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Donation reforms: Labor, Liberals agrees to major shake-up of donation laws to smash Climate 200 model Donation reforms: Labor, Liberals agrees to major shake-up of donation laws to smash Climate 200 model Labor and the Coalition have teamed up on an overhaul of election financing that will smash Climate 200’s business model of aggregating donations for independent candidates. In an eleventh-hour deal to pass the legislation on Wednesday night, the major parties agreed to a compromise position lifting the proposed cap on donations from $20,000 to $50,000 and increasing the disclosure threshold from $1000 to $5000. However, this is a major change from the existing system where there are no caps on donations and the origin of gifts below $16,900 is kept secret. It’s the biggest shake-up of political financing in decades. The spending caps stridently opposed by the crossbenchers will remain at $800,000 per seat up to a $90 million national limit. This overall limit is less than either Labor or the Coalition spent at the last election, and about $30 million less than Clive Palmer’s United Australia Party. The donation caps work two ways. An individual candidate or party cannot accept more than $50,000 from any one source, while donors cannot give more than $1.6 million in total in a single year. This ends the role Climate 200 has played as an aggregator of donations, which the major parties view as being akin to the Super PACs in the US system — organisations that can take in unlimited amounts of money to spend on campaigning, which have supercharged the financial arms race. It gathers small donations and then distributes the money in lump sums to its chosen MPs and candidates — but under the changes it could only donate up to $50,000 to any individual each year. This is well below the funding it gave successful independent MPs at the 2022 election and over the years since. For example, Kate Chaney’s voluntary donation disclosures on her website show the Curtin MP has received $265,125 in Climate 200 funding since July. But Climate 200 or similar non-party entities could spend up to $11 million campaigning directly, including asking people to donate directly to candidates. The deal has attracted the fury of the Greens and crossbenchers, who accused the major parties of a stitch-up. “I think members of the public will be really outraged, but perhaps not shocked that the two big parties are here for each other,” Greens democracy spokeswoman Larissa Waters said. “These are the biggest and most momentous reforms to our electoral system in decades, and it’s been done in the most shambolic and least democratic way.” Ms Chaney, who led the push for greater transparency but opposes spending caps, said the major parties were preventing future challengers. “If a million people decide to give me $10 each for my campaign, why should I not spend that?” she said ahead of the Senate debate. “I absolutely think the major parties are terrified of what they’re seeing. They are seeing that neither of them is offering the sort of leadership that Australians want, and they’re seeing their share of vote decline. “Now, they could choose to respond to that with better policies and better leadership and a vision for the future, but instead, they’re choosing to change the rules of the game.” Member for Wentworth Allegra Spender said the big parties had “locked the independents out of this conversation”. But the Government insists it gave everyone who wanted to be consulted a hearing. The Coalition had asked for the donation cap to be lifted to $40,000, but the end deal landed at the higher point of $50,000 after a request from independent MP Sophie Scamps. It has tweaked arrangements for peak bodies such as the ACTU or Business Council of Australia so they can quarantine up to $200,000 from each member organisation for campaign spending. The changes, which also include real-time disclosure or donations, will come into effect after the 2025 election. Special Minister of State Don Farrell sealed the deal in separate meetings with Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton on Tuesday afternoon. Senator Farrell has spoken repeatedly about his desire to get big money out of *********** politics, saying he fears the country is following the American path. Former president Joe Biden used his farewell address to warn that “an oligarchy is taking shape in America of extreme wealth, power and influence that literally threatens our entire democracy, our basic rights and freedoms, and a fair shot for everyone to get ahead”. The laws are expected to pass the Senate on Wednesday night after 2.5 hours of debate. Source link #Donation #reforms #Labor #Liberals #agrees #major #shakeup #donation #laws #smash #Climate #model Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Doused with acid and robbed at knifepoint, this Hilton Head mother of 6 now lives in fear Doused with acid and robbed at knifepoint, this Hilton Head mother of 6 now lives in fear Minutes before the attack that would change her life, Maria Hernandez, 46, drove through her bank’s ATM on Hilton Head Island. A trip and a task she had done countless times before. The normal task was preceded by a normal day: driving her youngest daughter to school, cleaning up fallen leaves from the banana tree in her front yard, working her shift at a nearby restaurant, cooking dinner for her kids, attending a church service and shopping at Walmart for Christmas gifts. She had no way of knowing that a day so normal could end in tragedy. As Maria left the bank parking lot the night of Dec. 20, two masked robbers threatened to stab her, they assaulted her with punch to side of her head and in an act of unexpected brutality, doused her in a solution that caused lasting burns on her chest, shoulder and arm — all to steal her purse and a stack of Christmas gifts from the car. Police say they do not have any suspects. Evidence that could crack the case appears to be sparse. That uncertainty has left Maria and her children in a state of fear. She longs for a sense of closure from the sudden and traumatic attack, all the while worrying the suspects could target another unsuspecting victim. Back home, but not as it was A little more than a month after the attack, Maria, short in stature and soft in speech, opens her front door. A narrow dirt road leads to the entrance of the mobile home, where a ****** cat patrols the front entrance as chickens cluck out of sight behind the house. Inside, a dining room table is occupied by one of her six children, her second youngest, who sits eating dinner. The kitchen where Maria spends her free time baking bread is next to a sliding back door. It leads to the backyard where Maria grows tomatoes and chili peppers to cook her son’s favorite meal: mole, a rich sauce she serves over rice. Afternoon light floods into the living room. A Christmas tree dotted with silver and blue bows still stands tall in the corner, even in the final days of January. Turquoise walls surround a twin-sized bed, a leather loveseat and two identical chairs with brown slip covers. Maria Hernandez sits for an interview on Feb. 4, 2025, at her Hilton Head Island home as she recounts the evening when she was robbed by two men at knife-point and when she resisted, was punched in her left temple and sprayed with a caustic agent after leaving an ATM on Dec. 20, 2024 on the island. Maria sits in one of them. It is the same chair she has used to block her front door in the nights following her attack, she says. Her voice breaks when she talks about trying to explain this to her youngest child, a 10-year-old daughter. It isn’t just her that has been affected by this, she says; it is her entire family. Another son, her 16-year-old, sits next to her in the identical brown chair. As Maria speaks, he relays her story back in English. So she starts from the beginning, before she was attacked. Maria moved to Hilton Head nearly 20 years ago from California, where she spent a few years working on farms. She is originally from Mexico. She describes herself as kind and loving, with the ability to get angry when she needs to. When she says this, she cracks a short-lived smile. She has family in Bluffton and Ridgeland. She works in a restaurant on Hilton Head as a prep cook. Her dark eyes move across the room, not settling on anything in particular. Exhaustion has fallen across her face: the result of sleepless nights from consistent nightmares, she says. Bruising on her left temple remains from when she was punched by one of her attackers. Her ****** hair, swept to a side part, has thinned out from anxiously pulling at it, she says. An off-the-shoulder shirt reveals the left side of her upper body. It is where she was burned from liquid that was thrown on her in the midst of the attack. Pink and red scarring spans the length of her upper arm and chest. She used the arm to block her face from the liquid, she says. Her legs, crossed at the ankle, were also scarred — the physical result of two skin graft surgeries she underwent in recent weeks. No me gusta ver, she said. She doesn’t like to look at it. And even weeks later, she is still in constant pain, day in and day out. The medication does not calm her down, and it makes her feel dizzy. With patience and time, it will heal, she says. But there is no escape from what happened, and questions remain about who did this to her, and if justice will be served. ‘I’m going to die’ It was close to 10 p.m. on Dec. 20 as Maria pulled into the Bank of America ATM on north-end Hilton Head, minutes away from the main entrances to Hilton Head Plantation and Indigo Run. She withdrew a few hundred dollars, placed the bills in her glove compartment and began her exit of the parking lot, stopping at the stop sign at the intersection of Hatton Place and Pembroke Drive. That’s when she heard a golpe recio — a big bump — followed by the sight of a dark figure near the hood of her car. At first, she thought she had hit someone, Maria said. She immediately dialed 911 and