Developer says scheme could support hundreds of jobs

A developer plans to build giant logistics sheds next to a motorway junction which they say would support 380 jobs.

Peel Land is working on plans for 323,000 square feet of new employment space on green land close to junction 4 of the M61, close to the border of Bolton borough with Salford.

Peel is the same developer behind the controversial Astley Business Park just a few miles away in Tyldesley, which has come under fire from nearby residents.

That 350,000 sq ft logistics site is all but complete. Opponents have criticised the huge scale and appearance of the ‘towering warehouses’.

A scoping report prior to a full planning application, has been published by Bolton council for the Junction 4 development.

If approved, the development would sit next to the Logistics North employment park, created by Harworth Group at the former Cutacre surface mine.

Logistics North is one of the largest developments of its kind in the country, having delivered more than three million sq ft of commercial space since receiving initial outline planning consent in December 2013.

Companies operating there include Aldi, Amazon, Lidl and Whistl, who between them employ around 5,500 people.

A spokesperson for Peel Land said: “Peel Land is preparing a planning application for a new employment development on land at Junction 4 of the M61, adjacent to Logistics North.

“The proposals would support up to 380 jobs across a range of roles, helping to create new employment opportunities for people in Bolton. The scheme sits adjacent to Logistics North and within the Northfold Growth Area, identified by Greater Manchester Combined Authority as a key location for employment and economic growth.

“The aim is to bring forward new jobs and support long-term investment in Bolton and Hulton.

“This proposal relates specifically to land at Junction 4 and is separate from other applications being progressed in the wider area, including those at Lee Hall and Hulton Park.”

Peel Land said that a planning application will be submitted in due course, which will then be subject to a statutory public consultation by Bolton Council.

It said a pre-application public consultation with site neighbours and local councillors has already been undertaken, with feedback being incorporated into the plans.

A spokesman added: “In the meantime, anyone who would like further information or has questions about the proposals can contact the project team at contact@junction4employment.co.uk.”

The resource mobilised would be used for the business growth of the bank.

The bonds are issued for a tenor of 10 years, with a call option after 5 years and each anniversary date thereafter, SBI said in a statement.

The issue attracted a good response from investors with bids of approximately 2 times against the base issue size of Rs 5,000 crore, it added.

The total number of bids received was 47, indicating participation from a diverse set of qualified institutional bidders, it said, adding that the investors were across provident funds, pension funds, mutual funds, banks, etc.

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SBI Chairman CS Setty said that wider participation and heterogeneity of bids demonstrated the trust investors place in the country’s largest bank.
Based on the response, the bank has decided to accept Rs 6,051 crore at a coupon rate of 7.05 per cent payable annually, it added.

Sri Lanka, facing a 30% tourist drop, joins Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Nepal in tourism decline due to Middle East flight disruptions. Nations are diversifying travel routes and focusing on domestic tourism.

Key Points

• Sri Lanka, Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Nepal are experiencing significant declines in inbound tourism, largely due to flight cancellations and disruptions stemming from the escalating Middle East crisis, particularly affecting major transit hubs like Dubai and Doha.
• Sri Lanka’s tourism dropped by approximately 30%, with over 750 flights canceled. The country is promoting alternative airports and diversifying source markets. Despite setbacks, there’s a reported 10.7% increase in tourist arrivals for 2026 compared to the previous year.
• Countries are implementing strategies to mitigate declines, focusing on domestic tourism and promoting alternative transport routes. However, ongoing geopolitical tensions continue to hinder recovery in the short term, affecting confidence in international travel.

Impact of the Middle East Crisis on Inbound Tourism

Sri Lanka, alongside Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Nepal, is experiencing a decline in inbound tourism due to the escalating crisis in the Middle East. This conflict has severely disrupted international flight schedules, particularly affecting vital transit hubs like Dubai, Doha, and Abu Dhabi. Many countries reliant on tourism are facing significant drops in arrivals as over 750 flights to Sri Lanka alone have been canceled. Major airlines such as Qatar Airways and Emirates are grappling with operational challenges, which has drastically influenced travel patterns. The ongoing situation complicates the recovery process for tourism sectors in these countries, which are heavily dependent on inbound travelers from Europe and neighboring regions.

