Pelican Press

Moody’s Downgrade is Downright Bullish for 3 Dividends Plays Yielding Up to 8.6% Moody’s Downgrade is Downright Bullish for 3 Dividends Plays Yielding Up to 8.6% As I’m sure you have heard, Moody’s downgraded US debt last weekend. The stock market panic that ensued lasted for, oh, about an hour of trading. Why did this already get shrugged off? It’s a classic empty-calorie headline. The practical impact of the downgrade to top holders of Treasuries—banks and pension funds—is nil. Treasuries are still classified as top-grade collateral, which means banks can continue to leverage these securities. T-bills are just as good as cash for bank reserves, as they were before the downgrade. No need to scramble for new collateral. And Treasuries still have investment-grade status, which means pension funds don’t have to make any moves. Current asset allocations are just fine. It is “business as usual” at major financial institutions after the dramatic downgrade news. Of course, the federal deficit is humungous and unlikely to ever be paid back. In real terms, that is. Nominally, the repayment will happen. An important distinction! Creditors will ultimately receive depreciated dollars due to inflation. In other words, the $36 trillion owed to Treasury bondholders likely gets repaid in nominal (the actual number that includes inflation) versus real (inflation-adjusted) terms. So creditors will receive the number of dollars borrowed plus interest, but those will be depreciated dollars—bucks themselves that, due to , will be worth less than today. Which means the key to successful retirement investing will be diversifying away from and into “hard asset” plays. We’ll discuss two today that will appreciate as the dollar declines. One yields 8.6%! Why is the debt and path of the dollar an issue now when we’ve been on this debtor path as a country through many administrations for decades? Because we are teetering on the debt tipping point. The Social Security trust fund is projected to go negative by 2030, which will force the government to draw from general revenues. Think DOGE is going to save the day? No. Most of the federal spending is untouchable. Messing with Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid is political suicide. Same with “other mandatory spending”—these are benefits that have been promised. Voters won’t have it any other way. And older people who receive Social Security and Medicare? They vote at the highest rate of any age group. The net interest on our debt continues to climb. Defense spending seems “secure” given the current state of the world. Which leaves the modest nondefense discretionary slice, just 8.2% of the federal spending pie for DOGE to slice from: With such a small austerity target, it’s no wonder that government spending is up 7.4% year-over-year for the first six months of this fiscal year (which began October 1, 2024): Tax receipts, however, are not up 7.4%. These “revenues” are only up 3%. The US has a highly-indebted balance sheet with expenses growing faster than sales—not good. If austerity via DOGE is not happening, then what is the alternative? Money printing. Jay Powell’s term is up one year from now. Trump will appoint a friendly face such as Kevin Warsh, Kevin Hassett or Judy Shelton who will work with the administration to (ahem) paper over some of these debt issues. And by the way, Powell may be insistent on “higher for longer” rates, but he is not acting hawkish across the board. In fact, the market saw right through his “all bark, no bite” rhetoric at the last Fed meeting because his recent actions have spoken louder than his words. If you’re wondering who is buying Treasuries at 4-some-percent in today’s environment, the answer should be no surprise—the Fed. Yup. Powell & Co. recently “stepped up” their buying an extra $20 billion per month! With the Fed the new “whale” at the table, foreigners are (believe it or not) once again scrambling to buy Uncle Sam’s bonds. They briefly paused in tariff-laden April but have returned in a big way in May. We saw robust demand at the May 6 auction, with foreign investors buying 71.2% of the $42 billion in (up from an average of 67.6%). It takes a village to keep the Treasury yield down! And all hands are on deck. The Fed increasingly supports the Treasury market. Don’t listen to the naysayers who claim the Moody’s downgrade is going to crush the bond market—the administration, Treasury, and Fed are working together to keep the lid on bonds. The US runs the world’s printing press, and Uncle Sam is using it to buy more of his own debt. This is why gold has glittered year to date, and why the yellow relic’s move higher is likely to continue. Gold miners themselves have retreated modestly from mid-April levels. VanEck Gold Miners ETF (NYSE:) sits 8% off its recent all-time highs and is likely to bottom. The fundamental backdrop for yellow metal miners couldn’t be better. Gold prices are high and oil prices are low—which means maximum profit margins. That’s why we like GDX even though it yields a mere 1%. Its real potential lies in its price appreciation. While GDX is up 37% year-to-date—even after its recent pullback—investors will realize the only “way out” for the federal government is monetary inflation and they will drive up the price of gold even more. Let’s close with a discounted way to invest in gold. GAMCO Global Gold, Natural Resources & Income Trust (NYSE:) is a closed-end fund trading at a 3% discount to net asset value (NAV) as I write. GGN’s “97 cents on the dollar” price tag is attractive. About half of the fund’s portfolio sits in mining stocks—both gold and non-gold plays like iron miner Rio Tinto (NYSE:). The miners-at-large have some great earnings reports ahead of them thanks to low energy prices because oil, a key input cost for mining operations, is down 27% year-over-year. This underfollowed, misunderstood fund should continue to grind higher as the government papers over its pile of debt. GGN will pay us 3 cents per month, every month, as our slow-motion monetary train ****** unfolds. And that’s good for 8.6% per year. With funds like GGN it is possible to retire on as little as $500K. But we retirees and retirement-hopefuls must be careful with monetary inflation ahead! A $500K nest egg is either growing or shrinking. With funds like GGN, our capital will grow as our portfolio pays us 8.6%—which is $43,000 per year on $500,000. It is possible to bank tens of thousands of dollars in yearly dividend cash for every $500,000 invested. With inflation-protected principal, to boot! Disclosure: Brett Owens and Michael Foster are contrarian income investors who look for undervalued stocks/funds across the U.S. markets. Click here to learn how to profit from their strategies in the latest report, “7 Great Dividend Growth Stocks for a Secure Retirement.” Source link #Moodys #Downgrade #Downright #Bullish #Dividends #Plays #Yielding Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump misjudged influence on Putin, ******* defence minister says – Reuters Trump misjudged influence on Putin, ******* defence minister says – Reuters Trump misjudged influence on Putin, ******* defence minister says ReutersRussia is playing for time in Ukraine peace negotiations, Germany says Euronews.comNATO Ally Gives Blunt Assessment of Trump-Putin Call NewsweekReuters: Trump misjudged his influence on Putin, says ******* defence minister Українська правдаPistorius points to Trump’s mistakes in talks with Putin regarding Ukraine RBC-Ukraine Source link #Trump #misjudged #influence #Putin #******* #defence #minister #Reuters Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Perth fans flock to celebrate UFC welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena after historic victory Perth fans flock to celebrate UFC welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena after historic victory Hundreds of mixed martial arts fans turned out to get a glimpse of UFC gold and celebrate the state’s first champion Jack Della Maddalena. Source link #Perth #fans #flock #celebrate #UFC #welterweight #champion #Jack #Della #Maddalena #historic #victory Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

