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Pelican Press

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  1. Pelican Press
    Xbox and Fanta are teaming up to give away custom Xbox Series X consoles and controllers Xbox and Fanta are teaming up to give away custom Xbox Series X consoles and controllers Xbox has teamed up with Fanta for a new competition where custom Xbox Series X consoles and controllers can be won. The contest, which is set to launch in eight countries across Europe, features the campaign tagline “play with the colour you want”, referring both to the numerous Xbox controller colours available and the various flavours of Fanta. As part of the competition, Fanta designed six custom Xbox Series X consoles and matching wireless controllers, designed to represent “the most popular flavours in the brand’s portfolio” – orange, lemon, exotic, fruit twist, grape and lemon-elderflower. Each of the eight countries – Great Britain, France, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Germany, Norway and Netherlands – will have their own sets of prizes. Players can enter by scanning the QR codes found on the side of special Xbox-branded Fanta packs, which will then send them to the Coke App where they can enter the contest. The Great Britain version of the competition appears to focus on three flavours – orange, lemon and fruit twist – meaning entrants can try to win either an orange, yellow or pink controller with a Fanta logo on the back. Upon scanning the QR code on the pack, players will instantly be told if they’ve won one of 1,600 vouchers for a free month of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate (this isn’t valid for existing Game Pass Ultimate subscribers). They’ll then be entered into a weekly prize draw to win one of 15 controllers, and a grand prize draw to win one of two custom Xbox Series X consoles. Source link #Xbox #Fanta #teaming #give #custom #Xbox #Series #consoles #controllers Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
  2. Pelican Press
    Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3 Will Contain an Iconic Mini Game Because Director Was Requested “to leave it in the game” Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3 Will Contain an Iconic Mini Game Because Director Was Requested “to leave it in the game” Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth was just released on PC the other day and despite being immediately hit by pirates, it’s been a huge success. And with this, the community’s attention now goes to Part 3 of this Remake saga. Square Enix has done an amazing job so far and it seems like the studio is keeping up the good work. The first two games have been hits and the last one might too. | Image Credit: Square Enix Game director Naoki Hamaguchi recently confirmed in an interview that Part 3 of the series will have the iconic mini-game slap-fight between Tifa Lockhart and Scarlet. Considering the flair that the developers have put into other iconic scenes, we have no doubt that this will deliver as well. The Final Fantasy 7 Remake games are making all the right choices The devs are already cooking up a storm for the final game. | Image Credit: Square Enix In the original Final Fantasy 7 released in 1997, Tifa and Scarlet had a face-off on top of the Junon cannon. In an absurd and hilarious scene, the two had a now iconic slap fight which has been on our minds ever since. When we first got the announcement that FF7 was going to be remade, it was one of the first scenes that fans demanded to make it to these new-gen updates. FF7 Rebirth Director Hamaguchi assures us that the Tifa vs. Scarlet slapping mini game will indeed be in Part 3. He says: “many have asked to leave it in the game (laughs). In response, I’d like to say we’ll make something really great, so please look forward to it!” #FF7R pic.twitter.com/KgKHt4A6Kn — ☆オードリーAudrey☆ (@aitaikimochi) January 26, 2025 Despite how iconic it is, there was no guarantee that it’d make it to the remake. But now we have confirmation of the good news. It would seem that the excitement of players has removed any shadow of doubt from the developers. “Many have asked to leave it in the game (laughs). In response, I’d like to say we’ll make something really great, so please look forward to it!” Hamaguchi said with a laugh during an interview with Denfamicogamer. This just goes to show how committed Hamaguchi and the team of developers are to bringing nostalgia forward alongside all the modernized upgrades. Because we know that these remakes haven’t been a nostalgic cash grab, there are a lot of new additions that have found favor among fans, but some have also been missed. From Rebirth’s open-world expansion to the added depth that a lot of characters have gotten, the remakes have definitely taken risks. Square Enix is looking to end it on a high note This could become one of the best trilogies in gaming. | Image Credit: Square Enix Square Enix is really giving its all for the finale of this fantastic Remake Trilogy. The creative team is led by producer Yoshinori Kitase and creative director Tetsuya Nomura and they have reiterated their commitment to respecting the original game. While the third installment does not yet have an official title or release date we do know some details. Producer Yoshinori Kitase recently spoke to Famitsu in an interview translated by Eurogamer where the producer confirmed that the story for the final game is completed and that he is “very satisfied with it.” But beyond just the content, the upcoming title will also be the first Square Enix game to be an example of the studio’s changed view on exclusivity. While previous entries in the remake series launched exclusively on PlayStation consoles before eventually arriving on PC, Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3 is expected to be released on multiple platforms at launch. Square Enix is moving to a new business strategy where it focuses on delivering the gaming experience to as many players as possible. And it is a welcome change. Source link #Final #Fantasy #Remake #Part #Iconic #Mini #Game #Director #Requested #leave #game Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
  3. Pelican Press
    New Zealand eases visa rules to lure ‘digital nomads’ New Zealand eases visa rules to lure ‘digital nomads’ New Zealand has relaxed its visa requirements to allow tourists to work remotely while visiting the country in an effort to boost its tourism sector. Under the new rules, visitors to the country can now carry out remote working for a foreign employer while holidaying for up to 90 days. The country’s government has said the move is aimed at making New Zealand “more attractive to digital nomads”, referring to people who travel while working remotely. “The change will enable many visitors to extend their stays, which will lead to more money being spent in the country,” said New Zealand’s Immigration Minister Erica Stanford. The government said the changes applied to all visitor visas, including tourists and people visiting family, partners and guardians on longer-term visas. It added that only remote work based overseas was allowed, while visitors whose employment required them to be in the country still had to obtain appropriate visas. New Zealand’s tourism industry generates a revenue of almost $11bn, according to the government. Many other countries have introduced visa programmes for digital nomads over the past few years in an effort to appeal to a growing number of people seeking opportunities to travel while working remotely. The trend took off in the 2010s, mostly among young workers who were looking to escape their daily routine. It was further bolstered by the Covid-19 pandemic, when worldwide lockdowns led to a shift in attitudes toward remote work. Countries offering digital nomad visas include Japan, South Korea, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Brazil, Spain and Portugal. But the presence of digital nomads in some places has also sparked debate. In the South African city of Cape Town, detractors say the influx of remote workers has led to an increase in costs. The influx of visitors to countries such as Spain and Greece have also fuelled heated protests against overtourism. Source link #Zealand #eases #visa #rules #lure #digital #nomads Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]
  4. Pelican Press
    Business Council calls for career counsellors in every school to give students advice on jobs, skills shortage Business Council calls for career counsellors in every school to give students advice on jobs, skills shortage Australia must increase education standards in order to maintain the country’s profitability and productivity, the Business Council of Australia believes, with calls to the major parties to put a career counsellor in every school. As the Federal election battle is set to intensify from Tuesday, Business Council chief executive Bran ****** said industry had growing concerns over falling reading, maths and science standards in schools. Those concerns stemmed from a lack of “foundational skills” needed for Australia’s economy in the future workforce, and further exacerbate skills shortages in key areas such as housing, energy and the digital economy. Mr ****** said one key measure — a careers counsellor in every secondary school — would give students up-to-date advice on all the opportunities available to them, especially regarding jobs of the future and areas experiencing skills shortages. “Every student should have access to a careers counsellor, and advice must be modernised, standardised and accessible to help students identify future job opportunities and equip them with knowledge about the skills they might need to have the best shot at success,” Mr ****** said. With students heading back to school in some states from this week, Mr ****** said there was also a need for new national targets to put Australians back in the top 10 in the OECD across the key learning areas of reading, maths and science. Compared to 2006 levels, *********** students fell from sixth position in the OECD in both science and reading to 10th and 12th respectively in 2022. In maths, Australians fell to 16th from eighth spot. The lobby group will also call for measures to address year 12 retention rates across the country, which are currently at the lowest rate in more than a decade. Last year, only four-fifths of students stayed on to finish the final year of high school. Mr ****** said the current achievement levels for students posed a major concern for the country’s future economic prosperity and jobs pipeline if they weren’t lifted. “The BCA is calling for new education targets to be set with the goal of returning student results back to the OECD top 10 rankings for each of reading, science and maths,” Mr ****** said. “We can’t be a leader in AI, digital skills and a developer of new technologies in advanced manufacturing if we’re not equipping our students with the basic skills and education required to take on those jobs.” The Business Council’s announcement comes after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Friday that two States — Victoria and South Australia — had signed up to the Federal Government’s schools funding agreement, with just Queensland and New South Wales yet to agree. “Every dollar of funding will go into helping children learn. This will mean more money than ever for public schools – but it’s not a blank cheque,” Mr Albanese told the Press Club on Friday. “Our new funding is for real reform and it will deliver real results. Because what we are offering every state and territory is new Commonwealth investment in the fundamentals. “The methods and resources that work, that make the biggest difference.” Mr ****** welcomed the agreement and the focus on early intervention. “We strongly support the Year 1 phonics screening test, and we think a greater focus on early primary school intervention and support for students who have been identified as needing help is essential,” he said. “The Federal Government’s recently announced Better and Fairer Schools Agreements will help keep kids in school, with their strong focus on evidenced based teaching, as it’s clear we need a back-to-basics approach to reading, science and maths to give kids the confidence to go the distance with their studies.” Source link #Business #Council #calls #career #counsellors #school #give #students #advice #jobs #skills #shortage Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
