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Musk denies ‘hostile takeover’ of government in White House debut Musk denies ‘hostile takeover’ of government in White House debut Elon Musk denied leading a “hostile takeover” of the US government and defended his cost-cutting plans as he made a surprise first appearance at the White House on Tuesday. The world’s richest man took questions from reporters in the Oval Office as he stood next to President Donald Trump, who has tasked him with slashing the size and spending of the federal government. Trump then signed an order giving Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) more authority to cut the size of the federal workforce. It instructed the heads of government agencies to comply with Doge. The agency has been criticised by Democrats who have accused it of a lack of transparency, and its efforts have also been hampered by legal challenges. But Musk, who was questioned by reporters for the first time since Trump took office last month, described sweeping government cuts as “common sense” measures that are “not draconian or radical”. “The people voted for major government reform and that’s what the people are going to get,” he said. “That’s what democracy is all about.” The billionaire technology entrepreneur, who himself was appointed and not elected, described federal workers as an “unelected, fourth, unconstitutional branch of government” that he said has “more power than any elected representative”. The 53-year-old owner of Tesla, X and SpaceX wore a ****** Make America Great Again cap and cracked the occasional joke with reporters who asked him about his critics. He had his young son, who was introduced by Trump, on his shoulders for part of the news conference. “It’s not optional for us to reduce the federal expenses,” Musk said. “It’s essential. It’s essential for America to remain solvent as a country.” Musk was also asked about a recent false claim that the US government was sending millions of dollars worth of condoms to Gaza. “Some of the things that I say will be incorrect and should be corrected,” Musk replied. Watch: Ros Atkins on… Musk, Doge and the US government In the first weeks of Trump’s term, Musk has spearheaded the effort to rapidly shrink the federal government. Doge representatives have entered various departments to monitor spending, offered millions of workers an exit route and moved to freeze federal funding as well as the work of agencies such as the US Agency for International Development (USAID). “We found fraud and abuse,” Trump said of Musk’s work on Tuesday, without providing evidence. He estimated more than $1 trillion in wasteful spending would be discovered. The vast cost-cutting drive, however, has been criticised repeatedly by opponents including senior Democrats and those who say it will have significant repercussions both in the US and internationally. “An unelected shadow government is conducting a hostile takeover of the federal government,” Senate ********* Leader Chuck Schumer said recently. He said Democrats would work to block Musk’s efforts by introducing specific language into spending bills. But with Republicans holding a majority in both chambers of Congress, Trump’s agenda has faced more pressing hurdles in the courtroom. “I hope that the court system is going to allow us to do what we have to do,” Trump said on Tuesday, referring to recent judgments that have temporarily halted his efforts to shrink government, including through an employee buyout programme. Critics of Doge have also pointed to potential conflicts of interest given Musk’s many business interests. Democrats have accused him of personally benefiting from some of the changes the Trump administration is trying to push through. Musk said the public could take its own view about potential conflicts. Trump then said if the White House thought there was a lack of transparency or a conflict of interest, “we would not let him do that segment or look in that area”. Trump then signed an executive order instructing Doge to “significantly” cut down the size of the federal workforce. The order also calls on government offices to “undertake plans for large-scale reductions in force”. It also says that once a hiring freeze that Trump signed on his first day ends, that agencies should hire no more than one person for every four who depart. A recent poll by the BBC’s US partner CBS News indicated a majority of Americans are in favour of Musk’s work, but disagree over how much influence he should have. It suggested Republicans in particular supported his efforts to cut federal spending and foreign aid. The poll indicated largely favourable ratings for Trump’s policies, however, some 66% of people said they wanted him to focus more on lowering prices. One of the agencies that has been most affected by the cost-cutting drive is USAID. On Tuesday, the inspector general of the agency was fired – one day after releasing a report criticising plans to put the vast majority of the agency’s staff on leave and close US-backed aid programmes around the world. Source link #Musk #denies #hostile #takeover #government #White #House #debut Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Calls grow for increased games for Indigenous All Stars Calls grow for increased games for Indigenous All Stars One of the NRL’s leading Indigenous voices Dean Widders says it’s time the All Stars pushed to play more fixtures, suggesting the side could face Test nations in exhibition matches. The Indigenous All Stars face the Maori at CommBank Stadium on Saturday and there has been increased discussion in NRL circles about when the game should take place given the number of players making themselves unavailable. The NRL’s Las Vegas foray and an increased focus on an end-of-season international Test window has added extra congestion to the rugby league calendar. The Indigenous side has been a staple of the NRL calendar for over a decade. And to ensure that progress is not lost, Widders says an Indigenous side could play touring nations in warm-up matches. Widders was part of an Aborigines side coached by Arthur Beetson and included Cliffy Lyons in 1999 that faced Papua New Guinea in two Tests. “The All Stars games have been a tremendous platform and we’ve now got to fight to get more opportunities,” Widders told AAP. “Back in those days we played with whoever was around. “But I feel when you look at the talented players we (the Indigenous community) have got that sat out of the Pacific Championships and weren’t in teams, we need to see them on the world stage. “I believe that we should be pushing to progress and play more games.” NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said an Indigenous side playing end-of-season matches had potential. But he was keen to note there would be a juggling act to navigate for players selected in Test squads and the Indigenous