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Dubai billionaire Habtoor pulls out of Lebanon amid fear of Shi’ite influence Dubai billionaire Habtoor pulls out of Lebanon amid fear of Shi’ite influence By Jana Choukeir DUBAI (Reuters) -Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor, the head of Dubai conglomerate Al Habtoor Group, said on X on Tuesday he had cancelled all planned investments in Lebanon due to continuing instability, and would sell all his properties and investments in the country. Al Habtoor said in a statement separately that the unrest and instability in Lebanon by “factions loyal to armed militias in the country paint a grim picture.” 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. “The continued dominance of armed militias (the Shiite militias) and the failure to establish rule of law make it impossible for any investor to proceed with confidence in such an environment,” he said. Hezbollah supporters held rallies in Beirut on Sunday, including in Christian-majority neighbourhoods, raising sectarian tensions. The protests came after residents, primarily Shi’ites, returned to southern Lebanon before a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah was recently extended. The U.S. said on Sunday the ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel will remain in effect until Feb. 18, after Israel said it would keep troops in the south beyond the Sunday deadline set out in a U.S.-brokered ceasefire that halted last year’s war with Hezbollah. Unless the new government took a firm stance against those seeking to destabilise the country, he said, hopes for a “new Lebanon” would remain unfulfilled. Al Habtoor said his decisions were made after careful analysis and monitoring. He added that neither he nor his family or group managers would be travelling to Lebanon. HEZBOLLAH INFLUENCE Gulf states, most of which are Sunni *******, have shunned Lebanon for years because of the strong influence of the Iranian-backed Shi’ite armed movement Hezbollah in state affairs. Hezbollah was the most powerful political and military force in Lebanon before it went to war with Israel. Israel dealt the movement heavy blows, assassinating its top leaders. Al Habtoor, a major businessman in the Middle East, said his investments in Lebanon, which had been frozen for years, suffered losses worth $1.4 billion. Last year, Al Habtoor issued a notice of investment treaty dispute against Lebanon after it imposed restrictions that prevented the group from transferring its funds. The Al Habtoor group is a multi-billion-dollar global conglomerate with interests ranging from luxury hotels to shopping malls. As of January last year, its investments in Lebanon amounted to about $1 billion. Last week, Al Habtoor had expressed an intention to invest in Lebanon once a new government was formed. The United Arab Emirates has reopened its embassy in Lebanon, more than three years after shutting it. The UAE had withdrawn its diplomats and closed the embassy in October 2021, aligning with Saudi Arabia, after Lebanon’s then-information minister criticised the Saudi-led coalition’s involvement in Yemen. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said last week that after the new government is formed, talks will be held with Gulf states to establish the foundations for new cooperation. (Reporting by Jana Choukeir; additional reporting by Nayera Abdallah and Hadeel Al Sayegh; Editing by Alex Richardson, Sharon Singleton, Bernadette Baum and Kevin Liffey) Source link #Dubai #billionaire #Habtoor #pulls #Lebanon #fear #Shiite #influence Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

stocks, news, data and earnings stocks, news, data and earnings European markets are expected to open in mixed territory Wednesday as global jitters over artificial intelligence tech rivalry between the U.S. and China ease. The U.K.’s FTSE 100 index is expected to open 1 point higher at 8,538, Germany’s DAX up 46 points at 21,490, France’s CAC down 16 points at 7,897 and Italy’s FTSE MIB up 74 points at 36,406, according to data from IG. Dutch semiconductor equipment maker ASML on Wednesday reported better-than-expected net sales and profit for the fourth quarter. Net bookings, a key indicator of order demand, rose 169% from the previous quarter. CNBC will be speaking to the firm’s CEO Christophe Fouquet on “Squawk Box Europe” just after 7 a.m. London time. The world’s largest luxury company LVMH also outperformed sales forecasts in earnings published after the market close Tuesday. Sweden’s Riksbank publishes its latest monetary policy decision later this morning. Other data releases include Germany’s GfK consumer confidence, Spain’s latest quarterly gross domestic product data and Italian business and consumer confidence data. European stocks closed higher Tuesday, in the wake of a global market sell-off fueled by concerns over a potential AI breakthrough in China. The emergent and unexpected success of ******** AI startup DeepSeek had sparked concerns over U.S. tech giants’ global leadership. On Tuesday, all eyes were on Nvidia’s stock, which picked up momentum to close nearly 9% higher. The chipmaker lost 17%, or almost $600 billion in market value, in the previous session to clock the biggest ever one-day drop in value for a U.S. company. Global market attention turns to the U.S. Federal Reserve’s first interest rate decision of 2025 on Wednesday. Fed funds futures data reflect a nearly 100% certainty that the central bank will keep rates steady at a target range of 4.25% to 4.50%, according to CME Group data. Nonetheless, the decision, and Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s press conference afterward, will be closely watched for more clues on the outlook for interest rates this year. Source link #stocks #news #data #earnings Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump’s immigration crackdown reaches New York City and shows its limits – The Washington Post Trump’s immigration crackdown reaches New York City and shows its limits – The Washington Post Trump’s immigration crackdown reaches New York City and shows its limits The Washington PostTrump foe Letitia James slammed for post-NYC ICE raid comments: ‘Get on the same page’ Fox NewsNew York City officials react to immigration raids Spectrum News NY1New Homeland Security secretary joins federal agents to tout immigrant arrests in NYC The Associated PressBronx ICE raid: Federal agents arrest suspect wanted for double ******* in Dominican Republic ABC7 New York Source link #Trumps #immigration #crackdown #reaches #York #City #shows #limits #Washington #Post Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

