Pelican Press

Meridia Watch Party Is Taking Over the Helldivers 2 Community Meridia Watch Party Is Taking Over the Helldivers 2 Community Helldivers 2 players are gathering for a watch party around the Meridia wormhole. The clock is ticking, as the first anniversary approaches. Source link #Meridia #Watch #Party #Helldivers #Community Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

EA to Reveal New Battlefield Community Testing on Feb. 3; DICE to Do Their Best for Transparency EA to Reveal New Battlefield Community Testing on Feb. 3; DICE to Do Their Best for Transparency EA is ready to talk about the new Battlefield game’s community testing program tomorrow, on February 3. Source link #Reveal #Battlefield #Community #Testing #Feb #DICE #Transparency Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Bribie Island shark attack: Teenage girl suffers serious injuries after being bitten by shark in Queensland Bribie Island shark attack: Teenage girl suffers serious injuries after being bitten by shark in Queensland A teenage girl has suffered life-threatening injuries after being attacked by a shark at a popular holiday spot. Emergency services rushed to the scene at Bribie Island off the Queensland Coast at around 4.45pm local time. Bribie Island is north of Brisbane, not far from the Sunshine Coast. More to come. Source link #Bribie #Island #shark #attack #Teenage #girl #suffers #injuries #bitten #shark #Queensland Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Jamie Dimon issues a warning about the US stock market — says prices are ‘kind of inflated’ Jamie Dimon issues a warning about the US stock market — says prices are ‘kind of inflated’ Jamie Dimon issues a warning about the US stock market — says prices are ‘kind of inflated’ JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon isn’t one to sugarcoat his views on the economy — and his latest take on the stock market is anything but reassuring. “Asset prices are kind of inflated,” Dimon told CNBC on Jan. 22 at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. “I’m talking about the U.S. stock market.” His concern isn’t without merit. The U.S. stock market has been on a tear in recent years, with the S&P 500 soaring 23% in 2024 after an impressive 24% gain in 2023. Over the past five years, the benchmark index has skyrocketed over 80%, fueling fears that valuations may be running too hot. Dimon has expressed caution before. According to Reuters, he told investors in May he was “cautiously pessimistic” about the economy. And he’s not alone. Legendary investor Jim Rogers warned last year that America was “long overdue for a problem” and that the next ****** could be the “worst” in his lifetime. If you share these concerns, here are some strategies to protect your portfolio. When markets look shaky, investors often turn to gold — and for good reason. The precious metal is seen as a store of value, offering protection against inflation, economic downturns and stock market volatility. Rogers has long been a proponent of precious metals as a hedge against uncertainty. In an October interview with Wealthion, he explained why he continues to hold gold and silver. “I know from history that the world is going to have problems again … and when the world has problems … it’s nice to have some gold in the closet, or under the bed, have some silver in the closet,” he said. “Because no matter what, many people will turn to gold and silver in times of turmoil.” Even though markets aren’t in crisis mode, investors have been piling into precious metals. Gold has climbed around 35% over the past year, surpassing $2,700 per ounce, while silver has posted impressive gains of around 36%, reaching over $30 per ounce. Read more: Commercial real estate has beaten the stock market for 25 years — here’s how savvy investors can become the landlord of Walmart, Whole Foods or Kroger Gold and silver are also widely considered effective hedges against inflation. Unlike fiat currency, these metals cannot be printed in unlimited quantities by central banks. Story Continues It’s easy to invest in precious metals these days. Investors can buy physical bullion, own shares of gold and silver mining companies, invest in precious metals ETFs and even tap into potential tax advantages through a gold IRA. Dimon also expressed skepticism to CNBC about inflation cooling in the near future. For investors looking to diversify beyond stocks and shield their wealth from the impacts of inflation, real estate remains a compelling choice. Historically, property values tend to rise alongside inflation, reflecting the increasing costs of materials, labor and land. At the same time, rental income often climbs, providing landlords with a steady revenue stream that adjusts with the cost of living. This combination of appreciation and inflation-adjusted income can make real estate a valuable asset for preserving and growing wealth — especially in times of economic uncertainty. These days, investing in real estate doesn’t require purchasing a property outright. One popular option is publicly traded real estate investment trusts (REITs), which own income-producing properties, collect rent from tenants and distribute a portion of that income to shareholders as dividends. Another alternative is real estate crowdfunding platforms, which allow everyday investors to own shares in rental properties without hefty down payments or the responsibilities of property management. Depending on your preferences, you can gain exposure to residential properties or even grocery-anchored commercial real estate, all without the traditional barriers to entry. This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. Source link #Jamie #Dimon #issues #warning #stock #market #prices #kind #inflated Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump’s tariffs are already affecting markets Trump’s tariffs are already affecting markets A truck carrying vehicles drives into the United States at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry, on the U.S.-Mexico border on February 1, 2025 in San Diego, California. Apu Gomes | Getty Images This report is from today’s CNBC Daily Open, our international markets newsletter. CNBC Daily Open brings investors up to speed on everything they need to know, no matter where they are. Like what you see? You can subscribe here. What you need to know today Trump tariffs take effectU.S. President Donald Trump launched a salvo of tariffs on Saturday. Imports from Mexico and Canada will face a 25% duty, while those from China will be subject to a 10% tariff. Energy resources from Canada will face a lower 10% tariff. Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on the same day retaliatory tariffs of 25% against $155 billion in U.S. goods. Industry leaders in the U.S. have expressed concern over those tariffs. Effects of Trump’s tariffsU.S. stock futures tumbled on Monday morning as traders digested the implications of tariffs. Prices of U.S. crude climbed nearly 2% and the international Brent benchmark rose more than 1%. However, analysts think oil prices could fall in the long run if tariffs trigger a global recession. Bitcoin fell around 3.9% to $94,174.61 as of 2:20 p.m. Singapore time, though one strategist thinks a tariff war would be “amazing” for the cryptocurrency. For stocks, a winning January amid uncertainty U.S. markets retreated Friday, giving up earlier gains, on news of Trump’s impending tariffs. The S&P 500 lost 0.50%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 0.75% and the Nasdaq Composite fell 0.28%, but all indexes ended January in the green. Asia-Pacific markets suffered losses on Monday. Japan’s Nikkei 225 and South Korea’s Kospi index dropped more than 2% each. Taiwan semiconductor stocks TSMC and Foxconn, which trades as Hon Hai Precision Industry, slumped after a DeepSeek-induced tech sell-off last week. Factory growth slows in China China’s factory activity slowed in January, according to the Caixin/S&P Global manufacturing purchasing managers’ index. The seasonally adjusted reading came in at 50.1 for January, lower than December’s 50.5 — which was also the forecast of a Reuters poll. Domestic demand improved, while new export orders fell for a second straight month, according to the survey. [PRO] Tariffs won’t hit all equallyBlanket tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China mean that no goods imported from those countries will be spared from increased costs. However, these U.S. companies, which have manufacturing chains worldwide or rely heavily on imports, will be dealt the heaviest blow. The bottom line U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs are no longer a threat but a reality. They cap off a wild January during which a new president entered the White House and a new ******** artificial intelligence model upended the industry. Something else that was new in January: the highest-ever closing level for the S&P 500. But with tariffs now in place and a potential trade war brewing, markets might find it difficult to scale new heights in the near term. Even Big Tech earnings and the jobs numbers coming out this week, typically market-moving reports, are likely to play second fiddle to policy developments. Markets are already reacting to the news. Prices of oil and gold — which tend to move upward in times of volatility — have climbed, while bitcoin is trading lower, though it’s unclear if those shifts will be a one-off shock or a sustained trend. China’s factory activity, which grew at a slower pace in January compared with December, will likely take a hit as U.S. companies attempt to pivot away from ******** imports. Trump’s current tariffs may be targeted, but it’s hard to see any country or sector escaping unscathed. Source link #Trumps #tariffs #affecting #markets Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Morning Bid: Trump tariff reality unnerves markets – Reuters Morning Bid: Trump tariff reality unnerves markets – Reuters Morning Bid: Trump tariff reality unnerves markets ReutersWith tariffs signed, Trump warns of ‘pain’ to come for Americans CNNTrump live news: Tariffs spook Asian markets, Musk says USAID should die Al Jazeera EnglishFact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Imposes Tariffs on Imports from Canada, Mexico and China The White HouseTrade War Heats Up After Trump Orders Tariffs and Canada Retaliates The New York Times Source link #Morning #Bid #Trump #tariff #reality #unnerves #markets #Reuters Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Highlights, lowlights and a big pink pony Highlights, lowlights and a big pink pony Mark Savage Music Correspondent Paul Glynn Entertainment reporter Getty Images The pony didn’t win any awards, but it did win our hearts Sunday night saw Beyonce and Kendrick Lamar win big at the Grammy Awards, which was dedicated to fundraising for wildfire relief efforts in Los Angeles. It also saw plenty of memorable performances, impassioned speeches and stunning red carpet looks for everyone to emulate over the course of the next year (leather chaps are back, in case you were wondering). Let’s take a closer look at some of the other highlights and lowlights from the ceremony. HIGHLIGHT: Beyoncé wins album of the year… At lastGetty Images Well, now we’re in a pickle. On her eighth solo record, Cowboy Carter, Beyoncé sang about the Grammys’ constant, stubborn refusal to award her album of the year. “AOTY, I ain’t win,” she sang. “Take that s— on the chin.” But now she has won, for the album that contains that very lyric. Will she have to go back and re-record it? At the very least, we expect a rewrite on the tour she just announced. Joking aside, this victory was long, long overdue. In 2017, Adele even flirted with the idea of handing back her album of the year trophy, saying the music on her album, 25, couldn’t compare to Beyoncé’s “monumental… beautiful and soul-bearing” Lemonade. Eyebrows were raised again in 2023, when Harry Styles’ fun, but conceptually flimsy, Harry’s House bested Beyoncé’s Renaissance – a meticulous exploration of how oppressed ****** and ****** musicians found salvation through house music. In the end, it took Beyoncé to approach a genre that conservative Grammy voters could understand – country – in order to secure a victory. But that’s not to downplay the scale of her achievement. Cowboy Carter is a masterpiece that weaves hundreds of musical threads into a thesis about America’s cultural past, and the futility of gatekeeping musical genres along racial lines. The arguments it makes are both timely and urgent, without suffocating the songs. As the second part of a planned trilogy, this surely won’t be Beyoncé’s last trip to the podium. HIGHLIGHT: Sabrina Carpenter’s stage malfunctionGetty Images Sabrina Carpenter has literally been practicing for this moment all her life. She made her TV debut in 2011, aged 12 years old, and has been hovering on the fringes of pop superstardom pretty much ever since. So, after a huge breakthrough in 2024, she was primed and ready for the Grammy stage. Or was she? She emerged in a razzle-dazzle showgirl outfit and instantly missed her spotlight. Then she dropped the cane she was supposed to dance with. And, as she descended a grand pearlescent staircase, she suddenly disappeared through a trap door. Luckily, it was all a humorous ruse! Carpenter skipped back to the stage for a big band version of Espresso, complete with ankle-endangering tap routine. After changing into a blue, crystal-studded Victoria’s Secret bodysuit, she segued effortlessly into Please, Please, Please… And then the set collapsed on her. As she leapt into the safety of a dancer’s arms, she couldn’t contain her laughter. It was a perfect piece of vaudeville, and the audience lapped it up. Host Trevor Noah, however, wasn’t so impressed. “That was amazing and funny, which I didn’t appreciate,” the comedian said. “Really, Sabrina? You’re just gonna take my job like that?” LOWLIGHT: The Weeknd ends his Grammys boycottGetty Images Five years ago, people were stunned when The Weeknd’s Blinding Lights – the most-streamed song of all time – failed to pick up a single Grammy nomination. Among those people were Abel Tesfaye – aka The Weeknd himself. He declared the awards were “corrupt” and criticised their lack of “transparency”. Since then, he’s refused to submit any of his music for consideration. So it was something of a coup when he gave an unannounced, unexpected performance in the middle of Sunday’s ceremony. He was introduced by the Recording Academy’s CEO, Harvey Mason Jr, who acknowledged the star’s criticisms, and described his efforts to revamp the Grammys’ electorate, by boosting the number of women and people of colour. After that, the star took to the stage with two songs from his brand new album, Cry For Me and Timeless. It was meant to be a celebration of people’s ability to learn and grow, but the music was so oppressively drab – with the Weeknd constantly shrouded in smoke and shadow – that you wondered whether he’d simply returned to sabotage the Grammys from within. HIGHLIGHT: Chappell Roan rides a big pink pony Getty Images BBC Sound of 2025 winner Chappell Roan cantered into the Grammys with a theatrical performance of Pink Pony Club – her love letter to LA, as well as a celebration of ****** discovery. Backed by dancers dressed as rodeo clowns, Roan – herself wearing a sequinned cowboy hat and sparkly boots – rode a a giant pink carousel pony, complete with an 80s