team. “There’s definitely an opportunity to explore if there’s an incoming tour into this country, an opportunity for us to create additional fixtures,” Abdo told AAP. “That would all need to be carefully considered. “Ultimately, though, representing your country is the highest honour and we need to ensure we don’t create a situation where it was impacting on Indigenous players in terms of representing the Kangaroos for example. “It’s a delicate balance and while it’s not a proposition for 2025 it’s definitely a conversation for 2026.” Roosters utility Connor Watson, who will start Saturday’s match at hooker for the Indigenous side, said: “This (All Stars) fixture is so important for Indigenous people and Maori people because they’re communities which have contributed so much to rugby league and the NRL. “Whether it’s the pre-season or post-season, that’s not a decision for me to make but I love playing this game and whatever the best time is that’s up to the guys who get paid the big bucks.” Source link #Calls #grow #increased #games #Indigenous #Stars Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Las Vegas sex worker accused of kidnapping, stealing $300K in crypto Las Vegas sex worker accused of kidnapping, stealing $300K in crypto LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A sex worker faces charges for allegedly kidnapping and then stealing nearly $300,000 in cryptocurrency from a man she met at a Las Vegas Strip nightclub, documents said. Zapri Outlaw faces charges of kidnapping, conspiracy to commit robbery and robbery for an incident last November, records said. While several people are named as suspects in court documents, Outlaw is the sole person charged in the crime as of Tuesday. Outlaw allegedly met the victim at a nightclub on Nov. 22, police said. The victim said “he was possibly drugged” and was speaking with Outlaw and another woman. Video evidence did not reveal if the man was actually drugged, police said. The man told Outlaw and the other woman that he was visiting and staying in Summerlin and the group agreed to drive back that way, documents said. Around 2 a.m., the group then left the nightclub in an SUV. The victim told police “it was hard for him to focus” and “he believed he had gotten into an Uber.” The SUV then pulled into a parking lot about a block away from the nightclub and another passenger, armed with a gun, ordered the man out of the car, documents said. The man got out of the car and then realized his watch, phone and wallet were missing. The man later determined someone made multiple transactions on his credit card and money from missing from a cryptocurrency account, documents said. Other suspects in the case have active warrants related to other grand larceny investigations, police said. Police arrested Outlaw on Thursday, Feb. 6, records said. While speaking with officers, Outlaw said “she [sells] her *******… and she didn’t do anything,” documents said. Las Vegas Justice Court Judge Daniel Westmeyer set bail at $10,000, records said. Outlaw posted bond and was due to return to court in April. 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 KLAS. Source link #Las #Vegas #sex #worker #accused #kidnapping #stealing #300K #crypto Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Eagles Super Bowl parade 2025: Here’s everything you need to know – WHYY Eagles Super Bowl parade 2025: Here’s everything you need to know – WHYY Eagles Super Bowl parade 2025: Here’s everything you need to know WHYYWhen is Eagles Super Bowl parade? Everything you need to know USA TODAYSuper Bowl arrests: New details for suspects accused of assault, harassment, evading arrest FOX 29 PhiladelphiaPolice announce arrests, citations at Philly’s Super Bowl victory celebrations NBC PhiladelphiaPhilly expects 1M people to attend SB parade ESPN Source link #Eagles #Super #Bowl #parade #Heres #WHYY Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

LGBTQI community urges action on conversion therapy with Labor promising new laws after the March election LGBTQI community urges action on conversion therapy with Labor promising new laws after the March election The State Government has promised to ban conversion therapy but new laws will not be passed until after the March election, which it is widely expected to win. Source link #LGBTQI #community #urges #action #conversion #therapy #Labor #promising #laws #March #election Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

California teenager sentenced for nationwide swatting spree, including two Florida incidents California teenager sentenced for nationwide swatting spree, including two Florida incidents 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 Takeaways Alan Filion, an 18-year-old from California, has been sentenced to four years in federal prison for making over 375 swatting and threat calls across the country, including Florida. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< According to the United States Attorney’s Office, the plea agreement states that from Aug. 2022 to Jan. 2024, Filion made over 375 calls. He would make bomb and mass shooting threats targeting religious institutions, schools, and government officials. Filion “intended his calls to cause large-scale deployment of police and emergency services units to the targeted locations,” a news release stated On several occasions. Filion advertised his swatting services on social media in an attempt to make a profit. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] On Jan. 18, 2024, Filion was arrested in California on Florida state charges. These charges stemmed from Filion threatening to commit a mass shooting at a religious institution in Sanford, Florida in May 2023, according to the United States Attorney’s Office. He later pled guilty in federal court to making the threat. Filion also pled guilty to making three other threatening calls, one of which also happened in Florida. According to the news release, Filion called a historically ****** college and university in the Northern District of Florida in May 2023. He claimed to have placed bombs in the walls and ceilings of campus housing that would soon detonate. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. Source link #California #teenager #sentenced #nationwide #swatting #spree #including #Florida #incidents Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

