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2025 Berkshire Hathaway Annual Shareholder Meeting HP 2025 Berkshire Hathaway Annual Shareholder Meeting HP Investors gather to hear Buffett talk investing, the economyBerkshire investors want Buffett’s guidance on tariffs60 years at Berkshire: ‘Woodstock for Capitalists’ over the decadesSee the Buffett Squishmallows and the giant claw machine Source link #Berkshire #Hathaway #Annual #Shareholder #Meeting Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump's social media post targeting Harvard's tax-exempt status could create problems for the IRS – NBC News Trump's social media post targeting Harvard's tax-exempt status could create problems for the IRS – NBC News Trump’s social media post targeting Harvard’s tax-exempt status could create problems for the IRS NBC NewsHarvard’s Brawl With Trump Casts Doubt on Its Pristine Credit WSJHarvard’s President Alan Garber Talks About His Legal Fight With Trump The New York TimesHarvard professor reveals university was ‘not ready’ after Oct 7 as Trump revokes tax-exempt status Fox NewsTrump says the government will revoke Harvard’s tax-exempt status. The university’s president says that would be ******** CNN Source link #Trump039s #social #media #post #targeting #Harvard039s #taxexempt #status #create #problems #IRS #NBC #News Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Three-word analysis of every West Coast Eagle in 32-point loss to Melbourne Three-word analysis of every West Coast Eagle in 32-point loss to Melbourne West Coast’s wait for a win in season 2025 continues after a Max Gawn masterclass flattened the Eagles at Optus. Read The West ***********’s three-word analysis HERE. Source link #Threeword #analysis #West #Coast #Eagle #32point #loss #Melbourne Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Another round of auto tariffs just went into effect. They could change the industry forever Another round of auto tariffs just went into effect. They could change the industry forever Vehicles on the trim assembly line at the General Motors assembly plant in Fort Wayne, Indiana, on April 9, 2024. – Emily Elconin/Bloomberg/Getty Images The average car buyer doesn’t think about where the parts in their vehicle come from – but automakers do. That’s why a new round of auto tariffs – this time on parts – coming into effect Saturday could upend the industry, even more than previous levies on imported cars. As of 12:01 am ET on Saturday, most auto part imports will come with a 25% import tax. The previous auto tariffs left US-made cars untouched. Not anymore. Not a single of the 10 million cars turned out by US plants last year was built without at least some imported parts. The tariffs on parts could now mean tens of billions of dollars in new cost to the industry – and eventually to American car buyers and owners. “Frankly, from my perspective, (the parts tariffs) looks worse for the broader economy than the tariffs on imported vehicles,” said Jonathan Smoke, chief economist at Cox Automotive, at an Automotive Press Association webinar this past week. More than 50% of the content of cars assembled in American auto plants is imported, according to the government’s own estimates. But the tariffs won’t apply equally to all those imports. For example, parts from ********* or ******** suppliers who pay their workers $16 or more an hour are deemed “compliant” with the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement, a trade deal negotiated during the first Trump administration. That means most ********* parts are exempt from tariffs, but relatively few ******** parts. And as of last week, automakers assembling cars in the United States will be able to offset part of the parts tariff, at least temporarily. The White House said it would refund automakers up to 3.75% of price of the vehicle against their parts tariffs bill in the first year, sliding to 2.5% in the second year before being phased out in the third year. But even with that refund, the added cost of tariffs could still come to an average of about $4,000 per vehicle, according to estimates derived from a CNN analysis of government trade data. A car hauler truck makes its way to the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor, Canada to cross into the United States on April 1. – Bill Pugliano/Getty Images For car buyers, it might take awhile to see price hikes. General Motors CEO Mary Barra told CNN Thursday tariffs will cost her company between $4 billion and $5 billion this year, but she doesn’t expect car prices to change in the near term. Ford CEO Jim Farley told CNN on Wednesday that it would extend its “employee pricing” offer through July 4. But everyday Americans will still see higher prices elsewhere, like the repair shop. “The tariffs on parts that will lead to higher inflation in repair and maintenance and insurance which impact every American and not just the people thinking about buying a new imported vehicle,” Smoke said. Story Continues The recent change in the parts tariff rules means any car assembled in the United States with 85% “USMCA compliant” parts would essentially be tariff-free. The problem is that virtually no vehicle meets that 85% threshold, according to analysis by Frank DuBois, a retired professor at American University’s Kogod School of Business. That’s because automakers have been operating for decades as if North America is a single market, moving parts repeatedly across the US borders with Canada and Mexico with few if any tariffs. A worker assembles electronic car keys at a manufacturing plant in Tlajomulco de Zuniga, Mexico, on February 20. Like countless other auto parts and products assembled in Mexico, they cross North American borders several times before being finished. – Ulises Ruiz/AFP/Getty Images A worker uses a forklift to move steel and aluminum materials at an auto parts manufacturer in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, on February 17. US President Donald Trump’s tariffs against Canada and Mexico threaten production at automakers across North America. – Mauricio Palos/Bloomberg/Getty Images Judging which content is actually domestic could be tough, as well, DuBois said, getting down to such minor points as where the oil and antifreeze come from. Besides the $19.2 billion in imported ********* components, most other imported parts will not be exempt. For example, Mexico sent $82.5 billion in parts to the United States last year, by far the largest source of imported parts. But few of those are considered “USMCA compliant,” so most will have the tariff attached. If current tariffs for auto parts (and additional levies for ******** goods in general) had been in effect last year, the total price tag would have been about $60 billion. Even with the refund rules announced this past week would only have taken that bill down to $40 billion. The parts refund, Smoke said, is just about “taking a bad situation and making it slightly less worse.” For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Source link #auto #tariffs #effect #change #industry Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Majority of Canadians say misinformation affected federal election: poll – National Majority of Canadians say misinformation affected federal election: poll – National More than three quarters of Canadians believe misinformation had an impact on the