Pelican Press

Guy Pearce Says Kevin Spacey 'Targeted Me' While Filming L.A. Confidential – Hollywood Reporter Guy Pearce Says Kevin Spacey 'Targeted Me' While Filming L.A. Confidential – Hollywood Reporter Guy Pearce Says Kevin Spacey ‘Targeted Me’ While Filming L.A. Confidential Hollywood ReporterGuy Pearce says Kevin Spacey “targeted” him on L.A. Confidential set The A.V. Club‘Awards Chatter’ Pod: Guy Pearce on ‘The Brutalist,’ Chasing the Quality of ‘L.A. Confidential,’ Hating Himself in ‘Memento’ and “******* Predator” Kevin Spacey Yahoo Entertainment’Too much pressure’: Guy Pearce reflects on scoring an Oscar and BAFTA nomination for comeback role The Brutalist 9Honey CelebrityWith award-winning The Brutalist, actor Guy Pearce, 57, makes his Hollywood return The Straits Times Source link #Guy #Pearce #Kevin #Spacey #039Targeted #Me039 #Filming #L.A #Confidential #Hollywood #Reporter Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Boon for Boomers: Irving wants to represent Australia Boon for Boomers: Irving wants to represent Australia NBA superstar Kyrie Irving has declared he wants to play for Australia. Irving, a nine-time NBA All-Star, was born in Melbourne while his dad Drederick was playing for the Bulleen Boomers.The Dallas Mavericks guard was part of the United States team that won gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics. But Irving has made it clear he now wants to switch camps and join the Boomers, revealing to reporters at the All-Star event in San Francisco that the ball is already rolling. “We’re in the process of that right now, just trying to figure out the best route for me to be eligible,” Irving said. “There’s a lot of paperwork in between that. Obviously, Team USA still has a decision to make. “I’m just trying to do what’s best for me. Honestly, if I can be an Aussie at one point in my career and play for the *********** team, that would be great.” Basketball Australia, USA Basketball and governing body FIBA would all need to sign off on the move. Gaining access to a player like Irving, who in 2023 signed a three-year deal with the Mavs worth $US126 million, would be a huge bonus for the Boomers. Irving will be 36 years old when Los Angeles hosts the 2028 Olympics, with young guns Dyson Daniels and Josh Giddey likely to be entering their prime at that tournament. Irving, the No.1 pick in the 2011 draft, won the 2016 NBA title alongside *********** Matthew Dellavedova at Cleveland. Source link #Boon #Boomers #Irving #represent #Australia Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Mark Wahlberg is the Perfect MC For a Movie Adaptation of EA’s Most Bankable Game Franchise Mark Wahlberg is the Perfect MC For a Movie Adaptation of EA’s Most Bankable Game Franchise Since 2021, fans have not been rewarded with a new Battlefield game. The primary game gap is getting to be the longest in the franchise’s history, as more than three years have gone by since the controversial Battlefield 2042 launch. But that’s probably for a good cause. Battlefield is one of the greatest gaming franchises of all time. | Credit: Electronic Arts. The majority of reviews for this game were unfavorable because many people thought it was a “step back” for the franchise. Now that thorough playtests are beginning, EA appears committed to making amends with Battlefield 2025. Despite being a huge franchise in the gaming world, this series never shed some light on the silver screens, but that might become a reality in the near future. There are possibilities of a Battlefield movie EA should make a movie on Battlefield 4. | Credit: Electronic Arts. In an interview with IGN, Head of Respawn & Group GM for EA Studios Organization Vince Zampella talked about the upcoming game as he confirmed that the franchise will be returning to a modern setting rather than the World War scenarios. While talking about the upcoming game, Zampella was asked about any possibilities of a Battlefield movie. In reply, this what he stated: There are definitely opportunities there. We’ve had some discussions, but it’s not our core business. To me, that stuff, when it works, it’s super cool… Like Arcane was f*cking great. But there are other ones that haven’t worked as well and I won’t name those, but you know what they are. It won’t be an absurd idea to make a film based on this great franchise, keeping in mind the likes of Arcane, Castlevania, and many more. The main challenge for any live-action Battlefield adaptation, though, would be tough to stand out from all of the other World War II, Vietnam, or contemporary war movies and television series that have already been made. Another challenge would be choosing the right game to make a live-action adaptation. There are many actually, but Battlefield 4 might be the best bet for EA and Respawn. But there is a problem, who will fill the shoes of Daniel Recker, the protagonist of the game? The answer is easy, it will be Mark Wahlberg. We have previously seen how this American actor gave a remarkable performance in Lone Survivor as he played the role of a United States Navy SEAL Team member during the war in Afghanistan. EA already made some efforts to bring Battlefield onto the silver screen Battlefield: Bad Company was about to be adapted to the small screen. | Credit: Electronic Arts. It’s not like there were no steps taken to bring this long-hailed franchise to the movie screens. In 2016, Paramount Television and Anonymous Content obtained the rights to make a TV series based on the franchise by Electronic Arts and DICE. The deal would have provided a wide range of options on that front because it covered broadcast, cable, premium cable, and streaming services. Michael Sugar was the executive producer of this series who previously served in that role on shows such as Stroumboulopoulos and The OA, while also producing Spotlight and The Fifth Estate. Sugar assured the fans that his team would “develop the Battlefield TV series with the same commitment to robust storytelling that has made the game such a runaway success for nearly 15 years.” Fox also made an effort to adapt Battlefield on the small screen back in 2012. The concept, which was based on Battlefield: Bad Company, was supposed to be an hour-long action-comedy. Sadly, none of the 2012 or 2016 projects came to fruition. We hope that won’t be the case anymore with future live-action adaptation plans after the words from Zampella. Source link #Mark #Wahlberg #Perfect #Movie #Adaptation #EAs #Bankable #Game #Franchise Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Gov. Abbott orders TEA probe of Houston school for calling a student by chosen name and pronouns Gov. Abbott orders TEA probe of Houston school for calling a student by chosen name and pronouns Gov. Greg Abbott said he demanded that the state’s education agency investigate a Houston high school whose teachers were accused by a local conservative activist of “transitioning” a student they were calling by the student’s chosen name and pronouns. In a social media post Saturday, Abbott also called for lawmakers to prohibit the practice at all schools. “No parent should have to endure this,” Abbott said. “No school should be involved in ‘transitioning’ a child. If this is not already ********, it will be after this session. I have instructed TEA to investigate this matter.” Denise Bell, who leads the Moms for Liberty chapter in Harris County, spoke at a school board meeting on behalf of a parent she did not name. The group advocates against school curricula and teachings that include LGBTQ rights. The mother’s child is a junior at Houston ISD’s Bellaire High School, according to the testimony Bell read. On the first day of freshman year, the student took home an information sheet that asked for students’ pronouns. “Multiple teachers started calling her by a different name and pronouns. One teacher even went as far as to cross out my daughter’s legal name that she had written on her paper and write her chosen name in red ink,” the woman said in the statement read by Bell. “This occurred without our knowledge and certainly without our consent.” She added: “This goes against our Christian faith, the advice of her therapist, and quite frankly common sense. We met with her teachers, counselors, and the principal to no avail. HISD is purposely and secretively transitioning” minors. Spokespeople for Houston ISD, which is under state control, did not immediately respond Monday to a request for comment. Neither did the Texas Education Agency, whose spokespeople told the Houston Chronicle it was “reviewing the matter.” Moms for Liberty shared on social media a minute-long clip of Bell’s comments, which Abbott reposted — and said it served as “another reason why parents deserve school choice.” Abbott has said he’s confident the Legislature will pass a school vouchers package — often referred to as school choice — during the current legislative session after multiple failed attempts during the last regular session and four subsequent special sessions in 2023. Source link #Gov #Abbott #orders #TEA #probe #Houston #school #calling #student #chosen #pronouns Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

