Pelican Press

How To Sign Up For FBC: Firebreak’s Closed Technical Test How To Sign Up For FBC: Firebreak’s Closed Technical Test Remedy has announced the next closed alpha test for FBC: Firebreak, and it’s coming up very soon. The test begins May 15, and while it’s a closed test, you can sign up for a chance to get in. To sign up, head to the FBC alpha website. Remedy said this is a “limited” test, so anyone who signs up has to cross their fingers and hope for the best to get accepted. The alpha test is being held on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S, and cross-play is supported. You need a javascript enabled browser to watch videos. Size:640 × 360480 × 270 Want us to remember this setting for all your devices? Sign up or Sign in now! Please use a html5 video capable browser to watch videos. This video has an invalid file format. Sorry, but you can’t access this content! Please enter your date of birth to view this video JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031Year202520242023202220212020201920182017201620152014201320122011201020092008200720062005200420032002200120001999199819971996199519941993199219911990198919881987198619851984198319821981198019791978197719761975197419731972197119701969196819671966196519641963196219611960195919581957195619551954195319521951195019491948194719461945194419431942194119401939193819371936193519341933193219311930192919281927192619251924192319221921192019191918191719161915191419131912191119101909190819071906190519041903190219011900 By clicking ‘enter’, you agree to GameSpot’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy enter Now Playing: FBC: Firebreak – Gameplay Trailer Because this is a closed test, participants cannot share anything about it. “That means no talking about the game on the Steam forums, posting images online, or streaming the game to a public audience,” Remedy said. The purpose of the closed test is to help Remedy with FBC’s matchmaking systems and balancing efforts, the developer said. In the closed test, participants will be able to try the Paper Chase and Ground Control missions, as well as the game’s three kits with all equipment unlocked. The FBC closed test runs May 15 at 6 AM PT / 9 AM ET through May 19 at 1:59 PM PT / 4:59 PM ET. The system requirements can be seen below, but note that they are not the specs for the full, finished game. OS: Windows 10 64-bit Processor: Ryzen 7 3700X or equivalent Memory: 16GB RAM Graphics: GeForce RTX 2080 Ti FBC officially launches on June 17, and it’s included as a day-one launch title for Game Pass and PlayStation Plus. Alternatively, it can be purchased outright for $40. Source link #Sign #FBC #Firebreaks #Closed #Technical #Test Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

After *** and China trade deals, tariff rate still highest since 1934, Yale report says After *** and China trade deals, tariff rate still highest since 1934, Yale report says Imports face steep levies despite recent trade deals the Trump administration reached with China and the U.K. Source link #China #trade #deals #tariff #rate #highest #Yale #report Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

China sees U.S. trade deal as win for Beijing China sees U.S. trade deal as win for Beijing ******** officials, influencers and state-run media on Monday were casting the initial trade agreement and 90-day tariff pause with the United States as a victory and a vindication of Beijing’s negotiating strategy. They’re arguing that their defiant public posture worked — and was a major reason they were able to strike a deal with U.S. officials in Switzerland with relatively few concessions. “China’s firm countermeasures and resolute stance have been highly effective,” said a social media account linked to China’s national broadcaster CCTV. In the eyes of the ******** public, negotiators from Beijing appear to have convinced President Donald Trump’s administration to roll back most of the 145% tariff rate that Trump imposed, and slash them to 30%. In exchange, China pledged to roll back most of the counter-tariffs it announced against the United States. On social media, ******** users are touting the deal. One hashtag, #USChinaSuspending24%TariffsWithin90Days already has 420 million views on Weibo. The line refers to a 24% figure cited near the top of the joint statement Washington and Beijing released. In total, the 90-day pause drops U.S. import duties from 145% to 30% on ******** goods, and ******** tariffs on U.S. goods from 125% to 10%. A ******** social media user, Chun Feng Yi Ran, posted: “Our ancestors didn’t cave in, why should we give up what we have?” The comment now has thousands of likes. Beijing is also using the trade deal to try to argue to the world that it is a responsible trading partner, even as China’s negotiating playbook has often been a point a frustration for the international business community and trading partners. Foreign executives and officials complain of “promise fatigue” with Beijing, whose officials often seem content to talk of cooperation, while taking relatively little action. In keeping with this negotiating playbook, Beijing has said it will work with the Trump administration on a new “consultation mechanism” to maintain dialogue on trade and other economic issues. Read more CNBC politics coverage The measures agreed to in Geneva formally take effect Wednesday, but Beijing has quietly been granting exemptions before the talks for some companies operating locally. China has also agreed to “adopt all necessary administrative measures to suspend or remove the non-tariff countermeasures.” This includes the latest round of tighter export curbs on rare earths that Beijing imposed. The minerals are crucial to U.S. industry. China, however, sent some mixed signals Monday on cooperating on the metals. The Commerce Ministry reaffirmed its crackdown on rare earths smuggling for national security reasons, and said “foreign entities” were partially to blame. The U.S.-China trade deal has brought temporary relief from the escalating trade war roiling the global economy. Stock markets around the world surged Monday after Beijing and Washington announced the deal. In the run-up to negotiations in Switzerland over the weekend, Beijing remained firm that it wouldn’t cave on its own priorities in order to reach an agreement with U.S. officials. “We will resolutely safeguard our legitimate interests and uphold international fairness and justice,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said before the trade talks. The commerce ministry on Monday called the trade deal an “important step,” but took a jab at the Trump administration, saying the U.S. should “completely correct its unilateral tariff practices”. Trump administration officials, for their part, are also characterizing the deal as a “historic trade win” for the United States. The two sides are expected to meet again at some point over the next “few weeks” to negotiate a “more fulsome agreement,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Monday on CNBC’s “Squawk Box.” CNBC’s Eunice Yoon reported from Beijing and Erin Doherty reported from Washington, D.C. Source link #China #sees #U.S #trade #deal #win #Beijing Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Rainbow Six Siege X Players With Game Pass Are Getting Special DLC Soon Rainbow Six Siege X Players With Game Pass Are Getting Special DLC Soon Ubisoft is teaming up with Microsoft to offer Siege X players free stuff as part of their membership. Beginning in June, Game Pass Ultimate subscribers will get access to “in-game benefits” that will change throughout the year to correspond to professional Rainbow Six tournaments. For each new major milestone in the Blast R6 eSports tournament