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Co-op narrowly avoided an even worse cyber attack, BBC learns Co-op narrowly avoided an even worse cyber attack, BBC learns The Co-op narrowly averted being locked out of its computer systems during the cyber attack that saw customer data stolen and store shelves left bare, the hackers who claim responsibility have told the BBC. The revelation could help explain why the Co-op has started to recover more quickly than fellow retailer M&S, which had its systems more comprehensively compromised, and is still unable to carry out online orders. Hackers who have claimed responsibility for both attacks told the BBC they tried to infect Co-op with malicious software known as ransomware – but failed when the firm discovered the attack in action. Both the Co-op and M&S declined to comment. The gang, using the cyber crime service DragonForce, sent the BBC a long, offensive rant about their attack. “Co-op’s network never ever suffered ransomware. They yanked their own plug – tanking sales, burning logistics, and torching shareholder value,” the criminals said. But cyber experts like Jen Ellis from the Ransomware Task Force said the response from Co-op was sensible. “Co-op seems to have opted for self-imposed immediate-term disruption as a means of avoiding criminal-imposed, longer-term disruption. It seems to have been a good call for them in this instance,” she said. Ms Ellis said these kinds of crisis decisions are often taken quickly when hackers have breached a network and can be extremely difficult. Speaking exclusively to the BBC, the criminals claimed to have breached Co-op’s computer systems long before they were discovered. “We spent a while seated in their network,” they boasted. They stole a large amount of private customer data and were planning to infect the company with ransomware, but were detected. Ransomware is a kind of attack where hackers scramble computer systems and demand payment from victims in exchange for handing back control. It would also have made the restoration of Co-op’s systems more complex, time-consuming and expensive – exactly the problems M&S appears to be wrestling with. The criminals claim they were also behind the attack on M&S which struck over Easter. Although M&S has yet to confirm it is dealing with ransomware, cyber experts have long said that is the situation and M&S has not issued any advice or corrections to the contrary. Nearly three weeks on, the retailer is still struggling to get back to normal, as online orders are still suspended and some shops have had continued issues with contactless payments and empty shelves this week. An analysis from Bank of America estimates the fallout from the hack is costing M&S £43m per week. On Tuesday, M&S admitted personal customer data was stolen in the hack, which could include telephone numbers, home addresses and dates of birth. It added the data theft did not include useable payment or card details, or any account passwords – but nonetheless urged customers to reset their account details and be wary of potential scammers using the information to make contact. The Co-op seems to be recovering more quickly, saying its shelves will start to return to normal from this weekend. Nonetheless it is expected to feel the effects of the cyber attack for some time. “Co-op have acted quickly and their work on the recovery helps to soften things slightly, but rebuilding trust is a bit harder,” Prof Oli Buckley, a cyber security expert at Loughborough University, told the BBC. “It will be a process of showing that lessons have been learned and there are stronger defences in place,” he added. The same cyber-crime group has also claimed responsibility for an attempted hack of the London department store Harrods. The hackers who contacted the BBC say they are from DragonForce which operates an affiliate cyber crime service so anyone can use their malicious software and website to carry out attacks and extortions. It’s not known who is ultimately using the service to attack the retailers, but some security experts say the tactics seen are similar to that of a loosely coordinated group of hackers who have been called Scattered Spider or Octo Tempest. The gang operates on Telegram and Discord channels and is English-speaking and young – in some cases only teenagers. Conversations with the Co-op hackers were carried out in text form – but it is clear the hacker, who called himself a spokesperson, was a fluent English speaker. They say two of the hackers want to be known as “Raymond Reddington” and “Dembe Zuma” after characters from US crime thriller Blacklist which involves a wanted criminal helping police take down other criminals on a ‘blacklist’. The hackers say “we’re putting *** retailers on the Blacklist”. Source link #Coop #narrowly #avoided #worse #cyber #attack #BBC #learns Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

David Koch says ******* Rioli ‘culturally disrespected’ during Western Bulldogs AFL game David Koch says ******* Rioli ‘culturally disrespected’ during Western Bulldogs AFL game Port Adelaide Football Club president David Koch has claimed that ******* Rioli was subjected to “cultural disrespect” during the Bulldogs game, which led to him striking Bailey Dale off the ball and then sending a threatening message about Dale to one of his Bulldogs teammates. The latest explosive claims come as the AFL works to prevent the issue of racism from completely overshadowing its Sir Doug Nicholls Round, which celebrates Indigenous footballers and culture. Rioli, who also threatened players on-field during games against Essendon this year and Geelong last year, was suspended from the Showdown clash against Adelaide on Saturday. The AFL made the announcement just hours after Rioli had already stated he would not be playing in the game last week. The Power take on Geelong this weekend, with Tyson Stengle saying his teammates would not sledge Rioli. While Rioli has not claimed he was subjected to blatant racism on the field, it has been reported that comments about his weight, cannabis use, and cultural diet have been used in sledges against him by rivals. Koch did not detail what was said to Rioli during the Bulldogs game but inferred that they had provoked the star small forward. “Something happened in the game, on-field comments that were…,” Koch told FIVEaa radio on Wednesday. “Now, people will say that footballers are so soft these days, ‘just run with it, accept it like the old days’. “Indigenous players throughout their whole life have faced that sort of casual abuse.” Koch stopped short of calling the sledges outright racism. “Well, it was, if you like, cultural disrespect during the game—referring to where he had come from, community habits, and things like that,” he said. “As an industry, we have to be aware of that. And as I have said, it’s no excuse for sending a private message after the game, but it helps us understand the build-up and frustrations — that’s where the reactions come from.” Earlier this week, Port coach Ken Hinkley said he hoped the Rioli saga would be a watershed moment for the AFL in dealing with racism. AFL CEO Andrew Dillon said it would take a whole-of-industry approach to properly address the issue when he helped launch the Sir Doug Nicholls Round in Darwin on Tuesday. Source link #David #Koch #******* #Rioli #culturally #disrespected #Western #Bulldogs #AFL #game Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

3 Magnificent S&P 500 Dividend Stocks Down 62%, 63%, and 64% to Buy and Hold Forever 3 Magnificent S&P 500 Dividend Stocks Down 62%, 63%, and 64% to Buy and Hold Forever After several years of subpar results, retailer Target is primed for a rebound in more discretionary-minded spending. Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer’s post-pandemic hangover may finally be about to abate. PepsiCo shares’ prolonged weakness makes sense, but the future looks more promising than the recent past. 10 stocks we like better than Target › With China and the United States finally talking to one another regarding tariffs, there’s a glimmer of hope on the macroeconomic horizon. Investors might want to continue thinking and acting defensively though, given that we still don’t exactly what the future holds. That would mean owning fewer risky growth stocks than you normally might, and holding a few more dividend payers that can generate reliable cash flow regardless of the economic environment. With that as the backdrop, here’s a rundown of three solid S&P 500 dividend stocks that have been driven down far more than they deserve, driving their dividend yields up to levels too good to pass up. There’s no denying Walmart stock has outperformed Target (NYSE: TGT) stock since the dust of the pandemic finally started to settle in 2021. Indeed, although Walmart is back within sight of its record high reached in February, Target shares are near a five-year low. The stocks’ disparate performances reflect the two retailers’ differing results. Target’s higher-end “cheap chic” schtick hasn’t resonated as much with consumers who are simply looking for affordable consumer staples in this high-inflation environment. Nothing lasts forever though. As time marches without any hint of an actual recession taking hold, the closer we inch toward economic growth that creates demand for Target’s more-premium discretionary offerings. We’re already seeing glimpses of this recovery, in fact, even if it’s difficult to believe the world’s ready to rebound in the midst of tariff-fueled turbulence. For instance, Target topped its revenue and earnings estimates for the quarter ending in early February, while same-store sales improved by 1.5%. That’s not much, but it’s a respectable start to a turnaround following several years’ worth of subpar sales. In this vein, although analysts aren’t looking for much heroic growth this year, the top line should swell by nearly 3% next year, with earnings following suit. That would actually be a big victory for this recently beleaguered retailer. This doesn’t mean it will be easy — or consistent — to be clear. While there’s reason for hope that consumer spending can grow again (perhaps boosted by lower interest rates), the U.S. economy is still on shaky ground. With Target shares now down more than 60% from their 2021 high and trading at a forward-looking price/earnings ratio of less than 12 though, most of the risk has been wrung out. Newcomers will be stepping in while its forward-looking yield stands at just over 4.6%. It’s been a tough couple of years for drugmaker Pfizer (NYSE: PFE). The stock’s now down 64% from the pandemic-driven surge that peaked in late 2021, when sales of its blockbuster COVID-19 vaccine (Comirnaty) and antiviral treatment (Paxlovid) began tapering off. The company has been unable to offset this 40% decline in total sales with anything else in its portfolio. As the old adage goes though, nothing lasts forever. This multiyear lull may finally be winding down and giving way to new growth. The key to that potential growth is, of course, the candidates in its developmental pipeline. Although the pharmaceutical giant disappointed investors last month by discontinuing the development of a weight-loss drug that it had hoped would compete with the likes of Wegovy and Ozempic, it still has 108 drug candidates undergoing trials. Of those, 30 are in late-stage trials and could soon be ready for the FDA’s final approval process. Oncology drugs feature prominently in this lineup thanks to the company’s 2023 acquisition of Seagen. While that’s always a competitive market, effective ******* drugs are also reliably marketable. Pfizer isn’t stopping there, however. Although the company admittedly got a little sloppy with its finances during and because of the pandemic, it’s tightening up now, and plans to cull another $1.7 billion worth of spending in the next two years alone, with plans to ultimately reduce its costs by a total of $7.7 billion from 2023 through 2027. For perspective, the drugmaker did $63.6 billion in sales last year, and