Pelican Press

World Health Organization looks ahead to life without the US World Health Organization looks ahead to life without the US By Jennifer Rigby and Emma Farge LONDON/GENEVA (Reuters) -Hundreds of officials from the World Health Organization will join donors and diplomats in Geneva from Monday with one question dominating their thoughts – how to cope with crises from mpox to cholera without their main funder, the United States. The annual assembly, with its week of sessions, votes and policy decisions, usually showcases the scale of the U.N. agency set up to tackle disease outbreaks, approve vaccines and support health systems worldwide. This year – since U.S. President Donald Trump started the year-long process to leave the WHO with an executive order on his first day in office in January – the main theme is scaling down. “Our goal is to focus on the high-value stuff,” Daniel Thornton, the WHO’s director of coordinated resource mobilisation, told Reuters. Just what that “high-value stuff” will be is up for discussion. Health officials have said the WHO’s work in providing guidelines for countries on new vaccines and treatments for conditions from obesity to **** will remain a priority. One WHO slideshow for the event, shared with donors and seen by Reuters, suggested work on approving new medicines and responding to outbreaks would be protected, while training programmes and offices in wealthier countries could be closed. The United States had provided around 18% of the WHO’s funding. “We’ve got to make do with what we have,” said one Western diplomat who asked not to be named. Staff have been getting ready – cutting managers and budgets – ever since Trump’s January announcement in a rush of directives and aid cuts that have disrupted a string of multilateral pacts and initiatives. The year-long delay, mandated under U.S. law, means the U.S. is still a WHO member – its flag still flies outside the Geneva HQ – until its official departure date on January 21, 2026. Trump – who accused the WHO of mishandling COVID, which it denies – muddied the waters days after his statement by saying he might consider rejoining the agency if its staff “clean it up”. But global health envoys say there has since been little sign of a change of heart. So the WHO is planning for life with a $600 million hole in the budget for this year and cuts of 21% over the next two-year *******. CHINA TAKES LEAD As the United States prepares to exit, China is set to become the biggest provider of state fees – one of the WHO’s main streams of funding alongside donations. China’s contribution will rise from just over 15% to 20% of the total state fee pot under an overhaul of the funding system agreed in 2022. “We have to adapt ourselves to multilateral organisations without the Americans. Life goes on,” Chen Xu, China’s ambassador to Geneva, told reporters last month. Others have suggested this might be a time for an even broader overhaul, rather than continuity under a reshuffled hierarchy of backers. “Does WHO need all its committees? Does it need to be publishing thousands of publications each year?” said Anil Soni, chief executive of the WHO Foundation, an independent fund-raising body for the agency. He said the changes had prompted a re-examination of the agency’s operations, including whether it should be focussed on details like purchasing petrol during emergencies. There was also the urgent need to make sure key projects do not collapse during the immediate cash crisis. That meant going to donors with particular interests in those areas, including pharmaceutical companies and philanthropic groups, Soni said. The ELMA Foundation, which focuses on children’s health in Africa with offices in the U.S., South Africa and Uganda, has already recently stepped in with $2 million for the Global Measles and Rubella Laboratory Network known as Gremlin – more than 700 labs which track infectious disease threats, he added. Other business at the assembly includes the rubber-stamping a historic agreement on how to handle future pandemics and drumming up more cash from donors at an investment round. But the focus will remain on funding under the new world order. In the run up to the event, a WHO manager sent an email to staff asking them to volunteer, without extra pay, as ushers. (Additional reporting by Olivia Le Poidevin; Editing by Andrew Heavens) Source link #World #Health #Organization #ahead #life Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Some ******** companies eye Singapore listings to expand markets amid trade war Some ******** companies eye Singapore listings to expand markets amid trade war A general view shows the Singapore Exchange (SGX) stock exchange building in the central business district in Singapore on April 7, 2020, as the country ordered the closure of all businesses deemed non-essential as well as schools to combat the spread of the COVID-19 novel coronavirus. ROSLAN RAHMAN | AFP via Getty Images At least five companies from mainland China or Hong Kong are planning IPOs, dual listings, or share placements in Singapore in the next 12 to 18 months, four sources said, as ******** firms look to expand in Southeast Asia amid global trade tensions. The companies include a ******** energy company, a ******** healthcare group, and a Shanghai-based biotech group, said the sources, who have direct knowledge of the matter, but declined to be named or to name the firms as the plans are not finalised. The listings would give a boost to Singapore Exchange Ltd (SGX),which, despite being a popular venue for yield plays such as real estate investment trusts, has been struggling to attract mega listings and bolster trading volumes. SGX hosted just four initial public offerings in 2024, according to its website. That compares with 71 new company listings recorded by its rival regional bourse Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Ltd. ******** companies are looking to tap the Singaporean bourse as they look to enter, or expand business in, Southeast Asia amid a trade war with the United States, Jason Saw, investment banking group head at CGS International Securities, said. U.S. President Donald Trump imposed tariffs of 145% on imports of ******** goods, and China in turn raised tariffs on U.S. goods to 125%, before the two sides agreed a 90-day pause last weekend. But uncertainty remains, given the time limit and the Trump administration’s unpredictability. Enquiries about listings on SGX “shot through the roof” after Trump ramped up his trade actions against China, Saw said. “For the next years and decades, gateways from China to the world are going to be more important,” said Pol de Win, senior managing director and head of global sales and origination at SGX. “Singapore is an important gateway, whether it’s trade (or) business activity from China to the outside world, and a listing in Singapore is an important component of that.” De Win did not mention the listing plans of the ******** and Hong Kong firms. ‘Growing interest’ CGS International, a unit of state-owned brokerage China Galaxy Securities, is working with at least two China-based companies to list on the SGX as early as this year, according to Saw. He declined to name the companies. Some of the mainland ******** and Hong Kong companies could raise around $100 million via primary listings in Singapore, said one of the sources. SGX is usually not the first choice for ******** companies eyeing an offshore market debut. Most of them prefer Hong Kong due to Beijing’s support and a large pool of institutional and retail investors more familiar with ******** brands. Beijing’s efforts to boost ties with Southeast Asia, amid escalating tension with Washington, have, however, encouraged some ******** companies to increase