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2 teens charged after fake bomb, shooting threat forced Ventura High School lockdown 2 teens charged after fake bomb, shooting threat forced Ventura High School lockdown Two Ventura High School students were charged with felonies after calling in a fake bomb and shooting threat that forced a lockdown of their school. The teen suspects were only identified as two 15-year-old boys due to their juvenile status, the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office said. On May 2, at 12:38 p.m., school staff received a threatening phone call saying someone was on campus with a bomb and intended to commit a shooting. School officials immediately called law enforcement and the campus was placed on lockdown. All students and staff were ordered to shelter in place. At one point, Sky5 footage showed students being evacuated from buildings and escorted to the school parking lot. Ventura Police responded to the scene and began investigating. The two 15-year-olds were later identified as the suspected callers. They were found and taken into custody. Law enforcement and worried parents are seen at Ventura High School while the campus was on lockdown for reports of a bomb threat. May 2025. (Sky5) Law enforcement and worried parents are seen at Ventura High School while the campus was on lockdown for reports of a bomb threat. May 2025. (Sky5) Law enforcement and worried parents are seen near at Ventura High School while the campus was on lockdown for reports of a bomb threat. May 2025. (Sky5) Law enforcement is seen escorting students from Ventura High School while the campus was on lockdown for reports of a bomb threat. May 2025. (Sky5) Law enforcement and worried parents are seen at Ventura High School while the campus was on lockdown for reports of a bomb threat. May 2025. (Sky5) Law enforcement is seen at Ventura High School while the campus was on lockdown for reports of a bomb threat. May 2025. (Sky5) Law enforcement is seen escorting students from Ventura High School while the campus was on lockdown for reports of a bomb threat. May 2025. (Sky5) Both teens were charged with malicious informing of a false bomb, conspiracy to commit a crime, and criminal threats A juvenile petition was filed against each suspect by the Ventura County DA’s Office on May 5. Both appeared in juvenile court on Wednesday. One suspect’s arraignment was continued to May 21. The other suspect denied all charges and a contest is scheduled for May 27 in juvenile court. Both remain in custody at the Juvenile Justice Center in Oxnard. “All threats to commit violence on our school campuses will be treated seriously,” said Juvenile Unit Supervisor Maureen Byrne. “The bomb and shooting threat made towards Ventura High School’s campus caused students and staff to fear for their safety. Our office is committed to ensuring that school campuses are safe for students.” Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. Source link #teens #charged #fake #bomb #shooting #threat #forced #Ventura #High #School #lockdown Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Undecember launches Starwalker season with new boss, Wheel of Fate content, and massive rewards Undecember launches Starwalker season with new boss, Wheel of Fate content, and massive rewards Take on the new boss Starlight Guardian Try your hand at the Wheel of Fate Grab goodies from the login event If you’re all set with the Trials of Power season, Line Games has launched a new update for Undecember, offering a massive content patch including an epic new boss to take on this season. In particular, the new boss Starlight Guardian is waiting for a proper challenger – and if you’re up to the task, you’ll score cool rewards for all your hard work. The latest Starwalker season also adds the new Wheel of Fate content, where Unique Gears will be up for grabs. This will be accessible via the Chaos Statue – a board-like set of nodes you can clear to nab special rewards upon completion. Additionally, the Starwalker Update Celebration Login Event will also reward you with goodies, including a special Zodiac Sprinter ticket. That’s a whole lotta perks just for checking in, isn’t it? Other quality-of-life improvements include balances to Runes and Unique Gear, while the maximum level of Gear now boasts a 170 cap from the initial 165. As for the UI, there’s now a First Payment Event reward popup feature, and a Path Guide Footsteps feature for convenience to help you find the path to quest objective points more easily. All these are simply scratching the surface of the update, which you can learn more about from the official patch notes. Or, why not take a look at our list of the best builds to prep for the next season? In the meantime, if you’re eager to join in on all the fun, you can do so by checking out Undecember on the App Store and on Google Play. It’s free-to-play with in-app purchases. You can also join the community of followers on the official Facebook page to stay updated on all the latest developments, visit the official website for more info, or take a little peek at the embedded clip above to get a feel of the vibes and visuals. Source link #Undecember #launches #Starwalker #season #boss #Wheel #Fate #content #massive #rewards Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Warriors vs. Timberwolves score, NBA playoff updates: Wolves win Game 2, tie series 1-1 with Stephen Curry out – CBS Sports Warriors vs. Timberwolves score, NBA playoff updates: Wolves win Game 2, tie series 1-1 with Stephen Curry out – CBS Sports Warriors vs. Timberwolves score, NBA playoff updates: Wolves win Game 2, tie series 1-1 with Stephen Curry out CBS SportsBest moments from Wolves’ series-evening win over Warriors ESPNHow Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Golden State Warriors in NBA playoffs Game 2 The New York TimesNightly Pulse: NBA News & Highlights from May 8 NBAThree best NBA player props, odds for Warriors vs. Timberwolves on Thursday: Use Buddy Hield in 3-pointer bets CBS Sports Source link #Warriors #Timberwolves #score #NBA #playoff #updates #Wolves #win #Game #tie #series #Stephen #Curry #CBS #Sports Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘Thought about him every day’: Cam McCarthy’s memory lives on through Fremantle Dockers skipper Alex Pearce ‘Thought about him every day’: Cam McCarthy’s memory lives on through Fremantle Dockers skipper Alex Pearce On Thursday night, Cam McCarthy’s nickname was scribbled on Alex Pearce’s wrist. And on Thursday night, like every day across the past 12 months, Cam McCarthy’s name was on Alex Pearce’s mind. Source link #Thought #day #Cam #McCarthys #memory #lives #Fremantle #Dockers #skipper #Alex #Pearce Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

This Popular International Destination Has Received an Updated Travel Advisory — Why There’s ‘Increased Risk’ This Popular International Destination Has Received an Updated Travel Advisory — Why There’s ‘Increased Risk’ One Southeast Asian country is the subject of a renewed travel advisory from the U.S. government. The U.S. State Department said on Wednesday, April 30, that Indonesia has been classified with a Level 2 Travel Advisory of “Exercise Increased Caution.” The advisory cites the increased risk of “terrorism and natural disasters.” However, certain areas in Indonesia were labeled with the highest travel advisory level, at a Level 4 Advisory of “Do Not Travel.” It is advised to avoid Central Papua and Highland Papua, and specifically Jayawijaya, which is in Highland Papua, and Nabire, Timika and Mimika, which are in Central Papua. “In Central Papua and Highland Papua, violent demonstrations and conflict could result in injury or death to U.S. citizens,” the State Department website said. “Avoid demonstrations and crowds. Armed separatists may kidnap foreign nationals.” Beginning in February 2025, students across Indonesia started to protest in opposition to President Prabowo Subianto’s policies, per Reuters. Getty Indonesia, Papua, Jayawijaya Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Travelers were also warned that the U.S. government has “limited ability” to aid citizens in the case of emergencies because government officials must secure special visas before visiting the aforementioned areas. “Due to the risks, the U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Central Papua and Highland Papua because U.S. government employees working in Indonesia must obtain special authorization before traveling to those areas,” the State Department website said. Getty Balim River in Jayawijaya, Papua, Indonesia Additionally, the day before the travel advisory for Indonesia was issued, the State Department announced that Indonesia’s neighbor, Papua New Guinea, received a Level 3 advisory of “Reconsider Travel.” Papua New Guinea borders Indonesia to the east. Travelers are advised to reconsider travel “due to crime, civil unrest, and piracy,” per the State Department. “Exercise increased caution due to kidnapping, unexploded ordnance, inconsistent availability of healthcare services, and potential for natural disasters.” Also, areas near the Panguna Mine on the island of Bougainville and the Highlands Region (except Mt. Hagen and Goroka) have Level 4 warnings of “Do Not Travel.” Both advisories are due to civil unrest. Read the original article on People Source link #Popular #International #Destination #Received #Updated #Travel #Advisory #Increased #Risk Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