North Las Vegas neighborhood plagued by deadly shootings North Las Vegas neighborhood plagued by deadly shootings LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — North Las Vegas business owners and neighbors are quick to describe what they saw in a deadly Friday shooting, but they refrained from revealing their identities out of concern it will happen again. On Friday, police responded to the 2500 block of North Las Vegas Boulevard near Carey Avenue after reports of a shooting. When officers arrived, they found 15-year-old Daniel Robles suffering from a gunshot wound, police said. Despite life-saving measures, the Rancho High School sophomore was pronounced dead at the scene, NLVPD said. One week before the beginning of summer break. Business owners and residents told 8 News Now the neighborhood has been plagued with shootings, alleging three shootings so far this month. An NLVPD spokesperson confirmed there have been three shootings this month and pointed to ongoing efforts to curb the criminal activity. “The North Las Vegas Police Department has and will continue to carry out our vision, which is to enhance the safety and security of our citizens by providing effective, efficient law enforcement, and promote community partnerships,” a city spokesperson wrote. “With this stated, our patrol officers have conducted over 33 business and neighborhood patrols since the beginning of the month, with a goal of being visible and in the area when needed. We encourage community members to report suspicious activity to help us focus our patrol efforts.” The vigil site for Robles was adorned with flowers and candles, but right above it marked the bullet holes in the salon wall where the teenager was killed. Workers at the beauty salon told 8 News Now the shopping center has had shootings but not over a long ******* of time. One worker, who did not want to be named, said they felt the shootings were not indicative of the business area. Another business owner, who did not want to be named, said he was with a customer when he heard the gunshots, telling them not to go outside. Only moments later the business owner went outside and found the teenager dying. Out of an abundance of caution, workers from five businesses in the area corroborated what they saw Friday but asked not to be named. Some asking for police to set up a police camera box in the parking lot to make the area safer. The North Las Vegas Police Department is planning to hold a community event June 10 at the Dolores Huerta Resource Center. Police personnel are expected to address crime statistics, recent crime trends, citizen’s academies, and department updates. Neighbors are asked to attend. Th suspect or suspects in Roble’s death have still not been apprehended according to police. Anyone who may have information about this incident is urged to contact the North Las Vegas Police Department by phone at 702-633-9111. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers of Nevada by phone at 702-385-5555, or online at crimestoppersofnv.com. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. Source link #North #Las #Vegas #neighborhood #plagued #deadly #shootings Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump-Putin call on war in Ukraine is another blow to Kyiv and its allies – Reuters Trump-Putin call on war in Ukraine is another blow to Kyiv and its allies – Reuters Trump-Putin call on war in Ukraine is another blow to Kyiv and its allies ReutersTrump’s New Position on the War in Ukraine: Not My Problem The New York TimesFriends without benefits: How the long-running Trump-Putin bromance is still not delivering NBC NewsPresident Trump confident Putin wants peace with Ukraine, thinks he’s ‘had enough’ of war Fox NewsPeace in Ukraine looks further away after Trump’s call with Putin CNN Source link #TrumpPutin #call #war #Ukraine #blow #Kyiv #allies #Reuters Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism – Call for submission of entries | News Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism – Call for submission of entries | News The Prize rewards on a yearly basis outstanding journalism that promotes or defends the core principles and values of the European Union, such as human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, rule of law, and human rights. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said: “A free press is the best shield for democracy. Journalists must be free to report without fear of censorship, intimidation, or retaliation. The European Parliament will always defend and stand up for media and press freedom. The Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism honours those who shine a light in the darkest corners — because speaking truth to power should never come with a price. The prize embodies European Parliament’s steadfast dedication to truth and free speech and belongs to every journalist who fights for the facts, no matter how uncomfortable they are. Journalistic freedom is what makes our democracy thrive.” The Prize is open to professional journalists and teams of professional journalists of any nationality, who can submit in-depth pieces that have been published or broadcast by media based in one of the 27 EU countries. The aim is to support and highlight the importance of professional journalism in safeguarding human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, rule of law, and human rights. An independent jury composed of representatives of the press and civil society from the 27 member states, as well as representatives of the main European journalists’ associations, will choose the winning entry. The award ceremony takes place each year around 16 October, the date Daphne Caruana Galizia was assassinated. The prize and the €20 000 prize money demonstrate the European Parliament’s strong support for investigative journalism and the importance of a free press. Over the last few years, Parliament has warned about attempts both in the EU and beyond to undermine media pluralism. Parliament has repeatedly denounced attempts to limit media freedom, and especially attacks against journalists, in any form and wherever they may come from. MEPs were instrumental in the effort that culminated in March 2024 in the European Media Freedom Act, which protects media freedom and journalists’ safety and independence. They also pushed for years for rules to tackle malicious litigation, aiming to protect journalists and civil society from strategic lawsuits seeking to silence critical voices, and the EU’s anti-SLAPP directive was finally approved in February 2024. Journalists can submit their article(s) online at by 31 July 2025, at midnight. Past winners 2021 – “The Pegasus Project”, coordinated by the Forbidden Stories 2022 – Documentary on “The Central African Republic under Russian Influence” by Clément Di Roma and Carol Valade (ARTE/France24/Le Monde) 2023 – Joint investigation on the Pylos migrant boat shipwreck (Solomon, in collaboration with Forensis, StrgF/ARD, and The Guardian) 2024 – Investigation on missing unaccompanied child migrants (Lost in Europe) Who was Daphne Caruana Galizia? Daphne Caruana Galizia was a Maltese journalist, blogger and anti-corruption activist who reported extensively on corruption, money laundering, organised crime, ***** of citizenship and the Maltese government’s links to the Panama Papers. Following harassment and threats, she was murdered in a car bomb explosion on 16 October 2017. The outcry over the authorities’ handling of her ******* investigation ultimately prompted the resignation of Prime Minister Joseph Muscat. Critical of failings in the investigation, in December 2019, MEPs called on the European Commission to take action. Source link #Daphne #Caruana #Galizia #Prize #Journalism #Call #submission #entries #News Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Jelena Dokic confirms death of father Damir Dokic Jelena Dokic confirms death of father Damir Dokic Damir Dokic, the notorious father of former *********** tennis star Jelena Dokic, has died. On Wednesday, Jelena Dokic confirmed her father had died in the late hours of May 16. Former world No.4 