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Judge denies Musk attempt to block OpenAI from becoming for-profit Judge denies Musk attempt to block OpenAI from becoming for-profit OpenAI CEO Sam Altman speaks at a panel discussion on potentials, perspectives and challenges in the age of Artificial Intelligence (AI) at the Technical University (TU) in Berlin on February 7, 2025. John Macdougall | Afp | Getty Images A federal judge in California denied Elon Musk’s effort to halt OpenAI’s transformation into a for-profit entity, according to a filing on Tuesday. The court said the plaintiffs “failed to meet their burden of proof for the extraordinary relief requested.” However, other aspects of Musk’s lawsuit against the artificial intelligence startup that he co-founded with Sam Altman and others can proceed, the filing said. OpenAI, which was created as a nonprofit AI research lab in 2015, has been commercializing products in recent years, most notably its viral ChatGPT chatbot. The company is still overseen by a nonprofit parent and has faced significant hurdles in its goal to restructure into a for-profit, due largely to Musk, who has become one of Altman’s chief adversaries. In November, attorneys representing Musk, his startup xAI, and former OpenAI board member Shivon Zillis filed for a preliminary injunction against the company. The request marked an escalation in the legal feud between the sides that started when Musk sued OpenAI in March 2024 for breach of contract and fiduciary duty. The case was eventually withdrawn from state court and refiled in federal court, with Musk expanding the complaint to include allegations that Microsoft and OpenAI had violated antitrust laws when the ChatGPT maker allegedly asked investors to agree to not invest in rival companies, including xAI. In posts on X, Musk has described OpenAI’s efforts to convert to a for-profit corporation as a “total scam” and claimed that “OpenAI is evil.” In December, OpenAI clapped back, alleging that in 2017 Musk “not only wanted, but actually created, a for-profit” to serve as the company’s proposed new structure. OpenAI also said in December that in moving toward a new for-profit structure in 2025, the company would create a public benefit corporation to oversee commercial operations, removing some of its nonprofit restrictions and allowing it to function more like a high-growth startup. “The hundreds of billions of dollars that major companies are now investing into AI development show what it will really take for OpenAI to continue pursuing the mission,” OpenAI’s board wrote in a post at the time. This is breaking news. Check back for updates. Source link #Judge #denies #Musk #attempt #block #OpenAI #forprofit Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

What a Rare Encounter With Dolly Parton's Husband, Carl Dean, Revealed – Variety What a Rare Encounter With Dolly Parton's Husband, Carl Dean, Revealed – Variety What a Rare Encounter With Dolly Parton’s Husband, Carl Dean, Revealed VarietyDolly Parton and Carl Dean didn’t have a conventional marriage and she loved that CNNDolly Parton’s Husband Carl Dean Made Rare Outing 5 Years Before Death Yahoo EntertainmentDolly Parton told us her love language with husband Carl Dean was food Business Insider Source link #Rare #Encounter #Dolly #Parton039s #Husband #Carl #Dean #Revealed #Variety Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Woman secretly filmed her mum being abused in care home Woman secretly filmed her mum being abused in care home Nicola Hughes hid a covert camera in a radio in her mother’s bedroom at the care home. Mona McAlinden BBC Scotland news A woman secretly filmed her mother’s mistreatment in a care home after concerns she raised about her care were ignored. Nicola Hughes, who is a registered nurse, hid a covert camera in a radio in her mother’s bedroom at Barrogil House in Fife. The footage revealed staff roughly handling Janette Ritchie and shouting at her. One carer was filmed holding bedclothes over her head and saying “Rest in Peace”. Five people were dismissed last year after the care home was made aware of the footage. However, the family continued to have concerns about standards, which they raised with the Care Inspectorate – and it has now upheld four complaints against the home. Nicola Hughes Nicola complained about the care of her mother Janette Nicola said the family were initially delighted when Janette got a place at the home, near Cluny, in February 2024. The specialist facility for people with dementia is located just miles from where they live. Janette, 67, who was a former carer herself, has dementia and is doubly incontinent. The family say some of the staff at Barrogil House provide excellent care. However, within weeks of her admission, her daughter said Janette seemed to be distressed in the mornings. Nicola said her mother often smelled of ****** and was wet when they visited. “Making a decision to put cameras into someone’s room is nerve-wracking because you’re frightened – frightened of consequences for me, for my mum. You’re frightened about what you’re going to find on these cameras,” Nicola said. “What I discovered was absolutely heartbreaking. “My mum was getting left overnight without any ******** checks being completed. Unfortunately, my mum’s incontinent so she was left lying in her own ******. “Staff verbally abusing her, emotionally abusing her – telling her that she’s stinking, telling her that she’s stupid. Using my name against her.” Nicola Hughes Janette (right) has dementia and is doubly incontinent Nicola says that because of the severity of her mother’s dementia, it was too disruptive to move her to a new home. “Starting over again is a big upheaval for her,” she said. “It would be unfair to move her about again.” Nicola wanted improvements to be made at the home, and said she made several complaints to the management during the ******* when the footage was recorded. “I consistently went into the home manager’s office and raised my concerns, and nothing changed,” she said. When the family saw a member of staff holding the bedclothes over Janette’s head and saying “Rest in Peace”, they decided to inform the care home about the footage. Five members of staff were sacked following an investigation. But six months after the dismissals, the family still have concerns about standards of care. “All I keep asking for is just that basic care needs are met,” said Nicola. Nicola Hughes Janette pictured with her husband Alex Last month, the Care Inspectorate upheld four complaints from the family about Janette’s care. It said her personal care needs were not always met, and her medication was not always administered properly. Nicola said: “I think it’s important to stress that these complaints are only to make sure that the home operates at a better level, not only for my mum – but for everyone.” Inspectors have given the home a deadline to improve. In a statement, a spokesperson for Barrogil House said: “Following concerns raised by Mrs Ritchie’s family in June of last year, we took immediate action which resulted in the dismissal of five members of staff. “A subsequent unannounced inspection noted our good staffing levels and commitment to kindness and respect, and we continue to work closely with all relevant authorities to make improvements – including a revised care plan for Mrs Ritchie. “The health and wellbeing of our residents is our utmost priority, and we aim to offer the highest possible standards of care and compassion.” Nicola said: “It’s difficult for the families, watching your loved one deteriorate in front of you. And it’s made incredibly more difficult because I don’t get to spend quality time with my mum, because I’m too busy nursing my mum, effectively. “I don’t mind nursing my mum, but I should be spending quality time with her as a daughter, not as a nurse. “I just want a safe passage for my mum in these last few years of her life.” Source link #Woman #secretly #filmed #mum #abused #care #home Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Celebrate Mario Day With Big Discounts On Many Of The Nintendo Plumber’s Best Games Celebrate Mario Day With Big Discounts On Many Of The Nintendo Plumber’s Best Games If you’re a Super Mario Bros. fan, then March 10 is one of the most important dates on the calendar for you. Unofficially known as Mario Day–since MAR10 looks like Mario–Nintendo will celebrate with big discounts on Switch games starring the plumber mascot and his friends, including Super Mario Odyssey, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD, and many more at several online retailers starting March 9 through March 15. Each game will be discounted to $40 or lower. Along with these game deals, there’s also special Nintendo Switch OLED bundle deal that includes Super Mario Bros. Wonder for $350. You can check out the full lineup of Mario Day Deals below. Mario Day Switch Deals (March 9 – March 15) Overall, there are some fantastic games to check out during the Mario Day *****. Super Mario Odyssey was a Switch launch title, but nearly a decade later, it’s still one of the greatest Super Mario 3D-platformers of all time with an absurd amount of content. Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury shines a light on an underrated Wii U classic and polishes it up for the Switch, plus adds in an entirely new second campaign featuring an open world to freely explore, while Mario Kart 8 Deluxe continues to be one of the best racing games ever produced by Nintendo. Fans of RPGs will want to check out Super Mario RPG, which is a ground-up remake of the SNES turn-based RPG with new graphics and quality-of-life tweaks on Switch. It will be $40 during the Mario Day *****, but those looking for the best deal can grab it for just $37 at Walmart right now. Speaking of the best possible deals, the lowest priced game in the ***** is Mario vs. Donkey Kong, which is down to just $30 (was $50), while Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD and Princess Peach: Showtime are down to their all-time lowest price of $40 (normally $60). As mentioned above, along with these game deals, there’s also a separate bundle deal that includes the 64GB Switch OLED model plus a digital copy of Super Mario Bros. Wonder and a 3-month subscription to Nintendo Switch Online, all for just $350, which a nice savings of $68 compared to buying all of these items separately. The deal is available now at Best Buy, so you don’t need to wait until Mario Day to grab it. While we do know that the Switch 2 is scheduled to arrive this year, there’s still plenty of juice in the current hardware, especially the OLED model, and bundling it with one of the best Mario games on the system is a great excuse to pick one up. Source link #Celebrate #Mario #Day #Big #Discounts #Nintendo #Plumbers #Games Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Trump voters say president needs more time to turn economy around Trump voters say president needs more time to turn economy around Trump voters say president needs more time to turn economy around – CBS News Watch CBS News The economy helped put President Trump back in the White House, and it will be a pillar of his speech to Congress. He is expected to talk about lowering prices for Americans, even as his tariffs threaten to raise them. Caitlin Huey-Burns went to York, Pennsylvania, to see how residents are rating Trump’s handling of the economy so far. Then, Kelly O’Grady explains when Americans might start to feel the effects of Trump’s tariffs. Be the first to know Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not Now Turn On Source link #Trump #voters #president #time #turn #economy Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Megan Skye Blancada sentenced to prison for ********* abusing 14-year-old boy Megan Skye Blancada sentenced to prison for ********* abusing 14-year-old boy A predatory pedophile and part-time bikini model who lured a 14-year-old boy to her car for sex has copped a significant prison sentence, with a judge slamming her behaviour as “breathtakingly brazen”. Megan Skye Blancada was sentenced to five years in prison at the South *********** District Court on Wednesday after admitting to ********* abusing a 14-year-old boy on several occasions between January 2021 and November 2023. Blancada, who regularly posted photos of herself in bikinis across social media, wept in the dock as Judge Anthony Allen read out the sickening details of her offending. “Quite frankly, you did not need to be a high functioning individual to know what you were doing was ******** and morally repugnant,” he said. The victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said at an earlier court hearing Blancada had “manipulated” and “used” him. “I was 13, young, easily manipulated, still learning and going through a lot of stuff … she started texting me, trying to talk to me,” he said. Camera IconMegan Blancada posed as a bikini model across her social media profile. Supplied Credit: News Corp Australia “I was confused … she would compliment me as if she liked me … it felt nice, and this is how she tricked me. “She would say how horny I make her, how I look hot in my school clothes, that I should send her photos … she manipulated me, used me, and ****** me.” Blancada’s sick offending involved both contact and non contact offending, the court heard on Wednesday. In one instance, she followed her own son to the victim’s house for a sleepover. During the night, she followed the victim to the bathroom, where she ********* abused him. In online profiles, Blancada advertises herself as a fitness model and advertises her roles in films such as Hey Hey Its Esther and Wolf Creek. Her Facebook posts also show off a glamorous lifestyle, with multiple posts showing off her bikini modelling jobs. In a post from August 30, 2023, she shows a Jadore dress and writes: “Attending a red carpet event in Sydney definitely in a need of a dress from @dressforanight and they did not disappoint.” Camera IconBlancada will serve time in prison for her offending. NewsWire / David Mariuz Credit: News Corp Australia Ms Blancada claims to have modelled for Mitsubishi and Bank SA and is the author of a novel called Shadow Hunters: Shadows in the Wall. In her online profile, the Adelaide-born model and mum also says she “likes to keep her private life to herself while maintaining a low profile.” Blancada’s legal team argued for a good behaviour bond as punishment, saying Blancada suffered from a borderline personality disorder at the time of the offending but had since learned how to better control her herself. But Judge Allen rejected those arguments on Wednesday and sentenced her to five years and five months in prison, with a non-parole ******* of two years and five months. “I do not accept as a consequence of those factors (Blancada’s mental health problems) that moral culpability…are significantly diminished in the circumstances of this case,” he said. Tears streamed down Blancada’s face as she was led away from the dock. Source link #Megan #Skye #Blancada #sentenced #prison #********* #abusing #14yearold #boy Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

