Pelican Press

AI data center with Nvidia to have 100 MW of power AI data center with Nvidia to have 100 MW of power Young Liu, chairman of Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., right, and Jensen Huang, co-founder and chief executive officer of Nvidia Corp., during the Computex conference in Taipei, Taiwan, on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. Annabelle Chih | Bloomberg | Getty Images Taiwan’s Foxconn, the world’s largest contract electronics maker, said Tuesday an artificial intelligence center it has announced with Nvidia will be built in phases and is targeted to have 100 megawatts of power. Foxconn Chairman Young Liu was speaking at Taipei’s annual Computex trade show a day after Nvidia announced it will build a giant AI supercomputer in Taiwan in partnership with Foxconn, contract chipmaker TSMC and the government. Liu said the AI data center will require massive power and will be built in phases, with some planned in the southwestern city of Kaohsiung and others potentially located in other cities across Taiwan, depending on power availability. “This AI data center is targeted to have 100 megawatts of power,” he said. “We know that power is a very critical resource in Taiwan. I don’t want to use the word ‘shortage’. So it will take a few steps to reach 100 megawatts. We’ll start with 20 megawatts … then add another 40.” Nvidia’s CEO Jensen Huang, speaking at the same event, said the AI center was for the whole Taiwan ecosystem to use. “We’re going to build an AI factory right for you (Foxconn) to use, for me to use, and for Taiwan the entire ecosystem to use,” Huang said, adding that Nvidia has 350 partners in Taiwan. Source link #data #center #Nvidia #power Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Crystal Dynamics Update Hints a ‘Shadow of the Tomb Raider’ Sequel Crystal Dynamics Update Hints a ‘Shadow of the Tomb Raider’ Sequel It’s been nearly 7 years since Shadow of the Tomb Raider came out, and it seems like the franchise may finally be gearing up for a long-awaited return. A recent job listing from Crystal Dynamics suggests that development on the next Tomb Raider game is in its late stages. While nothing has been formally confirmed, the clues hint at an imminent release in a year or maybe less. If we were to believe these new clues, that would mean that the studio is going to reveal the project in the coming months. And what better way to drop this bombshell on us than at the Summer Game Fest? Crystal Dynamics is possibly hiring for the next entry into the franchise On May 17, 2025, Crystal Dynamics posted a job listing for a Senior Level Designer, which u/somethingisnotwight caught and posted about on Reddit. The listing called for a Senior Level Designer to “spearhead strike teams” and design levels with “compelling puzzle elements” using Unreal Engine. Comment byu/somethingisnotwight from discussion inTombRaider What’s gotten our attention isn’t the fact that the studio needs someone experienced in puzzle design, but the specific mention of leading “strike teams.” In game development terms, strike teams are typically used during the final stages of production, often to polish bugs or finalize gameplay elements. So this newfound detail is small, but a big deal because it hints that the next Tomb Raider game may be approaching completion. While the listing doesn’t name Tomb Raider directly, the description does hint towards it. The studio is currently only working on two games that we know of. Perfect Dark (a first-person title being co-developed with The Initiative) and the next Tomb Raider (a third-person title and the next entry into the series). It’s safe to assume the role is connected to Lara Croft’s return. And if the term strike team is to be believed, then it could mean the game is less than a year away from release. RUMOR: Project 007, Tomb Raider or The Wolf Among Us 2 are claimed to be showcased at Summer Game Fest 2025 What one do you hope to see? Source: NateTheHate pic.twitter.com/I0a7S2du2Y — Rino (@RinoTheBouncer) May 8, 2025 The timing of this is perfect for a 2026 release date. Tomb Raider will celebrate its 30th anniversary as a franchise next year after its debut in 1996. While there is no official announcement, recent speculation is also pointing to a potential reveal at Summer Game Fest 2025 in June. There’s no strict evidence, so we’ll just have to wait and see. Are we ready for the next adventure with Lara Croft? It’s going to be the new “unified” Lara, too. | Image Credit: Crystal Dynamics Crystal Dynamics, now under Embracer Group following its 2022 acquisition from Square Enix, has not released a new mainline title since Shadow of the Tomb Raider in 2018. Since then, the franchise’s spotlight has mostly shifted to remasters and crossover appearances in other games like Fortnite, Dead by Daylight, and more. We have no official confirmation that this upcoming project is a direct sequel to Shadow of the Tomb Raider, but we’ve gotten some information about it. Amazon Games is publishing the next game, and the studio previously confirmed that the new title would feature a “unified” Lara. We’re essentially getting a new version of Lara, who will have features from all three versions of the character that we know so far. There’s no telling whether this new approach will succeed, but it’s an interesting idea. For now, this is all we know about the next entry into the franchise. Source link #Crystal #Dynamics #Update #Hints #Shadow #Tomb #Raider #Sequel Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

6 Popular Foods And Beverages That GI Doctors Purposely Limit In Their Own Diets – BuzzFeed 6 Popular Foods And Beverages That GI Doctors Purposely Limit In Their Own Diets – BuzzFeed 6 Popular Foods And Beverages That GI Doctors Purposely Limit In Their Own Diets BuzzFeed Source link #Popular #Foods #Beverages #Doctors #Purposely #Limit #Diets #BuzzFeed Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

An emotional Sally Fitzgibbons survives first hurdle in bid to avoid World Surf League cut at Margaret River An emotional Sally Fitzgibbons survives first hurdle in bid to avoid World Surf League cut at Margaret River An emotional Sally Fitzgibbons has broken down in tears after narrowly scraping through her elimination round heat at the Margaret River Pro, keeping her hopes of avoiding the mid-season cut alive. The *********** surfing icon survived a broken board and pumping 8-10ft conditions at Main Break on Tuesday to advance to a round-of-16 match-up against world No.1 Gabriela Bryan. Fitzgibbons needs a deep run into finals day, and other results to fall her way, just to edge into the top 10 and avoid falling off the World Surf League championship tour for a third successive year. And the toll of the make-or-break situation hit the veteran hard after she made it through her heat, posting a two-wave total of 8.33 to finish behind Bettylou Sakura Johnson of Hawaii (8.84) but crucially ahead of local trails winner Willow Hardy (7.97). “It’s just a lot,” a teary Fitzgibbons said post-heat. “I just want to keep fighting and trying my best. It’s the whole scenario of riding the highs and lows of it.” “You are sitting on the jet-ski with your board snapped, and there’s three minutes to g,o and you are hearing other people getting waves and you think that’s it for me. “It’s a bit of an emotional roller-coaster and then you come in and they say you made it and you live to see another day so that’s pretty cool. I think that’s what we love about surfing.” Camera IconSally Fitzgibbons after surfing in Heat 1 of the Elimination Round. Credit: Cait Miers/World Surf League Even if cut, Fitzgibbons could automatically re-qualify for next year’s CT by moving up just one place in the rankings. The 34-year-old is ranked 15th, with the top 14 re-admitted for 2026 without having to fight through the challenger series due to the recently announced expanded women’s field. Fellow veteran American Lakey Peterson, 30, is just one place ahead of Fitzgibbons in the rankings and also survived the elimination round on Tuesday, meaning their fight for rankings positioning will continue through the round-of-16. Fitzgibbons, a 12-time CT winner and three-time world title runner-up (2010, 2011, 2012), said the bomb sets had been tricky to navigate with so much on the line. “I was a bit in survival mode, I had a few little encounters with the ledge and just getting pile-driven into that ledge and I got everything together and then snapped the board, so there was just a lot going on,” she said. “You can’t really do anything at that stage but swim for your life. I tried to do everything I could and get back out, but there was no time left.” Erin Brooks of Canada joined Sakua Johnson, Fitzgibbons and Peterson in the next round while Nadia Erostarbe, of Spain’s Basque Country, joined Hardy in elimination. Camera IconWillow Hardy of Australia after surfing in Heat 1 of the Elimination Round. Credit: Cait Miers/World Surf League Margaret River teenager Hardy said the experience of matching it with some of the world’s best had been exciting, despite her not making it through. “I learned so much and the experience was just amazing,” she said. “I didn’t really feel that nervous, I was just excited for the opportunity, especially to surf my home break when it’s big, which is my favourite.” Watch the WSL Margaret River Pro live and free on 7PLUS WOMEN’S ELIMINATION ROUND RESULTSHEAT 1: Bettylou Sakura Johnson HAW 8.84 (5.17, 3.67), Sally Fitzgibbons AUS 8.33 (4.33, 4.00), Willow Hardy AUS 7.97 (4.37, 3.60)HEAT 2: Erin Brooks CAN 11.50 (6.00, 5.50), Lakey Peterson USA 10.27 (6.10, 4.17), Nadia Erostarbe ESP 4.47 (2.30, 2.17) Source link #emotional #Sally #Fitzgibbons #survives #hurdle #bid #avoid #World #Surf #League #cut #Margaret #River Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

