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Here’s why Uber could rally 31% in the next year, Girard CIO says Here’s why Uber could rally 31% in the next year, Girard CIO says Shares of Uber have already surged 27% to start off the year, but Girard Advisory Services’ Timothy Chubb believes that there’s more upside ahead for the ridesharing stock. The firm’s chief investment officer joined CNBC’s ” Power Lunch ” on Wednesday to share his take on the name, along with a pair of other market movers. Here’s what he had to say. Uber Despite its year-to-date outperformance, it’s been a choppy time for Uber stock. Last month, shares lost nearly 8% in a single day after the company guided for softer-than-expected gross bookings in its first quarter. Uber also missed on analysts’ earnings expectations, although it posted a fourth-quarter revenue beat. Still, Chubb highlighted Uber as one of his highest conviction ideas. “I think Uber is a perfect example where the fundamentals of the core business are doing extremely well,” he said. “I think the market is still really underappreciating just how much more activity they’re having with their users on the platform as compared to a Lyft, for example, and how much free cash flow they’re generating.” On Tuesday, Uber began offering robotaxi rides in Austin, Texas, through a partnership with Waymo. The companies are planning to launch in several other U.S. cities this year. Chubb added that shares of Uber could “certainly” trade over $100 at some point within the next year or so. If the stock crosses this threshold, that would mark a 31% gain from Uber’s Wednesday close. CrowdStrike On the other hand, Chubb highlighted cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike as a pass. The stock tumbled 6.3% on Wednesday after issuing a disappointing earnings forecast . The company said it expects its full-year earnings, excluding some items, to come in between $3.33 and $3.45 per share. This fell short of the $4.42 analysts surveyed by LSEG had expected. CrowdStrike’s first-quarter earnings are expected to range between 64 cents and 66 cents per share, below the average estimate of 95 cents. Last July, a CrowdStrike update led to a major IT outage , impairing businesses including airlines and banks. Shares of CrowdStrike have recovered more than 80% since hitting a 52-week low of $200.81 last August, and are up nearly 7% so far this year. “It’s a wonderful business with a lot of stability with that subscription model, but really, one doesn’t have that attractive of a valuation,” Chubb said. Instead, the investor prefers CrowdStrike competitor Fortinet . “They’re a more well-rounded platform and not just end-point detection, and ultimately will benefit, I think, from potentially seeing enterprises shift spending here as [they] potentially streamline things a little bit further,” he added. Citigroup Finally, Chubb was resoundingly bearish on Citigroup . The stock ended Wednesday slightly higher, but it is nearly 9% lower on the week. Alongside other bank stocks, Citigroup has been dragged lower by tariff uncertainty and fears of an economic slowdown. Chubb said expected dergulation under the Trump administration could provide a “pretty strong tailwind” for banks. However, Citigroup still has “a lot of issues” to deal with to improve its business efficiency, he said. “Overall, we’re much more attracted to some other areas within the financials, especially those who are going to be a bit more exposed to M & A activity as valuations continue to fall,” the investor said. Source link #Heres #Uber #rally #year #Girard #CIO Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Defense Department begins cutting workers this week Defense Department begins cutting workers this week Reductions at the U.S.’ largest federal department began this week, as probationary employees were cut from the Defense Logistics Agency, which is part of the Defense Department. “DLA released probationary employees, consistent with the Department of Defense’s broader efforts to ensure resources are aligned with the department’s strategic objectives,” a DLA spokesperson said in a statement to CBS News. Less than 100 workers were fired from the DLA, an agency that manages the supply chain for military services. The DLA has about 25,000 employees who work at its headquarters in Virginia or across the globe, including in support of operations in the Middle East, Indo-Pacific, and Europe. Defense One first reported the DLA firings. More cuts are expected later this week, however, at other Defense Department offices. The Pentagon issued a memo Monday warning of imminent cuts to civilian employees, according to a copy obtained by CBS News. The memo, directed to “Senior Pentagon Leadership,” states the purpose of the reduction is to “streamline operations and prioritize critical missions in order to redirect scarce and limited resources towards enhancing the lethality of war fighting capacity.” It is signed by Darin Selnick, who is performing the duties of undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness. According to the letter, probationary employees whose “continued employment at the Department would not be in the public interest,” would be terminated as early as March 3. A U.S. official confirmed the memo is authentic, but the Defense Department declined to comment. A previous statement last month from Selnick said an estimated 5,400 probationary employees would be terminated in what was described as an “initial” effort. The Department of Defense is one of several agencies expected to fire employees as part of the DOGE’s efforts to shrink the size of the federal workforce. Reductions in force have occurred at the Environmental Protection Agency, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and most recently the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency. The Department of Veterans Affairs plans to slash as many as 70,000 workers to reach a goal of returning its workforce to 2019 levels of just under 400,000 employees, according to a memo sent to top Veterans Affairs officials. Its reduction-in-force plans are expected to take place in August, according to the memo, which was obtained by CBS News. At least 23,853 employees have been put on leave or terminated as of the end of February, according to a CBS News’ analysis. This could be just the start of a massive reduction at the Defense Department, where earlier this month, the Pentagon said it anticipated cutting the entire civilian workforce at DoD by 5% to 8% — as part of a larger effort to decrease the budget at the Defense Department. Funds would also be reappropriated to better align with the Trump administration’s programmatic goals. Civilian employees at the Defense Department serve in a broad spectrum of career roles inside the Pentagon and abroad. They support military operations and handle everything from intelligence analysis to logistics, cybersecurity and contract management. While uniformed service members execute military missions, civilians develop policies, oversee budgets, and maintain the intricate supply chains that keep the armed forces running. Probationary employees are federal workers who have been on the job for two years or less and are therefore not included in civil service protections. The Pentagon has about 950,000 civilian employees, according to a Defense Department civilian career website. A 5% to 8% reduction would add up to between 47,5000 and 76,000 thousand workers. Madeleine May Madeleine May is an investigative producer at CBS News based in Washington, D.C. She previously covered politics for VICE News and reported on organized crime and corruption for OCCRP. She covers threats to democracy, disinformation, political violence, and extremism. Source link #Defense #Department #begins #cutting #workers #week Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Will you pay more for gas under the new Canada tariffs? Depends on where you live – CNN Will you pay more for gas under the new Canada tariffs? Depends on where you live – CNN Will you pay more for gas under the new Canada tariffs? Depends on where you live CNNWill tariffs make the US money? And could Canada join the EU? BBC.comTrump could scale back Canada, Mexico tariffs Wednesday, Lutnick says CNBCWhat is a tariff and who pays it? CNNTrump’s Latest Tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China Could Be His Biggest Gamble The New York Times Source link #pay #gas #Canada #tariffs #Depends #live #CNN Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Ange sees big chance for Spurs in Europa League last-16 Ange sees big chance for Spurs in Europa League last-16 Ange Postecoglou believes the Europa League presents Tottenham with a “great opportunity”, especially with the return of Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero and Dominic Solanke for their tie at Dutch side AZ Alkmaar. Spurs resume their European campaign on Thursday with a last-16 first-leg clash in the Netherlands with huge focus on the competition given the club’s domestic struggles this season. The long-term absences of van de Ven and Romero have contributed towards a difficult campaign as Tottenham sit 13th in the Premier League and are out of both domestic cup competitions. While Dejan Kulusevski has become the latest player on the treatment table with a foot issue set to sideline him until April, van de Ven, Romero and Solanke are all in contention to feature in