The BBC has contacted the union for its response to the court order. Source link #Council #court #order #lorries #blocked Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Eterspire spices up its endgame content with new endless mode, adds Gifting feature for your online besties Eterspire spices up its endgame content with new endless mode, adds Gifting feature for your online besties New Eternal Moonlit Bastion map Earn points to spend on cosmetics in a future update Gift goodies to your friends If you haven’t had enough time to explore everything the Road of Beginnings and Oakridge Crossing have to offer, it’s pretty much time to catch up as Stonehollow Workshop has just announced another update coming to Eterspire this month. In particular, the new Bastion Challenge will be popping up in the MMORPG, letting you test your skills across an endless mode beginning May 28th. In particular, Eterspire’s endgame is spicing things up in the Eternal Moonlit Bastion map, where you can see if you’ve got what it takes to take on relentless waves of foes either all by yourself or with a group of best buds. With every wave you clear, you’ll rack up points to boost your score and your leaderboard status. Ideally, these scores can be used to add to a point system in a future update, which you can then use to don fancy outfits and cosmetics, so it’s worth sticking around for that, I’d say. The latest update also adds the new “Underground Ordeal” quest, along with the community-requested Gifting feature. This means you can make your online pals happy by buying crystals and Eterspire Infinite for them, because what are friends for, right? There’s going to be a bunch of quality-of-life enhancements too, such as reduced load times, a new login menu, and visual markers for Trials, so if you’re eager to join in on all the fun, you can do so by checking out Eterspire on the App Store and on Google Play. It’s free-to-play with in-app purchases. You can also join the community of followers on the official Twitter page to stay updated on all the latest developments, visit the official website for more info, or take a little peek at the embedded clip above to get a feel of the vibes and visuals. Source link #Eterspire #spices #endgame #content #endless #mode #adds #Gifting #feature #online #besties Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Emergency services rushing to boat in trouble at Butlers Reef near Alkimos Beach Emergency services rushing to boat in trouble at Butlers Reef near Alkimos Beach A boat has struck Butlers Reef near Alkimos Beach and is reportedly taking on water. Emergency authorities put out a “pan-pan” call for the boat just before 4.30pm on Thursday. A pan-pan call is used when there is an urgent need for help but no immediate threat to life. More to come. Source link #Emergency #services #rushing #boat #trouble #Butlers #Reef #Alkimos #Beach Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Remaining Slabs of Mohamed Hadid’s Demolished $50 Million Mansion Hit the Auction Block After Years of Legal Drama Remaining Slabs of Mohamed Hadid’s Demolished $50 Million Mansion Hit the Auction Block After Years of Legal Drama The demolished remains of developer Mohamed Hadid‘s failed $50 million Los Angeles mansion have hit the auction block with an opening bid of $7.9 million—years after the father of supermodels Gigi and Bella Hadid became embroiled in a string of legal woes over the property. The 1.2-acre site is being sold off by Paul Ventura‘s Sahara Construction in a sealed auction that will end July 15, according to its listing, which is held by Compass’s Tracy Tutor and Premiere Estates Auction Company’s Todd Wohl. But while the first few listing photos reveal renderings of a stunning hillside home, all that remains of Hadid’s former mansion is a foundation and a few slabs of concrete—along with planning approval to built an opulent dwelling that spans up to 15,000 square feet. The listing, which was first reported by The Real Deal, also notes that, while bids are set to start at $7.9 million, there is no reserve on the property, which means that it will sell to the highest bidder, regardless of whether that opening bid price is reached. Despite the torrid history of the home that once sat on the land, the listing describes the property as a “rare and exceptional development opportunity” to hold space in one of “Los Angeles’ most prestigious and desirable neighborhoods.” Mohamed Hadid’s failed $50 million mansion has hit the auction block at a starting price of $7.9 million—years after the developer became embroiled in a string of legal woes over the property. (Google Earth) The auction was described as “a rare and exceptional development opportunity” to hold space in one of “Los Angeles’ most prestigious and desirable neighborhoods.” (ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images) The vacant lot is situated at the end of a ****-de-sac and offers residents complete privacy, sweeping canyon views, and a “foundation to build a world-class custom estate,” according to the listing. Hadid began construction on his own property on the plot back in 2012, laying the groundwork for a home that would ultimately span 30,000 square feet—double the size that planning permits allowed for on the plot. The initial work on the dwelling revealed the floor plan to be so vast that the home was nicknamed the “Starship Enterprise” by horrified neighbors, who quickly voiced upset over the dwelling’s expansive size. By 2015, the size of the home became the focal point of a furious legal dispute, when the City of Los Angeles prosecuted Hadid for refusing to adhere to the halt work orders that had been issued on the property. Three years later, Hadid had yet to downsize the property, prompting his neighbors to file a civil lawsuit against him, raising fears that the mansion could slide down from hits perch on the hillside and cause major damage to the entire community. The lawsuit claimed that the home had been illegally built, was not up to code, and that it was unstable, with a structural engineer testifying in court that the home’s support piles had only been driven 20 feet into the ground, instead of the 30 feet that is required by building regulations. In 2019, a judge ordered Hadid to tear down the property, stating that the dwelling posed “a clear and present” threat to his neighbors. Hadid began construction in the area in 2014, with dreams of building a lavish megamansion. Just