their presence in the region, capital market advisers said. The listing plans in Singapore come after the city-state in February announced measures to strengthen its equities market, which included a 20% tax rebate for primary listings, and vowed to unveil a next set of measures in the second half of 2025. The initiatives are set to boost interest in the local IPO market, said Ringo Choi, EY’s Asia Pacific IPO Leader, adding that Singapore’s “political stability and neutral stance” on geopolitical matters should appeal to companies. Not many, however, see Singapore closing its gap with Hong Kong in equity listings in the near future, due to factors including Singapore’s relatively conservative investors and stricter listing requirements. “You need to make it easier for companies, especially technology companies, to list,” said the managing director of a Singapore-based multinational software company, who declined to be named as he was not authorised to speak to the media. “Most of the startups in the region are headquartered in Singapore, so this should be the place they list.” Source link #******** #companies #eye #Singapore #listings #expand #markets #trade #war Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

FDA clears first blood test to reliably predict Alzheimer’s disease – The Hill FDA clears first blood test to reliably predict Alzheimer’s disease – The Hill FDA clears first blood test to reliably predict Alzheimer’s disease The HillFDA endorses first-of-its-kind blood test for Alzheimer’s disease The Washington PostFDA greenlights first blood test to help diagnose Alzheimer’s disease in the US CNNFDA clears first blood test for diagnosing Alzheimer’s statnews.comFDA Clears First Blood Test for Alzheimer’s Diagnosis MedPage Today Source link #FDA #clears #blood #test #reliably #predict #Alzheimers #disease #Hill Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Centrist votes key to Labor’s re-election as moderates desert Coalition on the right experts say Centrist votes key to Labor’s re-election as moderates desert Coalition on the right experts say As Labor begins its second term in government with an increased majority, it can thank voters sticking to the political centre for its success. Source link #Centrist #votes #key #Labors #reelection #moderates #desert #Coalition #experts Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Poll Shows Clear Favorite to Succeed Trump in 2028 Poll Shows Clear Favorite to Succeed Trump in 2028 Nearly half of registered Republicans surveyed by a pollster in May said they would support Vice President JD Vance in a primary to succeed Donald Trump in 2028. A J.L. Partners poll given to the New York Post found that 46 percent of respondents would back Vance, making him the only potential candidate with double-digit support. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis came in a distant second at 8 percent, followed by the Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy at 7 percent. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz each received 6 percent, and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley 5 percent. Pete Buttigieg and Kamala Harris, photographed together in 2022, are the early favorites in the 2028 Democratic presidential primary. / OLIVIER DOULIERY / AFP via Getty Images For Democrats, the poll found the most likely 2028 nominee is former Vice President Kamala Harris, who had 30 percent support, followed by former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who had 8 percent backing. Governors Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania and Gavin Newsom of California came in at 7 percent each, The poll did not consider Trump, 78, as a potential Republican candidate. He will be termed out of office in January 2029, but he and his close allies have signaled he might try to bypass the Constitution and run for office a third time. Vice President JD Vance is typically seated to President Donald Trump’s left when world leaders meet him in the Oval Office. From this seat, Vance berated Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky earlier this year for not being grateful enough for U.S. financial support. / Kevin Mohatt / REUTERS Vance, 40, has fully embraced his place in MAGA despite once detesting Trump, calling the then-candidate “America’s Hitler” in 2016. He has been a staunch Trump defender recently and had his loyalty rewarded by being added to the presidential ticket last summer, just two years after he was first elected to public office. DeSantis, 46, fell out of favor with Trump in 2023 when he campaigned against him in a Republican primary. He may be the most popular candidate for conservatives who do not want to see the MAGA movement continue another four years. Marco Rubio and Ron DeSantis, both from Florida, may face off in the 2028 Republican presidential primary. / CARLO ALLEGRI / REUTERS Rubio, 53, ran against Trump in the 2016 Republican primaries and was insultingly nicknamed “Little Marco” by the current president. Rubio and Trump have since become close allies, with the ex-senator from Florida reportedly landing on Trump’s VP shortlist last summer. He is firmly embedded in MAGA as a top official in the Trump administration, but he is not as bombastic as Trump, Vance, or even DeSantis. Trump said in March that the future of MAGA looked “so strong,” with Rubio and Vance appearing to be the early favorites to get the president’s backing come primary season. “You look at Marco, you look at JD Vance, who’s fantastic,” he told NBC News in an interview on Meet the Press. “You look at—I could name 10, 15, 20 people right now just sitting here. No, I think we have a tremendous party.” Source link #Poll #Shows #Clear #Favorite #Succeed #Trump Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Austria’s JJ wins Eurovision 2025 with ‘Wasted Love’ – CNN Austria’s JJ wins Eurovision 2025 with ‘Wasted Love’ – CNN Austria’s JJ wins Eurovision 2025 with ‘Wasted Love’ CNNEurovision 2025: Austria wins with last-minute vote, as the *** comes 19th BBCAustria’s JJ wins Eurovision Song Contest with pop-opera song ‘Wasted Love’ YahooAustria wins Eurovision – as paint thrown during Israel’s performance Sky NewsAustria’s JJ wins the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 Eurovision Song Contest Source link #Austrias #wins #Eurovision #Wasted #Love #CNN Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Selwood fondly remembered as AFL world mourns Selwood fondly remembered as AFL world mourns More tributes have poured in for Adam Selwood, with the former Eagle remembered fondly before West Coast’s AFL clash with St Kilda on Sunday. Selwood died at the age of 41 in Western Australia on Saturday, just three months after his identical twin and fellow former AFL player Troy Selwood died. Adam and Troy were brothers of Geelong champion Joel Selwood and former Eagles and Cats midfielder Scott Selwood. A minute’s silence was held before Sunday’s match, with the big screens at Optus Stadium displaying a photo of Selwood. West Coast had earlier released a touching tribute on social media featuring some of Selwood’s career highlights. Selwood played 187 games for the Eagles, including the 2006 premiership, before retiring from the AFL in 2013. He joined West Coast’s coaching department after his retirement, before becoming the club’s inaugural head of female football. Selwood was central in the recruiting process that landed key AFLW players such as inaugural captain Emma Swanson and club champion Dana Hooker. All up, Selwood spent 18 years at West Coast, and he is a life member of the club. West Coast’s 2006 premiership coach and current head of football John Worsfold led tributes to Selwood on Saturday. On Sunday, former West Coast coach Adam