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Royal Caribbean ship needs assist from Wonder of the Seas Royal Caribbean ship needs assist from Wonder of the Seas Royal Caribbean’s Enchantment of the Seas arrived in Costa Maya, Mexico around 7:30 a.m. facing high wind gusts and rough seas. The ships was able to come alongside the inner pier facing easterly but it was very rocky so the captain, suspended the disembarkation process. Winds were about 15-18 kts and seas rough at 4’-6’. “The hope and now reality/success that Wonder of the Seas arrived and is now miraculously blocking the swells and wind from the other side of the pier (Our portside) and allow a safe disembarkation process to the pier,” said Come Cruise With Me’s Dennis Post, who is onboard. Wonder of the Seas is a newer Oasis Class Ship with newer technology for maneuvering and stability with a gross tonnage of 228,000 compared to Enchantment of the Seas at 82,000 gross tons. “Wonder is now providing us with significant protection from the elements making the disembarkation procedure safe and underway,” according to Post. Be the first to see the best deals on cruises, special sailings, and more. Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter. Enchantment of the Seas Costa Maya (0:47) Ships overrun Costa Maya port Two mega ships Carnival Jubilee from Texas and Wonder from Port Canaveral along with Enchantment of the Seas all docked in Costa Maya on May 21. Those ships brought over 10,000 passengers to the port, which maxes out with three cruise ships. Wonder of the Seas carries 7,900 plus passengers, while Carnival Jubilee has 5,300 plus and Enchantment of the Seas at 2,400, makes it a tight squeeze for the relatively small port area. Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter to save money on your next (or your first) cruise. That’s more people than Costa Maya can serve well, according to multiple passengers on Enchantment who made the trip. “No I’m not getting off into that mess,” Becky from Tampa shared as she looked at the situation in port. Brandon Green from Lakeland Florida, a passenger of Enchantment of the Seas did manage to make it off the ship. “It was a nightmare getting into the port and once we got in, the shops were overun,” he said. Some ports like Nassau and Cozumel are build to handle six ships or more. Costa Maya has docks for three, but it’s crowded any time more than one ship is in port. With two mega-ships in port, that’s simply more people than the island has capacity to handle. (The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.) Make a free appointment with Come Cruise With Me’s Travel Agent Partner, Postcard Travel, or email Amy Post at *****@*****.tld or call or text her at 386-383-2472. Source link #Royal #Caribbean #ship #assist #Seas Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Israel's Netanyahu says 'it appears' ****** leader Mohammed Sinwar was killed – ABC News Israel's Netanyahu says 'it appears' ****** leader Mohammed Sinwar was killed – ABC News Israel’s Netanyahu says ‘it appears’ ****** leader Mohammed Sinwar was killed ABC NewsIsrael encircles 2 of northern Gaza’s last functioning hospitals, groups say Fox NewsReport: ****** found Muhammad Sinwar’s body in tunnel, informed the family The Times of IsraelMohammed Sinwar killed in Gaza strike last week – report The Jerusalem PostNetanyahu says Israel probably killed ****** leader Mohammed Sinwar Reuters Source link #Israel039s #Netanyahu #039it #appears039 #****** #leader #Mohammed #Sinwar #killed #ABC #News Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Rabobank report forecasts impacts to *********** pulse export sales amidst global supply and demand changes Rabobank report forecasts impacts to *********** pulse export sales amidst global supply and demand changes Changes in global supply and demand may impact Australia’s pulse exports, causing minor global headwinds according to Rabobank’s recent *********** pulses exports and tariffs report. The Rabobank report said current volatility and shipping costs will give rise to impacted farmgate prices and export margins for pulses — which consists of chickpeas, beans, lentils, lupins, and peas. The report, completed by RaboResearch, said pulse sales in Australia are mainly comprised of lentils, chickpeas, and faba beans in South Asia, particularly in the Middle East and India. RaboResearch senior analyst Vitor Pistoia said those markets are uninvolved in ongoing trade wars. The report said the pea trade can expect changes due to the tariff exchange between the United States and China and impacts on Canada’s role as a pea exporter. ********* peas were slapped with a 100 per cent import tariff from China, while also facing 10 per cent import tariffs on lentils and chickpeas from India at the beginning of 2025. “The new, complex trade environment is expected to reshape the global pulse trade, but Australia appears to be in a strong position,” Mr Pistoia said. “India’s demand for *********** pulses remains robust, and many other key export markets are not involved in the current trade conflicts.” The tariffs in the US are expected to have a minor impact to global pulse trade according to the report. “The inflationary effects of these tariffs could dampen global demand for pulses, as many importing countries also have trade surpluses with the US,” Mr Pistoia said. “Additional, proposed shipping fees could further affect pulse markets by increasing shipping costs into 2026, particularly for containers.” Source link #Rabobank #report #forecasts #impacts #*********** #pulse #export #sales #global #supply #demand Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Petrobras Prepares Drill Ship Deployment for Oil Exploration in Amapa Petrobras Prepares Drill Ship Deployment for Oil Exploration in Amapa Petrobras PBR, Brazil’s state-controlled integrated oil and gas company, is accelerating preparations to deploy a drill ship to the northern state of Amapá, targeting the highly prospective Foz do Amazonas Basin. According to Reuters, final adjustments are underway to clear coral remnants from the vessel’s hull, positioning the ship for departure by the end of May 2025. This movement is a crucial component of Petrobras’ broader strategy to unlock what is widely regarded as Brazil’s most promising new offshore oil frontier. Currently docked in Rio de Janeiro, the drill ship is expected to undertake a voyage spanning 20-30 days, placing its arrival in Amapá by late June. This logistical timeline is aligned with Petrobras’ push to secure final approval for exploration activities in the Foz do Amazonas, a sedimentary basin located at the intersection of ecological richness and hydrocarbon potential. Significantly, Brazil’s federal environmental agency, Instituto Brasileiro do Meio Ambiente e dos Recursos Naturais Renováveis (Ibama), has given its approval to an emergency response plan aimed at protecting local fauna in case of an oil spill. This approval marks significant progress in Petrobras’ licensing journey. The next procedural milestone is a full-scale environmental simulation, which both Ibama and Petrobras must jointly schedule. While Petrobras is prepared to move forward, logistical constraints and personnel coordination within Ibama may delay the simulation beyond June. According to internal agency communications, the date will be set through mutual agreement, though some within the agency have acknowledged challenges in deploying the required teams swiftly. Adjacent to the Foz do Amazonas Basin is one of Brazil’s most environmentally fragile areas, which is home to numerous coral reef formations and Indigenous coastal communities. These ecological and cultural considerations have formed the basis of sustained opposition to the drilling campaign. In 2023, Ibama rejected Petrobras’ initial application to explore the region, citing insufficient measures to protect the unique biodiversity. Despite Petrobras’ later appeals and revisions, many of Ibama’s environmental officials remain unconvinced. An