The 3 “foundational pillars” Marvel Rivals Used to Beat Overwatch 2 Is What Blizzard Needs to Stay Alive The 3 “foundational pillars” Marvel Rivals Used to Beat Overwatch 2 Is What Blizzard Needs to Stay Alive When Marvel Rivals burst onto the scene in December 2024, many dismissed it as just another hero shooter trying to cash in on the Marvel name. Two months later, NetEase’s ambitious title hasn’t just proven the skeptics wrong—it’s completely flipped the script on what players expect from the genre itself. The rookie wasn’t supposed to be this good! | Image Credit: NetEase Games While Blizzard struggled to keep Overwatch 2 players engaged with controversial decisions and lackluster updates one after another, Marvel Rivals quietly built something special. The secret? Three core principles that transformed what could have been just another clone into the new king of competitive hero shooters. And now, as Blizzard scrambles to win back players with their biggest update yet, we’re left wondering if they’re finally learning the right lessons—or if it’s too little, too late. How Marvel Rivals rewrote the hero shooter rulebook The success of Marvel Rivals isn’t just about slapping superhero skins on familiar gameplay. NetEase understood that creating a truly compelling hero shooter required more than just flashy abilities and recognizable characters. In a recent interview with Unreal Engine, Technical Lead Designer Ruan Weikang revealed the three pillars that shaped their approach: These three core elements—Super Hero authenticity, environmental destruction, and team-based competition—together form the foundational pillars of Marvel Rivals’ gameplay. This isn’t just marketing speak. For each hero, the team conducted exhaustive research across Marvel’s 85-year history, ensuring every ability felt true to the character while maintaining competitive balance. The result? Well, as the game’s 300,000+ daily active playerbase can now attest: heroes and villains that don’t just look like their comic counterparts—but also embody them in every punch, blast, and web-swing. For each character, we conduct exhaustive research across all source material, particularly comics, to distill their fundamental essence. These core elements inform our gameplay design, ensuring each hero’s most distinctive qualities are faithfully translated into interactive mechanics. This attention to detail extends beyond individual heroes. The game’s destructible environments, powered by UE5’s Chaos Destruction system, aren’t just eye candy—they fundamentally change how each match plays out, creating dynamic battlefields where players can blast open new pathways, use debris as cover, and truly feel like Earth’s mightiest heroes. Can Overwatch 2′s Season 15 update turn the tide? Time to see if the old guard still has some fight. | Image Credit: Blizzard Entertainment With Marvel Rivals dominating the conversation, Blizzard has finally decided to wake up. Overwatch 2‘s Season 15 update, launching February 18, reads like a direct response to player feedback: the return of 6v6 gameplay, a new “Perks” system for hero customization, and even the revival of loot boxes (now with guaranteed drops and sans the predatory microtransactions). But here’s the real question: can these changes help Blizzard recapture the magic that once made them special? While Overwatch might have pioneered the modern hero shooter, Marvel Rivals has redefined it. The student has become the master, and if Blizzard wants to stay relevant, they’ll need to take some notes from NetEase’s playbook. The timing couldn’t be more crucial. With Marvel Rivals preparing to complete its Fantastic Four roster on February 21, Blizzard’s window for winning back players is rapidly closing. Sometimes, even the teacher needs to learn from the student. What do you think about Marvel Rivals‘ approach to hero shooter design? Can Overwatch 2 bounce back with its Season 15 update? Share your thoughts in the comments below! Source link #foundational #pillars #Marvel #Rivals #Beat #Overwatch #Blizzard #Stay #Alive Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Brady Corbet Says ‘The Brutalist’ Made Him “Zero Dollars” & Fellow Oscar-Nominated Directors “Can’t Pay Their Rent” – Deadline Brady Corbet Says ‘The Brutalist’ Made Him “Zero Dollars” & Fellow Oscar-Nominated Directors “Can’t Pay Their Rent” – Deadline Brady Corbet Says ‘The Brutalist’ Made Him “Zero Dollars” & Fellow Oscar-Nominated Directors “Can’t Pay Their Rent” Deadline’The Brutalist’ Director Says the Film Has Made Him ‘Zero Income’ — and Other Oscar Nominees ‘Can’t Pay Their Rent’ PEOPLEBrady Corbet Claims He’s Broke Jordan RuimyBrady Corbet has made “zero dollars” from The Brutalist The A.V. Club’The Brutalist’ Director Says He’s Earned ‘Zero Income’ From the Film Us Weekly Source link #Brady #Corbet #Brutalist #Dollars #amp #Fellow #OscarNominated #Directors #Pay #Rent #Deadline Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Lynette Murphy obituary: ‘angel’ who gifted time and love to so many Lynette Murphy obituary: ‘angel’ who gifted time and love to so many Lynette Murphy was chosen from numerous nominees for the inaugural Anglicare Community Angel award for giving her time and energy freely. Source link #Lynette #Murphy #obituary #angel #gifted #time #love Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

NYU College Republicans Ditch President in Bid for Barron NYU College Republicans Ditch President in Bid for Barron The president of the New York University chapter of the College Republicans of America submitted her resignation, the organization announced Monday, after a comment she made about NYU freshman Barron Trump rubbed them the wrong way. Kaya Walker told Vanity Fair that the son of the president is “sort of like an oddity on campus,” adding, “He goes to class, he goes home.” That, according to the College Republicans of America, was an “inappropriate” statement, even though other students have said Barron doesn’t spend much time on campus. In a press release, the student group said that Walker’s comment “does not align with the values and principles upheld by our organization.” “Though Vanity Fair and The Independent unfairly framed what was said, upon review, we still found it to be inappropriate,” they continued. “The NYU chapter President submitted her resignation last night.” Walker could not be reached for comment. After emphasizing its support for President Donald Trump, the organization said it is inviting Barron Trump to join. “Barron Trump represents the future of the conservative movement, and we would be honored to have him join College Republicans of America,” CRA President Will Donahue said. “Strong leadership is built on resilience, courage, and the humility to rise above petty hostility – qualities that Barron has already demonstrated. We invite Barron to join us in shaping the future of our party.” The youngest of Trump’s children has kept a relatively low profile during his time at NYU. He was first spotted in September, and according to a December TMZ report, is a gamer who doesn’t spend much time on campus. The CRA said its NYU chapter was working on a “smooth transition” of its leadership while adding its support of President Trump “is, and has been, a pillar of our organization.” Source link #NYU #College #Republicans #Ditch #President #Bid #Barron Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