  5. Pelican Press
    Chicken rules the roost as pinched Argentines eat less pricey beef Chicken rules the roost as pinched Argentines eat less pricey beef By Horacio Fernando Soria and Juan Carlos Bustamante BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) – In Argentina, land of cattle ranches known for its succulent beef steaks and barbecue grills, chicken now rules supreme. The South American country’s 45 million people ate more poultry per capita than beef last year for the first time on record, official data shows, as consumption of pricier red meat slid amid triple-digit inflation and austerity under libertarian President Javier Milei. 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 shift, while part of a longer trend, underscores how Argentines are tightening their belts and adapting diets. Milei’s spending cuts have stabilized the rocky economy, but in the short term pushed over half the population into poverty. “The reality is that I eat more chicken because meat is much more expensive. Chicken just goes a lot further,” said Araceli Porres, 45, who works three jobs in Buenos Aires to support her family and who puts chicken into sauces and breaded milanesa. Data from the Rosario grains exchange showed that chicken consumption jumped in 2024 to 49.3 kg per capita, topping beef, which fell to 48.5 kg, still the highest in the world ahead of Uruguay and Brazil. Pork climbed to 17.7 kg per capita. “Chicken consumption has grown and that’s driven by price,” said butcher Daniel Lopez on the outskirts of Buenos Aires, explaining that the cheapest price for a kg of minced beef was 5,000-6,000 pesos ($5-$6) versus half that for chicken. “That’s the difference and today people are taking great care of their wallets,” Lopez said. “Salaries remain flat, inflation is still being felt, so people always ask about offers and we end up offering them chicken, which is the best budget option.” Argentines have an almost religious fervor about beef, usually the centerpiece of traditional asado barbecues with family in the garden, in street-corner parrilla chophouses, or even makeshift grills on construction sites or roadsides. Argentina is South America’s second-biggest beef and chicken producer after Brazil, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Beef is such an important staple that prices and affordability can become politically sensitive, which could put pressure on Milei as he looks to deepen his reforms this year. Growth is showing signs of returning and inflation has dropped sharply, gaining him plaudits and breathing space with voters. Miguel Schiariti, head of Argentina’s CICCRA meat industry chamber, said raising cattle was more costly than pork or chicken per kg of meat, which meant the sticker price of beef had to rise. “Today for the average price of a kilo of beef you can buy three kilos of chicken, or almost two kilos of pork,” he said. He added that as the economy picked up this year, prices could keep rising, though farmers may also start to produce more. ($1 = 1,047 Argentine pesos) (Reporting by Horacio Soria and Juan Bustamante; Writing by Adam Jourdan; Editing by Rod Nickel) Source link #Chicken #rules #roost #pinched #Argentines #eat #pricey #beef Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
  6. Pelican Press
    Goldman Sachs upgrades Twilio, sees more than 35% upside ahead Goldman Sachs upgrades Twilio, sees more than 35% upside ahead Even after a 20% surge on Friday, Goldman Sachs thinks Twilio shares have further room to run. The firm raised its rating on shares to buy from neutral. In addition, analyst Kash Rangan increased his price target to $185 per share from $77, indicating shares could climb an additional 35.8% from Friday’s close. TWLO YTD mountain Twilio shares in 2025 The cloud communications stock recorded its biggest jump since 2020 to close out last week. This came a day after the company raised its forward guidance at its analyst day. Twilio committed to cost cutting measures and bringing in $3 billion in free cash flow over the next three years, compared with around $692 million in free cash flow during 2022, 2023 and 2024. “Following multiple years of growth compression and several strategic actions, we believe Twilio is now hitting an inflection point both in terms of narrative and fundamentals,” Rangan wrote in a research note on Sunday. Even with the stock’s recent outperformance, potential upside to revenue growth forecasts, as well as a clearer strategy outlook and generative AI innovations leave more room for the stock to climb higher, according to the analyst. “Twilio’s turnaround story is firmly underway with potential for solid upside to Revenue/FCF in CY25 at what we view to be a still compelling entry point,” Rangan added. Shares have gained 26% in January, and have rallied 89.5% over the past 12 months. Analysts are somewhat split on the stock. According to LSEG, 18 of the 31 who cover Twilio rate it a buy or strong buy, while the remaining 13 have a hold or underperform rating. Baird last week upgraded the stock as well, assigning it an outperform rating and calling for around 40% upside . Source link #Goldman #Sachs #upgrades #Twilio #sees #upside #ahead Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
  7. Pelican Press
    Xiaomi 15 Series or Redmi 14 5G Tipped to Launch in India Soon Xiaomi 15 Series or Redmi 14 5G Tipped to Launch in India Soon Xiaomi 15 was launched in China in October 2024 alongside the Xiaomi 15 Pro. These handsets are expected to be joined by the Xiaomi 15 Ultra variant soon. A tipster claims that the company could introduce the Xiaomi 15 series in India soon. The tipster also noted that Xiaomi could even bring the mid-range Redmi 14 5G to the country. This is expected to succeed the Redmi 13 5G, which was launched in India in July 2024. Xiaomi 15 Series or Redmi 14 5G India Launch According to an X post by tipster Abhishek Yadav (@yabhishekhd), Xiaomi could launch the Xiaomi 15 series or the purported Redmi 14 5G handset in India in February. He did not clarify if the Xiaomi 15 series in the country will include the top-of-the-line, yet-to-be-released Ultra version. The post did not share any details about the Redmi 14 5G option either. In November 2024, the base Xiaomi 15 with model number 24129PN74I was spotted on the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification website suggesting an imminent India launch of the handset. The phone could be joined in the country by either or both of the Pro and Ultra variants. Notably, the preceding Xiaomi 14 and the Xiaomi 14 Ultra were introduced in India in March 2024, while the Redmi 13 5G was unveiled in the country in July of that year. If the leaked timeline for either the Xiaomi 15 lineup or the Redmi 14 5G is true, we can expect to see official teasers soon. The Indian versions of the Xiaomi 15 lineup will likely be similar to their ******** counterparts. The Xiaomi 15 series is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset and runs on Android 15-based HyperOS 2. The base and Pro variants sport Leica-tuned triple rear camera units led by 50-megapixel main sensors. They are claimed to meet an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. Source link #Xiaomi #Series #Redmi #Tipped #Launch #India Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
  8. Pelican Press
    Fuji Media, rocked by ******* misconduct allegations, says executives to resign – Reuters Fuji Media, rocked by ******* misconduct allegations, says executives to resign – Reuters Fuji Media, rocked by ******* misconduct allegations, says executives to resign ReutersJapan’s Fuji TV: Top executives resign after Masahiro Nakai sex scandal BBC.comMeToo Outrage Leaves Japanese Broadcaster Without a Single Advertiser The New York TimesJ-Pop Idol Retires From TV Job After Fuji Media Harassment Probe BloombergJapanese TV’s sex assault scandal: how it unfolded The Times of India Source link #Fuji #Media #rocked #******* #misconduct #allegations #executives #resign #Reuters Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
  9. Pelican Press
    Goldman Sachs upgrades Twilio, sees more than 35% upside ahead Goldman Sachs upgrades Twilio, sees more than 35% upside ahead Even after a 20% surge on Friday, Goldman Sachs thinks Twilio shares have further room to run. The firm raised its rating on shares to buy from neutral. In addition, analyst Kash Rangan increased his price target to $185 per share from $77, indicating shares could climb an additional 35.8% from Friday’s close. TWLO YTD mountain Twilio shares in 2025 The cloud communications stock recorded its biggest jump since 2020 to close out last week. This came a day after the company raised its forward guidance at its analyst day. Twilio committed to cost cutting measures and bringing in $3 billion in free cash flow over the next three years, compared with around $692 million in free cash flow during 2022, 2023 and 2024. “Following multiple years of growth compression and several strategic actions, we believe Twilio is now hitting an inflection point both in terms of narrative and fundamentals,” Rangan wrote in a research note on Sunday. Even with the stock’s recent outperformance, potential upside to revenue growth forecasts, as well as a clearer strategy outlook and generative AI innovations leave more room for the stock to climb higher, according to the analyst. “Twilio’s turnaround story is firmly underway with potential for solid upside to Revenue/FCF in CY25 at what we view to be a still compelling entry point,” Rangan added. Shares have gained 26% in January, and have rallied 89.5% over the past 12 months. Analysts are somewhat split on the stock. According to LSEG, 18 of the 31 who cover Twilio rate it a buy or strong buy, while the remaining 13 have a hold or underperform rating. Baird last week upgraded the stock as well, assigning it an outperform rating and calling for around 40% upside . Source link #Goldman #Sachs #upgrades #Twilio #sees #upside #ahead Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
  10. Pelican Press
    Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Breaks Franchise’s Single-Player Record on Steam Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Breaks Franchise’s Single-Player Record on Steam Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth now has the highest all-time player peak on Steam compared to all single-player games from the series. Spotted by Eurogamer, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth has amassed over 40,000 players on Steam, according to SteamDB. This record is more than double the prequel, as Final Fantasy 7 Remake still sits at a peak of around 14,000. Final Fantasy 16 also lags behind, with the game’s peak ending at over 27,000 players. The only game with a higher player count is Final Fantasy 14, sitting at 95,000 players. The reviews for Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth on Steam have also been favourable. Out of all the reviews, 77.4% are positive, and 22.6% are negative; overall, reviews for the PC port have been ‘mostly positive’. Surprisingly, even though Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is the second game of the FF VII remake trilogy, it has still managed to pull in more concurrent players than the previous instalment. The sequel follows the journey of Cloud, Tifa, and the gang as they start exploring the planet on Chocobos after escaping from Midgar. They are chasing the fallen hero, Sephiroth; however, he will not make the journey easy for them. In other news, developers have already finished writing the story for Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3. Additionally, Part 3 will not be exclusive to PlayStation 6. What are your thoughts on Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth breaking the franchise’s single-player record on Steam? Let us know in the comments below or our community forum! For more information from Insider Gaming, read about Marvel’s Wolverine developers refusing to confirm or deny the 2025 release window. Don’t forget to sign up for our weekly. SUBSCRIBE to our newsletter to receive the latest news and exclusive leaks every week! No Spam. Source link #Final #Fantasy #Rebirth #Breaks #Franchises #SinglePlayer #Record #Steam Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
  11. Pelican Press
    Xiaomi 15 Series or Redmi 14 5G Tipped to Launch in India Soon Xiaomi 15 Series or Redmi 14 5G Tipped to Launch in India Soon Xiaomi 15 was launched in China in October 2024 alongside the Xiaomi 15 Pro. These handsets are expected to be joined by the Xiaomi 15 Ultra variant soon. A tipster claims that the company could introduce the Xiaomi 15 series in India soon. The tipster also noted that Xiaomi could even bring the mid-range Redmi 14 5G to the country. This is expected to succeed the Redmi 13 5G, which was launched in India in July 2024. Xiaomi 15 Series or Redmi 14 5G India Launch According to an X post by tipster Abhishek Yadav (@yabhishekhd), Xiaomi could launch the Xiaomi 15 series or the purported Redmi 14 5G handset in India in February. He did not clarify if the Xiaomi 15 series in the country will include the top-of-the-line, yet-to-be-released Ultra version. The post did not share any details about the Redmi 14 5G option either. In November 2024, the base Xiaomi 15 with model number 24129PN74I was spotted on the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification website suggesting an imminent India launch of the handset. The phone could be joined in the country by either or both of the Pro and Ultra variants. Notably, the preceding Xiaomi 14 and the Xiaomi 14 Ultra were introduced in India in March 2024, while the Redmi 13 5G was unveiled in the country in July of that year. If the leaked timeline for either the Xiaomi 15 lineup or the Redmi 14 5G is true, we can expect to see official teasers soon. The Indian versions of the Xiaomi 15 lineup will likely be similar to their ******** counterparts. The Xiaomi 15 series is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset and runs on Android 15-based HyperOS 2. The base and Pro variants sport Leica-tuned triple rear camera units led by 50-megapixel main sensors. They are claimed to meet an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. Source link #Xiaomi #Series #Redmi #Tipped #Launch #India Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
  12. Pelican Press
    Study Reveals Earth’s Small Asteroid Likely Originated from the Moon Study Reveals Earth’s Small Asteroid Likely Originated from the Moon A small near-Earth asteroid, 2024 PT5, has sparked interest among scientists due to its potential lunar origins. Discovered in August 2024, the object remained near Earth for several months before resuming its orbit around the Sun. Measuring approximately 10 meters in width, the asteroid is believed to have been ejected from the Moon thousands of years ago, following a significant impact. Observations have shown that the object does not pose a threat to Earth, but its unusual composition has drawn attention from researchers. Findings from the Astrophysical Journal Letters According to a study published in Astrophysical Journal Letters, 2024 PT5’s surface reflects sunlight in a manner consistent with lunar rock rather than typical asteroid material. As per an official press release by NASA, Teddy Kareta, an astronomer at Lowell Observatory and the study’s lead author, stated that the asteroid’s silicate-rich composition aligns closely with Moon samples collected during past missions. Kareta also noted a lack of space weathering on the asteroid, suggesting its presence in space for only a few thousand years. Analysing Motion and Origin NASA’s Center for Near Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) ruled out the possibility of 2024 PT5 being human-made space debris by analysing its movement. Oscar Fuentes-Muñoz, a NASA postdoctoral fellow at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, told media outlets that solar radiation pressure, which significantly affects lightweight debris, did not alter the asteroid’s trajectory in a similar manner. This evidence strongly supports its classification as a dense, natural object rather than artificial debris. Implications for Lunar and Asteroid Studies The discovery has doubled the number of known lunar-origin asteroids, joining 469219 Kamo’oalewa, identified in 2016. Researchers are optimistic about identifying more lunar fragments as telescopic technology advances. Linking such objects to specific lunar craters could offer valuable insights into the Moon’s cratering processes and subsurface composition, potentially enhancing future lunar exploration efforts. Source link #Study #Reveals #Earths #Small #Asteroid #Originated #Moon Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
  13. Pelican Press
    Parents have saved more than $2700 through childcare subsidies, new figures show Parents have saved more than $2700 through childcare subsidies, new figures show *********** parents have saved more than $2700 since new childcare subsidies came into effect just over a year ago, with Anthony Albanese saying Labor’s raft of childcare policies were creating the “building blocks for a universal childcare system”. Households with joint incomes of up $533,280 have been eligible for a discount, with families on a combined income of up to $83,280 receiving maximum subsidy rates of 90 per cent. The subsidy decreases by 1 per cent for every $5000 worth of income above $83,280. New figures from the Department of Education, to be released on Tuesday, show that since September 2023, a household with a joint income of $120,000 who pays the average quarterly fee for 30 hours childcare per week (about $411) has saved about $2768. Camera IconPrime Minister Anthony Albanese reiterated his goal for universal childcare. Dan Peled/ NewsWire Credit: News Corp Australia Childcare will be one of Anthony Albanese’s cornerstone policies in his bid for a second term of government. To date the government has promised a guarantee of three days of subsidised childcare for families with a combined income of less than $530,000, plus a $1bn fund to build or expand more than 160 centres, with centres located next to schools to be prioritised. The Prime Minister said Labor’s policies were creating the “building blocks for a universal childcare system” while giving families “immediate cost of living relief”. He said investment in early childhood education was another way Labor was “building Australia’s future,” riffing on Labor’s election tagline. “It’s about investing in people, especially our children and their future opportunities,” he said. The Coalition’s spokeswoman for early childhood education ****** Bell has criticised the rollout of the government’s pay increase to early childhood education and care workers, saying only 15 per cent of eligible workers have received the 10 per cent increase. Employees will then get another 5 per cent pay from December this year, taking the total to 15 per cent. Camera IconEarly Childhood Education Minister Anne Aly called on eligible centres to apply for government backed wage increase for workers. NewsWire / Martin Ollman Credit: News Corp Australia While about 51 per cent of eligible services have applied for the funding to boost wages, which require centres to limit fee increases to parents and guardians, Ms Bell said the government had broken their promise to give workers a boost by the end of 2024. “The reality … is that 85 per cent of those workers have missed out on that pay rise,” she said. “So it’s only 15 per cent of the sector who have received that promise, when Jason Clare stood up and said late last year that it’s payday for 200,000 workers, and frankly, they’re still waiting for that promise to materialise.” Recent figures from Jobs and Skills Australia also found online job ads for childcare workers had decreased by 2.5 per cent (about 5400) in December 2024, correlating with the start of Labor’s wage policy. The sector’s largest employer Goodstart also reported completed job applications have increased 35 per cent year-on-year, with expressions of interest up 50 to 60 per cent. Education Minister Jason Clare said childcare costs have been cut for more than a million families, and said the government was focused on “fixing the pay of some of the most important workers in this country”. “This shows our 15 per cent pay rise for early educators is working. Applications are up and job vacancies are down,” he said. Early Childhood Education Minister Anne Aly urged all eligible centres to sign up to the “important initiative, so their hardworking staff get the full benefit of this wage increase”. Source link #Parents #saved #childcare #subsidies #figures #show Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
  14. Pelican Press
