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Dragon Ball Z Dokkan Battle celebrates 10th anniversary with special summons and social media campaign Dragon Ball Z Dokkan Battle celebrates 10th anniversary with special summons and social media campaign Super Saiyan 3 Goku (GT) and Super Saiyan God SS Evolved Vegeta are joining in Take part in the social media campaign for extra goodies Summon Carnival underway Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc. is celebrating ten years of service within Dragon Ball Z Dokkan Battle, offering plenty of goodies up for grabs to thank loyal fans for their love and support all these years. A decade in the mobile realm is definitely nothing to scoff at, especially since we’ve been seeing shutdowns left and right, the most recent ones being Atelier Resleriana: Forgotten Alchemy and the Polar Night Liberator and Soul Tide. The former will end its service on March 28th, while the latter will bite the dust on February 28th. This is exactly why Dragon Ball Z Dokkan Battle’s 10th anniversary is a cause for celebration, as not everyone can last long enough in this saturated space, after all. The festivities will kick things off with the Dokkan Festival x Top Legendary Summon Carnival, where new SSR characters will be joining the fray (they can be Dokkan Awakened into LR to maximise your power to boot). This includes New Super Saiyan 3 Goku (GT) and Super Saiyan God SS Evolved Vegeta, while the #Dokkan10thAnniv Social Media Campaign is also shaking things up for followers on social media. All you have to do is repost and Like special anniversary posts to earn points, which you can then use to redeem goodies until February 5th. Head on over to the official Twitter/X page for all the nitty-gritty! If you’re curious about how the new heroes stack up against the rest, why not take a look at our Dragon Ball Z Dokkan Battle tier list to get an idea? In the meantime, if you’re eager to join in on all the fun, you can do so by downloading it from the App Store and on Google Play. It’s free-to-play with in-app purchases. You can also join the community of followers on the official Facebook page to stay updated on all the latest developments, visit the official website, or take a little peek at the embedded clip above to get a feel of the vibes and visuals. Source link #Dragon #Ball #Dokkan #Battle #celebrates #10th #anniversary #special #summons #social #media #campaign Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Shell posts weaker-than-expected full-year profit on lower oil prices Shell posts weaker-than-expected full-year profit on lower oil prices A Shell logo is displayed on May 03, 2024 in Austin, Texas. Brandon Bell | Getty Images News | Getty Images British oil giant Shell on Thursday reported a significant drop in annual profit following a year of lower crude prices. Shell posted adjusted earnings of $23.72 billion for the full-year 2024, compared to annual profit of $28.25 billion a year earlier. Analysts had expected Shell’s full-year 2024 net profit to come in at $24.71 billion, according to an LSEG-compiled consensus. The energy major posted weaker-than-anticipated adjusted earnings of $3.66 billion for the final quarter of 2024. Shell announced another share buyback program of $3.5 billion, which is expected to be completed over the next three months. “Despite the lower earnings this quarter, cash delivery remained solid and we generated free cash flow of $40 billion across the year, higher than 2023, in a lower price environment,” CEO Wael Sawan said in a Thursday statement. “Our continued focus on simplification helped to deliver over $3 billion in structural cost reductions since 2022, meeting our target ahead of schedule, whilst also making significant progress against all our other financial targets,” he added. The world’s top oil and gas companies have seen profits fall from record levels in 2022, when Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine prompted international benchmark Brent crude to jump to nearly $140 a barrel. Oil prices have since cooled amid faltering global demand, with Brent crude futures averaging $80 a barrel in 2024. That was about $2 a barrel less than the previous year, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. In a trading update on Jan. 8, Shell trimmed its liquefied natural gas (LNG) production outlook for the final three months of 2024 and warned that trading results for its chemicals and oil products division were expected to be “significantly lower” on a quarterly basis. Shares of the London-listed company are up around 4.8% year-to-date. ‘First sprint’ Shell’s full-year results come as the company enters the final stretch of its so-called “first sprint.” The strategy, which was launched in 2023 and runs to the end of this year, aims to close the valuation gap with U.S. peers by boosting the major’s profitability. Shell CEO Wael Sawan has prioritized the firm’s more profitable oil and gas operations as part of this shift, while cutting spending on areas such as offshore wind and hydrogen and withdrawing from power markets in Europe and China. Like other oil and gas majors, Shell has watered down climate targets and green investments in recent years. The company, however, has said it remains committed to becoming a net-zero energy business by 2050. U.S oil giants Exxon Mobil and Chevron are both scheduled to report earnings on Friday, while European peers TotalEnergies and BP are set to follow suit on Feb. 5 and Feb. 11, respectively. This breaking news story is being updated. Source link #Shell #posts #weakerthanexpected #fullyear #profit #oil #prices Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Live-Action "Pac-Man" Film Future Uncertain – Dark Horizons Live-Action "Pac-Man" Film Future Uncertain – Dark Horizons Live-Action “Pac-Man” Film Future Uncertain Dark HorizonsJustin Baldoni’s ‘Pac-Man’ Movie in Doubt Amid Blake Lively Legal Battle Hollywood Reporter‘Gold Bar Bob’ Menendez Handed Harsh Prison Sentence The Daily BeastJustin Baldoni ‘Lost 3 Jobs & Hundreds of Millions of Dollars,’ a Key Project Now ‘in Doubt’ Amid Legal Battle Just JaredJustin Baldoni’s Pac-Man Movie in Serious Jeopardy Amid Blake Lively Legal War CBR Source link #LiveAction #quotPacManquot #Film #Future #Uncertain #Dark #Horizons Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Resurgent Patterson scores century for Australia A Resurgent Patterson scores century for Australia A Former Test batter Kurtis Patterson has further staked his claim for an international comeback after batting all day to make a superb century for Australia A. Patterson, who played the last of his two Tests in 2019, starred with an unbeaten 126 as Australia A went to stumps on day one of their clash with the England Lions at Cricket Central in Sydney on 3-262. Facing Test players Shoaib Bashir and Josh Tongue, Patterson arrived at the crease in the first over on Thursday after opener Tim Ward fell for a duck. Patterson will resume batting on Friday in the four-day match with Josh Philippe (54no). Opener Jayden Goodwin (70) combined with Patterson for a 177-run second-wicket stand after Ward’s early dismissal. It has been a remarkable turnaround for 31-year-old Patterson, who began the summer playing grade cricket for St George after a concerning form decline cost him the NSW captaincy. Admitting in November he deserved to be dropped, Patterson has responded in the best possible way for NSW, and now Australia A. He has a Test average of 144, after hitting a century against Sri Lanka in Canberra in 2019. But Patterson was a victim of circumstances, not needed on Australia’s Ashes tour that year after Steve Smith and David Warner returned from their Sandpapergate bans. Australia A opted to go for a bowler-heavy XI on Thursday, with Queensland quick Xavier Bartlett due to come in at No.7 after Victorian allrounder Will Sutherland. Source link #Resurgent #Patterson #scores #century #Australia Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

India sends navigation satellite into orbit on ISRO rocket in landmark launch India sends navigation satellite into orbit on ISRO rocket in landmark launch 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 By Nivedita Bhattacharjee BENGALURU (Reuters) – India successfully launched into orbit on Wednesday a new navigation satellite aboard a home-grown rocket, strengthening its independent satellite positioning system at a time when space-based technologies are becoming increasingly critical. The NVS-02 satellite lifted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota about 6:23 a.m. IST (0053 GMT) aboard the GSLV-F15 rocket, marking the latest step in India’s efforts to expand its Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) system. 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. Designed to provide positioning services over India and surrounding regions, NavIC has been positioned by the country as India’s answer to the U.S. Global Positioning System (GPS), China’s BeiDou, the European Galileo, and Russia’s GLONASS. The launch, ISRO’s 100th, comes as competition in space intensifies, with countries racing to expand satellite networks that power everything from defence operations to smartphone navigation and financial transactions. Jitendra Singh, India’s minister of Science and Technology said, “It’s a privilege to be associated with the Department of Space at the historic moment of this record feat.” In 2024, the United States led with 145 space launches, driven largely by SpaceX, while China followed with 68, according to industry data. India, historically a smaller player, is increasing its launch cadence, with ISRO planning 30 missions by March 2025. (Reporting by Nivedita Bhattacharjee. Editing by Gerry Doyle) Source link #India #sends #navigation #satellite #orbit #ISRO #rocket #landmark #launch Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

RFK Jr. faces blistering questions on vaccines, abortion from Democrats – The Washington Post RFK Jr. faces blistering questions on vaccines, abortion from Democrats – The Washington Post RFK Jr. faces blistering questions on vaccines, abortion from Democrats The Washington PostA rare brain disorder robbed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. of his strong speaking voice CNN5 Takeaways From R.F.K. Jr.’s First Confirmation Hearing The New York TimesHearing to consider the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., of California, to be Secretary of Health and Human Services Hearing | Hearings | The United States Senate Committee on FinanceRobert F. Kennedy Jr. struggles to answer questions on Medicare and Medicaid at confirmation hearing The Associated Press Source link #RFK #faces #blistering #questions #vaccines #abortion #Democrats #Washington #Post Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Gascoyne and Pilbara weather: Bureau warns of extreme temperatures of up to 48C Gascoyne and Pilbara weather: Bureau warns of extreme temperatures of up to 48C Residents in northern WA are set to swelter through another few days of extreme temperatures warns the Bureau of Meteorology. Parts of the Pilbara, Gascoyne and Mid West regions will be particularly toasty over the weekend, with the mercury expected to soar into the high 40s. The Gascoyne and the town of Murchison are predicted to peak at 48C on Sunday, while Meekatharra, Wiluna and many of the Goldfields towns will sit between an equally stifling 45C to 47C. Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Jonathan How said there would be little to no reprieve from the heat until late next week. “So very, very hot conditions inland,” he said. “We are reminding WA folks to stay cool, we’ll see very little reprieve from the heat on the way, we do see the heat really only dissipating late next week, and only very little at that.” Camera IconWiluna is set to record extreme temperatures this weekend. Credit: Stephen Scourfield/The West *********** The WA Country Health Service has issued a warning for southern and inland Pilbara, Mid West, Gascoyne, Wheatbelt and Goldfields to prepare for extreme temperatures and stay up-to-date with health warnings. “We advise people should delay travel in the hottest part of the day,” a spokesperson said. “Limit time outdoors. If you need to go outside, try to do so in the early morning or late evening and if you do go outside, make sure to put on a hat and sunglasses, apply sunscreen and try to stay in the shade.” It comes as Geraldton recorded its equal hottest day ever last week, when the mercury soared to 49.3C on Monday, January 20. Source link #Gascoyne #Pilbara #weather #Bureau #warns #extreme #temperatures #48C Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