Simpson and ex-Fremantle skipper Matthew Pavlich were among the high-profile figures to share their thoughts about Selwood. “I had the honour of working with Adam for seven years,” Simpson told Fox Sports. “He started as a development coach in 2014 (after his playing career). He was a fantastic clubman, loyal father and husband. He’s going to be sorely missed. “The West Coast community along with the rest of the AFL is really in mourning today.” Pavlich was full of praise for Selwood – both the player and person. “I played against him. He was a fierce competitor,” Pavlich said. “I always found it really challenging to go up against him. “And off the field we worked together at the Players Association quite a bit, so I got to know how loyal (he was), and how he thought about the game in general. “He’s a special person.” After his death on Saturday, it emerged Selwood planned to honour his twin brother Troy next Sunday by taking part in the HBF Run for a Reason half marathon. He initially set out to raise $10,000 for charity zero2hero by taking part in the run, and the tally sat at more than $32,000 just before bounce-down of Sunday’s match. The WA-based charity aims to educate, engage and empower people to become mental health leaders and help prevent suicide. Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636 Source link #Selwood #fondly #remembered #AFL #world #mourns Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Israeli strikes across Gaza kill at least 66 people, hospitals and medics say Israeli strikes across Gaza kill at least 66 people, hospitals and medics say DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israeli strikes across the Gaza Strip killed at least 66 people overnight and into Sunday, hospitals and medics in the battered enclave said as Israel launches an escalation of its war in the territory, which it says is meant to ramp up pressure on ****** to agree to a temporary ceasefire. The Israeli military had no immediate comment. The Nasser hospital in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis said it received the bodies of 20 people who were killed in multiple overnight airstrikes that hit houses and tents sheltering displaced families in the Muwasi area. In northern Gaza, at least 36 people were killed in multiple strikes, according to first responders from the health ministry and the civil defense. The dead included nine people from a single family who were killed when an airstrike hit their house in the built-up Jabaliya refugee camp, according to the health ministry’s emergency services. Another strike hit the house of the Berawi family, also in Jabaliya, killing 10 people including seven children and a woman, according to the civil defense, which operates under the ******-run government. Among the dead were two parents and their three children and a father and his four children, it said. In central Gaza, at least 10 people were killed in two separate strikes, according to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital in the town of Deir al-Balah. One strike in the Zweida town killed seven people, including two children and four women. The second hit an apartment in Deir al-Balah, killing two parents and their child, the hospital said. Source link #Israeli #strikes #Gaza #kill #people #hospitals #medics Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Live lineup updates, results from 2025 All-Star Race Weekend – NASCAR.com Live lineup updates, results from 2025 All-Star Race Weekend – NASCAR.com Live lineup updates, results from 2025 All-Star Race Weekend NASCAR.comNASCAR at North Wilkesboro: Key information, links, results throughout race weekend NASCAR.com2025 NASCAR All-Star Race: How to watch, full race schedule and more Yahoo SportsNASCAR qualifying: Starting lineup for All-Star Heat races set at North Wilkesboro; Pit Crew Challenge results Hendrick MotorsportsBrad Keselowski, Christopher Bell win NASCAR All-Star heats Motorsport.com Source link #Live #lineup #updates #results #AllStar #Race #Weekend #NASCAR.com Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Moses leads race for NSW jersey as Daley mulls options Moses leads race for NSW jersey as Daley mulls options Mitch Moses is looming as the most likely option NSW’s No.6 jersey, with the Parramatta star firming to partner Nathan Cleary in the halves for State of Origin I. Blues officials will name their squad for the May 28 series opener after Sunday night’s clash between Wests Tigers and Penrith, with several crucial decisions to be made by Laurie Daley. A call on whether to retain Dylan Edwards or revert to James Tedesco at fullback looms as crucial, while there are question marks over the rest of NSW’s backline. But it is the selection squeeze in the halves that has long shaped as the most interesting. Moses and Jarome Luai led the Blues to an historic series win in Brisbane last year, helping overturn a 1-0 series deficit after defeat at home. But Cleary’s return from a hamstring injury that ruled him out of last year’s series has always meant Moses and Luai were realistically fighting over one spot. Moses was close to NSW’s best player in last year’s comeback, while Luai held the advantage of being Cleary’s long-time premiership-winning partner at Penrith. AAP understands Moses is now the likely man to win that battle, after impressing in his four games back from a foot injury at the Eels this year. The Eel’s selection will bring into question how he and Cleary will combine, having never played together before. Both are also dominant halves at their club, stationed on the right-hand side of the field as right-foot kickers. Moses has not played five-eighth regularly since his days at Wests Tigers, having been the chief conductor since his arrival at Parramatta in early 2017. Daley has been handed a number of last-minute headaches as he prepares to name his first Blues team since his last tenure ended in the same year. Newcastle prop Jacob Saifiti is under a serious injury cloud due to a calf issue, after he had appeared likely to be named on the Blues’ bench. Manly lock Jake Trbojevic’s concussion also means he is effectively unavailable, given he would be unable to train until the days before the match while under protocols. Trbojevic was understood to be doing well on Sunday morning after the frightening collision on Saturday night against North Queensland, but still faces a minimum 11-day standown. The incumbent captain’s spot had already been a point of conjecture, after he was Michael Maguire’s pick to lead the team last year. Lock Isaah Yeo, his Penrith teammate Cleary or Bulldogs skipper Stephen Crichton are now considered options to become the Blues’ next captain. Meanwhile, Moses’ Eels teammate Zac Lomax is in a battle to retain his spot on the wing, after admitting this weekend he would be “devastated” to miss out. Jacob Kiraz has been ruled out for a month with a calf injury, ending his chances. But long-term first choice winger Brian To’o, as well as Lomax and Tom Trbojevic, are likely fighting over two spots, assuming NSW pick Latrell Mitchell and Crichton in the centres. AAP has also learned that Reece Robson will keep his spot as hooker, while Mitch Barnett will remain a member of the forward pack. Source link #Moses #leads #race #NSW #jersey #Daley #mulls #options Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Kremlin says a Putin-Trump meeting on Ukraine is essential but needs advance preparation and must yield results Kremlin says a Putin-Trump meeting on Ukraine is essential but needs advance preparation and must yield results MOSCOW (Reuters) -The Kremlin said on Friday that a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump was essential to make progress on Ukraine and other issues, but needed preparation and had to yield results when it happened. Russian and Ukrainian negotiators were meeting in Istanbul on Friday in their first direct peace talks in more than three years, under pressure from Trump to end Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War Two. Wrapping up his Gulf tour earlier on Friday, Trump said he would meet Putin “as soon as we can set it up”, a day after saying that “nothing’s going to happen until Putin and I get together”. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also said on Thursday that the only way a breakthrough in the efforts to end Russia’s war in Ukraine would happen would be through direct talks between Trump and Putin. Asked about Rubio’s comments, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday: “There is no doubt that contacts between President Putin and Trump are important in the context of the Ukrainian negotiations. We, of course, agree with this thesis. The importance of this cannot be overstated.” Putin and Trump have spoken by phone, but not met since Trump returned to the White House in January, despite both leaders expressing their desire for face-to-face talks. Peskov said Moscow wanted a Putin-Trump summit, but that such a meeting needed considerable advance preparation to ensure it was a success. “A summit must be set up. And it must be results-oriented because a summit is always preceded by expert negotiations, consultations, and long and intense preparations, especially if we are talking about a summit between the presidents of the Russian Federation and the United States of America,” he said. “…Such a meeting is certainly necessary. It is necessary both primarily from the point of view of bilateral Russian-U.S. relations and from the point of view of having a serious conversation at the highest level about international affairs and on regional problems, including, of course, about the crisis around Ukraine,” Peskov added. Commenting on the Istanbul talks, Peskov said that the Russian negotiating team was in constant communication with Moscow and that Putin, who was holding a meeting of his Security Council on Friday, was receiving real-time updates. Asked about a Bloomberg report that Washington was proposing to revive the NATO-Russia Council, a forum for military and political dialogue whose work was suspended after Putin sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine in 2022, Peskov said there had been no substantive proposals on the subject. “It is difficult to talk about the resumption of any kind of partnership or any kind of dialogue at a time when NATO, when the North Atlantic Alliance, is practically at war with the Russian Federation,” said Peskov. “Although all issues related to security and stability on the European continent must of course be discussed. And we need to start doing this as soon as possible.” (Reporting by Reuters; Writing by Andrew Osborn, Maxim Rodionov and Anastasia Teterevleva; Editing by Alex Richardson) Source link #Kremlin #PutinTrump #meeting #Ukraine #essential #advance #preparation #yield #results Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Poland presidential election 2025: Polls, results, contenders – Al Jazeera Poland presidential election 2025: Polls, results, contenders – Al Jazeera Poland presidential election 2025: Polls, results, contenders Al JazeeraPolish presidential election to test if PM’s pro-EU vision is Trump-proof ReutersPoles vote for a new president as security concerns loom large AP News‘The same faces, swapping places’: Polish candidates aim to break two-party hold on power The GuardianWhy so much is riding on Poland’s presidential elections The Economist Source link #Poland #presidential #election #Polls #results #contenders #Jazeera Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Hacker’s waterfront home, Mercedes and Bitcoin forfeited in cybercrime probe Hacker’s waterfront home, Mercedes and Bitcoin forfeited in cybercrime probe A waterfront mansion, a luxury car and cryptocurrency – together valued at more than $4.5m – have been seized in a major cybercrime investigation, which led police to a Queensland man once convicted of hacking a US gaming company. The assets were seized by the AFP-led Criminal Assets Confiscation Taskforce (CACT) after being identified as suspected proceeds of crime linked to the theft of cryptocurrency and cyber hacking. The forfeiture brought to a close Operation Gouldian, which began after law enforcement partners in Luxembourg tipped off AUSTRAC in 2018 about suspicious Bitcoin activity. Camera IconThe waterfront Beachmere home forfeited to the Commonwealth after an AFP-led investigation into suspected proceeds of crime, including cryptocurrency theft and cyber hacking. Photo: Supplied/AFP Credit: Supplied Authorities traced the transactions to a Queensland man who had previously been convicted of hacking a U.S. gaming company. Investigators also suspected the man was linked to the 2013 theft of 950 Bitcoin from a French cryptocurrency exchange. Although no criminal charges were laid in Australia, CACT used civil powers available under proceeds of crime laws to freeze and ultimately confiscate the assets. These laws allow action to be taken even when a prosecution is not pursued. In July 2023, the AFP obtained restraining orders over a luxury home in Beachmere, a ****** 2019 Mercedes-Benz sedan, and just less than 25 Bitcoin. Authorities alleged the man’s wealth was not supported by any legitimate income. AFP Commander Jason Kennedy said targeting ******** profits remained a key strategy in tackling cybercrime. “Criminals are driven by greed at the expense of honest Australians and businesses who are losing their hard-earned money to cyber criminals,” he said. “The profits derived from criminal activities are also often used to fund further criminal acts, which is why the AFP works closely with our partners in the CACT to target the proceeds of crime and ensure they are reinvested in the community.” Since July 2019, the taskforce has restrained more than $1.2bn worth of criminal assets, including property, luxury goods, cryptocurrency, and even yachts and fine art. CACT permanently established in 2012 to proactively trace and confiscate criminal wealth. The assets will now be liquidated, with proceeds then placed into the Commonwealth Confiscated Assets Account, where they can be directed by the Attorney-General to support community initiatives such as drug prevention or law enforcement programs. Source link #Hackers #waterfront #home #Mercedes #Bitcoin #forfeited #cybercrime #probe Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Republicans forge their tax bill in Trump’s image, with ‘MAGA accounts’ and more Republicans forge their tax bill in Trump’s image, with ‘MAGA accounts’ and more WASHINGTON (AP) — Days before Republicans unveiled their sweeping tax cut plan, the chairman of the powerful Ways and Means Committee had one last person to consult. He went to the White House, where he and President Donald Trump went over the legislation “line by line.” “He was very happy with what we’re delivering,” said Rep. Jason Smith, a Republican from Missouri. Trump had every reason to be pleased. His imprint is all over on the bill making its way through the House, starting with its title — the “ One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” The legislation realizes many of Trump’s campaign promises, temporarily ending taxes on overtime and tips for many workers, creating a new $10,000 tax break on auto loan interest for American-made cars, and even creating a new tax-free “MAGA account” — a nod to his ”Make America Great Again” movement, but in this case, it means “Money Accounts for Growth and Advancement.” This would contribute $1,000 to children born in his second term. The Trump-inspired contours of the legislative package, months if not years in the making, reflect not only the president’s considerable influence over the Republican Party, but also the hard political realities in the House, where Republicans have only the barest of majorities and often find it difficult to find consensus without Trump’s involvement. Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., effectively owes his job to Trump and has kept in constant contact with him during the negotiations, including during his overseas trip this week. “He’s excited about our forward progress,” Johnson said. “You know, I keep him apprised of the developments, and he’s had a busy time over there in the Middle East, and it’s been good — he’s in good spirits and we’re in good spirits.” The Republican bill runs a whopping 1,116 pages and includes more than $5 trillion in tax cuts, costs that are partially offset by spending cuts elsewhere and other changes in the tax code. The legislation would make permanent the tax cuts from Trump’s first term while reducing funding for programs involving food assistance, college financing and environmental protection. As talks over the bill have progressed, divisions have emerged among Republicans, particularly between fiscal hawks most concerned about federal deficits and others more focused on the impact of cuts back home. That’s where Trump usually comes in, playing the “closer” who turns no votes to yes. “President Trump has gone out of his way to ask us: ‘Are there any members you want me to call? Anybody that you want me to talk to?’ And he calls them right then,” said House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La. “He’s been incredibly hands-on and incredibly helpful at getting the bill to where it is.” Trump’s involvement seems certain to grow as Johnson labors to get the tax package through the House by a self-imposed Memorial Day deadline. Conservatives slowed the process Friday, refusing to advance the tax package out of the House Budget Committee until it includes faster implementation of Medicaid changes and a more wholesale repeal of Biden-era green energy credits. They vowed to hold firm until their demands are met. Trump took notice, applying pressure even before the gavel went down on the failed committee vote. “We don’t need ‘GRANDSTANDERS’ in the Republican Party,” Trump wrote on social media. “STOP TALKING, AND GET IT DONE!” Negotiations were expected to stretch through the weekend, with the Budget Committee reconvening late Sunday night in hopes of a breakthrough. Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala., chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, predicted the tax package will ultimately get over the finish line once Trump — just returning from a tour of the Middle East — starts making calls to skeptical lawmakers. “You may have noticed he likes talking on the telephone,” Rogers said. Added Rep. Tim Burchett of Tennessee, “I think the only way we’re going to get on track with it is with Trump.” The close coordination with Republican leaders stands in stark contrast to Trump’s first term, when the party first enacted a slew of personal and corporate tax breaks. Republicans quickly cobbled that tax package together in late 2017 after a disastrous attempt at fulfilling their central campaign promise — repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act, often referred to as Obamacare. This time, White House aides have been in regular contact with GOP lawmakers as the tax bill progresses through drafts and markups, highlighting programs they aim to overhaul and provisions they’d like to add or cut. The president “is much more engaged in directing what happens than the first time because he and the leadership of Congress in 2017 were not seeing eye-to-eye,” Scalise said. “He didn’t necessarily want health care to be the first thing that was done, and yet it was. This time around we talked a lot before he was sworn in to make sure we were all on the same page.” Trump first began to set the course of the GOP’s current legislative strategy back in January, when he posted to social media that Republicans should pass “one powerful bill” that would tackle all of the party’s priorities instead of splitting the agenda into two packages. Senate Republicans argued for a different approach. They urged quick passage of a bill to provide billions for the Pentagon and Trump’s immigration clampdown, saying a second tax package could wait until later. Trump wavered for a time, giving Republicans on Capitol Hill mixed signals over the best approach. But his original preference for one bill won out in the end, in part because House Republicans insisted their chamber could not do it any other way. Democrats uniformly oppose the package but have little power to stop it from becoming law if Republicans remain unified. As they continue to grapple with the party’s losses in last year’s election, Democrats have worked to mobilize public opposition to the bill, decrying it as a giveaway to the rich paid for with cuts to healthcare and other social services. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., called it “one big, beautiful betrayal.” Republicans, meanwhile, are eager to press ahead and get the tax package to the Senate, with hopes of getting it on Trump’s desk by the Fourth of July. Burchett said that while “everybody rises up in righteous indignation” over the details, Republicans will start “coming to the table” once Trump is fully engaged. “It’s like an NBA basketball game right now,” Burchett said. “Don’t watch the game. Just wait till the last two minutes and then turn on the TV.” ___ Associated Press writer Kevin Freking contributed. Source link #Republicans #forge #tax #bill #Trumps #image #MAGA #accounts Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

New Jersey Transit Strike: Negotiations Resume a Day Earlier Than Expected – The New York Times New Jersey Transit Strike: Negotiations Resume a Day Earlier Than Expected – The New York Times New Jersey Transit Strike: Negotiations Resume a Day Earlier Than Expected The New York TimesNJ Transit strike Day 2: Saturday’s negotiations called ‘constructive’ to resume on Sunday Bergen RecordOpinion | New Jersey Commuters Get Mugged WSJOpinion | New Jersey Can Show How to Take On Public Sector Strikes The New York TimesNew Jersey’s very bad week: A screeching rail system halt and airport meltdown plague the state NBC News Source link #Jersey #Transit #Strike #Negotiations #Resume #Day #Earlier #Expected #York #Times Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

South *********** Police warns of 3m shark at Noarlunga Jetty days after attack on Richard Vinall South *********** Police warns of 3m shark at Noarlunga Jetty days after attack on Richard Vinall A shark has been sighted at the very same spot of a gruesome shark attack just days earlier. The South *********** Police reported on Sunday morning an estimated three-metre shark had been sighted at Noarlunga Jetty, a popular swimming and fishing spot about 33km south of the Adelaide CBD. On Thursday, a shark attacked swimmer Richard Vinall at the jetty, putting him in hospital in a serious condition. Mr Vinall, aged in his 60s, was bitten on the thigh about 9.45am. He was pulled from the water and treated at the scene by paramedics and then taken to Flinders Hospital in a serious condition. The alarming incident follows a spate of shark attacks that have hit South Australia, including fatal attacks. In January, 28-year-old surfer Lance Appleby was taken by a shark at Granites Beach in Streaky Bay in the Eyre Peninsula. Adelaide teenager Khai Cowley was killed in an attack off Ethel Beach in December, 2023. Camera IconAnother shark has been spotted at Port Noarlunga