A look at recent aviation disasters in North America – The Associated Press A look at recent aviation disasters in North America – The Associated Press A look at recent aviation disasters in North America The Associated PressLive updates: Delta Air Lines plane crashes in Toronto, Canada CNNDelta jet flips upside down on a snowy Toronto runway and all 80 aboard survive The Associated PressUpside-down plane: Experts weigh in on Delta flight flip-over in Toronto USA TODAY Source link #aviation #disasters #North #America #Press Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Ex-Dev Claimed Halo AI Literally Watched How You Play To Make the Game More Fun, Change How Enemies React Ex-Dev Claimed Halo AI Literally Watched How You Play To Make the Game More Fun, Change How Enemies React There’s absolutely no denying the fact that Halo is one of the most influential gaming franchises of all time. Ever since the release of Combat Evolved back in 2011, the series has completely transformed the first-person shooters and online multiplayer. Halo franchise is still making waves in the gaming industry. (Image via Microsoft) Sure, some can argue that Halo has lost its former luster, but it shouldn’t take away from its amazing gameplay and storylines. While Bungie was in charge of the series, it managed to set apart the game from the competition, all thanks to the AI model that reacted to players’ movements in the game. Bungie brought a unique AI system in Halo Halo’s AI wasn’t static like that of rival shooters. (Image via Microsoft) While chatting with Engadget, ex-Halo game designer Jamie Grisemer opened up about Bungie’s approach to the franchise and how it managed to create one of the most legendary experiences ever. Grisemer was one of the key figures who helped design combat design, vehicle designs, and, most crucially, AI. Grisemer explained what made Halo a unique title compared to other shooters. According to him, one of the best parts about the title is that it adjusted difficulty based on player actions. Bungie didn’t use any kind of artificial difficulty scaling, which meant that the game didn’t become easier if you struggled. It doesn’t do any magical dynamic difficulty; it doesn’t make itself easier if you *****. But just naturally, how it is tuned, it waits to see what you will do, how hard you will push, and then it pushes back at just the right resistance. In the original Halo trilogy, AI reacted to everything organically. This meant that if players were cautious while picking off enemies, the challenge would be manageable. However, if they behaved recklessly, the game decided to go aggressive as well in terms of difficulty in order to punish players. That’s not all; Bungie’s unique AI model allowed for better pacing in the game. It meant that if shields were down and you retreated, enemies wouldn’t hunt you down like other shooters; you could recover in peace. This allowed the studio to craft a unique combat experience that felt player-driven instead of the pre-scripted slop the hero-shooter genre suffers from. Halo 1 remake is on its way according to leaks Combat Evolved is rumored to get a remake. (Image via Microsoft) When 343 Industries confirmed that it’s rebranding to Halo Studios, it also revealed that it was moving to Unreal Engine 5 and shared several renders that featured iconography from Halo: Combat Evolved. Gamers felt like a remake of the title was coming, but Microsoft didn’t confirm anything. However, according to leaker Rebs Gaming, the Halo: Combat Evolved remake is real, and it started its pre-production back in 2024. He states that the remake is in full production, with the proof being that the studio is increasing its hiring processes as it leaps further into the development cycle. Alongside Halo: Combat Evolved remake rumors, Rebs Gaming also revealed details about a project rumored to be developed by Certain Affinity called Ekur. He believes that Ekur has been in the development stage since 2022, and there are full-blown testing servers for the project that went online in June 2024. Rebs Gaming thinks that Ekur will be the next Halo game, as opposed to a remake. However, it’s crucial to take everything with a pinch of salt, as everything is still a rumor, and nothing has been stated officially With that said, do you believe Halo‘s AI is significantly better than its rivals? Let us know in the comments below. Source link #ExDev #Claimed #Halo #Literally #Watched #Play #Game #Fun #Change #Enemies #React Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Reward to crack 'savage' ******* of loved father-of-five Reward to crack 'savage' ******* of loved father-of-five A reward of $500,000 is being offered a year after a grandfather’s decomposing body was found in the bushland where he’d been camping. Source link #Reward #crack #039savage039 #******* #loved #fatheroffive Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Xbox 2025 Roadmap Has a Marvel Game That Better Not Be an Exclusive Because Unlike Rabid PS5 Fans, We Don’t Want Anyone To Suffer Xbox 2025 Roadmap Has a Marvel Game That Better Not Be an Exclusive Because Unlike Rabid PS5 Fans, We Don’t Want Anyone To Suffer Roadmaps are one of the best things in the gaming industry to look forward to as fans of a franchise or a particular platform. However, Xbox’s 2025 roadmap for games includes a title, Marvel’s Blade, that we wish wouldn’t be released exclusively to the platform, not especially after we are so close to ending the console wars. Xbox’s 2025 Roadmap for games has one games that might start a war | Microsoft Gaming The roadmap has some big surprises, but the focus is just on that one game for now. If this game ends up being an exclusive, it could be a massive win for the green team, but the cost would be dialing back all the progress Phil Spencer has made while trying to get rid of the platform differences. Marvel’s Blade on Xbox and why it shouldn’t be an exclusive Alleged Xbox 2025 updated Roadmap Being real with every gamer out there, PlayStation has launched some pretty great franchises in the past decade, whether that be Marvel’s Spider-Man or God of War. This calls for Xbox to have some wins too, but locking Marvel’s Blade, as seen in the platform’s latest updated roadmap (as noted by Pure Xbox) behind the exclusivity fortress, would be a move that would make them no better than Sony. As we look ahead to 2025, Xbox has a golden opportunity. They can show they’re not just another company playing the exclusivity war but a platform that values players first. This is something they have actively been working on already, and a multi-platform release of Marvel’s Blade might be the final piece of the puzzle. Marvel’s Blade ultimately has all the potential in the world, but it will only be worth it if its able to reach the right audience who will appreciate it, and that audience can exist on any platform. Why Marvel’s Blade is a big deal Marvel’s Blade by Arkane Lyon was announced at The Game Awards 2023 Marvel’s Blade, first showcased during The Game Awards 2023, brings to life the cool vampire hunter through an immersive adaptation. Under Xbox, it might even potentially evolve into something way better than the restrictive ecosystem of PlayStation would have allowed it to be. Marvel has already been pushing itself into the gaming industry in recent times. This ranges from the massively successful launch of Marvel Rivals to occasional collaborations with other games such as Fortnite. Even dedicated video games to superheroes have shown good reception. The Marvel’s Spider-Man series is a good example of the same, with gamers now showing excitement for the much-anticipated Marvel’s Wolverine title as well. Source link #Xbox #Roadmap #Marvel #Game #Exclusive #Rabid #PS5 #Fans #Dont #Suffer Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

