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Stocks stumble as investors ponder US trade policy Stocks stumble as investors ponder US trade policy Donald Trump’s fast-changing US trade policy has sent global markets into a tailspin, though some currencies as well as gold have benefited from the confusion. Source link #Stocks #stumble #investors #ponder #trade #policy Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Why was Atlantic City airport evacuated? What we know about airport emergency Why was Atlantic City airport evacuated? What we know about airport emergency Atlantic City International Airport was evacuated early Thursday morning after a fire alarm prompted emergency response teams to clear the terminal, according to published reports. The alarm sounded around 5:30 a.m., leading to a full evacuation while police and fire crews investigated. According to National World, the airport fire department gave the all-clear, and passengers were allowed to return to the terminal once it was determined there was no fire or active threat. WPG Talk Radio was the first to report the evacuation, including live updates from disrupted passengers. No injuries were reported, and the airport resumed normal operations shortly after. Atlantic City International Airport serves passengers across South Jersey and the greater Philadelphia region. It is known for its convenient parking, shorter lines, and easy access to major highways. Spirit Airlines is the only commercial carrier at the airport and offers daily nonstop flights to key airports in Florida like Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, and Myrtle Beach. The airport is also a joint-use facility with the New Jersey Air National Guard’s 177th Fighter Wing, which operates F-16 fighter jets from the base. As of Thursday evening there were no reported delays at the airport. This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Why was Atlantic City International Airport evacuated? What we know Source link #Atlantic #City #airport #evacuated #airport #emergency Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

David Hasselhoff’s daughter seen ‘screaming and crying’ after discovering mom Pamela Bach dead by suicide: report – New York Post David Hasselhoff’s daughter seen ‘screaming and crying’ after discovering mom Pamela Bach dead by suicide: report – New York Post David Hasselhoff’s daughter seen ‘screaming and crying’ after discovering mom Pamela Bach dead by suicide: report New York Post David Hasselhoff’s Ex-Wife Pamela Bach Dead at 62 TMZDavid Hasselhoff’s ex-wife Pamela Bach ‘looked sad’ in the final days before her suicide: neighbor New York Post Pamela Bach, ‘Baywatch’ Actress and David Hasselhoff’s Ex Wife, Dies by Suicide at 62 PEOPLEPamela Bach, actress and ex-wife of David Hasselhoff, dies at 62, LA County medical examiner says ABC7 Los Angeles Source link #David #Hasselhoffs #daughter #screaming #crying #discovering #mom #Pamela #Bach #dead #suicide #report #York #Post Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Snowplough used on cars stranded in blizzard conditions Snowplough used on cars stranded in blizzard conditions A powerful winter storm has hit parts of the US Midwest with strong winds and heavy snow. In Iowa, blizzard conditions left vehicles stranded on Wednesday. Video shows a snowplough used to move cars stuck in snow and lorries that had careened off roads. Source link #Snowplough #cars #stranded #blizzard #conditions Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump revives practice of detaining migrant families with children Trump revives practice of detaining migrant families with children Houston, Texas — The Trump administration is reviving the controversial practice of detaining migrant families with children in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody, the latest front in its effort to carry out a deportation effort the president has promised will be the largest in U.S. history. ICE on Thursday was detaining the first group of migrant parents and children in a detention facility in Texas designed to hold families with minors, according to an internal government report obtained by CBS News. The group includes three children, the report shows. Department of Homeland Security spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin said the migrants have deportation orders and confirmed the Trump administration is refitting two Texas immigration detention centers to hold families who are in the U.S. illegally. “We aren’t going to ignore the rule of law,” McLaughlin told CBS News. The Karnes detention facility is located in Karnes City, Texas, a small town east of San Antonio. The other ICE detention center equipped to house families with minor children is located in Dilley, Texas, another small town south of San Antonio. The Biden administration used those sites to detain migrant adults. The move by the Trump administration reverses a policy change by the Biden administration, which discontinued the long-term detention of migrant families. It’s a practice that was first implemented on a large-scale by the Obama administration, in an attempt to discourage families from crossing the southern border illegally. Advocates and child ******** experts have long denounced family detention, saying it is harmful to children and their psychological well-being. A 2016 report commissioned by the Department of Homeland Security called for family immigration to be phased out. “There is no safe way to detain families and no legitimate justification for this inhumane practice,” said Neha Desai, an attorney at the California-based National Center of Youth Law representing migrant children in a federal court case. The U.S. government has long faced legal, humanitarian and operational challenges when processing migrant parents and children who are in the country without legal permission. In 2015, for example, a federal judge ruled that the government should generally not hold migrant children for longer than 20 days, dramatically limiting family detention in the immigration context. The revival of family detention is the latest step taken by the Trump administration to expand ICE’s capabilities to arrest, detain and deport migrants who are in the U.S. illegally. Officials at ICE have been under tremendous pressure from top Trump administration officials to ramp up arrests and deportations. Unlike its efforts to seal off the U.S.-Mexico border, which have yielded a 25-year low in ******** crossings, the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement campaign in the interior of the country has run into operational obstacles. ICE’s detention capacity, for example, has been depleted. As of Thursday, the agency’s detention system was at 120% capacity, holding more than 46,000 migrants, despite only having 38,000 beds on paper, internal government statistics show. Camilo Montoya-Galvez Camilo Montoya-Galvez is the immigration reporter at CBS News. Based in Washington, he covers immigration policy and politics. Source link #Trump #revives #practice #detaining #migrant #families #children Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

