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2025 Volkswagen Golf Style review 2025 Volkswagen Golf Style review The eighth-generation Volkswagen Golf has been an interesting chapter in the iconic ******* nameplate’s storied history. It’s been regarded more as a ‘par’ than a ‘birdie’ or ‘hole in one’ – forgive the pun. Camera Icon2025 Volkswagen Golf Style Credit: CarExpert After a stunning run with the Mk5, Mk6 and Mk7 generations, the Golf Mk8 was a pretty big departure from its predecessors in that it was almost a revolution of the formula rather than a subtle evolution, as is more customary. Sure, the exterior design didn’t really rewrite history, but the approach to interior minimalism and the sheer amount of tech on offer was meant to really bring the Golf into a new echelon. Instead it’s been more of a learning exercise, with news headlines including software issues, quality concerns and higher pricing – the latter especially so in Australia – and so the modern ‘people’s car’ is no longer the common sight on local roads it once was. There’s no question that its refined on-road manners and turbocharged performance are still strong points, courtesy of that revised MQB evo platform, but the Mk8 never quite resonated with buyers Down Under or around the world like the Mk7 did – in fact, it lost its top spot on the European sales charts for the first time in 17 years. Camera Icon2025 Volkswagen Golf Style Credit: CarExpert Enter the upgraded 2025 Volkswagen Golf 8.5, a mid-life refresh of the eighth-gen hatchback (and wagon abroad) that aims to address complaints about the Mk8 – more user-friendly tech, improved ergonomics, and more tech headline the changes, as well as a greater focus on value for the *********** lineup. Key to the revised Golf range is the new Style variant we have on test here, pitched as something of an affordable luxury hatch that succeeds the plusher Highline variants offered previously. Is it the new pick of the range? How much does the Volkswagen Golf cost? The 2025 Volkswagen Golf Style sits between the entry-level Life and mid-range R-Line, priced from $43,690 before on-road costs. Camera Icon2025 Volkswagen Golf Style Credit: CarExpert To see how the Volkswagen Golf lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool What is the Volkswagen Golf like on the inside? Subtle, but meaningful changes have been made inside the cabin of the Golf. Camera Icon2025 Volkswagen Golf Style Credit: CarExpert The new Style variant brings swish ArtVelours microfleece-lined ‘Comfort sport’ seats, which offer a massaging function and electric adjustment for the driver – as well as an extendable under-thigh cushion! While they may not look as extravagant as the R-Line’s sportier front buckets with integrated head restraints, the supple suede upholstery and wonderfully supportive cushions make for a very, very comfortable driver’s perch. Both front seats are heated also, though they miss out on the ventilation function of the R-Line’s perforated leather-clad sports buckets. The Style also adds gloss ****** trim on the centre console, which while fingerprint- and scratch-prone, is a lot dressier than the austere matte grey plastic trim seen in the base car. VW has brought back hard buttons as the norm on the Golf’s steering wheel, for all but the flagship R performance hero, and it’s all the better for it. While we still miss the chunky action of VW’s switchgear on the dashboard, the multifunction steering wheel controls are clear and easy to use, with a satisfyingly solid action when pressed. The option to add a beefy eight-speaker, 12-channel Harman Kardon premium sound system is worthwhile, which is bundled with a handy projector-type head-up display and surround cameras – which could have better resolution, in my view. At least the optional sound system slaps, as the kids say. Camera Icon2025 Volkswagen Golf Style Credit: CarExpertCamera Icon2025 Volkswagen Golf Style Credit: CarExpertCamera Icon2025 Volkswagen Golf Style Credit: CarExpertCamera Icon2025 Volkswagen Golf Style Credit: CarExpert While some of the subbed-in trimmings go a good way to making the Style less Trendline and more Highline, there haven’t been any wholesale changes like in the related Cupra Leon, for example, which will receive new padded and leather-lined surfaces along its centre console for a more premium ambience. Still, the Golf’s clean and screen-heavy ambience feels more contemporary and upmarket than a lot of rival vehicles in this class – think Toyota Corolla and Hyundai i30 – though it doesn’t have the outright tactility and class of, say, a Mazda 3. The 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro driver’s instrument cluster has seen some minor revisions, yet maintains a crisp readout with good configurability that’s only really bettered by the Volkswagen Group’s premium Audi brand. My only gripe was the inability to have the gear and speed magnified within the dials like with displays past – but this could be a user issue, rather than the tools. Similarly, the 12.9-inch central touchscreen gets the latest interface in line with the brand’s ID electric models, and the IDA voice assistant is integrated, if without the full net-connected and AI-powered functionality of overseas models. It’s a wonderfully clear and snappy display, bringing the look and feel of the flagship Touareg to the compact class. The wireless Apple CarPlay generally worked without fault when paired with my iPhone 16 Pro Max, though I have experienced the odd dropout when passing under one of Victoria’s toll booths in other models with this system. Camera Icon2025 Volkswagen Golf Style Credit: CarExpert Previous gripes around the touch sliders for temperature and volume have been somewhat addressed with illumination, which helps with useability in low-light situations while also looking more sophisticated, while the hard toolbar at the base of the screen makes it easier to toggle HVAC functions as well as the heated front seats. The second row remains one of the strongest in the class, with more than enough room for two adults to sit behind two adults. Head, knee and leg room are all good for the segment, even behind a taller driver like 6’1″ me. I am a fan of the ArtVelours microfleece trim and leather-look accents, and there are niceties like a third zone of climate control with directional vents at the rear of the centre console. Further, the flock-line door bins continue in the rear to stop bottles rattling around, and there’s a fold-down centre armrest with cupholders. You also get the requisite ISOFIX child seat anchor points on the outboard seats, and top-tethers across all three. Additionally, there’s a handy ski port – quite European – in case you’re needing to stow longer items through from the boot. Speaking of, there’s 374 litres of cargo capacity with the rear seats in play, expanding to 1230 litres with them folded. There’s an adjustable boot floor to make a load area flat if needed, and there’s a space-saver spare wheel under the boot floor of all models. Camera IconGTI Credit: CarExpert To see how the Volkswagen Golf lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool What’s under the bonnet? The core Golf Mk8.5 range in Australia carries over the 1.4-litre TSI four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine from the Mk8, teamed with an eight-speed automatic transmission supplied by Japan’s Aisin. Camera Icon2025 Volkswagen Golf Style Credit: CarExpert While there are a number of newer, more efficient powertrains available in the Golf overseas, Australia is lumped with other markets that haven’t yet fully moved to the Euro 6 emissions standard and aren’t given priority access to electrified models. The equivalent powertrain in the European and *** lineups is the 1.5 eTSI, which is effectively the newer version of the 1.4 under the bonnet of local models. Equipped with a 48V mild-hybrid and cylinder-on-demand technologies, the Golf eTSI can run as a two-cylinder under low engine