White House Press Secretary’s ‘Unconstitutional’ Claim Is Quickly Dismantled By Critics White House Press Secretary’s ‘Unconstitutional’ Claim Is Quickly Dismantled By Critics 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 Karoline Leavitt on Tuesday drew ridicule and ire after she boldly declared during her first briefing as the new Trump White House press secretary: “This administration believes that birthright citizenship is unconstitutional.” Critics didn’t have to do too much work to point out that birthright citizenship is outlined, as follows, in the 14th Amendment: “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.” Michael Steele, the former chair of the Republican National Committee, wrote on social media: “And on what constitutional principle is this belief based?” President Donald Trump’s niece, Mary Trump, commented: “The Constitution is unconstitutional is quite a gauntlet to throw down.” And Rep. Summer Lee (D-Pa.) shared a screenshot of “the Literal Constitution.” Trump signed an executive order to ban birthright citizenship on his first day back in office as part of his wider anti-immigrant agenda. The move faced an immediate legal challenge from Democratic-led states and last week a federal judge temporarily blocked it as “blatantly unconstitutional.” Leavitt also received flak during her briefing debut for a highly-contested claim about America having previously sent $50 million worth of condoms to Gaza and for promising to tell “the truth from this podium every single day.” Related… Source link #White #House #Press #Secretarys #Unconstitutional #Claim #Quickly #Dismantled #Critics Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Final three name options announced for Utah's NHL hockey team – KUTV 2News Final three name options announced for Utah's NHL hockey team – KUTV 2News Final three name options announced for Utah’s NHL hockey team KUTV 2NewsUtah pivots from ‘Yeti,’ to hold vote for 3 finalists ESPNNext phase in voting for Utah’s NHL team name begins NHL.comUtah Hockey Club scraps permanent Yeti nickname due to copyright dispute with cooler company Yahoo SportsThe Yeti is dead: Utah NHL team vote down to 3 names — Mammoth, Hockey Club and Wasatch KSL.com Source link #Final #options #announced #Utah039s #NHL #hockey #team #KUTV #2News Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Aussie sharemarket closes fractionally off record high in bumper day of trading, led by consumer discretionary stocks Aussie sharemarket closes fractionally off record high in bumper day of trading, led by consumer discretionary stocks The Aussie sharemarket has closed on a 100 day high, led by consumer discretionary stocks as investors factor in rate cuts. Source link #Aussie #sharemarket #closes #fractionally #record #high #bumper #day #trading #led #consumer #discretionary #stocks Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

This 116-year-old Wisconsin Rapids church will be demolished in February. Here’s why. This 116-year-old Wisconsin Rapids church will be demolished in February. Here’s why. WISCONSIN RAPIDS – Crews are scheduled to start demolishing the 116-year-old former Immanuel Lutheran Church building on Eighth Street North in February. According to Immanuel Lutheran Church’s website, the church was constructed in 1909 as Immanuel’s second building after it outgrew its first, built in 1883. Earlier this month, Ronald Rasmussen, superintendent of Wisconsin Rapids Public Schools, told a Daily Tribune reporter demolition is tentatively scheduled to start Feb. 12, and he hopes the building will be fully demolished by March 14. Why did WRPS purchase the property? The church building stands at the corner of Eighth and Prospect streets, across from Howe Elementary School. The school district purchased Immanuel Lutheran Church’s former building on Eighth Street North after the WRPS Board of Education voted in February 2024 to move forward to purchase the property with the intent to raze the church and upgrade the parking lot for Howe Elementary School staff and parents. According to property records, the district purchased the property for $1 Oct. 31, after Immanuel Lutheran Church moved to its property near Home Depot in August. What’s happened at the property so far? Crews have been working through asbestos abatement at the property for the last month. Rasmussen said Robinson Brothers began staging for asbestos abatement Dec. 30 and started the abatement process Dec. 31. The staging process included setting up containment areas, decontamination showers and ventilation. Crews started asbestos abatement in the basement and have been working up through the sanctuary and the upper portions of the property on scaffolding. What’s next? Once demolition is complete, WRPS will work through plans for a parking lot and student drop-off area. Rasmussen said WRPS is working with Quest Engineering on design proposals. Contact Caitlin at *****@*****.tld or follow her on Twitter @CaitlinShuda. This article originally appeared on Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune: Former Wisconsin Rapids Immanuel Lutheran Church will be demolished Source link #116yearold #Wisconsin #Rapids #church #demolished #February #Heres Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