12 Signs Cracker Barrel Isn’t Doing So Well 12 Signs Cracker Barrel Isn’t Doing So Well While the restaurant industry has generally returned to pre-pandemic levels, with the National Restaurant Association even predicting $1.5 trillion in sales for 2025, that doesn’t mean that every restaurant is doing equally well. And while chain restaurants thrive, dining suffers, as many full-service restaurants are still struggling to bring in customers. And 2024 was particularly hard for the industry, with two of the biggest names in the business, Red Lobster and TGI Fridays, filing for Chapter 11. Another restaurant that’s been on shaky ground since the pandemic is Cracker Barrel, the Southern-style casual dining restaurant that combines the homey cuisine of a country kitchen with the folksy decor of a country garage *****. Known for its large portions, even larger gift-shops and porches full of rocking chairs, the brand has carved out a beloved niche amongst its competitors that helped it spread to 657 stores across the country,ensuring that there are only a few states in the U.S. where you won’t find a Cracker Barrel. And while it still has legions of devoted diners, there’s been plenty of speculation about Cracker Barrel struggling financially, with rumors even spreading that it was planning to close completely. And while those reports never came true, there are signs that Cracker Barrel’s been having a rough time of it lately, with investor shakeups, lower attendance and even closing stores. Let’s break down some of the biggest signs that Cracker Barrel might be starting to crumble. If you’re looking for a big sign that a company is struggling, it’s hard to top the CEO just flat-out saying that the company is out of date and behind the times. But that’s what happened in a May 2024 investment call, where Cracker Barrel CEO Julie Felss Masino told investors that “We’re just not as relevant as we once were … some of our recipes and processes haven’t evolved in decades.” And Masino, a former Taco Bell executive who became the Cracker Barrel CEO in 2023, definitely has a point, as Cracker Barrel hasn’t changed much since it was founded in 1969. But that was actually a selling point, as it appealed to diners’ nostalgia through its comfort food and the old-timey gift shop that goes with it. And when you’re appealing to nostalgia, you don’t want to embrace change, which is why the stores have largely remained the same for over half a century, and even why Cracker Barrel has that peg game. Because there’s just something comforting about knowing that you’ll be walking into the same country-style decor you’ve always known and that you can order the same food you’ve always ordered. But that nostalgic appeal does make it hard to innovate and to connect with younger, less nostalgic diners, as they know that this is, quite literally, their grandma’s Cracker Barrel. An open cash register drawer, showing various bills – Michael Burrell/Getty Images If there’s one thing a healthy company wants to brag about, it’s financial growth. But during that 2024 call, the CEO also admitted that its sales levels had flattened out, with first quarter earnings of $935 million, the same as the year before. Why isn’t Cracker Barrel growing? Well, it doesn’t help that 2024 has also been a hard year overall for casual dining chains, with those multiple bankruptcies we mentioned earlier and even large chains like Denny’s closing 150 stores across the country. One reason is rising labor costs, as faster employee wage growth has been eating into full-service restaurants’ profits. According to a study by point-of-***** company Square, wages for full-service workers have grown 73.9% since 2017. (By comparison, quick-service restaurants have only gone up by 60.2%, which is one of the reasons they’re doing better than full-service chains). Cracker Barrel’s response to those labor costs has been to reduce labor in back of house operations, mentioning that some longtime processes could be overhauled, like hand-cutting lettuce and pineapple. And while Cracker Barrel’s sales did increase slightly in the fourth financial quarter of 2024, it was only by .04%. Which is encouraging, but not the kind of big changes the chain needs to pull off if it hopes to survive. A hand holding a restaurant bill on a clipboard – Grace Cary/Getty Images When a restaurant’s struggling, one obvious way to raise revenue is to hike up the prices. And that’s what Cracker Barrel did in 2024, instituting a 4.9% increase on menu prices. That’s actually higher than many of its competitors, as overall restaurant menu prices only rose 3.8% in 2024. But ******* bills aren’t exactly the best message to send out when you’re also trying to tempt budget-conscious potential customers to go out dining, especially since grocery prices only rose 1.1% during the same time. And faced with getting less food for their buck, it’s easy for potential patrons to just stay home and make their own food. Especially since Cracker Barrel prides itself on offering home-style cooking. That said, the price hikes weren’t actually across the board, as CEO Julie Felss Masino tested out several different pricing strategies for stores, with 150 stores raising prices, while 70 others lowered them. She also added different value points to the menu, including a discounted early dinner menu and an upgraded offering of steaks at a higher price point, to appeal to both cash-strapped customers and people looking to splurge. Here’s hoping this attempt to please different styles of customers will bring in more business. Interior of a mostly empty Cracker Barrel store – 4kclips/Shutterstock Another sign of a healthy business is the ability to draw in new (and often younger) customers. But as a nostalgia-based brand, Cracker Barrel has always aimed for an older crowd, with a target demographic of 65 or older. In fact, company data from 2023 showed that 43% of Cracker Barrel guests are at least 55 years old, and only 23% of customers were under the age of 34. (As a comparison, around 80% of Applebee’s customers in 2023 were under the age of 60). And while focusing on the older crowd has definitely worked for Cracker Barrel in the past, it’s now having trouble attracting a younger crowd to its stores. In 2023, it started trying to appeal to a younger brunch crowd by offering alcoholic beverages, including wine, beer, and mimosas. It was a big change for the chain, which had never offered alcohol before, although it didn’t do much to make it a hip, young destination. But the drinks menu did prove popular enough that Cracker Barrel decided to keep booze on the menu for good. It just hasn’t made it the cool drinking place the company wanted it to be. The porch of a Cracker Barrel with rocking chairs – Tiago Pestana/Shutterstock You know those older customers that Cracker Barrel’s always relied on? Unfortunately, they stopped going to in-person dining during the pandemic and they haven’t returned since. Of course, part of the reason they stopped dining out was for health concerns. But that pesky inflation has also helped convince many that the extra expense of dining out wasn’t worth the hassle. One of Cracker Barrel’s responses was to roll out a discounted early dinner menu, appealing to a more budget-conscious and presumably older crowd. It’s also promoting a loyalty program, Cracker Barrel Rewards, based on that peg board game you’ll find at every table. Members earn one “peg” for every dollar they spend, allowing them to save up for free side dishes, entrees or merchandise in the country store. It even tapped 79-year-old country superstar Dolly Parton to be the face of the rewards program, finding another way to attract older customers once again. Phone with the Cracker Barrel logo with financial documents – MacroEcon/Shutterstock One of the most obvious signs of the public’s dissatisfaction with a company is its stock price. And Cracker Barrel’s stock hasn’t been doing too well, as it’s dropped roughly 70% over the last five years. And 2024 wasn’t much better, dropping from a high of $82.29 last February to an all-time low of $36.06 on September 