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McDonald’s dethroned as world’s largest fast food chain by company with no restaurants in the US McDonald’s dethroned as world’s largest fast food chain by company with no restaurants in the US McDonald’s is no longer the largest restaurant chain in the world. Mixue Bingcheng is a ******** bubble tea and ice cream chain with more than 45,000 restaurants worldwide as of September 2024, while the number of McDonald’s restaurants all over the world is around 41,800, according to Statista via Chowhound. The Asia-based fast-food chain is known for selling soft-serve ice cream cones for one yuan (15 cents) and drinks ranging from between 2 to 8 yuan (30 cents to $1.20). Despite its huge number of locations, 90 percent of them are in China. There are also outlets in Indonesia, Vietnam, and Malaysia. There isn’t a single location in the United States. Mixue Bingcheng was founded in 1997 by Zhang Hongchao, and originally started out as a store selling shaved ice and cold drinks. “Let people around the world eat well and drink well for just two American dollars,” Hongchao previously told ******** state media about his strategy for the business. Mixue Bingcheng has over 45,000 restaurants worldwide, while McDonald’s has around 41,800 (Getty Images) Over 99 percent of the bubble tea chain’s stores are franchised, with most of their revenue coming from selling food materials, equipment, and packaging to its franchisees. Although Mixue Bingcheng does have the highest number of locations worldwide, its revenue is still behind other large drink chains in the U.S., such as Starbucks and Tim Hortons. Its growth is rapid, though. According to its prospectus, Mixue’s net profit jumped 42 percent to 3.49 billion yuan ($479 million) in the first nine months of 2024 from the same ******* in the previous year. Its revenue increased 21 percent to 18.7 billion yuan ($2.6 billion) in the first nine months of 2024. Sweet, milky and colourful, bubble tea is wildly popular in China, where people sipping through straws from large plastic cups is a common sight in high streets and shopping malls across the country (***** GAO/AFP via Getty Images) Earlier this week, McDonald’s revealed the breakfast orders of various celebrities the day after the Oscars celebrations. The commercial started with the time stamp of 9:14 a.m. at a McDonald’s restaurant in Hollywood. The clip showed a receipt machine churning out the orders, such as Colman Domingo’s Egg McMuffin meal — which comes with hash browns and a coffee — with strawberry jelly and ketchup on the side. Actor Teyana Taylor, who attended the Vanity Fair Oscar Party on Sunday, scarfed down McDonald’s Hotcakes (pancakes) with egg and sausage, a McChicken Biscuit with cheese, and a side of strawberry jelly and butter. Singer Rosalía, who also attended the after-party, ordered a McGriddles — a breakfast sandwich with bacon, egg, and cheese — with a mango-pineapple smoothie and a mayo packet. In February, McDonald’s reported a fourth-quarter net income of $2.02 billion, or $2.80 per share, down from $2.04 billion, or $2.80 per share, a year earlier. The fast food chain’s sales suffered after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention linked a fatal E. coli outbreak to its Quarter Pounder burgers. Source link #McDonalds #dethroned #worlds #largest #fast #food #chain #company #restaurants Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

CNBC Daily Open: Trump paused tariffs for some imports — but Nasdaq enters correction territory – CNBC CNBC Daily Open: Trump paused tariffs for some imports — but Nasdaq enters correction territory – CNBC CNBC Daily Open: Trump paused tariffs for some imports — but Nasdaq enters correction territory CNBCElbows up: How Canadians are fighting back against Trump’s tariffs CNNWith Trump’s Tariff Reprieve, Mexico and Canada, Still Wary, Breathe Easier The New York TimesTrump changes course and delays some tariffs on Mexico and Canada The Associated Press Source link #CNBC #Daily #Open #Trump #paused #tariffs #imports #Nasdaq #enters #correction #territory #CNBC Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Star secures lifeline to unload entertainment precinct Star secures lifeline to unload entertainment precinct Star Entertainment Group will exit its ownership and management of the Queen’s Wharf Brisbane integrated resort and hospitality precinct. Source link #Star #secures #lifeline #unload #entertainment #precinct Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Construction Workers Were Building a Solar Plant—and Uncovered a 5,000-Year-Old Fortress Construction Workers Were Building a Solar Plant—and Uncovered a 5,000-Year-Old Fortress Ever since a large-scale Spanish solar plant project resulted in the discovery of Copper Age settlements in 2021, archaeologists have continued to mine the site for new discoveries. The latest major find at the site: details of a hilltop fortress once protected by three concentric walls. There’s also a mysterious death, with the skeletal remains of a former soldier found face down amidst suspicious surroundings. A solar plant project that began in 2021 in Almendralejo, Spain, took an unexpected turn when workers discovered settlements from the Copper Age in the area. Since then, archaeologists have been reaping the rewards. Construction on the plant started in November of 2021 and quickly uncovered a set of settlements from the Chalcolithic era. The energy giant behind the plant, Acciona Energia, called in archaeologists who have since uncovered details of a 140,000-square-foot fortress on a hill—which included stone and adobe walls, three ditches over six feet deep, and a 27-inch wide entrance. The hilltop fortress, known as Cortijo Lobato, was only in use for 400 years, according to the study of the site as reported in El Pais. Archaeologists believe that, despite the highly fortified location that featured three concentric walls and 25 towers, enemies eventually managed to attack and destroy the pentagon-shaped fortress. At some point, the site also sustained a debilitating fire. “One of the strongest indications that this was an intentional act is the burning of wooden doors embedded in the adobe walls,” said Cesar Perez, lead archaeologist, according to El Pais. “These doors were far from other flammable materials, which suggests that the fire was not accidental, but rather the result of an assault on the fortification—a scene of violence and destruction in which the settlement was attacked, its defenses breached, and the structure ultimately set ablaze.” The fort, though, was once part of a larger community. “These fortifications usually delimit a settlement or an area to monitor the surroundings,” Alicia Lizarraga, Acciona Energia’s environment manager, said in a statement. “Their purpose could be defensive, to protect the community and its resources from wild animals and from conflicts with other peoples.” Perez agreed. “The sophistication of the defensive design and the need for a large workforce reinforce the idea of a structured and well-organized community,” Perez said, according to The Times. “It had a violent end. We are seeing more and more in this type of site that the level of conflict in the Chalcolithic ******* was higher than previously thought.” The combination of both a moat and a wall was rare in the *******, and the size was also impressive—twice as large as the only other similar site throughout Spain, according to Victoria Bazaga, the region’s culture minister. Carbon dating of animal remains mixed into the fire’s ashes put the fort’s final demise around 2450 B.C.