'His whole life is from position of insecurity': Sam Altman's jibe at Elon Musk after Open AI takeover offer – The Times of India 'His whole life is from position of insecurity': Sam Altman's jibe at Elon Musk after Open AI takeover offer – The Times of India ‘His whole life is from position of insecurity’: Sam Altman’s jibe at Elon Musk after Open AI takeover offer The Times of IndiaElon Musk reportedly offers $97.4 billion for OpenAI, Sam Altman says ‘no thank you’ Yahoo FinanceSam Altman attacks Elon Musk over OpenAI bid: ‘Don’t think he’s a happy person’ Hindustan TimesMusk’s $97.4 Billion OpenAI Bid Piles Pressure on Sam Altman The Wall Street JournalHow Elon Musk Tried To Jack Up The Price Of OpenAI’s Nonprofit Overnight Forbes Source link #039His #life #position #insecurity039 #Sam #Altman039s #jibe #Elon #Musk #Open #takeover #offer #Times #India Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Markets biding time ahead of new inflation data Markets biding time ahead of new inflation data Analysts say US tariff developments have not significantly shifted market sentiment, with the focus on central bank guidance and macroeconomic data. Source link #Markets #biding #time #ahead #inflation #data Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

People Are Roasting JD Vance After The Pope Seemed To Call Out His Stupid Justification For Deportations People Are Roasting JD Vance After The Pope Seemed To Call Out His Stupid Justification For Deportations Editor’s Note: While we can’t endorse what X has become, we can bring you the worthwhile moments that still exist there, curated and free of the surrounding chaos. JD Vance. Lover of eyeliner. Hater of childless cat ladies. And sadly, our vice president. Drew Angerer / Getty Images He’s also a Catholic (he converted in 2019) — which is why I’m SCREAMING over the Catholic pope seemingly calling him out. Drew Hallowell / Getty Images For context: Last month, JD accused the US Conference of Catholic Bishops of resettling “******** immigrants” so they would receive federal funding. Cardinal Timothy Dolan denied this, calling JD’s accusation “scurrilous” and “******.” The cardinal continued, “You think we make money caring for the immigrants? We’re losing it hand over fist.” “Resettling” immigrants is a term used here to mean helping them obtain basic necessities like housing and food. In a Fox News interview, JD insisted that the Trump administration’s deportations of undocumented immigrants is justified by the Catholic concept of “ordo amoris.” He said, “You love your family, and then you love your neighbor, and then you love your community, and then you love your fellow citizens in your own country, and then, after that, you can focus and prioritize the rest of the world… The profound difference that Donald Trump brings to the leadership of this country is the simple concept: America first.” He also doubled down on the whole ordo amoris thing in this tweet. Fox News / Via x.com Well! Pope Francis had something to say about that! In case you didn’t know, Pope Francis is huge on caring for immigrants. The first pope from South America, he’s spoken about this many, many times over the years. So it should be no surprise that he’s entirely at odds with JD. Lisa Maree Williams / Getty Images In a new letter to US bishops, Pope Francis rebuked the Trump administration for planning mass deportations. He cited the ****** and Jesus’s own life as reasons why we should welcome people searching for shelter and safety. And he specifically corrected the definition of ordo amoris. “Christian love is not a concentric expansion of interests that little by little extend to other persons and groups,” he wrote. “The true ordo amoris that must be promoted is that which we discover by meditating constantly on the parable of the ‘Good Samaritan,’ that is, by meditating on the love that builds a fraternity open to all, without exception.” WITHOUT EXCEPTION. Did you hear that, JD?! ******** Pool / Getty Images Here’s what people on the internet are saying: “I may be a bad Catholic but at least the Pope has never written a letter where he reserves space to call me stupid,” one person wrote. “A real Catholic would start shaking and throwing up in shame after being scolded on a worldwide stage by the ******** pope but JD Vance will probably just tweet ‘uh, so THAT happened,'” another person said. “I think the Pope should start excommunicating American politicians.” “Imagine getting Catholic theology so wrong, so publicly, that the Pope intervenes…” “imagine converting to catholicism and then immediately getting called out by the pope for being a horrible person.” “Crazy to post a tweet so stupid that the pope has to write a letter correcting you.” “I’ve been trying all morning to think of a metaphor funnier than ‘adult convert gets yelled at by the Pope’ but I think JD Vance honestly broke the scale.” “LRT lmao I’m not even that Catholic but the thought of the pope calling me out personally would be HUMILIATING.” And finally, “You guys became so evil that the actual pope himself wrote a warning letter about it.” What do you think about all this? LMK in the comments below! Source link #People #Roasting #Vance #Pope #Call #Stupid #Justification #Deportations Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Japan requests US to exclude Japan from steel and aluminum tariffs Japan requests US to exclude Japan from steel and aluminum tariffs Muto Yoji, Japan’s minister of economy, trade and industry. Toshifumi Kitamura | Afp | Getty Images Japan industry minister Yoji Muto said on Wednesday the nation has requested that the United States exempt Japan from steel and aluminum tariffs. U.S. President Donald Trump substantially raised tariffs on steel and aluminum imports on Monday to a flat 25% “without exceptions or exemptions,” saying they would aid struggling industries in the U.S., but which also risk sparking a multi-front trade war. Trump later said he would give “great consideration” to Australia’s request for an exemption to the steel tariffs due to that country’s trade deficit with the U.S. Source link #Japan #requests #exclude #Japan #steel #aluminum #tariffs Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

White House announces wrongfully detained American teacher Marc Fogel released from Russia in an ‘exchange’ – CNN White House announces wrongfully detained American teacher Marc Fogel released from Russia in an ‘exchange’ – CNN White House announces wrongfully detained American teacher Marc Fogel released from Russia in an ‘exchange’ CNNRussia releases American schoolteacher Marc Fogel in ‘exchange’ after 4 years The Indian ExpressAmerican Marc Fogel released from Russian custody Fox NewsWith wedding soup and lasagna, Marc Fogel’s mother prepares for his homecoming from a Russian prison Pittsburgh Post-Gazette‘Did You Forget About Marc Fogel?’: An American Teacher Is Released From Russian Prison The Wall Street Journal Source link #White #House #announces #wrongfully #detained #American #teacher #Marc #Fogel #released #Russia #exchange #CNN Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