Dokic has been open about how her controlling father physically, verbally and emotionally abused her during her childhood and playing career. In 2023, Jelena said she had been estranged from her Serbian father Damir for more than 10 years. “As you know my relationship with my father has been difficult and painful with a lot of history,” Dokic said in a post on Instagram, which included a photo of her with her father when she was a child. “Despite everything and no matter how hard, difficult and in the last 10 years even non existent our relationship and communication was, it is never easy losing a parent and a father even one you are estranged from. “The loss of an estranged parent comes with a difficult and complicated grief. It’s an end of a chapter and life as I know it.” Dokic noted how Damir’s death had sparked “lots of conflicting and complex emotions and feelings”. “For the end of this chapter, I choose to focus on a good memory like this picture,” she said. “And as always and especially important to who I am as a person and what I want to stand for which is respect, grace, kindness, dignity and empathy, I will and want to be that person in this situation too.” Dokic requested privacy for herself and her family and finished her message with “RIP”. Her father became a notorious and controversial figure on tour throughout his daughter’s rise from junior sensation to world No.4 and Wimbledon semi-finalist. During Jelena’s career, Damir Dokic was renowned for his outbursts and was at one point banned from the WTA tour. He served time in prison in 2009 after he threatened to blow up the *********** ambassador to Belgrade. Jelena, who has two books and a documentary where she detailed the abuse she suffered at the hands of her father, is now a tennis pundit and commentator after retiring in 2014. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 Men’s Referral Service 1300 766 491 Source link #Jelena #Dokic #confirms #death #father #Damir #Dokic Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

New $12.5M listing in Trump’s Mar-a-Lago security zone is a potential tear-down New $12.5M listing in Trump’s Mar-a-Lago security zone is a potential tear-down Another Palm Beach house is up for grabs in the security zone that borders President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Club. The four-bedroom house at 112 Algoma Road is priced at $12.5 million and is a potential tear-down, according to the May 20 sales listing. The street is the third one north of Mar-a-Lago in the neighborhood that closes to through-traffic when the president is in residence at his private club. Built in 1952, the one-story house on Algoma Road is being marketed in the local multiple listing service in two categories — single-family homes and land. A Palm Beach house at 112 Algoma Road near President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Club has joined the multiple listing service with a price $12.5 million. The house is being marketed in the MLS as both a single-family house and as a potential tear-down. With 2,930 total square feet, the Bermuda-style house stands on a non-waterfront lot of about a third of an acre. It’s the second house west of South Ocean Boulevard, which divides a row of direct-beachfront homes from the rest of the Estate Section. The house has been in the same family for nearly 45 years. Property records show its owned through a trust by Joyce S. Vaughn, who has it homesteaded as her primary residence in the latest Palm Beach County tax rolls. She bought the house for a recorded $385,000 in 1981 with her late husband, management-consulting executive Clother Hathaway Vaughn III. He died in 2019 at 85. Agent Margit Brandt of Premier Estate Properties holds the listing, which describes the property as having a “bespoke” location with a “truly elite level of privacy” and nearby deeded beach access. The listing says the house has a swimming pool but provides no details about the home’s interior. A house just listed at $12.5 million at 112 Algoma Road in Palm Beach’s Estate Section comes with nearby deeded beach access via this boardwalk-style path. “Looking at the market today, 112 Algoma is the only dry lot available for ***** in Palm Beach’s Estate Section,” Brandt told the Palm Beach Daily News. “It is also the only piece of land publicly available (in the MLS’s land category) in the presidential security zone adjacent to Mar-a-Lago. This presents a special opportunity for a buyer to build their dream home in one of the most coveted, exclusive locations in the world.” Since early December, six residential properties in the Mar-a-Lago security zone have sold at prices ranging from $12 million to $27.5 million. Among those sales was another on Algoma Road. In December, that never-lived-in, five-bedroom house developed on speculation at 130 Algoma Road changed hands for a recorded $14.3 million. Two other houses are “active” listings in the MLS’s single-family category in the same neighborhood. An estate at 160 Clarendon Ave. is offered at $48.85 million by broker Lawrence Moens of Lawrence A. Moens Associates, while a house at 1048 S. Ocean Blvd. is listed at $23.95 million by agent Elizabeth DeWoody of Compass Florida. One other neighborhood house is listed in the “pending” category of the MLS, meaning it is under contract. That’s a four-bedroom house at 142 Via Palma with 7,633 total square feet, listed by Brandt at $18.95 million. When Trump is at Mar-a-Lago, security officers shut down South Ocean Boulevard in the neighborhood, opening the road only to property owners or their authorized visitors, representatives or workers. The security zone runs north from the club property for seven blocks, or about half a mile, to South County Road. Because the area is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Intracoastal Waterway on the other, the roadblock effectively divides the town in two, forcing through-traffic to detour across bridges into West Palm Beach and back. Outlined in white at the lower center, 112 Algoma Road is three streets south of President Donald Trump’s ocean-to-lake Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach. The neighborhood to the north of President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago closes to through-traffic when when is in residence at his private club. Darrell Hofheinz is a USA TODAY Network of Florida journalist who writes about Palm Beach real estate in his weekly “Beyond the Hedges” column. He welcomes tips about real estate news on the island. Email *****@*****.tld. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: New $12.5M listing in Mar-a-Lago security zone is a possible tear-down Source link #12.5M #listing #Trumps #MaraLago #security #zone #potential #teardown Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump backs off ceasefire after call with Putin, letting fighting rage on – The Washington Post Trump backs off ceasefire after call with Putin, letting fighting rage on – The Washington Post Trump backs off ceasefire after call with Putin, letting fighting rage on The Washington PostTrump’s New Position on the War in Ukraine: Not My Problem The New York TimesFriends without benefits: How the long-running Trump-Putin bromance is still not delivering NBC NewsPresident Trump confident Putin wants peace with Ukraine, thinks he’s ‘had enough’ of war Fox NewsTrump-Putin call on war in Ukraine is another blow to Kyiv and its allies Reuters Source link #Trump #backs #ceasefire #call #Putin #letting #fighting #rage #Washington #Post Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Army pilot took 'evasive action' before fatal ****** Army pilot took 'evasive action' before fatal ****** The pilot of an army helicopter took evasive action to avoid a mid-air collision before the aircraft crashed and killed all four on board, a report reveals. Source link #Army #pilot #039evasive #action039 #fatal #****** Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Paris named as Europe’s leading tech ecosystem, beating London Paris named as Europe’s leading tech ecosystem, beating London By Supantha Mukherjee STOCKHOLM (Reuters) -Paris has been named as the new European