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Milestone man Greene lights up as Giants flex muscles Milestone man Greene lights up as Giants flex muscles GWS skipper Toby Greene produced a hot start in his AFL milestone game and was one of the Giants’ best in their important away win over Carlton. Source link #Milestone #man #Greene #lights #Giants #flex #muscles Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

T.J. Maxx and Marshalls can ‘insulate’ themselves from tariffs because their business model is scooping up other retailers’ unsold inventory T.J. Maxx and Marshalls can ‘insulate’ themselves from tariffs because their business model is scooping up other retailers’ unsold inventory T.J. Maxx and Marshalls parent company TJX has an advantage over its discount retail rivals, analysts said. TJX is an off-price retailer that sources much of its inventory from other retailers’ unsold products, meaning it doesn’t have to pay tariffs on the bulk of its goods. Moreover, consumers continue to pull back on discretionary goods from other retailers. Off-price retailers like T.J. Maxx are staying strong amid tariff concerns and economic uncertainty thanks in part to their ability to nab inventory from other retailers’ unsold products—after the initial buyer already paid import taxes on them. TJX, the parent company of T.J. Maxx, HomeGoods, and Marshalls, reported better-than-expected first-quarter earnings Wednesday, posting $13.11 billion in net sales for the quarter, compared to the estimated $13.01 billion, according to data compiled by LSEG. TJX’s share price was down about 3% as of Wednesday afternoon after CEO Ernie Herrman warned the company was “not immune to tariff pressure.” “The availability of merchandise we are seeing is outstanding, and we are in a great position to take advantage of the plentiful opportunities that the marketplace is offering,” Herrman said in a call with investors on Wednesday. “We are confident in our ability to navigate the current tariff and macro environment in the short term.” Off-price retailers are able to keep prices low by keeping an inventory of unsold items from other retailers, as well as brokering deals directly with manufacturers for brand name products in bulk. While logistics experts and economists warned of empty shelves as a result of tariffs causing companies to cut back on imports, Herrman shrugged off inventory concerns. The company reported a 7% increase in inventory per store. “This is a typical remark, but is important at a time when investors are worried about empty shelves,” Bank of America analyst Lorraine Hutchinson said in a note to investors on Wednesday. Bank of America predicted earlier this month that off-price retailers would be able to use the strategy of sourcing unwanted inventory from other retailers to “insulate” themselves from tariffs. “​​The theory is that inventory would have already been [subject to] the tariffs [absorbed] by the original purchaser,” Brian Mulberry, client portfolio manager at Zacks Investment Management, told Fortune. “Therefore, the discount retailers don’t pass on this, or they don’t experience the same level of tariffs.” TJX sources about 60% of its products from other retailers, and about 40% from deals with manufacturers, Mulberry said. While the 40% of inventory bought directly from manufacturers are subject to tariffs, those products, often brand-name goods, have high appeal to consumers who may be otherwise skimping on discretionary purchases to save money. Story Continues “If there is some type of pressure on the U.S. consumer that makes them a little bit more cost-conscious, the discounts that they’re getting at TJX is speaking to the wallet, if you will, of the consumer,” Mulberry said. Herrman said he was confident that stores, particularly HomeGoods, will continue to be well stocked even as tariffs on China hover at 30% because TJX relies on about 21,000 vendors across 100 countries. “Our merchants deal with negotiating with the vendor, who’s in negotiations, really, with their factories in China,” he said. “I think the availability will be fine. There’s so many vendors that we deal with…I don’t really get concerned about empty shelves.” TJX’s well-stocked shelves and discount prices have given it a leg up over other discount retailers, Mulberry said. Target, which continues to post dismal earnings, has struggled to move inventory since the pandemic. While not always known as a discount store, it has had to slash prices on many of its goods in order to move them. Still, Target’s ticket size, or how much shoppers spent per transaction, decreased this quarter. Target did not immediately respond to Fortune’s request for comment. Because TJX maintained its fiscal 2026 guidance of a 2% to 3% increase in comparable sales, UBS analyst Jay Sole posited the company would also have the edge on full-price rivals. “Our view is TJX will take major market share from Department Store peers over the next few years,” Sole said in a Wednesday note. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com Source link #T.J #Maxx #Marshalls #insulate #tariffs #business #model #scooping #retailers #unsold #inventory Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

SEC Baseball Tournament 2025 Friday Scores, Updated Bracket and Schedule – Bleacher Report SEC Baseball Tournament 2025 Friday Scores, Updated Bracket and Schedule – Bleacher Report SEC Baseball Tournament 2025 Friday Scores, Updated Bracket and Schedule Bleacher ReportThe gauntlet of the SEC baseball tournament and what to know going in ESPNTennessee over Texas is a tall tale but every word is true Southeastern Conference2025 SEC baseball tournament: Bracket, schedule, scores NCAA.comSEC Baseball Tournament: Bring your ace to work Wednesday in Hoover Saturday Down South Source link #SEC #Baseball #Tournament #Friday #Scores #Updated #Bracket #Schedule #Bleacher #Report Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Food banks ‘picking up the slack’ for the government Food banks ‘picking up the slack’ for the government Catherine Doyle BBC News NI Deirdre Deirdre, from west Belfast, says food banks are “picking up the slack” for the government A single mother, from west Belfast, has said she doesn’t know how her “children would have been fed” without food banks. It comes after the anti-poverty charity Trussell Trust released annual figures showing a 71% increase in the number of emergency food parcels distributed in Northern Ireland in the past year compared to five years ago. The figures show that more than 77,000 parcels were provided by food banks to people “facing hunger” in Northern Ireland over the past year. The charity says it’s equivalent to “one parcel every seven minutes”. Deirdre, a mother of two, said food banks were “a lifeline” for her. ‘I didn’t know what to do’Getty Images The charity says the figures should be a “wake-up call” for the local and *** governments Deirdre said she had worked since she was 15 and had three jobs to get herself through university, but turned to food banks after “having to come out of my professional job”. “It was very embarrassing,” she said. She used to donate to food banks before having to turn to them for help. “Little did I know that I would ever be in a position where I was going to be one of them people,” she said. “It was at a stage in my life where I didn’t know what to do”. ‘Not surprised’ Deirdre Deirdre says “Nobody knows the situation they’re ever going to face” that might lead to going to a food bank for help The figures from Trussell show “significant” numbers of parents “struggling to afford the essentials”. There has been a 68% rise in families with children needing emergency food, since 2019/20, and a 47% rise in parcels to support children under the age of five. The charity said many food banks are reporting “severe levels of hardship”, with some parents rationing their own food to feed their children. While the organisation has seen a decrease in the total number of emergency food parcels distributed compared to the previous year, they said “the need for emergency food is still persistently high”. Deirdre said people don’t realise that “the working poor are still in need of food banks”. “Nobody knows the situation they’re ever going to face. “Nobody knows whether or not you’re going to lose a job. Nobody knows whether or not your mental health might change. Nobody knows what got you to the stage where you are going to have to avail of a food bank.” Deirdre added that she’s “really not surprised” by the number of people relying on food banks and called on the policy makers to do something. She said there should not be a “need for food banks” adding that charities are “picking up the slack” for the government. “All these decisions that people are making about cuts… are being made by people who have not experienced what we have experienced,” she said. Deidre added: “I don’t know how my children would have been fed” without food banks. “I was too embarrassed to go to relatives.” Without this help, Deirdre said: “I probably would have made sure they were okay and I wasn’t.” “That’s the stark reality of the society that we live in today.” ‘Massive wake-up call’Getty Images Fiona Cole, from Trussell, says “A whole generation has now grown up in a country where sustained high levels of food bank need feels like the norm” Fiona Cole, policy manager in Northern Ireland at Trussell, said: “A whole generation has now grown up in a country where sustained high levels of food bank need feels like the norm. “This should be a massive wake-up call to government.” “We