loads and shut off the engine while coasting or coming to a stop. Even under the more stringent WLTP test regime in Europe, the equivalent Golf 1.5 eTSI with 110kW quotes the equivalent of 5.1L/100km on the combined cycle, which is more than 1.0L/100km less than the engine used locally – mind you, *********** fuel figures are also determined by the more lenient and outdated NEDC test cycle. Beyond that, you also have the Golf eHybrid, which is VW-speak for PHEV. Using the aforementioned 1.5 TSI as its base, the standard eHybrid makes 150kW, while the GTE version makes 200kW. Both can drive over 130km on electric power alone. To see how the Volkswagen Golf lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool How does the Volkswagen Golf drive? Our local launch drive of the updated Golf took in a return trip from Marysville in Victoria’s far east, back to Melbourne. We spent most of our time in the Style, but also piloted the R-Line with the same driveline. Camera Icon2025 Volkswagen Golf Style Credit: CarExpert Having spent day one of the *********** media launch in the excellent new GTI, the Style’s character is quite distinct from the Golf hot hatch, even there are a number of similarities. The 1.4 TSI has been in service in the Golf for a decade or so in Australia, where it was offered in various states of tune in the Mk7 and Mk7.5 generations, though the Mk8 reverted from VW’s usual dual-clutch Direct-Shift Gearbox (DSG) auto to an eight-speed torque converter automatic supplied by Aisin. Primarily, this driveline is supplied to Australia due to our nation’s hitherto lax emissions legislation. Despite the upcoming New Vehicle Efficiency Standard mandating fleet-average emissions targets to encourage the import of more efficient and electrified vehicles, Australia’s baseline emissions standard remains Euro 5 – which was succeeded by Euro 6 in Europe way back in 2014. It means if you’re a Mk6 or Mk7 owner and have become accustomed to the traits of Volkswagen’s DSG, irrespective of their quirks, the Mk8 and 8.5 have a distinctly different character behind the wheel. Off the line response is naturally much sharper and more natural compared to a dual-clutch transmission, but really other than that the Mk8.5’s driveline feels like something of a sideways or even backwards step. Camera Icon2025 Volkswagen Golf Style Credit: CarExpert Despite their low-speed ********, Volkswagen DSGs – even the dry-clutch ones in normal Golfs – offer incredibly sharp and snappy performance on the move, and have a distinct feeling of rolling athleticism and a different personality to torque converter ‘boxes offered by largely Asian rivals. That sort of disappears with this latest Golf. Yes the 1.4 TSI is super torquey and punches above its weight in terms of shifting the Golf’s 1.3-tonne mass, but it’s not a particularly engaging or pleasurable drivetrain to live with. Shifts from first into second can feel a little elastic, and at times the auto really slurs through ratios to the point it almost makes the engine sound like it’s attached to a continuously variable transmission (or CVT). The steps between ratios aren’t super sharp or distinct, and at times it can feel like it has one or two too many ratios to play with. In normal driving it’s less of an issue, but when you want to dial things up a little – which you may be tempted to do in an R-Line, for example, it starts to feel a little out of its depth. Even after flicking the transmission into ‘S’, the eight-speed auto struggles to accurately gauge when you want it to downshift. Often there’s a one- or two-second pause before it flicks down a cog or two to put you in the torque band. As someone who is used to the sharp response from my Mk7.5 GTI DSG, it grates on me quite a bit personally. Camera IconR-Line Credit: CarExpert It’s really quite a shame given the rest of the Golf’s on-road traits are, put simply, excellent. The Style rides beautifully on its standard 18-inch alloys, striking a near-perfect balance between comfort and dynamism. Steering is on the lighter side but offers good feel and feedback to communicate what’s happening beneath you, while the keen chassis means even the standard Golf corners with verve and precision. Piloting the Style through Victoria’s famous ****** Spur was a surprising revelation that showcased the car’s cornering abilities, though it also exacerbated my gripes with the drivetrain. The R-Line adds sports suspension and a ‘Progressive’ variable steering rack, making it feel something like a ‘GTI-Lite’, but seems even more let down by an uninspiring driveline. The R-Line feels that little more hunkered down and purposeful, and the addition of selectable drive modes allows you to sharpen things up in one hit via the ‘Sport’ mode. It’s a shame a higher-performance engine and transmission combination wasn’t applied here, because it feels like it’s missing something to go with the sportier look. Camera IconR-Line Credit: CarExpert The R-Line also rides a little more firmly than the Style, as you’d expect, making it less comfortable and refined overall, and therefore less suitable as a daily than the Style. Really, the Style feels more like what a standard Golf should feel like, in that it’s a little posh and luxurious without overtly presenting so. I’d also argue the Style is a little quieter in the cabin, and the softer controls make it nicer to pilot in everyday scenarios. We didn’t get to try the base Golf Life on its smaller wheels, but it shouldn’t be all that different to the Style, apart from its more economy-class interior trimmings. Otherwise, the suite of IQ Drive assistance and safety functions do a great job of keeping you out of trouble on the road, with VW’s intuitive Travel Assist semi-autonomous cruise control system remaining one of the best in the business. The way it so deftly keeps you centred in your lane without feeling too intrusive, while also keeping a safe gap from the vehicle in front, makes this tech a benchmark for systems of its type. Camera IconLIfe Credit: CarExpert Also standard are helpful features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic assist, which supplement the Golf’s already very good outward visibility. The former also brakes to avoid collisions in reverse. Speaking of parking manoeuvres, the regular Golf range comes as standard with a semi-autonomous Park Assist function, which will control steering to help guide you into both parallel and perpendicular parking bays. Sadly, Park Assist Plus, which adds automated assistance for the accelerator, brake and gear selection, is reserved for the GTI hot hatch. To see how the Volkswagen Golf lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool What do you get? The Style sits above the entry-level Life but below the R-Line, which tops the core Golf range. Camera Icon2025 Volkswagen Golf Style Credit: CarExpertCamera Icon2025 Volkswagen Golf Style Credit: CarExpertCamera Icon2025 Volkswagen Golf Style Credit: CarExpertCamera Icon2025 Volkswagen Golf Style Credit: CarExpert 2025 Volkswagen Golf Life equipment equipment highlights: 17-inch Nottingham alloy wheelsLED *********** – reflector typeLight Assist – auto high-beamPower-folding exterior mirrorsKeyless access incl. alarm10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment6-speaker audioDAB+ radioWireless App-Connect5yr GoConnect subscriptionClimate controlLeather multifunction steering wheelWireless phone charger10-colour ambient lighting Golf Style adds: 18-inch Catania alloy wheelsLED Plus *********** – projector typeRear privacy glass12.9-inch navigation systemIDA voice assistant7-speaker audio – incl. centreTri-zone climate controlArtVelours microfleece upholsteryErgoActive 14-way electric driver’s seatDriver memory function – 2-positionDriver massage function30-colour ambient lighting Golf R-Line adds: 18-inch Leeds alloy wheelsR-line exterior, interior stylingDriving profile selectionFront sports seatsDriver memory function – 3-positionVienna leather