tech champion, beating London for the first time on some metrics, according to data from Dealroom, which collects information on startups and venture capital firms. Between 2017 and 2024, the combined enterprise value of Paris startups increased 5.3 times, compared with 4.2 times for London, Dealroom said, after assessing dozens of metrics that contribute to a successful tech ecosystem. Although London attracted ******* funding rounds, the actual valuations of the companies have not increased dramatically, while the funding rounds secured by Paris-based companies have had a ******* impact on valuations, it said. French tech companies, including Mistral AI and Poolside, raised $7.8 billion last year, less than London’s $11.3 billion. Europe has been falling behind other regions in tech innovations, with only some countries trying to boost tech investments. While the market capitalisation of global tech, media and telecom companies rose from $7 trillion in 2000 to $34 trillion last year, Europe’s share dropped from 30% to just 7%, a McKinsey report said on Wednesday. If Europe had maintained its share, it would have generated an additional $8 trillion in market value, it said. Paris is also the only European city on Dealroom’s top five global champions list, which is dominated by U.S. cities. It comes a month ahead of Paris hosting one of the largest global tech conferences, VivaTech, featuring top executives from companies such as Nvidia, Alibaba, Meta, OpenAI, Mistral, Anthropic and Cohere. Last year’s conference was attended by more than 165,000 people. “It’s not just about the competitiveness of Paris on the AI scene today, it’s also about what will happen next and how we can keep on attracting the talent, investment, and the tech activities,” Francois Bitouzet, managing director of VivaTech, told Reuters. Since coming to power in 2017, French President Emmanuel Macron has talked about wanting France to be a world leader in AI and ‘deep-tech’, inviting several firms to invest in the country and pushing for creation of startup incubator Station F. (Reporting by Supantha Mukherjee in Stockholm. Editing by Mark Potter) Source link #Paris #named #Europes #leading #tech #ecosystem #beating #London Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Apple Memorial Day sales let me down until I saw the MacBook Air M4 for $899 Apple Memorial Day sales let me down until I saw the MacBook Air M4 for $899 We already considered the new Apple MacBook Air M4 as the best laptop on the market, but now it’s even better thanks to the Memorial Day sales. Right now, you can pick up this excellent machine for just $899 (was $999) at Amazon. This is a superb price for the latest MacBook Air 13, a model that features the powerful new M4 chipset, 16GB of RAM, and was just released back in March. • See the full Amazon Memorial Day ***** With its powerful new processor and impressive battery life, the MacBook Air M4 delivers outstanding performance for everything from everyday tasks to creative workloads. Combine that with its ultra-portable design and it’s easy to see why we highly recommend this model. As TechRadar’s deals editor, I’ve been disappointed by the overall quality of Apple deals in the Memorial Day sales so far, but this deal is an exception. It’s rare to see discounts this good on recently released models, and $899 is an absolute steal for this laptop. Regardless of whether you’re a student, professional, or just looking to upgrade your current Mac, there’s no better value MacBook deal right now. Apple MacBook Air M4 at record-low price The best laptop for most people right now (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff) It’s really hard to fault the MacBook Air 13 M4 when it comes to value. The previous iteration was already good, but Apple made it even better by swapping in the more powerful M4 chipset and lowering the price. For just $999 ($899 with this deal), you get the same excellent 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display and gorgeous design but a more powerful chipset and 16GB of RAM right out of the box. While the 256GB of storage remains a pain point, the MacBook Air M4 is an excellent value overall. As with previous entries, battery life remains a standout, offering up to 18 hours of video playback and over 10 hours in real-world use like photo editing. Other highlights include the new 12MP Center Stage webcam, MagSafe charging, and two Thunderbolt 4 ports for easy connectivity. Overall, an extremely solid machine backed up with excellent hardware, solid software, and a compelling price. Also on ***** today… More Memorial Day sales Amazon: 50% off TVs, lawnmowers & vacuums Appliances: up to 50% off major appliances at Best Buy Apple: iPads, AirPods & MacBooks from $117 Best Buy: $1,000 off TVs, laptops & headphones Casper: up to 30% off all mattresses DreamCloud: up to 60% off mattresses – deals from $399 Home Depot: 35% off appliances, furniture, grills & tools Lowe’s: up to 40% off grills, appliances, tools & patio Nectar: mattress deals from $349, up to 50% off Purple: up to $700 off mattresses + free base Samsung: up to $1,500 off select appliances Target: 50% off patio furniture & accessories Tempur-Pedic: up to $500 mattress sets Walmart: grills, mattresses, cheap TVs & vacs from $69 Source link #Apple #Memorial #Day #sales #MacBook #Air Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Volvo will be the first to install Google’s Gemini in its cars – The Verge Volvo will be the first to install Google’s Gemini in its cars – The Verge Volvo will be the first to install Google’s Gemini in its cars The VergeGoogle, Volvo Cars deepen partnership to develop Android software for vehicles ReutersGemini smarts are coming to more Android devices Google BlogYour Google Gemini assistant is getting 8 useful features – here’s the update log ZDNetScreen and camera sharing in Gemini Live is heading to all Android and iOS devices Engadget Source link #Volvo #install #Googles #Gemini #cars #Verge Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Blades of Fire Review | TheSixthAxis Blades of Fire Review | TheSixthAxis GamesRadar+: “MercurySteam follow up the career high point of Metroid Dread with a dark fantasy soulslike full of neat ideas. Blades of Fire dares to make the case for weapon degradation being a good thing and succeeds. The fun characters, secret-stuffed level design, and terrific combat don’t hurt either. A really pleasant surprise.” Source link #Blades #Fire #Review #TheSixthAxis Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Extreme Networks ups networking AI ante with Platform One Extreme Networks ups networking AI ante with Platform One Aiming to address the needs of a world in which the vast majority of business leaders see networks as more complicated than just two years ago, Extreme Networks has launched new capabilities in its Platform One offer, becoming, it claims, the first provider of its kind to integrate conversational, multimodal and agentic artificial intelligence (AI) into one enterprise networking platform. First announced in December 2024, Platform One is now in limited availability globally, and at its Extreme Connect 2025 conference in Paris, the company revealed the platform is now in use, with over 130 companies around the world developing use cases showing how companies can unlock new levels of visibility, control and efficiency across networks, streamlining operations and delivering insights that allow teams to act faster. At day one of the conference, Extreme chief product and technology officer and general manager of subscription business Nabil Bukhari said that development of the product had been centred around feedback from enterprises that had said of the need to improve basic capability to be more relevant for business. He said his company had heard that AI was limited and fractured; there were too many disjointed applications; there was a lack of real-time visibility; and licensing was too complicated. Moreover, Extreme notes that research had found 89% of C-level executives were demanding a single platform for AI, networking and security, and 79% of the same senior management