    A Vibe Shift at Davos A Vibe Shift at Davos Dara Khosrowshahi, Uber’s C.E.O., will soon be making his way to Washington, where the company is planning to host its first-ever inauguration party on Sunday, along with X and The Free Press. Days later, Khosrowshahi is expected to travel to Davos, Switzerland, for the 54th World Economic Forum — an event that has, in recent years, been a platform for making exactly the kinds of corporate promises that Trump has railed against, including commitments to E.S.G., D.E.I. and globalism. Khosrowshahi’s itinerary symbolizes a stark shift in corporate America. While many C.E.O.s once distanced themselves from Trump, they are now embracing him. And after years of trumpeting a softer form of capitalism, they are once again zeroing in on the bottom line. “All other issues have given way to no-nonsense conversations on geopolitics, the economy and how to contend with a rapidly changing world,” Alexander Geiser, the chief executive of the advisory firm FGS Global, told DealBook. Despite the overlap with Inauguration Day, Davos is expecting a familiar crew. DealBook hears David Solomon of Goldman is arriving on Wednesday, after attending inauguration events in D.C. over the weekend. Stephen Schwarzman of Blackstone will leave for Davos on Monday after an inauguration event on Sunday. The Coca-Cola C.E.O. James Quincy will be at Davos, too, fresh off gifting Trump a personalized Diet Coke at Mar-a-Lago. But while the crowd is the same, the conversation has changed. Here’s how. E.S.G.: Davos has become a choice venue for splashy climate announcements. In 2020, Marc Benioff of Salesforce rolled out a goal to plant one trillion trees. The same year, Larry Fink of BlackRock headed to Davos shortly after announcing a series of climate-focused initiatives. Fink has since expressed regret over becoming the face of E.S.G. — and a target of the backlash that followed. While some executives may continue to focus on sustainability, expect very few — if any — to mention E.S.G. by name. The same goes for “D.E.I.,” which executives have all but scrubbed from their digital and physical presence. There are some exceptions: Pinterest is hosting a panel on using artificial intelligence for “inclusion and belonging,” and the consulting firm Oliver Wyman is presenting its research on the importance of the representation of women in business and government. Tariffs: While Davos has long broadcast the benefits of a globalized world, executives will be focused on the impact of an increasingly fractured one. What will Trump’s “America First” agenda mean for global trade agreements, including NATO? Will Trump make his tariffs targeted? And could his administration grant some companies exceptions? Trump’s pick for commerce chief, Howard Lutnick, who typically attends Davos, will not be on hand, a spokeswoman said. Lutnick’s confirmation was expected this week, but has since been held up because of paperwork. The growing power of technology: Artificial intelligence has been a theme for years. But the race for dominance appears to be at peak viciousness, adding urgency to questions about how to regulate an industry that could reshape the global economy. Expect ample debates over social media moderation and the future of TikTok after the Supreme Court on Friday backed a law forcing the app’s owner, ByteDance, to sell it to a non-******** owner or face a ban in the United States. Frank McCourt, the billionaire trying to buy TikTok, will be in Davos. As will Bill Ford, the General Atlantic chief executive who sits on the board of ByteDance. Most C.E.O.s of global tech companies, many of whom will be onstage at Trump’s inauguration, are skipping Davos, as they do most years. Among those chief executives who are expected at the inauguration, is Rene Haas, Arm’s C.E.O. But Microsoft’s chief, Satya Nadella, will be in Switzerland. War and peace: With a fragile cease-fire in the Middle East, all eyes are on whether Trump can sufficiently stabilize the region. While Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelensky, has been a visible presence at Davos, rallying Ukraine’s cause, the big question this time around will be whether Trump can push for an end to the Russian invasion. How long will Davos keep up the pretense? The event has always tried to position itself as an exercise for bettering the world, but there have always been two Davos agendas. There’s the nominal agenda put out by the World Economic Forum, and there’s what executives are saying on the sidelines. Now that the political rhetoric stands in stark contrast to many of the traditional messages of Davos, there’s a big question looming over the event itself: Will it more openly embrace the role it has effectively been playing for years now, as a C.E.O. conference? — Lauren Hirsch and Andrew Ross Sorkin IN CASE YOU MISSED IT The Supreme Court backed a law requiring TikTok to sell or face a ban as soon as Sunday. App store operators like Apple and Google face significant penalties imposed by the law if they continue to distribute and update the app. President-elect Trump has explored the possibility of an executive order that could allow TikTok to keep operating despite the pending ban, but it is unclear what that intervention would look like. Firefighters made progress against the wildfires in Los Angeles. The fires have killed at least 27 people and damaged or destroyed about 12,000 structures. Insured losses could exceed $20 billion, according to JPMorgan. Goldman gave its C.E.O. an $80 million bonus. As Goldman’s stock soars, the payout to David Solomon to stay five more years ends speculation that the executive could be on his way out. Stocks rallied on the final trading day of the Biden presidency. In closing at nearly 6,000 yesterday, the S&P 500 climbed by roughly 56 percent over his four years in office, bolstered by robust corporate profits and investor fervor for the artificial intelligence *****. That said, the market for Treasury bonds was especially volatile during the same run, with concerns over inflation and rising fiscal deficits weighing on demand. The missing mogul Elon Musk is likely to dominate the conversations at Davos this year, having become a player in a wide range of geopolitical matters, from the fate of TikTok to the war in Ukraine. Just don’t expect him to participate in those discussions in person. Musk, who previously called the conference of global leaders “boring af,” is not registered for the event, a spokesperson for the World Economic Forum told DealBook. The tech mogul wasn’t always hostile toward Davos. In 2008, the Forum named Musk one of its “Young Global Leaders,” along with the CNN anchor Anderson Cooper and the skateboarder Tony Hawk. But things began to sour in 2022, when Musk wrote on X that he had declined an invitation to the 2023 meeting. (A Forum representative told news outlets that Musk hadn’t been invited since 2015.) Around that time, Musk said Davos gave him “the willies,” and he polled his audience on whether “the World Economic Forum should control the world.” Now Musk has a hand in many of the issues the conference will focus on, given his business interests and his ties to Trump. He has been in regular contact with Vladimir Putin of Russia since 2022, according to The Wall Street Journal. He has also joined Trump calls with leaders including Zelensky, and, according to Iranian officials, spoken with Tehran on several issues. Many think Musk could influence Trump on China. The president-elect has threatened big tariffs on ******** goods. But Musk has said he is “kind of pro-China.” Tesla makes about half of its cars in the country, and it is awaiting approval to offer its latest autonomous driving technology there. Such is ******** officials’ bond with Musk that some have reportedly considered allowing Musk to invest in or buy TikTok’s American operations. Musk commands power in other ways. His Starlink satellite internet provider is increasingly used in war zones, giving Musk a potentially unheard-of influence over global conflicts. Putin reportedly asked Musk not to activate Starlink over Taiwan as a favor to China, according to The Wall Street Journal. And then there’s X, where he influences public policy around the world — including in Britain and Germany — via his frequent posts to his more than 210 million followers. Maybe next year? “Elon Musk is welcome to Davos both this year and next,” the Forum spokesperson told DealBook. “There would be a lot of interest in the business community to hear about his new role.” The Davos agenda, by the numbers What do world leaders have at the top of their minds as they head to Davos? In a survey conducted by the World Economic Forum, armed conflict emerged as the top global risk. The 900 survey respondents included leaders across academia, business, government, international organizations and civil society. Almost a quarter said war was the crisis most likely to negatively affect global G.D.P., population or natural resources in 2025. Here were the top five responses: 1. State-based armed conflict (23 percent) 2. Extreme weather events (14 percent) 3. Geoeconomic confrontation (8 percent) 4. Misinformation and disinformation (7 percent) 5. Social polarization (6 percent) A separate survey published by the Conference Board this week asked 1,722 C-suite executives to identify two top concerns in several risk categories. Here’s what they chose: A downturn or recession (45.7 percent) beat higher labor costs (26.4 percent), inflation (25.7 percent), labor shortages (24.5 percent) and fiscal policy (18.5 percent) as the top economic risk. Tension between China, the United States and the European Union (40.6 percent) topped global political instability (39.3 percent), political uncertainty in operating regions (34.7 percent), cyberattacks (25.2 percent) and rising nationalism (16 percent) among geopolitical risk. Artificial intelligence (33.9 percent) beat demographic changes (26.1 percent), shifting consumer buying behaviors (26 percent), political polarization (25.2 percent) and declining trust in government (18.7 percent) as the top societal risk. The focus on A.I. was also reflected in a survey of 3,450 C-suite leaders that Accenture published this week, in which 86 percent of respondents said they felt prepared to increase their investment in generative A.I. Thanks for reading! We’ll see you Monday. We’d like your feedback. Please email thoughts and suggestions to *****@*****.tld. Source link #Vibe #Shift #Davos Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]
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    Winter wine and beer tasting events are coming to Watkins Glen and Corning. How to attend. Winter wine and beer tasting events are coming to Watkins Glen and Corning. How to attend. Experiencing a little cabin fever this winter? Two upcoming events happening in Corning and Watkins Glen will offer a chance to get out of the house and break the winter doldrums. First up is “Fire & Ice” at the Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel, which is offering a full weekend of events celebrating the Seneca Lake waterfront destination. The Fire & Ice event will be held 5-9 p.m. Jan. 30 to Feb. 1 at the Harbor Hotel to benefit the Schuyler Health Foundation through three nights of charity, fun and festivities. “The views of our iconic Pier House during a winter evening are spectacular,” said Nigar Hale, executive director of Watkins Glen Chamber of Commerce. “We have found that this celebration brings the local community and tourists together to enjoy the best of the winter, cocktails, hot cocoa, a hot fire, music and great food and friendship.” Fire & Ice Festival features wine tasting, food, ice for sculptures, brings funds to the Schuyler County Health Foundation and attendees to area businesses. The grounds at the Harbor Hotel will be transformed into an adult playground during Fire & Ice, featuring more than 40,000 pounds of ice carved into sculptures, martini luges, and ice bars. The indoor and outdoor event will be filled with music and dancing, culminating into a spectacular fireworks display Saturday night. For tickets to the event go to www.watkinsglenharborhotel.com/experiences/fire-ice Event supports the Schuyler County Health Foundation Kimberly Sprague, director of the Schuyler Health Foundation, said for the last three years the Harbor Hotel has donated $20,000 to the Schuyler County Health Foundation with money raised from the Fire & Ice event proceeds. “The funds support the Schuyler County Hospital and the Skilled Nursing Facility at Seneca View,” Sprague said. “Every dollar counts. It’s extremely important for the work that we’re doing here at the hospital and the skilled nursing facility.” Sprague said the money donated can purchase small equipment and help Schuyler County Hospital and the Skilled Nursing Facility at Seneca View offer better services to the community. Since 1987, the