series, players will get different content as part of their Game Pass Ultimate membership. Ubisoft did not reveal what any of these bonuses might be in its blog post, but free is free. This is yet another perk that Microsoft is leveraging to encourage people to sign up for Game Pass. Call of Duty players who have Game Pass also received special content, while Microsoft’s ***-monthly Game Pass blog posts run through each month’s specific perks for individual games. For example, in May, Smite 2 players this month get the Summer Fun skin for Medusa, while UFL players get a bonus pack that comes with boosters and in-game currency. Siege X is the name of the newest edition of Rainbow Six Siege, and it launches in June. Players are getting what Ubisoft calls “foundational” upgrades to the core experience, including visual enhancements and audio improvements, as well as a new mode, Dual Front, and a free price point. For lots more, be sure to check out GameSpot’s hands-on preview of Siege X. Source link #Rainbow #Siege #Players #Game #Pass #Special #DLC Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Episcopal Church refuses to resettle white Afrikaners, citing moral opposition – NPR Episcopal Church refuses to resettle white Afrikaners, citing moral opposition – NPR Episcopal Church refuses to resettle white Afrikaners, citing moral opposition NPRWhite South Africans granted refugee status by Trump administration arrive in US CNNTrump administration welcomes 49 white South Africans as refugees The Globe and MailTrump Live Updates: China Tariff Pause, Drug Prices and More The New York TimesTrump welcomes white South Africans while rejecting all other refugees The Independent Source link #Episcopal #Church #refuses #resettle #white #Afrikaners #citing #moral #opposition #NPR Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Keir Starmer promises migration drop as he unveils plans for ‘tighter’ visa rules Keir Starmer promises migration drop as he unveils plans for ‘tighter’ visa rules Sam Francis Political reporter PA Media Sir Keir Starmer has promised the government’s new immigration measures will mean net migration falls “significantly” over the next four years. The prime minister unveiled plans to ban recruitment of care workers from overseas, tighten access to skilled worker visas and raise the costs to employers in an effort to curb near record net migration. He did not set a precise target, but the Home Office estimated the policies could lead to a 100,000 drop in immigration per year by 2029 – based on analysis of just eight of the core policies where “a quantitative assessment” could be made. Conservative Leader Kemi Badenoch said: “This is nowhere near the scale of the change we need to see.” Successive governments have tried unsuccessfully to reduce net migration, which is the number of people coming to the *** minus the number leaving. Net migration climbed to a record 906,000 in June 2023, and last year it stood at 728,000. Sir Keir argued the proposals bring the immigration system “back into control”, denying it was a response to the electoral success of Reform ***. The PM said the new plans, which tackle legal migration to the ***, would ensure a “selective” and “fair” system, where “we decide who comes to this country”. “Every area of the immigration system, including work, family and study, will be tightened up so we have more control,” he said. “Enforcement will be tougher than ever and migration numbers will fall.” The government will scrap a visa scheme, set up by Boris Johnson’s government, that allows firms to hire health and social care workers from overseas. Instead, firms will be required to hire British nationals or extend the visas of overseas workers already in the country. Home Office figures estimate this change will cut the number of workers coming to the *** by between 7,000 and 8,000 a year. However, care companies warned some services will struggle to survive without international recruits. Employers will also be asked to pay more to hire foreign staff. The Immigration Skills Charge will increase by 32%, leading smaller firms to pay up to £2,400 to sponsor workers to come to the ***, while large firms will pay up to £6,600. Universities could also be hit by higher charges. The government plans to look into a new tax on every international student enrolled in a *** university, with the proceeds redirected into skills training. At the same time, colleges must meet stricter thresholds, with at least 95% of international students expected to start their course and 90% expected to finish. The qualification requirements to apply for a skilled worker visa will go back up, reversing changes made under Johnson’s government. It will mean new applicants will generally need a degree-level qualification, rather than the equivalent of A-level, which ministers say will make around 180 job roles ineligible for the visa route. Lower qualification requirements will remain for sectors facing long-term shortages, or those considered key to the government’s industrial strategy. However it is not yet clear what that means in practice, and the government’s migration advisory body has been asked to recommend roles for inclusion. The government also said: English language requirements for all work visas would increaseThe amount of time migrants need to live in the *** before applying for settled status would double from five years to 10, while setting up a fast-track system for “high-skilled, high-contributing” peopleA “limited pool” of refugees and displaced people recognised by the United Nations’ agency responsible will be eligible to apply for jobs through existing skilled-worker routes. The government will also explore changing the law on how the right to a family life contained in Article 8 in the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) is applied in immigration cases. The government has previously said Article 8 should be interpreted “much more narrowly”, opposing its use in cases including that of a ************ family, who were granted the right to live in the *** on appeal after originally applying through a scheme designed for Ukrainians. Government sources indicated a parliamentary vote on the plans was likely, to clarify Parliament’s view to the courts. Speaking before the publication of the Immigration White Paper, Sir Keir accused industries of being “almost addicted to importing cheap labour” instead of “investing in the skills of people here”. Asked if net migration would fall every year due to the plans, Sir Keir said: “I’m promising it will fall significantly. “And I do want to get it down by the end of this Parliament, significantly.” He also said there could be further restrictions saying, “if we do need to do more to release pressure on housing and public services, then mark my words we will”. The Conservatives have announced they plan to support policies such as tightening visas, which Badenoch argued were “watered down” versions of Tory policies. The Conservatives want a binding migration cap, set by Parliament. The Liberal Democrats said it was right for the government to tackle immigration, but the party’s Home Affairs spokesperson Lisa Smart called for a “clear plan to make it easier to recruit British workers to fill vacancies instead”. Reform *** leader Nigel Farage said Labour had introduced the changes because it was “obviously very panicked” about the rise of his party at the local elections. The White Paper was “tinkering around the edges”, he argued, and “even if the numbers do reduce, they’ll still be at massive historic highs”. The Green Party has denounced the proposals as a “panicked and misguided” attempt to “create headlines and try to win back Reform voters”. Sir Keir dismissed claims the plans were reacting to the threat from Reform, telling broadcasters: “I’m doing this because it is right, because it is fair and because it is what I believe in.” He repeatedly attacked the previous Conservative government’s immigration approach as an “open borders experiment”, which was now over. The *** risks “becoming an island of strangers” without strong rules on immigration and integration, he added. Some on the left have accused Sir Keir of going too far on immigration. One Labour MP, Nadia Whittome, accused the prime minister of mimicking “the scaremongering of the far-right”. In a social media post she said: “The step-up in anti-migrant rhetoric from the government is shameful and dangerous.” Source link #Keir #Starmer #promises #migration #drop #unveils #plans #tighter #visa #rules Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

