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Angry neighbours dub Edinburgh inflatable dome ‘enormous zit’ Angry neighbours dub Edinburgh inflatable dome ‘enormous zit’ ****** Brown BBC Scotland, Edinburgh and East reporter BBC The dome has been built next to two rows of houses in Edinburgh’s Stockbridge A giant inflatable dome which has been likened to a huge bouncy castle has caused uproar in an upmarket area of Edinburgh. Residents in Stockbridge have dubbed the structure an “enormous zit”, blighting the views of the area’s picturesque Georgian architecture. And some locals say they are being kept awake by noise and vibrations from the electric fans used around the clock to keep the dome inflated. The dome, which houses tennis courts, was erected at a private sports club last October, after the Scottish government overruled a City of Edinburgh Council decision to reject the plans. Keith Hughes Keith Hughes says the electric fans keeping the roof inflated keep him awake at night Now residents have launched a petition demanding “visual adjustments” and soundproofing for the fans while others have called for it to be taken down. They say it is a “monstrous blight” in a conservation area which is close to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Edinburgh’s Old Town. The Grange Club has not responded to requests to comment. Claire Baxter, 45, who lives locally, told BBC Scotland News she was shocked when she saw the dome. “It’s horrendous and looks like an enormous zit. Every time I walk past it I cannot believe it’s been allowed. “Everyone in the neighbourhood has been talking about it for months.” Keith Hughes, who lives in a house beside the inflatable, likened it to having a version of London’s Millennium Dome (now the O2) outside his window. “I am awake every single night with the low hum of the background fans keeping the tennis court roof inflated. “They have totally disregarded their heritage. They should be ashamed of themselves for the impact on this world heritage area. They have had no consideration for the local people.” The 57-year-old said he was now planning to move house after enjoying three years in the “beautiful” suburb. And he contrasted the dome with the category A-listed cricket pavilion at The Grange Club, which is home to the Scotland national cricket team. “You have this lovely grandstand since 1892, which looks in place and then you have this ugly monolith that dominates the skyline and jars the eye, it’s hideous, how have they got away with this? It’s a nightmare.” Mr Hughes, an IT programme manager, added: “This only benefits a very select few who are members of the Grange Club and who don’t even live next door to it.” The view from one resident’s window is dominated by the dome The view from the same resident’s window before the inflatable was built It is not clear from planning documents how long The Grange Club intends to keep the inflatable structure. Residents believe it is now permanent. The application to ****** the structure was initially rejected by planners with City of Edinburgh Council but it was then appealed to the Scottish government. Scottish government reporter, Andrew Fleming – an official appointed by ministers – overruled the council’s decision, paving the way for the dome to be constructed. He said he allowed it for public benefit because there were a lack of indoor tennis facilities in Edinburgh. Jacquie Christie said her 80-year-old mother, who has lived in the same house for 50 years, could feel vibrations from the powerful fans and it was “horrendous”. “The stress it’s caused her, every morning when she gets up and looks out into the garden and that’s her view,” said the 58-year-old. “She is really devastated over what they have done without a second thought or communication.” Ms Christie said she was baffled how the “jumpy castle” got the go ahead when her mother had to go to three different appeal panels just to get double glazing installed. Jacquie Christie said electric fans powering the giant inflatable caused vibrations in her mother’s home Local resident Sarah Hill said she could hear the hum of the fans, as well as players calling to each other and whacking ******. She also described the dome as “very overpowering”. Ms Hill added: “The whole application proposal needs to be flagged up over the fact it was against the community wishes and was rejected by the city council but was overturned on the decision of one reporter. “It’s not right and the process really needs to be addressed. “None of us were consulted. I heard about it from someone on the community council. “It is extremely ugly and is a big eyesore out with the keeping of the conservation zone.” Max Mitchell Some residents have complained about the amount of light emanating from a neighbouring building, which houses padel tennis courts Another resident who overlooks the inflatable said she had stopped looking out of her windows because it dominated her view and upset her so much. Meanwhile Lady Jennifer Bute, who has a house beside the structure, said she thought it was “objectionable”. “I think they need to paint it a different colour to make it more invisible,” she added. Max Mitchell, an Edinburgh councillor whose ward covers the tennis court, said: “It’s another frustrating example of a Scottish government civil servant overruling the decision of democratically elected and accountable councillors. “The concerns around the impact on the conservation and residential amenity have sadly come true for those living nearby. “I can understand why residents are unhappy especially when the applicant was allowed a second bite at the cherry via an appeal.” A Scottish government spokesman said: “The right to appeal certain decisions made by local planning authorities is an important part of the planning system. “The decision was issued by an independent reporter, who is required to make their decision on the planning merits of the case, taking full account of submissions made by all parties, including those from members of the local community.” Source link #Angry #neighbours #dub #Edinburgh #inflatable #dome #enormous #zit Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Warning for WA residents as major flooding hits after tropical cyclone Zelia Warning for WA residents as major flooding hits after tropical cyclone Zelia While Ex-Tropical Cyclone Zelia has moved on, the devastation left behind remains, with flooding still impacting communities across WA’s Pilbara region. Emergency services are continuing efforts to rescue stranded residents and assist in recovery operations. The small community of Warralong was left cut off by severe flooding on Saturday, leaving residents stranded and in urgent need of assistance. Over the course of four helicopter trips, the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) successfully relocated 60 people to safety in South Hedland. Camera IconThe satellite map for Tropical Cyclone Zelia. Picture – BOM Credit: Supplied The DFES reported that the operation has been challenging due to the conditions, but efforts are ongoing to ensure residents receive the help they need. “Heavy rainfall associated with Tropical Cyclone Zelia is resulting in river rises in parts of the Pilbara Coastal Rivers catchment,” the DFES warned. While the cyclone itself has passed, authorities are warning that significant rainfall and flood risks still remain. Camera IconEx-Tropical Cyclone Zelia makes landfall over the Pilbara. 