I’m still reliving the Leicester City helicopter ****** I’m still reliving the Leicester City helicopter ****** Navtej Johal BBC News, East Midlands Isaac Ashe BBC News, Leicester BBC Martin Wicks was part of the maintenance team at Leicester City, when the helicopter crashed outside the club’s stadium in 2018 An eyewitness who was one of the first people at the scene of the Leicester City helicopter ****** said he still relived the tragedy every day more than six years on. Foxes chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha died in the ****** outside the club’s stadium, alongside fellow passengers Kaveporn Punpare, Nusara Suknamai, pilot Eric Swaffer and his partner Izabela Roza Lechowicz on 27 October 2018. Martin Wicks – who was part of the maintenance team at the club – arrived at the downed helicopter “covered in fuel” and alerted two police officers who unsuccessfully tried to break into the aircraft to rescue those inside. The 56-year-old plumbing and heating engineer, who gave evidence to a jury inquest – which recorded an accidental conclusion on Tuesday – told the BBC: “It’s something that never leaves you.” After the ******, Mr Wicks was given a bravery award in 2019 but he said his wife – rather than him – deserved the award, adding she and his children had helped him deal with the psychological impact of the ******. Mr Wicks explained due to his work at the stadium and training ground, he was outside the stadium in the car park when the Leonardo AW169 aircraft came down after taking off at 20:37 BST – following the club’s 1-1 draw with West Ham United. He told the inquest, which was held at Leicester City Hall, that the helicopter was “making an unusual noise”, but that it came down in “quite a controlled manner” after the tail rotor duplex bearing failed and caused the aircraft to enter an uncontrolled spin. The helicopter crashed on its left hand side on a concrete step – creating a “substantial” leak that ignited the aircraft within a minute of the ****** before flames “rapidly” spread, the jury heard. ‘Silhouettes’ “It all seemed like it was happening in slow motion,” he added. “I didn’t want to get too close because, unfortunately, I was covered in aviation fuel at the time, from where I’d been.” Before he realised the wrecked helicopter was alight, Mr Wicks was six feet from the cockpit and said he could see “silhouettes” inside, adding that “it did look like they were moving”. He alerted two police officers – Sgt Michael Hooper and PC Stephen Quartermain – who were attempting in vain to break the windscreen of the cockpit, but all three eventually moved to safety. Reuters Five people, including the club’s chairman, lost their lives in the ****** The inquest was told that because the helicopter had landed on its side, neither side doors could be accessed, with with one set about 2.5m (8.2ft) above the ground and the other against the floor. Specialist equipment would have been needed to break the glasses, which is designed to withstand the impact of a 1kg bird travelling at 180mph (289km/h), the jury heard. The inquest has also been told that four of the five who died may have survived had the aircraft not caught fire. In 2019, Mr Wicks was commended for his bravery on the night of the ******, with an award from the football club, emergency services and city council handed to him by the Prince and Princess of Wales. Mr Wicks – pictured with the Princess of Wales – said his wife and children deserved a bravery award for helping him cope since the ****** In an interview with the BBC, Mr Wicks – who now works as a mechanical engineer at Leicester General Hospital – said: “I was in an emotional bubble with a bravery award from the Royal Family and everything to do with the impact that caused. “But to be honest, I think my wife deserves the award, not me. “Because it’s the impact that you bring back to your home – appetite loss, mood swings, night terrors. “The biggest compliment I can give is to my wife and children that helped me through it. “I’m still living it now, still going through it all. The impact is not instant. It’s when it creeps up on you, when you’re down, when you’re fed-up. “I don’t even think if you’re in the emergency services, any form of training would prepare you for what we actually saw that night, if I’m truthful. “It’s still as fresh in my mind today as on the day it happened.” More on the Leicester City helicopter ****** Source link #reliving #Leicester #City #helicopter #****** Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Trump, Musk suggest sped-up return of NASA astronauts Trump, Musk suggest sped-up return of NASA astronauts US President Donald Trump says he has asked Elon Musk’s SpaceX to return two NASA astronauts from the International Space Station, who were already scheduled to fly back on a SpaceX capsule in March. Musk on Tuesday said Trump had asked him to return the two astronauts “as soon as possible,” suggesting a change to NASA’s current plan for a late March return. “We will do so,” Musk said. “I have just asked Elon Musk and @SpaceX to ‘go get’ the 2 brave astronauts who have been virtually abandoned in space by the Biden Administration,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “They have been waiting for many months on @Space Station. Elon will soon be on his way. Hopefully, all will be safe. Good luck Elon!!!” His demand that SpaceX retrieve veteran NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who have been assigned a SpaceX ride home since August, was an unusual intervention by a US president into