South West Careers Expo a hit at Bunbury Catholic College with career pathways on show South West Careers Expo a hit at Bunbury Catholic College with career pathways on show South West students got the chance to explore future career pathways at the 16th annual Careers Expo on Wednesday. Hosted by Bunbury Catholic College, the free event had more than 2500 people and 21 WA schools in attendance to view the 61 stalls, which provided different career pathway options and ideas. BCC’s vocational education and training coordinator Michael Downes said the event was a success and included a sensory session for the first time. “It’s an event where we can pull in kids from all the schools in the region, because otherwise there is nothing unless you travel to Perth and not everybody can do that,” he said. “It works well to be able to bring not only local businesses, training organisations and TAFEs, but also universities, residential colleges and ******* workplaces from Perth that will come down and support our kids.” Mr Downes said the event “always gets good, positive feedback” and this year was no exception. “As the years are going, we’re gaining a greater variety of exhibitors, and I think people are now realising there’s literally something here for everybody,” he said. “I want it to be not just a school event, but a whole community event. “I’d love to see in 2026 more community people thinking ‘maybe I could still go to university’.” Camera IconMariah Gower, Luca Wright and Louisa Shave, all year 10 at the South West Careers Expo. Credit: Sofia Fimognari/South Western TimesCamera IconEmmi Sommers and Mackenzie York, both year 10 at South West Careers Expo. Credit: Sofia Fimognari/South Western TimesCamera IconAdam Hunt, Jackson ******, Joel Dickson-Hotchkin and Mali Hart, all year 11 at the Soiuth West Careers Expo. Credit: Sofia Fimognari/South Western TimesCamera IconAaron Santos and Marcela Borges at South West Careers Expo. Credit: Sofia Fimognari/South Western TimesCamera IconAri Wilson and Nathan Gilbert, both year 10 at South West Careers Expo. Credit: Sofia Fimognari/South Western TimesCamera IconRepresentatives from Brick and Block Vivi Hernandez and Gloria Michicoi at South West Careers Expo. Credit: Sofia Fimognari/South Western TimesCamera IconAnna Giles, Maggie Scott, Eloise Griffin and Annabelle Carlin, all year 8 at South West Careers Expo. Credit: Sofia Fimognari/South Western TimesCamera IconLaura Dowling, Sarah Best and Juzann Wilkinson at South West Careers Expo. Credit: Sofia Fimognari/South Western TimesCamera IconRuby Anderson and bella Enright, both year 11 at the South West Careers Expo. Credit: Sofia Fimognari/South Western TimesCamera IconSouth West Aboriginal Medical Centre representatives Chloe Ely, Heath Ryder, Clintin Watson and Vanessa ****** at South West Careers Expo. Credit: Sofia Fimognari/South Western TimesCamera IconManus Malone, Jasper Harrison-Ward and Xavier Hendratno, all year 10 at South West Careers Expo. Credit: Sofia Fimognari/South Western TimesCamera IconPoppy Lucas and Milly Reid, both year 11 at South West Careers Expo. Credit: Sofia Fimognari/South Western TimesCamera IconEdith Cowan University representative Crystal Pelusey at South West Careers Expo. Credit: Sofia Fimognari/South Western TimesCamera IconLucy Scott, year 10 at South West Careers Expo. Credit: Sofia Fimognari/South Western TimesCamera IconMedical stall at South West Careers Expo. Credit: Sofia Fimognari/South Western Times Source link #South #West #Careers #Expo #hit #Bunbury #Catholic #College #career #pathways #show Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

China sees U.S. trade deal as win for Beijing China sees U.S. trade deal as win for Beijing ******** officials, influencers and state-run media on Monday were casting the initial trade agreement and 90-day tariff pause with the United States as a victory and a vindication of Beijing’s negotiating strategy. They’re arguing that their defiant public posture worked — and was a major reason they were able to strike a deal with U.S. officials in Switzerland with relatively few concessions. “China’s firm countermeasures and resolute stance have been highly effective,” said a social media account linked to China’s national broadcaster CCTV. In the eyes of the ******** public, negotiators from Beijing appear to have convinced President Donald Trump’s administration to roll back most of the 145% tariff rate that Trump imposed, and slash them to 30%. In exchange, China pledged to roll back most of the counter-tariffs it announced against the United States. On social media, ******** users are touting the deal. One hashtag, #USChinaSuspending24%TariffsWithin90Days already has 420 million views on Weibo. The line refers to a 24% figure cited near the top of the joint statement Washington and Beijing released. In total, the 90-day pause drops U.S. import duties from 145% to 30% on ******** goods, and ******** tariffs on U.S. goods from 125% to 10%. A ******** social media user, Chun Feng Yi Ran, posted: “Our ancestors didn’t cave in, why should we give up what we have?” The comment now has thousands of likes. Beijing is also using the trade deal to try to argue to the world that it is a responsible trading partner, even as China’s negotiating playbook has often been a point a frustration for the international business community and trading partners. Foreign executives and officials complain of “promise fatigue” with Beijing, whose officials often seem content to talk of cooperation, while taking relatively little action. In keeping with this negotiating playbook, Beijing has said it will work with the Trump administration on a new “consultation mechanism” to maintain dialogue on trade and other economic issues. Read more CNBC politics coverage The measures agreed to in Geneva formally take effect Wednesday, but Beijing has quietly been granting exemptions before the talks for some companies operating locally. China has also agreed to “adopt all necessary administrative measures to suspend or remove the non-tariff countermeasures.” This includes the latest round of tighter export curbs on rare earths that Beijing imposed. The minerals are crucial to U.S. industry. China, however, sent some mixed signals Monday on cooperating on the metals. The Commerce Ministry reaffirmed its crackdown on rare earths smuggling for national security reasons, and said “foreign entities” were partially to blame. The U.S.