perm. “‘My Little Pony’ grew up!” joked host Trevor Noah afterwards. The performance was part of a segment that raised awareness and funds for wildfire relief. Roan, real name Kayleigh Amstutz, later received a standing ovation for using her best new artist winning speech to call on record labels to provide up-and-coming artists with liveable wages and healthcare. Quite a night for the 26-year-old, who might be feeling a little horse in the morning. Chappell Roan Chappell Roan wore a Zana Bayne leather cowboy outfit for her Grammy performance for Pink Pony Club LOWLIGHT: Kanye West and Bianca Cenori’s nude stuntGetty Images Rapper Kanye West arrived on the red carpet dressed in ****** with his wife Bianca Censori, who was, to all intents and purposes, naked. As the couple stopped to pose for cameras, the *********** model removed her ****** fur coat to reveal a sheer body stocking that left little to the imagination. The pair then made a swift exit, electing to skip the ceremony, driving off into the LA night. Early reports suggested they had been kicked out, but the BBC understands they left of their own accord, with one source saying that West, “walked the carpet, got in his car and left”. They may well have been home by the time West’s track Carnival lost out to Kendrick Lamar in the best rap song category. But he probably won’t mind: He already has 24 Grammy awards, and now he has the headlines he craves, too. HIGHLIGHT: Brat Green picks up a prizeGetty Images Among the three awards Charli XCX picked up was one of the night’s most obscure: Best artwork. At first glance, that might seem odd. The album cover is a plain green square, with the word “brat” printed in a deliberately low-resolution Arial font. But the cover took five months to put together, with designer Brent David Freaney testing around 500 shades of green to produce a garish, nausea-inducing effect. Charli wanted the artwork to be deliberately off-putting – reflecting the album’s dual themes of partying and self doubt. And she said it was important to challenge the convention of women dressing provocatively to promote their music. “Why should anyone have that level of ownership over female artists?” she asked Vogue magazine. She added: “I wanted to go with an offensive, off-trend shade of green to trigger the idea of something being wrong. I’d like for us to question our expectations of pop culture – why are some things considered good and acceptable, and some things deemed bad? “I’m interested in the narratives behind that and I want to provoke people. I’m not doing things to be nice.” Towards the end of the ceremony, the star’s live performance of Von Dutch and Guess saw her transform the biggest and glitziest night in music into a packed and sweaty nightclub. Emerging from a ****** SUV, she strutted towards the camera, throwing a glass of champagne against the wall of a parking garage, before launching into what appeared to be an underground rave. As the performance progressed, she appeared on stage with model Julia Fox and hundreds of dancers, who were then showered in underwear (a reference to the song’s lyrics). The Grammys said all of the unworn garments were donated to domestic violence survivors after the show. Highlight: This photo (1)Getty Images I can’t be the only person desperate to know what Taylor is whispering, right? HIGHLIGHT: This photo (2) Beyoncé’s stunned reaction to winning best country album is a gif that will never stop gif-ing. HIGHLIGHT: Janelle Monaé’s moonwalk momentGetty Images Music lost one of its biggest legends in 2024, when Quincy Jones died at the age of 91. As the producer for everyone from Frank Sinatra to Michael Jackson, the Grammys gave him a star-studded send-off that lasted almost 20 minutes. Cynthia Erivo and Herbie Hancock played a beautiful version of Fly Me To The Moon; while Stevie Wonder’s sang We Are The World with choirs from two schools affected by the devastating LA fires. But it was Janelle Monaé’s performance of Michael Jackson’s Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough that blew the roof off. Dressed in MJ’s Billie Jean outfit, she pirouetted and moonwalked and jumped on the tables as if she’d been possessed by the man himself. Towards the end of the performance, she threw off her jacket to reveal a t-shirt bearing the legend “I Love QJ”. And guess who caught it and wore it for the rest of the night? Taylor Swift. Allow Twitter content?This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read and before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’. Accept and continue LOWLIGHT: Snubs for Billie Eilish and Taylor SwiftGetty Images Billie Eilish, with her brother Finneas, went 0-7 on their nominations Even with 94 awards to consider, some people will get overlooked – but nobody expected two of the Grammys’ biggest darlings to go home empty-handed. Taylor Swift was blanked despite scoring six nominations. Voters clearly decided that The Tortured Poets Department wasn’t worthy of comparison with her four previous album of the year winners (Fearless, 1989, Folklore and Midnights). Billie Eilish’s wipeout was even more unexpected. She had been the bookmakers’ favourite for album of the year, for her third release Hit Me Hard And Soft – but she lost all seven of the categories she was nominated for. Still, there was a lot of competition this year, especially in the pop categories. And Swift has spoken in the past about how losing album of the year for Red inspired her pop opus, and biggest-seller to date, 1989. Don’t count either of these artists out just yet. HIGHLIGHT: Trevor Noah’s easy-going hostingGetty Images There’s a reason they keep inviting Trevor Noah back to host the Grammys: He’s got the tone right. He’s relaxed, he’s engaged with the music, and his humour never punches down. Here are some of his best quips from the night: “Yesterday, Beyonce announced her new tour. Everyone saw that. I will say, though, Beyonce, there’s tariffs. We can’t afford a new tour, right? Maple syrup is about to be $50.””Taylor Swift could become the first artist ever to win album of the year five times. Which means she would break the record of four wins, set all the way back in 2024 by Taylor Swift. I’m just gonna say Taylor, if you break Taylor’s record, the Swifties are gonna come for you. And you don’t wanna mess with them.””The Beatles are nominated tonight for Record of the Year. Yes, the legendary band from Liverpool used AI to put out a new song after 53 years. So good luck to the Beatles. I think if they win, this could open up a few doors for them.””And who knows, through the power of AI, one day, we could even get another Rihanna album.” Source link #Highlights #lowlights #big #pink #pony Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