internal document signed in February emphasized that Petrobras’ fauna rescue strategy had only a “remote possibility” of effectiveness, underlining persistent institutional resistance. The tension surrounding Petrobras’ exploration ambitions reflects a broader national debate between Brazil’s energy policy objectives and its environmental protection commitments. As the country seeks to diversify and expand its energy matrix, the Foz do Amazonas Basin represents a key asset in securing a long-term energy supply and potential revenues. However, these aspirations are counterbalanced by Brazil’s international climate leadership and its pledges under the Paris Agreement. Internal divisions within the federal government have become increasingly apparent. While economic ministries and energy stakeholders advocate for responsible resource development, the Ministry of the Environment and environmental NGOs remain vocally opposed to drilling in the basin. Geologically, the Foz do Amazonas Basin shares characteristics with the oil-rich basins of Guyana and Suriname, where recent offshore discoveries have transformed regional energy dynamics. Industry experts have long considered Brazil’s this side of geological formation as a high-potential zone for similar discoveries. Petrobras, with its deep-water exploration expertise and technological capabilities, is uniquely positioned to develop this frontier. The drill ship’s deployment demonstrates Petrobras’ dedication to pushing the boundaries of ultra-deepwater exploration and shows confidence in the reservoir’s potential. While technical preparations are nearing completion, Petrobras’ final authorization depends on the success and validation of the forthcoming environmental simulation. Ibama’s response following the exercise will likely determine whether drilling can begin in the second half of 2025. Public scrutiny and judicial oversight also loom large. Environmental groups have threatened legal action if drilling proceeds without rigorous, transparent safeguards. Indigenous leaders in the region have requested additional consultations, highlighting potential impacts on ancestral fishing zones and marine life corridors. The upcoming deployment of Petrobras’ drill ship to the Foz do Amazonas Basin marks a pivotal moment in Brazil’s energy sector, highlighting the complex intersection of ecological responsibility and energy development amid heightened environmental scrutiny and pending regulatory approvals. If it goes ahead, this could lead to big new offshore oil discoveries and change Brazil’s position in the global energy market. Currently, PBR holds a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell). Investors interested in the energy sector might look at some better-ranked stocks like Subsea 7 SUBCY, which sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and Comstock Resources, Inc. CRK and Expand Energy Corporation EXE, each holding a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. Subsea 7 is valued at $4.87 billion. The company is a global leader in delivering offshore projects and services for the energy industry, specializing in subsea engineering, construction and installation. Headquartered in Luxembourg, Subsea 7 supports both the oil & gas and renewable energy sectors with integrated solutions, including subsea infrastructure, heavy lifting and life-of-field services. Comstock Resources is valued at $6.95 billion. Its shares have risen 109.6% over the past year. Comstock Resources is an independent energy producer in the United States, holding approximately 1.1 million acres primarily within the highly prospective Haynesville and Bossier shale regions of North Louisiana and East Texas. The company’s core business involves the acquisition, exploration, development and production of natural gas and oil from these assets. Expand Energy is valued at $27.01 billion, with its shares rising 24.5% over the past year. Based in Oklahoma City, OK, Expand Energy is an independent natural gas production company. With significant interests in shale formations across Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia and Louisiana, the company focuses on the acquisition, exploration and development of properties for producing oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras (PBR) : Free Stock Analysis Report Comstock Resources, Inc. (CRK) : Free Stock Analysis Report Subsea 7 SA (SUBCY) : Free Stock Analysis Report Expand Energy Corporation (EXE) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research Source link #Petrobras #Prepares #Drill #Ship #Deployment #Oil #Exploration #Amapa Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Chuck Schumer is already panning Blue state Republicans for caving on SALT – Politico Chuck Schumer is already panning Blue state Republicans for caving on SALT – Politico Chuck Schumer is already panning Blue state Republicans for caving on SALT PoliticoTrump tax bill back on track? GOP leadership unveils plan to advance president’s agenda USA TodaySpeaker Johnson reaches tentative deal with blue state Republicans to boost cap on SALT deduction Fox NewsTrump clashes with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at White House meeting: Live updates NBC NewsWhat is SALT and why does it threaten Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill?’ ABC News Source link #Chuck #Schumer #panning #Blue #state #Republicans #caving #SALT #Politico Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

AFL 2025: Collingwood will keep two of its stars on ice for its clash with North Melbourne AFL 2025: Collingwood will keep two of its stars on ice for its clash with North Melbourne Collingwood will keep two of its experienced stars away from the action this weekend but is confident a third will be fit to play. Source link #AFL #Collingwood #stars #ice #clash #North #Melbourne Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Texas Renaissance Festival founder ‘King George’ dies at Todd Mission home Texas Renaissance Festival founder ‘King George’ dies at Todd Mission home The Brief Texas Renaissance Festival founder George “King George” Coulam has died at his home in Todd Mission, officials confirm. His cause of death is not known at this time. Coulam was the founder and longtime owner of the festival. He previously served as mayor of Todd Mission for more than 40 years. TODD MISSION, Texas – Texas Renaissance Festival founder George “King George” Coulam has died, authorities confirm. Death investigation at King George’s home What we know According to the Todd Mission city manager, police were called to Coulam’s home at about 9 a.m. on Wednesday. He was found deceased in his home. The cause of Coulam’s death is under investigation by the Texas Rangers, Todd Mission Police, and the Grimes County Sheriff’s Office. Officials say there is no suspected danger to the public. What we don’t know Coulam’s cause of death is not known at this time. Who is King George? Dig deeper Coulam is the founder and longtime owner of the Texas Renaissance Festival. He started the Texas Renaissance Festival in 1974, and it has grown into the largest of its kind in the United States. In addition to being the festival’s leader, Coulam served as mayor of Todd Mission for more than four decades, but lost the most recent election on May 3. In 2024, the HBO docuseries “Ren Faire” focused on the festival’s succession and Coulam’s eventual retirement, highlighting the tension between his desire to find a romantic partner and his need to choose a successor. It also highlighted Coulam’s strict leadership style. There have been ongoing legal disputes and potential sales of the festival, with a recent judge’s order in early May mandating the ***** of Coulam’s properties, including the festival. ‘He built a community’ What they’re saying Niki Marshall is a former member of the performance company with the Texas Renaissance Festival. She says not all of her memories of George’s leadership are positive, but the TRF community will keep the festival going. “The