Researchers unveil unprecedented satellite that will have to be turned off when it floats over the US: ‘This was a pity’
Researchers unveil unprecedented satellite that will have to be turned off when it floats over the US: ‘This was a pity’
Determined to measure how much carbon Earth’s forests capture, the European Space Agency and Airbus have developed the Biomass satellite.
Launched on April 29, Biomass uses the P-band of the radio spectrum — usually banned for satellites — to gather its info, ABC News reported.
Biomass is the first satellite of its kind and will be in orbit for about five years. Before its development, scientists had no direct way to measure how much carbon forests absorb.
“To measure biomass, you need to cut the tree down and weigh it, which is why we use indirect measuring systems,” mission manager Klaus Scipal told MIT Technology Review.
So, why use P-band to make more direct measurements? According to MIT Technology Review, its large wavelengths are best for measuring trunks and large branches, where trees store most of their carbon.
However, this came at a cost. Large P-band satellites tend to interfere with reconnaissance satellites. Because of this, manufacturers have to turn off Biomass’ radar when it flies over North America and Europe.
Watch now: Giant snails invading New York City?
“This was a pity,” Scipal told MIT Technology Review. “It’s a European mission, so we wanted to do observations in Europe.”
Still, this isn’t the worst setback. One of the main goals is to measure forests that scientists have little information on, including the Amazon rainforest in South America. The info provided by Biomass will be a critical step forward. If scientists know exactly how trees’ carbon storage is affected by humans, then policymakers can take the steps necessary to adjust.
This is part of the larger fight to slow the planet’s rapid warming, which is mostly caused by unprecedented amounts of carbon in the atmosphere. According to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, “the annual rate of increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide over the past 60 years is about 100 times faster than previous natural increases.”
That’s because humans put more carbon into the atmosphere than Earth’s forests or oceans can store. This leads to a domino effect, causing more extreme weather that destroys people’s homes and hikes insurance rates, for example.
The ESA isn’t the only organization looking for hard data on planetary warming. The Forest Stewardship Council makes sure companies using wood products sustainably manage their trees without deforesting or destroying ecosystems.
The data the Biomass satellite provides will be nothing short of a game-changer. “This new mission will advance our ability to quantify forest carbon stocks and fluxes, which is key to understanding and assessing the impacts of climate change,” project manager Michael Fehringer stated.
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Audio released of Biden interview with special counsel who described him as an ‘elderly man with a poor memory’ – CNN
Audio released of Biden interview with special counsel who described him as an ‘elderly man with a poor memory’ – CNN
Audio released of Biden interview with special counsel who described him as an ‘elderly man with a poor memory’ CNNExclusive: Biden-Hur special counsel audio exposes memory lapses AxiosBiden White House Ripped After Robert Hur Audio Revealed: ‘Scandal’ NewsweekAudio reveals Joe Biden’s memory lapses during 2023 investigation BBCAudio Clip of Biden Special Counsel Interview Is Released, Showing Verbal Stumbles The New York Times
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New Liberal leader loses mum days after historic win
New Liberal leader loses mum days after historic win
The mother of newly appointed opposition leader Sussan Ley has died only days after watching her daughter make history.
Ms Ley’s mother, Angela Braybrooks, died early on Saturday morning after going into end-of-life care in the NSW border town of Albury.
Four days earlier, the longstanding MP for the seat of Farrer was voted leader of the Liberal Party following its crushing defeat at the May 3 election.
She became the first woman to lead the federal opposition and the first to head her party at a national level after former leader Peter Dutton lost his seat.
Ms Ley said she and her family felt the loss of her mother deeply, describing the former mental health nurse as someone who helped many people during her life.
“She taught me the values of resilience, self-reliance and persistence,” she said in a statement.
“Growing up in wartime Britain, Angela could never have dreamed that her daughter would become Australia’s first female leader of the opposition, but because of her, that happened this week.”
Ms Ley added that it was a gift to spend one final Mother’s Day with her mum on Sunday, while on Tuesday Ms Braybrooks was able to watch her daughter ascend to the Liberal leadership.
“Whilst mum was no longer verbal, she watched every moment of my press conference,” she said.
“As I walked back into her room that afternoon, her eyes lit up with excitement. It was a moment I will treasure, forever.”
Ms Braybrooks had earlier been told by the family’s parish priest that she needed to “hang on” for a special moment in her daughter’s life.
Ms Ley, who served as deputy Liberal leader under Mr Dutton, defeated former shadow treasurer Angus Taylor by 29 votes to 25 in the partyroom ballot.
Her appointment follows the party’s worst electoral result in the post-war era.
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Toyota Is Finally Making the EV the Car Market Sorely Needs
Toyota Is Finally Making the EV the Car Market Sorely Needs
Toyota’s second pure EV for America plays more to the brand’s adventurous spirit while filling a notable hole in the current EV landscape.
The front of the Toyota bZ Woodland EV shown head-on against an illustrated background of pin tree tops
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It’s hard not to admire Toyota’s remarkable portfolio of vehicles, though, in full disclosure, my first car was a Toyota Tacoma, so feel free to call me biased if you want.
On one side, with all apologies to rare exceptions like the newly revealed Corolla Hatchback FX Edition, it’s a brand known for making some of the most pragmatic (and yes, often staid) sedans and vans ever to grace the asphalt in the Camry, Corolla, and Sienna.
Yet the same company also makes other vehicles, like the Tacoma (and Hilux!), 4Runner, and iconic Land Cruiser, which passionate, hard-core off-roading enthusiasts revere as some of the most badass, drive-through-hell-and-back rides in existence.