82 *** billionaires alone hold £312bn wealth 82 *** billionaires alone hold £312bn wealth The number of billionaires in the *** has slipped slightly, but their collective fortunes continue to rise, according to UBS’ (UBS) Billionaire Ambitions Report. The report reveals that the *** was home to 82 billionaires in 2024, down from 83 a year ago, although their combined wealth has climbed 9.7% from $380.6bn in 2023 to $417.5bn (£312bn). While the *** remains ahead of European peers such as Italy (62 billionaires), France (46), Sweden (28) and Spain (27), it trails Switzerland (85) and Germany (117) in Western Europe’s billionaire rankings. In the ***, over two-thirds (72%) are self-made millionaires. The Hinduja family — owners of the Indian industrial conglomerate Hinduja Group — sit at the top of the Sunday Times Rich List 2025. Despite a dip in their overall fortune, Gopi Hinduja and his family still hold an estimated £35.3bn. Other names include inventor and vacuum magnate James Dyson and Jim Ratcliffe, petrochemicals billionaire and part-owner of Manchester United. The *** has been losing some of richest residents as the Labour government abolished the non-dom tax status in April, which is where *** residents have their permanent home or domicile outside the *** for tax purposes. Read more: How to tell if you’re rich In April, the government replaced the non-dom status with a new foreign income and gains regime. The scheme offers tax relief on overseas earnings for the first four years of *** tax residence — provided the individual has not lived in the *** for any of the preceding 10 years. This policy shift, initially proposed by former Conservative chancellor Jeremy Hunt and accelerated by his Labour successor Rachel Reeves, has prompted some of the ***’s wealthiest to relocate abroad. Billionaires are moving to countries such as Switzerland, the UAE, Singapore and the United States, according to UBS. “People are relocating to jurisdictions not just for tax benefits, but also for safety and political reasons,” explains a US billionaire. “I moved several years ago with my family to a country, state and city that affords the benefits most seek. “Unless the political divide addresses failed policies that have yet to curb crime, lack of rule of law and safety, as well as fostering an economic climate that unleashes potential, I fear the trend will continue.” Globally, billionaire wealth is booming. Western Europe saw its billionaire wealth grow by 16% to $2.7tn, with Switzerland’s billionaires recording a striking 23.8% increase. The number of billionaires across the region rose from 456 to 495. In the UAE, billionaire wealth surged by nearly 40% to $138.7bn, with one new billionaire joining their ranks, bringing the total to 18. Across the broader EMEA region, the number of billionaires rose by 70 to 728, with total wealth increasing by 17% to $3.7tn. The United States remained the global powerhouse of billionaire wealth in 2024. American billionaires saw their collective fortune jump by 27.6% to $5.8tn, representing more than 40% of global billionaire wealth. The US added 101 new billionaires, pushing its total to 835. Read more: What you need to know if you’re planning to move to Dubai In Central and South America, 19 new Brazilian billionaires helped drive a 37.7% increase in regional wealth to $154.9bn. Across the Americas, billionaire numbers grew from 867 to 973, while their combined wealth surged 26.9% to $6.5tn. The majority of new entrants to the billionaire club were self-made. Of the 268 individuals who crossed the billion-dollar threshold for the first time, 60% were entrepreneurs — a reversal of last year’s trend, where most new billionaires inherited their wealth. One of the driving forces behind this surge has been the continued ***** in technology. The rise of generative AI, sparked by ChatGPT’s debut in late 2022, fuelled a 36.1% increase in the collective wealth of tech billionaires to $2.45tn. Billionaires in entertainment and media, bolstered by the gaming sector, also saw strong gains, with total wealth up 26.3% to $970bn. Financial services billionaires saw their fortunes rise 23.9% to $2tn, supported by equity markets. Read more: Download the Yahoo Finance app, available for Apple and Android. Source link #billionaires #hold #312bn #wealth Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

SpaceX scrubs Monday night Falcon 9 launch minutes before liftoff – Spaceflight Now SpaceX scrubs Monday night Falcon 9 launch minutes before liftoff – Spaceflight Now SpaceX scrubs Monday night Falcon 9 launch minutes before liftoff Spaceflight NowLaunch Roundup: SpaceX to start new Starlink shell; China, Russia to launch unknown payloads NASASpaceFlight.com -SpaceX rocket launch in California: What time does Falcon 9 lift off from Vandenberg? Ventura County StarSpaceX rocket launch in Florida: What time is liftoff? Where to watch in West Palm Beach The Palm Beach PostSpaceX’s Last Falcon 9 Launch Just Broke Its Own Weird Record Men’s Journal Source link #SpaceX #scrubs #Monday #night #Falcon #launch #minutes #liftoff #Spaceflight Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

How China benefited from India-Pakistan hostilities How China benefited from India-Pakistan hostilities Anbarasan Ethirajan South Asia Regional Editor X/Shehbaz Sharif ******** warplanes, used by Pakistan, made their combat debut during the recent hostilities The four-day conflict between arch-rivals India and Pakistan this month ended with a ceasefire and both claiming victory – but it now appears that China’s defence industry might also be an unlikely winner. The latest flare-up began on 7 May when India launched attacks on what it called “terrorist infrastructure” inside Pakistan in response to the brutal killing of 26 people, mostly tourists by militants in Pahalgam on 22 April. Many of them were killed in the scenic valley in Indian-administered Kashmir in front of their wives and family members. Delhi accused Islamabad of supporting militant groups involved in the carnage, a charge Pakistan denied. After India’s response – which it called Operation Sindoor – to the militant attack, ****-for-tat military manoeuvres from both sides followed, involving drones, missiles and fighter jets. India reportedly used its French and Russian-made jets, while Pakistan deployed its J-10 and J-17 aircraft, which Islamabad co-produces with Beijing. Both sides say their jets did not cross the border and they were firing missiles at each other from a distance. Islamabad claims that its fighter aircraft shot down at least six Indian planes, including the newly-acquired French-made Rafale fighter jets. Delhi hasn’t responded to these claims. “Losses are a part of combat,” Air Marshal AK Bharti of the Indian Air Force (IAF) said last week when a reporter asked him about these claims. Air Marshal Bharti declined to comment on the specific claim of Pakistan downing Indian jets. “We have achieved the objectives that we selected, and all our pilots are back home,” he added. India said it had killed at least “100 terrorists” while targeting the headquarters of the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed militant outfits based in Pakistan. A definitive account of what really happened in the aerial battle is yet to emerge. Some media outlets reported plane crashes in the state of Punjab and Indian-administered Kashmir around the same time but the Indian government has not responded to the reports. Getty Images Pakistan claims to have shot down one of India’s Rafale fighter jets A Reuters report quoting American officials said Pakistan possibly had used the ********-made J-10 aircraft to launch air-to-air missiles against Indian fighter jets. Pakistan claiming victory after hugely relying on ******** weapons systems in an active combat situation is being seen by some experts as a boost for Beijing’s defence industry but some also disagree with the claim. Some of the experts have called this a “DeepSeek moment” for the ******** weapons industry, referring to January this year when the ******** AI start-up shook US giants with its cost-effective technology. “The aerial fight was a big advertisement for the ******** weapons industry. Until now, China had no opportunity to test its platforms in a combat situation,” Zhou Bo, a retired senior colonel in the ******** People’s Liberation Army, told the BBC. The Beijing-based analyst said the outcome of the air duel showed “China has some systems that are next to none”. Shares in the ******** Avic Chengdu Aircraft company, that manufactures fighter jets like the J-10, surged by up to 40% last week after the reported performance of the fighter jet in the India-Pakistan conflict. Other experts, however, feel it’s too early to declare the superiority of ******** weapons systems. Professor Walter Ladwig from the King’s College in London said it was yet to be determined whether the ******** jets had actually outmanoeuvred the Indian Air Force (IAF) planes, particularly the Rafale. “In a standard military doctrine, you would suppress the enemy’s air defences and get air superiority before you struck ground targets. Instead, it appears the IAF’s mission was clearly not to provoke any Pakistani military retaliation,” he said. Mr Ladwig thought that the Indian pilots were given instructions to fly despite the fact that the entire Pakistani air defence was on high alert and their jets were already in the sky. The IAF hasn’t given details of the mission or about its air operations strategy. Beijing also hasn’t made any comment on reports of the J-10 taking down Indian fighter jets, including the Rafale. But unconfirmed reports of the J-10 bringing down a Western weapon system has triggered jubilation and triumphalism on ******** social media. Carlotta Rinaudo, a China researcher at the International Team for the Study of Security in Verona, said ******** social media was flooded with nationalistic messages even though it’s difficult to reach a conclusion with the available information. “At the moment perception matters way more than reality. If we see it in that way, the main winner is really China,” she said. For China, Pakistan is a strategic and economic ally. It is investing more than $50bn (£37bn) to build infrastructure in Pakistan as part