Pelican Press

Australia lashes Israeli ‘conquer, cleanse’ comments Australia lashes Israeli ‘conquer, cleanse’ comments The foreign minister has condemned comments from an Israeli minister calling for Gaza to be cleansed, calling on Israel to stop the suffering of innocent Palestinians. Penny Wong added Australia’s voice to a choir of countries calling for Israel to stop blockading aid into Gaza where more than two million people face starvation. Senator Wong said a United Nations report that thousands of babies were at risk of imminent death as a result of Israel’s 11-week blockade that prevented food and medical supplies entering Gaza was “horrifying”. “The Israeli government cannot allow the suffering to continue,” she said in a statement on Wednesday. “Australia has committed more than $100 million in humanitarian assistance to support civilians in Gaza and Lebanon, too much of which Israel has prevented from reaching vulnerable people.” More than 53,000 Gazans have been killed, according to the health ministry, following Israel’s invasion of the strip after designated terror group ****** launched an attack on October 7, 2023 that killed 1200 people and resulted in 250 hostages. Dozens remain hostage and Israel blocked all supplies entering Gaza to pressure ****** into releasing them after a ceasefire deal broke down. Israel announced on Monday it would let in minimal supplies, which international aid groups described as a drop in the ocean compared to what was needed. Israel’s finance minister said Israel would “conquer, cleanse and stay until ****** is destroyed” and that “what remains of the strip is also being wiped out”. Bezalel Smotrich said Israel’s military would move Gaza’s population out of combat zones as it takes control of the strip and displace them to third countries. Senator Wong opposed the expansion of military operations in Gaza, adding forced displacement breached international law. “We condemn the abhorrent and outrageous comments made by members of the Netanyahu government about these people in crisis,” she said. Starvation as a weapon was a war crime, according to international law expert Don Rothwell. The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant after finding reasonable grounds they bore responsibility for war crimes. This included the allegation starvation has been used as a method of warfare. Israel has staunchly rejected the warrants. Source link #Australia #lashes #Israeli #conquer #cleanse #comments Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

This Retailer Had Blowout Earnings and Lifted its Guidance, Despite Tariffs This Retailer Had Blowout Earnings and Lifted its Guidance, Despite Tariffs Amer Sports (NYSE:) had a blowout first quarter, posting huge revenue gains and crushing earnings estimates. In addition, the Helsinki-based sporting goods company, which owns brands like Wilson, Arc’teryx, Salomon, and Louisville Slugger, raised its guidance for fiscal 2025. Its results and outlook are bucking the trend among many retailers who are facing major challenges due to tariffs on imports. Amer Sports saw revenue increase 23% to $1.47 billion in the quarter, easily surpassing estimates of $1.38 billion. Net income skyrocketed to $135 million, or 24 cents per share, up from a mere $5 million in the same quarter a year ago. Adjusted net income was $145 million, up nearly three-fold from $50 million in Q1 of 2024. Adjusted earnings were 27 cents per share, blowing away estimates of 15 cents per share. “Given macro uncertainty related to U.S. import tariff rates, we are operating our business with discipline and flexibility,” CEO James Zheng said. “We are confident in our position to manage through a variety of tariff outcomes given our premium brands with pricing power, strong secular growth trends, and relatively low U.S. revenue exposure.” The stock price was soaring after earnings were posted Tuesday morning, rising about 18% to nearly $37 per share, a record high for the stock. Amer Sports stock is now up 33% year-to-date and 133% over the past 12 months. Revenue Gains Across the Board As a global company with 10 major brands, Amer Sports has a broad and diversified revenue stream. In the Americas, revenue rose 12% to $465 million, while it jumped 43% in China to $446 million. In Europe, it made $405 million, up 12%, and in Asia-pacific it rose 49% to $157 million. Its revenue is also split fairly evenly between wholesale ($780 million) and direct-to-consumer ($693 million). It has three major segments, technical apparel, outdoor performance, and ball and racquet sports. Technical apparel revenue climbed 28% to $664 million, while outdoor performance revenue jumped 25% to $502 million, and ball and racquet ports increased 125 to $306 million. Arc’teryx and Salomon Footwear were the two leading brands in the quarter. Revenue gains outpaced expenses, which grew 18% in the quarter. As a result, Amer Sports saw improved its margins. The overall operating margin was up 540 basis points to 14.5%. The overall gross margin was 57.8%, up 350 points. Further, the technical apparel margin increased 110 basis points to 23.8%, while outdoor performance surged 990 basis points to 14.7%, and ball & racquet sports rose 270 basis points to 6.6%. Raising its Guidance in the Face of Tariffs Factoring in 30% tariffs on China and 10% tariffs for the rest of the world, Amer Sports was still able to raise its outlook for 2025. “Our underlying business momentum, diverse global footprint, clean balance sheet, and strong pricing power positions us well to navigate rising tariffs and associated macro uncertainties,” CFO Andrew Page said. “Given the upside in the first quarter and our continued operating and financial momentum — and despite higher tariffs — we are raising our full year revenue and EPS expectations.” Page said the impact of tariffs will be negligible this year, due to the company’s mitigation strategies. Beyond 2025, Page said the company will offset the vast majority of higher import tariffs through pricing, vendor renegotiation, and supply chain maneuvers.” Amer Sports raised its outlook for revenue to grow 15% to 17%, up from 13% to 15%. Earnings are projected to rise to between 67 cents and 72 cents, up from the previous guidance of 64 cents to 69 cents. Amer Sports stock