outcome of the federal election, a new poll suggests. The Leger poll, which sampled more than 1,500 ********* adults from April 29 to May 1, suggests that 19 per cent of people think false information or misinformation had a major impact on the election. Almost a third (32 per cent) said it had a moderate impact, while 26 per cent said it had a minor impact on the election’s outcome. Only nine per cent of Canadians said misinformation had no impact on the election at all. The poll, which was conducted online and can’t be assigned a margin of error, suggests that people in Alberta were the most likely to think misinformation affected the election, at 86 per cent. Story continues below advertisement Seventy-nine per cent of people in Quebec, 76 per cent of people in Ontario and 73 per cent of people in B.C. said misinformation had an impact. While 80 per cent of men said misinformation played a role, 74 per cent of women said the same. Voters aged 18 to 34 were most likely to think misinformation affected the election, at 81 per cent, compared to 77 per cent of people aged 35 to 54 and 74 per cent of people aged 55 and older. Liberal supporters were the least likely to think misinformation had a role in the election, at 74 per cent, compared to 83 per cent of Conservative voters and 87 per cent of NDP voters. 4:19 Money Matters: The financial impacts of the federal election results Andrew Enns, Leger’s executive vice-president for Central Canada, said there has been lots of talk over the last few years about foreign interference in ********* politics and the issue may be in the back of voters’ minds. Story continues below advertisement During the election campaign, ********* security officials said they spotted a foreign online operation targeting a federal Conservative candidate opposed to ******** government policies. The Security and Intelligence Threats to Elections Task Force also said it spotted an online information operation linked to the ******** government that focused on Prime Minister Mark Carney. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Laurie-Anne Kempton, assistant secretary to the cabinet for communications, said in late April that Canadians could head to the polls with full confidence in the integrity and security of the system. Federal officials also said that voters should be on the lookout for online disinformation tied to the election debates. More on Politics More videos Enns said that “misinformation” is a large umbrella term and that poll respondents may have cited things like rumours and claims about candidates while filling out the Leger survey. “I think it could be sort of a catch-all,” he said. “Canadians tend to not like negative campaigns and negative campaign ads, for example, and so sometimes I wonder … does that get lumped into sort of that misinformation as well?” The poll also suggests that just under two-thirds of Canadians (65 per cent) trust that the election results were accurate. Thirty-six per cent said they trust the results “a great deal,” while 29 per cent said they trust them “a lot.” Story continues below advertisement However, 16 per cent said they trust the results only “a little” and 13 per cent said they don’t trust them “at all.” 1:41 Carney to meet with Trump at the White House next week People in Quebec were most likely to trust the results, at 77 per cent, compared to 70 per cent in B.C., 62 per cent in Ontario and 53 per cent in Alberta. Trending Now Man who kept angry crowd back from suspect at Lapu Lapu festival says it was right to do Conservative MP will resign Alberta riding so Pierre Poilievre can run again More people aged 55 and older said they had trust in the results, at 72 per cent, compared to 61 per cent of people aged 18 to 34 and 59 per cent of those aged 35 to 54. Liberals were the most likely to trust the results, at 96 per cent, compared to 74 per cent of NDP voters and only 44 per cent of Conservatives. Enns said the results point to an unfortunate but “very real” deterioration in people’s faith in institutions. Story continues below advertisement “There’s a party break in the trust where the Conservative supporters are less trusting, unfortunately,” he said, adding that mistrust could be due to people hearing about interference or being exposed to conspiracy theories. Enns said Leger did not ask Canadians about misinformation or trust in results after the 2021 election. The Elections Canada website says that about half (52 per cent) of people who responded to a National Electors Study thought the spread of false information online was a problem during the 2021 election — 50 per cent said the same thing about the 2019 election. 1:24 Alberta MP steps aside for CPC leader Pierre Poilievre to run in byelection The study found that a quarter of respondents thought foreign countries or groups trying to interfere with the election or the political opinions of Canadians had been a problem in the 2021 election, compared with 31 per cent in 2019. Story continues below advertisement Elections Canada says close to one in 10 respondents thought false information had a major impact on the outcome of the 2021 election, and 20 per cent thought it had a moderate impact. Eighteen per cent of respondents said it had only a minor impact on the outcome, while only two per cent said it had no impact. The agency says those results were similar to those obtained after the 2019 election. Elections Canada says four per cent thought that problems of foreign interference had a major impact on the outcome of the 2021 election, nine per cent thought it had a moderate impact, 10 per cent thought it had a minor impact and one per cent said it had no impact. The polling industry’s professional body, the ********* Research Insights Council, says online surveys cannot be assigned a margin of error because they do not randomly sample the population. &copy 2025 The ********* Press Source link #Majority #Canadians #misinformation #affected #federal #election #poll #National Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Warren Buffett at the Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting 2025: Live updates Warren Buffett at the Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting 2025: Live updates Attendees line up early, race for seats Attendees line up for the Berkshire Hathaway Annual Shareholders Meeting in Omaha, Nebraska on May 3, 2025. Yun Li | CNBC Shareholders began lining up in the early morning hours for a shot at the best seats in Omaha’s CHI Health Center. Attendees near the front told CNBC they gathered as early as 1 a.m. local time. As has become an unofficial tradition, participants could be seen sprinting to the frontmost seats on the arena floor around 7 a.m. CT. Buffett is set to take the stage around 8 a.m. ET. Attendees line up for the Berkshire Hathaway Annual Shareholders Meeting in Omaha, Nebraska on May 3, 2025. Alex Harring | CNBC Attendees show their love for Buffett through apparel While many attendees can be seen sporting business or casual attire, some die-hard fans for Berkshire Hathaway and Buffett wear their heart on their sleeve — literally. Nora Ridenour landed on a shirt featuring the Oracle of Omaha’s face in a variety of colors that was inspired by artist Andy Warhol. Ridenour, who came with her husband from Iowa, bought this shirt during her first trip to the meeting in 2019. “I have