New-look Dragons spine hoping practice makes perfect New-look Dragons spine hoping practice makes perfect After some promising pre-season results, St George Illawarra will be put under pressure by Canterbury, with coach Shane Flanagan backing his new spine. Source link #Newlook #Dragons #spine #hoping #practice #perfect Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Alabama man walking down middle of Highway 98 dies in pedestrian vs. vehicle ****** Alabama man walking down middle of Highway 98 dies in pedestrian vs. vehicle ****** A 42-year-old Flomaton, Alabama, man died in Escambia County Wednesday night after he was hit while walking down Highway 98. Florida Highway Patrol says the man was in the middle of the roadway when a tractor trailer “failed to see” the man. “The front of Vehicle 1 collided with the rear of Non-Motorist 1,” an FHP report said. FHP said the ****** occurred at 9:04 p.m. near Skyhawk Drive. The driver, a 57-year-old from Palm Coast, Florida, did not sustain any injuries. FHP did not release further information. This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Highway 98 ****** kills pedestrian from Alabama Source link #Alabama #man #walking #middle #Highway #dies #pedestrian #vehicle #****** Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Seahawks 'talking to a ton of teams' after DK Metcalf trade request, GM says – The Seattle Times Seahawks 'talking to a ton of teams' after DK Metcalf trade request, GM says – The Seattle Times Seahawks ‘talking to a ton of teams’ after DK Metcalf trade request, GM says The Seattle TimesSeahawks WR DK Metcalf requests trade after six seasons in Seattle NFL.comSeahawks, Chargers are co-favorites for D.K. Metcalf NBC SportsWhat Trading For DK Metcalf Reportedly Could Cost Patriots NESNSeahawks GM Addresses DK Metcalf Trade Rumors: ‘We’re Talking To a Ton of Teams’ Bleacher Report Source link #Seahawks #039talking #ton #teams039 #Metcalf #trade #request #Seattle #Times Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Adnan Syed of Serial podcast will not serve additional jail time Adnan Syed of Serial podcast will not serve additional jail time Adnan Syed, whose criminal conviction was made famous in the hit true-crime podcast Serial, will not have to serve any additional jail time after being resentenced in the ******* of his ex-girlfriend. A Baltimore judge ruled that Syed “is not a danger to the public”, according to the BBC’s US partner CBS News, and that “the interests of justice will be served better by a reduced sentence”. Syed was convicted in the 1999 ******* of his ex-girlfriend Hae Min Lee and sentenced to life in prison. His case spawned the Serial podcast, which questioned key evidence in the case and helped lead to his resentencing. Syed’s conviction in the ******* case still stands. His resentencing was possible under a law that allows for sentence reductions for people convicted as minors and have spent more than 20 years in prison. Baltimore City Circuit Judge Jennifer Schiffer made the ruling in court on Tuesday. Syed and Min Lee were classmates in high school in Maryland when Lee disappeared in January 1999. Her body was found in a forest three weeks later. Syed, then 17, was found guilty of first degree ******* in February 2000, and sentenced to life in prison. Prosecutors at the time alleged Syed carried out the crime after becoming jealous of Lee’s new relationship after the two broke up. In 2014, Syed’s case gained national attention through the true-crime podcast ‘Serial’, which was listened to by millions of people. The podcast raised questions about the evidence provided by prosecutors and witnesses that appeared at his trial, and it explored the effectiveness of Syed’s attorney. Fans of the podcast have donated more than $80,000 to Syed’s legal fund, according to CBS News. Syed was cleared of all charges in 2022 after prosecutors said he had been wrongfully convicted. But his conviction was reinstated a year later in 2023 after an appeals court found that the lower court had failed to give the victim’s brother sufficient notice of the hearing that freed Syed. Judge Schiffer’s ruling on Tuesday allows for Syed to remain free. Now 43, he has been out of prison since 2022. Source link #Adnan #Syed #Serial #podcast #serve #additional #jail #time Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Hawks take chip on their shoulder into NBL decider Hawks take chip on their shoulder into NBL decider The Illawarra Hawks have taken the chip on their shoulder all the way to the end. On Saturday night, the Hawks will do something they’ve done only four times since the NBL’s inception in 1979 – run out for game one of a championship series. The league’s sole surviving foundation club and the only top-level professional sports team based entirely in Wollongong is only three wins away from a fairytale second title. They’re up against blue-chip Melbourne United, perennial heavyweights and runners-up last season. “The whole team is dangerous,” Hawks guard Tyler Harvey told AAP. “They play well with each other, they all know each other very well. An experienced team is a good team.” But for the Hawks, there’s been more time spent towards the bottom of the ladder than the top in recent years. They were wooden spooners in two of the last five seasons before this one, and had never finished atop the ladder until 2025. Even when they had future NBA superstar LaMelo Ball on their team in the 2019/20 campaign, Illawarra finished last. But if you’re among those to have written the Hawks off, they’re likelier to thank you than discredit you; they’ve based their 2024/25 season on the assumption they’ll be an afterthought. “You’ve always got to keep a chip on your shoulder, you’ve always got to keep an edge,” said American import Harvey. “You can never be complacent. If you’re complacent, you get surprised.” That’s the gospel of Justin Tatum, who was promoted from assistant to head coach when a broken Hawks side fired Jacob Jackomas after a 2-7 start to last season. The father of NBA superstar