wanted a return on their investment in AI two quarters after initial investment. But Bukhari said the question businesses were asking was where the business outcomes were, and, worryingly, that there was a lot of “AI washing” around. The answer was not to build a product just for the sake of building a product, because if the customers are not looking for a new business outcome, they’re probably not going to buy a new product either. “Anybody that stands up and says, ‘we are making networks easier for you’, they are absolutely lying, because networking is complicated,” he said. “But what we need to do is make your experience of buying them and operating them easier. Networks are getting ******* after the pandemic. They are not only just in campuses or in buildings; they’re reaching out into the homes of your employees, of your suppliers, of the people that buy from you. They’re on mobile phones. They go wherever you go. Networks are no longer datacentre or campus or branches. Networks are to connect applications, people, devices and data, no matter where it is. Then what do you need? You need a view to look at it, because if you can’t see it, you can’t operate it. “But that’s not good enough either, because what happens when there’s something that goes wrong in that complex network? Then you need to be able to go deep into the network and see that specific problem. You need a map of your network that shows everything, and you need a magnifying glass that shows you exactly what is happening in there. There are no applications out there that do both of those simultaneously and very easily, and without the additional cost of multiple applications. This is what we were hearing from our customers.” Solving problems For Bukhari, the issue facing Extreme was either to solve problems with the existing applications or try to change the game. That is to build something that was not trying to fix problems, but instead, he insisted on creating the services network professionals could use for the next 10 years. Announcing Platform One’s capability in Paris, Extreme attributed the offering with fundamentally being able to break down silos between networking and security, automating tasks through AI agents, reducing mundane networking tasks from hours to minutes and minutes to seconds. It said the platform offered a reduction in manual tasks at every interaction, and conversational, multimodal and agentic AI gives users single-place access to trusted knowledge such as product documentation, global technical access centre (GTAC) articles, common vulnerabilities and exposures and training content. In all, it is said to deliver up to a 90% reduction in manual tasks with AI at every interaction. With its AI Canvas, Platform One users are said to be able to reduce the heavy lift of manual reporting and generate real-time interactive dashboards, shareable insights and visual reports in minutes. Extreme’s Service AI Agent is also claimed to cut resolution times by up to 98% through automated diagnostics, delivering a faster, smarter support experience, with a human in the loop. The service AI Agent gathers logs, analyses telemetry and autonomously troubleshoots issues across wireless and fabric, and if users choose, can auto remediate issues. When escalation is needed. It can auto-generate cases and hand them off to GTAC with no forms or waiting. In terms of security, Platform One uses Extreme Universal zero-trust network access (ZTNA) technology to deliver AI-assisted policy recommendations designed to simplify access security through a single identity-based engine. It unifies policy across users, devices, locations, networks and applications to cut complexity, conflicts and errors. An advisory AI agent validates access requests, suggests optimal group and policy use, plans consistent enforcement and offers real-time setup guidance. Fundamentally, such automation is said to ease a SecOps workload and reduce risk through consistent, streamlined security. Platform One’s workspace is said to be able to improve productivity, cut unnecessary steps and deliver what Extreme says will be real-time, “hyper-personalised” experiences for every role, from network operators and procurement teams to executives. Productivity improvements are said to be derived by eliminating the need to work across multiple applications with cross-team AI-assisted workflows enabling better collaboration between cross-functional teams in one unified, “intuitive” experience. New visualisation capabilities now possible are intended to eliminate network blind spots through visibility across physical, access, fabric and service layers, via a single login. The result is said to be deeper, broader visibility than any other management service or application. Views include geo maps, topology and fabric overlays to give customers sight of global environments or individual policies, devices and subscriptions. Integrated orchestration and workflows have been built to eliminate the need for multiple tools and streamlines planning, design, troubleshooting and root cause analysis to minimise downtime. A single, powerful platform Assessing what the new Platform One could deliver to businesses, Jim Frey, principal analyst at Enterprise Strategy Group, suggested that Extreme was driving innovation by unifying its portfolio into what he called “a single, powerful platform” layered with AI and wrapped in a simple, intuitive user interface – and that with the new platform, the company was making what he regarded as “substantial headway” on delivering the promise of AI for networking. “For enterprises, this means more visibility, automation and control across the network, enabling faster decision-making, reduced complexity, and a foundation that scales with the demands of their business,” he said. “First and foremost [Extreme Platform One] will eliminate the gaps and seams that have historically existed for those deploying and managing Extreme-based networks, achieving functional equivalency while adding a powerful layer of AI-assisted workflows and features. “It also puts the company’s customers in a position to take full advantage of Extreme’s unique fabric architecture and capabilities for simplifying network design and operations,” said Frey. “I look forward to future advancements that will bring endpoint data, richer security analytics and more application awareness into the mix, to further expand the reach and impact of the solution. Extreme Platform One will not solve all networking challenges for everyone out there, but it does provide good reason for taking a closer look at Extreme Networks for anyone planning a network refresh or new buildouts.” In Paris, Extreme highlighted the work of early customers in the varied form of West Suffolk NHS hospitals, energy company Eon and Dubai World Trade Centre. Outlining how his health authority has been using the new Platform One as well as the Extreme Fabric offering, Andrew Smith, senior systems engineer at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, stressed that like all businesses, and especially those in healthcare, the organisation was also looking to do more with less, and fundamentally empower his team to get things done better and quicker. Indeed, the AI capabilities, he said, “just makes the magic happen” at the hospitals. “We manage two hospitals and multiple community sites, so we need a proactive way of seeing what’s going on across every location,” said Smith. “In Extreme Platform One, being able to visualise every layer of the network, including fabric, completely changes our day-to-day. We can instantly see how everything’s connected, pinpoint issues before they escalate, and understand the full context behind what’s happening. As our organisation grows, Extreme Platform One will grow with us, and make it easier for us to scale services and deliver outstanding patient care.” Smith said there were four key benefits and takeaways to the deployment. “First, you have ALS,” he said. “You’ve got the assets, you’ve got visibility of what’s going on in your network, what the status is, and also things like what stage of their life they’re at. “If you know it’s the end of support, if you need to replace [an asset], we’ve got the alert so to let our teams know what’s going on so we can be more proactive, not reactive,” said Smith. “[Then there] is licensing the new platform. Platform One makes it much easier, so you can just zoom in. If you take, for example, my finance teams, they’re always asking, ‘what do we have to buy and why?’ So, you can give them a visual, and you can export it and show them what they need to look at to make the magic happen. “[Third is] is if I go to the board, I need some evidence. It has to be in simple layman’s language for the board members. They just want to know the ‘Three Ws’: why, what and where. “And fourth is the security aspect,” he said. “It is always at the back of our minds. If you’ve got your due diligence and you secure by design, Platform One can help you do that, because you can visualise it.” While Extreme Platform One is now in limited availability, general availability is planned for the third quarter of 2025. Source link #Extreme #Networks #ups #networking #ante #Platform Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Walyalup (Fremantle) Dockers reportedly offer two-year extension to pre-season singing Isaiah Dudley Walyalup (Fremantle) Dockers reportedly offer two-year extension to pre-season singing Isaiah Dudley Walyalup (Fremantle) are set to reward a late recruit with a new deal, with reports the Dockers are close to finalising an extension for Isaiah Dudley. Less than six months on from the 22-year-old joining the list, Walyalup are keen to secure the small forward’s future with a two-year extension, according to afl.com.au. It would tie him to the club until the end of the 2027 season. Dudley was overlooked in three consecutive drafts despite blistering form in the SANFL before the Dockers invited him to trial for their final list spot as a pre-season supplemental selection. His signing was announced in front of cousin Kysaiah Pickett, who has been linked to a trade to Walyalup, ahead of the Indigenous All Stars clash and Dudley has quickly become a fan favourite since kicking two goals in his western derby debut. He received high praise with coach Justin Longmuir, labelling him a ‘special’ player while midfield star Caleb Serong praised his work ethic to get himself on an AFL list. “He’s crafty. He has got some tricks. I am so happy for him. He’s come in, he’s moved away from his family and gave his all in trying to get a spot and nothing was guaranteed,” Serong said. Dudley, the shortest player in the AFL, has become a regular member of the best 23 playing every game since, with six goals from his eight games this season, while also averaging more than two tackles a game. Source link #Walyalup #Fremantle #Dockers #reportedly #offer #twoyear #extension #preseason #singing #Isaiah #Dudley Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Review – Super Engine GT Turbo SPEC (PC) | WayTooManyGames Review – Super Engine GT Turbo SPEC (PC) | WayTooManyGames WTMG’s Leo Faria: “This is a pretty small and underwhelming indie racer. I guess I should say it’s a competent game devoid of glitches and issues, but I was also not having a lot of fun playing it. I played Super Engine GT Turbo SPEC for about an hour and half, whilst thinking I could have stopped after just 45 minutes, considering how repetitive and devoid of content it is. You can have some enjoyment grabbing some achievements for your platform of choice for a really small entry fee, but Super Engine GT Turbo SPEC ain’t something I’ll either recommend or even remember over the next few days.” Source link #Review #Super #Engine #Turbo #SPEC #WayTooManyGames Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Britain’s M&S says cyberattack to cost $400 million Britain’s M&S says cyberattack to cost $400 million STORY: The recent cyber attack on Marks & Spencer will cost the firm around $403 million in operating profit. That was the line from the British retailer Wednesday (May 21). It called the attack ‘highly sophisticated’ and said disruption could run into July. M&S is one of the biggest names in Britain and the incident shocked the retail sector. It forced its online clothing operation offline and left some food shelves bare. It also wiped billions of dollars from the company’s stock market value. M&S said its food division had been hit by reduced availability and higher costs due to waste and logistics. Its fashion, home and beauty division was also hurt by the decision to pause online shopping. Chief Executive Stuart Machin said the attack was the result of ‘human error,’ and couldn’t comment on whether the retailer had paid a ransom. M&S revealed the attack on April 22. It stopped taking clothing and home orders through its website and app three days later. It said last week that some personal customer information was also stolen in the hack. Source link #Britains #cyberattack #cost #million Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Google I/O 2025 as it happened: AI Search, Veo, Flow, Gemini, Android XR, and all the big announcements – TechRadar Google I/O 2025 as it happened: AI Search, Veo, Flow, Gemini, Android XR, and all the big announcements – TechRadar Google I/O 2025 as it happened: AI Search, Veo, Flow, Gemini, Android XR, and all the big announcements TechRadarAI in Search: Going beyond information to intelligence Google BlogColumn | Search is about to change as Google adds more AI options. Here’s what to watch out for. The Washington PostGoogle launches $250 per month ‘VIP’ AI subscription service CNBCEverything Google Announced at I/O 2025 WIRED Source link #Google #happened #Search #Veo #Flow #Gemini #Android #big #announcements #TechRadar Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Europa League final: Spurs v Man Utd – How do you prepare for a final of this magnitude?? Europa League final: Spurs v Man Utd – How do you prepare for a final of this magnitude?? There has been a divergence in approach. For a start, when they played their last match before the final within 45 minutes of each other on Friday, the respective managers opted for very different strategies. Postecoglou played a completely different team at Aston Villa compared to the one that beat *****/Glimt in the second leg of their semi-final. He left key centre-backs Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero out of the squad entirely. “I don’t understand why they are gripped by fear, both managers will want to go into the cup final with momentum,” said ex-Celtic striker Chris Sutton. “It’s just that selection fear where Postecoglou won’t play Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven – but will they be undercooked?” Amorim went strong. Even following the return to training of Diogo Dalot, Joshua Zirkzee and Leny Yoro on Tuesday, other than Mason Mount and speculation around striker Rasmus Hojlund, it felt very much like the team who will start the final. “I don’t know the context of Tottenham. What I know is the last game against Bilbao, we had that game and then we rested some players because we were afraid of some injuries,” said Amorim. “Then we had a full week to prepare for the game and I felt, with five days to the final, the best thing to prepare for the final was to give time to the players – the best way to prepare something is to compete.” Tottenham held a team barbecue at their Hotspur Way training ground at the weekend, which Postecoglou says was player-driven, before arriving in Bilbao on Monday afternoon, taking up residence in a hotel right in the heart of the city. “It was very important, being together, talking about life,” said captain Son Heung-min. “It feels like we are getting even closer.” “This bonding experience is very important,” added right-back Pedro Porro. “The team is like our family. It’s very good to talk about life with our team-mates, too.” United arrived a day later and opted to stay slightly further away from the stadium – only three miles, so not exactly a long journey. United also decided against taking up the option of a final training session in the match stadium. Most clubs these days don’t train in the matchday venue before European games. The