London markets didn’t like the ***-U.S. trade deal London markets didn’t like the ***-U.S. trade deal Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks to employees at a car factory in the West Midlands, Britain, on May 8, 2025. Alberto Pezzali | Via Reuters The U.K. is the first country to seal a trade deal with the U.S. Cue the jubilations. And investors certainly did, giving the three major U.S. indexes back-to-back winning sessions. Curiously, the mood across the Atlantic wasn’t as upbeat: the U.K.’s FTSE 100 closed lower following the announcement of the agreement. To be sure, the U.K. extracted some concessions, such as a lower tariff rate on its first 100,000 vehicles exported to the U.S. and securing new discussions for U.S. President Donald Trump’s universal 25% levies on steel and aluminum imports. That said, the deal does seem more advantageous to the U.S., at least based on the fact that a 10% tariff will remain on all U.K. imports, alongside other compromises allowed by Britain. The U.S. already runs a trade surplus with the U.K., meaning that it exports more to the country than it imports. And a 10% tariff was what Trump slapped on the U.K. on April 2, so there was no reduction in those levies despite both countries reaching an agreement. “What we heard today is just noise for most U.K. imports. It doesn’t affect the majority of products,” Andy Abbott, CEO of niche ocean liner company Atlantic Container Line, told CNBC’s Lori Ann LaRocco. Based on the available details, Washington seems to have got the better end of the deal. What you need to know today U.K. makes preliminary trade deal with U.S.U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday laid out the outline of a trade agreement with the United Kingdom. Many specifics about the deal were not immediately clear, and nothing was signed during the Oval Office event. A White House fact sheet stated that the U.S. will keep a blanket 10% tariff on U.K. imports, which Trump said will be floor for tariffs. The impact of the deal could be limited, a freight CEO said. Most markets rally on trade deal newsU.S. stocks climbed Thursday on news of the freshly minted U.S.-U.K. agreement. The S&P 500 added 0.58%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.62% and the Nasdaq Composite advanced 1.07%, boosted by a broad rise in tech shares. Asia-Pacific markets mostly rose Friday. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index was up 0.2% even as shares of Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation, China’s largest contract chipmaker, fell nearly 7% after its first-quarter earnings missed estimates. China’s April exports surge despite U.S. tariffsChina’s exports in April jumped 8.1% in U.S. dollar terms from a year earlier, according to data released by the country’s customs authority on Friday, sharply beating Reuters’ poll estimates of a 1.9% rise. The surge in exports defies a 21% year-on-year plunge in China’s outbound shipments to the U.S., based on CNBC’s calculation of official customs data. China’s exports to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations climbed 20.8% in April from a year earlier, helping to offset the drop in exports to the U.S. Coinbase misses estimates as bitcoin jumpsCoinbase shares fell nearly 3% in extended trading after it reported first-quarter revenue that failed to meet expectations. The company said consumer trading volume fell 17% from the fourth quarter. The same day, bitcoin prices rose almost 7% during U.S. trading hours to above $100,000 for the first time since February, and a Standard Chartered analyst wrote a tongue-in-cheek apology that his target of $120,000 for bitcoin “may be too low.” First American pope electedCardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected as pope on Thursday, the first time an American has been selected as pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church. Prevost, 69, chose the papal name Leo XIV. Following the news, Trump congratulated the new pope, writing on Truth Social that Leo being the “first American Pope” is “a Great Honor for our Country.” [PRO] Trade deal only a temporary stimulus?Even though investors cheered the U.S.-U.K. trade deal and sent stocks higher Thursday, CNBC Pro contributor Josh Brown, CEO of Ritzholtz Wealth Management, is keeping his expectations of a prolonged market rebound in check — and points out two defensive tech stocks because they behave more like consumer staples. And finally… A Puma sportswear store in central London on May 1, 2025. Bloomberg | Getty Images U.S. tariff pressure has retailers evaluating their prices Household brands including Pandora, Puma and Hugo Boss said this week that they are evaluating their pricing strategies in the U.S. and beyond, in the event that President Donald Trump’s most punitive levies come into effect. Others said that they are altering their supply chains and potentially revising their sales forecasts amid U.S. trade policy uncertainty. Last month, Trump announced sweeping, so-called reciprocal import duties on all U.S. trading partners. The charges were later paused for 90 days and reduced to 10% for most countries except China, pending trade negotiations. Here’s what some major European retailers have been saying about their product prices and earnings outlooks. Source link #London #markets #didnt #UKU.S #trade #deal Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

China’s exports surge as shipments to Southeast Asian countries offset plunge in U.S. trade – CNBC China’s exports surge as shipments to Southeast Asian countries offset plunge in U.S. trade – CNBC China’s exports surge as shipments to Southeast Asian countries offset plunge in U.S. trade CNBCUK must rebuild trade relationship with EU, says BoE boss; China-US shipments slump – business live The GuardianChina April Exports Rise Even as Trump Tariffs Undercut US Shipments BloombergBreaking | ******** exports show strong resilience in April despite US tariff war South China Morning PostChina reports bumper April exports ahead of crucial trade talks with US Financial Times Source link #Chinas #exports #surge #shipments #Southeast #Asian #countries #offset #plunge #U.S #trade #CNBC Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Genesis to tackle electric, plug-in hybrid BMW, Benz SUVs with new range-extender Genesis to tackle electric, plug-in hybrid BMW, Benz SUVs with new range-extender The mid-size luxury SUV segment includes everything from hybrids to plug-in hybrids and fully electric vehicles, and now Genesis is about to throw in another type of electrification. The Korean luxury marque is set to launch an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) version of its GV70, which Korean Car Blog reports will debut in December 2026. It’ll reportedly use a modified version of the E-GMP platform underpinning dedicated electric vehicles (EVs) within the Hyundai Motor Group such as the Genesis GV60 and Kia EV9. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Camera IconGV70 Credit: CarExpert EREV technology has become increasingly popular in China, employed by auto brands like Deepal and Leapmotor, but hasn’t been employed by many brands outside of that market. Like plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), EREVs typically feature a battery much larger than a traditional hybrid but usually smaller than a traditional EV’s. A petrol engine acts as a generator to recharge the battery when needed, though you can still charge an EREV as you would a PHEV or EV. Unlike a PHEV, however, an EREV’s combustion engine doesn’t directly drive the wheels. Hyundai Motor Group’s upcoming EREVs – set to also include an SUV for the Hyundai brand – will offer a claimed combined range of over 900km when fully charged, while offering an “EV-like driving experience”. Camera IconElectrified GV70 Credit: CarExpert A previous Korean Car Blog report said the GV70 EREV would use a 40kWh battery pack and offer more than 200km of electric range. Genesis announced last year that it would roll out what it referred to as hybrid vehicles, despite previously indicating it would skip past these powertrain types to pure electric vehicles ahead of a targeted EV-only date of 2030. “Five years back we anticipated that the EV era would arrive very quickly, and we really wanted to be a leader and a disruptor in the EV space,” said Genesis global boss Mike Song. “Electrification is still our vision. We will have 100 per cent electrified vehicles, but the market and the customers now want hybrid more than EV, so we really want to bring Genesis hybrid into the market as soon as possible. “We will apply it to as many models as possible.” In addition to EREVs, Genesis is also reportedly rolling out a more traditional hybrid powertrain – its new turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder system – to the G80 and GV80. Camera IconGV60 Credit: CarExpert Genesis Australia has confirmed it wants to offer hybrid models to the local lineup as soon as they’re available. Globally, Genesis has never offered hybrids, PHEVs or EREVs, but it offers a range of EVs. These include the GV60, which employs the dedicated E-GMP platform, but also the Electrified GV70 and Electrified G80, which are based on combustion-powered vehicles. The Electrified GV70 battles the likes of the Audi Q6 e-tron, BMW iX3 and Lexus RZ, while the upcoming EREV version will have no direct competitors in the *********** market – though there are mid-size luxury PHEV SUVs like the Audi Q5 and Lexus NX. MORE: Everything Genesis GV70 Source link #Genesis #tackle #electric #plugin #hybrid #BMW #Benz #SUVs #rangeextender Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