*********** shares up slightly as CBA beats expectations *********** shares up slightly as CBA beats expectations The *********** share market has been creeping slightly higher as Commonwealth Bank, Suncorp, AGL and Computershare all delivered better-than-expected first-half earnings. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was up 6.2 points, or 0.07 per cent, at 8,490.2 at midday, on track for its second straight session of quiet trading. The broader All Ordinaries was up 5.3 points, or 0.06 per cent, to 8,756.9. Overnight, Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell told a US Senate committee that with the US job market strong and inflation still elevated, he and his colleagues “do not need to be in a hurry” to cut interest rates. Gold prices eased after hitting a record high of more than $US2,900 an ounce on Tuesday, with the yellow metal changing hands at $US2,891 at midday. Commonwealth Bank was up 1.1 per cent to $163.92, and had hit an intraday all-time high of $US164.39 after Australia’s largest company delivered a first-half cash profit of $5.1 billion, up two per cent from a year ago. “Through supporting our customers and investing in our franchise, we have been able to deliver solid results for our shareholders, despite the weaker economic backdrop,” said chief executive Matt Comyn. Suncorp was up 0.8 per cent to $20.52 after the insurance company announced it made $860 million in cash earnings in the six months to December 31, up from $660 million a year ago. The results were supported by natural hazard insurance claims coming in at $503 million, $277 million below allowance. AGL was up 2.6 per cent to $12.01 after the energy company posted a statutory profit of $97 million, while its underlying net profit dropped seven per cent to $373 million. “We delivered a strong first-half result in line with expectations, driven by the flexibility of our generation fleet and its ability to capture higher realised electricity pricing,” said managing director and CEO Damien Nicks. Computershare was the biggest gainer in the ASX200 at midday, up 14.2 per cent to an all-time high of $41.08 after the share registry platform hiked its dividend by 12.5 per cent while raising its guidance. “It is pleasing to see the Computershare results demonstrate the momentum in our high-quality, capital-light business and the execution of our strategy to reduce complexity and increase returns,” said chief executive Stuart Irving. Overall, five of the ASX’s 11 sectors were higher, and six were lower. The biggest movers were technology, which had fallen 1.7 per cent, and industrials, which was up 1.6 per cent amid the Computershare results. Two of the three other big four banks were higher, with Westpac up 1.1 per cent and NAB up 1.2 per cent. ANZ was basically flat. In the heavyweight mining sector, BHP was down 0.3 per cent and Rio Tinto had dropped 1.1 per cent, while Fortescue was up 0.4 per cent. As could be expected given gold prices, goldminers were lower. Northern Star had dropped 0.8 per cent and Newmont had dropped 2.1 per cent. The *********** dollar meanwhile was back over 63 US cents for the first time in two-and-a-half weeks, buying 63.05 US cents, from 62.74 US cents at 5pm on Tuesday. Source link #*********** #shares #slightly #CBA #beats #expectations Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Ukraine Defence Ministry offers contract stints spurring young to fight Ukraine Defence Ministry offers contract stints spurring young to fight (Reuters) – Ukraine’s Defence Ministry launched a recruitment drive for young people on Tuesday, encouraging 18- to 24-year-olds to serve in the military for a year for the equivalent of about $24,000 and hefty bonuses. With Ukraine’s armed forces heavily outnumbered by their Russian adversaries on the front lines of the nearly three-year-old war, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy told Reuters last week the recruitment drive was about to be launched. Under pressure to bring more soldiers into the military, Ukraine’s parliament last year approved a new law on mobilisation reducing the draft age from 27 to 25 and providing for penalties for anyone avoiding the call-up. 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. “Change your life in a year,” a slick video on social media tells young prospects against a background of soldiers taking up positions and firing weapons. “If you are aged 18-24, are a Ukrainian citizen and are ready for change.” In addition to the promised remuneration of 1 million hryvnias ($24,000), large bonuses were on offer plus subsidised mortgages and rents. The contract also offered a 12-month exemption from mobilisation at its conclusion. “Time is a bonus,” it says. “Hesitation is a minus.” The posting on social media promised volunteers “professional military training to NATO standards and social benefits that you won’t find in civilian jobs”. In an interview last month with U.S. podcaster Lex Fridman, Zelenskiy said Ukraine had 980,000 people in arms. Last year, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the size of the Russian army to be increased by 180,000 to 1.5 million active servicemen. Changes to Ukraine’s draft laws have proved unpopular, with enthusiasm for the war effort further eroded by long stints at the front from soldiers who have had no leave since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. Zelenskiy and other officials have resisted calls from the United States, Ukraine’s biggest Western backer, to reduce the draft age still further. Military bloggers appeared to approve the campaign. “Young men and women learn quickly, adapt to discipline, absorb the unit’s ideology and find motivation where they see the results of other soldiers,” Stanislav Buniatov, a volunteer soldier, said in one blog. “The initiative is appealing.” ($1 = 41.7390 hryvnias) (Reporting by Ron Popeski and Oleksandr Kozhukhar; Editing by Lincoln Feast.) Source link #Ukraine #Defence #Ministry #offers #contract #stints #spurring #young #fight Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

The CFPB took aim at Big Tech. Then Elon Musk moved to dismantle it. – The Washington Post The CFPB took aim at Big Tech. Then Elon Musk moved to dismantle it. – The Washington Post The CFPB took aim at Big Tech. Then Elon Musk moved to dismantle it. The Washington PostCFPB Cancels More Than $100 Million in Contracts Amid DOGE Probe Bloomberg Law36 Hours After Russell Vought Took Over Consumer Bureau, He Shut Its Operations The New York TimesElon Musk is waging war on a key check on his business empire CNN Source link #CFPB #aim #Big #Tech #Elon #Musk #moved #dismantle #Washington #Post Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Football’s new national second-tier competition to be called the *********** Championship Football’s new national second-tier competition to be called the *********** Championship A name and starting date has been confirmed for *********** football’s new national second-tier competition. Source link #Footballs #national #secondtier #competition #called #*********** #Championship Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Aldi sells back Winn-Dixie stores. One Pensacola