months after the site began to come to life, it was nicknamed “Starship Enterprise” by neighbors because of its massive size. (Rochelle Brodin/Getty Images for CultCollectiveEvents.com) “If this house came down the hill it would take a portion of the neighborhood with it,” Judge Craig Karlan said of his ruling, according to the New York Post. Hadid made multiple attempts to appeal the ruling—and in 2019, he even filed for bankruptcy on behalf of the LLC through which he purchased the plot, claiming that his company was facing between $10 and $50 million in debt because of the construction costs involved in the failed project. In 2021, he opted to sell the property to Sahara Construction for $8.5 million, rather than pay the $5 million required to safely demolish the home—a cost that the buyer agreed to cover. The construction firm then took out an $8 million loan from Northern Bank & Trust Company in 2023 and completed the requirements to stabilize the slope. Things went from bad to worse for Hadid when he was ordered to pay a lump sum of $2.6 million toward his neighbors’ legal costs in 2023. At the time, Joe Horacek, 81, who was one of the neighbors who led the suit, told the Daily Mail of the ruling: “I feel vindicated. Now I just want Hadid to pay up and go away.” Meanwhile, Hadid lamented, “This is a joke—it’s crazy.” He then revealed he had plans to countersue for “two or three hundred million dollars.” Although the property was initially listed for $18 million in October 2023, it was then swiftly removed from the market. According to The Real Deal, Sahara received a default notice on the loan that it took out on the property last month and is now delinquent on $9.4 million of debt. Related Articles Source link #Remaining #Slabs #Mohamed #Hadids #Demolished #Million #Mansion #Hit #Auction #Block #Years #Legal #Drama Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

540-acre fire evacuates Calif. mountain town, shuts down Highway 395 – SFGATE 540-acre fire evacuates Calif. mountain town, shuts down Highway 395 – SFGATE 540-acre fire evacuates Calif. mountain town, shuts down Highway 395 SFGATEBrush Fire Near Popular California Lake Prompts Evacuations The New York TimesInn, Mono County YubaNetU.S. 395 expected to remain closed between Lee Vining and SR 167 due to 640-acre Inn Fire KTVNInn Fire forces evacuations in Mono City, closes Highway 395 CBS News Source link #540acre #fire #evacuates #Calif #mountain #town #shuts #Highway #SFGATE Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

As clock ticks down on Harry security appeal, why did his court pleas fail? As clock ticks down on Harry security appeal, why did his court pleas fail? Reuters Prince Harry lost his appeal against the government’s decision to remove his police protection Three weeks after Prince Harry’s dramatic court loss, any likelihood of him reviving the legal battle over his personal security arrangements is narrowing by the day. His anger and hurt at how he feels his family’s security was seemingly lessened, after he stepped back from working royal duties, has played out publicly – and earlier this month he lost his challenge at the Court of Appeal in London. In a week’s time, the deadline passes for Prince Harry – the Duke of Sussex – to try one last go, at the Supreme Court. But that seems unlikely after he told the BBC, in his exclusive interview after losing, he had no legal options left. And even if he were to ask for a hearing, the chances of him getting one appear slim because of what the courts have said so far. While the prince’s complaint was about his treatment, ultimately the courts took no view on that. Instead, they ruled he had not understood how the body organising Royal Family protection worked – and how his decision to quit the ***, yet still have an “in-and-out” role in public life, was exceptional. One former senior judge, who was not involved and spoke on background, felt the prince’s case had been “preposterous” and “hopeless” from the start and anyone else bringing such a flawed claim would have been on the receiving end of more critical language from the courts. However, Prince Harry’s argument was always wider – saying the state had to take into account the accident of his birth which made him a target. “I was born into this position. I was born into those risks. And they’ve only increased over time,” he said in the BBC interview. At his first court hearing, in 2023, the prince said the *** was a place where he wanted his children “to feel at home” – but argued that can’t happen “if it’s not possible to keep them safe”. After losing his appeal, he said he “[couldn’t] see a world in which I would be bringing my wife and children back to the ***”. Harry’s entire legal case centred on Ravec – which authorises security for senior royals on behalf of the Home Office, and which Harry believes unfairly treated him. So, to understand why he lost and seemingly has nowhere else to go, we first have to understand three key issues: – Why was Ravec created, and what is its specific role? – How did Ravec and the Home Office respond when Prince Harry quit as a front line royal? – Why did he think this was something the courts should solve? Tabloid stunt Ravec evolved out of a 2003 Daily Mirror stunt when one of its reporters blagged his way into a job as a Buckingham Palace footman. It led to panic in government – and a major review concluded royal security needed a jolt. So Ravec was born – the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (its exact name has changed down the years). Ravec oversees security for key public figures by assessing risks from terrorism, extremism, stalkers and any other foreseeable threat such as a “fixated individual”. Unsurprisingly, there is no public list of who gets protected. It is responsible for VIP security within England, Wales and Scotland. The committee is funded and overseen by the Home Office because its work is on behalf of the home secretary of the day. The Royal Household has two members on the committee, including the monarch’s private secretary. They contribute what they think is needed to protect people and key locations, such as Buckingham Palace. The Metropolitan Police feeds information into the intelligence assessment and, ultimately provides the officers and kit to protect each “principal” – protected person. But crucially, it’s the Home Office-appointed chair who must decide how to spend the money and justify it to