benefits of this are twofold. Firstly, it is far easier to keep their own training grounds secure and stop the opposition spying on them. Secondly, there is familiarity and ease of access to equipment, such as drones, that are now a vital part of team preparation. In all likelihood, Tottenham won’t do anything of note in their final session at the San Mames stadium. But it will allow them to get the feel of the iconic ground. United will do a walk round instead. In fairness, it is only three weeks since they beat Athletic Club 3-0 there in the first leg of their semi-final, so the need to get accustomed to their surroundings is not the same. “As the players we just think about what we have ahead of us, and what we have ahead of us is the chance to get our hands on a trophy,” explained United captain Bruno Fernandes. Source link #Europa #League #final #Spurs #Man #Utd #prepare #final #magnitude Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Doom: The Dark Ages is id Software’s ‘biggest launch’ ever, Bethesda says Doom: The Dark Ages is id Software’s ‘biggest launch’ ever, Bethesda says Doom: The Dark Ages is id Software’s “biggest launch” ever, according to publisher Bethesda. In a post on the official Bethesda account on X, the publisher stated that the game had reached 3 million players since its release on May 15. According to Bethesda, this not only makes the game “the biggest launch in id’s history”, it also means the game reached the 3 million players milestone seven times faster than Doom Eternal. The claim appears to contradict previous estimates by Superdata back in March 2020, which suggested at the time that Doom Eternal had hit the 3 million milestone by the end of March, a 10-day ******* given its March 20 release. These figures were estimates, however, rather than an official claim by Bethesda. Developer id Software previously claimed that Doom: The Dark Ages, which has no multiplayer mode and is entirely single-player only, would have a larger focus on story and would boast the “best yet”. The game takes place in between the events of Doom 64 and the 2016 reboot of Doom. Thank you for making DOOM: The Dark Ages the biggest launch in id’s history – 7x faster to 3 million players than DOOM Eternal. pic.twitter.com/c0SKR97FO8 — Bethesda (@bethesda) May 20, 2025 According to SteamDB, Doom: The Dark Ages has hit a peak concurrent player count of 31,470 players on Steam since its release, compared to the peak of 104,891 for Doom Eternal. However, it’s important to note that when Doom Eternal was released, Microsoft had still yet to acquire Bethesda’s parent company ZeniMax Media, meaning Doom Eternal was not available on Xbox Game Pass at launch. Doom: The Dark Ages, however, has been available on PC Game Pass since its day of release, meaning a number of PC players will be playing through that instead of buying it on Steam, affecting its number of concurrent users on Valve‘s platform. VGC’s Doom: The Dark Ages review calls the game “brutal, challenging and laugh-out-loud funny”. “Doom: The Dark Ages gets so much right that its main flaws come when the game takes you away from its main, excellent combat loop,” we wrote. “While not every new addition works, the game’s new open zones are a treat, and the Doomslayer’s arsenal is still incredibly fun to run around with.” Source link #Doom #Dark #Ages #Softwares #biggest #launch #Bethesda Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Bitcoin: New All-Time Highs in Sight as ETF Inflows Show No Signs of Slowing Bitcoin: New All-Time Highs in Sight as ETF Inflows Show No Signs of Slowing Bitcoin’s strong uptrend continues with rising demand and new highs nearing. Growing optimism and tariff war easing boost short-term Bitcoin gains above 27%. Ethereum shows bullish signs with flag breakout targeting $3,000 resistance next. Looking for actionable trade ideas to navigate the current market volatility? Subscribe here to unlock access to InvestingPro’s AI-selected stock winners. upward trend has remained strong for many weeks, shown by sharp rises with small pullbacks. The steep upward trend line shows strong demand, which supports the goal of reaching new all-time highs. Recently, Ethereum’s rise has renewed buyers’ hope for more gains, especially if it breaks out above the local flag pattern. Investors are also paying attention to the US Senate passing the GENIUS Act, which aims to regulate stablecoins. The digital currency market was not shaken by Moody’s lowering the US credit rating to AA1, which was due to increasing debt and little chance of reducing it. What’s Behind Bitcoin’s Rally? Since the start of the year, Bitcoin has shown positive returns, especially in the last month, with gains of over 27%. Besides the long-term factors that will likely boost Bitcoin’s value, buyers also have the upper hand in the short term. This is mainly because there is growing global optimism and a higher willingness to take risks, thanks to a clear easing of the recent tariff war. Even though uncertainty remains high, it now seems less likely that there will be a sudden major conflict involving China or the EU. Investors in stocks and cryptocurrencies are already acting as if this risk is low. Since the beginning of May, ETFs have seen steady inflows, with $1.8 billion coming in during the first few days. This trend continued last week, with funds gaining another $600 million. If this keeps up through the end of the month, reaching new all-time highs should be just a matter of time. Bitcoin Technical Analysis During the current uptrend, buyers have relied on the uptrend line as their key support, and it held again this week. The main goal, which is now close, is the all-time high of around $109,000 per coin. Even if the trend line breaks, it is too early to say the upward trend is over. In that case, a correction could happen down to the local support around $98,000 per Bitcoin. Ethereum Technical Analysis After many months of falling prices, buyers have taken control with a strong recent rise. Right now, there is a small flag pattern forming, and if the price breaks upward from it, this should signal that the upward trend will continue. The closest target for buyers is the key resistance near the $3,000 mark. If the price pulls back, watch the support levels around $2,100 and $1,900 per coin. **** Be sure to check out InvestingPro to stay in sync with the market trend and what it means for your trading. Whether you’re a novice investor or a seasoned trader, leveraging InvestingPro can unlock a world of investment opportunities while minimizing risks amid the challenging market backdrop. Subscribe now and instantly unlock access to several market-beating features, including: ProPicks AI: AI-selected stock winners with a proven track record. InvestingPro Fair Value: Instantly find out if a stock is underpriced or overvalued. Advanced Stock Screener: Search for the best stocks based on hundreds of selected filters and criteria. Top Ideas: See what stocks billionaire investors such as Warren Buffett, Michael Burry, and George Soros are buying. Disclaimer: This article is written for informational purposes only; it does not constitute a solicitation, offer, advice, counseling or recommendation to invest as such it is not intended to incentivize the purchase of assets in any way. I would like to remind you that any type of asset, is evaluated from multiple points of view and is highly risky and therefore, any investment decision and the associated risk remains with the investor.” Source link #Bitcoin #AllTime #Highs #Sight #ETF #Inflows #Show #Signs #Slowing Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