store is still slated to be converted Aldi sells back Winn-Dixie stores. One Pensacola store is still slated to be converted Aldi has struck a new deal to sell a chunk of the Winn-Dixie stores it purchased last year as part of its expansion plan back to its parent company, Southeastern Grocers Inc. (SEG). Almost 400 Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarket locations across the South were part of Aldi’s acquisition of Southeastern Grocers last March. Around 300 of the stores Aldi bought are located in Florida, but their fate is still unknown. At the time of publication, there were at least five former Winn-Dixie stores in Florida that have or plan to reopen as Aldi locations, including one in Pensacola. Aldi still plans to convert about 220 former Winn-Dixie and Harvey’s Supermarket locations to Aldi grocery stores by 2027, but neither company has shed any light on the long-term plans for 170 stores that will remain as SEG locations. “Approximately 170 stores will be remaining as SEG locations, and we will be informing our associates first of those decisions as they are finalized, and as market conditions permit,” an SEG spokesperson told the News Journal in an email. “We will share this information with each community once our associates have been appropriately informed.” Pensacola’s lone Winn-Dixie location confirmed to be undergoing a conversion is on Nine Mile Road and will be reopening as Aldi in the near future. A Southeastern Grocers spokesperson couldn’t confirm to the News Journal whether other Pensacola-area stores would remain under the Winn-Dixie banner or be converted into an Aldi. Shopping at Aldi: Some Florida Winn-Dixie stores are converting to Aldi stores. 10 ways they’ll be different Almost 400 Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarket locations across Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi were a part of Aldi’s acquisition of Southeastern Grocers last March and nearly 300 of those stores are located in Florida where the Winn-Dixie chain is based. Anthony Hucker led a group of consortium investors, including C&S Wholesale Grocers, to buy back Southeastern Grocers from Aldi. He will serve as the new company’s chair, CEO and president. Aldi sold the grocery and liquor store operations under the Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarket banners back to Southeastern Grocers as part of the deal, whose financial terms haven’t been publicly disclosed yet. The deal will cause a minor shakeup in Aldi’s announced five-year, $9 billion national expansion plan, but Aldi’s and Southeastern Grocers’ leadership are working together to ensure a smooth transition. “Since announcing the acquisition of Southeastern Grocers in March, ALDI has made significant progress toward our goal to bring more stores to communities across the Southeast as part of our five-year national growth strategy,” an Aldi spokesperson said in an email to the News Journal. “From the beginning, we shared that we intended for a meaningful number of Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarkets to continue to operate, and we’re delivering on that promise while also supporting ALDI growth.” Story Continues Southeastern Grocers will continue to operate the stores identified for Aldi’s conversions until they’re closed for renovations. A single Winn-Dixie location in the Pensacola area was confirmed for conversion into an Aldi after the acquisition of Southeastern Grocers last March. That Winn-Dixie store is located at 312 E. Nine Mile Road and it’ll reopen soon as an Aldi. Four more stores across Florida have reopened, or will reopen soon, as Aldi locations. Winn-Dixie has nine other stores across Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, excluding the Nine Mile Road location. Neither Southeastern Grocers nor Aldi have confirmed what additional stores, if any, in our area could be converted. 1550 S. U.S. Highway 29, Cantonment 7135 N. Ninth Ave., Pensacola 4751 Bayou Blvd., Pensacola 50 S. Blue Angel Parkway, Pensacola 13019 Sorrento Road, Pensacola 5428 Dogwood Drive, Milton 4224 U.S. Highway 90, Pace 3319 Gulf Breeze Parkway, Gulf Breeze 8674 Navarre Parkway, Navarre Online sleuths have identified nearly 50 Winn-Dixie Florida locations that were likely to become Aldis, but the company has not released its own list of how many conversions are still planned across the state. This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Aldi sells back Winn-Dixie stores. What will happen to Pensacola’s? Source link #Aldi #sells #WinnDixie #stores #Pensacola #store #slated #converted Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

USAID inspector general fired days after publishing report critical of aid pause – Fox News USAID inspector general fired days after publishing report critical of aid pause – Fox News USAID inspector general fired days after publishing report critical of aid pause Fox NewsUSAID IG fired day after report critical of impacts of Trump administration’s dismantling of the agency CNNTrump fires USAID inspector general one day after blistering report The Washington Post Source link #USAID #inspector #general #fired #days #publishing #report #critical #aid #pause #Fox #News Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Johnathan Parker pleads not guilty to murdering Krystal Marshall, setting her house on fire Johnathan Parker pleads not guilty to murdering Krystal Marshall, setting her house on fire The man who allegedly murdered a woman and then set fire to her house to cover up the crime has pleaded not guilty. Johnathan Parker fronted Adelaide Magistrates Court on Wednesday and formally declared he would contest the charge that he murdered mother-of-two Krystal Marshall. Police allege Mr Parker, 48, was living with Ms Marshall and her former wife Anastasia Marshall at a house in Aldinga Beach in Adelaide’s outer south when he murdered the mum. Krystal’s body was found after a blaze engulfed her home at Barracoota Crescent on October 20, 2023 at 3.25pm. Police arrested Mr Parker the following night and charged him with arson, ******* and defiling human remains. Prosecutors allege the ******* took place between October 18 and October 20. Camera IconJohnathan Parker has pleaded not guilty to murdering Krystal Marshall. Supplied Credit: News Corp AustraliaCamera IconAlleged ******* victim Krystal Marshall. NewsWire / Morgan Sette Credit: News Corp Australia He pleaded not guilty to all the charges before chief magistrate Mary-Louise Hribal via videolink from prison, where he is being held on remand. The court was previously told that Mr Parker was in a relationship with Anastasia at the time of the killing and had been asked to leave the house where the three were staying together. Anastasia, 29, was originally charged with Krystal’s ******* alongside Mr Parker, but prosecutors withdrew that charge in July last year. She is now facing arson and defiling human remains charges and three counts of assisting an offender in relation to Mr Parker’s alleged act of *******. She pleaded not guilty to the allegations in December and Mr Parker and Anastacia will now face trial at the Supreme Court in March. Krystal leaves behind two children, and neighbours, friends and family reacted with shock and grief to her death. The True Heights Dance Company called Ms Marshall a “valued and loved member” of the group for “many years” after news broke of her death. “We are here for whatever that family needs during this time of unimaginable grief,” the group said on Facebook. Stephen Ey, for Mr Parker, declined to make any comment on his client’s behalf after leaving the court on Wednesday. Source link #Johnathan #Parker #pleads #guilty #murdering #Krystal #Marshall #setting #house #fire Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