only thing that I could say for him is that he did hire some pretty cool people to be in that space,” said Marshall. “He gave us the direction that we needed, and I got the opportunity to really make a difference. And it wasn’t just for me, it was for the patrons that we performed for every day.” Organizers of the Texas Renaissance Festival sent the following statement to FOX 26: “We are deeply saddened by the loss of George Coulam, founder of the Texas Renaissance Festival. For more than 50 years, he built a community that has become a cherished tradition for generations of performers, staff, and guests. At this time, we ask for respect and privacy for Mr. Coulam’s family and the extended Texas Renaissance Festival family as they grieve. As this is a deeply personal matter, we are not offering additional comments at this time.” Todd Mission City Manager Neal Wendele made the following statement: “Mr. Coulam, a visionary leader, founded the Texas Renaissance Festival in 1974, transforming a remote area into a cultural destination. His visionary leadership led to the incorporation of Todd Mission in 1982, where he served as the first and only mayor until May 8, 2025, shaping our community’s unique identity. The City of Todd Mission offers its deepest condolences to Mr. Coulam’s family and friends. We request privacy for those affected and will provide updates as appropriate.” The Source The information in this article was gathered from sources, the Grimes County Sheriff’s Office, and the Texas Renaissance Festival. Source link #Texas #Renaissance #Festival #founder #King #George #dies #Todd #Mission #home Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

RFK Jr.'s 'Make America Healthy Again' report worries farmers, Republicans ahead of release – AP News RFK Jr.'s 'Make America Healthy Again' report worries farmers, Republicans ahead of release – AP News RFK Jr.’s ‘Make America Healthy Again’ report worries farmers, Republicans ahead of release AP NewsGOP allies in farm and food are sweating RFK Jr.’s big report PoliticoRFK Jr.’s War on Pesticides Riles Farmers and a Republican Senator The New York TimesRFK Jr’s MAHA commission report to spotlight toxins in food USA TodayFarmers Brace for Impact: What the MAHA Report Could Mean for Agriculture AgWeb Source link #RFK #Jr.039s #039Make #America #Healthy #Again039 #report #worries #farmers #Republicans #ahead #release #News Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Union hits out at embattled A-Leagues club over pay Union hits out at embattled A-Leagues club over pay A-Leagues club Western United are in the midst of more turmoil and under the pump from the players’ union ahead of their men’s semi-final second leg. Source link #Union #hits #embattled #ALeagues #club #pay Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Southwest surprises customers with strict new policy — the first of its kind in the industry: experts Southwest surprises customers with strict new policy — the first of its kind in the industry: experts They’re putting the squeeze on extra juice. Southwest Airlines is implementing a surprising new restriction on portable chargers to keep these notoriously incendiary devices from bursting into flame mid-flight. Starting May 28, passengers will be required to keep their power banks in plain sight, making the budget carrier the first to roll out a policy of this kind. Passengers will be required to keep their power banks in plain sight, making the Southwest the first to roll out a policy of this kind. andrey gonchar – stock.adobe.com “Using portable charging devices while stored in a bag or overhead bin will no longer be permitted,” a Southwest spokesperson told Business Insider. “Nothing is more important to Southwest than the safety of its customers and employees.” The airlines will, however, allow passengers to keep the devices in their carry-on bags when not in use. The logic is that the portable phone juicers run on lithium-ion batteries that can overheat and ignite, so keeping them in plain sight allows flight attendants to identify and extinguish the hazard before it’s too late. “In the rare event a lithium battery overheats or catches fire, quick access is critical and keeping power banks in plain sight allows for faster intervention and helps protect everyone onboard,” a Southwest rep said, according to Fortune. In March, passengers flying from Malaysia to Thailand were thrown into a panic after a power bank ignited in the overhead bin and filled the cabin with smoke right before landing. Passengers will be allowed to store their devices in their carry-on bags when not in use. REUTERS While Southwest has not implemented the policy yet, passengers have been receiving notifications via the airline’s app warning them to keep the chargers out of their bags and “in plain sight” and to refrain from putting them in the luggage compartments, per a viral Reddit post. This policy comes amid an annual uptick in incidents of power banks catching fire in-flight. Airlines have been ramping up restrictions on power banks. Getty Images According to Federal Aviation Administration statistics, there have already been 19 incidents involving batteries in 2025, while last year there were a record 89 charger-related issues. Although still a relatively low risk when factoring in the approximately 180,000 flights US airlines operate each week, air carriers have been ramping up restrictions on the blaze-inducing battery boosters. Korean Airlines recently prohibited passengers from storing chargers in overhead bins, requiring them to instead keep the devices in plastic bags or cover their ports with insulation tape to prevent them from touching metal. This policy was implemented in response to a devastating inferno that injured seven passengers aboard an Air Busan plane in January, although it’s unclear if the flames were caused by a battery. Meanwhile, Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways now ban the use of portable chargers during flights, while Australia’s Qantas Airlines requires that they be stored in carry-on luggage only. And it’s not just airlines that are tightening controls over these inadvertent explosive devices. The Transportation Security Administration just banned lithium-battery-powered portable chargers from checked luggage following a new advisory from the FAA. “When a carry-on bag is checked at the gate or at planeside, all spare lithium batteries and power banks must be removed from the bag and kept with the passenger in the aircraft cabin,” the FAA wrote. “The battery terminals must be protected from short circuit[ing].” Source link #Southwest #surprises #customers #strict #policy #kind #industry #experts Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Two charged with helping inmates who escaped New Orleans jail – The Washington Post Two charged with helping inmates who escaped New Orleans jail – The Washington Post Two charged with helping inmates who escaped New Orleans jail The Washington PostTwo women arrested for assisting Orleans jail escapees, Louisiana State Police say fox8live.comNew video obtained by WDSU shows three escaped inmates walking in the CBD WDSUDay 5: Jail worker arrested; 5 fugitives still on the run wwltv.com5 New Orleans jail inmates still on the run after maintenance worker is arrested for allegedly helping them break out Yahoo Source link #charged #helping #inmates #escaped #Orleans #jail #Washington #Post Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘Grave concern’ over witnesses attempting to avoid Dural caravan inquiry ‘Grave concern’ over witnesses attempting to avoid Dural caravan inquiry Independent MLC Rod Roberts has told an inquiry into the Dural caravan incident and the passage of controversial new laws that he has “serious and grave concern” that witnesses are trying to avoid appearing. The second hearing of the select committee inquiry into the relationship between the Dural caravan hoax and debate on the NSW government’s controversial anti-hate laws began on Thursday. The inquiry