put the car in park. The ATM at the Bank of America on the corner of William Hilton Parkway and Hatton Place where Maria Hernandez had just left on the evening of Dec. 20, 2024 when she was violently attacked by two men wearing masks who brandished a knife and sprayed her with a caustic agent. But with the parking brake activated, Maria’s car doors automatically unlocked. The door flung open, and one dark figure put a knife to her side. Immediately scared for her life, Maria dropped her phone. With police dispatch still on the line, it fell between the driver’s seat and the car’s center console. The masked figures told Maria to slowly move the car to the side of the road. As she slowly rolled down Hatton Place, she began to scream. In response, one of the men punched her in the face, leaving a bruise that remained visible in early February. She then saw one of the men lift a container, Maria said. In a split-second decision that might have saved her life, she threw her left arm over her face. The caustic chemical spilled onto her left arm and poured over her shoulder, sending shockwaves of burning pain across Maria’s upper body. When she looked to her right, she saw the other masked figure rifling through her possessions in the passenger’s side. Maria knew she’d have to do something. She pushed the man in front of her and she ran into a wooded area nearby, narrowly avoiding the masked figure’s attempts to grab her arm and trip her. From the woods, Maria saw the two men run away. She tried to wave down two cars that passed by shortly after, but each driver rolled by without offering help. She rushed back to the car, fished her phone from the floorboard and called her sister. “I called (her) to tell her that I’m going to die,” Maria said, “because I could no longer bear the pain.” Suddenly, the parking lot was flooded with the *********** of a police cruiser. A deputy exited and pointed a flashlight at Maria, illuminating the screaming red burns that covered her upper body. “I remember taking off my clothes because of the pain and looking at the burns,” said Maria, going on to say she entered a state of shock. “After that, I couldn’t feel my arm. I don’t remember people helping me, when the police came or when I was riding in the ambulance.” She was rushed to the emergency room at Hilton Head Hospital, where her wounds were treated with cold water. But seeing the extent of Maria’s injuries, medical staff knew she would need to be airlifted to a burn center. Maria spent a month at Charleston’s Medical University of South Carolina, undergoing two surgeries and receiving countless visitors. Most were family members and friends, but some were strangers who heard about Maria’s story and wanted to show their support. The medical bills from Maria’s hospital stay would be covered by a victim’s assistance fund, she said. She was unable to work while the burns healed, but her family would receive financial assistance from a fundraiser organized by Bluffton couple Nadia Ramirez-Gray and Roger Gray. The investigation As of February, neither of the two suspects had been apprehended. In a late January meeting, sheriff’s office personnel told Maria and her family that the attack was still under investigation but had yielded few developments. Robberies targeting people leaving ATMs and other financial institutions are part of a relatively new crime phenomenon across the country, informally known as “bank jugging.” Police say perpetrators aim to victimize people carrying large amounts of cash, and that the crimes seem to increase during tax season. The thieves that targeted Maria didn’t get the money she had withdrawn from the ATM. There are no known witnesses to the Dec. 20 attack, according to Master Sgt. Danny Allen, a spokesperson for the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office. It is unlikely that local surveillance footage captured the robbery or a discernible view of the suspects. Police were in possession of the jacket Maria wore during the incident and had taken a number of DNA samples from the scene, she said, but she hadn’t been told what chemical was poured on her. Asked if she had hope for the perpetrators’ arrest, Maria said, “I think so. I hope they do find them.” She expressed a resigned sadness that the two passing cars hadn’t stopped in her moment of need or dialed 911 on her behalf, saying they could have information on the fleeing suspects. “I told the police to keep investigating, because it can’t just end like this,” Maria said with tears in her eyes. “Because if someone did this to me, they could still be out there and do this to another person.” Source link #Doused #acid #robbed #knifepoint #Hilton #mother #lives #fear Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Brie Larson Needs Your Help to Decide Her Next Big Adventure Brie Larson Needs Your Help to Decide Her Next Big Adventure Brie Larson just posted on her Instagram story asking fans to pick which game she should play next. The actress revealed that she had just finished Hogwarts Legacy and was looking to choose between none other than FromSoftware’s Elden Ring and Rockstar Games’ Red Dead Redemption 2. So which one would we recommend? The Captain Marvel actress is a gamer through and through. | Credit: Marvel Studios Both Elden Ring and RDR2 are masterpieces in their own right, but they aren’t for people with the same preferences. FromSoft’s title is filled with the typical Soulslike formula taken to the next level in an open-world format. RDR2, on the other hand, is a cinematic and emotional experience, also in an open-world format. So which game wins? Brie Larson needs help picking between two gaming classics Picking Elden Ring means accepting the challenge. | Image Credit: FromSoftware Larson’s gaming history goes way back to her childhood and she has shared that Nintendo consoles played a big role in her life. In a 2024 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, she talked about how video games helped strengthen her bond with her sister. Over the years, her love for gaming has only grown and this time, she’s picking between FromSoftware and Rockstar Games’ big hits. Elden Ring feels like the culmination of everything From Software have learned up to this point. The atmosphere is deeply enchanting, the world is utterly enormous, and there is a varying difficulty-level to encounters that should satisfy more players. This is going to be big. pic.twitter.com/Ltlfa4KNqD — Vaati (@VaatiVidya) February 23, 2022 If Larson chooses Elden Ring, she’s in for a challenge unlike anything she has played before. FromSoftware’s 2022 open-world RPG became a massive phenomenon, selling over 20 million copies in just a year. Known for its cryptic storytelling, punishing difficulty, and vast open world, Elden Ring is not a game for the faint of heart. It demands patience, skill, and an appetite for discovery. The game a stark contrast to Larson’s usual Nintendo favorites, but if she enjoys overcoming challenges, this could be the perfect pick. What makes Elden Ring unique is how it approaches open-world design. The game also carries the legacy of the Dark Souls series, making it an event in itself. If Larson is looking for a deeply immersive and unpredictable adventure, Elden Ring is a strong contender. RDR2 is a slower, more dramatic, and deep experience Get ready to take your time and enjoy the game. | Image Credit: Rockstar Games On the other hand, Red Dead Redemption 2 is widely regarded as one of the most immersive and cinematic games of all time. Developed by Rockstar Games, this epic story places us in the role of Arthur Morgan, an outlaw struggling to survive in the dying days of the Wild West. If you can endure the slow start, it’s a no-brainer for one of the best games of all time. A masterpiece of storytelling, Red Dead Redemption 2 paints a tragic portrait of loyalty, loss, and the fading Wild West. Its world breathes—every sunrise, every storm, every stranger feels alive with purpose and consequence. just great game.(waiting for gta vi) pic.twitter.com/6SEQ64ZKiw — priyanshu solanki (@Priyans63514590) February 8, 2025 The game is renowned for its detailed world, rich character interactions, and emotional storytelling. Unlike Elden Ring, which is a journey of mystery and difficulty, RDR2 is a slower-paced experience with a focus on role-playing and moral choices. If Larson wants a story with unparalleled attention to detail, RDR2 would be an excellent pick. Another factor to consider is how much time Larson wants to invest in her next game. Both of her options are massive games, but they offer different types of engagement. Elden Ring requires dedication to mastering its challenging mechanics, while RDR2 invites players to take their time exploring its world and story. Both games demand a significant time investment, but the rewards are more than worth it. Which game would you recommend to the Captain Marvel star? Let us know your thoughts in the comments! Source link #Brie #Larson #Decide #Big #Adventure Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

