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Animal rights influencer Elena Larrea, 31, dies of complications after liposuction surgery in Mexico

Albert Elence — Fri, 22 Mar 2024 15:28:41 +0000

Animal rights influencer Elena Larrea, 31, died two days after liposuction.

The Mexican model influencer, who had over half a million followers on Instagram, and activist died of pulmonary thrombosis, also called pulmonary embolism, in which blood clots travel from the legs to the lungs.

Larrea was the founder of the Cuacolandia animal shelter, which provided shelter for horses, donkeys and other animals.

When the shelter was about to close, Larrea joined OnlyFans to raise money to keep it open.

She worked with the Animalist Movement of Puebla to make bestiality a crime in the state, ultimately changing the legislature in the Mexican state of Puebla.

Animal rights influencer Elena Larrea, 31, died two days after liposuction

The Mexican model influencer and activist died of pulmonary thrombosis, also called pulmonary embolism, in which blood clots travel from the legs to the lungs

Larrea was the founder of the Cuacolandia animal shelter, which provided shelter for horses, donkeys and other animals

Larrea’s team confirmed her death in a rack on Instagram.

“It is with great regret that we inform you of the departure of Elena Larrea, president and founder of Cuacolandia, who unfortunately died yesterday, Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at 3:30 PM due to a pulmonary thrombosis that caused a clot in the lung,” a statement read. of the animal shelter, translated from the original Spanish.

‘From Cuacolandia we deeply regret her loss.

‘We will remember and continue to commit to everything she has courageously promoted through this foundation. We will promote their legacy and love so that our horses, donkeys and mules live freely and in adequate conditions in Mexico and in this, our sanctuary for horses rescued from abuse and neglect.

“We reiterate our sincere condolences to the entire Cuacolandia family, as well as to the Larrea family and the close friends of those who have fought tirelessly for animal rights.

‘We thank her for all her love and devotion and wish her eternal rest and peace.

‘We will miss you.’

Puebla regional governor Sergio Soloman spoke out following the announcement of her death.

“I deeply regret the death of Elena Larrea, a tireless fighter in defense of animal welfare,” wrote the Mexican governor of Puebla, Sergio Salomón, in a letter rack shared on X, formerly Twitter.

‘The rescue of thousands of horses in abusive conditions leaves a testimony to her life and work.’

When the shelter was about to close, Larrea joined OnlyFans to raise money to keep it open

She worked with the Animalist Movement of Puebla to make bestiality a crime in the state, ultimately changing the legislature in the Mexican state of Puebla.

“On behalf of the government of Puebla, we give our hugs of solidarity to her family and friends.”

Soloman promised to keep her animal shelter open with the help of the Ministry of the Environment.

“We will provide all necessary assistance so that authorities can care for other horses as well as those already rescued, with their welfare paramount at all times. We will follow your example. Rest in peace, Elena,” Solomon said.

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Travel experts reveal how flirting differs around the world, from banter in Britain to winking in Spain and from NEVER playing hard to get in Denmark to the best icebreaker in the US.

Albert Elence — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 19:48:47 +0000

In the mood and market for a holiday romance?

Then pay close attention to the insights travel experts reveal here about how flirting differs around the world.

They reveal the best icebreaker in the US, the land where flirting is tangible and filled with winks and the place where lingering eye contact and buttery compliments are the order of the day on the courtship front.

Our love gurus also mention the countries where women can expect men to be openly persistent – and a place where men literally bark like dogs at the opposite sex.

Read on for some helpful global lessons in love…

Woo goes there: MailOnline contacted travel and romance experts to find out how flirting differs around the world

UK – sharp humor hides simmering passion

Hannah Dorling, cruise travel expert and founder of I like cruise shipsis a Brit who has traveled the world and witnessed many a love affair on board.

She claims that humor is leading the way for chatting in Britain.

She tells MailOnline Travel: ‘British flirting succeeds more through banter and intellectual sparring than through overt displays… sharing private laughter helps intimacy grow.

‘For me the intrigue lies in the subtleties of British flirting. Mastering repartee, inside jokes and sensing the possibilities beneath… It may look subdued, but passions can still simmer beneath the surface.’

United States – direct and sincere

Noël Wolf is a culture expert and Babbel Live teacher for the language site Babble. He says: ‘Americans are known for being more to the point and sincere in their flirting than their compatriots in Britain.’

He notes that asking about someone’s career is the traditional American icebreaker, adding, “Americans tend to be less sarcastic than British people!”

South China – chopstick codes in rice balls

Clarissa Bloom is a relationship expert for ‘hen party experts’ www.thestagcompany.com. She notes a fun flirting tradition in southern China: ‘They celebrate the Sisters Meal Festival, their version of Valentine’s Day.

‘The women cook some glutinous rice in different colors, and when a man “takes the step” they hand him some rice in a handkerchief. If they unpack it and find two chopsticks, it means it worked.

“Only one chopstick means the girl isn’t interested, but since only the guy can see how many chopsticks are in it, it’s relatively subtle and less embarrassing if it’s a no.”

In Britain and Australia, friendly banter paves the way for romance, while in the US, asking people about their work can be the opening salvo for love

Spain – direct eye contact and lots of touching

Michele Massa is a Spanish travel expert and CEO of Ibiza summer villas. She talks about how Spaniards like to keep things tangible: ‘Spaniards are very expressive people and when flirting we tend to show this through direct eye contact and physical touch.’

Sara Rodriguez, founder of Madrid Travelagrees: ‘You don’t have to be shy with the ‘me gustas’ (I like you) – we strive to leave no uncertainty about romantic interest.

‘Women in particular are bold and lead with a smile and a wink… we think clarity is sexy – why dance around the chemistry when you can feel the fire?’

Canada – a subtle dance

Michael Donovan is a travel expert and co-founder of StayNewEngland.com.

He says: ‘Flirting in Canada tends to be quieter than in many parts of the world. Canadians have a reputation for being polite and respectful, and this translates into romantic pursuits.

‘Overtly sexual comments may be considered rude.

‘Although Canadian flirting has little impact, it runs deep. Canadians seek life partners, not conquests. It is a subtle dance, in which communication and egalitarian values stimulate attraction.’

France – lingering eye contact and buttery compliments

Picking someone up is called ‘draguer’ in French, literally dredging.

Yet Fiona Spinks, travel expert and publisher of Fiona followedbelieves that the French have turned flirting into a high art: ‘AYou’ll have persistent eye contact, suggestive body language, and buttery compliments about your intelligence or irresistible je ne sais quoi.

“Leave it to the land of romance to take the simple chat-up line to a poetic level with romantic gestures like handwritten notes and intimate invitations.”

In some countries, flirting tends to be overt (if you look at Italy, France and Spain), while in more conservative countries such as India and Egypt, flirting is more codified and needs to be done in wider social circles.

India – tradition runs deep

Travel expert Anjali Chawla, founder of Travel melodiesnotes that Indian romantic cues are subtle, with suitors relying on gestures, “gentle” compliments, and finding excuses to interact in social situations.