7NEWS Credit: Supplied The cyclone made landfall earlier than anticipated last Friday as a category four system. It brought destructive winds and heavy rainfall across the coast about 60 kilometres to the east of Port Hedland. Camera IconWhile Ex-Tropical Cyclone Zelia has moved on, the devastation left behind remains, with flooding still impacting communities across WA’s Pilbara region. 7NEWS Credit: Supplied Wind gusts at the core of the cyclone measured around 270km/h, with peak wind gusts recorded at Port Hedland were about 120 km/h, according to the Bureau of Meteorology. Residents in flood-affected areas are urged to monitor updates from authorities for any warnings or evacuation orders. Source link #Warning #residents #major #flooding #hits #tropical #cyclone #Zelia Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

This Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stock Could be Worth More Than Salesforce by the End of 2025 This Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stock Could be Worth More Than Salesforce by the End of 2025 For the last two years, technology stocks have been rocking thanks to an overwhelmingly bullish narrative surrounding artificial intelligence (AI). Among AI’s biggest winners have been software businesses, a theme that I don’t see changing anytime soon. Below, I’m going to compare two of the biggest names in enterprise software benefiting from the AI revolution: Palantir Technologies (NASDAQ: PLTR) and Salesforce (NYSE: CRM). While each appears well positioned to continue riding the AI wave, I see Palantir as the superior choice for growth investors. Let’s dig into how each of these software leaders is affecting the AI sector and assess why I think Palantir will become the ******* company by the end of the year. As of this writing (Feb. 10), Salesforce has a larger market capitalization than Palantir by roughly $52 billion. With that said, the underlying trends shown in the chart below are quite interesting. Check out the difference between how each company’s valuation has moved since AI emerged as the next megatrend. Over the last couple of years, Palantir’s valuation has expanded significantly. By contrast, Salesforce’s price movement has exhibited far more ebbs and flows. As a result, there’s a clear convergence seen in the graph below with Palantir’s market value starting to encroach on that of Salesforce. CRM market cap, data by YCharts. Salesforce owns a number of properties including data analytics platform Tableau and messaging tool Slack. The company’s prior strategy of acquiring competing businesses and integrating them with the core ecosystem helped build an end-to-end software suite that offers businesses a variety of data-driven applications, but investors eventually grew tired of such an approach. For the last couple of years, Salesforce has been under enormous scrutiny from Wall Street to start delivering more robust revenue acceleration and profit margin expansion excluding inorganic assets purchased through acquisitions. I’ll admit that Salesforce has made good on this promise … for the most part. The issue Salesforce continues to face revolves around consistency. In other words, sometimes the company blows Wall Street’s expectations out of the water, while at other times investors are left scratching their heads questioning what is going on in execution. For this reason, I’m not entirely sold that Salesforce is going to dominate its pocket of the AI realm. Specifically, the company’s newest area of interest, called agentic AI, faces fierce competition — namely from Microsoft, a much larger company with a stronger balance sheet. Story Continues When you add in that Salesforce faces a number of tangential competitors, including Monday.com, HubSpot, Atlassian, Asana, Workday, and more, I’m hard-pressed to see how it navigates amid all of these businesses. On the flip side, Palantir — which is much smaller than Salesforce in revenue and earnings — is partnering with the likes of Microsoft, Meta Platforms, Amazon, and Oracle. To me, big tech’s decision to work alongside Palantir as opposed to launching competing products represents enormous potential since the company continues to scale up its biggest driver of growth, the Palantir Artificial Intelligence Platform (AIP) software suite. Image source: Getty Images. The chart below illustrates consensus estimates among Wall Street analysts for growth in revenue and earnings per share (EPS) between Salesforce and Palantir. CRM revenue estimates for current fiscal year; data by YCharts. The dichotomy shown above is obvious: Wall Street is estimating far less acceleration for revenue and earnings for Salesforce compared to Palantir over the next two years. My interpretation of these forecasts is that analysts may see more competitive headwinds for Salesforce when compared to Palantir. To be fair, this should be expected to some degree. Salesforce is a much larger enterprise than Palantir, and so at some point the company’s growth profile is going to mature. However, I have not fully bought into that idea because AI is supposed to represent transformative opportunities for businesses of all sizes. Given the mundane growth profile for Salesforce, I’m wondering if Wall Street shares my suspicion that AI may not be as influential for the company as it could be for other software businesses, such as Palantir. For these reasons, I would not be surprised to continue witnessing some inconsistent trends in Salesforce throughout this year (and maybe even longer). By contrast, Palantir’s prospects look strong, and I think investors could continue cheering on the stock — propelling its valuation even higher during 2025. I think there could be some contraction in Salesforce’s market cap and even more expansion in Palantir’s, thereby tightening the gap between the two companies even further. If this happens, I think Palantir will emerge as the more valuable business by the end of the year. 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 $360,040!* Apple: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2008, you’d have $46,374!* Netflix: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2004, you’d have $570,894!* Right now, we’re issuing “Double Down” alerts for three incredible companies, and there may not be another chance like this anytime soon. Learn more » *Stock Advisor returns as of February 3, 2025 Randi Zuckerberg, a former director of market development and spokeswoman for Facebook and sister to Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Adam Spatacco has positions in Amazon, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, and Palantir Technologies. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amazon, Atlassian, HubSpot, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Monday.com, Oracle, Palantir Technologies, Salesforce, and Workday. The Motley Fool recommends Asana and recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Prediction: This Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stock Could be Worth More Than Salesforce by the End of 2025 was originally published by The Motley Fool Source link #Artificial #Intelligence #Stock #Worth #Salesforce Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Trump team to start Russia-Ukraine peace talks in Saudi Arabia – POLITICO Europe Trump team to start Russia-Ukraine peace talks in Saudi Arabia – POLITICO Europe Trump team to start Russia-Ukraine peace talks in Saudi Arabia POLITICO EuropeUS army general or NY tycoon: Who will lead Ukraine-Russia talks? EuronewsTrump envoy who negotiated prisoner release secretly assigned to help end Ukraine war, NYT reports Kyiv IndependentSteve Witkoff takes center stage in Ukraine talks SemaforEli Stokols (@EliStokols) on X X Source link #Trump #team #start #RussiaUkraine #peace #talks #Saudi #Arabia #POLITICO #Europe Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Jack Catterall vs Arnold Barboza Jr: Briton loses by split decision in close contest Jack Catterall vs Arnold Barboza Jr: Briton loses by split decision in close contest Europe’s largest indoor arena – with a capacity of 23,500 – was around a third full as a boisterous crowd repeatedly chanted ‘Chorley’ to welcome Lancastrian Catterall to the ring. Quite fittingly, he made his entrance to the song ‘I just can’t wait to be king’ from the Lion King. Catterall, who started boxing aged 11 and turned pro in 2012, is a reserved family man, yet there has been a swagger and spring in his step throughout fight week. Barboza, though, had won all 31 of his pro fights and arrived in the *** full of confidence on the back of a career-best win over Jose Ramirez in November. Neither fighter was willing to overcommit early on and Catterall edged the first two rounds with the cleaner work. The Californian responded well, cutting off the ring and landing jabs and good body shots. A terrific counter-puncher, southpaw Catterall’s approach, while appreciated by purists, does not always lend to the most entertaining of styles. He landed a great two-punch combination in the sixth round, before his rival returned the favour with a flush right. Catterall was warned for a low blow in the seventh and, as the round drew to a close, his legs dipped after a right from Barboza. The Catterall faithful turned the volume up a notch when the American hit the canvas in the 11th. He instantly shot up to his feet and protested a slip, with replays showing he fell over Catterall’s trailing leg as a jab landed. Barboza and Catterall both celebrated at the final bell as pundits and ringside reporters shrugged their shoulders and compared contrasting scorecards with the decision too close to call. Source link #Jack #Catterall #Arnold #Barboza #Briton #loses #split #decision #close #contest Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Former West Coast Eagles, Bulldogs star Josh Hill charged with historical child sex crimes Former West Coast Eagles, Bulldogs star Josh Hill charged with historical child sex crimes The ex-AFL player has been charged with four counts of ********* penetrating a child over 13 and under 16. Source link #West #Coast #Eagles #Bulldogs #star #Josh #Hill #charged #historical #child #sex #crimes Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Investigators enter a highway tunnel in Wyoming where a fiery ****** killed 2 Investigators enter a highway tunnel in Wyoming where a fiery ****** killed 2 GREEN RIVER, Wyo. (AP) — Investigators in Wyoming began sifting through the wreckage inside a highway tunnel Saturday after smoke, hazardous chemicals and structural concerns prevented them from determining how many people may have died in the fiery pileup. At least two people were killed and five others were seriously injured in Friday’s multivehicle ******, officials said. The ****** took place in the westbound tunnel of Interstate 80 under Castle Rock, a snow-covered sandstone formation that looms over the town of Green River in the state’s southwest. “It’s really going to be a long process just because of the magnitude of the incident and then being able to document everything that we need to make sure that our investigation is thorough,” said Maj. James Thomas of the Wyoming Highway Patrol. 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. Once officials are able to pull vehicles out, they will work with the county coroner, he said. Authorities still have yet to be able to count all the vehicles involved. Photos of the scene Friday showed crumpled semitrailers outside the smoke-blackened mouth of the tunnel, which is about a quarter-mile long (400 meters). ****** Ringstmeyer, a Wyoming Department of Transportation engineer, said there was extensive fire damage in the middle third of the westbound tunnel. The blaze damaged its concrete lining, causing loose concrete to fall and requiring first responders to avoid those areas. Interstate traffic was being rerouted through Green River. Officials aimed to reopen the eastbound tunnel in three days so it can host two-way traffic while the westbound section remains closed. Engineers were unable to estimate when the westbound tunnel would reopen. The National Transportation Safety Board said it has opened a safety investigation together with the highway patrol. Source link #Investigators #enter #highway #tunnel #Wyoming #fiery #****** #killed Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

UFC Vegas 102 live results: Jared Cannonier vs Gregory Rodrigues – Bloody Elbow UFC Vegas 102 live results: Jared Cannonier vs Gregory Rodrigues – Bloody Elbow UFC Vegas 102 live results: Jared Cannonier vs Gregory Rodrigues Bloody ElbowUFC Fight Night: Cannonier vs. Rodrigues Live Fight Coverage ESPNLIVE! UFC Vegas 102 Results: Cannonier vs. Rodrigues MMA FightingUFC Fight Night 251 predictions: Do we like Jared Cannonier or Gregory Rodrigues in Vegas? MMA JunkieUFC Fight Night odds, picks: Seasoned MMA analyst reveals selections for Cannonier vs. Rodrigues and other matchups on February 15 SportsLine Source link #UFC #Vegas #live #results #Jared #Cannonier #Gregory #Rodrigues #Bloody #Elbow Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Ligue 1 top three win, PSG stay 10 points clear Ligue 1 top three win, PSG stay 10 points clear Amine Gouiri is proving to be an inspired signing by Marseille. The livewire forward scored two superb goals and played a part in the other three as second-placed Marseille routed Saint-Etienne 5-1 in Ligue 1 on Saturday. Gouiri also has three assists in the three games he’s played since joining from Rennes in the January transfer window. Marseille’s win was spectacular but changed nothing at the top because unbeaten Paris Saint-Germain maintained their 10-point lead after scraping a 1-0 win at Toulouse. PSG (56 points) drew away and lost at home to Toulouse last season, and this was another hard-fought contest. Toulouse goalkeeper