'Captain America: Brave New World' Draws Mixed First Reactions – Variety 'Captain America: Brave New World' Draws Mixed First Reactions – Variety ‘Captain America: Brave New World’ Draws Mixed First Reactions Variety‘Captain America: Brave New World’ Will Throw His Mighty Shield Around The Globe To $190 Million Opening – Box Office Preview Deadline‘Captain America: Brave New World’ First Reactions After Premiere: “A Thrill Ride From Start to Finish” Hollywood ReporterCAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD Eyeing Global Opening ******* Than THE MARVELS’ Entire Box Office Run CBM (Comic Book Movie)What to Know About the MCU Ahead of ‘Captain America: Brave New World’ Newsweek Source link #039Captain #America #Brave #World039 #Draws #Mixed #Reactions #Variety Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Eagles star Tim Kelly out to rekindle love of football Eagles star Tim Kelly out to rekindle love of football West Coast star Tim Kelly has put contract talks out of his mind as he attempts to reignite his love of football, which he lost during a “frustrating” few years for the AFL club. Kelly’s existing deal expires at the end of the season, but the experienced ball-winner shapes as an important part of new coach Andrew McQualter’s plans to lift the Eagles out of the doldrums in 2025. McQualter has taken the reins after Adam Simpson departed last July amid a horror run for West Coast, who have managed just 10 wins over the past three seasons. Kelly revealed the difficult ******* had come at a cost when asked about his contract status on Wednesday. “It is probably something that’ll work itself out. My manager works pretty hard in that space,” the 30-year-old said. “To be honest, for me it’s about honing in on what I’ve got to do, get my body right … my love of the game hasn’t been great over the last couple of years. “There’s a lot of contract talk and this and that but I’m just trying to love the game again. Hopefully that comes.” Kelly was part of finals teams in his first three AFL seasons – two of those with Geelong, where he also won an All-*********** blazer – and narrowly missed out in his fourth. But West Coast slid dramatically after that and have finished the past three years in the bottom three rungs on the ladder. “It’s been a tough few years and I’m not the only one,” Kelly said. “Everyone here has been working really hard and not getting much reward. “It’s been frustrating to say the least but it’s got to turn around eventually.” Kelly has been buoyed by the fresh voice of former Richmond and Melbourne assistant McQualter, who was a key figure on Damien Hardwick’s Tigers coaching staff in an era of premiership success. “Mini (McQualter) has been great. He and the coaching staff are doing a hell of the job with the program at the moment,” Kelly said. “Everything is kind of new. It’s the same game but the new language, different game plan and all of that. “I’m just enjoying the process at the moment. “As a group, we’re getting to the point where we’re sick of playing against each other, so the next step is obviously to do it against real opposition.” Kelly will feature for the Indigenous All Stars against Fremantle on Saturday night, one month out from West Coast’s season opener against Gold Coast on March 16. Source link #Eagles #star #Tim #Kelly #rekindle #love #football Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Hecklers disrupt bowling club’s alcohol hearing Hecklers disrupt bowling club’s alcohol hearing Angry hecklers disrupted a virtual council meeting in which a bowling club was applying for permission to sell alcohol. A licensing panel hearing on Monday was interrupted by angry neighbours of Hove and Kingsway Bowling Club alleging previous anti-social behaviour and noise incidents from the venue. One complained of loud rock bands curtailing her “human rights” to have her windows open during the summer. But a spokesperson for the club, which has 700 members, said there had been no such complaints since it relocated to a new site nearby two months ago. Now part of the outdoor sports hub building created as part of Brighton and Hove City Council’s £15m seafront revamp, the club’s change of address has necessitated it having to reapply for an alcohol permit. The club, described as “a bit overzealous” with its previous events, has applied to sell alcohol from 11:00 to midnight Monday to Saturday. Some residents spoke of people urinating outside after leaving one Christmas party and asked for assurances that alcohol would only be sold to club members. They said their requests for “moderation and a reasonable set of behaviour” had so far been ignored. However, the club’s agent, Nick Semper, founder of The Licensing Guys, said the hearing concerned the current application only, not a review of what might have gone on before. He said there was no evidence of disorder or complaints in the papers presented to the panel, but conceded the club could install a noise limiter if required. Neighbours were also given assurances that events would not spill outside onto the bowling greens. Neither the council’s licensing or environmental health teams objected to the application, although the latter asked for the club’s doors and windows to stay closed unless people were arriving or leaving. The panel – councillors David McGregor, Ivan Lyons and Alison Thomson – retired to reach their decision, which should be made public within five working days. Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].*** or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. Related internet links: Source link #Hecklers #disrupt #bowling #clubs #alcohol #hearing Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

California’s insurer of last resort runs out of money to pay L.A. fire claims – The Washington Post California’s insurer of last resort runs out of money to pay L.A. fire claims – The Washington Post California’s insurer of last resort runs out of money to pay L.A. fire claims The Washington PostCalifornia’s FAIR Plan Gets $1 Billion Bailout After L.A. Fires The New York TimesCalifornia homeowners will have to fund half of high-risk insurer’s $1 billion ‘bailout’ CalMattersCalifornia faces insurance crisis as homeowners lose coverage amid extreme weather PBS NewsHourCalifornia seeks $1 billion from insurers to shore up FAIR Plan after LA fires Reuters Source link #Californias #insurer #resort #runs #money #pay #L.A #fire #claims #Washington #Post Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Russia Releases Imprisoned American Marc Fogel in What US Calls a Step Toward End of Ukraine war Russia Releases Imprisoned American Marc Fogel in What US Calls a Step Toward End of Ukraine war WASHINGTON (AP) — Marc Fogel, an American history teacher who was deemed wrongfully detained by Russia, has been released and returned to the U.S. in what the White House described as a diplomatic thaw that could advance negotiations to end the war in Ukraine. Steve Witkoff, a special envoy for President Donald Trump, left Russia with Fogel and brought him to the White House, where Trump greeted him. “I feel like the luckiest man on Earth right now,” Fogel said as he stood next to Trump with an American flag draped around his shoulders. Fogel, who is from Pennsylvania and was expected to be reunited with his family by the end of the day, said he would forever be indebted to Trump. Trump said another American would be released on Wednesday, though he declined to name the person or say from what country, only saying it was someone “very special.” The president declined to say if he spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin about Fogel, but Fogel praised the Russian leader as “very generous and statesmanlike in granting me a pardon.” Asked about the terms of the deal, Trump said: “Very fair, very, very fair, very reasonable. Not like deals you’ve seen over the years. They were very fair.” He did not say what the United States exchanged for Fogel’s release. Fogel was arrested in August 2021 and was serving a 14-year prison sentence. His family and supporters said he had been traveling with medically prescribed **********, and he was designated by President Joe Biden’s administration as wrongfully detained in December. Michael Waltz, Trump’s national security adviser, said the U.S. and Russia “negotiated an exchange” to ensure Fogel’s release. He did not say what the U.S. side of the bargain entailed. Previous negotiations have occasionally involved reciprocal releases of Russians by the U.S. or its allies. Waltz said the development was “a sign we are moving in the right direction to end the brutal and terrible war in Ukraine.” Trump, a Republican, has promised to find a way to end the conflict. Trump also has talked about having a good relationship with Putin, who launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Last month, Trump said his administration was having “very serious” conversations with Russia about the war. Speaking to reporters at the White House earlier Tuesday, Trump said, “We were treated very nicely by Russia, actually. I hope that’s the beginning of a relationship where we can end that war.” Asked whether the U.S. had given up anything in return, Trump replied “not much” but did not elaborate. Fogel’s relatives said they were “beyond grateful, relieved and overwhelmed” that he was coming home. “This has been the darkest and most painful ******* of our lives, but today, we begin to heal,” they said. “For the first time in years, our family can look forward to the future with hope.” There was no immediate comment from Moscow about Fogel’s release on Tuesday. The U.S., Russia and other nations carried out a large prisoner swap in August that resulted in the release of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and American corporate security executive Paul Whelan, among others. But that deal left out numerous other Americans jailed in Russia, including Fogel. Some omitted then were also not included in Tuesday’s release, including several who have had major milestones in their cases since then. Among them is U.S.-Russian dual national Ksenia Khavana, who was convicted of treason in a Russian court shortly after last August’s prisoner swap and sentenced to 12 years in prison on charges stemming from a donation of about $52 to a charity aiding Ukraine. John Kirby, a national security spokesman at the Biden White House at that time, called the conviction and sentencing “nothing less than vindictive cruelty.” Last October, American Robert Gilman was sentenced to more than seven years in prison in Russia for allegedly assaulting law enforcement officers while serving a sentence for another assault, while American Stephen Hubbard was sentenced to prison in a closed trial for allegedly fighting as a mercenary in Ukraine. As the Russia-Ukraine war nears the end of its third year, Trump’s plan for securing an end to the conflict remains unclear, though he has said that both sides will need to make concessions and suggested that Ukraine would have to accept the loss of at least some territory. Fogel’s release and Trump’s announcement that he will send Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to Kyiv for talks with Ukraine’s leaders could signal that plans may be beginning to take shape. Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trump’s special envoy for Russia and Ukraine, retired Gen. Keith Kellogg, will all be traveling later this week to the Munich Security Conference, where the situation in Ukraine will be a major topic of discussion. Kellogg told The Associated Press on Monday that he and the others would be talking to European officials about the very broad outlines of what Trump would like to see and gauging their interest. “We will deliver our expectation to the allies,” Kellogg said. “When we come back from Munich — we want to deliver to the president the options, so when he does get (directly) involved in the peace process, he knows what it will look like for him.” Source link #Russia #Releases #Imprisoned #American #Marc #Fogel #Calls #Step #Ukraine #war Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