-China trade deal has brought temporary relief from the escalating trade war roiling the global economy. Stock markets around the world surged Monday after Beijing and Washington announced the deal. In the run-up to negotiations in Switzerland over the weekend, Beijing remained firm that it wouldn’t cave on its own priorities in order to reach an agreement with U.S. officials. “We will resolutely safeguard our legitimate interests and uphold international fairness and justice,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said before the trade talks. The commerce ministry on Monday called the trade deal an “important step,” but took a jab at the Trump administration, saying the U.S. should “completely correct its unilateral tariff practices”. Trump administration officials, for their part, are also characterizing the deal as a “historic trade win” for the United States. The two sides are expected to meet again at some point over the next “few weeks” to negotiate a “more fulsome agreement,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Monday on CNBC’s “Squawk Box.” CNBC’s Eunice Yoon reported from Beijing and Erin Doherty reported from Washington, D.C. Source link #China #sees #U.S #trade #deal #win #Beijing Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Tom Lee sees a ‘V-shaped’ recovery and getting long these ‘washed out’ stocks Tom Lee sees a ‘V-shaped’ recovery and getting long these ‘washed out’ stocks With stocks on the path toward a “V”-shaped recovery, Fundstrat co-founder Tom Lee sees a handful of names worth grabbing. Stocks have staged a recovery rally since selling off on the initial unveiling of President Donald Trump’s plan for steep tariffs last month. The latest leg up came on Monday after the U.S. and China agree to slash tariffs for 90 days following weekend trade negotiations. “Equities have staged a V-shaped recovery, which is what we argued would take place as this is the pattern after a waterfall decline in stocks,” Lee wrote to clients in a Monday note. “And despite the continued improving news flow, investors remain skeptical, which is positive.” The S & P 500 briefly dipped into bear-market territory — which marks a decline of at least 20% from a recent high — amid the initial bout of panic selling. Now, the broad index is up more than 2% since April 2, when Trump first unveiled the broad levies. .SPX YTD mountain S & P 500, year to date Lee told CNBC on Monday that the market’s movement in a “waterfall” formation after the tariff announcement signaled a “V”-shaped recovery would be ahead. That’s because most waterfall slides historically in the market give way to a “V” rather than a “W,” which would mean stocks might be in for another significant decline. “The stock market did have a liquidation event,” Lee said on CNBC’s ” Power Lunch .” “But waterfall declines — all …17 out of 18 since 1950 — had a V-shaped recovery. So we knew that whenever the bottom was established, the bottom would be a V shape.” Despite these reasons for optimism, Lee noted that traders continue to show high levels of pessimism. He pointed to the American Association of Individual Investors’ sentiment survey , which last showed more than 51% of members being bearish of the stock market over the next half-year. “At some point, the macro skeptics will have to acknowledge that conditions are improving,” he wrote to clients. “Markets can look through a weak quarter or two due to trade disruptions.” ‘Washed out’ plays With confirmation signals favoring the “V”-shaped recovery and the bull market showing it can stay intact, Lee compiled a list of “washed out” large-cap stocks that investors can consider picking up amid the rebound. The idea is that equities likely saw most of the pain between mid-February and early April, so investors should look for names that struggled before the tariff-induced plunge. Tariffs may have just given stocks the final leg down to reset and then recover, he said. To find these picks, Lee screened for stocks with market caps above $15 billion that declined more than 30% before Feb. 18 . Mid-February was the last time the S & P 500 traded at all-time highs. He then looked for stocks that didn’t make new closing lows between April 1 and 8, the ******* containing Trump’s initial announcement that sent stocks cratering. Stocks must also be currently down more than 25% from respective 52-week highs to make the list. Here’s 10 large-cap names that made the cut: Lululemon was one name that met the criteria. The athletic wear retailer has tumbled more than 21% in 2025, but surged more than 7% amid Monday’s rally. The majority of analysts polled by LSEG have buy ratings on the stock. The typical price target implies shares can gain 11.5% over the next year. Elsewhere, Super Micro Computer was one of several tech stocks on the list. Super Micro shares have jumped nearly 10% despite 2025’s rough start, helped in part by Monday’s gain of more than 4%. The typical analyst has a hold rating on the stock, per LSEG. However, the average price target reflects the potential for shares to run up more than 20%. Source link #Tom #Lee #sees #Vshaped #recovery #long #washed #stocks Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Tariff receipts topped $16 billion in April, a record that helped cut the budget deficit Tariff receipts topped $16 billion in April, a record that helped cut the budget deficit Shipping containers are seen at the port of Oakland, as trade tensions continued over U.S. tariffs with China, in Oakland, California, U.S., May 12, 2025. Carlos Barria | Reuters Receipts from U.S. tariffs hit a record level in April as revenue from President Donald Trump’s trade war started kicking in. Customs duties totaled $16.3 billion for the month, some 86% above the $8.75 billion collected during March and more than double the $7.1 billion a year ago, the Treasury Department reported Monday. That brought the year-to-date total for the duties up to $63.3 billion and more than 18% ahead of the same ******* in 2024. Trump instituted 10% across-the-board tariffs on U.S. imports starting April 2, which came on top of other select duties he had leveled previously. While the U.S. is still running a massive budget deficit, the influx in tariffs helped shave some of the imbalance for April, a month in which the Treasury generally runs a surplus because of the income tax filing deadline hitting in mid-month. The surplus totaled $258.4 billion for the month, up 23% from the same ******* a year ago. That cut the fiscal year-to-date total to $1.05 trillion, which is still 13% higher than a year ago. Also on an annual basis, receipts rose 10% in April from 2024, while outlays declined 4%. Year to date, receipts are up 5%, while expenditures have risen 9%. High interest rates are still posing a budgetary burden. Net interest on the $36.2 trillion national debt totaled $89 billion in April, higher than every other category except Social Security. For the fiscal year, net interest has run to $579 billion, also second highest of any outlay. Source link #Tariff #receipts #topped #billion #April #record #helped #cut #budget #deficit Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

House GOP unleashes sweeping tax legislation – Politico House GOP unleashes sweeping tax legislation – Politico House GOP unleashes sweeping tax legislation PoliticoHouse Republicans Release Details of Trump’s Giant Tax-Cut Bill Bloomberg.comSocial Security tax break not in House tax bill AxiosMike Johnson is struggling to deliver on Trump’s impossible tax cut promises MSNBC NewsHouse panel releases sweeping GOP tax bill The Hill Source link #House #GOP #unleashes #sweeping #tax #legislation #Politico Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Consumers are still spending on travel Consumers are still spending on travel ShareShare Article via FacebookShare Article via TwitterShare Article via LinkedInShare Article via Email Michelle Meyer, Mastercard Economics Institute chief economist, joins CNBC’s ‘Power Lunch’ to discuss outlooks on the consumer, travel trends, and more. Source link #Consumers #spending #travel Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

