Latest news with #NoGoingBack
BreakingNews.ie
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- BreakingNews.ie
Thousands fill Belfast streets for city's annual Pride parade
Thousands of people have filled the streets of Belfast for the city's annual Pride parade. Spectators lined the city's footpaths to cheer on the thousands who took part in the parade. Advertisement Belfast Pride Festival is one of the biggest festivals in the city's calendar, with hundreds of events taking place. People take part in the No Going Back themed Belfast Pride Parade, in the city centre (Brian Lawless/PA) Organisers of Belfast Pride said it is the biggest cross-community parade in Belfast and is a protest and celebration of the lives of LGBT+ people. The theme for this year's event is No Going Back, as organisers said there must be 'no turning back from the advances made in visibility, legal protections and societal recognition'. Throughout the city, many people had rainbows painted on their faces, while others waved LGBT+ flags and held placards with equality messages written on them. Advertisement A series of groups and floats, representing up to 250 charities and organisations, took off from Custom House Square at 1pm. It made its way north of the city before making its way down Donegall Place and past City Hall before finishing at Victoria Street. Friends, work colleagues and many young families, including pet dogs, were among those in the crowd. The parade started in 1991 and over the last 30 years has grown to be the largest single parade in Northern Ireland (Brian Lawless/PA) Belfast Pride organisers took the decision to ask political parties to not attend the parade in an official capacity, after Stormont backed a ban on puberty blockers. Advertisement The parade started in 1991 and over the last 30 years has grown to be the largest single parade in Northern Ireland. Ahead of the parade taking place, First Minister Michelle O'Neill tweeted: 'Happy Belfast Pride to everyone celebrating today, I hope it's filled with joy and love for you all. 'Your courage over many years has helped transform our society for the better. 'As your First Minister, I'm committed to building a future where everyone in our LGBTQIA+ community is seen, valued, and treated equally. Be proud. Be you. Today and every day. Advertisement 'Have a wonderful day.'
CBC
21-07-2025
- Politics
- CBC
St. John's Pride sees 'one of the largest festival turnouts ever' at weekend parade
More than 3,800 people celebrated in downtown St. John's on Sunday, walking in St. John's Pride's annual parade for 2SLGBTQ+ rights. "We believe this is one of the largest festival turnouts ever," said St. John's Pride communications lead, Ellen Davis, in a statement. The parade started at St. John's city hall, where over 2,400 marchers gathered before snaking through downtown St. John's, ending in Bannerman Park for a large celebration. Over 1,400 people also joined as spectators, said Davis. Davis commended the work of the St. John's Pride board and volunteers, who she said worked hard to put off the event. "Our volunteer board is now taking some well earned rest," said Davis. "This festival takes hundreds of planning hours, thousands of emails, tough conversations, late nights, early mornings, and long days. It takes a village." This year's pride festival theme was "no going back." St. John's Pride co-chair, Eddy St. Coeur, told CBC news on July 18 that the theme was chosen in consideration of rising political attacks against transgender people. The parade was led by Trans Support N.L., a non-profit that provides support to the trans community, "so that we have our entire community, figuratively and quite literally, marching behind [them] down the streets of St. John's," said St. Coeur. 'Walking together towards justice' Trans Support N.L.'s board director, Myka Hollahan, said she felt joy being surrounded by the community while speaking at the Bannerman Park celebration. Hollahan gave a speech about the importance of allyship, and reflected on how it can feel for people to mess up, like by using the wrong pronouns. But, she said, "imperfect allies are still allies." "They're the ones who show up even when they're nervous. They're the ones who say, I don't know, but I want to learn. They're the ones who keep coming back even after they mess up," said Hollahan. "They're the ones who take accountability and are committed to learning and doing better." "And that matters, because allyship isn't about being right all the time. It's about being willing." Hollahan wrapped up her speech by reflecting on the festival, and pointing out that it is not just a celebration, but also about "recognizing that progress doesn't require perfection, it requires people … walking together towards justice," she said. Over 100 community groups and organizations also walked in the parade, including members of St. Mark's Anglican Church. The church's rector, Amanda Taylor, said it was important for them to be there, due to rising hatred and division in the world. "We just feel it's important to show up, and show that we respect the dignity of every human being ... everybody is loved, valued, [and] accepted just as they are," said Taylor.