France is making more of the devastating Hammer bombs that are proving hard for Russia to intercept in Ukraine France is making more of the devastating Hammer bombs that are proving hard for Russia to intercept in Ukraine French defense company Safran is boosting its production of Hammer bombs. They’ve been used by Ukraine to hit Russian targets, and have proved difficult to take out. The company told *** it could further double production over a few years if it gets enough orders. France is ramping up its production of Hammer bombs, which Ukraine has used to take out Russian military targets. French company Safran Electronics & Defense told Business Insider that it is increasing production of AASM Hammer bombs by more than 40% this year. A company spokeswoman told *** that it expects to make 1,200 AASMs in 2025, up from 830 in 2024. And the company plans on going further. The spokeswoman added that “we plan to double this rate over the next few years, if the orders are there.” It’s unclear how many of the bombs will go to Ukraine’s military. The spokesperson said she couldn’t give details on that, but added, “I can confirm that AASMs are combat-proven and used in Ukraine.” The Hammer is an air-to-surface weapon with a guidance and propulsion kit that turns munitions into precision-guided bombs capable of deep strikes and close-air-support missions. They have been fitted to Ukraine’s older, Soviet-era jets, and footage has shown them allegedly striking Russian troops and drone hubs. Ukraine also said it used them to hit a control center in Russia. Safran said the Hammer has a range of more than 43 miles. A still from video footage showing a Ukrainian fighter jet dropping an AASM Hammer bomb.Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine/Telegram Hammer bombs are a type of glide bomb, a piece of weaponry that Ukraine has increasingly adopted throughout the war, after Russia used them to devastating effect. Glide bombs are typically older munitions that have been converted into precision-guided weapons that are hard to intercept. They’re also significantly cheaper than many other types of weaponry, which means they can be easily mass-produced. Ukraine has increasingly used glide bombs, including domestically made ones. Safran has adapted the Hammer bombs so they could be used with Ukraine’s MiG-29 and Su-25 aircraft. It’s not clear how many Hammer bombs Ukraine has received to date, but France’s defense minister, Sébastien Lecornu, said in January 2024 that France would be delivering 50 to Ukraine every month. Safran’s jump in production comes as European defense companies increasingly look to boost their production, as European nations increase their aid to Ukraine and their own defense spending. Europe’s overall defense spending has soared since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, with many countries fearful that Russia may attack elsewhere on the continent. European leaders have warned that much more needs to be done, including countries placing larger orders and changing rules that may be preventing defense-related industries from ramping up production. Some European defense companies have said that they need larger orders to give them the confidence to make sizable investments, like new production facilities, that would allow them to grow their output over many years. Read the original article on Business Insider Source link #France #making #devastating #Hammer #bombs #proving #hard #Russia #intercept #Ukraine Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Xi Tells Putin to Reach ‘Fair’ Peace Deal to End War on Ukraine – Bloomberg Xi Tells Putin to Reach ‘Fair’ Peace Deal to End War on Ukraine – Bloomberg Xi Tells Putin to Reach ‘Fair’ Peace Deal to End War on Ukraine BloombergBehind the smiles: Three things to watch as Xi meets Putin BBCIn Europe, Xi Jinping’s Russia trip casts a shadow over China’s charm offensive South China Morning PostRussia’s Victory Day Parade: What to Know. The New York TimesXi and Putin agree to ‘deepen’ China-Russia ties during Moscow talks CNN Source link #Tells #Putin #Reach #Fair #Peace #Deal #War #Ukraine #Bloomberg Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Brother’s shock turns to pride as sibling becomes pope Brother’s shock turns to pride as sibling becomes pope When white smoke poured out of the Sistine Chapel revealing that a new pope had been chosen, John Prevost turned on his television in the US state of Illinois, called his niece and they watched in awe as his brother’s name was announced. “She started screaming because it was her uncle and I was in the moment of disbelief that this cannot be possible because it’s too far from what we thought would happen,” Prevost said told The Associated Press from his home in New Lenox, Illinois. Next, he said he felt an intense sense of pride that his brother, Cardinal Robert Prevost, had become the 267th pontiff to lead the Catholic Church, making the Chicago-born missionary the first US pope. “It’s quite an honour,” he said on Thursday. “But I think it’s quite a responsibility and I think it’s going to lead to ******* and better things, but I think people are going to watch him very closely to see what he’s doing.” Robert Prevost, a 69-year-old member of the Augustinian religious order who spent his career ministering in Peru, took the name Leo XIV. John Prevost described his brother as being very concerned for the poor and those who did not have a voice. He said he expected him to be a “second Pope Francis”. “He’s not going to be real far left and he’s not going to be real far right,” he added. “Kind of right down the middle.” The new pope grew up the youngest of three boys. John Prevost, who was only a year older than him, said he remembered Robert Prevost being very good in school and enjoyed playing tag, Monopoly and Risk. From a young age, he said he knew his brother was going to be a priest. Although he did not expect him to become pope, he recalled a neighbour predicting that very thing when Robert Prevost was only six years old. “How she did that, who knows. It took this long, but here he is, first American pope,” he said. Robert Prevost left for seminary school after graduating eighth grade, his brother said. “There’s a whole ******* there where we didn’t really grow up together,” he said, seeing each other only while on holiday. These days, the brothers talk on the phone every day, John Prevost said, he was not sure how much time his brother would have to talk as the new pope. “It’s already strange not having someone to talk to,” he said. Source link #Brothers #shock #turns #pride #sibling #pope Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

One-of-a-Kind 400 BHP Brooke Double R Cosworth Emerges from Storage – Street Legal and Stunning One-of-a-Kind 400 BHP Brooke Double R Cosworth Emerges from Storage – Street Legal and Stunning Read the full article on Motorious This ultra-rare 400 hp Brooke Double R is the only one with a hand-formed aluminum body—road-legal and faster than most supercars. In the world of lightweight performance cars, few names are more obscure—or more intriguing—than the Brooke Double R. Even fewer examples exist, and now the only known aluminum-bodied, supercharged 400 BHP version has surfaced in collector-grade condition, offering street-legal performance to rival an Ariel Atom or Caterham Seven. Born from the ashes of the Brooke Kensington ME190 in the mid-2000s, the Brooke Double R was an ultra-lightweight, minimalist sports car with British roots and a performance-focused ethos. Built on a tubular spaceframe chassis, the Double R featured side-by-side seating, mid-engine layout, and a dry weight of just 510 kg (1,124 lbs). While 15 units were produced before the boutique manufacturer folded, this example stands alone: it’s the only one ever built with a hand-formed aluminum body, as opposed to the fiberglass shells used on all other production units. Originally created as a factory showcase car, it has just 1,369 miles on the odometer and spent over a decade in a sealed storage bubble, preserving its condition like a time capsule. Power comes from a supercharged Cosworth-tuned Ford Duratec inline-four, delivering 400 bhp and capable of launching the car from 0 to 60 mph in under 3 seconds. That kind of power-to-weight ratio puts it in elite company alongside the Ariel Atom 3 and Lotus 340R. The car also boasts outboard double wishbone suspension, adjustable coilovers, LED-integrated cycle fenders, and a unique right-side gear lever tailored to its righthand-drive cockpit. Registered and street legal in the ***, it represents a rare opportunity to own a piece of niche British motoring history—an exotic blend of raw power, featherweight engineering, and handmade craftsmanship. Via Iconic Auctioneers Sign up for the Motorious Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Source link #OneofaKind #BHP #Brooke #Double #Cosworth #Emerges #Storage #Street #Legal #Stunning Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