(Another) Plan to Fix "Broken" Migration System (Another) Plan to Fix "Broken" Migration System PM says *** risks “becoming an island of strangers”. Source link #Plan #Fix #quotBrokenquot #Migration #System Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Fidelity technical issues kept some investors out of their accounts Fidelity technical issues kept some investors out of their accounts A Fidelity Investments branch. Nicholas Pfosi | The Boston Globe | Getty Images Limited ability to trade in a big market day The brokerage’s login issue may have been a greater problem for day traders, institutional investors and options investors, or investors who want to buy at a certain price before the market jumps, said certified financial planner Lazetta Rainey Braxton, the founder and managing principal of The Real Wealth Coterie. Not having access to their brokerage accounts during big market swings can hurt their strategies because they are actively managing their portfolios, said Braxton, a member of CNBC’s Financial Advisor Council. But for long-haul investors, a login glitch that lasts a few hours might not make a huge difference, she said. “Most investors are not chasing the market,” Braxton said. ‘Remain calm’ Technical issues at brokerages have happened in the past. In August, customers of Charles Schwab and Fidelity Investments were unable to trade in the middle of a steep market sell-off of global equities. If a blip like this happens again, “it is important for investors to remain calm,” said Carolyn McClanahan, a certified financial planner and the founder of Life Planning Partners in Jacksonville, Florida. She’s also a member of CNBC’s Financial Advisor Council. While it can be a grievance at the moment, such technical difficulties are temporary — “these outages usually don’t last long,” said CFP Cathy Curtis, the founder and CEO of Curtis Financial Planning in Oakland, California. And besides, “tech outages will not affect the value of investments,” said Curtis, a member of CNBC’s Financial Advisor Council. Source link #Fidelity #technical #issues #investors #accounts Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

*** police probe fire at PM Starmer’s house in London *** police probe fire at PM Starmer’s house in London Police are investigating an overnight fire at the London house where Prime Minister Keir Starmer lived before he was elected to lead the United Kingdom. Since taking office in July, Starmer has lived in the prime minister’s official Downing Street residence, renting out the family home in the Kentish Town neighbourhood. London’s Metropolitan Police force said that counterterrorism officers were involved in the investigation. Firefighters were called to “a small fire” just after 1am, the city’s fire department said. Two engines responded and the blaze was out within a half-hour. Police said that officers who responded to the scene found damage “to the property’s entrance” but that nobody was hurt. “The fire is being investigated and cordons remain in place while enquiries continue,” the police force said. A cordon of police tape was visible outside the house on Monday. Starmer’s house has attracted protesters in the past. Last year, three pro-************ activists were arrested and charged with public order offences after unfurling a banner covered in red handprints outside the building. Starmer’s spokesman Dave Pares said that “the prime minister thanks the emergency services for their work”. He said the fire “is subject to a live investigation, so I can’t comment any further”. Source link #police #probe #fire #Starmers #house #London Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

RadioShack Revived From The Dead, Releases Retro Audio Gear RadioShack Revived From The Dead, Releases Retro Audio Gear RadioShack is back from the grave. After going bankrupt in 2017, the brand was acquired by new owners in 2023, and the company is using its new lease on life to offer the usual assortment of electronics along with a cool lineup of new vintage -style audio gear. Retro speakers, radios, and turntables are all included in the new RadioShack catalog, many of which are already receiving generous discounts. The Vintage Turntable with Bluetooth and FM Radio is the most premium at $126 (was $140). Along with a chance to play your favorite vinyls (and support for three speeds and auto return), the turntable features a built-in AM/FM radio, support for CDs, a cassette player, and the ability to record audio directly to a connected USB or SD card. It’s all housed inside an engineered wood cabinet with a rich brown color and retro brass accents. Vintage Turntable Gallery A more affordable alternative is the Portable Suitcase Turntable with Bluetooth. It’s on ***** for $72 (was $80), and its slim footprint makes it a great option if you often travel with your favorite records. RadioShack is offering a handful of retro radios, too. The 3-Band Vintage Radio comes with Bluetooth support and the ability to play MP3 files from a USB port, while the 2-Band Vintage Radio boasts a vibrant LED display and the same Bluetooth support. The 3-Band Radio is $25 while the 2-Band is $40. Rounding out the new catalog are two new speakers. One is a sizable 240W Retro Bluetooth Speaker with FM Radio, featuring a premium leather body and minimalist metal grill. It’s on ***** for $104 (was $130), so give it a look if you want to bring a nostalgic piece of gear into your home. The other is a smaller 80W Retro Speaker. It uses the same high-grade leather and metal construction, though it’s combination of rose gold and ****** makes it a bit more stylish. It’s also cheaper at $80 (was $100). It’s unclear how long all of these discounts will stick around, so cash in on the deals while you can. RadioShack Retro Collection Source link #RadioShack #Revived #Dead #Releases #Retro #Audio #Gear Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Miami LB Adarius Hayes released from hospital following car ****** that left 3 people including 2 children dead Miami LB Adarius Hayes released from hospital following car ****** that left 3 people including 2 children dead University of Miami linebacker Adarius Hayes has been released from a Florida hospital following his involvement in a car ****** on Saturday that left three people dead. Per the Largo Police Department, a Dodge Durango driven by Hayes and a Kia Soul collided Saturday afternoon at an intersection in the Tampa suburb of Largo, Hayes’ hometown. Advertisement Gail Price, 78, was driving the Kia Soul with 10-year-old Jabari Elijah Solomon and 4-year-old Charlie Herbert Solomon Riveria as passengers, according to police. Price, Solomon and Riveria died in the ******. Another passenger in the Kia was hospitalized with serious injuries, according to police. A police investigation into the collision is ongoing. No charges have been filed, and Largo Police public information officer Megan Santo said that “there were no signs of impairment with either driver of the vehicles.” The nature of Hayes’ injuries are unclear. Miami announced his release from the hospital on Monday in a statement. “We are aware of a car ****** that occurred on the afternoon of May 10 in Largo, Fla., involving student-athlete Adarius Hayes,” the university’s statement reads. “Adarius was hospitalized and released, and we are currently working to gather more information. “We are deeply saddened to learn the ****** resulted in three fatalities, as confirmed by Largo Police, and our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of those lost.” Per local reports, a memorial was placed at the intersection in memory of Price, Solomon and Riveria. Hayes’ Miami teammate Raul Popo Aguirre posted a message of support for Hayes on social media after he was hospitalized on Saturday. Hayes, 20, is a rising sophomore at Miami. A four-star recruit, Hayes played in 12 games as a freshman, primarily on special teams. He tallied four tackles, one pass defended and one interception. Source link #Miami #Adarius #Hayes #released #hospital #car #****** #left #people #including #children #dead Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