******** Astronauts Successfully Generate Oxygen and Rocket Fuel Through Artificial Photosynthesis in Space ******** Astronauts Successfully Generate Oxygen and Rocket Fuel Through Artificial Photosynthesis in Space ******** astronauts aboard the Tiangong space station have successfully produced oxygen and rocket fuel through artificial photosynthesis. This development could play a crucial role in China’s future lunar base by enabling resource generation on-site reducing the need for supplies from Earth. Conducted by the Shenzhou-19 crew, the experiment utilised water and carbon dioxide to create oxygen and hydrocarbon fuel components, similar to the natural process of photosynthesis in plants. The approach, which requires minimal energy, may provide a sustainable method for future space missions. Artificial Photosynthesis Method and Its Potential According to reports, ******** state television CCTV stated that the artificial photosynthesis system mimics natural plant processes through engineered physical and chemical reactions. A semiconductor catalyst and a compact apparatus resembling a drawer were used to convert carbon dioxide and water into oxygen and hydrocarbon-based fuel. Researchers believe the technology could be adapted to produce methane or formic acid by changing the catalyst used in the reaction. Energy-Efficient Alternative to Electrolysis As reported by the South China Morning Post, this method consumes significantly less energy compared to electrolysis, which is currently used on the International Space Station (ISS) to generate oxygen. Studies have shown that electrolysis can require up to a third of the ISS’s power supply, highlighting the potential advantage of this new technique in long-term space exploration. Application in China’s Lunar Base Plans China plans to establish a lunar base near the Moon’s south pole by 2035, and this artificial photosynthesis technology could support astronaut survival by generating breathable air and fuel for return missions. Reports indicate that China, in collaboration with Russia, is also working on a mini nuclear reactor to power the base. Astronauts are expected to land on the Moon by 2030, ahead of NASA’s delayed Artemis missions. For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who’sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube. Gravitational Waves Reveal ****** Hole Ancestry Through Spin Analysis Xiaomi 15 Ultra Colour Options, RAM and Storage Configuration Tipped Source link #******** #Astronauts #Successfully #Generate #Oxygen #Rocket #Fuel #Artificial #Photosynthesis #Space Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

WA fast bowler Chloe Ainsworth named Young Cricketer of the Year WA fast bowler Chloe Ainsworth named Young Cricketer of the Year West *********** rising star Chloe Ainsworth has been rewarded her outstanding performances named the Betty Wilson Young Cricketer of the Year at the 2025 *********** Cricket Awards in Melbourne on Monday. In just her second season the teenager is already one of Australia’s most exciting young bowlers having already claimed this year’s WBBL|10 Young Gun Award for her efforts with the new ball. Claiming the wickets of some of the world’s best batters the 19-year-old finished the season with 12 wickets at 18.58 with an economy rate of 5.86 while also picking up 10 wickets for WA in the WNCL. Her performances saw her picked for the Women’s Under 19 World Cup in Malaysia where she took three wickets. To be eligible for the Betty Wilson Young Cricketer of the Year Award, players must be aged 24 or younger at the start of the voting ******* (December 5, 2023). They must also have played fewer than 25 List A or T20 matches at that time, and cannot have previously won the award. Camera IconChloe Ainsworth of the Scorchers celebrates after taking the wicket of Sophie Reid. Credit: Will Russell/Getty Images The Perth Scorchers quick showed no signs of being impacted by a stress injury to her foot which disrupted most of her preseason, sitting out the T20 Spring Challenge and a round of WNCL with a groin injury. She took the scalps of Aussie pair Meg Lanning and Annabel Sutherland in the Scorchers opening game at the WACA and accounted for international stars Chamari Athapaththu, Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Alice Capsey, Tahlia McGrath and Ellyse Perry throughout the tournament. Ainsworth was unable to accept the award in person as she is still in Malaysia following Australia’s World Cup semi-final loss to South Africa. Source link #fast #bowler #Chloe #Ainsworth #named #Young #Cricketer #Year Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

EU kicks off landmark AI Act enforcement as first restrictions apply EU kicks off landmark AI Act enforcement as first restrictions apply The European Union is so far the only jurisdiction globally to drive forward comprehensive rules for artificial intelligence with its AI Act. Jaque Silva | Nurphoto | Getty Images The European Union formally kicked off enforcement of its landmark artificial intelligence law Sunday, paving the way for tough restrictions and potential large fines for violations. The EU AI Act, a first-of-its-kind regulatory framework for the technology, formally entered into force in August 2024. On Sunday, the deadline for prohibitions on certain artificial intelligence systems and requirements to ensure sufficient technology literacy among staff officially lapsed. That means companies must now comply with the restrictions and can face penalties if they fail to do so. The AI Act bans certain applications of AI which it deems as posing “unacceptable risk” to citizens. Those include social scoring systems, real-time facial recognition and other forms of biometric identification that categorize people by race, sex life, ******* orientation and other attributes, and “manipulative” AI tools. Companies face fines of as much as 35 million euros ($35.8 million) or 7% of their global annual revenues — whichever amount is higher — for breaches of the EU AI Act. The size of the penalties will depend on the infringement and size of the company fined. That’s higher than the fines possible under the GDPR, Europe’s strict digital privacy law. Companies face fines of up to 20 million euros or 4% of annual global turnover for GDPR breaches. ‘Not perfect’ but ‘very much needed’ It’s worth stressing that the AI Act still isn’t in full force — this is just the first step in a series of many upcoming developments. Tasos Stampelos, head of EU public policy and government relations at Mozilla, told CNBC previously that while it’s “not perfect,” the EU’s AI Act is “very much needed.” “It’s quite important to recognize that the AI Act is predominantly a product safety legislation,” Stampelos said in a CNBC-moderated panel in November. “With product safety rules, the moment you have it in place, it’s not a done deal. There are a lot of things coming and following after the adoption of an act,” he said. “Right now, compliance will depend on how standards, guidelines, secondary legislation or derivative instruments that follow the AI Act, that will actually stipulate what compliance looks like,” Stampelos added. In December, the EU AI Office, a newly created body regulating the use of models in accordance with the AI Act, published a second-draft code of practice for general-purpose AI (GPAI) models, which refers to systems like OpenAI’s GPT family of large language models, or LLMs. The second draft contained exemptions for providers of certain open-source AI models while including the requirement for developers of “systemic” GPAI models to undergo rigorous risk assessments. Setting the global standard? Several technology executives and investors are unhappy with some of the more burdensome aspects of the AI Act and worry it might strangle innovation. In June 2024, Prince Constantijn of the Netherlands told CNBC in an interview that he’s “really concerned” about Europe’s focus on regulating AI. “Our ambition seems to be limited to being good regulators,” Constantijn said. “It’s good to have guardrails. We want to bring clarity to the market, predictability and all that. But it’s very hard to do that in such a fast-moving space.” Still, some think that having clear rules for AI could give Europe leadership advantage. “While the U.S. and China compete to build the biggest AI models, Europe is showing leadership in building the most trustworthy ones,” Diyan Bogdanov, director of engineering intelligence and growth at Bulgarian fintech firm Payhawk, said via email. “The EU AI Act’s requirements around bias detection, regular risk assessments, and human oversight aren’t limiting innovation — they’re defining what good looks like,” he added. Source link #kicks #landmark #Act #enforcement #restrictions #apply Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