The Barefoot Fire-Walking Ritual of Anastenaria Lives On in Greece The Barefoot Fire-Walking Ritual of Anastenaria Lives On in Greece The Barefoot Fire-Walking Ritual of Anastenaria is a Greek and Bulgarian tradition. Credit: Public Domain Thousands are expected to descend on the town of Langadas near Thessaloniki to participate in the ancient fire-walking ritual of “Anastenaria” in which barefoot people walk on glowing coals. The communities that celebrate this ritual are descended from refugees who entered Greece from Eastern Thrace following the Balkan Wars of 1911 to 1912 and the harrowing population exchange between Greece and Turkey in 1923. The origins of Anastenaria The roots of this tradition are steeped in mystery—and a bit of controversy, as well. The Anastenarides hold that the origin of the ritual lies in a fire which took place at Kosti, near the ****** Sea in the thirteenth century which set ablaze the church of Saint Constantine. As the empty church burned, the villagers claimed to hear cries coming from the flames and believed that they were appeals from the icons, desperately calling out for help. Some villagers ran into the burning church to rescue them, returning quickly with the icons, and neither the icons nor their human protectors were burned or injured in any way. This occurrence, according to the fire-walking practitioners, prompted the annual celebration that the Anastenaria holds to commemorate their deliverance from the flames. However, many scholars do not believe this to be the true origin of the Anastenaria ritual. It is largely believed that the ceremony is the survival of an ancient Thracian Dionysian ritual, which was later given a superficial Christian interpretation in order to be tolerated by the Greek Orthodox Church, which does not support the fire walking ritual since it is viewed as pagan. “The Anastenaria are religious communities of Orthodox Christians, known for their devotion to Saints Constantine and Helen and the fire-walking rituals they perform in their honor,” writes historian Dmitri Xygalatas. “These rituals are part of an elaborate annual ritual cycle, which culminates with the festival of the two saints every May.” According to Xygalatas, “the festival, which lasts for three days, includes various processions around the village, an animal sacrifice, music and ecstatic dancing. The most dramatic moment of the festival is the fire-walking ritual itself, where the participants, carrying the icons of the saints, dance over the glowing coals.” “This practice is very old. Since the nineteenth century, Greek ethnographers have almost unanimously argued that the Anastenaria derives from the ancient orgiastic cults of Dionysus, constituting a continuous tradition of almost three millennia,” he added. “This is something that most people who have heard about the Anastenaria know, and to which many Greek anthropologists attest.” “However, such a claim is completely unfounded,” he says, and “a more careful study of the sources reveals that the theory of the Dionysian origins of the Anastenaria has been intentionally constructed and later uncritically reproduced, resulting in a false version of history.” The Anastenaria ritual, which is also performed in Bulgaria, is an important element of the cultural heritage of the Bulgarian people. In 2009, it was included on UNESCO’s World Heritage list of cultural events. Source link #Barefoot #FireWalking #Ritual #Anastenaria #Lives #Greece Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

EP Today | News | European Parliament EP Today | News | European Parliament Last-minute press briefing at 14:30 Parliament’s Spokesperson and Press Service will hold a press briefing on this week’s plenary session at 14:30. Follow the last-minute briefing live. Journalists wishing to take part and ask questions should please connect via Interactio. Slovenian President Nataša Pirc Musar to address plenary In a formal sitting starting at 15.00, the President of Slovenia, Nataša Pirc Musar, will outline her vision for the EU. Polona TEDESKO (+32) 470 88 42 82 Gaza Strip: MEPs to assess risk of further military escalation From around 15:45, MEPs, Commissioner Glenn Micallef and Polish Minister Adam Szłapka will debate the EU’s response to the Israeli government’s plan to seize the Gaza Strip, and how to provide effective humanitarian support and secure the hostages’ release. Snjezana KOBESCAK SMODIS (+32) 470 96 08 19 @EP_ForeignAff Simplifying the EU’s carbon leakage instrument In the afternoon, MEPs and Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra will debate the proposed changes to the EU’s carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM), which are part of efforts to reduce the administrative burden for small businesses and occasional importers. The vote will take place on Thursday. Thomas HAAHR (+32) 470 88 09 87 @EP_Environment Phasing out Russian energy imports In the early evening, MEPs, Commissioner Dan Jørgensen and Polish Minister Adam Szłapka will debate the phase-out of Russian gas, nuclear energy and oil imports, as well as Nord Stream and EU energy sovereignty. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in 2022, Parliament has called repeatedly for an end to Russian energy imports. Baptiste CHATAIN (+32) 498 98 13 37 @EP_Industry In brief New single market strategy. From around 17:15, Commission Executive Vice-President Stéphane Séjourné will present the new single market strategy in plenary, following its adoption by the College of Commissioners the same day. Improving mental health at work. In an evening debate with Commission Executive Vice-President Roxana Mînzatu, MEPs will discuss how to prevent psychosocial risks to wellbeing in the workplace. Live coverage of the plenary session can be found on Parliament’s webstreaming site and on EbS+. For detailed information on the session, please also see our newsletter. Find more information regarding plenary. Source link #Today #News #European #Parliament Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

U.S. Issues Travel ‘Warning’ for Switzerland U.S. Issues Travel ‘Warning’ for Switzerland The United States Department of State has issued a new travel advisory for a foreign country, and it’s a nation that many travelers visit from America each year. The new advisory on Tuesday says that Switzerland is now a “Level 1” country in terms of travel, which means that travelers are meant to “exercise normal precautions.” Travelers have been instructed to sign up for alerts from the U.S. Embassy in Bern, to read the country security report for Switzerland and to prepare for emergencies as they would while traveling to any other country. The country security report says that travelers should watch out for “petty crime” during their stay in Switzerland, particularly in larger cities like Geneva. “The most common types of criminal activity include shoplifting, pocket picking, petty theft, and larceny,” the State Dept. says. “These crimes are particularly prevalent in transportation hubs and tourist areas. Exercise good situational awareness and take common sense precautions with belongings when out in public, especially in larger cities, to mitigate risk.” The State Dept. also noted that pickpockets often work in pairs – one to distract the victim while the other actual steals their belongings. Kidnapping was not noted as a threat, but the State Department noted Bern as an area of low threat for terrorism and political violence, while giving Geneva a medium rating for both scenarios. “Extremists have long viewed Switzerland as a place for planning, funding, and providing logistical support for terrorist operations, but the country had long avoided the terrorist attacks that have stricken other Western European nations,” the department noted, adding that “spontaneous acts of violence from jihadist-inspired individuals” were the main source of terrorism in Switzerland. “Lone-actor perpetrators pose a serious risk due to their ability to remain undetected, at times, until operational; their willingness to attack civilians and soft targets; their ability to inflict significant casualties with weapons that do not require specialized knowledge, access, or training; and their unpredictability. “ “The global call for self-radicalization, whether disseminated on extremist forums or via social media, continues,” the department said. As a busy summer travel season prepares to start in a matter of days, we’ll see if travelers decide to heed the warning form the state department, or if they choose another country to travel to. Source link #U.S #Issues #Travel #Warning #Switzerland Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]