These dividend stocks are ‘unsung heroes,’ UBS Asset Management says These dividend stocks are ‘unsung heroes,’ UBS Asset Management says Investors looking to strike a balance between offense and defense in this market should turn to companies that consistently grow their dividends, according to Jeremy Zirin, head of UBS Asset Management’s private client U.S. equity team. When stocks slid in April following President Donald Trump ‘s tariff policy announcement, investors scooped up dividend stocks — mainly focusing on those with high yields, he said. Yet the markets rebounded as the president began easing back on tariffs amid negotiations, and on Monday stocks soared after the U.S. and China agreed to temporarily cut duties . “The higher-dividend-yielding strategies tend to do better when markets are in real turmoil and declining, but if there’s more chop, more volatility and potentially upside … you don’t want to be overly defensive,” said Zirin, who manages the UBS U.S. Dividend Ruler Fund (DVRUX) , rated five stars by Morningstar. DVRUX YTD mountain UBS U.S. Dividend Ruler Fund The fund focuses on companies with long-term track records of consistent dividend growth, as well as those that pay a dividend yield at or above that of the S & P 500 . The broad market index currently yields about 1.3%, while the UBS U.S. Dividend Ruler Fund yields 1.83%. The fund has a net expense ratio of 0.5%. In fact, research suggests those companies that consistently increase their dividends deliver better risk-adjusted returns than the highest yielding stocks, he said. Plus, dividend growers are also a good hedge against inflation, Zirin added. Two standout sectors Even within dividend-growth stocks, there are two sectors that stand out to Zirin. “The unsung heroes of the dividend growth universe are in the technology and in the financial sectors,” he said. While it is easy to find good, consistent dividend payers in areas like consumer staples and health care, tech and financials will add more balance to the dividend portfolio, he said. The UBS U.S. Dividend Ruler Fund has more than 29% of its allocation in information technology stocks and nearly 19% in financials. “Tech and financials have among the best earnings momentum and forward-looking fundamentals that we see in the market today,” said Zirin. First-quarter earnings results show that companies in the technology sector, and particularly those related to artificial-intelligence infrastructure, have been resilient, he said. The results “reinforced the notion that even during periods like the current ******* of economic uncertainty, hyperscalers and mega-cap tech companies are going to continue to spend and spend aggressively on their AI infrastructure,” he said. Meanwhile, the financial sector will benefit from the next wave of policy changes, which will be deregulation, Zirin said. “The administration is going to want to pivot and pivot soon to try to take the focus off of the potential impact of tariffs on the economy and to other areas of policy changes — specifically, you know, tax reform and extension of the TCJA [Tax Cuts and Jobs Act] and on deregulation,” he said. Financials also don’t have direct exposure to tariffs, he added. Here are the top 10 holdings in the UBS U.S. Dividend Ruler Fund, which include Microsoft, Oracle and JPMorgan. Microsoft holds the top position and has a 0.74% dividend yield. The company, which has been paying dividends for more than 20 years, announced its latest increase in September. In April, the tech giant posted an earnings and revenue beat and issued strong guidance. Shares are up about 6% year to date. Meanwhile, Oracle missed on the top and bottom lines for its fiscal third quarter , but the company said it has seen booming demand for computing power to support AI projects. “We are on schedule to double our data center capacity this calendar year,” Oracle Chair Larry Ellison said in a release. “Customer demand is at record levels.” Oracle also raised its dividend by 25%. It now yields about 1.3%. “Some investors look at tech dividend yields and think that they’re not all that attractive because they’re close to market yields, but if they’re growing their dividend at 25%, that dividend yield gets a lot more interesting post the dividend increase,” Zirin said. The stock has lost 6% so far this year. Lastly, JPMorgan has a dividend yield of roughly 2.2%. Zirin called it one of the best-run financial companies. In April, the bank reported revenue that topped Wall Street’s expectations. Earlier this year, JPMorgan also raised its dividend by 12% “despite all of the uncertainty and despite [CEO] Jamie Dimon’s pretty cautious forward-looking view that’s been persistent over the past two or three years,” he said. The stock has gained 8% year to date. Source link #dividend #stocks #unsung #heroes #UBS #Asset #Management Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

House GOP tax bill calls for $30,000 ‘SALT’ deduction cap House GOP tax bill calls for $30,000 ‘SALT’ deduction cap Chairman Jason Smith (R-MO) speaks during a House Committee on Ways and Means in the Longworth House Office Building on April 30, 2024 in Washington, D.C. Anna Moneymaker | Getty Images News | Getty Images House Republicans are calling for a higher limit on the deduction for state and local taxes, known as SALT, as part of President Donald Trump’s tax and spending package. The House Ways and Means Committee, which oversees tax, released the full text of its portion of the bill on Monday afternoon. The SALT provision would raise the cap to $30,000 for those with a modified adjusted gross income of $400,000 or less. However, the SALT deduction limit has been a sticking point in tax bill negotiations and the provision could still change significantly. The committee is scheduled to debate and vote on the legislation on Tuesday afternoon. More from Personal Finance:Trump’s tax cuts: The key issues and who stands to benefitChanges for Social Security beneficiaries to monitor under new agency leadershipWith foreign tourists boycotting the U.S., businesses brace for falling sales Enacted via the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, or TCJA, of 2017, there’s a $10,000 limit on the federal deduction on state and local taxes, known as SALT, which will sunset after 2025 without action from Congress. Currently, if you itemize tax breaks, you can’t deduct more than $10,000 in levies paid to state and local governments, including income and property taxes. Raising the SALT cap has been a priority for certain lawmakers from high-tax states like California, New Jersey and New York. With a slim House Republican majority, those voices could impact negotiations. While Trump enacted the $10,000 SALT cap in 2017, he reversed his position on the campaign trail last year, vowing to “get SALT back” if elected again. He has renewed calls for reform since being sworn into office. Lawmakers have floated several updates, including a complete repeal, which seems unlikely with a tight budget and several competing priorities, experts say. “It all has to come together in the context of the broader package,” but a higher SALT deduction limit could be possible, Garrett Watson, director of policy analysis at the Tax Foundation, told CNBC earlier this month. Here’s who could be impacted. How to claim the SALT deduction When filing taxes, you choose the greater