Schuyler County Health Foundation has provided funds to Schuyler Hospital and its related medical facilities, including the Seneca View Skilled Nursing Facility, through major gifts and fundraising events. Sprague said the foundation has a strong focus on community integration. “We are proud to sponsor this event as it benefits Schuyler Health Foundation – really though, it benefits the entire community,” Hale said. Shake off the winter blues at Cabin Fever 2025 Friday, Feb. 21 in Corning’s Gaffer District. Shake Off the Winter Blues at Cabin Fever Feb. 21 in Corning Shake off the winter blues at the Corning Gaffer District’s Cabin Fever event Friday, Feb. 21. Cabin Fever check-in and a shopping hour will run from 4-5 p.m., with tastings from 5-8 p.m. “I think people, by the time February comes along, they’re ready to be out and do a little enjoying of the downtown area,” said Coleen Fabrizi, president of the Corning Gaffer District. “Cabin Fever, if you happen to love wine and beer, is a perfect way to do that.” Fabrizi said she often hears about people who go into a business that hosts wine or beer tasting at Cabin Fever, and they had no idea the business was in the Gaffer District. Woodlawn Distilling serves up a drink during a past Cabin Fever event in Corning. Shake off the winter blues at Cabin Fever 2025 Friday, Feb. 21 in Corning’s Gaffer District. “It ends up being a win-win all the way around,” Fabrizi said. Tickets are digital-only and must be purchased in advance, Fabrizi said. No cash sales will be available on the day of the event. More: NY State Fair $35M revamp would include new concert venue. Here are the plans Tickets, which include complimentary tasting glass access to all locations, can be purchased at Cabin Fever 2025. This article originally appeared on The Leader: Cabin Fever, Fire & Ice winter events coming to Corning, Watkins Glen Source link #Winter #wine #beer #tasting #events #coming #Watkins #Glen #Corning #attend Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
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    A Hero’s Destiny codes (January 2025) A Hero’s Destiny codes (January 2025) Updated January 20, 2025: Checked for new codes! It’s your time to shine. Start your journey as a rank-D hero and climb the ladder. The Caped Baldy is still not S class, so use this chance to outrank the savior of the universe with A Hero’s Destiny codes. Don’t wait too long, though—they will expire. All A Hero’s Destiny codes list Active A Hero’s Destiny codes santa2024 — 2 hours of every Boost (New) rose — 2 hours of every Boost (New) refund2 — Stat Reset refund1 — Stat Reset polarstetic — Stat Reset refund4 — Stat Reset choid — 2 hours of every boost ****** — 2 hours of every boost Expired A Hero’s Destiny codes holiday2023 spring2024 cursed refund3 emp infinity AHD Related: Demonfall codes and Peroxide codes How to redeem codes in A Hero’s Destiny Redeeming codes in A Hero’s Destiny is easier than Saitama’s gym routine. Just follow our guide below: Image by PC Invasion Open A Hero’s Destiny in Roblox. Press the Settings button in the bottom-left corner. Press the OPEN button next to the Codes label in the new window. Enter a code in the pop-up text box. Hit Redeem and enjoy your freebies. Remember to come back to this article every so often to stay updated with the newest A Hero’s Destiny codes. We search for new drops and update this article every day! PC Invasion is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more about our Affiliate Policy Source link #Heros #Destiny #codes #January Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
  17. Pelican Press
    Big Banks Quit Climate Change Groups Ahead of Trump’s Term Big Banks Quit Climate Change Groups Ahead of Trump’s Term As the second presidency of Donald J. Trump begins, America’s largest banks and asset managers have abandoned one of the most overt symbols of their commitment to reaching green goals: climate action networks. In the month leading up to Mr. Trump’s inauguration on Monday, the six largest U.S. banks, including JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs, left their Net Zero Banking Alliance, while BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, quit a similar initiative. And on Friday, the Federal Reserve withdrew from a network of regulators that studied climate change risk. The exodus comes after years of growing political and legal pressure to ditch environmental, social and governance goals. The climate groups, which encouraged targets for reducing carbon emissions and financing the transition to the green economy, had drawn the ire of some Republican lawmakers. Mr. Trump has also taken aim at government efforts to pursue climate change policies. “The political environment has radically changed,” said Shivaram Rajgopal, a professor at Columbia Business School. “If you are the C.E.O. of one of these large banks, if you stay in one of these alliances, you’re just opening yourself up to litigation risk. It’s like you have a bull’s-eye on your back.” The departures follow a pattern of steps taken by business leaders to avoid collision with the Trump administration. This month, the social media giant Meta ended its fact-checking program and added an ally of Mr. Trump’s to its board. Less than four years ago, banks, asset managers and insurers clamored to show off their green credentials, joining global initiatives that sought to speed up climate action. At COP26, the United Nations climate summit in 2021, the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero was introduced to bring together firms that collectively controlled $130 trillion in assets. It became an umbrella group for net zero alliances with requirements that were not too stringent to allow as many members as possible. For some firms, particularly in Europe, the rules were too loose, which created tensions within the groups. At the same time, the backlash in the United States against initiatives that took into account a company’s environmental and social practices grew more intense. In November, BlackRock and two other large asset managers were sued by Texas and 10 other Republican-led states for “anticompetitive practices” and accused of conspiring to use the net zero groups to restrict coal production and push up electricity prices. Before their exits, some financial executives had already softened their language on climate goals, shifting the focus to energy security, which implicitly meant relying on fossil fuels for longer. But quitting these groups has been the biggest concession to calls to end so-called woke capitalism, or policies that hurt the oil and gas industry. Last year, the net zero alliance for insurers disbanded after losing about half its members, and Climate Action 100+, a group for investors, has suffered departures of prominent members. The Net Zero Banking Alliance lost the largest U.S. banks, but it still has more than 130 members, the majority of them European banks. On Friday, Canada’s four largest banks also quit the alliance. BlackRock left the Net Zero Asset Managers initiative this month because membership had “caused confusion” and led to “legal inquiries” from public officials, BlackRock executives said in a letter to clients that was seen by The New York Times. The asset manager said quitting the group would not change how it managed portfolios or developed investment products, including for clients who had sustainable and net zero carbon emission goals. JPMorgan, Bank of America, Citigroup and Goldman Sachs said in statements that they would continue to support clients toward their sustainability goals. The chief executives of Bank of America and Citigroup are also still part of the Glasgow alliance, the umbrella group, which changed its rules so that firms could stay involved without being members of target-setting groups. “This change reflects the progress delivered to date, the spread of climate regulation, and the need to mobilize more capital to developing nations,” a spokesman for Glasgow alliance said in a statement. Whether or not the banks are in these alliances is unlikely to make much meaningful difference to their pursuit of climate action, said Professor Rajgopal, which some research has supported. “It was a jamboree, it was a festival,” he said, but the behavior of banks and other business leaders never changed. The departures widen the chasm with Europe, where companies are pushed to adopt stricter climate targets and increase disclosures of climate risks. Large American banks and money managers still have to meet the demands in Europe, where they have substantial client bases. BlackRock said that its largest clients in Europe all had net zero targets. “It’s extremely disappointing to see these departures,” said James Alexander, chief executive of the U.K. Sustainable Investment and Finance Association, especially in light of the wildfires in Los Angeles and as a dangerous global warming threshold was breached. “Our hope is that they will continue to undertake this work at the pace and scale the science demands,” he said. Source link #Big #Banks #Quit #Climate #Change #Groups #Ahead #Trumps #Term Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
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    Take-Two Interactive gets an upgrade from UBS as ‘Grand Theft Auto VI’ hype builds Take-Two Interactive gets an upgrade from UBS as ‘Grand Theft Auto VI’ hype builds Take-Two Interactive Software has “a grand pipeline” ahead thanks to its upcoming release of “Grand Theft Auto VI” video game, according to UBS. Analyst Christopher Schoell upgraded the stock to buy from neutral. He also increased his price target to $230 from $170, indicating 25% upside from Friday’s close. The rising demand for “Grand Theft Auto VI,” which is expected to be released sometime this fall, indicates outperformance and strong pricing power for the company, per Schoell. He expects “the hype to build in ’25, fueled by new announcements, trailers and gameplay,” said Schoell. “We believe this will drive sentiment, similar to the stock’s historical outperformance ahead of major releases, and build confidence in TTWO’s multi-year profit/FCF ramp.” According to a UBS survey, nearly 70% of respondents said they would reduce spending on other games in favor of “Grand Theft Auto VI.” This implies that other video game companies could shift their releases “and clear the path for GTA VI’s outperformance,” Schoell said. In addition, Take-Two’s strong portfolio of other titles will help drive profits and bookings higher over the next two years, he added. Shares are flat month to date, and have added just 10.8% over the last 12 months. TTWO 1Y mountain Take-Two Interactive Software in the last 12 months Analysts are mostly bullish on the stock. LSEG data shows that 23 of the 28 who cover the video game maker rate it a buy or strong buy. The average price target also signals upside of more than 7%. Source link #TakeTwo #Interactive #upgrade #UBS #Grand #Theft #Auto #hype #builds Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
  19. Pelican Press