She says, “Being too direct or overt with advances is generally not appreciated.”

Tradition is the key. Anjali continues: ‘Since parental involvement often plays an important role in the matchmaking process, openly dating multiple potential partners is usually not an initially accepted option. Flirting occurs most often during family gatherings and other controlled environments in the early stages.

‘Long-standing power dynamics also favor lighter-skinned people over darker skin tones, although this is slowly becoming more prevalent in modern urban areas.’

Italy – persistent

In Mexico it is common to hear wolves whistling or shouting comments out loud

Emily Mendez, psychotherapist and writer for Tom’s blog, notes: ‘Italy has a reputation for amorous, persistent men who ruthlessly pursue the objects of their desire. Serenades and poetic overtures are more common flirting tactics [there] than in many other countries.’

Brazil, Mexico and Costa Rica – fast and aggressive

In Mexico and South America, flirting can become quite aggressive, according to Clarissa Bloom.

She says that in Brazil they are “much faster at dating and flirting,” adding, “It’s common to be close, dance together and kiss on a first date in Brazil.”

In Mexico, on the other hand, “it is common to hear wolves whistling or shouting comments out loud,” and in Costa Rica “you may hear men making dogs bark at you, which is a strange way to show your attraction.”

Egypt – keep it modest

‘[In Egypt] Islamic values play an important role in shaping social interactions, including flirting,” said Mona Gomaa Flash Pack’s True Egypt tour.

She adds: ‘Modesty and respect are highly valued, and public displays of affection or provocative behavior are generally frowned upon in public.

‘Unmarried men and women generally do not interact freely and do not openly express their interest in each other. Instead, they may seek the help of intermediaries, such as family members or friends.”

Australia – friendly banter

Like their Commonwealth cousins, Australians prefer playful banter, fueled by humor and confidence, to pick-up lines, says Rosalind Cuthbertson, travel expert and co-owner of Frequent traveler.

She adds: ‘They tease with funny jokes, often about cultural touchpoints, demonstrating their ability to charm while gently poking fun.’

Germany and Denmark are both known for their direct, no-nonsense approach to flirting. In the photo: a couple in Copenhagen

Germany – in advance and punctual

Noel Wolf from Babbel says: ‘Germans are known for being direct, and that can also apply in the dating world. Showing off or cheap lines don’t tend to be the preferred style.

‘Honest communication is appreciated, even though the truth can sometimes be a bit painful, so people tend not to beat around the bush.

‘One thing you should keep in mind is the importance of punctuality; Being fashionably late doesn’t make a good first impression!’

Denmark – talk honestly

According to Nicolai Lonne, travel expert and founder of Dive in, the Danish flirting style is similar to their German cousins: ‘We have a very direct approach to flirting and dating here in Denmark. For example, we Danes don’t really like playing hard-to-get or cryptic hints. We value honesty and openness about our intentions.‘

PICK-UP LINES FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD

Cultural guru and Babbel Live teacher Noël Wolf offered his linguistic insights in pick-up lines around the world.

France

‘Pick-up lines aren’t really popular in France unless they’re used with a good dose of humor, so be careful!

‘An example could be: “Est-ce que ton père est un voleur? Parce qu’il a volé toutes les étoiles du ciel pour les mettre dans tes yeux. / Is your father a thief? Because he has all the stars in the world stole heaven to put them in your eyes.”

Italian

‘It wouldn’t be amiss to try out a few cheesy Italian lines, such as: “Posso offrirti un caffè per sciogliere il ghiaccio? / May I offer you a coffee to melt the ice?” or: “Credi nell’amore a prima vista o devo ripassare più tardi? / Do you believe in love at first sight, or should I come back later?”‘

German

‘Although cheap lines are not really popular in Germany, if you want to take the risk of trying one out, you can say: “I have lost my telephone number. borrow yours?”

Spanish

Corny pick-up lines also exist in Spanish, where they are known as piropos, but beware that these may be met with an eye roll rather than the desired outcome of someone agreeing in a way to go on a date.

“Here’s one you could try: “Quisiera ser joyero para poder apreciar un diamante como tú. / I would like to become a jeweler to be able to appreciate a diamond like you.”

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Mexico condemns the Texas law and says it will not accept deportations from the state

Sabir Ansary — Wed, 20 Mar 2024 00:54:13 +0000

Mexico will not accept deportations under any circumstances by Texas, the country’s Department of State said Tuesday in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to allow Texas to arrest migrants who enter the state without authorization.

The ministry condemned the state law, known as Senate Bill 4It would separate families, violate the human rights of migrants and create a “hostile environment” for the more than 10 million people of Mexican descent living in Texas.

Mexico’s top diplomat for North America, Roberto Velasco Álvarez, rejected the ruling on social media On Tuesday, he said immigration policy is something that should be negotiated between federal governments.

The Mexican government has severely criticized the measure since last year, rejecting the idea that local or national agencies, rather than federal authorities, would detain migrants and asylum seekers and return them to Mexican territory.

“Texas has taken a very combative stance,” said Rafael Fernández de Castro, director of the Center for US-Mexican Studies at the University of California, San Diego. “It just makes the problem worse because you’re forcibly closing one part of the border while others are still open.”

A senior Mexican Foreign Ministry official, who was not authorized to speak publicly, said the Supreme Court ruling would not affect existing migration agreements between the two countries.

While Mexico has served as the United States’ immigration enforcer, often discouraging migrants from gathering at the border, the country has also publicly pushed for two major policies to address the root causes that push people from their home countries — such as poverty and violence. , inequality and climate change – and expand regular migration routes.

Last week, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador of Mexico said his administration was proposing that the Biden administration give legal status to at least five million undocumented Mexicans living and working in the United States.

He has also called on the United States to suspend sanctions on Venezuela and lift the blockade on Cuba, saying such measures would reduce migration flows from those countries. And he has called proposals to build walls or close the border “electoral propaganda.”

“Do you think the Americans and Mexicans will approve of this?” Mr López Obrador said this last month. “Companies can’t handle it. Maybe for a day, but not for a week.”

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Travel influencer Tara Katims is criticized for going on a slum tour of Mumbai, saying it is ‘her favorite part of her trip to India’

Sabir Ansary — Mon, 18 Mar 2024 18:28:23 +0000

An American travel influencer has been criticized for promoting a ‘slum tour’ during her visit to India.

Tara Katims, 24, originally from the US but recently moved to Mexico, posted a video advising her followers on the best way to spend 72 hours in Mumbai.

The full-time solo traveler documented her activities on her TikTok account @tarkatims, which included a pilates class, clubbing and a cooking class, as well as a “tour of the slums of Dharavi.”

Tara said she is ‘so happy’ to have gone on tour despite being ‘so nervous’ – but she is being criticized online for turning others’ ‘poverty’ into her own ‘tourism’.