turned $17.7 billion of that into adjusted net income. Companies certainly can’t cost-cut their way to growth, and while Pfizer’s pipeline is promising, even assuming that some of its candidates earn approval, they won’t start to produce meaningful sales for at least a couple more years. As CEO Albert Bourla conceded during Pfizer’s first-quarter earnings conference call, “We know we’re not going to be a strong top-line growth story for the next three years.” However, take a step back and consider the ******* picture. The company’s dividend is hardly in any jeopardy, and it’s becoming clearer that Pfizer’s business is moving in the right direction. Tariffs won’t be quite the headache for the company that they’re being made out to be, either. This should all be enough to turn the stock’s tide for the better sooner than later, which will dial its dividend yield back from its currently lofty 7.7%. Finally, add PepsiCo (NASDAQ: PEP) to your list of S&P 500 dividend stocks to scoop up at a bargain price. It’s strange. Although they’re obviously two distinct companies, one would expect shares of PepsiCo and its larger rival, Coca-Cola, to more or less move in tandem. But no: Since 2022 Coke’s stock has continued to forge its way deeper into record-high territory, while PepsiCo shares are down 64% from their late 2021 peak, and still making new lows. What gives? Last month’s lowered full-year profit guidance in and of itself can’t get all the blame, since the weakness began well before that. But that dialed-back outlook has been in the works for some time. PepsiCo doesn’t enjoy the same scale, operational flexibility, or focus that Coca-Cola does. It’s also parent to snack outfit Frito-Lay as well as the Quaker Oats brand, both of which are feeling the impact of higher costs to a degree that beverage companies aren’t. Frito-Lay’s total revenue fell last year, for instance, as the company’s price increases ultimately led to a 2.5% year-over-year decline in total sales volume. Meanwhile, Quaker’s total volume slipped by a hefty 14%, dragging revenue lower just as much. PepsiCo’s stock has been reflecting this headwind for just as long as it’s been blowing. As veteran investors can attest though, things change. Past performance is no guarantee of future results, which in this instance works in the company’s — and the stock’s — favor. While the analyst community expects that stagnant sales will cause earnings per share to slip from $8.16 in 2024 to $7.97 this year, these same analysts expect a respectable top- and bottom-line recovery beginning next year that should persist into 2027. It still owns a family of very marketable brands, after all. Just don’t tarry if you see it coming, too. PepsiCo stock’s forward dividend yield stands at a healthy 4.3%. That’s based on a dividend, by the way, that’s now been raised for 53 years in a row. That streak isn’t apt to end anytime soon. Before you buy stock in Target, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Target wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004… if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $613,951!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005… if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $796,353!* Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 948% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 170% for the S&P 500. Don’t miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of May 12, 2025 James Brumley has positions in Coca-Cola. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Pfizer, Target, and Walmart. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. 3 Magnificent S&P 500 Dividend Stocks Down 62%, 63%, and 64% to Buy and Hold Forever was originally published by The Motley Fool Source link #Magnificent #Dividend #Stocks #Buy #Hold Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Stock market today: Live updates Stock market today: Live updates Traders work on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., May 14, 2025. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid Brendan Mcdermid | Reuters S&P 500 futures slipped in overnight trading after the broad market index 500 strung together a third consecutive advance in reaction to the Trump administration and China hammering out a temporary suspension of their ****-for-tat tariff dispute. Futures tied to the S&P 500 were down 0.2%, while Nasdaq-100 futures lost 0.1%. Dow Jones Industrial Average futures fell 154 points, or nearly 0.4%. In after-hours trading, shares of Foot Locker surged 67% after The Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter, that *****’s Sporting Goods is closing in on a deal to buy the company for roughly $2.3 billion. Shares of Cisco Systems rose 2% after third-quarter results topped estimates. Confidence in the immediate outlook for stocks has strengthened in the wake of last weekend’s talks between Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and ******** officials that appeared to stave off a short-term decline in economic activity and a ratcheting up in inflation. The enthusiasm mostly continued Wednesday, with the S&P 500 advancing 0.1% and the Nasdaq Composite rising 0.7%. The 30-stock Dow slipped 0.2%. Tech giants are putting up a strong showing week to date: Nvidia and Tesla are both up more than 16%, and Meta Platforms has added 11.3% in the *******. Amazon and Alphabet are both up more than 8% each. The Nasdaq Composite is higher by 6.8% this week, trailed by the S&P 500, ahead 4.11%, and the Dow, up 1.9%. Sentiment was bolstered Tuesday by the latest reading on consumer inflation showing prices rising at a slower pace than Wall Street economists had expected. Inflation increased by 0.2% in April excluding food and energy, below the consensus estimate of 0.3%. Traders will look for further signs of a steady economy on Thursday, when the producer price index, retail sales and industrial production numbers for April are released before the stock market opens. Weekly jobless claims are also slated for release. Also due out: earnings for the fiscal first-quarter from Walmart, the nation’s largest retailer. Source link #Stock #market #today #Live #updates Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

The best stock picks from the Sohn hedge fund conference The best stock picks from the Sohn hedge fund conference A host of star stock pickers shared their best ideas at the prestigous 2025 Sohn Investment Conference in New York on Wednesday. The annual conference aims to raise funds for the Sohn Conference Foundation to contribute to medical research and is one of the most high-profile gatherings on Wall Street. Among the top conviction picks offered this year by a number of seasoned investment pros speaking before a rapt audience were: Sea Ltd. John Yetimoglu, chief investment officer at Infinitum Partners, saw huge growth ahead for Sea Ltd. , a tech conglomerate headquartered in Singapore, which he called the Amazon of Southeast Asia. “Sea is the backbone of the Southeast Asian economy,” Yetimoglu told the conference. “When you think about these countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines, consumer demographics in these regions are some of the most attractive end markets in the world. [The] middle class is young with growing incomes, and e-commerce is in early stages of penetration.” The investor said e-commerce marketplace Shopee, a subsidiary of Sea, controls a 55% market share in Southeast Asia. The firm has a “logistics advantage,” which translates into lower costs for merchants, and Yetimoglu expects Shopee to continue to beat analyst estimates and raise its future earnings forecasts and see improving unit economics over time. Sea’s Garena business, a large gaming platform with 600 million users that has accelerated user and bookings growth, is another catalyst for the stock, Yetimoglu said. Sea’s share price is up 54% so far in 2025. . Wex Payments company Wex is trading far below its intrinsic value and has the potential to more than double in the next three to five years, according to Impactive Capital co-founder and managing partner Lauren Taylor Wolfe. Wex is a category leader in three niche segments — mobility, corporate payments and benefits — but is still trading at its lowest multiple in the company’s history and half that of peers, Wolfe said. Impactive, which owns about 7% of Wex, sought board representation and voted against three incumbent board members earlier this month. “We can drive tremendous upside on just today’s valuation … Wex doesn’t need to be reinvented, it needs to be realigned,” Wolfe said, adding that the opportunity lies in resolving Wex’s issues with “complacency, complexity and lack of alignment.” One growth opportunity for Wex is in its high margin business managing Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Savings Accounts, Wolfe said. Wex shares have dropped neasrly 22% this year. Adobe William Heard, CEO and CIO at Heard Capital, gave his pitch on Adobe , which he said is in the forefront of the artificial intelligence *****. “Adobe’s total addressable markets are not fully penetrated. We believe Adobe is well-positioned to win the [generative] AI arms race,” he said. Heard said investors tend to misunderstand Adobe’s deliberate approach to AI monetization as its creative workflow translates raw AI material into competitive intelectual property. He believes that Adobe’s growth is at an inflection point with most of its products less than a year old. Adobe shares have fallen roughly 10% this year. National Vision Holdings Jonathan Lennon, founder and CIO of PLP Funds, shared why he believes National Vision , an eyeglass retailer in the U.S., could be a “rocket ship.” The investor said a faster replacement cycle in eyewear is driving an industry turning point, as evidenced now in transaction volumes. Meanwhile, the company’s new management is driving managed care monetization, he noted. Lennon said PLP Funds is increasingly confident in the stock and has quietly become one of its biggest shareholders in the stock. “We think this thing can be a total rocket ship. Join us,” Lennon said. Shares of National Vision have soared nearly 79% year to date in 2025. Teva, Global Payments Teva and Global Payments are two standout players with profit growth ahead, according to Glenview Capital Management CEO Larry Robbins. Both names have very low 2026 price-to-earnings multiples compared to other S & P 500 companies, he said. Robbins said that Teva has best-in-category efficacy in Phase 2 ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease treatments and has a multi-billion dollar opportunity in its biosimilars pipeline. The company is also ready to act as an “offensive allocator of capital” having paid back debt and deleveraged its balance sheet, he said. Global Payments, meanwhile, could see meaningful upside as the company achieves scale, cross-selling opportunities and greater balance in working with e-commerce and small businesses, according to Robbins. The investor disputed a widely-held belief that Global Payments’ agreement in April to buy rival Worldpay in April was a bad move. “We see meaningful upside to GPN shares,” Robbins said, adding that he expects the company to see high-single-digit revenue growth and high teens expansion in earnings per share. Global Payments shares are down more than 25% this year, while Teva is down about 23%. Blue Owl Capital Advent Global Opportunities managing director Mohammed Anjarwala highlighted Blue Owl Capital , an alternative investment asset management company, as his top idea. “Remember, this is a business that’s really, really resilient,” Anjarwala told the Sohn audience. “We think the outcomes here are asymmetrically attractive.” Anjarwala said Blue Owl offers a diversified revenue stream for investors, steady dividends, and a strong opportunity in expanding its offerings to retail investors. Only 3% of retail investors are allocated in alternatives versus 20% of institutional investors, creating potential for large future inflows, he said. Anjarwala projected Blue