of the standard deduction or your itemized deductions, including SALT capped at $10,000, medical expenses above 7.5% of your adjusted gross income, charitable gifts and others. Starting in 2018, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act doubled the standard deduction, and it adjusts for inflation yearly. For 2025, the standard deduction is $15,000 for single filers and $30,000 for married couples filing jointly. Because of the high threshold, the vast majority of filers — roughly 90%, according to the latest IRS data — use the standard deduction and don’t benefit from itemized tax breaks. Typically, itemized deductions increase with income, and higher earners tend to owe more in state income and property taxes, according to Watson. Who benefits from a higher SALT limit Generally, higher earners would benefit most from raising the SALT deduction limit, experts say. For example, an earlier proposal, which would remove the “marriage penalty” in federal income taxes, involves increasing the cap on the SALT deduction for married couples filing jointly from $10,000 to $20,000. That would offer almost all the tax break to households making more than $200,000 per year, according to a January analysis from the Tax Policy Center. “If you raise the cap, the people who benefit the most are going to be upper-middle income,” said Howard Gleckman, senior fellow at the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center. Of course, upper-middle income looks different depending on where you live, he said. Forty of the top 50 U.S. congressional districts impacted by the SALT limit are in California, Illinois, New Jersey or New York, a Bipartisan Policy Center analysis from before 2022 redistricting found. If lawmakers repealed the cap completely, households making $430,000 or more would see nearly three-quarters of the benefit, according to a separate Tax Policy Center analysis from September. Source link #House #GOP #tax #bill #calls #SALT #deduction #cap Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Deputy attorney general who defended Trump in hush money trial is named acting librarian of Congress – AP News Deputy attorney general who defended Trump in hush money trial is named acting librarian of Congress – AP News Deputy attorney general who defended Trump in hush money trial is named acting librarian of Congress AP NewsTrump Picks Deputy Attorney General as Acting Librarian of Congress The New York TimesThe leadership of the Library of Congress is in apparent dispute PoliticoTrump naming his former defense attorney as acting Librarian of Congress AxiosJustice Department’s Todd Blanche appointed acting Librarian of Congress CBS News Source link #Deputy #attorney #general #defended #Trump #hush #money #trial #named #acting #librarian #Congress #News Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

House GOP tax bill calls for $30,000 ‘SALT’ deduction cap House GOP tax bill calls for $30,000 ‘SALT’ deduction cap Chairman Jason Smith (R-MO) speaks during a House Committee on Ways and Means in the Longworth House Office Building on April 30, 2024 in Washington, D.C. Anna Moneymaker | Getty Images News | Getty Images House Republicans are calling for a higher limit on the deduction for state and local taxes, known as SALT, as part of President Donald Trump’s tax and spending package. The House Ways and Means Committee, which oversees tax, released the full text of its portion of the bill on Monday afternoon. The SALT provision would raise the cap to $30,000 for those with a modified adjusted gross income of $400,000 or less. However, the SALT deduction limit has been a sticking point in tax bill negotiations and the provision could still change significantly. The committee is scheduled to debate and vote on the legislation on Tuesday afternoon. More from Personal Finance: Trump’s tax cuts: The key issues and who stands to benefit Changes for Social Security beneficiaries to monitor under new agency leadership With foreign tourists boycotting the U.S., businesses brace for falling sales Enacted via the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, or TCJA, of 2017, there’s a $10,000 limit on the federal deduction on state and local taxes, known as SALT, which will sunset after 2025 without action from Congress. Currently, if you itemize tax breaks, you can’t deduct more than $10,000 in levies paid to state and local governments, including income and property taxes. Raising the SALT cap has been a priority for certain lawmakers from high-tax states like California, New Jersey and New York. With a slim House Republican majority, those voices could impact negotiations. While Trump enacted the $10,000 SALT cap in 2017, he reversed his position on the campaign trail last year, vowing to “get SALT back” if elected again. He has renewed calls for reform since being sworn into office. Lawmakers have floated several updates, including a complete repeal, which seems unlikely with a tight budget and several competing priorities, experts say. “It all has to come together in the context of the broader package,” but a higher SALT deduction limit could be possible, Garrett Watson, director of policy analysis at the Tax Foundation, told CNBC earlier this month. Here’s who could be impacted. How to claim the SALT deduction When filing taxes, you choose the greater of the standard deduction or your itemized deductions, including SALT capped at $10,000, medical expenses above 7.5% of your adjusted gross income, charitable gifts and others. Starting in 2018, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act doubled the standard deduction, and it adjusts for inflation yearly. For 2025, the standard deduction is $15,000 for single filers and $30,000 for married couples filing jointly. Because of the high threshold, the vast majority of filers — roughly 90%, according to the latest IRS data — use the standard deduction and don’t benefit from itemized tax breaks. Typically, itemized deductions increase with income, and higher earners tend to owe more in state income and property taxes, according to Watson. Who benefits from a higher SALT limit Generally, higher earners would benefit most from raising the SALT deduction limit, experts say. For example, an earlier proposal, which would remove the “marriage penalty” in federal income taxes, involves increasing the cap on the SALT deduction for married couples filing jointly from $10,000 to $20,000. That would offer almost all the tax break to households making more than $200,000 per year, according to a January analysis from the Tax Policy Center. “If you raise the cap, the people who benefit the most are going to be upper-middle income,” said Howard Gleckman, senior fellow at the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center. Of course, upper-middle income looks different depending on where you live, he said. Forty of the top 50 U.S. congressional districts impacted by the SALT limit are in California, Illinois, New Jersey or New York, a Bipartisan Policy Center analysis from before 2022 redistricting found. If lawmakers repealed the cap completely, households making $430,000 or more would see nearly three-quarters of the benefit, according to a separate Tax Policy Center analysis from September. Source link #House #GOP #tax #bill #calls #SALT #deduction #cap Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Father Ted creator denies harassing trans woman Father Ted creator denies harassing trans woman Father Ted co-creator Graham Linehan has pleaded not guilty to harassment and criminal damage against a transgender woman. The Irish comedy writer, who also created The IT Crowd and ****** Books, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London on Monday. The 56-year-old denied