Recommends the two-hour tour to her fans in a video, Tara said: ‘I’m not going to lie, I was so nervous going into this experience, but I’m so glad I did. If you’re the kind of person who likes to stay in touristy places when they travel, then this probably isn’t for you.

US travel influencer Tara Katims (pictured) has been criticized for promoting a ‘slum tour’ during her visit to India

Tara, 24, said her ‘favorite part’ of visiting India was touring the slums of Dharavi

‘I saw this advertisement on Airbnb for a tour given by a man who has lived in the slums himself.

‘His motivation in starting these tours was to help break the stigma associated with growing up in the slums. People can be denied jobs after growing up in the slums, and much more.

‘The tour takes you through the different industries in the slums and you see daily life there and the NGOs and organizations that go there to help.

“It’s easy to come to India and only see the beautiful parts, but the reality is that this is how most people in Mumbai live.”

But despite saying she would ’10/10 recommend’ the tour, Tara was slammed online by those shocked that she was promoting the tour to her 15,000 followers.

One social media user wrote: ‘“Slum tour” girl, hey people live here – poverty is not tourism, it’s not your place to be entertained – instead of posting a “slum tour” maybe you could promote a charity that helps them.’

A second added: ‘Definitely not how “most” people live in Mumbai. This is a big slum, but only a small part of Mumbai. At least try to be accurate.’

A third said: ‘I understand the intention behind this video but calling it a slum tour puts the whole idea in a really bad taste,’ while another commented: ‘Using the SLUMS world tour will NOT help reduce the stigma breaking through.’

The ‘Dharavi Slums Tour’ is advertised on Airbnb as a two-hour tour organized by Jitrenda, who grew up in Mumbai

Tara said she’s ‘so happy’ she went on tour despite being ‘really nervous’ – but she’s been blasted online

However, some people quickly rushed to Tara’s defense, with one saying: ‘How insensitive is she? It literally says ‘Dharavi Slums Tour’, she didn’t make up the name.”

The ‘Dharavi Slums Tour’ is advertised on Airbnb as a two-hour experience organized by Jitrenda, who grew up in Mumbai.

It costs £6 per person and has an average rating of 4.98 stars from 300 reviews – aiming to ‘dispel the negative image of the slum and spend some of the profits from the tour on social activities’, according to the listing on Airbnb.

The Dharavi residential area is considered one of the largest ‘slums’ in the world, with around a million inhabitants, and was used as the setting in the Oscar-winning British film Slumdog Millionaire.

Search results for such tours return hundreds of results, including listings on the likes of TripAdvisor and Airbnb.

In 2019, The Telegraph reported that tours of the area had become India’s ‘most popular’ tourist attraction, despite controversy over the ethics of participation.

‘Slums’ are areas of densely packed housing and are often associated with poverty.

However, many no longer use the word ‘slum’ due to its derogatory associations and negative connotations.

Tara has been criticized online for turning the ‘poverty’ of others into her own ‘tourism’

Some say the use of the word slum is an attempt to delegitimize land by repurposing it.

The UN defines slums as: ‘Individuals living under the same roof and lacking one or more of the following conditions: access to improved water, access to improved sanitation, adequate living space, sustainability of housing and security of tenure.’

Tara has traveled the world and posted videos of her trips to Mexico City, Nepal, India and Egypt, among others.

She previously revealed that she would never visit Egypt alone as a female traveler because she was harassed in Cairo.

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Whatever floats your boat! The most amazing cruises, from SADNESS-THEMED sailing trips to TANTRIC YACHTING trips at sea

Albert Elence — Mon, 18 Mar 2024 13:17:43 +0000

Did you think cruises were overkill? You haven’t seen anything yet.

These themed trips will open your eyes to a whole new level of extravagance.

There’s a cruise for cat lovers, a nude cruise where guests are encouraged to strip naked and a trip for those with a deep love of disco.

Or how about a clothes-less cruise for couples or an extraordinary Star Trek cruise?

Scroll down to see which floats your boat…

Meow Meow Cruise – a trip for cat lovers

Get started: Meow Meow Cruise is the ultimate cruise for cat lovers (although cats are not allowed on board)

The Meow Meow Cruise is the purring journey for cat lovers.

Cats are not allowed on board, but cat fanatics can meet like-minded people through meet and greets, group dinners, group trivia and more.

This year’s trip – a four-night Caribbean cruise from Miami aboard Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady – has already departed. For those who missed it, there is a cat cruise to Alaska in 2025 with Carnival Cruise Lines.

Prices start at $1,550 (£1,221). To make a reservation you can register via meowmeowcruise.com.

The nude cruise

Could you bear it? Bare Necessities Tour and Travel offers cruises for nudists

Most guests on this cruise package are light – very light.

It’s run by Bare Necessities Tour & Travel, which encourages guests to strip off but provides a few guidelines.

One rule is that “lingerie, fetish wear and excessive genital jewelry” are prohibited, as is nudity when the ship is docked and during meals in the dining rooms.

Guests must also ensure that when sitting on a towel or piece of clothing ‘bare buttocks or in a thong or G-string’.

The Bare Necessities Tour & Travel website adds that this rule applies “everywhere… your stateroom, on the pool deck, in the buffet area, in all locations on board and even during excursions.”

And it emphasizes: ‘Social nudity is not a sexual activity, and we aim to dispel the misconception that it is anything but natural and beautiful.’

The next nude cruise – billed as The Big Nude Boat – will depart from Miami to Mexico in February 2025 aboard Norwegian Pearl. Tickets start at $2,000 (£1,578). For more information visit cruisebare.com/cruises.

The ultimate disco cruise

During this cruise dedicated to discos, a ship is turned into a ‘floating dance club’

How deep is your love for disco? Very deep? Then the Ultimate Disco Cruise might be something for you.

The next sailing will be a round-trip from Miami to Mexico, departing in February 2025, with the ship – Norwegian Pearl – being converted into a ‘floating dance club’.

Ultimate Disco Cruise promises ‘themed parties, more than 40 live performances, interaction with the stars’ – and Kool & the Gang will be the main act.

Make sure to pack your pants and platform boots because there’s a costume contest coming up.

Prices range from $1,799 to $8,099 (£1,419 to £6,391). To book, go to ultimatediscocruise.com.

Desire Cruises – a ‘sensual’ way of cruising

Desire Cruises offers a clothing-optional mix of relaxation and fantasy on the high seas

Couples only and clothing optional, Desire Cruises offers a ‘sensual way of sailing’.

As a guest, ‘you will embark on an unforgettable adventure, immersing yourself in the perfect blend of relaxation and fantasy as you sail the high seas’.

Features include ‘provocative theme nights in an enticing nightclub, private games rooms, gourmet dining and an inclusive drinks package’.

The next voyage is in May 2024, with the Desire French Riviera sailing from Barcelona to Rome. The eight-day, seven-night journey promises guests will fulfill their “wildest dreams as they bask in the magnetic energy of the sea.”

Prices are available on request. To see Desire-cruises.com.