Owl’s earnings per share will double by 2028, fueled mostly asset growth, particularly through a private wealth business. Shares of Blue Owl, which yields 4.5%, are down about 14% this year. Mirion Technologies Radiation detection products maker Mirion Technologies is a recession-proof stock, according to Bornite Capital founder and CIO Dan Dreyfus. According to Dreyfus, 70% of Mirion’s revenues are recurring and predictable, making it a hedge against broader uncertainty tied to the fortunes of the economy. The Atlanta-based company also has a large footprint and sells to 95% of all nuclear reactor operators globally. “This is a compounding engine … it’s one of these buy and never sell” stocks, Dreyfus said, highlighting a “multi-decade growth profile and its resiliency.” “Over time, Mirion’s got what it takes to give Vertiv a run for it’s money,” he added. Vertiv provides critical digital infrastructure, such as power management products, for data centers and other networks. Shares of Mirion have jumped 28% over the past month. Comfort Systems Ryan Packard, managing partner and CIO at Hiddenite Capital Partners, unveiled his idea: Comfort Systems , the second largest employer of construction contractors in the United States. The investor said 85% of Comfort’s 19,000 strong labor force goes to a job site every day to construct some of the most complex and critical facilities that make up the backbone of the country. Packard believes Comfort Systems can grow its earnings per share at approximately 25% a year for the foreseeable future. He sees the stock doubling in the next three years. “Long term, FIX has an 18 year history of 25% total shareholder return pay group, and we see a five year outlook at similar rate of compound, “Packard said. “Short term, FIX is in the sweet spot of structural tailwinds from on shoring and AI construction that will persist likely well beyond market expectations.” Comfort Systems shares have gained 10% this year. Source link #stock #picks #Sohn #hedge #fund #conference Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump joined by dozens of CEOs during his Middle East trip – CNBC Trump joined by dozens of CEOs during his Middle East trip – CNBC Trump joined by dozens of CEOs during his Middle East trip CNBCIn Riyadh, President Trump Charts the Course for a Prosperous Future in the Middle East The White House (.gov)Why Trump’s boasts about Saudi Arabian investments are so hard to take seriously MSNBC NewsThe Trump franchise is expanding in the Middle East — and so are ethical concerns NBC NewsSaudis Greet Trump to His Tastes, With Pomp, Opulence and Real Estate The New York Times Source link #Trump #joined #dozens #CEOs #Middle #East #trip #CNBC Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

How Dominica’s volcanoes will boost its green energy How Dominica’s volcanoes will boost its green energy Gemma Handy Business reporter Reporting fromSt John’s, AntiguaOrmat The new geothermal power plant will access steam from boiling hot, natural underground reservoirs With rainforests, waterfalls, volcanoes and hot springs, the Caribbean island of Dominica’s dramatic landscape is a haven for adventure-seeking ecotourists. It attracted 83,966 visitors last year, a 13% rise from 2023, and led by new direct flights from the US, and the opening of more hotels. Nicknamed the “Nature Island”, and now recovered from the extensive damage caused by 2017’s Hurricane Maria, Dominica’s government is set to harness its natural resources to generate clean electricity for its 66,000 residents and tourism sector. To end the country’s long reliance on generators fuelled by imported diesel, a geothermal power station is being built in the south of the country. It will access the boiling hot water contained in natural underground reservoirs that are heated by the surrounding volcanic rock. The 10-megawatt plant, under construction near the village of Laudat in the lush Roseau Valley, is on track to become operational by the end of the year. Steam will be drawn up to the surface to drive turbines that will generate electricity. The used steam will then be cooled to the point where it becomes water again, and reinjected back underground for the process to restart. “We hope to totally eliminate the need for diesel generation for electricity in Dominica by 2030,” Dominica’s energy minister Dr Vince Henderson tells the BBC. The government also says that the geothermal plant will reduce electricity bills. And it is not just Dominica (not to be confused with the similarly named Dominican Republic), that is set to benefit. Long-term plans include exporting surplus electricity via undersea cables to neighbouring islands. Dr Henderson adds that he hopes the success of the geothermal plant will inspire other Caribbean nations to explore more renewable energy sources. Dominica’s geothermal plant will be just the second in the Caribbean. Guadeloupe, an overseas department of France, has had a 15-megawatt station in operation for three decades. The Roseau Valley facility is being created through a public-private partnership between the Dominican government and US-Israeli renewable energy company Ormat Technologies. It is costing tens of millions of US dollars, partially funded by grants and investments from several governments, including the US, ***, Japan and New Zealand. Additional funding has come from various non-governmental organizations from around the world, and loans from the World Bank and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB). The Dominican government has also ploughed significant resources into the project, which required high upfront costs and a complex exploration process including drilling deep underground to test temperatures. Ormat The geothermal power station is being built in a remote valley “Finding the resource is the first challenge. Then you need someone like us to build the facility,” says Ormat’s chief executive Doron Blachar. “Ormat is doing the entire project, from making the plant’s elements, shipping them to Dominica, mainly from Israel, and then constructing the power plant.” Ormat has been designing and building renewable energy systems for more than five decades, and owns and operates geothermal plants in various countries from the Americas to Africa. “Geothermal is a great, zero-emission electricity that doesn’t depend on wind or sun, and operates 24/7,” Mr Blachar explains. “It brings jobs to a country, both during construction and, more importantly, during the plant’s operations, along with new technology and expertise.” Yet despite geothermal’s green credentials, Dominica’s new plant has raised concerns among some local residents, including environmentalist Atherton Martin who fears for the effects on the ecologically valuable Roseau Valley. “There is no other area like it in the Caribbean,” he says, adding that the removal of vegetation during the exploration process “decimated wildlife” including endemic frogs. Other residents told the BBC of some controversy over the amount of money the project was costing. It has certainly been several years in the making with the Dominican government alone said to have invested around $15m (£11.3m). Dr Henderson admits that the project is “not easy” for a country that “faced a big challenge” when it had to substantially repair its electricity network after 2017’s Hurricane Maria. But he insists “it will be worth it in the end”. Another common fear about geothermal plants is the potential for triggering earthquakes. Ormat says it has never had a such an incident in its many years of operations. Gemma Handy Much of mountainous Dominica remains covered in forest Mr Blachar believes the Caribbean could become “a hub” for geothermal technology. Ormat acquired Guadeloupe’s plant from the French government in 2017 and is currently expanding it to boost its capacity to 25 megawatts. With support from the CDB and driven by the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission, work is also under way to explore and develop geothermal potential in fellow volcanic island nations Grenada, St Lucia, St Kitts and Nevis, and St Vincent and the Grenadines. Ormat will operate the Dominica plant for 20 years before handing it over to state electricity provider Domlec. Mr Blachar estimates it will employ around 30 local people when it comes on stream later this year. It should initially generate enough power to meet half of Dominica’s peak electricity demand, says Fred John, managing director of the government-owned Dominica Geothermal Development Company, which is also involved in the scheme. Authorities are confident the plant will then soon support the entire country, and have enough spare electricity for some to be exported to neighbouring islands. Mr John says that the facility will “serve as a test case for an attractive alternative” to fossil fuels. “The rest of the OECS will benefit from the lessons learned here – both what worked and what didn’t,” he adds. The OECS recently set a target to reach 30% renewable energy within 10 years, with some countries, including Dominica and St Kitts, aiming for 100% by then. OECS Director General Dr Didacus Jules describes Dominica’s geothermal project as a “bold and visionary step”. “As a region heavily dependent on imported fossil fuels, the transition to green energy is not optional – it is existential,” he tells the BBC. “This development also breathes new life into the long-held vision of a regional energy grid – one that connects our islands through clean, reliable, and affordable energy.” Source link #Dominicas #volcanoes #boost #green #energy Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Large sites appear in Gaza ahead of Israeli aid plan rejected by UN, images show Large sites appear in Gaza ahead of Israeli aid plan rejected by UN, images show Benedict Garman, Matt Murphy & Merlyn Thomas BBC Verify BBC Israel is preparing a series of sites in Gaza that could be used as distribution centres for humanitarian aid in a controversial new plan, satellite images show. The Israeli government suspended food and medicine deliveries into Gaza in March. Ministers said the move, which has been condemned by UN, European and Middle Eastern leaders, was intended to put pressure on ****** to release its remaining hostages. Israel also accused ****** of stealing aid – an allegation the group has denied. The UN has said the blockade has caused severe shortages of food, medicines and fuel, and an assessment on Monday warned that Gaza’s population of around 2.1 million people was at “critical risk” of famine. The US confirmed last week that it was preparing a new system for providing aid from a series of hubs inside Gaza, which would be run by private companies and protected by security contractors and Israeli forces. Images analysed by BBC Verify show that land has already been cleared, with new roads and staging areas constructed at a number of locations in southern and central Gaza in recent weeks. Israel has not publicly said where the hubs will be, but humanitarian sources – briefed previously by Israeli officials – told BBC Verify that at least four centres will be built in the southern section of Gaza and one further north near the Netzarim Corridor, a strip of land controlled by the military that effectively divides the territory. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation – an organisation set up to support the plan – initially said food, water and hygiene kits would be supplied to 1.2 million people, less than 60% of the population. On Wednesday it announced it would start operations before the end of May, and appeared to call for Israel to allow aid through normal channels until its distribution centres were fully operational. It also called for aid hubs to be built in northern Gaza, something not envisaged under the original plan. UN agencies have insisted they will not co-operate with the plan – which is in line with one previously approved by Israel’s government – saying it contradicted fundamental humanitarian principles. A spokesperson for the UN’s Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) accused Israel of seeking to use “food and fuel as leverage, as part of a military strategy”. “All aid would be channelled through a handful of militarised hubs,” Olga Cherevko told BBC Verify. “That kind of arrangement would cut off vast areas of Gaza – particularly the most vulnerable, who can’t move easily, or are otherwise marginalised – from any help at all.” Meanwhile, Bushra Khalidi of Oxfam described the new plan as a “farce”. “No logistical solution is going to address Israel’s strategy of forcible displacement and using starvation as a weapon of war. Lift the siege, open the crossings and let us do our job.” It is understood that the proposed new system has not yet had final sign-off from the Israeli government. ‘Secure distribution sites’ BBC Verify used satellite imagery to identify four potential sites based on the limited available information about their locations. The sites are similar in size, shape and design to existing open-air distribution sites inside Gaza, such as at Erez, Erez West and Kisufim. The largest site we’ve looked at is ******* – more comparable to the area inside Gaza at Kerem Shalom crossing. Our analysis of the imagery shows significant development at one of the sites in south-west Gaza, close to the ruins of a village that is now an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) base. Satellite photos since early April show the construction of a road there and a large staging area, surrounded by berms – large defensive barriers made of piled sand – about 650m (2,130ft) from the border with Egypt. A high-resolution image captured on 8 May shows bulldozers and excavators working on a section of land spanning about 20 acres (8 hectares). IDF armoured vehicles are at a fortified building nearby. A photo taken on site, geolocated by BBC Verify, also shows lighting being installed on the perimeter. Further imagery from 11 and 12 May shows this, along with three other sites, continuing to expand. One site is about half a kilometre from a collection of eight UN warehouses, and 280m from another large warehouse. Stu Ray – a senior imagery analyst with McKenzie Intelligence – agreed the sites were likely to be secure distribution centres. He noted that some of the facilities are in “close proximity to IDF Forward Operating Bases which ties in with the IDF wishing to have some control over the sites”. Analysts with another intelligence firm, Maiar, said the facilities appeared to be designed with separate entrances for trucks to move in and out, and with other gaps in the berms that would be suitable for pedestrian entrances. The IDF did not comment on the potential aid centres when approached by BBC Verify, but said that its operations in Gaza were carried out “in accordance with international law”. Cogat – the Israeli body responsible for managing crossings into Gaza – did not respond to a request for comment. Three of the four sites located by BBC Verify are south of the IDF’s newly created Morag Corridor. What is the Morag Corridor? This is an Israeli military zone that runs across the Gaza Strip and separates the southern cities of Khan Younis and Rafah. Since the IDF established a security zone there in early April, a six-mile (10km) road has been built covering two thirds of the width of Gaza, bordered by defensive berms and dotted with IDF outposts. This new road leads directly to one of the development sites visible in satellite imagery, and a pre-existing road connects it to two more. This entire area has been subjected to extensive land clearance by the IDF. BBC Verify has geolocated video and images of areas throughout the Morag Corridor, and south of it, filmed by Israeli forces, which show controlled demolitions using explosives and heavy machinery, and extensive destruction of buildings. Humanitarian sources said Israeli briefings indicated that aid would enter Gaza via Kerem Shalom crossing. Satellite imagery shows ongoing construction work happening there too over the past few months, with the apparent expansion of its storage areas, and new roads added. Since Israel stopped new aid supplies in March, the UN has reiterated that it has an obligation under international law to ensure that the basic needs of the population under its control are met. Israel has insisted that it is complying with international law and that there is no shortage of aid in Gaza. Source link #Large #sites #Gaza #ahead #Israeli #aid #plan #rejected #images #show Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

DWER confirms compost sold by Bunbury Harvey Regional Council contained toxic PFAS chemicals DWER confirms compost sold by Bunbury Harvey Regional Council contained toxic PFAS chemicals The South West’s ongoing battle with PFAS waste has entered a new chapter, with the revelation compost sold to the public by the Bunbury Harvey Regional Council contained traces of the toxic chemicals. The council-owned waste processing facility in Dardanup had been converting FOGO waste into compost for more than a decade, but operations paused in December last year due to high concentrations of non-organic waste in the bins. The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation confirmed results from compost testing in May and October last year detected “low, but above laboratory detection limits” PFAS contamination. A DWER spokesperson said the contamination was “understood to have originated from the feedstocks (including FOGO waste) received at the Wellington Group of Councils Composting Facility”. “DWER is working with BHRC and affected local governments to find alternative interim FOGO processing solutions and to reduce FOGO contamination,” they said. Dardanup resident Lionel Machen has regularly purchased compost from the BHRC for his vegetable garden where he grows seasonal produce for his family to eat. He said he wasn’t overly concerned about his own health, but was fearful what effect the forever chemicals may have for generations down the line. “Long term is not going to affect us because we’re too old and apparently short term it doesn’t have any immediate effect,” he said. “The small amount that my children will have ingested may not affect them, but I’ve got grandkids, and no doubt, one day they’ll have kids. And so it goes on and on and on and on. It’s there forever. “It’s going to get worse and worse and worse as each generation comes along.” BHRC chief executive Nick Edwards said the compost facility was closed as a “cautionary approach” and said the compost appeared to be safe from their testing. “The initial results that we are getting back from the laboratory seem to be showing that it’s safe for use,” he said. Mr Edwards said PFAS was a complex issue which they were working through. “There’s over 4500 different chemicals under that umbrella and some of them are good, some of them present a risk, but we’re working with DWER and the community to make sure that everyone’s as safe as we can possibly get,” he said. “Certainly nothing that we do onsite, none of our processes, none of our processing, adds any concentration of this material to the compost that we produce.” Mr Edwards urged the public to be “extra careful and vigilant” and ensure only organic waste was put in FOGO bins. Premier Roger Cook weighed in on the issue earlier this week, although admitted he hadn’t previously been aware of it. Camera IconWA Premier Roger Cook said he expects the PFAS issue to be “addressed as a matter of urgency”. Credit: Justin Benson-Cooper/The West *********** “That sounds very concerning. I expect public health will be on top of that immediately to make sure that they can assess any risk to the public and then ensure that matters are resolved to reduce that risk,” he said. “The biggest risk about PFAS is its entrance into the food chain, either via water or via food. “We expect that that will be assessed and addressed as a matter of urgency.” Source link #DWER #confirms #compost #sold #Bunbury #Harvey #Regional #Council #contained #toxic #PFAS #chemicals Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Woman escapes kidnapping in Paris as gangs target crypto wealth Woman escapes kidnapping in Paris as gangs target crypto wealth STORY: :: Warning: Graphic content French prosecutors are investigating after a masked gang tried to kidnap the daughter of a crypto businessman in Paris on Tuesday. The graphic video of the attack was filmed by an onlooker and widely shared on social media. It shows three masked men wrestling with two people on the ground as a getaway van idles nearby. A shop-owner is seen intervening – rushing at the attackers with a fire extinguisher. After the extended physical struggle, the attackers eventually give up and drive off. The shop-owner who gave his name only as Nabil is being hailed as a hero. “I rushed over with that object (the fire extinguisher), not knowing exactly what I was going to do with it. But I feel like it ended the altercation. So I achieved my goal.” The kidnapping target was identified by local media as the daughter of the CEO of a platform for buying cryptocurrencies, who was with her partner at the time. Reuters was unable to independently verify the victims’ identity. The Paris prosecutors’ office said a probe had been opened into the attempted kidnapping and would be conducted by an organized crime unit. It’s at least the third violent attack targeting wealthy crypto players and their families in recent months. In January, one of the co-founders of French crypto company Ledger was kidnapped for ransom along with his wife. He lost a finger before being rescued. And in early May the father of a French crypto player was kidnapped for ransom and was rescued by police days later, also missing a finger. Source link #Woman #escapes #kidnapping #Paris #gangs #target #crypto #wealth Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Divisions emerge among House Republicans over how much to cut taxes and Medicaid in Trump's bill – AP News Divisions emerge among House Republicans over how much to cut taxes and Medicaid in Trump's bill – AP News Divisions emerge among House Republicans over how much to cut taxes and Medicaid in Trump’s bill AP News‘First time we were hearing of them’: The GOP megabill is packed with surprises for some Republicans PoliticoWhat’s in the first draft of the GOP’s ‘big, beautiful bill’ cutting taxes and spending PBSTrump Arrives in Qatar After Meeting Syrian President in Saudi Arabia: Live Updates The New York TimesThe latest roadblock for House Republicans’ “big beautiful bill”: Senate Republicans NPR Source link #Divisions #emerge #among #House #Republicans #cut #taxes #Medicaid #Trump039s #bill #News Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Appeal set for killer who brutally stabbed ex 78 times Appeal set for killer who brutally stabbed ex 78 times NSW prosecutors are set to appeal a sentence handed down to Tyrone Thompson, who killed a woman by stabbing her at least 78 times. Source link #Appeal #set #killer #brutally #stabbed #times Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Doom: The Dark Ages Review – Believe In The Shield Doom: The Dark Ages Review – Believe In The Shield As a pioneer of the first-person shooter genre, Doom laid the foundation for its contemporaries but has also never rested on its laurels. Doom 3 steered the franchise toward survival horror. The 2016 reboot dared to revisit and refine the old-school formula in an era of Call of Duty-likes. Doom Eternal, for better or worse, implemented parkour-esque platforming. Doom: The Dark Ages offers perhaps the biggest and most impressive shake-up of the series’ tried and true formula. Incorporating visceral, parry-focused melee combat is a thrilling addition to the already stellar run-and-gun action, making this medieval entry an absolute blast from start to finish. This prequel to the 2016 game sees the Doom Slayer rip apart hordes of demons amid a cool techno-medieval setting; imagine King Arthur as a Borg from Star Trek, and that’s basically the game’s look. While it’s a terrific aesthetic that perfectly