a super useful art degree, so this one spoke to me,” Ridenour said. Nora and Jay Ridenour sport shirts featuring Warren Buffett’s likeness. Alex Harring | CNBC Her husband Jay, who wore a shirt from last year’s 5-K run with an illustration of Buffett, said he enjoys coming because of the positive energy among attendees. The family has owned the stock for more than a decade. “Everybody here is excited,” he said. “This is one of the only events that I go to where everybody is just genuinely happy to be here.” Polliana Elena Varnier wears a ****** hoodie with a photo of Warren Buffett. Alex Harring | CNBC Polliana Elena Varnier matched other business students in town. The Brazil native’s cohort had ****** hoodies with a ******-and-white picture of Buffett sticking his tongue out. “We love the way he thinks and the way he lives,” she said. “He’s not just an investor, he’s almost a philosophy.” Tina Yin with a coworker during a networking event in Omaha. Alex Harring | CNBC At a networking event near CHI Health Center, Tina Yin was seen in a shirt screenprinted with a picture of her and Buffett. While she met Buffett in 2017, the Hong Kong-based investor said some people inquired about the photo’s authenticity. “They think it’s not a real photo, maybe it’s Photoshop,” Yin said, referring to the Adobe application for picture editing. — Alex Harring Berkshire investors look for Buffett’s guidance on tariffs, market volatility Warren Buffett has been mum about tariffs and the recent market turmoil, but will finally get a chance to speak his mind when the 94-year-old investment legend kicks off Berkshire Hathaway’s annual shareholder meeting. This year’s annual meeting comes as markets have turned uncertain after President Donald Trump’s aggressive rollout of the highest tariffs on imports in generations. (Many were suspended for 90 days afterward.) Wall Street economists left and right are sounding the alarms that a recession may be in the offing, as recent data pointed to signs of economic weakening. The world is eager to hear if Buffett, the most famous advocate of value investing, used the April market meltdown to hunt for bargains and lay the groundwork for deals. Although Buffett doesn’t make predictions of short-term market direction, investors will listen closely for any signals of his continued confidence in the U.S. economy — despite the tariff shock. — Yun Li Here’s the schedule for CNBC’s live coverage of the Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting CNBC will be livestreaming Berkshire Hathaway’s annual shareholder meeting on Saturday, beginning at 8:30 a.m. ET. Watch as Warren Buffett answers shareholder questions. The discussion will likely touch on his view of the market, what types of deals Berkshire could make in the year ahead and other key topics. Here is a rundown of the day’s events: 8:30 a.m.- 9 a.m.: Pre-show anchored by Becky Quick and Mike Santoli 9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.: Berkshire Hathaway morning Q&A session 11:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.: Halftime show anchored by Becky Quick and Mike Santoli 12 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.: Afternoon Q&A session of annual meeting 2:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.: Post-show anchored by Becky Quick and Mike Santoli Note: Schedule reflects Eastern Time —Christina Cheddar Berk Source link #Warren #Buffett #Berkshire #Hathaway #annual #meeting #Live #updates Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Hegseth attorney’s dual roles trip conflict of interest alarms – Politico Hegseth attorney’s dual roles trip conflict of interest alarms – Politico Hegseth attorney’s dual roles trip conflict of interest alarms Politico Source link #Hegseth #attorneys #dual #roles #trip #conflict #interest #alarms #Politico Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Anthony Albanese accepts victory in 2025 Federal Election Anthony Albanese accepts victory in 2025 Federal Election Anthony Albanese has thanked supporters after a bombshell federal election win, and delivered a passionate pledge to Australia. Source link #Anthony #Albanese #accepts #victory #Federal #Election Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘Strange’ handling of John Elway golf cart incident called out by ex-prosecutor who says mistakes were made ‘Strange’ handling of John Elway golf cart incident called out by ex-prosecutor who says mistakes were made A former federal prosecutor in California said he thinks the sheriff’s office involved in investigating John Elway’s golf cart incident is either being dishonest or not doing its job. According to officials, Elway’s longtime friend and agent, Jeffrey Sperbeck, 62, fell off the back of a golf cart at the Madison Club in La Quinta, California. A Cal Fire spokesperson told Fox News Digital the agency responded to the incident at 6:50 p.m. March 26. Sperbeck sustained “serious injuries” and was transported to Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, where he died Wednesday. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office opened an investigation into the golf cart incident. Elway hasn’t been charged with any crime. Fox News Digital confirmed Friday that Elway has retained Denver-based lawyer Harvey Steinberg. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office said in a Friday evening post on X that “there’s nothing to indicate that this is anything more than a tragic accident.” TMZ reported Elway was driving the golf cart at the time of the incident and was leaving a Stagecoach after-party. Public records show Elway has a property 10 minutes away from the Madison Club. California Sheriff Learned Of John Elway Golf Cart Incident Two Days Later, Says It’s Now Investigating The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office said it “received information” Monday, two days after the incident. Fox News Digital asked the sheriff’s office why it hadn’t learned about the incident until two days later but didn’t receive a response. A Cal Fire spokesperson said the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office wasn’t asked to respond to the incident “due to the call being medical in nature.” Read On The Fox News App Former Assistant U.S. Attorney Neama Rahmani told Fox News Digital the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office is “either being less than honest or not doing their job” in response to why it took two days for the agency to learn of the incident. “Nothing else makes sense,” Rahmani added. He said it’s “strange” that law enforcement didn’t respond to the incident. “Maybe it’s a good thing it’s coming from a ‘former federal prosecutor,’ It appears we are all much better off with them in retirement, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco told Fox News Digital in response to the comments. John Elway Golf Cart Incident: Former Broncos Legend Hires Lawyer With History Of Repping Athletes In Trouble John Elway stands on the field before a game between the Denver Broncos and the Cincinnati Bengals at Empower Field at Mile High Dec. 19, 2021, in Denver, Colo. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office said Wednesday it would “take appropriate action based on the outcome” of the investigation. Elway publicly commented on the incident after Sperbeck died Wednesday, according to ESPN. “I am absolutely devastated and heartbroken by the passing of my close friend, business partner and agent Jeff Sperbeck,” Elway said. “There are no words to truly express the profound sadness I feel with the sudden loss of someone who has meant so much to me.” Sperbeck’s family also released a statement after his death. John Elway stands on the sideline during the fourth quarter of a game between the Denver Broncos and the Los Angeles Chargers at Empower Field at Mile High Dec. 1, 2019, in Denver, Colo. “We are deeply saddened to share the passing of our beloved Jeff Sperbeck. He was a wonderful father, husband, brother, son and friend to many and will be profoundly missed by all,” the Sperbeck family said. “We are grieving this unimaginable loss as a family alongside our dearest friends, the Elways, and the many other clients Jeff called friends.” Elway and Sperbeck became friends in 1990 after Sperbeck became Elway’s manager. Among Sperbeck’s other clients are Pro Football Hall of Famers Ronnie Lott and Jim Plunkett, and the agent has represented hundreds of other NFL players. Fox News Digital reached out to Elway’s lawyer for comment. Original article source: ‘Strange’ handling of John Elway golf cart incident called out by ex-prosecutor who says mistakes were made Source link #Strange #handling #John #Elway #golf #cart #incident #called #exprosecutor #mistakes Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Harvard’s President Alan Garber Talks About His Legal Fight With Trump – The New York Times Harvard’s President Alan Garber Talks About His Legal Fight With Trump – The New York Times Harvard’s President Alan Garber Talks About His Legal Fight With Trump The New York TimesHarvard’s Brawl With Trump Casts Doubt on Its Pristine Credit WSJHarvard professor reveals university was ‘not ready’ after Oct 7 as Trump revokes tax-exempt status Fox NewsTrump’s social media post targeting Harvard’s tax-exempt status could create problems for the IRS NBC NewsTrump says the government will revoke Harvard’s tax-exempt status. The university’s president says that would be ******** CNN Source link #Harvards #President #Alan #Garber #Talks #Legal #Fight #Trump #York #Times Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Federal election results; who won the election in Australia? : Anthony Albanese wins second term as Prime Minister Federal election results; who won the election in Australia? : Anthony Albanese wins second term as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has won a second term as Australia’s Prime Minister. 7NEWS called the election for Anthony Albanese just after 6pm on Saturday, declaring there was no chance of Peter Dutton becoming the nation’s leader. Mr Albanese is the first Prime Minister since John Howard in 2004 to be returned for a second term. Trailing in the polls going into the start of year, Labor regained ground on the coalition throughout 2025 following global uncertainty triggered by US President Donald Trump and his tariffs on trading partners. Campaigning on reducing living costs, Mr Albanese made health a focal point during the election, frequently brandishing his Medicare card and pledging to expand access to bulk billing and urgent cares clinics. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton was considered the frontrunner going into the election campaign, but a lack of detail surrounding key policy costings and a voter association with the policies of Mr Trump caused his his poll numbers to plummet. Feel like giving the politicians a rating this Federal election? Our Pollie Rater lets you do just that. Rate the politicians Mr Dutton urged voters throughout the election to ask themselves if they were better off now compared to three years ago, but the public has opted for a second term of the status quo. The election was dominated by issues on the cost of living, following several interest rate rises and high inflation, with the prime minister also going on the attack of Mr Dutton’s record as health minister during the previous coalition government. Despite being ahead throughout the campaign, Mr Albanese still sought to play the underdog card, with Labor still scarred by its 2019 election loss which polls predicted it would win easily. But with Saturday’s win, Labor has exorcised its demons of the electoral past and will look to implement its second-term agenda. – with AAP Source link #Federal #election #results #won #election #Australia #Anthony #Albanese #wins #term #Prime #Minister Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

These overbought stocks could be due for a pause These overbought stocks could be due for a pause Several tech heavy hitters could see a pullback after this week’s runup, if this technical indicator is any guide. Stocks have made a strong comeback since President Donald Trump’s early April tariff announcements triggered a sell-off. The reversal began after a temporary reduction in tariff rates for most countries was put in place. However, a solid earnings season and better-than-expected jobs data has also revived sentiment. All three major averages ended Friday notching their second straight winning week . Results from Microsoft and Meta Platforms notably revived investor confidence in the artificial intelligence trade , as the tech giants continued to spend on data center construction despite the potential of greater costs from tariffs. Using the CNBC Pro stock screener tool , we identified the most overbought and oversold stocks by weighing their 14-day relative strength index, or RSI. An RSI reading above 70 signals that a stock could be overbought and soon trade lower. An RSI below 30, on the other hand, indicates that a stock might be oversold and could see future gains. Microsoft made the cut as one of the most overbought stocks in the past week, having an RSI of 72.78. Analysts polled by LSEG have an average price target on the stock that indicates nearly 15% potential upside from Friday’s close. Shares of Microsoft jumped roughly 11% this week, taking the stock into the green for the year, after the company beat Wall Street’s estimates and issued a strong forecast. Revenue from its Azure unit also exceeded expectations, helped by demand for artificial intelligence services. Other tech companies, including Palantir , VeriSign and Netflix , are also overbought according to their RSI readings. Palantir has soared more than 64% this year, bucking the technology sector’s slower growth this year as the company’s revenues benefit from defense and software contracts with key U.S. government agencies. However, the average price target from analysts polled by LSEG indicates Palantir shares could tumble 27% . The stock has an RSI of 71.91, which also suggests some near-term pain could be ahead. Netflix and VeriSign, meanwhile, each have RSIs higher than 74. The stocks have also raced ahead of the broader market this year, gaining 29.8% and 37.3%, respectively. Netflix’s stock ended Friday with a record 11 straight days of gains, the company’s longest positive run ever as enthusiasm runs high after its recent earnings beat. Oversold stocks include UnitedHealth Group and Church & Dwight , which have RSIs of 25.11 and 27.78, respectively. UnitedHealth Group shares have plummeted since the health-care giant in mid-April slashed its annual profit forecast due to higher-than-expected medical costs. The stock is down nearly 21% this year. Source link #overbought #stocks #due #pause Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