NASA’s operations that caught many agency officials by surprise, two officials said. A NASA spokesman did not immediately return requests for comment. Wilmore and Williams flew Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft to the ISS last summer for an eight-day test mission that instead has lasted nearly a year because of problems with the craft’s propulsion system. NASA in August, during Joe Biden’s administration, deemed Starliner too risky to bring them back to Earth and tapped SpaceX to return them on a Crew Dragon spacecraft. That craft is already docked with the space station, having flown there for NASA’s Crew-9 astronaut rotation mission in September with empty seats for Wilmore and Williams. The astronauts’ original February departure date on Crew-9 was delayed to late March because SpaceX needed more time “to complete processing” of a new Crew Dragon capsule that will replace theirs for the Crew-10 mission, NASA said in December. The agency has a delicately co-ordinated ISS schedule, and an early return might leave the station’s US contingent understaffed. It was unclear whether Trump’s demand would mean NASA bringing Crew-9 back to Earth before the Crew-10 capsule arrives, or SpaceX launching Crew-10 earlier than planned. Source link #Trump #Musk #suggest #spedup #return #NASA #astronauts Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

US power stocks plummet as DeepSeek raises data center demand doubts US power stocks plummet as DeepSeek raises data center demand doubts By Laila Kearney and Liz Hampton NEW YORK/HOUSTON (Reuters) – Shares of U.S. power, utility and natural gas companies sold off on Monday in some of the biggest recorded one-day drops, as new AI technology from ******** start-up DeepSeek cast doubt on a projected surge in U.S. electricity demand and tech spending. Power producers were among the biggest winners in the S&P 500 last year on expectations of ballooning demand from the energy-guzzling data centers needed to scale Big Tech’s artificial intelligence technologies. The wider adoption of AI models like the one developed by DeepSeek, which it says it built in under two months and is cheaper than models currently used by U.S. companies, could result in less electricity demand overall and result in a smaller power build-out, analysts and economists said. “If proven true, the efficiencies used within DeepSeek’s open-source model can be applied by the hyperscalers to their models, which would result in a more moderated demand,” analysts with Evercore ISI said in a note. Big Tech firms, which are also known as hyperscaling data center developers, have devoted tens of billions of dollars in AI data center development over the last year. In the U.S., data centers consumed roughly 4.4% of electricity in 2023 but are anticipated to use 6.7% to 12% of all power by 2028, according to a report produced by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Independent power provider Constellation Energy, whose shares had shot up about 100% in 2024 largely on its ability to sell nuclear and gas-fired power to U.S. data centers, sunk by about 20% in trading on Monday after news of DeepSeek’s advancements. Vistra was down 30% and rival Talen Energy Corp was down 22%. DeepSeek AI could also threaten the dominance of current AI leaders, which are based in Silicon Valley, and slow their deployment of data centers. DeepSeek’s AI assistance had overtaken U.S. rival ChatGPT in downloads from Apple’s app store on Monday. But with the wider adoption of AI, even with more energy-efficient models, power demand could surge everywhere, said Ed Hirs, an energy economist at the University of Houston. He cautioned that a sell-off of power stocks could be short-sighted and short-lived. “In this instance, if DeepSeek turns out to be what everybody wants, and they sell to U.S. companies, and the U.S. companies change their algorithms to adopt to it, it just means a greater, faster broader development,” Hirs said. Still, electricity companies, and even producers of feedstocks related to power generation, were under pressure. Story Continues Earlier this month, Constellation acquired private natural gas producer Calpine Energy for $16.4 billion in one of the largest U.S. power industry deals ever, a sign of rising expectations that demand for gas will grow as a generation source for AI. Shares of publicly-traded producers of natural gas, which makes up the biggest share of fuels used to generate electricity in the United States, also slumped. EQT Corp was off 9%. Midstream operator Energy Transfer, which said it has received connection requests from dozens of data centers, was down about 7%. (Reporting by Liz Hampton in Houston and Laila Kearney in New York; Editing by Sonali Paul) Source link #power #stocks #plummet #DeepSeek #raises #data #center #demand #doubts Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Ryan Whyte Maloney Dies: ‘The Voice’ Season 6 Alum Was 44 – Deadline Ryan Whyte Maloney Dies: ‘The Voice’ Season 6 Alum Was 44 – Deadline Ryan Whyte Maloney Dies: ‘The Voice’ Season 6 Alum Was 44 DeadlineView Full Coverage on Google News Source link #Ryan #Whyte #Maloney #Dies #Voice #Season #Alum #Deadline Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Virgil van Dijk: Arne Slot praises Liverpool captain in Gary Lineker interview Virgil van Dijk: Arne Slot praises Liverpool captain in Gary Lineker interview Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk’s quality has surprised Reds manager Arne Slot, who says the defender is on “another level”. Van Dijk, 33, is in the last six months of his contract and made his 300th appearance for the Reds in Saturday’s 4-1 win over Ipswich Town. During his eight years at Anfield, the Dutch centre-half has won the Premier League, Champions League, Club World Cup, Uefa Super Cup, the FA Cup and the League Cup twice. His future at the club remains in doubt, but he has led Liverpool to the top of the Premier League, into the last 16 of the Champions League and the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup this season. “Everybody here in England would tell you that