government. Behind closed doors Part of Prince Harry’s case was heard in private, behind closed court doors, to ensure Ravec’s precise workings and its security plans remain confidential. We learned Ravec’s decisions typically draw on a report from the Risk Management Board (RMB), a Home Office panel pulling together all the facts about risks and actual threats. So, in the example of the prince, it is well-known that al-Qaeda supporters and racist extremists are a concern for his family. We can therefore infer that the RMB has probably tried to work out what those threats really amount to. That’s the background. Let’s turn to how it all became such a public row, leading from the High Court to the Court of Appeal. The critical decisions were in spring 2020 when Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, “stepped back” from being working royals. Their choice to move first to Canada, with their baby son, raised a question for Ravec: what kind of security should the prince’s family now have, if they were no longer working royals and no longer living in the ***? What role should Ravec play in providing security, given its GB-only remit? Court documents, while heavily redacted in places, show emails and letters were flying backwards and forwards between the Home Office, the Palace, Scotland Yard – and ultimately Prince Harry’s team. Ravec ruled out very early on allowing the Sussexes to pay the Met to deliver their security abroad. That, it said, was not what Ravec was for. Its task was to protect working royals in GB. The government quickly formed the view that the couple would “essentially become private citizens” living abroad – and relations began to break down on 28 February 2020. Ravec’s then-chair, Sir Richard Mottram, told the late Queen’s private secretary Sir Edward Young that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex would lose their existing Met protection. Sir Richard wrote: “The future arrangements for [the duke and duchess] do not fit readily within this framework.” It was that simple: the Sussexes were moving overseas, outside of Ravec’s duties. The consequence was Prince Harry felt he was also being stripped of security when returning home – and there had been no formal Ravec meeting to decide his future protection. In essence, he seemed to be arguing that the Royal Household’s two members of the committee – which at the time included Sir Edward – may have influenced the Home Office’s decision to reduce his security. In his BBC interview, Harry asked “What is the Royal Household’s role [on Ravec]… if it isn’t to influence and decide what they want for the members of their household?” But suspecting something is afoot is a world away from proving in court it really is. In fact, the government successfully argued in court that Ravec had thought carefully and fairly about what to do. After the duke and duchess had quit the ***, the committee carried out some threat risk assessments and then committed to decide on the duke’s security at home on a case-by-case basis. It meant he would, in principle, potentially get at least some Met Police protection if Ravec thought the circumstances of his visit home warranted it. While living abroad, however, the royal couple would have to fund their own security. Ravec asked Prince Harry and his private security advisers for 28 days’ notice of planned returns so it could work out what the state should provide. This notice condition is one of the reasons why the prince says his security had been downgraded. Essentially, he feared he would get a fuller security detail if he were attending a grand royal occasion at home than if he were returning on his own private business. Prince Harry says he can’t see a world where his wife and children will visit the *** and asks for reconciliation with his family The first test was when he flew in for the ******** of his grandfather, the Duke of Edinburgh, in April 2021. Prince Harry was offered personal protective security – but outside of the Ravec system. The prince regarded this to be insufficient, in light of the risks he believed he faced. His opinion was strengthened two months later when he said he had been dangerously hounded by paparazzi in New York after a charity event. In evidence, his security adviser noted the paparazzi’s role in chasing Princess Diana to her death in a Paris tunnel. The prince was convinced he had been treated unfairly and launched his Judicial Review of whether Ravec had acted unlawfully. To win his case, Prince Harry had to land one of three legal arguments: – Ravec had acted unlawfully, beyond the powers it had – The committee had treated him unfairly in the way it had acted – Its decision was so irrational that nobody else sensible could possibly have reached the same conclusion The prince’s team did so by arguing Ravec’s policy had been overly rigid and inflexible. That failed – but there were other lines of attack: – The committee chairman had not followed Ravec’s policies properly – The decision over the prince’s future security had lacked transparency and consultation – No other decision-maker could have come up with the same bespoke plan he was offered Yet, all of these complaints were rejected by judges. Legal ****-de-sac In Judicial Reviews, it’s not the role of judges to say what they would prefer to have happened. So, they never expressed a view whether Prince Harry deserved 20 or 250 more protection officers. Mr Justice Lane, who legally demolished the prince’s case a year ago in the High Court, said Ravec’s chair and the Home Office officials who came up with the bespoke plan, had done so from “positions of significant knowledge and expertise in the highly specialist area”. “Courts should be wary of concluding that expert adjudicators have fundamentally misunderstood how to go about their allotted tasks,” he said. The prince’s team, who argued his military service heightened the risks he faced, said that he had been treated unfairly compared with another Ravec-protected VIP whose life had changed. We don’t know who that was but it’s common knowledge that former prime ministers can be protected long after they have left office. That’s partly to ensure that decisions they take while in government – such as declaring war – are not affected by them worrying about their own personal future safety. The prince appealed the judgement, going to the Court of Appeal. It ultimately ruled it was “superficial” to compare Prince Harry’s circumstances