Pelican Press

Leniu’s frustration over social-media exit rumours Leniu’s frustration over social-media exit rumours Spencer Leniu has addressed Sydney Roosters players to make clear he is happy at the NRL club, with the suspended Samoa international frustrated by rumours he wants out. Leniu found himself at the centre of wide-spreading social media scuttlebutt last month that suggested he was unsettled and wanted to return to Penrith. Roosters official have insisted there is no merit to the claims and Leniu made a point of reassuring teammates, telling them he remains committed to his contract that runs until 2027. “He (Leniu) essentially said I am not going anywhere,” second-rower Angus Crichton said. “He said: ‘This is where I want to be’. “I think he was a bit ******* off that people would think we lose a few trial games and he wants out. “We know the kind of guy he is. We all love Spence and we back him as well.” Leniu’s frustration has been added to by the fact he will miss the Roosters’ opening two games against Brisbane and Penrith through suspension for a high shot in the pre-season. He is among more than half of the Roosters’ first-choice starting side from 2024 missing for Thursday’s clash with the Broncos. “He’s obviously disappointed,” Crichton said. “He’s really keen to get back out there, especially among some of the people talking smack about him. “It’s annoying when people talk rubbish. It’s just weird that you can make some ********* up and run with it. “It’s hard. I have been in the same position where people are talking rumours and making stuff up. It can be unsettling and annoying. “And it’s even harder when you can’t play and show the boys.” Leniu’s absence is likely to mean Naufahu Whyte will start at prop against the Broncos, while Siua Wong is likely to wear No.13 with Victor Radley playing on an edge. Whyte then has the potential to push for a regular starting spot alongside Lindsay Collins, given Leniu is viewed as something of an impact weapon off the bench. “He’s (Whyte) such a big, strong, physical forward,” Roosters captain James Tedesco said. “He just needs to play with that confidence because when he is running like that, he’s bloody hard to stop.”He’s been playing lock and in the front row for the trials, he’s been training there throughout the pre-season as well.”…I remember him three, four years ago coming (here) as an 18-year old with a couple of boys from New Zealand.”He’s a young quiet kid and the way he has developed now into an international front rower is amazing for him. He’s just going to keep getting better and better.” Source link #Lenius #frustration #socialmedia #exit #rumours Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Businesses await new Gun Lake Casino hotel Businesses await new Gun Lake Casino hotel WAYLAND, Mich. (WOOD) — Business owners are counting down the days to the opening of Gun Lake Casino’s new hotel resort. The expansion started in 2022 as part of what is called “phase 5” for the casino. The 252-room hotel looms 15 stories over the casino. New Gun Lake Casino Oasis set to open in exactly one year While crews continue their work, visitors are already making plans, said Terry Cole. He owns Chief Noonday Carpark in neighboring Yankee Springs that offers both storage and services to classic cars. He said clients have already sent up three cars meant to be their summer rides in anticipation of the opening. “This summer, the owners can fly into Grand Rapids airport, we are a 15-minute drive from the airport. They come here, they stay at the casino. They already got their reservations made. They take their car and tour West Michigan and drive around. It wasn’t even built yet and they were shipping me their cars,” said Cole. He said the hotel also brings with it an opportunity to add more to the summer experience in Yankee Springs. Gun Lake Casino adding bar, restaurant in $10M project “There are car clubs from all over the United States. They are now coming here to visit West Michigan and see what we have to offer. Our local businesses like restaurants are getting people to come in to eat and now the casino is a place for them to stay,” said Cole. In downtown Wayland, restaurant owners and staff look forward to the resort’s expansion. “The grand opening of the Gun Lake Casino’s hotel marks an exciting new chapter for our community, bringing world-class entertainment, luxurious accommodations and new job opportunities to the area. This vibrant destination is set to boost area tourism, energize local businesses and provide a premier entertainment experience for residents and visitors alike,” said Denise Behm, executive director of the Wayland Area Chamber of Commerce in a statement. The hotel resort opens Friday. Though this does not make the end of Phase 5. Gun Lake Casino is expected to open The Wawyé Oasis this May. The more than 32,000 square-foot waterpark will feature family-friendly pool activities and a 21+ VIP pool. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. Source link #Businesses #await #Gun #Lake #Casino #hotel Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump supporter faces possible prison time in case associated with Jan. 6 – CBS News Trump supporter faces possible prison time in case associated with Jan. 6 – CBS News Trump supporter faces possible prison time in case associated with Jan. 6 CBS News Source link #Trump #supporter #faces #prison #time #case #Jan #CBS #News Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Cricketing great Stuart MacGill’s texts over drug deal gone wrong Cricketing great Stuart MacGill’s texts over drug deal gone wrong Stuart MacGill is standing trial over allegations he helped set up a $330,000 drug deal underneath his Neutral Bay restaurant. Source link #Cricketing #great #Stuart #MacGills #texts #drug #deal #wrong Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Covid inquiry turns to PPE deals and the ‘VIP lane’ Covid inquiry turns to PPE deals and the ‘VIP lane’ The Covid public inquiry will start four weeks of hearings on Monday, looking into the purchase and distribution of billions of pounds’ worth of medical equipment during the pandemic. In total, it’s thought £48bn was spent on personal protective equipment (PPE), the test-and-trace programme, hospital supplies and the vaccine rollout. Nearly 10% of contracts were awarded to firms with a link to the Conservative government in power at the time, according to