9. To help counter the stock price drop, Cracker Barrel announced in May that it was cutting dividends by 80% to help revenues, which caused the stock to drop 20%, although that was also the same time the CEO made her public statement about the restaurant not being relevant. At the time, Truist analyst Jake Bartlett told the New York Post, “A big reason the stock is down is that there wasn’t much of a plan. They announced a plan for a plan but they didn’t give investors enough information to judge whether reinvesting in the stores was a credible plan to address the traffic losses.” However, there’s still some good news as the stock price has slowly climbed up since September and is now $50.70, as of the time of publishing. Sign in a store window that reads “Sorry we’re closed” – Grace Cary/Getty Images Another obvious sign of a company in trouble is closing stores and Cracker Barrel closed four restaurants in 2024: Santa Maria, California; Sacramento, California; Medford, Oregon; and Columbia, South Carolina. The one in Medford was actually the last Cracker Barrel in Oregon, as it closed its establishments in Bend, Beaverton, and Tualatin in 2023. And luckily for local fans, there are still five in California and 23 in South Carolina. Cracker Barrel blamed the closing stores on the lingering effects of the pandemic, issuing a statement that read, “As a standard course of business, we continually evaluate the performance of our stores, using various criteria to ensure we are meeting the needs of our guests and our business. With that, we are saddened that we have been unable to overcome the impact the pandemic had on our business and have made the difficult decision to close the Beaverton, Tualatin, and Bend locations.” The company has announced few plans to continue building stores, with the 2025 first quarter earnings call revealing plans to build only two more locations in fiscal 2025. Menu items from Maple Street Breakfast Company – eatingwellintheatl / Instagram While Cracker Barrel gets a lot of attention, it’s not the only restaurant the company runs. In 2019, it bought the Maple Street Biscuit Company for $36 million in cash. The brand is a fast-casual restaurantspecializing in biscuit sandwiches, egg bowls, and waffles. It also skews toward a younger customer base than the traditional Cracker Barrel stores, showing that the company was looking to expand beyond its traditional audience. And while MSBC had 28 company-owned stores and five franchises at the time of purchase, Cracker Barrel has grown it into 63 stores across the country, with several of those being retools of Cracker Barrel’s short-lived fast casual spinoff Holler & Dash. Until 2024, the company had been focusing a lot of its effort on the Maple Street brand, but it has started slowing its efforts in favor of revamping Cracker Barrel stores. But it’s still building more Maple Street locations than new Cracker Barrels, announcing plans to open “three to four” MSBC locations in fiscal 2025, compared to only two new Cracker Barrels. People in a boardroom discussing business matters – Korawat photo shoot/Shutterstock While Cracker Barrel may seem like a folksy, friendly place, there’s been plenty of feuding in the boardroom. And the biggest internal struggle has been a longtime battle with shareholder Sardar Biglari, who owns more than 9% of the company’s outstanding shares through his holding company, Biglari Holdings. In late 2024, Biglari attempted to nominate five candidates to the board of directors at the company’s annual shareholder meeting, saying in a statement that the Julie Felss Masino’s revamp plan would not lead to more customers and the company needed to stop all new stores, sell off Maple Street Biscuit Company and restore dividends to shareholders. Biglari has been attempting to influence the board for 13 years, with this being the sixth time he’s nominated board members, including nominating himself four times. Biglari’s overall attempt to control the board ended up shot down, as only company-approved nominees won the vote. Although one of the Biglari-recommended nominees was also one of the company-approved candidates: Michael Goodwin, who is head of technology for online **** retailer, PetSmart. A phone with a Cracker Barrel logo in front of a laptop – MacroEcon/Shutterstock If you need any further evidence of the Cracker Barrel’s need for change, in 2024, CEO Julie Felss Masino unveiled a $700 million, five point remodeling plan to revamp the company. As Masino said during that 2024 earnings call, “Cracker Barrel is an iconic brand, but even iconic brands have to evolve. We know from our research that despite high levels of consumer affinity, we’re just not as relevant as we once were. We need to address these dynamics by refreshing and refining the brand and reflecting this in all of the ways we interact with our guests … we will take what is known and beloved about our differentiated brand and build upon it so that it’s more relevant to today’s and tomorrow’s guests.”The plan included efforts to revamp marketing to better connect with modern customers. The company is also revamping the menu and store design, as well as digital technology programs like the Cracker Barrel Rewards Program. Handheld Cracker Barrel Lunch N’ Dinner menu – theporchoff98 / Instagram Over its 55-year history, Cracker Barrel’s menu has remained remarkably consistent. Sure, there’s a list of discontinued Cracker Barrel items that we’ll probably never eat again. And back in 2020, Cracker Barrel simplified its menu by adding more stuff. But otherwise, the food has largely stayed the same for decades. But that changed in 2024, when Cracker Barrel started testing out a range of new menu items, starting with a new test menu of 20 new items, featuring items like Hashbrown Casserole Shepherd’s Pie, a Green Chile Cornbread, Chicken n’ Dumplin Soup, and Cinnamon Bread French Toast. It also unveiled a new menu layout, designed to make it easier for customers to navigate. The response from the test menu led to a chain-wide rollout of a range of new seasonal menu items, with the fall menu featuring some of the test menu’s offerings like the Hashbrown Casserole Shepherd’s Pie, plus new items like a Signature Fried Apple French Toast Bake, and a Granny Smith Apple Tea. It started offering daily specials like Southern BBQ Ribs, Chicken n’ Rice ,and Pot Roast. And that was followed by a spring seasonal menu with new items like Nashville Hot Chicken Tenders, a Signature Saucy Chicken Sandwich, and a Sparkling Sugar Plum Mimosa. It’s a range of snacks that definitely fit in with the classic menu, while also offering some interesting new options to attract guests. The interior of a Cracker Barrel gift shop – Kit Leong/Shutterstock And just like the Cracker Barrel menu, the look of the stores has also stayed remarkably consistent, with a country-store look focusing on wood fixtures and antique decorations that have remained largely the same since the first store opened in 1969. In fact, each store features an average of 1,000 different pieces of decor, all supplied by the “Cracker Barrel Décor Warehouse,” which you can see here. But that’s finally changing, as the company-wide revamp has also started remodeling stores, featuring a new color palette, new flooring, and improved seating. As the CEO told Nation’s Restaurant News, “Store design and atmosphere are critical to the guest experience and we’re investing in more maintenance capital to meet our high standards. The incremental investments are focused on areas we think are most impactful — exterior paint, parking lots, flooring, restrooms.” By September 2024, the company reported that it had remodeled 35 parking lots and updated 30 back-of-house and front-of-house floors. The company also developed a lower-cost remodeling program, dubbed “refresh,” which focuses on paint and decor, which it’s testing in 12 locations. As with the menus, it’s a tricky job to balance innovation and nostalgia. But Cracker Barrel must feel that it needs to bring in more customers, despite any complaints from longtime, die-hard fans. For more food and drink