PlayStation Devs Saved the Day for GTA Founders in the Early Days of the Billion Dollar Franchise PlayStation Devs Saved the Day for GTA Founders in the Early Days of the Billion Dollar Franchise Every great story starts with limitations and is built upon the failures of experts who learned from their mistakes and built better things as they advanced. The story of Grand Theft Auto follows the same narrative. GTA had humble beginnings. Image Credit: DMA Design During the early development phase of GTA under DMA Design, the game was going through a very rough patch and was about to get shut down. The team was riddled with too many roadblocks hindering the game’s overall experience until the devs from PlayStation entered the story to save the day and turn the tides around for the game. GTA founders owe a large part of their success to PlayStation devs Car collisions were a big issue at the time for the developers. Image Credit: DMA Design During the early development ******* in the lifespan of GTA in the 1990s, the team at DMA seemed to have bitten off more than they could chew; they had created a game that was trying to aim for the stars without being able to stay airborne for even five minutes. This was a major concern, especially with the release date nearing. The game started as a race-and-chase game where players would get to play as cops as well as criminals, so largely it had to do with speeding chases across the streets of Liberty City. Eventually, the devs transitioned into a more nuanced way of storytelling and turned it into a mission-orientated game, which gave players a taste of an open-world experience; cars still played a huge role in it. Mike Dailly, the programmer and artist behind Grand Theft Auto, gave his recollections of a tough time when the game was under constant threat of being canned throughout its 4-year-long development haul. He said: We had a major fallout over car collisions, too. They just didn’t work. The code was like spaghetti junction. I ranted at the team for letting it get in such a mess. But I think the guys who did the PlayStation version had a ******* challenge when we handed the game to them. It needed a huge amount of memory and the console just didn’t have it. PlayStation devs walked in as messiahs and helped the team at DMA to improve the physics in their game. They put their prior experience working on other PlayStation titles to good use by assisting with the technical fixes needed to improve the collision system and make the game more playable. The same GTA is now a billion-dollar franchise This game paved the way for the upcoming GTA 6. Image Credit: DMA Design There is no chance that the team at DMA had any idea what a massive hit this game would turn out to be, especially because they were more focused on making it playable to start with. Had PlayStation devs not walked in, there is no saying what would have happened. The devs not only helped improve the physics of the game; they also enabled the DMA team to optimize the game to run better on the console, ensuring a smoother playing experience and better performance. They walked in while the game was crumbling, picked up the fallen pieces, and enabled the DMA team to create history as we now know it with GTA 6 being the most anticipated game on the market with a release window this year. What do you think about it? Let us know in the comments below. Source link #PlayStation #Devs #Saved #Day #GTA #Founders #Early #Days #Billion #Dollar #Franchise Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Horizon trucks first gold ore from second WA mine for processing Horizon trucks first gold ore from second WA mine for processing Horizon Minerals has fired the starting gun on its second gold mine in as many months by kicking off ore processing at its Phillips Find gold project, 45 kilometres northwest of Coolgardie in Western Australia. Mining of cutbacks at the company’s existing Newminster and Newhaven pits is now well underway, with more than 800,000 cubic metres of material already sitting on the run of mine pad ready for trucking. The first batch of 40,000 tonnes from Phillips Find has been loaded for transport to the nearby FMR Investments-owned Greenfields mill, with two-week turnaround processing set to begin next week. Horizon has teamed up with mining specialists BML Ventures under a joint venture agreement to develop and mine the two open pits at Phillips Find. Under the agreement, BML is covering all the project costs upfront. The mining contractor is also managing all the project’s operational, technical and maintenance aspects to streamline a cost-efficient mining campaign under Horizon’s watchful eye. The move to optimise output while keeping capital expenditures low is a strategic approach that will allow Horizon to ride out fluctuating market conditions. Net cash flow, after cost recovery, will be split equally between the two partners. We are very pleased to be transporting our first ore from Phillips Find for treatment at the Greenfields mill. With operations fully staffed and progressing well, we look forward to our first gold production. With the gold price on a tear, up 45 per cent in the last year to its current level of US$2889 (A$4586) per ounce, the rush is on among junior gold miners without processing infrastructure to lock in toll milling deals with their local mills. Horizon had the foresight to lock in a 200,000t toll milling agreement with FMR Investments nine months ago, guaranteeing the company a reliable processing route for Phillips Find ore. With haulage of the initial stockpile underway, the first gold pour and subsequent revenue generation are less than a month away. The joint venture’s immediate focus is to process the first ore batch and generate enough cash from gold sales to cover the upfront expenditure, operational costs and working capital before Horizon and BML can start equally divvying up the profits. Just two months ago Horizon pulled the trigger to start mining its 49,500 ounce Boorara gold deposit directly south of Kalgoorlie’s fabled super pit. Using Hamptons Transport as its mining contractor, the company plans to shift 1.24 million tonnes of ore grading 1.24 grams per tonne gold in a 14- month ******* from four open pits. Horizon celebrated its first pour four weeks ago. Boorara was initially expected to generate $30 million in free cashflow at $3600 per ounce gold, however, with today’s price marching past $4500 per ounce, the scene is set for a significant uplift in financial returns. Not satisfied with resting on its laurels, the company has tabled a solid set of numbers from a prefeasibility study into its Pennys Find gold play, 50km northeast of Kalgoorlie in the WA Goldfields. Pennys Find has a forecast production of 33,500 ounces from 239,000t of ore grading 3.2g/t, which Horizon estimates will generate a free cash flow of $24m at a gold price of $3600 per ounce over 23 months. To complete a ******* of frenzied activity, Horizon also closed out an all-scrip takeover of Kalgoorlie-based nickel miner Poseidon Nickel at the start of this week, which was valued at $30m. The deal delivered a resource of 422,000t in contained metal running at a grade of 1 per cent. More importantly, it came with the mothballed operational ****** Swan nickel processing plant Horizon says would otherwise cost $150m to replace. To deliver on the company’s plans to process its own gold – which was the main reason for its latest acquisition – Horizon plans to spend some money refurbishing the front end of Poseidon’s plant and installing gold processing facilities at the back end to make it fit for use. With the current high gold price environment, Horizon has the gold bit well and truly between its teeth with two gold mines up and running, a third on its way and a plant refurbishment in the pipeline. The old idiom of “making hay while the sun shines” has never seemed truer than when referring to Horizon’s dreams of becoming a key player in the Western *********** gold mining scene. Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: *****@*****.tld Source link #Horizon #trucks #gold #ore #processing Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Colorado’s booming moose population a growing concern, wildlife officials say Colorado’s booming moose population a growing concern, wildlife officials say Brad Manard feels relief each time he takes a tour group into Rocky Mountain National Park and his first stop, Sheep Lakes in Horseshoe Park, delivers a moose. He’s more confident these days that if Sheep Lakes doesn’t deliver, his other favorite moose spots will. “The first question people used to ask is, ‘Are we going to see elk?’ Now it’s, ‘Are we going to see a moose?'” said Manard, who owns RMNPhotographer Tours in Estes Park. “I tell them there’s a chance depending on the time of year. But in June last year, I was in the park every day through the 25th and saw moose every day.” Will Deacy, the park’s large mammal ecologist, shares another side of the park visitors’ most sought-after wildlife. He said about 4% of the park is wetlands, many of which contain willows, and 95% of those willows on the west side of the park have been lost in the last 20 to 30 years. “We know we have heavily degraded wetlands and a long history of too many elk on winter range on the east side of the park that is reducing willows,” he said. “We strongly suspect moose are exacerbating that, which is making restoration of our wetlands difficult.” Somewhere in the middle, the park must find balance between how many moose it can sustain to match visitor enjoyment with vegetative growth. Rocky Mountain National Park didn’t use to have a moose problem, but that has changed in a big way Historical records of moose in or near Rocky Mountain National Park, which was created in 1915, indicate little evidence of the animals’ presence, according to the park. Historical accounts from the 1860s document one instance of a moose that was shot and killed near present-day Estes Park. That began to change in 1978-1979 when the Colorado Division of Wildlife, now named Colorado Parks and Wildlife, introduced 12 moose each of those years into North Park, just west of the park, to increase wildlife viewing and hunting opportunities. In 1980, the park saw its first moose, in the Kawuneeche Valley on the park’s west side, a place outside of which moose were rarely seen for the next 30 years. That has markedly changed over the past 12 years. “There are now many more moose sightings on the east side of the park and moose are in every drainage in the park,” park spokesperson Kyle Patterson said. While the viewing has increased, so has the damage to biodiverse rich wetlands, namely its tall willows. It’s a numbers game, and the numbers don’t add up Remember, wetlands cover 4% of the park, with willows not present in all wetlands. Moose love willows, which in summer make up 91% of a moose’s diet. A large moose can consume about 45 pounds or more of willow in a day, according to the park. Willows make up 15% of an elk’s diet, which amounts to about 3 pounds of willows a day. Moose are difficult to count, but preliminary results from park surveys estimated the moose population grew 5% annually in 2019 and 2020, the last time the park surveyed the animals, resulting in around 145 moose. However, the survey only covered about 65% of the park and did not include all areas of known moose habitat such as the Wild Basin and Paradise Park areas, resulting in the park acknowledging the parkwide moose population is underestimated. This summer, the park will renew it’s aerial moose population survey with a new estimate expected this fall. The number of elk in the park in winter is estimated around 100, with several hundred more in nearby Estes Park and surrounding area. Those numbers increase in summer through fall. Hundreds of elk around the park and Estes Park migrate in winter to Loveland and the surrounding area. Since Colorado Parks and Wildlife brought 24 moose from Utah and Wyoming into North Park in the late 1970s, the statewide population has ballooned to around 3,500 animals, and growing, according to the state wildlife agency. That is more moose than Wyoming and on par with Utah. The current estimated moose population in North Park, where the original moose transplants took place, is around 670. The estimated moose population in the nearby Laramie River area is around 200. Andy Holland, Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s statewide big game manager, said the agency is intentionally working to keep moose populations just outside of Rocky Mountain National Park stable. He said the agency does this mainly through hunting with herd management plans assigned to areas in an attempt to balance the herd size with its habitat while accommodating the public’s demand for wildlife recreational opportunities. Hunters had a 77% success rate, killing 473 moose statewide, in 2023. “It’s important to use hunting, especially harvesting cows (females), so we don’t damage the willows and aspen,” Holland said. “Moose will go gangbusters, rapidly increasing. We want to keep them at objective numbers so they don’t exhaust the resource and ******. Nobody wants that.” Restoring the park’s wetland habitat is a complex task Restoring the park’s willow-beaver wetland ecosystem isn’t just a moose issue. “The perfect ecosystem has a bunch of connected parts,” Deacy explained. “Restoration can’t mess with with just one part. There are three to four major parts to it.” Deacy said restoring a healthy hydrology that promotes high water tables and creates a habitat for willows to proliferate is critical. That means populations of moose, elk and to a lesser extent deer (collectively called ungulates) need to be managed at levels that can sustain growth of tall willows. That task is made more difficult because hunting of those ungulates is not allowed in the park, and there are few predators — mountain lions, ****** bears, coyotes and only recently a wolf — there. Because of that, moose adults and calves have high survival rates. Healthy wetland and willows make an ideal habitat for beavers, whose job it is to create dams that store and filter water, to return to the park in larger numbers. “The cheat code is if we can restore the processes for the beavers, that will improve the hydrology and tall willow growth,” Deacy said. “A really healthy ecosystem is 100% consistent with excellent wildlife viewing.” The park began its moose monitoring program in 2017 and will continue until it has enough data to create a moose management plan. In 2020, the park and other entities began the Kawuneechee Valley Restoration Collborative to restore the willow-beaver wetland ecosystem. The park’s Elk and Vegetation Management Plan is a 20-year endeavor to address the impacts of an overabundance of elk on park resources, including willow and aspen. “We’re not sure how long it will take, but it’s on the decades scale,” Deacy said of restoring the park’s willow-beaver wetland ecosystem. ‘I hope we don’t forget that for visitors to the park, moose viewing is huge.’ Manard said he photographed his first moose around 1982 in the Kawuneeche Valley. The first time he saw one on the east side of the park was at Sprague Lake in 2013. His company now leads more than 200 tours in the park every summer, he said. Manard said he sees both sides of the park’s growing moose population dilemma. He hopes the park will ultimately find the right number of moose to sustain his business and restore the park’s wetlands and willows for the park’s 4 million annual visitors. “Moose are important to the economy of Estes Park, Grand Lake and Rocky Mountain National Park,” he said. “They are wonderful to educate visitors about moose and their habitat. I also understand the park studying moose and finding a good balance of the number of moose the park can sustain. I hope we don’t forget that for visitors to the park, moose viewing is huge.” This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Does Rocky Mountain National Park have too many moose? Source link #Colorados #booming #moose #population #growing #concern #wildlife #officials Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Defense Secretary Discusses Force Posturing in Africa, Europe – Department of Defense Defense Secretary Discusses Force Posturing in Africa, Europe – Department of Defense Defense Secretary Discusses Force Posturing in Africa, Europe Department of DefenseHegseth expected to push NATO and EU to take more responsibility for Ukraine CNNUS military not ‘abandoning’ allies, defense chief says Voice of AmericaPete Hegseth Addresses Sending US Troops Into Ukraine NewsweekSecretary of Defense Pete Hegseth Visits U.S. Africa Command U.S. Africa Command Source link #Defense #Secretary #Discusses #Force #Posturing #Africa #Europe #Department #Defense Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Kellen Moore joins New Orleans Saints from Super Bowl winners Philadelphia Eagles Kellen Moore joins New Orleans Saints from Super Bowl winners Philadelphia Eagles The move means Moore will have a different job for a fourth successive year, though this is his first role as head coach. The 36-year-old previously worked at the Dallas Cowboys between 2018 and 2022 – serving as offensive coordinator the last of those years, before similar roles at the Los Angeles Chargers in 2023 and the Eagles last season. “He is an outstanding communicator with the ability to lead people and has a clear vision for this football team,” said Saints general manager Mickey Loomis. Team owner Gayle Benson added: “Through the search process, it became clear that Kellen is the right person to help us re-establish a winning programme and culture that our fans are accustomed to and have come to expect.” The Saints have missed out on the play-offs the last four seasons and have reached just one NFC Conference final since winning the Super Bowl in 2010. The Eagles beat the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 in New Orleans on Sunday to deny them an unprecedented third straight Super Bowl. Source link #Kellen #Moore #joins #Orleans #Saints #Super #Bowl #winners #Philadelphia #Eagles Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Wilson Tucker: Daylight Savings MP quits politics four years after accidental WA Election victory Wilson Tucker: Daylight Savings MP quits politics four years after accidental WA Election victory He described state politics in WA as ‘frustrating and slightly broken’. Source link #Wilson #Tucker #Daylight #Savings #quits #politics #years #accidental #Election #victory Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Police in northern Wisconsin have busy month with increased calls for service, issued nearly 130 parking tickets Police in northern Wisconsin have busy month with increased calls for service, issued nearly 130 parking tickets RHINELANDER, Wis. (WFRV) – Police in northern Wisconsin released their statistics for January 2025, and there were increases nearly all across the board. The Rhinelander Police Department posted on its Facebook page about how many calls for service the department had during January 2025. Officials say they handled 714 calls for the month which is 132 more than the previous January. This was a 22% increase in calls for service. The calls reportedly resulted in 64 citations/warnings being issued for 2025, while there was only 16 citations/warnings issued in January 2024. Wisconsin woman makes state history catching fourth largest sturgeon during opening Sturgeon Spearing Season weekend Officials also mentioned that 129 parking tickets were issued since the Winter Parking Ban that went into effect back in November. The department’s K9 units were reportedly used ten times in January. No additional information was provided. 