seeks to establish who knew what and when about the caravan filled with explosives in Sydney’s northwest, including NSW Premier Chris Minns and Police Minister Yasmin Catley, and any reference to it in briefings for the new laws. The controversial suite of laws, introduced and passed by NSW parliament within two weeks in February, outlaw most protest activities outside places of worship, among other measures. Mr Roberts told the committee that he “held serious and grave concerns about the attempts of some witnesses to avoid appearing before this committee”. Camera IconCabinet Office secretary Kate Boyd (left) with Premier’s Department secretary Simon Draper, and deputy secretary Kate Meagher. NewsWire / Monique Harmer Credit: News Corp Australia “This committee has determined that it wishes, and in fact needs, to hear and take evidence from certain individuals,” he said. “It is apparent there has been attempts by some to hinder and frustrate the work of this committee by declining to attend, using spurious and tenuous arguments. “It is the duty of the Legislative Council, and therefore its committees, to hold the government of the day to account. It is our role to review process and executive activities. “A strong house of review is fundamental for maintaining democracy. “One would think that an accountable government would willingly co-operate with alleged council committee and not proper, weak and insubstantial assertions as reasons not to attend and co-operate.” Three leading figures working behind the scenes at Mr Minns’ office gave evidence, including Premier’s Department secretary Simon Draper, deputy secretary Kate Meagher, and Cabinet Office secretary Kate Boyd. During the proceedings, Nationals MLC Wes Fang produced a letter he said was sent from the Cabinet Office General Counsel deputy secretary Matt Richards on May 19, indicating the trio were “seeking not to appear”. In response, Ms Boyd told the inquiry: “I don’t think we were seeking not to appear. “I think the letter makes clear that we were happy to postpone or delay our appearance pending the resolution of these serious matters between the houses, so I think that’s how I would paraphrase it.” The inquiry was told the Speaker had “appealed to the Premier that the executive not accede to any requests from this committee until they’d had a chance to have a look at the issues”. “So we were all aware that that was coming,” Ms Boyd said. The inquiry was further told the Speaker had received a response from the Premier, and that Ms Boyd had “advised the (Premier’s office) that we intended to write to the committee in these terms”. The timing of initial discussions into the anti-hate laws was also raised during Thursday’s session, with Ms Boyd stating the state government requested and was provided advice in December, 2024. Asked if she would describe the Dural caravan incident having “accelerated” discussions about the laws, Ms Boyd said “I would” and that advice was asked for after the October 7, 2023 attack in Israel. Camera IconNationals MLC Wes Fang asked about a letter. NewsWire / Monique Harmer Credit: News Corp Australia “To the best of my recollection, we were asked for advice following October 7 and in the context of an escalating spate of anti-Semitic incidents around the law reform response to help address this issue, and that occurred in late-2024. “The caravan incident was not a feature of that request.” Who knew what and when The three leading figures working behind the scenes in Mr Minns’ office and in cabinet were grilled on Thursday by the committee over what was said by who, and when, following the caravan’s discovery. Of particular focus were Mr Minns’ briefings with the NSW Police Force. Department secretary Simon Draper, who returned from leave the day the caravan discovery was leaked, told the inquiry that it was regular practice for minutes not to be taken of “every discussion that happens”. No one who gave evidence to the inquiry on Thursday could recall if, or what, Mr Minns asked during his briefings with NSW Police, in particular a briefing on January 23. Deputy secretary Kate Meagher told the inquiry that she could not recall if NSW Police Deputy Commissioner David Hudson had given the impression that the explosives-laden caravan could be the subject of a criminal conspiracy. “But, I do recall that it was definitely presented in that meeting as something that could have had the potential to cause a mass casualty event, and where we were sitting looking at the number of incidents that had been escalating, that was definitely my takeout,” Ms Meagher said. Mr Draper said of a subsequent briefing on February 3 that while it “may have been hoped by those in attendance that we could get more conclusive information”, the information provided by Mr Hudson was mostly the procedure of the case and reassures “the Premier and the minister that they were being diligent, that the investigation was progressing given the high level of public interest in the investigation”. Camera IconPremier’s Department deputy secretary Kate Meagher. NewsWire / Monique Harmer Credit: News Corp Australia “I don’t recall there were any conclusions or views put about at that stage about the nature of the event, but what I took away from it was they (police) were trying hard to keep an open mind. “Albeit that there were a number of possibilities, including that it was a premeditated terrorist-type incident but also a possibility that it was, I think the terms that they would have used were sort of an attempt to manipulate the justice system to get some benefits in the justice system. “The police have a lot of experience with that, and so it seemed to me very wise that they would keep an open mind about that.” Mr Draper told the committee there was “no question” the attacks over the past summer were anti-Semitic and “any attempt to allay fears in the community would have been premature”. The explosives-laden caravan was discovered by police on January 19 – which was later leaked to the press – with the inquiry previously told a note was found inside the caravan referencing the Great Synagogue. Mr Minns later said police may have prevented a “mass casualty event”. It’s those comments, and the response by police and political leaders, that sparked controversy, especially after the laws passed and the revelation that the van was an alleged conspiracy. The Greens and members of the crossbench joined civil society groups such as the NSW Council for Civil Liberties in calling for the inquiry, with the latter slamming the laws as being repressive. The first hearing in April heard evidence from senior police, including NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb and Mr Hudson, about their briefings on the Dural caravan. Mr Hudson told the inquiry the source behind the terrorism plot theory was not discredited until February 21, the day after the laws were passed. Source link #Grave #concern #witnesses #attempting #avoid #Dural #caravan #inquiry Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Elusive woolly rat photographed for the first time Elusive woolly rat photographed for the first time Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what’s in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience.Generate Key Takeaways New Guinea’s subalpine woolly rat is the rodent of legends. Mallomys istapantap was first described in 1989, but even then the descriptions were only gleaned from examining historical museum material. The last recorded sighting of the fuzzy rodent 30 years ago failed to yield any photographic evidence, but after six months scouring the jungles of New Guinea, one researcher has finally documented one of the world’s most elusive mammals. The New Guinean woolly rat doesn’t make itself easy to find, but Czech Academy of Sciences doctoral candidate František Vejmělka recently managed to make history with the help of local guides. “If it weren’t for the indigenous hunters who accompanied me in the mountains and helped me locate the animals, I would