is a bit pricey, with earnings having been negligible up until this quarter. Its forward P/E is also high at 47, but its five-year PEG is a more reasonable 0.70. Amer Stock had a really good run over the past year, topped off by Tuesday’s spike. Investors may want to wait for a better opening. Original Post Source link #Retailer #Blowout #Earnings #Lifted #Guidance #Tariffs Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘Commonly enters homes and other buildings’ ‘Commonly enters homes and other buildings’ A venomous and invasive ant species is making itself at home in more parts of the U.S., and experts are warning that the threat is growing. The Asian needle ant, already a well-known hazard in the South, is now expanding its reach to other parts of the nation, according to a recent report in the Independent. What’s happening? The venomous Asian needle ant is spreading across the Southeast and beyond, recently appearing in parts of California and as far north as New York and Washington. Native to parts of East Asia, this species thrives in disturbed landscapes and warm conditions. “During swarming season, it commonly enters homes and other buildings,” according to Clemson researchers cited in the article, noting the insect’s aggressive behavior and ability to adapt to urban and rural areas alike. “To reduce the chance of them coming in from their outdoor habitats, well-fitted screens on doors and windows will be helpful,” Clemson has also said that the ants are often confused with the red imported fire ant and that reported levels of bites may be higher for Asian needle ants if the more common fire ant is blamed. When disturbed, these ants swarm aggressively, delivering venomous stings that cause intense burning, swelling, and pustule formation. For most, the pain subsides over time, but for people with severe allergies, a single sting can trigger anaphylaxis, a potentially fatal reaction. Why is this ant invasion important? The Asian needle ant’s expansion is part of a broader pattern of invasive species disrupting ecosystems and economies across the U.S. These species often outcompete native flora and fauna, leading to reduced biodiversity and altered habitats. For instance, the spread of kudzu in the South has smothered native plants, while the spotted lanternfly in the Northeast has caused significant agricultural damage. Watch now: Giant snails invading New York City? Such invasions threaten environmental stability and can impose substantial economic burdens, with the U.S. incurring approximately $21 billion annually in damages and management costs due to invasive species. Their rapid expansion is tied to warming temperatures and increasingly favorable habitat conditions. If the trend continues, more states will face the burden of medical incidents, pest control costs, and environmental harm. Communities could see rising health care risks alongside long-term consequences to farming and infrastructure. What’s being done about the spread? To curb the Asian needle ant’s advance, residents in affected areas are encouraged to report sightings to local agricultural or environmental agencies. Avoiding the transport of soil, plants, or mulch from infested regions can also help prevent unintentional spread. Additionally, landscaping with native plants supports local ecosystems and reduces the likelihood of creating hospitable environments for invasive species. Similar proactive measures have been effective elsewhere. For instance, in Oregon, the early detection and reporting of the invasive ******** mitten crab have been crucial in preventing its establishment in the Columbia River system. In Hawaiʻi, community-led efforts to remove invasive species have helped to restore native habitats and improve groundwater recharge. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don’t miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Source link #Commonly #enters #homes #buildings Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Timberwolves-Nuggets: 5 Takeaways as Oklahoma City opens West Finals in dominant fashion – NBA Timberwolves-Nuggets: 5 Takeaways as Oklahoma City opens West Finals in dominant fashion – NBA Timberwolves-Nuggets: 5 Takeaways as Oklahoma City opens West Finals in dominant fashion NBAThunder vs. Timberwolves schedule, odds, times, where to watch Western Conference finals, live stream playoffs CBS SportsTimberwolves vs. Thunder: OKC’s secret sauce in Game 1 rout? Forcing Minnesota into a trap of its own making Yahoo SportsHow it happened: Poor second half costs Wolves in 114-88 loss to Thunder in Game 1 of Western Conference finals Star TribuneSGA, Thunder Electrify NBA Fans in WCF Game 1 Win vs. Anthony Edwards, Wolves Bleacher Report Source link #TimberwolvesNuggets #Takeaways #Oklahoma #City #opens #West #Finals #dominant #fashion #NBA Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Columbia University president booed with ‘Free Mahmoud’ chants Columbia University president booed with ‘Free Mahmoud’ chants Columbia University President Claire Shipman was booed during a graduation ceremony on Tuesday, with chants of “Free Mahmoud” heard drowning her out. Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate was detained by US immigration officials in March over his role in pro-************ protests on campus. He is a permanent legal US resident and has not been charged with a crime. Mr Khalil remains in detention in the US while official seek to deport him. President Donald Trump has called past pro-************ protests antisemitic, but student activists deny this. Source link #Columbia #University #president #booed #Free #Mahmoud #chants Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Broome set to redefine cruise tourism with new port and airport lounge Broome set to redefine cruise tourism with new port and airport lounge Broome’s cruise industry is poised for major growth, with the upcoming launch of a new 24/7 deepwater port facility and Australia’s first dedicated airport cruise lounge. *********** Cruise Association CEO Jill Abel toured the new cruise lounge on Monday at Broome International Airport, accompanied by BIA general manager commercial Glen Chidlow and Cruise Broome chairman Shayne Murray. “We wanted to ensure cruise passengers leaving Broome have a seamless, comfortable