complements the heavy metal soundtrack, the backdrop primarily serves as an excuse to add neat middle-age twists to the Slayer’s classic arsenal. The biggest and best change is the Shield Saw, a motorized serrated shield that lets players block and parry incoming attacks. While it’s initially strange to use a shield in a Doom game, it is a brilliantly implemented addition I can’t imagine playing without going forward. Parrying glowing green attacks adds another fun test of reflexes. It’s easy to execute thanks to a generous parry window (on standard difficulty), rewarding an additional hit as you send projectiles back to their receivers. The exceptionally satisfying auditory feedback, which rivals the ear-pleasing “*****” when Captain America’s shield connects, is the cherry on top. Speaking of Cap, lobbing the Shield Saw like a discus at foes adds another ranged offensive option, great for slicing smaller demons in half (saving ammo in the process) or stunning larger threats by embedding and drilling into their flesh. I loved using the latter function to stop hulking demons in their tracks and riddle them with bullets. Performing a charging shield bash lets you rush distant targets from afar, serving as a great way to close gaps while keeping you moving across the often expansive arenas. However, the shield can only absorb so many hits before it becomes temporarily unavailable, so the action retains the series’ frantic urgency to keep moving to outmaneuver and outfox enemies. Instead of trivializing the danger, the Shield Saw becomes a fun new strategy to juggle; block or parry what you can, dodge what you can’t, and never stop moving. Revamped melee combat further emphasizes Doom: The Dark Ages’ more in-your-face action. Players now have three melee options – a brutal punch combo, a slow but mighty hammer attack, and, my favorite, an armor-shattering flail – to pummel the ammunition out of foes, rewarding close-quarter confrontations with full clips. Like guns, though, melee attacks are limited and must be replenished by grabbing pick-ups or blasting demons with guns, creating a nice system where close and ranged offense empower each other. Battling melee-centric adversaries became entertainingly rhythmic slugfests as I deflected incoming attacks while retaliating during brief moments between, capped off by executing the ever-bloody glory kill finishing moves. Doom is all about guns, but The Dark Ages has perhaps the best close-quarters action I’ve experienced in a shooter. Inventive new weapons bolster the smooth-as-butter gunplay. My favorites include the Pulverizer, which grinds collected skulls to blast wide spreads of high-speed bone fragments to simultaneously wipe out scores of demons. Another cool weapon is the Chainshot, which shoots a retractable ball and chain, perfect for punching through shields and armor. Many of the six primary firearms have an alternate version you can switch between instantly (such as swapping between the faster-paced Shotgun and the slower but punchier Super Shotgun) and sport unlockable upgrades for each configuration, adding more bang to their punch. Whether it’s a perk that rains down lightning upon a successful parry or another that lets you ricochet bullets off the shield while it’s drilling into a target, these enhancements add more depth and reward to the already entertaining action. Best of all, you can eviscerate any enemy using any weapon, ditching Doom Eternal’s more restrictive combat design. The Doom Slayer’s fresh bag of tricks allowed me to devise incredible new strategies to survive increasingly intense skirmishes where mobs can number in the dozens. Tossing the shield at a distant pest before instantly recalling it to parry an incoming attack at the last moment, then blowing its sender’s face off with a shotgun blast – all while weaving through waves of beams and fireballs – feels incredibly cool. That’s only one example of many fist-pumping moments that regularly occur in Doom: The Dark Ages. With both offense and defense to consider, the action feels more strategically dense than it ever has in a Doom title, and well-designed controls make everything a breeze to pull off once you’re acclimated. If that’s not enough, an impressive range of accessibility options, from adjusting the game speed, parry timing, and even the colors of in-game elements, allow you to customize the adventure so it’s as challenging or inviting as you’d like. Between standard firefights, the Slayer can hop in the cockpit of a giant mech suit to battle gargantuan demons and atop a dragon-like beast to engage in aerial dogfighting. Both diversions are best described as broadly fine; mech combat primarily focuses on slower but impactful fist fights, while aerial bouts involve an ill-fitting exercise of dodging blasts to charge a beam to take out shielded targets. These segments aren’t very fleshed out and don’t last long enough to drag the experience down, but I was always eager to get my boots back on the ground for more traditional action. Like the last game, stages hide secrets, such as collectible figures, lore entries, upgrade gems, and treasure stashes to buy additional enhancements. Environmental puzzle-solving is generally simple if you explore thoroughly and often utilize the Shield Saw, such as tossing it to activate distant mechanisms or shield-bashing blocks in positions to climb and reach higher platforms. I can take or leave these diversions, but the rewards are usually worth the effort. The story, which involves stopping a demonic prince from stealing a great power from a mighty princess, doesn’t take itself quite as seriously as Eternal’s tale. However, it’s still a largely stoic and straightforward affair that won’t suddenly establish Doom as a narrative powerhouse. I approached the story much like the Doom Slayer himself; just point me in the direction of what needs killing while everything else barely matters enough to earn my full interest. Doom: The Dark Ages is modern Doom executed better than ever. It’s a bloody, challenging, and strategic thrill ride that tested my skills, forced me to catch my breath, and always had me asking for more. With the Shield Saw and other great additions, id Software gives fans something they didn’t know they wanted, proving once again that this legendary series can still evolve in ways we haven’t even dreamed of. Source link #Doom #Dark #Ages #Review #Shield Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

This Vitamin Deficiency May Raise Your Heart Disease Risk by 10%, New Study Says This Vitamin Deficiency May Raise Your Heart Disease Risk by 10%, New Study Says Reviewed by Dietitian Annie Nguyen, M.A., RD Photographer: Carson Downing; Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman; Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco. EatingWell design. A new study found a link between vitamin D and heart disease. Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency are both common. Vitamin D is found in few foods, but it is produced with sunlight skin exposure. While we often refer to heart disease as one condition, it’s actually a term that comprises many conditions related to the heart and blood vessels. Under the umbrella of cardiovascular disease (CVD), there are specific categories like atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Athersclerotic heart diseases are related to plaques that accumulate in the arteries. Those plaques narrow the blood vessels—sometimes completely—or narrow them so much that blood clots can’t get through, sealing off the blood vessel. This can result in a heart attack or stroke. The plaques also make the blood vessels less elastic and stiffer, which can raise blood pressure, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and stroke. Cardiovascular disease remains the number one cause of premature death in the U.S. and worldwide. And while women’s rates of heart disease tend to be lower than men’s earlier in life, women’s risk of heart disease rises to match men’s after menopause. There is evidence that suggests a connection between vitamin D blood levels and cardiovascular disease, the atherosclerotic variety in particular. Researchers from Germany took a closer look at this relationship and recently published their findings in the journal Clinical Nutrition. Let’s break down what they found. Related: What Happens to Your Body When You Take Vitamin D Every Day How Was This Study Conducted? More than 500,000 participants have health data in the *** Biobank, and these researchers drew data for almost 410,000 of them who met the study criteria. On average, participants were 57 years old when the study began, and about 55% were female. The average follow-up time was 16 years. Researchers pulled information including medical records and death certificates, vitamin D blood levels at baseline and whether or not the participants took a vitamin D supplement. The types of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease researchers were examining were: ischemic heart disease, which happens when clogged blood vessels limit oxygen to the heart peripheral artery disease, which happens when clogged arteries in the extremities, like the legs, limit blood to your limbs cerebrovascular disease, which happens when arteries to the brain are clogged, preventing the brain from getting the oxygen it needs atherosclerotic disease, or a buildup of plaque in arteries that can lead to ischemic heart disease. Researchers adjusted for lifestyle factors like BMI, smoking status and alcohol intake. The team considered vitamin D deficiency as having vitamin D levels less than 30 nmol/L, and vitamin D insufficiency at a range between 30 and <50 nmol/L. Sufficient vitamin D levels were defined as 50 to <100 nmol/L, and high vitamin D levels were over 100 mmol/L. More than half the participants were either vitamin D deficient (almost 21%) or insufficient (over 34%). Very few were over the recommended vitamin D blood levels (1.5%). Of the entire study population, 4.3% reported supplementing specifically with vitamin D, and another 21% took a multivitamin that included vitamin D—those multivitamins typically offer much less vitamin D than a pure vitamin D supplement. What Did This Study Find? Overall, the researchers found that vitamin D deficiency was associated with a 10% increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. And after breaking atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease down into specific conditions, vitamin D deficiency was associated with increased risks of ischemic heart disease (10%), cerebrovascular disease (7%), atherosclerotic disease (17%) and peripheral artery disease (13%). For those who were only vitamin D insufficient—not deficient—insufficiency was associated with a 5% increased risk of total atherosclerotic heart disease and a 4% increased risk of ischemic heart disease. Those with vitamin D deficiency showed a 35% increased risk of dying from atherosclerotic heart disease compared to an 8% increase in non-fatal ASCVD. For those who took vitamin D supplements, they experienced a 6% reduced risk of atherosclerotic heart disease and a 10% reduced risk of ischemic heart disease. Supplementing with a multivitamin containing vitamin D was associated with a reduced risk of total atherosclerotic heart disease (7%), ischemic heart disease (8%) and peripheral artery disease (8%). Like all studies, this one has its limitations. Many of the covariates—lifestyle factors that researchers adjust for—were self-reported, which may lead to bias and misreporting. There was also missing information regarding the dosage, frequency and ingredients of the vitamin D supplements, so researchers can’t be sure how much they were taking. Plus, the data used was drawn from the start of the study, which doesn’t take into account others who may have started supplementing at a later date or those who stopped. Lastly, the *** Biobank is composed mostly of white men and women, so it is unknown if these results apply to other ethnicities. Related: 5 Supplements to Avoid If You