the organisation Transparency International. Bereaved families have accused the inquiry of a “potential whitewash” after it emerged representatives of PPE suppliers will not be called upon to give evidence. The ‘VIP lane’ This fifth section of the inquiry will hear from 50 witnesses, expected to include law experts, civil servants, politicians and transparency campaigners. Questioning will cover the value of contracts awarded to companies in the pandemic, spending controls, the prevalence of fraud and the steps taken to eliminate it. The inquiry will also look in detail at the use of the so-called “VIP lane” – officially known as the high priority lane – to award government contracts. Introduced in April 2020, the idea was to treat offers to supply PPE with greater urgency if they came with a recommendation from ministers, MPs, members of the House of Lords, or other senior officials. At the time the government said there was a “desperate need” to protect health and social care staff, and it was argued swift action was required to secure PPE. A National Audit Office report later found that up to the end of July 2020, about one in 10 suppliers in the high priority lane was awarded a contract, while the figure was less than one in 100 for other suppliers. The government ordered more than 30m masks, gowns and other items of PPE during Covid, with contracts totalling £14.6bn. This part of the inquiry will also look at the purchase of ventilators to help patients breathe, as well as millions of lateral flow and PCR tests. Lobby’s father, Femi – a 60-year-old regular gym-goer with no underlying health conditions – died of Covid in April 2020 [BBC] Whitewash claims Bereaved families have accused the inquiry of “protecting PPE suppliers from scrutiny”, after it emerged the inquiry would not seek evidence from commercial firms involved in the contracts. Lobby Akinnola, whose father Femi died in April 2020, said individual suppliers need to be held to account. “If people are not called to give evidence, then how are we ever going to know what went wrong?” he asked. “Covid cost the lives of nearly 250,000 people in the ***, and if we don’t take every step we can to learn from mistakes, we are going to leave a weakness in our response.” A spokesman for the Covid inquiry said it did not need to hear evidence directly from PPE firms as the focus “is on how the government responded to suppliers’ offers”. “Our role is not to pursue criminal investigations into individuals or suppliers – that is a matter for law enforcement,” he said. The inquiry also ruled in January that any sensitive evidence about PPE Medpro, the supplier linked to Baroness Michelle ***** and her husband Doug Barrowman, would be held in private to avoid prejudicing any criminal investigation. The inquiry’s chair, Baroness Hallett, has already taken evidence on other subjects including pandemic planning and political decision-making, the impact on the NHS and the vaccine rollout. Future phases later this year will cover the care sector, test-and-trace, the impact on children, and the economy. Source link #Covid #inquiry #turns #PPE #deals #VIP #lane Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

RFK Jr says Texas measles outbreak a ‘call to action’ – The Hill RFK Jr says Texas measles outbreak a ‘call to action’ – The Hill RFK Jr says Texas measles outbreak a ‘call to action’ The HillRFK Jr. urges people to get vaccinated amid deadly Texas outbreak AxiosMeasles vaccines given long ago could be less effective now, doctors say Fox NewsAmid West Texas measles outbreak, vaccine resistance hardens The Washington Post Source link #RFK #Texas #measles #outbreak #call #action #Hill Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

******** warships shift west, as Peter Dutton claims PM is ‘out of his depth’ ******** warships shift west, as Peter Dutton claims PM is ‘out of his depth’ A flotilla of ******** war ships making its way around Australia has moved further west, Premier Roger Cook has revealed, saying it was tracked between Albany and Esperance on Monday morning. Source link #******** #warships #shift #west #Peter #Dutton #claims #depth Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘Fire the Intel board and rehire Pat Gelsinger,’ argues former Intel CEO Craig Barrett ‘Fire the Intel board and rehire Pat Gelsinger,’ argues former Intel CEO Craig Barrett When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: Intel Former Intel CEO Craig Barrett said that Intel should not divide its business into two pieces, especially as it just had a technological breakthrough that would allow it to catch up with TSMC’s N2 process node. Barrett said this in his opinion piece on Fortune, in response to the suggestion of a few former Intel directors that championed dividing the chip giant instead of letting TSMC take it over. Barrett said that the reason why Intel’s foundry business failed in the past years is because it lacked the technology to compete against the Taiwanese chipmaker, not because customers won’t trust Intel since it also makes and sells chips. But now that it’s seeing success with its 18A process technology, he argues that splitting off the foundry will only serve as a distraction and introduce complications. Instead, Intel should focus all its efforts on the 18A node, ensuring that it delivers “good customer service, fair pricing, guaranteed capacity, and a clear separation of chip designers from their foundry customers” alongside this advanced technology. Aside from speaking up against the notion of splitting up Intel, the former CEO also criticized Intel’s former and current board. He said that the Intel board “bears ultimate responsibility for what has happened to Intel over the last decade” while saying that the next CEO to take the company’s reins should build on Pat Gelsinger’s accomplishments. The former CEO also took a swipe at the four former Intel board members. Barrett said that although they mean well, they were academics and former government bureaucrats who weren’t familiar with the complex workings of running a semiconductor business. Pat Gelsinger, who was ousted as CEO of the company just last December, was one of the key people who led Intel to achieve its recent technological breakthroughs that might put it on par with TSMC. Developing and setting up production for new chip technologies takes years, something that Gelsinger pushed under his watch. In the