experience that matches the quality of their Kimberley voyage,” Mr Chidlow said. Camera IconThe new lounge at Broome International Airport. Credit: Natasha Clark “The new lounge helps make that final leg as smooth as possible.” Ms Abel said the facility complemented the luxury expedition cruise style that has become a hallmark of Kimberley tourism. “These cruises bring with them an air of great luxury,” Ms Abel said. “But more importantly, they offer access to the rugged, remote beauty of the Kimberley places many travellers would never see if not for the work cruise lines have done in expanding their itineraries,” she said. Last year, cruise tourism injected an estimated $77.7 million into Broome’s economy, according to Tourism WA. A figure based on national modelling by consultancy AEC Group, which includes direct and indirect spending by cruise passengers, crew and cruise lines. That number is expected to climb once the Kimberley Marine Support Base opens in September. The facility will shift Broome from a tide-dependent stop to a fully accessible port, allowing cruise ships to berth 24/7. Its floating wharf, fixed causeway and 17m minimum depth at low tide will accommodate larger vessels and eliminate delays caused by tidal fluctuations — enabling Broome to operate like other major cruise destinations worldwide. With the Kimberley’s rich cultural heritage and expansive, remote landscape, Ms Abel said the region continues to manage its own cruise capacity without the need for heavy-handed regulation. “In other parts of the world, like the Galapagos, strict rules have had to be introduced to manage visitor numbers,” Ms Abel said. “But here, cruise lines are working together to avoid overcrowding, co-ordinating itineraries to ensure ships aren’t arriving in the same bays on the same nights.” “It’s a collaborative effort that’s helping preserve the experience.” Source link #Broome #set #redefine #cruise #tourism #port #airport #lounge Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Analyst who nailed 2021 market collapse has a surprising prediction Analyst who nailed 2021 market collapse has a surprising prediction As Bitcoin‘s price exceeded the $100,000 mark on May 8, the market observers expected it to quickly reach a new record high. It wasn’t an unwarranted expectation, given the fact that the U.S.-China tariff tensions were gradually easing. However, Bitcoin has been hovering in the price range of $102,000-$105,000 for the past few days. Traders are still keeping a close watch to check when the king coin will break out. Pseudonymous crypto analyst Dave the Wave, who nailed the 2021 crypto market collapse, recently analyzed the price chart and predicted an unexpected course for Bitcoin. On May 17, Dave the Wave posted a price analysis chart on X and wrote, “We all want BTC price higher here and now. But if I were a betting man, I’d say the orange not the yellow.” As per the analysis, Bitcoin should witness a correction to $90,000 toward the beginning of June. It will again near the $105,000 level around the end of June before again dipping to the $100,000 level around the beginning of July, as per the analysis. Post this correction, there is no looking back for Bitcoin, as it will keep rising and break out to $160,000 by the end of September, the analyst predicts. As per Kraken’s price feed, Bitcoin was trading at $103,087 at press time. Bitcoin needs to grow at a monthly compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.22% to meet Dave the Wave’s target of $160,000 within 4.5 months. However, there are multiple factors such as global trade tensions, geopolitical unrest, etc., that we should pay attention to analyze the price movement of the crypto market. Disclaimer: The content above is intended for informational purposes only and should not be taken as financial advice. Do your own research before investing. Source link #Analyst #nailed #market #collapse #surprising #prediction Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Empyreal Review – Thumb Culture Empyreal Review – Thumb Culture NoobFeed editor Jay writes – Overall, Empyreal has endless potential to be a great game, and it can go quite far. The story does come off as a bit messy at first, but there is a solid plot. The rest of the gameplay could use a bit more work, but a little extra flair can go a long way and would definitely put it out there in a much nicer way. Source link #Empyreal #Review #Thumb #Culture Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Judge orders U.S. to maintain custody of migrants sent to South Sudan – The Washington Post Judge orders U.S. to maintain custody of migrants sent to South Sudan – The Washington Post Judge orders U.S. to maintain custody of migrants sent to South Sudan The Washington PostJudge orders US officials to keep custody of migrants flown to South Sudan The GuardianJudge warns US deportations to South Sudan may breach court order BBCLawyers accuse Trump administration of deporting Vietnamese and Burmese migrants to South Sudan in violation of court order CNNU.S. put Asian migrants on deportation flight to South Sudan, lawyers allege CBS News Source link #Judge #orders #U.S #maintain #custody #migrants #South #Sudan #Washington #Post Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Blades of Fire Review: “Following up Metroid Dread with a Dark Fantasy Soulslike” | GR+ Blades of Fire Review: “Following up Metroid Dread with a Dark Fantasy Soulslike” | GR+ 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 #Metroid #Dread #Dark #Fantasy #Soulslike Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Zotac preps low-profile GeForce RTX 5060, Mini-ITX RTX 5060 Zotac preps low-profile GeForce RTX 5060, Mini-ITX RTX 5060 Although Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 5060 is massively slower than higher-end Blackwell models, it has one indisputable advantage over its ******* brethren: low power consumption. This opens doors for makers of graphics cards to build GeForce RTX 5060 add-in-boards in a variety of form-factors to address different systems. And Zotac is one of the companies that does not hesitate to build miniature GeForce RTX 5060 cards. The company is demonstrating a low-profile GeForce RTX 5060 as well as Mini-ITX GeForce RTX 5060 at Computex. Both boards