Jayson, Tatum roused Illawarra to an unlikely semi-final berth last year before the side fell in three games to United. Tatum has continued to motivate his charges with his against-all-odds story this season, telling AAP last week the Hawks were the underdogs for their semi-final series against South East Melbourne. Illawarra won the decisive game by 30 points. But whatever he’s doing, it’s working for the Hawks, who have scored more points and shot from the field at better accuracy than any team this season. “JT is an expert at what he does,” Harvey said. “He’s really good at coaching his players really hard and knowing also when to let his foot off the gas a little bit and let us figure things out on our own.” Tatum made a point of keeping largely the same Illawarra roster that bowed out in last year’s semi-final series, with Harvey believing that continuity had been key to success this year. Trey Kell III and Darius Days were the only two men brought in after last season, and the former earned selection in the All-NBL First Team for a brilliant campaign. “You’re bringing back 80 per cent of the team. That helps camaraderie, you bring in guys like Trey Kell and Darius, that’s going to push you up as well,” Harvey said. “We had a whole season with JT to start the year. That also helps.” For an import, Harvey has spent an unusually long time – five years – with the Hawks. When he made the decision to re-sign following last year’s final-four finish, he knew they were in position for a championship charge in 2025. “When the opportunity came to come back, I had one goal in mind, that’s what’s been on my mind ever since I signed here. The city deserves it and we have a good chance,” he said. Now, it’s just a case of putting it into action from Saturday night’s series opener in Wollongong. “It’s an opportunity you dream of as a kid. Everyone’s excited,” Harvey said. Source link #Hawks #chip #shoulder #NBL #decider Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Making a single change can cut your microplastics intake from 90,000 to 4,000 particles per year Making a single change can cut your microplastics intake from 90,000 to 4,000 particles per year It may be time to find America’s next top bottle. Microplastics are everywhere — in the beauty products we wear, the cleaning supplies we use and even in the food we eat. Research suggests that these particles, smaller than a grain of rice, can harm reproductive, digestive and respiratory health, potentially leading to colon and lung *******. In a new scientific paper, three physicians report that switching from bottled water to filtered tap water could cut your microplastic intake by about 90% — from 90,000 to 4,000 particles each year. This diagram shows the chemical components of microplastics. Getty Images In a new scientific paper, three physicians report that one switch could cut your microplastic intake by about 90% — from 90,000 to 4,000 particles each year. Colorful microplastics are shown here under a magnifying glass. iStockphoto “Given the widespread presence of microplastics in the environment, completely eliminating exposure is unrealistic. A more practical approach is to reduce the most significant sources of microplastic intake,” the researchers wrote this week in the Genomic Press. Bottled water was America’s favorite packaged drink last year, but it’s also a significant source of microplastics. Getty Images/iStockphoto This advice may be tough to ********. Bottled water was America’s favorite packaged drink last year, according to industry data, with 16.2 billion gallons consumed, a 2% increase from 2023. Microplastic exposure occurs when particles break off from the bottle’s inner surface and enter the water, particularly when the bottle is squeezed or exposed to heat. If you aren’t ready to ditch your plastic bottles or don’t have a filter for your tap, there are other ways to reduce microplastic intake. “Beyond bottled water, significant dietary sources of microplastics are alcohol and seafood,” the researchers wrote. “Stopping the practice of heating food in plastic could be one of the most effective ways to reduce microplastic consumption.” Microwaving food in plastic containers can release up to 4.22 million microplastic particles per square centimeter in just a few minutes. “Stopping the practice of heating food in plastic could be one of the most effective ways to reduce microplastic consumption,” the researchers wrote. Getty Images Other recommendations include not storing food in plastic — opt for glass or stainless steel containers instead — and limiting consumption of canned and ultra-processed foods. “Highly processed foods, like chicken nuggets, contained 30 times more microplastics per gram than chicken breasts, highlighting the impact of industrial processing, which often uses plastics at some point,” the researchers said. The world’s companies are believed to generate nearly 460 million metric tons of plastic annually — this figure is projected to increase to 1.1 billion metric tons by 2050. Americans inhale and ingest an estimated 39,000 to 52,000 microplastic particles a year, one study found. Microplastics have been detected in human placentas, kidneys, lungs, livers, testicles and blood, among other organs and tissues. Startling research published last month found that the human brain contains approximately a spoon’s worth of tiny shreds of plastic. These particles can damage intestinal cells, trigger inflammation and disturb the balance of bacteria in the gut. In the new paper, the researchers call for more studies on the long-term health effects of microplastics and “clear” limits on their exposure. But while “reducing intake is a logical approach,” the researchers wrote, “it remains unclear whether this translates into a measurable reduction in microplastic accumulation within human tissues.” Source link #Making #single #change #cut #microplastics #intake #particles #year Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