—well ahead of the next human interaction with the location, which came about 2,700 years later during the Late Roman Empire. In all, archaeologists located 11 sites: six ranging from the last centuries of the fourth millennium B.C. to the early centuries of the third millennium B.C., and another five spanning from the Bronze and Iron age to the Lower Roman Empire *******. In the area where they found evidence of Roman-era habitation, crews also discovered a grave near a ditch—just one shallow burial of a man believed to be between 25 and 35 years old at the time of death. He was positioned face down, had his feet cut off and a sheathed dagger—known as a pugio— placed on his back. “This suggests the individual may have had a military role, as the pugio was the standard dagger used by Roman legionnaires,” Perez said, adding that the act was likely hasty due to the shallowness of the grave. The obvious deliberateness of placing the dagger on his back “is a way of indicating he was a member of the army and was given a dishonorable burial.” Perez said that only one Roman legion was stationed in Spain at the time: Legio VII Gemina. Established in 74 A.D., the legion was headquartered in modern-day Leon, and known to specialize in road surveillance and security. And, maybe, cutting off feet. You Might Also Like Source link #Construction #Workers #Building #Solar #Plantand #Uncovered #5000YearOld #Fortress Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

AMD Radeon RX 9070 GPUs at MSRP will disappear after early shipments, retailers say – TechSpot AMD Radeon RX 9070 GPUs at MSRP will disappear after early shipments, retailers say – TechSpot AMD Radeon RX 9070 GPUs at MSRP will disappear after early shipments, retailers say TechSpotWhere to buy AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT and RX 9070: the best retailers in the US and *** to check for stock TechRadarAMD launches Radeon RX 9070 XT and Radeon RX 9070 CG ChannelAMD Radeon RX 9070 XT GPU Review & Benchmarks vs. 5070 Ti, 5070, 7900 XT (Sapphire Pulse) GamersNexusGraphics card pricing is a lie PCWorld Source link #AMD #Radeon #GPUs #MSRP #disappear #early #shipments #retailers #TechSpot Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Is Trump reining in Musk after a cabinet showdown with secretaries? Is Trump reining in Musk after a cabinet showdown with secretaries? Trump says cabinet will cut staff with Musk ‘watching’ US President Donald Trump called a meeting of his cabinet secretaries on Thursday to discuss Elon Musk and his efforts to slash government spending and personnel numbers. It turned heated, according to media reports. Musk accused Secretary of State Marco Rubio of failing to cut enough staff at the state department, reports the New York Times. The tech mogul told Rubio he was “good on TV”, according to the newspaper, pointedly skipping any praise of his work as America’s top diplomat. The billionaire also clashed with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy over whether Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) task force had tried to lay off air traffic controllers who are already in short supply in the Federal Aviation Administration, according to the New York Times. Duffy’s department has been under scrutiny after two US airline crashes since Trump took office in January. Watch: Elon Musk handed chainsaw by Argentina’s President Milei at CPAC After listening to the back and forth, the Republican president reportedly intervened to make clear he still supported Doge, but from now on cabinet secretaries would be in charge and the Musk team would only advise. A state department spokeswoman told the newspaper that Rubio felt the cabinet meeting was “an open and productive discussion”. The White House has not responded to BBC requests for further comment. The hastily planned gathering could provide evidence that the president has decided to curtail the sweeping power the SpaceX and Tesla boss and his Doge cost-cutting initiative have commanded in the early weeks of his administration. Trump first commented on the substance of Thursday’s meeting, which was disclosed only in after-the-fact media reports, through a post that evening on his social media site, Truth Social. He said that he had instructed his secretaries to work with Doge on “cost-cutting measures”. “As the secretaries learn about, and understand, the people working for the various departments, they can be very precise as to who will remain, and who will go,” he wrote, adding that they should use a “scalpel” not a “hatchet”. Reuters Elon Musk was also present at President Donald Trump’s first cabinet meeting on 26 February Just a few weeks ago, Musk wielded a shiny chainsaw at a conservative conference – a visible symbol of aggressive attempts to slash government spending that have angered Democrats and concerned some officials in the Trump administration. Musk’s team had sent multiple emails from an official government account to millions of federal workers, encouraging them to accept months of advance pay in exchange for their resignations. Federal workers were instructed to provide accounts of their weekly accomplishments or risk firing – a request some agencies instructed their employees to ignore. Doge also ordered the dismissal of many newly hired government employees who, because of their “probationary” status, did not have full civil service protections. Some government agencies have since rescinded these orders because employees deemed essential, such as those who oversee nuclear weapon security, had been affected. During an Oval Office event on Friday, Trump responded to questions about the cabinet meeting – and reports of its heated exchanges. He insisted there was “no clash”. He praised both Rubio and Musk and said the two get along “great”. Trump’s Thursday Truth Social post, however, appears to give department heads more authority to push back against Musk. It also may be an attempt to insulate the Trump administration from lawsuits that allege Musk is wielding too much power for someone who, unlike