EU kicks off landmark AI Act enforcement as first restrictions apply EU kicks off landmark AI Act enforcement as first restrictions apply The European Union is so far the only jurisdiction globally to drive forward comprehensive rules for artificial intelligence with its AI Act. Jaque Silva | Nurphoto | Getty Images The European Union formally kicked off enforcement of its landmark artificial intelligence law Sunday, paving the way for tough restrictions and potential large fines for violations. The EU AI Act, a first-of-its-kind regulatory framework for the technology, formally entered into force in August 2024. On Sunday, the deadline for prohibitions on certain artificial intelligence systems and requirements to ensure sufficient technology literacy among staff officially lapsed. That means companies must now comply with the restrictions and can face penalties if they fail to do so. The AI Act bans certain applications of AI which it deems as posing “unacceptable risk” to citizens. Those include social scoring systems, real-time facial recognition and other forms of biometric identification that categorize people by race, sex life, ******* orientation and other attributes, and “manipulative” AI tools. Companies face fines of as much as 35 million euros ($35.8 million) or 7% of their global annual revenues — whichever amount is higher — for breaches of the EU AI Act. The size of the penalties will depend on the infringement and size of the company fined. That’s higher than the fines possible under the GDPR, Europe’s strict digital privacy law. Companies face fines of up to 20 million euros or 4% of annual global turnover for GDPR breaches. ‘Not perfect’ but ‘very much needed’ It’s worth stressing that the AI Act still isn’t in full force — this is just the first step in a series of many upcoming developments. Tasos Stampelos, head of EU public policy and government relations at Mozilla, told CNBC previously that while it’s “not perfect,” the EU’s AI Act is “very much needed.” “It’s quite important to recognize that the AI Act is predominantly a product safety legislation,” Stampelos said in a CNBC-moderated panel in November. “With product safety rules, the moment you have it in place, it’s not a done deal. There are a lot of things coming and following after the adoption of an act,” he said. “Right now, compliance will depend on how standards, guidelines, secondary legislation or derivative instruments that follow the AI Act, that will actually stipulate what compliance looks like,” Stampelos added. In December, the EU AI Office, a newly created body regulating the use of models in accordance with the AI Act, published a second-draft code of practice for general-purpose AI (GPAI) models, which refers to systems like OpenAI’s GPT family of large language models, or LLMs. The second draft contained exemptions for providers of certain open-source AI models while including the requirement for developers of “systemic” GPAI models to undergo rigorous risk assessments. Setting the global standard? Several technology executives and investors are unhappy with some of the more burdensome aspects of the AI Act and worry it might strangle innovation. In June 2024, Prince Constantijn of the Netherlands told CNBC in an interview that he’s “really concerned” about Europe’s focus on regulating AI. “Our ambition seems to be limited to being good regulators,” Constantijn said. “It’s good to have guardrails. We want to bring clarity to the market, predictability and all that. But it’s very hard to do that in such a fast-moving space.” Still, some think that having clear rules for AI could give Europe leadership advantage. “While the U.S. and China compete to build the biggest AI models, Europe is showing leadership in building the most trustworthy ones,” Diyan Bogdanov, director of engineering intelligence and growth at Bulgarian fintech firm Payhawk, said via email. “The EU AI Act’s requirements around bias detection, regular risk assessments, and human oversight aren’t limiting innovation — they’re defining what good looks like,” he added. Source link #kicks #landmark #Act #enforcement #restrictions #apply Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Australia braces for more destruction as deadly floods devastate northeast – CNN Australia braces for more destruction as deadly floods devastate northeast – CNN Australia braces for more destruction as deadly floods devastate northeast CNNMajor highway partly collapses as *********** floods worsen BBC.comOne dead, thousands evacuated as northeast Australia battles massive floods Yahoo! VoicesLive: Crocodile warnings as North Queensland gets months of rain in three days ABC News Source link #Australia #braces #destruction #deadly #floods #devastate #northeast #CNN Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Labor pledges $8 million in funding for remote schools across Kimberley if re-elected Labor pledges $8 million in funding for remote schools across Kimberley if re-elected Education is the greatest tool for transforming lives, said Education Minister Tony Buti, as he announced an $8 million in funding for 14 remote schools across the Kimberley should Labor be re-elected. The funding would be evenly spread across the schools in communities such as Beagle Bay and Balgo, directed towards critical facilities projects at the schools. Mr Buti said the pledged investment in Kimberley education aligned with his commitment when he first took on the education portfolio. “I want to see every child in Western Australia, no matter where they’re from, reach their full potential,” he said. In addition to the school funding, Mr Buti highlighted Labor’s $89m pledge for another round of the WA Student Assistance Payment if re-elected. Every parent with school-aged children in the State would be eligible for the payment, which provides $250 for secondary school students and $150 for primary school and kindergarten students. Member for the Kimberley Divina D’Anna, who joined Mr Buti on his Kimberley visit, said the pledged investments were about “making kids want to go to school and ensuring they can get the best start in life”. “WA Labor’s grant commitment will deliver important infrastructure upgrades for these schools, doing what’s right for students in the Kimberley,” Ms D’Anna said. Source link #Labor #pledges #million #funding #remote #schools #Kimberley #reelected Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

European Stocks Could Gain as Political Trends Reshape Investment Opportunities European Stocks Could Gain as Political Trends Reshape Investment Opportunities Bespoke posted this chart on the breakout in the as well as the table of the “expected forward returns” to the Bespoke Report this week, and added a few other pages, but rather than cut-and-paste the whole series, let me say that being a regular reader of Bespoke the last 10 – 15 years has served me well. What’s happening in Europe and around the world is something US readers can probably understand: it’s the steady rightward drift in political victories, that started with the South American Argentina President Javier Milei victory in 2023, Italy’s Georgia Meloni’s appointment to Prime Minister in October, 2022, the US’s President Trump in November ’24, and might continue in Europe when Germany holds their elections later in February ’25. Bloomberg ran a headline in the last few weeks noting that Macron has lost some popularity in the polls, although the next French President isn’t expected to be elected until April 2027, while Kiel Starmer, the *** Prime Minister, is off to a rough start. While some of the major