China’s exports grew 2.3% on year in Jan-Feb, well short of estimates China’s exports grew 2.3% on year in Jan-Feb, well short of estimates A general view of the container terminal in Qianwan of Qingdao Port, a port in Shandong Province, China, March 17, 2023. CFOTO | Future Publishing | Getty Images China’s exports growth slowed more than expected at the start of the year, data from the customs authority showed Friday, as higher U.S. tariffs partly offset momentum in the country’s rare bright spot. Exports in the January to February ******* rose 2.3% in U.S. dollar terms from a year earlier, significantly undershooting expectations of a 5% increase in a Reuters poll. That compares with growth of 10.7% in December, 6.7% in November, 12.7% in October, following a soft rise of 2.4% in September. Customs data showed imports fell 8.4% year-on-year in the first two months of 2025. Analysts had expected imports to expand 1% year-on-year. That followed a modest uptick of 1.0% in December after sharp declines of 3.9% in November and 2.3% in October, in a sign that Beijing’s stimulus measures launched late last year have helped to support certain sectors in the economy. ******** exporters have been rushing to front-load outbound shipments since late last year on anticipation of more tariffs as U.S. President Donald Trump returned to the White House. Trump’s first round of 10% tariff hikes on ******** goods took effect on Feb 4., followed by another 10% tariff increase kicking in just one month later, taking the cumulative levies to 20%. China has retaliated with additional tariffs on select U.S. goods, including energy and agricultural products, while restricting exports of certain critical minerals that the U.S. needs. The customs agency publishes combined trade data for the first two months due to the distorting effects from the typically slow-shipment season during Lunar New Year holidays, which fell in late January this year. Despite the mounting tariff tensions, ******** leadership this week set an ambitious growth target of around 5% this year while acknowledging the weak domestic demand by adjusting the inflation target to the lowest level in decades. Beijing’s support Pressure has been building on ******** officials to release more forceful stimulus measures to prop up domestic consumption and the housing sector, while reducing the economy’s reliance on exports and investment. Exports contributed nearly a quarter of China’s GDP last year, with the U.S. being the largest trading partner on a single-country basis. As Trump started his second term, he ordered his administration to investigate Beijing’s compliance with a trade deal struck during his first presidency in 2020. The final result of the assessment will be delivered to Trump by April 1, potentially setting the stage for further tariff actions, economists said. Since last year, Beijing has sought to boost consumption using trade-in subsidies to encourage purchases of select goods. Authorities in January expanded the trade-in program to include smartphones and more home appliances. As part of an expanded fiscal package, ******** leaders pledged at an annual parliamentary meeting this week an additional 300 billion yuan of ultra-long special treasury bonds for consumers’ subsidy support. Source link #Chinas #exports #grew #year #JanFeb #short #estimates Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

SpaceX’s Starship spacecraft explodes midflight for a second time, disrupting Florida air traffic – CNN SpaceX’s Starship spacecraft explodes midflight for a second time, disrupting Florida air traffic – CNN SpaceX’s Starship spacecraft explodes midflight for a second time, disrupting Florida air traffic CNNSpaceX’s Starship Rocket Disrupts Florida Airports With Unsuccessful Test Flight The New York TimesSpaceX loses control of Starship in space in testing failure YahooWatch: SpaceX Starship explodes, shooting glitter of debris falling across night sky Fox Weather Source link #SpaceXs #Starship #spacecraft #explodes #midflight #time #disrupting #Florida #air #traffic #CNN Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Aguia grabs $1.5m to fast-track high-grade gold drilling in Colombia Aguia grabs $1.5m to fast-track high-grade gold drilling in Colombia Aguia Resources has locked in $1.5 million in fresh capital after completing a placement of 40 million shares at $0.38 a share, setting the stage for an aggressive drilling campaign at its high-grade Santa Barbara gold project in Colombia. The new cash will also support expansion of the company’s gold processing plant to 50 tonnes per day (tpd) and cover general working capital needs. A tranche of one million shares has been ringfenced for director applications, pending shareholder approval. Aguia expects to launch a 25-hole diamond drilling program at the start of the June quarter for 2500 metres. The campaign is designed to test extensions of the high-grade mineralised strike and dip at its main Santa Barbara and Mariana workings. The company will use the drilling results to pinpoint the rig’s next target and progressively test additional extensive gold-bearing veins that have been mapped but not yet drilled. Management says the real speculative prize lies with the potential to prove a series of big high-grade gold orebodies and unlock a significant gold resource in the high-grade mineralised vein system. This diamond drilling program will initially test extensions of veins above and below the existing workings. We know where the veins are, we know the orientation and the grades. In the context of the Lassonde Curve, the company is entering the phase that potentially has the greatest impact on the share price. More than 7 kilometres of mapped mineralised veins run through the Santa Barbara project, with previous hits returning uber-high grades of 38.91 grams per tonne (g/t) and 31 g/t in two key vein structures. The company says the geological setting at site bears striking similarities to other high-grade mesothermal vein systems in Colombia, including the Buriticá mine. The ********-backed deposit has a resource of 3.86 million ounces of gold grading a massive 8.4g/t and 13.7m ounces of silver running at 24.3g/t. More impressively, the nearby Segovia gold mine – operated by Toronto-listed Aris Mining – contains a resource of 3.4m ounces grading 16g/t with a further 2.5m ounces in inferred resources at similar remarkable grades. Given the prospective scale and high-grade potential of Aguia’s project -especially considering the size of neighbouring mines – the company is setting its sights high. The company is chasing an ambitious exploration target of 2 million to 4 million tonnes at gold grades ranging from 20g/t to 30g/t. If realised, this has the potential to put Santa Barbara among the region’s most significant gold discoveries. Aguia has already completed substantial underground rehabilitation work at the mine’s main vein systems and restarted the plant, which is currently running at a throughput of 30tpd. The company also celebrated its first gold pour five weeks ago, delivering much needed cash flow for the project. Key upgrades, including a new Merrill Crowe gold recovery circuit and an 80t