end, it seems that Craig Barrett thinks that forcing Pat Gelsinger to retire was the wrong move for intel. He says, “In my opinion, a far better move might be to fire the Intel board and rehire Pat Gelsinger to finish the job he has aptly handled over the past few years.” Source link #Fire #Intel #board #rehire #Pat #Gelsinger #argues #Intel #CEO #Craig #Barrett Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Michelle Trachtenberg, Shannen Doherty, Tony Todd Among Those Omitted From Oscars In Memoriam Segment – Variety Michelle Trachtenberg, Shannen Doherty, Tony Todd Among Those Omitted From Oscars In Memoriam Segment – Variety Michelle Trachtenberg, Shannen Doherty, Tony Todd Among Those Omitted From Oscars In Memoriam Segment VarietyOscars In Memoriam 2025: Who is The Most “Important” Celebrity That Died In The Last Year? DeciderIn Memoriam Oscars 2025: These are the directors, actors and actresses who left us in 2024 AS USAMichelle Trachtenberg Left Out of Oscars 2025 In Memoriam Segment as Gene Hackman and More Are Honored PEOPLEMichelle Trachtenberg left out of Oscars 2025 ‘In Memoriam’ segment days after NYC death New York Post Source link #Michelle #Trachtenberg #Shannen #Doherty #Tony #Todd #Among #Omitted #Oscars #Memoriam #Segment #Variety Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Oceania Pro League takes shape with 24 applicants Oceania Pro League takes shape with 24 applicants Four *********** football clubs are currently among two dozen chasing slots in the inaugural FIFA-backed Pacific-wide OFC Professional League. Source link #Oceania #Pro #League #takes #shape #applicants Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

As measles outbreak grows, HHS secretary says vaccination is a personal decision that can protect individuals and communities As measles outbreak grows, HHS secretary says vaccination is a personal decision that can protect individuals and communities As a measles outbreak in Texas has grown to nearly 150 cases, US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said in an opinion piece on Fox News on Sunday that parents should consult with health-care providers “to understand their options to get the MMR vaccine” for their children. Kennedy did not explicitly recommend the vaccine, but said the outbreak was a “call to action for all of us to reaffirm our commitment to public health.” “The decision to vaccinate is a personal one,” Kennedy wrote. “Vaccines not only protect individual children from measles, but also contribute to community immunity, protecting those who are unable to be vaccinated due to medical reasons.” Kennedy’s statement on measles vaccination appeared in the piece after a paragraph emphasizing treatment, such as vitamin A, for people who are sick. There is no approved antiviral to treat measles. Kennedy also wrote that health-care providers, leaders and policymakers need to ensure that “accurate information about vaccine safety and efficacy is disseminated. We must engage with communities to understand their concerns, provide culturally competent education, and make vaccines readily accessible for all those who want them.” In a post on X on Friday, Kennedy had said that HHS was providing technical support and vaccines to the state of Texas, as well as lab support, outreach materials in Low ******* — a language commonly used by the Mennonite community in West Texas — and daily communication with local officials. Still, Kennedy’s vaccine comments are in striking contrast to those from former HHS Sec. Alex Azar during the last large measles outbreak in 2019: “We cannot say this enough: Vaccines are a safe and highly effective public health tool that can prevent this disease and end the current outbreak. The measles vaccine is among the most-studied medical products we have and is given safely to millions of children and adults each year. I encourage all Americans to talk to your doctor about what vaccines are recommended to protect you, your family, and your community from measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases.” Kennedy has a history of antivaccine comments, including saying “no vaccine is safe and effective” and tying vaccines to the rise in autism. Studies have found the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine is safe and effective: Two doses of the MMR vaccine are 97% effective and studies have shown there’s no link between autism and the MMR vaccine. During the Texas outbreak, the US Centers for Disease Control and local health officials have continued to recommend vaccination against measles. However, MMR vaccine coverage is declining across the country. For four years, the US has fallen short of the 95% threshold set by HHS to help prevent outbreaks of the highly contagious disease. The outbreak in West Texas has led to 146 measles cases since late January, the majority of them among people who are unvaccinated or whose vaccination status is unknown. There have been 20 patients hospitalized and one death, an unvaccinated school-age child, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. It’s the largest outbreak the state has seen in 30 years, officials say. When asked about the outbreak during President Donald Trump’s first cabinet meeting last week, Kennedy said that “measles outbreaks are not unusual.” However, measles was eliminated in the US in 2000. Experts say some cases are still expected — particularly imported cases associated with international travel — and the US has reported at least a dozen cases each year since reaching elimination status, according to data from the CDC. However, infectious disease experts and local health officials said outbreaks the size and speed of the Texas outbreak are unusual since vaccination became available. In the decade before the introduction of the MMR vaccine in 1963, there were 400 to 500 US measles deaths per year. Until the death of the child in Texas, there had not been a measles death in the US since 2015 and the country had not seen a measles death in a child since 2003. Measles cases have risen in recent years, with 285 US cases reported last year, the most since 2019 when prolonged outbreaks among under vaccinated communities in New York threatened elimination status, according to the CDC. Declining vaccination rates are driving up the number of cases. CNN Health’s Neha Mukherjee, Jacqueline Howard and Meg Tirrell contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Source link #measles #outbreak #grows #HHS #secretary #vaccination #personal #decision #protect #individuals #communities Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Zoe Saldaña makes history with Oscars win for best supporting actress – ABC News Zoe Saldaña makes history with Oscars win for best supporting actress – ABC News Zoe Saldaña makes history with Oscars win for best supporting actress ABC NewsView Full Coverage on Google News Source link #Zoe #Saldaña #history #Oscars #win #supporting #actress #ABC #News Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