France’s economy falters in Q4 2024 as political crisis continues France’s economy falters in Q4 2024 as political crisis continues A pedestrian crosses a flooded street following heavy rainfall in Paris on October 17, 2024. Joel Saget | Afp | Getty Images France’s economy shrank slightly in the fourth quarter, flash data showed Thursday, highlighting the urgent need for warring French lawmakers to overcome their differences and agree on a 2025 budget. The economy recorded a 0.1% contraction in the fourth quarter on the previous three months, the country’s statistics agency INSEE revealed Thursday, down from growth of 0.4% in the third quarter of 2024. Economists polled by Reuters had expected growth to be flat. France’s beleaguered economy was given a boost by the Olympic Games in Paris last summer, but political upheaval has ensued since then, leaving fiscal challenges — namely, France’s big budget deficit and growing debt pile — unresolved. Political stasis and economic uncertainty have dogged Paris since snap parliamentary elections were held last June and July. Both the far-left and far-right performed well in respective rounds of the vote, prompting wranglings in the National Assembly over who should govern. In the end, President Emmanuel Macron installed a conservative government in September, alienating political factions to the left and right. Reliant on the far-right for support, then-Prime Minister Michel Barnier’s centrist government was vulnerable to challenges from both sides of the political spectrum and, after his deficit-reducing 2025 budget plans were rejected, the government was ousted in a no-confidence vote in December. A new government under Prime Minister François Bayrou was put in place in December and thanks to both the far-right National Rally and Socialist Party refusing to back the motion, he survived a vote of confidence brought by the far-left earlier in January. A 2025 budget is yet to be passed, however, and Bayrou has already been forced to make concessions to the left to garner support for his fiscal plans, by reopening the thorny debate over pension reform and agreeing to extra spending and jobs creation in the health and education sectors. Analysts say Bayrou’s government has a better chance of getting a 2025 budget through parliament, although talks came close to collapse this week. “François Bayrou’s chances of passing a 2025 deficit-cutting budget have strengthened significantly thanks to a series of political and financial concessions to the Socialists in the National Assembly,” Mujtaba Rahman, managing director of Europe at Eurasia Group, said in emailed comments Monday. “[He] is now in a good position to resolve France’s short-term budgetary crisis by the end of next month or early March,” Rahman added. The Socialists’ support for a deal is far from solid, however, with budget discussions looking close to collapse on Wednesday as officials from the center-left party suspended their participation in talks in protest over Bayrou’s remarks about immigration. Even if talks resume, it’s likely that the government will fall short of its ambition to hit a budget deficit target of 5.4% this year. “We believe that he [Bayrou] now has a good chance of succeeding but the final budget text may fall short of even his reduced ambition of a 5.4% of GDP deficit this year,” Rahman said. Source link #Frances #economy #falters #political #crisis #continues Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Deutsche Bank posts steeper-than-expected fall in fourth-quarter profit – CNBC Deutsche Bank posts steeper-than-expected fall in fourth-quarter profit – CNBC Deutsche Bank posts steeper-than-expected fall in fourth-quarter profit CNBCDeutsche Bank Traders Beat in Quarter Marred by Higher Costs BloombergDeutsche Bank trading booms in quarter marred by higher costs CNBCTV18Deutsche Bank posts weaker-than-expected profit and ditches 2025 cost target Yahoo Finance Source link #Deutsche #Bank #posts #steeperthanexpected #fall #fourthquarter #profit #CNBC Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Cat Solitaire has just released on Android, bringing cat-themed cards to this relaxing experience Cat Solitaire has just released on Android, bringing cat-themed cards to this relaxing experience Cat Solitaire has just released on Android Arrange cards in the correct order to clear the board The difficulty can be adjusted as well If you enjoy solitaire and love cats, Cat Solitaire is here to offer a mix of strategy and relaxation. It has been developed by mohumohu studio, previously known for Cat Punch. The new card game releases on Android today, bringing a fresh twist to the classic card format. The adorable cat-themed cards make it so that you can easily unwind while enjoying a challenge. Of course, gameplay-wise, there isn’t too much of a difference as Cat Solitaire follows traditional solitaire rules, making it easy to pick up whether you’re a longtime fan or new to the format. Your goal remains the same – arrange the cards in the correct order to clear the board. The twist is that you’ll enjoy all this with calming, hand-drawn cat illustrations to look at. Each card features a different adorable feline friend, designed with soft colours and expressive details. The illustrations aim to create a soothing atmosphere, making every move feel more enjoyable. Whether you’re flipping through the deck or strategizing your next move, the relaxing visuals will make your experience quite peaceful. On the hunt for something similar? Here’s a list of the best card games to play on Android phones and tablets right now! You can also adjust the difficulty settings, allowing you to play at a level of your own choosing. When you’re in the mood for a challenge, you can raise the bar and take it down a notch whenever you see fit. So, if you’re looking for a casual experience, Cat Solitaire might be your next best bet. Start stacking cards by downloading Cat Solitaire now on Android by clicking on the link below. It is free-to-play but features in-game ads. As of now, there’s no news of an iOS version. While you’re at it, why not also take a peek at this list of the best games that have released this year? Source link #Cat #Solitaire #released #Android #bringing #catthemed #cards #relaxing #experience Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Alleged threat as battered off-duty cop lay unconscious Alleged threat as battered off-duty cop lay unconscious One of the young men accused of brutally bashing two off-duty police officers allegedly told them “know your place” as one lay unconscious with bleeding to the brain. Before a court refused his bail application on Thursday, 18-year-old Danai Deneiderhavsein’s lawyer said he may have been acting in self-defence, noting the alleged victims did not identify themselves as police. Deneiderhavsein was arrested along with Koby Weaver, 20, and later Finley Goodwin, 22, with the trio facing a range of serious assault charges including intentionally causing grievous bodily harm. As one of the officers lay unconscious and seriously injured, Deneiderhavsein allegedly returned to continue the violence, yelling “know your place, I could have stomped your head here”. The alleged melee took place at the