are based on Nvidia’s GB206 graphics processing unit with 3840 CUDA cores and carry 8 GB of GDDR7 memory with a 128-bit interface, just like full-size boards. However, while the Mini-ITX version has four display connectors, the low-profile AIB has only three display outputs. Image 1 of 2 (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware) (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware) As for coolers, the Zotac Gaming Mini-ITX GeForce RTX 5060 comes with a rather sophisticated single-fan cooling system with multiple heat pipes, whereas the low-profile product is equipped with a dual-slot triple-fan cooler, which is something to be expected from a graphics board with a 145W total board power. To enhance the compatibility of both cards with inexpensive systems, Zotac equipped them with an eight-pin auxiliary PCIe power connector, which is perfectly fine for such devices. You may like Image 1 of 2 (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware) (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware) As both gamers and makers of PC hardware try to squeeze all the juice from parts like graphics cards, the latter became quite huge in the last 10 years as they tend to come equipped with huge coolers no matter how much power they actually consume. To that end, it became close to impossible to find a gaming graphics card in low-profile and Mini-ITX form-factor. Fortunately, there are companies like Zotac, which tend to address rather niche markets with more or less decent offerings for gaming, providing an upgrade path for compact systems. Zotac plans to start selling its low-profile and Mini-ITX versions of GeForce RTX 5060 graphics cards this summer, though it remains to be seen whether these boards will be available at price points close to GeForce RTX 5060’s MSRP of $299, or the company charges a premium for exclusivity as small graphics adapters are rare these days. Follow Tom’s Hardware on Google News to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button. Get Tom’s Hardware’s best news and in-depth reviews, straight to your inbox. Source link #Zotac #preps #lowprofile #GeForce #RTX #MiniITX #RTX Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Retain: PM officially declared winner of Sydney seat Retain: PM officially declared winner of Sydney seat More than a fortnight after Labor’s emphatic victory, Anthony Albanese has officially been declared the winner at the ballot box. Proving all politics is local, the prime minister was formally announced as the victor in his Sydney seat of Grayndler by the *********** Electoral Commission at a short ceremony on Wednesday. Mr Albanese increased his primary vote and easily won on first preferences in Grayndler. He described Labor’s election success in securing a second term as astounding. “It’s the first time ever that a government seeking re-election has increased its primary vote, increased its two-party vote and increased the number of seats that it holds in the House of Representatives,” he said at the declaration. “Whether it be Hawke in ’84, Whitlam in ’74, Fraser in ’77, Howard in ’98, Gillard in 2010 or Turnbull in 2016, they all went backwards and we were able to go forward with a positive agenda. “My objective over the next few years is not to just occupy the space, but to change things for the people who voted Labor in this election, and for the people who didn’t as well.” As of Wednesday, Labor has claimed 93 of the 150 seats in the House of Representatives, while the Liberals have 28, the Nationals with 15, with the remaining 12 shared between the Greens, independents and other minor parties. A full preference distribution is being carried out in the Sydney seat of Bradfield, after independent Nicolette Boele was provisionally declared the winner by just 40 votes. The preference flow will take several days to be conducted, with a recount set to take place if the final result remains under 100 votes. Liberal candidate Gisele Kapterian was initially called the winner but the seat was put back into doubt after a surge of postal and absentee votes to Ms Boele. A preference distribution is also being conducted in the Melbourne-based seat of Calwell, with the electoral commission describing it as the most complex count it has undertaken. Labor’s Basem Abdo is in the lead on primary votes, but the final outcome will be dependent on how preferences to Liberal Usman Ghani and independents Carly Moore and Joseph Youhana eventuate. Source link #Retain #officially #declared #winner #Sydney #seat Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

The 7 Best VR RTS Games for Meta Quest The 7 Best VR RTS Games for Meta Quest Love real-time strategy games and want a more immersive experience? Here are the best VR RTS games you can buy for Meta Quest. Source link #RTS #Games #Meta #Quest Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

13 years after setting a beloved Texas grandma on fire, Matthew Johnson will be executed 13 years after setting a beloved Texas grandma on fire, Matthew Johnson will be executed Exactly 13 years ago on Tuesday, Nancy Judith Harris unknowingly clocked in for the last time at the Fina Whip-In convenience where she worked in a Dallas suburb. The beloved grandmother was attacked during a robbery on May 20, 2012, and left the store in an ambulance, suffering from severe burns all over her body. The robber had poured lighter fluid over her head and set her on fire. Five days later, she succumbed to the burns and was taken off life support. She was 76. Now Texas is set to execute Harris’ convicted killer, Matthew Lee Johnson, by lethal injection on Tuesday, May 20. If the execution moves forward, Johnson will be the fourth inmate executed in Texas this year and the 18th in the nation. Also Tuesday, Indiana executed an inmate just after midnight: Benjamin Ritchie for the ******* of police Officer Bill Toney. That makes Johnson’s execution the second of the day in the U.S. Johnson has never claimed innocence and his trial attorney told USA TODAY that he is “extremely remorseful” for Harris’ *******. Here’s what you need to know about the execution. Nancy Judith Harris: Beloved Texas grandma followed all her robber’s demands. Then he set her on fire. When and where is Matthew Lee Johnson’s execution? Johnson, 