of its China-Pakistan Economic corridor. So, a weak Pakistan is not in China’s interest. AFP Pakistan’s Air Force uses China-made J-10C fighter jets China made a critical difference in the latest India-Pakistan conflict, says Imtiaz Gul, a Pakistani security analyst. “It took the Indian planners by sheer surprise. They didn’t probably envision the depth of co-operation in the modern warfare between Pakistan and China,” he said. Experts say the performance of the ******** jets in a real combat situation was keenly analysed in Western capitals as this will have cascading impact on global arms trade. The US is the world’s largest arms exporter, while China is the fourth. China sells weapons mostly to developing countries like Myanmar and Pakistan. Previously the ******** weapon systems were criticised for their poor quality and technical problems. Reports said the Burmese military grounded several of its JF-17 fighter jets – jointly manufactured by China and Pakistan in 2022 – due to technical malfunctions. The ********* military reported several technical problems with the ******** made F-7 fighter jets. Another point to be noted is that this was not the first time that India lost an aircraft to Pakistan. In 2019, during a brief air battle between the two sides following similar Indian air strikes on suspected terrorist targets in Pakistan, a Russian-made MiG-21 jet was shot down inside Pakistani territory and the pilot was captured. He was released a few days later. India, however, said that the pilot had ejected after successfully shooting down Pakistani fighter jets, including a US-made F-16. Pakistan has denied the claim. Despite reports of the downing of Indian jets last week, experts like Mr Ladwig argue that India was able to hit an “impressive breadth of targets” inside Pakistan early in the morning of 10 May and this fact has gone largely unnoticed by the international media. The Indian military said in a co-ordinated attack, it launched missiles on 11 Pakistani air bases across the country, including the strategic Nur Khan air base outside Rawalpindi, not far from the Pakistani military headquarters. It’s a sensitive target that took Islamabad by surprise. One of the furthest targets was in Bholari, 140km (86 miles) from the southern city of Karachi. Mr Ladwig says this time the IAF operated with standard procedures – first attacking Pakistani air defence and radar systems and then focusing on ground targets. The Indian jets used an array of missiles, loitering munitions and drones despite the Pakistanis operating the ********-provided HQ 9 air defence system. “It seems the attacks were relatively precise and targeted. The craters were in the middle of runways, exactly the ideal spot. If it were a longer conflict, how long would it take the Pakistani Air Force to get these facilities up and running again, I can’t say,” Mr Ladwig pointed out. Nevertheless, he said, by refusing to get into the details of the mission briefing, India’s military “lost control of the narrative thread”. Reuters Site of the Pahalgam attack where 26 civilians were shot dead by militants In response to the Indian strikes, Pakistan said it launched missile and air strikes on several Indian forward air bases, but Delhi said the attacks caused no damage to equipment and personnel. Realising that the situation was getting out of control, the US and its allies intervened and put pressure on both countries to stop the fighting. But for India, experts say, the whole episode is a wake-up call. Beijing may not comment on the details of the recent India-Pakistan conflict, but it’s keen to show that its weapon systems are fast catching up with the West. Delhi is aware that the jets China has supplied to Pakistan are some of the earlier models. Beijing has already inducted the more advanced J-20 stealth fighter jets, that can evade radars. India and China have a long-standing border dispute along the Himalayas and fought a brief border war in 1962 that resulted in a defeat for India. A brief border clash took place in Ladakh in June 2020. Experts say India is acutely aware that it needs to accelerate investments in its homegrown defence manufacturing industry and speed up international buying. For now, China’s defence industry seems to be enjoying the limelight following the claims of success of one of its aircraft in the India-Pakistan conflict. Follow BBC News India on Instagram, YouTube, Twitter and Facebook Source link #China #benefited #IndiaPakistan #hostilities Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Diddy smashed Cassie Ventura’s door with hammer, court told Diddy smashed Cassie Ventura’s door with hammer, court told Sean “Diddy” Combs allegedly used a hammer to try to break into his ex-girlfriend’s apartment after the now-infamous assault at an Intercontinental Hotel in 2016, a New York court has heard. Security video of Mr Combs’ assault on his then-girlfriend Casandra “Cassie” Ventura has been shown to the jury several times in his sex-trafficking trial. Ms Ventura’s former best friend Kerry Morgan on Monday recounted how Mr Combs allegedly tried to smash his way into Ventura’s apartment in the aftermath, and described the incident as terrifying. Mr Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty to racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. He could face life in prison if convicted. Ms Morgan told the court she was at Ms Ventura’s Los Angeles apartment after the hotel incident and watched through the peephole as Mr Combs was “******** on the door with a hammer”. Ms Morgan told the court that as it unfolded, she didn’t think Ms Ventura cared if Mr Combs “came in and killed her”. Mr Combs did not enter the apartment and police officers arrived about three hours later, Ms Morgan said. No complaint was filed. The court heard more allegations of violent outbursts by the hip-hop mogul. Ms Morgan said that during a vacation in Jamaica, she saw him drag Ms Ventura down a 50-yard hallway by her hair because she was “taking too long in the bathroom”. The witness told the court she too had experienced violence at the hands of Mr Combs, alleging he choked her and threw a wooden hanger at her head in 2018 while demanding to know who Ms Ventura was cheating on him with. The court heard Ms Morgan had a concussion and had to go to urgent care. The two women were best friends for 17 years, but after that, their friendship was over, Ms Morgan said. She told the court that Ms Ventura met her at a West Hollywood pizza place about a month later and offered her $30,000 (£22,450) to sign a non-disclosure agreement. They agreed, and have not spoken in the seven years since. “I draw my line at physical abuse,” Ms Morgan said. After Ms Morgan stepped down from the witness stand, David James, the former personal assistant of Mr Combs, testified. Mr James, who told the court he often worked 20 hours a day for six to seven days a week, was once shown a photograph of Mr Combs at his Bad Boy Entertainment office and a high-ranking staff member told him “this is Mr Combs’ kingdom. We’re all here to serve it”. The former assistant also recounted a conversation he overheard in Manhattan, when he was in an Escalade SUV with Combs and some of his entourage. When a friend asked how Ms Ventura was, Mr Combs allegedly said: “Cassie’s good. I got her right where I want her, she’s young”. “He said she was very mouldable,” Mr James recalls his boss saying. The trial will continue on Tuesday with Mr James on the witness stand. Source link #Diddy #smashed #Cassie #Venturas #door #hammer #court #told Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Beauty queen Nguyen Thuc Thuy Tien arrested for fraud over gummies Beauty queen Nguyen Thuc Thuy Tien arrested for fraud over gummies Tessa Wong and BBC Vietnamese BBC News Miss Grand International Nguyen Thuc Thuy Tien won the Miss Grand International pageant in 2021 Vietnamese authorities have arrested a beauty queen and social media influencer for consumer fraud after she promoted a counterfeit fibre supplement. Nguyen Thuc Thuy Tien had heavily marketed gummies said to be rich in fibre on her social media channels. But a public backlash erupted after product tests revealed this was untrue. A former winner of the Miss Grand International beauty competition, Ms Nguyen is a well-known personality in Vietnam and previously received accolades from the government. Ms Nguyen had promoted Kera Supergreens Gummies along with social media influencers, Pham Quang Linh and Hang Du Muc. Investigators said the product was the result of a joint venture between Ms Nguyen and a company set up by the two other influencers. The influencers claimed that each of their gummies contained fibre equivalent to a plate of vegetables. A member of the public sent the product for testing at a lab, which found that each gummy only contained 16mg of fibre, far from 200mg as claimed. Authorities then launched an investigation, which found that sub-standard ingredients that were low in fibre were used in the manufacture of the gummies. The product’s packaging also did not state the fibre content, nor did it state that the product contained a high level of sorbitol, which is used in laxatives. BBC Vietnamese Nguyen Thuc Thuy Tien, Hang Du Muc and Pham Quang Linh are well-known Vietnamese influencers The three influencers were fined in March, and apologised to the public. The following month, Vietnamese authorities arrested Mr Pham and Hang Du Muc as well as officials from their company and the gummies’ manufacturer. They were charged with producing counterfeit goods and defrauding customers. On Monday, authorities announced the arrest of Ms Nguyen for allegedly deceiving customers. More than 100,000 boxes of the gummies were reportedly sold before sales were halted due to the scandal. After winning the Bangkok-based beauty pageant in 2021, Ms Nguyen became a celebrity sought after by many Vietnamese brands, and appeared on several reality TV shows. She also received certificates of merit from the prime minister and Vietnam’s ruling ********** Party. Source