    Taking Trump’s Tariffs Threats Seriously and Literally Taking Trump’s Tariffs Threats Seriously and Literally Is Trump bluffing? President Trump’s tariff threats have perplexed and rankled foreign leaders and C.E.O.s for some time now as they fear the unleashing of a ****-for-tat trade war. Investors apparently feel relieved that he has held off so far, with S&P 500 futures gaining this morning. But a growing number of analysts and business leaders fear tariffs are inevitable (more on that below). There’s one theory gaining traction: Trump sees levies not just as a negotiating tactic, but also as a way to make money. A recap of Trump’s latest threats: Canada and Mexico could face 25 percent tariffs as soon as Feb. 1, and China could be hit with a 60 percent levy — or perhaps just 10 percent. “It is tempting” to see Trump’s statements as a signal that he views tariffs as “a transactional tool,” George Saravelos, the global head of FX Research at Deutsche Bank, wrote in a research note on Tuesday. Saravelos added, “But the only explicit reference to tariffs in Trump’s inauguration address was with respect to their use as a strategic revenue tool.” That would most likely be a job for the External Revenue Service, an agency that Trump has proposed creating to collect what he said in his inaugural address would be “massive amounts of money pouring into our Treasury coming from foreign sources.” That’s despite a number of questions about the potential new organization, including how it would act differently than U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which is currently responsible for collecting tariffs, and whether Trump could even create the agency without an act of Congress. Still, analysts are taking him at his word. Trump is hunting for revenues and cost savings wherever he can find them, especially if he is to pull off extending a major tax cut that won’t dent the U.S. credit rating. Finance experts have been warning that widespread new levies would have serious consequences, including accelerating inflation and crimping economic growth. Economists at Goldman Sachs now place 70 percent odds on Trump’s slapping some kind of tariff on China, and a 25 percent probability on his enacting levies on goods from all countries. HERE’S WHAT’S HAPPENING Elon Musk’s government-spending effort changes shape. What once was described as a nongovernmental panel is now an official unit — the “United States DOGE Service” — within the president’s executive office, along with “DOGE teams” embedded within federal agencies. The DOGE task forces will still advise on potential cuts, though many things remain unclear, including how big a budget Musk’s teams will have. Goldman Sachs picks its next generation of leaders. The investment bank promoted a crop of top executives to its management committee on Tuesday, and named new leaders for its equities, fixed-income and banking divisions. It’s the biggest wave of such promotions in years, though the percentage of women on the management committee will shrink. “Squid Game” and the N.F.L. give Netflix a big boost. The streaming giant reported its biggest ever quarterly subscriber gain on Tuesday, drawing 19 million new customers and booking $10 billion in operating profit for the fourth quarter. The company also announced that it was raising prices for U.S. customers. Tariff defense plans Even among executives optimistic about the new Trump presidency, there’s one risk that worries them: tariffs. That has led to a guessing game at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, this week: Just how serious is President Trump about tariffs? American executives are already planning their own responses, DealBook’s Lauren Hirsch reports. Business leaders are setting up tariff war rooms. Companies have already lived through an inflationary ******* in which consumers began to push back on price increases, so they’re aware of the limits to further rises. While they’ve done this kind of scenario planning before, there’s more urgency now, given the potential magnitude of any tariffs and the uncertainty under which companies are now operating. For weaker companies, it’s more a question of how long they can survive a trade war. The game theory: Should they pass the higher costs on to their customers? Or do they hold off while competitors raise prices, in hopes of gaining market share? Companies are also weighing changes to their corporate structures. Some European multinationals are looking for ways to get around tariffs. For instance: Can a company with production facilities in the United States re-domicile there? Bankers tell DealBook that private European companies are increasingly talking about going public in the U.S. — not only to get a higher valuation but also to potentially sidestep tariffs. Intriguingly, ******** companies have been discussing this too, though it’s unclear if those conversations will lead to actual listings. The tech giant missing from a $100 billion A.I. initiative President Trump announced a $100 billion joint venture between OpenAI, SoftBank and Oracle to create computing infrastructure needed to power A.I. technologies. That enormous figure spotlights the global race to build a new kind of data center that can push artificial intelligence to higher heights. Today’s most powerful data centers were built at a cost of around $5 billion — but this venture makes those facilities look cheap by comparison. Another noteworthy thing about the announcement is who isn’t involved, The Times’s Cade Metz reports for DealBook: Microsoft, which has a partnership with OpenAI. The new effort, called Stargate, could eventually pump as much as $500 billion into the project. Trump can now claim some success in his efforts to accelerate the development of A.I. in the United States, as China races to catch up. Sam Altman of OpenAI, Masa Son of SoftBank and Larry Ellison of Oracle were on hand for the announcement. It’s an important move for OpenAI. To build A.I. technologies like its popular ChatGPT bot, the start-up has to buy access to huge data centers from giants like Oracle and Microsoft. OpenAI struck an agreement in 2019 to purchase this raw computing power exclusively from Microsoft, its largest investor. (The Times has sued OpenAI and Microsoft for copyright infringement, which the companies deny.) Over the past year, OpenAI has asked for more power than Microsoft could supply. So last summer, OpenAI negotiated a one-time deal for $10 billion in additional computing power from Oracle. That’s why this joint venture is significant. If Microsoft can’t provide what it needs, OpenAI can get it from the Stargate project, though Microsoft will have the right of first refusal. Given how much OpenAI is spending, Microsoft wants to stay in the mix. But ever since Altman was unexpectedly fired by OpenAI’s nonprofit board in late 2023, the relationship between the two companies has been strained. In an interesting bit of timing, just hours after The Times and other outlets reported on the joint venture, Microsoft announced separately that it would continue to provide computing power to OpenAI, even after the Stargate data centers are up and running. For the first time, the tech giant revealed that its agreement with OpenAI runs through 2030. Postcard from Greenland, investor edition Even before President Trump announced his renewed interest in striking a deal for Greenland, Beijing had been circling, as have Western businesses and entrepreneurs including Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates. Rare-earth resources, tourism and even water exports are in play in Greenland, a vast territory that is part of Denmark, Vivienne Walt writes for DealBook. Denmark has dismissed all talk of selling. Trump has not ruled out military force to annex the territory, leaving the fate of its 57,000 inhabitants as one of the big geopolitical puzzles in the new Trump era. Mute Egede, Greenland’s prime minister, said on Tuesday that he wanted to meet with Trump to “calmly” talk. Here’s what’s happening on the ground: The island is rich in minerals needed to make batteries for smartphones and electric vehicles. China dominates the global supply chain in those resources and announced last week that it had found a giant new mineral source. Critical Metals, a New York-based mine developer, has announced an all-stock bid to acquire a rare-earth mine near Greenland’s capital, Nuuk, that is operated by Tanbreez of Australia. The U.S. company calls the mine a “game-changing” asset. The Biden administration had urged Tanbreez to rebuff offers from ******** bidders because the mine’s gallium has potential military applications. Bezos and Gates are investors in KoBold Metals, a company that is using A.I. to hunt for rare earths on Greenland’s western coast. Greg Barnes, Tanbreez’s chief geologist and managing director, told DealBook that Greenland “should be producing tens of millions of dollars’ worth of mining products, but it’s not.” One reason, he added, “is the perception that Greenland is full of igloos and polar bears.” That perception could soon change. In June, United Airlines is set to begin direct flights from Newark. It will be Greenland’s first direct connection to the U.S., potentially bringing in more investors. “The greatest barrier to economic development has been Greenland’s lack of connectivity with the world,” Dwayne Menezes, director of the Polar Research and Policy Initiative, a London-based think tank, told DealBook. Another business opportunity: Greenland’s ice sheet holds about 20 percent of the world’s supply of fresh water. Menezes’s organization, for one, is exploring ways to export iceberg chunks and ship them to parched parts of the world. “We talked initially about India and Africa,” Menezes said. “But look at California and what has happened there.” Greenlandic, the island’s language, was added to Google Translate last year, thanks to A.I. But there’s a catch: “The curse words are really badly translated, so if you are trying to curse in Greenland, you are out of luck,” Barnes said. THE SPEED READ Deals Politics and policy Best of the rest Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase are reportedly the next target of conservative activists opposed to corporate D.E.I. programs. (WSJ) Meta is said to be working on a wider range of smart glasses — including an Oakley iteration — and other devices to expand its range of artificial intelligence products. (Bloomberg) We’d like your feedback! Please email thoughts and suggestions to *****@*****.tld. Source link #Trumps #Tariffs #Threats #Literally Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]