China’s He Lifeng: Xi Jinping’s ally leading trade talks with US – Financial Times China’s He Lifeng: Xi Jinping’s ally leading trade talks with US – Financial Times China’s He Lifeng: Xi Jinping’s ally leading trade talks with US Financial TimesTrump Team Seeks Tariff Cuts, Rare Earths Relief in China Talks BloombergMorning Bid: US-China talks stir hope, and scepticism ReutersChina says U.S. asked for trade meeting in Switzerland CNBCChina Agreed to U.S. Tariff Talks but Is Likely to Play Hardball The New York Times Source link #Chinas #Lifeng #Jinpings #ally #leading #trade #talks #Financial #Times Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Inside the Labor machine: Your guide to all the factions Inside the Labor machine: Your guide to all the factions There will be no plumes of red smoke wafting from the rafters of Parliament House, but we should know the final make-up of the future Cabinet from Labor’s conclave-style caucus by Monday. After the party’s Left and Right factions gathered on Thursday to wrestle over their frontbench nominations ahead of a sign-off by the full caucus on Friday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will spend the weekend allocating portfolios and deciding additions to assist the top team. Ahead of the factional power play, he urged the party not to succumb to ego or in-fighting after such a thumping majority. There was a process to work through, he said, underscoring the responsibility of Government where “no individual is greater than the collective”. In a caucus “brimming with talent,” there was a range of roles from the frontbench to committee chairs and caucus office bearers, he told those jostling for premier spots. “I’m confident that whoever fills those positions, we will have an extraordinary team going forward.” THE FACTIONS Saturday’s landslide win has allowed Mr Albanese more leeway to make captain’s calls but the process he speaks of is an opaque and complex decision-making structure divided along State and factional allegiances between left and right. Political success from the first to the upper rungs of Government is guided by Federal and State powerbrokers who work by factional quotas and weightings in each State to choose who can run for office and to sway frontbench portfolio allocations and policy decisions. The more MPs a faction has elected, the greater their number in caucus and thus their influence. Traditionally left-aligned MPs are more progressive and focused on social issues, while the right are more economically liberal. The factional system became more formalised in the 1970s and the once majority right has now ceded its numerical dominance to the left. After the May 3 victory, the left now accounts for 61 out of the 122-strong caucus, compared to 59 on the Right and two unaligned. Another two seats were too close to call (one from each faction) and there’s a Tasmanian Senate vacancy. The tally mirrors a longer-term trend towards the Labor left from a State to a Federal level. Although the right remains supreme in NSW, it has seen its influence shrink elsewhere, with the left now dominant in formerly right-leaning States of Queensland and Victoria. CABINET After each election, the factions make a claim to cabinet spots. How many spots each side is allocated is based primarily on how many members of each faction have been elected, or are in caucus. The overall ministry consists of 30 positions: 20 who are in cabinet and a further 10 who are in the outer ministry. The positions of Speaker and Senate President are also counted as “ministry” spots when it comes to the factional carve-up, because they come with additional salary and perks even though they are not actual ministers. After the factions have had their say, the Prime Minister can also make a number of additional appointments known as assistant ministers, or parliamentary secretaries in the old parlance, who help the senior ministers in some of the more niche areas of their portfolio. For example, in the previous iteration of the frontbench, Minister for Education Jason Clare was in cabinet, Minister for Early Childhood Education and Youth Anne Aly was in the outer ministry and Assistant Minister for Education Anthony Chisholm had specific responsibility for regional education. The left selects its frontbench candidates out of a single nationwide pool, with consideration given to State weightings, gender and the balance between upper and lower houses, along with merit. The right, in contrast, makes decisions at a State level. WHERE THINGS SIT IN 2025 Mr Albanese comes from the NSW left, while his top lieutenants Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Health Minister Mark Butler hail from the South *********** left. Deputy PM Richard Marles is from the Victorian right and Treasurer Jim Chalmers is from the Queensland right. ACT left senator and Finance Minister Katy Gallagher and Trade Minister Don Farrell, a South *********** right senator dubbed the Godfather, are among the veterans whose jobs are secured. But the elbows come out in the carve-up of other roles where States and factions try to divide the spoils according to the quotas and what they believe they are due. Insiders caution the unexpectedly large majority win has conversely made the Prime Minister’s balancing act more elusive as he tries to reward long-serving MPs while encouraging ambitious newly elected talent. As an example of the delicate divide between Right and left, and the need to respect the caucus gender balance, the over-representation of NSW men from the right created a conundrum this week. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, a close confidante of Mr Albanese, Education Minister Jason Clare, Energy Minister Chris Bowen and Industry Minister Ed Husic all had stellar records in office but faced pressure for one of them to move aside. Proportionally, Victoria and NSW should enjoy equal allocations of eight ministries, but the Victorian right, miffed over the previous term’s imbalance of five to 11, demanded its fair share. The Prime Minister could have stood firm on continuity grounds, but ultimately Mr Husic and Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus fell victim to Victoria’s balkanised factions, paving the way for promotions of Victorian right MPs Daniel Mulino and Sam Rae. The rocketing success of left candidates at the election meant their share of the ministry rose from 14 to 15. The faction claimed both the vacancy created by Right powerbroker Bill Shorten as well as the left spot vacated by former assistant treasurer Stephen Jones. Tim Ayres, a close NSW left ally of Mr Albanese and who sits on the party’s powerful national executive, has been promoted to the ministry, as has Victorian senator and former union state secretary Jess Walsh. FACTIONAL CONVENERS In Canberra, factional conveners help to manage egos and parcel out the plum jobs and promotions, while resolving internal policy fights and providing pastoral care. As one Labor insider explained, factions are inevitable in any assembly of divergent worldviews but can also be a source of stability and discipline. The role is handled on the right by NSW MP Matt Thistlethwaite, but Chris Bowen and Tony Burke are the most influential in that State. In Victoria, Raff Ciccone takes on the mantle, while Don Farrell, matched only by Richard Marles for clout, pulls many internal strings. In Queensland, Senator Anthony Chisholm is the convener of the right but Treasurer Jim Chalmers, as the most senior member, wields an influential hand on the right, and Employment Minister Murray Watt on the left. Veterans Affairs Minister Matt Keogh wrangles the right for Western Australia. On the left is NSW’s Sharon Claydon, South *********** senator Karen Grogan, and Senator Walsh, although the Victorian is likely to step down from the role after her promotion. STATE KINGPINS AND UNIONS Beyond the Parliament, the centre of power lies with the national executive, which can intervene in State branches, and the authoritative right and left-aligned trade unions. On the right, is the *********** Workers’ Union (AWU), Transport Workers Union (TWU) and the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association (SDA). On the left, the United Workers’ Union (UWU) and the *********** Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU) are the big players. Many Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU) branches were suspended from the party over allegations of corruption and misconduct in 2024. The SDA’s Josh Peak and Gerard Dwyer and UWU’s Gary Bullock in Queensland are cited as Labor union titans. Factional power is distributed via the union movement, which at the grassroots flows into candidate selection for winnable seats, propelling high profile MPs like Senator Walsh, a former leader of UWU to Canberra. Camera IconLabor ministries, state-by-state. Credit: The Nightly The process of joining a faction is hazy. Nobody is compelled to and may do so through organic push and pull factors or are invited to at some point along the way. But to get ahead, it’s easier to plump for left or right. Realpolitik stated the elevation of even brilliant performers like Assistant Minister Andrew Leigh could be stunted by dint of being non-aligned, said one Labor insider. But Nick Dyrenfurth, a former Bill Shorten staffer and executive director of the Labor-aligned John Curtin Research Centre, said a new dividing line was emerging between progressives and Laborist traditionalists or materialists, rising beyond right and left. “The other dividing line is really understanding how class works in Australia and that class still matters. That’s how people voted on May 3: on the economy, on jobs and wages, and Medicare,” he said. “Labor is, first and foremost, the party of working-class people. Whereas, the progressive view, across the left and right, is one which by and large has moved beyond class.” Source link #Labor #machine #guide #factions Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Xi and Putin pledge to stand together against US Xi and Putin pledge to stand together against US By Dmitry Antonov MOSCOW (Reuters) – ******** President Xi Jinping told Russia’s Vladimir Putin on Thursday their two countries should be “friends of steel”, as they pledged to raise cooperation to a new level and “decisively” counter the influence of the United States. At talks in the Kremlin, the two leaders cast themselves as defenders of a new world order no longer dominated by the U.S. In a lengthy joint statement, they said they would deepen relations in all areas, including military ties, and “strengthen coordination in order to decisively counter Washington’s course of ‘dual containment’ of Russia and China”. The two countries said the Ukraine conflict could only be settled by removing its “root causes” – a phrase that Russia has frequently used when arguing that it was forced to go to war to prevent the prospect