goodness, join The Takeout’s newsletter. Get taste tests, food & drink news, deals from your favorite chains, recipes, cooking tips, and more! Read the original article on The Takeout. Source link #Signs #Cracker #Barrel #Isnt Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Asia markets mostly rise as investors assess ******** President Xi's comments in a meeting with top executives – CNBC Asia markets mostly rise as investors assess ******** President Xi's comments in a meeting with top executives – CNBC Asia markets mostly rise as investors assess ******** President Xi’s comments in a meeting with top executives CNBCView Full Coverage on Google News Source link #Asia #markets #rise #investors #assess #******** #President #Xi039s #comments #meeting #top #executives #CNBC Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Interest rates: Cautious RBA gives a little but warns there will be a long wait ahead for more Interest rates: Cautious RBA gives a little but warns there will be a long wait ahead for more The Reserve Bank has delivered the slightest of reprieves of homeowners but sent a clear warning that this is not going to be the start of a strong cutting cycle. In its statement the bank says it will be cautious on the outlook, still concerned about upside risk to inflation. “If monetary policy is eased too much too soon, disinflation could stall, and inflation would settle above the midpoint of the target range,” the bank said. “In removing a little of the policy restrictiveness in its decision today, the board acknowledges that progress has been made but is cautious about the outlook.” A strong labour market was of particular concern, with the bank concluding that conditions remain tight and “tightened a little further in late 2024.” Markets have taken the hawkish tone as a sign there will little to help earnings, with the All Ordinaries down 0.6 per cent. The *********** dollar spiked briefly on the expectation there would a pause in any further rate cuts, before tracking back to be down 0.2 per cent on the open. Deloitte Access Economics economist Stephen Smith said the cut would shore up economic growth through 2025 but called the decision a “loss of credibility of the Reserve Bank’s communication”. Mr Smith felt the previous statements the bank was concerned about strong services inflation and a high level of aggregate demand should have led it to keep rates on hold. AMP’s Shane Oliver was more positive expecting the RBA to hold rates in April and cut again in May and August to take the cash rate to 3.6 per cent. Despite only adding about $25 a week to the budget of the average mortgage holders, spread over the economy the rate cut should deliver some $3.7 billion in available spending to consumers. That should support greater retail spending and help one of the most embattled segment of the *********** economy – the hospitality sector. Business groups welcomed the cut but warned that any outbreak in inflation would be damaging. Labour tightness is still a constraint for employers and a failure to lift productivity will mean any wage rises will push up costs. Today’s decision will be welcome by all but watched closely into the future. Source link #Interest #rates #Cautious #RBA #warns #long #wait #ahead Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Nixa football standout’s house burns down, GoFundMe created as community rallies Nixa football standout’s house burns down, GoFundMe created as community rallies The family of Oakly White, a Nixa football offensive lineman coming off his senior season, lost their home in a fire over the weekend, destroying everything he owned. There were no injuries. The recent Southwest ******** signee was able to evacuate his mother, a friend and two dogs before the fire destroyed everything except a brick wall. “I’m just trying to stay positive,” White said. “Stuff can be replaced.” The Nixa community is now rallying around the All-Central Ozark Conference East performer through clothing and monetary donations. White’s sister-in-law created a GoFundMe, which had raised over $8,000 as of Monday morning. Accounts across the state shared a social media post by Nixa football coach John Perry, encouraging folks to donate. White has already received donated clothes and housing from friends and neighbors. Insurance will put him and his mother in a hotel, and they’ll continue to find somewhere for their dogs to stay. “The support has been great,” White said. “Coach Perry and the Nixa community have been supporting me. We’re going to use the money for clothes and stuff.” Who is Oakly White? White was the starting center for the Nixa High School football team that finished as the Class 6 runner-up this past fall. He was a unanimous all-conference selection as a part of an offensive line that many regard as one of the best in the area’s history, alongside Jackson Cantwell, the No. 1 prospect in the 2026 high school class. Nixa’s offensive line helped lead the Eagles to 3,710 total rushing yards and 58 touchdowns this past season. White will continue his football career next season at Southwest ******** in Bolivar. What caused the house fire? White said he woke up at about 8 a.m. Sunday to the sound of a smoke alarm. He didn’t think anything of it, so he tinkered with it before trying to go back to sleep. It went off again. White investigated the fire alarm the second time. He found the porch in flames. White rushed to get his mother, a friend who was spending the night and two dogs out of the house. White said an initial investigation believes it was an electrical fire. This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Oakly White: Nixa football standout’s house burns down, GoFundMe made Source link #Nixa #football #standouts #house #burns #GoFundMe #created #community #rallies Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Thousands protest Elon Musk’s DOGE in NYC on Presidents’ Day – TechCrunch Thousands protest Elon Musk’s DOGE in NYC on Presidents’ Day – TechCrunch Thousands protest Elon Musk’s DOGE in NYC on Presidents’ Day TechCrunchTesla was hit by a wave of protests over Musk, sales are crashing, insiders are waking up Electrek.coLocal group protests D.C. happenings and Elon Musk WKBN.comKansas protest march, Democratic governor sound alarm on federal DOGE operations Kansas ReflectorProtesters gather in downtown Toledo to oppose Trump, Musk WTOL Source link #Thousands #protest #Elon #Musks #DOGE #NYC #Presidents #Day #TechCrunch Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Shujinkou Review – I Think I’m Learning Japanese – MonsterVine Shujinkou Review – I Think I’m Learning Japanese – MonsterVine Shujinkou is now available digitally for pre-order on the PS5. Release date also announced! Three launch editions announced for the brand new IP in the JRPG space. Shujinkou offers innovative gameplay for casual and hardcore gamers alike—check it out in the new trailer released on the official PlayStation YouTube channel! Source link #Shujinkou #Review #Learning #Japanese #MonsterVine Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Kostecki eager to deliver Supercars title for DJR Kostecki eager to deliver Supercars title for DJR Will Brodie Kostecki be the man to restore ***** Johnson Racing to their former glory? The one-time Supercars champion has no doubt. “I know that I can do it and I know that I’ve got the team around me,” Kostecki told AAP. “Those two ingredients together, who knows what could happen?” Former Erebus Motorsport driver Kostecki will be looking to kickstart this year’s campaign by delivering his new team their first race win in almost 600 days at this weekend’s season-opening Sydney 500. Race wins have dwindled since now-IndyCar star Scott McLaughlin’s three-peat from 2018-20, with Anton De Pasquale last claiming the chequered flag in Townsville in 2023. Still finding their way with the Gen3 car, the ***** Johnson outfit finished with a combined haul of three podiums and one pole position by De Pasquale and two-time Bathurst 1000 winner Will Davison. Davison remains in the garage for the 2025 campaign, while De Pasquale has moved on to Team 