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 WFRV Local 5 – Green Bay, Appleton. Source link #Police #northern #Wisconsin #busy #month #increased #calls #service #issued #parking #tickets Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Live updates: Trump and Elon Musk defend their attempts to downsize the federal government – The Associated Press Live updates: Trump and Elon Musk defend their attempts to downsize the federal government – The Associated Press Live updates: Trump and Elon Musk defend their attempts to downsize the federal government The Associated PressMusk touts DOGE transparency but downplays his own potential conflicts of interest CNNElon Musk defends cost-cutting efforts in Oval Office appearance MintTrump executive order vows substantial cuts to federal workforce The Washington Post Source link #Live #updates #Trump #Elon #Musk #defend #attempts #downsize #federal #government #Press Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Stefano Vukov: Elena Rybakina’s ex-coach banned from WTA Tour after investigation Stefano Vukov: Elena Rybakina’s ex-coach banned from WTA Tour after investigation Stefano Vukov, the former coach of world number five Elena Rybakina, will remain banned from the WTA Tour following an independent investigation into his behaviour towards the player. It was announced in January that the Croat had been provisionally suspended after allegedly breaching the WTA’s Code of Conduct. On Tuesday, the WTA – the governing body of women’s tennis – confirmed Vukov’s ban had been upheld. The 37-year-old has denied any wrongdoing and Rybakina has said she was never mistreated by him. Confirming the conclusion of the investigation to BBC Sport, the WTA added: “Following this process, the suspension remains in place. “To protect the confidentiality and integrity of the investigation and its findings, the WTA will not provide further details. We remain committed to ensuring that all matters are handled in a fair and objective manner in accordance with the WTA Code of Conduct.” It would not specify how long Vukov will be banned for and it is not known which part of the WTA’s code he has broken. Vukov can appeal against the decision. The decision means Rybakina will not be able to bring Vukov back on to her team – something she hoped to do at the start of the year. BBC Sport has approached Vukov for comment. Source link #Stefano #Vukov #Elena #Rybakinas #excoach #banned #WTA #Tour #investigation Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

NBN Co delivers free 600,000 fibre upgrades, with plenty more still to come – here’s how to get yourself in the next batch NBN Co delivers free 600,000 fibre upgrades, with plenty more still to come – here’s how to get yourself in the next batch NBN Co has announced its half-year results 594,000 homes have accepted the free fibre upgrade Final upgrades expected by 2030 NBN Co has revealed its half-year results up to December 31, 2024, including data regarding the number of households that have so far taken up its offer of a free fibre upgrade. NBN Co’s fibre upgrade program has only been in effect for two and a half years, and in that time some 594,000 homes have upgraded their home’s technology to full-**** fibre to the premises (FTTP) – 217,000 of which were completed in the second half of 2024 – that’s currently capable of supporting the fastest NBN 1000 plans and the incoming 2Gbps tier expected in September. A vast majority of *********** homes connected to the fixed-line NBN network are already eligible to upgrade, or should be eligible by December 2025. NBN Co has said it is “on track to complete upgrades to the local fibre network that will enable 3.5 million homes and businesses served by Fibre to the Node (FTTN) and 1.5 million premises served by Fibre to the Curb (FTTC) to upgrade to FTTP”. Plus, earlier this year, NBN Co announced it would be upgrading the last-remaining copper-based, FTTN-connected homes by 2030 thanks to a joint investment by NBN Co and the *********** Government. It’s estimated that some 622,000 homes will benefit from this investment, with more than half located in regional Australia. Alongside these figures for its fixed-line network, NBN Co also revealed in its latest press releases that its upgraded fixed wireless network is now available to “approximately 90 per cent of expanded footprint”. Additionally, the network provider is exploring new satellite internet options to replace the aging Sky Muster network. All aboard the upgrade train Given the attractive combination of many more upgrade-eligible homes and the increasingly great value of the fastest NBN plans, there really has never been a better time to upgrade. Not only does a high-speed internet plan (those delivering 100Mbps download speeds or faster) naturally mean file downloads and streams can be completed more quickly, but full-fibre infrastructure is also more reliable and less susceptible to outages. You can easily find out if your home is eligible for the free FTTP upgrade on the NBN website. If you are, all you need to do is find one of the best NBN providers and sign up for an NBN 100, NBN 250 or NBN 1000 plan. As mentioned earlier, 2Gbps ‘Hyperfast’ plans are expected in September this year. Not only will this introduce a higher speed tier among the best NBN plans, but it will also result in a speed increase of the current options. An NBN 100 plan, for example, will see its theoretical maximum speed increased to 500Mbps. Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. We’ve picked out three of our favourite plans below – one for each tier – to help get you started. You can also view a wider selection of plans in the price comparison widget further down this page. You might also like Source link #NBN #delivers #free #fibre #upgrades #plenty #heres #batch Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Fremantle Dockers recruit Shai Bolton passes fitness test ahead of Indigenous All Stars pre-season clash Fremantle Dockers recruit Shai Bolton passes fitness test ahead of Indigenous All Stars pre-season clash Prize Fremantle recruit Shai Bolton looks to have overcome a calf strain after an impressive audition for Saturday’s Indigenous All-Stars game at Optus Stadium. Source link #Fremantle #Dockers #recruit #Shai #Bolton #passes #fitness #test #ahead #Indigenous #Stars #preseason #clash Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

A family grocer is closing after 66 years. The reason is dividing this North Texas city A family grocer is closing after 66 years. The reason is dividing this North Texas city City Market, a beloved independent grocer and decades-old Burleson staple, is closing after a protracted dispute over rent spilled out in public, pitting shopper against shopper over who is to blame for the store’s demise. In early January, store owner Kurt Jaeger said he was “praying for a miracle” that might keep City Market open, but shortened hours, liquidation prices and an “Everything Must Go” sign that appeared in front of the market on Feb. 2 seemingly put to rest any hopes for that. As of now, Jaeger expects the store to close by Feb. 21. Burleson’s independent grocery store City Market will close after being a part of the community for 66 years. Current owner Kurt and Jill Jaeger took over ownership of the grocery store 22 years ago. What product is left is on ***** at Burleson’s independent grocery store City Market on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. The store will close after being a part of the community for 66 years. A quarrel between Jaeger and Camille Bransom, who owns the building and is the daughter of the store’s founder, goes back months. Over the past few weeks, the dispute has grown more contentious, with Burleson residents taking sides in the fight. Jaeger and his wife, Jill, announced news of the closure in a video message posted to Facebook on Jan. 6. At the time, Jaeger said he was shocked to have been served an eviction notice after engaging in lease negotiations with Bransom. “Our entire City Market family is devastated, heartbroken and shocked that it has to come to an end in this manner,” Jaeger said in the video. “This is not — I repeat, not — what Jill and I wanted, and this is not our choice.” Public reaction Bransom disputes how the Jaegers are characterizing the situation. Nonetheless, the announcement sent shock waves through the community. Opened in 1959 near Burleson’s historic Old Town district, City Market has long been a cozy alternative to chain grocery stores. About half the size of an HEB or Kroger, its status as one of the last of the independent holdouts against big-box incursion has made it beloved in the area. The store employed approximately 40 people, some of whom had been with the Jagers for decades. City Market employee Matt Nitzinger unloads customer Regena Morris’ groceries into her vehicle on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. “We try to be the hometown store,” said owner Kurt Jaeger. “We take people’s groceries out.” Community members leave messages of support on a poster board outside of Burleson’s independent grocery store City Market on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. The store will close this month. A Change.org petition to save City Market has gotten over 2,100 signatures. Haleigh Helcl, an elementary school teacher who