The newly revealed Toyota bZ Woodland EV is clearly optimized for quick weekend adventures that are not too far from home. – Credit: Toyota
It’s the cultural equivalent of Michael Bay being a maestro of action movies and rom-coms—nay, foreign documentary shorts—or Patrick Mahomes being equally elite in football and figure skating.
You just don’t often see a singular entity master such two disparate fields so completely.
A Different Kind of EV Bet
I’m belaboring the point because when the company had to game-plan its first mass-produced EV in North America, it’s easy to imagine leadership facing a difficult question.
The bZ Woodland is nearly 6 inches longer than Toyota’s first EV in America, the bZ4, and offers 8.3 inches of ground clearance, good enough to pass over semi-prominent trail features. – Credit: Toyota
Do we release a vehicle that aligns with our pragmatic or passionate side? Or do we thread the needle and aim for the narrow zone somewhere in between, as in the case of one of the brand’s other all-time great vehicles, the RAV4?
I can’t speak to what the company ultimately aimed for. Yet, a quick survey of the automotive media’s reaction to the Toyota bZ4X, which launched in 2022, suggests it didn’t quite hit any mark, at least not neatly in the center.
“Toyota’s newly announced bZ Woodland SUV feels like a much stronger bet in the direction of the brand’s deep roots in making versatile, value-oriented adventure vehicles, which the EV market is sorely missing right now.”
However, Toyota’s newly announced bZ Woodland SUV feels like a much stronger bet in the direction of the brand’s deep roots in making versatile, value-oriented adventure vehicles, which the EV market is sorely missing right now.
Don’t Be Fooled By the Name
You might think the bZ Woodland is simply a unique name for a particular configuration of the existing bZ4X, and you’d be wrong.
It’s a brand-new vehicle, though it has much in common with the original bZ4X. The vehicle’s “hammerhead” front facia and lights are the clearest tie-ins, along with a heavy dose of ****** plastic along the wheel wells.
Subaru’s upcoming Trailseeker is actually the more accurate comp since it shares the same platform.
Geared Towards Adventure
An image of the Toyota bZ Woodland EV driving away down a direct road fast with bikes on the roof
Like the Trailseeker and Subaru’s category-defining Outback, the bZ Woodland leans more towards adventurous pursuits than almost every other mid-sized EV crossover/SUV currently on the market, short of perhaps Jeep’s Wagoneer S.
It ships with raised roof rails and special 18-inch wheels that can pair with all-terrain tires. It’s also nearly 6 inches longer than the bZ4 and offers 8.3 inches of ground clearance, good enough to pass over semi-prominent trail features.
“It ships with raised roof rails and special 18-inch wheels that can pair with all-terrain tires. It’s also nearly 6 inches longer than the bZ4 and offers 8.3 inches of ground clearance, good enough to pass over semi-prominent trail features.
That figure is significantly higher than the max 5.7 inches the Ford Mach E offers or the 6.1 inches of the Hyundai Ioniq 5. In fact, it’s just shy of the 8.4 – 8.6 inches offered by various RAV4 trims.
The vehicle’s towing capacity is also 3,500 lb, which matches that of RAV4s with ******* engines, the Tesla Model Y and 2025 Subaru Outback. It’s also notably higher than that of the Ioniq 5 and Mach E (which isn’t recommended for towing in the U.S.).
Simple & Techie
At launch, the bZ Woodland will be available only in a single trim, which should keep the buying process simple (and production costs down). – Credit: Toyota
At launch, the bZ Woodland will be available only in a single trim. A premium package can add a better sound system, a pano glass roof, vented front seats, and a more energy-efficient infrared-based radiant heating system.
The photos show a fine and functional interior for a human living in 2025. The seats are SofTex-trimmed. A 14-inch infotainment screen dominates the center and supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Standard panoramic and multi-terrain view capabilities should help with squeezing into tighter spaces.
A dual wireless smartphone charger is also a welcome addition. Four USB-C ports are placed throughout, too.
An image of the Toyota bZ Woodland interior shown from below the passenger seat looking up at the windshield and driver’s seat.
Speaking of phones, the car’s ***********, *****, rear hatch, and core temperature controls like the heat seaters/ventilation, defroster, and steering wheel heater can all be activated remotely using the Toyota app and even synced to a schedule. A user’s phone can also serve as a digital key to the vehicle. The car can even function as a 4G wireless AT&T hotspot for up to four devices with a subscription.
The bZ Woodland also comes standard with Toyota’s Safety Sense 3.0 suite, which includes features like pre-collision avoidance, lane departure alerts, dynamic cruise control, lane tracing and road sign assist, automatic high beams, and proactive driving assist.
Range and Performance
Toyota states the bZ Woodland will offer up to 260 miles, which isn’t particularly impressive, though it’s on par with the standard version of the Ford Mach E and Hyundai Ioniq 5. – Credit: Toyota
You can’t talk about EVs without discussing range. Toyota states the bZ Woodland will offer up to 260 miles, which isn’t particularly impressive given the vehicle’s seemingly “get out there” ethos. That said, it matches the range of baseline versions of Ford’s Mach E and the Hyundai Ioniq 5.
It features a North American Charging System (NACS) port and can jump from 10 – 80% power after 30 minutes of DC charging.
Traction-wise, the vehicle features a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system with a grip-control function that Toyota says provides “motor drive power modulation to achieve capable off-road performance.” Toyota pegs the combined system output at 375 hp.