thickener, were completed to improve the efficiency of the plant and pump up its capacity from 30tpd to 50tpd in the near term. Aguia’s expansion into high-grade gold exploration comes as the company is in the pre-production phase of monetising another of its near-term mining opportunities. It plans to use Santa Barbara’s cash flow to fund the capital requirements of its Tres Estradas organic phosphate mine in southern Brazil. The company has full approvals in place and by mid-year expects to start processing 100,000t of rock phosphate annually, before increasing its capacity to 300,000 tonnes per annum (tpa). In a key move, Aguia has ditched plans to build a processing plant, choosing to take out a long-term lease on a nearby plant that requires minor capital to get it up and running. The cost-saving decision should significantly improve the project’s economics considering a 2023 feasibility study estimated a standalone 300,000tpa plant would have cost about $26m to build. The study also projected $22m in annual EBITDA over an 18-year mine life, with a 2.9-year payback *******. Aguia has a well-funded exploration program and an experienced technical team on board, ensuring it is now well-positioned to advance Santa Barbara toward a maiden JORC-compliant resource estimate. Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: *****@*****.tld Source link #Aguia #grabs #1.5m #fasttrack #highgrade #gold #drilling #Colombia Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Cryptocurrencies fall after Trump officially establishes U.S. bitcoin reserve Cryptocurrencies fall after Trump officially establishes U.S. bitcoin reserve Jakub Porzycki | Nurphoto | Getty Images Cryptocurrencies fell Thursday night after President Donald Trump signed an executive order creating a strategic bitcoin reserve for the United States and, separately, a “digital asset stockpile.” The price of bitcoin was last lower by 3% at $87,586.86, according to Coin Metrics. Shortly after the news broke, it fell to as low as $84,688.13. Earlier losses in other coins – specifically those that rallied at the beginning of the week after Trump said they would be included in the strategy – also eased. Ether was down 2%, trading at $2,184.08. XRP and Solana’s SOL token retreated 1% and 3%, respectively. Cardano’s ADA token tumbled 13%. Stock Chart IconStock chart icon Bitcoin (BTC) White House crypto and AI czar David Sacks detailed in a post on X that the bitcoin reserve will include bitcoin already owned by the U.S. government that it seized from past law enforcement actions – a move, he emphasized, that will “not cost taxpayers a dime.” The U.S. currently owns more than 198,000 bitcoins worth about $17 billion, according to Arkham. The stockpile of other coins will include “digital assets other than bitcoin forfeited in criminal or civil proceedings.” Sacks said the government will not acquire additional assets for it “beyond those obtained through forfeiture proceedings.” Arkham data shows the U.S. government owns about 56 ether tokens worth almost $119 million. It does not list XRP or the Solana or Cardano tokens. Investors initially dumped their coins at the notion of the U.S. having no immediate planned purchases of bitcoin, per the order, against the backdrop of major weakness in equities. “It is good news, but not what the market wanted in the short term,” said Steven Lubka, head of private clients and family offices at Swan Bitcoin. “People were hoping for near-term buy pressure.” Sacks did point out that the Secretaries of Treasury and Commerce are authorized to develop “budget-neutral strategies for acquiring additional bitcoin, provided that those strategies have no incremental costs on American taxpayers,” and that there’s no plan to accumulate additional assets for the crypto stockpile beyond what’s already been obtained by the government. The announcement came days after Trump teased new details on the highly anticipated bitcoin reserve that had become one of his biggest promises to the crypto industry on his campaign trail, and on the eve of the first White House Crypto Summit. The crypto market has been rocked this week by the tariff war and inflation concerns, which have largely overshadowed the speculative excitement around the bitcoin reserve. JPMorgan on Wednesday said it doesn’t expect a big move higher in crypto in the near term, given the broader economic uncertainty and weakening demand. Bitcoin briefly returned to the key $90,000 level earlier this week and is now hovering just below it. Investors and analysts have warned that until bitcoin can meaningfully hold above it, it’s at risk of a ******* pullback toward $70,000. Don’t miss these cryptocurrency insights from CNBC Pro: Source link #Cryptocurrencies #fall #Trump #officially #establishes #U.S #bitcoin #reserve Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

The architect of Trump’s first tax cuts says the plan to scoop out overtime pay and Social Security from taxes is ‘very expensive’ but tips are feasible The architect of Trump’s first tax cuts says the plan to scoop out overtime pay and Social Security from taxes is ‘very expensive’ but tips are feasible Steve Mnuchin, a long-serving Cabinet member during Trump’s first term, extolled the value of tax cuts at a recent conference—but warned that some of Trump’s campaign promises could prove “very expensive.” However, tips might be on the menu. Steve Mnuchin became one of Donald Trump’s earliest supporters when the real estate mogul and reality TV star initially launched a long-shot bid for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination. When the banking executive was appointed Treasury secretary, he shepherded some of the president’s major policy moves—overhauling America’s tax system through Congress and dramatically ratcheting up tariffs on China. But now, with his former boss back in the White House, Mnuchin has some hesitations about the new administration’s economic agenda. Mnuchin said he was proud of his role in helping develop the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which dramatically slashed taxes for individuals and corporations. Many of the individual tax cuts are set to expire this year. Mnuchin said renewing those measures should be relatively simple compared to when he had to get them through Congress the first time. “I think that’s got to be the priority to continue,” he said. “I do think Secretary Bessent needs to be very focused on working with the House and the Senate to get this across the finish line,” he said Wednesday at a conference hosted by Bloomberg in downtown