urgently need the Northern Ireland Executive to deliver on the original ambition for an anti-poverty strategy.” She added: “The Westminster government will fail to improve living standards unless it rows back on its harmful policy choices on disability benefits, support for children, and housing support.” ‘It’s not right’Getty Images Local food bank manager Ken Scott says “food donations are not keeping up with the level of need we are seeing” Ken Scott, manager of Bangor Foodbank and Community Support, said: “Our food bank is seeing far too many people who are forced to need our help. “Food donations are not keeping up with the level of need we are seeing, and this is putting us under a lot of strain. “It’s not right that anyone should be forced to turn to charity for emergency food,” he added. Trussell The Trussell Trust says many food banks are reporting “severe levels of hardship” Deirdre said the reason people are going to food banks is “not because we mismanage money. It’s not because we can’t budget. It’s because there isn’t enough to budget.” “Universal Credit is not enough to live on.” Source link #Food #banks #picking #slack #government Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Eel’s NRL debut famous from here to Hawaii Eel’s NRL debut famous from here to Hawaii Joash Papalii’s dream NRL debut will quite literally be celebrated all around the world – and the Parramatta youngster can thank his mum. Around 150 friends and family members attended CommBank Stadium on Friday night to witness Eels winger Papalii writing the first chapter of his NRL story. The 20-year-old Canterbury junior starred in the Eels’ 30-10 upset defeat of Manly after coming on for the concussed Will Penisini less than 90 seconds into the game. Playing on the right, Papalii collected a skidding Dean Hawkins kick and set up a try finding Jordan Samrani on his outside, before gathering a looping Hawkins pass for a four-pointer of his own. Papalii’s debut was fitting reward for patience; he’d been Jason Ryles’ replacement player in all but one of Parramatta’s games since round two. “I’ve always dreamed about this, watching it as the 18th man, experiencing the boys playing, it’s all I ever wanted to do,” Papalii said at fulltime. After biding his time, Papalii became emotional when Ryles told him on Monday that he would be making his first NRL appearance on Friday night. “He just told me straight, ‘You’ll be debuting this week’, and in my mind I was like, ‘Are you joking?'” Papalii said. “I was about to cry, I try to hold my tears, but when he said it, it was a relief. I didn’t expect it. I didn’t expect it this week.” For those who couldn’t be there in person, Papalii’s mother Margaret will make her way to the post office on Monday and post some 90 Papalii T-shirts and jumpers. Some will end up with loved ones as far and wide as New Zealand, Indonesia, Hawaii and the US mainland. “We got made 200 in total, not including the T-shirts that people ordered from overseas, so there’s a backlog batch that we’re going to send over on Monday,” Margaret said. For Papalii, sharing his debut with his mother and father was the highlight of a very special evening. “That’s all I wanted to do, is give back to them, my dad and mum, and all the sacrifices they’ve given me throughout my life,” Papalii said. “All the trainings, all the drives, even they would take off work to take me (to footy), and I just wanted to give back and make them proud.” Source link #Eels #NRL #debut #famous #Hawaii Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

General Motors makes surprising announcement about the price of its electric vehicles: ‘We feel good’ General Motors makes surprising announcement about the price of its electric vehicles: ‘We feel good’ Inside EVs reported that General Motors is not planning to raise prices due to the current administration’s tariff policies. “We now expect pricing to be relatively consistent for the remainder of the year.” GM CFO Paul Jacobson stated, according to the report. This announcement is surprising. Several of GM’s EVs are assembled in Mexico, so the company is bracing for a huge cost impact in the billions of dollars. However, according to the Inside EVs report, GM is currently planning to hold steady on consumer pricing through the rest of the year. The article cites that the Equinox EV is currently the most affordable EV in the U.S. and that GM credits its Mexico build location for keeping costs so low. The low price, coupled with the vehicle’s 300-plus mile range, has made Chevrolet the fastest-growing EV brand in the country. GM said it is expecting a $4 billion to $5 billion impact based on the current tariff policy, affecting imports from Korea, Mexico, and Canada. It plans to offset some of the costs with “self-help initiatives” and increased U.S. production of battery components, according to the report. Switching from a gas-powered vehicle to an EV has environmental and financial benefits. EVs do not produce air pollution that contributes to the warming of the planet, so it is a more eco-friendly transportation choice. EV owners can say goodbye to rising, fluctuating gas prices, saving money over time. Some EV skeptics cite the negative environmental effects that are a result of the pollution created during the battery manufacturing and charging process. While there is an environmental impact, the process is getting cleaner over time and has minimal negative effects in comparison to the 16.5 billion tons of fuel required for powering traditional gas vehicles. Roughly 30 million tons of minerals are dug up annually for the more affordable energy transition to EVs, and these minerals can often be reused, further reducing the environmental impact. Jacobson is confident that GM’s wide EV lineup – from the $35,000 Equinox EV to the $130,000 Cadillac Escalade IQ – will help the company maintain pricing. “We feel good about where pricing is versus where we started the year, so we’ve assumed things remain constant from here,” Jacobson said, according to Inside EVs. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don’t miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Source link #General #Motors #surprising #announcement #price #electric #vehicles #feel #good Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Stephen A. Smith Incensed After Knicks Fall Down 2-0 in Eastern Conference Finals – Sports Illustrated Stephen A. Smith Incensed After Knicks Fall Down 2-0 in Eastern Conference Finals – Sports Illustrated Stephen A. Smith Incensed After Knicks Fall Down 2-0 in Eastern Conference Finals Sports IllustratedPacers hold off late charge, put Knicks in 2-0 hole ESPNDoyel: Pacers are two wins at home from NBA Finals? Not to get ahead of ourselves, but… IndyStarAfter 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 News Source link #Stephen #Smith #Incensed #Knicks #Fall #Eastern #Conference #Finals #Sports #Illustrated Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trent Alexander-Arnold: The relationship between local players & fans Trent Alexander-Arnold: The relationship between local players & fans Speaking in 2022, Dunk, now 33, said he wanted to remain “a one-club man” at Amex Stadium. “I was born here, my childhood was here, I’ve played for and captained the club… to do it in your home town, not many people get to do that,” he explained., external But Dunk is not your typical footballer. The idea of playing for the club you support – and spending your entire professional career with them – may be the stuff of dreams for fans, but it doesn’t often quite work out like that for players. “It’s sometimes really hard for supporters – you feel like they fall for it every time. ‘This player really loves us’… and then they move on,” former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher said on Sky Sports. “Players don’t think like supporters. “He [Alexander-Arnold] will lose something that he’s got right now in terms of the Liverpool fans. “Some people will say playing for Real Madrid… that price isn’t worth paying. While others will say you’ve got to play for Real Madrid, they’re the biggest club in the world. “That is something he’s sacrificed. That’s his decision.” And then there are the downsides to being a local player. Chris Sutton was a Premier League winner with Blackburn Rovers in 1994-95 – but his first taste of professional football was with Norwich. The former striker was born in Nottingham but his family moved to Norfolk when he was a couple of years old, so for him it was his hometown club. “Is there a difference when you are playing for your local club? Yes, because you have this attachment to the club, your family and the area. You are playing for them all,” he told BBC Sport. “From the outside, people always think how great it is when someone has come through and is playing for his boyhood club, but in many ways there is greater pressure than when you have moved somewhere. “You don’t always get more patience from fans just because you are a local lad, but that is a consequence of the environment and the expectations at clubs. A lot of the time now, fans expect immediate success from these players coming through. They want them to be the finished article. “A few years ago, I did think you maybe got a longer opportunity to prove yourself as a young player. I think now, though, we’re in an age of instant judgement.” Source link #Trent #AlexanderArnold #relationship #local #players #fans Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Riverton ******: Man charged after a firearm, drugs and cash found in Kia Rio hatchback