Government Initiatives and Tourism Adaptation

In response to these challenges, Sri Lanka has reported a 30% decrease in tourist arrivals but is implementing measures such as free 14-day visa extensions for stranded tourists and promoting alternative airports to mitigate the impact. Other nations like Thailand are witnessing similar trends, with projected declines in arrivals from Middle Eastern countries ranging from 30% to 50%. Given that nearly one-third of international travelers transit through Middle Eastern hubs, the loss of this segment is significant. Countries are striving to diversify their markets and enhance their domestic tourism efforts as alternative strategies to adapt to the evolving travel landscape amid these ongoing disruptions.

Long-term Outlook for Tourism Recovery

While the situation remains fluid, countries such as Sri Lanka and Thailand are optimistic about gradually recovering by tapping into other markets like India and promoting alternative routes. Despite the immediate challenges, there is a glimmer of hope, evidenced by Sri Lanka reporting a 10.7% increase in arrivals in early 2026 relative to the previous year. However, the effects of the crisis persist, underscoring the need for a resilient tourism strategy to sustain and eventually revitalize these nations’ tourism industries. The future of global tourism heavily depends on stabilizing the geopolitical climate and restoring confidence among international travelers.

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With its global release just two days away on March 19, 2026, Pearl Abyss’ long-awaited single-player epic “Crimson Desert” has generated intense buzz through a wave of early hands-on previews, leaked impressions and technical breakdowns. The open-world action-adventure game, developed by the creators of “Black Desert Online,” promises a massive fantasy realm filled with dynamic combat, exploration and spectacle, and initial reactions suggest it largely delivers on years of trailer hype.

Set on the continent of Pywel, “Crimson Desert” follows protagonist Kliff, leader of the Greymane mercenary faction, as he navigates political intrigue, brutal battles and mythical threats. The story emphasizes epic moments over deep narrative branching, with players rebuilding their group amid a looming crisis. Pearl Abyss positions the title as a bold shift from its MMORPG roots to a focused single-player experience blending influences from “The Witcher 3,” “Dragon’s Dogma 2,” “Assassin’s Creed” and character-action games like “Devil May Cry.”

Early access for select creators and outlets has revealed a game of staggering ambition. Previewers who spent 4 to 12 hours — and in some cases up to 50 hours — describe an overwhelming yet exhilarating start. PC Gamer’s Harvey Randall called it “one of the most overwhelming, chaotic, madcap videogames I’ve ever played” after six hours, praising its unapologetic dedication to “rule of cool” with absurd high-fantasy elements like dragon riding, mech suits and sky-floating ruins in the Abyss realm.

Combat stands out as the strongest pillar. Reviewers highlight deep, expressive systems featuring full combos, enemy-learned moves and large-scale battles that feel like character-action titles in an open world. One leaked impression from Spanish creator Revenant, shared via a now-deleted podcast, described the combat as “incredible” and unprecedented in scope, predicting a Metacritic score in the 80-85 range. Verticality shines with grappling, climbing and aerial maneuvers, even without mounts.

The world of Pywel impresses with its scale and detail. Hands-on reports from IGN, PlayStation Blog and others note jaw-dropping vistas, dense environments and freedom in exploration. Activities range from oddball side quests to puzzle-solving, though some puzzles feel slow-paced. The DualSense controller enhances immersion on PS5 with adaptive triggers and haptics during fights.

Technical performance draws mixed but mostly positive notes. Digital Foundry’s recent deep dive on PS5 Pro showcased smooth, high-fidelity gameplay, though base PS5 runs around 40-45 FPS in quality mode according to leaks. PC versions appear demanding yet capable of strong results. Minor issues like complicated controls and a steep learning curve — especially in the first 8 hours — appear frequently, with a “slow burn” before systems click.