cabinet secretaries, is not subject to Senate review and confirmation. Watch: Musk says Trump told him to be ‘more aggressive’ Several federal judges overseeing these cases have already expressed concern about Musk’s authority – concerns that may be further fuelled by Trump’s comments during his address to Congress on Tuesday that the billionaire is, in fact, the man in charge of Doge. Musk and Trump have formed a formidable partnership so far – as the richest man in the world and the most powerful politician in America. Washington has been rife with speculation for months about whether that partnership could ultimately fracture. Those predictions, however, have usually been followed by renewed signs of comity between the two men. On Friday night, Musk was seen boarding Air Force One with the president for a flight to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home in Florida for the weekend. The cabinet room dust-up may be the first crack in the foundation – but there is plenty of evidence that Trump still supports Musk’s broader efforts and goals, even if he might prefer he use a scalpel in the days ahead, not a chainsaw. Source link #Trump #reining #Musk #cabinet #showdown #secretaries Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Veteran says injury a blessing for young Reds bull Veteran says injury a blessing for young Reds bull Returning from his own injury-enforced stint on the sidelines, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen says the delayed Super Rugby Pacific debut of fellow Queensland front-rower Massimo De Lutiis has been the best thing for the youngster’s career. Toomaga-Allen has been named on the bench for the Reds’ Sunday clash with the Crusaders, looking to repeat last year’s heroics when they snapped a 25-year drought with victory in Christchurch. Unbeaten in their two matches this season, Queensland want to prove they are genuine title contenders by continuing to win across the Tasman. The 34-year-old hasn’t played since suffering a twisted knee during pre-season training, athough his return is three weeks ahead of schedule. His injury opened the way for De Lutiis, 21, to finally make his Super debut, after a quad injury robbed him of the chance to earn his first cap last season. But Toomaga-Allen, who has been capped by New Zealand and Samoa, says the extra time has benefited the 128kg youngster, who has been named in the starting side. “I think that was really good for him in terms of his development, said Toomaga-Allen, who also spent five years playing in the ***. “We’re stereotyped as props – hit rucks, scrum hard – but the game’s developed, and I think him being on the sideline has helped his rugby IQ. “It’s easy for me to say, because I’ve been around the world and I’ve done this for so long but him … seeing the game through a different lens, not playing the game, but watching the game analytically, was a great step for him. “And now he’s transferring that.” De Lutiis was a shock inclusion in the Joe Schmidt’s first Wallabies training camp in January, putting him in the mix for a Test call-up. Toomaga-Allen said his teammate had continued to work hard rather than have his head turned by the early praise. “He’s a very humble kid – I know his family and met his parents and stuff and I’ve tried to take them under my wing, so to speak,” Toomaga-Allen said. “But he’s very grounded and always wanting to learn and I think that’s his biggest asset, just always wanting to learn and not know everything, given the hype. “It’s hard for a young kid not to read into social media and media in general … as a front-rower, you’ve got to earn your stripes I think he’s doing pretty well.” Sitting second on the ladder heading into the round, the Reds flew on to New Zealand after their win over the Western Force to ensure they could hit the ground running. Despite being back in ninth, Toomaga-Allen said the Crusaders, who have won 14 titles, would be a big challenge on their home deck. “You’ve got to pay respect where respect is due and the Crusaders have been a formidable force over the years so it’s important not to overlook them. “With the forward pack in particular, it’s always a good clash, it’s a measure of where you’re at as a team, anytime you play the Crusaders.” Source link #Veteran #injury #blessing #young #Reds #bull Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Nintendo Expands Switch Online’s Game Boy Library With Two More Titles Nintendo Expands Switch Online’s Game Boy Library With Two More Titles DarXyde72d ago Probably. They’re sharks with their IPs, but to be frank, they probably do it for everything even if they don’t really care that much for the sake of deterring people from trying anything with their games. If the public thinks everything is a risk, they’re discouraged from trying ANY of it. Perhaps they think if they let one minor thing slide, it will open the floodgates. They’re a bit stuck in their ways so who would be surprised to see that they’re highly resistant to changes in modern gaming? Source link #Nintendo #Expands #Switch #Onlines #Game #Boy #Library #Titles Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

China loses private jets as other Asian growth spots emerge China loses private jets as other Asian growth spots emerge By Lisa Barrington SINGAPORE (Reuters) – A sharp fall in the number of private jets based in China in recent years shows the impact a weakening domestic economy, anti-corruption drives and the pandemic have had on the country’s wealthiest, according to business aviation industry data and experts. At the end of last year there were a third fewer private jets based in mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau than the 2017 peak of 481 planes, according to data from business aviation consultancy and broker Asian Sky Group. In the same *******, the number of private jets in the rest of the Asia-Pacific region grew by 20%, led by India, Australia and Japan. Business jets are specially designed and customisable aircraft bought or chartered by cash-rich and time-poor companies and wealthy individuals. Flying privately costs from a couple to many thousands of dollars per hour, depending on the size of the aircraft. Even used Falcon 8X jets, a popular long-range model made by France’s Dassault Aviation, can cost about $42 million, according to online listings. Much of the reduction in China has come from aircraft being sold, such as those owned by property firms like China Evergrande Group after the sector slipped into an unprecedented debt crisis in mid-2021. Others were moved to places like Singapore and Japan, mirroring an exodus of wealthy ******** abroad in recent years. “We’ve picked up some nice management contracts from family owners, family offices that have moved down from Hong Kong into the more secure Singapore region,” Stefan Wood, executive