upholsteryHeated, ventilated front seatsHeated steering wheelProgressive steering – variable ratio To see how the Volkswagen Golf lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool Options A handful of options and packages are available across the lineup. Camera Icon2025 Volkswagen Golf Style Credit: CarExpert Sound and Vision Package: $2000 (Style, R-Line, GTI) 12-channel Harman Kardon premium audioArea View surround camerasHead-up display Vienna Leather Package: $3900 (GTI) Vienna leather upholsteryPower-adjustable driver’s seatHeated, ventilated front seats12-channel Harman Kardon premium audioHead-up display Standalone options: Panoramic sunroof: $1900Metallic paint: $800 (Life, Style, R-Line)Premium metallic paint: $300 (GTI) To see how the Volkswagen Golf lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool Is the Volkswagen Golf safe? The Volkswagen Golf has a five-star ANCAP safety rating based on 2019 Euro NCAP testing. Camera Icon2025 Volkswagen Golf Style Credit: CarExpert Standard safety equipment includes: 9 airbags incl. front-centre airbagAutonomous emergency braking (AEB)Adaptive cruise control with stop/goBlind-spot monitoringCross-traffic alert – front, rearDriver fatigue monitoringEmergency AssistMulti-collision brakeLane AssistPark AssistParking sensors – front, rearReversing cameraSafe exit warningTravel Assist Golf GTI adds: Golf R adds: Area View surround cameras To see how the Volkswagen Golf lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool How much does the Volkswagen Golf cost to run? As with the wider range, the Golf is covered by Volkswagen Australia’s five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. Camera Icon2025 Volkswagen Golf Style Credit: CarExpert To see how the Volkswagen Golf lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool CarExpert’s Take on the Volkswagen Golf The introduction of the Style grade sees the non-performance Golf return to form. Camera Icon2025 Volkswagen Golf Style Credit: CarExpert Standard versions of the Golf were meant to feel quite plush and upmarket, even with their most basic trimmings, and while the initial Mk8 range arguably failed to deliver on some fronts, this revised lineup does a much more convincing job of being a premi-ish ‘People’s Car’. Fans of the old Golf Highline in particular finally have a worthy successor, and it sits in a price band that remains attainable and competitive with its rivals, even if you have to spend up for the Sound and Vision Package to get a head-up display and premium audio. The Style also drives like a Golf should, drawing upon capable underpinnings shared with premium-badged products to provide a drive experience that is generally more comfortable and refined than key rivals from the likes of Toyota, Hyundai and Mazda. It’s also nice to see improvements that are direct responses to customer feedback. But… that’s not to say there aren’t still things that can be improved upon to really make the Golf a winner. It’s missing engine options and tech features available in other markets, and despite a more conventional transmission it’s not really any cheaper to service than it has been previously. Camera Icon2025 Volkswagen Golf Style Credit: CarExpertCamera Icon2025 Volkswagen Golf Style Credit: CarExpert For me, the drivetrain is a sticking point – Australians simply aren’t getting the best of what the Golf has to offer. While the venerable 1.4 TSI is a great little engine, it’s hamstrung by a dopey and uninspiring eight-speed automatic that lacks the crispness and decisiveness of VW’s signature DSG shifters, even if it’s a little quicker off the line. No mild-hybrid or plug-in hybrid options for Australia also seems to be a misstep given increasing demand for more efficient and electrified drivetrains in Australia. Tangible efficiency gains from the MHEV tech as well as 100km-plus of EV range in the PHEVs would give the Golf a real point of difference in the market, and their absence seems even more of a shame when other brands under the VW Group umbrella have access locally. We’d also like to see the more premium features and tech that’s available overseas offered locally, like Matrix LED *********** (given you can get them on a Polo), an extended range of paint options (including two-tone), the lighter Mistral Grey interior for the Style, as well as Park Assist Plus. All of these could turn the Golf into a properly premium compact, even if they were only available as options. Regardless, the Volkswagen Golf remains a strong contender in the small car segment. If you’re not rushing to get a hybrid or EV, there’s still plenty to like about this understated ******* hatchback. Camera Icon2025 Volkswagen Golf Style Credit: CarExpert Interested in buying a Volkswagen Golf? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here MORE: Everything Volkswagen Golf ProsNew Style grade brings understated classBrilliantly polished ride and handlingUseful improvements to ergonomicsConsEight-speed auto is frustratingly dopeyAbsent tech features and electrificationHigh service costs relative to rivals Source link #Volkswagen #Golf #Style #review Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Trade war set to slash China’s steel exports, aggravating oversupply at home Trade war set to slash China’s steel exports, aggravating oversupply at home By Amy Lv and Lewis Jackson BEIJING (Reuters) -China’s steel exports are set to slump in the second quarter, threatening to exacerbate a supply glut at home, analysts and traders said, as the trade war and a wave of protectionism moving in its wake crimps export markets. Second-quarter shipments from the world’s largest steel producer and exporter are forecast to fall by up to a fifth from the first quarter, said eight analysts and traders, who also expect exports to worsen further later in the year. That would also leave second quarter shipments lower than in the same ******* in 2024. Steel exports have been hit by a double blow as Washington’s tariffs choke off the transshipment trade, where third countries resell ******** steel to the U.S., and top customers like South Korea and Vietnam impose their own duties to avoid steel then being rerouted and dumped in their markets. “It’s certain that total exports will slide in Q2,” said a ******** steel trader on condition of anonymity as they are not authorised to speak to media. “One can look at Middle East, Africa and South America as alternative outlets but the problem is no country can absorb such a huge capacity.” China’s rising steel exports have helped partly offset weak demand from the battered property sector and any decline will redirect steel back home, depressing prices, eroding steelmaker profitability and denting their appetite for inputs like iron ore. First-quarter exports hit the highest level since 2016 as mills rushed to get steel out of the country before the then-rumoured tariffs were announced. While the steel industry has long expected near-record exports to ultimately trigger some backlash, the magnitude of protectionism unleashed by the trade war between Washington and Beijing has surprised many. The Chairman of China’s largest listed steelmaker, Baosteel, said late last month the sector’s exports faced “unprecedented” pressure and more steel left at home would intensify oversupply. Overseas orders for a large ******** exporter fell between 20% and 30% last month versus the month before, according to an April survey compiled by consultancy Mysteel. There are also concerns the trade war could spillover into products heavily reliant on steel, like electric vehicles or home appliances, weakening the other major source of steel demand outside the property sector, said Ge Xin, deputy director at consultancy Lange Steel. “It takes time for that impact to permeate through into the upstream steel market, likely reflected in data in the second quarter when home demand seasonally slowed, aggravating the supply glut situation.” Source link #Trade #war #set #slash #Chinas #steel #exports #aggravating #oversupply #home Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