link #Beauty #queen #Nguyen #Thuc #Thuy #Tien #arrested #fraud #gummies Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Goodwill running out as ***, France and Canada demand Israel end Gaza offensive Goodwill running out as ***, France and Canada demand Israel end Gaza offensive Jeremy Bowen International Editor Reuters IDF attacks in Gaza have killed thousands since Israel ended a ceasefire in March Israel went to war after the ****** attacks of 7 October 2023 armed with an arsenal of weapons mostly paid for, supplied and then resupplied by the United States. Its other allies gave Israel something just as potent in its own way: a deep credit of goodwill and solidarity, based on revulsion at the killings of 1,200 people, mostly Israeli civilians, and the sight of 251 people being dragged into captivity in Gaza as hostages. Now it seems that Israel’s credit has gone, at least as far as France, the United Kingdom and Canada are concerned. They have issued their strongest condemnation yet of the way Israel is fighting the war in Gaza. Israel, they say, must halt its new offensive, which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says will destroy ******, rescue the remaining hostages and put all of Gaza under direct Israeli military control. Their statement dismisses Netanyahu’s arguments and calls for a ceasefire. Together, the three governments say that they “strongly oppose the expansion of Israel’s military operations in Gaza” adding: “The level of human suffering in Gaza is intolerable.” They call for the release of the remaining hostages and recall that after the “heinous attack” on 7 October they believed that the Israeli state “had a right to defend Israelis against terrorism. But this escalation is wholly disproportionate”. Netanyahu’s decision to allow what he called “minimal” food into Gaza was they said “wholly inadequate”. Netanyahu has hit back, saying the “leaders in London, Ottowa and Paris are offering a huge prize for the genocidal attack on Israel on October 7 while inviting more such atrocities”. He insisted the war could end if ****** returned hostages, laid down its arms, agreed for its leaders to go into exile and Gaza was demilitarised. “No nation can be expected to accept anything less and Israel certainly won’t,” he said. Netanyahu – who is sought under an International criminal Court warrant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity, which he has dismissed as “antisemitic” – had been under heavy international pressure to end the blockade of Gaza after a respected international survey warned of imminent famine. At the London summit between the EU and the *** the President of the European Council, António Costa, called the humanitarian crisis in Gaza “a tragedy where international law is being systematically violated, and an entire population is being subjected to disproportionate military force”. “There must be safe, swift and unimpeded access for humanitarian aid,” he said. EPA Only five trucks carrying aid entered Gaza on Monday Netanyahu’s reluctant decision to allow in limited supplies was condemned by his ultra nationalist coalition partners. The Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, convicted in 2007 for incitement to racism and supporting an extremist Jewish group that Israel classifies as a terrorist organisation, complained that Netanyahu’s decision would “fuel ****** and give it oxygen while our hostages languish in tunnels”. Only five trucks made it into Gaza on Monday, as Israeli troops advanced and air and artillery strikes killed more ************ civilians including many young children. Opponents of Israel’s destruction of Gaza and the killing of tens of thousands of ************ civilians will say the governments of France, the *** and Canada are speaking out far too late. Many of them have held months of demonstrations protesting about the death and destruction in Gaza – and more killing of ************ civilians and confiscation of land in the West Bank, the other side of the ************ territories, during military operations and raids by armed Jewish settlers. But sometimes in the politics of war, a single incident carries symbolic power that clarifies and crystallises so sharply that it can force governments to action. This time it was the killing on 23 March by Israeli forces in Gaza of 15 paramedics and aid workers. It came after Israel, on 18 March, had broken a ceasefire that had held for two months with a series of massive air strikes. Five days into the renewed war an Israeli unit attacked the medical convoy, and covered the men they had killed and their bullet ridden vehicles with the sand. The Israeli account of what happened was shown to be untrue when a mobile phone was recovered from a body in the mass grave. Its owner had filmed the incident before he was killed. Far from proving Israel’s claim that the emergency workers were a potential threat to the Israeli combat soldiers, the video from the grave showed that clearly marked and well-lit ambulances and emergency vehicles were attacked systematically until almost everyone inside them was killed. Reuters Macron (left) has led criticism of Israel’s new offensive in Gaza Alarm has been growing fast since then, not just among Israel’s usual opponents. Its European allies, with President Macron of France leading the way, have been toughening their language. The statement calling for an end to Israel’s offensive is their harshest criticism of Israel so far. A senior European diplomatic source involved in their discussions told me that the tough language reflected a “real sense of growing political anger at the humanitarian situation, of a line being crossed, and of this Israeli government appearing to act with impunity”. More ominously for Israel, the statement says that “we will not stand by while the Netanyahu government pursues these egregious actions. If Israel does not cease the renewed military offensive and lift its restrictions on humanitarian aid, we will take further concrete steps in response”. They do not specify what those might be. Sanctions could be one possibility. A ******* step would be to recognise Palestine as an independent state. France has been considering joining the 148 other states that have done so at a conference it is co-chairing with Saudi Arabia in New York in early June. The *** has also talked about ************ recognition with the French. Israel, pushing back hard, has told them they would be presenting ****** with a victory. But the tone of the statement made by the French, the Canadians and the British suggests that Israel is losing its ability to pressurise them. Source link #Goodwill #running #France #Canada #demand #Israel #Gaza #offensive Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trbojevic brothers moving on from Origin disappointment Trbojevic brothers moving on from Origin disappointment Manly players say “gun” Tom Trbojevic is already at peace with his State of Origin snubbing and brother Jake “bleeds for his state” even as he too will miss the series opener. Tom Trbojevic was the odd man out when Laurie Daley named his NSW team on Sunday night, the Blues coach preferring Stephen Crichton, Zac Lomax, Latrell Mitchell and Brian To’o as outside backs for Origin I on May 28. The omission means Trbojevic’s Origin absence stretches almost two years – his longest hiatus since making his debut during the 2018 series. “I’m sure he would’ve loved to be in the team but I think Turbo’s brushed it off,” Manly centre Tolu Koula said ahead of Friday’s game against Parramatta. “His main focus now is doing the job that we need him to do here at Manly.” Trbojevic appears the next man in line for a call-up should injury strike the outside backs in game one, with fellow Blues hopeful Jacob Kiraz now sidelined by a calf issue. “He’ll be back there very soon I think,” predicted Manly forward Ethan Bullemor. “The calibre of person he is as well, I don’t think he’s one who’d ever be kicking stones. I think he’ll have a really good attitude and really good mindset this week.” Manly centre Reuben Garrick tipped the omission could bring out the best in his long-time teammate. “Tom’s a very competitive person and I’m sure that it’ll only bring fuel to the fire,” he said. “Tom would be in my (NSW) side but I’m not the one picking it. Fingers crossed he puts some good games together and he’s back in that arena. “It’s Tom Trbojevic, at the end of the day. He’s a gun.” Trbojevic’s brother Jake will also miss out on Origin action come May 28 after suffering a game-ending head knock in last week’s defeat of North Queensland. The elder Trbojevic, who captained NSW to a series win last year, wouldn’t have cleared the NRL’s concussion protocols until the day of the series opener. “I’m sure Jakey just wants to see the Blues win, whether he’s out there or not, he bleeds for his state. He’ll be right behind the whole team I’m sure,” Garrick said. Source link #Trbojevic #brothers #moving #Origin #disappointment Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