50, is set to be executed by lethal injection after 6 p.m. CT on Tuesday, May 20 at the Huntsville Unit just north of Houston. The Texas Department of Criminal Justices’ Allan B. Polunksy Unit in Livingston, Texas. Death row inmate Matthew Johnson has spent nearly 13 years living there ahead of his execution in Huntsville, Texas. What was Matthew Lee Johnson convicted of? On the morning of May 20, 2012, Harris was working as a clerk at the convenience store Fina Whip-In in Garland, Texas, a Dallas suburb. Johnson walked into the store and behind the sales counter. He then poured lighter fluid over Harris’ head as she tried to open the cash register, court documents say. Johnson then took two lighters from a display, two packs of cigarettes and removed a ring from Harris’ finger. Texas Death Row inmate Matthew Lee Johnson is scheduled to be executed on Tuesday, May 20 for the ******* of Nancy Harris in May 2012. Once Harris finally got the register open, Johnson took all of the cash and then lit Harris on fire. Court documents say that Harris, engulfed in flames, ran to a nearby sink to try to put them out. At the same time, Johnson “calmly” walked out of the convenience store, stopping to grab some candy, court documents say. Unable to put out the fire, Harris walked outside and yelled for help. Two police officers, a firefighter and a paramedic responded, extinguishing Harris and taking her to a hospital by ambulance. Harris sustained second- to fourth-degree burns over 40% of her body, including her face, arms, hands, legs and chest. The Fina Whip-In gas station and convenience store at 3405 Broadway Boulevard in Garland, Texas. On May 25, 2012, Harris was taken off life support and passed away. She left behind four sons, John, Bryan, Scot and Chris. Bryan passed away at the age of 64 in February. After leaving the Fina Whip-In, Johnson ran throughout the neighborhood behind the convenience store, shedding his clothing. By the time officers caught him that morning, Johnson asked, according to court records: “What took you so long? Y’all are getting slow.” Who was Nancy Harris? A devoted grandma and avid Dallas Cowboys fan, Harris would “give you the shirt off her back,” Elizabeth Harris, Nancy’s daughter-in-law, told USA TODAY. For several years up until her death, Harris spent Friday afternoons doting on her three granddaughters, Lorelai, Hannah and Olivia Harris, who are now 23, 21 and 18. They bought trinkets at Dollar Tree, ate at McDonald’s and played for hours back at Harris’ house. They called them “Nini Days,” based on the nickname the girls had for Harris. “She loved it. The girls loved it,” Elizabeth said. Nancy Judith Harris at the Dallas Cowboys AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Harris died at the age of 76 on May 25, 2012. Around the time Elizabeth and Harris’ son Chris got married in 2000, Harris had a health scare, and doctors told her she needed to cut down on sodium. Initially, Harris tried to cut out all salt. “(She) just wanted to make sure she was there to watch the kids graduate and get married and all of the things,” Elizabeth said. “She took it seriously when they (doctors) told her, ‘You need to take care of your health.’ After that, she was as healthy as humanly possible so that she could be there for her grandkids and her family.” Who is Matthew Lee Johnson? A Dallas native, Johnson spent the majority of his childhood unsupervised, raised largely by his two older brothers and cousins, who introduced him to ********** at the age of 7, according to Johnson’s clemency petition. In middle school, Johnson began using crack ******** and PCP. At 19, Johnson married his wife Daphne and initially, was able to hide his drug use from her, the Johnson’s clemency petition said. But before long, his drug addiction became “quite serious,” and one time, Johnson’s friend had to “hogtie” him to his bed because of his manic behavior, the petition said. A grade school photo of Matthew Lee Johnson. Johnson is scheduled to be executed on Tuesday, May 20 for the ******* of Nancy Harris in May 2012. In his mid-20s, Johnson sought addiction treatment, but he quickly relapsed. In 2004, Johnson was sentenced to five years of prison for a robbery while on drugs. In prison, Johnson became sober and Daphne recalled that her husband’s mood became “upbeat” and he enrolled in a parenting class, according to his clemency petition. Johnson was released from prison in 2009 and remained sober for several years. He found solace in working out and fishing to calm himself down, he and Daphne had a third child, and he got a promotion at his job at an auto garage, according to the petition. But in 2011, the Johnsons purchased their first home and shortly after, Daphne lost her job, according to the petition. The financial strain proved too much and Johnson relapsed again. A grade school football photo of Matthew Lee Johnson. Johnson is scheduled to be executed on Tuesday, May 20 for the ******* of Nancy Harris in May 2012. “Within months, the progress he had made toward sobriety and improving his life had vanished, as Johnson sunk to a point lower than ever before,” his clemency petition said. “It was during this time that he killed Nancy Harris.” Since being on Death Row, Johnson has completed a faith-based program and become as active in his wife and daughters’ lives as possible, the petition said. “While not able to be physically present, he tries his best to help influence his daughters to make better choices and not follow a path like this,” the petition said. Who is witnessing Matthew Lee Johnson’s execution? Media witnessing Johnson’s execution will include the Associated Press, Huntsville Item and The Dallas Morning News, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice told USA TODAY. Elizabeth said that she and her husband Chris will be among the witnesses to Johnson’s execution, as will Harris’ other two living sons, Scot and John, and Scot’s daughter Shelby. “It is just to the point where … we’re just tired and we just want it to be over with and done with,” Elizabeth said. “The truth of the matter is, there’s no such thing as as ‘healing.’ You don’t heal. Days get easier, but there’s no day where it’s totally healed.” Contributing: Nick Penzenstadler Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at *****@*****.tld. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Matthew Lee Johnson set to be executed today in Texas. What to know Source link #years #setting #beloved #Texas #grandma #fire #Matthew #Johnson #executed Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