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    In China, Government Data on Drugs Blocked From Public After Backlash In China, Government Data on Drugs Blocked From Public After Backlash When a group of prominent ******** doctors publicly raised worries last week about the quality of domestic drugs, China’s government sent officials to investigate. But now data about the drugs that appeared on a government website as recently as Friday is no longer publicly available. A social media post from a doctor who scrutinized the data has been taken down. The criticism in China over how the government buys drugs for its public health care system, which most people use, has ignited frustration over the most basic of concerns: the effectiveness of medicine. Two separate groups of medical experts and political advisers in Shanghai and Beijing are sounding the alarm over the country’s centralized drug procurement system and the drugs on a list of medications for public hospitals. The drugs at issue are almost entirely generic versions of drugs that had been largely imported in the past. Among the products doctors are questioning include anesthesia they said often fails to put patients to sleep and stroke medication that has failed to prevent strokes. Even some of the most basic drugs, like laxatives, seem to be ineffective, the doctors have said. The scrutiny is focusing attention on a campaign by Beijing to reduce costs in its national public health care system, which is coming under increasing financial pressures as the population ages. The centralized drug system, known as volume-based procurement, has saved the government tens of billions of dollars. But the cost cutting could now come at the expense of drug effectiveness, said Zheng Minhua, the director of surgery at Ruijin Hospital. Mr. Zheng was one of more than 20 doctors who proposed that the government allow patients access to brand-name drugs even if they are not on the government list. Another doctor and political adviser in Beijing submitted his own proposal last week calling for similar changes. On ******** social media, doctors and patients shared their frustrations about domestic drugs and complained about how difficult it was to get the original versions. Amid the outcry last week, some experts began to dig into public data showing how the generic drugs stacked up against their originals. One doctor and former editor at a popular online health platform, Xia Zhimin, noticed that the data provided by different drugmakers was so similar they had to be fraudulent. The National Medical Products Administration, which approves generic drugs and published the data, acknowledged the similarities and said they were caused by “editing errors” related to specific years of publication. But that did little to assuage concerns and instead elicited criticism on ******** social media that a simple apology was not enough. Then the agency removed the data from its platform and China’s internet censors scrubbed Dr. Xia’s analysis of the data from his WeChat account. Over the weekend, an article in the state-owned China News Weekly quoted experts calling on the agency to make more data available rather than less. It also raised questions on over whether the staff at the agency might have known the data was plagiarized by did not speak up. “A good pharmaceutical quality control system requires adequate information disclosure and transparency,” the article said. Source link #China #Government #Data #Drugs #Blocked #Public #Backlash Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
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    Zombie Defense codes (January 2025) Zombie Defense codes (January 2025) Updated January 3, 2025: Searched for new codes! The brain-eating army is on its way to your base, and it’s up to you to meet them head-on and repel the attack. Luckily, you have plenty of Zombie Defense codes at your disposal, allowing you to prepare for the assault and destroy the zombies once and for all. All Zombie Defense codes list Zombie Defense codes (Active) Thanksgiving! — 1k Gold and 300 EXP (New) 10,000,000MillionGamesPlayed! — 20 Pumpkins, 2k Gold, and 500 EXP Halloween2024 — Pumpkins Celebration! — Rewards (works on new/private servers only) Verifiedgroup! — Rewards (works on new/private servers only) Explosion — 1 **** and 1 Land Mine Zombie Castle — 1 Cannon Health, 1 Castle Gate Health, and Rotate Cannon NewCodeYay — 500 Gold and Basic Turret Minderfreak’s electricity — 1 Button Health, 1 Lever Health, 1 Tread Plate Health, and 1 Light Bulb Health Any free XP? — 1,000 EXP Free coins!? — 250 Gold NewYear — 550 Gold NextLevel — 100 EXP Easter2024 — 250 Cash and Easter Basket I am hungry — Food Tray and Food Basket Western — Barrel I want money — 25 Cash Cheap things — 10 Cash, Wood Block, 20 EXP, and Chair Bunker kit — Metal Block, 100 EXP, Metal Door, and Metal Half House kit — Wood Block, 100 EXP, Wooden Door, and Brick Block WeApologize — 1k Cash and Super Turret 10Million — 10M Statue, 250 Cash, and Super Turret Summer2023 — 150 Cash, Palm Tree, and Lounger Weapons tester — ****** Cave — Stone Block Zombie Defense codes (Expired) Halloween2023 Christmas2023 Halloween 100K Related: Ultimate Tower Defense codes and Backroom Tower Defense codes How to redeem codes in Zombie Defense Check out how to redeem Zombie Defense codes in the guide below: Image by PC Invasion Run Zombie Defense in Roblox. Click on the Shop button (1) on the right to open the code redemption text box. Type an active code into the Enter code text box (2). Click on Redeem (3) and claim the rewards. Keep up with the latest Zombie Defense codes right here. Bookmark this page to get all the new codes as soon as they’re available. PC Invasion is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more about our Affiliate Policy Source link #Zombie #Defense #codes #January Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
  22. Pelican Press
    Trump Signs Executive Order in Attempt to Delay TikTok Ban Trump Signs Executive Order in Attempt to Delay TikTok Ban President Trump signed an executive order on Monday to delay enforcing a federal ban of TikTok for 75 days, even though the law took effect on Sunday and it is unclear that such a move could override it. The order, one of Mr. Trump’s first acts after taking office, instructs the attorney general not to take any action to enforce the law so that his administration has “an opportunity to determine the appropriate course forward.” The order is retroactive to Sunday. As he signed the order, Mr. Trump told reporters that “the U.S. should be entitled to get half of TikTok” if a deal for the app is reached, without going into detail. He said he thought TikTok could be worth a trillion dollars. The order could immediately face legal challenges, including over whether a president has the power to halt enforcement of a federal law. Companies subject to the law, which forbids providing services to ********-owned TikTok, may determine that the order does not provide a shield from legal liability. The federal law banning TikTok, which is owned by ByteDance, mandated that the app needed to be sold to a non-******** owner or it would be blocked. The only workaround provided by the law is a 90-day extension if a likely buyer is found. Even then, it is unclear if that option is viable, given that the law is already in effect. The law also restricts how much of a TikTok stake can remain under foreign ownership. By seeking to override the federal law, Mr. Trump raised serious questions about the limits of presidential power and the rule of law in the United States. Some lawmakers and legal experts have expressed concerns about the legality of an executive order, particularly in the wake of a Supreme Court ruling that upheld the law on Friday and the national security concerns that prompted legislators to draft it in the first place. Former President Joseph R. Biden Jr. had signed the law, which passed overwhelmingly in Congress last year, forcing ByteDance to sell TikTok or face a ban. TikTok had faced security concerns that the ******** government could use it to spread propaganda or collect U.S. user data. The law levies financial penalties on app stores and cloud computing providers unless they stop working with the app. TikTok briefly went dark for U.S. users over the weekend, but returned Sunday following Mr. Trump’s social media announcement that he was planning an executive order. While the app was working again for people who have already downloaded it, it vanished from Google’s and Apple’s app stores on Saturday and remained unavailable on Monday. Mr. Trump’s efforts to keep TikTok online have major implications for its users. The app has reshaped the social media landscape, defined popular culture and created a living for millions of influencers and small businesses that rely on the platform. In the executive order, Mr. Trump said that his constitutional responsibilities include national security. It says he wants to consult with advisers to review the concerns posed by TikTok and the mitigation measures the company has taken already. The administration will “pursue a resolution that protects national security while saving a platform used by 170 million Americans,” according to the order, which called the law’s timing “unfortunate.” The attorney general will send letters to companies covered by the law to tell them “that there has been no violation of the statute” and they won’t be held liable for providing services to TikTok during the 75 days, the order said. That might not be enough reassurance, some legal experts said. “I don’t think it’s consistent with faithful execution of the law to direct the attorney general not to enforce it for a determinate *******,” said Zachary Price, a professor at the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco. “And even if that’s OK, the president doesn’t have the authority to eliminate the law itself and remove liability for the people who violate it while it’s not being enforced.” TikTok and Apple did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Google declined to comment. TikTok’s ties to China have long raised national security concerns, including with Mr. Trump. Near the end of his first term in 2020, Mr. Trump issued an executive order that would bar app stores from making TikTok available for download. He then pushed for an American company to buy the app, but those efforts fizzled when he lost re-election. Last year, the effort was revived by Congress and Mr. Biden signed it into law in April. The law targeted app stores, like those run by Apple and Google, and cloud computing companies. It said those companies could not distribute or host TikTok unless the app was sold to a non-******** owner by Jan. 19. Mr. Trump then reversed positions. He joined the app in June and said on television in March that there are young people who would go “crazy” without TikTok. “I guess I have a warm spot for TikTok that I didn’t have originally,” Mr. Trump said as he signed executive orders Monday evening. TikTok challenged the law in federal court, saying it impeded its users’ rights to freedom of speech as well as the company’s own First Amendment rights. The Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit upheld the law in December. TikTok appealed to the Supreme Court, which on Friday also upheld the law. TikTok and some Democrats made a last-ditch effort to stop the law from taking effect. But on Saturday, TikTok stopped operating in the United States and disappeared from Apple’s and Google’s app stores a few hours before midnight. Users grieved its disappearance. On Sunday morning, Mr. Trump announced on Truth Social that he would “issue an executive order on Monday to extend the ******* of time before the law’s prohibitions take effect, so that we can make a deal to protect our national security.” He said he would not punish companies that had violated the law to keep the app online. Hours later TikTok restored its service to U.S. users and welcomed them back with a message: “As a result of President Trump’s efforts, TikTok is back in the U.S.!” As he signed executive orders in the Oval Office, Mr. Trump was asked why he had changed his mind about the app. “Because I got to use it,” he said. Sapna Maheshwari, Tripp Mickle and Nico Grant contributed reporting. Source link #Trump #Signs #Executive #Order #Attempt #Delay #TikTok #Ban Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]
  23. Pelican Press