of Ukraine joining NATO. Ukraine and its Western allies say that was a false pretext for what they call an imperial-style invasion. Xi is the most powerful of more than two dozen foreign leaders who are visiting Moscow this week to mark Thursday’s 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two – a celebration of huge significance for Putin. Xi’s participation – and the joint statement aligning China with Russia’s view of the conflict – provide Putin with an important boost as Russia comes under pressure from the United States to end the war. Russia says it wants to repair relations with Washington, which sank to post-Cold War lows because of the conflict in Ukraine, and that it sees the potential for lucrative business deals. But talks have failed to produce a ceasefire and President Donald Trump has threatened to walk away unless there is clear progress. Xi, whose country is currently engaged in a tariff war launched by Trump, said China and Russia should solidify the foundations of their cooperation and “eliminate external interference”. The two countries should “be true friends of steel that have been through a hundred trials by fire”, he told Putin. In another implied reference to the U.S., Xi said Russia and China would work together to counter “unilateralism and bullying”. Xi and Putin have met dozens of times and signed a “no limits” strategic partnership in February 2022, less than three weeks before Putin sent his army into Ukraine. China is Russia’s biggest trading partner and has thrown Moscow an economic lifeline that has helped it navigate Western sanctions. Putin said the two leaders would personally oversee all key elements in the relationship, aiming for a substantial boost to trade and investment by 2030. POWERFUL GUEST Domestically, the World War Two anniversary offers Putin a chance to rally Russians in remembrance of a historic feat that is central to the country’s national identity. The Soviet Union lost 27 million people in the war, including many millions in Ukraine, which was also devastated. In opening remarks after greeting Xi in one of the Kremlin’s most opulent halls, Putin thanked him for coming to Moscow to mark 80 years since the “sacred” victory over Adolf Hitler. “The victory over fascism, achieved at the cost of enormous sacrifices, is of lasting significance,” Putin said. “Together with our ******** friends, we firmly stand guard over historical truth, protect the memory of the events of the war years, and counteract modern manifestations of neo-Nazism and militarism.” Putin has portrayed his war in Ukraine as a struggle against modern-day Nazis from the start. Ukraine and its allies reject that characterisation as a grotesque falsehood. In their joint statement, the two countries said some countries were seeking to “revise the results” of World War Two. They described themselves as the “main victorious states” in that conflict, failing to mention the role of the United States, Britain and many other countries. CEASEFIRE PRESSURE Putin last week announced a unilateral three-day ceasefire in the war with Ukraine, beginning on Thursday. Ukraine has not committed to abide by it, calling it a ruse by Putin to create the impression he wants to end the war. Instead, it has declared its willingness to join a ceasefire lasting at least 30 days. Ukraine targeted Moscow with drones for three days earlier this week, but the skies above the capital were calm on Thursday. With so many foreign leaders present, any attacks during the May 9 events could embarrass Putin and would likely draw a tough response from Moscow. Ukraine’s foreign minister said Russia had repeatedly violated its own three-day ceasefire hours after it began and called the initiative a “farce”, while Moscow said Kyiv had continued fighting. Xi has called for talks to end the conflict in Ukraine and has accused the U.S. of stoking it with weapons supplies to Kyiv. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has in the past urged him to try to persuade Putin to halt the war. (Reporting by Dmitry Antonov in Moscow, Kyiv and Beijing newsroom and Maxim Rodionov, Filipp Lebedev and Alexander Marrow in London, writing by Mark Trevelyan; Editing by Aidan Lewis and Sharon Singleton) Source link #Putin #pledge #stand Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Carvana’s Stock Price Rebound Shifts Into a Higher Gear Carvana’s Stock Price Rebound Shifts Into a Higher Gear Carvana (NYSE:) is not out of the weeds but is performing well in 2025, accelerating its business turnaround. The Q1 results reveal strengths in consumer markets and rapidly improving profitability, which have it on track to reach lofty new goals. Company execs announced new long-term targets, including exceeding 3 million in annual retail unit sales with a 13.5% margin. That’s more than 700% growth compared to 2024, with a significantly wider margin expected within the next five to ten years. Based on the Q1 results, the company will likely easily meet the goal. Carvana Growth Accelerates, New Records to be Set in 2025 Carvana had a solid quarter in FQ1 2025 with revenue surging by an industry-leading 38% to $4.233 billion. The performance is 575 basis points above MarketBeat’s reported consensus estimate, driven by a 46% increase in retail units sold and a company record. Wholesale unit sales were also strong in the mid-40% range and are expected to remain solid as the year progresses. The margin news is equally impressive, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 11.5% setting a company record along with record net income and operating margin. The result is $1.53 in adjusted diluted EPS, up more than 500% compared to the prior year, with sales and margins expected to remain strong in Q2. The guidance for Q2 is strong. The company says there is no immediate impact from tariffs, and none are forecasted. What is forecasted is sequential growth in revenue and earnings to new record levels, and there is the possibility of very strong results. While tariffs have no immediate direct impact, the tariff threat has pushed used car prices to two-year highs as consumers shift from new to used, and it will aid top and bottom-line results in 2025. Balance sheet improvement is among the critical details. The company still carries a significant amount of debt, but it is also down YOY due to restructuring. Cash flow is positive, and equity is improving. At the end of Q1, the balance sheet highlights included increased cash and assets, steady liabilities, and a 28% YTD increase in shareholder equity. Assuming the coming quarters align with Q1 strength and Q2 outlook, the balance sheet will continue improving and aid the updraft in share prices. Optimistic Analysts Forecast 30% Upside for Carvana The analysts’ trends in 2025 are mixed for Carvana’s share price, including numerous price target reductions. However, the net result of revisions is a firm Moderate Buy rating, a bullish bias to the outlook, and a price target up by 240% in 12 months. Although the consensus target implies fair value near early May trading levels, the revision trend leads to the high-end range, including the first post-release revisions picked up by MarketBeat’s platform. It is a reiterated Outperform rating from RBC, coupled with a $340 price target, the new high target and a 30% upside when reached. Short interest and institutional activity also aid the updraft in price action. Short interest is down from its highs but still elevated relative to historical norms and falling as of the April reports. Likewise, institutions are buying this stock and providing a steady tailwind for price action, with ownership above 55% and growing. Carvana Moved Higher In Premarket Trading … Carvana’s market was volatile in after-hours and pre-opening trading following the release. However, the initial 7% plunge rebounded quickly, leaving the market up more than 5% at the open. The move suggests a buy-the-dip scenario and points to rising prices in late Q2 and into Q3 of this year. The critical resistance target is $285 and may be reached before summer. A move above $285 would open the door to a larger movement with the potential to hit $320 and $340 by year’s end. Original Post Source link #Carvanas #Stock #Price #Rebound #Shifts #Higher #Gear Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