European issues are non-economic, the fact is Argentina’s , was one of the best-performing single-country ETFs in 2024, along with Israel, with the point being that rightward-leaning politicians tend to be first-and-foremost pro-business, and what’s good for the domestic economy, is typically good for the country’s stock market. Whenever you are writing about politics, people can be easily offended, but this post was written with the intent to be as objective and analytical as possible about this topic. If readers think this rightward political shift is something new, it really isn’t: it happened in the early 1980’s with Margaret Thatcher’s ascension to Prime Minister in the ***, and then followed by Ronald Reagan’s victory in November, 1980, and played out throughout much of the 1980’s. Bush 41 followed Reagan, and John Major followed Thatcher, and this was long before the EU and the “United States of Europe”. Just like economic cycles, the world goes through political cycles as well, and we are headed into another cycle, from which US investors might benefit, both from a portfolio diversification standpoint, as well as an absolute return standpoint. Keep an eye on the European stock market and the various European equity ETF’s. International Annual Returns: This somewhat crude spreadsheet is this blog’s way of tracking the annual returns of some select international funds and ETF’s. If readers want to recommend any not found above (and no doubt there is plenty), please do so. The Vanguard Europe ETF (NYSE:) was added to list this month given it’s +6.35% YTD return. Clients current international exposure currently consists of the (JFEAX), the iShares Emerging-markets ex-China ETF (NASDAQ:), and the Vanguard Developed Market ETF (NYSE:). This blog also has a small position in David Herro’s (Oakix). This Bank of America chart shows the Mag 7 vs “global equities”. It may be time to re-balance and add to international equity, with a more focused approach. (This blog has been posting more frequently on international equity returns given the complete lack of interest or enthusiasm in the asset class, check , ) Disclaimer: None of this is a recommendation or advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Investing can and does involve the loss of principal, even for short periods of time. None of the above information may be updated and if updated, may not be done so in a timely fashion. Thanks for reading. Source link #European #Stocks #Gain #Political #Trends #Reshape #Investment #Opportunities Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Australia braces for more destruction as deadly floods devastate northeast – CNN Australia braces for more destruction as deadly floods devastate northeast – CNN Australia braces for more destruction as deadly floods devastate northeast CNNMajor highway partly collapses as *********** floods worsen BBC.comOne dead, thousands evacuated as northeast Australia battles massive floods Yahoo! VoicesLive: Crocodile warnings as North Queensland gets months of rain in three days ABC News Source link #Australia #braces #destruction #deadly #floods #devastate #northeast #CNN Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Perth father Clinton McKenna accused of reversing into man in alleged road rage incident on trial Perth father Clinton McKenna accused of reversing into man in alleged road rage incident on trial The father-of-two admits he caused Mr Adams’ horrific injuries but denies he intended to hit him. Source link #Perth #father #Clinton #McKenna #accused #reversing #man #alleged #road #rage #incident #trial Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Marco Rubio Tells Panama’s Leader ‘Immediate Changes’ Are Needed – The New York Times Marco Rubio Tells Panama’s Leader ‘Immediate Changes’ Are Needed – The New York Times Marco Rubio Tells Panama’s Leader ‘Immediate Changes’ Are Needed The New York TimesTrump reiterates threat to retake Panama Canal ‘or something very powerful’ will happen CNNMarco Rubio issues Panama ultimatum over ‘******** influence’ on canal The IndependentPanama pledges to end key canal deal with China, work with US after Rubio visit Fox News Source link #Marco #Rubio #Tells #Panamas #Leader #Needed #York #Times Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Trump’s tariffs announcement lead ASX to lose nearly $50bn Trump’s tariffs announcement lead ASX to lose nearly $50bn Nearly $50bn was wiped off the *********** sharemarket on Monday as fears of a trade war led by US President Donald Trump tariffs ripped through the local market. Source link #Trumps #tariffs #announcement #lead #ASX #lose #50bn Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Beyonce, Kendrick Lamar, Chappell Roan Beyonce, Kendrick Lamar, Chappell Roan Beyonce speaks after winning the Best Country Album award for “Cowboy Carter” during the 67th Annual Grammy Awards on Feb. 02, 2025. Kevin Winter | Getty Images Entertainment | Getty Images Beyonce scored the top prize at music’s Grammy Awards on Sunday, taking album of the year for the first time in her career with her country record “Cowboy Carter,” at a ceremony that delivered a love letter to wildfire-ravaged Los Angeles. The superstar singer triumphed over Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish and others to claim the trophy that had eluded her even as she collected more lifetime Grammys than any other artist. “I just feel very full and very honored. It’s been many, many years,” Beyoncé said on stage, standing next to her daughter Blue Ivy Carter. Beyoncé’s win came on her fifth nomination in the album category. She earned three trophies in total on Sunday, bringing her career haul to 35. Rapper Kendrick Lamar claimed record and song of the year for “Not Like Us,” a diss track in his feud with ********* rapper and singer Drake. Lamar, who swept the five categories he was nominated for, dedicated his wins to Los Angeles, where the ceremony was held. Kendrick Lamar accepts the Song of the Year award for “Not Like Us” onstage during the 67th Annual Grammy Awards at Crypto.com Arena on Feb. 02, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Kevin Mazur | Getty Images Entertainment | Getty Images “This is my neck of the woods that’s held me down since I was a young pup,” he said, adding “we are going to restore the city.” “Pink Pony Club” singer Chappell Roan was named best new artist and used her time on stage to urge record labels to pay musicians a living wage with healthcare benefits. She recalled a time when she felt “dehumanized” to not have health insurance. “Labels — we got you, but do you got us?” she said. Swift, who has won album of the year a record four times and was nominated for “The Tortured Poets Department,” was shut out this time. She took the stage once to present the Grammy for best country album, an honor that went to Beyoncé. Celebrating Los Angeles The Grammy festivities were revamped to be part awards show and part fundraiser for people affected by the wildfires, which were contained on Friday after killing 29 people and displacing thousands including many musicians. Broadcast live on CBS PARA.O, the show opened with an all-star rendition “I Love LA” featuring Altadena-based band Dawes backed by John Legend, Brad Paisley, St. Vincent and Brittany Howard. “Tonight, we decided we are not just celebrating our favorite music. We are also celebrating the city that brought us so much of that music,” said host Trevor Noah, who directed viewers to donation options. At least $7 million was raised during the broadcast, Noah said. Chappell Roan, performing at the 67th Grammy Awards, was named the year’s best new artist. Kevin Winter | Getty Images Entertainment | Getty Images In other tributes to Los