After paying people to leave, one federal agency is scrambling to fill positions – NPR After paying people to leave, one federal agency is scrambling to fill positions – NPR After paying people to leave, one federal agency is scrambling to fill positions NPR Source link #paying #people #leave #federal #agency #scrambling #fill #positions #NPR Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

New Study Challenges Signs of Life on Exoplanet K2-18b New Study Challenges Signs of Life on Exoplanet K2-18b Expectations were high at the start of this month when a group of University of Cambridge astronomers reported they had found the “strongest evidence yet” of life on an exoplanet called K2-18b. Their assertions sprang from the detection of dimethyl sulphide (DMS), a gas linked to biological activity in the atmosphere of Earth. Conducted using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), the finding suggested that the planet may be a watery, habitable world. But a detailed examination of the facts now begs grave doubt about the veracity of their bold assertions. Skepticism Grows Over K2-18b Life Claims Amid New Analysis and Calls for More Data As per a study posted on April 22, Jake Taylor of the University of Oxford applied a neutral statistical test that detected no clear molecular signatures in the JWST data, just a flat line. The studies suggest the signal is either noisy or too weak to provide strong conclusions. The first Cambridge-led study revealed a three-sigma DMS detection much below the five-sigma threshold usually required to prove major scientific discoveries. Critics also questioned the absence of supporting compounds like ethane and claimed the models employed may have exaggerated DMS levels. Astrobiologists Eddie Schwieterman and Michaela Musilova note that current evidence doesn’t meet strict criteria for proving life; thus, there is a need for multiple independent teams to analyse the same dataset. Further complicating matters, new research indicates K2-18b may orbit too close to its star to retain liquid water, possibly excluding it from the habitable zone. Adding to the scepticism, DMS was recently detected on a cold comet, suggesting that such molecules can exist without life. Lead author of the original research, Madhusudhan, has supported the findings but discounted Taylor’s test as too simple and “irrelevant” for their assertions. Most scientists agree that confirmation or denial of DMS existence in K2-18b’s atmosphere depends on additional solid, peer-reviewed research. The argument is still in progress, an ongoing narrative illustrating how science develops not by certainty but by questioning and correction. For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who’sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube. SpaceX Launches Falcon 9 Rocket With 28 Starlink Satellites Into Orbit From Florida Oppo Reno 14 With MediaTek Dimensity 8400 SoC Seen on Geekbench Ahead of Debut Source link #Study #Challenges #Signs #Life #Exoplanet #K218b Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Federal election results Australia: Labor’s Sam Lim in nervous wait to see if he has held his seat in Tangney Federal election results Australia: Labor’s Sam Lim in nervous wait to see if he has held his seat in Tangney As results came in favourably for Labor across the nation, the incumbent in its most marginal seat was left to wait to see if he could join in the party. Source link #Federal #election #results #Australia #Labors #Sam #Lim #nervous #wait #held #seat #Tangney Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Major Healthcare Company Files for Bankruptcy Major Healthcare Company Files for Bankruptcy Molecular Templates Inc. has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, according to The Street. The company, known for its work in developing ******* treatment drugs, is hoping to restructure. The company, which is based in Austin, TX, “listed $2.49 million in assets and $29.4 million in debts in its petition filed on April 20, 2025,” per the outlet. Its working with lender K2 Health Ventures in an effort to continue moving forward. There has been an increase in bankruptcy filings in the biotechnology industry in recent years due to a variety of reasons. “From a macro standpoint, the unstable economic conditions worldwide post-COVID, supply chain headwinds, and inflation have all contributed to a more challenging financing environment,” Sarah Stevens, president of Azzur Labs and Azzur Cleanrooms on Demand, at Azzur Group, previously said, according to Labiotech. “Scientifically, formulation and manufacturing process innovation is necessary to keep pace with cell and gene therapy opportunities. There are constraints related to fit-for-purpose, flexible manufacturing capacity.” “It is always disappointing to see failure in medicines development, but of course, it is historically not uncommon. So many factors – both financial and scientific – can influence the fine line between success and failure. Even with recent incredible advances in biologic modalities, successful delivery to target with the necessary therapeutic and safety profiles remains challenging,” said Stevens. Other contributing factors include cost increases, labor shortages, and rising interest rates. Related: JetBlue Announces Big Change to Onboard Snack Options Source link #Major #Healthcare #Company #Files #Bankruptcy Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Harvard’s Brawl With Trump Casts Doubt on Its Pristine Credit – WSJ Harvard’s Brawl With Trump Casts Doubt on Its Pristine Credit – WSJ Harvard’s Brawl With Trump Casts Doubt on Its Pristine Credit WSJHarvard’s President Alan Garber Talks About His Legal Fight With Trump The New York TimesTrump’s social media post targeting Harvard’s tax-exempt status could create problems for the IRS NBC NewsHarvard hits back ‘no legal basis’ for Trump move to take away tax-exempt status ABC NewsTrump says the government will revoke Harvard’s tax-exempt status. The university’s president says that would be ******** CNN Source link #Harvards #Brawl #Trump #Casts #Doubt #Pristine #Credit #WSJ Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