Virgil van Dijk is the best defender in the world,” said Slot, speaking to Gary Lineker in an interview for Football Focus. “In Holland, he got a bit more criticism than he gets over here in England. I was, in a very positive way, surprised how good he was on the ball and how he could play football through the lines. “From the first day I was like ‘wow, this is definitely another level that I’m used to’. But people in England were used to this.” You can watch Lineker’s interview with Slot on Football Focus on Saturday at 12:00 GMT on BBC One as the pair discuss a wide range of topics, with Slot also challenging Lineker to a game of padel. It will also be on BBC iPlayer and online with a version on the Football Daily on BBC Sounds. Source link #Virgil #van #Dijk #Arne #Slot #praises #Liverpool #captain #Gary #Lineker #interview Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Explosives, note of Jewish targets found in caravan on property in Dural, in Sydney’s northwest Explosives, note of Jewish targets found in caravan on property in Dural, in Sydney’s northwest Explosives and a note of Jewish targets were found in a caravan in Sydney’s northwest. A resident in Dural reportedly made the chilling find in an abandoned caravan on Derriwong Rd in Dural, according to The Daily Telegraph, with the masthead reporting the incident was being treated as a credible terror threat. Camera IconExplosives and note of Jewish targets found in abandoned caravan in Sydney, NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw Credit: News Corp Australia NSW Premier Chris Minns and the NSW Police Deputy Commissioner David Hudson are set to address the media following an investigation in Dural on Wednesday afternoon. Deputy Commissioner Hudson said the incident was being taken “seriously”. “The NSW Police Force is working with the *********** Federal Police, NSW Crime Commission, ASIO, Victoria Police and the Queensland Police Service,” Deputy Commissioner Hudson said. “This is an ongoing investigation and is being taken seriously with all lines of inquiry being pursued. “There is no ongoing threat to the community.” More to come. Source link #Explosives #note #Jewish #targets #caravan #property #Dural #Sydneys #northwest Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Nothing Phone 3a Tipped to Get Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 SoC, 6.8-Inch Display, More Nothing Phone 3a Tipped to Get Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 SoC, 6.8-Inch Display, More Nothing has scheduled a product launch in March’s first week and the *** brand is expected to unveil new smartphones during the event. While the company hasn’t revealed the marketing name of the devices, a new leak suggests the specifications of the purported Phone 3a. The upcoming handset is tipped to come with a Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset. The Nothing Phone 3a could pack a triple rear camera setup and carry a 5,000mAh battery. It is likely to succeed the Nothing Phone 2a. Nothing Phone 3a Specifications (Expected) X user Gadget Bits (@gadget_bits) has shared alleged specifications of Nothing Phone 3a. As per the post, the phone will launch with a 6.8-inch full-HD+ AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. The upcoming Nothing phone with code number A059 is said to run on a Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset, instead of a MediaTek chipset like the Phone 2a. The Nothing Phone 3a is tipped to arrive with Nothing OS 3.1 based on Android 15 and the company’s trademark Glyph interface. It could feature a triple rear camera setup comprising a 50-megapixel main sensor, a 50-megapixel telephoto sensor with 2x optical zoom, and an 8-megapixel ultra wide-angle sensor. On the front, the handset may boast a 32-megapixel selfie shooter. Like its predecessor, Nothing Phone 3a is said to house a 5,000mAh battery with 45W charging support. It could offer NFC connectivity. Nothing already announced that it will unveil a new product on March 4 at 3:30pm IST. The Carl Pei-led brand shared a teaser video along with the caption “Power in Perspective”. It is speculated to take wraps off Nothing Phone 3, Phone 3a and Phone 3a Plus at the event. We can expect Nothing to drop many teasers in the intervening weeks. The Nothing Phone 2a was launched in India in March last year with a price tag of Rs. 23,999 for the base 8GB + 128GB RAM and storage configuration. It runs on the MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro SoC and features a 6.7-inch AMOLED display with 120Hz adaptive refresh rate. It has a dual rear camera setup, led by 50-megapixel primary sensor. The phone offers an IP54-rated build and has a Glyph Interface at the rear. Source link #Phone #Tipped #Snapdragon #Gen #SoC #6.8Inch #Display Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Ice sheets flow over Buffalo’s ice ***** into Niagara River Ice sheets flow over Buffalo’s ice ***** into Niagara River BUFFALO, N.Y. — Massive sheets of ice were pushed over the Lake Erie-Niagara River ice ***** on Monday as a result of high winds and a powerful Arctic weather front. The ice *****, which is operated by the New York Power Authority, is meant to prevent ice jams, prevent flooding, and protect hydropower plants. Lou Paonessa, director of community affairs for the New York Power Authority, said the power authority is not sure if the ***** broke — but he’s not too worried. “It’s allowed to allow a certain amount of ice to go over (the) top in a high wind event or a seiche event and then pop back up and resurface again,” Paonessa said. “So that reduces the frequency and the duration and the amount of ice that comes down the Niagara River at any one given time.” “Can we tell if a piece is broken or not? Not really. Right now we’d have to fly a drone. You can’t do that in this weather. So when the ***** resurfaces, we’ll be able to tell if a section has broken free.” High winds and recent ice-breaking operations — such as the freeing of the Manitoulin freighter — caused the ***** to be pushed underwater. That allowed ice to pass over the top of it. As ice piles up in the Niagara River, there is the potential for ice to impact the shoreline and potentially cause property damage. The National Weather Service said that areas south of the river along Route 5 in Hamburg, the Buffalo Harbor, Canalside and the Dunkirk Harbor could potentially be affected. Latest Local News Dillon Morello is a reporter from Pittsburgh who has been part of the News 4 team since September of 2023. See more of his work here and follow him on Twitter. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo. Source link #Ice #sheets #flow #Buffalos #ice #***** #Niagara #River Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Lunar New Year 2025 Photos: See Year of the Snake Celebrations Across Asia – The New York Times Lunar New Year 2025 Photos: See Year of the Snake Celebrations Across Asia – The New York Times Lunar New Year 2025 Photos: See Year of the Snake Celebrations Across Asia The New York TimesChinese zodiac predictions: What’s in store for 2025 as we enter the Year of the Snake CNNWho is celebrating the ******** Lunar New Year of the Snake and how? Al Jazeera EnglishHappy ******** New Year 2025: 40+ wishes, images, greetings, WhatsApp and Facebook status to celebrate Lunar New Year Hindustan Times Source link #Lunar #Year #Photos #Year #Snake #Celebrations #Asia #York #Times Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Curry twins: Ben and Tom on their rise to starting for England in Six Nations Curry twins: Ben and Tom on their rise to starting for England in Six Nations Growing up, the brothers competed in all types of sports, including rugby, athletics, cricket and football. But it was at indoor bowls where Tom first got the upper hand on Ben, something he still reminds his identical twin about. “In primary school, we had indoor bowls and I weirdly turned out to be really good at it,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast. “I was champion within my school. It was one of my favourite trophies, it was massive.” Sport is in the Curry blood. Their mother is a PE teacher, their father played rugby for Rosslyn Park when they were in England’s top flight and coached the twins from the age of four, while their uncle John Olver was a Northampton Saints and England hooker. And they are not the only internationals in the family, as their sister Charlotte represented Great Britain Under-17s at frisbee. At one stage, the twins had dreams of a professional football career for Manchester City but Tom says they ended when he headed the ball past his own goalkeeper during a game. In their early years of playing rugby, the brothers found themselves lining up in the backline together. “It was Ben at 12 and I was at 10. I was a ******-ball 10 so the ball didn’t get out,” joked Tom. “Tom then moved into the forwards first and somehow I got dragged in,” added Ben. Having grown up together, they decided against going their separate ways at the first opportunity, and continue to live under the same roof at the age of 26. Not that they live identical lives around the house. “When we go home it is every man for himself,” Tom added. “We don’t cook or eat together. We just do our own thing.” Source link #Curry #twins #Ben #Tom #rise #starting #England #Nations Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth PC vs PS5 Pro Comparison: Visual Bugs Tip The Scale In Console’s Favor Final Fantasy VII Rebirth PC vs PS5 Pro Comparison: Visual Bugs Tip The Scale In Console’s Favor PS Store Staff: “We’ve announced the 2024 annual download rankings for PlayStation®Store! We’ll be introducing four rankings in total: PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, PlayStation®VR2, and free-to-play titles. We’ve also included the annual rankings for the United States and Canada, so be sure to check them out as well. The number one spot on the PS5’s 2024 annual download ranking is the second of the remake project trilogy, “FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH,” in which you escape the Mako city of Midgar and travel through a vast world! In second place was “Dragon Quest III: And into the Legend…”, and in third place was “Dragon’s Dogma 2.” Source link #Final #Fantasy #VII #Rebirth #PS5 #Pro #Comparison #Visual #Bugs #Tip #Scale #Consoles #Favor Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Humphries lauds value of NBL’s Pride Round Humphries lauds value of NBL’s Pride Round Isaac Humphries, the world’s only openly gay male professional basketballer, admits he almost quit the sport at a time when he felt like he didn’t belong. But the 27-year-old now beams with pride at the thought of his presence in the NBL providing a beacon of hope for young players. Humphries will suit up in the league’s third annual Pride Round when his Adelaide 36ers host the Brisbane Bullets on Friday night. “There was a time I genuinely was prepared to walk away from basketball,” Humphries said at the Pride Round launch in Melbourne on Wednesday. “I just couldn’t handle not being myself anymore and believing that I just couldn’t exist in the basketball world. “That thought process and that journey would’ve been so different (had there been initiatives like Pride Round when I was younger). “Would I have known as a little kid that that’s me being represented? Maybe not. “But as I grew into understanding a little bit more, I know it would’ve been very different. “How amazing that I get to be that for kids now. It’s just such an honour to know I am that person that they get to watch and know that they belong.” Humphries, then playing for Melbourne United, came out to his teammates and the world in November 2022. There have been tough moments since, including negative comments received online following his announcement and the reluctance of some players at a rival team to wear a Pride Round uniform in 2023. But Humphries is appreciative of the NBL for backing the concept, which is also supported by the league’s apparel partner Champion, Pride in Sport and the ****** Sporting Alliance. “The reality is it just is so important,” Humphries said. “When I came out, a huge part of the reason I came out was to help others and to