The world’s biggest fast food firm that you’ve never heard of The world’s biggest fast food firm that you’ve never heard of Mixue Ice Cream and Tea may be unfamiliar to many of us but the ******** firm has more outlets than McDonald’s and Starbucks. On Monday, the bubble tea chain’s shares jumped by nearly 30% as they started trading on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. The company raised $444m (£352m) in the financial hub’s biggest initial public offering (IPO) of the year. Mixue’s popularity comes as many people in China are grappling with the country’s economic challenges – including a property crisis, and weak consumer and business confidence. It sells ice creams and drinks for an average of six ******** yuan ($0.82; £0.65). The company was founded in 1997 by Zhang Hongchao, a student at Henan University of Finance and Economics, as a part time job to help his family’s finances. Its full name Mìxuě Bīngchéng means “honey snow ice city”, with its stores adorned with its Snow King mascot and playing the firm’s official theme tune on a loop. According to Mixue, it has more than 45,000 stores across China and 11 other countries, including Singapore and Thailand. The firm has also said it plans to continue expanding. That compares to “over 43,000 locations” for McDonald’s and Starbucks’ 40,576 outlets. While it is often seen as China’s biggest bubble tea, iced drinks, and ice cream chain, it operates more like a raw-materials supplier than a traditional brand. Unlike Starbucks, which operates more than half of its stores directly, almost all of Mixue’s outlets are run by franchisees. Mixue’s strong market debut contrasts with its smaller rival Guming, which saw its share slide on its first day of trading in February. Last year, shares in the owner of bubble tea chain Chabaidao also fell on their market debut. Source link #worlds #biggest #fast #food #firm #youve #heard Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Cash splash throws steel town’s businesses a lifeline Cash splash throws steel town’s businesses a lifeline Cash to support local businesses has started flowing into Whyalla, ahead of the first meeting of creditors of the town’s steelworks. Money is reaching small businesses that were left in the lurch much sooner than would be achievable through the administration process, Premier Peter Malinauskas said in Whyalla on Monday. “This means businesses which otherwise would have closed are open, workers who would have been retrenched are being paid and have confidence about the future,” he said. The funds support initiatives under a $100 million investment, which also includes $32.6 million of infrastructure upgrades and $6 million for a Jobs Matching and Skills Hub. That funding is part of the state and federal government’s $2.4 billion package to save the Whyalla Steelworks, support local jobs and encourage more investment in iron and steel. These measures complement the OneSteel administration process underway with KordaMentha, which will hold the first creditors meeting in Whyalla on Monday afternoon. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Mr Malinauskas announced the industry support package on February 20, a day after the SA government rushed legislation through parliament that allowed it to place the steelworks into administration because of the mounting debts of its owners. The creditors meeting is expected to be given an estimate of the total debt owed by OneSteel, a subsidiary of *** billionaire Sanjeev Gupta’s GFG Alliance. Debts that have already been publicly revealed total more than $600 million. “We’ve been working really hard … to get funds moving quickly,” Mr Malinauskas said. “We want an expedited process to reflect the need that exists here in the wider community, because we’re all in on this.” Applications for the Business Creditor Assistance Scheme opened last week and $4.1 million has so far been requested through submissions from businesses that are owed money by OneSteel. The Whyalla Small Local Business Support Grant is also open, with $30,000 in funding delivered to businesses that have experienced a reduction in revenue because of the decline in activity at the Whyalla steelworks. Businesses will also benefit from the establishment of a Whyalla Special Economic Zone, to drive local industry involvement in government projects. Under the plan, any state government procurement valued at $220,000 or more within the region, or projects that can deliver direct economic benefits, will require a Whyalla Tailored Industry Participation Plan. The scheme will give local businesses a competitive advantage of 30 per cent in the tender evaluation process, ensuring government-funded projects contribute directly to economic sustainment and growth in the region. Source link #Cash #splash #throws #steel #towns #businesses #lifeline Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