Manhattan. Mnuchin warned that Trump’s proposals for removing taxes from Social Security benefits and overtime pay would be “very expensive,” though he said the president’s proposal for doing the same with tips could be feasible. On the campaign trail, Trump proposed exempting tips, overtime pay, and Social Security from federal income taxes; he doubled down on the plan in Tuesday’s address to Congress. “I’m calling for no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, and no tax on Social Security benefits for our great seniors,” he said, reiterating his call for “permanent income tax cuts all across the board.” Meanwhile, markets have been significantly shaken by Trump’s latest tariff salvo, which included blanket 25% taxes on imports from Canada and Mexico—America’s two largest trading partners—and a 10% hike on top of existing taxes on ******** goods. (A pause on auto tariffs was announced Wednesday). But Mnuchin backed Trump’s position that tariffs can function as an important source of revenue and incentivize companies to produce in the U.S. “It could be used to pay for tax cuts,” Mnuchin said. When it comes to the “third rail” of American politics, meanwhile, Mnuchin didn’t sugarcoat the situation—Social Security’s trust funds are running out of money, he said. According to the Congressional Budget Office, that could happen as soon as 2033. Story Continues “I hope that in the second half of the President’s term he can focus on Social Security reform,” Mnuchin said, “because it’s a problem. The fund is going to run out of money, and there [are] lots of people who rely upon it, so it needs to be fixed.” While Trump seems fixated on America’s trade imbalances with other nations, Mnuchin said the national deficit, which totaled $1.83 trillion in 2024, is the most important issue facing the country. It spiked dramatically, he noted, when the first Trump administration was forced to borrow heavily during the COVID-19 pandemic. “The first $2 trillion was well spent,” Mnuchin said. “The next 2 trillion, we never should have spent. And then the Biden administration kept on spending.” “[Treasury Secretary Scott] Bessent has talked about getting the deficit down from 6% to 3% of GDP,” he added, “and that’s got to be a major focus.” Last month, Trump signed an executive order calling for the creation of a sovereign wealth fund. The biggest of these state-owned investment vehicles, Saudi Arabia’s $925 Public Investment Fund, is one of the main investors in Mnuchin’s private equity firm, but that doesn’t mean the former Treasury secretary is on board. Most nations with such a fund, Mnuchin said, have a budget surplus thanks to revenues from finite resources like oil and gas, and are looking to preserve wealth for future generations. The U.S., meanwhile, would presumably need to borrow to fund its cash pot. “If we did that, I think it should be very limited in scope,” Mnuchin said. While distancing himself from some of Trump’s new policy goals, Mnuchin also appeared comfortable cracking select jokes about his former boss. While Congress member Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) has sponsored legislation to put Trump’s portrait on a new $250 bill, exempting him from the current rule that presidents can only receive the honor posthumously, Mnuchin said Trump should aim for the $1,000 bill if such a law were to pass. Mnuchin noted that, as Treasury secretary, he worked hard to improve his own signature so it could be printed on the U.S. dollar. “I wonder if President Trump wants his signature on the money,” he said, prompting laughs from the audience. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com Source link #architect #Trumps #tax #cuts #plan #scoop #overtime #pay #Social #Security #taxes #expensive #tips #feasible Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Cryptocurrencies fall after Trump officially establishes U.S. bitcoin reserve Cryptocurrencies fall after Trump officially establishes U.S. bitcoin reserve Jakub Porzycki | Nurphoto | Getty Images Cryptocurrencies fell Thursday night after President Donald Trump signed an executive order creating a strategic bitcoin reserve for the United States and, separately, a “digital asset stockpile.” The price of bitcoin was last lower by 3% at $87,586.86, according to Coin Metrics. Shortly after the news broke, it fell to as low as $84,688.13. Earlier losses in other coins – specifically those that rallied at the beginning of the week after Trump said they would be included in the strategy – also eased. Ether was down 2%, trading at $2,184.08. XRP and Solana’s SOL token retreated 1% and 3%, respectively. Cardano’s ADA token tumbled 13%. Stock Chart IconStock chart icon Bitcoin (BTC) White House crypto and AI czar David Sacks detailed in a post on X that the bitcoin reserve will include bitcoin already owned by the U.S. government that it seized from past law enforcement actions – a move, he emphasized, that will “not cost taxpayers a dime.” The U.S. currently owns more than 198,000 bitcoins worth about $17 billion, according to Arkham. The stockpile of other coins will include “digital assets other than bitcoin forfeited in criminal or civil proceedings.” Sacks said the government will not acquire additional assets for it “beyond those obtained through forfeiture proceedings.” Arkham data shows the U.S. government owns about 56 ether tokens worth almost $119 million. It does not list XRP or the Solana or Cardano tokens. Investors initially dumped their coins at the notion of the U.S. having no immediate planned purchases of bitcoin, per the order, against the backdrop of major weakness in equities. “It is good news, but not what the market wanted in the short term,” said Steven Lubka, head of private clients and family offices at Swan Bitcoin. “People were hoping for near-term buy pressure.” Sacks did point out that the Secretaries of Treasury and Commerce are authorized to develop “budget-neutral strategies for acquiring additional bitcoin, provided that those strategies have no incremental costs on American taxpayers,” and that there’s no plan to accumulate additional assets for the crypto stockpile beyond what’s already been obtained by the government. The announcement came days after Trump teased new details on the highly anticipated bitcoin reserve that had become one of his biggest promises to the crypto industry on his campaign trail, and on the eve of the first White House Crypto Summit. The crypto market has been rocked this week by the tariff war and inflation concerns, which have largely overshadowed the speculative excitement around