How a garden centre blossomed over 70 years How a garden centre blossomed over 70 years Louise Parry BBC News, Hertfordshire Aylett Nurseries Roger and Hazel started running a nursery before founding a garden centre for the public in St Albans One of the ***’s early garden centres is celebrating 70 years as a family business, which saw the owner fall in love with and marry his first employee. “Roger used to pick me up and take me to market every day; we gradually got fond of each other,” recalled Hazel Aylett, now 84. Horticulture student Roger Aylett founded Aylett Nurseries in St Albans, Hertfordshire, in April 1955, when “there was nothing here except a green field”. “There wasn’t a garden centre, they weren’t invented then. We used to sell our bunches of dahlias and people said ‘why can’t you sell us anything else?’ And that’s how it all started,” said Ms Aylett. Aylett Nurseries The couple started off growing flowers for trade and later for people to put into hanging baskets Mr Aylett died in 2010 but his daughter and son-in-law Julie and Adam Wigglesworth continue to manage the business. They now employ 150 staff, but Ms Aylett said the early days were very different. “I was Roger’s first student when I was 18 years old, and he paid me £1 a week,” she said. “Roger couldn’t afford any staff – why was I sent here (from college) if it wasn’t in the stars that I was going to fall in love with this man? “We used to grow sweet peas and delphiniums for the cut flower trade, but we spent the first 15 years losing money. The bank manager begged my mother in law to get rid of the nursery as it was such a drain.” Aylett Nurseries Hazel Aylett said “it was the customers that drove us to start the garden centre” Ms Wigglesworth said a turning point came in the late 1960s when another horticulturalist “came up with the idea of putting plants into pots”. “Before, you could only do it as bare root stock – it was very seasonal. “Once this idea of containerisation took off, plants could be purchased and it really took off,” she explained. Mr Aylett, who Mr Wigglesworth described as “an absolute character”, also drove the company forward with his passion and personality. “He loved growing a good plant, and a good crop. He built the business on customer service, Roger was always on the shop floor,” he said. Aylett Nurseries Roger Aylett’s family said he was a “guiding light” who “loved growing a good plant” Mr Wigglesworth said the centre, which has recently added hundreds of solar panels to power 30% of its operations, had often forged ahead with new technologies. “We were the first garden centre in the country to have bar codes,” he said. “In the 70s we had an environmental system to manage the greenhouse – now you get that on your phone, but Roger did it decades ago.” Aylett Nurseries Aylett still hosts a dahlias festival every summer Aylett Nurseries The nursery has won many RHS awards for its dahlias Nursery manager Tony Day recently celebrated 50 years at Aylett, after starting his first job there aged 16. “I came here as a nursery worker on a team of about 15 people, learning anything and everything,” he said. “My philosophy is to make sure I grow something well and make sure it’s better next season. “I don’t think I would have been here if I didn’t appreciate the Ayletts as a family as well. It helps to be appreciated in your job.” Aylett Nurseries Tony Day celebrated his half century at Aylett with current managers Adam and Julie Wigglesworth Mr Day has seen gardening trends come and go. “When I first started, there were a lot of the ‘old boy gardeners’, who loved dahlias, chrysanthemums, the old fashioned plants,” he said. “The gardens were ******* then. Now you get more patios and small gardens. “The trends have changed from large lawns with decorative borders to smaller patio gardens. People love containers, smaller flowering plants round by their barbeques.” Aylett Nurseries The changing face of garden centre cafes: from 2025 back to the 1970s Ms Wigglesworth admitted that garden centres today faced “enormous challenges”. “We’ve got climate change, plant health, issues of peat and as the world gets smaller – who know what diseases,” she said. Mr Wigglesworth said on the positive side, “people are as interested in nature as they’ve ever been”. “Garden centres have a rosy future. We’ve got an absolute wealth of experience,” he added. Ms Aylett, who lives on the site, said the memory of her husband still continued. “We miss Roger every single day, he was the guiding light behind it all,” she said. “As a family business it’s important to carry on, but what the future holds I don’t know.” Aylett Nurseries The garden centre now occupies a large site between Hatfield and St Albans Source link #garden #centre #blossomed #years Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Adelaide coach Nicks hails his skipper's impact Adelaide coach Nicks hails his skipper's impact Crows captain Jordan Dawson is receiving fresh plaudits from his coach after a starring role in a 60-point hammering of Carlton. Source link #Adelaide #coach #Nicks #hails #skipper039s #impact Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Early vote count favors Australia’s government being reelected for a second term Early vote count favors Australia’s government being reelected for a second term Supporters of Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese react at a Labor party election night event, after local media projected the Labor Party’s victory, on the day of the *********** federal election, in Sydney, Australia, on May 3, 2025. Hollie Adams | Reuters Early vote counting in Australia’s general election Saturday suggested the government was likely to be returned for a second term. The *********** Electoral Commission’s early projections gave the ruling center-left Labor Party 70 seats and the conservative opposition coalition 24 seats in the 150-seat House of Representatives, the lower chamber where parties need a majority to form governments. Unaligned minor parties and independent candidates appeared likely to win 13 seats. Senior government minister Jim Chalmers said the early results pointed to volatility and different contests across the nation. Opposition Sen. James McGrath expected the result would to too close to call on Saturday. “I don’t think we’ll know who the next prime minister of this country is definitely tonight and there’ll be a number of seats we’ll not know the results this coming week or even next week,” McGrath said. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and opposition leader Peter Dutton will address party gatherings in Sydney and Brisbane later Saturday as the *********** Electoral Commission tallies votes. Leaders usually concede defeat and claim victory on the day of the election. Energy policy and inflation have been major issues in the campaign, with both sides agreeing that the country faces a cost-of-living crisis. Opposition leader branded ‘DOGE-y Dutton’ Dutton’s conservative Liberal Party blames government waste for fueling inflation and increasing interest rates, and has pledged to ax more than one in five public service jobs to reduce government spending. While both say the country should reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, Dutton argues that relying on more nuclear power instead of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind turbines would deliver less expensive electricity. The ruling center-left Labor Party has branded the opposition leader “DOGE-y Dutton” and accused his party of mimicking U.S. President Donald Trump and his Department of Government Efficiency. Labor argues Dutton’s administration would slash services to pay for its nuclear ambitions. “We’ve seen the attempt to run American-style politics here of division and pitting Australians against each other and I think that’s not the *********** way,” Albanese said. Albanese also noted that his government had improved relations with China, which removed a series of official and unofficial trade barriers that had cost *********** exporters 20 billion *********** dollars ($13 billion) a year since Labor came to power in 2022. Dutton wants to become the first opposition leader to oust a first-term government since 1931, when Australians were reeling from the Great Depression. If Albanese wins, he’ll become the first *********** prime minister to win successive elections in 21 years. Cost-of-living crisis amid generational