GTA6 gets it on: can the notoriously cynical action series finally find time for romance? | Grand Theft Auto GTA6 gets it on: can the notoriously cynical action series finally find time for romance? | Grand Theft Auto Something new is coming to the Grand Theft Auto universe next year. I don’t mean super-high-definition visuals, or previously unexplored areas of Rockstar’s take on the US. This time it’s something much more profound. If you’ve seen the newly released second trailer from GTA6 – somewhat cruelly released just days after we discovered the game won’t be out until next May – then you might know what I mean. The brand new thing is romance. It’s now clear that the key protagonists of the latest gangland adventure are Lucia Caminos and Jason Duval, two twentysomething lovers from the wrong side of the tracks. He’s ex-army, now working for drug runners; she’s fresh out of jail, looking to make a better life for herself and her beloved mom. They fall for each other, hatch a plan to get out of Vice City, and then when their simple heist goes wrong, they find themselves at the sharp end of a state-wide conspiracy. You always knew that if Rockstar were going to tell a love story, it would involve a formidable cast of underworld kingpins, gang members, conspiracy nuts and corrupt politicians, and you were right. Sleazy riders … Grand Theft Auto 6. Illustration: Rockstar Games But how will the writers look to establish a couple who fit the tone and mythos of the series, which has previously focused on incredibly damaged loners such as PTSD-haunted ex-soldier Niko Bellic and brain-fried sociopath Trevor Philips? There have been brief romantic entanglements in the games before – headstrong Catalina dallies with CJ in San Andreas , Mercedes Cortez is a flirtatious gangland accomplice to Tommy Vercetti in Vice City and then there’s the curious affair of Trevor and Patrice in GTA5 which is less Love Story and more Stockholm Syndrome. However, the emotional dynamics always played second fiddle to bloody heists and bullet-riddled car chases. The world of GTA is largely nihilistic – it’s every man for himself, the constant overtures toward brotherhood usually followed by brutal betrayals. The new GTA trailer though, shows a new sense of sincerity. “Instead of half-baked fantasies,” states the Rockstar website, “Lucia is prepared to take matters into her own hands. A life with Jason could be her way out.” It’s likely the writers will look for inspiration where they always have: the movies. With its sun-bathed violence and flashy cars, Vice City paid glorious homage to Scarface and Miami Vice; GTA: San Andreas was in thrall to the early 1990s South Central LA movies of John Singleton and the Hughes Brothers; GTA 4 breathed in The French Connection as well as the Russian gangster flick, Brother. Already GTA6 is being compared to that most obvious of cinematic sources: Bonnie and Clyde. It is after all another story of troubled lovers willing to risk everything for a bank job or two. But Rockstar has doubtless also studied The Getaway, Sam Peckinpah’s sexiest and most successful film, Terrence Malick’s Badlands with its thrillingly blank and disaffected couple, and Tony Scott’s True Romance, for its combination of fantastical comic book love affair and high octane violence. Natural Born Killers and even the more recent Love Lies Bleeding may also have provided more quasi surreal inspiration. Whatever the case, it’s coming at the right time. For all their satirical, deliriously amoral brilliance, the GTA titles have often lacked a softer edge; the relationship dynamics always tied up in broken families and hyper-masculine gangland codes of honour. This is a series that has also never had a female lead protagonist before; new dynamics are coming into play. Maybe GTA will handle romance the same way that it handled friendships in the past – notably Roman and Niko in GTA 4 – as a contrast to the darkness and violence, but also as something that intensifies the risks. We can be fairly sure there won’t be much player involvement in the course of the relationship – GTA is not a role-playing adventure in the strict sense, there aren’t dozens of dialogue trees with multiple choice responses; you can guide the story through actions but not words. But I do wonder what the writers will have learned by watching how people behave in the still hugely popular multiplayer spin-off, GTA Online, and how the dedicated role-playing servers have opened up to virtual relationships and flirting. Whatever, I’m rooting for Lucia and Jason. They’re clearly among the most attractive characters the series has ever seen – the internet is already shipping them. Rockstar’s art team are great at getting us to study bodies, but usually they are ugly reminders of inner corruption; these two are hot and not only that, they’re hot for each other. Perhaps Rockstar has seen, with the current state of the world (and perhaps the success of The Last of Us), that some heartfelt romantic yearning is required. Next May, there will be love as well as bullets in the air. Source link #GTA6 #notoriously #cynical #action #series #finally #find #time #romance #Grand #Theft #Auto Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Michael Pitt, ‘Boardwalk Empire’ actor, is arrested on sex abuse charges – The Seattle Times Michael Pitt, ‘Boardwalk Empire’ actor, is arrested on sex abuse charges – The Seattle Times Michael Pitt, ‘Boardwalk Empire’ actor, is arrested on sex abuse charges The Seattle TimesView Full Coverage on Google News Source link #Michael #Pitt #Boardwalk #Empire #actor #arrested #sex #abuse #charges #Seattle #Times Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Greek Heritage Restored: The Transformation of Skiathos Castle Greek Heritage Restored: The Transformation of Skiathos Castle The castle of Skiathos. Credit: Ministry of Culture The medieval castle of Greece’s Skiathos, known locally as the “Kastro”, has officially reopened to the public following extensive restoration works. The project, long awaited by residents and visitors alike, encompassed the construction of a new bridge, the restoration of the castle gate, and the reconstruction of pathways for improved accessibility. This reopening is part of a broader initiative by the Skiathos Municipality to rebrand the island as a year-round cultural destination, blending history, sports, gastronomy, and live events to attract a more diverse audience beyond its well-known summer beaches. “The Kastro is not just a historic site. It’s a sacred symbol of the island, closely tied to the life and works of Alexandros Papadiamantis, said Mayor Thodoris Tzoumas, referring to the beloved Greek author who featured the castle in many of his short stories. The Kastro, a 14th-century monument and a symbol of Skiathos, holds a pivotal role as a social hub, a place of worship, and a central element in the island’s identity. For years, its restoration has been a paramount demand of the island community. It served as the island’s capital until 1829. Overlooking a small cove, the fortified site was once home to hundreds of residents seeking protection from pirate raids. Restoration works at the Skiathos Castle The extensive restoration efforts included shaping the access paths to the castle gate, installing a new gate and reconstructing the arched lintel, meticulous masonry work to stabilize the southern wall, and rebuilding the bridge on fortified stone foundations. Significant efforts were also made to secure the rocky slopes, ensuring safety and preservation across the castle grounds. Inside the castle, the Ephorate of Antiquities of Magnesia conducted thorough cleaning and restoration of paved paths, as well as the historic churches and the mosque within its walls. These efforts not only aimed to preserve these structures but also to revive them for worship and cultural appreciation, particularly for future generations