Star Trek cruise

Make it so much fun: The Star Trek cruise features a range of themed parties, activities and actors from the franchise

For a trip that’s out of this world, Star Trek fans can book a berth aboard Royal Caribbean’s Explorer of the Seas and “embark on an interstellar journey like never before.”

This Star Trek-themed journey – ‘the ultimate immersive Star Trek experience’ – departs in 2025 for a seven-day journey around the Caribbean, featuring shows, parties, activities and appearances by actors from the franchise, including Jonathan, with Star Trek -theme. Frakes and Kate Mulgrew.

Prices range from $2,100 to $10,200 (£1,657 to £8,051). For more information visit starttrekthecruise.com/pricing.

High Seas Rally – a cruise built for motorcyclists

High Seas Rally is a cruise for members of the cycling community. Above is a “belly flop” contest from a previous cruise

Described as the ‘ultimate motorcycle holiday’, High Seas Rally brings members of the motorcycle community ‘killer concerts and live music, top sellers, demos from industry insiders and bucket list ports of call.” And a “belly flop” contest.

The flight will depart from Tampa, Florida on October 26, 2024 and stop at several ports in the Bahamas.

Prices start at $1,440 (£1,136). For more information visit highseasrally.com.

Rock ‘N’ Wrestling Rager at Sea by Chris Jericho

Chris Jericho hosts a wrestling-themed cruise for fans of the sport

The Chris Jericho Cruise – Full Title Rock ‘N’ Wrestling Rager at Sea: Six on the Beach! – organized by the wrestling champion himself, will depart from Miami in January 2025, with Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic as its final port of call.

The ship will be Norway’s gem, with onboard amenities including a number of ‘table-slapping fan favourites’ – from an onboard wrestling ring to ‘lively performances from musicians and comedians we love’, and from podcast recordings to ‘the chance to s*** with wrestling legends’.

A price list can be found at www.chrisjerichocruise.com.

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Trump sparks liberal media meltdown after warning there will be a ‘BLOODBATH’ if he loses the election and branded migrants ‘animals’

Albert Elence — Sun, 17 Mar 2024 20:26:23 +0000

Donald Trump has sparked a liberal media meltdown after warning that there will be a ‘bloodbath’ if he loses the election in a fiery speech where he also branded migrants ‘animals.’

The penultimate president painted an apocalyptic vision of the country if Biden wins a second term while speaking at an airfield rally outside of Dayton, Ohio, Saturday to campaign for Republican Senate candidate Bernie Moreno.

‘If I don´t get elected, it´s going to be a bloodbath for the whole – that´s going to be the least of it. It´s going to be a bloodbath for the country,’ Trump, 77, warned.

On the subject of immigration and the murder of Laken Riley allegedly at the hands of an undocumented migrant, Trump also described criminal migrants as ‘animals’ – in the latest sign that his campaign rhetoric has become increasingly inflammatory.

Critics including Nancy Pelosi and a retired FBI boss blasted the incendiary ‘bloodbath’ comment as ‘a threat’ – while MAGA supporters said it had been taken out of context by the press because it came in reference to a clampdown on foreign car imports.

Donald Trump has sparked a liberal media meltdown after warning that there will be a ‘bloodbath’ if he loses the election in a fiery speech where he also branded migrants ‘animals’

Nancy Pelosi was among those to raise concerns about Trump’s ‘bloodbath’ rhetoric

‘Mexico has taken over a period of 30 years, 34 percent of the automobile manufacturing business in our country,’ Trump said at the Dayton rally.

‘China now is building a couple of massive plants where they’re going to build the cars in Mexico, and they think that they’re going to sell those cars into the United States with no tax at the border.

‘Let me tell you something to China. If you’re listening President Xi, and you and I are friends, but he understands the way I deal.

‘Those big monster car manufacturing plants that you’re building in Mexico right now, if you think you’re going to get that and not hire Americans and you’re going to sell the cars to us – no – we’re going to put a 100 percent tariff on every car that comes across the line.

‘If I don´t get elected, it´s going to be a bloodbath for the whole – that´s going to be the least of it. It´s going to be a bloodbath for the country.’

Headlines quickly seized on the ‘bloodbath’ comment, which Trump supporters said was unfair to use without context -involving the outsourcing of the auto industry that the GOP expects to continue if Biden stays in the White House – and prompted Elon Musk to blast the reports as ‘legacy media lies.’

The outcry over his comments quickly poured onto Musk’s X platform, formerly known as Twitter, as users branded Trump as ‘hateful’ ‘grotesque’ and ‘a dangerous lunatic’ over both his ‘bloodbath’ comment and reference to migrants as ‘animals’.

Retired FBI assistant director Frank Figliuzzi was among those who raised concerns.

‘Trump says if he’s not elected “It will be a blood bath for the country”,’ Figliuzzi wrote on X.

‘FYI, if he IS elected, it will also be a blood bath based on his intentions. The choice is as clear as the threat.’

The outcry over his comments quickly poured onto Musk’s X platform, formerly known as Twitter , as users branded Trump as ‘hateful’ ‘grotesque’ and ‘a dangerous lunatic’ over both his ‘bloodbath’ comment and reference to migrants as ‘animals’

Former house speaker Nancy Pelosi also weighed in.

‘We just have to win the election, because he’s even predicting a “bloodbath”,’ she told CNN. ‘What does that mean? He’s going to exact a bloodbath? There’s something wrong here.

‘How respectful I am of the American people and their goodness, but how much more do they have to see from him to understand that this isn’t what our country is about?’

‘This is so dangerous,’ UCL professor Brian Klaas wrote while reposting the clip from Trump’s speech on X.

‘Everyone who cares about democracy, rule of law, the Constitution, or the avoidance of death should call this out, denounce it, make clear this is unacceptable.

‘It is a grotesque indictment of our system that this man could still win the presidency.’

Others said Trump was ‘threatening violence once again’ after the Capitol riot of January 6.

Biden campaign spokesperson James Singer also accused Trump of doubling ‘down on his threats of political violence.’

‘He wants another January 6, but the American people are going to give him another electoral defeat this November because they continue to reject his extremism, his affection for violence, and his thirst for revenge,’ Singer charged in a statement.

Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung said the former president had clearly been talking about the impact of a second Biden term on the auto industry and broader economy.

‘Crooked Joe Biden and his campaign are engaging in deceptively, out-of-context editing,’ he said.

Critics including Nancy Pelosi (pictured) and a retired FBI boss blasted the incendiary ‘bloodbath’ comment as a ‘threat’ – while MAGA supporters said it had been taken out of context because it came in reference to a clampdown on foreign car imports

Cleveland businessman and Republican Senate candidate Bernie Moreno gestures to the crowd at a campaign rally ahead of remarks from Trump

Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally in Vandalia, Ohio

Trump speaks to a crowd at a Buckeye Values PAC rally on March 16

Trump also doubled down on his increasingly radical campaign rhetoric in reference to the immigration crisis, after he described migrants as ‘poisoning the blood of our country’ in December.