I wasn’t a fan of the new Echo Show 15 and 21, but Alexa+ has changed my mind I wasn’t a fan of the new Echo Show 15 and 21, but Alexa+ has changed my mind We’ve finally seen our first glimpse of Alexa+, Amazon’s new subscription-based, AI-bolstered voice assistant, and it has me eating my hat. No, not because of its new, exciting features, nor because of Alexa’s new, more personable nature, but because just a few days ago, I was dunking on the Echo Show 15. I can separate my personal feelings from my ability to review a piece of tech, which is why the Echo Show 15 scored a respectable four out of five stars in my review. Still, as I noted then, I couldn’t fathom why Amazon decided it needed a refresh when so little had changed from the original Echo Show 15. Now, I understand entirely, and it’s all to do with Alexa+. A display-first Alexa (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff) At the demo we attended in New York City this week, pretty much all of the demonstrations for Alexa+ were run on an Echo Show 21, which immediately struck my colleague Jake Krol as an interesting indicator for the future of Echo Show devices. Not a single one of Amazon’s best smart speakers were on display, and we’ve got little to no idea how Alexa+ may interface as a voice-only smart assistant. However, for me personally, it served as another reminder that sometimes, these big brands have more in store for their devices than we can imagine. While testing the second-generation Echo Show 15, I was pleased with many of the upgrades but couldn’t quite fathom why Amazon felt the need to update a device so minimally. The audio has been improved, the now-13MP camera has a wider field, but generally speaking, it’s a very iterative update. For a long time, Echo Show devices have been slightly more on the periphery for Amazon’s Echo smart speaker and display devices, especially in the larger 15 inch screen variation. Following my review process, my overwhelming feeling was that Amazon still didn’t know what to do with the Echo Show 15; it supports the Fire TV interface and now comes with an included Fire TV remote, but the audio chops and display mean the device can’t replace the best small TVs. Add to that the fact that you can’t swap out the standard Echo Show user interface for the snazzy new smart-home first interface introduced on the Echo Hub, and I felt pretty justified in my criticisms of the fence-sitting feature set – how wrong I was. A smarter Show future (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff) From what we’ve seen so far, Alexa+ isn’t just an AI-based improvement upon the original smart home voice assistant; it’s actually a complete rethink of how we interact with Amazon’s voice assistant. In addition to a litany of new features and improved smarts, Alexa+ relies heavily on touch-based interactions with the display to respond to Alexa’s suggestions and interact with different widgets on the home screen. You can use Alexa+ for improved media searching, pull up important home documentation and feeds from compatible home security devices, and even use Alexa for booking reservations, cabs, and tickets through third-party services. All around, Alexa takes a more agentic role in the home now, which is more easily delivered through a screen than voice alone. Add to that the fact that Amazon will be rolling out Alexa+ to users who have an Echo Show 8, 10, 15, or 21 in their home (but it will be compatible with a wider range of products), and you begin to build a picture of why Amazon might be moving to more priority on its smart displays than smart speakers. That, and the fact that the brand hasn’t quite been able to monetize the fundamental interactions between customers and their smart speakers, to the tune of $25 billion between 2017 and 2021. I can admit when I’m wrong (but I still think I’m right) (Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol) All this is to say that I underestimated the new second-generation Echo Show 15 and the all-new Echo Show 21; with Alexa+, these devices can work well both as media centers and smart displays… if you have Alexa+ However, a lot of my criticism still stands, and I’m never best pleased by standalone devices where added subscription costs dictate value. Alexa+ costs $19.99 or comes for free as part of an Amazon Prime membership – at least, for now, but the Echo Show 15 and 21 aren’t cheap devices at $299 / £299 and £399 / $399, respectively. As standalone devices without an Alexa+ description, these ******* Show displays still feel a little out on a limb compared to the well-rounded, smaller smart displays we’ve seen from Amazon and some of its competition. That leaves me thinking that, really, the target audience Amazon is trying to carve out for its larger displays is those who are most interested in Alexa+, which is a slightly frustrating predicament when we’ve got little to no insight or control over the long-term pricing strategy. If Amazon rolls out a similar approach to its Ring subscription plan, which has seen several controversial rounds of iterations in recent years, Alexa+ enthusiasts who do invest in a larger Echo Show device might find themselves frustrated when they no longer afford or use Alexa+ and the device isn’t quite as useful as it once was. However, I’d be quite surprised if we see any major changes to the value proposition of Alexa+ or, indeed, Amazon’s larger Echo Shows for a good few years, so it might pay to be an early adopter. Time will tell; perhaps when we get our hands on Alexa+, we can just ask it for answers. You might also like Source link #wasnt #fan #Echo #Show #Alexa #changed #mind Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Boston’s Mayor Wu offers condolences to family of suspect shot after allegedly trying to stab people Boston’s Mayor Wu offers condolences to family of suspect shot after allegedly trying to stab people Boston Mayor Michelle Wu raised eyebrows over the weekend after she expressed condolences to the family of a knife-wielding suspect who was shot and killed by an off-duty officer after he allegedly tried to stab two people on Saturday night. The suspect, whose identity was not released by police, brandished a knife near a Chick-fil-A on Boylston Street, a busy part of the Massachusetts capital. He was fatally shot by an off-duty police officer who saw him targeting the two victims, police said. During a Saturday night press conference, Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox said that the officer identified himself to the suspect and asked him to drop his weapon. “The individual was trying to stab the two individuals in the store, and the off-duty officer identified himself as a police officer, instructing them to drop the weapon, at which point the individual did not comply,” Cox explained. “The officer discharged his weapon to stop the threat, and the individual was struck. The armed individual was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.” Boston Councilwoman Sounds Off After Tom Homan’s Cpac Promise To ‘Bring Hell’: ‘We Don’t Scare Easy’ Boston Mayor Michelle Wu was criticized for her response after a knife-wielding man terrorized two people before being shot and killed by an off-duty officer. Cox added that he was “proud of police officers who activate themselves, whether it’s on duty or off duty, to try to save lives.” Read On The Fox