U.S. tariff pressure has retailers evaluating their prices U.S. tariff pressure has retailers evaluating their prices A Puma sportswear store in central London, ***, on Thursday, May 1, 2025. Bloomberg | Getty Images Household brands including Pandora, Puma and Hugo Boss all said this week that they are evaluating their pricing strategies in the U.S. and beyond in the event that President Donald Trump’s most punitive levies come into effect. Some others, meanwhile, said that they are altering their supply chains and potentially revising their sales forecasts amid U.S. trade policy uncertainty. Trump last month announced sweeping so-called reciprocal import duties on all U.S. trading partners. The charges were later paused for 90 days and reduced to 10% for most countries except China, pending trade negotiations. Companies globally have nevertheless been weighing what the various charges could mean for their businesses, with major names such as Mattel, UPS and Ford all pulling their annual guidance. Here’s what some major European retailers have been saying: Pandora Danish jewelry brand Pandora, which is known for its popular charm bracelets and silver jewelry, warned of significant price increases across the affordable jewelry industry if Trump’s proposed reciprocal tariffs come into effect. The company derives around one-third of its sales from the U.S. but is heavily dependent on manufacturing in Asia, most notably Thailand, Vietnam, India and China, prompting it to warn in April of a potential hit to revenues. A woman stands inside a store of Danish international jewellery company Pandora in Copenhagen, Denmark. Ida Marie Odgaard | Afp | Getty Images “Most jewelers that are in the price segment where we operate, they all import from somewhere in Asia. So you could have an argument if these tariffs remain, then it’s going to be more expensive for everybody that plays,” CEO Alexander Lacik told CNBC. “Therefore we should expect that the consumer pricing will see some change to it,” he added. Asked what level of price rises consumers could expect if tariffs remain in place, Lacik said Pandora had modeled a number of scenarios but that the final figure was likely to be industry-led. Puma ******* sportswear brand Puma also pointed to potential industry-wide price hikes as a result of tariffs, noting that it was currently considering “cost optimization” in the U.S. “We will potentially change our pricing. We are prepared for such a scenario to mitigate the impact of tariffs,” Chief Financial Officer Markus Neubrand said Thursday. The retailer, which similarly relies on manufacturing in Asia, said it expected other brands with greater U.S. sales to lead the charge on price adjustments. But it nevertheless noted that it had trimmed U.S. imports from China after warning in March that it expected to face a hit from import levies. “We don’t want to be the leader in terms of the pricing change in U.S. markets,” Neubrand said. “There are other players in our industry where the U.S. is far more relevant. As the third biggest brand globally we shouldn’t be the pricing leaders.” It comes after rival sportswear giant Adidas said last week that the levies would lead to price hikes for all of its U.S. products. Hugo Boss Fashion retailer Hugo Boss followed other high-end brands in saying that it was considering price adjustments as part of wider measures to onset the impact of added costs. Other plans include redirecting products coming from China to the U.S. and replacing them with products from other markets, optimizing the company’s global sourcing footprint. A Hugo Boss store at Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport. Alex **** | SOPA Images | LightRocket | Getty Images) The suit maker noted that uncertainty around tariffs, recession risks and immigration policy were dampening both domestic and tourist spend in the U.S., its largest single market. CEO Daniel Grieder said U.S. shopper appetite had “certainly diminished” but added that it was still too soon to judge the real impact, despite soft sales in the first quarter. “We continue to monitor the situation,” Grieder said. “Given the ongoing uncertainty around tariffs, it’s still too early to draw final conclusions.” Zalando Online clothing retailer Zalando said that it had so far not seen any “notable impact” on its business as a result of tariffs, adding that consumer demand had been “rather stable.” In confirming its full-year guidance, it nevertheless said that it was positioning to handle “any external developments” in what it dubbed a “fast-changing geopolitical and macro-economic environment.” The company said that it had so far not seen any “notable impact on our business” as a result of tariffs and that consumer demand had been “rather stable,” but that its was positioning to handle “any external developments.” Source link #U.S #tariff #pressure #retailers #evaluating #prices Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

AI execs used to beg for regulation. Not anymore. – The Washington Post AI execs used to beg for regulation. Not anymore. – The Washington Post AI execs used to beg for regulation. Not anymore. The Washington PostAI execs say US must increase exports, improve infrastructure to beat China ReutersWATCH: OpenAI co-founder Sam Altman testifies on AI competition in Senate hearing PBSU.S. AI Leadership Needs Smarter Controls Foreign PolicyOpenAI chief Sam Altman: US barely ahead of China in artificial intelligence arms race Fox Business Source link #execs #beg #regulation #anymore #Washington #Post Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Charges upgraded for 26-year-old Perth man’s alleged role in illicit tobacco smuggling syndicate Charges upgraded for 26-year-old Perth man’s alleged role in illicit tobacco smuggling syndicate A Perth man has had his charges upgraded after officers seized $1.2 million in cash following an investigation into an illicit tobacco smuggling syndicate. Source link #Charges #upgraded #26yearold #Perth #mans #alleged #role #illicit #tobacco #smuggling #syndicate Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Idle Goblin Valley: Chill Farm lets you build a cosy home for cute goblins, now in pre-registration Idle Goblin Valley: Chill Farm lets you build a cosy home for cute goblins, now in pre-registration Grow your farm and expand your goblin town Meet cute goblins with different personalities Keep an eye on their needs as well In case you missed it, Unimob Global has opened pre-registration sign-ups for Idle Goblin Valley: Chill Farm, inviting you to embark on a cosy farming adventure with some charming little goblins. I mean, why do goblins always have to play villainous roles in pop culture, right? They basically just want some TLC too, and maybe if you spend enough time and effort keeping them happy in their own little village, they won’t be so menacing and malevolent all the time. In Idle Goblin Valley, you’ll grow a lovely town for goblins while planting and harvesting crops to keep the economy thriving. As you chop wood to build their homes, you can plan for upgrades to expand your valley and make it the awesomest goblin haven ever. Now, it seems that while you’re aiming for a goblin paradise, not everyone is going to be perfectly happy with what you’ve set them out to do, so be sure to keep an eye on their health, hunger, and personal satisfaction – each goblin will have their own skills and personalities too, so you’d best keep them in check! If you’re on the hunt for something similar while you wait for the official launch, why not take a look at our list of the best idle games on Android to get your fill? In the meantime, if you’re eager to join in on all the fun, you can do so by checking out Idle Goblin Valley: Chill Farm on Google Play. It’s free-to-play with in-app purchases. You can also join the community of followers on the official Facebook page to stay updated on all the latest developments, visit the official website for more info, or take a little peek at the embedded clip above to get a feel of the vibes and visuals. Source link #Idle #Goblin #Valley #Chill #Farm #lets #build #cosy #home #cute #goblins #preregistration Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Google Maps gets an iPhone update that’ll become an everyday essential for many Google Maps gets an iPhone update that’ll become an everyday essential for many When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: Rik Henderson / Future Quick Summary iPhone users are about to enjoy a significant Google Maps upgrade. This should make it easier than ever to plan your next trip. If you’re an iPhone user, there’s a chance you’re not even making use of Google Maps. The brand offers its own Apple Maps as an alternative, and that’s often baked in as the standard option. Still, you’re going to want to change over, because there’s a new feature coming to Google Maps which is going to make planning your next trip a doddle. That lets Google’s Gemini look through your screenshots to extract places and add them to your Maps. Say, for example, you’ve been planning a trip to London. Perhaps you’ve been looking at TikToks, or asking Gemini for advice. If you screenshot all of that and add it into the software, Maps can extract the places and put them all on a map for you. Depending on how much access you allow, you’ll either need to manually select images, or the app will trawl through your gallery to locate potential places. It seems to stop short of planning an efficient route for you at this point, though doing that should be much easier once all of the places are in the map. Credit: Future It’s a really neat addition to the iPhone offering. Currently, the feature can be found on Google Maps for iOS in US English, though we’d expect other locations to be included shortly. And fear not Android phone users – this one is also coming to your handsets. There’s no word on exactly when, but we’d expect it shortly. It’s unlike Google to let iPhone users enjoy a feature it has created before its own user base, so we don’t anticipate this one being sat on for too long. Personally, I think this could be a game changer. As someone who spends a lot of time travelling, one of my biggest **** peeves is trying to navigate different attractions. Having them all added to a map in a heartbeat should make it much easier to plan trips and not have the annoying feeling of missing something that was only around the corner. Source link #Google #Maps #iPhone #update #thatll #everyday #essential Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