of the island. Minister Lina Mendoni expressed profound joy and pride in delivering the fully restored and accessible Skiathos Castle, emphasizing its dual significance as a cultural landmark and a catalyst for local development. The project, funded through European programs and supported by local authorities, reflects a harmonious blend of historical preservation and contemporary accessibility. The history of the Castle The site’s history is largely the tale of geostrategic competition between the Ottoman Empire and Venice in the late Medieval *******. The castle was under the control of the Byzantine Empire until the fall of Constantinople in 1453. After falling under Venetian rule, local resentment led to a rebellion in 1518. However, an Ottoman siege in 1538 ended Venetian governance, with Ottomans later repairing the castle in 1619. Venetians raided in 1655, and in 1660, Francesco Morosini recaptured it, subjecting locals to harsh occupation. Later, the castle again fell to the Ottomans. Greek rebels attacked during the War of Independence, capturing and plundering the castle in 1826. As Skiathos joined the Greek state in 1829, the castle was abandoned, and the ancient town’s site was reclaimed. Today, while only remnants of its medieval splendor remain, including the gate and northern walls, the restored Skiathos Castle stands as a beacon of the island’s rich history and enduring spirit, seamlessly connecting its past with its vibrant present. Source link #Greek #Heritage #Restored #Transformation #Skiathos #Castle Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘Wrexham AFC player asked me to book rental car’ ‘Wrexham AFC player asked me to book rental car’ Hollywood actor Ryan Reynolds says one Wrexham AFC player took his offer of a helping hand literally by asking the Hollywood star to book him a rental car. In an effort to forge connections with the club’s players, Reynolds and fellow co-owner Rob McElhenney get in touch with them personally after they sign with Wrexham, he told the Fearless in Devotion podcast on Wednesday. “We just wanted to connect with the players. Every player, when they sign, we Facetime them, we call them, we give them our info,” he said. “We say ‘if you need anything, call us, we’re here to help’.” “That is our version of meddling with football. We don’t make football decisions,” the actor said. But Reynold said it backfired with one player, whom he did not name. “One player did call, to ask me to rent him a car and I said ‘when I said call me for anything, I meant a kidney’,” he said. “I didn’t mean: how do I get you a Hertz rental car. Let’s try Google next time,” he added. Wrexham sealed a third consecutive promotion earlier this month, and will play in the Championship next season – one division below the promised land of the Premier League. Reynolds said he would remain passionate about the club because it was “the most romantic version of storytelling”. “It isn’t about a football club. It’s about a town,” he said. “The sentiment that we feel when we walk through the streets of Wrexham today versus four years ago is a contagion, and I love that. “That’s not something you get bored of.” Source link #Wrexham #AFC #player #asked #book #rental #car Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Psychs on Bikes to make first stop to Albany RSL to deliver free mental and physical health checks Psychs on Bikes to make first stop to Albany RSL to deliver free mental and physical health checks A group of medical practitioners aiming to destigmatise the mental health of regional men will roll into Albany on their motorbikes for the first time on Sunday, in the second stop of a 12-day regional tour. The 15 members of Psychs on Bikes will attend Albany RSL on May 11, where psychiatrists, psychologists, and mental health nurses will perform free mental and physical health check-ups. Sydney-based psychiatrist Joe Dunn started the initiative in 2012 and has since covered roughly 100,000km of road on his bike with the team. He said Albany, which has yet to be a destination on the POB trail, has been on his agenda for a while. Camera IconPsychs on Bikes founder Dr Joe Dunn. Credit: Psychs on Bikes “I was yearning to go to that part of the world, that great big slab of beautiful Australia on the South West coast,” he said. Dr Dunn said though anyone can attend the visits, which aim to address the “four silent killers” of high blood pressure, diabetes, alcohol, and depression, a primary focus was on destigmatising men’s mental health treatment. “A lot of what we do is aimed towards men as they have a suicide rate four to fives times higher than woman,” he said. “Wherever we go, people need our services but one of the sadnesses is we can’t treat people ongoing, but we can help people learn what’s available and what they should do and put a label on their distress. “We explain what is anxiety, panic attack, grief, how do you know if you’re drinking too much, what to do if you’re feeling suicidal. Camera IconThe 15 members of Psychs on Bikes will attend Albany RSL on May 11. Credit: Psychs on Bikes “Then we ask if they’d like to sit down with psychs and apart from the educational aspect, half the point is to desensitise men to the idea of sitting down with a profession and see it’s not scary or invasive or a shaming process.” Alongside the mental health discussions, attendees can have their blood pressure, blood glucose and BMI/weight checked out by the nurses. After Albany, the tour will travel to Esperance and Kalgoorlie, before heading across the Nullarbor where the tour will end in Dubbo. The group will be at the Albany RSL sub-branch from 4-7pm this Sunday in conjunction with the Albany Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service who will be attending with their fire truck. Source link #Psychs #Bikes #stop #Albany #RSL #deliver #free #mental #physical #health #checks Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

European shares rise as Trumps signals ‘major’ trade deal European shares rise as Trumps signals ‘major’ trade deal (Reuters) -European shares climbed on Thursday after U.S. President Donald Trump signalled progress toward a first trade deal in his global tariff dispute, boosting market sentiment. The pan-European STOXX 600 index was up 0.3%, as of 0707 GMT. Other regional indexes were also trading in positive territory, except for Spain, which fell 0.4%. Trump posted on Truth Social that he will hold a news conference later in the day about a “major trade deal with representatives of a big, and highly respected, country”. Citing three people familiar with the plans, the New York Times reported on Wednesday that the deal could be with Britain. This comes ahead of potential ice-breaker talks between Washington and Beijing trade tsars this weekend, that have firmed hopes for de-escalation in trade tensions between the world’s two leading economies. Overnight, in a widely expected decision, the Federal Reserve held its interest rates steady, with the U.S. central bank flagging that the risks of higher inflation and unemployment had risen. Markets are also closely watching the Bank of England’s policy meeting, due later in the day, with expectations for a quarter-point rate cut. Separately, Trump’s administration plans to rescind and modify a Biden-era rule that curbed the export of sophisticated artificial-intelligence chips, said a spokeswoman for the U.S. Department of Commerce. Shares of A.P. Moller-Maersk fell 2.1% after the shipping group lowered its global container market forecast for this year due to increased economic and geopolitical uncertainty, although it left its profit outlook unchanged. Anheuser-Busch InBev rose 4.2% after the beer brewer reported a nearly 8% rise in first-quarter operating profit, beating analysts’ estimate by more than double. (Reporting by Sukriti Gupta in Bengaluru; Editing by Sherry Jacob-Phillips) Source link #European #shares #rise #Trumps #signals #major #trade #deal Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Donald