Alkmaar, where Postecoglou will aim to guide his squad a step closer to a first trophy since 2008. “It is fair to say the boys really understand there is a great opportunity for us,” Postecoglou said. “We’ve got ourselves in a good position. We’re in the round of 16, we’ve got two tough games against AZ and that’s the first thing to overcome. “The club hasn’t in recent years done well in this competition, but it’s a major European competition, we’re in the last 16 and for us there’s an opportunity there. “We’ve got to make sure whatever happens at the end of the game, we’ve still got an opportunity to go back to Tottenham and win the tie. “We’ve got to make sure we play our football and dictate the tempo of the game to make sure we take a result back to Tottenham.” Postecoglou refused to be drawn into whether any of the trio could start. Solanke is available again after a six-week absence following a knee injury while van de Ven has not featured regularly since October after being blighted by hamstring problems, which meant comeback appearances in December and January proved a false dawn. It is a similar story for Romero, who last played for Tottenham on December 8 against Chelsea before he sustained a fresh groin injury in that match. Source link #Ange #sees #big #chance #Spurs #Europa #League #last16 Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Karen Huger’s New Life in Prison: What She Should Expect Karen Huger’s New Life in Prison: What She Should Expect Undoubtedly, Karen Huger has a long road ahead of her. For years she prided herself on being the Grand Dame of the Potomac but after a few poor choices, she damned herself. Let’s take a look at her new home for the next year. Karen Huger is getting a wake-up call Karen’s new life will be very different from the one she currently has led. According to the Inmate Guidebook, the Real Housewives of Potomac’s star’s new home will be Maryland’s Montgomery County Correctional Facility. The mother of two will have to get used to a new way of life. According to the facility’s site, MCCF can accommodate as many as 1,028 inmates, both men and women. Maryland’s Montgomery County Correctional Facility is in charge of the care of inmates who are either waiting for their pre-trial or serving sentences up to 18 months. This is Karen’s new home. According to the correctional facility, each pod has two televisions. This is where inmates like Karen can gather to watch, possibly the Real Housewives of Potomac together. The settings will be on an English-language channel, and the other TV will be put on a Spanish-language channel. The facility gets a wide range of networks, but it is unclear if Bravo will be one of them. After the verdict, Karen began to serve her sentence of one year immediately. She does have 30 days to appeal the judge’s ruling. Karen Huger will be blending in Gone are the days when Karen would be flaunting her Gucci or Chanel accessories. Karen will be expected to wear the exact same prison uniform as everyone else around her. For the next 365 days, she will only be able to dream about the red carpet. The guidebook states, “You must wear your institutional jumpsuit whenever outside of your cell or in the day area. Whenever you leave your housing area, inmates are not allowed to wear sweatpants and/or sweatshirts underneath your jumpsuit. However, “Approved religious headwear may be worn in inmate cells, day areas, and during religious programs.” Karen is responsible for doing her own laundry, and the jumpsuit’s legs can not be rolled up to expose her socks or her legs. As Real Housewives of Potomac fans know, Karen has had trouble with her wigs over the years. She will no longer be able to change up her look depending on the day. A hairdresser service is provided by a professional who has already been approved by the Department of Corrections. Karen will be entitled to this service as long as she submits a haircut order form. Karen Huger will get visitors As we all know, the early bird gets the worm. Karen will have to become a morning person as the guide shared that inmates are expected to be in their jumpsuits by 8:00 a.m. It is at this time that inmates’ daily and weekly inspections take place. Karen will have to make sure her bed is made to the standards of the guidebook. Her desk will also need to be clear of all items with the exception of one “authorized religious book.” If Karen is eligible, she will be able to have two visits from family or friends per week. The guidebook notes, “Relatives and friends may visit unless disapproved by the Warden or their designee. Inmates who are participating in any school, work or program (****** Study, etc.) at the time of the family visit will not be sent to the visiting area.” Karen will receive one 30-minute visit on their assigned day. The guidebook, which was last updated in 2022, notes that all visitors are required to wear masks regardless of vaccination status. Karen’s visitors must stay six feet apart. Karen Huger won’t be getting home-cooked meals According to Maryland’s Montgomery County Correctional Facility handbook, inmates like Karen are given daily access to “collect call only telephones.” Each phone call conversation is monitored and recorded. The Real Housewives of Potomac star will also be able to send and receive letters. The facility does not limit the number of letters an inmate can receive. But all incoming mail from the outside is screened for contraband. Karen, like all other inmates, will be served three meals a day: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Specific food preferences are not honored, and no one can make substitutions on their trays. After reading the guidebook, Karen will also have learned that any extra helpings are not allowed. And she can only have one tray and one beverage. All “inmates are expected to shower daily and keep a neat and clean appearance. Soap is issued to each inmate and razors are available through the commissary process in most housing units.” The Real Housewives of Potomac is available to stream on Peacock. TELL US – HOW DO YOU THINK KAREN WILL LIKE HER NEW HOME? The post Karen Huger’s New Life in Prison: What She Should Expect appeared first on Reality Tea. Source link #Karen #Hugers #Life #Prison #Expect Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Jack Daniel’s maker says Canada pulling U.S. alcohol off shelves ‘worse than tariff’ Jack Daniel’s maker says Canada pulling U.S. alcohol off shelves ‘worse than tariff’ The LCBO removes US products off the shelves on the first day of the trade war instigated by Donald Trump’s Administration in Toronto, Ontario. Nick Lachance | Toronto Star | Getty Images Jack Daniel’s maker Brown-Forman’s CEO Lawson Whiting said on Wednesday ********* provinces taking American liquor off store shelves was “worse than a tariff” and a “disproportionate response” to levies imposed by the Trump administration. Several ********* provinces have taken U.S. liquor off store shelves as part of retaliatory measures against President Donald Trump’s tariffs. “I mean, that’s worse than a tariff, because it’s literally taking your sales away, (and) completely removing our products from the shelves,” Whiting said on a post-earnings call. Canada on Tuesday also imposed 25% tariffs on goods imported from the U.S., including wine, spirits, and beer. Whiting, however, said that Canada accounted for only 1% of their total sales and could withstand the hit. He added the company would watch out for what happens in Mexico, which according to its annual report, made up 7% of its 2024 sales. Shares of the company were up about 8% after the liquor maker reaffirmed its annual forecasts which accounted for the impact of tariffs. Marlon removes American ******** products from the LCBO shelves. Nick Lachance | Toronto Star | Getty Images While Whiting warned of “continued uncertainty and headwinds in the external environment,” he said that he was confident of the company’s trajectory. Brown-Forman has been reeling from a slowdown in demand so far this year, led by the U.S., Canada and Europe, which offset benefits from stronger sales in emerging markets such as Mexico and Poland. The company has undertaken cost-cutting measures, including workforce reduction. Analysts have said this is a response to a more challenging environment both for the company and the broader spirits industry. Net sales fell 3% from a year ago to $1.04 billion, compared with analysts’ estimate of $1.07 billion, according to data compiled by LSEG. For fiscal 2025, Brown-Forman expects net sales growth in the range of 2% to 4%. Source link #Jack #Daniels #maker #Canada #pulling #U.S #alcohol #shelves #worse #tariff Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