Guillaume Restes made a smart save from winger Bradley Barcola late in a gritty first half. Restes went off close to halftime with an apparent leg-muscle injury and was replaced by Kjetil Haug. He was beaten in the 52nd when Fabian Ruiz hooked the ball in after Willian Pacho’s header came off the crossbar. Earlier, Gouiri gave Marseille the lead with a fine solo effort. He cut in from the left and curled a superb shot into the top right corner from 20 metres in the 27th minute. Then, early into the second half, his pass led to a defender’s handball and Mason Greenwood converted the penalty for his 14th goal of the season. Gouiri was also involved in the third, which came after he and Quentin Merlin had shots saved before the ball fell to defender Amir Murillo, who slotted it. After Saint-Etienne lost the ball in midfield, Gouri latched onto a pass from Pierre-Emile Hoejbjerg and expertly lobbed the goalkeeper for 4-0. Marseille’s fifth saw Gouiri pick out Amar Dedic with a curling pass and Dedic head the ball back across goal to give Rabiot a tap in. Elsewhere, Mika Biereth scored three times as third-placed Monaco crushed Nantes 7-1 after falling behind early. Two weeks after netting an eight-minute hat-trick at home against Auxerre, he helped himself to another treble at Stade Louis II. The London-born Danish striker has seven goals in six league games since joining from Sturm Graz in Austria. Monaco (40) stay six points behind Marseille. Source link #Ligue #top #win #PSG #stay #points #clear Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Sunday’s Winter Storm: Timing, totals, local impacts Sunday’s Winter Storm: Timing, totals, local impacts Another large, more significant winter storm will impact the North Country and Twin States this weekend. Here’s the latest when it comes to timing, totals, and travel impacts throughout the holiday weekend. Please note that this forecast is subject to change as newer model runs and data become available later today and Saturday. Nevertheless, we think what we have put together for you today is a really good look at what will happen late Saturday into Sunday. Weather Alerts: Winter storm watches will go into effect Saturday night through Sunday night for the entire coverage area. Timing: The first flakes won’t start flying until around sunset with moderate to heavy snow moving in for everyone overnight through very early Sunday morning. Shortly after Sunday’s sunrise, we’ll begin a transition from snow to sleet, freezing rain. That wintry mix takes over from southwest to northeast from morning into the afternoon before transitioning back over to mountain snow showers late Sunday into Monday. Precipitation Totals: The thumping of snow overnight into Sunday morning will result in a widespread 4 to 8 inches for most. There will be pockets of 2 to 4 inches in northern New York, the Northeast Kingdom, and just east of the Champlain Valley where winds could play a roll in reducing totals. Meanwhile, jackpots of 8 to 12+ inches are likely in the northern Adirondacks, central Greens, and Whites. On top of the snow, we’ll add up anywhere between a light glaze to a 1/10 of an inch of ice. Travel Impacts: The worst time to travel will be late Saturday night through early Sunday morning. Snowy and icy roads along with blustery winds will create moderate to high travel impacts before road conditions slowly improve late Sunday into Monday. Presidents’ Day Preview: Lingering mountain snow showers and a blustery northwest wind will keep the fresh powder adding up across the higher terrain. If you’re going to be one of the many enjoying the slopes over the long weekend, be on the lookout for messages from the resorts about the wind as it may delay/close lifts especially Sunday into Monday. 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 ABC22 & FOX44. Source link #Sundays #Winter #Storm #Timing #totals #local #impacts Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

PS Portal Can Now Stream 200+ Games Without PS5 PS Portal Can Now Stream 200+ Games Without PS5 Knushwood Butt21h ago Quite pleased that I upgraded from Extra. It was on offer, and I think I’ve had my money’s worth so far, even without owning a portal. Have Mr Driller installed when I have enough energy for a frantic puzzler. Ape Escape when I have enough energy to get my head around the controls. Streamed the entire campaign of Resistance 3. Played some Syphon Filter for the first time but it didn’t hold my attention. Maybe some other stuff that I can’t remember right now. Might start saving some pennies for a Portal. Source link #Portal #Stream #Games #PS5 Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Top Trump officials set to meet with senior Russian officials to begin Ukraine talks – CNN Top Trump officials set to meet with senior Russian officials to begin Ukraine talks – CNN Top Trump officials set to meet with senior Russian officials to begin Ukraine talks CNNUS, Russia to meet in Saudi Arabia over Ukraine war ReutersTop Officials to Meet Next Week to Prepare Trump-Putin Summit BloombergTrump 2nd term live updates: Trump officials to head to Saudi Arabia for Ukraine peace talks, sources say ABC News Source link #Top #Trump #officials #set #meet #senior #Russian #officials #Ukraine #talks #CNN Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Drought conditions pummel SA farmers, growers and families Drought conditions pummel SA farmers, growers and families Jamie Solly has been carting water around South Australia’s fertile Fleurieu Peninsula for almost two decades and he says the drought conditions that have blanketed the state in the past 12 months are the worst he has ever seen. “I had a young girl from Meadow ring me up with a young baby, and she had no water,” he told NewsWire this week. “She had been told two weeks before she could get water. “It’s just one (story) of many. “I had a couple out the back of Finniss, towards Clayton, they had run out of water, I couldn’t get there for three or four days because I was so heavily backlogged and they had to take their newborn to their parents’ place, just so they could wash.” The harsh conditions are widespread across South Australia, from the Fleurieu in the south and the Adelaide Hills region in Greater Adelaide to the Eyre Peninsula across the Spencer Gulf. A stark map charting rainfall decile ranges from the Bureau of Meteorology shows the entire southern portion of the state recorded “very much below average” or “lowest on record” rainfall for the year. Camera IconFarmers across South Australia are carting in water and hay because of low rainfall in the past 12 months. Chris Woodman Credit: SuppliedCamera IconThis map from the Bureau of Meteorology shows rainfall deciles in South Australia from February 1, 2024 to January 31, 2025. Rainfall totals are far below average for much of the state’s southern regions. BOM Credit: News Corp Australia “Large parts of South Australia’s agricultural areas had their lowest on record rainfall for any 12-month February to January ******* during February 2024 to January 2025, with data going back to 1900,” Bureau of