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Kristi Noem secretly accepted huge sum of money from mystery donor - then failed to declare it: report
While serving as governor of South Dakota, Kristi Noem received $80,000 from an anonymous donor – significantly boosting her government wage – but later failed to declare it, according to a new report. Noem, who now heads up the Department of Homeland Security, received the funds from a nonprofit called American Resolve Policy Fund, a so-called dark money group, which is not required to disclose the names of its donors, in 2023. According to the report by ProPublica, Noem then failed to disclose the payment. After becoming head of the DHS, she released detailed accounting of her assets and sources of income from 2023 on, but still failed to include the sum, which would significantly boost her government wage of $130,000 a year. Experts told the outlet that such failure is likely to be a violation of federal ethics requirements. The Ethics in Government Act requires high-ranking federal employees to file financial disclosure reports, so as to identify and avoid potential financial conflicts of interest. Failure to properly disclose information can lead to fines, referrals to the U.S. Attorney General, or other disciplinary action. 'If donors to these nonprofits are not just holding the keys to an elected official's political future but also literally providing them with their income, that's new and disturbing,' Daniel Weiner, a former Federal Election Commission attorney, told ProPublica. Documents show that in 2023 the $80,000 was transferred to a Noem's personal company, an LLC called Ashwood Strategies, which is incorporated in Delaware. American Resolve raised $1.1 million in 2023, according to its own tax filing. In that filing it described the $80,000 sum given as a payment for fundraising, and said that Noem herself had brought in thousands of dollars, per ProPublica. Documents showed that American Resolve had sent Noem's company 10 percent of a total $800,000 raised that year. American Resolve reported that it had zero employees in 2023 tax filings. The Independent has reached out to Noem and the DHS for comment about the payment, and the reason as to why it was not included in her disclosures. In a statement shared with ProPublica, Noem's lawyer, Trevor Stanley, said, 'Then-Governor Noem fully complied with the letter and the spirit of the law,' adding that the Office of Government Ethics 'analyzed and cleared her financial information in regards to this entity.' Stanley did not respond to further questions from the outlet about whether the OGE was specifically aware of the $80,000 payment from American Resolve. Noem described her company Ashwood Strategies as involving 'personal activities outside my official gubernatorial capacity.' She noted that the company received the $140,000 advance for her book 'No Going Back.'
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
ICE BARBIE: Who is pistol-packing Homeland Security boss Kristi Noem?
Like a rock star on a whirlwind tour, Homeland Security boss Kristi Noem is everywhere there's action. Here she is on an ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) raid in Boston, another in New York City and others in the United States, where there are illegal immigrants. Wearing her baseball hat, a T-shirt and packing a gun, Noem has the fervour of a true believer. And what she believes in is God, guns and Donald J. Trump, and not necessarily in that order. Now, Noem, 53, is at the forefront of the battle to deport illegal immigrants from Los Angeles, a place she has slammed as a 'city of criminals.' 'Kristi Noem hates America and hates Americans,' one critic wrote. Just who the hell is Kristi Noem? NOEM SWEET NOEM 411: The former governor of South Dakota and U.S. Air Force reservist grew up on a ranch and was crowned South Dakota Snow Queen. She has three children and is a grandmother. THUNDER NOEM 411: Noem's political career began in the South Dakota House of Representatives, serving from 2007 to 2011. She was elected as the first female governor of the state in 2018. President Donald Trump endorsed her. CRICKET FILES 411: Noem wrote in her autobiography, No Going Back, about shooting and killing a puppy named Cricket that she didn't like. She claimed the dog was 'untrainable' and attacked chickens. The revelation caused outrage. QUOTE 'You know, that story was a choice as a mom. The safety of my children versus a dangerous dog that was killing livestock and attacking people.' — KRISTI NOEM TUBBY TYRANT 411: Critics have said Noem tells whoppers, like meeting the doughy North Korean despot, Kim Jong Un, in an early version of her book. Whoops! QUOTE 'I'm sure he underestimated me, having no clue about my experience staring down little tyrants (I'd been a children's pastor, after all),' Noem wrote, according to . WICKED WHISPERS 411: Noem torpedoed a 2021 story alleging that she was having a torrid extramarital affair with political operative Corey Lewandowski. Calling the rumours a 'disgusting lie', she added, 'these old, tired attacks on conservative women are based on a falsehood that we can't achieve anything without a man's help.' Two years later, the rumour resurfaced. Her peeps denied it. DONALD'S DISS 411: Noem hosted a town hall with Trump last October, but the prez didn't want to play ball. After a few lobball questions, Trump was done and wanted to dance to his campaign playlist. Noem's attempts to dance with Trump were rebuffed. QUOTE 'Let's not do any more questions. Let's just listen to music. Let's make it into a music – who the hell wants to hear questions, right?' — DONALD TRUMP TRIBAL TROUBLE 411: Noem was banned from all nine of South Dakota's reservations. She said: 'Make no mistake, the cartels have a presence on several of South Dakota's tribal reservations … They have been successful in recruiting tribal members to join their criminal activity.' NOEM WAY! 411: In April, the Homeland Security Secretary's purse was stolen from a D.C. burger joint. Among the loot: Her government access badge, apartment keys, $2,000-3,000 in cash, her passport, and blank cheques. LA WOMAN 411: Noem has been vocal about the raids in Los Angeles designed to deport illegal criminals. She claims L.A.'s hapless Mayor Karen Blass 'protected' thugs for years and that ICE is looking for '400 to 500 targets.' Cali Gov. Gavin Newsom has done 'absolutely nothing.' LA LATEST 411: Trump has doubled the number of National Guardsmen in the City of Angels, with 2,000 more troops joining those on the ground on Monday. A contingent of 700 U.S. Marines has also been deployed. GRETA'S GAZA GETAWAY! Wacky voyage of the S.S. Thunberg AYE CORUMBA! 411: Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum is Noem's latest scapegoat, claiming the former has been 'encouraging violent protests' in L.A. Sheinbaum called the allegations 'absolutely false.' bhunter@ @HunterTOSun