Jetty. Picture Mark Brake Credit: News Corp Australia In October that year, Tod Gendle was killed while he was surfing near Streaky Bay, with a huge 4m great white thought to be the culprit. In May 2023, teacher Simon Baccanello was believed to have been killed by a shark while surfing at Walkers Rock near Ellison on the state’s west coast.On Sunday morning, the South *********** government announced shark patrols along the state’s coastline would be extended until the June long weekend. The government cited “unseasonably warm weather and an increase in shark sightings at popular beaches” for the extension. Fixed-wing surveillance aircraft patrols will continue to monitor beaches on weekenders from North Haven to Rapid Bay, and on the south coast of the Fleurieu Peninsula between Waitpinga Beach, east of Victor Harbor, and the Murray Mouth. Camera IconMultiple shark sightings and a spate of attacks have hit South Australia in the past few months. Nine News Credit: Supplied The aircraft siren has been activated more than 90 times this season, indicating that there were either people in the water or on the beach in the vicinity of the sighting, the government said. Surf Life Saving SA is also rolling out trauma kits and shark sighting boards across regional communities as part of a broader shark mitigation package. “In the coming days, we will be announcing the installation of new shark signage in regional locations as well as the first delivery of trauma kits – all important lifesaving resources and tailored solutions we believe will make a real difference, both for locals and visitors, in these remote coastal communities,” Surf Life Saving SA CEO Damien Marangon said. “We’re also proactively and positively working with State Government on future safety measures to help keep swimmers safe along our metropolitan coastline.” Since November, surveillance aircraft crews have conducted 450 flights and notched 1200 hours in the air. Source link #South #*********** #Police #warns #shark #Noarlunga #Jetty #days #attack #Richard #Vinall Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

A Flight Carrying 200 Passengers Flew From Germany to Spain Without a Pilot A Flight Carrying 200 Passengers Flew From Germany to Spain Without a Pilot A medical emergency and one ill-timed bathroom break combined to create what could have been a disaster for 200 passengers traveling from Spain to Germany. Though the incident occurred last year, details about what could have easily become a disastrous scenario are only just now coming to light following Spanish investigators publishing a full report on the February 2024 event. Related: Another Major Airport Experiences Scary Safety Outage As Business Insider reports, a Lufthansa flight traveling from Frankfurt, Germany to Seville, Spain was left pilot-less for approximately 10 minutes due to unsettling circumstances. As the flight prepared to cross the border into Spain, with about 30 minutes of travel time left, the captain used the opportunity to take a quick bathroom break. When he attempted to re-enter the cockpit eight minutes later, he was unable to do so despite attempting to input the door’s security code five separate times. A flight attendant attempted to assist by using the intercom to contact the first officer, but with no response. While nothing had seemed amiss with the captain’s 38-year-old co-pilot, he reportedly lost consciousness at some point during his superior’s trip to the john. Eventually, the first officer regained consciousness and was able to open the door for the captain—leaving the flight unmanned for an estimated 10 minutes. Related: Woman Allegedly Faked Airport Bomb Threat to Get Back at Ex-Boyfriend The first officer was described as being “pale, sweating, and moving strangely,” so was quickly attended to by the flight crew and a doctor who was onboard. Meanwhile, the captain diverted the flight to Madrid, which was the closest airport, so that the pilot could seek immediate medical attention. According to the investigators’ report, his “sudden and severe incapacitation” was due to a neurological disorder that was known to bring on seizures. Business Insider wrote that, “Investigators recommended that the European Union Aviation Safety Agency tell all airlines about this incident, so they could reassess the risks of one pilot being left alone on the flight deck.” Lufthansa did not respond to Business Insider’s request for comment. Source link #Flight #Carrying #Passengers #Flew #Germany #Spain #Pilot Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Northeastern Minnesotans get first look at burn damage as wildfire threat diminishes – MPR News Northeastern Minnesotans get first look at burn damage as wildfire threat diminishes – MPR News Northeastern Minnesotans get first look at burn damage as wildfire threat diminishes MPR NewsMinnesota as a Refuge From Climate Change? Three Wildfires Show Otherwise. The New York TimesMN wildfires: Camp House fire sees some containment, Jenkins Creek still uncontained FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. PaulSurrounded by a charred landscape, a small cabin sits unscathed Star TribuneCamp House and Jenkins Creek Fires remain at 0% containment kare11.com Source link #Northeastern #Minnesotans #burn #damage #wildfire #threat #diminishes #MPR #News Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

No backdown on product names for EU trade deal: farmers No backdown on product names for EU trade deal: farmers *********** farmers and trade delegates are determined that the ability to use terms such as feta and prosecco won’t be abandoned in exchange for increased access to the European market. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will meet on the sidelines of Pope Leo XIV’s inauguration on Sunday, as free trade negotiations resume in earnest following Donald Trump’s tariffs on US trading partners. Speaking to reporters in Rome, Mr Albanese said *********** producers had a right to use names such as feta and prosecco because of their historical links to the products that they brought to the country as migrants. While he was intent on a deal, he stressed it would not be reached “at any price”. “We’re up for a deal that’s in Australia’s national interest,” Mr Albanese said on Saturday. Trade talks have been in train between Australia and the European bloc for more than a decade but were scrapped in 2023 after the two parties couldn’t come to terms over an EU claim to expand the use of geographical indicators. Australia has agreed to ban winemakers from using the term ‘champagne’ to market their products, which can only be used to refer to sparkling wine produced in the Champagne region in northwest France. But the Europeans want more than 1000 other geographical indicators enforced for products such as feta and prosecco, which *********** producers fear would hurt the industry. The *********** Dairy Products Federation said it supported the government’s work to secure fair and forward-looking trade agreements. But “anti-competitive” restrictions on terms like ‘feta’ and ‘parmesan’ would result in lost sales and new compliance costs harming local jobs, investment, and consumer choice, said the federation’s executive chair John Williams. “These aren’t just names on packaging. They’re built on decades of effort by *********** businesses, many founded by families with European heritage,” he said. *********** negotiators have argued it is reasonable for farmers to use the everyday terms, as they represent varieties rather than European regions. The EU ambassador to Australia, Gabriele Visentin, signalled the bloc was open to compromise, telling the Sydney Morning Herald there was a greater imperative to boost free trade given the current trade disruptions. The EU is Australia’s third largest two-way trading partner, purchasing more than $25 billion in *********** exports in 2022/23. But European tariff quotas constrain *********** exports, with agricultural products especially impacted. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade says a free trade agreement could open up a market of 446 million people to *********** goods and services. Source link #backdown #product #names #trade #deal #farmers Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Arab leaders toughen denunciations of Israel as it ramps up Gaza bombing Arab leaders toughen denunciations of Israel as it ramps up Gaza bombing By Ahmed Rasheed and Moayed Kenany BAGHDAD (Reuters) -Arab leaders at a summit in Baghdad called on Saturday for an immediate end to the war in Gaza, accusing Israel in starker language of trying to drive the Palestinians out of the enclave altogether after it ramped up its bombing campaign. Israel has killed hundreds of Palestinians since Thursday in one of the deadliest waves of bombardment since a truce collapsed in March, even as U.S. President Donald Trump wrapped up a Middle East tour on Friday. Egyptian President Abdel-****** al-Sisi, whose country is one of the main mediators in Gaza peace talks, described Israel’s actions as “systematic crimes” aimed at “obliterating and annihilating” the Palestinians and “ending their existence in the Gaza Strip”. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, the summit’s host, said Israel was engaged in genocide. U.N Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who addressed the summit, said “nothing justifies the collective punishment of the ************ people”. After a six-week ceasefire, Israel imposed a total blockade of Gaza and resumed its military campaign in March. It blames ****** fighters for harm to civilians for operating among them, which ****** denies. Israel’s declared goal is the elimination of the military and governmental capabilities of ******, which attacked Israeli communities on October 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 people and seizing more than 250 hostages. The military campaign has devastated the tiny, crowded enclave, pushing nearly all its 2.3 million inhabitants from their homes and killing more than 53,000 people, according to Gaza health authorities. Israel faces growing international pressure to resume ceasefire talks and allow food and medical supplies into Gaza. UN aid chief Tom Fletcher asked the Security Council this week if it would act to “prevent genocide”. Iraq’s prime minister announced the creation of a fund to help reconstruct Arab states after war, with an initial pledge of $20 million each for Gaza and Lebanon, where swathes of the south were destroyed last year in an Israeli campaign against the Hezbollah group. (Reporting by Ahmed Rasheed and Moayed KenanyWriting by Timour AzhariEditing by Peter Graff) Source link #Arab #leaders #toughen #denunciations #Israel #ramps #Gaza #bombing Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

UFC Vegas 106: Michael Morales continues ascent with 1st-round TKO of Gilbert Burns – Yahoo Sports UFC Vegas 106: Michael Morales continues ascent with 1st-round TKO of Gilbert Burns – Yahoo Sports UFC Vegas 106: Michael Morales continues ascent with 1st-round TKO of Gilbert Burns Yahoo SportsMain Card Results | UFC Fight Night: Burns vs Morales UFC.comMorales puts division on notice with TKO of Burns ESPNUFC Vegas 106 Burns vs. Morales: Best Bets, Odds and Predictions VSiNUFC Fight Night 256 live updates: Results, round-by-round coverage of every fight MMA Junkie Source link #UFC #Vegas #Michael #Morales #continues #ascent #1stround #TKO #Gilbert #Burns #Yahoo #Sports Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Fortnite unavailable on iPhones globally after Apple rejects App Store release | Fortnite Fortnite unavailable on iPhones globally after Apple rejects App Store release | Fortnite Epic Games says Fortnite is now unavailable on iPhones and iPads globally because Apple blocked a bid to release the popular video game in the App Store in the US and Europe. “Apple has blocked our Fortnite submission so we cannot release to the US App Store or to the Epic Games Store for iOS in the European Union,” the X account for Fortnite posted early Friday – claiming that Apple’s move would now prevent the game’s iOS availability around the world. “Sadly, Fortnite on iOS will be offline worldwide until Apple unblocks it,” Fortnite said. In a statement sent to the Associated Press, Apple said it had specifically asked Epic Sweden to resubmit the app update “without including the US storefront of the App Store so as not to impact Fortnite in other geographies”. But, the company added, it “did not take any action to remove the live version of Fortnite from alternative distribution marketplaces”. Fortnite’s exile from the iPhone app store is the latest twist in a years-long feud between Apple and Epic. Back in 2020, the video game maker filed an antitrust lawsuit against Apple in the US, alleging the technology trendsetter was illegally using its power to gouge game makers. After a month-long trial in 2021, district judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers ruled against most of Epic’s claims, but ordered Apple to loosen its previously exclusive control over the payments made for in-app commerce and allow links to alternative options in the US for the first time – threatening to undercut sizeable commissions that Apple had been collecting from in-app transactions for more than a decade. After exhausting an appeal that went all the way to the US supreme court, Apple last year introduced a new system that opened the door for links to alternative payment options while still imposing a 27% commission on in-app transactions executed outside its own system. skip past newsletter promotion A weekly dive in to how technology is shaping our lives Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain info about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. For more information see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. after newsletter promotion Epic fired back by alleging Apple was thumbing its nose at the legal system, reviving another round of court hearings that lasted nearly a year before Gonzalez Rogers delivered a stinging rebuke last month – which held Apple in civil contempt and banned the company from collecting any commission on alternative payment systems. That ruling cleared the way for Epic to finally return to the iPhone app store in the US, a reinstatement the video game maker was anticipating before Apple’s latest move. Fortnite’s availability in the EU, meanwhile, was set to go in an alternative store for iPhone users – now called the Epic Games Store. Apple cleared the way for it last year under new regulatory pressures. Source link #Fortnite #unavailable #iPhones #globally #Apple #rejects #App #Store #release #Fortnite Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Will Romania vote take country away from European mainstream? Will Romania vote take country away from European mainstream? Sarah Rainsford Eastern Europe correspondent Reporting fromTeleorman County, RomaniaEPA-EFE/Shutterstock A woman walks past a billboard displaying posters of presidential candidates Nicusor Dan (left) and George Simion (right) in Bucharest When Romania’s presidential election was annulled late last year after claims of Russian interference, a far-right conspiracy theorist was blocked from the top job. Many Romanians were deeply relieved; many others were angry their votes had been stolen. But six months later, with the country back at the ballot box, another hard-right Euro-sceptic is in the running for president. George Simion won