popular entertainment precinct of Enmore Road in Newtown, in Sydney’s inner West, about 11pm on January 22. As Deneiderhavsein faced Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday, dialling in from Silverwater Jail, he picked at his teeth and appeared nonchalant. His lawyer Timothy Scott told the court an initial version of police facts suggested one of the off-duty officers had thrown the first punch, but that the record was later changed to “favour the prosecution case”. Prosecutors do not allege either of the men identified themselves as police officers or were acting in such a capacity at the time. “While the complainants were police officers, these men were not in uniform, they did not introduce themselves as police officers,” Mr Scott told the court. However, Magistrate Theo Tsavdaridis said the revised facts suggested an act by Deneiderhavsein was the “catalyst” to the subsequent violence. Before the altercation, police allege the three accused were arguing loudly with each other outside Oporto restaurant in Newtown, with Deneiderhavsein also seen harassing young women nearby. Police allege the two off-duty officers were attempting to walk past the young men, when Deneiderhavsein shoulder charged one of them. The officers allegedly attempted to continue walking before the groups exchanged several pushes and a punch was allegedly thrown by Deneiderhavsein. The ensuing fight spilled onto the street causing traffic to stop before one of the officers was knocked to the ground. It is alleged while on the ground, Weaver “with extreme force, has used his right foot to stomp on (the man’s) face causing his head to reverberate on the concrete and rendering him immediately unconscious”. The attack left that officer with injuries including bleeding to the brain and multiple facial bone fractures, while the other suffered ****** eyes and several lacerations to his face. In opposing bail, police prosecutor Sergeant Adrian Walsh labelled Deneiderhavsein the instigator behind the “ferocious attack”. “It’s not either of the complainants that has thrown the first punch, it’s this accused,” he told the court. Mr Tsavdaridis noted the two off-duty officers appear to have made at least three separate attempts to diffuse the situation and put space between them and the accused. “It is those acts which make it abundantly clear to me … that the two complainants were doing their utmost best to disengage … from the violence which was playing out,” he said. Weaver and Goodwin have also both been denied bail and will face court on March, while Deneiderhavsein’s matter will return to court on March 13. Source link #Alleged #threat #battered #offduty #cop #lay #unconscious Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

France’s Budget Bill Nears Cliff Edge in Parliamentary Talks France’s Budget Bill Nears Cliff Edge in Parliamentary Talks (Bloomberg) — French lawmakers on Thursday will try to reach a budget compromise that can get enough support to avert another government collapse and restore financial certainty for the country. Most Read from Bloomberg A handful of senators and members of the National Assembly are tasked with modifying the 2025 finance plan, in part to reflect concessions made by Prime Minister Francois Bayrou’s government. The French premier aims to secure enough indirect support — particularly from the Socialist Party — to survive a no-confidence vote over the adoption of the budget next week. The bargaining brings France and its public finances to another cliff edge after months of upheaval that toppled Michel Barnier’s government in December and left the country relying on stopgap legislation to avoid a shutdown. The uncertainty combined with gaping budget deficits has sparked market sell-offs, driving up France’s borrowing costs compared to peers. With the prospect of a deal at the parliamentary committee appearing likely, some of the pressure has eased, bringing the spread between the yield on France and Germany’s 10-year debt to the lowest level since November earlier this week. But the threat of instability remains after Socialists walked away from budget talks Tuesday in protest over unrelated comments Bayrou made on immigration. The center-left party is crucial to the government’s chances of survival as its abstention could prevent the adoption of a confidence motion over the 2025 finance bill next week. Marine Le Pen’s National Rally lawmakers could also keep Bayrou in power by not backing such a censure motion, but they have proved less reliable negotiators after turning against Barnier at the eleventh hour. In addition to demanding Bayrou step back from his remarks on immigration, Socialists have also ramped up their demands for significant changes after the senate adopted a version of the budget bill with steeper tax cuts. According to Philippe Brun, a Socialist lawmaker who will sit on the parliamentary committee, his party also wants extra resources alloted to climate funds, prolonged tax increases for big companies, and raises to the minimum wage. The government has said that the overall balance of the budget must still be respected with the aim of reducing the deficit to 5.4% of annual economic output from around 6% last year. “To not censure the government, concessions are necessary,” Brun said Wednesday on Sud Radio. “If we think the budget is more dangerous than censure, then we will censure with no qualms.” It is likely the committee will settle on a consensus text on Thursday as a majority of its 14 members support Bayrou. The ultimate test will come when the bill — which can still be amended by the government — returns to the National Assembly on Monday. Bayrou will then almost certainly use Article 49.3 of the constitution to adopt the finance bill without putting it to a vote as there is no majority in the National Assembly to support his government. Opposition groups on the far-left are poised to then file a censure motion that, if backed by a majority, would reject the bill and force the prime minister to resign. That vote will likely take place on Wednesday. Bayrou is then expected to face a repeat of that sequence when he uses the 49.3 to adopt bills in the social security chapter of the 2025 budget later in February. In a no-confidence ballot not directly tied to the budget earlier this month, Bayrou survived by a comfortable margin as both Le Pen’s far-right and a majority of Socialists abstained. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek ©2025 Bloomberg L.P. Source link #Frances #Budget #Bill #Nears #Cliff #Edge #Parliamentary #Talks Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scores 52, but Warriors stun Thunder – Yahoo Sports Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scores 52, but Warriors stun Thunder – Yahoo Sports Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scores 52, but Warriors stun Thunder Yahoo SportsWarriors 116-109 Thunder (Jan 29, 2025) Game Recap ESPNGary Payton II Finishes with 15 Bleacher Report3 Best NBA Bets and Player Props for Thunder at Warriors FanDuel ResearchWhat we learned as Warriors stun first-place Thunder in comeback win NBC Sports Bay Area Source link #Shai #GilgeousAlexander #scores #Warriors #stun #Thunder #Yahoo #Sports Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Champions League 2025: Five ways new format has transformed tournament Champions League 2025: Five ways new format has transformed tournament To counter that argument, the old group stage offered home and away matches against three opponents, with the rivalry that could deliver. Uefa’s hopes of ensuring every game counted in this format has largely been met, but its stated aim of a loss or win in the final match making the difference between reaching the last 16 or being eliminated did not come to fruition. Young Boys and Slovan Bratislava were resigned to their fate for some time prior to Wednesday, having lost their first seven games. Bologna, Sparta Prague, Leipzig, Girona, Red Star Belgrade, Sturm Graz and Salzburg also found themselves without anything to play for and, unlike in previous years, there is no consolation prize of Europa League football for anyone leaving the Champions League. By the time the league phase ended 144 matches had taken place as opposed to the 96 played 12 months ago. And despite the inclusion of four extra sides and 48 more fixtures, just 12 clubs have actually dropped out. With another 16 games in a play-off knockout round to follow, some argue it feels like a long and drawn out process to get to the business end of the competition. “No matter what happened, you are still going to have the big hitters later on in the competition,” added former Liverpool and Aston Villa defender Stephen Warnock on BBC Radio 5 Live. Former England midfielder Izzy Christiansen added: “I’m not sold on this new format yet. I need a season to get my head around it, to feel it out and make my judgement. “There are pros and cons. I am a sucker for the old format I watched growing up, the groups of four, the home and away games, going into the round of 16, quarter-finals and so on.” In the event of a team competing in the play-offs going on to win the Champions League, they will have played 17 main-draw games in total, up four from last season. Source link #Champions #League #ways #format #transformed #tournament Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

13-year-old Taylor Jackman set for Copenhagen BMX World Championships 13-year-old Taylor Jackman set for Copenhagen BMX World Championships A 13-year-old BMX rider from a remote cattle station in Marble Bar has secured an automatic qualification for the 2025 BMX World Championships in Copenhagen, Denmark. Source link #13yearold #Taylor #Jackman #set #Copenhagen #BMX #World #Championships Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Federal law requires all businesses to buy new type of insurance or face hefty fines — here’s why we should be paying attention Federal law requires all businesses to buy new type of insurance or face hefty fines — here’s why we should be paying attention Global warming risks are on the rise, but did you ever think businesses would be mandated to get climate insurance? In Italy, a surprising and concerning new law is being put into place, per CleanTechnica. Starting this year, every Italian-owned business will be required to have climate insurance by the federal government. Many Italian business owners are not protected by climate insurance, and with global warming concerns continuing to mount, the Italian government has drawn a hard line. The concerning part is just how quickly these threats are mounting, to the point a first-world country is implementing a mandate like this. CleanTechnica noted Italy faces significant risks from flooding, which poses serious challenges for businesses. A study from 2024 found that companies impacted by floods are 7.3% more likely to go out of business, while average revenue drops and employment drop by 4.9% and 2.2% respectively over the following three years for those that do survive. The effects are particularly harsh for smaller, younger, and low-tech businesses. It’s not all doom and gloom: While the situation underscores the severity of climate risks, it also highlights the resilience and ingenuity of individuals and communities. Watch now: Netflix chef and bestselling author talks about why she’s in love with new cooking technique These new insurance behaviors are driving conversations about sustainability and fairness in the insurance industry. By adopting innovative solutions, business owners are not just protecting themselves but also contributing to a larger movement that demands better accountability from insurers and governments. In addition, these trends often have direct environmental benefits. For instance, new policies that encourage climate-conscious building upgrades, such as installing energy-efficient windows or renewable energy systems. These improvements not only reduce insurance risks but also help lower carbon footprints — a win-win for people and the planet. For U.S. readers, this trend serves as a reminder to research available resources for mitigating rising costs. The Inflation Reduction Act offers tax breaks and credits for home upgrades that can reduce both premiums and energy bills. Learn how to take advantage of these subsidies by visiting the TCD Guide. This story’s message is clear: While the challenges are undeniable, they are also an opportunity to create better, more sustainable solutions for all. 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 #Federal #law #requires #businesses #buy #type #insurance #face #hefty #fines #heres #paying #attention Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