Riverton ******: Man charged after a firearm, drugs and cash found in Kia Rio hatchback A man has been charged with a string of serious offences after a firearm, cash and drugs were found in one of the cars involved in a three-vehicle ****** in Riverton. Source link #Riverton #****** #Man #charged #firearm #drugs #cash #Kia #Rio #hatchback Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Until Dawn Movie Adaptation Releases On Digital, 4K Blu-Ray Preorders Are Live Until Dawn Movie Adaptation Releases On Digital, 4K Blu-Ray Preorders Are Live While movie adaptations of video games can be very hit or miss, Until Dawn was one of the more memorable projects thanks to the film putting its own spin on the game’s choose-your-own-design mechanics. In case you missed it on the big screen, Until Dawn is now available to watch from the comfort of your own couch. You can rent or buy the digital release from Prime Video for $20-$25. If you prefer physical media and don’t mind waiting, Until Dawn’s 4K Blu-ray combo pack is up for preorder at Amazon and Walmart ahead of its July 8 release date. Until Dawn is the third video game film adaptation from PlayStation Productions following Uncharted and Gran Turismo. The production company, which was founded in 2019, is also credited with the TV adaptations of Twisted Metal and the critically acclaimed HBO series The Last of Us. $50 | Releases July 8 Until Dawn’s 4K Blu-ray edition also comes a 1080p Blu-ray disc and digital copy of the film. Along with native 4K resolution, Until Dawn will support Dolby Atmos audio on supported devices. Amazon and Walmart have the 4K Blu-ray combo pack priced at $50 at the moment. That said, we expect the price to drop prior to launch. Both retailers offer preorder price guarantees, so you’ll be eligible for any future discounts from the moment you place your order until your Blu-ray ships. Until Dawn is also getting a DVD release, in case you want to experience the horror film in spine-tingling 480p resolution. Amazon has the DVD version priced at $28.60, while Walmart listed it for $35. Here’s the full list of Until Dawn special features: Adapting a Nightmare – Director David F. Sandberg and writer Gary Dauberman discuss the inspirations of the film and how they built off of the game world from the hit PlayStation game. Death-Defying Cast – Meet the cast Practical Terrors – A look at the practical effects and props used to garner realistic reactions from the actors and actresses.p Audio Commentary with director David F. Sandberg and producer Lotta Losten Deleted and extended scenes Buy for $25 / Rent for $20 | Available Now If you don’t want to wait, you can rent Until Dawn for $20 or buy a digital copy for $25. If you buy the film, you can watch it whenever you want, but rentals on Prime Video have a couple of rules to keep in mind. You’ll have 30 days to start watching the movie after making your purchase. Once the movie begins, it will be returned to Amazon in 48 hours. Your rental/purchase grants access to the 4K and standard definition versions of Until Dawn. In case you missed it, Until Dawn tells an original story and is set within the same universe as the game. Connecting the video game and the film is Stormare’s character, Dr. Hill, who appeared in both mediums. Another nod to the game is that the movie has the same tone and vibe, as the main characters find themselves caught in a time-loop where they frequently die due to a variety of grisly means. The only way to break this vicious cycle is to survive…until dawn. The film has received mixed reviews, but if you’re in the mood for a cheesy horror-comedy with slick direction, Until Dawn is an enjoyable watch. You can also pick up the game on PS5, which was given a “cinematic update” with enhanced visuals and sound design. Remade entirely in Unreal Engine 5, the game now has updated character models, environments, interactable props, visual effects, and animations alongside its artistic changes. You can also pick up a few other creepy games from Until Dawn creator Supermassive Games, as the studio specializes in interactive horror stories. Supermassive Horror Games PlayStation Movie & TV Adaptations Uncharted Steelbook Edition | The Last of Us Season 1 Steelbook Edition As mentioned, PlayStation Productions has three films under its belt: 2022’s adaptation of Naughty Dog’s Uncharted, 2023’s Gran Turismo, and now Until Dawn. But the studio’s biggest hit–by a wide margin–is The Last of Us, which has its Season 2 finale this Sunday, May 26. PlayStation Productions also has a bunch of other adaptations in various stages of production, including the reboot of the Resident Evil franchise in 2026, Horizon Zero Dawn, Ghost of Tsushima, and a sequel to Uncharted. But there have been other films and TV shows based on PlayStation games that predate the formation of PlayStation Productions, including Ratchet & Clank and Heavenly Sword, which received a new Blu-ray release last year. Though not technically a PlayStation franchise, the animated film Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children served as a sequel to the hit PS1 console exclusive by Square Enix. Most of current movie and TV adaptations based on PlayStation video games are available on Blu-ray or 4K Blu-ray. The Last of Us Season 1 recently received a Steelbook Edition, and Uncharted’s Steelbook Edition comes with Nathan Drake’s ring/necklace. Gran Turismo also has a Steelbook Edition, but it’s exclusive to Walmart and is the 1080p Blu-ray version. Nintendo fans who are interested in watching one of the wildest video game adaptations ever made–the 1993 Super Mario Bros. live-action film–can pick up the limited 30th Anniversary remaster on 4K Blu-ray and standard Blu-ray at Amazon right now. The standard Blu-ray edition is “temporarily out of stock,” but you can still place your order. For the 4K edition, you may need to click “Other sellers on Amazon” and choose the option that is shipped and sold by Amazon. Meanwhile, Walmart has an exclusive Limited Edition Steelbook of the 2023 animated Super Mario Bros. Movie, which remains the most successful video game film adaptation of all time. A Minecraft Movie won’t be able to catch it, but there’s a chance it will soon become the second game adaptation to cross the billion dollar mark at the box office. You can preorder A Minecraft Movie’s 4K Steelbook Edition for $38 at Amazon; meanwhile, Walmart has an exclusive edition with packaging that can be folded to resemble the Minecraft’s Crafting Table. Source link #Dawn #Movie #Adaptation #Releases #Digital #BluRay #Preorders #Live Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

I’m a cardiologist. Adding this 1 exercise to my routine made me fitter than ever at 70 I’m a cardiologist. Adding this 1 exercise to my routine made me fitter than ever at 70 We all know that exercise is important for overall health, but should our workout routine change as we get older? TODAY.com previously spoke with Dr. Eric Topol, a top cardiologist and longevity researcher, about his science-backed strategies to age healthier from his book “Super Agers: An Evidence-Based Approach to Longevity.” Regular exercise is one of the most effective tools to promote healthy aging and prevent age-related diseases like heart disease and *******, Topol said. One type of exercise in particular may help slow down how fast our bodies age and keep us feeling fit and strong. Cardiologist tip of the day: Strength train at least 3 times a week As a cardiologist, Topol says he was always a fan of aerobic exercise. Over the decades, he focused on heart rate-boosting activities like running and cycling, while skipping strength and resistance training. “That was a mistake,” Topol explained. After researching the benefits of strength training for healthy aging, Topol changed his approach to working out and added this type of exercise to his workout routine. “If I’m going to be old, I’d rather be strong and old,” Topol quipped. Topol, now 70, does at least one hour of resistance and strength training three times a week, or 30 minutes of training, four to five times a week. “I’m more fit and stronger than I can ever remember, just by doing that for over a year now,” Topol says. Why it matters As we age, we start to lose muscle mass and strength, with the most significant declines happening after the age of 50, according to Topol. Regular strength training can help maintain muscle mass and improve bone density, all while promoting mobility and balance, which reduces the risk of falls (the leading cause of injury among adults over 65.) A 2022 systematic review found that resistance training was linked with a lower risk of death from all causes. Despite the wealth of evidence of the benefits of strength training, only one in four adults in the U.S. report meeting the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, which recommends muscle-strengthening activity at least two times per week. How to get started If you don’t already have a strength training routine, don’t sweat it. “It’s never too late,” added Topol. Beginners can start with bodyweight exercises, which require no equipment or gym membership. These include squats, lunges, push-ups, sit-ups, squats, and lunges, wall-sits, and planks, explained Topol. Once you’re comfortable, add in light weights, starting with 5-pound dumbbells. Try to find a full-body routine that works the major muscles in the upper body, lower body, and core. TODAY’s Expert Tip of the Day series is all about simple strategies to make life a little easier. Every Monday through Friday, different