be visible for others who maybe feel like they can’t be visible. “Days like today, Pride Round, any time you see a rainbow, any time you see a brand like Champion or a league like the NBL be so proud to be involved in something like pride is just a huge step forward.” NBL chief executive Dave Stevenson said the league is proud of its ongoing work around Pride Round in a bid to promote inclusivity. “It’s not an easy topic for people to get their heads around but we feel really excited about the responsibility we’ve taken on to educate more people,” Stevenson told AAP. “Not everyone’s going to love it, and that’s OK, but we feel proud to create an environment where everybody is welcome.” Source link #Humphries #lauds #NBLs #Pride Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Sony Corp. Shake Up: Hiroki Totoki Named CEO, Hideaki Nishino Elevated to Solo CEO Role at SIE Sony Corp. Shake Up: Hiroki Totoki Named CEO, Hideaki Nishino Elevated to Solo CEO Role at SIE Sony Corp. has shaken up its leadership ranks, naming Hiroki Totoki as corporate CEO while Hideaki Nishino is elevated to CEO of Sony Interactive. Source link #Sony #Corp #Shake #Hiroki #Totoki #Named #CEO #Hideaki #Nishino #Elevated #Solo #CEO #Role #SIE Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Five Hilliard Darby students involved in classroom altercation Five Hilliard Darby students involved in classroom altercation HILLIARD, Ohio (WCMH) — Five students could face charges after an altercation in a classroom at Hilliard Darby High School Monday. According to Hilliard police, officers responded to the school at approximately 8 a.m. A statement from school principal Matt Middleton said the students were then removed from the building. Police said the investigation remains under investigation. On Monday, a spokesperson for the district said the five students were charged; however, in a clarification on Tuesday, the spokesperson said those charges had not been officially filed. There will be an increased police presence at the school on Tuesday. Grove City man pardoned in Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection remains in prison Middleton’s full statement sent to district parents on Monday is below. I want to address an incident that occurred today at school. There was an altercation involving several students, which required intervention by staff. The situation was over quickly. The involved students were removed from the building, and we are working with the Hilliard Police to investigate further. We are committed to providing a safe and respectful learning environment for every student, and incidents like this are taken very seriously. We ask for your help in reinforcing appropriate behavior with your child. Please remind them about the importance of showing respect to others and adhering to school expectations. Additionally, we urge you to discourage the spread of rumors, as it can create unnecessary fear or confusion. If your child has concerns or questions, please encourage them to reach out to a trusted teacher, counselor, or administrator—we are here to support them. As an added precaution, Hilliard Police will have an increased presence at Darby tomorrow. Thank you for your partnership in keeping our school community safe and focused on learning. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. Source link #Hilliard #Darby #students #involved #classroom #altercation Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Neptunia Riders VS Dogoos Review | TheSixthAxis Neptunia Riders VS Dogoos Review | TheSixthAxis Travis Bruno of Capsule Computers writes: “When it comes to the Hyperdimension Neptunia franchise, you never quite know what Idea Factory and Compile Heart might have up their sleeve next. One year fans of the franchise might see their favorite Goddesses fighting in an action game or taking part in a pseudo turn-based RPG, and the next they might find them in a rhythm idol game or even a strategy RPG. One thing is sure though, almost every year sees the release of a new game featuring Neptune and her friends in some form. Some of these cards that Idea Factory has played have been Aces that, despite not being main entry games, match that level of storytelling quality while others have been Jokers that land flat. This time around we have a motorcycle action title in the form of Neptunia Riders VS Dogoos but the question is, is this spin-off a success or a wipeout?” Source link #Neptunia #Riders #Dogoos #Review #TheSixthAxis Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Florida lawmakers pass sweeping immigration bill to help with Trump crackdown – The Associated Press Florida lawmakers pass sweeping immigration bill to help with Trump crackdown – The Associated Press Florida lawmakers pass sweeping immigration bill to help with Trump crackdown The Associated PressRepublican Lawmakers in Florida Rebel Against DeSantis in Rare Power Move The New York TimesFlorida lawmakers approve immigration bill in rebuke to DeSantis, setting up potential veto fight CBS NewsFlorida Legislature pushes through immigration bill over DeSantis’ objections Florida PhoenixFlorida lawmakers pass TRUMP Act, which now heads to the governor WFLA Source link #Florida #lawmakers #pass #sweeping #immigration #bill #Trump #crackdown #Press Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump offers federal workers eight months pay to resign Trump offers federal workers eight months pay to resign Getty Images The email from the Trump administration says federal workers who take the buyout will receive pay until September President Donald Trump has offered buyout packages to almost all federal workers who do not want to return to the office, a major move designed to shrink the US government. In an email sent to millions of employees on Tuesday, his administration told workers they had to decide by 6 February whether they wanted to be part of a “deferred resignation program”. If they agreed to leave their jobs by that date, the message said, they would receive about eight months of salary as a severance package. The Trump administration expects up to 10% of employees