‘Among my very first actions upon taking office will be to stop the invasion of our country and to send Joe Biden’s illegal aliens back home,’ he said.

‘These are the roughest people you’ve ever seen. And now we have a new form of crime. I call it Biden migrant crime, but it’s too long so let’s just call it migrant crime.’

‘Throughout the world right now, crime is way way down, you know why? Because they sent us their criminals, that’s why,’ he added.

‘Venezuela is down 66 percent because they sent us their gang members and their gangsters. They sent us their drug dealers and their murderers, they’re all coming into our country.

‘All over the world, crime is down, because they’ve sent them to the United States of America because we have a stupid president that allows this to happen. Stupid.’

‘I would do the same thing if I had prisons teeming with MS-13 and all sorts of people that they’ve got to take care of for the next 50 years – young people, if you can call them people, I don’t know if you can call them people,’ he went on.

‘In some cases they’re not people in my opinion, but I’m not allowed to say that because the radical left says that’s a terrible thing to say.

‘They’ll say ‘you’ll have to vote against him because did you hear what he said about humanity?’ I’ve seen the humanity, and these are bad – these are animals, ok.’

Trump also referred to criminal migrants as ‘snakes’ and claimed that ‘what’s happening to our country’ with the influx ‘has not happened before’.

He claimed that ‘no one has been hurt by Joe Biden’s migrant invasion more than our great African American and Hispanic American communities’ along with people on social security because ‘they’re taking our jobs’.

‘With his open border policy Joe Biden has repeatedly stabbed African American people in the back including by granting millions and millions of work permits taking their jobs,’ Trump said.

‘The African American community, the Hispanic community are going to be the ones who suffer the most, and you know who else? Unions. Those unions are going to go out of business.’

Supporters react as Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump arrives at a campaign rally

Trump gestures to the crowd before speaking during the Ohio rally

Just under an hour into the speech, Trump also appeared to confuse former president Barack Obama with an opponent of Biden’s in the 2020 race.

‘Joe Biden won against Barack Hussain Obama, has anyone ever heard of him?’ Trump told the crowd.

‘Every swing state Biden beat Obama, but every other state he got killed. You think that’s an honest election?’

Turning back to the subject of the rally, Trump said Ohio Republican Senate candidate Bernie Moreno is ‘going to be a warrior in Washington’.

Moreno faces Secretary of State Frank LaRose and state Sen. Matt Dolan in Tuesday’s GOP primary.

LaRose and Moreno have aligned themselves with the pro-Trump faction of the party, while Dolan is backed by more establishment Republicans, including Gov. Mike DeWine and former Sen. Rob Portman.

Saturday’s rally was hosted by Buckeye Values PAC, a group backing Moreno´s candidacy.

A one-time Trump critic, Moreno, a wealthy Cleveland businessman, supported Marco Rubio for president in the 2016 Republican primary, and once tweeted that listening to Trump was ‘like watching a car accident that makes you sick, but you can stop looking.’

In 2021, NBC News reported on an email exchange around the time of Trump´s first presidential run in which Moreno referred to Trump as a ‘lunatic’ and a ‘maniac.’

On Saturday, however, Moreno praised Trump as a ‘great American’ and railed against those in his party who have been critical of the former president, who this week became his party’s presumptive nominee for a third straight election.

‘I am so sick and tired of Republicans that say, `I support President Trump´s policies but I don´t like the man,´’ he said as he joined Trump on stage.

Trump also dismissed recent allegations against Moreno, comparing them to attacks he has faced through the years, including his criminal indictments.

Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump, left, embraces South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem at a campaign rally on March 16

Trump speaks at a campaign rally in Vandalia, Ohio

Trump has been charged in four separate cases that span his handling of classified documents to his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election.

His decision to back Moreno marked a major blow to LaRose, who had taken a number of steps to win his favor.

Just days after entering the Senate race, LaRose endorsed Trump for president – reversing an earlier stance that the state´s elections chief should remain politically neutral.

The next month, he fired a long-time trusted aide after old tweets surfaced in which the staffer criticized Trump.

The winner of Tuesday’s primary will face third-term Sen. Sherrod Brown, viewed as among the nation´s most vulnerable Democrats, in November.

Brown, first elected in 2006 and uncontested in his primary this year, has managed to hold onto his seat even as the state has shifted to the right.

In his most recent reelection in 2018, he defeated then-Rep. Jim Renacci by almost 7 percentage points. Two years later, Ohio voted for then-President Trump by 8 points.

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I’ve dated men in 25 countries around the world — here are the best, worst and weirdest places for romance, from ‘magical’ New York to ‘chivalrous’ London and ‘chauvinistic’ Mexico

Albert Elence — Sat, 16 Mar 2024 11:32:36 +0000

From getting picked up in the pouring rain in Milan to taking a helicopter ride over Central Park, this American woman traveling the world in search of love has certainly had her fair share of interesting dates.

Anne Marie Hagerty began a “global search” to find her husband two years ago after splitting from a man she thought she was “going to marry.”

Since then, she has visited 25 countries, exploring the dating scene in each country and collecting anecdotes such as souvenirs. She posts her dating adventures on her TikTok account (@annemariehagerty), where she has amassed 50,000 followers.

The 28-year-old spoke to MailOnline Travel about her international encounters and shared details about the most romantic spots and places that failed to capture her heart.

Anne Marie Hagerty (above) has dated in more than 25 countries on a ‘global quest’ to find a husband. She is pictured above in Mykonos, Greece

MailOnline Travel spoke to Anne Marie about her dating adventures. She told us about the most romantic places in the world and places that didn’t capture her heart. She is pictured above in Petra, Jordan

Before her dating quest, Anne Marie was certainly no stranger to travel. She moved from a small town in North Carolina to New York, has flown everywhere from Japan to Panama, and even lived in India when she was 18. But, she said, dating abroad opened her eyes to a “whole different side” of travel. .

The most romantic places, she claimed, are New York, Italy and Croatia. Anne Marie described New York as her “number one” place so far. And said it’s a “big part” of why she moved there.

She explained: ‘The serendipity of the city is magical, plus the fact that you are surrounded by millions of people, but when you find one special person it feels like you are living in a super romantic movie.

“I love grand romantic gestures and unique experiences, and New York is the best place in the world to make those things happen. For example, I scheduled a meeting with a man to fly in a helicopter with doors over the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building and Central Park.”

New York is Anne Marie’s ‘number one’ place to find men. She said it “feels like you’re living in a super romantic movie.” She is pictured above in the West Village

Anne Marie said dating in different countries opened her eyes to a “whole different side” of travel. She is seen in the photo on the left in Plitvice National Park, Croatia, and on the right on a beach in Split, Croatia

And Italy also left her swooning with delight. There she experienced one of her ‘best dates’. In Milan, Anne Marie was picked up by a stranger in the pouring rain. “He walked up to me and said, ‘I think you’re beautiful, I’d like to take you out to dinner,’” she said.