Trump offers to mediate as India-Pakistan conflict spirals – Financial Times Donald Trump offers to mediate as India-Pakistan conflict spirals – Financial Times Donald Trump offers to mediate as India-Pakistan conflict spirals Financial TimesPakistan vows retaliation after India launches strikes in wake of Kashmir massacre CNNShashi Tharoor On Why Op Sindoor Briefing Was A Reply To Pak Army Chief NDTVThe Indian Aircraft Pakistan Says It Shot Down The New York TimesIndia-Pakistan live: Pakistan PM vows to ‘avenge’ victims of India’s attack Al Jazeera Source link #Donald #Trump #offers #mediate #IndiaPakistan #conflict #spirals #Financial #Times Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Apple hits back at US judge’s ‘extraordinary’ contempt order Apple hits back at US judge’s ‘extraordinary’ contempt order Lily JamaliReporting fromSan FranciscoReuters FILE PHOTO: An Apple logo hangs above the entrance to the Apple store on 5th Avenue in the Manhattan borough of New York City, July 21, 2015. REUTERS/Mike Segar/File Photo Apple is asking an appeals court to pause a US district judge’s recent ruling in a case which could determine the future of its highly lucrative App Store. Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers found last week the tech giant wilfully violated an order she had previously made in a case filed by Fortnite-maker Epic Games. That order – handed down in 2021 – demanded Apple refrain from anti-competitive conduct and pricing and allow outside payment options in the App Store. Last week she determined Apple was flouting that demand – a finding Apple has now called “extraordinary.” The iPhone has maker alleged in a court filing that her order unlawfully prevents the company from controlling “core aspects of its business operations.” Case origins Both of Judge Gonzalez Rogers’ judgements stem from an antitrust case filed by Epic Games. In 2020, Epic accused the iPhone-maker of possessing an ******** monopoly with its App Store, which collected commissions of between 15% and 30% on in-app purchases. The judge rejected Epic’s monopoly claims, but found Apple was stopping developers from giving users alternative payment options in violation of California competition rules. She ordered Apple to make changes that would help developers steer customers to cheaper payment options outside of the Apple ecosystem. Last year, Epic accused Apple of failing to comply by creating a new set of fees for developers instead. In a contempt order last week, Judge Gonzalez Rogers found that Apple continued to interfere with competition, saying that internal company documents showed Apple deliberately violated her 2021 injunction. ‘Substantial sums’ On Wednesday, Apple requested an appeals court take action, including by lifting a ban that stops it from charging developers fees on purchases made outside the App Store. The company wrote that such restrictions “will cost Apple substantial sums annually” and are based on conduct that has not been found unlawful. “Rather, they were imposed to punish Apple for purported non-compliance with an earlier state-law Injunction that is itself invalid,” Apple wrote. Apple did not directly addresses Judge Gonzalez Rogers’ stunning rebuke of company executives. In her most recent order, she said CEO Tim Cook ignored executive Phillip Schiller’s urging to have Apple comply with her injunction, and allowed then-Chief Financial Officer Luca Maestri to convince him not to. “Cook chose poorly,” she wrote. The company documents she reviewed reveal “that Apple knew exactly what it was doing and at every turn chose the most anticompetitive option”, she wrote. Apple said last week it would comply with the court’s order while it appeals. Source link #Apple #hits #judges #extraordinary #contempt #order Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Man charged with ******* after Derby bank stabbing Man charged with ******* after Derby bank stabbing BBC A man has been charged with ******* after a customer was stabbed at a bank in Derby city centre. Haybe Nur Cabdiraxmaan, 47, from Mickleover in Derby, has been charged with the ******* of Gurvinder Johal, 37, following a stabbing inside Lloyds Bank in St Peter’s Street just after14:30 BST on Tuesday. Mr Cabdiraxmaan will appear at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 8 May. This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest version. You can receive Breaking News on a smartphone or tablet via the BBC News App. You can also follow @BBCBreaking on X to get the latest alerts. Source link #Man #charged #******* #Derby #bank #stabbing Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Cassius Turvey: Detective Stephen Cleal praises ‘marathon’ WA Police effort at high-profile trial’s end Cassius Turvey: Detective Stephen Cleal praises ‘marathon’ WA Police effort at high-profile trial’s end The ********* detective who led the investigation into the ******* of Cassius Turvey expressed his relief at the two guilty verdicts, describing the result one of the highlights of his career. Source link #Cassius #Turvey #Detective #Stephen #Cleal #praises #marathon #Police #effort #highprofile #trials Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

*** house prices rise for the first time since January *** house prices rise for the first time since January *** house prices rose in April for the first time this year, buoyed by easing mortgage costs and steady buyer demand. Figures from lender Halifax show that house prices increased by 0.3% last month, reversing the 0.5% drop seen in March and marking the first gains since January. The average *** property is now valued at £297,781, up from £296,899 in the previous month. On an annual basis, prices rose by 3.2%, up from 2.9% in March — the fastest annual growth rate so far this year. Read more: Most popular and affordable towns for *** families revealed Amanda Bryden, head of mortgages at Halifax, said: “*** house prices rose by 0.3% in March, an increase of just under £900. The annual growth rate also ticked up to 3.2%, reaching its highest level so far this year. The typical *** property is now valued at £297,781.” Bryden attributed the rise in part to a flurry of activity earlier in the year as buyers sought to beat stamp duty changes. “We know the stamp duty changes prompted a surge in transactions in the early part of this year, as buyers rushed to beat the tax-rise deadline. However, this didn’t lead to a significant increase in property prices, with the last six months characterised by a stability in prices rarely seen since the pandemic,” she said. Despite monthly fluctuations, prices have remained broadly flat over the past half-year — down by just £48 in total, according to Halifax. “Mortgage rates have continued to fall, with most lenders now offering rates below 4%. Coupled with positive earnings growth that has outpaced broader inflation, these factors have helped to steadily improve affordability for many buyers,” Bryden said. Looking ahead, she added: “Overall, the market continues to show resilience despite a subdued economic environment and risks from geopolitical developments. There is likely to be a bump-up in consumer price inflation as household bills increase, but with further base rate cuts also expected, we anticipate a similar trend of modest price growth this year.” Northern Ireland led the ***’s house price growth with an annual rise of 8.1%, pushing the average property price there to £208,220. Wales followed with prices up 4.7% year-on-year to an average of £229,079, while Scotland saw a 4.6% increase to £214,011. Among the English regions, the North West posted the strongest performance, with house prices rising 4.1% annually to an average of £240,975. London continued to see subdued growth, up just 1.3% annually. However, it remains the ***’s most expensive housing market, with an average property costing £543,346. The South West recorded the slowest annual price growth at 0.9%, with average