director at private aviation firm Air 7 Asia, told a business aviation conference in Singapore this week. Singapore has seen steep growth in high-net-worth family offices in recent years. There were 2,000 last year, up from 400 in 2020, authorities have said. INDIA A BRIGHT SPOT China remains the largest market in Asia, but “there is a clear reduction in business jet use for corporate flights,” said Dennis Lau, consultancy services director at Asian Sky Group. VistaJet, a global firm that rents out its own private jets, does not yet see business in China back at pre-COVID levels, Chief Commercial Officer Ian Moore said. “We have not focused on China as being the epicentre of Asia like you may have done five or 10 years ago. We have seen the growth coming from Southeast Asia, Japan and other regions,” he told Reuters on the sidelines of the Business Aviation Asia Forum and Expo. Asia-Pacific accounts for just 7% of the global business jet fleet, which is dominated by the huge North American market, but the region is forecast to grow at 2.1% a year over the next 10 years, outstripping the global average of 1.4%, according to the Aviation Week Intelligence Network. As jet numbers fall in China, Southeast Asian countries like Singapore, Vietnam, Laos, Indonesia and Thailand in particular have seen strong growth rates, albeit from low bases. The shift is partly to do with ******** policies, such as crackdowns on ostentatious displays of wealth and long-lasting pandemic restrictions, according to industry executives. But they said it was also attributable to emerging wealth in countries like India and Vietnam where manufacturing and foreign investment is increasingly moving as international companies look to diversify their supply chains beyond China. The number of private planes in India has grown by almost a quarter since 2019 to 168 last year. “India we see as an area of very intense activity that’s certainly expected to grow,” Lau said. (Reporting by Lisa Barrington; Editing by Jamie Freed) Source link #China #loses #private #jets #Asian #growth #spots #emerge Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Cyclone Alfred: Downgraded but worst is yet to come as flooding now main threat to communities Cyclone Alfred: Downgraded but worst is yet to come as flooding now main threat to communities Tropical Cyclone Alfred may have been downgraded but the rainfall expected to come in the next few days, potentially up to 800mm in areas of northern NSW and southeast Queensland, is likely to cause significant flooding and danger to low-lying communities. Premier Chris Minns held a press conference in Lismore to address the rising flood water crisis and pleaded again with people to stay safe and avoid complacency as the main rain deluge is yet to arrive. “There has been 40 flood rescue crews that have been prepositioned into the Northern Rivers, and as you see they were needed.,” Mr Minns said. “There has also been very sadly a man missing in the Dorrigo region and is now a search mission in the upper Coffs Harbour region. “We are concerned about that but we need to make it clear that the message hasn’t deviated, particularly as we move through to the flood part of this natural disaster and that is, never drive through floodwaters, never put yourself in danger, it is the most common way of people losing their lives during these flooding events. “You risk your own life, a passenger in your car, a family member and also SES and police officials who have been sent in to try and rescue you in the event that you are in difficult situations, and they will always try, but we don’t want to put them in harms way.” Authorities are concerned a river levee in Lismore may be breached on Saturday night or on Sunday as millions in NSW and Queensland continue to bunker down avoiding heavy rain and intense winds. Major flooding is expected at the Wilsons River, which runs through Lismore, where the river height is predicted to reach around 10.6 metres, the height of the levee. Saturday was “D-day” for the weather event, NSW SES Commissioner Michael Wassing said. “Irrespective of the crossing of the cyclone currently in Queensland, we’re still seeing very strong winds,” he said. Camera IconMillions of people are bunkering down as ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred batters the coast. Credit: AAP “But more importantly, we’re still seeing very heavy rainfalls and therefore river rises, flash flooding and continued inundation of many areas.” In the last 24 hours, there were 30 flood rescues, predominantly from people driving through flood waters. There are currently 131 warnings, including 40 emergency warnings, which equates to approximately 20,000 people under evacuation orders. Commissioner Wassing said while levees had not overtopped, the SES was ready for all outcomes. “The CBD levee and the levee to the south part of Lismore has not overtopped … but we are getting flooding in low lying areas in Lismore,” he said. “Certainly with the Wilson River, the predictions indicate that there will be rises and there is likely to be further flooding.” With significant power outages affecting Lismore, leaving around 43,000 premises without power, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said six generators were being sent from the national stockpile. “Right now, very clearly, we need to stick together and continue to look after each other,” he said. “The impacts are already being felt and there is worse to come in the hours ahead.” The prime minister is expected to visit the region in coming days and urged people to remain vigilant and stay out of floodwaters. “Please continue to stay up to date with the latest advice via the disaster The Disaster Queensland website, the NSW SES website, the Bureau of Meteorology website,” he said. Channel 7 meteorologist and weather presenter Tony Auden released an updated advice for people heading into Saturday night: Tropical Cyclone Alfred the story right nowAlfred was downgraded to an “ex cyclone” or “tropical low” at 7am on Saturday and is sitting off Bribie IslandWind: Unofficial peak gust on the Gold Coast Hinterland 141kmh, Gold Coast Seaway – 107kmh, Brisbane – 93kmhSevere weather warning still current for both intense rain and damaging windsHazardous surf and coastal hazards warnings remain currentFlash flooding alerts in place, then riverine flooding off the back of the intense rain. Expect a band of heavy rain to form along a convergence line as Alfred moves inland With AAP. Source link #Cyclone #Alfred #Downgraded #worst #flooding #main #threat #communities Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Woman Strips Down And Goes Berserk On Southwest Flight To Phoenix Woman Strips Down And Goes Berserk On Southwest Flight To Phoenix A Southwest Airlines flight from Houston to Phoenix returned to its gate before