qualified experts share their best advice on diet, fitness, heart health, mental wellness and more. This article was originally published on TODAY.com Source link #cardiologist #Adding #exercise #routine #fitter Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Supreme Court, for Now, Shields DOGE from Turning Over Records – The New York Times Supreme Court, for Now, Shields DOGE from Turning Over Records – The New York Times Supreme Court, for Now, Shields DOGE from Turning Over Records The New York TimesChief Justice Roberts temporarily halts discovery in DOGE case The HillSupreme Court temporarily allows Trump administration to shield DOGE documents YahooChief justice temporarily blocks access to DOGE records in FOIA suit The Washington PostChief Justice Roberts stays order requiring DOGE to hand over documents to watchdog group WUSA9 Source link #Supreme #Court #Shields #DOGE #Turning #Records #York #Times Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Anxiety Aunt: Help! Two women are ruining our group fitness class by talking and refusing to listen Anxiety Aunt: Help! Two women are ruining our group fitness class by talking and refusing to listen No one wants a class that is rigid or without an aspect of socialising, but we pay for the classes and we have the right to participate without constant distraction. Source link #Anxiety #Aunt #women #ruining #group #fitness #class #talking #refusing #listen Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

China just started building an AI supercomputer in space China just started building an AI supercomputer in space When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. China launches a Long March rocket carrying communication equipment from Wenchang Space Launch Site on May 20, 2025. | Credit: VCG/VCG via Getty Images China has launched its first cluster of satellites for a planned artificial intelligence (AI) supercomputer constellation in space. The 12 satellites are the beginnings of a proposed 2,800-satellite fleet led by the company ADA Space and Zhejiang Lab that will one day form the Three-Body Computing Constellation, a satellite network that will directly process data in space. The satellites, which launched on board a Long March 2D rocket from China’s Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center May 14, are part of a plan to lower China’s dependence on ground-based computers. Instead, the satellites will use the cold vacuum of space as a natural cooling system while they crunch data with a combined computing capacity of 1,000 peta (1 quintillion) operations per second, according to the ******** government. “It’s a good time to think about how we can put AI into space, not just in your laptop or cellphone,” Wang Jian, director of Zhejiang Lab, said at the Beyond Expo tech conference in Macau Wednesday (May 21), the South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported. “Space has, again, become the frontier for us to think about what we can do in the next 10, 20 or 50 years.” Whether satellites are used for GPS systems, climate sensors, telescopes, weather forecasting or communication, many organizations increasingly rely on the observations made by orbiting spacecraft. But this raw data needs to be crunched back on Earth, meaning it’s limited by transmission bandwidths and the narrow windows it can be sent as satellites pass over ground stations, meaning a lot of it is lost. Related: China plans to build enormous solar array in space — and it could collect more energy in a year than ‘all the oil on Earth’ To overcome this restriction, companies have begun designing satellites capable of “edge computing,” where raw data is processed on board the satellite before being transmitted down to the ground. Doing these energy-intensive computations in orbit also allows the satellites’ power to be drawn from solar panels and their waste heat radiated into space, thereby lowering their carbon footprint. Each satellite in China’s launch contains an 8 billion-parameter AI model that can perform 744 tera operations per second (TOPS), according to a translated ADA Space statement, with the number shooting up to five peta operations per second when their processing power is combined. For reference, Microsoft’s AI Copilot+ laptops can currently process at a rate of around 40 TOPS. Orbiting in an array, the satellites will communicate with each other using lasers, one of which is equipped with an X-ray polarization detector for studying cosmic phenomena such as gamma-ray bursts. The computing constellation gets its name from the three-body problem, a question first formulated by Isaac Newton that involves predicting the chaotic motion of three objects orbiting each other under the effects of gravity. The quandary served as inspiration for the renowned science-fiction trilogy of the same name written by ******** author Liu Cixin, alongside a Netflix adaptation. This initial inspiration carries over to the purported aims of the constellation, according to Wang, who highlighted the complexities of working with multiple entities in a call for increased international cooperation in the project. He claimed that the array will permit other international organizations to build and use its computers, the SCMP reported. Although the U.S. and Europe have performed tests on space computers, China’s array is the first to be deployed at an operable scale. Meanwhile, former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, following his purchase of a controlling interest in the California launch company Relativity Space, has proposed launching data centers into orbit. RELATED STORIES —China signs deal with Russia to build a power plant on the moon — potentially leaving the US in the dust —China will launch giant, reusable rockets next year to prep for human missions to the moon —China successfully grows lettuce and tomatoes aboard Tiangong space station “People are planning 10 gigawatt data centers,” Schmidt said during an April 9 hearing with the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce. “It gives you a sense of how big this crisis is.” “One of the estimates that I think is most likely is that data centers will require an additional 29 gigawatts of power by 2027, and 67 more gigawatts by 2030,” he added. “These things are industrial at a scale that I have never seen in my life.” Source link #China #started #building #supercomputer #space Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Inn Fire: Mono County fire closes highway, evacuations ordered – KCRA Inn Fire: Mono County fire closes highway, evacuations ordered – KCRA Inn Fire: Mono County fire closes highway, evacuations ordered KCRABrush Fire Near Popular California Lake Prompts Evacuations The New York TimesU.S. 395 expected to remain closed between Lee Vining and SR 167 due to Inn Fire | California News | 2news.com KTVN540-acre fire evacuates Calif. mountain town, shuts down Highway 395 SFGATEInn Fire forces evacuations in Mono City, closes Highway 395 CBS News Source link #Inn #Fire #Mono #County #fire #closes #highway #evacuations #ordered #KCRA Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Justin Arie Bourbon: Denmark man accused of child sex offences denied bail in Albany Magistrates Court Justin Arie Bourbon: Denmark man accused of child sex offences denied bail in Albany Magistrates Court A Denmark man accused of supplying a child with ****, ******** and ecstasy in exchange for sex has been denied bail. Source link #Justin #Arie #Bourbon #Denmark #man #accused #child #sex #offences #denied #bail #Albany #Magistrates #Court Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Swiss NGO asks authorities to investigate Gaza Humanitarian Foundation Swiss NGO asks authorities to investigate Gaza Humanitarian Foundation By Olivia Le Poidevin GENEVA (Reuters) -A Swiss-based NGO has asked authorities to investigate the activities of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a U.S.-backed organisation that plans to oversee a new model of aid distribution in the ************ enclave that the UN opposes. The United Nations has said the GHF’s aid plan is not impartial or neutral, and forces further displacement and exposes thousands of people to harm, and that it will not be involved. The GHF, which has said it hopes to start work in Gaza by the end of May, told Reuters it “strictly adheres” to humanitarian principles, and that it would not support any form of forced relocation of civilians. Israel has allowed limited aid deliveries to resume this week after having stopped all aid deliveries to Gaza on March 2. TRIAL International, a Switzerland-based NGO, on Friday said it had filed two legal submissions asking Swiss authorities to investigate GHF, which is registered in Geneva. A May 20 submission to the Swiss Federal Supervisory Authority for Foundations, and one on May 21 to the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), requested an investigation into whether the GHF complies with Swiss law and international humanitarian law. The Swiss FDFA and the Federal Department of Home Affairs were not immediately available for comment. “We’re asking Switzerland to exercise their own obligation under the Geneva Conventions to respect international humanitarian law…there are very grave issues at stake,” Philip Grant the Executive Director of TRIAL International told Reuters. TRIAL International said it asked the Swiss FDFA to explain if the GHF had submitted a declaration, in accordance with Swiss law, to use private security companies to distribute aid, and if it had been approved by Swiss