AMD Introduces New Radeon Graphics Cards and Ryzen Threadripper Processors at COMPUTEX 2025 – AMD AMD Introduces New Radeon Graphics Cards and Ryzen Threadripper Processors at COMPUTEX 2025 – AMD AMD Introduces New Radeon Graphics Cards and Ryzen Threadripper Processors at COMPUTEX 2025 AMDAMD puts Intel in rear view mirror with Threadripper Pro 9000 high-end desktop chips theregister.comAMD’s new RX 9060 XT looks set to challenge Nvidia’s RTX 5060 The VergeAMD Computex 2025 Keynote Live Blog Tom’s HardwareAMD’s New Mainstream Gaming Champion: The AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT PCMag Source link #AMD #Introduces #Radeon #Graphics #Cards #Ryzen #Threadripper #Processors #COMPUTEX #AMD Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Women’s Champions League: Is ‘magic’ Caldentey Arsenal’s key in final? Women’s Champions League: Is ‘magic’ Caldentey Arsenal’s key in final? “She’s a total footballer. She’s got everything,” Arsenal manager Renee Slegers said of Caldentey earlier this season. Her impact was instant and transformative. Arsenal went from a struggling side at the start of the season to a team marching up the table, sealing second spot in the WSL and competing with Europe’s elite. Caldentey’s role was to be the creator, linking up with WSL Golden Boot winner Alessia Russo and providing stardust from midfield. “She’s given us so much,” Slegers added. “There are so many things to say about Mariona, because she does so many things so well. She has given us that next level. “Technically and tactically – her intelligence is really high level. Her work ethic is unbelievable. You can see it in games, but you can see it on the training pitch as well. “Last but not least, she’s a winner.” After Arsenal beat Tottenham 5-0 at Emirates Stadium, a journalist described Caldentey as the conductor of an orchestra, with eight legs like an octopus. The analogy surprised Slegers but she admitted it was a good description. Arsenal captain Kim Little, who has played alongside Caldentey this season, said she has been “incredible” for the team. “She came in from Barcelona and had a great impact on the team, on a personal level and also with how we play,” she told BBC Radio 5 Live. Source link #Womens #Champions #League #magic #Caldentey #Arsenals #key #final Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Bronco Walsh says sorry as TikTok punchline falls flat Bronco Walsh says sorry as TikTok punchline falls flat Brisbane fullback Reece Walsh has raised eyebrows with a bizarre video he posted on TikTok during his injury lay-off. Source link #Bronco #Walsh #TikTok #punchline #falls #flat Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Epic Games’ Fortnite back on US Apple app store after nearly 5 years Epic Games’ Fortnite back on US Apple app store after nearly 5 years STORY: :: Epic Games Popular multiplayer shooter game “Fortnite” is back on Apple’s App Store in the U.S. after a nearly five-year ban. Fortnite is made by Epic Games, a U.S.-based studio backed by China’s Tencent. They have been locked in a legal battle with Apple since 2020. Epic Games alleged the tech giant’s commission fees of up to 30% on in-app payments violated U.S. antitrust rules. :: File Fortnite became an instant success when it launched in 2017. It’s free to play, but allows players to buy in-game currency to spend on things like a character’s appearance. A payment system for that currency – called V-Bucks – bypassed Apple’s commissions, leading to the App Store ban. At the time of the ban, Epic had 116 million users just on Apple’s platform. :: Epic Games Fortnite’s return to Apple’s iOS systems in the U.S. follows a late April ruling by a federal judge. It said Apple violated a U.S. court order that required the company to allow greater competition for app downloads and payment methods in its App Store. Apple did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment on Fortnite’s return to its App Store, while Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney posted, quote, “we back fam” on social media platform X. Source link #Epic #Games #Fortnite #Apple #app #store #years Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

S&P 500 futures are little changed after benchmark snaps six-day win streak: Live updates – CNBC S&P 500 futures are little changed after benchmark snaps six-day win streak: Live updates – CNBC S&P 500 futures are little changed after benchmark snaps six-day win streak: Live updates CNBCStock market today: S&P 500 snaps 6-day win streak; Dow, Nasdaq slide as tariff relief rally fades Yahoo FinanceStock Market News, May 20, 2025: Tech Stocks Fell, Snapping U.S. Market’s Winning Streak WSJWall Street stocks slip, rising US Treasury yields in focus ReutersStock Market Today: Dow Jones Dips Despite Home Depot’s Rise; S&P 500 Looks To End Win Streak (Live Coverage) Investor’s Business Daily Source link #SampP #futures #changed #benchmark #snaps #sixday #win #streak #Live #updates #CNBC Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

McCullum calls for England to show a bit more humility McCullum calls for England to show a bit more humility England head coach Brendon McCullum has urged his players to show a bit more humility and remember they are still being judged by how they act away from the cricket field. McCullum and captain Ben Stokes have championed England’s results-oriented approach built primarily on their take-no-prisoners batting style. While the aggressive brand of cricket won them 11 of the first 12 matches under the leadership pairing, its effectiveness has since waned after losing Test series in India and Pakistan last year. In March, England Director of Cricket Rob Key said players needed to “stop talking rubbish” after some made casual comments about not caring about outcomes. “It’s not just about what you do on the cricket field,” McCullum said ahead of their one-off Test against Zimbabwe at Nottingham beginning on Thursday. “It’s how you carry yourself. It’s how you interact with