'Emilia Pérez's Karla Sofía Gascón Clarifies Fernanda Torres Commetns, Calls Hers "A Wonderful Ally" – Deadline 'Emilia Pérez's Karla Sofía Gascón Clarifies Fernanda Torres Commetns, Calls Hers "A Wonderful Ally" – Deadline ‘Emilia Pérez’s Karla Sofía Gascón Clarifies Fernanda Torres Commetns, Calls Hers “A Wonderful Ally” DeadlineKarla Sofia Gascón Didn’t Violate Oscar Rules by Accusing ‘People Working With Fernanda Torres’ of ‘Tearing Me and “Emilia Pérez” Down’ VarietyKarla Sofía Gascón Takes Back Claim That Fernanda Torres’ Team Speaks ‘Badly’ About Her Rolling StoneKarla Sofía Gascón Says People Around Fellow Oscar Nominee Fernanda Torres “Talk Bad About Me & Emilia Pérez” DeadlineEmilia Pérez’s Karla Sofía Gascón Denies Breaking Oscars Rule With Controversial Fernanda Torres Comment E! NEWS Source link #039Emilia #Pérez039s #Karla #Sofía #Gascón #Clarifies #Fernanda #Torres #Commetns #Calls #quotA #Wonderful #Allyquot #Deadline Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

JACKSON HEWETT: Political pocket watch puts business on edge in age of electoral short-termism JACKSON HEWETT: Political pocket watch puts business on edge in age of electoral short-termism The election is shaping up to be a hip-pocket showdown. After three years of economic grind, where the cost of living has been at the forefront of voters’ minds, there is little appetite for aspiration. ‘Ask yourself if you feel better off than four years ago’ is the Opposition’s mantra. ‘You would have been thousands worse off under a Coalition government’ is Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ most recent retort. While the campaign concentrates on the rearview mirror, America is speeding off into the distance. Even before the election of Donald J. Trump, the U.S. economy was surging at a growth rate of three per cent. With a big-spending, deregulating President in the White House, it might grow even faster. Australia is sputtering along at less than one per cent growth, well behind the average of other advanced countries, with a 1.7 per cent growth rate. Business is getting worried. Not only is Australia’s growth anaemic, but the most important driver of long-term wealth—productivity—is going backwards. The *********** Chamber of Commerce and Industry fears that as both parties go toe to toe on appealing to the hip-pocket nerve, they’re failing to sell the vision of the importance of economic reform. “We can’t continue to drift into sort of transactional politics, hyper-partisanship, political expediency,” said Andrew McKellar, chief executive of the *********** Chamber of Commerce and Industry. ACCI has entered the pre-election debate with 40 policy recommendations across five key priorities: boosting productivity and business competitiveness, growing skills and workplace flexibility, ensuring affordable energy, enhancing digital capabilities, and supporting an open trading system. “If we are to turn this (economic) performance around, we must enable the private sector to get back into the driver’s seat and implement an ambitious agenda to boost productivity and competitiveness,” Mr. McKellar said. Unfortunately, most attempts at economic reform in Australia have stalled. Failure to address the longer-term issue of the country’s falling productivity dates back a quarter of a century. Part of that is because the “low-hanging fruit”— floating the dollar, deregulating industries, and eliminating tariffs — has already been picked. The harder reforms get the more voters get bogged down comparing winners and losers, fertile ground for partisan politics. “We’ve seen politics and policy-making become increasingly transactional over a number of years. That’s not unique to any one party or any one government,” Mr. McKellar said. “It has become very difficult for political leaders to make the case for difficult economic reforms that result in a level of disruption or dislocation but are necessary if we are going to end up with a more productive, more competitive economy that leads to higher living standards.” It’s a challenging problem, particularly after a ******* of post-COVID paternalism and with an electorate that is increasingly fragmented and driven into tribal echo chambers. But the economic reality is GDP per capita has gone backwards for the past seven quarters, and real wages have fallen back to 2011 levels as a result of three years of elevated inflation. The challenge for business lobby groups such as the ACCI is convincing salary earners that reforms favourable to business are also in their interest. That means convincing younger voters to accept rolling back commitments to protect the environment or putting more power back in the hands of business. In today’s social media-driven society, business groups have some marketing to do. ACCI hopes they can tap into the entrepreneurial spirit of Australians. “There’s more than two and a half million small businesses in Australia, and they share many of the challenges that individual households are facing at the moment,” Mr. McKellar said. “There’s a lot of people who have jobs, and there’s a lot of people who want to create an opportunity for themselves and for their family, and sometimes go on and grow that and employ other people. We’ve got to make it easier for people to start their own small business to make a success of it.” ACCI is calling for the repeal of legislation favoured by the Greens and the unions, including multi-employer bargaining and definitions of casual work and small business. They advocate for more access to gas, eliminating red and green tape, a cut in the corporate tax rate, and less government spending. Mr McKellar is expecting pushback from the Greens, whom he called “destructive… because they have a very radical economic and social agenda.” He had a similarly dim view of the unions. “I can’t remember the last time I heard a union leader in Australia talking about productivity, it’s just not part of the message that they are crafting at the moment,” he said. Despite the divide, Mr. McKellar believes reform is still possible. “Whichever government you’re looking at over the past several decades, they’ve had to bridge the divide in the Senate—even going back to tax reform support