Have High Blood Pressure, According to Experts How Does This Apply to Real Life? Researchers recommend that you get your levels tested before supplementing with vitamin D. If your vitamin D levels are below 60 nmol/L, they suggest that you may benefit from supplementation to help reduce the risk of atherosclerotic heart disease. There is evidence that about 25% of Americans are vitamin D deficient, and 41% have insufficient levels of vitamin D. This means that a whopping two-thirds of Americans may be at an increased risk of heart disease due to a lack of vitamin D. Thankfully, this can be remedied. Getting outdoors more often to get sun exposure may be the best way to get your vitamin D, because being in nature offers other benefits, too, including improved mood and blood pressure. But since that’s not always possible, make sure you’re including foods that contain vitamin D, like fortified milk (cow’s or plant-based), whole eggs (the vitamin D is in the yolk), trout, salmon, sardines and mushrooms grown with UV light. And yes, this is pretty much an exhaustive list of foods with vitamin D, which is another reason it’s so easy to have insufficient levels of it. Regarding heart disease prevention, vitamin D is a tiny piece of the puzzle. Other nutrients, like omega-3s, fiber, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals also play a role. Then there’s physical activity, managing stress and getting enough quality sleep. The good news is that these health habits are connected. For example, when you get enough physical activity, you may also help reduce stress and sleep better. And you’ll likely want nutritious foods to fuel your efforts. So don’t let the list stress you out—just take things one step at a time. Related: 8 Conditions When You Might Need a Vitamin D Supplement, According to Health Experts The Bottom Line This study suggests that due to deficient or insufficient levels of vitamin D, many people may benefit from supplementing with vitamin D, which in turn may reduce the risk of heart disease. Regularly getting outdoors and including foods that contain vitamin D is a good way to ensure your levels are sufficient. It can also be helpful to work with a registered dietitian, who can help you incorporate these foods into your diet. It’s interesting to note that this recommendation is contrary to what the Endocrine Society recommends regarding vitamin D. But if you know you don’t spend enough time outdoors, aren’t eating foods with vitamin D, live in a climate with temperatures that don’t allow enough skin exposure to sunlight, or you have any symptoms of vitamin D deficiency—including depression, weak bones and high blood pressure—you may want to get your levels checked. And ultimately, other than the prick of the needle, it can’t hurt to just have the blood test done so you know your levels. Read the original article on EATINGWELL Source link #Vitamin #Deficiency #Raise #Heart #Disease #Risk #Study Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

SNK CEO steps down after heavily-marketed Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves’ seemingly muted launch SNK CEO steps down after heavily-marketed Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves’ seemingly muted launch SNK has announced that its CEO will be stepping down, following the release of its heavily marketed latest fighting game. The company announced that Kenji Matsubara, who joined as CEO in August 2021, will “transition to an advisory role, where he will continue to lend his expertise and vision”. “During his tenure as CEO, Mr. Matsubara has been instrumental in driving the company’s growth and innovation,” a statement reads. “He transformed SNK by expanding its development division and strengthening its sales and marketing functions, building it into a global publisher capable of competing worldwide. “As part of this transition, the board will appoint the Chairman of the board to assume the interim role of CEO. The board expresses its deepest gratitude to Mr. Matsubara for his dedication and leadership during a transformative ******* in the company’s history. “SNK Corporation remains committed to its strategic vision and is excited about the future as it enters this new phase of leadership.” Although it wasn’t officially cited as the reason Matsubara is stepping down, the news comes weeks after the release of Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, which was promoted with one of the grandest marketing campaigns in recent memory. While no official sales figures have been shared for City of the Wolves, there is some evidence it may not have performed as well as hoped. The fighter sold only 6,302 copies in Japan in its first 11 days, according to Famitsu. On Steam, the game has an all-time peak concurrent player number of 4,674 – which is lower than even its recent beta – and in the last 24 hours hit a peak of 1,157. By comparison, Street Fighter 6 hit a peak concurrent of more than 32,000 players in its last 24 hours, despite being nearly two years old, and Tekken 8‘s recent 24-hour peak was 6,841 (but has an all-time peak of 49,977 when it was released 16 months ago). While sales figures of the console versions outside of Japan are not yet known, the game didn’t appear in Sony‘s official Top 20 PS5 charts for April in either North America or Europe. A number of high-profile boxing events were sponsored by the game. SNK is owned by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who acquired 96% of the acclaimed Japanese developer in 2022. Its latest game has been featured in numerous high-profile marketing stunts, most of which have ties to the Crown Prince’s other ventures. Iconic footballer Cristiano Ronaldo was added to the game as a playable fighter. Ronaldo currently plays for Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr, 75% of which is owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, which is also controlled by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. EDM DJ Salvatore Ganacci is also in the game as a playable fighter. Ganacci has also been involved in numerous Saudi-backed events, and earlier this year performed at a golf event in Riyadh run by LIV Golf, which is also financed by the Public Investment Fund. The game was also heavily promoted at the two-night WWE WrestleMania event in April, with the logo featured in the centre of the ring mat and Saturday’s show opening with a performance by Ganacci, dressed in his Fatal Fury outfit. WWE also has strong ties with Saudi Arabia, having announced a 10-year partnership with its Ministry of Sport in 2018, along with a commitment to hold two large-scale events per year in Riyadh and Jeddah until at least 2027. Other big-budget promotional stunts for Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves included numerous high-profile boxing events, each of which was named Fatal Fury and sponsored by the game and The Ring magazine (which was bought by the head of Riyadh Season in November 2024). This included the Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Bennn fight last month and a fight in Times Square earlier this month. Source link #SNK #CEO #steps #heavilymarketed #Fatal #Fury #City #Wolves #seemingly #muted #launch Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘I don’t think people should be taking medical advice from me’ ‘I don’t think people should be taking medical advice from me’ Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Wednesday sidestepped a question about vaccines and whether he would choose to vaccinate his children today against a number of diseases, saying, “I don’t think people should be taking medical advice from me.” Kennedy’s comment was in response to Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Wis., during a House Appropriations Committee hearing. Amid an ongoing measles outbreak in West Texas and other parts of the U.S. that’s killed two children and one adult — all unvaccinated — Kennedy has pushed unproven remedies, including a steroid called budesonide, an antibiotic called clarithromycin and cod liver oil, a supplement high in vitamin A. None are proven treatments for measles, experts say. High doses of vitamin A can cause nausea, vomiting and liver damage, especially in small children. Kennedy has, on occasion, offered tepid support of the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine, but frequently undercuts that message with false claims about harms and a lack of long-term protection. Kennedy told Pocan he would “probably” vaccinate his children against the measles today, but added, “My opinions about vaccines are irrelevant.” Pocan then asked Kennedy if he would vaccinate his kids today against chickenpox and polio. Kennedy refused to answer, saying, “I don’t want to give advice.” Kennedy’s children are vaccinated — a decision he has previously said he regrets. Doctors widely consider all three vaccines to be safe and effective. In her closing remarks, ranking committee member Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., criticized his comments about vaccines, emphasizing that both Kennedy and HHS “makes medical decisions every day” and pointed to the two children in the U.S. who died from measles this year. “You’re the secretary of HHS. You have tremendous power over health policy,” she said. “Really horrifying that you will not encourage families to vaccinate their children, measles, chickenpox, polio. Vaccines are one of the foundations of public health. Vaccines, yes, save lives, and the fact that the secretary of Health and Human Services refuses to encourage children to be vaccinated is a tragedy.” Public health experts also pushed back on Kennedy’s response. While Kennedy has no medical training, “the problem is that the top line of his job description is the nation’s chief health strategist,” Dr. Georges Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association, said during a call with reporters Wednesday. “His job is to give people the best advice that he can.” “I wonder what it would be like if the transportation secretary refused to answer a question about whether he would fly,” said Dr. Marissa Levine, a professor of public health practice at the University of South Florida said on the same call. The House hearing kicked off what is expected to be a contentious day for Kennedy following budget cuts and mass layoffs at HHS. Kennedy is expected to testify in the afternoon before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. During Wednesday morning’s hearing, Kennedy defended the U.S. response to the measles outbreak, saying said the agency was doing a better job than other countries. He pointed to higher measles rates per capita in Mexico, Canada and Western Europe. “Mexico has roughly the same number with a third of our population,” he said. There have been more than 1,000 measles cases in the U.S. so far this year. Measles was declared eliminated from the country in 2000. The only year since then with more cases was 2019. Experts say the numbers are likely an undercount because many cases most likely go unreported. Source link #dont #people #medical #advice Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Lone Democrat’s Trump impeachment push blindsides party – CNN Lone Democrat’s Trump impeachment push blindsides party – CNN Lone Democrat’s Trump impeachment push blindsides party CNNTop House Dems say they’ll join GOP to quash Trump impeachment effort Fox NewsThanedar opts against forcing impeachment vote amid backlash PoliticoHouse Democrat launches impeachment proceedings against Trump The IndependentDemocratic leaders vow to kill colleague’s effort to impeach Trump ABC News Source link #Lone #Democrats #Trump #impeachment #push #blindsides #party #CNN Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