authorities. The GHF told Reuters that though using private security firms represents a change from prior aid delivery frameworks, it would ensure aid is not diverted to ****** or criminal organizations. (Reporting by Olivia Le Poidevin; additional reporting by Emma Farge and Michelle Nichols; Editing by Conor Humphries) Source link #Swiss #NGO #asks #authorities #investigate #Gaza #Humanitarian #Foundation Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump’s E.U. Tariff Threat Could Cause Economic Damage Beyond Europe – The New York Times Trump’s E.U. Tariff Threat Could Cause Economic Damage Beyond Europe – The New York Times Trump’s E.U. Tariff Threat Could Cause Economic Damage Beyond Europe The New York Times‘I’m not looking for a deal’: Trump revives global trade war PoliticoTrade Between the U.S. and EU Is Massive. We Break It Down. WSJEurope’s Been Negotiating by the Book, but Trump’s Tearing It Up The New York TimesTrump threatens 50% tariffs on EU and 25% penalties on smart phones as his trade war intensifies AP News Source link #Trumps #E.U #Tariff #Threat #Economic #Damage #Europe #York #Times Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Yachts an easy way to bring migrants to ***, says ex-smuggler Yachts an easy way to bring migrants to ***, says ex-smuggler Annabel Deas, Hayley Mortimer and Kirstie Brewer BBC News Long Form Audio BBC A former British soldier who became a people smuggler has told the BBC how he transported dozens of Vietnamese migrants by yacht into private marinas in seaside towns across south-east England. The man was convicted and sent to prison in 2019, but we have learned that smugglers are still using similar routes and methods – described by Border Force as “a really concerning risk”. Private marinas have “no more security than a caravan site”, one harbourmaster on the Essex coast told us – while another said “there is nothing to stop this [people smuggling] happening”. The ex-soldier and smuggler, who we are calling Nick, has also been describing how he smuggled Albanian people in cars on to ferries – and how the migrants then jumped into lorries on the vehicle decks mid-journey in the English Channel. The smuggling routes – whether by yacht or ferry – were “easy” and “low risk”, Nick told us. He said he had chosen to speak out now because he was “angry” he had been jailed for a crime that was still very possible to commit. He claimed to know people who, in the past year, had used the same routes and methods as him. Convicting him was “pointless”, he said, if the authorities would not improve security to stop other people smugglers. Border Force is responsible for securing the 11,000 miles of *** coastline, but the security of harbours and marinas rests with private operators, Charlie Eastaugh, the force’s director of maritime, told the BBC. “We patrol 24/7, we carry out proactive, as well as reactive, operations,” he said – citing a luxury yacht, hiding 20 Albanians below deck, that was intercepted en route to Newquay in Cornwall last month. Nick’s story is a particularly striking example of how a British citizen became involved in the international people-smuggling trade. His “stories and confessions represent a concerning risk posed to the *** around people smuggling and irregular migration at sea”, said Border Force’s Charlie Eastaugh. We will “look at the vulnerabilities he [Nick] has identified,” he added. Unlike many migrants crossing the English Channel in small boats, the majority of those transported by Nick did not want to be found by authorities to formally claim asylum. Having arrived on *** shores, they wanted to disappear anonymously into the ****** economy. Nick said he had been told the Vietnamese migrants would go on to work on cannabis farms. The fact that Nick travelled with them too – skippering a yacht – is also unusual. It all started in 2009, when an Albanian friend he met on a construction site recruited him – saying Nick’s pale complexion and *** passport would help him to avoid suspicion from border authorities. The friend, whom we are calling Matt, offered to pay Nick £3,500 for every migrant he smuggled into the ***. Nick was working as a self-employed builder at the time, but his business had been pulled under by the financial ****** in the late 2000s and he was struggling to make ends meet. He also had a baby on the way and was desperate to provide for them, he told us. Matt spoke briefly to the BBC and confirmed details of Nick’s story – but we did not move forward with a full interview because he demanded payment. At first, Nick picked up migrants hiding near French ferry ports, concealing them in the boot of his car. The migrants tended to be Albanian men, he told us, with no right to work in the ***. Often they had been smuggled across the English Channel three or four times previously, only to be deported each time, he added. Some of his other passengers, from places such as Sri Lanka, were looking to claim asylum however, he told us. On the ferry, Nick would pick a lorry that another smuggling-gang member waiting on dry land would spot easily. Nick said he would send them a photo and share the vehicle’s number plate. You then tell the migrant to get on top of the lorry, he explained. “You give him a knife… just cut one side like a V, you slide in.” Getty Images Migrants hidden in Nick’s car were driven by him on to cross-channel ferries, where they then jumped into lorries The waiting gang member would then trail the lorry once it disembarked and collect the migrant when it eventually stopped. The lorry driver would have had no idea or involvement, said Nick. “I’m telling you now how easy it is,” he told us – insisting he would never have been caught, had it not been for a friend, whom he had taken along one day, alerting the French authorities with suspicious body language. Nick ended up spending five months in a prison in France. Matt, meanwhile, was also eventually caught and given a seven-year *** prison sentence. It had happened after a migrant jumped off a fast-moving lorry, to avoid paying the smuggler, and severed his foot. Nick was reunited with Matt, who was granted early release, in 2017 and the pair began smuggling people across the Channel again. This time however, Nick told us he took charge of a plan that saw Vietnamese migrants arrive from France by yacht at Ramsgate Marina. The operation was brokered by one of Matt’s contacts, Nick told us, a Vietnamese woman we are calling Lin. She had lived in the *** for more than a decade and had spent time behind bars for growing cannabis and removing the proceeds of drug trafficking. Nick said she paid him and Matt £12,000 per migrant. ‘People are going to hate me’ Nick, who grew up sailing the English Channel with his father, told us he knew Ramsgate Marina was a big, low-security place which “no-one watched”. As he was a registered member of the marina, there was no reason for anyone to suspect wrongdoing, he explained. It was also a good place to keep tabs on the comings and goings of Border Force agents, he told us, because a fleet of the force’s boats was based there too. “People are going to hate me because there’ll be smuggling going on now,” said Nick, who insists private marinas in English seaside towns are still hotspots. “When they hear this, there’s going to be an issue.” EMMA ****** / BBC Border Force vessels at Ramsgate in May 2025 Two harbourmasters, speaking anonymously to the BBC, agreed with Nick that private marinas were an easy target for people-smugglers because they were not manned 24/7. One based in Essex likened security to a caravan site and said that someone could hide people in a boat “easily”. “In a busy marina in peak season, with a lot of people coming in and out, it would be very easy to do this,” they said. In Kent, Thanet District Council – which is responsible for Ramsgate Marina – told us it was Border Force, and not individual harbours, that was “the front line response for immigration and ******** activities”. “Staff at the port and harbour are vigilant and report any concerns or suspicions directly to Border Force for them to follow up,” said a spokesperson. There are hundreds of harbours and marinas in the *** and it would not be a reasonable expectation for Border Force to have a fixed presence at all of them, said the force’s Charlie Eastaugh. But we do receive “really good information” from the maritime community which the force responds to, he added. “We need to be able to respond to intelligence so we can proportionately use our resources around the whole of the ***.” We also spoke to former Border Force chief Tony Smith, who told us the “vast majority” of the agency’s resources were currently deployed to the Small Boats Operational Command – focusing on specific routes used by large numbers of people crowded into small craft. “My preference certainly would be to be able to deploy more widely and to look more across the whole of the *** coastline to identify threats,” he said, adding he thought the BBC’s conversations with Nick would be “really, really helpful as another source of intelligence”. More than 12,500 people have crossed the English Channel on small boats so far in 2025 – and a record number of migrants died while attempting to make the dangerous crossing in 2024. Small-boat crossings are different from what Nick was doing because most of those migrants want to be seen and rescued by Border Force to claim asylum in the ***. Smugglers are not on the boats, which are instead often manned by migrants who get discounts on their fees. The numbers of migrants involved in an operation