An Intriguing MixThe bZ Woodland’s most significant competitor for outdoorsy-minded buyers interested in switching to a full EV will likely be the recently revealed Trailseeker. In many ways, it’s just a Subaru-flavored version of the same vehicle. – Credit: Toyota
Taken as a whole, the bZ Woodland fills an obvious hole in the current EV landscape.
Its additional ground clearance, roof rails, all-wheel drive, and wagon silhouette make it much more capable of tackling lighter weekend adventures closer to home, like ski trips or mountain biking excursions right off the lot, than nearly any other mid-range EV at this price range.
“Taken as a whole, the bZ Woodland fills an obvious hole in the current EV landscape.”
But it still seems to provide all the comforts and conveniences you’d want from a smaller mid-sized EV around town.
Its main competitor for outdoorsy-minded buyers interested in switching to a full EV is the recently revealed Trailseeker. In many ways, it’s just a Subaru-flavored version of the same vehicle.
A close-up of the back rear wheel well of the Toyota bZ Woodland EV
The upcoming Rivian R3 is another vehicle that could meet a similar balance of needs, albeit with a different body style. But that vehicle may not hit the market until 2027.
Neither brand can match Toyota’s reputation for reliability, value, performance, or ground footprint in terms of local dealership presence.
Pricing and Availability
The bZ Woodland will arrive in the U.S. in “early 2026”.
Toyota hasn’t yet shared official pricing for the Z Woodland. Still, it’s safe to estimate that the vehicle will land near or around the high $40 to $50k range based on comps to the current bZ4X – presuming U.S. tariffs don’t dramatically impact our rough math.
The Toyota bZ Woodland EV in a light brown color shown driving fast down a dirt road at an angle with a roof rack carrying bikes.
2026 Toyota bZ WoodlandAbout the Author: Ben Bowers is the Co-Founder and Chief Content Officer of Gear Patrol. Throughout his tenure in media, Ben has written and reported on everything from consumer tech to ********, watches, cars, camping, and personal style. These days, he gets to write less than he’d like to.
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Israeli military says it has launched first stages of major offensive in Gaza, same day Trump leaves region with no deal – CNN
Israeli military says it has launched first stages of major offensive in Gaza, same day Trump leaves region with no deal – CNN
Israeli military says it has launched first stages of major offensive in Gaza, same day Trump leaves region with no deal CNNIsrael expands attacks in Gaza and Yemen as Trump wraps up trip to region AP NewsMore than 100 Palestinians are killed in Gaza in a day of Israeli airstrikes NPRIsrael ramps up attacks on Gaza as Trump leaves region without a deal The Washington PostIAF strikes over 150 Gaza terror targets, ground forces expand operations The Jerusalem Post
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Celtic urge fans not to attend unofficial title party
Celtic urge fans not to attend unofficial title party
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An estimated 25,000 Celtic fans attended an informal gathering at the Trongate last year after the club lifted the Scottish Premiership trophy
Celtic are urging its fans not to take part in an unofficial “title party” in Glasgow after the last game of the Scottish Premiership season.
Thousands of supporters are expected to descend on the Merchant City and Trongate areas of the city on Saturday after the club lift the league trophy following the game against St Mirren at Celtic Park.
But Celtic have now asked fans not to attend due to safety fears and concerns from local residents and city officials.
Previous gatherings have attracted anti-social behaviour, damage and disruption to the local area.
The gatherings are not supported by Police Scotland or Glasgow City Council, which has said similar previous unofficial events “robbed the public purse” and described them as “disruptive”.
The expected unofficial celebrations will come on the same day a major Orange walk has been arranged to take place in the city, though it starts in the morning.
This has been criticised by police unions, who have suggested there to will be around 500 police officers on duty in Glasgow city centre on Saturday.
A Celtic spokesperson said: “While previous celebrations involving Celtic fans have been well intentioned, unfortunately, as local community stakeholders have made clear in recent weeks, some of these have led to severe congestion and difficulties for emergency services, residents and local businesses.
“Further, without the planning, facilities and infrastructure of an organised, licensed event, the number of supporters present at previous gatherings has become so great that the safety of fans has also become an issue of real concern.
“For all of these reasons, the club would encourage supporters not to attend unlicensed large public gatherings, which do not have safety planning, facilities or infrastructure for supporters attending.”
Council clean-up crews worked through the night to remove litter, glass and debris at Trongate last year
Last year’s gathering resulted in 19 arrests, injuries to four police officers and a massive clean-up operation the following day.
Tricia Fort, chairwoman of Calton Community Council, said previous gatherings had been “hellish” for some people who live around the Trongate and Glasgow Cross areas.
She said: “People who live at Glasgow Cross are moving out (for the day) because it has been so bad before.
“The city council say they can’t do anything because nobody has asked them to arrange an alternative, such as Glasgow Green.
“The police are sort of left in the middle and Celtic effectively refuse to organise anything for their supporters – I firmly think they should be arranging a celebration for the fans. The club need to accept their responsibility and step up to the plate.”
A Celtic spokesperson said the club had been “trying for some time” to come to an alternative arrangement with city officials which might allow for a “more suitable venue for celebratory events away from Celtic Park”.
‘Shocked and surprised’
Glasgow City Council has said it has received no suggestion of any potential risks from the orange walk taking place in the city after consulting with Police Scotland.
But David Kennedy, General Secretary of the Scottish Police Federation, which represents rank and file officers, said he “can’t understand why the planners allowed this to happen” on the same day as the expected unofficial gathering.
He said: “I’m shocked and surprised that Glasgow City Council is allowing what is happening tomorrow in Glasgow.