The aluminum sector isn’t moving to the U.S. despite tariffs The aluminum sector isn’t moving to the U.S. despite tariffs HAWESVILLE, KY – May 10 Plant workers drive along an aluminum potline at Century Aluminum Company’s Hawesville plant in Hawesville, Ky. on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (Photo by Luke Sharrett /For The Washington Post via Getty Images) Aluminum The Washington Post | The Washington Post | Getty Images Sweeping tariffs on imported aluminum imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump are succeeding in reshaping global trade flows and inflating costs for American consumers, but are falling short of their primary goal: to revive domestic aluminum production. Instead, rising costs, particularly skyrocketing electricity prices in the U.S. relative to global competitors, are leading to smelter closures rather than restarts. The impact of aluminum tariffs at 25% is starkly visible in the physical aluminum market. While benchmark aluminum prices on the London Metal Exchange provide a global reference, the actual cost of acquiring the metal involves regional delivery premiums. This premium now largely reflects the tariff cost itself. In stark contrast, European premiums were noted by JPMorgan analysts as being over 30% lower year-to-date, creating a significant divergence driven directly by U.S. trade policy. This cost will ultimately be borne by downstream users, according to Trond Olaf Christophersen, the chief financial officer of Norway-based Hydro, one of the world’s largest aluminum producers. The company was formerly known as Norsk Hydro. “It’s very likely that this will end up as higher prices for U.S. consumers,” Christophersen told CNBC, noting the tariff cost is a “pass-through.” Shares of Hydro have collapsed by around 17% since tariffs were imposed. Stock Chart IconStock chart icon The downstream impact of the tariffs is already being felt by Thule Group, a Hydro customer that makes cargo boxes fitted atop cars. The company said it’ll raise prices by about 10% even though it manufactures the majority of the goods sold in the U.S locally, as prices of raw materials, such as steel and aluminum, have shot up. But while tariffs are effectively leading to prices rise in the U.S., they haven’t spurred a revival in domestic smelting, the energy-intensive process of producing primary aluminum. The primary barrier remains the lack of access to competitively priced, long-term power, according to the industry. “Energy costs are a significant factor in the overall production cost of a smelter,” said Ami Shivkar, principal analyst of aluminum markets at analytics firm Wood Mackenzie. “High energy costs plague the US aluminium industry, forcing cutbacks and closures.” “*********, Norwegian, and Middle Eastern aluminium smelters typically secure long-term energy contracts or operate captive power generation facilities. US smelter capacity, however, largely relies on short-term power contracts, placing it at a disadvantage,” Shivkar added, noting that energy costs for U.S. aluminum smelters were about $550 per tonne compared to $290 per tonne for ********* smelters. Recent events involving major U.S. producers underscore this power vulnerability. In March 2023, Alcoa Corp announced the permanent closure of its 279,000 metric ton Intalco smelter, which had been idle since 2020. Alcoa said that the facility “cannot be competitive for the long-term,” partly because it “lacks access to competitively priced power.” Similarly, in June 2022, Century Aluminum, the largest U.S. primary aluminum producer, was forced to temporarily idle its massive Hawesville, Kentucky smelter – North America’s largest producer of military-grade aluminum – citing a “direct result of skyrocketing energy costs.” Century stated the power cost required to run the facility had “more than tripled the historical average in a very short *******,” necessitating a curtailment expected to last nine to twelve months until prices normalized. The industry has also not had a respite as demand for electricity from non-industrial sources has risen in recent years. Hydro’s Christophersen pointed to the artificial intelligence ***** and the proliferation of data centers as new competitors for power. He suggested that new energy production capacity in the U.S., from nuclear, wind or solar, is being rapidly consumed by the tech sector. “The tech sector, they have a much higher ability to pay than the aluminium industry,” he said, noting the high double-digit margins of the tech sector compared to the often low single-digit margins at aluminum producers. Hydro reported an 8.3% profit margin in the first quarter of 2025, an increase from the 3.5% it reported for the previous quarter, according to Factset data. “Our view, and for us to build a smelter [in the U.S.], we would need cheap power. We don’t see the possibility in the current market to get that,” the CFO added. “The lack of competitive power is the reason why we don’t think that would be interesting for us.” While failing to ignite domestic primary production, the tariffs are undeniably causing what Christophersen termed a “reshuffling of trade flows.” When U.S. market access becomes more costly or restricted, metal flows to other destinations. Christophersen described a brief ******* when exceptionally high U.S. tariffs on ********* aluminum — 25% additional tariffs on top of the aluminum-specific tariffs — made exporting to Europe temporarily more attractive for ********* producers. Consequently, more European metals would have made their way into the U.S. market to make up for the demand gap vacated by ********* aluminum. The price impact has even extended to domestic scrap metal prices, which have adjusted upwards in line with the tariff-inflated Midwest premium. Hydro, also the world’s largest aluminum extruder, utilizes both domestic scrap and imported ********* primary metal in its U.S. operations. The company makes products such as window frames and facades in the country through extrusion, which is the process of pushing aluminum through a die to create a specific shape. “We are buying U.S. scrap [aluminium]. A local raw material. But still, the scrap prices now include, indirectly, the tariff cost,” Christophersen explained. “We pay the tariff cost in reality, because the scrap price adjusts to the Midwest premium.” “We are paying the tariff cost, but we quickly pass it on, so it’s exactly the same [for us],” he added. RBC Capital Markets analysts confirmed this pass-through mechanism for Hydro’s extrusions business, saying “typically higher LME prices and premiums will be passed onto the customer.” This pass-through has occurred amid broader market headwinds, particularly downstream among Hydro’s customers. RBC highlighted the “weak spot remains the extrusion divisions” in Hydro’s recent results and noted a guidance downgrade, reflecting sluggish demand in sectors like building and construction. — CNBC’s Greg Kennedy contributed reporting. Source link #aluminum #sector #isnt #moving #U.S #tariffs Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Japanese stocks jump, dollar firms on trade hopes; bitcoin soars – Yahoo Finance Japanese stocks jump, dollar firms on trade hopes; bitcoin soars – Yahoo Finance Japanese stocks jump, dollar firms on trade hopes; bitcoin soars Yahoo FinanceView Full Coverage on Google News Source link #Japanese #stocks #jump #dollar #firms #trade #hopes #bitcoin #soars #Yahoo #Finance Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Pope Leo XIV: 10 fun facts about newly appointed American pontiff Robert Prevost Pope Leo XIV: 10 fun facts about newly appointed American pontiff Robert Prevost Cardinal Robert Prevost has just been anointed as the 267th head of the Catholic Church, taking the name Pope Leo XIV. While the world seeks to learn more about the first American pontiff, we’ve listed 10 fun facts about him to get you up to speed. Academic history Raised in Chicago, the Pope attended St. Augustine Seminary High School in Michigan, which was run by the order of Saint Augustine. He then relocated to Pennsylvania, where he completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics in 1977. Returning to his childhood roots, he moved back to Chicago where he earned a degree in divinity from the prestigious Theological Union of Chicago. At 27, the American’s superiors encouraged him to venture to Rome to study Canon Law at the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum). If you’d like to view this content, please adjust your Cookie Settings. To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide. Origins and family While born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, and becoming just the second pontiff in history from the Americas behind his predecessor Francis, Pope Leo’s parents are of European origins. His mother Mildred Martinez was of Spanish descent and worked as a librarian, believed to have had two sisters who were nuns. Louis Prevost, his father of French and Spanish roots, served in the Navy in World War II after working as an educator. Pope Leo has two older brothers, Louis Martin and John Joseph, who recognised his Catholic Church ambitions from a young age. They even told him he’d be “pope one day”. “He knew right away. I don’t think he’s ever questioned it. I don’t think he’s ever thought of anything else,” John Prevost told ABC News in the US. The newly elected pontiff’s brother also admitted the pontiff thought it was unlikely the Conclave would select him due to his American ties, calling his chances “nonsense” and “just talk”. “They’re not going to pick an American pope,” John Prevost relayed. “He just didn’t believe it, or didn’t want to believe it. He’s a baseball fan Hailing from Chicago, a city which boasts two Major League Baseball teams in the Chicago Cubs and the Chicago White Sox, the Pope’s brother John Prevost set the record straight about his allegiances. “He was never ever a Cubs fan, so I don’t know where that came from. He was always a Sox fan,” the Pope’s brother told WGN. Chicago White Sox posted a social media tribute following his appointment, even canvassing a dedicated Pope Leo 14 baseball jersey. “Congratulations to Chicago’s own Pope Leo XIV,” the team said. If you’d like to view this content, please adjust your Cookie Settings. To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide. Pope Leo. What’s in a name? While the former Cardinal is yet to explain the reasoning behind his