Angeles, Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars sang “California Dreamin’.” Firefighters handed out the album prize and received a standing ovation. In between awards, the show wove in vignettes about a florist, a skate shop and other small businesses working to recover from the fires. The Grammys also remembered influential music producer Quincy Jones, who died in November. Stevie Wonder led the crowd in singing the famine relief anthem “We Are the World” with a choir of students from schools destroyed in the wildfires, and Janelle Monae performed Michael Jackson’s “Don’t Stop ’til You Get Enough.” ********* singer The Weeknd ended his boycott of the Grammys, showing up midway for a surprise performance. He had criticized Grammy voters for what he called a lack of transparency and a failure to properly recognize hip-hop and R&B artists. “We have listened, we have acted and we have changed,” Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. said on stage. The Grammys voting body is now younger and 40% are people of color, he said. Grammy winners are chosen by the 13,000 singers, songwriters, producers, engineers and others who make up the Recording Academy. Source link #Beyonce #Kendrick #Lamar #Chappell #Roan Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

All the winners and nominees at the 2025 Grammy Awards – BBC.com All the winners and nominees at the 2025 Grammy Awards – BBC.com All the winners and nominees at the 2025 Grammy Awards BBC.comBeyoncé wins album of the year at the 2025 Grammys for ‘Cowboy Carter’ The Associated PressLive updates: The 2025 Grammy Awards CNN2025 GRAMMYs: Kendrick Lamar Dedicates Record Of The Year Win To Los Angeles The GRAMMYs Source link #winners #nominees #Grammy #Awards #BBC.com Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Six Nations 2025: England, Ireland, Dupont and more talking points from opening games Six Nations 2025: England, Ireland, Dupont and more talking points from opening games Ireland are aiming to become the first team to win three successive men’s titles since Italy joined the expanded Six Nations tournament in 2000. Under interim head coach Simon Easterby, with Andy Farrell preparing to lead the British and Irish Lions in Australia this summer, they produced a fine second-half display to ensure that quest began with a victory. “If I’m Ireland, I’m probably quite enjoying everyone saying we’re maybe past our peak,” said Barclay. “It was 27-10 realistically, England came away and scored a couple of [late] tries. “Ireland weren’t at their best either and they won convincingly, that’s the reality. “They’ve got serious quality coming back in so if you write Ireland off at this stage, do it at your peril.” Ireland face Scotland away next, and Bowe said: “Murrayfield is a difficult place to go, it’s always really confrontational. If Scotland can get parity up front to unleash the backs they have, they are really dangerous. “But I’m really excited about this Irish team, particularly their performance in the second half – to weather the storm from England, to be put under the cosh, maybe question themselves at times, and to be able to find a way out.” Source link #Nations #England #Ireland #Dupont #talking #points #opening #games Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

There’s no disputing Shields is world’s best boxer There’s no disputing Shields is world’s best boxer American Claressa Shields has been crowned boxing’s first undisputed world champion in three weight classes after beating compatriot Danielle Perkins for the women’s heavyweight title by unanimous decision in front of a home crowd in Flint, Michigan. Shields, who also won gold medals at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics, landed a powerful right hand with seconds to go in the 10th and final round on Sunday (Monday AEDT), knocking down Perkins and improving her professional career record to 16-0. The win makes 29-year-old Shields a champion in a third weight class, adding to her undisputed titles in the middleweight and light-middleweight divisions. She is the only boxer, man or woman, to achieve the feat. “It feels unbelievable, to be honest. I had a really hard training camp. And just last Friday, I tore my labrum in my left shoulder, so I wasn’t able to use my good jab today,” Shields said. “But I didn’t want to call the fight off because I had asked God to give me a big fight in my home town. He did that, so I decided to keep going through with it. “I feel so happy. And shout-out to my opponent, Danielle Perkins. Man, that girl was strong as hell.” Source link #disputing #Shields #worlds #boxer Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘Ask yourself, would I want to receive this?’ ‘Ask yourself, would I want to receive this?’ “Before you donate something, ask yourself, would I want to receive this in a time of need?” That’s the message from Trashie, the recycling and rewards company that has been helping aid organizations sort through thousands of pounds of clothing donations received in the wake of the Los Angeles wildfires. In an interview with The Cool Down, Trashie chief strategy officer Annie Gullingsrud, who was on the ground leading the company’s LA collection effort, pleaded with well-intentioned people to pause before giving clothes — and she gave us a behind-the-scenes look at what’s happening with all of those donations. Sorting through thousands of pounds of clothes Trashie helps people get rid of their old stuff by offering a Take Back Bag that can be filled with unwanted items in exchange for rewards. The company also partners with big organizations such as Walmart and Marine Layer to collect and sort customers’ unwanted items into over 250 different categories for repurposing, recycling, downcycling, or landfill. (Trashie says it manages to keep 95% of items it receives from going to a landfill.) In the aftermath of the LA fires, dozens of overwhelmed aid organizations, including the YMCA, OpenClosit, Dream Center, and American Legion, reached out to Trashie to help them sort through the massive volumes of clothing that were being donated. UPS, Happy Returns, and LVK Logistics donated trucks, drivers, and warehouse space to support Trashie’s efforts, picking up clothes from over 30 locations. The Trashie team — including Gullingsrud and over 100 volunteers — told The Cool Down they collected over 73,000 pounds of clothing, packed them up, and loaded them into trucks, which took them to Trashie’s sorting and recycling facility in Texas. Watch now: CEO reveals form of energy that has ‘polled across political lines’ for over a decade Why Texas? “We are able to handle the kind of volume that we’re talking about,” she explained. “To move it to a space with an unskilled team, or to a place that risks it getting moldy, and then going to landfill is not the right thing. … We need to get it to a place where we can properly handle it, giving the city some space to recover.” Once the items are sorted, Trashie will make quality used clothing available to vetted aid organizations that serve populations affected by the fires. “Some of the organizations that we’re picking up from will reach back out to us and say, ‘Hey, I’m ready,'” Gullingsrud said. “… They’re going to request certain categories, and we are making ourselves available to provide those categories back to the community.” Trashie is also distributing cash or gift card donations in the same areas so that people can get things they actually need. ‘Fire victims … don’t want your Shein tube tops’ After getting a firsthand look at what was being donated, Trashie tried to get the word out to well-meaning people on their social media accounts — and by reaching out to The Cool Down — to think before