“It will be very difficult for the police – sunny days, high celebrations and alcohol is a great mix for the people who are there but not for those who have to police it.
“Football is a big thing in Scotland, a big thing in Glasgow and we should have proper fan zones so they can go and celebrate and be safe.”
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Adam Selwood: West Coast premiership star Adam Selwood passes away just months after twin brother Troy
Adam Selwood: West Coast premiership star Adam Selwood passes away just months after twin brother Troy
West Coast premiership star Adam Selwood has passed away, just three months after the tragic loss of his twin brother Troy.
The AFL confirmed the news in a statement on Saturday morning, attributed to Fiona Selwood and the Selwood family.
“We are heartbroken by the passing of Adam earlier today. Words cannot express the grief and sadness we feel,” the statement read.
“Adam was a loving husband, and an incredible father to Lenny and Billie. We are devastated to lose such a wonderful husband, father, son and brother.
“We will miss Adam deeply—his spirit, his kindness, and the joy he brought to every room. His determination, the lessons he shared, and his infectious personality will stay with us always.
Camera IconGEELONG, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 14: (L-R) Joel Selwood, Adam Selwood and Scott Selwood embrace during Troy Selwood’s ******** Service at GMHBA Stadium on February 14, 2025 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images) Credit: Michael Willson/AFL Photos/AFL Photos via Getty Images
“Adam had a unique ability to make people feel special, and our family was lucky to experience that every day.
“We kindly ask for privacy as we navigate this difficult time.”
Adam, who played 187 games for the Eagles, including the 2005 premiership, was just 41.
More to come.
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Scientists Just Uncovered a New Dementia Warning Sign—It’s More Common Than You Think
Scientists Just Uncovered a New Dementia Warning Sign—It’s More Common Than You Think
If you’ve ever felt like you’re so sleepy you’re about to take a snooze standing up (or sitting at your desk around the 3 pm slump), you’re not alone. It’s normal to feel wiped out sometimes, especially when your life is really busy or have let your sleep hygiene slide. But feeling consistently tired can be a sign that something is seriously off with your health.
In fact, scientists have discovered that in older adults, this type of excessive sleepiness could be a warning sign for dementia, according to new research. Of course, it’s important to stress that it’s normal to feel tired on some level as you get older, which makes these findings a little complicated. (TLDR: Don’t panic if your grandma likes her afternoon naps—she has earned them! And getting older causes a lot of wear and tear on the body that requires rest.)
Here’s what the study found, plus what’s behind this link.
Meet the expert: Clifford Segil, DO, a neurologist at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, CA.
What did the study find?
The study, which was published in the journal Neurology, used sleep trackers to watch the sleep patterns (including naps) of 733 women in their 80s. During the roughly five-year follow-up *******, 164 of the women developed mild cognitive impairment, which is a noticeable change in memory and thinking skills, and 93 were diagnosed with dementia.
The researchers discovered that people who had large jumps in sleepiness over time, including excessive napping, had double the risk of developing dementia. As a result, the researchers concluded that changes in sleep patterns may be an “early marker” or risk factor for dementia in older women.
Why is sleepiness linked with dementia?
It’s not entirely clear. “If you ask two different neurologists, you may get two different answers as we still don’t know the reason we sleep,” says Clifford Segil, DO, a neurologist at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, CA.
However, Dr. Segil points out that sleep is linked to memory consolidation (where short-term memories become long-term memories) and good health overall. “Getting a good night’s sleep is more important for octogenarians—people in their 80s—than a good daytime nap,” he says.
Dr. Segil notes that poor sleep is linked to trouble consolidating memories in younger people, and that probably gets worse with age. “Memory retrieval is likely affected by poor sleep in elderly patients,” he says. So, if someone is not sleeping well, it could impact their memory, especially if this is a consistent issue.
Could it be a sign of something else?
Yup, feeling consistently tired can be linked with a range of health issues. “Daytime sleepiness is most often associated with a condition called obstructive sleep apnea, whose main symptoms is daytime sleepiness or non-restorative sleep,” Dr. Segil says.
But narcolepsy, anemia, depression, and certain vitamin deficiencies can also cause you to feel tired during the day, making this an important thing to get checked out.
What are some other common dementia signs and symptoms?
There are a lot of potential early symptoms of dementia, but these are the most common, according to the National Institute on Aging (NIA):
Memory loss, poor judgment, and confusion
Trouble speaking, understanding and expressing thoughts
Wandering and getting lost in a familiar area
Difficulty handling money and paying bills
Using unusual words to refer to familiar objects
Taking longer to complete normal daily tasks
Losing interest in normal daily activities
Hallucinating or having delusions or paranoia
Not caring about other people’s feelings
Losing balance and problems with movement
If you or a loved one is dealing with constant daytime sleepiness, it’s a good idea to get it checked out by a healthcare provider. There are so many potential reasons for this symptom, but you won’t know what you’re dealing with until you get a proper evaluation.
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Russia-Ukraine peace talks end after less than 2 hours with deal to swap POWs but no ceasefire – AP News
Russia-Ukraine peace talks end after less than 2 hours with deal to swap POWs but no ceasefire – AP News
Russia-Ukraine peace talks end after less than 2 hours with deal to swap POWs but no ceasefire AP NewsLive updates: Ukraine’s allies call Russian demands unacceptable after first talks in years CNNSecretary of State Marco Rubio Remarks to the Press U.S. Department of State (.gov)Russia-Ukraine talks: Prisoner exchange agreed upon, Ukraine requests Putin-Zelenskyy meeting ABC NewsUS has ‘low expectation’ of breakthrough in Ukraine peace talks, Rubio says BBC
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Audio reveals Joe Biden’s memory lapses during 2023 investigation
Audio reveals Joe Biden’s memory lapses during 2023 investigation
Former US President Joe Biden struggled to recall key milestones from his own life during an interview two years ago with a justice department investigator, according to audio.