ever lifting off ground after a passenger stripped naked and began screaming. Captured in a shocking video obtained by KPNX, a woman could be seen completely undressed, pacing the aisle and belligerently yelling before takeoff. The Houston Police Department confirmed that they received a call at 3:30 p.m. CT on Monday (March 3) that “a passenger took off her clothes on a flight and was causing a disturbance.” Officers responded swiftly, removing the woman from the aircraft and transporting her to the NeuroPsychiatric Center at Harris Health Ben Taub Hospital for evaluation. “There have been no charges filed, so her name was not released,” police reportedly stated. Southwest also addressed the situation, explaining that local law enforcement met Flight 733 upon its return to the gate due to a “customer situation onboard.” “Our Teams have reached out to customers onboard the flight to apologize for the delay to their travels,” the airline said in a statement. According to two anonymous passengers who spoke to KPNX, the disruption began just as the aircraft started taxiing. Initially clothed, the woman reportedly walked to the front of the plane and began shouting. “It was very uncomfortable and really scary,” one passenger recalled. Another traveler shared that the woman expressed a desire to exit the flight before takeoff. “I do remember her saying that she wanted to get off the flight,” they said. Moments later, the woman allegedly started striking parts of the plane, proclaiming she was bipolar, before stripping off her clothes and screaming. “She started, like, jumping up and down, screaming at the top of her lungs,” a witness recounted. The decision not to press charges left some passengers confused, particularly because there were children allegedly present at the time of the incident. “Considering that she got naked in front of a bunch of kids and anyone else. I’m surprised there weren’t any consequences,” the witness said. More from VIBE.com Sign up for Vibe’s Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Source link #Woman #Strips #Berserk #Southwest #Flight #Phoenix Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

WA election 2025: Premier Roger Cook labels a vote for Liberals a ‘risk’ to WA’s future WA election 2025: Premier Roger Cook labels a vote for Liberals a ‘risk’ to WA’s future Roger Cook says he is ‘not taking anything for granted’, despite being at unbackable odds to win today’s state Election. Source link #election #Premier #Roger #Cook #labels #vote #Liberals #risk #future Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Kansas City department store to close soon. A massive furniture mall will move in Kansas City department store to close soon. A massive furniture mall will move in A 150,000-square-foot furniture store will move into a Northland Macy’s after it closes. Furniture Mall of Missouri will take over part of the department store at 400 NW Barry Road, Suite 150, according to a media release from the company. As previously reported by The Star, Macy’s will close at the end of the month. Another tenant is expected to take over another part of the Macy’s space, though developers have yet to announce who that will be. The Northland spot will be Furniture Mall’s third in the Kansas City area. Furniture Mall of Missouri is at 900 NW Blue Parkway in Lee’s Summit, and Furniture Mall of Kansas is at 2125 E. Kansas City Road in Olathe. Renovations will begin April 1, and it’s slated to open at the end of the year. The location will have more than 1,000 furniture rooms and a cafe serving custard and cookies. Furniture Mall’s arrival is part of an ongoing effort to revitalize the former Metro North Mall, which was opened in 1976 and closed in 2014. The mall was demolished in 2017, with only Macy’s and some freestanding businesses remaining. Since then, Kansas City has revamped the area into 106-acre development Metro North Crossing, which is home to Third Street Social, Hullhouse Coffee and more. In January, the city council voted to approve adding the Macy’s site to the special community improvement district overseeing the mall’s redevelopment. Developers expect to spend $3 million fixing up the Macy’s property, according to city documents. Macy’s has spots at 5100 W. 119th St. in Leawood and 11201 W. 95th St. in Overland Park. The former Macy’s in Prairie Village is also undergoing a massive transformation and will soon be home to a Hen House grocery store and other tenants. Source link #Kansas #City #department #store #close #massive #furniture #mall #move Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

GTA VI's rumored $100 price tag sparks debate among gamers and analysts – TechSpot GTA VI's rumored $100 price tag sparks debate among gamers and analysts – TechSpot GTA VI’s rumored $100 price tag sparks debate among gamers and analysts TechSpotWhen does Grand Theft Auto VI come out? Release date info NorthJersey.comWould You Pay $100 for Grand Theft Auto VI? GizmodoGTA 6 release confirmed for fall 2025: What to expect from gameplay, price, and more MoneycontrolAnalyst thinks Take-Two will sell Grand Theft Auto 6 at an unprecedented $100 price point Video Games Chronicle Source link #GTA #VI039s #rumored #price #tag #sparks #debate #among #gamers #analysts #TechSpot Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Fremantle chief executive Simon Garlick the latest voice against Opening Round, says it’s ‘not ideal’ Fremantle chief executive Simon Garlick the latest voice against Opening Round, says it’s ‘not ideal’ Fremantle chief executive Simon Garlick says he’s not a fan of Opening Round as the AFL continues to be under pressure to scrap the concept after only two seasons. Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred threw the start to the season into disarray, forcing both Queensland games — Brisbane against Geelong and Gold Coast verses Essendon — to be abandoned and rescheduled for later this year. SIGN UP HERE FOR FREE FOOTY TIPPING TO WIN A SHARE OF $85K It left only two games this weekend, with Hawthorn defeating Sydney at the SCG on Friday night while Greater Western Sydney will host Collingwood on Sunday. Meanwhile, the rest of the AFL awaits restlessly for round one with no football outside of New South Wales this weekend. Garlick joined the likes of former Collingwood and West Coast coach Mick Malthouse in admitting they didn’t like the Queensland and New South Wales focused concept. “I wouldn’t say I’m an advocate, I understand it. And I get the continued push and enthusiasm to grow the code in those growth markets, those virgin AFL territories of New South Wales and Queensland,” Garlick told ABC Radio. Camera IconFremantle chief executive Simon Garlick has spoken out against Opening Round. Credit: Ian Munro/The West *********** “We’ve got to be really careful and ensure we continue to find the