18. Confident he can deliver DJR their 11th drivers’ championship, Kostecki says their past woes are irrelevant. “I really want to add to it. I don’t want to spend too much time dwelling on the past,” Kostecki told AAP. “I want to try to add to (the championships) and put my stamp on there.” He won’t waste any time dwelling on his split from Erebus either. It was only 12 months ago that the 27-year-old – then the reigning champion – was a notable absentee in the season-opening line-up at the Bathurst 500 after a contract dispute. He returned to the grid in round three in New Zealand, before securing a maiden Bathurst 1000 victory as a parting gift to Erebus. Revitalised, Kostecki is determined to win another crown as the sport tackles a new format. The season will be split into three phases, beginning with eight rounds of sprints, before two endurance races, and ending with an elimination series of three races to decide the title. “We’re not going to accept anything else other than winning races and getting one-two finishes,” Kostecki said. “We’ve put in a lot of work in the off-season and there probably will be a (few) growing pains here and there, but I expect the cars to be right up the front straight away.” Source link #Kostecki #eager #deliver #Supercars #title #DJR Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Overland Park man pleads guilty to taking ‘upskirting’ photos of girls at Oak Park Mall Overland Park man pleads guilty to taking ‘upskirting’ photos of girls at Oak Park Mall **The video above is a clip from the original story that was broadcast on June 21, 2024.** KANSAS CITY, Mo. — An Overland Park man pleaded guilty on Friday to three misdemeanor charges after he was found taking photos of a group of girls at an “upskirting” angle at Oak Park Mall last year. According to court records in Johnson County, Austin Flynn pleaded guilty to three misdemeanor counts of breach of privacy. He was originally charged with two felony counts, but they were later amended to misdemeanor charges, and the third misdemeanor was later added. Haskell Indian Nations University lays off dozens of employees after federal orders Court documents said that on June 9, 2024, officers with the Overland Park Police Department were called to a Sephora after a man, later identified as Flynn, was caught taking inappropriate photos of a group of females by an Overland Park detective. The detective reportedly saw Flynn duck down or crouch behind a display next to the group and put his phone under their dresses and skirts. According to the detective’s statement, it was “apparent” that he had been taking photos of the females. Following the incident, officers were able to contact and arrest Flynn after discovering that the ages of the girls ranged from 11 to 19. Car crashes into roof of VA building in Excelsior Springs, man held on charge While being interviewed, Flynn gave consent to officers to search his phone and admitted to taking photos at multiple locations, including the previously named Sephora, a Forever 21, and escalators. According to court records, Flynn told police he was unaware of the ages of the females. A day after his arrest, Flynn posted bond and was let out of jail. Now, following the latest charges, Flynn is ordered to serve 14 days of shock time — also known as a short jail sentence –, 25 hours of community service, continued mental health treatments, and no contact with the victims or witnesses. 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 FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. Source link #Overland #Park #man #pleads #guilty #upskirting #photos #girls #Oak #Park #Mall Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Memecoin scandal rocks Argentina’s Javier Milei – Financial Times Memecoin scandal rocks Argentina’s Javier Milei – Financial Times Memecoin scandal rocks Argentina’s Javier Milei Financial TimesArgentina’s Milei Orders Investigation After Promoting Crypto That Cratered The New York TimesArgentina federal judge to probe Milei crypto scandal, stock index falls Reuters CanadaMilei Stumbles Into Crypto Memecoin Scandal Before Key US Trip BloombergArgentine judge investigates fraud case against President Milei over crypto promotion ABC News Source link #Memecoin #scandal #rocks #Argentinas #Javier #Milei #Financial #Times Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘It’s just thrown away but it’s gold’ ‘It’s just thrown away but it’s gold’ Priti Gupta Technology Reporter, Mumbai Reemy Zeeshan Ali has dozens of wigs for his drag act Zeeshan Ali has been a drag artist for 10 years and has taken his show all over India. Central to his performance is a collection of around 45 wigs. “It’s an alter of identity, helping me transition from my everyday self into exaggerated, glamorous or whimsical characters. The right wig makes me feel more authentic and empowers me to command the stage,” says Ali, who is based in Mumbai. But getting that look right wasn’t easy in the early days. “When I started my career the accessibility of the wigs was extremely difficult in India. Most of them were to be sourced from abroad or I used to make wigs sourced from whatever was available to me like wool, fabric,” he says. But things are different now. “The trend is changing. Wigs are no longer just meant for drag or movie artists, but many straight women wear wigs to look different. It’s no longer just a hair accessory but a style statement.” Indian hair has always been in demand for wig-making. The nation is the world’s biggest exporter of human hair, supplying 85% of global demand. Kolachi Venkatesh, based in Avadi, Chennai, has been collecting hair for 20 years. He started at the bottom of the industry as a picker – collecting hair from households and rescuing it from the rubbish. “My parents were hair pickers and then I started doing the same,” he says. Hair collected by pickers from homes, salons and barbershops is called non-Remy hair. It requires more processing than Remy hair, which is carefully shaved straight from the scalp. Nevertheless, it has value. “It’s just thrown away but it’s gold,” says Mr Venkatesh. Those pickers typically sell hair to local traders like Mr Venkatesh for between 10 cents and $1 (£0.80) per kilogram, depending on the quality and length of the hair. Shorter or damaged hair fetches less, while longer strands bring higher prices. For the individual picker, there’s not much money in it. “A diligent collector might gather 1–5 kilograms of hair in a day, earning anywhere from 59 cents to $6 per day. This income level is often below minimum wage standards, particularly in rural areas,” says Mr Venkatesh, who has 50 pickers working for him. “While our work contributes to a billion-dollar global market our earnings remain meagre. Intermediaries control prices.” Kolachi Venkatesh Kolachi Venkatesh has been collecting hair for 20 years Most of the Indian hair collected by traders like Mr Venkatesh is exported to China where it is made into wigs. “China has a huge wigmaking industry which is worth five to six billion dollars,” says Benjamin Cherian from Plexconcil, the hair industry body that promotes the Indian industry and liaises with the government. If India wants a slice of the lucrative wig market, he says, then it has a lot of catching up to do. “When we look at China there are hundreds of factories spread across the country which add value to the hair industry, whereas in India the value addition still needs to be picked up,” Mr Cherian says. He says the government needs to help promote investment in the hair industry. “It needs automated sorting systems, sophisticated hair treatment procedures for the hair collected, innovative production techniques for manufacturing of wigs which will make India stand out.” Instead of exporting hair for hundreds of dollars, India should be selling wigs worth thousands of dollars says Mr Cherian. “We have started working on it but it’s a long way to go. We need to have research and training centres,” he says. Diva Divine Hair Diva Divine Hair has been making wigs and extensions since 2009 One Indian business trying to make inroads is Delhi-based