Lake Como was another passionate place. She said it is “hands down the most romantic place I have ever been in my life.” But overall, she claimed it was difficult to find dates in Italy.

Meanwhile, Croatia, she said, was just as romantic and easier to meet people than Italy. She explained: ‘It has the charms of Italy, with a more off the beaten track feel. And people were generally friendlier and open to dating early on.”

Although not as romantic as some places she has visited, Anne Marie said London was one of her favorite places so far.

Anne Marie is pictured in Notting Hill, London. She claimed that the city is one of her favorite places in the world so far

Anne Marie has not enjoyed the dating scene in every country. She found it difficult to meet men in Switzerland. She is pictured on the left in Lucerne, Switzerland. Anne Marie said: ‘I noticed that the Swiss are more insular’

ANNE MARIE HAGERTY’S DATING EXCLUSIONS BY COUNTRY

NEW YORK: ‘Being surrounded by millions of people, but finding one special person feels like living in a super romantic adventure movie.’

ITALY: ‘Lake Como is without a doubt the most romantic place I have ever been in my life. It’s literally in the air.’

CROATIA: ‘Has the charms of Italy with a more off-the-beaten-path feel – and people were generally more friendly/open to dates early on.’

MEXICO: ‘I’ve had a lot of machismo experiences with guys who were quite chauvinistic and pushy.’

BELIZE: ‘I met some great expat friends, but many of the locals I met gave off the air of a big player.’

SWITZERLAND: ‘The men are friendly and kind, but isolated.’

ARGENTINA: ‘The men are so exaggerated and aggressive, almost like a love bombing.’

LONDON: ‘The men are an interesting combination of weird, stylish, reserved and chivalrous.’

She found an ‘interesting combination of men’ in the British capital, and wAlthough she had some “weird encounters,” she said most were “sweet, reserved and quite chivalrous.”

What made it stand out? She said: ‘There is a sense of global connectedness and the ability to connect with the world in some way.

‘There’s something sweet about British culture for me too. There’s tea, there’s Sunday roasts, it’s just very sweet and very family oriented.”

But Anne Marie was not impressed by the places she visited. She said Colombia is an “amazing country” with “cool food” but the dating scene is “not for me.”

She explained, “There’s a little bit of this throughout Latin America, but it’s a very machismo culture that I don’t buy into.” Mexico was another place where she found men “quite chauvinistic and pushy.”

She also struggled to connect with men in Switzerland, where she said it was “difficult to get to know people more deeply.”

She added: ‘I discovered that Swiss people are more isolated and tend to stay within their group. I respect it and they are very nice, but they are not the most welcoming to newcomers.”

While Anne Marie visited dozens of countries with the intention of finding a husband, she has not yet found one.

For now, she’s enjoying the process, meeting new people and exploring connections without “high expectations.”

For more from Anne Marie visit her TikTok www.tiktok.com/@annemariehagerty or Instagram www.instagram.com/annemariehagerty.

The post I’ve dated men in 25 countries around the world — here are the best, worst and weirdest places for romance, from ‘magical’ New York to ‘chivalrous’ London and ‘chauvinistic’ Mexico appeared first on USMAIL24.COM.

Five of the world’s toughest bus journeys, from a five-day ride in South America to an American route across the Mexican border and an epic 4,000 kilometer journey through Europe. Are YOU tempted? They are cheap!

Albert Elence — Thu, 14 Mar 2024 16:55:14 +0000

Coach trips can be a great way to see more on your holiday, as new landscapes unfold outside your window.

But what if the journey covers thousands of miles… still tempted?

Here we reveal some of the toughest bus services in the world, which might make you wonder who that would be.

From a two-and-a-half-day journey through eight countries in Europe to a five-day ride through the Amazon rainforest, it’s all a regular, direct service with no stops. Scroll down and discover the routes with the longest route at the bottom.

Europe

Lagos, Portugal – Sofia, Bulgaria: 2d 3pm

The Union Ivkoni service runs from the coastal city of Lagos (left), in the Portuguese Algarve, to the Bulgarian capital Sofia. On the right of the photo you can see the city’s St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

A one-way ticket costs £122.57 ($156) in May and Union Ivkoni operates several buses per week, similar to the one pictured here

The bus travels approximately 3,991 km through eight countries: Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia and Bulgaria

Perhaps no bus journey benefits more from the EU’s open borders policy than the Union Ivkoni service from the coastal city of Lagos, in the Portuguese Algarve, to the Bulgarian capital Sofia.

The bus travels approximately 3,991 km through eight countries: Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia and Bulgaria. The two-and-a-half-day trip will include stops in every country except Serbia, the company said.

Each bus has a toilet on board and has several scheduled breaks per day.

A one-way ticket costs £122.57 ($156) in May and there are several buses every week.

Visit en.union-ivkoni.com

Bordeaux, France – Bucharest, Romania: 2d 2h

FlixBus provides a service from Bordeaux (left), in France, to the Romanian capital Bucharest. Pictured right: The Palace of Deposits and Consignments in Bucharest

FlixBus ticket prices start at £94.99 ($121) for routes from Bordeaux to Bucharest

Facilities on board the FlixBus (left) include free Wi-Fi and USB charging points for every passenger. Each bus has a toilet on board, as shown on the right

The bus covers a total of 3,173 km and travels through parts of France, Italy, Slovenia and Hungary on the journey from Western to Eastern Europe

Another contender for the longest bus journey in Europe is the FlixBus service from Bordeaux, France, to the Romanian capital Bucharest.

The bus covers a total of 3,173 km and travels through parts of France, Italy, Slovenia and Hungary on a two-day, two-hour journey from Western to Eastern Europe and has three scheduled breaks each day. said.

Ticket prices in May start at £94.99 one way.

Onboard facilities include a toilet, free WiFi and USB charging points for each passenger.

Visit shop.flixbus.co.uk

North America

Los Angeles, USA – San Salvador, El Salvador: 4d 3h

USA Tours has a regular service from Los Angeles (left) in sunny California to San Salvador (right). The four-day journey covers an epic distance of 5,008 kilometers

The incredible journey will take place in four countries: the US, Mexico, Guatemala and El Salvador

US Tours operates a regular service from Los Angeles, sunny California, to San Salvador, El Salvador.

The four-day journey covers an epic distance of 5,008 kilometers through four countries: the US, Mexico, Guatemala and El Salvador.

A one-way ticket costs £230 ($294).

Los Angeles, California – Houston, Texas, USA: 1d 9h

This 2,374 km (1,475 mi) journey passes through four US states: California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas

Greyhound’s longest continuous bus service in North America is the US1001 service from Los Angeles (left) to Houston (right). There are five scheduled breaks during the trip

A Greyhound bus is used for the trip, as pictured above in Colorado

GreyhoundThe longest continuous bus service in North America is the US1001 service from Los Angeles to Houston, Texas, the company revealed.

The route covers 2,374 km (1,475 miles) in one day and nine hours and passes through four states: California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.