The Best Dividend Growth Stock With Over 10% Yearly Increases? The Best Dividend Growth Stock With Over 10% Yearly Increases? We recently compiled a list of the 13 Best Dividend Growth Stocks With 10%+ Yearly Increases. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Broadcom Inc. (NASDAQ:AVGO) stands against the other dividend growth stocks. Dividend stocks faced a tough year in 2024 as investor focus largely moved toward technology stocks. The Dividend Aristocrat Index, which tracks companies with a minimum of 25 consecutive years of dividend growth, gained just over 6% in 2024, falling well behind the broader market’s nearly 25% return. This lagging performance isn’t uncommon for dividend stocks, which often struggle to attract interest when more high-growth opportunities dominate the market. However, experienced investors may see the long-term value and stability that dividend stocks continue to offer. Dividends have historically been a key component of total returns for US stocks, contributing nearly one-third of overall equity gains since 1926. Between 1980 and 2019, a ******* characterized by declining interest rates, dividends accounted for 75% of the broader market’s returns. In a low-rate environment, dividends become even more valuable by ensuring a steady income stream when fixed-income investments provide lower yields. Companies that introduce dividends rarely discontinue them and often increase payouts over time. In addition, offering a dividend can make a stock more attractive to investors, potentially driving up its market value. Also read: 10 Best Energy Dividend Stocks To Buy Right Now A report by Franklin Templeton highlighted that over the past decade, dividends for the broader market index have consistently grown at an average annual rate of just over 7%. In strong market conditions, dividends have helped enhance total returns, while in difficult years—such as 2020 and 2022, when market returns were weak or negative—they played a crucial role in stabilizing returns and strengthening portfolio resilience. Dividend-paying stocks offer more than just regular payouts—they often provide a defensive edge, making them valuable during periods when preserving wealth and maintaining steady income are priorities. A report by Eagle Asset Management examined instances where the broader market declined by at least 15% before recovering to its previous high. The study used three dividend-focused benchmarks to emphasize the importance of not only investing in dividend-yielding companies but also prioritizing those with a track record of consistently increasing payouts. The findings revealed that indexes composed of dividend-paying companies tend to outperform the broader market, particularly during prolonged downturns. This highlights the resilience and potential outperformance of dividend-focused investments during turbulent market conditions. Story Continues Dividends play a significant role in global equity markets, contributing approximately 34% of the MSCI World Index’s annual returns since February 1, 1970. Historically, holding shares in companies committed to dividend growth has provided several advantages, including strong absolute returns and superior risk-adjusted performance across full market cycles. These investments have also demonstrated lower volatility compared to the broader MSCI World Index, offering a level of capital preservation even in challenging market environments. In addition, they provide a diversified income stream with the potential for both steady income growth and capital appreciation. Within the dividend space, companies that regularly raise their payouts are more favored among investors. Given this, we will take a look at some of the best dividend growth stocks with over 10% dividend growth rate. Our Methodology: For this list, we used a Finviz stock screener and picked dividend companies with positive dividend growth rates in the past five years. From that group, we picked 13 stocks that have raised their dividends at an annual average rate of over 10% in the past five years and ranked them according to their dividend growth rates. We also considered hedge fund sentiment around each stock in Insider Monkey’s database, as of the third quarter of 2024. Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points. (see more details here). Broadcom Inc. (AVGO) – AI-Centric Custom Chips Powering the Future of Tech A technician working at a magnified microscope, developing a new integrated circuit. 5-Year Average Annual Dividend Growth Rate: 14.14% Broadcom Inc. (NASDAQ:AVGO) is an American multinational semiconductor company that offers a wide range of semiconductor and infrastructure software products. The company is attracting significant investor interest due to its crucial role in powering products across various industries, including data centers and smartphones. The company’s technology handles over 99% of internet traffic, highlighting its dominance in networking. In addition, Broadcom’s acquisition of VMware, a cloud virtualization company, a year ago has strengthened its market standing. VMware’s operating margin has risen to 70%, and the company is on track to exceed its target of generating more than $8.5 billion in adjusted EBITDA within three years. In the fourth quarter of 2024, Broadcom Inc. (NASDAQ:AVGO) reported revenue of $14.05 billion, marking a remarkable 51% year-over-year growth. Semiconductor revenue reached a record high of $30.1 billion, with AI revenue surging 220% from the previous year, totaling $12.2 billion. This impressive growth was fueled by the company’s advanced AI XPUs and Ethernet networking solutions. For the full fiscal year 2024, adjusted EBITDA grew 37% year-over-year, reaching a record $31.9 billion. Aristotle Atlantic Partners, LLC made the following comment about AVGO in its Q4 2024 investor letter: Broadcom Inc. (NASDAQ:AVGO) contributed to performance in the fourth quarter as the company’s third quarter results demonstrated continuing