prices standing at £304,451. Read more: The most bought stocks and funds for investors in April Nathan Emerson, CEO of Propertymark, said the figures highlight “sustained confidence in the ***’s housing market following a recent stamp duty surge in homebuying.” “This should give those sellers hoping to take advantage of the traditionally busier spring and summer months motivation to move up the housing ladder,” he said. “There has been recent data showing confidence in the mortgage market is fragile, and other reports suggesting that mortgage rates are at their lowest level since 2022. “Hopefully, the Bank of England can provide further clarity to aspiring homeowners when they meet later today, and if the conditions are right to reduce interest rates, then this should make mortgages more affordable.” Professor Joe Nellis, economic adviser at MHA, the accountancy and advisory firm, and one of the creators of the Halifax House Price Index, said: “House prices fell again in April, with the Halifax House Price index increasing by 0.3% in April, following a 0.5% fall in March — it is likely that this was just a blip. “Despite strong demand for home ownership, the *** continues to be plagued by an inadequate supply of housing. The government has committed to one of the most ambitious housebuilding programmes in recent memory — 1.5 million homes over the next five years — which would go some way to reversing climbing prices, but it remains to be seen whether this target can be met.” Read more: Download the Yahoo Finance app, available for Apple and Android. Source link #house #prices #rise #time #January Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘Fight or Flight’ Review: Josh Hartnett Continues Recent Winning Streak in Enjoyably Trashy Action Flick – The Hollywood Reporter ‘Fight or Flight’ Review: Josh Hartnett Continues Recent Winning Streak in Enjoyably Trashy Action Flick – The Hollywood Reporter ‘Fight or Flight’ Review: Josh Hartnett Continues Recent Winning Streak in Enjoyably Trashy Action Flick The Hollywood ReporterFight or Flight Review: As Fun as Sitting on the Tarmac IGNFight or Flight Plugged InJosh Hartnett Says It Was ‘Exciting’ to Make Action Film Fight or Flight in His 40s: ‘Haven’t Done a Stunt Since I Was 29’ People.comJosh Hartnett is first class in the otherwise dreadful action film Fight Or Flight AV Club Source link #Fight #Flight #Review #Josh #Hartnett #Continues #Winning #Streak #Enjoyably #Trashy #Action #Flick #Hollywood #Reporter Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

State Government updates regulations to ban vaping at indoor workplaces State Government updates regulations to ban vaping at indoor workplaces Vaping and the use of e-cigarettes will now be banned at indoor workplaces in Western *********** following an update to the State’s work health and safety regulations. Source link #State #Government #updates #regulations #ban #vaping #indoor #workplaces Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Among Ashes PS5 physical edition announced Among Ashes PS5 physical edition announced In a world of horror big hitters like Resident Evil and Silent Hill, it can be hard to come up with something that reinvents the genre in a way that is successful and even more terrifying than the ******* players in the game. Rat Cliff Games decided that it was time to take the reins with their new first-person horror Among Ashes. Source link #Among #Ashes #PS5 #physical #edition #announced Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Taiwan marks 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day by highlighting threats from China Taiwan marks 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day by highlighting threats from China “History has taught us that no matter the driving reason or ideology, military aggression against another country is an unjust crime that is bound to fail,” Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te told diplomats in Taipei. His remarks came during Taiwan’s first-ever official commemoration of VE Day and at a time when Taiwan is making a diplomatic push for closer ties with fellow democracies that nevertheless have no formal ties with the self-ruled island in deference to Beijing. (AP Video shot by Johnson Lai and Taijing Wu) Source link #Taiwan #marks #80th #anniversary #Victory #Europe #Day #highlighting #threats #China Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

GTA 6 Trailer 2 Breakdown – Every Detail Exposed in Rockstar’s new trailer GTA 6 Trailer 2 Breakdown – Every Detail Exposed in Rockstar’s new trailer Digital Foundry : Straight out of nowhere, Rockstar unleashed a brand-new, feature-packed trailer for Grand Theft Auto 6 – and the level of visual accomplishment here is simply astonishing for a current-gen game – and captured from a standard PlayStation 5, no less. John, Oliver and Alex compare notes on the trailer, sharing their thoughts on various aspects of the game’s technological profile. Source link #GTA #Trailer #Breakdown #Detail #Exposed #Rockstars #trailer Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Toyota Says Tariffs Will Erase $1.3 Billion in Profits in Just 2 Months – The New York Times Toyota Says Tariffs Will Erase $1.3 Billion in Profits in Just 2 Months – The New York Times Toyota Says Tariffs Will Erase $1.3 Billion in Profits in Just 2 Months The New York TimesToyota sees 21% full-year profit decline as tariffs take a bite ReutersToyota Warns of Profit Drop as Tariff Chaos Threatens Carmakers Bloomberg.comToyota Expects U.S. Tariffs, Higher Material Costs to Dent Profit WSJToyota reports booming sales but stays cautious on profit because of various costs The Hill Source link #Toyota #Tariffs #Erase #Billion #Profits #Months #York #Times Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

ASUS ROG Ally 2 leaks: New design, larger screen and Xbox version ASUS ROG Ally 2 leaks: New design, larger screen and Xbox version ASUS is about to announce a new generation of gaming handhelds, and spoiling the announcement are photos from official FCC certification. Source link #ASUS #ROG #Ally #leaks #design #larger #screen #Xbox #version Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Tears and beers flow as Bears end their NRL hibernation Tears and beers flow as Bears end their NRL hibernation There were scenes of jubilation at Norths Cammeray as fans gathered to celebrate the return of the North Sydney Bears, ending “25 years of anxiety”. Source link #Tears #beers #flow #Bears #NRL #hibernation Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

EA Isnt Changing Pricing Strategy for Now After Nintendo & Xbox Announce $80 Games EA Isnt Changing Pricing Strategy for Now After Nintendo & Xbox Announce $80 Games EA just hosted its quarterly financial conference call, and its executives have been asked to comment about the recent price hikes for games. Source link #Isnt #Changing #Pricing #Strategy #Nintendo #amp #Xbox #Announce #Games Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