the public. It’s the messaging that you give.” The New Zealander added he wanted the players to “show some humility and not feel out of touch with the general population”. With a home series against India and trip to Australia scheduled later this year, McCullum wanted his team to give fans the same sense of excitement as they did early in his tenure. “I think people were excited with how we played at the start, enthralled by the free-wheeling cricket we played,” he said. “I felt they had a sense of belonging to that type of group. “But (since then) we have let opportunities slip and perhaps not been as smart as we possibly could with some of our comments to the media.” Source link #McCullum #calls #England #show #bit #humility Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Forget China’s navy, ******** small boats landings on Taiwan are a new source of concern Forget China’s navy, ******** small boats landings on Taiwan are a new source of concern TAIPEI (AP) — China has long sought to intimidate Taiwan with its massive navy, air force and the world’s largest standing army, but it’s mere dinghies that are now causing the most consternation. Taiwan’s coast guard has documented five cases totaling 38 ******** citizens crossing the 160-kilometer (100-mile) wide Taiwan Strait separating the self-governing island democracy from the authoritarian ******** mainland, according to the body’s deputy director-general Hsieh Ching-chin. That includes at least one case posted to Douyin, the ******** version of TikTok, in which a man speaking with a strong mainland ******** accent is seen planting a ******** flag on what he says is a Taiwanese beach. Scenes in the background appear to show a stretch of coastline south of the capital Taipei. China claims Taiwan as its own territory, to be conquered by force if necessary. The man has not been found or publicly identified, and Taiwanese authorities are seeking to ascertain whether he received help from anyone on the island. Another case involved a father and son who were apprehended shortly after reaching land, along with a man who came ashore at a fishing port in a popular tourist area north of Taipei. The small size of the boats, some just inflatables for having fun at the beach, makes it difficult for Taiwan’s radar to pick them up. More cameras and other detection devices and manpower would be needed to cover the vast spaces of inhospitable coastline surrounding the island, but the terrain would make a ******** D-Day-type landing highly challenging. While such cases are not unheard of, they come amid a rise in tensions between the sides, with Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te designating China as an enemy to be defended against, and China holding frequent military exercises seen as a rehearsal for an invasion or boycott of Taiwan. Those entering Taiwan illegally are liable to a fine of 500,000 Taiwan dollars ($16,666) and five years in prison, but such penalties are usually waived as long as no one is hurt and there is no property damage. In the 1990s, there was a wave of hijackings by ******** to Taiwan, but the perpetrators were sent home after serving brief prison terms in Taiwan. In addition to facing China’s formidable military, Taiwan faces a range of so-called “gray area” strategies, including in the media and among entertainers hoping to grab a share of the massive ******** market. Taiwan has also deported the ******** wives of Taiwanese men for posting videos supporting a takeover of the island. The small boat landings may be a further attempt to confuse and undermine confidence among the public, Hsieh said. Source link #Forget #Chinas #navy #******** #small #boats #landings #Taiwan #source #concern Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Japanese Farm Minister Resigns After Saying He’d Never Bought Rice – The New York Times Japanese Farm Minister Resigns After Saying He’d Never Bought Rice – The New York Times Japanese Farm Minister Resigns After Saying He’d Never Bought Rice The New York TimesJapan’s agriculture minister resigns after his remark about not having to buy rice NPRJapan’s farm minister said he has never had to buy rice. That cost him his job CNBCJapan’s Farm Minister Quits Over Rice Gaffe in Blow to Ishiba Bloomberg.comJapanese minister resigns after saying he doesn’t buy rice because he gets it free The Guardian Source link #Japanese #Farm #Minister #Resigns #Hed #Bought #Rice #York #Times Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan slams ‘disgraceful’ cow manure protest stunt Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan slams ‘disgraceful’ cow manure protest stunt A farmer has delivered a package of cow manure to the office of Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan as fury explodes over a new tax on property owners. The shock protest stunt took place on Tuesday as thousands of farmers and firefighters gathered on the steps of parliament to vent their anger. The package, which held the manure in a vacuum-sealed wrap, featured the message: “Dearest Jacinta, I have considered your levy and here is my feedback. It’s bulls**t.” The Victorian government is introducing a new levy on all Victorian property owners to fund emergency services, with the structure of the tax expected to hit farmers hard. Ms Allan slammed the manure stunt as “disgraceful”. Camera IconA farmer placed the wrapped up cow manure at the parliamentary office of Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan. Supplied Credit: Supplied “I say disgraceful because can you imagine, coming into any workplace, coming into a hospital, dumping cow manure on a colleague’s desk?” she said. “Going into a factory and dumping that in the tea room. Can you imagine how that would be treated in any other workplace?” Liberal MPs Bev McArthur and Nicole Werner allegedly helped the farmer with the stunt. Manager of government business Mary-Anne Thomas has referred the matter to the parliament’s privileges committee, alleging the two MPs had brought the parliament into disrepute. Liberal opposition leader Brad Battin, meanwhile, has declined to condemn the stunt. “It’s not something I would have done but what I do know is yesterday people are very angry when it comes to the new taxes that are impacting on farms across Victoria,” he