A recording obtained by political outlet Axios shows the Democrat appeared to have trouble remembering the year he left office as vice-president, or the date of his son Beau’s death.
White House aides at the time denied the president had such memory lapses. Biden was questioned by Special Counsel Robert Hur’s team about why he had kept classified documents at his home and former office.
The prosecutor ultimately decided not to charge the president despite finding he had retained classified material.
In a February 2024 report that provoked the ire of the White House and Democrats, Hur had described Biden as a “well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory”.
The audio is an excerpt from interviews on two days in October 2023. The Biden justice department previously made available the transcripts following the release of the special counsel’s report in February 2024.
It is not clear how Axios obtained the recording, but President Donald Trump’s administration has been planning to release the full interview.
The Biden administration refused to release the tape last year, calling it “constitutionally-protected law enforcement materials” and arguing that Republicans wanted to “manipulate” it for “potential political gain”.
The Hur report’s release was a difficult moment for Biden at the beginning of his re-election campaign, and highlighted one of his biggest political weaknesses – voter concerns about his age and lucidity.
The then-president hit back at the time, insisting: “My memory is fine”.
A new book alleges the White House covered up Biden’s condition, which was said to be so poor last year that aides discussed putting him in a wheelchair.
He was also unable to recognise Hollywood actor George Clooney or recall the names of key aides, according to Original Sin, by Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson.
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Opposition Leader Sussan Ley confirms death of mother Angela Braybrooks in heartbreaking tribute
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley confirms death of mother Angela Braybrooks in heartbreaking tribute
Newly elected Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has confirmed her mother Angela Braybrooks has passed away.
“In the very early hours of this morning, my mother, Angela Braybrooks, passed away here in Albury,” Ms Ley wrote in a statement published on her social media.
“My family and I feel this loss deeply.
“We express our deep appreciation to the staff at Riverwood Aged Care facility for the quality care provided to Angela. In her final moments, she was comfortable and at peace.”
Ms Ley, who revealed her mother was receiving end of life care during her first press conference after being voted new Liberal Party leader, said her mother is responsible for teaching her “resilience, self-reliance and persistence”.
“Mum was a mental health nurse who helped so many people through her life. She taught me the values of resilience, self-reliance and persistence,” Ms Ley wrote.
“Growing up in wartime Britain, Angela could never have dreamed that her daughter would become Australia’s first female Leader of the Opposition, but because of her, that happened this week.
“Like so many of her generation, she weathered uncertain times with strength and determination. I have taken inspiration from her every single day of my life and I always will.
“It was a gift of fate that I was able to share Mother’s Day with my mum one last time on Sunday.”
Ms Ley then revealed that she was able to celebrate her achievement of becoming the first female leader of the Federal Liberal Party with her mother on Tuesday.
“On Monday night in Canberra, our parish priest organised a FaceTime call, telling Angela she had to ‘hang on’ to see one more special moment in her daughter’s life. If she could do that, he promised her, ‘we’ll have champagne tomorrow’,” she wrote.
“On Tuesday, hours after I was afforded the enormous privilege by my Liberal colleagues of leading our party, I drove back down the Hume Highway to be at her bedside. Whilst mum was no longer verbal, she watched every moment of my press conference. As I walked back into her room that afternoon, her eyes lit up with excitement. It was a moment I will treasure, forever.
“Thank you to the many Australians who have expressed their sympathies to me and my family. We look forward to celebrating Angela’s life, the extraordinary person she was, and all she achieved.”
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“I Told Them Their Plants Shouldn’t Have Been on My Yard”
“I Told Them Their Plants Shouldn’t Have Been on My Yard”
The time and effort that goes into growing tomatoes is not insignificant. You have to buy the seedlings (or germinate the seeds!), prep the soil, plant them, water and fertilize them, prune them, fend off pests, and finally harvest your crop.
Your worst nightmare would be to have someone rip your plants up—but you might not be in the right, if you’d planted your tomatoes on your neighbor’s property, which is exactly what happened according to one Redditor.
“Technically on My Yard”
In the post, the homeowner explained that there is about 10 feet of space between the side of his home and his neighbor’s home. The rear side of his house goes close to the property line, and his neighbor had planted a tomato garden that was technically on his yard.
He’d bought the house about a year earlier and didn’t know the level of effort that went into growing tomatoes, wondering if they could just grow on their own. He sent a text to his landscaper about things growing on that side of the house (he clarified in a later comment there were also vines growing up the house, small trees, and weeds over 4 feet tall).
While he was out, the landscaper came and removed everything on that side of the house, including the tomato plants.
The Redditor explained that the neighbor showed up at his door a few days later and asked him to buy them organic tomatoes for the rest of the growing season or to buy replacement mature plants from a garden center.
“I told them their plants shouldn’t have been on my yard,” the Redditor explained in his post. “It shouldn’t be my responsibility to make sure my landscaper doesn’t take out plants that are in my yard and aren’t mine,”
After such an unpleasant encounter with his neighbor though, the homeowner wondered if he should just replace the plants.
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“It Was on Your Property”
Hundreds of comments flooded the post, the majority agreeing with the homeowner.
“As much as it hurts my heart to rip out a perfectly good tomato plant, you’re [not in the wrong] for doing so on your own property,” said one commenter.