donating. “Stop donating to the LA fires — they don’t have the infrastructure or labor to sort your trash,” they said on Instagram. “Displaced fire victims don’t want your Shein tube tops and armpit-stained undershirts.” “As much as I appreciate all of the people who dropped off donations, they actually dropped off a range of different things that you’re not necessarily going to want to give to somebody else,” Gullingsrud added. That included well-loved party shoes and shorts with holes in them, she said. The amount of well-loved items donated was in some ways a good sign that people are getting good wear out of their clothing, she said, but many of the items really weren’t rewearable. The problem: ‘They can’t handle the load’ What the Trashie team is seeing on the ground in LA is reflective of what happens with clothing donations in general, Gullingsrud said. People drop off their stuff at a charity organization like Goodwill or Salvation Army, where, “someone’s not going to shame them for what they’re dropping off; someone’s not going to turn them away.” But those organizations, she says, are only equipped to “pull out the cream of the crop stuff.” “They don’t have warehousing,” Gullingsrud said. “They’re not going to say, ‘Let me hold on to this for next season.’ Organizations just don’t know what to do with this stuff, and so they’re throwing them in the trash.” That’s why an estimated 85% of clothes end up in landfills — or in open-air textile waste dumps and waterways in places like Ghana, Chile, or other countries where they can’t handle the load of unwanted clothing that they receive, according to Gullingsrud. “Typical to what’s happened in other natural disasters, there’s just too many clothing donations, and the organizations were so swamped and cluttered with clothing donations that they couldn’t do their job — it was standing in the way of providing the people in LA were impacted by the fires the help that they needed,” she said. “What we do is we provide an intervention.” How to donate responsibly When you’re considering donating items, Gullingsrud recommends these simple tips: Check in with the organizations to make sure you know what they need. Some organizations may need money and, for better or worse, not clothing. If they don’t need clothing, “there’s actually a high likelihood that it’s going to go to landfill, unless there’s an intervention from an organization like our own,” she said. Don’t assume there will be and instead go straight to an organization such as Trashie if you’re looking to donate well-worn items so that there is no strain placed on a disaster response charity to manage items it cannot use. Consider where you’re sending your stuff. Make sure the organization you’re giving to “is going to be thoughtful and responsible about where the stuff is going.” If you wouldn’t wear the item, don’t donate it. “No one wants to wear your broken shoes from 1996.” Think about whether it’s something you or your kids would wear — and if not, make sure you’re disposing of it responsibly. (Trashie’s Take Back Bag allows people to send items that are not worthy of donation.) ‘This is a community movement’ Gullingsrud told TCD she’s grateful that partner organizations — and individuals like Alan, the man who supported thousands of LA fire victims at the Santa Anita Race Track — called upon Trashie’s solution. “I’m so grateful Alan picked up my phone call,” she said. “We’ve been doing this for a long time, and I know the responsibility behind what we do. … I wanted us to be the ones to be able to do it for the community.” By helping to “declutter the city,” she said, they can help people in need get what they need most. “We were poised to do this, we were so happy to help, and we wouldn’t have been able to do it without not only the partners of the warehouse, UPS, but also all the volunteers who showed up,” she explained. “This is a community movement. Trashie is a community movement. … To me, that’s the most sort of cherished aspect of this. … It was beautiful. All of the hundreds of thousands of pounds that we were able to divert from a landfill last year is because of us, but really because of the people who leverage the bag.” Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don’t miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Source link #receive Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Climate risk will take trillion-dollar bite out of America's real estate, report finds – USA TODAY Climate risk will take trillion-dollar bite out of America's real estate, report finds – USA TODAY Climate risk will take trillion-dollar bite out of America’s real estate, report finds USA TODAYWealth divide will steepen as climate change spikes insurance costs, report finds The HillFlorida could see an 89% increase in home insurance rates thanks to climate change Fast CompanyClimate change could erase $1.4 trillion in real estate value: report Axios Source link #Climate #risk #trilliondollar #bite #America039s #real #estate #report #finds #USA #TODAY Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Sinn Féin’s Conor Murphy to quit Stormont after Seanad election Sinn Féin’s Conor Murphy to quit Stormont after Seanad election Enda McClafferty BBC News NI political editor PA Media Conor Murphy was first elected to Stormont for Newry and Armagh in 1998 Sinn Féin Economy Minister Conor Murphy has been elected to the Seanad (Irish parliament’s upper chamber) and will quit his job at Stormont. He secured one of the 60 seats available with the support of Sinn Féin TDs (members of the Irish parliament) and councillors. He contested a seat on the Industrial and Commercial panel and, according to his party, will use his new role to advance the debate for a united Ireland. Murphy is expected to resign as economy minister and his replacement will be confirmed by Sinn Féin later on Monday. ‘Natural progression’ Murphy previously described the move as a “natural progression of his politics” and said he looked forward to using his experience to shape the debate around Irish reunification. He also denied it was linked to a recent health scare when he suffered a mini stroke. Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said it underscored her party’s commitment to representing the entire island of Ireland. Murphy’s move to Dublin marks the end of his long Stormont career, which began when he was first elected for Newry and Armagh in 1998. He held ministerial roles in three different departments – finance, economy and regional development. He was also an MP for 10 years, taking the Newry and Armagh seat from the SDLP’s Seamus Mallon in 2005. It is not clear yet who will replace him in the economy department, but Deirdre Hargey stepped into that role when Murphy was ill. Analysis: Limited powers and seldom in the spotlight Conor Murphy’s election comes as no surprise, as Sinn Féin had the numbers to ensure he would win the seat. But his departure from Stormont does, as he was one of the party’s most experienced politicians, leading a key department. His absence will be felt in Belfast perhaps more than his presence in Dublin. The Seanad has only limited powers and is seldom in the spotlight. Sinn Féin campaigned to have it abolished in 2013, claiming it was “elitist and out of touch without any accountability”. That view has clearly changed now as the party views it as a vehicle to be used in the pursuit of a united Ireland. Expect Conor Murphy to have an impact, but maybe more in the TV and radio studios than in the chamber of the upper house. As for his replacement at Stormont, it may not be the obvious choice. Source link #Sinn #Féins #Conor #Murphy #quit #Stormont #Seanad #election Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]