created the petition, said she remembers going to the store years ago for a kindergarten class field trip, back when it was called Bransom’s. The Jaegers purchased the business from the Bransom family in 2003. After moving back to Burleson a few years ago, one of Helcl’s first stops was to City Market. At the time, her husband was overseas on a military deployment. When Jill Jaeger learned this, she surprised Helcl by paying for her groceries. “They support our town, they support our kids,” Helcl said. “They are good people.” The dispute Bransom, in a message posted to Facebook on Jan. 9, challenged the Jaegers’ version of events through a spokesperson. “There’s nothing ‘shocking’ that has transpired,” the post read, “and it is their choice not to sign the lease that was presented. We’ve been trying, in good faith, to negotiate a lease renewal for nearly a year. City Market enjoyed the same rate for over 20 years. The rate we last offered City Market is extremely low for Old Town Burleson. City Market has refused to sign a lease renewal at a reasonable amount, so they are choosing to leave.” That post received 355 comments, the majority of them supporting Bransom. “It’s a shame that you’re having to deal with somebody that is complaining about having the same rate for 20 years,” said one. A shopper is reflected in empty freezer cases at Burleson’s independent grocery store City Market on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. Another user took to the Burleson Area Small Business Facebook page to defend Bransom. “The thought that (Bransom) was arbitrarily evicting them in a greedy business move is not true and outrageous considering the lengths she went to resolve this in a civil manner.” Calls to Bransom were not returned. Chad Henderson with Rockin H Realty, the firm that manages the City Market property on behalf of Bransom, declined to comment, calling the controversy “a distraction.” In his original statement, Jaeger said he and Jill were “not finished fighting,” but in a follow-up conversation a few days later, Jaeger expressed doubts about the two sides coming to an agreement. He said he simply couldn’t afford the new rent, and offered to open his books up to Bransom to support that argument. How employees are managing City Market employees are now looking for new jobs, though many fear they will never find the same familial atmosphere they’ve enjoyed. Jaeger previously dismissed any notion of starting over at a new location, saying he was too close to retirement for that. “This is the hardest thing,” wrote employee Mandi Ward on Facebook. “I’ve worked here for almost 5 years. (The Jaegers) are the best people, and I’m so blessed to have worked here at City Market Burleson. And I’m praying that this is not the end and we will continue to have the store open. This will affect so many people’s families in so many ways including mine!!” Chanda Kisor is the third of four generations of her family to be employed at City Market. It began with her grandfather, who worked part time at the Jaegers’ Fort Worth location. Then it was her father, who delivered groceries. Next was Kisor, who started at City Market 21 years ago. Recently, her son was hired on as a cashier. Chanda Kisor checks out a customer at Burleson’s independent grocery store City Market on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. Kisor has worked at City Market for 21 years and hasn’t yet decided what her next move will be after the store closes its doors for the final time this month. “This wasn’t the plan,” Kisor said of the closing. “It still hasn’t hit me. There’s still a lot of work to do, so I haven’t been able to fully wrap my brain around it.” Like some other employees, Kisor hasn’t yet decided on her next move, but she said retailers in Burleson, including Kroger, Albertsons and Wal-Mart, have reached out to City Market workers and offered them positions. On the afternoon of Feb. 3, shoppers streamed into City Market like old times. Some were unaware of the impending closure. For others, this trip to the grocery store felt like going to a wake. “It’s like something’s been taken from your family,” said Jeff Lindsey, who has been shopping at City Market since the Jaegers bought it. “I’m used to old school, where everybody knows your name, and that’s what this was. Kind of like Cheers. So now you go to another store, and you’re just going to be another face.” Burleson’s independent grocery store City Market will close after being a part of the community for 66 years. Current owner Kurt and Jill Jaeger took over ownership of the grocery store 22 years ago. Source link #family #grocer #closing #years #reason #dividing #North #Texas #city Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Apple changes Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America based on Trump's order – ABC News Apple changes Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America based on Trump's order – ABC News Apple changes Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America based on Trump’s order ABC NewsGulf of America name change in the U.S. — what you’ll see in Maps The Keyword‘Gulf of America’ arrives on Google Maps CNNApple Is Renaming Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America on Maps App BloombergHow Google Is Updating Its Products for the Trump Presidency TIME Source link #Apple #Gulf #Mexico #Gulf #America #based #Trump039s #order #ABC #News Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

*********** nurses stood down over ‘vile’ antisemitic video *********** nurses stood down over ‘vile’ antisemitic video Two *********** nurses have been stood down after a video appeared to show them threatening to kill Israeli patients and boasting about refusing to treat them. The man and woman – both employees at a Sydney hospital – are now being investigated by police, officials in New South Wales (NSW) said. State Health Minister Ryan Park said that a “thorough investigation” would be carried out to make sure there had been “no adverse [patient] outcomes”, but that a “rapid” examination of hospital records had not turned up anything unusual. *********** Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the video as “sickening and shameful” after it began circulating online. It comes less than a week after Australia passed tougher laws against hate crimes following a wave of high-profile antisemitic attacks. On Wednesday, NSW Police said that they believed they had “identified the individuals involved” in the video. The health minister said both had been stood down immediately, and promised that they would never work in the NSW healthcare system again. The video was shared on TikTok by content creator Max Veifer, who says he is from Israel. His account features conversations with people he encounters on the app Chatruletka – an anonymous online platform which pairs people randomly for a video chat. The footage, seen by the BBC, appears to have been recorded in a hospital. A man, who claims to be a doctor, tells Mr Veifer that he “has beautiful eyes” but adds “I’m sorry you’re Israeli” before saying he sends Israelis to Jahannam – an Islamic place akin to hell. He goes on to make a throat-slitting gesture, before a woman comes on screen and says that “one day” Mr Veifer’s “time will come” and that he will die, later adding that she won’t treat Israelis. “I won’t treat them, I will kill them,” she says. The video has been edited, emojis have been added, and some comments have been bleeped out – but authorities are not questioning its authenticity. Albanese described it as “disgusting” and “vile”, writing on X: “These antisemitic comments, driven by hate, have no place in our health system and no place anywhere in Australia. “Individuals found to have committed criminal antisemitic acts will face the full force of our laws.” Park also apologised to the Jewish community, and said he wanted to reassure them that they could still expect “first class” health care in NSW. “There is no place in our hospital and health system for this sort of view to ever, ever take place. There is no place for this sort of perspective in our society.” He added that staff at the hospital in the suburb of Bankstown were embarrassed and ashamed, but said it did not diminish the good work they did. In recent months, in incidents unconnected to the hospital video, there have been a series of arson and graffiti attacks involving homes, cars, and synagogues in Jewish areas across Australia, causing fear in the community. A caravan packed with power gel explosives that police warned had the potential to cause a “mass casualty event” was found in NSW in January, alongside a document with antisemitic sentiments and a list of Jewish targets in Sydney. The co-chief executive of the Executive Council of *********** Jewry Alex Ryvchin said the video served as a “warning sign once again to all Australians about the evil that exists in our midst”. Source link #*********** #nurses #stood #vile #antisemitic #video Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Former NAB boss Ross McEwan chosen to be the new BHP chair Former NAB boss Ross McEwan chosen to be the new BHP chair BHP has tapped former NAB chief executive Ross McEwan to be its new chair as Ken MacKenzie steps down from the role after eight years. Source link #NAB #boss #Ross #McEwan #chosen #BHP #chair Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Europe wants to be part of AI race against China and U.S. Europe wants to be part of AI race against China and U.S. Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, speaks with French President Emmanuel Macron at Station F, during an event on the sidelines of the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit in Paris, France, Feb. 11, 2025. Aurelien Morissard | Via Reuters PARIS — Music was blaring and people were cheering at the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit in Paris on Monday as French President Emmanuel Macron declared France is “back in the AI race.” The bold call comes after Macron touted a 109 billion euro ($112.8 billion) investment in AI in the country. But it also underscores Europe’s desire, led by France, to be a part of the conversation around AI leadership and innovation that has so far been dominated by the U.S. and China. Last month, America’s $500 billion Stargate announcement made headlines globally, followed by DeepSeek’s AI model, which sent shock waves across financial markets and highlighted China’s ability to keep apace with U.S. innovation. Europe has long been seen by its critics as a place that has regulated the tech industry too heavily to the detriment of innovation. Though that image has not entirely been changed, there are some in the technology industry who think Europe is moving in the right direction. “As a European region, at least, we are starting to see global leaders emerge, and that’s the thing we really need,” Victor Riparbelli, CEO of AI video company Synthesia, told CNBC in an interview on Monday. There are a number of key companies in Europe, ranging from self-driving technology startup Wayve in the U.K. to OpenAI rival Mistral in France. “So I think it’s great that we invest more in infrastructure. I don’t think it’s the sole solution to the problem. … But what I think is really great is that there’s political will to actually do something,” Riparbelli added. ‘Fork in the road’ Last year, economist and politician Mario Draghi released a report that urged more investment in the European Union in order to boost competitiveness. Draghi’s report noted that there are innovative ideas, but startups are “failing to translate innovation into commercialisation, and innovative companies that want to scale up in Europe are hindered at every stage by inconsistent and restrictive regulations.” Chris Lehane, chief global affairs officer at OpenAI, told CNBC on Monday that based on his experience at the AI Action Summit, there is tension between Europe at the EU level and the countries within it. “You can get this sense that there’s almost this fork in the road, maybe even a tension right now between a Europe at the EU level that is looking at a fairly significant, heavier regulatory approach. And then some of the countries, a France, a Germany, a ***, though not technically the EU, certainly European, they’re looking to maybe go in a little bit of a different direction that actually wants to embrace the innovation,” Lehane told CNBC. He said that previous AI summits hosted by the U.K. and South Korea have focused on the safety around AI, but the Paris edition has a change of tone. “I think this conference, you’re beginning to see maybe a different definition or consideration, that perhaps the ******* risk right now is missing out on the opportunity,” Lehane added. Europe the ‘referee’ Still, the image of Europe as a burdensome place for tech regulation has not been shaken. The EU’s AI Act was the first major law in the world governing artificial intelligence to go into effect in 2024. It has been criticized by companies as well as individual countries such as France which have said that the legislation could stifle innovation. “One of the metaphors I sometimes use you look at AI as a World Cup football match between the U.S. and China. And if all Europe is trying to do is be the referee, there’s two problems. One, they never win, and two, no one really likes the referee,” Reid Hoffman, the co-founder of LinkedIn and an investor at venture capital firm Greylock, told CNBC on Monday. Christel Heydemann, the CEO of telecommunications firm Orange, told CNBC in an interview on Tuesday that there is too much regulation in Europe. “So that’s that’s slowing us down, especially when you think about the potential of the European market,” Heydemann said. She did, however, strike an optimistic tone on Europe’s position on AI. I don’t think, in the end, it’s a race between U.S. and China. Actually, the president of the European Commission has been very clear, Europe wants to be a continent of AI, and the race is not over yet,” Heydemann added. Source link #Europe #part #race #China #U.S Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

China tightens screws on what can be shared online about its military China tightens screws on what can be shared online about its military China has unveiled sweeping new regulations to tighten the release of information about its military online, a move that could obscure key sources for monitoring the world’s largest armed forces. The rules, announced over the weekend and taking effect on March 1, come as China is rapidly building up and modernizing its People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to match the military might of the United States. It also marks the latest step in leader Xi Jinping’s far-reaching campaign to bolster national security and guard state secrets in the face of heightened geopolitical tensions – efforts that have made it all the more difficult for foreign observers to understand what is happening in China. The all-encompassing rules could have a big impact on ******** military bloggers and commentators, who are often quick to share images or information about new weapons systems, personnel appointments and troop movements. Such publicly available information posted by ******** military enthusiasts has also been an important source for PLA watchers to track the development and movement of the ******** military. The regulations are aimed at addressing issues including “the spread of false military information” and “the leakage of military secrets” on the internet, according to a Q&A released by the government. They lay out strict rules for online content about military affairs, banning the “producing, copying, publishing and disseminating” of military secrets, national defense technology and industry secrets or other undisclosed information. The banned list covers everything from the development and testing of weapons systems to military drills and deployment, as well as the organizational structures, tasks and combat capabilities of military units that have not been officially disclosed. Joseph Wen, a Taipei-based independent analyst who documents publicly available intelligence about the PLA, said the ruling ******** ********** Party has always been defined by a high degree of opacity. “However, as a regime that values both secrecy and propaganda, ******** authorities have long taken a ‘wink and nod’ approach toward the dissemination of information related to the PLA within domestic online communities,” he said. The new rules signal that Beijing is beginning to abandon this approach and establish clear boundaries for “guarding secrets,” Wen added. The regulations target individual users and “online military information service providers,” which include dedicated military affairs websites, military columns and social media accounts focused on the military. In a sign of their sweeping scope, the regulations were issued jointly by 10 government and ********** Party departments, from the top internet regulator and top military commanding body to the ministries of public security, state security and culture and tourism. Open source information has provided key clues about China’s military progress in the past. Last December, online footage and images of what many believed to be China’s next-generation stealth fighter jet caused a huge stir in both China and the overseas PLA watching community, after the mysterious aircraft were seen flying in broad daylight over two ******** cities. It’s unclear how the new rules will affect foreign media reporting on the ******** military. Analysts said the new regulations could portend a tightening of control over military-themed content on the ******** internet. “Military and defense-related content enjoys significant popularity among ******** internet users, but the leadership is clearly keen to ensure that sensitive information — a concept broadly applied in China — and speculation do not undermine the official narrative around the country’s military development and capabilities,” wrote David Bandurski, executive director of the China Media Project. James Char, a PLA expert and assistant professor at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore, said information related to the PLA and other military matters have long been placed under strict supervision by ******** authorities. Some of the content banned by the new rules had already been outlawed in previous legislations, such as anything that harms national sovereignty and security or denigrate the military and its “heroes and martyrs.” Others are routinely censored on ******** social media, such as comments criticizing China’s national defense policy and military strategy, or those spreading false information about the military. “I regard the announcement of these regulations as nothing more than the institutionalization of existing rules,” Char said. But he noted that the new rules banning the sharing of information on military deployments and troop movements do serve to outlaw such practices by internet users without PLA approval, such as military bloggers or the man on the street in China. “This may have an effect on these individuals’ readiness to post such material online the next time they come across troop movements or a military exercise in their localities,” Char said. “This will also work in Beijing’s interest in preventing its troop deployments within the mainland from being exposed in advance of another major military exercise or troop build-up in China’s coastal regions off the Taiwan Strait.” Wen, the PLA watcher in Taipei, said the new regulations could also be partially a response to the growth of online open-source intelligence community, but PLA observers still have plenty of opportunities to gather data from official propaganda sources. “The official PLA media outlets remain some of the most prolific military media in the world,” he said. This story has been updated with additional information. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Source link #China #tightens #screws #shared #online #military Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]