Meteorology senior climatologist Jonathan Pollock told NewsWire this week. “2024 started with above average rainfall for most of South Australia during January, but then February, March, April and May saw very much below average rainfall across the agricultural areas. “Large parts of the agricultural areas including the Eyre Peninsula, Yorke Peninsula and the Upper South East district, had their driest autumn on record.” The drought is pushing farmers, growers, small businesses and hundreds of households to the brink. Yankalilla Mayor and cattle farmer Darryl Houston said farmers were “destocking” and carting in water to survive. “Farming is tough at the best of times, let alone having to buy in hay and cart in water in some cases,”he told NewsWire. Camera IconYankalilla Mayor Darryl Houston warns the next six months will be ‘tricky’. Koa Photography Credit: Supplied “It’s going to be a tricky next six months for sure.” He said his own dam was close to drying up, something that had never happened before. Hundreds of homes and farms that sit outside the region’s main towns are not connected to mains water and so depend on rain to fill their tanks and dams. No rainfall means no water, and a phone call to providers like Mr Solly to get by. Mr Houston said if the Fleurieu didn’t get a “good winter”, the situation would become “problematic” and farms could go bust. “It’s definitely it is going to be a very hard year this year,” he said. “And you would not want two years like this in a row. “If you have another year like this following straight on, that would be problematic. You definitely couldn’t have two years in a row like this.” Some of the state’s wine producers are also seeing impacts. “That deficient winter rain caused us most of the problems,” Nigel Van Der Zande, the vineyard manager for the Barossa Valley’s Kaesler Wines, told NewsWire. “We’ve got a lot of old vineyards that have very deep roots and the secret to us getting through a season in good nick, our soils are like huge sponges, and they need to fill up in the winter time with that winter rain, and when we are that deficient, that doesn’t happen.” The dry conditions also bring with them a greater risk of frost, he said. “They are intrinsically connected,” he said. “A lot of people (in the Barossa Valley) got frosted and so their production will be affected, as ours has been.” Mr Pollock warned climate influences could be pushing Australia into drier conditions. “*********** rainfall is highly variable, however there has been a shift towards drier conditions across parts of southern Australia in recent decades, especially for the cool season months from April to October,” he said. Camera IconThe Bureau of Meteorology warns there has been a shift towards drier conditions across parts of southern Australia in the past few years. BOM Credit: News Corp Australia “The declining trend in rainfall is associated with a trend towards higher surface atmospheric pressure in the region and a shift in large-scale weather patterns-more highs, fewer lows and a reduction in the number of rain-producing lows and cold fronts.” “Australia, on average, has warmed by 1.51 degrees celsius since national records began in 1910, with most warming occurring since 1950. “Every decade since 1950 has been warmer than preceding decades.” The state government announced an $18m drought relief package in November. Assistance measures include $2m to help charities manage freight costs when they transport donated fodder, $1m for additional health and wellbeing support through the rural financial counselling service and $5m in grants for on-farm drought infrastructure and a $100,000 fund for communities to host events that foster connection and support. Mr Houston said the package might not be enough to meet the challenge. Camera IconMr Solly’s water truck delivers about 10,500L in a single load. Supplied Credit: News Corp Australia “I would think that won’t go far enough given the conditions and given it is so widespread over the entire state, pretty much,” he said. Some 80 per cent of Mr Solly’s customers are residential but he also carts water to caravan parks, cafes, stores and farmers. He said he could not keep up with demand and he was now booked out three weeks in advance. “Just the sheer magnitude of calls I’m going through,” he said. “I’m sifting through about 20 voicemails I haven’t gotten through today. “When it gets to that point, when people are going for days without water, it plays on your mind. “I’ve been doing this for 18 years now and we’ve always provided a service where we can get to you in 24 hours, but this year we just can’t. “It’s becoming to a point, well it’s almost unmanageable.” Source link #Drought #conditions #pummel #farmers #growers #families Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Tesla Installing Countermeasures as People Are Hacking the Cables Off Superchargers Tesla Installing Countermeasures as People Are Hacking the Cables Off Superchargers Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what’s in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience.Generate Key TakeawaysActive Defense Countermeasures Amid a spate of vandalism at Supercharger stations, Tesla appears to be employing countermeasures to head off the theft of its valuable copper charging cables. For years now, opportunists have targeted electric vehicle charging stations for the copper wiring that powers them, and more recently Tesla’s physical locations have been targeted by a wave of anti-Elon Musk vandalism. With Tesla Supercharger stations lacking physical security guards, thieves have had little stopping them from hacking off the cables to steal the metal worth up to $5.20 per pound — until now, at least. In a post on X, Tesla charging czar Max de Zegher appeared to confirm that the company is experimenting with anti-theft technology, including so-called “DyeDefender” wraps for charger cables that ***** out blue dye when cut, and stamps on the wires themselves that he hopes will flag the stolen materials at recycling centers. Responding to a post from the blog Drive Tesla Canada about the exploding dye cable wraps, de Zegher said that the solution was “just a trial” and added that the company is “always exploring options.” “Supercharger cables will also have ‘Property of Tesla’ engraved from our Buffalo NY factory,” he added, “so recycling companies shouldn’t accept them and notify us.” Earlier in the week, a Tesla-driving Redditor posted photos of the new cable wraps at a new Supercharger station in Seattle. In one close-up, a small yellow flag warned that the cable wrap was “pressurized” and should not be cut was visible. Made by the company CatStrap, these DyeDefender cable wraps will explode and paint blue dye all over whoever attempts to cut them, as a video from the company shows. As of right now, it’s unclear whether this anti-theft technology has been installed at any other Supercharger stations or if Tesla has struck an extended deal with CatStrap. We’ve reached out to the company to get more information about that. More on Tesla vandalism: Tragedy! Cybertruck Defaced With Large Crude Drawing Source link #Tesla #Installing #Countermeasures #People #Hacking #Cables #Superchargers Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