like Nick’s are harder to pin down because there are no published estimates of how many ******** immigrants enter the *** through small ports, marinas and harbours. Getty Images Border Force resources are focused on people crossing the Channel in small boats to claim asylum, the force’s ex-chief told us Nick told us he would carefully plan his trips to France around favourable tides and weather conditions – setting sail from Kent after dark. He would head for private marinas, yacht clubs and other discreet locations around Dunkirk to collect the Vietnamese migrants who had been driven from a Paris safehouse. He would normally smuggle four per trip, he said. He would return back to Ramsgate in the early hours before it got light, he told us. The migrants would stay hidden inside the boat’s cabin until the next evening, when one of the smuggling gang would collect them under the cover of darkness. But there were occasions when he had to escape prying eyes, Nick recalled. For a time, he had to switch from Ramsgate to a different marina because one of the harbour staff told him there had been “foreigners” around his boat, having spotted some of the Vietnamese migrants. EMMA ****** / BBC Nick said he would sail from Ramsgate to France and back under cover of darkness He managed to continue his ruse, however, for up to 18 months before being caught. A police unit tasked with tackling serious organised crime had been watching him and Matt for months. In late summer 2018, officers spotted Nick sail into view with four Vietnamese men in his boat. Nick was charged with conspiracy to facilitate the ******** entry of foreign nationals into the *** and later sentenced to eight years in prison. Lin, the Vietnamese woman who had been paying him, got the same sentence. They both denied the charges, whereas Matt, the Albanian, pled guilty and was given a lesser sentence of five years and four months. “I regret a lot of it, but I don’t know that it would have ever been any different,” said Nick, reflecting on his time in the people-smuggling trade. “I think I was always out for self-destruction anyway.” He was recently recalled to prison for breaching the terms of his licence. Matt and Lin, meanwhile, are both out of prison and living in the ***. Source link #Yachts #easy #bring #migrants #exsmuggler Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Inglewood residents say antisocial behaviour ‘from social housing’ has them fearing for their lives Inglewood residents say antisocial behaviour ‘from social housing’ has them fearing for their lives Inglewood residents say there has been a lack of action from State Government agencies over antisocial behaviour they claim emanates from a social housing complex on Ninth Avenue. They spoke at this month’s City of Stirling council meeting about their ongoing battle for action and asked for updates from the city about responses received from relevant ministers and departments on the issue. Inglewood resident Maria Rozich said the community had been facing this issue since last September and nearby residents and tenants of the complex were “fearing for their lives”. A large range of incidents have occurred since September allegedly from residents living at the complex, including the assault of a 34-year-old man in a carpark across from the property, residents having sex on a balcony and drug paraphernalia left lying around. Ms Rozich said she was disappointed at the Department of Communities’ “refusal” to manage the 100 per cent social housing complex and its residents “safely and effectively”. “This lack of management is resulting in the same cycle of crime and antisocial behaviour that residents in the vicinity have been repeatedly experiencing,” she said. “Communities refuse to remove, rehouse or evict offending tenants repeatedly, saying that it’s only a small number of tenants creating problems. “What do you consider a small number to be? “It’s almost as if they are waiting for us to give up on our community and we won’t.” Ms Rozich said the “small number of tenants” was terrorising Inglewood as well as fellow tenants. “It’s obvious that Communities does not care about the issues it has brought to the Inglewood community,” she said. A Department of Communities spokesperson said the department was aware of the concerns about a “small number of tenancies” at the complex and was working with WA Police and the City of Stirling to address the concerns. Camera IconThe housing complex on Ninth Avenue. Credit: realestate.com “Any alleged criminal matters are matters for WA Police, and residents are advised to report any suspected criminal matters to WA Police in the first instance. “Communities is not a law enforcement agency, and it does not have the power to investigate suspected or alleged ******** activities or criminal matters. “Tenants may be linked with voluntary support services to assist them in addressing problems including rental arrears, housing conditions, cleanliness, and anti-social behaviour.” A City of Stirling spokesperson said the city’s community safety team had stepped up patrols, with more than 130 additional patrols of the area in the past two months. “The city has also deployed CCTV cameras and supplied CCTV footage to WA Police to support their investigations,” the spokesperson said. “This situation also highlights the well-documented problems associated with the outdated 100 per cent social housing model, which leads to poor outcomes for tenants and nearby residents.” The spokesperson said the city prided itself on having a strong working relationship with the State Government and had been communicating with the Department of Communities and relevant ministers about residents’ concerns. The city’s CEO and the director-general of the Department of Communities are arranging a meeting to discuss issues with the housing complex. City of Stirling mayor Mark Irwin said at the council meeting that the responses to date had been “very disappointing”. Mr Irwin told Ms Rozich the city was still waiting on a response from letters sent to Housing and Works Minister John Carey in March. Mr Carey told PerthNow any decision to evict a social housing tenant lies with a magistrate, as per the Residential Tenancies Act. Ms Rozich also took a swipe at Perth MHR Patrick Gorman, claiming it was “impossible” to get an appointment with him and concerns were taken elsewhere. A spokesperson for Mr Gorman said his office had helped constituents contact the “relevant State Government ministerial offices”. Source link #Inglewood #residents #antisocial #behaviour #social #housing #fearing #lives Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘Wish this was happening several years ago’ ‘Wish this was happening several years ago’ A recent update from electric vehicle giant Tesla has provided a launch window for its long-awaited semi truck. A post on the social platform X was shared to the r/teslamotors subreddit with the headline, “Tesla Manufacturing: RT @tesla_semi: Semi Factory progress update.” The first Tesla Semis from the new facility are due to be rolling off production lines this year, according to engineer Dan Priestley. The Semi factory is still under construction in Nevada, but walls, pillars, and the ceiling are all up. While they are preparing the facility for high-volume production, it will take time to ramp up to the ultimate goal of 50,000 Semis a year. The Tesla Semi was announced eight years ago, and a few have been on the road since then in pilot program capacities. Priestley says these use cases show that “electric trucking is ready for scale.” Early adopters have voiced glowing reviews. Medium- and heavy-duty trucks are the source of 23% of U.S. transportation pollution, according to the EPA, so electrified alternatives are welcome. The sooner industry can disconnect from dirty energy sources like gas, oil, and coal, the more quickly it can mitigate extreme weather patterns, warming oceans, and loss of sea ice. Best of all, EVs are much cheaper to operate. Tesla estimates Semi owners can save $200,000 in fuel costs over three years of operation. Watch now: How bad is a gas stove for your home’s indoor air quality? Despite the potential good Tesla stands to do both in commercial and residential transportation, CEO Elon Musk has recently been a challenge to the brand’s image as a result of polarizing political activity that has appeared to shrink the company’s market of eager customers. Some Tesla owners have taken to disguising their vehicles for fear of vandalism. Some Tesla charging stations have been severely damaged. Sales have been dropping precipitously. The benefits of EVs apply equally to consumers, regardless of the brand they buy from. If you’ve already made the switch to an EV, adding solar panels to your home can help you save even more. By driving with homegrown electricity, you avoid pollution created from a dirty grid, save money on monthly utility bills, and build up resilience in the face of outages. EnergySage has a free tool that can help EV owners find vetted local solar installers. Those technicians can provide a free quote and save homeowners up to $10,000 in installation costs. Reddit commenters had tempered expectations for the Tesla Semi rollout. “Awesome. Wish this was happening several years ago, but better late than never. (The Tesla way.),” one community member said. “I think there is also not a rush on these because they need the new charging infrastructure for these,” another said. “They would also be battery limited at 50k semis right now, so I think they’re ok with taking another 2-3 years to get to 50k/year.” Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don’t miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Source link #happening #years Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Immigrant arrests at courthouses signal new tactic in Trump’s deportation push – The Washington Post Immigrant arrests at courthouses signal new tactic in Trump’s deportation push – The Washington Post Immigrant arrests at courthouses signal new tactic in Trump’s deportation push The Washington PostICE ending migrants’ court cases in order to arrest and move to deport them CBS NewsICE agents deploy new tactic: arresting people as they leave mandatory court hearings USA TodayICE begins new, nationwide effort to arrest ******** aliens at immigration hearings Fox NewsICE takes people into custody in San Diego as they leave immigration court inewsource Source link #Immigrant #arrests #courthouses #signal #tactic #Trumps #deportation #push #Washington #Post Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Texas star Spiteri ‘still living the dream’ ahead of Belladrum Texas star Spiteri ‘still living the dream’ ahead of Belladrum Steven McKenzie BBC Scotland News Julian Broad Sharleen Spiteri says has not lost her passion for winning new fans to the band’s music Texas’ Sharleen Spiteri says her love of performing live has not diminished – almost 40 years after the Glasgow band was formed. Famous for hits including Say What You Want and ****** Eyed Boy, Texas completed an arena tour last year and are about to play a series of dates across Europe. “I never walk out on stage thinking ‘I’m not really in the mood tonight’,” says Spiteri. “In that moment I’m thinking about the people dragged along by their partners, who are kind of like ‘I don’t really like Texas’ – I’m thinking about making sure they leave the gig thinking ‘Texas are the greatest band I’ve ever seen’.” Julian Broad Texas has enjoyed chart success with hits including Summer Son and ****** Eyed Boy Texas enjoyed chart success through the 1990s and 2000s, with Summer Son in 1999 and 2006-released single Sleep among their other hits. The rock pop band have played the Glastonbury music festival twice, and will close the 21st anniversary Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival in the Highlands this August. Today Bellshill-born Spiteri juggles the demands of touring with family life. She says: “When you’re free and single you’re going on the road for years at a time. You don’t care, you’re away, you’re living the dream. “I’m still living the dream to be honest. “I get to do what I love more than anything – standing on those stages and playing the songs I love so much. “We’re doing festivals this summer, working four-day weeks in June, July and August, and then I get to be home the rest of the week to recover. It’s perfect.” ‘Very lucky’ Spiteri admits to still having the occasional “pinch herself” moment. “I do feel very lucky and very privileged,” she says. “I do have those moments when I go ‘wow’. It can be surreal sometimes. “A couple of years ago, I was standing on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury and punching the air and then suddenly looking out and it was just a sea of people.” She says a performance at Glasgow’s OVO Hydro last year was particularly memorable. “The first night we walked on we couldn’t hear ourselves, the audience was that loud. “We stood on the stage looking at each other thinking ‘Oh my god’. “I thought ‘Don’t start the songs, I need a moment to get my breath’. It was so emotional.” She adds: “We’ve been doing this for a long time. We’re an old band and we’re still playing to all these people. That’s nuts.” Getty Images Texas playing Glastonbury in 2023 Texas previously played Belladrum in 2011 and Spiteri says the challenge of keeping a festival going should not go unrecognised. The singer adds: “The music industry is really hard. We’ve seen how many venues and studios have closed. “It’s really hard work making a festival, and so many people think they can do it and it’s just about putting a load of bands on and that’s that. “A great amount of thought goes into the acts that play. “We’re proud to have been invited back to Bella for its 21st. We must have done something right.” Spiteri says the Highlands as a whole is a special place, with Texas having also played gigs in Inverness, a few miles down the road from the Belladrum site. “The air up there is better than anywhere else in the world,” she says. “When you’re a singer that’s pretty important when you’re taking in big gulps of air. “Breathing that Highland air you feel ready. “And to walk out into that beautiful landscape, to play amongst that, that is something pretty damn special.” Source link #Texas #star #Spiteri #living #dream #ahead #Belladrum Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Italian flavours add to Penang’s famed street food variety Italian flavours add to Penang’s famed street food variety What can you tell me, an Italian, about our street food, that’s not the typical square cuts of pizza you may have enjoyed at any of the panettieri (bread shops) you found while travelling to Rome, Florence, Venice or Milan? That’s all good — it’s delicious. But let me tell you, as a northern man from Lombardy, that the yummiest street food in my native Italy is found south of Rome — for example in Apulia, a beautiful region of cerulean seas and white-tinged cities like Lecce and Bari, which however still remains incredibly under the radar. I wouldn’t be surprised if you admitted that you know nothing about its yummiest quick bite, the panzerotto. A bit like a mini calzone but deep-fried, not baked, panzerotti are divinely fried half moons that may remind you of an Argentinian empanada, but softer and filled with delights ranging from a classic pizza-like tomato and mozzarella to more elaborated concoctions spanning anything from seafood to sliced nuts and boiled eggplant. Dismissed in the gourmet menus of Italy, the panzerotto decided to travel to shores that are oceans away from mamma Apulia: believe it or not, you can now taste this southern Italian treat in Penang, Malaysia, thanks to Gianluca (Luca) De Biasi, a long-time resident and former restaurant manager at Java Tree, the classy bistro of the island’s historic Eastern & Oriental Hotel opened in 1884. Camera IconLuca and Phoebe De Biasi in their new shop. Credit: Kit Yeng Chan “The panzerotto is new to Malaysians, but they appreciate it,” says Luca as I meet him inside Luca’s Panzerotti, his new venture on the northern end of Carnarvon Street, set right on the busy corner of George Town’s main tourist thoroughfare, Chulia Street. “In Malaysia, roti means bread, and I tell my customers that this is simply a bread with a panza, which is Italian for a belly,” quips Luca. Assisted by his Penang-born wife Phoebe, after taking a much-deserved break to travel back to Italy and southern Europe to check out the local street foods, Gianluca and wife decided to return to the local hospitality game by opening this mom-and-pop store on the ground floor of a central Sino-Portuguese shophouse. Compared to his lush former employer Eastern & Oriental Hotel, small Luca’s Panzerotti is a homey bistro with a shiny red Vespa parked out front and only a handful of wooden tables and stools set against the walls — a very casual and different set-up from the rest of Penang’s Italian restaurants such as Il Bacaro, Via Pre and Nero Nero, which focus on the gourmet, high-end spectrum of Italian cuisine. Camera IconPatrons enjoy Luca’s Panzerotti. Credit: Kit Yeng Chan “Let’s say that Penang is famous for street food — Chulia Street’s hawker stalls are right in front of our door — and I wanted to do something different on my own terms, not be the umpteenth typical Italian running yet another general Italian restaurant,” says Luca as he passes a hot Panzerotto Classico — the Apulian staple fried pouch filled with melt-in-your-mouth mozzarella and fresh, lava-like tomato — from the frying pan onto the plate in front of me. I know better, but a poster on the wall candidly instructs how to best enjoy the Apulian fried dough: by biting off the top corner, letting the steam come out and inclining the head and torso forward to avoid spilling the hot insides of the belly bread on yourself. An technique born standing on the street, stuffing the mouth with panzerotti while traipsing down an alley. Luca’s Panzerotti has a simple yet varied menu on offer. Besides closed staple panzerotti like the Classico — priced at a very affordable $3.60, “cheaper than Italy,” says Luca — there’s mushrooms and potatoes, the tuna and eggplant-based taras and the Luca, a deliciousness of smoked tomato, mozzarella, fried eggplant, basil and aged goat cheese. There are also gourmet panzerotti prepared open on one side like a fried sandwich, or a Belizean fry jack. Camera IconA zesty smoked salmon panzerotto with arugula and melt-in-your-mouth burrata mozzarella. Credit: Kit Yeng Chan I try the smoked salmon, garnished with Atlantic salmon, melted mozzarella burrata (a ******* specialty of Apulia) and sprinkled with fresh arugula. It’s as authentic as those I tried on the sunny streets of southern Italy. I top my lunch with a slice of focaccia with dried tomatoes, a thick yet soft slab of bread that Luca prepares with masterful skills. Luca Panzerotti’s also has a few sweet-tooth treats that go down especially well with their homemade, slow pressed juices that infuse tropical fruit like mango, coconut and nutmeg, a local spice. Besides sweet panzerotti filled with chocolate