GTA Online – How To Start The Oscar Guzman Flies Again Missions GTA Online – How To Start The Oscar Guzman Flies Again Missions March has started off with a bang if you’re still roaming the streets of Los Santos in GTA Online. Along with the long-awaited Enhanced Edition that arrived for PC players, Rockstar Games also launched a new set of missions and released a plethora of additional content. The new missions fall under the name “Oscar Guzman Flies Again,” and there are six of them in total. They take place at the infamous McKenzie Field Hangar and see you steal arms deliveries from Oscar’s competition. If you want to get started with these missions and make some serious cash from the McKenzie Hangar, check out the guide below. How to start the Oscar Guzman Flies Again Missions in GTA Online Oscar Guzman calling to tell us about his new idea For starters, PC players need to ensure they migrate their GTA Online character correctly before attempting to pick up right where they left off after downloading the Enhanced Edition. This is easily done by selecting the GTA Online in the main menu and then following the prompts to migrate your character(s). This process is permanent, but there’s no real reason you don’t want to migrate your progress in either Online or Story Mode. New players picking up GTA Online for the first time can simply download the Enhanced Edition and create a new character. However, if you’re a new player, you’ll have to go through a long slog of required tasks and missions before you’re able to partake in the Oscar Guzman missions. When you’re in Los Santos, you can either go to MazeBank Foreclosures on your phone or wait for a call from Oscar Guzman. It’s preferable to wait for Oscar to call you so he can properly explain what he wants you to do, but if you visit MazeBank Foreclosures, click on the red “McKenzie Field Hangar” box. Choosing to buy the McKenzie Field Hangar From here, go to the northern side of Los Santos, find the property’s blue icon, and elect to purchase the property for $1.475 million. If you wait for Oscar to call, he’ll tell you to do the same thing, so you’re buying the property regardless. After McKenzie Field Hangar is purchased, you’ll receive another call from Oscar who asks you to go visit the property. This is quite a drive from downtown Los Santos, but you can simply reload your server to instantly go to the location. Once you arrive at the hangar, hop out inside and Oscar will greet you. He’ll explain that he’s happy you bought the property and goes over his plans for what you’re going to do. After a brief conversation, you’re led inside to the office where you can register as a CEO on the laptop on the desk. With that done, you can accept the first job in the Oscar Guzman Flies Again missions, which is called “Up and Running.” Speaking with Oscar Guzman at the hangar You’ve now officially begun your first of six missions for Oscar Guzman in GTA Online. Up and Running doesn’t take too long, but it can be difficult as a solo player, so if you have some friends or want to open up your party, that’s recommended. However, all of the missions for Oscar Guzman can be completed solo. Source link #GTA #Online #Start #Oscar #Guzman #Flies #Missions Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

What Trump is expected to say in his address to Congress What Trump is expected to say in his address to Congress What Trump is expected to say in his address to Congress – CBS News Watch CBS News In tonight’s address to Congress, President Trump is expected to tell the country where he thinks the U.S. should focus its efforts as the administration is determined to govern through the disruption of established norms. Weijia Jiang has the latest. Be the first to know Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not Now Turn On Source link #Trump #expected #address #Congress Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Behold Rare Footage of What Narwhals Actually Use Their Tusks For Behold Rare Footage of What Narwhals Actually Use Their Tusks For Narwhal tusks are the stuff of legends, literally. Growing up to ten feet long, they were once believed by some medieval cultures to be the horns of mythical creatures like the unicorn — not to mention the inspiration for Jules Verne’s iconic nineteenth-century science fiction novel “Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas.” As prominent a fixture of public fascination they may be, scientists have long struggled to understand how narwhals actually use these long, spirally protrusions. The tusks, which are actually an elongated tooth that typically belong to males of the Arctic whale species, are known to be flaunted in mating rituals, but whether they served other purposes has escaped observation. Now, as reported in a study published in the journal Frontiers in Marine Science, a team of researchers from the US and Canada have used drones to capture rare footage of the whales using their tusks in the wild, including the first video evidence of the tusks being used to toy with and investigate their surroundings. “Narwhals are known for their ‘tusking’ behavior, where two or more of them simultaneously raise their tusks almost vertically out of the water, crossing them in what may be a ritualistic behavior to assess a potential opponent’s qualities or to display those qualities to potential mates,” study senior author Greg O’Corry-Crowe, a research professor at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute in Florida, said in a statement. “But now we know that narwhal tusks have other uses, some quite unexpected, including foraging, exploration and play.” In total, the researchers documented seventeen distinct behaviors, many of which included interacting with nearby fish. In some cases, the narwhals used their tusks, non-forcefully, to influence the fish’s behavior. They would tap the fish, slowly push them downwards, flip them, or knock them off-course — but not with the intent of eating them, curiously. The researchers suggest that this is a sign of “exploratory-object-play,” in which the whales are simply trying to understand their surroundings, like a never-before-encountered fish, by playing with them. But when it was time to forage, the researchers observed the whales using their tusks to violently strike the fish, often in rapid succession in side-to-side slashes. This incapacitated, stunned, and possibly even killed the creatures. Sometimes, the narwhals also used their tusks to ward off food thieves like seagulls. The tusks may be lengthy but are by no means unwieldy. According to the researchers, the whales showed remarkable dexterity and speed when tracking fish with the tip of their tusks. And they’d have to be, to pull off maneuvers like “near instantaneous turns up to 360 degrees, completed in under three seconds which were achieved by rotating the body on its side and moving the head downwards towards its tail,” as the researchers wrote in the study. The narwhals also exhibited social behavior. “Some of the interactions we saw appeared competitive in nature with one whale blocking or trying to block another whale’s access to the same target fish, while others may have been more subtle, possibly communicative and even affiliative,” O’Corry-Crowe said. “None appeared overtly aggressive.” These social interactions, the researchers suggest, could accelerate how the whales adapt to the shifting conditions in the Arctic due to climate change. More on marine life: Great White Sharks Are Suddenly Washing Up Dead With Swollen Brains Source link #Behold #Rare #Footage #Narwhals #Tusks Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Australia reports fourth-quarter GDP growth of 1.3%, beating estimates Australia reports fourth-quarter GDP growth of 1.3%, beating estimates Sydney, Australia Michael Dunning | The Image Bank | Getty Images Australia’s economy expanded 1.3% year on year in the fourth quarter, accelerating for the first time since September 2023. The GDP growth beat expectations of a 1.2% rise from economists polled by Reuters. The data comes after Australia’s central bank slashed benchmark rates in its monetary policy meeting last month, marking its first cut in over four years, amid economic sluggishness and easing inflation. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 stock index fell 0.88% after the data release, while the Aussie dollar weakened to trade at 0.6256 against the greenback. This is breaking news, please check back for more updates. Source link #Australia #reports #fourthquarter #GDP #growth #beating #estimates Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Reporter’s Notebook: History of March 4 political speeches Reporter’s Notebook: History of March 4 political speeches Reporter’s Notebook: History of March 4 political speeches – CBS News Watch CBS News March 4 is a perfect day for a political speech. John Dickerson explains. Be the first to know Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not Now Turn On Source link #Reporters #Notebook #History #March #political #speeches Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘Final Mission’ for Education Dept. Begins Now, McMahon Says ‘Final Mission’ for Education Dept. Begins Now, McMahon Says Linda McMahon’s first act as secretary of education was to instruct staff to prepare for its “final mission,” her clearest indication yet of how she will work to fulfill President Trump’s goal of shuttering the department. Ms. McMahon’s missive, sent via email shortly after she was sworn in on Monday, was just the latest thunderclap for federal workers, teachers and school administrators anticipating seismic changes to the nation’s education system. Ms. McMahon’s message broadly outlined a “disruption” to the education system that would have a “profound impact.” The changes to the status quo, she said, would be “daunting.” “This is our opportunity to perform one final, unforgettable public service to future generations of students,” Ms. McMahon wrote. “I hope you will join me in ensuring that when our final mission is complete,” she continued, “we will all be able to say that we left American education freer, stronger and with more hope for the future.” Mr. Trump has been blunt about his desire to do away with the department entirely, including a recent remark that he hoped Ms. McMahon would effectively put herself out of a job. He told reporters last month that the Education Department was “a big **** job” and that “I’d like to close it immediately.” The department is created by statute, however, and closing it would require an act of Congress. But up until Monday night, Ms. McMahon had been more nuanced in her position. At a confirmation hearing, she described to senators a bold vision for the future of education — one that pushed for more high school vocational programs, increased school options and protected families from insurmountable college debt. Ms. McMahon had watched her successful Senate confirmation vote on Monday, along with some key staff and advisers, from inside the secretary’s office at the Education Department building, just a few blocks from the Capitol. When the vote ended at 6:28 p.m., Ms. McMahon was sworn into office by Jacqueline Clay, the department’s chief human capital officer. By 9:29 p.m., she sent her first email to the department’s roughly 4,200 workers with the subject line, “Our Department’s Final Mission.” She used the email to explain her ambitions in stark terms. “Restoring patriotic education and classes” was among her top priorities, she wrote. The department would “restore the right role of state oversight in education,” she added. This restoration, she said, would mean significant changes for the agency’s staff, budgets and operations. “We must start thinking about our final mission at the department as an overhaul — a last chance to restore the culture of liberty and excellence that made American education great,” she wrote. Becky Pringle, president of the National Education Association, said she was worried that the Trump administration wanted to return to a time when there were fewer protections for students with disabilities and those from poor districts. “America is about progress,” Ms. Pringle said. “We know that we are still a work in progress, and my concern — and it is a real concern — is that we are going back to a time when certain students were left alone in a corner somewhere and not getting the services that they needed.” Ms. McMahon also cast the department as a failed experiment, noting that it had spent more than $1 trillion since opening its doors for the first time in 1980. But she did not describe how it would help to give more power to state and local school districts, which have spent exponentially more on education during that same time. Madi Biedermann, a department spokeswoman, said that Ms. McMahon would oversee a “historic overhaul” of the agency that was aligned with Mr. Trump’s goals. “He was very clear about what his vision for the department looked like, and Secretary McMahon was clear in the hearing that she is here to implement his agenda,” Ms. Biedermann said. Some agency officials said privately that the email seemed like an attempt to undermine morale within an agency already reeling from the administration’s aggressive overhaul. These officials, who requested anonymity out of fear of retribution, said they believed their new boss was delivering a not-so-subtle message to retire early or simply resign. Education workers who did not accept a resignation package offered to nearly all government employees in the first weeks of the Trump administration were offered a modest severance again on Friday, a proposal that expired on Monday. Workers who have spent 20 years at the agency and are at least 50 years old have until March 25 to apply for an early retirement package being offered. Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, noted in an interview that parts of Ms. McMahon’s email seemed to contradict her testimony during the confirmation hearing. During the hearing, Ms. McMahon called for increasing vocational training in high schools to the point where new graduates have the skills to “even start a business of their own.” In her email, however, she said that “postsecondary education should be a path to a well-paying career aligned with work force needs.” “They are still trying to figure out what they can and can’t do, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they end up trying to do this by 1,000 cuts,” Ms. Weingarten said. “But if they make things worse, it’s going to be on their watch — because parents all across the country are saying they want help to protect their kids and don’t want to gut federal funding.” Ms. Weingarten spoke by phone while driving from Albany, N.Y., to New Haven, Conn., to speak at events on a “day of action” organized by the teachers’ union. She said that with less than three weeks of planning, there were roughly 2,000 rallies, marches and other local events on Tuesday aimed at urging lawmakers not to undermine public education. She also pointed to a series of public opinion surveys in the past month that had shown roughly two-thirds of Americans were against eliminating the agency. According to an NPR/PBS/Marist poll released Tuesday, 63 percent of respondents said they were opposed to closing the Education Department. Erica L. Green contributed reporting. Source link #Final #Mission #Education #Dept #Begins #McMahon Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Live updates: Trump to give first speech to Congress in second term – The Washington Post Live updates: Trump to give first speech to Congress in second term – The Washington Post Live updates: Trump to give first speech to Congress in second term The Washington PostLive updates on Trump’s speech at his 2025 joint address to Congress CBS NewsWhy Trump’s joint remarks to Congress won’t be a ‘State of the Union’ address The Associated PressScoop: Some Democrats are plotting to disrupt Trump’s speech to Congress Axios Source link #Live #updates #Trump #give #speech #Congress #term #Washington #Post Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Can Elon Musk’s EVs win over India’s price-conscious car buyers? Can Elon Musk’s EVs win over India’s price-conscious car buyers? Getty Images Tesla has begun hiring for a dozen jobs in Delhi and Mumbai After years of speculation, Tesla could finally be making its India debut. The American electric vehicle (EV) giant has begun hiring for a dozen jobs in Delhi and Mumbai. It is also reportedly hunting for showrooms in both cities. Asia’s third largest economy offers an interesting growth