chosen name, it’s believed he drew inspiration from Pope Leo XIII, who served for 25 years between 1878-1903. The fourth longest serving pontiff in the Catholic Church’s history was remembered for his social teaching and championing of labor rights. Following Pope Leo’s anointment, ******** spokesperson Matteo Bruni said the choice of name “is a clear reference to the modern social doctrine of the Church, which began with Rerum Novarum”. Introduced by Pope Leo XIII in 1891, Rerum Novarum was an encyclical which lay the foundation for Rights and Duties of Capital and Labor in the Catholic Church. It directly translates to ‘of revolutionary change’. Of the list of names used by heads of the Roman Catholic Church over 2000 years, Leo is the fifth-most popular. Topping the list is ‘John’, selected in 23 instances. A tie for second is shared between ‘Gregory’ and ‘Benedict’, both adopted 16 times. Favourite Aussie snack Brother Mark O’Connor, Head of Communications at Parramatta Diocese in New South Wales, revealed he’s spent time with the new pontiff in recent years. “Just two weeks ago, I’ve been here for two weeks, I had a meeting with him for an hour, I invited him to come to Australia to give a lecture. I don’t think he’ll be coming now that he’s got this new job,” Brother Mark told ABC radio. “But I brought him in a present. He looked at the bag and he said, ‘I hope it’s not Vegemite’, and I said ‘No no no, it’s Tim Tam biscuits. “Because he’s been to Australia before, and he didn’t particularly like Vegemite. But he does like Tim Tam biscuits.” Brother Mark described Pope Leo as a “wonderful, humble, gentle leader”. How his appointment stacks up Elected on Thursday in a secret Conclave made up of 133 cardinals, the most ever, the announcement of Pope Leo as the 267th pontiff came on Thursday, on the second day of voting and fourth ballot. A two-thirds majority of 89 votes was required to reach this verdict. For reference, this was only the fifth pope to be elected after two days since 1900 — following Pope Benedict XVI in 2005 and Pope Francis in 2013. Camera IconNewly elected Pope Francis waves to the waiting crowd from the central balcony of St Peter’s Basilica on March 13, 2013 in ******** City, ********. Argentinian Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected as the 266th Pontiff and will lead the world’s 1.2 billion Catholics. Credit: Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images The longest duration in this ******* was Pope Pius XI in 1922, requiring 14 ballots and five days of voting. Ironically, his successor was the most hastily selected, Pope Pius XII in 1939, who required just three ballots. Perhaps the most tiresome pursuit to elect a pontiff came in 1271, with Pope Gregory X chosen after two years, nine months and two days. At 69, Pope Leo is younger in age than his predecessors upon appointment, with Benedict 78 and Francis 76 at the commencement of their respective papacies. Stars align for Virgo pope Born on September 14, 1955, those who subscribe to the astrological powers of the universe might expect the Virgo-born Pope Leo to prioritise his work, wellbeing, those close to him, and the planet. Strengths of Virgos typically relate to loyalty, kindness, and pragmatism. However, weaknesses suggest a criticism of their themselves, with a tendency to prioritise work over leisure. Shyness may also be a consistent theme for Virgos. Brother Mark O’Connor compared the pontiff to Pope Francis, a Sagittarius, saying Pope Leo is “more gently in style, he’s more low-key perhaps, he’s less prone to making impulsive statements”. You’ve got a friend in me Joseph Farrell, the vicar general of the order of St. Augustine, said his friend and former Cardinal Robert Prevost hates to keep people waiting and is “the fastest on text”. Farrell also revealed the pontiff enjoys playing tennis and typically hits the court once a week. He referred to his friend as “a good guy, the best”. Dual citizen Born and bred in the US, Pope Leo spent much of his life dedicated to Roman Catholicism teachings based in Peru. While preparing his doctoral thesis at the Augustinian mission in Chulucanas, Piura in Peru in 1985-1986, he returned to the nation in 1987 where he joined the the mission in Trujillo as director of the joint formation project for Augustinian candidates from the vicariates of Chulucanas, Iquitos, and Apurímac. The next eleven years saw him serve as a missionary in various roles, including as as prior of the community, formation director, instructor, judicial vicar, and professor. Camera IconAmerican from Texas Sean Sikora (C) celebrates after white smoke appeared from the Sistine Chapel for the newly elected Pontiff, Pope Leo XIV on May 08, 2025 in ******** City, ********. White smoke was seen over the ******** early this evening as the Conclave of Cardinals took just two days to elect Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who will be known as Pope Leo (Leone) XIV, as the 267th Supreme Pontiff after the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday. Credit: Mario Tama/Getty Images Returning to the US for roughly 15 years where the pontfiff took on various Augustinian titles, he was appointed Bishop of Chiclayo in Peru by Pope Francis in 2015 where he served until 2023. The pontiff became a Peruvian citizen in 2015. Pope Leo’s road to Rome began in January 2023 when Pope Francis assigned him as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. He was promoted to the rank of Archbishop. Sorry Trump, he’s no MAGA man Pope Leo has been politically vocal on social media for years, and the American’s appointment comes at a strange and particularly divided time in the US. He has never been afraid to criticise the Trump administration, especially their stance on immigration, and recently called out Catholic convert JD Vance for comments he’s likely unqualified speaking about. Vance said Christian teachings advocate for prioritising love in the order of family, then neighbours, community, fellow citizens, and finally, the world. However, the former cardinal took issue with that response and vented on X. “JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love for others,” he said. If you’d like to view this content, please adjust your Cookie Settings. To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide. In 2018, the pope reposted Cardinal Blase Cupich’s criticism of the Trump administration’s family separation policy, an initiative introduced during Trump’s first term. Several other Trump orders have also been singled out by the pontiff, even as far back as 2015 when the President was a Republican primary candidate. Source link #Pope #Leo #XIV #fun #facts #newly #appointed #American #pontiff #Robert #Prevost Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump just declared May 8 a national holiday. What’s open and closed? Trump just declared May 8 a national holiday. What’s open and closed? President Donald Trump announced two new national holidays on Monday, including one that would fall just days later on Thursday, May 8. Here’s what you need to know about it. On Monday, Donald Trump took to social media to announce he was establishing two new national holidays, one of which would fall just days later. The holidays, he said, were meant to commemorate the ends of World War I and World War II and would fall on Nov. 11 and May 8. “We won two World Wars, but we never took credit for it — Everyone else does!” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “All over the World, the Allies are celebrating the Victory we had in World War II. The only Country that doesn’t celebrate is the United States of America, and the Victory was only accomplished because of us.” It was an announcement that raised all sorts of questions. Would there be a new day off? (Nov. 11, Veteran’s Day, is already a national holiday.) Does Trump even have the power to declare a national holiday? Here’s what you need to know. Are banks open on May 8? They are. While banks are generally closed on national holidays, you’ll be able to access your safe deposit box and conduct business as usual. While he was the one who create the holiday, Trump said “we will not be closing the Country” for them, because “we already have too many Holidays in America” Will there be any mail delivery on May 8? Yes. The U.S. Postal Service will operate normally. UPS and FedEx will also conduct business as usual, with drop off locations offering normal hours. Is the stock market open on May 8? Absolutely. All major markets will trade as normal. Are government offices open on May 8? Yep. States that would like to close for the new holiday haven’t had a chance to put a bill before their legislators yet. And as for the Federal government, Trump was very clear, saying “We were Workers then, and we are Workers now!” Which retail and grocery stores are closed on May 8? None. (Seeing a pattern here?) And while retailers rarely let any holiday go by without some sort of *****, this is one they might skip. Does Trump even have the ability to declare a national holiday? Yes and no. Anyone can declare a national holiday. There are, after all, some doozies already on the calendar, such as Ice Cream for Breakfast Day (first Saturday of February), Lost Sock Memorial Day (May 9—no, you don’t get that day off either!), and National Spaghetti Day (Jan. 4). Only Congress can designate federal holidays, however—and states are free to ignore them. There are currently 12 federal holidays on the books in the U.S. The next one where you’re likely to get a day off is Memorial Day, which falls on May 26 this year. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com Source link #Trump #declared #national #holiday #Whats #open #closed Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]