from the *********** Democrats,” he said. Source link #JACKSON #HEWETT #Political #pocket #watch #puts #business #edge #age #electoral #shorttermism Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘A potential disaster in slow motion’ ‘A potential disaster in slow motion’ Rising sea levels are projected to put some prime waterfront properties underwater in British Columbia, Canada. Coastal flooding caused by rising global temperatures may place more homes in jeopardy and trigger a dramatic drop in property values. What’s happening? There is a sinking feeling when it comes to British Columbia’s waterfront real estate market. Climate Central’s Coastal Risk Screening Tool is an interactive map that shows which coastlines around the world would be submerged based on various projections of sea level rise. It shows that many of the beaches and islands in the Vancouver, Richmond, and North Vancouver areas would be submerged with a one-meter sea level rise. A half-meter rise could happen as early as 2050, as BCBusiness noted. John Clague, an earth sciences professor at Simon Fraser University, called it “a potential disaster in slow motion,” per BCBusiness. While taking measures to mitigate the rising water is important, Clague said it won’t stop the crisis from coming if huge strides aren’t made to cool down our overheating planet. Watch now: CEO reveals form of energy that has ‘polled across political lines’ for over a decade “It will get worse and worse, and the public will be screaming to do something,” added Clague. “These solutions take time and money, and the resources have to be invested incrementally. You’re not going to find $10 billion overnight. New capital infrastructure on a large scale — new water and sewer lines — takes years, and this is an even ******* problem. If we don’t do anything we’re going to be in trouble.” Why is the potential loss of waterfront property in British Columbia concerning? A 2023 report from the B.C. Financial Services Authority (BCFSA), Natural Catastrophes and Climate-Related Risks, outlined the physical and financial risks related to an overheating planet on British Columbia. “The risks and impacts to the financial services sector are driven by B.C.’s significant exposure to natural hazards, including flooding, heat waves, wildfires, wind, winter storms, and earthquakes,” said the report. “The level of risk is expected to increase with the growing frequency and severity of natural catastrophes resulting from climate change.” The BCFSA warned that impacts from a warming world could lead to a drop in property values as more and more homes become vulnerable to climate-related hazards. Restricted insurance coverage could exacerbate the problem, driving down property values even further. What’s being done about properties at risk? The BCFSA report advocated for a holistic consideration of natural catastrophes and climate risks, ensuring financial services providers assess their effects on both business outcomes and consumer well-being simultaneously. The report noted that the financial services sector will be relied on as a vital source of information and advice that will help empower consumers to protect themselves and their properties better. Reducing emissions of heat-trapping gases is imperative. This means relying more on cleaner, safer, renewable energy sources like solar power, hydropower, and wind power. Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more and waste less, and don’t miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Source link #potential #disaster #slow #motion Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

iPhone Starlink compatibility sends direct-to-smartphone stocks sliding – SpaceNews iPhone Starlink compatibility sends direct-to-smartphone stocks sliding – SpaceNews iPhone Starlink compatibility sends direct-to-smartphone stocks sliding SpaceNewsApple’s New ‘Game Changer’ iPhone Update Brings Starlink Satellite Access ForbesT-Mobile Hints at How It Will Charge Users for Cellular Starlink Access PCMagApple’s iPhones to support Starlink direct-to-cell coverage in US ReutersT-Mobile users can now try Starlink’s satellite service for free – here’s how to qualify ZDNet Source link #iPhone #Starlink #compatibility #sends #directtosmartphone #stocks #sliding #SpaceNews Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Kathryn Telenta: Melbourne woman pleads not guilty to manslaughter charges over Tony Dagher death Kathryn Telenta: Melbourne woman pleads not guilty to manslaughter charges over Tony Dagher death A woman accused of manslaughter after a suspected drug death will fight the allegations at trial, a court has been told. Kathryn Telenta, 44, was charged by police with two manslaughter offences in October last year after the death of Tony Dagher, 51, in the Melbourne suburb of Brunswick East nearly nine months earlier. Police allege Mr Dagher was found dead at a Edward Street property about 3.30am on January 23, in what is “believed to have been an adverse reaction to a drug of dependence”. The pair, police have alleged, are known to each other. She appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Thursday as her lawyer told the court Ms Telenta wanted to “fast-track” the case for trial in the Victorian Supreme Court. Camera IconTony Dagher, 51, was found dead at a Brunswick East home. Facebook. Credit: News Corp Australia The accused woman pleaded not guilty to two counts of causing Mr Dagher’s death, one alleging she unlawfully killed him while the other alleged she killed him through negligence. The presiding magistrate was told Ms Telenta did not intend to rely on a defence of mental impairment or raise questions about her fitness to stand trial. She was committed to stand trial in the Victorian Supreme Court and will appear in that court on Valentines’ Day for a directions hearing. The fast-track process allows an accused person to have their trial heard sooner by skipping a committal hearing in the magistrates’ Court jurisdiction where a magistrate hears the evidence and decides if the case should proceed for trial. Ms Telenta’s bail was extended until her next court appearance. Source link #Kathryn #Telenta #Melbourne #woman #pleads #guilty #manslaughter #charges #Tony #Dagher #death Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]