“It was on your property—it was yours to do with as you wanted,” wrote another.
There was, however, some debate over whether the homeowner should have warned the neighbor or spoken to them in advance of removing the tomatoes.
“Your neighbor shouldn’t have been on your property, and you were well within your rights to demand their removal,” said one person. “But the neighborly thing would be to talk to them first and say ‘Hey, this is on my property. I don’t want them there. Please plant them elsewhere by [date].'”
Many people pointed out the challenge of navigating property lines, especially when somebody new moves in and there may have been informal agreements with the previous home’s resident.
“People are always trying to gain a few extra feet over the property line from who they hope are gullible new neighbors,” wrote one commenter.
One commenter did think the battle wasn’t worth it: “I mean… you could have had some home grown tomatoes and good vibes with your neighbors, but you had to go all ‘get off my lawn!'”
Read the original article on The Spruce
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Kristen Stewart’s Directorial Debut ‘The Chronology of Water,’ An Unflinching Portrait of Abuse and Addiction, Earns 4-Minute Cannes Ovation – Variety
Kristen Stewart’s Directorial Debut ‘The Chronology of Water,’ An Unflinching Portrait of Abuse and Addiction, Earns 4-Minute Cannes Ovation – Variety
Kristen Stewart’s Directorial Debut ‘The Chronology of Water,’ An Unflinching Portrait of Abuse and Addiction, Earns 4-Minute Cannes Ovation VarietyThe Chronology of Water review: Kristen Stewart makes a traumatic splash with directorial debut The GuardianThe Chronology of Water, as seen by Kristen Stewart Festival de CannesWhy Kristen Stewart Didn’t Star in Her Own Directorial Debut VultureKristen Stewart Says It’s a ‘Bulls— Fallacy’ That You Need ‘Experience’ to Direct: ‘It’s a Real Male Perspective’ and ‘Anyone Can Make a Movie if They Have Something to Say’ Variety
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#Kristen #Stewarts #Directorial #Debut #Chronology #Water #Unflinching #Portrait #Abuse #Addiction #Earns #4Minute #Cannes #Ovation #Variety
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Molly Taylor driving home gender equality
Molly Taylor driving home gender equality
Extreme E’s mixed-gender racing is breaking boundaries in motorsport, and *********** trailblazer driver Molly Taylor is at the forefront.
Extreme E is a five-race series in four continents, racing electric SUV’s off-road vehicles in extreme locations and conditions.
It has taken a real lead in gender equality.
In 2016, Molly became the youngest ever winner of the *********** Rally Championship. She is also the first and still the only female champion.
With co-driver Bill Hayes, she won WA’s Forest Rally in 2017.
Camera IconMolly Taylor is ranked the world’s best female rally driver in 2015. Credit: Supplied
Then, in 2021, she joined Extreme E and won the inaugural Extreme E World Championship with Johan Kristoffersson.
Over its first four seasons, Extreme E has built a number of female drivers.
But Molly, driving for team E.ON Next Veloce Racing, stands out. She won the inaugural championship title and has achieved eight major victories.
She has the most victories of any female driver and the second most overall — just one fewer than double champion Johan Kristoffersson (despite competing in three fewer events).
And data shows that, in those four seasons, the gap in performance times between male and female drivers has narrowed by almost 70 per cent. An Extreme E spokesperson says that value is due to “equitable competition environments”.
Molly, who has raced with the series from the beginning, said: “Extreme E has without a doubt changed the course of my career and I’m confident all the female drivers in the series would say the same thing.
“We all know how challenging motorsport is, but what Extreme E has proven is that with the right opportunity, exposure, development and investment we can see women reach the top.
“It can be a difficult cycle to break; you need the seat time to prove your potential, but you need results to attract the support needed to access that very seat time.
“Extreme E put themselves out there and tried something new to force change and it makes me so proud to be one of the drivers to prove the success of this concept.
“We have built some strong momentum and, whilst this doesn’t alleviate the continuing challenges of motorsport, we are making change. It’s pretty special and something I hope motorsport can learn from more broadly.”
Molly took part in SAS Australia season one, and is an ambassador for Girls on Track, a female motorsport initiative.
+ mollytaylor.com.au
Camera IconMolly Taylor and co-driver Bill Hayes won Forest Rally in 2017. Credit: John Doutch/RegionalHUB
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2 high-profile names accused of paying for sex in Mass. ******** case due in court
2 high-profile names accused of paying for sex in Mass. ******** case due in court
Two high-profile men who allegedly paid for sex are due in court Friday in connection with an interstate commercial sex ring that ran high-end brothels in two Massachusetts communities.
Cambridge City Councilor Paul F. Toner and James Cusack Jr., the former director of Oncology Labs at Massachusetts General Hospital, were identified among the ********’s suspected clients during public hearings in March.
Toner, former president of the Massachusetts Teachers Association, allegedly communicated with the “******** phone” a total of 432 times and paid for sex at least 13 times over roughly a seven-month ******* in 2023.
Toner later apologized to his fellow councilors and to the community.
“You’ve all heard the news concerning my personal legal matters,” Toner said at a Cambridge City Council meeting. “First, I’m ashamed to have my name associated with this case — I would like to apologize to my fellow councilors, my supporters, and the community for taking up the time of the council and the public discourse on this matter.”
Cusack allegedly paid for sex 16 times in 2023.
A hospital spokesperson said that Cusack’s employment ended in May 2024.
The attorneys for the Boston-area “John Does” identified in the ****** books of the sophisticated interstate high-end ******** network had desperately tried to keep their identities private, arguing that revealing their names violates their privacy.