House Speaker Mike Johnson’s chief of staff arrested on DUI charge after Trump speech House Speaker Mike Johnson’s chief of staff arrested on DUI charge after Trump speech Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) speaks at a press conference with other members of House Republican leadership in Washington, DC on March 4, 2025. Nathan Posner | Anadolu | Getty Images Hayden Haynes, the chief of staff to House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and one of the most powerful aides on Capitol Hill, was arrested early Wednesday morning for drunken driving after his car struck a Capitol vehicle, two law enforcement sources told NBC News. Johnson’s office also confirmed the incident. One of the sources told NBC News that a police report indicated that Haynes hit a Capitol vehicle around midnight and was arrested and released with a citation to appear in court. The arrest came after President Donald Trump’s address to Congress Tuesday night, when Johnson presided over the House floor and sat just behind Trump’s left shoulder. “A driver backed into a parked vehicle last night around 11:40 p.m.,” the U.S. Capitol Police said in a statement to NBC News. “We responded and arrested them for DUI.” Haynes is a trusted and longtime aide to Johnson. He has served as chief of staff in the speaker’s office since Johnson won the top job in the House in October 2023. Before that Haynes served as chief of staff to Johnson in his personal office from 2017 to 2023. He also had worked in various roles for former Sen. David Vitter, another Louisiana Republican, from 2009 to 2016. “The Speaker is aware of the encounter that occurred last night involving his Chief of Staff and the Capitol Police,” Johnson spokeperson Taylor Haulsee said in a statement to NBC News. “The Speaker has known and worked closely with Hayden for nearly a decade and trusted him to serve as his Chief of Staff for his entire tenure in Congress. Because of this and Hayden’s esteemed reputation among Members and staff alike, the Speaker has full faith and confidence in Hayden’s ability to lead the Speaker’s office.” While most crimes in Washington are prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, DUI offenses are prosecuted by the D.C. Office of the Attorney General, an office headed by D.C. Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb. The distinction could be meaningful, because the interim U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia Ed Martin is a conservative activist with ties to Republicans on Capitol Hill. Martin, whom Trump wants to be the city’s chief federal prosecutor on a permanent basis, was granted access to Capitol Police footage from Jan. 6, which Martin used to spread conspiracy theories about the Capitol attack. Schwalb’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Last month, the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington sent an arrest warrant for Rep. Cory Mills, R-Fla., but Martin’s office did not sign off. Mills had been investigated over an alleged assault in an apartment building, and Mills said police had helped “resolve a private matter.” Source link #House #Speaker #Mike #Johnsons #chief #staff #arrested #DUI #charge #Trump #speech Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Dak Prescott contract restructured by Cowboys, adds tens of millions in savings to 2025 salary cap – DallasCowboys.com Dak Prescott contract restructured by Cowboys, adds tens of millions in savings to 2025 salary cap – DallasCowboys.com Dak Prescott contract restructured by Cowboys, adds tens of millions in savings to 2025 salary cap DallasCowboys.comSource: Cowboys rework Dak, add $36.6M to cap ESPNCowboys had existing contractual right to restructure CeeDee Lamb’s contract NBC SportsCowboys reportedly restructure Dak Prescott contract: How much did Dallas clear up in salary cap space? CBS SportsDallas Cowboys’ Busy Day Includes Signing 2 More Starting Candidates Athlon Sports Source link #Dak #Prescott #contract #restructured #Cowboys #adds #tens #millions #savings #salary #cap #DallasCowboys.com Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Warner aims to debut in The Hundred – at the age of 38 Warner aims to debut in The Hundred – at the age of 38 David Warner’s hat is in the ring at 38, Glenn Maxwell could be the most sought-after lot and Alyssa Healy will be a prize catch after a host of Australia’s top white-ball exponents put themselves up for the draft in English cricket’s The Hundred. With just eight international places available in this year’s men’s competition, Warner’s was perhaps the most eye-catching name announced on Wednesday, throwing his hat into the ring at a reserve price tag of Stg 120,000 ($A245,000). Warner hasn’t featured in England’s showpiece white-ball event before and, following his international retirement, this might prove his last opportunity at earning a shot at the 100-ball-an-innings format. It won’t be easy, though, as the veteran went undrafted last year. Steve Smith, fresh from leading his side’s valiant Champions Trophy effort and announcing his retirement from ODIs, still intends to show his worth in the shorter format, having already signed for the Cardiff-based Welsh Fire. But a host of the players he led in Pakistan and Dubai are now also hoping to cash in on potential riches in The Hundred. Maxwell, Leeds-born Josh Inglis, Nathan Ellis, Sean Abbott and Adam Zampa are also priced at Stg 120,000 ($A245,000), while Jake Fraser-McGurk has put himself in the Stg 78,500 ($A160,000) bracket along with Matt Short. Allrounder Maxwell did play for London Spirit back in 2022 and it would be no surprise if he’s again in the sights of the Lord’s-based outfit in next Wednesday’s draft, as they have the first men’s pick. Birmingham Phoenix have first choice in the women’s competition and Australia captain Healy looks an attractive option, on offer for a Stg 50,000 ($A102,000) reserve, the second-highest base figure after India wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh, the only player in at Stg 65,000 ($A133,000). The discrepancy between the men’s and women’s price tags has been the subject of criticism, not least from England captain Heather Knight, who says the £135,000 ($A276,000) difference between the top men’s and women’s bracket “looks bad” at a time when so much investment is being poured into the tournament. The only man entered at the maximum price tag of Stg 200,000 ($A409,000), who’s reportedly already been lined up by the Old Trafford-based Manchester Originals, is star Afghanistan spinner Noor Ahmad. At different ends of the age scale, Rocky Flintoff, the emerging England Lions prospect who’s the son of Northern Superchargers coach Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff, is seeking a spot, as is 42-year-old English pace legend Jimmy Anderson. KEY *********** NAMES IN THE HUNDRED DRAFT (With reserve prices): MEN * Stg £120,000 ($A245,000) – Sean Abbott, Nathan Ellis, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, David Warner, Adam Zampa * Stg 78,500 ($A160,000) – Xavier Bartlett, Tim David, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Matt Short * Stg 63,000 ($A129,000) – Jason Behrendorf, Lance Morris, Daniel Sams, Matthew Wade * Stg 52,000 ($A106,000) – Scott Boland, Cooper Connolly, Riley Meredith, Mitchell Owen, Matt Renshaw, Will Sutherland * Stg 41,500 ($A85,000) – Ashton Turner, Beau Webster WOMEN * Stg 50,000 ($A102,000) – Alyssa Healy * Stg 36,000 ($A74,000) – Kim Garth * Stg 16,000 ($A33,000) – Nicola Carey * Stg 12,500 ($A26,000) – Taneale Pesche. Source link #Warner #aims #debut #age Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Melinda French Gates got her start at Microsoft because an IBM hiring manager told her to turn down their job offer—‘It dumbfounded me’ Melinda French Gates got her start at Microsoft because an IBM hiring manager told her to turn down their job offer—‘It dumbfounded me’ Melinda French Gates turned down IBM on a hiring manager’s advice—and became a $15.2 billion mogul. She’s one of many billionaires, from Jensen Huang to Steve Jobs, who owe their success to unexpected wisdom. If a manager at one of the world’s most powerful companies tells you to ditch them for a small startup, take the advice. You might wind up a billionaire like Melinda French Gates. At the start of her career interning at IBM for two summers, she had a job offer on the table. But a supervisor steered her to cut and run for the hills of Seattle. “My hiring manager at IBM, a female, said to me, ‘Okay, are you ready to accept the job offer?’ And I said, ‘Well, I have one more company to go interview—this little company, Microsoft. It was tiny,” French Gates said during a recent interview with LinkedIn. “And she said, ‘If they give you an offer, you should take it.’ And it dumbfounded me.” French Gates did in fact take the job at Microsoft and began her nine-year career at the pioneering tech company. She was a critical player in the growth of the business, rising within the ranks as the general manager of information products at the $3.1 trillion software giant. Her career success has fared well for her pockets, too—with her personal wealth standing at $15.2 billion, French Gates is one of the top ten richest women in America. And it may not have happened without the advice of a hiring manager who went against IBM’s own interests to prioritize French Gates’ success. “Here’s this woman who’s supposed to be my manager, giving me a piece of career advice,” French Gates said. The transition wasn’t easy—Microsoft was out on the West Coast, meaning she’d have to uproot her life to work there. But she couldn’t escape the exhilarating thought of being a part of something big. “I didn’t know anybody in Seattle. It was moving to the West Coast, but I was so excited about what they were doing. I was like, ‘I want to be part of that,’” she said. French Gates left a potentially successful career at IBM behind to chase Microsoft—and she advises others, especially women, to take that leap of faith. You could land among the stars, or a trillion-dollar business. “I remind them all the time you can pivot careers. You can change. You can go over here,” she said. “It’s not like one or two paths that carry you forward, even though you had plans before this.” The 60-year-old philanthropist and ex-wife of Bill Gates isn’t the only billionaire to have received counsel from the most unexpected places. Jensen Huang, the CEO of $3.3 trillion chip giant Nvidia, doesn’t always get inspiration from the entrepreneurs he rubs shoulders with. He once said he received the best career advice from an elderly gardener at a temple in Tokyo. Story Continues When Huang was touring the gardens, he saw an old man tending to the temple’s moss with a set of bamboo tweezers. It was such a tiny tool to care for the expansive plants on the property. Huang asked the gardener how he managed to conserve all the moss with such a small gadget. “He said something that is perfect. He said, ‘I have plenty of time,’” Huang recalled at the ******** American Semiconductor Professional Association in 2023. “That’s the best career advice I can give you…Most of the time, I wait for things to come to me. I’m rarely chasing things.” PepsiCo’s former CEO Indra Nooyi also learned a thing or two about being a woman in leadership from binge-watching all 94 episodes of the TV show Sex and The City. When discussing the issue of unconscious bias in the workplace at Fortune’s Most Powerful Women Conference in 2019, Nooyi credited the four main characters for showing her what supporting other women can look like. “Their sisterhood was so strong, they never judged each other, they supported each other,” Nooyi said, later adding: “We tend to compete with ourselves, and I think it’s getting better, but we have to really step it up.” Executives even go out of their way to field questions from the unlikeliest of sources. As Apple took off, its late CEO Steve Jobs wanted to know what would be the next best step beyond selling its products in retailers like Sears and CompUSA. At the time, the concept of a brick-and-mortar Apple store was wild—stepping away from big-box stores was a risk. So he employed the advice of LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault, whose Louis Vuitton stores were in prime real estate locations. “Everybody thought it’s completely crazy to sell Apple products in a shop,” Arnault recalled during a 2016 interview at the Oxford Union, adding that even Michael Dell said it would never work. “I must say, I was myself a little doubtful of selling [iPods in shops]…But it was working.” A technology CEO approaching a fashion mogul for business advice may seem out of the ordinary—but Apple has grown into a $3.5 trillion powerhouse with over 500 stores worldwide. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com Source link #Melinda #French #Gates #start #Microsoft #IBM #hiring #manager #told #turn #job #offerIt #dumbfounded Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump administration plans to cut 80,000 employees from Veterans Affairs, according to internal memo – The Associated Press Trump administration plans to cut 80,000 employees from Veterans Affairs, according to internal memo – The Associated Press Trump administration plans to cut 80,000 employees from Veterans Affairs, according to internal memo The Associated PressTrump admin plans to cut more than 70,000 jobs at Department of Veterans Affairs, memo says CNNVA plans to lay off as many as 83,000 employees this year Government ExecutiveThese are the agencies spending the most on consulting contracts Federal News NetworkUS plans to fire 80,000 Veterans Affairs workers as part of Trump cuts Reuters Source link #Trump #administration #plans #cut #employees #Veterans #Affairs #internal #memo #Press Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Minecraft Modder Gives Jack ******’s Voice To Steve Minecraft Modder Gives Jack ******’s Voice To Steve Between playing Bowser in The Super Mario Bros. Movie and voicing Claptrap in Borderlands, Jack ****** just keeps racking up video game movie roles. Next month, ****** will add another one to his resume when he plays Steve in A Minecraft Movie. Now, a Minecraft modder has added ******’s voice to the game that spawned the film. A modder going by SnailMan posted a clip of the mod they created, which essentially places ******’s incarnation of Steve into the world of Minecraft. The modder also jokingly wrote that creating this mod was “[three] hours of my life that I’ll never get back.” Considering that the movie isn’t out yet, SnailMan could only rely on the clips of ****** from the trailers and TV spots for A Minecraft Movie. But that was enough for at least a few more lines to be entered into the game. The Jack ****** Minecraft mod isn’t available yet, but SnailMan indicated that it is currently under review at Modrinth. When it does go live, players can find it at SnailMan’s Modrinth page. As part of Mattel’s A Minecraft Movie toys, there will be a Jack ****** as Steve action figure. That’s far more conventional than the movie’s promotional deal with Doritos, which includes chips that taste like Creepers. One of the latest trailers for the film revealed the identity of its villain. To see the resolution of that conflict, fans will have to wait until A Minecraft Movie hits theaters on April 4. Source link #Minecraft #Modder #Jack #******* #Voice #Steve Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

NASA powers down instruments on Voyagers to save power NASA powers down instruments on Voyagers to save power The twin Voyager spacecraft, launched in 1977 and currently in interstellar space, are having some science instruments shut down in order to save power. Source link #NASA #powers #instruments #Voyagers #save #power Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Transformers One Limited Edition Steelbook Gets Massive Discount At Amazon Transformers One Limited Edition Steelbook Gets Massive Discount At Amazon Transformers One released in theaters last September and on Blu-ray in December. The Limited Edition Steelbook was sold out for months after preorders opened and proved difficult to find over the holidays. As of March 4, it remains unavailable at Walmart–and Walmart was charging $35. It’s unclear when Amazon’s deal ends, but given the popularity of this edition, you probably want to scoop it up sooner rather than later. The gorgeous CG-animated film tells the secret origin story of Optimus Prime and Megatron, and it’s the first fully computer-animated Transformers movie. The film also has a star-studded cast of voice actors, including Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry, Scarlett Johansson, Keegan-Michael Key, Steve Buscemi, Laurence Fishburne, and Jon Hamm. Along with the movie in three different formats–4K Blu-ray, 1080p Blu-ray, and digital–Transformers One includes several featurettes. The 4K. edition of Transformers One supports Dolby Vision and HDR10, Dolby Atmos, and Dolby TrueHD 7.1 lossless surround sound. Transformers One Special Features: In the Beginning: Origin story of the relationship between Optimus Prime and Megatron. The filmmakers reveal how they approached creating this brand-new CGI-animated Transformers movie. Worldbuilding on Cybertron: Director Josh Cooley, the VFX team, and design leads talk about bringing the world of Cybertron to life using full computer-animated graphics. Together as One: The voices behind the mechs introduce themselves and talk about their character. The Iacon 5000: Behind-the-scenes look at the creation of Cybertron’s racing event. The Battle for Cybertron: Discussion on the movie’s big showdown between Optimus Prime and Megatron. Source link #Transformers #Limited #Edition #Steelbook #Massive #Discount #Amazon Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Rep. Al Green faces censure after he was removed from House for disrupting Trump’s Congressional address Rep. Al Green faces censure after he was removed from House for disrupting Trump’s Congressional address Democratic Rep. Al Green may face a censure by the House after he was removed for disrupting President Trump’s address to Congress on Tuesday night. Republican Rep. Dan Newhouse from Washington introduced a resolution to censure Green on Wednesday morning over the outburst during Trump’s speech, reportedly beating out three alternative censure measures being composed by Arizona Rep. Eli Crane, Texas Rep. Troy Nehls and the House Freedom Caucus. The House will vote on whether to censure Green sometime this week, The Hill reported. To “censure” a lawmaker is a formal punishment members of Congress can give to their colleagues for disorderly behavior. The full House would have to vote on whether Green should be censured. 