balance and not do it at the expense of some of our heartland markets that are so important. “The AFL doesn’t take them for granted but when you put so much effort into the new territories it can’t help but have an impact. Being a team that is sort of off Broadway while others are playing, I just don’t feel comfortable with it. “I am always an advocate for codes trying things and looking at continuing to get better but this isn’t one that I think is ideal for the overarching code.” In his exclusive column for The West ***********, Malthouse called for Opening Round “nonsense” and that it should be scrapped. “I might not be right here, but I believe that Opening Round was designed to fill the gap left in Queensland and New South Wales by the NRL playing it’s first round in Las Vegas,” Malthouse wrote. “The naivety of this is that it could attract NRL supporters to the AFL. But all it really does is exclude and dessert Aussie Rules supporters from the heartland of football. “I feel it would be far more meaningful to play nine high-quality games of AFL in each state for round one, later than March 6, so that we don’t put pressure on players to be ready to play footy without miles in their legs.” Source link #Fremantle #chief #executive #Simon #Garlick #latest #voice #Opening #ideal Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Quickley’s 34 points help Raptors top lowly Jazz Quickley’s 34 points help Raptors top lowly Jazz Descrease article font size Increase article font size TORONTO – Immanuel Quickley scored a season-high 34 points to lead the Toronto Raptors in a wire-to-wire win over the Utah Jazz 118-109 on Friday. Quickley added five rebounds and five assists to help Toronto (21-42) win its third straight. Scottie Barnes had a double-double with 22 points and 12 boards, with six assists. Walker Kessler had a double-double with 18 points and 25 boards as the Western Conference-worst Utah (15-48) dropped its fourth straight game. Collin Sexton added 17 points and Kyle Filipowski came off the bench for 17 points, five rebounds and three assists. Raptors rookie guard Ja’Kobe Walter had 14 points, five rebounds and two assists before leaving the game in the third quarter after straining his right quad. Related Videos 3:21 Toronto Raptors adding Brandon Ingram at trade deadline an ‘important step in the rebuild,’ GM says Previous Video Next Video Story continues below advertisement Walter joined a long list of Toronto players who were unavailable for the game. 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. RJ Barrett (rest) of Mississauga, Ont., Jakob Poeltl (rest), Ochai Agbaji (left ankle sprain), Gradey ***** (right knee bone bruise), Jonathan Mogbo (nasal fracture) and Montreal’s Chris Boucher (dental) were some of Toronto’s other regulars who didn’t play. Utah was similarly undermanned, with Jordan Clarkson (plantar fasciitis, left foot), John Collins (back), Elijah Harkless (groin), Taylor Hendricks (fractured right fibula and dislocated ankle), and Lauri Markkanen (back) all out. Takeaways More on Sports More videos Jazz: Although Utah never led in the game, its interior offence thrived. The Jazz finished with 60 points in the paint and 20 second-chance points led by Kessler’s 13 offensive rebounds. Raptors: Constant pressure defence paid dividends for the Raptors, generating 25 Jazz turnovers that led to 28 points for the hosts. Toronto also took excellent care of the ball with just 10 turnovers leading to 12 points. Trending Now What’s behind Trump’s many grievances with Canada? Gene Hackman death: Gas leak, dog identification details revealed Key moment Keyonte George’s floating jumper with 4:42 left in the game pulled Utah to within six points but Quickley replied with back-to-back 25-foot three-pointers to restore Toronto’s comfortable lead. Key stat Kessler’s 25 rebounds were four shy of the most boards ever by a Raptors opponent. Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo had 29 rebounds to lead the Atlanta Hawks past Toronto 102-97 on Jan. 31, 2001. Story continues below advertisement Up next Toronto hosts the Wizards (12-49) on Saturday in the first of two games against Washington at Scotiabank Arena. Utah continues its East Coast swing with a stop in Philadelphia on Sunday to face the 76ers (21-41). This report by The ********* Press was first published March 7, 2025. &copy 2025 The ********* Press Source link #Quickleys #points #Raptors #top #lowly #Jazz Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Stuntman Injured as ‘Cannonball’ Act Goes Horribly Wrong at California Fair Stuntman Injured as ‘Cannonball’ Act Goes Horribly Wrong at California Fair A stuntman was injured in a dramatic “human cannonball” act gone wrong at the Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival in Indio, California, on March 2, according to the festival. Michael Betzler captured the moment as stuntman Chachi Valencia, known as ““Rocketman Valencia,”“: struck the side of the net and crashed to the asphalt below, prompting screams from spectators. A GoFundMe page raising money for his medical expenses stated that a strong gust of wind blew him off course midair, causing him to miss the landing net. Trusted news and daily delights, right in your inbox See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. Valencia sustained serious injuries, including a lacerated liver, broken ribs, and a broken wrist, according to the fundraiser. On Sunday night, Indio City Councilmember Waymond Fermon said Valencia was in “good spirits” and would be back in the air soon. Credit: Michael Betzler via Storyful Source link #Stuntman #Injured #Cannonball #Act #Horribly #Wrong #California #Fair Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

'Psychodrama' tariff negotiations frustrate Mexico and Canada – Reuters.com 'Psychodrama' tariff negotiations frustrate Mexico and Canada – Reuters.com ‘Psychodrama’ tariff negotiations frustrate Mexico and Canada Reuters.comView Full Coverage on Google News Source link #039Psychodrama039 #tariff #negotiations #frustrate #Mexico #Canada #Reuters.com Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