One person killed and four wounded in knife attack in Austria, police say – FRANCE 24 English One person killed and four wounded in knife attack in Austria, police say – FRANCE 24 English One person killed and four wounded in knife attack in Austria, police say FRANCE 24 English14-year-old boy killed, five others injured in Austria attack YahooBoy, 14, stabbed to death as five attacked in Austria Sky News14-year-old killed, 4 injured in knife attack in Austria ABC News Source link #person #killed #wounded #knife #attack #Austria #police #FRANCE #English Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Warning for WA residents as major flooding hits after tropical cyclone Zelia Warning for WA residents as major flooding hits after tropical cyclone Zelia While Ex-Tropical Cyclone Zelia has moved on, the devastation left behind remains, with flooding still impacting communities across WA’s Pilbara region. Emergency services are continuing efforts to rescue stranded residents and assist in recovery operations. The small community of Warralong was left cut off by severe flooding on Saturday, leaving residents stranded and in urgent need of assistance. Over the course of four helicopter trips, the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) successfully relocated 60 people to safety in South Hedland. Camera IconThe satellite map for Tropical Cyclone Zelia. Picture – BOM Credit: Supplied The DFES reported that the operation has been challenging due to the conditions, but efforts are ongoing to ensure residents receive the help they need. “Heavy rainfall associated with Tropical Cyclone Zelia is resulting in river rises in parts of the Pilbara Coastal Rivers catchment,” the DFES warned. While the cyclone itself has passed, authorities are warning that significant rainfall and flood risks still remain. Camera IconEx-Tropical Cyclone Zelia makes landfall over the Pilbara. 7NEWS Credit: Supplied The cyclone made landfall earlier than anticipated last Friday as a category four system. It brought destructive winds and heavy rainfall across the coast about 60 kilometres to the east of Port Hedland. Camera IconWhile Ex-Tropical Cyclone Zelia has moved on, the devastation left behind remains, with flooding still impacting communities across WA’s Pilbara region. 7NEWS Credit: Supplied Wind gusts at the core of the cyclone measured around 270km/h, with peak wind gusts recorded at Port Hedland were about 120 km/h, according to the Bureau of Meteorology. Residents in flood-affected areas are urged to monitor updates from authorities for any warnings or evacuation orders. Source link #Warning #residents #major #flooding #hits #tropical #cyclone #Zelia Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Skiers, snowboarders determined to reach mountains despite major I-70 backups Skiers, snowboarders determined to reach mountains despite major I-70 backups GEORGETOWN, Colo. (KDVR) — The Presidents Day weekend is one of the busiest mountain travel holidays in Colorado but skiers and snowboarders are determined to reach the mountains despite some major I-70 backups. Crashes, road closures on I-70 as snow falls in high country Saturday The Colorado Department of Transportation reports February is historically one of the most challenging months for motorists along the I-70 mountain corridor. Over a million vehicles passed through the Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnel just in January, an average of 34,652 per day — and CDOT expects the same for February. “This is typically one of the last big hurrahs for skiers and snowboarders heading to the mountains because it is a holiday weekend, because people have extra time and because mid to late February, we usually get hit with a pretty good storm most years and this year is no exception,” said Andrew Hogle of CDOT. “If we have people visiting, or who are not familiar with winter driving, they may just hop in their car and go. The mass of vehicles creating heavy traffic is one thing, vehicles that aren’t winter ready is a whole other issue.” CDOT reported Friday night into Saturday morning being the busiest travel times on the way up to the mountains. With several events taking place at ski resorts, including a music festival in Vail, CDOT urges drivers to be patient. “That’s our concern is making sure people have thought about what they’re doing before they go do it, they have a plan of where they’re going, they’ve checked the road conditions, their vehicle is ready, they’ve checked their tires, they are prepared in case things go haywire in case they have to wait in traffic,” said Hogle. Drivers could be seen stopping at gas stations in Georgetown Friday afternoon when traffic really started to pick up. “We left at like 1:30 and we got ten miles up the road and decided to turn around,” said James Keating as he was heading up to Copper. “Bumper to bumper, slow-moving. We haven’t been very far.” Others enjoy Friday’s round of snow and are avoiding the traffic at all costs. “It was great for skiing. I mean the driving was tough. Cold, windy, it was pretty bumpy coming out of the parking lot, otherwise, it’s been pretty good,” said Boulder residents Wolf Boone and Rowan Huck, who went skiing at Loveland Ski Area. “Coming up wasn’t that bad. It wasn’t terrible, but it was like stop-and-go at a certain point. We got up there at like 9:30 or 10. But, even early in the morning, people are still trying to get to the mountain, so it was pretty crowded.” FedEx truck erupts into flames in Aurora CDOT recommended coming home from the mountains early Monday morning or Monday night. “Our expectation for this particular weekend is it’s going to feel like two Sundays in a row probably. The regular Sunday traffic coming home probably, and then a lot of people do have Presidents Day off so coming back Monday afternoon will feel like a Sunday,” said Hogle. “We try not to have big projects over the weekends for these particular purposes. We want to make the roads are clear as possible knowing that this is a high-volume time for the regular person.” 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 FOX31 Denver. Source link #Skiers #snowboarders #determined #reach #mountains #major #I70 #backups Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Rwanda-backed rebels advance and Congolese forces retreat from eastern Congo's second largest city – The Associated Press Rwanda-backed rebels advance and Congolese forces retreat from eastern Congo's second largest city – The Associated Press Rwanda-backed rebels advance and Congolese forces retreat from eastern Congo’s second largest city The Associated PressCongo rebels say they have entered Bukavu after seizing airport ReutersDR Congo’s M23 fighters seize Bukavu airport before African Union summit Al Jazeera EnglishEU Bishops appeal for urgent intervention in DRC ******** News – English Source link #Rwandabacked #rebels #advance #Congolese #forces #retreat #eastern #Congo039s #largest #city #Press Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Poll places coalition in election pole position Poll places coalition in election pole position Labor has a mountain to climb to prevent Peter Dutton from forming government at the next election, with polling predicting a coalition wave in outer suburbs. Source link #Poll #places #coalition #election #pole #position Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Second earthquake jolts Los Angeles area within hours Second earthquake jolts Los Angeles area within hours An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 3.5 rattled the L.A. metropolitan area early Saturday. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the quake struck at 6:30 a.m. The epicenter was said to be 11 kilometers (about 6.8 miles), at a depth of 14.4 kilometers (about 8.7 miles). There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries. Saturday morning’s temblor came just hours after a 3.8-magnitude quake shook the Malibu area shortly before midnight Friday. Just before noon Saturday, the City of Malibu confirmed that the pair of quakes did not cause further mud or rockslides. Click here for an interactive map of the earthquake’s epicenter. 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 KTLA. Source link #earthquake #jolts #Los #Angeles #area #hours Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Pope Francis in hospital, won’t lead Sunday prayer, says ******** – Yahoo Pope Francis in hospital, won’t lead Sunday prayer, says ******** – Yahoo Pope Francis in hospital, won’t lead Sunday prayer, says ******** Yahoo88-year-old Pope Francis admitted to hospital for bronchitis CNNPope Francis showing ‘some’ improvement amid hospitalization for bronchitis, ******** says ABC NewsEye Opener: Pope Francis remains hospitalized CBS News Source link #Pope #Francis #hospital #wont #lead #Sunday #prayer #******** #Yahoo Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Federal election 2025: New poll warns Labor could lose 11-18 seats as Peter Dutton falls short of a majority Federal election 2025: New poll warns Labor could lose 11-18 seats as Peter Dutton falls short of a majority Peter Dutton is gaining ground in WA, but a hung parliament is the most likely result according to a new opinion poll that shows the Coalition just two or three seats short of a majority. Source link #Federal #election #poll #warns #Labor #lose #seats #Peter #Dutton #falls #short #majority Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Scientists discover process to produce breakthrough material with unbelievable capabilities — here’s how it could help solve a global crisis Scientists discover process to produce breakthrough material with unbelievable capabilities — here’s how it could help solve a global crisis Researchers at Shanghai Jiao Tong University are introducing new methods of biochar production that could significantly improve its ability to sequester carbon, according to TechXplore. Biochar is biomass that has been superheated in a zero-oxygen environment to create stable, porous carbon. The biomass used can include animal or vegetation waste, which prevents it from emitting methane over normal decomposition. What heat-trapping pollution that is produced during biochar pyrolysis is usually reused in the heating process. The final product is generally used in agriculture since its porous structure helps soil retain water and provides a medium for a healthy microbiome. Studies have even shown biochar can also filter out microplastics. The material is stable enough that it can keep carbon underground for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. This makes biochar one of the more reliable means of generating carbon credits, earning big attention from the likes of Google. The newly researched process involves adding polyethyleneimine to the biochar process, which researchers say can dramatically increase its ability to capture carbon dioxide. PEI has been known to capture carbon dioxide in other applications, including in space life support systems. PEI is otherwise used in detergents, adhesives, water treatment agents, and cosmetics. Agriculture remains a large-scale source of carbon pollution and one that’s hard to avoid. If we want to decarbonize our food production systems, we’ll need every tool in the box, and biochar fits the bill. Not only can it move more carbon into the ground, but it also shows promise as a cost-effective means of increasing yields thanks to improved soil health. Biochar can also help increase climate resilience in drought-stricken areas by retaining moisture for crops. Biochar is a well-established technology, dating back to ancient Mesoamerica, so adding PEI to the mix shouldn’t be a big leap. That said, there’s no indication of how long it would take for this tech to graduate from the lab to the market. Watch now: Expert shares one belief that ‘two thirds’ of the US population across the political spectrum hold Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don’t miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Source link #Scientists #discover #process #produce #breakthrough #material #unbelievable #capabilities #heres #solve #global #crisis Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Putin Ally Praises 'Bold' JD Vance After Munich Speech – Newsweek Putin Ally Praises 'Bold' JD Vance After Munich Speech – Newsweek Putin Ally Praises ‘Bold’ JD Vance After Munich Speech NewsweekUS Vice President JD Vance meets ******* far-right leader as he criticizes ‘firewalls’ in Europe The Associated PressVance Shocks Europe With Support for Far Right, in Message Familiar to U.S. The New York TimesVance brings a wrecking ball to diplomatic gathering in Munich POLITICO Europe Source link #Putin #Ally #Praises #039Bold039 #Vance #Munich #Speech #Newsweek Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

How The White Lotus became a cultural phenomenon How The White Lotus became a cultural phenomenon It was never supposed to be what it became. In fact, it was never supposed to be a TV series at all. So how on earth did The White Lotus, a show created as a standalone story during the COVID pandemic, go on to become the biggest thing on television? The series, created by Mike White, revolves around the goings-on at fictional White Lotus resorts across the world. It drops its third season on Monday February 17, and to say that fans are eagerly awaiting its return would be an understatement. In fact, three seasons on, audiences are still obsessed. The show has won 15 ********** Emmy Awards, two Golden Globes, been proclaimed “Certified Fresh” by critic aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes, and spawned the type of water-cooler commentary TV producers can only dream about. It’s re-launched careers, shined a light on stunningly beautiful tourism destinations (Hawaii in season one, Sicily in season two, and Thailand in this latest offering), spawned acres of column inches and memorable quotes, and launched a thousand memes. Camera IconJennifer Coolidge poses in the press room with her award at the 