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. House Speaker Mike Johnson instructed the House sergeant at arms to eject Green after he stood up and interjected as Trump spoke to lawmakers. Green stood and shouted, “You have no mandate!” Republicans, sitting on the other side of the room, drowned Green’s protests out, chanting “USA! USA!” Johnson asked the room to sit down and stay quiet, but Green refused. Johnson then instructed the sergeant at arms to remove Green from the room for interrupting the speech and, as Green exited, Republicans stood up again and cheered, shouting, “Get out!” Rep. Al Green makes his protest (Win McNamee/Pool via Reuters) “You have no mandate to cut Medicaid!” Green shouted at Trump before he was escorted out of the chamber. Johnson later told reporters that Green “should be censured” for interrupting Trump’s address to Congress. Green, 77, is a representative from Texas’s Ninth Congressional District and has served in Congress since 2005. He has helped lead impeachment efforts against Trump since 2017 and was one of the first members of Congress to propose articles of impeachment against Trump during his first administration, specifically in connection to Trump’s firing of former FBI Director James Comey. In late January, Green announced to the House his plans to introduce new articles of impeachment against Trump over the war in Gaza. “The movement to impeach the president has begun. I rise to announce that I will bring Articles of Impeachment against the president for dastardly deeds proposed and dastardly deeds done,” Green said. “Ethnic cleansing in Gaza is not a joke, especially when it emanates from the president of the United States, the most powerful person in the world.” Before Congress, Green was a civil rights attorney and the president of the Houston NAACP for nearly a decade. Rep. Al Green is removed from the chamber. (Win McNamee/Pool via Reuters) Green wasn’t the only Democratic lawmaker who shouted out during Trump’s speech. Many others interjected “Not true!” or “Those are lies!” at the president. California Rep. Gil Cisneros reportedly shouted, “Talk about the $400 million to Tesla!” as multiple representatives held up protest signs that said “Musk steals.” Several Democrats exited the chamber throughout Trump’s speech, including Sen. Bernie Sanders and Reps. Veronica Escobar, Ilhan Omar, Pramila Jayapal and Jamie Raskin. Some of the Democrats leaving were protesting Trump’s commentary, reportedly wearing shirts with “resist” printed on the back. There was one moment during Trump’s speech that drew more applause from Democrats than Republicans: Trump’s acknowledgment of the United States’ financial aid for Ukraine. Source link #Rep #Green #faces #censure #removed #House #disrupting #Trumps #Congressional #address Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Tom Lee is a buyer of stocks and says a lot of bad news is priced in Tom Lee is a buyer of stocks and says a lot of bad news is priced in Tom Lee said the stock market is a buy now that it has priced in much of the bad news, and is poised for a huge rally in the coming months. “I am optimistic. I mean, I can understand why investors are sitting on their hands … they don’t really know how severe these tariffs are gonna be, how long they are,” the head of research at Fundstrat Global Advisors told CNBC’s “Closing Bell” on Wednesday. “But, now we’re seeing a big price correction. A decline in sentiment. And then, something like today, we got a bad ADP jobs report, and the market is actually up,” Lee continued. That means stocks are “rising on bad news, which is a good sign that a lot of bad news is priced in.” In fact, Lee said it is “very possible” that March, April and May could prove “huge rally months,” with stocks rallying 10% to 15%, now that the market has gone through what he considers essentially a bear market in terms of sentiment and an unwinding of the momentum trade. .SPX 1D mountain S & P 500 Wednesday This week, all three major averages slid more than 1% each to start the month, as President Donald Trump’s tariffs, and retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods, weighed on investor sentiment and future profits. The S & P 500 is now down 1.5% in 2025 and the Nasdaq Composite briefly fell into a 10% correction from its recent high. Regardless, Lee said he is a buyer. On Wednesday, all three indexes rallied, rebounding from their two-day slide, as White House concessions toward automakers soothed investor spirits. “We already know stocks will bottom before bad news peaks,” Lee said. “And so, if we’re seeing the market not fade on bad news, that means we’ve already priced in a lot of things that would scare us.” Source link #Tom #Lee #buyer #stocks #lot #bad #news #priced Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘Not going back’: Ford will cancel Starlink-Ontario deal even if tariffs are lifted ‘Not going back’: Ford will cancel Starlink-Ontario deal even if tariffs are lifted Descrease article font size Increase article font size Ontario Premier Doug Ford says his decision to rip up a contract with Elon Musk‘s internet service is permanent and won’t be reversed, even if Canada’s tariff war with the United States is resolved. On Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump slapped 25 per cent tariffs on the vast majority of ********* imports, sparking a growing trade war between the two neighbouring countries. As part of its response, Ontario removed U.S. alcohol from the shelves of the LCBO, banned American companies from bidding on provincial contracts and cancelled a deal between Musk’s SpaceX and the provincial government. The cancelled contract is worth $100 million and was first signed in November 2024 to deliver Starlink satellite internet to rural and northern communities in Ontario. 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. Starlink is run by SpaceX and owned by Musk, who has emerged as a key advisor to Trump. Ford suggested that cancelling the contract was about Musk and his role in the Trump administration, blasting him and saying the Ontario university he attended should be “embarrassed” to have him as a former student. Story continues below advertisement Ford’s decision to cancel the Starlink contract on Tuesday is the second time he has done so in a matter of a few weeks. During the election, with tariffs set to hit, Ford said he was cancelling the Starlink agreement as a retaliatory measure. When tariffs did not materialize, however, Ford’s team said the contract with Musk would go ahead. This time, Ford said the cancellation is permanent — even if tariffs are removed. More on Politics More videos “It’s done,” he told Global News as he walked to a caucus meeting on Wednesday. “We’re not going back there, it’s done.” It is not yet clear how much cancelling the deal could end up costing Ontario. The Ford government hasn’t revealed the potential break fee but the premier said it was a “point of principle” and suggested it could be fought out in court. “If they come out and sue us, so be it,” Ford said on Tuesday. “I want to inflict as much pain as we possibly can until we get to a deal.” Both the Ontario Liberals and NDP have called on Ford to scrap the contract and questioned why it was signed in the first place. Musk responded the first time Ontario threatened to cancel the Starlink deal. In a social media post at the time, he simply wrote, “Oh well.” &copy 2025 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc. Source link #Ford #cancel #StarlinkOntario #deal #tariffs #lifted Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

French President Emmanuel Macron says 'Russia is a threat to France and to Europe' – Euronews French President Emmanuel Macron says 'Russia is a threat to France and to Europe' – Euronews French President Emmanuel Macron says ‘Russia is a threat to France and to Europe’ EuronewsMacron warns Russian aggression ‘knows no borders’ in televised address The GuardianMacron Says European Forces Could Be Deployed After Ukraine Peace Agreed NDTVLive: Europe can’t ‘live off dividends of peace’, Macron says in speech calling for major rearmament FRANCE 24 English Source link #French #President #Emmanuel #Macron #039Russia #threat #France #Europe039 #Euronews Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Volkswagen previews its €20,000 EV for everyone Volkswagen previews its €20,000 EV for everyone As promised, Volkswagen unveiled its upcoming entry-level electric vehicle at an event on Wednesday in Wolfsburg, Germany. The automaker describes the ID.EVERY1 concept car as a “smart, flexible and affordable” EV for the masses… as long as those masses live in Europe. The production version is expected to start at around €20,000 (US$21,583) when it arrives in 2027. The car joins the ID.2all and sport version of the ID.GTI in using Volkswagen’s MEB modular platform, which is designed to be flexible enough to support everything from compact cars like the wee ID.EVERY1 to bulkier SUVs. The company plans to roll out four electric models (including this one) based on the front-wheel drive version of the platform by 2027. In addition, Volkswagen says the ID.EVERY1 will be its first model to run on a “fundamentally new, particularly powerful software architecture,” which sounds like the fruit of its $5 billion partnership with Rivian, announced last year. The automaker describes the (unconfirmed but probably Rivian-based) platform as making the concept car more future-proof, allowing it to be “equipped with new functions throughout its entire life cycle.” Volkswagen As a budget EV, its specs won’t make your jaw drop but could still hit a nice balance point for price-conscious buyers. The concept car can reach over 80 mph (130 km/h), thanks to its 70 kW (94 horsepower) electric drive motor. Volkswagen rates it for a range of at least 155 miles (250 km). The compact EV is a mere 12.7 ft. long, placing it between the automaker’s now-retired up! (11.8 ft.) and the ID.2all (13.3 ft.). The ID.EVERY1 has room for four and a cargo volume of 10.8 cubic feet. As for its cute appearance, Volkswagen Head of Design Andreas Mindt said, “Our ambition was to create something bold yet accessible. The ID. EVERY1 has a self-assured appearance but remains likeable – thanks to details such as the dynamic front lights and the ‘smiling’ rear. These design elements make it more than just a car: they give it character and an identity that people can relate to.” If this sounds like the budget car of your dreams, well, you’d better live in Europe, or you’re probably out of luck. Volkswagen describes the ID.EVERY1 as being “from Europe for Europe,” which sure doesn’t like it translates to America-bound. You can get a better look for yourself in the gallery below. 