    Instagram and Facebook Blocked and Hid Abortion Pill Providers’ Posts Instagram and Facebook Blocked and Hid Abortion Pill Providers’ Posts Instagram and Facebook have recently blurred, blocked or removed posts from two abortion pill providers. Instagram also suspended the accounts of several abortion pill providers and hid the providers from appearing in search and recommendations. The actions ramped up in the last two weeks, and were especially noticeable in the last two days, abortion pill providers said. Content from their accounts — or in some cases, their entire accounts — were no longer visible on Instagram. Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, confirmed some account suspensions and the blurring of posts. The company restored some of the accounts and posts on Thursday, after The New York Times asked about the actions. Meta has been under scrutiny since Mark Zuckerberg, its chief executive, announced sweeping changes to the company’s speech policies earlier this month. Mr. Zuckerberg vowed to loosen restrictions on online speech, causing concerns among misinformation researchers and others that the shifts could cause a spike in hate speech and have other harmful effects. Meta said the moderation of abortion-focused accounts was not related to the change in speech policies. But the timing of the incidents raised questions about whether the company was really loosening speech restrictions, and was another example of its challenges in content enforcement. A Meta spokesman attributed some of the recent incidents involving abortion pill-related posts and accounts to rules that prohibit the ***** of pharmaceutical drugs on its platforms without proper certification. The company also described some of the incidents as “over-enforcement.” Meta, which has previously suppressed posts from abortion providers, has said that it was making changes to its speech policies partly to reduce the number of posts that were erroneously taken down. “We’ve been quite clear in recent weeks that we want to allow more speech and reduce enforcement mistakes,” Meta said in a statement. Lisa Femia, a staff attorney at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, said that since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, “there’s been a massive uptick in social media platforms removing content related to reproductive health care and specifically abortion pills. This is an ongoing, increasing problem and a real threat to people receiving vital information and guidance about health care online.” Aid Access, one of the largest abortion pill providers in the United States, said some posts were removed on its Facebook account and blurred out on its Instagram account since November, with more posts blurred in recent days. The abortion pill service said it has been blocked from accessing its Facebook account since November, and its Instagram account was suspended last week, though it has since been restored. The Instagram accounts of other abortion pill providers, including Women Help Women and Just the Pill, were also suspended in recent days. The providers said the reason that Meta gave them for the suspensions was that their accounts did not “follow our Community Standards on guns, drugs and other restricted goods.” Both accounts were restored on Thursday. The Instagram account of Hey Jane, another abortion pill provider, was recently invisible in Instagram search, said Rebecca Davis, who leads marketing at Hey Jane. Something similar happened in 2023 until Meta reversed it, she said. “We know firsthand that this suppression actively prevents Hey Jane from reaching people who are seeking out timely health care information,” Ms. Davis said. “Given Meta’s recent promises around free speech, we’re incredibly disappointed to see how the platform is restricting our free speech.” The Food and Drug Administration permits telehealth providers to prescribe online and deliver by mail the prescription drugs that cause an abortion, mifepristone and misoprostol. Twelve states have banned abortion and more have placed gestational limits or restrictions on mail-order pills. But providers in states where abortion is legal have been mailing pills to states with bans under shield laws meant to protect them. Sheera Frenkel contributed reporting. Source link #Instagram #Facebook #Blocked #Hid #Abortion #Pill #Providers #Posts Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
  24. Pelican Press
    Nigeria’s 2Baba announces separation from Annie Idibia Nigeria’s 2Baba announces separation from Annie Idibia Popular ********* musician and performer Innocent Idibia, widely known as 2Baba or Tuface, has announced his separation from his wife, Annie Idibia. One of Nigeria’s biggest celebrity couples, Annie and Tuface got married in 2012 and had two daughters together. In a post on Instagram, the African Queen singer said they had been separated for some time and had taken steps toward a divorce. The post was later deleted but 2Baba then released a video to confirm that its contents were accurate. The singer is seen as being one of the pioneers of the ********* music scene that is now popular around the world, paving the way for musicians like Wizkid, Davido and Burna Boy. The couple had a star-studded wedding ceremony in 2013, an event which was widely followed in Nigeria even though it took place in Dubai. The star is still widely known as Tuface even though he announced in 2014 that he had changed his name to 2Baba. News of the separation has shocked fans and admirers across the continent as the couple had overcome previous problems and are one of Nigeria’s longest-lasting celebrity couples. The former Plantashun Boyz member says he plans to hold a press conference to provide more details, adding that he is committed to sharing his perspective directly with his supporters and music lovers around the globe. “I and Annie Macauley have been separated for a while now, and currently filed for divorce,” he said in the Instagram post. In a bizarre twist, the post was deleted minutes later, followed by another saying the account had been hacked. But 2Baba then went live on his Instagram account to confirm his initial post about the separation. “No-one hacked my account, I said what I said, I come in peace,” he said in the video. The couple have also cut ties on social media, unfollowing each other on their respective platforms, backing the performer’s statement about their split. In the video of his most popular song, African Queen, Annie played his love interest and it is believed that their relationship blossomed from there. Source link #Nigerias #2Baba #announces #separation #Annie #Idibia Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]
  25. Pelican Press
    Barry Sternlicht Is Bringing Back the Starwood Hotel Brand Barry Sternlicht Is Bringing Back the Starwood Hotel Brand Barry Sternlicht made a fortune building Starwood Hotels and Resorts, which birthed successful brands like W Hotels, into a giant of the travel industry. Now he wants to do it all again — under the Starwood name. Mr. Sternlicht is resurrecting the Starwood Hotels brand starting in February, nine years after the previous company was sold to Marriott in a $13 billion deal that created the biggest hotel chain in the world. His current hotel company, SH Hotels & Resorts, will take on the Starwood name. The move is a sign that Mr. Sternlicht, 64, wants to reassert himself as a force in hospitality 20 years after stepping down from Starwood. Since then, he has focused largely on Starwood Capital, the $115 billion private equity firm where he created Starwood Hotels. Hotels have remained part of part of Starwood Capital’s business, with Mr. Sternlicht buying and selling them just as he has apartment buildings and other properties. But since 2015, he said, he has wanted to have another crack at making a mark on the hotel-management industry under the Starwood name. “I’m kind of like a singer having one song,” he said in an interview. “I want to have two songs.” Reviving the Starwood name may seem like a small change in the grand scheme of things; indeed, Marriott had retired it years ago. But beyond his attachment to the name, Mr. Sternlicht believed getting it back would raise the company’s profile and help with recruiting. He took back the brand last year. It’s the latest step in Mr. Sternlicht’s campaign to build a new hotel empire. By the time Marriott acquired the Starwood of old, that company oversaw more than 1,300 properties in 100 countries, with brands including Westin, W, Sheraton and St. Regis. The newly reborn Starwood has three brands so far, with 14 hotels in five countries. It will likely be benchmarked against what Mr. Sternlicht achieved the first time around. A real estate investor by background, Mr. Sternlicht hadn’t worked in the hotel business specifically before 1994, when his Starwood Capital bought Westin from a Japanese corporation, and then began adding other chains. In 1998, Mr. Sternlicht created the W chain, whose glamorous lobbies and bars made it synonymous with sleek chic. He pored over even tiny details — the number of pillows, how porters handled guest luggage — at existing chains like Westin and Sheraton. “I’m like the style police, so people don’t drift off,” he said. And at Westin Hotels, he introduced what he called the Heavenly Bed, which quickly became a selling point for the chain. It was a gamble on upgrading travelers’ experience at the chain, though associates initially balked at the cost. “To change every bed in Westins cost $17 million,” Mr. Sternlicht said. “It was the best $17 million we ever spent.” The Heavenly Bed quickly became popular, leading to it being sold at Nordstroms — and to rivals rolling out their own fluffy snow-white mattress offerings. “He was the one who really cemented the concept of lifestyle hotels,” said Bjorn Hanson, a hospitality consultant, calling Mr. Sternlicht one of the architects of the modern hotel business. “The industry needed an outsider to say, ‘What’s important to hotel guests?’” Mr. Sternlicht stepped down as Starwood’s executive chairman in 2005, after years of often clashing with the company’s other top executives. A decade later, Marriott bought Starwood after a fierce bidding war with a ******** insurance firm. By that point, Mr. Sternlicht had gotten back into hotel operations, creating three new chains. One is the high-end Baccarat, whose Manhattan location features ornate crystal chandeliers by the French glassmaker from whom it licenses its brand. (Starwood Capital once owned that company, too.) Another is 1 Hotels, an environmentally minded lifestyle brand, with wood, stone and green foliage adorning the lobbies. A third is Treehouse, which Mr. Sternlicht described as a playful brand with vintage stylings meant to remind travelers of childhood. And he said that he has been working on at least one more brand. The new Starwood has plans to open 22 hotels in the pipeline through 2028, including 1 Hotels in Austin, Texas; on Crete and in Seattle; Treehouses in Manchester, England, and Miami; and Baccarats in Dubai, United Arab Emirates; the Maldives and Rome. All three brands are expected to open locations in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as well. (Mr. Sternlicht added that while he had no intention of selling the hotel company, he had considered selling a small portion to raise money for further international expansion.) But the hotel industry has become much more crowded since Mr. Sternlicht built the original Starwood. His innovations — in amenities and customer service, design, marketing and more — have been absorbed by competitors. Every major operator has a lifestyle brand, and scores of independent boutiques have opened. For Mr. Sternlicht, though, the work itself is part of the motivation. “This is my passion,” he said. “Designing hotels and keeping them on brand is fun.” Source link #Barry #Sternlicht #Bringing #Starwood #Hotel #Brand Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

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