strength for its AI networking and custom accelerator semiconductor business. The company also gave long-term guidance for the service addressable market (SAM) opportunity for its AI-related business, indicating a market opportunity of $60 billion to $90 billion, which only includes contributions from its current three customers. This long-term outlook for AI semiconductor content exceeded investor expectations. Broadcom’s quarterly results also showed the company is ahead on its VMware integration timeline to achieve $8.5 billion in EBITDA, which will support long-term gross and operating margin expansion for the company. Broadcom Inc. (NASDAQ:AVGO) is one of the best dividend stocks on our list as the company has been raising its payouts for 14 consecutive years. The company achieved this remarkable dividend growth because of its cash position. In the latest quarter, the company generated $5.6 billion in operating cash flow and $5.48 billion in free cash flow, which represented 39% of its total revenue. It currently pays a quarterly dividend of $0.59 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.05%, as of February 8. Overall AVGO ranks 7th on our list of the best dividend stocks with dividend growth rates. While we acknowledge the potential for AVGO as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter time frame. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than AVGO but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock. READ NEXT: 20 Best AI Stock To Buy Now and Complete List of 59 AI Companies Under $2 Billion in Market Cap Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. Source link #Dividend #Growth #Stock #Yearly #Increases Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Trump accused of violating First Amendment after AP reporter barred from event over ‘Gulf of America’ renaming – The Independent Trump accused of violating First Amendment after AP reporter barred from event over ‘Gulf of America’ renaming – The Independent Trump accused of violating First Amendment after AP reporter barred from event over ‘Gulf of America’ renaming The IndependentThe AP says it was blocked from the Oval Office over continuing to use “Gulf of Mexico” CNNThe Associated Press says reporter was barred from White House event The Washington Post Source link #Trump #accused #violating #Amendment #reporter #barred #event #Gulf #America #renaming #Independent Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Judge warns over man who ‘fathered 180 children’ Judge warns over man who ‘fathered 180 children’ Instagram | Robert Charles Albon Joe Albon visited Wales in 2023 and posted this photo on Instagram: “Joe Donor in Wales… do you need help with a baby? Send a message” A ****** donor who claims to have fathered more than 180 children has been used by a judge to warn of the dangers of unregulated ****** donation. Robert Charles Albon, who calls himself Joe Donor, claims to have fathered children all over the world from China to Australia after advertising online. But using him as a donor turned into a “horror story” for a couple after he took them to court as he wanted parental rights over their child. The BBC has approached Mr Albon for a response. It is extremely rare for a parent in a family court case about children to be publicly identified but the family court judge said it was in the public interest in naming Mr Albon. In his judgement, Jonathan Furness KC said he wanted to protect women from the possible consequences of unregulated ****** donorship and from using Mr Albon. The baby in this case was conceived by syringe injection to a same-sex couple, although Mr Albon claimed to have had secret sex with the biological mother in the back of a car. That’s a claim rejected by the judge. Cardiff Family Court heard that Mr Albon, who is in his 50s, was a “stranger” to the child and has only met them for 10 minutes when a few weeks old for a “one-off” photo. Mr Albon applied to the court for parental responsibility, to be named on the birth certificate and changes to the child’s name. Instagram | Robert Charles Albon Joe Albon claims on social media to have been present at some of the children’s births Mr Albon wanted the child’s non-biological mother to be called “auntie” rather than mother, despite the fact she had acted as a parent from birth. Both mothers said the stress from the legal proceedings – which took more than two years – had been cited as a factor in the break down of their relationship. The court heard the biological mother suffered from anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts made worse by the case. The judgement – made in 2023, but only just published – said Mr Albon claimed he wanted to “protect the ********” of the child when he was actually “wholly self-centred”. Judge Furness concluded: “They chose a ****** donor who advertised that he would leave it up to the mother as to whether there should be any contact. “There was evidence from his own social media material that Albon has indicated that to be the position.” The court found Mr Albon, who is originally from the United States but has been living in north-east England, started the family proceedings to support his immigration position to stay in the ***. That is something he denies. “In reality he is a man who seeks to control,” added Judge Furness. WATCH: BBC reporter Gemma Dunstan explains how ****** donation works – and whether it is legal? “Women and children appear to be almost a commodity to him as he sets about increasing the number of his children around the globe – China, USA, Argentina, Australia and *** to name just some of the countries where he has fathered children.” The judge in this case found “no positive ******** benefit in changing the child’s name” and that direct contact between him and the child would not be in the child’s best interests. Neither mother opposed “letterbox contact” so Mr Albon can send an annual card or email to be retained for when the child is of an age to understand who it is from. Mr Albon advertises on social media accounts like Facebook and Instagram and donates through various methods including artificial insemination and more natural methods like ******* intercourse. In an interview with The Sun last August, he said: “I’ve had about 180 live births and I’ve met about 60 of them.” “I might never see a lot of them, this has to do with the child’s mothers relationship… it’s my preference to have some sort of relationship.” The non-biological mother said Mr Albon’s insistence of having parental rights had been a “nightmare and a horror story”. “She believes that the world needs to know of the risks associated with unregulated ****** donation,” said Judge Furness. “The public and vulnerable women seeking to get pregnant should know that is the case and they risk a similar ‘horror story’.” The judge said he wanted “to protect women from the potential consequences