1 / 24 Volkswagen ID.EVERY1 Volkswagen ID.EVERY1 concept car gallery Source link #Volkswagen #previews Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘Depraved and cowardly’ ******* Zhenhao Zou may have attacked 50 more women ‘Depraved and cowardly’ ******* Zhenhao Zou may have attacked 50 more women BBC Warning: This article contains distressing details and descriptions of ***** When he was arrested in January 2024, serial ******* Zhenhao Zou was living on the 39th floor of an expensive block of London flats with views across the city. A PhD student from China, he had been studying at University College London (UCL) and was paying more than £4,000 a month in rent. Police found his bedroom had been equipped with hidden cameras and discovered a wardrobe stocked with alcohol, ecstasy and an industrial chemical that the human body turns into the “date *****” drug GHB. He had a pipette for carefully measuring doses of the dangerous liquid. But detectives also found 1,277 videos on his electronic devices. At least some were filmed by Zou showing him raping unconscious women. The footage had been filmed in both the *** and China. Police were able to charge him with multiple assaults on women in both countries – including the rapes of women who have never come forward and have never been identified. Police enter Zhenhao Zou’s London flat and arrest him on suspicion of ***** During his trial at Inner London Crown Court, jurors had to watch footage found on Zou’s devices of nine of the rapes. Zou, now 28, claimed he had been sleeping with five different women a month and taking ********, ketamine, ecstasy and what he called “liquid E” – the “date *****” drug GHB. He admitted that having sex with unconscious women was one of his fantasies, but he claimed the women in the videos found on his phone and cameras were “acting” – helping, he claimed, to bring his ***** fantasies to life in exchange for money and gifts. However, the jury ultimately decided he was a serial ******* who had been drugging young women and filming the attacks. Zou has now been found guilty of 11 rapes of 10 different women – two who have been identified and another eight who have yet to be traced – across two different continents. Detectives say they fear he may have ****** as many as 50 more women. “This man may well turn out to be one of the most prolific ******* predators that we’ve ever seen in this country,” Commander Kevin Southworth, from the Metropolitan Police, told the BBC. ‘Machiavellian individual’ Many of the women he ****** were completely unconscious. One – who we are calling Ms L – said she woke up to find Zou raping her before she drifted back into unconsciousness. Another – who we are calling Ms N – only discovered Zou had secretly filmed himself raping her when detectives found the video in his flat, eight months after she had first reported him. “I think he is a devious and Machiavellian individual,” Commander Southworth told the BBC. He said Zou would meet women socially, or through social media, and then take them back to his flat where he would ply them with drink laced with drugs. “He would commit those ******* assaults while they’re incapacitated and possibly even while they’re asleep and completely unaware,” added Commander Southworth. Metropolitan Police Inside Zou’s flat police found a bottle of liquid used to drug women, along with a pipette to measure it out Metropolitan Police Zou – who comes from Dongguan City, in southern China, close to Hong Kong – grew up in a wealthy family who owned several properties in China and were able afford the hefty fees for his higher education in the ***. His nickname was Pakho, the name some of the women he later ****** knew him by. At the age of 20 he moved to Northern Ireland to finish the final two years of his mechanical engineering degree at Queen’s University, Belfast (QUB). In September 2019, he then moved to London to study a Masters in mechanical engineering at UCL, but returned to China the following year during the Covid-19 pandemic. While there, in November 2020, he used an obscure messaging app to download what amounted to an instruction manual on how to drug and ***** young women. One advert police found on his phone had the words “effects guaranteed” splashed across pictures of sleeping, naked women. On his telephone police also found seven videos of him raping women in China. They were referred to in court as Females B, C, D, E, F, G, H. Five of the women looked completely unconscious in the videos. One, Female G, appeared to wake briefly while Zou was raping her, but struggled to maintain consciousness. Female H could be heard snoring. Another woman, Female D, was unconscious when the ***** began but came round and repeatedly told Zou “please, no”, while trying to fight him off. The videos were so disturbing that the judge, Rosina Cottage KC, made sure the jurors watched them as little as possible. Detectives have not been able to track the women in China down. ‘No comment’: Video shows police interviewing Zhenhao Zou Although some of his victims were ****** in China, Zou could be put on trial in the *** because he was resident here. Saira Pike, from the Crown Prosecution Service, said it was important to bring justice for the unknown females who Zou could be seen raping in videos. “It was really important that we fight for them,” she said. “I was determined to go forward with that and not use the fact that we couldn’t identify the females as a deterrent from getting justice for them.” But Zou did not only ***** women in China. ‘I hate you’ Two of the most distressing videos showed the ***** of Female A at Zou’s student accommodation in Bloomsbury, central London. Police have never been able to establish who Female A is, and it is unclear if she was ****** before or after Zou’s trip to China during the pandemic. At the start of the first video, Female A was seen to be unconscious, but woke and pleaded with Zou to stop. “I hate you,” she can be heard saying. “It’s pointless,” Zou replied. “The sound insulation here is very good.” The second video is similar. Both had been filmed on a tiny spy camera the size of a thumb, placed on a shelf on the other side of the room. When detectives first found the videos they could not extract the sound. At first Zou insisted the woman in the video was fully consenting to sex. But just before the trial, detectives managed to recover the sound, showing Female A was clearly under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and that she was begging him to stop. Zou then changed his story, telling the jury it was “***** role play” and the young woman had been acting. “Zou is plainly a depraved and cowardly individual who’s preyed on his victim survivors in the most despicable manner,” Commander Southworth said. Metropolitan Police A thumb-sized spy camera recorded Zou raping Female A Police have never been able to trace Female A. However, two women did give evidence against Zou during the trial. Ms N, a young ******** student, described how she first met Zou in May 2023. He had been helping her with maths. A few days later, they both went to a party at another flat in his luxury block, the UNCLE building, in Elephant and Castle. After the party, he persuaded her to go back to his flat where he plied her with drinks. The court heard Zou then dragged her into his bedroom where he ****** her. ‘Finish the drink’ Some of their conversation in the flat was recorded on a spy camera beside Zou’s bed, which was triggered by a motion sensor. “Finish the drink,” Zou kept saying on the video. “Finish the drink. It should not be wasted.” Ms N does not remember much after drinking the large glass of vodka. She reported the ***** to the police soon afterwards, but unsure of the law, and she says discouraged by the officers’ response – including a poor translation of her 999 call – she decided not to pursue the allegation. The Metropolitan Police have said it was regretful victims did not get the best translation. “There is undoubtedly some learning from the first response that these victims received,” Commander Southworth added. Eight months after Ms N first spoke to police, detectives contacted her again, telling her they had found the videos of Zou plying her with drink, and photographs on his phone showing her being ******. Ms N was so upset about her ordeal that she also posted on the ******** social media app Red Note (Xiaohongshu) warning other women about Zou. This was spotted by another woman – Ms L – who replied and said she had had a similar experience. Ms L said she met Zou when she was 19, in August 2021. They had consensual sex a couple of times and had agreed to meet up with friends at a restaurant in London’s Chinatown. The group moved onto a private room at another restaurant, drinking several bottles of Jack Daniel’s. She has little memory of what happened after, but she ended up at Zou’s Bloomsbury flat. “When I woke up I found him on top of me having sex,” she