New Zealand defers vote on rare suspension of Indigenous lawmakers New Zealand defers vote on rare suspension of Indigenous lawmakers By Renju Jose SYDNEY (Reuters) -The New Zealand government on Tuesday deferred a vote over the rare suspension of three Indigenous lawmakers from parliament for performing a haka, the Maori ceremonial dance, during the reading of a contentious bill last year. A parliamentary privileges committee last week recommended temporarily suspending three Te Pati Maori parliamentarians for acting in “a manner that could have the effect of intimidating a member of the house.” The Te Pati Maori members performed the haka last November ahead of a vote on a controversial bill that would have reinterpreted a 184-year-old treaty between the British and Indigenous Maori that still guides policy and legislation. Co-leaders Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi should be suspended for 21 days and representative Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke for seven days, the committee said. Chris Bishop, the leader of the house, said delaying the vote would allow the suspended members to participate in the federal budget on Thursday. The vote will take place following the budget, he said. “Deferring consideration of the debate means all members will have the opportunity to debate and vote on the budget,” Bishop said. Several protesters gathered outside the parliament in Wellington for the vote over the suspensions, and New Zealand media reported they might perform a haka in support of the Maori lawmakers. Judith Collins, who heads the privileges committee and serves as attorney-general, told parliament that the haka forced the speaker to suspend proceedings for 30 minutes and that no permission had been sought to perform it. “It’s not about the haka … it is about following the rules of parliament that we are all obliged to follow and that we all pledged to follow,” Collins said. Suspending lawmakers is rare in New Zealand’s parliament, with the last occasion in 1987, according to media reports. The opposition Labour party called for a compromise and proposed censure instead of suspension. The committee’s proposal is “totally out of line with existing parliamentary practice and is disproportionate to the allegations,” opposition leader Chris Hipkins said. “We have never seen a sanction of this nature in New Zealand’s history before … it is disproportionate. A sanction is appropriate, this level of sanction simply is not.” The haka was traditionally a way for Maori to welcome visiting tribes or to invigorate warriors ahead of battle. It is now performed at important events as well as ahead of matches by New Zealand’s rugby teams. (Reporting by Renju Jose in Sydney; Editing by Kate Mayberry) Source link #Zealand #defers #vote #rare #suspension #Indigenous #lawmakers Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

European stock markets, FTSE, CAC, DAX, Vodafone, Greggs and Swiss Life shares European stock markets, FTSE, CAC, DAX, Vodafone, Greggs and Swiss Life shares British pound extends gains The British pound was 0.2% higher against the U.S. dollar at 6:29 a.m. in London on Tuesday, extending its gains from the previous day to trade at around $1.338. On Monday, sterling rose 0.6% against the greenback after the U.K. and the EU reached a landmark agreement to reset their post-Brexit relations. What to keep an eye out for today British telecom giant Vodafone Group is expected to report its 2025 financial year results. Analysts polled by FactSet expect full-year total sales to be £31.74 billion ($42.39 billion), with a pre-tax profit of £1.84 billion. Earnings per share is expected at 7.10 pence. UBS analysts expect the merger with U.K. competitor Three will add £470 million to adjusted profits, but will detract from free cash flow as the company will be forced to invest upfront. “While easing declines in ******* service revenues should be a tailwind for the shares, the prospect of further [free cash flow] downgrades will likely weigh on the stock near-term,” UBS analyst Polo ***** added in an earnings preview note to clients on May 12. The stock currently trades at nearly 5.3% expected dividend yield. Analysts forecast a dividend of 3.78 pence per share, according to FactSet. U.K. baker Greggs and Swiss Life are also set to report earnings on Tuesday. — Ganesh Rao Here are the opening calls Here are Tuesday’s opening calls. European bourses are expected to open higher Tuesday, with London’s FTSE expected to open up 43 points at 8,726, Germany’s DAX up 92 points at 23,998, the French CAC 40 up 41 points at 7,908 and Italy’s FTSE MIB up 92 points at 40,330, according to data from IG. — Holly Ellyatt Source link #European #stock #markets #FTSE #CAC #DAX #Vodafone #Greggs #Swiss #Life #shares Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ Bosses Unpack the Tragic, Noble Deaths of Those 2 Major Characters – TheWrap ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ Bosses Unpack the Tragic, Noble Deaths of Those 2 Major Characters – TheWrap ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ Bosses Unpack the Tragic, Noble Deaths of Those 2 Major Characters TheWrap‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ Team Goes Inside That Tragic One-Two Punch of Penultimate Episode The Hollywood Reporter‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ Star Max Minghella on Nick’s Fate: ‘Nobody Could Accuse Them of Pandering’ Variety‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ Will Have an ‘Honest Conclusion’ With Series Finale (Exclusive) Us WeeklyThe Handmaid’s Tale Season 6 Episode 9 – Release Date, Schedule, Where To Watch Newsweek Source link #Handmaids #Tale #Bosses #Unpack #Tragic #Noble #Deaths #Major #Characters #TheWrap Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Ange Postecoglou: What trophies did he win in second seasons with his clubs? Ange Postecoglou: What trophies did he win in second seasons with his clubs? Matches: 49. Wins: 22. Draws: 12. Losses: 15. Goals scored: 86. Goals conceded: 58. During his playing career, Postecoglou was a defender and represented Australia four times and in 2013 he got the chance to become his country’s national manager. At the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, Australia finished bottom of a tough group that also included the Netherlands, Chile and 2010 winners Spain. Australia hosted the Asian Cup in January 2015 and Postecoglou guided the Socceroos to the final with a crowd of more than 76,000 watching the game against South Korea in Sydney. Midfielder Massimo Luongo (now at Ipswich Town) put Australia ahead, before Son Heung-min, Postecoglou’s current captain at Tottenham, equalised in the 91st minute to take the tie to extra-time. But James Troisi, who developed through Newcastle United’s academy, scored the winner as Postecoglou and Australia celebrated a 2-1 victory to win the tournament. Former Everton midfielder Tim Cahill was a key player for Australia at that time and, in an interview with Optus Sport in 2024,, external was full of praise for Postecoglou. “I never knew Ange until he came to the Australia job, he had a great pedigree,” said Cahill. “When you listen to him, everything he talks about is simple and logical – he wants the ball in play, action and intensity and that’s what the players want. “The way you look at a coach is their presence and secondly their training, everything was measured and calculated. What I love with Ange is he is very honest, very detailed. He has a really nice way about him and you see the way he connects with players.” Source link #Ange #Postecoglou #trophies #win #seasons #clubs Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Victorian budget 2025: All the winners and losers revealed Victorian budget 2025: All the winners and losers revealed With an ever-growing debt and a promise of no new taxes, the Victorian government has revealed a “responsible” state budget with a primary focus on cost-of-living measures and supporting struggling families. Here are the winners and losers. Camera IconThe state budget for 2025-256 has arrived. NewsWire / Valeriu Campan Credit: News Corp Australia WINNERS Health Treasurer Jaclyn Symes’ first budget includes a record-breaking investment in hospitals and the health sector. The state will injecting an additional $11.1bn into health, including $634.3m to build or expand nine new hospitals. A further $9.3bn will be invested into existing hospitals, including Footscray Hospital, Frankston Hospital and Maryborough and District Hospital. There will also be a $48.2m investment into expanding the network of state-run urgent care clinics and Community Pharmacy programs across the state. The budget has allocated $57m for upgrades to the Royal Melbourne Hospital, with funding also invested to redevelop regional emergency departments, including Swan Hill District Health, Albury Wodonga Health and University Hospital in Geelong. The capacity of the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department will “almost” triple with a $473m investment. The budget has zeroed in on mental health with a $7.5m investment into the Hospital Outreach Post-Suicidal Engagement program, LGBTIQA+ Aftercare support, and Strong Brother Strong Sister and Yarning Safe N Strong for Aboriginal Victorians. Camera IconTreasurer Jaclyn Symes handed down her first budget on Tuesday. NewsWire / POOL/ Eamon Gallagher Credit: News Corp Australia Community safetyThe government will commit $727m to expand the state’s prison and youth crime network. This investment includes adding an additional 1000 adult prison beds and 88 youth prison beds in Cherry Creek and Parkville to accommodate the increasing number of offenders being denied bail. There is also a $13m investment to ban machetes and implement a drop-off box for people to hand in their weapons. As part of the state’s crackdown on crime, $106.4m will be invested in the youth justice system, including in-house rehabilitation, intensive oversight for high-risk offenders and family support workers. Public transport users In the lead-up to the budget release, the Victorian government announced it would allocate $1.2bn for public transport, including a $318m investment for a free public transport scheme for kids under 18 that would save a family an average of $755 per year per child. . Seniors will haveaccess to free public transport on weekends, with the government investing $2.2m for statewide free transport. A further investment of $162m will be put aside to deliver new and improved bus services. The Allan government will invest $4.1bn to develop Sunshine station, and a further $46m to deploy additional services from the Craigieburn, Sandringham, Upfield and Werribee lines. The government said it would inject $727m to “operationalise” the Metro Tunnel, which is already been built and set to open at a later date. Drivers It’s not just public transport users set for an investment boost, with the West Gate Tunnel expected to open this year. Regional transport networks will receive a $777m investment, including $137m for regional road