of unregulated ****** donorship, generally, but also from Joe Donor himself”. “He is a man who intends to continue donating ****** and vulnerable women who are interested in such services should fully understand the risks of becoming involved with him,” he added. Family Court proceedings, like those at Cardiff Family Court, are private although under a recent change in court rules, certain information can be reported. The way he was giving ****** was unregulated as it was not through a licensed clinic, with no limits on the number of children, mandatory health checks or protection from legal rights as a parent. *** regulations say ****** from a single donor used through licensed clinics may only be used to create a maximum of 10 families. Mr Albon has previously spoken about his motive for donating. He claimed he wanted to help create life it was insulting when people said he only did it for sex, did not make any money and was often lucky to break even on travel expenses. Family Court proceedings are private although under a recent change in court rules in England and Wales, reporters can attend and report certain information. Measures have been taken to ensure the child cannot be identified. Unusually in this case, the guardian acting on behalf of the child made an application that this judgement should be published online and the father should be named. It was argued that it is important that the public should be aware of the dangers of unofficial ****** donation. Both mothers agreed to publication. The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) said it was “always safer to have treatment with donor ******” at clinics it licensed, “where there are laws and guidance to protect and support patients and donors”. Clare Ettinghausen of the HFEA said licensed clinics were also expected to adhere to the “10 family limit”, restricting the number of families that can be created with a single donor. If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this story, support and advice is available via the BBC Action Line. Source link #Judge #warns #man #fathered #children Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Arkle Angus bulls reach pinnacle top price of $22,500 Arkle Angus bulls reach pinnacle top price of $22,500 A Munglinup-bred Angus bull reached the pinnacle price of $22,500 at the Cowan family’s Arkle Angus On-property Bull *****, with buyers selective on renowned genetics to put weight in their calves. Source link #Arkle #Angus #bulls #reach #pinnacle #top #price Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

How the megaquop machine could usher in a new era of quantum computing How the megaquop machine could usher in a new era of quantum computing John Preskill has set a challenge for the quantum computing industry Gregg Segal The past decade has seen significant advances and investment in quantum computing, and yet the devices we have today essentially have no practical purpose. That is down to two main reasons – the first being that the qubits, or quantum bits, that make up today’s machines still struggle with noise, or errors, that we are only just learning to correct. The second is that devices that could solve practical problems are expected to require many more qubits than even the biggest quantum computers currently have. In 2018, … Source link #megaquop #machine #usher #era #quantum #computing Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Own an Apple Watch? You Could Get Part of a $20 Million Settlement Own an Apple Watch? You Could Get Part of a $20 Million Settlement Some Apple Watch models may have been damaged by swollen batteries. Apple Watch owners might be owed some money. After a class-action lawsuit, Apple has agreed to a $20 million settlement; if you’re eligible for a cash payout, you’ll need to submit your claim before the deadline. The lawsuit, filed in the US District Court for the Northern District of California, alleged that the batteries in first-generation, Series 1, Series 2 and Series 3 models could expand within their tight compartments, causing malfunctions. Apple has denied any wrongdoing, but nevertheless chose to settle the case. Read more: Make Your Apple Watch So Much Better by Tweaking These Settings In a statement sent to CNET, Apple pushed back on the claims, stating the Apple Watch is “designed to be safe and reliable.” The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is shown, displaying the Maritime text face. “This settlement applies to purchasers of Original Apple Watch, Series 1, Series 2 and Series 3, which are no longer available for purchase,” the company said in a statement. “While we strongly disagree with the claims made against these early generation Apple Watch models, we agreed to settle to avoid further litigation.” To qualify for compensation, users must have owned an affected Apple Watch model in the US and reported issues related to battery swelling, such as filing a complaint with customer service, between April 24, 2015, and Feb. 6, 2024. Users will find that they receive differing amounts according to a variety of factors. Compensation will range from $20 to $50, depending on the number of claims submitted. Some eligible users will receive a notice via email or postcard informing them of their eligibility for a class payment, according to WatchSettlement.com. The Apple Watch Series 3 is one of the models included in the settlement. Users seeking a payout must submit their request by April 10, 2025, through the settlement website. After visiting the settlement website, users must find the QR code and scan it with an app or built-in camera option. Users can then elect how they’d prefer to receive their payment: physical check, electronic check, ACH transfer or virtual prepaid Visa or MasterCard. For users who did not receive a notice but still believe they’re eligible, a claim may be filed via email. By accepting the settlement payment, Apple customers waive their rights to pursue further legal action against Apple regarding the battery issue. Source link #Apple #Watch #Part #Million #Settlement Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Maybe NASA’s SLS should be cancelled – but not by Elon Musk Maybe NASA’s SLS should be cancelled – but not by Elon Musk The Space Launch System at Kennedy Space Center in Florida in 2022 NASA/Joel Kowsky NASA’s enormous rocket, the Space Launch System (SLS), seems to be in danger. It has been controversial for decades thanks to its high cost and many delays, but now there are hints that it may finally be on the chopping block. The trouble is, there aren’t any comparable alternatives – no other rockets can carry as much mass as SLS can into space – and the only operational backup is built by Elon Musk’s firm SpaceX. Given Musk’s current position embedded within the US… Source link #NASAs #SLS #cancelled #Elon #Musk Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]