opportunity for Tesla’s futuristic cars as global EV sales plummet and competition from ******** manufacturers gets more intense. But there’s a million-dollar question – can Tesla compete in India’s price-sensitive market? ***** Motors currently holds pole position in India’s EV market – with over 60% market share. MG Motors – jointly owned by India’s JSW and a ******** firm – is second at 22%. They are followed by Mahindra and Mahindra. EVs made by these companies cost less than half of what consumers will have to shell out – around $40,000 (£31,637) – for just the base model of Tesla. It will, therefore, be seen as a luxury car, competing with higher-end EVs made by Hyundai, BMW and Mercedes. Simply in volume terms, this will make India a tiny market for Tesla chief Elon Musk, unless the company introduces a low-cost model specifically for the country. Besides price, India’s road conditions could pose a challenge. Tesla cars have very low ground clearance – or the distance between the lowest point of the car’s undercarriage and the ground. This will make adapting to Indian roads difficult. To operate in the country, existing models may have to be re-engineered – which would drive up manufacturing costs. Will Tesla do this just for one developing market where it could have only a small presence? “It’s been a challenge even with other global original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) at the high end with small volumes. You can’t justify these major engineering changes,” Hormazd Sorabjee, editor of Autocar India magazine, told the BBC. Also, amidst all the hype, it is easy to forget that EV sales still make up less than 3% of overall passenger vehicle sales in India. Even critical ancillary infrastructure, like charging stations, have taken years to come up. While they have picked up pace, there are only around 25,000 charging stations across India. In effect, Tesla will be jostling for space in a very small, albeit growing, EV market. Getty Images Tesla CEO Elon Musk (left) met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Washington DC last month But at a policy level, India appears to be making every effort to woo the carmaker. The country has outlined an ambitious national vision to go electric. It plans to have 30% of private cars, 70% of commercial cars, 40% of buses and 80% of two and three-wheelers go electric by 2030. Most provincial governments have also established their own EV policies to incentivise demand and supply. Subsidies offered by India on electric cars are also the highest among major economies, according to HSBC Securities. They amount to as much as 46% of the price of the country’s top-selling electric car model. It’s no surprise then that passenger EV sales have grown astronomically by over 2,000% in less than five years – going from a low base of 4,700 annually to a 100,000 cars. “The price difference between regular cars and EVs has reduced a lot, making customers rethink their choice,” says Jyoti Gulia, founder of JMK Research. In April last year, India also cut import taxes on EVs for global carmakers which committed to investing $500m (£400m) and starting local production within three years. Tesla and other imported electric vehicles costing over $35,000 (£27,550) can now enjoy a lower import duty of 15% on up to 8,000 vehicles. This came after Musk complained that high import duties had prevented the firm from launching its cars in the world’s fastest-growing major economy. “It’s quite clever, as it forces a global player to localise – which is the way the game works: come and build in India,” says Sorabjee. The proposed policy could put Indian domestic carmakers at a disadvantage, however, given that the investment requirement for foreign players is “not significant” compared to Indian players in this segment, an HSBC research paper warns. Import duty of 15% is also “much lower” than the tax on comparable combustion engine cars in India which also pay an additional road tax, according to HSBC. Getty Images Over the past five years, EV sales have grown in India from 4,700 cars annually to 100,000 cars Domestic EV players say having a “level playing field” is important, but appear unperturbed by Tesla’s impending entry for now. “We welcome competition,” Rajesh Jejurikar, Mahindra and Mahindra’s Executive Director and CEO, told the BBC. His company feels that more players will strengthen India’s existing EV ecosystem and is working to improve the appeal of their offerings. Critical issues like “range anxiety” – the worry whether an EV’s battery charge will be enough to complete a journey – have been addressed through “robust battery integration and rigorous real-world testing across diverse road conditions”, says Mr Jejurikar, adding that the brand is deploying cutting-edge technology into their product. It will be hard to beat Tesla’s edge in this area though, and coupled with sturdier batteries and a better user interface, it will certainly differentiate Tesla cars from others in the market, says Sorabjee. What might also give Tesla tailwind is the rising share of premium vehicles in the Indian auto market. As a global brand with a perceived “cool quotient”, owning a Tesla will be a status symbol for the young, aspirational Indian population. But none of this – India’s EV policy or the growing demand for premium cars among India’s affluent – has yet led to a commitment from Tesla to put manufacturing dollars into an EV facility. For now, it appears the carmaker will only ship units from its factories abroad. When that changes will depend on a lot of things – how quickly India’s affluent consumer base widens, and what tariff structures look like once India completes trade negotiations with the US. President Donald Trump has already voiced displeasure over Tesla potentially building a factory in India to avoid high tariffs. In an interview with Fox News recently, he said that this would be “unfair” to the US. Could Trump’s ‘America First’ policy diminish Musk’s appetite for starting manufacturing units in India then? The question is moot, but for now it does look like India will first get glitzy Tesla showrooms for its rich, rather than job-creating Tesla factories for its under-employed masses. Source link #Elon #Musks #EVs #win #Indias #priceconscious #car #buyers Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

China sets 5% growth target as it reels from Trump tariffs China sets 5% growth target as it reels from Trump tariffs João da Silva Business reporter, BBC News Getty Images China has set a 5% economic growth target for this year and pledged to pump billions of dollars into its ailing economy, which is now facing a trade war with the US. China’s leaders unveiled the plan as thousands of delegates attend the National People’s Congress (NPC), a rubber-stamp parliament, which passes decisions that have already been made behind closed doors. But the week-long gathering is watched closely for clues on Beijing’s policy changes – and this year is more significant than most. President Xi Jinping had already been battling persistently low consumption, a property crisis and unemployment, before Donald Trump’s new 10% levy on ******** imports came into effect on Tuesday. This follows the 10% tariff imposed in early February, taking the total US levy to 20%. And it hits what has been a rare bright spot for the ******** economy: exports. Beijing hit back almost immediately on Tuesday, just as it did last month. It announced retaliatory action that included 10%-15% tariffs on certain agriculture imports from the US. This is key because China is the biggest market for these goods, such as American corn, wheat and soybeans. Still, at this week’s meeting, known as Two Sessions, the spotlight will be on how to spur growth in the wake of these tariffs. Beijing was able to meet the 5% target last year, but growth was driven by strong exports, which resulted in a nearly trillion-dollar record trade surplus. Repeating