said. Metropolitan Police Detectives found controlled drugs in Zou’s flat Metropolitan Police When they searched Zou’s flat after his arrest, police found four spy cameras. The court heard they also found a yellow Fendi “trophy box” in the wardrobe containing jewellery and clothing which police think may have belonged to women he ******. Police have not found any phones, computers or cameras from his time in Belfast so they do not know if his campaign of drug ***** had already begun while he was studying there. UCL said Zou was suspended on 27 January 2024 and he stopped studying there “as soon we were informed about the allegations”. The university said its online portal was available for students and staff affected by the case and that it was supporting the police appeal. Zou was found guilty of 11 charges of raping 10 women, three counts of voyeurism, three counts of possessing a controlled drug with intent to *****, and one count of false imprisonment. The jury found him not guilty of charges of possessing MDMA, Ketamine and Xanax with intent to *****. They also found him not guilty of two charges of possessing extreme ************ depicting *****. Commander Southworth added: “We have video evidence of as many as potentially 50 further victim survivors who we are desperate to trace so that we can establish what has happened to them.” “Such is the insidious nature of this offending, I think there is a possibility that many more victim survivors may not even know that he has ****** them,” he added. Detectives are asking any woman who may have spent any time alone with Zou – whether in China or in the *** – to come forward. Details of help and support with ******* violence are available at BBC Action Line Source link #Depraved #cowardly #******* #Zhenhao #Zou #attacked #women Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Tropical Cyclone Alfred now expected to make landfall on Friday afternoon Tropical Cyclone Alfred now expected to make landfall on Friday afternoon Slow-moving Tropical Cyclone Alfred is now tipped to make landfall between Maroochydore and Coolangatta on Friday afternoon. The category 2 cyclone was 325km east of Brisbane and 300km east of the Gold Coast on Thursday morning, moving west-southwest at 7km/h. A warning zone was issued for Double Island Point in Queensland to Grafton in NSW, including Brisbane, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast, Byron Bay and Ballina but not including Grafton. The cyclone is expected to cross the coast on Friday afternoon, likely between Maroochydore and Coolangatta. Senior forecaster Gabriel Branescu told ABC Brisbane the cyclone had slowed, which could lead to the system making landfall “even later” if it continues to slow down. “At this stage we don’t expect the system to make landfall tonight but rather during the day on Friday,” Mr Branescu said. The cyclone was initially expected to cross the coast in the early hours of Friday morning, with concerns it could have coincided with high tide. It is expected to maintain its category 2 intensity as it approaches the coast. Camera IconThe category 2 cyclone was 325km east of Brisbane and 300km east of the Gold Coast on Thursday morning. Bureau of Meteorology. Credit: Supplied Rare 12m wave recorded off Gold Coast beach Queensland Premier David Crisafulli said a 12.3m wave was recorded off Main Beach in the Gold Coast. He said the system “certainly packs a punch” while speaking on Sunrise Thursday morning. “To give you an indication of the kind of severity of it, we recorded a wave — I just got briefed a moment ago, 12.3m off the coast of the Gold Coast at Main Beach, which we have never seen a wave height recorded like that,” Mr Crisafulli said. “So it is a strong system and that delayed run into the coast does give people who may not have finished their preparations that little bit more of a window.” Camera IconQueensland Premier David Crisafulli said a 12m wave was recorded off Main Beach. NewsWire / John Gass Credit: News Corp Australia Mr Crisafulli said the cyclone had done a “loop on itself” overnight, which delayed the predicted landfall time frame. “That is pretty rare but it can happen. And in the end it gives people a little bit more of a window but it still remains a category two,” he said. “It still has most things we speak about, strong winds and potential for a lot of rain.“I have every confidence we have done the little things that make a big difference and increasingly I do believe people are taking the event seriously, and that gives people the best chance, so make sure you know if you are in one of those storm tide surges or in a flood zone. “If you’re not in that area the vast majority of people, get your home ready, remove loose items, prepare to be able to bunker down with your family and you’ll get through it.” Camera IconResidents sandbagging ahead of the cyclone at Capalaba east of Brisbane on Wednesday. NewsWire / John Gass Credit: News Corp Australia ‘Stay indoors’: NSW warning The NSW SES issued a watch and act severe weather alert on Thursday morning, urging people between Tweed Heads and Evans Head to stay inside unless directed to evacuate. The alert was issued for those in Tweed Heads, Murwillumbah, Mullumbimby, Byron Bay, Kyogle, Nimbin, Lismore, Lennox Head, Ballina, Casino, Woodburn, Maclean, Yamba, Kingscliff, Coraki, Wardell, Broadwater and Evans Head. “You should monitor the situation as it is constantly changing,” the alert read. The Bureau of Meteorology warned destructive wind gusts could develop on Thursday and Friday. “Destructive wind gusts of up to 155 kilometres per hour may develop about coastal and island locations near, and to the south of, the cyclone centre, possibly as far south as Cape Byron, late Thursday or early Friday as Alfred’s destructive core approaches and crosses the coast,” the alert stated. Gales with damaging wind gusts up to 120km/h are already developing near the coast around Coolangatta to Ballina, with the gusts expected to move through the rest of southeast Queensland and northeastern NSW between Double Island Point and Grafton on Thursday through to Friday. Camera IconThe cyclone is expected to cross the coast on Friday, likely between Maroochydore and Coolangatta. Windy.com Credit: Supplied The Bureau of Meteorology warned a dangerous storm tide could develop along the coastal foreshore in exposed areas potentially as far as Cape Byron if the cyclone crosses the coast during high tide. Dangerously high tides could cause coastal erosion and “some inundation of low-lying areas” near exposed Gold Coast beaches, including to the NSW and Queensland border and Tweed Coast. The Bureau’s alert reported abnormally high tides would likely continue to bring on minor flooding of coastal low lying areas between Double Island Point and Grafton, as well as damaging surf which could also lead to beach erosion. Heavy rainfall could develop along Queensland’s southeast and northeastern NSW from Thursday night. The Bureau warned heavy to locally intense rainfall could lead to “dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding” as the cyclone moves towards the coast. ‘2022 flood situation’: Lord Mayor Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner earlier warned a “2022 flood situation” could be on the way due to high rainfall total predictions. “Although a slim chance, but there is a chance that we could get up to 700mm across three days,” Mr Schrinner told ABC Radio. “If that eventuates, then we’re talking about more like a 2022 flood situation.” Mr Schrinner earlier said nearly 20,000 properties across Brisbane could be affected by the storm surge or flooding. More to come … Source link #Tropical #Cyclone #Alfred #expected #landfall #Friday #afternoon Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Pregnant mom bans husband from prenatal visits—what he did is sparking outrage Pregnant mom bans husband from prenatal visits—what he did is sparking outrage Pregnancy brings many physical changes (hello, heartburn) and emotional weight, but what happens when your partner adds more stress instead of support? One expectant mom drew a firm boundary with her husband after his “jokes” went too far, and let’s just say… the internet is very much on her side. In a now-viral Reddit post, the six-months-pregnant woman shared that her husband had developed an infuriating habit: every time they left a doctor’s appointment, he would play a game with the car, slowly pulling forward and reversing while she tried to get in. He thought it was funny. She did not. “I’m already dealing with the physical and emotional toll of pregnancy, and this just feels like him poking fun at me when I’m already tired and stressed,” she wrote. Despite multiple serious conversations, he refused to stop, insisting she was overreacting. The final straw? He did it again—so she banned him from all future appointments. Her husband (and his mother, of course) accused her of being hormonal and too emotional. But thousands of commenters backed her up, calling out the real issue here: the emotional labor of pregnancy—and how often women are expected to just “deal with it.” Pregnancy and the invisible load of emotional labor The Reddit post went viral for more than just a husband’s thoughtlessness. It struck a chord because it called out the emotional and physical toll of pregnancy—and how often women are expected to carry that load alone. Expecting moms take on most of the