On board the bus, passengers can use a toilet, free WiFi and USB charging points.

Passengers can stretch their legs and stock up on food and drinks during five scheduled breaks during the journey.

A single ticket costs £105 ($135) in May. Several buses run from Los Angeles Union Station every day.

Visit shop.greyhound.com

South America

Lima, Peru – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – 5d 1h

Trans Acreana operates a 6,420 km (3,989 mi) route from Lima, Peru, to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The bus journey from Lima (left) to Rio de Janeiro takes five days from start to finish. RIGHT: Christ the Redeemer on top of Mount Corcovado

In the photo: examples of Trans Acreana buses

This service, offered by Trans Acreana, covers 3,989 miles (6,420 km) in five days and one hour, and includes one border crossing between Peru and Brazil.

The route passes through Cusco, the former capital of the Inca Empire in the Peruvian Andes, passing through part of the Amazon rainforest along the way.

The bus makes three stops a day “for personal hygiene and meals,” according to the company’s website.

A one-way ticket costs £163 ($207) and includes filtered water and onboard Wi-Fi.

Visit www.transacreana.com.br/en.

San Antonio del Tachira, Venezuela – Buenos Aires, Argentina: 5d 5h

This Lineas de los Andes bus service covers 8,162 km (5,072 miles) in five days and five hours, passing through six countries: Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Chile and Argentina

See the longest bus trip on our list: the Lineas de los Andes bus service from San Antonio del Tachira to Buenos Aires. Pictured: An image of one of the company’s buses

See the longest bus journey on our list: the Lines of the Andes bus service from San Antonio del Tachira to Buenos Aires.

The journey covers 5,072 miles (8,162 km). five days, five hours and passes through six countries: Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Chile and Argentina.

A single ticket costs £368 ($465) in May.

Visit lineasdelosandes.com

Costs may vary depending on travel date and booking date.

The post Five of the world’s toughest bus journeys, from a five-day ride in South America to an American route across the Mexican border and an epic 4,000 kilometer journey through Europe. Are YOU tempted? They are cheap! appeared first on USMAIL24.COM.

Solar Eclipse 2024: Map of where to watch a rare event on April 8

Jeffrey Bailey — Thu, 14 Mar 2024 03:57:02 +0000

Want to check a solar eclipse off your bucket list? Well, 2024 could be the year.

Parts of North America will be able to see a rare total solar eclipse on April 8, while parts of Europe may see a partial solar eclipse.

Spectators should always be careful during a solar eclipseCredit: AFP or licensors

The event will kick off around 11:07 a.m. PDT on Mexico’s Pacific coast before entering the US in Texas

But remember that the sun isn’t the only oddity you can observe during a solar eclipse; Animals, the wind and radio waves can also behave strangely.

From the USA

The total solar eclipse will begin over the South Pacific and across North America, Mexico, the United States and Canada.

The event will kick off around 11:07 a.m. PDT on Mexico’s Pacific coast before entering the US in Texas.

From there it travels through Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.

From Great Britain and Ireland

Britain and Ireland will unfortunately not experience totality when it comes to this solar eclipse.

And some parts of Britain won’t see anything different at all.

Partial solar eclipse seen in the sky over Scotland

Because the Earth is a sphere, a partial solar eclipse will only be visible from parts of Britain and Ireland when the sun sets.

You can watch the 2022 partial solar eclipse over Scotland in the video above.

The amount of eclipse observed will vary by location, but Wales, Scotland, the north west of England and the deep south west will be the luckiest.

Meanwhile, all of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland will see the partial eclipse.

As the sun sets, the partial solar eclipse will appear in these regions at approximately 7:54 PM GMT.

Sky Live has more information on the exact times you can see the partial solar eclipse near you here.

The next total solar eclipse in Europe will occur on August 12, 2026 in Greenland, Iceland and northern Spain.

How to watch a solar eclipse

Spectators should always be careful during a solar eclipse.

You should never look directly at the sun without proper eye protection, including:

Eclipse glasses
Sun filters
Solar telescope

Everyone in North America will need to wear eclipse glasses or use solar filters to safely view this event – even through cameras or binoculars.

Cameras and binoculars may only be used with solar filters during the sharing phases.

If you want to capture the corona on camera, you must remove the solar filters during totality.

But you have to keep an eye on the time so that you know when the sun is about to rise again, otherwise it can damage your camera and your eyes.

Discover more about science

Want to know more about the weird and wonderful world of science? From the moon to the human body, we have your back…

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From a jaguar pouncing on a crocodile to a spectacular ‘flying saucer cloud’: Jaw-dropping winners in the Open competition of the 2024 Sony World Photography Awards revealed. And here you can vote for YOUR favourite

Albert Elence — Tue, 12 Mar 2024 16:34:22 +0000

The category winners and shortlisted entries in the Open competition of the 2024 Sony World Photography Awards have been unveiled – and the images featured are as extraordinary as ever.

The prestigious contest runs several competitions every year, with more than 395,000 photographs from more than 220 countries and territories entered into this year’s overall awards.

Standout images from the Open contest include a scene from New Mexico that could be an alien planet, a moonrise burning across the horizon in Scotland and a curious capybara – the world’s largest rodent – wandering around the kitchen of a house in the Amazon Rainforest.

Other particularly mesmerising photos that wowed the judges include a shot of a jaguar attacking a caiman crocodile, a picture of a lone polar bear wandering past a group of walruses and a spellbinding image of llamas enveloped in freezing fog in the iconic Torres del Paine mountains in southern Chile.

Category winners receive digital imaging equipment from Sony and will go on to compete for the prestigious Open Photographer of the Year title and a $5,000 (£3,897) prize – announced on April 18 at an awards ceremony in London.

Scroll down to see MailOnline Travel’s pick of the bunch – and cast your vote for your favourite image from our selection in our poll at the bottom.

As a moonrise burns across the horizon, lights dance above the Old Man of Storr in Scotland. So says Liam Man of his above image, which takes the gong in the ‘Landscape’ category. The iconic rock formation is illuminated by ‘powerful lights attached to drones, cutting through the darkness to reveal the icy landscape below’, he adds. For our poll, it is photo No.1

This stunning photo, on the shortlist of the ‘Natural World & Wildlife’ category, shows horses running through thick snow in Inner Mongolia, China. The majestic animals ‘decided to take a short-cut from the high ground’, says Chee Kin Wong, who captured the moment. For our poll, it is photo No.2

An orangutan adopts a human-like pose in this enchanting image, taken by Jayaprakash Joghee Bojan on a visit to Indonesia. It makes the shortlist in the ‘Natural World & Wildlife’ category and is photo No.3 for our poll

In this image, titled ‘Musketeers’, Chris Schmid captures three male muskox up-close during a snowstorm. It is on the shortlist in the ‘Natural World & Wildlife’ category and – for our poll – it’s photo No.4