Diva Divine Hair, co-founded by Nidhi Tiwari in 2009. The idea was to create high-quality hair extensions and wigs that would appeal to a broader range of customers. “There is a growing need for these solutions due to rising issues of hair loss and thinning among women in India,” says Ms Tiwari. The company has been helped by a shift in attitude. “Once considered a niche or taboo topic, wigs and extensions are now openly discussed, thanks to evolving social norms and a shift toward acceptance,” she says. Wigs have also seen a lot of development making them more attractive and comfortable. “Technologies such as 3D-printed wigs and digital colour-matching tools offer highly personalised options. Lightweight, breathable wig caps and improved adhesives have given customers to wear it for long time without discomfort,” says Ms Tiwari. George Cherion Demand for Indian hair is “skyrocketing” says George Cherion At the top end of the hair market is Temple or Remy hair. Much of the supply comes from Hindu temples in the south of the country where hair is shaved off in an act of veneration and faith. Raj Hair International is one of the biggest traders in the Temple hair business. Craftsmen at the company’s Chennai factory sort and grade the hair according to colour, texture and length. “Remy hair has aligned cuticles, hair flows uniformly in one direction, which leads to less tangling and a silkier texture. This is high-value hair,” says George Cherion, the company’s chief executive. The firm tries to waste as little of the hair as possible. To help with that it developed a machine to untangle the hair. It’s allowed them to work faster with fewer staff. “Our mission is to constantly upgrade the technology,” says Mr Cherion. Business is booming. “Indian human is in demand globally due to its high quality, natural look, and thinness. The demand is skyrocketing,” he says. Back in Mumbai Zeeshan Ali wants to see more Indian wigs on the market. As well as making them more affordable, he has a design suggestion: “A wig that can create a wow factor.” More Technology of Business Source link #thrown #gold Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Bus ****** in Bolivia kills at least 30 people Bus ****** in Bolivia kills at least 30 people More than 30 people have been killed in a bus ****** on a mountain road in Bolivia, police say. The driver likely lost control of the vehicle, causing it to plunge almost 800 meters (2625 ft) in the southwestern district of Yocalla, an officer said. Fourteen were also injured, including four children, an official from a local hospital said in a video. Bolivia has notoriously dangerous roads, particularly in mountainous areas. The accident happened between the cities of Potosi and Oruro, police said. Officials believe that the ****** could have been caused by speeding, with the driver “unable” to control the bus, police colonel Victor Benavides told the AFP news agency. This is believed to be the most serious road accident reported in the South American country so far this year. Local news outlet Unitel reported that several of those injured are in a serious condition. Deadly road accidents are common in Bolivia. Last month, 19 people were killed when another bus came off a road, also near Potosi. Road accidents kill an average of 1,400 people every year in the country of about 12 million inhabitants, according to government data. Source link #Bus #****** #Bolivia #kills #people Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Sea Eagles embrace chaos in bid to end capitulations Sea Eagles embrace chaos in bid to end capitulations Manly players have been told to embrace the chaos, tackling weekly mystery training sessions in a bid to end a horror run of NRL capitulations. The Sea Eagles enter 2025 as one of the competition’s genuine dark horses, with enough talent and x-factor to end the club’s 14-year title drought. Coach Anthony Seibold has labelled this year’s roster the best he’s had in three years at the club, with genuine depth in key positions such as fullback. But Manly know they must shake their tag of the league’s biggest faders to achieve anything, after giving up leads of 14, 16, 20, 12 and 16 points last season. In response, players have been given a day of training each week where no schedule is outlined, with surprise beach wrestling sessions and public runs among activities sprung on them. “Our game is chaotic, rugby league is a chaotic game out there on the field,” Seibold said. “So the way we prepare, we certainly have a day each week where we try and put the guys in situations that are unfamiliar, where they don’t know the schedule. “We had a few things last year, three sin-bins when we had a 16-0 lead (against Wests Tigers), losing two players at the start of a game (against Sydney Roosters). “There were all situations where we want to be able to handle chaos, things might go against us but how do we move on quickly?” Manly were given an extra test of that approach last weekend, when their trial against South Sydney was delayed by 100 minutes due to a paramedic issue. The Sea Eagles have also put a focus on players controlling their emotions, with most capitulations coming quickly in the form of back-to-back-to-back tries against them. “Identifying it is the first thing, making sure you are aware there is a problem,” Daly Cherry-Evans said. “The mental skills capacity is really important, understanding how to come in and out of focus, and having control of your emotions is really big. “It’s also just putting yourself under pressure at training, to simulate certain aspects. “It all translates back to how focused we are in our sessions. Because we’ve shown our good was pretty good, but there is definitely some improvement in us.” Seibold has opted to rest several of his stars for Friday night’s trial against a reserve-grade Penrith side at Leichhardt. He still has a decision to make in his backline given the rise of Lehi Hopoate, who is now a genuine strike back-up option to Tom Trbojevic at No.1. Seibold believes the club’s forward depth has also improved, with Siua Taukeiaho in the mix for a round-one spot and Matt Lodge brought back on a NSW Cup deal. “I feel like it is (the best squad I’ve had at Manly),” Seibold said. “We have added more depth. (And) Luke Brooks has been here for 12 months now … Reuben Garrick has had 12 months (at centre)..” Source link #Sea #Eagles #embrace #chaos #bid #capitulations Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

White House says Musk is not DOGE employee, has no authority to make decisions White House says Musk is not DOGE employee, has no authority to make decisions WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Billionaire Elon Musk’s role in the Trump administration is as a White House employee and senior adviser to the president, and is not an employee of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and has no decision-making authority, the White House said in a court filing on Monday. According to a filing signed by Joshua Fisher, director of the Office of Administration at the White House, Musk can only advise the president and communicate the president’s directives. “Like other senior White House advisors, Mr Musk has no actual or formal authority to make government decisions himself,” it said. Trusted news and daily delights, right in your inbox See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. Fisher’s filing, made in a case brought against Musk by the State of New Mexico, said that Musk was not an employee of the U.S. DOGE Service, or the U.S. DOGE Service Temporary Organization, and added: “Mr Musk is not the U.S. DOGE Service Administrator.” DOGE has swept through federal agencies since Donald Trump began his second term as president last month and put Musk, the chief executive of carmaker Tesla , in charge of rooting out wasteful spending as part a dramatic overhaul of government that has included thousands of job cuts. (Reporting by David Brunnstrom; Editing by Michael Perry) Source link #White #House #Musk #DOGE #employee #authority #decisions Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]