with other VIPs. So, was there something that the courts could not see – the whiff of an “establishment stitch-up” that meant the process was unfair? Prince Harry told the BBC: “My representative on the Ravec committee, still to this day, is the Royal Household. I am forced to go through the Royal Household and accept that they are putting my best interests forward.” But that complaint was a legal ****-de-sac because the High Court said the prince had no evidence Ravec members had a “closed mind” or had been biased against him. What about his complaints about reckless paparazzi following his vehicle? Did he not have a case there? In a word, no. Ravec’s job was to protect VIPs from people with “hostile intent”, not photographers breaching his privacy. The High Court ultimately described some of his submissions as having a “distinct air of unreality”. This is wording judges use when they have been really unimpressed with what they have heard – but don’t want to sound rude. Sir Geoffrey Vos, the senior judge who oversaw the later review in the Court of Appeal, put it differently and diplomatically. Nobody could have been failed to be moved by Prince Harry’s concerns, he said, but he needed to hear why the prince thought Ravec was breaking the law by giving him a bespoke security plan. “I have tried to see how and whether the Claimant’s sense of grievance translates into a legal argument,” he explained. But he couldn’t find that legal argument. And so, Prince Harry lost. Five years of anguished legal battles came down to a difficult disagreement – but not one that the courts could find amounted to a “stitch-up”. Source link #clock #ticks #Harry #security #appeal #court #pleas #fail Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump threatens 25% tariff on Apple and Samsung phones not made in US | Trump tariffs Trump threatens 25% tariff on Apple and Samsung phones not made in US | Trump tariffs Donald Trump has threatened to impose a 25% tariff on iPhones if they are not made in the United States, as he stepped up the pressure on Apple to build its signature product in the country. The president wiped approximately $70bn (£52bn) off the company’s shares with a post on the Truth Social platform that said iPhones sold inside the US must be made within the country’s borders. Trump said in the post: “I have long ago informed Tim Cook of Apple that I expect their iPhones that will be sold in the United States of America will be manufactured and built in the United States, not India, or anyplace else. If that is not the case, a Tariff of at least 25% must be paid by Apple to the US.” Apple shares fell 2.6% on Trump’s comments, pushing the company’s valuation just below $3tn. Apple won’t be alone. In remarks to reporters at the White House on Friday afternoon, Trump said that he would also impose a 25% tariff on Samsung and any other phone manufacturer that makes phones outside of the US, or, he said, “it would not be fair.” “When they build their plant here, there’s no tariffs. So they’re going to be building plants here,” Trump said. Trump alarmed Apple investors last month with a series of escalating tariff announcements on goods from China, where the majority of iPhones are assembled, which ratcheted up to total 145%. A couple of days later, however, the administration announced an exemption for smartphones and computers. Soon afterwards, it was reported that Apple was planning to switch assembly of all iPhones for the US market to India in an attempt to swerve the impact of Trump’s trade war with China. Cook, Apple’s chief executive, said in an earnings call this month that the majority of iPhones sold in the US for the June quarter would “have India as their country of origin”. The company is secretive about details of its production processes but analysts estimate that about 90% of its smartphones are assembled in China. skip past newsletter promotion Sign up to Business Today Get set for the working day – we’ll point you to all the business news and analysis you need every morning Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain info about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. For more information see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. after newsletter promotion The US is Apple’s biggest iPhone market, where it sells more than 60m of the handsets annually. Trump rebuked the tech company and its chief executive this month over the switch. “I had a little problem with Tim Cook,” he said, adding: “I said to Tim … ‘we’ve treated you really good, we’ve put up with all the plants that you’ve built in China for years, now you got to build [for] us. We’re not interested in you building in India, India can take care of themselves … we want you to build here.’” Analysts have warned that moving US-bound iPhone production to the States would be prohibitively expensive, owing to the lack of facilities and flexible workforce that Apple has access to in China. Wedbush Securities, a financial services firm, said last month that an iPhone made in the US would be more three times more expensive than now at $3,500. Source link #Trump #threatens #tariff #Apple #Samsung #phones #Trump #tariffs Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Perth traffic: Mitchell Freeway, Mount Hawthorn and Canning Highway, Bicton impacted by crashes Perth traffic: Mitchell Freeway, Mount Hawthorn and Canning Highway, Bicton impacted by crashes A ****** on the Powis Street entry ramp to Mitchell Freeway in Mount Hawthorn has caused chaos on Saturday afternoon. The collision has reduced the ramp to one lane, with firefighters and towing services on the scene. Main Roads WA confirmed motorists are outside of their vehicles and urged drivers in the area to exercise caution. Traffic is slow on approach. Another ****** on Canning Highway eastbound in Bicton has delayed traffic in the area. The incident has blocked the right lane, with traffic heavy in the area. Police are on scene directing traffic but motorists are urged to exercise caution. Source link #Perth #traffic #Mitchell #Freeway #Mount #Hawthorn #Canning #Highway #Bicton #impacted #crashes Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘Alarming’ rise in regional internet censorship in China, study finds | China ‘Alarming’ rise in regional internet censorship in China, study finds | China China’s authorities appear to have implemented an enhanced version of the country’s internet censorship regime in