Not all feedback is glowing. Some previewers, including TheGamer’s Sam Woods after six hours, found the control scheme confusing and the “everything” approach potentially diluting mastery in any one area. It’s described as more gameplay-focused than story-driven, lacking the narrative depth of top RPGs. No handholding means a challenging entry, which may not suit everyone.

Pearl Abyss has ramped up marketing with an official launch trailer and gameplay footage emphasizing reclamation of power and beyond-limits feats. Pre-load began March 17 in many regions, with simultaneous launch across PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC (Steam, Epic, Microsoft Store) and Mac.

Fan anticipation remains sky-high despite the absence of widespread base-console footage pre-launch, likely to curb leaks. Communities on Reddit, ResetEra and NeoGAF buzz with discussions of its ambition, comparing it favorably to recent open-world hits while noting potential for post-launch polish.

As embargo lifts fully post-release, “Crimson Desert” could emerge as a defining 2026 title for action-adventure fans craving spectacle and depth. Early signs point to a polarizing yet captivating experience — chaotic, visually stunning and mechanically rich — that rewards patience and immersion.

With launch imminent, players worldwide prepare to dive into Pywel. Whether it fully lives up to the hype or requires tweaks, the journey promises to be unforgettable.

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Costco is making a bold move into fertility care. 

The membership-only retailer announced last Monday it will begin offering fertility treatments to customers at a steep discount through a new nationwide partnership with healthcare providers.

The initiative brings together telehealth provider Sesame and fertility clinic IVI RMA North America to provide a full spectrum of services, including in vitro fertilization (IVF), egg freezing and intrauterine insemination (IUI). 

Most notably, the service will slash one of the largest out-of-pocket costs in fertility care, offering savings of up to 80% on medications, including Follistim, which can cost around $2,000 per cartridge. As a result, patients could save thousands of dollars on each cycle.

COSTCO RECALLS POPULAR MEATLOAF MEAL KIT OVER SALMONELLA CONTAMINATION FEARS ACROSS 26 STATES

A Costco store in Alhambra, California, US, on Thursday, June 27, 2024.  (Eric Thayer/Bloomberg via Getty Images / Getty Images)

The company says the program is designed to break down one of the biggest barriers to care for the 1 in 6 Americans struggling with infertility, making fertility treatment more accessible than ever.

“Our partnership with Sesame and IVI RMA reflects our commitment to transparent and affordable solutions that reduce barriers, are more accessible, and more affordable for our members,” Richard Stephens, senior vice president of Pharmacy at Costco, said. “By combining transparent pricing with coordinated care, we’re removing the barriers that have historically kept quality fertility treatment out of reach for too many families.”

COSTCO SUED BY CUSTOMER SEEKING REFUNDS FOR TARIFF PAYMENTS

A nurse communicating with a patient. (Getty / Getty Images)

The program and its specially negotiated discounts are exclusively available to Costco members, who pay a membership fee for access to the store and its offers. 

The program is available nationwide and can be accessed online.  

Costco pharmacies will dispense the medications required for patients using the company’s exclusive fertility service partnerships. (Toronto Star Archives/Toronto Star via Getty Images / Getty Images)

The program combines Sesame’s direct telehealth access for treatment planning, IVI RMA North America’s specialized clinics for medical procedures, and Costco’s pharmacy to fulfill the necessary medications.

Through Sesame, patients can complete evaluations and diagnostic workups, allowing doctors to map out a personalized treatment plan.

If patients require major specialty procedures such as IVF or IUI, they are connected to IVI RMA clinics where discounts have been negotiated for Costco members.

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The IVI RMA network also provides preimplantation genetic testing of embryos (PGT-A), single embryo transfers, fertility preservation, and specialized fertility care for LGBTQ+ patients.