two charges including one of harassing Sophia Brooks, 18, a transgender activist, on social media in October. He is also accused of damaging her phone during the “Battle of Ideas” conference in London in the same month, at which he was a speaker. The case will go to trial in September. Mr Linehan spoke to confirm his name, date of birth and his plea. He said outside court afterwards that he had for six years defended “the rights of women and children” and had faced abuse and threats. Mr Linehan must return to the court for trial on 4 September. He is accused of harassment by posting abusive comments on social media between 11 and 27 of October, and of damage to a phone to the value of £369. He was granted bail on condition he did not contact the complainant directly or indirectly. Source link #Father #Ted #creator #denies #harassing #trans #woman Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Montreal public health reports sharp increase in tuberculosis, ********* cases Montreal public health reports sharp increase in tuberculosis, ********* cases By Staff The ********* Press Posted May 12, 2025 3:07 pm 1 min read Descrease article font size Increase article font size Montreal public health officials are calling for better access to tuberculosis care after a sharp rise in the number of cases reported last year. The regional health authority reported 203 new cases in 2024, compared to an average of 123 cases per year over the previous decade. Get weekly health news Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday. About 89 per cent of Montreal’s cases since 2015 involved people born outside Canada, and most contracted the disease outside the country. Some 48 per cent of last year’s cases were among people who were not covered by the province’s health insurance plan. Trending Now Body of Quebec hiker missing since November found in mountains of New York state Foreign student asylum claims hit record high in 2024, set to grow in 2025 The authors say many of these patients face “significant barriers” to care, and are urging the province to develop new programs to reach them. The report also found that cases of ********* have risen about 60 per cent over the last 10 years in Montreal. More on Health More videos &copy 2025 The ********* Press Source link #Montreal #public #health #reports #sharp #increase #tuberculosis #********* #cases Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Play on: Wallabies coach resists call to rest Suaalii Play on: Wallabies coach resists call to rest Suaalii Wallabies boss Joe Schmidt doesn’t subscribe to the theory that Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii should sit out the rest of the Super Rugby season after being knocked out. Source link #Play #Wallabies #coach #resists #call #rest #Suaalii Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

These dividend stocks are ‘unsung heroes,’ UBS Asset Management says These dividend stocks are ‘unsung heroes,’ UBS Asset Management says Investors looking to strike a balance between offense and defense in this market should turn to companies that consistently grow their dividends, according to Jeremy Zirin, head of UBS Asset Management’s private client U.S. equity team. When stocks slid in April following President Donald Trump ‘s tariff policy announcement, investors scooped up dividend stocks — mainly focusing on those with high yields, he said. Yet the markets rebounded as the president began easing back on tariffs amid negotiations, and on Monday stocks soared after the U.S. and China agreed to temporarily cut duties . “The higher-dividend-yielding strategies tend to do better when markets are in real turmoil and declining, but if there’s more chop, more volatility and potentially upside … you don’t want to be overly defensive,” said Zirin, who manages the UBS U.S. Dividend Ruler Fund (DVRUX) , rated five stars by Morningstar. DVRUX YTD mountain UBS U.S. Dividend Ruler Fund The fund focuses on companies with long-term track records of consistent dividend growth, as well as those that pay a dividend yield at or above that of the S & P 500 . The broad market index currently yields about 1.3%, while the UBS U.S. Dividend Ruler Fund yields 1.83%. The fund has a net expense ratio of 0.5%. In fact, research suggests those companies that consistently increase their dividends deliver better risk-adjusted returns than the highest yielding stocks, he said. Plus, dividend growers are also a good hedge against inflation, Zirin added. Two standout sectors Even within dividend-growth stocks, there are two sectors that stand out to Zirin. “The unsung heroes of the dividend growth universe are in the technology and in the financial sectors,” he said. While it is easy to find good, consistent dividend payers in areas like consumer staples and health care, tech and financials will add more balance to the dividend portfolio, he said. The UBS U.S. Dividend Ruler Fund has more than 29% of its allocation in information technology stocks and nearly 19% in financials. “Tech and financials have among the best earnings momentum and forward-looking fundamentals that we see in the market today,” said Zirin. First-quarter earnings results show that companies in the technology sector, and particularly those related to artificial-intelligence infrastructure, have been resilient, he said. The results “reinforced the notion that even during periods like the current ******* of economic uncertainty, hyperscalers and mega-cap tech companies are going to continue to spend and spend aggressively on their AI infrastructure,” he said. Meanwhile, the financial sector will benefit from the next wave of policy changes, which will be deregulation, Zirin said. “The administration is going to want to pivot and pivot soon to try to take the focus off of the potential impact of tariffs on the economy and to other areas of policy changes — specifically, you know, tax reform and extension of the TCJA [Tax Cuts and Jobs Act] and on deregulation,” he said. Financials also don’t have direct exposure to tariffs, he added. Here are the top 10 holdings in the UBS U.S. Dividend Ruler Fund, which include Microsoft, Oracle and JPMorgan. Microsoft holds the top position and has a 0.74% dividend yield. The company, which has been paying dividends for more than 20 years, announced its latest increase in September. In April, the tech giant posted an earnings and revenue beat and issued strong guidance. Shares are up about 6% year to date. Meanwhile, Oracle missed on the top and bottom lines for its fiscal third quarter , but the company said it has seen booming demand for computing power to support AI projects. “We are on schedule to double our data center capacity this calendar year,” Oracle Chair Larry Ellison said in a release. “Customer demand is at record levels.” Oracle also raised its dividend by 25%. It now yields about 1.3%. “Some investors look at tech dividend yields and think that they’re not all that attractive because they’re close to market yields, but if they’re growing their dividend at 25%, that dividend yield gets a lot more interesting post the dividend increase,” Zirin said. The stock has lost 6% so far this year. Lastly, JPMorgan has a dividend yield of roughly 2.2%. Zirin called it one of the best-run financial companies. In April, the bank reported revenue that topped Wall Street’s expectations. Earlier this year, JPMorgan also raised its dividend by 12% “despite all of the uncertainty and despite [CEO] Jamie Dimon’s pretty cautious forward-looking view that’s been persistent over the past two or three years,” he said. The stock has gained 8% year to date. Source link #dividend #stocks #unsung #heroes #UBS #Asset #Management Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]