never have been able to collect this data,” Vejmělka said in a statement. This image was captured using a trap camera set up near Mount Wilhelm in Papua New Guinea. Credit: František Vejmělka Vejmělka collaborated with multiple local tribes to survey the region around Papua New Guinea’s highest peak, Mount Wilhelm (14,793 ft). Along the way he documented and genetically identified 61 species of non-flying rodents and marsupials, but it was his firsthand encounters with the woolly rat that stood out from the rest. The murine rodent lives in the region’s remote, steep highlands at elevations around 12,000 feet. They only emerge at night to feed on plant matter and spend their days in underground burrows or high in the tree canopies. Vejmělka’s documentation published last month in the journal Mammalia notes the thick-furred woolly rats measure about 2.78-feet long including their tail, weigh around 4.4 lbs, and feature 3-inch paws. Despite their moderate size, the university announcement describes the animal as a “striking and formidable creature.” The video footage of the woolly rat was captured near this location in the Guinean rainforest. Credit: František Vejmělka While tropical biodiversity across Africa, the Americas, and Southeast Asia is well-studied, the Australasian regions remain largely unstudied. Collaborating with local indigenous communities to find and document animals such as the woolly rat is crucial to help strengthen biodiversity and conservation efforts, and what is needed to protect them from outside threats. “It’s astonishing that such a large and striking animal has remained so poorly studied,” said Vejmělka. “How much more is there to discover about the biodiversity of tropical mountains?” Source link #Elusive #woolly #rat #photographed #time Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

'Tush Push' vote led to heated exchange between NFL owners and executives, per report – CBS Sports 'Tush Push' vote led to heated exchange between NFL owners and executives, per report – CBS Sports ‘Tush Push’ vote led to heated exchange between NFL owners and executives, per report CBS SportsSources: Tempers flare in tense tush push debate ESPNNFL tush push vote: Which teams voted for, against banning controversial Eagles play? Yahoo SportsNFL, as suspected, recruited Packers to propose failed tush push ban NBC SportsRoger Goodell is trying to save face after failed attempt to ban tush push Bleeding Green Nation Source link #039Tush #Push039 #vote #led #heated #exchange #NFL #owners #executives #report #CBS #Sports Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Cattle washed onto beaches in widespread Australia floods Cattle washed onto beaches in widespread Australia floods A natural disaster has been declared in New South Wales, Australia, as widespread flooding has prompted nearly 50,000 people to evacuate. Footage captured in the Mid North Coast shows cattle displaced on beaches and trapped residents being airlifted from their homes to safety. One man has died and three are missing, with authorities expressing ‘grave fears’ as heavy rain continues in the region on Thursday. Source link #Cattle #washed #beaches #widespread #Australia #floods Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Saturday Lotto millionaire: Gympie man comes forward a month after winning $1.6m Saturday Lotto millionaire: Gympie man comes forward a month after winning $1.6m A Gympie man who struck it rich after scooping division one in a Saturday lotto draw spent more than month pondering his good fortune before fronting up to claim his prize. The man secured a life-changing $1.6m in the April 12 Saturday Gold Lotto draw but the ticket wasn’t registered so authorities were none the wiser as to who held the winning ticket until he came forward. He was one of three division one winners sharing in the prize pool, two others were from Western Australia. “It’s pretty surreal!” he said when contacted by an official from The Lott. “It’s taken a lot to sink in. “My mum and two uncles were big Golden Casket fans. I don’t think they did very well in terms of winnings, but they would be very happy to hear that I’ve taken home division one myself!” “I went to the local newsagency to check my ticket and the young girls behind the counter said they couldn’t pay out the prize. That’s when I knew it was big! “I just had to sit and ponder the win for a month. I couldn’t believe it. “I’ve also kept the win on the down-low. I haven’t told anyone about the win. I don’t think I will.” The man is now planing how he’ll spend his winnings. “I need a new car. I will keep the one I have and fix it up, but it’s time to upgrade it,” he exclaimed. He bought the winning ticket at Nextra Gympie, where owner Kelly Goatham said she too was shocked by the win. “There were certainly a few expletives when we found out we sold a division one winning entry! My co-owner Justene thought there was a snake in the house by the way I had yelled out to her!” she said. Source link #Saturday #Lotto #millionaire #Gympie #man #month #winning #1.6m Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Hemi Superbird Goes For Cheap Hemi Superbird Goes For Cheap Read the full story on Backfire News Market Collapse: Hemi Superbird Goes For Cheap After auctioning in 2022 for a whopping $1.5 million, setting a world record, a 1970 Plymouth Hemi Superbird just auctioned again with no reserve on May 17, bringing in a measly $380,000. While the latter price is still insane, it’s also just a quarter of what the classic muscle car pulled in three years ago. Would you pay $35,000 for this 1999 Toyota 4Runner? That’s some serious price depreciation. You could chalk it up to just a bad showing at Mecum Indy 2025, but we’ve been seeing this trend building of late. This Hemi Superbird is just a symptom of a larger problem developing in the car collecting hobby. Image via Mecum Auctions Fifteen years ago, many enthusiasts could still afford to buy at least one of their dream cars. Today, unless they’re an insurance or private equity executive, most enthusiasts have found those same rides are well beyond their reach. Values have soared as the affluent discovered they could use classic and even modern exotics as investments. Many have little interest in the vehicles themselves, other than displaying them as works of art in their gallery-like garages, treating the machines gearheads adore as if they were part of a real estate investment portfolio. This trend intensified during the covid era, likely for a number of reasons. Many gearheads bitterly decided they could never afford the car of their dreams as they watched even some dogs get pricey. The market was out of control. Now we’re in a ******* of correction, or what some would call a ******. Just how big it is and how long it will last isn’t clear. And we don’t know if investors will flood it yet again, pumping up values in a sick game once more. But many, not all, collector cars are seeing their values plummet. Image via Mecum Auctions We’ve noticed a curious trend among auction houses. Instead of openly publishing individual results, many are putting such information in hard-to-find places, requiring users to register for access, or are just plain not releasing the numbers at all. If we didn’t know better, we’d say they were trying to hide something. The fact this Mopar Wing Car saw its value on the open market dive 75 percent in just three years shows how bad things have become. At this rate, we just might be able to one day afford a dream car after all. See this Superbird’s lot listing for yourself here. Images via Mecum Auctions Source link #Hemi #Superbird #Cheap Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