change The election is taking place against a backdrop of what both sides of politics describe as a cost-of-living crisis. Foodbank Australia, the nation’s largest food relief charity, reported 3.4 million households in the country of 27 million people experienced food insecurity last year. That meant Australians were skipping meals, eating less or worrying about running out of food before they could afford to buy more. The central bank reduced its benchmark cash interest rate by a quarter percentage point in February to 4.1% in an indication that the worst of the financial hardship had passed. The rate is widely expected to be cut again at the bank’s next board meeting on May 20, this time to encourage investment amid the international economic uncertainty generated by Trump’s tariff policies. Both campaigns have focused on Australia’s changing demographics. The election is the first in Australia in which Baby Boomers, born between the end of World War II and 1964, are outnumbered by younger voters. Both campaigns promised policies to help first-home buyers buy into a property market that is too expensive for many. Election could produce ********* government Going into the election, Labor held a narrow majority of 78 seats in a 151-seat House of Representatives. There will be 150 seats in the next parliament due to redistributions. A loss of more than two seats could force Labor to attempt to form a ********* government with the support of unaligned lawmakers. There was a ********* government after the 2010 election, and the last one before that was during World War II. The last time neither party won a majority, it took 17 days after the polls closed before key independent lawmakers announced they would support a Labor administration. Source link #Early #vote #count #favors #Australias #government #reelected #term Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Australia’s center-left Labor Party looks set to retain power, according to media projections – CNN Australia’s center-left Labor Party looks set to retain power, according to media projections – CNN Australia’s center-left Labor Party looks set to retain power, according to media projections CNNFirst Canada, Now Australia: The Trump Factor Boosts Another World Leader in a Close Election WSJLive Results: Australia federal election 2025 BBCAustralian election results 2025: live votes tracker and federal seat counts The GuardianAustralian PM Albanese Re-Elected for Second Term, ABC Projects Bloomberg.com Source link #Australias #centerleft #Labor #Party #set #retain #power #media #projections #CNN Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Hoarding a *** mental health emergency – Birmingham group warns Hoarding a *** mental health emergency – Birmingham group warns Ben Godfrey Correspondent, BBC Midlands BBC Estimates suggest 2-5% of the *** population may have hoarding disorder, which the World Health Organisation classified as a mental health condition in 2018 Hoarding in the *** has become a “mental health emergency” which requires an urgent response, a leading social enterprise has warned. Clouds End CIC has been supporting more than 300 people who hoard in Birmingham, helping them to declutter their homes and encouraging them to attend mental health support groups. It is an intervention project funded by Birmingham City Council, working closely with social services. Estimates suggest 2-5% of the *** population may have hoarding disorder, which the World Health Organisation classified as a mental health condition in 2018. However, Heather Matuozzo, founder of Clouds End CIC, says the true number will have risen significantly since the pandemic. “Anecdotally, and looking abroad, it’s quite seriously on the increase, but we don’t have the figures to prove it yet,” she said. “Our referrals are certainly increasing – it’s a behind-closed-doors mental health emergency. “You’re meeting people who have got stuck in life, some with some really heartbreaking stories. We need to act now.” Hoarding disorder is characterised as a relentless accumulation of possessions which leads to cluttered living spaces that compromise their use or safety. Typically, four out of 10 hoarders are over the age of 60. The BBC has been following the work of Clouds End over a ******* of four months as they deliver a “Chaos 2 Order” project across Birmingham. It’s one of the first dedicated hoarding projects of its kind in Europe – and it also provides training to agencies who might encounter hoarding behaviour in the course of a home visit. Sue Sue has urged other people who are suffering to reach out to their GP or to charities Sue began to hoard in her late teens. She told the BBC her parents separated when she was a young child; she lost contact with her father and felt increasingly isolated and traumatised as she grew up. She began receiving support in 2020 after she had spent Christmas without any electricity because her power supply was being obstructed by her possessions. She has since made huge efforts to clear her home in south Birmingham, but she recognises that it is a long haul. “I’ve learnt that there is nothing to be ashamed of because hoarding isn’t the problem,” Sue said. “It’s been the solution to people who have other problems, traumatic experiences, and people who have OCD. “To those going through this – please reach out to your GP or to charities – and ask for help.” Sue found comfort in being able to move bags and boxes from her home to her car and onto a charity shop – it became a regular and cathartic journey – and now she joins hoarding support groups to help others who are at the start of their own decluttering process. “The help that is available in communities is very hit and miss,” she said. “It’s usually charities that help rather than councils, and if they do get involved, it can be housing officers or social workers who tend to come in all guns blazing, because they have a job to do – get your house cleared.” Sue once spent Christmas without any power because her electricity supply was being obstructed by her possessions David David’s doctor was not able to gain access to his house for a scheduled appointment due to the clutter David is living in the home he grew up in. After his father’s death, he became a carer for his mother who had dementia. Now he’s living there on his own after she died. David’s lounge is a riot of colour – on the floor of his living room are porcelain figurines, hundreds of yellowed newspapers and, balanced across the back of his settee, several thousand Barbie dolls. “I started collecting them about eight years back. If I see one I haven’t got, I buy one,” the 65-year-old said. “My doctor called at my house, but the entrance was blocked – that was the moment I got some help.” A few years ago, David agreed to declutter his home with Ms Matuozzo’s help, but he’s now returned to intensive hoarding – with recent deliveries to his home of dozens of bars of soap, shampoos and piles of more boxed-up Barbies. When the BBC asked him, “Why is it all back?”, David said: “Well, you can’t cure me of being a hoarder, can you? I find it comforting.” David has now amassed several thousand Barbie dolls Extensive hoarding can pose a significant risk to life. Since 2021 in the West Midlands alone, six people have died and 33 injured in fires in hoarded properties, according to data from West Midlands Fire