At least 21 killed in Puebla At least 21 killed in Puebla BBC At least 21 people have been killed in a road accident in central Mexico, according to a local official. The three-vehicle ****** happened on the highway between Cuacnopalan and Oaxaca in Puebla on Wednesday morning, said Samuel Aguilar Pala, a local government official. Mr Pala said 18 people died at the scene and another three died later in hospital. Several others were injured and are receiving medical attention, he wrote on X. Source link #killed #Puebla Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Midvale fire: Police investigate suspicious fire at manufacturing business on Beaconsfield Avenue Midvale fire: Police investigate suspicious fire at manufacturing business on Beaconsfield Avenue Police are probing a suspicious fire at manufacturing business in Perth’s east. Source link #Midvale #fire #Police #investigate #suspicious #fire #manufacturing #business #Beaconsfield #Avenue Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘I don’t think people should be taking medical advice from me’ ‘I don’t think people should be taking medical advice from me’ Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Wednesday sidestepped a question about vaccines and whether he would choose to vaccinate his children today against a number of diseases, saying, “I don’t think people should be taking medical advice from me.” Kennedy’s comment was in response to Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Wis., during a House Appropriations Committee hearing. Amid an ongoing measles outbreak in West Texas and other parts of the U.S. that’s killed two children and one adult — all unvaccinated — Kennedy has pushed unproven remedies, including a steroid called budesonide, an antibiotic called clarithromycin and cod liver oil, a supplement high in vitamin A. None are proven treatments for measles, experts say. High doses of vitamin A can cause nausea, vomiting and liver damage, especially in small children. Kennedy has, on occasion, offered tepid support of the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine, but frequently undercuts that message with false claims about harms and a lack of long-term protection. Kennedy told Pocan he would “probably” vaccinate his children against the measles today, but added, “My opinions about vaccines are irrelevant.” Pocan then asked Kennedy if he would vaccinate his kids today against chickenpox and polio. Kennedy refused to answer, saying, “I don’t want to give advice.” Kennedy’s children are vaccinated — a decision he has previously said he regrets. Doctors widely consider all three vaccines to be safe and effective. In her closing remarks, ranking committee member Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., criticized his comments about vaccines, emphasizing that both Kennedy and HHS “makes medical decisions every day” and pointed to the two children in the U.S. who died from measles this year. “You’re the secretary of HHS. You have tremendous power over health policy,” she said. “Really horrifying that you will not encourage families to vaccinate their children, measles, chickenpox, polio. Vaccines are one of the foundations of public health. Vaccines, yes, save lives, and the fact that the secretary of Health and Human Services refuses to encourage children to be vaccinated is a tragedy.” Public health experts also pushed back on Kennedy’s response. While Kennedy has no medical training, “the problem is that the top line of his job description is the nation’s chief health strategist,” Dr. Georges Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association, said during a call with reporters Wednesday. “His job is to give people the best advice that he can.” “I wonder what it would be like if the transportation secretary refused to answer a question about whether he would fly,” said Dr. Marissa Levine, a professor of public health practice at the University of South Florida said on the same call. The House hearing kicked off what is expected to be a contentious day for Kennedy following budget cuts and mass layoffs at HHS. Kennedy is expected to testify in the afternoon before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. During Wednesday morning’s hearing, Kennedy defended the U.S. response to the measles outbreak, saying said the agency was doing a better job than other countries. He pointed to higher measles rates per capita in Mexico, Canada and Western Europe. “Mexico has roughly the same number with a third of our population,” he said. There have been more than 1,000 measles cases in the U.S. so far this year. Measles was declared eliminated from the country in 2000. The only year since then with more cases was 2019. Experts say the numbers are likely an undercount because many cases most likely go unreported. Source link #dont #people #medical #advice Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Putin to skip Ukraine talks, Russian team includes seasoned negotiators Putin to skip Ukraine talks, Russian team includes seasoned negotiators (Reuters) -Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the composition late on Wednesday of a delegation of experienced negotiators to conduct direct talks with Ukraine to resolve the ongoing war, though the talks will not include the Kremlin leader himself. Speculation on whether Putin would attend the direct talks has hung over the meeting since he had proposed it himself last week. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy had said he would attend the talks if Putin were present. An order issued by Putin on the Kremlin website said the delegation included two officials who took part in the last set of talks held between the two sides in the first weeks following Russia’s 2022 invasion of its smaller neighbour. Those included presidential adviser Vladimir Medinsky and Deputy Defence Minister Alexander Fomin. Also named as part of the delegation was Igor Kostyukov, director of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the GRU, Russia’s Foreign Military Intelligence Agency. Kostyukov was identified in the Kremlin announcement as Chief of the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces. Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin was also named as part of the delegation. Negotiators held several rounds of talks in 2022 first in Belarus and then in Turkey, but the negotiations eventually broke down. (Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Chris Reese and Diane Craft) Source link #Putin #skip #Ukraine #talks #Russian #team #includes #seasoned #negotiators Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Syrians rejoice after Trump pledge to lift crippling sanctions – The Washington Post Syrians rejoice after Trump pledge to lift crippling sanctions – The Washington Post Syrians rejoice after Trump pledge to lift crippling sanctions The Washington PostTrump’s meeting with Syria’s new president could mark a turning point for the ******** AP NewsTrump shocks and delights Syrians by lifting sanctions after 45 years. Now what? NBC NewsTrump asks Syria to join Abraham Accords, normalize ties with Israel in return for sanctions relief Fox NewsTrump meets Syrian president, urges him to establish ties with Israel Reuters Source link #Syrians #rejoice #Trump #pledge #lift #crippling #sanctions #Washington #Post Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Canada must maximize existing pipeline use before building more: minister Canada must maximize existing pipeline use before building more: minister ********* Culture Minister Steven Guilbeault said Wednesday Canada needs to maximize its use of existing pipelines before building more — a day after Prime Minister Mark Carney indicated an openness to new pipeline construction. Speaking to reporters ahead of the first meeting of Carney’s new cabinet, the former environment minister claimed less than half of the Trans Mountain pipeline’s capacity is being used. “So I think before we start talking about building an entire new pipeline, maybe we should maximize the use of existing infrastructure,” Guilbeault told reporters. “And, the ********* Energy Regulator, as well as the International Energy Agency, are telling us that probably by 2028-2029, demand for oil will peak globally, and it will also peak in Canada.” The actual utilization rate of the Trans Mountain pipeline is contested. According to data from the Canada Energy Regulator, utilization appeared to be up around 76 per cent as of December 2024. Story continues below advertisement Guilbeault served as the Liberals’ environment minister for four years before Carney moved him out of the post in March. He is now the ********* culture minister with responsibility for Parks Canada, nature and biodiversity. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Guilbeault’s comments on pipelines came a day after Carney indicated in an interview with CTV News that he’s open to building more pipelines if there is consensus across the country in favour of it. 1:44 How the Liberal ********* government could complicate Carney’s energy policy Carney also opened the door to making changes to the emissions cap on oil and gas production and to the federal legislation for reviewing projects, the Impact Assessment Act. On his way out of the cabinet meeting, Buckley Belanger, the newly appointed secretary of state for rural development, dismissed suggestions of mixed signals. Trending Now Police say nearly 200 tips have come in for missing Nova Scotia children Parkinson’s risk higher for those living close to a golf course: study “We’re all united on that front and I think it’s fantastic for the oil and gas sector. Don’t forget, folks, we’re third worldwide in terms of production of oil and gas,” Buckley told reporters. Story continues below advertisement “We want to build on that success. So clearly, I think Alberta and Saskatchewan have a great opportunity to build on their … expertise in oil and gas and join the rest of Canada in strengthening our trade worldwide. Simple as that.” Carney said during the election campaign he would keep the emissions cap in place, though Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Carney struck a different tone in a meeting with her around the same time. Canada’s oil and gas sector has indicated no desire to build new pipelines under the current regulatory environment. Following the election, 38 ********* oil and gas CEOs wrote to Carney calling on him to repeal the assessment law and scrap the emissions cap regulations. 2:42 Carney, premiers pledge to start work on national energy and trade corridor &copy 2025 The ********* Press Source link #Canada #maximize #existing #pipeline #building #minister Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Beginning of the end? Ukraine’s front-line soldiers eye Russia talks with hope Beginning of the end? Ukraine’s front-line soldiers eye Russia talks with hope Yogita Limaye BBC News Reporting fromEastern UkraineBBC Some soldiers like Kozak believe too many people have been killed to hand over land to Russia Big plumes of smoke are visible on a screen that’s providing a live feed from Ukrainian drones hovering over the outskirts of the eastern city of Pokrovsk, one of the most intense front lines in Ukraine. A few seconds earlier, Ukrainian artillery strikes Russian positions, places where we’d seen Russian soldiers moving about as they try to advance towards a key road going into Pokrovsk. At least one Russian soldier is injured, possibly dead after the strike. It’s chilling to watch the live footage. It drives home the bloody consequences of the war that Russia started, in which hundreds of thousands have so far been killed, a “never-ending bloodbath” as US President Donald Trump calls it. We are in a rural house converted into a command centre for the 155th mechanised brigade of the Ukrainian army. It’s a few miles from front-line artillery positions. The scale of the devastation that we see on the screens, homes and buildings completely flattened, is far greater than what we saw six months ago. It is evidence of the fierce battle that has been fought over the past several months to defend Pokrovsk, a crucial transport hub in the Donetsk region. This week, there’s cautious optimism, even among sceptical soldiers who have witnessed hopes of a ceasefire being dashed over and over again, as diplomatic