the bitcoin reserve. JPMorgan on Wednesday said it doesn’t expect a big move higher in crypto in the near term, given the broader economic uncertainty and weakening demand. Bitcoin briefly returned to the key $90,000 level earlier this week and is now hovering just below it. Investors and analysts have warned that until bitcoin can meaningfully hold above it, it’s at risk of a ******* pullback toward $70,000. Don’t miss these cryptocurrency insights from CNBC Pro: Source link #Cryptocurrencies #fall #Trump #officially #establishes #U.S #bitcoin #reserve Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Medical plane’s voice recorder likely wasn’t working for years before Philadelphia ****** – The Associated Press Medical plane’s voice recorder likely wasn’t working for years before Philadelphia ****** – The Associated Press Medical plane’s voice recorder likely wasn’t working for years before Philadelphia ****** The Associated PressNational Transportation Safety Board releases new findings about plane ****** in Northeast Philadelphia 6ABC PhiladelphiaCockpit recorder wasn’t working on medevac flight that crashed in Philadelphia — and likely hadn’t for years: NTSB New York Post Philly plane ******: NTSB says cockpit voice recorder did not capture doomed flight’s final moments FOX 29 PhiladelphiaBlack box of ambulance jet that crashed in Philly wasn’t recording audio, likely hadn’t worked for years: NTSB Fox News Source link #Medical #planes #voice #recorder #wasnt #working #years #Philadelphia #****** #Press Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Child Commissioner calls for action on child sex abuse in Aboriginal communities instead of Royal Commission Child Commissioner calls for action on child sex abuse in Aboriginal communities instead of Royal Commission The WA Children’s Commissioner has rejected renewed calls for a Royal Commission into child ******* abuse, urging governments to prioritise action over further inquiries. Source link #Child #Commissioner #calls #action #child #sex #abuse #Aboriginal #communities #Royal #Commission Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘It is a measurable force’ ‘It is a measurable force’ The devastation caused by the Los Angeles area wildfires earlier this year has widespread implications for the national housing market, with one expert forecasting an economic collapse. What is happening? Dave Burt, founder of investment research and consulting firm DeltaTerra Capital, recently told CNBC that he expects a fifth of all homes in the United States to devalue over the next five years because of a warming climate. “In the past, insurers have not increased prices because of these increasing weather events,” Burt said. “That’s all falling apart now because of the fragility of the system and some of the insurance market failures that we’ve seen in just the last few years.” Burt, who predicted the subprime mortgage crisis of 2008, thinks that there will be repercussions nationwide as extreme weather events — like the fires that swept through Southern California — force the insurance industry to increase the premiums that homeowners pay. And since the cost of owning a home is inversely proportional to its value, the latter may ultimately tank. “We think that those 20% of markets could be down 30% over the next five years in value, which is very similar to the 2007 to 2012 great recession experience,” he added. Why is Burt’s prediction concerning? Burt’s statement has been substantiated by a new study from First Street. The climate-risk firm projects that 84% of U.S. homes could decrease in value by 2055, reaching total losses of $1.47 trillion. Watch now: How bad is a gas stove for your home’s indoor air quality? The report found that insurance costs are expected to spike by 25% over the next three decades because of the underpricing of risk and the increasing likelihood and severity of extreme weather events. “Climate change is no longer a theoretical concern — it is a measurable force reshaping real estate markets and regional economies across the United States,” Jeremy Porter, head of climate implications research at First Street, told CNBC. After all, such catastrophes caused $140 billion in insured losses last year worldwide, making 2024 the third-costliest year on record. What is being done about the looming insurance crisis? With homeowners either facing sky-high premiums or scrambling for alternatives after getting dropped by insurance companies, addressing the crux of the issue is a daunting but crucial task. That’s what makes solutions that attempt to reverse the planet’s overheating — which supercharges extreme weather — all the more important. Whether it’s new legislation that promotes energy efficiency, research that helps us move on from dirty energy sources, or small lifestyle changes that limit our reliance on plastic, every step can help mitigate the effects of rising global temperatures and climate disasters. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don’t miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Source link #measurable #force Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Stock futures rise after Thursday's big sell-off; key jobs report looms: Live updates – CNBC Stock futures rise after Thursday's big sell-off; key jobs report looms: Live updates – CNBC Stock futures rise after Thursday’s big sell-off; key jobs report looms: Live updates CNBCUS stocks slide and Nasdaq enters correction as chaos over Trump’s tariffs intensifies CNNWall Street tumbles as tariff whiplash and falling AI stocks drag Nasdaq 10% below its record The Associated PressNasdaq confirms correction amid US trade policy uncertainty ReutersDow Jones Futures: Trump Blames ‘Globalists’ For Market Dive; Palantir Plunges As Broadcom Jumps Late Investor’s Business Daily Source link #Stock #futures #rise #Thursday039s #big #selloff #key #jobs #report #looms #Live #updates #CNBC Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Boots owner to be taken private under $10bn deal Boots owner to be taken private under $10bn deal The US owner of high street chemist Boots says it will be taken private in a $10bn (£7.8bn) deal. The move brings to an end nearly a century of trading on public markets for the Walgreens Boots Alliance. It has seen its debt grow as cost-conscious customers chose to shop online and opted for cheaper products. Around 300 stores of the pharmacy chain were recently closed across the *** in an attempt to consolidate its business. There are now 1,900 Boots stores left in the ***. The total value of the transaction could be worth