maintenance. Across the state, the government will invest $976m to repair potholes and upgrade roads, with a further $50m for maintenance on the San Remo Bridge at Phillip Island. In conjunction with the federal government, $250m will be used to upgrade the Werribee Main Rd. Camera Icon$137m will be invested in regional road upgrades. NewsWire / David Crosling Credit: News Corp Australia FamiliesThe government is investing $152.3m to increase funding for the Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund, which will provide $400 for eligible students. Free kinder for three and four-year-olds will continue with an injection of $859m, saving families up to $2600 per year per child. The government has also committed to delivering $272m into child protection and family services and a further $90m to support kids in out-of-home care. Energy bills are set to be cut for struggling families, with the government investing $50m for the $100 Power Saving Bonus, which will be available for households with an eligible concession card. A further $29.7m will be committed to deliver an additional 27,000 hot water rebates and $12m to support training for the Victorian Energy Upgrades Program, which is set to half the cost of ceiling insulation and save families up to $400 off their energy bills. SchoolsThe Victorian government is committing $133m for improved literacy and maths, including a $16.3m investment for a new Numeracy Check grade. TAFE and training courses will continue to be subsidised with a $171m investment. The Living Learning program with Melbourne City Mission and Hester Hornbrook Academy will also receive an investment of $7.5m to offer young people a chance to finish their education. The government is also committing $25.6m into its Navigator program, which aims to address chronic student absenteeism. Camera IconThe government will invest $133m to improve literacy and maths skills. NewsWire / Sarah Marshall Credit: News Corp Australia Small businessesThe government will invest $627m into supporting business across the state.This includes $150m into the Victorian Investment Fund, which aims to deliver grants and expand priority sectors for businesses and industries, and a commitment of $240m to the Economic Growth Statement. Homebuyers Ahead of the release of the budget, Ms Allan announced a commitment of $61m to continue the stamp duty concession for off-the-plan apartments, units and townhouses for another 12 months. Camera IconThe Victorian economy is forecast to reach a net debt of $194bn by June 2029. NewsWire/ David Crosling Credit: News Corp Australia LOSERS Farmers The government’s promise of no new taxes in the budget excludes the new emergency services levy, which was passed through the upper house on Thursday and is intended to increase funds for the State Emergency Services (SES), triple-0 and the state control centre. The levy has triggered massive outrage from farmers across the state who took to the streets of Melbourne’s CBD in protest, labelling the tax as an “insult to farmers”. Thousands of Country Fire Authority (CFA) volunteers also took to the streets to protest the fire levy at Parliament House on Tuesday in the wake of the budget, urging Ms Allan to “scrap the tax” and arguing that it would cripple already struggling farmers. Public servantsMore than 1200 full-time equivalent public servant jobs are on the chopping block in an effort to claw back some of the debt racked up by the government, though Ms Symes said natural attrition would account for some of the cuts. Camera IconThousands flocked to the streets of Melbourne on Tuesday to protest the government’s emergency services levy. NewsWire / Valeriu Campan Credit: News Corp Australia PolicePolice officers will receive a minor 0.2 per cent increase in funding compared with last year, with $7.2m committed to recruit more officers. Campers Outdoor lovers will feel the pinch as the government’s free camping deal, which spanned all 131 paid campsites for Parks Victoria, comes to an end in June. It will be replaced with half=-price camping fees, which will be in place until June 2027. The economy The budget has projected a $600m operating surplus, which is about $1bn less than its forecast last year. Net debt is forecast to grow and hit a record high of $194bn by June 2029, with the state’s forecast debt of $167.9m in 2025-26 sitting at 25.1 per cent of Victoria’s economy. However, it is the first operating surplus since the Covid-19 pandemic, a feat Ms Symes said demonstrated the government could “service that debt while delivering the infrastructure and services that Victorians need”. “From here, net debt will continue to fall as a share of the economy, and we will see continued surpluses in the years to come – allowing us to continue to provide services and infrastructure that Victorians need,” Ms Symes said. Source link #Victorian #budget #winners #losers #revealed Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Appeals court allows Trump’s anti-union order to take effect Appeals court allows Trump’s anti-union order to take effect WASHINGTON (AP) — An appeals court has cleared the way for President Donald Trump’s executive order aimed at ending collective bargaining rights for hundreds of thousands of federal employees while a lawsuit plays out. The Friday ruling came after the Trump administration asked for an emergency pause on a judge’s order blocking enforcement at roughly three dozen agencies and departments. A split three-judge panel in the nation’s capital sided with government lawyers in a lawsuit filed by unions representing federal employees. The majority ruled on technical grounds, finding that the unions don’t have the legal right to sue because the Trump administration has said it won’t end any collective bargaining agreements while the case is being litigated. Judge Karen Henderson, appointed by Republican President George H.W. Bush, and Justin Walker, appointed by Trump, sided with the government, while Judge Michelle Childs, appointed by Democratic President Joe Biden, dissented. The government says Trump needs the executive order so his administration can cut the federal workforce to ensure strong national security. The law requiring collective bargaining creates exemptions for work related to national security, as in agencies like the FBI. Union leaders argue the order is designed to facilitate mass firings and exact “political vengeance” against federal unions opposed to Trump’s efforts to dramatically downsize the federal government. His order seeks to expand that exemption to exclude more workers than any other president has before. That’s according to the National Treasury Employees Union, which is suing to block the order. The administration has filed in a Kentucky court to terminate the collective bargaining agreement for the Internal Revenue Service, where many workers are represented by the National Treasury Employees Union. They say their IRS members aren’t doing national security work. Other union employees affected by the order include the Health and Human Services Department, the Energy Department, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Federal Communications Commission. Source link #Appeals #court #Trumps #antiunion #order #effect Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Caitlin Clark says it was too loud to hear alleged racial comments but supports WNBA investigation – AP News Caitlin Clark says it was too loud to hear alleged racial comments but supports WNBA investigation – AP News Caitlin Clark says it was too loud to hear alleged racial comments but supports WNBA investigation AP NewsView Full Coverage on Google News Source link #Caitlin #Clark #loud #hear #alleged #racial #comments #supports #WNBA #investigation #News Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

'Forgotten children': state care failings scrutinised 'Forgotten children': state care failings scrutinised Advocates have welcomed a state’s child safety investigation but fear recommendations will fall on deaf ears, ensuring some kids will remain “forgotten”. Source link #039Forgotten #children039 #state #care #failings #scrutinised Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

When Is Bungie Releasing Marathon? ‘Hostile Environment’ Amid Art Theft Scandal Reportedly Forcing Delay When Is Bungie Releasing Marathon? ‘Hostile Environment’ Amid Art Theft Scandal Reportedly Forcing Delay Bungie’s upcoming extraction shooter Marathon can’t seem to catch a break lately. What should have been an exciting revival of a franchise has morphed into a PR nightmare that threatens to derail the entire project. The September 23 release date that once seemed set in stone now appears increasingly shaky. The trouble began when *** artist Fern Hook (known online as ANTIREAL) discovered her 2017 poster designs plastered throughout Marathon’s environments during the closed alpha. We’re not talking about vague inspirations here—these were direct 1:1 copies, with one texture even containing the text “Antireal daily series.” Ouch. Bungie’s “free-fall” morale and delayed release According to Forbes‘ Paul Tassi, who is known to maintain reliable connections within Bungie, the situation inside the studio has reached crisis levels. “The vibes have never been worse,” one source told Tassi, describing an “actively hostile environment” surrounding the game’s development. The fallout has been swift and severe. Sony‘s legal team has launched a comprehensive asset audit that is reportedly so “expansive” that Bungie couldn’t even show gameplay footage in their recent livestream. The planned June marketing push and pre-order campaign? Possibly scrapped entirely. The August open beta? Reportedly transformed into a series of smaller public playtests. And while discussions about timeline changes are likely happening in executive boardrooms between Sony and Bungie leadership, Tassi reports that regular employees aren’t even hearing “hints or jokes about a delay”—suggesting information is being tightly controlled as damage control strategies unfold. Given the scope of