Han Lee, the 42-year-old leader of the interstate commercial sex ring, was sentenced earlier this year to four years in prison followed by one year of supervised release.
Toner and Cusack are due in court at 9 a.m.
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#highprofile #names #accused #paying #sex #Mass #******** #case #due #court
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Trump's 'big, beautiful' tax bill: Four sticking points for Republican rebels – BBC
Trump's 'big, beautiful' tax bill: Four sticking points for Republican rebels – BBC
Trump’s ‘big, beautiful’ tax bill: Four sticking points for Republican rebels BBCConservatives block Trump agenda bill from advancing in major setback for GOP leaders NBC NewsRepublican Revolt Reflects a Core Party Divide Over Spending and Debt The New York TimesGOP hard-liners block Trump’s massive tax and immigration package The Washington PostHandful of Republicans sink Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’ in key House committee Fox News
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#Trump039s #039big #beautiful039 #tax #bill #sticking #points #Republican #rebels #BBC
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Shropshire highlights: from Shrewsbury to Ludlow, discover a rural English delight
Shropshire highlights: from Shrewsbury to Ludlow, discover a rural English delight
Compared to the Yorkshires and Cornwalls, Oxfordshires and Sussexes, some counties in England don’t get the attention they deserve from *********** tourists, writes Steve McKenna
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#Shropshire #highlights #Shrewsbury #Ludlow #discover #rural #English #delight
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South Carolina man convicted of murdering 2 people gets a June execution date
South Carolina man convicted of murdering 2 people gets a June execution date
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A South Carolina man who was twice sentenced to die for killing two people nearly two decades ago was scheduled Friday to be executed on June 13.
The state Supreme Court issued the death warrant against Stephen Stanko for the Horry County shooting death of a friend. Stanko is also on death row for killing a woman he was living with in Georgetown County and raping her teenage daughter.
Stanko is the first person whose death has been scheduled in South Carolina since Mikal Mahdi was executed by firing squad on April 11. Mahdi’s lawyers released autopsy results that show the shots that killed him barely hit his heart and suggested he was in agonizing pain for three or four times longer than experts say he would have been if his heart had been hit directly.
Stanko will get to decide if he dies by firing squad, lethal injection or the electric chair. The deadline for his decision is May 30.
Inmate wants more information about how he may die
Hours after the date for his death was set, Stanko’s lawyers asked the South Carolina Supreme Court to require prison officials to release more information about the firing squad and lethal injection, saying he was leaning toward the firing squad until the possible problems with Mahdi’s execution surfaced.
They want any reports the prison agency produces to review executions after they are conducted, with the names of employees blacked out. They want a description of the training the firing squad conducts and the steps taken when an X-ray is done before the shooting to locate the heart.
Stanko’s lawyers also want to know if there were different members of the firing squad and target placement team for Mahdi than had those roles in another firing squad execution that appeared to go as planned. They want to know if the workers responsible for Mahdi’s death would be on Stanko’s execution team if he chooses the firing squad.
The attorneys also want prison officials to spell out why two doses of pentobarbital were used in the three lethal injection deaths this year and whether that is the new procedure or is the extra dose 10 minutes after the first is needed because the inmate continues to live.
The attorneys said they have advised Stanko to avoid the electric chair because there is evidence inmates don’t lose consciousness immediately and can suffer intense pain and agony.
The crimes
Stanko, 57, is being executed for killing his 74-year-old friend Henry Turner. Stanko went to Turner’s home in April 2006 after lying about his father dying and then shot Turner twice while using a pillow as a silencer, authorities said.
Stanko stole Turner’s truck, cleaned out his bank account and then spent the next few days in Augusta, Georgia, where he told people in town for the Masters golf tournament that he owned several ******** restaurants. He stayed with a woman who took him to church. She then called police once she saw his photo and that he was wanted, police said.
Hours before killing Turner, Stanko beat and strangled his girlfriend in her home and ****** her daughter before slashing the teen’s throat. The daughter survived and testified against him at one of his trials.
His own lawyer called him a ‘psychopath’
Stanko admitted to the killings. His defense said he had problems with the frontal lobe of his brain that left him aggressive, unable to control his impulses and without empathy. They argued that he was either not guilty by reason of insanity or that he at least shouldn’t get the death penalty because of his mental illness.
In his appeals, Stanko said his trial attorney ruined his chance at a fair trial and lost any sympathy with jurors by calling him a “psychopath.”
Firing squad problems
Mahdi’s lawyers raised several issues after his firing squad death — just the second ever in South Carolina.
The only photo of Mahdi taken at his autopsy shows two apparent chest wounds. Officials said all three bullets fired by the three volunteer prison employees hit Mahdi, with two going through the same hole.
During the state’s first firing squad death, the autopsy found that Brad Sigmon’s heart had been destroyed. Just one of the four chambers of Mahdi’s heart was perforated, which likely meant he didn’t die in the 15 seconds experts predicted he would have if the squad’s aim was true, according to his lawyers.
Witnesses said Mahdi, who had a hood over his head, groaned 45 seconds after he was shot.
South Carolina’s busy death chamber
Stanko will be the sixth inmate killed in South Carolina since an unintended 13-year pause on executions ended in September 2024.
The state struggled for years to get the drugs needed for lethal injections until it passed a shield law that allowed the execution procedures, and the names of the drug supplier and execution team members, to remain secret.
Three South Carolina inmates have died by lethal injection over the past eight months, while two have chosen the firing squad.