the central province of Henan, subjecting tens of millions of residents to even stricter controls on access to information than people in the rest of the country. A research paper published this month by Great Firewall Report, an internet censorship monitoring platform, found that internet users in Henan, one of China’s most populous provinces, were, on average, denied access to five times more websites than a typical ******** internet user between November 2023 and March 2025. “Our work documents an alarming sign of regional censorship emerging in China,” said the researchers, who include authors from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Stanford University. China has the world’s most sophisticated and extensive internet censorship regime. Internet users cannot access most western news websites or social media platforms, including services provided by Google, Wikipedia and Meta. Within what has been dubbed the “great firewall”, online content is monitored and censored by a mixture of government authorities and private companies complying with laws that require them to delete any content considered “sensitive”. That includes any information about historical or current events that goes against the ******** ********** party’s official narrative. The researchers began looking into the topic after internet users in Henan reported that websites accessible in other parts of China were inaccessible in their province. They found that millions of domains that were not blocked by China’s centralised firewall were at some point inaccessible in Henan. By buying servers from internet cloud providers, the authors tested the flow of internet traffic from locations within Henan. They tested the internet’s top 1m domains daily between November 2023 and March 2025, with a gap of several months in 2024. The results showed that the Henan firewall blocked nearly 4.2 million domains at some point during the research *******, over five times more than the roughly 741,500 domains blocked by China’s national firewall. The domains that were specifically blocked in Henan were mainly from business-related websites. There have been several finance-related protests in Henan in recent years, which the researchers speculated could be the reason for the additional controls on access to information about the economy being controlled. In 2022, thousands of people in Henan took part in several demonstrations after they were blocked from withdrawing cash from their bank accounts. The crisis escalated when protesters reported that their mobile health codes, part of the pandemic control measures in place at the time, had turned red, preventing them from travelling or entering buildings. Five officials were later punished for abusing the health code system to quell the protests. Other parts of China have also been subjected to enhanced internet controls. In July 2009, following deadly ethnic riots, the ******** government imposed an internet blackout in Xinjiang, a region in western China home to the Uyghur *********, that lasted 10 months. Since then, the use of the internet in Xinjiang has been much more tightly monitored than in the rest of the country. Online activities in Tibet are also strictly controlled. The emergence of a regional censorship regime in Henan is unusual because it is not a region of China that is normally considered especially restive by the ******** authorities. The researchers could not determine if the enhanced controls were imposed by the local authorities in Henan or the central government in Beijing. skip past newsletter promotion A weekly dive in to how technology is shaping our lives Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain info about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. For more information see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. after newsletter promotion Rapid advances in China’s artificial intelligence companies are a boon to both the censors and those who wish to evade them. China’s Ministry of Public Security (MPS) recently unveiled new surveillance tools that can monitor people who use virtual private networks, software that allows people to circumvent the internet firewall. The MPS’s research institute also showcased a tool that it claimed could monitor accounts on Telegram, a messaging app. The tool has already collected more than 30bn messages, the institute claimed. Mingshi Wu, the lead author of the Henan study, who uses a pseudonym to protect their identity, said: “On the one hand, AI could be leveraged to create more sophisticated, adaptive, and efficient censorship and surveillance tools. On the other hand, AI also enables new opportunities for those seeking to understand and circumvent censorship. For example, AI can assist in developing more agile testing tools for detecting censorship.” The Henan Cyberspace Affairs Commission could not be reached for comment. Additional research by Lillian Yang Source link #Alarming #rise #regional #internet #censorship #China #study #finds #China Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Mike Huckabee, US ambassador to Israel, says country is shocked amid Washington embassy staffer killings Mike Huckabee, US ambassador to Israel, says country is shocked amid Washington embassy staffer killings U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said Thursday that Israelis are in shock following the Wednesday evening killing of two Israeli Embassy staffers in Washington, criticizing pro-************ student protesters in America. “People here in Israel are devastated,” Huckabee said during an appearance on Fox News’ “Fox & Friends” on Thursday. “It’s just a horrific tragedy, act of terror and another way in which we have to recognize Jewish people all over the world are being singled out for horrible attacks.” Huckabee’s remarks come after two staff members of the Israeli Embassy were shot and killed outside the Capital Jewish Museum on Wednesday by an assailant who police say yelled “free, free Palestine” after being taken into custody. He said he’s been in contact with White House officials, including Attorney General Pam Bondi and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, along with the Israeli ambassador to the U.S., Yechiel Leiter, about the fatal shootings. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that President Donald Trump spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday. They had a “productive discussion” that included the tragic shooting in D.C., Leavitt told reporters at a press briefing. Huckabee also criticized student protesters who have recently sought to revive demonstrations against the Israel-****** war, as Israel has blocked the entrance of most humanitarian aid to the war-torn Gaza Strip for weeks. “If they’re out there supporting the savages — ****** — I’d say, call them and tell them to pack up their things and get home, they are going to get a hard labor job until they do a little history search and find out exactly what they are protesting and what they are protesting for,” Huckabee said. The killings — which have rattled Jewish communities worldwide — have reinvigorated the Trump administration’s calls to rein in violence against Jewish people. President Donald Trump has pursued a crackdown on universities he perceives as insufficiently combating antisemitism on their campuses. “These horrible D.C. killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW!,” Trump wrote in a post to Truth Social after the shooting. “Hatred and Radicalism have no place in the USA. Condolences to the families of the victims. So sad that such things as this can happen! God Bless You ALL!” Ali Bianco contributed to this report. Source link #Mike #Huckabee #ambassador #Israel #country #shocked #Washington #embassy #staffer #killings Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

​New COVID variant NB.1.8.1 behind surge in cases recently: Symptoms associated with it​ – Times of India ​New COVID variant NB.1.8.1 behind surge in cases recently: Symptoms associated with it​ – Times of India ​New COVID variant NB.1.8.1 behind surge in cases recently: Symptoms associated with it​ Times of IndiaNew COVID variant NB.1.8.1 behind surge in China, now detected in U.S. CBS NewsNew COVID-19 variant found among international travelers to New York, other states NewsdayDoctors issue warning over dangerous new Covid strain imported from CHINA that’s now in multiple US states Daily MailNew COVID-19 variant spreads rapidly in the US, experts warn WKRC Source link #COVID #variant #NB.1.8.1 #surge #cases #Symptoms #Times #India Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Doping-China urges sports bodies to reject ‘gladiator show’ Enhanced Games Doping-China urges sports bodies to reject ‘gladiator show’ Enhanced Games (Reuters) -The ******** Anti-Doping Agency (CHINADA) has denounced the Enhanced Games on Friday and called on the global sports community to collectively oppose the competition that endorses the use of banned substances. The Enhanced Games will debut in May 2026 in Las Vegas with swimming, athletics and weightlifting on the agenda for athletes using substances banned in official competition, to the dismay of anti-doping bodies like the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Participants could earn prize money totalling up to $500,000 per event plus bonuses for surpassing a world record mark. CHINADA denounced the event in a statement to state news agency Xinhua on Friday, calling it “a distorted competition that turns pure sports competition into a drug contest, which serious(ly) contradicts the purpose of the World Anti-Doping Code.” “It severely threatens the physical and mental health of athletes as well as the spirit of sport. In addition, its publicity tactics reveal its nature as a capital-driven initiative. “CHINADA hereby expresses our firm opposition to any attempt to portray doping as so-called scientific advancements, and calls on the global sports community to stand united in rejecting the Enhanced Games.” The Enhanced Games operate under the principle that banning performance-enhancing drugs in major competitions does not protect athletes but rather stifles their performance. Organisers have called on athletes to join the competition. However, CHINADA said the Enhanced Games organisers lure athletes with high prizes into risking their health and feeding public appetite for a “gladiator show”. (Reporting by Shifa Jahan in Bengaluru; Editing by William Mallard) Source link #DopingChina #urges #sports #bodies #reject #gladiator #show #Enhanced #Games Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Josh O’Connor Art Heist Film ‘The Mastermind’ Steals 5.5-Minute Cannes Ovation as Director Kelly Reichardt Says ‘America Is in a Ditch Right Now’ – Variety Josh O’Connor Art Heist Film ‘The Mastermind’ Steals 5.5-Minute Cannes Ovation as Director Kelly Reichardt Says ‘America Is in a Ditch Right Now’ – Variety Josh O’Connor Art Heist Film ‘The Mastermind’ Steals 5.5-Minute Cannes Ovation as Director Kelly Reichardt Says ‘America Is in a Ditch Right Now’ VarietyThe Mastermind review – Josh O’Connor is world’s worst art thief in Kelly Reichardt’s unlikely heist movie The GuardianJosh O’Connor Is at His Hangdog Dirtbag Best in The Mastermind VultureCincinnati-shot film “The Mastermind” to debut at Cannes Film Festival WKRCJosh O’Connor Lights Up Cannes With ‘The Mastermind’ World Premiere The Hollywood Reporter Source link #Josh #OConnor #Art #Heist #Film #Mastermind #Steals #5.5Minute #Cannes #Ovation #Director #Kelly #Reichardt #America #Ditch #Variety Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Possible sign of life in deep space faces new doubts – Phys.org Possible sign of life in deep space faces new doubts – Phys.org Possible sign of life in deep space faces new doubts Phys.orgView Full Coverage on Google News Source link #sign #life #deep #space #faces #doubts #Phys.org Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Ukraine says 15 people hurt in ‘massive’ Russian attack on capital Ukraine says 15 people hurt in ‘massive’ Russian attack on capital OLEKSIJEVA DRUZHKIVKA, UKRAINE – MAY 23: View of destruction after Russian shelling of the private sector in Oleksijeva Druzhkivka, Donetsk oblast, Ukraine on May 23, 2025. (Photo by Jose Colon/Anadolu via Getty Images) Anadolu | Anadolu | Getty Images Russia launched dozens of attack drones and ballistic missiles at Kyiv overnight in one of the biggest combined aerial attacks on the Ukrainian capital of the three-year war, damaging several apartment buildings and injuring 15 people. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in a social media post it had been a “tough night” for Ukraine, and called for new international sanctions to pressure Moscow into agreeing to a ceasefire. In the early hours of the morning, Reuters witnesses saw and heard successive waves of drones flying over Kyiv, and a series of explosions jolted the city. The capital also reverberated with the sound of anti-aircraft batteries trying to bring down the drones. Pictures from Reuters photographers showed an orange-red glow lighting up the city as plumes of smoke wafted across the horizon. On the top floor of one apartment building, smoke and flames billowed out of a balcony window as firefighters tried to approach. The Kyiv city military administration and the police reported damage in six districts of the Ukrainian capital, and a total so far of 15 people wounded. As dawn broke on Saturday, residents at an apartment building just outside the centre of Kyiv were surveying the damage caused by drones. Dozens of windows had been shattered, and balconies on one side of the building were smashed. “I wish they’d agree to a ceasefire. To bomb people like this,” said Olha Chyrukha, a 64-year-old resident. “The poor children! My three-year-old granddaughter was screaming scared.” The Obolon district on the north-western edge of Kyiv was the worst hit, officials said. A resident there, 42-year-old Olha Kalina, said her apartment was struck. She was spending the night with her own parents elsewhere, but two of her children, aged 20 and 13, were in the apartment. “The kids rang me at three in the morning and said: ‘Mum, we’ve been hit. The balcony’s on fire’.” Kalina rushed to the scene, and found her children sheltering in a nearby underground car park, their faces blackened from smoke. She said the apartment was no longer habitable because of fire damage. Ceasefire talks Both Ukraine and Russia said they will comply with a request from U.S. President Donald Trump to hold fresh talks about a peace deal. The two sides carried out a major prisoner exchange on Friday, which Trump suggested could be the first step towards more positive developments. However, Moscow and Kyiv have accused each other of not being serious about seeking an end to the fighting. In a post on the Telegram social media platform, Zelenskiy said: “With each such attack, the world becomes convinced that the reason for the war being dragged out is Moscow.” “Only additional sanctions against key sectors of the Russian economy will force Moscow to agree to a ceasefire.” Ukraine’s air force said that Russia had fired 14 ballistic missiles at targets across Ukraine overnight and launched 250 long-range drones, with Kyiv the main target. There was no immediate comment from Russia on the overnight attacks. The strikes followed several days of Ukrainian drone attacks – some 800 attacks – on targets inside Russia, including the capital Moscow. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov had vowed on Friday to respond to those attacks. Source link #Ukraine #people #hurt #massive #Russian #attack #capital Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Call of Duty: Mobile adds Zoo Multiplayer map, Buy Stations, and NieR: Automata collab goodies in latest update Call of Duty: Mobile adds Zoo Multiplayer map, Buy Stations, and NieR: Automata collab goodies in latest update New Zoo Multiplayer map and Buy Stations in Battle Royale Kui Ji – YoRHa No. 9 Type S operator available Season 5 – Primal Reckoning will be launched on May 28th Call of Duty: Mobile Season 5 is welcoming the latest update titled Primal Reckoning, adding the new Zoo Multiplayer map and fresh skins to the fray. This means you can jazz up your Combat Axe and Smoke Grenade as well as unleash hell with the new VMP SMG, because dominating – truly dominating – the battlefield means looking hella cool at the same time. With the new update also comes Buy Stations in Battle Royale – this lets you take down your targets, grab their cash, and make the most of the spoils of war (finders, keepers, after all). There’s a new Battle Pass to unlock as well, which adds Operator Skins and Weapon Blueprints among other goodies across a fresh dystopian theme. This brings to mind the collab with NieR: Automata, where the Kui Ji – YoRHa No. 9 Type S operator is up for grabs along with themed weapons. And speaking of crossovers, have you had your fill of the Seven Deadly Sins crossover yet? While you’re at it, why not take a look at our list of COD Mobile codes too for even more freebies? Season 5 – Primal Reckoning will be released on May 28th, and if you’re curious about all the nitty-gritty, you can learn more about it from the official update blog. In the meantime, if you’re eager to join in on all the fun, you can do so by checking out Call of Duty: Mobile on the App Store and on Google Play. It’s free-to-play with in-app purchases. You can also join the community of followers on the official Facebook page to stay updated on all the latest developments, visit the official website for more info, or take a little peek at the embedded clip above to get a feel of the vibes and visuals. Source link #Call #Duty #Mobile #adds #Zoo #Multiplayer #map #Buy #Stations #NieR #Automata #collab #goodies #latest #update Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Microsoft dumps AI into Notepad as 'Copilot all the things' mania takes hold in Redmond – theregister.com Microsoft dumps AI into Notepad as 'Copilot all the things' mania takes hold in Redmond – theregister.com Microsoft dumps AI into Notepad as ‘Copilot all the things’ mania takes hold in Redmond theregister.comPaint, Snipping Tool, and Notepad updates with new features begin rolling out to Windows Insiders Windows BlogIn 3.5 years, Notepad.exe has gone from “barely maintained” to “it writes for you” Ars TechnicaMicrosoft is putting AI actions into the Windows File Explorer The VergeMicrosoft Notepad can now write for you using generative AI The Verge Source link #Microsoft #dumps #Notepad #039Copilot #things039 #mania #takes #hold #Redmond #theregister.com Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Early stops, late gambles – What to expect as FIA enforce Monaco GP two-stop plan – PlanetF1 Early stops, late gambles – What to expect as FIA enforce Monaco GP two-stop plan – PlanetF1 Early stops, late gambles – What to expect as FIA enforce Monaco GP two-stop plan PlanetF1Will two stops at Monaco ‘spice it up a bit more’? BBCFormula One optimistic tyre decree can inject life into ageing Monaco GP The GuardianCan F1’s rule change add action to the spectacle of Monaco? ESPNF1 Monaco GP LIVE: Qualifying start time, schedule and updates The Independent Source link #Early #stops #late #gambles #expect #FIA #enforce #Monaco #twostop #plan #PlanetF1 Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Heartbreaking find in search for missing Sydney dad Heartbreaking find in search for missing Sydney dad Police have found a body that they say is suspected of being that of a 20-year-old who went missing from Ingleburn earlier this year. Source link #Heartbreaking #find #search #missing #Sydney #dad Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Ukraine Deploys Record Numbers of Drones Against Russian Arms Factories, Airports – Kyiv Post Ukraine Deploys Record Numbers of Drones Against Russian Arms Factories, Airports – Kyiv Post Ukraine Deploys Record Numbers of Drones Against Russian Arms Factories, Airports Kyiv PostRussia launches missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian capital, hours after prisoner swap begins CNNKyiv comes under large-scale Russian drone and missile attack with explosions heard throughout city AP NewsUkraine war briefing: Multiple injuries as Russia attacks Kyiv with drones and missiles The GuardianIDF says drone strike targeted armed gunmen spotted near aid trucks in central Gaza The Times of Israel Source link #Ukraine #Deploys #Record #Numbers #Drones #Russian #Arms #Factories #Airports #Kyiv #Post Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Pacers’ Pascal Siakam torments Knicks in lights-out Game 2 performance – New York Post Pacers’ Pascal Siakam torments Knicks in lights-out Game 2 performance – New York Post Pacers’ Pascal Siakam torments Knicks in lights-out Game 2 performance New York PostPacers hold off late charge, put Knicks in 2-0 hole ESPNAfter Game 1 collapse, Knicks once again must prove they were made for this moment The New York TimesHow the Pacers pulled off a comeback never seen before in NBA history NBC NewsTyrese Haliburton’s Girlfriend Trolled Knicks With Perfect One-Liner in Social Media Post Sports Illustrated Source link #Pacers #Pascal #Siakam #torments #Knicks #lightsout #Game #performance #York #Post Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Florida Republicans Break With Trump Over Venezuelan Deportations – The New York Times Florida Republicans Break With Trump Over Venezuelan Deportations – The New York Times Florida Republicans Break With Trump Over Venezuelan Deportations The New York TimesUnder Trump, some immigrants lose protections — others don’t. Why? The Washington PostVenezuelan workers at Disney put on leave from jobs after losing protective status WESHVenezuelan family in Minnesota pursues asylum amid court battle over TPS Star TribuneUS business owners are confused about Venezuelan employees with temporary status AP News Source link #Florida #Republicans #Break #Trump #Venezuelan #Deportations #York #Times Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘Lilo & Stitch’ Targeting $170M-$180M Box Office Bow, ‘Mission: Impossible’ Eyes Series-Best $78M – The Hollywood Reporter ‘Lilo & Stitch’ Targeting $170M-$180M Box Office Bow, ‘Mission: Impossible’ Eyes Series-Best $78M – The Hollywood Reporter ‘Lilo & Stitch’ Targeting $170M-$180M Box Office Bow, ‘Mission: Impossible’ Eyes Series-Best $78M The Hollywood Reporter‘Lilo & Stitch’ Taking Down ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ For Record Memorial Day Weekend Opening $170M-$180M; ‘Mission: Impossible 8’ Eyes $78M 4-day Debut – Box Office Update Deadline‘Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning’ Ending: Who Dies and Is This Really Tom Cruise’s Last Mission? VarietyThe Top Five Highest-Grossing Disney Classic Animation Remakes Of All Time boxofficepro.comGet ready for a ‘Stitchpossible’ weekend Morning Brew Source link #Lilo #amp #Stitch #Targeting #170M180M #Box #Office #Bow #Mission #Impossible #Eyes #SeriesBest #78M #Hollywood #Reporter Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Rival coaches back AFL umpires over Bedford injury call Rival coaches back AFL umpires over Bedford injury call Rival coaches Adam Kingsley and Michael Voss are united in the belief that umpires made the right call to stop play when GWS tagger Toby Bedford was nursing a shoulder injury. Bedford hurt his right shoulder when attempting to tackle an opponent in the third quarter at Marvel Stadium on Saturday, and play continued nearby for several seconds. But the controlling umpire eventually blew his whistle, with Carlton’s Tom De Koning in possession just metres from Bedford, who was crouched down clutching his shoulder. A ball-up was called after Bedford rose to his feet, and he eventually took his place next to Blues skipper Patrick Cripps at the stoppage. The incident came with umpires still under a fierce spotlight after play was allowed to continue when Collingwood’s Lachie Schultz was concussed a fortnight ago. GWS coach Kingsley said it was “a really tricky one” for umpires, but backed their decision to stop play during his side’s 17.8 (110) to 12.10 (82) win. “A ball-up, I thought, was the fair outcome,” Kingsley said. “The last couple of weeks the umpires have been under a bit of pressure around not stopping the play, so what would we expect them to do? “Of course they’re going to be cautious, and so I thought they made the right call, absolutely.” Carlton coach Voss agreed, noting the scrutiny umpires have been under in the media after the Schultz incident. “That’s why you’ve got to be really careful how hard you go on those things,” Voss said. “Their intention was fine, so we’ve got to give them a little bit of a break on this. “You’d love it to be perfect, and the reality is maybe that could’ve been handled differently. “But you’ve got to look at the umpire’s intention, and he’s trying to do the right thing. “And the ball-up (call) ended up being the right thing, I guess.” Kingsley laughed off suggestions players or coaches could try to exploit umpires’ caution by faking injuries. “Asking our players to lie down in critical moments during passages of play or something? It’s probably not something that will happen,” he said. “There’s a fairness with every competitor in this competition, whether they’re coaching or playing, that would suggest they’re not going to try to do that.” Kingsley did not agree with suggestions an injured player should be forced off the field before play restarts. “Then you’re kind of at the discretion of an umpire’s assessment of an injury, which I don’t particularly like,” he said. Source link #Rival #coaches #AFL #umpires #Bedford #injury #call Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]