that is going to be much harder this year. “If the tariffs linger, ******** exports to the US could drop by a quarter to a third,” says Harry Murphy Cruise, head of China economics at Moody’s Analytics. Beijing is going to have to rely more than ever on domestic spending to achieve 5% growth – but that has been one of its biggest challenges. The spending crunch Analysts say expanding domestic demand, which was the third objective at last year’s meeting, could now move to the top of the priority list. Beijing has already rolled out schemes to encourage its people to spend more, including allowing them to trade in and replace consumer goods like kitchen appliances, cars, phones and electronic devices. Getty Images China’s lagging economy is top of the agenda at the week-long meeting But it’s widely expected that there will be a slew of new programmes to raise spending. Whether they will be enough to boost consumption is the key question. Harsh pandemic-era restrictions along with a prolonged real estate crisis and a government crackdown on tech and finance companies have fuelled pessimism among ******** people. And a weak social safety net means savings have become especially crucial in case of unexpected out-of-pocket expenses. But China’s leadership is optimistic. CPCC spokesman Liu Jieyi told reporters ahead of the session that while the economy was facing challenges such as low demand, it was “important to recognise that China’s economic fundamentals are stable, there are many advantages, resilience is strong, and potential is significant”. ‘High quality’ development Investment in what President Xi calls “high-quality development”, which covers high-tech industries from renewables to artificial intelligence (AI), is also expected to be a major focus. The world’s second-largest economy, China has long vied to become a global leader in tech, partly to reduce its reliance on the West. State media has already touted recent examples like DeepSeek and Unitree Robotics, both of which have caught global attention, as examples of China’s “technological progress”. The success of Deepseek in particular saw an AI-driven stock rally, with analysts noting renewed interest in China among foreign investors. A commentary in the state-run Xinhua newspaper said “China’s new energy industries and overall green transition, driven by its cutting-edge technologies, will continue to be important growth drivers”. But the new US levies – which come on top of tariffs from Trump’s first term – could stymie these plans, not least because they could dampen investor sentiment. “The chaos that tariffs leave in their wake is kryptonite for investment,” Mr Murphy Cruise says. “Tariffs are set to deliver a one-two punch to China’s economy, landing blows to both exports and investment.” Source link #China #sets #growth #target #reels #Trump #tariffs Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

PSV 1-7 Arsenal: Record-breaking Gunners enjoy carnival season in Eindhoven PSV 1-7 Arsenal: Record-breaking Gunners enjoy carnival season in Eindhoven Eindhoven has been packed with carnival-goers in recent days but on Tuesday it was Arsenal enjoying their own party in the city, getting over their goalscoring crisis and setting a Champions League record in the process. Mikel Arteta’s side became the first team in Champions League history to score seven goals away from home in the knockout stages of the competition as they romped to a 7-1 win over PSV Eindhoven. It was the most goals the Gunners have scored in a single game since beating Newcastle 7-3 in the Premier League 13 years ago. The Arsenal manager said the win had given his players “joy and confidence and belief”, but was not getting carried away when questions were put to him about the records that his team had broken. “For sure, it’s something that hasn’t been done, so great to be part of that,” Arteta said. “But as a team we want to achieve many other things that are far more important than that. “The happiest thing is we are in a very strong position to go to the next round, which is where we want to be. “But there’s still a job to do in London in a week’s time.” After failing to score in their past two games, a 0-0 draw at Nottingham Forest and 1-0 defeat by West Ham, Arteta may not have seen a victory like this coming. “This will give them great confidence for the rest of the season. Right from the start Arsenal had control of the game,” said Chris Sutton on BBC Radio 5 Live. “Arsenal were ruthless with their finishing, some of the combination play in the final third was sensational. “Martin Odegaard looked back to his best. To a man they were really strong and that centre-back pairing [Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba] is phenomenal. “Arsenal will take some stopping in this competition.” England and Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice was one of the players singled out for his performance during the game and said that the Gunners have got the reward for their hard work in recent weeks. Rice, who had a goal ruled out for offside, said Arsenal were “fluid” and possessed the “enthusiasm, drive and hunger” that the knockout stages demand. “But we’ve been playing like this all season,” he added. “We feel we’ve been playing well as a team. Sometimes we score five, sometimes two, sometimes we don’t score but [on Tuesday] we did well. It all clicked.” Arsenal’s lack of a recognised striker has been well documented, with Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz both injured. But six different players contributed to the rout on Tuesday – Odegaard scored twice, along with goals for Jurrien Timber, Mikel Merino, Ethan Nwaneri, Leandro Trossard and Riccardo Calafiori. The emphatic win means that Arsenal can start planning for a trip to Madrid, as they are set to take on the winner of the tie between Real and Atletico, which finished 2-1 to Carlo Ancelotti’s side. Next week’s second leg takes place at Atletico. Source link #PSV #Arsenal #Recordbreaking #Gunners #enjoy #carnival #season #Eindhoven Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Broncos CEO flies home to help families as Alfred looms Broncos CEO flies home to help families as Alfred looms Brisbane CEO Dave Donaghy has flown back to the Queensland capital to ensure the safety of staff and players’ families is looked after as Cyclone Alfred makes a beeline for the coast. The cyclone is predicted to hit land between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast on Friday morning. The Broncos flew to Sydney on Tuesday to prepare for Thursday night’s NRL clash with Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium and are scheduled to return on Friday, as loved ones of players and staff face nervous days. The Bureau of Meteorology’s technical bulletin has warned that there is a possibility, although low, of the Category 2 cyclone becoming a low-grade Category 3 as it gathers momentum. With 26,000 homes in danger of flooding, the Broncos will ensure those left behind have the support needed to prepare for what may unfold. Broncos coach Michael Maguire addressed the situation on Wednesday morning in Sydney when he fronted reporters. “It is my first time facing something like this and the club has been really proactive,” Maguire said. “Our chief executive (Donaghy) flew down (to Sydney) last night and turned around and went straight back to town to make sure everyone is safe while the team is down here. “They are talking to and getting out to the partners and the wives to make sure they are safe through this situation. “It is just a matter of waiting to see how it all pans out but there is a lot of communication between the families.” The situation could take an emotional toll on the players but Maguire said the lines of communication were open and information on the situation in Brisbane was flowing. “From an emotional point of view, because the preparation has been there from the club, it is probably quite settled