This other-worldly scene makes the shortlist in the ‘Landscape’ category. Titled ‘Dune Ribs’, the photograph shows a lone camel thorn tree ‘dwarfed by a massive sand dune in Sossusvlei, Namibia’, says photographer Barry Crosthwaite. For our poll, it is photo No.5

‘It was a very cold morning when I set up to photograph the iconic Torres del Paine mountains in southern Chile, with frozen fog filling the valleys and shrouding the mountain,’ says photographer Charles Janson of this image, which is shortlisted in the ‘Landscape’ category. ‘A small herd of llamas entered the scene and I decided to include them – they were, after all, a part of the landscape as well,’ he added. For our poll, it is No.6

In this image, titled ‘Life on Mars’, Garret Davis captures the sun setting on hoodoos – tall, thin spires of rock caused by erosion – in northern New Mexico. It features on the shortlist of the ‘Landscape’ category. For our poll, it is photo No.7

A capybara – the world’s largest rodent – visits a house in San Antonio in the Amazon rainforest, Peru, in this image by Sergio Attanasio, which is shortlisted in the ‘Lifestyle’ category. For our poll, it is photo No.8

Shortlisted in the ‘Travel’ category, this alluring scene of the Allée des Baobabs [Avenue of the Baobabs] in Madagascar was captured by John Seager using a drone. The photographer said it is ‘probably one of the best places on the planet for viewing the incredible baobab trees’. For our poll, this is photo No.9

This astonishing shot shows a great blue heron swallowing its early morning catch near wetlands in Madison, Alabama. Christopher Baker is behind the lens. It makes it onto the shortlist in the ‘Natural World & Wildlife’ category and is photo No.10 in our poll

‘This well-fed male bear had been feasting on a whale carcass for several weeks, so it was surprising to see him approach this walrus colony and assess the situation,’ says Elodie Ruelleux-Dagorne, who photographed this image. ‘Sure enough, the bear only had a quick look before he decided it was wiser to move on,’ she added. It features on the shortlist of the ‘Natural World & Wildlife’ category and is photo No.11 in our poll

LEFT: Temples sit on top of the New Golden Summit, a lonely spire in the Wulung Mountains of China’s Guizhou province, in this colourful image, which was captured by Sophia Li and makes the shortlist in the ‘Architecture’ category. For our poll, it is photo No.12. RIGHT: Huanzhen Yang was behind the lens of this image, which shows the ‘orderly lines’ of Madrid’s Plaza Mayor appear ‘like rules in the midst of chaos’, according to the photographer. It makes the shortlist in the ‘Architecture’ category. For our poll, this is photo No.13

Behold the winner of the ‘Natural World & Wildlife’ category, taken by Ian Ford at Sao Lourenco River lodge in the Pantanal wetlands, Brazil. ‘As we were leaving, we heard that a jaguar had been spotted roughly 30 minutes away,’ the photographer said. ‘We raced to the scene and encountered this sleek female jaguar stalking her prey… an unsuspecting caiman.’ For our poll, it is photo No.14

‘Exodus’ is the title of this vast image, which makes the shortlist in the ‘Travel’ category. It shows an eight-hour vehicular queue as 72,000 participants leave the Burning Man festival in Black Rock City, Nevada. Photographer Todd Kennedy describes it as ‘the world’s largest “leave no trace” event, which ends after eight days of heat, dust, rain and mud’. For our poll, it is photo No.15

The highlands of Iceland are an extraordinary area full of places that make you feel you are on another planet. So says Filip Hrebenda, who is behind the lens of this magnificent shot showing several of the island’s volcanic craters from above. It makes the shortlist in the ‘Landscape’ category. For our poll, this is photo No.16

Taken in Pamplona, Spain, this photograph shows the festivities of the San Fermin festival. It was taken exactly two minutes after the launch of the rocket that traditionally announces the start of the celebrations. It makes the ‘Travel’ category shortlist and is No.17 in our poll

The annual Perchville festival in Tawas, Michigan, is vividly portrayed in this mesmerising image, featuring a participant jumping through the ice in Lake Huron. Amy Sacka, who captured the moment, said: ‘Spectators were asked to watch from the shore, as the ice was so thin it couldn’t support a crowd.’ It makes the shortlist in the ‘Lifestyle’ category. For our poll, it is photo No.18

This spellbinding image, which makes the shortlist in the ‘Landscape’ category, draws attention to the majestic Maelifell volcano standing tall amidst the stark and desolate scenery of Iceland. Photographer Marco Capitanio describes it as ‘one of the most incredible places I have ever seen’. For our poll, it is No.19

Taking the gold in the ‘Travel’ category is Yan Li’s striking image of a floating village on Lake Titicaca, between Peru and Bolivia. It stands ‘in stark contrast to the approaching wildfire, a dramatic testament to nature’s dual disposition’, the photographer says. For our poll, it is photo No.20

Behold the magnificent golden tones of Obo Liang Yadan National Park in Qinghai, China. It was captured by Guangming Hu and is on the shortlist for the ‘Landscape’ category. For our poll, this is photo No.21

Paul Robertson captures a convent of nuns mountain walking on Pic d’Orhy, in the French Pyrenees. The image makes the ‘Lifestyle’ category shortlist. For our poll, it is No.22

LEFT: ‘This was taken in Washington, and my main goal was to photograph foxes in their natural environment,’ says Christopher Ratcliff Iverson of his image, which makes the ‘Natural World & Wildlife’ shortlist. ‘As the light was fading I got very lucky, as a parent and pup appeared on the path with a brilliant sunset glow behind them.’ For our poll, it is photo No.23. RIGHT: A mother elephant greets her daughter in this adorable image, taken by Jesus Frias. ‘I called the little one Sonia, or Sony,’ he said. It is shortlisted in the ‘Natural World & Wildlife’ category and is No.24 in our poll

Located in northern California, Mount Shasta is a four-peaked stratovolcano with an elevation of just over 4,300m (14,108 ft). In this dramatic shot, Lisa K Kuhn captures a lenticular cloud (also known as a UFO cloud) forming over the mountain – a natural phenomenon that occurs throughout the year. ‘I wanted to capture the overall grandeur of the mountain, but also peek beneath the cloud where the mountaintops were hiding,’ she said. It is on the shortlist for the ‘Landscape’ category. For our poll, this is photo No.25

Margit Lisa Roeder says this ‘hidden object picture’ is a collage of sections from various photographs she took in Siena, Italy. ‘I was fascinated by the warm clay colours in the autumn sun,’ she added. It makes the shortlist in the ‘Creative’ category. For our poll, it is photo No.26

This photograph captures the moment a child and an old man meet in the medieval citadel of Sighisoara, Romania, says photographer Panfil Pirvulescu. It is shortlisted in the ‘Street Photography’ category and is No.27 in our poll

The post From a jaguar pouncing on a crocodile to a spectacular ‘flying saucer cloud’: Jaw-dropping winners in the Open competition of the 2024 Sony World Photography Awards revealed. And here you can vote for YOUR favourite appeared first on USMAIL24.COM.