planning, scheduling, and mental work, often without enough support. A study in The Journal of Marriage and Family found that mothers handle 79% of the mental labor that keeps families functioning. And a Harvard Business Review study shows that women make 80% of healthcare decisions for their families—from managing insurance to scheduling appointments. But it’s not just about physical tasks—pregnancy is an emotional and logistical marathon. Studies like the Ohio State and The New Parents Project show that even in dual-income, highly educated couples, women end up doing the bulk of the childcare and household duties after the baby arrives. In fact, the Ohio State study found that while both partners thought their workloads increased equally, women worked two extra hours a day, while men added only 40 minutes. And the emotional load doesn’t stop there. A Pew Research Center study found that 74% of mothers do more to manage their children’s schedules than their partners, while only 3% say their partner does more. The Reddit mom’s frustration is more than justified. She’s managing her pregnancy, navigating all the logistics, and preparing for birth—while her husband’s behavior only adds stress. This isn’t just a personal issue; it’s a cultural one. Pregnant women deserve more than the bare minimum. It’s time partners stepped up—emotionally, mentally, and physically. Pregnant women deserve more than the bare minimum The real takeaway here isn’t just that one man refused to stop a childish prank. It’s that too many women feel unsupported during one of the most physically demanding times of their lives. And that’s not just a personal issue—it’s a cultural one. Let’s be honest: pregnancy in 2025 is harder than ever. Maternal healthcare costs have skyrocketed. According to KFF, the average out-of-pocket cost of having a baby in the U.S. is now $18,865. Workplaces still don’t support pregnant employees: According to the OECD, the U.S. remains one of the only developed countries without paid federal maternity leave. Women’s pain is still dismissed in medical settings: Women’s pain is still dismissed in medical settings. One in five women report mistreatment during maternity care, with ******, Hispanic, and multiracial women facing disproportionately higher rates of mistreatment, according to a report by the CDC. And yet, pregnant women are still expected to be the emotional caretakers—for their partners, for their extended families, for their future child. That’s the real problem here. What needs to change? If this story resonated with you, you’re not alone. Here’s what expecting moms actually need from their partners: Respect for boundaries. If a pregnant woman says something is upsetting her, listen and adjust. *******. Actively participate in the process. Attending doctor’s appointments isn’t just about being there. It’s about being engaged, informed, and helpful. Emotional support that isn’t centered on his feelings. Pregnancy is not the time for “you’re being too sensitive” arguments. Instead, try: “I hear you. I’ll do better.” Taking on mental load tasks: Research baby gear. Handle an insurance call. Plan a nursery project. Do something that takes the weight off her plate. Pregnant mothers have so much on their plates. It’s time for partners, employers, society, and culture to lighten the load—not add to it. Source link #Pregnant #mom #bans #husband #prenatal #visitswhat #sparking #outrage Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Wu tells GOP congressman ‘check your facts’ in back-and-forth over downtown Boston shooting. Follow live updates. – The Boston Globe Wu tells GOP congressman ‘check your facts’ in back-and-forth over downtown Boston shooting. Follow live updates. – The Boston Globe Wu tells GOP congressman ‘check your facts’ in back-and-forth over downtown Boston shooting. Follow live updates. The Boston Globe‘Sanctuary Cities’ Hearing Live Updates: Mayors of Boston, Chicago and New York Face Congress The New York TimesLive updates: Mayors testify in Congress as Republicans take aim at ‘sanctuary cities’ The Associated PressWatch live: Denver Mayor Mike Johnston testifies before congressional Oversight Committee Denverite Source link #tells #GOP #congressman #check #facts #backandforth #downtown #Boston #shooting #Follow #live #updates #Boston #Globe Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Fraudster repays £86,000 stolen from friend’s ******* charity Fraudster repays £86,000 stolen from friend’s ******* charity Katie Hunter BBC Scotland News Angela MacVicar Lindsay MacCallum (right) stole money donated in memory of her friend Angela MacVicar’s (left) daughter A woman who stole £86,000 from a ******* charity set up in memory of her best friend’s daughter has repaid the money. Lindsay MacCallum defrauded Rainbow Valley after launching it with Angela MacVicar. She also embezzled £9,505 from her former employer, the Anthony Nolan Trust. Falkirk Sheriff Court heard MacCallum had fully reimbursed both charities before the payment deadline. The fraudster, who did not appear in court, was jailed last October for three years. After the hearing Ms MacVicar told BBC Scotland News: “She’s put me through three years of hell. “Nobody believed she was ever capable of this. “I miss the person I thought she was but she never was that. “It’s just time to move on and look to the positives, and the people we can actually help.” MacCallum, of Aberfoyle, near Stirling, had worked as a fundraising manager for the Anthony Nolan Trust from 1995 to 2012 before she left to set up Rainbow Valley with Ms MacVicar. The foundation was launched in memory of her daughter, Johanna, who died from leukaemia in 2005. The court previously heard MacCallum had already paid back £25,000 of the stolen money. Ms MacVicar feared that if a criminal confiscation order was granted, the remainder of the cash owed would have gone to the Treasury. But instead a compensation order was put in place so any money would go back to the charities. And on Wednesday it was confirmed the remaining outstanding funds – £60,000 to Rainbow Valley and £9,505 to the Anthony Nolan Trust – had been paid. The court previously heard MacCallum was given a charity credit card in 2014 to replace using a Friends of Rainbow Valley bank account. But the account remained in use and it was not until August 2022, after a row between the friends, that questions were raised over transactions from this account. MacCallum, a former Royal Navy servicewoman, pleaded guilty to two fraud charges totalling £95,483. Last year the court heard she forged signatures of charity staff and rerouted cash from fundraising accounts for her own use between 2011 and 2021. MacCallum was told by a sheriff she had “systematically and deliberately” perpetrated “calculating” frauds on the third sector organisations. Sheriff Maryam Labaki added she had “betrayed” ******* victims. Source link #Fraudster #repays #stolen #friends #******* #charity Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Analyst thinks Take-Two will sell Grand Theft Auto 6 at an unprecedented $100 price point Analyst thinks Take-Two will sell Grand Theft Auto 6 at an unprecedented $100 price point Take-Two could be planning to sell Grand Theft Auto 6 at an unprecedented price point of “$100 or more” per copy. That’s according to Michael Pachter, the managing director of equity research at Wedbush Securities. The analyst discussed Rockstar owner Take-Two’s plans for the blockbuster release in a research note distributed this week. “We think the company has plans to sell the game at a previously unheard of price point, and suspect that management can offer consumers an incentive to pay $100 or more per unit by rewarding them with a large amount of in-game currency to be spent in GTA Online,” he wrote. “There is precedent for integrating an online game experience with a premium game, as Activision did so with both Call of Duty Warzone and Call of Duty Mobile content prior to the release of its annual Call of Duty premium installment,” Pachter continued. “In Activision’s case, the integration led to a 40% increase in sales of Call of Duty premium; in Take-Two’s case, we think a successful integration of GTA Online and GTA VI can lead to a $100 price point for the premium game.” It’s not the first time that a $100 price point for Rockstar’s upcoming game has been mooted. It’s previously been suggested that other developers and publishers are hoping GTA 6 will be priced between $80 and $100, in a move which would allow more companies to raise their software prices too. In August 2020, Take-Two’s NBA 2K21 was announced as the first current-gen game to be priced at $70, and other publishers quickly followed suit. Take-Two said last month that Grand Theft Auto 5, which reached $1 billion in retail sales faster than any entertainment release in history following its 2013 launch, has now shipped over 210 million copies. On Tuesday, Rockstar released an updated version of Grand Theft Auto 5 for PC. The free upgrade introduced a number of features previously exclusive to next-gen consoles, plus modern PC enhancements. Rockstar is currently gearing up to launch Grand Theft Auto 6 for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. Last month, Take-Two said that GTA 6 is still on track to release in the fall of 2025. Source link #Analyst #thinks #TakeTwo #sell #Grand #Theft #Auto #unprecedented #price #point Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]