80th annual Golden Globe Awardsin 2023. Credit: Chris Pizzello/Invision To put it simply: The White Lotus is a bonafide cultural phenomenon. But how? And why has a show about a chain of hotels, written by the guy who wrote the film School Of Rock (and, bizarrely, once competed in a season of American Survivor), become such must-see television? “The White Lotus arrived like a camp, Hollywood update of Fawlty Towers — a hotel full of A-listers, newcomers, has-beens and suitcase-soilers,” said journalist and cultural commentator Cameron Adams. “Setting it in a hotel chain means a revolving cast of scenery and actors — it never, ever gets boring, rebooting each series. And that casting is done with precision, luring in ‘the girls and the gays’. “That puts it on the media agenda and all over social media — all you need for a show to become weekly appointment viewing in an era where attention spans are minuscule.” Camera IconThe White Lotus creator Mike White on stage with season two star Jennifer Coolidge at last year’s Vivid Sydney.. Credit: Supplied/Instagram@mrbenjaminlaw/TheWest White, who writes and directs each episode, has admitted he never expected the series to become the breakaway hit it is — the first season was simply something he wrote quickly while bored during COVID-19 lockdown. It’s a rumination on money and privilege, but after its success, US network HBO was quick to commission more. White went on to explore sex and power in the second season, and this latest iteration puts religion, spirituality and the wellness industry in the firing line. Now a fully fledged anthology series, The White Lotus was supposed to be a way for HBO to shoot content during the first COVID-19 lockdown. Production for the first season commenced in October 2020, with the cast cloistered away at the Four Seasons Resort Maui. Because the cast and crew lived and filmed in one spot, they were able to work around strict pandemic filming protocols. It was a formula that worked, and after the success of the first season, which saw character actor Jennifer Coolidge’s career reignited thanks to her for-the-ages portrayal of socialite Tanya, White decided to keep things as they were, asking his cast and crew to relocate to the ritzy San Domenico Palace in Taormina, Sicily, for season two. Camera IconThe White Lotus season two put Taormina, Sicily, on the map. Credit: Supplied/Binge For season three, everyone holed up for seven months at the luxurious Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui, with filming also taking place in locations in Bangkok and Phuket. White was onto a winning formula. This season’s star Jason Isaacs, who plays a rich midwestern American on holiday with his family, told press recently that cast and crew lived in each other’s pockets for the duration of the mammoth shoot, the claustrophobic nature of their living arrangements in their “gilded cage” presumably only adding to the intensity of their performances. “People are away from home and, you know, there’s a lot of bacchanalian behaviour going on,” he admitted in an article. “I’m not telling stories out of school — it’s just grown-ups doing whatever we like. “Thailand is a place full of parties, and we are not immune.” White clearly knew what he was doing by having everyone bunk in together, and in this latest season, there’s a real sense of a show hitting its strides. The performances are elevated, the setting more sublime, the mystery — and its clap-backs to previous seasons’ storylines — propulsive from the get-go, hinting that White has his overarching narrative all mapped out for future seasons (a fourth has already been announced). There’s something for everyone, or, as Adams posited: “the concept of the show becomes the lure, and we want the new cast and storylines to be as wild as possible”. The fact that The White Lotus can be viewed on two different levels is part of the reason it resonates so much. Some come for the soapy melodrama, the deliciously ******* repartee and the dripping indulgence of the story’s five-star surrounds; others for the nuance of what lies beneath. Add to that the “mystery” element — each series begins with the discovery of a body, winding back the action a week to flesh out what happens in the lead-up — and you’ve got yourself the makings of a zeitgeisty hit. Camera IconThe White Lotus kicks things up a gear for its fabulous third season. Credit: Fabio Lovino/HBO “(The first two seasons) told us that every millionaire’s vacation is built on the back of someone else’s misery,” wrote Xan Brooks in a piece for The Guardian. “It showed us that every self-styled escape is a prison in disguise.” The upstairs/downstairs premise at the heart of the show — half the action centres around the resort’s rich guests, the other half concerns itself with the staff who work there — means this is a show that is always straddling two worlds, and it’s deliciously good fun to immerse yourself in each. “It relies on shock value and familiar archetypes,” said Wenlei Ma, The Nightly’s culture editor and film and TV critic. “Plus, audiences love to hate rich people (and to see them) get their comeuppance as much as they love holiday porn. “We want to live vicariously and experience the most luxurious delights of Maui, Sicily and Koh Samui, but we don’t think these characters deserve a privilege denied to ourselves.” In short: escapist TV never looked so good. REVIEW Three times is the charm for Mike White, who has knocked it out of the park with his spectacular third season of The White Lotus. There’s obnoxious guests, put-upon employees, drop-dead gorgeous scenery and — true to form — in the opening moments of the first episode, there’s also a dead body. The new season is giving audiences more of the same — and therein lies its genius. This time around, not only is creator Mike White serving up all the things we love in this anthology series, through eight sumptuously shot episodes (seasons one and two were shorter), he’s able to take things one step further, fleshing out the characters while delving deeper into the overarching themes from the previous two seasons. It’s hard to say too much more without giving away some major plot spoilers, but know this: if you’ve been wondering if there will be justice for Jennifer Coolidge’s Tanya (if you’ve seen season two, you’ll know “those gays” were, in fact, trying to ******* her) you might just get your wish. There are some great performances from this year’s cast, which includes Walter Goggins and Aimee Lou Wood as a mismatched couple, Parker Posey, Jason Isaacs, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Sarah Catherine Hook and Sam Nivola as a wealthy midwestern family and Leslie Bibb, Carrie ***** and Michelle Monaghan as friends on a girls’ trip. The lesser-known faces who step in as the resort’s staff are equally compelling. White has crafted another superb season — fans will be hooked right right from the word go. 4.5 stars The White Lotus season three starts on Monday February 17 on Binge. Source link #White #Lotus #cultural #phenomenon Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]