at the moment,” he said. “We are getting a lot of messaging from back home about how they are travelling. Hopefully it is all OK. “We are thinking about everyone up there. We are talking about it and that is the best way to go about it. We are going into the unknown but have to deal with it the best we can.” NRL bosses confirmed on Tuesday evening that Friday night’s opening-round match between the Dolphins and South Sydney would be shifted out of Brisbane to Sydney’s CommBank Stadium. The move came hours after the AFL postponed its own two opening-round fixtures in Brisbane and the Gold Coast, initially scheduled for Thursday and Saturday night. Source link #Broncos #CEO #flies #home #families #Alfred #looms Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Rapper G$ Lil Ronnie and 5-Year-Old Daughter Killed at Car Wash Rapper G$ Lil Ronnie and 5-Year-Old Daughter Killed at Car Wash Texas rapper G$ Lil Ronnie and his 5-year-old daughter have died following a shooting at a local car wash. He was 30 years old. Police say two people shot the rapper and his daughter in their car, then ran away. One suspect has been identified, while they continue the search for the other. Source link #Rapper #Lil #Ronnie #5YearOld #Daughter #Killed #Car #Wash Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

CrowdStrike (CRWD) Q4 earnings 2024 CrowdStrike (CRWD) Q4 earnings 2024 George Kurtz, co-founder and CEO of CrowdStrike Holdings Inc., during a Bloomberg Technology television interview at the RSA Conference in San Francisco on April 26, 2023. David Paul Morris | Bloomberg | Getty Images CrowdStrike shares dropped nearly 9% in extended trading on Tuesday after the cybersecurity software provider issued disappointing earnings guidance. Here’s what the company reported compared to LSEG estimates: Earnings per share: $1.03. The number doesn’t to appear to be comparable to analysts’ estimates.Revenue: $1.06 billion vs. $1.03 billion Revenue increased 25% from $845.3 million a year earlier, and the company posted a net loss of $92.3 billion, or 37 cents per share. In the year-ago *******, the company posted net income of $53.7 million, or 22 cents per share. For the year, CrowdStrike said it expects earnings, excluding some items, to range between $3.33 and $3.45 per share, falling short of the $4.42 expected by analysts polled by LSEG. First-quarter earnings are expected to be between 64 cents and 66 cents per share, versus the average estimate of 95 cents. Despite the after-hours drop, CrowdStrike topped some metrics from Wall Street. The company posted $4.24 billion in annual recurring revenue, reflecting 23% growth. That topped the $4.21 billion estimate from analysts surveyed by StreetAccount and included $224 million in net annual recurring revenue. Revenue guidance was roughly in line with estimates. CrowdStrike said it expects revenue of between $4.74 billion and $4.81 billion for the year, versus an LSEG estimate of $4.77 billion. The earnings release comes almost eight months after a technology update from the company led to a global IT outage that grounded flights, disrupted businesses and led to class action lawsuits. CEO George Kurtz said in the press release that artificial intelligence is becoming more important in stopping cyberattacks. “As businesses of all sizes rapidly adopt AI, stopping the breach necessitates cybersecurity’s AI-native platform,” Kurtz said. Don’t miss these insights from CNBC PRO Source link #CrowdStrike #CRWD #earnings Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Trump’s Latest Tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China Could Be His Biggest Gamble – The New York Times Trump’s Latest Tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China Could Be His Biggest Gamble – The New York Times Trump’s Latest Tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China Could Be His Biggest Gamble The New York TimesTrump could scale back Canada, Mexico tariffs Wednesday, Lutnick says CNBCTrade war escalation: Austin faces big blow from Trump’s tariffs AxiosLutnick Says Trump Considering Some Mexico, Canada Tariff Relief Bloomberg Source link #Trumps #Latest #Tariffs #Canada #Mexico #China #Biggest #Gamble #York #Times Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Emma Raducanu says Dubai stalking incident ‘could have been dealt with better’ Emma Raducanu says Dubai stalking incident ‘could have been dealt with better’ The man approached Raducanu near the player hotel in Dubai the day before her second round match with Karolina Muchova. He gave her a letter and took her photo, which understandably unnerved Raducanu, who had been aware of his presence at tournaments in Singapore, Abu Dhabi and Doha in preceding weeks. Although she reported it to a member of her team, the information was not passed on to the WTA or the tournament until the following day, leaving security staff with just a few hours to prepare. “I think they were very emotional weeks, because it had carried on for a few weeks before,” said Raducanu. “It was quite tiring. I took a week break when I got home in England and I then decided to come here.” Raducanu, who shot to worldwide fame when she won the US Open as an 18-year-old in 2021, told the BBC she is unlikely to invest in private security at tournaments, but added she is taking increased precautions. “I’m always now very aware and not necessarily doing things on my own any more,” she added. “I’m always with someone, and always being watched I would say.” Having decided to make the journey to Indian Wells – one of the biggest events outside of the four majors – Raducanu has been surprised by how much happier she has been feeling since arriving in California. Raducanu will play Moyuka Uchijima of Japan in the first round on Thursday, with the winner to face American third seed Coco Gauff in round two. “Since being here in this environment – which is one of my favourite tournaments – I have felt a lot better,” she said. “The allure of Indian Wells was a big part of me coming. I wasn’t sure if I was going to come and compete so soon. “I just wanted to make sure I was ready but since coming here I have surprised myself with how happy I feel here. “It’s probably one of my favourite places on the calendar and I am ready to go.” Source link #Emma #Raducanu #Dubai #stalking #incident #dealt Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

WA teenager charged with creating ‘false threat’ to ‘Christchurch 2.0’ a Sydney mosque WA teenager charged with creating ‘false threat’ to ‘Christchurch 2.0’ a Sydney mosque A 16-year-old WA boy who allegedly made an online threat to carry out a mass shooting at a NSW mosque has been charged. NSW Police alerted their WA counterparts on Tuesday after a member of the *********** Islamic House — Masjid Al-Bayt Al-Islami — in Edmondson Park spotted a comment on its Instagram page threatening to “Christchurch 2.0” the mosque. WA Police State security investigation group officers arrested the boy — from Eaton near Bunbury — on Tuesday night. The threat referred to ***********-born Brenton Tarrant’s 2019 storming of a Christchurch mosque during which he shot dead 51 people. The WA teenager has been charged with one count of “creating false apprehension to the existence of threats or danger”. He was given bail and will next appear in the Bunbury Children’s Court on April 4. “There is no ongoing threat to the community,” a police spokeswoman said. *********** Islamic House said it would continue its nightly Ramadan prayers with an increased police presence. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Tuesday said whoever was responsible for the “abhorrent” threat should face the full force of the law. A NSW Police spokesman told The West on Wednesday that WA Police had taken carriage of the investigation. NSW Premier Chris Minns said the threat was being taken very seriously. “Racist threats and Islamophobia will not be tolerated and will be met with the full force of the law,” he said. “This is very distressing, particularly as Muslims right across the State are participating in prayer during the month of Ramadan.” Source link #teenager #charged #creating #false #threat #Christchurch #Sydney #mosque Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Why Nvidia Stock Jumped Today Why Nvidia Stock Jumped Today Despite initially opening the day’s trading in the red, Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) stock wound up posting gains in Tuesday’s trading. The artificial intelligence (AI) hardware leader’s share price ended the session up 1.7% and had been up as much as 4.6% earlier in the session. Nvidia stock saw a modest recovery today as investors digested the effects of tariffs and other macroeconomic pressures and geopolitical dynamics that involve the company’s chips. The AI leader’s share price also got a boost from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing’s recent announcement that it will invest $100 billion to expand its U.S. chip-fabrication operations. Nvidia stock fell 8.7% in yesterday’s trading as investors reacted to the impending implementation of new tariffs on Canada and Mexico. Expectations that export restrictions and enforcement initiatives could intensify following new reports that China is gaining access to prohibited Nvidia chips through third-party sellers also added to sell-offs. While these risk factors remain, investors bought back into stocks as the day progressed and helped drive a moderate shift in bullish sentiment for the day. Despite today’s gain, Nvidia stock is still down 13.8% across 2025’s trading. TSMC plans to spend $100 billion to build new chip foundries in Arizona. The Taiwan-based chip fabrication leader manufactures Nvidia’s semiconductor designs and is the world’s largest and best-performing contract foundry. Rising tensions between the U.S. and China and concerns that the latter country could move to invade or exert greater control over Taiwan have been a source of valuation volatility for the tech sector. TSMC has enormous importance in global supply chains and AI technologies in particular, and disruption of its operations would have huge adverse effects. With the fabrication giant expanding its operational footprint in the U.S., a major geopolitical risk factor could be mitigated — but hitting its new expansion target in the country will take a long time. Before you buy stock in Nvidia, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Nvidia wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005… if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $699,020!* Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 863% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 173% for the S&P 500. Don’t miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » Story Continues *Stock Advisor returns as of March 3, 2025 Keith ******* has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Nvidia and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Why Nvidia Stock Jumped Today was originally published by The Motley Fool Source link #Nvidia #Stock #Jumped #Today Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

China reportedly targets around 5% GDP growth in 2025 amid trade war worries China reportedly targets around 5% GDP growth in 2025 amid trade war worries An aerial view of a new city district in southern China’s Nanning city on Feb. 28, 2025. Nurphoto | Nurphoto | Getty Images China on Wednesday set its GDP growth target for 2025 at around 5% as it starts its annual parliamentary meeting amid escalating trade tensions with the U.S. Beijing raised its budget deficit target to expected 4% of GDP, from 3% last year, Reuters reported. The 4% deficit would mark the highest on record going back to 2010, according to data accessed via Wind Information. The prior high was 3.6% in 2020, the data showed. In an implicit acknowledgement of sluggish domestic demand, Beijing also reportedly revised down its annual consumer price inflation target to around 2% — the lowest in more than two decades — from 3% or higher in prior years, according to the Asia Society Policy Institute. The new inflation goal would act more as a ceiling than a target to be realized. Consumer prices climbed just 0.2% in 2024 and 2023, while producer prices have declined for over two years. The country’s annual parliamentary gathering, known as the “Two Sessions,” started Tuesday with the opening ceremony of the ******** People’s Political Consultative Conference — a top advisory body. The National People’s Congress kicked off its meeting Wednesday and is expected to wrap up its annual session on March 11. The foreign minister and heads of several economic departments are due to hold press conferences in the interim. ****-for-tat tariffs This year’s parliamentary meetings come as Trump has imposed fresh tariffs on ******** goods — an additional 20% in duties in just about a month. Beijing on Tuesday responded with additional tariffs of up to 15% on some U.S. goods from March 10, and restrictions on exports to 15 U.S. companies. China also added 10 U.S. firms to an unreliable entities list that could limit their ability to do business in the Asian country. Many of the named U.S. businesses work in aerospace, defense or with drones. “We hope to work with the U. S. side to address each other’s concerns through dialogue and consultation on the basis of mutual respect, equality, reciprocity, and mutual betterment,” Lou Qinjian, spokesperson for the third session of the 14th National People’s Congress, told reporters Tuesday morning. “At the same time, we never accept any act of pressuring or threatening, and will firmly defend our sovereignty, security, and development interests,” he said in Mandarin, via an official translation. Stimulus and tech The increased U.S. duties will weigh on China’s exports, a rare bright spot in an economy struggling with lackluster domestic demand. While the world’s second-largest economy grew by 5% in 2024, retail sales growth fell sharply to 3.4% from 7.1% in 2023. The real estate drag persisted, with investments in the sector dropping by 10.6% last year, from the a year earlier. Investors have closely watched Beijing’s efforts to address the country’s economic slowdown after an unexpected, high-level pledge of support in September prompted a stock rally. Market gains picked up again after ******** President Xi Jinping held a rare meeting last month with entrepreneurs including Alibaba’s Jack Ma and artificial intelligence startup DeepSeek’s Liang Wenfeng. “There is no denying that AI technologies are accompanied by some unknown risks and challenges and will bring new tasks in areas like security, social governance, morality, and ethics. … It will inevitably have an impact on production,” Lou said. “China … is opposed to over-stretching the concept of national security or politicizing economic and technological issues,” he said. Investors will also be closely watching the parliamentary meetings for further comments on artificial intelligence and China’s efforts to provide regulatory certainty for the private sector. — CNBC’s Bernice Ooi contributed to this report. Source link #China #reportedly #targets #GDP #growth #trade #war #worries Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Nothing Phone 3A and 3A Pro at MWC 2025 Are Fun, Flashy and Affordable – CNET Nothing Phone 3A and 3A Pro at MWC 2025 Are Fun, Flashy and Affordable – CNET Nothing Phone 3A and 3A Pro at MWC 2025 Are Fun, Flashy and Affordable CNETSmartphone startup Nothing tries to stir market out of ‘sea of sameness’ with $400 phone CNBCMWC 2025: The Coolest Phones We’ve Seen At the Show CNETNothing’s New Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro Are the Budget Phones to Beat WIREDNothing’s new budget Android phones make Samsung and Apple look bad ZDNet Source link #Phone #Pro #MWC #Fun #Flashy #Affordable #CNET Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]