efforts from the US, Europe, Turkey and others have pushed Russia and Ukraine to direct talks for the first time in three years. “I think something should happen since Russia was the first one to push for these talks. I mean since 2022, they have refused to go into any contact,” says an officer who wants to be referred to with his call sign “Kozak”. “I want to believe this would be the beginning of the end of the war. “But now I see, we have been successful in destroying their rear positions and their supply lines. Russia does not have the same strength and power it had at the beginning. So I think that something will happen.” Yurii (R) does not believe Russia will stop if Ukraine gives up territory now Yurii, 37, used to work in a technology company before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. “They (Russia and Ukraine) have to start talking. Us soldiers, we wish this war would end. But it’s important to remember that we cannot stop it because we did not start it,” he says. He looks up at the screen and spots Russian soldiers moving again. He and his colleagues calculate the co-ordinates of their positions and pass them on to their artillery unit. Watch: BBC’s Yogita Limaye joins Ukrainian soldiers on the front line We drive from the command centre to the artillery position, on mud tracks running through a wide expanse of open fields. Clumps of mud fly in the air, our car slips and slides, as we move as fast as possible. The speed is a mitigation against strikes from drones, which have sharply increased fatalities for both Russia and Ukraine since they were deployed in large numbers in 2023. And war technology keeps evolving. Now there’s a new threat – drones equipped with a real fibre optic cable which unrolls as they fly. “We cannot detect them or neutralise them, so there are probably a lot more drones in the area right now than we know,” says Yurii. As we drive into the artillery position hidden under trees and bushes, soldiers are already loading the gun. It’s a French made self-propelled artillery gun called the “Caesar”. Scores have been deployed in Ukraine since the start of the war, and France has been trying to ramp up production. France has been sending dozens of Caesar self-propelled artillery guns to Ukraine since 2022 “I’m very impressed by its accuracy, and we can use a large range of ammunition. The most important thing is that bringing it into combat is very fast. It is much more effective than the old Soviet equipment I’ve used,” says Kozak. Ukrainian soldiers fire four rounds, each one emitting a deafening sound. From around us, we also hear the sound of incoming shells. The battle rages on. “As you can hear, there is a wave of assaults from the enemy and we need a lot of ammunition to suppress that. We hope our international partners can give us as much ammunition as possible, because if we have to start choosing priority and non-priority targets then the enemy will be successful,” says Kozak. We ask the soldiers how they feel about suggestions that Ukraine will have to make concessions, that it might have to give up land to secure peace. “It’s painful to hear that. Even I want to go home to my family. My daughter is eight and I miss her so much. But we need to be strong. I don’t believe that if we give up some territory, they will stop. In a couple of years, they will return and start over,” says Yurii. “A person who has not come here, who hasn’t felt the consequences of Russian aggression, those armchair commentators say you can give up land and everything will be over. They will never understand how many brothers and friends we have lost. We shouldn’t give up a single metre of our land,” says Kozak. The impact of three years of war can be seen everywhere across Ukraine The cost Ukraine has paid to defend its land is visible everywhere, most acutely in the photos of smiling, young soldiers posted by the side of highways, on memorial walls in central city squares, and on rows and rows of freshly dug graves in the country. Yana Stepanenko lovingly buys her son’s favourite treats – a cup of steaming hot chocolate and a chocolate roll. Then she drives out to a cemetery in the southern city of Zaporizhzhia, and places them neatly by 22-year-old Vladislav’s grave. She and her daughter, 13-year-old Nicole, wipe the grave with wet tissues. Before long, they break down inconsolably into each other’s arms. Vladislav was a drone operator with the Ukrainian military. He was killed in combat in a Russian strike on 21 February this year. For Yana, news of direct talks resuming bring no hope. “It seems to me that this war is eternal. Of course, I hope they will find a solution. Because people are dying here and there (in Russia). But Putin is greedy. His hunger for our land is insatiable,” says Yana. Yana, whose son was killed earlier this year, says she cannot live in land taken over by Russia Parts of the Zaporizhzhia region are currently occupied by Russia, the front line less than 40 miles from the city. But Russia has on more than one occasion demanded control of the full regions of Zaporizhzhia, Luhansk, Donetsk and Kherson as part of any peace deal. “No way. I want to live in Ukraine, not Russia. We have seen what they do under occupation, what they did in places like Bucha – their cruelty and torture,” says Yana. “Can you imagine, they’ve not even spared this graveyard,” she adds, pointing to a big crater nearby where a bomb exploded some months ago. Tears rolling down her eyes, she adds. “I hope my child did not die for nothing. That there will still be a victory and all of Ukraine will become free.” Additional reporting by Imogen Anderson, Volodymyr Lozhko, Anastasiia Levchenko, Sanjay Ganguly Source link #Beginning #Ukraines #frontline #soldiers #eye #Russia #talks #hope Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

4 Takeaways From Cassie’s Second Day of Testimony 4 Takeaways From Cassie’s Second Day of Testimony Casandra Ventura, the singer known as Cassie, testified on Wednesday that Sean Combs ****** her in 2018, was frequently physically abusive to her and others, and blackmailed her by threatening to release explicit videos that would have damaged her career. She will be cross-examined by the defense on Thursday. The prosecution contends that Ms. Ventura and another woman were coerced into drug-dazed marathon sex sessions that Mr. Combs called freak-offs. He has pleaded not guilty to sex-trafficking and racketeering conspiracy charges and said the ******* encounters were consensual. Here are four takeaways from her second day of testimony: Long stretches of testimony were about Mr. Combs’s violent outbursts. The day began with Ms. Ventura describing the 2016 assault that many have seen in the hotel surveillance video broadcast by CNN. But she spent long stretches of testimony detailing several instances of Mr. Combs’s violence, committed against her and others, that made the footage seem mild in comparison. Prosecutors entered into evidence several photos that showed bruises on her face and body, which she said were sustained in beatings that occurred “too frequently.” Remaining dispassionate on the witness stand, Ms. Ventura described hiding under a toilet as Mr. Combs kicked her, leaving her in such bad shape that one of his male employees cried after seeing her. When Mr. Combs threw her into a bed frame, she testified, she suffered a gash over her eye that required sutures. Another beating left her bloodied and vomiting, she testified. Mr. Combs could also be violent to her friends and his romantic rivals, Ms. Ventura testified. She identified a friend known as Bana who, she said, Mr. Combs dangled over her apartment balcony: “I saw him bring her back over the railing of the balcony and then throw her onto the patio furniture.” Ms. Ventura also testified about Mr. Combs’s reaction when he learned — by looking through her phone during a freak-off — that she had begun dating the rapper Kid Cudi. Mr. Combs, furious, told her that he was going to hurt both of them, and that the rapper’s car would be “blown up.” Freak-off videos were used as blackmail, Ms. Ventura said. ********* explicit video recordings of the freak-offs that Ms. Ventura said she was forced to participate in were wielded by Mr. Combs to threaten her with blackmail, she testified on Wednesday. After she dated someone else, Mr. Combs told her, “I’m going to put out two embarrassing videos of you,” Ms. Ventura recalled. She added that she thought he “just wanted to hurt me.” Another time, after Ms. Ventura tried to avoid sitting next to Mr. Combs on a plane, he pulled up freak-off videos on his laptop that she thought had been deleted, according to her testimony. She says Combs told her that he was going to “embarrass me and release them.” “I just felt trapped,” she testified. Ms. Ventura also said she worried that Mr. Combs would put her career in jeopardy by releasing the intimate videos. “I just feared for my career, I feared for my family,” she said. “It’s just embarrassing. And it’s horrible and disgusting. No one should do that to anyone.” Ms. Ventura received a $20 million settlement from Mr. Combs. Ms. Ventura acknowledged in her testimony that she had been paid $20 million to settle a civil suit she brought against Mr. Combs in 2023. Prosecutors appeared to draw forth that testimony in an effort to inoculate her from expected efforts to impeach her credibility during cross-examination on Thursday. The defense has suggested that Ms. Ventura used her accounts of violence by Mr. Combs to extract a payday from him, first by saying she was writing a memoir and then by filing her bombshell lawsuit that asserted he had been abusive. Mr. Combs settled the suit only a day later, but the financial payment was not defined until Wednesday. Prosecutors also had Ms. Ventura discuss her drug use when she was not with Mr. Combs and the fact that she had hit him at times in their relationship. She said that, despite her best efforts on one occasion, when she punched him while drunk, she never thought she had actually caused an injury. Testimony touched on the sex-trafficking and racketeering conspiracy charges. Ms. Ventura has provided graphic testimony about consistent and repeated instances of physical violence and drug-fueled marathon sex sessions that left her ashamed, depleted and injured, all directed by Mr. Combs. She has said recordings of the freak-offs were “blackmail materials” that he threatened to release to humiliate her. But the music mogul is not charged with assault, ***** or blackmail. The core charges address sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy, which some of Ms. Ventura’s testimony addressed on Wednesday. One prosecutor, Emily A. Johnson, asked Ms. Ventura where the freak-offs took place and which male escorts were present. She showed Ms. Ventura photos of 13 escorts, with names including Ash, Tommy, Greg and a man known as “Islander.” Ms. Ventura also listed some of the cities where she and Mr. Combs had freak-offs with the men: Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Las Vegas, Ibiza. The direction of the testimony suggested that, under the guidance of Mr. Combs, the escorts and Ms. Ventura had been made to travel for the purpose of ******* encounters in different locations. Ms. Johnson also asked Ms. Ventura about members of Mr. Combs’s team and employees who knew about and facilitated these activities. Ms. Ventura testified about a security guard who hosted her at his home after the 2016 hotel hallway assault and, at another point brought her to a Beverly Hills plastic surgeon to repair a gash on her eyebrow after Mr. Combs threw her into a corner of a bed; and an ******* who, with Mr. Combs, was present when she blacked out on the drug GHB in a motel shower in the Hamptons. Ms. Ventura said that several of Mr. Combs’s employees witnessed him abusing her over the years. She said at least one assistant told her he quit because of the way Mr. Combs had treated her. Source link #Takeaways #Cassies #Day #Testimony Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]