China rolls out more stimulus and agrees to trade talks with the US as tariffs hit economy China rolls out more stimulus and agrees to trade talks with the US as tariffs hit economy BEIJING (AP) — China announced a barrage of measures meant to counter the blow to its economy from U.S. President Donald Trump ’s trade war, as the two sides prepared for talks later this week. Beijing’s central bank governor and other top financial officials outlined plans Wednesday to cut interest rates and reduce bank reserve requirements to help free up more funding for lending. They also said the government would increase the amount of money available for factory upgrades and other innovation and for elder care and other service businesses. Trump’s tariffs, set as high as 145% on imports from China, have begun to take a toll on its export-dependent economy at a time when it’s already under pressure from a prolonged downturn in the property sector. China has retaliated with tariff hikes of up to 125% on U.S. goods and stopped buying most American farm products. Late Tuesday, China and the U.S. announced plans for talks between Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and ******** Vice Premier He Lifeng later this week in Geneva, Switzerland. The agreement to talk comes at a time when both sides have remained adamant, at least in public, about not compromising on the tariffs. “The U.S. has recently expressed a desire to negotiate with China. This meeting is being held at the request of the U.S. side,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told reporters in Beijing. “Any form of pressure or coercion against China will not work,” Lin said. “China will firmly safeguard its legitimate interests and uphold international fairness and justice. Please stay tuned for the specific details of the dialogue.” By easing credit, China’s leaders are providing a “policy buffer” for exporters as Beijing prepares for the talks, economists at ANZ Research said in a report. “The authorities are prepared to have a protracted negotiation and hold a strong stance against protectionism,” the report said. Both the U.S. and ******** economies have been showing signs of strain, after a spurt of activity as companies and consumers rushed to beat the tariff hikes. The meetings in Switzerland could offer an opportunity for both sides to dial down the current prohibitively high level of tariffs, which Bessent has described as unsustainable, while they work on a deal. But the process is likely to take time. “A durable resolution remains elusive, in our view, given the wide scope of issues in the bilateral relationship,” Morgan Stanley said in a commentary. The U.S. economy contracted by 0.3% in January-March. The ******** economy grew at a 5.4% annual pace in the first quarter of the year, as factories ramped up production to fill a spike in orders. But economists question the validity of the statistics, and more recent reports show a deterioration in new export orders and business sentiment. Story Continues Among the support measures announced by China on Wednesday: People’s Bank of China Gov. Pan Gongsheng said China’s reverse repo rate, the rate on commercial banks’ deposits with the central bank, was reduced to 1.4% from 1.5%. The PBOC’s lending rate to commercial banks was cut by 0.25 percentage points to 1.5%. The required reserve ratio, or portion of funds banks must hold in their reserves, was cut by 0.5%. Pan said that would free up 1 trillion yuan ($137.6 billion) in extra cash. The central bank also reduced interest rates on five-year housing loans. Financial markets have been reeling as the world’s two largest economies remained embroiled in the trade standoff. The news of the extra boost for the economy and markets, plus the plans for China-U.S. trade talks, initially pushed share prices higher in Hong Kong and Shanghai early Wednesday. Shanghai’s benchmark Composite index built on those gains, but the rally faded in Hong Kong. A key factor dragging on the economy is a lack of consumer and business demand, and easing lending conditions will not necessarily change that, Julian Evans-Pritchard of Capital Economics said in a report, adding that “today’s moves are no substitute for an expansion in fiscal support.” Source link #China #rolls #stimulus #agrees #trade #talks #tariffs #hit #economy Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

AFL chair Richard Goyder hoses down talk of the code lobbying against WA NRL team AFL chair Richard Goyder hoses down talk of the code lobbying against WA NRL team AFL chair Richard Goyder has rejected speculation from some league pundits that the code had been lobbying against the franchise with the WA Government to try and block its expansion. Source link #AFL #chair #Richard #Goyder #hoses #talk #code #lobbying #NRL #team Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

US awards $244M to Northrop for most advanced global missile tracking stations yet US awards $244M to Northrop for most advanced global missile tracking stations yet The US Space Force (USSF) has awarded Northrop Grumman a $244 million contract to develop advanced relay ground stations in the United States and the United Kingdom. These installations will support the Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared (Next-Gen OPIR) program, a key element of America’s evolving missile warning and tracking infrastructure. The new stations are expected to improve global coverage and resilience for satellites designed to detect missile launches and potential threats, while ensuring compatibility with legacy systems and newer constellations. Scalable ground systems for evolving threats Northrop Grumman will deploy a flexible, modular ground station design that builds upon the company’s experience with the Relay Ground Station-Asia (RGS-A), currently under development in Guam. The new stations will provide adaptable infrastructure to accommodate changes in satellite bandwidth and operational demands. “We are developing advanced relay ground stations that are scalable and upgradeable, and prioritize high performance, reliability and mission flexibility for the Next-Gen OPIR program,” said Calvin Pennamon, director of operational exploitation systems at Northrop Grumman, in an official press release. “Our ground systems will enhance communications between Space System Command’s legacy and future Space Based Infrared Systems, providing access to multiple constellations enabling warfighters to maintain a decisive edge against enemy threats.” The Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific, acting on behalf of the Space Systems Command, selected Northrop Grumman for the multiple-award indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract. Strengthening the FORGE modernization framework The ground stations are a critical part of the USSF’s Future Operationally Resilient Ground Evolution (FORGE) system—an expansive effort to upgrade and integrate US missile warning capabilities. FORGE aims to establish a government-owned ground network that links current and future missile detection satellites through modernized command and control operations. Complementing Northrop’s contract, the Space Systems Command recently announced a $259 million award to SciTec, a New Jersey-based software developer, to further FORGE’s integrated enterprise buildout. The company will develop a ground system supporting FORGE and non-FORGE assets, enhancing continuity across legacy SBIRS and Next-Gen OPIR data pipelines. SciTec’s prior involvement includes a $272 million contract in 2022 for data processing tools, $45.8 million in 2023 for SBIRS sensor processing applications, and $5 million in 2021 for prototype development. Much of SciTec’s specialized software is engineered at its Boulder, Colorado, facility. S2E2 and ATLAS systems deepen space-based defenses As part of the broader modernization push, the USSF also activated the Survivable Endurable Evolution (S2E2) ground system earlier this month. Designed to replace the aging 1960s-era Mobile Ground System, S2E2 processes infrared data and integrates a nuclear detonation detection system. Additionally, L3Harris secured a contract in March to upgrade the Advanced Tracking and Launch Analysis System (ATLAS), which monitors anti-satellite activity and threats in orbit. Global coverage through distributed relay networks The new US- and ***-based stations complement the ongoing construction of RGS-A in Guam, reinforcing the USSF’s goal of achieving global, persistent missile warning capabilities. These relay hubs allow early-warning signals from infrared satellites to reach command networks and deployed forces more reliably. Next-Gen OPIR remains a cornerstone of the US defense architecture, offering critical situational awareness and real-time missile launch detection to protect national and allied interests. Source link #awards #244M #Northrop #advanced #global #missile #tracking #stations Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]