Time of India
31-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Why think when you can act? Kristi Noem's leadership manual
Kristi Noem's political career has never exactly followed a straight line. She started out as a rancher in South Dakota, made her way into Congress, then became the Governor of South Dakota, and now she's sitting in one of the most powerful security roles in the country—Secretary of Homeland Security. Sounds impressive, right? But lately, her choices have raised more eyebrows than cheers. Let's just say, if there were a leadership manual with Kristi Noem's name on it, it might be titled something like: 'Why Think When You Can Act?' Because that's been the theme of her biggest controversies so far—especially the two most recent ones, involving a family dog and a suspiciously sketchy assassination plot against Donald Trump. A dog named Cricket (RIP) Let's start with the dog. Noem dropped a political bombshell earlier this year when she released her memoir No Going Back. In it, she talks about her 14-month-old German wirehaired pointer named Cricket. According to her, Cricket was a nightmare: unruly, aggressive, and a threat to livestock. So Noem did what no pet owner expects to read in a political memoir—she drove Cricket out to a gravel pit and shot her. Yes, you read that right. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Truque caseiro eficaz contra o bigode chinês (faça hoje mesmo) Notícias | Beleza | Mulher Saiba Mais Undo She shot her dog and then wrote about it like it was just another life lesson on tough decision-making. Her reasoning? The dog was 'untrainable' and had 'a mean streak.' Noem framed it as a metaphor for leadership—that sometimes, you just have to do the hard thing. But to millions of pet owners, animal lovers, and even her own supporters, this wasn't some John Wayne moment. It was shocking, brutal, and not exactly the kind of anecdote that makes someone sound stable enough to lead a federal security agency. Social media exploded. Pundits questioned her judgment. Late-night hosts had a field day. And it didn't stop there. Critics pointed out that the dog story wasn't just bad PR—it revealed something deeper about Noem's instinctive, act-first-think-later style. Then came the 'assassination plot' If the dog story wasn't weird enough, buckle up. In May 2025, Noem made headlines again. This time, she claimed that a 54-year-old undocumented immigrant named Ramon Morales Reyes had threatened to assassinate Donald Trump. According to Noem, Reyes sent a handwritten letter outlining his intent to kill the former president. The claim was huge, and of course, it caught fire everywhere. But, like Cricket's obedience training, things didn't go according to plan. After some digging, investigators revealed that Reyes may not have written the letter at all. In fact, handwriting analysis suggested he had nothing to do with it. Even worse? There's speculation he was framed to keep him from testifying in an unrelated assault case where he was a victim. The whole thing unraveled like a bad TV crime plot. Suddenly, this wasn't a case of national security—it was a story of someone possibly being falsely accused for political theater. And once again, Noem was at the center of it, making bold claims without waiting for facts. A pattern emerges When you look at these two incidents side by side, a pattern becomes hard to ignore. Whether it's putting down a family pet or accusing someone of trying to kill a former president, Noem seems to default to the same playbook: take swift, dramatic action first, worry about accuracy later. Sure, some folks admire decisiveness. In politics, it can be refreshing to see someone act quickly, especially when we're so used to endless debates and red tape. But in Noem's case, her brand of 'leadership' feels more like cowboy justice than thoughtful governance. And let's be real, when you're the Secretary of Homeland Security, overseeing complex threats, managing border security, and coordinating disaster response, you need to be precise. You need to weigh risks, consider the consequences, and maybe, just maybe, get the facts straight before going on TV. So why does all this matter? Well, it matters because Noem isn't just a political figure with a few controversial stories in her past. She's now in charge of a massive federal agency with over 240,000 employees. The Department of Homeland Security isn't some casual gig—it's the organization responsible for everything from cybersecurity to counterterrorism. And in a world where national security threats are often complex, multilayered, and involve a lot of gray areas, you need someone with a cool head. Someone who doesn't treat every situation like a showdown at high noon. Instead, we've got someone who's already demonstrated a knack for overreaction. Whether she's executing a family pet or making a public example out of someone who might be innocent, Noem doesn't seem all that interested in nuance. And when it comes to Homeland Security, nuance isn't optional—it's everything. At the end of the day, Kristi Noem's story is less about one dog or one letter and more about what kind of leadership we need in high-stakes roles. Do we want someone who sees every problem as a nail because they're always holding a hammer? Or do we want someone who takes the time to investigate, reflect, and make the right call—even if it's not the flashy one?