At least 10 dead in Argentina port city floods At least 10 dead in Argentina port city floods More than 260mm of rain has fallen within a few hours in the port city of Bahia Blanca, Argentina, killing at least ten people. Source link #dead #Argentina #port #city #floods Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Global coffee trade grinding to a halt, hit hard by brutal price hikes Global coffee trade grinding to a halt, hit hard by brutal price hikes By Marcelo Teixeira HOUSTON (Reuters) – Global coffee traders and roasters say they have slashed their purchases to minimal levels, as the industry reels from a steep surge in prices that suppliers have yet to convince retail stores to accept. At the U.S. National Coffee Association annual convention in Houston this week, attendees said they have been in shock at a 70% increase since November for Arabica coffee futures on the ICE exchange, the benchmark for coffee deals around the world. Renan Chueiri, director general at ELCAFE C.A. in Ecuador, said this year is the first time the instant coffee maker hasn’t sold all of its expected annual production by March. “We would usually be sold out by now, but so far we sold less than 30% of production,” he said. “The big price increase eats clients’ cash flow, they don’t have all the money to buy what they need.” The coffee price hikes have stemmed from lower production in important coffee growing regions, particularly in top grower Brazil, reducing the availability of beans. “Nobody wants to be exposed, nobody is buying for future delivery, it is all hand to mouth,” said one coffee broker, asking not to be identified due to the sensitivity of the issue. By “hand to mouth”, he was referring to the practice of buying only what is necessary for the moment and eschewing stockpiling. Many recent deals in Brazil, he said, have been conducted in a very conservative manner. “You close a deal, and then you have seven days to go to the farm or warehouse and get your coffee. You check the quality, and if it is ok, you make the payment on the site and drive away with the coffee.” A recent Reuters poll predicted that Arabica coffee prices could fall 30% by the end of the year, as high prices curb demand and early signs point to a bumper Brazilian crop next year. But until prices drop significantly, much of the coffee industry could be in for a world of pain. A chief executive of a major roaster in the United States – the world’s largest market for coffee consumption, said some of his clients are not sure they can continue to be in business. “They don’t know if they will be able to sell their product at the new prices,” he said, also asking not to be identified. “Some people are going down”. The CEO said supermarkets and grocery stores had been pushing back against the higher prices asked by roasters. Negotiations were taking a long time and some retail outlets were starting to be short of coffee on the shelves. Story Continues “It has been a nightmare,” he added. Coffee warehouses close to ports in the U.S., which receive beans coming from Central and South America, currently have half their normal volumes, said an executive for one of the largest companies in the storage sector. “Some storing companies are returning silos to the owners, canceling leasing contracts early,” he said. Michael Von Luehrte, owner of broker MVLcoffee, said the coffee market, particularly on the trading side, could see consolidation. Companies with more capital will be able to increase trading volumes, while others will suffer with reduced financing, he added. Commodities trader Louis Dreyfus said in a presentation during the conference that the coffee planted area has been expanding in reaction to the higher prices. Expansion has happened in countries such as India, Uganda, Ethiopia and Brazil. The company believes that if Brazil manages to have one big crop, then that in combination with the new planted areas could lead to a collapse in prices. (This story has been refiled to correct a typo in the headline) (Reporting by Marcelo Teixeira; Editing by Edwina Gibbs) Source link #Global #coffee #trade #grinding #halt #hit #hard #brutal #price #hikes Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

How Walgreens went from pharmacy behemoth to distressed retailer – Reuters How Walgreens went from pharmacy behemoth to distressed retailer – Reuters How Walgreens went from pharmacy behemoth to distressed retailer ReutersBoots bought by US private equity in $10bn deal The TelegraphWalgreens to go private in $10B deal Fox BusinessWalgreens Agrees to Acquisition by Sycamore Partners PYMNTS.com Source link #Walgreens #pharmacy #behemoth #distressed #retailer #Reuters Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

GM ‘happy’ with Cadillac demand as *********** deliveries near GM ‘happy’ with Cadillac demand as *********** deliveries near First *********** deliveries of the Cadillac Lyriq electric luxury SUV are set to begin soon, and General Motors says it’s happy with the level of local interest in the brand. While the company wouldn’t confirm how many orders had been placed, General Motors Australia and New Zealand (GM ANZ) managing director Jess Bala told *********** media the brand has had “nearly 9000 hand-raisers express interest in Cadillac and the Lyriq”. “We commenced sales of the Lyriq in October 2024, and have already had several of our first customers place their orders,” said Ms Bala late in February, noting many of these customers are coming from other luxury brands. “We keep that information pretty close to the chest,” Ms Bala said when asked about the number of orders, “But I can tell you that we’ve been very pleased and happy with the interest we’ve had. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Camera IconSupplied Credit: CarExpert “We’re very confident now that once people can actually get in the vehicle and drive it that that interest is only going to climb.” The brand recently started offering test drives of the Lyriq, though deliveries have yet to commence. “We haven’t delivered any vehicles just yet, we are hoping that will happen in the next couple of weeks. We are very, very close to getting certification, that’s just what we’re waiting for, and then we are able to deliver,” said Ms Bala. “Based on the conversations we’ve had with the relevant government bodies that should be in the next couple of weeks.” Camera IconLyriq-V Credit: CarExpert Cadillac’s debut model in Australia, the Lyriq, is a dual-motor all-wheel drive rival for the BMW iX and Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV that’s priced from $117,000 before on-road costs. The Lyriq will be followed in 2026 by a high-performance version called the Lyriq-V, with the smaller Optiq and larger three-row Vistiq crossovers also due next year. While it has committed to only rolling out electric vehicles (EVs) in Australia, the brand isn’t concerned about cooling EV demand. “It hasn’t changed anything for us locally in Australia and New Zealand, obviously we know that electric vehicle sales here were relatively flat last year, they were up slightly,” said Ms Bala. Camera IconVistiq Credit: CarExpert “But again because we’re playing in the luxury EV space, it’s a little bit different, and that’s where you do tend to see a little bit more of the growth.” EV sales grew last year, but only by 4.7 per cent while hybrid sales were up 76 per cent and plug-in hybrids 100.2 per cent. Unlike many other brands new to the *********** market, Cadillac doesn’t have lofty volume goals – though it won’t share exactly