the first round of the new elections on 4 May by a large margin. Now the former football casual turned nationalist politician is facing off against Nicusor Dan, the liberal mayor of Bucharest. It’s a vote that could see Romania, a member of both Nato and the European Union (EU), take a sharp turn away from the European mainstream. Both candidates cast their votes on Sunday morning, with Simion saying he had voted for the future “that should be decided only by Romanians, for Romanians and for Romania”. While Dan told reporters he was voting for “collaboration with our European partners and not for an isolation of Romania”. The polls have been too close to call. Teleorman county is one of Romania’s poorest areas and has been solidly social-democrat territory for many years. But earlier this month, 57% of voters here chose Simion for president in the first round of voting. Petre Filip shows his original packaging machine, which now stands in the lobby as a reminder of the early days A couple of hours’ drive south-west from Bucharest, entry to the region is announced in blue letters on a rusty metal arch over the main road. The streets are lined with wild poppies, not campaign posters for the candidates. There’s no obvious sign of the elections. But social media feeds on people’s phones are full of political content. The latest clip to go viral features a folk fantasy world of embroidered tops, prayers and bears and has the slogan “I choose Romania”. “It was an anti-system, anti-mainstream vote,” is how Felicia Alexandru of Aperio Intelligence explains the nationwide surge of support for the far-right candidate in the first round. After more than three decades of the same parties dominating politics, frustration with corruption and poor performance has been building. “People are so unhappy with what happened in high level politics, this is a vote against that,” Felicia says. The protest vote is not confined to the poorest or most disaffected. The Comalat dairy firm is unrecognisable from the business Petre Filip launched 25 years ago. Back then, he would set out at 05:00 every day in his Dacia to drive round farms buying up milk. Then, each evening, he hand-delivered the cheese and yoghurt produced by his three workers to clients. His old packaging machine now stands in the lobby as a reminder of the early days. But Petre has since been granted €1.5m (£1.3m; $1.7m) in EU funding to modernise and expand his business. It’s money he never has to pay back. “That was a really, really good thing for us,” the businessman enthuses, showing off a production line of glistening metal machines in several rooms. He employs more than 50 staff. Mihaela argues that George Simion is “on the side of Romanians” “I like George Simion,” staff member Mihaela announces with a smile, while squeezing liquid from big clumps of curd cheese. She shrugs when I mention the fear in Brussels that he would make EU-Romania relations very turbulent. “He’s on the side of Romanians. He’s for the people. To create jobs and better lives,” Mihaela replies. Simion talks a lot about “making Romania great again”, echoing the MAGA politicians in the US he so admires. He has the same isolationist approach, too: Romania first, in everything. When pushed, he has called Russian President Vladimir Putin a war criminal for his invasion of Ukraine. But like Donald Trump, he has also pledged to end military aid to Kyiv and he’s left the future of Ukraine’s vital grain exports via Romania unclear. Simion has been banned from Ukraine and Moldova for calling for territory there to be part of Romania. In his latest outbursts this week, he called his election opponent an “autistic, poor guy”. He also accused French President Emmanuel Macron of having “dictatorial tendencies”. Mr Filip says Simion is “far too impulsive” to be president, driven “by hormones not his brain”. But he is so disillusioned by the whole scene he’s inclined not to vote at all. Just up the road in Roșiori de Vede, they are discussing the elections too – and fretting. Roxana says she likes how Nicusor Dan has managed Bucharest as mayor Roxana runs a factory making work uniforms, including for the military in another EU country. Her clients have been calling wondering whether Romania is about to vote for a “pro-Russian” president. “They want to know whether their orders are safe!” she laughs. Roxana herself plans to vote for the man people here refer to by his first name, Nicusor, because she likes how he’s managed Bucharest as mayor. She’s also deeply disturbed by what she calls Simion’s “hooligan” behaviour. “It’s such a bad image for Romania in Europe. I am ashamed,” Roxana says, recalling the candidate’s insults about Macron this week. In another recent incident, Simion threatened to ********* assault a female MP, calling her a pig. “Compare that with a person who won the International Mathematics Olympiad,” Roxana says, referring to a competition Dan won in the 1980s. He went on to get a doctorate from the Sorbonne. Ahead of the second-round vote, Roxana and her friend Andrea have been involved in a grassroots initiative to persuade voters to back Dan. “I’ve tried to say why Simion’s plan is unfeasible but I don’t think I’ve been super successful,” Andrea admits, and says she’s “very worried”. “I see what people are saying online and they really believe in Simion and think he’s going to shake everything up and take down the system. “They think it’s all bad, but it’s not.” Her own candidate, Dan, is emphatically pro-EU and pro-Nato, and his campaign slogan is “honesty”. “I don’t promise miracles,” is his modest election pledge. “But I promise I will fight.” If that fight fails, and Simion wins, he won’t be the only hard-right candidate at the forefront of Romanian politics. Much of his support comes from those who originally voted for Calin Georgescu, the fringe figure who won the first election in November before it was cancelled on national security grounds. The two men have often appeared side-by-side since then, and Simion has pledged to make Georgescu prime minister if he’s elected. It’s unclear how that could work, given that he was accused of benefiting from “massive” and “aggressive” meddling by Moscow. “If Simion wins then there will be chaos in politics from Monday,” Roxana predicts, including for the economy. “The question is whether he stays in the shadow of Georgescu, or completely changes perspective,” Felicia agrees. “Is this a campaign strategy, or what he believes in?” Source link #Romania #vote #country #European #mainstream Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Vintage Sports Car Club of WA: New headquarters open as car enthusiasts build memories and pass on traditions Vintage Sports Car Club of WA: New headquarters open as car enthusiasts build memories and pass on traditions Barry Macintosh doesn’t remember how much the parcel of land in Hillarys was worth in 1939, when his father traded it for an idle race car but he treasures the years of memories that followed. Source link #Vintage #Sports #Car #Club #headquarters #open #car #enthusiasts #build #memories #pass #traditions Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Computex 2025: live from the world’s biggest computing event Computex 2025: live from the world’s biggest computing event Refresh 2025-05-18T06:44:13.683Z (Image credit: Computex / Future) If you’re wondering what I’m looking forward to seeing at Computex 2025, then check out my article on what I expect to see. Spoiler alert: I think there’s going to be A LOT of AI. 2025-05-15T09:45:51.633Z Matt Hanson reporting in! I’ve arrived in Taipei and ready to see what Computex 2025 has in store. Source link #Computex #live #worlds #biggest #computing #event Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]