the asset audit and the already lukewarm alpha reception, Marathon seems destined for a significant postponement. We’d wager on a four-month delay at minimum, pushing the launch into early 2026. The extraction shooter genre is already crowded with established titles like Escape from Tarkov and highly anticipated upcoming ones like ARC Raiders—leaving little room for a rushed, controversy-plagued release. A pattern of plagiarism plagues PlayStation’s studio Sony’s leash keeps getting shorter. | Image Credit: Bungie This isn’t Bungie’s first artistic rodeo. The Marathon debacle marks the fourth time in five years the studio has been accused of lifting artists’ work without permission or compensation. Previous incidents involved fan art appearing in Destiny 2: Witch Queen promotional materials, a cutscene that borrowed heavily from community creations, and even a NERF gun design. What makes this case particularly damning is that Marathon’s art director Joseph Cross and several other team members were actually following Hook’s social media accounts while developing the game. It’s hard to claim ignorance when you’re actively consuming the very content you’re allegedly stealing: I see that Joseph Cross also follows you. Is there any insight you can give about the connection there? — Reaction Andy (@solarphy) May 15, 2025 he’s followed me for a few years & a few others from bungie. never had any communication — N² (@4nt1r34l) May 15, 2025 For PlayStation and Sony, this controversy couldn’t come at a worse time. After the spectacular failure of Firewalk Studios’ Concord last year, which led to that studio’s closure, all eyes are on Bungie to deliver a hit. Will Bungie manage to salvage Marathon from this mess? The coming weeks should reveal whether the game can recover or if it’s destined to join the growing list of live-service failures. One thing is for certain, though—Bungie needs to make things right with ANTIREAL before worrying about anything else. What do you think about Bungie’s latest controversy? Should they delay Marathon to address these issues properly? Share your thoughts in the comments! Source link #Bungie #Releasing #Marathon #Hostile #Environment #Art #Theft #Scandal #Reportedly #Forcing #Delay Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Four arrested under Tokyo’s strict yakuza gang laws – but not for the reason you think Four arrested under Tokyo’s strict yakuza gang laws – but not for the reason you think Think of Japan’s famed yakuza gangs and you might think of heavily tattooed men getting into bloody fights – the stuff of action films and video games. But last week four men were arrested in Tokyo for a more mundane crime – operating a yakuza office too close to a library. The suspects, ages 55 to 77, “conspired” to operate an office from June 2024 to February 2025, “despite the fact that the area was within a 200 meter radius around a library,” said police in a statement. The city has strict rules on where yakuza offices can operate, as part of their campaign to eliminate organized crime. The oldest man, 77, was a “member of an organization affiliated with the Sumiyoshi-kai organized crime syndicate,” one of Japan’s biggest yakuza groups, the statement added. Known for their strict hierarchies and honor codes, the yakuza – also known as the boryokudan – engage in everything from extortion and money laundering to drugs and sex trafficking. Far from being underground organizations, many are registered with the police and have an established presence across the country. The National Police Agency (NPA) even lists the business addresses of some yakuza organizations on their website; for instance, the Sumiyoshi-kai’s main office is located in Tokyo’s upscale Akasaka district, not far from the parliament building. During their heyday in the 1960s, the yakuza operated internationally and had more than 184,000 members, according to the NPA. But their numbers have declined steadily over recent decades after police crackdowns to curb their activities. Though they are legally still allowed to exist, regulations made it harder for gangsters to survive as it became ******** to recruit yakuza, pay them off, or share profits with them. Even securing mobile phone contracts and renting out apartments became more difficult. In 2024, the number of members of organized crime syndicates fell below 20,000 for the first time to a record low of 18,800, according to police data. In Tokyo, yakuza offices cannot operate within 200 meters of schools, child ******** centers, community halls, museums, probation offices and family courts – as well as libraries. Businesses cannot hire yakuza members as bouncers, offer them payoffs for services, or sign any contracts with yakuza that “encourage” their activities. The result is shrinking yakuza groups that nowadays largely make headlines for disbanding, pursuing new law-abiding lives, or promising to behave. In April, Japan’s largest yakuza crime syndicate, the Yamaguchi-gumi, pledged to end its longstanding war with a rival faction after police stepped up surveillance and restricted their activities. Three senior members of the gang hand-delivered a letter to police vowing to “end all internal fighting” and to “never cause any trouble,” police told CNN. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Source link #arrested #Tokyos #strict #yakuza #gang #laws #reason Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

El Salvador arrests human rights lawyer critical of President Bukele – CNN El Salvador arrests human rights lawyer critical of President Bukele – CNN El Salvador arrests human rights lawyer critical of President Bukele CNNEl Salvador arrests prominent human rights lawyer NPRLawyer for Venezuelans deported to El Salvador prison arrested The GuardianProminent Anti-Corruption Lawyer Is Arrested in El Salvador The New York TimesEl Salvador arrests prominent human rights lawyer who defends deportees Al Jazeera Source link #Salvador #arrests #human #rights #lawyer #critical #President #Bukele #CNN Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump Says Russia-Ukraine Ceasefire Talks will Begin Immediately Following Call with Putin Trump Says Russia-Ukraine Ceasefire Talks will Begin Immediately Following Call with Putin WASHINGTON (AP) — Russia and Ukraine will “immediately” begin ceasefire negotiations, President Donald Trump said Monday after separate calls with the leaders of both countries meant to spur progress toward ending the three-year war. The conversations did not appear to yield a major breakthrough. It was not clear when or where any talks might take place or who would participate. Trump’s announcement came days after the first direct engagement between Russian and Ukrainian delegations since 2022. Those negotiations Friday in Turkey brought about a limited exchange of prisoners but no pause in the fighting. Ahead of the calls, the White House said Trump had grown “frustrated” with both leaders over the continuing war. Vice President JD Vance said Trump would press Russian President Vladimir Putin to see if he was truly interested in stopping the fighting, and if not, that the U.S. could disengage from trying to stop the conflict. Trump later told reporters that he believed Putin was serious about wanting peace. “The conditions for that will be negotiated between the two parties, as it can only be, because they know details of a negotiation that nobody else would be aware of,” Trump said in a social media post. Trump said the call with Putin was “excellent,” adding, “If it wasn’t, I would say so now, rather than later.” Later, speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, he noted the process has “got very big egos involved, I tell you.” “Big egos involved. But I think something’s going to happen and, if it doesn’t I’d just back away and they have to keep going,” Trump said. “This was a European situation. It should have remained a European situation.” Trump also said he told Putin, “We’ve got to get going.” Trump has struggled to end a war that began with Russia’s invasion in February 2022, a setback for his promises to quickly settle the conflict once he was back in the White House, if not before he took office. ‘Weary and frustrated’ “He’s grown weary and frustrated with both sides of the conflict,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Monday before the calls. The Republican president is banking on the idea that his force of personality and personal history with Putin will be enough to break any impasse over a pause in the fighting. He dangled the prospect of reduced sanctions and increased trade with Russia should the war end. After the call, Putin said Russia was ready to continue discussing an end to the fighting after a “very informative and very frank” conversation with Trump. Putin said the warring countries should “find compromises that would suit all parties.” Moscow, he said, will “propose and is ready to work with” Ukraine on a “memorandum” outlining the framework for “a possible future peace treaty.” But indicating that little had fundamentally changed about his demands, Putin said: “At the same time, I would like to note that, in general, Russia’s position is clear. The main thing for us is to eliminate the root causes of this crisis.” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Monday that he reaffirmed to Trump that Ukraine is ready for a full and unconditional ceasefire. He urged the international community to maintain pressure on Moscow if it refuses to halt its invasion. “Ukraine doesn’t need to be persuaded — our representatives are ready to make real decisions. What’s needed is mirrored readiness from Russia for such result-oriented negotiations.” Zelenskyy said. Trump and Putin addressed each other by first names Russian presidential adviser Yuri Ushakov, who previously served as Russian ambassador to the U.S., described the conversation as friendly, with Trump and Putin addressing each other by their first names. “Trump said, ‘Vladimir, you can pick up the phone at any time, and I will be happy to answer and speak with you,’” he said. Ushakov also said Trump and Putin could meet face-to-face at some point, but no timeline was set. Putin and Trump also talked about a Russia-U.S. prisoner exchange, which Ushakov said was “in the works” and envisioned Moscow and Washington releasing nine people each. Ushakov did not offer any other details. Speaking before the call, Vance said Trump could walk away from trying to end the war if he feels Putin isn’t serious about negotiation. “I’d say we’re more than open to walking away,” Vance told reporters before leaving Rome after meeting with Pope Leo XIV. Vance said Trump has been clear that the U.S. “is not going to spin its wheels here. We want to see outcomes.” Zelenskyy, who spoke to Trump one-on-one before the Putin call and then jointly with European leaders after, told reporters that he emphasized to Trump that no decisions should be made about Ukraine without involving Kyiv. He also said that he discussed the potential for “serious sanctions” on Russia. Trump said the ******** expressed interest in hosting the negotiations, but there was no immediate confirmation that any talks had been scheduled. Trump tries the carrot — and stick — with Putin Trump sought to use financial incentives to broker some kind of agreement after Russia’s invasion led to severe sanctions by the United States and its allies that have steadily eroded Moscow’s ability to grow. “Russia wants to do largescale TRADE with the United States when this catastrophic “bloodbath” is over, and I agree,” he said in a social media post. “There is a tremendous opportunity for Russia to create massive amounts of jobs and wealth. Its potential is UNLIMITED.” Trump’s treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, said Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press” that Trump had made it clear that a failure by Putin to negotiate “in good faith” could lead to additional sanctions against Russia. Bessent suggested the sanctions that began during the administration of Democratic President Joe Biden were inadequate because they did not stop Russia’s oil revenues, due to concerns that doing so would increase U.S. prices. The United States sought to cap Russia’s oil revenues while preserving the country’s petroleum exports to limit the damage from the inflation that the war produced. Trump and Zelenskyy spoke with leaders from France, Italy and Finland, as well as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who have threatened tougher sanctions on Russia in a bid to force Putin into negotiations. Putin recently rejected an offer by Zelenskyy to meet in-person in Turkey as an alternative to a 30-day ceasefire urged by Ukraine and its Western allies, including Washington. Instead, Russian and Ukrainian officials met in Istanbul for talks, the first such direct negotiations since March 2022. Those talks ended Friday after less than two hours, without a ceasefire in place. But both countries committed to exchange 1,000 prisoners of war each, with Ukraine’s intelligence chief, Kyrylo Budanov, saying on Ukrainian television Saturday that the exchanges could happen as early as this week. Source link #Trump #RussiaUkraine #Ceasefire #Talks #Immediately #Call #Putin Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

May interest rates cut: RBA delivers relief but stays cautious amid global tariff uncertainty May interest rates cut: RBA delivers relief but stays cautious amid global tariff uncertainty A 0.25 per cent rate cut to ease the nerves, but the RBA is keeping its powder dry to ensure it can give the economy a boost if the world starts to unravel due to tariff uncertainty. The softly, softly approach that has been a hallmark of Michele Bullock’s Governorship continues, with the Bank determining that inflation is well within the band to take the foot off the brake but global uncertainty will prevent it from making any bold moves. The Bank was looking at two key factors in making its call. First, the domestic experience. Despite growth bumping along at just 1.6 per cent annualised, the Reserve Bank sees an economy that is only slowly getting off the canvas. While demand is slowly rising, thanks to a lift in household incomes, businesses are still not seeing a return to decent growth. Holding it back is a tight labour market meaning companies are struggling to get output up. The Reserve Bank also delivered something of a coded warning to Treasurer Jim Chalmers. Productivity is a problem, and that means that wage growth is unsustainable, and will not only hurt business profits but potentially drive up inflation in the process. For now, weakness in some parts of the economy make it hard for businesses to pass price rises through. The other big issue that vexed the Board was what Donald Trump’s tariff tango with China was going to do the *********** economy. With 8 per cent of Australia’s gross domestic product reliant on ******** demand for iron ore and coal, a hit to China could drag us down with it. The Bank believes “geopolitical uncertainties remain pronounced” and has downgraded its forecasts of GDP growth from 2.4 per cent by December this year to 2.1 per cent. Australia’s growth rate is now forecast to be lower originally expected through to June 2027. The Board is well aware that things could get much worse in the global economy and “considered a severe downside scenario” that would see it “respond decisively to international developments”. In other words, the Bank wants to keep its powder dry. The upside of the downside of geopolitical turmoil is that lower growth has also pushed down inflation expectations, continuing the downward trajectory into the Reserve Bank’s target range of between 2 and 3 per cent for both headline and underlying inflation (which strips out volatile movements). “With inflation expected to remain around target, the Board therefore judged that an easing in monetary policy at this meeting was appropriate,” the Bank said. Future rate cuts still on the cards In passing down its assessment of where the economy is at, the RBA has described monetary policy as “somewhat less restrictive”, which means it is yet to return to the neutral rate where it is neither stimulatory or restrictive. That is a good sign for those looking for further rate relief. The forward assumptions about rates (which the RBA takes from the markets, rather than its own forecast) is also lower. Last meeting, the RBA had rates settling at 3.5 per cent, in its statement today, that is now 3.2 per cent. The major banks have already passed on the cuts in full, safe in the knowledge there are more cuts to come. Source link #interest #rates #cut #RBA #delivers #relief #stays #cautious #global #tariff #uncertainty Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

A shipment of thousands of chicks was abandoned in a USPS truck for days. Now a Delaware animal shelter is struggling to care for them A shipment of thousands of chicks was abandoned in a USPS truck for days. Now a Delaware animal shelter is struggling to care for them A Delaware animal shelter is trying to care for and rehome thousands of chicks that survived being left in a postal truck for three days. Trapped in a warm enclosure, without food and water, thousands died before they were discovered. Involved parties are still awaiting answers as to how 12,000 chicks were abandoned within the truck at a Delaware mail distribution center. The United States Postal Service said in an email that it was aware of a process breakdown and was actively investigating what occurred. Pennsylvania-based Freedom Ranger Hatchery raised the chicks for their weekly distribution to clients across the country, said a spokesperson for the company. Due to biosecurity concerns, the hatchery cannot take the chicks back. The spokesperson said it would have been best if USPS, after discovering the chicks, had completed delivery as the recipients would have been adequately equipped to handle the birds — even malnourished ones. For more than two weeks, the surviving chicks have been nursed and cared for at First State Animal Center and SPCA, said John Parana, executive director. Last Tuesday, the shelter began offering the birds for adoption, but only a few hundred out of thousands have been picked up. There is no complete count of the chicks, as the shelter has no feasible way to do so, but Parana estimates there to be more than two thousand available. Some have inquired about buying the birds for meat, but, as a no-kill shelter and SPCA, those were refused. Hundreds of chicks were taken in by First State Animal Center and SPCA in Camden, Delaware. – Mingson Lau/AP The strain has turned the animal care center into a 24/7 operation and necessitated a staffing increase, Parana said. Money remains the biggest concern for the donation-reliant nonprofit. Some employees have begun spending their money to support the operations, he added. Among the birds were young turkeys, geese and quail, but the vast majority were Freedom Ranger chicks. One concern for the shelter, Parana explained, was the increasing demand for space and feed over time, as Freedom Rangers take about ten weeks to reach maturity. The Delaware Department of Agriculture, after a call from USPS, directed the animals to the shelter, which shares a memorandum of understanding with the animal center as a state vendor. The department said it is responsible for assisting the shelter with funds — for chickens, the rate was $5 each per day. The department’s chief of planning, Jimmy Kroon, said negotiations were ongoing, but Parana claims that the department communicated that they had no funds to allocate for the chicks. Both acknowledged the original rate would be unreasonable in the current circumstances. “They said that they’re gonna try to go after the post office to get recoupment,” Parana said. “That doesn’t help us in the meantime.” For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Source link #shipment #thousands #chicks #abandoned #USPS #truck #days #Delaware #animal #shelter #struggling #care Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]