said. Camera IconFirefighters, CFA volunteers and farmers rallied on the steps of the Victorian parliament on Tuesday. NewsWire / Valeriu Campan Credit: News Corp Australia “There is a reason that 1000s of farmers came from all over Victoria, with their firetrucks, with their uniforms, to explain to the Victorian government that they are fed up with being the feeding cow for this government’s budget.” In a statement, Mc McArthur also defended the stunt. “Labor MPs are acting like they’ve never seen cow s**t before,” she said. “Maybe they don’t get out of Melbourne much. “If they are genuinely more upset about a pile of manure than the total mess they’ve made of their budget and this state, it’s no wonder Victoria’s going broke.” The levy, collected via council rates, will be calculated based on a property’s capital improved value. For farmers, the rate increases from 28.7 cents per $1000 of CIV to 71.8 cents. Source link #Victorian #Premier #Jacinta #Allan #slams #disgraceful #cow #manure #protest #stunt Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Amazon’s Drones Can Now Deliver New Categories of Devices Like iPhone, AirPods and More Amazon’s Drones Can Now Deliver New Categories of Devices Like iPhone, AirPods and More Amazon Prime Air service, which drops packages by drone within 60 minutes or less of being ordered, took flight a few years back. Today, the tech giant announced that it will start delivering a new range of devices through drones in select regions. Amazon has received regulatory approval to deliver new categories of devices, including iPhone models, other Apple products, and Galaxy smartphones. The deliveries will arrive through Amazon’s MK30 drones, which drop packages from about 13 feet in the air. Amazon Upgrades Prime Air Drone Delivery Through a blog post on Tuesday, Amazon confirmed that its Prime Air drone delivery service has received approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to expand its operations. Customers now have access to over 60,000 items for drone delivery, with the selection expanding further. With the latest approval, Amazon can now deliver new product categories, including Apple iPhone models, Samsung Galaxy smartphones, AirTags, AirPods, Ring doorbells, and Alpha Grillers Instant Read Food Thermometers. These deliveries are confirmed to arrive within an hour or less. Shoppers can choose the drone delivery option at checkout on the Amazon website or shopping app, if they are in an eligible area and the item in their cart weighs 5 pounds or less (around 2kg). Buyers can select and confirm a preferred delivery spot, like a driveway or yard. Amazon states that a drone can calculate how long it will take to fly to an address and drop off the package. After the order is placed, Amazon provides an estimated delivery window. If delivery can’t be completed, Amazon will notify the users with the reason. Prime Air identified “delivery zones” — clear areas without obstacles like trees or buildings. The deliveries will be done with Amazon’s new MK30 drones. Earlier, Prime Air required a QR code in the customer’s delivery area for drone deliveries. Now, no physical QR code is needed instead, the system uses the drone’s onboard computer to drop off directly at the designated delivery point. The drone drops packages approximately 13 feet above the ground. Prime Air won’t accept deliveries in all weather conditions. The service uses a 75-minute forward-looking weather service to determine if a drone delivery should be available in the next hour. Currently, Amazon provides drone deliveries to select areas in Texas and Arizona. Source link #Amazons #Drones #Deliver #Categoriesof #Devices #iPhone #AirPods Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Iran’s Khamenei slams ‘outrageous’ US demands in nuclear talks Iran’s Khamenei slams ‘outrageous’ US demands in nuclear talks DUBAI (Reuters) -Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said U.S. demands that Tehran stop enriching uranium are “excessive and outrageous”, state media reported, voicing doubts whether talks on a new nuclear deal will succeed. “I don’t think nuclear talks with the U.S. will bring results. I don’t know what will happen,” Khamenei said, adding that Washington should avoid making “nonsense” demands in the negotiations, four rounds of which have been held. “A date has been suggested but we have not yet accepted it,” Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi told state media on Tuesday when asked about a fifth round of talks, which an Iranian official said on Monday might be held this weekend in Rome. “We are witnessing positions on the U.S. side that do not go along with any logic and are creating problems for the negotiations. That’s why we have not determined the next round of talks, we are reviewing the matter and hope logic will prevail,” Araqchi added. The talks on a new nuclear deal appear on shaky ground as both Iran and the U.S. have clashed over the issue of uranium enrichment. Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi said on Monday the talks would fail if Washington insists Tehran refrain from domestic enrichment of uranium, which the U.S. says is a possible pathway to developing nuclear bombs. Tehran says its nuclear energy programme has entirely peaceful purposes. Last week U.S. President Donald Trump said Tehran needed to “move quickly or something bad is going to happen” after being given a proposal for a deal. The Islamic Republic maintains it has not received any written proposal from Washington. Trump has repeatedly warned Iran it would be bombed and face severe sanctions if it did not reach a compromise to resolve its long disputed nuclear energy programme. During his first, 2017-21 term as president, Trump withdrew the United States from a 2015 deal between Iran and world powers that placed strict limits on Tehran’s enrichment activities in exchange for relief from international sanctions. Trump, who branded the now moribund 2015 accord one-sided in Iran’s favour, also reimposed sweeping U.S. sanctions on Iran. The Islamic Republic responded by escalating enrichment. (Reporting by Dubai Newsroom; editing by Mark Heinrich) Source link #Irans #Khamenei #slams #outrageous #demands #nuclear #talks Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]