and a homemade dried fig jam, 80 per cent dark chocolate and nut crumble, there are hearty little boxes of Italian-style tiramisu. It’s served either halal style for local Muslims, or drenched in a thick layer of rum, which you will really feel. “In my region, if you take tiramisu with rum, then there must be rum, not drops,” says Luca, as I feel the heat of the alcohol mixing with the spongy chocolate and coffee-based ********** in every spoonful. For having opened only six months ago, Luca’s Panzerotti has already rounded up a tight-knit following of local Malaysians and higher-profile international ******** and Indian tourists who want to go for something simple and street-savvy, but are still afraid of trying the local Penang street food that’s often cooked and served out in the open. “We give them the street food they crave for in a little more refined space, yet right in the thick of George Town’s central food offerings,” says Luca, who takes care of everything himself and, following his past managerial acumen, anticipates that he may consider expanding into a little franchise after at least another year. “I’ll teach them everything, how to make panzerotti from scratch — but as these are some of my grandmother’s original recipes, they’ll have to love them as I do, or the magic of the best bread with belly won’t happen.” For now, the best place to have authentic panzerotti on this side of the world is from Luca’s hands, here in George Town, Penang. Camera IconQuirky instructions on how to eat panzerotti like an Italian. Credit: Kit Yeng ChanCamera IconClassic Italian Vespa parked in front of Luca’s Panzerotti. Credit: Kit Yeng ChanCamera IconHome-made slow pressed local juices and gourmet Smoked Salmon panzerotto. Credit: Kit Yeng ChanCamera IconThe simple shop front in Carnarvon street, George Town. Credit: Kit Yeng Chan Source link #Italian #flavours #add #Penangs #famed #street #food #variety Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Facts about one of the most powerful ancient civilizations in the world Facts about one of the most powerful ancient civilizations in the world When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: Darrell Gulin via Getty Images Quick facts about Ancient China Aim for who/what/when/where/why/how type facts formatted like so: Location: Mostly modern-day China Dates: Around 8,000 years ago to 1,800 years ago Languages: Different dialects that used the same writing system Famous artifacts: The Terracotta Warriors, a ***** suit for ******** royalty, and engraved bones and tortoise shells called oracle bones Ancient China began as a group of isolated communities during the Stone Age and eventually grew into a formidable empire. Ancient ******** people developed their own writing system and several famous philosophies that are still studied today. The civilization is also known for building the Great Wall of China. Five dynasties, or families, ruled ancient China for more than 6,000 years. The last one of the ancient *******, the Han dynasty, ruled around the same time as the ancient Roman Empire. Today, archaeologists study ancient ******** artifacts to find clues about the civilization’s culture, religion and technological developments. 5 fast facts about Ancient China Around 3,000 years ago, people in ancient China used “oracle bones” — tortoise shells or bones inscribed with ******** writing — to predict the future. The magnetic compass was invented during ancient China’s Han dynasty, but at first, it was used to predict the future instead of to navigate. Around 2,200 years ago, ancient China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, began connecting many small walls to build the now-famous Great Wall of China. It eventually became over 13,000 miles (20,000 kilometers) long. In ancient China, people thought dragons were real, godly figures with magical powers. Paper was invented in ancient China up to 1,900 years ago. Everything you need to know about Ancient ChinaHow did ancient China start and end? Because ancient China wasn’t always a single, unified empire or country the way modern China is today, it’s difficult to identify a clear start and end of the civilization. However, many historians say the ancient ******** civilization began during the Stone Age, around 8,000 years ago, and ended when the Han dynasty fell 6,200 years later. At that point, China fell into a ******* of infighting, with no clear ruler, for a few hundred years. After that, a series of dynasties ruled until the last emperor was removed in 1911, and the modern ******* in China began in 1912. At the beginning, there were only groups of communities. Over time, these turned into states, which then joined into a single empire. Between 480 B.C. and 221 B.C., or about 2,400 years ago, ancient China was divided into many states that fought for control. This era, called the Warring States *******, ended when Qin Shi Huang unified ancient China into an empire and became its first emperor. Around 400 years later, the Han dynasty broke apart, partly because of conflicts within the imperial family. What are the Terracotta Warriors? In 1974, ******** workers discovered thousands of life-size warrior statues buried in three pits. Today, they’re known as the Terracotta Army or the Terracotta Warriors. Historians and archaeologists believe the statues were buried close to the tomb of Qin Shi Huang when he died in 210 B.C. to serve and protect him in the afterlife. Archaeologists haven’t finished excavating the Terracotta Warriors. They think an entire replica of the ancient capital of Xi’an might be buried along with the rest of them. The Terracotta Warriors aren’t simply thousands of copies of the same figure. Each warrior is unique, with individual hairstyles, clothing, weapons, body shapes and expressions. Because of this, some scholars think the statues were modeled after real soldiers. About 1,800 years ago, Emperor Qin Shi Huang had thousands of warrior statues built to protect him in the afterlife. | Credit: By Maros M r a z (Maros) – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, LinkWhy did China build the Great Wall of China? The Great Wall of China took an extremely long time to become what it is today. It was built in different phases across 2,000 years of history. From 770 B.C. to around 480 B.C., ancient China was divided into different states, whose rulers began building smaller walls to protect themselves from enemy tribes in the north. When Qin Shi Huang came to power in 221 B.C., he connected those smaller walls and forts with the same goal in mind: to protect the empire’s northern border from enemies such as the Mongols. Later ******** rulers continued work on the Great Wall, and it wasn’t until the 1300s that the structure was mostly finished. The Great Wall of China took 2,000 years to build. It was constructed to protect ancient China from northern enemies. | Credit: By Severin.stalder, CC BY-SA 3.0, LinkWho are the most famous ******** emperors? Emperor Qin Shi Huang of the Qin dynasty was the first emperor of ancient China and ruled from 221 B.C. to 210 B.C. He’s most famous for unifying the region into a single empire; creating a common system of measurements, writing and money; implementing important political and social changes; and ruling with strict force. Emperor Gaozu of Han became emperor after Qin Shi Huang and started the famous Han dynasty. He was born a peasant, but he eventually led a rebellion that put him on the throne. He ruled from 202 B.C. to 195 B.C., and lowered taxes, launched other rebellions, and expanded the empire to make it one of the largest in the world. Emperor Han Wudi was an emperor of the Han dynasty and ruled from 141 B.C. to 87 B.C. He established the ancient ******** philosophy known as Confucianism as the empire’s main ideology. During his reign, the empire grew very powerful and wealthy. Who was Confucius? Confucius was a famous ******** philosopher whose teachings are called Confucianism. He lived from 551 B.C. to 479 B.C., during the Zhou dynasty and a ******* of great strife in ancient China. Confucianism teaches people to achieve perfection through kindness, righteousness, social order, wisdom and honesty. While some mistakenly believe it to be a religion, it’s more of a way of life. Hundreds of years after Confucius died, Emperor Han Wudi promoted Confucian values during the second and first century B.C. The philosophy became very influential not just in China but also throughout East Asia, and it continues to influence the region’s culture today. Ancient China pictures Image 1 of 4 a statue of Confucius The ancient ******** philosopher Confucius Confucius was an ancient ******** philosopher whose teachings are known as Confucianism. They became extremely important to ancient ******** culture and are still very influential today. Image 2 of 4 a scapula bone with early ******** writing on it An Ancient ******** oracle bone More than 3,000 years ago, people in ancient China used oracle bones like this one to predict the future. Image 3 of 4 A colorful statue of a dragon on the side of a building ******** dragons In ancient China, people worshipped dragons, which they thought were real and possessed magical abilities. Image 4 of 4 A burial suit comprised of thousands of pieces of ***** on display at a museum. ***** burial suit 2,000-year-old ***** burial suit worn by ******** royalty. The suit was made using thousands of pieces of ***** held together with gold thread and was believed to protect the deceased in the afterlife. 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