News App After Cox and Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden both expressed some sadness over the loss of life during the incident, Wu notably did not express sympathy for the two people who were nearly stabbed by the suspect, just those “impacted” by the incident, which happened in “one of the busier parts” of Beantown. “My condolences, and all of our thoughts, are with the family of the individual whose life has been lost,” Wu said. “And I’m also thinking of all the people who were impacted here today in one of the busier parts of the city with this tragedy.” “I’m glad that the officer is safe and very grateful for a quick response from all of our first responders here again,” she said. Wu’s remarks were called out by critics across the country on social media shortly after she spoke. Journalist Jonathan Choe wrote that “t’s all upside down in Boston.” Boston Councilwoman Backs Off After Ridiculing Tom Homan’s Employment History In Fiery Post: ‘I Understand’ “When is the last time you heard of a mayor apologizing to the family of a knife wielding attacker who allegedly tried to kill multiple people?” Choe questioned. “What about the people who were nearly killed?” “Boston, I’m going to say this as simply as I can: You desperately need a new mayor. Trust me,” conservative commentator Charlie Kirk said in a different X post. Fox News contributor Joe Concha, a former Boston resident, also weighed in on the incident. “How exactly did Boston vote for this again?” Concha wrote. “I lived in the Back Bay area. It was one of the safest parts of the city. And she’s offering condolences????” “Condolences from the mayor of Boston – wait for it – to a knife-wielding man trying to kill people!” Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., said. “Thankfully this guy was stopped in his tracks by a brave law enforcement officer.” The incident came as Boston officials, including Wu and Cox, have attracted criticism from conservatives for implementing sanctuary city policies. Catherine Vitale, a former city council candidate, told “Fox and Friends” last week that she believes Wu “doesn’t care” about crime in Boston. “There’s tons of crime almost every single day. There’s a shooting. We don’t always hear about them, but we hear them because we’re there. I don’t think that most of the crime actually even gets reported on. People don’t get arrested. Charges don’t get pressed on people who are looting stores,” Vitale said. An off-duty police officer in Boston stopped a man from trying to stab people at a Chick-fil-A, and the city’s mayor offered her condolences to the suspect’s family. Wu is expected in Washington, D.C., this week as one of four Democratic mayors slated to testify before Congress on sanctuary policies. Fox News Digital reached out to Wu for additional comment but did not immediately hear back. Fox News Digital’s Taylor Penley contributed to this report. Original article source: Boston’s Mayor Wu offers condolences to family of suspect shot after allegedly trying to stab people Source link #Bostons #Mayor #offers #condolences #family #suspect #shot #allegedly #stab #people Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Morgan Freeman Honors Gene Hackman at Oscars – The New York Times Morgan Freeman Honors Gene Hackman at Oscars – The New York Times Morgan Freeman Honors Gene Hackman at Oscars The New York TimesGene Hackman death: Sheriff says timeline may be a ‘challenge’ as investigation continues USA TODAYGene Hackman’s wife Betsy Arakawa ‘hadn’t called’ her dementia-plagued mom, 91, in months, housekeeper says YahooGene Hackman, David ****** and Maggie Smith honoured at 2025 Oscars ceremony The GuardianMorgan Freeman Honors Gene Hackman During the 2025 Oscars In Memoriam Rolling Stone Source link #Morgan #Freeman #Honors #Gene #Hackman #Oscars #York #Times Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘No Other Land,’ Whose Politics Deterred Distributors, Wins Best Documentary ‘No Other Land,’ Whose Politics Deterred Distributors, Wins Best Documentary The film is often brutal, featuring disturbing images of razed houses, crying children, bereft mothers and even on-camera shootings. And it entered a perennially supercharged political climate at an especially sensitive moment, debuting within months of ******’s attack on Oct. 7, 2023, and Israel’s response in the ************ enclave of Gaza. The politics of the Israeli-************ conflict are especially prominent in Hollywood. Last year, the entertainment executive Ari Emanuel, who is Jewish, drew boos after criticizing Israel’s conservative prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, while accepting an award from a major Jewish group in Los Angeles. And at last year’s Oscars ceremony, the British director Jonathan Glazer, who is also Jewish, compared aspects of his Holocaust film, “The Zone of Interest,” to elements of the present conflict — an acceptance speech that provoked dueling letters condemning and defending it. At the same ceremony, some attendees wore pins distributed by Artists4Ceasefire, a group that was then calling for a cease-fire in the Israel-****** war. At this year’s ceremony, the speeches by Adra and Abraham, who were joined onstage by their two other directors, Hamdan Ballal and Rachel Szor, were greeted with applause. The *********** actor Guy Pearce, a best supporting actor nominee who wore a “Free Palestine” lapel pin on the Oscars red carpet, could be seen on television encouraging the filmmakers on as they passed him on their way to the stage. During his acceptance speech, Abraham seemed aware of the prominent stage he had. Calling for a resolution to the Israeli-************ conflict that provides national rights for both peoples, he said, “I have to say, as I am here, the foreign policy in this country is helping to block this path.” Source link #Land #Politics #Deterred #Distributors #Wins #Documentary Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Academy Awards 2025 The best jokes from Conan O’Brien’s Oscars monologue Academy Awards 2025 The best jokes from Conan O’Brien’s Oscars monologue Right from kick-off Conan O’Brien showed he was up for fun and wasn’t afraid to poke fun at himself and the major stars in his first outing as host of the Academy Awards. Setting the off-beat tone, he was announced as a “four-time Oscar viewer” and emerged from Demi Moore’s spine, ala body horror Best Picture nominated movie