up to $23.7bn, including debt and possible payouts down the line. Under the deal, US private equity firm Sycamore Partners will pay $11.45 per share for Walgreens. That is more than what its shares are currently worth on the US stock market. Shares of Walgreens rose by nearly 6% in extended trading in New York. The deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter of this year. Tim Wentworth, CEO of Walgreens, said in a statement that the firm was navigating the “challenges of a rapidly evolving pharmacy industry and an increasingly complex and competitive retail landscape”. “While we are making progress against our ambitious turnaround strategy, meaningful value creation will take time, focus and change that is better managed as a private company,” he added. It is unclear what the deal would mean for Boots and its *** operations. The Illinois-based Walgreens took a 45% stake in Boots in 2012. It bought out the remainder of the firm two years later in a deal that valued Boots at around £9bn. Walgreens also comprises its namesake US retail business, specialty pharmacy group Shields Health Solutions and healthcare provider VillageMD. In recent years, the company faced mounting challenges as customers turned to cheaper rivals for groceries and prescriptions. In 2022, Walgreens put Boots up for ***** but later dropped these plans, saying buyers were unable to raise enough funds to buy the pharmacy business. Last October, it announced that it would shut 1,200 Walgreens stores in the US over the next three years under an ambitious cost-cutting plan. Source link #Boots #owner #private #10bn #deal Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

James Hayward: Dumped WA upper house MP has child sex charges dropped, blasts ‘botched prosecution’ James Hayward: Dumped WA upper house MP has child sex charges dropped, blasts ‘botched prosecution’ The former WA Nationals MP who won an appeal against his convictions for child sex crimes will not face a retrial after the charges were dropped. James Hayward was found guilty in August 2023 of directing a young girl to indecently touch him on two occasions when she was aged between six and eight in January 2019 and November 2021. He was handed a term of two years and nine months, and booted out of Parliament. Last month he won an appeal against his convictions and was granted bail ahead of a retrial. And at a trial listing hearing in the District Court of WA on Friday, the case was discontinued. In a statement, Mr Hayward said he was thankful and relieved that his ordeal had “finally come to an end”. “Every man in this State should be terrified by what has happened to me,” he said. “Men are under siege, you simply cannot defend yourself against this type of accusation. “I have been subjected to a sustained and relentless attack on my character.” Camera IconJames Hayward and his wife Lee arrive at the District Court for an earlier hearing. He thanked his family “for their unwavering support”. Credit: Nic Ellis/The West *********** He said the State had recognised he did not receive a fair trial and in light of this, had “chosen to walk away”. “The botched prosecution was doomed from the start,” the father of six wrote. “It was marred by neglect, poor judgment, prejudice and political interference. “Both the police and prosecutors failed me, failed my family, failed the community and failed the complainant.” In his appeal application, he claimed the judge presiding over a hearing before the trial had failed to exclude evidence that he said had been “obtained unfairly”. The West *********** understands the issue relates to how the child witness interview — a key part of the State’s case against him — was carried out. After his previous trial listing hearing, the 55-year-old said he would ask State Parliament to “reinstate” him “to allow me to return to Parliament under parliamentary privilege and have a valedictory speech”. “And in that hour, I intend to say some things that people may not want to hear, but they’re important things that need to be said, and they need to be said under parliamentary privilege,” Mr Hayward told reporters. The former TV producer spent 410 days behind bars and described his incarceration as “terrible”. Source link #James #Hayward #Dumped #upper #house #child #sex #charges #dropped #blasts #botched #prosecution Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

US to levy fees on ships linked to China, push allies to do same US to levy fees on ships linked to China, push allies to do same STORY: Any ship built in China or flagged there will face a fee when it docks in the U.S. That’s according to a draft executive order seen by Reuters on Thursday. What’s more, the order calls on allies to do the same, or risk retaliation. The U.S. also plans to impose tariffs on ******** cargo-handling equipment. It’s all part of moves by the Trump administration to revive domestic shipbuilding, and loosen China’s grip on the wider marine sector. The order says the national security of the U.S. is endangered by China’s “unfair trade practices in the maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors”. Reuters had first reported that such plans were in the pipeline a day earlier, based on a factsheet attached to the order. The U.S. Trade Representative’s office last month proposed fees of up to $1.5 million for ********-built ships entering American ports. That followed a probe into China’s domination of global maritime and logistics businesses. Separately Thursday, Trump commended French shipping giant CMA CGM for saying it would invest $20 billion in the U.S. The company says it will expand existing container ports and create 10,000 jobs. But CMA CGM has a vessel sharing agreement with ******** cargo line COSCO, and says that any fees on ********-built ships will hit every firm in the industry. Source link #levy #fees #ships #linked #China #push #allies Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump's erratic trade policies are baffling businesses, threatening investment and economic growth – The Associated Press Trump's erratic trade policies are baffling businesses, threatening investment and economic growth – The Associated Press Trump’s erratic trade policies are baffling businesses, threatening investment and economic growth The Associated PressCanada’s tariffs to remain despite Trump postponing tariffs on many imports from Canada for a month The Associated Press Source link #Trump039s #erratic #trade #policies #baffling #businesses #threatening #investment #economic #growth #Press Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]