Across the U.S., 16 executions have taken place in 2025, with at least six more scheduled before Stanko is set to die.
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Kristen Stewart’s ‘The Chronology Of Water’ Flows To 6½-Minute Ovation After Cannes Premiere – Deadline
Kristen Stewart’s ‘The Chronology Of Water’ Flows To 6½-Minute Ovation After Cannes Premiere – Deadline
Kristen Stewart’s ‘The Chronology Of Water’ Flows To 6½-Minute Ovation After Cannes Premiere DeadlineThe Chronology of Water review: Kristen Stewart makes a traumatic splash with directorial debut The GuardianThe Chronology of Water, as seen by Kristen Stewart Festival de CannesWhy Kristen Stewart Didn’t Star in Her Own Directorial Debut VultureKristen Stewart Says It’s a ‘Bulls— Fallacy’ That You Need ‘Experience’ to Direct: ‘It’s a Real Male Perspective’ and ‘Anyone Can Make a Movie if They Have Something to Say’ Variety
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#Kristen #Stewarts #Chronology #Water #Flows #6½Minute #Ovation #Cannes #Premiere #Deadline
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Man who fatally mowed down brother of NRL star Tom Opacic over love triangle dispute fails in appeal over 10-year sentence
Man who fatally mowed down brother of NRL star Tom Opacic over love triangle dispute fails in appeal over 10-year sentence
A man who struck and killed the brother of an NRL star in a “brutal and senseless” act over a relationship dispute has suffered a major court setback.
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#Man #fatally #mowed #brother #NRL #star #Tom #Opacic #love #triangle #dispute #fails #appeal #10year #sentence
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Cassie Will Get $10 Million from L.A. InterContinental Hotel
Cassie Will Get $10 Million from L.A. InterContinental Hotel
Cassie Ventura, the star witness for the prosecution in the sensational federal sex trafficking trial of her ex-boyfriend Sean “Diddy” Combs, told the court under defense questioning that she has negotiated a $10 million settlement with the InterContinental Hotel in Century City.
Under questioning about any financial tentacles connected to Ventura’s four days of emotional testimony that took place this week by Combs’ defense attorney Anna Estevao, Ventura said that the five-star hotel had agreed to pay her in a settlement that she said “had been reached in the past month,” in connection with a violent 2016 incident that was captured on a security camera and later leaked to CNN, which aired it in 2024.
A spokesperson for the InterContinental Hotel chain could not immediately be reached for comment. Those funds, which Ventura testified she had not received yet, are in addition to the $20 million settlement Ventura reached quickly with Combs in November 2023 after filing an abuse and assault civil suit against the music mogul.
The testimony elicited gasps in the courtroom as Ventura’s testimony came after she told Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Johnson that she had no monetary motive for testifying in Combs’ criminal trial. Ventura has spent four days on the stand describing abuse she said she suffered from Combs, including the attack that took place in Century City.
On Thursday, Ventura insisted that she made the decision to testify against her longtime ex-boyfriend. Ventura said, “I’m here to do the right thing. I can’t carry this anymore … the shame, the guilt.”
When the video of the 2016 hotel assault went viral, Diddy publicly apologized. The incident has been referred to by Combs’ lawyers as “indefensible” and “dehumanizing.” But, his team maintains it is not evidence that Combs engaged in sex trafficking and racketeering, which is what he is charged with by federal prosecutors in the Southern District of New York.
On Monday, jurors heard testimony from Israel Florez, a security guard at the InterContinental in Century City who witnessed Combs’ assault on Ventura, and then took video of surveillance footage with his cellphone without reporting it to police. Florez said that when he arrived at the scene of the attack, he escorted Combs back to the room and asked Ventura if she wanted police help, to which she responded, he testified, “I just want to leave.” He showed it to other hotel staffers, he testified, who also did not report the attack.
Testimony will resume Monday.
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Russia takes tough stance in Istanbul talks, threatens Ukraine with long war – The Washington Post
Russia takes tough stance in Istanbul talks, threatens Ukraine with long war – The Washington Post
Russia takes tough stance in Istanbul talks, threatens Ukraine with long war The Washington PostRussia-Ukraine peace talks end after less than 2 hours with deal to swap POWs but no ceasefire AP NewsLive updates: Ukraine’s allies call Russian demands unacceptable after first talks in years CNNUkraine: Zelenskyy-Putin talks should be ‘next step’ — Kyiv dw.comUS has ‘low expectation’ of breakthrough in Ukraine peace talks, Rubio says BBC
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Arthur wins battle of Aussie coaches in Super League
Arthur wins battle of Aussie coaches in Super League
Leeds have come back from 12 points down to beat Hull FC, handing Brad Arthur victory over *********** coaching rival John Cartwright.
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West Lafayette student, 16, suspected of attacking teacher with laptop charging cord
West Lafayette student, 16, suspected of attacking teacher with laptop charging cord
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN — West Lafayette police arrested a 16-year-old boy late Thursday morning on suspicion of attacking his teacher, according to police.
The student was disruptive inside the alternative school in the old Happy Hollow School in the 1200 block of Salisbury Street and sent to the hallway about 11 a.m. May 15. He was told to go to the office, but he refused, according to police.
The teacher started walking to the office and told the boy to follow him, police said. When they got to the office, the boy pushed the teacher down and hit him with a laptop charging cord, police said.
Police arrived and arrested the boy for suspicion of battery. Officers took the boy to the juvenile detention center, police said.
Reach Ron Wilkins at *****@*****.tld. Follow on Twitter: @RonWilkins2.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: West Lafayette student suspected of attacking teacher
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