House GOP leaders release changes to Trump agenda bill in bid to sway holdouts – NBC News House GOP leaders release changes to Trump agenda bill in bid to sway holdouts – NBC News House GOP leaders release changes to Trump agenda bill in bid to sway holdouts NBC NewsHouse Republican leaders unveil key changes to Trump agenda bill in bid to win over GOP holdouts CNNTrump’s meeting with tax bill holdouts ‘moved ball in right direction’, says White House – as it happened The GuardianHouse Republicans Release Trump Tax Bill With Larger SALT Cap Bloomberg.comHouse Freedom Caucus heading to White House after delay play on Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’ Fox News Source link #House #GOP #leaders #release #Trump #agenda #bill #bid #sway #holdouts #NBC #News Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

West Coast coach Andrew McQualter: Eagles still in dark as to when Jeremy McGovern will face concussion panel West Coast coach Andrew McQualter: Eagles still in dark as to when Jeremy McGovern will face concussion panel Waalitj Marawar (West Coast) are still in the dark as to when club great Jeremy McGovern will face a concussion panel to decide his future. McGovern is still in concussion protocols from a head knock he received against Narrm (Melbourne) earlier this month and given his history he will now have his future decided by a panel of independent experts. The 33-year-old is only three games short of the 200-match milestone and is already signed on from next season after earning his fifth All-*********** blazer in 2024. McQualter said McGovern would take some time away from the club while they’re in Adelaide to take on the Crows as he awaits a date with the panel. “Gov is doing OK. The unknown is a bit of a challenge but he’s doing OK,” McQualter said. “He’ll have a couple of days off work as we go to Adelaide this weekend, and then it’s just so uncertain at the moment what happens next. “We can’t speculate too much on what will happen next. We know it’s going to the panel, and when that’s decided and when that will happen, we’re not sure yet. We’ll just wait and see and keep supporting McGovern through the process.” An AFL spokesperson told The West ***********: “While the AFL Chief Medical Officer oversees the process, the Concussion Panel is comprised of independent medical experts who are not employed by the AFL. “The Panel consists of healthcare practitioners with specific experience and expertise in the management of Sports Related Concussion. “The composition of the Panel will largely depend on the clinical questions being asked but may include Neurologists, Neurosurgeons, Rehabilitation Medicine Physicians, Psychiatrists, Sport and Exercise Medicine Physicians, Physiotherapists, Neuropsychologists and others.” McQualter said their support for McGovern would be day-by-day but wouldn’t go into any details around the signs he was displaying. “We understand it’s a challenging time, but Gov’s been doing this for a long time. He’s a very mature guy he’s got a great family and network around him as well,” he said. “The reason why Gov has gone to a panel is because there’s been a number of concussions over a ******* of time. It’s out of our hands now and we’ll just leave it to the experts.” McQualter said the vice-captain continued to play a role at the club, but they would not make big decisions around his role until they had further clarity. “Gov is one of our leaders and he’s one of our terrific leaders,” he said. “He’s been involved all week in our leadership meetings and our meetings in general but because we don’t know when the panel is going to get together, we’re not going to make too many other decisions around him yet.” McQualter’s first year at the helm of the Eagles has been full of challenges, but the loss of McGovern is compounded by the fact that star midfielder Elliot Yeo is also yet to play this season because of an ankle injury. “I tell you what I thought about when we were having so much trouble at clearance… I saw the (stats from the) last time we played (Richmond, last year) and Yeoy had 15 clearances in a game,” McQualter said. “Clearly you always want your best players playing but it’s also football, there’s always injuries in our game and we’ve got a deep squad. “We’ve been incredibly healthy this year, the medical team’s doing a great job, so I don’t have too much to complain about in that position.” McGovern’s absence comes at a difficult time for the Eagles who face the triple forward threat from Kuwarna (Adelaide) in Riley Thilthorpe, Darcy Fogarty and Taylor Walker. Sandy Brock and Harry Edwards are set to each get a job on one of the forwards, while McQualter wouldn’t rule out co-captain Oscar Allen heading back despite kicking two goals in the win over Euro-Yroke (St Kilda) at the weekend. “We talk about it regularly, we’re going to play Oscar wherever the team needs him,” he said. “The Crows do have a tall forward line that they rely on a lot, so we’ve got to get our contest right in that space and we’ll pick a team we think most capable to do that.” Source link #West #Coast #coach #Andrew #McQualter #Eagles #dark #Jeremy #McGovern #face #concussion #panel Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Google Gemini 2.5 Flash promises to be your favorite AI chatbot, but how does it compare to ChatGPT 4o? Google Gemini 2.5 Flash promises to be your favorite AI chatbot, but how does it compare to ChatGPT 4o? Anyone who’s played around with AI chatbots over the last couple of years has seen enormous leaps in their ability and range of features, even if not quite the revolutionary sort proclaimed by their various developers. Most of them claim to be the best choice, including Google’s new Gemini 2.5 Flash model. With such a broad range of uses suggested by Google for Gemini, I wanted to see how it did with a semi-random collection of prompts covering different aspects of the model. For comparison, I tested it against OpenAI’s ChatGPT, specifically the GPT-4o model. Gemini 2.5 Flash plays the role of the default model in the Gemini chatbot now. It’s supposed to be the fast, cost-efficient model for daily use. Google says it’s better than its predecessors, like Gemini 2.0 Flash, in terms of understanding images and text while still being much cheaper to run. You may like GPT-4o is ChatGPT’s first major multimodal model and is crammed with goodies from OpenAI’s developers. The price ChatGPT pays for that power is that it can be slightly slower than the mini models available on the chatbot. Illustrated stories (Image credit: ChatGPT/Gemini) Considering that both models are supposed to be skilled at both words and images, I asked the two models to “Write a short story about a time-traveling archaeologist who discovers a futuristic artifact in ancient Egypt and make an image to accompany it.” You can see ChatGPT’s result on the left and Gemini’s on the right above. I will say Gemini wrote its story in about 20 seconds, while ChatGPT took 45 seconds. Further, the image took Gemini another 30 seconds while ChatGPT’s required close to a minute and a half due to the quality of ChatGPT’s recently released image generator. Both stories used familiar tropes, though ChatGPT’s reads somewhat better in my opinion. Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Math magic I’m far from a math expert, but there are common questions I see mentioned as “genius tests,” so I decided to see how the two models did when asked to: “Explain the implications of Gödel’s incompleteness theorems on modern computational theory. Be detailed but clear, and give examples.” Gemini 2.5 Flash approached it like a mathematician and explained the theorems step by step, then connected them to real-world examples like how no computer program can ever truly prove that math works the way we think. It was a little dry and dense, but not too confusing. GPT-4o went for a simple breakdown, waxing philosophical and bringing up Bertrand Russell. (Image credit: Gemini 2.5 Flash) I always think that how AI explains translations of idioms can be a useful way to test their utility. I asked the two AI chatbots to: “Translate the following English idiom into Japanese, ensuring the cultural context is preserved: ‘Barking up the wrong tree.’ Explain the meaning and any cultural considerations.” Interestingly, both ChatGPT and Gemini came back with essentially the same answer. Not only did they both come up with the same options for translating the phrase, but even the cultural breakdown covered the same ground in nearly the same language. User’s choice In my opinion, Gemini 2.5 Flash and GPT-4o may as well be the same to the average person. The baseline quality of both is high enough to make their difference matter only in more specialized forms. GPT-4o and Gemini 2.5 Flash can be used for whatever you need on an average day. The preferences are more about the peripherals and specific features. GPT-4o has by far the more powerful image generator, but it’s also a lot slower. If speed matters more, though, go with Gemini. Otherwise, you may as well use ChatGPT if it’s currently your go-to choice. Access to Google’s ecosystem makes Gemini 2.5 Flash particularly appealing to those looking to connect their AI chatbot to Google Workspace tools like Google Docs, Gmail, and even Maps. GPT-4o and ChatGPT as a whole are more for the Microsoft user base, with links to Office tools like Word and Excel. It’s also the first AI chatbot used by many people, and they may not want to change over. I wouldn’t judge someone for preferring one over the other, but then again, I’m the weirdo with both open in adjacent tabs next to several others I test regularly. As both Gemini and ChatGPT told me when I described the situation, “You may want to reconsider how much time you spend experimenting with AI.” You might also like Source link #Google #Gemini #Flash #promises #favorite #chatbot #compare #ChatGPT Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

New North Korea warship is damaged at its launch ceremony attended by Kim Jong Un New North Korea warship is damaged at its launch ceremony attended by Kim Jong Un SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — A new 5,000-ton destroyer key to North Korea’s naval advancement was damaged during its launching ceremony attended by leader Kim Jong Un, state media reported Thursday. The ship slid off the ramp and became stuck after the flatcar failed to move alongside it, throwing off its balance and crushing parts of the ship’s bottom, according to the Korean Central News Agency. The accident at Wednesday’s ceremony at the northeastern port of Chongjin was an embarrassing setback for Kim, who has emphasized naval advancement as key to his nuclear-armed military. Kim blamed military officials, scientists and shipyard operators for what he described as a “serious accident and criminal act caused by absolute carelessness, irresponsibility and unscientific empiricism,” and called for a ruling Workers’ Party meeting to address their “irresponsible errors,” KCNA said. The agency reported separately that a plenary meeting of the party’s powerful Central Committee was scheduled for late June. North Korean state media didn’t say whether Wednesday’s incident caused any injuries. The damaged vessel was likely in the same class as the country’s first destroyer, unveiled on April 25, which experts assessed as the North’s largest and most advanced warship to date. Kim called it a significant asset for advancing his goal of expanding the military’s operational range and nuclear strike capabilities. State media described that ship as designed to handle various weapons systems, including anti-air and anti-ship weapons as well as nuclear-capable ballistic and cruise missiles. Kim also supervised test-firings of missiles from the destroyer afterward, and state media said the ship was expected to enter active duty early next year. Lee Sung Joon, spokesperson for South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the damaged vessel was likely equipped with similar systems and remains toppled over in the sea. Kim has framed the arms buildup as a response to perceived threats from the United States and its allies in Asia, who have been expanding joint military exercises amid rising tensions over the North’s nuclear program. He says the acquisition of a nuclear-powered submarine would be his next big step in strengthening his navy. Outside experts say the destroyer was likely built with Russian assistance. While North Korea’s naval forces are considered inferior to South Korea’s, analysts still view the destroyer as a serious security threat, as it could enhance the country’s offensive and defensive capabilities. Tensions on the Korean Peninsula have escalated in recent months as Kim accelerates the development of his nuclear and missile programs and supplies weapons and troops to support Russia’s war in Ukraine. The U.S., South Korea, and their allies have expressed concern that Moscow could reciprocate by providing North Korea with advanced weapons technology, further enhancing the threat posed by its nuclear and missile program. Source link #North #Korea #warship #damaged #launch #ceremony #attended #Kim #Jong Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Defense Department accepts Boeing 747 from Qatar for Trump’s use – AP News Defense Department accepts Boeing 747 from Qatar for Trump’s use – AP News Defense Department accepts Boeing 747 from Qatar for Trump’s use AP NewsPentagon announces it has accepted jet from Qatar that will be used by Trump once it is modified CNNThe Inside Story of Trump’s Search for a New Air Force One The New York TimesPentagon says it has accepted Qatari luxury jet for Air Force One use The Washington PostWhy Trump Wants a $400 Million Airplane Rife With Risks Bloomberg Source link #Defense #Department #accepts #Boeing #Qatar #Trumps #News Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

The best graphics cards of Computex 2025: all the best of GeForce, Radeon, and Arc GPUs The best graphics cards of Computex 2025: all the best of GeForce, Radeon, and Arc GPUs Computex is always a great show to see the latest and best graphics cards from major manufacturers like MSI, Palit, Gigabyte, and others, and Computex 2025 has definitely delivered on that front with many card makers introducing new designs and refining existing ones. With the recent announcement of the AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT and the launch of the RTX 5060 from Nvidia at the beginning of the week, pretty much the entire market stack for GPUs was on display, including a few Professional workstation cards like the new Intel B60. And while there were plenty of GPUs on display, a few of them were real standouts from the pack, and so I’m rounding up the best graphics cards I saw at Computex 2025, from concept cards to small-form-factor gems. You may like Palit GeForce RTX 5090 Tornado Image 1 of 2 (Image credit: Future / John Loeffler) (Image credit: Future / John Loeffler) One of my favorite Nvidia graphics cards on display at Computex was the Palit GeForce RTX 5090 Tornado concept card, which is the first third-party graphcis card I’ve seen to use the dual-flow-through cooling design first seen in the RTX 5090 Founders Edition. Most RTX 5090 cards being shown off at Computex are massive triple-tan beasts with enormous heatsinks (that is, when they aren’t using AIO cooling), and Nvidia’s new dual pass-through design was one of my favorite things about the RTX 5090 and RTX 5080. Finding a third-party Nvidia partner adopt the cooling design, even if it’s in concept form, is great to see. Colorful GeForce RTX 5090 Doom The Dark Ages Special Edition Image 1 of 3 (Image credit: Future / John Loeffler) (Image credit: Future / John Loeffler) (Image credit: Future / John Loeffler) Colorful also had a special edition card on display, this one a Doom: The Dark Ages themed Nvidia RTX 5090 with solid metal detailing. Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. This card is only one of ten that the company is producing, and so isn’t going on *****, but the solid metal details on the card are awesome and make me with it was an actual consumer product (though it’s heavy enough that I almost knocked it off its holder, which might have brought the number of cards in existence down to nine). Colorful GeForce RTX 5090 Neptune Image 1 of 2 (Image credit: Future / John Loeffler) (Image credit: Future / John Loeffler) While I generally find graphcis cards with AIO coolers to be a bit excessive, personally, I’d make an exception for the Colorful RTX 5090 Neptune. The silver metal look with ocean blue LED accents immediately makes me think of a spaceship, but in a good way. It’s like you pulled this GPU out of a Starfleet vessel, and I’ll take that kind of build any day of the week. ASRock Arc Pro B60 Passive (Image credit: Future / John Loeffler) It’s not very often you get to see a passively cooled graphics card in 2025, and so the ASRock Arc Pro B60 Passive card caught my eye almost immediately. I haven’t tested the Arc Pro B60, so I have no idea how much power it draws and whether passive cooling would be enough to keep the card functioning at peak performance, but it’s always good to see different ways of doing things, and passive cooling is always pretty cool, at least in principle. Zotac GeForce RTX 5060 Low-profile (Image credit: Future / John Loeffler) Usually, low-profile discrete GPUs are just a PCB and maybe a heatsink, as there’s very little room to put much else on a form factor so small, but the Zotac RTX 5060 Low Profile GPU manages to squeeze three fans onto a very slim card, making it a perfect GPU for small case designs. You might also like… Source link #graphics #cards #Computex #GeForce #Radeon #Arc #GPUs Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

ASX slips after debt fears prompt Wall Street sell-off ASX slips after debt fears prompt Wall Street sell-off The *********** share market is trading lower after concerns about US sovereign debt prompted a Wall Street sell-off overnight. The S&P/ASX200 fell 42.6 points, or 0.51 per cent by midday, to 8,344.2, while the broader All Ordinaries lost 42.6 points, or 0.49 per cent, to 8.569.5. The local bourse pared some losses after slipping 0.9 per cent in early trade. Major US indexes the S&P500 (-1.61 per cent), the Dow Jones (-1.91 per cent) and the tech-heavy Nasdaq (1.41 per cent) all fell, after a weak US Treasury auction pushed bond yields higher and weighed on US equities and the greenback. The United States’ spiralling debt has been in focus this week after a third sovereign credit downgrade and as US President Donald Trump attempts to pass a tax bill that would raise the US debt ceiling. “US stocks fell sharply overnight as the rumblings grew louder in the increasingly cranky bond market,” IG Markets analyst Tony Sycamore said. “A disappointing $US16 billion auction of 20-year Treasuries, the first since Moody’s downgrade, led to a surge in US yields.” Only two local sectors were trading higher by lunchtime, with energy stocks down 1.4 per cent and leading losses as oil prices ticked lower. Financials fell 0.7 per cent as the Commonwealth Bank retreated 1.5 per cent after hitting a new peak of $176.46 on Wednesday. ANZ was the only big four bank trading higher, up 0.4 per cent, as NAB fell 1.3 per cent and Westpac slipped 0.3 per cent. Gold pusher 0.6 per cent higher to $US3,340 ($A5,195) as risk-off sentiment pushed investors toward the safe haven. Materials stocks grinded 0.2 per cent higher thanks to gold miners and explorers, as large cap miners BHP, Rio TInto and Fortescue all lost ground. The world’s largest cryptocurrency Bitcoin rallied to an all-time high above $US110,700 ($A171,780), thanks in part to a stablecoin (fiat currency-pegged token) bill making its way through US congress. Bitcoin’s divergence from risk assets, particularly US tech stocks is being closely watched for signs it behaves more like a genuine store of value or hedge to fiat currency, Capital.com market analyst Kyle Rodda said. Telecommunications services was one of three sectors to gain ground, up 0.1 per cent as Telstra pushed 0.5 per cent higher to $4.72. A strong mobile performance from competitor Optus helped it carve out a 55 per cent increase in earnings before interest and tax for the year to March 31, along with 238,000 new customers. Shares in Optus’ Singapore-listed owner Singtel were up 2.3 per cent as the group’s total underlying profit rose 9 per cent. Insurance Australia Group rallied more than two per cent to $8.76 after the *********** Competition and Consumer Commission rubber stamped its takeover of RACQ Insurance. Suncorp and QBE also pushed one per cent higher, the insurers helping to soften losses in the financial services sector. The *********** dollar is buying 64.29 US cents down from 64.52 US cents at Wednesday’s ASX close. Source link #ASX #slips #debt #fears #prompt #Wall #Street #selloff Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘They Were Holding Each Other’ ‘They Were Holding Each Other’ A tornado, described by the National Weather Service an an EF-4, hit the home of Paul and Gail Cline in Laurel County, Ky. on May 16 The couple both lost an arm during the ordeal, said their relatives About 19 people in Kentucky were killed during the storm A couple have both lost an arm as they were sheltering inside their Kentucky home that was devastated by a tornado last week, according to their relatives. “The doctors said that they lost opposite arms is because they were holding each other,” Brandy Bowman told NBC affiliate WLEX about her uncle and aunt, Paul and Gail Cline, who are in their 60s and from Laurel County. Bowman said that Paul and Gail were in their bedroom when the twister touched down on Friday, May 16. A neighbor heard the couple screaming for help, arrived at their house and pulled them into a hallway, she said. The family said a person heard Gail’s screams while searching for survivors in the neighborhood. “She said, ‘I need help. I see an arm down the hallway,’” Bowman recalled, which turned out to be Gail’s damaged arm as a result of the tornado. GoFundMe Paul and Gail Cline’s Kentucky home after a tornado touched down on May 16, 2025 The Clines were taken to London Hospital, WLEX reported. In a GoFundMe established to help the family, Gail, who also has a punctured lung due to fragments in her ribs, is on life support. “Their home and vehicles and everything they’ve worked for is gone,” Taylor Baker, the couple’s other niece, wrote about her uncle and aunt in the fundraiser description. “They are two of the best people you could ever find. My aunt’s daughter also has stage 4 ******* so they were already battling that before this hit. They need all the help and prayers they can get.” While Paul’s condition has improved, Baker told WLEX that her uncle has dementia and hasn’t grasped the ordeal. “All I can’t get out of my head is just how terrified they both were. I cannot imagine the fear that was going through their minds, but there’s one thing about them, they are godly people,” Baker said. About 19 people were killed in Kentucky following the storm that hit Friday evening, with a majority of the victims from Laurel County, the Associated Press reported. The National Weather Service characterized the tornado that hit London, Ky., as an EF-4, described as “violent,” Fox Weather reported. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency ahead of the storm. In a Sunday, May 18, Facebook post, Baker offered gratitude to the community for their help. “To my friends who showed up with trucks and trailers and drinks and who were ready to help any way they can, I will never be able to explain to you what it meant to me,” she wrote. “To the strangers who dropped food and drinks and supplies and helped carry and load.. thank you from the bottom of my heart. I know my aunt and uncle would be so so grateful for this outpouring of help. And for the calls, texts and prayers for my family, Thank you all so much.” “My uncle Paul is stable but did have to have an arm amputated,” she continued. “My aunt Gail is on life support still and also had an arm taken off. She needs all the prayers she can get.” PEOPLE contacted Baker on Wednesday, May 21, for comment. Read the original article on People Source link #Holding Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]