what its targets are. “We’re not targeting any sort of massive mainstream volumes for a reason, the vehicle and the brand to us is all about driving exclusivity and really appealing to those customers, so we don’t see huge volumes in our future,” said Ms Bala. “When we say we’re a niche luxury EV brand, that means we’re really focusing on what that customer experience is and making sure that we are living up to the Cadillac brand that [Cadillac global vice president John Roth] and the team have done an awesome job of building over the last few years as a true tier 1 luxury brand. Camera IconCadillac’s Sydney experience centre Credit: CarExpert “Success to us is obviously hitting our sales targets, obviously being profitable like any other business, but then also creating those customers for life and having people come back to our brand over and over again and really building that emotional connection with them.” Cadillac has committed to a direct-to-consumer sales model in Australia, much like Genesis, rather than the traditional dealer franchise model used by GM Specialty Vehicles. The brand has just one ‘experience centre’ in Australia thus far, at the Rosebery Engine Yards in Sydney, which opened late in 2024. It’ll also sell vehicles via its website. “We have announced that we have a site coming in Brisbane closer to the middle of this year and we’ll share more details on that later,” said Ms Bala. Camera IconLyriq Credit: CarExpert “We are still looking for our forever home here in Melbourne, we’re very particular as to what we’re looking for so we haven’t found anything yet but we are working through an alternative go-to-market strategy to make sure that we have the Melbourne market represented because we know it is critical to our success as well.” It has been a lengthy search for a Melbourne location, with Ms Bala commenting on the search for a “forever home” back in October 2024. “We will announce more around pop-up activations and things like that in the coming months, but we do have a plan for something here in Melbourne, also in Auckland and in Sydney and potentially Brisbane as well.” Cadillac will offer the Lyriq with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre vehicle warranty, an eight-year, 160,000km battery warranty, five years of roadside assistance, and five years of free scheduled servicing. Camera IconSupplied Credit: CarExpert It’s calling this after-sales package Cadillac Confidence, and it’s transferable to the next owner should you sell your Cadillac. All Lyriqs will come with one year of free public charging through the Chargefox network. Once that year is up, you can then opt to receive another two years of free Chargefox charging. Alternatively, you can opt for JET Charge to deliver and install a 7.4kW Autel home charging unit, free of charge. Cadillac has also partnered with Plenti to offer “tailored financing solutions” for Lyriq buyers. MORE: Everything Cadillac Source link #happy #Cadillac #demand #*********** #deliveries Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

‘Use it or lose it’ ‘Use it or lose it’ Do you want to keep your brain sharp into your golden years? Then pick up a shovel and get planting! A study from the University of Edinburgh has linked gardening with improved thinking skills as we age. The researchers looked at the lifestyles of hundreds of older adults, finding that those who spent time gardening had better cognitive function in later life than those who did not. “Engaging in gardening projects, learning about plants, and general garden upkeep involves complex cognitive processes such as memory and executive function,” lead author Janie Corley explained in a news release from the university. “Consistent with the ‘use it or lose it’ framework of cognitive function, more engagement in gardening may be directly associated with a lower risk of cognitive decline.” It is important to note that the researchers admitted that their results don’t necessarily prove that gardening directly boosts cognitive ability. That’s because factors not included in the analysis, such as the level of greenery in a neighborhood or social interaction while gardening, could have also played a part. However, this isn’t the first time researchers have linked gardening with positive health impacts. For instance, another study found that people who garden eat more fiber and get more physical activity. Plus, a different study concluded that community gardening can decrease stress and increase optimism. Gardening is also good for the environment. For instance, adding native plants to your landscape can help support important local pollinators such as bees and butterflies. Watch now: Giant snails invading New York City? If you don’t have space for an outdoor garden, you can also bring the health benefits inside. Researchers found that indoor plants improve mental health as well. “Overall, these findings suggest that engaging in gardening activities may contribute modestly to healthy cognitive functioning up to the eighth decade of life,” the University of Edinburgh researchers concluded. “Although physical activity was higher in gardeners, it did not explain the gardening and cognitive function relationship.” Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don’t miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Source link #lose Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Rise of the Ronin Review – Twisted Voxel Rise of the Ronin Review – Twisted Voxel GR: “It’s been a strong year for open-world games. With the likes of Star Wars Outlaws, The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, and Dragon’s Dogma 2, it’s understandable if some big hits passed you by. In fact, I dare say plenty have been forgotten already, such is the overflowing state of AAA releases. Yet, there’s one 2024 title I’m humbly requesting you don’t miss out on: Rise of the Ronin. Developed by Team Ninja – the visionary studio responsible for Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, the Nioh games, Ninja Gaiden and the Dead or Alive series – this PS5 exclusive has players take on the role of a warrior on a quest to avenge their fallen village and comrades while getting caught up in the tense political struggles of mid-19th century Japan.” Source link #Rise #Ronin #Review #Twisted #Voxel Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Here’s how much it cost ‘Anora’ to win the Oscars – NME Here’s how much it cost ‘Anora’ to win the Oscars – NME Here’s how much it cost ‘Anora’ to win the Oscars NMEOscars 2025 Winners: Full List of the 97th Academy Awards Winners! ABCWhere to Watch the 2025 Oscar-Winning Movies AARP’Anora’ Sets Streaming Release Date On Hulu DeadlineReturn to Oz: An Oscars-Night Diary The New Yorker Source link #Heres #cost #Anora #win #Oscars #NME Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]