The Substance, where Margaret Qualley’s character does the same. It was full of fun and chaos, exactly as former late night host O’Brien likes it. And, he even included a wacky dance number where the Dune worm played chopsticks on a grand piano followed by a dancing Deadpool. Camera IconConan O’Brien dancing as the Dune work plays chopsticks. Credit: Myung J. Chun/Los Angeles Times via Getty Imag Here are some of the best jokes from the opening monologue. Ageing: “I know what you’re thinking: ‘Did Conan not have work done? Seriously, he looks his age.’” “A Complete Unknown, A Real Pain, Nosferatu. These are just some of the names I was called on the red carpet. I think two were fair.” Camera IconIn a spoof skit Conan O’Brien emerges from Demi Moore’s character from The Substance. Credit: X/Conan O’Brien/suppliedAdam Sandler In a joke that had shades of Volodymyr Zelensky’s disastrous visit to the White House last week during which he was savaged for not wearing a suit, O’Brien ripped into Adam Sandler. O’Brien: “Adam, what are you wearing?” he asked. Sandler: “Conan, what are you doing?” O’Brien: “I’m asking you what you’re wearing.” Sandler: “No one even thought about what I was wearing until you brought it up.” O’Brien: “You are dressed like a guy playing video poker at 2AM.” Sandler: “I like the way I look. Because I’m a good person. I don’t care about what I wear and what I don’t wear. “My snazzy gym shorts and fluffy sweatshirt offend you so much that you had to mock me in front (of) my peers!” Camera IconAdam Sandler got roasted by Conan O’Brien. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty ImagesWicked “It’s the perfect movie for anybody who’s ever finished watching The Wizard of Oz and thought, Sure, but where did all the minor characters go to college?” Scandal-plagued movie Emilia Perez It might be nominated for 13 Academy Awards, but Emilia Perez has had anything but a smooth run in the lead up to the Oscars, with Best Actress nominee Karla Sofia Gascón in trouble for some unwise tweets. O’Brien simply couldn’t resist. “Karla Sofía Gascón is here tonight. Karla, if you are going to tweet about the Oscars, remember: My name is Jimmy Kimmel,” he joked. And, he returned to the scandal later, saying “Anora uses the F-word 479 times. That’s three more than the record set by Karla Sofía Gascón’s publicist.” On AI It’s a huge issue for Hollywood at the moment, so of course O’Brien had to give it a mention. “We did not use AI to make this show. No AI. We would never do that. We use child labour. Hey, they’re still people!” Babygirl In a reference to one of the most talked about movies of the year, although it is not nominated, Babygirl and on of its supporting actors Antonio Banderas, O’Brien gave a nod to its raunchy themes and again poked fun at himself. He noted Banderas plays “a man who doesn’t know how to give his wife an orgasm”. But O’Brien said this was probably the actor’s “most challenging role of his career. Should’ve come to me, man.” Source link #Academy #Awards #jokes #Conan #OBriens #Oscars #monologue Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Is Axon Enterprise Stock a Buy, Sell, or Hold in 2025? Is Axon Enterprise Stock a Buy, Sell, or Hold in 2025? The new year is only two months old, but there’s already been plenty of excitement around Axon Enterprise (NASDAQ: AXON). The law enforcement technology stock was one of the best performers on the S&P 500 in 2024, more than doubling last year, leaving investors wondering if it can keep up its momentum in 2025. As the chart below shows, Axon is down for the year as an analyst note about a fallout with partner Flock Safety led to a sharp sell-off in the third week of February. A better-than-expected fourth-quarter earnings report helped recoup some of those losses. AXON data by YCharts So is Axon a buy, sell, or hold in 2025? Let’s examine the arguments for each one below. Image source: Axon. The main reason to buy Axon at this point seems to be that the company continues to execute across the board, and the business is firing on all cylinders. The company just completed its third straight year with revenue up more than 30%, and margins continue to expand. Revenue jumped 33% to $2.1 billion in 2024 and it reported generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) net income of $377 million. Axon, which is best known for Taser electrical stun guns and body cameras, is delivering strong growth across the board, and its software business continues to grow rapidly. The company is now generating $1 billion in annual recurring revenue, primarily from its software products, which have helped create switching costs and a competitive advantage. Management also expects a strong performance in 2025, calling for 25% growth at the midpoint of its range of $2.55 billion to $2.65 billion. Beyond its current results, there are a number of reasons the company looks poised for success over the next three to five years. First, it’s innovating with new products like Draft One, a generative artificial intelligence (AI) tool that automatically takes footage from body cameras and dashboard cameras and generates initial drafts of police reports. The early response from police has been overwhelmingly positive as it’s a valuable time-saver, and it should pave the way to more value-adding AI products from Axon. Additionally, the company is expanding its addressable market into the enterprise sector, saying that it won its largest deal ever last year, from a global logistics company. That shows there’s a significant market for body cameras beyond just law enforcement, and that’s likely to pave the way to more growth as well. In some ways, Axon stock is a victim of its own success as the valuation has steadily expanded in recent years, putting pressure on the stock. Currently, it trades at a price-to-sales ratio of about 20, which is expensive, but it doesn’t seem unreasonable for a company of its growth rate and its technological advantage. Palantir, which is growing at a similar rate to Axon and serves an adjacent market, trades at a price-to-sales ratio of around 70, by comparison. Story Continues Investors also seem anxious about the fallout from the dissolution of the Flock Safety relationship. However, management addressed that on the call with President Josh Isner saying the response was “somewhat overblown.” He said that Axon did exit a partnership with Flock, but was hopeful