to accept the offer, or around 200,000 of the more than two million workers the federal government employs, according to the BBC’s US partner CBS News. Senior Trump officials told US media that the buyouts could save the government up to $100bn (£80bn). Workers wishing to take the deal on Tuesday were asked to reply to the email with the word “resign” written into the subject line. The offer includes both pay and benefits for workers until 30 September. Certain employees did not receive the offer, including postal workers, members of the military, immigration officials, and some national security workers, according to the email. The message from the Office of Personnel Management, the government’s HR agency, on Tuesday evening also warned of future downsizing that could impact those who choose to stay. “We cannot give you full assurance regarding the certainty of your position or agency but should your position be eliminated you will be treated with dignity,” it reads. The email follows Trump’s earlier announcement that federal employees who had been working remotely since the Covid pandemic would be required to return to the office five days a week. Speaking to CNN on Tuesday, Stephen Miller, the White House deputy chief of staff for policy, said the government’s two million workers were “overwhelmingly left of centre”, adding it was “essential” for Trump to “get control of government”. Trump repeatedly pledged to cut the size of the government and slash federal spending while on the campaign trail. He tasked Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy with leading an advisory body focused on cutting regulations, spending, and headcounts within the federal government. Ramaswamy has since left the “Department of Government Efficiency” (Doge). But the email on Tuesday bears a resemblance to one sent to Twitter, now X, employees in late 2022 after Musk bought the social media platform. He asked for an emailed response if they wanted to remain at the company. Watch: How Trump’s new press secretary performed on White House debut The mass buyout offer came at the end of an at-times chaotic day in Washington, following a memo Trump issued which said he would pause federal grants, loans and other assistance. A district judge suspended the order – which was initially set to go into effect on Tuesday afternoon – until next Monday. In the hours before that decision, there was widespread confusion over which federal programmes and organisations would be impacted. The White House repeatedly sought to assuage concerns that Social Security payments and Medicaid access could be disrupted. In a letter to the White House, top Democrats expressed “extreme alarm” about the plan to pause funding. Also on Tuesday, Trump signed an executive order aimed at restricting gender care for young people. The order, titled ‘Protecting Children from Chemical and Surgical Mutilation’, says it will prevent those aged under 19 from making “life-altering” choices. “It is the policy of the United States that it will not fund, sponsor, promote, assist, or support the so-called ‘transition’ of a child from one sex to another,” the order says. It is unclear, however, how the order would be implemented and it is likely to be challenged in court. Source link #Trump #offers #federal #workers #months #pay #resign Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Samsung Galaxy S24 Price in India Slashed Following Galaxy S25 Series Launch Samsung Galaxy S24 Price in India Slashed Following Galaxy S25 Series Launch Samsung Galaxy S24 was launched in India in January 2024 alongside the Galaxy S24+ and Galaxy S24 Ultra. The phones are powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy SoC. Earlier this month, Samsung introduced the Galaxy S25 series with Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chipsets. Following the launch, the price of the base Galaxy S24 has been reduced in the country and is reflecting on the company’s official website. Meanwhile, on leading e-commerce platforms, the price of the vanilla Galaxy S24 appears to be further lowered. Samsung Galaxy S24 Price in India Reduced Samsung Galaxy S24 price in India previously started at Rs. 74,999 for the 8GB + 128GB option, while the 8GB + 256GB and the 8GB + 512GB variants were priced at Rs. 79,999 and Rs. 89,999, respectively. Currently, the 128GB storage option of the base Samsung Galaxy S25 model is available for Rs. 64,999, while the 256GB and 512GB variants are listed at Rs. 70,999 and Rs. 82,999, respectively. These changes are reflected on the official website. Samsung is offering HDFC Credit Card users an instant discount of Rs. 10,000, which means, you could buy the Galaxy S24 for as low as Rs. 54,999. The company is extending no-cost EMI options on select cards and offering exchange discounts of up to Rs. 10,000 as well. On Amazon and Flipkart, the price of the Samsung Galaxy S24 handset is lower compared to the Samsung India site. For instance, the 256GB option of the phone is listed at Rs. 55,500 and Rs. 69,499, respectively. These rates likely vary by ongoing discount offers that are live on the individual platforms. Notably, the latest Samsung Galaxy S25 is priced in India at Rs. 80,999 and Rs. 92,999 for the 12GB + 256GB and 12GB + 512GB options. The Samsung Galaxy S25+ is marked at Rs. 99,999 and Rs. 1,11,999, while the Ultra variant is listed at Rs. 1,29,999 and Rs. 1,41,999 respectively, for similar configurations. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra costs Rs. 1,65,999 for its 12GB + 1TB version. Affiliate links may be automatically generated – see our ethics statement for details. Source link #Samsung #Galaxy #S24 #Price #India #Slashed #Galaxy #S25 #Series #Launch Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Musk’s support for far-right is ‘disgusting’: Scholz Musk’s support for far-right is ‘disgusting’: Scholz ******* Chancellor Olaf Scholz has criticised US billionaire Elon Musk for his support of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, labelling it as “disgusting”. The US billionaire and ally of President Donald Trump has multiple times attacked the chancellor and his government, calling on him to resign and saying that the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is the country’s only saviour. Scholz told journalists on the sidelines of an election campaign event in Berlin that, as a Social Democrat, he was used to wealthy media entrepreneurs intervening in ******* politics, but “what is new is that he (Musk) is intervening in favour of right-wing politicians all over Europe.” “And this is really disgusting,” he added, stressing that such actions harm the democratic development of the European Union. Musk has given full-throated endorsement of the anti-immigrant and anti-EU AfD on several occasions in the run up to the ******* election set for February 23. His campaigning on behalf of the AfD, along with insults he has lobbed at other ******* politicians, has led critics to accuse him of trying to use his influence to interfere in ******* politics. Musk spoke by video link to a crowd of several thousand AfD supporters at a campaign rally in the ******* city of Halle on Saturday. In his brief speech, he praised the AfD as the “best hope” for Germany. In an apparent reference to the Holocaust, in which Nazi Germany systematically murdered millions of Jewish people and other innocents, Musk said there was nowadays “too much of a focus on past guilt.” Scholz condemned Musk’s remarks, saying: “We are very happy about the United States that freed our country and helped us to become a democracy again. And this is why I’m so angry about Elon Musk intervening for the far right and Elon Musk also not acting adequate to this killing of so many Jews and other people, people in Europe, done by Germans in the past. “I am absolutely critical about what Elon Musk said about the history of Germany,” Scholz said, adding that his country will continue to bear responsibility for the things that have been done by Germans in the past. The anti-immigration, anti-Islam AfD is labelled as right-wing extremist by ******* security services but is currently polling second in nationwide surveys before the election, where the debate on immigration magnified after a string of violent attacks by foreign-born suspects. with Reuters Source link #Musks #support #farright #disgusting #Scholz Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Pentagon says it's pulling Gen. Milley's security detail, clearance – Axios Pentagon says it's pulling Gen. Milley's security detail, clearance – Axios Pentagon says it’s pulling Gen. Milley’s security detail, clearance AxiosPentagon pulling Gen. Milley’s security detail and clearance ‘immediately,’ may face demotion in retirement Fox NewsGen. Mark Milley’s security detail and security clearance revoked, Pentagon says CBS NewsHegseth takes actions against Trump foe Mark Milley The Washington PostDefense secretary revokes security detail and clearance for Trump critic Gen. Mark Milley, orders investigation CNN Source link #Pentagon #it039s #pulling #Gen #Milley039s #security #detail #clearance #Axios Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Women’s Ashes 2025: England’s Kate Cross ruled out of Australia Test at MCG Women’s Ashes 2025: England’s Kate Cross ruled out of Australia Test at MCG England seamer Kate Cross has been ruled out of the one-off Women’s Ashes Test starting at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Thursday. Captain Heather Knight confirmed that Cross, 33, had not sufficiently recovered from a back injury that she suffered against South Africa in December. Cross was not part of the T20 side for the Ashes series but missed the three one-day internationals which opened the tour with the same issue. “Kate is pretty much close to full fitness now, but just not quite at the pace and the performance that we know she can reach at her best,” Knight told BBC Sport. “A Test match is four days, so she will miss out and it is a real shame for her. “She’s a really key part of our group, she loves playing Test match cricket and she’s been so desperate to play. We’re all really disappointed for her that she hasn’t been able to make it.” It is a significant blow for England as Knight will remain without her most experienced seamer. Knight did not reveal the England team as they were still deciding on the bowling attack, but confirmed that they would be playing an extra batter in Sophia Dunkley. Lauren Bell, Lauren Filer and all-rounder Nat Sciver-Brunt are likely to form the seam attack. England have lost all six white-ball matches on the tour so far and are fighting to avoid a 16-0 clean sweep, which has never been done before in the multi-format series. “There’s a lot of hurt and disappointment around how this tour has gone,” Knight added. “We haven’t shown what we are capable of as a team, but we want to do that this week and show our character to the fans that are here and watching back home.” A Test win is worth four points and a draw two each. England also went winless in the 2022 series in Australia but they finished with four points overall because of a drawn Test and two T20 washouts. Source link #Womens #Ashes #Englands #Kate #Cross #ruled #Australia #Test #MCG Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

ASML earnings report Q4 2024 ASML earnings report Q4 2024 A logo on the exterior of the ASML Holding NV headquarters in Veldhoven, Netherlands, on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024. Peter Boer | Bloomberg | Getty Images Dutch semiconductor equipment maker ASML on Wednesday reported better-than-expected net sales and profit results for the fourth quarter. Here’s how ASML did versus LSEG consensus estimates for the fourth quarter: Net sales: 9.26 billion euros versus 9.07 billion euros expected. Net profit: 2.69 billion euros versus 2.64 billion euros expected. ASML suffered losses during a global tech sell-off earlier in the week after ******** startup DeepSeek’s low-cost AI application triggered questions over competitiveness and U.S. leadership in the sector. This breaking news story is being updated. Source link #ASML #earnings #report Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]