Service. Ms Matuozzo says decluttering has become a new form of social care, but she feels the government could implement a new national hoarding strategy that’s widespread and funded. She also hopes to create a Hoarding Charter, which would see Birmingham become the first Hoarding Awareness city in the world. Currently, many individual local authorities have action plans, working alongside the NHS, but there is no national policy, or what Heather calls a *** “call to action”, that recognises the deep-seated trauma people are facing every day. Heather Matuozzo hopes to create a Hoarding Charter, which would see Birmingham become the first Hoarding Awareness city in the world “We need a framework. If people don’t have an idea of what to do, then very often they will just do nothing or shunt it on to somewhere else,” Ms Matuozzo said. “We need to be prepared for the future.” The US is leading the way on this. In July 2024, a US Senate committee published a detailed report about the prevalence of hoarding in society, warning that it was approaching pandemic levels alongside an ageing population. There are 14 million people in the United States exhibiting signs of hoarding disorder, the report states, and discussions are underway about new policies. The British Psychological Society published guidelines last year too, aimed at social care and NHS interventions. Sam Wainman is a PhD doctoral researcher in Hoarding Disorder at the University of Birmingham. “Many people hoard in an attempt to keep hold of memories; sometimes the death of a loved one can be a trigger, but it can feel like control in a world that’s out of control,” Mr Wainman said. “Professionals are trying their best in their own workplaces to forward policies, but we’re not aware of anything national or government-led. This would need to be a focus first on the person and not their possessions.” When asked about calls for a national strategy to tackle hoarding, a Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “People with mental health issues are not getting the support or care they deserve, which is why we will fix the broken system we inherited as a government to make sure we give mental health the same attention and focus as physical health. “So that people have the support they need when they need it, this government will recruit an additional 8,500 mental health workers and invest £26m to open new mental health crisis centres.” Source link #Hoarding #mental #health #emergency #Birmingham #group #warns Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

West Coast star Jeremy McGovern subbed off after concussion blow West Coast star Jeremy McGovern subbed off after concussion blow West Coast’s hopes of achieving their first win of the season have taken a huge blow after the veteran defender was subbed out with concussion. McGovern came off worse for wear after he was pushed into a marking contest by Melbourne’s Jake Melksham and into Harrison Petty in the second quarter of their clash at Optus Stadium. The star Eagle managed to play out the rest of the quarter but did not return from the rooms after half time and was subbed out for Tom Cole. It will mean he will also miss next week’s clash at the MCG next week against Richmoind. MORE TO COME Source link #West #Coast #star #Jeremy #McGovern #subbed #concussion #blow Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Russia’s Medvedev says Trump’s statement about US World War Two role was ‘pretentious nonsense’ Russia’s Medvedev says Trump’s statement about US World War Two role was ‘pretentious nonsense’ MOSCOW (Reuters) – Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, said on Saturday that President Donald Trump’s assertion that the U.S. had done more than any other country to win World War Two was “pretentious nonsense”. Trump posted on social network Truth Social late on Thursday that “nobody was close to us in terms of strength, bravery, or military brilliance” in both world wars, and that “we did more than any other country, by far, in producing a victorious result in World War II.” Medvedev, a former Russian president who has emerged as one of Moscow’s most outspoken anti-Western hawks since the start of Russia’s war in Ukraine, made his own statement at a time when Washington and Moscow are trying to reset their troubled ties while discussing a possible way to end the conflict. “Trump recently announced that the U.S. made the biggest contribution to victory in World War Two and that he will introduce a special holiday on May 8. A holiday is not a bad thing, but his first statement is pretentious nonsense,” Medvedev said in a post on the VK social network. “Our people sacrificed 27 million lives of their sons and daughters in the name of destroying accursed fascism. Therefore, Victory Day is ours and it is May 9! So it was, so it is, so it will always be!” wrote Medvedev. (Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Andrew Osborn) Source link #Russias #Medvedev #Trumps #statement #World #War #role #pretentious #nonsense Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

OPEC+ agrees another accelerated oil output hike for June, sources say OPEC+ agrees another accelerated oil output hike for June, sources say FILE PHOTO: People walk past an installation depicting barrel of oil with the logo of Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) during the COP29 United Nations climate change conference in Baku, Azerbaijan November 19, 2024. Maxim Shemetov | Reuters Eight OPEC+ countries meeting on Saturday have agreed to a further accelerated oil output hike for June of 411,000 barrels per day, two sources told Reuters while an online meeting of the countries was under way. Last month, the eight countries made a larger-than-planned output hike for May, also of 411,000 bpd. Together with U.S. trade tariffs, the decision helped to drive oil prices below $60 a barrel to a four-year low. The sources said the June increase had been agreed as the countries held an online meeting, brought forward from Monday, to decide on output. Oil prices fell over 1% on Friday as traders braced for more OPEC+ supply when concerns of an economic slowdown caused by a trade war between the U.S. and China have prompted forecasters to lower demand growth expectations for this year. Brent crude futures on Friday closed down 84 cents, or 1.4%, at $61.29 a barrel. Reuters reported this week that officials from Saudi Arabia, the de facto leader of OPEC+, have briefed allies and industry officials that they are unwilling to prop up oil markets with further supply cuts. Riyadh has been angered by Kazakhstan and Iraq producing above their OPEC+ targets, sources have said. Analyst Helima Croft of RBC Capital Markets said earlier “discussions appear to be leaning in the direction of another three-month increase”. “Compliance again appears to be the key focus, with Kazakhstan and Iraq continuing to miss their compensation targets, alongside Russia to a lesser extent,” Croft said further. OPEC+, which includes the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies such as Russia, is cutting output by over 5 million bpd and many of the cuts are due to remain in place until the end of 2026. The group plans to hold a full ministerial meeting on May 28. Source link #OPEC #agrees #accelerated #oil #output #hike #June #sources Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]