that both sides would come back to the bargaining table and restart that partnership as Flock had rejected the terms that Axon had asked for. While that may be a setback for the stock for now, it sets it up for a strong recovery if Axon can forge an agreement with Flock. At this point, Axon may be due for a breather after more than doubling last year, and the sell-off on the Flock news shows the stock seems to be priced for perfection. At this point, investors may be wise to hold the stock if they own it, but wait for a better entry point to buy it as there are plenty of signs that the broad market is frothy and concerns about federal budget cuts, weak consumer demand, and inflation could all put pressure on the stock this year. At its current valuation, there is room for the stock to move lower, even if the company executes on its goals for the year and meets or exceeds guidance. Given the company’s track record and its ability to capitalize on new AI technology through products like Draft One, the stock continues to look like a strong buy. While the valuation may deter some investors, it’s not as much of a risk as it was earlier in the year as the stock is now down 26% from its previous peak, setting up an opportunity for recovery and making it significantly cheaper than it was just a couple of weeks ago. Regardless of what happens in the broader stock market or even with AI technology, Axon has strong momentum and looks well positioned for success over the next few years. It’s a smart buy for long-term investors. Ever feel like you missed the boat in buying the most successful stocks? Then you’ll want to hear this. On rare occasions, our expert team of analysts issues a “Double Down” stock recommendation for companies that they think are about to pop. If you’re worried you’ve already missed your chance to invest, now is the best time to buy before it’s too late. And the numbers speak for themselves: Nvidia: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2009, you’d have $323,920!* Apple: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2008, you’d have $45,851!* Netflix: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2004, you’d have $528,808!* Right now, we’re issuing “Double Down” alerts for three incredible companies, and there may not be another chance like this anytime soon. Continue » *Stock Advisor returns as of February 24, 2025 Jeremy Bowman has positions in Axon Enterprise. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Axon Enterprise and Palantir Technologies. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Is Axon Enterprise Stock a Buy, Sell, or Hold in 2025? was originally published by The Motley Fool Source link #Axon #Enterprise #Stock #Buy #Sell #Hold Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Oscars 2025 live update: 'Anora' and 'Emilia Pérez' start the night strong with awards, Conan O'Brien keeps the jokes coming and a list of winners – Yahoo Entertainment Oscars 2025 live update: 'Anora' and 'Emilia Pérez' start the night strong with awards, Conan O'Brien keeps the jokes coming and a list of winners – Yahoo Entertainment Oscars 2025 live update: ‘Anora’ and ‘Emilia Pérez’ start the night strong with awards, Conan O’Brien keeps the jokes coming and a list of winners Yahoo EntertainmentConan O’Brien’s Oscars Monologue: Little Roasting, No Politics, Very Silly The New York TimesOscars 2025: Host Conan pays homage to Hollywood after fires, takes jabs at nominees ABC7 Los AngelesConan O’Brien Takes Aim at Karla Sofía Gascón in Oscar Monologue: ‘If You’re Going to Tweet About the Oscars, My Name Is Jimmy Kimmel’ Variety Source link #Oscars #live #update #039Anora039 #039Emilia #Pérez039 #start #night #strong #awards #Conan #O039Brien #jokes #coming #list #winners #Yahoo #Entertainment Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Predicted round one teams for West Coast Eagles and Fremantle Dockers ahead of 2025 season openers Predicted round one teams for West Coast Eagles and Fremantle Dockers ahead of 2025 season openers The pre-season matches are over, and we’ve now got our clearest indication of what our WA club’s line-ups will look like in Round 1. Here’s our projected sides and each club’s three biggest selection questions. Source link #Predicted #teams #West #Coast #Eagles #Fremantle #Dockers #ahead #season #openers Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Three people taken to hospital after serious vehicle ****** in Sacramento Three people taken to hospital after serious vehicle ****** in Sacramento (FOX40.COM) — Emergency crews responded to a vehicle ****** in Sacramento on Sunday morning. According to Sacramento Metro Fire, the incident happened at the intersection of Fulton Avenue and Larkspur Lane at around 11:45 a.m. with one vehicle being on its roof. Two teens hospitalized after shooting in Sacramento When crews arrived, they were able to stabilize the vehicle and extricate the victim inside while providing medical care, officials said. As of 1:30 p.m., a total of three patients have been transported to a local hospital to be treated for injuries. One patient remains in critical condition while the other two sustained moderate injuries, said officials. At this time, law enforcement is investigating the scene. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40 News. Source link #people #hospital #vehicle #****** #Sacramento Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Oscars: ‘Anora’, ‘Wicked’, ‘Dune: Part Two’ & ‘Emilia Pérez’ Are Double Winners; Saldaña, Culkin Nab Prizes – Updating Live – Deadline Oscars: ‘Anora’, ‘Wicked’, ‘Dune: Part Two’ & ‘Emilia Pérez’ Are Double Winners; Saldaña, Culkin Nab Prizes – Updating Live – Deadline Oscars: ‘Anora’, ‘Wicked’, ‘Dune: Part Two’ & ‘Emilia Pérez’ Are Double Winners; Saldaña, Culkin Nab Prizes – Updating Live DeadlineView Full Coverage on Google News Source link #Oscars #Anora #Wicked #Dune #Part #amp #Emilia #Pérez #Double #Winners #Saldaña #Culkin #Nab #Prizes #Updating #Live #Deadline Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

*********'s best still ahead of him: Giants star Hogan *********'s best still ahead of him: Giants star Hogan GWS star Jesse Hogan hopes recruit Jake ********* will be play alongside him sooner rather than later and believes the ex-Bomber’s best is still ahead of him. Source link #Stringer039s #ahead #Giants #star #Hogan Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]